Spurs etch their place in NBA's history books

Not quite Boston Celtics-like or Los Angeles Lakers grade but outstanding nonetheless.

"We made plays, we found ways to get it done," Duncan said. "I didn't play the greatest. People missed shots. They got offensive rebounds. They made plays. But we found a way to win. That's what this team is all about. No matter what happens we find ways to win."

That should be the Spurs' theme song.

Where do they rank exactly on the greatness scale? There are three or four top-tier NBA dynasties: the 1950-60s Celtics; the 1980s Lakers, the 1990s Bulls and then the 1999-2002 Lakers. Also somewhere in there are the 1980s Celtics.

People can argue for days about where these teams rank but only a fool would say that the Spurs belong among those greats.

Yet, just after that group are these Spurs. San Antonio is probably somewhere in the five-to-seven range where teams like the Isiah Thomas-led Detroit Pistons and Minneapolis Lakers roam.

That's not bad company at all.

What hurts the Spurs is the quality of their opponents. This is not their fault but it is still a huge factor. In 1999, they beat a hobbled, terrible Knicks team. In 2003, it was the Nets. Yuck. In 2005, they did beat a very talented Detroit group. Now, the Cavaliers.

What helps San Antonio is its coaching, depth, poise and defensive play. Only the top three or four great dynasties have more of these qualities in abundance than the Spurs.

"We know we are probably the best team the last 10, eight years," said Manu Ginobili, "and it feels really good because it shows the hard work we've done ... "

Each time Cleveland made a run in every game, the Spurs took the body blows and punched back.

If I had to rank the best defensive team, the Spurs might be two or three and their bench depth is top five. The bench is so strong that when star Duncan shoots 4-for-15 for 12 points in Game 4, San Antonio still wins, thanks to players like Ginobili.

Coach Gregg Popovich has to be discussed as one of the top five coaches of all time.

"They have great players on the team," Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. "They have had great players come through the organization. But the one steady, you know, has been Pop. He doesn't get enough credit for his X's and O's. But more importantly he doesn't get enough credit for his people skills. He's a tremendous teacher and a tremendous person and he's the reason that organization is where it's at."

Where the Spurs are better than the recent dynasties like the Lakers is that they are not full of mega-maniacs like Kobe Bryant. They have sustained this greatness by controlling the athlete id.

Next season, the Spurs have an opportunity to go for a consecutive title which would put them higher on the dynasty rankings. What does the no-nonsense Popovich think of that possibility?

"I don't give a s---," Popovich said.

How do you really feel?

Then he apologized for his language.

No need to say sorry when you're this good Pop. Almost as good as any team.