Another thing

The Spurs have been great for the past 11 years for a number of reasons. Obviously Timmy is the biggest part of the success. But it does not end there. Tony and Manu and Pop get and deserve a lot of credit as well. But it is still more. The Spurs are great because of role players. Bowen, Fin, the Little General, Steve Kerr, and Brent Barry just to name a few.

And this game turned with one very important substitution by Pop in the 2d quarter. It was a 16 point game and Pop was desparate. So I am just screaming at my TV, "It's time to put in 17!!" And for anyone who isn't a Spurs fan, that would be Brent Barry. Now, I am not an idiot, I know that Brent Barry is no superstar, but that isn't really the point.

Brent Barry is a leader, on and off the floor, he's a distributor, he makes good decisions, he spreads the floor, and he is a shot maker. Your best leader is often not your best player. Your best leader is a guy that commands respect because he gives it. He is a smart, hard worker who everyone likes, and listens to. Barry may not have seen the floor in over 2 months because of injury, but as soon as he steps back out there, it's like he never left. Pop had said he didn't want to use Brent or Big Shot Bob unless the situation was dire. Well, down 16 at home in the 2d quarter in game 1...dire.

So Pop points to 17 down there, and as soon as he comes in, I just knew the game was about to turn. When Brent Barry is on the floor, you must always know where he is...he is an incredible shooter, and he can get to the hoop if he so chooses. So with Brent on the floor, and the floor nice and spaced and spread out for Timmy, with no Shaq on the floor...Timmy gets a couple easy baskets. Then, with some incredible ball movement...Barry, wide open for 3! Boom.

Suddenly, at the half, it's only an 8 point game even though the Suns totally outplayed the Spurs in the first half. And the game turned because of Brent Barry. It takes soooo much more than superstars to win championships. And Brent Barry and Michael Finley are the keys to the Spurs getting back to the Finals. And just getting passed these tough Suns.