I had very mixed feelings watching a Texas team hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy besides the Rockets. But listening to Tim Duncan graciously accept the MVP I'm glad that the Spurs won it. That guy just epitomizes class act and if there is anyone that Yao should look to for being a versatile dominating big man yet still a decent human being it should be Tim Duncan.
It makes no sense. So Billup wasn't "classy"? What's the difference between Duncan accepting it or if Billup accepts it. How can that be a reason to be "glad they won".
Sishir, Agreed. That whole organization top to bottom is THE standard for how every NBA organization should be run. It's bitter sweet because it's the Spurs (a long-time Rockets rival), but at the same time I just can't bring myself to dislike them. They are a classy team, with a classy coach, and a gracious superstar who is as humble as you can get, and a real example for our "bling-bling" generation of players who care more about their marketability than being called "winners". Here is hoping that the Rockets will have as much success as the Spurs are having this decade.
Stop the hatin', it doesn't befit us as Rockets fans. It is just their time, they are a great team, hopefully we will get there soon, and hopefully it will be our time one of those days. BTW, yes, the Pistons won me over because of their feisty spirit, toughness, and refusal to quit. Losing to the Spurs doesn't belittle them as a great team. They really have a lot of heart, and they, too, will be there for years and years to come. That team is in their prime as well.
I'm not saying Billups isn't classy I'm saying Duncan gave an incredibly gracious acceptance speech, technically interview, where he called everyone else on the Spurs an MVP and said that this victory wasn't any sweeter because he did it without Robinson. Yes it is possible Billups might've given just as gracious of a speech but I can't see into alternate realities and know what Billups speech was. I'm just saying that I'm dissapointed that a team besides the Rockets won but I'm glad the team and MVP that won it did it with class and grace.
I think if Billups were to play well today, he deserved the MVP. Granted, if he played better the Pistons would have won. But if he played better and the Pistons lose, I would have given it to him. He clearly was the only player among both teams with any type of killer instinct. But hats off to Duncan; he redeemed himself (somewhat)
Billups *had* a speech. And nobody felt the need to *praise Billups*. Because TD is *hyped* to be speciall classy... It would be funny to hear TD or anybody say:"Yeah this victory was so much sweeter because no D-Rob"... And to the original post. Nearly every dominate big man is a "decent human being". I don't really know what or who that was implying...
I have always liked Duncan, but I didn't think he had an MVP series. His subpar (for him) play took this series to seven. I was disappointed that the Pistons didn't win. Manu and Horry were clutch, big plays at critical times. Hamilton and Billups just couldn't get it done when it counted most. It has been a really entertaining year of NBA basketball, I hate to see it end. What do we have to look forward to till November? The Astros? David Carr running for his life?
"Yeah, baby, I sucked this series but I get my 3rd MVP because I'm living off of my name. Woooh! BTW, I think Robert shoulda got it instead of me, but hey I'll accept this gravytrain award."
So Ron Artest, Karl Malone, Jermaine O'Neal, and Chris Webber are decent human beings? Those guys aren't even in the same class in terms of class as Tim Duncan. The NBA has a lot of great people but unfortunately its got a lot of jerks too. When a guy like Duncan wins the MVP I think its good thing to praise him too for being a great person. I get the feeling you were rooting for the Pistons and are just bitter about them losing. I liked the Pistons too and I wasn't rooting for either team. I'm praising Duncan because I think he deserves praise and is a good example for the rest of the NBA and since I'm a Rockets fan first for Yao in particular. Guys like Duncan show that you can take charge and dominate while still be humble.
Gotta love the irony of a thread titled "In Praise of Tim Duncan", in which the thread starter lauded Tim's classy nature, that is filled with other posts which break out such insightful observations such as "F*ck Duncan"
I'll take 20 points, 15 rbs, and 2 blocks from a player any night. Horry hit some big shots, but the Spurs won't even be in the playoffs if it wasn't for Duncan. But F*** Ginobili!
It was slightly palatable to watch another team lift the trophy that the worst thing you can say is that one of their players is a bit of a flopper. I know there's a rivalry, but I don't really dislike anyone associated with the Spurs - and Duncan is a decent fellow - even if he didn't really deserve the MVP. I think I would've given it to Chauncey or Horry. Chauncey's demolition job on Parker all series long was pretty much the driving force behind the Pistons taking it to seven - and Horry is one cold blooded b*stard. But Tim Duncan is not, nor shall ever be, a better basketball player than Hakeem.
I'm pretty sure that he's referring to the Brawl. Not that I agree with him... Though I DO think Jermaine O'Neal is one of the most overrated players in the NBA (moreso last year when he was actually [inexplicably] getting MVP consideration). EDIT: Oh, and Chris Webber is a very intelligent, friendly person from my experiences with him.
