Spurs take their group photo in front of the Brandenburg Gate
Standing tall. A symbol of longevity through rebuilding. The mark of champions. That is what the Brandenberger Tor (a.k.a. the Brandenburg Gate) has represented to so many who have claimed this Berlin landmark as a rite of accomplishment. Since its first conception in 1788, many have clashed to claim this space as their chance to show the world who is the best in the land. You can look as far back as 1806 or as recently as the aftermath of this summer’s world cup when the German Soccer Team held their trophy rally. Then on early October 2014, the World Champion San Antonio Spurs made the most of their hold on the Larry O’Brien Trophy. I do admit Patty Mills & Aaron Baynes were a strong running in my book for most epic public celebration of the championship this year but this pose is historic, my friends. Wars have been fought to earn the right to stand proud in front of this monument (and videobombs are so 2012). This is probably the only place you can blast Queen’s epic tune to an annoying level without a permit and not suffer a fine from the authorities. If you are going to flex your muscle, this symbol of European unity is as classic of a location as a day at the oval office.
At the center of this image is the captain with the trophy. Mr. Old Man Riverwalk is together with basketball’s most sought after prize for the fifth year out of the seventeen in his career. The look of familiarity is obvious to the one who is repeatedly called the Greatest Power Forward of All Time. It took a collective effort, but the most dangerous piece of the machine is, with out a doubt, Tim Duncan. His climb in the most recent Sports Illustrated poll didn’t come from a nod given to the old champion for having one more title parade – he earned the right to be in the top 5 simply because of the unmatched performance he displayed last year. No one came close his collective numbers of 18.7 points, 12 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 blocks in 36 minutes of production. Furthermore, the last ones to do so were named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton back in 1978 (that was before the three-point line, folks). Unassumingly, Timmy holds the well-deserved reward which he defaults as a product of everyone’s effort around him. Then again, he has always called the ultimate goal a team effort.
Moving the eyes to the far right, and you see Pop looking like…well…a pop. I am not talking about the full beard and beer gut persona he has recently put on. I’m talking about his nearness to this year’s two special understudies: Becky Hammon and Ettore Massina. It is no secret that the Spurs Organization is the modern day sports standard for developing great head coaching and top management for the rest of the league. One could say Popovich is becoming the Kevin Bacon of NBA coaching and this year he is introducing two memorable rookies to the family. Coach Hammon has been the high profile story for this Spurs this summer – the first woman taken seriously for her mind in a realm dominated by men – to generalize the enormity of her hiring. Like it or not, there will be cameras and microscopes on Becky. Fortunately for her, the father figure of the club always has honest and relevant advice for a superstar in this league. Then there is Coach Massina, who in my opinion, was brought in to secretly take over the old man’s position when he finally sees the end of his Hall of Fame career.
I then move to the left of the trophy to find the youngest star of the group. Also the quietest, Kawhi Leonard poses with an ear to ear grin that was once uncommon for this humble athlete. I am sure a Finals MVP award, face time on Kelly & Michael and a home visit to show off his first championship trophy has done a lot for his self-confidence. If you know anything about the hardships he had to endure, smiling is not a priority for this student of the game. It’s not that he wasn’t a popular high school and college star, Kawhi just doesn’t take anything for granted. Hence the placement apart from the three major stars of the team, who are in front and to the side of the NBA Finals trophy. Every fan and most writers of the NBA will call the Riverside native a star. Last year was evident the team isn’t elite without him. Posters now illustrate the talented #2 along with the Big 3 – so why not in this team photo? The only logical reason is that he has not been voted into the All-Star Game in his three professional seasons.
Ultimately, this team photo op was merely a time stamp in what many call the Spurs Dynasty. Ever since San Antonio celebrated like is was 1999, this team has always had a target on their backs. The other four celebrations where not like this most recent, however. The boring Spurs became the beautiful Spurs; they redeemed themselves after almost winning it the year before in an unforgettable display of team basketball. The organization was so excited about this win, they promoted a global celebration where the trophy traveled to Canada, France, Italy, Brazil, Australia and Argentina. Then the party stopped in 5.1 seconds. In a game they were the heavy favorites, the Spurs lose by one point in their first pre-season game to none other than Berlin’s home team. Worse was the way they lost: a buzzer beater running jump-shot off of a turnover with the starting team on the floor. Coach Pop will tell you the game was lost in the 22 total turnovers they committed. I have heard some of the players refer to inconstancy and a lack of energy. For me, I imagine they were playing in the champagne-soaked jerseys from last season’s final game and suffered the classic headache every king of the mountain has to wake up from.
