No asterisks

Spurs weren't always pretty, but they're the best

SAN ANTONIO -- They survived Stephon. They KO’d Kobe. They denied Dirk.

Then they jammed up Jason and the Argo-Nets. No-Kidding.

And no asterisks.

The Spurs might not have been the most dominating champion, as their 88-77 Game 6 clincher over the Nets showed. They looked more like the Clippers for much of the final game, throwing the ball all over the SBC Center to give hope to Jason Kidd and Co. But in the end Tim Duncan just took over, shutting down the lane and giving his bench help the breathing room needed to set off their 19-0 fourth-quarter blitz that clinched the NBA title.

With the victory, the Spurs put an emphatic punctuation mark on a remarkable season. Who knows what would have happened had Chris Webber not been hurt, but the Spurs showed their 60-win season was no fluke. The Spurs during this postseason were a true team.

SI.com On Site  Marty Burns: They survived Stephon. They KO’d Kobe. They denied Dirk. Then they jammed up Jason and the Argo-Nets. No-Kidding. And no asterisks. • Click here for more  Analysis and Opinion  • Burns: Admiral leads troops to title • Fast Breaks: K-Mart's brick parade • Burns: History is on side of Spurs More Stories  • Game 6: Recap | Box Score • Admiral sails out a champ • Kidd's future with Nets in doubt • Erratic Jackson takes starring role • Spurs fans take party to streets • Notebook: Kerr leans toward retiring   Instant Poll  Who is the greatest power forward of all time? Tim Duncan Karl Malone Charles Barkley Julius Erving View Results

Yes, Duncan was the star. But it seemed like a different guy stepped up to help San Antonio each game. Malik Rose. Manu Ginobili. Bruce Bowen. Steve Kerr.

And, in Sunday’s grand finale, Speedy Claxton.

San Antonio’s role players made believers out of those of us who wondered before the series whether they had the mental toughness to withstand a motivated Nets team making its second straight Finals appearance.

Most of all, the Spurs owe this title to their defense. With 7-footers Duncan and David Robinson inside, there was just so much length. And Bowen always guarded his man like his next meal depended on it.

Against the Nets, the Spurs were a wall inside and a blanket in transition. All during the Finals, the Spurs had four guys back to choke off Kidd’s forays. It’s not fun and it doesn’t make the SportsCenter highlights, but it’s the type of little thing championship teams do.

It was also evident in the way Duncan patiently passed out of double teams rather than force things. Duncan’s game is so graceful, so fundamental, it’s easy to overlook. But he continually made plays on defense and with his passing to frustrate the Nets.

It was even evident during timeouts.

As coach Gregg Popovich and his staff stood off to the side discussing strategy, one of the Spurs veterans would often grab his seat and talk to the team.

One time it might be Kerr.

Another time it might be Kevin Willis.

Another time Steve Smith.

Like basketball yodas, these wily vets would exhort, encourage, implore and sometimes scold their young teammates. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and the others would sit and listen like attentive schoolchildren.

For a pro sports team, the Spurs really are a bunch of good guys, starting with Robinson, one of the all-time class acts.

Maybe nice guys don’t have to finish last. At the end, Spurs fans were roaring like a jet engine, seeming to shake the roof of the SBC Center It was an expression of jubilation.

And relief.

It wasn’t always pretty, but it’s official. The Spurs are NBA champions. No ands, ifs or asterisks about it.