WOULD FIVE TITLES LESSEN THE RIVERWALK STENCH?

by Mike, The Pig Pen

We all know about Boston's 18-2 record. You can't miss it. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen's descent into Beantown has hoarded most of the media's attention. On the Celtics' rare off-nights, the limelight seems to wiggle its way into Orlando where you'll find the 16-7 Magic led by Mr. Double-Double himself, Dwight Howard. You have the Knicks' scandals. Including Isiah's sexual harassment case, Isiah's Marbury case, and don't leave out the Knicks just sucking in general. There's Kobe and the Melo'/Iverson fixture that, whether you want to believe it or not, does exist. And don't forget LeBron.

It just seems like there's no room for the league's current dynasty, the San Antonio Spurs, who are the midst of their best start in franchise history. It's like the paparazzi focusing on Paris Hilton's semi-attractive friend while disregarding Hilton's money shot.

At 17-4, the Spurs are quietly piling on victories with the NBA's most dominant player, their best player, carrying a smaller role or having no role at all. Tim Duncan has been sidelined with an ankle/knee injury for four games now. But through 18 games, Duncan's numbers have drastically decreased from what we would normally expect out of the three-time NBA Finals MVP. He's averaging 17.8 points and 8.6 rebounds, both career lows. It's not a knock on Duncan, nor does it imply he's deteriorating on any level because that's absurd also. All it's saying is the players around him are serenely getting better and they're not going to necessarily need Duncan to score 25 every night anymore, which is scary.

We already knew what Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker were capable of as they're all-stars themselves, but they're games are continually escalating and teams haven't realized it yet. Opponents are so wrapped up in stopping Duncan that Parker and Ginobli can do whatever they want. And now the guard combo is nearly as dominant as their center counterpart. The Dallas Morning News touches on it here.

The Spurs are no longer a team with one superstar and two all-stars. They have three superstars.

With Duncan on the bench, Parker and Ginobli carried the team to two straight victories over elite Western conference competition. Back to back victories at home against Dallas and Utah were impressive, especially the Jazz game. The win against Dallas wasn't as surprising because it was just one of those gritty games where effort and heart triggered a victory against a rival at home. But just two nights later they welcomed in a Utah team that had only lost twice in eight games and beat them by six. Ginobli and Parker scored 113 points combined in those two victories.

Last night against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Spurs were forced to play without Duncan and without Parker. Sure they lost the game 102-97 but it was competitive for 48 minutes. It could have gone either way. And unlike Cleveland whose entire shit fell apart when Lebron was injured, San Antonio's role players are comfortable in substantial roles when they're called upon. Players like Bruce Bowen, who scored 17 against Lakers, Brent Barry, Michael Finley and Robert Horry have the ability to carry a team should one of their stars go down. It's a scary thought to think San Antonio is getting better but it's happening.

Honestly, I don't think the rest of the West stands a chance. Dallas looks like they are in shambles right now, and I'm not sure Phoenix could beat this team in a seven game series. We'll see what happens in Boston and I know it's early, but it sure looks like San Antonio is well on their way to a fifth NBA title.