Duncan-Lebron seek to redefine NBA Royalty in Finals Rematch

By Ethan J. Brisby 

@ethanbrisby 

After 82 regular season games, a plethora of Round 1 overtime thrillers, and a mediocre encore performance from the Pacers, the basketball stratosphere is right where it left off last year; Miami Heat versus San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.

This series is bigger than life. Not because it’s the first rematch in the NBA Finals since 1997, but because of the historical implications it brings. Tim Duncan, widely considered the best Power Forward to ever lace a pair of sneakers needs a ring for his thumb. A fifth championship would tie him with Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant among the all-time basketball greats.

Lebron on the other hand, is looking to complete a three-peat; only Jordan’s Bulls along with Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers have won three NBA titles in row during the modern era of the NBA. ESPN Analyst, Mark Jackson brought up a great point recently about Lebron, calling him “the best Small Forward to ever play the game of basketball.”

Larry Bird, a ferocious competitor, and three time NBA Champion in his own right is historically the consensus pick for best Small Forward to ever play the game. In nine seasons Lebron has methodically positioned himself four wins away from tying the Celtic legend. So then, if Duncan is the best Power Forward and Lebron is cementing himself as the best Small Forward, this series is more than meets the eye.

With five rings, Duncan can also insert himself into the argument as one of the best two to three players in NBA history. He may not be as utterly dominant a big man as Shaquille O’Neal, but Duncan is to June what political rhetoric is to November, guaranteed.

Let’s pause for a moment of silence… I have to be honest with you, I wanted to see Kevin Durant go toe-to-toe with Lebron, pitting the NBA’s two biggest stars against each other. As it seems, at this point in his career, Durant is more Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing that he is Magic, Kobe, or Jordan. It’s sad, but true.

At times in the elimination game against San Antonio this year, he was quietly tucked away in the corner pocket while running mate Russell Westbrook imposed his will, getting open mid-range jumpers or drawing fouls with aggressive dribble drives. Durant, 25 has seven to ten more years of high level basketball left to play, so let’s withhold final judgment on his place in history, but for now it’s a blurry outlook.

As for Lebron and Duncan, part two of their heavy weight slugfest will go a long way in defining their respective places in history. When he signed with Miami, Lebron promised seven titles (one more than MJ). Duncan has never made such bold statements, at least not with his mouth; choosing instead to let his play speak for him. Right now his actions are loud and clear, and he even let a few words out of the bag when asked about the rematch against the Heat, “We’ll do it this time,” he announced.  

Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals is Thursday in San Antonio. You’ve had your history lesson now, so get your popcorn and your DVR ready, we are about to re-define NBA royalty.

Ethan Brisby is a Digital Reporter covering Sports, Urban Affairs, and Current events for his blog, "Comfortably Living."