656: 229: Another arms race has begun (Request for monthly tickets!) 656: 229: Another arms race has begun (Request for monthly tickets!) The sumr of 1999 belonged to Tim Duncan.
This sophomore forward seed to have replicated Roger’s legend.
At 23 years old, in his second year, averaging 27.4 points and 14 rebounds in the finals, FMVP.
Only following the 19-year-old Roger in 1995 and the 20-year-old Magic in 1980, he beca the third youngest FMVP in history.
At this ti, all Spurs fans rembered what Duncan had said on his first day in San Antonio: “It’s great to be here, no more talk, get ready to win big.”
Now looking back, wasn’t this a top-notch bragging mont?
Popovich was very proud after the ga, “We have Tim, Pat doesn’t, and that’s the difference.”
His teammates couldn’t stop praising him, with Little General Johnson tearfully saying, “Sprewell scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, and we all thought we were dood.
Just as he was about to set the sky on fire, Tim settled everything with his steady post moves and bank shots.”
Sean Elliott was incredibly excited, “He’s not like Roger or Shaq, who always create shock and awe.
Tim makes it look so effortless, killing the ga is like sweeping cobwebs off the ceiling for him.”
The Admiral excitedly kissed Duncan on the head: “Hey, he’s been doing this all season, aren’t you used to it yet?”
Upon receiving the FMVP trophy, number 21 was as humble as ever, “It’s very gratifying, but I know without my teammates’ outstanding performances, I couldn’t have won this award.
David was amazing tonight, Avery hit the winning shot, I’m just a mber of the team.”
Such a humble statent naturally did not satisfy the host, so he asked Duncan, “How does it feel to break Roger’s consecutive titles?”
“I haven’t beaten Roger, we didn’t even face each other this season.
So, it’s unfair to say I beat him.
But yes, if possible, I would love to win the championship directly from him, I would certainly be happier that way.”
“You will have the opportunity, Tim, because Roger has said he plans to build a dynasty in Atlanta.
Whether or not he reaches his goal, you guys will definitely et in the finals.”
Duncan’s gaze was resolute, “I look forward to that day.”
Duncan was well aware, a shortened season’s championship wasn’t prestigious enough.
This season was too chaotic, too informal.
You can’t say the championship lacks value, but indeed it wasn’t prestigious enough.
No truly great player would be complacent about this.
Duncan had only one thought: to win another real ring!
Only the ring taken directly from Roger’s hands would count as a real ring!
Thus, the special 98-99 season ca to an end.
Although Roger missed the finals for the first ti in his career, it was clear from Duncan’s finals speech that people hadn’t overlooked him.
Everyone believed Roger would definitely return to the finals, the fans believed it, and Tim Duncan believed it too.
As for whether a dynasty could be built, that was not sothing Roger could decide alone.
Moreover, Roger had added, “Only a three-peat constitutes a dynasty.”
This statent undoubtedly raised the bar for himself.
Roger didn’t need to say that, as the NBA officially hadn’t given a clear definition of a dynasty.
Nobody said a dynasty definitely isn’t three consecutive titles.
Last sumr, the official NBA magazine “Hoop” published an article titled: Which is the Strongest Dynasty Team in Modern Tis?
It included four teams:
The 80-88 nine years five titles Showti Lakers.
The 81-86 six years three titles Bird and Celtics.
The three-peat Chicago Bulls from 91-93 and the three-peat Orlando Magic from 95-98.
This wasn’t an official definition of a dynasty by the NBA, but it could be seen as an official stance.
That is, you don’t necessarily need a three-peat, but you must win three championships in at least six years to be called a dynasty team.
To reach this basic criteria for a dynasty, a star can’t fail for at least six years.
However, at the end of the article, “Hoop” magazine perhaps inspired by the “Orlando Sentinel,” conducted a phone poll allowing fans to choose their strongest dynasty team.
As a result, the three-peat Bulls and Magic led significantly over the 80s Celtics and Lakers.
This shows the special place three-peats hold in the hearts of fans.
That’s why Roger told Andrew Sharp that only a three-peat counts as a true dynasty.
The difficulty of a three-peat, compared to winning three in six years, isn’t even on the sa level.
Winning for three consecutive years, despite the longest and hardest schedules, the toughest locker room environnts, and thorough scrutiny from opponents, presents challenges that winning three in six years can’t compare to.
So Roger was right, only a three-peat counts as a dynasty.
A dynasty interrupted part way through indicates a lack of capability to overco those challenges.
Lacking the ability to overco these adversities, you can’t even be considered to have a dominant era, let alone be the GOAT, because you aren’t a level above everyone else.
Even if a six-year three titles were to count as a dynasty, its value wouldn’t compare to a three-peat.
So Roger needed an indisputable dynasty, not sothing borderline.
Roger watching the buoyant Tim Duncan on the TV, felt an overwhelming urge to compete.
Although the season had just ended, he was eager to battle.
“You will get what you want, Tim,” Roger mused to himself, holding his brand’s wine in front of the TV.
But rembering the upcoming OK duo, Roger shook his head, “Perhaps, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”
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