Putting the Fun Back in Fundamentals

The media needs to make up its mind. Either people admire sound basketball, relish the extra pass, and enjoy watching the game played "the right way" or it's all about the individual, one vs. all, and showmanship. It is unbelievable to listen to everyone complain about the Spurs being a boring team but then criticize Kobe for hogging the ball. Who doesn't love Steve Nash and the team game? Well everyone of course, unless the team game is being played by the ultimate team- the San Antonio Spurs. Damn those Spurs for dragging down the Cavs and creating a boring series, or should I say clinic. Do these same critics watch the Eastern Conference?! "King James" hasn't exactly created an offensive juggernaut in Cleveland. A few nights the Nets-Cavs series was on the same night as the Spurs-Suns series and the difference was startling. The Eastern conference plays disjointed, turnover filled basketball filled with missed open jumpers. Everyone excuses the miserable offense saying "Oh well what great defense each team played." Well the Spurs have the best defense in the NBA and the Suns still managed to hang 100 on the Spurs 5 out of 6 games. Of course the Sun still lost but that's only because the Spurs have an efficient, talented offense to compliment its dominant defense. Everyone always laments that NBA players don't care about defense and are selfish, only caring about stats. Look at the Spurs! One of their best players comes off the bench. An All-Star doesn't start just because his replacement plays better when he starts. Finley isn't nearly as good but Manu takes it in stride. Imagine Jason Terry, who's younger and better than Stackhouse, not making an issue with sitting for his older counterpart. Of course this is all tangental to the play on the court, which the Spurs excel at. What's not to like about a big man with excellent footwork, the quickest PG in the league, and an acrobatic, 4th quarter villain? OK the Suns run more, as do the Warriors. But other than that who is that much more exciting than the Spurs?! Any Eastern conference team will not be accepted as an answer. Dirk isn't as quick as Manu and isn't as good down low as Duncan. Everyone talks about Shaq's Lakers but Shaq is the most frustrating player to watch if you don't like LA. It's the same thing every time: bang the defender repeatedly and then either jump hook or spin dunk. How was that not the most boring thing ever? The Jazz-Spurs series was an awesome series to watch, with both teams playing hard and playing big but you can't tell me Carlos Boozer is more fun to watch than TD. Williams is really good but so is Parker. Parker abused everyone who tried to guard him this playoffs. I really don't get it. Is it because they don't have anyone who will throw down a sick dunk once a game? Is that it because I really don't see what they are missing. You want 3 point assassins they have sharp-shooters. You want great passing, they always make the extra pass. You want blocks, Duncan embarrassed the Suns with a 9 block performance. Bank shots, runners, tear drops, and 1's. Just ask any city.. they would kill to have the opportunity to watch the Spurs 41 games a year (not including 4 playoff series). I'm looking forward to TD and Co. dominating again next year.