Let's Count The Ways San Antonio Let A Championship Slip Through Their Hands

Heading into Game 6 the Spurs led the Heat 3-2 needing only 1 win to close out the series and win their 5th title in franchise history. Tim Duncan poured in 23 first half points. San Antonio led by double digits in the 3rd and 4th quarters respectively. Obviously the Heat would make a run and in the final period they did, even took the lead. Then the Spurs came back to hold a 5 point lead with less than 30 seconds left. Leonard missed a free throw and Ginobili missed a free throw, 2 free throws 2 points that would have iced the game and series for San Antonio. Those pair of misses opened the door for Miami even with the NBA ready to set up for a post game championship celebration. Tim Duncan was out of the game on two defensive possessions that led to offensive rebound & kick out three's by Lebron James and Ray Allen. Those buckets from downtown tied the game and the Heat won in overtime. Miami forced a Game 7 and took advantage of the Spurs letting them back in the series, ultimately winning back to back titles. Even if Game 7 Coach Pop left Tony Parker out late and let Ginobili pushed the ball which led to a series ending turnover. Some questionable late game decisions in back to back contest. The title was right their for the taking in Game 6 and missed free throws let the flood gates open. The Spurs have to be sick.

Michael Jordan & Lebron James Share Something Else In Common Following 2013 NBA Finals

Lebron James and Michael Jordan share a few things. We know both coming into the NBA in 1984 and 2003 respectively they signed Nike contracts. We know both wore the number 23 coming into the NBA and at some point in their career made a number switch, Lebron currently wears number 6, while Jordan briefly wore 45. After the Spurs fumbled away the Larry O'Brien trophy in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals, Miami was given a 2nd life. During Game 7 Lebron James took full advantage as the Heat won the series 4-3. James now shares with Jordan : winning regular season MVP (James 2011-12 / Jordan 1991-92), Finals MVP (James 2012 / Jordan 1992), winning a gold medal in the Summer Olympics (James 2012 / Jordan 1992) then coming back the following season to win regular season MVP (James 2012-13 / Jordan 1992-93), Finals MVP (James 2013 / Jordan 1993). Hopefully Lebron doesn't follow in Michael Jordan footsteps and retire before next season and take a year and a half off from the NBA.

Air Jordan VIII Playoffs 2013 Edition Set To Release In Late June

The year was 1993 Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their 3rd straight NBA title. The 1st of 2 3 peats Jordan and Pippen would lead the Bulls to. The Bulls knocked off the Suns during the 1993 NBA Finals 4-2. Look down on Michael Jordan feet and you'll see the Air Jordan VIII black and red also known as the Playoff 8's. Later this month they will be return. How ironic because it has been 20 years since that Chicago vs. Phoenix NBA Finals. Earlier this year Jordan Brand released the Bugs Bunny version of the Air Jordan VIII's, which is the white colorway. Back in 2003 I had the chrome version of the Air Jordan VIII's basically those where the black and grey colorway. How many of you will make an attempt to add the Playoff 8's to your collection ?

AL East Looking Like MLB's Best Division In 2013 So Far

Through the month of June, 4 of 5 teams in the American League Eastern Division are over .500, 30-36 Toronto Blue Jays who are in last place are the only team without a winning record. At the time of this article Boston leads the AL East with a 41-28 record followed by Baltimore 39-29, New York 37-30 and Tampa 35-32. Coming into the season Toronto made several off season moves, they were expected to contend. However injuries have literally hurt them. Meanwhile the Yankees have been able to keep their head above water despite many injuries. Meanwhile many didn't expect Boston to be the leaders of the pack prior to the start of the season. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out for this division. Tampa and Baltimore has their eyes on the prize as well. Baltimore is trying to make it two straight playoff appearances.

Lebron James Eyeing Back To Back Titles

Lebron James, is the player many media members describe as the best player on the planet or best player in the world, has led Miami to their 3rd straight NBA Finals appearance. James was just named NBA MVP for the 4th time in his career. Coming off his 1st NBA Championship last season as Miami defeated Oklahoma City in 5 games. Now with the 2013 NBA Finals tied 2-2 entering Game 5 Sunday vs. San Antonio, James is 2 wins away from back to back titles. Over the past 20-25 years players such as Jordan, Kobe, Shaq, Olajuwon, Zeke has gone back to back. James would etched is name in that category with those players and those before them with 2 more victories. During Game 4 he had his best scoring game of these NBA Finals scoring over 30 points for the 1st time in the series. The 'King' has a chance to win back to back crowns.

Tim Duncan Aims For 5th NBA Title Which Would Tie Him With Kobe For 1st Among Active Players

Tim Duncan has led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007. 4 NBA Finals appearances = 4 wins vs. New York, New Jersey, Detroit and Cleveland. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP 3 times. This year Duncan and San Antonio return the to the Finals for the 1st time in 6 years. Miami is the opponent led by Lebron James who the Spurs faced in 2007 while sweeping the Cavaliers. Duncan is aiming to tie Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher with 5 titles, the most among active NBA players. It won't be an easy task as the Spurs and Heat are locked in a 2-2 series battle. Game 5 is up next in San Antonio on Sunday night. Duncan and Bryant along with Fisher has had great battles in the Western Conference playoffs and usually the winner of that series, go on to win the Larry O'Brien trophy as NBA Champions.

Heat vs. Spurs Locked In 2-2 Series NBA Finals Tie Huge Game 5 Next

Back and fourth they go, the Spurs and Heat exchanged wins through the 1st four games of the 2013 NBA Finals. San Antonio has won Games 1 and 3 while Miami has won Games 2 and 4. In the current 2-3-2 Finals format the winner of Game 5 during a 2-2 series is huge. Both teams has produced blowout wins and the Heat down 2-1 entering Game 4 got a pair of 30+ point performances from Lebron and Wade. As the Miami Big 3 along with Bosh scored over 80 points, Miami won by double digits. That win assures at least one more home game in Miami for Game 6, regardless of Game 5 results. How healthy will Tony Parker be in Game 5 as he is nursing a hamstring injury. Parker suffered that injury in Game 3, played well in Game 4 during the 1st half, however didn't score in the 2nd half. The 3 point shot through 4 games has been huge for the Spurs led by Green and Neal. Miami made the Spurs adjust in Game 4 simply by adding Mike Miller into the starting lineup. That move opened up the floor for James and DWade to drive get out in transition and to the free throw line. San Antonio must limit their turnovers, Miami thrives off turnovers in the open floor. I really think Game 5 is more of a must win for the Spurs, if San Antonio loses it will be difficult to win Games 6 and 7 in Miami. They'll be plenty of drama come Sunday night in Texas during Game 5. Can Manu Ginobili respond, he's struggled all series long. Wade and James responded in Game 4. Spurs time's yours.