Will Someone Snatch That Crown Off Tim Duncan's Head?

"You can't have it! It's mine. You'll have to pry it from my cold dead NBA Championship ring-adorned fingers," said TD.
"That can be arranged," cooly replied the Mavs.

During the last NBA Play-offs, I had to endure my good friend Rely San Agustin walk into the office after every San Antonio win and say, "Spurs, baby!"

To which I answer with the obligatory, "The Spurs suck big time, dude!" Followed by "The Admiral couldn't guard the Dream," and other stuff like how the four-time NBA champs are soooo boring.

In reality, I don't really hate the Spurs. While living in the States, I would oft wear my Manu Ginobili authentics (I have both home and road jerseys) on weekends in Manhattan. Yes, I was a fan of the Argentine since he was a swingman for Kinder Bologna and was ecstatic when he joined the Association. He's rounded out into an x-factor for his team, huh? And it's pretty hard to guard a guy who can shoot from the outside and drive in for a thunderous dunk. During the Spurs' third title year, I thought he should have been named the finals MVP not Tim Duncan. Thankfully, they rectified that mistake last year by naming Tony Parker the MVP.

Ginobili and Brent Barry may be the flashy players on Pop's Spurs, but the team more or less plays textbook hoops much like Larry Bird's Celtics did back in the 80's. The old Air Force man wouldn't have it any other way, right? So how come I don't like them?

Maybe it's because I'm an Eastern Conference guy. It has always been hard for me to root for the western teams. I liked the Sacto Kings for about a couple of years coz of White Chocolate, C-Webb, and company, but had they gone up against Allen Iverson's Sixers or Vince Carter's Raptors, I would have stayed true to my roots...the east is it.

Maybe it's because I think the Spurs have won enough and someone else should have an opportunity. Definitely!

Maybe it's because that Robert Horry is the luckiest schmuck in the NBA. Seven rings for being a part-time big (or cheap depending on who you're talking to) shot artist and an overrated bum who only shows up in the play-offs.

Maybe it's because I don't like Bruce Bowen.

Yeah, that's gotta be it. Snicker. Snicker.

When Golden State slew Dallas in the first round last year, I thought that San Antonio now had their road to the finals cleared of any obstacles. Sorry, but I thought that the Phoenix Suns weren't good enough to take them out (but I guess I'll have to thank Tim Donaghy now for that).

Said the Big Fundamental, "We were just happy to see them (Dallas) go away."

Dallas may crumble at the sight of the Miami Heat and the Warriors, but they eat Spurs for breakfast.

Today's 105-92 win may not count much in the early goings but should Dallas continue their recent trend of domination, it might play some mind tricks on the Spurs should they ever meet come play-off time. But the NBA's second season is altogether another animal. That's when the Spurs are the toughest.

Yet if it's possible this season, the Mavericks got even tougher with the addition of Maurice Ager and Eddie Jones. Seeing as to how the Bulls are so terrible to watch right now, I've been following the fortunes of Boston and Dallas (and Phoenix). This is a make or break year for all of those teams.

Maybe one of them will actually knock the crown off Tim Duncan's head.