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Manu Ginobili, San Antonio’s super sixth-man, started his first game of the season Sunday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Ginobili’s designated role off the bench for all these years has always been a mystery. He’s a three-time NBA champion, has averaged 15 points, five assist and three rebounds in limited minutes over the course of his career, and will one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
LeBron James hadn’t even attempted at least 25 field goals in a game since Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Indiana. You have to go back to March 18 against Boston for the last time James converted on at least 15 field goals.
SAN ANTONIO — They were a beauty to behold. They were a beast to behold. You sat there watching Game 4, a night of precision and perfection from the Miami Heat, and you couldn’t keep the thought out of your head — you were watching one of the greatest teams of all time.
Except that they aren’t. Because this was the exception, not the rule.
This was the Heat at their very, very best. Championship material. Dynasty material. “Not two, not three, not four” material — for real.
All the surly D. Wade haters are awfully quiet right now…LOL
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) June 14, 2013
It’s been a long-time coming in the 2013 playoffs for the Miami Heat, but the player once called “The Flash” finally showed up seemingly out of nowhere against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
The “real” Dwyane Wade has been notably absent for much of the postseason – he has scored more than 20 points in just two of the last 18 postseason games – and that has especially been the case for most of the first three games against the Spurs, averaging just 14.3 points and 1.3 rebounds while being heavily shadowed by his opposite in Danny Green. It’s clear that something about his knee has thrown him off his rhythm, making him look more like an enhanced version of Larry Hughes than a player considered one of the best shooting guards in the league.
At least for one night, though, Wade came out with an aggression that the Spurs simply didn’t seem prepared for.
The NBA Finals have yet to disappoint when it comes to headlines and talking points. From LeBron James registering a triple-double in a Game 1 that ended in spectacular fashion—with a Tony Parker play that seemed unbelievable—to two straight blowouts (one favoring each team) in Game 2 and Game 3, this year’s Finals have been a roller coaster of entertainment.
Twitter has been as lively as ever, with most people questioning Miami Heat and their leader James.
What’s wrong with the Heat’s defense? Why is LeBron being so passive? When will coach Spoelstra make adjustments?
As if Game 4 of the NBA Finals didn’t already have enough allure, the Miami Heat took their show on the road for their morning shootaround Thursday, opting to hold their practice session in a remote location.
