Even LeBron is impressed with the Spurs
CLEVELAND: The San Antonio Spurs are closing in on their fourth title in the past nine years with a surge that has impressed even LeBron James.
"It's awesome," the Cleveland Cavaliers forward told reporters. "They don't have the great athletes in the world. They don't have the greatest shooters in the world.
"But they have probably the greatest team in the world and that's what this sport is all about."
The Spurs could secure the title with a win over the host Cavaliers yesterday evening local time and become just the eighth team in NBA history to win the finals in a four-game sweep.
Cleveland were handily beaten in the series' first two games in San Antonio but then lost game three 75-72 on Tuesday night when the Spurs appeared vulnerable.
Cavaliers forward Drew Gooden compared his team's plight to a poker player laying down his final chips.
"We're all in right now," he said. "We're playing our last hand. Our luck has to change or the season is over. This is the ultimate challenge.
"People say it's an impossible task but you have to feel and believe it can be done. I think we'll have a better mindset if we just win one game and take it from there."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich does not want to hear talk of a dynasty, even though his team is gunning for their third title in the past five years.
"That doesn't even enter my head because it's all psycho babble," he said. "When I think of dynasties, two come to my mind real quick, UCLA and Bill Russell. Everything else is just talk after that."
James is averaging 21 points in the series but has not been able to dominate as he did in the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit.
Cleveland coach Mike Brown credited the Spurs' tight defense but said James was the victim of some bad luck on Tuesday even though the three-times All-Star scored 25 points.
"Even though his shot wasn't falling he was still turning it up a notch with his aggression and he found a way to get to the rim," said Brown.
"On a couple of lay-ups, watching the tape, boy oh boy, I'd almost bet my whole paycheck those shots would go in."
Now the Cavaliers have to win four straight to claim their first title.
"Nobody has come back from an 0-3 deficit like this but there's always a first time for everything," said Brown.
Agencies
(China Daily 06/15/2007 page23)
