Spurs sweep of Cavaliers winning 4th title in 9 years

True roundball royalty, the San Antonio Spurs are once again wearing the crown.

Photo: Spurs sweep of Cavaliers winning 4th title in 9 years

LeBron James, Cleveland's preordained king, isn't quite ready for his.

MVP Tony Parker scored 24 points, Manu Ginobili had 27 -- 13 in the fourth quarter -- and the Spurs moved in among the NBA's greatest franchises with an 83-82 victory Thursday night for a sweep of the Cavaliers -- court jesters through much of their first finals.

With their fourth championship since 1999 -- and third in five years -- the Spurs joined the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls as the only teams in NBA history to win four titles.

"It never gets old, it never gets old," Tim Duncan said. "Unbelievable. Such a great run, a great journey, a great bunch of guys."

And No. 5 might not be far away either with Parker, Ginobili and Duncan leading this Texas-oiled machine. Coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs, now a perfect 4-for-4 together in finals appearances, spent most of the postseason dismissing talk that they should be considered a dynasty.

But with titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007, there's no more reason to pretend they aren't one.

As the final seconds ticked off on Cleveland's finest season, Duncan stood at center court with both arms raised triumphantly as the rest of the Spurs danced around their center in a huddle. San Antonio's star sought out Cleveland's Eric Snow, but was unable to find James in the pandemonium.

Moments later, the Spurs, who moved over from the ABA in 1976, put on champions baseball caps, which has almost become a June ritual for them, the AP reports.

With their superstar struggling, the Cavaliers never got going. They had the worst offensive showing ever in the finals, scoring just 322 points. That wasn't even close to the previous record, Baltimore's 376 points in the 1971 finals against Milwaukee.

But James, in the playoffs for only the second time and just completing his fourth season, at least got something out of the finals, even if it wasn't jewelry, CBS reports.

"Going through this experience, just like going through the experience last year, is irreplaceable," coach Mike Brown said before the game. "Not only for him, but I can feel it for myself and I'm sure for the rest of the guys in the locker room. This has been a great experience, and we're looking forward to it lasting a lot longer."

Source: agencies

Prepared by Alexander Timoshik
Pravda.ru