When I first started writing for Pounding the Rock ahead of the 2016-17 season, the Spurs were plenty relevant. The had arguably a top 2 player in the league in Kawhi Leonard, their first ever big free agent signing (LaMarcus Aldridge) was entering his second season with the club, and they were seen as top title contenders alongside the soon-to-be dynasty of the Golden State Warriors. As a result, there was plenty being written about the Spurs from across the media landscape, which meant there was plenty to cover.
So we regularly published posts with links so our readers could find content that they had missed.
In the years since, as the Spurs fell down the standings and out of the average sports fan’s mind, there wasn’t as much being written beyond the occasional monument0us event (like, you know, drafting Victor Wembanyama). But now, with the Spurs back in the NBA Finals, they’re in the brightest of spotlights, so it’s time to dust off ye ol’ Links post to provide you with even more reading than what we produce ourselves as you wait for Wednesday evening to arrive.
A look back at the Western Conference Finals
Obviously, we have covered the Spurs’ amazing victory over the Thunder pretty extensively, but if you want some other perspectives, check out the following links:
- Jeff Zillgitt of NBA.com provides four takeaways from Game 7, from how the Spurs took down the defending champions to where the Thunder go from here.
- ESPN’s Anthony Slater discusses how Victor Wembanyama led the “ahead of schedule” Spurs back to the Finals.
- San Antonio Express News’ Tom Orsborn looks at Julian Champagnie’s improbable journey to the Finals, from being cut by the Philadelphia 76ers to make room for Mac McClung — entirely so he could be in the dunk contest — to starter who hit big shot after big shot to help take down the defending champions. (Subscription required.)
Finals Previews
Check out what national pundits are saying in series previews and how they think it will go.
- SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell makes a case for both teams and a prediction over at our mother site.
- ESPN staffers look back at the Spurs and Knicks three regular season games and what to watch for in the Finals.
- The Athletic’s Spurs and Knicks contributors — Jared Weiss and James Edwards III, respectively — team up to provide the lowdown on the Finals. (Subscription required.)
- CBS’s Jack Maloney looks at the three biggest questions that will decide the Finals.
Knicks’ Perspective
- Michael Zeno of our sister site, Posting and Toasting, has an excellent review of the both teams’ regular seasons and preview of this match-up.
- We love you, Jeremy, but hush up! Former Spur Jeremy Sochan, who has the unique of experience of having played for both the Spurs and Knicks this season and with Wemby for almost three seasons, provides some insight on how to beat his former teammate.
Finals Courts are back!
Hey look! After receiving much criticism during last year’s finals — where there were initially no trophy or Finals logos or any indication what you watching before the NBA tried tiny, glitchy, digital logos — the Larry O’Brien Trophy is back front and center for the Spurs and Knicks courts. (I kind of feel bad for the Thunder and Pacers, to be honest. You could watch their highlights from last year and think it was a regular season game.)
For your viewing pleasure
Are your eyes tired of reading and you just want to watch or listen to something? Check out Thinking Basketball’s latest video on Dylan Harper and his unique abilities that can’t be taught.
And here’s an excerpt from Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe on how the Spurs took over the Western Conference and their eagerness for next year to get here so we can run it back with the Thunder.
