When discussing professional sports teams with class, the NBA is rarely mentioned. It is no secret that the league has been hijacked by the hip-hop culture and urban thuggery.
There is however, at least one exception.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- San Antonio has maximized Manu Ginobili's impact this season by making him a substitute, though he's been a starter for much of his career.
This is the very definition of the Spurs, who have dominated the league with four titles in the last eight years by finding the right role for every player.
Dan Zinski wrote on this blog about the way the New York Knicks disgraced themselves and the league in their blowout loss to the Celtics. I agree 100% with Dan's take but here is a supporting comparison.
The Celtics are clearly a better team but when New York fell behind by eleven in the 1st quarter, they quit. This is what happens to teams with no heart, they quit.
Though not quite the same train wreck, the Timberwolves did the exact same thing at home last night. With less than two minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, Minnesota had a 14 point lead, 80-66. The Spurs got hit with a couple of questionable calls, even Duncan got a technical.
San Antonio was clearly on the ropes. Did they quit?
Guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili took over. Ginobili finished with 31 points and went a staggering 7-for-9 from three point range. Tim Duncan made a free throw with just over nine minutes left to take a one point lead.
What did the Timberwolves do? They quit.
Down by 14 with less than two minutes left in the 3rd, the Spurs closed with a 40-11 run on the road. The Spurs are a better team but what won this game was character. What lost this game was also character.
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