It was a moment of sportsmanship. In hindsight some refer to it as a Nostradamus-esque scene.
And yet…nobody could have possibly foreseen a future meeting after the San Antonio Spurs swept the then LeBron-led Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals.
So when it did happen, nobody, not even Hollywood, could have created the script.
That script was last year where we saw arguably one of the greatest Finals in NBA History, as the Miami Heat secured back-to-back NBA Championships by defeating the Spurs in 7 games.
This was, however, a grueling and highly competitive series that is beautifully summarized by ESPN’s True HoopTV.
Before the 2014 #NBAFinals begin, @TrueHoopTV presents a look back at 2013, one of the best Finals ever. http://t.co/iuaIpgIUo6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 5, 2014
As seen in that video, this wasn’t an easy task for Miami to achieve. The Spurs were 28 seconds away from winning the franchise’s 5th title right on the Heat’s home floor.
What happened next is without question the most improbable sports moment I’ve ever seen.
In addition, a funny moment is that heading into Game 6, San Antonio’s three point monster Danny Green was coming off a 24 point-60% 3FG Game 5. He set the record for most threes in a single NBA Finals, destroying Miami in the process.
What’s so funny about that?
Well, Chris Bosh made an interesting proclamation before Game 6 regarding the “Green Monster” (original right?).
Asked Chris Bosh how Danny Green has consistently found the open spots in Miami's D. Answer: "he won't be open tonight."
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 18, 2013
The comical element of it all is that Bosh indeed stayed true to his word, in a truly incredible way.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Jun 20, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) makes a jump shot in the last seconds of game seven in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Miami Heat won 95-88 to win the NBA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Another closely fought Game 7 was essentially put to bed when LeBron had, according to Sports Illustrated, his “Jordan Moment”.
So, after all these years it turns out Tim Duncan was right: This was to be LeBron’s league one day.
After last year’s Finals, it’s easy to say that day is now.
4 straight trips to the NBA Finals, and now a chance to turn the Heat into something the Spurs were once before: a Dynasty.
The most surprising thing of all is that these Spurs are back once again, after the Duncan era was seemingly laid to rest last June.
That’s why there is such respect between these two franchises.
They’ve both overcame the odds. Whether it’s the Heat returning to the Finals in consecutive fashion after coming up short to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, or the Spurs of today making it all the way back after such heartbreak was felt last year.
Both teams have championship pedigree on their roster, and both realize that nobody is entitled to this championship.
On this stage, the Larry O’Brian Trophy is earned by leaving everything out on the court.
This is the stage where Legends are born, Legacies are defined, and Championship Dreams are realized.
And while I do believe that this series has the potential to go 7 games, my selection is Heat in 6.
That prediction is irrelevant, because no matter what the experts say, nobody truly knows who will be the 2014 NBA Champions.
The only way for that to be decided, is through this best-of-seven for the title.
A rematch for the ages.
Can’t make this stuff up.
Jun 20, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) embraces San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) after game seven in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Miami defeated San Antonio 95-88 to win the NBA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports