(Someone had to do it)

Today’s guest post is by Cherie Lampley, a sports blogger living in the Columbus, Ohio area. She runs The Sports Diva

There are many things that people will remember about the year 2007 in sports. Peyton Manning finally getting his Super Bowl ring. The Florida Gators winning back to back titles in NCAA basketball for the first time since 1992. The Florida Gators also beat Ohio State in both the basketball and football national championships. It was a good year for Florida it seems.

Barry Bonds eclipsing Hank Aaron’s homerun record. The Mitchell Report in baseball and making Roger Clemens let everyone know that he will appear on 60 minutes to tell us that he has never done steroids or HGH. The college football season where we saw upset after upset after upset and firing after firing after firing. And the New England Patriots going for that undefeated season despite Spy-gate and ESPN talking about it daily.

Many things could be mentioned. One that I remember was when Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers came up short against an impressive San Antonio Spurs team that won its 4th championship in the last 9 years.

A dynasty that America has yet to embrace. They don’t have superstars. Without Tony Parker marrying Eva Longoria, he would just be that point guard from France. They play too much team ball. They don’t have Kobe Bryant or Lebron James but after picking Tim Duncan (who I love for staying at Wake Forest those years) as the #1 draft pick in 1997, they haven’t chosen a lottery pick since. Many say that Tim Duncan doesn’t have enough of a personality.

I don’t think those Spurs fans really care about that as long as he helps them win. And he has. Besides Tony Parker and other Spurs teammates promise that he has great personality. We’ll just have to take their word for it.

The Spurs also have one of the best starting 5 in the NBA. We have Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen, Michael Finley, and Fabricio Oberto. And don’t forget the man who could start on any other team, Manu Ginobili coming off the bench. Not only are they a good starting 5 but they play well together.

They play as a team. For some reason some people find this boring. Isn’t that what it was all about in sports growing up? Didn’t the coaches preach that there was no “I” in team? Did I miss the day in gym class when the teacher said it was ok to not be a team player? I guess I did.

Now I can’t say that I’ve always been a Spurs fan but I can respect a team that does what they are suppose to do…..play as a team. And yes the Eastern Conference got a bit more interesting when KG and Ray Allen came to save Paul Pierce in Boston. And yes the Celtics have the best record in the league. And yes people may find them spicier and more marketable. But the Spurs are still the defending NBA champions. And as much as people might hate it, it would be great to see them finally win back to back NBA finals. Maybe America would appreciate their greatness then.

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