SAN ANTONIO, Texas, 17 June 2003 — Tim Duncan staged an amazing one-man show and Stephen Jackson sparked an astonishing fourth-quarter rally to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their second National Basketball Association crown.
San Antonio erased a 10-point deficit with a streak of 19 consecutive points in the final period and beat New Jersey 88-77 here on Sunday to win the NBA finals four games to two.
Duncan scored 21 points, pulled down 20 rebounds, passed out 10 assists and blocked eight shots to earn NBA Finals Most Valuable Player honors in addition to his regular-season MVP awards the past two seasons.
The Spurs, who won their first NBA title in 1999, took their first lead at 73-72 with 6:33 to play on one of Jackson’s three 3-pointers in the run and they never trailed again.
“This was the most poise we’ve shown all season long,” Duncan said. “We were down the entire game but we kept playing. We were all confident something would happen, that we would turn the game to our favor. And we did.” The 7-foot power forward was the first man in a decade to average an NBA Finals “triple double” — 10 or more in three statistical categories — and only the ninth regular season MVP to claim NBA Finals MVP honors.
“Tim played like an MVP, like he always does,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
Ex-Nets guard Jackson added 17 points, including three 3-pointers during the pivotal streak, and center David Robinson had 13 points and 17 rebounds in the final game of his 14-year NBA career.
“I’ve had some highs in my career. This is the highest of highs,” Robinson said. “There was absolutely nothing bitter about it. It was all sweet. It’s just great.”
Duncan did not score a point in the 19-0 Spurs run, but the threat he posed near the basket left open opportunities for Jackson, Robinson, Malik Rose and Speedy Claxton.
“Down the stretch, my shot was not really there,” Duncan said. “Luckily I was drawing double teams and those guys were hitting shots. Guys were absolutely open. Those guys knocked them out. They were incredible.” It was especially sweet for Jackson, who was released by the Nets two years ago but made them pay dearly for the snub.
“For me to hit those shots definitely feels good,” Jackson said. “To win against my old team feels extra sweet. I really wanted to beat them.” Jason Kidd led New Jersey with 21 points while Kerry Kittles contributed 16 for the Nets, who were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in last year’s final.
“For us to fall short, it hurts,” Kidd said. “But we lost to the better team. Give San Antonio a lot of credit. We couldn’t get over the hump.” Back-to-back baskets by Kidd to open the fourth quarter gave the Nets a 67-57 advantage and the Nets led 72-63 after a Rodney Rogers 3-pointer with 8:54 remaining.But the Spurs scored the next 19 points as New Jersey went 5:34 without scoring, an unforgivable drought with their season and a title on the line.
“We lost our composure,” Kidd said. “We had control of the game pretty much in hand. We kind of just unraveled.”
Jackson sank back-to-back 3-pointers, the second swishing through the net to give the Spurs their first lead and send a sellout crowd into a loud frenzy. Jackson added another 3-pointer and Robinson scored a pair of baskets, the last capping the streak and giving San Antonio an 82-72 edge with 3:38 to play.
Kidd made a pair of late baskets, but the Spurs hit their free throws and the cause was lost. Duncan and Robinson were removed with 35 seconds to play to a thunderous ovation. Moments later, confetti and fireworks heralded the title. “That fourth quarter was fantastic,” Robinson said. “It was unbelievable.”
The regular-season champions Spurs finished off all four playoff rounds in the same manner, dispatching Phoenix, the Lakers, Dallas and New Jersey in six games each.
It was the first NBA title for veterans Kevin Willis, Steve Smith and Danny Ferry as well as newcomers like second-year French guard Tony Parker and NBA rookie Emanuel Ginobili of Argentina.
“I’m so happy, so proud to be part of this great team,” Ginobili said. “Nobody is prouder than me.” Steve Kerr won his fifth title, having taken three with Chicago and another when the Spurs won their first crown in 1999. The game could mark the last appearance with their teams for 21-year-old French guard Parker and Kidd, a free agent whom San Antonio has shown interest in signing and would possibly replace Parker. “(The loss) has no bearing on what I will decide,” Kidd said. “(But) this is my second time coming short of winning a championship trophy. I’ve got to find a better team, or stay with the Nets, that have a better chance of winning that championship trophy. That’s why I play this game.”
