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cjbball · 7 years

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The One That Counts

by Cesar Jesus

We take a look at recent and current legends and make our claim to what we consider to be their signature title.

It’s the heart of transaction season right now as free agency is underway, summer league is grooving, and recently drafted players are getting settled in their new digs. But let’s take a step back from the madness of today to appreciate what some legends have carved out in the last few decades.

Today we decide which particular championship matters the most to a player’s legacy. The key here is distinguishing between the series they put up the best numbers in versus the series that defines them as a player. However, you’ll see those paths sometimes intersect. I’ve compiled a list of 5 stars who have claimed at least three rings since the turn of the century. Let the debate (with myself) begin…

Shaquille O’Neal

Rings – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006

Shaq was an absolute monster during the Lakers ’00 – ’02 three peat run, garnering Finals MVP in each series and dominating anyone the opposition could throw at him. The Lakers only lost a total of three games in those Finals series due to rather weak Eastern conference foes and a prime of his career Shaq.

Upon being traded to Miami in 2004, he and Dwyane Wade pushed the Heat to the conference Finals in 2005, and finally broke through in 2006 with a win over the Mavs to get him to 4 rings.

However, this one is pretty easy. There was nothing like Shaq in 2000. He had one of the most dominant seasons and postseasons I can ever remember. I’d argue that Duncan and Kobe had better careers than Shaq, but neither ever touched the season-long of debilitating shit Shaq served up in the 99-00 season. Nobody could guard him, and he was at his absolute physical peak. He was solid, super quick on his feet, and opened big spacing for a slew of shooters.

This was his 8th season in the league and 4th playoff run with the Lakers, so there was a lot of chatter going around that Shaq was never going to see the promised land. In the end, I think he should have won at least 5 or 6, but more on that later…

Tim Duncan

Rings – 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014

Oh Timmy! The stable force behind San Antonio playoff runs for nearly two decades first took the Spurs all the way behind a twin tower combination alongside David Robinson in 1999. Once Shaq got lazy and stopped training, they nabbed three more in the 2000’s as the core of Timmy, GINOBILI!, and Tony Parker led the way.

Then there was a lull. From 2007 to 2013 the Spurs were continually counted out every season. This is the season they’ll fall off, they’d say. The Spurs would respond by having a great regular season, but not being able to finish the job when the postseason came around. It was widely accepted that Duncan, Parker, Manu and Pop were all going to be Hall of Famers, and amongst players there was league wide respect for what they had done. It was a great run already.

But the Spurs, and especially Tim Fucking Duncan, were not done. After coming a few missed free throws and a Ray Allen dagger short of winning the title in 2013, they returned again to the Finals in 2014 for a rematch with the Heat.

I remember watching the press conferences before Game 1, and I saw something special in Timmy’s eyes. He’s a quiet laid back dude, but make no mistake, he has the killer gene. 4 titles is great, but when you can add another, 7 years after the previous one, spanning your range of titles to 15 years (99 to ’14), you put a hell of an exclamation point on your resume. I liken the Pats and Brady’s recent Superbowl to what Timmy and the Spurs did in 2014.

Kobe Bryant

Rings – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010

For Kobe, it all comes down to being petty. You don’t have to be a rocket scientologist to guess this one.

Kobe was the clear second banana for three straight Laker titles in his earlier days in the league. Cool.

Then after years of being a chucker for first round fodder, he took a fairly forgettable Lakers team to an even more forgettable Finals series in 2009 where they topped Dwight Howard’s Orlando Magic. It was good for Kobe’s 4th title. That’s the same as his former teammate had now. Cool.

In 2010, it all came together for the Mamba. He was back in the Finals against the same Celtics team that had shot down his 2008 Finals run, and there was a chance at ring number 5 on the line. That’s one more than that guy he used to play with. I wonder if that thought popped in his head at any point during that postseason run. Nah, probably not.

Well, the Lakers won in 7 games, Kobe got his second consecutive Finals MVP, and he unleashed the most petty phrase in NBA Finals history.

Dywane Wade

Rings – 2006, 2012, 2013

Just imagine if you asked this question to D-Wade, what do you think he’d say?

Sure, Wade teamed up with his superbros LeBron James and Chris Bosh on their way to 4 straight Finals appearances and two rings, but the son of South Beach will always be defined by 2006.

There was certainly some funny stuff going on with some calls he was getting in that series, but it was clear that Wade was the best player in his first NBA Finals appearance against the Mavs. Wade was a lane slashing machine and could get into the paint at will. Throw a wall of defenders at him, and he’d pivot and wet a 15 footer from the elbow or find an open teammate.

Miami went on to won in 6 games, and Wade set himself apart from his 2003 draft class compadres by striking first blood on a ring. Now sitting on three rings and a Finals MVP, there is nothing left for this guy to prove.

LeBron James

Rings – 2012, 2013, 2016

LeBron first tasted a championship while with the Heat in 2012 with a 4-1 win over the OKC Thunder, but it felt more like a sigh of relief than a victory. The monkey was finally off his back, and the haters could no longer talk, but that was about it.

2013 continued to build on his legacy, but hoops purists left the table still wanting more. For a lot of folks, it felt more like the Spurs shit the bed and the Heat had fallen bass ackwards into good fortune. Here he was two titles in, but there was still more to be desired from this guy. I guess it’s part of the gig that comes with being labeled the Chosen One.

He almost singlehandedly had the Cavs in position to beat the Warriors in the 2015 Finals, but there is only so much one man can do.

In 2016, LBJ finally got HIS title. There was no shitting of the Tempurpedic and hand delivered jewelry this time around. No injuries to major players on either team to play the “what if” game (BTW, Steph Curry scored 17 in overtime against Portland AFTER he tweaked his ankle, so I’m not buying that he was hobbled). With the help of a clutch Kyrie bucket, Lebron and the Cavs had ended a 52 year title drought in the city of Cleveland.

The King had come home and delivered on his promise. He finally had the title that without question elevated him to all-time great status and into legitimate GOAT conversations. Sure, there’s a chance he’ll add one or a few more onto his count when it’s all said and done, but this is by far THAT title.

Now if only team Banana Boat all signed for the vet minimum with the Lakers next summer…

Legends Bonus

Michael Jordan – 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998

Magic Johnson – 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988

Larry Bird – 1981, 1984, 1986

#tim duncan #kobe bryant #lebron james #shaquille oneal #dwyane wade #miami heat #san antonio spurs #lakers #los ángeles lakers #cleveland cavaliers #michael jordan #larry bird #magic johnson #boston celtics #stephen curry #team banana boat

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