100 Most Likable American Athletes (60-51)

Weeks ago, I started looking at the most likable athletes in this country following the retirements of Derek Jeter and Champ Bailey. That continues today with the latest look at some awesome American athletes. First, let's look back at what we have gone over so far...
Preview
100-91
90-81
80-71
70-61

60. Larry Fitzgerald

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Current Team: Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald is the always smiling receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. At one point he was considered a top 2 receiver in football. Nobody considers him that at this point in his career, but he is still quite good. During the 2013 season he became the youngest receiver ever to reach 11,000 yards. Currently, he is 31 years old and still has a lot left in the tank. However, after his contract extension in 2011, he is quite overpaid which is a reason I kept him out of the top 50. That and a declining, but still really good skillset. Fitzgerald commands one of the 10 highest salaries in the league, but he is nowhere close to a top 10 player at this point. All that being said, he has his own foundation called Larry's  First Down Fund and also established the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial  Fund in honor of his mother that passed away. That tragic passing occurred in 2003 due to breast cancer. The foundation in her name supports causes that his mother truly cared about. It aims to educate youth in urban areas about HIV/AIDS and Breat Cancer. Fitzgerald is also the spokesman for A Crucial Catch which is the NFL's league-wide breast cancer initiative. Fitzgerald was the NFL Man of the Year in 2012. Also in 2012, he received the Pro Football Weekly Humanitarian Award. The following year in 2013, he received the NFLPA Georgetown Lombardi Award, recognizing a person in sports whose life had been touched by cancer that is currently encouraging cancer research. Finally, following this past season he was the 2014 Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Male Recipient. Everyone recognizes the great things that Fitzgerald does and truly enjoys him as a player and a person.

59. Giancarlo Stanton

Panaramo, California

Current Team: Miami Marlins

The Marlins' 300 million dollar man comes in at number 59 on this countdown. One of the reasons he got that contract is because of his appeal with fans and his likability. It does not hurt that he is one of the top young players in baseball either. He has a rare heritage that also increases his appeal to fans being of Irish, African-American, and Puerto Rican descent. His biggest claim to fame on the field so far has been being a 2x All-Star and the reigning Home Run Derby Champion. Stanton also already is tied for the Marlins' franchise record in homers. This record is sure to go to him officially the first week of the season. Expect big things from Stanton for years to come.

58. Nate Robinson

Seattle, Washington

Current Team: TBD

We go from Home Run Derby champ to 3x Slam Dunk Champ. He is the only guy in history to win 3 dunk contests. Nate Robinson is a guy that brings energy and excitement to the game of basketball. At 5'9 he is one of the smallest players, but that doesn't stop him from playing above the rim. His best highlights come from throwing down a dunk or blocking a shot of someone he isn't supposed to block. Then you see this guy with relentless energy chasing down a loose ball and you cannot help but be impressed. This is now his 6th team, but every fanbase that has had Robinson has loved him. His teams are always winning teams too as Robinson rarely is on a team that is constantly losing. Robinson is also an author having wrote Heart over Height after a game when he scored 30+ points. Love the way this guy plays the game of basketball. Robinson was recently traded from his Denver Nuggets to the Boston Celtics who then bought out his contract. Following the buyout, Robinson signed with...

57. LeSean McCoy

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Current Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Shady McCoy is considered one of the best runningbacks in the NFL. In fact, there are several that think he is the very best. He is the key weapon in Philadelphia's productive and fast paced offense. During his 6 years in the NFL, McCoy has passed 1300 yards rushing in half of those seasons. His biggest season touchdown wise was 2011 when he scored 17 rushing touchdowns. 2013 was his big season though production wise. That season, he had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage including more than 1600 yards rushing. After that 2013 season is when many started calling him the best back in football. McCoy should increase his production once Philadelphia gets a new QB. Last year, he made Foles look good, but this year Foles was not effective. A switch could take this offense to an even better level.

56. Matt Kuchar

Winter Park, Florida

PGA Tour

Matt Kuchar is an effective PGA Tour member who has 7 career wins. Kuchar was the tour's leading money winner in 2010. After winning the Players Championship in 2012, Kuchar was moved up to 5th in the world golf rankings. He would stay in the Top 10 for the next 40 weeks. Another interesting note about Kuchar is while attending Georgia Tech, he played Tiger Woods, in the 1996 U.S. Amateur Championship. He narrowly lost to Woods, but came oh so close to the upset. Kuchar then won the same championship in 1997. His best result in a major is a 3rd place finish in the Masters in 2012. There have been 3 Ryder Cup Appearances by Kuchar, 2010, 2012, and 2014. Each time the United States lost, but Kuchar played well. He also represented the United States in the Presidents Cup in 2011 and 2013 being part of a victory each time. Matt Kuchar is also involved in a great deal of charity work which adds to his likability.

55. Rebecca Soni

Freehold Borough, New Jersey

Swimming

One of our most popular swimmers in this country has to be Rebecca Soni. Soni burst onto the scene the last few years and was Swimming World's Swimmer of the Year in 2010 and 2011. She received the American Swimmer of the Year from the same publication in 2009, 2010, and 2011. However, it wasn't really until a year later that she caught on with most of us. She won 2 gold medals in a silver medal during those 2012 Olympics in London as shown in the picture. Prior to those Olympics, she actually won 1 gold and 2 silvers back in 2008 in Beijing. This young swimmer surely is making some noise in the world of swimming and will be a force in 2016. In addition to all of her success in the pool, Soni is the United Nation Foundation's spokeswoman for its Girl Up campaign. The goal of this fine organization is to improve the lives of adolescent girls around the world.

54. Jimmy Rollins

Oakland, California

Current Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Jimmy Rollins was the longtime Phillies shortstop who was recently traded to the LA Dodgers. Before the trade this offseason, Rollins had spent 14 years with the Phillies. He holds the longest hit streak in team history at 38 and the all-time hits record at 2,306. These records are quite impressive not only in number, but when you consider who has played for the Phillies. Pete Rose for example was once a member of the team. Rollins also helped lead that team to a World Series Championship in 2008 and won the National League MVP in 2007. He is loved because he is always smiling and always giving 100%. Rollins is a very charitable guy as well. This guy helps any charity he can and even created his own Animal Rehabilitation Center. His best known charity endeavor is his annual BaseBowl which raises money for the Arthritis Foundation. Rollins is fantastic on and off the field and an example many athletes should follow.

53. Danny Green

North Babylon, New York

Current Team: San Antonio Spurs

Danny Green is one of the most likable players in the NBA. When you consider his story, he becomes even more likable. This guy got cut by the Cleveland Cavaliers (Lebron's Cavs) only to end up a stud member of the San Antonio Spurs. A guy that was an unworthy lack of help guy for LeBron ends up breaking up the NBA Finals 3 points made record. That is an absolutely incredible feat. How can you not root for a guy that was so disrespected? How can you not root for a guy that plays on such an unselfish team? Danny Green in some ways can be the posterboy for the Spurs. Unselfish and committed to his team, Green checks in at #53.

52. Dustin Brown

Ithaca, New York

Current Team: Los Angeles Kings

Dustin Brown is one of the most famous members of Team USA hockey. He is also the captain of the reigning Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings. Brown is only the second American captain to win the Stanley Cup title. For America, he has represented the US in 3 World Championships and won a Silver Medal at the 2010 Olympics. During those Olympics he served as the team's alternate captain, and served again for the 2014 Olympics where the US finished 4th. He actually played better in the 2014 games scoring 2 goals and adding an assist. Although he is very physical and some say dirty player, Brown is beloved because of his lead by example approach and great play. He is also a fantastic person. Off the ice, he gives a great deal of time and money to charity. In 2011, Brown received the NHL Foundation Player Award for his work in the community.

51. Alex Morgan

Diamond Bar, California

Current Team: Portland Thoms FC

Alex Morgan is an American soccer player and was a key player on the Olympic Gold Medal Winning Team. She hit the game winning goal against Canada during those Olympic Games in the 123rd minute. Morgan is the 2nd woman (Mia Hamm is the other) to score 20 goals and 20 assists in the same calendar year. That feat was accomplished during the 2012 season. Those accomplishments led Morgan to be named the US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. During the 2011 Woman's World Cup, Morgan was the youngest player. That World Cup team placed 2nd in the tournament. Her performance in the World Cup Final with one assist and one goal made her the first ever female to accomplish that feat. Additionally, Morgan writes Children's Books in her spare time. The first book in her series debuted at #7 on the NY Times Bestseller List.

-Noland

Sticking Up For Lebron's "Help"

In the days that have passed since the 2014 NBA Championship we have learned a few things. We have learned many things about the Miami Heat. This offseason has already seen 4 players opt out of their contracts with the Heat. Those four players are Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Udonis Haslem and of course Lebron James. Lebron opted out to see what the Heat would do to appease his appetite to get more help. The others opted out because it is what Lebron wanted. Why is everyone so quick to appease Lebron though and give him exactly what he wants?

Look I realize that Lebron James is the most physically gifted player in the NBA. I can even see some people calling him the best player in the NBA. However, this is not some selfless move to improve this team. This is selfish spoiled behavior. He wants everyone to take a pay cut but him and he wants a team full of all-stars. Face it, Lebron is ring chasing and he isn't Jordan. I would argue several others ahead of him, but I will stick with just Jordan right now. Lebron expects stars at every position and for us to still acknowledge him as the greatest ever. Sorry not buying it. His help isn't that bad and wasn't that bad and I will prove it to you.

The Miami Years
Let's start with Chris Bosh.

Bosh is a 9 time all-star having appeared in every game since 2006. He is widely acknoweldged as one of the best big men in the entire game. There is a reason that Bosh was chosen by Wade and Lebron to be in the Big 3. Chris Bosh is a guy that every team in the NBA wanted. Every team wanted him and every team would have given him a max deal. The Lakers were drooling over the possibility of adding Bosh. Every team still wants Bosh too. Every team might not give him a max deal anymore, but everybody wants him. Basketball reference has him as the 8th most likely current player to make the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame! His numbers are down after joining Miami and deferring to King James, but he is ranked as the 8th most likely in the sport to enter the Hall of Fame.

Dwayne Wade

Bosh is the 8th most likely according to Basketball Reference, but Wade is the 4th most likely. Dwayne Wade is only less likely than Kobe, Duncan, and Lebron. This guy has been amazing his entire career. Wade is a 10 time all-star appearing in every game since 2005. He has won three championships to Lebron's 2 (one of which was won with a similar supporting cast minus Bosh and Lebron). Additionally, Wade has won an All-Star Game MVP and a Finals MVP. This guy was considered the 2nd best player in the league to only Lebron when the big 3 was formed. I realize Wade has had injuries and lost a step, but that is just the last two seasons only. He still averaged 15+ points a game in the playoffs last season and 17.8 PPG this season. The guy can still play. He isn't a max player on the open market anymore, but he is quite good. Over the regular season for 2012-2013 he averaged 21.2 a game and now averages 19.0 per game. This guy is still a very capable starter. Let's not overreact and call him chopped liver.

Ray Allen
Do you know who #9 on that Hall of Fame probability list is?

That's right the 3rd player that Lebron has as a teammate on this squad alone among active players in Hall of Fame probability is Ray Allen. This is also the 3rd player that Lebron has higher than any of Duncan's teammates. Do not disrespect what Ray Allen was or what he still is.
When Ray Allen took a paycut to join the Miami Heat he is a guy that everyone wanted. Everyone would have paid Ray a lot more money to come in too. However, he chose Miami to give Lebron some help. Miami was thrilled to have Ray Allen when he hit the huge shot in Game 6 last year to extend the series, but act like he can't play anymore now that they lost. He is still scoring 10 a game and contributing on both ends. More than acceptable from a shooter off the bench with 26 minutes a game.
Sure his skills have diminished, but Ray Allen is another 10 time all-star. He's also a two time champion and the NBA's all-time leader in three point field goals. He has the greatest jump shot that I have ever seen. He is an absolute gift to the game of basketball.

Mario Chalmers
Mario Chalmers was seen as one of the best college basketball players when he came out and a gift to end up with the Miami Heat. He was still pretty effective this season finishing 13th in the league in steals. He also averaged 9.8 PPG this season which is far from awful.

More help
Chris Anderson finished 17th in blocks despite playing less than 20 minutes per game. In the postseason, Anderson's minutes dropped, but he was still 20th in blocks per game.
Udonis Haslem was a leftover from Miami's last championship.
Norris Cole was quite good at times.
Greg Oden was a guy several teams wanted included the San Antonio Spurs.
Rashard Lewis is a former max contract guy.
Michael Beasley is a former #2 pick that many people thought should have gone ahead of Derrick Rose.
Toney Douglas was buried on the bench, but has averaged 7.8 for his career. Pretty good for the last guy on the bench and he is still young.
and...

Shane Battier

Shane Battier is the most underrated of all of Lebron's help for the Miami Heat. Battier is widely recognized as one of the best defensive players of this era. He is a two time member of the All-NBA defensive team. One of those times was the season before he joined the Miami Heat. Battier was known as one of the few guys that could slow down Kobe Bryant and is a defensive specialist. He was there for both of Lebron's titles. Sure he has lost a step, but this guy is a quality player. Last season (2012-2013) Battier finished 5th in the NBA in 3 pt FG %. Battier is 52nd in NBA history in turnover percentage (he doesn't turn the ball over). His fire helped Miami capture those championships. He is just a competitior and a fighter. Let's not act like he is some old fart either. This guy is younger than Duncan. Battier was quite good during his time with the Heat.

The Cleveland Years
Zydrunas Illgauskas

This guy was the best teammate Lebron ever had. He wasn't the best player on any of Lebron's teams, but he was a great teammate. He always looked out from Lebron and even signed the vet minimum to follow Lebron to Miami. This guy meant the world to Cleveland. He played with them from 1996-2010. Illgauskas is the 7th player in Cavs history to have his jersey retired and Lebron was in attendance when it happened (the Heat had an off day). He also happens to be a two-time all-star. During the 04-05 season Illgauskas averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds. Over his career he averaged 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds. This guy was a great center and one of the best in the Eastern Conference over his career in Cleveland. Do not forget that he left too when Lebron left and Cleveland tanked. It didn't have the same effect, but it had an effect.

Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer was only with LeBron for one season, but during that season, the Cavaliers didn't even make the playoffs. It wasn't Boozer's fault though, he averaged 15.5 points and 11.5 rebounds during that season in Cleveland. Sure, he left after that one season, but this is one of the best power forwards of this era and he played with Lebron. The king didn't make the playoffs with Boozer and Illgauskas protecting the rim and that should be acknowledged.

Drew Gooden

After losing Boozer, the Cavaliers picked up Drew Gooden to replace him. Now, Gooden was not the player Boozer was, but he was a very capable starter. This is a guy that is still in the league and averaged 11.7 PPG over his career. Cleveland had him in his prime. Gooden played with Lebron for 3 and a 1/2 seasons and averaged 12 points and 8.6 rebounds per game playing with Lebron. He was super durable during that time too only missing 3 games out of those seasons. His best season was in 2004-2005 when he averaged 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Most will not remember, but Gooden was actually quite good for the Cavs and was on the team that went to the 2007 NBA Finals.
Unfortunately, that ended when King James demanded help during the 2007-2008 season and really wanted Ben Wallace. Drew Gooden was sent with the next player on our list to acquire Big Ben to appease the King. The Cavaliers have not been back to the NBA Finals since.

Larry Hughes

Hughes was the other main piece that went to Chicago in order to acquire Ben Wallace. He averaged 14.1 PPG over a long successful career. Two of his 13 seasons in the NBA were spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a teammate of Lebron James. One of those two seasons is the year that Cleveland went to the NBA Finals. His time with Cleveland he had around his career average in scoring, but may have been slightly overpaid. Whether he was overpaid or not, he was an incredibly gifted basketball player. For the 2004-2005 season with the Washington Wizards before he signed with Cleveland, Larry Hughes led the NBA in steals per game and steal percentage. That performance in a contract year likely caused Cleveland to slightly overpay. He also averaged 22 points per game that last season in Washington and seemed to be one of the bright young stars in the NBA. This guy was really good at one point in time and the Cavaliers got some of his best years.

Daniel Gibson

My personal favorite player during the Lebron era in Cleveland was Daniel Gibson. He didn't have the longest NBA career, but he was a great teammate for Lebron. He also is the biggest reason the Cavaliers ever got into the NBA Finals. Gibson scored 31 points in that decisive Game 6 victory over the Pistons to send the Cavaliers into the Finals. Daniel Gibson was deadly from outside and a perfect complement to Lebron's game. Deadly shooters from outside complement his game well and that is just what Gibson was. During Lebron's last season in Cleveland, Daniel Gibson shot 47% from 3 point range. The season after Lebron left was Gibson's best when he averaged 11.6 PPG. However, shortly thereafter he flamed out eventually retiring after the 2012-2013 season.

Wally Szczerbiak

Wally Szczerbiak came over from Seattle at the same time that Ben Wallace came from Chicago. This part of the deal was the better part for the Cavs and should have set the team up for further success. At the time, Szczerbiak was averaging 13 points per game for the Sonics. It was slightly down from his career production (especially that in Minnesota), but he was having a terrific year. It seemed like the perfect marriage. He never did as well in Cleveland though failing to average 10 points per game during his time there before retiring a Cavalier. Blame what you will on Wally's fall from grace, but he was a really quality player coming into Cleveland. The 11 year vet made one all-star game and finished his career with the 64th best turnover percentage in NBA History.

Mo Williams

Following that season and the botched trade acquiring Ben Wallace, the Cavs picked up a great point guard in Mo Williams in the offseason. That guy gave this team an edge and is a guy that most consider the best to play with Lebron in Cleveland. This is also a guy that entered Cleveland in his prime and is still effective in the league. This past season with Portland, Mo Williams averaged 9.7 points per game. That first season in Cleveland was his best though as he averaged 17.8 per game and was named an all-star. He also shot 43% from 3 during that season. However, that first season the Cavaliers lost to the Magic in the Conference Finals despite being heavy favorites. The second best player on that Magic team was the same Rashard Lewis that is about the 8th best player on last year's Heat team.

Delonte West had a brilliant career in Cleveland as well. During that deciding game against Orlando, Delonte West had 22 points. He averaged 10.3 per game in Cleveland. That rose to 10.7 per game in the playoffs though when it counted and he was great in that season where the Cavaliers disappointed.
JJ Hickson was so promising during that season that he was considered untradeable. Lebron had to have him stay on the team, but was okay with trading anyone else besides Mo Williams. Hickson averaged 9.7 per game during his time with the Cavs.
Joe Smith was a former #1 overall pick that played with Lebron. Smith had a very solid NBA career himself.
He also had Shaq at one point.
And there is one more prime example of help that wasn't good enough...

Danny Green

Danny Green was not as good in Cleveland as he is right now. In fact, he wasn't good enough to play with Lebron and wasn't good enough to be on the team. Well now he is a starter for the NBA Champions, the San Antonio Spurs. This guy set the NBA Finals record for three pointers against Lebron James and the Miami Heat. He went toe to toe with the king and his team came out on top. Why?
I think it is because Tim Duncan makes the players around him better and embraces the help that he gets while Lebron simply whines about the lack of help he gets.

Is this list the greatest NBA players of all-time? No, this is not the best players in the history of the game, but you can win with these guys and they are all great help. If you give me these players today even as advanced as they are in age, I could go deep in the playoffs. Heck I might even win an NBA Championship. Look again real quick at players still producing at the NBA level..Some of these guys years after their primes when Lebron had them. I bolded the players I would go with on my 15 man.
PG Mario Chalmers
PG Mo Williams
PG Toney Douglas
G Norris Cole
SG Dwayne Wade
SG Ray Allen
SG/SF Danny Green
SF Mike Miller
F Rashard Lewis
F Shane Battier (I know he's retiring, but he is still fully capable of producing)
PF Drew Gooden
PF Carlos Boozer
PF Udonis Haslem
PF/C Chris Bosh
PF/C Chris Anderson
C Joel Anthony
C Ronny Turiaf

Look, if you want to argue anything about his game that is fine, but don't tell me that Lebron hasn't had any help!
Now, if you want to ask whether Lebron made any of these players games better, that is an interesting debate, but don't argue the help card. Lebron has had plenty of help. Time to stop making excuses for the King.

-Noland

Spurs Win 5th NBA Championship

The San Antonio Spurs proved to be one of the best teams of all-time with a dismantling of the Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals. These Spurs absolutely blasted the Heat in these past three games. Last night, the withstood a 22-6 barrage to start the game and won the game 104-87. The Heat were so dejected at the end of the game that Lebron visibly quit with about 5 minutes left in the game and the Big Three was removed with 2 minutes left. This "super team" couldn't handle the unselfishness and passing ability of the team. San Antonio is the ultimate team with their unselfish play. It never mattered who got the headlines (as it hasn't for the entire Duncan-Popovich era), just that they came out on top. This team was destined to finish on top and all of this was by design, I will tell you how this championship was won.

Tim Duncan Is Historically Great

It is time we start finally appreciating Tim Duncan for all he has accomplished in this league. The guy just won his 5th championship. He has three Finals MVPs, he has two regular season MVPS (robbed of at least two more), 14 all star appearances (12 starts), and yet is underrated. Nobody ever talks about Lebron as one of the truly all-time greats. Lebron and Kobe get compared to Jordan, but not Duncan and it doesn't make sense to me. For the record, Jordan is the best-ever, but Duncan might be the 2nd best I have seen, and no I am not kidding.

Duncan is certainly one of the best defensive players of this generation. He has been rated by basketball reference as a top 5 defensive player every season of his NBA career. This guy rates as the #1 active player and number two defensive player of all-time. For defensive win-shares, Duncan received the highest scores in 5 different seasons. For blocks per game Duncan has the 2nd most active and is #15 all-time. Rebounds per game he is 2nd for active players and #24 all-time. Total rebounds Duncanis #2 currently, and #11 all-time. Total blocks, he is #2 currently and #7 all-time. Duncan has 14 all-defensive 1st or 2nd team awards (5 of those are 2nd team). 

We can add in the offensive statistics to. For points per game, Duncan is no slouch. He has averaged 19.9 points per game over his brilliant career. That is good for 10th among current players and 55th all-time. Despite, being one of the most unselfish players in history, the 5 time champ, has shown he can score when he needs to. Let's not forget the record setting pace for double doubles. Again, according to basketball reference, Duncan is #1 currently for win-shares for the entire league over his career. He is #6 all-time ahead of both Lebron and Kobe. For the record, Kobe is 17 and Lebron is 18.

Look again, I am not saying Duncan is the best ever, but looking at his career and his 5 championships, it is time to put him in the conversation.

Popovich Also All-Time Great

Some people credited Duncan and some people credited Pop. Finally, I think everyone is crediting both of them for this historic amount of success. They are the best organization in sports currently and it starts with those two. The unselfish play of Tim Duncan has to be credited slightly to Pop, and also slightly to his mentor, David Robinson. The unselfish play of the entire team and the system he used has to be credited to Popovich. This guy made this team the most unselfish in sports that I have ever seen. It really is incredible what they have done. While this team was built around Duncan, it was perfected by Popovich and he deserves credit for that. Maximizing talents of guys like Danny Green and Patty Mills is something nobody else has been able to do.

No Excuses About Help

Look this win is about the Spurs and how every player, even the great Tim Duncan, is so unselfish that it doesn't matter who gets the glory. This has never happened with one of Lebron's teams. Lebron always gets the glory. I do not consider myself a Lebron hater, but give it a rest already. The help excuse went out the window when he teamed up with two other current top 10 players to form this Super Team. He said he wouldn't get 1,2,3,4 titles, he claimed he could get more. This guy acted like he could run through the NBA with no resistance now that he finally got help. Also I know that he's old, but they had Ray Allen too. 

Don't forget the important parts though. The personnel moves demanded in Cleveland. Lebron begged Cleveland to get an over the hill Antawn Jamison (a move that strapped Cleveland financially) and give up valuable picks right before he left. He held the team hostage with saying they needed to make moves. His team was never good enough. While he was on Cleveland, they had an all-star in Carlos Boozer and a young guy by the name of Danny Green. None of it was ever good enough for Lebron. Danny Green was so terrible in fact, that he ended up being cut by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Well, look at Green now.

Right behind Tim Duncan, is that same Danny Green. That same Danny Green that Lebron couldn't make better. That same Danny Green who was not good enough. That same Danny Green is a starter for the unselfish team, the San Antonio Spurs.

Kawhi Leonard Has Arrived

Let's not forget what Kawhi Leonard has done. this guy for two straight years has been the answer for Lebron James. Sure, the Heat won last year, but save that miracle finish and questionable officiating in Game 6, Kawhi wins an MVP last year too. This guy was out of this world. He defended Lebron very well for three straight games and outplayed him even. He certainly outhustled Lebron. This guy wanted it more. This team wanted it more.

Now, the rest of the world sees what San Antonio sees and what I have been saying. Kawhi Leonard is a superstar and he has arrived. At 22 years old, he already has one Finals MVP trophy. Don't be surprised if he picks up a few more in his career.

The Other Guys/The Other Effects

Many guys are afraid to admit that they are wrong. Not me. I thought that Manu Ginobili was finished, I thought he played to wreckless at times. However, that was not the case. Manu Ginobili just needed an offseason of rest. The guy plays so much basketball and just needed a break. At 36 years old, Manu has still got it. Manu can still play and after Game 5 of these finals, the NBA was put on notice. This legend is not done yet.

One guy I was not wrong about was Patty Mills. The great Patty Mills has such a great shot and is very useful off the bench. There is nobody that is more likable on this team than Patty. My sister texted me last night, "I love Patty Mills." How can you not love this guy? His energy, his playmaking ability, his demeanor, his selflessness, it is all unmatched. Well unmatched by anyone outside this Spurs organization. In some ways, Patty Mills is the face of this franchise. That is that he never has given up. When counted out, he never gave up. On the court he never gives up. That is the difference between these Spurs and other teams, they never give up on a possession ever.

Finally, I can say that I told you so. I told you that as soon as David Stern retired and they stopped letting Joey Crawford ref closing games the Spurs would win a title. Sure, I didn't go out and say the NBA was fixed, but it looked questionable. Joey Crawford's career reffing Spurs games has been highly questionable. David Stern has long been accused of fixing outcomes. The Oklahoma City-Miami Finals of two years ago was very suspicious. These type of things happened under Stern frequently. However, it didn't happen under Silver. Silver did not try to manipulate the outcome. The NBA is better for not having a meddling owner. This guy could bring a lot of fans back to the NBA, this seemed legit.

This was an awesome season and an awesome outcome. I have very much enjoyed this season and loved last night. The NBA is finally back and I could not be happier. They still got some kinks to work out with the refs, but they are oh so much better. This all just feels right. The Spurs are back where they belong. An unselfish team won the title. Tim Duncan and Greg Popovich got ring number 5. 

The San Antonio Spurs are NBA Champions!

-Noland

Spurs Earn 2nd Postseason Sweep

The San Antonio Spurs are now 8-0 in the playoffs. They have now won 18 in a row and look pretty dang formidable. We will see if the Thunder can slow them down. Unless the Lakers manage to overcome a 3-1 deficit to beat the Thunder. Game 5 is tonight and if the Thunder wins the Western Conference Finals will be set.

The Spurs certainly deserved to advance to the finals and they did it due to several standout players. They were led by the great Tim Duncan. Duncan had 21 points and 9 rebounds in a typical Duncan game. Tony Parker continued his outstanding season by adding 17 points. Danny Green continued his breakout season as he added 14. If you had told me Danny Green would have been a critical part of a Spurs run to the Western Conference Finals in the beginning of the year, I probably would not have believed you. This guy and several others just keep coming through though. Another guy is Gary Neal, this guy went undrafted by the Spurs, was sent to the D-League this year and still was huge in a clinching game. Neal had 14 points in just 14 minutes last night. Splitter and Ginobili each added 11. That is 6 guys in double figures. This is actually a team. Unlike some folks in the extreme southeast part of the country.

Fun Fact: This game featured Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili playing their 130th career postgame together. Which is highest for any active trio in the NBA.

Who can stop these Spurs?

-Noland

Spurs Continue Playoff Dominance

The San Antonio Spurs have done it again. These Spurs took a 1-0 lead as they edged the Clippers in Game 1. This win is the 15th straight win for the Spurs as they look to capture another NBA title. They did this one behind the veterans as well. They beat the Clippers by 16 points. Look out NBA.

Superstar forward Tim Duncan scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds in the victory. This game was vintage Duncan. Double double and dominance down low, what a great game. Not only that, but he played 35 minutes in the game. He did that while getting almost a full quarter of rest.

Manu Ginobili had 22 points for the Spurs. The Clippers had no answer for Ginobili or Duncan. They also had no answer for the Spurs on the glass. Boris Diaw had 12 rebounds last night. Two guys in double digit rebounds does not speak well of your rebounding totals.

The Spurs also got key contributions from two other players. These players, who others didn't know would react to the playoff stage came up big last night. Rookie Kawhi Leonard had 16 points in a tremendous effort and castoff Danny Green had 15 points. Each of them has 6 rebounds in the game. If Green and Leonard keep coming through, this team will be near impossible to beat. I guess we will find out Thursday Night in Game 2.

-Noland

Spurs Now Take 3-0 Lead

The San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz 102-90 in an extremely late game 3 last night. These Spurs look tough to beat and are showing why they are the #1 seed. No NBA Team has ever overcome a 0-3 deficit to win a best of seven series.

Tony Parker led the way with 27 points. 16 of those points came in the final quarter to lead the Spurs to victory. Parker went a perfect 6 for 6 from the line in the fourth. He also hit all five field goals he attempted. Tough to beat the Spurs when Parker is on like that.

The Spurs got an unexpected spectacular game from Tiago Splitter. He finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds. Performances like this from Splitter will increase the Spurs championship chances drastically.

Tim Duncan, the Spurs best player, had a mild game for him. The greatest power forward of all time finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. They can win with those numbers, as they showed last night, but they will likely need better against the big boys. That is unless the other guys step up, like Splitter did last night.

The other member of the Big Three, Manu Ginobili, had a very unusual stat line. Ginobili had 6 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds. Those totals worked though because the Spurs played brilliant unselfish basketball.

Stephen Jackson and Danny Green both finished with double figures. They scored 13 and 14 points respectively. Man this Danny Green sure looks like a player surrounded by that Big 3.

-Noland

Popovich wins 2012 NBA Coach of the Year

Who is shocked? I know I am not. Popovich is the best coach in the league. He should probably win every year and yet, this is only the second time that Popovich has won this award. It is the second time in a row that the Spurs have won the West despite Tim Duncan being past his prime. You cannot ask for much more out of Popovich as a coach.

The ultimate testament to Popovich is the career of Stephen Jackson. Look at what Jackson did when he was with the Spurs. The guy was a likable, unselfish, team player who played defense. Then he goes to Atlanta and becomes a selfish ego manic. After Atlanta Jackson went to Indiana and got into the brawl. During a few other stops Jackson did not get any better. Yet when Jackson got back to San Antonio this season he once again is a model citizen. How does that happen?

Do you want more proof of Popovich's skill? Matt Bonner is a solid contributor on the Spurs who is considered a vital part to their success. Tell me one other team that considered Matt Bonner critical in his career. What about Danny Green? The guy rode the bench in Cleveland. Once Green got to San Antonio he becomes a starter and a focal point. Then there is Kawhi Leonard. Popovich developed Leonard as a quality starter in just his rookie season allowing him to have a shot at rookie of the year despite not being a lottery selection. Gregg Popovich can coach, and he is doing a fantastic job of it.

-Noland

Spurs Clinch Top Seed

This seems like old times. The Spurs are back on top again after beating the Portland Trail Blazers to clinch the #1 seed out West. Superstar Tim Duncan had 18 and 8 as he continues to still be solid for San Antonio. This was the 8th straight win for San Antonio who now has two games remaining. With the games being completely meaningless the Spurs figure to rest the Big Three. The Big Three has not been completely healthy entering the playoffs since 2008 so it is vital for San Antonio to allow that to continue.

Danny Green continues to have a strong season. Last night, Green scored 18 more points and looks like he is the breakout guy this year. The former Tar Heel has become a decent option for the Spurs. Parker had 13 points and 6 assist in a solid, but unspectacular game from him. With 6 guys in double figures though it is going to be tough to beat the Spurs (Gary Neal, James Anderson and Stephen Jackson were the others last night). Manu Ginobili already began his rest last night, only playing 17 minutes.

-Noland