Tim Duncan shaped the Spurs for over two decades, but he only had the best team around him in 2014. We look back at the team that dizzyed Miami’s Big Three in the Finals.
But it almost didn’t get that far. In round one, Dirk Nowitzki annoyed San Antonio with his eighth-placed Mavs and even forced a game 7. This was never exciting, however, and the Spurs clearly prevailed.
In round two it was a clear thing against a good Portland team with Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldridge. Five games were enough against the Blazers, all four wins were won by at least 11 points.
OKC was a different caliber in the Conference Finals. San Antonio had home advantage, and the home team clearly prevailed in the first five games. Game 6 went to overtime, Duncan topped, San Antonio was back in the finals.
There was a rematch with Miami and the champion had no chance after game 2 at the latest. With 19, 21 and 17 points, the Spurs easily won games 3, 4 and 5 and were crowned champions for the fifth time. But now to the squad.
POINT GUARD: TONY PARKER
Playoff stats: 17.4 points and 4.8 assists at 48.6 percent from the field and 37.1 percent threes in 31.3 minutes (23 games)
At 32, the playmaker was still scratching his prime and was Spurs’ top scorer in the playoffs. Parker finally retired in 2019 after a year-long stint in Charlotte and is now President of EuroLeauge-Club ASVEL.
PATTY MILLS
Playoff stats: 7.3 points and 1.4 assists at 44.7 percent from the field and 40.5 percent threes in 15.3 minutes (23 games)
Lasted the longest of any player in the 2014 squad alongside Popovich. Even then, the Australian was a strong shooter and solid role player – he is now with the Brooklyn Nets.
CORY JOSEPH
Playoff stats: 2.8 points and 0.5 assists at 48.6 percent from the field in 5.1 minutes (17 games)
The same can be said of Joseph, who was rarely used as a third point guard. Now well-travelled, after stints in Toronto, Indiana and Sacramento, backup playmaker in Detroit since 2021.
SHOOTING GUARD: DANNY GREEN
Playoff stats: 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals at 49.1 percent from the field and 47.5 percent threes in 23.0 minutes (23 games)
The ring hamster. Since his 2019 trade, Green has also won the title with the Raptors and Lakers. 3-and-D was already his trademark back then, in the playoffs he hit 47.5 percent (!) from Downtown. Has jumped from the Sixers to the Grizzlies, Rockets and now Cavaliers since last summer.
MANU GINOBILI
Playoff stats: 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals at 43.9 percent from the field and 39.0 percent threes in 25.5 minutes (23 games)
In 2013, Ginobili was advised by many that he should retire after weak finals, but the gaucho played a strong season and only retired in 2018 at the age of 40. 16 seasons, four titles – Manu is a Spurs icon and last year made his first attempt at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
SMALL FORWARD: KAWHI LEONARD
Playoff stats: 14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals at 51.0 percent from the field and 41.9 percent threes in 32.0 minutes (23 games)
The crown jewel and the Finals MVP. Leonard was destined to become Duncan’s heir and the face of the next great Spurs team, but the forward had other plans. Forced a trade, became champ with Toronto and now wants to do the same with the clips. Struggled with many injuries in recent years, but is currently back in top form.
MARCO BELINELLI
Playoff stats: 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds at 44.4 percent from the field and 42.1 percent threes in 15.5 minutes (23 games)
The noble shooter from the bank. Became a three-point champion that same year and was also hot in the playoffs with 42.1 percent from downtown. Played again for the Texans between 2018 and 2020, meanwhile active at home near Bologna.
AUSTIN DAYE
Playoff stats: 0.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 6.0 minutes (1 game)
Daye’s trade in February 2014 was Spurs’ last in-season trade until 2022. Daye only played 6 minutes in the playoffs and has now been active in Europe for several years. After many years as Reyer Venezia’s go-to-guy, he arrived in Italy after a stint in Taiwan with Victoria Libertas.
POWER FORWARD: BORIS DIAW
Playoff stats: 9.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists at 50.0 percent from the field and 40.0 percent threes in 26.3 minutes (23 games)
Parker’s best man at the wedding to Eva Longoria. Diaw was essential alongside Duncan, today he’s enjoying life. Works a little for the French federation when he’s not sailing his boat around the world and drinking wine on the side.
JEFF AYRES
Playoff stats: 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds at 46.2 percent from the field in 3.8 minutes (17 games)
A classic power forward but barely played in the playoffs. Has been playing for various teams in Japan and Taiwan for a number of years now.
MATT BONNER
Playoff stats: 1.2 points and 0.6 rebounds at 47.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent threes in 6.2 minutes (22 games)
The “Red Rocket” enjoys cult status in San Antonio, after the end of his career his iconic flannel shirt was jokingly “retired”. Bonner was a classic stretch big, playing for Spurs between 2006 and 2017. He is now a pundit for the franchise’s TV channel.
CENTRE: TIM DUNCAN
Playoff stats: 16.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks at 52.3 percent from the field in 32.7 minutes (23 games)
Do we have to lose words to “The Big Fundamental”? 19 years San Antonio, five titles, three Finals MVP trophies, two MVP trophies. Duncan is San Antonio and until recently was active again as an assistant under Popovich.
TIAGO SPLITTER
Playoff stats: 7.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists at 61.0 percent from the field in 22.4 minutes (23 games)
The Brazilian was a good backup five, however shards halted some injuries. Played for Atlanta and Philadelphia until 2017, since 2019 he has been an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets.
ARON BAYNES
Playoff stats: 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds at 50.0 percent from the field in 7.2 minutes (14 games)
Baynes’ NBA career, on the other hand, only really took off after 2014. For Detroit, Boston, Phoenix and Toronto, the Boomer took tons of charges. He was badly injured at the Tokyo Olympics and has been working on his comeback for a long time, which he has now achieved at least with the Brisbane Bullets.
