by Dana Greene

I realize I've been touting the Jazz as the Western Conference representative in the NBA Finals this year, but come on...I wasn't really serious. After spending the last two games in San Antonio, I got a first hand close look at the best team in the entire league...the Spurs. These guys are unbelievable.

How they didn't win 70 games is beyond me. They obviously just coasted through the regular season, waiting to explode once the playoffs began. This team has everything. They have three legitimate superstars who can beat you from inside and out (Duncan, Parker and Ginobili). They have the role players who can play suffocating defense and don't whine about their playing time (Bowen, Oberto, Elson and Vaughn). And then they have deadly 3-point shooters who can get hot at any time (Finley, Barry and Horry). They don't have a weakness. Even their head coach is one of the best in the league. And let's get this straight...Manu Ginobili is the best all-around player in the league. The guy can do EVERYTHING, and he doesn't even start on this team. And Tim Duncan is the best big man in the game today. No doubt about it.

Utah really didn't play that poorly in games 1 and 2. But in each game, everytime the Jazz got close, the Spurs pulled away. It seemed as if they could score or get a stop anytime they wanted. I know the Jazz are a better team at home, and maybe they can take one or even two games here. But I just don't see anyway they can win four against the Spurs. Maybe in a couple years when the Jazz have gotten used to playing in this kind of environment, but this just is not their time. The Spurs will win their 4th NBA Title in the last 9 years.

Of course you realize, me saying this will hopefully turn the tide in this series. I know it's hard to believe, but I have been wrong before.