DUNCAN: Thwarted in quest for fifth title (
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MIAMI — Tim Duncan had 24 points and 12 rebounds but will never forget missing an easy shot in the lane and the follow tip with 48 seconds left that would have tied last night’s Game 7.
A visibly shaken Duncan said those late mistakes — not Game 6’s heartbreaker — will torment him as it could have kept him from his fifth championship ring.
Duncan choked on his words at the beginning of his postgame interview. Asked if Game 6 will bother him forever, Duncan said, “No, Game 7, missing a layup to tie the game [will]. Game 7 is always going to haunt me. Just missing a bunny. Got by Shane [Battier] and had a layup to tie the game.’’
Duncan slapped the floor with both hands in an uncharacteristic display of frustration after the misses. After a timeout, LeBron James came down and buried a game-sealing jumper.
Despite his miss, Duncan was the most productive of San Antonio’s Big 3.
The Spurs got nothing from point guard Tony Parker in the final two games and Manu Ginobili was sloppy again with four turnovers.
Parker was 6-of-23 in Game 6 and 3-of-12 last night, leading to his benching in the final 27.9 seconds with the Spurs down four.
“We’re down four,’’ Parker said of the benching. “You have to put our best shooters out there. I always trust [coach Gregg Popovich]. I just missed shots.’’
Ginobili believes the Spurs couldn’t get over Game 6’s catastrophe. The Spurs were five seconds away from their fifth title Tuesday — up 3 — before Ray Allen’s dagger sent it to overtime.
“In my head, I still had Game 6 in my head,’’ said Ginobili, a free agent who may retire. “Being so close and feeling we were going to grab that trophy and seeing it vanish is very hard. We were five seconds away from raising that trophy. There’s such a fine line between celebrating all summer and now feeling like crap.’
Before the game, Popovich said the Spurs’ mental state would be a concern.
“That was a devastating loss,’’ Popovich said before tip-off. “To say anything less than that would be disingenuous.’’
Ginobili had 12 turnovers in the final two games. Though he scored 18 points, he clearly feels he’s to blame for the Spurs not winning the title.
“I’m very disappointed, very upset,’’ Ginobili said.
Parker got angry when asked if this was the last of the Big 3. Ginobili will become a free agent and there’s been talk he could retire.
“Can’t believe you’re asking that question,’’ Parker said. “You’ve been saying we’re too old for five years.’’