113–81. The Hawks, known for their three-point shooting and high shooting percentage, had nearly failed to crack 80 points that night.
Before the game began, people had thought the Hawks could become another unassuming championship contender, just like the Spurs before them.
But the facts proved that the Hawks were, at best, the "Spurs of the Eastern Conference." Compared with the real Spurs, they were an entirely different story.
True, the Spurs were also a team-oriented squad. But unlike the Hawks, they had superstars who could step up and turn things around when it mattered most.
Manu Ginobili might not always explode, but when he did, he was unquestionably at a superstar level.
Tony Parker was no slouch, either. In 2007, he had averaged 24 points on a team that put teamwork above all else, an extraordinary feat. After all, not a single Hawks player was averaging over 20 points that season.
Of course, any discussion of the Spurs' superstars had to include Tim Duncan, the "Stone Buddha."
When the Spurs faced the Kings in the 2000 playoffs, Duncan put up 32 points and 20 rebounds, outplaying Webber and helping the Spurs through a tough battle.
Against the Suns in the 2008 playoffs, Duncan delivered 40 points and 15 rebounds, then hit a crucial three-pointer in the closing moments to pull the Spurs back from the brink.
On June 24, 2005, Duncan played in the first NBA Finals Game 7 of his career. Facing the formidable Pistons, he recorded 25 points and 11 rebounds, securing his third championship after the game. He also earned his third NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
Those honors were not something Al Horford or Paul Millsap could claim.
On the surface, the Spurs and Hawks seemed no different. In reality, though, the Spurs' success