San Antonio Spurs players (from left) Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Marco Belinelli and Tiago Splitter stand on the stage during an event celebrating their fifth NBA title win in San Antonio on Wednesday. (EPA)
The San Antonio Spurs celebrated their fifth title in franchise history by climbing onto barges that floated down the river walk followed by a triumphant rally at the Alamodome arena.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) champions were greeted by about 100,000 people on the river walk parade and about 75,000 at the downtown Alamodome on Wednesday.
The celebration began at the Arneson River Theater and moved through the River Center extension before finally concluding at the Convent Street Bridge. Players and coaches then addressed fans inside the Alamodome during a special ceremony. “It is soaking in, but I’m still going to live it up for about the whole summer,” said Kawhi Leonard, who was named MVP of the NBA finals. “I’ve been trying to live the moment. It’s been hard to sleep. Thought I would get some sleep after we won the finals, but I’m still celebrating.”
Some fans began lining up outside the Alamodome in 90 degree Fahrenheit heat five hours before the celebrations began.
The Spurs completed their five game demolition of the Miami Heat with a 104-87 win Sunday night in San Antonio. They have five championships since 1999 and Tim Duncan has been part of all of those.
“They’re better people than they are basketballers,” said Mills, who received a thunderous round of applause after calling out the names of Duncan and Ginobili and Parker.
All three showed their class, expressing deep mutual admiration. “These two guys are very special to me,” said 36-year-old Ginobili. “I respect them on and off the court. It’s been a true pleasure to play with them for so long.”
“Like Manu said, ‘we’ll have a special bond for life, and what we have with coach (Gregg Popovich) I don’t take for granted,” an admittedly emotional Parker said. “I appreciate every moment.”
Duncan said he matured with the help of Ginobili and Parker.
“I started with some great ones and learned from there,” he said referring to Hall of Famer David Robinson.
“Then I get to spend the next 15 years of my career growing up with these two. I found myself as a player and a person, growing as an individual and watching them grow.”
Mills said the Spurs’ off-court bonding contributed to their success on the court.
“We’re all friends before we’re teammates,” he said. “We look after each other off court. I think it worked into how we trusted each other on the court. I think it was a big factor. I think we’ll be best friends for a long time. We’re a great group and it’s been an unbelievable year.”
With Popovich back at the helm, and the Big Three expected to return next season, the Spurs will be a strong favourite to defend their title.
“It will come to an end but I don’t think next year,” 32-year-old Parker said after the Finals. “I think everybody’s going to come back.”
The Spurs will look to build their legacy and embrace their love affair with the Alamo City fans. “We feel very fortunate to be in this city and to be supported by people like yourselves,” Popovich told the crowd.
“I just want you know that we’re all going to continue to do everything we can to make you make you proud of us.”