NBA Finals: Every single player on the Spurs' squad scores

Photo Courtesy of Darren Abate-AP Photo

It is difficult not to keep talking about the San Antonio Spurs bench, especially in a game where the entire team is able to score. Game four of the NBA Finals was a direct example of teamwork in its purest form as the Spurs have earned themselves a 3-1 series lead over the defending champs, a feat that was done with a collective effort; the last time I checked, basketball was a team sport and the Spurs are reminding the Heat of that in every single game that has been played thus far.

When a team is able to come back from a huge 19 point victory in game three (which snapped Miami's undefeated home streak during this year's playoffs) with a 21 point victory in the following game and in the very same hostile arena, then one has to consider something is either really wrong with Miami or something is seriously exploding in San Antonio's game.

Through the likes of the production of the Spurs, I have to say that there is no doubting the latter.

Point Guard Patty Mills showed up to play and continued right where he left off with 14 points and two assists in 16 minutes of action. Manu Ginobili had a quiet scoring game with seven but helped spread the floor with his ability to create some plays for his teammates; he was part of the huge scoring run during the late first quarter and early second quarter mark.

Former reserve man Boris Diaw is having the series of his career. The last time he was off the bench, I had already felt that he was making a huge difference in the series and given Popovich's decision to start him in these last two games, it is clear that Miami has not found an answer for the 10-year veteran. Diaw scored eight points and grabbed nine boards for the night but his strength continues to be his ability to find open teammates consistently off the dribble. Diaw is unique in that his initial intention when he drives to the basket is not to necessarily score but to find the open man, whether it is an extra pass for a dunk by Duncan or an open jumper for Parker or a behind the back dish to Tiago Splitter for an easy lay in. The guy is just straight up crafty.

 Courtesy of NBA via YouTube

Another key period to look at in the game is the time that most commentators would call "Garbage time." To most, this is the time when there is an obvious blow-out game ensuing and both teams decide to clear out their benches; however, I think that "Garbage time" is actually a period where one could actually see the discipline, the will, and the standards that the organization has opposed on its players. While the San Antonio Spurs reserves, players that really do not see to any playing time at all, were continuing to play organized, the Heat players were slowly falling apart. Out of the bunch, hot-handed James Jones of the Miami Heat lead with an impressive 11 point outing with only 3 minutes of playing time but really this is the flaw of the entire Miami squad. They invest too much on single players that are eager to find their own and not look for their teammates. Matt Bonner, Cory Joseph, Marco Belinelli, Aron Baynes, and Jeff Aryes all scored less than 5 points but the point is that they all, nevertheless, scored, which means that the ball was moving even during a period where most reserve players would look to "wow" the crowd or impress their teammates with their own individual talents.

As stated before, The Spurs proved in game four, all the way to the end of the game, that they brand their organization with the true nature of a team oriented goal to win the championship collectively. It is nice to have a franchise player like LeBron but San Antonio is proving that there are five guys on the court for a reason.