Special Sub-Topic: Spurs Championships Click Here To Play: Spurs Championships

Who was the Championship MVP for the Spurs during the 2003 season?

Tim Duncan. During the 2003 Finals, Duncan averaged 24.4 points per game, 17.5 rebounds per game, and 5.2 blocks per game. He lead his team in all three categories. Tim's first dream was to be an Olympic swimmer, but that had to change when a hurricane wiped out the only swimming pool in his home town on the island of St. Croix when he was a teen. Only then did he turn to basketball. Because of his height at the time he figured that he would play guard or small forward and developed such skills as ball handling, passing, and perimeter shooting.

Which is the correct order of the opponents the Spurs beat during their 1999 playoff and championship run?

Minnesota Timberwolves, L. A. Lakers, Portland Trailblazers, N. Y. Knicks. During this phenomenal run the Spurs went 15-2, losing only one game in the Minnesota series, then sweeping the Lakers and Trailblazers, and losing one more in the finals with the Knicks.

What nickname did the newsmedia give the last second three pointer that Sean Elliot hit to win Game 2 of the 1999 Western Conference Finals?

Memorial Day Miracle. The Trailblazers tried to intercept the inbound pass. Elliot made an athletic move to beat them to the pass and catches the ball while balancing on one foot. He spins and, upon finding himself wide open, fires the game winning shot.

What was the nickname given to the 1999 Spurs' starting point guard, Avery Johnson?

The Little General. This nickname came as a counterpart to "The Admiral" David Robinson. Both shared the duties as co-captains and locker room leaders, so a military theme seemed appropriate. During his nearly fifteen years in the league, Johnson played for Denver, Golden State, Houston, and Seattle, before finally finding a long term home in San Antonio in his third stint with the Spurs.

Which member of the 1999 Spurs Championship team was the first player in NBA history to return to the game after a kidney transplant?

Sean Elliot. Sean Elliot was going through dialysis treatments for his failing kidneys. Elliot didn't break the news until after the playoffs because he didn't want the team's focus to be on anything but winning. A few months after the finals he received a kidney from his brother, Noel, and returned a year later.

Which of the following was NOT a birthplace of a member of the Spurs 2003 Championship team?

France. Though Tony Parker grew up in France and started his basketball career there, he was actually born in Belgium. Manu Ginobili is from Argentina, and backup center Menge Bateer is from Mongolia.

Which 2002-2003 Spur held the distinction of being the oldest active player in the NBA?

Kevin Willis. Kevin Willis was 42 during the Spurs second championship run. He's been able to stay competitive for this long by being able to avoid major injuries and keeping himself in terrific physical condition. He sports one of the more muscular physiques of anyone in the NBA regardless of age.

One Spur was a member of both championship teams, but was not a Spur for some of the seasons between the championships. Who was it?

Steve Kerr. Kerr was shipped to the Portland Trail Blazers along with Antonio Daniels, for Derek Anderson during the 2000 season. When his contract was up in Portland the Spurs signed him as a free agent. It would prove to be a key pickup for the 2003 season. During games in both the Western Conference Finals and the NBA Finals, Kerr came in during the second half and put on incredible 3-point shooting performances.

Which Spur did the Mavericks constantly foul because of his poor free throw shooting percentage?

Bruce Bowen. Following in the footsteps of "Hack-a-Shaq", the "Bump-a-Bruce" or "Bruise-a-Bruce" strategy worked fairly well early in the series. Eventually Bowen settled in and finally started hitting his foul shots and the Mavericks had to try something else.

Which career Spur retired after winning his second championship?

David Robinson. Generally considered not only one of the greatest centers to play the game, but one of the kindest, most generous, and respectable pro athletes ever, David Robinson was both a pillar of the Spurs and the city of San Antonio. In addition to racking up Rookie of the Year, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and numerous All-Star Honors, Robinson was also named Sportman of the Year on several occasions.