Chandler wrote:
Sounds nice, but here are the finalists in the last 20 years. Not sure it's the key ingredient it's being made out to be. Other than Steph last year, who am I missing (Tony Parker?)2015 Golden State Warriors 4-2 Cleveland Cavaliers
2014 San Antonio Spurs 4-1 Miami Heat
2013 Miami Heat 4-3 San Antonio Spurs
2012 Miami Heat 4-1 Oklahoma City Thunder
2011 Dallas Mavericks 4-2 Miami Heat
2010 Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 Boston Celtics
2009 Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 Orlando Magic
2008 Boston Celtics 4-2 Los Angeles Lakers
2007 San Antonio Spurs 4-0 Cleveland Cavaliers
2006 Miami Heat 4-2 Dallas Mavericks
2005 San Antonio Spurs 4-3 Detroit Pistons
2004 Detroit Pistons 4-1 Los Angeles Lakers
2003 San Antonio Spurs 4-2 New Jersey Nets
2002 Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 New Jersey Nets
2001 Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 Philadelphia 76ers
2000 Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 Indiana Pacers
1999 San Antonio Spurs 4-1 New York Knicks
1998 Chicago Bulls 4-2 Utah Jazz
1997 Chicago Bulls 4-2 Utah Jazz
1996 Chicago Bulls 4-2 Seattle SuperSonics
1995 Houston Rockets 4-0 Orlando Magic
Chauncey Billups was Finals MVP in 2004. And Tony Parker was one of the best, most underrated players in the league when he was in his prime. John Stockton made back to back Finals against the Bulls, Gary Payton before him. Jason Kidd made back to back Finals and then guided to Dirk to his only ring. Rondo for the Celtics. Lebron James essentially plays the role of PG on his teams. Take out those and you're left with the Triangle teams, basically.
Point guard play has always been important - but I do agree with Briggs that it has been magnified by the way the league plays now.
Not saying that's the only way to play. In fact, if you don't have Russ Westbrook or Steph Curry, it may not be a good idea to try to play that way right now... but it is certainly notable.