Spurs Aged In Blink Of An Eye
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By DERON SNYDER
Champion boxers can age in a hurry, with no perceptible warning signs. They can show great vim and vigor as the bout approaches and maintain that energy through the early rounds. But then they can lose it, suddenly, in the middle of the fight, looking old, tired and worn out compared to the young, spry and energetic contender.
That’s what we’re seeing in the Western Conference finals with the seasoned San Antonio Spurs and the up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Spurs very well might rebound from their first three-game losing streak this season and advance to the NBA finals. But the dynamics in this series have shifted, swift enough to cause whiplash and quicker than a Thunder fast break. San Antonio, which appeared to fluctuate between invincible and perfection in winning the first two games, now appears overwhelmed and outmatched against reinvigorated OKC.
The transformation has been startling. Commentators were musing about the Spurs going undefeated in the playoffs after ending the regular season with 10 consecutive victories. San Antonio had won 20 straight after going up 2-0 on the Thunder, with no evidence of trouble looming once the series shifted to OKC.
