The 2014 Spurs and the best basketball ever played

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In the 2013 NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs had the championship slip right through their fingers. The following season, the Spurs set out to avenge that loss and right a wrong that would have broken any other team. That pursuit resulted in the best basketball ever played.

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Twitter - @ClaytonCrowley
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Music used (in order)

Between Us by Veaceslav Draganov

Stay Humble by The David Roy Collective

[derekhiemforth]

"In those three games, they made 157 more passes than the Heat... PER GAME." That's just mind-boggling. They were amazing...

[jaylucien]

Manu's one handed dunk over all 5 Heat players in Game 5 was the greatest exclamation point in Finals history.

[kalebmccloskey]

Not enough people talk about Boris Diaw and how crucial he was in that team. Loved watching those Spurs man. Great video.

[TobyKBTY]

I'm not even the biggest basketball fan but i remember joining friends to watch the 2014 NBA finals at sports bars just to have a good time. I was absolutely floored watching the Spurs. Their teamwork and style was like poetry in motion. Like reading each other's minds for every play. It was incredible.

[pluto]

Yeah, I went back and watched that series a years ago, with the way they played...they would've beaten just about any team in history. The ball movement and 3 point shooting was unstoppable.

[ME-kdko]

I will say this, and this only: Tim Duncan is the closest thing we have ever seen to a modern-day Bill Russell.

[chrismarciatetisindles]

Everyones said you cant outrun the ball.thry way they passed in the finals was absolutely mind boggling. Hats off to the quietest dynasty EVER.

[johnnyroberts]

The 2013-2014 Spurs were a prime example of a team that was built on role players and focusing on the key fundamentals of the game: passing, shooting, defense, and chemistry. They were one of the most complete championship teams in NBA history.

[isaachenry]

Such a good point that 2013 would have spelled the collapse of plenty of other talented teams, but the Spurs' legendary cohesion, mental toughness, and belief in each other brought them right back

[aidanknight]

this is why kawhi leaving was so sad. i loved the 2014 spurs and especially the connection between tony, manu, tim, and kawhi. the perfect offense. the warriors have glimpses of it but there's nothing quite like the real thing.

[k.b.]

So, so true. Even tho I'm not exactly a Spurs fan I recognized that right away during the finals: This is the best team basketball performance I have ever witnessed. Such a well-functioning machine that was way bigger than its single components. Hats off to Pop and everybody involved.

[tny_]

I'm a Bulls fan and this was my favorite finals to watch. I remember thinking at the time "..this is the best bbasketball I've ever seen.." Thanks for putting this together, great stuff

[kapitolp]

Lifetime Heat fan and this was one of the greatest displays of team basketball ever. They dominated the Heat. Anyone watching this finals may remember Boris Diaw could have easily been finals MVP, he destroyed us.

[gregwaste]

I was never a spurs fan. But when we're talking about real teams in basketball, Popovich's spurs are the first and best by far TEAM that I have ever witnessed to play the game. As I grow up I respect this team more and more. Mad respect to the org the coach and the players for delivering the best basketball ever played.

[RGE_Music]

As a Spurs fan I cried about 5 times through this video. The Spurs mean so much to me.

[Rhodiac]

I watched every Spurs game that season. I'd never seen anything like it. Every game you could feel that determination. And then the playoffs were so intense. Greatest season ive ever watched

[PredatorBunny]

Man, I knew there was a reason I liked you. Been a fan since the beginning but this video is perfect. I’ve said it time & time again, that that 2014 NBA finals played by the Spurs is the absolute BEST basketball I’ve ever seen. People think I say it just to justify a LeBron loss, but naw, this team was just different. You could give me this team against any team in history: the showtime lakers, MJ bulls, the KD warriors, anyone, and I wouldn’t bet against this team. It’s the purest form of basketball, without flaw, played to perfection.
This finals made me truly appreciate how good that Spurs dynasty was. It’s the kind of play everyone should aspire to reach, but likely never will.

That 157 more passes per game in the last 3 game is an absolutely absurd stat. Crazy detail

[unacosadelocosradio]

Thanks, Ray Allen. Without that famous shot, we may never have experienced this higher level of the game. Kind of the Netherlands' Clockwork Orange in soccer, but with success.

[Void..]

Without a doubt the best team ball I've ever seen. And what I love about the Championship Nuggets team is that they remind me of em more than any other team in the league right now. It's great to see an individual show out, but there's something magical about watching a team playing that well together.

[vgotm]

Really enjoyed the video. 2014 Spurs was the pinnacle of my sports fandom. I had been a Spurs fan since 1995 when I read an article about David Robinson. The devastation of 2013, watching a mercenary Heat defeat the Spurs was heart wrenching. The fact that they came back in 2014, and played basketball the way that I love to play basketball will never be beaten. It makes 2013 worth it.