May 19, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (33) controls the ball during the fourth quarter as Memphis Grizzlies small forward Quincy Pondexter (20) defends in game one of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AT

The San Antonio Spurs return back to the finals is now set as they will face the defending champions the Miami Heat. This marks the third straight time the Heat will make an appearance in the finals. Miami will be depending on their ‘big 3’ in LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. On the other side, San Antonio will be depending on their veteran ‘Big 3’ in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

San Antonio has been making their run in the playoffs under the radar, because quite frankly, all talk from all media outlets is about the Miami Heat (David Sterns money maker). San Antonio has heard it, they are too old to compete. Well San Antonio, the old guys, took care of two teams that are much, much younger then them in the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies.

Miami is not as young as many think. Yes, they do have the best player in the game right now but their average age is right up there with the Spurs. But age has nothing to do with it. Spurs big man Boris Diaw interview with a french site Sports.fr., and stated the it was the teams experience that lifted them into another finals appearance.

No, it’s been a few years now people say that San Antonio is aging and in the end, it turns out that this is not really the case. On the contrary, I think it’s a bonus for us because it is precisely that experience that helped us to be as regular this season and we climb to the finals.

San Antonio have the playoff experience that the Miami Heat cannot match. Miami as stated before is making their third straight playoff appearance. LeBron James is making his fourth appearance as well (3 with Miami and 1 with Cleveland). Dwyane Wade has won a couple of rings before so he knows the pressure.

What many have been talking about thought is not the starters for this team but this could be a series that really comes down to the role players. I feel that this will be the area for San Antonio that could possibly lift them to their fifth title.

Story credit: Project Spurs