May 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) celebrates with fans in the stands after game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. The Spurs won 93-86. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

A week after the San Antonio Spurs clinched their spot in the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers to join them in the soon to be classic Finals match-up. But before we start previewing what San Antonio versus Miami would look like, let’s take a look back at how the Spurs got to this point. It’s time for another retro diary! This time, Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

We’re going to utilize the slideshow feature again, so use the left and right arrows to navigate between quarters.

1st quarter, 12:00 remaining: Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen talking pregame, and I’m not listening to a word they’re saying. I’m too focused on the guy between them, with the screen-printed Marc Gasol jersey on, tucked into his khaki pants:



This is not okay.

10:10 remaining – Tayshaun Prince with his second basket of the game. I honestly don’t remember Tayshaun Prince scoring two total baskets in the 2005 NBA Finals, so this is totally catching me off guard.

8:34 remaining – Let me just state for the record, I love Mike Breen. I think he’s one of the few guys ESPN has that’s great at his job. But with that being said, here he states, “We’re only 3 and a half minutes in, but in those 3 and a half minutes it seems as Memphis has come out with a little fight in them.”

Umm, we’re coming off two straight overtime games, Mike. Memphis has been fighting like hell all series. Just because they’re down 3-0 to the Spurs, doesn’t mean they haven’t been fighting.

8:16 remaining – Danny Green just passed on an open three pointer, dribbled behind his back, passing Mike Conley, and launched a floater from 13-feet over Zach Randolph. I’d like to know when the hell he developed that move. And so does the Grizzlies’ defense.

7:34 remaining – Oh, okay. Kawhi Leonard has a floater in his repertoire now too? This is fun.

6:23 remaining – 8-0 run by the Spurs. The Spurs must have a little fight in them, aye Mike Breen?

4:13 remaining – The greatest three-point play ever. Duncan sets a screen for Parker, Conley gets stuck in the screen, pulls Duncan down and gets called for the foul, while Parker nails the jumpshot. Duncan hits the free throw to complete the And-1. I begin to dance in the privacy of my own room.

2:36 remaining – Embarrassing.



1:25 remaining – ESPN keeps showing Patty Mills on the bench celebrating. This is what happens when playoff series are no longer competitive. They show the 12th guy on the bench, waving a towel.

End of the first quarter: San Antonio 24, Memphis 14.