The stage is set for the game’s greatest player to play in the ultimate game.
When the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs meet in Game 7 of the NBA Finals Thursday night, more than just an NBA title will be on the line.
For the reigning league MVP LeBron James, it’s a chance to further cement his legacy, and raise his profile in the ongoing debate of where he fits in among the league’s all-time greats. James remained mostly mum leading up to what some see as his defining moment, apparently choosing to let his game do the talking.
But teammates like Ryan Allen, whose late-second gave the Heat new life and sent Game 6 into overtime, were more than willing to take the podium.
"As a competitor you love it, because you know you have an opportunity and it's up to you," he told ESPN. "We have a chance in our building to make something great. All of our legacies are tied to this moment, this game. It's something our kids will be able to talk about that they were a part of. Forever will remember these moments, so we want to not live and have any regrets."
It’s a mindset likewise shared by Tim Duncan and his mates. "You know what, it's all about just winning the title,” Duncan, who actually will be striving for his fifth, told ESPN. It's not about what has led up to it. It's a great story for everybody else, but we're here for one reason, one reason only: It's to try to win this game.”
Whatever happens, the teams will be hard-pressed to duplicate all the wonder and excitement of Game 6.
"I think — I know — that game will go down as one of the best finals games that's been seen," Heat guard Dwyane Wade told ESPN. "But I think this series will go down as being one of the most competitive, bizarre series that's been seen. So this is what you pay for to watch. You pay to watch two great teams battle to the very, very end, and that's what we'll do. It will be to the very last second."
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