MIAMI – Six years between trips to the NBA Finals may not seem like a long time to most players. To Tim Duncan, it felt like an eternity.
Finally back in the championship round after the longest finals drought of his career, Duncan says he is appreciating his latest trip more than ever. His performance on the court is backing that up.
Duncan had 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in San Antonio's Game 1 win over Miami on Thursday night. The 37-year-old says he's soaking up the little things he never noticed before — the NBA Finals banners in the arena, the patch on his jersey — as he chases after his fifth championship.
He can help the Spurs take another step in Game 2 on Sunday night.
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