MIAMI // When the San Antonio Spurs swept the Cleveland Cavaliers out of the 2007 NBA finals, Tim Duncan took time to find a young LeBron James and offer some quiet words of encouragement.
Six years later, it was Duncan who needed the comforting.
As he walked off the court after a valiant effort came up short in Game 7 against the Miami Heat, Duncan was met by James and Dwyane Wade.
The two victors hugged the proudest of these old San Antonio Spurs, who pushed them to the limit in defence of their title. "He's one of the greatest of all time," Wade said of the 37-year-old Duncan.
Duncan, however, was ruing missed opportunities. "To be at this point with this team in this situation, where people every year continue to count us out, is a great accomplishment," he said, his voice quavering.
"To be in a Game 7 or be in a Game 6 and up one with two chances to win an NBA championship, that's tough to swallow."
"We were five seconds away from raising that trophy and it just didn't happen," said Manu Ginobili, recalling San Antonio's five-point lead with 21 seconds left in Game 6.
"At this point it's very hard because we're all sad and disappointed. We were so close to winning it."
The questions will start once again, just as they have almost since the Spurs last won the title, in 2007. Will Ginobili return? Can Duncan keep turning back the clock?
And does the 64-year-old coach Gregg Popovich have another year left in him?
Popovich said: "I'm going to get a meal. I'm not going to think about next season. I'm going to enjoy what they accomplished this season and feel badly about the loss all at the same time.
"I don't know how you do that, but I'll figure it out."
* Associated Press
@ For more on NBA, visit thenational.ae/topics
Naga
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MANDOOB
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Company%20Profile
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
SPECS
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EXPATS
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THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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World%20Cup%202023%20ticket%20sales
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Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Mountain%20Boy
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info-box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
