Ginobili is the most exciting player in the Finals. He has only started eight of 16 playoff games but never complains because he is the ultimate team player. He is averaging 21.8 points and must stay hot from three-point range. He'll be expected to play tough defense, and his conditioning is the key to his success, because he never seems to tire in the fourth quarter. He will also spend much of the series on the floor, because he loves to attack the basket, and Ben Wallace will be waiting for him.

Chauncey Billups was the MVP of the Finals last year and is great under pressure. He will have his hands full guarding Parker and helping with Ginobili. He still must find a way to average 18.0 ppg while distributing the ball to Rasheed and Richard Hamilton. Billups is four wins away from going down in Detroit history as the leader of back-to-back championship teams, like Isaiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. Billups will not break under the pressure.

Hamilton has become one of the best clutch players in the NBA. He is Detroit’s leading scorer (21.3 points per game) and will have to carry the load if the Spurs want to run and put up points at home. Hamilton will try to get into the lane off a screen and hit his patented 7-foot jumper before Duncan can get over and attempt a block. If Duncan is able to get in front of him, Rip has the ability to pass the ball in traffic and get his teammates easy baskets. He has to cut down on his turnovers and should expect Ginobili and Bruce Bowen to make life difficult for him.

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Advantage: Detroit. This is the best guard matchup in the Finals in over 10 years. All play at a high level and all have championship experience. Billups is more consistent than Parker and that gives Detroit a slight edge.  

Bench
San Antonio is much deeper than Detroit and has better role players. Larry Brown doesn’t like to use his reserves unless his starters get into foul trouble or are having an off night.

Spurs reserve Robert Horry wants his sixth ring and is a clutch player with valuable experience. He will hit the game-winning shot if the Pistons leave him unguarded with seconds remaining. San Antonio guard Brent Barry has started eight games in the playoffs and is shooting 44 percent from three-point range. He brings energy off the bench and wants the ball when Duncan gets double-teamed. Forward Glenn Robinson hasn’t played much since joining the Spurs, but he could get hot and be called on to make a big shots throughout the series.

Detroit forward Antonio McDyess will be called on to play valuable minutes in this series and defend Duncan when the Wallaces get into foul trouble. He has been awaiting this opportunity throughout his injury-plagued career so expect him to be ready. Lindsay Hunter is a quality veteran guard who can score when left open, but look for Parker to attack off the dribble if they match up against each other. Elden Campbell should foul out of every game in under ten minutes if he does his job right.

Advantage: San Antonio.

Coaches
Popovich can define his legacy by winning his third title. He is a workaholic and knows what buttons to push when it comes to certain players. He didn’t talk to Duncan heading into Game 6 of the Western Conference finals because he knew how to handle his best player while he was struggling. He is always prepared for anything his opponent throws at him and is great at making adjustments on the fly. He will never be outcoached.

Brown might have his eyes on his next job in Cleveland, but give him credit for getting his team back to the Finals. He is the best coach in the NBA when is comes to deflecting pressure away from his players and planting it directly on his shoulders. He doesn’t have much left in the tank, but he will have his team ready to play physical basketball and will have no excuses when the series is over.

Advantage: None.

Prediction: San Antonio will win in six games.