Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has tipped the 2014 San Antonio Spurs as his favorite team. The Spaniard admitted he has never seen anyone play basketball better than what the Spurs displayed in that season. Spurs finished the regular season in the numero uno position with 62 wins and 20 losses in the Western Conference.
The Spurs also won the NBA Championship in that edition, beating the Miami Heat by 4-1 in the finals. They had legendary players in the team like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and rising Kawhi Leonard and they were able to get the better of LeBron James’ Heat.
“I’ve never seen anyone play basketball better than that [2014] team,” Guardiola said while talking to Men in Blazers. “The last championship for the Spurs is the best ever. The choral movement of the ball, the not-completely unselfish … now, hopefully, the Celtics with my friend Joe Mazzulla can continue the legacy.”
Guardiola, who has played a key role in City’s success in the last few years, is hopeful that the current NBA champions Boston Celtics can carry the same legacy of the Spurs.
On the other hand, during the NBA finals press conference, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla gave credit to Guardiola for passing on some valuable knowledge.
“He’s a great person,” Mazzulla said. “He’s a great coach. It’s just the humility, the work ethic, the intensity he brings. And we’ve developed a great relationship. I’m very grateful for him and I’d like to think we make each other better. … It’s awesome that he could share some of his wisdom with me and that I could spend time with him.”
The upcoming NBA season will begin on October 22, with reigning champions Boston Celtics taking on New York Knicks in the opener.