The Original Game » de it out of the second round in the two years of

MIAMI -- Other than being widely known by just the first syllable of their surnames, the coaches who will match wits in these NBA Finals may seem like polar opposites. Yogi Berra Jersey . Of course, they would probably disagree with that assertion. Miamis Erik Spoelstra wears sharp suits and is a stats guy; San Antonios Gregg Popovich often skips the tie and would immeasurably prefer to answer questions about wine than anything about himself. Both are intensely private, but even during an NBA Finals loaded with star power -- the "Big Three" from Miami, the "Big Three" from San Antonio, a four-time MVP in LeBron James, a four-time champion in Tim Duncan -- the coaches will share misery in one way. To their chagrin, Spo and Pop will be in the spotlight. "Its easier to talk about how they are similar versus how they are dissimilar," said ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy, a former NBA coach who is part of the broadcast team for the series that opens Thursday in Miami. "They are both going to the Hall of Fame. They both have tremendous respect from the coaches they coach against, and they both have a level of humility that I believe shows NBA coaching in the most positive light possible." Spoelstra is in the finals for the third straight year and is looking for a second consecutive championship. Popovich is going for his fifth title, the last of the ones currently in his collection coming over James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007, and could join Phil Jackson as the only coaches to win championships in three different decades. So far, only Jackson, Red Auerbach, John Kundla and Pat Riley -- Spoelstras mentor and boss in Miami -- have five rings as a head coach. "Maybe I dont show it the way I should, but its pretty special," Popovich said, in a rare moment of near-sheepishness, after his team beat Memphis and won the West title for a fifth time. "Im just really proud of the group the way they worked all year long to get there, and Im sure that weve been a team thats probably been written off like theyve had their day." Spoelstra took over for Riley five seasons ago, has won nearly twice as many games as hes lost, and has endured a constant circus of distractions ever since the Heat acquired James and Chris Bosh to play alongside Dwyane Wade in 2010. San Antonio hasnt had anywhere near that sort of scrutiny; being in a smaller market helps keep the level of attention down. By now, Spoelstra doesnt even notice what he calls "the noise." Even in the din of an Eastern Conference championship celebration on Monday night -- actually during the trophy presentation ceremony -- Spoelstra found his mind drifting away from the grind of facing the Indiana Pacers and onto the next challenge, this duel with the Spurs for the NBA title. "Its one of those few times in competitive team sports youre not thinking about tomorrow, youre not thinking about the previous games, youre not thinking about what possibly may happen, youre not thinking about the reward. All youre thinking about is the desperation of that moment," Spoelstra said. "Thats a great place to live." And then ... "It probably hit me right about then, and it was the ohh type moment," Spoelstra said. "We have to get our act together in the next 48 hours. ... They are a great organization. I think the two organizations from afar have always respected each other for similar foundations and culture." The coaches have items designed to inspire players in their respective locker rooms, a famous quote about a stonecutter for the Spurs, a replica of the championship trophy with the words "All In" emblazoned on it for the Heat. Both believe in loyalty, proven by the fact neither has changed work addresses in nearly two decades. Maybe theyre not so different after all. "Both sides have great coaches. A great coaching staff," Wade said. "Theyre going to get their team prepared as well as they can. Obviously San Antonio has a system. Obviously they have certain players thats featured in the system, that have been featured awhile, many years for them. Thats not a surprise. "Were going to have to make adjustments every game, throughout the series." There may be no coach in the league with more open disdain for in-game interviews, the ones taking place at the end of the first and third quarters of nationally televised games, than Popovich. Its not personal. Hed simply rather coach than talk. "He says what he needs to say and he gets out," Duncan said. "So I guess Ive learned that much. ... I think its hilarious. I think its awesome. As I said, hes direct. He says what he needs to say and he gets out of there." Popovich has proven that time and again. In these playoffs alone, some of his interview highlights included calling half-seriously calling Duncan a pain in the butt, talking about wanting to trade Manu Ginobili over poor shot selection, prefacing his response to a question by warning a reporter he was about to receive a trite answer, and offering this gem when asked for his favourite part of the gameday process. "Dinner," Popovich said. Spoelstra clearly embraces banter with the media more, though its almost impossible to get him to reveal much of his innermost thinkings or workings. He rarely has revealed any facet of his personal life. And just this week, when asked about how many hours coaches log in the playoffs, he had a two-word answer. "Thats irrelevant," he said. What is relevant, more than anything else, is this: Spoelstra and Popovich are the last two coaches standing. And in a few days, one of them is going to cradle the Larry OBrien Trophy once again. That action will be worth much more than any words. "Erik is still in the phase where he gets more blame for their losses than credit for their wins, but hes going to the Hall of Fame. Hes that good," Van Gundy said. "His even-keel demeanour, his humility, I think helps him really get the most out of his best players and you know, its fun to watch his teams, fun to watch Pops teams. I just love the grace and humility both teams play with." Wholesale Yankees Jerseys . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Lou Gehrig Jersey . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. http://www.cheapyankeesjerseysauthentic.com/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. JOLIET, Ill. -- Qualifying for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoff opener at Chicagoland Speedway was canceled because of rain Friday for the third consecutive year.The lineup for Sundays 400-mile race will be based on the playoff seeding, putting Kyle Busch on the pole with Brad Keselowski joining him on the front row.Denny Hamlin will start third, followed by Kevin Harvick,?Carl Edwards?and Martin Truex Jr. The 16 drivers who qualified for the 10-race playoff will all start at the front of the field.Busch is seeking his second straight Sprint Cup title. Hell need to advance past two elimination rounds to get into the group of four drivers eligible going into the last race Nov. 20 at Homestead.We kind of look at this round as dont make any mistakes, Busch said. Just kind of keep preparing yourself, keep getting ready for how the pressure will continue to rise.Rain started falling at midday and wiped out the only Sprint Cup practice scheduled at the 1.5-mile asphalt oval before the evening qualifying. The weather later cleared, and an hourlong Sprint Cup practice was added around dusk.Jimmie Johnson, who will start eighth Suunday, was the fastest in that session, followed by Edwards and Hamlin. Brett Gardner Jersey. Johnson has never won at Chicagoland and hasnt made it out of the second round in the two years of the elimination format.Theres a lot of optimism and a lot of great things happening, Johnson said. We just need to deliver consistently and execute at the track.Alex Bowman, filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr.?as he recovers from a concussion, spun out in the closing seconds of practice trying to get onto pit road. He didnt appear to damage his car.Regan Smith, who will start 33rd based on the standings, left the track to return home after his wife went into labor. Ty Dillon filled in during the practice session, but its possible Smith will return for Sundays race.Big thanks to everybody who helped me back and those who offered, Smith tweeted after landing in North Carolina.With only 40 cars entered, none were eliminated without a qualifying session. The teams are scheduled for a final practice Saturday before the 267-lap race. Nike NFL Jerseys China Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap NFL T-shirts Wholesale NFL White Jerseys Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys China Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '