David Robinson, the veteran who announced early that this was his last season, thought that this was where the Spurs truly excelled.
In a pre-game interview, Robinson spoke about the phenomenon of Popovich roaring at Duncan, "If Tim accepts that, then everyone else will too."
The veteran was unhappy last year for being forced to take a pay cut to stay with the Spurs, but now, he had moved past that spirit-draining compensation struggle.
Before the game started, Robinson hugged each of his teammates, spreading the word like an apostle of God.
When he got to the second-year guard Tony Parker, he said, "Thou shalt not steal,' except on defense."
"Right, captain," Parker replied with a grin.
The Silver-Black Legion was ready to put on a good show on this away game.
Team core meeting, warm-ups, head coach's final talk.
All the procedures were complete, and the starting players from both teams came onto the court.