NBA Finals: LeBron & Duncan, the More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

LeBron James and Tim Duncan have been here before, opposing one another in pursuit of an NBA title. 

In 2007, LeBron and his Cleveland Cavaliers were on the wrong end of a four-game sweep at the hands of Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.

That was then, this is now. A lot has changed since then, for James anyway.

Here's a brief glance at the paths Duncan and James have taken had since their last NBA finals duel.

The Big Fundamental Saw the Future

That "little while" Duncan was talking about is the present. That little while has lasted a little while now.

The league is definitely LeBron James'. There isn't anything more he needs to do to show that he has the mantle as the league's best player.

He has been playing at an incredibly high level for some time now. The way he asserted himself in last year's finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder relieved a lot of the burden and pressure he had been under for most of his career.

His 32 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers are a testament to that.

Same Old Duncan

Nothing much has changed for Tim Duncan.

Technically, his address changed. He used to do his work in the Alamodome, now the Spurs call the AT&T Center home.

Considering how consistent he and the Spurs have been year in and year, this shift in venue could be thought of as a sweeping change.

There was the brief thought that he might sign with the Orlando Magic. How long ago does that seem like now?

The only change for Duncan recently has been a return to his same old self.

After dipping to 15.4 and 13.4 points a game the previous two seasons, the big fella jumped back up to 17.8 a game in the regular season and a youthful 21.3 during the playoffs.

Ho hum, just continuing to be the best power forward to ever play the game.

LeBron's Journey

James has experienced some change in his career. The most notable, of course, was The Decision in 2010, which led him to take his talents to South Beach.

No matter which side of that situation you took, the four-time MVP has proven that he is the face of the league.

Consistency amidst the change has been a theme for LeBron. Two of those MVPs were won while he was leading his undermanned Cleveland teams. He's earned the last two as the main man in Miami.

He is in his third straight finals and has a chance for his second title if he evens the score with Duncan.

Like him or not, that's not too shabby.

Finals Perfection

Another thing that has been consistent with Duncan throughout his career is his unblemished record in the finals.

He is currently 4-0.

George Mikan, Michael Jordan and John Havlicek are the only other elite players to win more than two titles and boast an unblemished record in the finals.

Neither Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic, Bird, Shaq or Kareem—nor any other superstars, past or present—can say that. 

San Antonio's seven-game series victory over the Detroit Pistons in 2005 was grueling for sure. Remember Big Shot Rob doing his thing?

However, this series against the Heat could arguably be San Antonio's toughest test of all.

Changing Back to More of the Same?

Prior to the Heat's Game 7 victory over the Pacers to advance to the finals, LeBron's career was on the verge of one of the great Yogiisms of all time.

Deja vu all over again.

He had little help around him in Cleveland as we all know.

Then he found his reinforcements in Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. Their respective injury issues and struggles caused comparisons to Cleveland teams that James once carried to the postseason.

But Wade's solid performance in the series clincher against Indiana has dampened those thoughts for the moment. But both he and Bosh will need to bring it consistently against San Antonio.

A lot has changed, a lot remains the same. That said, this should be a much better James-Duncan NBA finals than it was in 2007.

Follow @VinnyHardy