LeBron James shows respect to Tim Duncan (Photo)

Mar 12, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

After a hard-fought battle between the Cavaliers and Spurs, in which San Antonio emerged victorious, LeBron James paid his respects to a legend.

San Antonio beat Cleveland 99-95 to improve to 23-0 at home and 35-6 on the season. There’s no question that, behind the Warriors, they’re the second-best team in the NBA. And for all the times that LeBron has gone to war with Duncan, whether with the Cavaliers or the Heat, he decided to pay his respects to Tim in case last night really was the last time they’ll ever play together.

There’s simply no denying LeBron’s competitiveness, but this was also a classy gesture on his part. In all-time head-to-head matchups, they’ve both won 10 each but Duncan has the decided 2-1 advantage in the NBA Finals. But it could be Duncan’s moment with LeBron after their 2007 Finals win that helped motivate LeBron to achieve greater things in the sport.

With the way the Cavs and Spurs are playing so far, and after last night’s thrilling contest, it would be no surprise if they met for a fourth time in the NBA Finals this year.