How Becky Hammon, Aces draw inspiration from the 2014 Spurs - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson had the thought more than once as she watched a video about the 2014 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

«These guys,» she thought, «are a lot like us.»

Center/forward Tim Duncan, small forward Kawhi Leonard, shooting guard Manu Ginobili and point guard Tony Parker were the core of that Spurs team. Wilson and guards Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young are the core of the Aces, the defending WNBA champions driven in their quest to repeat their title this year.

Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon thought it would help the Aces to watch how the Spurs played and supported one another in 2014, when San Antonio won its fifth and most recent NBA title.

The Aces' championship under Hammon last year showed the players' ability to bond together. They haven't needed external motivation this year in trying to run it back. Still, Hammon wanted the Aces to take note of how the Spurs rallied around one another in 2014.

«I see lots of similarities in the character of the teams,» Hammon said. «The care factor that 2014 team had, the unselfishness, the commitment to whatever it takes to win, no matter who gets the credit.

»That's what I wanted from us going into this postseason. I told them, 'You have the character to do it. There are going to be some games where we have to win with defense and unselfishness.'"

The Aces are 6-0 in the playoffs, beating the New York Liberty 99-82 on Sunday in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Las Vegas will try to take a commanding lead in the best-of-five series in Game 2 on Wednesday (9 p.m. PT, ESPN/ESPN App) at Michelob Ultra Arena.

No team since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-2002 has won back-to-back WNBA titles. Hammon played against that Sparks team, just as she