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. 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."Fake Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Custom Baseball Jerseys .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.com/?tag=custom-washington-nationals-nike-jerseys . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Custom Tampa Bay Rays Nike Jerseys . Sulaiman, 44, was chosen unanimously Tuesday in a vote by the leadership, the World Boxing Council said. Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization. Custom Oakland Athletics Nike Jerseys . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.Feliciano Lopez moved into the Dubai Championships semi-finals after Novak Djokovic was forced to withdraw from their quarter-final.A below-par Djokovic informed the umpire of his decision after Lopez took the opening set 6-3 - but the world No 1 was clearly struggling with an eye condition and could not continue.Lopez broke in the opening game of the match and Djokovic was forced to see the trainer after three games. Lopez held onto his advantage before a second break in the ninth game gave the Spaniard the first set, before Djokovics dramatic exit. The Serb, a four-time champion in Dubai, had recorded the 700th win of his career earlier in the week but having chalked up 14 victories already this season, he was forced to pull out of the event.Lopez is through to face Cyprus Marcos Baghdatis, who was a surprise 7-5 6-0 winner over Spanish fourth seed Roberto Bautista Agut earlier in the day.Earlier, Stan Wawrinka moved into a highly-anticipated semi-final against Nick Kyrgios with a comfortable 7-5 6-1 victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber.The clash between Wawrinka and Kyrgios on Friday will be the first contest between the pair since their infamous match in Montreal last August. Stan Wawrinka is through to a semi-final with Nick Kyrgios Against Kohlschreiber, Wawrinkas three breaks proved enough to edge a topsy-turvy opening set that saw five dropped service games. The Swiss aace and second seed flew into a 2-0 lead, only for Kohlschreiber to bounce back with the next two before Wawrinka re-established his two-game lead to seize the initiative.ddddddddddddHowever, his German opponent fought back again to level matters before Wawrinkas crucial break in the 12th game of the match saw him clinch the opening set.A more straightforward second set saw Wawrinka take control with his backhand beginning to find its range and he opened up a 4-1 advantage before a further break gave him a four-game cushion, which he rubber-stamped by winning five successive points from 0-40 down to hold serve and wrap up the match.You can follow all the action from the Dubai Championships semi-finals on Friday, live on Sky Sports 3 from 1pm on Friday. Dubai Championships - Semi-Finals Feliciano Lopez v Marcos Baghdatis Nick Kyrgios v Stan WawrinkaAlso See:Kyrgios sees off BerdychFerrer falls in AcapulcoATP scheduleTennis on Sky ' ' '