SAN ANTONIO — If I'm running the neighborhood Hilton, I immediately begin advertising early checkouts.

That is, until the judge gets involved again.

With three nights between Games 1 and Game 2 of The Finals, the Spurs and Cavaliers had ample time to make adjustments. And peace in the Middle East.

Think there was bit of a lull after the Spurs' cosmetically close, nine-point victory?

What's painfully obvious is, not only is Cleveland one more game from adopting the "glad-to-be-here" mentality, there's not a team in the NBA that can spank the Spurs four out of seven.

No stopping either Tim Duncan — 24 points, 13 rebounds, five swats — or Tony Parker, 27 and seven dishes. Eight, if you count his fiancee.

Never mind that the remaining 60 percent of the starters (Bruce Bowen, Michael Finley and Fabric Softener Oberto) went a combined 3-for-15 from the field.

The Cavs, with LeBron James' dirty dozen (misses) were outclassed even after getting double-digit bench play from both Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao, three flops shy of qualifying for an interview by Bravo's James Lipton.

"As rigorously and decisively and shrewdly as the Spurs doubled LeBron and covered each other's tracks, Michael Jordan would've been forced to give up the ball or force a shot," ABC's Mark Jackson explained to a luncheon audience of one.

In other words, the Spurs have answers to questions the Cavs haven't even begun to ask. They're just hoping some of San Antonio rubs on them.

Who doesn't want to be the Spurs? Who isn't trying to clone their principle and practices?

Perceived as arrogant in some sectors, they're greatly admired by all for the quintessential way they prepare, play and low profile it.

In fact, coveting their players, coaches and executives doesn't even break any commandments.

Each year, it seems, one or two of VP/coach Gregg Popovich's pupils gets recruited to supervise another team's front office or get ready to coach a team.

Not only does Pop regularly authorize raiding his administration, he often initiates it with a phone call.

Sam Presti was the latest Spurs VP to sign up for a graduate course in another city. Last week the Sonics hired the 30-year-old to oversee basketball operations. Pop's assistant, P.J. Carlisemo, is being mentioned prominently as a candidate to join the league's youngest GM in Seattle as its head coach.

Two years ago, Danny Ferry cut San Antonio's managerial umbilical cord to become GM of the Cavs. Lance Blanks also left its womb to become his assistant.

Two years before, Mike Brown left the nest for a promotion as associate coach of the Pacers under Rick Carlisle. He was upgraded to head honcho by Ferry soon after he arrived in Cleveland.

In 2001, after six seasons with the Spurs, Avery Johnson retired and accepted an offer from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to become Don Nelson's heir.

League offices (NBA and NFL) traditionally provide teams with all types of supervisory personnel. Rarely, if ever, I submit, has a rival stocked so many ponds over such a short period.

Prior to the opener, I asked Spurs CEO Peter Holt if he was aware of another team in professional sports with a similar track record. Assistants of former San Francisco 49ers football coach Bill Walsh and longtime NFL head man Bill Parcells elevating elsewhere are the only ones that came to mind.

"I view San Antonio as the premier franchise in our business," Sonics chairman Clay Bennett gushed at Presti's press conference.

Oh, yeah, by the way, Bennett is a former Spurs part-owner.