Hollywood and Madison Avenue can have their glitz and TV ratings.

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden, never one to opt for style over substance during his storied career at UCLA, will take the blue-collar Spurs.

Thanks largely to his respect for David Robinson and Tim Duncan, Wooden found himself rooting for the Spurs in the NBA Finals.

In a series widely criticized by the national pundits for its lack of "star power," San Antonio clinched the title Sunday night with an 88-77 victory over the New Jersey Nets.

"The Spurs proved that you can do it without the flash and showmanship," Wooden said Monday in a telephone interview from his home in Encino, Calif. "I've always been anti-showmanship. If I want that, I'll go watch the Globetrotters. At least I'll know what I'm getting.

"The Spurs don't show that flash, but they're effective by playing good team basketball, good team defense. It was all for one and one for all. I'm very happy for them."

Wooden, 92, praised coach Gregg Popovich for leading San Antonio to its second NBA championship in franchise history.