THE RESULTS

Spurs win best-of-seven series, 4-1

* Game 1: San Antonio 89, New York 77

* Game 2: San Antonio 80, New York 67

* Game 3: New York 89, San Antonio 81

* Game 4: San Antonio 96, New York 89

* Game 5: San Antonio 78, New York 77

THE NOTES / Don’t Try to Tell Spurs Their Title Is Tainted

The Spurs were not thrilled by the question, but Mario Elie, winner of two previous NBA titles with the Houston Rockets--also when Michael Jordan was retired--rushed to answer it and zing Phil Jackson, the new Laker and former Bull coach.

Is this championship, coming in a lockout season and with Jordan again newly retired, as valid as the last six won by the Chicago Bulls?

“I think we’re up there--it wasn’t our fault they had a lockout,” Elie said. “Jordan did everything he did--give some other people another chance to get rings. . . .

“I don’t care what Phil Jackson said, I’m going to cherish this ring and wear it proudly.”

*

Latrell Sprewell, who had been at odds with Knick Coach Jeff Van Gundy over his playing time and reserve role most of this season--until he was inserted into the starting lineup during the playoffs--said he wants to remain in New York.

Sprewell pointed to the long ovation given by the Madison Square Garden crowd after the final buzzer.

“They were great like they’ve been all year long,” Sprewell said. “They’ve been supportive of the organization and of myself, personally. And that’s one of the reasons why I want to be here next year.”

*

In danger of being fired throughout the season, Van Gundy now says he has been assured by Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts that he’ll be back next season.

“He’s made it clear that he wants me back, and I’d like to,” Van Gundy said. “The only thing we decided was that we’re not going to talk about it until after the season. I don’t think that’s a revelation.”

Actually, there was some question whether Van Gundy, who became a local hero--and a martyr--by taking the Knicks into the finals, wanted to return.

A spokesman said Checketts still plans to talk to Van Gundy before making a decision.

Van Gundy had one more season at $2 million left on his contract before the Knicks made the finals, triggering a bonus clause that tacked on another season at $3.5 million.

*

Spur Coach Gregg Popovich, graduate of the Air Force Academy, on the constant references to his discipline and military background:

“Whenever I get asked about the military, I always smile. If you talk to anybody at the Academy while I was there for four years and you started talking about me as a military man, there would be guffaws everywhere. I wasn’t great.”