Will Spurs Win the West? First Take on ESPN

[Keepin' it real]

Saying that we were in the same exact position as last year is beyond ignorant.

Now that, I would argue with. This Spurs team IS in the exact same position as last year's team. Do you really expect people to remember that last year's team lost 6 in a row toward the end? Heck, I'm a die-hard fan, and even I don't remember that. What I remember about the 2011 Spurs is they:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. had Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. got the number 1 seed,
4. then lost in the first round.

The 2012 Spurs:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. have Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. are about to get the number 1 seed,
4. then ... TBD.

So to say they are in the exact same position is very accurate. Fortunately, the Spurs are healthier and much improved down low with Diaw and more playing time for Splitter. And with Parker playing the best ball of his career, the sky's the limit.

[Horse]

Who the fuck is wale? What a stupid name he looks like a faggot denver nuggets reject.

[romad_20]

Do you really expect people to remember that last year's team lost 6 in a row toward the end? Heck, I'm a die-hard fan, and even I don't remember that. What I remember about the 2011 Spurs is they:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. had Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. got the number 1 seed,
4. then lost in the first round.

The 2012 Spurs:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. have Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. are about to get the number 1 seed,
4. then ... TBD.

I would say as a "die hard fan" I would expect you to remember the poor play of the Spurs after the spanking the Lakers gave them late in the season, losing 6 in a row, Manu's elbow being hurt, sudden change in starting lineup, and no nuts Jefferson missing wide open 3's. All that being said I think they could have gotten to the second round if not for Manu's elbow, I don't think they would have gone any further.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Now that, I would argue with. This Spurs team IS in the exact same position as last year's team. Do you really expect people to remember that last year's team lost 6 in a row toward the end? Heck, I'm a die-hard fan, and even I don't remember that. What I remember about the 2011 Spurs is they:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. had Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. got the number 1 seed,
4. then lost in the first round.

The 2012 Spurs:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. have Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. are about to get the number 1 seed,
4. then ... TBD.

So to say they are in the exact same position is very accurate. Fortunately, the Spurs are healthier and much improved down low with Diaw and more playing time for Splitter. And with Parker playing the best ball of his career, the sky's the limit.

Even Bonner is playing with a ton more toughness than in the past. Also, the half court execution has been incredible and that WILL transfer to the playoffs!

[ffadicted]

Mike is such a fucking idiot... Skip will have the last laugh boys

[szkorhetz]

Today was the day that I went from, "I doesn't matter what the media says, we keep on rollin!" to I want the Spurs to beat the living HELL outta every team we face in the playoffs! This disrespect form outside teams, fans, and the media has reached a boiling point! We're straight muthafuckin ballin! Everyone says the game changes in the playoffs as if it disregards the regular season totally!

I think any honest Spurs fan had a bit of pause about the team last year. Something wasn't "right" about that team. I have no questions about this team. We can win it all, it's just a matter of doing what we're capable of doing! We're gonna destroy the NBA this post season!!!

THIS!!

[Mr. Body]

Is Skip the only guy who has even followed the Spurs the past 5 years?!

Yes.

[The ADMIRAL 50]

wow what idiots

[GinobiliForTres]

I even knew last year's team was somewhat overrated. They didn't play the D that they do now (not top 10 this season, but it's absolutely better with the additions of Jax and Diaw), they weren't as deep, they were rolling early in the season and faded after the AS break. It all had the symptoms of a meltdown in the playoffs. This season, I can say I am 100% more confident in this Spurs team going into the postseason than I was last season. No doubt in my mind, we're making noise this year.

[SpurinDallas]

Everything changed last year when, here it comes ST, Pop swapped out Blair for Dice in the starting lineup. And like a poster said on here earlier, I too wasn't 100% set because I felt something just wasn't there despite us owning the #1 seed.

This team has got that Championship look in their eye. When we got humiliated by LA on our home floor, loved how Duncan reacted afterwards and then backed up his talk. This team fears no one, but respects them all. Keep the train rolling baby!

Drive for 5!!

[GinobiliForTres]

Everything changed last year when, here it comes ST, Pop swapped out Blair for Dice in the starting lineup. And like a poster said on here earlier, I too wasn't 100% set because I felt something just wasn't there despite us owning the #1 seed.

This team has got that Championship look in their eye. When we got humiliated by LA on our home floor, loved how Duncan reacted afterwards and then backed up his talk. This team fears no one, but respects them all. Keep the train rolling baby!

Drive for 5!!

Lakers can't say the same for Bynum. rofl.

[Robz4000]

None of them used any real facts to support their shtick. The hoodrat guests are typical casual NBA fans that don't know the game well (or just let their bias get the better of them) while Skip is just trying to be hip and pick the team nobody likes. I generally like Skip because, despite the fact he more than likely isn't a true Spurs fan, we have the same opinions on many topics, but it's getting out of hand how he tries to support his views. Also, if the Spurs get to the finals they're winning it: Heat will depend too much on Lebron and Wade playing like MVPs every game, while the Bulls have little championship leadership (though Rip's been there) and their best player is a PG.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Same story, different day. Spurs will once again prove the naysayers wrong when we're holding up the LOBT!

[Sense]

It's really hard to watch these "analyst" talk bad about the Spurs with nothing to back it up other than "they were 1 last year!" ridiculous. When the Spurs prove them wrong, they'll just say, " yeah they proved me wrong..but" -_-

[maverick1948]

Not a chance in hell that you clowns win the West. We already sitting in the finals.

[TampaDude]

Not a chance in hell that you clowns win the West. We already sitting in the finals.

Yup...sitting on your couch at home watching it on TV.

[will_spurs]

What I remember about the 2011 Spurs is they:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. had Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. got the number 1 seed,
4. then lost in the first round.

The 2012 Spurs:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. have Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. are about to get the number 1 seed,
4. then ... TBD.

So to say they are in the exact same position is very accurate.

This sounds like a fun, if a bit stupid game. Can I play?

The 1999 Spurs:
- the franchise was named the Spurs
- Duncan was the big man with most playing time
- it was a lockout season
- Spurs were #1 in the West
- Spurs won championship

The 2012 Spurs:
- the franchise is still named the Spurs
- Duncan is the big man with most playing time
- it's a lockout season
- Spurs are #1 in the West
- ... TBD

It's incredible but it's accurate to say we are in the EXACT same position as in 1999. Obviously the outcome can only be the same!!!

[DAF86]

Everybody chill the fuck out, they're professional trolls, they get told to say that shit and get paid to say it in the most provocative way possible.

[Poolboy5623]

Why do you guys watch that garbage? I quit watching ESPN awhile ago! The idiots that call the Spurs boring, still do....its mainly due to them not watching the games at all. One of the few teams out there that can/will put 120+ on ya and not have a single dunk in the game...The spurs "style" isnt all that re-vamped either...they still share the ball as good as they ever have, but dont play as good of D. In turn they have to score more on O to compensate for the lack of D...thats really all there is to it..everything else is the same- I must be odd though..I have a blast watching this team!!

[SpurSpurSpurs]

Tim is back.

Gave me chills. I still believe Spurs will win in the West barring any sort of injury. 5purs!!!

[DAF86]

Now that, I would argue with. This Spurs team IS in the exact same position as last year's team. Do you really expect people to remember that last year's team lost 6 in a row toward the end? Heck, I'm a die-hard fan, and even I don't remember that. What I remember about the 2011 Spurs is they:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. had Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. got the number 1 seed,
4. then lost in the first round.

The 2012 Spurs:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. have Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. are about to get the number 1 seed,
4. then ... TBD.

So to say they are in the exact same position is very accurate. Fortunately, the Spurs are healthier and much improved down low with Diaw and more playing time for Splitter. And with Parker playing the best ball of his career, the sky's the limit.

-Last year's team peaked early and struggle at the end and carried that into the playoffs.
-Last year we had Dice, Hill and RJ. Now we have Diaw, Jackson, Leonard and Green.
-This year Splitter is a rotation guy, last year he wasn't.
-Last year Manu got injured, this year he isn't (so far, knocking on wood).
-Last year we played a Memphis team that was the hottest team of the moment and wasn't even the real 8th seed. This year we're playing Utah or Phoenix.
-Parker and Duncan are playing at a higher level this year.

[sananspursfan21]

Hey but dont worry. Wale likes the city

[Keepin' it real]

Riiiiiiiiight ...

This sounds like a fun, if a bit stupid game. Can I play?

The 1999 Spurs:
- the franchise was named the Spurs
- Duncan was the big man with most playing time
- it was a lockout season
- Spurs were #1 in the West
- Spurs won championship

The 2012 Spurs:
- the franchise is still named the Spurs
- Duncan is the big man with most playing time
- it's a lockout season
- Spurs are #1 in the West
- ... TBD

It's incredible but it's accurate to say we are in the EXACT same position as in 1999. Obviously the outcome can only be the same!!!

[Spurminator]

This is basically The View for casual sports fans. I don't know why you guys bother.

[therealtruth]

I still like this Onion article (http://www.theonion.com/articles/all...hing-to,17267/). I just can't stand that guy discussing sports.

[ohmwrecker]

Most rappers are borderline retarded. What happened to all the intelligent dudes in hip hop? Chuck D? KRS-1? Michael Franti?

[SA210]

All of them are ridiculously annoying. That was some of the worst basketball discussion I've ever seen on a "sports" network. Even if it's not about the Spurs, you can tell the blatant bias and removal of all fact based arguments. "Cute record". We get it, the Spurs don't act hood enough for you and you hate white guys from other countries. Why not just say that, because you obvisouly haven't watched any NBA basketball this year or last year for that matter.

I love the roll of the eyes when talking about a fractured elbow. No biggie.

That stupid bitch really pissed me off when she rolled her eyes about that. Broken arm is not a big deal?

Idiots!

[SA210]

Is Skip the only guy who has even followed the Spurs the past 5 years?!

Yes

[SA210]

And I hated when "analysts" start playing the ratings card. Parker pointed out that 2 of the Finals were the least watched ratings wise. That's a product of ESPN marketing individual players rather than great teamwork.

Ratings have nothing to do with the discussion. Morons. Can't believe they get paid to be on national television.

[Duncan2177]

Just a couple of tools