Man In Black
12-17-2008, 04:31 AM
http://dimemag.com/2008/12/the-other-hot-team-in-the-league/
Everywhere you turn right now, there’s something about how the Celtics are 22-2, having won 14 straight games and are embarking on NBA history. Add in that Kevin Garnett has been getting his own five minute segments on NBA Fastbreak three times a week for his questionable trash talking, and Ray Allen is shooting a career-best 49.8% from the floor, and it’s easy to see why the mainstream media sounds like they write for Bar Stool.
But this love affair has taken some shine away from another hot team who is starting to hit their stride: your San Antonio Spurs. They’re winners in their last six games by an average margin of about 14 points per game. Their big three is back and Tim Duncan has benefited hugely - knocking down 56% of his shots en route to NBA Player of the Week honors along with Al Harrington for tallying 22 points and 12.5 boards over a four-game stretch.
Best of all, the Spurs rough early season patch is actually paying dividends now. Because the entirety of their bench saw action with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili in street clothes, those guys are making the most of their minutes right now. George Hill’s been consistently giving the Spurs about 9 points, 3 boards and 3 assists over these six wins. Matt Bonner has been even better, posting 13.1 points and 7.1 boards over that span.
And instead of immediately flipping the Spurs off when you saw that lineup of Hill, Bonner, Roger Mason, Ime Udoka, and Mike Finley on your TV, it’s actually fun to watch them now. Manu Ginobili had the full arsenal on display last night. That’s kind of crazy to say, but right now, the Spurs are playing so well that some of the haters might start calling them fun to watch too.
:lobt2: Need One For The Thumb :flag:
Everywhere you turn right now, there’s something about how the Celtics are 22-2, having won 14 straight games and are embarking on NBA history. Add in that Kevin Garnett has been getting his own five minute segments on NBA Fastbreak three times a week for his questionable trash talking, and Ray Allen is shooting a career-best 49.8% from the floor, and it’s easy to see why the mainstream media sounds like they write for Bar Stool.
But this love affair has taken some shine away from another hot team who is starting to hit their stride: your San Antonio Spurs. They’re winners in their last six games by an average margin of about 14 points per game. Their big three is back and Tim Duncan has benefited hugely - knocking down 56% of his shots en route to NBA Player of the Week honors along with Al Harrington for tallying 22 points and 12.5 boards over a four-game stretch.
Best of all, the Spurs rough early season patch is actually paying dividends now. Because the entirety of their bench saw action with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili in street clothes, those guys are making the most of their minutes right now. George Hill’s been consistently giving the Spurs about 9 points, 3 boards and 3 assists over these six wins. Matt Bonner has been even better, posting 13.1 points and 7.1 boards over that span.
And instead of immediately flipping the Spurs off when you saw that lineup of Hill, Bonner, Roger Mason, Ime Udoka, and Mike Finley on your TV, it’s actually fun to watch them now. Manu Ginobili had the full arsenal on display last night. That’s kind of crazy to say, but right now, the Spurs are playing so well that some of the haters might start calling them fun to watch too.
:lobt2: Need One For The Thumb :flag: