Dime: Don’t Count The Spurs Out Yet

[duncan228]

Don’t count the Spurs out yet (http://dimemag.com/2009/04/dont-count-the-spurs-out-yet/)
By Austin Burton

Auto-robotic response upon hearing the news Manu Ginobili is out for the rest of the season: “The Spurs are done, they’re toast, peace out, etc., etc. …” Whether you said it with a huge grin on your face as a Lakers fan, or with an “Oops I crapped my pants” look as a Spurs fan, it was an easy conclusion to jump to.

Are they really done, though? We’re talking about the same team that went to the Western Conference Finals in ‘08 and — just ask the Lakers — were pretty damn close to winning that series. The Spurs had a big lead in Game 1 and blew it; they were blown out in Game 2; won Game 3; lost Game 4 by two points after the whole Brent Barry/Derek Fisher call-or-no-call; and lost Game 5 by eight points. Realistically, that series could have gone 4-1 San Antonio’s way.

While the obvious scapegoat in that series was Ginobili’s poor play — he couldn’t push off on his injured ankle and attack the rim, and his jumper was off — the Spurs’ problems ran deeper than that. That team had an old bench, and guys who they’d been able to rely on in the past (Robert Horry, Bruce Bowen, Barry) didn’t come through when called upon.

Since then, San Antonio has addressed that issue. Matt Bonner (8.4 ppg, 45% 3PA) started off the season looking like a slightly better version of Brian Scalabrine, but he’s found his niche in Gregg Popovich’s system and has been effective. Mike Finley (9.8 ppg, 42% 3PA) looked like he needed to retire after last year’s playoffs, but he’s been better this year; less than a month ago he dropped 25 points in a game against the Lakers. Drew Gooden has provided some much-needed frontcourt help; in his last two games he’s averaged 16 points per. And of course there’s Roger Mason (11.6 ppg, 41% 3PA). The biggest benefactor of Manu’s absence can be an effective third option on offense — he has 10 games of 20-plus points this season — and is a proven go-to guy in crunch-time.

Without Manu, the Spurs go into these playoffs a lot like Michigan State went into Monday’s national championship game. They have a chance to win it all, but their margin for error is small. They can’t give away leads, can’t miss a lot of free throws and blow wide-open shots, can’t turn the ball over, and can’t have too many defensive breakdowns.

Here’s the thing, though: In the Tim Duncan era, no NBA team has been better at navigating tiny margins for error. If you’re counting on a team to make mistakes, blow golden opportunities and underachieve, San Antonio is absolutely NOT that team. How often have the Spurs lost to a lower-seeded team in the playoffs? (Duncan has never lost in the first round.) How often have they quietly exited the postseason?

All you can say about Duncan is that HE’S STILL TIM DUNCAN. Tony Parker (21.8 ppg, 6.9 apg) is playing the best basketball of his career. And Pop isn’t going to get out-coached by anyone. What did people say when the Lakers were winning championships: As long as they had Kobe, Shaq and Phil, you could pretty much put anyone around them and they’d be in the championship mix, if not win the whole thing. The Spurs have their dominant big man, they have their explosive lead guard, and they have their outstanding coach. They also have a system that’s proven to work even with interchangeable parts, and they play defense.

Also working to the Spurs’ advantage is at least now they know Manu won’t be able to help them. In last year’s L.A. series, the knowledge that Manu was on the court created a level of expectation, and when that didn’t work out, it threw the Spurs off. They couldn’t counter. This time Pop has weeks to game plan around Manu’s absence.

Obviously, Manu would make things a lot easier, but this team can win a championship without him. To write them off at this point is just short-sighted and silly.

[4down]

True!

[DespЏrado]

We can still win it all by becoming the defensive team we need to be.

Start :
Duncan
Gooden
Bowen
Mason
Parker

no ifs and or buts about it, that is the lineup that has a chance to beat any team in the playoffs, we have to switch mindsets and focus on the halfcourt sets, and dust off the old Duncan Robinson high low game plan.

[crc21209]

Hell yeah. That's what I'm talking about. We ARE NOT going down without a fight!

[Marcus Bryant]

All you can say about Duncan is that HE’S STILL TIM DUNCAN.

Sorry, but he's not that TIM DUNCAN at the moment.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Start :
Duncan
Gooden
Bowen
Mason
Parker

Go small offensive for the 2nd squad?
Vaughn
Finely
Udoka
Bonner
Thomas

pop is no dummy, he wasnt blindsided like this, he was worried about Manu long time ago and has prepared for this, hence all the late season tinkering. IN THE BEARD WE TRUST!!!!

[crc21209]

Start :
Duncan
Gooden
Bowen
Mason
Parker

Go small offensive for the 2nd squad?
Vaughn
Finely
Udoka
Bonner
Thomas

pop is no dummy, he wasnt blindsided like this, he was worried about Manu long time ago and has prepared for this, hence all the late season tinkering. IN THE BEARD WE TRUST!!!!

You gotta be outta your mind. Vaughn is DONE. And hopefully Pop realizes that too. NO Vaughn at all please.

Starters:

TP, Mason, Bowen, Duncan, Thomas.

Bench:

Hill, Udoka? Hairston?, Finley, Gooden, Bonner (if he sucks, bench him and play Oberto.)

[duncan228]

Sorry, but he's not that TIM DUNCAN at the moment.

He's far from it. And I haven't seen anything consistent enough that tells me he'll be able to get near Playoff Duncan. I hope I'm wrong.

[lefty]

if Duncan's knees don't bother him too much, AND if we play great D



Why not?

[Mavs<Spurs]

He's far from it. And I haven't seen anything consistent enough that tells me he'll be able to get near Playoff Duncan. I hope I'm wrong.

Tim's at 60% health. At that health, he's a 15 point 8 rebound, 42 % shooting percentage player.

If Tim were 100 % healthy, then it would be possible to believe this.


I think we need all 3 to be near 100 % healthy to be favorites to win it all. That wasn't the case even before Manu went out. With no Manu and Tim at 60%, we're done.

I think that we all know this to be true, as much as we wish it were otherwise. And I know that we will all cheer for the Spurs anyways.

Go Spurs !

Go Spurstalk !

Get well soon Manu !


:flag:

[Bukefal]

of course we can still win, never give up, get ready to fight!!!

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I want the Spurs to dig deep and preserve the 3 seed. If the seedings fall right and LA gets the Hornets in round two they could be pushed a bit in that series.

San Antonio will have a much tougher time with Denver in round two than they might with Ginobili, but I still think that we can take that series.

It's going to fall on TP to step up and be All-NBA this post season, but I think he's got it in him.

[Obstructed_View]

We can still win it all by becoming the defensive team we need to be.

Start :
Duncan
Gooden
Bowen
Mason
Parker

no ifs and or buts about it, that is the lineup that has a chance to beat any team in the playoffs, we have to switch mindsets and focus on the halfcourt sets, and dust off the old Duncan Robinson high low game plan.

I agree. I wouldn't have a problem with Thomas or even Oberto starting at center, but that high low could work with Gooden, as he does a great job of being able to play the post while simultaneously staying out of Duncan's way.

Hill and Hairston have to be involved, and Hill has to just be given the backup point guard reins and told to do the best he can.

Vaughn and Udoka need to be put on the end of the bench.

[SPURS50]

Pretty good article. Kinda gets me pumped!

[SpursDynasty]

The Spurs had a big lead in Game 1 and blew it; they were blown out in Game 2; won Game 3; lost Game 4 by two points after the whole Brent Barry/Derek Fisher call-or-no-call; and lost Game 5 by eight points. Realistically, that series could have gone 4-1 San Antonio’s way.

This is the moral victory part that no one is willing to acknowledge, but we'll have to wait until the WCF's again so the Spurs can come out on top this time and show everyone that they were closer last year than everyone realizes...

[barbacoataco]

The Spurs have as good a chance as Utah, Houston, Denver or Portland--- whatever that chance is. Their fans think they have a chance.

One thing I agree with is that it could be better to know there is no Manu, than to hope he will return to Super-Manu form for the playoffs. Mason now knows that he will have the role he had earlier when Manu was out.

Another way to look at it---- can the Spurs get their defense up to championship quality? with or without Manu I don't see how they could win a championship whithout great defense.

[Josepatches_]

Sorry, but he's not that TIM DUNCAN at the moment.


So the Spurs aren't those Spurs at the moment.

"Don’t Count The Spurs Out Yet" is about other team.Not The Spurs right now

[Russ]

Don’t count the Spurs out yet (http://dimemag.com/2009/04/dont-count-the-spurs-out-yet/)
By Austin Burton



You can reach Austin at [email protected]. :lol

(But I like the way he thinks.)

[nz_spur]

Good article. Gives me a little bit of relief!

[SA210]

We can still win it all by becoming the defensive team we need to be.

Start :
Duncan
Gooden
Bowen
Mason
Parker

no ifs and or buts about it, that is the lineup that has a chance to beat any team in the playoffs, we have to switch mindsets and focus on the halfcourt sets, and dust off the old Duncan Robinson high low game plan.

[peskypesky]

Go Fucking Spurs Fucking Go!!!!!!

[pawe]

Go Fucking Spurs Fucking Go!!!!!!

Hell yeah baby!

[Morg1411]

Good article.

Pessimists and nonbelievers: the door is thatta way ------->
:flipoff

[DDS4]

If TD was healthy and the Spurs were playing well, I'd believe this article.

[rayray2k8]

Holy shit, we beat the Thunder and now the spurs are contenders again!! :wow
:lol

Try and make the best of it I guess.

[DespЏrado]

Holy shit, we beat the Thunder and now the spurs are contenders again!! :wow
:lol

Try and make the best of it I guess.

We are possibly contenders for a few reasons.

Gooden is rounding into an offensive force that equals Manu's output, and his addition is a huge x-factor for the Spurs. Even Spurs fans have no clue what his play will mean when the game is on the line in the playoffs.

Mason isn't too shabby.

Finley isn't as slow as he was last year.

Parker has become an all world player and a legitimate MVP contender.

The Spurs are better than they were last year against the Lakers even with Manu gone, he was bad against the Lakers last year. His play detracted from the team last year.

[duncan228]

Holy shit, we beat the Thunder and now the spurs are contenders again!!

For what it's worth, the article came out before the game.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Sorry, but he's not that TIM DUNCAN at the moment.

I'm guessing you missed the 25 and 15 he had tonight??

[quickerblade]

geez. they beat oklahama and fans get excited, beat the lakers then get pumped

[Ghazi]

It underrates Manu's talents to say the Spurs could win it all without him.

They may win a playoff series or two though. No shot against the Lakers though.

[ThaiFanofSpurs]

It underrates Manu's talents to say the Spurs could win it all without him.

They may win a playoff series or two though. No shot against the Lakers though.

It also underrates Tim and TP (I will also include other Spurs) to say they have no chance to win it all. From the article suggested, I think it's better for them to know now than later that they are going into the POs without Manu. As a Spurs' fan... GSG!

[onarollbaby]

Don’t count the Spurs out yet (http://dimemag.com/2009/04/dont-count-the-spurs-out-yet/)

Also working to the Spurs’ advantage is at least now they know Manu won’t be able to help them. In last year’s L.A. series, the knowledge that Manu was on the court created a level of expectation, and when that didn’t work out, it threw the Spurs off. They couldn’t counter. This time Pop has weeks to game plan around Manu’s absence.



True. The same thing happened to the Rockets after it is confirmed that T-Mac is out for the season, their mindset is now focused that one of their top players is gone. The result they are playing better

[Thomas82]

He's far from it. And I haven't seen anything consistent enough that tells me he'll be able to get near Playoff Duncan. I hope I'm wrong.

Like you said in previous posts, he'll rise when he has to.

[Horse]

Sorry, but he's not that TIM DUNCAN at the moment.
He was that Tim Duncan last nite. And if they feed him the ball and run the offense inside out like they should've been they'll be fine. He's a great passer and we have shooters. Once opposing teams start worrying about the 3-ball then it's Tony time layup after layup!

[aldapej]

This get me pump up i gona enjoy they playoff run i will be happy if we win one round and making to the wcf is icing on the cake

[Supergirl]

Good article. I agree with it completely.

The keys to the Spurs winning this year are now Mason and Gooden. They have the potential to be the difference between this team and last year's team.

I like what he said about the psychological edge of KNOWING Manu is out versus playing him and counting on him. It's so true.

[mountainballer]

wow, people describe some pretty big PO rotations.
I believe it will be the same as in the last 300 years and Pop plays an 8 man rotation.
Tony will need to play 40 minutes, so the PG back up question isn't a big point.
I assume Mason will do it, so Hill and JV are out.
the starting line up will be Tony-Mason-Finley-Tim-KT, the question will be, if Pop brings Ime or Bruce of the bench first. Ime did have his moments against the Hornets last PO, if we meet them he might be asked again. Bruce will also get his time, his experience will be essential.
Gooden will be the first big of the bench (and 6th man) replacing KT, he's the only one who can provide some significant scoring from the bench. this means we won't see much of Matt.

all other will only see PT in garbage time, or if another injury happens.

[Manufan909]

Good article. I agree with it completely.

The keys to the Spurs winning this year are now Mason and Gooden. They have the potential to be the difference between this team and last year's team.

I like what he said about the psychological edge of KNOWING Manu is out versus playing him and counting on him. It's so true.

I believe the second part, but about the first, I think Pop giving Hill and maybe even Hairston a chance is almost as big a key, along with Fin getting the Bonner treatment(if you're sucky to start, you're out). Hell, another key would be Bowen starting, so opposing stars don't get on a roll so easily.

But I do agree that Mason playing like he did most of the season will be huge(and staying perfect in the clutch), along with Gooden contributing at least 15 and 7.

GO SPURS!!! I'll watch them til they get knocked out(if they even do), cuz that team will be bloody and tired after.
:flag::flag::flag:

[Crookshanks]

This article gets me pumped. How sweet it would be to win it all this year and have Manu there for inspiration. Man, that would be something to see!

[z0sa]

spurs are still contenders

[FaithInOne]

Men like Tim Duncan do not fade quietly.

Remember the Alamo!

[TDomination]

geez. they beat oklahama and fans get excited, beat the lakers then get pumped
article came out before game.

[Streakyshooter08]

It is not over. NEVER GIVE UP.

[iamdmann]

Hill and Hairston have to be involved, and Hill has to just be given the backup point guard reins and told to do the best he can.

Vaughn and Udoka need to be put on the end of the bench.


i agree, but Udoka, when he's on his game adds something, i think it might be an interesting last defensive possession lineup to have hill, bowen, udoka, tim, and fabby (or kurt if he isn't screwing up too badly). maybe as close to the 'prevent' goal line formation in football as can be done in the nba.

[Obstructed_View]

I haven't seen Udoka on his game in over a year, and his defense and focus have regressed. He's still a heck of a passer, though.

[DPG21920]

I haven't seen Udoka on his game in over a year, and his defense and focus have regressed. He's still a heck of a passer, though.

He is a good rebounder as well. Lets not forget, Ime had an underwhelming year last year, but did perform well in the playoffs (at least in the Hornets series). So, that is a good sign.