Nothing like a good Statement Game, which is exactly what Sunday is

[GrandeDavid]

Upon learning that the Spurs had lost when I booted up my computer this morning, I thought “well, a loss happens”. Probably just Seattle’s token victory this series. Then when I observed that it was by one stinking point, I dug a bit deeper in search of reasons. Less than 24 hours after this series’ Infamous Choke, it is apparent to everyone from Bexar County to São Paulo that missing 15/34 free throws will not cut much playoff mustard. But its not merely the Spurs’ lack of execution that has many in Spurs Nation fuming. Its the talk and the crying coming from Seattle which makes one yearn for a good street fight instead of a basketball game. Sure, working the refs and making legitimate protests to the media is all a part of today’s game, but it stings when it works against the team you support, even moreso when they get outmuscled by one point on the road. Sunday should indeed be a mere pride game for Seattle, not a series knotter. But tough losses happen. That’s what makes the playoffs so intriguing.

More than crip shot and defensive meltdowns, getting defeated by a team with players who allow themselves to be quoted in the national media with such fabulous diction as Jerome James and Ray Allen is more than irksome. Its enough to make one starve for Game 4. Among some of the genius quotes:

Jerome James’ post game response to an inquiry whether his team was giving the Spurs too much respect: "None. I ain't got NO respect. NO respect!"

And there’s Jerome James’ fabulously insightful, and prophetic, pre game line: "Somebody's going to hit the floor tonight, or there's something wrong with us."

Finally, you mix in Ray Allen’s constant bitching with an overheard “f*ck you, motherf*cker” during the game, and you have enough to make the average fan curious to see how a veteran, championship caliber club will respond in the fourth game.

Game 4 is by no means a “must win”, but in a way, it sort of is. If the Spurs are indeed going to face down Phoenix or Dallas, Detroit or Shaq (Miami), they need to show some fierce resilience and toughness. Up to this point in the playoffs they have done that. But the last time they lost in this playoffs, there was much less trash talk involved.

The Spurs certainly do not need to match gutter talk with toilet mouths, but they do need to come into Sunday with a resolve of steel to put this lame team away in convincing fashion. I believe in statement games, and Sunday is definitely a shining statement game. Not so much for the Spurs' superiority it would confirm to Seattle Nation, but to the longer term message it reverberates throughout the league. The Spurs win another big game on the road in a hostile environment, then take care of business at home in Game 5, Dallas or Phoenix will have heard loud and clear that trash talk, physical play, crying, along with any other trick in the book will not detract this San Antonio Spurs team from its 2004-05 championship destiny.

Kick some ass on Sunday, Spurs.

[GrandeDavid]

Well, is it a proverbial "statement game" or just another game?

[N.Y. Johnny]

I think it will be the statement game, it had better be because the Spurs are in control of this series and if they come out and stomp the hell out of the Sonics in a game 4 blowout this series ladies and gentlemen ends in San Antonio in 5 games.

How can they not come out and do that? i mean this team isn't the Lakers last year i don't think they're that good to sweep 4 from San Antonio, but that being said I don't think the Spurs want to mess around and drop 2 in Seattle and come back tied 2-2, because then i'm sure they'll start thinking about the flame out last year.

they should come out and really lay the wood to Seattle next time out.

[Summers]

Well, I think you're right from everyone else's point of view. But I think the Spurs themselves won't look at it that way. It seems to me they approach every game with the same mentality (win or go home) and it also seems to me that Coach Pop works hard to NOT let the team get emotional. Everything they work for is about consistency and I believe they'll show up Sunday ready to win this game. I don't think they'll be thinking of it as a statement game, but I think it would be a good one.

[Rummpd]

It is a statement game = send a message to Punk James and Princess Allen!

[GrandeDavid]

The statement is that Big Snacks is hilarious! I will pay anyone who can find an audio cut of that "I ain't respect no one" crack after the game. Somebody please come through, I've gotta hear it! :lol

[MadDog73]

Well, I think you're right from everyone else's point of view. But I think the Spurs themselves won't look at it that way. It seems to me they approach every game with the same mentality (win or go home) and it also seems to me that Coach Pop works hard to NOT let the team get emotional. Everything they work for is about consistency and I believe they'll show up Sunday ready to win this game. I don't think they'll be thinking of it as a statement game, but I think it would be a good one.


Oh, I don't know about that. Tim looked plenty pissed, and I bet Manu and Tony aren't so chipper either.

They'll come out of the gate strong on Sunday (unlike last night).

The key will be whether they'll stop when they're 20 points ahead at halftime, or continue and demolish the Sonics in a 30+ blowout.

Either way, the Spurs will win.

[boutons]

I thought the Spurs came out pretty solid, but the offense began to falter in the 2nd qtr, and the Sonics got back in the game.

I'm more worried about the Spurs 16 pts in the 4th qtr, a really weak, fatigued finish vs 25 PPQ for the first three qtrs.

[bigzak25]

the only statement games are the ones that end the series.

but i agree the Spurs need to get the job done on Sunday, anyway, anyhow.

if any statement was sent last night? it was that if Jerome James can do damage, what are amare, shaq, or the wallace bros gonna do?

the phrase licking their chops comes to mind.

Fix it Pop.

[tlongII]

I think the Sonics will be ready to play Sunday. They are a tight-knit group and not that different from the Spurs as far as team chemistry goes. If they can start hitting 3's they will be a handful. It would be interesting to see what would happen if they even up the series as the Spurs have historically shown that they don't handle pressure well.

[MadDog73]

I think the Sonics will be ready to play Sunday. They are a tight-knit group and not that different from the Spurs as far as team chemistry goes. If they can start hitting 3's they will be a handful. It would be interesting to see what would happen if they even up the series as the Spurs have historically shown that they don't handle pressure well.


:lol @ Tlong! I think you're confusing the Spurs with another team, like the Trailblazers or something.

Besides the Lakers, what other teams have beaten a healthy Spurs squad in the last 7 Playoffs?

None. And the Sonics aren't going to be the first.

Spurs beat themselves last night. I haven't seen any indication that Sonics can do any more than they have already, have you?

[tlongII]

:lol @ Tlong! I think you're confusing the Spurs with another team, like the Trailblazers or something.

Besides the Lakers, what other teams have beaten a healthy Spurs squad in the last 7 Playoffs?

None. And the Sonics aren't going to be the first.

Spurs beat themselves last night. I haven't seen any indication that Sonics can do any more than they have already, have you?

Who else has been tied 2-2 with the Spurs in the last 7 playoffs?

[MadDog73]

Who else has been tied 2-2 with the Spurs in the last 7 playoffs?


I don't know, was it the Mavs? I can't remember. I'm sure it happened more than just with the Lakers. If not, it just strengthens my point that the Spurs won't lose this series, because they won't lose Sunday.

Asking "what if the Sonics start hitting threes" is like asking "what if the Wizards win the next three in a row?" Sure, it's possible, but very, very unlikely. But, we'll talk again Sunday and see who was right was who was Twrong.

EDIT: I don't think it was the Mavs.

But let's take the Lakers as an example. If the Lakers are the only team that had us 2-2 in the last 7 years, then we are 1-1 when that happens.

I'd hardly call that a "history". :rolleyes

[tlongII]

Asking "what if the Sonics start hitting threes" is like asking "what if the Wizards win the next three in a row?" Sure, it's possible, but very, very unlikely. But, we'll talk again Sunday and see who was right was who was Twrong.

The Sonics were one of the best 3-pt shooting teams in the league this year. The loss of Radinovich hurts, but I would say that it is very possible that they could still bust out with a hot 3-pt shooting game.

[MadDog73]

The Sonics were one of the best 3-pt shooting teams in the league this year. The loss of Radinovich hurts, but I would say that it is very possible that they could still bust out with a hot 3-pt shooting game.


Hey, anything is possible! :lol

Except maybe you conceding you were totally wrong about the Duncan era Spurs having a history of losing tight series...

[GrandeDavid]

tlong, hard to bust out of a three point shooting slump against the greatest team defenders on the planet! I'd imagine shooting threes with Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili in one's grill is different than playing horse with Sacramento or Portland.

[ladiesman]

Who else has been tied 2-2 with the Spurs in the last 7 playoffs?


The suns in 2003 I think. The suns won the first one here, then won game 3 in phoenix. I think Mavs too that same year.

[MadDog73]

The suns in 2003 I think. The suns won the first one here, then won game 3 in phoenix. I think Mavs too that same year.

That would make us at least 3-1 in tied series. :D

Of course, I don't really expect this series to be tied after Sunday...

[tlongII]

During the last 2 years the only time they were tied 2-2 was to the Lakers and we all know how that worked out. HISTORY BABY!

[bigzak25]

mr. long is an oficianado of a team that can't handle the pressure...so i'll give him that.

but relax...

pressure will be losing a home game to phoenix or giving one away in the finals.

these are practice series for the big dogs.

[Manu20]

During the last 2 years the only time they were tied 2-2 was to the Lakers and we all know how that worked out. HISTORY BABY!
During the 2003 playoffs they were tied 2-2 to the Suns, Lakers, and Nets.

[E20]

Nothing like a good ass kicking, which is exactly what Sunday is going to be.

[beirmeistr]

Nothing like a good ass kicking, which is exactly what Sunday is going to be.
If the Spurs are going to kick james' ass on Sunday, they are going to have to do it in installments--it's that big.

[Dre_7]

I am very confident in a Spurs victory on Sunday!

I am so confident, that I would be willing to put all 2100 vBookie dollars on a Spurs win!!