Bill Simmons: I'm still not sold on The Spurs maintaining this pace

[urunobili]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/35710/page-2-bill-simmons

Look at this:

Joseph (Chicago)


how good would the Spurs be if they didn't screw up the Scola thing? They'd currently have Timmy, Scola, Blair, McDyess, Splitter for bigs. Competition for the Lakers unlike any other team.
Bill Simmons
(2:00 PM)


Yeah, the Scola thing was their biggest mistake of the past 10 years and it's never really been explained why they panicked like that - it would have been a luxury tax hit for one year (and not even for THAT much) and they just gave him away. I'm still not sold on them maintaining this pace... keep hearing that Manu's ankles and knees are in much worse shape than they are letting on.

[lefty]

Simmons is a retard

[Agloco]

Worse shape? He's playing some of the best ball of his career right now. lol Simmons.

[ALVAREZ6]

Bill Simmons: I'm still not sold on The Spurs maintaining this pace
LOL no shit you aren't, you work for ESPN. Your contract restricts you from believing such a thing.

[phyzik]

Yeah, way to stick your neck out there Simmons, Im also not sold the Spurs are on pace for a 75-7 season. :lol

[rayray2k8]

Has he even watched a game??? The spurs were on no one's top selection before the season started and I love how people are surprised that the spurs are still kicking.
lol experts

[etbluffer]

Here's my take on this: If Manu's ankles and knees were in any worse shape then they've ever been, do you really believe Pop would play him the minutes he's playing him, knowing that Hill has been playing better and better. Manu would have not played Saturday night against the Cavs if this were true... Let's just enjoy the ride and see where it takes us

[rjv]

he updated his preseason pick from 49 wins to 50 wins for the spurs. way to go out on a limb there simmons.

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah, way to stick your neck out there Simmons, Im also not sold the Spurs are on pace for a 75-7 season. :lol:tu

[Ginobilly]

he updated his preseason pick from 49 wins to 50 wins for the spurs. way to go out on a limb there simmons.

lol.. If anything the Spurs are on pace to win 57 - 66 wins imho.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

I'm still not sold on them maintaining this pace... keep hearing that Manu's ankles and knees are in much worse shape than they are letting on.

Where is the indication of Ginobili suffering from ankle/knee ailments??? Anyone seen ANYTHING to suggest he's anything less than 100%?

[rjv]

Where is the indication of Ginobili suffering from ankle/knee ailments??? Anyone seen ANYTHING to suggest he's anything less than 100%?

no, and as i mentioned in another thread, manu has never even had any knee issues.. so who knows where the hell that came from.

[BronxCowboy]

Yeah, way to stick your neck out there Simmons, Im also not sold the Spurs are on pace for a 75-7 season. :lol

[mathbzh]

I'm still not sold on them maintaining this pace...

Same for me... I don't think the Spurs can reach 74 wins... even Miami can't :rolleyes

[Pauleta14]

We should be happy there still are some "specialists"" who underhestimate us...

I don't want too much hipe, at least not too soon

[Obstructed_View]

I don't know. I think I might sacrifice Manu's ankles and knees for a 75.68 win season.

[jimo2305]

lol simmons u dumbass

[DeadlyDynasty]

lol simmons u dumbass

Explain.

[Jason R]

Has he even watched a game??? The spurs were on no one's top selection before the season started and I love how people are surprised that the spurs are still kicking.
lol experts

Why do you think that is? Quick recap, they got swept out of the second round last year and got bounced in the first the year before. This year they came in with a bunch of no names. Of course the core trio is always considered good but that doesn't make an automatic contender out of the Spurs. Assessing the team before the beginning of the year there were a lot of unproven commodities. RJ hadn't exactly been a highlight of last year and Matt Bonner is still a playoff choker until proven otherwise.

[Harry Callahan]

Scola would not even be here now if he had been here the last three years because he would have been the forth or fifth wheel (His rookie contract expired and he is being paid big money now). Management would not have added a fifth eight figure for this team (who is also over 30 years old BTW). Who do you want to let go to have kept LS to a significant salary? Manu? Duncan? Parker? No.

Jefferson? Maybe. Still I believe the FO thought Splitter would be here two years ago and wanted the younger player over Scola. Remember they drafted Tiago in 2007 - the same year they let Scola go.

[baseline bum]

Yeah, way to stick your neck out there Simmons, Im also not sold the Spurs are on pace for a 75-7 season. :lol

:lol Exactly what I was thinking when I saw the quote.

[timvp]

Yeah, way to stick your neck out there Simmons, Im also not sold the Spurs are on pace for a 75-7 season. :lol

/thread

And if Manu was secretly injured, I doubt Pop would be playing him a career-high amount of minutes. I'm a big Simmons fan but he didn't think that answer through.

[Bruno]

Rockets: 3-10

[jimo2305]

Explain.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4767150&postcount=1

[DeadlyDynasty]

lol @ taking his words literally.

[BronxCowboy]

lol @ taking his words literally.

Fine, don't take them literally. Please expound to us the deep hidden meaning of the riddle that is a Simmons column.

[jimo2305]

even if taken figuratively.. we all know this dude won't give spurs a break.. it all reverts back to the 'lulz they're old' belief..

so what if manu's ankles are on the verge of shattering like he's heard thru the grapevine.. he acts like he hasn't seen our role players step in and actually do something unlike last year and the year before.. of course im assuming he's pretending not to see that because he's actually seen a spurs game... i hope o.O...

manu's a star player on our team.. if a star player goes down on a team.. the team takes a hit productively.. as this is the case for every other team in the nba..

[BronxCowboy]

Maybe he's mentioning the knees because he's confused Manu with Kobe?

[DeadlyDynasty]

Fine, don't take them literally. Please expound to us the deep hidden meaning of the riddle that is a Simmons column.

Do you honestly think Simmons meant "keep the same pace" in the literal sense? That's all I'm asking. He doesn't strike me as a dumbass, and I can't stand most of his shit cause he's a Laker-hater and Boston homer.

[DeadlyDynasty]

even if taken figuratively.. we all know this dude won't give spurs a break.. it all reverts back to the 'lulz they're old' belief..

so what if manu's ankles are on the verge of shattering like he's heard thru the grapevine.. he acts like he hasn't seen our role players step in and actually do something unlike last year and the year before.. of course im assuming he's pretending not to see that because he's actually seen a spurs game... i hope o.O...

manu's a star player on our team.. if a star player goes down on a team.. the team takes a hit productively.. as this is the case for every other team in the nba..

He's a Laker-hater, I know the feeling.

[BronxCowboy]

Do you honestly think Simmons meant "keep the same pace" in the literal sense? That's all I'm asking. He doesn't strike me as a dumbass, and I can't stand most of his shit cause he's a Laker-hater and Boston homer.

I think you're suggesting he meant that we're going to see a dramatic drop-off in the Spurs performance. While it wouldn't surprise me that he really meant that, he did a damn good job of hedging. If the Spurs do continue to play well, win the division, win the championship, something like that, nobody can pull this quote and say that he was wrong unless the Spurs really do get 75 wins. It was a bitch-ass statement.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I think you're suggesting the meant that we're going to see a dramatic drop-off in the Spurs performance. While it wouldn't surprise me that he really meant that, he did a damn good job of hedging. If the Spurs do continue to play well, win the division, win the championship, something like that, nobody can pull this quote and say that he was wrong unless the Spurs really do get 75 wins. It was a bitch-ass statement.

I think it's much ado about nothing, tbh.

[BronxCowboy]

Fair enough.

[rascal]

I think you're suggesting he meant that we're going to see a dramatic drop-off in the Spurs performance. While it wouldn't surprise me that he really meant that, he did a damn good job of hedging. If the Spurs do continue to play well, win the division, win the championship, something like that, nobody can pull this quote and say that he was wrong unless the Spurs really do get 75 wins. It was a bitch-ass statement.

You are looking way too much into this. It just is not that important what he writes.

[Spurminator]

People need to appreciate Simmons as if he were a buddy who's good with words and funny, and not an expert or objective sports analyst. In other words, don't take him so damn seriously.

[Trill Clinton]

http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx100/MABOcho/1282855171617.gif

[DeadlyDynasty]

http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx100/MABOcho/1282855171617.gif

:lol

[trollt]

deadlydynasty continuing his trend of shrewd posting, starting to confuse you with KillaKobe.

Also Trill, nice.

[ShoogarBear]

Here's my take on this: If Manu's ankles and knees were in any worse shape then they've ever been, do you really believe Pop would play him the minutes he's playing him, knowing that Hill has been playing better and better. Manu would have not played Saturday night against the Cavs if this were true... Let's just enjoy the ride and see where it takes us

This. Or, maybe this is the ultimate CIA Pop of all time: Manu's legs are about to fall off so play him lots of minutes!

[Agloco]

/thread

And if Manu was secretly injured, I doubt Pop would be playing him a career-high amount of minutes. I'm a big Simmons fan but he didn't think that answer through.

Par for the course.

[Marcus Bryant]

At least he didn't pinch another sentimental laden green loaf about how Duncan was the Celtics' but for those interloper Spurs and their magic draft dust.

[Cry Havoc]

lol.. If anything the Spurs are on pace to win 57 - 66 wins imho.

As much Miami Heat as I'll take for saying this, Hollinger put the Spurs on 59 wins yesterday as an estimate of pace, defense, and margin of victory.

That might be a pretty steep drop from a 12-1 start, but if you asked ANY Spurs fan if they would take 59 wins for this season before it started, they'd have jumped on it in a heartbeat.

I personally feel anything over 54-55 wins is gravy, at that point. We still don't know what this team is capable of accomplishing, but 56+ wins should be enough for a top 3 seed in the playoffs, and really, what more can you ask for from our guys? I wouldn't be complaining if we had HCA against everyone except the Lakers. :flag:

[Marcus Bryant]

The cost of signing Scola would have been substantial at the time and the relief afforded by dumping Butler's contract was significant. The effective cost to the Spurs had they not done the deal, signed Scola, and not been able to dump Butler's contract elsewhere was something on the order of 3 years, $30 mil, IIRC.

I think the Spurs thought he'd be a good player in the league, just not that good.

[jimo2305]

People need to appreciate Simmons as if he were a buddy who's good with words and funny, and not an expert or objective sports analyst. In other words, don't take him so damn seriously.

it's not that we're taking him seriously.. well at least from my perspective.. i know simmons articles aren't to be looked at like rick riley's but i've gotten sick over just about every media pundit on there downtalking the spurs at every opportunity they get..

[DAF86]

I don't give a fuck what he thinks about the Spurs keeping this level, 'cause I know that if they stay healthy they will. What bothers me is the Manu comment, why throw up a bullshit comment like that? He prefers to take serious a rumour instead of looking the fact that Manu is averaging a career high in minutes?

[crc21209]

So Simmons is the Spurs expert now that he "hears" Manu's ankles and knees are worse than the Spurs let on? Riiiight....like everyone here has said...Pop wouldnt be throwing him out there for so many minutes each night if that were truly the case..

[Barfunk]

As much Miami Heat as I'll take for saying this, Hollinger put the Spurs on 59 wins yesterday as an estimate of pace, defense, and margin of victory.

That might be a pretty steep drop from a 12-1 start, but if you asked ANY Spurs fan if they would take 59 wins for this season before it started, they'd have jumped on it in a heartbeat.

That is what I had predicted on my extremely popular "HIT" thread, (lol) "Predictions For Fun" after the Spurs stormed out to a 1-0 record. Hope I'm wrong in favor of more wins with the championship still thrown in the package.

[Anonymous Cowherd]

...wait, we WON'T win 76 games this season?

woah Bill. that's what you call sticking your neck out.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, way to stick your neck out there Simmons, Im also not sold the Spurs are on pace for a 75-7 season. :lol

Yeah no shit. :lol

[mingus]

Bill Simmons is right about the pace, obviously. i don't know where he got his info on Manu's health.

Simmons is going to say anything at this point to derail any positive conversation about the Spurs and turn it into a negative because he thought the Spurs would fall off the map going into this year. he's basically trying to save face, even though he's a horrible basketball analyst to begin with. i think he had OKC winning 60+ games this year. he's trash.

[bonnington]

he updated his preseason pick from 49 wins to 50 wins for the spurs. way to go out on a limb there simmons.

He was a moron some years before, he still is :lol

Hi, buddy

[mystargtr34]

At the end of the day you need size and defense in the paint against the Lakers... Scola is 6'9" and pretty much duplicates what Duncan does on offense in a poor mans way.

Probly time to move on. He is putting up big numbers in Houston because he has the Usage Rate of a go to guy... Obviously it was still a dumb ass retarded trade... but lets not act like he is a dominant/impact type of 20-10 guy... hes closer to a Zach Randolph 20-10 guy.

[024]

barring injuries, and that is a big qualifier, the spurs can win 55+ this year, which is more than enough to put them second or third place in the west. enough to avoid the lakers for two rounds.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

If you read his Big Book of Basketball, Simmons puts Tim Duncan at #7 all-time behind only Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kareem, Russell, and Jordan. I think that's just about right, and higher than most "sportswriters" would put him. Simmons also declares Duncan the "best player of the past ten years".

He also rates the '07 Spurs just outside of his list of the best 10 seasons of all time in the NBA, as one of the 10 "Honorable Mentions". He also calls San Antonio the "best Post-Jordan franchise" and Duncan the "best post-Jordan superstar" and goes on to say "nobody knows why" (he's decrying the lack of basketball IQ among fans). He gives his formula for winning an NBA championship then quotes Gregg Popovich and the Spurs as his first example.

I really don't think Bill Simmons is a Spurs hater.

[Trimble87]

If you read his Big Book of Basketball, Simmons puts Tim Duncan at #7 all-time behind only Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kareem, Russell, and Jordan. I think that's just about right, and higher than most "sportswriters" would put him. Simmons also declares Duncan the "best player of the past ten years".

He also rates the '07 Spurs just outside of his list of the best 10 seasons of all time in the NBA, as one of the 10 "Honorable Mentions". He also calls San Antonio the "best Post-Jordan franchise" and Duncan the "best post-Jordan superstar" and goes on to say "nobody knows why" (he's decrying the lack of basketball IQ among fans). He gives his formula for winning an NBA championship then quotes Gregg Popovich and the Spurs as his first example.

I really don't think Bill Simmons is a Spurs hater.


+1 Everyone on here needs to calm down. Our schedule so far has been very weak and we are playing mediocre to bad defense. The drive for 5 is going strong yet again, but lets not crown the Spurs just yet.

[ChuckD]

When Manu's in bad health, it shows. It isn't.

As to not maintaining this pace, well, duh. Nobody wins 92% of their games.

[TD 21]

Simmons is not a Spurs hater. The problem with Simmons is he compares every current team or player to a current team or player of the past. Last season, he claimed the Spurs were the '00 Jazz. Usually, he goes back and forth on what he said. On this one, he hasn't...at least not yet.

What he fails to realize is that this Spurs team is unlike his fading Celtics of twenty years ago or those fading Jazz of ten years ago; they're different. This is a unique situation.

I fully expect some article later in the season (once he relents and realizes the Spurs aren't going away) where he praises them, talks about how they're the team of destiny, talks about how great the front office is for being able to transition on the fly after '08 and reload this team so fast, etc.

[Johnny RIngo]

Simmons isn't really a Spur hater. He's had his bits where he's criticized the team, but on the same token, he's also given lots of props to Duncan over the years. He's even written whole articles about his appreciation for TD.

But the comment about Manu's health surprised me. Unless Simmons has some sources close to the Spurs medical staff(yeah right) then his comment reeks of utter bullshit.


+1 Everyone on here needs to calm down. Our schedule so far has been very weak and we are playing mediocre to bad defense. The drive for 5 is going strong yet again, but lets not crown the Spurs just yet.

Uh, Spurs are ranked 6th in def Eff right now. Far from a "bad" defensive team.

[Supergirl]

Scola would not even be here now if he had been here the last three years because he would have been the forth or fifth wheel (His rookie contract expired and he is being paid big money now). Management would not have added a fifth eight figure for this team (who is also over 30 years old BTW). Who do you want to let go to have kept LS to a significant salary? Manu? Duncan? Parker? No.

Jefferson? Maybe. Still I believe the FO thought Splitter would be here two years ago and wanted the younger player over Scola. Remember they drafted Tiago in 2007 - the same year they let Scola go.

This.

[Supergirl]

oh yeah, and if this is Manu in poor health, the league is in trouble when he's healthy. LOL

[The Truth #6]

Who cares what Simmons says. Does anyone here think the Spurs are going to finish with the top record in the NBA? I doubt it. I'm sure everyone here who is honest has concerns if the team can continue its high level of play. A few years back we came roaring out to a 17-3record and then started to fall apart. No one here wants the team to fall apart, but anything can happen for good or bad in a season. As usual, nothing controversial here.

[L.I.T]

I'm thinking he probably meant TD. And likely was just throwing it out there since TD's numbers are down across the board this year.

[HarlemHeat37]

Everybody should be skeptical about the Spurs start..

While the Spurs can get better if Splitter is acclimated to the lineup, since he would make the defense better and give the Spurs a better balance of offense/defense, they will still have to deal with the inevitable decline in shooting..

Bonner: 69% from 3 on almost 4 attempts per game(absolutely disgusting numbers, no chance of continuing)..

Anderson: 50% from 3 on 3 attempts per game..

Jefferson: 46% from 3 on 4 attempts per game..

Neal: 43% from 3 on 3 attempts per game..

Manu: 40% from 3 on 7 attempts per game..

They obviously won't sustain that, it's pretty much impossible..

So what it comes down to: Will Splitter's potential addition to the rotation + Manu and Duncan going harder(more aggressive, attacking the paint) in the 2nd half of the season/playoffs negate the inevitable and eventual drop-off in the Spurs shooting %s?..

Then you have to factor in the chance of injury, which is always a concern, however, you can say that about most teams..

[ChuckD]

Who cares what Simmons says. Does anyone here think the Spurs are going to finish with the top record in the NBA? I doubt it. I'm sure everyone here who is honest has concerns if the team can continue its high level of play. A few years back we came roaring out to a 17-3record and then started to fall apart. No one here wants the team to fall apart, but anything can happen for good or bad in a season. As usual, nothing controversial here.

We don't need to maintain this pace for this to be a win. Last year's team started 6-6, and through 12 games, we were 11-1, a 5 game increase. If we only match last year's team from here on out, we finish with 55 wins. Last year, that would have placed us tied for second in the WC.

[DJ Mbenga]

harlem with an actual smart comment. who knew! thats exactly right. thats what he is saying. the same could be said for the lakers. derek fisher is shooting 60% from 3. its early. once numbers come back to earth we can understand how teams will fare.

[L.I.T]

Everybody should be skeptical about the Spurs start..

While the Spurs can get better if Splitter is acclimated to the lineup, since he would make the defense better and give the Spurs a better balance of offense/defense, they will still have to deal with the inevitable decline in shooting..

Bonner: 69% from 3 on almost 4 attempts per game(absolutely disgusting numbers, no chance of continuing)..

Anderson: 50% from 3 on 3 attempts per game..

Jefferson: 46% from 3 on 4 attempts per game..

Neal: 43% from 3 on 3 attempts per game..

Manu: 40% from 3 on 7 attempts per game..

They obviously won't sustain that, it's pretty much impossible..

So what it comes down to: Will Splitter's potential addition to the rotation + Manu and Duncan going harder(more aggressive, attacking the paint) in the 2nd half of the season/playoffs negate the inevitable and eventual drop-off in the Spurs shooting %s?..

Then you have to factor in the chance of injury, which is always a concern, however, you can say that about most teams..

Manu's shooting performance from 3 percentage wise is in line with career numbers. As with last year, I suspect as the season goes on he'll become more selective with his shots though.

Neal I wouldn't surprised if he settles in the 38%-40% range. Though, I think his averages in Europe were in the mid to high 30s.

Bonner's career average is 41% with a career high of 44% two years ago. It's possible he matches that, but more likely he settles in that area.

RJ/Anderson I have no read on since they are essentially in new situations (though this is RJs 2nd on the Spurs).

What becomes important is for the Spurs shooters to remain timely and making sure that if they are open they take the shot. Spurs teams in the past of been solid 3 point shooting team-wide, but better and making that timely three to make a defense pay for lapses.

If they can do that, even more than shooting lights out, then they remain a dangerous team. Especially since I suspect TD will become more involved as the season goes on and Manu will stop relying on the 3 and focus more on getting to the rim.

[Obstructed_View]

Everybody should be skeptical about the Spurs start..

Which is why Simmons' comment is so funny.

[itzsoweezee]

there are few sports journalists that are more consistently wrong than simmons.

[HarlemHeat37]

harlem with an actual smart comment. who knew! thats exactly right. thats what he is saying. the same could be said for the lakers. derek fisher is shooting 60% from 3. its early. once numbers come back to earth we can understand how teams will fare.

:rolleyesThere's a medal there for a reason..

[Cane]

Spurs Big 3 are healthy and rested, a season's worth of experience for RJ and working out with Coach Pop over the summer, easy schedule, better roleplayers than last year that can actually knock down 3 point shots....imo its not much of a surprise that the Spurs have had a great start although no one would predict them having the best record in the NBA. Doubt the pace lasts but that should go unsaid for a team with a 12-1 record. The biggest surprise to me is that the Spurs have been able to go 12-1 with Duncan just playing 29 mins.

[EricB]

The spurs wont win 80 in a row. Shocking....

[Sean Cagney]

If you read his Big Book of Basketball, Simmons puts Tim Duncan at #7 all-time behind only Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kareem, Russell, and Jordan. I think that's just about right, and higher than most "sportswriters" would put him. Simmons also declares Duncan the "best player of the past ten years".

He also rates the '07 Spurs just outside of his list of the best 10 seasons of all time in the NBA, as one of the 10 "Honorable Mentions". He also calls San Antonio the "best Post-Jordan franchise" and Duncan the "best post-Jordan superstar" and goes on to say "nobody knows why" (he's decrying the lack of basketball IQ among fans). He gives his formula for winning an NBA championship then quotes Gregg Popovich and the Spurs as his first example.

I really don't think Bill Simmons is a Spurs hater.

..............

[crc21209]

I'm still not sold on Simmons being a serious columnist...:lol

[UnWantedTheory]

Good thing we didnt sell it.

[ChuckD]

:rolleyesThere's a medal there for a reason..

Medal smack? Really? Don't be so cocky. Copy, Link and Paste Girl got Gold.

[Nathan Explosion]

If you read his Big Book of Basketball, Simmons puts Tim Duncan at #7 all-time behind only Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kareem, Russell, and Jordan. I think that's just about right, and higher than most "sportswriters" would put him. Simmons also declares Duncan the "best player of the past ten years".

He also rates the '07 Spurs just outside of his list of the best 10 seasons of all time in the NBA, as one of the 10 "Honorable Mentions". He also calls San Antonio the "best Post-Jordan franchise" and Duncan the "best post-Jordan superstar" and goes on to say "nobody knows why" (he's decrying the lack of basketball IQ among fans). He gives his formula for winning an NBA championship then quotes Gregg Popovich and the Spurs as his first example.

I really don't think Bill Simmons is a Spurs hater.

As great as it was seeing Duncan #7, the best part of the whole book as a Spurs fan was his David Robinson story.

Here's a link to the Robinson part. (http://books.google.com/books?id=oLCSBeuStRcC&pg=PA458&lpg=PA458&dq=book+of+basketball+david+robinson&source=bl&ots=SLClaCrb4p&sig=gMTNh35EzNEoRNZSkTthnQNnEC0&hl=en&ei=-TvtTLyQIcX7lwfYscH_AQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=book%20of%20basketball%20david%20robinson&f=false) It doesn't have the story I wanted (that comes right before) but it gives you a good idea of what I'm talking about.

[deibero]

i'm thinking he probably meant td. And likely was just throwing it out there since td's numbers are down across the board this year.

exactly, 100% agreed!!!

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Manu wouldn't be playing very much if his ankles and knees were in the "worst condition of his career". Simmons doesn't know shit.