Spurs Still Waiting for a TRUE Test

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

SAN ANTONIO - The Spurs' current 8-game stretch (DEN, ORL, WAS, LAL, DAL, OKC, NYK, BOS) was supposed to be the stretch from hell. It was supposed to provide us with several true tests of the Spurs’ greatness. It was SUPPOSED to… but Lady Luck interfered.

First, they faced the Nuggets without Carmelo Anthony, then the Mavs without Dirk Nowitzki. And in between, a Lakers club at the lowest point we've seen it in at least a couple of seasons. OKC, next up on the San Antonio's schedule, won't be a pushover, but neither are they in any way the Spurs' equal. And when the Silver and Black arrive in Boston, they'll face a Celtics team absent Kevin Garnett and with a possibly still less-than-100% Rajon Rando.

The final two games of this once dreaded stretch won't be a walk in the park, however, if the Spurs lose either contest, it will be said that San Antonio simply dropped a game they should have won. So as it turns out, none of the match-ups during this 8-game stretch could be described as a "test" in the truest sense of the word.

Of course, none of this is the Spurs' fault. They were entirely prepared for the challenge of the Nowitzki-led Mavs, an old fashioned battle with the Lakers and a showdown with a healthy Celtics squad. They were ready, but fate dealt them an unexpected hand. And while it's provided former NBA standout, TNT analyst and current Spurs detractor, Charles Barkley, more ammunition with which to discount their success... Coach Pop’s crew has appropriately seized the opportunities.

The lone loss during this stretch, a 101-123 thrashing at the hands of the Magic, was a game the Spurs had no business winning, anyway. It was a cruel assignment; the last of 4 games in 5 days, after arriving in Orlando during the wee hours of the morning on game day.

The most recent Lakers and Mavericks contests were supposed to serve as benchmarks for the owners of the NBA’s best record. Neither did. And it doesn’t look like the Celtics will either. Then again, the Spurs will play in Boston on the back-end of another back-to-back (the Knicks on Tuesday and Celtics on Wednesday). So perhaps that will level the playing field a bit in light of Garnett's injury. But a battle between the tired and the hobbled won't provide for the most accurate evaluation of either team.

Therefore, from the looks of it, San Antonio fans will have to put the measuring stick away until January 14th, when the Mavericks return to the AT&T Center. By then, Nowitzki should be entirely healthy, both teams will be rested, and the Spurs will finally have an opportunity to tell Charles Barkley where to stick his “Fave 5”.

.

[GSH]

Health is part of the game. We had more than our share of health problems for several years, and all I remember is people writing us off and saying that the window had closed on winning it all. In retrospect, we sucked it up as well as any of these other teams has - maybe better.

I don't remember any of the experts discounting the Lakers the day before the game. Or the afternoon of the game. Or during the first half of the game. We're 28 and freaking 4, and 40% of the way through an NBA season. To suggest that we haven't been tested in 32 games is sort of chickenshit, don't you think? Last I checked, we hadn't played any NCAA teams.

[Supergirl]

Also important to note that the Spurs decision to play Duncan so little looks a lot better the more all these stars succumb to injury...Garnett's the same age as Duncan, with 4 more years of damage on his body.

[Whisky Dog]

The Lakers weren't a test? Just because they didn't play great basketball in the game? Get the fuck outta here.

This is December. In December you just look at who's winning because there's so much season left
There are no tests in December in the NBA

[mikeschy55]

You guys had a test. You played Orlando at full strength didn't you? You failed... Miserabely. No interior defense... And that's really your only problem...cept it's a big problem

[DesignatedT]

stupid

[spurtech09]

mavs fans still hatin lol ha

[Cane]

Lakers were a decent test tbh. After they got their asses handed to them on X-Mas day they were pissed and motivated especially Kobe who called his team out and they practiced in preparation for the Spurs game to get out of their recent funk. During the actual game their play was plenty physical with hard fouls to show for it but Kobe decided to play hero ball and that was that.


You guys had a test. You played Orlando at full strength didn't you? You failed... Miserabely. No interior defense... And that's really your only problem...cept it's a big problem

Nope, George Hill was out. Spurs can lose to anyone on a back to back so nah that wouldn't have been much of a test anyway.

[Agloco]

You guys had a test. You played Orlando at full strength didn't you? You failed...

Our best perimeter defender was out, the 4th game in 5 nights as well as being a back to back on the road.

You fail.

[sandman]

You guys had a test. You played Orlando at full strength didn't you? You failed... Miserabely. No interior defense... And that's really your only problem...cept it's a big problem


It was a cruel assignment; the last of 4 games in 5 days, after arriving in Orlando during the wee hours of the morning on game day.

Technically it was the third game in four nights and the back end of a back-to-back. If there ever was a game to drop, this was the one.

Let's also not forget that San Antonio beat Orlando at home earlier in the season by 9 points. In fact, of the 4 teams that have beat San Antonio this year, none were a team that they haven't also beat at least once this year.

But, hey, thanks for being ignorant.

[ThePop]

Lakers.......

[Blake]

SAN ANTIONIO


stupid

agreed

[jmanu20]

I don't agree with certain claims the OP has made.

1)The Lakers game was a true test in my opinion, their full roster was available. It is not the Spurs fault that Kobe decided to try and shoot the Lakers back into the game himself. I know some Lakers fans will say that Bynum was less than 100%, but he played better than most of the Lakers who were 100%.

2) Most Spurs fans had the Orlando game as an L before the game even started simply because of the back-to-back off of a very early morning arrival. IIRC, in the 4 games w/o Hill, we gave up around 110 PPG. I think that very obviously shows how valuable GH3 is to the Spurs' defense.

3) @Mike: The Mavs have lost their first 2 games without Dirk. I guess the depth of these supposedly "tougher" Mavs has been exaggerated a bit if they can't even beat a laughably bad Raptors team that was without its leading scorer as well.

4) The Boston game will be a tough one with or without Rondo and KG because the Celtics have shown this season that other guys are capable of stepping up and leading them to victory. Plus, it will be the end of a back-to-back after facing the running Knicks.

5) True, Denver was without Carmelo for the game in SA, but what also gets overlooked is that they got Billups, Martin, and Andersen back that same game. For the Spurs-Nuggets game in Denver, Carmelo was available but the other three were not.

6) Seriously my fellow Spurs fans, quit with the "I want a true test" crap. We are 28-4 for crying out loud, and I'm pretty sure none of us saw this coming prior to the start of the season. So let's just enjoy the W's under whatever circumstances they may come!

GO SPURS GO!

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

You guys had a test. You played Orlando at full strength didn't you? You failed... Miserabely. No interior defense... And that's really your only problem...cept it's a big problem

Did you read the thread?? It was the 4th game in 5 nights, on back-end of a second consecutive back-to-back... and the Spurs arrived in the middle of the night -- or morning, actually, on game day.

If you go back and read through this forum, you'll find that MANY analysts and fans alike circled that one as a game the Magic really SHOULD win, under the circumstances.

No team is at "full strength" when playing their 4th game in 5 nights, on the road, on short sleep.

[Sant1ago]

I don't agree with certain claims the OP has made.

1)The Lakers game was a true test in my opinion, their full roster was available. It is not the Spurs fault that Kobe decided to try and shoot the Lakers back into the game himself. I know some Lakers fans will say that Bynum was less than 100%, but he played better than most of the Lakers who were 100%.

2) Most Spurs fans had the Orlando game as an L before the game even started simply because of the back-to-back off of a very early morning arrival. IIRC, in the 4 games w/o Hill, we gave up around 110 PPG. I think that very obviously shows how valuable GH3 is to the Spurs' defense.

3) @Mike: The Mavs have lost their first 2 games without Dirk. I guess the depth of these supposedly "tougher" Mavs has been exaggerated a bit if they can't even beat a laughably bad Raptors team that was without its leading scorer as well.

4) The Boston game will be a tough one with or without Rondo and KG because the Celtics have shown this season that other guys are capable of stepping up and leading them to victory. Plus, it will be the end of a back-to-back after facing the running Knicks.

5) True, Denver was without Carmelo for the game in SA, but what also gets overlooked is that they got Billups, Martin, and Andersen back that same game. For the Spurs-Nuggets game in Denver, Carmelo was available but the other three were not.

6) Seriously my fellow Spurs fans, quit with the "I want a true test" crap. We are 28-4 for crying out loud, and I'm pretty sure none of us saw this coming prior to the start of the season. So let's just enjoy the W's under whatever circumstances they may come!

GO SPURS GO!

+1 :toast

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

...Seriously my fellow Spurs fans, quit with the "I want a true test" crap. We are 28-4 for crying out loud, and I'm pretty sure none of us saw this coming prior to the start of the season. So let's just enjoy the W's under whatever circumstances they may come!

GO SPURS GO!

I wasn't diminishing what the Spurs have accomplished. I'm just saying, there are a lot of people who are anxious to see the Spurs play one of the other elite teams now... when BOTH teams are healthy and playing their best.

I think it's simply born out of a desire to get a playoff preview. The Lakers have no excuse for their loss in SA. Spurs beat 'em fair and square. But at the same point in time, no one expects LA to be playing that poorly when/if they meet in the playoffs. That's why many don't consider it to have been a true test.

As for in injuries of the Mavs & Celtics... certainly, those teams could be hurt in the postseason, but if you're daydreaming ahead, you think of those teams as they will be at full strength.

I don't think the Spurs were anywhere NEAR at their best when they lost to Dallas earlier in the year, and obviously the Mavs weren't 100% the other day. Boston won't be at full strength.

So my point is that I'm looking forward to the Spurs getting an opportunity to silence their critics by beating one of the other ELITE teams when that team is at their best. May get that shot vs Dallas in a couple weeks.

[y2kbug]

Fuck off OP.

[alchemist]

The Orlando game a while back was one of the best games of the season and gave a glimpse of 2 elite teams going at it. It's rare to catch 2 elite teams playing extremly well and with no injuries at the same time. Only thing I care about is winning and improving, worry about the "tests" in April/May/June.

[urunobili]

Heat will be all they can handle.

[EricB]

Our best perimeter defender was out, the 4th game in 5 nights as well as being a back to back on the road.

You fail.


Technically without two of their best perimeter defenders...

[HarlemHeat37]

Meh, there are no real tests until the playoffs, tbh..the Spurs aren't a team that can be judged right now, as they showed last season, where they unexpectedly won a series that they probably weren't expected to..they clearly don't show their cards until it matters..

Record vs. +.500 teams and PD is usually a good barometer for potential success in the playoffs, and the Spurs are doing very well in both, despite the big 3, particularly Duncan, not playing as many minutes as they're going to see during the playoffs..

The Spurs should have ONE goal at the moment..get the #1 seed at all costs..it doesn't make a difference which teams they play during the regular season..these "tests" would be nice to see, but even though it's cliche, the only thing that matters right now is wins, even more so than any other season..if the Spurs get the #1, they get HCA, and they get to watch Dallas and LA go at each other in a tough 7-game series..

Just keep winning, the rest doesn't matter..

[ChumpDumper]

Technically without two of their best perimeter defenders...True.

Hairston is still in Italy.

[rascal]

Technically it was the third game in four nights and the back end of a back-to-back. If there ever was a game to drop, this was the one.

Let's also not forget that San Antonio beat Orlando at home earlier in the season by 9 points. In fact, of the 4 teams that have beat San Antonio this year, none were a team that they haven't also beat at least once this year.

But, hey, thanks for being ignorant.

Lets not forget that Orlando is a different and better team after their trade. The spurs first win was not against this current team.

The spurs have had a weak overall schedule(weaker than even their won-loss record would indicate against over .500 teams because many of those teams were short handed). The spurs also have won all the close games where a lucky bounce could have gone either way, and have had big breaks with playing teams missing top players.

The Lakers are bored and coasting thru the regular season. Being Two time champs brings with it complacency. They will be a force come playoff time. The lakers game was the Spurs top win of the season.

There likely won't be any tests until the playoffs. Either the spurs or the other teams will be on back to backs or missing players. Thats the way it usually is during the regular season.

The spurs lack of interior defense will do them in, in the playoffs against the bigger teams in the league. They won't win by relying on 3 point shots and guard play.

Its going to really hurt for many of you on here believing this Spurs team is going to win it all this year.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

You guys had a test. You played Orlando at full strength didn't you? You failed... Miserabely. No interior defense... And that's really your only problem...cept it's a big problem
Pop fucking tanked that game. Barley gave the starters any minutes not to mention a back to back on the road without George Hill. Fuck that game.

[mikeschy55]

Lakers were a decent test tbh. After they got their asses handed to them on X-Mas day they were pissed and motivated especially Kobe who called his team out and they practiced in preparation for the Spurs game to get out of their recent funk. During the actual game their play was plenty physical with hard fouls to show for it but Kobe decided to play hero ball and that was that.



Nope, George Hill was out. Spurs can lose to anyone on a back to back so nah that wouldn't have been much of a test anyway.

Dallas beat them on a b2b.... And as high of an opinion as I have of George hill ( and i do have a high opinion of him as a b ball player),he wouldn't of
helped you in that game. Orlando dominated.... Though I do understand that pop didn't give his starters the minutes needed, can't deny you that.

Still, until you truly beat an elite team at full strength.... There will always be a significant faction of fans and analysts that say your overrated. I think last night without dirk contributed to that

[rascal]

There is going to be a lot of bitching about the refs and how the NBA is against the Spurs and basically crying in here after the spurs go down to Dallas or the Lakers in the playoffs. But the bottom line is the spurs were just not strong enough on the interior to match up with the Lakers or Dallas when it is all said and done.


The great fast start and record is going to build up false hopes and setting up the masses in here for a big letdown.

The spurs are one big short and that includes Splitter who won't get much better than what we are currently seeing for this year. Now if the spurs can add another capable big by the trade deadline that changes things but if they sit on their current roster which they most likely will do they will fall short.

[100%duncan]

Lakers at its weakest point? LOL bynum comes back and they were healthy against us and we dominated.

[rmt]

Meh, there are no real tests until the playoffs, tbh..the Spurs aren't a team that can be judged right now, as they showed last season, where they unexpectedly won a series that they probably weren't expected to..they clearly don't show their cards until it matters..

Record vs. +.500 teams and PD is usually a good barometer for potential success in the playoffs, and the Spurs are doing very well in both, despite the big 3, particularly Duncan, not playing as many minutes as they're going to see during the playoffs..

The Spurs should have ONE goal at the moment..get the #1 seed at all costs..it doesn't make a difference which teams they play during the regular season..these "tests" would be nice to see, but even though it's cliche, the only thing that matters right now is wins, even more so than any other season..if the Spurs get the #1, they get HCA, and they get to watch Dallas and LA go at each other in a tough 7-game series..

Just keep winning, the rest doesn't matter..

Amen. A win is a win - get as many as possible (until HCA is secured) without wearing out the big 3. Avoid playing both DAL and LAL. Other than that - keep working on the defense and incorporate Splitter so they'll have options against big front lines. I'm hoping DAL takes care of LAL. Don't see SAS beating LA - especially without Splitter but DAL is another story.

With the exception of Splitter, Popovich has done a masterful job of putting the right pieces out there. Can't be easy to decide who will be playing well on any given night.

[mikeschy55]

There is going to be a lot of bitching about the refs and how the NBA is against the Spurs and basically crying in here after the spurs go down to Dallas or the Lakers in the playoffs. But the bottom line is the spurs were just not strong enough on the interior to match up with the Lakers or Dallas when it is all said and done.


The great fast start and record is going to build up false hopes and setting up the masses in here for a big letdown.

The spurs are one big short and that includes Splitter who won't get much better than what we are currently seeing for this year. Now if the spurs can add another capable big by the trade deadline that changes things but if they sit on their current roster which they most likely will do they will fall short.

I agree with every word.

Ladies and gentleman.... We have a voice of reason. You will not win with a 6-6 center and a 34 year old Duncan patrolling the lane on defense.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Lakers at its weakest point? LOL bynum comes back and they were healthy against us and we dominated.

I didn't say WEAKEST point... I said "lowest" point (performance-wise). This is the worst they've looked in a couple years, and they're not likely to look anywhere near this bad in the playoffs. That was my only point.

I'm surprised some people are interpreting the post as a slight to the Spurs. That's not the point at all. I think the Spurs are as good as any team in the league and have the ability to win ANY playoff series come February and beyond.

[easjer]

Obviously people want a 'true test' and probably a loss or two to a supposedly 'elite team' - it's difficult to bitch too much or defend your bitching when the record says that what the Spurs are doing is working out fine. When the best support to your argument in favor of whatever (less Bonner, more Splitter, bench DeJuan, etc) is "I don't think they have a prayer's chance in hell of winning against the elite teams" you are in a losing position, because the record and production indicate otherwise.

Gets boring. Especially if you believe your argument to be valid and legitimate.

[cutewizard]

I don't agree with certain claims the OP has made.

1)The Lakers game was a true test in my opinion, their full roster was available. It is not the Spurs fault that Kobe decided to try and shoot the Lakers back into the game himself. I know some Lakers fans will say that Bynum was less than 100%, but he played better than most of the Lakers who were 100%.

2) Most Spurs fans had the Orlando game as an L before the game even started simply because of the back-to-back off of a very early morning arrival. IIRC, in the 4 games w/o Hill, we gave up around 110 PPG. I think that very obviously shows how valuable GH3 is to the Spurs' defense.

3) @Mike: The Mavs have lost their first 2 games without Dirk. I guess the depth of these supposedly "tougher" Mavs has been exaggerated a bit if they can't even beat a laughably bad Raptors team that was without its leading scorer as well.

4) The Boston game will be a tough one with or without Rondo and KG because the Celtics have shown this season that other guys are capable of stepping up and leading them to victory. Plus, it will be the end of a back-to-back after facing the running Knicks.

5) True, Denver was without Carmelo for the game in SA, but what also gets overlooked is that they got Billups, Martin, and Andersen back that same game. For the Spurs-Nuggets game in Denver, Carmelo was available but the other three were not.

6) Seriously my fellow Spurs fans, quit with the "I want a true test" crap. We are 28-4 for crying out loud, and I'm pretty sure none of us saw this coming prior to the start of the season. So let's just enjoy the W's under whatever circumstances they may come!

GO SPURS GO!




Well said!

Hapi new year Spurs fans!

[Waps1980]

You guys had a test. You played Orlando at full strength didn't you? You failed... Miserabely. No interior defense... And that's really your only problem...cept it's a big problem
That was a hard game to win as their new side is unpredictable and only once they settle the playing plans can Pop and all the play writing crew find holes in their new side.
The magic right now look great but good sides and coaches can deal with them once they know what they are playing against.

PS your Mavs have Derk out and they struggle and become just a middle ground team. You take 1 or our stars out, Parker, Manu or Duncan and we have other players that can step up and cover. We have serious depth and you cannot question that.

[TDMVPDPOY]

health and injury are part of the game, theres a reason why u gave a 15man roster, and if 3/4 of ur roster is shit, then the only person u can blame is management for filling out a roster with shit

a win is a win....

[Capt Bringdown]

Every night is a test. We need to improve no matter who we're playing. Cliched, but true.

[mavs>spurs]

the lakers had bynum back for the game @ at&t and still lost it by double digit, that was true enough a test imo.

[silverblk mystix]

Spurs have lost 4 games.

4 games.

#1= Hornets were on a roll...Pop left the bench in -in the 2nd half because the bench had played with intensity and deserved to try and get the win....they just fell short.
Not a loss in vain as the bench began to trust each other and gain the respect of the starters and Pop.

#2-Loss= The mavs beat the spurs as TP and RJ had horrible performances...even then...it was pretty close throughout...no shame in losing to a hot mavs team who always play the spurs like it is their championship.

#3-Clippers...nothing was falling and the spurs had dead legs, parker looked fried due to the EVA situation,etc... Clippers played over their heads...spurs almost pulled it out even if they did not deserve the win.

#4-Orlando...as everyone here already pointed out...2nd night of a back to back...Orlando in the honeymoon of a big trade and trying to stop a losing skid-at home...no shame in this loss-especially since the spurs had already beaten Orlando.


THAT IS IT.

4 losses--all understandable. Spurs are not that far from being undefeated...but this is the NBA and any team can get hot at anytime...it is remarkable that the spurs are sporting a 28-4 record.

Anyone saying otherwise is just showing how ignorant they really are.

[TDMVPDPOY]

#2-Loss= The mavs beat the spurs as TP and RJ had horrible performances...even then...it was pretty close throughout...no shame in losing to a hot mavs team who always play the spurs like it is their championship.

#4-Orlando...as everyone here already pointed out...2nd night of a back to back...Orlando in the honeymoon of a big trade and trying to stop a losing skid-at home...no shame in this loss-especially since the spurs had already beaten Orlando.


that mavs game was winnable, it was a very close game and we had a lead coming into a quarter break if i remember correctly, then pop decides to play the bench to protect the lead which ended a turnaround for the mavs to get back into the game with momentum...

as for the magic game, lol we were still in it at half time till pop decided to take out his starters, even when we were down by 15-20 pts the bench was starting to click and getting down that lead to single digits against the magics starters who was basically in the game still padding there stats in a blow out lead in against our bench. d12 is overrated.