West threats to Lakers are merely mirages

[duncan228]

From the Laker's Beat Writer. Just the Spurs, hit the link for the whole piece.


West threats to Lakers are merely mirages (http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lakers-284644-season-game.html)
Kevin Ding
The Orange County Register

...The Lakers just beat Oklahoma City in the teams' first meeting of this season. They visit Dallas for the first time this season Wednesday night. Next week, there's the Lakers' first home game against Utah, which has moved past Dallas in the West standings. The week after brings the Lakers' first home game of the season against San Antonio.

Do the Thunder, Mavericks, Jazz or Spurs stand as a real threat to the Lakers?

Not yet, they don't.


...The Spurs have definitely looked like more of a threat, but they're also viewing the regular season far differently than usual after a terrible start to last season. Both Dallas and San Antonio came in motivated to show their stuff early despite the age on their rosters – and the Spurs have been buoyed by the uncommon health that Oklahoma City enjoyed all last season. San Antonio has been able to play the same starters every game this season. (Oklahoma City missed just six Nenad Krstic games last season from its starting lineup.)

The Spurs' five-game lead on the Lakers is impressive but not convincing. Ultimately, neither sore-kneed Tim Duncan, no matter how great he has always been, nor undersized DeJuan Blair, no matter how hard he worked in the second half on Dec. 28 against the Lakers, is daunting inside against the Lakers.

"I watch a lot of their games that are on late," Golden State power forward David Lee said of the Lakers last week. "There is not one team in the league that has the same size, except Boston when they're healthy."

Boston is in the East. So are Miami and Orlando. Even Chicago and Atlanta.

That's still where the fear should lie for Lakers fans.

http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lakers-284644-season-game.html

[VI_Massive]

He's right on a couple things: SA has been very fortunate with health, though you could say we're "due" for a healthy season with our stars after the past 2 seasons. Also we're not as big as LA, but I think we have enough size to not get killed by LA's bigs, and our overall guard rotation is superior to LA's and can help us win a series. We can hold our own or get slightly beaten by their bigs but our guards and wings are our advantage. That's why I think we have a good chance to beat LA.

And as far as Blair's lack of size, if he isn't performing the way he did in the last LA game, he won't see much time in a playoff series against them. The bulk of the minutes alongside TD will be Dice's, unless Bonner is hot and/or Splitter shows an ability to contribute.

[justinandimcool]

He's right, haven't proven shit yet.

Keep the hits coming though. It's best to win under the radar anyways.

[TD 21]

Only the Spurs could have half the losses of the Lakers at the midway point of the season, have bludgeoned them in their lone meeting and get no respect. Despite having a championship proven core. It's not like this is the Thunder, then I would understand the hesitation in anointing them legit contenders.

Their size is an advantage, no question, but this notion that it's the be all end all, is ridiculous. Did anyone say every single season from 97-03, "no one is a serious threat to the Spurs because no one has two big men the caliber of Duncan and Robinson"? No. So why are we supposed to pretend as if their size guarantees them victory? I don't get it.

It can be overcome. It's not about matching up with them inch for inch so much as it is having quality talent to throw at them and being able to exploit them in other ways. Fortunately for the Spurs, they possess both things. When I say quality talent, I'm talking specifically about the bigs. The Spurs didn't have trouble with them in '08 and '09 because they were smaller, it was moreso the fact that they didn't have enough talent amongst their bigs, in addition to being smaller. Now, they have quality talent. Not to the extent of the Lakers bigs, but enough that, in addition to their other strengths (which coincide with some of the Lakers biggest weaknesses), they should be capable of beating them.

And I'm tired of hearing about the Spurs "good fortune" and seeing Spurs fans apologizing for it. Did anyone give a shit when this team had "bad fortune" for a few seasons? No. Instead, they called them old and washed up. We heard little about the Thunder's "good fortune" until after the season last season. We never hear about the Lakers "good fortune". Something they've received more of than any team in the history of North American professional sports. Look no further than their '09 path to the championship, where virtually every other team with even a slight chance of beating them had arguably their best player injured. Yet every damn day all I hear about is the Spurs "good fortune". It's just another way to disrespect them and not give them the credit that they're due.

[awktalk]

What a poorly titled article...

[howbouthemspurs]

From the Laker's Beat Writer. Just the Spurs, hit the link for the whole piece.



http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lakers-284644-season-game.html

He's as right as my left nut hanging higher than my right. Doesn't really mean anything......only the fact that hes trying to sweep laker fan's fear under the rug by simply dismissing the ailing truths. The Spurs are a scary team and they are coming to take that championship from you like Cartman tricking that kid into eating his murdered family. ...dont know what that analogy means exactly but that was a funny episode!

[jestersmash]

What an uninspired, unoriginal, and frankly speaking boring analysis.

Of all the variables that factor into predicting championship success, he (perhaps not surprisingly) chooses the single one where the Lakers have a clear advantage - inside presence.

That's about as trite as me arbitrarily using the spurs record as the single variable in an analysis and proclaiming that of all teams that have started 35-6 or better the majority have gone on to win the championship.

If I had to pick a single variable to hedge championship predictions on, the correct one to use is scoring margin, and the Spurs lead the league in that department up through the first half of the season. That's obviously more than enough to warrant being called a "threat" to the Lakers. In reality, that's good enough to proclaim that the Spurs are the strongest championship contenders of all teams in the league, let alone mere "threats" to L.A.

[TDMVPDPOY]

LOL DAVID LEE? does his opinion matter, dude sounds sour from riding RJs gonads

[birdy219]

I hope the lakers feel this way also. It could be another Saints vs. Seahawks scenario. Goodness, laker fans(writers) are obnoxiously cocky as well. I guess all teams should stop trying to play and just bow down to the greatness of the masters. :rolleyes


Anyway, I believe. :flag:

[DMC]

Stupid article. Teams don't come out to lose. If a team can just decide to win and it happens, why aren't all teams doing it? Why didn't the Lakers do it? It seems like ignorance to declare that a team has a great record only because they care, as if other teams don't care. If that's the secret, fire all these overpaid GMs and coaches right now.

[SenorSpur]

I'm going to be honest, the Fakers frontline size has ALWAYS worried me - even though the two teams haven't met in the postsesons sinc 2008. Any knowledgeable Spurs fan would have that worry, without needing to read this article.

That said, it's obvious that Duncan cannot be expected to shoulder the load against this group. That's why I believe the integration of Splitter, and any production the Spurs can get from him, will be crucial towards any potential success the Spurs can have against that frontline.

[DesignatedT]

Pretty stupid read tbh. Everyone knows the Lakers frontline is big and worrisome... but that doesn't translate into automatic wins.

What about how much deeper off the bench we are? Or how much better we are from behind the arc... They all have the same importance come playoff time.


Also, to say we aren't a "threat" is fucking retarded btw. Call the Lakers the better team or still the favorites (they are the defending champs and all) but to call the spurs a mirage of a threat is stupid, we are definitely a "threat" to them.

[silverblk mystix]

When the spurs beat the lakers again-it will be three blowouts in a row..

then maybe you will see the frontrunning bandwaggoners start to really worry about their overrated lakers...

[ChuckD]

I called Ian Thomsen (cnnsi) out on this same "old roster" shit about a week ago, via email.

Spurs: 9 under 30/4 over 30 - under 30 rotationals: TP,GHill,Gary,DB
Lakers: 4 under 30/10 over 30 - under 30 rotationals: Bynum,Brown

[DeadlyDynasty]

When the spurs beat the lakers again-it will be three blowouts in a row..

then maybe you will see the frontrunning bandwaggoners start to really worry about their overrated lakers...

Calling a 2-time defending champion overrated:lmao:lmao:lmao

Spurfan idiocy knows no bounds.

[DPG21920]

Calling a 2-time defending champion overrated:lmao:lmao:lmao

Spurfan idiocy knows no bounds.

Guy, you do realize you are a Laker fan? A part of the fan base that gets C's in calculus WITH a tutor.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Guy, you do realize you are a Laker fan? A part of the fan base that gets C's in calculus WITH a tutor.

you're a little salty today

[callo1]

The Lakers better view the Spurs as a REAL threat. The Spurs saw something in the Thunder's 7 game series with the Lakers last season. The Lakers are slow as hell in the backcourt and if you run at them, they don't handle the pressure well.

Fisher is DONE and has been for years, and blake has no chance of guarding Hill, Manu, or Parker. With all of the rest that Timmy and Dice are getting, and the way Bonner is shooting the three ball, the Lakers size can easily get negated by the Spurs pace.

There is still much ball to be played, and injury can strike at any time, but the Spurs are a threat to any team they face.

Artest has shown nothing this year, Fisher is slow as a sloth and Bynum's health is as much in question as any of the "old" Spurs, if not more so.

Watching the Lakers / Thunder game last night, the only reason the Thunder could not close that game out and get a win or force overtime is because they had no inside presence. I can assure you that TD can and will have breakout games in the playoffs if he remains healthy. By the way, have you noticed Timmy becoming much more proficient on this 15 footer?

Kobe has to actually guard someone now on defense...no playing of his man like he did when Bruce was here, so in a series, Kobe will slow down, much like he did last year. Turn Kobe into a volume shooter and it is anyones game.

With the increased quality of defense the Spurs are playing, coupled with their higher scoring offense, the Spurs are a very dangerous team.

I fully expect Splitter to be a more confident and better player come playoff time, and it isn't like Gasol overpowers his man with strength on the block, so you can toss Splitter on him and even if outclassed, Splitter can take something away from Gasol.

Bynum if healthy provides the hardest matchup for the Spurs, but again, if Bonner continues to shoot the three the way he has, that either makes the Lakers play smaller, or draws a big out of the lane.

The Spurs three guard lineup with Hill, Manu and Neal has been fantastic when used.

Blair is still a force on the boards and he is getting better offensively...oh yeah, and Anderson will get some D-League time to get conditioning back and rejoin the team.

Bottom line: This is a very different Spurs team than the Lakers have faced in the past, and while it is far too early to make any predictions about who will win if they face one another, it is not premature to say the Spurs will be a much more difficult out for any team this year.

[DeadlyDynasty]

The Lakers better view the Spurs as a REAL threat. The Spurs saw something in the Thunder's 7 game series with the Lakers last season. The Lakers are slow as hell in the backcourt and if you run at them, they don't handle the pressure well.

Fisher is DONE and has been for years, and blake has no chance of guarding Hill, Manu, or Parker. With all of the rest that Timmy and Dice are getting, and the way Bonner is shooting the three ball, the Lakers size can easily get negated by the Spurs pace.

There is still much ball to be played, and injury can strike at any time, but the Spurs are a threat to any team they face.

Artest has shown nothing this year, Fisher is slow as a sloth and Bynum's health is as much in question as any of the "old" Spurs, if not more so.

Watching the Lakers / Thunder game last night, the only reason the Thunder could not close that game out and get a win or force overtime is because they had no inside presence. I can assure you that TD can and will have breakout games in the playoffs if he remains healthy. By the way, have you noticed Timmy becoming much more proficient on this 15 footer?

Kobe has to actually guard someone now on defense...no playing of his man like he did when Bruce was here, so in a series, Kobe will slow down, much like he did last year. Turn Kobe into a volume shooter and it is anyones game.

With the increased quality of defense the Spurs are playing, coupled with their higher scoring offense, the Spurs are a very dangerous team.

I fully expect Splitter to be a more confident and better player come playoff time, and it isn't like Gasol overpowers his man with strength on the block, so you can toss Splitter on him and even if outclassed, Splitter can take something away from Gasol.

Bynum if healthy provides the hardest matchup for the Spurs, but again, if Bonner continues to shoot the three the way he has, that either makes the Lakers play smaller, or draws a big out of the lane.

The Spurs three guard lineup with Hill, Manu and Neal has been fantastic when used.

Blair is still a force on the boards and he is getting better offensively...oh yeah, and Anderson will get some D-League time to get conditioning back and rejoin the team.

Bottom line: This is a very different Spurs team than the Lakers have faced in the past, and while it is far too early to make any predictions about who will win if they face one another, it is not premature to say the Spurs will be a much more difficult out for any team this year.

It only went to 6 games. Before people come back with the predictable "but you won it on the last second" reply, don't forget that LAL had a huge lead in Game 6 and fell asleep in the 4th.

[ElNono]

I wonder why he left out the look at the Lakers themselves... This Laker team has no bench outside of Odom. Their guards are leaking defensively like a sieve, putting a ton of pressure on the bigs. Gasol either looks disinterested or worn out (I guess we'll find out which one it is later on).

This Laker team has taken advantage of the weakest schedule by far in the league. Played only 11 teams over .500 midway through the season, and have a record of 6-5 against them... they dropped more games against sub .500 teams than the Spurs lost total so far in the season. They're also not blowing out any team not named Cleveland, and they've been handed pretty big losses, even at home. Every team seem to have a shot at Staples these days.

Do they have room for improvement? Sure.
Do you give their vets the benefit of the doubt? Okay.
But things like the bench are alarming, imo. And they were a problem even before Barnes went down. They're even more noticeable now.

By the looks of Right Now, this Lakers team is simply not the same as the last couple of seasons, and they don't give an impression of being insurmountable anymore.

[midnightpulp]

What do you guys expect?

Just another hack job analysis from a Southern California sports writer. Growing up reading this type of bullshit is yet another reason why I despise that franchise and the majority of their fanbase.

[ElNono]

What do you guys expect?

Just another hack job analysis from a Southern California sports writer. Growing up reading this type of bullshit is yet another reason why I despise that franchise and the majority of their fanbase.

I'm sure it works well for insecure Lakerfans lurking in Spurs forums, tbh

[Waps1980]

What about the spurs big advantage at the point is than not worth mentioning it must some what level the scales a bit.

[Werdsniper2]

What a poorly titled article...

Was thinking the same thing. Looks awful.

[Capt Bringdown]

That said, it's obvious that Duncan cannot be expected to shoulder the load against this group. That's why I believe the integration of Splitter, and any production the Spurs can get from him, will be crucial towards any potential success the Spurs can have against that frontline.

Agreed. Even if Splitter is not where we think he should be, integrating him into the lineup is our best bet.
Bonner, Blair and Dice simply won't work.

The playoffs isn't called the second season for nothing. The Lakers are built for the playoffs. In a 7 game series, their front line advantage becomes even more deadly.
Beating them would require every option we have.

[celldweller]

Nothing more than a "Homer Article" from an Orange County homer writer. The fact that LA fans (Lakersground.net) don't talk about the Spurs at all says it all........they be scared shitless!

[Mel_13]

I wonder why he left out the look at the Lakers themselves...

I'll bet he's already done several articles about what's wrong with the Lakers. After the season's over, he'll be able to write about how prescient he was regardless of how far the Laker go.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Nothing more than a "Homer Article" from an Orange County homer writer. The fact that LA fans (Lakersground.net) don't talk about the Spurs at all says it all........they be scared shitless!

They also don't talk about the Timberwolves...nice logic :tu

[celldweller]

They also don't talk about the Timberwolves...nice logic :tu

Timberwolves 10-32, Spurs 35-6 dumb ass.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Spurs age, lol lakers average age is older, and the average age of players getting minutes is older. Author dismissed, enjoy the remainder of the regular season lake fans.

[024]

didn't read the article but i assume it's about the spurs not being true threats. i agree, the spurs are playing well but whether they can play championship ball is still a big question mark. they are going to need defense and a big will really have to step up his play for the spurs to have a chance at the lakers.

[dunkman]

The Lakers are not a bad team, but this season the Spurs are better.

[Seventyniner]

The crux of the matter is this: do regular season results predict the playoffs accurately?

Of course it's going to be fans of the team with the best record who say yes, and other fans who say no. All wishful thinking on both sides, which again is all there really is to being a fan.

[concken]

I think all those fans over in L.A. are playing the defensive after all the "uh-oh's" the TMZ crew over on ESPN is throwing at them.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Timberwolves 10-32, Spurs 35-6 dumb ass.

Jesus Christ you're dense...your logic is flawed/reversed. If you think a team is good and can compete with yours, you talk about them. No one talks about teams that pose no threat, comprende?

[DeadlyDynasty]

The regular season is just an 82-game preseason, especially since pretty much all the teams make the playoffs.

The Celtics started last season 23-5 and went 27-27 the rest of the way. How'd they do?
The Lakers started 28-6 and went 29-19 the rest of the way (including losing 7 of their final 11 games). The Lakers ended up closing all 3 WC series out on the road too.

Like Capt. Bringdown said, they don't call it the 2nd season for nothing...

[JWest596]

Only the Spurs could have half the losses of the Lakers at the midway point of the season, have bludgeoned them in their lone meeting and get no respect. Despite having a championship proven core. It's not like this is the Thunder, then I would understand the hesitation in anointing them legit contenders.

Their size is an advantage, no question, but this notion that it's the be all end all, is ridiculous. Did anyone say every single season from 97-03, "no one is a serious threat to the Spurs because no one has two big men the caliber of Duncan and Robinson"? No. So why are we supposed to pretend as if their size guarantees them victory? I don't get it.

It can be overcome. It's not about matching up with them inch for inch so much as it is having quality talent to throw at them and being able to exploit them in other ways. Fortunately for the Spurs, they possess both things. When I say quality talent, I'm talking specifically about the bigs. The Spurs didn't have trouble with them in '08 and '09 because they were smaller, it was moreso the fact that they didn't have enough talent amongst their bigs, in addition to being smaller. Now, they have quality talent. Not to the extent of the Lakers bigs, but enough that, in addition to their other strengths (which coincide with some of the Lakers biggest weaknesses), they should be capable of beating them.

And I'm tired of hearing about the Spurs "good fortune" and seeing Spurs fans apologizing for it. Did anyone give a shit when this team had "bad fortune" for a few seasons? No. Instead, they called them old and washed up. We heard little about the Thunder's "good fortune" until after the season last season. We never hear about the Lakers "good fortune". Something they've received more of than any team in the history of North American professional sports. Look no further than their '09 path to the championship, where virtually every other team with even a slight chance of beating them had arguably their best player injured. Yet every damn day all I hear about is the Spurs "good fortune". It's just another way to disrespect them and not give them the credit that they're due.

Fucking brilliant.

Well said.

[DesignatedT]

^^ yup. TD 21 ftw.

[Seventyniner]

If you think a team is good and can compete with yours, you talk about them. No one talks about teams that pose no threat, comprende?

So...your presence on this board is proof that you view the Spurs as a threat, right?

[DeadlyDynasty]

So...your presence on this board is proof that you view the Spurs as a threat, right?

Yup...I think LAL is stronger and much better built for postseason basketball, but the Spurs are still a threat. They'd be insanely dangerous if they integrated Splitter into the game for some extended minutes, giving him valuable experience before the playoffs. Better to have a quasi-polished Center than a neutered one--especially against the Lakers.

[celldweller]

Jesus Christ you're dense...your logic is flawed/reversed. If you think a team is good and can compete with yours, you talk about them. No one talks about teams that pose no threat, comprende?

Whatever "so called" Laker fan who likes to spend his time posting in a Spurs forum.

[Seventyniner]

Yup...I think LAL is stronger and much better built for postseason basketball, but the Spurs are still a threat. They'd be insanely dangerous if they integrated Splitter into the game for some extended minutes, giving him valuable experience before the playoffs. Better to have a quasi-polished Center than a neutered one--especially against the Lakers.

I know the conventional wisdom is that the game slows down in the playoffs and that running teams tend to fail (mid-decade Suns, of course). However, it can't be lack of rest preventing teams from running, because the playoffs have no back-to-backs.

It seems to me the only real difference between the regular season and playoffs is the ability to game-plan for a single opponent and the resulting adjustment/counter-adjustment chess match. Pop is obviously one of the best in the league in that department (though behind Phil imo), so when you say "built for postseason basketball", it can't mean just size. What does it mean, in your opinion?

And why would Splitter help so much? McDyess has been great, while Blair and Bonner are solid bench-level bigs. Plus, players in their first year with the Spurs have a history of under-performing in the playoffs; perhaps Neal is as far as Pop is willing to go.

[mingus]

i've stated from the beginning that Tiago would have to have a similar impact as Perkins does for the Celtics in order for the Spurs to threat the Lakers. still hasn't happened. i'm pissed. we've got a nice lead on everyone out West. no reason he shouldn't be getting groomed for when he will have to play. and he will have to play at some point. it would only make the Spurs better in the long run to give Splitter some more burn. Even Sean has mentioned in the broadcasts that he thinks Splitter has to play in order for the Spurs to contend. that's what i still think.

[jestersmash]

Splitter would help tremendously because he flat out excels more than Duncan in a number of areas that usually contribute to solid interior defense, lateral quickness being the key area.

Duncan's interior defense has markedly diminished and a lot of it has to do with a lack of lateral quickness.

[Kobe™]

What do you guys expect?

Just another hack job analysis from a Southern California sports writer. Growing up reading this type of bullshit is yet another reason why I despise that franchise and the majority of their fanbase.

U still here, bro?

[DeadlyDynasty]

I know the conventional wisdom is that the game slows down in the playoffs and that running teams tend to fail (mid-decade Suns, of course). However, it can't be lack of rest preventing teams from running, because the playoffs have no back-to-backs.

It seems to me the only real difference between the regular season and playoffs is the ability to game-plan for a single opponent and the resulting adjustment/counter-adjustment chess match. Pop is obviously one of the best in the league in that department (though behind Phil imo), so when you say "built for postseason basketball", it can't mean just size. What does it mean, in your opinion?

And why would Splitter help so much? McDyess has been great, while Blair and Bonner are solid bench-level bigs. Plus, players in their first year with the Spurs have a history of under-performing in the playoffs; perhaps Neal is as far as Pop is willing to go.

Solid post.

It means a number of things, imo.
Size is a big part of it to be honest...and not one-dimensional Joel Anthony size. :lol
When the game slow downs and you're playing halfcourt ball it's invaluable to have multiple guys capable of high% shots. Odom, Bynum, and Gasol give LAL an advantage that few other teams have. The Lakers don't rely on 3 point shooting to save them either(not saying SAS does, just saying).

Rebounding is also key in the playoffs--rebounding won us Game 7 of the Finals. I'm not sure what their regular season numbers are (not that I put a lot of stock in them), but I'd venture to say LAL is top 5 in boards and rebounding differential. Defensive fg% (especially 3pt %) is also key in the playoffs. Despite nonchalant play so far, I believe LAL is up their in both as well. Their intensity in those areas will only get better come playoff time--a safe assumption cause we see it every year they win.

The Spurs have definitely improved their bench and have reliable outside shooters, but the basket tends to get smaller in the playoffs. I remember San Antonio was #1 in 3pt fg% in 2001 (by a decent margin too iirc), but they shot 29% from there in the conference finals.

SA also lacks a lockdown defender (no, George Hill is not one), and Tim (although still effective on D), is not the defensive anchor he once was.

A little convoluted, but that's my general idea of playoff ball.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Forgot about the Splitter part. Splitter is needed for more than fouls (which is pretty much what Pop is using him for). If he can get minutes and build his confidence, he might be a decent offensive option--wouldn't it be nice to have another big that could make LA's bigs work on the defensive end?

[jestersmash]

The thing about SA and shooting 3s, it's not as though we are looking to shoot the 3 more necessarily. The only star player actively looking to shoot the 3 more is Ginobili.

Other than that, SA simply takes the shots that are given. If you are given a wide open 3 that's the simply the shot you take. The fact that the spurs are shooting more of them is a testament to their phenomenal passing, to be honest. Spurs field goal / assist ratios have been consistently high all season. We're moving the ball well and getting wide open shots. A lot of them happen to be 3s, but that doesn't mean we're actively looking to be a 3 point shooting team. It's simply what the defense has been giving us.

[jestersmash]

And Splitter's offense is better than most spurs fans give him credit for. He hasn't been given minutes or enough touches to ever fully gain a rhythm. That said, he's clearly making the most of his minutes. He shoots 50% from the field (4 PPG) and he has a very respectable PER for a rookie.

He also surprisingly gets fouled quite a bit when trying to make a post move. His hook shot is downright ugly, there's no questioning that, but that's not the entirety of his offensive game, and even with that ugly ineffective hook he still maintains 50% shooting from the field with extremely limited touches.

[Spursfanfromafar]

"Sore kneed" Tim Duncan.. That sounded very "sour graped" by the idiot writer. If Duncan who has played every game this season is "Sore kneed", what is Andrew Bynum?

Laker beat writers are so dumb.

No team goes up to a 35-6 record purely due to luck. And being healthy is part-good fortune and part- good work, atleast in the Spurs' case, who have managed the minutes of their players so effectively.

We will see in the post-season. I am holding to my prediction that I made in this forum early season - the Spurs are winning No 5. Midseason results have been eerily according to predictions - Spurs for title, Popovich for COY, Kevin Love for MIP, Blake Griffin for ROY (and Lebron not far away from MVP). But it is just midseason.

[DeadlyDynasty]

The thing about SA and shooting 3s, it's not as though we are looking to shoot the 3 more necessarily. The only star player actively looking to shoot the 3 more is Ginobili.

Other than that, SA simply takes the shots that are given. If you are given a wide open 3 that's the simply the shot you take. The fact that the spurs are shooting more of them is a testament to their phenomenal passing, to be honest. Spurs field goal / assist ratios have been consistently high all season. We're moving the ball well and getting wide open shots. A lot of them happen to be 3s, but that doesn't mean we're actively looking to be a 3 point shooting team. It's simply what the defense has been giving us.

Come playoff time (if our teams meet), the backcourt will have a couple good games then the Lakers will pack the paint like we've seen countless times in the playoffs. Tim is good, but not dominant on the block anymore so the Lakers won't have to double as much--meaning better perimeter D.

[EricB]

Forgot about the Splitter part. Splitter is needed for more than fouls (which is pretty much what Pop is using him for). If he can get minutes and build his confidence, he might be a decent offensive option--wouldn't it be nice to have another big that could make LA's bigs work on the defensive end?

You mean like an Antonio McDyess, whos got a damn good jump shot and is good defensively?


I love how everyone around Laker to Spur fan shits on Antonio McDyess.

The guy plays damn good defense has a very reliable jump shot 15 and out, his defense in the playoffs gets better (ask Dirk Nowitzki)


I just find it hilarious that he's grouped with Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair as these bigs who "Can't possibly guard the opposing big"

[xellos88330]

Funny thing is, you only see mirages when you are going crazy, or severely dehydrated.

Probably drank too much of the Lakers combined nut juice.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Echoing my frontcourt sentiments earlier, points in the paint is a pretty good indicator of playoff success as well. LAL lead the league last year in PIP, and they are #1 this year w/ a PIP differential of +14--surprising, since Kobe is in "fuck the triangle, just chuck it" mode. If they're already that good in the paint while playing uninspired, lord knows how they'll do in the playoffs.

[EricB]

Tim is good, but not dominant on the block anymore so the Lakers won't have to double as much--meaning better perimeter D.


Yeah, you bank on that and see what happens.

[jestersmash]

It'll be interesting to see how the Fisher vs Parker matchup goes and how it affects each team. I think that's one matchup that's too often overlooked by many Lakers fans, and things might get even more interesting if Parker ever truly develops his 3 point shot which he's been trying to do as of recent.

[EricB]

The keys will be, If Duncan and McDyess can play good D on their bigs, if Jefferson can hit his shots, Gary Neal same, George Hill same and Parker hits his mid range shots as well.

[DeadlyDynasty]

It'll be interesting to see how the Fisher vs Parker matchup goes and how it affects each team. I think that's one matchup that's too often overlooked by many Lakers fans, and things might get even more interesting if Parker ever truly develops his 3 point shot which he's been trying to do as of recent.

It's overlooked b/c it's pretty much a given that the opposing teams' PG's usually go off on Fish. Westbrook, Brooks, Parker, D-Will, Rondo (to an extent), and Nash have all feasted on LAL in the playoffs...but their production markedly decreases as the series goes on. Difference is the Lakers beat those teams up in the paint in all aspects.

[Cessation]

Duncan and Dice are solid, bonner and blair, are ok but inconsistent, and splitter is there to give 6 fouls. Lakers have only 3 bigs, I have no doubt spurs will hold their own against them. Other than kobe, what other quality guards do the lakers have? Spurs have more than enough. This years laker team looks the least impressive of the last 4 years, each championship run gets harder and harder, don't think they'll do it this year. Its bound to end sometime.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Duncan and Dice are solid, bonner and blair, are ok but inconsistent, and splitter is there to give 6 fouls. Lakers have only 3 bigs, I have no doubt spurs will hold their own against them. Other than kobe, what other quality guards do the lakers have? Spurs have more than enough. This years laker team looks the least impressive of the last 4 years, each championship run gets harder and harder, don't think they'll do it this year. Its bound to end sometime.

Well then, I guess it's settled. Congrats fellas.

[xellos88330]

Come playoff time (if our teams meet), the backcourt will have a couple good games then the Lakers will pack the paint like we've seen countless times in the playoffs. Tim is good, but not dominant on the block anymore so the Lakers won't have to double as much--meaning better perimeter D.

I remember telling you before that the Spurs perimeter are not the same 1 dimensional players of Spurs teams past. Each one of the perimeter players in the rotation can do much more than just shoot 3 balls. They can all get in the paint, and score in the midrange.

Everybody seems to misunderstand "speed" in basketball. It is not just the pace of the game. The perimeter of the Spurs is just physically faster than their Laker counterparts. They will get from point A to point B faster. It is a simple fact. Slowing the pace of the game doesn't make the players move slower. I personally think that having to chase these speedy guards all over the place, AND closeout on shooters, will make hauling all that size around very tiresome.

The Spurs in their meeting with LA, Phil did exactly what he always did defensively against the Spurs. PACK THE PAINT!!! The strategy clearly didn't work. It was also a terrible shooting night for the Spurs' marksmen. Their shots weren't falling so they switched to driving the lane and lo and behold, finding a wide open DEJUAN BLAIR!!! Try (if you can) to think if the Spurs shooters were actually hitting their average from deep. The loss would have been much much worse. Size can only get you so far if you do not have the footspeed to keep up.

Ali didn't have the most powerful punch in his era. He killed people with his speed. That is what made him great. Speed kills. If you do not think it matters, then why the hell does LA have so much trouble against fast point guards.... EVEN IN THE PLAYOFFS?

[EricB]

LA'S BIGGEST FOE IS athletic teams. The Spurs involving James Anderson hopefully become that much more athletic.

The Spurs now are more athletic on the perimeter which will help...

[Sean Cagney]

I'm going to be honest, the Fakers frontline size has ALWAYS worried me - even though the two teams haven't met in the postsesons sinc 2008. Any knowledgeable Spurs fan would have that worry, without needing to read this article.

That said, it's obvious that Duncan cannot be expected to shoulder the load against this group. That's why I believe the integration of Splitter, and any production the Spurs can get from him, will be crucial towards any potential success the Spurs can have against that frontline.

........... What is LA's weakness in a series though? Like Aaron Brooks? Guard play! Slashers who can kill Fishers old ass out there to the hoop! Spurs have just that so no mention of that there? Spurs hava LA's weakness too and quite a few of them! Hill, Gino and Parker will give them fits if they meet too, book it.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I remember telling you before that the Spurs perimeter are not the same 1 dimensional players of Spurs teams past. Each one of the perimeter players in the rotation can do much more than just shoot 3 balls. They can all get in the paint, and score in the midrange.

Everybody seems to misunderstand "speed" in basketball. It is not just the pace of the game. The perimeter of the Spurs is just physically faster than their Laker counterparts. They will get from point A to point B faster. It is a simple fact. Slowing the pace of the game doesn't make the players move slower. I personally think that having to chase these speedy guards all over the place, AND closeout on shooters, will make hauling all that size around very tiresome.

The Spurs in their meeting with LA, Phil did exactly what he always did defensively against the Spurs. PACK THE PAINT!!! The strategy clearly didn't work. It was also a terrible shooting night for the Spurs' marksmen. Their shots weren't falling so they switched to driving the lane and lo and behold, finding a wide open DEJUAN BLAIR!!! Size can only get you so far if you do not have the footspeed to keep up.

Ali didn't have the most powerful punch in his era. He killed people with his speed. That is what made him great. Speed kills. If you do not think it matters, then why the hell does LA have so much trouble against fast point guards.... EVEN IN THE PLAYOFFS?

The Lakers have played speedier backcourts in the past (including a fresher Manu and Tony in 04--and 08 for Tony), and it hasn't really changed your fortunes.

Speed kills. Good for you...at the end of the day they still have to make their shots. I'll take my teams' front court dominance over your teams' superior perimeter play any day of the week.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I remember telling you before that the Spurs perimeter are not the same 1 dimensional players of Spurs teams past. Each one of the perimeter players in the rotation can do much more than just shoot 3 balls. They can all get in the paint, and score in the midrange.

Everybody seems to misunderstand "speed" in basketball. It is not just the pace of the game. The perimeter of the Spurs is just physically faster than their Laker counterparts. They will get from point A to point B faster. It is a simple fact. Slowing the pace of the game doesn't make the players move slower. I personally think that having to chase these speedy guards all over the place, AND closeout on shooters, will make hauling all that size around very tiresome.

The Spurs in their meeting with LA, Phil did exactly what he always did defensively against the Spurs. PACK THE PAINT!!! The strategy clearly didn't work. It was also a terrible shooting night for the Spurs' marksmen. Their shots weren't falling so they switched to driving the lane and lo and behold, finding a wide open DEJUAN BLAIR!!! Try (if you can) to think if the Spurs shooters were actually hitting their average from deep. The loss would have been much much worse. Size can only get you so far if you do not have the footspeed to keep up.

Ali didn't have the most powerful punch in his era. He killed people with his speed. That is what made him great. Speed kills. If you do not think it matters, then why the hell does LA have so much trouble against fast point guards.... EVEN IN THE PLAYOFFS?

You clearly didn't read my post...every backcourt plays well against LAL in the playoffs, but none of them win...why is that do ya think? :bang

[DeadlyDynasty]

LA'S BIGGEST FOE IS athletic teams. The Spurs involving James Anderson hopefully become that much more athletic.

The Spurs now are more athletic on the perimeter which will help...

key word.


If it's such a weakness then why hasn't LA lost? I'm being patient here, sooner or later ya'll will understand the value of a frontcourt.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I pose this question to any Spurfan here: LA gets habitually raped by opposing backcourts in the playoffs, yet none of those teams win. Why is that?

[Venti Quattro]

LA'S BIGGEST FOE IS athletic teams. The Spurs involving James Anderson hopefully become that much more athletic.

The Spurs now are more athletic on the perimeter which will help...

In the regular season. In the playoffs, take a look at the teams that bludgeoned LA in the Finals. Versatile, tall, long and skilled. No athleticism gimmicks

[Venti Quattro]

........... What is LA's weakness in a series though? Like Aaron Brooks? Guard play! Slashers who can kill Fishers old ass out there to the hoop! Spurs have just that so no mention of that there? Spurs hava LA's weakness too and quite a few of them! Hill, Gino and Parker will give them fits if they meet too, book it.

Yeah fisher is shit and he gets constantly raped, and Kobe occasionally gets raped by more athletic 2-guards too. But why are still the Lakers back to back champions?

[JWest596]

I pose this question to any Spurfan here: LA gets habitually raped by opposing backcourts in the playoffs, yet none of those teams win. Why is that?


Commissioner David Stern when asked what would be the ideal NBA Finals?

"The Los Angeles Lakers vs The Los Angeles Lakers" and the gift of Pau Gasol ,

Go fuck Dyan Cannon, it's your turn.

Laker fans, not enough of Mom's left tit or Dad's ballsack.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Commissioner David Stern when asked what would be the ideal NBA Finals?

"The Los Angeles Lakers vs The Los Angeles Lakers" and the gift of Pau Gasol ,

Go fuck Dyan Cannon, it's your turn.

Laker fans, not enough of Mom's left tit or Dad's ballsack.

Spoken like a true spurfan...when you've lost the argument go cry Stern and collusion:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

Maybe next time, junior

[tmtcsc]

Did anyone catch that Lakers / Thunder game ? I checked in to see if the Lakers were starting to play better. They really aren't. The team that Lakers' fans should worry about is their own.

Kobe was hogging the ball and hoisting up terrible shots. They still don't have their act together. They came off a loss to the Clippers and were in jeopardy of losing another one.

Does anyone realize how tough it is to win 2 Championships in a row, much less 3 ? They may kick it up a notch when the playoffs start but it won't be enough. The Spurs can take them.

[ElNono]

I pose this question to any Spurfan here: LA gets habitually raped by opposing backcourts in the playoffs, yet none of those teams win. Why is that?

Because Gasol wasn't dead-legged and playing like a pussy like right now?
It definitely had nothing to do with Bynum's 7/7 ecstasy.

Home court advantage has proven to play a huge role for the Lakers too.

And you'll have to excuse me, but Fisher hasn't looked this done since ever.
Just two double-digit games in 27 games against the easiest schedule in the league?

Those miles in those legs do add up. And at least as far as Kome and Gasol is concerned, they're not getting that much rest either, considering almost every team seems to be pushing the Lakers to the last minute of every game.

[jestersmash]

Did you watch the entire Lakers/Thunders game or did you just watch the highlights? It was a solid win by the Lakers, and Kobe notably did not go into his chucking mode, particularly during the 1st three quarters.

He's always had the green light to shoot whatever he wants 4th quarter (well, he has the green light to do whatever the fuck he wants, really), but most importantly his 4th quarter stats have always been solid so those shots aren't really ill-advised. His chucking ways become a problem when he wants to go 1 on 1 all the time during the 1st three quarters, and that certainly wasn't the case.

I really doubt you watched the game if you think Kobe was going into "chuck" mode last night.

[Venti Quattro]

Did anyone catch that Lakers / Thunder game ? I checked in to see if the Lakers were starting to play better. They really aren't. The team that Lakers' fans should worry about is their own.

Right now there are worries but the goal is to get to the postseason healthy and playing well.


Kobe was hogging the ball and hoisting up terrible shots. They still don't have their act together. They came off a loss to the Clippers and were in jeopardy of losing another one.

Were you watching the wrong game? Kobe had 12 shots and 7 ast


Does anyone realize how tough it is to win 2 Championships in a row, much less 3 ? They may kick it up a notch when the playoffs start but it won't be enough. The Spurs can take them.

With the cast that we have, I'm sure they're ready to take on the challenges :tu :tu :tu

[xellos88330]

You clearly didn't read my post...every backcourt plays well against LAL in the playoffs, but none of them win...why is that do ya think? :bang

They are injured. :lmao











































(you walked into that one) :toast

[Mel_13]

Meh.

The Lakers are the two-time defending NBA champs and three-time defending Western Conference champs. Despite their "struggles", they're playing at a 59-win pace. They've got scoreboard. So what?

The Spurs are off to an historic start this year. Next year there may not be any NBA basketball. This could be the last chance to see our Big 3 play together. Enjoy the rest of the season and, if all goes well, the first two rounds of the playoffs. If the Lakers are waiting for the Spurs in WC Finals, we'll have plenty of time to talk about them then. For now, FTL.

[SequSpur]

The Spurs don't have a chance in hell to beat the Lakers in a seven game series...

You can break the whole laker team down and it doesn't matter. They have kobe...kobe is the best player in the nba, by far. No one on the Spurs is even close to him.

The Spurs HAVE to get bigger to win....Kobe will destroy any big lineup we have in the fourth quarter....

The Spurs record will be fool's gold if they meet the Lakers in West Finals... The Lakers win in 5.

Late.

[JWest596]

Spoken like a true spurfan...when you've lost the argument go cry Stern and collusion:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

Maybe next time, junior

Typical Laker nonsense. what you can't refute you push a smilie button....you don't see me on LAL fan sites seeking validation out of fear and trolling. Laker fans, the biggest bandwagon fans of them all. No doubt you're the local President.

Keep it up loser, be sure to claim Minneapolis Lakers championships as your own as well.

Fakers

Latest LG thread.

"and people on LG still dont believe that the NBA uses the lakers as a spring board for other teams. to at least make the game close."

"Phil should slam the refs at the post game and tell the media that video evidence of all the blown calls will be sent to NBA head office....and will be shared with the media as well. Embarrass the eff out of the NBA and put some heat on the refs.

"What's the worst that can happen, Kobe continues to get no calls"

"Pathetic performance by the refs. Drew, Kobe getting hacked without mercy."

"Refs knew Knicks couldn't score a bucket with Bynum in so they found the littlest of excuses to throw him out. Easily the worst reffed game of the season for Lakers."

"It's hard to believe there's so much corruption in the nba. It's a disgrace and a joke."

"now you see why the lakers will never go all out every single night and have to deal with this kind of bias officiating. its shameful."

It goes on and on and that's just one thread of many. Laker fans are so full of it.

Worst refereeing of the season (http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=126890)

[DeadlyDynasty]

Did anyone catch that Lakers / Thunder game ? I checked in to see if the Lakers were starting to play better. They really aren't. The team that Lakers' fans should worry about is their own.

Kobe was hogging the ball and hoisting up terrible shots. They still don't have their act together. They came off a loss to the Clippers and were in jeopardy of losing another one.

Does anyone realize how tough it is to win 2 Championships in a row, much less 3 ? They may kick it up a notch when the playoffs start but it won't be enough. The Spurs can take them.


Did you watch the entire Lakers/Thunders game or did you just watch the highlights? It was a solid win by the Lakers, and Kobe notably did not go into his chucking mode, particularly during the 1st three quarters.

He's always had the green light to shoot whatever he wants 4th quarter (well, he has the green light to do whatever the fuck he wants, really), but most importantly his 4th quarter stats have always been solid so those shots aren't really ill-advised. His chucking ways become a problem when he wants to go 1 on 1 all the time during the 1st three quarters, and that certainly wasn't the case.

I really doubt you watched the game if you think Kobe was going into "chuck" mode last night.

We know Spurfan doesn't.:lmao Sorry, that was too good to pass up like, xello's jab.

As for the rest of your post, I'm glad your fellow spurfan was kind enough to point out your fail. You had a little of bad Kobe games to pick from this year, yet you chose a game he played exceptionally well in :rollin

[DeadlyDynasty]

Typical Laker nonsense. what you can't refute you push a smilie button....you don't see me on LAL fan sites seeking validation out of fear and trolling. Laker fans, the biggest bandwagon fans of them all. No doubt you're the local President.

Keep it up loser, be sure to claim Minneapolis Lakers championships as your own as well.

Fakers

Latest LG thread.

"and people on LG still dont believe that the NBA uses the lakers as a spring board for other teams. to at least make the game close."

"Phil should slam the refs at the post game and tell the media that video evidence of all the blown calls will be sent to NBA head office....and will be shared with the media as well. Embarrass the eff out of the NBA and put some heat on the refs.

"What's the worst that can happen, Kobe continues to get no calls"

"Pathetic performance by the refs. Drew, Kobe getting hacked without mercy."

"Refs knew Knicks couldn't score a bucket with Bynum in so they found the littlest of excuses to throw him out. Easily the worst reffed game of the season for Lakers."

"It's hard to believe there's so much corruption in the nba. It's a disgrace and a joke."

"now you see why the lakers will never go all out every single night and have to deal with this kind of bias officiating. its shameful."

It goes on and on and that's just one thread of many. Laker fans are so full of it.

Worst refereeing of the season (http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=126890)

I think you're on to something bro...this could be bigger than steroids in baseball. I'd contact your local congressman with your findings.

[xellos88330]

Meh.

The Lakers are the two-time defending NBA champs and three-time defending Western Conference champs. Despite their "struggles", they're playing at a 59-win pace. They've got scoreboard. So what?

The Spurs are off to an historic start this year. Next year there may not be any NBA basketball. This could be the last chance to see our Big 3 play together. Enjoy the rest of the season and, if all goes well, the first two rounds of the playoffs. If the Lakers are waiting for the Spurs in WC Finals, we'll have plenty of time to talk about them then. For now, FTL.

This is good. Much better than wasting my time trying to show Laker fans that the game is played with 2 teams, not just one.

[DeadlyDynasty]

The Spurs don't have a chance in hell to beat the Lakers in a seven game series...

You can break the whole laker team down and it doesn't matter. They have kobe...kobe is the best player in the nba, by far. No one on the Spurs is even close to him.

The Spurs HAVE to get bigger to win....Kobe will destroy any big lineup we have in the fourth quarter....

The Spurs record will be fool's gold if they meet the Lakers in West Finals... The Lakers win in 5.

Late.

You're being a bit harsh bro:lol

w/ HCA LA takes it in 5, in 6 w/o.
but who knows, Spurs could have a bunch of guys channel their inner Jaren Jackson and have a career shooting series.

[JWest596]

I think you're on to something bro...this could be bigger than steroids in baseball. I'd contact your local congressman with your findings.

Spoken like a true Laker fan...when you've lost the argument go cry Stern and collusion

Maybe next time, junior

You're a predictable and typical as a bowel movement.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Spoken like a true Laker fan...when you've lost the argument go cry Stern and collusion

Maybe next time, junior

You're a predictable and typical as a bowel movement.

It took you 30 minutes to think up a comeback and you pull out the "I know you are, but what am I?" defense? Strong work. :tu


The bolded letters were an exceptionally nice touch...they really conveyed your feelings in this post.

[TD 21]

You can continue with this act all you want. The fact of the matter is, you'd have to be a liar, an idiot, or both, to not see the similarities to '03 between the Lakers and Spurs.

If you still want to anoint the Lakers as the clear favorites, fine. But this pretending as if you're not the least bit concerned with the Spurs and they're going to be a cake-walk is more than the typical Lakers fan arrogance/ignorance, it's being in denial and delusional.

Speaking of that term "the favorites", they should be viewed as co-favorites at this point. The Spurs have been the better team this season and as such, figure to have home court advantage. The Lakers are the two-time defending champs.

It's funny, when the Lakers acquired Gasol, no one cared that the Spurs were the defending champs and the dominant team of the previous five years, the Lakers were instantly proclaimed legit contenders and in many cases, "the favorites". Here we are three years later, the Spurs have half the losses of the Lakers at the mid-way point, bludgeoned them in their first meeting, yet some are still hesitant to proclaim them legit contenders, let alone favorites or even co-favorites. This despite having a championship proven core.

Why the reluctance to anoint them, when there was no such hesitation with the Lakers?

[DeadlyDynasty]

You can continue with this act all you want. The fact of the matter is, you'd have to be a liar, an idiot, or both, to not see the similarities to '03 between the Lakers and Spurs.

If you still want to anoint the Lakers as the clear favorites, fine. But this pretending as if you're not the least bit concerned with the Spurs and they're going to be a cake-walk is more than the typical Lakers fan arrogance/ignorance, it's being in denial and delusional.

Speaking of that term "the favorites", they should be viewed as co-favorites at this point. The Spurs have been the better team this season and as such, figure to have home court advantage. The Lakers are the two-time defending champs.

It's funny, when the Lakers acquired Gasol, no one cared that the Spurs were the defending champs and the dominant team of the previous five years, the Lakers were instantly proclaimed legit contenders and in many cases, "the favorites". Here we are three years later, the Spurs have half the losses of the Lakers at the mid-way point, bludgeoned them in their first meeting, yet some are still hesitant to proclaim them legit contenders, let alone favorites or even co-favorites. This despite having a championship proven core.

Why the reluctance to anoint them, when there was no such hesitation with the Lakers?

Oh I don't know...maybe cause there's a 2-time defending champion sleeping giant in the same conference. IMO.

[DeadlyDynasty]

lol JWest still lurking in this thread. Sup brah, crafting another genius comeback?

[TD 21]

Like I said, when the Lakers acquired Gasol, the Spurs were the defending champs and had won three of the last five, but no one seemed to care. Why should the Lakers be afforded that respect now, when the gap between them, standings-wise, is more than it was in 08-09?

I'm not saying anoint them as clear cut favorites, but I don't see how they could not be co-favorites at this point. What more do they have to do to earn that title?

As usual, people were more than ready to jump on the Mavs bandwagon when they are going through their annual fools gold surge, yet many of those same people are reluctant to hop aboard the Spurs bandwagon.

[honestfool84]

okk, what a joke.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Like I said, when the Lakers acquired Gasol, the Spurs were the defending champs and had won three of the last five, but no one seemed to care. Why should the Lakers be afforded that respect now, when the gap between them, standings-wise, is more than it was in 08-09?

I'm not saying anoint them as clear cut favorites, but I don't see how they could not be co-favorites at this point. What more do they have to do to earn that title?

As usual, people were more than ready to jump on the Mavs bandwagon when they are going through their annual fools gold surge, yet many of those same people are reluctant to hop aboard the Spurs bandwagon.

I hear what you're saying, but the situations are different. It's a personnel issue. The Celtics, Heat, and Lakers have all been anointed as favorites b/c of their big FA/trade splashes. Gaining an Allen, Garnett, Gasol, James, and Bosh makes bigger headlines than signing Gary Neal. People are hesitant to anoint them because--other than getting the big 3 healthy--they haven't added a whole lot else, and the majority of people still think the Lakers are the class of the conference.

[honestfool84]

other than getting the big 3 healthy--they haven't added a whole lot else


it's been a while since the Big 3 have all been healthy... people forget how big of an "acquisition" that is.

[DeadlyDynasty]

it's been a while since the Big 3 have all been healthy... people forget how big of an "acquisition" that is.

Agreed, but time and recent history is not on their side...so naturally people would be hesitant or skeptical of them.

[JWest596]

lol JWest still lurking in this thread. Sup brah, crafting another genius comeback?


Poor DudofaDynasty, poor alienated attention starved Laker troll looking for love in all the wrong places.

Play with your penis.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Poor DudofaDynasty, poor alienated attention starved Laker troll looking for love in all the wrong places.

Play with your penis.

Want me to fire up the webcam for you, like last time?

[phyzik]

Lakers as still a threat to the west is a mirage.

FACT.

[JWest596]

Want me to fire up the webcam for you, like last time?

Fire away.
Your Mom says "Hi"

[TD 21]

I hear what you're saying, but the situations are different. It's a personnel issue. The Celtics, Heat, and Lakers have all been anointed as favorites b/c of their big FA/trade splashes. Gaining an Allen, Garnett, Gasol, James, and Bosh makes bigger headlines than signing Gary Neal. People are hesitant to anoint them because--other than getting the big 3 healthy--they haven't added a whole lot else, and the majority of people still think the Lakers are the class of the conference.

The Celtics, Heat and Lakers all needed to add either entire cores or core pieces. The Spurs didn't because they already had a core; they just needed it to get healthy. They didn't need a whole lot else personnel wise from last season to this season.

We both know that if the situations were reversed, the Lakers would have long ago been anointed as favorites. The situations aren't 100% the same, but they're similar to '08. Now the Spurs are the team with young legs (some, at least), depth and firepower and the Lakers are the team that's old, slow and running on fumes, as the wear and tear borne of deep playoff runs has taken it's toll. Yet none of the so-called experts see that or are willing to admit it.

[honestfool84]

Agreed, but time and recent history is not on their side...so naturally people would be hesitant or skeptical of them.

a 35-6 record would disagree with the first portion of your statement.

i understand why people are hesitant or skeptical of them... they haven't made much noise in the playoffs since their last championship.

but to say they are a mirage? i think that's the silliest thing i've heard all day.

the Lakers are the Spurs' biggest threat in the West, and the Spurs are the Laker's biggest threat, likewise.

i can guarantee you 100% that neither team thinks less of the either team.

[ezau]

It took you 30 minutes to think up a comeback and you pull out the "I know you are, but what am I?" defense? Strong work. :tu


The bolded letters were an exceptionally nice touch...they really conveyed your feelings in this post.

Brah, the West has been locked up by the Spurs and we're all just waiting to find out who were going to face in the first round.

In the meantime, good luck with the Lakers threepeating without HCA:flag:

[DeadlyDynasty]

The Celtics, Heat and Lakers all needed to add either entire cores or core pieces. The Spurs didn't because they already had a core; they just needed it to get healthy. They didn't need a whole lot else personnel wise from last season to this season.

We both know that if the situations were reversed, the Lakers would have long ago been anointed as favorites. The situations aren't 100% the same, but they're similar to '08. Now the Spurs are the team with young legs, depth and firepower and the Lakers are the old, slow team, that is running on fumes. Yet none of the so-called experts see that or are willing to admit it.

Not the case with 2 of your 3 best players. Manu is 33 and Tim is somewhere around there too...and Tim (even though he's still one of the better bigs in this league) has definitely showed signs of decline these past few seasons (especially defensively). I know you're going for the media disrespect angle, but it's going to take more than 41 games to undo the perception that's been created over the last 3 years. I think they are legit enough and deserve more respect, but I also think LAL is class of the conference.

[ezau]

By the way, Deadly Dynasty is just trolling the shit out of Spurs fans. No need to take her seriously.

[IronMexican]

What do you guys expect?

Just another hack job analysis from a Southern California sports writer. Growing up reading this type of bullshit is yet another reason why I despise that franchise and the majority of their fanbase.

What happened to ELE?

[DeadlyDynasty]

a 35-6 record would disagree with the first portion of your statement.

i understand why people are hesitant or skeptical of them... they haven't made much noise in the playoffs since their last championship.

but to say they are a mirage? i think that's the silliest thing i've heard all day.

the Lakers are the Spurs' biggest threat in the West, and the Spurs are the Laker's biggest threat, likewise.

i can guarantee you 100% that neither team thinks less of the either team.

I meant recent as in the last 3 seasons, not this season, tbh. I didn't call the Spurs a mirage, nor did I say I agreed with the article. My first post in this thread was a response to some fucktard who claimed the Lakers to be overrated.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Brah, the West has been locked up by the Spurs and we're all just waiting to find out who were going to face in the first round.

In the meantime, good luck with the Lakers threepeating without HCA:flag:

Good luck re-animating that corpse you sleep with. :tu

[ezau]

Good luck re-animating that corpse you sleep with. :tu

Brah, just look at the record and tell me which team is on top. Spurs dominating the league/conference they're supposed to dominate.

And oh, Lakers look really good sniffing the Spurs' ass in the standings:lol:lol

[DeadlyDynasty]

Brah, just look at the record and tell me which team is on top. Spurs dominating the league/conference they're supposed to dominate.

And oh, Lakers look really good sniffing the Spurs' ass in the standings:lol:lol

When is the 35-6 banner being raised? I'd hate to miss that game.

[ezau]

When is the 35-6 banner being raised? I'd hate to miss that game.

We'll do it the same day we unseat the Lakers in the playoffs. Don't worry DD, it's just a couple of months away. And yes, you need to be there when that happens:lol:lol

[JWest596]

My first post in this thread was a response to some fucktard who claimed the Lakers to be overrated.

versus a Laker troll who chimes in on SpursTalk with "the majority of people still think the Lakers are the class of the conference."

Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick....Laker tards.

[DeadlyDynasty]

versus a Laker troll who chimes in on SpursTalk with "the majority of people still think the Lakers are the class of the conference."

Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick....Laker tards.

Ok, so if only the minority thinks the Lakers are better then why is everyone here crying about no respect from the media?

[honestfool84]

I meant recent as in the last 3 seasons, not this season, tbh. I didn't call the Spurs a mirage, nor did I say I agreed with the article. My first post in this thread was a response to some fucktard who claimed the Lakers to be overrated.

ahh. this silly bantering (not necessarily you) is annoying. i don't see why opposing fans can't just get along, and discuss.

[DeadlyDynasty]

We'll do it the same day we unseat the Lakers in the playoffs. Don't worry DD, it's just a couple of months away. And yes, you need to be there when that happens:lol:lol

Good for you, buddy...if you don't have dreams, what do you have, right?

[JWest596]

Ok, so if only the minority thinks the Lakers are better then why is everyone here crying about no respect from the media?

"everyone"?

nice try tard.

[DeadlyDynasty]

ahh. this silly bantering (not necessarily you) is annoying. i don't see why opposing fans can't just get along, and discuss.

I tried. However, opposing viewpoints are met with disdain when they interrupt the blissful harmony of this utopian season.

[DeadlyDynasty]

"everyone"?

nice try tard.

The semantics and technicalities defense...sick burn, scooter.

[SenorSpur]

Splitter would help tremendously because he flat out excels more than Duncan in a number of areas that usually contribute to solid interior defense, lateral quickness being the key area.

Duncan's interior defense has markedly diminished and a lot of it has to do with a lack of lateral quickness.

^

All This

If anyone watched the playoff series versus the Suns, that's all the evidence anyone needs to know just how far Duncan's defensively abilties have diminished. Let's not fool ourselves. Having as much frontline support to aid Duncan - on both ends of the court - becomes more crucial with every passing year. That's where the a solid contribution from Splitter would help.

[JWest596]

I tried. However, opposing viewpoints are met with disdain when they interrupt the blissful harmony of this utopian season.

So "fucktard" is an endearing name in LALA land?

Laker tard to the bone.

[DeadlyDynasty]

So "fucktard" is an endearing name in LALA land?

Laker tard to the bone.



Commissioner David Stern when asked what would be the ideal NBA Finals?

"The Los Angeles Lakers vs The Los Angeles Lakers" and the gift of Pau Gasol ,

Go fuck Dyan Cannon, it's your turn.

Laker fans, not enough of Mom's left tit or Dad's ballsack.



That was your first post directed at me in this thread. You weren't civil, so I decided to cockslap you across the face (like I'm still doing now). Jester and honestfool have been pretty much civil, and it's been good debate. You've been a rambling and incoherent mongoloid, and thus, you've been treated as such.

[SenorSpur]

The Celtics, Heat and Lakers all needed to add either entire cores or core pieces. The Spurs didn't because they already had a core; they just needed it to get healthy. They didn't need a whole lot else personnel wise from last season to this season.

We both know that if the situations were reversed, the Lakers would have long ago been anointed as favorites. The situations aren't 100% the same, but they're similar to '08. Now the Spurs are the team with young legs (some, at least), depth and firepower and the Lakers are the team that's old, slow and running on fumes, as the wear and tear borne of deep playoff runs has taken it's toll. Yet none of the so-called experts see that or are willing to admit it.

Despite their recent home win over the Thunder, the Fakers clearly struggled keeping the young, fast Thunder guards out of transition. Much in the same way they struggled keeping up with the Spurs, a few weeks ago.

The Fakers are and old, plodding team. The offseason additions (Steve Blake, Matt Barnes) have also not improved them very much either. THis team still struggles with quickness and getting back in transition. That fact certainly isn't going to change come playoff time. However, their deliberate half-court pace is tailor-made for the slow-down nature of playoff basketball.

Still, there's no doubt the Spurs have enough firepower to give them significant trouble in a series. I just don't know how much that firepower will offset the Spurs clear size disadvantage along the frontline.

It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out in May and June.

[UnWantedTheory]

a 35-6 record would disagree with the first portion of your statement.

i understand why people are hesitant or skeptical of them... they haven't made much noise in the playoffs since their last championship.

but to say they are a mirage? i think that's the silliest thing I've heard all day.

the Lakers are the Spurs' biggest threat in the West, and the Spurs are the Laker's biggest threat, likewise.

i can guarantee you 100% that neither team thinks less of the either team.
I am relatively certain we are each others only competition, at this point, on the road to the Finals. There is no mirage, as we are as legit a contender at this point as the Lakers...At least that is what our record indicates. We should not be taken lightly, but neither should the 2 time defending champs. We can all point out the pros & cons of each team, which is fine, but we are both legitimate threats for a championship. Just leave it at that.

But the article was obviously written by a Laker sports writing homer...

[DeadlyDynasty]

^

All This

If anyone watched the playoff series versus the Suns, that's all the evidence anyone needs to know just how far Duncan's defensively abilties have diminished. Let's not fool ourselves. Having as much frontline support to aid Duncan - on both ends of the court - becomes more crucial with every passing year. That's where the a solid contribution from Splitter would help.

Bingo. Where's the harm in giving Splitter some extended run in the regular season now? The Spurs are 6 games up and LA has a tough stretch coming up. He can't possibly be bad enough to cost you guys multiple games, so why not give him some valuable experience and confidence?

[Venti Quattro]

DD channeling his inner HH37 on. Tee, hee

[honestfool84]

Bingo. Where's the harm in giving Splitter some extended run in the regular season now? The Spurs are 6 games up and LA has a tough stretch coming up. He can't possibly be bad enough to cost you guys multiple games, so why not give him some valuable experience and confidence?

this. though i wouldn't want to lose any ground to the Lakers until we have home court advantage throughout the playoffs....

Splitter should be getting 18-20 minutes a game right now. i would love to see him starting after the All-Star break.............

[DeadlyDynasty]

DD channeling his inner HH37 on. Tee, hee

sans the cumchugging of LBJ and KG

[DeadlyDynasty]

this. though i wouldn't want to lose any ground to the Lakers until we have home court advantage throughout the playoffs....

Splitter should be getting 18-20 minutes a game right now. i would love to see him starting after the All-Star break.............

It would be the prudent thing to do, but Pop is a stubborn SOB:lol

[honestfool84]

It would be the prudent thing to do, but Pop is a stubborn SOB:lol

true... but a winning SOB :D

i would like to know he knows what he's doing with Splitter; i just don't want to let this season go to waste, what, with Duncan's contract about to be up in a few years. i just don't see him playing anymore after this contract.

what a shame. one of the greatest. of. all. time. period. :(

[DeadlyDynasty]

true... but a winning SOB :D

i would like to know he knows what he's doing with Splitter; i just don't want to let this season go to waste, what, with Duncan's contract about to be up in a few years. i just don't see him playing anymore after this contract.

what a shame. one of the greatest. of. all. time. period. :(

Developing Splitter will prolong Duncan's career. Pop still has ample time this season to give him legit playing time...if he doesn't, then it's all for naught imo--especially when the evil empire comes-a-callin' in the WCF.

[honestfool84]

Developing Splitter will prolong Duncan's career.

THIS x2


Pop still has ample time this season to give him legit playing time...if he doesn't, then it's all for naught imo[

yeh, he does. missing all of training camp didn't help Splitter's case. i hope he gets 18-20ish minutes after the All-Star break... that and the starting C spot.


Blair plays so much better as a sub.

[21_Blessings]

Insecure Spurs fans, itt. The first page is gold.


U still here, bro?

:lmao midnight sounds like a bitter, battered divorcee.

[jjktkk]

Insecure Spurs fans, itt. The first page is gold.



:lmao midnight sounds like a bitter, battered divorcee.

Little Blessings, you need to go back to the NBA Forum, DD and the rest of us are discussing actual basketball. We don't want to confuse you. Now run along like a good little troll.

[jjktkk]

Developing Splitter will prolong Duncan's career. Pop still has ample time this season to give him legit playing time...if he doesn't, then it's all for naught imo--especially when the evil empire comes-a-callin' in the WCF.

Pop hinted awhile back that this season is goona be hard for Splitter, due to his missing training camp, injuries, etc... Unless Splitter miraculously starts getting consistant minutes, I don't see anything for Splitter other than garbage time and 6 extra fouls on the bench.

[ezau]

Good for you, buddy...if you don't have dreams, what do you have, right?

Nice to see the Lakers trying to catch up in the standings but right now, the Spurs just took away the HCA for the playoffs. Good luck threepeating sans the HCA:flag:

[Lakers999]

seems like spurs fans are counting their chickens before the all-star break.... the lakers schedule is mouch tougher this half of the season and you guys have a long road trip coming up lets see how each team fares out...

also... i seriously doubt the spurs will keep their position on top of WC standings...sometime or another the spurs will come down to reality and the lakers will regain their place on top of the standings and rightfully so. I predict Mid March. until than I can picture the spurs going into the playoffs... I picture them going deep maybe the WC finals... but not the finals..not the finals... Somehow i just cant picture you guys winning it all with this core anymore...... and usually my predictions are always correct

[Fireball]

The fact of the matter is this: It is three years past since both teams met in the playoffs - and back then Manu did not play.

Regular season does not mean much - but since 2007-08 the teams played each other 8 times each winning 4 games.

There is just no way anyone can predict what will happen if the Lakers and the Spurs meet in the playoffs and everyone is relatively healthy. The Lakers are the favorites, but I just want to see this series happen with each team in full strength. Its just sad to say "we lost/won, but only because player x or player y" was injured.

[mathbzh]

until than I can picture the spurs going into the playoffs...
Hi Nostradamus :hat

[Capt Bringdown]

After watching yesterday's Celtic/Magic game I was reminded of all the BS the Celts get away with at home. They should just call their venue "Illegal Screen Garden." It will be very tough for anyone to win a deciding 7th game there. I think the Celtics championship hopes ride on HCA more than any other team.

[temujin]

After watching yesterday's Celtic/Magic game I was reminded of all the BS the Celts get away with at home. They should just call their venue "Illegal Screen Garden." It will be very tough for anyone to win a deciding 7th game there. I think the Celtics championship hopes ride on HCA more than any other team.

I'm glad somebody else noticed that.
Their double screens down low for Allen's jumper are CONSTANTLY moving. Serious refereeing should have Celtics bigs in foul trouble 6' into the game.
Every game I watched has been like that.

[temujin]

seems like spurs fans are counting their chickens before the all-star break.... the lakers schedule is mouch tougher this half of the season and you guys have a long road trip coming up lets see how each team fares out...

also... i seriously doubt the spurs will keep their position on top of WC standings...sometime or another the spurs will come down to reality and the lakers will regain their place on top of the standings and rightfully so. I predict Mid March. until than I can picture the spurs going into the playoffs... I picture them going deep maybe the WC finals... but not the finals..not the finals... Somehow i just cant picture you guys winning it all with this core anymore...... and usually my predictions are always correct

MAybe.

I don't think the Spurs have peaked yet.
1) Not seen Splitter and Anderson yet.
2) Duncan in cruise control.
3) Manu mostly happy with quartbacking and taking threes, not really ripping defenses apart with penetrations.
4) Defense can improve.

Lakers bigs might be enough for the Spurs in a 7 games series, provided that Joey Crawford's calling three games like in the 2010 finals.

It's up to Stern to decide.

But having watched 6 Lakers games this year, I think their backcourt is way too weak and old to get past the Celtics or Miami.

Sorry Nostradamus, no title this year.

[ElNono]

seems like spurs fans are counting their chickens before the all-star break.... the lakers schedule is mouch tougher this half of the season and you guys have a long road trip coming up lets see how each team fares out...

also... i seriously doubt the spurs will keep their position on top of WC standings...sometime or another the spurs will come down to reality and the lakers will regain their place on top of the standings and rightfully so. I predict Mid March. until than I can picture the spurs going into the playoffs... I picture them going deep maybe the WC finals... but not the finals..not the finals... Somehow i just cant picture you guys winning it all with this core anymore...... and usually my predictions are always correct

Who is counting their chickens early? :lol

tbh, I understand the desperation. Six solid years without winning a series without HCA would probably make me nervous too.

[mingus]

i think it was Blackjack who said that Pop's failure this season would be playing Bonner over Splitter (or something to that effect--correct me if i'm wrong Jack).

i don't neccessarily have a problem with Bonner playing more minutes than Splitter right now tbh. Bonner has played extremely well and i think this year it carries over into the playoffs. he can absolutely be a key player on this team if it has championships aspirations. but to essentially not play Splitter at all? ridiculous. Pop thinking that he can roll through the playoffs without needing to play Splitter--he is hugely mistaken.

this is a trend with Pop though. he doesn't know how to handle rookies. look at how he sat out Hill the second half of the '08 season and then all of a sudden decided to play an unready Hill (once he realized he needed him for defensive purposes), but it was too late in the series by then and we were beat. we're going to need Splitter's length at some point in the playoffs, just like we needed Hill's perimiter length in the playoffs that year.

[K-State Spur]

also... i seriously doubt the spurs will keep their position on top of WC standings...sometime or another the spurs will come down to reality and the lakers will regain their place on top of the standings and rightfully so. I predict Mid March.

(barring injury) - i'd take that bet and run with it.

it may not mean much once playoffs start (beyond HCA), but it should be noted that the Spurs have built their 6 game lead on the Lakers against a SIGNIFICANTLY tougher schedule (.517 vs. .449). Lake show has also taxed their starters more to get there - Lakers have 3 players averaging more minutes than any single Spur.

while the spurs do have the big road trip coming up, the Lakers are also looking at a stretch of playing 14 out of 17 on the road before mid-March - and that will be against MUCH stiffer competition that the Spurs' road trip entails.

as i said, it doesn't necessarily make the Spurs the favorites to come out of the West in June - but they are sitting very pretty to still have a comfortable regular season lead on the Lakers come mid-March (barring injury - then all bets are off).

[dbreiden83080]

Duncan is not playing like his knee is a problem this season so far. That highlight reel dunk he had the other night and the way he defended the basket against the Nuggets. He clearly is feeling fine so far this year. His min are down and with the offense not going through him anymore he is getting even less wear and tear.. Lets just hope that keeps going..

[dbreiden83080]

The regular season is just an 82-game preseason, especially since pretty much all the teams make the playoffs.


in 2003 and 2004 this was largely the Lakers mentality especially 2003.

[rascal]

He's right on a couple things: SA has been very fortunate with health, though you could say we're "due" for a healthy season with our stars after the past 2 seasons. Also we're not as big as LA, but I think we have enough size to not get killed by LA's bigs, and our overall guard rotation is superior to LA's and can help us win a series. We can hold our own or get slightly beaten by their bigs but our guards and wings are our advantage. That's why I think we have a good chance to beat LA.

And as far as Blair's lack of size, if he isn't performing the way he did in the last LA game, he won't see much time in a playoff series against them. The bulk of the minutes alongside TD will be Dice's, unless Bonner is hot and/or Splitter shows an ability to contribute.

No
Advantage with Bigs far greater than guards(unless your Jordan) in the playoffs.

[cheguevara]

The Spurs have definitely looked like more of a threat, but they're also viewing the regular season far differently than usual after a terrible start to last season.

Spurs losses by midseason last year 16, Lakers losses this year 12. So Lakers also had terrible start... FAIL #1



"I watch a lot of their games that are on late," Golden State power forward David Lee said of the Lakers last week. "There is not one team in the league that has the same size, except Boston when they're healthy."

Boston is in the East. So are Miami and Orlando.

Miami is big??? FAIL #2

major failures in this article

[rascal]

(barring injury) - i'd take that bet and run with it.

it may not mean much once playoffs start (beyond HCA), but it should be noted that the Spurs have built their 6 game lead on the Lakers against a SIGNIFICANTLY tougher schedule (.517 vs. .449). Lake show has also taxed their starters more to get there - Lakers have 3 players averaging more minutes than any single Spur.

while the spurs do have the big road trip coming up, the Lakers are also looking at a stretch of playing 14 out of 17 on the road before mid-March - and that will be against MUCH stiffer competition that the Spurs' road trip entails.

as i said, it doesn't necessarily make the Spurs the favorites to come out of the West in June - but they are sitting very pretty to still have a comfortable regular season lead on the Lakers come mid-March (barring injury - then all bets are off).


The spurs have had a very easy schedule playing most teams with their best players injured the entire season. Luck has fallen just right so far for the spurs with their schedule.

[cheguevara]

The spurs have had a very easy schedule playing most teams with their best players injured the entire season. Luck has fallen just right so far for the spurs with their schedule.

Lakers have 12 losses and had an easier schedule. They also have been relatively healthy. I don't buy that bullshit that Bynum is an important piece, especially in regular season.

[rascal]

Lakers have 12 losses and had an easier schedule. They also have been relatively healthy. I don't buy that bullshit that Bynum is an important piece, especially in regular season.

Bynum is an important piece. It gives them a size advantage against most teams when he is in. The spurs backcourt depth is better than the Lakers but the Lakers have the clear advantage on the frontline and that is where the series will be won.

So yes, Bynum is very important to the Lakers success.

[rascal]

Lakers have 12 losses and had an easier schedule. They also have been relatively healthy. I don't buy that bullshit that Bynum is an important piece, especially in regular season.

Again the spurs have had an easier schedule. They have played most everyone with injured stars so you can't just take the won loss % of the opponents as the only indicator, you need to consider all the injuries and when the spurs have played those teams.

[K-State Spur]

No
Advantage with Bigs far greater than guards(unless your Jordan) in the playoffs.

I don't know about that. Gasol might get the better of Duncan (or not), but it's more or less going to be a wash. Bynum probably would win a match-up over Blair/Dyess/Bonner - but he's not a guy who is (historically) going to go off for 25/15 if he does. In fact, he's only had 2 20+ pt games in his entire playoff career.

OTOH, the single biggest mismatch in a series is Fisher (or Blake) on Parker. Fisher has never been able to stay in front of Parker even at his best, and he's no longer his best.

In 2004, Jax made a brilliant move and countered this by putting Kobe on Tony after Parker gave them fits in games 1 & 2. It worked out well for LA and they went onto win the next 4 (depending on how fast your clock was for game 5). In '08, it didn't matter because the Spurs couldn't get offense out of anybody other than the Big 3 (and Manu was banged up). But, in 2011, is that a move that is still available to Jackson with Kobe now @32 (will be almost 33 by the time a playoff matchup came around)?

[703 Spurz]

From the Laker's Beat Writer. Just the Spurs, hit the link for the whole piece.



http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lakers-284644-season-game.html

Ok the article can eat my ass but about what David Lee said.....he plays on Golden State's team right? They're in the same time zone as the Lakers, right?

How the fuck can he 'watch' the Lakers late games when they play the same time due to being on the same god damn coast?

[K-State Spur]

Again the spurs have had an easier schedule. They have played most everyone with injured stars so you can't just take the won loss % of the opponents as the only indicator, you need to consider all the injuries and when the spurs have played those teams.

The Spurs have caught some breaks - no doubt, but that is still a ridiculous statement.

Notice that a hard fought game against OKC @home on MLK day was the Lakers BEST win of the season so far - that's the same OKC team that the Spurs have bitch slapped twice (and was healthy on both occasions) - including once on the road.

Lakers also have losses @ Utah (where Spurs won vs. same roster), @Denver (where Spurs won), PHX @ home (Spurs beat that PHX roster on road), Grizz @ home (Spurs beat).

[Bito Corleone]

I called Ian Thomsen (cnnsi) out on this same "old roster" shit about a week ago, via email.

Spurs: 9 under 30/4 over 30 - under 30 rotationals: TP,GHill,Gary,DB
Lakers: 4 under 30/10 over 30 - under 30 rotationals: Bynum,Brown

Yeah. It's getting really old (no pun intended) that so many analysts/writers keep refering to the age of the Spurs without even taking 30 seconds to actually look at the roster and see the age of the Spurs players.

[Venti Quattro]

The Spurs and the Lakers have generally had an easy schedule so far. Now's the period for both teams to buckle down to work.

[alchemist]

Boston is in the East. So are Miami and Orlando. Even Chicago and Atlanta.
That cocksucker really had the balls to mention Chicago and Atlanta?

[K-State Spur]

The spurs have had a very easy schedule playing most teams with their best players injured the entire season. Luck has fallen just right so far for the spurs with their schedule.

Plus, even if you do want to take that opinion (which I still don't agree with, but I'll let go in this post for the sake of argument) - that still doesn't change that a more difficult portion of the schedule is BEHIND the Spurs (regardless of who was on the floor at the time that they were playing them). i.e. Just because Dirk didn't play in the last 2 Mavs games doesn't mean that the Spurs have to play the Mavs 6 times instead of 4 in the regular season.

The Lakers still have a harder schedule IN FRONT of them than the Spurs, so San Antonio has that + a 6 game lead at the moment, which bodes very well for them keeping HCA into the postseason (at least in the West) - which was my original point to Laker fan.

[cheguevara]

Again the spurs have had an easier schedule. They have played most everyone with injured stars so you can't just take the won loss % of the opponents as the only indicator, you need to consider all the injuries and when the spurs have played those teams.

LMAO what a stupid statement.

why don't you go ahead and consider injuries, DNP, minutes played by the stars, fouls, technicals, etc, etc.

Lakers have had easier schedule. Facts are facts.

[Mel_13]

The Spurs and the Lakers have generally had an easy schedule so far. Now's the period for both teams to buckle down to work.

The Lakers have had a considerably easier schedule than the Spurs to this point. Even if some may want to quibble based on injuries, suspensions, etc. there is one undeniable result of the schedules to date; the remaining schedule for the Lakers is considerably more difficult than the one facing the Spurs. That guarantees nothing, but facts are facts.

Season to date records:

Lakers v above .500 teams: 5-5
Lakers v. below .500 teams: 26-7

Spurs v. above .500 teams: 15-5
Spurs v. below .500 teams: 20-1

Now one can write off some of the difference in winning percentages to various mitigating factors, but nothing changes the fact that the Spurs have played many more games against the better teams to date and, therefore, play many fewer games against the better teams in the second half.

Games remaining (+.500/-.500)

Lakers: 26/13 (including 5 against the bottom 7 teams)
Spurs: 18/23 (including 11 against the bottom 7 teams)

[awktalk]

and usually my predictions are always correct

I predict you take the GED exam and your answers are predominantly incorrect.

[Bito Corleone]

Lakers:

Strength of schedule (season) : .449 (easiest in the NBA)
Strength of schedule (last 25%) : .449 (5th easiest in NBA)

Spurs:

Strength of schedule (season) : .517 (9th hardest in the NBA)
Strength of schedule (last 25%) : .555 (6th hardest in NBA)

Now I realize that not every team the Spurs have played has been at 100% full strength, but for people (especially Lakers fans) to keep talking about how the Spurs have had such an easy road so far is wrong, and it's even more wrong to compare the Spurs schedule thus far as being similar to LA's.

It seems like anyone who has an opinion on the Spurs this season (outside of San Antonio) only sees what they want to see, and don't bother taking time to look up any sort of evidence to support their opinions.

[21_Blessings]

No one actually gives a shit (outside of a gimmick, like Hollinger) about strength of schedule.

[Kool Bob Love]

LA already had thier 3 peat.
2 out of 3 is not bad at all.
LA is going to lose. NEAL WITH IT LA FANS.

[Mel_13]

No one actually gives a shit (outside of a gimmick, like Hollinger) about strength of schedule.

Thanks for sharing.

[ElNono]

No one actually gives a shit (outside of a gimmick, like Hollinger) about strength of schedule.

No one actually gives a shit about what you post either, but nobody is stopping you, right?

[Dex]

Facts? Lakerfan has no use for facts.

[21_Blessings]

Thanks for sharing.

Is harping on SOS in January what Spur fan is reduced to?

Beat a legitimate basketball team in a playoff series and we'll talk.

[Bito Corleone]

No one actually gives a shit (outside of a gimmick, like Hollinger) about strength of schedule.

Well, when all kinds of idiot Lakers fans want to talk about how easy the Spurs have had it this season it seems kind of worth it to bring it up...:toast

[Mel_13]

Is harping on SOS in January what Spur fan is reduced to?

Beat a legitimate basketball team in a playoff series and we'll talk.

1. Who's harping?

2. If you really feel that way, what are you doing here now?

3. Thanks for sharing.

[K-State Spur]

Is harping on SOS in January what Spur fan is reduced to?

Beat a legitimate basketball team in a playoff series and we'll talk.

Get a more impressive win than OKC at home this year - then we'll worry about losing HCA (which has been critical in each of the last 2 LA championships).

[TampaDude]

The San Antonio Spurs are the 2011 NBA Champions.

It has already happened. We just have to wait a little while to witness it.

[rascal]

The Lakers have had a considerably easier schedule than the Spurs to this point. Even if some may want to quibble based on injuries, suspensions, etc. there is one undeniable result of the schedules to date; the remaining schedule for the Lakers is considerably more difficult than the one facing the Spurs. That guarantees nothing, but facts are facts.

Season to date records:

Lakers v above .500 teams: 5-5
Lakers v. below .500 teams: 26-7

Spurs v. above .500 teams: 15-5
Spurs v. below .500 teams: 20-1

Now one can write off some of the difference in winning percentages to various mitigating factors, but nothing changes the fact that the Spurs have played many more games against the better teams to date and, therefore, play many fewer games against the better teams in the second half.

Games remaining (+.500/-.500)

Lakers: 26/13 (including 5 against the bottom 7 teams)
Spurs: 18/23 (including 11 against the bottom 7 teams)

The spurs have played above .500 teams with stars missing so those teams like Dallas are not even playing like an above .500 team with those players missing, so those stats are meaningless when you break it all down .

The spurs record is overinflated by an easy schedule and lots of breaks with injuries to other teams. The lakers have also had an easy schedule and have not played as well as the spurs.

[Mel_13]

The spurs have played above .500 teams with stars missing so those teams like Dallas are not even playing like an above .500 team with those players missing, so those stats are meaningless when you break it all down .

The spurs record is overinflated by an easy schedule and lots of breaks with injuries to other teams. The lakers have also had an easy schedule and have not played as well as the spurs.

Thanks, Debbie Downer.

I addressed your flawed logic in the post. Even if one accepts your reasoning, it doesn't change the fact that the Spurs have a much easier schedule going forward.

[21_Blessings]

Get a more impressive win than OKC at home this year - then we'll worry about losing HCA (which has been critical in each of the last 2 LA championships).

No not really.

Health is the only thing that matters to the Lakers at this point. They definitely aren't sweating HCA throughout the West like San Antonio seems to be.

[Mel_13]

No not really.

Health is the only thing that matters to the Lakers at this point. They definitely aren't sweating HCA throughout the West like San Antonio seems to be.

Did Kobe tell you that? Or was it Phil?

[21_Blessings]

Did Kobe tell you that? Or was it Phil?

Brian Shaw

[Mel_13]

Brian Shaw

Great. We have an insider.

We'll have to assign your posts their proper weight.

[benefactor]

Thanks, Debbie Downer.

I addressed your flawed logic in the post. Even if one accepts your reasoning, it doesn't change the fact that the Spurs have a much easier schedule going forward.
Rascal is only happy when he is unhappy.

[TampaDude]

Great. We have an insider.

We'll have to assign your posts their proper weight.

Yeah, really...how much does bullshit weigh, again??? :lol

[21_Blessings]

Great. We have an insider.

We'll have to assign your posts their proper weight.

Thanks for sharing.

[Dex]

Quite frankly, I'm content to go ahead and settle this in May and see how it turns out. :wakeup

[Lakers999]

injuries are part of the game im not debating that but when you want to break it down for the Lakers they have played without Big man andrew bynum for almost 2 months. just recently they put him the starting line up and the lakers went 8-1. you guys can justify any stats for the spurs success but the fact remains that the Lakers 3 Bigmen are playing and defending like all stars this year and they will continue to get better. if March comes around and you guys still pound the Lakers by 16 points than I will bow down but until than I think you guys are underestimating our inside prescence and our wing players in Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher... they play very differently when it comes to post season or late regular season and from past playoff experiences you guys should know that by now.

[21_Blessings]

Quite frankly, I'm content to go ahead and settle this in May and see how it turns out. :wakeup

:tu

(don't get swept this time before it happens)

[K-State Spur]

No not really.

Health is the only thing that matters to the Lakers at this point. They definitely aren't sweating HCA throughout the West like San Antonio seems to be.

San Antonio is sweating HCA?

Lakers have played 3 starters more minutes than ANY single Spur. Who is trying harder here?

[21_Blessings]

San Antonio is sweating HCA?

Lakers have played 3 starters more minutes than ANY single Spur. Who is trying harder here?

The Spurs are playing like it's Duncan's last hurrah while trying to erase the stench of exiting the playoffs in total embarrassment. The writing is on the wall.

The Spurs need home court in order to make the WCF. The Lakers don't and they know this.

[lefty]

The Spurs are playing like it's Duncan's last hurrah while trying to erase the stench of exiting the playoffs in total embarrassment. The writing is on the wall.

The Spurs need home court in order to make the WCF. The Lakers don't and they know this.
Who cares ?

Boston is winning the title this season

[K-State Spur]

The Spurs are playing like it's Duncan's last hurrah while trying to erase the stench of exiting the playoffs in total embarrassment. The writing is on the wall.

The Spurs need home court in order to make the WCF. The Lakers don't and they know this.

So the Spurs are trying harder for home court by playing their key players less than the Lakers are in the regular season?

Do I have to be from LA for that to make sense?

[21_Blessings]

Boston is winning the title this season

Heard that one before.



So the Spurs are trying harder for home court by playing their key players less than the Lakers are in the regular season?

Do I have to be from LA for that to make sense?

Back to back champs that have completely dominated the Western Conference 3 straight seasons tend to coast and not care about home court. Not that the Spurs would know anything about that.

Not to mention Kobe and Phil Jackson specifically stating that these regular season games don't mean much to them.

[TampaDude]

The San Antonio Spurs are the 2011 NBA Champions.

It has already happened. We just have to wait a little while to witness it.

[Banzai]

Whats the deal with all the Laker threads
http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/66/tumblr_l0d468nsfi1qzz2cro1_500.jpg (http://www.threadbombing.com/details.php?image_id=4600)

[K-State Spur]

Back to back champs that have completely dominated the Western Conference 3 straight seasons tend to coast and not care about home court. Not that the Spurs would know anything about that.


But YOU know all about that - seeing as how you root for them and all...

[lefty]

Heard that one before.
You mean before the rigged 4th quarter of game 7 last season?

[jjktkk]

Brian Shaw

Did he pat on the head and tell you to go sweep up the floor like a good little ball boy?

[21_Blessings]

You mean before the rigged 4th quarter of game 7 last season?

:tu

And here I thought you were going to make a 6-24 joke.

[Banzai]

Just wanted to mention I got an Ipod Touch 4g for my birthday..I have to say the device is really awesome! Anyone have one of these?

[lefty]

:tu

And here I thought you were going to make a 6-24 joke.
Oh yeah I forgot

6-24!


Haha !

[Lakers999]

Oh yeah I forgot

6-24!


Haha !

at least we made it to the finals...

[TampaDude]

at least we made it to the finals...

Yeah...last year...not gonna happen this year...

[Brazil]

wow the lakers / spurs threads are beginning early this year

[lefty]

at least we made it to the finals...
Yes !

[TD 21]

Not the case with 2 of your 3 best players. Manu is 33 and Tim is somewhere around there too...and Tim (even though he's still one of the better bigs in this league) has definitely showed signs of decline these past few seasons (especially defensively). I know you're going for the media disrespect angle, but it's going to take more than 41 games to undo the perception that's been created over the last 3 years. I think they are legit enough and deserve more respect, but I also think LAL is class of the conference.

Ginobili doesn't move like an old guy, though. Duncan does (by the way, he's 34; he'll be 35 on April 28), but Bynum is much more plodding than Duncan. Actually, Duncan has been a beast defensively this season. Probably the most underrated defender in the league. Sure, he doesn't move his feet laterally as well anymore, but as an anchor and an overall presence? Still easily elite. Offensively, he's actually slipped more. But the Spurs don't need him as much offensively as they have in the past.

Obviously, it's going to take more than 41 games to undo the perception; my question is why the hesitation/reluctance? There was none of that with the Lakers when they acquired Gasol and what had they accomplished at that point? Nothing.

If you think the Lakers are still the class of the conference, that's fair. Those who continue to pretend as if the Spurs aren't at the least very serious threats to their throne are being ridiculous, though. If they beat them, it's not going to be "because the Lakers ran out of gas" or any other excuse, even though that's how it's going to be portrayed. It's going to be because this is a damn good team that was built to beat the Lakers and outplayed them in a series.

[K-State Spur]

The Lakers still have a harder schedule IN FRONT of them than the Spurs, so San Antonio has that + 6 game lead at the moment, which bodes very well for them keeping HCA into the postseason (at least in the West) - which was my original point to Laker fan.

Did I say 6 games...best make that 7.

[ElNono]

The Spurs need home court in order to make the WCF. The Lakers don't and they know this.


Heard that one before.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

you know what the sad thing is, all these laker jackasses won't have the guts to come in here once they are ousted from the playoffs this year. They'll just disappear and pretend nothing happened.

You haven't seen a coward band wagoning piece of shit until you've met a Laker fan...

[K-State Spur]

It's a bit of a loaded stat (small sample size) - but the last time the Lakers won a series (any series) without HCA, Shaq was still on their roster.

[duncan228]

It's best to win under the radar anyways.


Flying Under Radar Just Fine With Spurs (http://www.nba.com/spurs/timeout/20secondto.html)
by Bill Schoening

About a week ago, I was introduced to a gentleman who clearly was a huge Spurs fan. He took me aside to ask a very serious question, "Why do the Spurs not get the national attention they deserve?" he asked.

I hear this complaint often from the passionate fans that follow the Silver and Black. I will admit that I was perplexed one night earlier this month when I had to wait until the fifth NBA game recap on SportsCenter to see highlights of the team that leads the Western Conference.

Then I remembered the now famous quote of Gregg Popovich that rings true every season, "There's only one goal, and that's a championship."

If that is indeed the case, then the goal is not to have the best record halfway through the season, win the Southwest Division, or be the lead story on ESPN.

The Spurs don't get caught up in posturing, bragging, or trash talking. Third year guard George Hill showed even the young guys on this team are mature when he said, "What we have to do is stay focused and humble and keep improving". That doesn't like sound like a guy who is upset that the Spurs don't have their own little daily section of the USA Today like the Miami Heat.

The Spurs know that if they stay healthy and continue to get better, they will be in a position to contend for a title. If that happens, the national media will then have to pay attention. Unless, of course, Brett Favre decides to come out of retirement.

http://www.nba.com/spurs/timeout/20secondto.html

[mingus]

Spurs can definitely beat LA. Weirder shit has happened. I can prett much guarantee they won't beat them, but there's about a 10% chance they will. Good enough for me. I'd say 30-35% if Splitter played like we expected.

[JWest596]

West threats to Lakers are merely mirages

A Dallas mirage beats them. Damn those mirages...

Instead of flipping the switch, the West is flipping them the bird.

With their complacency, arrogance and sense of entitlement the Lakers possess, it reminds a lot like 2003 and if Denver beats them , the Laker excuses will be comedy gold. Also nothing silences the LAL trolls like a loss.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

He's right, haven't proven shit yet.

Keep the hits coming though. It's best to win under the radar anyways.

The Lakers haven't proven shit yet either... THIS season. This isn't boxing. No one is the champ until beaten. They are the '09/10 champs, and no one can ever take that away from them. But THIS year, there are very different teams in the league... chief among them, the Spurs. And they haven't proven they can beat these Spurs in the playoffs any more than the Spurs have proven they can beat these Lakers in the postseason.

We'll have to wait and see. But there is no reason whatsoever to put the Lakers on a different plane at this point.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Oh, and it's not merely LUCK that has kept the Spurs healthy... it's also the fact that neither Manu nor Parker played internationally last summer. Everyone rested up and got themselves ready to make a title run this season. That has a LOT to do with it.

[slayermin]

LA media is myopic. The sense of entitlement is sickening. But who cares what they think? Really? And fuck the National Media, David Stern, and all who have conspired to keep TV ratings/money the forefront of the NBA culture.

The Spurs and the great city of San Antonio knows in their heart of hearts they can beat the Lakers. That's all that counts.

And you know who else knows it? LAKER FAN. I lived in LA for ten years and whenever the silver and black rolled into town, Laker fans were genuinely nervous, scared, and unsure if they were going to win.

[Bito Corleone]

Instead of flipping the switch, the West is flipping them the bird.

:tu

[GrandeDavid]

This is such a pointless debate. Presuming that both teams are fairly healthy in a potential playoff series, I see pluses and minuses with both teams. Since I'm a Spurs fan, I'll mention what concerns me regarding the Spurs. Much of their victories, as we all well know, have come against injured opposition and late in games. The bottom line is they got those wins. In years past they would've probably lost that game at home against depleted Toronto the way things were going. So you gotta admire this Spurs team's mettle and ability to "find a way".

In playoffs past, Bonner has not shot too well, and we'll be counting on him and another inexperienced player in the playoffs in Gary Neal to shoot well. Also, in looking at Richard Jefferson's play of late and Tiago Splitter's disappointing season thus far, some things need to happen. Plus, the Spurs need to improve their team defense, and I'm pretty confident they will come playoff time due to the fact that they have acknowledged this need.

I'm enjoying the season, I wouldn't be shocked were the Spurs to win the championship, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see them lose to the Lakers in the playoffs. I'm just not looking that far, instead enjoying each game. For the first time in over a decade I'm able to watch most games as I've lived in Brazil but now live in San Antonio.

[nkdlunch]

LA media. that's all there is to say

[K-State Spur]

also... i seriously doubt the spurs will keep their position on top of WC standings...sometime or another the spurs will come down to reality and the lakers will regain their place on top of the standings and rightfully so. I predict Mid March.

Bumping this. LA would have to make up 8 games in the standings with only 18 games between now and then to do so.

[honestfool84]

Bumping this. LA would have to make up 8 games in the standings with only 18 games between now and then to do so.


:lmao

and they're playing Boston tonight... which just might be a loss.

i'm actually cheering for the Lakers tonight, though... just to widen the gap between us and the Celtics for HCA throughout the playoffs and Finals.

[rmt]

:lmao

and they're playing Boston tonight... which just might be a loss.

i'm actually cheering for the Lakers tonight, though... just to widen the gap between us and the Celtics for HCA throughout the playoffs and Finals.

Tried to cheer for LA last LA/BOS game and just couldn't do it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i want these mofos knocked out b4 we lay our hands on them which would be in the WCF by the looks of it, nothing beats seeing these bitches cry again on national tv

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Lakers are now 8 games back with 30 to go, after going 6-4 in their last 10 vs. the Spurs 8-2. They also trail Dallas now by 1 after Dallas' 10-game win streak.

So it's highly improbable that the Lakers will catch the Spurs. Even if the Spurs went on some big tailspin and went say 16-14 for the last 30 games, the Lakers would have to go 24-6 just to tie. And if the Spurs only did their historical average of 2 wins every 3 games, as opposed to their current average which is much higher, they'd go 20-10 and the Lakers would have to go a ridiculous 28-2 just to tie.

Not going to happen -- I think the chances are less than 1%.

[K-State Spur]

the Lakers would have to go a ridiculous 28-2 just to tie.


Against a much tougher stretch schedule to boot.

I may disagree, but I'll listen to Laker fan who wants to talk about how things will change in the playoffs.

But Laker fan who still recently thought that they'd win the regular season was an idiot.

[birdy219]

Tried to cheer for LA last LA/BOS game and just couldn't do it.


Ha Ha me too. I really tried, but my hatred of the lakers is pure, unaltered, unfiltered, and irrevocable.


:flag:

[G-Dawgg]

Not worried about the Lakers...they can't run with us...

[K-State Spur]

also... i seriously doubt the spurs will keep their position on top of WC standings...sometime or another the spurs will come down to reality and the lakers will regain their place on top of the standings and rightfully so. I predict Mid March.

maybe...late march?

[xmas1997]

More worried about the Mavs. The rivalry is much more intense even when one of them isn't so good.
And even more so the Celts.
I would like much more distance from both.

[Rummpd]

Worthless article and opinion every historical fact speaks otherwise and the Spurs core is multichampionship team.

[elec99]

I'm a spurs fan from LA, so let me tell you a bit about laker fans. Most are not even fans of basketball, they are only fans of a winning franchise, the sport could be badminton, as long as they're winning no one cares. They couldnt appreciate, say a game between the mavs and boston, since neither of those teams are the lakers.
To me the lakers are the new york yankees of basketball, just a franchise that throws money at the best players instead of having to do some actual team building, scouting etc. If they dont win each year then it's a failure since they do spend the most in the league. Its the same reason why fans outside of NY hate the yankees. Ironically, laker fans who also hate the yankees dont even understand the comparison I've just made above. They're just homers, every city has them. They dont love their team, just their zip code. And when they move, so does their allegiance.

Having said that, I dont know what this writer was trying to accomplish, maybe he just wanted to sell papers. Calming laker fan's nerves wont increase or decrease the team's chances in any way.

[CubanMustGo]

The media just LOVES the Fakers. Ian Thomsen in the Feb 21 issue of Sports Illustrated, p. 55:

"The [recent] 10 days affirmed the Lakers as the team to beat - their length will create problems for San Antonio in a seven game series."

How about what the last four days, Ian? What have those affirmed? That the Lakers are an aging team no longer able to play at the highest level for an extended period of time?

[xmas1997]

Just remember, neither the Lakers nor the Spurs nor the Mavs nor the Celts will have any b2bs in the playoffs.