3 positives from today's loss

[George Gervin's Afro]

no one got hurt
this wasn't game one of the wcf
the lakers are still playing them mavs in tne second round

[TE]

Fourth positive:

Spurs now have got a kick in the ass to prep them for playing elite teams at their best.

[toki9]

Remember the 2005 Finals series against Detroit? The Spurs lost Game 3 by 17 and Game 4 by 31...then took the series...

This game mattered more to the Lakers than to the Spurs and it showed...Spurs got hammered in the first quarter and never recovered...

I think this was good lesson for the Spurs...helps to keep perspective...don't get too high after the Heat win and don't get too low after this loss...

[slayermin]

In the first game against the Lakers, Spurs outscore them in the 2nd half 57-38.

Last Easter, Spurs won in Staples 100-81. Lakers might have dominated today but so can the Spurs in the future.

It's one game.

[cherylsteele]

After the 1st quarter the game was close, If the Spurs would have played better in the
1st the outcome could very well have been different.

I also believe the lack of bench for the Lakers will be their undoing in the long run.

[ceperez]

Interesting comment by van Gundy about Novak being the best 3 point shooter in the world.

looks like Novak was playing the SF position. I think he'll do better once he knows the system.

We definitely need length to play the Lakers. blair has trouble with tall teams. I would prefer to see Duncan, Splitter and maybe even Novak to start against the Lakes.

[bongraider]

spurs suck on early games

[Sean Cagney]

spurs suck on early games

Oh yeah, I those sunday games on TV! I knew it was trouble when I saw the damn schedule. This is one of those games that makes me wish there were not more early games! I hope they have none in the playoffs.

[TampaDude]

Oh yeah, I those sunday games on TV! I knew it was trouble when I saw the damn schedule. This is one of those games that makes me wish there were not more early games! I hope they have none in the playoffs.

I think all the games in the playoffs are in the evening.

[senorglory]

Another positive: I was able to nap through half time and most of the 3rd period, without missing anything I would have liked to have seen.

[Seventyniner]

I think all the games in the playoffs are in the evening.

Sunday games tend not to be, especially in the later rounds when you only have 1-2 games per day.

Still, most playoff games are at night.

[k_nguyen93]

I think all the games in the playoffs are in the evening.

Really? I live in DC and vaguely recall Wizard/Celtic games in later afternoon... Might be east coast only though who knows.

[polandprzem]

After the 1st quarter the game was close, If the Spurs would have played better in the
1st the outcome could very well have been different.

I also believe the lack of bench for the Lakers will be their undoing in the long run.

They can play their 7, 8 man rotation and they are fine with that

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

:tu I endorse this thread - said the same things as the first 3 posts in the game thread. ;)

[spurtech09]

the only reason for the loss was cause lakers were well rested and spurs weren't....thats the reason why the lakers had more energy and the reason the lakers were making there shots...even ron artest lol...spurs just were tired...they missed easy open shots

[rwb]

Have the Spurs ever, EVER won an afternoon game on ABC? Against anyone? I saw the schedule and pretty much knew the game was lost and mentally prepared for it, took a nap, recorded the game on the DVR just in case and will now avoid the media more than usual until the next game.

I agree that we should only look at positives and the most important one is that it is only one game and the Spurs are still number one. It's unfortunate that this loss had to be against the one team we didn't want this to happen against on national TV so the casual viewer continues to think the Spurs suck all the time and have no clue how they came to have the best record in the NBA and agree with ESPN that it's a fluke and they're overrated. But if this loss was against anyone else other than say the Mavs it wouldn't be such a big deal. It's also additionally embarrassing because of the large number of Laker fans in SA who like to rub crap like this in our faces, especially during the games on national TV in the crowd who seem to outnumber the Spurs fans. That's really freaking aggravating. Really. No, really.

:pimpslap

So just shake it off. They lost. They're still #1 so don't panic. Have more faith in your team that they will get the job done in the end.

:lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:

[GrandeDavid]

Fourth positive:

Spurs now have got a kick in the ass to prep them for playing elite teams at their best.

Aside from no injuries, this is by far the best positive. I think this butt kicking will strengthen their resolve.

[GrandeDavid]

And remember, the Lakers lost by 22 at home to some weak team, can't remember who...sure it was earlier in the season, but in the regular season you're gonna have a few sucky games to forget. the Spurs weren't assembled this season. They've been doing this a looooooong time, so they'll adjust and be fine.

[GrandeDavid]

Last Easter, Spurs won in Staples 100-81. Lakers might have dominated today but so can the Spurs in the future.

It's one game.

And they won that game without Tony Parker.

[KaiRMD1]

Lakers needed this win and I think we needed this loss. With the playoffs coming up and the potential of home court advantage, we CANNOT slack off and this showed. SPAM all the way baby!

[Harry Callahan]

I taped the game and will not bother. Question. Did Bryant try to head butt Manu on the drive where they gave out a double technical? I know he threw an elbow to Manu's back as well.

Sometime kobe needs to get Kermit Washingtoned - another low life Laker who enjoyed taking cheap shots.

[cd98]

If only we'd signed Brewer none of this would have happened.

[John Basedow]

I taped the game and will not bother. Question. Did Bryant try to head butt Manu on the drive where they gave out a double technical? I know he threw an elbow to Manu's back as well.

Sometime kobe needs to get Kermit Washingtoned - another low life Laker who enjoyed taking cheap shots.

Neal with it bro

[Harry Callahan]

Neal with it bro

ESAD Troll. Go watch your gay porn.

[John Basedow]

ESAD Troll. Go watch your gay porn.

why so hostile mon frere?

[lefty]

Fourth positive:

Spurs now have got a kick in the ass to prep them for playing elite teams at their best.

Thread :tu

[Vito Corleone]

I have us with 4 to 5 more losses by the end of the season. We will have home court throughout the playoffs. We will met the winner of Dallas and LA in the WCF. I like our chances.

[Sean Cagney]

I have us with 4 to 5 more losses by the end of the season. We will have home court throughout the playoffs. We will met the winner of Dallas and LA in the WCF. I like our chances.

I hope it plays out that way. Dallas kicking Memphis right now, looks like they will win again today if that score can hold up. Dallas just will not lose it seems.

[senorglory]

Another positive: Grizzlies beat the Mavs today.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Another positive: Grizzlies beat the Mavs today.

that's number 5 I think

[Obstructed_View]

Another positive: Nobody on ESPN will be talking about the Spurs beating the Heat, but will be back to "Lakers are the best team, Spurs are old and done". Spurs can start playing good basketball again; they suck when people say nice things about them.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Another positive: Nobody on ESPN will be talking about the Spurs beating the Heat, but will be back to "Lakers are the best team, Spurs are old and done". Spurs can start playing good basketball again; they suck when people say nice things about them.

what he said

[Phenomanul]

6th positive:

If Andrew Bynum was healthy today that means he'll likely be hurt come May...

[Viva Las Espuelas]

I lazily tried to get some stats but what's the lakers record with above .500 teams?

[Hoops Czar]

no one got hurt
this wasn't game one of the wcf
the lakers are still playing them mavs in tne second round

What makes you so sure?

[gospursgojas]

I like the shot at the end of the game when Tony looked all down and Manu shook him on the shoulder like to say "we's aight".

[crc21209]

Another positive: Nobody on ESPN will be talking about the Spurs beating the Heat, but will be back to "Lakers are the best team, Spurs are old and done". Spurs can start playing good basketball again; they suck when people say nice things about them.

Surprisingly, us losing to the Lakers today has been kinda brushed off to the side today with the Heat sucking so bad lately and the news that some Heat players were crying in the locker room....

[TampaDude]

Surprisingly, us losing to the Lakers today has been kinda brushed off to the side today with the Heat sucking so bad lately and the news that some Heat players were crying in the locker room....

Yeah...the media fascination with the Heat this year is downright hilarious. :lol

[tdunk21]

http://twitter.com/#!/jmcdonald_saen


McDyess said Pop didn't take LA loss out on team in practice. "We took it out on each other."


http://twitter.com/#!/wojyahoonba


Four-time champs RT @JMcDonald_SAEN: McDyess said Pop didn't take LA loss out on team in practice. "We took it out on each other."

[Maddog]

I like the kick in the A@@ positive.
The Spurs looked like they where moving in slow motion yesterday.
In retropsect it was the 4th game in 6 days.
However give LAL credit- they played great.

[George Gervin's Afro]

I like the kick in the A@@ positive.
The Spurs looked like they where moving in slow motion yesterday.
In retropsect it was the 4th game in 6 days.
However give LAL credit- they played great.

if there ever is a positive ass kicking this was it.. woke them up and showed them a glimpse of what they could face in the playoffs...

[Wilford Brimley]

if there ever is a positive ass kicking this was it.. woke them up and showed them a glimpse of what they could face in the playoffs...

I would've preferred the wake-up call come from someone else though. Would've been much sweeter to not give LA any daylight/confidence against us in the future

[cheguevara]

Dallas loses :lmao

[Sean Cagney]

I would've preferred the wake-up call come from someone else though. Would've been much sweeter to not give LA any daylight/confidence against us in the future

They had a few bad games but I don't think they ever lost confidence against anyone! They are turning it up now the playoffs are near, did anyone think they would not? They are defending champs, no easy ones there.

[Obstructed_View]

I would've preferred the wake-up call come from someone else though. Would've been much sweeter to not give LA any daylight/confidence against us in the future

Um...the Lakers have won two titles in a row. Whatever you think of that, they likely didn't need to beat the shit out of the Spurs to have confidence in themselves. They obviously respect the Spurs more than they or their fans have let on this year.

[Wilford Brimley]

Um...the Lakers have won two titles in a row. Whatever you think of that, they likely didn't need to beat the shit out of the Spurs to have confidence in themselves. They obviously respect the Spurs more than they or their fans have let on this year.

I agree with some of that, but if you beat a team 4-0 in the regular season then have HCA against them in the playoffs, don't you think there would be at least a little doubt in their minds?

Especially since no team has really handled the Lakers the last 3 seasons. Except for the Bobcats

[Obstructed_View]

Obviously the Lakers have been struggling with confidence issues if they treated yesterday like a playoff game, but knowing the Spurs, winning four games against the Lakers would have been a recipe for disaster. Hell, the most consistent Spurs team in years couldn't even focus after playing their best game of the season.

[Wilford Brimley]

Obviously the Lakers have been struggling with confidence issues if they treated yesterday like a playoff game, but knowing the Spurs, winning four games against the Lakers would have been a recipe for disaster. Hell, the most consistent Spurs team in years couldn't even focus after playing their best game of the season.

True, kinda weird to see that lack of focus, especially from a Pop coached team. I still like the Spurs in 5 if we play them in the WCF

[Rummpd]

True, kinda weird to see that lack of focus, especially from a Pop coached team. I still like the Spurs in 5 if we play them in the WCF

A little optimistic this - Spurs can win but it would be 6 or 7 games - that LAL team is a very good team with a great coach.

[phxspurfan]

A little optimistic this - Spurs can win but it would be 6 or 7 games - that LAL team is a very good team with a great coach.

Spurs in 5 is always a laughable proposition in any series. We never win the easy way. Unless we play the Nuggets.

[SpurYank]

Hey Toki 9:

My daughter and I are sitting up here in Northern Maryland near the PA border watching this awful game - both of us are hard core Spurs fans and I swear I remembered these same two 2005 games against Detroit and I said to her,
" This is apt to happen. Happened in 2005 against Detroit, playing games 4 and 5 of the NBA championship series. Got blown away. Then in game 7, last play of the game, Bruce blocked a Billups shot and the game was over, and we won the title.

Stuff happens.No one should lose any sleep over this. And Tiago was not the reason we were blindsided by the Lakers.

Do Spurs fans really think we are 30 points better than the Heat?

[Obstructed_View]

A little optimistic this - Spurs can win but it would be 6 or 7 games - that LAL team is a very good team with a great coach.
Maybe, maybe not. If both teams are healthy and playing well, the Spurs have a chance. That's all I'm hoping for.