Slump or exposed?

[TD 21]

As anyone who's followed the league for a number of years knows, you should never judge a team based on a segment of games. The Heat are a perfect example of that. I never wavered in my belief that they were the fourth legit contender when they were in the midst of losing five in a row and I'm not wavering on the Spurs being a legit contender now, either.

The one positive I take out of this stretch is it gives Pop an excuse to make the change he was always going to need to make at some point if this team is serious about winning the championship (beyond starting McDyess) and that is, Splitter in, Blair out. This is not an anti Blair thing, it's simply about what's best for the team. The reality is, they're not going to win a championship if Blair-Bonner regularly play together in the playoffs.

Sure, the Spurs would be sacrificing rebounding, but I'm fine with that if it leads to a defensive improvement, which is what Pop has been clamoring for all season. If it's truly the priority, then he'll make the change. If being loyal and sticking with who helped get them to this point is, then they'll be eliminated by the Conference Finals.

[silverblk mystix]

If Pop ever places Tiago OVER Bonner---it will change the spurs destiny...

until that happens...it will be live by the 3 --die by the 3

[justinandimcool]

Exposed. This team we already know wasn't big enough, and now they're not athletic or deep enough. All teams have to do is leave their starters in and Neal/Hill/Bonner immediately look like scrubs in comparison. People are running at our shooters, people are packing the paint when our guards drive.

I hold hope that Tony and Manu will play well enough to get us to the finals, but everyone has to hit big shots and Tim/Dice have to be highly above average defensive anchors.

[ALVAREZ6]

Tim Duncan or McDyess should always be on the floor at all times in the playoffs. If not, I will urinate all over Pop.

[fusionjazzman72]

:toast

[SenorSpur]

This statement is based upon what I've seen from the Spurs in games versus contenders. It's obvious to me that the Spurs have been exposed. It should be noted that only the good teams have been able to do this. However, the instructional book on how to defend them has been provided by the Fakers. Take away the 3-pt shot, force their shooters to put the ball on the floor, and pack the lane. Do all those things and they become mere mortals.

The Spurs hit the court practically every night with inferior talent, as compared to the rest of the contenders. However, the Spurs usually have the edge in superior chemistry, coaching and execution. That said, their execution, passing and shooting must be flawless, as their margin for error is slim. It seems when they miss assignements, fail to box out, challenge shots throw out poor effort,

The reason I say the Spurs have been exposed is because of the top six teams in the NBA, you rarely see any of them get blown out. Over the past week, the Spurs have been blown out by 30 points - twice!

[Sean Cagney]

This statement is based upon what I've seen from the Spurs in games versus contenders. It's obvious to me that the Spurs have been exposed. It should be noted that only the good teams have been able to do this. However, the instructional book on how to defend them has been provided by the Fakers. Take away the 3-pt shot, force their shooters to put the ball on the floor, and pack the lane. Do all those things and they become mere mortals.

The Spurs hit the court practically every night with inferior talent, as compared to the rest of the contenders. However, the Spurs usually have the edge in superior chemistry, coaching and execution. That said, their execution, passing and shooting must be flawless, as their margin for error is slim. It seems when they miss assignements, fail to box out, challenge shots throw out poor effort,

The reason I say the Spurs have been exposed is because of the top six teams in the NBA, you rarely see any of them get blown out. Over the past week, the Spurs have been blown out by 30 points - twice!

Lakers by 16 but you know that is as bad since they were down 30 most of the damn game there! This is just as bad if not worse tonight! Make us miss those or chase us off we are what we are! A losing team vs. the Elite! PERIOD! Spurs should go cry now, they have been exposed twice in a week or so and that is reality.

[jjktkk]

Elite teams have exposed the Spurs. My hope is that the Spurs can counter this in the playoffs.

[rmt]

This statement is based upon what I've seen from the Spurs in games versus contenders. It's obvious to me that the Spurs have been exposed. It should be noted that only the good teams have been able to do this. However, the instructional book on how to defend them has been provided by the Fakers. Take away the 3-pt shot, force their shooters to put the ball on the floor, and pack the lane. Do all those things and they become mere mortals.

The Spurs hit the court practically every night with inferior talent, as compared to the rest of the contenders. However, the Spurs usually have the edge in superior chemistry, coaching and execution. That said, their execution, passing and shooting must be flawless, as their margin for error is slim. It seems when they miss assignements, fail to box out, challenge shots throw out poor effort,

The reason I say the Spurs have been exposed is because of the top six teams in the NBA, you rarely see any of them get blown out. Over the past week, the Spurs have been blown out by 30 points - twice!

Totally agreed. They are exposed - if teams have good/great interior defense, Manu and TP cannot get to the rim, opponents can stay home on the 3pt shooters or chase them off the line. That eliminates all the role players and Spurs' big 3 can't score enough points to win playoff games.

Spurs are a great regular season team. When playoff comes and teams game-plan, all those open threes dry up. Some one like Neal who was an unknown/unscouted won't be a surprise. Neal's really worked his tail off because he's a rookie and wanted to earn PT but in the playoffs, everybody plays hard & hustles.

[itzsoweezee]

The one positive I take out of this stretch is it gives Pop an excuse to make the change he was always going to need to make at some point if this team is serious about winning the championship (beyond starting McDyess) and that is, Splitter in, Blair out. This is not an anti Blair thing, it's simply about what's best for the team. The reality is, they're not going to win a championship if Blair-Bonner regularly play together in the playoffs.


LOL. This is one of the most absurd, asinine, stupid things I've read on this website. What kind of worthless logic leads you to the conclusion that the Spurs are better off playing Bonner over Blair? And PLEASE don't say that stupid "stretch the floor" bullshit, because anyone who's watched the Spurs play since that Lakers game can clearly see that Bonner isn't stretching any floor against any coach who has any sort of basketball IQ, which you clearly lack.

[# 1 Troll]

EXPOSED. Team will get bounced by Portland or Memphis in round 1. As if that would suprise anyone

[TampaDude]

EXPOSED. Team will get bounced by Portland or Memphis in round 1. As if that would suprise anyone

^ truth

Congrats to the Lakers...2011 NBA Champs.

[Budkin]

Totally exposed. We always knew that a regular season record didn't mean shit. Unless Pop pulls some crazy CIA mojo we are fucked in the playoffs.

[Sean Cagney]

LOL. This is one of the most absurd, asinine, stupid things I've read on this website. What kind of worthless logic leads you to the conclusion that the Spurs are better off playing Bonner over Blair? And PLEASE don't say that stupid "stretch the floor" bullshit, because anyone who's watched the Spurs play since that Lakers game can clearly see that Bonner isn't stretching any floor against any coach who has any sort of basketball IQ, which you clearly lack.

Huh? He just said not Bonner with regular mins in the playoffs, DID YOU Read that there? He said more Dyess and Splitter and less Bonner and Blari! Where did you get what he said wrong?

[itzsoweezee]

Huh? He just said not Bonner with regular mins in the playoffs, DID YOU Read that there? He said more Dyess and Splitter and less Bonner and Blari! Where did you get what he said wrong?

what are you talking about? re-read what the op wrote ("Splitter in, Blair out.").

[Sean Cagney]

what are you talking about? re-read what the op wrote ("Splitter in, Blair out.").

I know that, but you mention Bonner too alot there, I agree Splitter in and Blair in there and BONNER OUT, but I got thrown off by you on that Bonner shit since he said NO MORE BONNER in playoffs or Blair, so Splitter in and Dyess in is not Blair or Bonner, which would not be a bad thing in full! He did not mention Bonner playing, infact he said Bonner out too! Less mins! I agree.

Too late though for Splitter to get in, so we have to deal with Bonner and Blair, thats reality now, nothing we can do about that there in reality. I guess this is all moot now, the rotations are set and POP loves Bonner.

The reality is, they're not going to win a championship if Blair-Bonner regularly play together in the playoffs.

^^^^^^^
I agree what he said there, he meant both together, which means more Spllitter and Dice, I got it as that and not just Blair out and Bonner in. I think he means less of both, or I hope he does.

[phxspurfan]

We got exposed by shooting a poor percentage relative to the opposition (it happens), not having our bench play well on the road (understandable), and not really knowing the Heat. Now we know a bit more about what they do. I think we'll be alright as long as we keep HCA. Our bench will play well at home and we won't always shoot so terribly. And everyone keeps forgetting that all these top teams went through their own struggles. It's time we face our own demons and see if we can get through.

[TE]

IDK what the fuck is going on with the Spurs. It's like the fact that the playoffs are right around the corner is hitting them hard, but it's weird.


They're suppose to be use to this.


Fucking shit.

[Chomag]

I think exposed. Although Spurs have had a great season but none of the Spurs major issues has been resolved. Spurs are now not looking so hot now that the other contending teams are starting to play well.

I still have hope though, but to win it all is going to take a miracle.

[Sean Cagney]

I think exposed. Although Spurs have had a great season but none of the Spurs major issues has been resolved. Spurs are now not looking so hot now that the other contending teams are starting to play well.

I still have hope though, but to win it all is going to take a miracle.

A MIRACLE IS NOT A GOOD THING TO HOPE FOR! If it takes that then we are as good as done IMO! I wanted to play good hard ball and some D and maybe a title would come, the fact some are hoping for a miracle now is just not good at all! Shows you all year the record had us fooled and the reality of the situation is rearing it's ugly head now :( The deficiencies are showing up and other teams figuring this running Spurs team out! Thats what it seems to me. I hope I am wrong, I hope it takes no miracle to win it all.

[Chomag]

What I have found funny though has been this season whenever someone has brought up a concern the apologist squad would come in here and say but we are wining (insert winning record) Are these the same people that would make fun of the Mavs, Cavs, or Suns being regular season champs? .

Also these would be the same people that would say in the previous years when Spurs had slow starts "it's only (insert month)"It's kind of comical:lol

I base their chances off not their record but on how they play. The team does not play like a contending team. Consistent lock down defence, and rebounds win you a championship, 3's and fast fun-ball wins you the regular season. Suns say hi btw.

[rmt]

I always thought it was a bad thing that Spurs beat LA those 2 times, that DAL had so many injuries when SA played them - that Spurs never got a true gauge of the team against the elite contenders. They floated along, believing the hype and now it's too late to integrate Splitter to (try to) fix the interior defense problem that's now so obvious.

All our talk about who to get at the trade deadline when the best solution that we could get has been sitting on the bench all season long. Isn't he the only young, mobile 7 footer we have (who also has some experience playing Gasol in international play)?

I feel so deflated - this must be how PHX and MAV fans have felt for years.

[Sean Cagney]

What I have found funny though has been this season whenever someone has brought up a concern the apologist squad would come in here and say but we are wining (insert winning record) Are these the same people that would make fun of the Mavs, Cavs, or Suns being regular season champs? .

Also these would be the same people that would say in the previous years when Spurs had slow starts "it's only (insert month)"It's kind of comical:lol

Yep, they shoot too many threes and don't play D! That will kill them come playoff time! That was them, now this is us and they make up some look at our record we are doing something right while not looking at deficiencies! They are there plain as day and have been! Spurs are a great team record wise yes, but they are those teams all in one! They are the Suns, Mavs and so on of those years! They are the 64 win team with no shot to win it all NOW! I hate to say it, some deny it it but it's true.

[mingus]

when everything is on the line i like our starting five against anyone (the one with McDyess in it of course).

that's the best defensive squad the Spurs have and hopefully it's the one that sees the most court time in the playoffs.

Pop's frontcourt rotation will decide whether this team actually reaches its full potential.

[polandprzem]

It's both IMO

buuuuut


The spurs simply got exposed and you could see it by the Pops look. This games was not close to the LA loss where spurs players seems like they did not give a damn. Against Miami they went out there willing to play hight energy ball and do they normal stuff. But a compilation of Heat D, bit of refs and not adjusting made the game look ugly from a spurs fan point of view.

I really felt like hitting the shots was not the case. It was that split of a second hesitation and lack of transition. Since LA game Bonner is shooting horrible and as many ppl thought he choked. Bonner needs open looks but when he is attacked he is non factor, trying to beat his man with a dribble - not effective at all.

Now Miami with their intense D challenging shooters not to shot and are quick to rotate and great with recovery so the spurs can't even penetrate.

Also we do not have an inside presents. The thing now is that opponents can live with TD getting touches inside - that's no danger for them.
I wish we can use froncourt combo more in the ofense. Well the spurs tried to do it and it was quite efficient at the begining of a year where Blair and Duncan feed themselves with passes.

It's time to worry!

Spurs best ball should be played right now and it all seems like the spurs stuck with their game and other teams level of play went up.

Pop has nothing else - it's still about free up shooters and hustling for rebs and gambling D.
Where are the shooters getting the ball while going onto their spot?
Spot up J's and weak penetration and lazy ball movement - spurs are done.


Mavs knows the shhhh, let's see what a desired spurs can do?

[rascal]

A MIRACLE IS NOT A GOOD THING TO HOPE FOR! If it takes that then we are as good as done IMO! I wanted to play good hard ball and some D and maybe a title would come, the fact some are hoping for a miracle now is just not good at all! Shows you all year the record had us fooled and the reality of the situation is rearing it's ugly head now :( The deficiencies are showing up and other teams figuring this running Spurs team out! Thats what it seems to me. I hope I am wrong, I hope it takes no miracle to win it all.

Some of us have been telling you this all season.

[Capt Bringdown]

As anyone who's followed the league for a number of years knows, you should never judge a team based on a segment of games.

"Segment of games" should probably mean the entire regular season. As much as this forum has dumped on regular season warriors such as the Suns and Mavs, you'd think folks would look at our record with a little skepticism.

Pop has given only lip service to improving our defense and rebounding. There's no pressure for him to, really - no one expected our record this year, so when we flame out in the PO he can play the "aw shucks, I'm so humble" card and let the champagne corks fly.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Neither. This is simply a league in which things change from game to game.


Heck, you could say the Celtics are in a slump right now.


My main disappointment is that it now looks like that coveted SAS-PHX first round matchup isn't going to happen after all.

[G-Dawgg]

The Spurs are sucking and it makes me sad.... this is the time of year where they should be peaking, not sucking.... anybody who disagrees and thinks this is not an issue needs to dummy up.

There should be a bit of a sense of urgency because the playoffs are just around the corner, and we can't ride a hot Manu Ginobili anymore cuz he's cooled off.....

We should be beating the elite teams....or at least competing, but insead we're gettin blown out of the water..

If you disagree, then you're probably just too young to know what time it is....

defense wins chapionships.

[ManuTastic]

Exposed: live by the 3, die by the 3.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2006 Phoenix Suns.

[OrEmuN]

Exposed: live by the 3, die by the 3.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2006 Phoenix Suns.

Disagreed. We are looking like the team that beats us last season's playoff - 2010 Edition of Phoenix Sun.

3 pt - checked
Deep bench - checked
Lose to a better defensive team - probably.

[Warlord23]

Disagreed. We are looking like the team that beats us last season's playoff - 2010 Edition of Phoenix Sun.

3 pt - checked
Deep bench - checked
Lose to a better defensive team - probably.

Agreed. I wouldn't demean a Pop team by comparing it to a D'Antoni team. The 2010 Gentry version of the Suns however are a fair comparison. Apart from the depth and shooting, there are other similarities:

- Both had a trifecta of average big men next to their star big man. The Spurs rotate Dice/Bonner/Blair to pair Duncan while the 2010 Suns had Lopez/Frye/Amundsen next to Amare.
- Both teams paid lip service to focusing on defense but didn't have the personnel to pull it off

[ElNono]

http://i.luv-emo.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/emo-keyboard.jpg

[Slippy]

Didn't choose either one . This team has a comfortable lead in the standings and a deep bench . The biggest hurdle they faced after the allstart break was keeping up their top pace and finding the motivation in maintaining it.

Spurs starters are letting this team down with Manu taking lead because they are expecting their bench to come in and take over. The way Manu's playing, it seems he's only wants to step up in the second half - against good teams it's too late. Bynum called it and we saw it today. They are quitting waiting for the next easy team to play against.

[urunobili]

http://fc00.deviantart.com/fs6/i/2005/115/7/e/__Jump_Off_a_Cliff___Emoticon_by_neek_zique.gif

[ManuTastic]

Disagreed. We are looking like the team that beats us last season's playoff - 2010 Edition of Phoenix Sun.

3 pt - checked
Deep bench - checked
Lose to a better defensive team - probably.

Agreed. I stand corrected.

[nkdlunch]

exposed obviously. But this is the best thing that could possibly happen. Still have #1 locked up and at least we are getting exposed BEFORE the playoffs.

still 15 games to try to improve the D.

[Brazil]

If Pop ever places Tiago OVER Bonner---it will change the spurs destiny...

until that happens...it will be live by the 3 --die by the 3

the live and die by the 3 myth is dumb. The spurs are not shooting more 3s than the other teams, sometimes you guys prefer forget facts.

And no if Pop places Tiago over Bonner it won't change spurs destiny :lmao@thinking playing Tiago vs. Bonner is the difference between a fifth ring and a second round exit.

Spurs are on a bad sequence it doesn't mean this is the end of their chances like when we beat Miami by 30 it didn't mean a :lobt: was locked.

Overreaction is stupid behavior.

Before the slump I was worried about our rebounding issues and I think this is our biggest problem even if it is not the reason of our loss against Miami.

Spurs are contenders like Boston and Dallas, Lakers are favorites. The last 5 games don't change the picture like the previous 50 were not an indication of the spurs being the favorites.

[tuncaboylu]

Totally exposed. We always knew that a regular season record didn't mean shit. Unless Pop pulls some crazy CIA mojo we are fucked in the playoffs.

It's really funny to read all the pessimist guys.

Some of them like above says regular season record doesn't mean a shit, but criticizing the losses against Miami and Lakers(Both of them was regular season loss of course. :lol)

The other teams are going to step up when the play-offs comes. Yes it's obvious. But why don't you think that Spurs will do the same thing? Parker will drive much more aggressively, Manu will defend like a hungry monster and Tim will going to start what he can do. RJ and McDyess will also play harder in defense. Yes we have some unproven guys like Blair and Neal, some proven chokers like Bonner.

But we have a good core. We won't give up so many offensive rebounds, because Manu and Parker will help to rebounds. We're a good regular season team, but we're not a bad play-off team too.

At the moment all the teams except Spurs need regular season wins too much. Lakers need, because giving up home-court advantage in a 7 games series against Dallas is too bad. Dallas needs for the same reason. Miami needs, because they're trying to take 2nd place in East for home-court advantage in 2nd round. Bulls is pushing hard for Eastern title. Spurs is very near to take first place in whole play-offs and don't need to be very hot at the moment. We should just win 10 of our 15 remaining games and stay healthy. That's all we should do.

[elbamba]

I doubt Pop replaces Blair with Splitter this late in the season. Especially because Blair's energy can be a difference maker.

However, when Bonnor is not hitting the three, he is a complete liability. Why Pop didn't give Splitter some minutes in the second half until the game was over is beyond me. Why Pop has decided to sit Splitter the last couple of games when he could have played minutes against the Kings, Rockets and Pistons is beyond me. Everyone knows this team needs to beef up on the front line, everyone but Pop apparently.

[Cry Havoc]

Neither. Just settling down to get ready for the playoffs.

[tuncaboylu]

The 3 point myth is another story. I'm laughing to everyone who says Spurs lives by 3.

Spurs shoots 20.5 three points every game is 9th in this field.

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/_/stat/offense-per-game/sort/avgThreePointFieldGoalsAttempted

Our rival Dallas shoots 21.1 three points every game and 6th. Eastern conference conternder Orlando shoots 25.6 three pointers every game and they're NBA leader. Lakers and Miami are not too behind of us, they shoot 18 three points every game and they're in 14th.

That's why, Spurs is not too dependent to three point shoots. They're shooting well and they're NBA leader in 3 point percentage; but they're not attempting three points too much.

[Slippy]

Three point shooting is not the reason they lost. Atleast half the Spurs attempts from outside were good looks, some wide open, plus i only remember one or two tough attempts from Manu and Neal.

The tone was set early with a whole lot of missing from the perimeter. Miami took advantage on D. Driving to the rim became harder for Spurs penetrating guards as the heat closed out fast on the perimiter. You could call it gambling on one of the best 3 point shooting teams in the NBA. Just hitting some of those early three's forces Miami to stick to their men, instead of closing out.

This team is too good from the perimeter to not attempt them. Spurs get the same looks again, they will come up trumps.

[Bruno]

Our slump has been exposed.

[lefty]

Exposed in a slump

[E-RockWill]

Our slump has been exposed.


Exposed in a slump

:lmao

Voices of reason have no business in this thread....

[ricketts]

LOL. This is one of the most absurd, asinine, stupid things I've read on this website. What kind of worthless logic leads you to the conclusion that the Spurs are better off playing Bonner over Blair? And PLEASE don't say that stupid "stretch the floor" bullshit, because anyone who's watched the Spurs play since that Lakers game can clearly see that Bonner isn't stretching any floor against any coach who has any sort of basketball IQ, which you clearly lack.

i dont see anywhere in that quote where it says play bonner over blair. i see play splitter over blair, witch i cant see hurt for the last few games of the regular season. at least give him some minutes and let him get used to performing. besides, the blair-bonner matchup is terrible. wouldn't hurt to try splitter-bonner, or splitter-blair.

[trypldubl]

The real problem with the offense centers around Duncan. His offensive rhythm has been terrible all season. That was in part to Pop conserving his minutes and the other part is because he was deferring his offense to allow the wing players more opportunities to score.

I always felt that needed to be the case the first half of this season. Seeing what happened to Tim last after he carried the Spurs up until the all star break and then started to run out of gas. You knew Pop had to come up something new this year. He did and it help get us this far. Now Pop needs to give Tim the ball and say "Hey you are the man here no matter what anyone says and now you have to carry us from here on out". I don’t care if we lose a few games but Tim needs to get that offensive rhythm in the block and maybe start getting a few double teams. I was hoping Pop would have started this after the all star break but he probably just wanted to ride this out.

Splitter starting next to Duncan would help defensively but it will not change the fact the Spurs cannot put the ball in the hole when the defenders pack the lane and rotate out on our wings.

[024]

regular season champs!

for sure i thought duncan would have woken up by now. however, he seems permanently asleep. we will see in the first round of the playoffs if duncan is really done.

[duncan228]

Is the Spurs defense becoming something to worry about? (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/15/is-the-spurs-defense-becoming-something-to-worry-about/)
Kurt Helin

Monday night’s blowout win showcased what Miami can do on defense. They dominated the usually efficient Spurs offense — fighting for spots on the floor that the spurs like, sticking with shootings at the arc, generally just throwing them off their game.

But at the other end of the floor Spurs defense may be as big a story — heading into the playoffs it is slipping.

My man Matt Moore broke out the defensive efficiency numbers (points per 100 possessions, the best way to rate defenses) over at CBS’ Eye on Basketball (http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/27911823) and it’s the kind of thing that Gregg Popovich should be concerned about (although a lot of things concern Popovich, he’s just one of the few coaches capable of still focusing on the big picture through it all).


But they also entered Monday night’s game against Miami having averaged giving up 102 points per game in March, as opposed to their typical mark of 97. Their season defensive efficiency has been a solid 101.1. In March? The Spurs have averaged a 108.5 defensive efficiency, including marks of 117 to Memphis, 112 to the Lakers, 114 to Detroit, and the abomination, a 122 mark to the Heat. For reference, the worst team in the league, the Cleveland Cavaliers, average a 110 defensive efficiency. So in a supremely small sample, this month the Spurs are surrendering a defensive efficiency that would be the worst in the league if spread over the season.

This is still the Spurs, nobody is reaching for the panic button. This could be as simple as a team coasting into the playoffs, taking its foot off the gas, resting its vets more and that showing up on defense. The Spurs offense remains one of the league’s best and it is getting them wins. They will have home court throughout the playoffs (barring a total collapse), so they can get right in the postseason.

Except that in the first round of the playoffs they are likely to get Memphis or Portland (maybe New Orleans can fall to the 8 seed), and if that is the case there will be no easy bye to the second round. The entire bottom half of the West is teams playing well right now.

If the Spurs defense remains an issue, that at the least could mean an extra game or two in the first round, something every team wants to avoid. At worst, it’s an ongoing defensive issue that could derail their title hopes.

It’s just something to watch heading into the playoffs. You know Popovich will be.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/15/is-the-spurs-defense-becoming-something-to-worry-about/

[PDXSpursFan]

What've changed is the fact is that other teams are playing better now (Lakers, Heat, Bulls, etc).

[wontstartdumbthreads]

What've changed is the fact is that other teams are playing better now (Lakers, Heat, Bulls, etc).

All three of those teams have had key players return from injuries are are all just now getting into top form.

[20beastie45]

This statement is based upon what I've seen from the Spurs in games versus contenders. It's obvious to me that the Spurs have been exposed. It should be noted that only the good teams have been able to do this. However, the instructional book on how to defend them has been provided by the Fakers. Take away the 3-pt shot, force their shooters to put the ball on the floor, and pack the lane. Do all those things and they become mere mortals.

The Spurs hit the court practically every night with inferior talent, as compared to the rest of the contenders. However, the Spurs usually have the edge in superior chemistry, coaching and execution. That said, their execution, passing and shooting must be flawless, as their margin for error is slim. It seems when they miss assignements, fail to box out, challenge shots throw out poor effort,

The reason I say the Spurs have been exposed is because of the top six teams in the NBA, you rarely see any of them get blown out. Over the past week, the Spurs have been blown out by 30 points - twice!

+1 Exposed!!! Agree with almost everything!

[duncan228]

Spurs won’t fret about big losses in March (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/16/spurs-wont-fret-about-big-losses-in-march/)
Jeff McDonald

Not long after his championship-contending team had suffered the worst beating of its season, the coach found himself face-to-face with the media charged with dissecting the carnage.

The coach began by praising the team that had administered the whipping, practically thanking his opponent for it.

“The quickest way I’ve found in this league to change habits and collectively grow are through adversity,” Miami’s Erik Spoelstra said March 4, when the Spurs steamrolled his Heat 125-95 at the AT&T Center. “These type of events, as long as they don’t break you, can fast-track what you’re trying to do.”

They are words the Spurs would be wise to heed today, following their own epic smackdown.

Keep reading... (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/16/spurs-wont-fret-about-big-losses-in-march/)

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/16/spurs-wont-fret-about-big-losses-in-march/

[Old School 44]

Somewhere between slump and exposed.
Manu's lost his mojo. Don't know what it is exactly, the desire/passion still seem to be there, but his game is missing something right now. Hopefully, he can get it back before the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised if Pop pulls a late season, "Manu to the bench" move to jumpstart the team.

[BillMc]

While the Spurs certainly have the issues many of you mentioned, I suspect that it is mostly a mental and effort thing. They've got the #1 seed locked up, everyone knows it, now they're just waiting for the regular season to end, so they are having trouble getting up for these remaining games. Its not too different than when the Lakers were bored with the first 2/3rds of the season.

The Spurs will turn it on when the playoffs arrive. That's not to say we don't have major issues that might prevent us from winning the title - we do. But, we have not been "exposed" in my opinion.

[101A]

Didn't choose either one . This team has a comfortable lead in the standings and a deep bench . The biggest hurdle they faced after the allstart break was keeping up their top pace and finding the motivation in maintaining it.

Spurs starters are letting this team down with Manu taking lead because they are expecting their bench to come in and take over. The way Manu's playing, it seems he's only wants to step up in the second half - against good teams it's too late. Bynum called it and we saw it today. They are quitting waiting for the next easy team to play against.

This. Kind of.

IMO the Spurs are simply reaping the reward of their ridiculously fast, and sustained start. Their objective, as it has been for 3 seasons running is to: ENTER THE PLAYOFFS HEALTHY! This season they get to do that AND waltz into it with the best record in the league.

Just look at the schedule. As long as the Spurs take care of business, they have #1 LOCKED up; and by taking care of business, I mean, beating teams they "ought to beat". Let the other elites make their statements; and win by a ton. 1 pt or 30 pts is still just one "L".

Everyone seemed to assume the Spurs would keep their foot on the throttle, and completely rest once they had the top seed mathematically locked; I think they are coasting now they have they practically locked.

Won't know 'til the playoffs; but if you'd have told me in October the Spurs would enter the playoffs healthy, with the number 1 seed, but having "slumped" the last third of the season; pretty sure I would have been ecstatic about that.

If the Spurs are simply exposed, and busted their collective ass and overachieved, giving us all that great feeling we shared much of the past decade, of cheering a dominant, dynasty-level team - well props to them.

I won't bash this team, or be disappointed in them; they are either contenders or pretenders, but either way, they have left it all on the court.

Until proven otherwise in the playoffs, or by squandering the top seed, I'm believing they are neither slumping nor exposed; they are simply preparing.

[cheguevara]

Tim Duncan or McDyess should always be on the floor at all times in the playoffs. If not, I will urinate all over Pop.

this is pretty much.

TD and Dice will be playing 35-40 minutes each game. Will take a big toll as playoffs advance

[Leonard Curse]

alot of great points here,

i put myself in manu's shoes with the situation and now it makes sense

[Sisk]

ST, getting it's pessimism on.