timvp
03-31-2011, 07:10 PM
Where you been?
Enjoying it. Spending as much as possible with the children and the wife. Working hard. Soaking in the copious amount of winning the Spurs have indulged in. I've missed timvp but the timing was right to step away and let SpursTalk become more self-aware while relishing in the good times.
Have you kept up with the Spurs?
Hells yeah. I've loved this regular season. I've been lucky to watch every second of every game -- and usually more than once. The expectations weren't very high heading into this season so the success has been extra sweet. Until this current skid, things were going about as well as humanly possible. It's been like Christmas morning every day following this team. And now that we can really see the tunnel at the end of the light, it's been more important than ever to appreciate each step of the journey.
How worried are you about the four-game losing streak?
I'm concerned ... and I'm not. I'm concerned about the actual injuries. This team doesn't have a championship hope unless Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are each 100% healthy. Sprains, strains and contusions this late in the season might linger into the playoffs. I'm also concerned about the possibility of losing home-court advantage.
On the other hand, I see some positives that have developed in the last four games:
1) Tiago Splitter has gotten valuable experience. Prior to this stretch, I thought there was no way he'd be ready to help in the upcoming postseason. Now I think it's possible.
2) George Hill has been forced to become aggressive again. The Spurs can't beat elite teams in the playoffs without Hill playing at a high level. Thus, this development is extremely important.
3) A sense of urgency and purpose has returned. The Spurs were basically going through the motions for the last month to six weeks. Their lead in the standings was so large that they knew they could coast until the playoffs. Now the team has to play under playoff-style pressure to end the season -- which I believe is a good turn of events.
Speaking of home-court advantage, how important is it for this team?
Extremely important. The importance simply can't be overstated. Especially for this edition of the Spurs. Why? Because these Spurs rely so much on offense, particularly outside shooting, and their offense is exponentially better at home. Past Spurs squads could go into other buildings, shut down the home team and escape with hard-fought wins. This team just isn't built that way. Road wins in the playoffs are possible ... but can't be counted on.
With home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, the Spurs would have at least a fighting chance in each and every series.
How important is tonight's game against the Celtics?
Getting a win would be nice but I'm more interested in seeing how healthy everyone looks. With the Big 3 back in action, the best outcome is for Duncan, Ginobili and Parker to look relatively healthy. Plus, it would be a bit foolish to expect this team to come out hitting on all cylinders against arguably the best defensive team in the NBA.
With a back-to-back against the Rockets on Friday night, I think it's important to get at least one of the two games. By getting one, the Spurs would then go into the final seven games of the season needing to get a manageable four or five wins. For a team with championship aspirations, that's doable.
What are your plans going forward?
We be back in the saddle. Let's do this.
Believe.
:smokin
Enjoying it. Spending as much as possible with the children and the wife. Working hard. Soaking in the copious amount of winning the Spurs have indulged in. I've missed timvp but the timing was right to step away and let SpursTalk become more self-aware while relishing in the good times.
Have you kept up with the Spurs?
Hells yeah. I've loved this regular season. I've been lucky to watch every second of every game -- and usually more than once. The expectations weren't very high heading into this season so the success has been extra sweet. Until this current skid, things were going about as well as humanly possible. It's been like Christmas morning every day following this team. And now that we can really see the tunnel at the end of the light, it's been more important than ever to appreciate each step of the journey.
How worried are you about the four-game losing streak?
I'm concerned ... and I'm not. I'm concerned about the actual injuries. This team doesn't have a championship hope unless Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are each 100% healthy. Sprains, strains and contusions this late in the season might linger into the playoffs. I'm also concerned about the possibility of losing home-court advantage.
On the other hand, I see some positives that have developed in the last four games:
1) Tiago Splitter has gotten valuable experience. Prior to this stretch, I thought there was no way he'd be ready to help in the upcoming postseason. Now I think it's possible.
2) George Hill has been forced to become aggressive again. The Spurs can't beat elite teams in the playoffs without Hill playing at a high level. Thus, this development is extremely important.
3) A sense of urgency and purpose has returned. The Spurs were basically going through the motions for the last month to six weeks. Their lead in the standings was so large that they knew they could coast until the playoffs. Now the team has to play under playoff-style pressure to end the season -- which I believe is a good turn of events.
Speaking of home-court advantage, how important is it for this team?
Extremely important. The importance simply can't be overstated. Especially for this edition of the Spurs. Why? Because these Spurs rely so much on offense, particularly outside shooting, and their offense is exponentially better at home. Past Spurs squads could go into other buildings, shut down the home team and escape with hard-fought wins. This team just isn't built that way. Road wins in the playoffs are possible ... but can't be counted on.
With home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, the Spurs would have at least a fighting chance in each and every series.
How important is tonight's game against the Celtics?
Getting a win would be nice but I'm more interested in seeing how healthy everyone looks. With the Big 3 back in action, the best outcome is for Duncan, Ginobili and Parker to look relatively healthy. Plus, it would be a bit foolish to expect this team to come out hitting on all cylinders against arguably the best defensive team in the NBA.
With a back-to-back against the Rockets on Friday night, I think it's important to get at least one of the two games. By getting one, the Spurs would then go into the final seven games of the season needing to get a manageable four or five wins. For a team with championship aspirations, that's doable.
What are your plans going forward?
We be back in the saddle. Let's do this.
Believe.
:smokin