Hardest road to a championship ever?

[4>0rings]

Seems like it. Memphis, OKC, Lakers, Heat/Chicago.

The media/Phil should knock off that asterisk from 99', 11' should count as 1.5.

Best championship DVD ever?

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

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Toughest path for the Spurs ever.

Guess I will just treasure every remaining win and pray the lakers fail.

[Obstructed_View]

Sorry, but I don't remember an easy road to a title. Maybe '07 could have been considered relatively easy by comparison, but the other three were brutal.

[toki9]

Seems like it. Memphis, OKC, Lakers, Heat/Chicago.

The media/Phil should knock off that asterisk from 99', 11' should count as 1.5.

Best championship DVD ever?

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

You're not a "glass is half-full" but a "Dude, the glass is practically full" person, aren't you? ;-)

[slick'81]

off the top of my head probably but spurs have had some brutal roads

[toki9]

parkers marriage shattered into a billion shards

Already accomplished...

--Bones Barry

By the way, is it irony for the cuckold to be nicknamed "Bones"?

[NewcastleKEG]

4>0, few things

- Is ''0 rings'' directed at any team or just stating the obvious? Initial thought was Heat?
- Who is that ho in your sig


ONLY title contenders (Celtics)
vs Knicks, @ Heat, @ Bulls, @ Lakers/OKC/Spurs

is more difficult

[4>0rings]

4>0 is a dig at dallas, a gnsf thing. She is Hannah Minx.


4>0, few things

- Is ''0 rings'' directed at any team or just stating the obvious? Initial thought was Heat?
- Who is that ho in your sig


ONLY title contenders (Celtics)
vs Knicks, @ Heat, @ Bulls, @ Lakers/OKC/Spurs

is more difficult

[ElNono]

MEM and OKC should be beatable... after that, it always been tough... That '05 Pistons team would wipe the floor with the current top east teams...

[NewcastleKEG]

MEM and OKC should be beatable... after that, it always been tough... That '05 Pistons team would wipe the floor with the current top east teams...
If the NBA had the BCS then OKC would be the #1 seed in the West right now

[Sean Cagney]

MEM and OKC should be beatable... after that, it always been tough... That '05 Pistons team would wipe the floor with the current top east teams...

No doubt, and the 05 Spurs would beat ANY team out West this year, too bad it's not 05 and we win it all in 7 games.

[ElNono]

We match up well with OKC... I would say even better than MEM... Lakerfan are simply in awe of OKC because they have to play Fisher/Blake on Westbrook, so he always looks like Jordan on them... but against us, he normally has as many turnovers as assists... Tony is fast and can stay in front of him...

[ElNono]

No doubt, and the 05 Spurs would beat ANY team out West this year, too bad it's not 05 and we win it all in 7 games.

Well, I was responding the being the tougher road... '05 was a bitch... getting past the 3 peat Lakers in convincing fashion in '03 was no cakewalk either, and we had to beat the Nash/Dirk/Finley Dallas afterwards... The Nets were pretty stacked too then...

It's always tough after the first couple of rounds...

[Obstructed_View]

It's always tough after the first couple of rounds...

I don't usually play the "spoiled Spurs fan" card, but every playoff series is difficult. I remember when it seemed like the Spurs couldn't ever get out of the first round. :)

[NewcastleKEG]

We match up well with OKC... I would say even better than MEM... Lakerfan are simply in awe of OKC because they have to play Fisher/Blake on Westbrook, so he always looks like Jordan on them... but against us, he normally has as many turnovers as assists... Tony is fast and can stay in front of him...
But Thunder Big 3 are superior than SA's especially with Manu's injury. Look everyone remembers what the Spurs Big 3 use to be but at this point unless you see a singnificant improvement from Duncan.....why would SA defeat Thunder? The rest of the roster is superior in OKC too

[Man In Black]

Just Bring IT...If you're good enough...you're good enough.

[Man In Black]

But Thunder Big 3 are superior than SA's especially with Manu's injury. Look everyone remembers what the Spurs Big 3 use to be but at this point unless you see a singnificant improvement from Duncan.....why would SA defeat Thunder? The rest of the roster is superior in OKC too

Who is the Thunder's Big 3? Care to define it?

[ElNono]

But Thunder Big 3 are superior than SA's especially with Manu's injury. Look everyone remembers what the Spurs Big 3 use to be but at this point unless you see a singnificant improvement from Duncan.....why would SA defeat Thunder? The rest of the roster is superior in OKC too

We gave them two beatdowns by 20+, one at home and one on the road, and one of them with Tim scoring barely 10-12 points... Beating OKC is not a secret. Keep Westbrook from penetrating and sending him and Durantula to the line. Perkins is a good inside defender, but he has no elite post presence offensively.

To be honest, we'll see if they even get past Denver. I'm not worried about OKC at all.

[ElNono]

I don't usually play the "spoiled Spurs fan" card, but every playoff series is difficult. I remember when it seemed like the Spurs couldn't ever get out of the first round. :)

Well, I'm speaking from the perspective of Spurs teams that were good enough to have a shot at a title...

[NewcastleKEG]

Who is the Thunder's Big 3? Care to define it?
Westbrook & Durant are healthier, younger and at this point of their careers just better than Parker and Manu. Duncan has been so average this season it's pretty much a toss up with him and Perkins. BUT Perkins is able and willing to get his face dirty something Duncan being a walking HOF is not. Duncan isn't going to foul Kobe or Gasol hard like Perkins will

Spurs respect the Lakers too much

[ElNono]

Westbrook & Durant are healthier, younger and at this point of their careers just better than Parker and Manu. Duncan has been so average this season it's pretty much a toss up with him and Perkins. BUT Perkins is able and willing to get his face dirty something Duncan being a walking HOF is not. Duncan isn't going to foul Kobe or Gasol hard like Perkins will

Spurs respect the Lakers too much

I don't disagree with your Spurs/Lakers assessment... but comparing matchups is where it's at. Westbrook cannot do absolutely anything if he's not penetrating. He disappears completely and turns into a turnover machine forcing the action. Durant is a pain, but he's basically their only go to guy when Westbrook is nullified. Perk has no offense.

[Obstructed_View]

Perkins is part of a Big Three now? :lol :lol :lol

[Budkin]

2005 was the most brutal ever.

Timmy with the injured ankle.

Nuggets: Hottest team in the league going into playoffs

Sonics: Tough team with many weapons playing way over its head

Suns: Best team in the league that year and an offensive juggernaut

Pistons: Defending champs and one of the most hard nosed defensive teams we ever faced. Came down to the last few minutes of game 7 to decide it.

[Man In Black]

All Westbrook and Durant are, are young American players that the fucking 4-letter has latched onto in hopes of creating storylines for the playoffs. They're better than Manu & Parker because they score more? No, they're talented players but the Spurs Internationals get dissed on an everyday basis from the major American Media. Me...I'll take the team with the multiple titles and experience. Perkins, is an awesome defender but I still think Tim has some mean left in his game. He doesn't have to get dirty to win, remember...4 titles. Duncan may not foul hard, because he's needed on the offensive side of the ball moreso than Perkins, but there ain't nothing that says that McDyess, Blair, or Splitter won't.
I agree that the Spurs respect the LAL, but it's not like they don't want to kick their ass, they do and they've done it before.

[NewcastleKEG]

Perkins is part of a Big Three now? :lol :lol :lol
After putting Kobe in a headlock and ruffling with Artest - YES

Whens the last time a Spur showed that against the Lakers? OKC is just a hungry dawg right now with everything to prove. Spurs have 4 rings, no one is gonna cheap shot on SA like OKC is willing to

[Obstructed_View]

After putting Kobe in a headlock and ruffling with Artest - YES

Whens the last time a Spur showed that against the Lakers? OKC is just a hungry dawg right now with everything to prove. Spurs have 4 rings, no one is gonna cheap shot on SA like OKC is willing to

Only Suns and Nuggets fans think you need to cheap shot a team to beat them.

[Ginobili2Duncan]

It's not the fact that this is a tough road, it is that fact that this is a tough road and this core is OLDER. If Duncan and Ginobili were both in their late 20's, then I say "No problem."

The Spurs really need to be careful and not play more games than they have to. In other words if they have a chance to finish a series, FINISH IT. No taking nights off or sitting players when the other team is down 3-1.

The worst thing that could happen to the Spurs is heading into the WCF running on fumes. It will be the sequel to the 2008 playoffs.

[NewcastleKEG]

Only Suns and Nuggets fans think you need to cheap shot a team to beat them.
Arguably the cheapest teams in the league recently are the Celtics & Lakers. Coincidence they've won the last 3 rings?

The Spurs this year remind me of the Patriots. Best team in the regular season but the playoffs are a slower, tougher and rougher game. Spurs just are not that team and their talent edge over other teams is no longer there that's why they have not been close to winning a title recently. That last WCF series against LA was embarrassing.

[ElNono]

Whens the last time a Spur showed that against the Lakers?

The first two games this season????

[ElNono]

The Spurs this year remind me of the Patriots. Best team in the regular season but the playoffs are a slower, tougher and rougher game. Spurs just are not that team and their talent edge over other teams is no longer there that's why they have not been close to winning a title recently. That last WCF series against LA was embarrassing.

The Spurs didn't have anywhere near this good regular season the past few seasons... even 2008... this is a much younger team which still has an older core... much more talented too...

That said, it has it weaknesses, just like any other team...

[Obstructed_View]

Arguably the cheapest teams in the league recently are the Celtics & Lakers. Coincidence they've won the last 3 rings?

The Mavericks are extremely cheap, and can't get out of the first round most years. If Kevin Garnett picking fights with little white guys is what makes the Celtics good, then I guess Tim Duncan could try it. :lol

[NewcastleKEG]

The first two games this season????
Im talking toughness not running them off the court with your guards. That's not gonna happen in the playoffs. The Spurs just don't have the size to do it and yeah their only chance is running them off with their guards and good luck with that in the playoffs where Kobe & Gasol shoot free throws for being breathed on

[ElNono]

Im talking toughness not running them off the court with your guards. That's not gonna happen in the playoffs. The Spurs just don't have the size to do it and yeah their only chance is running them off with their guards and good luck with that in the playoffs where Kobe & Gasol shoot free throws for being breathed on

If bad calls is the issue, having size has nothing to do with it.
Lakers will go as far as Gasol and Odom takes them... they're not last season's team though... less depth, many miles on those legs, Fish a year older...

The Bulls are the only team playing any sort of close to good defense this season... and barely at that... they have other weaknesses though...

[TampaDude]

Spurs and Heat in the finals.

Book.

It.

[ATXSPUR]

Fuck this shit! All that work for the number one seed and Spurs still get these match-ups?

All while LA strolls through the park to the WCF. FUCK THOSE BITCHES! Everything always works out just perfectly for them!

[hsxvvd]

Or it could be Memphis, Denver, New Orleans, Indiana...
You play who you play... Nothing is certain.

[said7]

Fuck this shit! All that work for the number one seed and Spurs still get these match-ups?

All while LA strolls through the park to the WCF. FUCK THOSE BITCHES! Everything always works out just perfectly for them!

If the blazers can beat the mavs we'd play the blazers and la would get okc/den that would not be too bad. Don't be so concerned About the matchups hca is hugely important in playoffs.

[101A]

We gave them two beatdowns by 20+, one at home and one on the road, and one of them with Tim scoring barely 10-12 points... Beating OKC is not a secret. Keep Westbrook from penetrating and sending him and Durantula to the line. Perkins is a good inside defender, but he has no elite post presence offensively.

To be honest, we'll see if they even get past Denver. I'm not worried about OKC at all.

This.

I think Denver/OKC is a toss-up, and I'd rather the Spurs play Oklahoma. 3-0, right? Don't know why everyone is so psyched out by that club.

[DMC]

If the NBA had the BCS then OKC would be the #1 seed in the West right now

Not really. OKC could win all their games and still be 5th, because of their schedule. :)

[JustinJDW]

OKC and Chicago are really overrated this season.

[Budkin]

The Spurs didn't have anywhere near this good regular season the past few seasons... even 2008... this is a much younger team which still has an older core... much more talented too...

That said, it has it weaknesses, just like any other team...

The 2006 team had 63 wins but got the worst possible matchup in the Mavs. Still, we had game 7 won... and then the Manu foul. Every time we've tried to repeat we've had injuries and/or had control and then had it slip away.

2000: Duncan goes down

2004: .04

2006: Tim's plantar facitis, The foul

2008: Manu's foot, Blowing a 20 point lead in Game 1, Fisher no foul on Barry, and blowing a 17 point lead in Game 5

[Agloco]

4>0, few things

- Is ''0 rings'' directed at any team or just stating the obvious? Initial thought was Heat?

Dallas fans must love you.......

[Obstructed_View]

The 2006 team had 63 wins but decided to completely change the gameplan to matchup with an inferior team. Still, we had game 7 won... and then the Manu foul. Every time we've tried to repeat we've had injuries and/or had control and then had it slip away.

2000: Duncan goes down

2004: .04

2006: Benching the centers, Smallball

2008: Manu's foot, Blowing a 20 point lead in Game 1, Fisher no foul on Barry, and blowing a 17 point lead in Game 5

[TE]

Hardest road to a championship was in 05 imho.

[TE]

Hardest road to a championship was in 05 imho.
If we are to win this year, it'll be the hardest probably. A first round matchup with a team that gives us match-up problems. A second round matchup with either the Nuggets or Thunder who give us match-up problems, are athletic and deep, and play good team ball. A third round match-up with the defending champs. A finals match-up with either Miami or Chicago...

Damn.

[in2deep]

because the west is so wide open. Just getting out of the west will be an epic feat. Even for the Lakers. It will be one of those last man standing kinda thing.

The finals will be a different animal. It will depend how badly beaten the WC winner is

[tdunk21]

maybe or maybe not coz east teams are also strong this year.....

[Obstructed_View]

Well, I'm speaking from the perspective of Spurs teams that were good enough to have a shot at a title...

Those Robinson / Elliott teams were certainly good enough to get out of the west many of those years, and they were upset by a lower seed virtually every year. Allow me to repeat: EVERY playoff series win is tough.