Rodeo Road Trip

[maverick1948]

About time to start talking about the rodeo road trip. We play 9 games on the road this season.

Feb

6 Memphis
8 Philadelphia
11 New Jersey
14 Detroit
15 Toronto
18 LA Clippers
20 Utah
21 Portland
23 Denver

4 Eastern conference teams Philly has the only winning record. No sold on them as contenders as they are 12-3 against the east and 4-3 against the west. Detroit, Toronto and New Jersey have a combined record of 19-51. These records coupled with the days off during that time, we could easily be 4-0 against the east.

As for the west, we are 6-0 this season against them. We have beaten each of the teams once and Memphis twice. Somewhere in here, we could get Manu and TJ back. Without Manu, we are 12-7, with 4 of the losses coming by a total of 9 points.

I am going out on a limb and predict W's over Memphis, Philly, Detroit, Toronto, New Jersey, Utah and Portland. Debating about the other 2 as we have trounced the Clippers and beaten Denver earlier. A lot depends on the return of Manu and TJ.

What are you feelings?

[Two10Whitey]

9-0! Let's get it.

[Mel_13]

6 Memphis W
8 Philadelphia L
11 New Jersey W
14 Detroit W
15 Toronto W
18 LA Clippers L
20 Utah W
21 Portland L
23 Denver W


Added current home records, whether the opponent is on the back end of a B2B, and the details of that B2B.

6 Memphis (7-3) (B2B @ Boston)
8 Philadelphia (12-2)
11 New Jersey (3-6) (B2B @Detroit)
14 Detroit (3-8)
15 Toronto (2-6) (B2B home v. Knicks)
18 LA Clippers (10-3)
20 Utah (10-4) (B2B @ Houston)
21 Portland (10-1) (B2B @ Lakers)
23 Denver (7-3) (B2B @ Clippers)

[Mr Fundamental]

4 win is good.

[Dex]

Bold prediction: Spurs will be a .500 road team by the end of the RRT.

[TJastal]

lol you guys realize the spurs are 3-8 so far on the road right?

Getting even 3-4 wins would be an accomplishement IMO.

6 Memphis L
8 Philadelphia L
11 New Jersey W
14 Detroit W
15 Toronto L
18 LA Clippers L
20 Utah L
21 Portland L
23 Denver L

If I had faith that Splitter was going to get 28+ every game I would easily call PHI, UTAH, & TOR wins but until I see more Splitter and less Blair/Bonner I'm not hopeful about the teams' chances on the road no matter who the opponent is.

[Mel_13]

lol you guys realize the spurs are 3-8 so far on the road right?


3-3 since starting 0-5.

[xellos88330]

9-0!!!!!

[TimmehC]

If the Spurs can get through the RRT 5-4, that will be huge.

[Robz4000]

Keep in mind that most of the 8 losses all came against teams we either struggle with (2 against HOU, MIL) or solid to great teams this year (OKC, DAL, MIA). Half of those games were very winnable. The only inexcusable losses were against MIN.

Spurs will go 6-3 on this trip with losses at PHI, POR, and either LAC or UTAH.

[LakerHater]

3-6

[Spur|n|Austin]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190346&highlight=rodeo+road+trip+2012

[benefactor]

I'll have my full preview thread up tomorrow.

[timtonymanu]

Memphis L
Philly L
New Jersey W
Detroit W
Toronto W
Clippers L
Utah W
Portland L
Denver W

Weird things can happen though like losing to Detroit but beating the Clippers, but the above predictions seem realistic enough. We almost never win in Philly and Portland and Clips are a tough match-up for us.

[DesignatedT]

6 Memphis L
8 Philadelphia L
11 New Jersey W
14 Detroit W
15 Toronto W
18 LA Clippers L
20 Utah W
21 Portland L
23 Denver W

5-4

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I'll have my full preview thread up tomorrow.

Looking forward to it :tu

[mystargtr34]

I'll have my full preview thread up tomorrow.

LLooking forward to it.

[Rummpd]

6 and 3 would be great and is my prediction, anything better and Spurs in fabulous shape in West with Manu probably arriving back near or at the end of the trip.

[Kuestmaster]

if manu comes back for the 2nd part of the rodeo, against the west teams, I think 7-2. without him: 5-4

[Sean Cagney]

If the Spurs can get through the RRT 5-4, that will be huge.

^^^^^^^^^ This.

[DPG21920]

If the Spurs can get though 5-4 that would be a tremendous accomplishment. Anything above that is cause for serious celebration. IMO, I think they go 4-5. I hope that I am wrong (in a good way).

[Bill_Brasky]

6 Memphis W
8 Philadelphia L
11 New Jersey L
14 Detroit W
15 Toronto W
18 LA Clippers L
20 Utah W(OT)
21 Portland L
23 Denver W

I would be just fine with that.

[Anonymous Cowherd]

Manu shouldn't and I think won't return until after the trip and the All-Star Weekend is done.

[Juggity]

6 Memphis --> W, No Zach Randolph, and a shitty Rudy Gay; the Grizz are not playing up to the level they were last year. Although the revenge factor might play into this game and make it more difficult to pull out the win, the Spurs should take it ultimately.

8 Philadelphia --> L, These guys are on a tear. Defensively impressive.

11 New Jersey --> W, No excuses

14 Detroit --> W, No excuses

15 Toronto --> L, Token loss to a shitty team on the B2B

18 LA Clippers --> L, This team has improved since we last met up at the AT&T Center, a game I attended. They're too explosive to beat outside of our comfort zone at AT&T, and Blake will almost certainly make up for his lack of a highlight reel last time with some authoritative moves that will once again expose the Spurs.

20 Utah --> L, Toss up. Given our road record so far, I'd say toss ups go to the opposition.

21 Portland --> W, will be hard-fought, but I predict the spurs will rebound from their three consecutive losses and pull out the win here.

23 Denver --> L This team is close to contending. Not expecting to win in Denver.

Of course, Manu is the X factor. If he comes back before the road trip is over, I wouldn't put any of these games out of reach. We could win any of them, potentially.

[ducks]

7-2:flag:

[honestfool84]

6-3.

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

me too 7-2 had it in my head before i clicked sorry im sticking with it

[phxspurfan]

9-0, and one for the thumb.

[TDMVPDPOY]

all 9 games are winnable...should be 9-0

[GSH]

Losses to Philly and the Clippers. And one loss to either Portland or (shudder) Toronto, on the second night of B2B's.

6-3

[Spursfan092120]

Only one back to back...nice

6 Memphis W
8 Philadelphia L
11 New Jersey W
14 Detroit W
15 Toronto W
18 LA Clippers L
20 Utah W
21 Portland L
23 Denver W

6-3

[Rummpd]

6 and 3 is the minimum hoping for a 7-2 trip.

[Yuixafun]

5-4 :wakeup

[tuncaboylu]

Our away record isn't very attractive.

But i hope that we could come back with 6-3.

[maverick1948]

Why is everyone giving away the Clipper game? We only ripped by 25 early in the season. We have since improved and so have they but 26 points more inprovement than the Spurs? I dont like Philly game as a give away. They have only won a couple of games against elite teams and a couple against good teams.

[maverick1948]

All 9 are winnable. We just have to play solid for the trip. Dont see us winning all but 7 is not out of the question and 8 may be there.

[Spurs Brazil]

5-4

[MI21]

I would be very happy with 5-4. Beat the 3 cellar dwellers in Detroit, Toronto and New Jersey. Find a way to win 2 out of Memphis, Philly, Denver, Utah, Portland, LAC. I actually think the Spurs can go 3-3 against those tough teams but will lose one of the easy games, it usually seems to be at Toronto...

[rascal]

They will lose at Memphis
5-4 and that is good for a team that is playing poorly on the road.
They have some really weak teams on this road trip and only one back to back. Have the spurs even played one b-b-b game this year yet?

Their overall schedule has been easy compared to other teams.
The rodeo trip is a schedule advantage.

Get a bunch of road games out of the way all at once and come together as a team while on the road. They get used to playing on the road with so many road games in a row. And overall it is less travel than teams that are going back and forth all season long from their home games then back on the road.
The spurs schedule is unequally balanced with more home games during the eary part of the season and late in the season. It is a schedule advantage to have the rodeo trip.

[MI21]

They will lose at Memphis
5-4 and that is good for a team that is playing poorly on the road.
They have some really weak teams on this road trip and only one back to back. Have the spurs even played one b-b-b game this year yet?

Their overall schedule has been easy compared to other teams.
The rodeo trip is a schedule advantage.

90% sure that the Spurs strength of schedule so far is in the top 5 most difficult.

[rascal]

90% sure that the Spurs strength of schedule so far is in the top 5 most difficult.

How do you figure with so many home games so far and few b-b and have they even had one b-b-b.

[MI21]

How do you figure with so many home games so far and few b-b and have they even had one b-b-b.

http://espn.go.com/nba/stats/rpi/_/sort/SOS

3rd.

[MI21]

Makes sense that the first 10 are west teams with how even the West is. West teams basically don't get any easy games, except against NO tbh.

[rascal]

http://espn.go.com/nba/stats/rpi/_/sort/SOS

3rd.

Tied for 4'th. That is flawed because it doesn't account for home game advantages and schedule playing teams on back to backs ect. It mainly takes into account the opponents win/loss %s.

[jiggy_55]

6 Memphis W
8 Philadelphia L
11 New Jersey W
14 Detroit W
15 Toronto W
18 LA Clippers L
20 Utah W
21 Portland L
23 Denver W

Record: 6-3

[rascal]

Memphis L
Phil W
Det W
Tor W or L
Clippers L
Utah W
Port L
Denver L or W

If they win at Tor they lose at Denver
If they lose at Tor they win at Denver

5-4

[Avitus1]

6-3 Hopefully we go for more Ws but 6 and 3 will help us get some confidence on the road.

[Texas_Ranger]

3-6

[Kindergarten Cop]

6-3

[spurs10]

7-2

[biziofromdowntown]

5-4

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Since no one else has picked it, and I'd be the first...8-1.

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

5 - 4

[Robz4000]

6-3 seems like the best possible outcome

[Assman]

We'll definitely lose in Philly since that place is our kryptonite.

[bklynspursfan]

I say 6-3 but I can see 7-2. Tomorrow at Memphis is a huge test. They got embarrassed by Boston and we beat them bad in their home last time. If we can withstand that and get a win that'd be a great way to start the trip and give these guys confidence.

[dylankerouac]

6-3.

Go Spurs!

[blackfire12]

5-4 is what i think. this would be a great vbookie bet.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Added current home records, whether the opponent is on the back end of a B2B, and the details of that B2B.

6 Memphis (7-3) (B2B @ Boston)
8 Philadelphia (12-2)
11 New Jersey (3-6) (B2B @Detroit)
14 Detroit (3-8)
15 Toronto (2-6) (B2B home v. Knicks)
18 LA Clippers (10-3)
20 Utah (10-4) (B2B @ Houston)
21 Portland (10-1) (B2B @ Lakers)
23 Denver (7-3) (B2B @ Clippers)

Thanks, Mel. :)

6 Memphis (7-3) (B2B @ Boston) W
8 Philadelphia (12-2) L
11 New Jersey (3-6) (B2B @Detroit) W
14 Detroit (3-8) W
15 Toronto (2-6) (B2B home v. Knicks) W Could be a L.
18 LA Clippers (10-3) L
20 Utah (10-4) (B2B @ Houston) W
21 Portland (10-1) (B2B @ Lakers) L
23 Denver (7-3) (B2B @ Clippers) L

5-4. 6-3 would be great and wouldn't surprise me, nor would 4-5 with a loss at Toronto who are surprisingly tough this year under Casey who has them playing D.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

5-4

[timvp]

I'd say 4-5 would be par for the course. They've been a bad road team and there are some tough games on the trip. Even that would leave the Spurs 20-14, which would give the Spurs a great chance to make the playoffs barring catastrophic injury.

My guess is 3-6 just because the Spurs are due for some fatigue to kick in. Hope I'm wrong, though.

[ducks]

I think they will beat the clippers

[siraulo23]

5-4

[boutons_deux]

Grizz got stomped in BOS, Spurs get a break Mon night.

[urunobili]

6 Memphis L
8 Philadelphia W
11 New Jersey W
14 Detroit W
15 Toronto L
18 LA Clippers L
20 Utah W
21 Portland W
23 Denver L

[Dex]

6 Memphis (7-3) (B2B @ Boston) L
8 Philadelphia (12-2) W
11 New Jersey (3-6) (B2B @Detroit) W
14 Detroit (3-8) W
15 Toronto (2-6) (B2B home v. Knicks) W
18 LA Clippers (10-3) L
20 Utah (10-4) (B2B @ Houston) W
21 Portland (10-1) (B2B @ Lakers) W
23 Denver (7-3) (B2B @ Clippers) W

[WeNeedLength]

Memphis W
Philadelphia L
New Jersey W
Detroit W
Toronto L
LA Clippers W
Utah W
Portland L
Denver L

5-4

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Everyone who picked 0-9 is eliminated. Thanks for playing.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

I'd say 4-5 would be par for the course. They've been a bad road team and there are some tough games on the trip. Even that would leave the Spurs 20-14, which would give the Spurs a great chance to make the playoffs barring catastrophic injury.

My guess is 3-6 just because the Spurs are due for some fatigue to kick in. Hope I'm wrong, though.

The funny thing is, they're finally going to get some rest. In 29 days of February, they have only 11 games, and they have two gaps of two days off between games on the RRT.

[Robz4000]

My best case scenario started with a win tonight, and they did it. Don't expect them to win in Phili, but that's fine. Just win the 3 after it.

[Rummpd]

My best case scenario started with a win tonight, and they did it. Don't expect them to win in Phili, but that's fine. Just win the 3 after it.


I think they will beat Sixers to pay back some of the games when that was a a dog of a team but still gave Spurs fits.

[Robz4000]

I think they will beat Sixers to pay back some of the games when that was a a dog of a team but still gave Spurs fits.
Lakers should've won tonight but Kobe chucked them out of it. Perhaps the Spurs can get a win.

[rascal]

This is a favorable part of the schedule where the spurs usually come together as a team and play even better. They are playing 6 teams on back to backs and only have one back to back themselves , many of the trips are short east coast trips against some of the weakest teams in the league, also have the all star game break to break up the road trip so the road trip isn't that bad.

[rascal]

The funny thing is, they're finally going to get some rest. In 29 days of February, they have only 11 games, and they have two gaps of two days off between games on the RRT.

Agree there is plenty of rest during the rodeo trip. They did not stack many back to backs on the Spurs and many of the trips are short flights.

[Darkwaters]

They will lose at Memphis
5-4 and that is good for a team that is playing poorly on the road.
They have some really weak teams on this road trip and only one back to back. Have the spurs even played one b-b-b game this year yet?

Their overall schedule has been easy compared to other teams.
The rodeo trip is a schedule advantage.

Get a bunch of road games out of the way all at once and come together as a team while on the road. They get used to playing on the road with so many road games in a row. And overall it is less travel than teams that are going back and forth all season long from their home games then back on the road.
The spurs schedule is unequally balanced with more home games during the eary part of the season and late in the season. It is a schedule advantage to have the rodeo trip.

I'm not sure I'm buying what you're selling.

April-
Home Games: 9
Away Games: 8

They basically give back the home/away differential right away because as soon as they finish the RRT they go on a 7 game home stand. It all evens out then.

In fact, after that 7 game home stand they close the season out with 14 road games and 14 home games, more or less evenly spaced apart (they have two 3 game home stands in April, but also another 3 game road trip).

[phxspurfan]

We win 2 more games mad peeps gonna be hoppin' on my 9-0 band wagon


There's still room!

[therealtruth]

Grizz got stomped in BOS, Spurs get a break Mon night.

Exactly. The Spurs got a break.

[Dex]

Well, so much for my prognostication. I figured we'd start off in typical fashion with a loss, then start stringing together wins.

Still, I'll take the W.

[Mark in Austin]

Memphis W
Philadelphia W
New Jersey W
Detroit W
Toronto L
LA Clippers W <------ Manu returns this game
Utah L
Portland L
Denver W

6-3

[Two10Whitey]

I'll stick to my prediction.. 9-0 lets go.

[jestersmash]

I'd like to point out that the the following line of reasoning is mathematically and statistically invalid:

Spurs are 13-0 at home. Spurs are 0-5 on the road (this isn't true, but bear with me for the sake of the example).

Spurs will play 33 home games and 33 road games.

Therefore, we assume that the Spurs will win 100% of their home games and 0% of their road games for a final pace of 33-33.

I've seen this sort of logic thrown around in numerous threads as of late. It's incorrect and invalid logic from a statistical standpoint. The implicit assumptions that go into this kind of reasoning are invalid to begin with.

It's not at all clear that the spurs lost their road games because they were on the road. If we could do an actual controlled experiment by reversing time and having the spurs play its road losses at home, it's not correct to assume that they would have won all of those games.

Barring all extraneous variables (injuries to Ginobili/Ford, etc.) the best possible statistical extrapolation one can make (i.e. the statistical extrapolation that makes the least number of unwarranted assumptions) is to multiply the Spurs' current win percentage by 66 --> .65*66 = Spurs are on pace to win roughly 41-42 games.

[jestersmash]

Oh, and .65*9 = 5.85, so I'm going to say the Spurs will go either 5-4 or 6-3 on this road trip.

[SpursRock20]

I'd like to point out that the the following line of reasoning is mathematically and statistically invalid:

Spurs are 13-0 at home. Spurs are 0-5 on the road (this isn't true, but bear with me for the sake of the example).

Spurs will play 33 home games and 33 road games.

Therefore, we assume that the Spurs will win 100% of their home games and 0% of their road games for a final pace of 33-33.

I've seen this sort of logic thrown around in numerous threads as of late. It's incorrect and invalid logic from a statistical standpoint. The implicit assumptions that go into this kind of reasoning are invalid to begin with.

It's not at all clear that the spurs lost their road games because they were on the road. If we could do an actual controlled experiment by reversing time and having the spurs play its road losses at home, it's not correct to assume that they would have won all of those games.

Barring all extraneous variables (injuries to Ginobili/Ford, etc.) the best possible statistical extrapolation one can make (i.e. the statistical extrapolation that makes the least number of unwarranted assumptions) is to multiply the Spurs' current win percentage by 66 --> .65*66 = Spurs are on pace to win roughly 41-42 games.


You made that seem a lot more complicated than it needed to be :lol

[jestersmash]

Brevity has never been my strong suit.

[Dr Cox]

6 wins on this roadtrip.

Memphis W
Philadelphia W
New Jersey W
Detroit W
Toronto W<----MANNNUUUUUUUUU
LA Clippers L
Utah L
Portland L
Denver W

[rascal]

I'd like to point out that the the following line of reasoning is mathematically and statistically invalid:

Spurs are 13-0 at home. Spurs are 0-5 on the road (this isn't true, but bear with me for the sake of the example).

Spurs will play 33 home games and 33 road games.

Therefore, we assume that the Spurs will win 100% of their home games and 0% of their road games for a final pace of 33-33.

I've seen this sort of logic thrown around in numerous threads as of late. It's incorrect and invalid logic from a statistical standpoint. The implicit assumptions that go into this kind of reasoning are invalid to begin with.

It's not at all clear that the spurs lost their road games because they were on the road. If we could do an actual controlled experiment by reversing time and having the spurs play its road losses at home, it's not correct to assume that they would have won all of those games.

Barring all extraneous variables (injuries to Ginobili/Ford, etc.) the best possible statistical extrapolation one can make (i.e. the statistical extrapolation that makes the least number of unwarranted assumptions) is to multiply the Spurs' current win percentage by 66 --> .65*66 = Spurs are on pace to win roughly 41-42 games.

Home games have a higher probability for W. Just look around the league and it will bare out that home teams win at a higher %.

[Mel_13]

Home games have a higher probability for W. Just look around the league and it will bare out that home teams win at a higher %.

Really?

[rascal]

Oh, and .65*9 = 5.85, so I'm going to say the Spurs will go either 5-4 or 6-3 on this road trip.

They could but you are not giving any weight to road games vs home games and strenght of opponent.
To make it even more accurate you have to take all the variables and put them into the equation.

[rascal]

Really?

Yes Home records are better for most teams than their road records.

[Mel_13]

Yes Home records are better for most teams than their road records.

Excellent find. I'm sure that anomaly has never been noted before.

[Em-City]

lol @ ST folks trying to turn everything into measurable figures and stats

[Dex]

lol @ ST folks trying to turn everything into measurable figures and stats\

My sources indicate that 76.3% of posters on SpursTalk are John Hollinger.

[timtonymanu]

Look's like I'm 0-1 already. Doesn't matter to me. Spurs are 1-0 so far. :flag:

[jestersmash]

lol @ ST folks trying to turn everything into measurable figures and stats

Really? From what I've seen, it's pretty much exactly the opposite. Most ST folks prefer to make assessments with "eyeball tests" and "gut feelings" in lieu of using statistics (especially advanced statistics).

You'll pretty much be laughed off the forum if you try to use any of Hollinger's (arbitrary, but nevertheless useful/insightful in my opinion) models in your arguments :lol

Gut feelings and hand wavy arguments tend to garner more respect here.

Something like this -

"Well, Philly has been on such a tear and they are so solid defensively, we'll probably drop that one. While we typically do well against sub-.500 teams historically, we probably won't have a 100% win percentage against this group, so we'll probably lose once to either NJ, Toronto, or Detroit.

I think we'll get complacent against Detroit after 2 days of rest, but we'll bounce back and win in Toronto even though it's the second night of a back to back.

Blake and CP3 are starting to click more, plus Vinny Del Negro has some insight into the mind of Popovich so we'll probably lose that one.

When Manu returns, it'll take some time for him to truly get into game shape. He'll probably have a couple of poor shooting nights and he'll be somewhat turnover-prone while trying to build chemistry with the new players, and this will translate into a loss or two during the latter half of the RRT.

6 Memphis W
8 Philadelphia L
11 New Jersey W
14 Detroit L
15 Toronto W
18 LA Clippers L
20 Utah L
21 Portland L
23 Denver W

4-5"

[jestersmash]

By the way, to the person who said the Spurs schedule has been easy compared to other teams -

The Spurs are 4th in the league in terms of strength of schedule (SOS = 54.1%) and have played 26 games so far in a league where the range of # of games played is anywhere from 21 to 27.

The Clippers, while they rank 2nd in the league in terms of SOS, have only played 22 games so far.

The Cavaliers rank 28th in terms of SOS and have only played 22 games so far.

I don't buy the argument that the Spurs schedule has been easy compared to other teams.

[Spurtacus]

6-3

[phxspurfan]

There's room for a few more on my 9-0 bandwagon... ALL ABOARD

Just replace 2003 with 2012 lol

5s2ViHJv560

and Kevin Willis with Bonner...
SJax with Neal...
...defense with offense

and such

[Jimcs50]

2-0

[maverick1948]

Having withdrawals from not seeing Spurs for 2 straight nights!!! LOL

[Juggity]

6 Memphis --> W, No Zach Randolph, and a shitty Rudy Gay; the Grizz are not playing up to the level they were last year. Although the revenge factor might play into this game and make it more difficult to pull out the win, the Spurs should take it ultimately.

8 Philadelphia --> L, These guys are on a tear. Defensively impressive.

11 New Jersey --> W, No excuses

14 Detroit --> W, No excuses

15 Toronto --> L, Token loss to a shitty team on the B2B

18 LA Clippers --> L, This team has improved since we last met up at the AT&T Center, a game I attended. They're too explosive to beat outside of our comfort zone at AT&T, and Blake will almost certainly make up for his lack of a highlight reel last time with some authoritative moves that will once again expose the Spurs.

20 Utah --> L, Toss up. Given our road record so far, I'd say toss ups go to the opposition.

21 Portland --> W, will be hard-fought, but I predict the spurs will rebound from their three consecutive losses and pull out the win here.

23 Denver --> L This team is close to contending. Not expecting to win in Denver.

Of course, Manu is the X factor. If he comes back before the road trip is over, I wouldn't put any of these games out of reach. We could win any of them, potentially.

So far I've only got Philly wrong. The way we've been playing, I expect the spurs will outperform my prediction.

[BanditHiro]

lol at the pussies who set the bar low so they wouldn't feel disappointed.

[Robz4000]

My 6-3 is starting to look like a worst-case scenario...

[Wild Cobra Kai]

lol at the pussies who set the bar low so they wouldn't feel disappointed.

It's the forum meme.

[phxspurfan]

I still believe in 9-0 but these next few games are gonna be real tests. Toronto just lost a heartbreaker at home thanks to Linsanity and they're gonna be pissed. Plus we'll be on the 2nd night of a back to back.

Then Saturday doesn't get any easier as I'm sure the L.A. refs are going to give the Clips 50 free throws.

Then Utah in Utah...real tough.

Portland as they are going to try and rally around each other after Aldrige's injury, and finally the Nuggs with Karl always knowing how to play Pop's matchup game better than Pop.

9-0 looks tough...but we can do it! GSG

[Spursfan092120]

3-6

dayum

[Spursfan092120]

20-9...toughest schedule in the league so far...damn...

[TDMVPDPOY]

I still believe in 9-0 but these next few games are gonna be real tests. Toronto just lost a heartbreaker at home thanks to Linsanity and they're gonna be pissed. Plus we'll be on the 2nd night of a back to back.

Then Saturday doesn't get any easier as I'm sure the L.A. refs are going to give the Clips 50 free throws.

Then Utah in Utah...real tough.

Portland as they are going to try and rally around each other after Aldrige's injury, and finally the Nuggs with Karl always knowing how to play Pop's matchup game better than Pop.

9-0 looks tough...but we can do it! GSG

its the shithole raptors man, nothing to be scared about

have no business losing the game against the clippers since we have a break....

[ducks]

hack a blake coming up..

[Robz4000]

Those last three games are very winnable. UTA, POR, and DEN will all be on the ends of b2bs against very tough western conference teams (all three currently playoff teams). The POR game will be the toughest due to being a b2b for the Spurs, but they can win it.

[MI21]

Those last three games are very winnable. UTA, POR, and DEN will all be on the ends of b2bs against very tough western conference teams (all three currently playoff teams). The POR game will be the toughest due to being a b2b for the Spurs, but they can win it.

Spurs catch a break with Aldridge hurt. If he can't play, they should win that game. He normally beasts on the Spurs.

I think Toronto game will still be a tough one but if Pop would milk Splitter in that one, they should be fine. Would be nice to get Timmy/Tony a break with a blowout though.

You have to think they will lose one of @Utah (referees) or @Denver (altitude) but I'm thinking 7-2 is probably worst case scenario now which in this condensed season is an amazing effort.

[Fireball]

Games against the Raptors were pretty high scoring affairs the last two seasons, weren't they? The Toronto crowd is very enthusiastic (see Lakers and Knicks game), so I expect the Spurs to go in there calmly and take the Raptors apart efficiently before the crowd realizes what happened.

[jmanu20]

hack a blake coming up..

Nah, more like hack a Jordan....BG is not a great free throw shooter but he's definitely not as bad as Jordan.

[phxspurfan]

G-D I love my team.

Go Spurs Go

that is all


good night

[Jimcs50]

9-0

Clippers miss Billups

Denver is fading

clean sweep

[JR3]

9-0

Clippers miss Billups

Denver is fading

clean sweep

I like it! Why the heck not?

[justinandimcool]

they better go 7-2 or something. if they go 9-0 every RRT from now until the end of time will be a letdown.

[phxspurfan]

they better go 7-2 or something. if they go 9-0 every RRT from now until the end of time will be a letdown.

I disagree. I think myself and all the other fans who pegged 9-0 this year did it because the Spurs are peaking.

Duncan is playing out of his mind considering his age/mileage
Parker has miraculously turned it around and is now playing like the Spurs MVP
Splitter is playing wayyyyyyy over his head
Manu is back

Random role players who nobody besides Spur fans can name are stepping up big (Green, Leonard, Neal)

Jefferson is being ignored like he should be


IMO this is the only 9-0 I see happening for awhile. Like others have stated, the opponents have been tired b/c of the schedule and this team has a system that would naturally succeed in a lockout season like this. And there is no dominant team to play like a 3-peat Phil Jackson Lakers or unstoppable Dirk Mavs squad in our way toward 9-0.

Oh and Linsanity is keeping us under the radar. Thank you very much!

[Paranoid Pop]

Nah, more like hack a Jordan....BG is not a great free throw shooter but he's definitely not as bad as Jordan.

Griffin went 2-7 or something at the line against the mavs and basically lost them the game. He was so afraid to go to the line that he threw a terrible quick pass to get rid of the ball that resulted in a TO and sealed the deal.

[jmanu20]

Griffin went 2-7 or something at the line against the mavs and basically lost them the game. He was so afraid to go to the line that he threw a terrible quick pass to get rid of the ball that resulted in a TO and sealed the deal.

Nice, so the Spurs will have two options to kill the Clips' momentum!

[jestersmash]

I disagree. I think myself and all the other fans who pegged 9-0 this year did it because the Spurs are peaking.

Duncan is playing out of his mind considering his age/mileage
Parker has miraculously turned it around and is now playing like the Spurs MVP
Splitter is playing wayyyyyyy over his head
Manu is back

Random role players who nobody besides Spur fans can name are stepping up big (Green, Leonard, Neal)

Jefferson is being ignored like he should be


IMO this is the only 9-0 I see happening for awhile. Like others have stated, the opponents have been tired b/c of the schedule and this team has a system that would naturally succeed in a lockout season like this. And there is no dominant team to play like a 3-peat Phil Jackson Lakers or unstoppable Dirk Mavs squad in our way toward 9-0.

Oh and Linsanity is keeping us under the radar. Thank you very much!

Please elaborate. What's Splitter doing now that he hasn't shown he could do in the past (in Europe) that suggests that he's "playing way over his head?"

Splitter's been putting up these kinds of numbers with the supreme efficiency for years in the Euroleague.

The only aspect of Splitter's game where you could maybe argue that he's "playing way over his head" is his unusually high free throw percentage this year. He's never shot over 65.8% (free throws) in the euroleague.

[phxspurfan]

Please elaborate. What's Splitter doing now that he hasn't shown he could do in the past (in Europe) that suggests that he's "playing way over his head?"

Splitter's been putting up these kinds of numbers with the supreme efficiency for years in the Euroleague.

The only aspect of Splitter's game where you could maybe argue that he's "playing way over his head" is his unusually high free throw percentage this year. He's never shot over 65.8% (free throws) in the euroleague.

Nobody (except maybe Shaq in his prime) shoots 70%. The league will watch some tape and figure him out.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Nobody (except maybe Shaq in his prime) shoots 70%. The league will watch some tape and figure him out.

He's actually shooting 62.3%, not exactly out on the edge of the Bell curve for a big man with post moves and P'n'R skills.

[jestersmash]

In his last 5 seasons in Europe, Splitter shot 65.9%, 64.5%, 60.7%, 64%, and 58.6% while averaging 14, 13.7, 11, and 10.2 points respectively per game (he also had a 66.8% run in '02-'03).

Sure, the Euroleague is no NBA, but I'd hardly call 62.3% "playing way over his head" for a guy who gets layups and shoots within 1-3 feet of the rim the vast majority of the time (like Shaq).

[Spur|n|Austin]

Nobody (except maybe Shaq in his prime) shoots 70%. The league will watch some tape and figure him out.

Dr. Evil or anti-spurs fan?

[TDMVPDPOY]

seriously fellas, i dont think anyone can figure out splitter besides himself....

dream shake down low is unstoppable
PNR his very effective
whats most impressive about his offensive game, his always looking for easy 2pts then forcing shit up when its not needed....

if he wasnt that good, the bench wouldnt be running alot of PNR for him

[Fireball]

playing PnR is one thing ... giving the roller the ball is another

[Mel_13]

Bold prediction: Spurs will be a .500 road team by the end of the RRT.

10-8 with 2 games remaining.

Give that man a cigar.

:tu

[Brazil]

:lol

[timtonymanu]

Great call, Dex!

Even if the Spurs lose the last two games of this trip, they'll be .500 on the road.

[Spursfan092120]

I have to say..for the first time in years, this Spurs team seems to have that killer instinct lately...they know how to finish.

[Robz4000]

Although the D is leaving a lot to be desired, this team is leagues above last year's. Not sure how far that can take them, but hopefully past the first round at least...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Totally exceeded my expectations, and the D has continued to improve.

We have a dark horse contender here. ;)

Oh, and props to Dex. :toast

[therealtruth]

Totally exceeded my expectations, and the D has continued to improve.

We have a dark horse contender here. ;)

Oh, and props to Dex. :toast

All they need is a decent big and I would feel more comfortable calling them a contender.

[Bruno]

Even if Spurs lost the last two games, this rodeo road trip will be a big success. Props to them.

[DPG21920]

Even if Spurs lost the last two games, this rodeo road trip will be a big success. Props to them.

Definitely. It's just a shame the Mavs with their injuries are playing so well because Spurs losing the next 2 and the Mavs winning would leave the Spurs only a half game up on them despite an 11 game streak :wow

[Dex]

10-8 with 2 games remaining.

Give that man a cigar.

:tu

:hat

Just the Spurs winning games they are supposed to win. No surprises there.

[Rapper]

9 road wins in a row was just my wishful thinking

[timtonymanu]

8-1.

What a success!

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Best Rodeo Road Trip ever. It's so hard to not believe this team can go all the way. They've done so well, and this is without Manu.

[Robz4000]

Dallas 3 games back at the ASB. It gets a bit easier for the Spurs SOS-wise from here on out. Something like 16 games against teams above 500 left out of 33. 16 more wins to make a solid-ish seed. Hopefully Pop gives a few games up to get Tim and Tiago more chemistry and to develop the bench a bit. Still need another big to really make noise though.

[spectator]

i hope we go 6-1 at home, after the ASG, so we can build some cushion for april 8 - 26; iirc, that's 13 games in 19 days. expect pop to rest players at least 2 nights during that stretch. my personal favorite would be at fakers, on tnt, in the middle of b2b2b2

[Bruno]

What a damn great RRT. A 8-1 record despite the injuries is just phenomenal. Spurs have gone from 2-8 for their first 10 road games to 9-1 for their alst 10 road games.

The situation on the injury front isn't that bad. All the injured players should only miss at worst 3 games.