Stop and smell the roses

[ShoogarBear]

I don't know if the Spurs are going to win the Larry O'Brien this year. (In fact, if either Andrew Bynum or Erik Spoelstra ever gets a clue for four games out of seven, the odds are probably still against that.) But now is the perfect time for Spur fans to, for just a moment, stop worrying about the championship (and the last six minutes of game 4) and appreciate what's going on in front of their eyes.

There's still a tough road ahead: maybe they can sustain it, maybe they can't. But no matter what happens in the weeks to come, the last 25+ games we have been witnessing probably the best the San Antonio Spurs have ever been. Ever. Not only have they been dominating, they've been beautiful, playing the best team ball of the last 30 years of the NBA. (The last non-bad team that distributed minutes like this was probably the 1982 Hawks. The last championship team that went this deep was the 1975 Warriors.)

Yeah, two of the Big Three are no longer in their primes. But the minutes they are on the court together is still like watching three mindreaders at work. And every other member of the team absolutely takes their cues from them.

The Spurs bench is a Swiss Army Knife, a collection of multifunctional tools able to adapt to any situation. Or they're a chef's spice rack, with Chef Pop mixing up the nightly bouillabaisse . . . okay, done with the metaphors.

It doesn't seem to matter who they throw out there, as long as they're in the Silver and Black. (I think I saw Sequ hit a three against the Warriors.) That's a testament to Pop, who obviously gets his share of credit, and R.C., who really doesn't. In fact, I'd argue R.C. deserves Executive of the Year more than Pop deserves Coach.

This obviously isn't going to last forever, but hopefully will make it another twelve wins. And even if it doesn't, I wanted to be on record as saying, damn this is fun no matter what.

[Slomo]

:tu

[dav4463]

Great post! Too many fans like to find something to bitch about when they should be enjoying the ride.

[timvp]

POTY candidate :tu





More Shoog posts needed as the playoffs heat up.







Please?

[timvp]

And, yeah, if you're a Spurs fan and you're not soaking in every second of this, you're doing it wrong.

[gilmor]

Best post ever..

[Sa_Spursfan20]

Props. I cannot agree more. This entire season has been a really fun ride. If this is the end, then I couldn't have imagined it any better.

[Poolboy5623]

Great post...I've been a Spurs fan for about 25 years and minus the 4 championship runs this has been the most memorable ride..the team makes me giggle at times watching them play...its been fun, I just hope it can continue a little longer

[Solid D]

http://assets2.bigthink.com/system/idea_thumbnails/39109/original/Old_School.jpg?1309505471 http://www.postcereals.com/img/post_logo.png

[vander]

:rolleyes

[Marcus Bryant]

Written off, yet back again.

[50 cent]

Great OP. :tu

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Amen, even have put aside most of my frustrations with Pop.

Just gonna enjoy the ride, it's been fun to watch this last month+.

[angelbelow]

:toast:toast:whine:whine:toast:toast:whine:whine:t oast:toast:toast:whine:whine:whine:whine:whine:toa st:toast:toast:whine:whine:toast

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

Great points. You have to enjoy the process (sort of like life).

[CubanMustGo]

:toast, Shoog. Good to see you again.

All we need now is for the Chopper, duncan228, and NO LIMIT ARMY COMMANDER to make their return.

[romad_20]

:tu God, I hope it continues.

[SequSpur]

So...the Spurs win a predictable sweep against a shitty Jazz team and the wagon train is in full force...

The playoffs are just getting started.

We'll see..

[benefactor]

I've been enjoying the ride for a while now...especially after it became apparent that the Spurs were not going to break up the Big 3 to rebuild. I fretted about this at first, with visions of becoming a team full of aging stars that could no longer compete for a title. A team stuck in no mans land...too good for the lottery and not good enough to contend.

Then I had a moment at some point...I can't tell you exactly when but it was one of those vintage nights where the Big 3 shined and all felt right again. In that moment of splendor I realized something terrible. I realized that the day was coming when I would no longer get to see nights like this. The Big 3 would go away and all I would have was memories captured on film and placed on a medium of media. The starting over I used to so strongly desire now terrified me.

It was then that I made the decision that I would take whatever good I could get out of these final seasons and let the rest fall by the wayside. No matter the situation, I would shrug off all the bad just to have those small glimpses of good that I knew I needed to appreciate while there was still time. Little did I know that somewhere along the way the Spurs would do something improbable in my mind...they would once again become contenders. They would find the pieces to help them rise from the ashes and go once more unto the breach.

I firmly believe that a healthy Spurs team can win it all...but if for some reason they don't, I will still remember this year forever. Hopefully they can make that memory even sweeter by delivering five to the case.

[baseline bum]

Awesome post, Shoog. This team has been incredible to watch ever since getting rid of the dead wood of Jefferson.

[MannyIsGod]

http://assets2.bigthink.com/system/idea_thumbnails/39109/original/Old_School.jpg?1309505471 http://www.postcereals.com/img/post_logo.png

:tu

Its awesome too. An old school poster comes out and makes a quality post and the thread fills up with old school posters. Awesome!

:lol We even have MB and AHF sightings.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Aaah.. I am feeling the fragrance too for quite sometime now. I thought the Bonner three pointer from the full court set and Manu pass in Game 3 was the apogee of what ShoogarBear is telling us.

Don't know how many of you are soccer fans.. But this reminds me of the way FC Barcelona played at their best during the past four golden years. The effort of the collective overshadowing everything else.

[MannyIsGod]

FU and your Barca reference.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I ain't talking shit like I used to, not assuming anything

I have been enjoying this run like crazy, and have to still check the record to remind myself if the numbers in my head really are correct.

Go spurs go baby

[Paranoid Pop]

Aaah.. I am feeling the fragrance too for quite sometime now. I thought the Bonner three pointer from the full court set and Manu pass in Game 3 was the apogee of what ShoogarBear is telling us.

Don't know how many of you are soccer fans.. But this reminds me of the way FC Barcelona played at their best during the past four golden years. The effort of the collective overshadowing everything else.

I agree about the Barcelona comparison although Barca was probably the best passing team of all time while we're not the 86 Celtics by a long shot. But the set plays like the Bonner 3 don't really represent that to me, the more spontaneous sequences like against the Lakers are more telling imo.

And like TP said, anything but a championship would be a disappointment, that's the bottom line no matter how you want to slice it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Don't know how many of you are soccer fans.. But this reminds me of the way FC Barcelona played at their best during the past four golden years. The effort of the collective overshadowing everything else.

stupid analogy here, they have nothing in common....

[Paranoid Pop]

stupid analogy here, they have nothing in common....

Yes they do.

[GSH]

There are a few people who don't post nearly often enough these days. You're one of them, Shoog. But if you've been saving up for that one, it worked. :D

[timvp]

22-3 in their last 25 road games.

22 and 3.

And two of those losses were without the Big 3 (in Portland and in Utah).

That's just ridiculous. :cry

[MannyIsGod]

The only other time the Spurs have gone on a run like this that I can remember was 99. They pretty much dominated the end of that season and the start of the playoffs also.

That being said, while I did have a special place in my heart for the way that team played, it wasn't nearly as fluid as this team. They might have been almost as deep too.

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

:tu

As a CoM founding member, I have to say that I don't even curse at the TV anymore when Tony is turning the ball over, chucking or making stupid plays. Since the RJ-Jax trade, I'm just enjoying what's probably one of the Big 3 last rides. The Spurs have been playing one of the best (if not the very best) team-oriented offenses that I remember watching in the NBA. They just need to rise their defense a little more, but that belongs in another thread.

San Antonio Spurs 2012. Enjoy :toast

[ShoogarBear]

The only other time the Spurs have gone on a run like this that I can remember was 99. They pretty much dominated the end of that season and the start of the playoffs also.

Yeah, that was comparable dominance, but also grind-it-out. And then there was 2004, when they destroyed teams their last 11 regular season games and 6 straight in the playoffs. (I forget what happened after that. )

But doing this while going 10 deep, in some games resting their top 5 players? That's ridiculous.

[Bruno]

Spurs have been amazing to watch this year. The only thing that would kind of ruin it to me is if they lose in the second round. Even if they lose in the WCF or in the finale, it would still have been a great year for Spurs.

[ace3g]

Numbers Never Lie ‏ @ESPN_Numbers

64 = the Spurs beat the Jazz by a combined margin of 64 points, the largest playoff series margin of Gregg Popovich's 16-year tenure.
Retweeted by Richard Oliver

[Cant_Be_Faded]

What was tha margin of victory against the 04 Memphis team, tbhhhh

[baseline bum]

The only other time the Spurs have gone on a run like this that I can remember was 99. They pretty much dominated the end of that season and the start of the playoffs also.


I think you're forgetting 04 when the Spurs entered the playoffs on an 11 game win streak, swept Memphis, and then destroyed LA in games 1 & 2. It was the first time we really saw Tony start playing out of his mind for an extended stretch. I still can't believe that team didn't win the conference tbh.

[baseline bum]

D'oh, I was about to reply to Manny, decided to go take a shit first, and by the time I got back and posted, Shoogar beat me to the post about the 04 run. :depressed

[ShoogarBear]

D'oh, I was about to reply to Manny, decided to go take a shit first, and by the time I got back and posted, Shoogar beat me to the post about the 04 run. :depressed

I . . . I . . . I'm not sure how to take that.

[MannyIsGod]

Probably just blocked most things related to 04 out of my mind, tbh.

[MannyIsGod]

I . . . I . . . I'm not sure how to take that.

You apparently eat more fiber than BB.

[Spursfan092120]

Epic post.

[ShoogarBear]

You apparently eat more fiber than BB.

Or maybe my laptop was charged and his wasn't.

[crc21209]

I'm enjoying every single moment of this season so far. So much so that I just copped my tickets to Game 2 for the Second round! I HAD to buy tickets to see this team in the Playoffs this year, I couldnt pass up the opportunity.

[baseline bum]

I have to admit I didn't enjoy a second of the season prior to the Jefferson trade though. It was inevitable that he was getting ready to really shit the bed again, so if the Spurs ring I hope they send one to Golden State in thanks.

[baseline bum]

You apparently eat more fiber than BB.

Had a grip of brisket and sausage from City Market today tbh.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I have to admit I didn't enjoy a second of the season prior to the Jefferson trade though. It was inevitable that he was getting ready to really shit the bed again, so if the Spurs ring I hope they send one to Golden State in thanks.

dunno how we do in the 2nd half of the season or playoffs if the trade didnt go through, but b4 the trade deadline the team was there with the bulls/heat for best record in the league had pop/team didnt throw games away

b4 deadline = throw 4 games
after deadline = throw 2 games on ends of 2 11 win streak games....

u can say the trade helped alot, but first half of the season was all tp, green and kl stepping up which took away the negatives in the team which was jefferson

[iManu]

Yay, Shoogarbear's here.

Damn, makes me miss Phila.

I bet he's not posting just because he doesn't want to jinx. (He must not know that we've traded Jefferson.)

Jesus Christ, what a blessing, somefuckinghow we traded RJ.

Good to see you, Mr. Bear. :toast

[timvp]

Or maybe my laptop was charged and his wasn't.

:lol





Even though '99 and '04 were somewhat similar, neither team was blowing fools out like this current Spurs squad. This team has been destroying everyone left and right.

Maybe it ends next round ... and that'd surely suck ... but, damn, it would have been a fun ride up until that point.

The Return of Jack and the domination after will remain a highlight of my Spurs fandom no matter how this season ends, tbh.

[TDMVPDPOY]

first half of season b4 trade deadline

taking away jefferson out of the starting lineup and team, replaced by green and kl who can take over his production and other areas of the team was lacking...defense and rebounding....helped alot...

[Whisky Dog]

Unbelievable run. To think if the Spurs hadn't completely mailed it in with a 21 pt lead and about 6 min left they would have swept and won every game by double digits. I can't imagine that's happened much in NBA history, at least in the modern era.

[ShoogarBear]

I have to admit I didn't enjoy a second of the season prior to the Jefferson trade though. It was inevitable that he was getting ready to really shit the bed again, so if the Spurs ring I hope they send one to Golden State in thanks.

The Jax trade was what made me go all in. Initially yeah there was a lot of nostalgia involved, but it took about 30 seconds of him actually being on the court against Dirk to see that even if the stats were about the same, the real impact on the team was going to be huge.

[baseline bum]

:lol





Even though '99 and '04 were somewhat similar, neither team was blowing fools out like this current Spurs squad. This team has been destroying everyone left and right.

Maybe it ends next round ... and that'd surely suck ... but, damn, it would have been a fun ride up until that point.

The Return of Jack and the domination after will remain a highlight of my Spurs fandom no matter how this season ends, tbh.

I'd still consider what the Spurs did in 99 as destroying opponents, considering they flat out defied anyone to score against them the last 3 minutes of the game.

[TE]

:tu Right on brotha.

[baseline bum]

The Jax trade was what made me go all in. Initially yeah there was a lot of nostalgia involved, but it took about 30 seconds of him actually being on the court against Dirk to see that even if the stats were about the same, the real impact on the team was going to be huge.

I would have been ecstatic just to have cut Jefferson, just to keep the team from ever depending on him again in any way whatsoever. But to get my all-time favorite role-player in exchange? Damn, that was sweet.

[timtonymanu]

I have to admit I didn't enjoy a second of the season prior to the Jefferson trade though. It was inevitable that he was getting ready to really shit the bed again, so if the Spurs ring I hope they send one to Golden State in thanks.

Very true.

Even though the Spurs were having an impressive Rodeo Road Trip, as long as Jefferson was on the team, their ceiling was second round exit at best. When Jack was brought in, I knew we could only improve. I love how so far he seems to have helped Bonner become confident and a contributor in the playoffs. If RJ was still here, Bonner would have been choking with him.

I'm loving this team right now.

[Jumi]

Yep! :downspin:

[Aztecfan03]

I'd still consider what the Spurs did in 99 as destroying opponents, considering they flat out defied anyone to score against them the last 3 minutes of the game.

yeah i would think destroying opponents would have a little different criteria for offensive teams like this and defensive teams like '99

[timvp]

I would have been ecstatic just to have cut Jefferson, just to keep the team from ever depending on him again in any way whatsoever. But to get my all-time favorite role-player in exchange? Damn, that was sweet.

:lol You talking about getting Jack back and that YouTube in your sig gave me the hilarious visual of Duncan reteaching Jack the plays using the same method.

TD: Fuuuu *pivot* fuuuuu *point* fuuuu *pass*
Jack: *pause* fuuuuu? *points to rim*
TD: *nods* fuuuuu
Jack: muthafffff :tu

[baseline bum]

:lol You talking about getting Jack back and that YouTube in your sig gave me the hilarious visual of Duncan reteaching Jack the plays using the same method.

TD: Fuuuu *pivot* fuuuuu *point* fuuuu *pass*
Jack: *pause* fuuuuu? *points to rim*
TD: *nods* fuuuuu
Jack: muthafffff :tu

:lol

Still LOL at the line about how you only have Jefferson on your team for two days.

[The Whopper]

Great post. But I would way prefer 1978 George Gervin over Danny Green and 1994 David Robinson over Dejuan Blair. And then I could actually enjoy the smell of these roses of which you speak. Until you make that happen, I will dwell in my own personal coccoon of pain.

[Solid D]

Great post. But I would way prefer 1978 George Gervin over Danny Green and 1994 David Robinson over Dejuan Blair. And then I could actually enjoy the smell of these roses of which you speak. Until you make that happen, I will dwell in my own personal coccoon of pain.

:lol Playoff failures from the 70s and 90s sting, but face it...those teams don't touch this Spurs team.

[J.T.]

I didn't need this thread to tell me how good the Spurs are, it's pretty obvious just watching the games that this is a special team.

[gilmor]

This post feels like smoking weed with my bunch of buddies back in the school days.. fucking awesome and wild.. It's like back in the mind some way, we all connected..

[ducks]

I didn't need this thread to tell me how good the Spurs are, it's pretty obvious just watching the games that this is a special team.

better then those colts teams huh:lol:lol

[lowdown]

I'm in total agreement with the OP. I don't want them to win the championship. I feel like I need them to win the championship but if they don't, man what an amazing team to watch. Even their defense seems like it's on par with some of the teams of old...

[Ginobleed20]

WORD. straight up. WORD

[roycrikside]

stupid analogy here, they have nothing in common....

I think the Barca anology is pretty good actually. When the teams are playing in rhythm and passing well, a defense is powerless to stop them.

[carina_gino20]

Shoog sighting. :tu

Now if we can just have some SPAM.

[ElNono]

Just get me another asterisk, baby

[Cry Havoc]

1.

[Spursmania]

Great Post. I'm going to soak it in for as long as I can. This is a special team, and I don't want to think of anything else beyond now. Let's do this!:toast

[Horse]

Hell yeah, but this thing could go awhile. Timmy is not done and imagine Kahwi, Diaw, Splitter even Danny Green with another year in the system.

[bulakenyo]

+1

The ball movement this season can be beautiful at times.

The ball movement for Manu's corner 3 point shot earlier made me almost laugh with happiness.

[Axe Murderer]

I don't know if the Spurs are going to win the Larry O'Brien this year. (In fact, if either Andrew Bynum or Erik Spoelstra ever gets a clue for four games out of seven, the odds are probably still against that.) But now is the perfect time for Spur fans to, for just a moment, stop worrying about the championship (and the last six minutes of game 4) and appreciate what's going on in front of their eyes.

There's still a tough road ahead: maybe they can sustain it, maybe they can't. But no matter what happens in the weeks to come, the last 25+ games we have been witnessing probably the best the San Antonio Spurs have ever been. Ever. Not only have they been dominating, they've been beautiful, playing the best team ball of the last 30 years of the NBA. (The last non-bad team that distributed minutes like this was probably the 1982 Hawks. The last championship team that went this deep was the 1975 Warriors.)

Yeah, two of the Big Three are no longer in their primes. But the minutes they are on the court together is still like watching three mindreaders at work. And every other member of the team absolutely takes their cues from them.

The Spurs bench is a Swiss Army Knife, a collection of multifunctional tools able to adapt to any situation. Or they're a chef's spice rack, with Chef Pop mixing up the nightly bouillabaisse . . . okay, done with the metaphors.

It doesn't seem to matter who they throw out there, as long as they're in the Silver and Black. (I think I saw Sequ hit a three against the Warriors.) That's a testament to Pop, who obviously gets his share of credit, and R.C., who really doesn't. In fact, I'd argue R.C. deserves Executive of the Year more than Pop deserves Coach.

This obviously isn't going to last forever, but hopefully will make it another twelve wins. And even if it doesn't, I wanted to be on record as saying, damn this is fun no matter what.

sup buddy. what are your thoughts about the redskins this season?

[Yuixafun]

The day Pop placed faith in the second unit in Dallas was the beginning of the beginning.

Neo believes he is the One matrix moment.

[Brutalis]

Def not taking anything for granted. I just feel like I'm visiting here taking in the sights and memories, and that it's about to all be over with. The end of a great movie or book.

[GSH]

Great post. But I would way prefer 1978 George Gervin over Danny Green and 1994 David Robinson over Dejuan Blair. And then I could actually enjoy the smell of these roses of which you speak. Until you make that happen, I will dwell in my own personal coccoon of pain.

Look, I don't want to start a fight with you, or the legions of people who are likely to take offense... but:

The 1978 George Gervin never won a Championship. The 1978 Spurs were also 2nd in the league in PPG, but they outscored their opponents by an average of 3.4 points. This team has outscored opponents by an average of 7.2 points. That's a world of difference.

I know you're saying that you'd like to see the team stacked at every position, and all the way down the depth chart. A Spurs All-Star team. That's not going to happen in the age of free agency. As teams go, this one is pretty stacked, and a lot of fun to watch. And it's a LOT better than it was before the late-season personnel moves.

If you've been around long enough to remember the 1978 George Gervin, then you remember how nervous fans were at every step of the '99 playoffs - and that team only lost 2 games in the post-season. If you can't enjoy this season, then you still wouldn't enjoy it if the Spurs did have Gervin and Robinson.

[ace3g]

so according to Stephen A. Smith on ESPN, the playoffs for the Spurs start in the 2nd round, and he believes that Pop won't use his 10 man rotation from that point on (was just preserving the big 3) and the bench won't avg 20 minutes a game. Guess he doesn't realize that Manu, Neal, SJAX, and Splitter come off the bench...

[manufan10]

so according to Stephen A. Smith on ESPN, the playoffs for the Spurs start in the 2nd round, and he believes that Pop won't use his 10 man rotation from that point on (was just preserving the big 3) and the bench won't avg 20 minutes a game. Guess he doesn't realize that Manu, Neal, SJAX, and Splitter come off the bench...

That's probably because he hasn't watched a Spurs game all season, tbh.

[Mel_13]

I don't know if the Spurs are going to win the Larry O'Brien this year. (In fact, if either Andrew Bynum or Erik Spoelstra ever gets a clue for four games out of seven, the odds are probably still against that.) But now is the perfect time for Spur fans to, for just a moment, stop worrying about the championship (and the last six minutes of game 4) and appreciate what's going on in front of their eyes.

There's still a tough road ahead: maybe they can sustain it, maybe they can't. But no matter what happens in the weeks to come, the last 25+ games we have been witnessing probably the best the San Antonio Spurs have ever been. Ever. Not only have they been dominating, they've been beautiful, playing the best team ball of the last 30 years of the NBA. (The last non-bad team that distributed minutes like this was probably the 1982 Hawks. The last championship team that went this deep was the 1975 Warriors.)

Yeah, two of the Big Three are no longer in their primes. But the minutes they are on the court together is still like watching three mindreaders at work. And every other member of the team absolutely takes their cues from them.

The Spurs bench is a Swiss Army Knife, a collection of multifunctional tools able to adapt to any situation. Or they're a chef's spice rack, with Chef Pop mixing up the nightly bouillabaisse . . . okay, done with the metaphors.

It doesn't seem to matter who they throw out there, as long as they're in the Silver and Black. (I think I saw Sequ hit a three against the Warriors.) That's a testament to Pop, who obviously gets his share of credit, and R.C., who really doesn't. In fact, I'd argue R.C. deserves Executive of the Year more than Pop deserves Coach.

This obviously isn't going to last forever, but hopefully will make it another twelve wins. And even if it doesn't, I wanted to be on record as saying, damn this is fun no matter what.

Great post, ShoogarBear.




I've been enjoying the ride for a while now...especially after it became apparent that the Spurs were not going to break up the Big 3 to rebuild. I fretted about this at first, with visions of becoming a team full of aging stars that could no longer compete for a title. A team stuck in no mans land...too good for the lottery and not good enough to contend.

Then I had a moment at some point...I can't tell you exactly when but it was one of those vintage nights where the Big 3 shined and all felt right again. In that moment of splendor I realized something terrible. I realized that the day was coming when I would no longer get to see nights like this. The Big 3 would go away and all I would have was memories captured on film and placed on a medium of media. The starting over I used to so strongly desire now terrified me.

It was then that I made the decision that I would take whatever good I could get out of these final seasons and let the rest fall by the wayside. No matter the situation, I would shrug off all the bad just to have those small glimpses of good that I knew I needed to appreciate while there was still time. Little did I know that somewhere along the way the Spurs would do something improbable in my mind...they would once again become contenders. They would find the pieces to help them rise from the ashes and go once more unto the breach.

I firmly believe that a healthy Spurs team can win it all...but if for some reason they don't, I will still remember this year forever. Hopefully they can make that memory even sweeter by delivering five to the case.

I've been there since the beginning of last season. Enjoy the journey and don't worry about the destination. No matter where it ends, I'm going to savor whatever Tim and Manu have left in the tank.

[cheguevara]

they ain't no roses yet just carnations for now. beating a shitty jazz team in round 1 does not amount to much IMO.

Spurs haven't proven shit yet. The roses come in June

[Interrohater]

This OP is poetry. The Spurs play like they all have beautiful minds. I can see the little graphics of angles and advanced mathematics flying around their heads. Seriously, maybe one of the highest BBIQ teams in awhile.

[TJastal]

This OP is poetry. The Spurs play like they all have beautiful minds. I can see the little graphics of angles and advanced mathematics flying around their heads. Seriously, maybe one of the highest BBIQ teams in awhile.

Tim Legler agrees.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/scoreboard

Funny that all it took was a couple of passes and the jazz players were just running all over the court in a total state of confusion while the spurs just patiently waited for the perfect breakdown. I don't know if this is a product of the jazz being that bad and undisciplined or the spurs that good, but I suspect it's a little of both.

[Fabbs]

I don't know if this is a product of the jazz being that bad and undisciplined or the spurs that good, but I suspect it's a little of both.
Lot of both.
When the Jazz completely upped their D effort in their run it was night and day.

But the Spurs reupped theirs just in time. The SJax tip leading to the Manu layup was :toast

[admiralsnackbar]

POTY candidate :tu


Word.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I'm only posting here to add one more person who


earned this Spur by being an original member of Spurstalk.com

And to say that this team will rip the asshole out of an elephant.

[Keepin' it real]

they ain't no roses yet just carnations for now. beating a shitty jazz team in round 1 does not amount to much IMO.

Spurs haven't proven shit yet. The roses come in June

This post shows that you're missing the OP's point ... entirely. Or at the very least, you disagree with his point.

Personally, I'm savoring the 1st round sweep. Feels a whole lot better than last year's first round, that's for sure. Never take anything for granted.

[Venti Quattro]

This OP is poetry. The Spurs play like they all have beautiful minds. I can see the little graphics of angles and advanced mathematics flying around their heads. Seriously, maybe one of the highest BBIQ teams in awhile.

They have discovered the Spur equilibrium and deserve to be Nobel Laureates. Such a classy team :cry

[baseline bum]

:lol That might be the faggiest thing I've ever read on here

:lol "advanced mathematics"

You can't do ODE in your head? Did you get double digits on your Wonderlic son?

[J.T.]

better then those colts teams huh:lol:lol

Ducks still massively butthurt that Peyton Manning won those 2008 and 2009 MVPs over Philip Rivers

[Spurs Brazil]

Great post. :tu

This run has been fun, especially after the Jax trade

[Drachen]

I'm only posting here to add one more person who


earned this Spur by being an original member of Spurstalk.com


aaaand another.

Also, lol at people arguing past the OP since it flew right over their head.

[UnWantedTheory]

I've been rolling & bathing in the roses all season. Great post.

[Manu20]

You know you are a spoiled Spurs fan when you see other teams play and think to yourself what is wrong with their offense?? lol

[z0sa]

It's funny how few 'fans' wanted to do that at the start of the season.

[Yuixafun]

You know you are a spoiled Spurs fan when you see other teams play and think to yourself what is wrong with their offense?? lol

That was me watching the Knicks vs Heat on Sunday :lol

[objective]

Everything has been, well, wonderful since RJ got canned and the new pieces brought in.

It's almost like I've been living in a dream world, where I was getting everything I've ever wanted the Spurs to do these last few years.

Get RJ out of uniform. Play Splitter more and now with Diaw, Bonner and Blair are on the back burner. Play young guys over busted old scrubs (Finley, Udoka, Centerpiece, Mason, RJ) . . . and here the Spurs are, starting Leonard and Green.

I've felt a soothing calm ever since Blair was removed from the starting line-up, that combined with wretched RJ being gone, has made this last month or among the most pleasant I've ever had as a Spurs fan.

[Quiet Strength]

This season has been awesome. Watching the young guys develop.. getting rid of rj and getting sj back.. duncan stepping it up to a level we havent seen in several years. This team has been fun to watch. Hopefully they finish with a :lobt2:

[stéphane]

Had to post just to acknowledge Shoog's post.

I raise a child now and am getting married so it's been hard to watch Spurs ball in the middle of the night.
But right now, it's so beautifull, it's like I want to be drawn in there and play with these players who play as one.
It's touching and beautifull, that's true basketball.

[Jimcs50]

When the Spurs are in LA for next two series, they can smell the roses, cuz there are a ton of them around LA.

Nice post Shoog. I forgot about you, since I have been on a hiatus for the last 4 years or so. Good to see you again.

:toast

[TD 21]

Really good post. I'm as competitive as humanly possible and probably nitpick as much as humanly possible too, but even I relented last night. I wasn't even the slightest bit concerned that they were losing that game. Maybe it was the massive lead/lack of time remaining, maybe it was my lack of confidence in the Jazz, the 3-0 series lead, the insane run this team has been on, or maybe it was all of the above, but as ugly as those final 8 or so minutes were, I gave the team a pass. It says something about the disparity of the two teams, no question, but that was about as bad as you'll see this team and they still won and they won in the fashion that people have claimed they haven't been capable of since their heyday.

I've been saying it for a while. Barring injury, it's going to take an out-out-their-mind performance from Bynum or James to keep this team from winning the championship. But whether this incredible run ends in a championship or not, I can already say that this is the most aesthetically pleasing basketball I've ever witnessed.

[phxspurfan]

I also just wanted to post in this thread and say that the Spurs, this year, have made me feel like they did back in the early 2000s. I'm so proud to be a fan with the way they run their ball club. I just wish I lived in SATown so I could get more tickets to their games. It's no wonder why the players say it's a family, because even to huge fans like us, we feel like a part of it.

[Budkin]

Getting JAX and Diaw changed everything... I just want to see them go all the way.

[dav4463]

If there are any leftover NBA fans who still think the Spurs are boring......then they are just flat out Stupid!

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Then I had a moment at some point...I can't tell you exactly when but it was one of those vintage nights where the Big 3 shined and all felt right again. In that moment of splendor I realized something terrible. I realized that the day was coming when I would no longer get to see nights like this. The Big 3 would go away and all I would have was memories captured on film and placed on a medium of media. The starting over I used to so strongly desire now terrified me.

It was then that I made the decision that I would take whatever good I could get out of these final seasons and let the rest fall by the wayside. No matter the situation, I would shrug off all the bad just to have those small glimpses of good that I knew I needed to appreciate while there was still time. Little did I know that somewhere along the way the Spurs would do something improbable in my mind...they would once again become contenders. They would find the pieces to help them rise from the ashes and go once more unto the breach.



Excellently put!

[Guru of Nothing]

I'm with you fellas.

9xJkUyotSc4#t=0m11s ...cant seem to make it skip the first 11 seconds of the clip.

[ALVAREZ6]

All we need now is ... NO LIMIT ARMY COMMANDER to make their return.

:tu

Great post, and yes, I think the no limit army commander needs to return.

[bonesinaz]

:tu

Great post, and yes, I think the no limit army commander needs to return.

:tu

[Kamnik]

Awsome write up!

[TheTruth]

Love this thread. Lot's of posters I miss reading showing up.

[Brazil]

I'm enjoying the ride. I saw 99% of the spurs games this season, great run so far. Not making the WCF would be a disappointment, better than that is just bonus at this point.

[benefactor]

I'm enjoying the ride. I saw 99% of the spurs games this season, great run so far. Not making the WCF would be a disappointment, better than that is just bonus at this point.
I was so mad about the lockout that I almost decided not to get League Pass.

Best decision I never made.

[Brazil]

I was so mad about the lockout that I almost decided not to get League Pass.

Best decision I never made.


It seems I chose the right year to move to the US and get LP :toast

[DAF86]

All I can say is that I'm very grateful for firstrowsports.

[slick'81]

great year!! after spurs got bounced in rnd1 i appreciated the sweep of utah and another 50 win season alot more

[Morphgizmo]

So far, so good.

[ShoogarBear]

http://philosiblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/smellroses.jpg

[Axe Murderer]

http://philosiblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/smellroses.jpg

:lol

great, GREAT post Shoog! :toast

:worthy:

I just sacrificed my first born to you. It should come in the mail by next week

:worthy:

[Slomo]

Nice bump!
:tu

[therealtruth]

Actually Jax still hasn't really got going yet.

[spursfan1000]

Roses smell pretty damn good tbh

[silverblackfan]

The roses smell sweet, but screw that! Winning the next game smells even better. Keep focused and count the wins after it is all over. Go get that championship. One game at a time and never be satisfied with what has happened in the past.
It is not very often that a team of this caliber is gathered and of the same mind and motivation. Let us wait 'til the end of the season. Then, we will savor the accomplishments.
I think it will be even sweeter.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Those roses smell mighty sweet when the Spurs lead a series 3-0.

[Canibspur]

:clap

[ginobilized]

Wow! I might go ahead and eat the roses......they smell THAT good.
It's great to appreciate the Spurs, they certainly deserve it.

[ShoogarBear]

Nope, every word of the original post still stands.

Not surprising that these are concepts that are beyond the scope of Mav Fan's comprehension.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I guess those roses are smelling like shit about now :lol

solid bump, Steve:lol

[timvp]

I'm glad I enjoyed the journey, tbh. That was an awesome point in Spurs fandom.

'Twas awesome.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Nope, every word of the original post still stands.

Not surprising that these are concepts that are beyond the scope of Mav Fan's comprehension.

wJ0Sxr2gvV8

[timtonymanu]

FWIW, I still enjoyed the season. Who honestly thought we would get this far?

And I'm glad Tim Duncan doesn't spend his final seasons having Richard Jefferson as a teammate. Next thing to do is amnesty Matt Bonner.

That being said, Spurs in 7. :lol

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I don't know if the Spurs are going to win the Larry O'Brien this year. (In fact, if either Andrew Bynum or Erik Spoelstra ever gets a clue for four games out of seven, the odds are probably still against that.) But now is the perfect time for Spur fans to, for just a moment, stop worrying about the championship (and the last six minutes of game 4) and appreciate what's going on in front of their eyes.

There's still a tough road ahead: maybe they can sustain it, maybe they can't. But no matter what happens in the weeks to come, the last 25+ games we have been witnessing probably the best the San Antonio Spurs have ever been. Ever. Not only have they been dominating, they've been beautiful, playing the best team ball of the last 30 years of the NBA. (The last non-bad team that distributed minutes like this was probably the 1982 Hawks. The last championship team that went this deep was the 1975 Warriors.)

Yeah, two of the Big Three are no longer in their primes. But the minutes they are on the court together is still like watching three mindreaders at work. And every other member of the team absolutely takes their cues from them.

The Spurs bench is a Swiss Army Knife, a collection of multifunctional tools able to adapt to any situation. Or they're a chef's spice rack, with Chef Pop mixing up the nightly bouillabaisse . . . okay, done with the metaphors.

It doesn't seem to matter who they throw out there, as long as they're in the Silver and Black. (I think I saw Sequ hit a three against the Warriors.) That's a testament to Pop, who obviously gets his share of credit, and R.C., who really doesn't. In fact, I'd argue R.C. deserves Executive of the Year more than Pop deserves Coach.

This obviously isn't going to last forever, but hopefully will make it another twelve wins. And even if it doesn't, I wanted to be on record as saying, damn this is fun no matter what.

:tu

Feels like shit now, but it's been a helluva ride.