Hungry

[MannyIsGod]

At the start of the NBA season you would have been hard pressed to find a fan here who thought the Spurs would be legit contenders to the NBA crown. Hell, even Tony Parker was telling reporters overseas that the Spurs best days were behind them. Even as the Spurs started to play better most in here thought they had seen this before. Had we not just one year prior seen the Spurs go on an amazing regular season run only to be eliminated in embarrassing fashion in the first round of the playoffs?

Somewhere along the line, these Spurs turned us all into believers that an NBA championship was a legitimate possibility. I wondered to myself though - how hungry was this team? Sure, some of the role players who had never won a ring surely wanted one. Gary Neal and Danny Green must surely crave a ring, right? Moreso than the core of this team who has won several tittles together over the past decade, right? Tony had obviously written this team off already so how much did he want it? Duncan is going to go down as an all time great and his skills were in very noticeable decline so how much did he still want to get there?

I know OKC wants it. Durant tonight put on an AMAZING display when the Spurs were on the verge of writing another amazing chapter in their story. Frankly, Durant is everything Lebron James wants to be and is going to be the one who brings many rings to his team in the coming decade. He was magical last night. But aside from that, its obvious the team wants it. They are all HUNGRY.

At the start of this season, I would have been happy if the Spurs had made a playoff run this deep. Making the WCF on the strength of a 20 game win streak and some of the best (probably THE best) offensive basketball I've ever seen would have been a very satisfying way to have this season play out. Given Parker's words, I think that most of the team would actually agree with this.

But this is no longer the start of the NBA season. We've seen what these Spurs are capable of and I'm no longer satisfied with a WCF appearance. I've seen the abilities of this team and I want them to reach the standard they themselves set. Its not enough to have made the WCF with a 20 game win streak. I want more. I hope THEY want more.

And in the end, thats what it all comes down to. Are these Spurs satisfied, or are they hungry? OKC is by far the best team talent wise the Spurs have played but they are also the most hungry. They were close last season when they fell to Dallas; and that failure has only made them hungrier. Sometimes it feels as though they try a bit too hard to see like the tough guys but only because its apparent that what makes them actual tough guys is not their ridiculous stare downs but their inability to fold.

Overcoming such a steadfast determination is what the Spurs have to do if they are going to advance in this series. 2 games ago I bought into the belief that the Spurs were a well oiled machine that would be impossible to stop. I was wrong. OKC can stop them. But the Spurs can over come that. IF they are hungry enough. And in the end, thats what this series will be decided upon. Not talent, not efficiency, not execution but hunger. Does the old guard want it enough to make another run at it or is the new dynasty ready to take over?

Tony Parker doesn't become a top 4 MVP candidate based on talent alone. Kevin Durant doesn't take over a game in the fourth based on talent alone. Tim Duncan doesn't look 8 years younger on talent alone. Ibaka doesn't have the game of a lifetime on talent alone.

Who's the hungriest? Game 5 is going to tell us a lot.

[100%duncan]

Well I'm fucking hungry. This is the last stand in the Duncan era so let's see what they are made of.

[Ice009]

Thunder might be looser because they know they'll have more chances.

[The Reckoning]

eggs and bacon right now..on it

[baseline bum]

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/game-on/2012/01/20/ksmithx-large.jpg

San Antonio's bench is eating soup with a spoon when they should be using a fork. Games 3 and 4 show Oklahoma City eats their soup with a fork.

[MannyIsGod]

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/game-on/2012/01/20/ksmithx-large.jpg

San Antonio's bench is eating soup with a spoon when they should be using a fork. Games 3 and 4 show Oklahoma City eats their soup with a fork.

:lol wtf

[spurspokesman]

The spurs would like to silence the naysayers and lay the old myth aside. Expect the big three to pull a rabbit out the bag and ride off into the sunset with a freshly glowing object on there fingers. BELIEVE

[Bartleby]

I thought for sure this thread was going to be about Blair (who does seem hungry for meaningful minutes).

[TD 21]

I love how because the usual bunch of idiots that the rest of you parrot didn't believe they were legit championship contenders, then "none of us did".

I expect game five to be the best game of the playoffs period and I expect the last two or three games of this series to give this playoffs their signature series.

[dbreiden83080]

I never question the hunger of Duncan or Manu and Tony has played his butt off this year.. The execution has been poor in games 3 and 4 and OKC has turned it up. I don't think last night was about effort or hunger it was about OKC being that good and a few unfortunate swings of momentum. Pop should take some blame as well...

[dunkman]

Motivation plays a minor part tbh. Pop needs to make adjustments, at least to have the offense going.

[MannyIsGod]

I love how because the usual bunch of idiots that the rest of you parrot didn't believe they were legit championship contenders, then "none of us did".

I expect game five to be the best game of the playoffs period and I expect the last two or three games of this series to give this playoffs their signature series.

So I see that you used quotation marks but I'm not sure you understand what they mean. Can you find a place where I said that "none of us" thought they were contenders?

Reading is hard, isn't it?

[MannyIsGod]

I never question the hunger of Duncan or Manu and Tony has played his butt off this year.. The execution has been poor in games 3 and 4 and OKC has turned it up. I don't think last night was about effort or hunger it was about OKC being that good and a few unfortunate swings of momentum. Pop should take some blame as well...

I think last night was all about desire. Not necessarily from the big three, but from other parts of the team. Some players showed huge desire, such as Blair and Durant. Others left a lot wanting.

Sometimes its not enough to have someone like Jax who is obviously always hungry on your team. Sometimes the entire team has to want it bad enough to go take it.

Also, I won't buy that anyone on that court last night wanted the win more than Durant.

[MannyIsGod]

I thought for sure this thread was going to be about Blair (who does seem hungry for meaningful minutes).

I can't express how much Dejuan's stock went up in my eyes last night. He definitely showed a ton of heart.

[KDtrey5]

Charles Barkley last night said," Durant is like a young Michael Jordan" but only 6'10, 7"5 wingspan, dribbles like a point guard and above average speed for his height.Spurs fans should be grateful, your watching greatness right now. He shot a game winner against Dallas, Drilled a crucial game winning three against Metta World Peace, game winner baseline layup on Bynum & gasol and recently dropped 16 straight points on the most over hyped team since the Heats got together. Funny how Kevin went to University of Texas :rollin ( this must hurt even more).

W9KnH_SxK4w

[Floyd Pacquiao]

pizza face couldn't win shit at texas

[Obstructed_View]

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/game-on/2012/01/20/ksmithx-large.jpg

San Antonio's bench is eating soup with a spoon when they should be using a fork. Games 3 and 4 show Oklahoma City eats their soup with a fork.

The Spurs just dropped their spoon for a bit.

[CosmicCowboy]

Charles Barkley last night said," Durant is like a young Michael Jordan" but only 6'10, 7"5 wingspan, dribbles like a point guard and above average speed for his height.Spurs fans should be grateful, your watching greatness right now. He shot a game winner against Dallas, Drilled a crucial game winning three against Metta World Peace, game winner baseline layup on Bynum & gasol and recently dropped 16 straight points on the most over hyped team since the Heats got together. Funny how Kevin went to University of Texas :rollin ( this must hurt even more).

W9KnH_SxK4w

Durants great, but Spurs were hardly overhyped. You probably just started watching the Spurs in this playoff series so I can understand your perspective but they really are that good when they are clicking.

[TDomination]

SJax is salivating from the mouth
Diaw is starving
Blair is hungry for minutes as someone said but he's starving to show what he can do to help the team win
Kawhi is playing with a ton of hunger, even though its his first year you can tell he is t the top of his game right now.
Bonner is...well he's got a tummy ache
Neal is at the beginning stages of hunger
Splitter/Green are both trying to get hungry
Duncan/Manu/Parker are all masterchefs. They have satisfied their own hunger but want to satisfy the hunger of those around them. Sometimes they overcook/undercook but it is never from a lack of desire.

[KDtrey5]

Durants great, but Spurs were hardly overhyped. You probably just started watching the Spurs in this playoff series so I can understand your perspective but they really are that good when they are clicking.

No... I watched them in the regular season when they face the Thunders that is. I wasn't really that impressed with them at all. Look at last year The Heats had off and down games in the regular season but I knew when it mattered they would of reached the finals. The spurs are good but look at game three The thunders were defending 90% of their 3 point shooters and look what happened. IMO Spurs live and die by the 3 when things get tough for them. Their just like the 08-09 magics but without dwight howard. Defense wins Championships and we all know which team has superior defense...

[TD 21]

So I see that you used quotation marks but I'm not sure you understand what they mean. Can you find a place where I said that "none of us" thought they were contenders?

Reading is hard, isn't it?

Fair enough . . . I just couldn't be bothered to read such a long rant from such a second rate poster.

[romsho]

Charles Barkley last night said," Durant is like a young Michael Jordan" but only 6'10, 7"5 wingspan, dribbles like a point guard and above average speed for his height.Spurs fans should be grateful, your watching greatness right now. He shot a game winner against Dallas, Drilled a crucial game winning three against Metta World Peace, game winner baseline layup on Bynum & gasol and recently dropped 16 straight points on the most over hyped team since the Heats got together. Funny how Kevin went to University of Texas :rollin ( this must hurt even more).

W9KnH_SxK4w

You are getting more ridiculous with every minute that passes. Two home wins and your courage grows..you may want to wait til this thing is over before talking the massive amount of shit you are right now. Seriously..please shut the fuck up. We'll all be better for it.

[timvp]

TD 21, the guy who wholeheartedly believes in the Spurs when times are good and calls them gutless worms when times aren't as good. The guy who scoffs when anyone suggests San Antonio's defense might be suspect or that any other team is a legit contender during the good times and is the first to the throw the Spurs under the bus during the less good times. Not exactly who I'd go to for a judge of who's a good poster ... or a good basketball team, for that matter.

[DMC]

I don't think it's about being hungry as much as it is being ready to eat. Spurs need to be ready to eat, and not just eat like a volleyball team, but like a football team at a Chuy's. They need to order the jalapeno ranch and keep it coming. Gary Neal needs to get 4 enchiladas and Blair needs at least 5 pounds of fajita meat and all the sides. Tim needs a gallon of refried beans and Tony needs to consume a huge bowl of queso and about 4 refills of chips. Boris needs the macho burrito, smothered in verde sauce and pico de gallo. Leonard kills his own food.

[KDtrey5]

You are getting more ridiculous with every minute that passes. Two home wins and your courage grows..you may want to wait til this thing is over before talking the massive amount of shit you are right now. Seriously..please shut the fuck up. We'll all be better for it.

LOL you mad? Anyway I made a post before we even tied the series on why the OKC Thunders would win. My confidence been the same before the series, just like how majority of spurs fans thought they were going to swept us. You should calm down young one :lmao

[timvp]

As for hunger, I think that's part of it. But I find it hard to doubt the hunger of this team. TD lives to win, Ginobili is one of the best competitors ever and all Parker has talked about this entire season is winning a championship. I don't see a lack of hunger in any of the players. Bonner and Green aren't doing well but it's not for a lack of effort or wanting it enough.

I think winning might actually come down to being able to relax and play their game. If the Spurs tense up and start trying to play a different brand of basketball all of a sudden, that's when things can spiral out of control. If they can keep playing their run-and-fun style, I feel pretty good about their chances in Game 5. In these circumstances, it's difficult to play loose and easy, so it's far from a given.

And yeah, this is a GREAT Thunder team. If they can keep it together, I don't see a reason why they can't win a handful of rings.

[TD 21]

TD 21, the guy who wholeheartedly believes in the Spurs when times are good and calls them gutless worms when times aren't as good. The guy who scoffs when anyone suggests San Antonio's defense might be suspect or that any other team is a legit contender during the good times and is the first to the throw the Spurs under the bus during the less good times. Not exactly who I'd go to for a judge of who's a good poster ... or a good basketball team, for that matter.

That performance was gutless . . . even a member of the team agreed. You just don't have the balls to admit it.

I never scoffed their defense being suspect, I just said I thought rebounding had surpassed it as a bigger area of concern. And I never scoffed any other legit contender, I scoffed the Thunder and I will continue to do so.

Who cares who you'd "go to for a judge of who's a good poser . . . or a good basketball team, for that matter"? I didn't ask for your opinion, nor do I require it to give mine.

You know, it's funny, you act like I'm fair-weather, but look at you. When you like the cut of my jib, then I'm a good poster. When you don't, you act like I'm the scum of the earth.

[TDomination]

I don't think it's about being hungry as much as it is being ready to eat. Spurs need to be ready to eat, and not just eat like a volleyball team, but like a football team at a Chuy's. They need to order the jalapeno ranch and keep it coming. Gary Neal needs to get 4 enchiladas and Blair needs at least 5 pounds of fajita meat and all the sides. Tim needs a gallon of refried beans and Tony needs to consume a huge bowl of queso and about 4 refills of chips. Boris needs the macho burrito, smothered in verde sauce and pico de gallo. Leonard kills his own food.

with his bare hands

[TDomination]

As for hunger, I think that's part of it. But I find it hard to doubt the hunger of this team. TD lives to win, Ginobili is one of the best competitors ever and all Parker has talked about this entire season is winning a championship. I don't see a lack of hunger in any of the players. Bonner and Green aren't doing well but it's not for a lack of effort or wanting it enough.

I think winning might actually come down to being able to relax and play their game. If the Spurs tense up and start trying to play a different brand of basketball all of a sudden, that's when things can spiral out of control.

This.

When they stop playing tense and just play the game, the ball movement becomes crisp, their vision opens up, they make the right pass at the right time and everything is in rhythm. Lets hope they are able to relax here at home. Im sure it will be nice to sleep in their own house, on their own beds, with their families and have a crowd cheering them on.

[DMC]

with his bare hands
He could strangle a bison with one hand.

[DMC]

That performance was gutless . . . even a member of the team agreed. You just don't have the balls to admit it.

I never scoffed their defense being suspect, I just said I thought rebounding had surpassed it as a bigger area of concern. And I never scoffed any other legit contender, I scoffed the Thunder and I will continue to do so.

Who cares who you'd "go to for a judge of who's a good poser . . . or a good basketball team, for that matter"? I didn't ask for your opinion, nor do I require it to give mine.

You know, it's funny, you act like I'm fair-weather, but look at you. When you like the cut of my jib, then I'm a good poster. When you don't, you act like I'm the scum of the earth.
Fucking scum :nope

[timvp]

That performance was gutless . . . even a member of the team agreed. You just don't have the balls to admit it.Nobody called them gutless worms other than one sackless poster.


I never scoffed their defense being suspect

:lol


I just said I thought rebounding had surpassed it as a bigger area of concern.Which turned out to be stupid.


And I never scoffed any other legit contender, I scoffed the Thunder and I will continue to do so. :lmao @ the Thunder not being a legit contender.


You know, it's funny, you act like I'm fair-weather, but look at you. When you like the cut of my jib, then I'm a good poster. When you don't, you act like I'm the scum of the earth.

lol scum of the earth

So I'm a fair-weather fan of TD 21. You're a fair-weather fan of the Spurs.

At least you're seeing the light.

[Ginofan]

I've seen nothing but hunger from Stephen Jackson. As for the rest of team, I know they have it in them...they just need to all get on the same meal schedule. We haven't had one moment in this series where are all guns are firing. Manu will be on but Tony and TD aren't, or TD will be on and the rest of the team is lost, etc. etc.

So far both teams have just done what they are supposed to do, take care of their home court. It really doesn't become a series until someone wins on someone else's court.


LOL you mad? Anyway I made a post before we even tied the series on why the OKC Thunders would win. My confidence been the same before the series, just like how majority of spurs fans thought they were going to swept us. You should calm down young one :lmao

You readily admitted to only watching the Spurs when they play the Thunder...you have absolutely no idea what this Spurs team is made of or what they are capable of. It'll be nice to bask in your silence when the Spurs take this in 6.

[DMC]

The "done what they're supposed to do" is another fallacious cliche. The Thunder are supposed to win in SA else they lose the series.

[baseline bum]

:lol wtf

It was the stupidest thing I ever heard out of Kenny Smith. I think he was ranting about the Rockets/Lakers series a few years ago. He said Houston ate soup with a fork and the rest of the crew looked at him puzzled as hell as he kept repeating it. Finally he said the Rockets are hungry because they're eating soup with a fork and the Lakers were fat and happy eating soup with a spoon.

Kenny really says some retarded shit when he's given the chance to lead a conversation. I remember an interview with Rome during the 99 playoffs when he had this analogy about driving a cadillac in the desert to a gas station or something like that.

[TD 21]

Nobody called them gutless worms other than one sackless poster.

Well, Jackson didn't use that exact word obviously, but he clearly inferred the same exact thing.

Says the guy who doesn't even have the balls to call them out. All you do it come with soft, veiled remarks and silver linings. That's bullshit. Call a spade a spade. That was a gutless performance if I've ever seen one. It doesn't mean you've disowned the team or are off the band wagon.


:lolFind where I did . . .


Which turned out to be stupid.Maybe (though they did get bludgeoned on the glass), but one thing is for certain: Nothing will ever be as stupid as you giving the Clippers no chance of beating the Grizzlies in game 7, to the point of jumping the gun with a thread.


:lmao @ the Thunder not being a legit contender. I stand by that. I know it's a shock to your system that someone can have an original opinion that flies in the face of conventional wisdom, but it does happen. The Spurs or Heat, barring debilitating injury, are winning the championship.


lol scum of the earth

So I'm a fair-weather fan of TD 21. You're a fair-weather fan of the Spurs.

At least you're seeing the light.Oh, I've seen the light alright. You're a hypocrite, with a penchant for making things up.

[benefactor]

I know it's a shock to your system that someone can have an original opinion that flies in the face of conventional wisdom
This your whole attempted shtick in a nutshell. Too bad you suck horribly at it.

I think I speak for everyone when I say.....shut up, faggot.

[TD 21]

This your whole attempted shtick in a nutshell. Too bad you suck horribly at it.

I think I speak for everyone when I say.....shut up, faggot.

I don't have any shtick, you walking stereotype. As usual you come rushing to timvp's defense. You're pathetic.

I think I speak for everyone when I say.....you're the worst non-troll regular poster.

[benefactor]

Whatever you say, faggot.

[TD 21]

Whatever you say, faggot.

AKA, you have no comeback and are conceding.

You're even dumber than I thought if you think anyone finds your "faggot" shtick funny. And for someone of your age to think that . . . wow.

[Budkin]

Charles Barkley last night said," Durant is like a young Michael Jordan" but only 6'10, 7"5 wingspan, dribbles like a point guard and above average speed for his height.Spurs fans should be grateful, your watching greatness right now. He shot a game winner against Dallas, Drilled a crucial game winning three against Metta World Peace, game winner baseline layup on Bynum & gasol and recently dropped 16 straight points on the most over hyped team since the Heats got together. Funny how Kevin went to University of Texas :rollin ( this must hurt even more).

W9KnH_SxK4w

I can't wait to bump your threads when the Thunder are eliminated. Oh wait, you won't show up to even see them. :lol

[benefactor]

AKA, you have no comeback and are conceding.

You're even dumber than I thought if you think anyone finds your "faggot" shtick funny. And for someone of your age to think that . . . wow.
No...I just don't put any effort into debating with some dipshit who acts like a girl who desperately wants acceptance but tries to do it by making the most accepted people look bad. Hate to break it to you...but no one gives a fuck about what you have to say. They don't give a fuck that you want to prove LJ wrong. They don't give a fuck about you period.

[TD 21]

No...I just don't put any effort into debating with some dipshit who acts like a girl who desperately wants acceptance but tries to do it by making the most accepted people look bad. Hate to break it to you...but no one gives a fuck about what you have to say. They don't give a fuck that you want to prove LJ wrong. They don't give a fuck about you period.

You're seriously retarded if you think I'm "looking for acceptance". Honestly, I don't know where you get this nonsense from. This is your logic: If you don't agree with everything timvp says, then you're looking for attention.

Who is this no one? Seems to me you rush into many of the threads I post in and so do many others. And who said I was doing this for anyone? You're just as big a hypocrite as your god. Call me out for supposedly pretending to fight the good fight, then doing the same exact thing by acting like you're some spokesman for the board. As if any of them give a fuck about you, you fat bastard.

[MannyIsGod]

Fair enough . . . I just couldn't be bothered to read such a long rant from such a second rate poster.

:lmao

Oh shit, that cut deep.

[MannyIsGod]

I think people are misunderstanding as what I said as the Spurs not having a high level of desire. The point was more that the Thunder obviously want it a GREAT deal and the Spurs are going to have to surpass that.

In full disclosure I was pretty damn drunk when I wrote this last night. :lol

[benefactor]

You're seriously retarded if you think I'm "looking for acceptance". Honestly, I don't know where you get this nonsense from.


So when I (essentially( say this, only in no uncertain terms, I'm fair-weather and all of the other names you and your merry band of idiots called me, but when you do, you're none of those things?

:crywhen I say things its not important:cry

:cry:cry:cry:cry:cry:cry

[TD 21]

:crywhen I say things its not important:cry

:cry:cry:cry:cry:cry:cry

I already knew you lacked basic reading comprehension, I didn't need another example.

That was a rhetorical (I know, look it up) question directed at timvp and it was a prime example of why he's a hypocrite. Either that or he was blind to see that we were saying the same thing, like a synonym. The difference is I was more to the point, while he was beating around the bush.

[Leetonidas]

TD 21, the guy who wholeheartedly believes in the Spurs when times are good and calls them gutless worms when times aren't as good. The guy who scoffs when anyone suggests San Antonio's defense might be suspect or that any other team is a legit contender during the good times and is the first to the throw the Spurs under the bus during the less good times. Not exactly who I'd go to for a judge of who's a good poster ... or a good basketball team, for that matter.

Damn :lmao:lmao


As far as the op goes, I don't question the hunger of our players. You can see it in the big threes' eyes, they want this title. The young guys are hungry. They hadn't lost in 20 games and maybe they're a little discombobulated and some of them are lost in the moment because of finally losing and the raucous OKC crowd but I fully expect them to regain their composure once they return from OKC. This isn't the Spurs team that got broken last season and stumbled to the finish line. These Spurs have faltered but have always picked themselves up and refocused on the prize. I don't expect that to change. These two losses will show what our team is truly made of and if they end up winning the title, it may be from the mettle they discovered during the despair.

[benefactor]

Look out...he's cuttin' deep now. First it's that sick burn he put on Manny with the second rate poster jab now he's pulling the reading comprehension card.

Tell you what...I like you and you have great takes. They are far better than LJ, Ludden or the Almighty God himself. We should all look up to you and the bar is set when you type things on this forum. Is that better or does your sore asshole need a little more soothing balm?

[dbreiden83080]

I think last night was all about desire. Not necessarily from the big three, but from other parts of the team. Some players showed huge desire, such as Blair and Durant. Others left a lot wanting.

Sometimes its not enough to have someone like Jax who is obviously always hungry on your team. Sometimes the entire team has to want it bad enough to go take it.

Also, I won't buy that anyone on that court last night wanted the win more than Durant.

Well they are being questioned and pushed heading into tomorrow. We are going to see what this team is made of. If they are special they will find a way to come out of this series. Backs against the wall i think they will respond..

[TD 21]

Look out...he's cuttin' deep now. First it's that sick burn he put on Manny with the second rate poster jab now he's pulling the reading comprehension card.

Tell you what...I like you and you have great takes. They are far better than LJ, Ludden or the Almighty God himself. We should all look up to you and the bar is set when you type things on this forum. Is that better or does your sore asshole need a little more soothing balm?

Says the guy who responds to everything with either faggot, an emoticon or both.

More hypocrisy. I'm supposedly butthurt, but you're not when you're doing the exact same thing I am? That makes sense. Remind us all why you're involved in this again . . .

[100%duncan]

:lmaoThunder not a contender:lmao

[coachmac87]

Hey TD21..ur a douche and nobody likes you

Sincerely,

Spurstalk

[gospursgojas]

Lj/TD21 feud is fun times.

[DontStopBelieving]

No... I watched them in the regular season when they face the Thunders that is. I wasn't really that impressed with them at all. Look at last year The Heats had off and down games in the regular season but I knew when it mattered they would of reached the finals. The spurs are good but look at game three The thunders were defending 90% of their 3 point shooters and look what happened. IMO Spurs live and die by the 3 when things get tough for them. Their just like the 08-09 magics but without dwight howard. Defense wins Championships and we all know which team has superior defense...

:lmao:lmao