Do the Spurs...have enough to overcome Oklahoma City?

[manufan10]

Do the Spurs and Clippers have enough to overcome Oklahoma City?This is perhaps the most interesting big question in the league, and one that at first sounds disrespectful to the team with the NBA's best record. The Spurs sport a spry Tim Duncan, a legit bronze-medal MVP candidate in Tony Parker,5 (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8961228/can-miami-heat-repeat-champions-plus-more-questions-second-half-nba-season#footnote5) and a stingier defense than last season — thanks in part to the improved synergy of the Duncan–Tiago Splitter combo.6 (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8961228/can-miami-heat-repeat-champions-plus-more-questions-second-half-nba-season#footnote6)But Oklahoma City's four-game rally in the conference finals last season had the feel of a younger team figuring out how to beat its more polished elders — pack the paint on defense, leverage your athleticism advantage, and vary the play calling a tad.
James Harden is gone, but the Thunder are better. We should regard them as the favorites. The Spurs' offense isn't quite the same dominant machine it was last season — they're "only" fourth in points per 100 possessions, a full three points below the top spot they held last season — and they'll need more sustained top-level play from Manu Ginobili to beat elite teams when it counts.

6. The Spurs have outscored opponents by a monstrous 17.1 points per 100 possessions in 393 Duncan-Splitter minutes this season, and have gotten better on both ends of the floor when those two play, per NBA.com. The two shared the floor for just 129 minutes last season, and the Spurs' scoring dropped off in those minutes by 10 points per 100 possessions from its overall level.


http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8961228/can-miami-heat-repeat-champions-plus-more-questions-second-half-nba-season

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I'll be curious to see how SA does against the Clippers tomorrow, but I think there are going to be too many question marks for this team to get to the finals. If everything works out the Spurs will probably lose in the WCF in 6 like last year. Once you get to the final four the teams with the superstars will win out.

[look_at_g_shred]

Refs win 100% of the time.

[Dex]

I miss the days when these articles were about if other teams had enough to overcome San Antonio...

Oh wait, that never happened.

[EricB]

Without Harden, it shifts their entire defensive matchups in favor of the Spurs. Parker's numbers should be way up.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

spurs have a good shot tbh. harden is gone, fisher aint their to hit daggers. the main question will be is can ibaka shoot lights out again, can perkins and collison knock down bullshit jumpers again?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Without Harden, it shifts their entire defensive matchups in favor of the Spurs. Parker's numbers should be way up.

Thabo still plays for the Thunder and guards Parker better than anyone else in the league.

[Darkwaters]

spurs have a good shot tbh. harden is gone, fisher aint their to hit daggers. the main question will be is can ibaka shoot lights out again, can perkins and collison knock down bullshit jumpers again?

Jackson can take care of those Abaka jumpers

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Jackson can take care of those Abaka jumpers
true dat abaka aint bout dat life

[ThaBigFundamental21]

No we don't. Bottom line.

[FromWayDowntown]

I think it's still going to be an uphill climb for the Spurs, to be sure, but I'm less convinced than others (perhaps) that the 2012 WCF exposed some significant gap between the teams.

There's plenty of reason to think that if Harden doesn't make a three deep in the clock with under 30 seconds to go in Game 5, the Spurs re-seize momentum and -- at the very least -- force OKC to win a road Game 7 in SA. Ifs and buts, yeah -- but in the broader context of the series, Harden's three ended a 13-2 Spurs run that covered more than 5 minutes of the 4th quarter and which had cut the Thunder lead from 101-88 to 103-101. Great players on winning teams make that shot (and make it on the road to stave off a monumental collapse); Harden keeping his team from going down the drain is part and parcel of him being a great player (Harden also had 12 of the Thunder's 27 points in that 4th quarter). But if that one rims out, there's reason to think the Spurs win Game 5 and re-inject a little doubt back into the Thunder; as it was, having staved off that run to win a crucial road game had to just increase that team's confidence.

I'm not saying the Spurs were the better team or that they were screwed somehow; I'm just saying that the reality of the situation is that the Spurs were closer than many give them credit for in hindsight -- as this board well knows.

Notwithstanding that, one thing that I don't see mentioned much but which might be significant if the Spurs and Thunder meet again is the fact that several other teams have tried to mimic the Sefalosha-on-Parker concept in trying to slow Tony; aside from the fact that the Spurs can try to be better prepared to handle that sort of a switch if Brooks chooses to use it again, Parker has had to deal with it and seems (from my vantage point) to have figured out some ways to overcome the size of bigger defenders. Sefalosha is a different creature because not every long guy who gets assigned to Parker has Sefalosha's defensive gifts, but Tony's at least getting a look at that problem and seems to be finding ways to maintain his effectiveness in those situations.

[Seventyniner]

As far as I'm concerned, the Spurs are the favorites in the West right now, though only by a small margin. I'd take the Spurs in 7 over OC or LAC if it started tonight (i.e. Spurs have HCA).

[silverblk mystix]

I think it's still going to be an uphill climb for the Spurs, to be sure, but I'm less convinced than others (perhaps) that the 2012 WCF exposed some significant gap between the teams.

There's plenty of reason to think that if Harden doesn't make a three deep in the clock with under 30 seconds to go in Game 5, the Spurs re-seize momentum and -- at the very least -- force OKC to win a road Game 7 in SA. Ifs and buts, yeah -- but in the broader context of the series, Harden's three ended a 13-2 Spurs run that covered more than 5 minutes of the 4th quarter and which had cut the Thunder lead from 101-88 to 103-101. Great players on winning teams make that shot (and make it on the road to stave off a monumental collapse); Harden keeping his team from going down the drain is part and parcel of him being a great player (Harden also had 12 of the Thunder's 27 points in that 4th quarter). But if that one rims out, there's reason to think the Spurs win Game 5 and re-inject a little doubt back into the Thunder; as it was, having staved off that run to win a crucial road game had to just increase that team's confidence.

I'm not saying the Spurs were the better team or that they were screwed somehow; I'm just saying that the reality of the situation is that the Spurs were closer than many give them credit for in hindsight -- as this board well knows.

Notwithstanding that, one thing that I don't see mentioned much but which might be significant if the Spurs and Thunder meet again is the fact that several other teams have tried to mimic the Sefalosha-on-Parker concept in trying to slow Tony; aside from the fact that the Spurs can try to be better prepared to handle that sort of a switch if Brooks chooses to use it again, Parker has had to deal with it and seems (from my vantage point) to have figured out some ways to overcome the size of bigger defenders. Sefalosha is a different creature because not every long guy who gets assigned to Parker has Sefalosha's defensive gifts, but Tony's at least getting a look at that problem and seems to be finding ways to maintain his effectiveness in those situations.


Splitter playing a regular rotation role is a huge difference also. Splitter setting screens on Sefalosha - is a big difference. Splitter being buried on the bench with no confidence after another Pop episode - is another huge factor.

Maybe these things will be enough to tilt the outcome. Keeping Blair who plays his best ball against OKC - and Pop actually allowing Blair to see the floor might also he helpful to the Spurs cause.

[Man In Black]

Fuck that, last year is so last year. While the article moans about 3 less points in the fourth quarter, why is it they don't talk about how much better the defensive metrics are for this year's team over last year's?

Plus without Harden's Manu-like playmaking wizardry to set up all those easy jumpers for Ibaka and Collison PLUS take pressure off of Westbrook's questionable decision-making late, the real question should be, Does OKC still have the firepower to hold of the much improved defense of the Spurs?

[BatManu20]

All depends on Manu and Green imo. If Manu plays like he did against OKC last year, and Green can knock down his open looks, then we have a good shot. If not, then we'll lose. Simple as that.

[rmt]

Is no one worried that OKC going small with Durant at PF will take Splitter (their 4th best player according to the other thread) out of the equation and substantially decrease the Spurs' defense this year? KD is capable of playing the whole game and that'll relegate TS to the bench instead of the TD/TS duo that's made their defense so good this year. That's kinda why I'm hoping for LAC to eliminate OKC. If LAC would trade away Bledsloe, SAS would stand a fairly good chance of going to the Finals. Of course, MIA will also go small with LJ at PF.

[DrunkTXLabrat]

Splitter playing a regular rotation role is a huge difference also. Splitter setting screens on Sefalosha - is a big difference. Splitter being buried on the bench with no confidence after another Pop episode - is another huge factor.

Maybe these things will be enough to tilt the outcome. Keeping Blair who plays his best ball against OKC - and Pop actually allowing Blair to see the floor might also he helpful to the Spurs cause.

i hate your blair take, but i'm 100% with you on splitter.

[silverblk mystix]

i hate your blair take, but i'm 100% with you on splitter.

For some reason Blair plays really great against OKC. If Pop would just give Blair ---all of Bonners minutes---at least against OKC -- the Spurs would beat OKC. No lie.

[Brunodf]

Splitter playing a regular rotation role is a huge difference also. Splitter setting screens on Sefalosha - is a big difference. Splitter being buried on the bench with no confidence after another Pop episode - is another huge factor.



This, Splitter screens>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Boris/Bonner screens.

But Thunderefs are the favorites tbh

[Man In Black]

Is no one worried that OKC going small with Durant at PF will take Splitter (their 4th best player according to the other thread) out of the equation and substantially decrease the Spurs' defense this year? KD is capable of playing the whole game and that'll relegate TS to the bench instead of the TD/TS duo that's made their defense so good this year. That's kinda why I'm hoping for LAC to eliminate OKC. If LAC would trade away Bledsloe, SAS would stand a fairly good chance of going to the Finals. Of course, MIA will also go small with LJ at PF.
I, for one, feel that Pop should not react to OKC going small. Pop should just punish them in the post with a steady diet of Splitter Pick and Rolls, since that would relegate Durant to actually having to defend the post.

If OKC goes small, that would mean the lineup is KD at 4, Ibaka at 5, Sefalosha at 3, Martin at 2, and Westbrook at 1. While Ibaka would try to stay home, does that mean that KD has to defend Duncan? Splitter can just camp to the outside to suck out Ibaka and then Duncan can use the extra 35 pound advantage that he has to punish KD. OKC would need to have a incredibly efficient offense to offset the advantage the Spurs have at the post with Splitter and Duncan, plus the very occasional drives into the lane by Parker, Ginobili, and Leonard. Without Harden, I just do not think they can do it.

[Old School 44]

Without Harden, I think so. I actually think the tougher team for the Spurs will be a healthy Clippers. Hopefully, the records stay like they are and both are on the other side of the playoff bracket. This way the Spurs only have to play one, assuming they get to the WCF.

[NRHector]

Refs win 100% of the time.

my thoughts exactly :toast

[superbigtime]

Absolutely.

[z0sa]

No Harden, no problem.


Okay that's hyperbole but I feel Harden was both the X and Y factors in last season's WCFs. Not only that dagger in Game 5; he had many timely plays throughout the last 4 games.

[Budkin]

I didn't think so until Pop mentioned how much better the bench was this year than last. Plus Harden killed us last year. I'd say it's 50/50.

[Cry Havoc]

But Oklahoma City's four-game rally in the conference finals last season had the feel of a younger team figuring out how to beat its more polished elders — pack the paint on defense, leverage your athleticism advantage, and vary the play calling a tad.

None of which works if ANY of our players would have been moderately consistent from 3. If we shot like we did in the WCS, we would have walked into the finals in 5 or 6 games. We got cold and the Thunder got hot at the exact same time. If a team's players don't hit open shots, they aren't winning anything, regardless of who's playing on that team. We almost won that series playing 5 on 8 as it is.


James Harden is gone, but the Thunder are better. We should regard them as the favorites. The Spurs' offense isn't quite the same dominant machine it was last season —— and they'll need more sustained top-level play from Manu Ginobili to beat elite teams when it counts.


I don't understand this logic. How do people know the Thunder are better? Why do they list last season as an indicator for possible success but then use this regular season as a barometer for OKC's chances this post-season? Especially when the benches shorten as they do in the playoffs. There is no WAY you can say that losing one of the best SGs in the game for a spot up shooter who brings little else has made them better this year. They are going to be much easier to defend and adjust to, particularly when only Durant or Refsbrook is on the court.


The Spurs have outscored opponents by a monstrous 17.1 points per 100 possessions in 393 Duncan-Splitter minutes this season, and have gotten better on both ends of the floor when those two play, per NBA.com. The two shared the floor for just 129 minutes last season, and the Spurs' scoring dropped off in those minutes by 10 points per 100 possessions from its overall level.

I have a feeling we're going to almost completely neutralize Refsbrook. Parker is going to eat his lunch on offense, and when Refsbrook has the ball, he's going to have to dive into towers to get anything at the rim. It's not. Ganna. Happen.


they're "only" fourth in points per 100 possessions, a full three points below the top spot they held last season

Man, you can't pay for this kind of analysis. 4 - 3 = 1? Mind blowing. :lol :lol :lol

[Dex]

Spurs will have their revenge. You heard it here first.

[boutons_deux]

Spurs will have their revenge. You heard it here first.

With a full roster, Spurs need to avoid going down 0-3 to Clips on national tv.

[Dex]

With a full roster, Spurs need to avoid going down 0-3 to Clips on national tv.

Not worried. Spurs lost both games to Cleveland in 2006-2007, then promptly sweeped King James out of the Finals without breaking a sweat.

[dbreiden83080]

Thabo still plays for the Thunder and guards Parker better than anyone else in the league.

The X factor is who is going to replace Harden's clutch shots in the 4th. Harden was a non factor in the finals had he shown up that would have been a dfferent series. Game 5 Harden was the primary reason OKC won with just clutch shot after clutch shot. The odds of Westbrook chucking up junk in the series goes way up minus Harden..

[Beaverfuzz]

Yes, the Spurs have enough. Miami will be a tall order to beat in a seven game series though.

[z0sa]

With a full roster, Spurs need to avoid going down 0-3 to Clips on national tv.

Per the usual, you're flamboyantly wrong. The Spurs couldn't care less about national TV. Just this season Pop rested players vs the Heat of all teams, in a nationally televised game.

Furthermore, Spurs raped the Clippers out of the playoffs last season, including one of the biggest comebacks in playoff history being executed on their home floor. The Clippers are dying to beat the Spurs, not the opposite.

OKC, different story.

[look_at_g_shred]

The X factor is who is going to replace Harden's clutch shots in the 4th. Harden was a non factor in the finals had he shown up that would have been a dfferent series. Game 5 Harden was the primary reason OKC won with just clutch shot after clutch shot. The odds of Westbrook chucking up junk in the series goes way up minus Harden..

My guess is Ibaka will play like Game 4 every game against us.

[Cry Havoc]

I, for one, feel that Pop should not react to OKC going small. Pop should just punish them in the post with a steady diet of Splitter Pick and Rolls, since that would relegate Durant to actually having to defend the post.

If OKC goes small, that would mean the lineup is KD at 4, Ibaka at 5, Sefalosha at 3, Martin at 2, and Westbrook at 1. While Ibaka would try to stay home, does that mean that KD has to defend Duncan? Splitter can just camp to the outside to suck out Ibaka and then Duncan can use the extra 35 pound advantage that he has to punish KD. OKC would need to have a incredibly efficient offense to offset the advantage the Spurs have at the post with Splitter and Duncan, plus the very occasional drives into the lane by Parker, Ginobili, and Leonard. Without Harden, I just do not think they can do it.

This is a great post. The OKC really have no matchup advantages except for obviously KD. I think Ibaka will even be much less effective this year since we have Splitter.

[benstanfield]

Imagine the '04-05 team trading Manu for 2013 Kevin Martin before the season.

[Captivus]

I would focus on psyching out Westbrook, that would be my plan.
Not having Harden is going to affect them, Im 100% sure.
Off course if Ibaka has a FG% of 100% there's no way to win.
Pop should also have no patience regarding refs and start complaining from the start of that series.

[benstanfield]

This is a great post. The OKC really have no matchup advantages except for obviously KD. I think Ibaka will even be much less effective this year since we have Splitter.

If they sign Derek Fisher they have an easy counter to Splitter.

[EricB]

Thabo still plays for the Thunder and guards Parker better than anyone else in the league.

Not without harden guarding Manu. That's fine though Manu will have big games. See my point? Without Harden able to single coverage Manu, they're either forced to move Thabo, or put Westbrook on Ginobili.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Not without harden guarding Manu. That's fine though Manu will have big games. See my point? Without Harden able to single coverage Manu, they're either forced to move Thabo, or put Westbrook on Ginobili.

TPark doing work son

[Morg1411]

Without Harden, I think so. I actually think the tougher team for the Spurs will be a healthy Clippers. Hopefully, the records stay like they are and both are on the other side of the playoff bracket. This way the Spurs only have to play one, assuming they get to the WCF.

My thoughts exactly, but there's still a lot of season left. No telling if we'll be able to hold onto the #1 seed that long.

I think the Spurs can take either OKC or the Clips in a playoff run, but it would be tough. Both of those teams are scary as hell this year.

[Arcadian]

Yeah, I think so.

And I don't buy that the Thunder are better this year. They were better last year.

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

It doesn't mention anything about the Spurs' improved defense.

[moisaenz]

Without harden, Westbrook will go hero ball mode.disregarding Durant..

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

It also doesn't mention how much worse of a player Kevin Martin is than James Harden. It also doesn't mention that they are 18th in the league in APG (21.9), & also 16th in points allowed. Last years Thunder wasn't that terrible on the assist front. The Spurs are 1st in the league is APG(25.0), and they are 10th in points allowed. The only edge for them, is rebounding, they average 42.7 rpg, and the Spurs average 41 rpg. That isn't that big an edge, and I have reason to believe Ibaka won't be eating boards too often with Tim Duncan around. I still think that Splitter needs to rebound better, and maybe bulk up a little more.

[hater]

Imagine the '04-05 team trading Manu for 2013 Kevin Martin before the season.

:lmao

the fucking goods

[moisaenz]

One other thing,Splitter will have more minutes.

[TampaDude]

Spurs D is much better this year, and Harden is no longer with OKC.

Spurs would win a 7-game series with HCA.

[TampaDude]

Yes, the Spurs have enough. Miami will be a tall order to beat in a seven game series though.

Yup...even with their flaws, Miami is ridiculously good.

Spurs-Heat Finals would be EPIC.

[BatManu20]

Yup...even with their flaws, Miami is ridiculously good.

Spurs-Heat Finals would be EPIC.


It also doesn't mention how much worse of a player Kevin Martin is than James Harden. It also doesn't mention that they are 18th in the league in APG (21.9), & also 16th in points allowed. Last years Thunder wasn't that terrible on the assist front. The Spurs are 1st in the league is APG(25.0), and they are 10th in points allowed. The only edge for them, is rebounding, they average 42.7 rpg, and the Spurs average 41 rpg. That isn't that big an edge, and I have reason to believe Ibaka won't be eating boards too often with Tim Duncan around. I still think that Splitter needs to rebound better, and maybe bulk up a little more.

Don't be fooled. Martin is obviously not Harden but he's still a knock down shooter who's averaging 14 points on 44% shooting from 3. He's a damn fine player. He's going to get looks when Westbrook and and Durant drive the lane, and if he's knocking them down, OKC will be very hard to beat.

[SpurPadre]

Not without harden guarding Manu. That's fine though Manu will have big games. See my point? Without Harden able to single coverage Manu, they're either forced to move Thabo, or put Westbrook on Ginobili.

This theory becomes null and void when you consider the fact that Manu went off for 38 points in Game 5 last year yet TP was getting bitch-slapped by Sefolosha and we lost the game. So, yes, Manu going off is obviously going to help but if they shut down one of our Big 3, we're going to be in trouble.

[look_at_g_shred]

Don't be fooled. Martin is obviously not Harden but he's still a knock down shooter who's averaging 14 points on 44% shooting from 3. He's a damn fine player. He's going to get looks when Westbrook and and Durant drive the lane, and if he's knocking them down, OKC will be very hard to beat.

Lacks P/O exp. tbh

[look_at_g_shred]

This theory becomes null and void when you consider the fact that Manu went off for 38 points in Game 5 last year yet TP was getting bitch-slapped by Sefolosha and we lost the game. So, yes, Manu going off is obviously going to help but if they shut down one of our Big 3, we're going to be in trouble.

2013 Leonard > 2012 Leonard tbh

[SpurPadre]

2013 Leonard > 2012 Leonard tbh

True Dat...he'll be a big factor, hopefully.

[hater]

Y'all forget Durant and Brick are honorary members of the referee union. that might be the trump card over all arguments.

plus, does it really matter?

Lebron - finest specimen with Magic like skills
Wade - clutch factor and top 10 player when it matters
Bosh - a luxury of a bigman to have as a 3rd string
Battier - top 5 defender and dead eye 3pt shooter, clutch too
Allen - HOF playoff shooter and top 5 most clutch veterans in the game

GAME OVER.

[HarlemHeat37]

Harden is/was a terrible defensive player, I don't know where anybody got the idea that he's even decent in that regard, tbh..

The Thunder will be worse without him in the playoffs, Kevin Martin is one of the softest players in the NBA, and his style of play may not translate to the playoffs..they will still have the advantage on paper, due to having the best player on the floor(by far), but it's essentially a toss-up IMO..

The Spurs have more variables than the Thunder, which could be either good or bad, there's no middle ground IMO..the Spurs need Duncan to play at a star level, they need high production from Ginobili, and they need 2 of the Leonard/Splitter/Green/Diaw group to elevate their games to negate Parker's possible struggles against Sefolosha..

Westbrook is probably the X-factor for both teams, tbh..

[Richie]

Harden is/was a terrible defensive player, I don't know where anybody got the idea that he's even decent in that regard, tbh..

While he isn't an elite defender, Harden isn't that bad. He played some good defence on Manu last year at times, he's quick, strong and very long. The important part is that compared to Kevin Martin, Harden might as well be Bruce Bowen.

Manu needs to go at Martin every single possession and really punish OKC. That is where the Spurs have a big edge and where we can win the series.

[Homeland Security]

Don't be fooled. Martin is obviously not Harden but he's still a knock down shooter who's averaging 14 points on 44% shooting from 3. He's a damn fine player. He's going to get looks when Westbrook and and Durant drive the lane, and if he's knocking them down, OKC will be very hard to beat.
James Harden : Kevin Martin :: Manu Ginobili : Steve Smith

[look_at_g_shred]

Damn that dude Kevin Martin sure knows how to flop. I'm sure you've watched him play, but especially this year. Almost every time. Can't stand that stupid fuck.!! :ihit That is where they will have the upper hand.

[slayermin]

James Harden : Kevin Martin :: Manu Ginobili : Steve Smith

Kevin Martin reminds me of Rip Hamilton with 3pt range.

[Cry Havoc]

Don't be fooled. Martin is obviously not Harden but he's still a knock down shooter who's averaging 14 points on 44% shooting from 3. He's a damn fine player. He's going to get looks when Westbrook and and Durant drive the lane, and if he's knocking them down, OKC will be very hard to beat.

So basically they traded a young version of Manu for the Spurs current version of Danny Green? Not super afraid of that change.

[SpurPadre]

Harden is/was a terrible defensive player, I don't know where anybody got the idea that he's even decent in that regard, tbh..

The Thunder will be worse without him in the playoffs, Kevin Martin is one of the softest players in the NBA, and his style of play may not translate to the playoffs..they will still have the advantage on paper, due to having the best player on the floor(by far), but it's essentially a toss-up IMO..

The Spurs have more variables than the Thunder, which could be either good or bad, there's no middle ground IMO..the Spurs need Duncan to play at a star level, they need high production from Ginobili, and they need 2 of the Leonard/Splitter/Green/Diaw group to elevate their games to negate Parker's possible struggles against Sefolosha..

Westbrook is probably the X-factor for both teams, tbh..

He's been in the playoffs before, even hitting a GW layup over TD years ago when he was with the Kings.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

We've had vast internal improvement from Timmy (throwback season), TP (taking elite to super-elite), Splitter and Leonard, and I like the way De Colo is coming along. What's more, Pop is finally playing a Twin Towers lineup that works very well. That's quite a bit of internal improvement.

OKC hasn't lost much from last season, but they did lose Harden who killed us at crucial times in the WCFs last season. He repeatedly got to the line and hit a couple of big shots when it mattered.

I think it's very much a 50-50 proposition right now, and whoever gets a few breaks will win it. But I could see KD, and his "protected superstar" status, going to the line 20 times a night, and if that happens no-one can beat OKC.

One thing I know is that Kevin Martin doesn't scare me (our D has blanked him many times), but Harden scared the crap out of me.

[Cane]

When it comes to OKC/Heat I think the Spurs still need more talent. Outside of the Big 3, the roleplayers are either too old, too limited, too small, not athletic enough, and/or inconsistent. With the Spurs reliance on Parker's penetration...I think teams like Heat/OKC will be able to pack the paint and make life hell for all the Spurs ball handlers on the perimeter too, its going to be cringeworthy to watch Gary Neal or De Colo bring up the ball

While Duncan has had a resurgent season, I don't think he's improved in the post enough to really pound those teams in the paint (which is a weakness for OKC/Heat, almost like Team Spain vs Team USA) and we'll be lucky if Manu is both healthy and in shape when the playoffs roll around.

Spurs wanted a Big 4 with RJ, and now they're a Big 4 by committee which can work.... but playoffs are all about talent too in addition to system teamwork

[rmt]

IMO, OKC and LAC are better (LAC - significantly) because of the improvement of Ibaka, Jordan and Blake and LAC's bench. Won't it be Ibaka on TD with OKC daring Splitter to post up KD? OKC and LAC have young superstars/players who can only get better and can play almost the whole game. SAS is depending on old stars who can't play long minutes. I'm hoping that Lebron's recent hot streak continues in the regular season and he hits a dry spell in the playoffs. Kinda like how Pop hated going into the playoffs on a long winning streak - they were bound to lose at an inappropriate time.

[spurraider21]

We had enough to beat them last year. Just because we didnt beat them doesn't mean we weren't CAPABLE of beating them. If green was hitting shots he could normally make with his eyes closed we win that series last year. It's not as if they thoroughly dominated us. Add Tiago into the mix, an improved Kawhi, replace harden with Martin and we have an even better shot than we did last season

[Cane]

Spurs also need to keep being 'nasty', RIP awesome Spurs win streak last season, here's what the Spurs looked like before we got thunderstruck :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWZZ4Sc9Wdo

[Phenomanul]

For being a "small market" the NBA sure goes out of its way to market the Thunder brand... something they never were willing to do for the Spurs... all they ever did was complain that Finals ratings were low, blah, blah, blah... well duh! the media spends the majority of the season ignoring the Spurs only to later complain about them being the "last man standing". As several articles have suggested, this strategy was one of the media's and the NBA's (Stern's in particular) biggest mistakes - not knowing how to, and not willing to market the Spurs' global brand.

Now it seems as if they push the Thunder brand on folks... I mean think about it... what's up with having Westbrook and Harden coach the Celebrity Game during All-Star weekend..?? yeah, yeah... it's a rather meaningless game, but why create a platform that further promotes them. Westbrook also "coached" the Skills Challenge... more of the same, preferential treatment...

meh...

[racm]

I'm more confident this season.

OKC has the better point differential but that's more because of how ridiculously efficient their offense is (due to being good at making shots and getting to the line). If they have a weakness on offense it's holding on to the ball, and the Spurs are forcing turnovers at a pace only surpassed by the 2003, 2005, and 2007 championship teams (and they were slower teams, so the Spurs actually force more raw turnovers).

OTOH the Spurs defense has been elite at guarding the rim and the 3 point line, so while OKC's still a good team at making midrange jumpers they need to move the ball more to get their shooters open. If the Spurs D can force the Thunder to spam iso plays like what Miami is doing, they're set.

[Cane]

For being a "small market" the NBA sure goes out of its way to market the Thunder brand... something they never were willing to do for the Spurs... all they ever did was complain that Finals ratings were low, blah, blah, blah... well duh! the media spends the majority of the season ignoring the Spurs only to later complain about them being the "last man standing". As several articles have suggested, this strategy was one of the media's and the NBA's (Stern's in particular) biggest mistakes - not knowing how to, and not willing to market the Spurs' global brand.

Now it seems as if they push the Thunder brand on folks... I mean think about it... what's up with having Westbrook and Harden coach the Celebrity Game during All-Star weekend..?? yeah, yeah... it's a rather meaningless game, but why create a platform that further promotes them. Westbrook also "coached" the Skills Challenge... more of the same, preferential treatment...

meh...

Yea...maybe the NBA is finally learning from its mistakes by promoting OKC but then again they almost had to with the negative PR from the Seattle move.

Listen to Simmons interview Stern after the 07 champ and its like he's taunting Stern about the low ratings....then a few months later and the Celtics/Lakers superteam rivalry got conveniently reignited in a controversial trade or two, and the rest of the league couldn't do jack to compete and counter those moves :greedy /tinfoil hat made out of money

[spurraider21]

For being a "small market" the NBA sure goes out of its way to market the Thunder brand... something they never were willing to do for the Spurs... all they ever did was complain that Finals ratings were low, blah, blah, blah... well duh! the media spends the majority of the season ignoring the Spurs only to later complain about them being the "last man standing". As several articles have suggested, this strategy was one of the media's and the NBA's (Stern's in particular) biggest mistakes - not knowing how to, and not willing to market the Spurs' global brand.

Now it seems as if they push the Thunder brand on folks... I mean think about it... what's up with having Westbrook and Harden coach the Celebrity Game during All-Star weekend..?? yeah, yeah... it's a rather meaningless game, but why create a platform that further promotes them. Westbrook also "coached" the Skills Challenge... more of the same, preferential treatment...

meh...
They still go out of ther way to cater to big markets. Look at brookyln for example. As for OKC, they try to market stars. Durant can definitely be sold, much in the same way they pumped up Lebron when he was in freakin Cleveland.

What bothers me is emotionless Duncan = boring while emotionless Durant = "silent assassin"

[racm]

OKC gets the promotion because Durant was hyped as hell coming out of college and he has a lucrative deal with Nike, tbh. In other words, if you want to ring you better sign with Nike.

That said, the Spurs' top 7 players in terms of minutes and Wins Produced should give them a fighting chance. OKC has the best player in the bunch in Durant but Westbrook actually rates as "not a star" because of his inefficiency.

Fwiw, the Spurs have 5 players with WP48 >.200 in TP, TD, Manu, KL, and Splitter. Green's borderline at around ~.190 WP48.

Dallas didn't have a Durant but their 4-7 players were better than OKC's.

[EJFischer]

OKC gets the promotion because Durant was hyped as hell coming out of college and he has a lucrative deal with Nike, tbh. In other words, if you want to ring you better sign with Nike.

That said, the Spurs' top 7 players in terms of minutes and Wins Produced should give them a fighting chance. OKC has the best player in the bunch in Durant but Westbrook actually rates as "not a star" because of his inefficiency.

Fwiw, the Spurs have 5 players with WP48 >.200 in TP, TD, Manu, KL, and Splitter. Green's borderline at around ~.190 WP48.

Dallas didn't have a Durant but their 4-7 players were better than OKC's.

It's nice to see people using WP48 on this forum. That didn't used to happen.

[ffadicted]

Here's a good question. If/when the Clips meet the Thunder in the semis, who are you cheering for?

[Fireball]

Here's a good question. If/when the Clips meet the Thunder in the semis, who are you cheering for?

Nobody ... I just want them to beat the living crap out of each other in a 7 game series with DOTs in every game ...

[look_at_g_shred]

Yes.

</thread>