Official Meltdown Thread

[BatManu20]

Welp.. that was embarrassing. but like I've been saying, we're not beating Miami this year. Nobody is. It was terrible foul call to get Miami within 3 in the last minute, but it should never have been close.

[Kuestmaster]

i'm waiting for the fuck your soft ass parker thread. thanks.

[dbreiden83080]

Didn't come out to play

Joey Crawford assigned to the game..

That's game over..

[024]

on one hand, that "foul" by leonard decided the game. on the other, the spurs played turrible. there were some pretty awful executions at the end. spurs just don't have a legitimate superstar for end game scenarios anymore.

[Sean Cagney]

Well a game they should have won easily! Memphis tomorrow night and well OKC coming up too! Say goobye to the #1 F IN SEED with that trash as it will be tied or gone by the end of the week if the Thunder continue to win.

[Arcadian]

on one hand, that "foul" by leonard decided the game. on the other, the spurs played turrible. there were some pretty awful executions at the end. spurs just don't have a legitimate superstar for end game scenarios anymore.

Duncan is still the go-to guy. He had a decent look at the end. He just missed.

I agree about the Leonard "foul" deciding the game, though. That was bullshit.

[Brunodf]

:bangGreen jumping on Allen when Splitter was on him...
:bangPop playing Bonner in crunch time
:bangRefs 30 points swing
:bangTony/Neal playing like shit
:bangShooting too many 3s when the opposite team have no bigs
:bangPop outcoached by Spoelstra

[DesignatedT]

Nobody was focused tonight. In order to play basketball at a high level you have to be focused and engaged in what you and your team are doing. Lazy passes, wide open misses, bad/late rotations are all signs that the team just wasn't there mentally. That is exactly what happens when the other team is missing its best players. Sucks because we are playing for the 1 seed but this game means absolutely nothing in the long run.

[loveforthegame]

Would have been nice if Duncan and Leonard had some help out there. Everyone shit the bed but those two.

[8FOR!3]

We never showed up in that game. It was shit but I'm not worried. Dallas beat Miami the other day, doesn't make them better.

[CitizenDwayne]

The Spurs did not deserve this win, but before anyone offs themselves, let us realize, it took:

- Parker playing like absolute shit
- a laughably egregious Norris Cole flop
- Bosh draining a clutch 3

for the Heat to win this game.

[HarlemHeat37]

The call against Kawhi was one of the worst calls I've ever seen, but using that as an excuse for losing against Miami without Lebron/Wade/Chalmers is pathetic, tbh..

I understand that undermanned teams frequently challenge opposing great/good teams and even win at times, but the Spurs should have had the game won at the 2-minute mark, especially in a potential Finals preview..

[phxspurfan]

I miss BatManu... Smacking bats all over the place

[lcroock]

Switching every pick and roll on D was the ultimate killer. Trap, go over the screen, do something for f..ck sakes other than switching!!!!!!

[phxspurfan]

Spurs came out with none of that championship fiya. That fiya that Shaq used to say blow those lil' teams out.

[Arc]

don't blame the refs, we got more FTs. plus this shouldn't have gone down to the wire like it did. it should've been a 10+ point win for us. heat simply wanted the game more. spurs played like complete shit, and didn't have any fire in their game. probably the worst loss of the season, and the most embarrassing considering the history.

[szkorhetz]

We have 9 games to wake up. 9 fucking games. If we face the Lakers, it is an instant first round exit, tbh.

[gameFACE]

Spoelstra's chess move > Pop's chess move
LOL Spurs
LOL Pop
LOL Best in the West

Spurs couldn't get their hands off their dicks long enough to actually try and win this.

[Brunodf]

Switching every pick and roll on D was the ultimate killer. Trap, go over the screen, do something for f..ck sakes other than switching!!!!!!
Defense was fine...Turnovers/refs/missed 3s killed us

[szkorhetz]

Defense was fine...Turnovers/refs/missed 3s killed us
Defense was ugly.

[Sean Cagney]

Nobody was focused tonight. In order to play basketball at a high level you have to be focused and engaged in what you and your team are doing. Lazy passes, wide open misses, bad/late rotations are all signs that the team just wasn't there mentally. That is exactly what happens when the other team is missing its best players. Sucks because we are playing for the 1 seed but this game means absolutely nothing in the long run.

Yeah, Spurs fans brought up over and over LMFAO at the Heat we almost beat them without or Stars in their house! Then they come here and do the same. That game meant nothing and I always knew it, but fans seemed to carry that one on for quite some time like it gave us an advantage. Either way this was pathetic, embarassing.

[dbreiden83080]

We have 9 games to wake up. 9 fucking games. If we face the Lakers, it is an instant first round exit, tbh.

Have you seen the Lakers playing Lately?

Kobe is on one foot..

[wut]

1) Spurs played like crap.
2) Parker is not 100%.
3) Spurs and Spurs fans should get used to being abused by refs against popular teams.
4) Heat played without fear and were more aggressive.
5) Pop mailed it in, to teach the team a lesson.

Game was winnable...but Pop is all about character building games, rather than wins sometimes.

[chapnis]

WHy didn't Jack play more, he was finally playing well

[freetiago]

If you can beat Miami's perimeter defense you can score easily
Parker apparently cant
the same thing happened in the Clipper series last year except they dont trap as well and the 3 point shooters were on
cant say im suprised though
this is playoff Parker form
Duncan hitting contested fadeaways was the only thing keeping them in close

im just hoping when Pop said we plan on playing them the same way even though James/Wade arent playing he meant it
they payed way too much respect too non-factors which opened up all their shooters

hopefully this game makes Spurfan calm down when they win without some big 3 playing
i said the Chicago game was a fools gold game they shouldnt have won and got blasted
or is this just the greatest regular season win in Miami history like gnsf god timvp would say

and of course the Spurs will die by their terrible "improved" defense
surrendering wide open shots to opposing bigs will kill him
and the good 3 point defense that run guys off in the beginning of the season has fallen off

[Sean Cagney]

We have 9 games to wake up. 9 fucking games. If we face the Lakers, it is an instant first round exit, tbh.

They are not going to wake up, they are stumbling into the playoffs this year. Last year this is blowout! We kill them last year at this time without their stars! Last year they won last ten and by a wide margin heading into the playoffs! This year they look lost out there especially in crunch time.

[biziofromdowntown]

Ridicolous team tbh

[Brunodf]

We have 9 games to wake up. 9 fucking games. If we face the Lakers, it is an instant first round exit, tbh.
Lakers is a old team and plays zero D, hero ball Kobe will kill them again, Gasol/Howard/Nash/D'Antoni aren't good enough to bail him out

[hooperflash]

Pop, Diaw, Bonner, and Neal failing these ”final exams”. Tim and Kawhi are passing with Timmy an honor roll student. Tony and the rest are barely passing (C).

Ginobili didn't study so he dropped out of school :lol

Playoffs hurry, this team is horrible to finish off the reg season..

And would it have hurt if we ran more fastbreaks against these slower scrubs?


WE LOST IN THE ALTS!!!!!

[lcroock]

Defense was fine...Turnovers/refs/missed 3s killed us

That's why Bosh was wide open for the game winner buddy. And also the one possession towards the end where the Heat had a dumbass turnover. All around a bad defensive philosophy and a sad offensive effort. Also, where the f.ck is Patty Mills? De Colo has no f-ckin clue on D whatsoever.

[Russ]

The Spurs are going to need both Neal and Manu to play well against the elite teams. Gotta lotta work to do on that score.

[Arcadian]

I predict the Spurs will finish 62-20.

[timtonymanu]

Well the Spurs saved me the trouble of expecting a good playoff run. At least I know they will flame out in the 2nd round at the latest.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Ive never seen so many wide open 3s in my life

[rascal]

It is the same team as last year so why expect any different results. The spurs will need lucky matchups like they got last year to go as far as the did last year. The recipe to beat the Spurs has been layed out 5 years ago and they keep bringing back the same core.

Clog up the middle- take parker's penetration away, clamp down on open perimeter looks and the Spurs are toast because they lack the athletes( except Duncan, parker and Leonard- Manu is over the hill now) to go one on one to create their own shot to break down the defense.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

Is Tony Parker Still hurting?

[Obstructed_View]

Spurs allowing nearly five points more per game in March than they did in January. Might be related to defense tbh.

[Obstructed_View]

I predict the Spurs will finish 62-20.

I think that's the "lose in the playoffs" mark.

[bklynspursfan]

Spurs allowing nearly five points more per game in March than they did in January. Might be related to defense tbh.

It's both ends, but defense has been really poor. I mean the ball doesn't move as much anymore on the offensive side. Can't put my finger on why. But the sloppy passes and lack of ball movement are a huge problem. We're playing pretty crappy heading into the post season

[lcroock]

The Spurs seriously need to consider saying hasta lavista to Manu-Splitter-Jax and bringing in young blood like JSmith, JReddick, and one some athletic wing player. Spurs are not beating LA-Memphis-OKC-Miami for a 5th ring. Sad but true...

[HarlemHeat37]

The positive side of things is that the rest of the West isn't great either, tbh..every team, including the Spurs, is very flawed..

Miami is a level ahead of the rest of the NBA, tbh..

[BatManu20]

I miss BatManu...

I'm right here.

[freetiago]

thankfully Manu didnt play tbh
Turnobili cant even handle regular pick and roll coverage
tonights D would have forced him into retirement

[RD2191]

thankfully Manu didnt play tbh
Turnobili cant even handle regular pick and roll coverage
tonights D would have forced him into retirement
:lmao

[spurtech09]

1) Spurs played like crap.
2) Parker is not 100%.
3) Spurs and Spurs fans should get used to being abused by refs against popular teams.
4) Heat played without fear and were more aggressive.
5) Pop mailed it in, to teach the team a lesson.

Game was winnable...but Pop is all about character building games, rather than wins sometimes.I agree parker is not 100%....

[BatManu20]

Adding insult..

NBA History ‏@NBAHistory (https://twitter.com/NBAHistory)28m (https://twitter.com/NBAHistory/status/318543651083018240)
Congrats to @Miamiheat (https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT) for winning an NBA record 17 games/month; 16 was done a few times (incl 72 Lakers) & most recently Clippers (12/12)

[Libri]

http://www.deviantart.com/download/17626122/__Jump_Off_a_Cliff___Emoticon_by_neek_zique.gif

[Sean Cagney]

Well the Spurs saved me the trouble of expecting a good playoff run. At least I know they will flame out in the 2nd round at the latest.

I knew this a while ago! I would get called a hater or pessimist though for stating it before! Some would say leave as a fan then! It's reality and tonight did not need to happen for me to see that. I love this team, but they aren't that great anymore (Inflated record from watered down league).

[RD2191]

I knew this a while ago! I would get called a hater or pessimist though for stating it before! Some would say leave as a fan then! It's reality and tonight did not need to happen for me to see that. I love this team, but they aren't that great anymore (Inflated record from watered down league).
been saying it all season and all I got was hate, it is what it is I guess.

[Horse]

Yeah cause when the heats whole team played like shit and should've lost to our bench their season was over too. FUCKING MORONS! Should they have lost? Hell no but it's a classic trap game. That really doesnt mean much eastern conference team that was two games ahead of us anyway.

[vander]

damn :drunk and I had been sober for 6 days

[Sean Cagney]

Yeah cause when the heats whole team played like shit and should've lost to our bench their season was over too. FUCKING MORONS! Should they have lost? Hell no but it's a classic trap game. That really doesnt mean much eastern conference team that was two games ahead of us anyway.

Trap game yes, but honestly they have not been playing well for a little while now so that part is a concern if you throw today aside. I see the clock head towards a minute to go, I see the Spurs all go Iso and launch some bad shot and just go ice cold! Tim had that one go in the other night, outside of that the game gets tight and one minute left the Spurs just look flat out lost on O. The D has not been great lately either, seems it's getting worse. These are real concerns, today aside.

[TheGoldStandard]

I don't know where this iso crap has come from either.. they are all freezing the ball waiting for 8 second left on the clock like all of a sudden a runway is going to open up for them.

[superjames1992]

The Spurs seriously need to consider saying hasta lavista to Manu-Splitter-Jax and bringing in young blood like JSmith, JReddick, and one some athletic wing player. Spurs are not beating LA-Memphis-OKC-Miami for a 5th ring. Sad but true...
LOL. JR Smith and JJ Redick ... the things championships are made of.

Oh, wait.

[Horse]

Trap game yes, but honestly they have not been playing well for a little while now so that part is a concern if you throw today aside. I see the clock head towards a minute to go, I see the Spurs all go Iso and launch some bad shot and just go ice cold! Tim had that one go in the other night, outside of that the game gets tight and one minute left the Spurs just look flat out lost on O. The D has not been great lately either, seems it's getting worse. These are real concerns, today aside.
It's no excuse to lose to this heat team but that call on leonard was as bad as it get. There were a few others like cole getting free throws without even attempting a shot.

[TheGoldStandard]

LOL. JR Smith and JJ Redick ... the things championships are made of.

Oh, wait.

Yeah, we couldn't bring in anyone like that either. Pop should have at least thrown Patty out there for a few minutes to see if he could spark something he can create his own shot too.

[Sean Cagney]

I don't know where this iso crap has come from either.. they are all freezing the ball waiting for 8 second left on the clock like all of a sudden a runway is going to open up for them.

Yep, glad to see someone else addressing that in here sides me. This is a problem and has been for a while now with this team, come playoff time that will not work and you will see the same result as tonight.

[TheGoldStandard]

I just hate that the starts seem to forget how to play for certain games, I understand the Heat were playing aggressive defense but come on..

[spurraider21]

We have 9 games to wake up. 9 fucking games. If we face the Lakers, it is an instant first round exit, tbh.

:lmao speaking of teams that need to wake up

[KaiRMD1]

If Spurs wanna compete, they have A LOT of work to do. This team just doesn't have it anymore. They have a couple of games left to change the mindset but this loss is gonna sting, worse than ANY loss this season.

[Sean Cagney]

If Spurs wanna compete, they have A LOT of work to do. This team just doesn't have it anymore. They have a couple of games left to change the mindset but this loss is gonna sting, worse than ANY loss this season.

I said that too, forget the Portland loss now because this one surpasses that! Two of the best players in the NBA out and you lose at home! Thats pathetic. I can't get over this loss at all for some reason, this one stings. I hope they find something starting tomorrow, if not they are done.

[RD2191]

I said that too, forget the Portland loss now because this one surpasses that! Two of the best players in the NBA out and you lose at home! Thats pathetic. I can't get over this loss at all for some reason, this one stings. I hope they find something starting tomorrow, if not they are done.
dude, they've had the same problems all season. this team is nothing when the 3 aint fallin. their offense is absolute shit without it. they aren't going to fix that in 9 games.

[TheGoldStandard]

I said that too, forget the Portland loss now because this one surpasses that! Two of the best players in the NBA out and you lose at home! Thats pathetic. I can't get over this loss at all for some reason, this one stings. I hope they find something starting tomorrow, if not they are done.

To be quite honest Tim needs to call a players only meeting, call out Tony Parker (if you're injured ride the bench till your right, same with Manu) call out the bench and put his court in order. Plus he's the only one who can call out Pop too.

[Russo21]

Stern should refund the Spurs $250,000 or fine Miami $250,000 for not playing LeBron and Wade. Surely some fan who attended the game had his feelings hurt not seeing them play :depressed

[Poolboy5623]

Spurs record over 37 games of 33-4 in serious jeopardy(achieved during last years post trade run, edging out 70 win bulls)..

[Poolboy5623]

Did the spurs ever pay the 250?

[Sean Cagney]

dude, they've had the same problems all season. this team is nothing when the 3 aint fallin. their offense is absolute shit without it. they aren't going to fix that in 9 games.

Live by the three die by the three, we saw that with the older Mavs and Suns and laughed at them! We are now that team. I agree without the three forget it, that won't fall for a few series though! You might get one or two, but it will stop falling eventually and you have to grind it out and play some TOUGH D! Halfcourt games, this team is not that anymore. Good point. This is not a title team. I agree with you fully!

9 games will not fix a problem.

[Poolboy5623]

Bonner had no business playing in this game...tbh..and not only was he playing but was getting mins in crunch time!! Him passing on the open 3 lead to a to Down the stretch...it was hard to watch.

[KaiRMD1]

Live by the three die by the three, we saw that with the older Mavs and Suns and laughed at them! We are now that team. I agree without the three forget it, that won't fall for a few series though! You might get one or two, but it will stop falling eventually and you have to grind it out and play some TOUGH D! Halfcourt games, this team is not that anymore. Good point. This is not a title team. I agree with you fully!

9 games will not fix a problem.

Now that there's emphasis on that atrocious D that at times is brilliant but other times just sucks, the 3 is non existent at times. Either way, Spurs are fucked

[Sean Cagney]

Bonner had no business playing in this game...tbh..and not only was he playing but was getting mins in crunch time!! Him passing on the open 3 lead to a to Down the stretch...it was hard to watch.

I can't believe this is 013 and we are still cot damn talking about this crap with MATT DAMN BONNER :( GOOD LORD spare us already BBALL GODS! This is a prequel to the playoffs though, bet on that.

[Kool Bob Love]

This thread is GREAT.

Taking mental notes of the cliff jumpers.

1 of 82 games means so much to yall. :lmao

[Sean Cagney]

This thread is GREAT.

Taking mental notes of the cliff jumpers.

1 of 82 games means so much to yall. :lmaoSo some truth has not been said? Does the O not go stagnant late? Has the team been playing great the last few weeks? Has the D gotten worse? Tell me some truth was not said in here sir. I am not a cliff jumper and some are, but this is reality with the relying on threes and O going stagnant late and ISO etc. These are who the Spurs are it seems and have been for a little while now. Sure they win some games like that, but mostly because the lead just holds on and they win by one.

There is some truth in this thread, some idiots yes and some who speak alot of things wrong with the team and it's not just one in 82 games to tell the truth but reality.

[Kool Bob Love]

I aint see nobody on here say shit about the clips win friday. But now we got you clowns jumping off the cliff because of one game in MARCH???:lmao

This game means nothing.

But hey Im gonna let you enjoy this thread.

[Sean Cagney]

According to you it's just one game and in the playoffs things will just magically fix themselves! I read your other post on last second shots and it seems you just think things will come together and no problem! You call most negative but you are delusional it seems. Up it later okay, but not after a first round win or even maybe a second, but when we lose a big game later and it rears it's head in a series against a very good team. There is problems there, chose to ignore them or not! They are real problems though and this team has them.

This game means nothing? I guess the last few weeks mean nothing with the same game happening over and over, we just happened to not choke away a few of those! They tried though with the ISO stagnant O in the 4th late, the Clippers game you mention they had two FG in 7 mins, TWO! They won the game but they sure did try to choke that one away too. ISO late and under a minute keeps failing this team! BUT I guess thats just one game to you.

[ElNono]

Spurs haven't been playing well lately, but it was only 3 weeks ago they convincingly beat OKC without Parker... even playing fairly poorly, they've beaten playoff teams like the Warriors, Utah, Denver and Clippers and certainly went to the wire with another playoff team like the Rockets on the road. The schedule has been good in that most of the games have been at home, but we've played teams which are amongst the best in the West... that continues this week against Memphis and OKC again.

Sucks the injuries have been keeping the team shuffling lineups this late in the season, but that's stuff out of the team control. Gotta keep the D up, and try to come together at the offensive end.

[ThaBigFundamental21]

Call me crazy, but I think Blair is the perfect player to insert against Miami.

[Sean Cagney]

Spurs haven't been playing well lately, but it was only 3 weeks ago they convincingly beat OKC without Parker... even playing fairly poorly, they've beaten playoff teams like the Warriors, Utah, Denver and Clippers and certainly went to the wire with another playoff team like the Rockets on the road. The schedule has been good in that most of the games have been at home, but we've played teams which are amongst the best in the West... that continues this week against Memphis and OKC again.

Sucks the injuries have been keeping the team shuffling lineups this late in the season, but that's stuff out of the team control. Gotta keep the D up, and try to come together at the offensive end.

Keep the D up? That has been falling off for a while now! I know they have beaten some teams! I did not say they have not. They beat OKC yes at home and that was a good win! Denver without Lawson a good win too! Clips a good win! Those were all good wins I know, but the problems remain and will continue to rear their heads the further they get, just like last year. This is not a title team, just saying that right now regardless of what any may say or think it is not.

[ElNono]

Keep the D up? That has been falling off for a while now!

Hard numbers say they've been improving over the last 5-10 games (posted it on the other thread)... what do you have?

It doesn't fail the eye test either. Considering how much the offense has struggled, there's no way we win those games without some stout D.


This is not a title team, just saying that right now regardless of what any may say or think it is not.

Outside of Miami, who is a clear cut title team? You need to stop with the cliff jumping. The Spurs might not get past the 1st round, but there's no clear cut 'title team' in the West regardless.

[Sean Cagney]

Hard numbers say they've been improving over the last 5-10 games (posted it on the other thread)... what do you have?

It doesn't fail the eye test either. Considering how much the offense has struggled, there's no way we win those games without some stout D.



Outside of Miami, who is a clear cut title team? You need to stop with the cliff jumping. The Spurs might not get past the 1st round, but there's no clear cut 'title team' in the West regardless.

Key stops? What Key stops have we gotten really? I have seen others hit their shots down the stretch win or lose and the Spurs just faulting! I mean D has something to do with that there, if you think the D is where it needs to be so be it! I am sure Pop and the team sure as hell don't. The D needs work too! I agree on the O though, it's been horrible, HORRIBLE down the stretch. No plays look like they remotely come close to working, just prayer shots you hope fall.

Miami is the clear cut title team, OKC second on that list, we might catch them but we might not? Depends on this week IMO! If we drop a few and they catch us forget it, the Spurs lose that #1 seed and have to go meet OKC where they will probably beat us. We need that #1 Seed out WEST, period. This is not 07 anymore etc. where we played lights out D and were clutch down the stretch with key buckets and stops. This team relies on the three alot and if Tony does well, if thats off forget it. Manu as well, do not get me started on him.

You said the Spurs might not get past the first round, so what good does that do us if our D is improving and the so called O will come? If we are out in round one no clear cut fave does us what good? Honestly? You don't sound too sure yourself? I am not near a cliff, I just see reality, this team is not a title team. Just because some fans are realistic does not mean they are not real fans or near a cliff. I love this team, but they are not great.

[ElNono]

Key stops? What Key stops have we gotten really? I have seen others hit their shots down the stretch win or lose and the Spurs just faulting!

If you don't get stops and barely score 20 pts in the 4th quarter of contested games against playoffs teams, then you're not winning those games. You could tell me one game or two is a fluke, but there been more than that.

Spurs have been holding opponents to under 100 points fairly consistently, and that's pretty tough to do, especially against quality teams. We haven't been feasting on the Wizards or the Bobcats lately.


Miami is the clear cut title team, OKC second on that list, we might catch them but we might not? Depends on this week IMO! If we drop a few and they catch us forget it, the Spurs lose that #1 seed and have to go meet OKC where they will probably beat us. We need that #1 Seed out WEST, period. This is not 07 anymore etc. where we played lights out D and were clutch down the stretch with key buckets and stops. This team relies on the three alot and if Tony does well, if thats off forget it. Manu as well, do not get me started on him.

OKC without Harden are worse than last season, not sure that's even arguable. Teams like the Clippers and Denver still have a big question mark when it comes to the playoffs. Memphis I think can ramp up the D, but I don't know if they can go all the way.
The Spurs have been struggling lately, but hopefully they can hit their stride. I don't see any of those teams challenging the Heat, barring some injury. That's why I'm saying there's no 'clear cut' contender.


You said the Spurs might not get past the first round, so what good does that do us if our D is improving and the so called O will come? If we are out in round one no clear cut fave does us what good? Honestly? You don't sound too sure yourself? I am not near a cliff, I just see reality, this team is not a title team. Just because some fans are realistic does not mean they are not real fans or near a cliff. I love this team, but they are not great.

Because things beyond the team control happen. Tony might be playing with pain, we don't know. Neal might be playing through planar fasciitis. Manu is out right now, but I'm sure if it would be the playoffs, he would try to play through it.
The Spurs need to improve within the things they can control. I think given the personnel we have, the defense is where it should be. If it improves more, then it will be welcome. The offense needs to get back to what worked, and that hasn't happened yet. There's still time.

[Sean Cagney]

If you don't get stops and barely score 20 pts in the 4th quarter of contested games against playoffs teams, then you're not winning those games. You could tell me one game or two is a fluke, but there been more than that.

Spurs have been holding opponents to under 100 points fairly consistently, and that's pretty tough to do, especially against quality teams. We haven't been feasting on the Wizards or the Bobcats lately.



OKC without Harden are worse than last season, not sure that's even arguable. Teams like the Clippers and Denver still have a big question mark when it comes to the playoffs. Memphis I think can ramp up the D, but I don't know if they can go all the way.
The Spurs have been struggling lately, but hopefully they can hit their stride. I don't see any of those teams challenging the Heat, barring some injury. That's why I'm saying there's no 'clear cut' contender.



Because things beyond the team control happen. Tony might be playing with pain, we don't know. Neal might be playing through planar fasciitis. Manu is out right now, but I'm sure if it would be the playoffs, he would try to play through it.
The Spurs need to improve within the things they can control. I think given the personnel we have, the defense is where it should be. If it improves more, then it will be welcome. The offense needs to get back to what worked, and that hasn't happened yet. There's still time.

There is still time, but there is alot of ifs there!!!! You mentioned most of those. I feel they peaked a few months ago and were playing their best ball, last year it was around this time they hit that stride and got on a roll! I feel they have gone backwards this year as opposed to last year where they hit that big stride later on and went on that run. I know this is out of their control or ours as fans! We can root but hey injuries happen and they have gotten a few teams all year and now got ours again! Time will tell! I hope they can yes, but right now Nono it does not look good.

[ElNono]

There is still time, but there is alot of ifs there!!!! You mentioned most of those. I feel they peaked a few months ago and were playing their best ball, last year it was around this time they hit that stride and got on a roll! I feel they have gone backwards this year as opposed to last year where they hit that big stride later on and went on that run. I know this is out of their control or ours as fans! We can root but hey injuries happen and they have gotten a few teams all year and now got ours again! Time will tell! I hope they can yes, but right now Nono it does not look good.

Pop always said you need to get a bit lucky too to win it all. It's true. A lot of things need to align properly. Not even the Heatles could get it done the first season they were together.

Look at the Lakers. $100 million roster, 4 likely HOFs, and they might have to watch the whole postseason on a boat while fly fishing. There's no guarantees. I think the Spurs have done extremely well with the cards they've been dealt. 29 teams don't win it all each season, that doesn't mean they all sucked. Let's just hope TD finds the fountain of youth once more, and TP hits his stride, and Manu comes back with a vengeance for one last run. Kawhi has a coming out playoff party, guys like Tiago and Neal elevate their games, and Verde starts nailing them when it matters. Realistically speaking, I think some of those are much more likely to happen than the already tried "Matt gonna show up this time!" or "Blair is going to grow 6 inches in two weeks!"

[Sean Cagney]

Pop always said you need to get a bit lucky too to win it all. It's true. A lot of things need to align properly. Not even the Heatles could get it done the first season they were together.

Look at the Lakers. $100 million roster, 4 likely HOFs, and they might have to watch the whole postseason on a boat while fly fishing. There's no guarantees. I think the Spurs have done extremely well with the cards they've been dealt. 29 teams don't win it all each season, that doesn't mean they all sucked. Let's just hope TD finds the fountain of youth once more, and TP hits his stride, and Manu comes back with a vengeance for one last run. Kawhi has a coming out playoff party, guys like Tiago and Neal elevate their games, and Verde starts nailing them when it matters. Realistically speaking, I think some of those are much more likely to happen than the already tried "Matt gonna show up this time!" or "Blair is going to grow 6 inches in two weeks!"

I agree there fully, that was a good post. We can hope, lets wait and see what happens. I will not get my hopes up too high though, that part there is something I will not do again as that will lead to dissapointment.

[Pop]

How much worse than last year did we manage to become?

[Pop]

OKC was smart to throw this year away by trading Harden, they pick twice before us and are still likely to beat us in the POs, once Perkins is off the team they will have all the assets to win multiple championships.

[NRHector]

Have you seen the Lakers playing Lately?

Kobe is on one foot..

thats what he wants you to believe hes faking it

[Horse]

Every team has weaknesses that are exposed in loses. We picked a bad night to go cold. And they shot better than usual with the team they had out there. We know we can outrebound them and give them trouble inside, we got so many wide open shots they just didn't fall. All that said and we had the game won before the bs leonard foul.

[therealtruth]

OKC without Harden are worse than last season, not sure that's even arguable.

That's why they're leading the league in point differential at 9.2. They're not too many teams that have had as a high point differential but everyone who has had as high a point differential has ringed.

[therealtruth]

Look at the Lakers. $100 million roster, 4 likely HOFs, and they might have to watch the whole postseason on a boat while fly fishing. There's no guarantees. I think the Spurs have done extremely well with the cards they've been dealt. 29 teams don't win it all each season, that doesn't mean they all sucked. Let's just hope TD finds the fountain of youth once more, and TP hits his stride, and Manu comes back with a vengeance for one last run. Kawhi has a coming out playoff party, guys like Tiago and Neal elevate their games, and Verde starts nailing them when it matters. Realistically speaking, I think some of those are much more likely to happen than the already tried "Matt gonna show up this time!" or "Blair is going to grow 6 inches in two weeks!"

The Lakers problems can clearly be blamed on coaching. Their coach just doesn't get it.

[TheGoldStandard]

The spurs have been inconsistent all season long, it looked like they got there shit together in January and they looked pretty lame in February but still had wins and the March it looks like they've regressed more so I don't know what to make of it. If it was a flukey few games I could understand but it's not getting better by any means. Sure, we've won games but we're supposed to win those games and the way we're winning is pretty ugly, last night should have been an example of us winning by at least 10 going on a run in the 4th but we wet the bed.

[RD2191]

you fukin homers are delusional, this team has been garbage all season. and that okc win was a fukin fluke. we were on our way to getting blown out when danny green started hitting some fluke 3s which this team is very dependent on. watch the spurs get their shit pushed in at okc

[ThaBigFundamental21]

don't blame the refs, we got more FTs. plus this shouldn't have gone down to the wire like it did. it should've been a 10+ point win for us. heat simply wanted the game more. spurs played like complete shit, and didn't have any fire in their game. probably the worst loss of the season, and the most embarrassing considering the history.

I'm going to put this to bed once and for all. Shooting more FT's doesn't mean fuckin shit, and it's a stat for lazy weak minded idiots who are to lazy to watch and break down games. Shooting more FT's has absolutely nothing to do with how a game was officiated, it doesn't tell you much of anything. You can shoot more FT's than a team and that doesn't tell you that you probably should have had more FT attempts, it doesn't tell you that the refs swallowed the whistle and let a team get away with a lot. I'm so sick of watching LeBron and Wade never got called for a damn foul. LeBron in particular. The NBA is a fuckin joke. And as long as the masses flock to huge market and popular teams nothing will change. The Spurs outscored Miami 46-18 in the paint and have not a thing to show for it. You are coached from the time you are a child to play an inside out game and you will be rewarded and win games. How did that work out? Miami had their fake big man bombing 3's and the refs rewarded them. Make the argument all you want we should have never been that close in a game where they sat their stars. That means absolutely dick when NBA officiating is working OT to give their money making teams an unfair advantage. A whistle here, a whistle there, no whistle there changes any game anywhere. It doesn't matter if it's David VS. Goliath. OKC vs Charlotte. Officiating can and does change and control every game. Today the NBA and ESPN has a huge story of the "Amazing Miami Heat" beat the Spurs. Everyone is talking, NBA wins.

[Arcadian]

I was mulling it over last night, and I realized.

Fuck home court advantage in the Finals. It's overrated. We don't need it, and we don't want it. In the Finals (and only in the Finals), the so-called "disadvantaged" team gets to play 3 straight games on their home court (unless of course they get swept). It's a ridiculous rule, but it could work to our advantage this year.

Games 1-2: ALL the pressure is on the home team. These are must-win games for the home team, because then they potentially have to play 3 straight games on the road.

Games 3-5: Home court for the other team.

Games 6-7: By the time it gets this far, I feel like the "advantage" has dissolved. At this point, the better team is going to win regardless.

So cheer up, gentleman. Things aren't so grim after all.

[justinandimcool]

We're gonna get raped by the Heat home court or not :lol That's the point of the meltdown. COMPARED TO THEM THE SPURS SUCK.

[Arcadian]

All that matters is how we're playing in June.

We don't suck. That's just overreaction nonsense.

Another thing: I like how our team battled back in the 4th quarter. We trailed by 10 points with about 9 minutes left, and we could have done two things: crumble and let the game slip away, or make another run. Fast forward to 35 seconds left in the game: Tim Duncan sinks a jumper and we lead by 3. So we managed a 13 point swing in the final 9 minutes of the game...only to let it slip away in the last 30 seconds. Considering everyone played poorly except Duncan and Leonard, I don't feel too bad about that result.

[look_at_g_shred]

I was mulling it over last night, and I realized.

Fuck home court advantage in the Finals. It's overrated. We don't need it, and we don't want it. In the Finals (and only in the Finals), the so-called "disadvantaged" team gets to play 3 straight games on their home court (unless of course they get swept). It's a ridiculous rule, but it could work to our advantage this year.

Games 1-2: ALL the pressure is on the home team. These are must-win games for the home team, because then they potentially have to play 3 straight games on the road.

Games 3-5: Home court for the other team.

Games 6-7: By the time it gets this far, I feel like the "advantage" has dissolved. At this point, the better team is going to win regardless.

So cheer up, gentleman. Things aren't so grim after all.

:toast

[LakerHater]

Heat show blueprint for stymying Spurs (http://t.co/FedTLKFGl3)

[Budkin]

All that matters is how we're playing in June.

We don't suck. That's just overreaction nonsense.

Another thing: I like how our team battled back in the 4th quarter. We trailed by 10 points with about 9 minutes left, and we could have done two things: crumble and let the game slip away, or make another run. Fast forward to 35 seconds left in the game: Tim Duncan sinks a jumper and we lead by 3. So we managed a 13 point swing in the final 9 minutes of the game...only to let it slip away in the last 30 seconds. Considering everyone played poorly except Duncan and Leonard, I don't feel too bad about that result.

It's stupid to say we suck considering our record, but last night was ridiculous. We should have dominated that shorthanded team last night.

[Budkin]

Heat show blueprint for stymying Spurs (http://t.co/FedTLKFGl3)

Hah, the Thunder showed that last year.

[Budkin]

Bump. Another soul crusher.

[bklynspursfan]

We blew another one... Just stupid, stupid decisions that a veteran team should not be making in April.

[boutons_deux]

On 1 Apr, Spurs Last10 is 6-4

no SPAM, no balls

[Spurs Brazil]

Neal sucks, Green sucks but Jax is back. Start Jax in place of Green and let's pray Manu will be ready for the playoffs so we don't need to see the no defense, low iQ combo of Neal/Green

[Kool Bob Love]

On 1 Apr, Spurs Last10 is 6-4

no SPAM, no balls

wtf

22,000 post and still a GNSF? This tells you something and it aint good.

[Budkin]

For some perspective, remember that we haven't had a complete, healthy team in like 2 months, and we might not for the rest of the season. As soon as Manu comes back it'll be Tim's turn to go down.

[Budkin]

wtf

22,000 post and still a GNSF? This tells you something and it aint good.

There didn't used to be a concept of GNSF. boutons_deux used to be just boutons.

[024]

if it makes anyone feel better, the spurs were clicking on all cylinders at this point last season. how did that work out?

point is, if the spurs couldn't reach the finals last year when all the dice rolled in their favor, they probably didn't have much of a chance this year. they tease you with the 60 win season and then sputter out.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Honestly these losses are going to make this team stronger.