timvp
04-04-2013, 08:03 PM
-Whoever wins tonight will probably get the No. 1 seed in the West. Considering that these two teams are relatively close when both are healthy, HCA could make the difference. So, yeah, with that in mind, tonight is huge. It could ultimately determine which team represents the West in the Finals.
-I've been traveling/working a lot so my posting has been somewhat limited lately but, man, this has been a frightening last couple months heading into the postseason. It seems like the Spurs literally suffer a new injury every game. We as Spurs fans just have to hope it's a minor injury and/or it's not a key player. I'm trying to enjoy this team -- it's just extra stressful watching a game right now due to the fragility of all the players :lol
-I can't figure out what to think of this team right now. On one hand, it feels a bit like 2011 in that the Spurs might have peaked early and are now limping into the playoffs while dealing a host of slumps and injuries. But, on the other hand, at times it appears as if the Spurs are coasting a bit and are capable of reaching another level in the playoffs. Tonight will be a great test to see if this team truly has another gear when needed.
-As maddening as Manu Ginobili played at times (before he went down, the number of low basketball IQ plays he was making per game was astounding), the Spurs REALLY miss him against a elite teams. Without Ginobili, the elite can just trap Tony Parker, sag in on Tim Duncan ... and then the Spurs will struggle to score unless their ball-movement becomes ungodly. Relying on ball-movement is dangerous because all it takes is a sticky player or two to ruin it. Teams like OKC and Miami just need their great players to be great -- which is much more dependable.
-Stephen Jackson missing tonight's game is unfortunate since the Thunder are the one team he actually is very much needed against. Ah well.
-Speaking of Jackson: Is he done or is he pulling an Horry? I'm hoping for the latter but, unfortunately, my guess would be the former. He's going to have to show something between now and the end of the postseason to even be worth bringing back for the minimum.
-Let's get to some good news. Duncan is showing glimpses of his vintage self after The Injury Scare. That is HUGE. If he can be something close to a 20-point, 12-rebound force in the playoffs, the Spurs are going to be difficult to beat (assuming, of course, that Parker is healthy and Ginobili makes it back from his third hamstring injury).
-Parker isn't all the way back yet but I'm not too worried. It looks like he's carrying a little extra weight that he picked up while rehabbing. He should have that burned off before too much longer. As long as he doesn't suffer any sort of setback, I don't know of a reason why he won't be great again by playoff time.
-Kawhi Leonard's rapid maturation is awesome to witness. Defensively, he's living up and surpassing the hype. I scoffed earlier in the season when people were calling him an elite perimeter defender. Right now, he's an elite perimeter defender. Probably top ten in the NBA. That in itself makes the Spurs much better equipped for the playoffs. And then there's his offense -- which has been improving at the same rate as his defense. During his rookie season and the beginning of this year, I wrote a lot about how it would be very helpful if he learned how to attack the rim within halfcourt sets. For his first season and a half in the NBA, we just didn't see it very often. But suddenly, he can do it. Leonard having a three-point stroke, an intermediate jumper and the capability of driving all the way to the hoop makes him a legit offensive option. If he can average 12-14 points in the playoffs and keep defending at his current level ... well, damn, he'd suddenly be in the discussion for a top 5 small forward in the NBA.
-Another huge Leonard-related development is that he has shown to be able to play the entire second half of games. That's big for three reasons: 1) It helps keep the bench unit from falling apart 2) It ends San Antonio's reliance on Jackson playing key minutes 3) Most of the stud perimeter players can and will play the entire second half in big games -- so Leonard being able to match that is important.
-The Spurs got a steal of a deal on Danny Green. I think he's been pretty damn awesome the last month or so. His defense has been a lot better. And as a three-point shooter, you can't argue against 44%. He's legitimately a great shooter who is becoming a better than average defender. I'm happy with him.
-Tiago Splitter is going to make ~$10 million per season starting next year. And hopefully it's the Spurs paying him.
-Back to the Thunder game, my hold-a-gun-to-my-head pick would be Oklahoma City to win. Even if the Spurs play better, weird things seem to happen in Oklahoma City. Let's leave it at that.
-A win tonight would be so great. It's going to be damn tough but it could be a season-defining type win. A loss wouldn't be the end of the world ... but big picture-wise, it'd be a blow to S.A.'s chances of making to the Finals.
-prayingdog.jpg
-I've been traveling/working a lot so my posting has been somewhat limited lately but, man, this has been a frightening last couple months heading into the postseason. It seems like the Spurs literally suffer a new injury every game. We as Spurs fans just have to hope it's a minor injury and/or it's not a key player. I'm trying to enjoy this team -- it's just extra stressful watching a game right now due to the fragility of all the players :lol
-I can't figure out what to think of this team right now. On one hand, it feels a bit like 2011 in that the Spurs might have peaked early and are now limping into the playoffs while dealing a host of slumps and injuries. But, on the other hand, at times it appears as if the Spurs are coasting a bit and are capable of reaching another level in the playoffs. Tonight will be a great test to see if this team truly has another gear when needed.
-As maddening as Manu Ginobili played at times (before he went down, the number of low basketball IQ plays he was making per game was astounding), the Spurs REALLY miss him against a elite teams. Without Ginobili, the elite can just trap Tony Parker, sag in on Tim Duncan ... and then the Spurs will struggle to score unless their ball-movement becomes ungodly. Relying on ball-movement is dangerous because all it takes is a sticky player or two to ruin it. Teams like OKC and Miami just need their great players to be great -- which is much more dependable.
-Stephen Jackson missing tonight's game is unfortunate since the Thunder are the one team he actually is very much needed against. Ah well.
-Speaking of Jackson: Is he done or is he pulling an Horry? I'm hoping for the latter but, unfortunately, my guess would be the former. He's going to have to show something between now and the end of the postseason to even be worth bringing back for the minimum.
-Let's get to some good news. Duncan is showing glimpses of his vintage self after The Injury Scare. That is HUGE. If he can be something close to a 20-point, 12-rebound force in the playoffs, the Spurs are going to be difficult to beat (assuming, of course, that Parker is healthy and Ginobili makes it back from his third hamstring injury).
-Parker isn't all the way back yet but I'm not too worried. It looks like he's carrying a little extra weight that he picked up while rehabbing. He should have that burned off before too much longer. As long as he doesn't suffer any sort of setback, I don't know of a reason why he won't be great again by playoff time.
-Kawhi Leonard's rapid maturation is awesome to witness. Defensively, he's living up and surpassing the hype. I scoffed earlier in the season when people were calling him an elite perimeter defender. Right now, he's an elite perimeter defender. Probably top ten in the NBA. That in itself makes the Spurs much better equipped for the playoffs. And then there's his offense -- which has been improving at the same rate as his defense. During his rookie season and the beginning of this year, I wrote a lot about how it would be very helpful if he learned how to attack the rim within halfcourt sets. For his first season and a half in the NBA, we just didn't see it very often. But suddenly, he can do it. Leonard having a three-point stroke, an intermediate jumper and the capability of driving all the way to the hoop makes him a legit offensive option. If he can average 12-14 points in the playoffs and keep defending at his current level ... well, damn, he'd suddenly be in the discussion for a top 5 small forward in the NBA.
-Another huge Leonard-related development is that he has shown to be able to play the entire second half of games. That's big for three reasons: 1) It helps keep the bench unit from falling apart 2) It ends San Antonio's reliance on Jackson playing key minutes 3) Most of the stud perimeter players can and will play the entire second half in big games -- so Leonard being able to match that is important.
-The Spurs got a steal of a deal on Danny Green. I think he's been pretty damn awesome the last month or so. His defense has been a lot better. And as a three-point shooter, you can't argue against 44%. He's legitimately a great shooter who is becoming a better than average defender. I'm happy with him.
-Tiago Splitter is going to make ~$10 million per season starting next year. And hopefully it's the Spurs paying him.
-Back to the Thunder game, my hold-a-gun-to-my-head pick would be Oklahoma City to win. Even if the Spurs play better, weird things seem to happen in Oklahoma City. Let's leave it at that.
-A win tonight would be so great. It's going to be damn tough but it could be a season-defining type win. A loss wouldn't be the end of the world ... but big picture-wise, it'd be a blow to S.A.'s chances of making to the Finals.
-prayingdog.jpg