Nothing Like This Has Ever Happened! It's Over.

[GSH]

Bullshit! Something like this has happened EVERY single year the Spurs have won a championship, somewhere along the line, except for the strike-shortened 1999 season. Sometimes the toughest opponent doesn't come in the Finals - this year it did. But winning it all is always tough. And the Spurs have suffered losses at least as bad as the one on Sunday night, and bounced back to win it all each time.

I'm amazed at some of the comments from people who I know were around for each of those other title runs. So, for those who have forgotten, here's a reminder:


2003 Western Conference Semi-Finals

Spurs lost Game 3 at LAKERS 95-110. Spurs were down by as much as 24 in that game. Tim and Tony were both -27.

After getting mauled in Game 3, they Spurs went on to lose Game 4 as well, and most of the writers and commentators had written the Spurs off. (So had many of the fans.)
Then in Game 5, at home, the Spurs held a 25 point lead, with 3:13 to go in the third - but with 19 seconds left in the game, the Spurs were only ahead by 1.
The Spurs barely held on to win Game 5, 96-94, then closed out LA 110-82 in Game 6, on the way to Championship Number Two.


2005 NBA Finals

Spurs lost Game 3 at Pistons 79 - 96. Spurs were ahead by 1 at the half, and tied with 1:17 left in the third quarter, when the Pistons went on a 21-3 run. Sound familiar? Tim Duncan was -23 in that game.

Spurs lost Game 4 at Pistons 71-102. That's a 31 point loss, after losing the previous game badly! The Pistons held the Spurs to .371 from the field, and committed only 3 turnovers, compared to the Spurs' 17 turnovers.

After the big losses in Games 3 and 4, many (if not most) of the writers and analysts said that the Pistons physical play made it impossible for the Spurs to win a 7 game series against them. And they were almost right. The Spurs had to win an overtime thriller in Game 5, lost Game 6 at home, but closed out the Pistons in Game 7 for Championship Number Three.



2007 Western Conference Semi-Finals

Spurs lost Game 2 at Suns 81-101. Spurs were down by 7 at the half, and only down by 3 with 3:07 left in the third quarter, but trailed by as much as 22 in the fourth quarter. Sound Familiar? The Suns went on a 33-11 run. Tony Parker was -26 in that game.

The Spurs won Game 1 on the road, by 5 points. They were up by only 1 with 27 second left in that game. Sound familiar?
The Spurs wound up closing out Phoenix in 6 tough games. Even after winning Game 1 in Phoenix, the Spurs still had to win another on the road.


2007 Western Conference Finals

Spurs lost Game 3 at Jazz, 83-109. Spurs were ahead by 4 at the half, and only down by 3 points with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Sound familiar? The Spurs got outscored by 23 points over the last 16 minutes of the game.

The Spurs won two difficult games against the Jazz, at home, but then got hammered in Game 3 in Utah. After that 26 point drubbing, many said that the physical play of the Jazz was going to be too much for the Spurs as the series wore on. The series only wore on two more games, as the Spurs closed out the series in Game 5, on their way to Championship Number Four.

[dbreiden83080]

I said this in another thread the problem is Tim Duncan is not Tim Duncan anymore so we can't ask him to snap out of it and carry us. We need Tony to do it who has played great up to this point (aside from game 2) BUT is not an all time great player.. Lebron is prepping to take a giant shit on us in SA.. Everyone as a team better step up..

[slick'81]

Man those piston losses were ugly

[Texas_Ranger]

Tim in 05 was pretty banged up and for sure was not playing at 100%, so i'd say that 05 Tim was as good as this 2013 Tim. The problem is Ginobili, he was in GOD mode back then, right now he's in turnover mode and if he won't show up we're finished. Wade is looking like shit but even he still plays better than Manu....

[slick'81]

Tim in 05 was pretty banged up and for sure was not playing at 100%, so i'd say that 05 Tim was as good as this 2013 Tim. The problem is Ginobili, he was in GOD mode back then, right now he's in turnover mode and if he won't show up we're finished. Wade is looking like shit but even he still plays better than Manu....


No shit as bad as wade has been he looks like an all star compared to gino right now

[sananspursfan21]

seriously. i've said so many times this year that these spurs remind me so much of all the championship year teams. the good and the bad. the last few years the spurs haven't been blown away too often in the playoffs and look where it got them. it was really aggravating considering i honestly believed that if they concentrated, they had a shot at a sweep. It is what it is and the spurs have been destroyed many a time on the way to a championship (as seen above, thank you). it's annoying to hear the "i told you so's" by the bandwagoners, but who cares. there's a big chunk of the series left. spurs in 5, maybe 6

[dbreiden83080]

Tim in 05 was pretty banged up and for sure was not playing at 100%, so i'd say that 05 Tim was as good as this 2013 Tim. The problem is Ginobili, he was in GOD mode back then, right now he's in turnover mode and if he won't show up we're finished. Wade is looking like shit but even he still plays better than Manu....

This.. Manu has nothing left especially against a great defensive team like this. I can't see him snapping out of it and stepping up in the next 3 games he just looks done as a player sadly..

[Budkin]

Good post, gives some perspective. Thing I take from last night is that even if two of the big 3 had played well, the run never happens and it probably goes down to the wire again. No doubt the Spurs bounce back in a big way tomorrow.

[GSH]

Tim in 05 was pretty banged up and for sure was not playing at 100%, so i'd say that 05 Tim was as good as this 2013 Tim. The problem is Ginobili, he was in GOD mode back then, right now he's in turnover mode and if he won't show up we're finished. Wade is looking like shit but even he still plays better than Manu....

Most of Tim's Per-36 stats are the same or better than that 07 season. Manu is stinking it up. But I may take a few minutes to dredge up all of the amazing piss-poor performances from the Spurs' supporting cast in those championship years. I remember one game Beno was something like -24 in 11 minutes. I remember Jacques Vaughn and Brent Barry being in the -20 range in some games. It's obvious Manu will have to be better than he was in Game 2. But there are a bunch of other guys on this roster who can contribute.

[BatManu20]

Timmy is not Timmy offensively anymore and Manu is a shell of his former self.. and we've never played a player like Lebron before. So as much as I like your optimism, it's not the same. It's going to take a great collective effort to win this thing.

[ironman2886]

It's not like Miami slowly and methodically whooped the spurs. Spurs were up by 1 with three minutes to go in the 3rd quarter for Christ's sake. The perfect storm happened in a matter of minutes. It won't happen again. You don't turnover the ball against the Heat. You don't leave their three point shooters WIDE open, and you need the Big three to show up. Spurs will make adjustments hopefully, and Timmy and Tony always show up after an embarrassing performance. For Manu, I haven't given up on him, but I don't look forward to watching him anymore.

[ironman2886]

Timmy is not Timmy offensively anymore and Manu is a shell of his former self.. and we've never played a player like Lebron before. So as much as I like your optimism, it's not the same. It's going to take a great collective effort to win this thing.
If Timmy can show up and take the best frontcourt(Memphis) in the league to school, he can post up against this Heat team. Timmy is settling for jumpers. His shot is off. I'm looking forward to game three. He will show up.
Lebron isnt beating us, his teammates are. Spurs also spotted them 17 effing TOs.

[dbreiden83080]

Timmy is not Timmy offensively anymore and Manu is a shell of his former self.. and we've never played a player like Lebron before. So as much as I like your optimism, it's not the same. It's going to take a great collective effort to win this thing.

Here is the thing while Tim is not Tim anymore there is no excuse for him not to dominate in this series when they have nobody on the block to stop him. He played soft in game 2 and I have no idea why? He needs to demand that ball and make aggressive moves in the post. All that bullshit where he is fading away and settling for his jumpers needs to stop.. If Tony and Tim don't score 20 plus every game we can't win..

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Possibly the best thread of the year so far.

[DarrinS]

Timmy is not Timmy offensively anymore and Manu is a shell of his former self.. and we've never played a player like Lebron before. So as much as I like your optimism, it's not the same. It's going to take a great collective effort to win this thing.

Really?

[GSH]

I said this in another thread the problem is Tim Duncan is not Tim Duncan anymore so we can't ask him to snap out of it and carry us. We need Tony to do it who has played great up to this point (aside from game 2) BUT is not an all time great player.. Lebron is prepping to take a giant shit on us in SA.. Everyone as a team better step up..


So in 2003, the Spurs had Tim when he was Tim, Manu when he was Manu, the best perimeter defender in the league (Bowen), and a young Tony Parker. And they STILL went 6 games against every opponent along the way. Those team were all good enough to take a much better Spurs squad (better than this one) to 6 games?

And in 2005, the Spurs had Tim when he was Tim, Manu when he was Manu, the best perimeter defender in the league (Bowen), and a more mature Tony Parker. And they STILL took 6 games to beat the Sonics, and 7 games to beat the Pistons. If the Spurs were that much better back then, it's hard not to make a case that both of those team were at least as good as Miami. WERE those teams at least as good as Miami?

[BatManu20]

Really?

You're kidding yourself if you think 2007 Lebron is anywhere near the player he is now.

[DarrinS]

You're kidding yourself if you think 2007 Lebron is anywhere near the player he is now.

I know. He's like 20, 30, or 50 times better now.

[ironman2886]

Honestly Kawhi is doing a great job on Lebron. Why the F, are we helping out with 3 guys and leaving Allen, Miller, Chalmers, and company easy wide open threes. It makes no sense. Make Lebron beat us. He can't beat this team alone. For all the talk of Pop's offensive philosophy about creating the best open looks, he sure does return the favor for the Heat.

[Budkin]

Here is the thing while Tim is not Tim anymore there is no excuse for him not to dominate in this series when they have nobody on the block to stop him. He played soft in game 2 and I have no idea why? He needs to demand that ball and make aggressive moves in the post. All that bullshit where he is fading away and settling for his jumpers needs to stop.. If Tony and Tim don't score 20 plus every game we can't win..

This.

[Darius McCrary]

Duncan is shooting like 20% with Haslem guarding him...smh..

[dbreiden83080]

Duncan is shooting like 20% with Haslem guarding him...smh..

Stop taking fade away J's and get better position down there. Old School Tim needs to man up I am stunned at his lack of aggression in game 2 when this is his final chance to win number 5..

[crc21209]

Yeah there's no way last night's loss is the worst loss the Spurs have ever had in a Playoff or Finals game. I didn't know what to think after the 2 blowouts at the hands of the Pistons in 05' in Games 3 and 4. Tim looked defeated on the bench with a blank stare in his eyes and Pop having to sit next to him, tap him on the knee and tell him it will be OK. At that point everything looked like it was slipping away and there was no way the Spurs would bounce back to win that series against the defending champion Pistons. But the Spurs stepped up huge in Game 5, won, and eventually won their 3rd NBA title....

[Beaverfuzz]

take the ball to the rack, don't have everyone collapse in the middle when someone drives in, and don't leave Miller/Allen open on outside shot attempts.


Problem solved.

[ironman2886]

Haslem gets good position, but with Duncan's size and weight advantage, along with his foot work, TD should be doing work against these guys.

[michaelwcho]

So in 2003, the Spurs had Tim when he was Tim, Manu when he was Manu, the best perimeter defender in the league (Bowen), and a young Tony Parker. And they STILL went 6 games against every opponent along the way. Those team were all good enough to take a much better Spurs squad (better than this one) to 6 games?

And in 2005, the Spurs had Tim when he was Tim, Manu when he was Manu, the best perimeter defender in the league (Bowen), and a more mature Tony Parker. And they STILL took 6 games to beat the Sonics, and 7 games to beat the Pistons. If the Spurs were that much better back then, it's hard not to make a case that both of those team were at least as good as Miami. WERE those teams at least as good as Miami?

Hell yes the Pistons were at least as good as this Miami team.

Really, though, any championship takes a lot of luck. The winner gets all the glory, but usually several teams are all capable of being the champs.

[GSH]

Hell yes the Pistons were at least as good as this Miami team.

Really, though, any championship takes a lot of luck. The winner gets all the glory, but usually several teams are all capable of being the champs.


Thank you. I totally agree. That was directed at the people who want to believe that this Miami team is unbeatable. They aren't.

And the big message from the original post is that a blowout loss is no more significant than a 5-point loss.

[ironman2886]

Thank you. I totally agree. That was directed at the people who want to believe that this Miami team is unbeatable. They aren't.

And the big message from the original post is that a blowout loss is no more significant than a 5-point loss.
Makes me think of that Bart Scott clip. " No one is unbeatable!

[Mojazz]

Hell yeah!

[Reck]

Didn't you said you were done with the NBA? Why are you still whining about NBA related stuff?

[dbreiden83080]

So in 2003, the Spurs had Tim when he was Tim, Manu when he was Manu, the best perimeter defender in the league (Bowen), and a young Tony Parker. And they STILL went 6 games against every opponent along the way. Those team were all good enough to take a much better Spurs squad (better than this one) to 6 games?

And in 2005, the Spurs had Tim when he was Tim, Manu when he was Manu, the best perimeter defender in the league (Bowen), and a more mature Tony Parker. And they STILL took 6 games to beat the Sonics, and 7 games to beat the Pistons. If the Spurs were that much better back then, it's hard not to make a case that both of those team were at least as good as Miami. WERE those teams at least as good as Miami?

Those teams were more built to win in the playoffs because of the great TD in the middle. We are built more for the reg season now TBH led by an all star PG. I think the Heat are on par with the Piston team of 05 and this Spurs team is maybe about as good as the 03 squad only because Tony was so young as was Manu and Tim had to carry a lot of young guns across the finish line. This Spurs team is not as good as the 99, 05 or 07 squad..

[spurs10]

Thank you. I totally agree. That was directed at the people who want to believe that this Miami team is unbeatable. They aren't.

And the big message from the original post is that a blowout loss is no more significant than a 5-point loss.:flag:

[michaelwcho]

Thank you. I totally agree. That was directed at the people who want to believe that this Miami team is unbeatable. They aren't.

And the big message from the original post is that a blowout loss is no more significant than a 5-point loss.

Yep, that was a good post. I think we can win this series.

And we can also lose!

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I like what you're trying to say but when was the last time the Spurs were heavy underdogs in a series? '98 vs. the Jazz?

Miami is such a different beast and while having HCA is great the rest of the way, this is the wrong version of the big 3 to be facing this Miami squad.

Those earlier teams had least had most of our big 3 in their prime, plus Bruce Bowen. And you could argue that Miami is tougher than any of those teams listed in the op.

If Spurs don't win at least 2 out of 3 at home this series is over. Last night was concerning for sure.

[tim_duncan_fan]

You're totally right, GSH.

But I still want to rage.


If Tim would stop trying to let Tony have Finals MVP and do work on those post midgets, we'll be at a definite advantage most of the time.

The crazy shit is that those fading Js by Tim could decide to go in tomorrow, then Miami will be fucked whether Tim is aggressive or not.

[elmanutres]

good post, shows that we have been here before and losses like last night are to be expected. Right now the heat look like they will gentleman sweep the spurs but in reality the last loss is the norm of the playoffs. Spurs gotta focus on taking game 3 because teams that have taken game 3 in the finals usually win the ship, only team to not do this is coincidentally that 2011 heat team. But i know i ain't going to have heart attacks like that 05 finals anymore. Dam i needed to see a cardiologist after that series

[perfectdark]

there is no way Miami is better than the 2005 pistons
that team would slap wade and bosh soft asses it wouldnt even be funny
people underrate that pistons team
SA went to game 7 with a god mod ginobili and it still took horry big shot to win

[Seefourdc]

Haslem gets good position, but with Duncan's size and weight advantage, along with his foot work, TD should be doing work against these guys.

Duncan's height works to his disadvantage when it comes to backing Haslem down. He barely outweighs Haslem and Haslem has leverage on him. Being somewhat shorter is a huge advantage if you don't let the guy get low initial position and Duncan's lateral movement has fallen off a lot. The only player on the Heat Duncan will have leverage and size on is Bosh. That's why you don't see him backing these guys down.

[Russo21]

Spurs in 5, fuckers.

[easjer]

I don't think anyone seriously predicted a sweep headed into the series. A few people said Spurs in 5, most said 6 or 7 or Heat. We just got complacent and greedy after the game 1 win (and the first half, tbh). The thing about 5, 6, 7 game series is that they all require at least 1 loss. And that loss was tough to take. But all in all, I'd rather they be blown out in that fashion, because it is fixable. There are clear (if not easy to execute) solutions to the problems that existed. Better ball handling. Better shot selection. Making shots. Better/more aggression. Staying on home on defense. Different rotations. Better than to play a great game and lose by 5 and be left wondering what you could possibly do better. The Spurs know they beat themselves (not that Miami had nothing to do with it - the adjustments aren't easy!), and so they should know they can win if they respond appropriately.

[SpursFanFirst]

Hear, hear. I agree wholeheartedly.

[tesseractive]

I like what you're trying to say but when was the last time the Spurs were heavy underdogs in a series? '98 vs. the Jazz?
2003 Lakers series against the three-time champs who had rolled over us for two years in a row?

[Sean Cagney]

Those teams were more built to win in the playoffs because of the great TD in the middle. We are built more for the reg season now TBH led by an all star PG. I think the Heat are on par with the Piston team of 05 and this Spurs team is maybe about as good as the 03 squad only because Tony was so young as was Manu and Tim had to carry a lot of young guns across the finish line. This Spurs team is not as good as the 99, 05 or 07 squad..

NEVER! 03 Squad had TIM IN GOD MODE! We were deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep too! D Rob is alot better than Splitter now as well, even at 37! I think the 03 team beats this team here in 6.
there is no way Miami is better than the 2005 pistons
that team would slap wade and bosh soft asses it wouldnt even be funny
people underrate that pistons team
SA went to game 7 with a god mod ginobili and it still took horry big shot to win

That starting 5 for the PISTONS! SICK!

[elmanutres]

NEVER! 03 Squad had TIM IN GOD MODE! We were deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep too! D Rob is alot better than Splitter now as well, even at 37! I think the 03 team beats this team here in 6.
and to think we also had enough cap to sign another star after that 03 ship.

[Skull-1]

We never had Wino-bili before. Guy looked drunk last game.

Never seen a player fade so fast before...

Dude better learn to facilitate or go for broke and actually make the bucket. Any less and we are finished.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

and to think we also had enough cap to sign another star after that 03 ship.

Technically true, but signing an all-star level player would have likely meant losing either Tony or Manu. It all worked out great, tbh.

[ffadicted]

So many emos up in here

[milkyway21]

Game 6 vs Detroit Pistons fans around the World, we are all ready for the celebration, the champagne, then Detroit beat the Spurs . :lol

THEN GAME 7 WIN, WAS SO SWEET IN SAN ANTONIO!:whine

[Calispursfan11]

Bullshit! Something like this has happened EVERY single year the Spurs have won a championship, somewhere along the line, except for the strike-shortened 1999 season. Sometimes the toughest opponent doesn't come in the Finals - this year it did. But winning it all is always tough. And the Spurs have suffered losses at least as bad as the one on Sunday night, and bounced back to win it all each time.

I'm amazed at some of the comments from people who I know were around for each of those other title runs. So, for those who have forgotten, here's a reminder:


2003 Western Conference Semi-Finals

Spurs lost Game 3 at LAKERS 95-110. Spurs were down by as much as 24 in that game. Tim and Tony were both -27.

After getting mauled in Game 3, they Spurs went on to lose Game 4 as well, and most of the writers and commentators had written the Spurs off. (So had many of the fans.)
Then in Game 5, at home, the Spurs held a 25 point lead, with 3:13 to go in the third - but with 19 seconds left in the game, the Spurs were only ahead by 1.
The Spurs barely held on to win Game 5, 96-94, then closed out LA 110-82 in Game 6, on the way to Championship Number Two.


2005 NBA Finals

Spurs lost Game 3 at Pistons 79 - 96. Spurs were ahead by 1 at the half, and tied with 1:17 left in the third quarter, when the Pistons went on a 21-3 run. Sound familiar? Tim Duncan was -23 in that game.

Spurs lost Game 4 at Pistons 71-102. That's a 31 point loss, after losing the previous game badly! The Pistons held the Spurs to .371 from the field, and committed only 3 turnovers, compared to the Spurs' 17 turnovers.

After the big losses in Games 3 and 4, many (if not most) of the writers and analysts said that the Pistons physical play made it impossible for the Spurs to win a 7 game series against them. And they were almost right. The Spurs had to win an overtime thriller in Game 5, lost Game 6 at home, but closed out the Pistons in Game 7 for Championship Number Three.



2007 Western Conference Semi-Finals

Spurs lost Game 2 at Suns 81-101. Spurs were down by 7 at the half, and only down by 3 with 3:07 left in the third quarter, but trailed by as much as 22 in the fourth quarter. Sound Familiar? The Suns went on a 33-11 run. Tony Parker was -26 in that game.

The Spurs won Game 1 on the road, by 5 points. They were up by only 1 with 27 second left in that game. Sound familiar?
The Spurs wound up closing out Phoenix in 6 tough games. Even after winning Game 1 in Phoenix, the Spurs still had to win another on the road.


2007 Western Conference Finals

Spurs lost Game 3 at Jazz, 83-109. Spurs were ahead by 4 at the half, and only down by 3 points with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Sound familiar? The Spurs got outscored by 23 points over the last 16 minutes of the game.

The Spurs won two difficult games against the Jazz, at home, but then got hammered in Game 3 in Utah. After that 26 point drubbing, many said that the physical play of the Jazz was going to be too much for the Spurs as the series wore on. The series only wore on two more games, as the Spurs closed out the series in Game 5, on their way to Championship Number Four.Solid post tbh

[Jenks]

You're kidding yourself if you think 2007 Lebron is anywhere near the player he is now.
That's a cute storyline but I haven't seen Lebron come close to approaching his level in 2007, and his decline started before he left Cleveland.

2007 ECF game 5. This Lebron is better? Stop buying into the ESPN/Sprite commercial bullshit.

[Maddog]

2003 Lakers series against the three-time champs who had rolled over us for two years in a row?

No
The Spurs had Home Court advantage and favored. Not by a lot, but favored.
Had 26 year old MVP named Tim Duncan

[GSH]

Thank you. I totally agree. That was directed at the people who want to believe that this Miami team is unbeatable. They aren't.

And the big message from the original post is that a blowout loss is no more significant than a 5-point loss.


Do I even need to say it?

The Spurs may still have to win another one in Miami. But they CAN win another one in Miami. There's still a lot of basketball left, but rumors of the Spurs demise were greatly exaggerated.