Power Rankings have us 9th, Lakers 8th and Raptors 4th

[SpurPadre]

http://newarena.com/nba/ranked-all-30-nba-teams-heading-into-2018-19-season/21/?amxt=yvid2ob_avntp2

"People may be surprised at the Spurs' placement inside the top-10. Yes, Kawhi Leonard is now a member of the Toronto Raptors. However, there's more context at play here. The Spurs won 47 games a season ago basically without Leonard for the entire season. Now, San Antonio will add a multiple-time All-Star (DeMar DeRozan) to a team on the cusp of winning 50 games.DeRozan isn't a great fit -- particularly since he doesn't really shoot threes. However, Gregg Popovich has proven time and time again to be malleable in terms of catering to the needs of his players. He'll figure out a way to maximize DeRozan's ability alongside LaMarcus Aldridge. In the process, San Antonio will be damn good."


I know not to place much stock in these things but it's weird to see us out of the Top 5 in an offseason power ranking, tbh. Are the Lakers really better than us? I don't think so. People are acting like LeBron is 24 years old instead of the 34 he will be by December.

[TimmyBuckets]

At least that site has us 9th. ESPN has us 13th below Pelicans and Pacers (>_>) http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24165876/nba-power-rankings-how-lebron-james-kawhi-leonard-change-everything

[hater]

Stupid cause Mute Cancer cannot even wipe his ass much less lead his team to #4.

Sure #4 is their ceiling but expecting everything to work out is stupid

Spurs and lakers positioning is more logical

IMO craptors will be around #6 but mostly cause its the East

[dabom]

Lebron gonna break down playing majority of games vs west teams. :lol

[apalisoc_9]

9th?

Spurs are somrwhere around 15-20

[tonight...you]

Word.
Bring it on.

[TimmyBuckets]

idk why, but I feel great when media doubts what Spurs can do. I feel like the less they talk about Spurs and more they question their ability, the more likely they are to crush everyone. No evidence for this though lol

[offset formation]

9th?

Spurs are somrwhere around 15-20

You've proven to be correct time and time again, amirite?

Let me know when Kawhi lands in a city to the west, capiche?

Oh, and focker, enjoy your infamy on this board henceforth. Everyone and their mother knows about your charade now.

[apalisoc_9]

Spursfans are so sensitive. Everyone knows a 45 win team does not belong in an top 10 list.

[BD24]

9th?

Spurs are somrwhere around 15-20
Elo bet? If they finish 15 or below you win 14 or above I win.

Deal?
no?
Didnt think so, sack up or stfu Pinoy Mauraduer

[Harry Callahan]

Kawhi should be good in the Eastern Conference - it is after all the "Special Olympics" Bracket of the NBA. I see a fit there.

[tonight...you]

Elo bet? If they finish 15 or below you win 14 or above I win.

Deal?
no?
Didnt think so, sack up or stfu Pinoy Mauraduer
I hope he accepts because in the end: it's the children that wins.
I'm happy to see somebody spread some joy!

[gospursgojas]

Do people think Kawhi played last year? It’s like they think Kawhi is gone that’s an automatic 20 less wins. He had zero positive impact on last season. If anything his departure equals more wins when you consider he netted a sorely needed second scorer and his absence results in less distraction.

Spurs are a better team this upcoming season then last.

[tmtcsc]

I love it. If Spurs stay healthy they will be much better than last year. Should close the season stronger than they start because of all the new faces and learning curve.

[dbestpro]

This is great news. Every year the media has discounted the Spurs, they have had a big year.

[offset formation]

Elo bet? If they finish 15 or below you win 14 or above I win.

Deal?
no?
Didnt think so, sack up or stfu Pinoy Mauraduer


I hope he accepts because in the end: it's the children that wins.
I'm happy to see somebody spread some joy!

:tu

[hater]

9th?

Spurs are somrwhere around 15-20

Yes but in regular season they can easily get around 10th best record

Thats good enough for 7th seed in the west and a 1st round exit

Succesful season

[apalisoc_9]

Yes but in regular season they can easily get around 10th best record

Thats good enough for 7th seed in the west and a 1st round exit

Succesful season

How the mighty have fallen. I thought pop is thw reason for all the success?

[hater]

How the mighty have fallen. I thought pop is thw reason for all the success?

Even with a healthy Mute Cancer willing to play for us we are barely a round 2 exit

Come on

Duncan is not walking theough that door. Spurs are done contnding Mute Cancer or not

[tonight...you]

Even with a healthy Mute Cancer willing to play for us we are barely a round 2 exit

Come on

Duncan is not walking theough that door. Spurs are done contnding Mute Cancer or not
True...
Mute Cancer wasn't going to bring any glory without Duncan.

[FkLA]

Top 5, easily. Only GS and HOU are clearly better.

[Mr. Body]

Who the hell are newarena?

[offset formation]

Top 5, easily. Only GS and HOU are clearly better.

Yep.

[John B]

Spurs are fine playing under radar. I see only Dubs better.. for now :bobo

[SpurPadre]

It's also pretty hypocritical of these analysts to use our losing of Kawhi as a reason why we'll regress after having touted our system as the main reason for our long running success.

[hater]

It's also pretty hypocritical of these analysts to use our losing of Kawhi as a reason why we'll regress after having touted our system as the main reason for our long running success.

Yup also anal-lysts forget Lamarcus-Kawhi combo was ackward as shit

I am confident Derozan and Lamarcus combo is gonna fit pretty nicely. For regular season.

Hell we might even get a top 5 seed in the west

[bic50]

Kawhi should be good in the Eastern Conference - it is after all the "Special Olympics" Bracket of the NBA. I see a fit there.
So bitter

[SpurPadre]

So bitter

Why not? The guy is a piece of shit.

[Seventyniner]

If we're talking number of regular season wins, I think there's an easy case to put GS, HOU, TOR, PHI, BOS ahead of the Spurs, and LAL/OC right on par. 9th is not unreasonable by any means.

[SpurPadre]

If we're talking number of regular season wins, I think there's an easy case to put GS, HOU, TOR, PHI, BOS ahead of the Spurs, and LAL/OC right on par. 9th is not unreasonable by any means.

By your reasoning, we could at least be 6th. There's actually a big difference between 6th and 9th, tbh.

[vander]

Professional journalists are expecting kawhi to stay healthy all season? And quickly acclimate and mesh with new teammates in a new system in a new country?

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

spurs at 4/5 seed, 2nd round exit ... give or take some injuries

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Spursfans are so sensitive. Everyone knows a 45 win team does not belong in an top 10 list.

Bingo, and DeRozan they'll get 52 wins or so, not enough to be a top 6 team in the league.

[Chucho]

LOLakers better than the Spurs? :lmao

The Spurs will disappoint the "experts" who, when the Spurs beat their "expert" expectations, will dust off the trusty "Pop has his team running like a well oiled machine per par." schtick. The Lakers will disappoint because it's a classic GM Lebron roster that doesn't have the benefit of playing in the weakest conference in sporting history and the "Experts" won't know what to say because they're going to struggle all season and be jockeying for no better than the 7th-8th seed after the first 30-40 games.

[apalisoc_9]

Bingo, and DeRozan they'll get 52 wins or so, not enough to be a top 6 team in the league.

What's the scene rught now in toronto?

Do the stupid casuals actually want demar back for kawhi

:lmao

I swear they need to stick with hockey

[KDKSpurs24]

Bingo, and DeRozan they'll get 52 wins or so, not enough to be a top 6 team in the league.
49 wins got the 3rd seed in this West last season..

[TVI]

9th?

Spurs are somrwhere around 15-20 you still posting, "done deal?"

[Amuseddaysleeper]

49 wins got the 3rd seed in this West last season..

The west will be much better this season

[Amuseddaysleeper]

What's the scene rught now in toronto?

Do the stupid casuals actually want demar back for kawhi

:lmao

I swear they need to stick with hockey

Honestly, while many people here are happy to get Kawhi I’m shocked how many are bitter at Ujiri for letting Demar go. It’s badlfing that one of the biggest playoff chokers in nba playoff history gets traded for an mvp candidate and some people still wish DeMar didn’t get traded.

It may arguably be the greatest trade in Raptors history.

Also this was pretty funny:

1022940140556046336

[KDKSpurs24]

The west will be much better this season
Doesn’t mean they sucked last season just means that outside of the top 2 they were more even. More even teams still means closer records. It’s gonna be jumbled.

[DMC]

No reason to even play the games then.

[DMC]

What's the scene rught now in toronto?

Do the stupid casuals actually want demar back for kawhi

:lmao

I swear they need to stick with hockey

You don't know whether to shit or go blind. I guess your desperat, attention seeking "calculated shit bomb" didn't do what you had hoped.

Kawhi at best is a one year deal in Toronto. Even Lebron couldn't win a title in his first year in Miami, even with that team he had, and couldn't win a title in his first year back in Cleveland, even with that team he had. You think Kawhi can take the Raptors to the title? If not, he's worthless to them and they end up with whatever garbage the Raptors can attract after KL walks for basically nothing.

Raptors wanted to get rid of DeRozan and didn't want the fans to think it was a salary dump, but it was.

[TheDoctor]

Yup also anal-lysts forget Lamarcus-Kawhi combo was ackward as shit

I am confident Derozan and Lamarcus combo is gonna fit pretty nicely. For regular season.

Hell we might even get a top 5 seed in the west

Top 4. Book it.

[John B]

Top 4. Book it.
Only Dubs better, at least on paper. OKC got better but I cannot trust Westbrook. Donovan will get a reality check once teams better prepare for him. Hou got worst defensively. I don’t see LABron making Lakers an overnight sensation, maybe even a lot of dramas reminiscent of the Malone/Peyton, Howard/Nash signings.

[PrimeMinister]

Spursfans are so sensitive. Everyone knows a 45 win team does not belong in an top 10 list.

Hey how's your aunt doing?

[TheGreatYacht]

9th?

Spurs are somrwhere around 15-20
:lmao

[gambit1990]

okc is better than last year: healthy roberson, no melo, schroder off the bench.

[james evans]

Exactly how are we worse by getting rid of Parker and Anderson while adding DeRozan?

[gambit1990]

Exactly how are we worse by getting rid of Parker and Anderson while adding DeRozan?
yeah, the spurs are definitely not worse than last year :lol it's weird some people would think that the spurs are worse.

[iGetbuckets]

9th?

Spurs are somrwhere around 15-20

Bet money on it

[therealtruth]

I hope DDR isn't RJ 2.0. Pop massively failed integrating him. Like DDR really wasn't a 3PT shooter but got better at it. At least this time Pop isn't saying he should be fired if they don't win it all. There's also that thing about players not doing that well their first year as a Spur.

[kaji157]

I hope DDR isn't RJ 2.0. Pop massively failed integrating him. Like DDR really wasn't a 3PT shooter but got better at it. At least this time Pop isn't saying he should be fired if they don't win it all. There's also that thing about players not doing that well their first year as a Spur.

It's not at all like the RJ situation.
Jefferson was first/second option that was brought to be the fourth option. He never understood that role Kawhi in the end was better for that.
DeMar has been as of now a first/second option that will be the same here.

[cutewizard]

People shall be surprised when we are Number One 20 games into the season....

[cutewizard]

I hope DDR isn't RJ 2.0. Pop massively failed integrating him. Like DDR really wasn't a 3PT shooter but got better at it. At least this time Pop isn't saying he should be fired if they don't win it all. There's also that thing about players not doing that well their first year as a Spur.


Manu and Diaw both did very well.......

[cutewizard]

There is always an exception to the rule......

[YGWHI]

Lakers over us? What a joke...Except LeBron, the whole roster is a circus. Rondo, Beasly, McGee? C'mon :lol


Professional journalists are expecting kawhi to stay healthy all season? And quickly acclimate and mesh with new teammates in a new system in a new country?
Even if he stays healthy, his team has a new coach who is making his first season as NBA HC, Lowry hates the trade...Media can't predict how the team would play this season.

[dbestpro]

The addition of 4 players Poeltl, Cuningham, Belleneli, and DeRozan equals 47 ppg, while the subtraction of Leonard (DNP) Parker, Anderson, Green, and Lavuvergne equals 28 ppg. I get Leonard is a thing, but the offensive numbers suggest the Spurs are vastly better than last year.

[cutewizard]

The addition of 4 players Poeltl, Cuningham, Belleneli, and DeRozan equals 47 ppg, while the subtraction of Leonard (DNP) Parker, Anderson, Green, and Lavuvergne equals 28 ppg. I get Leonard is a thing, but the offensive numbers suggest the Spurs are vastly better than last year.


:bobo

[NameLess Scrub]

The addition of 4 players Poeltl, Cuningham, Belleneli, and DeRozan equals 47 ppg, while the subtraction of Leonard (DNP) Parker, Anderson, Green, and Lavuvergne equals 28 ppg. I get Leonard is a thing, but the offensive numbers suggest the Spurs are vastly better than last year.

That's kind of a fantasy BB analysis :lol

But yeah, should be better if only because they had no Kawhi last season vs adding DeMar.

[NameLess Scrub]

LOLakers better than the Spurs? :lmao

The Spurs will disappoint the "experts" who, when the Spurs beat their "expert" expectations, will dust off the trusty "Pop has his team running like a well oiled machine per par." schtick. The Lakers will disappoint because it's a classic GM Lebron roster that doesn't have the benefit of playing in the weakest conference in sporting history and the "Experts" won't know what to say because they're going to struggle all season and be jockeying for no better than the 7th-8th seed after the first 30-40 games.

They can always say LeBron is playing with 4 plumbers.

[TimmyBuckets]

Exactly how are we worse by getting rid of Parker and Anderson while adding DeRozan?

At first I honestly thought it was a buncha hate toward the Spurs for handling of the Kawhi situation (which btw I personally feel the Spurs have no responsibility for whatsoever), but when I thought about, I kinda get why people are so low on them this year. The consensus throughout most media is that Spurs will be better offensively and worse defensively, but its how better or worse that's the question. Considering most don't consider Derozan an Allstar in the West and barely a top 15 player, if even that (which I agree with), and his 3p% is trash for a guard, and the fact that Spurs aren't exactly a fast-paced run-and-gun team, most don't see Spurs offense increase a whole ton and put them probably around the top 16-20 mark. Defense is the big one, though. Green is a fantastic defender and Anderson replaced Kawhi pretty well defensively. Those 2 were replaced with Derozan and Cunningham. The defensive dropoff is the reason for putting them so low, coupled with the not-so-big jump in offense. However, I'm a believer in Pop's ability to get everyone to play D' and to take Derozan's game to the next level.

[gospursgojas]

^^^ lol the media doesn’t care about defense nor do they take that into account in power rankings.

[TimmyBuckets]

CBS, most recent power ranking, puts us at #6! They say that Spurs had no Kawhi and now they have Derozan don't mention the loss of other players. Can't say I agree wholeheartedly, but I think this is as good as its gonna get for power ranking until season starts.


https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-power-rankings-with-free-agency-coming-to-a-halt-heres-where-the-teams-stand/

[Chucho]

They can always say LeBron is playing with 4 plumbers.

I dont even think there has been 4 Mexican NBA players total in league history.

[Seventyniner]

I dont even think there has been 4 Mexican NBA players total in league history.

But we got Marco.

https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcbsla.files.wordpress.com%2F2014% 2F10%2F19-san-antonio-spurs-marco-belinelli-and-tony-parker.jpg%3Fw%3D291%26h%3D300&f=1

[cutewizard]

The addition of 4 players Poeltl, Cuningham, Belleneli, and DeRozan equals 47 ppg, while the subtraction of Leonard (DNP) Parker, Anderson, Green, and Lavuvergne equals 28 ppg. I get Leonard is a thing, but the offensive numbers suggest the Spurs are vastly better than last year.

Agree

[rascal]

spurs at 4/5 seed, 2nd round exit ... give or take some injuries

Best case scenario.

[DAF86]

Exactly how are we worse by getting rid of Parker and Anderson while adding DeRozan?

I think we are going to be slighlty better than last season but it wouldn't surprise me if we are worse, tbh.

The main reason for our success, last season, was defense; and without Anderson and Green, we lost a lot on that department.

[dabom]

I think we are going to be slighlty better than last season but it wouldn't surprise me if we are worse, tbh.

The main reason for our success, last season, was defense; and without Anderson and Green, we lost a lot on that department.

Green and fathead is the exact reason we couldn't win games last season. Lot of games we up and lose the third and fourth to lose the game cause we couldn't score. It's a Major Win for the Spurs.

[koriwhat]

so we're worse this yr by adding another all-star? lmao power rankings by a panel of retards.

[tonight...you]

Green and fathead is the exact reason we couldn't win games last season. Lot of games we up and lose the third and fourth to lose the game cause we couldn't score. It's a Major Win for the Spurs.
:bobo

The D might slip a bit, but it's always been pretty much a system D that allows some players to be better than they are.
If they can get that nice and tight - the O is just naturally going to be better with these acquisitions and additions by subtractions.
And then if DJ can show his offensive improvement... Look out!

[DAF86]

Green and fathead is the exact reason we couldn't win games last season. Lot of games we up and lose the third and fourth to lose the game cause we couldn't score. It's a Major Win for the Spurs.

We will see.

[TheGreatYacht]

Kevin Pelton of ESPN said the Spurs and Lakers aren't making the playoffs. Rudy Gay left a comment. It's on ESPN's IG, if one you folks wants to screen shot it...

[TheGreatYacht]

This is Kevin Pelton, btw....

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rXQSdkICJSU/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAALI/DT7ZjoauZXI/photo.jpg

He based his projections off of Real Plus-Minus :lol Jazz would be the 2nd seed, forgot to mention that

[tonight...you]

This is Kevin Pelton, btw....

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rXQSdkICJSU/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAALI/DT7ZjoauZXI/photo.jpg

He based his projections off of Real Plus-Minus :lol Jazz would be the 2nd seed, forgot to mention that
You can always tell a man that rolls hard by the part in his hair...
Straight down the middle? Child molester.

[james evans]

Green and fathead is the exact reason we couldn't win games last season. Lot of games we up and lose the third and fourth to lose the game cause we couldn't score. It's a Major Win for the Spurs.
I know one thing, we're gonna be better than the lakers. Their fake ass fans, part time GS fans, think that adding a 16 season Lebron is gonna get them 4 titles hahaha. Some of their fans had already booked their plane tickets for the championship parade before the Warriors signed Cousins. :lol

[dabom]

:lol

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

The Lakers are going to be a sh!t show. I can’t wait for Lavar to start calling out Lebron. Will make for good entertainment.

[LkrFan]

9th?

Spurs are somrwhere around 15-20

Man, what did you do to get pinked? :lol

[cd98]

There’s an ESPN insider on Spurs next move.

[PublicOption]

We need Adam Hanga....now.

[r0drig0lac]

so we're worse this yr by adding another all-star? lmao power rankings by a panel of retards.

[LkrFan]

1026296372847235072


The big surprise: The Westgate predicts the Spurs will miss the playoffs, something that hasn't happened since 1997. San Antonio's over-under win total is 43.5, ninth in the West.

:wow

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

1026296372847235072



:wow

time to put some $$$$ on that over
thx!

[LkrFan]

1026293859641245696

[Chucho]

1026296372847235072



:wow

:lmao :lmao

The "Superbook" my ass. I'm not a degenerate gambler, but I give everyone who clears their savings out to take these dudes to the cleaners my blessing.

[LkrFan]

time to put some $$$$ on that over
thx!

:lol - you and midnightpulp :lol

[LkrFan]

:lmao :lmao

The "Superbook" my ass. I'm not a degenerate gambler, but I give everyone who clears their savings out to take these dudes to the cleaners my blessing.

^Triggered :lol

[Chucho]

^Triggered :lol

Triggers work both ways. It triggered you into high hopes.

I guess mediocrity and a 1st round sweep while LeBron GMs that roster into shit is better than the dead corpse Kobe left it. Wouldn't know what the cellar feels like for 5 years in a row when the franchise I've always supported has 5 cellar years in franchise history.

[Chucho]

We need Adam Hanga....now.

A dude averaging less than 10 ppg in a Eurotrash league isn't solving any problems for us.

[LkrFan]

Triggers work both ways. It triggered you into high hopes.

I guess mediocrity and a 1st round sweep while LeBron GMs that roster into shit is better than the dead corpse Kobe left it. Wouldn't know what the cellar feels like for 5 years in a row when the franchise I've always supported has 5 cellar years in franchise history.

You do realize the Lakers were tanking to keep their picks these last few years, right? Sure, the Steve Nash trade was Brooklynesque, but still...

The Lakers past (16 > 4.61**), present and future are all better than the Spurs :lol

** denotes 1999 "title" year deserving of an asterisk. 50 game season. 50/82 = 0.61. 4 titles plus 0.61 = 4.61 titles by my math. :lmao

[LkrFan]

Kobe 5, Tim 4.61 :lol

[cutewizard]

Green and fathead is the exact reason we couldn't win games last season. Lot of games we up and lose the third and fourth to lose the game cause we couldn't score. It's a Major Win for the Spurs.


Agree........

[cutewizard]

Kobe 5, Tim 4.61 :lol

BILL RUSSELL, 11.........KOBE ONLY 5

ITS NOT EVEN CLOSE

PATHETIC CAREER BY KORE TBH

[TekXX]

I'll settle this for all of you, the spurs are top 10 in the league and we're making the playoffs.

[LCM]

It's amazing that the Spurs will be missing the playoffs based off of the +/- of Kyle Anderson, the 30th pick of the 1st Rd in 2014, and Danny Green, 2nd Rd pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now Danny is a champion and Kyle is a good player, should have played point forward more on second unit, but ESPN and Vegas bookmakers are saying the Spurs are going to miss the playoffs because the team is essentially loosing these two players!! Everyone is supposed to believe that these two players's contributions on the defensive end will counter any benifit of the Spurs adding DeMar DeRozen!! That's utter bullshit!! And it's not Danny or Kyle who are to blame because the media just can't get it through their skull! They don't understand, KAWHI LEONARD DIDN'T CONTRIBUTE SQUAT TO THE SPURS LAST YEAR!!! The Spurs were 4-5 in the 9 games he played and lost to substandard teams like Detroit and Dallas!! Him being traded away isn't a drawback!!

Now I'm not going to say that DeRozen is going to win defensive player of the year awards, but he will improve under Pop in that regard. But look at what Kawhi and DeMar's stats were in 2016-17 (Kawhi's last full year with Spurs) in the regular season:

KL 25.5 PTS 5.8 REB 3.5 AST
DD 27.3 PTS 5.2 REB 3.5 AST

Playoff stats and percentages don't matter for this argument because these experts are saying the Spurs won't even get that far! Kawhi was being heralded for MVP with those stats. I guess it was the bad Eastern Conference that allowed DeMar to score those extra two points!! 43.5 wins?!?! If I had a pot to piss in and a window to through it out of you're damn right I'd be betting the over!!

[cutewizard]

Derozan shall surprise pundits

[LkrFan]

BILL RUSSELL, 11.........KOBE ONLY 5

ITS NOT EVEN CLOSE

PATHETIC CAREER BY KORE TBH

:lol

[YGWHI]

The Lakers are going to be a sh!t show. I can’t wait for Lavar to start calling out Lebron. Will make for good entertainment.
Can't wait. :corn:


Just for fun...I wonder if the first games of the regular season would be like GSW-Rockets, Lakers in Cleveland and Raptors in SA... :lol

[TimmyBuckets]

The only team clearly better is GSW. Carmello is a cancer, but idk if that significantly weakens HOU, so I think they'll be at 2. Everything else looks like a bloodbath to me, but I do think Spurs are better than every team for sure, and the only squads I might put above Spurs are Utah and OKC. Can't ever underestimate Lebron either. Meh we'll see what happens. I think lowest we go to is 6, but end up at 3 at the end though.

[tonight...you]

Kobe 5, Tim 4.61 :lol
Oh snap! Which one was the fraction 'ship?