Round 1: San Antonio vs Denver

[illusioNtEk]

Cons: High Altitude, Young core, Home Court Advantage

Pros: No experience in the post season.
Year after year it's always proven that experience wins championships.

Maybe Spurs can still get better by the time we face the warriors.

[Shakril]

Can we stop with those threads until it is clear against who we play.

[spurs10]

Cons: High Altitude, Young core, Home Court Advantage

Pros: No experience in the post season.
Year after year it's always proven that experience wins championships.

Maybe Spurs can still get better by the time we face the warriors. Those are definitely the reason we don't want GSW in the first round. I think someone will beat them this year.

[ThaBigFundamental21]

This thread should be closed.

[illusioNtEk]

Can we stop with those threads until it is clear against who we play.
It's my opinion on how the brackets will play out

[Spurtacular]

Just merge this sh** with the thread I started three weeks ago, tbh.

https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278208&highlight=Denver

[illusioNtEk]

Just merge this sh** with the thread I started three weeks ago, tbh.

https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278208&highlight=Denver

Agreed... sorry about that

[HankChinaski]

Merge them all!

One giant super thread where the page and post count can feel astronomical! I want to feel like I witnessed the birth of a big bang with the cataclysmic end of a red dwarf where white shame can reside.

I want to feel patriotic and see its massive scale and like all current Americans feel intimated, lazy yet feign annoyance at even bothering to read any of it

[Spurtacular]

Agreed... sorry about that

It's all good. Just busting your chops.

[slick'81]

Bring on the rockets

[cutewizard]

:clap

[apalisoc_9]

I can see denver losing. Mainly balls shrinking.

Spurs really need to do evrrything to get 7th seed though

[alpha_HaZE]

I am not sure we beat Denver, and we definitely we don't beat HOU or GSW, but at least against Denver it will more of a series and not loss after loss after loss.

We have the better coach, LA probably can hold his own against Jokic, if we make our three point shots at a high rate, we have a chance.

[Kurgan]

I don't think the Spurs have much of a chance against any of the top three seeds but Denver's the ideal matchup if only because they're the most likeable. Losing to the Warriors again for the third straight year would be unbearable. Losing to D'Antoni is even worse.

[Donatas Motiejunas]

this forum needs some supervision badly. I am having cultural shock and I've been on clutchfans for years!

[cd021]

I am not sure we beat Denver, and we definitely we don't beat HOU or GSW, but at least against Denver it will more of a series and not loss after loss after loss.

We have the better coach, LA probably can hold his own against Jokic, if we make our three point shots at a high rate, we have a chance.

I think Aldridge could have a big series against them; don't think Milsap or Jokic are necessarily capable of stopping him.

They don't have a lock down defensive wing so I would think both DeRozan and Gay wouldn't have as hard of a time scoring either.

Also think their HCA may not be as strong in the playoffs; they probably played a lot of games against East coast teams on the tail end of a long road trip and several second halves of back to backs against west coast teams.

Altitude is an issue but maybe minimized with days off in between.

[8FOR!3]

Hasn't Harden's usage rate been super high again this season? If we could wear him down you know he's not the same player.

[DaDakota]

Aren't you guys playing GS in the first round?

DD

[cd021]

Aren't you guys playing GS in the first round?

DD

Looks unlikely. Spurs need to beat Cleveland and Dallas and OKC and/or LAC need to lose 1 game and the Spurs will finish either 6th or 7th.

[cd021]

Hasn't Harden's usage rate been super high again this season? If we could wear him down you know he's not the same player.

Over a long, drawn out, series- probably. Especially if Paul isn't playing well. Eventually those step back 3s may stop falling.

[weeks]

this forum needs some supervision badly. I am having cultural shock and I've been on clutchfans for years!

You don't belong here.. Reddit is that > way

[Donatas Motiejunas]

You don't belong here.. Reddit is that > way

Nah, they banned me recently for wearing Rockets flair

[weeks]

Nah, they banned me recently for wearing Rockets flair
well if you want a place where you'll have virtually zero chance of getting banned, you gotta learn to scroll past certain posts
give and take

[Spurch]

Hasn't Harden's usage rate been super high again this season? If we could wear him down you know he's not the same player.

Easier said than done bc in a playoff series there r no b2b so he'll get ample rest, Chris Paul's mid range game is quite good and the Houston team as a whole has gotten much better.

[Spurtacular]

I don't think the Spurs have much of a chance against any of the top three seeds but Denver's the ideal matchup if only because they're the most likeable. Losing to the Warriors again for the third straight year would be unbearable. Losing to D'Antoni is even worse.

In each round I want the team with the best chance to beat the Warriors to play them. If that happens to be the Spurs, I'm for it.

[Spurch]

I don't think the Spurs have much of a chance against any of the top three seeds but Denver's the ideal matchup if only because they're the most likeable. Losing to the Warriors again for the third straight year would be unbearable. Losing to D'Antoni is even worse.

I agree with the nuggets matchups also they're playoffs inexperienced except for only 2 players coupled with they are not that deadly in transition so I can c the odds in our favor, if we r to meet gsw so be it our team is structured better than years last I don't c us getting swept but taking them to 5-6 games at least which is further than last year.

[Spurs 4 The Win]

In each round I want the team with the best chance to beat the Warriors to play them. If that happens to be the Spurs, I'm for it.

I will root for Warriors before Rockets every day of the week.

[Spurch]

Good post up dm28

[DAF86]

Sup?

[HarlemHeat37]

Not a bad matchup..they don't have any dominant scorers, no notable defensive wings, all their perimeter scorers are streaky, Millsap is probably too small to guard Aldridge, no experience in the playoffs..

I'd be worried about their athleticism on the wing against the Spurs non-Derozan/White players + their homecourt advantage..

I'd still pick them to win, but they're far from scary..

[GreekSpursfan]

I think we can win... one game.

[Tragedy]

Merge them all!

Merge them all!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj55XNXJztY

[Millennial_Messiah]

I will root for Warriors before Rockets every day of the week.

That's ridiculous. Texan pride over faggot state if nothing else. But these faggots are the biggest faggots of all time especially Durflop and Eliansnowflake.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Not a bad matchup..they don't have any dominant scorers, no notable defensive wings, all their perimeter scorers are streaky, Millsap is probably too small to guard Aldridge, no experience in the playoffs..

I'd be worried about their athleticism on the wing against the Spurs non-Derozan/White players + their homecourt advantage..

I'd still pick them to win, but they're far from scary..


If White is playing his best ball, it's a series. If he's playing like he was in that slump, it's probably 4-5 games. He's not a star, but he changes so many things for this team.

[HarlemHeat37]

If White is playing his best ball, it's a series. If he's playing like he was in that slump, it's probably 4-5 games. He's not a star, but he changes so many things for this team.

Ya, it's scary how important he is to this team, didn't see that coming so early..

[RC_Drunkford]

If White is playing his best ball, it's a series. If he's playing like he was in that slump, it's probably 4-5 games. He's not a star, but he changes so many things for this team.

I expect White to play well since he's from Colorado. Also expect LA to destroy Jokic. In the last game they doubled him hard on the low block, so the key will be how well the Spurs play out of double teams that LaMarcus is drawing

[skin27]

This not sure yet..because if Denver loses to twelves they gonna drop to 3 seed

[Spurs 4 The Win]

That's ridiculous. Texan pride over faggot state if nothing else. But these faggots are the biggest faggots of all time especially Durflop and Eliansnowflake.

Agreed with all of that but I hate Harden and know too many rocket a-holes that will talk shit

[ZeusWillJudge]

I expect White to play well since he's from Colorado. Also expect LA to destroy Jokic. In the last game they doubled him hard on the low block, so the key will be how well the Spurs play out of double teams that LaMarcus is drawing


You're right about that. They're going to throw it all at Aldridge. I don't think they'll let the Spurs establish him early. If the other guys come out flat, it will get ugly.

Aldridge doesn't always feel the double team coming. I'm not bitching - I'm pretty sure I don't have psychic powers. It always seemed like Timmy did. But still, some nights Aldridge just can't make his decisions quickly enough, and things go south in a hurry. But... he also needs the other guys to keep active off the ball, and give him some clear options. They tend fall asleep a lot, and just sit and watch.

[dbestpro]

If at the beginning of the season you were told you would face Denver, Portland or Utah in the first two rounds you would have been very happy with that.

[RC_Drunkford]

You're right about that. They're going to throw it all at Aldridge. I don't think they'll let the Spurs establish him early. If the other guys come out flat, it will get ugly.

Aldridge doesn't always feel the double team coming. I'm not bitching - I'm pretty sure I don't have psychic powers. It always seemed like Timmy did. But still, some nights Aldridge just can't make his decisions quickly enough, and things go south in a hurry. But... he also needs the other guys to keep active off the ball, and give him some clear options. They tend fall asleep a lot, and just sit and watch.

it will have to be mostly DeRozan and Gay who gotta take over. As well as our 3-point shooters hitting their shots. LA can give Jokic the business, but only if you punish the Nuggets for the double teams, so they have to go away from them

[sasaint]

I expect White to play well since he's from Colorado. Also expect LA to destroy Jokic. In the last game they doubled him hard on the low block, so the key will be how well the Spurs play out of double teams that LaMarcus is drawing

If the Nuggests double LMA hard, the key will be whether he reverts to form and forces up long fadeaways or has the presence of mind to find the open man and pass him the ball.

[NASpurs]

Has someone started the Rockets thread... just in case... asking for a friend.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Has someone started the Rockets thread... just in case... asking for a friend.


:lol This place is pretty funny tonight.

The Spurs are in the playoffs against NotTheWarriors. It's the little things.

[BatManu20]

Spurs - Rockets it is. OP with the jinx.

[NASpurs]

OP is a faggot.

[timvp]

RIP.

[Robz4000]

Ban OP.

[pgardn]

This has so many possibilities of people sticking foot in mouth

[NASpurs]

Ok OP is not a faggot. You've been redeemed.

[Robz4000]

Ok OP is not a faggot. You've been redeemed.

[pgardn]

This has so many possibilities of people sticking foot in mouth

And the vomiting of apologies begins ...

[timtonymanu]

Nuggets in 7

[NASpurs]

And the vomiting of apologies begins ...

Get the stick out of your ass :lol

It's all in jest.

[BatManu20]

Ok OP is not a faggot. You've been redeemed.

[slick'81]

Spurs in 5

[pgardn]

Get the stick out of your ass :lol

It's all in jest.

mmm okay.

Then why react like ya did fathead?

[Biggems]

Had OKC lost to gs last night, we would be 6 and playing portland. It's ok though, we get Denver, avoid gs until WCF, and gs and Houston have to go through one another to face us, if we can make it that far.

GO SPURS GO

[Biggems]

Spurs in 6

[marinoman]

We have a solid chance if derozan isn’t garbage

[HarlemHeat37]

Denver's probably the streakiest team in the league, you don't know what you're going to get from anybody other than Jokic, Millsap and Monte Morris(in terms of their role)..

[Mr. Body]

Spurs actually have a shot against Denver. If they beat Denver, it's a decent shot to the WCF. Fucking A.

[JeffDuncan]

Go Spurs Go Go Go!

We've got a chance to win a series. Maybe. Sorta. Kinda. So Yay!

GSG!

[timvp]

Good yet easy call, OP :tu

[Mugen]

Early prognosis is winner of game 1 wins in 6 tbh.

[gambit1990]

spurs do have a shot of winning this series. they are not beating okc though.

[Robz4000]

Nuggets in 7, but anything can happen. Shit, if Denver plays the way they have the last week outside the last 3 mins of tonight the Spurs could sweep.

[BatManu20]

Denver in 6 imo, in large part to DeFrozen rearing his ugly head.












:flag:

[pgardn]

The thread is ALIVE

[BatManu20]

1116203712496537600

[Mugen]

spurs do have a shot of winning this series. they are not beating okc though.

If the Spurs beat Denver, they're going to the WCF tbh

[NickiRasgo]

* wrong thread

[marinoman]

Hopefully a new team helps playoff derozan

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/NickKosmider/status/1116203924711772160

[marinoman]

If the Spurs beat Denver, they're going to the WCF tbh
You thought it was completely ridiculous for anyone to think the spurs could make wcf just a week ago

[Mr. Body]

You thought it was completely ridiculous for anyone to think the spurs could make wcf just a week ago

This wasn't the bracket a week ago.

[Death In June]

I imagine the schedule goes up tomorrow?

[gambit1990]

If the Spurs beat Denver, they're going to the WCF tbh
thunder are clicking at the perfect time... spurs won't be able to contain WB, PG, adams.

[ShutUp SayItAgain!]

I wonder what day and time game 1 is. I'm sure nothing primetime lol

[marinoman]

This wasn't the bracket a week ago.
The bracket wasn’t the problem he and others had with the Spurs, cause I’d say just avoid the warriors and you have a shot in any series

[Mugen]

You thought it was completely ridiculous for anyone to think the spurs could make wcf just a week ago

:lmao I didn't think the Spurs would fall ass backwards into the luckiest bracket draw in the last 20 years tbh....

I still have Denver beating the Spurs, all im saying is if these dummies luck out and beat the Nuggs, i'm not scared of a retard team like the Thunder

[Trainwreck2100]

https://twitter.com/NickKosmider/status/1116203924711772160

dick comment malone

[gambit1990]

dick comment malone
oh shit :lol

[marinoman]

:lmao I didn't think the Spurs would fall ass backwards into the luckiest bracket draw in the last 20 years tbh....

I still have Denver beating the Spurs, all im saying is if these dummies luck out and beat the Nuggs, i'm not scared of a retard team like the Thunder
I still hold the feeling as long as they avoid the Warriors they have a shot in any series, not favorites, but a shot

[Seventyniner]

Denver's probably the streakiest team in the league, you don't know what you're going to get from anybody other than Jokic, Millsap and Monte Morris(in terms of their role)..

The Spurs have been pretty damn streaky this year too, at least as a team. All eight series outcomes are in play imo. SA in 4, 5, 6, 7, DEN in 4, 5, 6, 7.

[toki9]

dick comment malone

That was just a poorly executed self-deprecating humor. Malone has nothing but respect for Pop.

Here is a 2015 article about Malone/Pop https://www.denverpost.com/2015/11/18/spurs-coach-gregg-popovich-had-major-impact-on-nuggets-michael-malone/

“Pop had a tremendous impact on my career,” Malone said of longtime San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “When I was in New York (as an assistant) and there was a coaching change, he helped me get the job in Cleveland with Mike Brown. And I didn’t know Mike Brown from Adam.

“But I spent a week with Pop down in Argentina in an NBA camp, and after many bottles of wine, he took a liking to me and he was willing to go to bat for me. He helped me get the job in Cleveland, and he helped me get the job in New Orleans. So, I owe a ton to Coach Popovich and everything he’s done for me and my family.”

Popovich jump-started Malone’s coaching career then, and was there for him again when Malone was hired in Sacramento 2013.

“He told me this when I got the job in Sacramento: ‘Be true to yourself,’ ” Malone said. “People always think in the NBA you can’t coach guys and you can’t get on guys. And obviously there’s plenty of examples of Pop getting on his guys. But as he told me, be yourself, get on guys, coach them, but also let them know that you love them and you care about them. And they’ll be willing to accept that tough coaching.”

[NASpurs]

:lol out of context that quote is pretty fucked up but let's be real

[Mr. Body]

dick comment malone

Uh, how can you read that as anything but praise for Pop?

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D32TjTcUEAAIyLw.jpg:large

[Cloud786]

Saturday, 9:30pm CST is game 1.

[daslicer]

I wonder what day and time game 1 is. I'm sure nothing primetime lol

They just announced game 1 on ESPN will be at 10:30 pm on Saturday.

[NASpurs]

1116210276041408512

[NASpurs]

ESPN NBATV NBATV TNT

[Payote75]

Uh, how can you read that as anything but praise for Pop?

exactly man why on earth would anyone think the dude was taking a shot at pop and his deceased wife???? Seriously???? He probably wishes he wouldn't of used it for the reason pops wife passed away but that was said with the utmost respect for pop not a "dead wife dig" that would be pretty messed up

[Holden_Caulfield]

nice. denver is who i wanted to face in the first round. spurs in 6

[gospursgojas]

1116203712496537600

Lol Pistons
Lol Magic

The east is still the east and first round matchups are laughable bye series.

[gospursgojas]

1116203712496537600

Lol Pistons
Lol Magic

The east is still the east and first round matchups are laughable bye series.

[ace3g]

https://www.nba.com/spurs/sites/spurs/files/img_7396.png

[emanueldavidginobili]

Playoffs in two days wow. Literally have no clue which Nuggets/Spurs team will show up. I just hope the Spurs don’t get embarrassed. I’m excited for Derrick White in this series.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Two NBA TV games typical :rollin

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D32Xh0sW0AAUwQb.jpg:large

[GusT15]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWOUgnxWkAAE-oI.jpg


https://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz192/VValterr/jokic%20chungus.jpg (https://s827.photobucket.com/user/VValterr/media/jokic%20chungus.jpg.html)

[slick'81]

Best draw spurs coulda hoped for and everybody wanted deve so here we are

[marinoman]

Best draw spurs coulda hoped for and everybody wanted deve so here we are
Blazers would’ve been better

[John B]

Spurs in 6. GSG :flag:

[szkorhetz]

Spurs in 5.

[Spurs da champs]

The Spurs should win but playoff DDR is a scary thing tbh.

[phxspurfan]

Jamal Murray/Gary Harris gonna destroy, absolutely destroy Mills/Forbes

[Russ]

Should be some good nasty down low battles in this series.

[slick'81]

Will poodle power start in this series?

[skin27]

Nuggets in 7.

if spurs somehow win this series they gonna lose in th2nd round anyway.

[Uriel]

Nuggets in 7 is the most likely possibility. Spurs in 6 is the second most likely.

[objective]

Jamal Murray/Gary Harris gonna destroy, absolutely destroy Mills/Forbes

I agree. Marco against their wings also.

I liked the matchup with Houston more because the bad Spurs defenders could hang out while Harden takes on White every possession

[spurs10]

Nuggets in 7.

if spurs somehow win this series they gonna lose in th2nd round anyway. Yeah, why bother even playing?


Nuggets in 7 is the most likely possibility. Spurs in 6 is the second most likely. Go Spurs! :flag:

All I know is we will have to play the games. Anyone who thinks the Kind Buds is a walk in the park, has not been watching.

Was very happy to see their comeback. Not afraid of Rockets, just hate watching them.

Gonna be a fun 1st Round!

[JPB]

thunder are clicking at the perfect time... spurs won't be able to contain WB, PG, adams.

A miracle 14pt 4th quarter-1.8 game winner home comeback win vs. HOU and a another victory vs. the cruising Bucks after losing something like 8 of their last 10 doesn't look like clicking to me...

They've been playing their worst BB of the season (except for their terrible start) during the final sprint, they shouldn't scare anyone.

[John B]

I'd start Bertrans and slide Demar to 2

[Geo210SpursSanAnto.]

Puro pinche spurs, fuck the chicken nuggets... Spurs in 6... Lets do this, and fiesta next week!! Whatcha!!! Coming for the worriers!!

[monty4329]

The Spurs should win but playoff DDR is a scary thing tbh.

Why? Can he be worse than regular season DDR?

[gambit1990]

A miracle 14pt 4th quarter-1.8 game winner home comeback win vs. HOU and a another victory vs. the cruising Bucks after losing something like 8 of their last 10 doesn't look like clicking to me...

They've been playing their worst BB of the season (except for their terrible start) during the final sprint, they shouldn't scare anyone.
WB & PG > la & demar

donovan has already beaten pop in the POs too.

[cool cat]

The Spurs should win but playoff DDR is a scary thing tbh.

DDR thing is interesting. My glass half full take says, unlike when he was with the Raps he is not the #1 option, LMA is. Also his drive and kick game has been great so it’s going to be up to our shooters to hit those kick outs. He has had good playoff series before it’s just those LeBron matchups have been an epic disaster for him.

[Trainwreck2100]

Why? Can he be worse than regular season DDR?

yes, yes he can

[JPB]

WB & PG > la & demar

donovan has already beaten pop in the POs too.

They should be respected, just not scared. They had a good strectch where they seem like they were getting it and becoming a top 3 team, but then had a really terrible end of season, maybe a physical drop down after pushing too hard or favorable schedule during the good run...

They're just not the team people thought they would and, ending up with the same record as the Spurs. People have figured them out, just let Westbrick do his thing and try to contain PG. Not saying spurs are favored or it's a surefire win but they're just not scary at all.

[ceperez]

It's all going to be about making adjustments against a very young team.

If Spurs control the tempo they will win.

[spursistan]

Sadly, Nuggets in 7..Spurs have been atrocious on the road for two years now..I just don't trust them to get one or two away from home and I'm sure as hell not betting on playoff Derozan..


Sucks that we could be blowing a good opportunity against a scuffling and inexperienced Nuggets team.. They have been lowkey spirilling the last month or so..

[dbreiden83080]

Got a shot here. Yes the road record is awful, but pull it together for 1 damn win here.. Home Spurs have been dominant all year..

[DPG21920]

If the Spurs beat Denver, they're going to the WCF tbh


I cant see this team in the WCF, but :lol at you having to root for this team you hate in the WCF

[spursistan]

I think the Spurs will win one in Denver, but will cough up one at home in the process.

Just based on the Nuggets sucktitude of late, I would be surprised if this series doesn't go 6 at least.

[BillMc]

Spurs in 6

[in2deep]

Nuggets in 5 easily

[Raven]

It is LMA, DDR and Gay's last shot to relevancy. They better come out with anger.

[RC_Drunkford]

Spurs need to steal one of those 2 first road games. I think game 1 is up for grabs. White should play well since he's from Colorado. In the game where Pop got ejected Denver doubled LaMarcus in the post, so Spurs need to play smart out of those double teams and force Denver to defend him 1 on 1. LA gon destroy Jokic. DeRozan and Gay should also have a good series, since Denver has no elite wing defenders. This series will go 6 or 7 games. I don't know why people think the Thunder would beat the Spurs in the 2nd round, we lost one game against them by one basket cause DeRozan lost the ball on a fast break. LaMarcus dominated Adams all year. I like our chances to get to the WCF, but the first thing is stealing a road game from the Nuggets

[Duncan87]

Mike Fratello just said pattyMills is key to series. We doomed if relying on 50mills to win a Round

[Mr. Body]

Mike Fratello just said pattyMills is key to series. We doomed if relying on 50mills to win a Round

Key for the Spurs is the bench, not just Mills.

[RD2191]

Should be a good series, hopefully. Game 1 will be telling and should set the tone for the rest of the series. We'll see if the Spurs can show up on the road, I have my doubts.

[WallyTiger]

really really hope spurs win, but I dont trust LAheartcondition and Demar Depression, theyre just too weakmind.

so spurs in 4

go spurstalk go

[MultiTroll]

Mike Fratello just said pattyMills is key to series. We doomed if relying on 50mills to win a Round
:rollin he's just got midget bias.

[BatManu20]

Not that these really matter but here’s our last 2 games against Denver. Still think the Nuggs win in 6 or 7 but I still prefer this matchup to Houston.


wE4GTAs9J-k


AC7mDMGTnuU

[DMOFOR3MORE]

We have a solid chance if derozan isn’t garbage

Oh boy.... I watched way too many Raptors play-off games for my own mental sanity's sake. Through the history of NBA were were couple dudes who had to put diapers on before the game (Clifford Robinson, Blazers of the 90's). It's difficult to like DD's game during the regular season though I think Pop tried pretty hard to fix what's broken.
BUT in post-season DD never had a decent game. Maybe, with the "maturity" he will be different this season. That's a HUGE MAYBE.

[vavvi]

Well, hopefully it's gonna be fine competitive playoffs basketball. Even if we lose in 6 or 7 it's much better than lying down in from of GS with Kerr's ironic comments on the background.

[YGWHI]

Call me crazy but I see this team in the WCF...

LMA always won his matchup vs Jokic...Young Nuggets aren't that well dealing with pressure.

Russ and PG13 won't beat us...Spurs have many good mismatches to exploit vs them.

Spurs-Warriors WFC.

:flag:

[r0drig0lac]

I'd start Bertrans and slide Demar to 2

[Kobe'sAchilles]

If Spurs win game 1 then they win the series. Denver has never been to the playoffs (except Milsap) and they will collapse bc of the pressure. It's all about confidence and if you break a young teams confidence early then it's harder for them to recover it.

That being said, im super worried about playoff Demar...

[Mugen]

I cant see this team in the WCF, but :lol at you having to root for this team you hate in the WCF

:lol I was hoping Patty could have speareheaded the chokejob last night and we'd be looking at 4 quick games against the Warriors. End of April and May on a personal level when the Spurs are out tbh....

[sammy]

Spurs in 6! Go Spurs Go!

[Mr. Body]

Derrick White is the key. Sucks to depend so much on a single second-year player, but it's been that way all year. When available and playing well, this is a completely different team.

[Mugen]

The surface gameplan is pretty easy tbh:
-Take care of the ball and keep Denver out of transition
-Start Poetl on Joker, no doubling and force him to score 30+ a game to beat the team. He's an underrated scorer but he's a reluctant one for sure and is at his best when he's creating for others.
-Worried about the bench matchup tbh. Beli looks hurts, but even if he was fine....Monte Morris & Beasley is a far better bench backcourt that Fatty and Marco....Rudy is going to have be huge this series for them to be competitive
-Biggest concern is how the Spurs are going to defend Murray/Harris/Barton. Barton was meh the last month of the season but Harris started picking it up. I'd probably try to hide Bryn on Barton to start out and hope they can keep him off the offensive glass
-Offensively, Lamarcus will see a ton of doubles. White will need to be respectable from outside to keep Denver honest or it's going to be a short series IMO

Denver in 6 feels about right (can't see this terrible road team beating the best home team in the RS) but if the Spurs steal G1, then the Nuggs are in deep trouble tbh...

[DesignatedT]

White needs to get close to 40MPG this series.

[Mugen]

White needs to get close to 40MPG this series.

:lol He won't....I can see it being 2015 redux when Patty should have gotten more mins than a hurt Parker....and I can see Pop relying on terrible Mills at the first sign of DWhite trouble...

[DesignatedT]

Pop relegating White to the bench for an abundance of Mills/Forbes will cost the Spurs the series.

Should be White and Derozan around 40MPG with Mills/Forbes/Beli all around 15MPG.

[boutons_deux]

yes, yes he can

DDR is one of those "good" season players whose numbers go down post-season. While best players' number go up.

[Dex]

Hopefully we get the version of the Nuggets that could barely beat the Wolves last night.

[cool cat]

Derrick White is the key. Sucks to depend so much on a single second-year player, but it's been that way all year. When available and playing well, this is a completely different team.

1999 we had to depend on a 2nd year player called Tim Duncan and it worked out for us... the good old days.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Nuggets are a good match-up on paper. They play as slow as the Spurs (98.91 pace for SA to 98.52 for Nuggets - 26th in the NBA). Also despite being athletic they're not great at fast break points (15th) or going to the line (25th).

They'd allow the Spurs to stay big for a long time, especially when they play Jokic and Plumlee together, while also giving Pop the option of dragging Millsap away from the basket if they play Bertans or Gay and force Jokic to guard LMA, probably resulting in tons of double teams and possibly open 3s.

Which leads to their main strengths - Nuggets are 1st in the NBA at defending the 3, which is troublesome and also 1st in offensive rebounding and 2nd chance points. Spurs are very good at defensive rebounding (5th, tied with Denver) but they have to be extra concentrated when boxing out to prevent 3s after offensive rebounds, which are real killers. If the Spurs take away these Nuggets strengths, at least somewhat, then they'd have a decent chance as Denver are very pedestrian in FG% (13th), 3P% (17th) and as mentioned earlier at going to the line (25th in FTA).

One of the x factors would be how the Spurs fare against their athletic bench perimeter players - Morris, Beasley and Craig who are good and efficient shooters. Pop might have to be a bit more creative with the bench units to neutralize them.

[Millennial_Messiah]

Agreed with all of that but I hate Harden and know too many rocket a-holes that will talk shit
Better than snowfaggots from the gay bay.

[spursistan]

1116474048865873925

We have played decently against the playoffs field for most part.

The only reason they don't have home-court in the first round is because they have laid too many eggs against the dregs of the league (added to their utter hopelessness on the road)

Kinda give me a glimmer of hope for this series..

^^ PS. As DAF86 (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=11102) said in the other thread. Boston and Philly are the two most overrated teams in the league/playoffs. Hell, even this mediocre Spurs team was a choke away from sweeping both in the reg season.

[Shakril]

I do give spurs a chance against anybody but the Warriors. Very strong at home, and in the PO's you can bet that pop will scream the Team into a better defense.

[Seventyniner]

We have played decently against the playoffs field for most part.

The only reason they don't have home-court in the first round is because they have laid too many eggs against the dregs of the league (added to their utter hopelessness on the road)

Kinda give me a glimmer of hope for this series..

^^ PS. As DAF86 (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=11102) said in the other thread. Boston and Philly are the two most overrated teams in the league/playoffs. Hell, even this mediocre Spurs team was a choke away from sweeping both in the reg season.

I wonder if there's a version of this that shows home vs road. The Spurs had the worst defense against good teams, but the second-best offense. The Nuggets don't look too scary based on this, either. The 2/3/6/7 half of the West bracket is looking wide open.

[heyheymymy]

Disappearing act:

Young nugs in playoff atmosphere vs. Playoff derozan

Who vanishes first? Which team has enough extra to survive if those entities do vanish?

[TDMVPDPOY]

we have lma and ddr, 2 playoff chokers who play down to the competition

[Seventyniner]

Disappearing act:

Young nugs in playoff atmosphere vs. Playoff derozan

Who vanishes first? Which team has enough extra to survive if those entities do vanish?

If both teams vanish, do POR and OC just get a bye and play each other in the 2nd round?

[GusT15]

If both teams vanish, do POR and OC just get a bye and play each other in the 2nd round?

Nope.In that case Lebron James and the Lakers get the wild card entry and go on to play against OKC in the WCSF and proceed to win the whole thing.

Royal Rumble surprise entry at #30 style.

[TDomination]

Disappearing act:

Young nugs in playoff atmosphere vs. Playoff derozan

Who vanishes first? Which team has enough extra to survive if those entities do vanish?

It would be nice for DeRozan to redeem himself. Not so much because he's been bad with us but as far as his previous playoff failures go. He's known as a playoff choker, more specifically as the one who can't beat Lebron. Well, he already did better than Lebron this year with both teams 1st years in the West.

Would be nice to see DeRozan remove those playoff demons and actually make winning plays in crunch time. If he can do that, we'll be tough to beat.

[heyheymymy]

I could see derozan being a different player in the playoffs now that hes on a different team.

[Joseph Kony]

It would be nice for DeRozan to redeem himself. Not so much because he's been bad with us but as far as his previous playoff failures go. He's known as a playoff choker, more specifically as the one who can't beat Lebron. Well, he already did better than Lebron this year with both teams 1st years in the West.

Would be nice to see DeRozan remove those playoff demons and actually make winning plays in crunch time. If he can do that, we'll be tough to beat.
yep, dude just gets crapped on by everyone and no one is taking him seriously to start the playoffs. hopefully he change that perception because he's not the #1 playing next to a choker PG against Lebron every year

[bklynspursfan]

1116743658991181824

[vavvi]

Just listened to the Simmons-Russillo playoffs pod. They think it's not even conceivable the Spurs can win. That's weird. They think Brooklyn and Utah have chances for an upset but not the Spurs.

[$pursDynasty]

we have lma and ddr, 2 playoff chokers who play down to the competition
people hate on LMAlpha because of what happened after nephew got zsa-zsa'd but to be honest what one player besides I think Lebron the following year could handle the pack of wolves that is the Dubs without any significant help? Last year was the nephew sabotage year and LMA's only other season was Timmay's final season with us right when we lost to the Thunder, don't really recall people feeling that was LMA's fault and that was the Thunder team that should have beat the Dubs that year. My point being while not a super nova, LMA as a playoff choker at least with us is a bit overblown.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

LaMarcus is going to go OKC series games 1-2 on these bitches

[Leetonidas]

Just listened to the Simmons-Russillo playoffs pod. They think it's not even conceivable the Spurs can win. That's weird. They think Brooklyn and Utah have chances for an upset but not the Spurs.

I was listening to SiriusXM earlier and they seem to think Spurs can pull it off. Hell even Joel Myers thinks we can reach the WCF :lol

[Collins21]

All this talk about Nikola Jokic being miles better than Aldridge is crazy!!! The only reason to take Jokic over Aldridge would be age but hell I think Aldridge is still better. However a prime LA and Jokic shouldn't be in the same sentence.

[RC_Drunkford]

I expect LA to come out for the first 2 games like he did against OKC in 2016 when he dropped 40 on them in back to back games. He definitely elevates his game in the playoffs, it has to be seen if Jokic can do the same. I assume Denver will double him and Spurs will double Jokic

[ceperez]

I'm guessing that PATFO will conjure a plan against Jokic that will send the Nuggets to an early summer.

[Leetonidas]

I expect LA to come out for the first 2 games like he did against OKC in 2016 when he dropped 40 on them in back to back games. He definitely elevates his game in the playoffs, it has to be seen if Jokic can do the same. I assume Denver will double him and Spurs will double Jokic

Actually considering Jokic is a GOAT level passer with incredible vision I think single coverage is better because he will find the open man if gets doubled

[vavvi]

Yeah Joker is a pass-first guy. I think we should go the opposite way: try to make him score 30+ points every game. I’m not sure he’ll be comfortable doing this.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Just need Derrick white to be aggressive and the bench to hit 3s at a 40% rate and it's spurs in 6.

[monty4329]

It would be nice for DeRozan to redeem himself. Not so much because he's been bad with us but as far as his previous playoff failures go. He's known as a playoff choker, more specifically as the one who can't beat Lebron. Well, he already did better than Lebron this year with both teams 1st years in the West.

Would be nice to see DeRozan remove those playoff demons and actually make winning plays in crunch time. If he can do that, we'll be tough to beat.

I hope he will not even try ANY play in crunch time. I'd rather try but lose with sombody else having the last shot than losing for certain having DDR fucking up the last possession.

[TDomination]

For the role players, if we can get pre all star bertans, that would help immensely

[Mugen]

Pre All-Star Break Davis + 2014 Patty Mills + 2018 Beli + Pre-Conception Dante and QPon =

:lobt2:

[superbigtime]

The Spurs have a chip on their shoulder. All of em. I like our chances. Winning isn't supposed to be easy.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/Patty_Mills/status/1116848011991293952

https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1116794580152619008

[Seventyniner]

https://twitter.com/Patty_Mills/status/1116848011991293952

That's a sick shirt.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1116910340019605504

[SupremeGuy]

I think we're better than they're expecting; or anyone is expecting. We can't really sneak up on them since we're the fucking Spurs, but they might be in for a rude awakening if we play well.

[Uriel]

Richard Jefferson picks the Nuggets to win, says there's a huge talent gap between the two teams.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wgstLBBD4Y

[SouthTexasRancher]

Spurs in 6.

[JPB]

Richard Jefferson picks the Nuggets to win, says there's a huge talent gap between the two teams.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wgstLBBD4Y

Dude knows his shit about talent gap... He apprehended the concept of "infinite" when playing alongside Tim and Manu.

[JPB]

Just listened to the Simmons-Russillo playoffs pod. They think it's not even conceivable the Spurs can win. That's weird. They think Brooklyn and Utah have chances for an upset but not the Spurs.

I remember reading ESPN PO predictions back in November. Not one "expert" had the Spurs in (many had Dallas, Memphis, NO or even Minny that were having a good start).

But even better the Spurs weren't even MENTIONED in the article... No trace of SA in the whole thing, like the team wasn't existing cos that's when they were in a funk at that time... These dudes don't know shit about shit and are just "analyzing" everything in the moment...

Zero distance or perspective and most don't even watch the games.

[spurs10]

We’ve got homecourt and definitely showed we can compete with the Nuggets. If they can win 4 of 6 with 3 of them in San Antonio, they’ll win. We need to win our home games. Go Spurs!

[ceperez]

I remember reading ESPN PO predictions back in November. Not one "expert" had the Spurs in (many had Dallas, Memphis, NO or even Minny that were having a good start).

But even better the Spurs weren't even MENTIONED in the article... No trace of SA in the whole thing, like the team wasn't existing cos that's when they were in a funk at that time... These dudes don't know shit about shit and are just "analyzing" everything in the moment...

Zero distance or perspective and most don't even watch the games.

Spurs already split the regular season vs the Nuggets. Each team winning their home games. In fact, Spurs with game 1 win have proven they can win on the road against the Nuggets. In short, the mile high advantage is non-existent.

[TDMVPDPOY]

this team only goes as far white will take t hem

[Gagnrath]

people hate on LMAlpha because of what happened after nephew got zsa-zsa'd but to be honest what one player besides I think Lebron the following year could handle the pack of wolves that is the Dubs without any significant help? Last year was the nephew sabotage year and LMA's only other season was Timmay's final season with us right when we lost to the Thunder, don't really recall people feeling that was LMA's fault and that was the Thunder team that should have beat the Dubs that year. My point being while not a super nova, LMA as a playoff choker at least with us is a bit overblown.

I agree that it's a little overblown however he also still tends to have games in the playoffs where he sets himself up Ubisoft the example of him being successfully guarded in the paint by Harden instead of backing him down and overpowering him

[rascal]

We’ve got homecourt and definitely showed we can compete with the Nuggets. If they can win 4 of 6 with 3 of them in San Antonio, they’ll win. We need to win our home games. Go Spurs!

They won't. The Spurs are losing the afternoon game.

[TimmyBuckets]

Spurs already split the regular season vs the Nuggets. Each team winning their home games. In fact, Spurs with game 1 win have proven they can win on the road against the Nuggets. In short, the mile high advantage is non-existent.

Still think it'll be a long series, but I think game 2 will be closer than most think, and not a blowout, especially if LMA can get going.


this team only goes as far white will take t hem

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Looks like it will be a good series. Spurs need to play with that chip on their shoulders and not let up, and just remember they’re the disrespected underdog, regardless of whether they’re up or not. This team rides some serious waves, so let’s hope they can embark on a long, positive one.

[spursistan]

This series is pretty much over..

They refused to step on the throats of young team times multiple times..Ours is full of losers that by the next Nuggets punch they will roll over accordingly..