Spurs have the toughest schedule in the NBA [Archive]

101A

01-10-2006, 02:56 PM

If the other teams players get pumped up anything like their fans on their message boards.

It's cliche, but it's true - EVERY team in the league circles EVERY game the Spurs play - the contenders to secure home court advantage, the good ones to use as a measuring stick, the average ones to demonstrate to show improvement, and the crappy ones just to be that way.

Spurs are getting the treatment the Lakers got a few years ago...you know, when the Spurs would have the better record, would split with the Lakers, or even take 'em 3-1 in the regular season, and then inexplicably get smoked in the playoffs.

Many blamed the Spurs for not having the heart or desire - that wasn't the case. When Spurs played Lakers in the regular season, it was a huge game for only one of the teams - the exact thing for the Spurs now.

Just check out the Nets boards today compared to this one - 2 day old threads breaking it down like the superbowl; SpursReport? A Vbookie and a little talk about Bowen v. Carter; and if you say, "well that's only the fans," look at the the quote from Richard Jefferson about absolutely being back for THIS game (do you hear anything about any specific game meaning anything from ANY Spur - including tilts against Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix?)

All teams have a higher gear, and all teams have a different threshhold for calling on it. Detroit, Dallas & Phoenix are ALL in high gear damn near every game, trying to stay in front of or catch the Spurs - they three treat games against the champs with playoff intensity. Detroit got a taste of it last week; demonstrated not so much against Utah, as against Cleveland (HUGE game for the Cavs who consider Detroit a rival - nobody outside of Ohio sees it that way - including the Pistons).

The Spurs are only motivated by a championship, and we will not see their gear until a game has championship implications. If coasting keeps them on top of the WC, then coasting is what we will get.

When the playoffs FINALLY get here, however, after months of taking every teams 2 or 4 best shots - close game after close game, the Spurs will bring their A game, and it is going to be something to see. Can't wait.

BigVee

01-10-2006, 03:04 PM

I absolutely agree. Ever since the first exhibition game v. Miami when the starters for both teams played about 7-8 minutes and the Spurs went up by 12-14 I have not worried about the eventual outcome of this season, barring a catastrophic injury to a key player. In most of the wins, the Spurs have turned it on for some period of the game..long enough to get the W.

JamStone

01-10-2006, 03:16 PM

do you hear anything about any specific game meaning anything from ANY Spur - including tilts against Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix?

Gregg Popovich interview

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/ian_thomsen/01/06/carmelo/2.html

"On the importance of the Spurs' upcoming rematch with the Pistons:

'It's a big game in the sense that I want to match their physicality and their aggressiveness and their purpose. I'll be very disappointed if I don't see that. If we win the game because we shot the hell out of it, I won't be that impressed, and if we lose the game because we didn't shoot well then that won't bother me. I wish the game was in February or March. We just played them, and now we're going to play them again. I'd rather play them down the road when Manu's back in the flow and Timmy [Duncan] feels a little bit better.'"

And, the way you describe the New Jersey Nets messageboard ... how about the thread here entitled "1-12-06"? It was started over a week before the game was even scheduled.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32260

bdubya

01-10-2006, 03:37 PM

FromWayDowntown

01-10-2006, 03:54 PM

...and the Pistons got last year, and the Bulls during the Jordan years, and pretty much every defending champ in living memory....

I agree. Boo-freakin-hoo. It's great that other teams get up to beat the Spurs; if the Spurs choose not to meet that intensity -- if they can't rise to that challenge, they don't deserve to be champions. Champions always wear targets and always take the best shot that an opponent has.

leemajors

01-10-2006, 03:57 PM

people have been playing the spurs like this for years, you think fans would be used to it.

BigVee

01-10-2006, 04:00 PM

Who cares where the last guy to win the Boston marathon was at mile 13?

boutons_

01-10-2006, 04:04 PM

Getting up to beat the Champions is perhaps why Red Auerbach said the Spurs won't repeat. I didn't see him explaining why he thought that.

3 titles in 7 years is wonderful, but repeating is very hard, they say. It's one achievement that has escaped the Spurs. They simply blew it in 04.

If the Spurs don't repeat this year, then it will take 06/07 and 07/08 seasons to try again. Tim's injury potential will be getting larger, not smaller.

Despot

01-10-2006, 04:14 PM

Who cares where the last guy to win the Boston marathon was at mile 13?

Actually me, for some odd reason you have me curious now.

Oh, Gee!!

01-10-2006, 04:20 PM

Unfortunately for the Spurs they don't play in the BCS, so strength of schedule won't help. Just win the next one.

Despot

01-10-2006, 04:24 PM

I think the original poster must have taken a course in Obvious 101 (Pun Intended)

101A

01-10-2006, 04:24 PM

Gregg Popovich interview

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/ian_thomsen/01/06/carmelo/2.html

"On the importance of the Spurs' upcoming rematch with the Pistons:

'It's a big game in the sense that I want to match their physicality and their aggressiveness and their purpose. I'll be very disappointed if I don't see that. If we win the game because we shot the hell out of it, I won't be that impressed, and if we lose the game because we didn't shoot well then that won't bother me. I wish the game was in February or March. We just played them, and now we're going to play them again. I'd rather play them down the road when Manu's back in the flow and Timmy [Duncan] feels a little bit better.'"

Does that quote sound to you like Pop is "pumped" for the game? Sounds to me like he views as more of a strenuous practice.

And, the way you describe the New Jersey Nets messageboard ... how about the thread here entitled "1-12-06"? It was started over a week before the game was even scheduled.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32260

I would say the content and length of that particular thread, considering how long other threads tend to get in this very active forum, bolsters my position.

101A

01-10-2006, 04:39 PM

I think the original poster must have taken a course in Obvious 101 (Pun Intended)

You would think - but it still seems, based on the general pessimism of the board this season, it could be pointed out.

Also - to the poster who said teams have gotten up for the Spurs for years like this: No, they haven't. After '99 championship AND after the '03, Lakers were the odds-on favorite each subsequent year. And as a fan of a team other than the Pistons last year...weren't that pumped to play them during the regular season.

polandprzem

01-10-2006, 04:47 PM

WTF being a champion have in common with the scheudle?

Come on - be real.

It is still a "win championship" not "repeat".

But the spurs must defend what they have accomplished. And teams alawyes wanned to win with the champs. I don't care about the Lakers the 2000 or 2004.

Scheudle is scheudle. You deal with that, you deal with referees you deal with injures.It is all about the main goal for the spurs.

BigVee

01-10-2006, 04:48 PM

That is right. The Lakers were always the team to beat...2000 or 2004. The Pistons were seen as a team that beat a Laker team in disarray.....The Spurs have clearly been the team to beat since day one this year.

TwoHandJam

01-10-2006, 04:59 PM

Let's not go overboard here. Yes, we have a bullseye on our back because we're the champs but so do the Pistons. They're one year removed from a title and were 5 minutes away from the back-to-back last year. There's no doubt that teams get up to play them as well.

Also, as another person pointed out - if we're the champs then we should rise to the occasion and welcome the adversity otherwise we don't deserve to remain champions. I think we've coasted far too much this year instead of striking fear in teams like we should be. I hope Pop starts to crack the whip... soon.

boutons_

01-10-2006, 05:03 PM

2centsworth

01-10-2006, 05:21 PM

every team views the spurs as a dominate force, .04* from a three-peat.

As George Bush would say "it's hard work".

FromWayDowntown

01-10-2006, 06:25 PM

Also - to the poster who said teams have gotten up for the Spurs for years like this: No, they haven't. After '99 championship AND after the '03, Lakers were the odds-on favorite each subsequent year. And as a fan of a team other than the Pistons last year...weren't that pumped to play them during the regular season.

So what? Should the NBA issue a rule that says that it's unfair for teams to get geeked up to play San Antonio because they didn't get geeked up to play other champions in other years? That fans should spend less time worrying about playing the Spurs (and beating the Spurs) than they do with other teams?

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't see the point of the complaint or observation in this thread. The Spurs are a good team. NBA teams get up to play good teams. If that makes rolling to a bunch of wins more difficult for the Spurs, then that's the price of being a good team. In theory at least, it helps the Spurs to have to play to that level most nights -- it should make them better tested by the time the playoffs roll around. I would think we'd be happy for that.

If the point is a comparison of the Spurs to other teams, in an effort to say that the Spurs shouldn't be judged by their record, I think it's misplaced. Everyone in the West plays pretty much the same schedule, so we're talking about the role of emotions in making one of those schedules more "difficult" than others. But what about teams that have more back-to-backs? or who have poor home attendance? or who deal with injuries? Aren't those teams facing "difficult" schedules too? Why are their schedules at least as "difficult" as the Spurs' schedule?

I don't get it.

Spurminator

01-10-2006, 06:30 PM

I disagree with the original premise for the simple reason that the Spurs never have to play the Spurs.

Ed Helicopter Jones

01-10-2006, 06:50 PM

:lol @ Spurminator

I agree with 101's primary point which is that the Spurs are wearing the target this year more than ever. The Spurs are now widely regarded as THE team to beat in the NBA. They are most people's choice to be champs again and widely regarded as the best team in the league.

'99 was considered a fluke by many and David's retirement after '03 had many doubt our ability to repeat in '04. Now the Spurs are considered the best in basketball. It's awesome, and a big compliment to this franchise and its continued success.

JamStone

01-10-2006, 07:08 PM

Does that quote sound to you like Pop is "pumped" for the game? Sounds to me like he views as more of a strenuous practice.

I always got the impression that Pop worried more about the Spurs' level of play than worrying about "matching" the opposing team's level or style of play. The fact that Pop states that the Spurs have to match the Pistons as opposed to something like "we just have to play like we're capable of playing" tells me that it's important to Pop. And, by him saying he wished the next meeting was in March or later so that Duncan and Manu are healthier, it shows that Pop sees the game as some kind of measuring stick.

Last year, the Spurs were widely considered one of the favorites to win it all as well. They had targets on their backs for the last few years, just like the Pistons do now. I think most teams get up to play the Spurs, but I don't necessarily think that makes their schedule that much tougher, at least not to the point to say they have THE TOUGHEST schedule.

himat

01-10-2006, 07:23 PM

Coming into the season with everybody back and the credibility of a 7-game Finals, the Pistons quickly established themselves this season as the best team in the NBA.

The Spurs and Pistons are BOTH the teams to beat this year.
The pre-season predictions are confirmed with season records, Pistons in EC, Spurs in the WC.
at least all of you are not homers. big detroit fan, and you don't know half the things about the pistons. our starters will kill your starters because chauncey billups will man handle tony parker, bruce bowen is a great defender i give you guys that, but when bowen switches to chauncey this time rip will take advantage of tony unlike last year's series. if bowen gaurds our backcourt then tay can take ginobili every time, speaking of ginobili he isn't as great as he was last season, a lot of pf's can't do a thing about tD, but sheed isn't one of them he gats duncan frustrated, and ben is much better than nazr. the pistons bench has talent. at the point you have arroyo and hunter who is better than beno and van exel. your sg/sf's are more experienced and have talent. we have maurice and delfino while you have finley, and barry. at the pf we have a great matchup with horry and dice who i'd say are pretty close, and at center we have dale and darko while you have rasho and oberto. oh let me add all of our players want the championship back. it happens with every team last year spurs had that advantage now we do. also the pistons now really care about the regular season and if they keep the best record it would be great. the 2-3-2 format is tough for the road team because almost every time the opposition wins 1 on their floor, and if the pistons have the ability to win back to back ships without homecourt in both the conference and nba finals imagine what they'll do when they do have homecourt.

himat

01-10-2006, 07:33 PM

JamStone

01-10-2006, 07:36 PM

Ummmm, Tony Parker runs circles around Chauncey Billups. As much as Chauncey has a size and strength advantage over Parker, he has a quickness advantage over Chauncey ... over any of the Pistons guards, including a healthy Lindsey Hunter.

Pistons have an advantage with the starters, but the Spurs have a decided advantage with their bench.

The two best teams in the NBA ...

TwoHandJam

01-10-2006, 08:25 PM

oh by the way the pistons have the hardest schedule they have the most back to back sets 20, while spurs are second with 15 sets. 20 sets is 40 games so the pistons are only 1 game short of having half their season as games part of a back to back.
I haven't confirmed these numbers but lets not forget that the Pistons play in a conference where at least 5 teams have W-L records below .400 whereas only two such teams exist in the west. The eastern conference is much improved but is still overall weaker than the west. The last two teams in playoff spots currently in the east are at .500 and .441 while no playoff team in the west has less than a .500 record. I haven't checked lately but I also believe the west has a better record vs. the east than vice versa.

boutons_

01-10-2006, 08:38 PM

The Pistons have a easier task to get and stay ahead of the Spurs in Finals HCA because they play most of their games in EC.

JamStone

01-10-2006, 09:20 PM

The Pistons have a easier task to get and stay ahead of the Spurs in Finals HCA because they play most of their games in EC.

Pistons record against against Western Conference: 13-3 (including 9 of those games on the road)

Spurs record against the Eastern Conference: 12-5 (including 3 losses to EC teams that have losing records in Washington, Chicago, and Atlanta)

TwoHandJam

01-10-2006, 09:24 PM

Pistons record against against Western Conference: 13-3 (including 9 of those games on the road)

Spurs record against the Eastern Conference: 12-5 (including 3 losses to EC teams that have losing records in Washington, Chicago, and Atlanta)
How does this have anything to do with the statement that the EC has more weak teams than the WC? The Spurs record vs. the east or the Pistons vs. the west does not alter this fact.

FreshPrince22

01-10-2006, 10:29 PM

Pistons actually have 22 sets of back to backs this year. I'm pretty sure that's the most in the league.

And don't act like teams don't "Get up" for the team with the best record in the league, and was very close to back-to-back titles. We see it everynight like the Spurs do. I feel your pain!

JamStone

01-10-2006, 10:34 PM

How does this have anything to do with the statement that the EC has more weak teams than the WC? The Spurs record vs. the east or the Pistons vs. the west does not alter this fact.

Well, since a great team like San Antonio already lost three games to "weak" teams in the Eastern Conference, it shows that just because there are more weak teams in the Eastern Conference, record wise, it does not mean there are more guaranteed wins in either conference.

And, the Pistons record against the Western Conference shows that the Pistons could have just as strong a record if they played the majority of games in the Western Conference.

Sorry, you could not deduce my point.

Guru of Nothing

01-10-2006, 10:36 PM

'It's a big game in the sense that I want to match their physicality and their aggressiveness and their purpose. I'll be very disappointed if I don't see that. If we win the game because we shot the hell out of it, I won't be that impressed, and if we lose the game because we didn't shoot well then that won't bother me. I wish the game was in February or March.

I'll take "Things Bob Hill would never say" for $200 Alex.

bdubya

01-11-2006, 01:24 AM

How does this have anything to do with the statement that the EC has more weak teams than the WC? The Spurs record vs. the east or the Pistons vs. the west does not alter this fact.

Yah, but, the Pistons are in the toughest division in the league, with EVERY team playoff-seeded. So there. Neener neener. (yeah, it's January, but still, it's the truth)

Sense

01-11-2006, 01:51 AM

Just check out the Nets boards today compared to this one - 2 day old threads breaking it down like the superbowl; SpursReport? A Vbookie and a little talk about Bowen v. Carter;

Spursreport?

This is Spurstalk.

TwoHandJam

01-11-2006, 09:27 AM

Well, since a great team like San Antonio already lost three games to "weak" teams in the Eastern Conference, it shows that just because there are more weak teams in the Eastern Conference, record wise, it does not mean there are more guaranteed wins in either conference.

And, the Pistons record against the Western Conference shows that the Pistons could have just as strong a record if they played the majority of games in the Western Conference.

Sorry, you could not deduce my point.No games in basketball can ever be considered "guaranteed wins" but statistically speaking, strong teams like the Spurs and the Pistons are more likely to beat weak teams ie. teams with losing records.

Just because the Spurs have failed to rise to the occasion against some very weak EC competition and the Pistons have beaten some tough WC competition does not change the fact that the Pistons are statistically more likely to post a better record due to more weak competition in the east. No one is questioning that they aren't playing better ball than the Spurs right now.

You are an intelligent poster Jamstone. I'm not convinced you can't make the distinction between a sound statistical inference and a current actual sample outcome.

TwoHandJam

01-11-2006, 09:32 AM

Yah, but, the Pistons are in the toughest division in the league, with EVERY team playoff-seeded. So there. Neener neener. (yeah, it's January, but still, it's the truth)
True, every team in your division is playoff seeded but Chicago is a playoff team in the east and they aren't even a .500 club. Again, this bolsters my argument that the east is a weaker conference. So there. Neener neener. :p

101A

01-13-2006, 10:48 AM

Well THAT particular monkey is now off their backs.

Detroit is now, officially, the team to beat.

Spurs have no chance at home court in the finals (like they ever REALLY did with Detroit playing in the East, IMO).

The remaining schedule should play out just a little easier, with a little less aggressive and motivated opponents, less chance for injury while maintaining their lead in the West.

There is a thread which discusses this loss being all on the coaching.

CIA Pop.

I think you are right.

DisgruntledLionFan#54,927

01-13-2006, 12:43 PM

Spurs have no chance at home court in the finals (like they ever REALLY did with Detroit playing in the East, IMO).

Detroit has been just as dominant against the Western Conference(15-3) as they have the Eastern Conference(13-2)...

101A

01-13-2006, 01:52 PM

Detroit has been just as dominant against the Western Conference(15-3) as they have the Eastern Conference(13-2)...

AND despite the East being certifiably weaker, the Spurs have been much more dominant against the West than against the East - I believe that is by design.

Bottom line; if the Spurs set a goal of having a better record than Detroit - they are going to have to play like Detroit is playing; more minutes for the starters - with fire and emotion and desire, night in, night out ALL season. They have to have a goal of winning 65 - 70 games, because that is what Detroit is prepared to do to secure that all-important home court advantage (which, btw, is lost in one game in the NBA playoffs).

Tim is playing with a gimp, Manu gets hurt alot, Tony plays a frenetic pace, and Bowen is no spring chicken - also, alot of those guys spend summers playing on international teams Detroit players don't.

It is much more important to go into the playoffs healthy, rather than with HCA, especially in the finals where 2-3-2 is NOT as advantagious as is 2-2-1-1-1.

If the Spurs couldn't win one in Detroit last year, they weren't going to win the championship, same this year; and if Detroit can't win in SA, they won't win the championship. Mark it down, this ain't going 7 this year; one of these teams will have a decisive advantage over the other this time. After last night, I'm convinced it will be the Spurs with the Rings in 5.

Just like Pop sitting Manu and Tim is a "must win" game in Phoenix last year - which pretty much handed the Suns HCA (how'd that work out for them?), Pop was more than willing to let Detroit take the "Team to Beat" moniker; let them have it. Check out the lineups at the end of the 1st & 3rd quarters (when this game was decided).

Flip Saunders has coached exactly ONE team past the first round of the playoffs, and has won a total of TWO playoff series his entire career. He is playing this season as if it means something, making a statement last night and such. Statements are for the Cavaliers, Suns and Grizzlies of the world - its not for teams with multiple banners in the rafters.

Mark this:

Flip is getting worked.

DisgruntledLionFan#54,927

01-13-2006, 02:08 PM

AND despite the East being certifiably weaker, the Spurs have been much more dominant against the West than against the East - I believe that is by design.

Bottom line; if the Spurs set a goal of having a better record than Detroit - they are going to have to play like Detroit is playing; more minutes for the starters - with fire and emotion and desire, night in, night out ALL season. They have to have a goal of winning 65 - 70 games, because that is what Detroit is prepared to do to secure that all-important home court advantage (which, btw, is lost in one game in the NBA playoffs).

Tim is playing with a gimp, Manu gets hurt alot, Tony plays a frenetic pace, and Bowen is no spring chicken - also, alot of those guys spend summers playing on international teams Detroit players don't.

It is much more important to go into the playoffs healthy, rather than with HCA, especially in the finals where 2-3-2 is NOT as advantagious as is 2-2-1-1-1.

If the Spurs couldn't win one in Detroit last year, they weren't going to win the championship, same this year; and if Detroit can't win in SA, they won't win the championship. Mark it down, this ain't going 7 this year; one of these teams will have a decisive advantage over the other this time. After last night, I'm convinced it will be the Spurs with the Rings in 5.

Just like Pop sitting Manu and Tim is a "must win" game in Phoenix last year - which pretty much handed the Suns HCA (how'd that work out for them?), Pop was more than willing to let Detroit take the "Team to Beat" moniker; let them have it. Check out the lineups at the end of the 1st & 3rd quarters (when this game was decided).

Flip Saunders has coached exactly ONE team past the first round of the playoffs, and has won a total of TWO playoff series his entire career. He is playing this season as if it means something, making a statement last night and such. Statements are for the Cavaliers, Suns and Grizzlies of the world - its not for teams with multiple banners in the rafters.

Mark this:

Flip is getting worked.

What a moronic statement...

I'm sure Pop told his players to throw up those bricks in these two games by design...

101A

01-13-2006, 02:24 PM

What a moronic statement...

I'm sure Pop told his players to throw up those bricks in these two games by design...

...the season as a whole, not this game in particular. The Spurs throw up bricks regularly, they just usually don't face a defense as competent and energized as Detroit's.

DisgruntledLionFan#54,927

01-13-2006, 02:50 PM

...the season as a whole, not this game in particular. The Spurs throw up bricks regularly, they just usually don't face a defense as competent and energized as Detroit's.

How can Pop work Flip when he hasn't found his own rotation yet?

Pop might work him in the playoffs, but to say Flip is getting sandbagged right now is laughable...

101A

01-13-2006, 03:06 PM

The season is a whole work, culminating in the playoffs, and ultimately the finals and a champion.

Flip expending his player's energy and emotion, while Pop is allowing his more rest - while not divulging ANY tactic he might employ to couterract what the Pistons are doing, and still end up at the exact same point at the exact same time, is the definition of being worked, IMO.

I recognize it, 'cause Phil Jackson used to do it to Pop.

101A

01-13-2006, 03:10 PM

How can Pop work Flip when he hasn't found his own rotation yet?

Who's he?

Flip sure looked like he knew his playoff rotation last night - what'd he play 7, 8 guys?

Anybody know Pop's rotation?

Pop doesn't either, but considering:

Finley > Robinson

And

'06 Parker > '05 Parker

And

'06 Van Exel > '05 Udrih

It will be better than last year's.

Edwardo

01-13-2006, 03:15 PM

The Pistons have a easier task to get and stay ahead of the Spurs in Finals HCA because they play most of their games in EC.
From top to bottome the East has gotten a little stronger. But The West is significantly weaker than it has ever been. When you are talking about teams like The Clippers, Utah, and even the Lakers going to the second round of the playoffs then you know your conference is weak. All those teams are hovering around .500 and they all have a chance to take you out. Out of all the teams in the West Pheonix is still in it without Amare. And you say that conference is stronger? Thats bull the West has never ever looked as week.

DisgruntledLionFan#54,927

01-13-2006, 04:09 PM

mike detroit

01-13-2006, 04:28 PM

Who's he?

Flip sure looked like he knew his playoff rotation last night - what'd he play 7, 8 guys?

Anybody know Pop's rotation?

Pop doesn't either, but considering:

Finley > Robinson

And

'06 Parker > '05 Parker

And

'06 Van Exel > '05 Udrih

It will be better than last year's.

haven't seen this confirmed, so make of it what you will, but according to Flip in an interview with WDFN, our starters are playing fewer minutes now than they were at this point last year.