What do you think of the San Antonio Spurs as of RIGHT now?

[dknights411]

Had to ask, since people are screeming bloody murder tonight. In light of the season thus far, how do you feel about the Spurs?

We should also do a similar thread about Tim, and Pop among others.

[midgetonadonkey]

Lottery Team :smokin

-SequSpur

[Drbio]

Decent playoff bound team. Not as good as Dallas but good nonetheless.

[SequSpur]

I am confident that if the Spurs get a backup point guard and maybe a big forward, they will win the championship this year. Without that.... not a fucking chance.

[Budkin]

Spurs need to trade for athleticism and rebounding... our defense could use a boost as well. We are not far off from being back in the picture.

[Marcus Bryant]

It's January.

[VaSpursFan]

i'm curious to see what happens when elson returns and the rodeo trip. a little adversity now is far better than after the all-star break

[Texas_Ranger]

Play like in 2005 and we will be the champs.

[Slinkyman]

i think we're too old and have too many guys who can't create and can only shoot jumpers.

[bdictjames]

We cant close out games and make adjustments, especially in the third quarter. Parker needs to be more consistent

[NorCal510]

3L!t3

[1Parker1]

Parker needs to be more consistent

:wtf Out of all the players on the Spurs to pick on: Finley, Barry, Bowen, Beno, Horry...you think that Parker needs to be more consistent? He played a great game tonight, his defense was good, he wasn't forcing his shots too much, he was scoring/passing. What more do you want? He's not going to get 35 points, neither is Manu or Duncan.

Spurs are good team. They were in the game tonight primarily because of the the Big 3 and Oberto. However, there is no way the Spurs are going to win a championship or even get past Dallas in the postseason with the current roster. They need a backup PG now more than ever. They need an atheletic swingman more now more than ever. And they need to find a guy who can defend Dirk at least a little. Oberto just doesn't have the length to do it and Duncan clearly cannot guard Dirk out in the perimeter without getting in foul trouble.

[ShoogarBear]

It's January.Yeah, but the weaknesses pointed out this time last year when they got their asses waxed by Detroit turned out to be accurate.

[Spurminator]

If we are destined to go small against the Mavs, then a change has to be made.

[jbspurs]

Decent playoff bound team. Not as good as Dallas but good nonetheless.


NOT AS GOOD AS DALLAS... PLEASE!! Luck is just more on your side...

[nobodi_home]

The thing that bugs me about Timmy is his inability to master free throws. A guy that plays such an important part of the SAS team philosophy, he could really help the teams fortunes if he could produce Reggie Miller-style free throw numbers. If Reggie can do 87%, why the hell not Timmy?


But I give Duncan credit for TRYING. Word has it that Duncan does practice. He’s not getting any better, but he does practice. Maybe we should ask why he doesn’t get any better. And even more, why does the NBA throw MVP awards at a guy like Duncan when he cannot make free throws? Who has played this game and not had a coach that screamed over and over again that FREE THROWS WIN AND LOSE BALLGAMES???

Loser Karl Malone has no championship rings and how fitting. He thought he was TOO DAMNED GOOD to practice free throws. “Hey, I’m the Mail Man, Karl Malone, I don’t need to practice”. What a fucking loser. Duncan, hats off to ya buddy for trying, but why the hell can’t you master this simple trick? It’s only 15 friggin feet from the hoop, with no one in your face??

This is what sports is all about. You win some and you lose some. At least the last few games have been close and exciting, right down to the final buzzer, even tho the outcome is not to the liking of Spurs fans. Better than those runaway jokes where one team wins by 50 points. Who the hell cares about that crap??

[stretch]

they are still an elite team, unquestionably. it will still be either the Spurs or the Mavericks to win it all this year. they are the only two teams that have the players, coaching, defense, teamwork, rebounding, and clutch play-making ability to be true title contenders. while im not saying this to talk trash or anything, i think that right now, the Mavs are a better team than the Spurs. of course, things can change, and they will undoubtedly meet in the playoffs. thats when we will know who is truly better, because thats when everything matters the most.

[nkdlunch]

we definitely need to make a move. We are losing time!

[Russ]

I don't know if I'm in denial, or less a Spurs' fan than I used to be, or apathetic, or just bored, but for whatever reason I'm not that concerned about this team's performance.

Nothing is a stake now. If the Spurs finish No. 2 seed in the west, they should be fine -- at least an even chance against the Mavs in the WCF. Both teams are still scheming each other -- we won't really know how the teams match up up until the playoffs. Just like last year (for better or worse).

Anyway, I don't think Pop is done adjusting strategically and roster-wise to the Mavs. That's why they brought in Elson and I don't think they're done yet (at least with a few small moves).

Rebounding, however, is a cause for concern. And not because our bigs are failing -- the rebounding deficit is almost completely due to long rebounds, often off of the Mavs clanking jump shots. It's a lack of quickness, not a lack of size or aggressiveness that is causing this problem.

But there's still time for Pop to adjust the roster a bit.

[E20]

They'd lose in the WCSF or if they play Dallas or Phoenix.

[Nikos]

Their lack of versatility and depth at the perimeter is keeping them from at least being the second best team in the league or from being dead even with a potentially healthy Phoenix.

I don't think Dallas trio is better than the Spurs trio, actually I would give the Spurs the edge their for sure. The rest of the team I would gave a solid edge to Dallas. They are deeper and more versatile on both ends. Even if the big three do reasonably well, they can still lose a series to Dallas.

A reasonably athletic 3 who can defend, at least be a streaky three point shooter, and sort of rebound would take this team up another notch -- and easily over Dallas. And would make them about even with a healthy Phoenix team (who I feel is superior to Dallas and can easily play their style of ball and beat them).

[koopa]

this past week has just helped me realize that we are just to old and no longer legit title contenders........we can no longer close games against young teams, and if we don't make quite a few moves before the trade deadline, it's gonna be pretty pointless to go into the playoffs cause we ain't on the suns or mavs level......

horry is done
finley is done
bowen is done
fab sucks
barry is starting to go back to his old passive worthless self
beno is way to inconsistent cause of fucking pop

it's time to tear this team apart and start all over

we can probably get good players out of beno, barry, and bowen..........horry should just be shot in the head cause he has no value, same with fab

[Russ]

A reasonably athletic 3 who can defend, at least be a streaky three point shooter, and sort of rebound would take this team up another notch -- and easily over Dallas. And would make them about even with a healthy Phoenix team (who I feel is superior to Dallas and can easily play their style of ball and beat them).

The Spurs' big seasons have usually involved an overacheiving swingman who brings passion and energy. JJ in 99. Jack in 03. I still hold out hope that James White could bring some athleticism and fire to this roster. But the clock is ticking -- it may already be too late to integrate him this year. (Maggette would be ideal, but that looks like a pipe dream).

[BradLohaus]

In the 3 games against Dallas this season the scores are: W 97-91, L 92-95, L 85-90. Total: 274 - 276. Avg score: L 91.33 - 92. Let's take a step back from the ledge.

Let's imagine that we won all 3 games against the Mavs so far this year by a combined 5 points or so. Would you say that a victory against the Mavs in the playoffs is a given? That would be pretty foolish. So why panic now after going 1 - 2 so far by a combined 2 points? An athletic, rebounding 3 would help alot, but alot of teams could use one. We can still win the title with the players we have if we don't make a trade. Also remember that since playing Dirk very well in the first game Elson has played a total of I think 6 minutes against the Mavs. Remember: it's over a month until the All-Star break, and the regular season in the NBA, NHL and MLB is almost meaningless as long as you get to the post season. We should all hope that the Spurs keep coasting along for the next 3 months.

[boutons_]

Last night's score alone doesn't indicate how badly the Spurs folded in the 2nd half (37pts total) when the Mavs counter-punched, and esp how horrible the Spurs got thumped in the 4th qtr. IIRC, Spurs were +8 RB at the half, and -8 for the game, meaning they -16 RBs in second half.

Tim and the Spurs are in deep shit. But, keep looking for the silver lining ...

[KB24]

NO COJONES!!!!!!!!!!!

[BradLohaus]

Last night's score alone doesn't indicate how badly the Spurs folded in the 2nd half (37pts total) when the Mavs counter-punched, and esp how horrible the Spurs got thumped in the 4th qtr. IIRC, Spurs were +8 RB at the half, and -8 for the game, meaning they -16 RBs in second half.

Tim and the Spurs are in deep shit. But, keep looking for the silver lining ...

The silver lining is Elson. CIA is saving him for Dirk in the playoffs.

[slv3679]

I think that the Spurs are still a great team...there's alot they need to work on but I still believe in them...The one thing that I have realized after these last tough losses is that we definitely need some help with the scoring...the team relys too much on the BIG 3 (Timmy, Tony & Manu) for all the scoring and its a big load on their shoulders to have to come through every game...In my opinion, excluding the the Big 3 , we really need younger players...
Well, no matter what ends up happening, the Spurs are still my team win or lose. They'll always have my support...
GO SPURS GO!

[DubMcDub]

The silver lining is Elson. CIA is saving him for Dirk in the playoffs.

If Elson is your ace in the hole, you guys are in trouble.

[KB24]

If Elson is your ace in the hole, you guys are in trouble.


True That!!!!

[RC's Boss]

they are still an elite team, unquestionably. it will still be either the Spurs or the Mavericks to win it all this year. they are the only two teams that have the players, coaching, defense, teamwork, rebounding, and clutch play-making ability to be true title contenders. while im not saying this to talk trash or anything, i think that right now, the Mavs are a better team than the Spurs. of course, things can change, and they will undoubtedly meet in the playoffs. thats when we will know who is truly better, because thats when everything matters the most.
Ahhhhh... A pretty good post. Both teams are elite and are odds on favorites to take it all. Mavs were just better in THIS game and depending on how the season goes, it's still a toss up who will be better later on.

[Horry For 3!]

Spurs need someone who can rebound. It has been that way for awhile now.

[RC's Boss]

If Elson is your ace in the hole, you guys are in trouble.
Elson isn't an ace in the hole... He is long and quick which allows Bowen to concentrate on perimeter players which is his "ace in the hole." Difference this year is that Bowen doesn't have to guard Dirk all game. Small ball is only an option now, not the norm. Good game see you in the Spring time when we really get rolling.

[zeleni]

Spurs are a great team who after the loss against Mavs last year decided to abandone their Twin Towers game and go in the opposite direction. Tim scored at will and still the Spurs never quite won any of the series.

Clearly they want guards to play a bigger part of the playmaking, while Tim can do whatever he wants. Defensive specialists are going byebye with Rasho-the expensive one- leaving first. In fact we will hardly see anymore role-playing characters in San Antonio soon.

I wish them good luck. But Tim Duncan is not the guy we should look at this time. We should look at Elson, Beno, Bonner who I'm expecting to be a core group for another 4 years along with the Big 3. Oden is out of the question, unless Duncan really hates this new core, and I really don't think he does.

[JPB]

Ask that question again after the ASG.

[peskypesky]

they are still an elite team, unquestionably. it will still be either the Spurs or the Mavericks to win it all this year. they are the only two teams that have the players, coaching, defense, teamwork, rebounding, and clutch play-making ability to be true title contenders. while im not saying this to talk trash or anything, i think that right now, the Mavs are a better team than the Spurs. of course, things can change, and they will undoubtedly meet in the playoffs. thats when we will know who is truly better, because thats when everything matters the most.

Nice to see there are Mavs fans that can give props to the Spurs, just as i give props to the Mavs (even though I HATE them and their owner).

People, it's a rivalry. It's like Ali and Foreman. Or Ali and Frazier. One of these two teams is going to be the 2007 Champion (unless Phoenix spoils). So we can hate each other as much as we want, but let's give respect where respect is due and not sink to trash-talking. (Unless we're trash-talking Poopabitch).

And to all the Spurs fans who constantly bring up the no-ring thing to Mavs fans, they played for the ring last year. We didn't. Going on and on about your past accomplishments while burying your heads in the sand is just sad. The Mavs are for real, ring or not.

That being said, the Spurs are still elite. They're still near the top of the heap. And by playoff time, barring injuries, they will be vying for that ring.

[wildbill2u]

Had to ask, since people are screeming bloody murder tonight. In light of the season thus far, how do you feel about the Spurs?

We should also do a similar thread about Tim, and Pop among others.
Your fourth choice should have been "all of the above"

We're still good enough to be one of the top teams but haven't got the young athletic player or two that can put us above Dallas or Phoenix in the West come playoff time.

[wildbill2u]

The thing that bugs me about Timmy is his inability to master free throws. A guy that plays such an important part of the SAS team philosophy, he could really help the teams fortunes if he could produce Reggie Miller-style free throw numbers. If Reggie can do 87%, why the hell not Timmy?


But I give Duncan credit for TRYING. Word has it that Duncan does practice. He’s not getting any better, but he does practice. Maybe we should ask why he doesn’t get any better. And even more, why does the NBA throw MVP awards at a guy like Duncan when he cannot make free throws? Who has played this game and not had a coach that screamed over and over again that FREE THROWS WIN AND LOSE BALLGAMES???

Duncan, hats off to ya buddy for trying, but why the hell can’t you master this simple trick? It’s only 15 friggin feet from the hoop, with no one in your face??
When you practice FTs, you haven't been running up and down the court for 35 minutes. Look at his form when he gets tired.

He stands flat-footed with his feet in a straight line, doesn't bend his knees and winds up short-arming his FTs. Try it yourself at a local gym and see what happens. Most of his misses are with a flat trajectory and short off the front of the rim. He doesn't get any arc and so he doesn't get any friendly bounces either.

Simple to fix? Maybe, but you have to get it into his mind to get him to remember the proper form at the end of the game as well as the beginning.