florige
01-11-2008, 10:18 PM
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10571556
2008 is now in full swing, so much so that you should stop writing '07 on checks and other documents. Here's what the first full week of the new year will be remembered for:
There's no need to point fingers, Manu, your Spurs are still fine. (Getty Images)
1. San Antonio is falling apart. Gregg Popovich needs to get with R.C. Buford and try to move recently re-signed Tim Duncan, who agreed to a cap-friendly extension through 2012 so the team can sign additional help down the road. No matter. The Spurs are done. Broken, even.
Losses in Golden State and home to Detroit marked their third two-game losing streak of the season, but the first with Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all in the lineup. What's wrong with them? Prepare to start hearing that question again, but this time do yourself a favor and cover your ears.
Remember that those words sound awfully similar to those uttered last year, when San Antonio was also supposed to be done. Through 34 games, the Spurs have an identical 23-11 record as the team that went on to win its fourth championship in nine years.
Provided their top three players are healthy come the postseason, there's no reason to panic, even if that rodeo trip that starts up later this month looks especially daunting. San Antonio will be away from the SBC Center for nine games in 17 days, heading right up until the All-Star break with stops in Utah, Phoenix, Boston, Toronto and Cleveland highlighting the tour.
Refuse the urge to play naysayer. I know it's hard, especially since ratings indicate most of you hate the Spurs. Still, be smart enough not to declare their demise in January. Popovich will coach the team to another victory. When he does, it will be the 600th of a distinguished coaching career that has seen him win over two-thirds of his games
2008 is now in full swing, so much so that you should stop writing '07 on checks and other documents. Here's what the first full week of the new year will be remembered for:
There's no need to point fingers, Manu, your Spurs are still fine. (Getty Images)
1. San Antonio is falling apart. Gregg Popovich needs to get with R.C. Buford and try to move recently re-signed Tim Duncan, who agreed to a cap-friendly extension through 2012 so the team can sign additional help down the road. No matter. The Spurs are done. Broken, even.
Losses in Golden State and home to Detroit marked their third two-game losing streak of the season, but the first with Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all in the lineup. What's wrong with them? Prepare to start hearing that question again, but this time do yourself a favor and cover your ears.
Remember that those words sound awfully similar to those uttered last year, when San Antonio was also supposed to be done. Through 34 games, the Spurs have an identical 23-11 record as the team that went on to win its fourth championship in nine years.
Provided their top three players are healthy come the postseason, there's no reason to panic, even if that rodeo trip that starts up later this month looks especially daunting. San Antonio will be away from the SBC Center for nine games in 17 days, heading right up until the All-Star break with stops in Utah, Phoenix, Boston, Toronto and Cleveland highlighting the tour.
Refuse the urge to play naysayer. I know it's hard, especially since ratings indicate most of you hate the Spurs. Still, be smart enough not to declare their demise in January. Popovich will coach the team to another victory. When he does, it will be the 600th of a distinguished coaching career that has seen him win over two-thirds of his games