ESPN breaks down Spurs 5 on 5

4. Fact or Fiction: The Spurs are the best team in the West.


Adande: Fiction. Although they do match up well with my pick to win the West, the Thunder, I think San Antonio's depth will be mitigated by the ample rest opportunities and shorter rotations brought on by the playoffs. And while the Spurs are not as Manu-dependent as they used to be, I'm still not sure how much Ginobili can give them on a nightly basis these days.

Gordian: Depends. Oklahoma City is the most talented team in the West, but the Spurs play high-quality basketball more consistently than any other team in the conference. San Antonio is the most disciplined team in the NBA, and Gregg Popovich expertly utilizes every ounce of talent his players have.

Peterson: Fiction. I'd like to say fact, because they've clinched the Southwest and Tony Parker is playing out of his mind. But last season they had the West's best record and Memphis bounced the Spurs in the first round. Gregg Popovich & Co. won't let that happen this year, but I still think the Thunder are the team to beat in the West.

Robb: Fiction. They certainly have the deepest team in the Western Conference and the ability to bounce back from their early exit from the postseason last year, but I hesitate to call San Antonio the best. For that, I'll go with the younger and more explosive Thunder.

Soriano: Fiction. I still have the Thunder as the best team in the West, even though the Spurs currently hold the top seed. Oklahoma City's combination of talent, youth and depth gives them a leg up on the conference. That said, the Thunder are probably the most vulnerable "best team" in several years, and they could be eliminated before the conference finals given the wrong matchup.

Everybody still loves the Thunder.They are gonna be in for a rude disappointment.

Who cares what these retards have to say.

Let's just play the fucking games.

Sounds good.

What a bunch of weak responses they gave.

The Spurs won't receive any respect until they've won the Finals again. Nothing to see here.

It doesnt matter. The only "analysts" that watch the Spurs on a consistent basis, to know what they are all about, is Skip Bayless and Charles Barkley.

Hahaha ESPN is full of such idiots. "SA plays high-quality basketball more consistently..." But he's still gonna pick the Thunder. Way to think for yourselves.

Jon Berry, as usual, just said he thought the Lakers would be SA if they meet in the post season.

:flag:

I agree with what they said. It's just an understanding that all teams have weaknesses and the gap is close.

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Originally Posted by InRareForm

What a bunch of weak responses they gave.

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Nobody wants to commit to us, especially after 8.

No matter, the Spurs don't live and die based on what these guys say.

I like Soriano's answer the best: OKC is the best team in the West, but they might not make it to the WCF :lol What a tool.

Tbh I only recognize Adande's name from this list. Can we get the opinion of the real ESPN analysts, like Stein's?

This is to no one in particular....

Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
And little eyes
And they walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little fett

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Round here

Randy Newman

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Originally Posted by will_spurs

I like Soriano's answer the best: OKC is the best team in the West, but they might not make it to the WCF :lol What a tool.

Tbh I only recognize Adande's name from this list. Can we get the opinion of the real ESPN analysts, like Stein's?

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Beat me to it, he is just making the safe bet, not really going out on a limb. I think we have proven we are capable of beating the most competitive in the West leading the season series against OKC 2-1. I fear the Lakers in the playoffs more than OKC, they don't have the dominate big men the Lakers have. Either way we can beat anyone in the West.

Good... The media is picking anyone BUT the spurs... Just the way spurs fans like it. :)

Its like it give people the aids if they say anything nice about the Spurs. Its pretty pathetic tbh

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Originally Posted by Bill_Brasky

Who cares what these retards have to say.

Let's just play the fucking games.

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You're right! No more ESPN. No more sports journalism!!! :rollin

pretty stupid IMO, not surprised, its ESPN.

the question was whos the best team in the West. Spurs are playing the best and have the best record.

the question was not who do you think will get out of the west

Suck it

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

I agree with what they said. It's just an understanding that all teams have weaknesses and the gap is close.

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I hope you're as right with this as you commonly are about other things. :lol

On the real, anyone who follows the game should be able to decipher how horrid and general those responses are.

:) not that it matters, but last year is a weak reason to dismiss them this year. Its not like last year the media was all over the spurs claiming them to be favorites for the title.

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Originally Posted by triggeredexcellence

I hope you're as right with this as you commonly are about other things. :lol

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:lol

The Spurs have a nice mix of youth, championship experience, talent and a coach who doesn't give a fuck. The Spurs kick dey asses 2-1 yet they're still considered the best. OKC hasn't proven jack and they'll have to go through the Big 3 to get what they want. If I were to put money on it, the Spurs would take a series from OKC in no more than 6....count on that shit going down.

Wow. I believe there is a good chance OKC doesn't make it to the WCF.

People never seem to mention how weak the Thunder's bench is compared to the Spurs'. Outside of Durant, Westbrook and Harden, what is so amazingly talented about that team?

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Originally Posted by CitizenDwayne

People never seem to mention how weak the Thunder's bench is compared to the Spurs'. Outside of Durant, Westbrook and Harden, what is so amazingly talented about that team?

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They will credit Derrick Fisher as being the missing link

They are butthurt that we have bukkaked OKC this season

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Originally Posted by SpurinDallas

They will credit Derrick Fisher as being the missing link

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They would be wrong. Everyone knows who the real Missing Link is:


http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.co...inglink/08.jpg

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Originally Posted by ViceCity84

4. Fact or Fiction: The Spurs are the best team in the West.


Adande: Fiction. Although they do match up well with my pick to win the West, the Thunder, I think San Antonio's depth will be mitigated by the ample rest opportunities and shorter rotations brought on by the playoffs. And while the Spurs are not as Manu-dependent as they used to be, I'm still not sure how much Ginobili can give them on a nightly basis these days.

Gordian: Depends. Oklahoma City is the most talented team in the West, but the Spurs play high-quality basketball more consistently than any other team in the conference. San Antonio is the most disciplined team in the NBA, and Gregg Popovich expertly utilizes every ounce of talent his players have.

Peterson: Fiction. I'd like to say fact, because they've clinched the Southwest and Tony Parker is playing out of his mind. But last season they had the West's best recorded and Memphis bounced the Spurs in the first round. Gregg Popovich & Co. won't let that happen this year, but I still think the Thunder are the team to beat in the West.

Robb: Fiction. They certainly have the deepest team in the Western Conference and the ability to bounce back from their early exit from the postseason last year, but I hesitate to call San Antonio the best. For that, I'll go with the younger and more explosive Thunder.

Soriano: Fiction. I still have the Thunder as the best team in the West, even though the Spurs currently hold the top seed. Oklahoma City's combination of talent, youth and depth gives them a leg up on the conference. That said, the Thunder are probably the most vulnerable "best team" in several years, and they could be eliminated before the conference finals given the wrong matchup.

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Fucking retarded they keep bringing up last year when manu had a broken arm. And he's fine this yr.

Man that's bullshit, the Thunder are totally unproven, and everyone knows Durant and Westbrook don't compliment each other well.

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Originally Posted by SpurinDallas

They will credit Derrick Fisher as being the missing link

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Brand new basketball fan doesn't know how to spell derek fisher's name tbh

ESPN not giving respect to the spurs. what's new? move on. Let's see who laughs last

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Originally Posted by thispego

Brand new basketball fan doesn't know how to spell derek fisher's name tbh

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Who gives a shit, tbh

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Originally Posted by Kuestmaster

ESPN not giving respect to the spurs. what's new? move on. Let's see who laughs last

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Exactly.

We are always flying under the radars, why shouldn't we too this year? In the end, all that matters is :lobt:, which will be ours!

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Originally Posted by smaka

Exactly.

We are always flying under the radars, why shouldn't we too this year?

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Them pesky radars! :toast

I can understand not wanting to pick the Spurs to come out of the West, but to claim OKC is a better team on any level is downright foolish. San Antonio is a far better team top to bottom. The only real advantage they have is Kevin Durant, who the Spurs can now throw multiple talented defenders at. Tony Parker obliterated Russell Westbrook earlier this year, yet his hype train just kept on rolling.

Right now the Lakers are the only team I feel could eliminate the Spurs in the West. If everyone plays tonight, we should get a good sense of where that match up is headed. If you are going to beat the Spurs in a seven game series this year, it is going to be with dominant inside play. San Antonio plays the perimeter game better than anyone in recent memory. After seeing the bounce back game in LA, I think this team is hungry and motivated and poised to make a deep run.

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Originally Posted by InRareForm

What a bunch of weak responses they gave.

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Originally Posted by triggeredexcellence

On the real, anyone who follows the game should be able to decipher how horrid and general those responses are.

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Agree. I was expecting some reference to the Spurs front line situation or something with a little bit more insight. This a break down from the so called ESPN experts? :lol

Adande mentions a shortening of the bench as if the Spurs will mitigate their own advantage. That's idiotic. Not only does Pop have a deep team, he's proven that he trusts almost the entire bench by showing a willingness to play to matchups. Case in point...starting Splitter against the Lakers. I'm not saying the big 3 won't see an increase in minutes come playoff time, but Pop will go all the way to the end of his bench to find the other contributors for their opponent.

I respectfully disagree.

OKC peaked too early. I'm not sure they could win a series against the Spurs in this moment. The Lakers could be problematic, though.

Buncha morons.... love flying under the radar, waiting to surprise everyone, then everyone having to backtrack on their picks when they prevail.

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Originally Posted by ViceCity84

4. Fact or Fiction: The Spurs are the best team in the West.

Soriano: Fiction. I still have the Thunder as the best team in the West, even though the Spurs currently hold the top seed. Oklahoma City's combination of talent, youth and depth gives them a leg up on the conference. That said, the Thunder are probably the most vulnerable "best team" in several years, and they could be eliminated before the conference finals given the wrong matchup.

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Then why aren't they the No.1 seed by a long shot?

Why am I not surprised? Oh yeah, because it's BSPN....:lol

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Originally Posted by rpduke

Hahaha ESPN is full of such idiots. "SA plays high-quality basketball more consistently..." But he's still gonna pick the Thunder. Way to think for yourselves.

Jon Berry, as usual, just said he thought the Lakers would be SA if they meet in the post season.

:flag:

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Jon Barry's bald ass never shows the Spurs any respect, it's always negative or who they will lose to. He never got a ring, he is upset.

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Originally Posted by Sean Cagney

Jon Barry's bald ass never shows the Spurs any respect, it's always negative or who they will lose to. He never got a ring, he is upset.

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that team's star fucking your lil brother's wife will do that to you

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Originally Posted by triggeredexcellence

I hope you're as right with this as you commonly are about other things. :lol

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You do realize I was one of the first to call this team a contender and said I feel they will win a title this year, don't you?

By the way, welcome to the forum.

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

You do realize I was one of the first to call this team a contender and said I feel they will win a title this year, don't you?

By the way, welcome to the forum.

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:lol

What's up DPG? Who ya got winning tonight tbh?

Spurs

This is my first game of the year I will be attending as well IMVHO

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

You do realize I was one of the first to call this team a contender and said I feel they will win a title this year, don't you?

By the way, welcome to the forum.

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We're fucked :lol

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

This is my first game of the year I will be attending as well IMVHO

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Cheers. I hope Tony puts on a show. I was there for his Thunder massacre, great game.

Be Loud Be Proud. :flag:

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

This is my first game of the year I will be attending as well IMVHO

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:tu

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

This is my first game of the year I will be attending as well IMVHO

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Should be a dogfight...Go Spurs!!!
:flag::flag::flag::flag::flag:

I would be hesitant too to pick spurs if i was not a spurs fan. We should've beaten Memphis last year, even with an injured Manu.

But this is how it needs to be. I don't want us to be the favorites.

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Originally Posted by DAF86

We're fucked :lol

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DPG wrong about dem Mavs....that is all.

Im pretty pumped about it. LA is still a terrible match up, but Spurs are playing well and I am really interested to see now that after two games vs each other, which strengths and weaknesses prevail.

Can TP be the on court advantage that he is on paper and was in game 2? Can Tim and Tiago do a good enough job of making Bynum work 1v1 and on the glass? How critical will the bench play be for the Spurs?

Will be a good game I am hoping and it will be interesting to see if either team makes any significant adjustments. I would think LA will live with TP shooting 18-20 jumpers all game and I wonder if TP will force his way inside.

I want to see how we do with TP having a normal game, not the abortion of game 1 nor the surreal zone he was in LA.

Besides, who will Pop start: Tiago, Diaw or Blair?

The key is the glass. Spurs should get some looks on offense (even though LA is a solid defensive team and really only gives up the shots they think are the toughest aka 20 foot jumpers), but if they can't duplicate their efforts on the glass Spurs can't beat LA consistently.

These analyst always go back to what looks best on paper. Doesn't matter if as a team, the team is better. Which is why we have never been picked to win it. Neither were the mavs last year, or the pistons in 02.

OKC should be considered the favorites right now, but that doesn't mean as much as it normally does because they are very beatable. But based on all around talent, age and other factors it's not surprising that if you have to pick someone it should probably be the Thunder. But saying SA, LA or even MEM wouldn't be off.

Yeah, OKC should be favored to make it to the Finals because less can go wrong for them. They can play their best players huge minutes and they don't need their role players to step up as much, especially offensively. Basically, if Durant and Westbrook play great, the Thunder have a pretty good chance of making it to the Finals.

The Spurs need a lot to go right. They need their Big 3 to play well but because no one plays huge minutes, they also need their role players to play well. The Spurs won't advance far if their role players are struggling. Plus, the Spurs are much more likely to suffer a debilitating injury at some point before or during the playoffs.

That said, if both teams are healthy and are playing each other in the WCF, I'd favor the Spurs in a best of 7.

SA is not the best team in the West. That won't change until the Spurs prove otherwise.

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Originally Posted by manufan10

The Spurs won't receive any respect until they've won the Finals again. Nothing to see here.

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Last year's early exit hurt them more with credibility then anything. I can see why people are hesitant to call this team a contender when they got owned by an 8th seed last year.

They have to overcome last year's meltdown and go from there.

Advancing to the second round this year will be the first step.

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Originally Posted by Shadowflames

Last year's early exit hurt them more with credibility then anything. I can see why people are hesitant to call this team a contender when they got owned by an 8th seed last year.

They have to overcome last year's meltdown and go from there.

Advancing to the second round this year will be the first step.

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Yet every pundit out there says the best teams want to avoid Memphis.

Pretty strange reasoning, eh?

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Originally Posted by ViceCity84

4. Fact or Fiction: The Spurs are the best team in the West.


I hesitate to call San Antonio the best. For that, I'll go with the younger and more explosive Thunder.

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Season scoring average: Thunder--102.81 Spurs 102.71
Last 10 games: 99.30 106.80
Last 5 games: 102.80 114.20

The case for the Thunder being a more explosive team is pretty weak IMO.

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Originally Posted by DMC

Yet every pundit out there says the best teams want to avoid Memphis.

Pretty strange reasoning, eh?

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Just because they went on a nice run and were looking good. They dont look or are as tough as the media is portraying them.

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Originally Posted by buttsR4rebounding

Season scoring average: Thunder--102.81 Spurs 102.71
Last 10 games: 99.30 106.80
Last 5 games: 102.80 114.20

The case for the Thunder being a more explosive team is pretty weak IMO.

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Are you considering strength of schedule?

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Originally Posted by timvp

Yeah, OKC should be favored to make it to the Finals because less can go wrong for them. They can play their best players huge minutes and they don't need their role players to step up as much, especially offensively. Basically, if Durant and Westbrook play great, the Thunder have a pretty good chance of making it to the Finals.

The Spurs need a lot to go right. They need their Big 3 to play well but because no one plays huge minutes, they also need their role players to play well. The Spurs won't advance far if their role players are struggling. Plus, the Spurs are much more likely to suffer a debilitating injury at some point before or during the playoffs.

That said, if both teams are healthy and are playing each other in the WCF, I'd favor the Spurs in a best of 7.

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As far as depth goes, Durant and Westbrook never seem to tire. I'm not sure I've ever seen either of them ever sweat, tbh. I would expect both, plus Harden, probably, to play like 45 mpg against the Spurs and the entire second half of the game, especially in the last 2-3 games of a 7-game series.

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Originally Posted by lefty

They are butthurt that we have bukkaked OKC the last three seasons

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The most baffling aspect of all this is that people still care what ESPN has to say.

I heard on the Colin Cowherd show today that he thinks the Spurs are too old to win another championship. Maybe he missed the Mavs winning last year? There will always be a stigma to the Spurs as long as Tim is on the team. Hell, who knows, it might be a stigma we're stuck with - but I'll take our team over any other right now.

These 'experts' base their opinion as if the Spurs are exactly the same team as last year :rolleyes

- The team has added Green and Leonard to the wings.

- Splitter now plays meaningful minutes

- Jefferson is gone for Jackson.

- Diaw and Mills added to the bench

Now if Manu remains healthy and Timmy continues to move around the court like he did 3 years ago it is team I personally feel much more confident can beat anyone which I did not believe at all last season.

So what that we lost to the Grizz last year? 1) They were a good team, with both Gasol and Randolph playing career high level; 2) Ginobli had a fucking broken arm, and Tim was coming off a bad ankle injury.

What does last year have to do with this year?

Experts :lmao


They must be so butthurt right now :lol

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

The key is the glass. Spurs should get some looks on offense (even though LA is a solid defensive team and really only gives up the shots they think are the toughest aka 20 foot jumpers), but if they can't duplicate their efforts on the glass Spurs can't beat LA consistently.

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Great job. Rebounding is critical but especially against LA. They did work tonight.

This is going to be a marquee match up if it happens in the WCF

ESPN desperately does NOT want the Spurs in The Finals. Ironic, too, since their chosen ones in BOS and LA are gravitating rapidly towards a brand of ugly ball reminiscent of the 99 Spurs they loathed so much, while SA is gravitating towards a much more aesthetically pleasing brand they used to like so much.

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Originally Posted by DMC

SA is not the best team in the West. That won't change until the Spurs prove otherwise.

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I often wonder how you can have 16k posts and still be a GNSF. Now I know.

The Spurs are #1 in the West and own the tiebreaker vs OKC, Lakers and Clippers. What else do you want? :bang

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Originally Posted by timvp

The Spurs need a lot to go right. They need their Big 3 to play well but because no one plays huge minutes, they also need their role players to play well. The Spurs won't advance far if their role players are struggling. Plus, the Spurs are much more likely to suffer a debilitating injury at some point before or during the playoffs.

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I'm pretty sure the big 3 will play more minutes in the playoffs if need be. Managing minutes is for the reg season, and something Pop has done admirably. Parker in particular showed this year that he can play more than his season average.

Re: injuries, it's true mostly of Manu. Parker doesn't seem less durable than Durant or Westbrook, and Duncan's injuries are usually linked to fatigue. On the other hand Westbrook has missed games this year while injured.

Both Durant and Westbrook seem tireless, but they still have played a lot more minutes than any of our guys this year. Even young players get injured. Plus, as you point out re: depth, a loss of any of those 2 would be a lot more devastating to OKC than to the Spurs.

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Originally Posted by Wild Cobra Kai

ESPN desperately does NOT want the Spurs in The Finals. Ironic, too, since their chosen ones in BOS and LA are gravitating rapidly towards a brand of ugly ball reminiscent of the 99 Spurs they loathed so much, while SA is gravitating towards a much more aesthetically pleasing brand they used to like so much.

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It has nothing to do with the basketball. Nobody at ESPN (or America) cares whether the games are 72-65 or 118-117. It's the brand names and the personalities. ESPN knows how to market the Lakers and the Celtics because of their fan bases. Same with the Knicks.

The Bulls have Derrick Rose. The Heat are the villains with the electric fast break. OKC has two young high-flying talents. Even the Clips have Griffin and Paul.

With the Spurs there is nothing to market but great basketball. The brand is blah. The market is blah. There are no controversies. The players love each other. Everyone loves the coach. Nobody ever says anything stupid. There is no Manu vs. Tony, even though ST thinks there should be at times. Nobody ever commits a crime. There's no story line about so-and-so "finally getting his shot at a ring after 12 years" or whatever. Two of the players are foreign (news flash, the casual American sports fan is xenophobic as shit) and Duncan hasn't said anything interesting in 15 years. There's simply nothing for the broadcasters and executives to sell.

Forget about the quality of basketball with the Spurs vs. other teams. Most people who watch aren't sophisticated enough to figure out the difference or to care. The Spurs won't ever be compelling unless they do something off the court that interests people. It's sad, but we're a tabloid culture. We're always going to have that "boring" reputation ON the court just because we're boring off the court. It doesn't matter who the Spurs play in the Finals, if the games are in the 80s or 90s, they'll be blamed for dragging the scores down even though it'll be the East team's style, not ours.

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Originally Posted by will_spurs

Re: injuries, it's true mostly of Manu. Parker doesn't seem less durable than Durant or Westbrook, and Duncan's injuries are usually linked to fatigue. On the other hand Westbrook has missed games this year while injured.

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Manu played more games than Tony each of the past two seasons. Funny how reputations work.

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Originally Posted by roycrikside

Manu played more games than Tony each of the past two seasons. Funny how reputations work.

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2 years ago was the year Tony was injured. Last year was pretty much the same (Manu played 2 more games but 100 fewer minutes). Last year's playoffs and this year, Manu was injured.

Parker averages 73 games a year in his career, Manu 66.5

There was so much win in both of these posts that I had to quote them.:toast:downspin::toast

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Originally Posted by Wild Cobra Kai

ESPN desperately does NOT want the Spurs in The Finals. Ironic, too, since their chosen ones in BOS and LA are gravitating rapidly towards a brand of ugly ball reminiscent of the 99 Spurs they loathed so much, while SA is gravitating towards a much more aesthetically pleasing brand they used to like so much.

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Originally Posted by roycrikside

It has nothing to do with the basketball. Nobody at ESPN (or America) cares whether the games are 72-65 or 118-117. It's the brand names and the personalities. ESPN knows how to market the Lakers and the Celtics because of their fan bases. Same with the Knicks.

The Bulls have Derrick Rose. The Heat are the villains with the electric fast break. OKC has two young high-flying talents. Even the Clips have Griffin and Paul.

With the Spurs there is nothing to market but great basketball. The brand is blah. The market is blah. There are no controversies. The players love each other. Everyone loves the coach. Nobody ever says anything stupid. There is no Manu vs. Tony, even though ST thinks there should be at times. Nobody ever commits a crime. There's no story line about so-and-so "finally getting his shot at a ring after 12 years" or whatever. Two of the players are foreign (news flash, the casual American sports fan is xenophobic as shit) and Duncan hasn't said anything interesting in 15 years. There's simply nothing for the broadcasters and executives to sell.

Forget about the quality of basketball with the Spurs vs. other teams. Most people who watch aren't sophisticated enough to figure out the difference or to care. The Spurs won't ever be compelling unless they do something off the court that interests people. It's sad, but we're a tabloid culture. We're always going to have that "boring" reputation ON the court just because we're boring off the court. It doesn't matter who the Spurs play in the Finals, if the games are in the 80s or 90s, they'll be blamed for dragging the scores down even though it'll be the East team's style, not ours.

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ESPN, in addition to all the other "Experts" will always pick anyone other than the Spurs. As it has been said time and time again Spurs are flying under the radar... Plus, these "Experts" are both dumb, and blind clinging to the old definitions of old, and boring that has been attached to us for years. I say bring on the playoffs. Let the W's speak for themselves. Does this piss me off that we do not get the recognition our team deserves, and has rightfully earned this year, of course it does! No question about that! We know this year has been freaking fantastic so I say screw em
Go Spurs Go :rollin