The Spurs Christmas Presents...

Standings-

-The Lakers have won 5 straight games, and are still 6 1/2 back of the spurs

-The Clippers have won 13 straight and are only tied for 1st with Thunder, both are only 1 game ahead of the spurs

-The Spurs have the 2nd best road record in the league (11-6) and are one of only 6 teams with only 2 home losses (Miami, Knicks, OKC, Memphis, & Utah)

Health-

-Manu is healthy,for the time being.

-Kawhi Leonard & Stephen Jackson are back after both missed at least 15 games.

-Duncan and Parker have yet to miss games with injuries

-Splitter & Diaw are the only Spurs to appear in every game


Tony Parker-

-Parker has outperformed his 5th place MVP season by averaging 19pts, 7 asts, 50% FG & 40pt% 3pt)

-He is on pace to make the most 3 pointers since he was 22 (9 seasons ago) he needs two more to surpass his total in 60 games last season

-He is averaging a career low in turnovers and a career high in free-throw percentage


A Resurgent Tim Duncan

-Duncan is averaging his most blocks per game since he was 28, and currently has the highest defensive rating in the league. He is averaging more blocks per game than last season (1.5 to 2.5) and needs 18 blocks to surpass his total from last season (likely within the next 6 games).

-His scoring is at a 4 year high, & his free throw shooting is the best of his career (nearly 80%).

His rebounding percentage ,19.2%, and his per 36 rebounds per game (12.1) are the best in his 16 year career.


Schedule-

-After a brutal schedule early on, the spurs are 21-8 and have a much easier schedule ahead, the next 10 opponents have an average winning percentage of .493.

5 of those next 10 are at home, where the toughest opponent is 14-13 and 5-6 on the road (Brooklyn) 4 teams are below .500 and 3 more are no more than 3 games above .500.

Pretty good info here man, thanks for this. I hope nobody tries to get you banned from making threads for "jinxing" the team.

Great stuff

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DapDaGenius

Pretty good info here man, thanks for this. I hope nobody tries to get you banned from making threads for "jinxing" the team.

---

I actually thought about leaving Manu off of this, I can't take him getting injured again...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

I actually thought about leaving Manu off of this, I can't take him getting injured again...

---

It would suck if he really did get injured again, but at least they'd give Nando more minutes and we'd see more of what he could do with those minutes, then they'd probably call Anderson back up for a few more games.

Quote:

---

-After a brutal schedule early on, the spurs are 21-8 and have a much easier schedule ahead, the next 10 opponents have a combined winning percentage of .493.

---

think you mean average

:toast

:santahat Thanks for the infos.

jinx thread

KL is much better this year at influencing the game. Combine that with OKC not having Harden, and I like our chances at making the Finals.

The Clippers have the best road record.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by td4mvp21

The Clippers have the best road record.

---

My mistake I looked at the standings wrong

Clippers 9-3

Spurs 11-6

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

KL is much better this year at influencing the game. Combine that with OKC not having Harden, and I like our chances at making the Finals.

---

The top 4 seeds in the west are the best 4 teams in the league in my opinion,

It is going to a really difficult run to the title

The spurs will likely have to face one of these teams in the 1st round

Nuggets-currently underachieving, but should give it together sooner rather than later

Lakers-Dwight is still recovering from his back surgery Gasol might actually play more consistent with Nash)

Warriors-They defense is much improved without Bogut, who is one of the better rebounders and shot blockers in the NBA

Jazz-Physical team, who can score in the paint and crashes the glass

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainwreck2100

think you mean average

---

We've had to play OKC twice, Boston twice, @ Lakers, Memphis, Clippers twice, @ Miami, 17 of the 1st 29 games on the road

brutal is correct.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

The top 4 seeds in the west are the best 4 teams in the league in my opinion

---

Um. Miami?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

Um. Miami?

---

I didn't forget them, their defense has dropped off 4th to 13th in defense efficiency) and Wade has been inconsistent scoring the ball. I think OKC, Memphis, San Antonio & the Clippers all have legit chances of beating them in a 7 game series.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

I didn't forget them, their defense has dropped off a cliff and Wade has been inconsistent scoring the ball. I think OKC, Memphis, San Antonio & the Clippers all have legit chances of beating them in a 7 game series.

---

:lmao :lmao :lmao

Miami just beat OKC and has beat them in 6 of their last 7. So Miami isn't a top 4 team in the league? :lmao

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

:lmao :lmao :lmao

Miami just beat OKC and has beat them in 6 of their last 7. So Miami isn't a top 4 team in the league? :lmao

---

Thunder is a better team than last season, those 4 finals losses were against a different roster, their 0-1 with Westbrook, Durant & Martin

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

Thunder is a better team than last season, those 4 finals losses were against a different roster, their 0-1 with Westbrook, Durant & Martin

---

So because rosters have changed, your argument is that OKC is better now, and your evidence is by the fact that they've lost the only game they've played to Miami?

Okay. Anyway that's more forgivable than saying that Memphis > Miami. :lmao Come on now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

:lmao :lmao :lmao

Miami just beat OKC and has beat them in 6 of their last 7. So Miami isn't a top 4 team in the league? :lmao

---

Durant is averaging more points and shooting less, he is also averaging a career high in rebounds, steals, assists FG & FT% & his true shooting percent is up 5% from last season.

Westbrook assists up up by more than 3 per game and his turnovers are down.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

We've had to play OKC twice, Boston twice, @ Lakers, Memphis, Clippers twice, @ Miami, 17 of the 1st 29 games on the road

brutal is correct.

---

no you said this

Quote:

---

easier schedule ahead, the next 10 opponents have a combined winning percentage of .493.

---

Houston winning % is higher that .493 so there's no way it could combine with anything to make .493. So you meant average

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

Durant is averaging more points and shooting less, he is also averaging a career high in rebounds, steals, assists FG & FT% & his true shooting percent is up 5% from last season.

Westbrook assists up up by more than 3 per game and his turnovers are down.

---

And they haven't played a single playoff game yet. Things change in playoffs. Benches shorten. Big players contribute more.

And they lost to the Heat. You're making arguments like they exist in a vacuum. OKC has shown nothing that says they're going to beat the Heat in a BO7, yet somehow they're better, and the next 3 teams in the West are too? Last year's Finals wasn't that close, and I fail to see what suddenly makes you think that Miami is vulnerable because they're coasting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

So because rosters have changed, your argument is that OKC is better now, and your evidence is by the fact that they've lost the only game they've played to Miami?

Okay. Anyway that's more forgivable than saying that Memphis > Miami. Come on now.

---

Have you actually watched Memphis?, Miami lacks size and struggles rebounding Z BO & Gasol would score at will in the paint, Memphis also is 8th in rebounding while Miami is 30th. they are balanced team 2nd in defensive efficiency and 12th in offensive efficiency they are built for the half court style in the post season when games slow down.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

Have you actually watched Memphis?, Miami lacks size and struggles rebounding Z BO & Gasol would score at will in the paint, Memphis also is 8th in rebounding while Miami is 30th. they are balanced team 2nd in defensive efficiency and 12th in offensive efficiency they are built for the half court style in the post season when games slow down.

---

And we all know that Miami isn't built for the post-season, what with their limited success with the current roster and all. :lol :lol :lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

And they haven't played a single playoff game yet. Things change in playoffs. Benches shorten. Big players contribute more.

And they lost to the Heat. You're making arguments like they exist in a vacuum. OKC has shown nothing that says they're going to beat the Heat in a BO7, yet somehow they're better, and the next 3 teams in the West are too? Last year's Finals wasn't that close, and I fail to see what suddenly makes you think that Miami is vulnerable because they're coasting.

---

OKC won game 1 by 11, lost game 2 by 4 game 3 by 6 and game 4 by 4 and then got blown out in game 6 by 15 they lost 4 games by 29 points an average of 7 pts. Miami only outscored OKC by 18 pts in the entire series. Durant and Westbrook are playing some of their best basketball and Ibaka has become more of a weapon on offense. Given how close that series was and compared to the heats roster turnover and their struggles and OKC's improvement that could be a very competitive series

What makes you think they're coasting?, they have had trouble defending and have already been blown out by a twice by the Knicks and nearly lost to a team without out 6 of its top 8 scorers, add another loss to Washington where they were clearly outplayed and Wades inconsistency that has carried over from the playoffs his P.E.R is the lowest in 6 years, he is points per game has dropped from 25.5 to 22.1 to 19.8 this season. He has even worked with a shooting specialist to regain his shooting form

Lebron James "There is a cloud over our team because we're not defending like we know we're capable of defending," James said. "We have some room for improvement. The good thing is we can be great. But right now, we're not good. We're not very good right now as a team and we've got to get to that point."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

And we all know that Miami isn't built for the post-season, what with their limited success with the current roster and all. :lol :lol :lol

---

My quote didn't say that they weren't, that would actually required reading not skimming on your part. This Memphis teams balance is impressive they have 4 players who average 14 points per game on a down tempo offense, they share the ball and score at a high clip in the process. Lebron's a great defender but you really don't think he can check a healthy Z -Bo when we were sending Duncan & Splitter along with a couple of water boys just to keep him from bullying his way to the basket.

Miami has the best player in the league, they aren't hurting the talent department. I just don't think that he can carry such a heavy load with Wade M.I.A ing it up coupled with a team without a strong post presence and relies heavily on 3 point shooting and fast breaks to put points on the board.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

OKC won game 1 by 11, lost game 2 by 4 game 3 by 6 and game 4 by 4 and then got blown out in game 6 by 15 they lost 4 games by 29 points an average of 7 pts. Miami only outscored OKC by 18 pts in the entire series. Durant and Westbrook are playing some of their best basketball and Ibaka has become more of a weapon on offense. Given how close that series was and compared to the heats roster turnover and their struggles and OKC's improvement that could be a very competitive series

What makes you think they're coasting?, they have had trouble defending and have already been blown out by a twice by the Knicks and nearly lost to a team without out 6 of its top 8 scorers, add another loss to Washington where they were clearly outplayed and Wades inconsistency that has carried over from the playoffs his P.E.R is the lowest in 6 years, he is points per game has dropped from 25.5 to 22.1 to 19.8 this season. He has even worked with a shooting specialist to regain his shooting form

Lebron James "There is a cloud over our team because we're not defending like we know we're capable of defending," James said. "We have some room for improvement. The good thing is we can be great. But right now, we're not good. We're not very good right now as a team and we've got to get to that point."

---

So Miami is underperforming right now and just beat OKC. Again. But they're not one of the top 4 teams in the league, while OKC is. All the stats in the world doesn't matter if your team is down when the clock reads 0.0. The thought that if the playoffs started today the Heat wouldn't be able to turn it up at least a notch or two is ludicrous. Because right now they're having all these "struggles" and they are .5 games behind the Thunder, while OKC is playing out of their minds and only has an extra win on the Heat? Alright man, just go ahead and keep talking about how horrible the Heat are while they maintain a top 3 record in the league. :lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

So Miami is underperforming right now and just beat OKC. Again. But they're not one of the top 4 teams in the league, while OKC is. All the stats in the world doesn't matter if your team is down when the clock reads 0.0. The thought that if the playoffs started today the Heat wouldn't be able to turn it up at least a notch or two is ludicrous. Because right now they're having all these "struggles" and they are .5 games behind the Thunder, while OKC is playing out of their minds and only has an extra win on the Heat? Alright man, just go ahead and keep talking about how horrible the Heat are while they maintain a top 3 record in the league. :lol

---

Once again I didn't say the heat are horrible I said I think the west has the four best teams in the league. They are 5th right now its basically power ranking style its changes daily. Miami plays in a really bad conference if you were to look at strength of schedule you're .5 game back argument would hit a brick wall.

They play

Washington 4 times
Toronto 4 Times
Cleveland-4 Times
Bobcats-4 times
Detroit-4 times

thats 5 of the 9 worst teams in the league 28 games against competition that is a combined winning percentage of .244

the West bottom 5 teams have a .367 and have 11 teams that are above .500

The heat are going to win 60 games but its less that they're beating good teams and more that their mopping up against the leagues trash.

Spurs
Grizzlies
Clippers
Thunder

all have to have to play good teams most nights

Every playoff is to bound team kicks it up a notch from the regular to the post season that isn't really worth mentioning

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trainwreck2100

no you said this


Houston winning % is higher that .493 so there's no way it could combine with anything to make .493. So you meant average

---

I mistook what you were saying, it IS average winning percentage not combined

I'll correct that thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

Miami plays in a really bad conference if you were to look at strength of schedule you're .5 game back argument would hit a brick wall.

---

Since you obviously thought I'd just take your word for it, I'll respond to your patently fallacious comments that again demonstrate you are spewing nonsense.

http://i.imgur.com/Xpa8u.jpg

The Heat played the 7th hardest schedule in the league this year (avg opponent .525), while the Thunder have had the 13th hardest schedule (.501).

So do tell me again how my argument has hit a brick wall because the Heat have played a weak schedule? :lmao :lmao :lmao They've even had an equal number of home games, so the fact that the records are so similar in no way supports your theory.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

We've had to play OKC twice, Boston twice, @ Lakers, Memphis, Clippers twice, @ Miami, 17 of the 1st 29 games on the road

brutal is correct.

---

29 games before Christmas and two sets of four games in five nights.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

Standings-

-The Lakers have won 5 straight games, and are still 6 1/2 back of the spurs

-The Clippers have won 13 straight and are only tied for 1st with Thunder, both are only 1 game ahead of the spurs

-The Spurs have the 2nd best road record in the league (11-6) and are one of only 6 teams with only 2 home losses (Miami, Knicks, OKC, Memphis, & Utah)

Health-

-Manu is healthy,for the time being.

-Kawhi Leonard & Stephen Jackson are back after both missed at least 15 games.

-Duncan and Parker have yet to miss games with injuries

-Splitter & Diaw are the only Spurs to appear in every game


Tony Parker-

-Parker has outperformed his 5th place MVP season by averaging 19pts, 7 asts, 50% FG & 40pt% 3pt)

-He is on pace to make the most 3 pointers since he was 22 (9 seasons ago) he needs two more to surpass his total in 60 games last season

-He is averaging a career low in turnovers and a career high in free-throw percentage


A Resurgent Tim Duncan

-Duncan is averaging his most blocks per game since he was 28, and currently has the highest defensive rating in the league. He is averaging more blocks per game than last season (1.5 to 2.5) and needs 18 blocks to surpass his total from last season (likely within the next 6 games).

-His scoring is at a 4 year high, & his free throw shooting is the best of his career (nearly 80%).

His rebounding percentage ,19.2%, and his per 36 rebounds per game (12.1) are the best in his 16 year career.


Schedule-

-After a brutal schedule early on, the spurs are 21-8 and have a much easier schedule ahead, the next 10 opponents have an average winning percentage of .493.

5 of those next 10 are at home, where the toughest opponent is 14-13 and 5-6 on the road (Brooklyn) 4 teams are below .500 and 3 more are no more than 3 games above .500.

---

One could also add the tid bit on team FT% being the highest in the Popovich era...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phenomanul

One could also add the tid bit on team FT% being the highest in the Popovich era...

---

Duely noted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by racm

29 games before Christmas and two sets of four games in five nights.

---

I actually misunderstood the original post, he didn't mean we had a average schedule, he was correcting a typo. But yeah are schedule has been rough so far.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

Since you obviously thought I'd just take your word for it, I'll respond to your patently fallacious comments that again demonstrate you are spewing nonsense.

http://i.imgur.com/Xpa8u.jpg

The Heat played the 7th hardest schedule in the league this year (avg opponent .525), while the Thunder have had the 13th hardest schedule (.501).

So do tell me again how my argument has hit a brick wall because the Heat have played a weak schedule? :lmao :lmao :lmao They've even had an equal number of home games, so the fact that the records are so similar in no way supports your theory.

---

If the Thunder win 60 games and the Heat win 60 as well, who would have a tougher schedule... Miami and the Knicks are the only teams revelant right now in the east.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

Miami plays in a really bad conference if you were to look at strength of schedule you're .5 game back argument would hit a brick wall.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cd021

If the Thunder win 60 games and the Heat win 60 as well, who would have a tougher schedule... Miami and the Knicks are the only teams revelant right now in the east.

---

So the entire crux of your post is that the Heat are a weaker team than the Thunder because theoretically they could finish with the same record and therefore OKC would be better, having the harder schedule, despite the fact that the Heat have played a tougher schedule to date?

:lmao

:lmao

:lmao

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cry Havoc

So the entire crux of your post is that the Heat are a weaker team than the Thunder because theoretically they could finish with the same record and therefore OKC would be better, having the harder schedule, despite the fact that the Heat have played a tougher schedule to date?

:lmao

:lmao

:lmao

---

the difference i the teams SOS is in the margin of error basically, and when you look at SRS on basketball reference the Heat "strength of schedule" is actually a lot closer to OKCs. You can't brush off that Miami plays Cleveland, Charlotte, Washington, Toronto & Detroit a total of 28 times with an average winning percentage of less than 26%. 5 of the 6 worst teams are in the east.

So let me get this straight your a Spurs fan... ,I assume, I'm sure you like the majority of spurs fans in your assumption that essentially the same roster (save for De Colo) will be able to not only challenge and beat an Oklahoma City team that beat us 4 straight times last season in the WCF? (Do we agree thus far?)

Oklahoma City traded Harden for Martin. Martin has filled in nicely almost 16 pts per game, Durant is having an even better season than last year Westbrook has increased his assists by 3 per game and decreased his turnovers, Ibaka has shown improvement on the offensive end +5.1 pts per game and +.5 rebounds per game.

OKC beat the Spurs by an net margin of 7 (1.6 per game, 6 games)) ,Then lost in the finals by a net margin of victory of 18 points (3.6 per game, in 5 games).
Miami's defense has dropped from 4th to 12th, and have even abandoned their position-less lineup just to compete on the boards. Wade has been Lebron's side kick and his numbers are continuing to drop for the 4th straight season, he's 31 and injury prone there is a great chance that what we say since the start of the playoffs last season and continuing thru now isn't a rough streak, but his new normal.

You can't tell me that Miami is a better team because they won a series by an average margin of victory 3.6 points 6 months ago, thats ridiculous. :lmao yeah now I've resorted to using that ridiculous smiley that you use to make yourself think you won an argument.

I stated that I believe that the 4 best teams in the league are from the west, I've done nothing but supported my assumption, you've done nothing but give the champs the BOTD

Grizzlies 4 players averaging at least 14 points, ranks 8th in rebounding and 2nd in defensive efficiency

Oklahoma City-Three best players having career years, team is better defensively and has the most efficient offense in the league

Clippers-Now have a much more balanced offensive attack with Crawford, Griffin, Jordan, & CP3, orchestrating the offense. Their Defense has jumped from 18th to 3rd this season.

Spurs-Duncan's resurgence and Parker outplaying an MVP caliber level last season.

I more than stand by my opinion.