The Spurs' chances at a title just increased, IMO

The most likely scenario standing-wise if Durant stayed was going to be

1. GSW
2. SAS/OKC
3. SAS/OKC

This meant SAS was going to have to beat both OKC and GSW (both possibly on the road, too). Now, they "only" have to worry about GSW. IMO, statically speaking, SAS chances of making the WCF increased which is necessary for winning the title, obviously.

This doesn't make any sense. The chance of reaching the WCF increased but the title chances absolutely decreased.

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Originally Posted by ParadoxEN

The most likely scenario standing-wise if Durant stayed was going to be

1. GSW
2. SAS/OKC
3. SAS/OKC

This meant SAS was going to have to beat both OKC and GSW (both possibly on the road, too). Now, they "only" have to worry about GSW. IMO, statically speaking, SAS chances of making the WCF increased which is necessary for winning the title, obviously.

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:lol But I like your optimism!

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Originally Posted by lilbthebasedgod

This doesn't make any sense. The chance of reaching the WCF increased but the title chances absolutely decreased.

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This doesn't necessarily make the OP false, IMO.

- depends on much more difficult you think beating GSW is going to be;
- don't underestimate the value of an increased likelihood of getting to the WCF

Welcome back op. One of the best posters in spurstlak

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Originally Posted by ParadoxEN

This doesn't necessarily make the OP false, IMO.

- depends on much more difficult you think beating GSW is going to be;
- don't underestimate the value of an increased likelihood of getting to the WCF

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This. Just being in the WCF gives you a better shot to win. What if Golden State sustains an injury? Lots of things can happen. When there is only one other team to worry about it becomes much easier. Also I think we need to try and get the 1 seed this year. Especially if the Durant project starts off rocky.

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Originally Posted by Spurs 4 The Win

This. Just being in the WCF gives you a better shot to win. What if Golden State sustains an injury? Lots of things can happen. When there is only one other team to worry about it becomes much easier. Also I think we need to try and get the 1 seed this year. Especially if the Durant project starts off rocky.

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GSW just basically doubled down on what they were already good at. I can see them having problems with certain teams. Also can see Curry fall off a bit from his ungodly shooting. No one can keep that up.

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Originally Posted by ParadoxEN

This doesn't necessarily make the OP false, IMO.- depends on much more difficult you think beating GSW is going to be;-don't underestimate the value of an increased likelihood of getting to the WCF

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Our chances of beating the warriors in any round went from in these scenarios

In my guess: OKC gets durant: 30%
SAS gets durant: 85%.
GSW gets durant: 0.1%
Nonscientific of course.

Lol.man are you positive lol

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Originally Posted by Kikoluna

Lol.man are you positive lol

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You spelled stupid wrong.

Well, if what you are saying is they don't have to GO THROUGH a tough OKC team and then GSW then you are right, but GSW just got a lot tougher..... So their title chances actually decreased but WCF chances increased, which is not a title though.

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Originally Posted by ParadoxEN

The most likely scenario standing-wise if Durant stayed was going to be

1. GSW
2. SAS/OKC
3. SAS/OKC

This meant SAS was going to have to beat both OKC and GSW (both possibly on the road, too). Now, they "only" have to worry about GSW. IMO, statically speaking, SAS chances of making the WCF increased which is necessary for winning the title, obviously.

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All it takes is one slip on the court in one game by one person to change the entire landscape. That's why you want your team prepped to step up to the plate like Cleveland did with a semi-gimp Curry.

Vegas would say their chances increased just for the fact that there is 1 less team to contend with.

Spurs' have about a 10% chance at the title IMO..that 10% is heavily predicated on a fluke incident, like Curry slipping on Montejunas' back sweat, which changed the landscape of this year's playoffs:lol

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Originally Posted by Sean Cagney

Well, if what you are saying is they don't have to GO THROUGH a tough OKC team and then GSW then you are right, but GSW just got a lot tougher..... So their title chances actually decreased but WCF chances increased, which is not a title though.

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Regardless. Even if we arent good enough think of it this way. Getting to the WCF is a great thing. Free agents will take notice, you will be regarded as an elite team that can be put over the top by another player. Also, we will be getting excellent playoff experience and we can build on that. And once again, you cant beat the Warriors unless you play them, as we found out this year. OKC was a major nemesis and now they are gone. Advantage Spurs

Game is still played with one basketball. If GS can figure that out then probably 2-3 championships over the next 5 seasons. As the Heat showed a few seasons back, these superstar combos aren't any guarantee of long term success.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Spurs' have about a 10% chance at the title IMO..that 10% is heavily predicated on a fluke incident, like Curry slipping on Montejunas' back sweat, which changed the landscape of this year's playoffs:lol

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How so? He was completely 100% against OKC and the Cavs

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Originally Posted by Spurs 4 The Win

Regardless. Even if we arent good enough think of it this way. Getting to the WCF is a great thing. Free agents will take notice, you will be regarded as an elite team that can be put over the top by another player. Also, we will be getting excellent playoff experience and we can build on that. And once again, you cant beat the Warriors unless you play them, as we found out this year. OKC was a major nemesis and now they are gone. Advantage Spurs

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Damn right.

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Originally Posted by tonight...you

All it takes is one slip on the court in one game by one person to change the entire landscape. That's why you want your team prepped to step up to the plate like Cleveland did with a semi-gimp Curry.

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That's the point, IMO. Besides the obvious benefits of increased odds at the WCF:

Easier road to WCF => less competitive games => less minutes for key players before GSW (who were going to be difficult either way).

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Originally Posted by Spurs 4 The Win

How so? He was completely 100% against OKC and the Cavs

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:lol no..he couldn't get separation against anybody following his injury..

I think the Spurs should make Durant try to beat them by himself. Lock down Steph and Klay and let Parker and Durant go up and down the floor. The pressure on him not to lose games for GS would be so immense that I think he'd crack. And of course, you pound the hell out him if he plays the four, which is why I'm still hoping the Spurs find a way to keep Diaw.

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Originally Posted by Chinook

I think the Spurs should make Durant try to beat them by himself. Lock down Steph and Klay and let Parker and Durant go up and down the floor. The pressure on him not to lose games for GS would be so immense that I think he'd crack. And of course, you pound the hell out him if he plays the four, which is why I'm still hoping the Spurs find a way to keep Diaw.

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I think Spurs did a decent job on Steph and Klay last season. It was always someone like Barnes, or Iggy, or Livingston beating us....now this season, Barnes/Iggy/Livingston is named Kevin Durant.

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Originally Posted by gospursgojas

I think Spurs did a decent job on Steph and Klay last season. It was always someone like Barnes, or Iggy, or Livingston beating us....now this season, Barnes/Iggy/Livingston is named Kevin Durant.

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Indeed. And I think that's a good thing. This isn't about a role-player stepping up. This is about a star having to not choke.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

:lol no..he couldn't get separation against anybody following his injury..

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Oh against the elite teams in the league? Color me shocked