I went into this season with blinders on, thinking that with the depth of the Spurs and three new players hungry to win a championship plus an athletic Nazr back for his first full year, Spurs would be close to unbeatable. When I saw them blow out Denver and Golden State early in the season and a more mobile Duncan hitting FTs with ease and Parker playing consistently, well like Parker, - I thought this was perception was going to be validated.
Now I am not losing it like others or giving up, but reality has sent in, the Spurs are a very good team but are not showing enough signs to me they want it bad enough to defend their championship, much less become the dynasty I predicted.
Sigh but they still are my team for whatever happens down the road.
I went into last night's game thinking they were way overdue for a loss. They haven't played nearly as well as their record would indicate.
Spurs fans still get way too bent out of shape about wins and losses night in and night out. If a team goes 60-22, that means they have to lose once for every three times they win.
I agree but rarely in the past three weeks have we seen the Spurs play either lock down defense or swing the ball around the horn as well as they did last year in the early stretch. I am going to give them a pass somewhat as I think Manu is so essential to the team but one Finley has stepped in admirably so far for him.
I am most concerned about a lack of a killer instinct - teams like NOK should have been put away early.
I fully expect this team got a lashing by Pop last night - the amount of turnovers showed a lack of mental toughness period.
Spurs need to stop sleepwalking Dallas is right behind them and I do not want Spurs in the playoffs as a 4 seed.
just remember this....S-P-A-M.
The Spurs traditionally have problems getting it up for lesser teams (especially earlier in the season) and that hasn't changed no matter how many championships we have. Luckily these younger, more athletic and physical teams don't make it into the playoffs too often or we might have more to worry about than an early season loss to a scrub team. I'll chalk it up to selective focus during the long regular season and hope that SPAM comes into full effect as we roll into the playoffs.
This is so true. They have a great record, but they've played some close games that shouldn't have been so close - like the recent Kings game AT HOME.
If anything, Spurs have shown that they can fight through games where they aren't shooting well, and find ways to win. But on a back to back, they just run out of gas, usually in the 4th quarter.
But it's better to play conservatively and take a few losses now than to play too recklessly and get seriously hurt...(unless of course you're Manu, and you don't know how to play any other way).
that's because you're a homer
People overlook, as Zak points out, the fact the Spurs starting clicking after the ASG.just remember this....S-P-A-M.
Dude, you owe me an answer on the other forum
December fever has really set in for (some) spurs fans
...and looks like it's gonna continue till the all-star break
For some perspective, last year, the Detroit Pistons lost early in the season to teams like Toronto, Utah, Atlanta, and Charlotte. Pistons fans were down about some of those losses, but there was often rationalization because of "championship hangover." Rasheed Wallace came into the season overweight and unconditioned. To a certain extent, Ben and Tayshaun were still fatigued from the long minutes. And, losing a few key bench players, the team was not ready every single night. And, then Ben Wallace was suspended for a few games. Despite those early disappointing losses, the Pistons found themselves in game 7 of the NBA finals.
Similarly, San Antonio has been missing a few pieces on early with Ginobili's injury, and TD's been slowed down also by injury. Only Tony Parker has appeared really fresh and rejuvenated over a summer of celebrating.
Take it for what it's worth. And, you can still be disappointed. But, at the end of the day, the Spurs still have the best record in the West, the second best record in the league, and the season will still be judged on how the team does in the post season.
That's just a little perspective from a Pistons fan's point of view.
Jamstone might be on to something there. For as disconcerting as the play is right now the Spurs have beaten some quality opponents along the way and looked pretty sharp in the process. I was suprised to see that most of Pop's postgames comments were in praise of the Hornets (and rightfully so) instead of calling his team out. The Spurs will be fine. This reminds me of the early season road trip last year where the Spurs lost to the Celtics and the Raptors back to back. They'll bounce back. I won't hold it against anyone who isn't happy with their play thus far, but some folks need to come down off the ledge.
link or STFU.that the second unit would beat any other starting 5 unit in the NBA
The basic problem is that Spurs fans entered this season with unrealistic expectations. If you were expecting a 75-7 record, then yeah, it's time to for an adjustment in your expectations. The Spurs aren't to blame for that.
Typical.I don't have a link
You know what the other choice is then.
lamo @ this thread
They are a bit hungover like the pistons were last season...I just hope they don't lose in the Finals like they did....and no i'm not saying they are a mirror image of that piston squad...because the spurs are way better.....
they're not showing it
That seems to be the one team, unfortunately for them, Tim never lets down against. The Spurs have not lost to the Celtics in forever.
The lottery losses last autumn were @TOR (up by 20 to start the 4th, Spurs lose) and @Orlando.
When I say diminished expectations I mean that, I applaud the 19-5 record but the fact is that the Spurs have not played as well as last year early, despite the record. Last year I saw games where the Spurs looked incredible, before Duncan got hurt, and so far, I have not seen it. Now injuries may be or may not be a valid excuse but the fact is even with Manu out
I expected more easy wins, more mental toughess, more "something" and I am not seeing it.
Past results, i.e, this is just the Spurs way, don't always predict success and the Spurs should be working in my opinion on trying to leave the Mavs in the dust and striving for get the best possible record from the get go as there are several other strong teams out there - and home court in the playoff could well be huge.
The Lakers always thought they could turn it on an it haunted them two years in a row - Spurs need to really step it up to live up to what I expected = a dominant team that teams are afraid to play, instead they seem to relish stepping on the court with them.
You're right. The Spurs have not been the juggernaut they were the first 49 games of last season.When I say diminished expectations I mean that, I applaud the 19-5 record but the fact is that the Spurs have not played as well as last year early, despite the record. Last year I saw games where the Spurs looked incredible, before Duncan got hurt, and so far, I have not seen it.
However, the Spurs won the championship without ever returning to that form.
This season, I would rather they peak in June than January.
That fear doesn't emerge until the playoffs.Spurs need to really step it up to live up to what I expected = a dominant team that teams are afraid to play, instead they seem to relish stepping on the court with them.
i feel so weird, but yes... i agree with marcus. again, when was the last time the team with the best regular season record won the finals?
"the best regular season record won the finals?"
this is a weird year.
Only Spurs and Pistons are in the running, far out distancing the next teams in each conference.
It's all about Finals HCA between those two, not about best overall record.
And we're complaining because a Spurs team whose two best players are banged up is all of a game and a half behind a healthy Pistons team, with four months left to play?
We're complaining about a season where a Finals berth is all but a foregone conclusion?
Y'know, all those $100 bills stuffed in my wallet are making my butt sore.
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