Run for Play-In

[itzsoweezee]

Spurs ain’t ever gonna tank so y’all might as well sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Knocking the lakers out of the playoffs is now what we should be looking forward to.

I’d rather see the Lakers and Lebron get embarrassed by the Suns.

[Rocalcio]

And so we’re in the Play In !
I don’t see how we can miss it actually.

[Proxy]

yeah it's gonna suck if the lakers get a player that pans out to be good while we get swept by the suns

[XDT76]

yeah it's gonna suck if the lakers get a player that pans out to be good while we get swept by the suns

It will never happen as they have 0 pick this year

[exstatic]

yeah it's gonna suck if the lakers get a player that pans out to be good while we get swept by the suns

New Orleans gets it if it falls 1-10, Memphis if it’s between 11-30.

[Elementis]

the Lakers are in a classic lose-lose-lose situation: miss the playoffs, no draft pick, have Westbrick.

[JPB]

I guess I should follow the NBA at least a little... Me thought LA was tanking

Wow, so they suck for real... Bron Bron, Westbrick and they might not even make the play in with no pick to show for it...

Anyway, I was remembering of #8 GS upsetting #1 Dallas a few years ago and was thinking to myself, would they have tanked, something that made history and is in every GS fan memories could have never happened. That was like NBA finals appearance for them.

Odds are against you but you never know, it's sport and stuff happens... Try to get in the PO and give your best. Who knows, maybe both CP3 and Booker will have season ending injuries...

[Poolboy5623]

The Spurs are going to be fighting to be in the play in game every season, at this rate.

[KingKev]

I guess I should follow the NBA at least a little... Me thought LA was tanking

Wow, so they suck for real... Bron Bron, Westbrick and they might not even make the play in with no pick to show for it...

Anyway, I was remembering of #8 GS upsetting #1 Dallas a few years ago and was thinking to myself, would they have tanked, something that made history and is in every GS fan memories could have never happened. That was like NBA finals appearance for them.

Odds are against you but you never know, it's sport and stuff happens... Try to get in the PO and give your best. Who knows, maybe both CP3 and Booker will have season ending injuries...

Lol that was 15 years ago and that team was stacked!! Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Jason Richardson, Barnes, Biedrus, Monta Ellis.

Pels will make quick work of us in the play-in If we make it. I’d rather play the Lakers.

[MannyIsGod]

I have thought almost everyone here has underrated the cap room the Spurs have this offseason all year. In fact, I think people have underrated how much flexibility the Spurs have in general this offseason. The amount of first round picks, young prospects, and tradable contracts is pretty damn amazing. This time last year, no one thought either James Harden or Ben Simmons were getting traded. In fact everyone was show someone like Beal would be moved and dude is still a Wizard. Same with Llilard. The Spurs are a pretty long way from true contention because they don't have a true #1 option on this team barring someone on this team takes a Ja Morant type leap (and then some tbh) this next season. Chances of that are low, but chances that someone in the first four picks is that player are also low. Yeah, those chances are higher than at the 8th or 10th pick, but I'm not sure the difference is that meaningful.

I wouldn't have cared if this team tanked because they just weren't good enough but I am happy that the young guys on this team and the few vets are playing hard and trying to win. Think of how many stars who started on losing teams are never any good. The culture of trying to lose is a horrible one for player development, IMO. Too many people spend too much time trying to plan out a perfect path to getting back to contention when the best thing to have is flexibility so that you can take whatever opportunity presents itself.

This team from the start of the season never going to be a 20 win team despite how many people here said the same. Go back and look at the preseason discussions. There were a handful of us that kept telling you this team was likely to win somewhere in the mid 30s, and guess where we're at. Some of you idiots said they woudn't win 20 ing games! Truly a stupid take to those of you who thought that. So many people are worried about the Spurs being on a "treadmill" but they always seem to ignore that we have tradeable assets, caproom, and a front office that is willing to make deals in order to improve their team (a lot of y'all got that wrong too). If you were expecting a top 5 pick this season, I think you were delusional. Even after trading Derrick White, the improvement from other players on this team has kept them at .500! This is the first year they tried with the youth movement, and they are in a pretty good position. I don't understand how people can be worried about a treadmill when you look at teams like OKC, Philly who have tanked for half a ing decade. THAT is a treadmill and it doesn't come with guarantees. The guy NOLA tanked for is likely to leave there after next year! THAT is a treadmill.

[widowmaker]

Lol that was 15 years ago and that team was stacked!! Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Jason Richardson, Barnes, Biedrus, Monta Ellis.

Pels will make quick work of us in the play-in If we make it. I’d rather play the Lakers.

The Spurs arent pussies like some people on this board. If it turns out they play the pelicans for the play in they are gonna give them and if the pelicans win so be it at least they didn’t pussy out like some people on this board. Im talking about other people not you.

[LeBowen]

I wanted the team to tank, but 8th or 9th worst record doesn't really change much and I doubt we could get any better than that.
Just don't finish 9th and that's it.

I'd take 6% less chance for a top4 pick as an exchange for ing Lebron and the Lakers over. I'm too big of a hater.

And it's not like they can't trade up if needed.

[KingKev]

The Spurs arent pussies like some people on this board. If it turns out they play the pelicans for the play in they are gonna give them and if the pelicans win so be it at least they didn’t pussy out like some people on this board. Im talking about other people not you.

I’d expect our guys to play hard and Jak, Keldon, DJ have enough tenure to make this a game but the Pels trio of JV, BI and CJ is a tough matchup for us. Jak is going to be left on an island all night.

[CGD]

F it, I’m here for it. Let’s go play in!

[offset formation]

And so we’re in the Play In !
I don’t see how we can miss it actually.

Youre right, and 2 weeks ago I would have laughed at you for this statement. The Lakers and Portland (after trading McCollum) have just folded.

[Dex]

I have thought almost everyone here has underrated the cap room the Spurs have this offseason all year. In fact, I think people have underrated how much flexibility the Spurs have in general this offseason. The amount of first round picks, young prospects, and tradable contracts is pretty damn amazing. This time last year, no one thought either James Harden or Ben Simmons were getting traded. In fact everyone was show someone like Beal would be moved and dude is still a Wizard. Same with Llilard. The Spurs are a pretty long way from true contention because they don't have a true #1 option on this team barring someone on this team takes a Ja Morant type leap (and then some tbh) this next season. Chances of that are low, but chances that someone in the first four picks is that player are also low. Yeah, those chances are higher than at the 8th or 10th pick, but I'm not sure the difference is that meaningful.

I wouldn't have cared if this team tanked because they just weren't good enough but I am happy that the young guys on this team and the few vets are playing hard and trying to win. Think of how many stars who started on losing teams are never any good. The culture of trying to lose is a horrible one for player development, IMO. Too many people spend too much time trying to plan out a perfect path to getting back to contention when the best thing to have is flexibility so that you can take whatever opportunity presents itself.

This team from the start of the season never going to be a 20 win team despite how many people here said the same. Go back and look at the preseason discussions. There were a handful of us that kept telling you this team was likely to win somewhere in the mid 30s, and guess where we're at. Some of you idiots said they woudn't win 20 ing games! Truly a stupid take to those of you who thought that. So many people are worried about the Spurs being on a "treadmill" but they always seem to ignore that we have tradeable assets, caproom, and a front office that is willing to make deals in order to improve their team (a lot of y'all got that wrong too). If you were expecting a top 5 pick this season, I think you were delusional. Even after trading Derrick White, the improvement from other players on this team has kept them at .500! This is the first year they tried with the youth movement, and they are in a pretty good position. I don't understand how people can be worried about a treadmill when you look at teams like OKC, Philly who have tanked for half a ing decade. THAT is a treadmill and it doesn't come with guarantees. The guy NOLA tanked for is likely to leave there after next year! THAT is a treadmill.

Preach.

The problem with being a true tank team is that you develop a losing culture, you end up with a bunch of disgruntled players because athletes hate losing, and you will be lucky to get maybe one or two pieces you can build around.

It's hard to turn around a team with just two young talents and a bunch of ty players who have never won anything.

Spurs caught lightning in a bottle by getting Tim while still having a solid core (Robinson, Elliott, Avery) around him...then did it again by drafting Tony and Manu. That was magical.

People keep expecting that the Spurs will win 15 games, get a top 3 pick, and pull the same rabbit out of a hat but that's not always how it works out.

[exstatic]

Even if we catch lighting in a bottle and still jump into the top 4, if that player is on a star track, it won't happen for like 3 years anyway.

[MultiTroll]

No, because they got two firsts and three seconds for them. They didn't eat that money for free. They rented out a ton of cap space and still put together a roster that might make the playoffs. That's good asset management, though as I said I'm not committed to the idea that it's (more) proof Pop's a great coach.

Absolutely.
First time in 5 years (Pop without an MVP Era) that trades and maneuvers have made sense.

However that we're doing better on the Active Cap then LA without Lebron and AD is like woopie doo. LAs bread and butter is FAs looking to cash in along with rigged trades and rigged refs. Apples and oranges.

Regardless, here we are possibly in the play in. In barely squeaking by obviously tanking teams to get there is somehow meretricious in the minds of many a slurper is well, whatever.

I'm good with whatever at this point. Hope it's not the worst of both worlds, get in the play in and get run out.

[rjv]

I'm on neither team tbh. Weather it's play in or tanking, I don't really care. The team is a lot better than at the beginning or even middle of the season and that's with Lonnie and McDermott out. As long as they find a way to fix the hole at the starting 4 position in the offseason I'm fine. They should be a playoff team next season.

i agree, and i'll add that a team can't play to lose. this team is on the brink of a play-in game in their first year without derozan, patty and LMA and so to be playing at a higher level at the end of the season is a positive sign. the spurs can't be blamed if there are 8 or 9 more teams out there that are pathetic (and have been for years). the basketball gods have declared that the spurs weren't created to tank. and yes, fix the frontcourt and go from there.

[widowmaker]

I’d expect our guys to play hard and Jak, Keldon, DJ have enough tenure to make this a game but the Pels trio of JV, BI and CJ is a tough matchup for us. Jak is going to be left on an island all night.

May the best team win bottom line but Spurs have beaten them before and they can beat them again. It’s doable.

[KingKev]

I have thought almost everyone here has underrated the cap room the Spurs have this offseason all year. In fact, I think people have underrated how much flexibility the Spurs have in general this offseason. The amount of first round picks, young prospects, and tradable contracts is pretty damn amazing. This time last year, no one thought either James Harden or Ben Simmons were getting traded. In fact everyone was show someone like Beal would be moved and dude is still a Wizard. Same with Llilard. The Spurs are a pretty long way from true contention because they don't have a true #1 option on this team barring someone on this team takes a Ja Morant type leap (and then some tbh) this next season. Chances of that are low, but chances that someone in the first four picks is that player are also low. Yeah, those chances are higher than at the 8th or 10th pick, but I'm not sure the difference is that meaningful.

I wouldn't have cared if this team tanked because they just weren't good enough but I am happy that the young guys on this team and the few vets are playing hard and trying to win. Think of how many stars who started on losing teams are never any good. The culture of trying to lose is a horrible one for player development, IMO. Too many people spend too much time trying to plan out a perfect path to getting back to contention when the best thing to have is flexibility so that you can take whatever opportunity presents itself.

This team from the start of the season never going to be a 20 win team despite how many people here said the same. Go back and look at the preseason discussions. There were a handful of us that kept telling you this team was likely to win somewhere in the mid 30s, and guess where we're at. Some of you idiots said they woudn't win 20 ing games! Truly a stupid take to those of you who thought that. So many people are worried about the Spurs being on a "treadmill" but they always seem to ignore that we have tradeable assets, caproom, and a front office that is willing to make deals in order to improve their team (a lot of y'all got that wrong too). If you were expecting a top 5 pick this season, I think you were delusional. Even after trading Derrick White, the improvement from other players on this team has kept them at .500! This is the first year they tried with the youth movement, and they are in a pretty good position. I don't understand how people can be worried about a treadmill when you look at teams like OKC, Philly who have tanked for half a ing decade. THAT is a treadmill and it doesn't come with guarantees. The guy NOLA tanked for is likely to leave there after next year! THAT is a treadmill.

We have great flexibility but the cap space probably won’t return much. My back of the envelop math says ~35mm assuming a 119mm cap and we let Walker walk. 10-12mm will goto those 3 FRPs who won't have an impact for another few years. The rest of the cap probably gets rented out or used similarly to last off-season given how weak this free agency is. A year from now we are probably right back in the same position with Keldon’s extension about to kick in.

This is the offseason to take risks via the trade market.

[BacktoBasics]

We have great flexibility but the cap space probably won’t return much. My back of the envelop math says ~35mm assuming a 119mm cap and we let Walker walk. 10-12mm will goto those 3 FRPs who won't have an impact for another few years. The rest of the cap probably gets rented out or used similarly to last off-season given how weak this free agency is. A year from now we are probably right back in the same position with Keldon’s extension about to kick in.

This is the offseason to take risks via the trade market.

We’re not letting Walker walk.

[baseline bum]

If Spurs eliminate The Lakers and LeBron leaves. They would have broken up two LeBron super teams

LeBron ain't leaving LA to go play in Orlando, OKC, here, etc

[ZeusWillJudge]

Have you SEEN this roster? We spent half the year playing Drew Eubanks and Bryn ing Forbes

Yet, still somehow as good as a team with LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.

But I'm sure Tim Duncan carried them there, too.

We ain't winning a championship or anything and are lucky to even be in the playoff conversation, but give credit where it's due, dude

I'll make you a deal. Go look at this team's schedule and record for the season here: https://www.basketball-reference.com...022_games.html

Look at WHO they beat, for the most part. Nine of those wins were against the 4 worst teams in the league, who were essentially tanking after the first month. Four more wins came against New Orleans - would you be crowing about the team and coach right now if you were a Pelicans fan?

Yes, they scattered in a few wins against some of the better teams, which is going to happen in the course of a season. But even most of those were earlier in the season, and involved big games from White.

If you look at all that and still think that this is anything other than a very bad team, and if you still think that potentially getting the 15 pick and a 0% chance of getting a Top 4 pick is not so bad? I'll give you credit for being a true believer and just leave you alone. But in exchange, you should try really hard to avoid using this year's broken Lakers as your benchmark for "good".

And if the Spurs get out-tanked in the playin, and wind up out of the lottery, I'm going to bump this as a reminder. We Olympians can be fair, but also petty.

[Chinook]

The Spurs aren't going to be out-tanked from the lottery unless at least two of LAC, NOP/LAL and Minny decide they'd rather not make the playoffs. Making the play-in and losing one of the two games doesn't do anything to the lottery spot they got at the end of the regular season.