Hardest 1st two rounds ever?

[1Parker1]

It's a toss up between this year and 2006. Of course we lost in 2006 so that one probably wins.

I can't remember, who'd they play in the first round in 06?

[rAm]

This le run is so important to the Spurs' Legacy it is rediculous.

[JMarkJohns]

Game one was the freaking series. If the Spurs lost that, it would have gone seven, and not sure which way.

I agree 100% with this series. I died at game one's conclusion.

[ShoogarBear]

The Suns were basically a 60+ win team that suffered losses during the transition time after the Shaq trade. The Hornets were probably the best team in the Western Conference during the regular season for a majority of the season. Not only do I think these Hornets could come out of the East, they were probably a top 5-7 team the Spurs have played in the Tim Duncan Era.

, the Hornets were better than any team the Spurs have played in the Finals except for the 05 Pistons.

As a first pass, I'd probably rank the best teams the Spurs have faced during the Duncan Era:

2001 Lakers
2002 Lakers
2005 Pistons
2006 Mavs
2008 Hornets
2004 Lakers
2007 Suns
2008 Suns
2005 Suns
2003 Nets
2003 Mavs
2003 Lakers
2006 Kings
1999 Blazers
2007 Jazz
1999 Knicks
2007 Cavs

(probably one of the Denver teams should be in that list if I think about it some more)

[1Parker1]

If the Spurs knock off Phoenix (built to beat them), Hornets (upcoming power with arguable MVP), Lakers (MVP and PJax), and then either Boston or Detroit (Boston would have more media luster) on their way to a repeat, it would peg that critics meter at zero forever.

Completely agree. Hands down this would be the toughest road to the finals. Just look at the other 3 teams left standing and their opponents:

Lakers; Nuggets and Jazz
Celtics: Hawks and Cavs
Pistons: Sixers and Magic

It's not even close to the level of compe ion the Spurs have faced. Of course, this could either help the Spurs or hurt the Spurs depending on how it pans out. It could give them confidence and momentum or it could just make them a lot more tired as these first two rounds were mentally draining on the fans, can't imagine how it's been on the players!

[1Parker1]

, the Hornets were better than any team the Spurs have played in the Finals except for the 05 Pistons.

As a first pass, I'd probably rank the best teams the Spurs have faced during the Duncan Era:

2001 Lakers
2002 Lakers
2005 Pistons
2006 Mavs
2008 Hornets
2004 Lakers
2007 Suns
2008 Suns
2005 Suns
2003 Nets
2003 Mavs
2003 Lakers
2006 Kings
1999 Blazers
2007 Jazz
1999 Knicks
2007 Cavs

(probably one of the Denver teams should be in that list if I think about it some more)

I think the 07/08 Suns were tougher than the 08 Hornets. If Pop had made some of the adjustments earlier and if the Spurs had decided to play for 48 minutes on any other road trip in NO, this series could possibly have been less stressful and over quicker.

[timvp]

, the Hornets were better than any team the Spurs have played in the Finals except for the 05 Pistons.

As a first pass, I'd probably rank the best teams the Spurs have faced during the Duncan Era:

2001 Lakers
2002 Lakers
2005 Pistons
2006 Mavs
2008 Hornets
2004 Lakers
2007 Suns
2008 Suns
2005 Suns
2003 Nets
2003 Mavs
2003 Lakers
2006 Kings
1999 Blazers
2007 Jazz
1999 Knicks
2007 Cavs

(probably one of the Denver teams should be in that list if I think about it some more)

That's a pretty good ranking. I'd put the 2003 Lakers a lot high though. Three-time defending champions, would have been four-time champions if the Spurs didn't beat them. I'd probably move them up all the way to the top five.

[Cry Havoc]

I think the 07/08 Suns were tougher than the 08 Hornets. If Pop had made some of the adjustments earlier and if the Spurs had decided to play for 48 minutes on any other road trip in NO, this series could possibly have been less stressful and over quicker.

Not even close.

The Suns had no interior defense this year, and their players are about 100x as active as Phoenix.

Paul >> Nash. Take Nash out of the equation, and what's left on Phoenix? Amare?

I think the Hornets were much tougher than the Suns.

[Cry Havoc]

, the Hornets were better than any team the Spurs have played in the Finals except for the 05 Pistons.

As a first pass, I'd probably rank the best teams the Spurs have faced during the Duncan Era:

2001 Lakers
2002 Lakers
2005 Pistons
2006 Mavs
2008 Hornets
2004 Lakers
2007 Suns
2008 Suns
2005 Suns
2003 Nets
2003 Mavs
2003 Lakers
2006 Kings
1999 Blazers
2007 Jazz
1999 Knicks
2007 Cavs

(probably one of the Denver teams should be in that list if I think about it some more)

I'd put the Blazers ahead of the Kings, and the Cavs ahead of the Knicks on that list, but other than that, I like it in terms of the amount of trouble the teams gave us.

I'd like to see the 05 Pistons against those two Lakers teams. Would have been fun to watch.

[ShoogarBear]

That's a pretty good ranking. I'd put the 2003 Lakers a lot high though. Three-time defending champions, would have been four-time champions if the Spurs didn't beat them. I'd probably move them up all the way to the top five.

Yeah, they should be moved up. I don't think to top five, given the way they went out, but maybe right below the 07 Suns. The 2005 Suns should be moved lower than any of the 03 teams.

2001 Lakers
2002 Lakers
2005 Pistons
2006 Mavs
2008 Hornets
2004 Lakers
2007 Suns
2003 Lakers
2008 Suns
2003 Nets
2003 Mavs
2005 Suns
2006 Kings
1999 Blazers
2007 Jazz
1999 Knicks
2007 Cavs

Too bad there's no way to do a multi-ranking poll of everyone.

[pku47]

, the Hornets were better than any team the Spurs have played in the Finals except for the 05 Pistons.

As a first pass, I'd probably rank the best teams the Spurs have faced during the Duncan Era:

2001 Lakers
2002 Lakers
2005 Pistons
2006 Mavs
2008 Hornets
2004 Lakers
2007 Suns
2008 Suns
2005 Suns
2003 Nets
2003 Mavs
2003 Lakers
2006 Kings
1999 Blazers
2007 Jazz
1999 Knicks
2007 Cavs

(probably one of the Denver teams should be in that list if I think about it some more)

Pretty nice rank.

If Dirk was healthy, I would rank the 03mavs as top as 07suns.

[LakerLanny]

Not only was this the most difficult first two rounds in Spurs history, there's a case for it being the most difficult first two rounds in NBA history.

Maybe it was difficult for the Spurs because they aren't that good.

The Suns are 0 Finals appearances since 1976.

The Hornets have never been to even a conference finals.

And these are the two teams you are getting so geeked up about? That are so tough?

You are about to find out what tough is and it isn't the New Orleans Friggen Hornets or a broken down Suns team.

[G-Nob]

If they go all the way this year, they would've definitely earned it.

[Say-Townbball]

Yeah definitely, IMO.

agreed

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I can't remember, who'd they play in the first round in 06?

Sacramento... To be fair to Sacramento, that was with Adelman when they were in their waning "playoff contender" years. It was only difficult for the Spurs because of match up problems Artest plus Contract Year Bonzi--and a gimpy Tim and Manu.

It was another one of those cases where the 8th seed didn't rightfully reflect their true record (they went on a final season tear--a la the Warriors)
To add some perspective though, going into the 2007, since Ron Artest was traded Kings were projected to be a top contender I think on paper.
I might be mistaken though.
Houston was supposed to be it for 2008.

[SPARKY]

Maybe it was difficult for the Spurs because they aren't that good.

The Suns are 0 Finals appearances since 1976.

The Hornets have never been to even a conference finals.

So ing what? This is 2008, Grandpa. Don't forget to take your meds. And change out your Depends, you're beginning to smell.

[peskypesky]

Definitely the hardest, IMO.