The Importance of the Reg Season.

**Lebowski Brickowski** · 10-10-2008

This isn't a topic that comes up here until around February but looking ahead -- waaaay ahead -- I'd be inclined to say that 1st seed is almost critical for the Spurs this year.

I wouldn't go so far as to say the Spurs' low seeding last year was the reason they did not repeat. It would, however, be foolish to say that the Spurs did themselves any favors with their playoff mathcups. Though Pop and Co. would never say it, beating the *akers would have been difficult under any cir stances but after the NO series was probably too tall a task.

So the Spurs got "younger?" Somewhat but 3/4 of "the core" still has old legs.

Artest is now in the division. Barry will thrive in houston like he didn't in SA.

Th *uns will either still be tough reg season opponent and will have a quality WL at the end or they will implode and finish at .500. I tend to trust the former rather than the latter.

Then there's Utah, who don't lose at home.

To me, all of this boils down to the importance of the reg season record. Pop historically pays no heed to seeding, at least publicly. This year I hope he plays FTW in the reg season as well as the POs. He can do this w/out over-playing his older stars. He's the best in the universe at managing minutes.

**xtremesteven33** · 10-10-2008

Its going to be much harder this season to finish 1st due to Manus injury for the first month and a half. We all remember that 2 or 3 games seperated 1st seed and 3rd seed last year. Yes every game is crucial in the regular season this year as it was last year, but looking at it realistically the spurs have a very slim chance at getting the 1st seed.

The regular season is built for younger more talented teams to grab the 1st spot. Not to say the Spurs are not talented or young but there are more teams in the west who can play thier star players longer minutes due to youth. The spurs main stars wont play more than 33 minutes a game.

The only way the Spurs grab the #1 spot is due to injuries to the Hornets or Lakers. Other than that, i just hope the Spurs grab a spot no lower than 4.

**honestfool84** · 10-10-2008

Originally Posted by xtremesteven33

Its going to be much harder this season to finish 1st due to Manus injury for the first month and a half. We all remember that 2 or 3 games seperated 1st seed and 3rd seed last year. Yes every game is crucial in the regular season this year as it was last year, but looking at it realistically the spurs have a very slim chance at getting the 1st seed.

The regular season is built for younger more talented teams to grab the 1st spot. Not to say the Spurs are not talented or young but there are more teams in the west who can play thier star players longer minutes due to youth. The spurs main stars wont play more than 33 minutes a game.

The only way the Spurs grab the #1 spot is due to injuries to the Hornets or Lakers. Other than that, i just hope the Spurs grab a spot no lower than 4.

+1

**Lebowski Brickowski** · 10-10-2008

The only way the Spurs grab the #1 spot is due to injuries to the Hornets or Lakers. Other than that, i just hope the Spurs grab a spot no lower than 4.

That would help but I disagree that it's not possible for #1 seed. The Spurs had a shot at # 2 seed until the last couple of weeks or so last year. Because of injuries to Manu TP, and Barry and because of Finley's horrendous year --the team was NOT clicking at the end of last year -- until the final game vs. Utah (which was basically a throwaway for Sloan.)

He can do this w/out over-playing his older stars. He's the best in the universe at managing minutes.

**Allanon** · 10-10-2008

I agree that #1 seed will be really nice this year with so many good teams again.

But I have to go with steven and honestfool, #1 seed is gonna be hard for the Spurs even WITH Manu. Without Manu in the first 2 months, its next to impossible as all the other teams will gain unsurmountable ground.

**rascal** · 10-10-2008

Forget the number 1 seed. Even with a healthy Manu the spurs would have a hard time getting the number 1 seed.

**HarlemHeat37** · 10-10-2008

#1 is irrelevant to me..we aren't getting it, nor does anybody on our team seem to care about it..

we need to avoid LA or Houston in the 1st round..they're the only 2 teams that I feel like we don't matchup against, unless Mahinmi steps up, which is probably unlikely..

New Orleans and Utah are overrated..we own Phoenix..

**xellos88330** · 10-10-2008

If the Spurs are able to compete at a high-level with the other powers in the western conference while Manu is out, IMO when he returns, the Spurs will have just as good of a shot (if not better) of landing the #1 seed.

**xtremesteven33** · 10-10-2008

Originally Posted by xellos88330

If the Spurs are able to compete at a high-level with the other powers in the western conference while Manu is out, IMO when he returns, the Spurs will have just as good of a shot (if not better) of landing the #1 seed.

agreed, but this all depends on Hill and Mason. How good will they perform.

Mason needs to put up like 15 PPG when Manu is out for us to even have a shot at winning games.

**HarlemHeat37** · 10-10-2008

well he put up relatively huge numbers with Arenas out last year, so hopefully he'll do the same for us..on extremely efficient numbers too..

I'm not scared about the regular season..I think we'll end up with a 5th-6th seed, and that's fine with me..

**mrspurs** · 10-10-2008

Originally Posted by Lebowski Brickowski

This isn't a topic that comes up here until around February but looking ahead -- waaaay ahead -- I'd be inclined to say that 1st seed is almost critical for the Spurs this year.

I wouldn't go so far as to say the Spurs' low seeding last year was the reason they did not repeat. It would, however, be foolish to say that the Spurs did themselves any favors with their playoff mathcups. Though Pop and Co. would never say it, beating the *akers would have been difficult under any cir stances but after the NO series was probably too tall a task.

So the Spurs got "younger?" Somewhat but 3/4 of "the core" still has old legs.

Artest is now in the division. Barry will thrive in houston like he didn't in SA.

Th *uns will either still be tough reg season opponent and will have a quality WL at the end or they will implode and finish at .500. I tend to trust the former rather than the latter.

Then there's Utah, who don't lose at home.

To me, all of this boils down to the importance of the reg season record. Pop historically pays no heed to seeding, at least publicly. This year I hope he plays FTW in the reg season as well as the POs. He can do this w/out over-playing his older stars. He's the best in the universe at managing minutes.

Well said, and with that in mind make no mistake because of our experience teams in our division alone will do everything to keep us from finishing #1. And we're the only team in our divison minus the Grizz that have alot of rookies thus far. With a rested manu and if we can find someone who can rest timmy imo we will make a late push like we always do towards the end of the season. Player wise I dont see anyone helping Manu get rest or Tim getting rest. Manu's ankle is the player whos gonna give him rest. And without Manu we will fall behind rather quick. We won game 7 against NO because of big brick bobs knockout blow to west's back. And with ron in houston at this stage in his career tells me houston is the team to beat in our division. Unlike most of the players on the rockets ron has the full package. solid d, can hit from beyond the arc and has a great post up game. If the spurs want another one of these

they must know without at least one HCA series, they're in trouble. My only hope is we dont make a trade later in the season and mess up the chemistry we have like we did last season. We were only a few games of possibly beating the Celtics. When they traded elson and brought in mighty mouse my friends and I thought what the heck was the FO thinking. Come this far then screw with the team. Imo we were doing fine until that late trade. And there is noway Kurt Thomas is gonna help us win more games. Only time will tell

**mrspurs** · 10-10-2008

Originally Posted by xtremesteven33

Its going to be much harder this season to finish 1st due to Manus injury for the first month and a half. We all remember that 2 or 3 games seperated 1st seed and 3rd seed last year. Yes every game is crucial in the regular season this year as it was last year, but looking at it realistically the spurs have a very slim chance at getting the 1st seed.

The regular season is built for younger more talented teams to grab the 1st spot. Not to say the Spurs are not talented or young but there are more teams in the west who can play thier star players longer minutes due to youth. The spurs main stars wont play more than 33 minutes a game.

The only way the Spurs grab the #1 spot is due to injuries to the Hornets or Lakers. Other than that, i just hope the Spurs grab a spot no lower than 4.

Agreed, but I hate saying our hopes depend on other teams injuries and not our talent. But your right as can be.

**mrspurs** · 10-10-2008

Originally Posted by xtremesteven33

agreed, but this all depends on Hill and Mason. How good will they perform.

Mason needs to put up like 15 PPG when Manu is out for us to even have a shot at winning games.

And we all know Roger has never put up those kind of numbers. And in this system miss a few shots in a row and you will get yanked. Roger and Hill better focus on defense.

**mrspurs** · 10-10-2008

This thread should be called the Ifs of a this years regular season.

**Lebowski Brickowski** · 10-10-2008

And there is noway Kurt Thomas is gonna help us win more games

Do you forget how much Houston kills the Spurs on the boards every single time they play? Kurt is gonna be key agaist Houston. (I'm still not too worried about Houston though)

I'm more worried about 1st round vs. NO and 2nd round vs. Utah on the rd. or however it plays out. Some combo of two higher seeds on the rd in the POs.

Again -- it's way too early to think abour possible matchups but I'm just sayin.......

**T Park** · 10-10-2008

First off assuming New Orleans will have a perfect health season AGAIN, with a team loaded with injury prone players is an assumption that is based in nothing but falsehood.

Utah being a "threat" is very laughable.

**easjer** · 10-10-2008

The difference I want to see between the beginning of this season and last is actual effort on the part of the vets. Not burn-out effort, but the appearance of caring would be nice to see.

**Lebowski Brickowski** · 10-10-2008

Originally Posted by T Park

First off assuming New Orleans will have a perfect health season AGAIN, with a team loaded with injury prone players is an assumption that is based in nothing but falsehood.

you can subs ue Houston for NO also.

But just from the vantage point of the Spurs own roster and age errr.. experience -- a top 2 seed could make or break the Spurs playoffs this year. It almost happened last year -- how many threads started with ...

"Would this be the hardest road to the trophy ever?"

Well -- it could be even harder this year if the Spurs don't position themselves better.

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