Spurs Now The 2nd Best In West... Or Something More?

[Obstructed_View]

We're #2, but a distant #2 behind the Lakers.

The truth hurts.

The Rockets sans Yao and TMac proved that nobody is a distant second behind anybody.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

The Lakers are number 1 overall until they are beat.
Not gonna be easy, but I think it's the spurs to beat them or Lakers back to back..
I think Laker fans might agree, it's always been this way.

With respect, everyone says stuff like this. They're still the champs until someone beats them. Simply not true. They're still the champs NOW. But on the the first day of the '09/'10 season, they're no longer the champs. No one is. There is no '09/'10 champ until someone wins the '09/'10 championship. This isn't boxing. You're not the champ until someone beats you. You're the champ until the next season begins.

If the Spurs get another quality big man, they'll be on the level with any team in basketball, if healthy. The Lakers aren't the best team in basketball until someone proves otherwise... they WERE the best team in basketball last season. They're not the best team in '09/'10 until they prove it next season. Just like everyone else.

[Dex]

Gotta beat the best to be the best. Lakers are still No. 1 until someone takes them down.

But the Spurs have definitely closed the gap considerably this summer.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Gotta beat the best to be the best. Lakers are still No. 1 until someone takes them down.

But the Spurs have definitely closed the gap considerably this summer.

Well, as I just mentioned... I disagree. They WERE the #1 team in basketball in '08/'09. But they haven't proven anything more in the '09/'10 season than anyone else. Again... this isn't boxing. You're only the champs until the first day of the next season. You still have BRAGGING rights until someone else wins the championship... but that's not the same as being the best team until someone proves otherwise.

[Dex]

Well, as I just mentioned... I disagree. They WERE the #1 team in basketball in '08/'09. But they haven't proven anything more in the '09/'10 season than anyone else. Again... this isn't boxing. You're only the champs until the first day of the next season. You still have BRAGGING rights until someone else wins the championship... but that's not the same as being the best team until someone proves otherwise.

So you don't believe in the concept of 'defending champions' in basketball, football, baseball, etc?

While it's mostly a matter of opinion and everyone's en led to their own, I'd venture to say the players like having their chance to 'defend their crown'. Especially in leagues where the difference between champs and dynasties seems to be stringing together multiple les.

[xellos88330]

Who cares about power rankings? Here's all that matters: Unlike last year, the Spurs have bullets in the chamber. How they use them will determine how good they are.

I like this take.

[Buddy Holly]

When it comes down to the end you don't win championships on paper. As good as these teams are getting with all these trades I beleive the spurs have the best finishers for the close games that will decide series in the playoffs. With all of these teams becoming elite it is going to come down to who can execute it crunch time.

Late Game Weapons

Cavs= Lebron is overated in these situations although he did hit a big shot last offseason. Shaq is a non-factor late in games because you can just foul him and send him to the line.

Magic=Vince Carter will demand the ball resulting in horrible shot.

Lakers= have Kobe (as much as I hate to admit it.) who is good in the clutch. Derek Fisher on offense Ariza (assuming he is a Laker next season.) for defense.

Celtics= Ray allen, Paul Pierce, Garnett not so much

Spurs=Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Roger Mason clutch on offense. Manu and Duncan clutch on defense. I wish we would bring back Bruce for another late game defensive stopper but we will see.

If you look at it the three best teams at executing late in the game will probably be the Celtics, Spurs, and the Lakers.

But who is going to get clutch rebounds or block shots for the lakers. Gasol-Too soft
Bynum-nope
Odom-yeah right

For the Celtics who is going to be able to force a turnover in the clutch.

Not any one of there big three. Maybe Rondo but who knows if he will have is head on straight.

Spurs have it all in the clutch.
Duncan- the greatest of late game passers
Ginobili- forcing late game turnovers
Parker- no longer afraid to take the big shot
Mason-Role player will be in to shoot the three in the clutch with ice water in his vains.
Duncan- You are NOT going to get to the rim against the spurs in the clutch forget about it Duncan is great at protecting the rim in the clutch and he can also get that big rebound when it matters
And if we bring back Bowen for at least one more year we will have someone not afraid to guard the other teams best player in crunch time.

This is my argument that the Spurs will win the le. If we are on the right side of the injury basketball gods we will have the best team when it matters most.

I'm not saying it is going to be easy but its when you are biting your finger nails that the best memories are made.....GO SPURS GO

Dude, where's Jefferson?

[Buddy Holly]

Gotta beat the best to be the best. Lakers are still No. 1 until someone takes them down.

That's too simplistic of a saying. It's a nice catch phrase but it's BS.

[Spurm]

Pathetic dumbasses..you ain't going nowhere next season

[rascal]

i have no doubt that if healthy, we are the best team in the West now. and if we add another solid post player with the MLE, best team in the league.

Go Spurs Go!!!!

Not yet. They need another starting caliber frontline player.

[rascal]

We're #2, but a distant #2 behind the Lakers.

The truth hurts.

True, but the Spurs are not finished yet. Who they add from here on out will determine if the spurs have a realistic shot at the Lakers.

[BackHome]

I hope RC isn't blowing smoke up our ass in saying that they will sign the players we need cap or no cap. Because until we get a decent big we got no chance with this team winning another ring.

With his little speech saying they are going to make movers in the draft I thought for sure we would buy our way into the first round. So how did the Nuggs get the Wolves 18th pick for their protected 2010 first rounder? , I would have thrown in our fist and second round pick to get Omri or Young.

[Mel_13]

I hope RC isn't blowing smoke up our ass in saying that they will sign the players we need cap or no cap. Because until we get a decent big we got no chance with this team winning another ring.

With his little speech saying they are going to make movers in the draft I thought for sure we would buy our way into the first round. So how did the Nuggs get the Wolves 18th pick for their protected 2010 first rounder? , I would have thrown in our fist and second round pick to get Omri or Young.

After the RJ trade, RC and Pop continued to raise expectations when they could have rested on their laurels. We'll know in the next week or so who their FA targets are, but Pop had no reason to specifically mention using the MLE to get a 4 if they planned to only look for low-cost help. We'll see.

FYI, the pick Denver sent to Minny was Charlotte's protected 2010 pick.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

True, but the Spurs are not finished yet. Who they add from here on out will determine if the spurs have a realistic shot at the Lakers.

I don't think that is true (that the Spurs are a distant #2 behind Lakers). Had the Spurs been healthy either of the last 2 postseasons, they could have been compe ive with the Lakers. Maybe not quite as good (without Jefferson), but certainly compe ive.

The Spurs seem a lot less relevant than they are because they haven't been healthy in the playoffs for the last couple seasons. Now, with Jefferson and Blair, if Tim and Manu are 100% in the playoffs, there's no way the Spurs are a "distant" second to anyone in this league. And with one more post addition, this Spurs roster won't be second to anyone, period... distant or otherwise.

[rascal]

I don't think that is true (that the Spurs are a distant #2 behind Lakers). Had the Spurs been healthy either of the last 2 postseasons, they could have been compe ive with the Lakers. Maybe not quite as good (without Jefferson), but certainly compe ive.

The Spurs seem a lot less relevant than they are because they haven't been healthy in the playoffs for the last couple seasons. Now, with Jefferson and Blair, if Tim and Manu are 100% in the playoffs, there's not way the Spurs are a "distant" second to anyone in this league. And with one more post addition, this Spurs roster won't be second to anyone, period.

Depends on who they add at center. If they get a soft bust they will not win.

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Depends on who they add at center. If they get a soft bust they will not win.

I'm very confident that they'll be adding a very capable big man. There are options, and the Spurs have the ability to get something done.