Spurs VS Boston is a True Test

[z0sa]

I agree its a test. But I don't think it means much. Runners in a marathon have to climb hills. Over the course of the season, when these games are piling up and both the Spurs and other teams have a majority of the season behind them, they will begin to mean more and more. Near the end, it will probably be a sprint to the finish if everything goes well. Hopefully the Spurs are right there.

Like said, it's only December folks. Remember 2007, right? right??

[TD 21]

? i never said anything about conceding the game or that we have no chance, we do have a great chance, especially being at home

my point is, that IF we lose, this forum will go crazy and start talking about trading everyone and restarting the franchise (ok, i'm exaggerating, but you know what i mean)

i think the Spurs will win this game, as we're playing much better recently.. just stating a ST observation as of late

You may not have said that, but you inferred that with your defeatist at ude.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm not suggesting to take it to that extent, but this game should be taken seriously and not just brushed off as "just another game".

Sounds great. Let's just play Duncan, Parker and Manu all 40+ minutes in a game that means nothing.

You're right, they might all need a month off to recover if they play extended minutes one night. Never mind the fact that they've all missed games, had their minutes monitored more closely than ever and the Spurs have had plenty of off days early in the season.

This game does mean something. It means something for the Spurs confidence and psyche, to let them know that they can not just compete, but beat, elite teams again. That's important and because of all the factors I mentioned, I see no reason why Duncan and Parker can't play around 40 minutes and Ginobili between 30-35.

Look at how ultra conservative the majority of Spurs fans have become, as if the key players can never play extended minutes in the regular season, yet old men like Bryant, Nowitzki and Pierce are routinely playing extended minutes.

[TD 21]

NOBODY is conceding or arguing that they shouldn't play the game with focus and intensity. NOBODY is saying that the Spurs should make no effort.

For 's sake, READ what is being said.

This game is NOT a test. NO game in NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, or JANUARY is a test of the championship-readiness or capability of this team.

The novel idea you propose? Is a TERRIBLE idea precisely because it is EXACTLY the WRONG mentality to have. There is no reason to go balls-out to win this game. I might, might give you that against the Lakers, maybe. If I were drunk. But certainly not against the Celtics, a team that has been wavering of late and isn't even in our ing conference. This game means nothing more than any other game and there is absolutely no reason to interrupt the process of team-building (you know, that thing that will ACTUALLY determine whether or not they are able to acheive championship levels, as opposed to a ing meaningless hype game in ing December) to 'make a statement' when what needs to happen is to continue to work the pieces.

This game may be an ideal time to try some things out against a better team and to see how well their defense is really holding up, but that's it.

You may not all be saying that directly, but you're inferring it. Acting like this game is no more important than playing the Kings and pretending as if the big three would need a month off it they were to play extended minutes one night. If that's the at ude you're going to have, then you're basically conceding a loss, because that won't get it done against the Celtics.

If this was 03-08, I'd agree with you. But what's taken place the last two calendar years is a fall from grace. I think it's important for this group, particularly with how they've struggled early in the season against good compe ion, to beat a team like the Celtics, especially when you consider all the factors in their favor.

So going all out to send a ing message for once (as opposed to rolling over) is not "team building" how? So many of you have been ing brainwashed by the "Spurs way" of doing things. Just because they're the team you go for not everything they do is automatically right.

Careful there girl...if you disagree with TD 21 he will accuse you of lacking respect for him because you have a high post count and he doesn't.

That's only losers like you with high posts counts who band together in every thread where someone isn't spouting the company line. , am I supposed to apologize for having an opinion that isn't "Spurs like"? Because after all, this franchise has won every championship in the history of the league and they're never wrong in their approach to anything.

[HarlemHeat37]

Really? Hard to argue with the Celtics and Lakers les isn't it?
Just as it was hard to argue with our le runs.

What's the argument though?..

talent always gets you wins though..it's not like this team wasn't winning a lot of games AND using the same approach, where the RRT brought the team together..the difference now is that the team isn't as good, so the wins are harder to come by..

every team uses long road trips to come together, not just the Spurs..

The league always changes, pay attention. And it's not an either/or situation: the Spurs have gotten older and the league has changed.

the league hasn't changed since 2007, at least not in a significant way..where do you think it has changed?..the last time the league significantly changed was in 2005, where the post-handcheck era began..

the Celtics won a le using the exact same style that brought us les(as KG and Rivers both have stated), they stayed healthy and had the talent to do it..

the Lakers of last year didn't do anything that stood out stylistically..

[raspsa]

Its called "pounding the rock" and its worked well enough to earn Pop s 4 championships. Just enjoy the ride.

[quentin_compson]

I think as far as RS games go, it is a bigger game than most, because Boston might be the best team in the East. Granted, we played the Mavs twice, and they have a similar record as the Celtics right now, but I think we'd all agree that Dallas isn't the type of contender Boston is.

Last season's win against the Celtics might have been the best game we played in the regular season. Still, it's only the beginning of December, we already had some injuries to key players, and Pop and TP still haven't figured out how to use RJ more consistently on the offensive end.

I'm looking forward to the game, as it's always fun to watch our guys matching with (other) elite teams, but I won't read too much into it, regardless of the outcome.

[benefactor]

You may not all be saying that directly, but you're inferring it. Acting like this game is no more important than playing the Kings and pretending as if the big three would need a month off it they were to play extended minutes one night. If that's the at ude you're going to have, then you're basically conceding a loss, because that won't get it done against the Celtics.

If this was 03-08, I'd agree with you. But what's taken place the last two calendar years is a fall from grace. I think it's important for this group, particularly with how they've struggled early in the season against good compe ion, to beat a team like the Celtics, especially when you consider all the factors in their favor.

So going all out to send a ing message for once (as opposed to rolling over) is not "team building" how? So many of you have been ing brainwashed by the "Spurs way" of doing things. Just because they're the team you go for not everything they do is automatically right.

Lol...I can always depend on you to play the "brainwashed" card. It's almost as good as your post count conspiracy theory.

Nobody is saying they want to lose. That is just another link in your long chain of broad brushed assumptions that you love to make. I got an idea...how about actually being honest about what has gone on in the last two seasons instead of trying to make it sound like not playing hard early has had anything to do with...well...anything. Last season there were a lot of injuries both early and late in the year. The regular season the year before we were fine...all the way up to the point where Manu injured his ankle in the playoffs. The last two seasons had much more to do with unfortunate cir stances than some sort of "fall from grace". You say you would agree with the philosophy if it was 03-08, but now you wouldn't? That makes zero sense. Everyone was younger then and they had a core group that had been together for several years. It's more important now to play them more minutes to prove a point now that they are older...and couple that with half the team being new? Lmao.

The thing you are not getting is that you don't send any messages with this game or any game at this point in the season. If this game had some sort of conference or division implications I might give you some rope...but in the grand scheme this game doesn't mean a lot. Do I want win? Sure I do. Do I want to play Duncan and Parker 40 minutes or Manu 35 minutes to get that win. Nope.

That's only losers like you with high posts counts who band together in every thread where someone isn't spouting the company line. , am I supposed to apologize for having an opinion that isn't "Spurs like"? Because after all, this franchise has won every championship in the history of the league and they're never wrong in their approach to anything.

......

[anakha]

There's a post count conspiracy?

[VBM]

Not to put another member on blast (I don't have the post count to do that...kidding), but posts like these are the reason I hate to buy into the "who cares about the (early) reg. season..."

As Long As They Are Compe ive, and Show Improvement Ill be Happy whether They Win Or lose..... Go SPURS!

I don't care how well they play...I'll be damned if I'm ever happy after a Spurs loss...

[benefactor]

There's a post count conspiracy?

According to this there is:

That's only losers like you with high posts counts who band together in every thread where someone isn't spouting the company line.

It's him against us dammit!

[benefactor]

Not to put another member on blast (I don't have the post count to do that...kidding), but posts like these are the reason I hate to buy into the "who cares about the (early) reg. season..."



I don't care how well they play...I'll be damned if I'm ever happy after a Spurs loss...

It depends for me. Happy is probably not a good word. I would go with something like, "not quite as disappointed". The Mavs overtime game is a good example.

[VBM]

It depends for me. Happy is probably not a good word. I would go with something like, "not quite as disappointed". The Mavs overtime game is a good example.

Yeah, but even in that one, we made so many mistakes down the stretch, and it's just hard for me to chalk that up to not being familiar with each other (at the end of the day, it's just basketball).

I guess this argument is getting run into the ground...like I said from the jump, both schools of thought are valid IMO...it just comes down to each particular fan in how they view the importance of these games. Gotta say I'm really looking forward to the pulse of this site once this game is over with, win or lose...

[UnWantedTheory]

Does this game win the championship for us. No,but its one step closer to that goal. The championship trophy is not just waiting there for the Spurs. They have to work to get to it. IT just seems silly to me that the season is to be taken for granted.

Injuries can happen to anyone at any given time. It's part of the territory of being in a heavy physical activity such as sports. If we have to constantly be paranoid and walking on eggs over injuries then we are already in trouble. If we are so scared about an injury we even play.

I'm not talking about us winning or losing this game. Win or lose as long as the Spurs "compete" that what matters most right now.

Did you think they have not competed thus far? If so, what have they been doing then?
You are not understanding what is being said and are obviously at a loss concerning the Spurs situation.

[UnWantedTheory]

According to this there is:

It's him against us dammit!

Dear Benefactor,

I am writing you sir in an attempt to gain access into your high post count conspiracy group. I truly feel I can bring something special and significant to your future conspiracies, regardless of my low post count. I know what an esteemed individual as yourself might be thinking sir, but my post count will be a wondrous and formidable sight one day sir...If only you will give me the chance.


Grassyass,
UnwantedTheory

[benefactor]

You're talking to the wrong poster bro. The problems I have with certain posters has nothing to do with post count and everything to do with proper use of the grey matter in between their ears.

You'll have to talk to TD 21. It's his theory.

[all_heart]

It's going to be a good game, a really tough one at that. I'd like to see the Spurs play 4 quarters of good all-around ball and dig this one out. It would be a good confidence booster, one that takes the team to a higher level they are capable of. And of course it would let us fans feel better too!

[benefactor]

I like the idea of playing solid, fundamental defense to get the win instead of trying to win with star power.

[TDMVPDPOY]

this will be a spurs win...

[easjer]

Lol...I can always depend on you to play the "brainwashed" card. It's almost as good as your post count conspiracy theory.

Nobody is saying they want to lose. That is just another link in your long chain of broad brushed assumptions that you love to make. I got an idea...how about actually being honest about what has gone on in the last two seasons instead of trying to make it sound like not playing hard early has had anything to do with...well...anything. Last season there were a lot of injuries both early and late in the year. The regular season the year before we were fine...all the way up to the point where Manu injured his ankle in the playoffs. The last two seasons had much more to do with unfortunate cir stances than some sort of "fall from grace". You say you would agree with the philosophy if it was 03-08, but now you wouldn't? That makes zero sense. Everyone was younger then and they had a core group that had been together for several years. It's more important now to play them more minutes to prove a point now that they are older...and couple that with half the team being new? Lmao.

The thing you are not getting is that you don't send any messages with this game or any game at this point in the season. If this game had some sort of conference or division implications I might give you some rope...but in the grand scheme this game doesn't mean a lot. Do I want win? Sure I do. Do I want to play Duncan and Parker 40 minutes or Manu 35 minutes to get that win. Nope.

......

You saved me from having to type it out yet again. Merci beaucoup!

And brainwashed to believe whatever the organization tells me to believe? :snort:

Sure. Ask my husband about that one, will you?

It has nothing to do with what the organization says, but with my own observation of the Spurs over a 15+ year period, and what works and what doesn't.

[easjer]

I like the idea of playing solid, fundamental defense to get the win instead of trying to win with star power.

Again, thanks.

Right on.

[mogrovejo]

The Celtics have been playing bellow their level in some aspects of the game - rebounding, perimeter defence (especially at the point of attack), closing out on, outside shooting.- Their effort isn't consistent through the games and Ainge has called them out (as he said, they only start playing once they have their backs against the wall). The Spurs are playing sub-par basketball as well. I expect the team that shoots the ball better from beyond the line to win it, but this game will be pretty meaningless, IMO.

[TD 21]

Lol...I can always depend on you to play the "brainwashed" card. It's almost as good as your post count conspiracy theory.

Nobody is saying they want to lose. That is just another link in your long chain of broad brushed assumptions that you love to make. I got an idea...how about actually being honest about what has gone on in the last two seasons instead of trying to make it sound like not playing hard early has had anything to do with...well...anything. Last season there were a lot of injuries both early and late in the year. The regular season the year before we were fine...all the way up to the point where Manu injured his ankle in the playoffs. The last two seasons had much more to do with unfortunate cir stances than some sort of "fall from grace". You say you would agree with the philosophy if it was 03-08, but now you wouldn't? That makes zero sense. Everyone was younger then and they had a core group that had been together for several years. It's more important now to play them more minutes to prove a point now that they are older...and couple that with half the team being new? Lmao.

The thing you are not getting is that you don't send any messages with this game or any game at this point in the season. If this game had some sort of conference or division implications I might give you some rope...but in the grand scheme this game doesn't mean a lot. Do I want win? Sure I do. Do I want to play Duncan and Parker 40 minutes or Manu 35 minutes to get that win. Nope.

......

Post count conspiracy theory?

You are brainwashed. No original opinions whatsoever, just repeating the company line over and over.

You act like the big three would need a month to recover if they played extended minutes in one game. So either you're essentially willing to concede the game or you think playing them low minutes will get it done against a team of this caliber? It's not about not playing hard (that's never been a problem in the Duncan era), it's about actually treating this game as more than just one of 82: because it is. Whether the Spurs or you want to admit it or not, it is. This is bigger than playing the Kings, even if it only counts for one game in the standings. When the Spurs were at their peak and were the team to beat, games like this, regular season / early winter didn't mean much. But this isn't 03-07 and the Spurs are no longer the hunted; they're the hunter. I don't care what they've accomplished in the path, this particular version of the team hasn't had a truly significant win yet. This would be one.

It's not about sending messages, either. It's about confidence and psyche and this team leaving the arena tonight knowing that they can beat an elite team. I'm so sick of the defeatist/deferential at ude that's gone on the past two years with this team. They speak of wanting to win another championship, then they roll over virtually every time they face an elite team.

Again, why can't they play that many minutes one time? Would they die? Old men like Bryant, Nowitzki and Pierce do it regularly and yet still have enough gas left in the tank to make significant contributions in the playoffs. I'm not suggesting that the Spurs do that, but certain games you play to win moreso than you do just to see how much you can get away with. This is one of those games.

You saved me from having to type it out yet again. Merci beaucoup!

And brainwashed to believe whatever the organization tells me to believe? :snort:

Sure. Ask my husband about that one, will you?

It has nothing to do with what the organization says, but with my own observation of the Spurs over a 15+ year period, and what works and what doesn't.

It's a different time. This isn't 03-07 and what worked then won't necessarily work now. It used to be other teams had to measure up to the Spurs in hyped up regular season games; now it's the other way around.

[kbrury]

The battle has begun....again

[Scola]

What is the health status for tonight's game? Is everyone at 100%?
(I've missed the past 2/3 games for the spurs)

[Mel_13]

It's not about not playing hard (that's never been a problem in the Duncan era), it's about actually treating this game as more than just one of 82: because it is. Whether the Spurs or you want to admit it or not, it is.

No it's not, it's just your opinion that it is. An opinion clearly not shared by the leadership of the team.