This is a good reminder of ...

[ShoogarBear]

I actually think blowing the huge lead Game 2 was the difference rather than the Game 1 loss, but winning either one of those might have made this a different series.

Truth is, the Spurs have always relied on a psychological advantage against the Suns, who arguably have always had better talent. Also never underestimate the addition by subtraction of Mr. Go-Go-Go "coaching" on the sidelines.

As for next year, I just don't see it. Duncan and Manu are clearly in decline. Even if Tony is healthy, Splitter comes, and Hill and Blair improve, there just will not be that top-level talent to win a ring.

[ploto]

Sure glad they didn't bring back Hedo though...

Hedo left in 2004.

[EricB]

I don't see how Manu is clearly in decline... A better bench makes them not have to work as hard....

[ShoogarBear]

They also traded Beno for nothing.

That was a bargain.

[NewJerSpur]

Hedo left in 2004.

That was my point.

[timvp]

It is also a reminder of all the extra good luck it took for the Spurs to win their last le. I still contend that it was the fool's gold that set up the disappointments of the past 3 seasons.

@ fool's gold championship

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I don't see how Manu is clearly in decline... A better bench makes them not have to work as hard....

omg i'm actually agreeing with tpark

[slayermin]

I saw how we lost. I saw why we lost. But I just can't believe we lost. I really thought our team matched up well with the Lakers. Cleveland and Orlando is another story, but I thought we would give the Lakers all they wanted.

For me, losing this series hurts pretty bad. At least it was a quick stab to the gut rather than a stick it in and twist it type of loss. But as crazy as it sounds, I still don't think the Suns are better than the Spurs. They were definitely a bad matchup.

For some reason, broken nose or cold streak, Manu was never the same after game three against Dallas. And I take comfort in the fact that championship number five was never gonna happen unless the Manu we saw end the season and begin the playoffs returned.

At least my vacation plans become simple as I will be spending two weeks in Santa Cruz this summer to forget it all.

Until next year,

[timvp]

Has Manu returned to S om or did he simply prove that he can provide periods of spectacular play but then his legs catch up to him? I'm not sure, but hopefully next year will prove you right.

There's no doubt that the Spurs will have to limit his minutes going forward. I'd like him at 26-28 minutes per game next season. This series was more proof that he's simply not a 35+ minute type of player.

[z0sa]

It is also a reminder of all the extra good luck it took for the Spurs to win their last le. I still contend that it was the fool's gold that set up the disappointments of the past 3 seasons.

That's laughable.

[Manu-of-steel]

Amen timvp. Next year, I'm expecting another run by the spurs for that elusive 5th ring. Manu is clearly hampered by that fractured nose. His 3point shooting NOSE-dived after that hit.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

There's no doubt that the Spurs will have to limit his minutes going forward. I'd like him at 26-28 minutes per game next season. This series was more proof that he's simply not a 35+ minute type of player.

This series or this season?

I think he will still have the ability to go 35+ minutes in a huge chunk of games granted that he did not spend the entire season giving it his all and bailing us out of the regular season.

[exstatic]

Manu cannot both carry a large chunk of the scoring load AND be the closer.

[Borosai]

Championships are so great because of how difficult they are to attain.

Start the season healthy. Get, play and develop younger players to unload some of the weight off the main guys during the regular season. Make becoming the #1 defense in the league your main goal and your iden y. That iden y will determine the rotation, and stick with it.

The exact opposite of this year.

[ShoogarBear]

I blame the rabies shots.

[Slomo]

I actually think blowing the huge lead Game 2 was the difference rather than the Game 1 loss, but winning either one of those might have made this a different series.

Truth is, the Spurs have always relied on a psychological advantage against the Suns, who arguably have always had better talent. Also never underestimate the addition by subtraction of Mr. Go-Go-Go "coaching" on the sidelines.

As for next year, I just don't see it. Duncan and Manu are clearly in decline. Even if Tony is healthy, Splitter comes, and Hill and Blair improve, there just will not be that top-level talent to win a ring.

I agree, game 2 hurt a lot.

D'antoni was our sixth player, so that hurts too.

[timvp]

I'm gonna have to disagree with the underlined portion. With all the turnovers, I can see why you used "handed", but in reality, the defensive techniques the Suns employed worked, and flustered the Spurs. They were employed at random, so the Spurs couldn't expect what was coming, and I think that contributed to the rushed/uncrisp nature of play that led to many turnovers. The Suns played their asses off, and took back leads. Much of the time, it was the second unit.

The Suns deserve a whole lot of credit. I've never seen a team execute their gameplans against the Spurs better than the Suns did this series. Got damn impressive.

That said, Game 1 is the type of game the Spurs have won throughout the years. Championship level Spurs teams win that game.

[Budkin]

It is also a reminder of all the extra good luck it took for the Spurs to win their last le. I still contend that it was the fool's gold that set up the disappointments of the past 3 seasons.

"Fool's gold" says Raptors fan

[DPG21920]

I for one am very excited about the FO's opportunity. They are a great FO. I am the type of person that loves a challenge, and I can't wait to see what the Spurs FO has in store for next year and beyond.

I think they will flourish. I am not saying the can make this team into a clear cut contender next year, but I do think they will be cheeky.

[VBM]

@ fool's gold championship

There is some sense in what that guy was saying. We never reloaded a defending team (we were -bent on letting the full le team have a shot at repeating). In 2007, we avoided Dallas (probably would have been our toughest Western foe, even though Denver/Phoenix/Utah wasn't a cakewalk) and Detroit (it took an insane Lebron series for them to lose). I would have rather had Holt spend his cash in Duncan's prime instead of waiting until he's on his last legs.

[EricB]

If you can add two 3 point versatile wings and one good big man to the young core. Than IMO they are championship level again. Better bench means reduced minutes all around.

[timvp]

This series or this season?

I think he will still have the ability to go 35+ minutes in a huge chunk of games granted that he did not spend the entire season giving it his all and bailing us out of the regular season.

Manu cannot both carry a large chunk of the scoring load AND be the closer.

I agree with ex. Manu's minutes caught up to him. When he can't drive past 95-year-old Grant Hill in a do or die fourth quarter, something is wrong. I blame the minutes.

[DPG21920]

When you have to micro manage your players because of age, that automatically puts you in a hole from a championship perspective.

[EricB]

When you have to micro manage your players because of age, that automatically puts you in a hole from a championship perspective.

Not if u have a good bench......

[Kori Ellis]

When you have to micro manage your players because of age, that automatically puts you in a hole from a championship perspective.

They've had to micromanage Manu's minutes for the last five years.