Are the Spurs still contenders?

[ohmwrecker]

Holy late reply! That must have been a good j, dude. Let's just get the season here.

It was . . . I actually replied a lot earlier, but my session timed out because I was doing other things and I lost my post. C'est la vie. Let's do this !

[DaDakota]

I think that what makes different the Spurs is that Hakeem, Barkley and Pippen were past their primes. While Duncan can't dominate games as before and Manu tends to be injured more frequently, Parker and Jefferson are efficient players in their prime that could take the offensive load if needed.

The Spurs also have the infusion of many young players like Hill, Blair, Splitter and probably Anderson. One example of this is Hill's performance against the Mavs.

You know that is a very good point, we traded away Cassell and Horry to get Barkley so if we kept them that would have been a more apt comparison.

And Pippen never played for the Rockets...



I was thinking of Hakeem, Clyde and Drexler....Pippen....is dead to us.

DD

[DJ Mbenga]

caracter already made the team, but he is no blair. more like a future baby davis which isnt such a bad thing for a second rounder. the spurs have historically relied on 2 things. defense and 3 point shooting. if their defense is magical again then they have a shot, but if it isnt they cant live by the 3.

maybe one thing the spurs solved is dice wont get raped all the time by odom cause they seemed to have trouble with his speed. splitter isnt a quick guy but he adds a new dimension to the team. the problem is if splitter is on the floor then odom will be too and those pick an rolls arent so easy anymore as it would be with a big like bynum who lacks that mobility to defend(he mostly shows well on P&R)
and the biggest thing for me is just macthups. ginobli cant guard kobe, and plus i think they might want to save him from foul trouble so what do they have to do? put jefferson on him or go smaller and bring in hill leaving ginobli in either scneario to guard artest. hopefully teams are healthy when they face each other. i only think i happened once this past season correct?

[Man In Black]

Ya'll can't handle the truth.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162251

C'mon now 2Cleva. I told you, you can't expect us to genuflect just because you THINK you're right. I've given you many credible reasons as to why the Spurs can still be a part of the championship equation. You didn't explain why YOU consider Blake(r) to be a standout defender. Blake or Fisher, it doesn't matter, TP will chew either up for breakfast. It's not like TP's never faced Blake in the playoffs. When Blake was in Denver, TP only average 18 Points per game against Blake.

You said SA IS NOT tough, I counter that the addition of Splitter, plus continued improvement of DeJuan Blair, who in case you didn't realize, is tough, burly, and ended last season on the All-Rookie team. Just tell Pau & Andrew that, EVERYTIME they go into the paint against THIS YEAR'S SPURS, their legs are about to take a beating. It doesn't take a huge mind-shift to see what improvements there could be once Splitter is in the post to defend. There will no longer be a time where a team can say,"Throw it to whoever the white guy is defending". Bonner will have his time to be effective against teams that are fringe playoff. But when it's for the LOB, his playing time will be reduced to situational time only.

Again...all you've said, is what most big city media is saying. You said you were going to scan an article from Yahoo NBA. I got a chance to pick it up and you know what's funny? On the prediction page, who did Yahoo say was going to face the LAL in the Western Conference Finals? That's right, The San Antonio Spurs. So it's not just Spurs fan that says, that the Spurs can contend. That's 1 national mag there as well. One you referenced.

[4down]

The Spurs have never been considered contenders, except for years following a Spurs championship.

[koriwhat]

hurry up and get here already nba season!

[2Cleva]

C'mon now 2Cleva. I told you, you can't expect us to genuflect just because you THINK you're right. I've given you many credible reasons as to why the Spurs can still be a part of the championship equation. You didn't explain why YOU consider Blake(r) to be a standout defender. Blake or Fisher, it doesn't matter, TP will chew either up for breakfast. It's not like TP's never faced Blake in the playoffs. When Blake was in Denver, TP only average 18 Points per game against Blake.

You said SA IS NOT tough, I counter that the addition of Splitter, plus continued improvement of DeJuan Blair, who in case you didn't realize, is tough, burly, and ended last season on the All-Rookie team. Just tell Pau & Andrew that, EVERYTIME they go into the paint against THIS YEAR'S SPURS, their legs are about to take a beating. It doesn't take a huge mind-shift to see what improvements there could be once Splitter is in the post to defend. There will no longer be a time where a team can say,"Throw it to whoever the white guy is defending". Bonner will have his time to be effective against teams that are fringe playoff. But when it's for the LOB, his playing time will be reduced to situational time only.

Again...all you've said, is what most big city media is saying. You said you were going to scan an article from Yahoo NBA. I got a chance to pick it up and you know what's funny? On the prediction page, who did Yahoo say was going to face the LAL in the Western Conference Finals? That's right, The San Antonio Spurs. So it's not just Spurs fan that says, that the Spurs can contend. That's 1 national mag there as well. One you referenced.

Yeah, they had them picked to get there - no chance of beating LA.

No point in anyone trying to convince anyone else. I don't see much evidence than anyone out West comes close to beating LA in a series so I'm comfortable in that. Duncan has such a great history, I'm not mad at fans for having hope still.

Season is almost here. It all will be decided in due time.

[Killakobe81]

Contenders? Sure, however, there are quite a few things that will have to go the Spurs way for them to actually make it to the finals, let alone win it all.

1. RJ is useful
2. Timmy doesn't run out of gas.
3. Manu same as Timmy.
4. Hill shows improvement from last season.
5. TP doesn't get distracted with his contract.
6. Blair learns how to guard the bigger players well and he has developed a consistent jumper.
7. Tiago is as good as advertised.
8. Anderson/Neal provide the much needed 3 point threats the Spurs have been lacking.
9. Spurs defense is once again feared.
10. Everyone stays healthy for a long enough time to develop chemistry and remain healthy for the playoffs.
11. I give Pop his brain back.

That is all that I can think of off of the top of my head. They aren't listed in any particular order.

Bump. Spot on, props.

[Killakobe81]

This is a well thought out post. You almost have me doubting my thoughts on the matter. However I STILL disagree. Now granted this is base that duncan has one last big run left. If he does. i think the spurs matchup well with every team listed EXCEPT the Heat. But the Heat are not promised a trip to the finals anyway. but even so I would give the spurs a small chance.

The only clear advantages the Heat have on the spurs are: SF and SG. now i admit those look to be grand canyon wide advantages but let me at leats make a case for Manu (my 2nd favorite spur) ...

In a big game (when healthy) is Wade really THAT much better than Manu?
If Manu can give you a few vintage games in a series (remember in 2008 when he led the spurs to their one victory over the Lakers inthe WCF) I think it off-sets a bit what wade will do to the spurs on defense. Besides as great as wade is I've seen hinrich do a solid job on him ...you telling me Manu couldnt do half as good?

Well Lebron will on RJ? Yes, there i no way for me to sugar coat it.
Duncan can still dominate Bosh and if they played him 1 on 1, and would probably foul him out on top of it. Problem is Im guessing they swarm duncan if he is abusing Bosh. The spurs shooters would have to make them pay.
Spliiter should be as good as Z or whomever the Heat put at center.

Ultimately I think the spurs don't matchup well with the heat, due to the lack of perimeter defenders. And Pop would be crazy to play small ball against them.

Key to matching heat is to shoot a high %, pound their soft middle, take advantage of the gambling wade and Lebron and control the boards also force Lebron to jack up his 30 feet deep 3's ...pack the paint against drives even if you give up 3's.

Bump. I also remember getting slammed for this too ...

[in2deep]

There is one contender: Miami Heat.

All the other teams aren't in the same league than them.

v

[Killakobe81]

Yes, they are. I have too much Respect for Tim, Pop and Manu to think otherwise. But that being said, I feel pretty confident if BOTH the Lakers and spurs are healthy we win. But it will be tougher than many on here think.

Another one some of my Laker brothers dismissed ...heck even some Spur fans thought i was crazy. also reading through this thread ...Harlem made some good points about Blake's defense or lack of ...

I thought it was interesting how many spur fans had less optimism thani did about the spurs. But NO ONE predicted this kind of run ...