tim looks baked lol
While it is true that all teams have weaknesses, the top teams weaknesses are not as glaring and they have proven that their strengths are more than enough to overcome.
Such as LA last year. Or Boston. The Spurs have not had the luxury of knowing their weaknesses aren't deal breakers.
and i too apologize if i come off as to much of a homer. guess i cant help it but perimeter D is def. the problem us homers just hope resolves itself with some discipline from pop to RJ & the rest of our team. he needs to get their ass in gear. no D no play, period.
Being weak in the middle or not having a go-to scorer (for a team with championship aspirations) are not as glaring as not having a stopper?
The Heat have proven that their strengths are more than enough to overcome their weaknesses? I must have missed when that happened.
The Magic, sure they made the Finals, but as far as winning a championship goes, they haven't proven it.
The Celtics have, but not with the weakness they now have (lack of a stopper).
The Lakers are the only one that has proven that their strengths are enough to overcome their weaknesses.
I agree that the Spurs haven't had the luxury of knowing whether their weaknesses are deal breakers, but neither have the Heat, yet I suspect you have no qualms proclaiming them legit contenders.
At this writing, the Spurs shouldn't be counted in, but they also shouldn't be counted out.
More from Hill trying to get Duncan on twitter.
Anderson played pretty good defence against the heat.
Did a solid job guarding lebron.
6 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 steels, 2 blocks
In 20 minutes.
He looks very promising, long and athletic, a legit backup sf.
If anderson could get the main minutes and simmons and gee
whats left, we'd be set.
Well sure, if you are comparing a team with 3 top 15 players (including two that are top 5) and the reigning MVP along with balanced shooting to the Spurs, then that makes sense.
Sure, but when you get to a finals, you know you are doing more good than bad and the weaknesses aren't as glaring. You know you have a legit shot. Getting swept in the 2nd clearly shows a bigger problem.The Magic, sure they made the Finals, but as far as winning a championship goes, they haven't proven it.
When did they have this crazy defensive stopper? Posey? Ok, but they got to the finals just last year. So again, they can say they have a legit shot. Their holes aren't nearly as alarming as the Spurs. If they would have gotten swept in the 2nd round, then you could compare them. But instead, they got to their 2nd finals in 3 years.The Celtics have, but not with the weakness they now have (lack of a stopper).
When you repeat, you don't have many weaknesses, at least not in the context we are discussing. The weaknesses we are discussing are ones that prohibit a teams legitimate chances for a le.The Lakers are the only one that has proven that their strengths are enough to overcome their weaknesses.
Back to the Heat, you are right, I don't have a problem proclaiming them a legit contender. They had one of the top defenses in the league last year and got known better defensive players. That is not the case with the Spurs.I agree that the Spurs haven't had the luxury of knowing whether their weaknesses are deal breakers, but neither have the Heat, yet I suspect you have no qualms proclaiming them legit contenders.
At this writing, the Spurs shouldn't be counted in, but they also shouldn't be counted out.
The Heat have top tier talent as I described above. That is not the case with the Spurs.
The Spurs know their weaknesses. They are the same as last year and the 2nd round sweep is evidence that the weaknesses are deal breakers.
I am not counting the Spurs out, but to compare them to the Heat, Bos, LA is completely apples to oranges as things stand today.
To me:
The Lakers have arguably one of the best 2 players in the league and possibly one of the top 2 PF in the league, plus a very talented surrounding cast, PLUS possibly the best coach in the league ever, PLUS the experience to know what it takes to win it all.
The Heat have arguably one of the best 2 players in the league and possibly one of the top 2 SG in the league, plus a very talented surrounding cast.
The Magic have the most dominant big man right now, and still working his way to his prime. After witnessing the Duncan era, we know exactly what effect that has on a team.
The Celtics are probably the one with the less over-the-top talent in this group of teams (and probably closer to the Spurs), BUT they have the same personnel that made them the #1 defensive team in the league (stopper or no stopper). They know they can hang their hats on that and go deep because of it.
Ultimately, there's only one champion. I don't think that because the Celtics couldn't beat the Lakers in game 7 of the Finals 'they couldn't overcome their weaknesses'.
There's cir stantial stuff like Perkins getting injured in Game 6, and missing Game 7 that could have changed the results of the series.
I think the Spurs are closer to the Celtics, but they need to defend like them to even have a chance. And I don't see it with the personnel we have. Could they turn it around and surprise us all? That's why we watch.
When did LA sign Larry Brown?
Gotta give credit to Phil... I love Larry BTW, even if he likes to change teams faster than underwear...
I'm not comparing the two. All I'm saying is the Heat haven't accomplished yet, yet you and the vast majority have no problem anointing them.
Balanced shooting? Miller and House are the only two good range shooters in the rotation and the only other one on the team is Jones.
Obviously, they're doing more good than bad, but they haven't proven their strengths can overcome their weaknesses. Not if the measuring stick is winning a championship.Sure, but when you get to a finals, you know you are doing more good than bad and the weaknesses aren't as glaring. You know you have a legit shot. Getting swept in the 2nd clearly shows a bigger problem.
Posey in '08 was a legit stopper and T. Allen was last season. Both are gone. They no longer have one. That means they have the same hole the Spurs have. Why is it alarming for the Spurs, but not for the Celtics? Don't tell me they've proven they can overcome it. They haven't.When did they have this crazy defensive stopper? Posey? Ok, but they got to the finals just last year. So again, they can say they have a legit shot. Their holes aren't nearly as alarming as the Spurs. If they would have gotten swept in the 2nd round, then you could compare them. But instead, they got to their 2nd finals in 3 years.
Splitter is not a known defensive player? I realize he's unproven in the NBA, but his mere presence will be an upgrade in the middle on the likes of Blair and Bonner.Back to the Heat, you are right, I don't have a problem proclaiming them a legit contender. They had one of the top defenses in the league last year and got known better defensive players. That is not the case with the Spurs.
The Heat have top tier talent as I described above. That is not the case with the Spurs.
The Spurs know their weaknesses. They are the same as last year and the 2nd round sweep is evidence that the weaknesses are deal breakers.
I am not counting the Spurs out, but to compare them to the Heat, Bos, LA is completely apples to oranges as things stand today.
Duncan is still top ten, Ginobili is still top fifteen and Parker, should he regain the form from when he was last fully healthy and in rhythm, has shown he can play at or near a top fifteen level. I agree, the Heat have two top five and three top fifteen, but the Spurs have a better 4-8.
No, they're not the same. The Spurs didn't have the continuity they're likely to have this time around and they didn't have Splitter, who's mere presence alone will make them better defensively.
I'd put the Spurs below those teams as well, all I'm saying is that if the Spurs have to prove it, then why don't the Heat?
No, they don't. They no longer have a stopper and when Perkins returns, he'll be coming off a significant injury and trying to play catch up. It's far from a certainty that at any point this season he's the player he is when fully healthy.
The Spurs have the personnel to defend close to the level of the Celtics.
I hope you are watching this Clippers game when you say the Spurs have the personnel to defend like Boston.
We gave you the reasons why and they are logical.
You are forgetting Bosh and Haslem that can hit the 15-18 footer. You are forgetting James who hit 129 3's. Wade can also midrange. They have shooters for every spot on the floor and plenty from 3.Balanced shooting? Miller and House are the only two good range shooters in the rotation and the only other one on the team is Jones.
You are being disingenuous. Just because you don't win a le, does not mean you can't overcome the weaknesses and that you don't measure up to the measuring stick of a le.Obviously, they're doing more good than bad, but they haven't proven their strengths can overcome their weaknesses. Not if the measuring stick is winning a championship.
Getting to a finals means you are there. Getting swept in the 2nd round means you are not.
They don't have the same hole as the Spurs. Quit saying that. They are clearly a better defensive team than the Spurs and you are overstating Allen's defense and his impact on that end.Posey in '08 was a legit stopper and T. Allen was last season. Both are gone. They no longer have one. That means they have the same hole the Spurs have. Why is it alarming for the Spurs, but not for the Celtics? Don't tell me they've proven they can overcome it. They haven't.
Again, the Celtics have a recent finals win and got to the finals last year. That is why it is not alarming. The Celts even made the finals last year despite being very unhealthy.
No, he is not a known defensive player in the NBA. I agree it is likely he will be a huge upgrade over Bonner, but that is not saying much. I expect Tiago to help.Splitter is not a known defensive player? I realize he's unproven in the NBA, but his mere presence will be an upgrade in the middle on the likes of Blair and Bonner.
This is being crazy homer.Duncan is still top ten, Ginobili is still top fifteen and Parker, should he regain the form from when he was last fully healthy and in rhythm, has shown he can play at or near a top fifteen level. I agree, the Heat have two top five and three top fifteen, but the Spurs have a better 4-8.
They do have to prove it, but we are going off of what we know and probabilities, not certainties. At this point, the Heat look much better than the Spurs.No, they're not the same. The Spurs didn't have the continuity they're likely to have this time around and they didn't have Splitter, who's mere presence alone will make them better defensively.
I'd put the Spurs below those teams as well, all I'm saying is that if the Spurs have to prove it, then why don't the Heat?
This is really crazy.No, they don't. They no longer have a stopper and when Perkins returns, he'll be coming off a significant injury and trying to play catch up. It's far from a certainty that at any point this season he's the player he is when fully healthy.
The Spurs have the personnel to defend close to the level of the Celtics.
That's not what I said. And way to judge their defensive potential based off of one half of a preseason game, where they're missing their second and third best defensive bigs. Yep, this is a real indicator of the defense we're likely to see.
I don't care if they have the five best players of all-time, they haven't proven yet. Do you not get this? It's not even like all three of them have won championships in the past.
I'm not forgetting. I said range shooting. Duncan, McDyess and Bonner can all hit from 15-18 feet. James is an erratic shooter, who only has that many makes from three because of how many attempts he has. They have three high percentage three point shooters and only two will be in the rotation.You are forgetting Bosh and Haslem that can hit the 15-18 footer. You are forgetting James who hit 129 3's. Wade can also midrange. They have shooters for every spot on the floor and plenty from 3.
That's not what I said. You're exposing yourself as one of many who lacks basic reading comprehension. I don't care if the general consensus is they have the potential to, the Magic aren't proven if the measuring stick is winning a championship.You are being disingenuous. Just because you don't win a le, does not mean you can't overcome the weaknesses and that you don't measure up to the measuring stick of a le.
Getting to a finals means you are there. Getting swept in the 2nd round means you are not.
Yes, they do. I'm not arguing whether they're a better defensive team than the Spurs, I'm saying they don't have a wing stopper, which is the Spurs primary problem defensively. I'm not at all overstating Allen's defense. Was he not a bonafide stopper in last year's playoffs? If you don't think he was, then you either weren't watching or have no idea what you were watching.They don't have the same hole as the Spurs. Quit saying that. They are clearly a better defensive team than the Spurs and you are overstating Allen's defense and his impact on that end.
Again, the Celtics have a recent finals win and got to the finals last year. That is why it is not alarming. The Celts even made the finals last year despite being very unhealthy.
Yeah and they did so with a stopper, which they no longer have. Why is that so hard to understand?
Which I already said. The Spurs were the 9th best defensive team in the league last season with either Blair or Bonner playing center defensively for long stretches. How could Splitter not make them at least slightly better defensively? Unless you think his impact will be offset by the departure of the centerpiece.No, he is not a known defensive player in the NBA. I agree it is likely he will be a huge upgrade over Bonner, but that is not saying much. I expect Tiago to help.
No, it's called having an original opinion. The numbers back up what I'm saying.This is being crazy homer.
We're not talking about look. Here's what we know: the Spurs haven't won a le with this cast and neither have the Heat with theirs. So get off their jock and stop acting like they're five time champions. We all know they're more likely to win than the Spurs, I'm not disputing that.They do have to prove it, but we are going off of what we know and probabilities, not certainties. At this point, the Heat look much better than the Spurs.
I'm not a homer and if you've seen enough of my posts, you'd know that. I just think you're one of these people who goes by what the general consensus is and also, are so focused on not coming off as a homer, that you've gone the other way to the point now where you don't even sound like a Spurs fan.
No, it's not. I'm not guaranteeing the Spurs play close to the level of the Celtics defensively, but the personnel is there to.This is really crazy.
You can play the semantics game all you want. It just makes your arguments look weak and silly.
The classic "I'm not a homer, and you are trying to go the other way" line. Please show me where I rip the team on things that are not true. Please show me where I don't say I hope the team does great and that I don't think they will be a great team. K thanks.
I said balanced shooting, not range. You lack reading comprehension.
Nice cop out.
Please continue on worshiping your Heat.
Worshiping the Heat? Another random throw away line. I am not worshiping the Heat but discussing them realistically. Have I said something outlandish about them? I can point to the outlandish things you say about the Spurs and other teams while trying to argue semantics (using the "if they have not won a le, then it means sh*t!" argument).
How is it a cop out? How can you debate a guy that says the Spurs have the players to defend as well as the Celtics (while at the same time saying you are not saying they will defend like them) and saying the Spurs have more talent than the Heat?
For the record, I never said you said range shooting, which means you lack basic comprehension. I win.
It's a cop out because you attempted to put an end to this rather than continuing on. It's just as well, as I was in the process of annihilating you.
That's not what I said. I said close to and I stand by that. I didn't say they will defend close to them, I said they have the personnel to. Or do I have to dumb it down further for you? It's not like their was a difference of 18 spots between them last season defensively and the Spurs figure to be better defensively this season.
at the "I self proclaim the internetz victory" speech. What a joke.
Also, didn't I also say I expect the Spurs to be better defensively? I said Tiago will help. I simply said I am not expecting a drastic change and I certainly don't see the personnel that could even up the difference between the Celts and Spurs defensively.
I never said anything about a drastic change.
If they're committed and Pop doesn't play ridiculous lineups for long stretches that give them no chance at being good defensively, then yes, I do think they have the personnel to be a few spots better than they were defensively last season, which would make them closer defensively to the level of the Celtics.
But let me guess, that's irrational thinking because some talking head on ESPN didn't say it and I'm being a homer?
dpg, give the spurs some credit you know the spurs never play zone defense like that!!!mainly on inbound but for almost three quarters????!!!! there trying to make the game exciting or get good at zone defense one or the other notice the 4th and end of 3rd Q D. what do you think?
That is not exactly what you said, and that is not why I said you were being a homer. I said you were being a homer with your comments and that you were arguing semantics. I did not say you were a homer, but that you were making some homer statements earlier.
Look at my comments in the game thread. I am happy with the teams rebounding. That is the big plus for the Spurs that I see. I give the Spurs a ton of credit.
I am simply discussing the glaring problem right now. Again, that does not mean I think they suck or they can't overcome it. It just means I see it as an alarming situation.
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