Spurs listed as one of the "five true le contenders"

[ezau]

No love for OKC?
I think their athleticism could give us trouble, and we have nothing to throw at Durant. Thoughts?

We have Jefferson to shut down Durant, oh wait....

[DPG21920]

Teams clearly above Spurs: LA, MIA, BOS, ORL (although I don't feel they are way above).

Spurs are on the same level (arguably) as all of these teams: OKC, CHI, UTA, DAL, POR.

[ezau]

LOL at even considering Dwight Howard's some sort of "star power" for these playoff scenarios... he's a star in the NBA but he's not the type of dominant force any legitimate contender should worry extensively about. He's just a very athletic big. That's it. He gets great numbers, all due to his athleticism and really doesn't affect a game or series in the way that a true star does.

So, to elaborate, he's just a very athletic big, with no offensive game, terrible FT shooter, and constantly in foul trouble. The Spurs never have problems scoring on the Magic, no one on that team can guard Manu. With a guy like Tim Duncan, you don't have to worry about Howard really, since Duncan, the big fundamental, understands defense in and out. So he knows how to position on players, and that's all Dwight has to establish himself on offense...getting in position, spinning off a noob big man defender and catching alley-oop passes for dunks. That may happen once or thrice a game, who cares.


You may have to prepare to face Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, etc. But LOL Dwight Howard should be the least of anyone's concerns when speaking about the "stars" in the NBA.

I agree with D12 having almost zero offense, but the dude is a very good defender. I mean, people tend to forget that he's a very good defensive anchor.

[chasky]

Teams clearly above Spurs: LA, MIA, BOS, ORL (although I don't feel they are way above).

Spurs are on the same level (arguably) as all of these teams: OKC, CHI, UTA, DAL, POR.

Maybe Houston and Milwaukee are in the second group.

[DPG21920]

I can't put MIL there with Bogut being a huge question mark with regards to his health. Houston is possible, but I don't personally put them there.

[ALVAREZ6]

I agree with D12 having almost zero offense, but the dude is a very good defender. I mean, people tend to forget that he's a very good defensive anchor.

Doesn't matter, he can only defend one player at any time, and with Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili (and hopefully even if RJ attacks the basket more this season), he will foul out every game, or be forced to sit for longer periods than the Magic would like.

[ALVAREZ6]

Teams clearly above Spurs: LA, MIA, BOS, ORL (although I don't feel they are way above).

Spurs are on the same level (arguably) as all of these teams: OKC, CHI, UTA, DAL, POR.

Come on man how can you say Orlando is clearly above the Spurs?

They're a regular season team, going nowhere in playoffs. The Spurs would have beaten them last year in a 7 game series.


You have to consider that the Spurs don't care about the regular season...they limit the big 3's playing time, and they all had some time off due to injuries last year.

[DJ Mbenga]

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2010...e-contenders/#

5. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

The obvious question: Can the old guys still carry the load for a championship team?

There’s not much original to say here. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are into their mid-30s, and both of them — along with Tony Parker – battled various injuries last season. Again, we can only wait and watch.

The meatier question: Do the Spurs need to overhaul their formula?

The Spurs have won the same way for a decade: with low-risk basketball. On offense, they want one good shot. That means no turnovers and (mostly) no crashing the offensive glass for fear of giving up a transition bucket on the other end. On defense, they want to force you into taking one bad shot. They don’t gamble for steals, and they don’t give you second chances.

The Spurs stretched that model to its breaking point two years ago, when they ranked last in offensive rebounding, drawing fouls on offense and forcing turnovers on defense. They topped the league in the opposite categories — defensive rebounding, protecting the ball and avoiding fouls. It was low-risk hoops, as if implemented by a computer system.

The team made small movements away from those extremes last season, and they may have to continue on that path if they want to challenge the Lakers and the East’s elite. Their personnel demands it. DeJuan Blair pushed the Spurs above the league average in offensive rebounding last season for the first time since 2004-05, when they were right at the league average mark. Blair and George Hill can both swipe the ball on defense, and Hill is a demon of a finisher on the break. Richard Jefferson, once a slasher (I swear!), attempted a career-low 4.1 free throws per 36 minutes last season; the Spurs need that number to jump back up, or their four-year, $38.9 million commitment to Jefferson will be a sunk cost. Parker and Ginobili, if healthy, should get to the line more.


Nice article and right on the money that you cannot discount the Spur's as true le contenders!

[Russ]

Teams clearly above Spurs: LA, MIA, BOS, ORL (although I don't feel they are way above).

Spurs are on the same level (arguably) as all of these teams: OKC, CHI, UTA, DAL, POR.

I'm sorry but after that analysis, the Tribe has spoken. Please return your card.

[ohmwrecker]

An apology for what?

I just threw that in there for a laugh. I guess it worked.

Teams clearly above Spurs: LA, MIA, BOS, ORL (although I don't feel they are way above).

Spurs are on the same level (arguably) as all of these teams: OKC, CHI, UTA, DAL, POR.

The only team I am willing to place clearly above the Spurs is LA.
Like I said, Miami are paper contenders at this point. Yes, they will probably be very good, but I have a problem bringing out the "anointing oils" until they show that they can gel and play as a team.
The Spurs, at full strength, are as good as Boston and Orlando. I'll give the Cs extra credit for being EC champs.
OKC is a young and dangerous team and they might make the step into "legit contender" this season, but not as it stands presently.
The Bulls and Jazz have major components to integrate this season, but it still remains to be seen whether or not Boozer or Jefferson,respectively, are going to make those two teams much better than they were at season's end. Portland is just loaded with talent, but they have to be the most doomed franchise in NBA history. I am not a believer.
Here's the thing with Dallas, I think that the Spurs stomping of the Mavs in the first round last year is diminished by a lot of people because of how poorly the Spurs performed in the second round. Dallas did not get absolutely better this off season. They are going to play well and win a lot of games, but their "issues" remain the same.
I think the Spurs improved, maybe just marginally, but improved nonetheless. The major factor is that the Spurs will have the advantage of having the big 3 healthy to start the season. This is huge and I think it's being undervalued. Getting off to a strong start would make an enormous difference in how the Spurs view their chances. The Spurs struggles with chemistry, defining roles and injuries wore on the team physically and mentally. An at ude shift would be extremely advantageous to a team who has championship experience. It could be the difference that will keep the Spurs from having another meltdown in the playoffs.
It all remains to be seen, but there is no reason to put so much separation between any of the top teams this early in the season.

[DPG21920]

I'm sorry but after that analysis, the Tribe has spoken. Please return your card.

Solid take.

[nkdlunch]

Jesus Christ people do you guys watch and understand basketball?

LOL Orlando is NOT a good team!!!! OK fine they're a great team during the regular season in their weaker conference overall, at least definitely last year, and when the games don't matter. They cannot beat the Celts, Lakers, Spurs, or Heat in the playoffs. Not even close.

Orlando is a good team and way better than the Phoenix team that raped the Spurs last year.

Nobody is saying Orlando is a favorite but if the Spurs are "contenders", Orlando sure damn well is too. They are a better team than the Spurs as of right now. Wake up and face reality.

[Supergirl]

I think it's a pretty spot on article. I don't think any of those teams are without question marks. The Lakers are the obvious favorites still, since they're the defending champs and they were so so good last year, defensively as well as offensively. But they are getting old and battling injuries.

Heat are already overrated and could easily be the NBA's biggest bust since the so called "Dream Team" of the Lakers when they got Karl Malone. Magic are soft, and the Celtics are old. Spurs are right there with all those teams, but with just as many questions.

[Supergirl]

Bulls and OKC would be next to add to the list, IMO.

[nkdlunch]

Bulls and OKC would be next to add to the list, IMO.

Of course many teams can join the list as season goes along.

But right now IMO only 3 "true" le contenders: Lakers, Boston, Heat. because noone would be surprised if any of those 3 wins it all.

Next tier would be Orlando, Spurs. Because many ppl would be surprised if they reach the finals.

[Rick Von Braun]

I can't put MIL there with Bogut being a huge question mark with regards to his health. Houston is possible, but I don't personally put them there.

But by the same token, you did put Chicago in the list with Boozer being an equal question mark. If Bogut returns before Boozer, MIL may win the Central Division by one or two games margin (around 50). It is that close!

[Russ]

Solid take.

Okay, you're back in.

[phxspurfan]

Orlando is a good team and way better than the Phoenix team that raped the Spurs last year.

Nobody is saying Orlando is a favorite but if the Spurs are "contenders", Orlando sure damn well is too. They are a better team than the Spurs as of right now. Wake up and face reality.

I tend to disagree with the Orlando hype. They are reliant on a top performer who has zero reliable offense (and no go-to moves besides being athletic). They are not clutch and have no clutch players besides a (last year) hobbled mighty mouse. THeir best player, D12, can be sent to the line and nullified, and also commits the stupidest fouls. Their second-best player, Lewis, is overpaid for the type of player he is at this point in his career. He is also a defensive liability. They can shoot the ball well thanks to Lewis and some of their role players, but guys like Red can be d'ed up by our personnel (Hill). And to top it all, they have issues respecting their coach.

On the other hand, the Suns (like the Spurs to Dallas last year) were our worst matchup. They hated us to the point of crying after their game 1 win. There's something to say for that kind of emotional energy added onto a surprising level of talent and playoff experienced vets like Amare (who is no longer there...) and Nash (who is yet another year into his 50s last I checked). The Suns wanted to beat us, chop us up and feed us to their children. But if they played Dallas that same second round last year, I guarantee they would have lost.

[ALVAREZ6]

They are a better team than the Spurs as of right now. Wake up and face reality.

I think you should.


Orlando cares about the regular season, the Spurs clearly don't. They care about having their aging stars ready to play in the playoffs, and you know this of course.

Spurs dominate Magic in the playoffs, however that scenario is essentially impossible. The Spurs are better; way better coach, clutch players, and their best player isn't solely an athlete that has zero offensive game. The contrary, the big 3 can all create offense for themselves.




If you want to use regular season success as a metric of how good a team is, then.... nevermind, just don't, because it's stupid. Because by judging teams on how they do in the regular season, then the Atlanta Hawks, the Denver Nuggets, and the Dallas Mavericks were all better teams than the Spurs last season. Clearly we saw in the first round that the latter was not true, the Spurs won in 6.


Atlanta? LOL




The Magic are overrated. Spurs would spank. Manu would do what he wants against them.

[ALVAREZ6]

The Spurs played Orlando twice last season.

They won one, and lost one, but in the loss, Duncan had a terrible game (1 for 10 FGs, 5 points), and Parker didn't even play. So we can discard the loss.

In the win, the Spurs won 112-100, Manu torched for 43, and Dwight fouled out.


So as this is the only sample we have of both teams, and sure is a small one, considering this as well, Spurs>Magic



IDK how you can even argue it.

[ohmwrecker]

Orlando is a good team and way better than the Phoenix team that raped the Spurs last year.

I don't understand this reasoning. Team A beat Team B and Team C beat Team A. So, naturally, Team C will beat Team B?

It doesn't work that way, cowboy. It's all about match-ups. The Spurs match-up much more evenly with the Magic. They play a similar style.
The Suns had the personnel to out match the Spurs. They play a more up tempo style that the Spurs obviously don't do well against. Conversely, The Spurs can diminish Orlando's strengths more effectively than Phoenix. The Suns series is irrelevant when it comes to how the Spurs and Magic match up.

By the way, the Suns and Spurs both split their games with the Magic last season.

[ohmwrecker]

Actually, the Spurs/Suns series is irrelevant to a lot of things as they relate to this season. I wish people would stop relying on it so heavily in arguments. It's a crutch at this point. I don't think the Spurs are so weak mentally that the outcome of that series will have any impact on this season whatsoever.

[objective]

Teams clearly above Spurs: LA, MIA, BOS, ORL (although I don't feel they are way above).

Spurs are on the same level (arguably) as all of these teams: OKC, CHI, UTA, DAL, POR.

seems reasonable to me as far as teams above SA. I'm not too crazy about Chicago aka Utah-East.

But by the same token, you did put Chicago in the list with Boozer being an equal question mark. If Bogut returns before Boozer, MIL may win the Central Division by one or two games margin (around 50). It is that close!

fwiw, Boozer only broke the pinky knuckle.

Bogut has pubicly stated to the media this pre-season that he doesn't expect to be to 100% at any point of the 10-11 season, and that he will have to wear protective gear and be in pain all season.

I still like MIL better than Chicago, but it seems likely that the Bulls will have a 100% Boozer for more games than MIL will have a 100% Bogut (which will be zero games).

[Rummpd]

I just threw that in there for a laugh. I guess it worked.



The only team I am willing to place clearly above the Spurs is LA.
Like I said, Miami are paper contenders at this point. Yes, they will probably be very good, but I have a problem bringing out the "anointing oils" until they show that they can gel and play as a team.
The Spurs, at full strength, are as good as Boston and Orlando. I'll give the Cs extra credit for being EC champs.
OKC is a young and dangerous team and they might make the step into "legit contender" this season, but not as it stands presently.
The Bulls and Jazz have major components to integrate this season, but it still remains to be seen whether or not Boozer or Jefferson,respectively, are going to make those two teams much better than they were at season's end. Portland is just loaded with talent, but they have to be the most doomed franchise in NBA history. I am not a believer.
Here's the thing with Dallas, I think that the Spurs stomping of the Mavs in the first round last year is diminished by a lot of people because of how poorly the Spurs performed in the second round. Dallas did not get absolutely better this off season. They are going to play well and win a lot of games, but their "issues" remain the same.
I think the Spurs improved, maybe just marginally, but improved nonetheless. The major factor is that the Spurs will have the advantage of having the big 3 healthy to start the season. This is huge and I think it's being undervalued. Getting off to a strong start would make an enormous difference in how the Spurs view their chances. The Spurs struggles with chemistry, defining roles and injuries wore on the team physically and mentally. An at ude shift would be extremely advantageous to a team who has championship experience. It could be the difference that will keep the Spurs from having another meltdown in the playoffs.
It all remains to be seen, but there is no reason to put so much separation between any of the top teams this early in the season.

Nice analysis!