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You guys know Skip only does that because ESPN hates the Spurs so much, right?
Just now ESPN, Skip pick the Spurs to go against Lakers in the west finals and beat them, depend on Kobe's health.
You guys know Skip only does that because ESPN hates the Spurs so much, right?
No he didn't. He said the Spurs were the second best team in the west but had no shot against the lakers unless the lakers faltered due to injury or whatever. His point was that the spurs were better then the thunder or the mavs etc.
yeah, did you read the part that said, depend on Kobe's health?
what a stupid pick
Not too surprising. It seems like Skip often picks the Spurs, especially at the beginning of the season.
ooooooooooooooooh.... you got punked by a mojo!
Those guys don't play bball (anymore). They just speak something semi-coherent on TV.
The last time those two teams played in playoffs, the Spurs lost against the Lakers in the WCF's in 2008. It ended 1:4, with the refs handing game 4 to the Lakers with the no-call against Barry to put an unsurmountable 1:3. It was closer than the final result.
The Lakers were without Bynum and Ariza. They made an improvement with Artest, Ariza was replaced this year by Barnes and they improved not by much at backup PG. They also added unknown second rounders for this season.
The Spurs had Bowen in his last productive year, Horry, Oberto, Finley and Barry on their last legs, Manu was playing injured. Since then the improvements are: RJ, Dice, Hill, Blair, Splitter, the first rounder Anderson and Simmons.
While the Spurs lost in 2008, since last season the Spurs built the roster to beat the Lakers and it also can't be said the Lakers have more talent as in 2008. With Splitter the Spurs are eliminating another Lakers advantage (size in the middle).
A mobile wing defender is still missing, but anyway Hill and Manu did well against Kobe during the 2009-2010 regular season.
the spurs core has gotten pretty old and defense seems to have fallen off the priority list. The spurs have a long way to go before they can even compete with the lakers. It's way too early to even say that spurs will make it to the wcf.
Free NBA Futures Odds Picks – Who Will Meet Sure-Fire Lakers in Western Conference Finals?
by Eric Williams
betus.com
Lakers – Spurs +600
The Spurs were a huge disappointment last season, but I genuinely believe they will be much better this season as second-year forward DeJuan Blair and veteran swingman Richard Jefferson look to assert themselves a lot more than they did in their first season with the franchise a year ago. The addition of NBA-ready big man Tiago Splitter, along with increased minutes for the rebounding machine Blair, will go a long way toward keeping Tim Duncan fresher for the postseason.
*********************
Lakers – Thunder +350
Mavericks – Thunder +1800
Thunder – Trailblazers +2000
Nuggets – Jazz +3500
*********************
Analysis: My top two selections for the 2010-11 western conference finals are the Lakers versus the Thunder first, followed by the Lakers against the San Antonio Spurs.
I see absolutely no reason why the Oklahoma City Thunder should not be able to reach the conference finals if they remain committed to playing defense the way they did last season and play well in the frontcourt at power forward and center.
I also like San Antonio’s chances this season if they can get some good production out of Richard Jefferson, DeJuan Blair and Tiago Splitter first and foremost.
I also think the Mavericks, Rockets, Jazz – and last season’s conference finals participant, the Phoenix Suns, will all have nearly identical chances to reach the conference finals.
Great.... Skip....
Umm cool I guess. The Spurs are a dark horse though, no use denying it.
I'd also pick the Spurs if Kobe's injured. What's so "out there" about that?
that dude is so out of touch
Same. Skip seems like he's been a Spurs fan anyway.
Lakers with an unhealthy Kobe will have one of a time trying to get out of the West.
Thunder go from first round exit to wcf. LOL Can the hype get any bigger.
I've said it before and I will say it again... Thunder are not going anywhere until they get quality big men. In the past, they probably could have done some damage... but they are not talented enough at the 4 and 5 to compete with other contenders. I'm especially surprised that anyone would choose the Thunder over the Spurs, because Thunder/Spurs most likely will meet before WCF, and we simply are better than them in terms of talent/coaching/experience/size.
Skip is somewhat right though. Who else besides the Spurs could really take the Lakers out? The Mavs? The team who has regular season success but chokes in the Playoffs? The Thunder, who just might be a year or 2 away from truly contending...a piece away as well. The Suns, who lost a big piece of their team in Stoudemire. The Blazers, who are always a trendy pick but nothing ever becomes of it because of all their injuries. The Jazz, who lost D. Williams pick n roll buddy in Boozer. Point is, if anybody is ready and willing to step up to the Lakers, it would be the Spurs. The Spurs seem to have been the only team in the past decade with the balls to take it at the Lakers...
I think a big-man and a Small-Forward away, something about Jeff Green that I see that he doesnt have "IT" to get it done....
The ONLY team who can win the West besides the Spurs/Lakers is the Blazers. Oden is a fantastic center if he is healthy, which obviously is a huge if. Lakers have struggled against the Blazers in the past.
But the Thunder have Kevin Durant and are a younger team. They gave the Lakers fits in the playoffs though they lost that series. The pundits seem to think Thunder will be even better. All that makes them, in the eyes of many, the team that can challenge the Lakers.
Right now, its the Lakers and everyone else. I would put the Spurs in the middle of the pack at this point.
I don't think the Spurs could take the Lakers out in a series right now.
In my opinion, I think the Spurs might be the only team that can take them out psychologically...while other teams might back down at the sight of Kobe and the "mighty" Lakers, the Spurs wont...
This, right now 4 or 5 seed, iff they gel maybe higher! IF NOT they are #6 or so IMO! Spurs are very talented, but if they do not gel and have a year like last then it's #6 or so IMO! They COULD get AS HIGH AS #2, but that would take ALOT IMO!
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