Spurs’ horror and heartbreak (Worst losses ever)

[ElNono]

Those four straight losses Vs. the Suns last Spring resulting in The Skunker.

I don't think you fellows will ever live that down.

If the Lakeshow survived not making the playoffs with Bryant, I'm sure we'll survive the skunker...

[SenorSpur]

For me, that 2006 WCSF Game 7 versus the Mavs will ALWAYS rank as #1 because of the magnitude of the moment, playoff impact and because that game was already locked up and won - and it was onto the WCF.

It broke my heart because I just knew that the Spurs were headed toward a repeat. Everything was setup in their favor. That senseless foul by Manu forced an unnecessary overtime, where it not only ended the Spurs season in shocking fashion, but it also served as a springboard for the Mavs enabling them to get to the Finals. I admit that I took some solace in the way that Dwyane Wade and the Heat roared back from a 2-0 deficit, in theh NBA Finals, to piss all over the Mavs parade. So, while that helped some, it also reminded me of how the Spurs would've spanked the Heat silly in that series.

One of the unheralded aspects of that loss was that it helped to inject a belief in the Mavs that they could beat the Spurs any time they played. Winning that series, gave the Mavs a new level of confidence against the Spurs. It breeded a higher level of intensity and compe iveness in the rivalry that is still present today. Had the Spurs prevailed, it would've compounded the pre-existing inferiority complex that the Mavs, and their organization, have always had against the Spurs. Seeds of doubt would've deepened.

I love Manu and he's one of my favorite Spurs. However that play was, by far, the most stupid, brain-dead plays, by a star player, during a crucial moment of a game that I've ever seen. I don't mnd admitting that I harbored some temporary resentment toward Manu for a while after that. Of course, him being the compe or and great player that he is, he won me back again sometime during the next season. However, I'll never get over that one.

I've always wanted to ask the one burning question of Manu as to why he did it? Why Manu? Why?

[Spurologist]

What a nice way to start the day... All of those are fairly recent too

Nothing will ever surpass 0.4. It took the whole summer for me to get over that.

[Capt Bringdown]

I still think that team's a bit lacking in talent looking at the roster. The Pistons still have their "bad boy" team intact. Pistons in 5

Perhaps you had to have been there. That '90 team was pretty stacked, and they had a lot of momentum. They achieved the biggest one-season turnaround in NBA history. Robinson had one of the best rookie years ever.

I don't believe the bad boys ever faced a center of Robinson's caliber in their le runs. It would've been interesting.

[jay_shs]

For me, that 2006 WCSF Game 7 versus the Mavs will ALWAYS rank as #1 because of the magnitude of the moment, playoff impact and because that game was already locked up and won - and it was onto the WCF.

It broke my heart because I just knew that the Spurs were headed toward a repeat. Everything was setup in their favor. That senseless foul by Manu forced an unnecessary overtime, where it not only ended the Spurs season in shocking fashion, but it also served as a springboard for the Mavs enabling them to get to the Finals. I admit that I took some solace in the way that Dwyane Wade and the Heat roared back from a 2-0 deficit, in theh NBA Finals, to piss all over the Mavs parade. So, while that helped some, it also reminded me of how the Spurs would've spanked the Heat silly in that series.

One of the unheralded aspects of that loss was that it helped to inject a belief in the Mavs that they could beat the Spurs any time they played. Winning that series, gave the Mavs a new level of confidence against the Spurs. It breeded a higher level of intensity and compe iveness in the rivalry that is still present today. Had the Spurs prevailed, it would've compounded the pre-existing inferiority complex that the Mavs, and their organization, have always had against the Spurs. Seeds of doubt would've deepened.

I love Manu and he's one of my favorite Spurs. However that play was, by far, the most stupid, brain-dead plays, by a star player, during a crucial moment of a game that I've ever seen. I don't mnd admitting that I harbored some temporary resentment toward Manu for a while after that. Of course, him being the compe or and great player that he is, he won me back again sometime during the next season. However, I'll never get over that one.

I've always wanted to ask the one burning question of Manu as to why he did it? Why Manu? Why?

It was the refs' fault. You don't bail out a team, especially a road team, by giving them an and-1 on the final possession of a game 7. As the ref in that scenario you ALWAYS wait until the shot rolls off the iron before you call a foul. You cannot let your whistle decide the outcome of the game, but if Dirk misses the shot, you definitely call a foul there (Spurs would still be up 1 with possession). One of the worst calls in all-time history. Spurs were cheated again, just like in 2004 with the lakermole scorer not starting the game clock in a timely manner.

[Capt Bringdown]

One of the unheralded aspects of that loss was that it helped to inject a belief in the Mavs that they could beat the Spurs any time they played. Winning that series, gave the Mavs a new level of confidence against the Spurs.

Well, there was that but the loss also did a number on the Spurs psyche and gave birth to small ball, right?

How many NBA coaches change their entire defensive philosophy based on one matchup? Pop had a f'n nervous breakdown over Dirk, and I don't think we've fully recovered to this day!

[jay_shs]

well, there was that but the loss also did a number on the spurs psyche and gave birth to small ball, right?

How many nba coaches change their entire defensive philosophy based on one matchup? Pop had a f'n nervous breakdown over dirk, and i don't think we've fully recovered to this day!

2007

[SenorSpur]

Well, there was that but the loss also did a number on the Spurs psyche and gave birth to small ball, right?How many NBA coaches change their entire defensive philosophy based on one matchup? Pop had a f'n nervous breakdown over Dirk, and I don't think we've fully recovered to this day!

You are correct. It was in that series that Pop benched both Rasho and Nazr, in favor of playing Finley at the 4 spot. And presto! Small-ball was born.

[ajballer4]

Reading some of those is depressing...

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Nothing will ever compare to 0.4 in 04.



Watching the Pistons rip through the Lakers was the best consolation one could have, though.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

This Blazers loss was frustrating, but frankly, had very little riding on it. The Spurs still win the 1# seed in 95% of scenarios.



Now, the 2004 and 2006 WCSFs? Those were do-or-die situations - lose and there's no tomorrow (the 2006 WCSF was, at least).


So this Blazers loss isn't even close.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Another thing about 2006 - it would have been epic to smack down the Suns AGAIN in the 2006 WCF, and Shaq in the Finals.

[DeadlyDynasty]

2007

Golden State bailed you out that season...and to a lesser extent, Tim Donaghy.

[Harry Callahan]

Not quite all, these are of course limited to the Duncan era.

Game 7 of the The 78/79 Eastern (!) Conference Finals against the Bullets have to rank right up there.

Spurs blew a 3-1 lead in the series and ended up losing by 2 points in game seven because of a very dodgy moving pick call against Billy Paultz.

I think this game gave birth to the "league is against us" feeling that sometimes is hard to shake, even after our 4 les.

I'm still waiting for us (or anyone, actually) to get a series-deciding call against the Lakers. Has it ever happened? When there's a controversy or break to be given, the Lakers benefit 100% of the time.

Oftentimes what would happen against LA is Parker and Ginobili are pounded repeated with no whistles. That is whated happed in the 03-04 PO series after SA went up 2-0. An absolute joke of a series.

The 2008 series could have been interesting but once again Fisher is allowed to mug Brent Barry (I think on a three pointer) and no foul was called.

[LakerHater]

Golden State bailed you out that season...and to a lesser extent, Tim Donaghy.

He also did a Lakers/Kings game.... ya know the one when Horry hit the 3 in the top of the key...

edit: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3436401

[DeadlyDynasty]

Oftentimes what would happen against LA is Parker and Ginobili are pounded repeated with no whistles. That is whated happed in the 03-04 PO series after SA went up 2-0. An absolute joke of a series.

The 2008 series could have been interesting but once again Fisher is allowed to mug Brent Barry (I think on a three pointer) and no foul was called.

Have you ever attributed a Spurs loss to anything OTHER than officiating?


Seriously brah, you have a complex.

[Budkin]

I can't even watch highlights of Tim's amazing shot and Manu's 3 to take the lead just because I know what immediately followed.

[crc21209]

I can't even watch highlights of Tim's amazing shot and Manu's 3 to take the lead just because I know what immediately followed.

+1. Perhaps some of the best, most incredible Spurs shots in history that will never be remembered because of what happened afterwards...

[jay_shs]

yeah Donaghy and his buds are Lakers fans, but the Lakers were too weak that year so they decided to just screw the Mavs over again.

[dunkman]

The 0.4 wasn't so bad. The Lakers were superior in talent and Phil Jax figured the Spurs after the second game. Even winning game 5, that required a circus shot to put the Spurs up, there were no guarantees the Spurs would have won game 7 (game 6 was in LA, and those were all blowouts).

Manu's foul against Dirk in game 7 to send the game to overtime was the worst moment, because the Spurs were certain to win the le. No way Wade would have been the finals MVP with Bowen guarding him and Shaq, while would have been much more effective against Spurs than against the Mavs, was past his prime.

Pop could have sent Hedo or Bowen to guard Fisher, obviously there is no much defense against a jumper, but it would make it more difficult for Fisher to shot over larger players. Phil Jax sometimes sent Shaq, at that time he had good mobility, to guard the perimeter in similar situations.

Pop should have told his players to avoid 3 point situations in the last Mavs possession. It's not clear why Manu tried to block that shot.

[baseline bum]

How is the infamous Udoka getting torched by Kobe game 1 of the 08 WCF not on the list?

[baseline bum]

Now that was painful. I'll always remember the feeling of disbelief, like I couldn't accept what I just saw. You do not make that pass...sigh. Strickland was such an ass.

I also seem to recall that they went away from Robinson on several key possessions down the stretch. 3 point overtime loss.

There was also the game 5 double overtime loss. Painful series. I think we would've won the le that year.

Nah, the Bad Boys would have would have been as perfect an antidote to Robinson/ mings as one could concoct on a team. No way the Spurs beat that stacked Pistons team; Detroit in 5.

[baseline bum]

Gaudy record, but you had Bob Hill's coaching, Rodman and Hakeem to deal with. Not too sure the Spurs could have beat the Magic in the finals.

In 1990, the Spurs were a few possessions away from the finals. I like our chances against the Pistons.

That Magic team was so mentally weak. I doubt the Spurs would have swept like Houston, but they'd have done Orlando in 5 or 6.