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Pretty much it in a nuts . This team looks middle of the pack. As mentioned, the two most important guys are old and close to busted. Very sadly. The young guys are marginal role players at this point, having not proved consistency.
Leonard needs to get over himself.
Pretty much it in a nuts . This team looks middle of the pack. As mentioned, the two most important guys are old and close to busted. Very sadly. The young guys are marginal role players at this point, having not proved consistency.
Agree somewhat, but its all about expectations. I don't think anyone outside of a true homer legitimately sees them as a contender as is. But if we are talking 2nd round or conference finals? To me, it's not that out of the question depending on how things shake out. Not saying that is likely, in fact I believe that it is not very likely. But it's really not a huge stretch all things considered.
Keep in mind a few things: Spurs with what I perceive to be a worse roster last year had the best record. If Manu doesn't get injured really late in the season, Spurs might have beaten Memphis. It's not guaranteed, but I feel it was attainable.
Spurs, while they have a lot of question marks, also have a lot of decent upside young players in Leonard, Blair & Tiago. It's far from a given that those guys take a step forward, but the potential is there. If those guys can play well, this team will be better than last years (barring any injury to the big 3). If that is the case, depending on what other teams add and what the Spurs do, I can see a mini little playoff run to the 2nd round (probably my ceiling if things go well) or even a WCF (if things go REALLY WELL).
So with all of that, remember you have nuggets team that was a threat, but is now way less of a team because of their players leaving/left. New Orleans is likely to be without West. There really isn't anyone jumping the Spurs and if you get a net improvement by playing Tiago/Leonard more (again, not a given at all) it's not that hard to see them competing more than last year which I would be thrilled with.
A Parker/Ginobili/Leonard/Splitter/Duncan lineup will seriously lack of spacing. I doubt it will work. Pop could decide to have a better defender starting at SF than RJ but this player should also be a good 3 point shooter.
I agree it has it's flaws, but the uptick in energy, hustle, rebounding, defense and ability to slash/draw fouls offsets the deficiencies overall IMO. In fact, look at MEM for a prime example of how that can work.
Starting: Conley/Sam Young/Allen/Gasol/Randolph severely lacks spacing and 3 PT shooting, but they were able to overcome. Obviously. Gasol/Randolph is better offensively than Tiago/Duncan, but they aren't really spaced a ton better because both Marc & Zach play deep in the paint (even if Zach can pick and pop).
Point is, that I think it will have it's flaws, but will be better suited to playoff winning.
Spurs have plenty of 3 pt shooters they can rotate in when need be.
Spacing is way the down the list of factors that make a winning team.
I'll take a huge, talented front line over "spacing" any day.
Randolph shoots way better than Duncan
Gasol shoots pretty good as well
It makes a big difference.
Sorry, my post wasn't necessarily aimed at you. I do agree that they're probably good enough to reach the playoffs, anything else is gravy.
I'm personally leaning more towards enjoying any good game Manu and TD can give us than any shot at a 'ship.
I would rather have Parker/Neal/Leonard/Splitter/Duncan and have Manu come off the bench to lead a good second unit.
Neal would provide spacing.
Duncan has the ability to play a little further out (a la Zach Randolph) while Tiago operates mainly inside (a la Gasol). It's not ideal and that line up has flaws, but the Bonner/Tim/RJ line up has many more detrimental ones IMO.
Spurs 2012 forecast? Definately not winning an NBA championship. Not with RJ as a starting small forward. Not with a giant gaping hole in the middle. We all know what we need but we arent gonna get it. The less hope you have on the spurs 2012 forecast the better.
Not optimistic. The decline began a few years ago, but compressing the season does not do an old team in decline any favors.
I'm just going to watch. I'm not expecting much. Hopefully there is more good than bad.
he only has 66 games to get over himself compared to the 82 Splitter had.
I don't think it's crazy to expect to be able to contend. The lineup will probably be Parker-Ginobili-Jefferson-Duncan-Splitter with Neal,Anderson,Leonard, Blair, and a replacement for Dice off the bench. Adding Splitter and Anderson will help cover some of defensive deficiencies last season. Splitter could have a Tyson Chandler like effect. They might need a real backup PG.
Yes Sir ... any game with Manu and Tim on the court is a blessing. And compe ive minutes for Splitter, Anderson and Leonard would be a nice christmas gift by Pop.
I understand the desire of the people here to always have a team that is a contender. But that is just not realistic. Last season provided six months of successful and enjoyable Spurs basketball (only that six game losing streak hurt). The playoff series with Memphis was intense and had some good moments. Everybody says regular season does not count, but as a basketball fan most of the games you are able to watch are regular season games. If I am happy for half a year and then feel a little down because of an early playoff exit, thats not a bad deal after all.
In a nuts - I just wanna see the Spurs play and have not doubt they will reach the playoffs unless major injuries occur.
^ I appreciate the entertainment, but it's also undeniable that compe ive/winning playoffs runs are the ones that tend to leave a mark. Basically, the 60+ wins season was enjoyable to watch, but it won't be what this team is remembered for.
Totally agree ... and the Spurs had more than their share of such moments in the Tim Duncan era. The regular season lasts half a year and I do not know if I would like to see a losing team, e.g. tanking to get an early first round draft pick again.
an asterisk only means something to the teams that dont win. um,
they were done since 08
I don't think we are a contender. We are definately a playoff team. I think we have potential to knock off a contender in the playoffs, but we won't go all the way. Should be fun watching.. I hope the Spurs surprise us all.
This ^
The Spurs are simply too cash-strapped to be able to to do much in free agency. Though I'd settle for a low-risk, young, cheap guy like Earl Clark.
Let me give an outside perspective ...the spurs are NOT done. Maybe their record last year was a bit of a mirage or maybe it was Pop "over acheiving" with a limited cast. But you cant have the 2nd best record in the NBA and go to non contender status IMHO.
Are you guys favorites? NO! I would say in the west you would have to consider them behind Dallas and possibly the Lakers. Overall probably behind miami and Chicago as well. But there is no garuntee that OKC, POR or even MEM will take the leap needed to surpass the spurs.
I guess I am hesitant to throw dirt on your team, maybe because I lived in SA for 3 years and saw how dangerous this team used to be on a nightly basis. Maybe many on here are right, without elite level defense it wont matter if Manu, Parker and duncan are healthy come playoff time ...
But i thought last year (i was wrong) and I think they still have one WCF run left in them.
BUT it depends on Timmy/Ginobili pulling out a few vintage Duncan/Manu games ...
A lot of things would have to go our way for that to happen Killa, but It's possible, although a long shot.
My expectations for the Spurs are not very high unless they make allot of changes and off-load the non-winners like Jefferson, and Bonner and also snag something good to help TD in the paint. Another year staying pat just will not get it done with an aging core.
However I'm very excited to get to see the new players in action, regardless of the seasons outcome.
I just wish TD wasn't going out like this but he has had an awesome career regardless, and it was a privilege to have had him on the team I love.
I'm still gonna love to see my team ball!
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