Will Spurs Win the West? First Take on ESPN

[DAF86]

Now that, I would argue with. This Spurs team IS in the exact same position as last year's team. Do you really expect people to remember that last year's team lost 6 in a row toward the end? Heck, I'm a die-hard fan, and even I don't remember that. What I remember about the 2011 Spurs is they:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. had Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. got the number 1 seed,
4. then lost in the first round.

The 2012 Spurs:

1. kicked ass in the regular season,
2. have Matt Bonner as a significant part of the rotation,
3. are about to get the number 1 seed,
4. then ... TBD.

So to say they are in the exact same position is very accurate. Fortunately, the Spurs are healthier and much improved down low with Diaw and more playing time for Splitter. And with Parker playing the best ball of his career, the sky's the limit.

-Last year's team peaked early and struggle at the end and carried that into the playoffs.
-Last year we had Dice, Hill and RJ. Now we have Diaw, Jackson, Leonard and Green.
-This year Splitter is a rotation guy, last year he wasn't.
-Last year Manu got injured, this year he isn't (so far, knocking on wood).
-Last year we played a Memphis team that was the hottest team of the moment and wasn't even the real 8th seed. This year we're playing Utah or Phoenix.
-Parker and Duncan are playing at a higher level this year.

[sananspursfan21]

Hey but dont worry. Wale likes the city

[Keepin' it real]

Riiiiiiiiight ...

This sounds like a fun, if a bit stupid game. Can I play?

The 1999 Spurs:
- the franchise was named the Spurs
- Duncan was the big man with most playing time
- it was a lockout season
- Spurs were #1 in the West
- Spurs won championship

The 2012 Spurs:
- the franchise is still named the Spurs
- Duncan is the big man with most playing time
- it's a lockout season
- Spurs are #1 in the West
- ... TBD

It's incredible but it's accurate to say we are in the EXACT same position as in 1999. Obviously the outcome can only be the same!!!

[Spurminator]

This is basically The View for casual sports fans. I don't know why you guys bother.

[therealtruth]

I still like this Onion article (http://www.theonion.com/articles/all...hing-to,17267/). I just can't stand that guy discussing sports.

[ohmwrecker]

Most rappers are borderline re ed. What happened to all the intelligent dudes in hip hop? Chuck D? KRS-1? Michael Franti?

[SA210]

All of them are ridiculously annoying. That was some of the worst basketball discussion I've ever seen on a "sports" network. Even if it's not about the Spurs, you can tell the blatant bias and removal of all fact based arguments. "Cute record". We get it, the Spurs don't act hood enough for you and you hate white guys from other countries. Why not just say that, because you obvisouly haven't watched any NBA basketball this year or last year for that matter.

I love the roll of the eyes when talking about a fractured elbow. No biggie.

That stupid really pissed me off when she rolled her eyes about that. Broken arm is not a big deal?

Idiots!

[SA210]

Is Skip the only guy who has even followed the Spurs the past 5 years?!

Yes

[SA210]

And I hated when "analysts" start playing the ratings card. Parker pointed out that 2 of the Finals were the least watched ratings wise. That's a product of ESPN marketing individual players rather than great teamwork.

Ratings have nothing to do with the discussion. Morons. Can't believe they get paid to be on national television.

[Duncan2177]

Just a couple of tools

[Obstructed_View]

Watched it for a bit while the remote was charging. Saw the eyeroll and the yawn by mini Lil Jon. Sort of proves that the Spurs were never boring, it was just an excuse by people that didn't want them to do well.

[rjv]

Is Skip the only guy who has even followed the Spurs the past 5 years?!

i think skip is the only one who even watches NBA games with any regularity. predator guy probably watches only highlights. nice cover to say he loves the cities but just hates the teams. just in case his no name rap act ever has to place a gig here.

[SA210]

Watched it for a bit while the remote was charging. Saw the eyeroll and the yawn by mini Lil Jon. Sort of proves that the Spurs were never boring, it was just an excuse by people that didn't want them to do well.

Exactly. I dont know if anyone else agrees, or maybe it's the homer in me, but I never thought the Spurs were boring, even during the first Championship.

Go back and watch the Memorial Day miracle, how the f was that boring, The Twin tower suffocating D. In 2003 Manu wowed with his crazy plays that we werent used to. Manu's takeover in 2005 against the Pistons..I mean i never thought they were boring at all.

It was all just what ESPN put in viewers heads and the sheep followed and now it's just popular to say, that we are boring. We are more efficient in my opinion than the Suns offense of years past that got so much attention.

How the f are we boring? No locker-room drama. No Hollywood story-lines, thats what its about. They dont want to give credit to a Hispanic town. Thats why they hate on the town itself, Riverwalk, etc.

[dbreiden83080]

They lost me when Rob Parker started whining about the TV ratings being bad when they are in the finals.. Not sure what that has to do with actual basketball..

[ace3g]

They lost me when Rob Parker started whining about the TV ratings being bad when they are in the finals.. Not sure what that has to do with actual basketball..

Yeah, when he said "Spurs have 3 of the lowest rated Finals ever" I just stopped listening.

[SA210]

Let's call it like it is. These 2 guys are porch monkeys with an IQ of about 50... combined.

Stan Kelly just reminded me of what was boring about the Spurs back in the day. It was Stan Kelly and that horrible music, "Yall ready for this"

[SA210]

Yet the last time you won a ring was the last season I was calling games. Coincidence? I think not. It has come to be known as The Curse of Stan Kelly.

[BlairForceDejuan]

lol what da is lil wayne talking bout up there

[BlairForceDejuan]

nugga talking bout cute....cute? are you kidding me homie? Your shirley temple curls are cute got lmao

[housious]

You guys still get worked up about this ? I mean they've been saying the same things for 15 damn years. Before that we were soft. Who gives a .

[Obstructed_View]

Yet the last time you won a ring was the last season I was calling games. Coincidence? I think not. It has come to be known as The Curse of Stan Kelly.

You mean the CURruRUruRUruRUruRUruRURSe of Stan Kelly?

[Obstructed_View]

I can understand someone who doesn't ever watch regular season basketball to buy into that , which is why the ratings for the Finals are bad in the US, but for someone claiming to be any kind of NBA fan to say it is re ed. They didn't about defense when Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy were playing 72-65 games in the playoffs.

[roycrikside]

1. Anyone who watches this show is a moron. It's designed for people to debate with Skip. For all you know Wale loves the Spurs but producers told him to act like he thinks they suck so that he can argue with Skip, which produces "compelling" TV. I'm almost positive some producer fed him that "cute" line just to mock-enrage Skip, just as I'm positive they told the dumb blonde to lay it thick with how the Spurs bore her. It's all for show. Everyone on the show is suppose to be anti-Skip's opinion. The format is designed for it to be his opinions vs. the world.

2. Even if Skip is technically on our side, you people have to realize he isn't a Spurs fan for the right reasons. He's a contrarian. His viewpoint will be to always go against majority opinion. He only "likes" the Spurs (or pretends to) because everyone else hates them. If everyone in America loved the Spurs, Skip would like the Lakers, so please stop giving him credit for being on our side. It's just all shtick.

[SA210]

1. Anyone who watches this show is a moron. It's designed for people to debate with Skip. For all you know Wale loves the Spurs but producers told him to act like he thinks they suck so that he can argue with Skip, which produces "compelling" TV. I'm almost positive some producer fed him that "cute" line just to mock-enrage Skip, just as I'm positive they told the dumb blonde to lay it thick with how the Spurs bore her. It's all for show. Everyone on the show is suppose to be anti-Skip's opinion. The format is designed for it to be his opinions vs. the world.

2. Even if Skip is technically on our side, you people have to realize he isn't a Spurs fan for the right reasons. He's a contrarian. His viewpoint will be to always go against majority opinion. He only "likes" the Spurs (or pretends to) because everyone else hates them. If everyone in America loved the Spurs, Skip would like the Lakers, so please stop giving him credit for being on our side. It's just all shtick.

He sure does know a lot about them though. He clearly watches.

[Keepin' it real]

1. Anyone who watches this show is a moron.

You're a moron for making such an idiotic statement.