I Am So Proud

[DeadlyDynasty]

DPG...you were right not to bet me...well done.

[z0sa]

Spurs IMO, after being up 2-0 with home court advantage, choked a series away. OKC definitely played better than they did in the first two games, but the Spurs play significantly worse to the point where IMO OKC does not get that credit, at least not all of it.

If others think the Spurs, for the entire series, played their hearts out and their best wasn't good enough, that's fine. I don't think thats the case. I don't think the Spurs played their best and it all doesn't have to do with OKC.

Exactly how I feel. This is one of those 'ones that got away.' And I don't mean Game 6. I mean the series. This could have been over in 4 or 5 games in the Spurs favor, but that terrible Game 3 loss re-energized the Thunder and ultimately cost us everything.

[SA210]

Rodney the Durant sucker referee can suck my ing . That sorry ass piece of boned us every way from Sunday. If it weren't for him we'd be getting ready for a game seven. the alternate ref for getting called in at tip off and getting caught up in the emotions of home court fandom.

That guy can die in a ing fire for all I care. He ed the spurs in what was likely their last le run. Every marginal call. Every 50-50 call. He ed us every step of the way. that sorry ass piece of .

This x1000

[jag]

Ok. It's hilarious that you admittedly agree with me often, but after tough losses when I post an opinion you don't like, you go all emo.

It's just the stuff of homer fans, it's annoying. You aren't a homer but after big losses you sometimes come with very predictable takes. I couldn't even make it through the first page in this thread without seeing you come with a very predictable/homer "the Spurs choked" take. I didn't read your questions because I don't feel like arguing about pointless that has nothing to do with being proud of how the Spurs played tonight.

As far as how I feel about the Spurs, Thunder and this series... I already said this:

The Spurs won all season by being the better team. They never had the best individual players. The Thunder lost games by playing ISO ball. It's why they were beatable. It's why the Spurs would consistently take them apart.

When the Thunder figured out how to play unselfish team ball, they matched the Spurs greatest strength, and their individual talent began to take over.

Anyone who doesn't accept this (DPG being emotional after a loss) is in denial.

I'm proud that they competed. I'm proud that they went out and fought. They weren't the better team anymore.

[Monostradamus]

[Budkin]

Going into the season I had no expectations. The painful part is getting so good and looking like they were a lock and then blowing it all. That's what hurts.

[DPG21920]

It's just the stuff of homer fans, it's annoying. You aren't a homer but after big losses you sometimes come with very predictable takes. I couldn't even make it through the first page in this thread without seeing you come with a very predictable/homer "the Spurs choked" take. I didn't read your questions because I don't feel like arguing about pointless that has nothing to do with being proud of how the Spurs played tonight.

As far as how I feel about the Spurs, Thunder and this series... I already said this:

Jag, you know I don't go emo and make stuff up. I truly feel this way. I feel the Spurs should have won the series for all the reasons I outlined. You may not agree, but I dont think the things I have said are at all unreasonable, especially from the perspective that they really didn't play good ball in games 3-5.

[MaNu4Tres]

I like Jag, but when he doesn't agree with me (which is mostly about the Spurs losing in the playoffs the last two years) he acts like a tool and won't answer any questions that he knows will somewhat defeat what he's saying.

I don't believe Memphis was the better team. I believe we sustained a key injury and they played well above their heads. That doesn't mean I think MEM sucked, but I judge series by if both teams play their best, who wins? Then you factor in other variables. I know teams don't always play their best. Sometimes that's because another team forces that, other times it's because you choke or meltdown.

Spurs IMO, after being up 2-0 with home court advantage, choked a series away. OKC definitely played better than they did in the first two games, but the Spurs play significantly worse to the point where IMO OKC does not get that credit, at least not all of it.

If others think the Spurs, for the entire series, played their hearts out and their best wasn't good enough, that's fine. I don't think thats the case. I don't think the Spurs played their best and it all doesn't have to do with OKC.

The reason why Spurs didn't play their best was because 33% of the rotation that got them 20 straight wins didn't see the court after game 4. It was a huge huge mistake by Pop.

If you would have told me Splitter, Green, Bonner and Blair would get hurt and couldn't play the rest of the series after game 4, I wouldn't have expected the Spurs to win 2 games out of 3. (which is the scenario that essentially transpired because Pop pretty much gave up on them)

[crc21209]

I am DAMN proud of this team as well. I want the Big 3, Jack, Kawhi, Diaw, Neal, and Splitter back next year. (But he needs to expand his game) Bonner needs to go. Green needs to work on his mid-range game and finishing in the paint, and grow some balls as well, then we can talk about him coming back. Blair can go as well tbh.

[DPG21920]

The reason why Spurs didn't play their best was because 33% of the rotation that got them 20 straight wins didn't see the court after game 4. It was a huge huge mistake by Pop.

If you would have told me Splitter, Green, Bonner and Blair would get hurt and couldn't play the rest of the series after game 4, I wouldn't have expected the Spurs to win 2 games out of 3. (which is the scenario that essentially transpired because Pop pretty much gave up on them)

Don't disagree with that entirely, but the big guys didn't step up either. TP had a fantastic game 2, but struggled in most others (except the first half tonight). Manu had 2 good games. Tim struggled mightly. The role players hurt big time, but the big 3 didn't right the ship nearly as much as they could have.

[Capt Bringdown]

Highlight of the season was the departure of Jefferson and the return of the prodigal SJAX.

Playoffs were disappointing as the Spurs choked away a 2-0 lead and blew the big 3's best and last chance at another ring.
Sorted

[Riddler]

lol DPG
lol in denial
lol blaming every Spurs' loss on choking
lol wrong bout dem Spurs

[loveforthegame]

Playoffs are where you make a name for yourself. We know who stepped up and who wet the bed.

Never thought we'd make it this far so there are certainly guys I'm proud of but it also exposed the dead weight.

Hope guys come back rested and hungrier than ever. And let's hope RC and Pop rid the team of the dead weight.

[jag]

Jag, you know I don't go emo and make stuff up. I truly feel this way. I feel the Spurs should have won the series for all the reasons I outlined. You may not agree, but I dont think the things I have said are at all unreasonable, especially from the perspective that they really didn't play good ball in games 3-5.

Where the Spurs went wrong is they finally bought into the hype. They finally started to believe they were unbeatable. They let their guard down for game 3 and stopped playing with urgency. When they did that, they allowed the Thunder role players to gain confidence. Their role players started playing aggressively and shooting confidently. This allowed Durant, Harden and Westbrook to actually trust them and get them involved in the offense. It allowed them to play team ball, to trust each other. It also gave them confidence on the other end of the floor, the defensive end. Once that got going, the Spurs were ed. The Spurs tried to turn it back on but the Thunder matched them in every area. And the Thunder had the one thing the Spurs couldn't match - more talent.

[Mugen]

Don't disagree with that entirely, but the big guys didn't step up either. TP had a fantastic game 2, but struggled in most others (except the first half tonight). Manu had 2 good games. Tim struggled mightly. The role players hurt big time, but the big 3 didn't right the ship nearly as much as they could have.

How much more could you expect from Tim going against the best post defender in the NBA and the best weakside shot blocker at 36 years old, D?

[manu the best]

no body likes to lose. but I'm really happy to witness one of the best SPURS team. i am so proud of OUR TEAM. they gave their best. nobody believed in SPURS except us, their true fans.

THANK YOU
pop
timmy
MANU
tony
all other players
and RC


GO SPURS GO

[Keepin' it real]

The reason why Spurs didn't play their best was because 33% of the rotation that got them 20 straight wins didn't see the court after game 4. It was a huge huge mistake by Pop.

If you would have told me Splitter, Green, Bonner and Blair would get hurt and couldn't play the rest of the series after game 4, I wouldn't have expected the Spurs to win 2 games out of 3. (which is the scenario that essentially transpired because Pop pretty much gave up on them)

It was not a mistake to take those players out of the rotation. They were not ready for that kind of atmosphere against such a talented team. They had their chances earlier in the series and proved they could not handle it.

[kaji157]

Where the Spurs went wrong is they finally bought into the hype. They finally started to believe they were unbeatable. They let their guard down for game 3 and stopped playing with urgency. When they did that, they allowed the Thunder role players to gain confidence. Their role players started playing aggressively and shooting confidently. This allowed Durant, Harden and Westbrook to actually trust them and get them involved in the offense. It allowed them to play team ball, to trust each other. It also gave them confidence on the other end of the floor, the defensive end. Once that got going, the Spurs were ed. The Spurs tried to turn it back on but the Thunder matched them in every area. And the Thunder had the one thing the Spurs couldn't match, more talent.

And REAL home court advantage.

[DPG21920]

Where the Spurs went wrong is they finally bought into the hype. They finally started to believe they were unbeatable. They let their guard down for game 3 and stopped playing with urgency. When they did that, they allowed the Thunder role players to gain confidence. Their role players started playing aggressively and shooting confidently. This allowed Durant, Harden and Westbrook to actually trust them and get them involved in the offense. It allowed them to play team ball, to trust each other. It also gave them confidence on the other end of the floor, the defensive end. Once that got going, the Spurs were ed. The Spurs tried to turn it back on but the Thunder matched them in every area. And the Thunder had the one thing the Spurs couldn't match - more talent.

So, in your opinion, if the Spurs would have stayed focused and not let their guard down, they should have won the series. That was on the Spurs, not the Thunder. That is my point. Spurs took something away from themselves that had nothing to do with the Thunder. Thunder gets all the credit for learning and growing so rapidly, but ultimately if the Spurs played their best, with great energy and urgency and execution, they win.

[jag]

And REAL home court advantage.

The Thunder don't even need it. Durant and Harden keep that team together with their toughness and mental stability. They balance out Westbrook's chimp brain.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The 2011-2012 San Antonio Spurs gave it all they had. They played with every ounce of their souls in this Game 6. It was their best game of the series and one of their best games of the season. Unfortunately, the Spurs just didn't have enough. Our Spurs didn't lose it; the Thunder went out and won the game.

The Thunder are a great, great team. One of the best teams I've ever seen the Spurs play. Perhaps they performed over their heads -- only time can tell that tale -- but if they didn't, that is a team that will win multiple championships. Congrats to you, Oklahoma City.

But I'm so god damn proud of the Spurs. You gave it everything you had. As a fan, that's all I can ever ask for.

Thank you Spurs for a wonderful season. Thank you SpursTalk for making this an even more memorable ride. It was fun. I'm sorry this road didn't reach the ultimate destination.

But I'm so very proud.

Totally agree - the 2012 Spurs left everything they had out on the court in games 5 and 6 and were simply beaten by a better team peaking at just the right time.

Sad end to a wonderful season, but you've got to give it to OKC - not sure I've seen a team play better basketball than they have in the past 4 games. Our juggernaut ran into a buzzsaw, what else can you say?

[crc21209]

Watching other teams, I would honestly rather have guys like Pietrus, Brandon Bass, Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans over guys like Bonner, Blair, and Green. That's all the Spurs are missing at this point. ONE more guy who can defend 2's and 3's while hitting some open 3's, and an inside defender who won't take in the paint.

[MaNu4Tres]

Don't disagree with that entirely, but the big guys didn't step up either. TP had a fantastic game 2, but struggled in most others (except the first half tonight). Manu had 2 good games. Tim struggled mightly. The role players hurt big time, but the big 3 didn't right the ship nearly as much as they could have.

The big 3 can't right the ship as efficiency as they used to for 37- 40 minutes against elite 24 year old star players that run like the wind. This isn't 2003 or 2005. The bench was an essential piece to the puzzle that got the team this far and Pop pretty much gave up on it after a couple of bad games ( he gave up on Splitter tonight after 1 bad possession when him couldn't hear him yelling for him to double over a hostile Thunder crowd).

He actually gave them an opportunity in game 5 for a brief stint, but he idiotically put them in position to fail by putting Blair at the 5 and going extremely small-- which ended up making Nick Collison look like Tiago Splitter does vs. the Bobcats in the pick and roll. After that travesty, (which was obviously going to happen before it transpired) Pop gave up on them again.

[Capt Bringdown]

Spurs get swept and backdoor swept after having the best record in the league 2 years in a row.
Only team ever to get backdoor swept twice.
LOL "proud"

[DPG21920]

I just think it's pretty f'ng weak for Timvp to go the route he did when much of what I said seems justified to me and several other posters. This isn't a meltdown, but perhaps I misinterpreted some of what this thread was about.