-Whoever wins tonight will probably get the No. 1 seed in the West. Considering that these two teams are relatively close when both are healthy, HCA could make the difference. So, yeah, with that in mind, tonight is huge. It could ultimately determine which team represents the West in the Finals.
-I've been traveling/working a lot so my posting has been somewhat limited lately but, man, this has been a frightening last couple months heading into the postseason. It seems like the Spurs literally suffer a new injury every game. We as Spurs fans just have to hope it's a minor injury and/or it's not a key player. I'm trying to enjoy this team -- it's just extra stressful watching a game right now due to the fragility of all the players
-I can't figure out what to think of this team right now. On one hand, it feels a bit like 2011 in that the Spurs might have peaked early and are now limping into the playoffs while dealing a host of slumps and injuries. But, on the other hand, at times it appears as if the Spurs are coasting a bit and are capable of reaching another level in the playoffs. Tonight will be a great test to see if this team truly has another gear when needed.
-As maddening as Manu Ginobili played at times (before he went down, the number of low basketball IQ plays he was making per game was astounding), the Spurs REALLY miss him against a elite teams. Without Ginobili, the elite can just trap Tony Parker, sag in on Tim Duncan ... and then the Spurs will struggle to score unless their ball-movement becomes ungodly. Relying on ball-movement is dangerous because all it takes is a sticky player or two to ruin it. Teams like OKC and Miami just need their great players to be great -- which is much more dependable.
-Stephen Jackson missing tonight's game is unfortunate since the Thunder are the one team he actually is very much needed against. Ah well.
-Speaking of Jackson: Is he done or is he pulling an Horry? I'm hoping for the latter but, unfortunately, my guess would be the former. He's going to have to show something between now and the end of the postseason to even be worth bringing back for the minimum.
-Let's get to some good news. Duncan is showing glimpses of his vintage self after The Injury Scare. That is HUGE. If he can be something close to a 20-point, 12-rebound force in the playoffs, the Spurs are going to be difficult to beat (assuming, of course, that Parker is healthy and Ginobili makes it back from his third hamstring injury).
-Parker isn't all the way back yet but I'm not too worried. It looks like he's carrying a little extra weight that he picked up while rehabbing. He should have that burned off before too much longer. As long as he doesn't suffer any sort of setback, I don't know of a reason why he won't be great again by playoff time.
-Kawhi Leonard's rapid maturation is awesome to witness. Defensively, he's living up and surpassing the hype. I scoffed earlier in the season when people were calling him an elite perimeter defender. Right now, he's an elite perimeter defender. Probably top ten in the NBA. That in itself makes the Spurs much better equipped for the playoffs. And then there's his offense -- which has been improving at the same rate as his defense. During his rookie season and the beginning of this year, I wrote a lot about how it would be very helpful if he learned how to attack the rim within halfcourt sets. For his first season and a half in the NBA, we just didn't see it very often. But suddenly, he can do it. Leonard having a three-point stroke, an intermediate jumper and the capability of driving all the way to the hoop makes him a legit offensive option. If he can average 12-14 points in the playoffs and keep defending at his current level ... well, damn, he'd suddenly be in the discussion for a top 5 small forward in the NBA.
-Another huge Leonard-related development is that he has shown to be able to play the entire second half of games. That's big for three reasons: 1) It helps keep the bench unit from falling apart 2) It ends San Antonio's reliance on Jackson playing key minutes 3) Most of the stud perimeter players can and will play the entire second half in big games -- so Leonard being able to match that is important.
-The Spurs got a steal of a deal on Danny Green. I think he's been pretty damn awesome the last month or so. His defense has been a lot better. And as a three-point shooter, you can't argue against 44%. He's legitimately a great shooter who is becoming a better than average defender. I'm happy with him.
-Tiago Splitter is going to make ~$10 million per season starting next year. And hopefully it's the Spurs paying him.
-Back to the Thunder game, my hold-a-gun-to-my-head pick would be Oklahoma City to win. Even if the Spurs play better, weird things seem to happen in Oklahoma City. Let's leave it at that.
-A win tonight would be so great. It's going to be damn tough but it could be a season-defining type win. A loss wouldn't be the end of the world ... but big picture-wise, it'd be a blow to S.A.'s chances of making to the Finals.
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agree on green. dude has been ballin
disagree on spurs coasting. they are struggling and I have seen nothing zero nada that tells me they can take it up another level.
also disagree a win/loss mean nothing. win or lose, spurs will still be left licking their wounds for now
I respectfully disagree on Jackson. He showed before Orlando signs of waking up especially against Memphis where he was very damn good.
With pop sticking with splitter and Duncan and kawhi's development, I feel very confident in the defense going forward.
also pop has to remind Kawhi to shoot the damn ball, stop being passive, his shot is good enough now to be relied on when Duncan and Parker are taken away.
No Manu, no Jackson, and a hobbled Tony...it'll be tough. I'm really curious to see this resurgent version of Timmy against OKC's front line. He was still getting back into a rhythm the last time these two teams played, but he's fine now. Tim's ability to produce will be huge, since OKC can seemingly disrupt our PnR game at any moment.
Hate to say it, but the Spurs aren't coasting. They're banged up and the offense is struggling badly. However, I think with TP getting back into his pre-injury form the starting lineup will become elite on both ends once again, which will be huge for the playoffs. Spurs getting out of the second round will depend on Manu being healthy and able to impact the game positively. Jack has shown flashes of saving it for the playoffs, but if this ankle injury of his is serious then that will more than likely derail that chance.
Green still can't drive or finish at the rim, that cost us the game vs the Rockets and about 4pts per games imo.
But his contract is nice indeed and could be moved easily.
Of course this game is important for home court, but in no way is it season defining IMO. We haven't played at full strength vs the Thunder yet and have already beaten them twice. In fact I think the key to beating them in the playoffs is Manu vs Martin, and he's only played in one game.
Game 1: No Manu (W)
Game 2: No Manu or Leonard (L)
Game 3: No Parker (W)
Game 4: No Manu or Jackson (?)
Even if we come out at 2-2 after those injuries we have to be happy and hope we stay injury free in the playoffs. This team is all about health.
4pts/game? link?
even if, his blocks/steals and hustle more than makes up for that
Also re: Jackson, his broken finger has affected him all season. No matter what happens I'd take him back for the minimum this summer based on previous years and the fact that he has been consistently unlucky with injuries.
Also I for one am not worried one sec about Sjax.
De Colo blocks shots as well, shoots 40% from 3 AND make layups, for less money...
nobody mentioned De Colo.
Green for a guy his size that can guard the coveted SG/SF positions is ballin and is a steal.
Pop trusts Jax but not Green
No he can't guard sf and is on PGs half the time lol. And I chose to mention De colo because I think he should play SG, that's all.
Great thoughts and I agree with most of them. Jack ain't done, he is just trying to get healthy and his shot reliable. He is not a great % shooter, but seems to hit the big ones. OTOH, I have seen him throw a few bricks lately, but I attribute that to uncalled fouls. , Jax seems to think it was.
It is nice to see Green and even Neal improving on defense and getting better.
Kawhi is progressing at an even better rate or is just so damn athletic that it seems that way. If he continues at this rate of improvement he could be the difference maker in this finals. Could the Spurs actually have the Big 4 they wanted when HWSNBN arrived?
Yep, Green is one of the best shooters in the league. 60% TS is impressive.
Pop err Fabs with the usual terrible takes.
How good do you think Baynes can be?
another thing that goes unmentioned with green is his rebounding...he really skys for those boards when the bigs are fighting over it tbh
This game is not the end of the world. If they lose it, they need to start resting up for the playoffs IMO.. Don't beat them up anymore for 1 extra HG in the WCF..
Way to many injuries.
The question is will green be ballin in the playoffs this year, or is it back to the bench? That'll determine how much of a "steal" he is, imo..
We beat them without TP last time, though the situation has been reversed. Last time they were on the 2nd of a b2b after playing Boston and we were at home.
Though to be fair, TP and Kawhi are well rested and Timmy barely broke a sweat. Hopefully Green is still hot
Exactly even the fanbase is all about the regular season these days you'd think reading some posters.
Totally don't care about HCA.
No injuries.
Heal the ailing, can I get an amen hallelujah praise cheddar cheezus.
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