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Two unforeseen events that have absolutely nothing to do with one another and are not similar in any way. But thanks for trying to make a completely ludicrous comparison trying to sound smart yet again...only to sound stupid...yet again.
If you asked me prior to the regular season whether I'd rather play a healthy Thunder team or the Grizzlies in the WCF, I take the latter all day, tbh..
I haven't been too upset about a Spurs loss in years, tbh, I already cherish these last years of Spurs basketball, I haven't had a problem with unrealistic expectations since 2008..however, the Spurs getting a Memphis team that would be fodder in most other years, rather than the Thunder with Harden/Westbrook or even just Westbrook, alters the expectations for this team, tbh..
Two unforeseen events that have absolutely nothing to do with one another and are not similar in any way. But thanks for trying to make a completely ludicrous comparison trying to sound smart yet again...only to sound stupid...yet again.
First off, as soon as Harden got traded to the Rockets, the Spurs expectations (if health remained on their side) went up IMO. Secondly, before the start of the season, Pop and everyone with a brain all knew Leonard, Splitter, and Green had room to improve, which in-turn, would presumably improve the Spurs as a team for the 2012/2013 season.
Fast forward to the start of the playoffs and a lot of things have transpired in favor of the Spurs.
1) Duncan has had a resurgence ( better year than last year).
2) Three key role players have improved ( Leonard, Green, Splitter).
3) Spurs were able to develop a true back up point guard in Cory Joseph. Which is very important for Parkers overall stamina which should enhance his overall offensive efficiency.
4) Westbrook injury
5) Health
Spurs essentially have the same team as last year, except 4 key role players have improved (Their starting SG, SF and C; and their back-up PG). Parker being 85-90% right now may negate some of those areas of improvement to a degree, but Pop kept saying Parker was getting better and better --as was his confidence. This was very true up until he got kneed in the calf. Hopefully as that bruise subsides completely and Parker can get back on track to where he was prior to the knee to the calf.
I just can't understand how some people are saying expectations have been met when all of these things have played out this year.
Now if you would have asked me in 2009, "Hey Tres', would you be satisfied with a 2013 WCF Finals appearance?" I would have said yeah. But things then were looking quite dim. Spurs had no youth or talent, Duncan hadn't figured out his 33-34 year old body, Manu was always injured going into the post-season. Things looked very bleak. But guess what? All of that revisited history means complete now.
It's a new team, a new era, and a new year with new cir stances. Expectations for this team in 2012/2013 have yet to be reached.
Great post.
As soon as Westbrook went down, the Spurs had no reason to not at least reach the Finals tbh.
3 years ago I thought we'd be going 20-62 in the 2012-13 season with Timmy, Manu and Pop retired, TP maybe somewhere else, and rebuilding in full-swing. I couldn't be happier that my hunch proved completely incorrect.I know there are a lot of championship-or-bust fans but I want to take a timeout to congratulate the Spurs for at least hitting par on this season. I said before the season and again before the playoffs that the Spurs making it to the WCF in reasonable health would be a reasonable expectation. Less than that would be a failure. More than that would be success. So right now, even if things go south, the Spurs put together another fine season.
The aging legs and the accompanying injuries made it a difficult road to travel at times -- but they're here and they have a chance.
Congrats and thanks for another fun ride
For me:
1999 was a monkey off the back after a decade of "almost..." seasons,
2003 was the icing on David's cake, finally bringing an end to the dauntless Shaq-Kobe Fakers that plagued us from 2000-2002, and the gateway to Timmy's prime
2005 was the emergence of clutch superstar Manu, Horry's last hurrah, Timmy's continued dominance, and by that point it felt like I was drunk on Spurs success
2007 was truly unexpected, a run from nowhere, and the emergence of superstar Parker
After one ring I felt blessed to be a Spurs fan, the second felt like vindication, the third was the most hard-fought, and the fourth was just ridiculous...by the time the Spurs had won 4 rings I felt like I could never ask or expect anything of a sporting team again. Never in my wildest dreams did I think the Spurs would win 4 rings. From that point on it's all been gravy.
Well done once again, Spurs, you continue to amaze and delight us all (except the bandwagoners and cliff-jumpers).
Now let's go skin some Grizzlies.
Cosign!!
Spurs playing with house (Stern) money.
I think it's a 2-edged sword. With Westbrook down, expectations should be the Finals. But Spurs have not been playing well now for the past 2 months - nowhere near January form or their form leading into the playoffs last year. So considering how poorly they've played to end the season and over the past 2 series, they're lucky to be where they are. Hopefully they can play better, get back into last year's form, peak during the Finals against a Heat team that's already hit its peak (and maybe which hits a rough patch with all the pressure to repeat). That's what it'll take to be compe ive vs MIA, short of a Lebron injury.
I'm super pleased the Spurs are where they are. We have faced lower seeded teams with injuries but now we are facing a healthy team playing very well. Take nothing for granted, this is going to be a tough series. But it's finals or bust, because the big 3 are indeed reaching the end of their ride together, these opportunities are rare and they know it. My expectations have not been reached. I expect them to beat Memphis in 6 and then face Miami and give them 6 or 7 games of . I don't think those are unrealistic expectations at all. Very proud of this Spurs team. Splitter, Green, and Kawhi have really come along. And Cojo has found a role, he may give Conley all sorts of and REALLY emerge. Go Spurs!!!
There is nothing wrong with expecting more...but I still wouldn't call getting to the WCF a failure and I don't knock anyone for being glad just to be there. The Spurs weren't healthy to start the playoffs and still probably aren't all the way there. Parker said himself he was very beat up at the start and if you think back to the level Parker was playing at earlier in the season, one could easily say he's closer to 70% than 90%. Parker at that level would obliterate the Grizz are probably end the series in five. Same with Manu...he was playing outstanding earlier in the year but he just has not been the same since the hamstring injuries. His is struggling mightily when try to finish at the rim and his has made only 11 of his last 40 attempts from distance. I would tend to agree more with those who are predicting the Spurs dominating if those two were at the level they were producing at.
You are right about the role players being better, but Green is still streaky with his shooting(though he has played great defense to cancel some of that out) and Splitter is looking better(especially in the last game) but has yet to put together two full games where he hasn't gone through spells of Charmin soft play. They are about to face a much better defensive team than they played last series and will need to be more disciplined than ever in the half court. There are no guarantees about how either will respond. It's going to very much a wait and see process.
As I said initially, there's nothing wrong with a sense of accomplishment when you look at the adversity the Spurs had to overcome as they headed into the playoffs. Yes, the cir stances have changed but that doesn't change the adversity of the late season injuries/poor overall play which led to losing the top seed and uncertainty of whether the Spurs could even pull it all together enough to not get in a battle with the Lakers that could have drug out much longer than it should have. Much has happened...much has changed. I, like any other fan, am hoping for more...but I'm certainly happy they are here.
Beating a Fakers team that was rigged into the #8 spot.
Beating Golden with injuries to Lee, Curry and Bogut.
It's not a major accomplishment.
It's reasonable the Spurs certainly should have won both series.
Gosh, it's almost like you're supposed to feel guilty for wanting another ring.
All or nothing, spurs haven't done anything yet this season
The Spurs have come a long way from '10. They finally ended the experiment known as San Antonio Suns by getting more defense.
CB telling you to nut up should probably prompt a long look in the mirror, LJ.
I absolutely believe we can beat Memphis. moral victories. Pack the paint, make 'em shoot over the top. 'em.
It's Championship or bust. Aren't we past moral victories by now ? The Spurs improved from last year, have more experienced younger players and are better than the Grizzlies. I expected them to reach the Finals last year and I expect and hope they do so again. They have the talent, the hca and the motivation. This team isn't in rebuilding mode, this team was put together to go to the Finals. I expect the Spurs to beat the Grizzlies and play for a Championship. If you lose in the Finals and the better team wins, than so be it.
They haven't reached their ceiling. This team can absolutely win it all IF they keep improving. Get back to the fluid offense and unselfish play they showed for 20 straight games last year.
Last edited by tmtcsc; 05-19-2013 at 12:32 AM.
Spurs got lucky with two easy matchups. Luck runs out soon.Beating a Fakers team that was rigged into the #8 spot.
Beating Golden with injuries to Lee, Curry and Bogut.
It's not a major accomplishment.
It's reasonable the Spurs certainly should have won both series.
Good post!!!
Now this thread is appropriate, tbh. Anything else from here on in is just gravy.
NOW they have been reached.
It's all gravy now, tbh.
timvp do not be satisfied yet
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