Want a fresh face in the NBA Finals?

[Obstructed_View]

ESPN loves great teams that play smart, even teams that don't score a lot of points, regardless of their market size...as long as they're in the NFL or MLB.

[Obstructed_View]

Didn't Magic Johnson say at halftime that the Grizzlies needed to play a more uptempo game/pace (exactly what the spurs want to do) instead of a halfcourt game inside (what they're best at) because playing slow meant that tony parker wouldn't get tired? ing dude gettin payed million to spit this , I lol'ed hard at that one

Yes he did. He had some good takes recently, and pretty much wiped them away with that lame take.

[Man In Black]

It is what it is. It's somehow the norm to give only begrudging respect to the Spurs -- I heard someone say this morning (as if a sudden revelation) that the Spurs had been really good for a really long time -- and to wish them away. If that's how the talking heads feel, getting bent out of shape about it is just a ticket to frustration; enjoy rooting for the dark side.

With that said, I don't think there's much doubt that people would claim to be tired of the Heat or the Celtics or the Lakers or the Knicks or the Bulls if they made historically long runs like this. I also think that if the Spurs were located in New York or in Los Angeles or in some other major market, the adulation for them would be unending.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba...-that-respect/

“Where do you think the three of you should be regarded among the great trios in NBA history?
TP: ‘Yeah, that’s a GREAT question, because I’m watching the game last night (Miami’s Big Three had played its preseason opener the night before) and it shows all the best Big Threes — Chicago, Boston, the Lakers. After that, there’s a hole and it goes straight to Miami. I don’t know why they never put us on that list. It’s not like it’s gonna bother me, because I have the rings and I’ll sleep well at night. But they just don’t want to put us up there.’
TD: ‘That’s how it always is. Even in the midst of us winning championships every other year, every year we started we’d be like the No. 5 team on the list to win it. That’s the way it is in San Antonio, for whatever reason. We don’t get that respect.’
TP: ‘I always say if we did what we did in New York, we’d be gods right now.’
TD: ‘It would be crazy.’
TP: ‘I think the fact that me and Manu are international players, I don’t think we get the same respect. Because we’re not from America, I think that’s why we’re not considered up there with the Bostons, or the Lakers or Chicago.’
TD: ‘It’s a conspiracy theory.’”

[Kidd K]

Agreed.

Should've heard the analysis driving home from Fox Sports Radio on the adjustments. "The grizzlies want run, the grizzlies will want to push the pace because the Spurs slow the game down, and hate to run."

I just hate hate lazy analysis. I hate people that comment on things KNOWING they are uneducated on it, yet still go on acting like they know about it.

Bolded words are practically an oxymoron tbh. Fox isn't known for intelligence or accuracy.

[cjw]

Spurs don't run. they win with ball movement and passing, getting it ti the open man and dumping it down low to Duncan and parker occasionally taking it to the basket, they are very structured. When they try to run they turn it over or just stop and wait to set up the offense, boring as for most fans.

Right, and the Grizzlies run so much themselves. Lol

[Obstructed_View]

Bolded words are practically an oxymoron tbh. Fox isn't known for intelligence or accuracy.

Fox Sports on TV has enough local people and local coverage that they usually don't overlook teams, but their radio broadcasts are syndicated nationwide, which is when analysis suffers. Could be worse: ESPN starts with an E for a reason and NBA.com hired Van Earl Wright.

[racm]

Spurs haven't been in the Finals since 2007. Technically, they will be a fresh face.

And it's worth noting that the only guys left from the 2007 squad are the Big 3 and the Red Mamba.

[racm]

This one was the best

ESPN is missing their ratings.

At least she's being honest about it

[TheyCallMePro]

Well there's no way I see it happening, but I know the media would be just furious if it ended up Spurs/Pacers or even worse, Grizz/Pacers in the finals.

Frankly I wouldn't care much about a Grizz/Pacers finals. I mean I'd watch but... damn it would be boring. And the Spurs would slaughter the Pacers...so I could understand others being turned off by the match up. It kind of reminds me of when the Lakers would always match up with the Pacers in the Finals during the early 2000's. Those series would NEVER go beyond 5 games. The Lakers would just dominate.

But ESPN and company don't have to worry. I would consider this Pacers team beating this Heat team in a best of 7 series the greatest upset in sports history. I just CAN'T see it happening. I have the Heat in 4 myself...The pacers are offensively challenged...and they have a ton of match up problems with Miami across the board.

[racm]

Well there's no way I see it happening, but I know the media would be just furious if it ended up Spurs/Pacers or even worse, Grizz/Pacers in the finals.

Frankly I wouldn't care much about a Grizz/Pacers finals. I mean I'd watch but... damn it would be boring. And the Spurs would slaughter the Pacers...so I could understand others being turned off by the match up. It kind of reminds me of when the Lakers would always match up with the Pacers in the Finals during the early 2000's. Those series would NEVER go beyond 5 games. The Lakers would just dominate.

But ESPN and company don't have to worry. I would consider this Pacers team beating this Heat team in a best of 7 series the greatest upset in sports history. I just CAN'T see it happening. I have the Heat in 4 myself...The pacers are offensively challenged...and they have a ton of match up problems with Miami across the board.

Indiana is 6-0 at home and 2-4 on the road. Paul George is the third best SF in the league when he plays at home, but he's worse than Leonard when he's on the road.

[Darkwaters]

tbh the 4 best and most complete basketball teams are in the final 4. This is clear. (except for OKC which had a very bad break)

knicks were exposed. and the rest of the teams have horrible flaws: Celtics(), clippers, bulls, warriors, nuggets, etc.

the best teams are still standing IMO. the rest are pretty crappy.

ESPN's comments are extremely biased and moronic. NO way to spin that

I agree for the most part with that comment. The four teams I would have personally picked would be the Thunder (pre-injury), Spurs, Grizzlies and Heat. Of course, 3 of those teams are Western Conference, so that could never happen. But those 4 would be my pick. Having to take a second Eastern team, and having to adjust for OKC's injuries, I would then agree with your assessment.

[Darkwaters]

But ESPN and company don't have to worry. I would consider this Pacers team beating this Heat team in a best of 7 series the greatest upset in sports history. I just CAN'T see it happening. I have the Heat in 4 myself...The pacers are offensively challenged...and they have a ton of match up problems with Miami across the board.

Pacers did take them to 6 last year.

I don't think the Pacers win, but I do think it won't be nearly as easy for Miami as you might suggest.

[rascal]

And it's worth noting that the only guys left from the 2007 squad are the Big 3 and the Red Mamba.

That is the main top players so it is not a fresh face.

[FromWayDowntown]

It kind of reminds me of when the Lakers would always match up with the Pacers in the Finals during the early 2000's. Those series would NEVER go beyond 5 games. The Lakers would just dominate.

For what it's worth, the Lakers and Pacers only met once in the Finals (in 2000) and the Lakers won in 6, winning games by 17, 7, 2 (in OT), and 5 and losing games by 9 and 33.

[TheyCallMePro]

For what it's worth, the Lakers and Pacers only met once in the Finals (in 2000) and the Lakers won in 6, winning games by 17, 7, 2 (in OT), and 5 and losing games by 9 and 33.

Oh. Well I was mainly referring to whichever Eastern Conference team they played. Shouldn't have mentioned the Pacers specifically.