Random Thoughts After Sleepless Night

[TheGreatYacht]

The thing is, momentum will shift even faster in favor for the home team in game 7. This is probably why game 7's in the finals are won by the home teams. Even though in 2010 Boston was up by double digits in the fourth quarter, the Lakers stormed back on sheer energy from the crowd. Everyone playing is extremely nervous and it would require cold blooded creatures to not be affected by the crowd. At any point, if anything goes wrong, the game can easily snowball out of control for the Spurs. However, even if the Heat are down 10-15 points in the fourth, they still have the opportunity to ride the wave back into the game. The Spurs have to play 48 minutes of near flawless basketball to take the game. I've seen them play a complete game before, firing on all cylinders (most notably in game 3 against the Grizzlies) but it's not something that happens very often. On the bright side, at least there is a game 7, it gives Parker and Ginobili a chance to redeem themselves. Parker messed up gunning for that finals MVP and Ginobili was too busy playing for the Heat and laying daggers in the backs of his real teammates.

That Lakers championship was a gift-wrap from Joey Crawford. Kobe shot a pathetic 6/24 FG % but also shot over 30 free throws. The Finals MVP was Joey Crawford.

They Spurs are probably fuc*ed because they will likely get Scott Foster and Bill Kennedy as the refs. They refs will absolutely make sure that the Spurs don't take the LOB trophy. Bill Kennedy or Scott Foster will probably be the NBA Finals MVP.

[GSH]

FWIW, Miami has not only been winning after a loss, they've been running teams out of the gym.

I know the loss stings like a , but what the Spurs did last night was absolutely amazing. I'm afraid a lot of that will get lost in the hubris of the loss, but I thought it should be pointed out.

And that's why I can't doubt this team.

They've been winning by an average of, what, 22 points? Last night they clawed their way to OT.

The really cool thing is that the Spurs won Game 1. If they had lost Game 1, and won Game 2 instead, they would have had to win consecutive games against this Heat team somewhere along the line. It's hard to beat the Heat two games in a row. But it's also hard to beat this Spurs team two games in a row. Even on the road. Looking back, the significance of Game 1 was a lot bigger than just getting a game on the road.

[SouthernFried]

What does it hurt to be positive?

People hang on to their "world is over" at udes like a baby suckling its mother. When being positive costs you nothing.

Low expectations are for the fragile and weak...because they can't handle it any other way.

It's much easier for them expect the worse and hope for the best. Instead of just expecting the best. For them, it hurts much less that way. The cost is just too much for them to approach things any other way.

The SPURS are the SPURS...because they don't fall into that trap. They are winners.

Cya Thursday

[MmP]

I don't get the overall hate on TP performance last night. Although he was a bit ball hog in the last minutes, he pulled a 3 and a 5 footer out of nowhere to give us the lead. If the Spurs had any chance last night it was cause of him.

[tvdij]

I don't see how pop could lean sub Tiago for Tim during the warriors series in the closeout game (i think) when timmy was floundering but not have the stones enough to sub out manu when he was destroying the teams chance to win.

[timvp]

Fatigue is the ONLY reason I'm thinking we're screwed. The only reason.

Because you're right, we did look like the better team last night.

Yeah, maybe it's the sleep deprivation talking but my confidence is rising fast. The Spurs can beat these guys. They really can. TP, MG and DG sucked and they were still the better team. Even if TD returns to earth, it can be more than made up with those three guys returning to a halfway decent level.

And Game 6 will make the championship even sweeter.

Fvck it, they're gonna do it.

[Trainwreck2100]

FWIW, Miami has not only been winning after a loss, they've been running teams out of the gym.

I know the loss stings like a , but what the Spurs did last night was absolutely amazing. I'm afraid a lot of that will get lost in the hubris of the loss, but I thought it should be pointed out.

And that's why I can't doubt this team.

not to mention Miami has yet to play 2 solid games in a row this series

[Darius Bieber]

Yeah, maybe it's the sleep deprivation talking but my confidence is rising fast. The Spurs can beat these guys. They really can. TP, MG and DG sucked and they were still the better team. Even if TD returns to earth, it can be more than made up with those three guys returning to a halfway decent level.

And Game 6 will make the championship even sweeter.

Fvck it, they're gonna do it.

[TheGreatYacht]

I think a Heat letdown is coming, they played extremely hard and left it all out there, Spurs were more like cruising than exerting imo.

Stop trying to fool yourself. It took a heroic first half from TD for the Spurs to be up by 10 at halftime. It took Kawhi Leonard's game of his life for the Spurs to be up by 10 in the 4th quarter. It took a miracle three point shot and a drive spin by TP for the Spurs to be up by 5 with 28 seconds remaining. What else do you want? Even if Manu has a great night on Thursday, I'm afraid it won't be enough because TD and TP will run out of gas. I hope I'm wrong.

[chrhawk]

Winning Game 7 would be the biggest win in Finals history from a bouncing back from adversity standpoint. Still...as mentally tough as they have been I'm still leaning much more towards them not being able to do it. That type of loss burns hot enough to melt even the strongest for ude...and the Heat only get mentally stronger after being on the edge of being broken then pushing back to overcome to get the win.

This is going to be the last NBA Finals game the big three are going to play together. That should get them the emotional edge they need tomorrow night despite what took place last night.

[SA210]

No mention of Pop's choke job.

[MmP]

For DG, to me, its not a case of him having played poorly last night. It's just that he was guarded decently. If he doesn't get open looks, he wont go off. He can put it on the floor and make a shot or two. What he really needs to do is hit the occasional 3 that he's left open.

And while I write this the gary neal Mike miller one shoed three comes to mind, what the on that Gary neal mental ?? Gee

[BatManu20]

I don't have much confidence. All I know is if/when the Spurs lose Game 7, this game will haunt this franchise and the it's fan base for a very, very long time. It's going to be brutal.

[capek]

-Any other team in the history of the world would be toast mentally. But not these Spurs. Their greatest gift is the mental toughness forged through years of fighting arm in arm. They will bounce back.

This. I firmly believe this, and that's why, underneath the pain, I feel good about our chances in game 7.

[travis2]

Believe.

+1

[scramby eggs]

Ya this loss sucked but I almost feel like we were due to NOT get the lucky break. During this playoff run we have had more than our fair share of lucky breaks. Golden State comeback, HISTORICALLY poor shooting from Randolph, Parker's 0.1 South Beach Shuffle, Danny Green's superhuman shooting performance, etc. I feel the basketball God's paid us back and now we have clean slate for Game 7

[look_at_g_shred]

-Damn that stings.

-I love Manu and I still want him back next year but watching the tape makes it difficult not to be mad at him. If he dies during warmups of Game 6, the Spurs win by 15 to 20 points. He was literally the best player on the Heat last night.

-I'm slowly growing more confident about Game 7. The Spurs were the better team last night. And really, that's probably the first time I've felt that way all series. Game 1 was won due to fluke low turnovers. Game 3 was won with fluke three-point shooting. Game 5 was won with fluke 60% shooting. Last night the Spurs were just better. Let's hope that is a good omen.

-Any other team in the history of the world would be toast mentally. But not these Spurs. Their greatest gift is the mental toughness forged through years of fighting arm in arm. They will bounce back.

Believe.

It's now Wednesday June 19th. One day after the stunning loss that would've given SA its 5th Championship. Our guys are already on the court practicing and determined for Game 7. Game 6? Well that's just a picture in the rear view mirror slowly fading away. Drive for 5 baby!!!!!!!!!!

[TheGreatYacht]

What does it hurt to be positive?
People hang on to their "world is over" at udes like a baby suckling its mother. When being positive costs you nothing.
Low expectations are for the fragile and weak...because they can't handle it any other way.
It's much easier for them expect the worse and hope for the best. Instead of just expecting the best. For them, it hurts much less that way. The cost is just too much for them to approach things any other way.
The SPURS are the SPURS...because they don't fall into that trap. They are winners.
Cya Thursday

My brother was already celebrating and screaming "champions" with 28 seconds left in the game. I told him not to sing victory because the game is not over until it's over. I've seen all kinds of crazy sh*t in sports. The Horry shot against the Kings, the .4 Fisher shot, last year's Game 6, the infamous Manu foul on Dirk in 06, etc. I've seen the worst that basketball has to offer. Well sure enough, the inevitable happened. I actually pissed off my brother because I was so mad at him for celebrating too early. I felt like he jinx the Spurs (even though I'm a very skeptical dude).

There is nothing wrong with being positive but I also think that people should be more realistic. Being realistic or expecting the worse as some people might say will make handling adversity much easier. I'm already expecting the Spurs to lose on Thursday. I'll watch the game and I'll be cheering for them but if they lose, I won't be hurt because I've already suffered my grievance after what happened last night. Pop and Manu don't deserve the championship after how badly they choked last night. IF (not likely) but IF the Spurs win the championship, it will be fool's gold to me.

[MannyIsGod]

People can be positive, negative, I don't give a . All I know is that I'll be surprised if the Spurs come out with energy and fight for Game 7. Especially after listening to Manu's comments. Doesn't mean I'm not cheering for them and hoping they win but after everything that happened last night I don't see it. I hope they prove me wrong.

[johnpaulwall21]

Manu, Green, played piss poor. They have to have something left despite what Manu said last night. If he is the compe or they say he is, he will try to erase game 6s performance with an efficient one or die trying. Anything will be better than game 6. Greens been fighting his whole career, he wants another go tomorrow night. no doubt.
Duncan's last shot, nuff said. Parker emotionally invested in this to get one last le for his brother, his promise will drive him to go all out.
Leonard unwillingness to be intimidated by the big stage. u know he's going to come out looking to be disruptive.
Coach pop and his assistants realize they ed up. They will do everything in their power to guide this team.

[rmt]

Mentally, I think Duncan and Parker will be ok but physically? TP said he was having cramps. Manu - well both mentally and physically - but that might be just as well - yank him if he doesn't show anything in the first quarter - give Neal his minutes. I'm MOST concerned about Lebron on TP - they've got to get TP free as almost the whole offense is predicated on him. Hope the young'uns are ok mentally - physically they should be fine. Don't rest Leonard much - use timeouts, TV breaks, etc to give him blows.

[Poolboy5623]

I was in "believe" mode, until last night's debacle..

[rogues]

Nobody closes us out, tbh..

[timtonymanu]

timvp and myself picked against the Spurs this series. Now we both feel they will win Game 7.

[timvp]

People can be positive, negative, I don't give a . All I know is that I'll be surprised if the Spurs come out with energy and fight for Game 7. Especially after listening to Manu's comments. Doesn't mean I'm not cheering for them and hoping they win but after everything that happened last night I don't see it. I hope they prove me wrong.

Manu sounded more depressed after Game 4, tbh.