Let's face it . . .

[AFBlue]

Spurs were going to lose even with Kawhi, tbh..

OKC is peaking right now, they can't really get any better, they are the best team in the league at the moment..Durant is having one of the best seasons in the post-Jordan era, Westbrook/Ibaka are doing what they do, and their trio of ugly-ass role players, Jackson/Lamb/Adams, are playing as well as they could possibly play, tbh..

The Spurs have a great record, but aren't playing anywhere near their best level, obviously..Parker is noticeably worse than last season, Green is having an atrocious year, Splitter's offense has gone downhill, and the Spurs have yet to figure out how to utilize Parker and Leonard on the floor together..

Realistically, even with everything reverting to the norm, the Spurs could beat the Thunderefs in a series, but they still need a long SF/mobile big to be considered equal to them, and for any chance to beat Miami this year IMO..

They need Parker at full strength, Manu to keep playing at this level, and Splitter to sack up and play like he was before the injury this season.

Unfortunately I don't know how realistic those three things are. But, if they get the contribution from Beli/Mills/Diaw they're getting now, it'll be damn close and very entertaining.

[thunderup]

Spurs were going to lose even with Kawhi, tbh..

OKC is peaking right now, they can't really get any better, they are the best team in the league at the moment..Durant is having one of the best seasons in the post-Jordan era, Westbrook/Ibaka are doing what they do, and their trio of ugly-ass role players, Jackson/Lamb/Adams, are playing as well as they could possibly play, tbh..

The Spurs have a great record, but aren't playing anywhere near their best level, obviously..Parker is noticeably worse than last season, Green is having an atrocious year, Splitter's offense has gone downhill, and the Spurs have yet to figure out how to utilize Parker and Leonard on the floor together..

Realistically, even with everything reverting to the norm, the Spurs could beat the Thunderefs in a series, but they still need a long SF/mobile big to be considered equal to them, and for any chance to beat Miami this year IMO..

The Thunder are nowhere near to peaking.

[dallasmaverickslose]

Because Steve Nash is a better point guard better playmaker, Im talking about prime Nash, not the guy sleeping in Lakers games.

Even prime Nash was pathetic on D.

[Aremid]

They need Parker at full strength, Manu to keep playing at this level, and Splitter to sack up and play like he was before the injury this season.

Unfortunately I don't know how realistic those three things are. But, if they get the contribution from Beli/Mills/Diaw they're getting now, it'll be damn close and very entertaining.

It's still not enough. If okc and sa face off full strength, okc edges out sa because they have more talent. We need to trade bonner and draft picks and yes even absorb a bad contract to have the talent to compete and win against okc

[Mikeanaro]

Even prime Nash was pathetic on D.

And parker is pathetic shooting and creating plays thats why sometimes Spurs are out of ideas, after 12 years he is starting to sink 3s.
Dude has the ball 21 seconds then decides to pass, San Antonio Porkers should be the team name.

[Hoops Czar]

It's December and the Spurs were without their best perimeter defender.

Having Kawhi would've allowed Green to guard Westchuck and/or Jackson...pretty sure they both wouldn't have gone off. It being December, the team isn't panicked... the coaches are still experimenting nightly with the rotation.

Step back from the cliff.

Watch the friggin games. I knew the Leonard excuse would rear its ugly head. Is Leonard gonna guard, Durant, Westbroock, Ibaka, Jackson, and lamb? Is he going to teach the $36M dollar mistake how to make a layup? Getting P'wned by Stevan Adams.... Is he going to teach Green how to shoot straight or show Patty how to play under control? Are we done making excuses? With the way Green played defense tonight, I'm not sure he could have handled Derek Fisher's grandmother. Marco continues to prove he can knock down shots BUT he can't guard anybody. Pop continues to tinker with rotations but there isn't one out there that will make this team look good. Go ahead and quote defensive efficiency because if you've been paying attention, they're getting clowned against better teams and their offense can't keep up. Thoroughly dominated by an elite team on their home floor again.

[Mikeanaro]

The Thunder are nowhere near to peaking.

Stop being so y, your team went down against Miami in the finals I remember your posts those days and then nothing happened.
Even right now they would kiss the floor against Miami or Indiana.

[Man In Black]

And what? I'm 6'1 195 and would beat the out of you.

Internet tough guy alert.

Its words Diaz...you can talk it but can't take it? There are people who crap bigger then you. What is this, Dan Patrick? Where's that bell noise?

[td4mvp2k]

And parker is pathetic shooting and creating plays thats why sometimes Spurs are out of ideas, after 12 years he is starting to sink 3s.Dude has the ball 21 seconds then decides to pass, San Antonio Porkers should be the team name.

FO shooda SnT his azz tbh

[thunderup]

Stop being so y, your team went down against Miami in the finals I remember your posts those days and then nothing happened.
Even right now they would kiss the floor against Miami or Indiana.

I'm not even trying to be a homer but our chances this time around are a lot better. We heavily relied on a confirmed choker and loser in Harden to produce only to fail time and time again. If our bigs and role players play the way they are, which they're capable of, we give ourselves a chance.

[Aremid]

Watch the friggin games. I knew the Leonard excuse would rear its ugly head. Is Leonard gonna guard, Durant, Westbroock, Ibaka, Jackson, and lamb? Is he going to teach the $36M dollar mistake how to make a layup? Getting P'wned by Stevan Adams.... Is he going to teach Green how to shoot straight or show Patty how to play under control? Are we done making excuses? With the way Green played defense tonight, I'm not sure he could have handled Derek Fisher's grandmother. Marco continues to prove he can knock down shots BUT he can't guard anybody. Pop continues to tinker with rotations but there isn't one out there that will make this team look good. Go ahead and quote defensive efficiency because if you've been paying attention, they're getting clowned against better teams and their offense can't keep up. Thoroughly dominated by an elite team on their home floor again.

Thank you! And people have the audacity to call that logic cliff jumping

[AFBlue]

It's still not enough. If okc and sa face off full strength, okc edges out sa because they have more talent. We need to trade bonner and draft picks and yes even absorb a bad contract to have the talent to compete and win against okc

I'd dispute the "more talent" assertion. KD is top-3 in the game and Westbrook top-10...but beyond that they have complimentary players. They all play their roles well, but the Spurs are deeper in star talent (Big 3 + Kawhi) and role player talent (Mills/Belli/Diaw/Splitter). It's just their superstars are more super.

[Mikeanaro]

I'm not even trying to be a homer but our chances this time around are a lot better. We heavily relied on a confirmed choker and loser in Harden to produce only to fail time and time again. If our bigs and role players play the way they are, which they're capable of, we give ourselves a chance.

Your team has a chance but remember they have some weakness, Durant - Westbrook - Ibaka are the team, if those 3 are healthy you have a great team, if something happens to one of them Reggie Jackson is not gonna save the team or Derek Fisher forget about Perkins.
Also keep an eye on Portland, every couple of years there is a surprise revelation team who goes deep in the playoffs. How we know if they are peaking or not? THEY COULD WIN IT ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hoops Czar]

I'd dispute the "more talent" assertion. KD is top-3 in the game and Westbrook top-10...but beyond that they have complimentary players. They all play their roles well, but the Spurs are deeper in star talent (Big 3 + Kawhi) and role player talent (Mills/Belli/Diaw/Splitter). It's just their superstars are more super.

Reggie Jackson is a complimentary player? , I'd take him over anyone not named Parker and Duncan. YES, that includes tooth ache.

[thunderup]

Your team has a chance but remember they have some weakness, Durant - Westbrook - Ibaka are the team, if those 3 are healthy you have a great team, if something happens to one of them Reggie Jackson is not gonna save the team or Derek Fisher forget about Perkins.
Also keep an eye on Portland, every couple of years there is a surprise revelation team who goes deep in the playoffs. How we know if they are peaking or not? THEY COULD WIN IT ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't buy into Portland doing much in the playoffs. A team that will catch fire and take out a top tier team would be Golden State. If they're matched up with a team like Houston, they'll take them in six games. As long as we're healthy and we do us, I'm not worried. It'll take a freak injury to Russ, KD or Serge like last year for our efforts to be reduced.

[Clipper Nation]

Cliffjumpers

If Parker cuts back on the heroball tendencies and the team stays healthy, I see no reason why the Spurs can't beat the Thunderefs in a 7-game series, tbh....

[td4mvp2k]

Thunderup

[benefactor]

Internet tough guy alert.

Its words Diaz...you can talk it but can't take it? There are people who crap bigger then you. What is this, Dan Patrick? Where's that bell noise?

He's spent too much time around Fkla tbh.

[benefactor]

...and Porland. No one is afraid of that bunch of pretenders.

[gameFACE]

OP + a few more apparently..........

[Aremid]

Reggie Jackson is a complimentary player? , I'd take him over anyone not named Parker and Duncan. YES, that includes tooth ache.

Agreed. Id also take Thabo over green and ibaka over splitter

[AFBlue]

Watch the friggin games. I knew the Leonard excuse would rear its ugly head. Is Leonard gonna guard, Durant, Westbroock, Ibaka, Jackson, and lamb? Is he going to teach the $36M dollar mistake how to make a layup? Getting P'wned by Stevan Adams.... Is he going to teach Green how to shoot straight or show Patty how to play under control? Are we done making excuses? With the way Green played defense tonight, I'm not sure he could have handled Derek Fisher's grandmother. Marco continues to prove he can knock down shots BUT he can't guard anybody. Pop continues to tinker with rotations but there isn't one out there that will make this team look good. Go ahead and quote defensive efficiency because if you've been paying attention, they're getting clowned against better teams and their offense can't keep up. Thoroughly dominated by an elite team on their home floor again.

Are all those guys you mentioned on the court at the same time? No. It's simple...Leonard guards KD, Green guards Westchuck, the $36M mistake who plays decent defense on perimeter bigs checks Ibaka. And Parker guards whoever is left.

They're tinkering lineups, integrating a couple new players in new roles, and working through minor injuries. That's why I go back to...it's December. They have time to lock down their rotation and focus on fine-tuning their defense.

[Mikeanaro]

I don't buy into Portland doing much in the playoffs. A team that will catch fire and take out a top tier team would be Golden State. If they're matched up with a team like Houston, they'll take them in six games. As long as we're healthy and we do us, I'm not worried. It'll take a freak injury to Russ, KD or Serge like last year for our efforts to be reduced.

I think all those teams are great Contenders and last year some were injured I cant wait till April.

[AFBlue]

Reggie Jackson is a complimentary player? , I'd take him over anyone not named Parker and Duncan. YES, that includes tooth ache.

Lol...I don't really have a retort for that, other than to say you're probably in the significant minority.

[Clipper Nation]

I'm not even trying to be a homer