So halfway through the season... what are you thinking about the Spurs?

[superbigtime]

I'm thinking it's going to be really improbable to get to the Finals again even with everyone healthy and coming together at the end because the HCA will not be there. they are going to give it their all though. And Pop will something up along the way.

[jacuza20]

They can't. They won't. See the 80s Dallas Cowboys after losing to San Francisco in the NFC Championship.... You don't come back from a nut punch like that.

why do you call yourself a fan if all you do is criticize? do you even watch the games? Fake-ass spurs fan. You're more whiny than all my ex's put together.

[ElNono]

So are the occasional regular season game. At some point, if you're really a contender, you don't allow other elite teams to continuously stomp you, especially at home. They're aware of this, which is why they've admitted to being concerned with this in the past few weeks, yet nothing's changed. The obvious conclusion to draw is that they're incapable.

When and if the Spurs get their in order, they'll beat other teams. It's a natural part of improving. They clearly can be much better than they are, so the only question is if they can get there. Nobody in the team is quitting.

Well, barring another untimely injury to Westbrook (or Durant obviously), the only way the Spurs won't play them in the playoffs this season is if they don't make the WCF, because the Thunder are going to be there.

They were supposed to be there last season too. That's why they play the games.

Again with this loser mentality. Get over how "unlikely it was 4 or 5 years ago for them to be where they are today". The reality is they are and they've been close the past two seasons, only to completely melt down and piss away their opportunity, yet you and people of your ilk are apparently fine with this. I don't get it.

I don't understand what you don't get. The Spurs have been contenders the past two seasons, and extremely good compared to the rest of the West/League. Short of actually winning it all (which is something we all would like, but realistically *is* extremely difficult), it's the next best place to be.

I'm not complacent about it, I'm appreciative. This is a team in their last legs, operating in a small market and all things considered, they're doing a tremendous job.

It's hard to win championships. Both OKC (w/Harden) and the Heatles have dropped one the last couple of seasons. Allegedly stacked and much superior teams than us.

[Skull-1]

why do you call yourself a fan if all you do is criticize? do you even watch the games? Fake-ass spurs fan. You're more whiny than all my ex's put together.

Yes. Whiny because I speak in realities and not delusional teenage fantasies. Yawn.

[tmtcsc]

Halfway through the season, I see a team that is good enough to beat all the teams its supposed to beat. When it comes to getting up for the "big" games against potential contenders, the Spurs are having a hard time pulling together a solid 48 minute effort. I find it hard to blame them. Seven months ago, they were in a Game 7 for all the marbles and came up second. Short story - a big game in the regular season (while great for the fans) means very little compared to the playoffs.

I'm holding out hope that there will be an adjustment in their intensity and that they come out focused for the playoffs. All signs point to them being better this year than last. I like the Belineli pick-up and Ayres has given just as many good minutes as Blair did. Couple all that with Ginobili being back to normal and I like our chances against anyone. Defense is about effort and concentration and the Spurs haven't had that consistently. I expect that to change.

[Sean Cagney]

They can't. They won't. See the 80s Dallas Cowboys after losing to San Francisco in the NFC Championship.... You don't come back from a nut punch like that.

If this was 05 or even 07 they could come back from a bad loss the year before and probably right the ship but those guys are not walking through the door right now (At that age anyways).

A younger Spurs with that talent could shrug it off or come back hungrier and get another le, at this age though probably not.

Halfway through the season, I see a team that is good enough to beat all the teams its supposed to beat. When it comes to getting up for the "big" games against potential contenders, the Spurs are having a hard time pulling together a solid 48 minute effort. I find it hard to blame them. Seven months ago, they were in a Game 7 for all the marbles and came up second. Short story - a big game in the regular season (while great for the fans) means very little compared to the playoffs.

I'm holding out hope that there will be an adjustment in their intensity and that they come out focused for the playoffs. All signs point to them being better this year than last.

They were alot better vs the good teams last year then they are this year, what signs point to them being better? I don't see it as they are better, not as of yet that is.

[TheGoldStandard]

If this was 05 or even 07 they could come back from a bad loss the year before and probably right the ship but those guys are not walking through the door right now (At that age anyways).

A younger Spurs with that talent could shrug it off or come back hungrier and get another le, at this age though probably not.
They were alot better vs the good teams last year then they are this year, what signs point to them being better? I don't see it as they are better, not as of yet that is.

It seems like they don't have that extra gear they could play at during the regular season, last year they would flash it, go on a run and then just protect the lead but this year not seeing that. Not sure if that's because they choose not to but it's likely they do dip into the well but nothing is there.

[tmtcsc]

They were alot better vs the good teams last year then they are this year, what signs point to them being better? I don't see it as they are better, not as of yet that is.

I like their depth (when healthy obviously) and having Manu as a difference maker in the playoffs will be great. We almost beat Miami despite him. With him coming off the bench with our second unit, we have a nice scoring punch.

Tiago plays like a wuss too much for my liking but more times than not, he's a good defensive player. Still can't believe he's out from that hit he took. It looked like it hurt but nothing that most people could shake off. Not sure whats up with that.

[TheGoldStandard]

They were alot better vs the good teams last year then they are this year, what signs point to them being better? I don't see it as they are better, not as of yet that is.

I like their depth (when healthy obviously) and having Manu as a difference maker in the playoffs will be great. We almost beat Miami despite him. With him coming off the bench with our second unit, we have a nice scoring punch.

Tiago plays like a wuss too much for my liking but more times than not, he's a good defensive player. Still can't believe he's out from that hit he took. It looked like it hurt but nothing that most people could shake off. Not sure whats up with that.

Tiago is made of paper mache

[Sean Cagney]

They were alot better vs the good teams last year then they are this year, what signs point to them being better? I don't see it as they are better, not as of yet that is.

I like their depth (when healthy obviously) and having Manu as a difference maker in the playoffs will be great. We almost beat Miami despite him. With him coming off the bench with our second unit, we have a nice scoring punch.

Tiago plays like a wuss too much for my liking but more times than not, he's a good defensive player. Still can't believe he's out from that hit he took. It looked like it hurt but nothing that most people could shake off. Not sure whats up with that.

Yeah he is pretty soft.

[Avitus1]

After the rodeo road trip we'll see how ready they are.

[Johnny RIngo]

I like their depth (when healthy obviously) and having Manu as a difference maker in the playoffs will be great. We almost beat Miami despite him. With him coming off the bench with our second unit, we have a nice scoring punch.

Tiago plays like a wuss too much for my liking but more times than not, he's a good defensive player. Still can't believe he's out from that hit he took. It looked like it hurt but nothing that most people could shake off. Not sure whats up with that.

Manu's improvement is negated by the decline in Duncan and Parker's game. Duncan was the best big in the NBA last season and Parker had an argument for best PG in the league. TP's not even top five right now.

[tmtcsc]

Manu's improvement is negated by the decline in Duncan and Parker's game. Duncan was the best big in the NBA last season and Parker had an argument for best PG in the league. TP's not even top five right now.

I think Manu came back this year with something to prove. He was injured for most of last season and was pretty awful in the biggest game of his life. It makes sense that he is playing at a higher level. Tim and Tony on the other hand - and even Leonard to some extent - are dredging through the regular season as a necessary evil. Leonard himself said it at the beginning of the year. When asked if he was excited and ready to start the season, he replied that he wished the playoffs were already here and that they could get back to playing for the le.

I'm not making excuses for them, I just think its realistic to not be as focused during what is a terribly long regular season. They are good enough to show up and beat bad and mediocre teams but not the best teams in the league. I believe and hope that once the playoffs start, you'll see Tim and Tony's games elevate.