Agreed. This is a brand new series because of Ibaka. Every game is going to be a struggle to win. I think the only thing going for us now is that we have game 7 at home...if we make it that far.
I talked a lot of about Ibakas injury pregame so I figured I should make this thread...
Ibaka's mere presence:
a) Exposed Parker's baby
b) Negated any points in the paint that the Spurs had counted on
c) Allowed Perk/Adams to play TD straight up
d) Pussified our entire lineup on the defensive glass
e) Gave OKC's perimeter defenders leeway to play more aggressively in passing lanes
f) Gave KD/WB the lift on offense that allowed them to share the load and not score half of OKC's points
g) Completely changed Pop's gameplay as evinced in the last timeout sound bite
KD/WB can make all the highlight plays they want, you will never convince me that Ibaka isn't their MVP. The entire balance of this series was changed tonight, You can say "the spurs just played badly" all you want, the bottom line is that if Ibaka gets healthier as the series goes on this thing is probably going to OKC in 6 or 7 games.
Agreed. This is a brand new series because of Ibaka. Every game is going to be a struggle to win. I think the only thing going for us now is that we have game 7 at home...if we make it that far.
The Spurs were out scored 31-24 with Ibaka on the bench, too..
And ya, Ibaka is more valuable than Westbrook, I've been saying it all year, but I'd gladly allow him to play if it meant Durant would sit out, that's just foolish..
Thunder with just Westbrook and Ibaka is probably a low seeded playoff team.
Thunder with just KD and Ibaka is probably a mid seeded playoff team.
Thunder with just KD and Westbrook is a lottery team, easy.
Don't under estimate the value of defense or a dominant big in the paint.
LOl @ ibaka not making a difference
I'm not, I'm one of Ibaka's biggest supporters in the NBA Forum, but there's no argument to him being more valuable than Kevin ing Durant..
Agreed. Spurs are grasping at straws against the OKC Ibakas. 3 ball ain't gonna cut it.
0-2
1-0
The Thunder were an easily beatable team before he came back. This was an easy sweep. You can't convince me that if KD had been injured an IBaka healthy, games 1 and 2 would've been easier.
That 19-0 free throw disparity in the 3rd quarter didn't hurt Reflahoma's chances to win either...
LOL NBA still fixed...
Cue the got who will come in and say;
"if you think the NBA is rigged - why do you even watch?"
On the offensive side of the ball, it's Durant. On the defensive side, it's Ibaka. I don't see how you can definitively state either is the lone MVP of the team because they're both dependent on one another to have the success they're having. Without Ibaka, you saw what we did to them in games 1/2. If Durant was out, they would stop us more on the defensive end but they still wouldn't beat us because they wouldn't be able to generate enough offense.
Spurs just shoot poorly... we had the open looks and missed them... one of those nights, tbh
I'll always be the first to jump on the NBA = rigged bandwagon, but Ibaka's presence alone turned the Spurs from hunter to hunted. We were weak, soft, useless pussies and it has everything to do with the shrinkage of TP in this game. You can't expect an even amount of FTA when your offense is basically missed threes and blocked euro lay ups. There were maybe three or four missed calls in the third, but IBaka is more to blame for the FTA disparity than the refs.
re ed GNSF threads like these are what make this site entertaining when the Spurs lose imho
Durant 8-19 from the floor, 4 TOs in a victory. You don't need a Durant when you can consistently hold teams under 100 pts. Even if Durant averages 35 you need an Ibaka.
My Goodness! Ricky Davis taking into the paint, crossing over, spinning around his defender, elevating and dropping in the beautiful teardrop. Mama, there goes that man! Ricky 1. GNSF 0.
I have a feeling that if Ibaka stays healthy these comments and ref complaint will become quite common in The next week.
Ibaka is the deal breaker for the Spurs finals hopes. "Just one of the nights" is patent BS, considering our recent record against OKC w/Ibaka in the playoffs.
This if he stys on the floor no way this series doesn't go 7
Seriously. That at ude reminds me of 2012 more than anything else.
Game 3-6:Just one of those nights, ;( refs
"We just need to shoot/execute better. Just not our night." = Vacuous takes that foreshadow doom.
An admission that the Spurs don't have any adjustments they can make.
It will be the case if the Spurs don't learn how to attack the paint with Ibaka there. Taking jumpers or continuing to get their shots blocked will favor OKC for the remainder of the series.
Ibaka was not the difference maker in a lot of those games. Harden was impossible for us to stop and was the biggest thorn in our side.
Announcer: "Presenting the award for Best Actor in a Basketball Drama is 5 time winner, Paul Pierce."
Pierce: "The nominees for best actor in a basketball drama are Blake Griffin in "They Hit Me Too Hard", LeBron James in "My Hammy Hurts" and Serge Ibaka in "I'm out for the Playoffs".
...And the award goes to...Serge Ibaka, "I'm out for the Playoffs!"
Ibaka: I like to thank Coach Brooks for truly believing I wouldn't be playing, the training staff for little touches like telling me to go to the locker to ride the stationary bike and especially you Paul, for your past inspiring performances.
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