Actually yes, the current Spurs could compete with those Celtics.OK, now we're the Celtics of the '80s?
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/co...afb0e2ebaa2aabSAN ANTONIO — If you took a right out of Gregg Popovich's office in the practice facility last season, and you walked past the offices of the assistant coaches, you couldn't miss it.
Straight ahead, prominently displayed on a wall, was a framed picture of the Game 6 scoreboard.
Actually yes, the current Spurs could compete with those Celtics.OK, now we're the Celtics of the '80s?
Great read. Buck Harvey is probably the best Spurs columnist around, which is surprising, considering he writes for the Express-News.![]()
Always loved Buck articles.
Unfortunately, Pop is wrong.
This team is not the Celtics of the 80s.
It is the Spurs of the 1999s-2020s.![]()
Subtext is clear: talent is there, but can it be motivated again? As a fan, I hope so, but...
Last season was indeed perfection. I don't know if you can surpass that, but at least I'm glad they have the hardware to show for it.
I don't know if they'll get it together again in time this season, but it's a season to sit back and enjoy Timmy and Manu on what could be their final year, while also admiring the growth of Kawhi and the rest of the young guys. If they can top it off with another championship, that will be great, if not, I'm sure it'll be a of a ride anyways.
Well imo the only real contenders are Spurs, Cavaliers and Thunders.
Spurs still have a great chance to win it all this coming season.
Pop never ceases to amaze me.
Did you forget about the Bulls or do you think they just won't be in the mix? They are my pick to come out of the East. OKC is old news and will be taken out before even reaching the WCF this year.
I'm probably in the minority but I've never cared for his writing style. However, this article was pretty fresh and actually involved some effort. Nice job.
I particularly liked this part: And after the Spurs lost Game 2 to the Heat? They reacted as they hadn't before.
“There was a different mantra,” Popovich said. “Boarding the plane, before practices, during shootaround, we said, 'We came here to win two.' We totally believed at that point. We thought we were better.”
I felt this way after we lost Game 6 and throughout the season and playoffs. The Spurs were the class of the NBA in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. 2012 wasn't so much a Finals loss as it was a giveaway.
Last edited by tmtcsc; 09-18-2014 at 08:14 AM.
Pop is the GOAT.
Pop still haven't reveal what he told Kawhi after game 2 of the finals.
"That's family business"
Damn! Pop gonna take this to his grave?
Without a doubt....got a better chance of finding Jimmy Hoffa's body, Bigfoot, and the Loch Ness monster.
I think spurs repeat they never have and that will fuel this team
i just think they need to use the fuel of cementing the legacy of this era with the one accomplishment which has eluded them: the back-to-back championship. that, and of course, the fact that the sun is setting on this era.
Actually, I wonder if this is Pop's subtle dig that the Spurs have yet to repeat, like the Celtics and most of the other great teams. If there is an angle this season it's to prove that No. 5 was no fluke by winning No. 6 in a repeat.
The way Rose is shooting, I'm not sure they can beat the Cavs or even other teams on the bench, like the Wizards. I've not seen Morotic, so I don't know how much of an improvement he will be, but Gasol has not been good for a few years. Sure, I'd take him on the Spurs, but I've seen Diaw shut him down for two years, so he's not someone I'd be particularly afraid to face. Other than that, most of the Bull players can defend and not shoot. I don't think that is good enough. Old Mantra: Defense wins les. New Mantra: Ball movement combined with outstanding outside shooting wins les.
Love that the picture of the 13 point lead was framed. Brilliant motivation and coaching.
Looking forward to another season and another chance to rebound from a championship run with more fire.
If Pop wants motivation, just have Duncan and Ginobili announce that this will be their last season.
80's Celtics didn't repeat.
I have certainly forgotten about the Bulls after Rose became this era's Grant Hill. Now the Clippers should be on that le contenders list though.
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