Rounding into form

[Calispursfan11]

Spurs are rounding into form. I see a lot of pessimist cliffjumpers on here, worried that this is finally it for San Antonio. Barring injuries, and as assembled, however, this is the same team that destroyed the Heat last year. This is the same team that nullified the individual greatness of Lebron James and a squad with a couple all-stars and good role players (The Heat). No doubt we have some tough games ahead. The back to back with GS and the Clippers is likely to yield at least one loss but we are 25-10 with Kawhi and we are now seeing real signs of improvement from Tony. The Spurs have always been a second half team and if the trend continues, we are right back in the hunt regardless of Dallas' moves, the Cavs streak, the Hawks or the Warriors or Hard-on's beard.

[Fireball]

Yeah, I am a pessimist. On paper, these are the same Spurs. But the Big Three are one year older and most importantly, after winning the le last season the whole team is satisfied - for good reason. Compared to a team that lost in the Finals in heartbreaking fashion that makes a huge difference. I still have not seen the compe ive drive necessary to go through the West again. And soon it will be too late to climb up in the standings to at least have a realistic chance. No way they are able to go to the Finals without any HCA.

[hater]

Championship is on Parker's health tbqh

this team goes as far as MVParker takes em

[Dex]

Championship is on Parker's health tbqh

this team goes as far as MVParker takes em

Don't buy it. We said the same thing last year and the Spurs were able to win the 'ship with Parker playing 60% at best.

[hater]

Don't buy it. We said the same thing last year and the Spurs were able to win the 'ship with Parker playing 60% at best.

disagree. Parker was the head of the snake. "great leadership" Pop said it to him in the Finals. Entire Heat defense can concentrated on Parker, that's why Kawhi got off.

and Parker was not 60% he was 80% IMO

[Calispursfan11]

Yeah, I am a pessimist. On paper, these are the same Spurs. But the Big Three are one year older and most importantly, after winning the le last season the whole team is satisfied - for good reason. Compared to a team that lost in the Finals in heartbreaking fashion that makes a huge difference. I still have not seen the compe ive drive necessary to go through the West again. And soon it will be too late to climb up in the standings to at least have a realistic chance. No way they are able to go to the Finals without any HCA.

I agree about the compe ive drive thing. That's something they are currently lacking. Without that, there's a problem so that's key but they usually pick it up right around this time of year tbh.

[RD2191]

Next 2 games will tell us a lot about the Spurs.

[Spur|n|Austin]

I have a feeling Pop doesn't rest anyone on the upcoming B2B being that it's right after the ASB.

[FromWayDowntown]

Of the first two games out of the break, the most important one from a seedings standpoint is the Clippers game, not just because the Clippers are closer in the standings, but also because the Spurs can clinch that tiebreaker with a win. If you can get the GST game, too, that's icing on the cake, but a useful result from this stage of the trip would be wins at LAC and Portland (again, with an eye towards at least not losing the tiebreaker with them) and the hope that you get the games against Utah and Sacramento that you're supposed to win, while getting at least one of the games in Phoenix or Golden State (each of which are the second night of a back-to-back).

[SpursFan86]

On one hand, I'm pessimistic about how we've looked this year. I think Tim and Manu need to get much more rest in this latter part of the season, because they definitely seemed worn down from the heavy workload while guys were out. Parker has looked terrible, and I'd be more inclined to think he'll improve if he wasn't so mediocre last year as well. Diaw has taken a step back, but I still think he's just coasting. Kawhi has looked better, but his offense is still inconsistent. I hope we run less isos/post-ups come playoff time...really think those should only be used in cases where there's a mismatch.

On the other hand though, who is going to beat us in the West? GS and OKC are the main threats, and they'll likely be playing in the 1st round. Outside of them, who do y'all see us losing to? Memphis has improved this year but we still match up really well with them. I'm confident we'd beat them without HCA. Portland? Dallas? Houston? LAC? I'm not really sold on any of those teams beating us in a 7-game series.

So while we've certainly looked underwhelming, the rest of the West hasn't impressed me a ton either. Overall I think our chances of getting back to the Finals and repeating are somewhat decent...assuming we can stay healthy from here on out, of course.

[FromWayDowntown]

The hypothetical game can get crazy sometimes, but there's an argument that the Spurs are 4 identifiable plays:

• the Gasol 3 at the end of regulation in the 3OT MEM game
  
• just about any play late in the first OT against PRT in the 3OT game
  
• Young's crazy shot at the end of OT in the LAL game, and
  
• the botched inbounds late against DET

from having the 3rd best record in basketball.

[SpursFan86]

The hypothetical game can get crazy sometimes, but there's an argument that the Spurs are 4 identifiable plays:

• the Gasol 3 at the end of regulation in the 3OT MEM game
• just about any play late in the first OT against PRT in the 3OT game
• Young's crazy shot at the end of OT in the LAL game, and
• the botched inbounds late against DET

from having the 3rd best record in basketball.

Yes, this is worth mentioning as well. Like you said, you can draw these sort of things from lots of games...but those 4 you mentioned are clear, very unlikely occurrences that you can pinpoint. Even if we have average luck and only win 2 of those 4 (let's say Gasol/Young both miss their miracle shots), that puts us tied for 3rd in the West despite having a myriad of injuries. That's not something to scoff at.

Overall, I definitely think we're in better shape than our record indicates.

[spurspokesman]

This is usually the time we get a real gauge on the spurs.

[gameFACE]

Last year the Spurs won a Clips/Blazers B2B so I'm hoping for the same this week against the Clips/Dubs. They need all the double-count wins they can get. I don't care if they lose to the Jazz or Kings.

I was pessimistic every year since 2011 and they've proven me wrong every time so anything is possible

[Sean Cagney]

Next 2 games will tell us a lot about the Spurs.

^^^^ This, they are not back yet until I see them beat some good teams.

Last year the Spurs won a Clips/Blazers B2B so I'm hoping for the same this week against the Clips/Dubs. They need all the double-count wins they can get. I don't care if they lose to the Jazz or Kings.

I was pessimistic every year since 2011 and they've proven me wrong every time so anything is possible

They better not lose to the Cavs or the Kings . I would hope they win both those games and one of the other two. If they beat the good teams though I would not care if they lost one to either one of those teams but you ideally would like them to take both of the easy games.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I think the Spurs are still going to struggle a bit this month before rounding into form. They're still a step slow, IMO. I'm expecting them to not start peaking until sometime after March 1st.

[SpurPadre]

Last year the Spurs won a Clips/Blazers B2B so I'm hoping for the same this week against the Clips/Dubs. They need all the double-count wins they can get. I don't care if they lose to the Jazz or Kings.

I was pessimistic every year since 2011 and they've proven me wrong every time so anything is possible

that. I'm going to be there for the kings game so they damn better win!

[gameFACE]

that. I'm going to be there for the kings game so they damn better win!

Hey, the more wins the better. Plus I love for the Spurs to with DeMarcus Cousins temper

Have a good time at the game!

[ElNono]

Coasting, Non-Issue

[SpurPadre]

Hey, the more wins the better. Plus I love for the Spurs to with DeMarcus Cousins temper

Have a good time at the game!

Thanks man. I also hope Sean baits Cousins again!

[spurs10]

I think the Spurs are still going to struggle a bit this month before rounding into form. They're still a step slow, IMO. I'm expecting them to not start peaking until sometime after March 1st.

Are you suggesting the Spurs will peak after March begins?

[TheGreatYacht]

Championship is on Parker's health tbqh

this team goes as far as MVParker takes em

[mkurts]

disagree. Parker was the head of the snake. "great leadership" Pop said it to him in the Finals. Entire Heat defense can concentrated on Parker, that's why Kawhi got off.

and Parker was not 60% he was 80% IMO

If that crap last year was Parker at 80% - the team is in some deep

[The Whopper]

The hypothetical game can get crazy sometimes, but there's an argument that the Spurs are 4 identifiable plays:

• the Gasol 3 at the end of regulation in the 3OT MEM game
• just about any play late in the first OT against PRT in the 3OT game
• Young's crazy shot at the end of OT in the LAL game, and
• the botched inbounds late against DET

from having the 3rd best record in basketball.

Fair points, but where does the accidental tip-in by Asik at the end of the Pelicans game fit in? That was the least likely of all.

[Strategic]

Coasting, Non-Issue

^