Can 2014 Spurs beat the 2015 warriors?

[spurraider21]

warriors are 3rd in 3 pointers attempted per game, but also lead the NBA in points in the paint

[Malik Hairston]

Statistically, the Warriors have been the 2nd or 3rd best regular season team in the history of the NBA since the 3-point shot was introduced, tbh..only the 1986 Celtics and 1996 Bulls were better(and they did it in the expansion era, lol 90s basketball)..

They are only the 5th team in modern NBA history(if it holds up) to rank in the top 3 in both offense and defense..

1996 Bulls: NBA championship
1994 Sonics: Heavy favorite to win the West, lost in 1st round, arguably the most memorable upset in NBA history
1991 Blazers: Lost NBA Finals
1986 Celtics: NBA championship

Hopefully they finish like the Sonics, and it's possible with OKC potentially finishing 8th..

The hope vs. the Warriors is Bogut's health, the fact that they're a jump-shooting team, and that Klay Thompson has been a playoff choker in both years he has appeared in the post-season..

[Venti Quattro]

Yes they can

[Godbama]

lol, are you for real? I wouldn't even say it's even close to for sure that the 2015 Warriors are going to get out of the West this year. C'mon dude, leave the regular season crowning to the Warriors fans. Let's see them win a few playoff series or get to a single goddamn WCF before we start hyperbole.

lol. spurs would sweep the dubs. overrated trash. id be surprised if they get past the 2nd round.

^^^

[Cry Havoc]

lol, are you for real? I wouldn't even say it's even close to for sure that the 2015 Warriors are going to get out of the West this year. C'mon dude, leave the regular season crowning to the Warriors fans. Let's see them win a few playoff series or get to a single goddamn WCF before we start hyperbole.



^^^

I wouldn't take anyone against the field in the West this year. MAYBE the Spurs, but even then it's iffy.

[TD 21]

Statistically, the Warriors have been the 2nd or 3rd best regular season team in the history of the NBA since the 3-point shot was introduced, tbh..only the 1986 Celtics and 1996 Bulls were better(and they did it in the expansion era, lol 90s basketball)..

They are only the 5th team in modern NBA history(if it holds up) to rank in the top 3 in both offense and defense..

1996 Bulls: NBA championship
1994 Sonics: Heavy favorite to win the West, lost in 1st round, arguably the most memorable upset in NBA history
1991 Blazers: Lost NBA Finals
1986 Celtics: NBA championship

Hopefully they finish like the Sonics, and it's possible with OKC potentially finishing 8th..

The hope vs. the Warriors is Bogut's health, the fact that they're a jump-shooting team, and that Klay Thompson has been a playoff choker in both years he has appeared in the post-season..

They're obviously better than the '11 Spurs, but that team was ridiculous record-wise through about three quarters of the season, the '12 Spurs ripped off one of the greatest stretches in league history and the '14 Spurs, as you've detailed, were the great playoff team of all time. Yet not once in that time (nor '13 and it's not as if that Spurs team was too shabby themselves), were they thought to be favorites, let alone overwhelming ones.

Their numbers, though impressive, are due in part to a combination of health and their best players being unable to play virtually unlimited minutes when necessary, two things those Spurs teams have never had in that time. They also have one series win under their belt, their clear cut best player is a PG and they have a rookie coach. There's no historical precedent (that I'm aware of) for this being a championship formula, yet everyone is ready to crown them.

Largely due to a combination of injuries, fatigue and sheer boredom, the Spurs haven't looked like themselves this season, yet instead of being given a well earned mulligan (funny, the Thunder have been) for those things, they've been reduced to being put in the same class as pretenders. Throw out the '12 Mavericks, who had a completely different team and they're by far the most disrespected defending champions in recent memory.

[cjw]

lol. spurs would sweep the dubs. overrated trash. id be surprised if they get past the 2nd round.

First round* - Thunder will be a very hard out for them if Durant is healthy / OKC makes playoffs.

[Malik Hairston]

They're obviously better than the '11 Spurs, but that team was ridiculous record-wise through about three quarters of the season, the '12 Spurs ripped off one of the greatest stretches in league history and the '14 Spurs, as you've detailed, were the great playoff team of all time. Yet not once in that time (nor '13 and it's not as if that Spurs team was too shabby themselves), were they thought to be favorites, let alone overwhelming ones.

Their numbers, though impressive, are due in part to a combination of health and their best players being unable to play virtually unlimited minutes when necessary, two things those Spurs teams have never had in that time. They also have one series win under their belt, their clear cut best player is a PG and they have a rookie coach. There's no historical precedent (that I'm aware of) for this being a championship formula, yet everyone is ready to crown them.

Largely due to a combination of injuries, fatigue and sheer boredom, the Spurs haven't looked like themselves this season, yet instead of being given a well earned mulligan (funny, the Thunder have been) for those things, they've been reduced to being put in the same class as pretenders. Throw out the '12 Mavericks, who had a completely different team and they're by far the most disrespected defending champions in recent memory.

- The Spurs are the least popular dynasty in NBA history, of course they aren't going to receive enough hype, tbh..the Warriors were already the most beloved team in the NBA prior to this season, everybody loves them, and now it has reached a new level..if they win the le, the hype will be unbearable, probably..

- I agree about the historical precedence part

- The reason the Warriors are heavy favorites, other than the numbers/level of play, is that I don't see their challenge in the West, outside of the Spurs, and maybe the Thunder, tbh..the Spurs match up fairly well with them, but it can't be ignored that the Spurs' just went through 2 deep Finals runs, and they still have some serious flaws with key players(particularly Diaw, as you have alluded to a number of times)..

OKC is also a wildcard, since we don't know anything about Durant's current level of play..

I don't believe any of the other teams can beat them..Memphis looks like a decent matchup on paper, but I can't picture it..

[Obstructed_View]

So then write your manifesto and let it be. Why do you care what anyone else thinks?

[Obstructed_View]

warriors are 3rd in 3 pointers attempted per game, but also lead the NBA in points in the paint

Nice catch. Since teams tend to shut down the paint in the playoffs, it will be interesting to see how they adapt.

[spurraider21]

Nice catch. Since teams tend to shut down the paint in the playoffs, it will be interesting to see how they adapt.

they provide some of the best spacing in the league and play great D which generates offense, i think they'll be fine.

they'll be a tough out, but fortunately the spurs are well equipped to contain their 2 best offensive players

[Obstructed_View]

they provide some of the best spacing in the league and play great D which generates offense, i think they'll be fine.

That they do. And Curry is just as dangerous breaking down defenses as he is shooting from the outside. They look legit to me, but I'm reluctant to start comparing them to championship teams before they've even won a playoff game.

[spurraider21]

That they do. And Curry is just as dangerous breaking down defenses as he is shooting from the outside. They look legit to me, but I'm reluctant to start comparing them to championship teams before they've even won a playoff game.

an unnoticed (or undiscussed) aspect of curry's improvement has been his scoring from closer to the rim. he's having a career year from inside the arc

[SpurSwag]

I'll take last year's Spurs, but it'd be a closer series than I think a lot here would say. I feel like the Warriors match up well with us too, with Bogut always being a great defender against Tim, Draymond being Draymond, and their ability to put Klay on Tony and hide Steph on Danny. Ultimately I feel like any series with the Warriors ultimately comes down to how hot Klay and Steph are, and hopefully if we match up against them Kawhi and Danny can bring them down to earth

[TD 21]

- The Spurs are the least popular dynasty in NBA history, of course they aren't going to receive enough hype, tbh..the Warriors were already the most beloved team in the NBA prior to this season, everybody loves them, and now it has reached a new level..if they win the le, the hype will be unbearable, probably..

- I agree about the historical precedence part

- The reason the Warriors are heavy favorites, other than the numbers/level of play, is that I don't see their challenge in the West, outside of the Spurs, and maybe the Thunder, tbh..the Spurs match up fairly well with them, but it can't be ignored that the Spurs' just went through 2 deep Finals runs, and they still have some serious flaws with key players(particularly Diaw, as you have alluded to a number of times)..

OKC is also a wildcard, since we don't know anything about Durant's current level of play..

I don't believe any of the other teams can beat them..Memphis looks like a decent matchup on paper, but I can't picture it..

I know, but after the show they put on in the Finals and considering who they did it against, I thought they'd finally receive the proper amount of respect . . . and they did until December-January. This in a league where the defending champion is often given too much respect. If this were the Heat or Lakers, the vast majority would be giving them the benefit of the doubt and bringing up what I brought up about the Warriors.

The Spurs, Thunder (depending on Durant, as you said) and in the East, the Cavs. That's not any different than any other season though, as far as the number of legitimate contenders.

The points you're making about the Spurs I've made myself over the past few months, but I'm talking nationally, the Spurs should be receiving the level of respect the Warriors are and vice versa.

A few other things about the Warriors: 1) I know it's cliche, but they've faced no adversity. Who knows how they'll respond if the Thunder have them down 2-1 in a series, for example. 2) They weren't supposed to be in the position they're in and have never been in the role of favorites. Deep down, even they've got to be wondering if they're really this good and truly better than the Spurs and Thunder.

[therealtruth]

Kerr makes the Warriors a more dangerous team. Pop will have to bring his A game. The Spurs best bet is to wear out the Warriors defensively and hope they start missing shots as the series drags on.

[therealtruth]

That they do. And Curry is just as dangerous breaking down defenses as he is shooting from the outside. They look legit to me, but I'm reluctant to start comparing them to championship teams before they've even won a playoff game.

Playoffs are all about having more favorable matchups. If Kawhi/Green can neutralize Curry/Thompson I think the odds favor the Spurs. If not it will be a long series. We saw that back in '13 till Pop stuck with those matchups.

[SASdynasty!]

Definitely. I think the 2015 spurs can too.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Yes.

When the Spurs were healthy minus Splitter and Mills early this year, they dominated the Warriors. Last time they played them, they weren't healthy and both Parker and Kawhi were just coming back from injuring and were rusting.

The only team that scares me is OKC if Durant is 100% which he more than likely won't be as the injury he has usually takes a year to fully heal.

Spurs can beat any team with or without HC advantage if they play the way they did last night, which is the way they play in the finals last year and the played when they won 21 straight games as well.

[ViceCity86]

What a team.Im in the minority,but do think the Pelicans can give them a challenge,underrated team,if everyone's healthy.Major question mark.

I do believe the Spurs this year can beat them,if they continue their current level,and find a damn way to win close games!That's my biggest worry!They play Gs in 7 game series,they're likely to lose a game or 2 by simply being overmatched.Close games within 2 minutes is the key to winning the series.

[ViceCity86]

Rather play them in WCF than 2nd round.I don't think Warriors would feel any pressure in 2nd round opposed to WCF.This team played in 2nd round 2 years ago.Two rounds of playoffs,three weeks of jump shooting basketball,high intensity playoff fever,and pressure to play for the Finals might get to them.Plus Klay Thompson has been a playoff choker.

[Obstructed_View]

Playoffs are all about having more favorable matchups. If Kawhi/Green can neutralize Curry/Thompson I think the odds favor the Spurs. If not it will be a long series. We saw that back in '13 till Pop stuck with those matchups.

I think Bogut's the key. He makes them a different team when he's healthy.