It's Over And Probably In Five

[TD 21]

It's so typical of, as Harlem would say, vanilla fans, with their cliche takes, to say "it's only one game" . . . and in the literal sense, it is, of course.

But you have to take everything on a case by case basis. The signs of a team that is out of gas have been abundantly clear all season, yet the vast majority have chosen to ignore them. Even during the surge from February 27th until the final game of the season, it never felt the same as not just last season, but any of the three previous this group has played together. That's because it was mostly due to Leonard playing the best all around ball in the league and willing this team to a heights they're no longer capable of collectively sustaining.

Normally in these situations ('03 Lakers, '08 Spurs, '11 Lakers, '14 Heat), when it's over for these teams, it ends ugly. It seems hard to imagine now, but think of the way those teams went down. Next to no one saw those beat downs coming, either.

The unfortunate thing about this time is, whether Duncan and Ginobili play one final season or not, it really is the end of the run. In '08, the core was still good enough; they just needed to replenish the role players. That's no longer the case.

[MultiTroll]

Even during the surge from February 27th until the final game of the season, it never felt the same as not just last season, but any of the three previous this group has played together

wrong.
All season, yes not the same. Pattycake out.
Stretch run? Definitely a few games where it was shades of last season.

Not buying your Negative Nancy over in 5 vs uber got Clippers.

[RD2191]

I said Clips in 5 and I'm sticking with it. Hopefully Parker retires or decides to open a french playboy mansion next season or something. He just needs to gtfo. I know law of averages doesn't really exist but I do believe that the Clips are hungrier and want it more. This is do or die time for them. They're excuses are running thin and I believe CP3 is due a series win against the Spurs.

[Budkin]

It's so typical of, as Harlem would say, vanilla fans, with their cliche takes, to say "it's only one game" . . . and in the literal sense, it is, of course.

But you have to take everything on a case by case basis. The signs of a team that is out of gas have been abundantly clear all season, yet the vast majority have chosen to ignore them. Even during the surge from February 27th until the final game of the season, it never felt the same as not just last season, but any of the three previous this group has played together. That's because it was mostly due to Leonard playing the best all around ball in the league and willing this team to a heights they're no longer capable of collectively sustaining.

Normally in these situations ('03 Lakers, '08 Spurs, '11 Lakers, '14 Heat), when it's over for these teams, it ends ugly. It seems hard to imagine now, but think of the way those teams went down. Next to no one saw those beat downs coming, either.

The unfortunate thing about this time is, whether Duncan and Ginobili play one final season or not, it really is the end of the run. In '08, the core was still good enough; they just needed to replenish the role players. That's no longer the case.

[mkurts]

Thanks to the irrational fear of super miracle Jordan

[ElNono]

Don't think this team is out of gas. And I still think we're taking this series.

- Vanilla fan

[TheGreatYacht]

"This series is decided by Game 1"

- forum hipsters

[Johnsyounger]

[Pound the rock]

Spurs been hearing that rhetoric for years

[Malik Hairston]

I said Clippers in 7 prior to the series, and I'll stick with it..I don't think the Spurs will lose in 5, I expect them to get hot at home..I just can't imagine them winning on the road, at this point..

As I've said many times this season, I was one of the few Spurs fans that remained confident during the struggles in both 2013 and 2014..however, this year, while I believed in the team to start the season, it was evident by mid-season that this team wasn't going to win the championship in 2015, too much mileage, key injuries and uncertainty in the rotation..

While they may turn it around and beat the Clippers, it's quite possible, I can't imagine this mediocre road team winning multiple series' on the road, let alone beating a great Warriors team with one of the best HCAs we have ever seen..

- No HCA..this team was mediocre on the road for a reason..while they were a lot better down the stretch of the season, they are clearly still much more comfortable at home, especially the role players/shooters..

- An understated part of last year's run was Ginobili's excellence..while Parker was mediocre and inconsistent throughout the run, Ginobili was able to play the facilitator role at a high level, probably his best playoff run in 4 or 5 years..Parker's progressive decline has continued, but unlike last year, Ginobili isn't playing anywhere near the same level to negate it..

- Splitter's injury, obviously..Baynes has become a quality 4th big, but he's nowhere near a starting-caliber player, especially in the playoffs vs. a strong Clippers team

- The team is too reliant on Danny Green IMO..he's probably the best 3&D guy in the NBA nowadays, but the team is too reliant on his production..when he's off, the team struggles, and the FO did a poor job in building perimeter depth, as the drop-off from Leonard/Green to the backups is colossal from a defensive standpoint..

- The mileage..2 straight runs into June, can't ignore that..

[DJR210]

Not sure if serious, but anyone who is seriously thinking the series is over at this point is a stupid ing idiot . The same idiots who said we were done halfway through the season.

[FkLA]

Spurs are a different team at home. I'm pretty confident they'll win all three games here.

Stealing one on the road with an Enrique centric offense and Belli getting Green's minutes seems almost impossible though. Which makes the fact that Pop decided to treat the NO game like just another run of the mill regular season game that much more infuriating. Spurs would be at home up 1-0 if they'd held on to the 2nd seed tbh.

[ElNono]

I said Clippers in 7 prior to the series, and I'll stick with it..I don't think the Spurs will lose in 5, I expect them to get hot at home..I just can't imagine them winning on the road, at this point..

As I've said many times this season, I was one of the few Spurs fans that remained confident during the struggles in both 2013 and 2014..however, this year, while I believed in the team to start the season, it was evident by mid-season that this team wasn't going to win the championship in 2015, too much mileage, key injuries and uncertainty in the rotation..

While they may turn it around and beat the Clippers, it's quite possible, I can't imagine this mediocre road team winning multiple series' on the road, let alone beating a great Warriors team with one of the best HCAs we have ever seen..

- No HCA..this team was mediocre on the road for a reason..while they were a lot better down the stretch of the season, they are clearly still much more comfortable at home, especially the role players/shooters..

- An understated part of last year's run was Ginobili's excellence..while Parker was mediocre and inconsistent throughout the run, Ginobili was able to play the facilitator role at a high level, probably his best playoff run in 4 or 5 years..Parker's progressive decline has continued, but unlike last year, Ginobili isn't playing anywhere near the same level to negate it..

- Splitter's injury, obviously..Baynes has become a quality 4th big, but he's nowhere near a starting-caliber player, especially in the playoffs vs. a strong Clippers team

- The team is too reliant on Danny Green IMO..he's probably the best 3&D guy in the NBA nowadays, but the team is too reliant on his production..when he's off, the team struggles, and the FO did a poor job in building perimeter depth, as the drop-off from Leonard/Green to the backups is colossal from a defensive standpoint..

- The mileage..2 straight runs into June, can't ignore that..

A lot of this is true, I just think Tim and Gino can still bring a win on the road here or there, and at that point all bets are off, tbh... Gino wasn't all that great during the regular season last year either, he was really good in the Dallas series and then from the OKC series onwards...

[Horse]

Anyone who truly believes this please go now and don't come back for round 2.

[RD2191]

A lot of this is true, I just think Tim and Gino can still bring a win on the road here or there, and at that point all bets are off, tbh... Gino wasn't all that great during the regular season last year either, he was really good in the Dallas series and then from the OKC series onwards...

Start Gino, tbh. Dat is always good for a ing 30pt game at least once in a series.

[TXstbobcat]

Spurs in 6. I think the Spurs recover from last nights Ike Turner beatdown.

[RD2191]

Spurs in 6. I think the Spurs recover from last nights Ike Turner beatdown.

[100%duncan]

Reads le, who's the OP. Oh no surprise

[Robz4000]

Been saying the same thing tbh, tho I don't think the run is over. Duncan and Manu are still capable players; Spurs just need to find a Parker replacement. Monta Ellis is a free agent this offseason...

[Bartleby]

OP's just asking to get on by everybody when this thread gets bumped.

[dabom]

[RD2191]

OP's just asking to get on by everybody when this thread gets bumped.

I am going get skull ed if the Spurs win the series. I've made some bold claims to say the least.

[coachmac87]

It's so typical of, as Harlem would say, vanilla fans, with their cliche takes, to say "it's only one game" . . . and in the literal sense, it is, of course.

But you have to take everything on a case by case basis. The signs of a team that is out of gas have been abundantly clear all season, yet the vast majority have chosen to ignore them. Even during the surge from February 27th until the final game of the season, it never felt the same as not just last season, but any of the three previous this group has played together. That's because it was mostly due to Leonard playing the best all around ball in the league and willing this team to a heights they're no longer capable of collectively sustaining.

Normally in these situations ('03 Lakers, '08 Spurs, '11 Lakers, '14 Heat), when it's over for these teams, it ends ugly. It seems hard to imagine now, but think of the way those teams went down. Next to no one saw those beat downs coming, either.

The unfortunate thing about this time is, whether Duncan and Ginobili play one final season or not, it really is the end of the run. In '08, the core was still good enough; they just needed to replenish the role players. That's no longer the case.

I'm just not buying it right now...Only thing I agree with is things can change in a hurry good or bad..I mean look at last years Finals for example

"AC Game" Some on this board and across the nation said Spurs somewhat lucked out due to the AC going down and LeBron cramped up. Heat go on to win game 2 and go to Miami tied 1-1. Miami had the momentum and Spurs easily could've been down 0-2. Some on this board thought it was over...But what happened next?? Something that NOBODY here our across the world expected. Spurs made history.

Believe

[Kool Bob Love]

in before the gentleman's sweep.

[tholdren]

It's so typical of, as Harlem would say, vanilla fans, with their cliche takes, to say "it's only one game" . . . and in the literal sense, it is, of course.

But you have to take everything on a case by case basis. The signs of a team that is out of gas have been abundantly clear all season, yet the vast majority have chosen to ignore them. Even during the surge from February 27th until the final game of the season, it never felt the same as not just last season, but any of the three previous this group has played together. That's because it was mostly due to Leonard playing the best all around ball in the league and willing this team to a heights they're no longer capable of collectively sustaining.

Normally in these situations ('03 Lakers, '08 Spurs, '11 Lakers, '14 Heat), when it's over for these teams, it ends ugly. It seems hard to imagine now, but think of the way those teams went down. Next to no one saw those beat downs coming, either.

The unfortunate thing about this time is, whether Duncan and Ginobili play one final season or not, it really is the end of the run. In '08, the core was still good enough; they just needed to replenish the role players. That's no longer the case.

Get the out of here