Are we beginning to face reality?

[Malik Hairston]

The Spurs of 2013 and 2014 were historic teams in regards to roster construction..

Tony Parker was a star in 2013 and Kawhi was beginning to develop into a star in 2014, but for the most part, the Spurs won a le and should have had another with a roster that was entirely centered around a system + role players playing their roles at an extremely high level(Green, Diaw, Splitter, Mills, etc)..

The NBA is a superstar's league, it's rare to win a championship without star players..most of the time, having just 1 star isn't even sufficient, unless you have a generational player(2003 Duncan, 1994 Olajuwon, 2013 Lebron, etc)..Kawhi is a top 10 player in this league, but he's not there yet, obviously, nor does the team fully understand how to utilize him, it's still early..

This forum is blaming role players like Danny Green, Splitter, Parker, Ginobili, etc, but is it simply time to face reality that the Spurs formula of winning without multiple stars just isn't sustainable? Especially considering the mileage of the past few years?

[Lerojo]

Reality is you and a few others here are posting spammers tbh.

[RD2191]

I agree OP.

[ElNono]

Ignorance is bliss, tbh... we'll deal with reality over the summer, IMO

[Malik Hairston]

Ignorance is bliss, tbh... we'll deal with reality over the summer, IMO

I know you don't want Aldridge, but this team really needs another star IMO..

[ElNono]

I know you don't want Aldridge, but this team really needs another star IMO..

I said I take him, beggars can't be choosers, etc... I just hope it doesn't costs Green and we don't end up being the Guests 2.0...

Portland is funny. How many posters here were wet over Batum, Lillard, LMA... they're a failure. I know Stotts is a hack, but still.

[cd98]

Tbh, Spurs are playing one of the toughest teams in the playoffs and the Spurs don't have HCA. They are tied 2-2. If they had beat NO, they'd be on the verge of sweeping Mavs and everyone would be talking 6. It's just bad luck in seeding, but Spurs are still in this, they just have to duke it out with a team that has the best offense in the NBA.

[Malik Hairston]

Tbh, Spurs are playing one of the toughest teams in the playoffs and the Spurs don't have HCA. They are tied 2-2. If they had beat NO, they'd be on the verge of sweeping Mavs and everyone would be talking 6. It's just bad luck in seeding, but Spurs are still in this, they just have to duke it out with a team that has the best offense in the NBA.

They were going to have to play against an elite team at some point, though..

And the Pelicans game was essentially a playoff game, too..

At some point, the unconventional system and design of these Spurs was going to die, they can't rely on role players to play above their heads forever..especially with Kawhi's style of play, which is more conventional and traditional "star player" ball..

[crc21209]

The Spurs can still be that machine they were last year, if the coach gives them the proper chance to do so. Going away from Green on Paul and giving more minutes to guys like Bonner and Belinelli and putting Parker on Paul for long stretches isnt going to get it done. Smarter, more focused decisions with his lineups and matchups could make things alot better for this team...

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Gutless worm is what you are

[Malik Hairston]

Last year's team still had Ginobili creating at a high level, it seems like people have forgotten that, tbh..

Parker also wasn't anywhere near as bad as he currently is, he was inconsistent, but he still had flashes of his old self and games where he was still able to penetrate + dish..

Realistically, though, winning without superstars requires perfect basketball, which is what we saw from the Spurs throughout last year's run..it's extremely difficult to replicate, especially without the motivation they had last year..

[ElNono]

At the end of the day, it's a make or miss league, tbh... you can have the beautiful ball movement, but if you can't knock wide open looks, then you're screwed.

[cd98]

They were going to have to play against an elite team at some point, though..

And the Pelicans game was essentially a playoff game, too..

At some point, the unconventional system and design of these Spurs was going to die, they can't rely on role players to play above their heads forever..especially with Kawhi's style of play, which is more conventional and traditional "star player" ball..

Yeah, but if the Spurs were in the second round at 2-2 against Clippers with HCA, no one would be starting this kind of thread. Way too early to write off this team. Clippers and Spurs are 2 of top 5 teams in the NBA. Just bc of injuries that they are stuck playing each other in 1st round.

[Malik Hairston]

Spurs can still beat the Clippers, but then they potentially have to play Houston and GS without HCA, too..

[siraulo23]

TP needs to play like an all star and tiago has to get in shape, thats what the spurs are missing

Parker doesnt have to score but the spurs need him to attack/cause the opposing defense to scramble. Case in point game 3, tp moved well but didnt score but the shooters got all the looks they wanted

[Capt Bringdown]

Parker is a but a shadow of his former self, and so are the Spurs. First round cannon-fodder for the likes of Rivers and his Clips, unless we see an unlikely turnaround going forward.

[ElNono]

Spurs can still beat the Clippers, but then they potentially have to play Houston and GS without HCA, too..

And then France plays who? Gonna be a busy summer, tbh

[apalisoc_9]

They were going to have to play against an elite team at some point, though..

And the Pelicans game was essentially a playoff game, too..

At some point, the unconventional system and design of these Spurs was going to die, they can't rely on role players to play above their heads forever..especially with Kawhi's style of play, which is more conventional and traditional "star player" ball..

I am going to have to disagree with OP. Granted, I don't think this team has enough talent outside of Kawhi to win this year..Hopefully, I am wrong.

Kawhi can get his 17-18fga whilst moving the ball, they just need to rewrite their offensive philosophies and get ball movement that isn't overly reliant on the PnR and ball penetration. The Hawks move the ball really well, but they use the post for sets way more than the spurs who use the post the conventional way. This won't happen this season though and it's a dexision Pop has to make and implement in the offseason and pre-season.

This team badly needs another 3 and D player though. I get taking green out of the game, but it's important the alternative knows how play defense.

[K...]

I agree. It's a case of, give them the benefit of the doubt until reality hits us. There's three games left and the margin from the two teams is so slight. Maybe Parker can get healthy. Maybe Danny grows some balls. Lots of things. Maybe they are just tired

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

Not quite yet.. After G5 we will see

[dabom]

Parker healthy? Doesn't he have like 4 to 8 injuries?

[Arc]

if verde decides to show up, we'll win this series. and the rest of them too.

[K...]

To apo, if kawhi wasn't hurt maybe we implement him into the offense better. I just feel so much went wrong this season that we can't judge the talent on this team fairly.

Maybe if they knew Parker would never recover cojo would be ready. He's to small tho, so trading mills for a prospect would be better. But this is hindsight. We got the best team events allowed. It's been a fun season even if three games are left. We got our season, the Lakers awful season, okc sucking, and bud getting serious achievements with them hawks.


If the spurs go down this place will be hawks talk. God bless

[crc21209]

Spurs can still beat the Clippers, but then they potentially have to play Houston and GS without HCA, too..

Am I the only one here who thinks the Spurs (if they advance) would have a somewhat easier time against Houston in the 2nd round? They dont have a true PG, especially an elite PG like Paul. They also dont play anywhere near the defense that the Clippers can play.

[DarrinS]

This same group of players curb stomped the Clips in game 3, with the big 3 playing minor roles. The just didn't play well today (other than Kawhi).