Is LMA enough to make the Spurs favorites?

[cantthinkofanything]

If Ginobili returns and Parker can work his way back up to being even just a slightly above average PG, then yes IMO, although you have to give the champs the benefit of the doubt, I suppose..

I still want another ball-handler off the bench, though..

I intentionally left Manu out of the discussion as he's kind of a wild card. If he comes back and can squeeze out one more semi Manu like season, then I think that puts them over the top. But he could also come back and suck. Or not come back at all.
Yeah...would love to have a decent ball-handler/playmaker. Even a solid older vet that can just provide quality minutes.

[Marcus Bryant]

Adding Aldridge keeps that le window open a little longer and gives Spurs fans the prospect of 29 playoff appearances out of 30 straight years, which is obscene, in addition to perhaps more championships.

At this point, whatever it takes to land Aldridge you do.

[kobyz]

GSW, Cavs and Clippers will only be better next season...

[ducks]

not sure clippers will be better

[cantthinkofanything]

Adding Aldridge keeps that le window open a little longer and gives Spurs fans the prospect of 29 playoff appearances out of 30 straight years, which is obscene, in addition to perhaps more championships.

At this point, whatever it takes to land Aldridge you do.

I won't argue with someone with over ONE MILLION posts.

[monkeypunk]

Who cares who the favorites are? Just need to field a compe ive team and win four rounds...

[Seventyniner]

I won't argue with someone with over ONE MILLION posts.

What if he said he thinks Parker was just hurt last year and will get back to form after playing ball this summer?

[Mr Bones]

So many other fans ask, "will we make the playoffs this year?"

Spurs fans ask, "Will we be the favorites to win the le?"

That's how high the bar is set. The question of making the playoffs barely enters into the equation.

[timvp]

Adding Aldridge keeps that le window open a little longer and gives Spurs fans the prospect of 29 playoff appearances out of 30 straight years, which is obscene, in addition to perhaps more championships.

At this point, whatever it takes to land Aldridge you do.

Even if trading Splitter improved the chances of Aldridge signing to 50/50, that move was worth the risk of giving away a good player on a decent deal.

[313]

Wasn't sure where to ask this, but is Aldridge even going to be healthy going into the season? He opted out of having season ending surgery and played with a broken hand in the playoffs. Is he recovering right now, or has he not had the surgery yet??

[mercos]

The Spurs were 1 win away from the #2 seed in a stacked Western Conference last year, and they won the season series against #1 seed and eventual champion Golden State. This came in a season in which the Spurs were devastated by injuries. By adding one of the best power forwards in the game to that roster, while not losing much, I wouldn't pick any other team over them.

[benstanfield]

Against GSW last year:

11/04: 26 pts, 13 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
03/24: DNP
04/09: 27 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk

Against Cleveland:

11/04: 16 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 0 blk
01/28: 38 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk

Against LAC:

11/08: 21 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast, 0 stl, 0 blk
01/14: 37 pts, 12 reb, 0 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
03/04: 29 pts, 9 reb, 0 ast, 0 stl, 1 blk
04/01: 29 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 0 blk

Against OKC:

10/29: 27 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk
12/23: 25 pts, 9 reb, 1 ast, 0 stl, 1 blk
02/27: 29 pts, 16 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
04/13: DNP

Season averages:
23.4 pts, 10.2 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.7 stl, 1.0 blk

Average against "contenders":
27.6 pts, 9 reb, 1.9 ast, 0.7 stl, 1 blk

[cantthinkofanything]

What if he said he thinks Parker was just hurt last year and will get back to form after playing ball this summer?

ah...the Parker Paradox...I would probably have sex with his mom