Spurs Still Legit Championship Contenders?

[dabom]

Apparently there's no middle ground between people having this "pretenders" hot take and the threads Uriel started last year suggesting why math said the Spurs would win the le.

I guess both those ideas are ing re ed tbh.

[SAGirl]

I'd love for dabom to put me on ignore and don't quote me or respond or react to anything I post TBH. Dude has the hots for me or something and despite knowing that I do not care for him, he keeps quoting me. Just freaking ignore me dabom. I would love that.

... as for the team they have holes:

Gasol wont be able to stay on the floor when it counts. Not a good omen he has gotten benched several times already in a young season (already more than Tim, I think), and has had his share of 0 scoring or low scoring games when his impact is supposed to be offensively... Is this a result of Pop's Kawhiso based offense freezing guys out? I don't know.

Tony/Manu too old and still have important or vital roles in the team. I don't think they have another gear they can get to when it counts.

LMA looking soft. Maybe this dude will get on a rhythm like last year, but he should be the one in the hot seat considering his role in the team and his pathetic performances in a few games. It's been ppl putting the hot takes on roleplayers and Tony, but LMA has gone under the radar as an early season underachiever. 32 minutes against the Mavs and only has 5 points and not much of anything else but some rebounds. That is unacceptable to me. I bet Pau would have been better in that situation, like he was against the Heat earlier in the season when LMA didn't play.

The youngsters are youngsters. Pop could light a fire under them but if they are not going to have roles in the postseason what they do right now in terms of being contenders doesn't matter. Bottom line, Pop will stick to his old guys and that will be that.

[spursistan]

To be clear, I'm not predicting a 1st round upset. With no key player injured, I'd pick them to beat any of those teams. I'm just saying, I think there's a better chance of them not than them beating the Clippers.



The Clippers have had clearly superior star power to the Spurs since '14, but now they also have continuity and desperation on them. I don't doubt them, so much I trust the Warriors overwhelming star power more. Had they not landed Durant though, I'd have given strong consideration to picking the Clippers to win the championship this season.

I don't see that ceiling. Like spursistan said, they're basically preying for one of Parker or Ginobili to turn back the clock roughly 4 times to have a chance versus the Clippers/Warriors and they've slipped too much to buy it.

The Clippers throttling of the Cavs on the road last night shows in weird way how underrated they are as basketball team-- mostly because of history-- in contrast to Cleveland’s slight overrating, which is due the cir stances of playing in the East and the peak potential of Lebron. (Cavs put on this high of pedestal is based on the LeBron we saw the last 4 games of Finals; otherwise they have many exploitable flaws).

LAC have probably the second best starting 4 in the league after Golden State. Their star power is much more seasoned and explosive than San Antonio, for example. They have somewhat shored up their bench and majorly improved their D the last two years…Mboute—with his physically-- has emerged as reliable wing defender and has frustrated both Kawhi/Lebron into a putrid games this season..

IMO, this is the Clippers last chance to breakthrough before Golden State address their bench, lack size and rim protection, which has been killing them so far..

[Arcadian]

I like the Clippers' chances this year. Don't write them off based on history. All it takes is one exception to completely alter the trend. This could be their year to break through.

[I. Hustle]

Of course they are still contenders. /thread

[spurs10]

Things aren't very clear now, but we should know by the end of the playoffs.

I think I have to agree. Before then there is a chance that I might be just blustering nonsensically, pretending to know what is going to happen.

I will however say that I will base all my opinions on the speculation that none of our players are abducted by any alien spacecraft. However, if any of our chief opponents are abducted by alien spacecraft I believe it could quite possibly play a part in raising our odds for being more successful in the playoffs. I'm not quite certain though.

[Spurs9]

I like the Clippers' chances this year. Don't write them off based on history. All it takes is one exception to completely alter the trend. This could be their year to break through.

They need to get the whining about calls under control. They can get easily exploited because of how much they complain about everything, especially going against a team like GS in the playoffs with Draymond. Talent wise I think they can hang with them but they aren't mentally tough tbh

[DPG21920]

My friends should do the same.

You did not need to pluralize that tbh

[dabom]

You did not need to pluralize that tbh

FYI, I got more than you in here.

[DPG21920]

FYI, I got more than you in here.

I like it

We have a bet then. Create a poll asking who people like better me or you. Loser is gone from ST forever. Deal?

[dabom]

I like it

We have a bet then. Create a poll asking who people like better me or you. Loser is gone from ST forever. Deal?

You can like someone without being their friends dumbass.

And I got more haters.

But I do got more friends.

[DPG21920]

You can like someone without being their friends dumbass.

And I got more haters.

But I do got more friends.

What? So you are saying more people hate you and like me but you have more friends?

You just got punked in front of everyone. Started talking big thinking I would let it slide but once you got called the excuses came flying out.

[dabom]

What? So you are saying more people hate you and like me but you have more friends?

You just got punked in front of everyone. Started talking big thinking I would let it slide but once you got called the excuses came flying out.

It's true though got.

[TD 21]

The Clippers throttling of the Cavs on the road last night shows in weird way how underrated they are as basketball team-- mostly because of history-- in contrast to Cleveland’s slight overrating, which is due the cir stances of playing in the East and the peak potential of Lebron. (Cavs put on this high of pedestal is based on the LeBron we saw the last 4 games of Finals; otherwise they have many exploitable flaws).

LAC have probably the second best starting 4 in the league after Golden State. Their star power is much more seasoned and explosive than San Antonio, for example. They have somewhat shored up their bench and majorly improved their D the last two years…Mboute—with his physically-- has emerged as reliable wing defender and has frustrated both Kawhi/Lebron into a putrid games this season..

IMO, this is the Clippers last chance to breakthrough before Golden State address their bench, lack size and rim protection, which has been killing them so far..

Because of the last part, I've went back and forth on it, but I'll also give them a puncher's chance. They might be able to summon their inner '11 Mavericks or '14 Spurs, even though their top players aren't nearly as old.

why do spurfans confuse championship contender with being the overwhelming favorite?

I didn't confuse ; I don't think they're contenders period. Not even a puncher's chance.

I'd love for dabom to put me on ignore and don't quote me or respond or react to anything I post TBH. Dude has the hots for me or something and despite knowing that I do not care for him, he keeps quoting me. Just freaking ignore me dabom. I would love that.

They are pretenders to me, but it doesn't prevent me from enjoying the season.

I thought I was just being a pessimist?

[spurraider21]

I didn't confuse ; I don't think they're contenders period. Not even a puncher's chance.

yeah well you've always been a whiny got saying the spurs have no chance ... heres you making the same generic complaints during the 13-14 season where the spurs rang

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226844

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227371

[TD 21]

yeah well you've always been a whiny got saying the spurs have no chance ... heres you making the same generic complaints during the 13-14 season where the spurs rang

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226844

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227371

If Ibaka doesn't miss the first 2 games of the WCF and wasn't hobbled thereafter, who knows how that turns out? But let's pretend that never happened.

[spursistan]

4-0 on the road vs GSW/CLE/Houston

IF we can find a way out of West, i really think Spurs/Cavs could be a tossup series especially with HCA likely going to SA..But that's easier said than done..

Long season ahead still..Warriors are a cut above but Clippers with dodgy health and Rockets--cooling off lately-- wouldn't be unbeatable if Pop coaches it right..

[TD 21]

Anyone still buying them?

[dabom]

Anyone still buying them?

Pop can still bench Cancer. Or he can make another "injury".

[Vokun]

Anyone still buying them?

Not if Pop continues his horrific coaching that's been going on for 2 1/2 years now.

[mexicanjunior]

Is this poll a ing joke? They can't even beat the Pelicans and Mavs... this team.

[ElNono]

Anyone still buying them?

I mean, looking at the field? yes. This is a season where we beat all the 'better' teams, except the Clippers. It's just hard to read this team at times. Like lacking the discipline and motivation to get up for every game.

Also Pau got some slack, but I think he's actually a guy that works well with Tony. I don't know he would've made a big difference in these loses, but you never know.

[spursgu]

Yes they are, Tampon21

[Robz4000]

Only in the sense there's only 2-3 teams with more talent, but regardless this team will be out in the first or second round.

[TD 21]

Starting Murray isn't saving this team and neither is Pop coaching worth a damn. They're flat out too flawed.

I mean, looking at the field? yes. This is a season where we beat all the 'better' teams, except the Clippers. It's just hard to read this team at times. Like lacking the discipline and motivation to get up for every game.

Also Pau got some slack, but I think he's actually a guy that works well with Tony. I don't know he would've made a big difference in these loses, but you never know.

Again, the field is irrelevant if they can't beat a team that's guaranteed to be in their path.

Beyond them, after an early season reprieve, they're back to their usual poor late game execution/luck and inability to steal games. Although, they were fortunate against the Cavaliers, who generated much better shots down the stretch, only to miss most of them.