Top 30 NBA Spurs (Updated every Sunday)

[ShoogarBear]

Kerr as a Spur in the playoffs
244 minutes
76 points
20 assists
.409 field goal percentage

Beno as a Spur in the playoffs
289 minutes
103 points
30 assists
.352 field goal percentage

Playoff studs.

The only true measure of a guard is 3-point shoottting.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

wait, so had we dropped game 6 against the mavs in 2003 we would've lost game 7 as well?


I think the mavs were lucky to win game 1 of that year, and I think especially with Dirk out for part of that series, we were definitely the better team.

So while Kerr's game was amazing, I don't think his impact on game 6 against the mavs was as great as say Robert Horry's impact on the Pistons series from game 5 (where we definitely would've lost had we dropped game 5)

Mostly because I believe we would've won a game 7 at home against dallas back in 2003

[timvp]

Youy are trying to rate Kerr based on statistical production when in fact, his inclusion on this list is because of a handful of big shots and popularity....and I'd argue that whether or not his ranking is in error, I doubt we win the le that year without him.

2.2 points per game would be impossible to make up. You are right.

You aren't even remembering the incident against the Mavs that got him off the bench...when everyone was choking their throws and Duncan flat out told Pop to put him in the game...

Link? Never happened.

Little things like that...Kerr was an invaluable steadying influcent on a team that was heavily reliant on some young and inconsistent players

If you want to name his as a top Spurs assistant coach of all-time, I'd list him in the top ten. But when it comes to playing basketball and he had one and a half big games in four years, you can't put him as the 21st best Spur of all-time.

....what was he during the playoffs that year? Consistent

He hit seven shots. You can't really tell how consistent or inconsistent he was. He played less than Beno did in '05.

...when he was put in, he hit his shots. This team would have about 5 more les right now had it had simple contributions like that in some other years of Robinson and Duncan's careers.

2.2 points per game while playing only 40% of the playoff games wouldn't have won two more championships.

We might have beaten the Lakers in 2002 if we had Kerr(and Pop had played him).

Why stop there? Maybe if Kerr would have been more of a steadying force in 2001, the Spurs would have beat the Lakers that year too.

Reality is that in 2001, Kerr played 30 minutes against the Lakers and didn't score a point.

Kerr had one truly ty year here...98-99...the rest of the time Pop just wouldn't play him.

How many minutes should Pop have sit thru in 2001 when Kerr couldn't knock down a shot against the Lakers? Zero points in 30 minutes. Should he have just kept him out there for defensive purposes?

And if not for Duncan I doubt Pop would have played him in 03...

whottt folklore.

In the 2003 playoff run, I'd say Kevin Willis was a bigger part of that championship. He scored more than double the amount of points Kerr did and was a huge reason that the Spurs got by the Lakers. He made Shaq run and Shaq couldn't keep up.

Who would whottt say was a bigger part of the 2003 championship -- Willis or Kerr?

[ShoogarBear]

FWIW, I've also always heard that it was Duncan who asked Pop to play Kerr against the Mavs in Game 6.

[timvp]

FWIW, I've also always heard that it was Duncan who asked Pop to play Kerr against the Mavs in Game 6.

That's cuz whottt has claimed that since it happened. Yet I've asked for a link for four years now and never got one.

I'll gladly be wrong if whottt could supply a link or tell me where I could find where it says Duncan asked for Kerr to be put in the game. The only reason I think he was put into the game was because Parker had food poisoning and Speedy Claxton was playing horribly.



P.S.

I'm glad the Express-News didn't try to squeeze Speedy into the list

[ShoogarBear]

wait, so had we dropped game 6 against the mavs in 2003 we would've lost game 7 as well?


I think the mavs were lucky to win game 1 of that year, and I think especially with Dirk out for part of that series, we were definitely the better team.

So while Kerr's game was amazing, I don't think his impact on game 6 against the mavs was as great as say Robert Horry's impact on the Pistons series from game 5 (where we definitely would've lost had we dropped game 5)

Mostly because I believe we would've won a game 7 at home against dallas back in 2003

If you remember, the Spurs lost game 5 to the Dirkless Mavs after blowing a ~15 point lead in the SBC. A loss in game 6 would have really been a gigantic psychological blow.

Maybe they would have won game 7, but I sure wouldn't have wanted to take that risk.

[ShoogarBear]

That's cuz whottt has claimed that since it happened. Yet I've asked for a link for four years now and never got one.

I think I remember a Buck Harvey column that stated that, but I don't know if the archives at the E-N will go back that far.

[whottt]

If TimVP had actually watched the Mavs series...he'd know it was game 4...he'd also know that it was easy to see Duncan saying it to Pop as they cut to a commercial.


And secondly...Pop got owened by Peter Vescey in the finals too for not playing Kerr in game 4...next game, he was in.


However it's already obvious that TimVP did not watch that series as evidenced by his continual dismissal of Kerr's contributions...and in fact seems to forget that teams penchant for choking.

We didn't choke in any of Kerr's games....we choked in the games he didn't get on the court when we were in lead blowing mode.


I'd say Willis and Kerr's contributions were probably about equal...although I'd give the nod to Willis because Willis' came against the big bad Lakers and Shaq,...that FT put back he had was huge.


Incidentally I'd say Willis has a good argument for being on this list....that half court shot...

But Willis does get a black mark for trying to murder Scott Williams.

[timvp]

If TimVP had actually watched the Mavs series...he'd know it was game 4...he'd also know that it was easy to see Duncan saying it to Pop as they cut to a commercial.

You mean the game in which Kerr played one minute?

So this legend of Duncan telling Pop to put Kerr on the floor exists because of a whottt lip reading?

Classic.

However it's already obvious that TimVP did not watch that series as evidenced by his continual dismissal of Kerr's contributions...and in fact seems to forget that teams penchant for choking.

We didn't choke in any of Kerr's games....we choked in the games he didn't get on the court when we were in lead blowing mode.

There were two "Kerr games" in those playoffs. And how was Game 6 against the Mavs a matter of the Spurs choking? They just sucked until the fourth and then pulled it out.

I'd say Willis and Kerr's contributions were probably about equal...although I'd give the nod to Willis because Willis' came against the big bad Lakers and Shaq,...that FT put back he had was huge.

Willis' per minute production in those playoffs were off the charts good. His ability to guard Shaq and then make him run might have been a top five reason why the Spurs were finally able to beat the Lakers.

Incidentally I'd say Willis has a good argument for being on this list....that half court shot...

@ three point shooting always being a factor with whottt.

But Willis does get a black mark for trying to murder Scott Williams.

... Yeah, that might have been the cheapest most deadliest shot I've seen on a basketball court that nobody really remembers.

[whottt]

You mean the game in which Kerr played one minute?

Yes and that was why he was put on the court...because no one could hit a ing FT. Don't act like you've never seen that happen with our Spurs before...

So this legend of Duncan telling Pop to put Kerr on the floor exists because of a whottt lip reading?

Classic.

It's not just lip reading...it's clear what Duncan wants...he's sitting there pointing at Kerr and the Spurs are choking ass at the FT line...can't even hit their T's.

There were two "Kerr games" in those playoffs. And how was Game 6 against the Mavs a matter of the Spurs choking? They just sucked until the fourth and then pulled it out.

How we forget things like Hackabowen and the fact that Nowitzki wasn't even playing...

Willis' per minute production in those playoffs were off the charts good. His ability to guard Shaq and then make him run might have been a top five reason why the Spurs were finally able to beat the Lakers.

I'll agree to an extent. Drob was the real D on Shaq in that series....and if you doubt this look at how bad we got our asses whipped when he fouled out in 12 minutes.

@ three point shooting always being a factor with whottt.

Slick...your success in the D League is starting to go to your head...don't think any ownership there transfers...there's more to the real game than stats.

Todays trivia question...what was the score when Willis hit that shot?

What was the final score? You saying every little bit didn't help? Especially considering all the chokes against LA the previous 2 years?

Anyone of our guys hitting a 3 against LA was big back then...that was why we couldn't beat them.

... Yeah, that might have been the cheapest most deadliest shot I've seen on a basketball court that nobody really remembers.

I've always wondered what Williams did to him to get that kinda reaction out of Willis...he definitely pissed Willis off.

[whottt]

I also think Whottt is one of those unathletic white guys (that relates to Kerr) who was calling into the radio station for years saying, "Why doesn't Pop play Steve Kerr more?"

You know what's funny? I remember getting into a big argument with Ghost Writer when we got Kerr back and saying that he could be the difference in a le if Pop puts him on the court when Duncan is doubled...

It was good enough for Phil Jackson and Jordan...so why wouldn't it be good for DRob, Tim Duncan and Gregg Pop? Especially when their shooters are choking ass wide open.


Race and athleticism have nothing to do with my backing of Kerr...but I do think it has something to do with people not wanting to give him credit


I like guys that can hit open shots on teams when their bigmen are being double teamed...like Brent Barry, and Steve Kerr, and Robert Horry, and Stephen Jackson, and Jaren Jackson and Mario Elie.


I don't like guys that all of a sudden pick the freaking Lakers(or team nemesis x) to have their off game when being left open...

Like Hedo and Smitty and Terry Porter and Danny Ferry...and Vinny and AJ.

You guys over-rate defense and under-rate perimeter scoring(mainly because we have it now). I'm not over-rating shooting....it's been the difference for us every year since 89 until last year.

[sabar]

I'm OK with Kerr's placement personally.

I know the express-news won't rank them like this, but is what I would pick:

6) Ginobili
5) Elliott
4) Parker
3) Gervin
2) Duncan
1) Robinson

[timvp]

Yes and that was why he was put on the court...because no one could hit a ing FT. Don't act like you've never seen that happen with our Spurs before...

So this four year fairy tale you concocted was because you think you saw Duncan tell Pop to put Kerr on the court to hit free throws?

It's not just lip reading...it's clear what Duncan wants...he's sitting there pointing at Kerr and the Spurs are choking ass at the FT line...can't even hit their T's.

Kerr goes 2-for-2 at the line in that game in one minute. Should have made the hall of fame on that game alone.

How we forget things like Hackabowen and the fact that Nowitzki wasn't even playing...

Again, that team was known for blowing big leads. But that wasn't the case in that game.

I'll agree to an extent. Drob was the real D on Shaq in that series....and if you doubt this look at how bad we got our asses whipped when he fouled out in 12 minutes.

Yeah, that's why I said top five. Duncan's dominance, David's D and Manu's game breaking were up there.

Slick...your success in the D League is starting to go to your head...don't think any ownership there transfers...there's more to the real game than stats.

Todays trivia question...what was the score when Willis hit that shot?

What was the final score? You saying every little bit didn't help? Especially considering all the chokes against LA the previous 2 years?

Anyone of our guys hitting a 3 against LA was big back then...that was why we couldn't beat them.

Three-pointers = Championships.

Got it.

[timvp]

You know what's funny? I remember getting into a big argument with Ghost Writer when we got Kerr back and saying that he could be the difference in a le if Pop puts him on the court when Duncan is doubled...

You said the same thing about Shane Heal.

It was good enough for Phil Jackson and Jordan...so why wouldn't it be good for DRob, Tim Duncan and Gregg Pop? Especially when their shooters are choking ass wide open.

Zero points in 30 minutes against the Lakers in 2001. What happened?

Race and athleticism have nothing to do with my backing of Kerr...but I do think it has something to do with people not wanting to give him credit

I'll take the to mean that you are joking. For the record, Vinny Del Negro and Will Perdue were better Spurs. Danny Ferry, too. I'd say Danny Ferry's Game 2 against the Suns was a much bigger and more important performance than Kerr in Game 6 against the Mavs.

Take out that Game 6 performance by Kerr and it'd be hard to argue that Kerr had a better Spurs career than Beno.

I like guys that can hit open shots on teams when their bigmen are being double teamed...like Brent Barry, and Steve Kerr, and Robert Horry, and Stephen Jackson, and Jaren Jackson and Mario Elie.

Brent Barry is another guy who should be on the list before Steve Kerr.

I don't like guys that all of a sudden pick the freaking Lakers(or team nemesis x) to have their off game when being left open...

Uh, Kerr never scored a point against the Lakers in the playoffs while with the Spurs. In '99, '01 and '03, Kerr was 0-fer.

Like Hedo and Smitty and Terry Porter and Danny Ferry...and Vinny and AJ.

If you give extra credit to Kerr for his veteran influence on the '03 team, where's the Steve Smith love? He took Stephen Jackson and Tony Parker under his wing and got them to play beyond their years.

You guys over-rate defense

Classic. The Spurs won three championships with defense, yet I supposedly overrate it.

and under-rate perimeter scoring(mainly because we have it now). I'm not over-rating shooting....it's been the difference for us every year since 89 until last year.

Scoring 2.2 points per game while playing in 10 of the 24 playoff games is underrated. Take out the two games Kerr did anything and he averaged 0.5 points per game in those playoffs.

I didn't understand Spurs fans' love affair with Kerr when he was here and it baffles me even more today.

[whottt]

So this four year fairy tale you concocted was because you think you saw Duncan tell Pop to put Kerr on the court to hit free throws?

I know it happened and I probably have it on DVD...specifically in for Bruce Bowen. I am not going to guarantee I still have it, but I'll look.

It's not like it was a big mystery it happened. We were in the chatroom and I wasn't the only one that saw it.

Kerr goes 2-for-2 at the line in that game in one minute. Should have made the hall of fame on that game alone.

Or by your standards, had his jersey retired

Again, that team was known for blowing big leads. But that wasn't the case in that game.

Mayap that is because Kerr started coming in for Bowen?

It's like Duncan said, this worrying about Bruce's feelings Pop, something to that effect.

Yeah, that's why I said top five. Duncan's dominance, David's D and Manu's game breaking were up there.

That was pretty much it...but Duncan didn't do jack when he had to guard Shaq early in that series.

Three-pointers = Championships.

Got it.

Sincerely, Merio Elie, Robert Horry, etc.

It's a shame that your man-love for AJ requires you to hate an entire shot simply to justify his crappy shooting....


3 pointers = a of a lot more championships than Avery Johnson =

[lebomb]

And there's no way you can rank Duncan ahead of Robinson while Duncan is still playing...

Duncan probably will take it one day, but what Dave did was more than enough to keep the spot while Duncan is active...

Dave gave a career, a complete and total HOF career...and gave SA a great citizen.

Duncan may wind up playing 5 years with the Lakers or something....you definitely can't rank him over Dave while he is playing. And it'll be a close argument even after he retires. I haven't resolved it yet...Dave did a lot.

I completely disagree with this.....Duncan is and should be #1. When did David Robinson step up in a BIG game for the Spurs??? (Playoff games)? He usually got smoked by Akeem. We never went to the finals with David Robinson, but won 3 championships with Duncan. Duncan has ALWAYS stepped up his game in the playoffs......I think Robinson would fall off in the playoffs. Not saying David wasnt great, but not AWESOME like Duncan is.

3. Gervin
2. Robinson
1. DUNCAN

[nkdlunch]

I'm OK with Kerr's placement personally.

I know the express-news won't rank them like this, but is what I would pick:

6) Ginobili
5) Elliott
4) Parker
3) Gervin
2) Duncan
1) Robinson

sorry but this top 6 is a lock:
6)Elliott
5)Parker
4)Manu
3)gervin
2)Robinson
1)Duncan

[whottt]

I completely disagree with this.....Duncan is and should be #1. When did David Robinson step up in a BIG game for the Spurs??? (Playoff games)? He usually got smoked by Akeem. We never went to the finals with David Robinson, but won 3 championships with Duncan. Duncan has ALWAYS stepped up his game in the playoffs......I think Robinson would fall off in the playoffs. Not saying David wasnt great, but not AWESOME like Duncan is.

3. Gervin
2. Robinson
1. DUNCAN

Well when a genius speaks people should listen.

That was the most brilliant pro Duncan argument I have ever seen. I'm convinced. What took you so long to get here?

And to think...all we needed all this time was an enlightened mind to show us how to look at things.

I know all the people wanting Duncan #1 are proud to count you among their number on the basis of your brilliant, articulate and insightful breakdown post above.

[lebomb]

Well when a genius speaks people should listen.

That was the most brilliant pro Duncan argument I have ever seen. I'm convinced. What took you so long to get here?

And to think...all we needed all this time was an enlightened mind to show us how to look at things.

I know all the people wanting Duncan #1 are proud to count you among their number on the basis of your brilliant, articulate and insightful breakdown post above.

Thanks.....it was just in response to your dumb ass reasoning why Robinson should be ranked over Duncan

[whottt]

Thanks.....it was just in response to your dumb ass reasoning why Robinson should be ranked over Duncan

Thanks back at ya...and it's interesting to see how the mind of a genius works...you thought my reasoning was dumbass, so therefore you decided to outdumbass me in the reasoning dept...succeeding ADMIRABLY I might add.

Good job. Genius.

[FromWayDowntown]

Thanks back at ya...and it's interesting to see how the mind of a genius works...you thought my reasoning was dumbass, so therefore you decided to outdumbass me in the reasoning dept...succeeding ADMIRABLY I might add.

Good job. Genius.

[lebomb]

Thanks back at ya...and it's interesting to see how the mind of a genius works...you thought my reasoning was dumbass, so therefore you decided to outdumbass me in the reasoning dept...succeeding ADMIRABLY I might add.

Good job. Genius.

Ok....Ok, I take back the dumb ass part.....my bad. But, your reasoning to make David Robinson #1 wasn't very good. David did alot for the franchise, but Tim has revamped and remade the Spurs. He has put the Spurs on the WORLD map, not just the US map.

[ShoogarBear]

Good to see whottt still can bring the occasional 97 MPH fastball.

[lebomb]

Good to see whottt still can bring the occasional 97 MPH fastball.

Too bad he had a terrible argument as to why Robinson is #1 over Duncan

Hakeem OWNED David Robinson throughout his career.....noone has owned Tim.

[ShoogarBear]

I didn't say he throws it for strikes all the time.