Nuggets @ SPURS - 2/4 8:00 CT 4:00 AM Riga time 11:00 PM small town near Santa Fe

[Chinook]

Yop. My concern isn't matching up to the Dubs since the Spurs match up pretty well and even facing them would be a win. My issue is just getting there; Pop has focused so much on putting together a roster and playing style that can beat the Dubs that they've become even more vulnerable to teams like LAC/HOU/OKC/etc.

You and OKC. I just don't understand it. They're not good. They'll look even worse in the playoffs. The Spurs match up with Houston just fine. Kyle's been a proficient Ryan Anderson defender his entire career, and the Spurs have Wingstop for Harden. Capela is the only one who I think would be an issue, but half that battle is checking Harden anyway.

LAC's an issue in that no one can check Blake. Dedmon is probably the best option if not Anderson or Bertans (Davis for the offense and Kyle because Blake dribbles too much for a big and is likely to get his pocket picked several times). I am concerned about them, their fluke shots and Doc tripling Kawhi. Without someone else having a first-option caliber series, it would be tough.

[spursgu]

The refs tried to take that game away, and the Kings tried to give it away just as fast. Refs were stupid for only calling one T on Kerr's ejection, but Joeger and Cousins gave away Ts like s. Honestly, the Warriors just got unlucky in this game. That missed shots they'd usually make and had been making all game. However, GS had little answers for the size SAC could throw off the bench. Dunno what would be a bigger issue: Having a guy like Gasol come off the bench to give 48 minutes of paint offense or letting Lee and Dedmon grab every board off the bench.

You can see the path to beat them. KD might be a much more willing defender, but he's not going to be able to go 40 minutes playing on both ends against bigger guys or WingStop.

but the basketball experts on here are saying they're unbeatable.

[SAGirl]

ACL injuries aren't typically about being run into the ground. They're pretty random. Bad luck but ACL recoveries have improved dramatically. Can be much worse injuries for a young player, but this will delay his development for sure.

Thanks I don't know anything about the subject but being 21 is a very young age for that. (Though didn't Davis get that twice on the same knee?). He was pretty young too. It's unfortunate.

[Robz4000]

You and OKC. I just don't understand it. They're not good. They'll look even worse in the playoffs. The Spurs match up with Houston just fine. Kyle's been a proficient Ryan Anderson defender his entire career, and the Spurs have Wingstop for Harden. Capela is the only one who I think would be an issue, but half that battle is checking Harden anyway.

LAC's an issue in that no one can check Blake. Dedmon is probably the best option if not Anderson or Bertans (Davis for the offense and Kyle because Blake dribbles too much for a big and is likely to get his pocket picked several times). I am concerned about them, their fluke shots and Doc tripling Kawhi. Without someone else having a first-option caliber series, it would be tough.

I do think the Spurs beat Houston, but their style of play has given the Spurs problems for a few seasons now. Generally all that needs to be done is to let Harden down his leg come playoff time but for whatever reason he lives to kill the Spurs. Regardless, would rather face them than the Clips whose entire roster seems to play in God-mode when they see a Spurs jersey.

I've gone over why I think OKC will be a scary matchup even without Durant, so we'll just have to agree to disagree on that. Really hoping the Spurs find another capable 3&D guy to help out in the postseason, but if not I wouldn't be opposed to keeping Anthony; he just strikes me as one of those guys ala ZBo that could get into Griffin's head or keep Adams/Kanter at Bay in spot minutes.

[apalisoc_9]

The refs tried to take that game away, and the Kings tried to give it away just as fast. Refs were stupid for only calling one T on Kerr's ejection, but Joeger and Cousins gave away Ts like s. Honestly, the Warriors just got unlucky in this game. That missed shots they'd usually make and had been making all game. However, GS had little answers for the size SAC could throw off the bench. Dunno what would be a bigger issue: Having a guy like Gasol come off the bench to give 48 minutes of paint offense or letting Lee and Dedmon grab every board off the bench.

You can see the path to beat them. KD might be a much more willing defender, but he's not going to be able to go 40 minutes playing on both ends against bigger guys or WingStop.

I suspect Lee would demolish the warriors bench. Dedmon-Lee
is the perfect duo against gheir bench lineup with Durant stagged to play alongside them.

Also, the warriors have really struggled defending the roll man this year.

Heck even ghe warriors starters will struggle against Lee-Dedmon.

[apalisoc_9]

I do think the Spurs beat Houston, but their style of play has given the Spurs problems for a few seasons now. Generally all that needs to be done is to let Harden down his leg come playoff time but for whatever reason he lives to kill the Spurs. Regardless, would rather face them than the Clips whose entire roster seems to play in God-mode when they see a Spurs jersey.

I've gone over why I think OKC will be a scary matchup even without Durant, so we'll just have to agree to disagree on that. Really hoping the Spurs find another capable 3&D guy to help out in the postseason, but if not I wouldn't be opposed to keeping Anthony; he just strikes me as one of those guys ala ZBo that could get into Griffin's head or keep Adams/Kanter at Bay in spot minutes.

You're really trying to think too much.

OKC is an atrocious team with flaws for days. The Spurs probably dont even lose a game.

[apalisoc_9]

LAC is scary, but really looks like Red has regressed this year significantly. LA would have trouble beating Whoever they matchup against with in the first round.

Easily see a Houston-LAC in the 4-5 matchup.

[Chinook]

I'd put it this way: I was more concerned about Memphis in 2013 than I am about OKC this season. But you never know, I guess. Houston, I think, is farther from beating the Spurs than the Spurs are for the Warriors -- or maybe right about the same. They have a path to winning, but it's not a very solid one. It relies on both Anderson and Gordon going off while they also hold down one of LMA/Kawhi and keep anyone else from filling in for them. Pop has his problems in the playoffs, but the Spurs are also really good at taking out first options, which is why whatever happens in the regular season with HOU and OKC is almost moot.

Russ went off on Simmons, Manu and Patty. Harden went off against the bench. If you actually watch their play when guarded against one of Wingstop, it was pedestrian. Pop's not going to run bench guys against those players in the post-season, at least not if the second unit is struggling. If it looks close now, it won't in April and May.

LAC is dependent on LMA showing up on both ends. He can absolutely be a guy who can win the match-up with Blake on both ends. If he can have some games like he had against OKC to start off the WCSF last season, Doc won't be able to focus on Leonard, and guys like Green and Mills will get open looks. If he shrivels up, it'll be quite the uphill battle (unless Gasol drops in like 20/10/6 per game with a few blocks thrown in)

[SAGirl]

I'd put it this way: I was more concerned about Memphis in 2013 than I am about OKC this season. But you never know, I guess. Houston, I think, is farther from beating the Spurs than the Spurs are for the Warriors -- or maybe right about the same. They have a path to winning, but it's not a very solid one. It relies on both Anderson and Gordon going off while they also hold down one of LMA/Kawhi and keep anyone else from filling in for them. Pop has his problems in the playoffs, but the Spurs are also really good at taking out first options, which is why whatever happens in the regular season with HOU and OKC is almost moot.

Russ went off on Simmons, Manu and Patty. Harden went off against the bench. If you actually watch their play when guarded against one of Wingstop, it was pedestrian. Pop's not going to run bench guys against those players in the post-season, at least not if the second unit is struggling. If it looks close now, it won't in April and May.

LAC is dependent on LMA showing up on both ends. He can absolutely be a guy who can win the match-up with Blake on both ends. If he can have some games like he had against OKC to start off the WCSF last season, Doc won't be able to focus on Leonard, and guys like Green and Mills will get open looks. If he shrivels up, it'll be quite the uphill battle (unless Gasol drops in like 20/10/6 per game with a few blocks thrown in)

I think we can say if Lamarcus doesn't show up Spurs don't have a chance. One of the reasons Clippers murdered Spurs in their first matchup was Lamarcus part of the season when he was out of shape and Blake dominated him on both ends. Lamarcus is I guess a worry in that sense. The man is incredibly talented but one feels like sometimes he doesn't get up when he's a bit down and took a punch. I hope I am incorrect in that generalization. Maybe others can pick up a bit, but the team is top heavy like ElNono keeps talking about: he's still going to get his 15-18 shots, he's still going to get the ball in his preferred spots, etc. If he doesn't show up it's impossible. I think it's comparable to To y and Kawhi struggling against Clippers in 2015. At the time both were the main offensive guys and it took Duncan's Herculean effort and some hot shooting to make that series close. I am not bringing this up to troll. Trolling is not my shtick, I think everyone knows it.

I think Spurs improving on their defense lately, specially the number of blocks and steals, their ability to win some games with deep bench players, etc makes me think this Spurs team is underrated by the media in general in their depth. Part of the reason I don't see waiver pick ups or trades is that they are getting good contributions from their deep bench. But the playoffs are a different animal. Pau still worries me a bit. He's going to have to dominate matches too. Davis might be a better option at times but cN you imagine it?

[r0drig0lac]

Draymond Green went down with a knee injury just now.

amem

[TheDoctor]

LAC is scary, but really looks like Red has regressed this year significantly. LA would have trouble beating Whoever they matchup against with in the first round.

Easily see a Houston-LAC in the 4-5 matchup.

That's the issue, LAC players look like normal players vs every other team. But they go full Avengers when playing the Spurs.