spurs should go for number one seed overall or rest

[rascal]

i think chicago comes out of the east so i think Spurs need to win.

Chicago will not come out of the East. The spurs need to just play out the season and get ready for the playoffs without getting anyone injured.

[DJB]

Rest the big 3. HCA in the finals doesn't matter. Once Timmy makes it to the finals, the ring is already won.

[Dex]

Rest the big 3. HCA in the finals doesn't matter. Once Timmy makes it to the finals, the ring is already won.

I sincerely hope you are joking.

[DJB]

Maybe just a hint of sarcasm. But I honestly don't give a about the #1 overall seed.

[Jimcs50]

Rest the big 3. HCA in the finals doesn't matter. Once Timmy makes it to the finals, the ring is already won.

So you think playing Game 7 in Chicago or Game 7 in SA is of no consequence?

[FromWayDowntown]

The Spurs have every reason to mail in tomorrow night's game, if only because an LA win assures that they will be either 2 or 3 and keep them out of the 4 spot.

Conceivably, if the Spurs win at Staples tomorrow, LA could end up with 27 losses and, if OKC wins out (@SAC, v. MIL), would drop LAL (v. SA, @SAC) to the 4 spot (assuming no similar swoon for Dallas (@HOU, v. NOH)).

No matter how great your belief in the Spurs' ability to beat LA, you'd have to guess that the Spurs would rather see LA in the Conference Finals and (assuming both can make it there) and not in the WCSF (assuming each would make it there).









Sometimes, when I post, my own genius amazes me.

Too many parentheses.

[FromWayDowntown]

LA is not losing to Sacramento, IMO.

Conversely, there's an incentive for the Spurs to win: Keeping Dallas as the #2 seed will entice them to play hard in their last game against NOH, keeping NOH in the 8th spot instead of Memphis.

I think a lot of this stuff will be worked out after tomorrow's games.

Even if the Lakers win tonight (for instance, by concession of the Spurs), the Mavericks will have incentive to play hard against NOH because if they win and the Lakers lose on Wednesday, the Mavs will still win the 2nd seed with 25 losses (in that scenario, LAL would have 26 losses).

The import of tonight's game, to me at least, isn't a matter of who specifically ends up in the 2nd seed or the 3rd seed; it's in ensuring that the Lakers remain in one of those spots.

[MadDog73]

So you think playing Game 7 in Chicago or Game 7 in SA is of no consequence?

It's of little consequence... considering if we win the 3 middle at home, we'll be up 3-2 heading back to Chicago.

I'd much rather be in that hypothetical, then down 2-3 going back to SA...


and that's assuming the Bulls will get to the Finals.

[Jimcs50]

It's of little consequence... considering if we win the 3 middle at home, we'll be up 3-2 heading back to Chicago.

I'd much rather be in that hypothetical, then down 2-3 going back to SA...


and that's assuming the Bulls will get to the Finals.

No team has ever won all three middle games at home.

This 2-3-2 format favors the HCA team more than any other format

[Jimcs50]

But my point is:

Home team wins a game 7 at a high percentage in NBA, and I, as a fan, would much rather have my team at home for that deciding game.

[DesignatedT]

Rest. No reason to get too greedy. If you would have told me in the beginning of the season that we would get the #1 seed in the west then I would have said no way. Duncan has already admitted that his ankle is not 100% but people still want to play him heavy minutes down the stretch? Are you crazy? You realize if that ankle rolls over again in the playoffs then the whole season is over right? Manu has definitely worn down as well as the season has progressed and looks fatigued. These 2 guys need to rest. It would be stupid to play them normally these last 2 games.

Home court in the finals would be great but it isn't something to start striving for when your guys clearly need to rest. A week off before the playoffs would do wonders for Duncans ankle and Manu. Lets just hope the Bulls somehow lose, that would make it real easy.

[stnick2261]

But my point is:

Home team wins a game 7 at a high percentage in NBA, and I, as a fan, would much rather have my team at home for that deciding game.

If the Spurs aren't 100% for the playoffs... then it doesn't matter where they play that game 7

[Jimcs50]

Rest. No reason to get too greedy. If you would have told me in the beginning of the season that we would get the #1 seed in the west then I would have said no way. Duncan has already admitted that his ankle is not 100% but people still want to play him heavy minutes down the stretch? Are you crazy? You realize if that ankle rolls over again in the playoffs then the whole season is over right? Manu has definitely worn down as well as the season has progressed and looks fatigued. These 2 guys need to rest. It would be stupid to play them normally these last 2 games.

What difference does it make to sit out one game at this point? They have already had 2 days off and they get rest after reg season ends too.

[Jimcs50]

If the Spurs aren't 100% for the playoffs... then it doesn't matter where they play that game 7

you think playing hard tonight will make the difference of being healthy and 100% for the rest of the playoffs???

[DesignatedT]

What difference does it make to sit out one game at this point? They have already had 2 days off and they get rest after reg season ends too.

I say sit both out. I don't even think they should have even made the trip tbh.

How would you feel if Duncan steps on Bynums foot tonight and rolls that ankle again?

[Jimcs50]

I say sit both out. I don't even think they should have even made the trip tbh.

How would you feel if Duncan steps on Bynums foot tonight and rolls that ankle again?

That can happen any game in playoffs. If you are that scared of injury, then just retire.

[DesignatedT]

That can happen any game in playoffs. If you are that scared of injury, then just retire.

I'm not that scared of Injury when it comes to anyone else but since the guy was recently injured then the odds to re-injure himself greatly increase making it a cause for concern. Especially when he himself said it isn't 100%. No reason for him to go hard right now.. it makes absolutely zero sense. Let the ankle heal properly and play when the games matter, a week off can make that ankle perfect. Chicago isn't even guaranteed to be there.

[said7]

If the playoffs started today...

Spurs vs NO
Dallas vs Memphis
Lakers vs Portland
OKC vs Den

This would be perfect imo.
- All the teams except Spurs having a tough first round.
- Higher chance of upsets by memphis or portland, which would give spurs easier 2nd rd.
- Avoid lakers in second round assuming favorites win.

Looks like win win.

[stnick2261]

you think playing hard tonight will make the difference of being healthy and 100% for the rest of the playoffs???

I say sit both out. I don't even think they should have even made the trip tbh.

How would you feel if Duncan steps on Bynums foot tonight and rolls that ankle again?

That can happen any game in playoffs. If you are that scared of injury, then just retire.

The difference is risking injury in a meaningless game and risking injury in a meaningful game...

but I do think our starters should play. To be 100% they need a few minutes for conditioning and chemistry... but be pulled early to not wear out and risk injury.

Yes, homecourt advantage is nice... but we're talking about IF we lose 1 game in the regular season and IF Chicago wins out, then we have 50% chance of losing homecourt... which would lead to 1 home game advantage difference in the finals even IF the Spurs make it and IF Chicago makes it...

[stnick2261]

I'd say the West will come down to Spurs and Lakers... and I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the top 4 in the East... so I'd say our odds of a Spurs-Bulls Finals at roughly 12.5%

If we lose and Chicago wins out and there's a coin flip... then that puts the odds at 6% that Chicago takes homecourt from us in the Finals...

and then take into account how do you think the Lakers are going to go 100% and risk injury against us right before the playoffs? There is really no reason to force a win for a 6% chance of losing homecourt advantage

[gameFACE]

If the big 3 and Dice are rested tonight and tomorrow that would be a whole week without playing when the playoffs start. That's way too much rest for this team. They'll come out sluggish and cratchety. Go for the whole thing at this point. I much prefer a Finals Game 7 here than Chicago, Boston or Miami.

Most importantly step on the Lakers when they're down, man.

[Jimcs50]

If the big 3 and Dice are rested tonight and tomorrow that would be a whole week without playing when the playoffs start. That's way too much rest for this team. They'll come out sluggish and cratchety. Go for the whole thing at this point. I much prefer a Finals Game 7 here than Chicago, Boston or Miami.

Most importantly step on the Lakers when they're down, man.

Exactly. Play hard tonight, then they get at least 4 days off. Who needs more than 4 days off?

[ersinert]

rest, chicago is not gonna make it the finals anyway

[Dex]

Exactly. Play hard tonight, then they get at least 4 days off. Who needs more than 4 days off?

I'd like more than four days off.

[FromWayDowntown]

No team has ever won all three middle games at home.

This 2-3-2 format favors the HCA team more than any other format

The 2004 Detroit Pistons say " o":

Game 1 June 6 Detroit Pistons 87 @ Los Angeles Lakers 75
Game 2 June 8 Detroit Pistons 91 @ Los Angeles Lakers 99
Game 3 June 10 Los Angeles Lakers 68 @ Detroit Pistons 88
Game 4 June 13 Los Angeles Lakers 80 @ Detroit Pistons 88
Game 5 June 15 Los Angeles Lakers 87 @ Detroit Pistons 100


So do the 2006 Miami Heat:

Game 1 June 8 Miami Heat 80 @ Dallas Mavericks 90
Game 2 June 11 Miami Heat 85 @ Dallas Mavericks 99
Game 3 June 13 Dallas Mavericks 96 @ Miami Heat 98
Game 4 June 15 Dallas Mavericks 74 @ Miami Heat 98
Game 5 June 18 Dallas Mavericks 100 @ Miami Heat 101
Game 6 June 20 Miami Heat 95 @ Dallas Mavericks 92