At Peace with the Current Situation Heading into Game 5 of the 2013 NBA Finals

[SpurSpurSpurs]

Before the grizz series started I said if the spurs get in the finals, i consider it as if they won it all

Same mentality I have during the Grizzlies series, but when we won (sweep), I just realized that our team is no fluke and we have a chance to win it all in. I may be greedy with this, but I know we can beat the Heat.

Re-focus, make adjustments and play as if this will be their last game. We may have a LITTLE chance of winning 2 more games, but it's better than having nothing.

We are the best team in the West! I know we can also be the champions this year!

GO SPURS GO! Believe!

[HI-FI]

I just hope we have a chance to win it in Miami. Despite certain players having "OK" games that really hurt us, we were still in it. I think our guys and coaches will take care of business for Game 5.

I suppose my faith or whatever you call it is nervous about us winning in Miami. Sorry but I don't trust Stern or anything he stands for. But who knows, happens, miracles happen, so I'd love to see a great ending.

[midnightpulp]

I'm not too broken up by this one. I also don't see it as a blown opportunity, either, considering the fact the Spurs didn't really beat themselves (like Game 1 of the '08 WCF or the '04 Semis or the '06 Semis). People will, of course, reference the turnovers, but that's what Miami does. It's simply not a matter of playing "smarter" and "taking care of the ball." That's their defensive bread-and-butter. Playing against them, you pretty much have to gameplan for the fact you're probably going to be forced into 15 turnovers and go from there.

Miami was at their best tonight (and the Spurs stayed right there with them for about 3 and 1/2 quarters), and when they are, they're pretty much unbeatable.

The encouraging thing to take away from this game is that it's doubtful Wade plays like that again. If he does, then, nothing you can do and you can sleep well as a fan knowing the Spurs lost to an all-time great team, which the Heat are when Wade plays like that.

[mudyez]

thanks timvp! now I'm feeling better!

From game one on I have a feeling this will turn out like the Pacers series with teams trading wins...But since we won game one thats fine with me.

[KaiRMD1]

You make a valid point sir. The heat players basically made what the Spurs were daring them to make, simple as that. Now we shall see the adjustment Pop makes.

[BillMc]

I was disheartened in the aftermath of the loss. Like Game 2, the Spurs had a chance to really take command -- only to let it slip through their fingers. However, after stepping back and taking a bigger picture look at these Finals, I'm at peace as a Spurs fan.

The Heat had everything going for them in Game 4. They had the emotional/motivation edge after getting blown out in Game 3. They went ahead and made their one series-altering adjustment they could make by starting a small lineup. Their Big 3 all played damn well. The Spurs turned it over 19 times and couldn't get an offensive rebound against their small ball unit -- which is at least partly bad luck. Parker was dealing with a new injury ... and just as important, the rest of the team was on edge not knowing how much Parker could do. You combine all of that and the Spurs shouldn't have been even as close as they were.

Game 5 will be a different story. The extra day of rest is huge (HUGE) for the Spurs. This time, they will have the emotional/motivation advantage. Parker will be healthier and the rest of the team will know better what to expect. Lineup-wise, the Spurs will make their counter-adjustment by starting a smaller lineup (whether that is Diaw, Neal or Ginobili in place of Splitter). I'm confident Duncan will play better. There's no way Ginobili has a worse game. Parker should also be better. Could Miami's Big 3 be better than they were in Game 4? Doubtful.

You add it up and the Spurs will have their chance to go up 3-2. Maybe it doesn't happen but everything is aligning for a much better chance than they had in Game 4.

If the Spurs can get Game 5, then -- IMO -- the pressure shifts to the Heat. The Spurs get two chances to win a game in Miami. All things considered, that'd be a great place to be in.

NBA championships are fvcking hard to win, especially for a team that on paper fits no historical mold. Big picture, there's nothing to be upset about regarding where the Spurs find themselves right now. Sure, getting an early knockout punch in Game 2 or Game 4 would have been fantastic but the Spurs remain right there with a legit opportunity to go up 3-2.

Now is not the time to lose hope; the fun is just beginning.

Believe.

This is well put and a nice perspective. We are in a good position, and I am very proud of our team.

Now, let's go out and win this thing. Sunday can't come soon enough.

[DrSteffo]

I'm appalled at the reaction of some fans in this site calling out names and players. It seemed a lot like collective suicide there. I don't believe some people in here can survive another loss.

Agreed. I think that they are just emotionally weak.

[100%duncan]

2 games TOSB's and you can rest for the whole summer. Just 2 games more.

[dg7md]

I don't think Ginobili should be relied on at all to go forward in this series. We should let Green or Leonard have his spot in the "Big 3" because he is done and cannot compete on this level anymore.

If we rely on Manu I think we're done, he's reckless without any real benefits aside from allowing the Heat to score off of turnovers.

Yes, it's still possible to win the series, but it won't be easy. We need to be tougher and more fearless, knock some players down and make them earn this dunks and layups.

If Splitter or Manu get more than 10 minutes each in the next games we will lose the series. They are worthless in this matchup.

[benefactor]

This is where I thought they would be. Split, lose game 4, win game 5 and head back to Miami with two shots at winning. Spurs in 7.

[boutons_deux]

With their backs against the wall, Heat played like Champions.

Now it's the Spurs with no room for anything but a win Sunday. Will they be able to play like Champions?

[Maddog]

Nice write up TMVP
This morning I was feeling better after this one than the sunday loss.
Miami played their best game to date in the playoffs. Tony was not a 100% and yet they where still within a shout until about 6 minutes to go.

[Stabula]

Best post you've had since the beginning of the playoffs tbh

[smaka]

Everything going well with my plan - Spurs in 6.

Believe.

[John B]

We handed the Heat the win by turning the ball over, a lot of them just careless passing, and giving them offensive rebounds and second, third chances. Duncan with 4 rebouns against their smaller line up. And yet we were tied in the half. Tony will be better next game, Manu couldn't be any worse, we play with more confidene and take a 3-2 lead and have 2 chances to win in Miami. I know Spurs could do it if they remain aggresive. Go Spurs Go!

[spurspokesman]

All these knee jerk reactions from the fans here on this board should be expected. They are real fans that want to see a storybook ending for the big three and keep hecklers and wagon Heat fans out there ears. Rather we could all admit it or not the spurs blew a huge oppurtunity tonight and it is on the big 3. The role players have overachieved and held it down, the big 3 have to take us home and haven't. But with that in mind I still say we beat Mia on there court in 7 with the big three turning back the clock in one last epic performance.

[polandprzem]

Manu turnovers are costly as . When he does that Miami getting easy points. All those cross passes and all.


Spurs needs again to move the ball quicker and ing take advantage of heat closing up fast. Why not more cutters when TD on low block? Again Heat are narrowing the space.

I'm not convinced even if IF IF IF we win game 5 we gonna win any game in Miami with their crowd, reserves and refs ...

We've seen collapses before

[Spurs7794]

It pissed me off during the game how unsharp every non french player was but prior to game 3, a friend asked me h ow nervous I was for game 3. I said not very because regardless, I expected the teams to split games 3 and 4. I thought at the time game 5 was the important one and its looking like exactly that.

[ffadicted]

tbqh, I doubt anyone in here called Spurs in 5, so I'm not really understanding where all the cliff jumping is from (can't be from blow out loss, cuz we did it to the heat game 2)

[George Gervin's Afro]

I'm appalled at the reaction of some fans in this site calling out names and players. It seemed a lot like collective suicide there. I don't believe some people in here can survive another loss.

lol... We could see a melt down of epic proportions..

[George Gervin's Afro]

We played so soft it was embarassing.

On the bright side at least Splitter's value has taken nosedive

[Legacy]

I still believe the Spurs can win it

Yep. That is all.

[team-work]

I consider the fact that we forced the Heat to play arguably their best game in the post-season and we only lost by 16 points a success.

Next game we may lose, but I fully appreciate we're still alive for at least 2 more games.

[pgardn]

Also, every other time the Spurs were in the Finals, there was little doubt they were going to win. Maybe in Detroit but after Game 5 we all knew we had that. This one seems to teeter closer to the edge and is much more uncertain.

.

This is the essence of compe ion. This series REALLY means something to us.

I am enjoying the out of this. I would have rather us win 4-0. But winning a series like this, a back and forth haymaker slugfest, will be so much sweeter in the end. This is the kind of compe ion I wish I was directly involved in.

Now having said this I hope Wade's knees freeze up cause I want to win. But if we beat them with him still having the capability he showed last night... Pure honey.

The struggle will make this epic if we win.

People will cry. They will physically sob.

[TheGreatYacht]

I'm going to say the exact same thing that I said heading into Game 3. The next game on Sunday is a MUST win. If the Spurs don't win Game 5 then there is no way in that they are going to win two games in Miami. Before the series started, the realistic part of me was thinking that in order for the Spurs to win it all, they will have to win two games on the road. Game 5 is a MUST win. Game 5 will be like a Game 7 for the Spurs. I can't wait for Game 5. Spurs HAVE to win Game 5.