Best Record in League is not neccessary for NBA le

[SpursWoman]

The Spurs have never won a Finals w/o HCA.

HarHar

[Vinnie_Johnson]

The Heat will not play the Pistons.

The Nets will beat the Heat, then beat the Pistons.

You can hope all you want but NJ is not going to stop the Pistons.

[SpurYank]

The intervening factors and variables are too many to count. Officials' calls, injuries, bench points, HCA (or not), and on and on.

On paper, the Spurs still look like the best team. Horry, Barry, Finley and Van Exel can easily add 25 to 30 points in each game. None of these games being played today make a difference, unless the team is still trying to get in. The Kings are not in yet, for example.

We have a proven coach and team chemistry. There is also an intensity factor that Horry and Manu bring. I don't see it there now with other players. But the playoffs are a new season completely, and a different at ude will surface.

Everything is conjecture right now.

[Jimcs50]

HarHar

It is true.

I am not confident in the Spurs fos some reason. In 99, 93 and 05, I would have bet a million dollars that the Spurs were going to win the le...this year, I would not bet 25 cents.

[Extra Stout]

The Heat will not play the Pistons.

The Nets will beat the Heat, then beat the Pistons.

This is an example of the aforementioned whistling past the graveyard. If Jim really were confident, he wouldn't engage in wishful thinking about some beatable team knocking off the Pistons so the Spurs don't have to. The good doctor from Philly does the same thing. First it was Miami, now NJ.

This line of thinking tacitly says that he doesn't believe the Spurs can beat the Pistons, but that somebody else somehow will do the dirty work for them.

Not. Gonna. Happen. If the Spurs are going to repeat, they'll have to go through Motown.

[Extra Stout]

It is true.

I am not confident in the Spurs fos some reason. In 99, 93 and 05, I would have bet a million dollars that the Spurs were going to win the le...this year, I would not bet 25 cents.

I think this Spurs team actually may be better than any of the le teams, yet still might not win it all.

On the other hand, I bet Knicks fans were wringing their hands over that 68-14 Celtics juggernaut back in '73. But Hondo's injury had a lot to do with how that turned out.

[Jimcs50]

This is an example of the aforementioned whistling past the graveyard. If Jim really were confident, he wouldn't engage in wishful thinking about some beatable team knocking off the Pistons so the Spurs don't have to. The good doctor from Philly does the same thing. First it was Miami, now NJ.

This line of thinking tacitly says that he doesn't believe the Spurs can beat the Pistons, but that somebody else somehow will do the dirty work for them.

Not. Gonna. Happen. If the Spurs are going to repeat, they'll have to go through Motown.

I truly believe that NJ is going to take out Detroit.

I dod not believe SA can beat Detroit even with HCA, therefore, I want NJ in the Finals. It does not take a brain surgeon to figure out my motives.

[Nikos]

The lack of "inspiring" wins has a lot to do with expectations. The Spurs have won @ Dallas, @ Phoenix, @ NJ, and @ Miami. In other years, some of those wins might have been seen as mesuring sticks. However, this year the Spurs are the measuring stick, at least in the West.

I just don't consider those wins as anything more than quality. Didn't the Suns not have Nash @ Phoenix? NJ, Miami, and Dallas were good wins but nothing too spectacular or meaningful (ok maybe Dallas is nice).

They got emabarrased twice by the Pistons, even the second time at home with a healthy Ginobili. That was their chance to make a statement, but they got their asses handed to them. Dump it into Duncan, watch him struggle -- then watch the rest of the team give up for the most part (with a little Ginobili energy in the middle and end that did not matter anyway).

Their chance to prove their mettle against the true elite team was squandered. In the past they played the Lakers 4 times, and that give a nice barometer on how they matched up with them for the most part. By seasons end the Lakers were a nice test, even the Kings, even the T-Wolves in 2004 were a nice challenge.

But what is their to learn this season? That they can still play very well when not healthy, but not against Detroit clearly the best team the Spurs will have to face if they want to win the le (baring an unlikely upset). Miami is not healthy this year, Pacers were semi-legit before Artest ruined things. The Suns were legit until Amare went down.

If the league was a bit more lucky healthwise with the marquee teams their could be a lot of teams contending for the le.

Pacers, Suns, Spurs, Heat, and Pistons were supposed to be the cream of the crop. With their injuries now its basically only the Spurs and the Pistons. So the only true opportunity for the Spurs to test their championship mettle or get an inspiring win was against Detroit. And given they lost badly, and won't have homecourt it is obvious that they will be the underdogs.

Had the Suns, Pacers, and Heat been healthy all the way through this season they could be used a nice barometer for the Spurs mettle and confidence. But now, what exactly is their to be extremely confident about from a regular season standpoint? A win tonight vs Dallas would be nice, but HC and team health is absolutely crucial.

I just freakin wish TD was his old self and Ginobili was healthy all year. I also wish those other pre-season championship contenders were healthy and intact -- because that would make the league stronger, more interesting, and a provide more concise picture of where the Spurs stand.

[Fabbs]

NBA Champs 1985-2005:

16 of 21 Champs had HCA in Finals, meaning only 5 of 21 did not have HCA.

However,
10 of those 21 Champs had best reg season record, meaning 11 of the last 21 Champs did not have the leagues best record.

What does all this mean? Spurs are in no way shape or form "sunk" because of not having best record. If SAS vs Pistons in Finals, Pistons would certainly get that edge from home court.

With the Spurs finishing a whole 2 games behind the Pistons, i would like to see the Pistons record vs the Western Conference vs the Spursies record vs East.

Lot of time and games to be played. Some (not on this board i hope) were handing the Most Overated of All Time 2004 Lakers the le. Over the Pistons! So don't go telling me we are done.

[Fabbs]

and SpursWoman were are some full body shots of you?

(Don't tell me you are another married chick.)

[lil'mo]

The Spurs have never won a Finals w/o HCA.

the spurs have never lost a finals

[SpursWoman]

and SpursWoman were are some full body shots of you?

(Don't tell me you are another married chick.)

SpursWoman
MRS. Useruser666




Position: Streaky Guard
Team: San Antonio Spurs
vBookie Cash: $225
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^^ Useruser666

It's not about the body shots, it's about the...

Chicks Helping Ensure Spurs Title

[1Parker1]

The Spurs have never won a Finals w/o HCA.

Jim, you're crazy if you think Nets can beat the Pistons 4 games out of 7. I'll admit the Nets 14 game winning streak is impressive. But the Pistons have been more impressive over the course of the season. They've crushed the Spurs twice, have beaten Dallas, Pheonix, and Miami twice in the past month and half. They seem to have that "on" switch that Spurs seemed to have lost. Their starting 5 is the best in the NBA, no one is a better clutch three point shooter in important games than Chauncey Billups, their inside defense and rebounding with Big Ben and Sheed>>>>>>>>>>>Nets frontline. Nets big 3 can score all they want, yes IF they do end up meeting in the ECF, Nets will make it interesting. But no way they beat the Pistons 4 games.

Book it.

[Fabbs]

[CENTER][IMG]It's not about the body shots, it's about the...

Chicks Helping Ensure Spurs Title

Okay, if those hooters can help insure another Spurs le that is all good.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

If Duncan could return to his 02-04 form then I think its anybody's series, and the Spurs would have a great chance to win with homecourt.

Considering Duncan isn't near 100% and the fact that this team doesn't matchup well with Detroit, and they do not have homecourt -- well that makes things look gloomy. Then there is always the question come playoff time -- will Tony Parker play to his maximum capabilities and with consistency? Will Duncan actually take command? Will Ginobili up his game in the playoffs like last season?

There is a lot of questions to be answered. Health aside I don't really feel the Pistons are any better than the Spurs but this is assuming prime Duncan comes back and Parker playing well in the playoffs.

Given the way the Spurs have played this season I am not sure even they beleive in themselves yet. There hasn't been many if any inspiring wins this season. At least last season they had a win over Detroit, won some tough OT games on the road without Duncan, and of course the Phoenix OT game with Duncan. Where are the inspiring wins this season? Where is the dominance from Tim Duncan? Can Ginobili stay healthy enough to play more productive minutes in the playoffs? Was his awesome performance in the 2005 playoffs a fluke? Is Parker finally ready to dominate consistently in the playoffs and be efficient?

So many questions for the Spurs. Less questions for Detroit. Right now Detroit is the better bet -- but if most of the questions are answered the Spurs really aren't any worse than the best of the Pistons. But you have to give props for the Pistons for their regular season dominance, their lack of injuries, and solid basketball on BOTH ends of the court. This is the most balanced effort from the Pistons in the past 3 years, and maybe EVER.

I just wish the Spurs had homecourt because you know if both teams play their best (should they even meet in the finals) -- it should be a close series. And I would rather have Game 6/7 at the AT&T Center. Right now I am not convinced the Spurs were be so lucky as to have all the cards fall in their favor, which is why I am a bit upset that the Spurs aren't really in the HCA race anymore.

[boutons_]

My concern with Tim is that he's moving well, good offense, good RBs, but still doesn't play Duncan defense.

Without his defense anchoring the entire defense, and with Nazr playing no paint defense, the Spurs are dead, may not get out of the WC.

[leemajors]

home court isn't necessary, but it would sure be awful nice...

[JamStone]

With the Spurs finishing a whole 2 games behind the Pistons, i would like to see the Pistons record vs the Western Conference vs the Spursies record vs East.

Detroit has played all of its games against the Western Conference. They are 25-5.

Detroit's losses to the Western Conference are:

@ Dallas
@ Utah
v. Utah
@ Denver
@ LA Lakers

14-1 against the Western Conference at home.
11-4 against the Western Conference on the road.


The Spurs are 21-8 against the Eastern Conference. Spurs have one more game against the EC, Orlando at San Antonio. Spurs likely should finish 22-8 against the Eastern Conference.

[Fabbs]

[QUOTE=JamStone]Detroit has played all of its games against the Western Conference. They are 25-5.

Impressive. Better then Spurs vs East.
I am now officially taking it one series at a time, one game at a time.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

well this thread settles it!

On to the 2006-2007 season!

[admack35]

Horry, Barry, Finley and Van Exel can easily add 25 to 30 points in each game.

This must be some of those "whistling in the Wind" things suggested earlier, huh?

[boutons_]

Van exel ain't gonna add , other than take bad shots and shoot 30%.

Did you see Pop try to sit Tony a little to end the half, Nick takes 2 horrible shots on two consecutive posessions, Tony's back at the scorer's table. Nick doesn't have a clue.

[Jimcs50]

:, Nets will make it interesting. But no way they beat the Pistons 4 games.

Book it.

I feel even more confident now, as you suck at prognosticating, judging from your vBookie total.

[Marklar MM]

I feel even more confident now, as you suck at prognosticating, judging from your vBookie total.

You jinx everyones bets. JYNX JYNX

[Fabbs]

NBA Champs 1985-2005:

16 of 21 Champs had HCA in Finals, meaning only 5 of 21 did not have HCA.

However,
10 of those 21 Champs had best reg season record, meaning 11 of the last 21 Champs did not have the leagues best record.

What does all this mean? Spurs are in no way shape or form "sunk" because of not having best record. If SAS vs Pistons in Finals, Pistons would certainly get that edge from home court.

With the Spurs finishing a whole 2 games behind the Pistons, i would like to see the Pistons record vs the Western Conference vs the Spursies record vs East.

Lot of time and games to be played. Some (not on this board i hope) were handing the Most Overated of All Time 2004 Lakers the le. Over the Pistons! So don't go telling me we are done.

Update after lasts years Heat over Mavs.
Now 16 of 22 Champs had HCA in finals, not thruout.
12 of the last 22 Champs did not have the leagues best reg season record.