Chin Up, Spurs Fans

[Melmart1]

How did this thread go from cheering Spurs fans up to the piss and moan thread? Way to hijack!

[Kori Ellis]

What's discouraging is the Spurs Big Three were solid offensively, and they still lost. At HOME. What's discouraging is that one impossible Dirk matchup caused the Spurs to play small ball, which meant ty defense, no rebounding and playing 3 on 5 offense every game. Is this what the Spurs have to look forward to next playoffs? I mean the team won 63 games INJURED and still couldn't win in the playoffs with HOMECOURT!

And what will happen to Manu? Every week we would hear from the reports and timvp and kori that Manu cannot survive more than 30mpg. We have a new season with Manu a whole year older to look forward to hearing how he can't play 25mpg this season. Well 'save' him for the playoffs.......

Tony Parker as far as I am concerned has hit his ceiling. Unless his jumper changes drastically he isn't going to improve. He still can't be trusted to hit the jumper consistently in the big games. Sure he will pepper in a 2 off the dribble or from a pass from time to time -- but will he be able to dominate and play like Manu did in 2005 if Manu declines from now on?

Nikos, you can never see the positive side of anything. That's just you.

The Spurs aren't going to play small ball forever. If they had a good athletic big man to play next to Duncan, they wouldn't have had to play small ball. Nazr/Rasho sucked; they had no choice. They'll add Scola or Javtokas or maybe someone else this offseason.

Anyway, Manu should be able to play 25-30mpg next season again .. just like this season. He'll have to change his game a little so he doesn't get so banged up .. that's what happens as players age. But he'll still be as compe ive as ever.

To say Tony has hit his ceiling is beyond stupid. Tony is 24 and just getting started. They said it would take a year before we'd start seeing results in Tony's jumper and from midseason on, he hit 45% of his jumpers outside 16 feet. He was banged up a lot in this series and still managed over 20ppg. He has a very bright future ahead of him.

Spurs will add an athletic big, a backup point, a long 3, then get rid of some people and make another run for the le.

Open your eyes.

[Winnipeg_Spur]

Spurs are good at exactly two things: Winning championships and losing in the most gut-wrenching, brutal ways possible. Hopefully next year we get a championship.

[gtownspur]

Nikos, you can never see the positive side of anything. That's just you.

The Spurs aren't going to play small ball forever. If they had a good athletic big man to play next to Duncan, they wouldn't have had to play small ball. Nazr/Rasho sucked; they had no choice. They'll add Scola or Javtokas or maybe someone else this offseason.

Anyway, Manu should be able to play 25-30mpg next season again .. just like this season. He'll have to change his game a little so he doesn't get so banged up .. that's what happens as players age. But he'll still be as compe ive as ever.

To say Tony has hit his ceiling is beyond stupid. Tony is 24 and just getting started. They said it would take a year before we'd start seeing results in Tony's jumper and from midseason on, he hit 45% of his jumpers outside 16 feet. He was banged up a lot in this series and still managed over 20ppg. He has a very bright future ahead of him.

Spurs will add an athletic big, a backup point, a long 3, then get rid of some people and make another run for the le.

Open your eyes.

Then there will be rule changes right before the playoffs, and we will be back in two years with this same assinine post.

[whottt]

Why is everyone acting like Parker sucked tonight anyway?

It was game 7 of the WCSF...

He hit for 24 points on 50% shooting, was a perfect 6-6 from the FT line, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, a block, and 1 TO...

Exactly how did that suck? And what more would you have liked him to do? We scored 110 points....and his jumper was true in that OT period.

You want Magic or John Stockton...

[baseline bum]

Jessica Alba to Nikos: Would you like to come in for coffee?
Nikos: Nah , that ain't shaved!

[whottt]

Jessica Alba to Nikos: Would you like to come in for coffee?
Nikos: Nah , that ain't shaved!

[austinfan]

Hey, what can you do about it? We're a team that likes to win championships in odd-numbered years.

[timvp]

Nikos, to beat the Mavs all the Spurs needed was a mobile power forward who could rebound and guard Dirk. If the Spurs have that, this series is probably over in 5.

[timvp]

Nikos, to beat the Mavs all the Spurs needed was a mobile power forward who could rebound and guard Dirk. If the Spurs have that, this series is probably over in 5.

If Kurt Thomas had stayed healthy and the Spurs landed Tim Thomas, we'd be playing the Clippers right now.

[whottt]

Every year you have to adjust...your top rivals are going to be looking at your weaknesses to find away to beat you...find new ways to attack. The champ has to stay ahead of the game...Spurs new what the weakness was. They are about the only team in the NBA that has this particular weakeness...they tried to fix it in the offseason but just couldn't find the final piece.

It'll be fixed this offseason....and then some.

[whottt]

Nikos, to beat the Mavs all the Spurs needed was a mobile power forward who could rebound and guard Dirk. If the Spurs have that, this series is probably over in 5.

I call that a long SF, Shawn Marion...in todays NBA we are starting to call it a PF, but it is a long SF. That's the type of player that has to guard Dirk..there's not a post player this side of David Robinson that can guard Dirk.

[Spurzilla]

Definitely a disappointing loss. We had a chance to win but it just didn't go our way this time. We already have a great team and it is going to get even better.

I'm looking forward to another championship run in 2007.... and another chance to repeat in 2008!

[Nikos]

[QUOTE]

Nikos, you can never see the positive side of anything. That's just you.

Your right, I am negative. But it's one thing to lose to Detroit without homecourt, but to lose WITH homecourt to Dallas, a team that I felt was inferior, is tough.

The Spurs aren't going to play small ball forever. If they had a good athletic big man to play next to Duncan, they wouldn't have had to play small ball. Nazr/Rasho sucked; they had no choice. They'll add Scola or Javtokas or maybe someone else this offseason.

Athletic big man? To guard Dirk?

Anyway, Manu should be able to play 25-30mpg next season again .. just like this season. He'll have to change his game a little so he doesn't get so banged up .. that's what happens as players age. But he'll still be as compe ive as ever.

Judging by timvp and your comments in the regular season -- Manu's chances of being banged up are even higher next season. Not something I am looking forward to.

To say Tony has hit his ceiling is beyond stupid. Tony is 24 and just getting started. They said it would take a year before we'd start seeing results in Tony's jumper and from midseason on, he hit 45% of his jumpers outside 16 feet. He was banged up a lot in this series and still managed over 20ppg. He has a very bright future ahead of him.

Stupid? Tony has played in the league SIX YEARS. Just because his numerical age is 24 doesn't mean he will improve like the average 24 year old NBA talent. Most young guys improve because they don't get playing time, don't have a lot of experience in the league -- they don't improve by leaps and bounds after 6 years in the league. Tony got playing time from the moment he stepped in the league. He has an extreme an amount of experience, and has had Tim Duncan as a leader to speed up his growth process. The guy isn't going to get that much better if at all. What I hope for is that he explodes in the playoffs and exceeds his regular season outputs efficiency and productive wise. But he hasn't really done that yet. He hasn't played exceedingly well in the playoffs yet. He has shown flashes, but he never had a consistent,dominant playoffs yet. He has been extremely erratic. Yeah his numbers were solid this playoffs, but he still couldn't hit any three's, still never got to the line, and wasn't nearly as good as he was in the regular season + what he is capable of. Maybe that was the injury? I don't know. But I still don't see him improving greatly. Perhaps he could shine in next years playoffs? I am not convinced yet. He certainly has the talent to be better than he is.

Spurs will add an athletic big, a backup point, a long 3, then get rid of some people and make another run for the le.

Bowen will still play 35mpg+. He still will be useless against the Mavericks if they don't get a Dirk Stopper. He still isn't going to be useful on offense unless the Big Three create shots for him.

Open your eyes.

Sure the Spurs will always have a chance. But they still haven't been as good as they are capable on offense. There is no reason they should be one of the best regular season defensive teams of all time, and then to have that squashed just because of Dirk. They need to improve their offense somehow, and I just don't know if it is possible with Bowen playing 32mpg+.

[timvp]

Another good offseason addition will be the Tony Parker three-point shot.

Can't wait.

[Kori Ellis]

Stupid? Tony has played in the league SIX YEARS. Just because his numerical age is 24 doesn't mean he will improve like the average 24 year old NBA talent. Most young guys improve because they don't get playing time, don't have a lot of experience in the league -- they don't improve by leaps and bounds after 6 years in the league. Tony got playing time from the moment he stepped in the league. He has an extreme an amount of experience, and has had Tim Duncan as a leader to speed up his growth process. The guy isn't going to get that much better if at all. What I hope for is that he explodes in the playoffs and exceeds his regular season outputs efficiency and productive wise. But he hasn't really done that yet. He hasn't played exceedingly well in the playoffs yet. He has shown flashes, but he never had a consistent,dominant playoffs yet. He has been extremely erratic. Yeah his numbers were solid this playoffs, but he still couldn't hit any three's, still never got to the line, and wasn't nearly as good as he was in the regular season + what he is capable of. Maybe that was the injury? I don't know. But I still don't see him improving greatly. Perhaps he could shine in next years playoffs? I am not convinced yet. He certainly has the talent to be better than he is.

Like I said, when Chip arrived they said it would be a year before we saw any improvement on his shot. And we already saw a lot of improvement already. If you don't see that improvement, then I don't know.

I am not saying Tony had a great series against the Mavs .. he didn't. But he managed to average 20ppg when he could barely walk for four of the games.

I'll take it and wait to see what happens next.

[Shawn Carter]

yeah, chin up. At least your team didnt fall to the mavs 4-1. But I got love for the Spurs. I watched the game and i wanted the spurs to win, i ing hate the mavericks. Its all good, maybe next year.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Tony will come around and learn...A lot has to do with experience and knowing when to hold back and when to go for it.

I'm still confident that one good move, or two will put the Spurs back into a FORCE to be reckoned with...Nazr and Rasho were our weak link...I don't think the "AGE" factor necessarily counted towards our demise THIS year for '06, it would have next year, but we were good enough to beat the mavs with the veterans. We just need a great defending BIG and longer men for the 3,4,5 spots to help out Timmy....

Mavs Org. did a good move at having Diop come in to help Dampier, Van Horn....and forced us to adjust with their depth of quick guards.

[charmie21]

experiencing this made my love for the spurs even stronger. i wouldn't have it any other way (except for the win) but still, for the first time, i learned how to accept that things will not always go the way we want them.. not everything is meant for us.. i'll still support this ball club.. all the way..

can i wait for 6 months? as long as it's for timmy and the spurs, i'll endure every minute of it..

[austinfan]

I like the fact that we'll be somewhat of an underdog next year, and won't have the Championship target painted squarely on our backs. I trust Pop, RC and Presti to make the right adjustments to personnel. It's a good time to be a Spurs fan.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

experiencing this made my love for the spurs even stronger. i wouldn't have it any other way (except for the win) but still, for the first time, i learned how to accept that things will not always go the way we want them.. not everything is meant for us.. i'll still support this ball club.. all the way..

can i wait for 6 months? as long as it's for timmy and the spurs, i'll endure every minute of it..

Every year I've appreciated the Spurs more ever since Timmy inherited the team..Even when they didn't win til '03 I've always stuck with them to try and get that 2nd one. In 05' that was when I realized that the Spurs were on another level than just a mere contender with likeable players.


I'm a fan of basketball but Spurs have already accomplished something more than just championships as a team, which is why I'll always be a fan.

I've always admired their humility, consistent classiness, just like someone described that Bear Hug that Duncan gave Dirk and their utter respect surfaced with no bitterness or animosity. It's spreading the league by their example. I hope to see Timmy bring more championships with his teammates by this decade's end. But I guess 06' is just someone else's time to prove themselves...and use them lucky bounces that go their way.

[aaronstampler]

This is my first post since the game ended, and I've gotten a chance to calm down a little.

I've said all year that it won't bother me if we don't win because I'm not like one of those Yankees fans that feels like they have to win every year like it's their birthright or something. And I thought I meant it. But truly, I thought that if we lost it'd be to Detroit. I just never really imagined we'd lose to Dallas. It just didn't feel right, karmically, after all the Cuban did, and the bad calls in Games 3 and 4, and the Jason Terry thing.

But you know what? Screw it. No matter what, losing in the Finals would have REALLY hurt. To be so close and fall short at the end is the ultimate heartbreak. So better the second round against the Mavs than the Finals against the Pistons, I suppose.

Our guys battled their hearts out - I feel so bad for Fin - but it just wasn't meant to be. Our big three were pretty beat up this year. Winning it all is never easy, and seasons like these have their silver linings. At least our fans won't be spoiled brats next year. Last year we got a few lucky bounces and this year we didn't, simple as that.

Hopefully we'll get some big men who can play, re-sign Fin, and our big three can have Pistons-like health next year. I enjoyed the ride.

As always, what makes me the most proud as a Spurs fan is the classiness of our players and coaches, in victory and defeat. At least in that area, the Mavs have a way to go to catch us yet.

[rasho8]

I think we did great this year, and if we hadnt had this fluked system, this would be the fWCF.
But the Mavs did very good.. they did great.
I wish we still had Barbosa and handt traded his rights away, he is doig great.
I think I see now that, as much as having all kinds of experience helps, youth and speed and stamina are very important.
I think, if we let all the agents go, (Nazr, Finley and NVE) or maybe keep Fin and let the rest go, and work on either getting a good backup PG and SG, or even (and I know youre going to kill me Manny) work Beno into the ground and force his ass to be better and stop being a whiny little PG who always claims to be hurt... (sorry B Im feeling kind bitter) with a better, younger bench we could force people to play our ball, and not be forced to play their bal.

We won 63 games with lockdown D.. not running and gunning Small Ball. and though we got close, the Mavs showed that SB isnt our game.
We need to be powerful enough again to froce them to change to match us... not the other way around.

[Horry For 3!]

Another good offseason addition will be the Tony Parker three-point shot.

Can't wait.

He started to make them somewhat this year. I remember one game he hit like 3 or 4

[Horry For 3!]

He started to make them somewhat this year. I remember one game he hit like 3 or 4

I just checked his stats, he was 2-2 from 3 pt range against the Heat Jan 20. Then against the Jazz on April 4th, he was 3-4 from 3 pt range.