The Spurs have a gear that they have shown on occasion this season that is unbelievably good basketball.

Offense flowing, defense stingy. They simply haven't used it much; looked like crap MUCH of the season; especially against good teams.

Pop has said over and over and over this season that seeding doesn't matter; that only health does. The Spurs have played accordingly. It looks like they are entering the post-season relatively healthy.

This isn't CIA Pop - this is Pop playing the team as he has SAID he was going to - to stay healthy FIRST. Is Tim all of a sudden a scrub who gets beaten down and whipped at every occassion; or is he coasting. Honestly, from what we have seen and KNOW of Tim over the past 12 seasons, which is more likely?

Tony and Manu have shown the ability in the past couple of weeks to each be able to take over games offensively; when the whole team shows up at once, and plays to win first, and to stay healthy second; the results should take care of themselves.

Frankly the West doesn't look "superior" to me this season; it looks very mediocre, with no team separating itself. The Spurs, IMO, are that team; but have refused to show it. I am excited to see some basketball that isn't played as pre-season. It's coming.

If I'm wrong, and this team all of a sudden has not heart, legs, and just sucks; then I'll take the memories of 4 championships and get ready to watch the rebuilding begin; no shame. I, however, don't think I'm wrong; we'll know next week.

Also, I think Manu, Tony and Tim are all at a relative peak right now; and it could go a couple of more seasons; Pop isn't just playing to keep them healthy THIS year; those off-seasons, after all, are VERY short when you're playing into mid-June.

This season is the meat of the three-peat, IMO.