Next week's game Vs the Lakers is a must win..

[DazedAndConfused]

Boston knows they can beat LA when it counts, so who cares about the Christmas game?

The ass whooping Boston gave to LA was bigger than the ass kicking the Lakers gave to the Spurs, desipte it being 4-2 as opposed to 4-1. The Lakers were clearly better than the Spurs in the Conference Finals but in three of the Lakers four wins - each came down to the final 3-4 minutes. The difference between the teams was down the stretch. Lakers were far more clutch and executed better down the stretch - in fact the Spurs were pretty poor late in games. You know why that is dont you? That shouldnt be as big of a problem with a certain healthy guy.

Ans luckily for the Spurs it looks like the great Sasha Vujacic has lost a step from his Pippenesque defensive performance in the Conference Finals last year.

Meanwhile that hiding the Celtics delivered was one of epic and historical proportions. You dont live that down easily.

Can you read? I said the Laker game mattered way more the Lakers than it did the Celtics. The same way this upcoming game will matter more to the Spurs than the Lakers.

The Lakers already have the best record in the WC. They aren't using the Spurs as some kind of measuring stick to see how good they are.

[daslicer]

I hope the spurs win so we don't have people on ST committing suicide over this game. Plus it would be nice to get atleast 2-3 weeks of temporary troll relief from then stupid ass lakerfans who post here.

[Solid D]

I get tired of the "it's just another game" thing or "It's 1 game out of 82", I agree that it's a "MUST WIN".

Neither team has met the other yet so there is no mental edge either way. Everybody says the Lakers are coming out of the West. Everybody says remember, this is an odd year.

So neither team is getting counted out...until they meet. The loser goes on to start tweeking their roster. The winner goes on with the bravado needed to continue dominating.

Just look at the Christmas day game Lakers vs Celtics where it was "just another game"....it's been a tale of two teams since then. Celtics have gone on to lose 6 out of 8? Lakers lost 1 game when Odom went down. The psychological effect on the team counts for alot more than 1 game. If the Lakers had lost that game, there would be ALOT of Lamar trade rumors.

Teams like the Lakers and Spurs are Championship are bust, you don't sit pat and think everything is "fine" when you lose badly to the other contender in your conference.

If the Spurs win, it might send the Lakers into trading mode. If the Spurs lose badly, it might motivate the Spurs to trade a key player for something else they might need to stack up better.

The trade deadline is only a month away, it's these "must win" regular season games that may determine if your favorite player is still on your team after February 15th.

This is bogus propagada you've been fed or you're feeding some unsuspecting soul. This isn't game 7 of the playoffs. Two seasons ago, the Lakers beat the Spurs the first two times they played and then lost the third to the Spurs in OT, yet the Spurs won the Championship. Was that first game in 2006-07 a "must win" game"? Of course not. The Lakers never even faced the Spurs in the playoffs. Sometimes games can be measuring sticks to see how much growth and improvement is necessary. History may prove out that a loss is needed for growth to occur in some teams. Then why not call this game a "MUST LOSE" game?

The Spurs need to take care of Orlando first, and they will need to play nearly perfect to beat them with the way the Magic are playing. The Lakers @ Spurs contest is for the advance scouts to focus on prior to Monday.

[Allanon]

This is bogus propagada you've been fed or you're feeding some unsuspecting soul. This isn't game 7 of the playoffs. Two seasons ago, the Lakers beat the Spurs the first two times they played and then lost the third to the Spurs in OT, yet the Spurs won the Championship. Was that first game in 2006-07 a "must win" game"? Of course not. The Lakers never even faced the Spurs in the playoffs. Sometimes games can be measuring sticks to see how much growth and improvement is necessary. History may prove out that a loss is needed for growth to occur in some teams. Then why not call this game a "MUST LOSE" game?

The Spurs need to take care of Orlando first, and they will need to play nearly perfect to beat them with the way the Magic are playing. The Lakers @ Spurs contest is for the advance scouts to focus on prior to Monday.

I disagree, I believe you don't understand the importance of these "Must win" games.

I can guarantee you the Celtics will be making a move prior to the trade deadline. Prior to losing to the Lakers on Christmas, there was no such talk.

Same goes for the Spurs or the Lakers, if either team gets blown out/loses badly in that game, they will make a trade/sign a player and the other will stand pat.

We'll know who is right by February 19th because I know neither team is playing for 2nd place.

[m33p0]

I disagree, I believe you don't understand the importance of these "Must win" games.

I can guarantee you the Celtics will be making a move prior to the trade deadline. Prior to losing to the Lakers on Christmas, there was no such talk.

Same goes for the Spurs or the Lakers, if either team gets blown out/loses badly in that game, they will make a trade/sign a player and the other will stand pat.

We'll know who is right by February 19th because I know neither team is playing for 2nd place.

that would be an overreaction even if its a blowout. the outcome of that game will only add tallies on the standing and give each coaching staff a look at their possible playoff opponents.

[phyzik]

Spurs win. Book it.

[smeagol]

Because you went from don't focus on them....to....they must focus on them next week (focus/win). The Spurs have to focus on every game. They aren't so good that they can lose focus from one game to the next. As far as long-term focus goes, the Spurs never focus on a team. They focus on themselves, growing as a team, and building toward a championship. If the Lakers are in the way, they will deal with them on a game-by-game basis, just like any other team.

Too much focus for just one paragraph

[phyzik]

Lets put it out there. Its a big game, certainly, but its not a "must win" for either team. Its a measuring stick.

I know "laker fan" wants to make this a big deal so I will make a bet.

If the Lakers win, you can change my le to whatever you want and I will keep it until after we meet in the playoffs (or if we get knocked out before we meet), win or lose. Im taking on all comers so you can all decide amongst yourselves what you want it to say.

If Spurs win I want all the Laker fans in this post who take my bet to have thier le changed to whatever I, and the rest of Spurstalk, want it to be changed to, you will wear it until the next regular season meeting weather Lakers win or lose.

Remeber the difference, I have to keep it until we face off in the playoffs or Spurs get eliminated, you only have to keep it until our next regular season meeting.

You can complain all you want about the fairness of 1 against many Laker fan but the fact is your on a SPURS message board. Do you have the guts to call me out?

Spurs will WIN!

Kori, Mark this down please....

[m33p0]

Lets put it out there. Its a big game, certainly, but its not a "must win" for either team. Its a measuring stick.

I know "laker fan" wants to make this a big deal so I will make a bet.

If the Lakers win, you can change my le to whatever you want and I will keep it until after we meet in the playoffs (or if we get knocked out before we meet), win or lose. Im taking on all comers so you can all decide amongst yourselves what you want it to say.

If Spurs win I want all the Laker fans in this post who take my bet to have thier le changed to whatever I, and the rest of Spurstalk, want it to be changed to, you will wear it until the next regular season game between Spurs and Lakers.

Remeber the difference, I have to keep it until we face off in the playoffs or Spurs get eliminated, you only have to keep it until our next regular season meeting.

You can complain all you want about the fairness of 1 against many Laker fan but the fact is your on a SPURS message board. Do you have the guts to call me out?

Spurs will WIN!

Kori, Mark this down please....

balls of brass.

[tmtcsc]

YES !!! We MUST win or the league will make the Spurs play the remaing games on the schedule. Pffft.

NO game in the regular season is a must win. The season is filled with ups and downs, with winning streaks and set backs. This game should be a great game for the Spurs to see where they are at right now. Since the Lakers represented the West in the finals last year, we can see how our new guys and new rotation players fit in with match-ups.

If we win, no big deal. Its going to be a nice regular season win. If we lose, no big deal. We can see where we need to improve.

Orlando will be a great game to see how we compete against a very good team on the road.

[djohn2oo8]

Hopefully the Rockets destroy them at home since they play NO defense, and then it's the Spurs turn to feast on em'.

[MarHill]

YES !!! We MUST win or the league will make the Spurs play the remaing games on the schedule. Pffft.

NO game in the regular season is a must win. The season is filled with ups and downs, with winning streaks and set backs. This game should be a great game for the Spurs to see where they are at right now. Since the Lakers represented the West in the finals last year, we can see how our new guys and new rotation players fit in with match-ups.

If we win, no big deal. Its going to be a nice regular season win. If we lose, no big deal. We can see where we need to improve.

Orlando will be a great game to see how we compete against a very good team on the road.

+1

[weebo]

Every game is a must win...that's why the play the game. It's called compe ion.

[Solid D]

I disagree, I believe you don't understand the importance of these "Must win" games.

I can guarantee you the Celtics will be making a move prior to the trade deadline. Prior to losing to the Lakers on Christmas, there was no such talk.

Same goes for the Spurs or the Lakers, if either team gets blown out/loses badly in that game, they will make a trade/sign a player and the other will stand pat.

We'll know who is right by February 19th because I know neither team is playing for 2nd place.

No, actually I disagree with you on the definition of a "Must Win" game. This January game is not a game 7 nor is it the last game of the season to decide whether a team makes the playoffs or not. That is how I define a "Must Win" game. What you describe as a "Must Win", appears to be more of a "measuring stick" game. Adjustments, other than in-game adjustments, should be made before "Must Win" games.

[samikeyp]

measuring stick yes, must win, no.

No such thing in January.

[TheMadHatter]

measuring stick yes, must win, no.

No such thing in January.

this.

[ClingingMars]

It's really not a statement game at all for either team. If the Spurs lose I doubt Pop is going to put much stock into it. If the Lakers win I doubt Phil is going to care much.

The Lakers passed their test after defeating BOS. Not saying this game isn't important, but it doesn't have anywhere near the importance that the X-mas game had.

+1

[Spork KIller]

If there was ever one in the regular season

L.A face the Rockets in Houston the night before while the Spurs will be rested. God if the Spurs fail to win this one with all the Lakers injury problems and it being a back to back for the Lakers it will be hard to see how this Spurs team has much of a chance to beat them down the line without making a trade.

Pathetic mother ers, even being a b2b for the Lakers your sorry ass team will still lose to them!!!

Your team is overrated and suck, you have been feasting on equally lowly teams.

YOU WILL BE EXPOSED ONCE AGAIN.

BUNCH OF PHONIES!!

[Spork KIller]

And here we come, already these pathetic homers making excuses "Not a must win in January" blah blah blah...

Face it es you SUCK!

[50 cent]

There are no must wins in January PERIOD.

[anakha]

And here we come, already these pathetic homers making excuses "Not a must win in January" blah blah blah...

Face it es you SUCK!

How are things in Rocketland, Louis?

[Allanon]

Lets put it out there. Its a big game, certainly, but its not a "must win" for either team. Its a measuring stick.

I know "laker fan" wants to make this a big deal so I will make a bet.

If the Lakers win, you can change my le to whatever you want and I will keep it until after we meet in the playoffs (or if we get knocked out before we meet), win or lose. Im taking on all comers so you can all decide amongst yourselves what you want it to say.

If Spurs win I want all the Laker fans in this post who take my bet to have thier le changed to whatever I, and the rest of Spurstalk, want it to be changed to, you will wear it until the next regular season meeting weather Lakers win or lose.

Remeber the difference, I have to keep it until we face off in the playoffs or Spurs get eliminated, you only have to keep it until our next regular season meeting.

You can complain all you want about the fairness of 1 against many Laker fan but the fact is your on a SPURS message board. Do you have the guts to call me out?

Spurs will WIN!

Kori, Mark this down please....

Lakers will be on the 2nd night of a B2B after visiting the Rockets and the game is in San Antonio, Lamar might still be out with Luke and Farmar ...........

Alright Spur fan, I'll take the bet with 1 change...not the le but either Avatar or signature. Changing the le is a pain, the other two we can do ourselves.

And since you're rooting for the Spurs, I'll even up the bet a little, you only have to keep the sig or avatar until the next Spur/Laker meeting.

Also, if anybody thinks this isn't a "must win", I'll make the bet that if the Spurs lose badly/easy Laker win, the Spurs will make a trade or sign another player/change the roster (not including Mahinmi who is already a Spur of sorts).

If the Spurs lose badly and DON'T change their roster, I lose and it's a sig bet until Playoffs.

Trade Deadline is February 19th, any takers?

[peskypesky]

It's not a "must win". That's idiotic. Why? It's a regular season game. If it was game 7 of a series, then yes, it's a must win. If it's a game near the end of the season which determines whether you make the playoffs, then again, it's a must win. Aside from those two cases, there really are no must-win regular season games.

Know how I know? Because I'm a Spurs fan, and there were 4 Championship seasons where we lost these supposed must-win games and still went on to get the trophy.

[xtremesteven33]

Lakers will be on the 2nd night of a B2B after visiting the Rockets and the game is in San Antonio, Lamar might still be out with Luke and Farmar ...........

Alright Spur fan, I'll take the bet with 1 change...not the le but either Avatar or signature. Changing the le is a pain, the other two we can do ourselves.

And since you're rooting for the Spurs, I'll even up the bet a little, you only have to keep the sig or avatar until the next Spur/Laker meeting.

Also, if anybody thinks this isn't a "must win", I'll make the bet that if the Spurs lose badly/easy Laker win, the Spurs will make a trade or sign another player/change the roster (not including Mahinmi who is already a Spur of sorts).

If the Spurs lose badly and DON'T change their roster, I lose and it's a sig bet until Playoffs.

Trade Deadline is February 19th, any takers?

what defines a "bad loss"??

[m33p0]

Lakers will be on the 2nd night of a B2B after visiting the Rockets and the game is in San Antonio, Lamar might still be out with Luke and Farmar ...........

Alright Spur fan, I'll take the bet with 1 change...not the le but either Avatar or signature. Changing the le is a pain, the other two we can do ourselves.

And since you're rooting for the Spurs, I'll even up the bet a little, you only have to keep the sig or avatar until the next Spur/Laker meeting.

Also, if anybody thinks this isn't a "must win", I'll make the bet that if the Spurs lose badly/easy Laker win, the Spurs will make a trade or sign another player/change the roster (not including Mahinmi who is already a Spur of sorts).

If the Spurs lose badly and DON'T change their roster, I lose and it's a sig bet until Playoffs.

Trade Deadline is February 19th, any takers?

spurs have one roster spot open. 99% possibility they will sign someone.