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Hopefully those shots will fall soon. I will chalk that up to rust, they have been sitting a while.
You just can't please anyone tbh. Complaining after a win, really? Take your pessimistic talents to south beach tbh.
Hopefully those shots will fall soon. I will chalk that up to rust, they have been sitting a while.
Agreed. Although obviously premature, the Spurs look like they will get a second shot at beating OKC.
Oh look, another championship hopes evaluation thread. Can we please have the same conversation after games 2, 3, and 4?
Monkeyballers/Grizzlies matchup well vs OKC...
Consudering the Spurs have looked like crap the past three week, they made huge progress.
If they can build and improve from here that's all we can ask. Beating lakers should give them confidence too
There were flashes of this today. There was still far too much individual offense and iso situations with guys that have no business isolating. That said, there were some plays where the open man was found and really smart slice-n-dice offense beat the weak laker defense. Today's Lakers were the same Lakers we faced a week ago and the game went quite differently. I think Spurs have enough time to warm back up against these guys and the likely Nuggets or Warriors. They're for sure not playing contender basketball on the offensive end, and I know OP you're trying to be realistic, but I don't think you can complain too much. I feel like optimism after the game is realistic
I feel like this win said more about the Lakers than it did about us.
I rewatched the game and with knowledge of the outcome already, I could be a little more objective. This was an ugly game, nothing pretty to watch for the most part - which is Popovich-approved playoff basketball. But we still have issues that need to be worked out.
i love it when people answer their own questions
they can play bad and get away with it against a crippled la, but it's not good news
The defense was far from elite. The Lakers had open shots and they just couldn't knock them down. The Lakers are collectively one hot mess and won't prepare the Spurs for future compe ion. If they don't improve upon today's effort on both ends of the court, they're one and done.
I love it when people mis-read quotes. I said the Spurs biggest question marks ended up working out all right. If Ginobili had not looked good and if Parker had been unable to make a shot, that's one thing. But the Big Three playing well without the role-players should be encouraging. We know the role-players will get theirs as the playoffs go on. Leonard, Green and Splitter will score more. A healthy Ginobili is a great sign, no matter what.
They still start 3 superstars or at least near superstars depending on how one ranks Gasol, Howard and Nash, and if clicking and healthy (and in Nash's case turn back time) would be among the league favorities even without Kobe. Lakers came in full of confidence and then got dusted off in game one by a Spurs team trying to find its confidence and they did. Could now be a short series and if Spurs click ceiling is still finals.
Ah yes. Spurs fans are the smartest, most well-informed, professional basketball critics in the world. Surprised you all (must be enough to form an army) haven't gotten together to form a consulting firm. There have got to be some NBA teams who would welcome your Monday morning expertise.
Give it some thought.
"I'm a Spurs fan and I approve this message!"
I can never read your takes because of that got damn avatar. Good God.
As others have mentioned, the Spurs did get a great potential draw in the Western Conference playoffs. (Lakers, Denver, OkC)
The Lakers are the best matchup for them to start. They just aren't that good. All the media hype the Lakers come with will keep the Spurs focused. Beating them will improve the Spurs confidence going forward. You can already see the extra pep in Ginobili's step. I see a big game 2 for Parker.
I fully expect the Spurs to win this series and pretty much every game against the Lakers. So, when I watch these games, I'm not hoping for a "W" and I'm not just happy with a win. I'm watching to see if these guys are pulling themselves together to be able to compete against better compe ion.
When the Spurs play at their best - I think they are the team to beat in the West. They have experience, smarts and the best coach in the game. For a full month, if not longer, injuries and a lack of cohesion sent this team in to a funk. I'm looking for signs of them getting back to where they were before the fall.
They were playing great defense, they were moving the ball and their bench was wiping up the opponents' reserves.
The le of this thread is "Spurs: Little Improvement / Average team beat a bad team today" - Someone called me out on it and I agree it was a poor choice of words. The Spurs are a potentially Championship caliber team that has been playing very Average basketball lately. I saw a little improvement and was thrilled to see Manu nailing big shots today but they have to keep getting better if they want to go further. At their best, I think they can give the Heat some real compe ion and are legitimate contenders.
This is what I'm looking for during this series:
1. High team assist numbers
2. Low turnovers on offense
3. Forced shot-clock violations against Lakers offense
4. Good ball movement that forces the Lakers to scramble on defense from one side of the court to the other
I'm waiting to see us get easy baskets against the Lakers too. It's there for the taking. Am I happy that Manu made his 3's ? Of course, but I'd much rather see him and others making higher percentage shots. When the Spurs were on a roll in the playoffs last year, their offense was a thing of beauty. If they can get back to that level, coupled with the improvements we've seen on defense, we'll be set.
With Parker being the shadow of the unguardable player we saw till March, the Spurs can only be as good offensively, plus Neal and Leonard hitting some occasional additional 3s, and maybe, just maybe, the Brazilian hitting a layup from 1 foot.
However, defensively, they played quite well, certainly better than in March and April, AND were not overmatched in the rebounding battle.
And they didn't have to play the zone card, which they prepared in the last 3 games of the regular season.
If someone complains about Spurs offense in perspective, he should watch the Denver-GSW game, in which Denver run endless brainless offensive possessions, whenever Andre Miller was NOT on the court. He could of course average 28 ppg, but I doubt.
Way before that, I wouldnt' count the Lakers out, at all.
Never underestimate the team of David Stern.
1. They had 20 assists last night. They averaged 25 a game during the regular season. They shot 36% from the field. If they would have hit a better percentage, like the 46% shooting they had during the regular season, then they would have been at or above their average.
2. The Spurs averaged 14 turnovers a game in the regular season. They only had 9 yesterday.
3. Not sure why you're focusing on shot-clock violations.
4. I agree. Although, they did look much better than in recent games, they still weren't as crisp nor did they move the ball as well as they did mid-season.
I can't see Denver as being a problem. They barely beat the Warriors at home. Plus, Gallinari is out for the season, so that is a huge blow.
So you suffered...got some les...now you are spoiled and can't even enjoy wins...
News flash...barring a serious injury Miami are the champions. No one can beat them.
This team is not only struggling coming into the playoffs rhythm-wise...they don't have two rotation players(one gone for good and one injured) and two other impact players are still trying to get back to 100%. All those things considered, I'm ing thrilled with this win. They are likely going to need the whole first round to get back to where they were...that is...if they do. I have zero expectations beyond this round. I'd be ecstatic if they made the WCF and were eliminated in a tough fought series.
Championship or bust is a stupid mindset with this team. They are lucky just to be where they are.
Jeez you guys never stop. I could imagine if we won the championship you would say yeah we won it all but no way we win next season. You miss the point that we didn't play all the well and still won going away. We're only gonna get better as we get healthier. Who know maybe everyone is healthy and cllicking by round 2.
I don't agree about Miami being unbeatable. They are playing better than anyone right now but I won't be stunned if the Knicks beat them. For two and a half rounds of playoff games last year, the Spurs were unbeatable. Analysts and media were describing their play as beautiful and a work of art. And then it all came crashing down.So you suffered...got some les...now you are spoiled and can't even enjoy wins...
News flash...barring a serious injury Miami are the champions. No one can beat them.
Championship or bust is a stupid mindset with this team. They are lucky just to be where they are.
Benefactor, I take it you are just along for the short ride. You watch the games, root for the Spurs to win, think they are just lucky to be there but expect them to lose. And I have the stupid mindset? What a waste of time. I sure as hope the players don't feel as you do. I can hear Timmy leading the charge from the pre-game huddle now - 1, 2, 3, "LOSE LATER!!!"
This team has the talent and system to win it all. Are we as talented as Miami or as young and athletic as OKC ? No. But we have great leadership and the know-how to get the job done. The Spurs just need to buy time for Boris to rejoin the rotation, Tony and Manu to improve health-wise and for the team to get in a nice groove. I like our chances against anyone if those things happen. It just needs to happen fast.
The media is dumb. Stars win in the playoffs in today's NBA...not systems. Miami won le last year with a head coach that used to a video guy. They are even better this year. The Knicks might make it interesting but they won't win. I'll wager any amount on that series.
The Spurs first two round of the playoffs last year were fools gold. They swept a couple of teams that sucked(Jazz) and were horribly coached/mentally weak/stupid(Clippers). As soon as OKC disrupted their ball movement their lack of defense became glaring and they were done. And don't give me the ref card. OKC's stars were simply better and could play more minutes while still being effective.
Don't patronize me, mother er. I am a fan that knows exactly where my team is and what to expect and not to expect. I know the window is closing and I'm glad they are where they are. If you think it's a waste to time to cheer for a team that's not a championship team then by all means, go cheer for Miami.Benefactor, I take it you are just along for the short ride. You watch the games, root for the Spurs to win, think they are just lucky to be there but expect them to lose. And I have the stupid mindset? What a waste of time. I sure as hope the players don't feel as you do. I can hear Timmy leading the charge from the pre-game huddle now - 1, 2, 3, "LOSE LATER!!!"
They need a lot of things to happen...and it's going to take a minor miracle for it all to come together. Diaw has to come back and be effective, Manu has to stay healthy while being effective(he's looked bad since the first hamstring injury), Parker has to get his speed back and be 100% Parker...all these things have to happen for the Spurs to have a shot at making the finals so they can get the rolled out of them by Miami. It's just too much. I will gladly eat crow if it does come together...but until then I will look at the situation as a realist and accept what is real.This team has the talent and system to win it all. Are we as talented as Miami or as young and athletic as OKC ? No. But we have great leadership and the know-how to get the job done. The Spurs just need to buy time for Boris to rejoin the rotation, Tony and Manu to improve health-wise and for the team to get in a nice groove. I like our chances against anyone if those things happen. It just needs to happen fast.
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