Chin Up, Spurs Fans

[CTW_Cowboy]

you guys needed Ben Wallace this year.

[alamo50]

The day after I am kinda OK.

This was the best series ever and Duncan showed he's the biggest warrior in professional sports.

We got a great core here with TMT.
We didn't use Nazr and the Rash so I want them gone during the summer.
Like I said every season since The Admiral retired, we need to get Theo Ratliff in here.

We may never adjust to any opponent.
We ARE the mighty Spurs.
We ARE the best.

Oh yeah, a type of player like Mario Elie/Kevin Willis would have come in handy too....but for some reason we got Nick for that........................

Well Spurs fans it was a great season to be here with y'all in the ever growing best sports forum on the net.

Hat of too Kori and LJ and all of y'all up in here.

See you Spurs in Paris!!!

[SequSpur]

Pop should be fired immediately. He took the basketball out of playoff basketball.

[HULKAROCK]

Good-Bye, farewell...
The sad thing is everyone in Detroit wanted the Spurs to win last night so that WE could be the ones to send them fishing. Oh well. We'll have to settle for Mark Cuban. Maybe next year we'll get the rematch. But, I have to say I see the era of the Spurs diminishing. On top of that, I hear the trade rumors around the league are that Labron will not get enough money in Cleveland and his options are open to the Pistons.. Look out.. Bad news for everybody.
Well, at this point, I can direct you to the ECF. Watch our Pistons roll the Heat at the Palace tonight. DETROIT ROCK CITY!!!

[themvp]

I just wanna say I am proud like many of you to be a Spurs fan.


Bring on the 2006/2007 season.

[picnroll]

Time to tank and get Greg Oden



j/k




Spurs need to lose a couple of pieces and find a couple of pieces but they still have a good core. Now e'll find out what Pop, RC and Preti are mad of. I think Pop may have to rthink his approach to the game. Not sure, with the changes to the way you are allowed to play D, that preventing middle penetration and channeling baseline is going to work that well.

[spurster]

The Spurs gave us a great season with many more to come and a le or two more along the way.

It's a great time to be a Spurs fan.

[genghisrex]

This one didn't hurt so much. The Spurs showed huge nuts to even be in a game 7, much less be up 3 with 32 seconds left in a game where Dallas' superior talent carried them to a 20-point lead early. If Nazr Mohammed decided to ever show up this season things might have been different, but all in all this is still a playoff I will remember fondly. I'm pretty excited with what Fin has done for us, and hope that Luis Scola can help us match up better with the new-style NBA lineups that teams like Dallas and Phoenix are throwing out.

I agree. Losing always sucks, period, but this team left everything out on the floor and just came up a little bit short this time. This was nothing like watching the team roll over and die against the Lakers. I've never seen a more resilient Spurs team and I like our chances next season with a little better luck in the health department and some new roleplayers to shore up our weaknesses.

[T Park]

What gets me through the day?

The spurs can improve, the Mavericks MAY improve, but don't know who they would get.

The PIstons are due for a down year. The Heat will really stink next year thanks to Sahq being just about finished.

The Nets are nothing


The only team that is a slight threat next year is Phoenix.

Thats it, thats all.

[janaey07]

To my Spurs Family....I am from Thailand, live in Michigan and have been a Spurs fan since 1999. Tim Duncan is a reason why I love this team.

I found this website approx 10 months ago and am so glad to be able to read all the posts. Even though I don't know any of you, but I feel like knowing you for a long time.....Spur bond (I guess). I also feel like you guys are my Spurs family, rooting for the same team, etc. (It is pretty hard being a Spur fan in Detroit...haha).

I have been a reader, never posted because there is always someone out there that shares my opinion. But today, after our team lost last night and read this thread by timvp. I feel like I need a closure for the season to be able to move on to the next bright seasons to come for the Spurs. BTW, timvp, I always like reading your posts.

The Mavs played really good last night, give them credit. But at the same time, consider all adversity the Spurs had to go thru all season (see below), I couldn't be more proud of them.

1. The season long of nagging injury (TD, and Manu) - TD is the man, he delivered big in the playoff, but I think that the injury had a big impact on Manu's consistency.
2. The tough series with the Kings - I don't know how the Mavs would have reacted to the Kings if they ended up with #1 seed.
3. 36-hour between game #6 with the Kings and game #1 with the Mavs - I know that we won game #1, but it caught up to us in game #2 (Pop and Magic even said that after game #2 loss)
4. The questioning ref calls in game #3 and #4 that impacted the game results – the Spurs could have won at least one of those games and we wouldn't even need game #7
5. Half a bench against a full bench - half a bench due to the small line up because the Spurs weren't built that way comparing to the Mavs team that always play small.
6. Older supporting casts - admit it a 30+ year old can't run with a 20+ year old night in and night out.

After all these adversity - the Spurs had a franchise record of 63-19, won a tough series with the Kings, and fought back from 3-1 down to force game 7, and fought hard to get back to the game after 20 deficit.

We couldn't be more proud of our Spurs

We just need a few adjustments to be ready for next year.

1. Get Tim and Manu healthy during summer
2. Tony will step up and be more consistent and dominate in the playoff like he did during the regular season
3. Sign up younger and athletics players.

Believe.

[Nikos]

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.

Kind of pathetic if you ask me. Mavs make one adjustment and they beat the Spurs on their homecourt twice. Why can't the Spurs PLAYERS make the Mavs adjust? Either it's poor logic or poor coaching.

[Sportcamper]

Heck of a game...Ginobili & Duncan played their butts off...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

LJ, great post as always, you are pure class. And Kori, of course - thanks to both of you for building this wonderful community in 3 short years.

To the Spurs - it was a tough, at times rewarding, at times frustrating season that never really felt like a run to the championship to me, despite the 63 wins. This team never quite gelled like the 03 or 05 Spurs... but I'm still proud of their grit. Tim is the truest of champions, and there's more brilliance to come from Tony and Manu (I can't believe that some people are counting them out! They are in the prime of their careers! ).

Anyway, I have to say that the Mavs beat us fair and square, but I still have no idea why we played them at THEIR GAME!? Even if you don't trust Nazr, Rasho plays bloody good Spur's zone D, and I can't see why we didn't play that against the Mavs. , give Dirk 40 a night but stop the layups and make them shoot. Yes, I know they can shoot, but I still reckon we could have won 4/7 playing our D and not giving up the layups and boards that we did, even though they would have made more 3s. It's a moot point now. We WILL BE BACK.

Peace Love Unity Respect.

Ruffy

PS Thought these two posts absolutely spoke the truth:

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. - Winnipeg Spur

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. - Fweindz

[carina_gino20]

I wish I could take the coward's way out and about the officiating but I can't. Games 3 and 4 are done and we had a great chance to win the series. We didn't.

It still hurts right now, probably because it had already sunk in. when the game was over, i was in disbelief and couldn't feel anything.

but i can honestly say that i am very proud of my Spurs. They did a great job tying the series and had a lot of heart to claw their way out of that 20-pt Mavs lead. I guess it just wasn't for us. Now, the sooner I accept that, the sooner I can move on.

I love the San Antonio Spurs.

[T Park]

Kind of pathetic if you ask me. Mavs make one adjustment and they beat the Spurs on their homecourt twice. Why can't the Spurs PLAYERS make the Mavs adjust? Either it's poor logic or poor coaching

You really have zero concept of basketball don't you.

Go ahead and go swing from the shower curtain no one will miss you.

[FromWayDowntown]

First of all, I think anyone who doesn't respect the effort the Spurs gave in this series and in Game 7 is out of touch with reality. Many teams -- most teams -- would have rolled over and died down 1-3 after those 2 losses in Dallas. Whatever else is true of the Spurs, they died this season the best way a champion can; they fought to the bitter, bitter end and went down swinging.

I'm with the group that thinks this gang is a couple of tweaks away from salting that series early. I respect and appreciate Nick Van Exel for all that he has done and accomplished as an NBA player, but I can't help but think that if the Spurs had gotten even a net zero from their backup point in this series, they likely win it.

Get another athletic wing. Get a big who is willing to mix it up and athletic enough to stay on the floor against smaller, more athletic teams. I realize those guys don't grow on trees, but they're out there and some creative use of resources can fill those needs.

In the meantime, I'll respect the effort this team gave, even if I'm disappointed in the final result. It was a heck of a ride.

[strangeweather]

The Spurs played their hearts out, and they came within a play or two of beating a team that they had some bad matchups with. They deserve a ton of respect for the fight they put on.

They have a terrific core of players that are still in their prime, and it's a lot easier to take a good core and improve the supporting pieces than it is to take a good supporting cast and find an all star to lead them.

They got 2 bench points in Game 7. One more solid bench player at any position, and we're breaking down the matchups against Phoenix today. I trust in Pop and RC to go out and find some guys who can help us next year.

[beirmeistr]

It is a great time to be a Spurs fan. We still have the big three under contract. Even though they didn't make it to the finals this time, there is no shame in losing to a Mavericks team that might win the championship this year. All it takes for the Spurs to remain compe ive in the playoffs next season will be to get rid of the slopokes and bring in several younger, long, athletic players to keep up with the Mavs, the Suns, the Nuggets, and the other running teams. But I certainly hope that the Spurs return to the principle that has been successful in the past----DEFENSE.

[tlongII]

...after all, you could be a Blazer fan.

[Sasha]

Yeah, that was a bad way for the season to end. So close yet so far.

And although the Spurs didn't get it done this year, I'm still proud of this team. It's got damn fun to be a Spurs fan, you have to admit

We got three NBA championships. We get to cheer on the best power forward who ever lived. We have an All-Star backcourt comprised of an up-and-coming point guard and a guy who has more heart than anybody I've ever seen. We have one of the best perimeter defenders to ever roam a basketball court. We have a coach with no hidden agenda. This team is all about winning ... and that's I'd ever want in my favorite team.

Losing Game 7 in overtime hurts. I'm not going to lie, this sucks. But you know what, props to the Mavs. Yeah they are easy to hate on but they came to play. With all the talk of poorly ref'd games and the such, the Spurs had Game 7 on their home court. What more could you ask?

Mavs came out and played inspired ball. They did it. Props to them and I'm sure they'll make some noise the rest of the way.

But as I like to say, winning wouldn't be so great if losing didn't feel like this. The way you are feeling right now just makes victory that much sweeter. Remember this feeling, Spurs fans. It'll make the next time that much better.

And there will be a next time. Three NBA championship trophies in the bag and more on the way. The Spurs are still in great shape for the future. Just need some roster tweakage this summer but all in all, I already like this team's chances going into next season.

Thanks for a good season of basketball discussion. It was a fun one. Sorry it didn't turn out like we all wanted.

Be proud, Spurs fans.

Be proud.

Believe.

Well, I was fine 'til I read this - bring on the Kleenex!

Seriously, great post. I'm gonna save it. Thanks.

[clubalien]

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.

someone on the woai radio sad last night that the spurs or unable to win in even years. If that is true I don't see how the spurs will ever be able to repeat.

[RashoFan]

Very well said LJ! Next year will be an awesome ride, better than this year's ride was....Believe It!

[leemajors]

i don't mind tony looking for his own shot, i just don't like it when he dribbles down the court and settles for an outside jumper when we can work for something better. maybe that was van exel rubbing off on him, but it's not something he can't work past. tony's ceiling is practically unlimited. hopefully javtokas can come in and mix it up immediately without getting in too much foul trouble, and viktor can make a contribution. backup pg is definitely a need that needs to be addressed, we lost so much momentum whenever tony left the floor the whole playoffs.

[1Parker1]

I think what madden's people more (well, at least me), is that the loss was against Dallas...a team which as the series went on, I lost a lot of respect for. Losing to the Clips, Pistons, even Suns would have been oK. Mark Cuban...and especially AJ really pissed me off this series. How the does AJ get away with jumping up and down 5 feet into the court?!

Anyways, it was a really good season and an amazing near-comeback from down 3-1. I'm confident the Spurs realized what their weaknesses were after this series, just like fans did, and spend the offseason trying to address it. I myself plan on re-watching the 2005 Championship DVD, especially the 4th quarter to get over this horrible loss

[1Parker1]

Oh, and for any fan who blames this loss on either Tim, Manu, Parker, Finley, or Bowen is crazy. They were the lone bright spots of this crazy 7 game series.