Spurs: A freethrow away from an NBA championship.

[midnightpulp]

a Diaw boxout away from a championship

How'd you get through 18-1, brother?

My misery needs some company right now.

Knowing you, you probably console yourself with the fact these are chimps playing a game for your entertainment who make millions and wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire.

I understand that and agree with that, but gotdamn, this sucks.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

How'd you get through 18-1, brother?

My misery needs some company right now.

Knowing you, you probably console yourself with the fact these are chimps playing a game for your entertainment who make millions and wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire.

I understand that and agree with that, but gotdamn, this sucks.

The Suns traded for Shaq a few days later, and I managed to get really excited over that chimp Marion being off the Suns forever

[TDMVPDPOY]

if the spurs were that good, it wouldnt have come down to that last few plays

htf do you blow a 12 pt lead heading into the 4th quarter, oh clear the bench...watta fkn joke playing clowns who didnt even do in the first half, relying on them to hold the lead

spurs have shown they cant play with a fkn lead, a lead means its heroball time for clowns to chuck up shots to get going...going through all the trouble building a lead just to give it up like that on a few selfish possessions for someones alter ego

[midnightpulp]

The Suns traded for Shaq a few days later, and I managed to get really excited over that chimp Marion being off the Suns forever

It's rather strange how the end of this game mimicked the ending of the '07 Superbowl. Pats needed a stop like the Spurs needed a rebound. Couldn't get it. Tyree makes a fluke catch that gave life to the Giants, much like Lebron's 3 did. Pats once again have the Giants in a 3rd down situation and just need two stops. Couldn't get it. Just like the Spurs couldn't get yet another rebound. Touchdown to Burress seconds later, just like the Allen 3.

Adding another layer of interest is how the Spurs and Pats are always compared.

in' sports.

[TDMVPDPOY]

benching duncan or limiting duncans minutes in a elimination game makes no fkn sense

just his sheer presence on the court is all you need, its not like ur going to waste his energy out there since heroes on the team need a decoy diversion away from them to chuck bricks....

duncan out there wouldve at leasts weather the storm, but instead pop plays his bench to hold a 12pt lead...go lay an egg

[Brazil]

Spurs are gonna be drained imho

game 7 has blow out for Miami written all over it

[jag]

Manu sucked, there's no spinning that, but he's always been tough on himself. I agree Pop needs to realize the dude is 36 and some nights he just doesn't has it in him.

On the other hand, I understand Pop riding with the guys that brought him here.

The improvements to be made in Game 7 are almost all on the offensive end. The offense in the 4th was absolutely terrible. The Spurs went away from what they did so well in Game 5, getting penetration from ISO play. They repeatedly tried to force a pick 'n roll (past the 3-pt line) that wasn't working. The biggest issue is that the Heat are sending 6'8" and 6'11" players to blitz every PnR, making it incredibly difficult to get the ball to the roll-man when he's open. Tony and Manu are having trouble making quality passes over/around Bosh and Lebron. The difference is that Tony didn't force those passes, Manu did. The Spurs had 13 turnovers - Manu had 8.

With James on Parker and with defenders glued to the three-point shooters, someone else is going to have to create 1 on 1. Duncan carried the load in the 1st half because that's what the Heat were willing to allow. The Spurs need Manu to be selfish. He's still looking to force passes when there are no passing lanes. The Heat aren't consistently collapsing in their usual fashion. They're allowing the Spurs to play more 1 on 1. If Tony Parker and Danny Green are blanketed, Manu has to attack the basket. If Chalmers, Ray Allen or Mike Miller are on the floor defending Manu, he needs to ISO and drive to the basket.

There's no room for "some nights he just doesn't have it in him." This isn't "some night," it's Game 7 of the Finals. I still believe Manu has it in him. I still think he can carry the offense when needed. And regardless of the outcome, I wouldn't regret giving him the chance to do it again.

[Rogue]

that's really sad imho. You got really close to it but missed it by a hair, which was more cruel than getting swept imho. Just like I applied for the best school in our country two years in a row but was denied both times, and I was pretty sure I would've made it with ease if I had been born one year earlier, because the bar was really low in 2010 (I graduated in 2011 ). So I had to take a local 2nd-tier school

good news is that I can continue to live at home rather than rent a small ty room in a strange city.

[Bill_Brasky]

The improvements to be made in Game 7 are almost all on the offensive end. The offense in the 4th was absolutely terrible. The Spurs went away from what they did so well in Game 5, getting penetration from ISO play. They repeatedly tried to force a pick 'n roll (past the 3-pt line) that wasn't working. The biggest issue is that the Heat are sending 6'8" and 6'11" players to blitz every PnR, making it incredibly difficult to get the ball to the roll-man when he's open. Tony and Manu are having trouble making quality passes over/around Bosh and Lebron. The difference is that Tony didn't force those passes, Manu did. The Spurs had 13 turnovers - Manu had 8.

With James on Parker and with defenders glued to the three-point shooters, someone else is going to have to create 1 on 1. Duncan carried the load in the 1st half because that's what the Heat were willing to allow. The Spurs need Manu to be selfish. He's still looking to force passes when there are no passing lanes. The Heat aren't consistently collapsing in their usual fashion. They're allowing the Spurs to play more 1 on 1. If Tony Parker and Danny Green are blanketed, Manu has to attack the basket. If Chalmers, Ray Allen or Mike Miller are on the floor defending Manu, he needs to ISO and drive to the basket.

There's no room for "some nights he just doesn't have it in him." This isn't "some night," it's Game 7 of the Finals. I still believe Manu has it in him. I still think he can carry the offense when needed. And regardless of the outcome, I wouldn't regret giving him the chance to do it again.

I agree wholeheartedly. It's time for one last Manu moment where everyone calls for his head, wants him benched, wants him to retire, one last time where he comes out and totally ing redeems himself.

Him coming out and goin HAM in game 7 to win us a ship would just be so.........Manu.

[ElNono]

The improvements to be made in Game 7 are almost all on the offensive end. The offense in the 4th was absolutely terrible. The Spurs went away from what they did so well in Game 5, getting penetration from ISO play. They repeatedly tried to force a pick 'n roll (past the 3-pt line) that wasn't working. The biggest issue is that the Heat are sending 6'8" and 6'11" players to blitz every PnR, making it incredibly difficult to get the ball to the roll-man when he's open. Tony and Manu are having trouble making quality passes over/around Bosh and Lebron. The difference is that Tony didn't force those passes, Manu did. The Spurs had 13 turnovers - Manu had 8.

Defending the pick & roll is Miami's bread and butter, tbh... we played right into their hands. Manu was extra awful too, no question about it.

With James on Parker and with defenders glued to the three-point shooters, someone else is going to have to create 1 on 1. Duncan carried the load in the 1st half because that's what the Heat were willing to allow. The Spurs need Manu to be selfish. He's still looking to force passes when there are no passing lanes. The Heat aren't consistently collapsing in their usual fashion. They're allowing the Spurs to play more 1 on 1. If Tony Parker and Danny Green are blanketed, Manu has to attack the basket. If Chalmers, Ray Allen or Mike Miller are on the floor defending Manu, he needs to ISO and drive to the basket.

One thing I thought Pop did right in Game 5 was have Neal be the ball handler on the pick & roll, and play Manu as the SG... that opened up various thing: allowed Manu to penetrate and wreck havok inside (including that layup for Splitter). I can see where Pop doesn't trust Neal to do that on the road. But at this point, with the dwindling offense, we need to try everything we can. Especially if Manu is gonna keep turning it over.

Then again, I keep thinking about Neal leaving Miller all alone for that shoeless 3 pointer last night and I can see where Pop doesn't want to play him anymore, tbh

There's no room for "some nights he just doesn't have it in him." This isn't "some night," it's Game 7 of the Finals. I still believe Manu has it in him. I still think he can carry the offense when needed. And regardless of the outcome, I wouldn't regret giving him the chance to do it again.

And I agree. I don't even think there's really that many other options... gonna have to be Manu, Neal, Green making a difference in Game 7, with Manu probably trying to play orchestrator again.

[leemajors]

going away from him in the 2nd half..cooled off his hot hand

every fkn playoff series game is always the same fkn bat with this pathetic team of wankers
11 grizz series, duncan had his anytime he wanted...2nd half his touches dissappear
12 okc was doing very well against the okc bigs, ....2nd half his touches dissappear

either his touches are decreased, or wankers passing it to him very late for a bailout shot....is there not a fkn clown on the team that can actually past the ball with causing some bat turnover?

the good old days where dumping it down low and gtfo of duncans way was the best basketball, as was shown tonight until some fkn clown had to show up trying to tell the world its his team, u had ur team for 6 fkn seasons and have done with it


didnt mind if duncan hoisted up +30 shots, rather live and die watching duncan shooting baskets then watching 3 idiots throw the game away

I guess you didn't notice Miami played him way differently in the second half, but I am not surprised.

[whitemamba]

Spurs fans need counsel today, Killa.

This is our first Finals heartbreak.

How'd you get through this:

you guys need to relax, finals are about adjustments, it aint over yet, like ashy said Pop>Spo. I dont think this game mentally effected the spurs, teams who are well coached dont have any mental issued imo.

[midnightpulp]

you guys need to relax, finals are about adjustments, it aint over yet, like ashy said Pop>Spo. I dont think this game mentally effected the spurs, teams who are well coached dont have any mental issued imo.

If the Spurs are human, I'm sure if affected them greatly. Even the Lakers, with the Zen Master at the helm and led by the unshakable Kobe, couldn't recover from game 4. Yeah, they won the next game, but you could tell the Lakers were just mentally drained in game 6.

And even if the Spurs are able to recover from this, their bodies, primarily Duncan, Parker, and especially Manu, might not be up to the task of matching their will.

[whitemamba]

If the Spurs are human, I'm sure if affected them greatly. Even the Lakers, with the Zen Master at the helm and led by the unshakable Kobe, couldn't recover from game 4. Yeah, they won the next game, but you could tell the Lakers were just mentally drained in game 6.

And even if the Spurs are able to recover from this, their bodies, primarily Duncan, Parker, and especially Manu, might not be up to the task of matching their will.

we just got outplayed in '08 plain and simple. I dont think duncan will have a game like that again, but i expect the role players green/manu/nealwithit to show up tbh for the 7th game. Either spurs take a close one or miami blows them out. I honestly still have more faith in the spurs, miami escaped yesterday, the spurs lost the heat didnt win. That has to be in the minds of the heat players as well.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

I could see this game mentally affecting the Heat given how prone they are to coasting and following up a key win with a ty performance (like their previous two wins in this series). We'll hear plenty of canned answers from them about how "They haven't finished the job yet!" but it seems like it's in the DNA of their players to relax after a win like that.

You can also tell by his mannerisms Wade is ultra butthurt the Heat are not only Lebron's team but that they're better with him off the court. I could see him going into 2004 Kobe mode in game 7, something Spoelstra would have no idea how to handle since he's too pussy to bench Wade at key moments. Spoelstra's inability to manage Wade's role/cancerous presence on offense already almost cost them the game yesterday.

[Koolaid_Man]

If the Spurs are human, I'm sure if affected them greatly. Even the Lakers, with the Zen Master at the helm and led by the unshakable Kobe, couldn't recover from game 4. Yeah, they won the next game, but you could tell the Lakers were just mentally drained in game 6.

And even if the Spurs are able to recover from this, their bodies, primarily Duncan, Parker, and especially Manu, might not be up to the task of matching their will.

the SPurs should win...listen they want it more than the Heat....even though they made it back to the big dance by cir stance they know it's their last legit shot and I don't expect these guys to go out like Saddam Hussein...hiding in a hole...they will prepare to die on the court to get it...there is no tomorrow...I think Leonard and Danny will play out of their minds to push SA over the top..The Heat peaked last game because they faced elimination the dumb ers will come out next game over playing their hand and thinking they've mentally beat up the Spurs and forgetting the Spurs big 3 have more big play-off and le game experience than everyone on the Heat roster...Parker, Manu, and Duncan will be lying in wait for their ass...it's what athletes have Mid..it's called intestinal for ude if you've never played sports (which I'm guessing you haven't) it's kinda hard to picture it...

I'm still rolling with the Spurs...

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

we just got outplayed in '08 plain and simple. I dont think duncan will have a game like that again, but i expect the role players green/manu/nealwithit to show up tbh for the 7th game. Either spurs take a close one or miami blows them out. I honestly still have more faith in the spurs, miami escaped yesterday, the spurs lost the heat didnt win. That has to be in the minds of the heat players as well.

That SHOULD be what's on the minds of Heat players, but something like "Aw yeah homie, we da bess! game 7 gon' be eazy!" is probably a closer depiction of what's on their minds.

[Ashy Larry]

Spurs fans need counsel today, Killa.

This is our first Finals heartbreak.

How'd you get through this:

it's damn near been thirty years and I still haven't gotten over it. If the Spurs don't win eventually you'll let it go because there's really no true rivalry with the Heat, but these were the C's vs my boys who owned us for years. I think the main difference is, the Lakers gave away two games, not just one. If the Spurs give away game seven in the same fashion, my advice to you is to off yourself.

Trying to help.

[whitemamba]

That SHOULD be what's on the minds of Heat players, but something like "Aw yeah homie, we da bess! game 7 gon' be eazy!" is probably a closer depiction of what's on their minds.

literally exactly what i was thinking.

[midnightpulp]

the SPurs should win...listen they want it more than the Heat....even though they made it back to the big dance by cir stance they know it's their last legit shot and I don't expect these guys to go out like Saddam Hussein...hiding in a hole...they will prepare to die on the court to get it...there is no tomorrow...I think Leonard and Danny will play out of their minds to push SA over the top..The Heat peaked last game because they faced elimination the dumb ers will come out next game over playing their hand and thinking they've mentally beat up the Spurs and forgetting the Spurs big 3 have more big play-off and le game experience than everyone on the Heat roster...Parker, Manu, and Duncan will be lying in wait for their ass...it's what athletes have Mid..it's called intestinal for ude if you've never played sports (which I'm guessing you haven't) it's kinda hard to picture it...

I'm still rolling with the Spurs...

Of course I have. But high school sports losses don't compare to choke jobs in the NBA Finals.

I think the reason fans lose hope more than the athletes is because we have no influence over the situation either way, which is why it's also rather stupid we take professional sports this seriously

[spurraider21]

Missing freethrows is just part of the game.

Only reason we're even talking about missed FTs is simply because Pop grew over confident with his zits infested ugly ing face.

He over rested Duncan and Parker. This is ing do or die you stupid re . You dont rest until you get what you went to get what you came here for. You get like 5 months off. Geez

Duncan played 44 minutes tbh. Not overrest

[midnightpulp]

it's damn near been thirty years and I still haven't gotten over it. If the Spurs don't win eventually you'll let it go because there's really no true rivalry with the Heat, but these were the C's vs my boys who owned us for years. I think the main difference is, the Lakers gave away two games, not just one. If the Spurs give away game seven in the same fashion, my advice to you is to off yourself.

Trying to help.

Yeah, if this woulda been against the Lakers with Kobe in the Ray Allen role, this loss would've been orders of magnitude more painful.

[Koolaid_Man]

Of course I have. But high school sports losses don't compare to choke jobs in the NBA Finals.

I think the reason fans lose hope more than the athletes is because we have no influence over the situation either way, which is why it's also rather stupid we take professional sports this seriously

Speak for yourself I will miss a game in a minute for some pussy...both Luva and I we're known for that ...

[Sean Cagney]

it's damn near been thirty years and I still haven't gotten over it. If the Spurs don't win eventually you'll let it go because there's really no true rivalry with the Heat, but these were the C's vs my boys who owned us for years. I think the main difference is, the Lakers gave away two games, not just one. If the Spurs give away game seven in the same fashion, my advice to you is to off yourself.

Trying to help.

Yeah, that had to be tough to watch for you as a fan! I can see that one stinging for a good while.

[Ashy Larry]

Yeah, that had to be tough to watch for you as a fan! I can see that one stinging for a good while.

worthy had a great game and will be remembered for a horrible cross court pass to Henderson. Then Lakers not even getting off a shot with a giant shot clock right in their faces. (one loss)

up 5 with 59 secs and possession of the ball in game 4. So they can relate to what the Spurs just went through sans 31 secs. Being up 5 with 28 secs and losing because of missed free throws truly suck.