The Spurs are a top 5 team in the West

[TD 21]

I'd like to agree with you but I can't. Poeltl may have been out but plenty of teams have had key players out because of the protocols. In fact, we've had less consequences from the protocol than most teams. You can make the argument that if you include that in the mix we may be slotted to high right now.

This and I don't attribute much of the crunch time struggles to luck. Sure, that always plays a part and it's rarely been on their side for years. Still, the bigger issue is they don't have an efficient source of half court offense, so once the game slows down and the opposing defense is locked in, they're inevitably going to struggle.

Agreed. We have gotten to see flashes of this team being decent when healthy, but we honestly know if this team was healthy in the best scenario, they would be an 7th or 8th seed. It's also been fun watching Dejounte take another step in his development when it comes to being a better playmaker.

I don't see it. They have no iden y. They seemingly want to be a defensive team, yet continue to not have a credible modern four (gimpy Gay was the only one they've had in this era) and lack size/length at every position outside of PG.

[R. DeMurre]

I like the direction the Spurs are moving in, but Top 5 seems incredibly optimistic. The Clippers have played the entire season without their best player, and their second best player has missed 11 games... and they still have a better record than the Spurs. Denver has played all year without their second best guy, and also has a better record. New Orleans hasn't seen their best player one time yet this season, and they're only a game and a half behind the Spurs. Sacramento is a decent PF away from being a playoff team, and Minnesota is a PG away from being the same. I have high hopes for the Spurs next season, after another draft and another shot at replacing-- through trades or FA signings-- the net negative minutes of McDermott, Walker, & Forbes... but until then, i wouldn't put them in the top 5.

[gambit1990]

stop bashing OP, he just misspelled grizzlies.

[BackHome]

I think the le is wrong cause it should say “Spurs Top 5 Worse Team In The West”. I don’t think we have any direction be that short term or long term. This team needs a HUGE upgrade in talent at almost every position - We have a ton of SG who can’t shoot and play undersized at every other position other then Center. To be successful in anything you have to take chances and the Spurs Organization hates doing that they like to stay in there comfort zone which when your team is not good is not a good place to be in.

[CGD]

Two games from 4th in the tank….

Not a bad place to be. Tanking with dignity, getting a great opportunity to see what players are more likely long term pieces and who can be moved.

Embrace the tank ppl.

Co-sign.

COVID irregularities aside, this crew is playing with heart and makes it interesting to watch on most nights. They just need more all around talent at all position, perhaps with exception of PG, which is what you get with good draft capital.

[R. DeMurre]

This thread is quiet tonight.

[horseshue]

You know it is bad, when poodle is your best player.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Every person on this team thinks they are done as soon as they get 10 points and a rebound.

Not a single hungry and tenacious player on the whole squad. It's annoying af.

You know it is bad, when poodle is your best player.

They've been trying to run offense through him since Day 1 of this season. That was always a bad sign.

[gambit1990]

rip OP

[ismael-robert]

With full healthy roster he's right

[Uriel]

My original post said “when fully healthy and at their best.” Spurs had played those last 4 games without their best player and went 0-4.

Then they get him back and get another signature win on the road. I said it before and I’ll say it again: when the Spurs are fully healthy and at their best, they’re a top 5 team in the west.

[RC_Drunkford]

My original post said “when fully healthy and at their best.” Spurs had played those last 4 games without their best player and went 0-4.

Then they get him back and get another signature win on the road. I said it before and I’ll say it again: when the Spurs are fully healthy and at their best, they’re a top 5 team in the west.

you forgot that all the other teams have 5 or more players out so that still ain’t true. Spurs are a top 5 team in the west when fully healthy while other teams are missing starters. That I can agree with

[sananspursfan21]

My original post said “when fully healthy and at their best.” Spurs had played those last 4 games without their best player and went 0-4.

Then they get him back and get another signature win on the road. I said it before and I’ll say it again: when the Spurs are fully healthy and at their best, they’re a top 5 team in the west.

As crazy as it sounds, I agree. I don’t often get offended at slights against the Spurs but some Boston writer called the Spurs “meh personified” and I got a little mad. Sure, if you haven’t been watching them and take a quick look at their roster and record. But if you’ve watched a game, they can be exciting and it’s evident there’s something there. They’re not a “meh” team because we’re seeing a direction and some glimpses of potential.

[8sy21vd]

The team was definitely on the upswing til Murray went out. Not only did we loose our best player, it put other guys in roles where they don't excel. They looked a lot better in Boston where Murray can be the primary ball handler and White falls back to the secondary distributor and can expend energy more on defense and slashing to the basket on offense. Now with latest batch of players out, a top 5 pick is certainly possible.

[R. DeMurre]

My original post said “when fully healthy and at their best.” Spurs had played those last 4 games without their best player and went 0-4.

Then they get him back and get another signature win on the road. I said it before and I’ll say it again: when the Spurs are fully healthy and at their best, they’re a top 5 team in the west.

But are you including other teams also healthy and at their best? I think the Spurs have a hard time beating the Clippers now with PG as their best player, but with a healthy Kawhi? Not even close. Same with Denver, same with the Lakers. They're certainly not better than Golden State, Phoenix, Utah, or Memphis. A healthy Minnesota and Dallas are questionable. I like the direction they are moving in but Top 5 <right now> seems wildly optimistic.

[John B]

Maybe 7th or 8th when ALL Teams are healthy.

[gambit1990]

My original post said “when fully healthy and at their best.” Spurs had played those last 4 games without their best player and went 0-4.

Then they get him back and get another signature win on the road. I said it before and I’ll say it again: when the Spurs are fully healthy and at their best, they’re a top 5 team in the west.

beating a team under .500 isn't a lot to brag about tbh.

[spurraider21]

urinel going down with the ship

but we blew out the pistons one time!

[benefactor]

Urinal with the bads per par

[spurraider21]

[Arcadian]

When's the last time the Spurs were 10 games below .500? Is this a new rock bottom in the post-Duncan era?

[Sugus]

When's the last time the Spurs were 10 games below .500? Is this a new rock bottom in the post-Duncan era?

Sounds dramatic when you put it that way, but - surely. This is the first season after Timmy's retirement when the team is actually, truly losing and has no recourse to get back to winning. No star power on the roster either. I think they're headed down a good path that will yield returns in the near and far off future, but right now? Certainly the lowest-floored team they Spurs have fielded in like, 20+ years.

[Fireball]

what does "at their best" mean? if all other teams are at their best as well, the Spurs definitely are not a Top 5 team in the West

[tbdog]

It's going to be an interesting trade deadline. Lakers, Sixers, Knicks, pacers, Hawks, blazers are going to make moves. Also Celtics and Jazz should make moves to.

[KobesAchilles]

Look guys you can’t use record to define who is the best team in the west. Otherwise Utah would’ve won the championship last year. We are clearly a Top 5 team in the west. Sure we aren’t gonna make the playoffs but trust me, these advanced stats say that we SHOULD’VE won games. And that’s all that really matter when it come to defining top teams in the conference.

Also we are missing a lot of players. I know literally every other team in the west has a significant injury but still WE are missing players and that’s all that matters as well