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First of all, it's an opinion..I can form an argument about why the Spurs are the #2 best team, just like somebody can make an argument for Dallas, Denver or Phoenix..the only argument that can't be made is that the Lakers aren't the #1 team in the West..therefore, I don't see how it's out of the question that the Spurs are or at least will be the #2 team in the West..
I already said that the Mavs and Nuggets would have better arguments than the Spurs as of right now for the #2 best team..so clearly I'm basing this on other aspects..I'm NOT saying the Spurs are currently playing like the #2 best team in the West, I don't believe that..I probably should have clarified..I believe we have the team to be #2 though and that we will be the #2 team soon enough..
The advanced stats and stats in general all support the Spurs in a very good way..this wasn't the case at all last year..we match well with any team in that regard..teams that have the current advanced stats of the Spurs generally have success in the playoffs and at least make the 2nd round..the only stat that doesn't support the Spurs is the record vs. .500 teams, which is what all of you keep basing your arguments on, and I admit that it is concerning..
As I pointed out in a previous thread, the Spurs struggles vs. .500 teams have been largely affected by the poor play of Parker and Ginobili..it's probably been the main reason..my belief is based on the fact that I highly doubt Parker and Ginobili continue to struggle..they're starting to play better as Parker has slightly changed his playing style and Ginobili looks healthy..there's no reason to believe they won't elevate their games to the level that is expected of them..it would be literally impossible for them to have declined from last year's level of play to the level of play they've shown vs. .500 teams this year..
Looking at the losses vs. the .500 teams, we've only had 3 bad losses..Duncan hurt his ankle @ Utah in the 1st half and then he played through it @ Portland..not a coincidence that these were his 2 worst games of the season(IMO)..this isn't a cop-out, because Duncan then missed a couple of games due to the ankle, and the injury was compounded by him playing through it..
The loss vs. Phoenix was bad too, but it was close until the mid-4th..
Every other loss came down to the last 2 minutes of the game, which is why the points margin has been good to the Spurs, which wasn't the case last year..this generally indicates success for a team..
The Spurs have other flaws as well, some of them major, but so do the rest of the teams in the argument for the #2..I believe the Spurs have the best top-level players out of those in the argument, the best coach, the best bench..the fact that Parker has changed his style for better results, Ginobili is starting to look good physically, and Blair has produced in the starting lineup has been the main reason for our recent success..those were the problems vs. the .500 teams, so I expect it to change, which is why I think the Spurs are or will be the #2 team..
