Spurs Still Legit Championship Contenders?

[spurtech09]

Who are we kidding the Spurs are going to get screwed in the play-offs anyways.....(REFS)

[ElNono]

Starting Murray isn't saving this team and neither is Pop coaching worth a damn. They're flat out too flawed.

Again, the field is irrelevant if they can't beat a team that's guaranteed to be in their path.

Beyond them, after an early season reprieve, they're back to their usual poor late game execution/luck and inability to steal games. Although, they were fortunate against the Cavaliers, who generated much better shots down the stretch, only to miss most of them.

I'm pretty sure we'll win a series against the Mavs or Pelicans if that were to happen. One regular season game won't change my mind about that.

Against other good teams like the Clippers, etc, if they're 100%, then sure, it's more debatable. I don't, however, think the Spurs would just lay down. Maybe the Dubs if firing on all cylinders would route us.

[Hoops Czar]

Spurs are the 2014 Mavs.

[spurtech09]

Looks like will be seeing another rigged NBA Finals Cavs vs Warriors.....Book it..............

[TD 21]

I'm pretty sure we'll win a series against the Mavs or Pelicans if that were to happen. One regular season game won't change my mind about that.

Against other good teams like the Clippers, etc, if they're 100%, then sure, it's more debatable. I don't, however, think the Spurs would just lay down. Maybe the Dubs if firing on all cylinders would route us.

It's not about the irrelevant Pelicans or Mavericks, it's about 2+ years of the same issues.

Route or not, the point is, they can't beat a healthy Warriors in a series and since they're guaranteed to be in the WCF, that means the Spurs aren't contenders.

[BillMc]

Easily still contenders. Probably second best team in the league and have beaten the best team in the league convincingly in their one meeting.

[apalisoc_9]

Meh. They're legitimate contender under a few lucky cir stances.

There's highly favourites ( warriors) and there's teams that need abounces to go their way to have a chance even if it was little ( cavs, spurs, healthy LA.)

Any team that can put themselves in a situation of lucky bounces is a legit contender. Obviously some ty teams like the Raports, Rockets etc would probably need double the luck of those three teams so in their case its almst impossible.

[TampaDude]

Sure...we're in the hunt...we always have been over the past 20 years.

That said, it's probably gonna be yet another Cavs-Dubs Finals.

[BillMc]

Meh. They're legitimate contender under a few lucky cir stances.

There's highly favourites ( warriors) and there's teams that need abounces to go their way to have a chance even if it was little ( cavs, spurs, healthy LA.)

Any team that can put themselves in a situation of lucky bounces is a legit contender. Obviously some ty teams like the Raports, Rockets etc would probably need double the luck of those three teams so in their case its almst impossible.

Well said

[ElNono]

It's not about the irrelevant Pelicans or Mavericks, it's about 2+ years of the same issues.

Route or not, the point is, they can't beat a healthy Warriors in a series and since they're guaranteed to be in the WCF, that means the Spurs aren't contenders.

Maybe they can't, but you can't guarantee a healthy Warriors will show up in a series. And a whole lot of teams in this league right now can't beat even an unhealthy Dubs team, but, the Spurs probably do have good odds in that case.

In sum, would the Spurs need some breaks? Sure. Are they a top 3-4 team in this league, that have a legit shot at a championship? absolutely.

[Ice009]

Well, I just watched the game and needless to say, I don't think that I can get any madder.

As I said after the last loss, this team is going nowhere with Parker, Green, Mills as the guard rotation.

Mills = Pathetic defender and if not hitting shots is useless
Parker = Ball hog that looks for his own too much and is a pathetic defender
Green = Too inconsistent of a shooter and is now in one of his famous can't hit shots spell. His one on one defense has also slipped to nothing better than average.

Spurs need to see if they can get in on a trade for Butler.

[TheDoctor]

Save us, Patron Saint of Lost Causes - Mario "Rio" Chalmers

[SAGirl]

Meh. They're legitimate contender under a few lucky cir stances.

There's highly favourites ( warriors) and there's teams that need abounces to go their way to have a chance even if it was little ( cavs, spurs, healthy LA.)

Any team that can put themselves in a situation of lucky bounces is a legit contender. Obviously some ty teams like the Raports, Rockets etc would probably need double the luck of those three teams so in their case its almst impossible.

Agree with this,+

[spurs10]

Losing to non-playoff teams is not encouraging, but I'm not convinced it means a whole lot to change the big picture. Few expect anyone in the west to get past the Dubs and if anyone could it would be us. Playing like this no, but we have a few areas where we can give them trouble.

I think how Danny is able to defend on the perimeter is very huge. Our guard play in general is the biggest issue, but if Danny can play great defense we have a tag-team of energy players that might help. After horrible losses like tonight it's hard to imagine we could do much, but we might be the second best team in the league when the playoffs start. Anything can happen- as many have said- look at last year's Finals. Now the problem is that the Dubs are us in 2014- they want redemption and- Kevring would sell his mom to the Albanian mob to get a ring.

[Mikeanaro]

As long as they have Porker...

[TD 21]

Maybe they can't, but you can't guarantee a healthy Warriors will show up in a series. And a whole lot of teams in this league right now can't beat even an unhealthy Dubs team, but, the Spurs probably do have good odds in that case.

In sum, would the Spurs need some breaks? Sure. Are they a top 3-4 team in this league, that have a legit shot at a championship? absolutely.

My definition of a legit contender, is a team that can conceivably beat anyone at full strength. Sure, every team that wins a championship needs a few things out of their control to break their way, but if you need an injury to a star(s) on another team, you're not legit and I actually think they'd probably need 2 of the Warriors big 4 to be out, to beat them.

This is a unique season and unfortunately it's probably going to last for a few, in that there's more than likely only 1 contender. The thing the Cavaliers have going for them, that the Spurs and Clippers don't, is that as thin as they are right now, they're all but assured of at least being in a series with them and until James proves he can no longer summon the ability to reach a level no other current player can, they have the best player in the world.

[ElNono]

My definition of a legit contender, is a team that can conceivably beat anyone at full strength. Sure, every team that wins a championship needs a few things out of their control to break their way, but if you need an injury to a star(s) on another team, you're not legit and I actually think they'd probably need 2 of the Warriors big 4 to be out, to beat them.

This is a unique season and unfortunately it's probably going to last for a few, in that there's more than likely only 1 contender. The thing the Cavaliers have going for them, that the Spurs and Clippers don't, is that as thin as they are right now, they're all but assured of at least being in a series with them and until James proves he can no longer summon the ability to reach a level no other current player can, they have the best player in the world.

Yeah, by your definition the Dubs are the sole contenders... and they would've been last season too. But that's why games are played. Stuff like injuries, slumps, bat matchups, etc happens. I remember when the Mavs won, they were totally legit post-facto, but if you look at their regular season, they weren't a sure thing. They just caught fire at the right time, built some momentum and ran the table.

You can tell flaws on a team here or there, but can also hide them against the right matchup. Which teams you end up playing are also breaks. I see people worrying about playing the Clippers again, but you really can't worry until you get there. Maybe you catch a break and you don't have to play them, you worried for nothing. Just let things play out and see what happens, it's not like we as fans can do anything about it anyways.

[SpursBig3s]

It's not about the irrelevant Pelicans or Mavericks, it's about 2+ years of the same issues.

Route or not, the point is, they can't beat a healthy Warriors in a series and since they're guaranteed to be in the WCF, that means the Spurs aren't contenders.

This is stupid. The warriors picked up the best offensive player in the entire league on top of what they already have. What's anyone supposed to? Like cmon man...


are we the favorites? No. The warriors are. That doesn't mean we're not a contender. We're gonna get to the WCF with a shot at the Dubs to get to the finals. What more do you want?

[DAF86]

Only the Warriors are better than them, so I guess they are? I don't know.

[ElNono]

It would certainly be disappointing if we're healthy and get bounced in the 1st or 2nd round again, that's for sure.

[GSH]

The Spurs played good D tonight. They worked their asses off and did a good job staying in front of Westrbook (held him to 42% on the night). They hustled for loose balls. They got 25 blocks and steals combined.

Until someone proves differently, defense still rules the post-season. They aren't going to out-gun the Dubs. But if they can play this kind of D, and keep their shooters from getting into any kind of rhythm? Maybe. I'd like to see more of this, please.

[TD 21]

Yeah, by your definition the Dubs are the sole contenders... and they would've been last season too. But that's why games are played. Stuff like injuries, slumps, bat matchups, etc happens. I remember when the Mavs won, they were totally legit post-facto, but if you look at their regular season, they weren't a sure thing. They just caught fire at the right time, built some momentum and ran the table.

You can tell flaws on a team here or there, but can also hide them against the right matchup. Which teams you end up playing are also breaks. I see people worrying about playing the Clippers again, but you really can't worry until you get there. Maybe you catch a break and you don't have to play them, you worried for nothing. Just let things play out and see what happens, it's not like we as fans can do anything about it anyways.

I didn't have them as sole contenders last season. This is different, unlike anything in at least modern history. More than likely, the only way they can lose, is if 2 of Curry, Durant and Green are injured.

This is stupid. The warriors picked up the best offensive player in the entire league on top of what they already have. What's anyone supposed to? Like cmon man...


are we the favorites? No. The warriors are. That doesn't mean we're not a contender. We're gonna get to the WCF with a shot at the Dubs to get to the finals. What more do you want?

No reading comprehension. I wasn't blaming the Spurs for their predicament; on the contrary, I've repeatedly said they've done what they could have to keep pace, but it'll be futile.