True keys to the Spurs getting back to the Finals

[freetiago]

it's not in free agent signings and never will be tbh
the Spurs offense revolves around Parker and when he gets a bigger defender on him his decision goes south and his shot selection goes up and he starts forcing it when he should let things come to him
I don't think that can be overcome as its a mental thing thats happened for years to Parker

the way the Spurs will have to stop that strategy is by developing the 1v1/postgames of 2 guys who should be profiting of the cross-matches in Leonard/Splitter
in the Finals Leonard would be guarded by Miller/Chalmers once the cross-match happened
in no world should that be able to happen
no one on Miami has a real chance of guarding Leonard but Wade/Lebron
Splitter has to become a viable post option and he won't ever become one when he gets 0 attempts
if he can take advantage then other team's smallball will be taken away and the Spurs will be able to defend them
Mark Jackson panicked and started Ezeli/Landry once Pop put Splitter to match size with size and it worked in the Spurs favor as they were able to control GS defensively after game 2 when Splitter started
If Splitter actually becomes a legitimate option who teams won't want to go small vs then the Spurs can easily repeat

OKC had to play small to beat SA and Miami was horrible anytime Lebron wasnt surrouned by 4 shooters (smallball) or played with Wade
OKC is less lethal without James Harden but they still will be a good team and the toughest opponent imo
Memphis isnt a threat
Clippers without Bledsoe lost the one guy who SA couldnt guard on that squad
the only other team that is a possible threat is the one Dwight Howard signs on but we don't know that yet

[TheGoldStandard]

it's not in free agent signings and never will be tbh
the Spurs offense revolves around Parker and when he gets a bigger defender on him his decision goes south and his shot selection goes up and he starts forcing it when he should let things come to him
I don't think that can be overcome as its a mental thing thats happened for years to Parker

the way the Spurs will have to stop that strategy is by developing the 1v1/postgames of 2 guys who should be profiting of the cross-matches in Leonard/Splitter
in the Finals Leonard would be guarded by Miller/Chalmers once the cross-match happened
in no world should that be able to happen
no one on Miami has a real chance of guarding Leonard but Wade/Lebron
Splitter has to become a viable post option and he won't ever become one when he gets 0 attempts
if he can take advantage then other team's smallball will be taken away and the Spurs will be able to defend them
Mark Jackson panicked and started Ezeli/Landry once Pop put Splitter to match size with size and it worked in the Spurs favor as they were able to control GS defensively after game 2 when Splitter started
If Splitter actually becomes a legitimate option who teams won't want to go small vs then the Spurs can easily repeat

OKC had to play small to beat SA and Miami was horrible anytime Lebron wasnt surrouned by 4 shooters (smallball) or played with Wade
OKC is less lethal without James Harden but they still will be a good team and the toughest opponent imo
Memphis isnt a threat
Clippers without Bledsoe lost the one guy who SA couldnt guard on that squad
the only other team that is a possible threat is the one Dwight Howard signs on but we don't know that yet

I see a post game developing for Kawhi, it's a natural progression for him as he develops his game, he's young and still discovering tools he has. A post game and a go to move would be nice plus some 3 pt shooting if they want him to stand in the corner and of course FTs.

For Splitter? I don't know, he needs to get stronger in his lower body, he doesn't generate enough force to back people up and respect his space. He gets backed off the post easy and shy's away from contact hence that sweeping hook shot.

[TheGreatYacht]

How good will Tim Duncan be at 38? Tim Duncan is the main reason we have 4 championships. Tim Duncan is the main reason (his resurrection) why we have done so well these past two years. It all started with Tim Duncan and sadly, it will all end with Tim Duncan. Tim Duncan is the GOAT Power forward.

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are both compliments to Tim Duncan's greatness. Without Tim Duncan, Pop would probably not be the great coach he is. Without Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili would probably not be future Hall of Famers.

If Tim Duncan has a another good year, then the Spurs homer fans will be right in that the Spurs will probably be right back where they belong, assuming that everyone stays healthy. If Tim Duncan starts reverting to the TD version of three years ago, then all the realists like myself will be right. The Spurs will not get out of the Western Conference.

So let's all hope and pray that Tim Duncan still has a lot left in the tank. Let's all hope that the improvement of Danny Green, Tiago Splitter, and Kawhi Leonard will be enough to compensate for any drop in Tim Duncan's game.

Tim Duncan will always be my favorite Spur and he is the only one that I will never criticize. He is the reason the Spurs are a dynasty. Don't ever forget that Spurs homers. No Tim Duncan = End of the championship contender era.

Ultimately it all comes down to Tim Duncan. If Tim Duncan can have another renaissance year for the third time in a row, then the Spurs have a chance of getting back to the NBA finals. Duncan has led us to 4 championships, he almost carried us to a 5th one but Pop and Manu had to fuc* it all up.

[Robz4000]

Whatever team Bible Kemp signs with won't be a problem unless he magically ends up on OKC or Miami. Houston still has a ty coach in McHale and their average D/reliance on the 3-pointer will kill them. Dallas with just Dirk and Howard is barely a playoff team unless more parts are added. Lakers. Howard on Golden State would be interesting but as you said they can be shut down and a Howard/Bogut swap along with the loss of Thompson or Barnes makes them weaker.

[freetiago]

no Howard on Houston is a contender
its basically Orlando with a true slasher/2nd superstar and elite 3 point shooting

Howard on Dallas is an elite 55-60 win team
Dirk with Chanlder won a championship
as long as he has a true rim protector the guy can still carry a team

Howard on GS is gameover
the Spurs cant guard Howard and all the 3 point shooting

Howard is getting severely underrated
the Spurs guarded him by sending 4 bodies at him everytime he caught the ball
that won't work vs elite 3 point shooting teams



Tim Duncan won't decline defensively unless he loses all his mobility again
but hes a rim protector who uses his length
his offense was actually pretty average overall this playoffs run
he had a few good OT vs Memphis and game 6/7 vs Miami
but overall the Spurs can get back to the Finals with a dropoff from Duncan

and Splitter doesnt need a good post game vs elite 7 footers
he needs to be able to score consistently vs 6'7 guys
I think hes capable of it but you cant expect a guy whose never posted up ever during the reg season to start dominating on the block magically in the playoffs
the Spurs can sacrifice a few wins for the better of the team in the longrun

[Brunodf]

1- Coach shouldn't panick/overreact.

[HEBsteaks]

I think one of the biggest keys for the Spurs will be to have a 2nd option to run the offense through, or simply another "go to" guy. TP can handle it 90% of the time, but when he is against teams that shut him down, the Spurs cant rely on him forcing hero ball out there. Hopefully Kawhi can take this role.

One thing they lacked last season, will be a lot better next season, is experienced depth. Guys like CoJo, De Colo, and Baynes will have more of an impact, not only with better production on the court, but more rest for the starters. If the new coach from Indiana can improve Splitters game, that would be huge. Add in a better Kawhi and Green to the Mix, the Spurs COULD be better next season, but will the cards fall in the Spurs favor?

The Spurs were close to going to the Finals 2 seasons ago and barely lost last season, I believe they can make it again.

[Diego20]

Ultimately it all comes down to Tim Duncan. If Tim Duncan can have another renaissance year for the third time in a row, then the Spurs have a chance of getting back to the NBA finals. Duncan has led us to 4 championships, he almost carried us to a 5th one but Pop and Manu had to fuc* it all up.

Such a Timmy sucker, yes we understand you hate Manu and Pop. But Timmy wouldn't have 4 rings without Tony and Manu. He would have only 1. Tony and Manu made him a better player.

[DJR210]

My keys -

Corey Joseph - emerging as the true back up PG, and gaining the confidence to drive to the basket hard. Respect from the referees would always help, you're not gonna get that shooting jumpers. We didn't draft or sign a FA playmaker/ball handler, this is a must for CoJo. We CANNOT rely upon Ginobili to run the offense. It would be a HUGE luxury to allow TP to slide over to SG with CoJo distributing. "Pick your poison" was the key to the Spurs previous les.

Kawhi Leonard - emerging as the 2nd or 3rd option. Carrying over the drive and confidence shown in the Finals to the regular season. Perfecting the one hander, and the plant pivot jumper he used on Lebron a few times, and a couple more go to moves. He needs to take advantage of the respect earned in the playoffs, and drive hard to the basket. Improvement into a top 3 overall defender in the league.

Danny Green - continuing to improve on the defensive end, and improving his ballhandling skills. The ability to finish around the rim would boost his value tremendously.

[Jumi]

My keys -

Corey Joseph - emerging as the true back up PG, and gaining the confidence to drive to the basket hard. Respect from the referees would always help, you're not gonna get that shooting jumpers. We didn't draft or sign a FA playmaker/ball handler, this is a must for CoJo. We CANNOT rely upon Ginobili to run the offense. It would be a HUGE luxury to allow TP to slide over to SG with CoJo distributing. "Pick your poison" was the key to the Spurs previous les.

Kawhi Leonard - emerging as the 2nd or 3rd option. Carrying over the drive and confidence shown in the Finals to the regular season. Perfecting the one hander, and the plant pivot jumper he used on Lebron a few times, and a couple more go to moves. He needs to take advantage of the respect earned in the playoffs, and drive hard to the basket. Improvement into a top 3 overall defender in the league.

Danny Green - continuing to improve on the defensive end, and improving his ballhandling skills. The ability to finish around the rim would boost his value tremendously.

Add De Colo to the mix and we should be as good as we were last year. He could be our Ginobili replacement.

[DJR210]

Add De Colo to the mix and we should be as good as we were last year. He could be our Ginobili replacement.

Nando.

Don't expect anything from him. He also went against the "Spurs DNA" if the rumors of him complaining about his role are true. If he stops pouting and trains like a man possessed in the offseason, maybe he contributes. But don't bet on it.

[Robz4000]

no Howard on Houston is a contender
its basically Orlando with a true slasher/2nd superstar and elite 3 point shooting

Howard on Dallas is an elite 55-60 win team
Dirk with Chanlder won a championship
as long as he has a true rim protector the guy can still carry a team

Howard on GS is gameover
the Spurs cant guard Howard and all the 3 point shooting

Howard is getting severely underrated
the Spurs guarded him by sending 4 bodies at him everytime he caught the ball
that won't work vs elite 3 point shooting teams



Tim Duncan won't decline defensively unless he loses all his mobility again
but hes a rim protector who uses his length
his offense was actually pretty average overall this playoffs run
he had a few good OT vs Memphis and game 6/7 vs Miami
but overall the Spurs can get back to the Finals with a dropoff from Duncan

and Splitter doesnt need a good post game vs elite 7 footers
he needs to be able to score consistently vs 6'7 guys
I think hes capable of it but you cant expect a guy whose never posted up ever during the reg season to start dominating on the block magically in the playoffs
the Spurs can sacrifice a few wins for the better of the team in the longrun

As I said, their undoing will be McHale. SVG was a phenomenal coach who built the perfect system around Dwight. While Harden is a great slasher, his passing is a bit overrated. McHale also likes to use isos with him far too much. Howard has no postgame to speak of as well. The only reason that Orlando team made the Finals was due to being in a weak East and the best team that year (Celtics) suffering injuries.

Dallas, outside of Dirk and Howard, would have little to no depth. That 2011 Dallas team had Dirk playing out of his mind as well as Kidd, Terry, Barea, Marion, and even ing Ian Mahinmi and Stephenson playing high-level bball. I don't see this current Dallas team plus Howard doing the same thing.

For Golden State to get Howard they'd have to give up Bogut as well as Thompson/Barnes. All three of those guys gave the Spurs massive problems. While Howard may be an upgrade over a healthy Bogut (big maybe considering the fits he gives Tim), the loss of Thompson or Barnes would be huge. It also hurts GS wouldn't have the cap space to bring in a worthwhile replacement.

The reason the Spurs did that was because the Lakers literally had no one to make them pay often. Howard is also a terrible passer making said strategy repeatable.

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

I think De Colo will have a much better season. He isn't too shabby a defender. If he fully adjusts to the NBA game, I think he can be very useful in limited minutes. Corey hasn't shown that he can be a consistent scorer, and until that happens, those passing lanes aren't going to open up, but I believe in him.

[freetiago]

As I said, their undoing will be McHale. SVG was a phenomenal coach who built the perfect system around Dwight. While Harden is a great slasher, his passing is a bit overrated. McHale also likes to use isos with him far too much. Howard has no postgame to speak of as well. The only reason that Orlando team made the Finals was due to being in a weak East and the best team that year (Celtics) suffering injuries.

Dallas, outside of Dirk and Howard, would have little to no depth. That 2011 Dallas team had Dirk playing out of his mind as well as Kidd, Terry, Barea, Marion, and even ing Ian Mahinmi and Stephenson playing high-level bball. I don't see this current Dallas team plus Howard doing the same thing.

For Golden State to get Howard they'd have to give up Bogut as well as Thompson/Barnes. All three of those guys gave the Spurs massive problems. While Howard may be an upgrade over a healthy Bogut (big maybe considering the fits he gives Tim), the loss of Thompson or Barnes would be huge. It also hurts GS wouldn't have the cap space to bring in a worthwhile replacement.

The reason the Spurs did that was because the Lakers literally had no one to make them pay often. Howard is also a terrible passer making said strategy repeatable.

McHale was a first year coach with one of the youngest teams in the league
your really just underrating what theyre capable of
the Spurs beat them down in the first matchup and they adjusted and even beat SA at their own game this season
Howard doesnt have a lot of post moves but hes still an effective scorer
only on Spurstalk is close to 20 pts on near 60% shooting a horrible player tbh..
he had a downyear and be better with a better cast and better chemistry

Dallas the team who had the highest scoring bench in the nba last season also has no depth...only on Spurstalk
they also have a lot of room and Howard won't be their sole acquistion
they will make other moves
they broke even with Dirk missing 30 games
with a healthy Dirk and Howard over Kaman they are a deadly team

Bogut was a non-factor in the playoffs scoring wise and they also have Brandon Rush waiting to come back
hes their best perimeter defender and 3 point shooter percentage wise
their wont be any dropoff going from Bogut/Thompson to Howard/Rush

[Captivus]

I want to add Baynes as another key.
He has to be useful when given minutes. The Spurs need someone to play hard D when TD is on the bench.

[TheGoldStandard]

Health, this team is a creature of habit, if someone gets hurt it throws off the chemistry having to fill that spot with a bench player.

[Robz4000]

McHale was a first year coach with one of the youngest teams in the league
your really just underrating what theyre capable of
the Spurs beat them down in the first matchup and they adjusted and even beat SA at their own game this season
Howard doesnt have a lot of post moves but hes still an effective scorer
only on Spurstalk is close to 20 pts on near 60% shooting a horrible player tbh..
he had a downyear and be better with a better cast and better chemistry

Dallas the team who had the highest scoring bench in the nba last season also has no depth...only on Spurstalk
they also have a lot of room and Howard won't be their sole acquistion
they will make other moves
they broke even with Dirk missing 30 games
with a healthy Dirk and Howard over Kaman they are a deadly team

Bogut was a non-factor in the playoffs scoring wise and they also have Brandon Rush waiting to come back
hes their best perimeter defender and 3 point shooter percentage wise
their wont be any dropoff going from Bogut/Thompson to Howard/Rush

Remember, most of his career was spent in the EC where he never really went up against dominant bigs. Although it was McHale's first year, his system (or lack thereof) is glaring. Houston may develop chemistry and surround Howard and Harden with talent then evolve into a contender given time, but I don't see it happening this year or next. The one game the Spurs lost against them came with during that stretch where the Spurs went 10-10 to finish the season and it seemed everyone was hurt. I'm not putting much worry into that game.

...Yet even with that bench Dallas was barely in playoff contention. Doesn't help they lost most of it to FA. They're spending their sweet time waiting on Howard while other players get picked up. They also lack a lot of decent pieces to use in trades.

Bogut's elite D/passing/rebounding more than made up for his lack of offensive production. In fact he made their shooters better. Can't say the same for Howard and his inability to pass out of double teams. at Brandon Rush.

[siraulo23]

Tim Duncan playing another productive season, repeat of last season is best case scenario

Kawhi Leonard's improvement to counter manu's decline

tp playing another MVP season

Manu playing decent and has to be healthy come playoff time

[LarryDavid]

Health.

[elmanutres]

no Howard on Houston is a contender
its basically Orlando with a true slasher/2nd superstar and elite 3 point shooting

Howard on Dallas is an elite 55-60 win team
Dirk with Chanlder won a championship
as long as he has a true rim protector the guy can still carry a team

Howard on GS is gameover
the Spurs cant guard Howard and all the 3 point shooting

Howard is getting severely underrated
the Spurs guarded him by sending 4 bodies at him everytime he caught the ball
that won't work vs elite 3 point shooting teams



Tim Duncan won't decline defensively unless he loses all his mobility again
but hes a rim protector who uses his length
his offense was actually pretty average overall this playoffs run
he had a few good OT vs Memphis and game 6/7 vs Miami
but overall the Spurs can get back to the Finals with a dropoff from Duncan

and Splitter doesnt need a good post game vs elite 7 footers
he needs to be able to score consistently vs 6'7 guys
I think hes capable of it but you cant expect a guy whose never posted up ever during the reg season to start dominating on the block magically in the playoffs
the Spurs can sacrifice a few wins for the better of the team in the longrun

wouldn't howard in oakland be the same as 2009 magic?

[Sean Cagney]

Health.

.........


Progression of Tiago and Leonard HUGE, but HEALTH is a big key, especially to TD and Parker. Many can't do worse, or I hope not

[BackHome]

Luck- The only way we get to the finals is if every team has a star player hurt or not playing like what happened this year.

[cjw]

I think De Colo will have a much better season. He isn't too shabby a defender. If he fully adjusts to the NBA game, I think he can be very useful in limited minutes. Corey hasn't shown that he can be a consistent scorer, and until that happens, those passing lanes aren't going to open up, but I believe in him.

I'd rather bank on Cory developing over Nando, given the four year age difference. The Nando you see is the Nando you're going to get. Same goes for Patty.

[Boomersgold]

I'd rather bank on Cory developing over Nando, given the four year age difference. The Nando you see is the Nando you're going to get. Same goes for Patty.

Nando, I'll give another season before I make my final judgement on his game. Patty is exactly what you've seen him do. He's a scorer who can score in spurts, and is the fastest player on the team. If he can work on his passing, then I don't see why he can't take the backup spot back from Cojo.

[Baam]

it's not in free agent signings and never will be tbh
the Spurs offense revolves around Parker and when he gets a bigger defender on him his decision goes south and his shot selection goes up and he starts forcing it when he should let things come to him
I don't think that can be overcome as its a mental thing thats happened for years to Parker

I usually don't mind your post but this is an all time re ed post, TP had two games with 0 TO, game 1 and 6, and he made ultra clutch shots in these games again the best D and the best defender in the world , he basically won the series for us.