This Will Go Down . . .

[TD 21]

As one of the most impressive series wins of the Duncan era, if they finish the job (which I'm still skeptical of, to say the least).

Consider . . .

- The state of Parker and Splitter, health wise and in the former's case, decline wise too

- Between Parker's health/decline and Ginobili's decline, the lack of a true lead play maker

- The fact that arguably 3 players have played well and 2 others decent, for a team reliant on at least 8 usually

- The insane burden Duncan is carrying

- The reality that they're hanging by a thread in most of these games

- The reality that they're clearly physically/mentally exhausted from three straight deep runs

- The sheer quality of the opposition

- The motivation of the opposition, particularly their best player, which is beyond the typical level

[Horry Hipcheck]

Doubly impressive because they were supposed to lose in five.

[apalisoc_9]

good post.

[Uriel]

Doubly impressive because they were supposed to lose in five.

[benefactor]

Doubly impressive because they were supposed to lose in five.

[100%duncan]

But I thought the series ended yesterday?

[coachmac87]

This isn't because you said it was over in 5? Sorry not sorry??

[look_at_g_shred]

Guys leave him alone please !! He said possibly 5

[TD 21]

This isn't because you said it was over in 5? Sorry not sorry??

It's exactly because I thought that, obviously. The fact that they're on the verge of winning this, to me, is incredible. I love how all of you are pretending you're not surprised that they're in this position given the way it's played out.

This thread isn't for that though. This is about whether you (not literally you; everyone, of course) agree with this or not and if not, why.

[100%duncan]

Cue the "You were feeling the same but didnt have the balls to cliff-jump!"

[Arcadian]

I agree. Game 5 in itself was one of the most epic wins in franchise history. And you made a good point that this team isn't even looking good right now, and yet they're still beating a highly motivated Clippers team. I don't know what's more impressive, the Spurs pulling out victories, or the Clippers being choking gots.

[Malik Hairston]

It doesn't really make sense that they're winning the series when you look at it closely, tbh..

Outside of Duncan, Kawhi and Mills, everybody else has been up&down or just bad..realistically, while it's encouraging that the Spurs may win this series despite these struggles, it's definitely not a sustainable winning formula in the long-term..

[RD2191]

It doesn't really make sense that they're winning the series when you look at it closely, tbh..

Outside of Duncan, Kawhi and Mills, everybody else has been up&down or just bad..realistically, while it's encouraging that the Spurs may win this series despite these struggles, it's definitely not a sustainable winning formula in the long-term..

I agree. Especially Tony Parker, tbh. I doubt the Spurs can win 3 more series on the road with statistically the worst player in the playoffs so far starting for them.

[Leetonidas]

it's over and probably in five

[100%duncan]

it's over and probably in five

OP should be renamed RJ 24/Turkoglu whatever number he had

[spurraider21]

OP should be renamed RJ 24/Turkoglu whatever number he had

RJ 24 is perfect

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It's so typical of, as Harlem would say, vanilla fans, with their cliche takes, to say "it's only one game" . . . and in the literal sense, it is, of course.

But you have to take everything on a case by case basis. The signs of a team that is out of gas have been abundantly clear all season, yet the vast majority have chosen to ignore them. Even during the surge from February 27th until the final game of the season, it never felt the same as not just last season, but any of the three previous this group has played together. That's because it was mostly due to Leonard playing the best all around ball in the league and willing this team to a heights they're no longer capable of collectively sustaining.

Normally in these situations ('03 Lakers, '08 Spurs, '11 Lakers, '14 Heat), when it's over for these teams, it ends ugly. It seems hard to imagine now, but think of the way those teams went down. Next to no one saw those beat downs coming, either.

The unfortunate thing about this time is, whether Duncan and Ginobili play one final season or not, it really is the end of the run. In '08, the core was still good enough; they just needed to replenish the role players. That's no longer the case.

[Leetonidas]

OP should be renamed RJ 24/Turkoglu whatever number he had

RJ 24

[Horry Hipcheck]

It's exactly because I thought that, obviously. The fact that they're on the verge of winning this, to me, is incredible. I love how all of you are pretending you're not surprised that they're in this position given the way it's played out.

If you'd have told me, prior to Game 1, that the Spurs would be playing Game 6 with a 3-2 lead, I wouldn't have been surprised. At all.

The only "surprise" has been losing Game 4 with a chance to go up 3-1 and then winning Game 5. I thought they'd win 4, lose 5, win 6. But then again, who isn't surprised by how the playoffs pan out? I'd have been s shocked if the Spurs had lost 4-1.

[Sean Cagney]

It doesn't really make sense that they're winning the series when you look at it closely, tbh..

Outside of Duncan, Kawhi and Mills, everybody else has been up&down or just bad..realistically, while it's encouraging that the Spurs may win this series despite these struggles, it's definitely not a sustainable winning formula in the long-term..

Yep, imagine if they all had it going? Parker and Splitter etc. Green has been horrible as well. I agree on long term as well, if those guys don't step up soon they will find themselves out of the playoffs sooner or later and no chance at a repeat. The team is not playing well at all and they are up 3-2 against a good team, thats either just complete luck or they can really be THAT GOOD when focused and all on their game and even good when off their game.

[Spurs 4 The Win]

Yep, imagine if they all had it going? Parker and Splitter etc. Green has been horrible as well. I agree on long term as well, if those guys don't step up soon they will find themselves out of the playoffs sooner or later and no chance at a repeat. The team is not playing well at all and they are up 3-2 against a good team, thats either just complete luck or they can really be THAT GOOD when focused and all on their game and even good when off their game.

I think we have a Mavs game 7 moment tomorrow vs the Clippers and carry that momentum into game 1 of Houston

[Sean Cagney]

I think we have a Mavs game 7 moment tomorrow vs the Clippers and carry that momentum into game 1 of Houston

I hope so man, Houston is going to be TOUGH if the Spurs get there. They are on the road again as well so it's going to be even harder than last years run.

[Spurs 4 The Win]

I hope so man, Houston is going to be TOUGH if the Spurs get there. They are on the road again as well so it's going to be even harder than last years run.

Houston isnt a huge concern to me, because I think Parker will play much better against the inferior point guards. We matchup way better with them. Dwight is a problem but so was griffin. However Paul is ing torching us at PG, while we can contain Harden much better with Kawhi imo. Plus we can hack their bigs all day.

[Horry Hipcheck]

Houston isnt a huge concern to me, because I think Parker will play much better against the inferior point guards. We matchup way better with them. Dwight is a problem but so was griffin. However Paul is ing torching us at PG, while we can contain Harden much better with Kawhi imo. Plus we can hack their bigs all day.

Houston's bread and butter is their transition game. Fastbreak threes for Harden, Ariza; lobs to Howard. Force them into a half-court offense or an FT situation and they stagnate. IF the Spurs get there.

[Robz4000]

It doesn't really make sense that they're winning the series when you look at it closely, tbh..

Outside of Duncan, Kawhi and Mills, everybody else has been up&down or just bad..realistically, while it's encouraging that the Spurs may win this series despite these struggles, it's definitely not a sustainable winning formula in the long-term..

Sustainable, no, but thankfully Houston will be a better match up for the Spurs with all the injuries/Enrique injuries.