This Team Is Done

[TD 21]

In a sense, you are right. But the Spurs roster isn't going to win a le playing small and kicking the ball around for threes because we don't have a line up that can beat GSW. So at best, we could go that route and finish 2nd in the west. Knowing that, I think the Spurs have to find a way to beat the small ball with its bigs. But if LMA can't post up anymore, Spurs are going to fail. It just looks like LMA is uncomfortable on the block this year and can't hit that turnaround he used to hit.

The Spurs definitely don't have the personnel to win that way and I'm not even suggesting going full Warriors necessarily, but it's more than likely not possible, in this era, to win a championship being 28th or 29th in 3 point attempts.

[TD 21]

The recent run of coin flip games going their way and national publicity has overshadowed the fact that they're down double digits relatively early in virtually every game, the antiquated offense has been laboring and terrible since Gasol got injured and 4th wing has become a sinkhole. In other words, they're back to last season, only with a less dominant defense.

They've really only had one good stretch this season and not surprisingly, it coincided with Parker's one good stretch. Otherwise, they've looked like a team headed for a harder-than-it-should-be WCQF (especially if it's against the Thunder, who's bigs will inevitably emasculate Aldridge and Gasol) and a WCSF loss at the hands of the Rockets. I have zero confidence in them beating any credible team in a series.

[Robz4000]

The recent run of coin flip games going their way and national publicity has overshadowed the fact that they're down double digits relatively early in virtually every game, the antiquated offense has been laboring and terrible since Gasol got injured and 4th wing has become a sinkhole. In other words, they're back to last season, only with a less dominant defense.

They're an even worse offensive team than they were last year with LMA's play so far this season on top of having a worse defense. It says a lot about the state of the league that this team will win 60 ing games.

[spursgu]

Zzzzzz doom and gloom posters

[BillMc]

Zzzzzz doom and gloom posters

this

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

They're an even worse offensive team than they were last year with LMA's play so far this season on top of having a worse defense. It says a lot about the state of the league that this team will win 60 ing games.

They're better on offense this year.

[Robz4000]

They're better on offense this year.

The entire league has seen a jump in offense this year, but the fact is the Spurs' offensive success in mainly due to Kawhi going MJ.

[Nathan89]

The whole zig while most zag notion sounded nice in theory, but in reality, more important than any specific personnel move(s), is a philosophical shift. It's time to stop trying to be smarter than everyone else and join the modern NBA.

Kawhi is the unique difference that could separate us from others though. Great in the post and great mid-range. You have to be an outlier to make that a significant part of the offense and LMA is not that.

[Arcadian]

Likely path to the le:

1. Memphis
2. Houston
3. GS
4. Cleveland

[cutewizard]

Likely path to the le:

1. Memphis
2. Houston
3. GS
4. Cleveland

---------------------------------------------------------------

all beatable......

[benefactor]

The recent run of coin flip games going their way and national publicity has overshadowed the fact that they're down double digits relatively early in virtually every game, the antiquated offense has been laboring and terrible since Gasol got injured and 4th wing has become a sinkhole. In other words, they're back to last season, only with a less dominant defense.

They've really only had one good stretch this season and not surprisingly, it coincided with Parker's one good stretch. Otherwise, they've looked like a team headed for a harder-than-it-should-be WCQF (especially if it's against the Thunder, who's bigs will inevitably emasculate Aldridge and Gasol) and a WCSF loss at the hands of the Rockets. I have zero confidence in them beating any credible team in a series.

Stop being a chicken and kill yourself already

[spursistan]

The good thing about this season is that a disappointing outcome won't up with our emotions.. If they flame out in the 2nd round or before, the majority here kinda expected it since the flaws of the team were thrown into sharp relief all season long. There won't be any shock value..

Unlike like last year when we were on 70-win pace virtually all year with double digit point differential that led some to talk themselves into believing we were on par with Golden State....

As TD21 said, the only hope for the offense to come back to a modi of fluidity is for Parker to regain his December pulse for the playoffs or/and for Manu to look his post-ASB frisky self..

It is frustrating as knowing you're going to die the same playoffs death for a third consecutive season..Not sure what will take to jolt PATFO into action if two mid 60-win teams fail to make it Conference Finals in an already watered down West...

[SpursforSix]

The good thing about this season is that a disappointing outcome won't up with our emotions.. If they flame out in the 2nd round or before, the majority here kinda expected it since the flaws of the team were thrown into sharp relief all season long. There won't be any shock value..

Unlike like last year when we were on 70-win pace virtually all year with double digit point differential that led some to talk themselves into believing we were on par with Golden State....

As TD21 said, the only hope for the offense to come back to a modi of fluidity is for Parker to regain his December pulse for the playoffs or/and for Manu to look his post-ASB frisky self..

It is frustrating as knowing you're going to die the same playoffs death for a third consecutive season..Not sure what will take to jolt PATFO into action if two mid 60-win teams fail to make it Conference Finals in an already watered down West...

I like to think this but to be honest, any season without a ring is a disappointment. I suppose if they made it to the Finals or WCF, it would take some sting out of it. But then it sucks being so close and not winning a ring.
So it really is ring or bust.

[dabom]

We haven't been healthy these past 2 years. Your assessment is trash.

[bklynspursfan]

Likely path to the le:

1. Memphis
2. Houston
3. GS
4. Cleveland

I honestly think it's more likely we are the #1 seed, if Kawhi is hurt. There's no reason we should lose to GS at home, and we own the tiebreaker. More of our games are home to close out the season, and they've got a brutal end to March.

It should be a disappointment if we don't get the 1 seed at this point. At least IMO

[marinoman]

No one in this league looks great. spurs have big flaws, especially at guard. Spurs have as good a shot as anyone

[sasaint]

It should be a disappointment if we don't get the 1 seed at this point. At least IMO

Absolutely! In fact, if the Spurs fail to take #1, that will be an ill-omen for the playoffs. It would mean that we were seriously slumping to end the season.

[Arcadian]

I honestly think it's more likely we are the #1 seed, if Kawhi is hurt. There's no reason we should lose to GS at home, and we own the tiebreaker. More of our games are home to close out the season, and they've got a brutal end to March.

It should be a disappointment if we don't get the 1 seed at this point. At least IMO

In that case...

1. Denver
2. LA
3. GS
4. Cleveland

Not sure which path is preferred.

With regard to the bold text: did you mean if Kawhi isn't hurt?

[TD 21]

Kawhi is the unique difference that could separate us from others though. Great in the post and great mid-range. You have to be an outlier to make that a significant part of the offense and LMA is not that.

That style is no longer what wins championships though. This is the pace and space era and this team is the an hesis of that. The irony is, this franchise helped usher in this era and now they've become the ones who are antiquated. The '15-present offense is an abomination compared to the '12-'14 iteration, which was the most aesthetically pleasing I've ever seen.

[bklynspursfan]

In that case...

1. Denver
2. LA
3. GS
4. Cleveland

Not sure which path is preferred.

With regard to the bold text: did you mean if Kawhi isn't hurt?

Yea my bad. If Kawhi isn't hurt of course.

Give me the this path personally. Denver is an easier opponent than other potential 7 seeds. Clips or Jazz will be tough, but still not anything to be worried about. Jazz could actually take them out, cause ATM they have HCA.

And obviously playing with GS with HCA is preferable than not.

We have our flaws, but if guys show up, there's no reason we shouldn't at least be WCF bound.

[bklynspursfan]

Absolutely! In fact, if the Spurs fail to take #1, that will be an ill-omen for the playoffs. It would mean that we were seriously slumping to end the season.

Exactly... Historically we finish strong. Hopefully we continue that trend. It's a different group of guys of course, but the same sort of urgency and expectations should be instilled in our locker room .

[TheDoctor]

No one in this league looks great. spurs have big flaws, especially at guard. Spurs have as good a shot as anyone

Define "anyone". I find it hard to think about anyone getting a good shot at the 'Ship tbh

[MultiTroll]

That style is no longer what wins championships though. This is the pace and space era and this team is the an hesis of that. The irony is, this franchise helped usher in this era and now they've become the ones who are antiquated. The '15-present offense is an abomination compared to the '12-'14 iteration, which was the most aesthetically pleasing I've ever seen.

What makes it suck even worse is the Spurs do have the personnel to pull it off. As recently as the last 2 games, the great comeback vs Houston and the rip snorting comeback vs Kings, both had healthy stretches of The Beautiful Game. Grampa Simpson calls time and almost killed the game by ordering it slowed down and the ball thrown to Pau for several half court sets. Just farking killed momentum.

Additionally, Murray is cut out 100% to be an open court innovative player. Again, looks like Gramps is trying to force him into some half court dribble dribble sets only. It's messing with him.

Likewise last night vs OKC. We were doing great early, sharing the ball and keeping OKC off guard. Nope, Grandpa orders the half sets with Aldridge. Not only did it kill our O, it set up OKC for the quick trip back in transition off LMAs bricks. Psychologically it also completely fed OKC while deflating us. 16-10 lead becomes 24-20 deficit (something like that).

[marinoman]

Cavs, warriors, outside chance of Houston. Upsets may happen, I could see clips beating us, Memphis beating warriors, but outside of winning a rd or 2 only those 3-4 have a shot and I have no reason to believe we're inferior or superior to those teams

[spursistan]

Starting to feel like 2010-2011 season all over again..Only Kawhi playing at an MVP-level has saved from going on a more miserable tailspin in terms of W-L record to end the year.

This is team is way better than their record suggests..that's inarguable at this point..