Observations of opposing fans

[George Gervin's Afro]

I noticed something today on a suns board that I have seen other places throughout the season. This notion of gaining a phsycological advantage over ther Spurs with a win. I wish I could talk to these people and explain we have been through so many battles with the lakers and Pistons over the years we are awfully tough mentally. Does anyone buy this 'getting into their head' business? In my opinion we have 'phsycological advantage over the entire Western Conference.. any thoughts?

[101A]

I noticed something today on a suns board that I have seen other places throughout the season. This notion of gaining a phsycological advantage over ther Spurs with a win. I wish I could talk to these people and explain we have been through so many battles with the lakers and Pistons over the years we are awfully tough mentally. Does anyone buy this 'getting into their head' business? In my opinion we have 'phsycological advantage over the entire Western Conference.. any thoughts?

I agree.

No team is going to get into the Spur's heads. However, with a win tonite, the Spurs are all in the Sun's heads.

[boutons_]

I do.

Spurs beating the Mavs, 2-1 while the Mavs are having a fantastic season MUST place a small doubt and fear in the Mavs.

Likewise, the Pistons beathing the crap out of the Spurs twice this season MUST do the same to the Spurs.

Spurs beating the Suns tonight will help the Spurs in the playoffs. The Suns/fans will rationalize that with Amare and Thomas in the playoffs, it will be different.

With Tim being hobbled probably for all of this season+playoffs, Spurs need every advantage they can get. Losing to top teams in Mar/Apr doesn't help the Spurs toughness and confidence.

The Clips thoroughly beating the Spurs MUST help the Clips as the look towards Spurs/Clips first round series. Clips have been giving the Spurs difficulties these last 2 seasons, even while losing. Now they have finally beat the Spurs convincingly.

[101A]

...

The Clips thoroughly beating the Spurs MUST help the Clips as the look towards Spurs/Clips first round series. Clips have been giving the Spurs difficulties these last 2 seasons, even while losing. Now they have finally beat the Spurs convincingly.

After falling to the 8th seed, the Clippers will have lost all confidence.

I think they will stay at 5 or 6.

[ShoogarBear]

What they REALLY mean is giving their team a future psychological advantage in feeling that they CAN beat the Spurs. It's not about putting doubt in the Spurs' heads, it's getting doubt out of theirs.

[JamStone]

The psychological advantage is overrated for playoff experienced teams, and most especially overrated with respect to championship tested teams. A psychological advantage might work on a team that is young, inexperienced, and hasn't done anything in the playoffs. But, the teams that have won it all are for the most part too mentally tough to get psyched out.

That's why the Pistons have NO MENTAL ADVANTAGE over the Spurs. The Spurs know they can still win it all. Now will they? Maybe, maybe not. But, it won't because they will mentally fold. Same thing goes for the Pistons. If they lose, it's because they will be beat, not because they will lose it under the psychological pressure.

Now, a team like Dallas, who has never been able to beat the Spurs in the playoffs. They can probably fold under the pressure, especially Dirk since he's the one guy who has experienced losing to the Spurs. It's like what the Lakers had over the Blazers and Kings. It's like what Boston had over the Hawks and Pistons ... UNTIL the Pistons finally did beat the Celtics in 1988. Like the Bulls over the Cavs.

The psychological edge will always favor the team that has had the past success, UNTIL it is changed, and the other team wins.

Spurs are too good, too experienced to feel the pressures of a psychological disadvantage from any team, including the Pistons. If the Spurs lose, they will get beat, not psyched out.

[FromWayDowntown]

I can't believe that fans of the mid-range NBA teams could think that a win over the Spurs would create doubt in the Spurs minds. These guys have been through this too many times. 2003, they lost 3 of 4 to Phoenix in the regular season and still beat them (though with some struggles) in a playoff series -- if not for a ridiculous 3 pointer by Amare and Steph's game-winning prayer, the Spurs win that series handily. In 2004, they struggled all season with Memphis, but swept them during the playoffs. Last year, the Spurs were beaten badly in Denver and again in Game 1 of the First Round, but took the next 4. I don't see how anyone could view a regular season win against the Spurs as doubt-inducing.

[picnroll]

Suns beat the Spurs up in the 2003 regular season and then the Spurs knocked them out 4 - 1 in the playoffs.

[TDMVPDPOY]

um no team can beat the spurs in a 7 games series, i dont see any of those scrub western powerhouse teams win 4 games against us.

[Obstructed_View]

I saw the Lakers eliminate what I thought was a vastly superior Spurs team on two separate occasions. It's a proven formula. It's also the only chance anyone else has.

[FromWayDowntown]

um no team can beat the spurs in a 7 games series, i dont see any of those scrub western powerhouse teams win 4 games against us.

I don't know that that's a fair statement, though I hope you're right. I think there are several teams that could beat the Spurs in a 7 game series, but I think some of those teams will need some help to get that done.

I do think, though, that a win like Tuesday's is a boost to the hopes of fans like Clippers fans. They have some reason to think that their team can compete with the Spurs, which is the first step toward believing that their team can actually defeat the Spurs in a playoff series. It's the same as the belief that Nuggets fans had last year -- get a big home win towards the end of the regular season (regardless of cir stances surrounding that game) and it builds some belief that your team might actually be as good or better than that opponent. As we've all seen, though, the difference between winning a game here and there and winning a playoff series is huge.

Ultimately, it's all talk. The playoffs resolve all of those questions.

[Peter]

There is one team that can beat the Spurs in a 7 game series. Will Nazr be able to make up the difference?

[George Gervin's Afro]

The psychological advantage is overrated for playoff experienced teams, and most especially overrated with respect to championship tested teams. A psychological advantage might work on a team that is young, inexperienced, and hasn't done anything in the playoffs. But, the teams that have won it all are for the most part too mentally tough to get psyched out.

That's why the Pistons have NO MENTAL ADVANTAGE over the Spurs. The Spurs know they can still win it all. Now will they? Maybe, maybe not. But, it won't because they will mentally fold. Same thing goes for the Pistons. If they lose, it's because they will be beat, not because they will lose it under the psychological pressure.

Now, a team like Dallas, who has never been able to beat the Spurs in the playoffs. They can probably fold under the pressure, especially Dirk since he's the one guy who has experienced losing to the Spurs. It's like what the Lakers had over the Blazers and Kings. It's like what Boston had over the Hawks and Pistons ... UNTIL the Pistons finally did beat the Celtics in 1988. Like the Bulls over the Cavs.

The psychological edge will always favor the team that has had the past success, UNTIL it is changed, and the other team wins.

Spurs are too good, too experienced to feel the pressures of a psychological disadvantage from any team, including the Pistons. If the Spurs lose, they will get beat, not psyched out.

I think the Pistons are stone cold when it comes to crunch time. No worries just making plays like they did last night against chicago. The Bulls had numerous opportunities to go ahead late in the game and the Pistons allowed them to beat themselves.. as far as who is mentally tougher between the spurs & pistons that's a toss up..

[BigVee]

JamStone and FromWayDowntown said it all. They are right on the money. If the Spurs or Pistons lose this year it will be because they get beat by a better team playing better at that time, not because of some psych issue, or regular season game. Not with these teams.

[FromWayDowntown]

If the Spurs or Pistons lose this year it will be because they get beat by a better team playing better at that time, not because of some psych issue, or regular season game. Not with these teams.

I think that's a fairly natural consequence for teams that play through to Game 7 of the Finals, too.

It's the sort of mental toughness that the Rockets had in 1995, coming off a season in which they had won Game 7 of the Finals. Once you've played that game, I can't imagine that there's much that fazes you mentally or any game or game situation that intimidates you.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Only chance of them beatin us is if sum extroadinary happens.;

[AZLouis]

What they REALLY mean is giving their team a future psychological advantage in feeling that they CAN beat the Spurs. It's not about putting doubt in the Spurs' heads, it's getting doubt out of theirs.

Last season when Pops sat Duncan/Ginobili for the Suns game for "health" reasons really affected the at ude of the fans. Many thought it was a dodging of sorts so the Suns wouldn't get a complete look at the Spurs. Myself included.

Suns won that game (thanks Chaz) butpeople were irate after that game. Especially posters on message boards.

With the amount of injuries the Suns have had to deal with this season and with Nash rolling his ankle during the last game, I'm of the idea that it would be wise to sit Nash.

Not only for the health purposes. But for logistical reasons as well. The series is tied 1-1 this season. This game really doesn't mean anything to the Suns as the 2nd seed is pretty much assured for them and it's the "easiest" road to the WCF to face the winner of the Spurs/Mavs 2nd round matchup. Assuming all goes to plan.

However this game means the world to the Spurs. Every game the Spurs play decides whether or not a 1 or a 4 seed is in order. And now they are competing for HCA over the Pistons if both teams get that far, which could surely result in the team with the HCA winning the whole deal.

[101A]

However this game means the world to the Spurs.

No, really, it doesn't. At all.

[Supergirl]

For teams to beat the Spurs, it can make a huge difference to their confidence (Pistons, Clippers, Hawks) and for teams to lose (Mavs) I think it will take a hit on their confidence. But I don't think either affects the Spurs much - except maybe the Pistons. Even the Spurs have to be a little shaky about their chances against a healthy, fired up Pistons with HCA in the Finals, should that come to pass. But healthy is a big ?, since they're already wearing down, and HCA is not a done deal yet.

Still, the Spurs have the poise and experience and talent to win against anyone in a 7 game series.

[SirChaz]

Last season when Pops sat Duncan/Ginobili for the Suns game for "health" reasons really affected the at ude of the fans. Many thought it was a dodging of sorts so the Suns wouldn't get a complete look at the Spurs. Myself included.

Then the Spurs beat'em without TD. Without Ginobili. LOL. People were irate after that game. Especially posters on message boards.

Huh?

The Suns won that game.



I agree with most of the posters on this thread. Beating the Spurs in March is not going to affect them in the playoffs. Advantages/disadvantages affect less experienced teams like the Clippers, not veteran teams like the Spurs and Pistons.

[AZLouis]

No, really, it doesn't. At all.

For positioning and HCA it does. Which could be the difference maker if they face the Pistons or the Mavs.

[ShoogarBear]

Huh?

The Suns won that game.

Yeah.

But it was a pretty close game most of the way. When the Spurs were still in it in the fourth quarter, you could feel the Suns and their fans thinking "damn". So I can see why the lasting impression is that the Suns lost.

[big3bigD]

Speaking as a Mavs fan, I don't think that any team in the West, or even Detroit can really get into the Spurs heads. They have been through extened playoff runs for as long as anyone can remember, not to mention the three rings in seven years. They have also beaten each of these teams in the playoffs in recent years (although the Suns and Mavs are now completely different teams).

The Suns, Pistons and Mavs are all extremely confident teams that are capeable of beating anyone, but it's unreasonable to expect to be able to psych out the three time world champions with a regular season victory. If any of the above mentioned teams manage a late season victory against the Spurs, it might help some of their players energy and confidence going into the post season, but that's about it. Obviously, the Spurs are the favorites until they are beaten in the playoffs. They are a very well run squad with Pop and Duncan being solid anchors for the team.

, we Mavs fans know better than anyone that regular season success is meaningless without a ring at the end of the postseason.

[SirChaz]

Yeah.

But it was a pretty close game most of the way. When the Spurs were still in it in the fourth quarter, you could feel the Suns and their fans thinking "damn". So I can see why the lasting impression is that the Suns lost.

Yea, the Suns slept-walked through the first half and struggled to put the Spurs away. It wasn't my impression that the Suns lost. I remember very clearly that they won that game. I do remember Spurs fans thinking it was significant somehow that they were in the game.

IIRC Devin Brown had a big game along with Parker.

[WayDowntownBang]

Pistons are mentally tough but they are starting to slip a little from the fast start. I don't think any team other than Detroit has the capabilities to rattle the team.

How so? 11 losses as we're into March wouldn't really be considered a slip. We've lost 2 games in a row zero times this year, and we went 2-2 during a recent 'slide'. If you're considering a slide as in losing more than 3 games in a month, we're pretty much on target.

I do agree though, I don't see a team in the East other than Detroit able to disrupt San Antonio. The Mavs are putting up pretty numbers, but until they are able to prove themselves against the Spurs in the playoffs, I just can't visualize anyone BUT the Spurs coming out of the West.