Spurs

[seattle_sunsfan]

Wouldn't it be ironic if the Suns were the only team in the playoffs to have played the Spurs in a close series? Dallas is going down soon, the Lakers didn't look too sharp and N.J, who knows?

As much as I hate N.J., they had NO chance against the Lakers in the Finals (even if it happened this year), but they might just give the Spurs fits with their transition game.

Overall, after the first round, this playoff race has been a snoozer.

Ok, maybe Dallas/Kings was exciting, but that was it.

 

[arthurracoon]

Agree.

No classic games - at least I recorded the 2 suns wins.

 

[Chaplin]

I wouldn't be too sure about the Nets. They've had a cakewalk in the playoffs.

First Round: The Pacers were so horribly coached, there was no way they were going to get out of that series.

Second Round: The Celtics didn't even belong in the 2nd round.

Third Round: The Pistons couldn't score--they've never been able to.

The Nets have coasted and are a prime example of how easy it is to advance in the Eastern Conference. They would have had a MUCH harder time had they gone up against Orlando, Philly or New Orleans.

The Spurs, like Detroit, are a very good defensive team. But they are, unlike the Pistons, a very good offensive team as well. They haven't nearly come against a team as good fundamentally as the San Antonio Spurs.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Third Round: The Pistons couldn't score--they've never been able to.

They actually were able to score, IMO when Billups was healthy.
Richard Hamilton is a nice, one-dimensional 20PPG guy but their best offensive player, clutch-shooter and go-to guy is Billups.

Without him they didn't have any chance at all against NJN.

 

[fordronken]

First Round: The Pacers were so horribly coached, there was no way they were going to get out of that series.

The Celtics played the Pacers in the first round, not the Nets. The Nets played Milwaukee, and I think the series was actually a lot tougher then the scores would indicate. The Nets have had trouble in the first round in the past, and I think that if Milwaukee hadn't had the legal troubles on their mind it could have possibly turned out differently.

 

[seattle_sunsfan]

Still, Bucks, Celtics, Pistons for N.J. That is about the easiest way to the Finals I have ever seen! How many western conf. teams could have gotten past those three teams? I'd say about 7-9 Western Conf. teams had the potential to get past Bucks, Celtics & Pistons. Maybe even Seattle.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by seattle_sunsfan
Wouldn't it be ironic if the Suns were the only team in the playoffs to have played the Spurs in a close series? Dallas is going down soon, the Lakers didn't look too sharp and N.J, who knows?

The Lakers didn't look too sharp, but they were one shot (Horry's in and out) away from locking up at least a Game 7, if not the series, since Game 6 might have gone differently if the Lakers had been up 3-2.

Nice to see another SA choke tonight. Spurs don't deserve the title. Go Dallas!!

 

[fordronken]

Spurs don't deserve the title.

Is this founded in anything other than resentment?

 

[schutd]

I dont think so. I dont care for The Spurs or Dallas or Jersey for that matter, but for the love of God, if a team has ever played so freaking soft, I havent sen it. The Spurs regularly fold, they regularly give up leads, they play with no fire, no emotion, no heart. Has there ever been a team so deep and talented, yet filled with such pu$$ies?

The Spurs are infuriating, not in that I support them, but in that they are a terrible representation of the game.

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by schutd
I dont think so. I dont care for The Spurs or Dallas or Jersey for that matter, but for the love of God, if a team has ever played so freaking soft, I havent sen it. The Spurs regularly fold, they regularly give up leads, they play with no fire, no emotion, no heart. Has there ever been a team so deep and talented, yet filled with such pu$$ies?

The Spurs are infuriating, not in that I support them, but in that they are a terrible representation of the game.

Exactly - GO MAVS!

 

[NDSunsfan]

I dont think so. I dont care for The Spurs or Dallas or Jersey for that matter, but for the love of God, if a team has ever played so freaking soft, I havent sen it. The Spurs regularly fold, they regularly give up leads, they play with no fire, no emotion, no heart. Has there ever been a team so deep and talented, yet filled with such pu$$ies?

I had the exact type of post already written. For a team that has the MVP AND the coach of the year, I have never seen a less confident team. Think of all the hand wringing in the Suns organization about the fragile confidence of Joe Johnson this year. Heck, he'd be a the freaking rock of gibraltar on the Spurs. It's like they completely forget what the object of the game is in the second half.

Can you imagine the venom this board would have if it were the Suns peeing leads like this down their legs? We'd be trading Duncan and firing Popovich on a nightly basis.

The problem is, I don't like the Mavs. The final straw came since Dirk hasn't been playing. He's been on the bench the last two games in a T-shirt. Now I'm not the most formal guy in the world, but the dude could put on some dress clothes. It all goes to lack of respect for the game. Just kind of ticks me off. Even though he looks like it, Dirk isn't in some episode of 'That 70's show'. Wear a tie for gosh sakes....

Brad

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by fordronken
Is this founded in anything other than resentment?

See what schutd said. (Can't believe I just said that, lol)

I thought it was clear from my first post why I said what I said.

A team that routinely chokes, like the Spurs, especially at home, with 18 plus point leads...doesn't deserve to win the title.

The only thing they've got going for them is that almost every other team in the West incurred injuries and they've remained very healthy (definitely an unforeseen advantage).

Maybe San Antonio is running out of steam, since their only "title" was in a shortened season.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by NDSunsfan

The problem is, I don't like the Mavs. The final straw came since Dirk hasn't been playing. He's been on the bench the last two games in a T-shirt. Now I'm not the most formal guy in the world, but the dude could put on some dress clothes. It all goes to lack of respect for the game. Just kind of ticks me off. Even though he looks like it, Dirk isn't in some episode of 'That 70's show'. Wear a tie for gosh sakes....

Brad

I love the Mavs...and I see what you're saying about Dirk.

But take a look at his boss...what does he wear every game? It's all part of the attitude in Dallas, and I like it.

Mike

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by Chandler Mike
I love the Mavs...and I see what you're saying about Dirk.

But take a look at his boss...what does he wear every game? It's all part of the attitude in Dallas, and I like it.

Mike

Yup...

When your owner has courtside seats, wears t-shirts and jeans, you do too. I think Cuban is one of the coolest owners in sports - he is a true fan of the game.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
See what schutd said. (Can't believe I just said that, lol)

I thought it was clear from my first post why I said what I said.

A team that routinely chokes, like the Spurs, especially at home, with 18 plus point leads...doesn't deserve to win the title.

The only thing they've got going for them is that almost every other team in the West incurred injuries and they've remained very healthy (definitely an unforeseen advantage).

Maybe San Antonio is running out of steam, since their only "title" was in a shortened season.

That's funny, because I don't think Dallas deserves it either. I still hate the fact that they don't play defense. Call it a pet peeve, but that's my opinion.

Ironically, if any team deserves it, it's New Jersey because of the good personnel moves they've made. But, unfortunately, they are the one team I DON'T want to win the championship because of strictly personal reasons.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
That's funny, because I don't think Dallas deserves it either. I still hate the fact that they don't play defense. Call it a pet peeve, but that's my opinion.

Ironically, if any team deserves it, it's New Jersey because of the good personnel moves they've made. But, unfortunately, they are the one team I DON'T want to win the championship because of strictly personal reasons.

I honestly could care less if Dallas plays defense. They simply preferred to use more of their energy on the offensive end. If it works, who am I to argue? Still, the Dallas Mavericks are quickly becoming one of my least favorite teams. I think they may have surpassed the Utah Jazz says the whiniest team in the NBA.

The my biggest problem with the Dallas Mavericks is Marc Cuban. I can't stand him. He might be the biggest whiner in the organization. It's ridiculous. The other night one of the Dallas Mavericks made a great offensive play and drew the foul, but they showed Marc Cuban scowling and yelling at the referees. And it's about the third time they've shown him doing that.

It is frustrating to watch the San Antonio Spurs blow big leads, but remember that they were good enough to get those leads in the first place. There problem is they can't shoot in the fourth quarter. Frankly I think being "clutch" is highly overrated. The points The same in the first quarter as they do in the fourth quarter. It drives me crazy when a player shoots terribly all game long but makes a game-winner and he's a hero and a great player because he's "clutch". Give me a break.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Joe Mama

 

[schutd]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
See what schutd said.

4 words never to be spoken again...

 

[elindholm]

The Spurs have lost six games so far in these playoffs. In how many of those games did they blow "big" leads? Not the two Phoenix games -- the Suns never led by double digits in either of their wins.

Every team loses a big lead once in a while. I haven't seen any evidence that the Spurs do it any more than anyone else.

 

[slinslin]

The Spurs led by 12 points in both games that the Suns won.

And if Marbury stayed healthy the Suns might have come closer than just getting it close in the last minutes in the other games.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by elindholm
The Spurs have lost six games so far in these playoffs. In how many of those games did they blow "big" leads? Not the two Phoenix games -- the Suns never led by double digits in either of their wins.

Every team loses a big lead once in a while. I haven't seen any evidence that the Spurs do it any more than anyone else.

Then you haven't been watching the playoffs this year...heck, the TNT crew even had a graphic up of at least 7 games that the Spurs led in by over 12 points, and lost.

And they led by 25 against LA, and won only because Horry's three didn't go in.

Mike

 

[elindholm]

the TNT crew even had a graphic up of at least 7 games that the Spurs led in by over 12 points, and lost.

That doesn't address the question. I'll admit I didn't see the graphic, but seven games over how long a time? The entire season? How many of those were before the All-Star break? How many leads of 12+ did other teams blow?

We all know that sometimes the media decide to pick up a story and go with it, because it sounds good and gives them something to talk about. Are there any hard facts to support the assertion that the Spurs are more prone than other teams to blow big leads? Or is it just that they get more big leads than anyone else, and thus have more opportunities to blow them?

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by elindholm
the TNT crew even had a graphic up of at least 7 games that the Spurs led in by over 12 points, and lost.

That doesn't address the question. I'll admit I didn't see the graphic, but seven games over how long a time? The entire season? How many of those were before the All-Star break? How many leads of 12+ did other teams blow?

These games were in the playoffs man...THIS YEAR, THESE PLAYOFFS.

They've been blowing big leads all playoffs long, and yes, they did it against us too.

Mike

 

[Cheesebeef]

Originally posted by elindholm
The Spurs have lost six games so far in these playoffs. In how many of those games did they blow "big" leads? Not the two Phoenix games -- the Suns never led by double digits in either of their wins.

Every team loses a big lead once in a while. I haven't seen any evidence that the Spurs do it any more than anyone else.

Well let's see, in those 6 losses that the Spurs have, they're two losses to the Suns, they had 12 point leads, in their second loss to the Lakers they blew a 16 point lead. In their Game 5 win against the Lakers, they blew a 25 point lead down to 2 and barely got by when God blew Horry's shot out of the bucket. And now they have blown 17 point leads in their only two losses to the Mavs.

So basically, in almost every game they lost - they had huge leads. What that means? I don't know, but it does seem that when a game gets tight, that team gets tight as well and stops believing in itself - but only to a certain extent - I mean they probably will win the championship, but that could be more of an indictment on the league, more than anything else.

 

[Joe Mama]

Since when is anything under 15 points or so a "big lead" in the NBA? And for that matter who cares? They beat the Suns in six games. They beat the Lakers in six games. They have the Mavericks down 3-2, and they will probably win the NBA championship in six games or less. They may have blown some leads. They may have blown a few big leads. They have also done something right to get all of those leads. I think it's ridiculous that people are complaining about the way they're points are spread out when they are winning.

They are the best team in the NBA right now, and they have the best player in the NBA right now. There also going to have a boatload of money to spend on free agents this summer. I only wish the Phoenix Suns were winning games like the San Antonio Spurs regardless of when they score their points during the games.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

These games were in the playoffs man...THIS YEAR, THESE PLAYOFFS.

Mike, that isn't possible. The Spurs haven't even lost seven total games yet in these playoffs.