Thoughts from another Spurs fan

[Greg Popovich]

First--let me apologize from the rantings of the other Spurs fan who came in here talking smack. This makes all Spurs fans look bad--and I am sorry for his actions.

This is such a strange year. The big three in the West have been so erratic. The Spurs started great, but are now playing like a second or third tier team. Yes--they have had injuries. But that is when other players need to step up and earn their salary. At times, everyone of the Spurs look like they are sleep walking and it is driving me nuts.

The Mavs go back and forth. A few weeks ago, Mav fans wanted AJ's scalp.

The Suns are a little harder to figure out. Again, on some nights, the Suns look fantastic. Then--like last night--both teams look like the basketball rim was a foot smaller. Nothing could fall for either team at stretches.

I am not sure it is defense by either team. Some nights, a team just flat out plays cold.

The weird thing is that last night, both teams seemed to have suffered the same plague.

(I admit--I missed the first three quarters while at work).

This may be little consolation to anyone.

But I remember last year, the Spurs were downright poor to fair for a good stretch of the season--and had a less than spectacular Rodeo Road trip. Both the Suns and the Mavs were on incredible streaks.

I think all three teams will be turning it on pretty soon.

Cheer up--at least you did not lose to the Sonics like we did and break their losing streak!

 

[scXfreakX]

It was an ugly game last night. Very ugly. Both teams looked bad, and it wont cut it for the playoffs. It was a great game by the Spurs. If there's one thing I respect about the Spurs, it's their ability to come through and play cool under the pressure. It was a great win for you guys, and I commend you. Obviously the Suns are not at a championship caliber this season, and we know that.

The West is very close this year, and it should be interesting to see who can pull it out.

 

[dodie53]

imo,
Lakers is the team to beat right now.

Suns need to make some changes.

 

[cly2tw]

It was not ugly at all. Very good game with intensity.

It basically came down to execution in the final minutes. The Spurs had Nash figured out with how Bowen defended him with the whole team backing him up. Every trip with Nash dribbling the ball trying to set up a teammate was a high-risk event, much higher of a risk than dumping the ball to TD and reacting to double-teams or no DT. It's a statistic game then, and low risk beats high risk more often according to the stats law. Simple as that.

 

[az1965]

Cheer up--at least you did not lose to the Sonics like we did and break their losing streak!

But we did lose to the Wolves -- TWICE -- to give them 2/7 their wins! Try to beat that!

 

[JS22]

I'm pretty much counting the Suns out unless they make some sort of move for a big man to pair with Amare. Diaw has shown that he is not completely worthless, but he's really a SF / PF tweener. Though he did do a pretty good job on Duncan.

The Lakers are going to murder everyone that stands in their way. A front line of Odom, Gasol, and Bynum is ridiculous.

 

[dodie53]

But we did lose to the Wolves -- TWICE -- to give them 2/7 their wins! Try to beat that!

don't forget the lose to the Heat

 

[DeAnna]

This is why I hate Bruce Bowen - that dirty player.

In the final 46 secons (Suns up 79-78), Bowen is trying to defend the pass from going into Amare and deliberately trips him, which sends Stat to the floor. Of course, they get the ball and TD goes on to score the winning bucket.

If you have the gave on Tivo, watch it. They did this all last year as well - IIRC, even the coaches complained about it.

 

[Lorenzo]

First--let me apologize from the rantings of the other Spurs fan who came in here talking smack. This makes all Spurs fans look bad--and I am sorry for his actions.

This is such a strange year. The big three in the West have been so erratic. The Spurs started great, but are now playing like a second or third tier team. Yes--they have had injuries. But that is when other players need to step up and earn their salary. At times, everyone of the Spurs look like they are sleep walking and it is driving me nuts.

The Mavs go back and forth. A few weeks ago, Mav fans wanted AJ's scalp.

The Suns are a little harder to figure out. Again, on some nights, the Suns look fantastic. Then--like last night--both teams look like the basketball rim was a foot smaller. Nothing could fall for either team at stretches.

I am not sure it is defense by either team. Some nights, a team just flat out plays cold.

The weird thing is that last night, both teams seemed to have suffered the same plague.

(I admit--I missed the first three quarters while at work).

This may be little consolation to anyone.

But I remember last year, the Spurs were downright poor to fair for a good stretch of the season--and had a less than spectacular Rodeo Road trip. Both the Suns and the Mavs were on incredible streaks.

I think all three teams will be turning it on pretty soon.

Cheer up--at least you did not lose to the Sonics like we did and break their losing streak!

I don't know about many or any mavs fans who are questioning avery. he is a great coach and gives the mavs much more of a chance of winning a title..........when compared to nelson. not that nelson isn't a great offensive minded coach. because he has proven that. he has proven he is a regular season winner....but is not a championship caliber coach. unless he wins it all with GS. he did beat the mavs though so I give him that. the thing that puzzles me most about the mavs is their road record. they don't lose at home, but they are a crapshoot on the road.....and especially against EC teams. they have a great record vs. the WC. that's what's puzzling. they have typically owned the EC. One thing is for sure they definitely need devon harris more than ever.

 

[az1965]

I don't know about many or any mavs fans who are questioning avery. he is a great coach and gives the mavs much more of a chance of winning a title..........when compared to nelson. not that nelson isn't a great offensive minded coach. because he has proven that. he has proven he is a regular season winner....but is not a championship caliber coach. unless he wins it all with GS. he did beat the mavs though so I give him that. the thing that puzzles me most about the mavs is their road record. they don't lose at home, but they are a crapshoot on the road.....and especially against EC teams. they have a great record vs. the WC. that's what's puzzling. they have typically owned the EC. One thing is for sure they definitely need devon harris more than ever.

Yep, I can see Avery as a championship coach... NOT! He choked big time when he had the opportunity and then was completely embarrassed by the one coach you are bashing.

 

[Bufalay]

There's another Spurs fan?

 

[Lorenzo]

Yep, I can see Avery as a championship coach... NOT! He choked big time when he had the opportunity and then was completely embarrassed by the one coach you are bashing.

that is true. and i said nelson beat the mavs last year. but nelson never got the mavs close to the finals....I don't consider getting the mavs to 60 wins in a season and the WCF close because they were never capable of beating SA or another strong team like that in a 7 game series. this mavs team is much better with avery as the coach. he puts emphasis on things other than transition offense. Avery is a young coach and he has more success ahead of him. Don Nelson has always been a 60 win caliber coach, but he's never delivered a title to any of his stellar teams. Neither has johnson.....but johnson's scheme has proven to win in the playoffs. nelson's has always sputtered.

 

[az1965]

This year's playoffs will tell a lot about both Suns and Mavs and the perceptions about both teams. We will see if these teams confirm these perceptions or get the so called monkey off their backs. Personally, I'm not as confident about Suns as you seem to be about Mavs. But that's just me.