Thunder/Spurs

[elindholm]

This was really a huge upset. San Antonio had a 12-game edge in regular-season wins (67 vs. 55), had a huge advantage in scoring differential (10.6 vs. 7.3), and had tied the all-time record by going 40-1 at home.

Only 19 teams have won at least 65 regular-season games. One lost in the first round (2007 Mavericks), but the Spurs are the only one ever to lose in the conference semifinals. 13 of those 19 teams won the title, and this year's Warriors are likely to make it 14 of 19.

They were overshadowed by the Warriors all season long, but there were long stretches during which the Spurs looked like the best team in the league. After Game 1, it didn't appear that the Thunder would offer much resistance, but somehow they won 4 of the next 5 games.

I guess it has to be considered a collapse by the Spurs, but whatever you call it, it's difficult to believe, at least for me.

 

[overseascardfan]

Glad that SA lost, they have been spoiled by good luck for so long that it had to run out eventually.

I am also glad it was OKC, because there was speculation SA would pursue Durant and if OKC would have maybe made a potential move to SA a little more appealing IMO.

 

[Ronin]

Steven Adams outplaying Tim Duncan really hurt the Spurs. Before Duncan's breakout game last night, he was averaging around 3 points in this series.ouch.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I was very surprised but thrilled the Spurs lost and that the Thunder did it in part by being the more physical team. I hate to see "injustice" and the Spurs were definitely treated unjustly at a couple of critical moments in this series but if you look at the big picture, they've still taken advantage in the "justice" area far more often than not.

But I loved the way Pop responded in the press conference last night and the fact that he constantly reminded the media that the Thunder flat out-played them in this series. He made no excuses and was unfailingly gracious, not something easy to do after a loss like this.

 

[Covert Rain]

It was sort of surprising but the Thunder is a damn talented team. Much younger too verses the Spurs. I always thought sooner or later the Spurs would run out of gas. I just didn't know when. I have to say I am thrilled though. As much as I respect Tim Duncan....I hate that freaking team.

It's the end of the road for this core.

 

[SO91]

Steven Adams outplaying Tim Duncan really hurt the Spurs. Before Duncan's breakout game last night, he was averaging around 3 points in this series.ouch.

He stepped up big. Shortened rotation and increased minutes for him really paid off for Billy Donovan.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I didn't watch the entire series, but Spurs looked very different out there. It's easy to blame Aldridge as the new guy but I think his presence disrupted the low of the offense a bit. There was a lot more 1 on 1 compared to the free flowing offense they usually had.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yeah I expected 4-2 or 4-1 for San Antonio so major surprise to me.

It was like Duncan, Parker and Ginobili aged overnight in that series.

Also after the amazing start by Aldridge he came back to earth a bit, OKC clearly helped more on him but I think he just missed some shots he normally makes too.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I didn't watch the entire series, but Spurs looked very different out there. It's easy to blame Aldridge as the new guy but I think his presence disrupted the low of the offense a bit. There was a lot more 1 on 1 compared to the free flowing offense they usually had.

To me, it was more Westbrook playing out of his mind than anything. Westbrook has taken another step forward in these playoffs.

 

[95pro]

LA killed the spurs. He had huge scoring games but he took a lot of shots. This killed the Spurs ball movement that came to light a few years back when they just destroyed the Cavs with ball movement, Leonards finals mvp year.

Leonard was the teams highest scorer for the year, but LA had some big number games.

I also think one Thunder player got a little hotter than usual in each game, and they also sat Payne (rookie) for the final game.