Even if the Spurs run over the Lakers there's no way they are making past the next round with their injuries. Everyone says "please don't count out the Spurs" or "don't bet against Pop" every time the playoffs come around, but they haven't made the finals for 6 years, and they're certainly not better than they were back then. I'd say the Lakers/Spurs series grind out to 6-7 games.
Conference finals still ain't nothing to sneeze at.
For the record I'm saying don't count out the spurs to make the 2nd round/conference finals again. I'm not crazy; I don't think they'll win the whole thing.
On April 19 2013 16:27 Itsmedudeman wrote: This season is exactly how it went down last season. Spurs were on fire until the last stretch of the season where they played awful. Got into the playoffs and lost to OKC, and that was when they were the favorites. Now the situation is even worse. Even though I'd say the spurs give their stars the most rest of any team they still struggle towards the end.
The Spurs were playing great until they met OKC in the playoffs. Their turnovers increased and didn't shoot as well. Danny Green who played great in the first two series was a no show vs OKC and only played 7:31 minutes total in the final two games. TBH outside of Duncan, Ginobili, Jackson, Leonard and Parker, nobody showed up. Also Spurs lack of a shot-blocker when Tim Duncan sat was exposed. OKC started runs while Duncan was out. Protecting the paint and daring the opposition to make outside shots were the Spurs' defense last year. Their first two opponents couldn't make those shots, but OKC made over 50%(according to Skip) of them. Like they say "It looks good when they go in".
The problem is that OKC's personnel is suited towards beating the Spurs. They figured out that they can switch on every pick and roll since Westbrook to Ibaka is fast enough to keep up with their guards, so they completely shut down the Spurs' offensive game.
I havent followed San Antonio in a while, can anyone tell me how bad their injuries are/when they come back? There must be a lot of players out if a lot of people think that Spurs-Lakers will be close. Don't get me wrong, Gasol and Howard are still monsters despite the trashing they get, but collectively, they're still really bad for a western playoff team, especially on defense.
On April 19 2013 19:57 DystopiaX wrote: The problem is that OKC's personnel is suited towards beating the Spurs. They figured out that they can switch on every pick and roll since Westbrook to Ibaka is fast enough to keep up with their guards, so they completely shut down the Spurs' offensive game.
The only reason OKC beat SAS last year was because of ridiculous clutch sequences from James Harden. Not only he made crucial plays, he was always there to clean up Westbrook's mess and play the point guard position that WB can't play, especially late in games. If healthy, I think S\AS won't need more than 5 games to win a series.
On April 19 2013 19:57 DystopiaX wrote: The problem is that OKC's personnel is suited towards beating the Spurs. They figured out that they can switch on every pick and roll since Westbrook to Ibaka is fast enough to keep up with their guards, so they completely shut down the Spurs' offensive game.
The only reason OKC beat SAS last year was because of ridiculous clutch sequences from James Harden. Not only he made crucial plays, he was always there to clean up Westbrook's mess and play the point guard position that WB can't play, especially late in games. If healthy, I think S\AS won't need more than 5 games to win a series.
Some pretty clutch flops too, still bitter about that game 6.
On April 19 2013 19:57 DystopiaX wrote: The problem is that OKC's personnel is suited towards beating the Spurs. They figured out that they can switch on every pick and roll since Westbrook to Ibaka is fast enough to keep up with their guards, so they completely shut down the Spurs' offensive game.
Completely shut down? The Spurs beat them as recently as mid-March and the series last year was very tight. The injuries are the main concern, if healthy it'd be a 50:50 series, especially with no Harden and the way Duncan's been playing this year. There's also the fact Popovich can and will coach rings around Brooks.
On April 19 2013 19:57 DystopiaX wrote: The problem is that OKC's personnel is suited towards beating the Spurs. They figured out that they can switch on every pick and roll since Westbrook to Ibaka is fast enough to keep up with their guards, so they completely shut down the Spurs' offensive game.
The only reason OKC beat SAS last year was because of ridiculous clutch sequences from James Harden. Not only he made crucial plays, he was always there to clean up Westbrook's mess and play the point guard position that WB can't play, especially late in games. If healthy, I think S\AS won't need more than 5 games to win a series.
Some pretty clutch flops too, still bitter about that game 6.
On April 19 2013 19:57 DystopiaX wrote: The problem is that OKC's personnel is suited towards beating the Spurs. They figured out that they can switch on every pick and roll since Westbrook to Ibaka is fast enough to keep up with their guards, so they completely shut down the Spurs' offensive game.
Completely shut down? The Spurs beat them as recently as mid-March and the series last year was very tight. The injuries are the main concern, if healthy it'd be a 50:50 series, especially with no Harden and the way Duncan's been playing this year. There's also the fact Popovich can and will coach rings around Brooks.
Spurs, with their current injuries, need to worry about beating the Lakers first, and then worry about not getting annihilated by Denver in the 2nd round before we can talk about Pop coaching circles around OKC.
On April 19 2013 21:50 Ultimo Hombre wrote: I havent followed San Antonio in a while, can anyone tell me how bad their injuries are/when they come back? There must be a lot of players out if a lot of people think that Spurs-Lakers will be close. Don't get me wrong, Gasol and Howard are still monsters despite the trashing they get, but collectively, they're still really bad for a western playoff team, especially on defense.
ginobli just came back, parker hasnt had a lot of good games since coming back from his injury.
On April 19 2013 21:50 Ultimo Hombre wrote: I havent followed San Antonio in a while, can anyone tell me how bad their injuries are/when they come back? There must be a lot of players out if a lot of people think that Spurs-Lakers will be close. Don't get me wrong, Gasol and Howard are still monsters despite the trashing they get, but collectively, they're still really bad for a western playoff team, especially on defense.
ginobli just came back, parker hasnt had a lot of good games since coming back from his injury.
People underestimate the impact Steve Nash will have on the Lakers when he comes back. I think Lakers have a good chance at beating the spurs considering Spurs have lost all momentum
On April 19 2013 21:50 Ultimo Hombre wrote: I havent followed San Antonio in a while, can anyone tell me how bad their injuries are/when they come back? There must be a lot of players out if a lot of people think that Spurs-Lakers will be close. Don't get me wrong, Gasol and Howard are still monsters despite the trashing they get, but collectively, they're still really bad for a western playoff team, especially on defense.
ginobli just came back, parker hasnt had a lot of good games since coming back from his injury.
People underestimate the impact Steve Nash will have on the Lakers when he comes back. I think Lakers have a good chance at beating the spurs considering Spurs have lost all momentum
I don't know man, Nash has had so little time on the ball over the course of the regular season, it's gonna take a lot for him to come out of the gates strong. I mean, he's quoted as saying that he'll have to wait and see if his TWO epidurals are enough to make him game-worthy.
Ya, I don't think nash will be able to do much these playoffs tbh specially after hearing Dr. Klapper say he wasn't confident in him playing about 2 days ago. It will really come down to Stevie Blake and how healthy Parker is. But Blake definitely = x-factor for Lakers. (honorary x-factor is Dwight's FT%)
With Parker injured though (and maybe even if healthy), the best player on the Spurs is Duncan. The best player on the Lakers has to be Howard for the Lakers to have a chance (not talking just offense, b/c I think Gasol is more skilled there). With this said, the matchup of each team's best players in Duncan and Howard will be an important one that can very well dictate how each game goes.
Game One is going to be so crucial and anticipate a hard-fought game. Popovich and Spurs knows how much Game 1's matter in who wins the series and so do the Lakers and DAntoni(hopefully). Howard has been to finals before, and Pau has won 2 titles, but the Lakers collective playoff-experience won't outweight the Spurs experience in any way, in fact Spurs have the edge there.
Once again Duncan is the best player of the two teams (advantage if you believe in superstar theory). Spurs also have the best coach and the best bench (which would be less important if the Lakers weren't starting their bench in the backcourt themselves due to injuries).
The Lakers were banking on having the smartest backcourt in these playoffs (kobe and nash would have been it hands down), not the most athletic or the best defensive one( OKC has that hands down btwkeep saying this like they have Harden still), and that won't happen. They don't have a strong,smart backcourt now and the Spurs defense is just better comparatively, edge to Spurs.
TLDR: Lakers are underdogs. They do have a chance though, specially if injuries haunt the Spurs in the playoffs.
edit:Great on music , I was like wait I didn't do that. edit2:clarity
On April 19 2013 19:57 DystopiaX wrote: The problem is that OKC's personnel is suited towards beating the Spurs. They figured out that they can switch on every pick and roll since Westbrook to Ibaka is fast enough to keep up with their guards, so they completely shut down the Spurs' offensive game.
The only reason OKC beat SAS last year was because of ridiculous clutch sequences from James Harden. Not only he made crucial plays, he was always there to clean up Westbrook's mess and play the point guard position that WB can't play, especially late in games. If healthy, I think S\AS won't need more than 5 games to win a series.
Some pretty clutch flops too, still bitter about that game 6.
On April 19 2013 19:57 DystopiaX wrote: The problem is that OKC's personnel is suited towards beating the Spurs. They figured out that they can switch on every pick and roll since Westbrook to Ibaka is fast enough to keep up with their guards, so they completely shut down the Spurs' offensive game.
Completely shut down? The Spurs beat them as recently as mid-March and the series last year was very tight. The injuries are the main concern, if healthy it'd be a 50:50 series, especially with no Harden and the way Duncan's been playing this year. There's also the fact Popovich can and will coach rings around Brooks.
I was talking about last playoffs, not this season.
On April 19 2013 21:50 Ultimo Hombre wrote: I havent followed San Antonio in a while, can anyone tell me how bad their injuries are/when they come back? There must be a lot of players out if a lot of people think that Spurs-Lakers will be close. Don't get me wrong, Gasol and Howard are still monsters despite the trashing they get, but collectively, they're still really bad for a western playoff team, especially on defense.
ginobli just came back, parker hasnt had a lot of good games since coming back from his injury.
People underestimate the impact Steve Nash will have on the Lakers when he comes back. I think Lakers have a good chance at beating the spurs considering Spurs have lost all momentum
They gave Steve Nash 2 epidurals for his pain. That's the shit they give pregnant women so they can't feel the baby pop out. Dude ain't coming back.
I had a dream that the Spurs were playing the Lakers and Dota2 had been added as part of the playoff format. I kept remarking that I couldn't believe Metta World Peace could play Dota2.