If we don't win, I should be fired

[Donald Kaufman]

Hmmm...so the Nuggets and Jazz can beat LA in a seven game series, but not us?

[Alymero]

Yes, because they've already proven that they're young, versatile and match-up well with the Lakeshow...you, however, do not and can not compete with the Lakers until proven otherwise regardless of the acquisition of RJ and Dice.

[TAI8]

^How'd that work out for them last year?

[Donald Kaufman]

Yes, because they've already proven that they're young, versatile and match-up well with the Lakeshow...you, however, do not and can not compete with the Lakers until proven otherwise regardless of the acquisition of RJ and Dice.

They match up so "well" that the Jazz won 1 game against them and the Nuggets won 2 in the playoffs last year. Come on - this is just blatant hating now.

[Alymero]

In all fairness, Jazz winning one game and Nuggets winning two is more than we can say for the Spurs who have been totally outclassed and overmatched when facing the Lakeshow.
Hey, don't get me wrong, I think you have improved tremendously this off-season, but still not enough when we compare your additions to the Lakers' additions providing they keep Odom.

[SApuro_]

You obviously are just trolling.

I love it when they say the spurs are just too old. RJ is 29 and TP is 27.

[DEEP3CL]

You obviously are just trolling.

SApuro........I'm appalled ! You give Alymero grief about trolling ? Then what is it what you do on our board daily ?

Just pulling your leg here a bit, actually I don't mind one bit you visiting our spot. At least you add debatable.........very debatable conversation !

[Donald Kaufman]

In all fairness, Jazz winning one game and Nuggets winning two is more than we can say for the Spurs who have been totally outclassed and overmatched when facing the Lakeshow.
Hey, don't get me wrong, I think you have improved tremendously this off-season, but still not enough when we compare your additions to the Lakers' additions providing they keep Odom.

This is so off base that I don't quite know where to start. Beating a Jazz team - in the first round - in five games somehow is more meaningful than beating us - with a hobbled Ginobili - in the conference finals?! Nice flawed logic there.

And as for the Nuggets, well their time in the sun is about to end. They're not elite and this will be exposed in the upcoming season.

I'm not questioning whether the Lakers have our number, based on the past couple of years it's obvious that they do - but your line of thinking is just...very obviously biased and skewed.

Take off the Laker Homer goggles and live a little.

[SApuro_]

Gotta keep the Lakers on their toes. Sometimes you guys get carried away with all the high fivein' and pats on the back. I'll try to keep my post debatable and not pure crap.

Pop got so much out of last years squad. We won the division and TD and Manu sat out so many games. Imagine how strong this years squad is going to be if he can get them playing well together.

Heck we had Bonner as our starting center most of the year. I like the Red rocket but he is far from starting material and even less of a center. Pop just really worked the pieces that he had.

It does concern me a bit how many new players we have. Traditionally FA have excelled during their second year in SA not the first.

[Donald Kaufman]

Most fans are kind of overrating their acquisitions at the moment, which is understandable to a degree. But there's no use stockpiling talent if the new players don't fit into their respective teams.

[Nolan]

This is being taken way too seriously, he was being sarcastic in the interview.

[co_laper]

I doubt the Spurs will ever fire Pop.

[SApuro_]

Spurs won't ever fire pop. He has earned the trust of the city and organization. Plus if things ever go south he would be the first one to admit its time for him to go.

Anyone remember when pop first took over. He has just fired Hill who wasnt all that bad a coach. The city was in uproar and wanted his head. I dont think anyone like him back them. Now the guy is a genius. Amazing what a all time great player can do for a coach.

[pickIBL]

this is my 2 cents (coming from a nuggets fan... but i think it is honest). the spurs obviously had a good off season... the latest rumors have the Nuggets going out and getting David Lee, so they are trying to duplicate the success of the Spurs.

The nuggets have made some good low key moves, but need to add to it this summer. You have to factor in that Smith and Melo will likely be even better next year... and Billups will have a full year with the team. Plus the Nuggets found a starting 2 guard that can stroke the 3. They also replaced Anthony Carter with Ty Lawson.

The Lakers got Ron Artest who while a "foxhole" guy (with a nice outside shot last year) has definitely lost a step. The big question is will Lamar Odom be back? If they want to contend... he is a must have.

The Spurs added RJ who by what people say about him you'd think he was an old man and not 29. RJ's talent hasn't really diminished. His problem has been the lack of talent around him in recent years. Now with the Spurs... all of the sudden they'll start calling him a finals caliber SF again.

The Spurs picked up Blair with the 2nd rounder... they also did their homework and went overseas and got Haislip. If they want Dice to come off the bench Haislip, Blair, and Mahinmi could be in a 3 way battle for the starting role alongside Duncan. I suppose you could throw Bonner in the discussion too. Mahinmi doesn't get talked about much and he acquired some fouls in the SL, but he has looked good in the D League. Haislip should be a surprise. He and RJ could add a lot of athleticism to the starting lineup.

Coach Pop will probably hang on as long as the Spurs go with veterans around Duncan. First let me say that I am far from being a Duke fan. But instead of paying big bucks for some musical chairs big name coach... I wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs went with Quin Synder. In the future he could be brought on as an assistant and eventually replace Pop. Actually, that is exactly what I would do. When it comes to coaching he's easily the best the D-League has to offer.

3 teams should end up contending in the West (barring injuries as always). The Nuggets, Spurs, Lakers. How I would rank them depends on how this summer plays out. Right now the Spurs would be first... but as the Nuggets and Lakers finish up their summer that could/will change. Without Lamar Odom (and the switch from Ariza to Artest) the Lakers rank 3rd in my book... for now. The Nuggets add Lee and they shoot up to 1. We'll see.

[Donald Kaufman]

I don't see the Nuggets as elite. I know they made the WCF, but so did the Jazz in '07.

I think with everyone relatively healthy, we'll see what the Nuggets really are: a second round team at best.

[pickIBL]

Not suggesting the Nuggets are elite. They'll have to prove what they can do again this year. But clearly coming into 2009-10 they'll be labeled a contending top 3 team in the west. If the Lakers bring back Odom pretty much all analysts will pick the Lakers to go back to the finals and I suspect most will pick between the Nuggets and Spurs as the other Semi Finals team.

Above the Blazers, Hornets, Jazz (Boozer?), Mavs, Rockets (no Yao), etc. The Nuggets took it to both the Mavs and Hornets on that list last season (yes changes have been made... but still they handled them).

To be fair the Spurs have to prove they can stay healthy too... and new players have to blend in (which i think they will).

[Donald Kaufman]

I would say Top 3 in the West = elite.

That being said, when you mention the other western conference teams I don't see them as being any better than Denver.

[Donald Kaufman]

BTW, I thought Utah was the front runner for Lee, not Denver. Is it a S & T thing or are they just trying to sign him?

[pickIBL]

Yea they are saying 3 way with the bucks. That's why the Nuggets deal for Malik Allen hasn't been finalized supposedly.

Includes Linas Kleiza going to NYK.

[Donald Kaufman]

If you guys land Lee, that would be scary.