OT - Is San Antonio Still the Team to Beat?

[kmatrixg]

In my opinion, the West is starting to grow, unlike the East - In the west, we have the Blazers, Jazz and Hornets all near the top, the natural cycle of rising and falling. At this point in time, there are going to be a bunch of mediocre/good teams while the elite drop down to mediocrity over the next few years, and the mediocre rise to the elite. Its simple economics.

The East however, was all screwed up because of the Boston trade - but all things have an equal and opposite reaction, so when its time for the big 3 to retire, or fall back to Earth, Boston is going to be in huge trouble. They have no real talent other than the backup role players, I believe they traded the next 2 years draft picks, so they can't stack up on prospects. That means when all things come to an end, they will have to start from scratch, and probably spend another 5 years to rebuild.

[ruckus]

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Why do the Suns have to prove they can beat the Spurs in the playoffs when the Celtics and Pistons haven't done so already? I've got no real problem with your order, but I'm always baffled when people suggest that the Suns are less of a contender because they're a longshot to beat the WC favourite when in reality the EC champion is at least as unlikely to beat them.

To put it bluntly, I don't like the Suns. I don't feel that they have what it takes to be a championship team. In my opinion, DET & BOS, have a better chance in a 7 game series (and may even be favourites, IMO) against the Suns than they do against the Spurs.

[REM]

Boston is the team to beat in the East. Phoenix is the team to beat in the west thus far. Spurs have had players struggling a lot and it is showing by them losing numerous games including some on their home court which is a very rare sighting.

Spurs coast man...in the regular season they save Duncan and others which is why is seasonal numbers are down from past years.

Spurs are still the team to beat. It would be foolish to think otherwise.

[The_Hater]

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To put it bluntly, I don't like the Suns. I don't feel that they have what it takes to be a championship team. In my opinion, DET & BOS, have a better chance in a 7 game series (and may even be favourites, IMO) against the Suns than they do against the Spurs.

Without those ridiculous suspensions last season, the Suns/Spurs were tied 2-2 with 2 of the final 3 games in Phoenix. Amare and Diaw were suspended and the Suns still only lost game five by 3 points before losing game 6 back in San Antonio. Even in the loss and the suspensions, they outscored the Spurs in the series. This ended up being by far the Spurs stiffest test as they subsequently rolled over the Jazz and the Cavs (who beat the Pistons in 6 ironically).

You may not like them and you might not consider them the favourite, but based no their track record they're clearly a contender for the crown.

[EnigmaticProblem]

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Without those ridiculous suspensions last season, the Suns/Spurs were tied 2-2 with 2 of the final 3 games in Phoenix. Amare and Diaw were suspended and the Suns still only lost game five by 3 points before losing game 6 back in San Antonio. Even in the loss and the suspensions, they outscored the Spurs in the series. This ended up being by far the Spurs stiffest test as they subsequently rolled over the Jazz and the Cavs (who beat the Pistons in 6 ironically).

You may not like them and you might not consider them the favourite, but based no their track record they're clearly a contender for the crown.

Backtracked speculation is a little pointless, but, I honestly believe the Suns would've beat the Spurs barring the suspensions. However, I think the Jazz would've troubled the Suns; the Suns would rape the Cavs.

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Without those ridiculous suspensions last season, the Suns/Spurs were tied 2-2 with 2 of the final 3 games in Phoenix. Amare and Diaw were suspended and the Suns still only lost game five by 3 points before losing game 6 back in San Antonio. Even in the loss and the suspensions, they outscored the Spurs in the series. This ended up being by far the Spurs stiffest test as they subsequently rolled over the Jazz and the Cavs (who beat the Pistons in 6 ironically).

You may not like them and you might not consider them the favourite, but based no their track record they're clearly a contender for the crown.

As close as they made game 5, they folded in game 6. The Spurs beat them soundly. They beat them in half court and, they beat them in transition. The completely imposed their will on the Suns. You could argue that the suspensions shifted the momentum but, I just don't think they have it in them mentally. I liken them to the Kings teams in the Lakers era a few years back. Immensely talented, incredibly fun to watch but, not the type of team that can get over that final hump.

[The_Hater]

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As close as they made game 5, they folded in game 6. The Spurs beat them soundly. They beat them in half court and, they beat them in transition. The completely imposed their will on the Suns. You could argue that the suspensions shifted the momentum but, I just don't think they have it in them mentally. I liken them to the Kings teams in the Lakers era a few years back. Immensely talented, incredibly fun to watch but, not the type of team that can get over that final hump.

You don't think the suspensions had a huge mental baring on the outcome? Come on now. Moments before the Horry cheapshot, the Suns had just gutted out a huge game 4 backs to the wall win in San Antonio which looked like it changed the momentum of the entire series and now you're criticizing them because they weren't able to do that twice in a row? That's a pretty one-sided assessment on the situation.

Even if you think the Spurs would have found a way to pull out the anyways (which we'll never know for sure due to a stupid rule) the Suns were still right there with them and 2nd best team in the playoffs last year. And you're still not giving them an ounce of credit.

You're making it sound like they didn't pose any threat whatsoever to the Spurs last year. And I'm betting you that the Spurs certaintly don't see it that way.

[I_Like_Dirt]

To put it bluntly, I don't like the Suns. I don't feel that they have what it takes to be a championship team. In my opinion, DET & BOS, have a better chance in a 7 game series (and may even be favourites, IMO) against the Suns than they do against the Spurs.

...which is why the Spurs are the favourite even though they've never repeated as champions. It stands to reason that the Celtics and Pistons would have a better shot against the Suns than the Spurs. It doesn't mean they'd be surefire favourites, though. Detroit has choked every bit as much as the Suns have since their championship and haven't been the same since Ben Wallace left. Boston has proven nothing.

Again, I think it's perfectly justifiable to put the Suns fourth. But to put them there because they haven't proven enough and then to turn around and put the Celtics and Pistons above them for that very reason is hypocrisy. The Pistons have never beaten the Spurs or the Mavs in the playoffs, either and it's been a few seasons since any of Boston's stars have even been to the playoffs.

[alivinglegend]

Honestly in my opinion, the playoffs are going to come down to matchups, certain teams just can't beat others in a playoff series even though they are the better team. Example: Dallas lost to GS in the first round but had they played Denver they would have beat them in 4 or 5 and then possibly gone on to beat the Spurs (which they had done the previous year). Had Phoenix played Dallas they'd have had a greater chance of beating them than they would have of beating the Spurs.... basically, my point is it's going to come down to seeding, first round matchups and which of the bottom 6 Western Conference teams make it into the 6-8 seeds.

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You don't think the suspensions had a huge mental baring on the outcome? Come on now. Moments before the Horry cheapshot, the Suns had just gutted out a huge game 4 backs to the wall win in San Antonio which looked like it changed the momentum of the entire series and now you're criticizing them because they weren't able to do that twice in a row? That's a pretty one-sided assessment on the situation.

Even if you think the Spurs would have found a way to pull out the anyways (which we'll never know for sure due to a stupid rule) the Suns were still right there with them and 2nd best team in the playoffs last year. And you're still not giving them an ounce of credit.

You're making it sound like they didn't pose any threat whatsoever to the Spurs last year. And I'm betting you that the Spurs certaintly don't see it that way.

It's a little pointless in arguing over it because, you won't change my mind and anything I say probably won't change yours. That being said, I know I'm being biased because I'm not a huge fan of their style but, placing them #4 behind SAS, DET & BOS is not a bad position to be in.

I'd love for the Suns to win the championship and make me eat crow but, I just don't see it happening. I don't fault them for losing game 5 but, they were completely non-competitive in game 6.

I'm sure that the Spurs are wary of the Suns. However, when 1 team has the mental edge over another, you can tell and the Spurs have that edge over the Suns. It's the same way the Pistons had that edge over the Bulls in the '80s. The Lakers over the Kings. Even the Leafs over the Senators for so many years.

The Bulls and the Senators got over that hump. Can the Suns? The book is still open on that one.

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...which is why the Spurs are the favourite even though they've never repeated as champions. It stands to reason that the Celtics and Pistons would have a better shot against the Suns than the Spurs. It doesn't mean they'd be surefire favourites, though. Detroit has choked every bit as much as the Suns have since their championship and haven't been the same since Ben Wallace left. Boston has proven nothing.

Again, I think it's perfectly justifiable to put the Suns fourth. But to put them there because they haven't proven enough and then to turn around and put the Celtics and Pistons above them for that very reason is hypocrisy. The Pistons have never beaten the Spurs or the Mavs in the playoffs, either and it's been a few seasons since any of Boston's stars have even been to the playoffs.

I admit I have a personal bias especially after seeing my Raps be soundly and thoroughly beaten by both the Celts and the Pistons, what is it, 5 times now? Also, if you're coming out of the west, the only team to beat, unless proven otherwise is the Spurs. If you're coming out of the east, the Celts and the Pistons are on fairly even ground as the teams to beat.

[deknow]

Watching last nights contest between the Cavs and Spurs, I noticed that the Spurs are in a very unique situation. Aside from playing great with the players they have on the floor - they have noone on the bench that can come in after these guys retire. Do you guys think it's about time for the Spurs to start bringing in some young talent?

Obviously, they are thinking the opposite, and yes, they do have great management which will lead them in the right direction - but each one of their players seems to be getting hurt. Duncan missed time due to the knee injury, Parker is now ailing with his foot - and Ginobili had the hand injury. Not to mention Barry just returned, who is arguably the 2nd best player off the bench.

Other than these guys - Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Barry and Finley - they have mediocre/limited talent at each position. Is it time we see the Spurs start to decline? They have lost 12 games, most of which have been uncharacteristic losses too. The team really is starting to look old, and banged up - a step too slow. I truly believe this might be their last year of the dynasty before things start slipping - unless they make a move to get some young players.

Edit - forgot the OT

They are a playoff team and a serious title contender. I think you run with the core for as long as you can, Duncan's got a lot of good years left as does Parker and Ginobli. Until you feel this core can no longer contend for championships you continue to assemble pieces around them to help you stay atop.

They will worry about rebuilding when the core is nearing the end of their prime years.

[Reignman]

If the Spurs aren't the team to beat, then who is?

Nicely put. Oh, and Detroit is still the team to beat in the East for similar reasons.

[hoop_head]

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Nicely put. Oh, and Detroit is still the team to beat in the East for similar reasons.

I'd agree with that. Boston's good, but what are they going to do if they face Washington?

[TheMainEvent]

Yes, yes they are.

From what I can remember... the Spurs never needed the most talent in order to win. They have a great system there, and have a complete team-first attitude. Everyone knows their roles... and they execute. Yes, aside from Duncan, Parker, Gino, Finley, and maybe Barry, they dont have much talent. But guys like Elson, Oberto, Bowen, etc. all do their part.

[SpaceJam]

Spurs are the team to beat.

[LLJ]

A "down" regular season for the SPurs always spells danger for opponents in the playoffs. I remember last year people were saying how vulnerable they looked before all-star break. Again, Cleveland went to San Antonio last year in the regular season and beat them pretty good.

Of course, 5 months later the Cavs can't get 1 win in 4 tries and get swept in the NBA Finals.

And despite the Suns being their best comp last year, I still felt, watching the series, that it didn't matter about the Amare suspension. The Spurs dictated the series from the get go. And last year might have been the Suns' best chance, I don't know if they have 'it' this year.

I think the team that has a chance to beat them is Boston. I don't see many teams beating the Spurs, although I wouldn't sleep on the Lakers. Phil Jackson with a top 4 seeded team is a dangerous combination.