Please critique my commentary

[jazzfan1971]

#9 - San Antonio Spurs

PG - Tony Parker, Cory Jospeph
SG - Danny Green, Manu Ginobili
SF - Kawhi Leonard, DeShaun Thomas
PF - Tim Duncan, Boris Diaw
C - Tiago Splitter, Matt Bonner
D - Patrick Mills, Nando De Colo, Marco Belinelli, Jeff Pendergraph

Back when I was a teenager I had a 76 Firebird. It was a POS for the most part, it wasn't that fast and it handled like a boat, but it looked kinda cool, as much as a muscle car a dozen years past it's release can look cool. One day the coil burnt out. So I replaced it. And DAMN. That thing ran like it was fresh off the assembly line. For about a day and a half, til the new coil burnt out. Turned out, it was the module that was the problem, not the coil. But, for a day and a half that car was back in it's glory.

I'm not sure what part of Tim Duncan got replaced last season but DAMN. He was playing like he hadn't for almost a decade. And he led his team to the thinnest of margins from a Championship. One stinking free throw or one rebound and Duncan and Co. would have yet another trophy to put on the mantle. And it just wasn't to be. It's a shame really, because I think that window has finally closed on the Spurs. Time stops for no man, and while Timmy did seem to get a reprieve there for a season, I think it would be unwise to believe he can maintain that level of play indefinitely. His game had been slipping gradually for years prior to that after all.

So, I'm calling it. The window has closed. But, they'll still play hard. And coach Pop will still have his team running circles around the opposition, making all the other coaches in the league look bad. But, it's not going to be enough to have home court in the playoffs this season, and it most likely won't be enough to get to the second round. It's a tough call to make. And maybe it's a year or two too early, but, my gut says this is the year.

But, hats off to the Spurs, no team in the league has my respect more than they do.

Projected record: 52/30

[Nolan]

I do agree that Duncan can't keep this up forever but I don't think the window has closed yet. We still have Tony and if Kawhi keeps improving we'll still be a force for a few more years.

[imagump1313]

The people that keep saying the Spurs success last season was entirely based upon Tim Duncan really do not watch Spurs basketball. SA has been moving away from Timmy being the main focal point of the team for years. Now I love Timmy, he is one of my all time favorite players. He had a really nice season last year, but I would argue that in many of the Spurs victories last year Tim was far from the best player. The Spurs are a deep team for a reason. This gives Pop the ability to limit minutes on veterans and keep them fresh during a long season and still win games. The key is getting to the playoffs with your veterans fresh. Timmy is a gigantic reason for the Spurs success last season, but he is far, far from the only reason.

I do think the Spurs will have a hard time duplicating the success from last season, but the way the Western Conference is panning out I wouldn't be that surprised at all if they were in the mix to win the West again.

OKC keeps making moves to cut costs rather than better the team.
The Clippers are still trying to figure out their own roster and define a playing style.
GSW made some nice changes but no one knows at this point how they will mesh.
Dallas is average at best.
Houston needs time to figure itself out after all the change (and Dwight will never win a title anyway)
The Lakers? LMFAO!!!!!!

The West is up for grabs this year IMO so the Spurs could win it by default.

[co_laper]

The hardest think I see happening is Tim Duncan being healthy like this again. How long has it been since he's been injured where he misses extended time? I know that the last 2 years, it didn't happen. But it's bound to happen, especially to older guys. And the bet is that Tim won't be able to duplicate this season unless he's healthy throughout the season again. Won't bet my money on that.

So yeah, I think last year was our best chance. We blew it. It won't be open again. I still think we're a top 4 team in the West.

I hope Kawhi continues to make major improvements. The only way we make it back to the top is if Kawhi puts out an all-star caliber season.

[Durins Baynes]

I think your prediction is wrong for a number of reasons.
1) You attribute last years Spur success largely to a revived Tim Duncan. I agree that he played better than he has since about 2007 last season, but the Spurs still won 60+ games the 2 seasons before last, despite not having Tim play at that level. That's the first obvious hole in your theory.
2) The second obvious problem is that last year the Spurs were actually crippled by injuries. It sounds strange to say for a team who was one rebound, or one missed shot, or one correct ref call, away from winning the title, but it's true. Manu missed 22 games, Kawhi missed 24 games, Parker missed 16 games, Duncan missed 13 games, and those guys all played some games with injuries too. Unless you're projecting more serious injuries than this, then I think that's another big problem for your theory.
3) Duncan and Manu got older, but Parker is still only 31 and should be fine. On the other hand, Kawhi should get better this year as his role is increased. A lot of people, including Popp, think he's going to be a star. Not a Kobe type star, more like James Worthy if things pan out. But that's a heck of a player. Splitter wasn't a full time starter last season, he will be next one. I know people are down on him for the Miami series, but he was really good prior to that (especially against Memphis), and is one more year experienced in a system that is tough to learn. Likewise, Baynes (who should be the back-up 5, not Bonner) only joined the team at the end of last regular season. No training camp, no pre-season, no nothing. He looked very promising in the limited minutes he got (such as against the Lakers in Rnd 1), and he looked really good in the summer league too. He should provide the Spurs with more size. The Spurs let Gary Neal go because they didn't need him anymore. Last season he was playing the back-up PG role. However late in the season Corey Joseph stepped up and won it from him with his stellar play (he looks like another late round steal for the Spurs), negating the need for Neal. Plus Belinelli is the back-up 3 (not D.Thomas, who isn't even on the roster yet), and he's also better than Neal, while Pendergraph sounds very promising and won't pout about his role like Blair did (which is why he barely saw minutes, along with other problems he caused like non-improvement and not playing hard).

There is a time it will be reasonable to project the Spurs slipping to 52 wins... but unless there is a major injury problem next season, I think it's a big stretch for next season. The Spurs seem deeper than ever next year, and Duncan doesn't seem to play his age anymore now that's he's slimmed down. If the Spurs had been healthy last year, and cared about the regular season (there was a lot of "resting" of guys late in the season), they could have won 65+ games last year no problem. 52 just seems too outlandish.

[Donald Kaufman]

The only way we're winning 52 is if we get a major injury to one or more of our key players. I think Kawhi/Green/Splitter's development will overcome any regression our older main cogs may have.

I see us winning 58 and winning the west again.

[Durins Baynes]

It's a pretty weird prediction. I mean, if Duncan (potentially) falling off is such a death blow, then why did the Spurs win 60+ the two previous seasons to this last one, when his play wasn't nearly as good?

[marcusaurelius]

The only way we're winning 52 is if we get a major injury to one or more of our key players. I think Kawhi/Green/Splitter's development will overcome any regression our older main cogs may have.

I see us winning 58 and winning the west again.

This. The OP is calling for the end of the Spurs run at least one year too early, and they may have two more good years left. It depends on how long Duncan stays at a reasonably high level. If he can stay somewhat close to what he was last year they are probably still the class of the west.

Not because of the old "big 3", but because of the new younger players. Ginobilli is trash, he was a member of the Big 3 for Miami in the Finals. Without MG miami does not win the series. And to think that he was the highest paid player on the spurs.

Leonard was easily better than MG during the regular season last year and was actually the second best player on the team (after Duncan) during the playoffs. He played like a lower level all-star during the Finals. He played Lebron about as well as anyone in the league does. Parker is a great regular season guy, but just can't get it done when it counts. But you need Parker to get those regular season wins and a high seed.

Leonard/Green/Splitter/Belinelli will determine how good the spurs are next year, and whether they can win a championship. Joseph might actually be a real contributor too.

The west will be really deep, interesting, and tough next year. With no serious injuries, the Spurs take it again.

[Kirby]

I had you guys beating the Heat last year during the regular season. Duncan's game ages so well because he doesn't rely on athleticism at all. You guys will definitely have a crack at it again assuming Manu can't get any worse.

That being said, McGrady woulda done a lot for you guys if Gregg played him in the playoffs .
-Raps fan.

[imagump1313]

Duncan's game ages so well because he doesn't rely on athleticism at all.

What in the world are you talking about? Duncan is not a slasher nor plays above the rim but he never has. It takes loads of athleticism to do what he does in the NBA though.

That being said, McGrady woulda done a lot for you guys if Gregg played him in the playoffs .
-Raps fan.

Again, What in the world are you talking about? McGrady is the one who has zero athleticism left, this is why he is not in the NBA and shouldn't have been last year. He wasn't going to help anyone.

[Kirby]

Duncan's game ages so well because he doesn't rely on athleticism at all.

What in the world are you talking about? Duncan is not a slasher nor plays above the rim but he never has. It takes loads of athleticism to do what he does in the NBA though.

That being said, McGrady woulda done a lot for you guys if Gregg played him in the playoffs .
-Raps fan.

Again, What in the world are you talking about? McGrady is the one who has zero athleticism left, this is why he is not in the NBA and shouldn't have been last year. He wasn't going to help anyone.

Do you have comprehension problems?

He doesn't rely on athleticism like many other bigs and leapers. I never said he was some **** disabled turd who couldn't jump higher than two inches.

McGrady has no athleticism left at all? You're crazy. Regardless, the biggest part of his game that would have helped would have been his facilitation skills and his reduced ability to score. Yes, he can still play, just not at a superstar level. Don't kid yourself.

[imagump1313]

Duncan's game ages so well because he doesn't rely on athleticism at all.

What in the world are you talking about? Duncan is not a slasher nor plays above the rim but he never has. It takes loads of athleticism to do what he does in the NBA though.

That being said, McGrady woulda done a lot for you guys if Gregg played him in the playoffs .
-Raps fan.

Again, What in the world are you talking about? McGrady is the one who has zero athleticism left, this is why he is not in the NBA and shouldn't have been last year. He wasn't going to help anyone.

Do you have comprehension problems?

He doesn't rely on athleticism like many other bigs and leapers. I never said he was some **** disabled turd who couldn't jump higher than two inches.

McGrady has no athleticism left at all? You're crazy. Regardless, the biggest part of his game that would have helped would have been his facilitation skills and his reduced ability to score. Yes, he can still play, just not at a superstar level. Don't kid yourself.

Obviously you either know nothing at all about basketball, or you have never watched Duncan or McGrady play before. McGrady had no game left last year. Zero. It was painfully obvious in the little time he got on the floor for the Spurs last year. Facilitation skills? McGrady have never facilitated anything for anyone other than himself his entire career. The guy WAS a tremendous individual player. Duncan is very athletic for what he does. He's never been a leaper, guys that size usually aren't but they are still somewhat athletic. You can call me names all you want but it doesn't change the fact that you have no idea what you're talking about.

[Kirby]

What in the world are you talking about? Duncan is not a slasher nor plays above the rim but he never has. It takes loads of athleticism to do what he does in the NBA though.



Again, What in the world are you talking about? McGrady is the one who has zero athleticism left, this is why he is not in the NBA and shouldn't have been last year. He wasn't going to help anyone.

Do you have comprehension problems?

He doesn't rely on athleticism like many other bigs and leapers. I never said he was some **** disabled turd who couldn't jump higher than two inches.

McGrady has no athleticism left at all? You're crazy. Regardless, the biggest part of his game that would have helped would have been his facilitation skills and his reduced ability to score. Yes, he can still play, just not at a superstar level. Don't kid yourself.

Obviously you either know nothing at all about basketball, or you have never watched Duncan or McGrady play before. McGrady had no game left last year. Zero. It was painfully obvious in the little time he got on the floor for the Spurs last year. Facilitation skills? McGrady have never facilitated anything for anyone other than himself his entire career. The guy WAS a tremendous individual player. Duncan is very athletic for what he does. He's never been a leaper, guys that size usually aren't but they are still somewhat athletic. You can call me names all you want but it doesn't change the fact that you have no idea what you're talking about.

RealGM, folks.
You haven't a clue about McGrady, and are misinterpreting the my premise that Duncan's age won't affect his play in comparison to many others.

[imagump1313]

RealGM, folks.
You haven't a clue about McGrady, and are misinterpreting the my premise that Duncan's age won't affect his play in comparison to many others.

You're more than welcome to have your own opinion, we can agree to disagree.

Duncan being effective at his age speaks to his athleticism. He was old and heavy just a couple years ago. He decided to get thinner and more in shape and it has had great effects on his game helping his resurgence. Sure, I agree that if he was a slasher or played above the rim (similar to McGrady) he would probably be done by now, but your comment that he "doesn't rely on athleticism at all" doesn't make sense to me. The guy is a heck of an athlete considering how big he is and how well he moves. I saw McGrady with my own 2 eyes last year, he would not have helped the Spurs one bit.

[Kirby]

RealGM, folks.
You haven't a clue about McGrady, and are misinterpreting the my premise that Duncan's age won't affect his play in comparison to many others.

You're more than welcome to have your own opinion, we can agree to disagree.

Duncan being effective at his age speaks to his athleticism. He was old and heavy just a couple years ago. He decided to get thinner and more in shape and it has had great effects on his game helping his resurgence. Sure, I agree that if he was a slasher or played above the rim (similar to McGrady) he would probably be done by now, but your comment that he "doesn't rely on athleticism at all" doesn't make sense to me. The guy is a heck of an athlete considering how big he is and how well he moves. I saw McGrady with my own 2 eyes last year, he would not have helped the Spurs one bit.

that works. Thanks for your time lol.