The San Antonio Spurs Are Still the Team to Beat Going into the Western Conference Playoffs.
Mac: Suicide and Redemption said 02/26, 12:20 PM
It's February 26th, 2008, and the Spurs are the #2 seed in the West. Most of the top teams around them have made moves, obviously to upgrade their roster and their chances of dethroning the defending champs.
LA acquired Gasol; Phoenix picked up "The Diesel" and unloaded Marion; the Mavs let loose portions of their bench for Jason Kidd; and the Spurs, the defending NBA Champions, have survived a recent injury to Tony Parker by going, from January 30th to February 26th: 10-1.
As we all know, the Spurs have the leadership of the Big 3: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker. And then a band of vets like Bowen, Horry, Finley, Vaughn, Stoudemire, Thomas, and then the always reliable Oberto. Greg Popovich, of course, is still the head coach.
We all know what the Spurs are capable of when they have the Big 3 on the floor together. They win championships, like in 2004-2005 and 2006-2007.
They're the same seasoned, gritty, and dynamic team that won last year. At 38-17, they've gone 21-13 vs the West, 17-4 vs the East, 23-5 at Home, and 15-12 on Road. The Spurs ARE the team to beat. Not Kobe and his new big man, much less anyone else in the West. It's the Spurs.
The Guru hopes to be back soon said 02/26, 12:45 PM
February 26th, 2008, the current team to beat are the Western Conf leading Los Angeles Lakers. As you stated, most of the top teams in the West desperately scrambled to make moves before the the trade deadline. Trading practically there future to keep up with one team...Not the Spurs but the Lakers.
The trade for Gasol sent shivers down the spines of every GM & Owner in the West. Combining Kobe with a proven All Star Big Man is every teams nightmare. This gives the Lakers, and Kobe, a second scoring option that they've been looking for post Shaq. You move Odom down to SF, a position I feel he is more capable of playing. With the possible return of Bynum, this team has the potential of sending the title back to LA. What about Bynums injury? Doesnt matter, they've been tearing through the league, thus far, without Bynum. What about Kobes injured finger? Has that slowed him down one bit? No.
Due the Gasol trade, every team contending team in the West scrambled to improve their roster. Is that a coicindence? No. The Suns, Mavs, Rockets, Hornets, & SPURS made moves that directly coincided with the Lakers aquisition. So I say, the Lakers are CURRENTLY the team to beat in the West.
Mac: Suicide and Redemption said 02/26, 01:20 PM
I love how everyone is jumping on the Lakers bandwagon. Granted, since picking up Gasol, they've been scorching hot. But forgive me for being a bit of a stiff, the Spurs are overall the better team.
Look at that list of names I showed in my first argument. Outside of the Big 3, they've got a laundry list of veterans, who, in the biggest games in years past have stepped up. Bruce Bowen is a proven defender who hand cuffs any team's best player, and a slew of role guys who crash the boards and rain 3-balls. The Spurs are capable of shuffling their lineup during the course of the game, and not losing a step...and hell, even losing one of their Big 3, and still beating teams. i.e. What they just did for a large stretch of games on an Eastern Conference road trip without Tony Parker.
From Tim Duncan all the way down to Jacque Vaughn, the Spurs are a complete team. Veteran leadership is oozing from all sides from the roster, and it all trickles down from their HC, Popovich. The Lakers and Spurs are deadlocked in the West. Come playoff time, I'll take the leadership of Duncan, Ginobli, Parker, and their band of reliable brothers. You can take "Who's Now", I'll stick with the Spurs
The Guru hopes to be back soon said 02/26, 02:02 PM
See you've turned this throwdown around from "Who's the team to beat NOW" to "Spurs have a veteran lineup suited for a playoff push". I'm gonna continue to argue the fact that the team to beat NOW and the team everyone is gunning for in the playoffs are the Lakers.
Suns acquire Shaq. Mavericks acquire Kidd. Even the Spurs made the move, trading veteran sharp shooting Brent Barry & a future 1st round for big man Kurt Thomas. Who do you think caused all these trades? Wasnt the Spurs acquisition of Damon Stoudamire. Wasn't Utahs acquisition of Korver, though that trade gets an A grade IMO. Again, these moves are directly a result of the Gasol trade. That means the Lakers are the team everyone is gunning for and tryng to keep up with.
Spurs have a great team & their bench are full of veterans. But with age, your body & skills start to diminish. Spurs are currently one of the oldest, if not the oldest, team in the NBA. Thomas, Finley & Horry are NOT the same players as they were last year. Going against a young & energetic Lakers bench, one of the TOP BENCHES in the NBA this year, they WILL have some problems keeping up.
Mac: Suicide and Redemption said 02/26, 02:12 PM
I will admit, all signs point to LA. They've got the better conference record, Kobe, Gasol, the Zen Master, and Jack on the front row.
The Lakers are that shiny, expensive and exciting new ride rolling off the lot, speeding along behind me. I see them and I see the potential, but cant help but look at 'ol reliable: the San Antonio Spurs. They're right there with the Lakers, practically playing patty-cake with them in the standings, and as I look ahead to a possible meeting in the playoffs...I cant help but see the Spurs taking down the Lakers in a best of seven series.
We thought the Spurs were old and haggard last year, and they still took out the Nuggets, Suns, Jazz, and Cavs. They're still old, but as we see in the standings, arent exactly slowing down. I dont think you need to be 20 to stand on the outside and nail a 3-ball and play D. It's up to guys like Duncan, Parker, Ginobli, and Bowen to do all the heavy lifting, which they'are perfectly capable of doing.
How is the idea that everyone is gunning for the Lakers a constructive argument for how they are the team to beat? I dont know either, but you've stressed it a lot.
The Guru hopes to be back soon said 02/26, 02:56 PM
If you admit all signs point to LA, doesnt that mean Lakers are the team to beat???
The Lakers are definitely the shinier new model. A ride built to last & built to withstand the tough rigor elements thrown at them each & every night. Coming right off the lot, they are speeding AHEAD of every other model & not slowing down. Looking in the rear view mirror, I see an older San Antonio Spurs. Though they have been reliable in the past, they are starting to show the wear & tear of a long season. Winning games but struggling in the process. The mileage put on this model will soon take effect. A comeback win versus the Hawks, a 1 point victory over they Wolves & an OT victory over the Knicks are signs that this engine is slowly starting to putter. Those older parts that you deemed "reliable" are showing us all the opposite this year. Horry, Finley, & Bowen all shooting UNDER 40% to as low as 31%.
You are naming the "Big 3" but failing to recognize what the Lakers have to offer. Their starting 5 is arguably the BEST in the league & factor that in with the high scoring bench, they are the team to beat.
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Comments (38)
Wow...this one got picked up quickly.
Mac: Suicide and Redemption | 02/26/08, 12:22 PM
Report Offensive CommentAnd yeah, there's still two months left in the regular season, but I was bored...
Mac: Suicide and Redemption | 02/26/08, 12:25 PM
Report Offensive CommentI'd probably say the Lakers then the Spurs. Nonetheless, this should be a good throwdown between two great throwdowners. Good luck.
G.O.A.T. | 02/26/08, 12:39 PM
Report Offensive CommentLakers. Look at the conference records.
Porkins: Pisses Excellence | 02/26/08, 12:56 PM
Report Offensive Commentguru, nice first argument. I have to say the Lakers first because they wanted to make Kobe happy to stay, then they get Gasol then every team makes a deal to get better. Same with San Antonio, they got Kurt Thomas. They all have to do with the lakers.
Joe Dew | 02/26/08, 01:01 PM
Report Offensive CommentLOL Everyone is saying that the Lakers trade scared every team in the west. (And the only reason every GM and owner was shivering was b/c the Lakers traded a couple of towel boys and a pair of socks for Gasol.) So going back to how the Lakers scared every team in the west into making trades. (PHX, DAL, SA) why did they have to make a trade in the first place....b/c they knew they couldn't compete as is against the defending champs!! So for those of yall that are saying the spurs are getting old and the Lakers are the new shiny toy to pick to win it all.....keep it up! Same thing was said last year and look what happened.
GO SPURS GO!
Bacon51 | 02/26/08, 01:29 PM
Report Offensive CommentI'm not on the Lakers bandwagon. But of the two choices, I have to go with LA. Against the West, LA has a .733 winning %. SA only has a .617 winning percentage. The Lakers are better against in-conference teams.
Porkins: Pisses Excellence | 02/26/08, 01:30 PM
Report Offensive CommentYou can never go against the Defending champs. And you can never go against Tim Duncan
Chengy: bye FN | 02/26/08, 01:59 PM
Report Offensive CommentAge didn't seem to play much of a factor for the Spurs last season. It's the playoffs. You need the experience of veterans and they'll play through the pain for the Finals.
FCB82 | 02/26/08, 02:08 PM
Report Offensive Commentwhy did they have to make a trade in the first place....b/c they knew they couldn't compete as is against the defending champs
Bacon, that IS NOT the point of the td. Lakers made the trade to upgrade their roster to contend with ALL TOP TEAMS in the West. And they made the move for a big man to counter Bynums injury. Because of this move, the other trades came about. So that means the Lakers are CURRENTLY the team to beat. Erase all the homer thoughts from your head and see the real picture.
The Guru hopes to be back soon | 02/26/08, 02:09 PM
Report Offensive CommentFCB, age didnt play a factor LAST year...true. But this year, one year later, seeing the porduciton of the veterans now, it is starting to weigh on them.
The Guru hopes to be back soon | 02/26/08, 02:10 PM
Report Offensive CommentLet me ask you this FCB, the veteran savvy Miami Heat won the championship in 2005-2006. How did they do the following year, in the playoffs, with all those vets?
The Guru hopes to be back soon | 02/26/08, 02:16 PM
Report Offensive CommentHey Guru,
You both put up great arguments and it was a solid TD but I think Mac's argument was better. That's all.
FCB82 | 02/26/08, 02:40 PM
Report Offensive CommentSorry about the delayed reply. I didn't see your comments until now.
FCB82 | 02/26/08, 02:40 PM
Report Offensive CommentBye bye Houston.
Mac: Suicide and Redemption | 02/26/08, 02:46 PM
Report Offensive Commentbye bye houston indeed
The Guru hopes to be back soon | 02/26/08, 02:57 PM
Report Offensive Commentgood td mac.
The Guru hopes to be back soon | 02/26/08, 02:57 PM
Report Offensive CommentGuru, what you don't seem to understand is that the Lakers traded for Gasol to contend with the Spurs. So your logic is wrong, the Lakers made a trade to keep up. The Spurs also signed Kurt Thomas as a counter move but that is what the best teams do. Trading Barry (who will probably be back with the spurs) for Thomas was a trade they were trying to get done this summer long before the Lakers ever got Gasol.
SpursCowboys | 02/26/08, 03:00 PM
Report Offensive CommentBarry is going to Beantown
dcummings39 | 02/26/08, 03:03 PM
Report Offensive CommentSpursCowboy, what you dont understand is the Gasol trade was to fill in the void that Bynums injury left. PLUS, the Lakers have been looking for a big man for a LONG time, just like the Barry trade. They tried to pick up KG and Jermaine in the off season so getting Gasol, a reliable big man, was nto surprising. It is to keep up with every western team, not just the Spurs.
The Guru hopes to be back soon | 02/26/08, 03:05 PM
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