2016 Playoffs: Spurs 94 - Grizzlies 68

So the San Antonio Spurs put on an impressive win, while also angering me in the processes.  This is the kinda game that upsets casual fans of basketball who just tune into the Playoffs.

  • No starter for the Spurs played more than 27 minutes.  
  • The leading scorer for the Spurs had 16 points and came off the bench.
  • Spurs dropped 94 points on 66 shots.

If you followed the Spurs all season, this game kinda felt like the game they play when they're out on extended road trips where they're playing their playing their 3rd game in 5 nights.

As a Bulls fan...  I can't help but look at the Spurs and be filled with Jealousy.  They continue to masterfully manage player minutes and they will likely play an OKC team that is on the verge of imploding.

The Spurs haven't been consistently tested by an opposing team and they likely won't until they see Warriors in the Western Conference Finals...   but I think there's something to be said about this team not knowing what to do when they have to get into clutch-time-basketball.

Perhaps a referendum will be needed on the Spurs possibly having the most rested team to not advance to the NBA Finals. 

 

2016 Playoffs: Spurs 106 - Memphis 74

2016 NBA Playoffs tipped-off over the weekend and the San Antonio Spurs confirmed what many of us already knew about the Western Conference after 82 regular season games.   The top 4 teams of the West should easily advance to the second round and that's where every team will likely face their first genuine tests over 6 or 7 game series.

The Memphis Grizzlies are simply not healthy enough to take on the Spurs...  in addition to the teams getting plenty of rest between games.  The Spurs have effectively showcased how they can manage player minutes and not really have to worry about how the starters when they're asked to show up for big games.

After seeing nearly all of their games this season, its all about how well their top 8 players perform or chip in when needed.  I'm really curious to see what the Spurs may try to do with offensive output from their back court.   Parker had a lot of contested drives to the basket and I believe he will be a liability as they get deeper into the playoffs.  Danny Green on the other hand only took one shot last night and he thankfully made it.  His struggles from the field have been well documented this season - but he needs to log more minutes in some of these blowouts to figure out his offensive contributions.

Top 3 Ballerz of the Night

  1. Kawhi logged 29 'active' minutes - pulling 20 points, 50% from behind the arc (3 of 6) and 4 steals.  Some of his early steals in the first half set the tone for the game and probably the series.
  2. LaMarcus pulled down 17 points as he continues to play though what I believe is a broken hand.
  3. Parker had an above average night tonight...  he's someone to keep an eye on tho'.  A lot of his drives to the basket were contested early.  The Spurs are shaky at gaurd.

Game 69: Spurs 87 - Warriors 79

So its the morning after the big game against the Spurs and I'm still not sure what transpired last night.  I haven't really had a chance to read any recaps online but I'm opting to avoid a lot of the stuff locally or national sports radio because there will be a knee jerk reaction to a "defensive" effort by the Spurs.

My take...  The Warriors had an uncharacteristic shooting night.  The Spurs dictated a pace to the game that helped them edge out the Warriors - but I don't see that turning into blueprint for stopping Golden State.

The two teams will meet two more times before the end of the year but it may not feature two teams willing to show one another what they have planned for the playoffs.

After 68 games, it's all about how the Spurs & Warriors

Spurs improved their 2015/2016 home win record to 33-0 last night and the city of San Antonio is a buzz about the Golden State Warriors game on Saturday night.

I'm reserving my excitement until I actually see starting lineups on the court.   I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Kerr elected to sit his starting line up to spite Coach Pop...  in turn I too wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs elected to sit key players on Saturday night.

Home winning streak records mean nothing in the playoffs.  The Spurs have a firm grasp on 2nd place in the West and if they were to start today - they would match up nicely against the Houston Rockets.

If both teams agree to play full tilt tomorrow night, the game may provide better insights on how close the two teams will play in June.  I don't expect the Spurs to win on Saturday night... but I don't expect them to lose by 32 either.

I believe the key to the game is getting the Warriors into foul trouble and controlling the tempo of the game.  The Spurs will have trouble with fast paced transitions and they will also have a hard time exchanging efficient 2 point plays against high percentage 3's from Golden State.

Game 45: Spurs 90 - Golden State 120

Spent a good part of the morning avoiding immediate reactions from last nights ass whopping...   The few fans I've run across appear be a little stunned by the disparity of play between both teams last night and most have told me that the Spurs simply didn't "have it" last night.

In short...  they didn't.   I just happen to be of the opinion that this Spurs team - is not constructed to ever "have it" against Golden State.  

I can't shake the feeling that the Spurs won't make any changes to their roster going into the 2nd half of the season... 


Game 31 - 44 = Spurs 13 Wins and 1 Loss

So its Monday morning, January 25th and I haven't really posted anything on this website for about a month.  Despite having a lot of time to myself over the Holidays, I didn't really want to take away from my personal time to reflect on Spurs games.   I kinda wanted to hop on and shit on the Spurs for losing a Christmas game against the Rockets...  but I opted to let it go and looked forward to seeing the Spurs go into the second half of the season.

Section 114

The Spurs are on the verge of playing the best team in the NBA tonight and they have a lot of things going for them.  They're on a 13 game win streak that featured a number of quality games and near losses.  I actually attended two of those near loss games in person - the game against the Knicks was crazy and the game against the Cavs was in danger until they pulled a rabbit out of their ass to win that game in the 3rd and 4th quarter.

The Suite Life

I just read that Tim Duncan will sit out of the game tonight.  A move that really doesn't make that much of a difference.  Tim was not going to dump 15 points and pull 15 boards... but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  

I can't shake the feeling that the Warriors are going to blast the Spurs tonight.  It would be nice to see the Spurs play their usual starters and see how these teams measure up with one another from the tip.  They're 2 games apart and home court advantage is going to play a big part in winning the West.  I'm sorry... but I can't shake the feeling that this team is not bullet proof and we're about to witness a loss.


Game 30: Spurs 108 - Timberwolves 83

Caught last nights game in the second quarter or so...  The Spurs held down a 14 point or more lead from that point on and it shaped up to be snooze worthy win against Lottery Pick team.

The Timberwolves are in dire need of a proper coach so that Towns and Wiggins can develop properly.  The Spurs had their way with them from beginning to end...

Speaking of which, Kawhi -went from having 9 points entering the 4th quarter to leading all scorers in what seemed like 4 minutes.   


Game 29: Spurs 106 - Pacers 92

Spurs completed the 4 game home stand and improved to 16-0 in San Antonio.  The team is beginning to get a lot of positive coverage in the press as we approach the Christmas Day game against the Rockets.

I was a little surprised to see the Spurs easily dispose of the Pacers.  I heard a number of good things about their team before they came to town and wondered if they would catch the Spurs on an off night.  The Spurs showed up on the second half and put them away like they have so many other teams in recent weeks.


Game 28: Spurs 115 - Clippers 107

San Antonio Spurs took had a quality win over a team that I believe will get things figured out after the Christmas break...   While the Western Conference appears to be having a down year...  the Mavericks, Clippers, Thunder and Warriors - are teams you want to avoid playing 6 or 7 games in a playoff series.

I'm typing this up on Christmas eve and I'm having a hard time recollecting details from the game...  I had really bad back pains and remember watching a lot of the second half while laying belly down in my bed.