Comments on: Know Your Enemy: The San Antonio Spurs http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/ A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers). Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:28:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: JWest http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581369 JWest Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:50:39 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581369 Underestimate the San Antonio Spurs at your own risk. The media has e been saying since 2004, that they "older", "over the hill" and here they still are in the Western Finals last year. They'll be right someday but as long as Tim Duncan Pop and RC Buford are there, they'll always be contending. To assume otherwise is hubris. Underestimate the San Antonio Spurs at your own risk. The media has e been saying since 2004, that they “older”, “over the hill” and here they still are in the Western Finals last year. They’ll be right someday but as long as Tim Duncan Pop and RC Buford are there, they’ll always be contending. To assume otherwise is hubris.

]]> By: Kareem http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581324 Kareem Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:04:21 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581324 Baring a mid-season transformation, New Orleans would KILL the Spurs in the Playoffs. There's not even a question. NO has only gotten better and "more experienced," while the Spurs have only lost talent and aged further. The same applies for Houston and Utah. I will be very surprised if the Spurs make it to the Western Conference Finals. Baring a mid-season transformation, New Orleans would KILL the Spurs in the Playoffs. There’s not even a question. NO has only gotten better and “more experienced,” while the Spurs have only lost talent and aged further.

The same applies for Houston and Utah. I will be very surprised if the Spurs make it to the Western Conference Finals.

]]> By: Mamula http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581319 Mamula Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:19:38 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581319 LakerFan, If that ranking is for the probability of coming out of the West, then I agree. But I do not think that Regular season would produce such a list. Spurs will most probably stay in the region of 6-8 seeds, considering the injuries and the fact that TD, Manu, Bowen and some elder citizens will need more rest during the regular season. But overall, SA has the experience, guns and brains to do a lot of damage in the playoffs. It will largely depend on the opponent pairing, but SA has as good a chance to make it to the NBA finals if they do not meet with the Lakers (most uncomfortbale opponent for them due to LA's multi-rich team) LakerFan,

If that ranking is for the probability of coming out of the West, then I agree. But I do not think that Regular season would produce such a list.

Spurs will most probably stay in the region of 6-8 seeds, considering the injuries and the fact that TD, Manu, Bowen and some elder citizens will need more rest during the regular season.

But overall, SA has the experience, guns and brains to do a lot of damage in the playoffs. It will largely depend on the opponent pairing, but SA has as good a chance to make it to the NBA finals if they do not meet with the Lakers (most uncomfortbale opponent for them due to LA’s multi-rich team)

]]> By: LakerFan http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581318 LakerFan Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:12:29 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581318 I do not know why people are so low on the Spurs? They have not been active in the summer, and they are traditionally boring. But Spurs have always been that way. I think we are too hyped up with what is going on in the media. NO, UTA, HOU and even the Lakers would gladly give up one rotation player (Green/Harpring/Brooks/Walton) to have the experience, mental toughness, team spirit, longevity and coninuity that Spurs have Remember that basketball is a mental sport, where a lot of social factors (teamwork, positive chemistry, good relationship, trust) can be more imoprtant than talents of some players. My ranking of Western Conference Power this year would be: 1. Lakers 2. San Antonio 3.Utah 4.Houston 5. Phoenix 6.New Orleans 7.Dallas 8. Denver/Portland I do not know why people are so low on the Spurs? They have not been active in the summer, and they are traditionally boring. But Spurs have always been that way.

I think we are too hyped up with what is going on in the media. NO, UTA, HOU and even the Lakers would gladly give up one rotation player (Green/Harpring/Brooks/Walton) to have the experience, mental toughness, team spirit, longevity and coninuity that Spurs have

Remember that basketball is a mental sport, where a lot of social factors (teamwork, positive chemistry, good relationship, trust) can be more imoprtant than talents of some players.

My ranking of Western Conference Power this year would be:

1. Lakers
2. San Antonio
3.Utah
4.Houston
5. Phoenix
6.New Orleans
7.Dallas
8. Denver/Portland

]]> By: Craig W. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581317 Craig W. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:59:42 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581317 k_swagger8, "...Sun Yue, Dj Mbenga, heath, karl, and giles are good candidates for that spot." None of these guys should see the floor, other than garbage time...even with injuries. That is the key word and the reason Walton and Mihm are on the roster at this time. Both can play 15-20 minutes if they have to because of injuries. Of the others you mentioned, I see only Sun Yue and Karl making the club, with Giles having an outside chance at the 15th player if Mitch feels any deal he makes will be 2 for 1. k_swagger8,
“…Sun Yue, Dj Mbenga, heath, karl, and giles are good candidates for that spot.” None of these guys should see the floor, other than garbage time…even with injuries. That is the key word and the reason Walton and Mihm are on the roster at this time. Both can play 15-20 minutes if they have to because of injuries.

Of the others you mentioned, I see only Sun Yue and Karl making the club, with Giles having an outside chance at the 15th player if Mitch feels any deal he makes will be 2 for 1.

]]> By: k_swagger8 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581316 k_swagger8 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:41:12 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581316 a bit off topic, but all the development on our roster and plans for ariza, sasha and probably powell to get extended mintues will complete the "bench mob". add to that Kobe sliding to the 3 spot. What happens now to Luke and Mihm? projecting the rotations and minutes for each position, I see: * Pau and Bynum sharing the C with the 3rd center getting 5-8 inconsistent minutes * Pau, Odom, Powell and some radman sharing the PF duties * in no particular order: Ariza, Radman, Kobe at SF * Kobe, Sasha (odom? ariza?) at the SG spot * Fish and Farmar playing PG Thats a 10-man rotation and I seriously think Phil would rotate minutes only among those players. If the starters plus odom will get 30+mins, this is how things would be and Mihm and Luke would most likely be riding the bench or getting only spot, inconsistent playing time. I think the lakers should get "cheaper" players who will be the 11th and 12th guy. a 12-13yr vet big, or a developing player who will only need spot minutes. I think Sun Yue, Dj Mbenga, heath, karl, and giles are good candidates for that spot. i dont want to see a healthy luke and mihm ride the bench all season. I think pairing them up in exchange for a vet/draft picks or trade exceptions would help the lakers, mihm and luke and the team they will go to. what are your thoughts? a bit off topic, but all the development on our roster and plans for ariza, sasha and probably powell to get extended mintues will complete the “bench mob”. add to that Kobe sliding to the 3 spot. What happens now to Luke and Mihm? projecting the rotations and minutes for each position, I see:

* Pau and Bynum sharing the C with the 3rd center getting 5-8 inconsistent minutes
* Pau, Odom, Powell and some radman sharing the PF duties
* in no particular order: Ariza, Radman, Kobe at SF
* Kobe, Sasha (odom? ariza?) at the SG spot
* Fish and Farmar playing PG

Thats a 10-man rotation and I seriously think Phil would rotate minutes only among those players. If the starters plus odom will get 30+mins, this is how things would be and Mihm and Luke would most likely be riding the bench or getting only spot, inconsistent playing time. I think the lakers should get “cheaper” players who will be the 11th and 12th guy. a 12-13yr vet big, or a developing player who will only need spot minutes. I think Sun Yue, Dj Mbenga, heath, karl, and giles are good candidates for that spot. i dont want to see a healthy luke and mihm ride the bench all season. I think pairing them up in exchange for a vet/draft picks or trade exceptions would help the lakers, mihm and luke and the team they will go to. what are your thoughts?

]]> By: natz http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581313 natz Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:08:58 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581313 i think the bench doesnt need to be supremely talented, just experienced. Its up to the coaches to utilize the players just like how Popovich have been doing with the spurs and recently, what phil has been able to do. i think the bench doesnt need to be supremely talented, just experienced. Its up to the coaches to utilize the players just like how Popovich have been doing with the spurs and recently, what phil has been able to do.

]]> By: Snoopy2006 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581312 Snoopy2006 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:41:03 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581312 On a completely unrelated note, here's more reason to hate the Celtics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oCuPF6OiZA Punk. Who does Bill Walker think he is? I wish Artest would have given it to him right there. On a completely unrelated note, here’s more reason to hate the Celtics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oCuPF6OiZA

Punk. Who does Bill Walker think he is? I wish Artest would have given it to him right there.

]]> By: Darius http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581310 Darius Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:13:42 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581310 #5 and #6. I think that the Spurs are looking for their own Bynum, Farmar, and Sasha. They found those guys with Manu and Parker, but have not found any since them. Oberto was a good grab, and I think Scola would have been that type of player for them and that Splitter would definitely provide that influx of youthful talent that the Spurs need. But they're still missing those 2-3 young players (like Stuckey, Maxiell and Amir Johnson from the Pistons, for example) that are the bridge between their core, veteran players of today and the contending team of the future. Their bench of mostly veterans will still produce, but can they make the key run when all the starters are out, they way that our bench can?...that remains to be seen. #5 and #6.

I think that the Spurs are looking for their own Bynum, Farmar, and Sasha. They found those guys with Manu and Parker, but have not found any since them. Oberto was a good grab, and I think Scola would have been that type of player for them and that Splitter would definitely provide that influx of youthful talent that the Spurs need. But they’re still missing those 2-3 young players (like Stuckey, Maxiell and Amir Johnson from the Pistons, for example) that are the bridge between their core, veteran players of today and the contending team of the future. Their bench of mostly veterans will still produce, but can they make the key run when all the starters are out, they way that our bench can?…that remains to be seen.

]]> By: Chris J http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2008/10/13/know-your-enemy-the-san-antonio-spurs/comment-page-1/#comment-581308 Chris J Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:39:15 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=1352#comment-581308 5 - I get what you're saying to an extent, but I just don't see that comparison when looking at the Spurs' current roster. Maybe there's a diamond in the rough there, but heading into last season I think there was clear evidence that Bynum and Farmar were going to make a solid leap forward, and Vujacic had shown signs of real talent as well. I was firmly opposed to dealing Bynum over the 2007 off-season because I firmly believed he would be an All-Star withing two to three seasons, once he'd grown up and matured a bit. Farmar also showed signs of being a very good NBA 1 guard the prior year. Bottom line, there was a lot of upside with those young guys. I just don't see anyone on the Spurs roster now who's shown the early signs of future greatness on the horizon. But as I'm fond of saying, it's only October and time will tell all come June. 5 – I get what you’re saying to an extent, but I just don’t see that comparison when looking at the Spurs’ current roster.

Maybe there’s a diamond in the rough there, but heading into last season I think there was clear evidence that Bynum and Farmar were going to make a solid leap forward, and Vujacic had shown signs of real talent as well.

I was firmly opposed to dealing Bynum over the 2007 off-season because I firmly believed he would be an All-Star withing two to three seasons, once he’d grown up and matured a bit. Farmar also showed signs of being a very good NBA 1 guard the prior year. Bottom line, there was a lot of upside with those young guys.

I just don’t see anyone on the Spurs roster now who’s shown the early signs of future greatness on the horizon. But as I’m fond of saying, it’s only October and time will tell all come June.

]]>