This weekend I saw the San Antonio Spurs put up such a putrid display against the Los Angeles Lakers that I thought I'd been watching a battalion of French soldiers in battle. Never mind that we're talking about the reigning NBA champions. The accolade itself no longer seems adept for this team.
Lamar Odom of the Lakers gets to the basket while several Spurs' defenders look on. The Lakers' 106-85 routing of the Spurs was a highlight for the fans in attendance. picture courtesy of nbae/getty images/ Lisa Blumenfeld ..........
As an avowed fan of the Spurs I never though that I'd see a team lay down and surrender with such ease. And Greg Popovich as the team's coach has got to be angered by the display. Wheres the Lakers after this victory have got to be all the more invigorated by the win. Not only that their confidence will have grown immensely. With everything to play for and the #1 seeding in the Western Conference still up for grabs. It now becomes a two horse race between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets.
Kobe Bryant gets past Tim Duncan and applies a layup in the process of scoring . picture courtesy of nbae/getty images/ Andrew D Bernstein ...........
San Antonio at this point are out of the hunt for the # 1 seeding as it's mathematically impossible for them to obtain it without both teams ahead of them imploding. And judging by the way that both are playing at present that's unlikely to happen. The Spurs for their part placed themselves in this mess with the apparent lack of inconsistent play down the sretch. Certainly not something that you'd expect of a Popovich coached team. Normally you'd see a team that's disciplined and executing well on both ends of the floor. Somehow as of late this hasn't been the case with this team. They've become lethargic and inefficient.
A somewhat bewildered Tony Parker looks on as his team succumbs to the Lakers in the final moments of the fourth quarter in the game played at the Staples Center. picture courtesy of nbae/getty images/ Noah Graham ..........
The Spurs' triunmvirate of Tim Duncan , Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker so much a part of last season's win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals have been less than stellar this season. Parker coming of a prolonged injury has yet returned to form. Duncan for his part ever remaining consistent hasn't taken this team on his shoulders and willed it to win. Ginobli though for his part has shown us flashes of his genius and when coming off the bench he's all too often provided the spark needed to ingite the team. But then once having performed up to expectation they then mire themselves back to the depths of mediocrity. It has been this that's made many of the fans incensed and somewhat bewildered.
Tim Duncan goes up against Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers. picture courtesy of nbae/getty images/Noah Graham .............
This season the Western Conference has become so contentious and fractured that it's been akin to watching a prolonged battle between several adversaries that are equally adept as one another. Much has been made of the trades that've gone on across the team as several opf the teams in question immediately became better almost overnight. The Spurs weren't part of the contretemps that took place as they basically stayed pat in terms of roster movement. Their one acquiree was Damon Stoudemire of whom it can be said that his best days are indeed behind him and not ahead of him. As a backup to Parker he's shown nothing of the adeptness and clarity that we know Parker is capable of. It was like obtaining a mule to replace a prized race horse. You know that the mule may well be hard working but he wouldn't be able to meet all of your expectations when called upon.
Teammates Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant hug each other after their win against the San Antonio Spurs infront of an appreciative home crowd. Also pictured is teammate Luke Walton. picture courtesy of nbae/getty images/Noah Graham .....
For the Spurs (54-25) now will be the time for them to prove themselves. With their final three games left in the regular season it is encumbent upon them to find themselves back in a groove. Their upcoming game against the Sacramento Kings'll prove whether not they've got the intestinal fortitude to acquit themselves well. With the postseason coming up they can ill afford to be playing so inconsistently. And they'd be foolhardy to underestimate whoever they'll face in the opening rounds of the playoffs. Such is the contentious of the division where the margin of error can't be tolerated if you're intentions are to win a championship. Over the years we've seen how adept this franchise can be when facing certain types of adversity but this year has been a year like no other. We've seen the ascension of the Hornets the re-emergence of the Lakers , the Suns and Mavericks remaining dangerous as ever. And in the Denver Nuggets we may well be seeing a team that's finally turned the corner and that's willing to believe that anything is possible.
Tony Parker of the Spurs attempts to shoot over the outstretched arms of Kobe Bryant. picture courtesy of nbae/getty images/Noah Graham ........
The fans in San Antonio however have got to be feeling somewhat strange seeing the team struggle the way that they've been doing as of late. I know living here in Central Florida and supporting the team from afar I'm perplexed as to the dilemma that the team now finds itself in. We may well be still considered one of the favorites within the conference to win it all. But at this juncture I'd certainly place a caveat in there . As with each passing game our tenure on the championship seems to fading all too quickly for my own liking. It feels great when you're noted as being a champion when you're dethroned that feeling just hits you in the pit of your stomach when you're told that you're not. And that's a feeling that none of us really likes to hear when someone says that about the team you support.
Good read. At Halftime I was thinking, man this going to go down to the wire. I definetly did not expect the Lakers to dominate the 2nd half like they did. I'm 50 yrs old and went to my first Lakers game at the age of 9 in 1967. I saw Elgin Baylor and Jerry West play and was hooked for life. And I definetly understand how you feel about your team being on top one minute then down the next. I've seen the Lakers thru good times and bad.
And I take offense when some people throw out the Bandwagon comments,lol. I'm a diehard Lakers fan but more importantly I love the NBA. Again a good read. Dont count the Spurs out just yet tho. They are a great team.
I still have faith that the Spurs are of such championship caliber that they will be able to flip the switch when need be. But they certainly haven't kept up with the Joneses in the West with all the trades.
The Lakers look impressive, but regardless, the Spurs will be a tough out.
top,
Nice post. (great pictures btw...)
Keep in mind your boys were minus Manu, that's a HUGE factor. They hung tough in the first half...nothing to be ashamed of. The thing to be ashamed of is Bowen. I've pretty much left him alone, not necessarily agreeing with people that called him "dirty".
I am an advocate of playing defense...it is THE most under-valued aspect of the game (by fans). Coaches, GM's and those who actually PLAY the game appreciate it much more than the average Joe-six pack sports fan.
My problem was his contesting the blatant hack on Luke yesterday...
How in the world did he not just turn and walk away? Replays were abundantly clear on his guilt. Yet he chose to argue with the ref, claiming his innocence. I'm starting to believe the hype regarding Bruce's less than honerable tactics...where's that much smoke, there must be fire. Does he not realize there are cameras EVERYWHERE? Spike Lee claimed to have no less than 19 focused on Kobe alone. The extent to which today's atheletes are in denial of guilt (in ANY form is disheartening, to say the least) I guess we can thank Slick Willy for the acceptance of lying. But NBA players in particular RARELY profess thier fouls. Ronny and Fish are exceptions to the rule in my opinion. They regularly raise their hands to acknowledge the ref. More players should do this. It's detrimental to the game and fuels the ire of the home crowd fans. I'm not saying the officials are always right...far from it. I'm merely requesting that players...so called PROFESSIONALS...take responsibility for their actions.
Last edited by BleedPRPL&GLD on April 14th at 12:00 PM.
BleedPRPL&GLD
I'd rather see the team put up an attempt at competing than seeing 'em throw in the towel . This isn't France where they wave the white flag at the first sign of trouble. And even without Ginobli that oughtn't to be an excuse.
I've faith that they can right the ship but if not then I'll have to raise the white flag once and for all , surround the retreat and then surrender as that's how bad they looked yesterday. Hell I for one never expected this of a Popovich coached team.
lakersfan4life
I watched the game and was perpelexed as to how bad we were playing. Little did I realize that they'd have sunk to new lows at this juncture . It got so bad that they'd begun to stink up the joint . I sincerely doubt the Lakers' fans were believing what they were seeing. It might've been an aberration to 'em at first but then it just continued to get worse.
I'm not quite yet ready to wave a white flag but I think I ought to go out and buy an 8' flagpole just in case the mayhem continues.
Reverend Rhythm
My faith is being severely tested by this team at present. And my nerves just can't take it anymore. You can count the number of times you've seen a Popovich coached team on one hand implode like this. But when it happens it's at the most
inopportune of times. If that should happen in the playoffs in all likelihood it could signal their death knell .
lol...Hold off on the flagpole tophatal. They arent done yet. Keep the faith brother. At any rate, its going to be one of the best playoffs in alot of years.
Tophatal...good article and nice pics! The Spurs should have made a move in free agency like their counterparts in the west...but they will be ok. Seasoned veterans never go down easily!
Hey, I'd rather have your misery of wondering if my team will return to the finals then have mine. As a Magic fan I'm just happy to see a 50 win season! First one since '95...good luck!
I thought all along that this Spurs team is incapable of inefficiency, I thought that they are bunch of robot who could deliver win in any given night. Alas they are mortals too.
There is no invincibility in this world... sir.
We've seen great men fall, the great Napoleon has his waterloo, Mark Anthony has his cleopatra and Samson had his delilah. We also have seen weaknesses on basketball greats like Chamberlain, Russell, Abdul-Jabbar, Magic, Bird and Jordan.
So you see sir, this team are human beings... possesses infirmities like any one of us. The team still not in a tight situation and i know in due time they will rise to the occasion and prove to one and all... they are still a force to reckon with in the NBA.
TH
At least one team in LA isn't completely fu_cking shiite!
Getting beat by a steaming pile of Toronto FC.
Great start to the season by LA Beckovan RG!
nwhatdheck
I think that the Spurs are more than capable of acquitting themselves well. But with the Western Conference being so contentious there's no real room for any great margin of error. I want to see 'em playing a consistent brand of basketball going into the playoffs. Rather than limping into it. They can ill afford to replicate that form in the playoffs or else they'll be one and done !
But it'll now be dependent upon 'Pop' instilling some discipline within their ranks. As no one expects a Popovich coached team to be playing so erratically.
craigy_f
I think you know my feelings when it comes to Beckham.... overhyped , overpaid and not particularly intelligent . And even with Posh on the end of his arm it won't equate to anything much. As long as he's here stealing money blind from the Galaxy I for won't really give a damn !
The next thing you'll be hearing is that his pal Tom Cruise'll want to play him in a movie.
tophatal .............
Last edited by tophatal on April 14th at 10:52 PM.
Spurs played a little better last night, but were more fortunate than the Hornets in that Ron Artest didn't play.
Duncan shooting 6-7 was much improved over the 6-19 he put up against the Lakers! Frenchman Tony played great, 32 pts 11 assists. They still needed a last-second 3-pointer by the Kings to come off rhe rim at the end.
With regard to your comments on consistency, the Spurs last game is against the west's most consistent at the end of the season, the Utah Jazz.
With this win, I think you avoided the Jazz in the playoffs(?)
Suns won handily in SA last time, though. Unlike the rest of the Spurs proppers above, I'm saying they are clearly in decline as you have documented, and will be out in the 1st or 2nd round (should be 1st round, but the Suns coach is mentally challenged).
Last edited by nba is the worst on April 15th at 5:46 AM.
The Lakers certainly look like the team to beat. But you cannot count out the Spurs. Remember they started out as the #3 seed last season and won it all.
Curly Mo
What's been niggling me though is their inconsistency. And what people tend to have
forgotten is that this year has been even more contentious than last year. In terms of the team's play of much of the regular season. Last year we knew who the really good teams where . And this years because of the trades that've taken place the landscape has immediately become more varied and rampant in terms of quality teams.
The Spurs are good enough to win it all. But so too are five or six other teams within the Conference.
nbaistheworst
The legs on Duncan are no longer what they once were. But his basketball mind is unequalled within the game. And that's where he's got an advantage over others of his era. It'll now be down to the likes of Manu and Parker to guide this team over the next few months as the playoffs begin. Timmy's still go a great role to play in all of this. As he's the team's spiritual leader as well as its lynchpin.
tophatal ...........
Last edited by tophatal on April 15th at 10:43 AM.
nbaistheworst
The switch is there but it's their overall frame of mind that's all askew . This team is playing like it's sleepwalking instead of having the mindset that they need to be on top of their game. If they carry on this way then you're right they'll be one and done . This isn't what I'd have expected from a Popovich coached team at this time of the year. Even if the conference has become more contentious that's still no excuse not to have the players prepared to play.
Uhhhg, I just hate the Spurs. I can't say they don't deserve to be where they are, they are such a great team with some awesome players. I fall into that category of people--and I can't quite explain why--who is just bored watching them play. I'd like to see Denver come out of the West (a huge upset) but I'd be ok if it was the Lakers too. Do you think that Ginobli should be a starter?
JCScheffres Things now seem to be on the up and up for the Spurs. So I won't be dumping 'em anytime soon. They've now got the better of the Suns. And though the series now moves on to Phoenix. Does anyone really now think that Suns can actually win the series outright by erasing an 0-2 deficit ?
Born in the UK of Caribbean parentage and having lived in the US for the last 15 years. A keen martial artist (Black Belt 2nd degree in karate. I also practice savate , tae - kwondo ) College Grad BA's in Econ and Int' Fin. Served five years in the British military. I've gotten use to the American way of life and the language. The women on the other hand, that's something else ! Sports is my great passion along with music and the movies. However I feel that having resided here for all this time , I still somewhat miss the land of my birth. That being said I 'love this great country and all that it has afforded me' An avid Pats and Spurs' fan. Soccer Chelsea ,
tophatal..... ....
