So as we close in on the half-way point of this shortened NBA season your beloved San Antonio Spurs sit at 19-9 good enough for third in the Western Conference. Are the Spurs contenders in the West? If so, who are the teams to beat? In this uncertain year of weird schedules and even weirder results, San Antonio is getting back their best player in the midst of their longest road trip of the year and just happen to be playing their best basketball of the year. Teams like Dallas and the Lakers are struggling to keep pace, while the young guns in OKC and the "other" LA team are setting the bar. It's an odd year to say the least, so let's take a look at the contenders and pretenders in the West.
First, here are the current standings:
| 1 | Oklahoma City | 21 | 6 | .778 | - | 9-1 | 12-5 | 3-1 | 16-5 | 101.1 | 96.4 | +4.7 | Won 1 | 7-3 |
| 2 | LA Clippers | 17 | 8 | .680 | 3 | 10-3 | 7-5 | 2-1 | 9-6 | 98.7 | 96.0 | +2.7 | Won 2 | 8-2 |
| 3 | San Antonio | 19 | 9 | .679 | 2 ½ | 13-1 | 6-8 | 8-3 | 15-7 | 98.0 | 93.3 | +4.8 | Won 7 | 8-2 |
| 4 | Dallas | 17 | 11 | .607 | 4 ½ | 10-5 | 7-6 | 3-1 | 13-8 | 94.7 | 91.6 | +3.1 | Won 3 | 6-4 |
| 5 | LA Lakers | 16 | 12 | .571 | 5 ½ | 11-2 | 5-10 | 3-2 | 11-5 | 92.7 | 90.9 | +1.8 | Won 1 | 6-4 |
| 6 | Houston | 16 | 12 | .571 | 5 ½ | 10-3 | 6-9 | 3-3 | 10-10 | 98.1 | 96.3 | +1.8 | Lost 1 | 6-4 |
| 7 | Denver | 16 | 12 | .571 | 5 ½ | 7-7 | 9-5 | 1-3 | 7-12 | 103.9 | 100.2 | +3.7 | Won 1 | 3-7 |
| 8 | Utah | 14 | 12 | .538 | 6 ½ | 11-5 | 3-7 | 3-2 | 10-9 | 96.7 | 97.0 | -0.3 | Won 1 | 4-6 |
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| Portland | 15 | 13 | .536 | 6 ½ | 11-3 | 4-10 | 3-2 | 11-10 | 98.1 | 92.8 | +5.4 | Lost 1 | 4-6 | |
| Memphis | 14 | 14 | .500 | 7 ½ | 9-5 | 5-9 | 3-3 | 9-12 | 92.5 | 91.9 | +0.6 | Lost 1 | 4-6 | |
| Minnesota | 13 | 15 | .464 | 8 ½ | 7-10 | 6-5 | 0-2 | 10-7 | 96.3 | 95.3 | +1.0 | Lost 3 | 5-5 | |
| Phoenix | 12 | 15 | .444 | 9 | 5-7 | 7-8 | 2-1 | 6-10 | 93.4 | 96.1 | -2.7 | Won 1 | 6-4 | |
| Golden State | 10 | 14 | .417 | 9 ½ | 7-8 | 3-6 | 1-4 | 5-9 | 99.3 | 100.7 | -1.4 | Won 2 | 5-5 | |
| Sacramento | 10 | 17 | .370 | 11 | 7-5 | 3-12 | 2-2 | 7-13 | 92.0 | 100.5 | -8.5 | Lost 1 | 4-6 | |
| New Orleans | 4 | 23 | .148 | 17 | 2-14 | 2-9 | 0-7 | 2-18 | 87.1 | 93.3 | -6.2 | Lost 8 | 1-9 | |
As you can see, the West is wide open with the top 9 teams separated by only 6.5 games, with the next 4 teams 3 games or less back of he 8th seed. I think the only team that is clearly out of it is the NOOCH with only 4 wins at this point in the year.
So here is a list, in order of current rank in the conference, of teams and my thoughts on them and their potential in the West:
The Thunderclaps are young and athletic, they can beat any team in the NBA on any given night. The two issues I can see that will hurt this team come playoff time is the lack of experience (although they did pick up a good bit of that last year) and lack of depth. The talent is just getting better, but can this team overcome the kind of mental break downs they had in last year's playoffs?
Even if they can't, they're going to be a tough out and will probably have home-court throughout to and thru the WCF. If this team can get it together on defense, they will be the top contender in the conference.
Don't take me rating this team as a pretender as me disregarding them. The main issue for Lob City is that you've got to do more than score and dunk when the post season starts. There is little to no defense played in Griffindor these days and if that continues they won't last long in the playoffs. The Clips rate 24th in Defense Rating at Basketball-Reference.com
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Clippers win a first round series against a lesser team and then get knocked out in 5 games or less in the second round. LA's other team will need to get some experience and defensive toughness before they can make a legit post season run.
Veteran laden teams usually do well in the post season, so you won't want to be looking past the defending champs. Of course if Dirk doesn't get right this team is doomed. Vince Carter, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd are not enough to get out of round 1, much less make any noise beyond. That said, this team with a healthy Dirk can get hot in a 7 game series and be the end of a better team.
I look for the Mavericks to improve throughout the year and possibly end up as contenders. That will mean that they remain healthy and don't get worn down over the year. As I said, veterans who have won will be tough outs and one does not want to be counting ones chickens before they hatch.
Veteran laden team with more talent that the Mavs and even more experience. I put the Lakers down as contenders for two reasons: 1. Kobe can go off at any time and 2. So can the rest of their team. The Lakers have some serious flaws. A lack of a solid Point Guard and no bench to speak of. That said they're solid on defense, 11th in Defensive Rating, and they're getting better as they become more familier with Mike Brown's defense.
We have yet to see the Spurs match up with the Lakers, but this is a team that I'd rather not see in the playoffs. That said I think the Spurs would have a good shot at any match up with the Lakers as Pop is clearly superior to Mike Brown when it comes to coaching basketball.
We've seen a lot of the Rockets so far this year and needless to say they have given San Antonio problems, but you expect that from a division rival. I don't see Houston being a serious contender as they don't have that one "go to guy" that every contender will need come playoff time.
That said, the Rockets are a nice offensive team and are middle of the pack when it comes to defense. I wouldn't mind if the Spurs didn't have to play Houston in the post season, but I think that our boys will have come a long way from all these early season games that they struggled in. If the playoffs started today it would pit the old I-10 rivals against each other in round 1. I tend to think Houston might be on the outside looking in when the post-season starts.
Denver is young and fun to watch. They have slipped a bit from their early season form, but I expect them to make the playoffs. Denver has similar problems as Houston, good offense, mediocre defense. They also don't have that go to guy that you want to take those end of the game shots. I see the Nuggets being part of an entertaining first round match up with whoever they play, but not really having much of a chance of advancing.
I'd actually be surprised if the Jazz end up making the playoffs. With Portland and Memphis close behind I think Utah will come back down to earth a bit. In fact, that falling from the top seems to have already started with the Jazz. This is another team that lacks that true star to help them take it to the next level. The Jazz are a player or two away from being real contenders, in my opinion.
The only reason I consider Portland to be pretenders is because they are inconsistant. They rank in the top 5 in defensive rating and are 11th in offensive rating. So why are they 15-13 and currently in 9th? If this team can figure out a way to win consistently and develop that mental toughness they are going to be contenders and they will cause all sorts of match up issues for any team they face. The Blazers have the star and maybe more than one and I for one hope the Spurs do not face them in the post season as it would be a long difficult series.
With Zach Randolph out and the team having to lean on Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol they aren't scaring us this year. I'm not sure this teams wasn't a tad bit better when Gay wasn't there to lean on. I'm sure when Z-bo gets back that they will pick up more wins and ultimately make the playoffs. I'm just not sure that last year's run wasn't just a bit of hot shooting and bad play by our Spurs. Whatever it was, Memphis needs their big man back in order to make a run at the playoffs, much less a run in the playoffs.
I think the T-pups have taken over where the Memphis was last year as the worst match up for San Antonio. They aren't a great team, but they've got some really talented guys that can ruin your playoff run before it gets started. I doubt they'll end up in the playoffs with some many teams in front of them, but if they do manage to squeak in, I hope it's not against the Spurs. Kevin Love and company give our boys fits.
I am much more worried about teams with experience and veteran leadership than I am of teams that are young with little to no playoff experience. I think the Lakers and Mavs will be tougher than I'd like to admit if they are healthy. With guys like Dirk and Kobe you don't ever want to count them out. I do think that the Thunder will be the team to beat in the West. The experience they've gotten over the last couple of years will go a long way to helping them achieve playoff success.
As far as the Spurs go, there aren't any teams out that there that San Antonio couldn't handle. Every team in the West has a weakness to be sure, but a lot of them can upend anybody on any given night. The West is there to be won, but it's going to take solid play and a bit of luck to navigate this minefield of streaky teams.
SoS and other data from Basketball-Reference.com
3 recs | 106 comments
I heard Randolph was possibly out for the season. I don’t have a link because they mentioned it during a broadcast. If he’s out for the year, so is Memphis. Marc Gasol is a great complementary piece but you can’t build around him. I think the Western Conference comes down to us and Oklahoma City. Even with a healthy Dirk, Dallas is going to struggle, and LA (right now, at least) can’t seem to get it together. They did the same thing last year before getting it together for the last two or three weeks of the season and then getting destroyed by Dallas in the playoffs. This year, though, they’ve got no depth, Bynum hasn’t had his yearly injury and Pao still hasn’t had his yearly mental breakdown. Which means it’s likely those things are still to come. While I think they’ll make the playoffs, I’d say they are as likely to miss them entirely as they are to win a title this year.
SpursfanSteve - February 13, 2012
Lakers are about matchups, much like the Spurs. If they get OKC, they’ll have trouble, but certain teams, they’ll fair better against. Spurs Memphis of this year, is Twolves, as we all know too well. I think Lakers still match up well with the Spurs, although not as well without Odom.
Spurs matchup really well with OKC though, which is very very nice. They will miss Eric Maynor who’s out for the season.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
I didn’t know Randolph is out for the year. That will really hurt Memphis’ chances to make the playoffs and make an impact in the playoffs. I agree about the Lakers. They could win it all or miss the playoffs, it’s hard to say at this point.
Big50 - February 13, 2012
I think Randolph is supposed to come back soon, unless they found something else or he had a setback.
Tim C. - February 13, 2012
He was out originally for a minimum of 8 weeks but Hollins said that he didn’t expect him back this season. It might have been a way to tell his players that Zbo wasn’t going to come back and save them more than the reality of the injury.
Edg5 - February 13, 2012
Yeah, I actually just read that he should be back by the end of February.
Tim C. - February 13, 2012
I think Arthur is out for the season though. That’s still a big blow.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
Randolph with be back before the end of the month.
a reporter just misinterpreted a comment from Hollins about preparing to every game as if Z-BO wont come back,
ironm8 - February 13, 2012
Actually he should be back early in March.
Edg5 - February 13, 2012
Is there any possibility that you can post the SoS of each team too?
Jordan Leithart - February 13, 2012
Sure. Give me a bit.
Big50 - February 13, 2012
Done
Big50 - February 13, 2012
Does this represent the strength of the competition that has been played against so far, or the future schedule?
Alamo - February 13, 2012
so far.
In the Hollinger Power Rankings it’s the average of the current winning percentage of all the teams you played against.
ironm8 - February 13, 2012
Correct.
Big50 - February 13, 2012
This goes toward explaining Portland’s inconsistencies imo… They have the best point differential, but don’t have a great record because they run into good teams.
Jordan Leithart - February 13, 2012
They are lousy on the road though. They play like a young team. Better than the average one, but that experience comes out on the road.
They have battled some injuries (Camby, Batum), but that is Portland, with their curse and all.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
They’ve also been lousy in close games this year – have trouble closing out teams.
CapHill - February 13, 2012
Yep. That too. Forgot to mention that part as well
grego21 - February 13, 2012
What is more amazing is that the Spurs has had the 3rd worst Schedule so far!!!
And I think before the Nets game it was the worst in the league.
So do you realize what this team has achieved?!
ironm8 - February 13, 2012
Top 4 hardest so far this season. They’ve done really well and their road record is getting better.
Big50 - February 13, 2012
Home court really helped them. Road games in this schedule are tough. Credit to the Spurs, but also luck that they lost Manu early. Spurs took advantage of all the little things to help them along.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
This seems like fun, so I’m going to give mine:
OKC – contender
Clips – pretender(but very dangerous, like the mid-2000s Suns)
Spurs – contender
Mavs – contender(like the Spurs, dependent on health)
Lakers – contender
Rockets – pretender
Nuggets – pretender(see notes on Clips)
Jazz – pretender
Blazers – contender(That Wallace/Aldridge combo is very underrated)
Grizz – pretenders(lost too much depth in Arthur/Battier/Vasquez)
T-Wolves – pretender(but Spurs should avoid them at all costs)
Tim C. - February 13, 2012
Nice. You give Dallas a bit more credit than I do. I agree about Portland for the most part. I can’t figure how they don’t have more wins. They have some really good players and very nice stats. Something’s got to give.
Big50 - February 13, 2012
Portland sucks on the road (4-10 vs. 11-3). They started off well, but that’s because they had home heavy at first. They are also 11-10 versus the West.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
Clips are very much like those Suns. Can’t play D, but don’t have Nash. Paul is good, but Nash, i think at that point is better
I can’t agree on Blazers. They are not the same team on the road. I think they’ll be dangerous, but until they can show it on the road, it’s tough to take them as a contender.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
I would hate to play vs T-wolves, Grizzlies, Rockets in playoffs
cuentaluis1 - February 13, 2012
Current standings are:
1. OKC
2. Spurs
3. Clippers
4. Cubans
5. Lakers
5. Nuggets
5. Rockets
8. Blazers
FWIW, I think those will end up being the playoff teams. To try to figure out what the playoff order will be, you have to look at the strength of the future schedule, not the current SOS. In that regard, our Spurs will be blessed with the easiest remaining schedule. To wit, after the RRT is over, the Spurs only have 4 remaining road games against teams currently in playoff spots. In other words, the Spurs should be favored in 28 of their remaining 32 games. OTOH, OKC has 11 remaining road games against those teams. What I’m saying is……if somebody gives you some good odds for San Antonio to finish with the #1 seed, think about taking the bet.
cocanat - February 14, 2012
NICE! didn’t realize how well are schedule favored the Spurs. Only 4 games on the road against .500+ teams? not bad
ironm8 - February 14, 2012
An interesting question is do we want #1 seed after last season? In last three playoffs, the Spurs played four series, and each time the underdog (by popular expert opinion) won. I almost want us to be lower seed.
Kondor - February 15, 2012
No. If Twolves make it, OKC is better off handling them. I also think the 2/7 and 3/6 matchups, based on the standings are a tad better.
grego21 - February 15, 2012
Anything that gives them Denver in the 2nd round is a good mix. Houston is a tough matchup, but a better first rounder than Minny.
grego21 - February 15, 2012
Sure, if we are matched with the Rockets, Denver and the Clips, I like our chances to go to WCF.
Kondor - February 15, 2012
That will likely be the case if Spurs stay in the 2nd or 3rd seed. 1/8 and 4/5 is likely going to be the tougher road.
grego21 - February 15, 2012
Interesting. I like the positive outlook. I tend to think that San Antonio will have a hard time over-taking OKC, but I’ve been wrong before.
Big50 - February 14, 2012
It IS troubling that, for some reason, the rest of the League has a lot more trouble with OKC than the Spurs do.
cocanat - February 14, 2012
Most teams are not built like the Spurs. That’s why.
grego21 - February 14, 2012
And nobody has TIM DUNCAN!
Kondor - February 15, 2012
wait, who is that guy? Is he some guy from the D-League?
grego21 - February 15, 2012
He is some guy from TD-League. There are not many people in that league. They say about them “He is in the league by himself”.
Kondor - February 15, 2012
I think Melo plays in a league by himself too. I don’t believe it’s the same league.
grego21 - February 15, 2012
Was talking this over with my coworker (a huge Thunder fan)—said I’d much rather SA be the 2 seed if the T-Wolves somehow sneak in at number 8. Want to part of that team :P
Trey Felder - February 13, 2012
I’d prefer Twolves not even be in the post season, at least this season.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
I dont get why people overrate the Lakers so much. They got their asses kicked by Dallas last year, and now they are much much much worse withouth Odom. Lamar was INCREDIBLE for them, He was their 3rd best player after Kobe and Pau (because Bynum got injured a lot and was inconsistent). How in the hell are they still contenders? They have swaped one of the best coaches in the league (and maybe history) for Mike “I give the ball to my star and let him do whatever he wants” Brown.
I have Kobe in my fantasy team, so im very aware of his numbers. He is going all 2006 again, shooting 30 shots per game. Now he is 6 years older and it shows. Pau is already crying and complaining (and we all know how fragile is Gasol’s mind).
Dallas, on the other hand, I think is being underrated. EVERYTHING has gone wrong for them and they are still 4th in the west. If everything goes right, they are a legit contender. They have lost a lot of D withouth Chandler, but they have some serious firepower, and if lamar starts playing to at least 50% of his usual level…they are scary good and can matchup with anyone.
Chilai - February 13, 2012
I wish I could rec this post more than once, Chilai. Agree with every word you said!
Trey Felder - February 13, 2012
Lakers get killed by athleticism, which is what the Mavs really had (last season). They have some of it still, but not as much of it this season (more bigger names this year). Lakers are matchup dependent now. Spurs have more athleticism, but I’m not sure if they fully got it. But, this isn’t Phil’s team, so I have to subtract points there and also that they lack Odom.
That said, the Lakers have the potential to expose the Spurs front line much more than most teams, if Pau and Bynum come to play. That’s where they could really hurt the Spurs. Only the Grizz are the other team, but the Grizz don’t have Shane (Miami) and Arthur (out for the season). They also don’t have Vazquez (Hornets).
Dallas O is better this year, but their D is worse. I think that’s where they are weaker.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
Lakers get graded on potential in my opinion.
They have massive defensive tools but unless they get help on Offence they are going to get screwed hard.
Agree on Dallas. They have had half a Dirk all season thus far (he is starting to shape up now) and injuries across the board.
P.S Kobe is going to fall off a cliff in the last third of a season. There is no way he keeps up this production or these minutes, without sustaining a significant injury or burning out. He is getting more inefficient as the season progresses and come playoff time if he is still averaging 36 minutes a game and taking 30 shots they lakers are toast.
Bushka - February 13, 2012
Yes, but they still can do damage. They don’t want to see OKC, but they’ll be happy to get the Spurs.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
meh, they’re all a bunch of tools if you ask me
Iullaby - February 13, 2012
Dallas still is much better at D. It is their O that is struggling.
Heman - February 13, 2012
Well, their D is keeping them alive. I still don’t think it is as strong though. They’ll miss Chandler in the post season. And they do miss Barea. He was key in their offense last post season.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
They also have a lot of depth, and I think the real Dirk is going to be back for the playoff.
spursfan87 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
I don’t trust VC. Odom is a good pickup, but yeah, I still don’t trust all their pieces to perform. I also don’t think Jet is going to play like he did. He played way unlike himself last post season.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
I think you are grossly underestimating the ponies….But I like how you think. Eff them…
Heman - February 14, 2012
I think they are dangerous, but playing the odds, VC is still half player, half effort. Terry is more unclutch than clutch. Kidd is older, and not the same. Barea is no longer there to power the unit with a spark. Yes, roddy beaubois is now healthy, but I’d be more fearful of Barea on a more consistent basis.
Stevenson, the punk is no longer there and Mavs don’t have that guy any longer. Odom is not a Laker and doesn’t have the Gasol lineup. That said, they still have a good team as long as Cuban spends.
grego21 - February 14, 2012
Lakers are good defensively, and have dominant bigs(at least starting). Once the postseason starts, that’s good enough to overcome most flaws. Since basically all of the teams in the West(including our Spurs) have deep flaws, I tried to pick the ones whose flaws were not on the defensive end.
Tim C. - February 13, 2012
Defense tends to make up for offensive flaws, more often than not.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
I think the Lakers are doomed this season dont matter what happens. They have a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE hole in the PG position, casually the position where almost any team has a great or at least good point guard. Lets face it, this is the point guard era. And the lakers cant score or defend or distribute from that position.
And all the talk about Gasol-Bynum: its pointless if Kobe wont pass them the ball.
Remember when we couldnt handle Carmelo, because he was the one guy that scored over Bowen at will? The best defender we had was Iverson, who would ignore Carmelo time and time again. The same thing is happening right now with Kobe.
Chilai - February 13, 2012
As currently constructed I would tend to agree with you, but the Lakers have a huge asset in the Lamar Odom trade exception. They can basically absorb an 8 million dollar contract or a couple of smaller contracts. They are waiting for the Dwight situation to figure itself out but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were really aggressive at the deadline if they don’t get Howard.
They could turn that TE and a pick or two into Stuckey, Devin Harris, Ramon Sessions, Jameer Nelson, Andre Miller, Luke Ridnour, Beno Udrih or Kirk Hinrich.
Edg5 - February 13, 2012
I’m expecting Sessions to be honest… and nothing terrifies me more
Jordan Leithart - February 13, 2012
Im expecting Gilbert Arenas ….
cuentaluis1 - February 13, 2012
The scary about the Lakers is that $9M trade exception they got for the Odom trade.
spursfan87 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Lakers have 2 huge holes this season, at PG & SF.
spursfan87 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
I hope someones break the heart of gasol in playoffs
cuentaluis1 - February 13, 2012
In my opinion if a team has a great scoring PG and can stop Gasol-Bynum … they can beat the lakers
Kobe can shoot whatever he wants …
cuentaluis1 - February 13, 2012
Agree with it all C.
indiancharlie - February 14, 2012
I want to agree with you about LAL, but I’m wary of underestimating them. You’re probably right about Dallas, I almost put them as contenders, but I have a tendency to want to underestimate the Mavs because of all the playoff failures.
Big50 - February 14, 2012
And because Jason Terry exists on that team.
grego21 - February 14, 2012
Also true.
Big50 - February 14, 2012
I like where we’re at, but it’s way too early for me to see how far this team can go. Both the injuries to Manu and TJ upset the apple cart a bit. TJ was coming into his own and showing terrific leadership in our 2nd unit; all the more amazing that he was accomplishing this on the fly w/o the benefit of a training camp.
Manu looked like he was gearing up for another All-star season; which is still a possibility, but now he’s back in pre-season mode.
The injuries to both these guys set them back, but gave Pop a chance to see what kind of moxie the role-players had. Boy, am I glad he did. Danny, Konami, and Chee-agohave benefitted from the playing time. The Dallas Game was more than enough evidence to show howdangerous
transgojobot - February 13, 2012
So we are 14th Defensive Rating … I think its because even if we hold them below 90pts … they finish with good FG%
cuentaluis1 - February 13, 2012
I’d also argue that they started off really bad in FG%. It’s improved recently, but they were really bad at the beginning, so unless teams are shooting 30%, it’s not going to fall that drastically quick.
grego21 - February 13, 2012
that is actually pretty damn good. The first 15 games or so we were so damn awful, and we were at the bottom of the league. Nice improvement I say!
Chilai - February 13, 2012
YES and we are 11th in points allowed … I was trying to explain why we are 14th in Defensive Rating
cuentaluis1 - February 13, 2012
Per MySA
grego21 - February 14, 2012
Great write up Big50.
Nothing mentioned about Howard coming in and upsetting the House of Cards in the West.
Joe deLarios - February 13, 2012
I’m terrified that the Lakers pick him up and keep Bynum and Gasol… turning Otis Smith into Wallace 2.0
Jordan Leithart - February 13, 2012
Houston, Denver, Utah, Portlant, Memphis, Minesota are going to fight for the 6, 7, 8 spot
cuentaluis1 - February 13, 2012
I just dont want to see the wolves in the playoff. I get the feeling that Love will go Randolph on us.
spursfan87 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Most likely WCF at this point is OKC-Dallas. Defending champs against the most talented young team. The Clips will be as good as NO used to be, CP3 will make them dangerous, but they will bow out in the Western semis. LAL is the first round exit unless they improve through trade. Kobe doesn’t have Phil to rein him in, so he will try to win on his own again, like before Gasol trade. SAS is still regular season team, deep bench will win some games before playoffs, then conveniently disappear. Our aging stars won’t be enough against a good team. Hopefully, we can win a series this year, but then we’ll lose to either OKC or Dallas in the semis. I have Denver, Portland, LAL and Memphis in the 1st round, the Spurs and Clips in the semis and OKC-Dallas WCF. Of course, trades and injures can upset balance of power significantly between now and mid-April.
Kondor - February 13, 2012
Its a Spurs job to beat the mavs in the playoffs
I dont think the Mavs are on the same level of last year but its stupid to think that they are not going to be there
cuentaluis1 - February 13, 2012
It was going back and forth for years. They are well coached veteran team and defending champs, they are not going to be an easy out. It’s not like we cannot beat them, it’s just won’t be any easier than beating Memphis last season.
Kondor - February 13, 2012
Sorry, I forgot about Houston, they may make playoffs instead of Memphis.
Kondor - February 14, 2012
The Spurs match up well with both the Thunder and the Mavs. Most likely WCF will be SA-OKC.
4Him - February 14, 2012
It may happen as well, true. And I would like it more than OKC-Dallas. On the other hand, we may run into mighty Minnesota in the 1st round …
Kondor - February 15, 2012
I think if Twolves make it, they’ll be 8th seed. That means, OKC, unless Spurs overtake them.
grego21 - February 15, 2012
T-pups are long shot right now, but it’s too early to say what the seeding is going to be.
Kondor - February 15, 2012
Yes, but Twolves going from non-playoffs to playoffs, usually results in that 8th spot. I’m not saying they’ll even make it, but usually, at least in the west (where it is super tough), is where most teams fall. OKC and the Grizz were both those teams of recent years.
grego21 - February 15, 2012
JUMBACO
TrooperJoe73 - February 13, 2012
Thank you?
Big50 - February 14, 2012
were gonna see a lot about these teams and the spurs after they play most of these teams in the next 15 games or so. i think denvers going to be tough out, theyve been hit by the injury bug and danilo can score in bunches (altho i think kawhi, green could really marginalize him). any team with chris paul will a tough out, but i dont see blake griffin having the mental game to go through a tough series where he’s not going to be having highlight dunks and easy scores.
forrestgump52 - February 14, 2012
If zRandolph gets healthy somehow, and there a low seed again, then they will be very scary…again.
Spurs Yoda - February 14, 2012 via mobile
Probably so, but that’s a lot of “ifs”.
Big50 - February 14, 2012
But they won’t have Arthur, Battier and Vazquez.
grego21 - February 14, 2012
And Gay takes away a lot of shots from their big guys, which is good for us
spursfan87 - February 14, 2012
and we have Kawhi this time.
Ayatollah - February 14, 2012
Vasquez was a flash in the pan and hardly a matchup to be feared.
alamobro - February 14, 2012
No, but he fit with the team and helped bolster their depth. He’s playing well in NO for what it’s worth. My main point, is that their lost guys are all important ones.
grego21 - February 14, 2012
So was Dragic.
Tim C. - February 15, 2012
And Beaubois before that. And they all played the same position. Surely just flashes in the pan, rather than an actual matchup problem.
Tim C. - February 15, 2012
Different situations with each player. Dragic had an all time quarter against us in the finals. WIll never replicate it and hasnt really burned us since.
Vasquez made a few heady plays in the postseason. Hardly qualifies him as a matchup problem.
Beaubois is the only one you mentioned who legitamately qualifies as a bad matchup, he hurts the Spurs seemingly every time they play the Mavericks.
alamobro - February 15, 2012
Dragic has had continued success against the Spurs. Nothing as crazy as that playoff game, but he hasn’t exactly been “easy.”
Vasquez was a matchup problem since the Spurs really couldn’t match him since they lacked the backup PG. If TJ is back, it’s different, but at the time he was a problem. Hill was usually guarding someone bigger and Neal was guarding the other guard a decent amount of the times.
Dragic is definitely the worst of the two for the Spurs, but Vasquez gave the Grizz some nice stability. He worked in their system. My main point is that the Grizz lack a lot of the key pieces that got them that edge over the Spurs (although Arthur wasn’t lost to free agency, just injury).
grego21 - February 15, 2012
I hear you. My own point is that its hardly Vasquez that killed us. In order, it was Z-Bo, Gasol and Arthur.
alamobro - February 15, 2012
Spurs Yoda - February 14, 2012
I really like this Yoda.
indiancharlie - February 14, 2012
Yes, this is good.
Big50 - February 14, 2012
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