spurs

[otterjb]

Fuck. End of 1st quarter, 1 pointer, game two, spurs down 0-1. TP out of the game. Chris Paul is seriously serious. Easily the easiest player to watch in the nba. He transcendentalizes transcendentalism at times.

All the same. Go Spurs Go.

[otterjb]

1 point game at halftime. I have a lot of faith in the Spurs, their players, their coaches, their management, their system. But. There's something about the way that the pieces fit for that New Orleans team. They can beat the Spurs, they can beat the Lakers, they can beat the Pistons or the Celtics.

Fucking ball sac. I bet a buddy 4 lunches on the Spurs. They're my team. But I can't help but like the Hornets.

Go Spurs.

[otterjb]

3rd quarter done. damn.

I'm gonna go ahead and root against myself, so to speak. From a narrative point of view, the Hornets are narrative.

Go Spurs.

[mihoba]

Stojakovic is killer from long range, and no one can seem to cover Chris Paul. Impressive showing by the Hornets.

[otterjb]

Hornets were really good. No other way to put it.

Time to go to San Antonio. Down 2. 4 to go.

Go Spurs.

[otterjb]

Stojakovic is killer from long range, and no one can seem to cover Chris Paul. Impressive showing by the Hornets.

Yeah they were prime.

[Bench]

Yeah they were prime.

Yep. The first game I wrote off as a hangover from playing Phoenix. This New Orleans squad is a legitamately very good team and los spurs are in a deep hole.

[MikeyBoy]

Stojakovic is killer from long range, and no one (in the NBA) can seem to cover Chris Paul. Impressive showing by the Hornets.

FIFY

[BudGirl]

I knew they were good, just not that good.

The West is so much better than the East.  The finals are going to be a joke.

[JackAstro]

The West is so much better than the East.  The finals are going to be a joke.

The Celtics went 25-5 against the West this year - the finals may be a joke, but not necessarily in the way you're thinking.

[MusicMan]

The Celtics went 25-5 against the West this year - the finals may be a joke, but not necessarily in the way you're thinking.

I thought so too, until the C's crapped the bed against ATL.

[JackAstro]

I thought so too, until the C's crapped the bed against ATL.

That was bizarre. Of course, they won game 7 by infinity, so maybe they're awake now?

[MusicMan]

It's basically a no-win situation.

If the C's win, we get to relive Bill Simmons circa 2004.  But more sanctimonious.

If the Lakers win... well, that means Kobe wins.  Not a good answer.

If the Jazz win, I have to light myself on fire.

If the Spurs or Pistons win, America will fall asleep.

In other words... go CP3.

[BudGirl]

It's basically a no-win situation.

If the C's win, we get to relive Bill Simmons circa 2004.  But more sanctimonious.

If the Lakers win... well, that means Kobe wins.  Not a good answer.

If the Jazz win, I have to light myself on fire.

If the Spurs or Pistons win, America will fall asleep.

In other words... go CP3.

Not ready for CP3, at least not yet.

I will still be awake if the Spurs win.

I hate Kobe, another donkey.

The Celtics are whatever.

If Detroit wins there could be riots.

[MusicMan]

If Detroit loses, there will be riots.  If Detroit does nothing, there will be riots.

Riots are what Detroit does best.

[Taras Bulba]

Maybe it's the Hornets' time and there might simply not be an effective counter by SA, but I'm interested to see what the Spurs/Popovich do in the next two games.  It would not surprise me to see it at 2-2.

[Andyzipp]

If Detroit loses, there will be riots.  If Detroit does nothing, there will be riots.

Riots are what Detroit does best.

And throwing Octopi.

[BudGirl]

And throwing Octopi.

I knew they did that at Red Wing games, but Pistons?

Go Stars!!!

[MusicMan]

I knew they did that at Red Wing games, but Pistons?

Go Stars!!!

Wings in 6. 

[BudGirl]

Wings in 6. 

You are just trying to piss in my wheaties, aren't you?

[austro]

Maybe it's the Hornets' time and there might simply not be an effective counter by SA, but I'm interested to see what the Spurs/Popovich do in the next two games.  It would not surprise me to see it at 2-2.

If there's a team that can figure out what's going on and how to reverse it, it's the Spurs. But the Hornets are making them look old and slow, and I'm not sure there's a remedy for that.

[otterjb]

So it's back in SA and the Spurs are listed as 6.5 point favorites. Really? Based on the first two games, this doesn't add up. That crowd should be rocking tonight.

[drew corleone]

So it's back in SA and the Spurs are listed as 6.5 point favorites. Really? Based on the first two games, this doesn't add up. That crowd should be rocking tonight.

Maybe that's the halftime line? The Hornets haven't started dominating till the 3rd quarter.

[otterjb]

Maybe that's the halftime line? The Hornets haven't started dominating till the 3rd quarter.

True. When the home team goes up 2-0 at home, that next game at the other team's gym is almost always a big swing back the other way if the teams are fairly even. Just my guess, but I'd think that the Spurs have a pretty good 1st quarter, then they spend the rest of the game holding off the Hornets, just enough for a 4th quarter run to win it.

[austro]

This just in: Dwight Howard is a beast. I hadn't really watched him until the playoffs. A little more experience, and he's going to be really hard to handle.

[225Astro]

Spurs going down Monday night...

Geaux Hornets!

[BudGirl]

if you say so...

[MRaup]

Spurs going down Monday night...

Geaux Hornets!

You forgot your emoticon...

[austro]

Spurs going down Monday night...

Geaux Hornets!

Why on earth is there a four-day gap between games 6 and 7?

[Astroholic]

Why on earth is there a four-day gap between games 6 and 7?

It’s the plumber rule.

[MRaup]

It’s the plumber rule.

So they can fix all the toilets that Kevin Brown broke during game 6?

[jonbloozy]

Why on earth is there a four-day gap between games 6 and 7?

They're still getting that shit off the court from the halftime show

[otterjb]

Monday night can't get here fast enough.

[TheWizard]

I imagine that Stern's head will spontaneously burst into flames if he gets a Spurs v. Pistons Finals instead of Lakers/Celtics.

[BudGirl]

I imagine that Stern's head will spontaneously burst into flames if he gets a Spurs v. Pistons Finals instead of Lakers/Celtics.

Stern can blow Selig.

[Ty in Tampa]

Stern can blow Selig.

Thanks for the brain stain.

[BudGirl]

at least i didn't add bettman to it.

[Taras Bulba]

To determine the world's most smug jackass, who would win between Phil Jackson and Keith Olbermann?

[MusicMan]

To determine the world's most smug jackass, who would win between Phil Jackson and Keith Olbermann?

Olbermann in a landslide.

[MRaup]

To determine the world's most smug jackass, who would win between Phil Jackson and Keith Olbermann?

Albert Pujols wins as a write in candidate!

[MusicMan]

Albert Pujols wins as a write in candidate!

.093 accepts on his behalf

[MRaup]

.093 accepts on his behalf

And promptly gets nominated for next year's election.

[otterjb]

Phil Jackson and Kobe are the smugest motherfuckers in the NBA, no doubt. PJ had Jordan, then Kobe and Shaq, and now is the favorite in this series entirely because of the complete joke of the trade that sent Gasol to LA. I liked Bruce Bowen's quote a few years back about the "Zen" of Phil Jackson. He said, "I'd like to see him try that Zen shit with the Grizzlies."

[otterjb]

Music for my Spurs, sorry to say:

http://www.usarmyband.com/Audio/mp3/files/ceremonial/americanspirit/22-Taps.mp3

[austro]

Now the NBA is saying that a two-shot foul should have been called on the last play of the game. I can see talking to all of the officials and outlining policy for future games, but what point is there in making that public? It's not like they're going to replay the last 2.1 seconds, so all it does is piss off the fans and feed the conspiracy theories.

[Limey]

Now the NBA is saying that a two-shot foul should have been called on the last play of the game. I can see talking to all of the officials and outlining policy for future games, but what point is there in making that public? It's not like they're going to replay the last 2.1 seconds, so all it does is piss off the fans and feed the conspiracy theories.

What happened?

[MusicMan]

Now the NBA is saying that a two-shot foul should have been called on the last play of the game. I can see talking to all of the officials and outlining policy for future games, but what point is there in making that public? It's not like they're going to replay the last 2.1 seconds, so all it does is piss off the fans and feed the conspiracy theories.

Joey Crawford was the officail in question, just to further fuel the conspiracy theories.

[jonbloozy]

Picture

2 seconds left, down by two.  Both Barry and Pop agreed it was a valid no-call.

[austro]

Picture
2 seconds left, down by two.  Both Barry and Pop agreed it was a valid no-call.

I suspect that down deep they kind of think there should have been a call, but to complain about that after shooting something like 25% from the floor in the second half would be pretty lame.

[Limey]

Picture

2 seconds left, down by two.  Both Barry and Pop agreed it was a valid no-call.

Still not sure what was going on, but this is one of my (many) issues with NBA officiating that prevent me from watching.  A foul is a foul, whether in the first minute of Game #1 of the regular season, or the last minute of Game #7 of the Championship finals.  If the rules change depending on the player, the time or the import of the game, then the game as a whole is bullshit.

[Jacksonian]

Still not sure what was going on, but this is one of my (many) issues with NBA officiating that prevent me from watching.  A foul is a foul, whether in the first minute of Game #1 of the regular season, or the last minute of Game #7 of the Championship finals.  If the rules change depending on the player, the time or the import of the game, then the game as a whole is bullshit.

I hate the NBA.

[jonbloozy]

I suspect that down deep they kind of think there should have been a call, but to complain about that after shooting something like 25% from the floor in the second half would be pretty lame.

I see your point and agree.  Both Brent Barry and Gregg Popovich are classy guys.  They knew the NBA wasn't gonna give them the W even if they complained a la La Russa.

I only watched the last part of the 4th quarter.  I walked out onto my balcony (in SA) and saw a neighbor across the way.  She asked if I was watching the game.  I replied, "The Astros?"

You should have seen the look I got. 

[BudGirl]

I see your point and agree.  Both Brent Barry and Gregg Popovich are classy guys.  They knew the NBA wasn't gonna give them the W even if they complained a la La Russa.

I only watched the last part of the 4th quarter.  I walked out onto my balcony (in SA) and saw a neighbor across the way.  She asked if I was watching the game.  I replied, "The Astros?"

You should have seen the look I got. 

You knew what she meant.  I know what my mom means when she says they are watching the game tonight.  She's not talking astros.

[jonbloozy]

You knew what she meant.  I know what my mom means when she says they are watching the game tonight.  She's not talking astros.

Actually, I had only vaguely remembered they were playing that night.  I've only been here a year, so I guess I still have to get used to the way this town lives for the Spurs.  At first I was a little surprised by her question, but I thought, "Hey, if she wants to talk Astros, I'm game." 

[BudGirl]

Actually, I had only vaguely remembered they were playing that night.  I've only been here a year, so I guess I still have to get used to the way this town lives for the Spurs.  At first I was a little surprised by her question, but I thought, "Hey, if she wants to talk Astros, I'm game." 

You've been there for a full season already, you should know better after a week.

[otterjb]

What's ironic about that last call was that the Spurs were getting the benefit of the calls all game. If the league office later says that they messed up and it should of been a foul, then it was by the book, a foul. That's just basketball. A foul can be called on almost every possession, and it's not always clear-cut. Pop and others aren't gonna complain about it though, that's not who they are. It generally balances out for the most part and the rest is just after the fact whining. The real story was that their offense was awful that game. Manu was 'turrible' and they just played uphill all night.

[ybbodeus]

I hate the NBA.

I hate its officiating, only from the standpoint of how inconsistent it is, not just from game to game but WITHIN a game.  That doesn't necessarily make it unique to professional sports, but that inconsistency is definitely more noticeable to its average viewer, more so than it might be to the average viewer of baseball or football.  The NBA's undeclared STAR SYSTEM for foul enforcement is damn near over the top ridiculous.

I always gravitate towards the college alternative, save for baseball. 

[drew corleone]

I only watched the last part of the 4th quarter.  I walked out onto my balcony (in SA) and saw a neighbor across the way.  She asked if I was watching the game.  I replied, "The Astros?"

You should have seen the look I got. 

About a week ago I had a client ask me "so who do think is going to win tonight?" Me, the smart-ass, thinking he was asking about LA-San Antonio, replied, "Astros-Cubs? Astros, of course."

(Silence).

"I meant on American Idol."

blech.

Anywho... I get the same look you mentioned from my work colleagues when I tell them that a late-May game with the Co-Ards means a lot more to me than Game 4 of the WCF.

[otterjb]

I hate its officiating, only from the standpoint of how inconsistent it is, not just from game to game but WITHIN a game.  That doesn't necessarily make it unique to professional sports, but that inconsistency is definitely more noticeable to its average viewer, more so than it might be to the average viewer of baseball or football.  The NBA's undeclared STAR SYSTEM for foul enforcement is damn near over the top ridiculous.

I always gravitate towards the college alternative, save for baseball. 

When the NBA starting marketing players and not teams, it began moving towards a more legitimate version of professional wrestling. That's a big exaggeration, but it did become uneven. Still, good teams win championships, not individual players, not refs.

[subnuclear]

When the NBA starting marketing players and not teams, it began moving towards a more legitimate version of professional wrestling. That's a big exaggeration, but it did become uneven. Still, good teams win championships, not individual players, not refs.

I can't remember when the NBA didn't do this.   Its a five-man game and 1 player can make a big difference.   Look at the Celtics this year if you want a good example of that.   

I used to watch a lot of NBA.   Now I don't.   I don't really know what's changed about the game from 10 years ago.   

[Andyzipp]

I can't remember when the NBA didn't do this.   Its a five-man game and 1 player can make a big difference.   Look at the Celtics this year if you want a good example of that.  

I used to watch a lot of NBA.   Now I don't.   I don't really know what's changed about the game from 10 years ago.  

I was about to say, the NBA marketed Dr. J and Kareem, and then Bird and Magic, and then Michael Jordan...

I would suspect if you went back further, George Mikan was promoted a whole lot more than the Minneapolis Lakers were.

[otterjb]

I'm not sure how they marketed Miken, but the point was that they somewhat changed how they officiated for superstars, starting with Jordan. Also, the Celtics added two star players, not one, and name any NBA champion that only had one superstar, and not much else. It's never happened.

[subnuclear]

I'm not sure how they marketed Miken, but the point was that they somewhat changed how they officiated for superstars, starting with Jordan. Also, the Celtics added two star players, not one, and name any NBA champion that only had one superstar, and not much else. It's never happened.

1993-1994 Houston Rockets?

[MusicMan]

1993-1994 Houston Rockets?

Correct.

Also, the Bulls.  No one but die-hard BB fans would know who the hell Scottie Pippen was if it weren't for Jordan.

[otterjb]

1993-1994 Houston Rockets?

BS. They had a hell of a supporting cast, as a unit, around Hakeem.

Also, they might not have known Scottie Pippen, but that doesn't change the fact that he was an incredible player.

[Andyzipp]

I'm not sure how they marketed Miken, but the point was that they somewhat changed how they officiated for superstars, starting with Jordan. Also, the Celtics added two star players, not one, and name any NBA champion that only had one superstar, and not much else. It's never happened.

It didn't start with Jordan.

Cousy
Russell
Chamberlin
West
Reed
Alcendor/Jabbar
Erving
Magic
Bird

These guys were all officiated differently because they were superstars.

[MusicMan]

Scottie Pippen was/is a whining, petulant bitch who rode Jordan's coattails.

And sure, Hakeem's supporting cast was great, but there wasn't a superstar in the bunch.  The question was "name an NBA champion with one superstar".

[otterjb]

Scottie Pippen was/is a whining, petulant bitch who rode Jordan's coattails.

And sure, Hakeem's supporting cast was great, but there wasn't a superstar in the bunch.  The question was "name an NBA champion with one superstar".

actually, the rest of the sentence was, "and not much else." For that Rockets team, the other players played incredibly well together, making a team that was better than the sum of their parts.

Pippen may have been those things but he was also a hell of a player.

[otterjb]

It didn't start with Jordan.

Cousy
Russell
Chamberlin
West
Reed
Alcendor/Jabbar
Erving
Magic
Bird

These guys were all officiated differently because they were superstars.

Maybe so, but not to the same degree, post-Jordan.

[JimR]

It didn't start with Jordan.

Cousy
Russell
Chamberlin
West
Reed
Alcendor/Jabbar
Erving
Magic
Bird

These guys were all officiated differently because they were superstars.

you saw Cousy play?

[BudGirl]

Scottie Pippen was/is a whining, petulant bitch who rode Jordan's coattails.

And sure, Hakeem's supporting cast was great, but there wasn't a superstar in the bunch.  The question was "name an NBA champion with one superstar".

Magic Johnson wasn't on the same team?

[Andyzipp]

BS. They had a hell of a supporting cast, as a unit, around Hakeem.

Also, they might not have known Scottie Pippen, but that doesn't change the fact that he was an incredible player.

The Rockets had no other superstars, whether or not they played well together.

They had...

Vernon Maxwell
Otis Thorpe
Kenny Smith
Mario Elie
Robert Horry
Chris Jent
Carl Herrera
Scotty Brooks
Matt Bullard
Richard Petruska
Sam Cassell
Larry Robinson
Earl Cureton
Eric Riley

Closest thing you had to a superstar was Thorpe, and he just wasn't so much.

[Andyzipp]

you saw Cousy play?

I used to watch a lot of point guard film and basketball film in general.  It usually depressed me.

I'd say I saw several playoff games and probably about 60-70 game breakdowns back when I cared.

[JimR]

I used to watch a lot of point guard film and basketball film in general.  It usually depressed me.

I'd say I saw several playoff games and probably about 60-70 game breakdowns back when I cared.

i thought i was the only one old enough to have seen him. the Cousy Celtics made me a fan in the 50s, and Boston is the only NBA team i have ever cared about.

[austro]

i thought i was the only one old enough to have seen him. the Cousy Celtics made me a fan in the 50s, and Boston is the only NBA team i have ever cared about.

It was Havlicek for me.

[ybbodeus]

I was about to say, the NBA marketed Dr. J and Kareem, and then Bird and Magic, and then Michael Jordan...

I would suspect if you went back further, George Mikan was promoted a whole lot more than the Minneapolis Lakers were.

Much of what you describe is pre-sports channels when there was one national broadcast per week, usually on Sunday afternoons (seems like it was ABC when I was a little kid--the 60's).  

Before that the marketing effort was probably dedicated more exclusively to trying to get fans to games, meaning the "COME SEE GEORGE MIKAN" message you mentioned was almost certainly employed.  Shoot, there weren't even ten teams in the league until I was 7 or 8.

[Taras Bulba]

It will be interesting to see what the Spurs do to retool.  The Lakers were the better team.  That said, I'll be casually rooting for the Celtics, the Pistons, or the North Koreans--whichever team plays that band of jackasses.

[subnuclear]

The Rockets had no other superstars, whether or not they played well together.

They had...

Vernon Maxwell
Otis Thorpe
Kenny Smith
Mario Elie
Robert Horry
Chris Jent
Carl Herrera
Scotty Brooks
Matt Bullard
Richard Petruska
Sam Cassell
Larry Robinson
Earl Cureton
Eric Riley

Closest thing you had to a superstar was Thorpe, and he just wasn't so much.

I think those guys (including the Dream and Rudy T, of course) are my favorite sports team of all time.   Vernon Maxwell had superstar talent, just wasn't superstar consistent.
 
In any case, my only point was that basketball has fewer players therefore the stars shine a little brighter.   

[ybbodeus]

It will be interesting to see what the Spurs do to retool.  The Lakers were the better team.  That said, I'll be casually rooting for the Celtics, the Pistons, or the North Koreans--whichever team plays that band of jackasses.

Reluctant props to ownership for not giving in to star player's demands for a trade and backing management in its insistence that the plan was working.

I say reluctant, because now we'll see hordes of LA shirts here again. 

I'll admit that I liked the Lakeshow when West & Wilt were there.  Those Knick-Laker showdowns of the late 60's and early 70's were as epic as the Celt-Philly and Celt-Laker ones...pick a decade.

[otterjb]

It will be interesting to see what the Spurs do to retool.  The Lakers were the better team.  That said, I'll be casually rooting for the Celtics, the Pistons, or the North Koreans--whichever team plays that band of jackasses.

The big three are still going strong. Parker (26) Duncan (32) Ginobili (30). They just need adjust the rest of their roster.

Lakers were definitely the better team, but it not by as much as it seemed. Both teams had a blowout win, and two of the games were very close, both of which LA won, then last night. They deserve the win, no doubt.

I agree about the band of jackasses thing. Although, I'd say that they need the word, "Douchebag" printed on top of their last names on the back of their jerseys.

[ybbodeus]

I realize that ANY talk of trading away one of the Big 3 in Spur Region is blasphemous, but I'm not sure there's much trade value outside of those three, save for perhaps Oberto.  Who else could they move and get something back in return?  You'd probably have to package a couple of guys to get something back that will actually help you, which if anyone can pull off the Spurs are probably the guy.

[Taras Bulba]

I realize that ANY talk of trading away one of the Big 3 in Spur Region is blasphemous, but I'm not sure there's much trade value outside of those three, save for perhaps Oberto.  Who else could they move and get something back in return?  You'd probably have to package a couple of guys to get something back that will actually help you, which if anyone can pull off the Spurs are probably the guy.

I'm guessing the Spurs are going to be more in the mode of adding players through free agency and/or the Euromarket.  In regards to trades, the NBA is more about managing salaries, so they may be able to pick up a good player that another team wants to dump for that reason.  Whatever the case, they have proven to be fairly clever in running their franchise.

[dirty steve]

so they may be able to pick up a good player that another team wants to dump for that reason.

see:
Scola, Luis

[Taras Bulba]

see:
Scola, Luis

Yessir.  And Scola got the Spurs attention this season, too.

[Noe]

I've got a question for you Spurs fans (you know who you are):

Do you consider the Lakers your big rivals?

Rivalry usually brings out passion and sometimes passion brings out unfortunate situations for some folks.  My wife is running a sports camp this summer for little kids and she has invited coaches from small Christian colleges to come run the camp.  None of the coaches is actually a coach, but most of them are collegiate players of some sort.  Again, think really small colleges.  Great kids too, I've worked with these guys before on other sports camps for my wife and they are a bunch of really outstanding young men and women.  One of the things that happened last year was that one of the coaches for basketball was a Laker fan from Hawaii.  She wore her Laker gear everywhere and at times I could see the looks some folks would give her.  Well, we made the decision to take them to San Antonio last year during the Spurs clinching championship game versus Cleveland.  Fun night, but I worried all night for the young lady and her Kobe gear, so I asked her to wear a camp t-shirt instead, just in case.  Just saying.

Now that the Spurs are out of it, I'm sure we'll take the coaches to San Antonio one night and even though they rotate coaches for us and we won't have the same young lady coach this year, one of the new coaches is bound to wear a Laker uni top.  So is the fear unwarranted on my part?  You think it's safe for a person to wear Laker gear on the riverwalk at any time?

Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.

[Taras Bulba]

Safe to wear Laker gear on the riverwalk?  Sure, as long as she doesn't mind swimming.

[BudGirl]

I don't think any physical harm will come to her/him, but I would recommend against it.  Especially since they handed the Spurs the loss.  If my memory is correct the last team to beat the Spurs in the Western Conference Championship was them also.

I'd say current rivals would be Mavs because their owner is a donkey and Lakers, with the Rockets coming in a third.

[otterjb]

Yeah, Mavs and Lakers are way up at the top of that list for the Spur collective. The spursreport forum has been showing, "database error" all day.

I'd think that it'd be safe to wear Laker gear, but yeah, not recommended. The reactions from Spur fans would definitely make for a worse night than otherwise.

[BudGirl]

Yeah, Mavs and Lakers are way up at the top of that list for the Spur collective. The spursreport forum has been showing, "database error" all day.

I'd think that it'd be safe to wear Laker gear, but yeah, not recommended. The reactions from Spur fans would definitely make for a worse night than otherwise.

Definitely would not make SA the friendliest city in their mind.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24843322/from/ET/