we won bcuz we don't have chuck just like wen we lose itz bcuz we don't have chuck that's wat everybody says
Hawks played terribly, we would've lost if they played anything like their first three games. Wasn't an impressive game, besides Kyle of course.
If we can beat playoff caliber teams at home... I'll take it. Orlando is 3-1. San Antonio and Atlanta are both 3-1 with their only losses coming against us. Being 2-2 at this point in the schedule is pretty good. I was looking at the schedule thinking that we could potentially be looking at like a 2-5 start early in the season (which I guess is still possible). Our next four games are against the two LAs both in LA. Then a back to back home/away series against OKC. But then after that the rest of the month you have just San Antonio twice and then a bunch of nobodies. Charlotte, Detroit, Washington twice, Minny twice, New Orleans, Sacramento... if we catch a groove in January we could finish that month maybe 14-7 or even better. And that will be around the time of the year when trade rumors start flying and with our cap flexibility coming up and lots of "assets", we'd be in the mix to nab a piece.
Thats an unfair assessment. They hardly had any challenge against the Nets (I think they were without Brook Lopez in these games too!) and the Wizards.
So are we going to blame the other team every time we kick the crap out of a squad? Our center position had 18 points and 25 REBOUNDS...that doesn't impress you?
Really... at the end of the day we held them to 84 points on 43% shooting and didn't let them live at the line (only 16fts). But most importantly this was the 3rd game in a row, with the travel issues they had the night before... to come out and bring it at home like that is really impressive IMO. We've had two games with bad defense and two games with great defense. We'll see where we fall as the year goes on, but if it's anything better than our bottom of the league team defense last year it's an improvement.
Yes, EVERY TIME. They missed easy shots. You can argue that we played great defense, but based on what I saw they consistently missed shots that they would normally make.
Because they were jump shots. Josh Smith took too many jumpers rather than taking them to the hole. Joe Johnson couldn't post up Kevin Martin for whatever reason and the shots weren't falling from the outside. There were a few scary moments when they realized they needed to take it inside... and you had McGrady get a few layups and Hortford get a few easy baskets. But we forced them to take jumpshots. Last year with Adelman's offense they would've been able to drive past us and shoot over Hayes or Scola.
So far, the Rox seem to be what we thought: bottom playoff seed. Can't beat the better playoff teams, but can beat non-playoff teams or middling teams from the east.
I am very impressed however Bynum and Gasol scare the heck of me...... again on the road.... gotta fare better and get it done.
Way off base Mr. Starks. While I agree that we will probably be a bottom playoff team (I hope), you can't say that the Spurs aren't a "better playoff team". They are last year's Western 1 seed and a team that many are picking to come out of the west this year.
Hmmm....ok.....give me a very good reason why they would with Manu being their best player.....who actually excelled more off the bench I give them credit that they are a very good home team, won all the home games....but what about on the road?
So, why the Spurs are likely to be a top 4 seed in the Western conference again: 1) Continuity and a great coach. Popavich (sp?) is probably the best coach in the league right now, and the core of their line-up is back from last season (which was a successful one for them). A great coach and continuity comes in very handy in a shortened season without a training camp. 2) Depth and role players suited for targeted roles. If you look at their games so far, they are playing their starters less than 30 minutes a game and getting great production from the bench. And, while they don't have a lot on the bench that knocks my socks off, they have guys who fit specific roles very well, and a coach who knows how to use such players exceptionally well. 3) The west is kind of down from where it was recently. The Lakers are weaker and the Mavs are struggling. OKC and the Clippers are poised, but those are the only 2 teams with clearly better rosters than the Spurs in the west. With the Clippers learning on the fly, I see SA as the 2 seed. So, overall, I think the Spurs are well positioned to get a great start in a season in which every game counts more. I also think they are well put together to give their stars a lot of rest and to rely on depth. Then they have their battle tested and still productive stars at the end of games. All that said, I hate the Spurs and hope I'm wrong. But you have to give the Rockets credit where it is due -- and the Spurs are most definitely an upper echelon Western Conf. playoff team.
I agree with that they are a good team. Forget what I said earlier but I think they don't have enough vitality, longevity, and fire power to survive the whole ordeal that is regular season and the playoffs. I agree they will still win almost every home game....and a couple of road games. 1. Pops is good but I still think with a Duncan in prime or near prime would be better than having Manu as their main guy. Duncan in prime was the best at his position and arguably in the league, MVP. Manu at best is a top 3 SG when healthy and he is 34. Top 10 player at best 2. I agree their bench having specialists. Again if the aging big three don't produce, get injured the bench could do nothing. The Grizzlies especially have their number. 3. Don't agree on this one. Mavs are about the same, have regressed like the Spurs but they are the defending Champs. Lakers have a valid big 3, I agree with the Big Analytical or Aristotle, Bynum and Gasol would dominate the Spurs inside that it wished to stop existing even before they play the game. Dajuan Blair? Splitter? A slow Duncan? Ok. They will be good. But there are more than a few teams that can challenge them big time. top 4 is not bad prediction. top 5 but contested I would say Don't sleep on the Nuggets and Blazers.....they are deep and good
