Monday, March 23rd, 2009...8:47 am
Is Being in Third a New Feeling?
From TrueHoop: “It’s normally no big thing for one team to take a quick half-game lead on another team in the standings. But the Spurs have owned their division, the West, and the whole NBA for so long. This is a new feeling…”
The Spurs did not win their division last season; the Hornets did. The Spurs did not win their division in 2007; the Mavericks did. The Spurs have not finished higher than third in the West for the past two seasons. While flattering, saying that we have “owned the division” in recent years isn’t that accurate. Being in third in late March is not really a new feeling.
Nor is it a reason to panic. One of our 3 best players is playing injuried. One is out entirely. And the other has worked tirelessly to make up the difference but subsequently has lost some steam. And we are still in third. Given how plagued we have been by injury since day one, our current spot in the standings is a reason for confidence as much as concern. Everybody take a deep breath and let’s go win some basketball games.
7 Comments
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 am
That’s a good point. People tend to forget that the West is still more competitive than the East… among each other at least. I’m not sure what the conference v. conference record is.
I think members of the Spurs nation are concerned because the teams in the playoff hunt are really starting to materialize, while we are in an uncharacteristic state of disarray.
I like the idea of starting Udoka for kicks. I was watching that guy during warm ups the other day, first one out, last one gone. His work ethic is impressive. It’s not like we’re getting any better production from Finley.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
Thanks, Graydon, for making me put down the noose, but still. That’s all I can say, “Yeah, but still.” I feel differently now. I feel like we are going in the wrong direction (and not just in the standing). I feel like Tony is working too hard and has the ball in his hand too much. I feel like there is something wrong with Timmy that they aren’t telling us. I feel that if the three-ball has left us for good, then what?
Every year, people ask me, “Do you think the Spurs can win the championship?” I always answer: “We have just as good a shot as anyone, if not better.” I feel like that is not a true enough answer this year.
I feel down.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 am
It is time to panic if any of the Big 3 will not be at peak health come playoff time. Given that it is very possible that either Duncan or Ginobli will not be 100%, I have been clamoring for us to secure the #2 seed and ensure home court advantage at least until the WCF.
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
Tony Parker as the Road Runner, haha.
http://www.orlandomagicdaily.com/?p=167&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Nico, I’d rather start Finley with a shorter leash.
Ken, this year we have a better shot than last year, when we were even more inconsistent offensively to have a realistic shot winning it all. Its difficult to see us beating L.A. the way we’ve been playing.
Jimbo, I hear you, but SPuRS are probably too old to have it both ways: health and No.2 seed. Resting players for the playoffs means conceeding the top seeds.
In this next back-to-back, I say health over pushing to win both at all costs.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
With Udoka playing so well recently, I’m all for starting him. Finley is more of a jumper shooter anyway, so it wouldn’t really effect his game.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Popovich will be reluctant to make that move. He gave Udoka a few starts earlier this season, and the results were unimpressive. But then again, his entire season was unimpressive until a few weeks ago.
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