Series Thread: 2) San Antonio Spurs (67-15) vs 3) OKC Thunder (55-27)

[Clayton]

This has nothing to do with age.

Keep in mind this is YEAR ONE of a complete makeover.
It is not YEAR TEN of a faded core. It is actually the start of a new young era.

Ginobili and Duncan were officially phased out this season for the two new faces.

They decided to play Isolation basketball featuring Kawahi and Aldridge.
They relied on defense and the 2-star option to win 67 games.

If they lose tonight they will just add some better roleplayers and still win 58-63 game the next 3 or 4 years.
Leonard and Aldridge alone will get you a perennial top 3 seed in the West.

They need more OFFENSE.
The offense from West, Simmons, Anderson, Diaw, Bonner, and Boban is just not reliable.

Well, I mean it has everything to do with age.

Some times you just have to give the other team credit, though. Thunder have been a bad luck team for awhile and they finally have a coach who isnt a total fool and both of their stars healthy. Spurs have a lot of good players but the Thunder are kinda due and really past due.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

It doesn't matter where he ranks or exactly where he finished.

That stuff is subjective and I don't even bother to look it up. Stat geeking wont help the debate.

The point is that the SPURS ARE NOT OLD not whether Aldridge is MVP worthy.

Even if Aldridge is only a top 12 player, he is still youngish.

And Kawahi is the single most untradeable asset in the league at age 24.
He is two years younger than all the other MVP type players.

They are not old.

I'll take KAT at 20 years olds

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

This THUNDER team was actually pretty darn good all season.

They just gacked up about 12 4th quarter leads.

This series was won for them because the luck switched and they won all the close games and the Spurs gacked close games.

They were probably more like a 62 win team if they had any better luck in 4th quarters.

But, I still think GS beats them in 5 or less.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

But still I think Kyrie can handle Steph. I remember game 1 last year's finals.
It's when crunch time where LeBron switches to guard Steph.

James at times, sure I agree.
Even the last few minutes of a close game, for sure.
I thought you meant all or most of the game.

 

[CodeBreaker]

Loudest crowd in 2012 vs Loudest crowd in 2016 in the WCF

 

[bksballer89]

This THUNDER team was actually pretty darn good all season.

They just gacked up about 12 4th quarter leads.

This series was won for them because the luck switched and they won all the close games and the Spurs gacked close games.

They were probably more like a 62 win team if they had any better luck in 4th quarters.

But, I still think GS beats them in 5 or less.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I don't think Golden State will lose another game.

They own the Thunder, Cavs, and Heat.

Maybe Toronto can win a game..... or maybe some flukish miracle comeback by the Spurs.

But they are going to win out.

Look at how much trouble the Blazers gave the Warriors. The Warriors are not invinceable. I think the thunder will win at least 2 and give them a hell of a fight.

 

[Mecca]

Watching Duncan vs. Kanter/Adams is like watching Ali vs. Holmes or Sugar Ray vs. Norris.

Not how I want to remember him.

 

[purguy12]

If OKC doesn't have a shot against the Warriors, it should be done in 5 games at most. Correct @purguy12 ?

it depends how much curry plays. if curry is full go no restrictions I can see 5 games.

 

[Demonjoe93]

Well, that's all for me.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Shitty quarter for the Spurs.

 

[purguy12]

How can you have no shot in a series if you have it going 6 games? That doesn't make sense dude

having a shot is going 7 or a close game in game 6.

 

[CodeBreaker]

Both of my predictions are WRONG.

Cavs vs Heat
Warriors vs Spurs

 

[Kold]

Holy cow...

 

[WiggyRuss]

Leonard needs to develop just a little bit more. This is the kind of game where they need a star who can light it up and the system just doesn't promote that kind of play. I think he's going to be great but he's still on the cusp.

exactly....he just hasnt quite taken that leap yet. I fear AT LEAST 20 guys in the NBA more with the ball in their hands than KAwhi Leonard- and at the end of close playoff games- THAT MATTERS.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

having a shot is going 7 or a close game in game 6.

Why does game 6 have to be the close one?

What if they lose games 1 and 2 by a total of 4 pts or something. And win both their games by a lot?

There is a lot that can determine having a shot.

Shit, the Blazers lost in 5 and played almost every game fantastically close. You don't think the Thunder can do that and a little more?

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

Look at how much trouble the Blazers gave the Warriors. The Warriors are not invinceable. I think the thunder will win at least 2 and give them a hell of a fight

Their MVP was gone for the first 3 games.
And he was out of game shape for the last two wins.

They would have easily swept Portland if Curry was at full strength.
I don't put any stock in that 5 game series result as Golden State being somehow vunerable.

You can argue that OKC is a great team.
That is an argument.

But, to suggest GSW is vunerable because they only beat Portland in 5 games seems like a stretch.

 

[Mecca]

See his time in Portland. Guy will probably get about 20 pts a game maybe about 10 rebounds, but he isn't going to bring you titles.

he is soft. both mentally and physically. he is too quiet to be a true leader.

I think he's a top 3 Pf.

Who is head and shoulders better?

Davis?

Yep....But, he's fragile as shit.

Love, BG32?

Nope.

 

[bksballer89]

having a shot is going 7 or a close game in game 6.

Which will happen. I guarantee it

 

[Black Adam]

well...

ONE team Wiggy fears will be out of the equation...