I think this is where history probably ends unless Manu can come back and be really effective. But this was from the SAEN and I thought it was interesting:

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The following shows how the Spurs have fared after losing the first game of a series since 2003:

2003: Beat Phoenix 4-2 in first round; beat Dallas 4-2 in Western finals; won NBA championship

2005: Beat Denver 4-1 in first round; won NBA championship

2007: Beat Denver 4-1 in first round; won NBA championship

2008: Beat New Orleans 4-3 in Western semifinals; lost to L.A. Lakers 4-1 in Western finals

2009: Lost to Dallas 4-1 in first round

2010: Beat Dallas 4-2 in first round; lost to Phoenix 4-0 in Western semifinals

2011: Trailing Memphis 1-0 in first round

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http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/18/spurs-game-1-history-only-goes-so-far/

the spurs will not lose to memphis. spurs fans have nothing to worry about.

the spurs will lose to OKC though.

Memphis is a worse matchup for the Spurs than OKC IMO.

that's probably true. but OKC has a better advantage at home, the better scorer, younger, better coach, and the grizz have zach randolph.

Randolph/Gasol are a pretty fearsome inside presence. A lot better than Perkins/Ibaka.

I think the Spurs should be able to overcome, but I didn't think the Spurs would get swept by Phoenix last year, either.

maybe offensively. the grizz rely on them heavily for scoring. and randolph is hardly a defensive fear.

Ibaka and Perkins are better defensively. and the thunder don't need them to contribute one bit on the offensive end.

Spurs aren't relying on Blair, Dice or whoever else they are throwing in post to lead them in scoring. So the defensive argument is true, but doesn't affect the Spurs a lot. Duncan is still going to get his ~15 points, but more are going to be from midrange and high post than low post. He doesn't really have to worry about being pushed off the blocks by Perkins, because he can work outside still.

we'll see about that when Parker and Manu get bullied out of the lane by Perkins or when Ibaka comes flying in from the weak side to swat shots like he did about 12312312 times in Game 1.

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we'll see about that when Parker and Manu get bullied out of the lane by Perkins

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This doesn't sound very likely. I have no doubt that Ibaka would/will get a couple blocks, but Parker and Manu will have Perkins swinging at air all series.

okc's gotta beat denver first

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better coach

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srsly?

I think SA can take OKC if they get by Memphis.

The better question is how they will fare against the Hornets in the WCF.

is the game on tv in Houston?

I was comparing scott brooks to lionel hollins. Not pop. Soup was arguing memphis/okc