No doubt in my mind, even as a huge Mavs homer. They are heads and above better than everyone else. Where they are out-talented by the Thunder, they will out-coach and out-scheme them.

Their execution in all sets is fantastic. Heads and above better than everyone else.

Will be excited to watch Spurs/OKC, but either one of them would crush whomever limps out of the East anyway.

Not trolling or trying to jinx, just giving credit where credit is due.

Hope so, rasher, hope so.

It's head and shoulders above the competition, that's the expression you're looking for. But yeah they are a pretty good basketball team.

They look great right now, but I'm not ready to crown them yet, still a long way to go. First of all, an untimely key injury or 2 is always possible and lurking to derail a title run. Secondly, they have not been tested. And by that I don't mean the big 3, they don't worry me, it's their supporting cast that hasn't been tested together. Will they execute and stick to the plan if the series is tied 1-1 and they are down 6 with 5 minutes to go in Game 3? The thunder will take a game early in the series and test this current spurs group and pressure them like they haven't been pressured. In 2010 the Magic rolled through the first 2 rounds 8-0 and curb-stomped the hawks in historic fashion in the 2nd round and were looking great, then they played the celtics and got beat. I would tap the brakes on crowning anybody at this point.

While it's been a great run I would be cautious to crown them so early. The Thunder are looking great and they have youth on their side. The Heat can rally and beat you with just two guys. The Celtics are well the Celtics. There are still two huge hurdles against some worthy opponents. Would love nothing else than a Spurs win, but nothing is 100% yet.

dam

I agree with the last 2 posts. While I am excited with the way they played to this point, there are still a couple scary teams out there. Anything can happen and I wouldn't be completely surprised to see OKC push them to the brink.

i'm going to miss all or most of the OKC series. hope the boys in black and silver are still playing when I get back.

I agree completely that this thing isn't over. That said, I don't buy the "not tested" argument. There are only a few players they have in the primary rotation that aren't seasoned and they have responded well so far. Leonard and Green have looked especially good. Look at the way they handled the pressure the last 2 games when they had adversity, they never showed any panic and I don't think they would have even if they lost a game. The mental toughness of the Spurs is almost scary, it is impossible to rattle them.

I think the primary fear is injury. I think the secondary fear is an unforseen matchup that really gives them problems and they have trouble adjusting to it, but realistically I don't know what that is. The biggest edge the Spurs have right now is they truly play as a team whereas only Boston and Indiana of the teams left can say the same and they can't match up talent wise with the Spurs. OKC has some great talent but still tries to win games 1 on 1. Miami is a 2 man show. LA is about to get bounced and is a train wreck. Philly would get swept.

Lots of teams could take a game or maybe 2 from the Spurs but beating them 4 of 7 right now just seems hard to see without injuries.

OKC scares me. Miami doesn't scare me at all (especially without Bosh).

I hope LA takes game 5 to give us a few days rest.

OKC will be a good series, but unfortunately SA will win in 6, then sweep the finals. bleh

The OKC series is going to be very tough, and very entertaining. It will go at least six. I just hope SA doesn't go the way of other offensive-minded teams in late playoff rounds.

[This message has been edited by Whistling For Flies (edited 5/21/2012 10:28a).]

Mavs fan here but have watched lots of Spurs games since I live in SA. The passing and floor spacing by the Spurs right now is just freaking unreal. Everyone is on the same page.

I'm sure OKC and Miami(?) will probably win some games against SA just based on their superstars. However, there is no team out there with a deep bench like SA. Best of luck, Spurs fans.

Now if you want to crown them, then crown their ass.

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Mavs fan here but have watched lots of Spurs games since I live in SA. The passing and floor spacing by the Spurs right now is just freaking unreal. Everyone is on the same page.

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It really is. You watch other teams, and you frequently see breakdowns, two players being too close together, helter skelter one-on-one, etc.

The Spurs play as a team and play a system unlike anything I've ever seen. The execution is really exceptional.

If any team had a shot at the Spurs, it's the Thunder.

Miami doesn't have the overall team game necessary to overcome the spurs in a series, even if Bosh gets back to 100% health.

I don't think I've ever seen an offense this in-sync with one another, from the #1 guy on down to the #10 guy. Even the subs get it, perfectly.

OKC SA is going to be the series of the playoffs. The Finals won't be nearly as good.

Simplegay 100% guarantees that the Spurs will lose to the Miami Heat if they play them in the Finals

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Simplebay posted 3:31p, 05/21/12

Simplegay 100% guarantees that the Spurs will lose to the Miami Heat if they play them in the Finals

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Really?... don't think so. From the cheap seats of the Cotton Patch, I think Miami will fold like a cheap tent in the 4th quarters. It's like Blake Griffin said about the Spurs: "whether they are down by 20 or up be 20, they play the same way... with intensity and focus." Which is Pop's system. Constant pressure on defensive, constant passing on offense, get the best available shot as a team, not as a person.

Most of all KEEP GRINDING. Rookie Kawhi Leonard mentioned this very point - "just keep grinding" - after the unbelievable come-back win on Saturday when the Spurs were down by 24 at one point. The interesting thing about that comment is that it very much hearkened the same words that veteran guard Mario Elie said in the 1999 season when the Spurs won their first championship. (Mario had won a championship with Hakeem Olajuwan's Rockets, so he brought that championship experience to the Spurs that year... and the Spurs have never looked back since.) And I remember then how pundits and coaches kept saying how the Spurs were "grinders." They were relentless in their approach.

Fast forward 13 yrs and its the same thing again. The more things change, the more they stay the same for the SA Spurs... especially with Pop at the helm.

If the Heat make it to the NBA Finals, they will for sure provide some flash and highlight reel dunks, but in the end the Spurs will simply grind them into submission.

Go Spurs Go!!

Simple, $1000 donated to St. Jude says the spurs beat ANY team that comes out of the East. I'll take the spurs, you take the eastern field.

$20 says he doesn't take that bet.

Miami will have the full extent of my knowledge, support, and support when they play the spurs. danny green?? Psh, more like Denny Green. Just give the Heat the title right now. Lebron will destroy SA, shutdown the world, and prove he is a top 5 player to ever play the game

OKC & SA will be a fun series to watch.

SA > OKC
SA > Heat

[This message has been edited by deluxe (edited 5/21/2012 7:54p).]

Spurs win title #5 and Duncan is a God!!!

Now that the Lakers are out, all I have left to do is root against the Heat. As long as they don't win, I'll be happy.

fo fo fo fo

Bump.

Not saying I told you so, but I told you so.

Give the girl her snocone.

Hell, give her two -- she waited all night to bump this thread back.