Four Down - Twelve To Go!

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Bring on the Warriors! Or the Nuggets if it has to be that way. If you still think the Nuggets are gonna win that series, you must not be watchin'! Nevertheless, nothing from here on out is gonna be as easy as it's been so far!

Spurs/Lakers

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It's GO Time!

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Lakers are going down - HARD! 2:30pm..

Danny Green: Clutch!

Spurs 84 - Lakers 82

Image Source (Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)


Source (Gary A. Vasquez/US Presswire)

7-1 Oh Yeah!

LA People never Seem to Cease to Riot

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Click the banner image to go to the report.

EDIT: Ok there's no evidence really that the shooter had anything to do with the Lakers. So I jumped to a conclusion that would've made a lot of sense, based on common past occurrences when sports teams get beat in (or even win) big games.. Los Angeles comes to mind first for me when considering such criteria.

Western Conference Finals are Set!

Thanks to the Oklahoma City Thunder closing the Lakers 4-1 a little bit ago, the Western Conference Finals are now set. Sunday night it will all begin. Not sure why they are waiting until Sunday, but I don't make the schedule. As always games 1&2 are in SA, and 3&4 are in OKC. Then 5&7 if necessary would be in SA, and 6 if necessary would be in OKC.

Last night the Clippers gave us everything they had - taking us right down to the wire. I was actually glad the Spurs got to experience a close game for the first time in quite a while. Spurs had SIX guys in double figures, and Chris Paul had his best game of the series, with with 23pts., 11 asst., and 6reb.! Griffin had another strong game with 21, and a few spectacular dunks, but CP3 had TWO chances at the end, but didn't get it done either time. Spurs pulled it out 102-99 for a second straight 4-0 sweep, and our 18th straight win. I'm not gonna write a review, but I'll certainly post ESPN's Spurs/Clippers game-4 recap, as well as EPSN's boxscore..

Bring it on OKC - See you Sunday!

Click for clarity!

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Spurs Update

Wednesday night, the Spurs wrapped-up their second B2B2B of the season vs. the Kings in Sacramento, but they would do it without Tim Duncan (resting). I'm a little surprised at this decision by Pop, but I'm also happy that he's allowing Tony & Manu to go. So rather than Timmy & Tiago, DeJuan Blair would reclaim his usual starting slot back, along with Boris Diaw. As one would expect out of a team who has been playing SO many games lately, we came out a little flat & lazy. But the defense was there, and the shots started to fall. As soon as Manu entered the game at about the 7 minute mark, his impact was instant. We would go from down-4 to up-1 during his 5 minutes on the floor, and it was a tight 29-28 game after 1-Q.

The contest would stay pretty tight throughout the 2nd-Q, as our bench was shooting well, and the Kings' crowd was feeding their high intensity. It's hard to believe this team hasn't won more than 20 games, actually. Both teams were seeminlgy scoring at will near the end of the half, as Tiago, Jack, and Mills were leading our charge, but Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins were surely responding. Halftime: 58-57, Spurs.

Thankfully, our hot shooting continued out of the halftime break. Not 4 minutes went by and we had already strung together a 12-4 run, thanks to points by all-5 starters! The back-to-back scoring-fest returned with Manu now in the lineup. Our growing advantage at the free throw line was starting to pay off, as we would close out
Neal dominated -Image Source (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

the 3rd-Q 97-86, with eight different Spurs scoring. The bad news is Manu would collide with Tyreke Evans, not to return. As terrible as it looked (Source), Manu would only suffer a laceration.

The Spurs opened the 4th-Q extending the 3-0 run they were on, to a 16-4 run that blew the game wide open. With the lead now 21, and Gary Neal hitting everything he's putting up, we look unstoppable, yet again. After a Kings bucket, we had another 5-straight (115-91), and from then on, all we had to do was not turn it over. It was a close one for a half, but our shots continued to fall - even through the final seconds. The 127-102 WIN was simply a second-half domination 69-45 that was too much for Sacramento (or most teams, for that matter) to overcome. Spurs had SEVEN guys in double figures, and no one had more than 17. Here is the boxscore..

We just went 6-0 in two separate B2B2B's - something no other team has done this season.. Not to mention it's 5 wins in 7 nights.

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Friday night the Spurs played the LA Lakers for the 3rd time in 10 days. This time it was back in San Antonio, where we were dismantled inside by Bynum's 30 boards, (60-33 overall) a week ago Wednesday in a 98-84 loss. Of course we countered with revenge this past Tuesday 112-91 in LA. But the "best 2 outa 3" would feature Kobe Bryant's return from a 7-game shin injury. Once again Timmy would have Tiago starting along with him, and yes - we like this very much.

Spurs' starters were solid to begin - especially in defense as we were up 15-7 half way through the 1st-Q. Kawhi was super on D, holding Kobe to just 5 1st-Q pts. on 2 of 4 shooting. Meanwhile Manu would come off the bench to score 7. But it was old-school Tim Duncan whose strong early 10 led us. Our 1st-Q lead was 32-25.

Not 3½ minutes were gone and the score was tied, however. Gasol & Barnes led their initial charge, but just as soon as we were down 3, our defense would tighten down. Already exhausted chasing Kobe around, Kawhi would hit a huge 3 to spark us on 9-5 run that included a sweet steal and
Bynum frustrated all night long -Image Source (AP Photo/Bahram Mark Sobhani)

following assist to Manu for a crowd-rearing three. The half would end with a lot of good defense, and a 56-52 Spurs lead.

The return to action saw Kobe come to form, somewhat, as he would score 9 in just over 4-min., but our offense was just getting warmed-up. Spurs would score almost every trip down the floor: Tony, Timmy, Tony, Diaw, and then Manu would score 10 3rd-Q points, while guarding Kobe for this stretch. After the opening 3rd-Q bucket Kobe hit, the 14 of 18 Spurs 3rd-Q shooting (78%) brought the score to 91-73. And just as Sean Elliott was beginning to point out how the Lakers' players were reacting to our domination by not getting back on defense, hanging their heads, and a flat-out folding with their attitudes, Matt Bonner and Gary would open the 4th-Q with 7-straight to open up a 98-73 lead.

Just one of our many pieces, Gary Neal, always seems to find a way to shoot late nails in coffins with his play. He would score 6 in the 4th. But halfway through the 4th, the Lakers would wave the white flag, and put in Jordan Hill & Andrew Goudelock. DeJuan Blair, with 6 4th-Q pts., Jack, and Mills would bring it home, with our stars resting. For the 4th straight game, we win by 21+. The 121-97 Spurs WIN effectively proved to the national media, and more importantly to the Lakers themselves, that the road to the 2012 Championship certainly goes through San Antonio! For the first time in almost a year, the Spurs' big-3 all scored 20+! San Antonio's pts. differential in our last NINETEEN games is +12.6, and that includes our 7 and 14 point back-to-back losses at Utah and at home in that terrible Lakers game, respectively! Here is the Spurs/Lakers III boxscore..

Spurs have 4 games remaining, and of course, they are two back-to-backs with a day of rest in between: Home games vs. Cleveland & Portland Sunday & Monday, followed by road games at Phoenix & Golden State. Yeah we can still win 50 - in a season with 16 fewer games than usual.

Here are the west standings through all games of April 21, 2012:

Click to enlarge! Source: ESPN

Timmy's Dunk on McRoberts Tuesday

Source / Via

Or here's the video clip if you want it bigger. (Source)

Spurs Update

The Spurs visited the Golden St. Warriors on Monday night to start a B2B2B, knowing this game would probably be just a formality in the grand scheme of things. Warriors would start 4 rookies. Doh! Spurs were at full strength. Very similar to the last game vs. Phoenix, we came out hot, and determined. In our highest scoring 1st-Q of the season, 39-24, there probably wouldn't be much doubt with this one.

That lead would be extended to 21 by halftime (70-49), a lead that would continue, with the Spurs' big-three on the bench resting - awaiting tomorrow night in LA - toward the 3rd-Q score of 96-72!
Neal leads the Spurs Image Source (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden St. would actually make a run to come within 18, but the excitement was never as high as it was in the final few seconds of the game. Apparently the fans get free food if the team scores 100 points. So they did what they had to do.. foul.. as if it were a game they were trying to win. But those terrible Spurs prevented it from happening. The final was 120-99, and a good WIN on the road, with the big-3 playing 41 minutes TOTAL. Already given that stat, we shot 39%, no Spur had more than 17 points, and we still scored 120. You gotta believe it. Here's the boxscore..

As it turned out, OKC lost to the Clippers while we were beating the Warriors, so as of now, we own the #1 seed in the West going into the game against the Lakers tomorrow night! And don't let the media mislead you - We were really already in first because we own the tiebreaker with OKC. Now they are effectively behind by two games.

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The very next night in LA, Spurs fans were delighted to hear that Tiago would start the game along side Timmy! It's about time, Pop! Seeking revenge @ the LA Lakers Tuesday night, it felt like a playoff game. The game was very tight for most of the beginning. Early large leads were 6 by LA (very early), and 6 by SA (mid 2nd-Q). Bynum was scoring pretty much at will, but so was Tony Parker. Spurs were also competitive on the boards this time, as this one had the look of a nail-biter so far.

Then something happened. With a 41-39 lead, and 5:41 left in the 2nd-Q, the Lakers would turn it over 5 times and miss 2 shots in 7 possessions, while my Spurs capitalized on 8 straight shots, and an 18-0 run. Our halftime lead was 16: 63-47.

In less than 2 more minutes, Tony & Timmy increased that lead to 23, and the rout was on. It's great when we come out and increase a big halftime lead in the early 3rd-Q, while so often we drop our guard and come out flat. Tony schooled Ramon Sessions most of this game, and our bigs held Bynum off the boards for the most part. Manu
Tony dominated - Image Source (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

was also a force, as he shot 6 of 13 for 15 pts., with 6 boards and 4 assists. When Tony wasn't in charge of creating - Manu was. The end of the 3rd-Q was a scoring fest - 91-70 going toward the 4th.

Lakers brought this to 91-77 quickly with our stars resting. Manu & Gary Neal would continue the aggressiveness, and with an 18-pt. lead Pop brought Timmy back to action. This, along with starting Tiago, and resting the young guys, was a clear sign it was very important for us to get our revenge for the other night's loss to this team. Success.. we ran away with it. Tony Parker's performance, and Pop's coaching were HUGE statements in this nationally-televised game that we aren't screwing around - and beating the Lakers is just as important to us as being helthy for the playoffs. OK maybe not, but we certainly succeeded with our 112-91 dominating WIN.

We shot 60% to their 50%.. Tony had 29 & 13.. Duncan had 19 & 8.. Manu had 15-6-4. Bynum had 21 & 7. Rebounds were 37-37. So yeah.. this was VERY pleasing. Now the other guys are rested to go take care of bidness tomorrow night in Sacramento! Here's the boxscore..

Here's a TINY game review from ESPN:

And their resulting article from their Daily Dime. But the way ESPN configures their links, you won't be able to see this DAILY DIME after the next DAILY DIME is posted, so you may have to look around.

Here are the current NBA Standings after Tuesday night's games.

Spurs update

Home & home with the Utah Jazz Sunday & Monday. First one here, second one in Salt Lake City. Both games were terribly officiated. Here are the boxscores: Sunday 4/8: @SA-114 Uta-104 F -- Monday 4/9: @Uta-91 SA-84 F.

Pop chose to leave Tony, Manu, & Timmy at home for that second one. And we still almost won, despite the huge disparity at the free throw line. The night before we got the better end of the calls to the FT line, but they also missed tons of calls, and made so many bad calls, I was ready to scream.

I was also prepared for the previous limited post for those two games - but based upon the LA Lakers coming to town Wednesday. No doubt we'd have a great game hosting them for the first time this season, right? Not the case. Even without Kobe playing, we came out
Image Source (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

sluggish, worried, and as Sean Elliott said, "over-respecting" this team. Gary Neal didn't play due to a stomach issue, and Tony Parker seemed like he was either thinking abut his new French hottie, or dreaming about memories with Eva.

Bynum was huge in this game. Absolutely huge. 16 points & 30 rebounds. He had 19 at the half. Crazy stat #2: Metta World Peace led the Lakers in scoring with 26, including 5 of 8 from three. So as we were out-rebounded 60-33, and dominated inside most of the game, we still kept it reasonable for the most part - chipping away at the lead throughout. But it was the 3rd-Q that was our downfall. LA quickly increased the 5-pt. halftime lead to 13 in just over 3 minutes. We would close to within 9, but then go completely cold from the field, and fall to a 20-pt. deficit. Wow! Then later, down by 26 with 7+ left, the Spurs went on a 16-1 run to come within 11... but by that time, it was clear Pop was going to concede the loss with only 2 minutes to go. Lakers win 98-84.

In 24 minutes Duncan had 14 pts. 3 blocks, but 2 rebounds. In 26 minutes Manu had 9 pts., 4 reb., and 5 assists on 3 of 8 shooting. Most importantly, Tony had only 4 pts. on 2 of 12 shooting, with 8 assists. We simply got out-played, but I can guarantee it won't happen again. Every now & then the whole team is gonna have a bad game against a good team. This was one of those nights. Here is the boxscore.

Spurs/Lakers Score by quarters and all stats via ESPN.

That About Sums Up That Lakers/Mavs Series

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Kobe: Our Failure A Wasted Year

Kobe Bryant is never much for sentimentality, and he's not going to change any time soon.

So when he reflected Wednesday on the Lakers' underachieving 2010-2011 season, which included being swept in a Western Conference semifinal series, Bryant didn't mince words on his disappointment.

"It was a wasted year of my life," he said in his exit interview.

Among the other highlights:

• He said he believes that the Lakers can win a title next year with the same roster

• He said he plans to work on his game during the summer, focusing on leg strength and injury prevention. He added that he doesn't want to get surgery on his right index finger, even if there is an NBA lockout, because the rehab would take too long.

Click here to listen to Kobe's exit interview..

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Too bad - So Sad..













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Le Sweep

Better Start Paying Attention

Att: media, Spurs haters, doubters, overlookers, Laker fans, Heat bandwagon jumpers, etc.

Wait is overlookers a word? Ehh I don't care. Yet another domination of one of the media's favorite handful of teams - on national television, no less. It's about to get really interesting!

...Oh nevermind - it already has been!

Please go check out the final boxscore! We're talking about some seriously amazing stats in this game:

• Franchise record 17 made threes (17 of 28 for 61%)
• Eight players in double figures - How often does that happen for any team during any season? Maybe twice?
• 29 assists on 46 field goals (that's 63%, and anything over about 50-55% is exactly what you want)
• Bonner went 6-7 from three-range by himself, and in 24 minutes
• Manu had 20 pts. 7 asst. 3 reb. and 2 steals in 26 minutes (that's a per-48-minute mark of 37 pts. 13 asst. 5.5 reb. and 3.7 steals)
• Including FTs, LeBron put the ball up 26 times to get his 26 points


Yeah that says 125-95.. ~~ Game recap here ~~

It's all just so hilarious. I actually watched some of the re-broadcast telecast of this game, which was not only broadcast on our home network with our own announcers, but ESPN as well. I will always opt for our own home announcers. Bill Land, Sean Elliott, Andrew Monaco, et al. I have already made a post regarding the worst game announcers there are. It just happens to be ESPN's own Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and the guy who does the play-by-play (usually Mike Breen).

Some comment comparisons:

"The Miami Heat are one of the best defensive teams in the league." -- Mike Breen

Sean Elliott: "The Heat have no clue how to stop the simplest play in basketball - the pick-n-roll. Time and time again, they can't figure it out."

"This team is explosive on the offensive end.. they can turn it on at any time." -- Mark Jackson

Sean Elliott: "If we keep shooting threes like this, and playing this Spurs defense, there is no way the Heat get back into this game.

"If you're the Spurs you gotta slow it down and play half-court basketball" -- Mike Breen

Mike obviously hasn't done his homework here. This Spurs 2010-11 team is not that type of team. We've scored a bunch of points most games all season, and slowed it down very little, as is obvious by our points-for and points-against statistics.

"They can't beat the great teams, but when it's playoff time, this team will be a force to be reckoned with." -- Mark Jackson

Miami is 0-8 vs Spurs, Mavericks, Celtics, and Bulls. 2-2 vs. Orlando, 1-0 vs. Lakers at this point.

Then for the whole fourth quarter, all they talked about was how the Heat could be improved. I now realize that Jeff Van Gundy was not present for this broadcast, but the dialogue wasn't any better.

"This is a thrashing that can't be tolerated by the Heat. This is bad.." -- Mark Jackson

Nothing the Spurs did was ever praised. Especially considering all the stats I mentioned above. ESPN - take note! ..or don't. Kudos to Sean Elliott and Bill Land. Serious kudos.

Images Via

Gary Neal's Circus Shot In LA Last Night

"Shot of the season so far" -- Charles Barkley

Lakers Trade Rumors?

The rumor mill has spun into overdrive after an underwhelming winter, compounded by bad losses to Sacramento and Boston, prompted reports of Mitch Kupchak's openness toward a trade. Who would the Lakers move? Who could they get? How radical a shakeup are we talking? Is this the equivalent of the panic button pushed?

You can click here to continue to the rest of this article, entitled My guess? Nobody is going anywhere - by ESPN's Andy Kamenetzky.


But my purpose for this post was born when I saw a particular stat on Sportscenter just now. The Lakers are only 3 games behind last year's pace. A lot of the other stats are also very similar to last year (and the year before that even) - with the one prominent exception being Kobe Bryant's scoring average, among a few subtle others.

So why would they be considering making a trade? You know, a trade that would have to be fairly big considering there is already a lot of talent in place?

I don't have the answer - but I'm pretty certain of one thing. They wouldn't be talking about it - much less making such talk public - and especially NOW if:

• the Spurs weren't 7 games ahead of them, and on such a freakishly gaudy pace.

• the aforementioned Spurs weren't coming to town tomorrow night.

Yeah I know Boston's a few ahead as well. And there's Miami and Chicago right there, but merely a game up with 33 some odd games remaining is miniscule. Boston is doing what everyone expected. Miami is somewhat underachieving - at least according to the "experts". And Chicago is having a pretty special season so far, although enduring a few key injuries.



So with that being said, why are Mitch Kupchak (pictured above - Source), Magic Johnson, and a lot of the biased media worried enough to make a trade?

They're jealous of San Antonio! They aren't doing what we're doing! Granted we ran into a hot, inspired LaMarcus Aldridge Portland team tonight, and dropped the first game of our 9-game roadie, but hey. The same experts all think we're gonna fall on our faces and win around 62-65 games. We might lose a few on the trip, but we shall see what changes happens after Thursday night at Staples Center.

Standings Via

Anything To Say Now, National Media?

Source (and the full box score)

Feel free to jump on the bandwagon..



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The 2010 NBA Season Is On

Image Source

The Boston Celtics just ruined the Miami Heat's opening night. Yeah it was in Boston, but all we've heard about for 6 months is LeBron this King James that.. Miami's new big-three.. Championship bound.. blah blah blah. Right!

I'd put them at best 3rd.. in the East!

Lakers/Rockets is next for this opening night. Then by tomorrow night most teams will have begun - including my Spurs, who open at home against the Thin-diana Pacers.

Time to take a break - the last thing I want to do is watch these LA Fakers get their rings.

Jordan - Hands Down

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Why is this even up for debate? Especially once the infographic was even created, and it's painfully obvious that it's not even close?

But wait, Kobe might be able to play for many more seasons. It might take him 15 more...

Such Classy Champions

Click the pic of fire to read the story...