Totally agree. Ibaka is key guy but he makes a 5-10 point difference at the most. Spurs would attack him and tire him out eventually. They have waves of offensive options and Ibaka could only do so much by himself then it would be back to what we've seen so far.
This is a different Spurs team. That game 6 loss gave them a chip on their shoulder and cut throat mentality rarely seen by any pro sports team.
Wow, I've always had a lot of respect for the Blazers and their fans, but reading the majority of the comments in this thread have me grinning, and I'm only a Spurs fan. Really hope Portland manages to win it all next year or the year after (provided the Spurs get to the promised land this year).
I was talking overall. Coach K for his longevity obviously deserves consideration, but I don't know much about Wooden, Auerbach, etc.,
After next game I guarantee the Thunder.......Oh nevermind. The Spurs are crazy good. Ibaka is a huge absence, but not 52 points huge
The Spurs are great, but they won't be good for much longer. Duncan is the guy that makes them go. Not Parker. Not Ginobili. And not Popovich. Duncan is a rare superstar who defers to what is best for the team. He's lost some athleticism from his younger days, but he has the highest basketball IQ of almost any player I've seen. When he's done the Spurs will struggle to make the playoffs in my opinion.
I don't think it is that simple. They are all factors on why they are good. IMO the Pop factor is huge, and Parker carries the team in close games. Their bench has always been good, but no doubt Duncan is a Hall of Famer. You need it all to win it all.
these guys are stunningly good, has there been a better example in more recent times of TEAM basketball? just wow
If they win this year, I'm guessing Tim will retire. But I also expect him to stay around the team in some capacity.
I think it is that simple. Parker and Ginobili are great players no doubt and Popovich is an excellent coach. However, Parker and Ginobili buy into the team concept because of Duncan in my opinion. Popovich was never a head coach until the year Robinson got hurt and they proceeded to tank to get the #1 pick (Duncan). He has never been a head coach other than that partial season without Duncan.
I don't think he's done yet. I think he'll play 1 or 2 more years. He's amazing. When his knees starting bothering him he dropped about 20 pounds to alleviate the stress on them. He does everything well.
Not only does it not matter who the player is, it doesn't matter what the score is. A couple of mistakes in a row, call timeout - whether up by 23 (as he did against the Thunder) or down by 23. No matter who the player is, what the score is, what time it is if there's a problem, he nips it in the bud. No politics or agendas involved.
Rodman would have no issue guarding Kawhi. At all. You're severely underselling Pippen, Jordan, Rodman and their other key contributors. Also, depends what rules you're playing with. Jordan would probably average 50 in his prime with these no hand checking rules.
That's where ibaka absence hurts so much. He's the only guys who can contribute on both ends. Now they'll either have good offense or good defense but never both. I do put a lot of blame on Brooks. Never liked his offense, it's too much isolation and watching.
