Sadly the Lakers superstar duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were simply too much for the Spurs in this series, having a 2-0 lead one would expect the Spurs to pull it out but the Lakers fought back well and had plenty of confidence going into game 5 and who knows If only they had defended Fisher better on that last play in game 5 they would be the ones on the way to the conference finals. But you can't go wondering about that. I still consider this a very good season by getting 3rd seed, 57 wins and getting to the 2nd round. It's very hard to repeat as NBA champions and It just wasn't Spurs year this time. If you look at the team now It has plenty of good young talent which will make sure S.A contend for the NBA title for years to come. Re-signing Manu is key, the management needs to get that sorted out and sign him to a long deal. This guy is a speical player that can play on both ends of the court. I hope Pop and co dumps Hedo Guy dissapeared when the team needed him most and has no heart. Bring back Stephen Jackson, has the balls to take the big shots and never gets worried at any time. Very clutch shooter. Something Hedo is not Malik Rose will be gone Devin Brown is another great talent, who I think could be a an effective starter next year but of course I hope Buckets returns to S.A after a year in Atlanta. Clearly the talk shows here in San Antonio are abit down about things right now, but It's not a total loss. There is plenty to be happy about for now and the future.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">who knows If only they had defended Fisher better on that last play in game 5 they would be the ones on the way to the conference finals. But you can't go wondering about that.</div> I dont think you can defend him any better than the spurs did. All you might could do better was try & deny him the ball. But why would you? In that situation Derek Fisher is the guy you would rather see shooting a game winner. That was just on of those freaky thing that happen in basketball, nothng you can do about. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I still consider this a very good season by getting 3rd seed, 57 wins and getting to the 2nd round. It's very hard to repeat as NBA champions and It just wasn't Spurs year this time</div>. Iam not a spurs fan but their is nothing the Spurs should be ashamed of. To still be able to compete in the West after making so many key changes. And losing a guy who has been like the glue to the Spurs team since 89'. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bring back Stephen Jackson, has the balls to take the big shots and never gets worried at any time. Very clutch shooter. Something Hedo is not</div> I knew that someone was going to bring up Stephen Jackson. You could tell he was clearly missed once the Lakers started throwing their punches. Stephen Jackson since he came in the league in 00' has always been the type to throw alot of punches of his own. When Kobe was throwing in a bunch of baskets in games 3,4,&6, Stephen Jackson would have been trying to go right back at him on the other end no matter what Greg Pop said. And honestly I think Pop would have let him. This Spurs team clearly got scared imo opinion when the Lakers went on the attack. They had no confidence in their shots, they started overpassing which lead to poor shot selection & turnovers. Clearly signs of a scared basketball team imo. You need a guy like Jackson to step up during those times. Also I think a difference between Hedu & Jackson. Is that when Greg Pop took Stephen Jackson out & sat him for long periods for making mistakes, it never effected his game. I guess he was so use to B. Scott doing the same thing, but when Hedu gets sat down for long periods he seems to disappear once he is put back in. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Malik Rose will be gone</div> I think him not being an important part of this team probably cost them in the long run. The Spurs seem to lack energy in games 5 &6, something Malik Rose could have provided. But Pop really couldnt throw him into the fire of playing alot of minutes vs the Lakers after not really playing all season. Probably to much to handle for him. Also a lack of a backup point guard hurt this team. once the Lakers took Parkers' confidence in his shooting & scoring, he didnt do a good job of running the team. So Manu had to have the ball in his hands alot more seemingly trying to be the floor general, not a good sign, his shot selection & silly turnovers really hurts the team when he has the ball in his hands alot of minutes as the main playmaker. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Devin Brown is another great talent, who I think could be a an effective starter next year but of course I hope Buckets returns to S.A after a year in Atlanta.</div> At times seemed like he was the only guy with a heart under his Spurs Jeresy. No disrespect but its the truth imo.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont think you can defend him any better than the spurs did. </div> If Horry would have stayed on Payton there is no way he could have got that pass off.
A dissapointing season from the Spurs, they could of got further. They are still one of the top teams in the NBA, but they wanted to go all the way again and were capable of doing it. But there are many positives for next season, Tony Parker will continue to get better, Tim Duncan will be there again and the Spurs as a team should get better and they should have a few new players through Free Agency. They will be in the playoffs next season, and pushing for another title. They will have the playoff experience, and there is no reason why they can't add another championship.
