2013-2014 NBA Season Thread: LET'S GO SPURDS!

[Byrd]

I'm no longer watching a Spurs game so much as I am watching a murder in progress... OKC has no chance, plain and simple.

Ever since Game 7 against Dallas, the Spurs have been basically unstoppable. It's like the Mavericks fought just long enough for the Spurs to flip on their "God Mode" switch. I almost think they consciously decided to let the Blazers have Game 4 just because they didn't want to completely embarrass them and felt like winning the series in front of their own fans. I don't see the Western Conference Finals going much different.

[Andalusian girls]

not to take anything away from San Antonio but this series should let folks know how important Ibaka is to OKC. their entire defense hinges on him and his midrange game gives them desperately needed spacing / makes their pick and roll attack a hundred times better

[Guyverarmor]

Ever since Game 7 against Dallas, the Spurs have been basically unstoppable. It's like the Mavericks fought just long enough for the Spurs to flip on their "God Mode" switch. I almost think they consciously decided to let the Blazers have Game 4 just because they didn't want to completely embarrass them and felt like winning the series in front of their own fans. I don't see the Western Conference Finals going much different.

Probably did. Normally when Pop sees a call that should have happened for the Spurs favor, and doesn't, he goes after it. There were plenty calls in Game 4 that were not done, and Pops had his 'zero fucks given' mode on. Then he had a full bench play in the second half. They wanted to win at home, not on the road, as you stated.

[Kibble]

If you can make the finals with Larry Hughes as your best teammate, you are a superstar.

Fixed that one for ya.

Don't want anything to do with Love. We'd be out of the playoff race by the time Love and Kyrie missed their mandatory games. Give me Embiid if his back is good, otherwise give me Wiggins.

[archibaldcrane]

Fixed that one for ya.

Don't want anything to do with Love. We'd be out of the playoff race by the time Love and Kyrie missed their mandatory games. Give me Embiid if his back is good, otherwise give me Wiggins.

You're crazy. You get Love, you have a shot at Lebron, and a half-dozen good vets willing to take pay cuts to win a ring with him.

[archibaldcrane]

Since I shamelessly stole that from Bill Simmons and would get called out on it if I didn't own up to it, I'll let him explain it:

Cleveland Cavs: It all depends on whatever Bat Signal LeBron is sending them. If they truly believe they can bring LeBron home this summer or next summer — remember, he can always opt back into his Miami contract for one more season, then leave after the 2015 Finals — then here’s what the Cavs SHOULD do:
Step No. 1: Trade the no. 1 overall pick, Anthony Bennett and an unprotected 2015 first-rounder to Minnesota for Kevin Love. That’s a MONSTER offer. Boston wouldn’t be able to trump it from an upside standpoint. And by the way, ’Sota could flip that no. 1 pick to Philly for no. 3 and no. 10, take whomever’s left between Wiggins and Parker, then have the no. 10 and no. 13 picks as well, plus Bennett! That’s a RESET button and then some.
Step No. 2: Pull Miami’s old Udonis Haslem trick — renounce Anderson Varejao’s rights (for more cap space), then re-sign him in July for a longer deal.
Step No. 3: Bring LeBron home.
Your 2014-15 Cavs (potentially): LeBron, Love, Kyrie, Varejao, Tristan Thompson, Jarrett Jack, Dion Waiters and their choice of three ring-chasing veterans who would commit murder to play on that team. A little more palatable than that 2014-15 Heat roster … right?

[Moss]

more Bill Simmons - according to him Embiid is a lock to go no. 1

Q: Wait … what? You watched Joel Embiid work out last week?

A: Yes — at a secret location in Santa Monica. He wasn’t playing against anyone, just going through a two-hour workout with Will Perdue. Here’s what I can tell you: He moves around as effortlessly as a 7-foot Serge Ibaka; he’s such an athletic freak that he’s one of those “still going up as he’s finishing the dunk” guys; his freakish wingspan might make Jay Bilas pass out; he has been playing basketball for only four years (which seems impossible); he gave up a world-class volleyball career; he has 3-point range; he can shoot jump-hooks with both hands already; he couldn’t have seemed more coachable/agreeable/likable; he’s a hard worker with a goofy sense of humor; his voice is just a touch Mutombo-y (deep with a heavy African accent); and his friends call him “Jo-Jo.” And again — his back seemed totally fine.

News flash: As I said on TV before the lottery, Embiid was always going first. None of these teams was passing on him. Repeat: none of them. The amount of smokescreening going on in April and May was high comedy. We keep hearing his back is really screwed up, this could be another Oden situation … Just stop it. This was like sitting at a fantasy football auction next to someone who kept claiming that he wasn’t going to pay big money for a QB … and then, two hours later, he’s bidding $49 for Aaron Rodgers. The truth is, Wiggins and Parker never separated themselves enough this season to warrant anyone saying, “We’re passing on a potential franchise center with a good chance of becoming the 7-foot Serge Ibaka.”

[Cleverness]

So can someone explain to me why Lebron would go back to the Cavs. He is in a good organization right now who actively try to build people around him, and despite his talents as a Cav they never really put a strong supporting casting around him and he was forced to carry the team alot. The organization isn't that great and I'm wondering why people suddenly think they'll make all these moves just because they have the space for it. The Bulls were garbage for a long time after MJ retired and they got alot of picks to help rebuild and it was only in recent years that they suddenly became a strong team again, idk how people are expecting the Cavs to make a quicker bounceback. Don't forget the Raiders in the NFL had a shit ton of cap space this offseason and hardly anyone wanted to sign there despite the possibility of making a super team.

Him staying in Miami is pretty doubtful cause Wade is probably gonna demand Kobe money but the Cavs is a giant stretch for me given what's happened there, I just don't see it.

[tyven]

i think its cuz he got some rings and would want to go home. he's from akron

[archibaldcrane]

If they have Love and Irving, Lebron could see himself winning titles there while "restoring" his image.

If he totally doesn’t care what people in his home state think about him, yeah he definitely won't go back.

[Kibble]

You're crazy. You get Love, you have a shot at Lebron, and a half-dozen good vets willing to take pay cuts to win a ring with him.

and if lebron doesnt come back to Cleveland? And Love doesnt resign after next year? You turned two #1 overall picks and next year's first into a year of Kevin Love, congratulations. If Embiid or Wiggins are as good as people say, you don't pass up 7 years of them hoping Lebronm comes back.

[Moss]

So can someone explain to me why Lebron would go back to the Cavs. He is in a good organization right now who actively try to build people around him, and despite his talents as a Cav they never really put a strong supporting casting around him and he was forced to carry the team alot. The organization isn't that great and I'm wondering why people suddenly think they'll make all these moves just because they have the space for it. The Bulls were garbage for a long time after MJ retired and they got alot of picks to help rebuild and it was only in recent years that they suddenly became a strong team again, idk how people are expecting the Cavs to make a quicker bounceback. Don't forget the Raiders in the NFL had a shit ton of cap space this offseason and hardly anyone wanted to sign there despite the possibility of making a super team.

Him staying in Miami is pretty doubtful cause Wade is probably gonna demand Kobe money but the Cavs is a giant stretch for me given what's happened there, I just don't see it.

The Raiders making a super team... wat? NBA teams can completely recreate themselves in one offseason, see: Boston Celtics with Garnett and Ray Allen. I don't think Wade would demand Kobe money and ruin the team; iirc all three of them took less to begin with to make the salaries work. Wade values winning enough to have taken a back seat to LeBron since a few years ago.

Anyway, LeBron isn't going anywhere unless they already have the major pieces around him in place. He wouldn't go to Cleveland just on their word they would try to get Love and make other moves.

and if lebron doesnt come back to Cleveland? And Love doesnt resign after next year? You turned two #1 overall picks and next year's first into a year of Kevin Love, congratulations. If Embiid or Wiggins are as good as people say, you don't pass up 7 years of them hoping Lebronm comes back.

You don't make the trade unless you get an assurance from Love. Pretty sure he has a player option he can go ahead and sign which guarantees you at least 2 years. That is what Chris Paul did.

Calling Bennett a "former #1" is a silly way of making him look more valuable. Embiid could be awesome in time but he has real injury questions. Kevin Love is awesome now and in his prime.

[Moss]

Ibaka listed as day to day now, so he has a chance to return. Game 3 a must win for OKC

[tyven]

PLZ SERGE

[Andalusian girls]

Lance fined for running into Lebron's ass and acting like he got shot

http://l3.yimg.com/ts/api/res/1.2/[email protected]

never change, sweet prince

[Azull]

Maybe he was just excited for the World Cup?

[Dimmauk]

Ibaka listed as day to day now, so he has of a chance to return. Game 3 a must win for OKC

If the spurs get backdoor swept again I'll jump off the tower of America

[Dimmauk]

The Spurs will run the pick and roll on ibaka till his leg falls off

[Guyverarmor]

Pretty much Dim. If he plays, he knows Spurs will be gunning for Dat Calf.

[Moss]

he's not gonna come back if he can't move, that defeats the whole purpose. not sure how they can gun for his calf any more than they would by playing normally...