The Spurs Are Concerned......

[ABM]

....and with good reason:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/nba/85749317.html

Shakespeare cast a soothsayer to tell Julius Caesar, “Beware the ides of March.”

The Bard wouldn’t need a mystic to tell the Spurs: “Beware the whole month of March, and April’s no picnic, either.”

As February comes to a close, the Spurs’ road to the playoffs contains many a twist and a fair share of potholes.

Of the Spurs’ 22 games in March and April, only nine will be played on their AT&T Center court. There are only two “homestands,” each of two games. One of those, on March 24 and 26, pits them against the league’s two best teams, the Lakers and Cavaliers. In fact, the Spurs have six games left against either the Cavs, Lakers and Magic.

Beginning with today’s game against the Suns, 16 of the Spurs’ remaining 26 games are against teams that had winning records entering Saturday.

Then there is the issue of back-to-back games. The Spurs have seven remaining sets, more than any of the teams bunched in Nos. 5-8 in the Western Conference standings.

Here is a look at how the seventh-seeded Spurs’ remaining schedule compares to those of the No. 5 Suns, No. 6 Thunder and No. 8 Trail Blazers (through Friday’s games):

5. SUNS
Record: 37-23
Home games: 12
Road games: 10
Back-to-backs: 6
vs. above .500 teams: 14

6. THUNDER
Record: 34-23
Home games: 13
Road games: 12
Back-to-backs: 6
vs. above .500 teams: 15

7. SPURS
Record: 32-24
Home games: 11
Road games: 15
Back-to-backs: 7
vs. above .500 teams: 16

8. TRAIL BLAZERS
Record: 34-27
Home games: 9
Road games: 12
Back-to-backs: 4
vs. above .500 teams: 10

 

[EGame]

I've said it before and I will say it again, I think the Spurs are one of the teams who miss the playoffs. From here on out I think they have no other choice than to play guys like Duncan and Parker big minutes if they want to try and secure a playoff birth. With there record against above .500 teams, that is why I thought they may miss, then they recently lost to Philly and Detroit who aren't exactly great this year and I think that just proves they are out unless they can get some big wins, which isn't looking to likely recently. That means one of New Orleans, Houston, or Memphis will make it. I don't think Memphis is going to make it, I think they had a terrific year this year, but this isn't the year they make it and depending on how New Orleans can play the rest of the way until Paul gets back they may get in over Houston. However, if they lose some more before Paul makes his arrival it may be Houston who gets in if San Antonio does not make it.

 

[julius]

I'm not sure if our remaining schedule is a blessing or a curse. I don't think we're that good against sub-par teams, are we?

One thing we do in our favor, we have the least amount of games left of these groups.

One thing we don't have in our favor, we have the least amount of games left of these groups.

We do have the softest schedule, but as I said, I'm not sure if that's as beneficial we we hope, but I think it means they have a lot of off-time.

Plus, we'd done playing Utah, Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta and the Spurs.

But, we still have to play @ Phoenix, @ Denver twice, @ OKC, @ LA, @ New Orleans and @ GS. Those all could easily be L's. 7 more losses.

And we still have to play OKC, and Dallas twice at home.

We just need a lot of teams to start losing games and us stop losing games.

 

[EGame]

I'm not sure if our remaining schedule is a blessing or a curse. I don't think we're that good against sub-par teams, are we?

One thing we do in our favor, we have the least amount of games left of these groups.

One thing we don't have in our favor, we have the least amount of games left of these groups.

We do have the softest schedule, but as I said, I'm not sure if that's as beneficial we we hope, but I think it means they have a lot of off-time.

Plus, we'd done playing Utah, Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta and the Spurs.

But, we still have to play @ Phoenix, @ Denver twice, @ OKC, @ LA, @ New Orleans and @ GS. Those all could easily be L's. 7 more losses.

And we still have to play OKC, and Dallas twice at home.

We just need a lot of teams to start losing games and us stop losing games.

@Memphis as well...

 

[MickZagger]

Funny. A lot of people on this board were certain that the Spurs were the lock for 2 seed going into the season.

 

[julius]

@Memphis as well...

True. I didn't include them because they're on this trip, but you are right. This probably is a big game for them to seriously try to move up in the ranks.

Every loss they get, makes it that much harder.

Although realistically, the 1 team we need to watch is the Spurs. If we can just tie them in the L column, they get the 8th spot and we don't.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Funny. A lot of people on this board were certain that the Spurs were the lock for 2 seed going into the season.

I being one of them



At least i admit my wrongs

 

[Public Defender]

Teams aren't afraid of San Antonio any more, and with good reason. Tim Duncan isn't the same guy he was even two years ago, and the whole rest of the team suffers because a.) Duncan won't put up the numbers he used to, b.) teams don't have to double him so much, so Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson don't get the wide-open looks that Spurs used to get, and c.) Duncan doesn't intimidate nearly as much as a shotblocker (and steals' guy) as he was.

What they have is a shadow of their former team.

But they can't be ignored entirely, either. Popovich is a very good coach, and they're still a talented group of crafty veterans. I have a hard time seeing them miss the playoffs... in part because I'm not sure the Hornets, Rockets, or Grizzlies can do better with less talent - or less experience - than San Antonio.

 

[Natebishop3]

Funny. A lot of people on this board were certain that the Spurs were the lock for 2 seed going into the season.

Not me. I was one of the people who thought they were grossly overrated since being demolished in the first round last season.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Teams aren't afraid of San Antonio any more, and with good reason. Tim Duncan isn't the same guy he was even two years ago, and the whole rest of the team suffers because a.) Duncan won't put up the numbers he used to, b.) teams don't have to double him so much, so Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson don't get the wide-open looks that Spurs used to get, and c.) Duncan doesn't intimidate nearly as much as a shotblocker (and steals' guy) as he was.

What they have is a shadow of their former team.

But they can't be ignored entirely, either. Popovich is a very good coach, and they're still a talented group of crafty veterans. I have a hard time seeing them miss the playoffs... in part because I'm not sure the Hornets, Rockets, or Grizzlies can do better with less talent - or less experience - than San Antonio.

Then perhaps we get Spurs-Lakers in the first round. No complaints there.

 

[ABM]

Funny. A lot of people on this board were certain that the Spurs were the lock for 2 seed going into the season.

http://www.sportstwo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149603

 

[STOMP]

I've said it before and I will say it again, I think the Spurs are one of the teams who miss the playoffs. From here on out I think they have no other choice than to play guys like Duncan and Parker big minutes if they want to try and secure a playoff birth. With there record against above .500 teams, that is why I thought they may miss, then they recently lost to Philly and Detroit who aren't exactly great this year and I think that just proves they are out unless they can get some big wins, which isn't looking to likely recently. That means one of New Orleans, Houston, or Memphis will make it. I don't think Memphis is going to make it, I think they had a terrific year this year, but this isn't the year they make it and depending on how New Orleans can play the rest of the way until Paul gets back they may get in over Houston. However, if they lose some more before Paul makes his arrival it may be Houston who gets in if San Antonio does not make it.

the Spurs are 5-5 in their last 10 games which is the same as NO who they hold a 4 game edge in the loss column over. Parker has been out with minor dings and food poisoning but George Hill has been pretty decent in his place. Manu has been showing signs of regaining some of his magic and TD keeps plugging along with his mere 26.3 PER (thats above his career average). They have 26 games left.

I don't think your prediction is looking very likely

STOMP

 

[MIXUM]

if i had the spurs remaining schedule... id be concerned too.