For a team that won 58 games during the regular season, the Spurs played like crap this month…3 wins and 6 losses…not the type of momentum the teams needs going to into the Playoffs. Last season the Spurs ended the regular season with a 10 game winning streak and then won 8 consecutive games in the Playoffs before the Thunder from OKC beat us 4 straight to reach the NBA Finals. Maybe playing like crap is a blessing in disguise for the Spurs.
I gotta admit, it is gonna be a battle in the West and we better have everybody healthy…cause if not, we will have to wait till next year!!! And, each time we say next year, the chances of winning the Championship decrease…the players are a year older and soon, the Spurs will part ways with Duncan, Ginobili, and Coach Popovich and it will be years of rebuilding.
I hope I am not the only who thinks Stephen Jackson being waived (with 3 games left in the season) was a STUPID AND CLASSLESS MOVE by RC Buford and Coach Pop. I am really gonna miss his energy and no fear of anybody during the Playoffs.
Just a few days after waiving Jackson, the Spurs signed Tracy McGrady. Dude, he was really good 10 years ago!!! It’s gonna be really interesting to see how Tracy molds with the team. I also hope he has a little gas left in the tank (cause I know, there will be one playoff game where Tracy will play like the Tracy of old).
I was doing some research on Tracy McGrady and he was drafted out of High School in the 1997 NBA draft…just a year after Kobe Byrant was drafted out of High School. I still remember that moment during the 1996 NBA draft when Vlade Divac of the LA Lakers was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Kobe Bryant! I was like who and Vlade Divac!!!
Back to the 1997 NBA Draft which should be embedded in Spurs history!! Tim Duncan was chosen number 1 that year and Tracy McGrady was selected number 9!!! Timmy got all the Rookie awards cause he was REALLY GOOD!! Back then when I was less wiser and knowledgeable, I was kinda hoping the Spurs would select Keith Van Horn (he was the 2nd selection)!! Yes, I am serious. I watched more Utah games than Wake Forest games and was a fan of Van Horn.
Did you know there were several other EX-Spurs also selected in the 1997 NBA Draft class? Gonna bring some memories back to everyone…Antonio Daniels, Ron Mercer, Derek Anderson, Austin Croshere, Charles Smith, Jacque Vaugh, and Stephen Jackson. Wow!!
OK Spurs fans…I bet yall are glad Kobe Byrant had season ending surgery. But, me, I feel really bad for Kobe. Kobe is a A 5-TIME NBA CHAMPION, A SUPERSTAR OF THE NBA, AND A FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER. This really sucks for Kobe! Injuries can happen anytime and to anybody.
You know something, before Kobe’s injury, I was really worried about the Spurs playing the LA Lakers cause I know Kobe can take over games and win them on his own. Even though Kobe will be in designer street clothes…I am still a little bit leery of the Lakers. They got Dwight Howard (he is by far the best center in the NBA…if only he would stop being a complainer), Pau Gasol, Ron Artest (or whatever the hell his name is now), an old Steve Nash (if he is healthy, he can have a huge impact), and a has been in Antawn Jamison.
So, I am gonna cross out the LA Lakers from my list of teams that could spoil the Spurs Championship Riverwalk celebration…but there are still a few teams that I can’t cross out:
WEST
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER – They got the best duo in the NBA with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Plus, an experienced player in Derek Fisher (I know Spurs fans hate him). Last year, Serge Ibaka and Thabo Sefolosha killed us in the Western Conference Finals. Durant is one of my favorite players to watch…for being 6’9, he is extremely versatile!!
LA CLIPPERS – They got a beast in Blake Griffin and the 2nd best point guard in the NBA (behind Tony Parker) in Chris Paul.
HOUSTON ROCKETS – James Harden (who by far has the best beard in sports) is a scoring machine and I expect Jeremy Lin to come out of his shell and showcase his abilities.
EAST
MIAMI HEAT – Three absolute super stars in Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and the one only LeBron James. They are also the defending NBA Champions!! I like watching LBJ play…dude can do anything!!
BOSTON CELTICS – Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are a dangerous experienced duo who can carry the team a long distance. I would love to have a front row seat to the “Kevin Garnett show” cause he talks trash!
NEW YORK KNICKS – Carmelo Anthony, for the past few weeks, has been dominating. Throw in Amare Stoudemire and the veteran Jason Kidd…man, they are gonna be a tough out!!
I don’t even want to predict the future. Of course, I will be rooting for the Spurs, but this is the NBA and anything can happen.
After each Spurs series, I will share my thoughts with the world.
GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!! GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!