The Spurs have played in many many elimination games (from both sides), but folks, winning an elimination game is really hard to do especially on the road and it doesn’t matter if it is 3-0, 3-1, 3-2, or tied at 3 games. Despite that, I really thought the Spurs would win Game 4 and make the Trail Blazers sweep both locker rooms and the entire Moda Center. By the way, what or who the heck is Moda? To me, the Portland arena will always be the Rose Garden!!!
The Spurs have a lot more experience (playoffs) than the Trail Blazers and had they won on Monday night, some much needed rest for the Spurs would’ve been the reward. Oh well!! I guess it is better to win a series on your home court like they did last night.
I just hope that Tony Parker’s injury will heal before Game 1 of the next round because if the Spurs want to win there 5th NBA Championship, we will need a healthy Tony Parker. No if’s, and’s, or but’s.
I do gotta give a lot of credit to Patty Mills for his Game 5 performance. He was prepared and never looked scared as he replaced Tony last night. And, man, I am so glad Danny Green found his shot again!
Tony Parker was, without a doubt, the MVP for the Spurs in the series (even though he didn’t score last night, he sets the tone for all the games). Kawhi Leonard was absolutely amazing and in game 5, he looked like a superstar!! And, huge defensive kudos to Tiago Splitter for slowing down Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge. Ok, I know that I am not the only Spurs fan who was really impressed with Damian Lillard; this dude can flat out play!!! Kinda reminds me of a very young Tony Parker!!!
You know something, I couldn’t help but think the Spurs will have a bright future when Tim and Manu decide to call it a career (which may happen next summer) in Tony, Kawhi, and Tiago. Coach Greg Popovich may also retire with Tim and Manu. Man, who will be the next head coach for the San Antonio Spurs? I say you gotta give to either a former Spur or a current or former Spurs coach.
Now, the Spurs have to wait for the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder and that series is probably going to be 7 games and all I have to say is “may the best team win.”
Just a quick RANT about the Spurs and the Hall of Fame. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Greg Popovich, and Tony Parker will EASILY BE HALL OF FAMERS in there first year of eligibility.
Oh, and the Spurs organization must retire Tim, Manu, and Tony’s jersey numbers the year after they retire and not any later. I have no clue how NBA franchise’s retire coach’s, but I am sure the Spurs will find a perfect way for Greg Popovich to be retired in the rafters.
Do you remember 1996 when Greg Popovich, the then GM of the Spurs fired Bob Hill 18 games into the season with a record of 3 wins and 15 losses (mainly cause David Robinson was hurt)? I, for one, was like why, huh, and stupid move?
Now, looking back, that was the best thing to ever happen to the Spurs organization and we all know why…1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007 NBA Champions led by Coach Popovich.
Drafting David Robinson in 1987 and Tim Duncan in 1997 were also some of the best and tallest things to happen for the Spurs franchise.
The Sean Elliott Memorial Day Miracle in 1999 was one of the first biggest shots I remember for the Spurs franchise as that off-balance three pointer by a really sick player (he had a kidney transplant a few months later) led the Spurs to a playoff sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers!!!
And, folks, that 1999 Portland team was coached by Mike Dunleavy (a former Spur from 1982-1983) and the starting guard was Damon Stoudamire (he played for the Spurs in 2008). Another player, Greg Anthony, is one of the ESPN studio broadcasters!!
Jermaine O’Neal was also on that Portland team and he just finished his 19th season as a member of the Golden State Warriors (but I heard a rumor that he may retire). Jermaine was selected with the 16th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft…number 5 was Ray Allen (he plays for the Miami Heat), number 15 was Steve Nash (former Dallas Maverick and Phoenix Sun and current Laker), number 24 was Derek Fisher (he plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder), and lucky number 13 was Kobe Byrant (he plays for the Lakers). Spurs fans dislike Fisher, Kobe, and Steve Nash but me personally, I think Kobe is one of the best players in the NBA (hurt or not hurt). Steve and Derek may decide to join Jermaine in retirement but I heard another rumor that Fisher could be a candidate to the coach of the LA Lakers.
Just a few weeks later in the 1999 NBA Finals, Avery Johnson hit the game winner in Madison Square Garden to capture the Spurs first championship. It seems like every Spur at one time has a hit a HUGE shot!!!
Well, I could go on and on and on and on with my favorite Spurs moments…so, I guess this would be a good place to stop and ask my readers, what are your favorite Spurs moments?