This was big underachievement for the Spurs

[Young X]

First of all, salute to OKC for winning this series. I wrote them off and they proved me wrong. Hope they get to the finals.

Spurs won 67 games. Tied for the 5th most in NBA history.

They went 40-1 at home and tied the record for most home wins in NBA history.

They had a 10.63 point differential. 7th highest mark in NBA history.

Statistically they were one of the GOAT teams at least regular season wise.

They were the gold standard along with the Warriors all season and were widely expected to seriously challenge them in the WCF. It was basically a forgone conclusion those two would meet up.

For them to lose this series with homecourt to a team that won 12 less games...to lose 4/5 games to close the series...to lose 2 games at home when you only lost one game there all season...to only score 31 points in a half in an elimination game...WEAK.

I was hyping this team all season and they made me look stupid. They deserve criticism for this but we all know the Spurs don't any criticism.

[MellowYellow]

Spurs just feasted on the bad western conference from 6 seed down. Not impressed with what they did in the regular season.

[Prime_Shaq]

I agree.

[IamRAMBO24]

First of all, salute to OKC for winning this series. I wrote them off and they proved me wrong. Hope they get to the finals.

Spurs won 67 games. Tied for the 5th most in NBA history.

They went 40-1 at home and tied the record for most home wins in NBA history.

They had a 10.63 point differential. 7th highest mark in NBA history.

Statistically they were one of the GOAT teams at least regular season wise.

They were the gold standard along with the Warriors all season and were widely expected to seriously challenge them in the WCF. It was basically a forgone conclusion those two would meet up.

For them to lose this series with homecourt to a team that won 12 less games...to lose 4/5 games to close the series...to lose 2 games at home when you only lost one game there all season...to only score 31 points in a half in an elimination game...WEAK.

I was hyping this team all season and they made me look stupid. They deserve criticism for this but we all know the Spurs don't any criticism.

You're not giving enough credit to OKC. Spurs didn't disappoint. They played their game, but OKC was that much better. Donovan out coached Pop and Adams and Kanter are absolutely beast controlling the paint and grabbing the offensive boards.

All season long they were learning how to play in Donovan's system. This is the REAL OKC ceiling. They are that good.

[bballnoob1192]

spurs are the ultimate vulture team in all of sports. They only win during off years. 99 after jordan, 2003 after lakers dynasty, 05/07 no real dynasties and they still couldn't repeat (pathetic). 2014 after heat got tired from like 4 straight finals. **** THE SPURS. most bitch ass franchise in all of sports.

dont know why ****** on this board put them on a pedestal. who the **** cares if you win regular season games.

[Prime_Shaq]

You're not giving enough credit to OKC. Spurs didn't disappoint. They played their game, but OKC was that much better. Donovan out coached Pop and Adams and Kanter are absolutely beast controlling the paint and grabbing the offensive boards.

All season long they were learning how to play in Donovan's system. This is the REAL OKC ceiling. They are that good.
Sure OKC put in the effort but are you telling me this was Spurs basketball? Iso after iso after iso, where was their patented ball movement? Spurs just played ugly

[Kvnzhangyay]

Sure OKC put in the effort but are you telling me this was Spurs basketball? Iso after iso after iso, where was their patented ball movement? Spurs just played ugly

You forget that Spurs were ISO pretty much until Duncan got old-ish

[NBAGOAT]

their offense was iso heavy but that was expected with how they played during the regular season and they still did ok offensively this series. Defense was kind of disappointing however and yea ik it's durant/westbrook. For most of the year, this looked like the best defense the Spurs ever had yet this series, pretty much everyone for okc played well offensively.

[1987_Lakers]

It is somewhat of an underachievement, but it's not a big shocker or surprise. Despite the Spurs winning 67 games and pretty much dominating teams along the way, when you look at the team's roster you will see holes, Leonard is their best player which is nice, but the guy is no Curry, LeBron, & Durant, the NBA is a superstar driven league for the most part.

Also the regression of Duncan & Parker as players this year was something I kept an eye on, in years past these 2 guys bailed out the Spurs on numerous occasions but not this year, the Spurs got away with it with the signing of Aldridge & Kwahi improving as a player, but Kawhi is still young and Aldridge has little experience in the postseason. The Spurs REALLY needed Parker or Duncan to step up in this series, but they didn't deliver.

[imnew09]

Spurs loss is on the rebounding.

[Young X]

spurs are the ultimate vulture team in all of sports. They only win during off years. 99 after jordan, 2003 after lakers dynasty, 05/07 no real dynasties and they still couldn't repeat (pathetic). 2014 after heat got tired from like 4 straight finals.I don't think this is far from the truth. That's why they never repeated.

The Spurs' greatness mostly stems from how consistent they are. So they will always be THERE.

But they're not truly DOMINANT.

They were never a true DYNASTY. People get mad when I say that but they weren't.

[NBAGOAT]

I don't think this is far from the truth. That's why they never repeated.

The Spurs' greatness mostly stems from how consistent they are. So they will always be THERE.

But they're not truly DOMINANT.

They were never a true DYNASTY. People get mad when I say that but they weren't.

disagree and agree. 5 championships is a dynasty especially if you're looking at the modern era. I do agree with the dominant part however. Most dynasties have been better and it's only the 14 Spurs that people mention as an all time great team.

[Young X]

disagree and agree. 5 championships is a dynasty especially if you're looking at the modern era. I do agree with the dominant part however. Most dynasties have been better and it's only the 14 Spurs that people mention as an all time great team.I think your definition of dynasty is too loose.

The Bulls were a dynasty, the Kobe/Shaq Lakers were a dynasty, maybe the Warriors will become that in the future. These teams were the BEST and everybody knew it. The whole league was gunning for them.

That wasn't true with the Spurs. You can't be a dynasty if there were other teams during your time that were more dominant than you. You can't lose more times than you win.

You can't win 67 games and lose in the 2nd round to a 55 win team.

[Lebron23]

The Spurs were finished once Duncan started to declined this season.

[NBAGOAT]

I think your definition of dynasty is too loose.

The Bulls were a dynasty, the Kobe/Shaq Lakers were a dynasty, maybe the Warriors will become that in the future. These teams were the BEST and everybody knew it. The whole league was gunning for them.

That wasn't true with the Spurs. You can't be a dynasty if there were other teams during your time that were more dominant than you. You can't lose more times than you win.

You can't win 67 games and lose in the 2nd round to a 55 win team.

Maybe. The Bulls are definitely a dynasty. They're the 2nd best dynasty ever after the Celtics. For the Lakers, the 3peat is impressive but if you include more years(say 99-04) suddenly the dominance isn't that insane anymore. They're more dominant than the Spurs but not that much more more considering the Spurs won 3 rings in the same stretch. Also I'll ask, do you consider the Bird Celtics a dynasty? I would lean yes and I think Showtime/Celtics is a good comparison to Lakers/Spurs.

[Prime_Shaq]

You forget that Spurs were ISO pretty much until Duncan got old-ish
Yeah but look at that 2014 title team, that's how this core of Spurs are supposed to play

[Lebron23]

Duncan is pretty much useless in this year's playoffs.

4.4 ppg on 39.5 FG%,

[ImKobe]

5th best record in NBA history

lose two close 4th quarter games AT HOME TWICE to a team that led the regular season in being the worst 4th quarter team and end up losing in 6 in the 2nd round, brehs.

[ninephive]

Free throw disparity: 34
I don't care how good of a team you are. Spotting a 55-win team with 34 free throws makes any series difficult to win, especially when the league explicitly comes out and admits they missed multiple calls against the Spurs in multiple losses in the last 2 minutes. I don't care who you are.

[nashwade]

time and again we are presented with facts that regular season achievements don't mean jack on the big stage

[imdaman99]

OKC have been the Spurs kryptonite for a while. At least a healthy OKC team. They were a Ginobli prayer away from forcing a game 7 in 2014. We'll see how good this OKC team really is in the next week and half against the Warriors.

67 win teams aren't supposed to get knocked out in the 2nd round, agree with you there.

[Young X]

Maybe. The Bulls are definitely a dynasty. They're the 2nd best dynasty ever after the Celtics. For the Lakers, the 3peat is impressive but if you include more years(say 99-04) suddenly the dominance isn't that insane anymore. They're more dominant than the Spurs but not that much more more considering the Spurs won 3 rings in the same stretch. Also I'll ask, do you consider the Bird Celtics a dynasty? I would lean yes and I think Showtime/Celtics is a good comparison to Lakers/Spurs.I don't know if dynasty is the right word to describe those Celtics.

The Lakers played at the same time and were better than them. They outplayed the Celtics h2h and won more championships than them.

The Spurs won 2 of their championships in years where I'm not even sure if they were the best team.

[ImKobe]

Free throw disparity: 34
I don't care how good of a team you are. Spotting a 55-win team with 34 free throws makes any series difficult to win, especially when the league explicitly comes out and admits they missed multiple calls against the Spurs in multiple losses in the last 2 minutes. I don't care who you are.

blew a 3 on 1 fast break to win the game at home in Game 2
choked a 6 pt lead with 3 minutes to go at home in Game 5

Spurs lost AT HOME with OKC having 20 turnovers to Spurs' 7, just let that sink in.

[NBAGOAT]

I don't know if dynasty is the right word to describe those Celtics.

The Lakers played at the same time and were better than them. They outplayed the Celtics h2h and won more championships than them.

The Spurs won 2 of their championships in years where I'm not even sure if they were the best team.

well if you don't consider the celtics a dynasty, I can see why you wouldn't think the spurs are. I'm guessing you;re referring to 07 suns and 03 mavs since dirk got injured right?

[Young X]

well if you don't consider the celtics a dynasty, I can see why you wouldn't think the spurs are. I'm guessing you;re referring to 07 suns and 03 mavs since dirk got injured right?Yup. I'm not sure they win those 2 series under normal circumstances.

[IamRAMBO24]

Sure OKC put in the effort but are you telling me this was Spurs basketball? Iso after iso after iso, where was their patented ball movement? Spurs just played ugly

Last I checked, Pop was on the sideline calling those plays. The Thunder took them out of their game. They were too athletic, too big, and Donovan out coached Pop. The truth is .. they played ugly because the Thunder were too good.

[Fire Colangelo]

It's more like OKC underachieved in the regular season and stepped up in the playoffs...

Counting regular season wins OKC would be on the same level as toronto... Which is obviously not true. They lost many close games that they could've won in the regular season and Durant was rusty coming back from his injury. At full strength OKC is a 60+ win team no doubt.

[IamRAMBO24]

It's more like OKC underachieved in the regular season and stepped up in the playoffs...

Counting regular season wins OKC would be on the same level as toronto... Which is obviously not true. They lost many close games that they could've won in the regular season and Durant was rusty coming back from his injury. At full strength OKC is a 60+ win team no doubt.

They were just getting used to Donovan. Donovan truly is an underrated coach. They are finally coming together and realizing their true potential. This team is going to be a beast for years to come if Durant stays. Donovan has potential to be a top 3 coach. He should be in the discussion by out coaching Pop (highly regarded as the best) from here on out.

[ninephive]

blew a 3 on 1 fast break to win the game at home in Game 2
choked a 6 pt lead with 3 minutes to go at home in Game 5

Spurs lost AT HOME with OKC having 20 turnovers to Spurs' 7, just let that sink in.
Exactly...how does that happen? Maybe getting 9 more trips to the line on the road helps.

[Atlantis]

Blowing the Thunder out in Game 1 made the Spurs overconfident and complacent. But the Thunder didn't lose hope. They fought back and seized the momentum from the Spurs when they beat them in Game 2. For every punch the Spurs delivered, the Thunder had a response, and ultimately, the Spurs folded.

In my opinion, this series proved that Kawhi Leonard is massively overrated. Where was the 45% 3pt shooter? The guy cannot, for the life of him, take over a game or hit clutch shots.

[Young X]

It's more like OKC underachieved in the regular season and stepped up in the playoffs...

Counting regular season wins OKC would be on the same level as toronto... Which is obviously not true. They lost many close games that they could've won in the regular season and Durant was rusty coming back from his injury. At full strength OKC is a 60+ win team no doubt.You could say this about any team that upsets a higher seed.

At what point do you hold the team that plays much better all season long and is expected to win...accountable?

...oh yeah I forgot, it's the Spurs. The Spurs don't get held accountable.

[tamaraw08]

You're not giving enough credit to OKC. Spurs didn't disappoint. They played their game, but OKC was that much better. Donovan out coached Pop and Adams and Kanter are absolutely beast controlling the paint and grabbing the offensive boards.

All season long they were learning how to play in Donovan's system. This is the REAL OKC ceiling. They are that good.

meh, OKC did great but having 3 very old players meant 6 slow legs/feet. The half a second late in rotation is crucial IMO. They are slower to read and react properly, I think this the main reason why Miami is struggling to beat Toronto.

[Nick Young]

Kanter played great defense all series long. I don't think it's fair to call him a bad defender any more.

[Young X]

Only teams to win over 65 games and not make the conference finals?

'07 Mavs and '16 Spurs.

[Lebron23]

Only teams to win over 65 games and not make the conference finals?

'07 Mavs and '16 Spurs.


Damn

I'll rank LeBron over Duncan if he wins his 3rd Finals MVP this year. LeBron is the better individual player, and this is the only season he's not the leading scorer of his team in the playoffs.

Expect LeBron to score over 28 ppg vs. Raptors defense.