Video: ESPN's Jalen Rose has doubts about the Spurs
After the San Antonio Spurs won 11 games in a row for the second time this year, ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose threw in his two cents on the Spurs’ chances at a title. On a scale of 1-10, he gave the Spurs a 7, saying that they need some help down low and that Oklahoma City is going to be a big “road block.”
Check out the video.
I’m going to go ahead and agree with Rose, but on one condition: that he doesn’t give anyone else a number higher than seven. The Spurs do have weaknesses and they do have a very tough road to get that championship but so does everyone else. Right now, I don’t think anyone has a better chance than the Spurs to win it all, but I also think the Spurs are tied with a few other teams.
Rose is right about the Spurs needing someone other than Tim Duncan to step up down low. The Western Conference is full of excellent big man tandems that could cause problems for the Spurs if guys like Splitter and Blair don’t step up. They could be looking at playing the Lakers or the Clippers in the second round, both teams with very talented duos down low.
He’s also right that the Thunder are going to be a big obstacle. Yes, I know the Spurs won the regular season series, and their experience and maturity will go a long way against the younger Thunder team. But the regular season numbers don’t mean anything in the postseason. Just ask last year’s Bulls team. They owned the Heat all year but then almost got swept by them in the playoffs. Especially if the Spurs don’t pull out the top seed, playing most of the games in Oklahoma City is going to be tough.
I said yesterday that I thought the Spurs had a great chance to win it all, and I still think they do. I may have even gone as high as 8 for the Spurs’ chances, but there are still a lot of reasons to be cautious. There’s definitely no lock in either conference for the championship. There’s a lot of basketball left to be played.
What do you have to say Spurs fans? Think Rose is correct about the Thunder should the Spurs face them in the playoffs?
I did not see Jalen Rose's (messenger) video, but there is one thing for sure, the Spurs need a big that can go get some rebounds. I did not see the game last night against the Lakers, only saw Spurs low-lights after the game, but what Bynum did to the Spurs was embarassing. Hopefully the Spurs can correct the problem. FYI, Lenord and Jackson had a high for 5 rebounds each.
Everyone talks about the spurs,and I agree they could win it all.But,lets give credit where it is due.Popovich is the best coeach in nba.Hes done a great job of subsitution and thinking,something most nba coaches lack.
I'm ok with 7 out of 10. Although the Spurs were impressive against the Thunder in the regular season, I'm much more concerned with the Spurs defense, rebounding and entertainment value (Spurs national TV ratings) in the playoffs.The Spurs have enough players at the 1,2 and 3 postions to handle Durant, Westbrook and Harden. But, the Spurs do not have the Bigs collectively to handle Memphis. Nor do I think they can match the defensive intensity of Memphis. Because of the Spurs fundamental style of play,(which is cool with me), non spectular dunkers (lack of NBA/National TV appeal) the Spurs will be at a disadvantage in the playoffs. If the Spurs come out the west, they will have to knock off the Thunder and/or Memphis, the NBA referees and Coach Popovich will have to do his best coaching job ever, The Spurs are medicore at best in rebounding and defensive. I do not consider Boris Diaw to be a true Big, but more of a 3/4. More importantly if Diaw can hit outside jumpers and bring Ibaka, Deandre Jordan and the Memphis bigs away from the basket the Spurs can come out of the West.
1 Like
I have no problem with Jalen giving the Spurs a 70% chance of winning another championship. Most teams, analysts, etc. have never given the Spurs the respect they deserve, but that's ok. I'd rather us be the "silent killer" flying under the radar than have everyone blow us up "bigger than life" (y'all know what I mean). The sports media praise...Spurs don't need it...they know they are a good team whether anyone else acknowledges it or not!
2 Like
Whatever. How many times have the media dismissed the SAS chances year after year and yet here they are.....AGAIN.
The thunder hasn't hung with the spurs since they started winning more than 20 games a year. We match up with OKC way better than we do LA or Memphis... just like I'd rather play Miami over Chicago, I'll play OKC over any playoff team with a lot of size. Sure each team has a chance of winning.. but ill take the team that wont expose really our only weakness, size.
Headline: Rose has "doubts" about Spurs."
Rose audio: He gives us a 70 percent chance.
The dude simply expressed some concerns that no Spurs fan hasn't expressed. How often have we cried "we need a big." Yet when Rose says it, Spurs fans are supposed to get upset?Him giving Spurs a 7 out of 10 chance to win it are INCREDIBLY GOOD odds. No need to get defensive about it. Miami and Chicago still do look pretty scary, people. Try watching games OTHER THAN the ones Bill Land and Sean Elliott call. There are other teams that are contending, fellow Spurs fans. 70% is about right.
I think we're fine with the "7 out of 10" chances, but I think the problem we have with Rose is that even with those good odds, he STILL has doubts about our team.
2 Like
The key to beating OKC will be slowing down Westbrook and Durant. I don't think Perkins and Ibaka are going to outplay Duncan and Splitter. Spurs defense is much better than it was a year ago. I think the overall philosophy has changed from last year to more of a defensive minded team. OKC will be a very good series, but I think the Spurs have much better depth overall. Also noone is mentioning Diaw when talking about big men, I think he has come along nicely as well.
1 Like
The Spurs can and will beat OKC! didn't Rose watch the last two Spurs Thunder games? Jalen stop doubting the Spurs your just mad your sorry butt never won a ring that's all.
