If the Thunder Close Out the Spurs, is it the End of an Era?
Six players on the Spurs’ roster are 30 or older, led by future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan (36) and Manu Ginobili (34). This San Antonio core last won a title in 2007, and since then, its postseasons have looked like this:
2008 – Lost in the conference finals to the Lakers, 4-1
2009 – Lost in the first round to Dallas, 4-1
2010 – Lost in the second round to Phoenix, 4-0
2011 – Lost in the first round to Memphis, 4-2
So the question becomes whether this postseason was a revival, or perhaps … something else. Twenty wins in a row bridging the regular season and playoffs, postseason sweeps of Utah and the beat-up Clippers, and briefly, a 2-0 lead over bouncy OKC. Impressive stuff. Let’s go with revival.
But let’s say the Spurs lose tonight. Duncan says he wants to stick around another year or two. Parker and Manu are signed through next year (Parker, only 30, is locked up through 2015). But two of the young players so vital to the strong season – Danny Green and Gary Neal – are free agents. Boris Diaw is, too. But are those positions – shooting guard, backup point guard and power forward – fairly easy to replace?
Answer: Maybe. The replacements might already be on the roster – James Anderson (former 1st round pick), Cory Joseph (last year’s first round pick) and DeJuan Blair (who was the starter before Diaw arrived via trade) or Tiago Splitter. (Let’s not forget they have former draft pick Erazem Lorbek, a dominant European player, stashed.)
I’m not sure the Spurs are completely done … with this series. I’m guessing the young, inexperienced Thunder are feeling pretty good about themselves right now. Let’s not forget, they needed two Laker meltdowns late to eliminate LA, and blew the first game in San Antonio despite a 4th quarter lead. I don’t think tonight is a lock. Gun to head, I’d pick OKC, 101-99.
Sidenote: Will we see a third straight night of “Heroball” winners? James Harden and Paul Pierce defied the stats and decided to take “Heroball” shots on their own … and made them. (We could be on a 3rd straight night if Wade’s 3-pointer fell in Boston Sunday.)
Sidenote II: Stephen Jackson “makes love to pressure” so expect a big game out of Captain Jack tonight.

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53 Responses to “If the Thunder Close Out the Spurs, is it the End of an Era?”
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June 6th, 2012 at 7:59 PM
This is really the year for OKC. There window is much narrower than others seem to think. Harden is a UFA after next year and their odds of getting another #3 of his caliber with their future cap situation is slim.
June 6th, 2012 at 8:05 PM
Jmac, I know I give you shit about a lot of your posts but this was a well informed, insightful post. Good job!
If any team can pull out a win in OKC I think the Spurs can. Hell, the Mavs had the lead inside a minute of both games they played there in teh first round, thought the Thunder look to be getting better as the playoffs play out.
Anyways, the key to the game for me is turnovers. The Spurs cannot afford to have turnovers like they did the other nite. Giving the Thunder extra possession is the recipe for a loss.
Go Spurs, as a game 7 would be what this series deserves.
June 6th, 2012 at 8:05 PM
*the
*though
June 6th, 2012 at 8:34 PM
Yes, how would the Spurs ever be able to replace… Gary Neal, Boris Diaw and Danny Green?
June 6th, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Spurs will have a $3mill MLE, can resign these guys, and have their choice of the bargain litter as long as Pops and the big 3 are around.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Spurs will have a $3mill MLE, can resign these guys, and have their choice of the bargain litter as long as Pops and the
big3 are around.Medium-large 3
June 6th, 2012 at 9:06 PM
The thing is this year worked out perfect for the Spurs.
In a shortened year with fewer off days and being an older team, for them to have the #1 seed in the West was amazing.
Breezing through the first 2 rounds and 2 games they looked to be headed for a championship.
You have to wonder how things would play out next season. They are remarkably healthy for their age and the type of season it was, and you gotta think this year is their best chance to win it all for the foreseeable future.
Hope they can make it a game tonite at least.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:16 PM
what rondo said
June 6th, 2012 at 9:29 PM
Spurs aint dead yet!
June 6th, 2012 at 9:41 PM
how do you come out at home with a chance to close it out like this?
June 6th, 2012 at 9:52 PM
well, sadly, I was right about the young team coming in cocky. no defense at all from the Thunder in the first 20 minutes. embarrassing so far. can the Spurs keep this up?
June 6th, 2012 at 9:58 PM
Is it cockiness? Probably just nervous. One game is all they’ve got to win. Pulling for them
June 6th, 2012 at 9:59 PM
Spurs cant miss right now.
Captain Jack 4-4 from deep, hell the team is 9-14 from deep!
June 6th, 2012 at 10:06 PM
Cmon Jmac!
The Spurs were shooting lights out. Just like OKC did a game ago, theres only so much you can do when guys are hitting shots.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:13 PM
Just came in out of a hailstorm, to see the Spurs are raining all over OKC.
“What the hail?”
/I crack myself up
June 6th, 2012 at 10:17 PM
SROD, is that old dude humor?
June 6th, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Barkley is such a flip floppin moron.
One day its father time is caught up to the Spurs, the next they are experienced and been here before.
Used to really like Barkley, but it seems that whole TNT show in general has gone to shit.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Southern humor. You gotta say it like Jeff Foxworthy.
/not quite a redneck, but know a bunch of ‘em
June 6th, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Some great Stephen Jackson humor
http://thedailyrival.com/2012/03/05/stephen-jackson-doesnt-care-if-hes-hurting-your-fantasy-team/
June 6th, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Good gracious, Carrie Underwood.
/give me a break, it’s halftime
June 6th, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Go Spurs, but I hope they haven’t exhausted their reservoir of energy and determination in the first half. I like their chances in a home game 7, if they can win tonight.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:28 PM
Nice dish by Durant. At times, I would rather see him as primary ball-handler. He has great court vision and is unselfish.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Uh oh, 2 points in the 1st 5 minutes of the 2nd half….
June 6th, 2012 at 10:34 PM
the lead’s down to 6. Stephen Jackson time for the Spurs?
June 6th, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Didn’t know Perkins could run the break.
Fans are gettin’ back into it.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Taunting on Cap’n Jack? Hell, he acts like that whenever he’s on the floor.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:39 PM
J-mac sent you a sick screen shot from the hockey game…
June 6th, 2012 at 10:43 PM
Wow. I can’t say I’m a fan of the way James Harden plays basketball. What a bullshit move.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:45 PM
How about a fun Stephen Jackson anecdote… when he came out of HS into the NBA I guess he didn’t really know about or use the banking system much so he would walk around with huge stacks of cash. Teammates called him Stack Jack as a result.
…so kids thats how the nice young man got one of his many nicknames.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:47 PM
…so kids thats how the nice young man got one of his many nicknames.
he must have learned quick, because I think the Chinese characters on his neck stand for ATM
June 6th, 2012 at 10:48 PM
It is pretty wild that Durant is only 23.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Tony Parker to the spin cycle. what a quarter. maybe the best of the season
June 6th, 2012 at 10:50 PM
chicago, i assume you’re a Rose guy, but this is the kind of game/performance that makes me want to grab a Durant jersey. guy’s so great to watch
June 6th, 2012 at 10:52 PM
OT: Devils got an empty net goal late. NJ 3, LA 1 (F).
June 6th, 2012 at 10:53 PM
Spurs just cant seem to put a full 48 minutes together this series.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:53 PM
Durant is like a superhero. You can’t not like him.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Given that Eva Longoria is actually a true Spurs fan what are the chances she’s watching right now? I’m starting the bidding at 25% but would accept bids as low as 5%. I mean the dude was laying pipe on your good friend for a year and I’m going to watch him at his job? oh no way jose!
June 6th, 2012 at 11:06 PM
JMac, you assume correctly. However, I love Durant’s game. I wouldn’t go as far to say I’m a fan of his, but I love watching him play and I’ve been sure to watch the large majority of nationally televised Thunder games this year. He’s just such a killer, and I think that jumper is so pretty.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Seriously though, I think I hate James Harden. As an unbiased observer, the Spurs have been getting fucked hard by the refs this entire 4th.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:20 PM
Damn, Ibaka is just straight up raping Duncan while defending him on the block.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:20 PM
pkc is pissing away a lot of possessions, to put the game away
June 6th, 2012 at 11:21 PM
That was a bullshit call. It’s frustrating to watch such a good 3rd quarter and have the 4th get bogged down with unnecessary foul calls.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:21 PM
Thunder are hitting so many huge shots. Starting to look good for them.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:24 PM
It’s frustrating to watch such a good 3rd quarter and have the 4th get bogged down with unnecessary foul calls.
Joey Crawford ref’d games seem to always have a ton of fouls. Man loves getting on TV/being the focus of the game.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:26 PM
Perkins has the be the worst offensive player in the NBA that regular minutes.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:29 PM
i look forward to this crowd in the finals. puts heat crowd to shame
June 6th, 2012 at 11:29 PM
ok city bitch, ok, ok, city bitch [x3]
Ten, ten, ten, twenties and them fifties bitch
NBA Champs!
/East is least
June 6th, 2012 at 11:30 PM
I also don’t think he’s ever set a screen while standing still.
Good win for OKC. I hope they beat whoever comes out of the East.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:30 PM
well, convalescent home crowds do that too
June 6th, 2012 at 11:33 PM
okc m5 tonight, plus 165 for the series…nice
June 6th, 2012 at 11:33 PM
Perkins has the be the worst offensive player in the NBA that regular minutes.
I see your Perkins and raise you DeAndre Jordan. I remember some stat this year that he has something like four points outside the paint
June 6th, 2012 at 11:36 PM
At least DJ can score in the paint. Perkins misses ever layup that is not a wide open dunk. Also DJ is lethal on pick and roll alley oop plays so he’s got that going for him.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:45 PM
Joey Crawford special tonight! No cash, Charge only