Spurs lacking championship mentality

by **BiggDrew** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:22 am

Sean was very critical of the Suns because they didn't have the mental edge, that killer instinct, the intense desire to perform at their best (regardless of their opponent) needed to put away inferior teams (including out short-handed Spurs.) That edge Sean points out is a critical part of a championship-caliber team. 
 
He did not directly say it, but seemed to imply that the Suns are not on the Spurs level because they were lacking that edge due. Their soft play almost costed them a game at home against a clearly inferior team. I don't agree with what Sean was getting at. I totally agree the the Suns aren't championship caliber. I agree that they are missing that necessary mental edge. Where I disagree is I feel it can't be the lack of killer instinct that makes the Suns a tier below the Spurs. It can't be, when the Spurs are lacking that edge just as the Suns are. 
 
The Spurs are the best team in the NBA despite not being the most talented because we have the best system, and a great mix of players to execute our system very well. It is our defense that makes us a contender year in and year out. We are lacking the mentality just as the Suns are, and it gives me a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. 
 
Of our two championship teams, 1999 was by far the less talented of the two. That team was tough though. They knew they were going to win every game no matter what the score was with 6 mins left because they wanted it more and were willing to do whatever it took. That 1999 team would destroy this team, despite our new-look Spurs' abundance of talent and rock-solid game plan. This team just isn't as hungry. 
 
Where is that hunger going to come from? <hr /> 
<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/misc_imgs/MalikChestBump.jpg" style="border:0;"/><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/Wallpapers/MALIKth.jpg" style="border:0;"/><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/misc_imgs/MalikSlamsMutombo.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

SAmikep · by **SAmikep** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:25 am

Duncan and Ginobili...I expect Manu to become a beast in the playoffs and Duncan was just starting to rachet his game up before the ankle injury.

ryno · by **ryno** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:03 pm

Its hard for me to imagine anyone else coming out of the West. Its the finals match-up that worries me. Detroit or Miami should put up quite a fight. <div style="text-align:center">Silver and Black Baby</div> 
<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://img44.exs.cx/img44/9201/banner98.jpg"/></div>

ManuFanAndrea · by **ManuFanAndrea** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:27 pm

I don't know if it's a lack of a killer instinct, but I don't think the Suns are in the Spurs' league either, regardless of record. The Suns are WEAK. Sure, they have the ability to put up a lot of points, but if they lose one player, they CAN'T win. That's a major, major weakness for a team, a team that also doesn't focus on defense. 
 
I have more respect for the Rockets and Grizzlies than I do for the Suns. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20031208/ginobili_84938.jpg"/><img src="http://images.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/_photos/2004-06-30-lidge-inside.jpg"/></div>

Pitter5008 · by **Pitter5008** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:50 pm

I'm afraid I disagree with my boy Drew on this one. The Spurs have a quiet confidence from experience. I believe that they are plenty hungry. It's the teams that haven't been there that need to "appear" hungry. There are certain things about this team that I do not worry about. Mental preparation is one of them. I think mentally (most importantly in the playoffs) we are ahead of anyone in the league. 
 
The negativity after losses is amazing to me. I'm listening to the React show on WOAI last night and after previous losses and I am amazed at the criticism and discouragin remarks made about a team that has the record we have. I'm not sweating it. 
 
I still don't see anyone that can win 4 of 7 against us. If the NBA played single game elimination then anything can happen. But in a 7 game series? Who has a mental edge against us having to play against that defense in consecutive games (4 -6)? The playoffs are a different animal and this team is a playoff team. They'll be ready.

by **Velozity** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 2:28 pm

What's new? The only years we HAD mentality was when we won it all.. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://img124.exs.cx/img124/4184/green0ie.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div> 
<div style="text-align:center">Two white roses lay frozen outside your door.- If it makes you so happy and so sad, which should I be more sorry for?</div>

Spursman · by **Spursman** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:06 pm

I am with Pitter. I too think they have exactly what they need, except for everyone to be healthy. We get that and I am not worried about them. And tell me, did either Spurs championship team not ever lose to a team they should beat? Yeah, right, that's what I thought. 
 
 
<img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/whip.gif ALT=":whip"> <div style="text-align:center"><a href="http://www.sahoops.net/"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/GeneralPics/SCsigAlamoBlack.jpg "/></a></div>

Creation88 · by **Creation88** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:25 pm

this all dates back to the that damn Utah game were we lost at the buzzer. before then we were pulverizing teams, since then we've been playing like dilapidated, lazy basketball players, not as a team. 
 
this is frustrating and disappointing. i hope they get there shizzle together. <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/shakehead.gif ALT=":shakehead">

icemanfan · by **icemanfan** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:48 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr> I don't know if it's a lack of a killer instinct<hr></blockquote> I do know they absolutely do not have that much needed killer instinct and have made two separate post on the subject. The Spurs will either stop letting teams back into a game (this translates to series in the play offs like the did Lakers last year) or they simple will NOT be champions this year. They act like the Lakers use to with that "don't worry we will find the switch and turn it on when we need to" mentality and we all know that does not cut it. <img src="http://www.remembertheaba.com/TributeMaterial/GervinSwoopNice.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

by **Velozity** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:07 pm

The only thing the Spurs are missing is a certain rose that was grown in San Antonio. And maybe a few FT redo's. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://img124.exs.cx/img124/4184/green0ie.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div> 
<div style="text-align:center">Two white roses lay frozen outside your door.- If it makes you so happy and so sad, which should I be more sorry for?</div>

SAmikep · by **SAmikep** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:11 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>this all dates back to the that damn Utah game were we lost at the buzzer. before then we were pulverizing teams, since then we've been playing like dilapidated, lazy basketball players, not as a team.<hr></blockquote> 
 
some freshly crunched numbers... 
 
going into the Utah game.. 
record: 28-7 average score 97-86 
included win streaks of 6, 8, 4, and 5 
 
the games following the Utah game.. 
record 19-6 average score 96-88 
included win streaks of 4, 5 and 5

by **94deac** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:25 pm

It took 44 points from Stoudemire, and even with 2 All Stars out, Duncan and Ginobili, the Suns still couldn't put it away until less than a minute to go. 
 
Championship mentality? The Spurs have been there in 99 and 03: when they get into the Western Playoffs, they'll crank it up- and that should scare the hell out of their conference foes and whoever has the misfortune of winning the east (which is winless at SBC). 
 
I appreciate Sean's concern, but the Spurs are top-to-bottom the best team and have the experience to get if done. Don't forget- the Spurs play the best D in the league and that's what wins 5 and 7 game series and, ultimately, championships.

by **Jersey12** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:03 pm

Can someone define the "championship mentality?" Is it like "The Force" in Star Wars? 
 
Really? Because this is a little much. 
 
There is increased parity in this league. The Spurs play a style more taylored to the post-season. If they lose a game to the Warriors in the middle of the regular season, it isn't going to affect them too much. 
 
I think the Spurs are finally learning what the Lakers pretty much new all along... the regular season means very little.

SAmikep · by **SAmikep** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:17 pm

Spurs learned that a while back...see 1995 and 2001.

by **Jersey12** on Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:21 pm

Right, then why is everyone in paranoia mode? 
 
The team is in first place and fans are getting up in arms that the they don't have "the force!" 
 
Apparently, Pop needs to get Yoda on the phone.

Spurs lacking championship mentality