Spurs Really a Contender?

[PosImpos]

The Spurs are currently 4-5, and might be looking at 4-6 (down to the Jazz atm).

Granted, they've had some key injuries (to Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan, once again).  However, the fact that they're below .500 regardless of these injuries ought to be pretty troubling to fans of a team that was supposedly looking at 2nd best or best in the West before the start of the season.

So...should Spurs fans be worried?  Are the Spurs really a contender?  Yeah, maybe part of it is that Popovich doesn't care about the regular season, and certainly a part of it is the injuries, but surely their ability to contend will in part center on their playoff seed and their health as a team.

[Bahku]

It's still very early in the season ... I think the Spurs will rebound and make it into the playoffs, but probably not too deep.

[nickagneta]

Not when they are as injured as they are. But I doubt they will be this injured all year.

[scoop]

They need 3 things:
a) Healthy and in-form Big 3
b) Jefferson and Dice focused on rebounding and defence
c) less (or no) Finley, Mason and Bonner; more Hairston, Haislip and Bogans

[PosImpos]

Not when they are as injured as they are. But I doubt they will be this injured all year.

The question is will they get back into healthy form soon enough to still end up with a good (50+ wins) record?

[Drucci]

They are bugged by injuries to their key players once again. At least their new bench is making them contend more in their absence but they are struggling right now.

If if recall correctly, they have won many games without Parker and Duncan, while losing with their Big 3 playing. Strange!

Not worried about them though, the season is long and they had a rough beginning last year too. I just hope they are spared by injuries and end up with an OK record, which will allow them to contend with the Lakers, beat them, and face us in the Finals.

[QuinielaBox]

In all fairness to SA, they almost beat Dallas in Dallas without Parker and Gnobli. My best guess is that they will kick serious butt in the 2nd half of the season and challenge the Lakers for the WC championship.

[KungPoweChicken]

It seems to me that unless something drastic happens the Spurs are looking at a first round elimination. I think, personally, they should just mail it in and tank the season.

[Who]

The Spurs are either the second or third best team in the conference ... depending on how well they fare against the Blazers head-to-head.

They're a contender but significantly behind the Lakers due to LA's interior game.

[moiso]

I really like the roster.  If healthy I'd rank them #2 in the west.  I question whether they will ever be 100% though.  I kind of doubt it.  It's so dissappointing to see Ginobilli get hurt year after year.  And Duncan has been beat up in the playoffs the last couple years. 

[nickagneta]

Not when they are as injured as they are. But I doubt they will be this injured all year.

The question is will they get back into healthy form soon enough to still end up with a good (50+ wins) record?

That's a good question. I'm not so sure because Jefferson has been less than stellar, Drew Gooden has been god awful, Roger Mason couldn't hit the ocean if he was throwing the basketball over the side of a ship, and Manu, except for one night, appears to be getting fairly old fairly quick.

Even if they get healthy, big "if" given all their injuries, I don't know that they have what it takes to compete for 50 wins, not the way some of their players are playing.

[moiso]

I think they are at least a 50 win team when healthy.  I agree Jefferson is a huge dissappointment, but I don't think Gooden has been that bad.  And McDyess is playing as expected.

[Fafnir]

Not when they are as injured as they are. But I doubt they will be this injured all year.

The question is will they get back into healthy form soon enough to still end up with a good (50+ wins) record?

That's a good question. I'm not so sure because Jefferson has been less than stellar, Drew Gooden has been god awful, Roger Mason couldn't hit the ocean if he was throwing the basketball over the side of a ship, and Manu, except for one night, appears to be getting fairly old fairly quick.

Even if they get healthy, big "if" given all their injuries, I don't know that they have what it takes to compete for 50 wins, not the way some of their players are playing.

Drew Gooden is playing for the Mavs now.

Are you talking about McDyess?

[ToppersBsktball10]

GInobli's been sick when healthy. they're a high 50 win team.

[moiso]

Not when they are as injured as they are. But I doubt they will be this injured all year.

The question is will they get back into healthy form soon enough to still end up with a good (50+ wins) record?

That's a good question. I'm not so sure because Jefferson has been less than stellar, Drew Gooden has been god awful, Roger Mason couldn't hit the ocean if he was throwing the basketball over the side of a ship, and Manu, except for one night, appears to be getting fairly old fairly quick.

Even if they get healthy, big "if" given all their injuries, I don't know that they have what it takes to compete for 50 wins, not the way some of their players are playing.

Drew Gooden is playing for the Mavs now.

Are you talking about McDyess?

Haha, and i went along with it.  Anyway, I don't think Gooden has been that bad for Dallas then!