Celtics + Spurs = Awesome

[papa shuttlesworth]

As I'm sure many of you did, I realized last night how similar the Celtics and Spurs are right now.  Both teams are very good and it is because, in addition to talent, all players buy into the system and are willing to sacrifice stats to win.  It sounds obvious, but there are about 25 other teams in the NBA that somehow cannot do this.

I could watch these two teams play all the time.  This could be an awesome Finals.

I also realized last night that Ginobli and Duncan are two of my favorite non-Celtics players and I think it is because of that "buy-in" idea.  After thinking about it some more, I think that if you randomly scrambled up the two rosters, I bet that Doc or Pop could have both of them playing at near-championship level within a couple weeks.  There would be no adjustment period at all like in Miami.

[Drucci]

I share your feeling, the Finals would be great should these two teams meet. Perfect opposition of very similar teams in their philosophy and personnel, not to mention all the great matchups/duels that we would watch for an entire series : Rondo vs Parker, Ray vs Ginobili, Paul vs Jefferson, KG vs Duncan (!)... and Doc vs Popovich.

On one hand I'm really eager to see this matchup in the Finals because it would be epic (a la Detroit/SA 2005) but on the other hand I'm kind of scared of it since I think the Spurs are definitely a team that would make the Finals a really tough series.

[Who]

This is my least favourite San Antonio team in the last 20 years.

They don't play enough defense.

[Witch-King]

The San Antonio Spurs have won the NBA championship 4 times in 4 Finals appearances. They are the second-most successful Western Conference franchise behind the Los Angeles Lakers and If they advanced to the NBA Finals this season they would be a very tough team to beat. The Boston Celtics can't afford to take last night's victory for granted; there's still the chance that the Lakers could dethrone the Spurs out West and gain homecourt advantage in the playoffs. I can't say enough at how impressed I am with the San Antonio Spurs so far this season.

[rsan]

Imagine 7 games of the same drama that we went through last night. No doubt this would be a great defensive battle. It may be one the NBA wouldn't want to see, since scoring may be at a premium but it would be great for us fans. Still want the Lakers though

[ScoobyDoo]

I like the match up too. But I'll add my real thoughts. Give me a healthy Perkins, KG and DWest to our current squad and the Spurs don't have a chance against us.

Shaq / Perkins
KG / Baby or Jermaine
Pierce / Marquis
Ray / Dwest
Rondo / Nate

If we go into the playoffs fully healthy and remain that way through the championship round, just hang #18 now.

There's not a team in the league that can handle us when we're healthy this year. It's not even close.

[KungPoweChicken]

The game was entertaining. It was played at a high level. It was even billed as "The Clash of the Titans." It got a lot of talk on sports radio, probably deservedly so. But the truth is that the Spurs, while they have a great record, aren't that good of a team, and they certainly aren't championship contenders. The Celtics, when healthy, would annihilate a team like the Spurs. The title will be a three way race: Celtics, Heat, and Lakers. The Spurs are the horse that jumps out early, but inevitable tires out before the finish line.

[rsan]

It would be interesting to see West play Manu. He burned us in the 4th qtr

[Mazingerz]

It will be celtics vs magic and lakers vs spurs. The Heat will melt in their own arrogance

[Edgar]

It will be celtics vs magic and lakers vs spurs. The Heat will melt in their own arrogance

maZinger z will give you a tommy point just because your nickname

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukf7Ef9bRII

[hwangjini_1]

This is my least favourite San Antonio team in the last 20 years.

They don't play enough defense.

Thank goodness! 

[Spilling Green Dye]

It was definitely a fun game to watch.. especially Ray & Paul's shooting extravaganza!

But I don't see the Spurs coming out of the West.  I know they have a great record, but I just don't see it happening.

And what happened to Tim Duncan?!  I know he's gotten older, but its as if he lost all aggressiveness!  He had some nice posts moves over Davis, and some nice bank shots over Shaq.  His moves were there but they NEVER ran the ball through him.  Duncan needs the ball more b/c his skills are still there, and he can still score/pass well from the post.

[papa shuttlesworth]

And what happened to Tim Duncan?!  I know he's gotten older, but its as if he lost all aggressiveness!  He had some nice posts moves over Davis, and some nice bank shots over Shaq.  His moves were there but they NEVER ran the ball through him.  Duncan needs the ball more b/c his skills are still there, and he can still score/pass well from the post.

Yeah, it is weird to see. There was one play in particular where it really stood out.  It was an in-bounds play towards the end of the game and the Celtics covered all of the Spurs very well.  As a last ditch effort, the inbounder threw it to Duncan (who was unguarded) at the free throw line, who then looked to pass it to someone else.  5 or 8 years ago, would you even think of letting Duncan get the ball, unguarded, at the free throw line at the end of a close game??!?!

[cornbreadsmart]

     I hate Ginobli. He's the biggest flopper there is(clutching his face on a pick and he never even gets touched) and has had some bad things to say about americans as basketball players.

[papa shuttlesworth]

     I hate Ginobli. He's the biggest flopper there is(clutching his face on a pick and he never even gets touched) and has had some bad things to say about americans as basketball players.

I'm sure many NBA fans have the same or worse things to say about Pierce and KG.  He is one of those players (like KG, Varajao, Noah, etc.) that you despise on other teams but love on your team.  If Ginobli wanted to take a minimum vet deal to join the Celtics, I would not say no.