The San Antonio Predicament

[jpotter33]

Here's another thing to think about. San Antonio has two games left against Golden State, and rumor has it that Pop is thinking about resting all of his main guys both of those games.

Fair or not, with as late in the season as these games are and with Golden State most likely breaking the record against San Antonio, then there's going to be a little asterisk next to them in the record books saying (Spurs rested their guys and essentially gave them the record down the stretch). There's always going to be some doubt and questions there if they do rest their guys both games, which isn't really fair towards the Warriors and takes away from this awesome achievement. I want them to win it fair and square, so I really hope he has his guys at least play in the home game at San Antonio.

[Mr Green]

Pop says he doesn't care about records. I used to believe him until earlier this year when he stopped Paul George from scoring 42 points to save Wilt's all star game scoring record.

Another way of looking at it ... Pop lets GSW beat the 1996 Bulls record which hypothetically makes it an even bigger upset when the Spurs eliminate GSW from this season's playoffs.

[TheSundanceKid]

There are other games where Pop can rest players. I think he'll want to send a message to GS. The Spurs won't just let GS roll on to the record, they'd much rather give them a psychological punch in the gut as a reminder for the WCFs.

[Donoghus]

There are other games where Pop can rest players. I think he'll want to send a message to GS. The Spurs won't just let GS roll on to the record, they'd much rather give them a psychological punch in the gut as a reminder for the WCFs.

Or you play vanilla and don't show them anything ahead of the playoffs.  I can honestly see Pop going either way. 

I hope they go all out, though.

[bdm860]

I think Golden State losing last night has made things more interesting.

Before I thought it was pretty much a forgone conclusion that Golden State would be the #1 seed and break the Bulls record with at least 73 wins, so San Antonio wouldn't bother to bring their A game against them and would rather save it for the playoffs.  But now the Spurs can actually overtake the Warriors for the #1 seed.

The Warriors have 4 games left.  2 against the Spurs, and 2 against the Grizzlies (who are battling for playoff seeding with Portland). If the Spurs bring it against the Warriors, they could beat them both games, and Memphis who is fighting for playoff position could steal a game too (especially if the Warriors want to rest players before the playoffs).


Spurs have to go 5-0 against the Warriors (2x), OKC, Denver, and Dallas.  Possible, though that's potentially 3 really tough games (but OKC might be resting players too).  They'd then be 70-12.

Warriros have to go 1-3 against the Spurs (2x) and Grizzlies (2x).  Those could be some tough games, especially with Memphis's strong perimeter D (though Memphis hasn't looked so hot in the 2nd half of the year with all their injuries).  Also if the Spurs beat them twice, how motivated are they going to be for game #82 when the best they could go is 71-11?  Warriors going 1-3 would give them a 70-12 record, having lost the season series to the Spurs going 1-3 against them.

If San Antonio wanted too, they could really try to step on the Warriors neck here.  Take the #1 seed from them, stop them from getting the record, while setting a record (41-0) of their own.  That could really take the wind out of the Warriors sails going into the playoffs.

This has the potential to be VERY interesting (though Pop will still probably sit players though).

[PhoSita]

Nobody ever laid down against Chicago back when?

Is there an asterisk next to every champion that won based in part on homecourt advantage, which they secured partly because some of their late season opponents packed it in?

I think the Warriors have won more than enough tough games this season to deserve whatever praise they get for breaking the record, if that's what they end up doing.

[jpotter33]

Nobody ever laid down against Chicago back when?

Is there an asterisk next to every champion that won based in part on homecourt advantage, which they secured partly because some of their late season opponents packed it in?

I think the Warriors have won more than enough tough games this season to deserve whatever praise they get for breaking the record, if that's what they end up doing.

I can't say this for sure (read: I don't care enough to check), but I highly doubt that that record-holding Bulls team had its main NBA opponent rest all of their stars in half of their games, in the last four games of the season at that! Especially given Golden State's recent troubles and the fact that they now have to win out to break the record, I think some people, fair or not, will look at Pop resting all of his stars in their remaining two games and associate the record with San Antonio resting their players versus them. Again, I'm saying fair or not, because I'm undecided on how I feel about that situation.

That being said, I think them losing last night changes things. I can see Pop resting his guys on Thursday night in Oakland and then playing them versus the Warriors at home in San Antonio. That now serves two purposes. First, they can still break the all-time best home record in a season, and second, they can single-handedly stop Golden State from outright breaking the record. So I fully expect to see them play in San Antonio now, making this a non-issue.

[PhoSita]

Let me put it this way -- the Warriors - Spurs matchup I care about is what they do against each other in the playoffs.

Of course, if by some turn of events we're robbed of that series, this season will have been a failure.  For the entire NBA.  This whole season has just been a buildup to Warriors - Spurs.  Please Lord let us have it.  Seven games.

[Donoghus]

Last night's GSW loss definitely made things more interesting.  As bdm illustrated.

I'd hope to see all hands on deck, at least for tomorrow night.  Neither team plays tonight so nothing should change between now & then besides some freak of nature injury in a walk thru or something. 

If SA wins tomorrow night then it gets really interesting concerning both the Bulls record, the HCA, & the undefeated home record.

If the Spurs lose tomm night, then its a lot less exciting. 

[SHAQATTACK]

Fans deserve to see a real game .

[greece66]

I think Golden State losing last night has made things more interesting.

Before I thought it was pretty much a forgone conclusion that Golden State would be the #1 seed and break the Bulls record with at least 73 wins, so San Antonio wouldn't bother to bring their A game against them and would rather save it for the playoffs.  But now the Spurs can actually overtake the Warriors for the #1 seed.

The Warriors have 4 games left.  2 against the Spurs, and 2 against the Grizzlies (who are battling for playoff seeding with Portland). If the Spurs bring it against the Warriors, they could beat them both games, and Memphis who is fighting for playoff position could steal a game too (especially if the Warriors want to rest players before the playoffs).


Spurs have to go 5-0 against the Warriors (2x), OKC, Denver, and Dallas.  Possible, though that's potentially 3 really tough games (but OKC might be resting players too).  They'd then be 70-12.

Warriros have to go 1-3 against the Spurs (2x) and Grizzlies (2x).  Those could be some tough games, especially with Memphis's strong perimeter D (though Memphis hasn't looked so hot in the 2nd half of the year with all their injuries).  Also if the Spurs beat them twice, how motivated are they going to be for game #82 when the best they could go is 71-11?  Warriors going 1-3 would give them a 70-12 record, having lost the season series to the Spurs going 1-3 against them.

If San Antonio wanted too, they could really try to step on the Warriors neck here.  Take the #1 seed from them, stop them from getting the record, while setting a record (41-0) of their own.  That could really take the wind out of the Warriors sails going into the playoffs.

This has the potential to be VERY interesting (though Pop will still probably sit players though).

That's unlikely: GSW would have to lose 3 out of the 4 remaining games.

Still, it did make things more interesting, as now breaking the Bulls record is not as easy as it looked. Every GSW game will be interesting from now on.

[LilRip]

If Spurs beat GSW twice in 2 games, wouldn't they become the number 1 seed? I haven't checked the records but last I heard, they were down 2 games to GSW or something. So 2 SAS wins and 2 GSW losses would put them in a tie.

[RockinRyA]

Let me put it this way -- the Warriors - Spurs matchup I care about is what they do against each other in the playoffs.

Of course, if by some turn of events we're robbed of that series, this season will have been a failure.  For the entire NBA.  This whole season has just been a buildup to Warriors - Spurs.  Please Lord let us have it.  Seven games.

With the Celtics awaiting the winner in the finals.