San Antonio Spurs: Grading Their Chances vs. Western Conference Playoff Teams
Now that the All-Star break has passed and the NBA prepares for the trade deadline, the San Antonio Spurs will look to keep plugging along during the final 26 games of the regular season.
It would be a surprise to see the Spurs make any moves around the deadline, considering that they are off to a phenomenal start and a lot of their key players (Tim Duncan, most specifically) are well rested.
As the final stretches of the NBA regular season approach, it is time to take a look at how the best team in the West matches up with the rest of their competition, from a grade-wise perspective.
Grade System:
A = Excellent
B = Good
C = Average
D = Not Good
F = No Chance
Spurs Vs. Phoenix Suns (Currently 10th Seed)
1 of 9
My, have the times changed.
We are not even a year removed from the slaughter that was the 2010 NBA Western Conference Semifinals in which the Suns made quick work of the Spurs, sweeping them in four games.
Basically, the Suns hit every shot they got that series and their win over the Spurs gave the team a feeling of: “Finally, we beat them!”
This proved to be the Suns’ championship of sorts, as they bowed out quietly to the Los Angeles Lakers in the next round.
Instead of deciding to keep Amar'e Stoudemire for a little more than he was probably worth, the Suns elected to fill his shoes with Hakim Warrick, Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress.
It has not worked very well so far, seeing that the Suns are currently out of the playoff picture and Hedo was traded a long time ago for an over-the-hill Vince Carter.
To put it simply, even if the Suns somehow make the playoffs this year, they do not have a shot at competing with the Spurs.
The Spurs are a different team that will be much sharper defensively on the perimeter during the playoffs this time.
The Suns would be better off parting with Steve Nash while they still can and start the rebuilding process.
Spurs Grade: A
Spurs Vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Currently 9th Seed)
2 of 9
The Grizzlies have been an interesting team for close to a decade.
They have always been a squad that is undeniably talented, but for almost inexplicable reasons they have never been able to put a consistent winning team on the floor.
They are scraping and clawing for a spot in this year’s playoffs to show the NBA that it did not take them that long to recover from the cringe-worthy trade that saw them ship Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers.
One wonders if the Grizzlies still have attitude problems, considering star player Zach Randolph’s history on the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as O.J. Mayo’s suspension and diminished role this season.
Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol continue to prove their worth to their squad, but one has to think that this team is only good enough to get into the playoffs, but nothing more.
If the Grizz keep pace, they would inevitably face a first-round matchup with San Antonio.
Considering the lack of playoff experience on the Grizzlies squad as well as the overall talent gap when comparing the two teams, it would not be surprising to see the Spurs sweep the Grizzlies.
Spurs Grade: A
Spurs Vs. Utah Jazz (Currently 8th Seed)
3 of 9
To me, the Utah Jazz are this year’s biggest disappointment. They have remained a solid, respectable team for a long time, but they have never been able to take that next step forward in “title contender” territory.
Losing Carlos Boozer was definitely tough, but that should have been well compensated for when they dealt for Al Jefferson.
Instead, the Jazz appear to be in disarray, with Jerry Sloan unexpectedly throwing his hands up in the air and announcing his retirement. Then recently star guard Deron Williams announced his intentions to sign with the Knicks once he became a free agent.
With Melo being dealt to New York yesterday, Utah has officially taken over as the king of “distractions." I have not seen anything to make me believe that they will last a round in the playoffs this year.
If they run into the Spurs, they might push the series to five games, but since they will remain distracted until Williams is either dealt or extended, I just do not seeing Utah doing much this year, regardless of who they run into in the playoffs.
Spurs Grade: A
Spurs Vs. Denver Nuggets (Currently 7th Seed)
4 of 9
It is safe to say that the Nuggets and their fans are feeling very much relieved after finally parting ways with star forward Carmelo Anthony.
What Anthony did to them this past year was extremely unfair, essentially ruining the Nuggets hope for a title by asking for a trade, then saying he never wanted one, then saying on Conan recently that he was hoping something was going to get done.
Now, with the Nuggets getting three outstanding players in Raymond Felton, Danillo Galinari, and Wilson Chandler, as well as the solid Timofey Mosgov and a couple of draft picks, Denver can now, finally, look to the future.
With that said, it would be surprising to see the Nuggets go more than one round, considering the fact that they have now embraced the idea of rebuilding a once championship contender.
If they meet the Spurs in the first round, they might push the series to five with a couple of J.R. Smith heroics, or a monster offensive game from Gallinari (assuming they keep him).
The Nuggets have never been able to get past the Spurs, and now, without a true star on their team, they will not scare them that much if they happen to meet in these upcoming playoffs.
Spurs Grade: A
Spurs Vs. New Orleans Hornets (Currently 6th Seed)
5 of 9
The Hornets have to be considered one of the more intriguing teams in the league so far this year.
After starting the season on a torrid pace, they have since cooled down a bit. But make no mistake about it—Chris Paul is certainly a player who can elevate his team to be better than they really are.
Call it the Steve Nash effect.
The Hornets and Spurs experienced a bitter, seven-game series in the 2008 Western Conference Semis (which saw Paul put on one of the more hilarious flopping sprees in recent memory).
Overall, the Hornets are a well-balanced squad, even if they are flirting with a “distraction area” with rumors surfacing about Paul’s desire to play in New York City as well.
The Hornets have beaten the Spurs twice so far, so they have shown in the past that they can definitely hang with the best.
Okafor versus Duncan has proved to be a riveting matchup on the defensive end, while Paul and Parker continue to toy with one another.
While the Hornets have certainly looked impressive in spurts, once the playoffs start, everybody knows that it is all business for the Spurs.
Spurs Grade: A-
Spurs Vs. Portland Trail Blazers (Currently 5th Seed)
6 of 9
Speaking of distractions, how can you not feel bad for the Blazers?
They possess one of the most rabid and passionate fan bases in the NBA (ESPN writer Bill Simmons constantly refers to them as “the soccer moms”), yet it seems they can never catch a break.
The latest rumor out there is that Brandon Roy may only last another two years in the NBA, which would be an absolute shame considering the amount of talent he possesses.
Throw in the Greg Oden debacle and the firing of one of the best GM’s in the league in Kevin Pritchard a day before the NBA Draft, and it is unclear what direction the Blazers are heading in.
With all that said, the Blazers are still in relatively good position out West, considering LaMarcus Aldridge’s star-making season and the pleasant surprise Wesley Matthews has proven to be.
They still have a phenomenal shot-blocker and defender in Marcus Camby, and Nicolas Batum is slowly, quietly making strides as well.
The Blazers have given the Spurs fits recently (LaMarcus Aldridge dropped 40 a couple of weeks ago on them), so they could prove to be a bit of a hassle.
But I do not really see a series lasting more than six games between the two teams, with the Spurs as the victors.
Spurs Grade: A-
Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Currently 4th Seed)
7 of 9
Wonder-kid Sam Presti has done an outstanding job assembling his team—once a pathetic, forgettable squad—into a title contender with two bona fide star players whose work ethic has never been questioned.
With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are destined to at least make it to the second round this year, which is possibly where they will meet up with the Spurs.
The thing is the Thunder have not mustered enough of an effort to get even close to winning a game against the Spurs so far this year, losing both contests by double-digits.
It would appear as if San Antonio would have their number, seeing the Thunder do not have a stellar post threat in the low block to make Tim Duncan work on defense, and Manu Ginobili trumps both Thabo Sefolosha and James Harden at the shooting guard spot.
However, the Thunder, as shown by their respectable record, are not to be taken likely anymore. Although they are probably still a year or two away from being an absolute title threat, they are getting there, and they are certainly a team I could see throwing a scare into the Spurs.
I do not see them getting past San Antonio, but winning two games in a seven-game series?
Sure.
Spurs Grade: B+
Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Currently 3rd Seed)
8 of 9
Going into the All-Star break after losing a game to the Cleveland Cavaliers is never easy.
Laker Nation melted down after that one, but the good news is a bad loss like that could not have come at a better time really.
Seeing that the All-Star game was in L.A. and Kobe appeared as relaxed as could be, the Lakers will look to leave that horrible loss behind them and move forward with a now-healthy squad (Matt Barnes is set to return this week).
It is no secret that the Spurs and Lakers have had some of the most intense and exhausting basketball games during the last decade. Last time they met in the playoffs, the Lakers quickly disposed of a then-injury riddled Spurs squad.
Now with both teams hopefully healthy for the playoffs and destined to meet at some point as well (here’s hoping it is in the Western Conference Finals), you can bet many will be tuning in to see if it will be either Tim or Kobe who rises to the occasion.
This is the best chance the Spurs have had at dethroning the Lakers in quite a long time, and I for one do not see them missing out on the opportunity.
Spurs Grade: B
Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks (Currently 2nd Seed)
9 of 9
Much like the Lakers and Spurs, Dallas and San Antonio have a long, decorated rivalry.
Overall, the Spurs have remained a thorn in Dallas’ side, seen most recently in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, when the seventh-seeded San Antonio surprisingly dismantled a seemingly sturdy second-seeded Mavs squad, conquering Dallas in six games.
Dallas appeared to die a quick death this season when they lost Caron Butler for the remainder of the year, but they have since rebounded to become the second best team out West.
Dirk Nowitzki is irrefutably still hungry for a championship, and owner Mark Cuban will make any trade or transaction necessary to give him that coveted ring.
However, one has to wonder just how long the Mavericks can go without a certain, unquestionable No. 2 scorer.
It would be unfair to ask too much of Peja Stojakovic, who is not the player he once was. Jason Terry can score in bunches, but he can also go on a brick-fest from time to time.
If the Mavs and Spurs clash again, I think the Spurs will still come out victorious, despite some usual heroics from Dirk.
San Antonio just has too many guys who can light it up from three, even if Dallas’ interior defense (thanks to Tyson Chandler) may be significantly better compared to last year—it will be the kick-outs on double teams that will torch Dallas.
Spurs Grade: B
