I don't know. In my view, I think Parker's still a superstar. But at the same time, I think he & Duncan get over looked because they're a "quiet" team. Every game the Spurs play rarely gets talked about; there's no amazing dunk, no buzzer beater, no altercation. I think the Spurs have just been one of those teams that nobody talks about because they just play good basketball. I think one of my friends has said in the past that they're almost too boring to watch.
I firmly believe that casual fans are ignorant fans. I have heard Portland fans complain about the team's off-court issues, weak defense inside & out, ball movement, etc., etc., etc. When I point out that Spurs does everything they complain about so damn well, then some, they make a face & tell me how they could fall asleep watching the Spurs play. I just go "you dunno what you are talking about" to their face, but I'm actually thinking a lot worse than that.
I like Parker, and I think he's an all-star. I however would not regard him as a superstar. Our Brandon Roy was the same way. Great player, great execution, high basketball I.Q., but he was no Kobe Bryant. Good for 20-some points, much more on giving night, but falls just short. Durant has clearly achieved that status, Westbrook, perhaps he's not consistent enough, but I think he's already as good scorer as Tony was in his prime. Tony has always cashed in on his quickness, but he will not win that fight against Westbrook. Like you noted, I'm certain he will have to rely on that veteran savvy.
As did I, to be honest. But still, even with it being the Clippers, it's scary to see a team rally back from a 24-point deficit & keep their cool. Honestly, I think the Spurs were just 🤬 with the Clippers by that point; they knew they were moving on to the next series.
I've heard this a lot regarding the Clippers roster & I will agree that they are not a Championship-caliber team. But I think Paul, Griffin, & Butler deserve credit. They fought hard & had some really clutch plays. But San Antonio just proved to be too much. I think Griffin just isn't consistent enough, to add on.
Yeah, I'm sure Clipper fans are still recovering from that nightmare of Game 4. Unless they stopped watching in the second half.
I regard Griffin as a very good player, if not future superstar player(he's already an all-star right?). Having said that, Paul is the 🤬 My biggest wish for my Blazers is to get an elite playmaker, because: 1) They sure make the team fun to watch 2) With the team like the Blazers(low basketball I.Q.), we need someone with a brain leading the offense.
Chris Paul, as popular as he is, I think he's still somewhat underrated. He's supposed to be an Laker!
I will go head & agree that age takes a toll. But even then, OKC is still a young team. The highest turnover rate this season shows they will make mistakes, they will get cocky. Parker, Manu, & Duncan, while old yes, still know how to run effective plays & I think that will be their key to holding back the Thunder. They know exactly how to make use of everyone on the team & that's a valuable asset when even the bench steps up. As long as the Spurs play solid defense, I think they'll keep pace. LA & Dallas failed to do that & failed to stop OKC's ability to drive to the basket.
I sure hope you are right, but I think you might be underestimating OKC defense. In basketball, it's unbelievably easy to run efficient & effective offense against mediocre defense(i.e. Utah & LAC). I have no doubt that the Spurs are very aware of what they must do against OKC. How much OKC defense will allow is a whole another matter, and once again, I do like that the Spurs won the season series, but I couldn't begin to guess how the series will go until at least a game or two in.
I agree with Omnis to a point it was luck. But, there's no denying Nowitzki used his past time in the Playoffs to become such a clutch player. He's about as old as Duncan & I believe he's been in the league the same amount of time and his age didn't stop him from rallying us back several times (of course then again, Dirk isn't an extremely quick player. It's all in that 1 of a kind fade away & his height).
I can see the Spurs being just as capable of doing the same if OKC gets the upper hand. They are capable of playing perfect basketball; they've done it all season.
It was no luck, they were as consistent as any NBA champs I ever saw.
Nowitzki was absolutely legendary, Carlisle was brilliant, and rest of the cast were not only great, but they were all clicking both offensively and defensively.
I admit I made fun of LeBron plenty after the Finals, but Dallas shut them down fair & square in my eyes. Le-gen-da-ry!
If the Spurs can show some of that against the OKC, I like the Spurs chances against anybody, but I do have to see it first!
I'll agree to that. The Pacers have been underrated though from their performance in the regular season. But again, you're right. It has to do more with Bosh's absence & Wade's poor games.
They hopefully realize though that none of them can have a bad game again in the Finals. The Spurs/OKC will capitalize on it in a heartbeat.
I read that Wade had his knee drained? I sure hope it's not another Miami injury.... that would be devastating.
And yes, I do agree about the "bad games", and Miami, if they are serious about this Playoffs, they better get their act together. Consistency is a no-brainer in the post season.
That's because they have gigantic egos. I'm sure you saw how Wade reacted to his own coach.
NBA players have egos, but way those guys are acting is beyond that. Physical plays make tempers fly, but way those two I saw react over nothing is little bit psycho. If theSpurs still had Bruce Bowen, somebody would have been killed in the next series, I'm pretty sure.
Do you guys think the pacers will beat miami?
I think it's completely up to which Heat will show up. If Heat played up to their capability, I think the Pacers will be either outscored badly, or will be beaten from the free throw line.
Edit:
Oh, god. WTF:
People gunned down after Game 5 in OKC.
). Russel Westbrook and Durant are superstars. LeBron James & Dwayne Wade are superstars. Kobe are now reaching the stage that he sometimes is, and sometimes is not a superstar. Duncan certainly can not play at that level night in, night out. Manu, as I mentioned before, one of my favorite players, nowhere near the level of play that he used to play when he indeed was a near-superstar.
This is what I think we will find out, only when the Spurs play against a real contender such as OKC. Utah & LAC were overmatched. You think I'm underestimating the Spurs, but I didn't think for moment those two teams ever stood a chance against them in a series. 
