A lot will be made by many, including my post title above, of the young v. old aspect of this match up and this makes sense to a degree. There is a 10 year average age difference between each respective teams "big three" (goodgawd is that term played out) with the Tony Parker/Tim Duncan/Manu Ginobili trio averaging out at about 33 years and the trifecta of Russell Westbrook/Kevin Durant/James Harden at roughly 23 years old. This is important in that those three players mean the most to each team respectively as far as production and leadership go and the young guns from OKC have a lot less mileage on those legs. If one looks at the teams as a whole however, as was pointed out in brief by the PTI guys yesterday, that average age gap drops significantly with the Thunder at about 26 and a half years and the Spurs at 29. This makes sense, and is noteworthy, as the Spurs get solid contributions by some of their younger players, acquired through years of good draft picks and upper management, like DeJuan Blair, Gary Neal, Tiago Splitter and, especially, Kawhi Leonard.
Whether any of the above will matter or not in the series is anybody's guess. Talking heads have been predicting the demise of the Spurs due to their aging core of players for, at least, the past three years. And yet, here we are with those old fogies on an 18 game winning streak that stretches back to the regular season. You can never really discount the wily veterans and their old man strength. I feel like many people will doubt the Spurs and this could help drive them a bit with the whole "the only people who believe in us are in this locker room" deal. (c) Bill Simmons. And it is hard to pick against one of the best power forwards of all time and one of the best coaches of all time. Greg Popovich could easily be the difference in this series.
With ALLLL that said, and despite the fact that Durant and Westbrook fashion themselves as even more ridiculous hipsters
And I already think I may end up regretting that pick. I hope you enjoy
Image: Google Images
(Heath Ledger voice) Heeeeerrrrrrrrrre weeeeeeeeeeee GO
ReplyDeleteThose of us who cheerfully accept the progress of civilization and recognize it as the favorable outcome of our social and intellectual growth know that certain rights, like same-sex marriage, are so basic and inalienable that future generations will shift uncomfortably when asked to account for our prejudices. We know that those who fervently resist its inductance into society's norms are a steadily dwindling share of the population, and we recognize that our ancestors have been similarly frowned upon for their opposition to similar social progress –civil rights, women’s suffrage, the abolition of slavery, property ownership rights, the whole nine yards.
It is with this head-shaking, frustratedly apologetic manner future NBA fans will look back upon those who did not become fully cognizant of the Spurs’ unprecedented dominance and inevitable championship, if not during the regular season then at least at this point in the playoffs. It will be a cataclysmic shift in the philosophy of basketball, the magnificent fruition of a true team-building effort the likes of which we’ve never before and perhaps may never again witness. Owners, GMs, coaches, players, and trainers alike will hark back to the 2012 Spurs and their trademarks: the minute-limiting regular season strategy; the surgically precise offense predicated on gorgeous ball movement, unselfish play, and an off-the-charts collective basketball IQ; the stalwart defense that surges and thrives even as it takes a back seat to the other side of the ball; the stubborn denial of the idea that rotations must shrink in the postseason; the stench of death emanating from opponents’ game plans. Sure, people will still point to the ’86 Celtics, the ’96 Bulls, and the early naughts Lakers -but compared to the well-oiled, sexy juggernaut assassin that is the ’12 Spurs, they’ll all be footnotes.
Sad to say, but you, sir, are on the wrong side of history. Don’t be an embarrassment to your children and grandchildren.
Spurs in 5.
Sometimes you just have to kiss (the eventual) rings. I assume you get one for your devotion? I still say that they are unapologetic floppers though....
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