Spurs Win 20th Straight

This team moved to 10-0 in the playoffs with a fantastic game again last night. It was also their 20th straight win period. The amazing streak leaves the Spurs just two games shy of the NBA Finals as the series shifts to Oklahoma City. So how did they get here?

It all starts with Gregg Popovich obviously as he has this team on a mission. All season long he has pushed all of the right buttons and it is easy to see how he won coach of the year. He helped create of team of unselfish players as well which definitely helps.

Those unselfish players were lead this year by a man who probably should have been MVP, but didn't even make first team All-NBA. That man is Tony Parker. Usually, Duncan is the leader, but no questioning that it is Parker this season. The point guard again played amazing last night as he had 34 points and 8 assists. Not only that, but he did it efficiently. Parker was 16-21 from the field. When is the last time you saw someone shoot that good from the field. Find me a box score of Lebron's or Kobe's where they shot only 21 times and scored 30+.



Tim Duncan did not have his best shooting night, but he was great and looked fresh. Duncan finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. He also gave Serge Ibaka a nice facial during the 1st half when he slammed it home. The best power forward ever also blocked 4 shots which may not seem that significant. However, those four blocks tied him for 2nd all time in the playoffs with Hakeem. Duncan needs four more to tie Kareem for the all time record. Five more blocks and Duncan has himself an NBA record. That should happen this season.

Look at this stat and see exactly why the Spurs were so dominant. Rookie Kawhi Leonard recorded a double double. Leonard had 18 points and 10 rebounds in Game 2. This team just plays well together and it does not matter who gets the credit.

They even have Manu Ginobili coming off the bench. He accepts his role as 6th man because it is better for the team. Remember when Allen Iverson said how many all-stars, scoring champs, and MVPs come off the bench? Well, at least one all-star Allen. Also this all-star has a couple rings. Maybe you should have tried it. Ginobili finished with 20 points for the game.

Now the Spurs take their winning streak to Oklahoma City.

-Noland

The Andray Blatche Rant

With the NBA Playoffs now moving toward the conference finals it is a familiar sight for Wizards fans. We are on the outside looking in and seeing other teams compete for the title. Never in my lifetime have I seen the Wiz have a very good shot at the title. Well maybe, the one year they were in 1st for a while with Arenas, Butler, and Jamison, but even then not really. These guys just aren't competitive. So we are left thinking of what it will take to make this team competitive.

Whenever I think of this question, I can only think of one answer. Why the heck did we give Andray Blatche a contract extension? The guy is a malcontent and a horrible teammate. He doesn't try hard, he is overweight, and he makes way to much money. Why did we keep him at all? This guy is horrible for the Wizards. It will be difficult to escape him. Should we amnesty him then?

Blatche bashed his coach in the media. He proclaimed himself the team captain. The fans boo him everytime he touches the ball. His career as a pro in basketball may be done period and not just with the Wizards. The guy is out of shape.

I was working on this post and then checked Wizards Extreme they also have a post on Blatche. They are working on grading all the Wizards and Blatche got F's straight down the board. Here is their review.

This guy has got to go. I say use the amnesty clause. Otherwise, Blatche will make a ton of money over the next three years. Get rid of the guy. I am fine with Lewis for another year off the bench, we can use his expiring contract in a trade or get the cap space in a year. Andray Blatche is far more of a problem than Rashard Lewis.

-Noland

Spurs Continue Playoff Dominance

The San Antonio Spurs have done it again. These Spurs took a 1-0 lead as they edged the Clippers in Game 1. This win is the 15th straight win for the Spurs as they look to capture another NBA title. They did this one behind the veterans as well. They beat the Clippers by 16 points. Look out NBA.

Superstar forward Tim Duncan scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds in the victory. This game was vintage Duncan. Double double and dominance down low, what a great game. Not only that, but he played 35 minutes in the game. He did that while getting almost a full quarter of rest.

Manu Ginobili had 22 points for the Spurs. The Clippers had no answer for Ginobili or Duncan. They also had no answer for the Spurs on the glass. Boris Diaw had 12 rebounds last night. Two guys in double digit rebounds does not speak well of your rebounding totals.

The Spurs also got key contributions from two other players. These players, who others didn't know would react to the playoff stage came up big last night. Rookie Kawhi Leonard had 16 points in a tremendous effort and castoff Danny Green had 15 points. Each of them has 6 rebounds in the game. If Green and Leonard keep coming through, this team will be near impossible to beat. I guess we will find out Thursday Night in Game 2.

-Noland

Spurs Win Playoff Opener and Playoff Predictions

The San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz in Game 1 106-91. Tim Duncan had a double double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Tony Parker was also a major factor as he had 28 points and 8 assists.

1st Round Predictions
Spurs in 5
Thunder in 6
Lakers in 6
Grizzles in 7
Bulls in 7
Heat in 5
Pacers in 5
Celtics in 7

2nd Round Matchups and Predictions
Spurs over Grizzles in 6
Thunder over Lakers in 6
Celtics over Bulls in 6
Heat over Pacers in 7

Western Conference Finals
Spurs in 6

Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics over Heat in 7

NBA Title
Spurs over Celtics in 5

-Noland