April Woes

[IversonIsKrazy]

As of now so far in April, we are 3-4 with 2 games left. I know this is because of injuries, but we have always managed to win games without our stars, but this isn't the case recently. I always feel it is important to go on a winning streak going into the playoffs, however this year we are limping our way in. Injury bug hit us hard this year. I was wondering if anyone lost a bit of confidence in our team, and wonder what's going to be our playoff rotation in the first round (Without manu/diaw).

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

What used to be a strength (bench) is now a weakness.

[kdspurman]

I haven't lost much confidence, but have lost some. I mean we went in on a 10 game winning streak last year, and maybe peaked too soon in a sense.

OKC in April last year went 8-7. And I think the Spurs in 2005 went 6-5 in their final games before getting to the finals. Manu will be there and could possibly play tomorrow. He's ready to go. So his energy alone will help tremendously. He doesn't necessarily have to shoot it well, though it would be great, but just being aggressive and finding open guys.

The one thing to sort of hang your hat on is the defense has been pretty good. Offense has struggled a ton, but the defense has been good. So hopefully, once the playoffs start, and the adrenaline starts flowing with the home crowd, the shots that aren't falling for Green/Leonard/TP etc... Will hopefully start to drop.

[Giraffes Rule]

I had more confidence in the team in '11 (before we found out the severity of Manu's injury then) than I do in this team now. Duncan's playing at an unreal level, but Manu is out and hasn't been Manu for almost all of the season. Green is on a down streak, and we all know Tony can be shut down by bigger defenders.

I'm not saying that the Spurs can't go deep in the playoffs, because we saw an elite team for a big part of the season. I do feel like the possibility for failure is higher this year than the past two seasons.

[IversonIsKrazy]

I hope Tony can get to the level he was performing at before his injury. Duncan is simply outstanding. I'm confident that our bench will step it up simply because theres so many. Our supporting cast is quite large. One day Leonard can put up 20+, maybe Green lights out from DT or Neal comes out big. We have so many options. The biggest worry is Manu getting his swagger back. Not only points, but he ignited the bench and would create open 3's, but most importantly the pick-and-roll with Splitter/Blair would so critical in bench play. If Manu comes back and does that, I will be completely relieved and have my confidence again. Hopefully TMac can produce as well.

[kdspurman]

I had more confidence in the team in '11 (before we found out the severity of Manu's injury then) than I do in this team now. Duncan's playing at an unreal level, but Manu is out and hasn't been Manu for almost all of the season. Green is on a down streak, and we all know Tony can be shut down by bigger defenders.

I'm not saying that the Spurs can't go deep in the playoffs, because we saw an elite team for a big part of the season. I do feel like the possibility for failure is higher this year than the past two seasons.

Yea, Tony getting bothered by bigger defenders is worrisome, they need to figure out a counter to that.

The biggest difference between this team and the one in 2011 is this one is much better defensively.

There's like a mystery going into the playoffs for this team, that you don't really know what you're going to get. I think they'll come out with some fire come Sunday

[Jdawg]

As long as Manu comes back healthy and Tony isn't hiding an injury I have a lot of confidence. The Spurs will make it to the WCF without a doubt. We SHOULD be able to beat OKC this year with Splitters and Leonard's development and no James Harden. I think we can beat the Heat if we choose to take advantage of our size but that will be a tough series. One injury on the Heat though would open that door wide.