“Unathletic” Spurs run circles around a young Thunder squad

“When you win, you’re experienced. But if you lose, you are old and unathletic,” Gregg Popovich

The San Antonio Spurs have jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals against a much younger “more athletic” team that radio personalities had no problem telling their listeners the Spurs were.

Tony Parker has led a blitzing, fast pace that Spurs squad showed what crisp, team possessions look like.  Pass, pass, shoot was the mantra of the game and Parker even found time to add 34 points en route to dishing out eight assists and collecting three rebounds.

 “It was one of those nights. I felt in a good rhythm early on. I was making my outside shots and just trying to be aggressive. The first game (game 1) I was a little too much in a hurry. Tonight I took my time, especially on the pick-and-rolls when they doubled me.”  Spurs PG Tony Parker

Rookie guard Kwahi Leonard was sensational and finished the game with a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) while Manu Ginobili was, well,  Manu Ginobili ( 20 points, four assists) and Duncan was his veteran self producing 11 points, 12 rebounds and dishing out six assists.

“They were making shots.  I mean, they were spraying them all over the floor and knocking them in. I thought (Kawhi) Leonard was making the shots. Ginobili made a lot of tough shots tonight.  Parker was on fire … I like the guys’ mental toughness.” Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks

If the Thunder plan on making a series out of this they will have to win game 3.  If they cannot take Thursday’s game, the Thunder will be on vacation by weeks end.

 

Spurs sweep sets up match against either Lakers or Thunder (and we’re betting the Thunder)

“I don’t see nobody beating them,” Utah Jazz PF Al Jefferson

The San Antonio Spurs spent the weekend taking care of family business feasting on the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs for their second sweep while setting an NBA record as only the 12th team in NBA History to sweep the first two rounds as well as making the Top 10 List of NBA teams with the longest winning streak. But don’t tell Head Coach Gregg Popovich about a streak…he has no idea.

“It doesn’t exist for us,” coach Gregg Popovich said of the team’s 18th win. “We don’t talk about it. I’ve never heard anyone mention it except (in the media). It is not even a thought in our minds. Each game is a separate entity.”

The Spurs used their combination of basketball knowledge, execution and will to overcome a young Clippers squad. One thing for sure is that this Los Angeles team came to play unlike the other remaining Squad, the Lakers. The LA Clippers have played exciting basketball all year; the Lakers are hanging on by a Kobe thread and are one game away from Summer vacation.

“We had a good season,” Paul said. “I think it’s a good sign for our team, but there are no moral victories. It’s not like, ‘Oh, we made it to the playoffs and it’s all good and well.’ We feel like we should still be playing. We’re going to keep working. We’ve got some work to do. We obviously have got to get better.”

Whether the Spurs face the Los Angeles Lakers or the Oklahoma City Thunder, one thing is for sure, this Spurs club is just as good (or better) then their other championship squads and are for sure a much deeper team than those squads

“This year reminds me of when I was here the last time (2003),” said late arrival Stephen Jackson, who came in under the trade deadline. “It is a great team and great guys to be around. Nobody is worried about their personal game and everybody wants to just win. So it is still the same around here.”

The Spurs fly back home today and should arrive to a nice crowd to greet them at the San Antonio International Airport, get back home and watch the Lakers and Thunder beat each other up for the right to face them.

“I don’t see nobody beating them,” Utah Jazz PF Al Jefferson