A reminder from 2005

[Silver&Black Warrior]

In light of all the "Doom and Gloom" I just thought that I might hope to bring some sort of consolation to those who bleed Silver and Black.

It was April 24, 2005 and we were the #1 seed and facing off against the lowly #8 Nuggets. This Nuggets team was lead by the underachieving core of Carmelo Anthony, Andre Miller, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby.

There are more details but to sum it up, the Spurs didn't come out with their best game and the Nuggets kept hanging around. As a result the Nuggets come out and steal game 1 in with a 93-87 "shocker" victory to take a 1-0 series lead. The Spurs respond with a "backdoor sweep" and go on to win games 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively with scores of 104-76, 86-78, 126-115, and 99-89. In one of these games Timmy hurts his knee but toughs it out to win the game. (can't remember which game)

In the next round the Spurs go on to face the #3 seed Seattle Supersonics with their 2nd to last year in Seattle led by Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. The Spurs come out and win game 1 and game 2 but when the series shifted to Seattle, The Sonics come back and win games three and four with scores of 92-91 and 101-89. These wins were spearheaded by a pick-and-roll offense featuring Jerome James who later said in regards to the Spurs "I don't give 'em no respect... none!".

This championship run was a very dynamic journey throughout the playoffs with many "edge of your seat" moments. There were definitely other obstacles and more precarious moments in the next two rounds but I feel like the setbacks in rounds 1 and 2 were much more surprising in nature. I know that this was a different team and a different time with hard and veterans and an already established championship core. However there are parallels in the sense that this team lost games they were very much expected to win. And also still had moments where they looked vulnerable. I know this is largely anecdotal, But anecdotes are all we have right now. So anyway just thought I would take a moment to draw strength from our glorious past.

 

[scott]

Good history lesson for the youngs. Every Spurs championship run has had these in round 1.

1999: Game 2 vs MIN
2003: Game 1 vs PHX
2005: Game 1 vs DEN
2007: Game 1 vs DEN
2014: Game 2 vs DAL

We got this.

 

[Silver&Black Warrior]

I forgot to mention that the Spurs come back and win games 5 and 6 with scores of 103-90 and 98-96. Ray Allen misses the last second shot from the baseline 3 in what seemingly perhaps for shadows his go ahead shot in the 2013 finals. But for that time that moment was ours.

 

[Silver&Black Warrior]

Good history lesson for the youngs. Every Spurs championship run has had these in round 1.

1999: Game 2 vs MIN
2003: Game 1 vs PHX
2005: Game 1 vs DEN
2007: Game 1 vs DEN
2014: Game 2 vs DAL

We got this.

ABSO-F'ING-LOUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ambchang]

It’s part of growing pains. I have no expectations of the spurs winning a single round coming into the season, and even after the incredible regular season I don’t expect them to win it all.

Every step is a learning opportunity and the important part is that Mitch and company learned from this and grew from the experience. Don’t let this go to waste.

Their youth and inexperience were obvious and how they do the rest of the playoffs depends on how quickly they can react to this.

Besides, every championship team gets contribution from players you don’t expect, so it is important for the role players to learn how to contribute with stars being hurt.

 

[Silver&Black Warrior]

It’s part of growing pains. I have no expectations of the spurs winning a single round coming into the season, and even after the incredible regular season I don’t expect them to win it all.

Every step is a learning opportunity and the important part is that Mitch and company learned from this and grew from the experience. Don’t let this go to waste.

Their youth and inexperience were obvious and how they do the rest of the playoffs depends on how quickly they can react to this.

Besides, every championship team gets contribution from players you don’t expect, so it is important for the role players to learn how to contribute with stars being hurt.

Amen.

 

[LeBowen]

I think that people are mostly worried because Wemby got hurt, noone would care much if he was out just for that game and available to play in Portland.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

I mean we were 1-1 against the Heat in the 2014 finals and then absolutely obliterated them in the next 3 games by a record margin. Nothing new, it's the playoffs. I'm pretty sure our guys take care of business, even though they don't have the experience of previous Spurs title teams.

 

[ginobilized]

100% agree and will add that those teams of yesteryear except for 1999 already knew how to win and had championships. We are learning and it might get uglier before it gets better. All part of the process.
To me it's good news that we are in a bracket with Portland, Minny and Denver who have a lot of size that we need to figure out in the half court playoff atmosphere. Even if we lose in Round 1 the experience and the team re-building for the summer will be well-informed. I think we'll be fine and will have a playoffs to be proud of, anyway. Fox is the only one who is a bit mercurial for a veteran PG for my tastes.

 

[Silver&Black Warrior]

I think that people are mostly worried because Wemby got hurt, noone would care much if he was out just for that game and available to play in Portland.

I was thinking about this today, and I genuinely feel that Wemby's probable absence from game 3 will be largely as a result of the concussion protocol. If this were the '90s no one would even bat an eye if Wemby came back for game 3. But because of the concussion protocol and the NFL scandal that set its precedent, The Spurs would face major scrutiny if they brought him back for game 3. My main worry when I saw him fall, was that he broke his jaw which would put him out for the entire playoffs. Yes a concussion is serious for sure, But NBA and NFL athletes had hits like this for decades and usually we're okay for the short-term and played on. I am glad they are taking care of his health and being careful, but I feel I have seen worse head collisions before. I think we also need to remember that this game was very winnable and it was our lack of organization offensively that greatly contributed to losing this game. Quite frankly we should have won.

 

[LeBowen]

I was thinking about this today, and I genuinely feel that Wemby's probable absence from game 3 will be largely as a result of the concussion protocol. If this were the '90s no one would even bat an eye if Wemby came back for game 3. But because of the concussion protocol and the NFL scandal that set its precedent, The Spurs would face major scrutiny if they brought him back for game 3. My main worry when I saw him fall, was that he broke his jaw which would put him out for the entire playoffs. Yes a concussion is serious for sure, But NBA and NFL athletes had hits like this for decades and usually we're okay for the short-term and played on. I am glad they are taking care of his health and being careful, but I feel I have seen worse head collisions before. I think we also need to remember that this game was very winnable and it was our lack of organization offensively that greatly contributed to losing this game. Quite frankly we should have won.

Yeah, him not going to hospital means it's the best case scenario and he should be ready for G5 at the worst, I expect him to be available for G4 if we lose G3.

 

[The_Second_Coming_of_VY65]

Hate to burst everyone’s bubbles, but Tim Duncan ain’t coming through those doors …

 

[Dbreiden83080]

Timmy had a bad ankle that season. I still remember as game 1 against Denver was closing down, he was sitting on the bench with his shoe off. And I’m thinking “My God we are fucked”

 

[Silver&Black Warrior]

Timmy had a bad ankle that season. I still remember as game 1 against Denver was closing down, he was sitting on the bench with his shoe off. And I’m thinking “My God we are fucked”

Forgot this was game 1. Definitely explains a lot. I definitely remember being very down after that game one, now I remember why.

 

[Tom-Tom82]

Timmy had a bad ankle that season. I still remember as game 1 against Denver was closing down, he was sitting on the bench with his shoe off. And I’m thinking “My God we are fucked”

He was actually playing on 2 sprained ankles for most of that postseason.

 

[Winby]

That fluke ass series from Big Snacks (Jerome James) still chaps my ass.

 

[wEmBoY]

That marbury BS game winner in 2003 still stinks. Tbh

 

[Kick-Stand]

He was actually playing on 2 sprained ankles for most of that postseason.

Second one was Game 6 in the second round series vs Seattle. I remember the Sonics fans booing Tim while he on the ground and it pissed him off and led to a comeback win. Also thought it was funny when the Sonics moved to OKC at the time because that booing was still fresh in my mind.