Which team is REALLY better?

[rayallen20]

I'd like everyones opinion on the following:

1. Spurs or Lakers?
Both have been outstanding throughout the whole decade with each team garnering multiple championships but both have had a weak point or year in the decade. Both have been quite strong as of today's season but the Spurs proved that they can still play great basketball even though described as boring but effective. But who can deny the Lakers come playoff time with one of the greatest players to ever play the game, Kobe Bryant is as motivated as ever to win another championship and get a three-peat.

2. Celtics or Lakers?
These two teams have been at each other for years but the Celtics worked it out only later in the decade with the arrival of KG and Ray-Ray.

3. Heat or Magic?
Well, i really don't have much description so....

4. Mavericks or Suns?
Well, the both of them have been pretty good these past years but both have had upsets come playoff time including that the Mavs(1st Seed) were defeated by the Warriors(8th seed) in the 2006 playoffs...OUCH.

5. Mavs or Spurs?
Well, i really don't have much description so....

[shadowgrin]

You do know the use of the word 'dynasty' in the context of sports, don't you?

Only two teams in your post can be labeled a 'dynasty' in the past decade and both of them are in the West.

[rayallen20]

You do know the use of the word 'dynasty' in the context of sports, don't you?

Only two teams in your post can be labeled a 'dynasty' in the past decade and both of them are in the West.

I'm sorry for the complications before. I have now changed it.

[shadowgrin]

Which team is REALLY better?

The one that wins the championship.

Thread ovah!

[Mandich]

The one that wins the championship.

Thread ovah!

I agree with grinch on this. Also on the two dynasties. Lakers and Spurs. Boston is only a contender since 2008. Sure Detroit was in the conference finals 8 times but they only won 1 title and really sucked the last couple of years. Mavericks can't really be called a dynasty, Heat don't make me laugh they are the worst team that won the title in the last decade. Suns , wow this is an interesting one , I would like to call it a dynasty but if the Suns are one then Detroit is one too. So no , the Suns weren't a dynasty.

[Andrew]

Are we talking currently, all-time or in the last ten years?

[Triple J]

1. In my opinion, the Lakers have been a much better team in the last decade. Yes, the Spurs were consistent throughout the years. But what I admired about the Lakers were the team's ability to quickly get over roadblocks. I mean how hard is it for a team to get back to the NBA finals, after 3 years removed from one of its top contributors and superstars? It's also amazing how they even had a (45- 37) team record in the 2005-06 season.

As of now, the better team is the Spurs. The Lakers have been playing some terrible ball lately, but I think they would soon get back on track. What I notice this season in the Spurs compared to their previous Championship teams is that the defense is nearly gone! The Spurs have become an offensive team and I really don't think that they would win because of this. For example when I heard about them giving up 128 points to the Knicks, I was just . How can a team win ball games when they give up to a good but not elite team in the Knicks? If they gave the points to the Lakers or Mavs, I wouldn't really care .. but the Knicks? Are you serious?

2. As of this decade, Lakers have been the best , without a doubt. They have won the most championships in the past decade and would probably win one or two more. The Celtics have been pretty much sub par in the beginning and middle stages of the previous decade. This season would probably be the last year in which the Celtics are in a championship caliber category. I mean the retirement of 3-point master, Ray Allen and KG will be mentioned in the off season.

3. Heat > Magic. I really don't have to explain that.

4. In the regular season, the Mavs are one of the best teams. But in the playoffs ... they are just terrible . The legacy of Dirk's team would always be remembered for getting their asses whooped by the Heat after leading by 2 games and falling to the 8th seeded Warriors. The Suns are a good regular and playoff team. Because of the Sun's ability to play in the playoffs, they win this one.

5. Spurs .. at least they didn't lose after leading 2 games to zip.

[shadowgrin]

But what I admired about the Lakers were the team's ability to quickly get over roadblocks. I mean how hard is it for a team to get back to the NBA finals, after 3 years removed from one of its top contributors and superstars?

Having another team willing to trade their star in exchange for Kwame Brown helps.

What I notice this season in the Spurs compared to their previous Championship teams is that the defense is nearly gone! The Spurs have become an offensive team and I really don't think that they would win because of this. For example when I heard about them giving up 128 points to the Knicks, I was just . How can a team win ball games when they give up to a good but not elite team in the Knicks? If they gave the points to the Lakers or Mavs, I wouldn't really care .. but the Knicks? Are you serious?

The Spurs' defense are top 9 this season and they're 1st in offense (Def Rtg & Off Rtg).
The Knicks have offense now unlike the past seasons so it's not surprising that they are capable of doing it against a team like San Antonio.
As for defense...

[Fresh8]

1 game doesn't define a season.

The Spurs aren't going to give up 120+ points every night.

[Mandich]

. How can a team win ball games when they give up to a good but not elite team in the Knicks? If they gave the points to the Lakers or Mavs, I wouldn't really care .. but the Knicks? Are you serious?

You really make me laugh , 1 game isn't the end of the world in this case

[shadowgrin]

1 game doesn't define a season.

The Spurs aren't going to give up 120+ points every night.

The scary thing about that game is not the Spurs 'lack of defense' but that the Spurs can run with offensive teams like NY.
Considering it's the Spurs, they can probably turn up the D if they wanted to.

[Axel The Great]

The legacy of Dirk's team would always be remembered for getting their asses whooped by the Heat after leading by 2 games.

If by Heat, you mean referees/D-Wade cocksuckers, you're right.

[NovU]

It was more of Dallas and Dirk choking as usual. I thought we've went over this 100 times now. Fucking idiot.

[Triple J]

The Spurs' defense are top 9 this season and they're 1st in offense (Def Rtg & Off Rtg).
The Knicks have offense now unlike the past seasons so it's not surprising that they are capable of doing it against a team like San Antonio.
As for defense...

Actually, their defense is ranked 15th as of now. There are also 14th in Off Rtg and 7th in Def Rtg.

1 game doesn't define a season.

The Spurs aren't going to give up 120+ points every night.

Yes, 1 game does not define a season. But it could be the turning point of a whole season. Currently, the Spurs have 23 games that opponents scored over 100+ points. Back in the 06-07 season in which they won the championship, they allowed only 20 games , in which opponents scored over 100+ points. Yes, the numbers doesn't seem big, but if you actually look at the schedules. You will notice that the Spurs haven't won an NBA championship when they have more than 20 games (at this point of the season) in which they allowed 100+ points. Back in the 04-05 season .. they only had 2 games (at this point of the season) where opponents scored 100+ points.

You really make me laugh , 1 game isn't the end of the world in this case

What's even more hilarious is that I never said that.

[shadowgrin]

I don't 'rank' team defense based on opponent ppg.
14th in off rtg? That's a big drop off from 1st to 14th considering they just played one game (IND) after BOS (my previous post). Link of your source please.
And if that is indeed the latest, then their defense just improved from 9th to 7th, which makes your point of 'oh noes the Spurs have no D!' almost a panic claim.

[Triple J]

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/ ... s-per-game
Here's the link to my source.

If Gregg Popovich said that the team has no defense .. well no use to agree with the legendary head coach

[Axel The Great]

It was more of Dallas and Dirk choking as usual. I thought we've went over this 100 times now. Fucking idiot.

So, did you get offended when I said "D-Wade cock-suckers"? Believe it or not, I was not referring to you. So don't go calling me a fucking idiot. And also, when people refer to the '06 Finals, it's more a subject of the bad officiating than Dallas choking. And to add to that, we haven't been over this 100 times, at least not with me anyways. Fucking idiot.

[shadowgrin]

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/team/ ... s-per-game
Here's the link to my source.

If Gregg Popovich said that the team has no defense .. well no use to agree with the legendary head coach

You thought off rtg and def rtg are offensive and defensive rebounds while I was talking about offensive and defensive rating. Good thing that's cleared up.

Doesn't matter now. Popovich sure shut me up.

[NovU]

It was more of Dallas and Dirk choking as usual. I thought we've went over this 100 times now. Fucking idiot.

So, did you get offended when I said "D-Wade cock-suckers"? Believe it or not, I was not referring to you. So don't go calling me a fucking idiot. And also, when people refer to the '06 Finals, it's more a subject of the bad officiating than Dallas choking. And to add to that, we haven't been over this 100 times, at least not with me anyways. Fucking idiot.

U didn't offend me. Just lack of functioning cells in your brain was concerning a bit.

[Axel The Great]

Oh, the irony.

[jblued]

Hornets!!! After the league buys it

[benji]

There is not a single thing about this thread that makes sense. And if you have to pick one post of all, it's the OP that makes the least sense. Especially with the thread title.

Yes, 1 game does not define a season. But it could be the turning point of a whole season. Currently, the Spurs have 23 games that opponents scored over 100+ points. Back in the 06-07 season in which they won the championship, they allowed only 20 games , in which opponents scored over 100+ points. Yes, the numbers doesn't seem big, but if you actually look at the schedules. You will notice that the Spurs haven't won an NBA championship when they have more than 20 games (at this point of the season) in which they allowed 100+ points. Back in the 04-05 season .. they only had 2 games (at this point of the season) where opponents scored 100+ points.

Durrr pace, how do it work?

Coming within shouting distance of a top ten pace is drastically different than seeing if you can beat out Rick Carlisle for most morbid pace.