Reflections From Opening Night
Reflections From Opening Night
I’m calling it right here, right now. The Spurs new rival in the west is no longer the Lakers but the Nuggets. These teams already didn’t like each other and I’m sure tonight didn’t do anything to help mend things between them. The game was maybe one of the most physical I’ve seen on an opening night and lived up to the hype it was receiving from the networks. Also, is it just me or do “Nick the Quick” and Finley just look like they belong in a Spurs uniform? Sorry Dallas.
If tonight is any indication of how the Spurs’ season will go then we might as well plan the next ring ceremony and start looking for a good spot on the Riverwalk, because the title is ours. Finley and Parker played lights out in the fourth quarter and Timmy played like the two-time MVP that he is. Free throw shooting was still lacking, although it could be (and has been) worse than the 76% the Spurs put up. Defensively the Spurs came out slow (blame it on the ring ceremony or the players trying to figure out Brent Barry kissing David Stern) but were able to clamp down halfway through to the first quarter. But as all championship teams do, the Spurs showed heart and determination and were able to overcome a very emotionally charged Denver team that came out firing with their best shots.
As for individual performances, it was pretty obvious that Ginobili’s thigh was bothering him, even while turning in a 10 point 4 board performance in limited minutes. Duncan (as always) had a MVP type performance with 19 points, 10 boards, 6 assists, and 4 blocks. Finley cemented himself as the Spurs sixth man after going off for 11 clutch points in the fourth quarter. Then there was Parker. I love Parker just as much as the next Spurs fan but just like the next Spurs fan I know how inconsistent he can be. Tonight he was all over the floor, letting everyone know that his knee is just fine. Parker led the team in scoring with 26 points but only had 3 assists. Parker was clutch tonight and even though his jumper looked off in the first half of the game, it looked spot on in the fourth quarter. If he can stay consistent he’ll be a lock to make his first all-star game this year. But as always with Parker that’s a big IF.
It made me happy to see the Spurs getting their rings to start the game, and the ceremony was pretty good up until the end when they had the banner on that unbelievably cheesy blinking light thing. Other than that, it was a good final touch for last season and a good way to start this one.
I’m really looking forward to this season, but I’ve got a feeling that until the new guys get a little more comfortable in the Spurs system, the Spurs may stumble just a little here in the first part of the season. But barring any injuries to Duncan look for the Spurs to pick it up and really start rolling around late Dec./early Jan.
I’m calling it right here, right now. The Spurs new rival in the west is no longer the Lakers but the Nuggets. These teams already didn’t like each other and I’m sure tonight didn’t do anything to help mend things between them. The game was maybe one of the most physical I’ve seen on an opening night and lived up to the hype it was receiving from the networks. Also, is it just me or do “Nick the Quick” and Finley just look like they belong in a Spurs uniform? Sorry Dallas.
If tonight is any indication of how the Spurs’ season will go then we might as well plan the next ring ceremony and start looking for a good spot on the Riverwalk, because the title is ours. Finley and Parker played lights out in the fourth quarter and Timmy played like the two-time MVP that he is. Free throw shooting was still lacking, although it could be (and has been) worse than the 76% the Spurs put up. Defensively the Spurs came out slow (blame it on the ring ceremony or the players trying to figure out Brent Barry kissing David Stern) but were able to clamp down halfway through to the first quarter. But as all championship teams do, the Spurs showed heart and determination and were able to overcome a very emotionally charged Denver team that came out firing with their best shots.
As for individual performances, it was pretty obvious that Ginobili’s thigh was bothering him, even while turning in a 10 point 4 board performance in limited minutes. Duncan (as always) had a MVP type performance with 19 points, 10 boards, 6 assists, and 4 blocks. Finley cemented himself as the Spurs sixth man after going off for 11 clutch points in the fourth quarter. Then there was Parker. I love Parker just as much as the next Spurs fan but just like the next Spurs fan I know how inconsistent he can be. Tonight he was all over the floor, letting everyone know that his knee is just fine. Parker led the team in scoring with 26 points but only had 3 assists. Parker was clutch tonight and even though his jumper looked off in the first half of the game, it looked spot on in the fourth quarter. If he can stay consistent he’ll be a lock to make his first all-star game this year. But as always with Parker that’s a big IF.
It made me happy to see the Spurs getting their rings to start the game, and the ceremony was pretty good up until the end when they had the banner on that unbelievably cheesy blinking light thing. Other than that, it was a good final touch for last season and a good way to start this one.
I’m really looking forward to this season, but I’ve got a feeling that until the new guys get a little more comfortable in the Spurs system, the Spurs may stumble just a little here in the first part of the season. But barring any injuries to Duncan look for the Spurs to pick it up and really start rolling around late Dec./early Jan.
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