Spurs Can't Get Respect

03-04-02

I’m Chuck Wilson with an ESPN Radio Extra Point,
The San Antonio Spurs aren’t getting the respect they deserve. They have won 23-of-27 games since the All-Star break and are a league-best 31-11 against teams .500 or better. But most of the talk in the NBA’s Western Conference revolves around the Lakers, Kings and Mavericks. Critics claim the Spurs are too dependant on Tim Duncan and will fail in the playoffs. Undaunted, the Spurs have moved within a half-game of first-place Dallas and hold the tiebreak advantage over the Mavs. If the Spurs do finish first and beat the 8-seed, they would the play the 4-5 winner, right now Portland or Minnesota. Avoiding the Lakers, Kings and Mavs in the early rounds would give them the Spurs a decided advantage. There is just one problem. The Lakers are closing fast and THEY may finish as the 4 or 5 seed. Their comeback win last night at Memphis moved them into a tie with Utah for 6th place, 2-games out of 5th. Wouldn’t it be a kick in the teeth for the Spurs if they overtook the Mavs and finished first, only to have to play the Lakers in round two?
I’m Chuck Wilson