Black- and Whitelist » again to deny a good effort

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - We take things for granted, and not necessarily in a bad way. One of the things we as an NBA world have taken for granted is the greatness of the San Antonio Spurs, though is it actually taking it for granted when this group has been so successful for so long? Theyve earned so much of our respect that no matter what, we universally agree theyll always be fine. Though that concession comes with an important caveat - so long as Pop patrols the sideline, Timmy patrols the paint, Tony patrols the point and Manu patrols the bench. All pegs are in place for San Antonio, yet is it fair to question the Spurs now as theyve lost five of their last six, including three of those at home? They are 18-12, which is respectable, but thats seventh in the Western Conference. They are two games out of the eighth spot in the conference and three from being lottery-bound. Can you believe that? Are the Spurs really in danger of missing the playoffs? At this stage of the game, its too early to make any judgments, but the reality is, yes, they could miss the postseason in the ultra-loaded Western Conference. Nothing is a guarantee in the west. One minute, the Phoenix Suns look dreadful and destined for a return to the lottery. Now, theyve won four straight and are semi-comfortably a game ahead in the race for the eighth seed. The Oklahoma City Thunder made up a 5 1/2-game deficit for the final spot in less than two weeks when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook finally played together. At the heart of the problem is that the Spurs arent built to battle for a postseason berth - they are built to contend for titles. Theres a huge difference. Head coach Gregg Popovich has been able to maximize his players performances in the postseason so brilliantly because hes been able to rest his aging guys during the regular season. The Spurs are older than the Golden Girls cast, so thats both wise and necessary. Tim Duncan (38), Manu Ginobili (37), Matt Bonner (34), Boris Diaw (32) and Tony Parker (32) are not children. On top of counting the inner rings, or drivers license showing their age, this group has a lot of tread on the tires from prolonged runs in the playoffs. Pop has strategically benched them throughout recent seasons. The players need it and Popovich could afford to do it considering the Spurs were always near the top of the standings. If the Spurs remain in a three- or four-team hodgepodge for the final two spots out West for the remainder of the season, one game makes the difference. Can Popovich sit Duncan, et al considering the value of each contest? Hard to say. Pops a mad genius -- equal parts mad, equal parts genius. I still think hell sit his guys, but theres nothing guaranteed to these Spurs. Thats possibly another major issue facing San Antonio and Popovich brought it up after a disappointing Christmas Day loss at home to the Thunder, who were without Durant. I think we floated around like were entitled, so that was disappointing, he said. Thats a new dilemma for the Spurs. Never during this epic run of titles would anyone believe the Spurs felt entitled to anything. Their professionalism is the thing of legend. Maybe its not whats going on with the Spurs, but there is something missing from this group. Perhaps its a hunger issue, or it could be injuries. Parker has missed time and Patty Mills, who was huge in the championship run, hasnt played yet, although hes clear for 5-on-5 work. The big setback is Kawhi Leonard. His hand is in bad shape and theres no timetable for return. Of course Kawhi is huge for us. He was the MVP of last seasons Finals. We need him, Ginobili said after the Thunder loss. But they were missing Durant. No excuses. There are no excuses for the Spurs, but theres reality. Age could be catching up. That seemed like a far-fetched problem entering the season after they steam-rolled the Miami Heat in the Finals. Watching them dissect the Heat like terminal Kermits was breathtaking. We didnt want to see it end, nor would a loss to Father Time be expected. But, Father Time is undefeated as they say. No one wanted to believe it after the precision we watched in June. Injuries arent excuses, theyre explanations. The core group of Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Leonard, Diaw and Danny Green havent spent much time together on the floor. Duncans play has been tremendous, but his minutes have been high during December. He has sat out four times since the start of the month, but of the 10 games hes played in December, hes logged over 32 minutes eight times and over 39 minutes three times. To be fair, there were two triple-overtime marathons in there, but thats still a heavy workload for a 38-year-old. The sad part is, Tim Duncan comes out and plays every night. We cant find a group around him that can consistently compete and execute, Pop said on Thursday. Its got nothing to do with schedule and injuries. Every schedule for a Western Conference team is brutal. Almost every team is already hampered by injuries. The Spurs just arent themselves right now. Theres plenty of time to remedy it, but their current plight is something to keep an eye on. Nagging injuries dont get any better for guys in their 30s. Trust me, I cant sit up straight anymore. If Popovich cant get these guys some rest throughout the season, the Spurs chances at a first-ever repeat could be in jeopardy. Fighting for a playoff berth is no way for this team to prepare for a title defense. Theyll have nothing in the postseason. Pop and company have earned our faith. I believe theyll get it all together, but theres no reason to take anything for granted when it comes to the Spurs and the Western Conference. RANDOM THOUGHTS - Resting Kobe Bryant wasnt a masterful stroke of genius, it was common sense. Not only is Bryant 36 years of age, and coming off two major leg injuries a year ago, but over his last seven games, hes shooting a roasting- hot 31.6 percent from the field. Plus, Bryants shooting percentage has declined over the last four games from 35 percent to 26.7 percent. The problem is, sitting Kobe frequently isnt a great plan since theres no long-term youngsters to take a look at and build for the future. - Anderson Varejaos absence isnt quite crippling for the Cavaliers. They can go small with Kevin Love or Tristan Thompson in the middle, but theyll need a more stable, true big man at some point. - Maybe Jermaine ONeal will have a bidding war for his service. Most assume hell go to the Dallas Mavericks, who also need a true pivot man, but the Cavs should inquire. I imagine Kosta Koufos will be on Clevelands list as well. - Im very happy to see that John Wall is ahead of Kyrie Irving in All-Star voting. Same goes for Marc Gasol in the Western Conference. Its early returns, but this is an encouraging start. - Josh Smith made the easy choice. More money, starting role, playing with his best friend and playing for a title made the Houston Rockets the obvious landing spot. - Movie moment - I loved sitting around the dinner table with my family on Christmas Eve talking about their favorite movies of the year. Sure, I saw one movie in the theater - Planes: Fire & Rescue 2, but it was comforting knowing my father saw, and liked, Gone Girl and St. Vincent. Hes the same man who didnt see a movie in the theater from Dragnet to Charlie Wilsons War, a span of 20 years, and now hes the family Ebert. - TV moment - New record - SIX viewings of A Christmas Story this year. You used all the glue on purpose! Dee Gordon Mariners Jersey . -- Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford made it through a third straight practice without any setbacks and expects to play in Oaklands regular-season finale against San Diego. Edgar Martinez Mariners Jersey . Two weeks after suffering a concussion, Foles will start in place of Michael Vick, who is out for the second time this season with a hamstring injury. https://www.cheapmariners.com/465k-alex-...mariners.html.5 million. The 25-year-old Varlamov is thriving under first-year coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, posting a 26-9-5 record with a 2. Reggie McClain Mariners Jersey .com) - Sporting Kansas City announced Thursday that club has signed former on-loan midfielder Jimmy Medranda to a permanent contract from Colombian side Deportivo Pereira. Kyle Seager Jersey . The photograph shows Parker and a French comedian making a gesture known in France as a "quenelle," which critics describe as inverted Nazi salute. Parker said in a statement released through the Spurs that the photograph was taken three years ago. Parker, who was born in Belgium but raised in France, said he didnt know at the time that "it could be in any way offensive or harmful.MARSEILLE, France - Florian Thauvin scored one goal and created another to help Marseille beat Nantes 2-0 Friday and provisionally extend its lead atop the French league to four points.The 21-year-old Thauvin, a France youth international, put Marseille in front with his fourth league goal this season then found defender Rod Fanni with a fine cross for his teams second goal as Nantes nine-match unbeaten run came to an end.After its seventh consecutive home win, Marcelo Bielsas team tops the standings with 34 points, with Nantes trailing 10 points behind in fifth position after 15 games.Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain can stay within one point of the leaders with a win against Nice on Saturday.Compared to last year, they have a different mentality, said Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian. They are making efforts together and make (their opponents) run and play one-on-one duels. Marseille can bother PSG.Nantes, the best defensive team in the league with just nine goals conceded before its trip to the Velodrome, was dangerous on the breakk in the first half but lacked the finishing touch.dddddddddddd.Der Zakarians side created its first chance after eight minutes when a glanced header from Serge Gakpe ended in Remi Gomiss path, with the Nantes midfielder firing a 20-meter strike that forced goalkeeper Steve Mandanda to fist the ball away.Marseille enjoyed most of the possession and broke Nantes defence in the 24th. After retrieving the ball on the right, Dimitri Payet crossed it in the box for Thauvin, who slotted home with a superb left-footed flick.Nantes missed the chance to level as Mandanda was decisive again to deny a good effort from Georges-Kevin Nkoudou before Fanni extended the hosts lead with a header at the near-post from Thauvins cross in the 39th.Marseille stayed in control after the interval and Mandanda enjoyed a quiet second half, although the French international was on his guards to stop Jordan Veretouts effort 18 minutes from time.It was not an easy win, because Nantes played with discipline, but we were solid at the back, said Mandanda. ' ' '