brightlee

yes, of cos the trade .. which could make Spurs would be stronger and stronger...
but remember.... Ball game is ball game....

I remember in 1991, everyone predict Blazers would win the NBA title..
but the results, they were losing to Lakers in Conference final

Then Bull won the championship that yr... and that's the starting for Bulls' Dynasty

brightlee

or another example, in 1994, Soncis was the first seeds, and the best in the league in playoffs...
Gary Payton, Sam Perkins, Ricky Pierce, Kendill Kill, Shawn Kemp, Delef, Micahel Cage....

They should be unstoppable...

But what's happened? they lost to Nuggets in 5 game-series

NBA.. really unlike soccer in league... Playoff could be another new stories..

Like Rockets won it in 95 with 6th seeds,
Warriors won it as in league record 48-34
Blazers won it in similar record too.

brightlee

hai... as I said ....  you would never know it.......
Indiana was the best seeds last yr.. they got experience.......... Reggie Miller, J O"Neal, Tinsley......etc.. they were in NBA finals in 2000, right?!
they were in a lot of playoffs, right?!
They supposed to be the best team right?! 62-20 in league..
but they lost to Detroit Pistons in Conference Finals....
rememeber.. in Detroit, only Larry Brown (their head coach were in there) were in NBA finals before.....
so... the player never has experience.. or as u said a better record.....
but Pistons won it.....!!!

Remember Kings, Blazers were nearly kill Lakers before in West in last 4 yrs? they were stronger than Lakers..... (I am sure a lot of people are raising up their hands!)

But the results were..........

I am not saying Spurs should be the strongest on papers... or in regular seasons....

But you may never know what's happen in playoffs.. that's another stories.........

1977 finals, Blazers was weak (West, 3rd seeds)7th season in NBA, 76ers was better (East, top seeds)...... and Dr. J was in 76ers, everyone expect 76ers would win in finals, but then? Blazers won 4-2 as they lost first 2 games (no one got injured in the playoffs)

Remember I am not trying to arguing with you.. but Playoffs, could be another factors.. and a new stories.. you should know a lot in West these few yrs.....

so I just remind that don't say "I am sure who will win"
before the last season, everyone expect Lakers would win the champion.. but then, injury, kill them.... (Kobe, Shaq and Gary Payton didn't hurt in playoffs)

so you may never know about the injury, team formation, team chemistry or a good/bad playoff series.... Indiana didn't get any injruy in East last yr, even in playoffs, they got 3 pts, they got defense, they got height in East..
but Detroit won in East.... !!!!

to be honest, I got no idea why NY got that trade.... and NY would get more payment after these trade (also with M Taylor)
and see, Taylor, Rose, K Thomas are similar types of players.. I don't know Isiah Thomas is thinking.........
Herb Williams would be in troubles