Spurs are NOT old

[S.K.M.]

I read so many people on here saying that the spurs are so old, they're too old, blah blah blah. The spurs are not nearly as old as everyone thinks. Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, Boston, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Orlando and the Lakers are all older than the Spurs if you go by average age of their roster. Of the remaining playoff teams only Utah and OKC are younger than the spurs. So first I thought the spurs must have a bunch of young guys who never play bringing their average down. Somewhat yes but I think most teams have young guys at the end of their bench. The Spurs have about 8 guys in their rotation.

Duncan-34
Mcdyess-35
Ginobili-32
Parker-27
Hill-23
Jefferson-29
Bonner-30
Blair-21

And if you wanna count Bogans and Mason both of them are only 29. I don't have time to look up every team but go ahead and look for yourself if you want. With the addition of Hill and Blair playing significant minutes the Spurs are just fine. Is Duncan old? Sure he is but go look at the Mavs roster. They only have one guy under 30 who plays significant minutes. Look at the Lakers. Kobe, Artest, Odom, Fisher are all 30 or older and Gasol is 29.

[S.K.M.]

Nobody wants to tell me about bengay and walkers?

[Goat Milk]

Spurs are not old. But their main go to guys are old.

It's not really about age though, it's about the millage that Duncan, Ginobli and Parker have put on in their seasons.

Parker may only be 27, but he's probably played more minutes than 35 year old guys (maybe J Kidd??) because he makes the playoffs every year, goes far into the post season, and has won 3 rings. Duncan has logged so many playoff/season minutes, he's basically like 40.

They're still all solid though. They needed a player like George Hill to get them over the hump, but their still not contending quality. The Spurs will never win a championship bringing Tony Parker, a 3 time champion off the bench. It's a decision that's going to haunt Popovich forever, because his time is running out. You watch and see, the Spurs will struggle with the Suns- yet another weak, slow defender in Nash and Pop is going to blow the opportunity of exploiting that mismatch at the beg beginning of the game.

[S.K.M.]

Spurs are not old. But their main go to guys are old.

It's not really about age though, it's about the millage that Duncan, Ginobli and Parker have put on in their seasons.

Parker may only be 27, but he's probably played more minutes than 35 year old guys (maybe J Kidd??) because he makes the playoffs every year, goes far into the post season, and has won 3 rings. Duncan has logged so many playoff/season minutes, he's basically like 40.

They're still all solid though. They needed a player like George Hill to get them over the hump, but their still not contending quality. The Spurs will never win a championship bringing Tony Parker, a 3 time champion off the bench. It's a decision that's going to haunt Popovich forever, because his time is running out. You watch and see, the Spurs will struggle with the Suns- yet another weak, slow defender in Nash and Pop is going to blow the opportunity of exploiting that mismatch at the beg beginning of the game.

All good points. I am well aware of this line of thought. I think some university should do a study on this because I'm not sure if I buy it or not. Does the human body actually deteriorate at a faster rate if you go deep into the playoffs ever year lol? These are humans not cars. Yes recovery time is much longer the older you get but is a 27 year old who has went deep in the playoffs every year any different than a 27 year old who never made the playoffs?

[Goat Milk]

All good points. I am well aware of this line of thought. I think some university should do a study on this because I'm not sure if I buy it or not. Does the human body actually deteriorate at a faster rate if you go deep into the playoffs ever year lol? These are humans not cars. Yes recovery time is much longer the older you get but is a 27 year old who has went deep in the playoffs every year any different than a 27 year old who never made the playoffs?

SKM, it's really much different. Guys like Grant Hill are still able to play at age 37 even after a major surgery because he's never been past the first round in the playoffs up until now. Parker has been completely through the playoffs 3 times, all the playoff minutes he's logged is basically like playing another 2 intense seasons (maybe less games, but the games are much more intense).

[tealish]

Spurs are old. You don't count everyone on the roster. It's your main rotation guys that's relevant and the Spurs are OLD. They just do old very nicely.

[S.K.M.]

SKM, it's really much different. Guys like Grant Hill are still able to play at age 37 even after a major surgery because he's never been past the first round in the playoffs up until now. Parker has been completely through the playoffs 3 times, all the playoff minutes he's logged is basically like playing another 2 intense seasons (maybe less games, but the games are much more intense).

Yeah I know what you're saying but I think it is over exaggerated. I think a 27 year old body is still young enough to fully recover in the off season. We are talking about a body being permanently worn out. An example that I can think of to back up your point is NFL running backs. Those guys don't make it past 30 very often. Now is that because their body is permanently damaged or is it because once they get older their bodies can't recover fast enough to play every week at a high level? Interested topic IMO. Do human bodies become permanently exhausted even at a young age?

[KingKolzig]

goat milk is right. all those games create damage which stacks up. ends up hurting explosive performance as well as elasticity of the body and makes a player "feel" and play older. every time they play a game it creates free-radical inflamation that takes its toll on muscles, joints, organs, basically everything..........imagine Larry Bird comes out of retirement and plays 82+ games for a few years, he wont be golfing much after that. same principle

[S.K.M.]

every time they play a game it creates free-radical inflamation that takes its toll on muscles, joints, organs, basically everything..........

Thanks king. This is what I'm talking about. I'm talking about actual medical evidence backing this up. Is there any? I agree with you about joints wearing out but I believe muscles are capable of full recovery.

[t-wizzle]

Duncan isn't really close to the player he was 7, 8 years ago but he's smart, experienced, and somewhat crafty. Ginobili was playing some great ball during the second half of the season but when he broke his nose last week it seemed to make a difference in his play. Parker isn't in top form either but still shows glimpses. This covers the big 3, but let's take a look at the other players...

George Hill has been a difference-maker and arguably their mvp last series. He combines Parker's quickness and penetration skills with a nice jumpshot (either mid-range or corner 3s). Jefferson was a better player a few years ago but he still brings athleticism and the ability to cut through the lane while also being able to create his own shot at times. I like Blair - he brings energy off the bench with his rebounding and defense.

So are the Spurs old? Sorta, but they aren't too old. I've said all year I think they matchup well with the Lakers but they have to get past phoenix first and that is going to be an issue.

[Lint Pockets]

well i don't think they will be able to beat Phoenix at least.

[newjerseydevils]

YEAH BOY! represent us spurs fans.........LET GO SPURS!

[KingKolzig]

Thanks king. This is what I'm talking about. I'm talking about actual medical evidence backing this up. Is there any? I agree with you about joints wearing out but I believe muscles are capable of full recovery.

They are simply starting to get burnt out. In the short term they can heal, but overall they simply cant be what they once were, they aged themselves so to speak. Especially Duncan. But they are still the spurs and they find ways to win

[migz]

Spurs are not old. But their main go to guys are old. It's not really about age though, it's about the millage that Duncan, Ginobli and Parker have put on in their seasons. Parker may only be 27, but he's probably played more minutes than 35 year old guys (maybe J Kidd??) because he makes the playoffs every year, goes far into the post season, and has won 3 rings. Duncan has logged so many playoff/season minutes, he's basically like 40. They're still all solid though. They needed a player like George Hill to get them over the hump, but their still not contending quality. The Spurs will never win a championship bringing Tony Parker, a 3 time champion off the bench. It's a decision that's going to haunt Popovich forever, because his time is running out. You watch and see, the Spurs will struggle with the Suns- yet another weak, slow defender in Nash and Pop is going to blow the opportunity of exploiting that mismatch at the beg beginning of the game.

Yeah I know what you're saying but I think it is over exaggerated. I think a 27 year old body is still young enough to fully recover in the off season. We are talking about a body being permanently worn out. An example that I can think of to back up your point is NFL running backs. Those guys don't make it past 30 very often. Now is that because their body is permanently damaged or is it because once they get older their bodies can't recover fast enough to play every week at a high level? Interested topic IMO. Do human bodies become permanently exhausted even at a young age?

LOL. What kind of an argument is this? They have mileage? If so, Jordan can lead Wizards to finals if he didn't go to the playoffs and win those 6 championships?

[THEGREAT30]

Spurs are old and all of there schemes have been expose over and over, but the Suns have also, Nash is the biggest choker in history, he has played with Shaq, Dirk, and Amare and never seen a finals, the guy will never get it done, good day

[necro]

They may be old but they will still prevail, imo.

[jon13009]

Spurs = experience. To some that means old to others that means they know how to win.