a key difference

After watching the Spurs whip the Lakers tonight in their place, the key difference between this team and prior Spurs teams was in evidence, as it has been recently, and that is their offensive explosiveness. As Kobe went nuts in the fourth quarter, scoring seemingly at will, the Spurs didn't have to just wait for him to cool down as they would in prior years. They kept scoring right with him.

From the time there was 7:28 left in the game until there was 2:32 left, using the espn.com play by play, Kobe scored 15 points, and he had 17 for the quarter. But during that huge flourish by the Lakers, they managed to cut only four points off the lead because Parker and Finley were going nuts on the other end. Manu had a gigantic third quarter, including three treys in under a minute in one stretch. Even with Duncan sitting out down the stretch because he was poked in the eye and gouged in the nose, the Spurs kept the Lakers at arm's length. But it was because of their offense, not their defense.

If Finley and Barry can continue to contribute off the bench the way they have recently, the Spurs are going to be in great shape. Duncan has looked much better the last three weeks, and now it is even translating into him hitting some shots. Manu showed signs of coming around. The two-headed center monster is playing better than we could have expected. And Horry was huge against Dallas. It is annoying he got the suspension immediately afterward, but if he contributes the way he can, then this team has exactly one weakness, the back-up point guard. And I think when push comes to shove, you will see Manu and Brent on the floor together as a tandem splitting the point guard duty. Not only do I think this team wins its fourth title in eight years, I think right now this is the best team the Spurs have ever put on the floor.

This week will be interesting. The Spurs have struggled in back-to-backs all season, and they have four games in five nights, followed by a day off and a Sunday afternoon game, and all of these games against quality opponents. Tomorrow night could be a first round preview against the Clippers if they finish in the 4-5 slots. Then off to Phoenix, who put a licking on Dallas in Dallas the other night and almost assuredly will be the 2 seed in the west. Then home again for the Lakers Friday and the Rockets on Sunday, who have played well when both Yao and McGrady play.

And even with all of that, I fully expect them to win each of these games, and would be shocked if they ran this stretch any worse than 4-1.