Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 - SpursTalk.com

timvp · 03-22-2009, 07:33 PM

Another game, another depressing finish for the Spurs. Up by six points with three and a half minutes remaining the game, the Spurs proceeded to have multiple defensive breakdowns that led to a 87-85 loss.

The Rockets deserve a lot of credit for the win. Defensively, they were solid the entire ballgame. On offense, Houston took advantage of every Spurs error down the stretch. Ron Artest and Yao Ming both played very well, while Luis Scola was the best player on the court. If they continue to gain cohesiveness, the Rockets could very well advance past the first round of the playoffs.

As for the Spurs, with this loss they have basically given back the cushion they had in the Western Conference. Not long ago, the Spurs appeared capable of coasting to the second seed. Now they find themselves in a dog fight for homecourt advantage in the first round.

-Tim Duncan scored more than 20 points for the first time in more than a month. However, his scoring total is a bit deceptive because a lot of his points came on wide open jumpers that the Rockets were daring him to take. His lack of rebounding even though he didn't spend much time against Yao is a scary sign regarding the status of his health. It will be one and done in the playoffs if the Spurs enter the postseason with Duncan playing at this level.

-Tony Parker had a decent game. He had the Rockets sending reinforcements from all over the court whenever he had the ball. As a result, he was able to tie his season-high in assists. Shooting-wise, his percentage wasn't where it needed to be and he missed a relatively easy shot late in the game that would have put the Spurs in the lead. It should be noted that Parker was forced to play 22 of the 24 minutes in the second half due to the travesty that is the backup point guard position at the moment.

-Roger Mason, Jr. once again underwhelmed. His play as the backup point is getting difficult to watch. Teams are forcing him to drive when he does a pick-and-roll and Mason isn't able to make the opposition pay by either scoring at the rim or finding open shooters. When he was at shooting guard he played somewhat better but the Rockets once again did a good job of denying him open looks.

-Kurt Thomas started at center and did a very fine job. His defense against Yao was about as good as possible and he also rebounded at both ends of the court. Two of his four points came at a key moment in the fourth quarter off of an offensive board. On this night, the Spurs probably would have been smart to feed Thomas for his jumper more often, especially considering that the Rockets were offering that scenario every time up the court.

-Michael Finley had one of his patented ghost games. He helped out a little bit on the glass but he was otherwise useless. He shot only once in his 25 minutes and was the worst defender the Spurs put on Artest. Amazingly, Finley was once again granted more fourth quarter minutes.

-Ime Udoka had undoubtedly his best game of the season. His 16 points were a huge reason why the Spurs even stayed in the game. He defended Artest well and his overall energy, hustle and toughness gave San Antonio a fighting chance. If the Spurs happen to face the Rockets in the playoffs, Udoka would play a big role in that series because he's a perfect match for the personnel and style of play of Houston.

-Matt Bonner got utterly dominated in the first half by Scola. It got embarrassing at times. Bonner thankfully played better in the second half but his two rebounds in the game were pathetic considering that Scola pulled down 17 boards. All in all, Bonner has been a shadow of his former self since the signing of Gooden. And it's not like the original image was a world beater . . .

-Bruce Bowen once again showed that he can still help the team on the defensive end. Going up against Artest, a player who he has historically had problems against, Bowen gave tremendous effort and actually did a very good job. Looking back on it, Bowen shouldn't have been held out of the game in the first half by the coaching staff.

-George Hill had his worst game in a long while. He played with no confidence offensively and his hesitency played a part in the Spurs losing their momentum. On defense, he was decent but not the terror we've seen in recent weeks. Not surprisingly, Pop didn't put him back into the contest in the second half.

-Drew Gooden played seven minutes in the first half and once again hurt more than he helped. He is showing flashes of what he can ultimately be in the Spurs system but he's definitely still in the transition phase. Hopefully he gets over this hump and starts contributing to victories sooner rather than later.

-Pop made a few questionable decisions. Going with Finley again in the fourth quarter isn't something I can agree with. Not giving Parker anything close to sufficient rest in the second half was yet another weird wrinkle to his rotation. The backup point guard position is now in shambles ever since he started tinkering with it. That said, it's not like Pop has a lot of cards to play with at this point. One could argue that he's doing his best to try to massage victories out of his short-handed unit.

The Spurs now must have the game against the Warriors on Tuesday to stop the bleeding.

Believe.

benefactor · 03-22-2009, 07:35 PM

Finley...just wow.

duncan228 · 03-22-2009, 07:47 PM

His lack of rebounding even though he didn't spend much time against Yao is a scary sign regarding the status of his health. It will be one and done in the playoffs if the Spurs enter the postseason with Duncan playing at this level.

I moved from concerned to worried a couple of weeks ago. I'm firmly planted there until I see Duncan play an entire game like Duncan. He's hurt and playing through it is not looking good.

Spursmania · 03-22-2009, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by duncan228

I moved from concerned to worried a couple of weeks ago. I'm firmly planted there until I see Duncan play an entire game like Duncan. He's hurt and playing through it is not looking good.

I know TD has tendonosis. Many M.D.'s including my spouse don't think resting him will help his condition until he actually gets real heal time in the off season. But, do you think just resting him these last few games would help his other knee or generally just help him out? Without Duncan, we are going nowhere real fast.

HarlemHeat37 · 03-22-2009, 07:52 PM

I don't understand that..

I understand that Duncan needs months to get fully healthy, but how wouldn't a few games off help him at all? it must have SOME kind of positive effect, wouldn't it?..

duncan228 · 03-22-2009, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Spursmania

...do you think just resting him these last few games would help his other knee or generally just help him out?

He was playing okay before the tendonosis, the left knee didn't seem to impact his game like it's impacted now, even though it was bothering him all season. Both knees hurting is obviously a lot to play through, even for Duncan.

I'd like to think rest would help, but I don't know. I can only go by what I see, and what I've read about both knees. It seems like it's a matter of him being able to play through it. Neither of the knees are going to get better this season. It's a daunting task.

z0sa · 03-22-2009, 08:02 PM

Pop not playing Bowen extensively is the worst mistake he can make, or will ever make, as Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs. It is really sad to this point. I'm hoping and praying he pulls his head out of his ass and starts playing Bowen much, much more. Its downright pathetic how he's coaching Bowen's minutes now, IMO.

Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

I don't understand that..

I understand that Duncan needs months to get fully healthy, but how wouldn't a few games off help him at all? it must have SOME kind of positive effect, wouldn't it?..

is there a reason you put ".." after most every single sentence, even those that are not statements as in:

it must have SOME kind of positive effect, wouldn't it?..

StoneBuddha · 03-22-2009, 08:11 PM

I think everyone is rightly concerned about Duncan-- the Spurs aren't going very far with him in this state. To me, this is worse than 2006. At least then, I had hope that he'd get back to 100% percent eventually. And he was a monster in the playoffs.

This feels different and he's four years older. I have a fear that he'll rest in the offseason and get back to 100%, but once the grind of the season starts, this will come back and haunt him again.

Let's just hope for the best.

StoneBuddha · 03-22-2009, 08:13 PM

Regarding Bowen, I used to think that Pop was saving him for the playoffs, but know I'm starting to wonder. You'd think if Bowen was going to be a big piece of the puzzle, he'd start to get regular but limited minutes to sharpen up before the playoffs.

Don Quixote · 03-22-2009, 08:18 PM

The Spurs lost to another playoff-bound team. Not surprising at all. I think they would probably knock off Houston in the playoffs, but New Orleans, Utah, and perhaps Portland would give them problems. And if they play the Lakers, it will be 2001 all over again.

This year's team is merely good, or above-average. But not a championship squad.

loveforthegame · 03-22-2009, 08:19 PM

Pop's fallen in love with using Bowen and Hill as disrupters only.

I don't know if inserting Bowen back into the starting lineup is the answer but more minutes certainly are.

Hill on the other hand needs to return to the backup pg duties. While he might struggle he'll at least move the ball around or have a better chance at getting to the basket whereas Mason just sucks at it.

superbigtime · 03-22-2009, 09:03 PM

Mason is incapable as backup PG. Either Hill needs to resume backup PG or Manu will have to do it when he returns because seeing JV at point just screams failure.

VI_Massive · 03-22-2009, 09:17 PM

Who else is there at back-up PG? Are we all convinced Hill is lacking in court vision, decision-making etc?

Mason seems to be a non-option and Lord knows we've tried.

Vaughn really brings nothing on the offensive end, but at least he won't get the ball stolen. I don't think this is an option.

At this point I think Pop is just going to struggle along until Manu comes back and can run the back-up point. I don't see any other option.

Agloco · 03-22-2009, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by superbigtime

Mason is incapable as backup PG. Either Hill needs to resume backup PG or Manu will have to do it when he returns because seeing JV at point just screams failure.

JV would be hard-pressed to do worse than this.......

DPG21920 · 03-22-2009, 09:20 PM

It is just health and energy. That is what I see during the games. Spurs need that spark back, it gives them focus. Hopefully this comes sooner than later. The rotation is terrible partly because of injuries and partly because of Pop's stubbornness. This team needs a moment that sparks them. They need to unify.

VI_Massive · 03-22-2009, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by DPG21920

It is just health and energy. That is what I see during the games. Spurs need that spark back, it gives them focus. Hopefully this comes sooner than later. The rotation is terrible partly because of injuries and partly because of Pop's stubbornness. This team needs a moment that sparks them. They need to unify.

Manu seems likely to get better (hopefully) but Timmy doesn't seem likely to get healthier and that's a scary proposition.

45 bank shot · 03-22-2009, 09:25 PM

c'mon spurs, play like a champ.

DPG21920 · 03-22-2009, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by VI_Massive

Manu seems likely to get better (hopefully) but Timmy doesn't seem likely to get healthier and that's a scary proposition.

I was encouraged by Tim's movements today. He looked better (but not great). It is definitely cause for concern, but if he cannot get better, there is nothing they can do.

I still think that if Tim can muster up some solid outings, Manu can come back and at least be in game shape by the time playoffs roll around, that the Spurs will be able to win any 7 game series versus any team except the Lakers in the West.

There is so many "ifs" that there normally aren't at this point in time, but all it takes is a burst of energy and focus and it can turn around. This is one of those moments in sports where a team has to look at each other and be 100% honest.

They have to know their strengths and weaknesses and say: "this is the time we leave it all out there. We owe each other 100% effort and we have to have each others back".

VI_Massive · 03-22-2009, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by pic

This shit is over then..... no Tim no ring

I don't think he's as limited as some people here think he is. And hopefully he can kick it into a higher gear in the playoffs. So I'm not full of gloom and doom. But it is worrisome.

Agloco · 03-22-2009, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by timvp

-Michael Finley had one of his patented ghost games. He helped out a little bit on the glass but he was otherwise useless. He shot only once in his 25 minutes and was the worst defender the Spurs put on Artest. Amazingly, Finley was once again granted more fourth quarter minutes.

Amazing that when I look at the +/- , that we were +11 with Finley on the court.......best by far on the team.

phxspurfan · 03-22-2009, 09:33 PM

If we're not going to go to Hill because of his inconsistency, and Mason continues to show he can't handle the ball, why not put Vaughn in there? Activate him and see what we've got in a more consistent backup. We did win with him before.

VI_Massive · 03-22-2009, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by DPG21920

They have to know their strengths and weaknesses and say: "this is the time we leave it all out there. We owe each other 100% effort and we have to have each others back".

Agreed. There was a stretch in the Minnesota game where they played with a hunger and desperation that reminded me of championship teams of the past. We looked like that in the beginning of this game as well.

Hopefully we can bring that intensity for the playoffs. In past times, we were never the most talented team on the floor and we had to fight the hardest and play the smartest. We saw the team play like that against Minnesota because they knew they had no Timmy and had to scrap. We got to bring that again.

And on a practical note, we seem unable to sustain the intensity of the Minnesota game stretches and 1st quarter of this game because it dies when Parker leaves the floor due to the weakness of our back up point play. Hopefully this will improve with Manu's return and assumption of the back up point responsibilities.

VI_Massive · 03-22-2009, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Agloco

Amazing that when I look at the +/- , that we were +11 with Finley on the court.......best by far on the team.

demonstrating the limitations of +/- as a statistical tool.

VI_Massive · 03-22-2009, 09:38 PM

Here's a question I have......with the lack of a back-up PG options, how nice would it be to have Brent Barry on the team still?

I know we got Mason thinking he could run the backup point because he did in Washington, and we thought Hill could do some spot duty in that area, and we didn't anticipate the length of Manu's absences, but Barry did a decent job running the back up point in the past....wish he were still around.

DPG21920 · 03-22-2009, 09:38 PM

This has been a long and stressful season, I feel all things considered (injuries, weird rotations, new players...) that the Spurs have slightly over-achieved record wise. I am happy with where they are at in the standings, but not with how they are playing.

Like I said, it is very unsettling having so many ??? at this point in the season, but all it takes is one stretch of games where something just clicks.

FromWayDowntown · 03-22-2009, 09:45 PM

I thought Mason made at least two critical errors in Sunday's game and several others that weren't critical, but which made a difference in the game. As good as he was early in the season, I am beginning to wonder if Mason will struggle in the pressure cooker of the playoffs.

We can gripe and moan about an aging team full of old guys, but one thing is true about the old guys -- there isn't much that can faze them on the court.

I don't mean to pick on Mason -- well, yeah I do -- but I think we're starting to see the ugly head of inexperience being raised. It makes me think that home court advantage is much more crucial to this team than it might have been in the past -- at least for a round.

Oh, and with all of that said -- Duncan flat out stunk in the last minute or so.

03-22-2009, 07:33 PM	#1
timvp Get Refuel Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $67752 Post Count: 44,999	Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Another game, another depressing finish for the Spurs. Up by six points with three and a half minutes remaining the game, the Spurs proceeded to have multiple defensive breakdowns that led to a 87-85 loss. The Rockets deserve a lot of credit for the win. Defensively, they were solid the entire ballgame. On offense, Houston took advantage of every Spurs error down the stretch. Ron Artest and Yao Ming both played very well, while Luis Scola was the best player on the court. If they continue to gain cohesiveness, the Rockets could very well advance past the first round of the playoffs. As for the Spurs, with this loss they have basically given back the cushion they had in the Western Conference. Not long ago, the Spurs appeared capable of coasting to the second seed. Now they find themselves in a dog fight for homecourt advantage in the first round. -Tim Duncan scored more than 20 points for the first time in more than a month. However, his scoring total is a bit deceptive because a lot of his points came on wide open jumpers that the Rockets were daring him to take. His lack of rebounding even though he didn't spend much time against Yao is a scary sign regarding the status of his health. It will be one and done in the playoffs if the Spurs enter the postseason with Duncan playing at this level. -Tony Parker had a decent game. He had the Rockets sending reinforcements from all over the court whenever he had the ball. As a result, he was able to tie his season-high in assists. Shooting-wise, his percentage wasn't where it needed to be and he missed a relatively easy shot late in the game that would have put the Spurs in the lead. It should be noted that Parker was forced to play 22 of the 24 minutes in the second half due to the travesty that is the backup point guard position at the moment. -Roger Mason, Jr. once again underwhelmed. His play as the backup point is getting difficult to watch. Teams are forcing him to drive when he does a pick-and-roll and Mason isn't able to make the opposition pay by either scoring at the rim or finding open shooters. When he was at shooting guard he played somewhat better but the Rockets once again did a good job of denying him open looks. -Kurt Thomas started at center and did a very fine job. His defense against Yao was about as good as possible and he also rebounded at both ends of the court. Two of his four points came at a key moment in the fourth quarter off of an offensive board. On this night, the Spurs probably would have been smart to feed Thomas for his jumper more often, especially considering that the Rockets were offering that scenario every time up the court. -Michael Finley had one of his patented ghost games. He helped out a little bit on the glass but he was otherwise useless. He shot only once in his 25 minutes and was the worst defender the Spurs put on Artest. Amazingly, Finley was once again granted more fourth quarter minutes. -Ime Udoka had undoubtedly his best game of the season. His 16 points were a huge reason why the Spurs even stayed in the game. He defended Artest well and his overall energy, hustle and toughness gave San Antonio a fighting chance. If the Spurs happen to face the Rockets in the playoffs, Udoka would play a big role in that series because he's a perfect match for the personnel and style of play of Houston. -Matt Bonner got utterly dominated in the first half by Scola. It got embarrassing at times. Bonner thankfully played better in the second half but his two rebounds in the game were pathetic considering that Scola pulled down 17 boards. All in all, Bonner has been a shadow of his former self since the signing of Gooden. And it's not like the original image was a world beater . . . -Bruce Bowen once again showed that he can still help the team on the defensive end. Going up against Artest, a player who he has historically had problems against, Bowen gave tremendous effort and actually did a very good job. Looking back on it, Bowen shouldn't have been held out of the game in the first half by the coaching staff. -George Hill had his worst game in a long while. He played with no confidence offensively and his hesitency played a part in the Spurs losing their momentum. On defense, he was decent but not the terror we've seen in recent weeks. Not surprisingly, Pop didn't put him back into the contest in the second half. -Drew Gooden played seven minutes in the first half and once again hurt more than he helped. He is showing flashes of what he can ultimately be in the Spurs system but he's definitely still in the transition phase. Hopefully he gets over this hump and starts contributing to victories sooner rather than later. -Pop made a few questionable decisions. Going with Finley again in the fourth quarter isn't something I can agree with. Not giving Parker anything close to sufficient rest in the second half was yet another weird wrinkle to his rotation. The backup point guard position is now in shambles ever since he started tinkering with it. That said, it's not like Pop has a lot of cards to play with at this point. One could argue that he's doing his best to try to massage victories out of his short-handed unit. The Spurs now must have the game against the Warriors on Tuesday to stop the bleeding. Believe.

03-22-2009, 07:35 PM	#2
benefactor Spur in a sea of Mavericks Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $58500 Post Count: 8,543	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Finley...just wow. _____________________________ Laker fans are the Jehovah's witnesses of the NBA. -HarlemHeat37

03-22-2009, 07:47 PM	#3
duncan228 Silence surpasses speech. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $71550 Post Count: 23,850	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 His lack of rebounding even though he didn't spend much time against Yao is a scary sign regarding the status of his health. It will be one and done in the playoffs if the Spurs enter the postseason with Duncan playing at this level. I moved from concerned to worried a couple of weeks ago. I'm firmly planted there until I see Duncan play an entire game like Duncan. He's hurt and playing through it is not looking good. _____________________________

03-22-2009, 07:50 PM	#4
Spursmania Veteran Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $1102788 Post Count: 6,854	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by duncan228 I moved from concerned to worried a couple of weeks ago. I'm firmly planted there until I see Duncan play an entire game like Duncan. He's hurt and playing through it is not looking good. I know TD has tendonosis. Many M.D.'s including my spouse don't think resting him will help his condition until he actually gets real heal time in the off season. But, do you think just resting him these last few games would help his other knee or generally just help him out? Without Duncan, we are going nowhere real fast. _____________________________ "The Spurs do not beat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage." -Denver Post (2005) Where winning happens

03-22-2009, 07:52 PM	#5
HarlemHeat37 UGH Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $172302 Post Count: 12,941	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 I don't understand that.. I understand that Duncan needs months to get fully healthy, but how wouldn't a few games off help him at all? it must have SOME kind of positive effect, wouldn't it?..

03-22-2009, 08:01 PM	#6
duncan228 Silence surpasses speech. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $71550 Post Count: 23,850	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by Spursmania ...do you think just resting him these last few games would help his other knee or generally just help him out? He was playing okay before the tendonosis, the left knee didn't seem to impact his game like it's impacted now, even though it was bothering him all season. Both knees hurting is obviously a lot to play through, even for Duncan. I'd like to think rest would help, but I don't know. I can only go by what I see, and what I've read about both knees. It seems like it's a matter of him being able to play through it. Neither of the knees are going to get better this season. It's a daunting task.

03-22-2009, 08:02 PM	#7
z0sa Retired Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $104906 Post Count: 7,616	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Pop not playing Bowen extensively is the worst mistake he can make, or will ever make, as Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs. It is really sad to this point. I'm hoping and praying he pulls his head out of his ass and starts playing Bowen much, much more. Its downright pathetic how he's coaching Bowen's minutes now, IMO. Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37 I don't understand that.. I understand that Duncan needs months to get fully healthy, but how wouldn't a few games off help him at all? it must have SOME kind of positive effect, wouldn't it?.. is there a reason you put ".." after most every single sentence, even those that are not statements as in: it must have SOME kind of positive effect, wouldn't it?.. _____________________________ RESOUND, O GODDESS

03-22-2009, 08:11 PM	#8
StoneBuddha Believe. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $99150 Post Count: 270	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 I think everyone is rightly concerned about Duncan-- the Spurs aren't going very far with him in this state. To me, this is worse than 2006. At least then, I had hope that he'd get back to 100% percent eventually. And he was a monster in the playoffs. This feels different and he's four years older. I have a fear that he'll rest in the offseason and get back to 100%, but once the grind of the season starts, this will come back and haunt him again. Let's just hope for the best.

03-22-2009, 08:13 PM	#9
StoneBuddha Believe. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $99150 Post Count: 270	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Regarding Bowen, I used to think that Pop was saving him for the playoffs, but know I'm starting to wonder. You'd think if Bowen was going to be a big piece of the puzzle, he'd start to get regular but limited minutes to sharpen up before the playoffs.

03-22-2009, 08:18 PM	#10
Don Quixote What's the Word? Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $4900 Post Count: 3,339	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 The Spurs lost to another playoff-bound team. Not surprising at all. I think they would probably knock off Houston in the playoffs, but New Orleans, Utah, and perhaps Portland would give them problems. And if they play the Lakers, it will be 2001 all over again. This year's team is merely good, or above-average. But not a championship squad.

03-22-2009, 08:19 PM	#11
loveforthegame Veteran Team: Golden State Warriors SpursTalk Cash: $60050 Post Count: 4,896	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Pop's fallen in love with using Bowen and Hill as disrupters only. I don't know if inserting Bowen back into the starting lineup is the answer but more minutes certainly are. Hill on the other hand needs to return to the backup pg duties. While he might struggle he'll at least move the ball around or have a better chance at getting to the basket whereas Mason just sucks at it.

03-22-2009, 09:03 PM	#12
superbigtime Believe. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $11250 Post Count: 840	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Mason is incapable as backup PG. Either Hill needs to resume backup PG or Manu will have to do it when he returns because seeing JV at point just screams failure.

03-22-2009, 09:17 PM	#13
VI_Massive Reppin' Timmy's homeland. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $23473 Post Count: 865	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Who else is there at back-up PG? Are we all convinced Hill is lacking in court vision, decision-making etc? Mason seems to be a non-option and Lord knows we've tried. Vaughn really brings nothing on the offensive end, but at least he won't get the ball stolen. I don't think this is an option. At this point I think Pop is just going to struggle along until Manu comes back and can run the back-up point. I don't see any other option.

03-22-2009, 09:18 PM	#14
Agloco Pimpmaximus Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $153352 Post Count: 3,563	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by superbigtime Mason is incapable as backup PG. Either Hill needs to resume backup PG or Manu will have to do it when he returns because seeing JV at point just screams failure. JV would be hard-pressed to do worse than this....... _____________________________ Awwwww yeah.......

03-22-2009, 09:20 PM	#15
DPG21920 4 more years. Guaranteed. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $1029095 Post Count: 18,667	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 It is just health and energy. That is what I see during the games. Spurs need that spark back, it gives them focus. Hopefully this comes sooner than later. The rotation is terrible partly because of injuries and partly because of Pop's stubbornness. This team needs a moment that sparks them. They need to unify.

03-22-2009, 09:23 PM	#16
VI_Massive Reppin' Timmy's homeland. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $23473 Post Count: 865	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by DPG21920 It is just health and energy. That is what I see during the games. Spurs need that spark back, it gives them focus. Hopefully this comes sooner than later. The rotation is terrible partly because of injuries and partly because of Pop's stubbornness. This team needs a moment that sparks them. They need to unify. Manu seems likely to get better (hopefully) but Timmy doesn't seem likely to get healthier and that's a scary proposition.

03-22-2009, 09:25 PM	#17
45 bank shot Veteran Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $19650 Post Count: 1,159	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 c'mon spurs, play like a champ.

03-22-2009, 09:27 PM	#18
DPG21920 4 more years. Guaranteed. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $1029095 Post Count: 18,667	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by VI_Massive Manu seems likely to get better (hopefully) but Timmy doesn't seem likely to get healthier and that's a scary proposition. I was encouraged by Tim's movements today. He looked better (but not great). It is definitely cause for concern, but if he cannot get better, there is nothing they can do. I still think that if Tim can muster up some solid outings, Manu can come back and at least be in game shape by the time playoffs roll around, that the Spurs will be able to win any 7 game series versus any team except the Lakers in the West. There is so many "ifs" that there normally aren't at this point in time, but all it takes is a burst of energy and focus and it can turn around. This is one of those moments in sports where a team has to look at each other and be 100% honest. They have to know their strengths and weaknesses and say: "this is the time we leave it all out there. We owe each other 100% effort and we have to have each others back".

03-22-2009, 09:28 PM	#19
VI_Massive Reppin' Timmy's homeland. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $23473 Post Count: 865	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by pic This shit is over then..... no Tim no ring I don't think he's as limited as some people here think he is. And hopefully he can kick it into a higher gear in the playoffs. So I'm not full of gloom and doom. But it is worrisome.

03-22-2009, 09:29 PM	#20
Agloco Pimpmaximus Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $153352 Post Count: 3,563	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by timvp -Michael Finley had one of his patented ghost games. He helped out a little bit on the glass but he was otherwise useless. He shot only once in his 25 minutes and was the worst defender the Spurs put on Artest. Amazingly, Finley was once again granted more fourth quarter minutes. Amazing that when I look at the +/- , that we were +11 with Finley on the court.......best by far on the team.

03-22-2009, 09:33 PM	#21
phxspurfan Now a CA Spurs fan Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $83860 Post Count: 3,036	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 If we're not going to go to Hill because of his inconsistency, and Mason continues to show he can't handle the ball, why not put Vaughn in there? Activate him and see what we've got in a more consistent backup. We did win with him before.

03-22-2009, 09:35 PM	#22
VI_Massive Reppin' Timmy's homeland. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $23473 Post Count: 865	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by DPG21920 They have to know their strengths and weaknesses and say: "this is the time we leave it all out there. We owe each other 100% effort and we have to have each others back". Agreed. There was a stretch in the Minnesota game where they played with a hunger and desperation that reminded me of championship teams of the past. We looked like that in the beginning of this game as well. Hopefully we can bring that intensity for the playoffs. In past times, we were never the most talented team on the floor and we had to fight the hardest and play the smartest. We saw the team play like that against Minnesota because they knew they had no Timmy and had to scrap. We got to bring that again. And on a practical note, we seem unable to sustain the intensity of the Minnesota game stretches and 1st quarter of this game because it dies when Parker leaves the floor due to the weakness of our back up point play. Hopefully this will improve with Manu's return and assumption of the back up point responsibilities.

03-22-2009, 09:36 PM	#23
VI_Massive Reppin' Timmy's homeland. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $23473 Post Count: 865	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Originally Posted by Agloco Amazing that when I look at the +/- , that we were +11 with Finley on the court.......best by far on the team. demonstrating the limitations of +/- as a statistical tool.

03-22-2009, 09:38 PM	#24
VI_Massive Reppin' Timmy's homeland. Team: San Antonio Spurs SpursTalk Cash: $23473 Post Count: 865	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 Here's a question I have......with the lack of a back-up PG options, how nice would it be to have Brent Barry on the team still? I know we got Mason thinking he could run the backup point because he did in Washington, and we thought Hill could do some spot duty in that area, and we didn't anticipate the length of Manu's absences, but Barry did a decent job running the back up point in the past....wish he were still around.

03-22-2009, 09:45 PM	#26
FromWayDowntown Get Refuel! Team: San Antonio Spurs Dynasty League 1: 44-38 (4th in NW Division) SpursTalk Cash: $58928 Post Count: 15,825	Re: Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Rockets Mar. 22 I thought Mason made at least two critical errors in Sunday's game and several others that weren't critical, but which made a difference in the game. As good as he was early in the season, I am beginning to wonder if Mason will struggle in the pressure cooker of the playoffs. We can gripe and moan about an aging team full of old guys, but one thing is true about the old guys -- there isn't much that can faze them on the court. I don't mean to pick on Mason -- well, yeah I do -- but I think we're starting to see the ugly head of inexperience being raised. It makes me think that home court advantage is much more crucial to this team than it might have been in the past -- at least for a round. Oh, and with all of that said -- Duncan flat out stunk in the last minute or so.

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