Spurs/Raptors Game Report (lots of pics included)

[Amuseddaysleeper]

So last year I got to see the Spurs take on the Raptors with Manu having a huge game and the Spurs eeking out a victory. (You can read it here: http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86928)

This year.....the ending wasn't quite as sweet.


I got to the game right after the doors opened, and shelled out $240 for my ticket which was row 1, just behind the courtside seats. I had a blast last year so I figured I would start making this my annual Spurs splurge for myself. While I got to meet Manu last time, this year I settled for him pointing at my Ginobili jersey and giving me the thumbs up. I was able to get nods from Oberto and Bowen....as well as a dirty look from Popovich (maybe I missed a rotation I wasn't aware about?)

I tried getting Duncan's attention by waving but only to settle for Chip Engelland thinking I was waving to him.


I gotta say, Jacque Vaughn's jumper looked unstoppable.....in pregame shootaround. The Spurs seemed to be having some fun right before tip off when Finley, Hairston, and Hill all attemped flashy dunks.



Unfortunately, they all bricked them.


Finley missed a Windmill, Hill a 360, and Hairston a reverse jam. Still it was fun to watch up until the ball was above the rim. I guess they are dead last in the league at dunks made for a reason.

As for the game itself, Duncan as always, was an absolute pleasure to watch. He had some nice moves against J. O'neal and his rebounding was also great. It's also nice to see Parker up close because your appreciation for his speed becomes completely renewed as oppose to simply watching him on TV.

Ginobili was just amazing. It was another year in which I'm sitting in a crowd full of a bunch of people in suits who had no idea who Tim Duncan was, much less Manu Ginobili. Manu hit some big shots and was aggressive all night.

It's one thing when you're watching the game with your friends who like to rib you when the Spurs are losing in crunch time or when the opposing team hits a huge shot. However, it's another when there is terrible arena music being played at a throbbing volume (No, I don't like to "move it, move it"), 16,000 people jumping up and screaming, while the guy behind you spills his popcorn all over you and Michael Finley inexplicably passes up an open shot with 6 seconds left.



The thing that bugged me the most was the Spurs defense (or lack thereof)

A lot of missed rotations and the Spurs gave up way too many 3's. They won the rebounding battle, but the number of layups they are giving up this season is scary. As nice as the Boston win was, they seem to take one step forward and two steps back. Granted, it was their third game in four nights and letdowns are bound to happen, I still think this team needs to smooth out the kinks in their defense sooner than later. I'm sure Pop will get them on the right track come February.


Having said all this, I still had a great time, and hope to do it again next year (unless the Raptors meet the Spurs in the Finals.....so pretty much I'll just see the Spurs next season). While the ticket price was steep, I strongly urge anyone to save up and spend the extra dough if possible, because there is nothing like being this up close and personal. You get a whole new appreciation for the game and get even more pissed off when you see blatant no calls.

The Spurs have the All Star Break to rejuvenate, and here's to a strong push in the latter half of the season :toast


Pictures (sorry if some of them suck, while I may have been a film major, clearly photography is not my thing):






http://photos-c.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354698_5090.jpg


http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354713_9726.jpg


http://photos-h.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354719_1663.jpg


http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354721_2354.jpg


http://photos-c.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354722_2677.jpg


http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354725_3675.jpg


http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354728_4692.jpg


http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354729_5040.jpg


http://photos-h.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354735_7150.jpg


http://photos-c.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354738_8194.jpg


http://photos-h.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354743_9965.jpg


http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354745_706.jpg


http://photos-d.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354747_1453.jpg


http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354752_3318.jpg


http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354760_2229.jpg


http://photos-e.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354764_3676.jpg


http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354765_4033.jpg


http://photos-h.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354767_4736.jpg


http://photos-g.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354774_7300.jpg

[lefty]

Nice :tu

Reminds me of the last time I went to the ACC

[E20]

Nice pics and good recap.

Yeah Duncan is incredibly hard to get a reaction from during warmups or even a nod or anything. I guess you could say he is secluded.

[duncan228]

A win is always the preferred outcome, but it has to be great to sit that close for a game. Thanks for the first-hand recap, and sharing the pics.

[Thompson]

The Spurs' fan in the jumbotron looks sort of like that guy in the Shield (Walter Goggins) who blew up his partner Lem with a grenade. I forget his character's name.

http://www.tv.com/the-shield/show/8261/viewer.html?ii=33&grti=101&gri=8261&flag=1

[Rogue]

http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1976/178/48/776786121/n776786121_1354728_4692.jpg

Mason looks f**king like artest on this pic.

[Spursofthemoment]

Great pictures and wonderful report! I'm glad you had a good time anyway. It is always good to see the team you like. Basketball tickets are awfully pricey but since we only get them in our towns a few times I agree that it is worth it.

[Heat Miser]

You have better seats than coach Pop! :lol

[WalterBenitez]

Nice pics!, you got a nice place to watch the game!

[gingerwave]

Great Post. Awesome seats.

[kolko]

Great post. Awesome experience.

[urunobili]

Awesome recap! thanks a lot!

[timvp]

Very cool :tu

The local broadcasts showed a lot of Spurs fans in the stands. We probably saw you . . .

[sonic21]

nice pics :tu

[GervinGirl]

Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing

[Spurs Brazil]

Thanks for the pics and the recap