I was dead wrong but so was Pop

[Rummpd]

My prediction of a Spurs decisive win truly sucked but so did sitting out 3 players (including Nazr), 2-3 of which could have played.

This was a twofer - a loss would have put Suns 2 behind but no, Pop had to play CIA.

Hats off to those who played. Great, great effort but!

Off to bed with a sick taste in my mouth and it ain't from the prediction!

[Guru of Nothing]

Personally, I'm more concerned about the Spurs' first round opponent in the playoffs, than I am about tonight's game, but, that's just me.

I believe that Pop played the game tonight with the team's best interest at heart.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

My prediction of a Spurs decisive win truly sucked but so did sitting out 3 players (including Nazr), 2-3 of which could have played.

This was a twofer - a loss would have put Suns 2 behind but no, Pop had to play CIA.

Hats off to those who played. Great, great effort but!

Off to bed with a sick taste in my mouth and it ain't from the prediction!
Is that so? Which ones? and how exactly do YOU know this?

[Rummpd]

Re the 2-3, it could be only 1, but come one who expected both TD and Manu to sit?

I have no problem as a doc with TD not playing if there was real swelling etc. but still don't have a satisfactory story on why Manu did not play (maybe there was one, but I was at a bar and could hardly hear speaker). You cannot convince me otherwise = there is absolutely no reason why Nazr cannot be giving 10-15 minutes a night.

[T Park]

nah, that groin injury nazr has is totally bogus right.


As is Manu's along with Manu's shoulder, ankle.

Of course, rummpd, you know alot more about the team right now than Pop.

[AFE7FATMAN]

Nazr can dunk during warmups.
What is the real story, or will we just continue to guess.

[Rummpd]

I will just state my qualifications in my opinions that I was a physical therapist before medical school, have been an athletic trainer and team physician (including by the way previously at Cole High School where Shaq played). I have dealt with all the injuries the Spurs apparently have many times in my professional practice and seen high school, college and professional players often "suck it up" and play - and play well, without permament harm or later deterioration of their games. Plus the modalities are even beter today.

From all I have heard, none of these players risked much by taking the court last night - life is not without risk, and I for one was left with a bad taste in my mouth that the Spurs (at least Pop, not players) seemingly waved the white flag or potentialy decided that it was worth it to give the Suns a "victory not worth having as much as if key players played". Plus the Spurs have a couple of nights off now before Denver.

[Emeyin]

Better safe than sorry. Don't get me wrong I'm dissappointed with the loss but I'd take that loss than having TD or Manu injured. Pop knows his players more than we do so give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

[BronxCowboy]

^^^
Then why the fuck did he play Duncan against the Nets??? We give Pop the benefit of the doubt way too much. Pop is prone to irrational decisions, that much is clear.

[Solid D]

If you saw Manu play against NJ, you could tell he was ineffective and totally different than he was versus Utah Sunday night (31 pts.). After all, he went to the FT line how many times, usually after getting up off the floor. He wasn't right and probably needed some recovery time.

Timmy didn't have the explosiveness and mobility with his ankle. If there was any swelling, why push him on back to back games?

If I were PHX right now, I'd be worried about the Spurs because that game only made one statement: the Spurs are tough to beat, regardless of who plays.

[smeagol]

People jump to conclusions without having all the facts way too quickly in this forum. Manu and Tim are amazing competitors. If they would have been ready to play, you would have seen them in the court.

[sbsquared]

I agree with Bronx - why did Pop play Tim and Manu in the New Jersey game when that game really wasn't that important. The Phoenix game was much more important for playoff implications - he should've rested them Tuesday and let them play last night.

[bonesinaz]

RUMMPD-
Since you have a background in treating sports injuries, you also know the mechanism of most of these injuries in overuse.<<--and that is why Pop sat them now, to prevent further injuries on beat up players. This was also a back to back.

I think that Pop also pulled a great psyops move on the Suns and their coach. The homer Suns announcers here in AZ were NOT happy at all last night with their team. They were a little shocked at the Spurs getting so close and staying in the game. They wanted a big blow-out and were freaked that it didn't happen.

[Rick Von Braun]

I will just state my qualifications in my opinions that I was a physical therapist before medical school, have been an athletic trainer and team physician (including by the way previously at Cole High School where Shaq played). I have dealt with all the injuries the Spurs apparently have many times in my professional practice and seen high school, college and professional players often "suck it up" and play - and play well, without permament harm or later deterioration of their games. Plus the modalities are even beter today.

From all I have heard, none of these players risked much by taking the court last night - life is not without risk, and I for one was left with a bad taste in my mouth that the Spurs (at least Pop, not players) seemingly waved the white flag or potentialy decided that it was worth it to give the Suns a "victory not worth having as much as if key players played". Plus the Spurs have a couple of nights off now before Denver.You credentials are impressive.

Do you do diagnosis on the phone?

Are you psychic as well?

I have some pain in my lower back... http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smirolleyes.gif

[Rummpd]

No I don't diagnose over the phone but in general best advice for backs is "get off the friggin coach" and do some exercises designed for back injuries - see various internet sites. Of course the usual disclaimer applies - consult your own practioner etc.

Re my comments, you are all probably right and I got to admit Pop almost pulled it off I suppose and it would have been an exciting win et. al. I was psyched for this game and with friends traveled 25 miles to watch on big screens etc. and still the Spurs really dropped the chance to go into the final 21 games with a 2 (and reality a 2 1/2 game lead with tie breaker) = such is life = lot more important things really.

The one I wonder the most about is Nazr = are we seeing/hearing the whole story?

I would not be surprised that Pop doesn't really want to break him of old habits before turning him lose or something.

[maxpower]

I happen to think pop went cia...from the ludden article it mentions TD wanting to play. I agree that the holdouts were more precautionary but also psychological. The Spurs were so close to pulling an upset if at least a much closer game were it not for two missed layups in the final minutes. As it is the game was close enough to inflict some doubt into the minds of the players.

But I do agree that at least 2 of the players if not three could have played. If it were a playoff game...there would be no doubt about them playing.

[T Park]

Of course, risk the season with Ginobili, Duncan, and Mohammed for a game against a team these guys have whooped up on twice.


You morons are unreal.