why do we blow big leads?

[HarlemHeat37]

it seems to happen every single game..up 17 in this game in the 1st half, and then up double digits in the 3rd..same story every game..what changes?..

[01Snake]

Embarrassing!

[tony09manu]

It's not new...we've done it in past seasons. I don't understand it either.

Just have to win tommorow.

[mexicanjunior]

Because this team is not that good...

[HarlemHeat37]

it's been happening as long as I can remember, so I don't even know how to explain it..different sets of players..it just always happens with this team..

[MaNu4Tres]

There is no reason Udoka should be getting the most minutes off the bench. NONE whatsoever. He's been the least productive player on our bench all damn season long. And theres no way in hell Bonner is 15 more minutes a game better than Drew Gooden.

[Capt Bringdown]

Because we don't get easy chances to score. Fast break/easy baskets are not something we think it's necessary to pursue.
Or, we're not able.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

This goes wayyyy backk...both in regular season games AND in big post season games as well

[timvp]

it's been happening as long as I can remember, so I don't even know how to explain it..different sets of players..it just always happens with this team..It happens to every team. That's the NBA.

[urunobili]

this one was REALLY pathetic...

[benefactor]

this one was REALLY pathetic...

[Brazil]

Tonite no help of the bench : tp 18 tim 14 and then bonner 10 at 4-10 finley 7 at 3-10 ! Man Finley played 39 min !! if you add 17 TOs you obtain an embarrassing L against the Thunder

[Spurs Brazil]

Tonite no help of the bench : tp 18 tim 14 and then bonner 10 at 4-10 finley 7 at 3-10 ! Man Finley played 39 min !! if you add 17 TOs you obtain an embarrassing L against the Thunder

True, Ime, Hill and Mason, playing PG with the 2nd unit were terrible.

[JustSpurs]

We play "down" to the level of the weaker teams. Been like this the last couple of seasons.

[Manufan909]

It happens to every team. That's the NBA.

Thank god, someone with sense. I migh not be as knowledgable as posters such as timvp and ruff, but even I know(like they do) that all teams lose big leads. It happens everywhere. But some fans here love to nitpick to the nth degree, even though it usually isn't limited to the Spurs, but the entire league.

So FUCKING ANNOYING.:bang

[45 bank shot]

sit udoka's ass, he;s fukin unbelievable n won't mount to nothing

[anonoftheinternets]

this one was REALLY pathetic...

not as bad as the one against the bucks i thought ........... that one was much worse..... they demolished them, only to have them come back go on a 17-4 or so to lose the game. :king

[Mugen]

that happens to every team, we have been doing it for years and have still managed to be successful.

what was very disturbing about this loss was that the Thunder were more physical than us. we were simply outmuscled.

that will happen when we have mason, fin, and bonner out there instead of guys like Bruce.

tough loss, move on to the next one.

[spurastic]

Re Tim's play: I think that Tim gets all frustrated with the no calls. Then he plays like shit. At other times when there are no calls, he just gets more determined and plays harder. I like the "plays harder" Tim much better.

[Spursfan092120]

Houston wins...our lead is down to 1.5 games.

[Spurs Brazil]

sit udoka's ass, he;s fukin unbelievable n won't mount to nothing

Ime was playing OK in the last 5 games. Too bad today he played the Ime we saw the whole season

[mexicanjunior]

True, Ime, Hill and Mason, playing PG with the 2nd unit were terrible.

Mason has no business being a backup PG in the NBA...he needs to stand at the 3-point line and wait for kick outs. I'm starting to think teams are already banking on 2-3 TO's a game from him and his horrendous ball handling. If Pop doesn't trust Hill to handle backup PG duties, bring back Vaughn. He can at least bring the ball up against pressure defense...

[Spursfan092120]

We have GOT to beat Minnesota tomorrow night.

[spurspokesman]

this one was REALLY pathetic...

I was about to start A thread with that title. Well put.

[Budkin]

One of the worst losses of the season by far. This should not be happening in March.

[AussieFanKurt]

im embarrassed to be a spurs fan at the moment a little bit

[MaNu4Tres]

Ime was playing OK in the last 5 games. Too bad today he played the Ime we saw the whole season

Ime has played average at best in some aspects like getting deflections defensively. Everything else hes been piss poor the past 6 games and the whole year. I think hes what 12 for 35 the past 5 or 6 games?

If I'm Bruce I'd be slightly irritated and wondering why the hell is Pop going to Udoka over me?

[KenGee21]

Man, for all the outside shooting Finley and bonner gives us, those guys are definitely defensive liabilities. Most teams would have them coming off the bench, swinging towels and passing out gatorade...Just really frustrating to watch sometimes.

[TampaDude]

The Spurs will end the season with 5th seed in the West because of this loss. Watch.

[tony09manu]

The Spurs will end the season with 5th seed in the West because of this loss. Watch.

Calm down!! It's one game! We still are 1.5 games ahead of Houston. Anything is possible, sure. But we are also 2.5 games ahead of #3.

[TampaDude]

Even if TP had hit that 3 to win 79-78, it still doesn't change the fact that the Spurs played like shit tonight. I guaran-fucking-tee you the Lakers would've blown the Thunder out by 30+ tonight. The Lakers have the "killer instinct"...they know how to finish off an opponent. The Spurs, sadly, lack that same killer instinct right now.

[Thomas82]

It happens to every team. That's the NBA.

Yeah, and it happens when you play down to the level of weaker teams.

[TampaDude]

Calm down!! It's one game! We still are 1.5 games ahead of Houston. Anything is possible, sure. But we are also 2.5 games ahead of #3.

Nope...this was the first loss in a 4-5 game skid. Book it.

[crc21209]

Calm down!! It's one game! We still are 1.5 games ahead of Houston. Anything is possible, sure. But we are also 2.5 games ahead of #3.

Spurs still only have 22 losses, Rockets have 25. So were up 3 in the loss column....

[tony09manu]

Even if TP had hit that 3 to win 79-78, it still doesn't change the fact that the Spurs played like shit tonight. I guaran-fucking-tee you the Lakers would've blown the Thunder out by 30+ tonight. The Lakers have the "killer instinct"...they know how to finish off an opponent. The Spurs, sadly, lack that same killer instinct right now.

I do believe I watched the Lakers almost lose a pretty big lead against the Spurs...and I believe the Lakers have lost to teams like the Bobcats. It happens.

[Spursfan092120]

Nope...this was the first loss in a 4-5 game skid. Book it.
Booked. Doubtful. Home game tomorrow night against Minnesota.

[tony09manu]

Nope...this was the first loss in a 4-5 game skid. Book it.

Oh, okay....:rolleyes

I refuse to believe that after such a big win against the Rockets last game, that we will just lay down and die after a 2 point loss to the Thunder. If anything, the Spurs will know now to not let up.

[crc21209]

Nope...this was the first loss in a 4-5 game skid. Book it.


We have losses like this every year, against shitty teams most of the time also. Sometimes I like for the Spurs to lose a game like this so they dont get too "big-headed" and think they have every game in the bag. You have to fight every night against any team in the NBA, no matter what their record is. They looked very out of sync, relaxed, "we got this" half-ass attitude. Pop will rip into them big time. Maybe they were looking past OKC and Minny on to Boston and Houston, it won't happen again. We are still the 2 seed, we will be fine. They'll bounce back, starting tomorrow night....:flag:

[Spursfan092120]

Even if TP had hit that 3 to win 79-78, it still doesn't change the fact that the Spurs played like shit tonight. I guaran-fucking-tee you the Lakers would've blown the Thunder out by 30+ tonight. The Lakers have the "killer instinct"...they know how to finish off an opponent. The Spurs, sadly, lack that same killer instinct right now.
This year, the Lakers have lost to Indiana, Sacramento, Phoenix, and Charlotte. Stupid losses happen.

[tony09manu]

Spurs still only have 22 losses, Rockets have 25. So were up 3 in the loss column....

True, I was just going by the standings.

[TampaDude]

Booked. Doubtful. Home game tomorrow night against Minnesota.

I really hope I'm wrong...I really do...but the Spurs looked LOST out there in the second half. They were moving and passing like a .500 college basketball team! UG-LI-NESS!!! :(

[Technique]

T-Wolves are next! (I mean it)

[tony09manu]

This year, the Lakers have lost to Indiana, Sacramento, Phoenix, and Charlotte. Stupid losses happen.

I like how we can now include Phoenix in the list of stupid losses. :hat

[TampaDude]

We have losses like this every year, against shitty teams most of the time also. Sometimes I like for the Spurs to lose a game like this so they dont get too "big-headed" and think they have every game in the bag. You have to fight every night against any team in the NBA, no matter what their record is. They looked very out of sync, relaxed, "we got this" half-ass attitude. Pop will rip into them big time. Maybe they were looking past OKC and Minny on to Boston and Houston, it won't happen again. We are still the 2 seed, we will be fine. They'll bounce back, starting tomorrow night....:flag:

I really hope it was just a "we don't give a fuck" attitude by the Spurs, and not an indication of serious fundamental weaknesses.

[mexicanjunior]

Sometimes I like for the Spurs to lose a game like this so they dont get too "big-headed" and think they have every game in the bag.

If they haven't learned that lesson by March during the stretch run of trying to get the #2 seed...they have alot more problems than this game.

[Spursfan092120]

I really hope I'm wrong...I really do...but the Spurs looked LOST out there in the second half. They were moving and passing like a .500 college basketball team! UG-LI-NESS!!! :(
Yes...but things like that happen. We got laxed...this was a regular season game against the Thunder..not a playoff game against the Lakers...we'll get it back tomorrow night..Settle down, bro..it'll be fine.

[spurspokesman]

it seems to happen every single game..up 17 in this game in the 1st half, and then up double digits in the 3rd..same story every game..what changes?..

They're starting to play the score. Or like boxers they just blow they're load early and fade down the stretch. Its getting painful to watch.:bang

[Spursfan092120]

I like how we can now include Phoenix in the list of stupid losses. :hat
Oh, I know...it felt so good to put that in there..lol

[justinandimcool]

The Spurs have a history of playing poorly against bad teams, but this year's taking it to the limit. Minnesota, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, Oklahoma...

[HarlemHeat37]

I'm not worried about the loss at all, don't get me wrong..I've never panicked over a loss this year, regular season games are always irrelevant to me..

this is just about these stretches we have..

YES, it happens to every team..but I guarantee we do it more than any other team in the league, and in the quickest span..

[Capt Bringdown]

The Lakers have the "killer instinct"...they know how to finish off an opponent. The Spurs, sadly, lack that same killer instinct right now.

You almost never see one of the Spurs leaders get excited and get after other players to try to turn things around.

I suppose that's not our style, but then again you see communication/leadership like this at every level of basketball. Perhaps it's another aspect of basketball like fastbreaks, easy baskets and free throws that the Spurs feel they are above contemplating.

[Technique]

I'm not worried about the loss at all, don't get me wrong..I've never panicked over a loss this year, regular season games are always irrelevant to me..

this is just about these stretches we have..

YES, it happens to every team..but I guarantee we do it more than any other team in the league, and in the quickest span..

To be honest you're right. Look at the Lakers and Cavs for example, their losses were to legit teams. Nonetheless although losses like these are disturbing the sky's the limit.

:lobt2:

[tony09manu]

Watch them win the next 4...we won't even remember this loss when the playoffs start.

[crc21209]

The Spurs have a history of playing poorly against bad teams, but this year's taking it to the limit. Minnesota, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, Oklahoma...

Actually, its been like that every year. Half or so of their losses every year seem to come against the lower quality teams in the league.

[tony09manu]

The Spurs have a history of playing poorly against bad teams, but this year's taking it to the limit. Minnesota, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, Oklahoma...

Milwaukee always beats us.

[crc21209]

I dunno but once Manu comes back, I wanna see Udoka's ass at the end of the bench and not come in at all. My playoff rotation would be:

PG- TP/Hill
SG- Mason/Manu
SF- Bowen/Finley
PF- TD/Gooden
C- Thomas/Bonner

Fab can get some spot mins here and there, and if Bonner plays like shit, give Fab his mins. Udoka and Vaughn's asses parked at the end of the bench.....

[Thomas82]

Actually, its been like that every year. Half or so of their losses every year seem to come against the lower quality teams in the league.

That's been the biggest negative, IMO, on the Spurs over the years.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

This Spurs team may have more "depth" than those of the past, but their collective Bball IQ is arguably the lowest of any SA team in the Pop era.

I know a lot of it has to do with integrating Hill and Mason, as well as Gooden now, but this team no matter how healthy, will never be Spurs ready come April and May.

Maybe if the playoffs started in August.

[Thomas82]

Milwaukee always beats us.

Yeah, they are always a thorn in our side.

[Biggems]

because we get the big lead by playing team basketball and taking quality shots.

once we get the big lead, we start being somewhat selfish. we go one on one more. we take bad shots. we fall in love with the 3. we get careless and turn the ball over on multiple possessions. We start playing putrid defense.

[Spursfan092120]

To be honest you're right. Look at the Lakers and Cavs for example, their losses were to legit teams. Nonetheless although losses like these are disturbing the sky's the limit.

:lobt2:
Lakers have to lost Indy, Charlotte, Sacramento, and Phoenix. Not exactly stellar teams.

[tony09manu]

That's been the biggest negative, IMO, on the Spurs over the years.

I would say the biggest negative is not repeating as champs.

[Thomas82]

This Spurs team may have more "depth" than those of the past, but their collective Bball IQ is arguably the lowest of any SA team in the Pop era.

I know a lot of it has to do with integrating Hill and Mason, as well as Gooden now, but this team no matter how healthy, will never be Spurs ready come April and May.

Maybe if the playoffs started in August.

I still won't count them out.

[j-money24]

every team will blow big leads games in the season, just look at the lakers, they maybe lead the league with blowing leads.

[NRHector]

sometimes they get cocky:bang

[Thomas82]

The most unbelievable thing about tonight is how we held them to 35% and STILL lost!!

[TampaDude]

every team will blow big leads games in the season, just look at the lakers, they maybe lead the league with blowing leads.

Yeah...but they also LEAD THE LEAGUE.

[Capt Bringdown]

This year we've been hampered by injuries and new players, but I think our fundamental philosophy of "we're the Spurs, the regular season is for tinkering, we'll turn the switch when we feel like it" has been surpassed.

Last year you saw it with the Lakers and Celtics, they started the season with the goal and attitude of beating everyone's ass everytime they stepped on the court, whether it was November or May. This kind of approach builds confidence and a killer instinct IMO.

That's not to say the Spurs haven't been successful in the past with SPAM and all that - it's just that the operative phrase is in the past.
I think we're going through a transition in the league and the Spurs are on the wrong side, i.e. on the way out.

[Spursmania]

Please please just get Udoka out. Hurry Manu.

[urunobili]

i still can't get over the fact that Pop is inactivating Malik Hairston... he proved to be a WAY better one on one defender than any of other wings not called Bowen on a good night shit even better than Hill on many games... Still... Pop needs to check if Ime will be able to do jackshit... well get the memo once and for all... with the athletic young teams Udoka is a non factor... is Malik's playing time not his :pctoss

[fotan2]

because the Jazz is at 7th now. No one would like to play the Jazz in the first round.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

OK I haven't read the thread yet but it's not like we're the only team to lose after having big leads. It happens, momentum changes, teams get hot/cold. These things tend to even up during the course of a season.

Also, there is a very distinguishable difference in the way Pop coaches in games he wants to win ( e.g. Houston, Phoenix ) and games Pop sees as more or less extended practices ( Lakers, OKC ). Now I'm not saying he deliberately wants to lose these games, of course, but we haven't got our playoff rotation set yet due to many obstacles, and right now we can take the good with the bad and accept we're still preparing and we've got a lot of work to do in a very short time, so we might as well not get too carried away with games like last night's. There's a bigger picture we should be looking at.

[Leftyventricle]

we're living off the 3-pointer too much. very risky....

[superbigtime]

Because this team is not that good...


ding ding ding ding ding!

[superbigtime]

OK I haven't read the thread yet but it's not like we're the only team to lose after having big leads. It happens, momentum changes, teams get hot/cold. These things tend to even up during the course of a season.

Also, there is a very distinguishable difference in the way Pop coaches in games he wants to win ( e.g. Houston, Phoenix ) and games Pop sees as more or less extended practices ( Lakers, OKC ). Now I'm not saying he deliberately wants to lose these games, of course, but we haven't got our playoff rotation set yet due to many obstacles, and right now we can take the good with the bad and accept we're still preparing and we've got a lot of work to do in a very short time, so we might as well not get too carried away with games like last night's. There's a bigger picture we should be looking at.

The big picture is losing games to defeatable opponents so that it comes down to the end of the season against teams like Utah. Thanks Pop!

[SenorSpur]

This Spurs team may have more "depth" than those of the past, but their collective Bball IQ is arguably the lowest of any SA team in the Pop era.

I know a lot of it has to do with integrating Hill and Mason, as well as Gooden now, but this team no matter how healthy, will never be Spurs ready come April and May.

I will give you that fact that the overall BBIQ is probably lower than any Spurs team in the Pop/TD era. However, it's unfair to say that Hill and Mason bring down the collective BBIQ. I say that because I've personally seen many instances where TP, TD, Finley and Bonner all have made very dumb and carelss mistakes. Whether it be ill-advised passes, careless turnovers or failed rotations. Look at the recent game versus the Thunder. Those weren't rookies making those terrible, costly, turnovers. Those were the veteran players, along with the newbie Mason.