llamediocrity
04-06-2009, 10:34 AM
I figured this has been done, but I just wanted to voice my own opinion as a newbie. I'm getting sick of Pop.
As no one in the media will ever criticize him, and everyone at the Express News is scared *curse word* of him - it will only take a Spurs fan to voice this. To show the public that although Pop is a genius, he has made mistakes and continues to do.
My first question:
1. Why do you insist on double teaming star players so much?
I understand everyone has their philosophy, but this one doesn’t work for us.
First off, we are too laterally slow to recover. Finley, Mason, Udoka, Bowen and Ginobili just aren’t as quick as they are/used to be on the perimeter. Watching the Cavs game, I was sick of seeing the open shots from Mo and Delonte. These are the same open shots I see from Posey and Butler and Fisher and Ariza. Its just unacceptable.
On a side note, I almost fell out of my chair when the Professor Hubie Brown said that Fin-Dog is an excellent defender. He never was and never will be. He’s from the Suns/Mavs school of defense and if you didn’t know that school never existed. Hubie is a numbers man, but his vision is definitely off.
OK, now that’s done. Its time to accept that there’s nothing wrong with allowing Lebron and Kobe to score all the points they want as long as we can contain the other players. Are we the defensive team we were years ago? Of course not. But that’s also something we need to come to terms with and I don’t think we have.
Doubling players will tire us out more than playing 1 on 1. We are still just as slow as we were in our championship years. Double team or not, teams will score. But they won’t score on us as much if you let the game be 1 on
1.
#2 Why isn’t Timmy the #1 option anymore?
Look, I know this is Tony Parker’s (offensive output wise) team, but it can’t be to the point that we completely ignore the guy responsible for our 4 titles.
Did you see that one sequence against the Cavs in the 3rd where Timmy was at the top of the key, extended his arms wide open, and TP ignored him? If you looked at Duncan’s reaction after that and the look on his face post-game, you know that he’s not happy with his lack of touches (a guess). But why does it even matter because he’ll never communicate it because that’s not his personality.
Can it be said that Timmy has fallen off? That’s a fair argument; but not enough of one to completely ignore him. I know Tony has been amazing this year and is basically our most dependable scorer, but it doesn’t mean he can shoot 20 more shots in a game than Tim. We need to start off the game getting TD and Finley involved. Its already done for Finley, but I’ve noticed that if TD doesn’t get involved from the jump, he never gets involved. Its rare you see a quiet first half from Duncan and an amazing second half performance anymore. He’s 32, played 2 seasons a year for the last 12 years, and can’t just flip the switch like that anymore.
Getting the ball to Duncan early will get everyone in the mix and open up the game. With Parker, its different because he’s a perimeter player and with him controlling the ball, its more difficult for the rest of the team to get involved. Especially the guards, because outside of Manu and Hill, they aren’t able to create their own shots.
#3 What happened to George Hill?
Why has this kid’s minutes suddenly disappeared? It seems like Pop never has a problem giving some young guys minutes at the beginning of a season, but once the playoffs near, he reverts back to Jacque Vaughn. Why?
George Hill has a longer wind-span, is a better scorer and defender. Is Jacque Vaughn a less turnover prone point guard? Probably, but he can’t do much else. He’s overrated as a defender and opposing players look at him as a ‘crossover’ highlight waiting to happen. Just ask AI and Deron.
Is he giving George the young TP treatment of sitting his behind down for no apparent reason? I don’t know. But *I can’t believe I’m saying this* Pop is pissing me off. More on that later.
As for Roger, he couldn’t run the point if his life depended on it. He needs to be doing what he does best - and that’s running off screens ala Rip and Reggie - and shooting on the run.
Please put Hill back in the rotation and keep Roger doing what he does best and that’s being a bench player.
#4 Why is Ginobilli starting?
I know everyone from Spurs Talk and Pounding the Rock will have their own opinions on this; and they may differ with me, but I disagree with the whole Manu starting idea.
Manu said it himself: ‘I rather be the first one to sub in than sub out.’
Mentally, people may act like Manu can just be fine with the changes just because he was in the past. But he’s so used to being the spark-plug and the ball dominator when he comes off the bench, that its a difficult change to become a starter.
Parker and TD dominate the ball and Finley even gets his share of shots off along with Matt. It was different before when you had Bruce and Fab who passed at will in the lineup.
I also don’t see any energy off the bench. Drew may be the only one that exhibits energy and maybe George. But Kurt, Roger, Ime, Bruce, Fab? They don’t exhibit that one bit. Can Roger score? Of course, but not in an explosive manner. Manu can do that and its why he needs to come off the bench.
If we could’ve beaten the Lakers last year with him in a secondary role (if he was healthy) and a less deeper team, we can do it this year again.
We don’t need to start Manu for the rest of the season to get him comfortable. We need to leave him in his favorite slot so (the bench) he knows day in and out what’s expected of him.
#5 Where the hell is Bruce?
Are you kidding me Pop? Ime and Fin-Dog? One came in here supposedly to be a defensive stopper and never proved to be one. The next Bruce is what he was called. I’ve never seen anything remotely close to Bruce from him - even his jump shot.
As for Finley, one day he drives me crazy and the next he doesn’t. The former more than the latter. But, can you really tell me that you can play Fin 30-35 minutes some nights and not figure out that Bruce is better off in there?
Is Bruce the defender he used to be? No. But Bowen at 50 percent of his past defensive ability, is better than Finley at his defensive ability at 20 in Wisconsin, 26 in Dallas and now in San Antonio. Can Bruce shoot the 3 from different spots of the court as Fin? No. But if you put Fin and Bruce in that same corner, I bet Bruce beats him in a 3 point contest.
Look, we have a week left - get Bruce in playing shape for the post-season. With Deron, Roy, Kobe, Billups, Terry, Artest, and Paul out there, we can’t depend on Roger or Finley to guard them. We just can’t.
Bonus questions:
#6 Do you realize that you are losing your teams confidence?
Look, I love you man. You’ve helped lead us to 4 titles. I thought you were initially a fool for getting rid of Bob Hill; you obviously proved me wrong.
But, all the late season sit-downs and promotions, Ginobilli bench/starter, drafting of international players you can never afford, etc have gotten to me.
I included drafting because I’m starting to believe RC doesn’t run a damn thing - you do.
I’ve also never seen so many different beat writers for a paper as I have at the Express News. I’ve also never seen a reporter challenge you or write an even negative piece about you in that paper.
Let’s face it - Pop runs a dictatorship in San Antonio and no one can say a damn thing to him. He’ll blow off a reporter if he thinks a dumb question is asked and basically does what he wants out there.
I was watching the Cavs game and I don’t think these guys even listen anymore. Their so used to you; all they do is hear you now, but not listen. Its not a coach who lost his team because that hasn’t happened yet. But its a team that’s confused and fed up with all these Bill Nye the Science Guy experiments your pulling.
Why in gods name did you bench Hill? Mason at the point? Bowen with no minutes? Manu as a starter? Drafted Splitter? Traded Barbosa? Play Finley so much? Traded Scola?
I understand we are a small market team, but if that’s the case, don’t draft players you will never be able to keep. For what? Draft picks that 9 times out of 10 (Parker Manu) never produce anything for us.
#7 When will we start looking towards the future?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying its time to look to the future because we have no shot at a title. That’s not why I’m saying this. I absolutely believe we can win a title and have a window of 2 more years before Duncan and Ginobili have knees that can’t hold up anymore.
But, what I don’t want to see anymore is guys like Pops Mensah Bonsu getting away. A big man who can block shots and put the ball in the basket. Miahmini needs to get time next year; there should be no ifs’, ands’ or buts’ about that. Our owner should force it on Pop for god sakes to play more of the young kids.
Its all fine and dandy to land the Gooden’s, Bonner’s, Kurt’s and other role players to give us experience and fill some holes down the stretch; but we can’t continue doing this because its sacrificing our shot at developing the future.
I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I’m not just focused on winning a title, I want to be a consistent winning franchise. I don’t see that anymore. Once the big 3 is gone, what will we have left? George Hill if he even decides to resign with us? Ummmm Miahmini? Is that it?
If it means losing 5 or 6 more games in the regular season, I’m fine with it if we can give the young guys a chance. All we need come playoff time is Manu, TP and TD to be on anyways. With them healthy for 80 percent of the season, its a guaranteed 50 win season. So instead of starting old ballers with them, why can’t we put some young guys in there at least 15-20 mins a game.
Pop needs to give players more time. He gets way too discouraged and let’s his emotions get the best of logic.
In final, every year Spurs fans do what I’m doing and criticize someone; and then Pop pulls a 99,03,05,07 on us and shuts us up. Pop is the best coach in basketball, but he is also flawed.
I hope we are just going through the motions, but how many seasons are we going to continue saying that. There will be a time when we just don’t flip the switch like we used to. The 2009 playoffs may be that moment. I really do hope not…
As no one in the media will ever criticize him, and everyone at the Express News is scared *curse word* of him - it will only take a Spurs fan to voice this. To show the public that although Pop is a genius, he has made mistakes and continues to do.
My first question:
1. Why do you insist on double teaming star players so much?
I understand everyone has their philosophy, but this one doesn’t work for us.
First off, we are too laterally slow to recover. Finley, Mason, Udoka, Bowen and Ginobili just aren’t as quick as they are/used to be on the perimeter. Watching the Cavs game, I was sick of seeing the open shots from Mo and Delonte. These are the same open shots I see from Posey and Butler and Fisher and Ariza. Its just unacceptable.
On a side note, I almost fell out of my chair when the Professor Hubie Brown said that Fin-Dog is an excellent defender. He never was and never will be. He’s from the Suns/Mavs school of defense and if you didn’t know that school never existed. Hubie is a numbers man, but his vision is definitely off.
OK, now that’s done. Its time to accept that there’s nothing wrong with allowing Lebron and Kobe to score all the points they want as long as we can contain the other players. Are we the defensive team we were years ago? Of course not. But that’s also something we need to come to terms with and I don’t think we have.
Doubling players will tire us out more than playing 1 on 1. We are still just as slow as we were in our championship years. Double team or not, teams will score. But they won’t score on us as much if you let the game be 1 on
1.
#2 Why isn’t Timmy the #1 option anymore?
Look, I know this is Tony Parker’s (offensive output wise) team, but it can’t be to the point that we completely ignore the guy responsible for our 4 titles.
Did you see that one sequence against the Cavs in the 3rd where Timmy was at the top of the key, extended his arms wide open, and TP ignored him? If you looked at Duncan’s reaction after that and the look on his face post-game, you know that he’s not happy with his lack of touches (a guess). But why does it even matter because he’ll never communicate it because that’s not his personality.
Can it be said that Timmy has fallen off? That’s a fair argument; but not enough of one to completely ignore him. I know Tony has been amazing this year and is basically our most dependable scorer, but it doesn’t mean he can shoot 20 more shots in a game than Tim. We need to start off the game getting TD and Finley involved. Its already done for Finley, but I’ve noticed that if TD doesn’t get involved from the jump, he never gets involved. Its rare you see a quiet first half from Duncan and an amazing second half performance anymore. He’s 32, played 2 seasons a year for the last 12 years, and can’t just flip the switch like that anymore.
Getting the ball to Duncan early will get everyone in the mix and open up the game. With Parker, its different because he’s a perimeter player and with him controlling the ball, its more difficult for the rest of the team to get involved. Especially the guards, because outside of Manu and Hill, they aren’t able to create their own shots.
#3 What happened to George Hill?
Why has this kid’s minutes suddenly disappeared? It seems like Pop never has a problem giving some young guys minutes at the beginning of a season, but once the playoffs near, he reverts back to Jacque Vaughn. Why?
George Hill has a longer wind-span, is a better scorer and defender. Is Jacque Vaughn a less turnover prone point guard? Probably, but he can’t do much else. He’s overrated as a defender and opposing players look at him as a ‘crossover’ highlight waiting to happen. Just ask AI and Deron.
Is he giving George the young TP treatment of sitting his behind down for no apparent reason? I don’t know. But *I can’t believe I’m saying this* Pop is pissing me off. More on that later.
As for Roger, he couldn’t run the point if his life depended on it. He needs to be doing what he does best - and that’s running off screens ala Rip and Reggie - and shooting on the run.
Please put Hill back in the rotation and keep Roger doing what he does best and that’s being a bench player.
#4 Why is Ginobilli starting?
I know everyone from Spurs Talk and Pounding the Rock will have their own opinions on this; and they may differ with me, but I disagree with the whole Manu starting idea.
Manu said it himself: ‘I rather be the first one to sub in than sub out.’
Mentally, people may act like Manu can just be fine with the changes just because he was in the past. But he’s so used to being the spark-plug and the ball dominator when he comes off the bench, that its a difficult change to become a starter.
Parker and TD dominate the ball and Finley even gets his share of shots off along with Matt. It was different before when you had Bruce and Fab who passed at will in the lineup.
I also don’t see any energy off the bench. Drew may be the only one that exhibits energy and maybe George. But Kurt, Roger, Ime, Bruce, Fab? They don’t exhibit that one bit. Can Roger score? Of course, but not in an explosive manner. Manu can do that and its why he needs to come off the bench.
If we could’ve beaten the Lakers last year with him in a secondary role (if he was healthy) and a less deeper team, we can do it this year again.
We don’t need to start Manu for the rest of the season to get him comfortable. We need to leave him in his favorite slot so (the bench) he knows day in and out what’s expected of him.
#5 Where the hell is Bruce?
Are you kidding me Pop? Ime and Fin-Dog? One came in here supposedly to be a defensive stopper and never proved to be one. The next Bruce is what he was called. I’ve never seen anything remotely close to Bruce from him - even his jump shot.
As for Finley, one day he drives me crazy and the next he doesn’t. The former more than the latter. But, can you really tell me that you can play Fin 30-35 minutes some nights and not figure out that Bruce is better off in there?
Is Bruce the defender he used to be? No. But Bowen at 50 percent of his past defensive ability, is better than Finley at his defensive ability at 20 in Wisconsin, 26 in Dallas and now in San Antonio. Can Bruce shoot the 3 from different spots of the court as Fin? No. But if you put Fin and Bruce in that same corner, I bet Bruce beats him in a 3 point contest.
Look, we have a week left - get Bruce in playing shape for the post-season. With Deron, Roy, Kobe, Billups, Terry, Artest, and Paul out there, we can’t depend on Roger or Finley to guard them. We just can’t.
Bonus questions:
#6 Do you realize that you are losing your teams confidence?
Look, I love you man. You’ve helped lead us to 4 titles. I thought you were initially a fool for getting rid of Bob Hill; you obviously proved me wrong.
But, all the late season sit-downs and promotions, Ginobilli bench/starter, drafting of international players you can never afford, etc have gotten to me.
I included drafting because I’m starting to believe RC doesn’t run a damn thing - you do.
I’ve also never seen so many different beat writers for a paper as I have at the Express News. I’ve also never seen a reporter challenge you or write an even negative piece about you in that paper.
Let’s face it - Pop runs a dictatorship in San Antonio and no one can say a damn thing to him. He’ll blow off a reporter if he thinks a dumb question is asked and basically does what he wants out there.
I was watching the Cavs game and I don’t think these guys even listen anymore. Their so used to you; all they do is hear you now, but not listen. Its not a coach who lost his team because that hasn’t happened yet. But its a team that’s confused and fed up with all these Bill Nye the Science Guy experiments your pulling.
Why in gods name did you bench Hill? Mason at the point? Bowen with no minutes? Manu as a starter? Drafted Splitter? Traded Barbosa? Play Finley so much? Traded Scola?
I understand we are a small market team, but if that’s the case, don’t draft players you will never be able to keep. For what? Draft picks that 9 times out of 10 (Parker Manu) never produce anything for us.
#7 When will we start looking towards the future?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying its time to look to the future because we have no shot at a title. That’s not why I’m saying this. I absolutely believe we can win a title and have a window of 2 more years before Duncan and Ginobili have knees that can’t hold up anymore.
But, what I don’t want to see anymore is guys like Pops Mensah Bonsu getting away. A big man who can block shots and put the ball in the basket. Miahmini needs to get time next year; there should be no ifs’, ands’ or buts’ about that. Our owner should force it on Pop for god sakes to play more of the young kids.
Its all fine and dandy to land the Gooden’s, Bonner’s, Kurt’s and other role players to give us experience and fill some holes down the stretch; but we can’t continue doing this because its sacrificing our shot at developing the future.
I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I’m not just focused on winning a title, I want to be a consistent winning franchise. I don’t see that anymore. Once the big 3 is gone, what will we have left? George Hill if he even decides to resign with us? Ummmm Miahmini? Is that it?
If it means losing 5 or 6 more games in the regular season, I’m fine with it if we can give the young guys a chance. All we need come playoff time is Manu, TP and TD to be on anyways. With them healthy for 80 percent of the season, its a guaranteed 50 win season. So instead of starting old ballers with them, why can’t we put some young guys in there at least 15-20 mins a game.
Pop needs to give players more time. He gets way too discouraged and let’s his emotions get the best of logic.
In final, every year Spurs fans do what I’m doing and criticize someone; and then Pop pulls a 99,03,05,07 on us and shuts us up. Pop is the best coach in basketball, but he is also flawed.
I hope we are just going through the motions, but how many seasons are we going to continue saying that. There will be a time when we just don’t flip the switch like we used to. The 2009 playoffs may be that moment. I really do hope not…