Spurs vs. Thunder Oct. 20-Game Blog

[ElNono]

Manu with his 4th foul...

[Spursmania]

Damn you gotta love the beast!!

[Pauleta14]

Blair = 3.30 min, 5pts, 2 reb, 1st, 1 blk...

[xellos88330]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff241/xellos88330/dejuan-blair.jpg

[silverblackfan]

Manu and Blair bringing good energy off the bench! I love this second squad.

[Riverwalkman]

Blair beasting Green...
:frying::frying::frying::frying::frying::frying::f rying::owned

[Interrohater]

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww96/interrohater/galactusblair.jpg

[Spursmania]

Moving screen called on Dice. TO's=15

[NickiRasgo]

Nice one MegaBlair.

[Flux451]

Blair on the bench is seriously a beast in a cage ready to go buck wild when let loose. He will be hustler number one this year.

[xellos88330]

Yay Manu!!!!

[Spursmania]

Manu with a 3!!!

[Blackjack]

Manu tres!

[silverblackfan]

Ugh. I think Blair is going to pull quite a few 3 second calls this year.

[Pauleta14]

Geh, I'm late. I read the first 10 pages. No links to any stream??

only radio

http://gateway.andohs.net/player/default_noax.aspx?nid=2920&sid=2967&customlogo=&shownav=&showfav=&showtuner=&nometa=

[xellos88330]

Lots of turnovers.

[Spursmania]

Hill for 3!!

[ElNono]

Hill tressssss

[Blackjack]

Let me know how Ibaka looks, Harlem; speak of the devil, Ibaka with a follow slam.

[xellos88330]

Hill is impressing the shit out of me. I hope he stays this consistent during the regular season.

[Spursmania]

5 boards for Blair!

[Spursmania]

Layup for Blair!!!

[HarlemHeat37]

the improvement on Hill's shot in such little time is amazing..

[Spursmania]

Hill with a slam dunk!!!

[ElNono]

:30.6 SA - D. Blair offensive rebound
:30.6 SA - Layup by D. Blair
:31.9 SA - D. Blair misses a layup
:38.9 SA - D. Blair defensive rebound

:lol

[Blackjack]

Havoc!!!

[xellos88330]

This is a team that gave the Spurs alot of trouble last season. Am I mistaken???

[boutons_deux]

No Ian, huh?

[ElNono]

San Antonio 96, Oklahoma City 74
End of the 3rd.

[NickiRasgo]

Woah!!! Blair already had an 7 Points along with 6 Rebounds (2 Offensive) in 6:18.

[mexpurs21]

Blair 7 pts, 6 rebs and 1 block in 6 mins :rollin

[ElNono]

LOL Blair with 7 points/6 rebounds in 6 minutes...

(Bonner 2 rebounds in 17 minutes...)

[Spursmania]

A slam dunk by Hill?? Pop is pissed!:lol

[Flux451]

Ugh. I think Blair is going to pull quite a few 3 second calls this year.

quite an assumption

[alfahdlan]

spurs consistently turn in 31 plus points per qtr

[silverblackfan]

Nice 3rd quarter! Hill is really aggressive. This second squad is going to wreck most teams. Throw in some stifling D, and you got a nightmare of a game for the opponent.

[TIMMYD!]

damn the beast 7 minutes 7 points 6 rebounds

[Morg1411]

Ok...

1) Hill fuckin' rocks.
2) Blair rocks.
3) This team rocks.

That is all.

:toast

[bbarry]

This is a team that gave the Spurs alot of trouble last season. Am I mistaken???

its preseason. okc is probably just going easy on us. :rolleyes

[Mel_13]

Hill 8-13 on 3s for the preseason. Most, if not all, from the corner. Looks like that was part of his offseason personal improvement program.

[HarlemHeat37]

Let me know how Ibaka looks, Harlem; speak of the devil, Ibaka with a follow slam.

nothing so far, just athleticism shown on that nice dunk..

looking at the NBA.com play-by-play, they really do screw up a lot with the names and plays that they assign some minor stats to..

[SKINNYPIMP210]

Blair 7 pts, 6 rebs and 1 block in 6 mins :rollin

WOW!!!:wow

[silverblackfan]

spurs consistently turn in 31 plus points per qtr

And the Thunder progressively score 6 points less per quarter.
Welcome D!

[Spursmania]

Blair another rebound.

[ElNono]

And we start with another rebound by Blair...

[NickiRasgo]

7 Rebounds now. :D

[ElNono]

Mason is in there now...

[Spursmania]

Turnover by Spurs.

[ElNono]

Manu sat down...

[timaios]

Durant 19 pts in 1st half... 2 pts in 3rd qtr.
Spurs 33 32 31
Okl 32 24 18 :toast

[ElNono]

Hill-Mason-Bogans-Dice-Blair

[Spursmania]

4 fouls on Durant. Bogans -good D on Durant.

[Riverwalkman]

when Blair missed a shot, 50% he would get it back.

[xellos88330]

Damn Blair!!

[Spursmania]

Blair rebound. Up and INNN!!

[completely deck]

40 rebs vs OKC 20 rebs

[ElNono]

Manu +28... and he only scored 7 points... :wow

[Blackjack]

the improvement on Hill's shot in such little time is amazing..

I think we're just finally seeing a little more of Hill's true shooting ability; granted he has improved since coming to the league and put in a hell of a lot work.

But he was a pretty high-percentage shooter in college, shooting close to 50% from the 3 in one year, and I'm sure the transiton in position to go along with the change in speed and physicality didn't give us a great indicator of his true shooting ability.

[Spursmania]

Blair letting Pop know he is a beast and ready to play!

[Morg1411]

This radio announcer is about as homer as you can get. Jesus.

[NickiRasgo]

10:09 SA - D. Blair offensive rebound
10:09 SA - Tip in by D. Blair
10:16 SA - D. Blair misses a 12-foot jumper in the lane

:lol

[Spursmania]

Mason pulls up for a 2! 102-78!!!

[HarlemHeat37]

Ibaka's athleticism showing against Dejuan..

[xellos88330]

Blair slamma jamma!!!

[Spursmania]

Blair with a steal!!

Goes all the way down for a slam dunk!!!

[Chomag]

OMG BLAIR!!!! You have got to be kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[silverblackfan]

Blair continues to impress! Once he starts hitting those layups consistently his boards will drop, but the points will be gravy.

[timaios]

D. Blair misses... take the offensive rebound and score...
Again and again and again... :lol

[bbarry]

tomahawk jam by blair

[ElNono]

Blair Tomahawk...

[Mel_13]

Blair is ridiculous

[completely deck]

blair with the tomahawk... good god

[HarlemHeat37]

Blair just caused 2 steals that were credited to Bogans on NBA.com

[TIMMYD!]

How the fuck can any human being score 11 points and grab 8 rebounds in 9:29?

[Blackjack]

Blair gettin' straight nutty.

[Spursmania]

Blair on the ground fighting with Durant for the ball. Did I just hear that??

[Pauleta14]

Blair has almost a dble dble in les than 10 mins...

[The Truth #6]

Hill, Manu, and Blair - that's a chaotic group. Hopefully Pop keeps them together. It would be a nice change of pace from the first unit. Golly, maybe even throw Hairston in with those guys.

[Spursmania]

How the fuck can any human being score 11 points and grab 8 rebounds in 9:29?

It's called no ACL's.

[NickiRasgo]

Nice D Bogans. :D

8:49 SA - K. Bogans steals the ball from K. Durant
8:54 SA - D. Blair dunks the ball
9:01 SA - K. Bogans steals the ball from T. Sefolosha

[Chomag]

Blair making a statement to Pop "Dont you dare give me your Rookie treatment!!!"

[ElNono]

San Antonio 104, Oklahoma City 79
Timeout Thunder - 8:49 to go

[xellos88330]

Ok!!! I am about to cry because I cannot see this game.

[Spursmania]

104-78.
8:48 to go.

[Pauleta14]

That sucks.

you're welcome...

[silverblackfan]

9:01 SA - K. Bogans steals the ball from T. Sefolosha
8:49 SA - K. Bogans steals the ball from K. Durant
Nice to see Bogans showing his Defense finally.

[Spursmania]

Hill, Manu, and Blair - that's a chaotic group. Hopefully Pop keeps them together. It would be a nice change of pace from the first unit. Golly, maybe even throw Hairston in with those guys.

You mean as compared to Finley and Bonner?:lol

[Spursmania]

Mason hits a long 2!

[Spursmania]

Blair with a steal!

[ElNono]

9:01 SA - K. Bogans steals the ball from T. Sefolosha
8:49 SA - K. Bogans steals the ball from K. Durant
Nice to see Bogans showing his Defense finally.

According to HarlemHeat, those were Blair's steals...

[Riverwalkman]

blair!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phenom!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[024]

8:06 SA - D. Blair steals the ball from E. Thomas

i have images of blair just ripping the ball from his hands.

[Spursmania]

Another rebound.

[Riverwalkman]

blair!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phenom!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[024]

8:06 SA - D. Blair steals the ball from E. Thomas

i have images of blair just ripping the ball from his hands.

[silverblackfan]

Hill, Manu, and Blair - that's a chaotic group. Hopefully Pop keeps them together. It would be a nice change of pace from the first unit. Golly, maybe even throw Hairston in with those guys.

Agreed. That is a very active, crazy with their body, athletic group. Could really demoralize teams that were looking to hold on to the score with their bench.

[silverblackfan]

32 24 18 12?

[ElNono]

Ratliff and Jerrels in for Dice and Hill

[Spursmania]

Haislip in for Blair. Hasilip's jumper is good!

[Interrohater]

Jerrells in...

[xellos88330]

Hairston in now.

[ElNono]

Haislip in for Blair... Haislip scores

[Blackjack]

Haislip in and on the board

[HarlemHeat37]

Ibaka's raw athleticism is impressive..he blocked Blair's shot and got a steal, wasn't credited for either of them..

[NickiRasgo]

Pop: "Hey beast, that's enough! Go back to your cage."

[Interrohater]

11 points, 9 rebounds... Blair be gangster

[Blackjack]

Malik!

[Spursmania]

Haislip miss.

[ElNono]

Dice with 7 rebounds is nice to see... give TD's knees some rest...

[mexpurs21]

Someone know what are DeJuan's stats per 48 mins?

48 pts 48 rebs and 48 arms or what??? :lol

[xellos88330]

How many dunks did the Spurs get tonight so far?

[ivanfromwestwood]

Air baaaalllllll

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Pop: "Hey beast, that's enough! Go back to your cage."

haha nice

[NickiRasgo]

11 points, 9 rebounds... Blair be gangster

And no personal foul! :D

[Blackjack]

How's Harden looking at the NBA level; has he gone at Manu?

[HarlemHeat37]

LOL Haislip airball..

Pop going scrub smallball with Jerrells guarding Harden..

[Interrohater]

1008-85 Spurs... that's right. One thousand eight points.

[Spursmania]

And no personal foul! :D

impressive:toast

[silverblackfan]

How many dunks did the Spurs get tonight so far?

More than all of last season?

[aksyunstar]

seriously, no mahinmi?

[TIMMYD!]

8:06 SA - D. Blair steals the ball from E. Thomas

i have images of blair just ripping the ball from his hands.

me too except thomas is missing his arms

[Chomag]

more than all of last season?
lol! Qft!

[thekingrobert]

Blair came in and ate and left for the bench to burp

[ElNono]

seriously, no mahinmi?

Who?

[picnroll]

Not looking good for Mahinmi or Williams

[Spursmania]

Ratliff, Haislip, Mason, Jerrells and Hairston

[ElNono]

Ratliff is still out there...

[Interrohater]

Spurs limited OKC to 18 points in the third. nice.

[NickiRasgo]

Mahinmi will enter the game in last 24 seconds of the game.

[Blackjack]

You've got to feel good for Livingston.:tu

[Spursmania]

Ibaka sounds like chubaca from Star Wars:lol

[alfahdlan]

Someone know what are DeJuan's stats per 48 mins?

48 pts 48 rebs and 48 arms or what??? :lol

got me laughing mex!!!!:lol:lol

[HarlemHeat37]

Ibaka blocks Hairston..this guy is blocking everything..

[Spursmania]

Ratliff is still out there...

I think they should pull him out before he gets hurt.

[Riverwalkman]

I'm watching yahoo play by play and Ian Mahinmi is not even in the list.

[Interrohater]

damn, 21 turnovers? not Spurs numbers. Lots of new guys though

[Blackjack]

How are they going to deprive us of the Presti Bowl?

[silverblackfan]

21 TOs due to still learning how to play together and they still are blowing out the a team that gave us a lot of trouble last year. :toast

[TIMMYD!]

George Hill is fuckin' raw.

[024]

me too except thomas is missing his arms
:lol

[Spursmania]

Blair is back in.

[xellos88330]

Blair back in, must have threatened Pop to let him get his double double.

[Chomag]

Beast is back!

[FvckMavs]

Hairston and 1

[Blackjack]

Malik..

MAN.

Speaking of..

In comes Blair.:hungry:

[NickiRasgo]

I'm watching yahoo play by play and Ian Mahinmi is not even in the list.

Look at the stats of Blair, they add 1 Offensive Rebound to Blair that makes 10 Rebounds of him. :lol Yahoo! Sports wants Blair to have double-double. :lol

Edit: They already change.

[TimDunkem]

The Beast is unleashed...again.

[Spursmania]

Reach in foul on Blair.

[HarlemHeat37]

Hairston manhandling Etan Thomas..

[silverblackfan]

Malik! Nice aggressive play. Love the stripe.

[Interrohater]

This play-by-play guy loves the word "swooping". He was all "Harden swooping in!" "My audio connection keeps swooping in!" he sux

[angelbelow]

damn comp got screwd up looking for links.

[Spursmania]

Blair's shot blocked by Ibaka.

[Blackjack]

Sweet Jeebus...

Is Ibaka everywhere?

[Spursmania]

Hairston for 2!

[Chomag]

Malic saying a FU to those that say he can't shoot outside!

[Spursmania]

113-96 SPurs 3 minutes left to play.

[Interrohater]

ooh, Blair blocked by Ibaka....uh oh... inform Ibaka's family.

[TIMMYD!]

Blair has been blocked a lot of times, but maybe he's doing it for the rebounds.

[HarlemHeat37]

Hairston showing the repertoire in his limited time..and-1 drive against a very strong player in Thomas + a looooong 2 with his foot on the 3-point line..

Ibaka has 5 blocks by my count, I don't know why NBA.com has him at 2..

[ElNono]

I don't care if he's blocked as long as he keeps on grabbing those boards...

[mexpurs21]

And here is the double-double

EDIT: NBA.COM'S Mistake :lol

[NickiRasgo]

Double-double in 12 Minutes. :D

[Blackjack]

ooh, Blair blocked by Ibaka....uh oh... inform Ibaka's family.

Yeah, it could be difficult to feed your family or lend a helping hand if you're missing your arm(s).

[Spursmania]

Blair lays it in for 2!

[ElNono]

Blair hits...

[Blackjack]

37th pick.:lmao

[HarlemHeat37]

Ibaka blocks Haislip now..wow..

[Spursmania]

TO by Spurs. They have 22!

[ElNono]

Blair again...

[Spursmania]

Blair inside for a layup. Assist Malik!

[Riverwalkman]

Serge Ibaka is Thunder's player of the game, for blocking Blair.

[TimDunkem]

Double-double!

[ElNono]

Blair with the double-double

[xellos88330]

Double double for Blair!!!

[Spursmania]

Blair grabs his rebound. A double double!

[SPURadic]

If Blair doesn't get the double double, then he does not belong in the rotation!

Yeah right!

DeJuan is a BEAST! :D

[ElNono]

15-10 in 15 minutes... :wow

[Blackjack]

15 and 10 for the Pit-Bull; heading to the line for 2 -- makes both.

[Spursmania]

Blair going up for 2 free throws. What a beast!

[mexpurs21]

BLAIR with the double-double!!!

[thekingrobert]

the double double is official

[ElNono]

Blair fouled by Thomas... hits the first ft

[Spursmania]

Makes them both!

[silverblackfan]

Oh my! Blair continues to destroy teams. The floor is littered with arms! Oh the humanity. The towel boys are not used to sweeping up limbs...

[ElNono]

hits the 2nd

[Morg1411]

Ok...has it been established that Blair is a fucking BEAST!!!!!?????

If not...then there, I said it. :hat

[Spursmania]

Spurs 119-102! Final.

[xellos88330]

Game over!!! :depressed

[ElNono]

San Antonio 119, Oklahoma City 102
END OF GAME

[Pauleta14]

16 pts 10 reb in less than 15 mins for DJB...

[Mel_13]

What an incredible piece of good fortune that Blair fell to the Spurs. That much talent, combined with great coaching and mentoring, and a gigantic chip on his shoulder bodes very well for the Spurs and the fans.

[silverblackfan]

Nice game. I can't wait for the season to start and I can actually watch one!

[toki9]

Wow...Mahinmi and Williams get DNPs...not looking good...

[Spursmania]

The blood bath continues next pre-season game.

[Morg1411]

VERY encouraging outing. :flag::flag::flag:

[Spursmania]

16 pts 10 reb in less than 15 mins for DJB...

More GM's kicking themselves...
:bang


:rollin

[Thompson]

I can't believe I didn't get to watch that game. It sounded awesome.

[Mel_13]

Hairston manhandling Etan Thomas..

Thanks for providing the extra details to augment Schoening's call of the game.

[mexpurs21]

I hate comparisons and stuff like that

But
Blair 15 mins 17 pts 10 rebs
MVP 21 mins 09 pts 10 rebs

Just putting the stat to highlight Blair's efficiency
(Duncan is and will ever be better than Blair)

[angelbelow]

Damn 17 and 10 in just under 15 mins haha

[Chomag]

Nice game. I can't wait for the season to start and I can actually watch one!

I can't wait to actualy see a game on TV lol

[coyotes_geek]

I think that Blair kid might be a keeper.

[ElNono]

I think that Blair kid might be a keeper.

:lol

[Mel_13]

I think that Blair kid might be a keeper.

ya think?

[Spursmania]

George Hill-Impact Player of the game getting interviewed.

[picnroll]

Time to start the "Goodbye Marcus and Ian" thread?

[coyotes_geek]

ya think?

Well, he's no Matt Bonner, but still, there's potential.

[Mel_13]

I think that Blair kid might be a keeper.


And in other news, that Manu fella makes the Spurs amuch better teaml

[Dex]

I'm not sure what else Blair needs to do to show that he is not the typical rookie, and does not deserve the typical rookie treatment.

I'm not expecting him to get more than 15 minutes a game, but come on Pop! Let the Beast feast!

[Whisky Dog]

So how did it sound? According to the announcers, who played well? Was the defense that bad to give up 101 to OKC?

[SpurNation]

I think that Blair kid might be a keeper.

He might make the team.

[xellos88330]

I want more...

[xellos88330]

So how did it sound? According to the announcers, who played well? Was the defense that bad to give up 101 to OKC?

Defense got progressively better each quarter. Last quarter they didn't really care because they were up by a shitload.

[pensive]

This performance by Blair means nothing if Pop is going to pull the same ol' crap and leave him on the bench for the majority of the game. It is ridiculous if Pop doesn't give him more time once the season starts, but I can definitely see him doing just that.

[Chomag]

All in All a great game. Only player that seem to have a hard time was K.Bogans. Almost 10 minutes 0-0 shooting!!! wow...

He did have 2 steals though.

[Spursmania]

George Hill interview:

Last year gave him more confidence. Chip really helped his shot.
Veteran group and a hall of famer to play with are great. TP is amazing to learn under. Looked up to Jacque and his work ethic.
Blair is a beast and a steal in the draft. Calls Blair a diamond in the rough.
In Indiana he will visit his home and looking forward to it.

[TMTTRIO]

How in the world did Manu get the highest on the team with a +28 when he didn't do much out there tonight :lol

[Obstructed_View]

Time to start the "Goodbye Marcus and Ian" thread?

Their minutes were probably given to the last two guys that are going to be cut as a final audition for the Spurs and the rest of the league.

[Obstructed_View]

How in the world did Manu get the highest on the team with a +28 when he didn't do much out there tonight :lol

One word: Intangibles.

[picnroll]

Curious how Blair's defense looked. He had some steals but apart from that did he look like he was defending reasonably well?

[Riverwalkman]

Time to start the "Goodbye Marcus and Ian" thread?
We can not get rid of Ian, he is under contract.

I remember Larry Brown once said he loves Ian...:lol

[Mel_13]

How in the world did Manu get the highest on the team with a +28 when he didn't do much out there tonight :lol

KFU-wXsRhic

[HarlemHeat37]

Bogans actually only had 1 steal, but they credited him for 2, unless they edited that like they usually do after games..

[ElNono]

We can not get rid of Ian, he is under contract.

I remember Larry Brown once said he loves Ian...:lol

We can decline to pick up his option next week though...
That would save 3 million if I'm not mistaken...

[Blackjack]

What an incredible piece of good fortune that Blair fell to the Spurs. That much talent, combined with great coaching and mentoring, and a gigantic chip on his shoulder bodes very well for the Spurs and the fans.

Yup.

And I really think it was a godsend that Blair landed with the Spurs.

Had he landed with a bad team or with a lesser coach, he could have very well developed into a stat-padder and defensive-liability whose game didn't necessarily translate into winning.

There's no guarantee that he'll be the complete player and winner we hope he'll be, but I doubt there was a better environment for him to develop the right skills, mentality and habits.

Again..

37th pick.:lmao

[duncan228]

I'll update this when they do.

Finley’s 3-pointers leads Spurs over Thunder (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009102025&prov=ap)
By Jim Vertuno

Michael Finley( made five 3-pointers and scored 20 points in 17 minutes to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 119-102 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

The Spurs (3-2) made 14 of 19 3-pointers with Finley perfect from long range. Matt Bonner was 3 of 3 from beyond the arc, while George Hill was 3 of 6.

Jeff Green( scored 24 points and Kevin Durant had 23 points and nine rebounds to lead Oklahoma City (2-4).

The loss spoiled a homecoming for Durant, who played at Texas. He played 35 minutes on the court where he swept national player of the year honors as a freshman in 2006-2007.

Although the game was a “home” contest for the Thunder, Austin is only about 75 miles north of San Antonio.

[Mel_13]

We can decline to pick up his option next week though...
That would save 3 million if I'm not mistaken...

He's guaranteed for this year, the option is for 2010-11. The savings in salary+tax would be about 3.5M next year.

[picnroll]

I'll bet heavily Spurs don't pick up that option.

[ElNono]

He's guaranteed for this year, the option is for 2010-11. The savings in salary+tax would be about 3.5M next year.

Thanks :toast

[Riverwalkman]

We can decline to pick up his option next week though...
That would save 3 million if I'm not mistaken...

We can but not this year...next year.

[Mel_13]

I'll bet heavily Spurs don't pick up that option.

I'll bet some SpursTalk Cash that they do pick it up. Though I wouldn't put any real money on that proposition.

[Blackjack]

George Hill interview:

Last year gave him more confidence. Chip really helped his shot.
Veteran group and a hall of famer to play with are great. TP is amazing to learn under. Looked up to Jacque and his work ethic.
Blair is a beast and a steal in the draft. Calls Blair a diamond in the rough.
In Indiana he will visit his home and looking forward to it.

I was actually surprised to here that Robert Vaden was his cousin.

I liked Robert in college and thought he could find a niche and become an eventual player in this league, he's just real deceptive, but I either forgot or hadn't heard their relation before.

[coyotes_geek]

Yup.

And I really think it was a godsend that Blair landed with the Spurs.

Had he landed with a bad team or with a lesser coach, he could have very well developed into a stat-padder and defensive-liability whose game didn't necessarily translate into winning.

There's no guarantee that he'll be the complete player and winner we hope he'll be, but I doubt there was a better environment for him to develop the right skills, mentality and habits.

Again..

37th pick.:lmao

It's a perfect situation for Blair and a perfect situation for the Spurs. Blair won't win ROY, but without question he's going to be the rookie making the biggest contribution for a championship contending club this season.

[picnroll]

How'd I get $17,850 in Spurs cash? Is that in some interest bearing CDs?

[Manufan909]

Oh my! Blair continues to destroy teams. The floor is littered with arms! Oh the humanity. The towel boys are not used to sweeping up limbs...
:lmao:lol:downspin:

Ok...has it been established that Blair is a fucking BEAST!!!!!?????

If not...then there, I said it. :hat

He goes by Meast here.:king

[EricB]

What did ian do tonight that is all of a sudden "bad"

[Chomag]

What did ian do tonight that is all of a sudden "bad"

Well you can say he had a perfect game.

[Samr]

Contrary to popular belief, I absolutely hate to over-hype players. However, Blair might really see some meaningful minutes this season. That guy might actually, honestly, be the real deal. Damn. I know we all wanted him to become this kind of player eventually, but who honestly thought he would... immediately?

[Pauleta14]

All in All a great game. Only player that seem to have a hard time was K.Bogans. Almost 10 minutes 0-0 shooting!!! wow...

He did have 2 steals though.

He just doing what's been asked to him!!

"don't need to score, just play D!"

[duncan228]

Spurs 119, Thunder 102 - preseason (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2009/10/spurs-vs-oklaho.html)
By Joe Alexander

The Spurs got hot early shooting from the outside and George Hill and DeJuan Blair carried them through the second half of a 119-102 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Austin.

The Spurs' starters were a combined 10 of 10 from 3-point range. Michael Finley was 5 of 5 on 3-pointers and 6 of 7 overall to lead the starters with 20 points. Richard Jefferson was 2 of 2 on 3-pointers and had 13 points and Matt Bonner was 3 of 3 on 3-pointers and had nine points.

Tony Parker had 13 points and four assists and Tim Duncan had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Blair sat the first half, then put up 17 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes in the second half. Hill had 16 points in 18 minutes.

Fourth quarter

The Spurs are outscoring the Thunder 43-29 in the second half. The Spurs lead 108-85 with 5:31 left in the game.

Third quarter

DeJuan Blair recorded seven points and six rebounds in six minutes of the third quarter and the Spurs finished the period with a 96-74 lead. George Hill leads the Spurs' bench with 16 points.

DeJuan Blair has five points and two rebounds in his first three minutes in the game. The Spurs lead 86-71 with 2:47 left in the third quarter.

Michael Finley is 5 of 5 from 3-point range. The Spurs outscored the Thunder 9-2 to start the second half and lead 74-58.

Second quarter

Michael Finley has 15 points and Richard Jefferson has 12 to lead the Spurs to a 65-56 halftime lead. Finley and Jefferson combined to hit 6 of 6 from 3-point range. George Hill has 10 points and Matt Bonner had nine. Kevin Durant has 19 points for the Thunder.

Jeff McDonald: "TV" timeout. Spurs lead 53-50 with 2:23 left in the half. Sefolosha will be going to the line for OKC when we come back

Jeff McDonald: Timeout Spurs with 5:45 to go in the half. Thunder lead 44-40 behind 17 points for Durant, who is 8 of 11 from the field.

First quarter

The Spurs were 7 of 7 from 3-point range in the first quarter and finished the period with a 33-32 lead. Matt Bonner had nine points and George Hill had eight.

The Spurs are now 5 of 5 from 3-point range. Matt Bonner has nine points on three 3-pointers. Oklahoma City leads 22-21 with 3:56 left in the first quarter. Timeout Thunder.

The Thunder made five of their first six shots and lead 15-7 at the first timeout.

Spurs starters: Tony Parker, Michael Finley, Richard Jefferson, Matt Bonner and Tim Duncan.

[CGD]

I'll bet some SpursTalk Cash that they do pick it up. Though I wouldn't put any real money on that proposition.

I'm starting to think Spurs don't pick up Ian's option. Here's why:

1) The glut of bigs and the Spurs' desire to win now make developing Ian less of a priority (no matter what his raw tools may be).

2) Since he is such an unknown quantity, Spurs are in the best position to value him next summer. If they want, the Spurs have the option to pick him up in free agency next summer cheaper than if they extend him.

3) Spurs won't be paying a deep bench player at the time (a) Splitter (hopefully) comes next summer, (b) Blair emerges as a beast, and (c) Spurs (possibly) re-up Theo.

4) In a pinch, the Spurs can include Ian in a package before the trade deadline to get another player. The trade partner gets an expiring contract.

[portnoy1]

The rotation is tightening up, and who do we see in the starting lineup. Bonner and Finley. Thats burning me up considering we have Mason Jr. / Hairston / Blair / Mcdyess on the team. They said thier still tinkering, but if the same lineup you seen tonight is what they have on thursday then i am very concerned, cause most likely thats what youll be seeing for the start of the season. All that athleticism that we needed so bad last year is going to waste this year.

[Manufan909]

The highlights on nba.com are just a green screen. I wanted to see the Beast dunk!!!
:depressed

[CGD]

The rotation is tightening up, and who do we see in the starting lineup. Bonner and Finley. Thats burning me up considering we have Mason Jr. / Hairston / Blair / Mcdyess on the team. They said thier still tinkering, but if the same lineup you seen tonight is what they have on thursday then i am very concerned, cause most likely thats what youll be seeing for the start of the season. All that athleticism that we needed so bad last year is going to waste this year.

It's not that serious. Plus it's about who closes the game. Pop is starting guys that know the system to start the season.

[Juanobili]

nice hilights Don


was hoping to see the Blair tomahawk jam

[Juanobili]

it's not that serious. Plus it's about who closes the game. Pop is starting guys that know the system to start the season.

+1

[duncan228]

Updated.

Finley’s 3-pointers leads Spurs over Thunder (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009102025&prov=ap)
By Jim Vertuno

Kevin Durant was having so much fun at his homecoming that even a loss to the San Antonio Spurs couldn’t spoil it.

The Oklahoma City Thunder forward toured the University of Texas campus where he spent one season in college, visited his old teammates and coaches and got to watch them practice.

Then he went out and scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 35 minutes on his old court, only to watch the Spurs hit 14 3-pointers as San Antonio rolled to a 119-102 preseason victory Tuesday night.

“It’s always good to see the people I love and call family,” Durant said. “I’m grateful we got to play here again.”

Before the game, Longhorns fans who came to see him called out his name for pictures and he was presented on the court with a “Kevin Durant Day” proclamation from the city.

When he was a Longhorn, Durant scored 20 or more points 30 times and scored at least 30 in 11 games in his one season and swept national player of the year honors as a freshman. Texas retired his No. 35—the same number he wears as a pro—last season.

“It felt good walking into the building and seeing my jersey up there in the rafters,” Durant said.

Durant made six of his first nine shots in front of a crowd that came out to see him but also to cheer for the Spurs (3-2). Although the game was a “home” contest for the Thunder, Austin is only about 75 miles north of San Antonio.

At one point in the second quarter, a group of Longhorns fans in the upper deck chanted “One more year!”

“My last game here, they chanted that too,” Durant said.

That was the fun part. The Spurs were all business in trying to prepare for the regular season and had the game under control by halftime.

Michael Finley made five 3-pointers to lead the Spurs with 20 points in 17 minutes. Matt Bonner was 3 of 3 from beyond the arc, while George Hill was 3 of 6.

“Every time we play them, we learn stuff from them. Tonight they did a great job of moving the basketball and getting everybody involved. That 3-point line can do it to you,” Durant said.

Tony Parker finished with 13 points in 23 minutes for the Spurs, Richard Jefferson added 13 and Tim Duncan had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Jeff Green scored 24 points to lead the Thunder (2-4) and James Harden scored 17.

Bonner made his 3-pointers in the first quarter and Finley had four in the first half as the Spurs took a 65-56 lead. Parker and Duncan scored all the Spurs’ points in an 11-2 run in the second quarter.

Finley made another 3-pointer in the third and the Spurs stretched the lead to 80-64 behind six straight points from Parker. Manu Ginobili and Hill made 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes of the quarter to put the Spurs up 96-74.

The Spurs shot 57 percent from the field and outrebounded the Thunder 46-35.

“They’re as deep as any team in the league. They make it all work,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said.

San Antonio shut down Durant in the second half. He had just 2 points in the third quarter and finished the night 11-of-22 shooting with several bad misfires late.

“Kevin Durant is a lot like Kobe (Bryant). He can get his shot over anybody,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “The defense got better as the game went on. We were changing defenses a lot during the game to give our new guys a look at what’s going on.”

[Riverwalkman]

I'm starting to think Spurs don't pick up Ian's option. Here's why:

1) The glut of bigs and the Spurs' desire to win now make developing Ian less of a priority (no matter what his raw tools may be).

2) Since he is such an unknown quantity, Spurs are in the best position to value him next summer. If they want, the Spurs have the option to pick him up in free agency next summer cheaper than if they extend him.

3) Spurs won't be paying a deep bench player at the time (a) Splitter (hopefully) comes next summer, (b) Blair emerges as a beast, and (c) Spurs (possibly) re-up Theo.

4) In a pinch, the Spurs can include Ian in a package before the trade deadline to get another player. The trade partner gets an expiring contract.
:tu nice observation.

[SpurNation]

Contrary to popular belief, I absolutely hate to over-hype players. However, Blair might really see some meaningful minutes this season. That guy might actually, honestly, be the real deal. Damn. I know we all wanted him to become this kind of player eventually, but who honestly thought he would... immediately?

I did.