For those that didn't watch the game..

[SpurNation]

Like me.

According to the box score it didn't look like defense was as much of an issue more so than the lack of being able to put the ball in the basket.
http://www.nba.com/games/20091106/SASPOR/boxscore.html

And if there were a lack of defense it didn't seem to be in the front more so than on the perimeter.
http://www.nba.com/games/20091106/SASPOR/playbyplay.html

To be honest, I'm glad I didn't watch this one. I probably would have been irrationally pissed. But all in all it looks as though the rotations are being flirted with.

Understandibly so. New players to fit in the mix. Players needing to get in shape. Trying to understand who fits best and when is not something that just happens in 4 games.

If this were happening at the end of the season then I would understand (and probably be part of) the concern and frustration.

But at least give it until February before writing the team off.

[HarlemHeat37]

The defense was a lot better down the stretch, it actually looked like Spurs defense for a while..

Portland got a lot of opportunities in transition due to bad turnovers and bad shot selection..

[SpurNation]

Thanks Heat37.

Good to hear about the defense stepping it up. It'll take time and consistent player rotations before that gets in check.

The T/O's and bad shot selection sounds a bit like a team not knowing each other yet as well.

[baseline bum]

The Spurs came out lazy as hell and played horrible defense in the first quarter. It was just a really lethargic opening to the game, and Portland played hungry. The effort was truly awful until late when they made a strong run from about 17 down to three with Bogans handcuffing Roy nicely. Once Manu got switched back to him Roy scored on the next two possessions and the game was over though.

[quentin_compson]

I also didn't get to watch the game, but by looking at the boxscore, it seems like the Spurs played a lot of small ball (Bonner, Dice and Blair combined for just 35 minutes).

Is that correct?

[yourtehclay]

There were Spurts where Finley and Jefferson played powerfoward, and it was as horrible as you would expect. Either of those guys guarding Alridge is a total farce. Blair really needs to get some more minutes.

Other than the brain farts Ginobili looked pretty good defensively on a few plays. Considering his relative lack of conditioning and the fact he was guarding Roy, I think he was respectable.

George Hill was a real disappointment on that end of the floor.

Bogans was key in getting the team to pay attention defensively at the end.

[quentin_compson]

There were Spurts where Finley and Jefferson played powerfoward, and it was as horrible as you would expect. Either of those guys guarding Alridge is a total farce. Blair really needs to get some more minutes.

Other than the brain farts Ginobili looked pretty good defensively on a few plays. Considering his relative lack of conditioning and the fact he was guarding Roy, I think he was respectable.

George Hill was a real disappointment on that end of the floor.

Bogans was key in getting the team to pay attention defensively at the end.

Thanks. :toast

Defensively, I like Bogans against Utah as well.

[pjjrfan]

The first 3 qts. were lay up city for the blazers. Everyone was getting to the rim. The final 14 minutes the Spurs defense played well and the team made a strong push, they just waited to long and the big plays by Roy came against Jefferson although Manu made some really stupid fouls on Roy late in the game that hurt the team. Prizbilla killed the Spurs on the boards early in the game the same thing that killed them against the Bulls and Jazz second chance points. I don't know what the box score was on that but it seemed whenever we made a crucial stop they got the offensive rebound.

My concern is when are McDyess, Blair and Ratliff ever going to learn the system by sitting on the bench during curnch time? these guys can't look any worse than they looked the last two nights. Let them go out there and fight and get into some kind of groove.

[PM5K]

Read the box score a little better, they gave up 29 points in the first quarter.

[Chomag]

Portland did help a little.