December - Establishing Rhythm

[benefactor]

As we all know, the first part of the Spurs schedule as been pretty bad for a team that is trying to integrate new parts. 3 and 4 day layoffs don't do much in the way of helping the new players figure out the system and figure out their teammates. The minor injuries that Parker, Duncan and Ginobili have dealt with have only exacerbated this. That said, the team is about to get Manu back and barring any other unforeseen issues December looks to be a good month schedule-wise to start establishing some rhythm. The players are already showing flashes of chemistry but if everyone is healthy through the end of the year they should really start to come together. Here is what the December schedule looks like:

First half - 8 games in 14 days, 4 home, 4 away

12/3 - Boston
12/5 - Denver
12/7 @ Utah
12/9 - Sacramento
12/11 - Charlotte
12/13 @ L.A. Clippers
12/15 @ Phoenix
12/16 @ Golden State

Highlight: The two early games against Boston and Denver will be interesting, but I am more interested in the 3 games in 4 nights on the road leading up to the middle of the month. The Phoenix/Golden State back to back should be a good test.

Second half - 7 games in 13 days, 5 home, 2 away

12/19 - Indiana
12/21 - L.A. Clippers
12/23 - Portland
12/26 @ Milwaukee
12/27 @ New York
12/29 - Minnesota
12/31 - Miami

Highlight: The back to back the day after Christmas reeks of let down. Hopefully they don't lose too much focus over the holidays while relaxing with their families. Portland and Miami should be nice home tests late in the month.

Prediction: First half - 5-3...Second half - 6-1.

[Bender]

looks like a good month to get it together. Most of the month is a game every other day, so that is nice. Hopefully Manu can keep healthy all the way through.

[jman3000]

Losing to Milwaukee would have nothing to do with losing focus. It has to do with the Bucks owning us on a massive scale in the past few years.

[Chieflion]

Shit. I will miss the Celtics and possibly the Nuggets because of a holiday trip. With that said, the Spurs will do well at home and possibly have a good winning record on the roadies.

[Brazil]

12/3 - Boston
12/5 - Denver
12/7 @ Utah

this stretch is going to be very interesting. Hopefully Manu will be back and we will have everybody at full speed for the Utah game

[Chieflion]

12/3 - Boston
12/5 - Denver
12/7 @ Utah

this stretch is going to be very interesting. Hopefully Manu will be back and we will have everybody at full speed for the Utah game
It will be a terrifying stretch, especially Boston. Utah also seemed to have a fire lit under them and are starting to win games, but they are still not in the playoff race. Look for Boozer to be acquired by a team looking to be a contender at the trade deadline.

[SpurNation]

Look for Boozer to be acquired by a team looking to be a contender at the trade deadline.

:stirpot:

[benefactor]

12/3 - Boston
12/5 - Denver
12/7 @ Utah

this stretch is going to be very interesting. Hopefully Manu will be back and we will have everybody at full speed for the Utah game
I really want the game at Utah after we played them so poorly in the first two games. I'd like a win in the other two but it's not really imperative. We are not yet playing elite basketball so losses in those games would not be unexpected. TBQH, I'd be happy with a split.

[spurspokesman]

Wow Manu is now just A big talent slash question mark. SAD

[Brazil]

It will be a terrifying stretch, especially Boston. Utah also seemed to have a fire lit under them and are starting to win games, but they are still not in the playoff race. Look for Boozer to be acquired by a team looking to be a contender at the trade deadline.

Boston is a verry good barometer but we won't be a full strengh due to Manu coming back from injury, I really don't expect Boston game be a reference one. Now I'm really waiting to see what we can do against this Utah team always difficult to play in Utah.

[Brazil]

I really want the game at Utah after we played them so poorly in the first two games. I'd like a win in the other two but it's not really imperative. We are not yet playing elite basketball so losses in those games would not be unexpected. TBQH, I'd be happy with a split.

I think it will be a 1 L 2 W stretch. I don't see this current spurs team beating Boston without Manu near 100%, Denver is more accessible if we can fix part of the Anthony issue (Bogans / RJ), Hill/TP can be do a good job on CB and Theo by his blok ability could help guarding Nene. After that a win in Utah home would be terrific to build confidence on.

[benefactor]

Wow Manu is now just A big talent slash question mark. SAD
This thread is not about Manu it is about our December schedule. Post something relevant or gtfo.

[benefactor]

Thursday...it all begins. Sure would be nice to be 20-10 going into the new year.

[td4mvp21]

The next three games will be tough. The three games in four nights will also be challenging, considering they are all on the road. I'm hoping we can put together a great month, but I will admit I am a little skeptical.

[lennyalderette]

im just glad manu got safe minutes tonight, and will be vital for us against boston. we really need everyone 2 play a decent to get the w!!! but im stoked about that game. if we beat boston that will give us major confidence to play denver, and so on.

[benefactor]

One down...14 to go. Even though we lost, there are some things to build on as Denver comes to town tomorrow night. I seriously doubt we will miss that many free throws, three pointers or play that undisciplined offensively again. Denver is giving up 102ppg, so if we remember the fire we played with defensively in the 4th quarter last night we should get the W. We should again dominate the boards as Denver is in the bottom 10 of the league in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage.

Let's get this split and get ready for revenge in Utah.

[Chomag]

Thankfully we have more scrub teams then not. We will be fine I'm sure.

[duhoh]

One down...14 to go. Even though we lost, there are some things to build on as Denver comes to town tomorrow night. I seriously doubt we will miss that many free throws, three pointers or play that undisciplined offensively again. Denver is giving up 102ppg, so if we remember the fire we played with defensively in the 4th quarter last night we should get the W. We should again dominate the boards as Denver is in the bottom 10 of the league in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage.

Let's get this split and get ready for revenge in Utah.

it's ironic on how we point out offense as our strength nowadays :downspin:

[benefactor]

it's ironic on how we point out offense as our strength nowadays :downspin:
Right now it still is...due to the increase in weapons we have. We are improving on defense though. As I pointed out in the "defense watch" thread, we are now top 10 in several defensive catagories. Hopefully we will really start looking like the Spurs defense we all know by the end of this month.

[Höfner]

establish a rhythm in DECEMBER?

You're mad.

[benefactor]

establish a rhythm in DECEMBER?

You're mad.
Maybe a little. :)

Seriously though...I don't expect them to be playoff ready or anything like that by the end of this month. The things I expect are some are the players increased comfort with each other(perhaps some glimpses of a rotation) and better defensive focus for 48 minutes instead of one quarter. If those things are at least starting to materialize by the end of this month I will be happy with our progress.

[benefactor]

Well...so much for the split.

Losing both games sucked but I'd be lying if I said I was totally surprised. The Spurs are not yet to a place where they are going to be able to beat good teams regularly, but there were signs in both games that they are getting there. This team is pretty much on the pace (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3851317&postcount=30) I thought they would be record-wise, so even though I am disappointed with the losses I know that the month is young and things should improve if they can stay healthy.

Even with losing these first two games, I don't see why they can't still pull out my prediction of 5-3 for the first part of the month. If they can win all 4 of the road games it will go a long ways towards forgetting the two losses.

[VBM]

Anything less than a 3-1 week should be considered a disappointment. A loss at Utah would be understandable (it would suck, but SLC is and always will be a tough place to play). Sac-town and Charlotte (both home games) should be Ws, as should the Clippers game (I know they have talent...but it's the Clip-joint).

We may not be ready to hang with the title contenders, but rhythm or not, we should be better and play better than these mediocre teams on the sched.

[Bender]

If we end December still hovering around .500, will we be in a hole that is hard to get out of?

[Chomag]

If we end December still hovering around .500, will we be in a hole that is hard to get out of?

Maybe, maybe not but I do know we would be putting our starters in jeopardy of burning them just to catch up before the playoffs even start. Thats why I was hoping for a more steady paced season so that The big 3 could get regulated minutes especially near the end when you need them to have full energy left.

However spurs have always seem to be a team of procrastination. Although it makes their work much harder then what it needs to be it's seems to be how they like it. :lol

[benefactor]

Anything less than a 3-1 week should be considered a disappointment. A loss at Utah would be understandable (it would suck, but SLC is and always will be a tough place to play). Sac-town and Charlotte (both home games) should be Ws, as should the Clippers game (I know they have talent...but it's the Clip-joint).

We may not be ready to hang with the title contenders, but rhythm or not, we should be better and play better than these mediocre teams on the sched.
Agreed. There is no excuse for losing any of those games. AAMOF, the schedule is pretty favorable through the 16th, even with the back to back. Beyond the Utah game should be nothing but W's through the 16th(the Suns have been blown out in three of their last four games, so that should be a win also).

If we end December still hovering around .500, will we be in a hole that is hard to get out of?
I don't think it would impossible...but honestly, this team should be pretty well over .500 by the end of the month and if they weren't(health being a factor) I'd be a little worried. There are a lot of teams they should beat on the schedule and at very worst they should be 7 or 8 games above .500.

[KenziE]

we are a long ways from 2009 you people complain too much night & day difference from last year ... i believe the SPURS will make noise in the playoffs ! 26-4 BABY !!!

[UnWantedTheory]

we are a long ways from 2009 you people complain too much night & day difference from last year ... i believe the SPURS will make noise in the playoffs ! 26-4 BABY !!!
What is the point in bumping this?

[KenziE]

What is the point in bumping this?

so whiners realize how good the spurs are from last year and stop complaining with every little bump we face this year ... ungrateful spoiled spurs fans

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Brutal, but it can be done.

[TJastal]

We'll defenitely know more in a week if this 26-4 start is for real.

[TJastal]

so whiners realize how good the spurs are from last year and stop complaining with every little bump we face this year ... ungrateful spoiled spurs fans

I agree, those darn whiners are spoiling my celebrating and fun.

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