Game Blog: 11/29 - Spurs vs. 76ers

[biziofromdowntown]

nice that parker realized there was a game today.

rotfl

[Interrohater]

Matt for the 3, watch!

[td4mvp21]

Nice sub Pop, Bonner for 33333333333

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner 33333333333333333333333333333333333333

[quentin_compson]

TP brought us back our lead. :toast

[Interrohater]

Matt for the 3, watch!

Somebody owes me money

[biziofromdowntown]

Mattttt Bonerrrrr 3333333333

[45 bank shot]

strong finish of the half

[Dex]

Did Bonner just hit a semi-buzzer-beater? :lmao

[Libri]

The Sixers are stupid to leave Bonner open. Go Spurs Go!

[Brazil]

I really appreciated these 3 mn tp aggressive giving the ball 2 pts hairston and bonner 3 to finish

[45 bank shot]

manu is non-existent so far

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

We're in a bit of a bind in that Manu must play to get his legs and rhythm back, but you CAN'T play him when he's as brutally bad as he has been tonight. First Willie Green lit him up, then he just looked lost in his second run. He's only -1, but from my count a lot worse.

What to do?

[austN Spur]

Nice that Parker realized there was a game today.

had a change of heart cpt bringdown? that was sort of positive

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

In answer to my own question, you just ease him back in, I guess. And play him more minutes against less athletic teams until he gets back up to speed.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

TD has no defensive rebound b4 the half has that happened before anyone know?

[Danny.Zhu]

Bonner+Finley+Blair=win...

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

We must end the quarter with 6pnts lead


9 points sounds better :downspin::toast

[austN Spur]

TD has no defensive rebound b4 the half has that happened before anyone know?

id have to say no. 85% sure

[Spurs Brazil]

TP with a nice end of the half

Keep attacking TP

[Interrohater]

Duncan228 in 3,2,1...

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Imagine when RJ starts to play well......

[Brazil]

the +
blair beasting
finley
pop playing hairston
tp with 5 assists and 4-6
tim fts 4-4

[Michi_Germany]

Nice run to close the half!

[benefactor]

9min, 7pts, 3reb.

Bonner just doing his thang.

[austN Spur]

close football games all day. + a spurs game + pit-bal later. what a sportsday

[benefactor]

lol Finley +12

[duncan228]

Duncan228 in 3,2,1...

:lol

I'd have to look it up.

[BillMc]

Hey, I just got here. Is Dice okay? He's only played 5 minutes according to ESPN Gamecast.

[FlAVaK]

TD has no defensive rebound b4 the half has that happened before anyone know?
Well, there was this one game in april...

Mavericks slap around Spurs—within the rules (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009042306) :depressed

[urunobili]

Can someone tell me how Malik's basket was scored?

[Brazil]

the +
blair beasting
finley
pop playing hairston
tp with 5 assists and 4-6
tim fts 4-4

I forget matt bonner with an offensive rebound

[Brazil]

Can someone tell me how Malik's basket was scored?

JS assist TP

[HarlemHeat37]

Can someone tell me how Malik's basket was scored?

mid-range J from the baseline off a Parker pass..

[The Red Hood]

Can someone tell me how Malik's basket was scored?
I believe Tony set him up for a baseline jumper.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

:lol

I'd have to look it up.

How do you look something like that up? Do you have some kind of magical Duncan Compendium that tells you such things? :lol

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Timmy 22222222222

[HarlemHeat37]

Thaddeus Young has decided to finally play ball this season, of course it's against us..

Bogans' J has started to even out from the hot start earlier in the season..

[Spurs Brazil]

Bogans ice cold today

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol c'mon pop just 3 fouls

[td4mvp21]

Bogans is really testing his starting position this game :lol

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Bogans is really testing his starting position this game :lol

but who instead

[biziofromdowntown]

Too much TOs and too much fouls

[The Red Hood]

RJ played some solid defense on that last possession.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

TP dizzied thru the lane

[Spurs Brazil]

Nice play TP

[Brazil]

I like RJ defense he is doing fine

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Bogans is fine. And just as i said 3 weeks ago, starting Bogans and Dice has vastly improved the Spurs' defence at the start of games when the tone of the game is set.

[biziofromdowntown]

No Mase today?

[Spurs Brazil]

Beatiful TD

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

that was not an alley hop to kapono was it lol

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner 333333333333333333333333

[biziofromdowntown]

Holy shit, Bonner again

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Tddddddddddddddddddd!!

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol TD :)

[biziofromdowntown]

We must improve D on Iguodala

[Libri]

I hope Pop doesn't think that Bonner is trying to win a starting position.

[Darkwaters]

An eye for an eye, a block for a block

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

bonner lol nth but net again

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner 333333333333333

[weebo]

bonner is becoming a-u-t-o-m-a-t-ic

[biziofromdowntown]

Ops, Bonner did it again

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Bonner lighting it up.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

No Mase today?

Injured :(

[Dex]

Damn, Hill just out-jumped Igoudala. :wow

[duncan228]

How do you look something like that up? Do you have some kind of magical Duncan Compendium that tells you such things? :lol

Kind of. I record every game and keep notes. :)

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Blair :D

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Kind of. I record every game and keep notes. :)

:wow

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

So im going to assume Manu is done for the night?

[Libri]

Sean called Blair the Beast. He must read this forum.

[ducks]

they chant the beast

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

So im going to assume Manu is done for the night?

wont mind it tho

[HarlemHeat37]

Bonner was too unselfish there..

[biziofromdowntown]

I'm worried about Manu. He looks totally out of shape

[Spurs Brazil]

Bogans is awful tonight

[mystargtr34]

Why dont i have a good feeling about this one.

[Chomag]

Lol @ Bonner and Finely on the court at the same time.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

bogans played real bad so far in this game

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Kind of. I record every game and keep notes. :)

So you've compiled your own compendium! Impressive. :)

[HarlemHeat37]

I'd like to see Hairston in for Bogans right now, not Keith's night..

[ducks]

I'm worried about Manu. He looks totally out of shape

dude he is out of shape
he has not played a game in forever
he to much facebook give him tell thursday then he be in shape

[urunobili]

Will we get some more Manu? :wakeup... not looking like it...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I think GRIZZLY is a better nickname for Blair. :D

[biziofromdowntown]

Is Beast with only 1 foul tonight?

[BillMc]

Will we get some more Manu? :wakeup... not looking like it...

Does he still look hurt? Or just rusty???

[Brazil]

bogans has wasted a damn good pass of tp

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Will we get some more Manu? :wakeup... not looking like it...

Not unless it becomes a blowout, and probably not even then. Good thing too, he was totally out of sorts.

[biziofromdowntown]

Manu in

[45 bank shot]

where is manu?

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

here come the blair smith match up

[45 bank shot]

there he is

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

wont mind it tho


Why? I would like him to get some more PT that way he isn't as rusty for the C's.

NVM he is in :D

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

2 point game... WOW

[HarlemHeat37]

Kapono and Green have completely torched Manu, Parker and Finley tonight..

[ducks]

bogans has wasted a damn good pass of tp

but tp does not know how to pass:downspin::downspin::downspin::downspin::downs pin::downspin:

[biziofromdowntown]

C mon guys, show some O now!

[Spurs Brazil]

Finley missing open shots now

[Chomag]

LOL WTF is with this line up!?! WTF POP?

[timtonymanu]

Such an inconsistent performance from the Spurs tonight!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Matt Bonner for 33333333333333

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Not unless it becomes a blowout, and probably not even then. Good thing too, he was totally out of sorts.

So much for that! :lol

Every time he gets on the court tonight we lose the lead.

[biziofromdowntown]

Grizzly with 10 reb

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner 333333333

[BillMc]

Maybe RJ should spend more time with the second unit until Manu is really healthy. Just a thought...

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Ginobili!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ducks]

2 point game... WOW

1:04 SA - M. Bonner makes a 25-foot three-pointer from the left wing
1:11 SA - M. Ginobili defensive rebound
1:12 PHI - W. Green misses a 17-foot jumper from the left wing
1:22 SA - Layup by T. Parker
1:27 SA - D. Blair defensive rebound
1:28 PHI - A. Iguodala misses a 17-foot jumper from the right wing

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu tres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[biziofromdowntown]

Bonner is winning another game 4 us

[vander]

dude he is out of shape
he has not played a game in forever
he to much facebook give him tell thursday then he be in shape

:lol

we'll be lucky if he's healthy for half the games this year.

[Libri]

The bench has been gold tonight.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

how quick does a lead build and go itz crazy

[emanueldavidginobili]

Manu for 3!

[ducks]

manu for three
10 point game

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

need 1 more pt for blair for his DD

[biziofromdowntown]

wow, cut to 2 points lead, and than up to 10 again...

[Xylus]

Horrible call. Parker didn't get touched.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs up 80-70 after the 3rd

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Horrible call. Parker didn't get touched.

your avatar grosses me out

[Brazil]

Not unless it becomes a blowout, and probably not even then. Good thing too, he was totally out of sorts.

:lol :downspin: good take ruff

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I think GRIZZLY is a better nickname for Blair. :D


Grizzly with 10 reb

You like it? I think it works. :)

[biziofromdowntown]

You like it? I think it works. :)

It fits perfectly on our sweety DeJuan

[NRHector]

yeah that's what I'm talking about bring the bench back

[Spurs Brazil]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuu block

[Libri]

Manu batblocked that shot.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

:lol :downspin: good take ruff

Yeah, wonderful, wasn't it? He looked so egregiously BAAAAAAD in the first half, and so slow against this quick-footed team, that I thought Pop might save him for next game. Ah well, can't get em all right. ;)

We did immediately lose 8pts off our 10pt lead the moment he checked in, I was right about that.

[Darkwaters]

Blair with just 2 fouls tonight. A pleasant surprise.

[Xylus]

your avatar grosses me out

It grosses me out, too. Only 7 days until I can remove it. :)

Monster block by Manu. Sick.

[emanueldavidginobili]

nice block my manu

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

i don't remember one play from RJ

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

It fits perfectly on our sweety DeJuan

With that blocky build and facial hair, he sorta looks like a Grizzly too.

[biziofromdowntown]

With that blocky build and facial hair, he sorta looks like a Grizzly too.

And he shots FT like a grizzly too! :lol

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

BLAIR with the block :D

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Manu is about 2 steps slow tonight. Obviously he's coming back from injury, but he's pretty atrocious at this point.

[duncan228]

Damn. Blair doing everything.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

wtf that was an and one!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Double double for the Beast

[Spurs Brazil]

Blair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bender]

It grosses me out, too. Only 7 days until I can remove it. :)
I hate it too. What's the story with it?

[biziofromdowntown]

3 blocks for Blair!!!

[Capt Bringdown]

Manu and Finley should never be on the court together.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Nice pass, Manu. Stick to passing and 3s tonight.

[Libri]

Just because Blair doesn't have any ACLs, doesn't mean he can't jump.

[biziofromdowntown]

Double double and 3 blocks for DeJuan....sweeeeeeet

[BillMc]

Dice not getting big minutes to night...

[biziofromdowntown]

12 points lead....c'mon guys

[HarlemHeat37]

Willie Green's finally playing like he's supposed to..it didn't happen until the 4th quarter, but better late than never..

[benefactor]

Dice not getting big minutes to night...
Any night we are winning and he can play sparingly is a good thing.

[ducks]

Dice not getting big minutes to night...

blair producing tonight
geive dice rest tonight

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

GRIZZLY hasn't played like this since the season opener. Good to see the nastah side of him back.

[BillMc]

Any night we are winning and he can play sparingly is a good thing.

You are right. Save him (And Ratliff ) for the playoffs...

[The Red Hood]

Sean called Blair the Beast. He must read this forum.
Let's not get carried away here. :lol Dice was saying that the whole team calls him "The Beast".

[Spurs Brazil]

i don't remember one play from RJ

He barely touched the ball in the 2nd half

I'm starting to get a little worried. Instead of getting better it gets worst game after game

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol timmy massaging manu

[Libri]

all that athleticism for Carney and he has done nothing tonight

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Willie Green's finally playing like he's supposed to..it didn't happen until the 4th quarter, but better late than never..

He blistered Manu in the first half - scored 6 or 8 straight on him. But yeah, he's returned to normal. :lol

[biziofromdowntown]

We traded the right RJ or the bad twin?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Jefferson has a horrible jumper. I cringe when he takes it. He's like the anti-Finley when it comes to jumpers, just as Finley is the anti-RJ when it comes to driving (these days, anyway). :lol

[BillMc]

I wonder what the over/under is in Vegas on Blair's fouls per game? :)

[TinTin]

lol timmy massaging manu

That was awkward without the audio on my end

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol RJ's shots are actually/exactly the same as finley's

[biziofromdowntown]

Good call for Pop, good timeout

[spurspokesman]

Let's not get carried away here. :lol Dice was saying that the whole team calls him "The Beast".
So maybe the whole team visits the forum. Lmao

[biziofromdowntown]

Hill is nothing today

[biziofromdowntown]

STOP the TO now!

[Spurs Brazil]

TD bank!

[Xylus]

25.8 degrees!

[HarlemHeat37]

Dalembert having one of the best offensive games of his life LOL..

[emanueldavidginobili]

come on RJ

[BillMc]

Duncan has been so good for so long you almost take him for granted.

[Spurs Brazil]

DAMN RJ, that was an easy one

[Brazil]

fucking RJ he needs to wake the fuck up

[murpjf88]

don't even pass the ball to the 15 million dollar BUST

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol Dalembert crossover and 15 jumper made :D

[The Red Hood]

So maybe the whole team visits the forum. Lmao
Exactly what I was thinking. :lol

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

That was awkward without the audio on my end

Massage makes you feel awkward?

[biziofromdowntown]

RJ....terrible Js. How was is J during last years, even so bad?

[TinTin]

Duncan has been so good for so long you almost take him for granted.

The recent duncan possession, I think dalembart forgot that duncan had that bank shot. Was standing way far

[neboat]

I've seen Duncan falling to the floor A LOT this year.....

[duncan228]

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/2009-2010/11-29-09ss28.jpg

[HarlemHeat37]

Dalembert is shooting 22.5% off his jumpers this year..he's made 5 tonight LOL..bad luck..

[spurspokesman]

Jefferson has a horrible jumper. I cringe when he takes it. He's like the anti-Finley when it comes to jumpers, just as Finley is the anti-RJ when it comes to driving (these days, anyway). :lol
Combine the two and we might be on to something. Lol. Rj will find his way. This system sucks for him with timmys demand for the ball and parkers lack of passing skills. They need to run him off screens and back doors where he would be our best finisher at the cup.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

RJ is yet to find his rhythm here. I wonder whether he'd be better as 6th man?

Love those Carver Academy ads. :tu :D

[BillMc]

combine the two and we might be on to something. Lol. Rj will find his way. This system sucks for him with timmys demand for the ball and parkers lack of passing skills. They need to run him off screens and back doors where he would be our best finisher at the cup.

+1

[biziofromdowntown]

Jefferson with ONE rebound?!

[TinTin]

You know I am starting to kind of like Bonner (pretty sure it will go away when he goes cold)

I guess my #1 problem with him was that I didnt like duncan getting banged in the paint

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

where is dice tonight

[Brazil]

this game is not over

[Bender]

You know I am starting to kind of like Bonner (pretty sure it will go away when he goes cold)
earlier this game when he was swishing his threes, was it Bill land or Sean who said "Man that guy can shoot!"

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/2009-2010/11-29-09ss28.jpg

Damn straight!

Nothing wrong with man-massage, as long as it's above the belt. :lol

(...not that there's anything wrong with the below the belt stuff for consenting adults either, just not in public...)

[TinTin]

earlier this game when he was swishing his threes, was it Bill land or Sean who said "Man that guy can shoot!"

I think that was Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_

[mystargtr34]

25.8 degrees!

Lol

[spurspokesman]

Damn straight!

Nothing wrong with man-massage, as long as it's above the belt. :lol

(...not that there's anything wrong with the below the belt stuff for consenting adults either, just not in public...)
Lmao.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The only problem was him starting, 15 mins and coming off the bench is where he needs to stay.

Now you're stealing my shtick. :nope :lol

[biziofromdowntown]

we need rebounds, we need Grizzly in

[biziofromdowntown]

TP blooooody TO

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Manu has found his feet in the 4th.

[Spurs Brazil]

Nice pass TD

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

you want a ball? go set the screen :D

[Brazil]

TP needs to work his 3 shooting his lack is problematic sometimes

[emanueldavidginobili]

you can tell how the spurs have improved from the first couple of games, wait until mid season if healthy were going to be ROLLIN

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

TP needs to work his 3 shooting his lack is problematic sometimes

I think it's better that he knows that and stays away from it.

I have a feeling he'll develop his 3 when he slows down a step.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

bad pass :(

[ducks]

:34.9 PHI - A. Iguodala steals the ball from M. Ginobili
bloody to by manu

[Brazil]

what a stupid to

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Manu has found his feet in the 4th.

...and then he immediately turns it over.

Manu has made a fool of me tonight! :lmao

[td4mvp21]

The passes have been so fucking sloppy tonight! You think that's one thing they would have gone over extensively before the game - that's really the only reason why the 76ers aren't down 20.

[TinTin]

I think it's better that he knows that and stays away from it.

I have a feeling he'll develop his 3 when he slows down a step.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Parker#Player_profile

It says that because he was an unstable shooter, he was molded into a 2 pointer shooter and forbidden to shoot the 3

[Bender]

what's pop pissed about?

[biziofromdowntown]

the passes have been so fucking sloppy tonight! You think that's one thing they would have gone over extensively before the game - that's really the only reason why the 76ers aren't down 20.

+1

[ducks]

:27.6 SA - M. Hairston enters game for M. Ginobili

[Libri]

:flag:

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

what a stupid to

Nah, just a sign that his timing is off, which it has been most of the night.

After a terrible first half he must be a bit happier now though. Give him two more games and he'll be back up to speed.

[TinTin]

Hope the Drob ceremony is streamed too

[td4mvp21]

Pretty good win. Turnovers killed us but thankfully the defense made up for it.

[ducks]

Nah, just a sign that his timing is off, which it has been most of the night.

After a terrible first half he must be a bit happier now though. Give him two more games and he'll be back up to speed.

he has no excuses against boston

[Brazil]

good win

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Solid win. Unimpressive, but they did enough.

Wish I was there for the Admiral's night! :depressed

[Spurs Brazil]

5 straight

3 days to prepare for Boston

[biziofromdowntown]

Another game with good D, under 90 again

[Brazil]

I think it's better that he knows that and stays away from it.

I have a feeling he'll develop his 3 when he slows down a step.

yeah but when for instance when clock is running out not being capable to shoot a 3 is problematic 9 times out of 10 it gives a to

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

he has no excuses against boston

Well, yes he does - he clearly doesn't have his legs or timing, and they generally take a few games to get back.

If he's not sharp against Boston, Pop will sit him methinks.

[ducks]

why does finley have more shot attempts then tp

[biziofromdowntown]

Good night from Italy, 3.30 Am here. Another great game with my Spurs. C ya bros.

[myhc]

:lmao @ matt bonner.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

yeah but when for instance when clock is running out not being capable to shoot a 3 is problematic 9 times out of 10 it gives a to

But he is capable of shooting the 3, just not very good at it. He shoots it at 31% for his career.

When he turned it over in the 4th, it wasn't because he couldn't shoot the 3. He got the ball late in the clock in a bad position (20ft out on the wing) and had little choice.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Later bizi. :)

[Chomag]

you can tell how the spurs have improved from the first couple of games, wait until mid season if healthy were going to be ROLLIN

I wouldnt go so far and say tonights game was an improvment. This is Philly we are talking about and we kept them in untill the end. We should have beaten them by 20 at least if we were actually playing well. Do you honestly think we can beat "REAL" contenders playing this way?

Still Nice to get a win but Still so much work to do.

[Dex]

We are the champions! We are the champions!

No time for losers because we are the champions...

Of the gaaaaaaame!

[vander]

The only problem was him starting, 15 mins and coming off the bench is where he needs to stay.

you dimwits keep repeating this thinking it'll come true, he lead the team in +/- while starting last year. and what does "starting" really insinuate? it's just the 5 man group for the first 5-7 minutes of a game, for the other 42 minutes it means nothing, a good player is a good player and a bad...

depending on the injury situation this year, he'll play just as many minutes as he would a "starter" and he'll play just well as he would a "starter"

stop saying "starter"

[Brazil]

But he is capable of shooting the 3, just not very good at it. He shoots it at 31% for his career.

When he turned it over in the 4th, it wasn't because he couldn't shoot the 3. He got the ball late in the clock in a bad position (20ft out on the wing) and had little choice.

I think he had the space and the time to shoot the 3 on that action but because he hesitated and then made the to

[vander]

Hey idiot, the begining sets the tone.

Last year we got bounced in the first round against the mavs... winning 1 game.

With what you're saying you are wanting Manu to start also since it doesn't matter who a player plays with.

Pop also disagrees with him starting this early into the season with the talent we have, but you know better.

yeah, we lost to the mavs because Bonner was a starter :lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

[DPG21920]

Hey idiot, the begining sets the tone.

Last year we got bounced in the first round against the mavs... winning 1 game.

With what you're saying you are wanting Manu to start also since it doesn't matter who a player plays with.

Pop also disagrees with him starting this early into the season with the talent we have, but you know better.


Shhh.

[silverblackfan]

Nice game. Sixers played a tough game, but the Spurs showed good poise and defense.

[duncan228]

Updated.

Spurs drop slumping 76ers for fifth straight win (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009112924)
By Paul J. Weber

The San Antonio Spurs won their fifth straight behind franchise centerpiece Tim Duncan.

The Philadelphia 76ers lost their sixth straight while hounded by speculation that their former star, Allen Iverson, might come back to rescue a deepening dismal start.

Duncan led San Antonio in scoring for the sixth time in eight games with 22 points, and the Spurs beat the Sixers 97-89 on Sunday night to extend their longest winning streak since pulling themselves out of a similar early slump last December.

“We really shouldn’t care that much about winning five in a row,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. “It’s always good. It helps your confidence, and of course your standings, but we still believe we’ve got a long way to go.”

A far longer road is in front of the Sixers, who dropped to 5-12 and have the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. But reports that the Sixers are weighing bringing Iverson out of retirement and back to the city where he became an NBA star overshadowed the skid Sunday.

Sixers coach Eddie Jordan acknowledged before the game that Iverson has been discussed but emphasized that talks have been just that and nothing more. After the game, Jordan’s availability with reporters abruptly ended after another question about Iverson surfaced.

“It’s something that’s been out there and it doesn’t have any legs except for the media and fans,” Jordan said.

Andre Iguodala had 21 points for the Sixers and Willie Green added 17. Philadelphia has lost five straight on the road with three games left on this trip, which continues Monday at Southwest division-leading Dallas.

“We’re just searching for one” win, Green said.

Tony Parker and Matt Bonner scored 16 points apiece for San Antonio. The Spurs have been on a roll since a skid of three straight losses dropped them to 4-6, their worst 10-game start in the Duncan era.

The schedule might be helping. Only one of San Antonio’s last five wins have come against a team that entered Sunday with a winning record, but the Spurs are about to be tested. San Antonio will play Atlantic division leader Boston on Thursday and Denver, which sits atop the Northwest, on Saturday.

Ginobili played for the first time after missing six games because of a strained left groin and came off the bench to score eight points in 17 minutes.

“We just got to keep improving and be good in April, May, June,” Ginobili said. “That’s when it counts. We are just building. If it happens that we have won five in a row, that’s good.”

DeJuan Blair had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and made his most memorable mark with dazzling successive plays on both ends in the second quarter. It began with Blair, hopping below the basket, hitting a bank shot while falling down on his back in the paint.

The 6-foot-7, 270-pound rookie then rumbled down court in time to spike Royal Ivey’s layup attempt into the second row, leading a wide-eyed Duncan to spring off the bench and prompting a standing ovation for the quickly emerging fan favorite.

A person with knowledge of the Iverson talks told The Associated Press on Saturday that the Sixers were approached about signing the recently retired guard. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks have not been made public.

Iverson’s statement this week about ending his NBA career after 13-plus seasons hardly sounded like his mind was made up. Saying there is “a whole lot left in my tank,” Iverson said he felt strongly he could still compete “at the highest level.”

Iverson spent his first 10 years in Philadelphia and led the Sixers to the NBA finals in 2001. If the Sixers signed him, it wouldn’t be for nostalgia: injured starting point guard Lou Williams is expected to miss eight weeks, and 19-year-old rookie Jrue Holiday is starting in his place.

Jordan said before the game that although Iverson has been discussed, the Sixers still want to see if their depth can pull them out of their tailspin.

“I have not been oversaturated with Allen Iverson in my mind or in conversations with our front office,” Jordan said. “It’s like any other free agent out there. We’ve talked about a number of people.”

NOTES: Sixers F Elton Brand missed his third consecutive game with a sore right hamstring. Jordan said Brand could still wind up playing the final three games of this four-game road swing for Philadelphia. … San Antonio honored David Robinson after the game by re-unveiling his retired jersey to reflect his new status as a Hall of Famer.

[Slydragon]

I thought that Holt or Tim would have given Robinson a check for the academy.

[benefactor]

You know the Spurs are starting to look more like themselves when they play uninterested ball against bad teams. :)

[Capt Bringdown]

Decent win, but when Finley outplays RJ and Manu you have to wonder.
Of course Manu is recovering from an injury, but that goes without saying.

[benefactor]

Meh...it was a typical Finley game. He is either going to look like a world beater or a wife beater.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Twitter:


Manu Ginobili

Good news over here. a)I played again and felt pretty good. b)We won our 5th straight game. c)I'm done w/the rabies shots. Got my 8th one today!

[VivaPopovich]

vastly improved game by blair, i hope he keeps it up

i was sorely disappointed to see mcdyess not get much PT, esp. since he had such a good game against houston. and i dont understand pop's use, or lack of, of theo ratliff. why sign him if your rarely going to play him

it seems like pop wants to get away with giving bad players as much PT as he can get away with. the problem is, your not giving the players that will actually have to pull through together in the playoffs a chance to work on their chemistry

if pop gets the spurs to beat a healthy lakers/celtics and win the title giving matt bonner as much PT as he did tonight, i will stop criticizing him, period

[vander]

At least you agreed with the rest of it.

with what? manu should start? no, he's hardly an asset to the team any more, he's like Bonner, if he isn't hitting his 3, he isn't helping the team, he can't get by defenders, his crazy passes usually lead to turnovers...

what else, beginning sets the tone, sure, you can set the tone after a timeout too, or the beginning of the second half, a good team can man up and set the tone whenever they really need to