12/27/09 - Spurs at Knicks - Game Blog

[Spurs Brazil]

Previews: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142900

:flag::flag::flag::flag:

:ihit:ihit

[TIMMYD!]

Must-win in moral terms.

[z0sa]

Let's hope for a victory.

[NFGIII]

Need this win on the road agianst teams like the Knicks. No excuses.

vbookie on this one?

[duncan228]

Pregame show on NBA TV now.

[Spurs Brazil]

Travel weary Spurs take Manhattan
By Jeff McDonald on Dec 27, 09 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) Save & Share Yahoo! BuzzYahoo! Newsvine del.icio.us Facebook Google Reddit Fark
For the oldest team in the NBA, the prospect of playing any back-to-back is tough. The prospect of playing a back-to-back in which the second game has an unconventional early start is tougher. The prospect of doing that after arriving in the second city around 3:30 a.m. is tougher still.

That is the situation the Spurs face tonight in the Big Apple against the Knicks.


Due to wintry conditions in Milwaukee on Saturday night, the team charter plane sat on the airport runway an extra hour while waiting to be de-iced. The bus assigned to pick them up in New York was running late. All told, the Spurs -- players, coaches and support staff -- did not check into the Four Seasons in midtown Manhattan until around 3:30 a.m.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich knows the weather is out of anyone's control. In his pregame meeting with reporters moments ago, however, he questioned the league schedule-makers for the early tip in New York.

"It makes a lot of sense," he said, sarcastically. "I think any team that can get in the night before a back-to-back and go to bed at three or four in the morning, and play at six the next day, I think it's a good thing. I think more of us should do that. It puts a good product out on the floor."

Some coaches, notably Houston's Rick Adelman this season, have complained to the league about its schedule-making policies. Popovich said he wasn't prepared to go there.

"I know it's got to be difficult, with how many iterations are there, 30 teams and all these games," Popovich said. "I don't use them, because I'm not smart enough, but I know there's these things called computers that can figure all that stuff out. I would think they would probably do that. So it must be something I don't understand. Trips like this don't make any sense."

Before he concluded his assault on the schedule, Popovich made it clear he would not accept the early start as an excuse should his team perform poorly tonight.

"It happens to everybody at some point," Popovich said, "so it's not like it's unfair."

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/2009/12/travel-weary-sp.html

[duncan228]

Starters: Bogans, Parker, Blair, Duncan, Jefferson.

[Muser]

Nice to see Blair staying in the starting lineup.

[biziofromdowntown]

Here from Italy. Go Spurs go!

[Rummpd]

Lost in all the write ups were the 8 and 12 of Blair in limited minutes and his great passing and hustle. The more he plays the better the Spurs will be down the stretch as he is the only Spur who can manhandle coupled with Duncan the bigs of the West.

[Chieflion]

Come on, Knicks. Spurs are going to run and gun with you all.

[boutons_deux]

Great that Blair has earned starting, but he's gotta watch the stupid fouls.

[dbestpro]

The key to win is to crowd the shooters.

[itzsoweezee]

blair is going to dominate the boards against the little knicks

[Chieflion]

It is starting now.

[Spurs Brazil]

1st on Blair

[Muser]

lol parker

[quentin_compson]

Great that Blair has earned starting, but he's gotta watch the stupid fouls.

He just proved your point.

[Chieflion]

I see what the Knicks are doing. Jared Jeffries has good lateral quickness and a lot of length to try to force Parker to take jumpers.

[Chieflion]

One turnover!

[Spurs Brazil]

RJ and TP Js

1st foul on RJ

[Muser]

Damn good shot by chandler.

[Spurs Brazil]

2nd on RJ, 3 of the last 4 he got 2 fouls in the 1st quarter

[Muser]

2 on RJ already :(

[dbestpro]

Give Haislip a little run against Dino. See if he can match his height.

[Chieflion]

2 fouls on RJ.

[timtonymanu]

my feed has the commentary for the spurs game and the heat/pacers game.

[biziofromdowntown]

Haislip on Gallinari should work...Grizzly Blair beasting!

[quentin_compson]

Knicks shooting free throws like the Spurs ... :downspin:

[Muser]

Gallinari sucking from the line.

[Spurs Brazil]

Refs are terrible so far

[quentin_compson]

Nice D by Bogans.

[biziofromdowntown]

good OF on Dgallino

[timtonymanu]

good charge bogans.

[Chieflion]

Gallinari needs to be taken out....

[Spurs Brazil]

TP with a horrible start, too many Js and not running any plays

[dbestpro]

Manu's D has really regressed. He is almost at the level of Parker now.

[biziofromdowntown]

I said, DG8 will be terrible 4 us.

[anonoftheinternets]

man crap ... they have come out looking lifeless.. we need a lot of luck today.

[anonoftheinternets]

does anyone have audio probs with the stream?

[urunobili]

TP with a horrible start, too many Js and not running any plays

Tony shooting J's is D'antoni's game plan... :wakeup

[Chieflion]

TP with a horrible start, too many Js and not running any plays
Just what the Knicks want him to do, and he fell for it. With Jeffries' length, he can guard all 5 positions by forcing the guards to take jumpers with his length and still contest them, and block shots against the forwards and centers and frustrate them with his pesky defense.

[anonoftheinternets]

also .. why is nbatv not part of league pass it really sucks ...:p

[Muser]

Bogans way off

[dbestpro]

Attack the basket. There is no ne inside who can block the shot.

[anonoftheinternets]

my feed has the commentary for the spurs game and the heat/pacers game.

right me too and its driving me crzy....

[urunobili]

Fuck you Manu

[anonoftheinternets]

Fuck you Manu

dyess had a clear path, he stopped.

[anonoftheinternets]

spurs looking like crap ..

[HarlemHeat37]

Duncan seems to play worse against the worst defenders and plays well against the better ones..

[angelbelow]

lol i hate how NBAtv isnt included in the LPBB package.

[anonoftheinternets]

lol both teams look like crap ..

[Chieflion]

Dice jumper. Just the sweetest stroke.

[urunobili]

Fuck you Manu again...

[anonoftheinternets]

lol i hate how NBAtv isnt included in the LPBB package.

was just complain abt the same hting.

[widowmaker]

Yeah everytime Its no nBA tv I'm SOL.

[Ghjkll]

Manu starting as usual: shooting those stepback long jumpers and not finishing at the rim :depressed.

[emanueldavidginobili]

i miss manu :(

[Muser]

Manu not finishing at the rim :depressed

[Chieflion]

Gallinari, nice pass! Scary shit.

[widowmaker]

Dice is still shooting hot but the D needs to step up.

[dbestpro]

c'mon Pop. This would be a great game to give Haislip a little run to see what he can do.

[quentin_compson]

Good thing TD finally put one in. His first couple of shots mostly were way too short.

[Duncan2177]

wtf is up with Manu?

[anonoftheinternets]

c'mon Pop. This would be a great game to give Haislip a little run to see what he can do.

i dont see too many changes happenining from here on so it would be pointless. We are rolling with who we are rolling, hopefully they pick up some momentum in the next month ...

[anonoftheinternets]

wtf is up with Manu?

our backcourt parker and manu look like crap ... has been so for the past few weeks ...

[widowmaker]

G-Hill getting it done.

[biziofromdowntown]

yeah georgie

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs up 21-20 after one

[anonoftheinternets]

damn that quarter went quick ..

[murpjf88]

waisted shot by mason.

[urunobili]

At least Manu is playing Solid_D

[widowmaker]

Spurs need to slow down the game a little bit and start playing D.

[quentin_compson]

Another short one, this time by Mason Jr. Usually, that is a sign of the player(s) being tired.

Not a good game so far, by both teams.

[timtonymanu]

slap chop remix.

[Chieflion]

Are the Spurs seriously going to be rolling with only three bigs against the Knicks today?

[biziofromdowntown]

Stop weak shots

[urunobili]

Are the Spurs seriously going to be rolling with only three bigs against the Knicks today?

well this is one of those teams where small ball is not actually a bad idea... what legit Big dot hey have apart from Lee?

[widowmaker]

As long as they keep getting those looks from the arc I'm sure they'll start knocking them down.

[J_Paco]

So, it looks like Pop is going to go with Duncan, McDyess and Blair as our bigs tonight. Isn't going with three big men throughout last season what wore Timmy out?? Play either Ratliff, Haislip or Ian already Pop, especially during 2nd night of a back-to-back.

[Chieflion]

well this is one of those teams where small ball is not actually a bad idea... what legit Big dot hey have apart from Lee?
You take Gallinari at the 4. Why not? It is a good idea and then he becomes the stretch four who widens the floor. Then you have Jeffries' length.

[biziofromdowntown]

We work now, finally!

[Spurs Brazil]

Mason Jr 333333333333333

[widowmaker]

I knew Mason was gonna start knocking them down!

[urunobili]

lol Money Mase shitting on the MSG

[Muser]

Mason beasting

Also "Dantoni not happy with the defence"...:lol

[Chieflion]

Mike D'antoni calling timeout because of Roger Mason.

[quentin_compson]

Mason Jr. with b2b-threes. :tu

[anonoftheinternets]

damn mason ...

[urunobili]

Mason beasting

Also "Dantoni not happy with the defence"...:lol

Is your username inspired on the band Muse?

[ace3g]

Dice is continuing his hot streak

[Brazil]

Hi guys ! back from holiday ... nice brazilian beach ! So one ugly loss against the decimed blazers a nice win and today the knicks.

[widowmaker]

Money is doing his thing!

[blkroadrunners]

Wow, all that NY length for nothing. Mase is strokin'.

[Muser]

Is your username inspired on the band Muse?

:tu Yep.

[widowmaker]

Pull Dice run small.

[Chieflion]

Can't stop Mason tonight.

[Refocus]

Money Mase!

[Chieflion]

Harrington is feasting on Dice!

[siraulo23]

small ball...

[Brazil]

how manu was the last two games ?

[Muser]

Small ball fuckkkkkkk

[dbestpro]

The Knicks should just pound the ball inside.

[widowmaker]

Shit even G-Hill is coming through

[biziofromdowntown]

Noooooo, great tip in from Beast but not in time!

[biziofromdowntown]

Gh 3333333333

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs up 34-31

Knicks time out

[quentin_compson]

Nice hustle by Roger, but RJ should be getting more touches and shots with this current lineup.

[urunobili]

Spurs up 34-31
Spurs time out
Fixed

[blkroadrunners]

I dont mind small ball at this time. Al Harrington plays a lot more like a SF moreso than a PF.

[widowmaker]

Pop should of rested Duncan alot last night instead of having him in in the fourth.

[dbestpro]

Sloppy play by both teams. Knicks playing most stupid shooting jump shots against super small ball lineup.

[Spurs Brazil]

how manu was the last two games ?

Terrible against the Blazers, fine yesterday

[anonoftheinternets]

manu looks like hes holding himself back ... same with parker ...

[biziofromdowntown]

Mase showin some love

[blkroadrunners]

manu looks like hes holding himself back ... same with parker ...


Naw, Manu's just really flat.

[biziofromdowntown]

George is leadin us with 8 points

[Chieflion]

Blair, nice hook.

[urunobili]

manu looks like hes holding himself back ... same with parker ...

Agreed.

They know when it's necessary to lay it all out... this is still early season ball for them... :king

[Spursmania]

Wonder what they were laughing at:lol

[widowmaker]

As good as RJ is good at driving to the basket I wonder why he dosent do it as often he can make a living at the freethrow line.

[Spurs Brazil]

Great pass Blair to TP

[Chieflion]

Blair was playing the Duncan role on that Parker backdoor cut.

[Brazil]

Terrible against the Blazers, fine yesterday

thx ! I spent one week near rio de janeiro : rio das pedras club med, you know this place ?

[widowmaker]

Too many attempts from three.

[timtonymanu]

Luckily Blair fell. He was there for the open dunk.

[Chieflion]

Blair dunk!

[biziofromdowntown]

Grizzly dunk...earthqualke in NY!

[blkroadrunners]

Sloppy bball.

[widowmaker]

Damn RJ with 3 fouls!

[angelbelow]

sloppy

[Spurs Brazil]

3rd on RJ

We can't get any calls

Pathetic

[Chieflion]

Gallinari has the potential to be that point forward like Hedo.

[biziofromdowntown]

3 on RJ, let's try Haislip

[quentin_compson]

Not the best of games for RJ so far - and three fouls already.

[Spurs Brazil]

thx ! I spent one week near rio de janeiro : rio das pedras club med, you know this place ?

Never been there but always heard great things about. Is good isn't it?

[Chieflion]

Pop's favorite lineup at this point. Ginobili is playing power forward.

[biziofromdowntown]

Gallinari has the potential to be that point forward like Hedo.

He did that in Europe.

[anonoftheinternets]

Gallinari has the potential to be that point forward like Hedo.

hes a better three point shooter than hedo can ever hope to be. But as far as point foward, hedos assists were extremely good, DG can never get there.

[angelbelow]

Does anyone else think Derrick Rose sounds retarded in that NBA/ESPN fantasy basketball commercial?

[Chieflion]

hes a better three point shooter than hedo can ever hope to be. But as far as point foward, hedos assists were extremely good, DG can never get there.
I agree Hedo has been doing this, but look at Gallinari, he can create. They are extremely similar, except Gallinari has it in him to be better than Hedo.

[blkroadrunners]

Does anyone else think Derrick Rose sounds retarded in that NBA/ESPN fantasy basketball commercial?

He always sounds retarded.:downspin:

[Muser]

Does anyone else think Derrick Rose sounds retarded in that NBA/ESPN fantasy basketball commercial?

I've been thinking that ever since I first heard it, "think you got what it takes" :lol

[biziofromdowntown]

hes a better three point shooter than hedo can ever hope to be. But as far as point foward, hedos assists were extremely good, DG can never get there.

He's more scorer than passer, but if he'll work, he'll be extremelly productive as point forward, i'm sure. I know him very well, i was with him durin our first bball years

[widowmaker]

Manu will be fine.

[Spurs Brazil]

BS call on TD

crap

[biziofromdowntown]

Fuck, that was a Bs, not a foul!

[angelbelow]

damn duncan fumbles.

[Chieflion]

David Lee is in Tim Duncan's head.

[biziofromdowntown]

The Beast is back

[blkroadrunners]

Lol at Duhon. Imagine if NY drafted Jennings instead of Jordan Hill.

[anonoftheinternets]

he always sounds retarded.:downspin:

+1 ...

[biziofromdowntown]

TP backs in town!

[Chieflion]

Lol at Duhon. Imagine if NY drafted Jennings instead of Jordan Hill.
I still can't believe it. Jordan Hill? D'antoni does not even play him, shows how weak his basketball IQ is.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs up 50-47 at the half

[biziofromdowntown]

Fuck u David Lee

[Muser]

bad end.

[TIMMYD!]

Tim not doing well but at least we're up at the half and have balanced scoring.

[Chieflion]

I don't like that turnover. Damn it.

[murpjf88]

Stupid shits!!!!

[widowmaker]

MAN theses guys need to wake the fuck up!

[timtonymanu]

damn the soft passes.

[anonoftheinternets]

ugly turnover .. u-g-l-y ...

[quentin_compson]

Not a pretty game, but it might be just enough to beat those Knicks. Would be great to be able to rest Duncan for a longer period of time in the second half as well.

[Chieflion]

I still can't used to a Spurs game without Matt Bonner and his goofiness.

[timtonymanu]

I still can't used to a Spurs game without Matt Bonner and his goofiness.

We could use his offense right now.

[Chomag]

Played an ugly game untill the 4th against the Bucks and still won pretty well. Same could be on this game?

[blkroadrunners]

I still can't believe it. Jordan Hill? D'antoni does not even play him, shows how weak his basketball IQ is.


Yea. Outside of David Lee and maybe Wilson Chandler, NY's one of the worst franschises in drafting players imo.

[Spurs Brazil]

Lee 6-6FG

[Chieflion]

Yea. Outside of David Lee and maybe Wilson Chandler, NY's one of the worst franschises in drafting players imo.
With all the bust talk on Thabeet (he is playing great, his potential as a league-leading shotblocker, he showed it.), no one is talking about Jordan Hill. Shows how much he sucks, his name does not even get mentioned. The Knicks gave up on drafting anyone good after they lost out on Stephen Curry. Add Gallinari to your list. He has that talent and mindset to succeed.

[anonoftheinternets]

whos responsible for the drafts now? I thought it was isiah but hes not ther anymore to blame ... i do know he personally recommended some of the "slobs" NY has managed to draft over the years.

[biziofromdowntown]

Yea. Outside of David Lee and maybe Wilson Chandler, NY's one of the worst franschises in drafting players imo.

Remember DG8 before talk.

[boutons_deux]

Spurs winning FG%, RB!!, AST but can't pull away.

[Brazil]

Never been there but always heard great things about. Is good isn't it?

very very nice place: great beach, great food, great sport equipments... with the kids it's perfect !

[Admidave50]

hey guys, somebody got a link...?

[Brazil]

Spurs 8 assists and 8 TOs in the first half...

[Chieflion]

Spurs 8 assists and 8 TOs in the first half...
Dude, it is 14 assists. Where did you get your stats from?

[Brazil]

Dude, it is 14 assists. Where did you get your stats from?

cbs ! :lol

[dbestpro]

Attack the basket.

[Spurs Brazil]

Terrile RJ, terrible

[Chieflion]

cbs ! :lol
Sounds more like crappy bullshit to me.

[Chieflion]

Haven't the Knicks changed their music yet? Didn't they play this in 1999?

[Spurs Brazil]

Rj 3333333333333333333333333333333

[Brazil]

tp !

[TIMMYD!]

For his size, Grizzly does block a lot of shots...

[Spurs Brazil]

TP J

Spurs up 10

Knicks time out

[Libri]

Spurs with some good plays.

[quentin_compson]

Good start for RJ and the Spurs in the third quarter.

[siraulo23]

double digit lead, lets keep it for the rest of the game~

[biziofromdowntown]

Here we go, Blair 2 blocks

[Pauleta14]

Tony looks in shape!
I like what I'm seeing from him in terms of intensity...

[Chieflion]

For his size, Grizzly does block a lot of shots...
Don't think so. More like Jeffries only knows how to play the defensive end of the court and can't contribute on offense.

[timtonymanu]

my feed just frickin died.

[Pauleta14]

Good start for RJ and the Spurs in the third quarter.

actuality he started badly and looked mad...
He is getting loose now, I like that!

[Brazil]

fuck the tos

[biziofromdowntown]

Stupid to

[Spurs Brazil]

2 straight TOs

[dbestpro]

I guess that was Parker being Parker.

[biziofromdowntown]

lead cut to 6

[widowmaker]

Man they need to take care of tha ball

[Muser]

Nice to see TP's jumpshot looking a lot better.

[biziofromdowntown]

Eat that Danilo!

[Chieflion]

Blair with another block.

[siraulo23]

dumb foul

[Spurs Brazil]

4th on RJ

3FTs for Galinari

[widowmaker]

What;s our offensive rebounds looking like?

[biziofromdowntown]

stupid RJ stupid

[quentin_compson]

Stupid foul by RJ.

[Chieflion]

Stupid RJ! 4 fouls.

[widowmaker]

That was a stupid foul by RJ

[widowmaker]

Save it Blair and just play!

[alchemist]

Timmy's near the damn 3pt line.

[biziofromdowntown]

11 points lead blow out

[Brazil]

lol

SA 5:49
Loose ball foul on DeJuan Blair (2 PF)

SA 5:49
DeJuan Blair missed Tip-in , Blocked by David Lee

SA 5:49
Offensive Rebound by DeJuan Blair

SA 5:49
DeJuan Blair missed Tip-in

SA 5:50
Offensive Rebound by DeJuan Blair

SA 5:56
DeJuan Blair missed Layup

[Libri]

The lead was nice while it lasted.

[widowmaker]

Fuck man this run didn't last pop needs to call a TO

[timtonymanu]

damn the fouls.

[widowmaker]

This is like that Portland game

[dbestpro]

Manu has no confidence this game. Should not be on the floor.

[Chieflion]

Mike D'antoni smiling at how the horn kept sounding.

[Spurs Brazil]

TOs killing us

[urunobili]

Fuck you Manu

[Libri]

The Spurs are giving the Knicks every opportunity to take the lead.

[Chieflion]

Fuck you Manu
Why was it Manu's fault? Tim travelled.

[widowmaker]

Come on Manu make them pay !

[anonoftheinternets]

ugggh why is manu not taking those 3s?

[Muser]

Sit Manu, he's like dead weight out there.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs up 1

Time out

[dbestpro]

This is like that Portland game

Portland was playing much better ball. This is a terrible game by both teams. This is a clinic on how not to play fundemental basketball.

[urunobili]

Why was it Manu's fault?


ugggh why is manu not taking those 3s?

He is passing open shots for BS plays :wakeup

[anonoftheinternets]

man cmon mcdyess atleast put a hand up .. no need to block but atleast make it difficult ..

[widowmaker]

TOs killing us

Thats the fucking problem this year

[anonoftheinternets]

this game should be used for footage of how not to play bball..

[Ditty]

spurs playing good well pull it out at the end

[Josepatches_]

I have to say that one more time.

TD in the fucking post please.Not in the top of the key always

[biziofromdowntown]

WTF with Timmy today?!

[Chieflion]

Duncan is terribly off today. Someone has to step up.

[Libri]

Come on Tim.

[biziofromdowntown]

Theo in for TD, please

[Muser]

I don't think you should take too much from this game win or lose, second game in 24 hours/Different time zone etc.

[timtonymanu]

jesus christ tim!

[alchemist]

:lol I've always wondered, does the Spurs coaching staff teach the players to never attempt to block a shot?

[widowmaker]

These fucking reffs suck!!

[quentin_compson]

Something about D'Antoni makes me cringe.

[duncan228]

It's no excuse but Duncan just looks tired to me.

[biziofromdowntown]

Hypersmallball for us

[Spurs Brazil]

Knicks 19FTA
Spurs 7FTA

[Chieflion]

Gallinari is the next Larry Bird.:hat

[biziofromdowntown]

How many points of FTs Gallinari does?

[dbestpro]

Pop is stupid to not go deeper to his bench early. These players are tired.