Game Blog: Spurs vs. Rockets - Jan. 22

[poop]

why the hate Brooks is damn good too

[DPG21920]

LOL at Lowry draining 3s

[Admidave50]

where was the fucking defense??

[Chieflion]

This season is over.

[phxspurfan]

Watch it; Lowry is the best PG on the Rockets; he will become our future starter after the lesser Brooks is shipped off for Iggy or Martin.

No offense but I'm pretty sure I bought car insurance from the guy.

[Duncan21kid]

another 3 point shot ? ah fuck whos supposed to be on that ninja

[noob cake]

why the hate Brooks is damn good too

Damn good SG, not a PG...

[DPG21920]

I want the Spurs to get 5 stops after these FT's. I don't care about the offense.

[pawe]

shit, here comes the lazy dick. Watch him contribute nothing

[murpjf88]

every posession. Spurs can't get one stop

[phxspurfan]

This team is now the not-as-efficient Phoenix Suns.

[Ice009]

Jefferson's a cancer that needs to be removed as soon as possible. The FO deserves this for refusing the more talented players in favor of the "vanilla" personality.

I seem to recall mentioning that SJax would rip most of these guys hearts out.

All you guys that wanted Jefferson over SJax I hope you are happy. Fucking fools.

[Brazil]

at least tonite tp is trying

[Spursmania]

Wow-just Wow...
I'm speechless. This is bad and Holt thought he was making the team a Championship caliber team.

[poop]

shouldnt Dominique Wilkins be on the floor right now?

[DPG21920]

1 stop.

[superjames1992]

Small ball...

[austN Spur]

hey they got a stop
lets go

[murpjf88]

This season is over.

think positive, their is over 4 minutes left.

[Refocus]

First good D of the night.

[Admidave50]

Nice TP and good defense! Come on bring it SPurs

[phxspurfan]

I waisted my money purchasing league pass.

I'm so hip I can't see my pelvis

[DPG21920]

2 stops.

[murpjf88]

Spurs can't score unless houston scores

[Admidave50]

lol RJ can't even grab a pass..

[superjames1992]

Rj!!!!

[Libri]

Jefferson 3

[blkroadrunners]

Good ball movement.

[austN Spur]

Yes

[Chieflion]

RJ 3. Big deal. Still down 5.

[AnthonyM]

Beautiful ball movement...

[itzsoweezee]

the spurs are finally moving the ball around.

[easy7]

Mr. Vanilla just scored a 3...

[Admidave50]

BELIEVE, Spurs actually playing some defense and got some stos

[phxspurfan]

Good ball movement.

Thats what she said

[austN Spur]

thats the first time i yelled in excitement since way in the 3rd

[Spursmania]

This will be just like the Jazz game. Sorry to say.

[z0sa]

2 stops.

Yeah, you know its sad counting stops against the Houston fucking Rockets. They have 40 mil of their payroll in suits.

[austN Spur]

RJ 3. Big deal. Still down 5.

sound like major league.....they'll blow in the ninth

[noob cake]

W/e, bring on the fucken OT. Rockets has closed out so many damn OT's within the past two weeks.

[poop]

why doesnt pop play our tall, proven rim defenders? ever? i mean ever?

[Spursmania]

Yeah, you know its sad counting stops against the Houston fucking Rockets. They have 40 mil of their payroll in suits.

Sad...:depressed

[AnthonyM]

Tony giving up that pass under the basket is key if the Spurs are going to do anything...

If Tony throws up a wild shot and misses...lose momentum, or if he gets fouled then we don't gain the momentum we do as when RJ hits that 3 there...

Best outcome on that fastbreak outside a monster dunk or something...

[hsxvvd]

Same shit every game.

Killed in the 3rd, fruitless comeback with 4mins to go.

[Ice009]

at least tonite tp is trying

Why don't these guys get vocal though and be leaders. Tony's body language and leader ship of the team is awful.

Same with Tim they are too quiet.

How much confidence do they need to get vocal. I mean they have won 3 and 4 Championships, you'd think that would give them enough confidence to get on teammates, to get vocal and provide REAL leadership. Not this follow by example stuff. There are times when you need to get vocal and get on guys to raise their games.

[alchemist]

This will be just like the Jazz game. Sorry to say.
and the Bobcats game and the Grizz game :depressed

like a bad male porn star....coming up short at the end.

[pawe]

Lets go spurs! get the D going in these last few minutes.

[Lars]

Arggg

[easy7]

Pants on the ground...

[DPG21920]

Yeah, you know its sad counting stops against the Houston fucking Rockets. They have 40 mil of their payroll in suits.

Quit acting like Houston is some suck ass team. They win more than they lose.

[Chieflion]

What kind of defense was that?

[blkroadrunners]

Thats what she said

lol..

[z0sa]

you can stop counting now. If this team wins games, it'll be on the offensive end.

[austN Spur]

Need a stop after this ft

[Brazil]

rockets 54% FGs

[quentin_compson]

Beautiful pass by Manu.

[pawe]

Manu with a great pass! Pay that man his money!

[Admidave50]

Yes Timmmmay

[poop]

Need rim defenders

[Brazil]

4 pts game

[AnthonyM]

I don't like the fact that the Spurs are bring Duncan out on the perimeter to double...

No big man behind him to block a shot or defend the paint

and the rotations don't look quick enough to stop penetration...

[z0sa]

Quit acting like Houston is some suck ass team. They win more than they lose.

Yeah, they've definitely overachieved this season. The Spurs have definitely underachieved.

[Chieflion]

That was a travel!

[blkroadrunners]

Travel.

[slick'81]

gospursgo

[Brazil]

fuck manu

[slick'81]

and 1 fck

[Creation88]

can't believe they missed the definition of a travel.

[Lars]

Oh come on!

[DPG21920]

Get stops.

[Spurs Brazil]

We can't get a stop

They score so easy

[Brazil]

this

HOU 2:29
Aaron Brooks made Driving layup (20 PTS)

makes me vomiting

[pawe]

No call? unbeavable!

[easy7]

that was a travel..

[murpjf88]

Manu seems to disappears in fourth quarters.

[superjames1992]

WOW at that call.

[poop]

NEED RIM DEFENDERs

[AnthonyM]

Bad shot by Manu but it's to be expected...It's what Manu does...if he makes that all of the momentum is in the Spurs favor...

Terrible missed travel call...

[Chieflion]

Fuck you Tony, stop smiling.

[austN Spur]

Defense!!

[z0sa]

Just keep scoring.

[z0sa]

Yet another example of how the Spurs d tries so, so hard and yet fail miserably.

[DPG21920]

Great pass by Brooks. Smart foul by Manu.

[poop]

layup drill continues. still our rim defenders sit.

[easy7]

D-fence, D-fence

[DPG21920]

If the Spurs don't get stops, what is the point if they keep scoring? How can they outscore them?

[murpjf88]

can't get ONE stop. I'ts sad really.

[Chieflion]

We really need Haywood on this team. He is very willing to call his own team out.

[Ice009]

That missed three from Manu was a kill shot.

A shot someone has to have the balls to take. A shot Stephen Jackson would take. I am not mad with that shot, but Manu still have to step up some in these 4th quarters.

[urunobili]

god i hate the Rockets

[Crookshanks]

That completely missed traveling call was probably the nail in the coffin. That was a 4-point swing. These refs are just incompetent. And the Spurs just can't play defense anymore. The Rockets are getting pretty much everything they want.

[easy7]

Even their waterboy has double digits..

[Brazil]

why Mase is not playing anymore ? he forget to say thank you to pop ?

[quentin_compson]

Great effort by Timmy.

[Drachen]

good effort by tim!

[Admidave50]

Too bad TD couldn't hit this one

[Refocus]

lmao they were fouling the shit out of Tim but at least the refs will let the players play for once??

[Libri]

Tim fighting for the layup.

[poop]

i like the rockts

[slick'81]

last shot coming need a stop now

[Ice009]

We really need Haywood on this team. He is very willing to call his own team out.

I am all for players calling the team out. You've just convinced me even more for Haywood.

[slick'81]

wow

[Lars]

Landry!!!

[Chieflion]

Can this team stop gambling on defense?

[murpjf88]

how easy does it get.

[slick'81]

defense

[blkroadrunners]

How is Landry getting so many open shots?

[alchemist]

That missed three from Manu was a kill shot.

A shot someone has to have the balls to take. A shot Stephen Jackson would take. I am not mad with that shot, but Manu still have to step up some in these 4th quarters.
:lol SJ can't even get his team to win on the road, he's not the missing piece. The missing piece is 7 feet tall.

[slick'81]

107-111

[murpjf88]

no playoffs this year.

[Admidave50]

Get a STOP

[Brazil]

HOU 1:23
Carl Landry made Layup (19 PTS), Assist Aaron Brooks (6 AST)

again...

how many layups the rockets made ? unbeavable

[slick'81]

dammit all

[Crookshanks]

I miss the good ole days when Spurs/Rockets games were lucky to make it into the 80's.

Rockets are shooting 58% - there's no way you can win when you let a team shoot that well.

[Pauleta14]

Fuck you rj!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[easy7]

Jefferson just lost it..

[Spurs Brazil]

Fuck You Jefferson

YOU SUCK, soft MOFO

[Ice009]

Wow RJ blew it for us.

Totally blew it RJ. TP fucked around too long with the ball too.

[Admidave50]

RJ fuck Go dunk this shit once in ur lifetime

[z0sa]

LOL, the Houston fucking Rockets win a scoring contest. This team is officially in big trouble.

[AnthonyM]

Bad possession there...

Tim is the only one scoring and he doesn't touch the ball

[Chieflion]

What is the point of trying to draw up a play now, Pop? Fuck you and this entire team who play like cuckolds.

[Ice009]

Wow RJ blew it for us.

Totally blew it RJ. TP fucked around too long with the ball too.

[Spursmania]

What a surprise. We lost again.

[murpjf88]

this team is bush league

[austN Spur]

damm
need a miracle

[GuerillaBlack]

Didn't know San Antonio had that many Rockets fans.

[DPG21920]

Still not over. Spurs are good in these situations usually. I expect them to get a good shot.

[pawe]

fuck you dick and your faggot runaway bride jumpers. What a waste of money!

[murpjf88]

Can't even win a home game.

[boutons_deux]

Spurs are losers, just sucking losers. Unrecognizable

[blkroadrunners]

damm
need a miracle

Call TMac...oh wait....

[AnthonyM]

How is Landry getting so many open shots?

Pop has Tim coming out to double the ball on the perimeter...leaving a stupid mismatch down low and Brooks as already made two passes into the post when Tim comes out on him...

That's how

[easy7]

There is no joy in Mudville.

[tlongII]

Lots of Rockets fans in the crowd!

[phxspurfan]

The team with more heart took this one.

[td4mvp21]

So why did Jefferson take that shot?

More importantly, WHY ARE WE GOING TO LOSE A HOME GAME TO THE ROCKETS? :pctoss

[Pauleta14]

Why is RJ still on the court?????

We have to make ANYTHING possible to get rid of this guy!!!!
15M really?????

[AnthonyM]

Still not over. Spurs are good in these situations usually. I expect them to get a good shot.

Smart post.

[Ice009]

What is the point of trying to draw up a play now, Pop? Fuck you and this entire team who play like cuckolds.

Don't worry. Pop will say after the game that we fought back and didn't give up. We just need more time to learn that corporate knowledge and we'll be OK.

More small ball next game and he's proud that we're not quitting, but keep fighting back. It's great that such and old team can find it to give a total of 5 minutes full effort in the 4th quarter over every game. Pop is doing his job coaching.

[blkroadrunners]

Didn't know San Antonio had that many Rockets fans.

Some are probably from H-town making a trip for the weekend.

[Libri]

get a quick 3 and foul

[Crookshanks]

What a surprise. We lost again.

We just can't beat the good teams this year. The Rockets made us look like the JV team. :depressed

I mean - how many Rockets players scored at least 20 points? Yao...McGrady...who needs them?

[Duncan21kid]

id be willing to go into the spurs lineup and throw a brick like that for free
14 mill my ass

[slick'81]

need a three for any hope here...

[slick'81]

phew timmy to the line for 2

[Crookshanks]

52-36 points in the paint - that's game right there.

[George Gervin's Afro]

I've seen this movie before.... dallas, utah, now houston.. have we lost 10 games at home already?

[easy7]

They need to shoot treys, not 2s...

[Lars]

Red Rowdies drove up for this one, thats why theres so much Rockets noise.

[z0sa]

The horrible scoring droughts are someone's fault.

[Libri]

Manu limping

[easy7]

Manu is hurt, shit...

[Crookshanks]

The horrible scoring droughts are someone's fault.
But where do you place the blame? It seems everyone goes cold at the same time.

[blkroadrunners]

Pop has Tim coming out to double the ball on the perimeter...leaving a stupid mismatch down low and Brooks as already made two passes into the post when Tim comes out on him...

That's how

PGs of Houston have been killing us, granted.

[timtonymanu]

At this point im not expecting a title, im just trying to see how far the spurs get this year. first round exit maybe.

[murpjf88]

manu will be out next game

[himat]

Duncan is doing incredible at the line though...if that makes any of you guys feel better.:lol

[Chieflion]

This team not only has no balls anymore, they also got their brain juices squeezed out.

[slick'81]

still 6 points

[z0sa]

cool, more injury woes

[George Gervin's Afro]

Manu is hurt, shit...

manu hurt us tonight. turnovers and quick shots..

[Ice009]

Great is Manu hurt now?

[Spursmania]

Great. Manu is hurt and limping around. Welcome to Spursworld...:depressed

[Duncan21kid]

is manu hurt ?

[slick'81]

manu with a horrible limp

[murpjf88]

At this point im not expecting a title, im just trying to see how far the spurs get this year. first round exit maybe.

Spurs aren't playoff material.

[Spursmania]

Duncan is doing incredible at the line though...if that makes any of you guys feel better.:lol

Take Dice back please.

[superjames1992]

Manu is hurt, shit...
I don't think it's too serious. But since it's Manu and we know all his injury woes, it does make me nervous.

[badfish22]

Duncan with 19 FTA :lol

[Ice009]

Duncan is doing incredible at the line though...if that makes any of you guys feel better.:lol

Tim is playing so much better now that he got aggressive.

When Tim gets aggressive like this he is still top 5 in the NBA easily.

[slick'81]

and manu gets stripped taking it to the hole

[Chieflion]

Who cares? They should all be hurt and stay hurt. Tank for John Wall or something, but NJ has got the tank on lock.

[z0sa]

Manu plays 32 minutes and gets injured. Why is that not surprising?

[austN Spur]

and that goodnight

[DBMethos]

If Manu is hurt, he officially just became Manu's Expiring Contract.

[easy7]

Manu is limping so you give it to him to drive to the basket? shit

[Libri]

Manu was limping. Why give the ball to him?

[Crookshanks]

And to think I spent $100 for League Pass Broadband, and then had to buy a new computer because the processor was too slow on the old one. So - lots of bucks to watch this crap... :bang

[Lars]

Good game San Antonio, was a really entertaining game!

[Pauleta14]

This is so sad...

I was among the optimitic guys, saying we still have a shot, blablabla...

The truth is that we are not even a PO team!!!!!
We are going nowhere with this core of players.... NOWHERE!!!!!


FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!

[td4mvp21]

It's panic time, if it wasn't already.

[Brazil]

And to think I spent $100 for League Pass Broadband, and then had to buy a new computer because the processor was too slow on the old one. So - lots of bucks to watch this crap... :bang

:lol I feel sorry for u

[boutons_deux]

What the fuck has happened to the Spurs? I don't recognize this team. no hustle, no heart, no gel, no skill, no pride

[easy7]

Manu should have had his ass sitting on the bench this late in the game against this team.

[Ice009]

Manu is limping so you give it to him to drive to the basket? shit

I'm telling you the coaching is retarded this season.

[tlongII]

...

[AnthonyM]

And to think I spent $100 for League Pass Broadband, and then had to buy a new computer because the processor was too slow on the old one. So - lots of bucks to watch this crap... :bang

Can I have your username and password?

[alchemist]

insult to injury.

-No extended RMJ minutes
-Dice having a Superstar effort
-Manu hurting
-Blowing another 10+ point lead
-Losing another home game
-Losing to the fucking Rockets
-Perimeter D
-Interior D
-Offensive droughts
-Refs screwing the Rockets. Spurs not taking advantage.

:bang :depressed

[superjames1992]

This is so sad...

I was among the optimitic gus, saying we still have a shot, blablabla...

The truth is that we are not even a PO team!!!!!
We are going nowhere with this core of players.... NOWHERE!!!!!


FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!
We're not a playoff team? We have homecourt advantage right now. How can you say that?

Granted, the Spurs must continue to play at their current level because the margin of error is so tight in the West that a bad streak of 10 games could cost a playoff spot.

[Lars]

Thats Matt Bullared Tllong...

[himat]

Take Dice back please.

I promise you that he will provide something for you guys if you make the playoffs.

And after watching this game I think its the perimeter defense thats the problem, not the defense down low. Lowry and Brooks continually burned you guys and then the big men went going after the bigs doubled the guards.

[Pauleta14]

I'm telling you the coaching is retarded this season.


+1 :bang

[easy7]

Well... There are games where you can take something good out of them even in defeat, but not this one.

[JohnnySixString]

They still suck something fierce and each game just seems to reinforce that. So yeah, typical game from the New Spurs.

[Budkin]

Are you fucking shitting me? We lost again? GODDAMIT!

[AnthonyM]

I promise you that he will provide something for you guys if you make the playoffs.

And after watching this game I think its the perimeter defense thats the problem, not the defense down low. Lowry and Brooks continually burned you guys and then the big men went going after the bigs doubled the guards.

This.

Rockets got 2 easy baskets off a mismatch down low...granted Brooks had to make 2 good passes to get it inside...

I hated that the minute Duncan was chasing the ballhandler out on the perimeter...stupid decision by Pop IMO...

Woulda rather the guards get up on the ball and let the guards have the lane and let Tim guard the paint...

[Spursmania]

I promise you that he will provide something for you guys if you make the playoffs.

And after watching this game I think its the perimeter defense thats the problem, not the defense down low. Lowry and Brooks continually burned you guys and then the big men went going after the bigs doubled the guards.

You're right about one thing, we may not even make the playoffs.:depressed

[Indazone]

Spurs achilles heel.

"SPEED"

Rockets have plenty of it

[Pauleta14]

We're not a playoff team? We have homecourt advantage right now. How can you say that?

Granted, the Spurs must continue to play at their current level because the margin of error is so tight in the West that a bad streak of 10 games could cost a playoff spot.


I mean that the standing/ranking doesn't reflect our true level...

We had a lot of game at home and won mainly against teams that won't make the PO...

Execpt the game in OKC, I haven't seen the Spurs I've been followong for years!!!

If you add all the injuries pb, the fact that Tony won't be the old TP this year (as long as he takes a rest) and Manu won't be Manu anymore (exept some games/plays...), It becomes hard to be optimistic!!!

The list is so long (RJ, Mason, Dyess...)

Look at the schedule!!!! the end of the season is scary!

[it's me]

Pop.... get a clue...... Manu guarding Landry???? seriously?????? dud's body is crystal lately, and still Pop goes small shity ball ant put manu on landry........ ?????????

this shit is officially over....

[Pauleta14]

Spurs achilles heel.

"SPEED"

Rockets have plenty of it


:lol
We are supposed to be a more running team this year that the last 10 years!!!!!

[Ice009]

Good game San Antonio, was a really entertaining game!

Yeah great game. Spurs stink. Rockets came in a took the game.

Rockets and don't fucking get a big head Thlong Blazers are two teams I like watching as they play their asses off.

[easy7]

I'm officially butt hurt.

[Boss]

If u think the Spurs had a better team last season....then you're right

[Pauleta14]

At least Dallas and Portland lost tonight!!!

[Ice009]

+1 :bang

Pop started the whole thing in the preseason. I asked if anyone agreed, but got no answer.

Don't you think Pop handled the preseason wrong by not playing any of the new guys together to get some chemistry?

How about quitting on games and resting players and weird substitution patterns and small ball when we get leads going big.

This mess is Pop's and every fucking post game interview he is basically trying to deflect the blame so Holt doesn't fire him ;).

[djohn2oo8]

yeah, good game guys

[Spursmania]

I guess we better get used to sucking:depressed

[birdy219]

The team with more heart took this one.

Absolutely, the truest statement on the board. :depressed :flag:

[z0sa]

I guess we better get used to sucking:depressed

These types of teams are the worst. We can't get used to them 'sucking' because we know they have the talent to be at the least, a fringe contender. Instead of clearly being a bottom dweller or an up and comer (ie making improvements), we're stuck almost without raise or fall; we're in the same situation we were in last season.

[Harry Callahan]

TD is having a really good year and gutting it up for the most part. Still, he has slowed down.

Manu is not capable of dominating games anymore for an extended period.

TP is injured and will not heal until the offseason due to the PF.

It's been so long since the Spurs have been so ineffective. Really depressing.

This is the year when the 50 win season may not even happen. Yuck.

Tearing this thing down and rebuilding may be in the near future.

The amazing run has been fun but it's officially over now. I don't see the Spurs getting their mojo back anytime soon.

[Ice009]

How the fuck are we going to win any road games playing like this?

We should have went 6-0 on this homestand and now were will play even better teams.

There is no real leadership on this team. Remember when David Robinson who is not know as a vocal leader stopped the team bus and addressed the team?

Is Tim doing that? Come on Tim you should have a lot more confidence now that you have won 4 rings to be able to do that shit. You can't be that shy can you?

[Budkin]

I really think that management needs to have a serious talk with Pop about what is going on. If changes are needed then just make them... otherwise it might be time for Pop to hang it up for a while.

[JohnnySixString]

These types of teams are the worst. We can't get used to them 'sucking' because we know they have the talent to be at the least, a fringe contender. Instead of clearly being a bottom dweller or an up and comer (ie making improvements), we're stuck almost without raise or fall; we're in the same situation we were in last season.

So in other words...get used to them sucking..?

:lol

[Ice009]

TD is having a really good year and gutting it up for the most part. Still, he has slowed down.

Manu is not capable of dominating games anymore for an extended period.

TP is injured and will not heal until the offseason due to the PF.

It's been so long since the Spurs have been so ineffective. Really depressing.

This is the year when the 50 win season may not even happen. Yuck.

Tearing this thing down and rebuilding may be in the near future.

The amazing run has been fun but it's officially over now. I don't see the Spurs getting their mojo back anytime soon.

You're just making excuses for the players.

We should be a lot better than this. Blowing up the team is the wrong move and is flat out quitting.

You're not going to screw Tim like that. If the somehow agree with you and want to blow up the team then they need to ask Tim which team he would like to play for.

[Rainman]

TD is having a really good year and gutting it up for the most part. Still, he has slowed down.

Manu is not capable of dominating games anymore for an extended period.

TP is injured and will not heal until the offseason due to the PF.

It's been so long since the Spurs have been so ineffective. Really depressing.

This is the year when the 50 win season may not even happen. Yuck.

Tearing this thing down and rebuilding may be in the near future.

The amazing run has been fun but it's officially over now. I don't see the Spurs getting their mojo back anytime soon.

TD is such a sound player he gets it done when he clearly can't jump anymore.

Manu used to be able to drive to the basket at will and shoot he's lost about 2 to 3 steps he had no chance at guarding Landry pretty much forced to grab him everytime Landry got the ball.

TP is still a decent player but he's no longer able to out quick guys all game long like he used to Brooks clearly much faster than TP now.

It was a good game anyways I hope the Spurs are able to make a run this year I don't want to see the Fakers cake walk into the finals in the west.

[Ice009]

TD is such a sound player he gets it done when he clearly can't jump anymore.

Manu used to be able to drive to the basket at will and shoot he's lost about 2 to 3 steps he had no chance at guarding Landry pretty much forced to grab him everytime Landry got the ball.

TP is still a decent player but he's no longer able to out quick guys all game long like he used to Brooks clearly much faster than TP now.

It was a good game anyways I hope the Spurs are able to make a run this year I don't want to see the Fakers cake walk into the finals in the west.

I was going for the Rockets last season too. I didn't want to see the Lakers cakewalk into the finals either. Too bad Denver choked.

[duncan228]

Updated.

Duncan gets to 20,000 points but Rockets top Spurs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2010012224&prov=ap)
By Paul J. Weber

When Tim Duncan hit the 20,000-point mark Friday night, the crowd gave a standing ovation. Aaron Brooks looked around, not knowing what all the fuss was about.

It was the last time the San Antonio Spurs had any reason to celebrate.

Brooks scored 23 points and the Houston Rockets ended a five-game road skid with a 116-109 win over the Spurs, who spoiled a superb game from Duncan on the night he became the 35th NBA player to eclipse the scoring milestone.

Brooks wasn’t sorry for crashing the party.

“You know what it was? He scored the basket and everyone yelled and it was like, ‘Dang. Why’s everybody yellin’? Did Eva (Longoria) come in or something?”’ Brooks said, referring to Spurs guard Tony Parker’s actress wife.

“Then I realized it was 20,000 points, and that’s incredible. That’s an amazing feat, and to get a win and kinda spoil it … sorry, that’s what we’re here for.”

Kyle Lowry also scored 23 and Carl Landry added 19 points, leading the Rockets to their first road win since the day after Christmas. The Rockets have won three of four, and now return to Houston for a six-game homestand.

“We haven’t had a road win in a while, so this was a good place to get one,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said.

Duncan had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and scored the last 11 points for the Spurs. But with San Antonio trailing by four with 37 seconds left, Richard Jefferson missed a running jumper that all but ended the rally.

Beaten by Utah on Wednesday, the Spurs have begun a six-game homestand with consecutive losses and continued their struggles against winning teams. Defense has long been the identity of the Spurs, but it’s disappeared of late.

The Rockets shot 61 percent from the floor in the second half, two nights after the Jazz scored 60 on San Antonio in the second half.

“We’re scoring more points than we’ve ever scored in our lives, but our defense is really sub-par and it’s killing us,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Duncan struggled to pinpoint the defenses lapses.

“We’re just not getting it done for enough of the game,” he said.

The schedule won’t get any easier. San Antonio plays three of its next four against winning teams, including division leaders Atlanta and Denver. After that, the Spurs must work through their woes on the road, taking off for virtually the entire month of February on their annual rodeo road trip.

The Rockets leaned on Landry and Lowry for this victory. The reserve duo combined for 21 points in the fourth, and Brooks added another seven.

“Tonight, me and Aaron were really able to push the tempo, and we got a lot of good things out of it,” Lowry said.

The Spurs (25-17) began the second half of the season a few games off last year’s pace—an underachieving start by any measure given how much money the front office spent refreshing the roster.

Duncan joined the 20,000-point club midway through a season in which the 33-year-old All-Star has been as reliable as ever. He scored 13 points in the fourth and hit all seven of his attempts from the foul line.

Parker, dealing with plantar fasciitis, had 22 points and 10 assists in one of his best games of the season.

San Antonio led by 11 points in the second quarter but trailed 56-55 at the break after missing five of seven to end the half. More fateful was a 14-0 burst by the Rockets in the second half after San Antonio had tied it at 77.

Houston (24-18), meanwhile, hit the season’s halfway point with only a few losses more than this point last year, and have done so without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

NOTES: The Spurs waived F Marcus Haislip before the game. Haislip appeared in just 10 games and asked to get out of his deal to pursue a deal in Europe. “He wasn’t going to play,” Popovich said. “There were too many guys in front of him.” …Duncan joined Dallas Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki and Boston Celtics G Ray Allen as the other players to reach 20,000 points this season.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

At this rate they won't make the playoffs, or maybe be fighting for an 8 seed. This is very disheartening. Even when they tied it up late in the 3rd, it was pretty clear they were heading for a beating.

[Sean Cagney]

Well... There are games where you can take something good out of them even in defeat, but not this one.

Not this one nor the Jazz game, completely the same pain! GREAT FIRST with a lead, Spurs lead that one by 14 and this one by 12! Lead gets cut at the half to a very narrow margin! The third begins the other team takes a little lead after the Spurs play like shyt in the third. The 4th begins they get down double digits and make a little tease run at the end and can't get stops to finish the deal!

These games all seem to go the same, it is getting really frustrating right now.

[Ice009]

Remember when Robert Horry said in the off season that the moves the Spurs made were good, but it may have been two years too late.

ouch.

[Killakobe81]

This is a sad day in Spurstalk ....
I miss the fight and bravado ...
YOu guys have Tim ...come on !!!

[Ice009]

This is a sad day in Spurstalk ....
I miss the fight and bravado ...
YOu guys have Tim ...come on !!!

Well if the Spurs rebuild I want them to ask Tim where he wants to be traded.

On the flipside Tim needs to be vocal now. He can't be shy anymore. He has to start getting vocal and get on guys to agitate them to play better.

[Roxsfan]

It's gonna be great watching Tim reach this incredible milestone tonight. Let's hope it's with a big W.
Go Spurs!!!!


good start from the spurs, bad finish.

[SouthTexasRancher]

I really think that management needs to have a serious talk with Pop about what is going on. If changes are needed then just make them... otherwise it might be time for Pop to hang it up for a while.

Very well said! Kudo's! :toast