As badly as Spurs played, Pop is to blame

[ALVAREZ6]

Before I start, I know the Spurs did not step up. They didn't show up this series. Hard to be Phoenix when all of the role players turn themselves into liabilities on the court.

As well as Manu, Dejuan, Duncan, and Dice played, it wasn't enough. Even the Red Useless splashed 75% of his threes, something all of us fans would never imagine. And to the Suns credit, they played well. But a lot of them playing so well is on Pop.

There were a lot of things to blame, clearly, but the Spurs were never going to win by allowing the Suns, the best 3 point team in the league, shoot the number of wide open threes as they did. It was a result of switching on literally every chance possible and the Nash pick and roll killed us. I found myself yelling at the Spurs players for letting them be so open, but I had to realize they would not be doing it if Pop seriously stressed the importance of this. Every game, from game 1 through game 3, the Spurs never adjusted. with Nash not even in the game, when Dragic drives to the rim, why would the entire team (literally all 5 players) collapse to the paint? Even in game 3? And I understand how tough the Nash-Amare pick and roll is to defend, at some point you have to start getting on those perimeter shooters unless they aren't making the shots, but they were, all series long. Both teams shot 50% or better from 3 tonight, with the Suns at nearly 58%. The difference was Phoenix made 15 of them.

I was just completely baffled that even in a must win game 3, the Spurs didn't adjust to guard that 3 point line. It was unbelievable how many wide ass open threes they took, this series was basically an extended 3-point shooting drill for Phoenix. It was practice. And those retarded switches were a complete failure. I would have rather had the Spurs switch back to their originally assignments in many of those times when both players involved in the pick for Phoenix stood right next to each other after the picks. Instead they would double, leaving someone completely open for three, or they would leave the mismatch and find themselves confused and late on the rotations...the one play that stood out for me was when they did this while giving up the game as the Spurs scrambled to find a man to guard on the perimeter, Duncan was floating around not able to find someone for a few seconds because of how ineffective the rotation strategy was.

Granted Phoenix shot very well from the perimeter this series which makes a difference. Most of that can be explained by how open they were half the time, and that will not cut it against Phoenix. We can blame a lot of the role players for not stepping up, but Bonner was splashing tonight. Dice got us off to a good start and played well. Manu was knocking down the outside shot. Blair came in and provided a spark. And it didn't turn into a win, even at home! I was amazed by the lack of adjustments, I couldn't stand watching wide open three after three. Sure Phoenix was hitting from everywhere, but the Spurs never had a chance if they weren't going to get out on that three point line.

[ALVAREZ6]

Didn't help that the Spurs couldn't hold on to even half of any given lead for over 3 minutes. The only way they could have won one of these games was if Manu was on creatine the whole series providing him enough energy to play the entire game. When he was resting, the offense was usually shit, and once the Suns started chipping away at any lead, the Spurs had no idea what to do but watch helplessly, they had no drive.

[NewJerSpur]

Bonner sagging back on that Dragic 3-pointer to end the 3rd and cut the lead to 6 started the debacle imo and summed up one of the major issues with the defense: the team never respected the Suns 3-point shooting enough from top to bottom to just stay home. The Suns often passed up decent looks inside just to throw the ball out for a 3 and Frye spent more time camping out there than he did inside going for rebounds. Granted, the Suns ball movment was pretty good and we did get it right on a few occasions, but not enough to make a difference.

[mandel17]

Remember, George Hill was the reason we beat the Mavs. We needed a repeat performance from him because the Big 3 cannot carry this team anymore. Pop is not on the court, so he can't be the only one to point the finger at. This series has been about role players - and the Suns simply have the better ones....

[ElNono]

You gotta give Pop credit... his gameplan to stop Amaré worked to perfection...

/sarcasm

[MannyIsGod]

Its not on Pop. Its on players making mistakes and playing that defense poorly.

[leemajors]

Its not on Pop. Its on players making mistakes and playing that defense poorly.

and clanging wide open shots. but you're right, even trying to trade baskets is not spurs ball.

[Spurs Brazil]

Its not on Pop. Its on players making mistakes and playing that defense poorly.

Agree.

What do you want from Pop with a team that have Mason, Bonner, Jefferson and Bogans.

Pop did a great job put this team in the 2nd round

[ALVAREZ6]

What bothers me the most is the Phoenix fans deserve this series the least. Nash and Grant Hill deserve an NBA championship, I'd do anything to have Nash as my PG, complete class act and stud player who you know will show up every game. No one else from that roster deserves a ring. That said, I don't want the ego-inflated Lakers to win either, so if this series is over (99% chance it is), go Cavs, start racking up those rings 'Bron.

[ducks]

pop was not to blame for hurting tp elbow and changed the whole fucking game

[NewJerSpur]

What bothers me the most is the Phoenix fans deserve this series the least. Nash and Grant Hill deserve an NBA championship, I'd do anything to have Nash as my PG, complete class act and stud player who you know will show up every game. No one else from that roster deserves a ring. That said, I don't want the ego-inflated Lakers to win either, so if this series is over (99% chance it is), go Cavs, start racking up those rings 'Bron.

You think James' ego is any smaller?

[ducks]

gargic was 2-12 before tonight
he won the game

spurs d plan was great to begin with

[4>0rings]

Agree.

What do you want from Pop with a team that have Mason, Bonner, Jefferson and Bogans.

Pop did a great job put this team in the 2nd roundPop brought in Mason, Bonnr, Dick, and his center piece Bogans. I want Pop to stop bringing faggots to this team.

[ducks]

gargic was 2-12 before tonight
he won the game

spurs d plan was great to begin with

[ALVAREZ6]

I thought Pop did an excellent job in the Dallas series, but not really this one, that's just me. Of course it wasn't nearly all of his fault, but the Spurs still put up a lot of points in every game. Somehow someway, they put points on the board, but the defensive scheme was a complete failure. I think that had a much bigger effect than scoring slightly less than what the Spurs would have say if Hill showed up one or two games. Not every player plays well in the same game, not during the Mavs series either. It just can't always happen.

The Spurs shot 45.8%, 50.6%, and 50% in games 1, 2, and 3 respectively. And they lost all three of them. What's particularly interesting is that in game 2, this is what happened:

Spurs shot 50.6%, Suns shot 42.4%..quite a big difference, and still lost by 8 points. Spurs even turned the ball over less times, only 12 in that game. Free Throws and the 3-Ball baby! They fucked us.

[ALVAREZ6]

I thought Pop did an excellent job in the Dallas series, but not really this one, that's just me. Of course it wasn't nearly all of his fault, but the Spurs still put up a lot of points in every game. Somehow someway, they put points on the board, but the defensive scheme was a complete failure. I think that had a much bigger effect than scoring slightly less than what the Spurs would have say if Hill showed up one or two games. Not every player plays well in the same game, not during the Mavs series either. It just can't always happen.

The Spurs shot 45.8%, 50.6%, and 50% in games 1, 2, and 3 respectively. And they lost all three of them. What's particularly interesting is that in game 2, this is what happened:

Spurs shot 50.6%, Suns shot 42.4%..quite a big difference, and still lost by 8 points. Spurs even turned the ball over less times, only 12 in that game. Free Throws and the 3-Ball baby! They fucked us.

[ducks]

this is the best suns team spurs faced and the least talented spurs team suns faced


spurs always corrected the problem they lost before but suns beat them in a different area

[ALVAREZ6]

You think James' ego is any smaller?

Sure I know he's pretty cocky but I don't think it's necessarily out of control for how fuckin good the dude is. I just don't like the Lakers, and I'm a complete fan of Lebron's game.

[alchemist]

You think James' ego is any smaller?
:lol :toast

you better hope Atlanta wins the Chip.

[45 bank shot]

if onl y we had a guy named Tiago SPlitter

[ALVAREZ6]

this is the best suns team spurs faced and the least talented spurs team suns faced


spurs always corrected the problem they lost before but suns beat them in a different area

Maybe true with the Spurs part but the Sun's have had some good ass teams.. they've had teams with Shawn Marion (when he was more effective) and Joe Johnson before, and a more in control and effective Barbosa off the bench.

[MarceloM!]

I'm Sad. Manu can´t win a series on his own... in this moment is when the guys must appear to overcome our trouble. I don't want to say it, but that's all folks!

[NewJerSpur]

Sure I know he's pretty cocky but I don't think it's necessarily out of control for how fuckin good the dude is. I just don't like the Lakers, and I'm a complete fan of Lebron's game.

LeBron is allowed to play in another league from just about everyone else in the league primarily because of his athleticism (e.g. He doesn't get called for goaltending on those come from behind blocks when the ball is clearly over the cylinder beecause the refs are in awe of his closing time/speed and give him the benefit of the doubt, etc.). He claims he's a "no excuse" kind of guy but has an excuse for every major blunder he encounters, and weak ones at that.

If he were to win a championship he'd become a bigger monster than the one he himself claimed those who adored him in High School made him in terms of ego. JMHO.

[spurtech09]

I think the spurs just wasted all there energy on the mavs that they don't have nothing left....duncan ain't the same anymore....

[SpurOutofTownFan]

This is the first series I actually see the spurs collectively playing shit D - whatever the strategy is - no hard fouls.. not one and they got bullied around in all the 3 games.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

LeBron is allowed to play in another league from just about everyone else in the league primarily because of his athleticism (e.g. He doesn't get called for goaltending on those come from behind blocks when the ball is clearly over the cylinder beecause the refs are in awe of his closing time/speed and give him the benefit of the doubt, etc.). He claims he's a "no excuse" kind of guy but has an excuse for every major blunder he encounters, and weak ones at that.

If he were to win a championship he'd become a bigger monster than the one he himself claimed those who adored him in High School made him in terms of ego. JMHO.

Not only this but that layup from manu that he got called for travelling was just ridiculous.

[Baseline]

It's very simple - Pop is choosing to switch on the pick and rolls, and Phoenix is making them pay.

Pop is supposd to be a defensive genius, yet they get any shot they want.

Meanwhile, a Phoenix team that is not a great defensive team is making us look like high schoolers out there. If we want to learn how to stop the pick and roll, just show the tape from tonight's game on how they stopped ours.

[hunterxaz]

Pop called all the right TOs, and told your players to get as many delay-of-game (grabbing the ball off a made SA shot) fouls as possible.

[hunterxaz]

Not sure, Suns have more talent -- but Gentry is also in his first season as a WCSC+ coach, and his first full season as HC of the Suns. Pops should have all of his tricks in the bag. I think it's a talent issue, not coaching.

[NewJerSpur]

Not only this but that layup from manu that he got called for travelling was just ridiculous.

When LeBron makes that move it's a "Crab Dribble". The guy is gifted with great athleticism, but he's obnoxious and the league has made him that much more arrogant.

[ALVAREZ6]

LeBron is allowed to play in another league from just about everyone else in the league primarily because of his athleticism (e.g. He doesn't get called for goaltending on those come from behind blocks when the ball is clearly over the cylinder beecause the refs are in awe of his closing time/speed and give him the benefit of the doubt, etc.). He claims he's a "no excuse" kind of guy but has an excuse for every major blunder he encounters, and weak ones at that.

If he were to win a championship he'd become a bigger monster than the one he himself claimed those who adored him in High School made him in terms of ego. JMHO.

You make a great case, I can't refute any of that. It's precisely his athleticism and skill though that I can't get over along with his IQ, I can't help but enjoy watching him play. He's not a Spur, so I don't care I don't worry about him dancing sometimes or having fun out there. One of the reasons why I now support him though is because of how low my view of Jordan has dropped. After the kind of bitter douche-baggery he pulled in his induction ceremony, I want LeBron to eventually go down as better than Jordan. And since the media and everyone always brings up championship count as a huge argument (indeed it is important), I want him to rack a few up and continue crushing the stat sheets.

[Spurs da champs]

It was just switches, how about the free throw shooting? Tim Duncan needs to fucking step up at the free throw line. It amazes me how players miss free shots.. :rolleyes

[NewJerSpur]

You make a great case, I can't refute any of that. It's precisely his athleticism and skill though that I can't get over along with his IQ, I can't help but enjoy watching him play. He's not a Spur, so I don't care I don't worry about him dancing sometimes or having fun out there. One of the reasons why I now support him though is because of how low my view of Jordan has dropped. After the kind of bitter douche-baggery he pulled in his induction ceremony, I want LeBron to eventually go down as better than Jordan. And since the media and everyone always brings up championship count as a huge argument (indeed it is important), I want him to rack a few up and continue crushing the stat sheets.

He has an immense amount of athleticism and great court vision but some of his other attributes are enhanced by the failure of referees to officiate him like they do other players in the league....even other Superstarts for that matter.

Well, you have your reasons and I was never a big Jordan fan in general, but LeBron has acted an ass himself on many occasions and I think a ring would only make matters worse, especially with Shaq as an influence who's titles did wonders for his ego.

[Chief]

bring back the strategy of letting amare get 40 pts a game and stopping everyone else.

[ALVAREZ6]

He has an immense amount of athleticism and great court vision but some of his other attributes are enhanced by the failure of referees to officiate him like they do other players in the league....even other Superstarts for that matter.

Well, you have your reasons and I was never a big Jordan fan in general, but LeBron has acted an ass himself on many occasions and I think a ring would only make matters worse, especially with Shaq as an influence who's titles did wonders for his ego.

Don't pull that ref nonsense. His attributes are all to his credit. Saying a guy who can shoot at such a high% with such high volume, who pulls down tons of rebounds and dishes tons of assists on any given night...what are attributes are you speaking of that are enhanced by the refs? Come on man, any guy at his age who makes the triple double seem like cake basically every single night is a great player. Lebron's a stud, saying he isn't is just unintelligent, or simply some personal bias you may have. If Lebron isn't to the standards I'm speaking of, then quite frankly, you might as well say Manu is as good as Nick Van Exel.

[royal2006]

anything doesn't work in the faovr of spurs, FT is such a disaster. that being said, pop didn't do anythinhg spectacular. from what i saw till game 3, suns coach is more freeflowing type, he let the players to run the play. spurs isn't that type of team, pop call plays which just didn't work out. excessive coaching hurts us this time, maybe its better for the players find the rythem and adjust themselves

[ALVAREZ6]

Well, you have your reasons and I was never a big Jordan fan in general, but LeBron has acted an ass himself on many occasions and I think a ring would only make matters worse, especially with Shaq as an influence who's titles did wonders for his ego.

I don't think so. I honestly think it's much more to do with Shaq's personality. He's always doin goofy shit, trying to have a rap career, staring in laughable movies like Kazaam... He is who he is. And I don't think his ego is unreasonable, he naturally commands a lot of attention (on and off the court) being the tall and enormous mammoth that he is who was coordinated and athletic for his size as he was. Top two most dominant players of all time (maybe the most). You can't expect every legend to be like Tim Duncan, explaining why there are so few of guys like him.

[ALVAREZ6]

anything doesn't work in the faovr of spurs, FT is such a disaster. that being said, pop didn't do anythinhg spectacular. from what i saw till game 3, suns coach is more freeflowing type, he let the players to run the play. spurs isn't that type of team, pop call plays which just didn't work out. excessive coaching hurts us this time, maybe its better for the players find the rythem and adjust themselves

Not really, the Suns have been that way for years, it's how they are utilized best. Spurs are different, without Pop they wouldn't have won those championships. Excessive coaching didn't hurt, my opinion is simply the actual coaching wasn't close to being optimal.

[spurs10]

When you don't have the sportsmanship or character to shake the hand of the oppossing team when they beat you, you are no one to be respected....ever. Can you seriously picture Tim, Manu, Tony, Pop, or any of the Spurs players behaving like that? Of course not, they are champions unlike Lebron.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Tactically we had three failures last night that caused us the game. These are problems we've had all series, and highlights the inability of Simulator Crew (Pop and co.) to adjust on the fly in series with anything other than starting lineup changes.

1. Protect the three point line. How hard is it, really?

2. No hard playoff D. Nash and Dragic have basically run layup drills on us. Barbosa too. No one nailed Goran's ass last night. After about the 6th-8th point, someone should have put him into the basket support on one of his drives. Where's Robert Horry when you need him? This team is soft.

3. Pick and roll D. Phoenix used it all year against us in the regular season to beat us. They knew we liked to switch. You'd think Pop would have picked up on that from those regular season games, and put in some hedges, traps, etc. of the PnR. Here we are down 3-0 and all the Suns are doing for their offense every freakin' play is a high center pick and roll. Wake the fuck up Pop.

[pjjrfan]

Injuries really hurt us, when you get to this stage in the playoffs the team that execute the best will advance. This year the Spurs never really got a chance to jell. At one point we had the best bench in the league, when Manu was with that unit. But injuries and inconsistent play from Jefferson, Mason, Bogans, and especially Parker, Manu and Tim never allowed this team to get into a flow. They did well in Mav's sereis, but the Mavs also made some major changes during the season and it caught up to them at a bad time the playoffs.

Yes Pop stuck with the guys he had, he waited on Mason too long, bonner's hand injury set him back he was never really the same after, Parker's hand injury also hurt but it hurt mre when he returned and the team was on a roll. People will say how the Sun's backups are better than the Spurs but the reality is that the system and the execution from playing in that way and manner all season long gave that unit confidence in themselves and in what they are doing. And that is coaching. that is creating an identiy for what you are and how you are going to goa bout your business. And win games. Obviously this team lost it's identity in this series. They have come up on a better team. So our weaknesses are being exposed big time.

[MaNu4Tres]

Such a fucking joke.

" Pop is to blame."

Give me a fucking break.

Hill, Jefferson and Tony combined 7 for 33.

The team shot 11 for 23 at the free throw line.

The transition defense was pathetic leaving Richardson wide open numerous times.

Pop is not to blame.

[Arrowch4]

Its not on Pop. Its on players making mistakes and playing that defense poorly.


Pop also did not miss 7 FF's in a row.

[spursfaninla]

I thought Pop did an excellent job in the Dallas series, but not really this one, that's just me. Of course it wasn't nearly all of his fault, but the Spurs still put up a lot of points in every game. Somehow someway, they put points on the board, but the defensive scheme was a complete failure. I think that had a much bigger effect than scoring slightly less than what the Spurs would have say if Hill showed up one or two games. Not every player plays well in the same game, not during the Mavs series either. It just can't always happen.

The Spurs shot 45.8%, 50.6%, and 50% in games 1, 2, and 3 respectively. And they lost all three of them. What's particularly interesting is that in game 2, this is what happened:

Spurs shot 50.6%, Suns shot 42.4%..quite a big difference, and still lost by 8 points. Spurs even turned the ball over less times, only 12 in that game. Free Throws and the 3-Ball baby! They fucked us.

Not to nit-pick, but we lost game 2 because of rebounds, they got 18 offensive rebounds. That lost the game.

[redskinfan]

It was just switches, how about the free throw shooting? Tim Duncan needs to fucking step up at the free throw line. It amazes me how players miss free shots.. :rolleyes

Great Point here If Timmay can put some effort on these dang free throws and our supposed shooting coach pull his head out his arse maybe we have a chance..

[jjktkk]

I thought Pop did an excellent job in the Dallas series, but not really this one, that's just me. Of course it wasn't nearly all of his fault, but the Spurs still put up a lot of points in every game. Somehow someway, they put points on the board, but the defensive scheme was a complete failure. I think that had a much bigger effect than scoring slightly less than what the Spurs would have say if Hill showed up one or two games. Not every player plays well in the same game, not during the Mavs series either. It just can't always happen.

The Spurs shot 45.8%, 50.6%, and 50% in games 1, 2, and 3 respectively. And they lost all three of them. What's particularly interesting is that in game 2, this is what happened:

Spurs shot 50.6%, Suns shot 42.4%..quite a big difference, and still lost by 8 points. Spurs even turned the ball over less times, only 12 in that game. Free Throws and the 3-Ball baby! They fucked us.

The defensive scheme was a good one, the execution was bad. PHX deserves credit for that.