Game Blog: Spurs @ Warriors - Nov. 30

[toki9]

Why, Tiago, why? That 3 will nail you to the bench for the rest of December.

[MeesterMarcus]

That was a nice, easy win. Everyone played well. Jefferson making us Texans proud with his cowboy skills haha.

[Ice009]

What did you guys think of Splitter tonight. I don't like what Pop is doing to him. When he's had great games he never got more court time the next game and I think it's starting to screw with him.

[Chomag]

Why, Tiago, why? That 3 will nail you to the bench for the rest of December.

I don't blame him though. Playing in the post wasnt sure getting him any minutes. :lol

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

That was a nice, easy win. Everyone played well. Jefferson making us Texans proud with his cowboy skills haha.

What up brah

[LeCrab]

rofl @ the fsn guys dissing espn

[EricB]

What did you guys think of Splitter tonight. I don't like what Pop is doing to him. When he's had great games he never got more court time the next game and I think it's starting to screw with him.

I thought he was nothing special out there.

Pop doesn't control how well he does or doesn't play when he's out there.

[Fundamental]

This team is looking amazing...undefeated on the road...Timmy with triple doubles...Manu with the best season in years...I'm too smart to get playoff hopes in the first quarter of the season...but damn - you couldn't ask for a better start to the season than this
:lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:..........:lobt2:???

[maddnezz]

http://lolsnaps.com/upload_images/real/748.jpg what.....thee....fuck!

[HarlemHeat37]

Splitter's performance is irrelevant when he's playing in garbage time..he has already proven that he needs minutes out there..Pop said he'll get more as the season continues, I believe him..

I'm sure Splitter will get PT tomorrow, hopefully Duncan doesn't play..it also looks like Bonner is losing his confidence..

[Hemotivo]

Tenth assist? George fucking dribbled the ball!!! That was definitely a Stockton assist.

:downspin:

[Ice009]

I thought he was nothing special out there.

Pop doesn't control how well he does or doesn't play when he's out there.

I just think he had serious momentum after some games and then Pop never played him the next game or two and squashed his momentum. I don't understand what Pop is trying to do with him.

[TampaDude]

This team is looking amazing...undefeated on the road...Timmy with triple doubles...Manu with the best season in years...I'm too smart to get playoff hopes in the first quarter of the season...but damn - you couldn't ask for a better start to the season than this
:lobt2::lobt2::lobt2::lobt2:..........:lobt2:???

Yup...while there's still a lot of basketball left to play, the Spurs look really solid so far. This could very well be the year they get #5.

:lobt2: :lobt2: :lobt2: :lobt2: :lobt2:

[EricB]

I just think he had serious momentum after some games and then Pop never played him the next game or two and squashed his momentum. I don't understand what Pop is trying to do with him.


rewatch the 2003 season with Ginobili.

Did the same thing with him.

[toki9]

rewatch the 2003 season with Ginobili.

Did the same thing with him.

Pop's got serious trust issues...takes a lot for him to give it...and to take it away...

[Cessation]

damn, neal is hot, 14 pts, 2-4 from 3
hes the most surprising player this season, coming out of nowhere, dont care if its shitty warriors, or hornets best d in the league
choo choo will be running the train on you!!

[E-RockWill]

Pop's got serious trust issues...takes a lot for him to give it...and to take it away...

This whole system is built on trust.

[TD 21]

Splitter's performance is irrelevant when he's playing in garbage time..he has already proven that he needs minutes out there..Pop said he'll get more as the season continues, I believe him..

I'm sure Splitter will get PT tomorrow, hopefully Duncan doesn't play..it also looks like Bonner is losing his confidence..

I'd play Duncan. They're already two up (down, really, but you get the point) in the loss column in the race for home court and three up on the Lakers. With the Lakers lack of depth at center right now, they may be able to tack on another game to their lead.

Why risk handing a game away against the Clippers? Sure, the Spurs should be able to beat them without Duncan, but there's no need to chance it and in the process, ending up further taxing Ginobili and to a lesser extent, Parker.

Duncan should start and if the game is under control, play limited minutes. Hopefully they can keep him between 20-25 minutes or if it's a blowout or verging on that relatively early, 15-20 minutes.

[EricB]

Play Neal big minutes against the Clips, hes on a roll again.

[Cessation]

they didnt play that much, big three only logged in 30 min each
and it looked like they didnt even try out there
moved so unhurried like, expended a minimum of energy, super efficient :toast

[EricB]

There won't be any intentional sitting of Duncan and Manu till April I'd reckon.

[awktalk]

they didnt play that much, big three only logged in 30 min each
and it looked like they didnt even try out there
moved so unhurried like, expended a minimum of energy, super efficient :toast

The reason it looks like they don't expend much energy is because the guards run hard on outlets. I really think this strategy is new to the NBA. When Phoenix ran, they ran up the court hard and as a pack of fuggin wolves. This Spurs team has taught their rebounders to hit the outlet HARD. They usually LEAD the outlet from under the basket to the half-court line in like 2 seconds. And they create off of the chaos that causes by quick passing and disciplined shooting. This type of quickness and scoring efficiency is rooted in this amazingly dedicated mental mindset to rebound the ball AND GET IT UP THE FLOOR.

I've never seen anything like it before. This is why they are 15-2.

[duncan228]

Some post-game quotes.


Duncan’s triple double paces Spurs past Warriors (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2010113009)

Tim Duncan has lobbied Spurs coach Gregg Popovich numerous times to play point guard in the past. Each time he’s been denied.

Don’t expect Popovich to have a change of mind any time soon, even after San Antonio’s All-Star forward matched his career-high for assists while recording his first triple double in nearly two years.

Duncan had 15 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists, Manu Ginobili added 27 points and the Spurs kept rolling along with the NBA’s best record following a 118-98 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

“He’s been the heart and soul of our program for a long time,” Popovich said of Duncan. “He’s Tim Duncan, that’s what he does. He’s where it all begins. After all this time, we probably take him for granted.”

Duncan, who recently moved past David Robinson to become the Spurs’ career scoring leader, shot just 6 of 15 from the field but helped San Antonio’s offense keep rolling by dishing the ball to his teammates. Duncan also matched his season-high for rebounds.

It’s Duncan’s first triple double since May 29, 2008 when he had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. The Spurs lost that game, which denied them a shot to defend their NBA title that year.

They didn’t waste Duncan’s huge game this time.

“I couldn’t make a shot so I figured I’d pass it and let somebody else make a shot,” Duncan said. “I wasn’t trying to do it. Just the flow of the game and the plays that were being called.”

Duncan thought his night was done with 2:34 left in the third quarter. He went to the bench needing one assist for the triple double with San Antonio holding a 16-point lead and the Spurs playing in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday.

Popovich put Duncan back in with 8:49 remaining in the fourth after Golden State made a brief run. Duncan got the assist on a pass to George Hill, two minutes later.

As for Duncan lobbying Popovich for a chance to play point, don’t count on it.

“I’ve been doing it for 14 years now and it’s never happened,” Duncan said. “So it’s no time to start now. It’s not going to happen.”

San Antonio, which won its ninth straight against Golden State, improved its NBA-best record to 15-2.

Stephen Curry scored 32 points and David Lee added 18 points and seven rebounds for Golden State (8-10). The Warriors have lost eight of their last 10.

“When you don’t play your best ball against an experienced team like San Antonio, there’s a reason their record is the way it is,” Lee said. “They don’t necessarily do it with all athleticism and power and length. They do it with smarts and they take advantage of any mistake that you make.”

Playing the front end of a back-to-back, the Spurs led by 10 points at halftime and 18 in the third quarter before cruising over the final 12 minutes. The Warriors made one brief run, closing to 100-88 on a Curry 3-pointer with 6:49 remaining, but that was it.

Hill and Tony Parker scored on back-to-back trips down the floor and Duncan added a dunk off an assist from Ginobili to make it 106-88.

The Spurs finished November with a 14-1 record and remained undefeated in eight road games.

Ginobili has been a big reason.

The veteran guard is off to one of the best starts of his career and has been particularly efficient over the last week. He is averaging 26.4 points over his last five games and is shooting 51.3 percent from the floor during that stretch.

“Manu’s been really scorching it,” Duncan said. “We know he’s got that capability but it’s still fun to sit there and watch him do it. He’s feeling good right now so we’re going to roll with him.”

Ginobili scored 16 of his points in the third quarter when the Spurs built an 91-73 lead.

Tempers flared late in the third after Richard Jefferson’s alley oop dunk gave the Spurs an 82-66 lead. Jefferson appeared to land on Lee, who took exception and shoved Jefferson. Antonio McDyess stepped in and argued with Lee as players from both teams came rushing in before referees restored order.

The officials met briefly then assessed a double technical to Lee and Jefferson.

It was that kind of night for the Warriors, who committed 16 turnovers and were outrebounded 50-44.

Lee, playing in only his second game since missing eight games with an elbow infection, tried to give Golden State a lift but the Warriors couldn’t match San Antonio’s depth.

Only four Golden State players reached double figures.

San Antonio led most of the first quarter but fell behind 26-23 after a 10-3 run by Golden State. The Spurs then scored seven points over the final 35 seconds, getting a 3-pointer from Gary Neal followed by four free throws from Ginobili.

Ginobili was fouled by Monta Ellis while attempting a 3 then got an additional free throw when Ellis slapped his hands together in frustration and was hit with a technical foul.

Ginobili made three more free throws early in the second quarter and Jefferson scored on an alley oop pass from Parker to help the Spurs push their lead to 49-37. Jefferson later added a one-handed dunk and Duncan scored on a three-point play as San Antonio took a 58-48 halftime edge.

DeJuan Blair had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs.

Notes: Golden State F Ekpe Udoh, who has not played this season because of a wrist injury, was cleared for contact and worked out one-on-out with assistant coach Calbert Cheaney before the game. … The Warriors last win against the Spurs came on Jan. 7, 2008.

[Cessation]

The reason it looks like they don't expend much energy is because the guards run hard on outlets. I really think this strategy is new to the NBA. When Phoenix ran, they ran up the court hard and as a pack of fuggin wolves. This Spurs team has taught their rebounders to hit the outlet HARD. They usually LEAD the outlet from under the basket to the half-court line in like 2 seconds. And they create off of the chaos that causes by quick passing and disciplined shooting. This type of quickness and scoring efficiency is rooted in this amazingly dedicated mental mindset to rebound the ball AND GET IT UP THE FLOOR.

I've never seen anything like it before. This is why they are 15-2.

Ive seen it. The Jordan bulls run opportunistically of defensive rebounds, regularly. Rodman was great with the outlet. This is one way they got easy baskets without a dominant center.

Spurs made it look easy, in the half court as well. I'd say its because they coming of some tough games recently. Magic, Wolves, Mavs, Hornets. They in a good rythm right now, their focus is very high, so owning the shitty warrior d was eezy breezy.

I agree, they playing like they the best team in the league.
unlike the suckass lakers, who even with their weak schedulle are losing to scrub teams like pacers and grizzlies lol

[duncan228]

More post-game quotes.


Keith Smart

On Manu Ginobili: “He’s been playing that way all year. He’s been playing at a very high level. Getting to the basket, shooting the three and that guy can pull up for a three as well as get to the rim, he’s going to be a tough cover. Then he understands how to cut hard, really cut hard, to force a defense to react to him. He just understands how to play the game, play at a very high rate and that’s why he’s having success.”

On The Spurs 15-2 Start: “They’ve got guys on that team that have been through the wars. I think the one key is that all those guys have been home this summer. They didn’t have national team commitments or things like that and they could focus on getting their bodies together and getting proper rest to get off to the fast start. But they’re good. They’ve been there and they understand how to play.“

On The Warriors Effort: “I thought we were a little stagnant here and there. I think they’ve (Spurs) done what they’ve done the last couple of years and that’s invite us to take the jumpshot and say we are going to live with you shooting the jumpshot.”

Dorell Wright

On The Spurs: “They play together and buy into the system. Those guys have been playing with each other for a few years now, so they know each other. You can learn something from them as far as the defensive end on how they help and they listen to their coach. You can see it pays off.”

“We need to continue to play together and stay together and play hard. If we do all those things we could steal a couple of games that people don’t think we can win.”

Stephen Curry

On Tonight's Game: “You have to play smart and make minimal mistakes because they are going to capitalize. They run their offense so well and have played with each other for so long that they know where to be offensively. When you take out their first option they have their spacing so great that everyone is in the right spot and they move that ball where somebody is going to make a play. Defensively you have to be a step ahead with all five guys.”

“I think they are the most efficient team we have seen so far. They run their offensive sets so well. You know it’s coming but you still have trouble being one step ahead to defend it. Their veterans are smart and are going to run it to perfection. But when you get a stop you have to get the rebound.”

[JustinJDW]

Hey, Splitter's form on that 3-point attempt was pretty damn good. It almost went in. Does that guy have any kind of mid-range jumper at all? With that form, he easily could.

[Bukefal]

Wow 118 points! 7 players in double figures!! Duncan and Manu doing great! Blair coming back! :clap

:flag::flag::flag:

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Ive seen it. The Jordan bulls run opportunistically of defensive rebounds, regularly. Rodman was great with the outlet. This is one way they got easy baskets without a dominant center.

Spurs made it look easy, in the half court as well. I'd say its because they coming of some tough games recently. Magic, Wolves, Mavs, Hornets. They in a good rythm right now, their focus is very high, so owning the shitty warrior d was eezy breezy.

I agree, they playing like they the best team in the league.
unlike the suckass lakers, who even with their weak schedulle are losing to scrub teams like pacers and grizzlies lol

Some Laker's fans are so pathetic they'll probably come up with an excuse to why they are losing to all the scrub teams. :lol

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

In the meanwhile, damn good win from the Spurs! Didn't even allow the Warriors to score 100 considering the Warriors are all about offense.

And Tim Duncan with the triple double!