Pop's Headscratchers

[timvp]

To end the third and begin the fourth, Pop went without TD, TP or Manu. At the time, I thought he was crazy. I can't remember a time he's done that this year in a hotly contested game against a quality team. But Pop ended up being right. By resting Manu a few more minutes then, he made sure Manu had his legs at the end ... and that was obviously important.

However, down the stretch, Pop's timeout management was really confusing. With a minute to go, Pop put Duncan on the bench for a defensive stop because the Nuggets went ultra small. The Spurs get a stop with 45 seconds remaining and hold a two-point lead. With Nene fouled out and the Nuggets using the extremely defensive challenged Harrington at center against Duncan, how does Pop not call a timeout there to feed the hot hand against a horrible defender?

Then after Harrington misses the free throw that could have tied it with 25 seconds to go, I don't understand why Pop called a timeout there. Manu had the ball, the Nuggets had to foul ... what more could he want?

And finally, Pop not calling a timeout with McDyess inbounding and the Spurs up by one with seven seconds to go was another headscratcher. First of all, McDyess is a bad passer. Secondly, the easiest way to lose in that situation is to turn it over under the opponent's basket. Calling a timeout there to get a better passer and get it at halfcourt should have been a no-brainer.

I'll definitely take the win but Pop made some discussion worthy decisions in that second half . . .

[lefty]

Telll me about it

IDK why he stuck with GH

Manu bailed Pop out

[DesignatedT]

Question the substitutions all you want but the last part is retarded imo. Pop shouldn't have to be the one to call timeout when Mcdyess is bringing in the ball. Mcdyess is an old vet who should see if he can catch Manu open (which happens a lot when defenses can't get set) and is more than capable to call timeout himself if he can't get Manu open (which he should have done)

Bonehead play by Dice.

[MannyIsGod]

I was wondering about the Dice substitution myself considering how Duncan had been beasting.

[DesignatedT]

As for the part about calling a timeout with 25 seconds left when Manu got the rebound... I think he might have wanted to clear things up on the defensive side of the court for when Denver ends up getting the ball back (If they didn't call a timeout). Only thing I can think of since he was really working a lot with the white board in that specific timeout.

[lefty]

I was wondering about the Dice substitution myself considering how Duncan had been beasting.

That too

A very WTF moment

[SpursDynasty85]

Dyess's pass was right on the money. Manu the great completely wiffed that pass. Sorry, but we all shoudl expect manu to catch that pass. What happened was Manu felt the pressure from behind and was trying to draw a foul. Flopping is very much a part of manu's game, and that was a case of when it really hurt the spurs.

[crc21209]

Gotta agree. At one point during the game Pop for some reason had Bonner on Melo and Neal on Melo as well...WTF?!?!

[TDMVPDPOY]

i thought he was crazy in the first quarter when duncan was hittin all his shots, then they stop feedin him

[ElNono]

I'll give you another one: On a night when Denver was not closing out on Bonner, and right after he nailed a three and we had momentum, he pulls him.

[rayray2k8]

That last play ended up almost costing the spurs. Spurs survived the night in Denver.
Was sure they were gonna lose especially coming off a back to back.
But there's not such thing as a 'bad' win.

[lefty]

That's a pretty impressive list of WTF Pop, and yet we beat Denver on the road
:lol

[#2!]

I thought he played with the lineup too much during the last couple of minutes. Tim being taken out with a minute left was not a good call, no matter who the Nuggets were fielding. Tim was playing well on both ends, and his decision making is something to rely on. Also, Idk that McDyess is so much faster than Duncan that he's a substantial enough upgrade against the smallball lineup to make the switch (given Duncan's play for the night).

I decided that it was okay and that Pop had set a maximum for Tim's minutes tonight, and that was good enough reasoning for me. But after the switch happened again later (with RJ for Duncan) I thought that Tim going in and out of the game was strategy. If it was, then it wasn't a very good one, and Pop should just let Tim close out the final minute next time.


But regular season games are the times to experiment and learn, so oh well.

[EricB]

I'll give you another one: On a night when Denver was not closing out on Bonner, and right after he nailed a three and we had momentum, he pulls him.


He's heading Spurstalk. Play bonner less.

[jag]

As for the part about calling a timeout with 25 seconds left when Manu got the rebound... I think he might have wanted to clear things up on the defensive side of the court for when Denver ends up getting the ball back (If they didn't call a timeout). Only thing I can think of since he was really working a lot with the white board in that specific timeout.

That's what i figured. It was more of a defensive timeout.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I fully agreed and praised Pop's early 4th Q substitutions. Clearly the goal was ensuring energy to close the game. It worked to perfection.

I think Pop pulled Duncan out to give him a breather. A quickie breather. Probably figured Duncan was due for a miss and just had to keep our slim lead for the final possessions and Duncan could go back in.

No idea why Pop called that timeout after Harrington's free throws.

I think that bad Dice pass happened so fast Pop was caught off guard. Shoulda called one there.

[DesignatedT]

How many times did we see Frye pop that 3 ball because Duncan couldn't get out there on him in time. Exactly what Pop didn't want happening with Al Harrington. Whether or not it's the right call is a different story but his intentions were very clear on what he was trying to do..... at least IMO.

[HarlemHeat37]

- His lineups in the 1st half were very questionable and helped put the Spurs in a hole..the small ball was understandable, given Denver's lineup on the floor, but the combination of players for the small ball was very questionable..

- The Bonner-Blair frontcourt doesn't work, I thought this was already an established point that everybody figured out last year..when McDyess entered the game in the 2nd half, the difference was huge..Blair-Bonner should never be on the floor at the same time, unless there's absolutely no choice at all..

- I thought he played Gary Neal too much, especially during one particular stretch during the game..

I didn't mind anything he did in the 4th for the most part..the pass from McDyess could be blamed on both of them..Pop should have known not to trust the worst passer on the team, and Dice should know when the play is too risky to throw that pass..

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

How many rings have you won LJ? STFU. [/Tpark]

[EricB]

I dont get players not moving on the baseline. Don't they understand they can move up and down the damn baseline?

That pass was on McDyess and Manu.

[EricB]

How many rings have you won LJ? STFU. [/Tpark]

Seriously?

[DesignatedT]

I dont get players not moving on the baseline. Don't they understand they can move up and down the damn baseline?



No shit... that would clearly help getting the ball inbounded.

[EricB]

Also when Harrington came in, Duncan did get the ball immediately and pretty much played him pretty soft and settled for a bad shot.

[JsnSA]

I don't know...If I remember correctly Tim got burned a few times defensively towards the end when they had the smaller lineup and it seemed the Knicks intended to take advantage of that. Swapping Tim out for one play under those circumstances seems like a valid move. Pop did wait a bit longer than I thought he should have to bring him back in though.

[TJastal]

Question the substitutions all you want but the last part is retarded imo. Pop shouldn't have to be the one to call timeout when Mcdyess is bringing in the ball. Mcdyess is an old vet who should see if he can catch Manu open (which happens a lot when defenses can't get set) and is more than capable to call timeout himself if he can't get Manu open (which he should have done)

Bonehead play by Dice.

You are retarded.

He had Ginobili open it's not McDyess's fault Manu fumbled the pass off his weak right hand. McDyess put the pass right on the money, I gaurantee you if it had been Ginobili's left hand he would have caught it no problem.

I don't know if you ever noticed this or not, but Manu is a very left hand dominant player.

[FkLA]

Duncan was a beast tonight. But he was getting eaten up by Melo once they ran the pick and roll and he had to switch on him. The very next play after Duncan was substituted, the Nuggs tried the same play and Dice was able to stay in front of him forcing Melo to pass. That was a good substitution in my opinion.

The play where he called a timeout when Manu had the ball in his hands I can understand, because they couldve easily tried to trap. There were still 20+ seconds left in the game. Agree about the play where they stole the inbound though, that definitely warranted a timeout.

[ElNono]

He's heading Spurstalk. Play bonner less.

Not playing him in crunch time is a no brainer... This was early in the 4th though... (8 mins left when he pulled him).

[timvp]

Pop shouldn't have to be the one to call timeout when Mcdyess is bringing in the ball. Mcdyess is an old vet who should see if he can catch Manu open (which happens a lot when defenses can't get set) and is more than capable to call timeout himself if he can't get Manu open (which he should have done)

Bonehead play by Dice.

First of all, it probably should have been a timeout before McDyess even attempted the inbounds. That situation was much more timeout worthy than when Pop called a timeout when Manu had the ball and 25 seconds to go.

Secondly, with Pop standing there right next to a ref, he could have called timeout easier than anyone. Dice is looking for an open man and maybe didn't know the timeout situation. After Dice didn't find anyone right away, Pop should have called the timeout ... and he almost always does in that situation.


I was wondering about the Dice substitution myself considering how Duncan had been beasting.

I can live with the Dice sub for the defensive possession. Duncan would have had to guard Harrington beyond the three-point line ... and that would have been pretty dangerous. McDyess is much better at defending the perimeter and pick-and-rolls.

But after getting the rebound, how Pop didn't call timeout to put Duncan back in to take advantage of Harrington at the other end is something I can't figure out.


As for the part about calling a timeout with 25 seconds left when Manu got the rebound... I think he might have wanted to clear things up on the defensive side of the court for when Denver ends up getting the ball back (If they didn't call a timeout). Only thing I can think of since he was really working a lot with the white board in that specific timeout.

:lol That would have been the first such timeout in NBA history. Up by one with the ball and an opportunity to waste time and send your best free throw shooter to the line and you call timeout to talk about defense on the following possession? Yeah ... unlikely, to say the least.

If Pop wanted to talk defense, he could have taken the timeout after Ginobili got fouled.

[TJastal]

I dont get players not moving on the baseline. Don't they understand they can move up and down the damn baseline?

That pass was on McDyess and Manu.

Underrated point here, about moving on the baseline. Still can't blame either one though IMO. McDyess put the pass on the $$$$, Ginobili's isn't right handed, if anyone is to blame it should have been Pop for not using a timeout to set up an inbounds play.

[EricB]

Then after Harrington misses the free throw that could have tied it with 25 seconds to go, I don't understand why Pop called a timeout there. Manu had the ball, the Nuggets had to foul ... what more could he want?

Inbounding at half court and running 7 more seconds off the clock


Just sayin :)

[DesignatedT]

You are retarded.

He had Ginobili open it's not McDyess's fault Manu fumbled the pass off his weak right hand. McDyess put the pass right on the money, I gaurantee you if it had been Ginobili's left hand he would have caught it no problem.

I don't know if you ever noticed this or not, but Manu is a very left hand dominant player.

:lmao calm down son.

Sure, Manu could have still caught that ball but it was still a questionable decision seeing that you still had 3 timeouts left. A risk not worth taking...understand?

You mean Manu isn't right handed?

[ElNono]

It was a mental mistake at the end, and I agree with TPark it's on both. I'm glad it happened now and not in April though.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Maybe Kenny Smith was right about the Spurs' coaches expecting their opposition to be dumb enough...Nothing else (better) explains Coach Pop's mis-moves in the final minutes.

[Pauleta14]

Telll me about it

IDK why he stuck with GH

Manu bailed Pop out


As long as Anderson is out, we don't have that much options to rest Manu.

Even if George wasn't good offensively, he's still a good physical presence defensively...

Would you prefer more PT for Quinn? :lol

[EricB]

Again, mcdyess could've moved down the baseline, and manu had the ball hit him right in the damn hands.

If Mcdyess shakes the cement off or Manu could catch the ball its all negated.

[timvp]

Inbounding at half court and running 7 more seconds off the clock

Manu could have run off just as much time in the backcourt. On the inbounds, a smart team would have fouled either Duncan or Parker. Spurs got lucky that the ball got back into Ginobili's hands.

And plus, if inbounding at halfcourt was important, the time to call timeout was when McDyess was panicking under the opponent's basket . . .

[EricB]

I think the "discussion points" are ticky tack discussion points IMO.

He's made far more curious decisions that have ended up doing worse or better in games that never got threads before.

[TJastal]

:lmao calm down son.

Sure, Manu could have still caught that ball but it was still a questionable decision seeing that you still had 3 timeouts left. A risk not worth taking...understand?

You mean Manu isn't right handed?

So you're saying Dice is more to blame than Pop for not calling a timeout on the play? I put that one on the coach, every time.

[EricB]

Manu could have run off just as much time in the backcourt. On the inbounds, a smart team would have fouled either Duncan or Parker. Spurs got lucky that the ball got back into Ginobili's hands.

And plus, if inbounding at halfcourt was important, the time to call timeout was when McDyess was panicking under the opponent's basket . . .


Alright if we really want to get into semantics. What if Pop's thinking is, lets run this diversion because the players the Nuggets have 0 BBall IQ and won't react quick enough.

Again, if Mcdyess followed basketball 101 and moved along the baseline and if Manu could catch a pass that hits him in the hands there is no questioning the no timeout.

[Capt Bringdown]

There's enough blame to go around regarding the TO that almost cost us the game.
You don't expect seasoned vets to make such boneheaded plays. But it happens, folks get caught up in the heat of the moment.
That's when the coach is supposed to step in and make the right move, ain't it?
I think Pop was probably a much smarter coach when Carlesimo was around.

[DesignatedT]

First of all, it probably should have been a timeout before McDyess even attempted the inbounds. That situation was much more timeout worthy than when Pop called a timeout when Manu had the ball and 25 seconds to go.

Secondly, with Pop standing there right next to a ref, he could have called timeout easier than anyone. Dice is looking for an open man and maybe didn't know the timeout situation. After Dice didn't find anyone right away, Pop should have called the timeout ... and he almost always does in that situation.

The players should always know the timeout situation, especially when you have 3 left. Since it happened so fast, I'm sure that Pop wanted to see if Dice could find an open man before calling timeout. If he could do it over I'm sure he'd do it differently but it wasn't necessarily the wrong call. It was a bonehead play by Mcdyess by throwing the ball.


:lol That would have been the first such timeout in NBA history. Up by one with the ball and an opportunity to waste time and send your best free throw shooter to the line and you call timeout to talk about defense on the following possession? Yeah ... unlikely, to say the least.

If Pop wanted to talk defense, he could have taken the timeout after Ginobili got fouled.

Probably right. He could have also been scared of our guys not handling a potential double team correctly.

[timvp]

I think the "discussion points" are ticky tack discussion points IMO.

He's made far more curious decisions that have ended up doing worse or better in games that never got threads before.

Pop always has quirky rotations. But when's the last time Pop had a handful of questionable decisions down the stretch? This is one of the rare times where I didn't follow his logic at all on multiple occasions in such a short amount of time.

[EricB]

There's enough blame to go around regarding the TO that almost cost us the game.
You don't expect seasoned vets to make such boneheaded plays. But it happens, folks get caught up in the heat of the moment.
That's when the coach is supposed to step in and make the right move, ain't it?
I think Pop was probably a much smarter coach when Carlesimo was around.


:lmao

Is there such a thing as most overrated assistant coach ever?

Seriously He wasn't even Pop's right hand man when he was in town.

[DesignatedT]

So you're saying Dice is more to blame than Pop for not calling a timeout on the play? I put that one on the coach, every time.


Blame could go to both. It was just a freak play. It's not a bad idea to see if you can catch the defense off guard and get a easy pass to Manu...

[EricB]

Pop always has quirky rotations. But when's the last time Pop had a handful of questionable decisions down the stretch? This is one of the rare times where I didn't follow his logic at all on multiple occasions in such a short amount of time.

Oh please.

Again, rewatch past games and I gauran damn tee you he's done same or worse decisions that again, in a win if you want to be picky were worse or more unexplainable.


The inbounds pass hit ginobili in the hands. Ball should've been caught.

McDyess should have moved Manu should have caught it, pop could've called timeout.

[Gooshie]

I agree that he shouldn't have called timeout off of Harrington's missed free throw and should have called one before McDyess inbounded the ball. I was screaming at the tv both times.

However, I don't mind not calling timeout in the other situation you mentioned to get TD back in the game. I'm ok with him saving a timeout there and just playing through it. Duncan had just missed 2 free throws a minute before that, too.

The best thing is we still won, and hopefully Pop learns from this and will call a timeout in that Dice situation every single time from here on out.

[TJastal]

The players should always know the timeout situation, especially when you have 3 left. Since it happened so fast, I'm sure that Pop wanted to see if Dice could find an open man before calling timeout. If he could do it over I'm sure he'd do it differently but it wasn't necessarily the wrong call. It was a bonehead play by Mcdyess by throwing the ball.



Probably right. He could have also been scared of our guys not handling a potential double team correctly.

Once again, how is it McDyess' fault for putting a pass right on Manu's hand?

[timvp]

Oh please.

Again, rewatch past games and I gauran damn tee you he's done same or worse decisions that again, in a win if you want to be picky were worse or more unexplainable.Like what game?



The inbounds pass hit ginobili in the hands. Ball should've been caught.

McDyess should have moved Manu should have caught it, pop could've called timeout.That's only one of the plays I'm talking about.

But still, I think it's just weird that Pop didn't call a timeout there when he calls a timeout in that situation 98 times out of a 100. And even weirder since Pop had just called a timeout that wasn't necessary.

Seems discussion worthy to me even though the Spurs got the win.

[TJastal]

Blame could go to both. It was just a freak play. It's not a bad idea to see if you can catch the defense off guard and get a easy pass to Manu...

Now you're coming to your senses, after your initial McDyess witchhunt. :toast

[DesignatedT]

It happens in almost every single close game in the NBA. A team makes a shot to cut the lead to a couple with under 20 seconds and the opposing team grabs the rebound and inbounds it so quick that the defense doesn't have time to set up and they get the ball to there best ft shooter. It was just a bad pass from Dice and he needs to be smarter in that situation. It's nothing new.

[DesignatedT]

Once again, how is it McDyess' fault for putting a pass right on Manu's hand?


Now you're coming to your senses, after your initial McDyess witchhunt. :toast

By no means was that a perfect pass IMO.

[EricB]

It happens in almost every single close game in the NBA. A team makes a shot to cut the lead to a couple with under 20 seconds and the opposing team grabs the rebound and inbounds it so quick that the defense doesn't have time to set up and they get the ball to there best ft shooter. It was just a bad pass from Dice and he needs to be smarter in that situation. It's nothing new.

How was it a bad pass? It hit him in the hands?

Im a huge Ginobili fan and I agree McDyess should've moved, but it hit Ginobili in the damn hands.

[EricB]

By no means was that a perfect pass IMO.

How much more perfect than "hitting him in the hands" does it have to be?

[EricB]

Like what game?


.


I don't know lets bust out game film of games 1-24 and check em out.

Guaranteed you could do it.


JMO, I don't mind a good WTF was Pop doing when its warranted but I think the discussion points here are again weaker than in a game against say when they played Dallas.

[DesignatedT]

How much more perfect than "hitting him in the hands" does it have to be?

I thought it was a bad angle, It was a little high, manu was running towards the ball and he threw it hard. In that situation you should only throw the ball in if the guy is wide open.... especially with 3 timeouts remaining.

[HarlemHeat37]

The quality of the pass doesn't really matter to me, tbh..

McDyess is probably the worst passer on the team..having him inbound the ball in a situation like that should never happen again..it's way too risky..why play with fire like that?..

[DesignatedT]

It's just an unnecessary risk to throw that ball is all I'm saying.... You run it the same way to see if you get Manu wide open (because that happens a lot when the defense can't get set) and if he isn't wide open then you call timeout.

[EricB]

I thought it was a bad angle, It was a little high, manu was running towards the ball and he threw it hard. In that situation you should only throw the ball in if the guy is wide open.... especially with 3 timeouts remaining.


This is even more picky than the thread.

[EricB]

It's just an unnecessary risk to throw that ball is all I'm saying.... You run it the same way to see if you get Manu wide open (because that happens a lot when the defense can't get set) and if he isn't wide open then you call timeout.

Except he was open. Open enough for it to hit him in the hands.


Now had Anthony stepped in front taken the ball away I'd agree.

But Ginobili fumbled it away. It hit him in the hands and should've been handled.

[DesignatedT]

Except he was open. Open enough for it to hit him in the hands.


Now had Anthony stepped in front taken the ball away I'd agree.

But Ginobili fumbled it away. It hit him in the hands and should've been handled.

Not open enough for me to feel comfortable. Not even close.. he was clearly struggling to get open and covered well up to that point, he might have gotten free at the last minute but it was still a bad angle and an unnecessary risk with 3 timeouts.

Another reason manu bobbled the ball was because he was feeling pressure (not open enough)

I don't even know why we are still talking about this :lol

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

The first Timeout was a little boneheaded... The non-timeout was not boneheaded at all, it's on Mcdyess to know not to make a risky pass like that under his own basket.

Like the assistant coach said on the post game show, it's pretty standard to try to get an easy inbound and call a timeout if nothing is there.

At that point too, I'd rather not burn the last timeout incase it was needed later in the game

[DesignatedT]

The first Timeout was a little boneheaded... The non-timeout was not boneheaded at all, it's on Mcdyess to know not to make a risky pass like that under his own basket.

Like the assistant coach said on the post game show, it's pretty standard to try to get an easy inbound and call a timeout if nothing is there.

At that point too, I'd rather not burn the last timeout incase it was needed later in the game

Exactly what I'm sayin... I see the assistant coach agrees.

[TJastal]

How was it a bad pass? It hit him in the hands?

Im a huge Ginobili fan and I agree McDyess should've moved, but it hit Ginobili in the damn hands.

I agree with EricB here, the ball bounced off of Ginobili's all-thumbs right hand.

But still, it's clearly McDyess' fault for not traveling to Argentina when Ginobili was younger and making him work on his ambidexterity. I'm sure DesignatedT will agree here. :lol

[DesignatedT]

I agree with EricB here, the ball bounced off of Ginobili's all-thumbs right hand.

But still, it's clearly McDyess' fault for not traveling to Argentina when Ginobili was younger and making him work on his ambidexterity. I'm sure DesignatedT will agree here. :lol

Please just stop addressing me in your posts.

[timvp]

Like the assistant coach said on the post game show, it's pretty standard to try to get an easy inbound and call a timeout if nothing is there.Pop is usually the one calling the timeout there though. McDyess could and probably should have called it but Pop is always there to call a quick timeout if someone isn't immediately open.


At that point too, I'd rather not burn the last timeout incase it was needed later in the gameThe Spurs had at least two timeouts left.

[TJastal]

The first Timeout was a little boneheaded... The non-timeout was not boneheaded at all, it's on Mcdyess to know not to make a risky pass like that under his own basket.

Like the assistant coach said on the post game show, it's pretty standard to try to get an easy inbound and call a timeout if nothing is there.

At that point too, I'd rather not burn the last timeout incase it was needed later in the game

Exactly, good idea to save the time out for later if possible, that much I agree with.

But McDyess is not at fault here. McDyess saw the best free throw shooter on the team wide open under the basket, he puts the ball squarely snug right in Ginobili's hand, but Ginobili's meathook right hand can't snare the pass.

[TJastal]

Pop is usually the one calling the timeout there though. McDyess could and probably should have called it but Pop is always there to call a quick timeout if someone isn't immediately open.

The Spurs had at least two timeouts left.

Bingo. It's hysterically funny you asshats think McDyess should be more responsible for not calling the T.O. instead of the coach of the team

[jjktkk]

Wow After reading all the comments on this thread, you would think the Spurs lost.

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Pop is usually the one calling the timeout there though. McDyess could and probably should have called it but Pop is always there to call a quick timeout if someone isn't immediately open.

The Spurs had at least two timeouts left.


Did they?

Don't get me wrong, Mcdyess should of called the time out after nobody got open initially. I just think it's a situation where you can't make a risky pass, right under your own basket.

I don't blame Pop for that at all.. It's not like he had a rookie inbounding the ball, he had Mcdyess inbounding the ball because he trusts Mcdyess to make the right decision.

Even if they have 2 timeouts, you still want to inbound the ball without burning a timeout (if it's there)

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Still though.. I completely agree on the boneheaded first timeout, when Manu had the ball in the backcourt.

[E-RockWill]

TJastal, fuck off.....

You suck d'eeeeeez nutz, mate......

[TJastal]

TJastal, fuck off.....

You suck d'eeeeeez nutz, mate......

That's your mom's job, mate.

[jjktkk]

Another factor, IMO, in the Dyess,Manu turnover, was JR Smith defended that inbounds pass pretty well.

[E-RockWill]

That's your mom's job, mate.

Hey, bitchass...

Leave my Mom outta this & I'll leave THIS* out of your Mom.....

Ohhhhhh, snap....Hey, TJastal, when I need to hear your lip, I'll take my cock outta yo mouff.....

:wow
* -imagine the opposite of your small, ass hungry, penis...

[jestersmash]

That's your mom's job, mate.

http://www.senia.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/swish.jpg

[Cane]

I was scrolling through NBA.com's stuff, here's what Michael Kelly wrote about Coach Pop in his "Good move/Bad move" part of his brief summary of the game in case anyone gives a damn:



GOOD MOVE: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called quick timeouts at the beginning of the game and early in the second half to stem Denver's momentum both times and keep San Antonio close.

http://www.nba.com/games/20101216/SASDEN/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0021000380#nbaGIboxscore



My only real beef with Pop tonight was suddenly subbing Dice in for Duncan late in the game...maybe it was to give Duncan some rest and/or maybe Pop likes McDyess' mobility/defense/fouls more. Nene and Melo were huge pains for the Spurs thats for sure though...

Last night I thought the Spurs played a little too small and should've had RJ in there for Hill more in the 4th but both times Coach Pop and the Spurs have pulled out W's without having to really drain anybody so its all good I suppose.

[TJastal]

Hey, bitchass...

Leave my Mom outta this & I'll leave THIS* out of your Mom.....

Ohhhhhh, snap....Hey, TJastal, when I need to hear your lip, I'll take my cock outta yo mouff.....

:wow
* -imagine the opposite of your small, ass hungry, penis...

VpE1iWOWL9o&feature=related

[E-RockWill]

Very well.

Carry on.....

[angelbelow]

I was stunned that they didn't call a timeout to advance the ball.. however, Ginobili redeeming himself on both ends of the court was not a surprise. All in all, I agree with most of your head scratchers. I think JR's big dunk might have made things worse - but I wasn't entirely sure why they went with Udoka to try and get a stop at the end of the quarter.

[urunobili]

the pass's direction and angle was ok. It was just too late. If you look at the play you'll see Manu bumping JR to gain some space though McDysee doesn't throw the ball at him then. Instead he waits and when he does throw it it's too late. That generated the turnover.

[silverblk mystix]

I am scratching my head as to why this thread was created after THIS game.

I understand that sometimes Pop does some questionable decisions and I am pretty upset at some playing time and lack of playing time for some players over others....

but in THIS game?

I think Pop was a big reason why the spurs did NOT get blown out in the first half and I also thought this was one of Pop's better coaching jobs of the season.

I couldn't even hate on Pop for Tiago NOT playing...because I think he was injured--and Bonner didn't seem to hurt the team as much.

Pop couldn't have done much better than he did-IMO.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

I was wondering about the Dice substitution myself considering how Duncan had been beasting.

I thought that myself then dice played great D on Nene and they got a stop. Then I thought "Smart Pop."

[Fabbs]

Does the ball bounce off GNobs rhand all due to Dyse-GNob or did JR Bitchard tap the ball from behind?

Manus head whiplashes.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Does the ball bounce off GNobs rhand all due to Dyse-GNob or did JR Bitchard tap the ball from behind?

Manus head whiplashes.

JR tapped the ball. Manu reacted and tried to draw a foul.

[nkdlunch]

To end the third and begin the fourth, Pop went without TD, TP or Manu. At the time, I thought he was crazy.

not crazy at all. it was a back 2 back game and he was resting his stars for the end.

[duncan228]

Popovich spent much of the first quarter of Thursday’s game trying to find a competitive mix of players, and his search included motivational messages to several players, including point guard Tony Parker.

Popovich replaced Parker with little-used backup Chris Quinn just long enough to remind him to be aggressive.

“There were two or three guys who needed to step it up, competitiveness-wise and physicality-wise,” Popovich said. “As we got through the game, they did, so I was happy with that.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/17/duncan-defense-can-recover-this-season/

[spurtech09]

Spurs won the game..... Move on

[timvp]

And finally, Pop not calling a timeout with McDyess inbounding and the Spurs up by one with seven seconds to go was another headscratcher. First of all, McDyess is a bad passer. Secondly, the easiest way to lose in that situation is to turn it over under the opponent's basket. Calling a timeout there to get a better passer and get it at halfcourt should have been a no-brainer.

Faced with a similar situation tonight with the Spurs up and Duncan inbounding under the Mavs basket, Pop waited a second and then called timeout. So much for it not being on Pop to call the timeout in that scenario . . .

[mazerrackham]

so, perhaps lesson learned and the Spurs will not make this mistake again...