Game Blog: Spurs @ Magic - Dec. 23

[NASpurs]

Hopefully we make a good adjustment at halftime.

Pop's adjustments are playing small ball or playing zone defense.

[Muser]

Quinn shouldn't see any more time tonight, neither should Blair. Ride Duncan/Dyess/Splitter the rest of the night.

[NASpurs]

9 points down isn't really "in it".

lol 15 year old Nazi

[ElNono]

Copycat game from last night on the defensive end. Can't expect Neil to bail us out every game. I don't expect the zone to work with DH inside.

[Capt Bringdown]

Can anyone make a valid argument why Pop would bench Splitter in this game? Seems like stupid and stubborn micro-management to me.

[TE]

Man.....................what an awful game.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

T. Splitter (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tiago_splitter/index.html) MINUTES:
00:00

[TE]

Please, can someone slap popovich. INSERT SPLITTER INSERT INSERT INSERT

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

lol 15 year old Nazi
:lmao

[janetcn12]

Looks like yesterday's game and hope it goes the same way.

[AidanNelson2009]

Splitter will rip it up in the 2nd half, he'll win it for us.

[DPG21920]

Can anyone make a valid argument why Pop would bench Splitter in this game? Seems like stupid and stubborn micro-management to me.

It's just not fair to the team or Tiago to play him tbh.

[hitmanyr2k]

Can anyone make a valid argument why Pop would bench Splitter in this game? Seems like stupid and stubborn micro-management to me.

It seems when the kid has a breakout game Popovich makes sure he stops any kind of momentum and confidence he could possibly gain. Fuckin retarded way of developing a player :lol

[ElNono]

It's just not fair to the team or Tiago to play him tbh.

This

[spurs1990]

We were down 9 after 3 quarters last night remember.

Orlando will come back down. They did score on 10 straight possessions before the half.

[Dirkadirkastan]

That was the most boring 62 in a half I've ever seen.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Nobody gives a shit what you say Charles.....

[DPG21920]

Neal needs more time tonight. Spurs should go small imo.

[ElNono]

Arenas will cool down. But some other guys didn't even got started yet, like Nelson.
Having Bass score at will doesn't help either

[Capt Bringdown]

I think Barkley's right, the Magic have the potential to be a very good team. I can certainly see how their many weapons could overwhelm defenses, as they're doing tonight against the Spurs.
Not much the Spurs D can do against them, is there?

[dbestpro]

Is Blair the poorest starter in the NBA?

[ElNono]

I also expect tired legs in the 2nd half... We're gonna have to slow it down a notch.

[TE]

Spurs will get back in this game.
Almost everyone played like shit, including Manu.

[AidanNelson2009]

The Magic's FG% was 66% and thier 3P% was 63%, there's no way they can keep that up in the 2nd half.

[Spurologist]

What do y'all think about Neal at the point? I'd hate it but I think pop might consider it considering Quinn's suckage

[Death In June]

It's just not fair to the team or Tiago to play him tbh.Yeah, what the fuck did pop mean by this anyway?

[HarlemHeat37]

- Spurs need to put in a lot more effort on D..they need to take better fouls inside, and Duncan needs to play tougher inside..however, letting Howard beat you is one thing, but the perimeter defenders shouldn't be getting beat every time..

- They need to take better shots..not enough ball movement, Parker is forcing too many shots inside..

- Playing Quinn or Udoka is going to kill any team in a game like this, but I guess they have to play Quinn, with the injuries and all..

- Jefferson needs some plays..he was being guarded by Turkoglu for a stretch, and he only had 1 play ran for him, which was the attempted alley-oop that drew a foul on Turkoglu..

They need to get him more involved, especially since he's being guarded by a guy that shouldn't be able to defend him..

[spurs1990]

Is Blair the poorest starter in the NBA?

I think his problem is he's a 6'6 big forward that apparently has no outside shot to speak of.

[janetcn12]

Blair..too much twittering...

[DPG21920]

No Neal at the point. Pop needs to have TP or Manu on the floor at all times.

[dbestpro]

What was sad was when Pop went small he put Udoka in. I mean Udoka over Splitter. That is just sad.

[HarlemHeat37]

Is Blair the poorest starter in the NBA?

Centerpiece..

[MI21]

Howard in the guts, Bass spreading the floor out to the midrange and shooters like Nelson, Richardson, Turkoglu, Anderson and Reddick spreading the court - please no zone.

[Capt Bringdown]

Is Blair the poorest starter in the NBA?
Could be. He would certainly be the poorest starter in the playoffs.

[ElNono]

Pop postgame: "They made some shots"

[Fireball]

Blair..too much twittering...

Do you understand his twits? I don't ...

[yavozerb]

Please Hill come back soon...

[EricB]

Amazing how the Spurs have the poorest starters every year.

Bowen

Blair

[Fireball]

Pop postgame: "They made some shots"

:lmao

[JohnnySixString]

Is it safe to assume defense is no longer a Spurs priority? lol

[NASpurs]

Spurs have been blown out in Orlando the past few years. So far it isn't a blow out. :lol

[EricB]

Is it safe to assume defense is no longer a Spurs priority? lol


According to who?

THey are missing two of their better perimeter defenders

[TE]

:( c'mon spurs

[EricB]

That's the extent of Pop's intelligence.


Yeah, bring back John Lucas!!

[it's me]

Do you understand his twits? I don't ...
Use Google translate and read them in German....:p:

[janetcn12]

Do you understand his twits? I don't ...

Lol...I thought I was the only one who don't understand his tweets....

[L.I.T]

Is it safe to assume defense is no longer a Spurs priority? lol

I think it's more safe to say the Spurs don't have the players necessary to lock down on a team for 48 minutes. So they get selective when they try and turn up the juice on D and play to their strengths on offense. You know, adjusting to the players they have.

Which still doesn't excuse Splitter getting no minutes today.

[DPG21920]

Defense is a priority, they just suck at it right now.

[YODA]

Ill ask once more....Did anyone notice the bell went off before time went out at halftime?????

[polandprzem]

play the game - not force youself to get Howard in to foul trouble

[EricB]

Defense is a priority, they just suck at it right now.


Again, take away any team's two better perimeter defenders and I'd say that will happen.

[Fireball]

Lol...I thought I was the only one who don't understand his tweets....

I only know he has a lot of brothers :lol

[AidanNelson2009]

Howard and Arenas will cool down in the 2nd half, we will get back in the game.

[NASpurs]

"They made a lot of shots" :lmao :lmao :lmao

[DPG21920]

Again, take away any team's two better perimeter defenders and I'd say that will happen.

It kind of sucked with them too.

[Spurologist]

:lmao

ElNono right spot on

[Spurs Brazil]

Omg

[DPG21920]

lol Manu. lol defense.

[HarlemHeat37]

I bet on Orlando to win, and for the game to hit the over..

Worst case, Spurs get blown out, Pop waves the flag, thus forcing the under..ugh, I can see it..

[NASpurs]

Manu has been missing fts more than usual the past few games.

[Tp9gospursgo]

lol nelson

[Spurs Brazil]

4th on Nelson

[Capt Bringdown]

I think it's more than just a bad night for us, the Magic are not a good matchup for us.

[Death In June]

RJ is pissing me off.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Nice Blair.

[Rummpd]

Spurs need a run

[NASpurs]

zone :lol

[Fireball]

Arenas in for Nelson ... not good

[suitedkings]

come on spurs lets do this!

[CFH]

A basket FINALLY

[Spurologist]

fuck Magic can't miss

[DPG21920]

Spurs doing a good job at drawing fouls. They need to get into the bonus and get to the line.

[duncan228]

Ugh.

[DPG21920]

Terrible start. Per the usual for Spurs in the third.

[janetcn12]

Well, there is still another half of the game...so whoever plays better defensively and offensively will win the game....but I want Spurs to win it...Go Spurs Go

[Tp9gospursgo]

Nice pass Tony.

[Spurs Brazil]

Nice pass Tony

[AidanNelson2009]

I knew the Magic would play like this, typical. There's nothing the Spurs can do.

[Capt Bringdown]

White Flag time. We can't stop 'em.

[davemaniscool]

tired of the o and ready for the d

[Texas_Ranger]

This is over. They make every single shot and look a lot better than we are.

[4>0rings]

:lmao Manu

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu just terrible

[Tp9gospursgo]

Ugh.

[duncan228]

Legs too tired.

[timtonymanu]

wth Manu.

[NASpurs]

Splitter sighting

[Spurologist]

Tiago coming in now?????

great timing pop

[ShoogarBear]

You know it's trouble when Duncan looks like he has the freshest legs.

[Spurs Brazil]

Now Tiago in :lol

[Sisk]

finally splitter....

[CFH]

Splitter!

[Texas_Ranger]

wow. Splitter is in.

[DPG21920]

Spurs making a terrible shooting team and terrible fast breaking team look like world champions at both :lol

Frustrating game, but the past 5 have indicated that this was going to happen. Lets see if the Spurs have another life in them.

[Tp9gospursgo]

As long as we dont let it get too bad we can still win this. C'mon guys. Don't give up.

[AidanNelson2009]

13 down, need a run badly, the game is slipping away.

[Capt Bringdown]

First appearance of the Duncan hang-dog look this season!

[L.I.T]

This game is indicative of their last five, barely any rest and having to fight down to the wire to scrape out wins.

[ImDaNuts]

Jesus christ I put $200 on Spurs 2nd half -2 lets fucking go you pussies

[Osnofa]

just hack a howard and pray for him to miss everything

[Texas_Ranger]

Why not Tim and Tiago?????????????????

[Rummpd]

Lets get this back down to half a dozen this quarter and then maybe Manu and Neal can do it one more time.

[4>0rings]

Who's that white guy wearing the number 22? I don't think I've ever seen him play before...

[janetcn12]

Yes, TS...

[CFH]

Parker!

[Tp9gospursgo]

Tp.

[DPG21920]

FML shitty zone.

[davemaniscool]

what are the magic at 85% shooting?

[AidanNelson2009]

The way the Magic are going, thier heading for 130 pts.

[Rummpd]

Spurs scoring just need stops!

[DPG21920]

What a play by Dwight. Just incredible. That was good defense.

[ShoogarBear]

Neal should have shot that instead of RJ.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Fuck you rj for missing that.

[Spurs Brazil]

we're dead

[Death In June]

Fucking terrible.

[ImDaNuts]

Wow this Spurs team is fucking garbage what a waste of money game over folks!!!!!!!

[ace3g]

Neal should have taken that

[CFH]

Ugly...

[L.I.T]

RJeff was kind of out of rhythm on that, I suspect he expected Neal to take the shot.

[4>0rings]

Splitter and Bonner against Howard? :lmao

[timtonymanu]

Ugh game's over. Spurs have no legs and Magic are playing like a million MJ's on one team.

[Chieflion]

I'm accepting the loss at this point.

[NASpurs]

Maybe after the Spurs miss a three pointer, they should run back instead of jog.

[Rummpd]

Its over what a bad game - miss badly a three etc.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

That's game.

[Uriel]

Ugh, I feel sick.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Tiago should have been playing before this. Tiago played ok defense right there on Dwight. Just better offense.

[Capt Bringdown]

Jason Richardson: Spurs Killer.

[DPG21920]

This is what the Chuckster was talking about. Spurs have had a great start, but when you watch them, even though they are on a streak, something looks off. The stats don't seem to back up the hype.

This is just one loss, but I am anxious to see how the next month goes.

[janetcn12]

No..Spurs...get back into the game...

[Texas_Ranger]

They will score 150 points.

[Warlord23]

Horrible transition D. Every FG miss is turning into a dunk at the other end

[Ghazi]

:lmao Spurs

[Spurologist]

Why not Tim and Tiago?????????????????

it would've made too much sense.....Splitter is left with garbage time bball

[Spursfanfromafar]

They've kinda given up.. I am too..

[Sofaking]

Great D Tiago but next time box out....eh

[Tp9gospursgo]

That's game.

Its the third quarter.

[AidanNelson2009]

I'm watching the box score on ESPN and every minute the Magic's score goes up by about 3 or 4. Down by 17. Please don't get blown away Spurs.

[EricB]

4 losses in 2 and quarter months and Spurstalk melts down.

Marcus Bryant's quote was never more right.

[Sofaking]

it would've made too much sense.....Splitter is left with garbage time bball
Stop making excuses. He got in the game down 12 in the 3rd

[Fireball]

just bad to get embarassed on National TV ... but the NBA does its best job always televising our second of back to back games

[rasho8]

looking ugly, but it was ugly with denver last night too. Maybe they can pull one more out of their ass.

[ohmwrecker]

This is embarrassing.

[siraulo23]

um you migh wanna get back on defense? one outlet pass then layup damn

[Tp9gospursgo]

WE still got a couple of runs in us....I hope.

[Crookshanks]

I guess the Magic were due a win after all those losses, but why couldn't they have waited until their next game to start playing great ball?

[Texas_Ranger]

Why the fuck was Tim in there for 4 minutes and right when Tiago gets in he needs to go out?? Is Bonner - Tiago that great or what??
Lets hope their shot won't be 90% on the end of this shit.

[8FOR!3]

I still blame this one a little bit on the NBA for purposely trying to fuck us over giving us a back to back with two playoffs teams, one game in San Antonio, one game in Orlando...

[L.I.T]

Wow. Splitter totally lost Howard.

[DPG21920]

4 losses in 2 and quarter months and Spurstalk melts down.

Marcus Bryant's quote was never more right.

You don't get it. Do you think Pop is happy with they way they have been playing as of late? Do you think he is happy with this game?

Just yes or no to both.

[janetcn12]

Spurs..don't give up.

[4>0rings]

Splitter D'ing up Neal :lmao

[Capt Bringdown]

This is what the Chuckster was talking about. Spurs have had a great start, but when you watch them, even though they are on a streak, something looks off. The stats don't seem to back up the hype.

This is just one loss, but I am anxious to see how the next month goes.

We've struggled mightily to beat some mediocre teams. This was a good test for us tonight, as we see what a good team could do to us.

And it's not just our tired legs, the Magic are a good team. I think we can safely say that the trade was a big plus for them already.

[Spurologist]

-19

[NASpurs]

Can't even make a free throw

[DPG21920]

This is a Hornets game tbh...

[Death In June]

Why the fuck was Tim in there for 4 minutes and right when Tiago gets in he needs to go out?? Is Bonner - Tiago that great or what??
Lets hope their shot won't be 90% on the end of this shit.Too much height.

[Crookshanks]

I still blame this one a little bit on the NBA for purposely trying to fuck us over giving us a back to back with two playoffs teams, one game in San Antonio, one game in Orlando...

They love it when the Spurs lose big on national TV. I think back-to-backs need to be banned. Shorten the preseason and they could probably stop the back-to-backs.

[Spurologist]

Stop making excuses. He got in the game down 12 in the 3rd

sarcasm????

[angelbelow]

Looking like we might lose... the most important thing isn't worry about the loss but to improve from our mistakes.

[Sofaking]

I dunno why Tim played only a few in the 3rd

[janetcn12]

This gonna be Magic day...Try your best Spurs..we cannot blame u.

[AidanNelson2009]

It was always going to be hard to get a win tonight, coming off a tough game against the Nuggets only 24 hours ago, the Magic are playing out of thier arses, they just keep scoring.

[DPG21920]

Lets just see the Spurs respond and show some life. This has nothing to do with tired legs. This is about playing Spurs basketball and executing. It's about doing things the right way and playing smart.

[Crookshanks]

Fast break points are killing us. And the Spurs are 4th in the league and the Magic are about 21st - but those roles are reversed tonight.

[Texas_Ranger]

Pop gave up.

Good night, it was a nice run.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Nice Tiago.

[Death In June]

Ah well, this is one of the losses I expected in this stretch of 10 difficult games. It'd be nice if they didn't lose like chumps, but thems the breaks.

[CFH]

Quinn with the jumper

[DPG21920]

Dwight caught that :wow

[Sofaking]

sarcasm????
You said he got in the game in garbage time...like we were down 20 pts or something

[L.I.T]

Holy shit. TP really needs to get his head on straight.

[janetcn12]

Never give up...just give a shot...

[Spurs Brazil]

Good shot Bonner

[DPG21920]

Just lose like a champ. Show that you can shake off a bad game and make guys know you don't quit.

[CFH]

Bonner jumper

[Crookshanks]

Ah well, this is one of the losses I expected in this stretch of 10 difficult games.

Yeah - me too. We can't win them all. And this one was always going to be a tough one.

[Capt Bringdown]

Looking like we might lose... the most important thing isn't worry about the loss but to improve from our mistakes.

I think it was more about being overwhelmed by their talent than our mistakes.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Nice pump fake Bonner. Lets hope our bench can bring us back.

[AidanNelson2009]

If we can get the lead down to around 8 pts at the end of the 3rd, we are a chance, not looking likely though.

[DPG21920]

That was good strong defense by Tiago.

[janetcn12]

TP...c'mon...

[Libri]

Howard to strong for Splitter on that play.

[davemaniscool]

make a run. no D in Magic

[Tp9gospursgo]

Did that count?

[4>0rings]

Is there a weight room at the Spurs training facility?

[Sofaking]

Splitter is getting killed

[DPG21920]

They counted that????????????

[CFH]

Did that count?

Yup...

[Crookshanks]

Spurs are looking like they expected to lose - and are just giving up.

[Sofaking]

Is there a weight room at the Spurs training facility?
:lol

[NASpurs]

Eh if we lose this one, it's no big deal. A lot of things were going against the Spurs tonight anyway so chalk up this one as a loss (if it happens) and move on.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

It's just gonna suck if the Spurs also lose to the Lakers and Mavs.

[siraulo23]

that really counted?
nothing going our way lol

[TE]

Is there a weight room at the Spurs training facility?

:lol:rollin

[Osnofa]

wow, I didn't remember what was the taste of defeat.. Now I know.. :|

[Fireball]

Spurs are looking like they expected to lose - and are just giving up.

the never gave up a game this season ... everybody has to understand that we have to lose some games

[Warlord23]

Back end of a B2B, I wasn't expecting much. However, they better bring the energy and their A-game vs the Lakers.

[DesignatedT]

Splitter is getting killed

Everyone has been getting killed. Nobody to stop Howard.

The way they are shooting the ball tonight gave us no chance.

[davemaniscool]

Dwight needs to hook Splitter up with his roid supply

[AidanNelson2009]

Eh if we lose this one, it's no big deal. A lot of things were going against the Spurs tonight anyway so chalk up this one as a loss (if it happens) and move on.

Agreed, well said. If we lose, we are 25-4, still the best record in the NBA.

[Spurologist]

You said he got in the game in garbage time...like we were down 20 pts or something

even a blind man could see the momentum swing........it's not the 1st time Splitter hasn't seen significant minutes with the first group with TD in particular......

please add We Todd Did to your screen name....you're welcome

[HarlemHeat37]

I bet on the Magic to win this game, I think it's going to be a double-digit loss for the Spurs, tbh..I think Pop will waive the white flag tonight, at some point, and I think the Magic are due for a win, while the Spurs are due for a loss..

Easy prediction..

[DPG21920]

It's just gonna suck if the Spurs also lose to the Lakers and Mavs.

Yup. It will be a real eye opener. But some people will say "just look at their record".

Spurs are very good. Their record is great. They have some large problems.

[Death In June]

Quinn is garbage.

[ploto]

I still blame this one a little bit on the NBA for purposely trying to fuck us over giving us a back to back with two playoffs teams, one game in San Antonio, one game in Orlando...

Just a couple of days ago Dallas beat Orlando in Orlando on the second game of a back to back after playing Miami the night before. All teams have to do this.

[angelbelow]

I think it was more about being overwhelmed by their talent than our mistakes.

Talent doesn't win championships. We have room to grow in terms of fixing our mistakes, improving our execution and playing more intelligently in general.

[Spurs Brazil]

Everything going wrong

[Dex]

18 down and Udoka coming in.

Doesn't look good, folks.

[DPG21920]

Just a couple of days ago Dallas beat Orlando in Orlando on the second game of a back to back after playing Miami the night before. All teams have to do this.

[TE]

wow even missing freethrows

[davemaniscool]

Jefferson really showed up tonight

[Tp9gospursgo]

Bull shit on that call.

[4>0rings]

That was late reggie?

[Death In June]

This is the worst lineup you could possibly make with this current spurs squad.

[DPG21920]

Way to ruin my LIFE SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

















































jk

[hitmanyr2k]

Bonner looked funny as hell chasing the screen and roll guy on the slo mo replay :lol

[janetcn12]

We shouldn't be giving up...Go Spurs Go

[Spurs Brazil]

Just a couple of days ago Dallas beat Orlando in Orlando on the second game of a back to back after playing Miami the night before. All teams have to do this.

You're right, but Magic was also on the 2nd game of a back to back

[Libri]

good j by Bonner

[timtonymanu]

This game is so boring.

[Capt Bringdown]

Yup. It will be a real eye opener. But some people will say "just look at their record".

Spurs are very good. Their record is great. They have some large problems.

Agreed. Our biggest problem is that there are some very loaded/talented teams out there that present big matchup problems.

We've been racking up wins against teams that make Gary Neal look like an All-Star.

[suitedkings]

LOL Splitter is sloppy.

[ShoogarBear]

Splitter looks as if he's been practicing with Ime.

[4>0rings]

Udoka > Splitter

[DesignatedT]

both us and orlando were do for games like these.

[Spurologist]

Neal, Quinn, Udoka, Bonner, Splitter

:wow

[CFH]

Udoka scored :lol

[Osnofa]

Is Splitter, the rookie who hasn't played, the only one who's really trying to do something?

[DPG21920]

So is the goal to play Tim as much as Tiago every night? Pop is babying the shit out of everyone and it will come back to bite them.

The minutes do need to be managed, but the Spurs big 3 plays faaaaaaaaaaaar less than any other big 3.

[polandprzem]

White flag

[Sofaking]

even a blind man could see the momentum swing........it's not the 1st time Splitter hasn't seen significant minutes with the first group with TD in particular......

please add We Todd Did to your screen name....you're welcome

There are something call comebacks my friend. We have came back from much more than that. As far as ur silly little diss, I dont get into that. Easy to talk keyboard warrior

[Spurs Brazil]

we can't catch a break

[ShoogarBear]

LMAO, Bonner and Splitter almost lose the rebound.

[mingus]

This is why I'm not as excited by our record as some. We've played a grand total of 3 contenders thus far and we haven't exactly played well. We lost to the Mavs at home, won against the Magic, but Carter had to leave the game with an injury, and were blowing this one.

[DPG21920]

both us and orlando were do for games like these.

I f'ng hate that excuse. How come Orlando wasn't due last game?

[Sisk]

LMAO, Bonner and Splitter almost lose the rebound.

That right there sums up their rebounding skills.

[Dex]

Pretty sure Pop has already stopped caring about this one.

[janetcn12]

Magic play better than us...so they deserved it....but there is still another 12 minutes...anything can happen then

[Tp9gospursgo]

I hate Spurs fans are already giving up. Its the 3rd quarter. All we can hope for is for Orlando to slow down and let up a little bit and we could have a shot. We've done it countless times this year.

[Crookshanks]

Spurs are gonna lose - but at least make it respectable. These announcers are just orgasmic over the Magic blowing us out.

[Spurs Brazil]

Magic FG-63%

[DPG21920]

I think RC sent the Tiago scouting report to Scola on accident that one time...

[angelbelow]

LMAO, Bonner and Splitter almost lose the rebound.

I'm certain Bonner stepped out too, Refs cutting us a break =p

[timtonymanu]

I hate Spurs fans are already giving up. Its the 3rd quarter. All we can hope for is for Orlando to slow down and let up a little bit and we could have a shot. We've done it countless times this year.

a 21 point deficit? I dont think so. Besides every one on the Magic is playing like Kobe.

[siraulo23]

im guessing we get to see splitter/bench the rest of the way

[Spurs Brazil]

Our D was getting better but with Hill out it's terrible now.

[naico]

anybody notice the flagrant double dribble there at the end of the third by Orlando?

[FilSpursFan]

There goes our 10 game win streak... bummer!

[Pauleta14]

As much as I respect Pop,
As smart that move may be,

I can't stand the fact that he quits SO EARLY in a game with the players he has at his disposal... UNBELIEVABLE