Game Blog: Wolves @ Spurs - Jan. 9

[Bukefal]

http://i.imgur.com/eb0Rh.png at http://imgur.com/CWt8A.png

Sunday: Minnesota Timberwolves (9-28) at San Antonio Spurs (30-6)



Game Preview: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169941

Time: 07:00 PM ET/01:00 AM CET
Location: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
TV: League Pass, FSSW-SA, KFAN, WOAI


http://i.imgur.com/yB8vO.gifhttp://i.imgur.com/xKIGq.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/tYiOK.gif

http://i.imgur.com/V98Ld.png

:flag::flag::flag:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/dembeatz/spurs_win.jpg

:flag::flag::flag:

[Bukefal]

http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/San+Antonio+Spurs+v+Chicago+Bulls+eD6ocKf97G-l.jpg


Gregg Popovich on what he is excited about:


"For me, it comes down to how hungry the group is and what kind of confidence they have in each other. I’m excited about seeing what happens.”



:flag::flag::flag:

[100%duncan]

Go Spurs Go! :flag:

[janetcn12]

This gonna be a close game but Spurs will win. Go Spurs Go

[Texas_Ranger]

Just don't make this one intersesting. Finish them early.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Gonna be a block party if we don't bring it.

Darko will probably have 10 blocks

[NASpurs]

The trend with the Wolves this season is for the Spurs to be losing by 15+ and make a come back towards the latter part of the game. So how much is it going to be tonight? Vbookie of 22, 23, 24 points?

[DPG21920]

Darko is to Tim as Hakeem is to Robinson............wait.

[WeNeedLength]

This can't be a close game...

[Dex]

Please don't let Kevin Love go for 40/40.

[duncan228]

Please don't let Kevin Love go for 40/40.

Please don't have to bump this quote. :(

[tp2021]

PLEASE let Sean be calling the game tonight! :lol

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Spurs for the win!

[TE]

C'mon Spurs, enough of this crap of giving opposing team player scrubs the games of their lives.

[duncan228]

Spurs call! :spin

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs call! :spin

Finally Spurs call again

[polandprzem]

Please don't have to bump this quote. :(

:lol

[DesignatedT]

lets go. need to win this easy.

[Fireball]

Just keep the active win streak against the T-Pups, please ...

[Tp9gospursgo]

Blair....

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

blair with a bad shoot but good D...

[Texas_Ranger]

lol Blair

[DesignatedT]

not a good start offensively

[dbestpro]

Blair just cannot seem to play a complete game.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Rj

[CFH]

Finally, RJ dunk

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

boooo blair

[CFH]

B2B turnovers...

[Spurs Brazil]

Go to RJ every time. Beasley is already limping

[dbestpro]

Blair has set the pace for this game.

[Texas_Ranger]

Shitty start

[DesignatedT]

get them off the fucking boards.

[Tp9gospursgo]

We need to drive the ball. C'mon Spurs

[timtonymanu]

Ugh these slow starts are so annoying.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

boo blair

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Let's just hope this isn't another close one with the Pups.

[TE]

Spurs need to pick it up, offensively.

[CFH]

I hate these slow starts

[Brazil]

Fortunately they are making a lot of mistakes down the stretch because they're overplaying us badly

[dbestpro]

Why do we ever run the ball through Blair? He will never pass it out and is most likely to throw up a bs shot or get blocked.

[Spurs Brazil]

Not a good start, I hope they wake up after the timeout

[Fireball]

Normally the Spurs come out on fire ... but the offensive rhythm is just missing lately

[Tp9gospursgo]

We can't buy a bucket right now, jeez.

[CFH]

Manu with the steal, Parker with the assist to RJ

[DesignatedT]

fucking blair. get him out.

[dbestpro]

Blair should sit for the rest of the game.

[TE]

Damn, please.....

[TE]

Jefferson!

[CFH]

RJ alley-oop!

[Tp9gospursgo]

Well, RJs playing well.

[Spurs Brazil]

Sit Blair. fuck stupid plays every time. Low iq
fuck

[timtonymanu]

Well RJ is awake. Where is everybody else?

[Tp9gospursgo]

Nice move Manu.

[CFH]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Manu!!!!

[TE]

Here we go, with the shittiest defender in the NBA, Bonner. Pop what the fuck are you doing?!!?!?

[NASpurs]

Manu should get points for taking Javie out.

[frodo]

trigga just too small for wolves bigs imho

[TE]

Shitty Shitty Shitty defense

[CFH]

Brewer left wide open for 3, yuck...

[DesignatedT]

good job bonner. exactly what blair should be doing.

[frodo]

the opposing SF plays no D

[TE]

Wow, another turnover.

[CFH]

And a turnover...

[frodo]

blair will still be dat trigga i believe, maybe in the late 3rd or 4th quarter you triggas will all see the truth worth of him

[CFH]

Bonner J

[frodo]

love is just too big for blair imo

[timtonymanu]

turnover after turnover.

Spurs have some dumb IQ plays lately.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Not playing too bad of defense. We just gotta rebound better.

[Spurs Brazil]

We're playing horrible

[timtonymanu]

Defense is better. O is still shit though. Offensive IQ is low.

[NASpurs]

Spurs are just going through the motions in this game. It's been brutal!

[Fireball]

Matt Bonner grows some arms and Duncan to RJ looks like Camby to Aldridge

[frodo]

seems spurs always struggle against wolves everytime they two teams play, there must be a reason behind it imho

[dbestpro]

love is just too big for blair imo

Blair's game produces when he plays smart. Blair right now reminds you of the lineman in football who has a false start 2-3 every game in the beginning.

[Spurs Brazil]

love is just too big for blair imo

The problem is every Center and PF is too big for him. And Blair doesn't play smart so he always make stupid mistakes

[dbestpro]

Blair beat down the court?

[Rummpd]

Just joining in like a football score so far - that bad by the Spurs?

[dbestpro]

Blair needs to learn to play smart and hard all the time. A little more bench time from Pop to think about it.

[frodo]

conceding sub 20 by the 1st quarter is good defensive result imho, O is horrible tonite

[Spurs Brazil]

And Blair late on transition again...

[timtonymanu]

Blair benched again.

[Texas_Ranger]

wow. Minnesota owning us. Great.

[CFH]

Neal J

[Tp9gospursgo]

We are playing horrible offense....

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Not too happy with this 1st quarter.....

[frodo]

quit hatin blair tbh, trigga will return and contribute big

[timtonymanu]

Why does Sota always give us fits now?

[CFH]

Hill!

[Fireball]

Where the fuck is our offensive execution?

[Ice009]

Why the fuck is Pop still playing the same shit lineups.

This is maddening. The defense sucks and he keeps playing Blair and Bonner. Unbelievable.

[NASpurs]

At least I'm not pissed off at the defense tonight. Baby steps.

[Tp9gospursgo]

What happened at the end of the quarter? My cable cut out with ten secs left..fml

[Spurs Brazil]

Good run to end the 1st

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Spurs need to get more aggressive in the 2nd quarter. Mainly, get Matt Bonner out of the fucking game ASAP.

[frodo]

bonners been playin like a ginger version of dirk tonite tbqh

[NASpurs]

Why the fuck is Pop still playing the same shit lineups.

This is maddening. The defense sucks and he keeps playing Blair and Bonner. Unbelievable.

The Wolves are shooting 32%. What more do you want? 0%?

[dbestpro]

How can a guy who needs to rebound, play with energy and play smart in order to be effective continue to do none of the above and continue to be rewarded with starts by Pop?

[frodo]

Spurs need to get more aggressive in the 2nd quarter. Mainly, get Matt Bonner out of the fucking game ASAP. naw, just keep him there as long as he plays well

[Brazil]

At least I'm not pissed off at the defense tonight. Baby steps.

IMHO it's more on wolves bad shooting than our Defense. Beasley has a sprained ankle and takes a lot of the Offense load usually.

[Fireball]

The Wolves are shooting 32%. What more do you want? 0%?

Yep, really no complains about the D necessary, not even rebounding. But the offense looks bad ...

[Ice009]

conceding sub 20 by the 1st quarter is good defensive result imho, O is horrible tonite

Minnesota still had a lot of great looks so no I was not impressed with the defense.

Have you ever seen Spurs championship level defense? I take it you haven't. I can't say that this defense was that good at all.

[Rummpd]

Spurs at least closed strong.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Manu!!

[CFH]

Manu tressssssssssssssss!

[frodo]

u triggas seem to have forgotten what a swole trigga blair was against the lakers

[TDfan2007]

Our offense looks awful. Tim needs to actually make some shots.

[dbestpro]

Spurs need to get more aggressive in the 2nd quarter. Mainly, get Matt Bonner out of the fucking game ASAP.

.......and replace him with what? Blair?

[timtonymanu]

That's it Hill. Keep doing that and not this weak shot you've been doing lately.

[CFH]

Nice hustle by Manu

[CFH]

Manu tressssssssssssssssssss!

[timtonymanu]

Manu 333333

[CFH]

Er that was a 2, nevermind

[frodo]

jeffersons defense is just passive at finest tbh

[CFH]

Manu heating up

[Tp9gospursgo]

Manu started to feel it.

[TDfan2007]

Manu to the rescue.

[CFH]

Bonner 3!

[Tp9gospursgo]

Bonnerrrrrr!

[NASpurs]

Uh oh, it's raining threes now for the Spurs.

[timtonymanu]

I dont see why people still hate on Bonner when he's playing better than Blair atm.

[TIMMYD!]

18 points in 12 minutes. 12 points in 3 minutes.

[frodo]

jefferson is just a poor mans version of melo tbqh

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu doing a great job

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

i hope blair continues to sit on the bench...

[Ice009]

Bonner showing that confidence against the lowly Wolves. lol. Amazing how relaxed Bonner looks against the shit teams.

[dbestpro]

u triggas seem to have forgotten what a swole trigga blair was against the lakers

The problem is Blair will give you a game like that about once in every twenty.

[NASpurs]

Last year Blair played with a chip on his shoulder with being drafted so low and him trying to prove something to other teams that passed him up. This year that chip is gone and he doesn't have that same "beast mode" he had last year although there are glimpses.

[timtonymanu]

Hill's 3 pointer has been MIA for a while.

[dbestpro]

The wolves should go to Love on every play.

[itzsoweezee]

The problem is Blair will give you a game like that about once in every twenty.

and bonner will get you shit, except against shit teams.

popovich is playing with fool's gold. wish he'd buy a clue.

[NASpurs]

Who was it that said that Darko Milicic looks like Christian Bale but with Down Syndrome? Still cracks me up every time I see him.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

dice sat for like 30 sec and is back in again :rollin

[duncan228]

:lol Heads up Hill.

[dbestpro]

Playing hard got us back in the game. Playing smart will take the game over.

[AussieFanKurt]

Bonner ftw!

[TDfan2007]

Why the fuck do we always play against teams that have injured key players? And why the hell can't Tim finish any of his shots around the rim?

[timtonymanu]

Jesus no one can shoot well except Manu and Bonner.

[Spurs Brazil]

We're struggling to finish against Darko

[dbestpro]

and bonner will get you shit, except against shit teams.

popovich is playing with fool's gold. wish he'd buy a clue.

So why not play Bonner against a shit team?

[Capt Bringdown]

Last year Blair played with a chip on his shoulder with being drafted so low and him trying to prove something to other teams that passed him up. This year that chip is gone and he doesn't have that same "beast mode" he had last year although there are glimpses.

Or, he shouldn't be playing against starting units. He's a 2nd tier role player at best.

[dbestpro]

I know, I know, but it seems like this would be a good time to give some minutes to Splitter along side Timmy.

[duncan228]

And why the hell can't Tim finish any of his shots around the rim?

:bang It's so frustrating.

[Crookshanks]

Why the fuck do we always play against teams that have injured key players? And why the hell can't Tim finish any of his shots around the rim?

Who cares? If it makes it easier for the Spurs to win, I could care less who's on the floor. I just don't understand this need to have to play teams at full strength. Should the Spurs just forfeit then?

[Spurs Brazil]

It's only Manu creating for us so far. He sits and the O looks bad again

[Fireball]

We're struggling to finish against Darko

yep, and now its already too late to put him into foul trouble

[Capt Bringdown]

I know, I know, but it seems like this would be a good time to give some minutes to Splitter along side Timmy.

Frustrated? I am.

[TDfan2007]

:bang It's so frustrating.

:bang or :pctoss, either one works. I'm loving his defense this season, and early on I thought his offensive struggles were due to rust, but now I see that his problem is a complete and total lack of lift/explosion...

[timtonymanu]

It's impossible to box out Love.

[TDfan2007]

Who cares? If it makes it easier for the Spurs to win, I could care less who's on the floor. I just don't understand this need to have to play teams at full strength. Should the Spurs just forfeit then?

You can't properly judge where you're at as a team when you're always playing shit/underhanded teams.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

damn love

[timtonymanu]

Goddamnit

[Warlord23]

Hill's offense is MIA

[duncan228]

The piece on Love that Bill just mentioned is linked in the Preview Thread. It's a pretty good piece.

[CFH]

Parker!

[dbestpro]

Matador D by Duncan.

[Capt Bringdown]

Do the Spurs all have the flu? They're looking awful, just awful.

[Spurs Brazil]

Tony doing a good job attacking now. Too bad Hill can't hit a shot

[NASpurs]

Pop is delusional by how he sees our big men. Maybe I'm wrong but Tim Duncan is too slow to be our defensive anchor although he would be great on the weak side. Bonner over achieves when he does anything but shoot threes and rebounding/blocking out is not part of his game. Blair is not a starter and like it's been said, he would be great off the bench. I think he uses Dice correctly and I'm not even going to comment on Splitter.

[Fireball]

Matador D by Duncan.

Duncan was all alone, how should he guard a much quicker man?

[duncan228]

...early on I thought his offensive struggles were due to rust, but now I see that his problem is a complete and total lack of lift/explosion...

Scary. The knees are impacting him badly. Probably more than we even see.

[itzsoweezee]

Duncan's not even trying. Let Splitter play against Milicic

[Brazil]

nice move by TP.

This Love dude is going to be a beast, a guy at 15 reb a game shooting 3s...

[CFH]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuu

[polandprzem]

Spurs are in a major slump or what?


No O lately, and interior D sucks as always. add bad perimeter D and lack of 3 pointers and spurs a bad ball club

[Crookshanks]

You can't properly judge where you're at as a team when you're always playing shit/underhanded teams.

Yeah - but it's not like we're going to see the Timberwolves in the playoffs. And we've played the Lakers, Celtics and Mavs enough times to know how tough they are. As long as the Spurs stay healthy and keep winning - I could care less about the other team's players.

[Ice009]

lol I'm going to get some bricks and paint them gold and deliver them to Pop. He loves that stuff. As long as it's gold on the outside Pop doesn't give a shit if you can scratch that paint off. It's still solid gold for Pop.

[Tp9gospursgo]

lol Manu

[Creation88]

Georgie's 1-8. not good.

[Creation88]

does Steve Javie's hair ever change?

[polandprzem]

Splitter not playing at all those few games
WTF and still on the bench with sucky D

[Fireball]

bad call ...but I take it

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu is very smart

[CFH]

Rj j

[dbestpro]

Duncan was all alone, how should he guard a much quicker man?

So are you saying TD should just sit down when confronted by a SF at the rim?

[Tp9gospursgo]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[CFH]

Manu tressssssssssssssssssss!

[TDfan2007]

Duncan's not even trying. Let Splitter play against Milicic

He is trying. He just can't move out there. Luckily Manu is picking up the slack.

[Fireball]

Splitter not playing at all those few games
WTF and still on the bench with sucky D

Splitter is officially out of the rotation. Its just that simple. It will not change unless there are injuries.

[NASpurs]

Did Manu always have a set shot from the three point line? He's barley getting any lift. Reminds me of Mario Elie's shot.

[Creation88]

Tim tired? and someone tell me why we gave the whole MLE to Splitter's ass. seems the only part of him that's getting some go in this game.

[CFH]

Parker AND 1!

[Tp9gospursgo]

and 1 tony!

[InRareForm]

Nice. we needed that before the half.

[TDfan2007]

Tony attacking the rim relentlessly. Traveled like a mofo on that last one, but I love the aggression. Tony and Manu are making up for the lack of frontcourt/bench production.

[dbestpro]

There goes the and one.

[Spurs Brazil]

Yes Tony!!!!

[itzsoweezee]

Lol @ that travel

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

:rollin just a little bit

[Fireball]

Nice finish of the quarter ... at least that is something which can be called a lead on which to build on ...

[thispego]

Scary. The knees are impacting him badly. Probably more than we even see.

duncan228 underhandedly building duncans legacy.

[Ice009]

Splitter is officially out of the rotation. Its just that simple. It will not change unless there are injuries.

Well Pop is officially retarded then. I don't want to hear him talk about defense any more then.

[Fireball]

Tim tired? and someone tell me why we gave the whole MLE to Splitter's ass. seems the only part of him that's getting some go in this game.

Splitter is not getting much money and he receives the typical Pop treatment for rookies who cannot shoot the 3 ...

Timmy had only 4 shots, he really looks tired today

[Ice009]

Tim tired? and someone tell me why we gave the whole MLE to Splitter's ass. seems the only part of him that's getting some go in this game.

We didn't give Splitter the whole MLE. He signed for about 2/3 of it.

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner is our best big today with 9pts 6rebs

TD and Blair need to wake up

[Fireball]

Well Pop is officially retarded then. I don't want to hear him talk about defense any more then.

I don't like it either. I want to see more of Splitter, but in his recent playing time (a loong time ago) he did not show anything ... so we have skip this project for next season.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

blair is thinking too much on offense and too little on defense

[frodo]

trigga got overwhelmed tonight by love who's like 5 inches taller

[Fireball]

Later tonight the Knicks meet the Lakers. It will be interesting how the Lakers fare against this unbelievable offense ...

[Capt Bringdown]

I don't like it either. I want to see more of Splitter, but in his recent playing time (a loong time ago) he did not show anything ... so we have skip this project for next season.

That doesn't make any sense, as Blair doesn't show anything night after night, save for the occasional (and increasingly rare) beast game. Also, it's not the case that Splitter hasn't shown promise this season, particularly when he's playing with Parker and/or Manu.

So, we'll have wait until next year, when everyone's got another grueling year under their belts. Hey, it's not like there's a sense of urgency, right? Tim, Manu and TP can just keep playing forever.

[NASpurs]

There are times when I miss the big slow stiff known as Rasho Nesterovic.

[frodo]

triggas missed so many rebounds tbh, gonna be a shame if Milicic & Love both get double-doubles as the final whistle sounds, despite the final result of the game

[frodo]

triggas need to rebound better in the 2nd half tbh

[Spurs Brazil]

DAMN, it looks like Grant Hill hurt his knee

[ElNono]

I like the fact that Love doesn't have 15-15 in the first half. Hope we can keep it up.
Hill's energy level is in the right place, but he's really missing shots he always make.

[frodo]

Tony traveled lol.

Manu needs to have the ball in his hands more. Tony ballhogs it from Manu way too much, IMO. Manu is the star on our team. Our Kobe.

Trade Blair already, please. At least Bonner is doing other things offensively besides 3's lately. Start Tiago and reserve McDyess.

trade blair to dallas for a 2nd rounder + cash, get it done soon please

[Fireball]

That doesn't make any sense, as Blair doesn't show anything night after night, save for the occasional (and increasingly rare) beast game. Also, it's not the case that Splitter hasn't shown promise this season, particularly when he's playing with Parker and/or Manu.

So, we'll have wait until next year, when everyone's got another grueling year under their belts. Hey, it's not like there's a sense of urgency, right? Tim, Manu and TP can just keep playing forever.

I completely agree. I would make Dice the starter and sub in Splitter early to keep him playing with Duncan. But Pop is the coach and he obviously has other plans.

[frodo]

PG: Kidd/Barea/Roddy
SG: Iggy/Stevenson/JET
SF: Marion
PF: Dirk/Blair
C: TC/Haywood/Mahinmi/Ajinca

we STACKED

[NASpurs]

On the Spurs or on the Timberwolves?

I don't know now. You made me doubt myself. Has it gotten that bad in the play of our big men that I miss those puffy cheeks?

[Fireball]

Lakers will lose and it won't even go down to the wire, IMO. They're fucking slow and can only beat slow unathletic teams who miss open shots. The Knicks fit none of that criteria and will likely beat them, 112-95 or something of the like.

I am hoping for that too ... and lucky as the Spurs are our two game losing streak did not hurt us much because the other West teams are losing quite a bit as well ...

[Fireball]

Is Grant Hill ok?

[CFH]

Timmy putback

[CFH]

Rj 3!

[Fireball]

PG: Kidd/Barea/Roddy
SG: Iggy/Stevenson/JET
SF: Marion
PF: Dirk/Blair
C: TC/Haywood/Mahinmi/Ajinca

we STACKED

what kind of a double agent are you?

[NASpurs]

Great now we're trading baskets. Woooo

[DPG21920]

TP getting mugged.

[TDfan2007]

nice turnaround Timmy! Those layups help so much.

[Tp9gospursgo]

rj 333333333

[Spurs Brazil]

Great start TD

[TDfan2007]

ugh terrible floater...

[DPG21920]

Why didn't Tim go right back up after that offensive rebound? He passed out then ended up with a tougher shot that Darko blocked.

Why does Tim struggle with Darko?

[dbestpro]

Blair still playing like a spectator.

[timtonymanu]

Parker took too long with that.

[DPG21920]

Good transition defense by the Wolves. Then they force the turnover. That was very impressive.

[Ice009]

LOL shocking defense.

[dbestpro]

Blair :(

[timtonymanu]

Should have called the TO. Now the Wolves are back in it.

[CFH]

Sloppy...

[Cessation]

WOW blair is straight garbage

[Tp9gospursgo]

Tony shouldve passed way earlier.

[TDfan2007]

Sloppy play by the Spurs on offense. Spurs playing WAY too lethargically.

[NASpurs]

Tim has the reaction speed of someone in a coma.

[timtonymanu]

Tony shouldve passed way earlier.

Seriously Manu was so wide open. Any PG would have noticed that, but Parker decided to ball hog there again.

[Brazil]

wtf was that ???

Sometimes TP needs to shoot these 3s

[TDfan2007]

Good transition defense by the Wolves. Then they force the turnover. That was very impressive.

Because he has a 2 inch vertical now. And yes, he needs to put the ball back up sometimes after those offensive rebounds. Especially when he's that close.

[AidanNelson2009]

same story again, Spurs playing poorly. This should be an easy win, Timberwolves are 9-28 and have an away record of 2-18. c'mon spurs.

[Spurs Brazil]

Blair is injured and still manage to take a bad shot. Unbelievable

[TDfan2007]

Seriously Manu was so wide open. Any PG would have noticed that, but Parker decided to ball hog there again.

Yeah that was a terrible missed opportunity. Spurs are sleepwalking.

[janetcn12]

What happen to Blair???

[Spurs Brazil]

What happen to Blair???

It looked like he banged knee with someone

[timtonymanu]

Come on dont get fancy.

[Tp9gospursgo]

That woulda been sick!

[Ice009]

WOW blair is straight garbage

Is Pop trying to boost DeJuan's confidence by refusing to bench him? He's going to end up screwing it up if he keeps him starting.

[CFH]

Duncan with the dunk

[timtonymanu]

Prime Duncan there.

[TDfan2007]

There you go Timmy! Holy shit show off that 2 inch vert :lol

[duncan228]

Duncan with the dunk!

[CFH]

Turnover, ugh...

[Brazil]

TP is playing like shit

[Tp9gospursgo]

Timmy with the poster