Game Blog: Rockets @ Spurs - Jan. 29

[Bukefal]

http://i.imgur.com/DY6Nf.png at http://imgur.com/CWt8A.png

Saturday: Houston Rockets (21-25) at San Antonio Spurs (38-7)



Game Preview: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171280

Time: 08:30 PM ET/02:30 AM CET
Location: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
TV: League Pass, FSH, KENS, WOAI, KILT



http://i.imgur.com/cpafD.gifhttp://i.imgur.com/cZfNy.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/tYiOK.gif

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

:flag::flag::flag:

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

:flag::flag::flag:

[Bukefal]

http://i.imgur.com/1SBkx.jpg


Tim Duncan on his All-Star streak ending :


“I wouldn’t have voted for me, either.”



:flag::flag::flag:

[Texas_Ranger]

go spurs go!!

If they win that will be the best present for my birthday. :hat

[Fireball]

:flag::flag::flag:

[Bukefal]

go spurs go!!

If they win that will be the best present for my birthday. :hat

Vse najboljše! :toast

[Pelicans78]

Spurs offense too much for the Rockets defense. Plus Spurs defense pretty good as well. Like the Spurs by +10.

[urunobili]

Trap game. both Boston and the Lakers lost so most likely the Spurs will follow their pattern...

[Mel_13]

Matt Bonner (sore right knee) set to miss 7th straight game tonight vs. HOU. Gary Neal (sore left knee) is considered probable.

http://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN

[Texas_Ranger]

Vse najboljše! :toast

Hvala. :toast

[xellos88330]

GO SPURS GO!!! :flag:

[ChuckD]

Anderson didn't play for the Toros today. :hungry:

[Fireball]

Anderson didn't play for the Toros today. :hungry:

Do you assume he will join the Spurs earlier? Would not mind that either :hat

[lil'mo]

lol bukefal

[awktalk]

Anderson didn't play for the Toros today. :hungry:

He'll be suited for the game tonight: http://www.torosnation.com/2011/01/james-anderson-set-to-play-against-rockets-tonight/

[Drewlius]

He'll be suited for the game tonight: http://www.torosnation.com/2011/01/james-anderson-set-to-play-against-rockets-tonight/

Weeeeeeeeee, been waiting anxiously for this.

[Bukefal]

lol thispedo lil'ho


http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:e9_92v-av7_HIM:http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2775/511l.jpg&t=1http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/4697/0530072242.jpg
http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/5091/retarduy.jpg

:rollin

[jjktkk]

go spurs go!!

If they win that will be the best present for my birthday. :hat

+1. Happy Birthday to me, oh and to you too TR. :lol

[DesignatedT]

go spurs go!!

If they win that will be the best present for my birthday. :hat

happy birthday!

[DPG21920]

lol thispedo lil'ho


http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:e9_92v-av7_HIM:http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2775/511l.jpg&t=1http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/4697/0530072242.jpg
http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/5091/retarduy.jpg

:rollin

Bukefal with the knock out punch :lol

[DPG21920]

1) Duncan is damn awesome (Bruno talk, btw where has he been?)

2) Glad that JA is back and I hope Neal is good to go.

[Capt Bringdown]

Neal's absence might spell trouble in River City, I hope he is up for it today.

[Giuseppe]

It'd be a nice treat for Cubby to see your plums spilled all over Texas this evening courtesy of your lost son Scola.

[DPG21920]

It'd be a nice treat for Cubby to see your plums spilled all over Texas this evening courtesy of your lost son Scola.

:lol You desperate child. You keep hoping and keep getting disappointed, Extinction style.

It'll be a sad day for you with that Laker loss if the Spurs pull through tonight.

[Giuseppe]

if

Scars of The Skunker remain.:lol

[DPG21920]

:lol Still clinging to any hope with The Extinction in play.

[Giuseppe]

At least I don't say "if"

tee, hee.

[DPG21920]

However, even with the Skunker in place, you do run to the Spurs for comfort.

[Dex]

Keys to the Game:

Rebound the ball.
Gaurd the three point line.
Don't let Scola go bonkers.

[benefactor]

Rockets call tonight for me. Meh. I will be muting Drexler frequently.

[Giuseppe]

I'd give my left nut for a Rockets victory tonite.

[TE]

Been real hectic this week for me. But today is a day were I watch an entire Spurs game, just like old times.

[silverblackfan]

I'd give my left nut for a Rockets victory tonite.

I can't lie, that is tempting. Something unusual and certainly a talking point of interest. Looks modern on the shelf too.

but...nah. We will just take the win instead. Sorry, maybe next time?:hat

[janetcn12]

This is another Spurs win. Go Spurs gon

[Giuseppe]

Just for do-do & giggles I'll toss a self aggrandizing ELE for this contest. If the Rockets win I'll disappear (all Boards) till the Spurs & Lakers tip off in their Thursday nite contest.

[TE]

I'd give my left nut for a Rockets victory tonite.
You try to hard as a Laker fan.

[DPG21920]

Just for do-do & giggles I'll toss a self aggrandizing ELE for this contest. If the Rockets win I'll disappear (all Boards) till the Spurs & Lakers tip off in their Thursday nite contest.

At least I don't use the word "if". And you wonder why you are Extinct.

And I think you meant to say if the Rockets lose, since you think they will spill plums tonight.

[Giuseppe]

Deep, gettin' his fart catcher on.

[DPG21920]

'Sep getting his Extinction on. Clinging to "ifs and buts".

[Pauleta14]

Keys to the Game:

Rebound the ball.
Gaurd the three point line.
Don't let Scola go bonkers.

:tu

specialy the 3pts line, that what scares me the most...

[janetcn12]

Yes, game about to start

[janetcn12]

James Anderson recall

[Spurs Brazil]

DAMN, Rockets call

I hate those morons

DAMN DAMN DAMN

[ShoogarBear]

FML. Rockets feed on LP.

[awktalk]

Damn, LP is giving us Rocket announcers but have NJ/MIL on two channels. Ridiculous.

[Capt Bringdown]

Matt Bullard sighting. Isn't he a ginger too? The original Red Rocket?

[widowmaker]

Ahh man it's rocket commentating.

[Fireball]

Our last home game in a long time and we get Rockets call? That sucks ...

[Spurs Brazil]

At least Drexler is not there.

He's the worst

[duncan228]

Count me in with the Rockets call disappointment.

[Fireball]

At least Drexler is not there. He's the worst

He's definetely in the Top 5 of the worst ...

[DPG21920]

FML. Rockets feed on LP.

I thought you lived in SA?

[Pauleta14]

On what criteria does nba.com select the commentators?

Apparently not always the local ones...

Is it because Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_ is too much a homer?! lol

[Capt Bringdown]

Don't forget Calvin "Big Daddy" Murphy.

[easy7]

Let's go, chango.... :monkey

[ShoogarBear]

Sweet, feed just changed to Spurs on my LP.

[duncan228]

My TV LP just came back from the break with Spurs call. :lol

[ShoogarBear]

I thought you lived in SA?

From SA, live in DC.

[Fireball]

So we dodged at least one bullet tonight ...

[itzsoweezee]

these rockets announcers are the biggest fucking homers.

[Spurs Brazil]

They changed to Spurs call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tp9gospursgo]

c'mon timmy

[DPG21920]

From SA, live in DC.

Ahhhhh cool.

[timtonymanu]

RJ dunk

[CFH]

RJ aggressive early

[janetcn12]

TD free throw...

[timtonymanu]

Ugh I dont like Kevin Martin already

[awktalk]

From SA, live in DC.

Heh, me too. Where in DC? I'm in Adams Morgan.

[BanditHiro]

fuck martin

[CFH]

Parker to Timmy for the alley-oop

[DPG21920]

Martin is scoring really, really well lately (when healthy). Spurs have to run him off the 3PT line and they also have to keep him off the line when they do it. Tough task.

[widowmaker]

Oh good! They swiched it. Money!

[Spurologist]

we gonna contain Martin....he's been playing well of late

[janetcn12]

Watch out for Kevin Martin

[ShoogarBear]

Heh, me too. Where in DC? I'm in Adams Morgan.
Just across the border in Silver Spring.

[dbestpro]

Blair :(

[Tp9gospursgo]

Turnovers!!!!!

[Libri]

we gonna contain Martin....he's been playing well of late

He can easily score 30+.

[BanditHiro]

silly long bomb outlet

[DPG21920]

Is is me or has Tim had more turnovers on those outlets this year than ever before?

Tim couldn't even move Hayes down low; he is a strong dude on the block defensively.

[The Reckoning]

Vse najboljše! :toast

thats what it looks like after my dog walks over my keyboard

[Spurologist]

tp 77% at the line....that must be a career high

[janetcn12]

Yes, tp ..oh no

[The Reckoning]

oh and k-mart is gonna dump 3s

[CFH]

Blair!

[BanditHiro]

wow blair

[DPG21920]

Damn, great catch and finish from Blair. That was tough.

[Capt Bringdown]

I got the soothing sounds of Sean "Quiet Storm" Eliot on my feed...

[dbestpro]

Blair :)

[BanditHiro]

dammit why did we let scola go

[Spurologist]

:lmao

the cameraman called foul

[CFH]

Splitter in

[timtonymanu]

Splitter time!!!

[DesignatedT]

wow do rockets fans really listen to these 2 fucks every game? Just terrible so far, no basketball talk.

[BanditHiro]

splitter!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

2 on Blair already

[DPG21920]

Tiago is getting more and more opportunities lately. He has to make the best of them. He is finally on the floor with the big boys. Play your role.

[BanditHiro]

wow these refs are just calling a bunch of tickies

[itzsoweezee]

why are a couple of know-nothing hicks calling the rockets broadcast? these guys should be watching a nascar race somewhere.

[DPG21920]

wow do rockets fans really listen to these 2 fucks every game? Just terrible so far, no basketball talk.

You aren't getting the Spurs feed? I have it and most others seem to have it as well now.

[Bukefal]

thats what it looks like after my dog walks over my keyboard

:lol


I wished him a happy birthday

[roycrikside]

God I fucking hate these announcers. The Rockets guys are bar none the worst. No one in the league has such little respect for Ginobili. It's pathological. It's like listening to Ducks announce a game for three hours, but with better grammar.

I might mute the TV.

[DPG21920]

Tiago on Scola is a great test for him.

[CFH]

Timmy J

[DPG21920]

Great take from Martin. He is so deceptive. He doesn't look overly athletic or anything but he still drives and draws contact.

[Capt Bringdown]

Splitter and Duncan on the floor together. The second Twin Towers era begins...

[BanditHiro]

jesus christ even bill land is getting martin confused with reggie miller

[itzsoweezee]

God I fucking hate these announcers. The Rockets guys are bar none the worst. No one in the league has such little respect for Ginobili. It's pathological. It's like listening to Ducks announce a game for three hours, but with better grammar.

I might mute the TV.

i don't think these guys have watched a basketball game in their lives.

[duncan228]

You aren't getting the Spurs feed? I have it and most others seem to have it as well now.

Yup. Nice turn of events. Started with Rockets call on both TV and Broadband, got Spurs call on both now.

[DPG21920]

TP needs to start finishing tonight. He has missed some easy ones and they have lead to Rocket run outs.

[janetcn12]

Houston leading...what the fuck

[DesignatedT]

You aren't getting the Spurs feed? I have it and most others seem to have it as well now.

I live in College Station so I get local rockets on TV. Just terrible. Duncan shuffled his feet and the guy was like Duncan traveled and the other guy said he's been traveling for 13 years. like wtf?

[Spurs Brazil]

Missing a lot of easy shots

[DPG21920]

Houston leading...what the fuck

:lol Relax. It's the first quarter and they are up 3. Spurs can't lead from start to finish every game.

[dbestpro]

Splitter needs minutes with this group because none of the starters look comfortable or seem to know how to play with him.

[timtonymanu]

I expect to see a more focused Spurs team out of the timeout. Tony has to hit those shots.

[DPG21920]

I live in College Station so I get local rockets on TV. Just terrible.

Damn, that sucks.

[awktalk]

Just across the border in Silver Spring.

I'm new to the area, any recommendations on bars to catch Spurs games?

[timtonymanu]

Tim, that was easy.

[Warlord23]

WTF was that shot from Timmy? Point blank layup and he missed

[Libri]

Tim misses an easy shot. Great pass by the way.

[janetcn12]

Awesome..tp..way to go

[DPG21920]

Spurs missing a lot of easy looks. Good news is they are getting a lot of easy looks.

[Russ]

"Everyone flops in San Antonio" says the H-town announcer after a baseline cameraman is bowled over. :lol

[CFH]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[HarlemHeat37]

That pass from Splitter was ridiculous, Duncan has to finish that..

[janetcn12]

Great Manu...

[DPG21920]

RJ, getting posted up by Shane is inexcusable. Pull your head out, guy.

[Spurs Brazil]

Tiago playing well so far

[BanditHiro]

wow kevin martin is a better scorer than kobe

[Warlord23]

Defense is putrid

[HarlemHeat37]

Is is me or has Tim had more turnovers on those outlets this year than ever before?

Tim couldn't even move Hayes down low; he is a strong dude on the block defensively.

Did you see the Rockets-Clippers game the other night?..Hayes completely destroyed Blake Griffin, he was completely in his head..

[The Reckoning]

:lol


I wished him a happy birthday

oh hahaha

hey bukefal i might hit you up one day if i end up working in asia minor. are you still in macedonia?

[DPG21920]

:lol What is it with the Spurs? When I think they are playing pretty good, they are down. When I think they are playing poorly they are winning.

[Spurologist]

:lol

ref saved a tp turnover

[Spurologist]

:lol

ref saved a tp turnover

[DPG21920]

Did you see the Rockets-Clippers game the other night?..Hayes completely destroyed Blake Griffin, he was completely in his head..

Ya. Hayes has always been the poster boy for "undersized defensive big men". Very good defender/rebounder.

[CFH]

Splitter AND 1!

[Spurologist]

Tiagoooo!!!!!!

[Tp9gospursgo]

AND 1 Splitter!

[timtonymanu]

Tiago and 1!!!!

[BanditHiro]

jesus fucking christ the rockets are unstoppable on offense

[DesignatedT]

good job splitter. stay aggressive. George, you better fucking do something tonight.

[dbestpro]

Nice play by Splitter, but someone needs to to tell him he can provide some help defense from time to time.

[timtonymanu]

Good to hear that Neal is playing.

[ChuckD]

NICE. See? All Splitter needs to do is bump the defender. Not only did he get his shot off, he got the And1.

[Libri]

I think that's the first jump shot I have seen Splitter make.

[The Reckoning]

damn redrockets need to put brooks in

[Spurs Brazil]

Tiago with a good start.

We can't let Battier score in the post

[Pauleta14]

I don't watch the rockets enough, but I don't get how the other teams contain Scola...

he's seems so easy

[Russ]

H-town announcers promoting "Black History Month" sponsored by the University of Phoenix.

That's like Jewish History Month sponsored by the University of Dachau.

[Fireball]

Rockets defense is a little better than the Spurs right now ... hope that changes soon

[DPG21920]

Line drive FT from Tiago. But it goes in so we live with it.

[DesignatedT]

the zone causing havoc for once

[CFH]

B2B steals for the Spurs, niceeeeeeeeeee

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Not the best 1st quarter, but that's ok.

[DPG21920]

Really like Splitter's activity tonight on the boards and defensively. He gets his hands on a lot of balls (lol)

[DesignatedT]

tony in super aggression mode. love it

[Spurologist]

Damn! tp has an appointment at the rim

[dbestpro]

Splitter with the rebound among 4 Rockets.

[Libri]

Good job by Splitter for getting that offensive rebound.

[Warlord23]

2 early steals for Splitter

[c whata11]

damn, the rockets cannot keep tp out of the paint

[BanditHiro]

tony parker trying to get into the all-star game

[Spurs Brazil]

Tiago very active tonight and Tony playing great

[DesignatedT]

Splitter is playing well. All of a sudden he looks a lot more comfortable out there

[janetcn12]

Yes tp...great game so far....10 pts 3 assists

[DPG21920]

Damn it, Tiago. You have to grab that board.

[ChuckD]

I like that they're working a zone.

[janetcn12]

Neal...miss

[timtonymanu]

cut it with the dumb TOs

[DPG21920]

Splitter is playing well. All of a sudden he looks a lot more comfortable out there

Playing with the starters for some time probably helped.

[DesignatedT]

long 2. thats fine

[Otaku]

WTF was that airball lol

[Warlord23]

Fucking Dice can't catch an easy one

[CFH]

That ball must be awfully slippery

[HarlemHeat37]

They really have to do something about Splitter's hook shot..

[DesignatedT]

Splitter just needs to take whats given to him and stop forcing his shot up though. He will learn that, he seems very anxious to shoot.

[Spurologist]

fuck Dice...that should be a dunk

[itzsoweezee]

good pass by tony. antonio needs to catch that.

[BanditHiro]

fsdajfsdkjfksdj

fucking rockets

[dbestpro]

Not bad when you know we will play a lot better as the game goes on.

[Ice009]

Tiago's hands are so fucking soft.

[BanditHiro]

anybody remember last year when dice could never catch those passes?

[Spurs Brazil]

Too many TOs in the 1st quarter.

[DPG21920]

I know people have said it before, but Tiago's hands on rebounds are terrible right now. I never noticed it before he got to the NBA and I hope it is something that can be corrected.

He could have 3-5 more rebounds a game that he has played in if he grabbed all the rebounds he gets his hands on.

[c whata11]

Tiago's hands are so fucking soft.
this

[HarlemHeat37]

Regardless of the outcome of this game, as I've said before, I hope the Spurs can avoid playing Houston in the 1st round..hopefully they don't make a playoff push..they match up well and have a lot of confidence against the Spurs..

[Russ]

Tiago's hands are so fucking soft.

That's generally considered a compliment for a big man (among NBA scouts).

[DesignatedT]

Wheres that pic of Tiago where it looks like he has some tiny ass hands, it might be the problem lol

[janetcn12]

!st qrt gone...houston leading by 1..go spurs go

[dbestpro]

What I like most about Splitter playing is the effect it has on Blair. DeJuan cannot afford to coast anymore or Pop will pull him.

[Pauleta14]

I loved the effort by Tony!

If not because of Thiago and Dyess he could have 6 assists easy...

[Banzai]

Spurs just getting a feel for the game..by the end it will be yet another W for the Spurs.

[CFH]

Blair!

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Blair!

[HarlemHeat37]

Splitter's hands have been soft all year, but it actually looks like he's going harder on rebounds the last 2 weeks or so..hopefully, that's a sign that he's gotten more comfortable and will keep getting better on the boards..

[DPG21920]

Blair with the touch. Our bigs are so soft :lol Tim, Blair & Tiago have some of the softest shots for bigs.

[Ice009]

That's generally considered a compliment (among NBA scouts).

lol you are right. Normally that is a great thing, but not in Tiago's case. I can't believe how soft his hands are when it comes to rebounding.

[DPG21920]

Splitter's hands have been soft all year, but it actually looks like he's going harder on rebounds the last 2 weeks or so..hopefully, that's a sign that he's gotten more comfortable and will keep getting better on the boards..

He is usually in the mix and has good positioning. He just can't pull them down.

[CFH]

No Blair, just no

[dbestpro]

Blair needs to learn how to shoot a jump shot. You know that shot you learn in junior high school.

[BanditHiro]

fuck we really need our ginger back

[Spurologist]

pathetic D

[timtonymanu]

Ugh looks like Rocket scrubs are all gonna go off tonight

[DesignatedT]

blair scared to pick up that 3rd

[Warlord23]

7 turnovers, more swiss cheese defense

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol budinger turning into ray allen

[Banzai]

fuck we really need our ginger back

What happened to Bonner?

[Pauleta14]

I really don't feel that game...

[Spurs Brazil]

Dice and Blair playing awful D, no help, terrible job on the boards

[HarlemHeat37]

He is usually in the mix and has good positioning. He just can't pull them down.

Ya..Splitter seems to do everything well from a fundamentals and positioning standpoint..his lack of success with rebounding, like his shot-creating, is completely based on his soft approach..that's a positive to me, because it's something that can be worked on IMO..he's not a "soft" player overall, he always sacrifices his body for charges, he doesn't back down..he's just too finesse right now, which is something he'll probably grow out of a little IMO..

[Libri]

The Silver Stars!!


What? lol

[CFH]

Manu J

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Manu!

[CFH]

Blair dunk!

[Tp9gospursgo]

Blair!

[Libri]

textbook fast break

[BanditHiro]

god damn does everybody in the rockets know how to shoot a mid range shot

[timtonymanu]

damn get some stops

[CFH]

Rj j

[duncan228]

What happened to Bonner?

Bone bruise on his knee. Still recovering.

[Spurologist]

rrrrjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj 33333333333

no..long 22222222222222222

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Fuckin' wild shot there

[DPG21920]

RJ has no hesitation which is good, but where are the drives from him? The FT attempts?

Also have to make sure you are behind the line there.

[timtonymanu]

Blair dunk!!!!

[BoricuaCJA]

BEast!!!

[CFH]

Blair one handed jam!

[Tp9gospursgo]

Again!

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Awesome Blair dunk there!

[Libri]

Monster dunk by Blair!

[DPG21920]

Good pass from RJ there.

[CFH]

Nice pass to Dice from Blair

[BanditHiro]

what a riddikulus pass lol

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Blair's looking great tonight!

[Banzai]

See...Spurs got this.

[timtonymanu]

McDyess!!!!

[DPG21920]

Spurs starting to convert in the paint now. Looking good. Nice ball movement from our bigs. Almost all of them are excellent passers.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

thank god dice caught that pass, nice one

[DesignatedT]

Blair in beast mode again. 2 slams and an incredible pass. great play

[Spurologist]

whaddda pass by Blair....no look to Dice in the paint for the layup

[BoricuaCJA]

Dyess is such a good role player. Also nice pass from Dejuan to Dyess and Nice finish OLE MAN.

[Spurs Brazil]

Blair with a great energy after the timeout

[Fireball]

Beast is beasting ... nice dunks and an even better assist

[dbestpro]

Blair's looking great tonight!

I really believe that by giving real minutes to Splitter it pushes Blair to not be so complacent.

[roycrikside]

What's up with the official scorer? Manu passed to RJ, RJ caught it and shot it, and there's no assist on the play?

Is the guy watching the game?

[timtonymanu]

Man if only Blair could play like this consistently, although he's making progress as of late

[Fireball]

I really believe that by giving real minutes to Splitter it pushes Blair to not be so complacent.

That did not work when Bonner was getting many minutes of DB

[CFH]

Manu tressssssssssssssssssss

[CFH]

Blair BEAST MODE

[duncan228]

Dyess is such a good role player. Also nice pass from Dejuan to Dyess and Nice finish OLE MAN.

Nice avatar. :tu