Game Blog: Pistons @ Spurs - March. 9

[Obstructed_View]

I never got on the guy's bandwagon.

He has his moments but other then that this guy is nothing special.

Now, the last thing the Spurs and we need is to have him traded and then have him explode in some other team.

So you've known all along that he's not that good, but you're afraid to trade him just in case he suddenly gets good? :lol

[Crookshanks]

dallas choked this game hard.

OMG - I can't believe the Mavs lost this game right at the very end :lol

Yeah Hornets!

[Creation88]

this is fucking pathetic on the boards. ugh, so frustrating.

[maddnezz]

It took him 3 attempts to score a jumper. Get closer or teardrop boy.

[Obstructed_View]

Tony 333333333333333333333333333333333333333

:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas
:lol Dallas

Don't count your chickens.

[Reck]

Hornets win!

Wow cant believe that.

Last I checked Dallas were up with like a handle of seconds to go. This will provide some breathing room, if the Spurs dont do the same and choke this game away that is.

[Spurs Brazil]

Neal is playing much better than Hill now. It's not even close. He should get more minutes then George. Hill looks like he only works with that 'favorite' player bs. He must get mentally stronger

[Obstructed_View]

...but get them ready for counting.

[Spurminator]

That's how you bust a double team...

[dbestpro]

Dallas getting really good at losing close games. Maybe, they should trade for Lebron.

[Obstructed_View]

Now Pop can't get Splitter in the game. Oh a foul. Good.

[timtonymanu]

Fuck no TMac. Don't pull a 13 in 35 again.

[Obstructed_View]

He's recovered! It's a festivus miracle!!!

[Reck]

So you've known all along that he's not that good, but you're afraid to trade him just in case he suddenly gets good? :lol

I'm not saying he's a loss cause. Just that he's not what most people here think seen to think he is.

I dont want him traded. Just managed.

[Budkin]

What the fuck is with us letting them back in the game... very stupid play by the Spurs there for a bit.

[EricB]

I like Dyess starting for the rest of the year and Blair coming off the bench.

[Libri]

woohoo, Splitter gets to play 30 seconds

[FaM0us Skins]

T-Mac is trying to stat pad

[Spurs Brazil]

Great job by Tony

Rebound a major concern now. It's been awful for a good 6 weeks now

[Bill_Brasky]

Parker is amazing. :wow

[EricB]

Spurs played this game in about 50% speed all night only playing hard when needed.

[Chomag]

Glad to get the win, but spurs need to work on focus. Other then their shooting they don't look sharp out there at all.

[Obstructed_View]

I like Dyess starting for the rest of the year and Blair coming off the bench.

Yeah, tonight's performance convinced me that it's a recipe for title number five.

[EricB]

great job by tony

rebound a major concern now. It's been awful for a good 6 weeks now


panic!!!

[EricB]

Yeah, tonight's performance convinced me that it's a recipe for title number five.


?

Now wait...

[Chomag]

Hey who is that tall white guy that wears number 22? I don't think I have ever seen him before.

[dbestpro]

Magic number is now at 13.

[DesignatedT]

thats good d splitter...

[Obstructed_View]

Spurs played this game in about 50% speed all night only playing hard when needed.

Does inconsistent play after having four days to think about a humiliating nationally televised loss make you happy?

[ajballer4]

We clinched!

[Spurs Brazil]

Pistons with 19 offensive boards tonight

[Mugen]

i dont like Dice starting if it means extended periods where Blair and Bonner are playing together. No improvement tonight in key areas like D and rebounding.

[EricB]

Does inconsistent play after having four days to think about a humiliating nationally televised loss make you happy?


It would piss me off true.

But this was only two, and honestly nothing with sports makes me upset or unhappy.


Waste of energy.

[Pistons < Spurs]

:depressed

[Brazil]

somebody can explain to me how Detroit has +20 FGAs when they have "only" 8 more rebounds and -4 when adding TOs and steals ?

[Obstructed_View]

Hit the link for the whole piece.



http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/08/splitter-gains-valuable-playing-time/

Spurs fans got rickrolled by their coach.

[timtonymanu]

Clinched a playoff spot! WOOHOO!!

Now hold on to #1.

[Obstructed_View]

somebody can explain to me how Detroit has +20 FGAs when they have "only" 8 more rebounds and -4 when adding TOs and steals ?

They had 15 more offensive rebounds, that's 15 extra shots right there.

[Chomag]

Popovich said he will try to give Splitter as much time as possible in the 18 remaining regular-season games.
“He’s Tiago Splitter,” Popovich said, “and he does what he does. He needs more time to make significant impact on our team. If there’s an opportunity to do that, I’ll certainly do that because he’s someone who we want to have available and ready to play for us as we move on.”

LOL?

[Spurs Brazil]

somebody can explain to me how Detroit has +20 FGAs when they have "only" 8 more rebounds and -4 when adding TOs and steals ?

20 offensive rebs

[Capt Bringdown]

Loved Manu's drives this game. Rebounding is disappointing especially since Pop stubbornly refused to give Splitter a look. Simulator crew coaching right there.

[Pauleta14]

somebody can explain to me how Detroit has +20 FGAs when they have "only" 8 more rebounds and -4 when adding TOs and steals ?


look at the offensive rebounds number...

[Obstructed_View]

Popovich said he will try to give Splitter as much time as possible in the 18 remaining regular-season games.
“He’s Tiago Splitter,” Popovich said, “and he does what he does. He needs more time to make significant impact on our team. If there’s an opportunity to do that, I’ll certainly do that because he’s someone who we want to have available and ready to play for us as we move on.”

LOL?

I have a feeling Splitter has an excellent chance to start during summer league. The only thing holding him back is the possibility that there won't be any summer league. But the silver lining is that Pop can tell people that he couldn't get Splitter acclimated to play in 2012 because of the lockout and lack of summer league.

[Chomag]

I like Dyess starting for the rest of the year and Blair coming off the bench.

I'm not in favor of it at all. Bonner and Blair's skill set don't mesh well together while on the floor at the same time.

[8FOR!3]

Popovich said he will try to give Splitter as much time as possible in the 18 remaining regular-season games.
“He’s Tiago Splitter,” Popovich said, “and he does what he does. He needs more time to make significant impact on our team. If there’s an opportunity to do that, I’ll certainly do that because he’s someone who we want to have available and ready to play for us as we move on.”

LOL?

lol wait did Pop actually say that?

Announcer 1: I don't get why Splitter shot that three, even though it somehow went in haha.
Sean: Because he's Tiago Splitter!

[EricB]

I'm not in favor of it at all. Bonner and Blair's skill set don't mesh well together while on the floor at the same time.


Yeah a post guy and a perimeter guy clash horribly.

[Mugen]

Yeah a post guy and a perimeter guy clash horribly.

how about on the defensive end big guy?

[Brazil]

They had 15 more offensive rebounds, that's 15 extra shots right there.

:depressed I'm sorry to say that but if a front court of Wilcox and Monroe can grab 20 O rebounds against Dice and Duncan we are fucked.

[janetcn12]

Great play by TP and looking forward to the playoff...Go Spurs Go

[Obstructed_View]

:depressed I'm sorry to say that but if a front court of Wilcox and Monroe can grab 20 O rebounds against Dice and Duncan we are fucked.

They didn't, they did it against Blair and Bonner and smallball.

[EricB]

how about on the defensive end big guy?


There not the best, but you deal with what you have.


The adage everyone screamed from the rooftops here at me with Ginobilli was you start your best 5 players.

McDyess is the Spurs best big, if he's starting, he will start getting heavier minutes.

Its our of my control so honestly I've stopped wringing my hands and being pissed about Splitter not getting minutes. Its not gonna happen, I've come to grips with that, what are you gonna do.

Cheer the team if they win great if they don't whatever.

[Spurs Brazil]

:depressed I'm sorry to say that but if a front court of Wilcox and Monroe can grab 20 O rebounds against Dice and Duncan we are fucked.

It's not only on the bigs. RJ and Manu aren't doing a good job at the boards. But I think we can back on track on this. In the 1st half of the season we were doing OK on the boards. In the last 6 weeks things went bad

[Pistons < Spurs]

Good win guys (and girls). The start of the first qtr, the Spurs were annoyingly awesome. Was at least glad that the Pistons put up a fight. Loved what I saw from Monroe tonight.

Keep it up, finish strong and stay healthy. And then get Dice that damn trophy in his hands!

[Budkin]

Pop was asked how the Pistons were able to rally in the second half. Pop's answer? "They scored." :lmao

[Mugen]

Good win guys (and girls). The start of the first qtr, the Spurs were annoyingly awesome. Was at least glad that the Pistons put up a fight. Loved what I saw from Monroe tonight.

Keep it up, finish strong and stay healthy. And then get Dice that damn trophy in his hands!

Monroe is a nice young piece. Keep him and clear house with the rest, tbh. Pistons fans deserve better than the drama they've had this season.

[EricB]

Monroe is a nice young piece. Keep him and clear house with the rest, tbh. Pistons fans deserve better than the drama they've had this season.

Agreed.

I like Daye alot too.

Stuckey has been I suppose a huge disappointment.

[Obstructed_View]

Its our of my control so honestly I've stopped wringing my hands and being pissed about Splitter not getting minutes. Its not gonna happen, I've come to grips with that, what are you gonna do.

I guess making smart assed strawman posts when anyone criticizes any decision made by the coach for four or five years in a row is one way to go. I'm so glad you're not pissed about Splitter anymore. It's been replaced by being pissed at anyone who questions a coach with four rings.

[Brazil]

They didn't, they did it against Blair and Bonner and smallball.

didn't see the game unfortunately but even against blair and bonner a wilcox, monroe, vilanueva frontcourt should never outrebound the spurs by 15 !

RJ / Manu / Hill should also do a better job.

[EricB]

I guess making smart assed strawman posts when anyone criticizes any decision made by the coach for four or five years in a row is one way to go. I'm so glad you're not pissed about Splitter anymore. It's been replaced by being pissed at anyone who questions a coach with four rings.


Im not pissed at all. Again, I don't get pissed about anything. Im not pissed about questioning Pop I agree with the questioning on not playing Splitter. BUT, again my contention has been, who's minutes do you take away? Bonner whos been consistent all year or Blair?

[024]

spurs are going to be in for a big disappointment if they can't fix their rebounding problems in the playoffs.

[bdubya]

Good win, Spurs. I was glad to see the Pistons recover from that brutal 1st quarter and make a game of it (but damn frustrated that a team capable of doing that against the league's best is still solidly in the lottery...). No surprise to see the Spurs step it up when it mattered. Huge congratulations to Dice on playing his thousandth game and still being so damn solid; seeing him get his ring would take some of the sting out of this depressing season (I'll be watching....don't let me down).

[Brazil]

spurs are going to be in for a big disappointment if they can't fix their rebounding problems in the playoffs.

+1

[bdubya]

Spurs might have gotten more offensive boards if they had missed a few more shots...still, at least that's one thing the Pistons did well tonight.

[TampaDude]

We're just coasting... :D

[Pistons < Spurs]

POST GAME QUOTES:


Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich
(On Tony Parker’s play in the game) “Well, I thought he did a great job throughout the game, being aggressive, distributing the ball, and when we really needed some offense, he was scoring when they (the Pistons) made a run at the end. He was fantastic; taking it to them and scoring.”
(On why Antonio McDyess started over DeJuan Blair) “Starting had nothing to do with Detroit or the one thousandth game or anything like that… We’re just trying to look forward at what match-ups there are to be and what we need to do rotation-wise, so we took a look at it.”

(On Gary Neal’s impact for the team) “Well, he’s had a wonderful year. From unknown to somebody who comes in with confidence, he plays the game with intensity, trying to do his best at both ends, and learning all the time. So he’s really important to us.”

(On Gary Neal’s defense against Richard Hamilton) “He did a great job. Rip’s (Richard Hamilton) offense is just better than his defense. He’s not the only one who’s ever been in that situation.”

Spurs Forward Antonio McDyess
(On if it was nice to play in his 1,000th game against his old team) “It felt great. I actually didn’t know until you told me yesterday, but it definitely feels great. I can feel it in my body also that it’s 1,000 games, but to actually play my 1,000th game against my old team definitely feels good.”
(On if Richard Hamilton still has some game left) “No question. Like I said, that guy can still play competitive and be a good player. To see him still out there on the floor, I’m happy for him.”

Spurs Guard Manu Ginobili
(On if they were ready for tonight’s game after Sunday’s loss) “Yeah, at least more ready than against the Lakers. We knew today that we had to move the ball better, get everybody involved, and I think we did a very good job, especially at the beginning. Then we got a little sloppy with the lead and we didn’t play as concentrated, as focused as in the first half, but it was enough to win the game.”

(On if the Spurs have to focus on not getting sloppy against Sacramento) “Hopefully we face the Kings the same way we did today: starting hard, moving the ball and playing good ‘D’ solid. We know we are all very experienced and we know that when you give a team confidence and they start playing relaxed and they don’t have anything to lose, they can get you in trouble and you can get up losing a game that you shouldn’t. So hopefully we start hard and play our usual style.”

(On the play where he found Tony Parker in the corner for the three-pointer) “We were up five and I remember I was trying to be aggressive and get to the rim or draw a foul. I remember getting under the rim and that’s what we usually do, baseline drive, baseline drift. Tony was there, open, and he made a great shot. That’s been a very common play for us somebody penetrating and finding a teammate in the corner.”

(On if Tony Parker has gotten good at the corner three now) “I would always trust him because that’s who we are and that’s how we play, but probably a couple seasons ago, three or four, he could have just catch and try to penetrate middle or get closer. Now he’s feeling really good about that three from the corner and he’s made some big ones this year.”

(On how big Tony Parker was at the end of the third quarter) “There were a couple times in the game where he took over. I remember one play that Pop told me to go sub in, but he was playing so well that he told me to wait two more minutes and see what happens, so he finished the quarter and in the fourth quarter he just finished the game, so he was huge.”

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/detsas_110309_quotes.html

[duncan228]

San Antonio Spurs 111, Detroit Pistons 104: The Spurs midseason acquisition (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/)
by Jesse Blanchard
48 Minutes of Hell

AT&T Center–Antonio McDyess is not only the second best big man on the San Antonio Spurs, on this team he’s Punxsutawney Phil.

Tonight McDyess stepped on the court with the rest of the starters for his 1,000th game and saw his shadow, which can only mean the playoffs are right around the corner (the Spurs clinched tonight). Unlike Phil, McDyess’s presence was far more than ceremonial.

A year ago San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich inserted McDyess into the starting lineup to shore up the team’s defense heading into the playoffs. After biding his time for much of the year, it appears Pop might be ready to do the same.

“Starting had noting to do with Detroit or his one thousandth game or anything like that,” Popovich said. “We’re just trying to look forward to what the match-ups are going to be and what we need to do rotation-wise, so we took a look at it.”

While McDyess put up a modest eight points and five rebounds in a little over 22 minutes, the starting five got out to a blistering start, hitting their first 14 shots as part of a 40-point first quarter en route to a Spurs 111-104 victory (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310309024).

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/san-antonio-spurs-111-detroit-pistons-104-the-spurs-midseason-acquisition#more-13193)

[duncan228]

http://www.nba.com/spurs/photos/110309_28.jpg

[duncan228]

Tony Parker scores 23 as Spurs clinch playoffs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2011030924)

Tony Parker took over down the stretch and took the San Antonio Spurs back into the postseason.

Parker scored 23 points and the Spurs bounced back from a humbling loss by beating the Detroit Pistons 111-104 on Wednesday night to clinch a playoff berth.

The Pistons cut the lead to five points with 2:27 to play when Tracy McGrady found a cutting Greg Monroe for the layup, but Manu Ginobili found Parker on the right wing for a wide-open 3-pointer. Parker then made a layup to put the Spurs up 10 with 1:08 left.

"Well, I thought he did a great job throughout the game, being aggressive, distributing the ball, and when we really needed some offense, he was scoring when [the Pistons] made a run at the end," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "He was fantastic; taking it to them and scoring."

Tim Duncan, who matched a career low with two points in a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes.

The Spurs clinched their 14th consecutive playoff appearance, dating back to the 1997-98 season, the longest active streak in the NBA.

"We knew today that we had to move the ball better, get everybody involved, and I think we did a very good job, especially in the beginning," Ginobili said.

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 20 points off the bench, while Tayshaun Prince added 16.

The Spurs hit their first 14 shots and finished with a season-high 40 points in the first quarter to take a 14-point lead. San Antonio scored just 37 points in the first half in Sunday's loss.

"They're playing with a lot of confidence. They're coming off a game where they didn't perform well at all," Detroit coach John Kuester said. "I know Pop was going to have them geared up to play at a high level. And they did. After we got hit in the face in the first quarter, we responded."

McGrady was the starting point guard, moving Rodney Stuckey to the bench. McGrady finished with 15 points and nine assists.

"We're looking to mix and match all the time," Kuester said. "We're always searching to see who's going to give us the most in certain spots and situations. I thought Tracy was outstanding. His leadership and the way he controlled the game was outstanding."

The Spurs led by as much as 19 points in the first quarter, but their lead was cut to six in the third as the Pistons used their length to crash the offensive boards. Detroit held a 31-9 edge in second-chance points, grabbing 20 offensive rebounds.

Parker and Ginobili had an easy time breaking down the Pistons for easy layups or wide-open jumpers to build a 67-52 lead at the half.

"I've been in this business for a long time and I've never seen a team shoot 80 percent; that was incredible," Kuester said. "I thought that was the difference in the game. That hurt us."

Ginobili finished with 17 points and Gary Neal had 15 points off the bench for San Antonio.

NOTES: Duncan passed Robert Parish to move into sole possession of ninth place on the NBA career blocked shots lists with 2,362. ... The Spurs swept the series against the Pistons for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2011030924

[duncan228]

View from the other side.


Scorching Spurs (http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/truebluepistons_110309.html)
by Keith Langlois, Pistons.com

John Kuester said Monday he had a feeling Tracy McGrady would get another chance to play soon. Turns out that was less clairvoyance than choice. The Pistons coach made the lineup switch Wednesday, reinstalling McGrady as his starting point guard and moving Rodney Stuckey – who had averaged 21 points and eight assists over the past four games since replacing McGrady – back to the bench.

Stuckey, who before the recent switch had been the starting shooting guard alongside McGrady, came off the bench and played both spots. Will Bynum was the odd man out on a night the Pistons fell behind by 19 in the face of San Antonio’s scorching start, but played hard and actually pulled within five in the final minutes before losing 111-104.

“Right now, we’re searching,” Kuester said afterward. “We’re always searching, it seems that way. We’re always looking to see who is going to give us the most amount in certain spots and certain situations. I thought Tracy was outstanding tonight – his leadership and his ability to control the game was outstanding.”

It hasn’t mattered much to the Spurs who lines up against them this season. And the late switcheroo sure didn’t disrupt their mojo in a season that’s seen them sprint from the gates with a 52-12 record. But they were humbled at home on national TV in their last game, losing big to the Lakers, so the Pistons expected going in that they were going to absorb the best shot of a team accustomed to throwing haymakers.

That’s exactly what they got: San Antonio’s best shot. Fourteen straight to start the game, in fact. The Spurs didn’t miss for the first nine minutes of the game, by which time the score was 33-20. The Pistons would fall 19 down just before halftime, but they cut the lead to six late in the third quarter, saw the Spurs bump it back to 15 with a 9-0 run, then cut it to five again with two minutes left before another 5-0 Spurs run put them away. The Pistons haven’t fallen into a groove all season and Kuester might still be groping to find the right lineup combinations with 17 games remaining, but on a night a team with four NBA titles in the last 12 years shatters some of its own franchise records, it was probably more about the Spurs than the Pistons.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence,” Kuester said. “They’re coming off a game where they didn’t play well and I knew (Gregg Popovich) was going to have them really geared up to play at a high level and they did. But after we got hit in the fact in the first quarter, we responded.”

“A great team, they always respond after losing a basketball game,” said Tayshuan Prince, who matched Greg Monroe’s 16 points on a night Rip Hamilton came off the bench to score 20. “We knew they would come out aggressive and run their offense to a T. We didn’t expect them to shoot 80 percent in the first half. We just didn’t defend well at all.”

Since the Spurs made Tim Duncan the No. 1 choice in the 1997 draft – a bit of serendipity for a team already blessed with David Robinson that has made everything that has since transpired possible – San Antonio has averaged a 56-26 record and won at least 50 every season.

For much of the decade past, the Pistons were to the East what the Spurs were to the West. That San Antonio has managed to extend its window of opportunity for another three years beyond the Pistons’ last trip to the NBA’s final four is first and foremost a testament to the greatness of Duncan. As good as those Pistons were, they simply didn’t have anyone quite like Duncan.

In Monroe, the Pistons hope they have someone they can similarly build around. And after a quiet first half, Monroe took to the challenge. He put up 11 points and eight boards after halftime and hit the floor at least three times to keep loose balls alive.

“He’s one of the best bigs of this generation – he’s one of the best bigs ever,” Monroe said of Duncan. “He’s obviously very skilled, he plays hard and every second you have to be on your Ps and Qs.

“I was trying to play hard. That’s one thing I’ve been trying to contribute every game. Just play hard – and my team started to play hard, as well. That’s when we made our run.”

But it was a night that ultimately belonged to the veteran Spurs, including old friend Antonio McDyess, inserted into the starting lineup by Popovich on the occasion of his 1,000th NBA game.

“It felt great,” McDyess said. “I can feel it in my body also that it’s 1,000 games, but to actually play my 1,000th game against my old team definitely feels good.”

*********************

TEAM COLORS

The story of the game in Pistons red, white and blue

WHITE HOT – Rip Hamilton has moved back into the rotation, but not the starting lineup. Still, he’s playing starter’s minutes many nights now and logged 31 against the Spurs, posting his best scoring night since he went for 35 at Toronto on Dec. 22 – his first game coming off the bench for the season. Hamilton scored 20 points, shooting 9 of 15, and earned praise afterward from Kuester for his hard-nosed play and practice habits since their recent meeting helped pave the way for his return to the rotation.

BLUE COLLAR – Antonio McDyess has talked about retirement with one season left on the three-year deal he signed with the Spurs after leaving the Pistons as a free agent, but the situation in San Antonio suits him so well, don’t be surprised if he comes back for one more run. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich moved McDyess into the starting lineup Wednesday to celebrate his 1,000th NBA game and McDyess played just like the guy who endeared himself to Pistons fans for five seasons, knocking down open jump shots, playing solid defense and grabbing rebounds, finishing with eight points and five boards in 22 minutes.

RED FLAG – The Spurs were embarrassed at home in their last game, losing on national TV to the Lakers and trailing by 35 at one point. So the Pistons knew San Antonio was going to bring its A game. They just didn’t expect perfection, which is what the Spurs were for the first nine minutes, making their first 14 shots. Sure, there were four layups and a dunk, but that still meant nine other shots. They were shot from an average of 16 feet from the rim, including two 3-pointers. The Spurs shot 80 percent (28 of 35) in the first half and finished at 64.3 percent for the game.

http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/truebluepistons_110309.html

[Bruno]

Spurs won clinched a playoff spot, Mavs lose and Celtics lose... Not a bad night for them. :)

[Obstructed_View]

Im not pissed at all. Again, I don't get pissed about anything. Im not pissed about questioning Pop I agree with the questioning on not playing Splitter. BUT, again my contention has been, who's minutes do you take away? Bonner whos been consistent all year or Blair?
I'll pretend you actually want an answer to this question before I completely give up on you.

Taking minutes from both is perfectly fine with me, because he's potentially far better than both of them in the intended role. Bonner has been consistently outmatched in several years of being treated like a big instead of a three point shooting role player who leads the Spurs' bigs in minutes, and Blair has long arms but he doesn't play like a big, preferring to swipe at dribblers than go for shot blocks, and he's often in the wrong defensive position inside. The question is, why on earth wouldn't it be perfectly fine with you? Maximizing Bonner's plus/minus by letting him focus on offense for short bursts only helps the team. RJ's second on the team in minutes, and some of those are at power forward, so those are easy minutes to put him in. Duncan played 31 minutes last night. There are plenty there to find. Again, I've also mentioned that there are minutes at the three that both of them could fill in. Couldn't possibly give up more points than small lineups do.

I'd point out how ludicrous your contention is, but you've spent the same amount of time asking people how many championships they've won and suggesting that Pop must see something in practice that the rest of us don't.

[moisaenz]

Splitter should have gotten minutes from Bonner... We were bad shooting from three... Everybody is complaining about a bad rebounding night for the spurs...Splitter playing at least ten minutes might have gotten him four or five rebounds.

So I think Splitter should get minutes when the three's are not falling. Run a few screens with him ..... A few pick and rollls......