New found respect for Pop?

[shorttotry]

Honestly, I didn't know how to feel going to this game. I figured Pop would tank the game, preferring to rest the Big 3; however, I really coveted a win against LA in LA. Just to serve as a big "fuck you" heading into the PO. But after seeing that hopefully minor injury to Bynum, I find a new found respect for Pop and almost find myself laughing at Phil. I know he wants a win but does that really require playing your starters heavy minutes against a Spurs team either hell bent on tanking the game to avoid an early matchup or a team determined to keep its starters fresh for the second season? Shame on you Phil. Thoughts?

[polandprzem]

Jax always plays big minutes with his starters

Kinda head scratching though watching Bynum logging so many minutes of late.


The strategy might caught on Jax team.
Might not.

[ChuckD]

Honestly, I didn't know how to feel going to this game. I figured Pop would tank the game, preferring to rest the Big 3; however, I really coveted a win against LA in LA. Just to serve as a big "fuck you" heading into the PO. But after seeing that hopefully minor injury to Bynum, I find a new found respect for Pop and almost find myself laughing at Phil. I know he wants a win but does that really require playing your starters heavy minutes against a Spurs team either hell bent on tanking the game to avoid an early matchup or a team determined to keep its starters fresh for the second season? Shame on you Phil. Thoughts?

Jackson has no one else to play. His deep bench is garbage. Of his normal bench, Odom is elite, but Brown and Barnes are just pieces. Blake has reverted to journeyman status.

[Spurs7794]

Lakers are still fighting for seeding though. Big advantage playing only one series on the road in your conference verses playing 2.

[shorttotry]

Lakers are still fighting for seeding though. Big advantage playing only one series on the road in your conference verses playing 2.

Agreed. And I found it suprising how close the Spurs have kept it at times tonight, but like I said it really wouldn't take alot of minutes from LA's starters to accomplish beat this Spurs lineup. Props to the lack of a deep bench response but I still think Spurs lose regardless. I'm not saying it's for a matter of fact but I'm pretty sure Pop doesn't want to see LA in the 2nd. As experienced as Phil is, he should have seen that and coached accordingly.

[vander]

LA gets HC against Dallas, wins easily in 5, well rested for WCF
also, LA gets Mem or NOH in first round
also, Spurs lose HC against Chicago

Pop just did LAL a HUGE favor

lost even more respect for Pop, he obviously doesn't care about winning the championship, only wants to make sure the spurs get out of the first round

oh well, I never really thought the Spurs had a real shot anyways

[RGMCSE]

LA gets HC against Dallas, wins easily in 5, well rested for WCF
also, LA gets Mem or NOH in first round
also, Spurs lose HC against Chicago

Pop just did LAL a HUGE favor

lost even more respect for Pop, he obviously doesn't care about winning the championship, only wants to make sure the spurs get out of the first round

oh well, I never really thought the Spurs had a real shot anyways


Wow, what a negative little pussy...

[Josepatches_]

LA gets HC against Dallas, wins easily in 5, well rested for WCF
also, LA gets Mem or NOH in first round
also, Spurs lose HC against Chicago

Pop just did LAL a HUGE favor

lost even more respect for Pop, he obviously doesn't care about winning the championship, only wants to make sure the spurs get out of the first round

oh well, I never really thought the Spurs had a real shot anyways


Sure.It was a huge favor.

But they still have to win tomorrow in SAC without Bynum.

If they lose the game and Dallas win they will be 3rd so they face Portland.


Sadly the most probably scenary for them will be NOLA and DAL

Pop trying to avoid Lakers in the second round gives them the easiest way to the West Finals while we'll have the hardest one.We would have to face them anyway and they will be more rested than us.

I'd like a lot of more our chances playing them before we play OKC

[Budkin]

LA gets HC against Dallas, wins easily in 5, well rested for WCF
also, LA gets Mem or NOH in first round
also, Spurs lose HC against Chicago

Pop just did LAL a HUGE favor

lost even more respect for Pop, he obviously doesn't care about winning the championship, only wants to make sure the spurs get out of the first round

oh well, I never really thought the Spurs had a real shot anyways

You're really having a meltdown tonight huh?

[honestfool84]

LA gets HC against Dallas, wins easily in 5, well rested for WCF
also, LA gets Mem or NOH in first round
also, Spurs lose HC against Chicago

Pop just did LAL a HUGE favor

lost even more respect for Pop, he obviously doesn't care about winning the championship, only wants to make sure the spurs get out of the first round

oh well, I never really thought the Spurs had a real shot anyways


Wow, what a negative little pussy...

[vander]

You're really having a meltdown tonight huh?

what is the point of posts like this? why aren't you able to maintain the topic of Spurs/Pop?

[Josepatches_]

So I guess it's better to face them after play against MEM/OKC while they play NOLA/DAL.

I don't get the point of that.

Imo I like our chances a lot of more playing them in the second round when we will be a lot of more fresh than after play OKC if we are able to eliminate them.

In the other side Lakers would have to fight to defeate Denver while now they will have easy series against NOLA or DAL.

[Splits]

Pop threw this game. Anyone who is a Spurs fan knows his manlove for Bonner. Yet he pulled him in the middle of the 4th when he was on fire and hadn't missed from 3, hadn't turned the ball over, and was playing as-to-be-expected Bonner D (he stopped Odom a couple of times, but got burned a couple of times as well), and it was a one possession game with 6 to play. He also pulled Neal, right after drilling a clutch 3 with like 3 to go. And Green came in and jacked up a miss. Why?

Pop threw it, for whatever reason, but he did.

[wunderkindepiphany]

LA gets HC against Dallas, wins easily in 5, well rested for WCF
also, LA gets Mem or NOH in first round
also, Spurs lose HC against Chicago

Pop just did LAL a HUGE favor

lost even more respect for Pop, he obviously doesn't care about winning the championship, only wants to make sure the spurs get out of the first round

oh well, I never really thought the Spurs had a real shot anyways

Pop cares about winning the game in front of him, he's not thinking about all the bullshit you just brought up. Probably because hes a professional coach and youre an armchair quarterback.

[duncan228]

...It didn’t matter to Popovich that Tuesday’s defeat allowed Chicago to pull even in the race for the NBA’s top overall record (61-20), opening the door for home-court advantage in a potential Finals matchup to be decided by a 50-50 coin flip. The loss also ruined any chance the Spurs had of matching the franchise record of 63 wins, set in 2005-06, a pursuit that mattered even less to Popovich.

His focus, as always, remained on health and freshness, for the first round of the postseason.

“It makes more sense to play tomorrow than today,” Popovich said before the game. “Even if it was Phoenix tonight and the Lakers tomorrow, we’d end up sitting them.”

Spurs’ subs nearly stun L.A. (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/12/spurs-subs-trouble-l-a/)
Jeff McDonald

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/12/spurs-subs-trouble-l-a/

[wunderkindepiphany]

And pop didn't throw shit. Get your heads out of your asses, this isnt the conspiracy theory.

[wunderkindepiphany]

You should be respecting Pop, for prepping his team to come out and play the way they did tonight. The Spurs have nothing to be ashamed of, the way they played tonight. Always room for improvement, but anytime you get kobe and odom in foul trouble and keep it tight that long, against the defending champs, at their house, with your BENCH, you did OKAY.

[GhosTown]

You should be respecting Pop, for prepping his team to come out and play the way they did tonight. The Spurs have nothing to be ashamed of, the way they played tonight. Always room for improvement, but anytime you get kobe and odom in foul trouble and keep it tight that long, against the defending champs, at their house, with your BENCH, you did OKAY.


That's the dam problem we had them in foul trouble with Gneal, and Pop pulls him and puts Green in the game, then follows that dumb ass move with bringing quinn back instead of ghill. Why are you defending piss poor coaching?

[gospursgojas]

That's the dam problem we had them in foul trouble with Gneal, and Pop pulls him and puts Green in the game, then follows that dumb ass move with bringing quinn back instead of ghill. Why are you defending piss poor coaching?

Neal was out for like 1 play that time. And Pop chose quinn over hill bc quinn looks better on crutches.

[anakha]

That's the dam problem we had them in foul trouble with Gneal, and Pop pulls him and puts Green in the game, then follows that dumb ass move with bringing quinn back instead of ghill. Why are you defending piss poor coaching?

After Pop benched 4 out of 5 starters, people should have been smart enough to figure out that his goal wasn't winning the game.

It says a lot that you completely missed that.

[Splits]

After Pop benched 4 out of 5 starters, people should have been smart enough to figure out that his goal wasn't winning the game.

It says a lot that you completely missed that.

We had the chance to win it, and Pop put in the ballboy's maid and her two sons instead of trying to win the game. He pulled every guy who made a shot until our worst shooters were jacking it up in the final 3 min.

[jjktkk]

LA gets HC against Dallas, wins easily in 5, well rested for WCF
also, LA gets Mem or NOH in first round
also, Spurs lose HC against Chicago

Pop just did LAL a HUGE favor

lost even more respect for Pop, he obviously doesn't care about winning the championship, only wants to make sure the spurs get out of the first round

oh well, I never really thought the Spurs had a real shot anyways

Perception is not really your strong point tbh.

[gospursgojas]

After Pop benched 4 out of 5 starters, people should have been smart enough to figure out that his goal wasn't winning the game.

It says a lot that you completely missed that.


We had the chance to win it, and Pop put in the ballboy's maid and her two sons instead of trying to win the game. He pulled every guy who made a shot until our worst shooters were jacking it up in the final 3 min.

Its easier if you just come out and say it anakha :toast ...

Pop was not trying to win the game. He could give a damn.

[anakha]

We had the chance to win it, and Pop put in the ballboy's maid and her two sons instead of trying to win the game. He pulled every guy who made a shot until our worst shooters were jacking it up in the final 3 min.

Maybe he wanted to get a closer look at some bench guys to see if they could possibly contribute anything in the playoffs.

Maybe he was trying to look for other guys that might match up well specifically against the Lakers.

Maybe he was actively trying to tank the game.

I'm not going to presume I know his motivations for this game, but it's pretty fucking obvious winning it wasn't his main priority given how many core guys he sat out.

And it appears that people bitching about how the Spurs could still have won that game can't seem to see past their own noses.

[Splits]

Maybe he wanted to get a closer look at some bench guys to see if they could possibly contribute anything in the playoffs.

Maybe he was trying to look for other guys that might match up well specifically against the Lakers.

Maybe he was actively trying to tank the game.

I'm not going to presume I know his motivations for this game, but it's pretty fucking obvious winning it wasn't his main priority given how many core guys he sat out.

And it appears that people bitching about how the Spurs could still have won that game can't seem to see past their own noses.

Yes, perhaps our closing lineup of the worst shooters on the night was coincidental, and we were searching for that Quinn/Green matchup that was going to take us over the top. We closed the game with:

Splitter 3/10
Anderson 2/9
Quinn 1/7
Novak 3/6
Green 3/10

while the on the bench sat

Bonner 4/5
Neal 6/13
combined 5/7 from 3 land

Both those guys hit bombs in the 4th, and got pulled. Pop threw it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

losing HCA to the bulls doesnt mean much to us when the 2-3-2 format favors us...

[gospursgojas]

losing HCA to the bulls doesnt mean much to us when the 2-3-2 format favors us...

Yeah I've always felt the 232 format isnt really hca at all.

[I Heart Ginobili]

Are all of y'all that retarded?

Clearly we want to lose this game because it guarantees that we won't play the lakers until the western conference finals (if the lakers even get there).

They are still the reigning champs and I would much rather play anyone but them at this point.

Who's gives a shit about the bulls record. The odds of us meeting them in the finals is so minuscule that we should not GIVE A FUCK.

[Fireball]

Yeah I've always felt the 232 format isnt really hca at all.

Since 1999 only 2 teams won the finals without HCA ... so I guess HCA is still HCA

[bluefoot]

One thing that's interesting about Phil is he doesn't believe in taking games off or being overly concerned about limiting minutes. He thinks you play through injuries/fatigue/age/whatever and go out and play basketball if you can play. Basically, he thinks you play the whole season through.

Pop obviously does the extreme opposite. The Spurs could be in a game 7 and he'd still be trying to get away with stealing another minute of rest for Tim Duncan in the fourth quarter.

I like Phil's philosophy on it. He believes in players as warriors or something to that effect and my interpretation is if you can't make it through the season without playing through fatigue/bumps and bruises then you aren't good enough to win anyway. I think it builds a mental toughness and develops something like a callous physically were you can shrug off pain or fatigue.

I think the Spurs could have really used a win in this game to build their confidence for the playoffs and a very possible Spurs/Lakers showdown. Instead, even after 2 or 3 days rest, Pop cowed down like he usually does and deferred to the playoffs. If Tim and Manu are that banged up that they can't survive the Lakers game and rest against Phoenix, then they aren't going to make it through the playoffs anyway.

[kidd_91]

So I guess no one noticed, Bynum with a knee injury, Kobe getting banged up, he was hobbling at the end of the game. Also the Bulls are still playing starter minutes and Ronnie Brewer sprained his thumb and Noah twisted his ankle.

All this talk about the Spurs needed to win to build confidence is crap, I don't think any Spurs player is afraid of the Lakers or any other team. The only people with low self esteem are some fans.

[alchemist]

lost some respect for Pop. he folded plain and simple.

[alchemist]

So I guess no one noticed, Bynum with a knee injury, Kobe getting banged up, he was hobbling at the end of the game. Also the Bulls are still playing starter minutes and Ronnie Brewer sprained his thumb and Noah twisted his ankle.

All this talk about the Spurs needed to win to build confidence is crap, I don't think any Spurs player is afraid of the Lakers or any other team. The only people with low self esteem are some fans.
:lol isn't Pop playing the starters tomorrow?

[ElNono]

If he's not sitting the starters against Phoenix too, then it's fucking retarded... I completely agree with bluefoot's post also. And it's hard to argue with Phil's results...

[Strike]

losing HCA to the bulls doesnt mean much to us when the 2-3-2 format favors us...

Did it favor the 4 teams that lost to SA in the finals?

[Jimcs50]

How can anyone find any more respect for Pop? I have as much respect for him as a person can have for another person.

[Strike]

I have a ton of respect for Pop. Other than his weird man crushes on Michael Finley and Matt Bonner.

[kidd_91]

:lol isn't Pop playing the starters tomorrow?
Do you think Phoenix is going to put up a fight? :lmao

It will be more like a walk through in practice than a playoff intense game yesterday would have been.

[alchemist]

Do you think Phoenix is going to put up a fight? :lmao

It will be more like a walk through in practice than a playoff intense game yesterday would have been.
:lol did the Warriors play Bruce Bowen defense on Duncan?

Just admit that Pop folded like a pussy and everything is fine.

[Brazil]

If he's not sitting the starters against Phoenix too, then it's fucking retarded... I completely agree with bluefoot's post also. And it's hard to argue with Phil's results...

he will play the starters tomorrow, we cannot stay 2 weeks without playing ball and be ready for the first game of the PO. Spurs don't like loosing rythme, we are usually due to a poor first half because of that.

The last game is a general repetition to be sharp and ready

[ChumpDumper]

lost some respect for Pop. he folded plain and simple.:lol

What was the compelling reason to play all the starters 40 minutes like Phil did?

[DMC]

Someone needs to collect all the razor blades.

[JustinJDW]

I always thought it was funny how Pop couldn't give a damn about the Lakers and their sitation right now, but some of you guys are just obsessed with them. Pop is coaching the Spurs, not the Lakers.

Health > Seeding. Has always been that way. Disagree? Look at Bynum and Shaq right now, and how the Lakers and Celtics are stumbling into the Playoffs, while we're resting up. But no, you guys just care about whats going on with the Lakers, haha.

[jjktkk]

This was a meaningless game for the Spurs, except that Splitter got to play against the best frontline in the league. Whats the point in risking injury? You think the god all mighty zen master wouldn't of rested Kobe if the Lakers were in the Spur's position? Now the Lakers, after playing their starters max minutes last night, have to go up to Sac town and do the same thing on a b2b, while the rested big 3 get a tuneup tonight in Pho. Pretty smart strategy imo.

[shorttotry]

i always thought it was funny how pop couldn't give a damn about the lakers and their sitation right now, but some of you guys are just obsessed with them. Pop is coaching the spurs, not the lakers.

Health > seeding. Has always been that way. Disagree? Look at bynum and shaq right now, and how the lakers and celtics are stumbling into the playoffs, while we're resting up. But no, you guys just care about whats going on with the lakers, haha.

+1

[vander]

Pop cares about winning the game in front of him, he's not thinking about all the bullshit you just brought up. Probably because hes a professional coach and youre an armchair quarterback.

what?

[vander]

I always thought it was funny how Pop couldn't give a damn about the Lakers and their sitation right now, but some of you guys are just obsessed with them. Pop is coaching the Spurs, not the Lakers.

Health > Seeding. Has always been that way. Disagree? Look at Bynum and Shaq right now, and how the Lakers and Celtics are stumbling into the Playoffs, while we're resting up. But no, you guys just care about whats going on with the Lakers, haha.

who has more rings in the Duncan era, Phil/Lakers or Pop/Spurs?

[Warlord23]

Why don't we revisit this topic after Marc Gasol makes Bonner his woman in the 1st round?

[wontstartdumbthreads]

Since 1999 only 2 teams won the finals without HCA ... so I guess HCA is still HCA

Or it could just mean that the team with the better record is actually better most of the time.

[wunderkindepiphany]

I believe Pop made the correct decision to rest his starters. I know some of you don't agree and that is fine. But, were it Duncan that had suffered that hyper-extension last night, instead of Bynum, Pop would be receiving criticism for that, as well. It is a luxury to have our starters rested and focused, going into the playoffs. Some are saying that Pop "threw" the game, and that is simply not true. Throwing a game has a particular connotation that I think is being lost on certain posters.

[wontstartdumbthreads]

I believe Pop made the correct decision to rest his starters. I know some of you don't agree and that is fine. But, were it Duncan that had suffered that hyper-extension last night, instead of Bynum, Pop would be receiving criticism for that, as well. It is a luxury to have our starters rested and focused, going into the playoffs. Some are saying that Pop "threw" the game, and that is simply not true. Throwing a game has a particular connotation that I think is being lost on certain posters.

I agree with this 100%. I can't understand why it's even up for debate. Spurs enjoyed benefits by 1) resting starters, and maybe just as important 2) getting some playing time for the bench. All this while avoiding the risk of injury to the Big 3. I just hope Pop does the same tonight.

[xtremesteven33]

If we lose a coin toss so be it. No use bitching about it

[TampaDude]

If we lose a coin toss so be it. No use bitching about it

No coin toss will be necessary. Miami is winning the East.

[DMC]

Why don't we revisit this topic after Marc Gasol makes Bonner his woman in the 1st round?
That would be the best thing that could happen. Normally he's everyone's woman.

[TD 21]

losing HCA to the bulls doesnt mean much to us when the 2-3-2 format favors us...

No, it doesn't. People have this backwards: Home court advantage in the Finals isn't less important because of the format; it's more important. Think about it: what are the odds of one elite team beating another three straight times? In recent history, it's only happened when one of the teams has been dysfunctional ('04 Lakers) or chokers ('06 Mavs). And if, as the team without home court, you're unable to sweep the middle three at home, then you have to win two on the road to win the series. It's just not likely.

The Bulls are due to lose. Hopefully it's tonight, but unfortunately, it more than likely won't be. Short of that, let's just hope the league office gives the Spurs home court because they've had it all season. "Random draw" aka "let us see who the two teams are and pick the team we'd prefer to have it, because no one can prove it wasn't done legitimately". 82 games and it's probably going to come down to that. Unbelievable. They should put in a laundry list of tie-breakers. Point differential, who's had the better record longer, anything so that it doesn't come to this. This is ridiculous.

[spursfaninla]

No, it doesn't. People have this backwards: Home court advantage in the Finals isn't less important because of the format; it's more important. Think about it: what are the odds of one elite team beating another three straight times? In recent history, it's only happened when one of the teams has been dysfunctional ('04 Lakers) or chokers ('06 Mavs). And if, as the team without home court, you're unable to sweep the middle three at home, then you have to win two on the road to win the series. It's just not likely.

The Bulls are due to lose. Hopefully it's tonight, but unfortunately, it more than likely won't be. Short of that, let's just hope the league office gives the Spurs home court because they've had it all season. "Random draw" aka "let us see who the two teams are and pick the team we'd prefer to have it, because no one can prove it wasn't done legitimately". 82 games and it's probably going to come down to that. Unbelievable. They should put in a laundry list of tie-breakers. Point differential, who's had the better record longer, anything so that it doesn't come to this. This is ridiculous.

Home Court in the finals: http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/john_schuhmann/04/17/homecourt20090417/

The Finals
Home Teams, 1986 through 2008
W L Pct.
Game 1 18 6 .750
Game 2 16 8 .667
Game 3 12 12 .500
Game 4 12 12 .500
Game 5 10 10 .500
Game 6 10 5 .667
Game 7 3 0 1.000
Home Adv. 47 19 .712
Other team 34 34 .500

We see that the team with home-court advantage in The Finals has a distinct advantage. In the 24 years since the league switched to the 2-3-2 format, only six teams have won the championship when beginning The Finals on the road. The last to do it was the 2006 Miami Heat, who lost Games 1 and 2 in Dallas, but swept the next four.

[Reck]

No, he's a moron.

He should have played Tim, Tony, Manu yesterday and rest them today.

You cant escape fate. pussying around trying to avoid injury only leads TO injury.