Playoffs Game Blog: Grizzlies @ Spurs - Game I - April 17

[noles1983]

Epic choke job spurs, say to go

[Spurologist]

fuck me

[lefty]

That chick behind Pop is fuckable

[HarlemHeat37]

Um, why are they helping off Battier?..he's their only 3-point shooter on the floor..ugh..

[turiaf for president]

does bonnner have one more in him??

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

WTF are you doing doubling Conley off of Battier, Tony? Dumbass.

[CFH]

Well this sucks

[DPG21920]

Hill misses a wide open look. Wide open.

[NewJerSpur]

Tim is getting crushed down low now, they've got 2 guys pushing him out of bounds.

[dallasmaverickslose]

And we still lose

[boutons_deux]

would have been a underved, fluke win, anyway, like way too many Ws this season.

[BanditHiro]

damn

absolute joy to absolute sadness

[Muser]

fml

[cheney212]

FUCK knew we would choke

[itzsoweezee]

FUck you TONY. YOU BITCH.

[peskypesky]

poor manu

[da_suns_fan]

Dumbest shot of the season by Tony Parker.

[Truckules]

:pctoss

[biziofromdowntown]

fuck u Hill

[WildcardManu]

Need a miracle now...

[VBM]

Awful...simply awful

[Capt Bringdown]

Ball game

[Fireball]

fuck ... Bonner clutch still was not enough

[DPG21920]

Unreal. Memphis has played amazingly well.

[timvp]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[san antonio spurs]

I say give it to Bonner.

[MannyIsGod]

Spurs haven't hit many last second shots all year and have looked downright bad in these situations. We'll see what happens here.

[lefty]

Duncan will tie it with a 3


Book it!!!!!

[TampaDude]

Bonner will miss the 3 to lose at the buzzer.

[Uriel]

F!

[NewJerSpur]

Hill misses a wide open look. Wide open.

All we can ask for in him getting the shot.

[Ice009]

How the fuck do you give up a 3.

U never give up a three when you're up two. stay on all the shooters. stupid.;

[VBM]

Duncan for 3...book it

Edit: Lefty beat me to it

[peskypesky]

poor tim

[DPG21920]

Kind of been the same thing all year though. Spurs defense just hoping that guys miss shots.

[Chieflion]

What a waste of a comeback.

[Spurologist]

Dumbest shot of the season by Tony Parker.

He was wide open.....GTFO

[Muser]

Might aswell give it to Bonner.

[ForeignFan]

shite

[DPG21920]

All we can ask for in him getting the shot.

He has to make it.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Parker 4-16 shooting and doubles off their only shooter to help against Conley. Fuck him.

[noles1983]

Fuck you spurs u don't deserve to win

[slick'81]

lol this game isnt over

[superjames1992]

Times like this is where Manu is needed. But there he sits behind the bench in a suit.

[td4mvp21]

And we choke that lead away too :depressed

[mexicanjunior]

And just like that, Bonner's heroics weren't enough to make up for his shit play the rest of the game...

[usdane]

What a game.

[peskypesky]

Neal for 3!!!!!

[NewJerSpur]

Spurs haven't hit many last second shots all year and have looked downright bad in these situations. We'll see what happens here.

They need to make sure they AT LEAST get a good shot off and don't turn it over.

[Spurs Brazil]

Tony with a terrible end. That shot was pathetic. Why the fuck he didn't attack

[Kuestmaster]

this game is over. Shitty defense all game

[DPG21920]

Bonner. Do you have it in you?

[Uriel]

That really hurts.

[Capt Bringdown]

quick 2, no need for 3

[024]

spurs need to wake up. it's the fucking playoffs and the grizzlies are no pushovers. i would say the grizzlies are the worst matchup in the playoffs for the spurs after the lakers and the mavs.

[GrandeDavid]

Cruel game!

[Ice009]

The Spurs defense always breaks down with the game on the line. We've given up too many three pointers at the worst times this season. GOtta stay on the shooters.

[MannyIsGod]

Fuck.

[objective]

good for Bonner for hitting 3s in the postseason during closing minutes for the first time in his life

too bad the rest of his game didn't help

[ecksrobecks]

Lol 1-12

[timvp]

F me.

[Spurologist]

Rj!

[superjames1992]

Fuck you Richard Jefferson. Way to miss a WIDE OPEN SHOT.

[objective]

good for Bonner for hitting 3s in the postseason during closing minutes for the first time in his life

too bad the rest of his game didn't help

[slick'81]

fck rj give me one

[WildcardManu]

FML.. that's ok though... championship runs for the Spurs start by losing game 1.

[tlongII]

:lmao

[Killakobe81]

Been saying play Battier down the stretch ...they need the experience.

[timtonymanu]

Okay fuck I'm pissed.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Cool, suicide time

[carina_gino20]

Ah shit. Good night, folks.

[Chieflion]

Argh! Jefferson!

[TampaDude]

LOL that's all the Grizz are getting. Manu's back for Game 2.

BTW, this loss is 100% on Pop for his totally fucktarded decision to play Manu in a meaningless game against the Suns.

[Spurs Brazil]

RJ and Hill. FUCKING CHOKERS

[Bukefal]

Damnnn

Such a nice moment by Bonner with the threes and they still f*cked it up in the end smh
Freakin heart attack games

[100%duncan]

Fuck "believe"

[CFH]

Wonderful...

[VBM]

Two wide-open 3s

[velik_m]

Congrats to Grizzlies for their first playoff win.

[Whisky Dog]

How did we let that one slip away after the 2 Bonner threes? Fuck I'm sick seeing that.

[Ice009]

What a colossal choke.

Is MANU even fucking hurt or did the Spurs sit him for no reason at all acting like jackasses???????????

[boutons_deux]

Spurs find a way to lose, even with Bonner playing the hero.

[ShoogarBear]

Not only did RJ miss the shot, he damn near turned the ball over on the pass to Hill.

[lurker]

It's been pretty lonely here at the 1 seed eliminated by the 8 seed club.

[noles1983]

No reason losing to that scrub team led by scrubs Conley and Randolph

[ffadicted]

Well... hopefully this is a wakeup call

[ricketts]

i blame that loss on pop, the blair bonner front in the first ( i mean really jackass who the fuck thinks thats effective), and soft ass defense all around. the grizz wanted this more and they got it. hope the spurs find somthing positive in this cause i dont. weak ass game and now i have to listen to that fat fuck barkley feel justified for the next two days. fuck that.

[NewJerSpur]

Time to regroup. Props to Battier for that shot at the end, very Horry like. Not the first time the Spurs lost homecourt in the playoffs (Nuggets a few years ago). Need to get Manu healthy and leave for memphis tied.

[Fireball]

Memphis played great ... close series to continue on Wednesday

[spurspokesman]

LOL that's all the Grizz are getting. Manu's back for Game 2.

BTW, this loss is 100% on Pop for his totally fucktarded decision to play Manu in a meaningless game against the Suns.
u called it

[DPG21920]

Spurs completely collapse at the end. 7-0 run in the last minute to lose. RJ and Hill brick wide open looks and MEM made theirs.

That's just it.

China. Doll. Manu.

[td4mvp21]

I can't even picture the Spurs winning one in Memphis after how horrible they played today. Fuck.

[Spurologist]

Props to Battier.....he was clutch and Hill/Rj weren't

FUCK
:pctoss

I hate how a Spurs playoff loss kills my day

[BanditHiro]

anybody dare go into the NBA forum?

[Spurologist]

Props to Battier.....he was clutch and Hill/Rj weren't

FUCK
:pctoss

I hate how a Spurs playoff loss kills my day

[DAF86]

We lost the first game in '03 and '05 too.

[tmtcsc]

Got Dammit. There went the sweep. Fuck the Grizzlies. 1 win playoff chumps.
Hey Pop, you're going to want to play Splitter against that front line. Not real smart sitting Manu either.

[Spurs Brazil]

Parker was bad the whole game. When we were up 2 and needed a play the ball should have gone to TD in the post, TP shot and awful J and Memphis made a 3 to kill us.

It also doesn't help our 2nd best big was on the bench. Bonner hit those big shots but his D and reb was bad. Dice was the worst of the bigs. Blair had a good energy and a lot of dumb dumb plays

[noles1983]

Bitch ass spurs gonna get swept, marshmallow fuckin soft

[ricketts]

Congrats to Grizzlies for their first playoff win.

fuck you and your good duy attitude. let them get it against someone else.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

RJ and Hill. FUCKING CHOKERS

??? Why doesn't Tony get called out? 4-16 shooting and leaves Battier for the game winning basket, while forcing dumb shots at the other end.

[Ice009]

Spurs completely collapse at the end. 7-0 run in the last minute to lose. RJ and Hill brick wide open looks and MEM made theirs.

That's just it.

China. Doll. Manu.

U seriously calling Manu a china doll after playing 80 games??????????

[Sean Cagney]

Spurs stay blowing games. Up 4 with a minute or so to go, typical of them this year.

[tmtcsc]

Props to Battier.....he was clutch and Hill/Rj weren't

FUCK
:pctoss

I hate how a Spurs playoff loss kills my day

No shit, and now we have to wait 3 days for payback and hear Charles Barkley's fat ass talk more nonsense. The Grizzlies aren't winning this series.

[cheney212]

ya the shitty defense needs to stop how are they gonna win a game in memphis playing like that? this series is far from over but WTF get it together

[NewJerSpur]

Not only did RJ miss the shot, he damn near turned the ball over on the pass to Hill.

The possible turnover was scarier imo because that has to do with execution which we will need moving forward however far we go.....can't wait for Manu's return, as long as he's ready.

[WildcardManu]

Manu gonna avenge this loss.

[DPG21920]

U seriously calling Manu a china doll after playing 80 games??????????

You are damn right. Another playoff run. Another Manu injury concern.

[boutons_deux]

Spurs had NO PLAYOFF INTENSITY

[ElNono]

Fuck... I had a power outage and missed the second half :pctoss

This is fucking bullshit

[VBM]

The shitty thing is the Grizz are playing with house money...the real payback opportunity won't happen until Game 3

[Spurs Brazil]

??? Why doesn't Tony get called out? 4-16 shooting and leaves Battier for the game winning basket, while forcing dumb shots at the other end.

Tony was AWFUL. Instead of that weak ass shot he should have gone to TD in the post.

[TampaDude]

Wow...no Splitter...Pop is on crack...Spurs better fucking blow these chumps out in Game 2.

[ElNono]

You are damn right. Another playoff run. Another Manu injury concern.

Manu would have played today if not for Pop trying 'to play it safe'... IOW, being full of himself

[NewJerSpur]

??? Why doesn't Tony get called out? 4-16 shooting and leaves Battier for the game winning basket, while forcing dumb shots at the other end.

He set Bonner up nicely to end the game, but he definitely dropped a duece in this one overall.

[siraulo23]

36-21 FTs made advantage for the Spurs and still ended up losing

Fuck me

[alchemist]

Bonner finally shows up and the Spurs let him down :lol

[timtonymanu]

Worse choke than the Blazers game? I would say. And it was at the expense of Parker again.

[ElNono]

lol Gasol 24 points
lol ZBo 25 points

[Spurologist]

Fuck... I had a power outage and missed the second half :pctoss

This is fucking bullshit

you might have been better off not watching it tbh

[Capt Bringdown]

Battier had time to lie down and take a nap, he was so wide open. Once I saw the ball being tossed in his direction and Tony frantically charging towards him I knew it was all over.

[DPG21920]

Hey Manny, this alarming enough for you? Just because the Spurs had some nice moments, doesn't mean that this game was not a huge concern. Memphis imposed their will for nearly the entire game on both ends. They walked into the number 1 seeds home and smacked them in the mouth for their first playoff win.

Basketball is a game of back and forth, so there will be moments where each team looks good/bad. Memphis dominated by doing what THEY do best and kept the Spurs from doing what they do.

That is a huge concern.

[El Contusion II]

I love Manu to death, but do you think Kobe, or MJ would have sat out today's game?

[Ice009]

Spurs stay blowing games. Up 4 with a minute or so to go, typical of them this year.

I knew it would rub off.

Spurs have learned how to blow games this last month of the season. Pop's rotation are part of the reason why. If he just played Splitter in a few of those games we probably could have won at least two of them.

Spurs have now seemed to learn how to lose these types of games.

TP was shit in crunch time. Dumb jump shots, stupid decisions all around the last minute or so.

Can someone tell me. Is Manu hurt enough to miss this game or was Pop fuckign with the basketball gods again????????????????

Did Pop think we'd win this game with ease and decide to sit Manu or is he that hurt?

It's the fucking playoffs. U regular season rotations suck and you don't sit players and rest them fucking retards.

[maddnezz]

TONY PARKER, should have went to Bonner 1 more time, instead he wanted to be the hero when he's cold from the field and we lose......again.

[DPG21920]

Manu would have played today if not for Pop trying 'to play it safe'... IOW, being full of himself

Not the point. The point is he seemingly always has an injury in the playoffs that can derail a potential run.

Of all the people who have had an injury, everyone would have bet on it happening to Manu.

[J_Paco]

??? Why doesn't Tony get called out? 4-16 shooting and leaves Battier for the game winning basket, while forcing dumb shots at the other end.

Uh, Parker was stuck in no man's land having to either stay on Conley or rotate to Battier. Whomever was on Battier shouldn't have rotated off of the open three-point shooter. I believe it was the Jefferson's man that hit the shot.

[zocool16]

I love Manu to death, but do you think Kobe, or MJ would have sat out today's game?

For FUCK's sake, POPOVICH didn't let Ginobili play. It wasn't Manu not wanting to play. I guarantee that.

[Quiet Strength]

I love Manu to death, but do you think Kobe, or MJ would have sat out today's game?

I'm sure manu didn't want to sit out. Pops choice.. not manus

[El Contusion II]

When Parker's out Manu puts the team on his back, when Manu is out Parker folds like a deck of cards.

[Man In Black]

How did we let that one slip away after the 2 Bonner threes? Fuck I'm sick seeing that.

3 words. BAD SHOT SELECTION. But it wasn't just about that last 2 minutes. It's the missed FTs, the Blair in a China Shop craziness, Bonner's lack of presence on D and ...TP not owning the Grizzlies. It would seem as if he wasn't as AGGRESSIVE as he needed to be.

Big Deal....Spurs win this series in 6. Losing game 1 of the playoffs ain't nothing new.

[zocool16]

when parker's out manu puts the team on his back, when manu is out parker folds like a deck of cards.

this.

[DPG21920]

It's just one game, but this shows you that MEM can impose their will on the Spurs. They have no fear and they match up very well. Their front court has the ability to completely dominate ours and their back court can keep it close, especially without Manu.

Spurs should still win, but for those turning their noses up to MEM, this showed you what they can do.

[alchemist]

Memphis will hammer the Spurs in the post all series long, but I think had Parker came out firing with Duncan going off like he was the Spurs could've won this. They waited too long to help Duncan out. Spurs need to get going a lot quicker.

[timaios]

The real reason we lost that game is...

Gasol+Randolph 19-25

1 - They scored everytime
2 - No fastbreak points because... they scored everytime !

[Ice009]

You are damn right. Another playoff run. Another Manu injury concern.

I guess the timing is bad. That's 3 years in a row now that I think about it that he's hurt and can't go in the playoffs. Alright I am on the same page now, but the last two were freak injuries. U can't blame him for the broken nose or the screen.

Pop should not have played him against the Suns. He's more to blame for that one.

Manu started it though by playing for Argentina when he was hurt 3 seasons ago. Maybe Manu has made his own luck here.

[Borosai]

Memphis shot 55% overall, and 60% from 3. Nothing has improved on that end.

[mytespurs]

Yes it's very demoraizing 2 lose 1st playoff game @ home but get a grip! Let's see how gm2 goes.

Btw i t wouldn'tg shock me if spurs lose game 2 yet come back & win 4 straight 2 take this series.

[NewJerSpur]

TONY PARKER, should have went to Bonner 1 more time, instead he wanted to be the hero when he's cold from the field and we lose......again.

That long range jumper was a bad idea and a momentum killer....even if he would've taken a few more dribbles to get to the rack he might've at least gotten a call rather than going for the homerun.

[#41 Shoot Em Up]

Live by the 3 and die by the 3.

[Fireball]

Without free throws Spurs would not even have been close ... its gonna be difficult to win in Memphis this way

[MannyIsGod]

Hey Manny, this alarming enough for you? Just because the Spurs had some nice moments, doesn't mean that this game was not a huge concern. Memphis imposed their will for nearly the entire game on both ends. They walked into the number 1 seeds home and smacked them in the mouth for their first playoff win.

Basketball is a game of back and forth, so there will be moments where each team looks good/bad. Memphis dominated by doing what THEY do best and kept the Spurs from doing what they do.

That is a huge concern.

:lmao

I knew you were going to post something like this.

No different than losing to Minnesota in 99, Losing to the Suns in 03, Denver in 05, and Denver in 07.

It sucks no doubt, but we'll see how the team comes out in game 2.

[ShoogarBear]

60% from 3
This is the thing that drives me the craziest. How the hell does that happen?

[Avitus1]

Spurs still got this bitch.

[mytespurs]

I'm sure manu didn't want to sit out. Pops choice.. not manus

I don't have problem w/it-rather have healthy manu don't stretch when needed vs further exacerbating the injury-it hurt not having him there -hope he's ready 4 gm 2

[Fireball]

This is the thing that drives me the craziest. How the hell does that happen?

Mayo somehow remembered he normally plays great against the Spurs ... and Battier went Horry on us

[DPG21920]

:lmao

I knew you were going to post something like this.

No different than losing to Minnesota in 99, Losing to the Suns in 03, Denver in 05, and Denver in 07.

It sucks no doubt, but we'll see how the team comes out in game 2.

Huge difference. Spurs aren't in their prime. Their defense isn't very good.

[Ice009]

Hey Manny, this alarming enough for you? Just because the Spurs had some nice moments, doesn't mean that this game was not a huge concern. Memphis imposed their will for nearly the entire game on both ends. They walked into the number 1 seeds home and smacked them in the mouth for their first playoff win.

Basketball is a game of back and forth, so there will be moments where each team looks good/bad. Memphis dominated by doing what THEY do best and kept the Spurs from doing what they do.

That is a huge concern.

I don't think this Manny guy has any clue what is going on. I read his post at the end of the third quarter and he said it was disturbing for Memphis. LOL. Memphis closed that quarter great to get themselves back into it. I don't know what kind of basketball he watches. I think he even said Bonner's defense is real good at one point.

[Fireball]

unbelievable ... Phil Jackson plays Trey Johnson minutes in the playoffs and Splitter does not see the floor

[El Contusion II]

For the life of me I can't understand why Tiago did not play one single rotation. It's not like Nazr, or Orberto, or Elson, Blair, Bonner, have proven to in the past or present to be so much more worthy.

[Ice009]

:lmao

I knew you were going to post something like this.

No different than losing to Minnesota in 99, Losing to the Suns in 03, Denver in 05, and Denver in 07.

It sucks no doubt, but we'll see how the team comes out in game 2.

Spurs big have been dominated every game this season against the Grizzlies.

Spurs were never dominated by Minnesota, Phoenix or Denver those seasons like they have been against Memphis this season.

[Ice009]

Edit : I apologize for that last line, which was a bit out of line.

[J_Paco]

Yeah, this was a demoralizing loss. Pop needs to figure out how to better defend Randolph and Gasol. Trying Splitter (on Gasol) and Duncan (on Randolph) could possibly work, but we all know Pop is too stubborn try it until they're in an elimination game or next season.

[Capt Bringdown]

If Randolph & Gasol continue to play at a high level, I don't know what we can do.

[LegendaryFan44]

Skeptics of the Spurs r gloating..Splitter better see some time next game..46 free throw attempts and still lose...bad start.

[Ice009]

lol Monty Williams said at the end of the first quarter interview that you can't beat size.

What's sad is that Pop won't learn that.

[DPG21920]

Ya, the fact that their front line dominated along with the fact the Spurs shot more free throws than they ever have :lol and still lost is concerning.

This was game 1 at home against the greenest of playoff teams. The other scary thing is that Memphis didn't do anything tricky. They tell you how they play and run the same shit over and over and over and over and the Spurs had no answer.

[SenorSpur]

What I don't understand is you're down by one, WHY take a fucking 3-pt shot, George Hill? Why take a long jumper, Tony Parker? Drive the ball to the fucking basket, as you had been doing ALL GAME LONG!

And on the last shot, why not run a play to go with the hot hand? I can't believe I'm saying this, but Matt Bonner had just hit his last two open 3's. Why not go to the well once more?

[Ice009]

Ya, the fact that their front line dominated along with the fact the Spurs shot more free throws than they ever have :lol and still lost is concerning.

This was game 1 at home against the greenest of playoff teams. The other scary thing is that Memphis didn't do anything tricky. They tell you how they play and run the same shit over and over and over and over and the Spurs had no answer.

Well the Spurs might have an answer, but Pop doesn't understand the question.

Will Splitter play "They made shots" LOL

What do you have to do to win? "Make shots"

That's about all Pop seems to understand right now.

[Ice009]

What I don't understand is you're down by one, WHY take a fucking 3-pt shot, George Hill? Why take a long jumper, Tony Parker? Drive the ball to the fucking basket, as you had been doing ALL GAME LONG!

And on the last shot, why not run a play to go with the hot hand? I can't believe I'm saying this, but Matt Bonner had just hit his last two open 3's. Why not go to the well once more?

Too logical for an illogical coach.

[coachmac87]

If Randolph & Gasol continue to play at a high level, I don't know what we can do.

Spurs need to keep attacking, and hopefully get one of those bigs in foul trouble. Today it was Tony Allen who got most of the fouls, but if Randolph ever gets in foul trouble I don't see Memphis winning that game.

[Borosai]

I agree that these end-of-game plays coming out of timeouts have been pretty weak down the stretch this year. That's on Pop.

[Bukefal]

Please Hornets beat the lakers tonight, so that will give me a little smile after all tonight


Spurs will come back :flag:

[Spursnlego]

Just came from the game, Great energy at the At&t but horrible loss...

[Fireball]

Just came from the game, Great energy at the At&t but horrible loss...

Crowd sounded good on TV ... indeed a bad loss. Now the question is can Memphis play any better?

[timtonymanu]

It pained me to see the Grizzlies acting like they won a title. I hope the Spurs shut them up next game because they didn't do it today.

[Fireball]

Please Hornets beat the lakers tonight, so that will give me a little smile after all tonight

does not look like its gonna happen

[objective]

Huge difference. Spurs aren't in their prime. Their defense isn't very good.

the defense part is true.

Bruce Bowen isn't walking through that door.

And if he did, he'd be old and, uh, actually, he could probably still play.

[timtonymanu]

Please Hornets beat the lakers tonight, so that will give me a little smile after all tonight


Spurs will come back :flag:

nah, basketball gods don't like us. Lakers will tease us the whole game and win by double digits.

[NewJerSpur]

Our bigs are going to have to stay on the floor and keep Gasol/Randolph from establishing themselves down in the post. Hopefully they can get a little more physical with each as I would gladly live with Marc's fadeway shots and Zack's long range bombs.

[Fireball]

nah, basketball gods don't like us. Lakers will tease us the whole game and win by double digits.

but it looked good as Kobe was trying to break his own neck at the end of the first half ...

[NewJerSpur]

If the refs keep letting the Lakers manhandle Ariza should win going away.

[objective]

Ya, the fact that their front line dominated along with the fact the Spurs shot more free throws than they ever have :lol and still lost is concerning.

This was game 1 at home against the greenest of playoff teams. The other scary thing is that Memphis didn't do anything tricky. They tell you how they play and run the same shit over and over and over and over and the Spurs had no answer.

more about the green playoff team:

This was the first playoff game in the careers of 8 of the 11 Grizzlies who played today.

First playoff game for 3 of the starters.

Out of 240 minutes, about 150 of them were by playoff rookies.

On the road.

Against the #1 seed with years of playoff and title experience. The only Spurs playoff rookie was Neal and 30 seconds from Green.

That's a big deal, Manu or no Manu.

[Budkin]

Just finished watching the game on DVR. I'm disgusted. Another collapse in the last minute. Only thing that's keeping things in perspective no Manu. Getting a win in Memphis is going to be tough.

[DPG21920]

Yup. Even if the Spurs would have won, they were getting pounded physically. It is going to be a taxing series.

[objective]

Spurs had over 125 minutes played by players with Finals experience.

That's more than Memphis's minutes by players who had playoff experience.

[mytespurs]

nah, basketball gods don't like us. Lakers will tease us the whole game and win by double digits.

Ai-yi-yi! What is w/the laker obsession?!?! They are not,repeat, NOT going 2 lose this series 2 the hornets, and they will win today.


Immediate concern needs 2 bw/spurs & hope this team can win nxt game-right now it's up inthe air imho

[timtonymanu]

Ai-yi-yi! What is w/the laker obsession?!?! They are not,repeat, NOT going 2 lose this series 2 the hornets, and they will win today.


Immediate concern needs 2 bw/spurs & hope this team can win nxt game-right now it's up inthe air imho

Meh. I don't care about them either. I just care about the Spurs right now and how they're gonna bounce back next game.

[Spurs Brazil]

Lakers found a way to do worst than us.

[ShoogarBear]

Yeah, but even in losing, the Lakers get an advantage for the rest of the series with Gray going down.

[duncan228]

Post-Game Quotes

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177226


Grizzlies stun No. 1 Spurs for first playoff win (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2011041724)
By Paul J. Weber

Zach Randolph raised his fists above his head. The Memphis Grizzlies carried the motto “Let’s Make History” into the playoffs, and in a stunning Game 1 upset, they had already done it.

Sixteen years after entering the NBA, the Grizzlies finally have a postseason win.

Randolph had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Shane Battier hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 23.9 seconds left Sunday to give Memphis a 101-98 victory over the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs.

It’s the first playoff win ever for Memphis, which had been 0-12 in four previous trips.

“It’s nice from an annoyance perspective to have it out of the way, because I don’t have to answer questions about being 0 and 13,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said.

Instead, all the questions are about the 61-win Spurs being down 0-1.

Playing without All-Star guard Manu Ginobili, who continued to rest his sprained right elbow, San Antonio still had a chance to send the game to overtime. Richard Jefferson missed an open, straight-ahead 3-point look as time expired, then bit down on his jersey collar.

“I was wide open,” Jefferson said.

Randolph, who scored nine in the fourth and bullied San Antonio’s aging frontcourt with all of his 255 pounds, walked past Jefferson with his fists raised in triumph. The rest of the Grizzlies bench spilled onto the court, waving towels and leaping back into the locker room.

The Grizzlies entered the NBA in 1995 as an expansion franchise in Vancouver. Six seasons there never ended in the postseason, and after moving to Memphis in 2001, the Grizzlies waited two seasons before the first of three consecutive first-round sweeps. The last was in 2006.

So playoff inexperienced are the Grizzlies that Hollins had never coached in the postseason before Sunday, and eight of his players lacked any playoff experience.

Not Battier. He was with the Grizzlies for all three of those playoff sweeps, making it somewhat fitting that it was his 3-pointer to seal the franchise’s first win.

“It was awesome. I’m really happy for the city,” Battier said. “Beale Street will be a fun place tonight. Most of these guys don’t know the history or the heartache that the city has gone through. I’m happy for the city.”

And his big shot?

“When you’re on the road, down two, may as well go for the 3,” he said.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wasn’t in the mood to dissect it much, either.

“What do you want to know about it?” Popovich said. “It counted for three. He caught it. He shot it. And he made it.”

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 20 points. But San Antonio sorely missed his backcourt partner, Ginobili, who had been listed as doubtful entering Sunday. Yet between the 33-year-old practicing a day earlier and his teammates convinced he would play, seeing Ginobili in lineup wouldn’t have been much of a stretch.

Popovich played it safe.

“You know (darn) well he’s not happy with me. And you know (darn) well he wants to be on that court,” Popovich said. “But I made my decision.”

Popovich wouldn’t speculate whether Ginobili might play in Game 2 on Wednesday. But after the Spurs lost their sixth consecutive playoff opener, Ginobili may no longer have such hard time convincing Popovich he’s ready.

The Spurs badly missed their second-leading scorer. George Hill started in Ginobili’s place but went just 2 of 7 from the floor and finished with 15 points. The NBA’s top 3-point shooting team also suffered without Ginobili’s range and penetration to draw in perimeter defenders.

San Antonio went 6 of 15 from behind the 3-point line. Matt Bonner hit two of those in the final 2:09, his second one putting San Antonio ahead 96-94 with 1:28 remaining.

The Grizzlies spent the week insisting they didn’t tank their final two games to assure they’d get the Spurs. But the way Randolph and Marc Gasol, who had 24 points and nine rebounds, punished San Antonio in the frontcourt, San Antonio certainly doesn’t look like a bad matchup for Memphis.

“Zach played great. He made some great shots with Marc,” said Spurs forward Tim Duncan, who had 16 points and 13 rebounds. “They’re both big bodies and that’s what they’re game is based on, having those bigs inside. And them making shots, we have to pay attention to them more, obviously.”

Eighth seeds have eliminated No. 1s just three times in NBA history.

For now, the Grizzlies are just happy with a start.

“We’re in the playoffs,” Hollins said. “It’s not important to me that it’s our first playoff win ever.”

Notes: The Spurs shot a season- and playoff-high 47 free throw attempts. They made 36 of them. …The Grizzlies are now 3-2 against the Spurs this season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2011041724

[beirmeistr]

Parker was bad the whole game. When we were up 2 and needed a play the ball should have gone to TD in the post, TP shot and awful J and Memphis made a 3 to kill us.

It also doesn't help our 2nd best big was on the bench. Bonner hit those big shots but his D and reb was bad. Dice was the worst of the bigs. Blair had a good energy and a lot of dumb dumb plays



Parker took what Doc Rivers calls a hero shot---not a good shot but you want to be the hero.

[Obstructed_View]

Parker's hit that shot way more than he's missed it, but it wasn't a good shot IMO. He's about eighth on my blame list for this loss though.

[duncan228]

Game 1: Memphis Grizzlies 101, San Antonio Spurs 98 (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/game-1-memphis-grizzlies-101-san-antonio-spurs-98)
by Jesse Blanchard
48 Minutes of Hell

AT&T CENTER–San Antonio won many of the little battles but ultimately lost the war in the Spurs 101-98 Game 1 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies–their sixth straight series opener loss.

Behind Tim Duncan’s 13 rebounds, the Spurs outrebounded the Grizzlies 40-38, holding Memphis to just five offensive rebounds and outscoring them 15-5 on both second chance and fast break points.

“It should (have been enough), but it wasn’t,” Tim Duncan said. “We just didn’t do enough down the stretch and that was the game right there. We stuck to our game plan, did a good job of keeping them off the offensive glass, but they made more plays down the stretch.”

The guy normally responsible for making those plays of course was in street clothes today, but Manu’s absence does not take away from what was a very solid game plan from the Memphis Grizzlies. If you can’t catch them, beat them. The Grizzlies set the tone early, dragging the San Antonio Spurs into the ugly game that was once their calling card.

Several of these Spurs have danced this dance before, and for a moment it was shades of Jerry Sloan and the Utah Jazz again, playing the notes through the tweets of the referees’ whistles. Legs, arms, knees and elbows at every twist and turn.

Keep reading... (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/game-1-memphis-grizzlies-101-san-antonio-spurs-98)

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/game-1-memphis-grizzlies-101-san-antonio-spurs-98

[Budkin]

Popovich wouldn’t speculate whether Ginobili might play in Game 2 on Wednesday. But after the Spurs lost their sixth consecutive playoff opener, Ginobili may no longer have such hard time convincing Popovich he’s ready.

If Pop holds Manu out of game 2 this series is over.

[Obstructed_View]

If Pop holds Splitter out of game 2 this series is going to be pretty damn difficult. The slow-it-down, George Hill-centric Spurs need to be able to play defense.

[jimo2305]

regardless of everything..


RJ should've hit that shot..

[4>0rings]

Parker's hit that shot way more than he's missed it, but it wasn't a good shot IMO. He's about eighth on my blame list for this loss though.Agreed, he hits that shot all day long and he was open but he wasn't hot this game. It's not magically going to start going in. Give it to the person that was on fire.

[td4mvp21]

But after the Spurs lost their sixth consecutive playoff opener

The Spurs have only lost three straight, right? They won the first game in 2008 and 2006. But they've lost 4 out of the last 6 openers.

[LakerHater]

yeah, theyve dropped 5 openers since '05!

[duncan228]

Instant analysis: How the Grizzlies claimed Game 1 (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/17/instant-analysis-how-the-grizzlies-claimed-game-1/)
Tim Griffin

...How the game was won: Even with their success inside, the Grizzlies relied on outside shooting to pull out the victory. Shane Battier took advantage of a late rotation by Tony Parker to drain a 24-footer from deep in the left corner with 23.9 seconds left to give the Grizzlies the lead for good. Several hours later, his second child was born in Houston. How good of a day was it for Battier?

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/17/instant-analysis-how-the-grizzlies-claimed-game-1/

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

Battier’s shot puts Spurs in early hole (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/17/battier%e2%80%99s-shot-puts-spurs-in-early-hole/)
Jeff McDonald

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/04/17/battier%e2%80%99s-shot-puts-spurs-in-early-hole/

[Sean Cagney]

yeah, theyve dropped 5 openers since '05!

I hate freakin game ones man :(

[duncan228]

NBA Playoffs: Grizzlies win the day, but is their success sustainable? (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/17/nba-playoffs-grizzlies-win-the-day-but-is-their-success-sustainable/)
Rob Mahoney

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/17/nba-playoffs-grizzlies-win-the-day-but-is-their-success-sustainable/

[Obstructed_View]

regardless of everything..


RJ should've hit that shot..

Regardless of everything, the Spurs probably shouldn't have been down three at that point in the game. They've choked in late game situations against lesser teams in the last few weeks. A lot.

[Splits]

Bonner shitting all over st!!!


what the hell bonner?


Funniest thing I've ever seen


Matt Bonner ... are you fucking kidding me ... Pop looks like a genius now


I can't BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a fucking miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


bonner please continue shitting on us


not a miracle. he did it all season long.


Where are all the Bonner haters now?

I swear you people make me want to punch a baby.

[Borosai]

Regardless of everything, the Spurs probably shouldn't have been down three at that point in the game. They've choked in late game situations against lesser teams in the last few weeks. A lot.

That's what I can't understand. I figured they would've put an end to it after the Portland game. But then came Houston and now Memphis. Who's in charge there?

[Splits]

That's what I can't understand. I figured they would've put an end to it after the Portland game. But then came Houston and now Memphis. Who's in charge there?

Not only this, but at one point in the season we were like 11-1 in games w/in 5pt and 3 min to go. I think the Manu stepback 3 airball in Boston started the slide though.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Ugh, Game 1's for the Spurs are almost never good. No worry to start the panic meter up. Spurs will win Wednesday.

[DJ Mbenga]

wow they just showed a grizzlies viewing party. looked like about 25 people attended.

[crc21209]

The Spurs have only lost three straight, right? They won the first game in 2008 and 2006. But they've lost 4 out of the last 6 openers.

Yeah, that "fact" was wrong in the recap report. The Spurs didnt lose Game 1 of the opening series of the Playoffs in 06' and 08'. But they have lost Game 1's of the opening round in 07', 09', 10', and now this year....

[Mugen]

Yeah, that "fact" was wrong in the recap report. The Spurs didnt lose Game 1 of the opening series of the Playoffs in 06' and 08'. But they have lost Game 1's of the opening round in 07', 09', 10', and now this year....

I think the writer meant to say that the Spurs have lost 6 straight Game 1s in the playoffs going back to 2008

NO, LA, DAL, DAL, PHX, MEM.....2-3 in the previous 5 series. Hopefully they get to .500 after this one.

[siraulo23]

*sigh*
still cant get over this lost

only if parker didnt help out on d, battier had so much space when he caught the ball...

*sigh*
dont give up the three, let them tie the game, ughhhhh

[Pauleta14]

regardless of everything..


RJ should've hit that shot..

this.

[Pauleta14]

*sigh*
still cant get over this lost

only if parker didnt help out on d, battier had so much space when he caught the ball...

*sigh*
dont give up the three, let them tie the game, ughhhhh


RJ was way more open than Battier...

Even if I hate Pop's usual "they made shots..." that's the way I would sum up the game!!

I watched it again and it's crazy how many EASY shots/layups the spurs missed... just amazing!
especialy TP in the 1st half, there was at least 4 or 5 layups he usualy makes "in his sleep"...
Same for Blair, Tony assisted him many times to wide open layups and again... choke...:bang

In a way, watching the game again made me more optimistic than I was at the end of it (live), Memphis can't shoot again at such a high % and the spurs can't miss so many easy looks...
+Manu will be there and it's a HUGE difference (see RS stats agains memphis)

If you add the 03-05-07 1st game of the 1st round loss...

We're gonna be fine:flag:

[Bukefal]

looks like bukefal doesn't get to start anymore cute game blogs

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt84/SVT-GT500/smileys/SmileyWave3.gif Hey thispedo lil'ho or thispedo's spokesman

[LakerHater]

looks like bukefal doesn't get to start anymore cute game blogs
http://db.funformobile.com/images/smiles/thumbdown.gif (javascript:) I dissagree

[LakerHater]

uh you do know there's a list of several dozen smilies right here on spurstalk so you and bukakkefull (assuming you're not the same person) don't have to go use graphics from other websites here's a visual aid ====>
The ones here are ok... & it shouldnt matter what I choose to use!

[Bukefal]

:cry :cry

sawwy for calling for an end to your wil obsession

jess trying to avoid playoff losses sowwy senor


uh you do know there's a list of several dozen smilies right here on spurstalk so you and bukakkefull (assuming you're not the same person) don't have to go use graphics from other websites here's a visual aid ====>

ok thispedo