Sigh...

[benefactor]

Watching the Bulls makes me miss Spurs defense.

:depressed

[ace3g]

Props to Coach Thib, keeps his Redhead in suit and tie on the end of the bench....

[benefactor]

I've been pulling for the Thunder, but those who appreciate how the Spurs developed their legacy will have a hard time not liking the Bulls. The only trade off is a dominant big for a dominant guard.

[gameFACE]

No shit. I seriously miss defense. I really fucking do. Chicago was awesome. And their hustle was just out of this world!

Can Pop even coach an "athletic" defensive team?

[Sean Cagney]

I miss D like crazy here.... I hated this makeup of the running Spurs, knew it would never work later in the year and it did not.

[spurs1990]

In addition, the Spurs lost to the team who lost to the team who is favored to lose to the team who'll probably lose the NBA Finals to Chicago.

We were that close.

[100%duncan]

yeah. Bulls D was outstanding.

[timtonymanu]

Not only that, but the Bulls players had so much heart. They were playing hard every play and everyone was not afraid to play hero. With the Spurs, all you had were guys standing around, hoping for a hero.

This is a how a #1 seed was suppose to play like.

[dbestpro]

Got to give it to the Bulls head coach. He even has Korver playing defense.

[MannyIsGod]

Bulls have the athletes to pull it off. I've thought they were going to win it all for quite some time. I love the way they play.

[timtonymanu]

I've been on the Bulls bandwagon ever since the playoffs started. I wanted them to make the NBA Finals (unless the Spurs got there which didn't happen).

I really really respect their style of play. I like how Thibs doesn't tolerate mess ups on defense kinda like how Pop use to do it.

IMO, Boston didn't fall cause Perk left. They fell cause Thibs left.

[Chachachango]

Yeah, i too miss the D. Did you guys see that guy Asik from Turkey, dude was playing ten times better than bonner.

[Cessation]

It was real impressive, bulls completelly shut down leCheat and Co. in the second half.

lol bibby is so bad

[elemento]

And the Centerpiece is starting for the Bulls :lmao

[Cessation]

And the Centerpiece is starting for the Bulls :lmao

I'm sure it helps when you don't play out of position, like genious pop had him do in sa.

[Capt Bringdown]

Not impressed, especially with regards to comparisons to Spursball. You got Rose and a bunch of losers playing Leastern Conference stumbleball.

The Heat are a poorly coached team with a gimmicky offense. These same Bulls bumbled their way past Philly and Atlanta.
Wake me up when they play a real team.

[Ice009]

Props to Coach Thib, keeps his Redhead in suit and tie on the end of the bench....

If you don't play defense you don't play. What happened to that guy? If you could score like Michael Jordan, but didn't play any defense, Pop would keep your ass on the bench. That's how defensive oriented Pop was. Where is that?

[Capt Bringdown]

If you don't play defense you don't play. What happened to that guy? If you could score like Michael Jordan, but didn't play any defense, Pop would keep your ass on the bench. That's how defensive oriented Pop was. Where is that?

He ain't been same since the '06 loss to the Mavs IMO.

[Budkin]

In addition, the Spurs lost to the team who lost to the team who is favored to lose to the team who'll probably lose the NBA Finals to Chicago.

We were that close.

We weren't close at all. We had no defense or size. The Thunder would have beaten us had we made it past the 8th seed.

[ploto]

Defense and no small ball- even when the opponent goes small.

[Strike]

No shit. I seriously miss defense. I really fucking do. Chicago was awesome. And their hustle was just out of this world!

Can Pop even coach an "athletic" defensive team?

He'd be too busy benching people for no-D playing gingers because they have 'corporate knowledge'.

:pop::pctoss

[TimDunkem]

Defense and no small ball- even when the opponent goes small.
It's kind of depressing knowing Thibbs will stay with his big lineup while Pop would've played into the opponent's hands by going small.


He'd be too busy benching people for no-D playing gingers because they have 'corporate knowledge'.

:pop::pctoss

Give Pop this same Bulls team and he probably puts Bogans at the 3, Taj at the 5, and Scalabrine at the 4 to space the floor. Brewer would be glued to the bench, and no one would know who Omer Asik is.

[TJastal]

It's kind of depressing knowing Thibbs will stay with his big lineup while Pop would've played into the opponent's hands by going small.



Give Pop this same Bulls team and he probably puts Bogans at the 3, Taj at the 5, and Scalabrine at the 4 to space the floor. Brewer would be glued to the bench, and no one would know who Omer Asik is.

Oh, defenitely. Pop would find a way to get Scalabrine his 20 minutes a game.

:lol

[Cessation]

This is gingers team. You mad spurfan?

[DirkISaCocLuvinPuSSy]

I miss D like crazy here.... I hated this makeup of the running Spurs, knew it would never work later in the year and it did not.

pause. lol j/k

I miss the old spurs and that big headed rascal bruce

[rmt]

Yeah, i too miss the D. Did you guys see that guy Asik from Turkey, dude was playing ten times better than bonner.

Imagine a coach who actually plays a 7 foot rookie.

[Uriel]

You can watch videos of our championship seasons. The '99 team in particular which featured Tim Duncan and David Robinson at or near their respective primes protecting the interior made for some of the best defense, possibly ever in NBA history.

[Bruno]

Spurs' defense was great because they had the best perimeter defender of the last decade and the best interior defender of the last decade. Bruce is retired and Duncan is done as a great player.

You can bitch as much as you want about Pop and Bonner but it doesn't change the fact that time has passed and Spurs don't have the roster to play defense like they did in the past or like Bulls do this year. It's sure they could have been better with Pop doing other choices but it wouldn't have been enough.

Spurs are done as a contender or as an elite defensive team. Nothing can be done to change that and there is no shame in it.

[TimDunkem]

True, but signing, trading for, or re-signing defensively inept players doesn't really help the Spurs cause.

[Capt Bringdown]

You can bitch as much as you want about Pop and Bonner but it doesn't change the fact that time has passed and Spurs don't have the roster to play defense like they did in the past or like Bulls do this year. It's sure they could have been better with Pop doing other choices but it wouldn't have been enough.

Spurs are done as a contender or as an elite defensive team. Nothing can be done to change that and there is no shame in it.

Horse hockey - we've seen time and time again in these playoffs that a commitment to D is the THE WAY to improve your team, and that it doesn't take a roster of superstars to make it happen. Look at the Bulls and their roster of turds.

Maybe an elite defense lies beyond our grasp, but the thing is, we didn't even try - in fact, the Spurs ran away from defense. And that is indeed a shame.

[jjktkk]

If you don't play defense you don't play. What happened to that guy? If you could score like Michael Jordan, but didn't play any defense, Pop would keep your ass on the bench. That's how defensive oriented Pop was. Where is that?

Because other than Duncan, who on that roster can play consistant defense? Maybe Hill? Splitter?

[cheguevara]

Spurs' defense was great because they had the best perimeter defender of the last decade and the best interior defender of the last decade. Bruce is retired and Duncan is done as a great player.

You can bitch as much as you want about Pop and Bonner but it doesn't change the fact that time has passed and Spurs don't have the roster to play defense like they did in the past or like Bulls do this year. It's sure they could have been better with Pop doing other choices but it wouldn't have been enough.

Spurs are done as a contender or as an elite defensive team. Nothing can be done to change that and there is no shame in it.

the bulls have neither and still playing great Defense. the Grizz had great D and a bunch of scrubs playing it.

good D starts with the coach. Pop dropped the ball and has no excuses.

nobody is expecting old Spurs type D. but a good D is possible with any NBA player with the right coach. And it starts by not playing defensive soft players like Bonner and Dick.

[jjktkk]

the bulls have neither and still playing great Defense. the Grizz had great D and a bunch of scrubs playing it.

good D starts with the coach. Pop dropped the ball and has no excuses.

nobody is expecting old Spurs type D. but a good D is possible with any NBA player with the right coach. And it starts by not playing defensive soft players like Bonner and Dick.

Noah, Gibson, and Asik are all long, athletic, can board and all three are committed to defense. The Spurs have one player right now who can be that type of player, which is Splitter.

[jjktkk]

Horse hockey - we've seen time and time again in these playoffs that a commitment to D is the THE WAY to improve your team, and that it doesn't take a roster of superstars to make it happen. Look at the Bulls and their roster of turds.

Maybe an elite defense lies beyond our grasp, but the thing is, we didn't even try - in fact, the Spurs ran away from defense. And that is indeed a shame.

Too many Pearls Capt.? Commitment to defense is one thing, but you have to have the personnel to pull it off. You honestly think Pop decided to do away with defense, because it seemed like the vogue thing to do? Tell me how with this current Spurs roster, can you realistically expect them to shut down an opposing team defensively? How many times did you see Pop cringe when he saw the countless mistakes being made out there on defense? This group got old and with the limited resources by the ownership, Pop and RC got a lot of work to do to somehow build around the big 3.

[Obstructed_View]

Spurs' defense was great because they had the best perimeter defender of the last decade and the best interior defender of the last decade. Bruce is retired and Duncan is done as a great player.

You can bitch as much as you want about Pop and Bonner but it doesn't change the fact that time has passed and Spurs don't have the roster to play defense like they did in the past or like Bulls do this year. It's sure they could have been better with Pop doing other choices but it wouldn't have been enough.

Spurs are done as a contender or as an elite defensive team. Nothing can be done to change that and there is no shame in it.

You really need to take a fucking anti-depressant and stop spouting this bullshit. If the Spurs had played everyone on their roster, then you might have a point. They didn't. You don't.

[Obstructed_View]

Keith Bogans still completely sucks, but at least he's not being played out of position and asked to single-handedly shut down the other team's best player.

[Cry Havoc]

It's sad how the Bulls essentially are doing now what we did for so many years, taking less-heralded players who stay active on D and building a team around them. As opposed to the modern Spurs who sacrifice defense in the name of "spreading the floor", whatever the fuck that means.

[spurs10]

Perhaps it's true that our time is over. However David was "done" before Tim came along. Splitter, after a summer with Chip and Pop, and a new pf will do wonders for this team. You know they know this and will be trying to rectify this all summer long. I think TP is far from done and Manu's injury was untimely. We will not be favored to do much next year, but might surprise a few people.

[Dex]

Spurs defense should benefit from the full integration of Splitter. He helped to noticeably shore up the interior in his brief stints, and that was with limited knowledge and reps. He's had his year on the bench to figure things out; time to get to work and get comfortable (and, for the love of God, stay healthy through camp). Hopefully that will be coupled with development by guys like Anderson and Neal, maybe another defensive pickup somewhere in the offseason.

Knowing the Spurs M.O., though, they will probably continue to pile up undersized wings and shooting forwards.

[cheguevara]

Noah, Gibson, and Asik are all long, athletic, can board and all three are committed to defense. The Spurs have one player right now who can be that type of player, which is Splitter.

You seriously saying Gibson and Asik are better defenders than Duncan? :rolleyes

Duncan is old but still is a good defensive bigman.

My point is it starts with the coach preaching defense and punishing those who fail miserably at it (Bonner/Dick)

[SenorSpur]

It is truly amazing to watch the maniacal, energetic and aggressive manner in which the Bulls play defense. Watching them get into the jocks of the opposing players, rotating appropriately and crashing the glass on both ends, is pure job. It's not as though they have a team of elite defenders, but it certainly helps to have younger, more athletic, hungry players, who have all bought into the concept taught by Coach Tibs. The guy does not and has not compromise his defensive principles nor sold out his soul in exchange for fielding a team of 3-pt shooters. It does indeed make one become nostalgic.

[jjktkk]

You seriously saying Gibson and Asik are better defenders than Duncan? :rolleyes

Duncan is old but still is a good defensive bigman.

My point is it starts with the coach preaching defense and punishing those who fail miserably at it (Bonner/Dick)

No, not at all. I meant in terms of youth,athleticism and defensive ability, Noah, Gibson, and Asik are a nice trio of young post defenders. Duncan is still one of the best post defenders. And as far as potential Splitter(youth, athleticism) can evolve into that type of player.

[jjktkk]

It is truly amazing to watch the maniacal, energetic and aggressive manner in which the Bulls play defense. Watching them get into the jocks of the opposing players, rotating appropriately and crashing the glass on both ends, is pure job. It's not as though they have a team of elite defenders, but it certainly helps to have younger, more athletic, hungry players, who have all bought into the concept taught by Coach Tibs. The guy does not and has not compromise his defensive principles nor sold out his soul in exchange for fielding a team of 3-pt shooters. It does indeed make one become nostalgic.

Thibodeau didn't have to compromise his principles, because of the defensive talent he possesses, along with the league's MVP and one of the best pgs in the league.

[jjktkk]

You really need to take a fucking anti-depressant and stop spouting this bullshit. If the Spurs had played everyone on their roster, then you might have a point. They didn't. You don't.

You need to quit putting off that Optometrist appointment if you think this current Spurs team can be an elite defesive team.

[TJastal]

Thibodeau didn't have to compromise his principles, because of the defensive talent he possesses, along with the league's MVP and one of the best pgs in the league.

Could it also be the fact he keeps guys like Scalabrine (Bonner's long lost brother) nailed to the bench where he belongs? Just maybe?

:lol

[Obstructed_View]

You need to quit putting off that Optometrist appointment if you think this current Spurs team can be an elite defesive team.

Uh, the Spurs played better defense against Memphis than Oklahoma City did, and that's with absolute shit on the front line aside from Splitter and Duncan. Not surprised that you make your judgments without regard to what actually happens on the court.

I love that some of you fucking nimrods think the Bulls have all this talent, when they just play their players in their proper position.

[jjktkk]

Could it also be the fact he keeps guys like Scalabrine (Bonner's long lost brother) nailed to the bench where he belongs? Just maybe?

:lol

Does Pop have a trio like Noah, Gibson, and Asik playing for the Spurs? Go ahead, I'll let you google it.

[jjktkk]

Uh, the Spurs played better defense against Memphis than Oklahoma City did, and that's with absolute shit on the front line aside from Splitter and Duncan. Not surprised that you make your judgments without regard to what actually happens on the court.

I love that some of you fucking nimrods think the Bulls have all this talent, when they just play their players in their proper position.

And its dipshits like you and your protege Tjastal that fail to see the big picture. Your answer to the Spurs roster problems, is just be a good athlete, athleticism will win championships. Pop will rue the day he ever let Pop Mensah-Bonsu and Ian Mahimni walk out that door. :lol

[TJastal]

And its dipshits like you and your protege Tjastal that fail to see the big picture. Your answer to the Spurs roster problems, is just be a good athlete, athleticism will win championships. Pop will rue the day he ever let Pop Mensah-Bonsu and Ian Mahimni walk out that door. :lol

Not quite. Our answer is all those things but more importantly size (need 7 footers) Maybe you should get a secretary to dictate for you since your memory sucks so badly.

[jjktkk]

Not quite. Our answer is all those things but more importantly size (need 7 footers) Maybe you should get a secretary to dictate for you since your memory sucks so badly.

Oh right, my bad. Just get some more 7 footers out there. It doesn't matter if they can play or not, cause according to Tjastal, just being 7 foot, is the end all cure all, to what ails the Spurs. I hope you decide to put out a basketbal training dvd, and you can even let OV make a few appearances in it. Maybe have future allstar Mahimni go one on one with someone to show the kids out there how its done. :lol

[Agloco]

And the Centerpiece is starting for the Bulls :lmao


I'm sure it helps when you don't play out of position, like genious pop had him do in sa.

This

[Budkin]

You can't win in the playoffs without defense. That's just the way it is.

[TimDunkem]

Does Pop have a trio like Noah, Gibson, and Asik playing for the Spurs? Go ahead, I'll let you google it.
To be honest; I believe Pop would play Taj out of position, and I doubt Asik would get any PT.

[SenorSpur]

Could it also be the fact he keeps guys like Scalabrine (Bonner's long lost brother) nailed to the bench where he belongs? Just maybe?

:lol

Bonner and Scal were separated at birth. :lol

[jjktkk]

To be honest; I believe Pop would play Taj out of position, and I doubt Asik would get any PT.

Cool dude.

[SenorSpur]

You can't win in the playoffs without defense. That's just the way it is.

Very true.

The Bulls are not afraid of drafting and trading for size and playing those players in their natural positions. Playing in the rough and tumble Eastern Conference, they obviously understand that size, length and skill are required in order to defend the paint.

[TimDunkem]

Cool dude.
Actually, no. It's not cool at all.

[Dex]

Spurs just didn't make the shots they were supposed to make. No surprises there...

[all_heart]

Not only that, but the Bulls players had so much heart. They were playing hard every play and everyone was not afraid to play hero. With the Spurs, all you had were guys standing around, hoping for a hero.

This is a how a #1 seed was suppose to play like.

This is the most accurate thing I've ever EVER read here. I just hope they DVRd the game so they can witness this .

[silverblk mystix]

The Heat didn't even put Erica Dampier in uniform...to go small and fast...

Thibs didn't even blink...stayed big...and crushed Miami...using HIS style...

DID NOT try to be a pussy and try MATCHING up with the heat like a scared pussified POP would have most certainly done.


Young, fresh- thinking coaches....what a novel concept.

Pop is old, scared, tired, pathetic and lost.

Retire please.

[200 miles]

With Pop not going anywhere, this team is fucked for years to come.


:cry


:idiot:pop::idiot

[Capt Bringdown]

Look at Memphis, look at Chicago, and look at Denver. Denver lost their lone superstar but surprised everyone, including themselves, how competitive they could be - and it all started with a commitment to D.

Imagine how far down the road we be if, after 2007, we redoubled our emphasis on defense rather than running to this spread the floor nonsense that has gotten us precisely nowhere.

[jjktkk]

The Heat didn't even put Erica Dampier in uniform...to go small and fast...

Thibs didn't even blink...stayed big...and crushed Miami...using HIS style...

DID NOT try to be a pussy and try MATCHING up with the heat like a scared pussified POP would have most certainly done.


Young, fresh- thinking coaches....what a novel concept.

Pop is old, scared, tired, pathetic and lost.

Retire please.

Look at the athletes that Chicago trots out there and then look at the Spurs roster. Rant and rave about Pop, but you don't just snap your fingers and presto you got of stable of young, big, athletic 4s, and 5s. Did you expect the Spurs to rebuild on the fly with lottery talent just waiting to be scooped up by the Spurs? Unless your teams owner has deep pockets, or your team has been to the lottery several times, like the Bulls, your not gonna be able to acquire all star talent on a whim.

[jjktkk]

Look at Memphis, look at Chicago, and look at Denver. Denver lost their lone superstar but surprised everyone, including themselves, how competitive they could be - and it all started with a commitment to D.

Imagine how far down the road we be if, after 2007, we redoubled our emphasis on defense rather than running to this spread the floor nonsense that has gotten us precisely nowhere.

Look at how young Memphis, Chicago, and Denver are. How did Chicago get those lottery picks in Rose, Noah, and Deng? How did Memphis get Marc Gasol?

[taps]

The guy does not and has not compromise his defensive principles nor sold out his soul in exchange for fielding a team of 3-pt shooters.

When Thibs benched Korver for the Atlanta series Pop was spinning in his grave.


It's not as though they have a team of elite defenders

Outside of Noah, I pretty much agree. Though I admit I'm just splitting hairs.

[Capt Bringdown]

Look at how young Memphis, Chicago, and Denver are. How did Chicago get those lottery picks in Rose, Noah, and Deng? How did Memphis get Marc Gasol?

Hiring old turds such as Dice and chronic non-performers such as Bonner and RJ were our only options?

And when we finally do get our hands on a young big who can play D, Pop starts a 6ft 5in center in his place.

No doubt we're facing personnel issues, but these have been compounded by poor coaching and bad leadership.

[SenorSpur]

Look at the athletes that Chicago trots out there and then look at the Spurs roster. Rant and rave about Pop, but you don't just snap your fingers and presto you got of stable of young, big, athletic 4s, and 5s. Did you expect the Spurs to rebuild on the fly with lottery talent just waiting to be scooped up by the Spurs? Unless your teams owner has deep pockets, or your team has been to the lottery several times, like the Bulls, your not gonna be able to acquire all star talent on a whim.

That's true. A couple 2-3 years of bathing in the draft lottery waters should be the perfect antidote to the post-Duncan blues.

[jjktkk]

Hiring old turds such as Dice and chronic non-performers such as Bonner and RJ were our only options?

And when we finally do get our hands on a young big who can play D, Pop starts a 6ft 5in center in his place.

No doubt we're facing personnel issues, but these have been compounded by poor coaching and bad leadership.

You left out the decline of Duncan, due to age. Or are you disappointed that Splitter didn't get a chance to put up 20 and 10 on a nightly basis?

[jjktkk]

That's true. A couple 2-3 years of bathing in the draft lottery waters should be the perfect antidote to the post-Duncan blues.

This. And imagine the shitstorm thats gonna start on here. I can see the Pop lynch mob on here, hammering Pop for allowing the Spurs to become a lottery team.

[J_Paco]

You left out the decline of Duncan, due to age. Or are you disappointed that Splitter didn't get a chance to put up 20 and 10 on a nightly basis?

Yes, because playing defense directly correlates with putting up 20/10. Something Duncan hasn't done for 3 or 4 years now.

[jjktkk]

Yes, because playing defense directly correlates with putting up 20/10. Something Duncan hasn't done for 3 or 4 years now.

Defense is important, and Duncan is still a very solid defender. But the memphis series showed me that besides the Spurs lacking in overall defense, I also noticed that Duncan scoring at will is no longer a given, and that the Spurs, besides needing to upgrade their overall defense, need to also find a post player who can score down low.

[Agloco]

PWCBpRS3_g0

Look at how Horry helps off of the screen and how Bruce, knowing he's got help, instinctively comes down to the baseline to cover Horry's man.

:depressed:depressed:depressed

These are the two I miss the most tbh.