Game Blog: Spurs v Jazz - 8:30 PM ET, December 31, 2011

[Obstructed_View]

Let's see if we can get some OV mojo going. Time to bounce back!

http://www.mysanantonio.com/mediaManager/?controllerName=image&action=get&id=1923002&width=628&height=471

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/122451/downloadfile.jpeg

[dylankerouac]

Oh yeah, starts in an hour twenty. I got a six pack of shiner ready!

[siraulo23]

damn I was about to post my first game blog thread... im surprised no one is putting the game blog thread up earlier

and yes the game is tonight

[Obstructed_View]

Sorry, siraulo23. Was worrying that it wouldn't get done.

[benefactor]

Recording it to watch after I get home this evening. Hopefully we can ring in the new year with a win.

[Obstructed_View]

Recording it to watch after I get home this evening. Hopefully we can ring in the new year with a win.

NBALP shows two instances of the Suns game at 7:30. I assume one of those is going to be the Spurs game. I hope it's there when I get home.

[benefactor]

NBALP shows two instances of the Suns game at 7:30. I assume one of those is going to be the Spurs game. I hope it's there when I get home.
I have it coming on NBATV.

[Spurs Brazil]

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/12/31/corbin-not-sure-if-al-jefferson-will-play/

Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said he’s not sure if Al Jefferson will play tonight as he recovers from an inflamed right ankle.

[TD21-FTW]

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/12/31/corbin-not-sure-if-al-jefferson-will-play/

Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said he’s not sure if Al Jefferson will play tonight as he recovers from an inflamed right ankle.


Good for us.

[024]

lets hope the spurs don't play like 50 year olds again.

[Ice009]

Good for us.

Not really. Don't want to play teams missing players like last season. Would rather play teams at full strength.

[Spurs9]

WTF happend on NBA TV? Some message like the channel isn't carried anymore, wtf??

[lefty]

799 wins for overrated Pop

[TD21-FTW]

Not really. Don't want to play teams missing players like last season. Would rather play teams at full strength.

Don't worry, it's only 1 game.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs call!!

[mystargtr34]

Tim either swishes those jumpers.. or barely hits front rim

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Grizz with the nice up and under.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

TP very weak early. Wake up, son!

[mystargtr34]

Nice little inside move from Blair.

[FaM0us Skins]

Spurs are favored by 14 pts in this game!!

[Spurs Brazil]

Yes TD

[Spurs Brazil]

J.Crawford in the house. Just saw he's one of the refs

[Ice009]

TP is playing like shit this season.

[024]

spurs trying to establish inside position early. finally.

[mystargtr34]

Leonard..

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

gosh, TD has like no post moves left in him. :(

[mystargtr34]

Man Tim is struggling out there.

[024]

leonard!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Dunk!!!

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Leonard nice cut and dunk!

[FaM0us Skins]

Kawhi!

[Spurs Brazil]

Leonard dunk!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

weak flop there Blair ..

[siraulo23]

kawhi dunk and 1z1!!!!!

[DesignatedT]

there you go leonard.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Kawai again!

[mystargtr34]

:lol horrible defense Blair.

Kawhi again. Nice little pullup

[mystargtr34]

:lol horrible defense Blair.

Kawhi again. Nice little pullup

[024]

splitter and duncan in the game

[mystargtr34]

Blair's quick hands are his strength.. but can also be his weakness.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Nice D Splitter

Tp 2222222

[Spurs Brazil]

Leonard with 4rebs

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Got to make those TP

[Spurs Brazil]

TP missing some easy ones

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Love the way our youth has developed! Grizz, Splitter, JA and Leonard all look better than expected.

[FaM0us Skins]

nice block by splitter

[mystargtr34]

:lol Tiago is so much more aggressive on D this season.. hes going for those blocks this season.

[siraulo23]

watch josh howard score 20 on the spurs

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

How did Donkey end up in Utah? Seems like an unlikely fit. :lol

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Nice find by TJ to Splitter

[024]

not a great first quarter but still up by 5

[GB20]

our bench is better than our starer.

[mystargtr34]

TJ breakin the D down.

Then getting broken down :lol

[mystargtr34]

TJ breakin the D down.

Then getting broken down :lol

[itzsoweezee]

Tiago is looking good

[Ice009]

Tiago is starting to block some shots.

Man James Anderson isn't doing himself any favours. Can he actually shoot or what?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Feast or famine with TJ, although he's not nearly as bad as I thought he'd be. I like that he's become utterly pass-first, but he really should take the open layup when he has it! (He didn't that time, but I've seen him turn them down).

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Tiago=MIP :D

[pgardn]

Thats a pretty ugly 1st quarter. Some bad D, some bad ball handling, some bad decisions by both teams.

Looks more like preseason as it should.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Rj for 2

[GB20]

Tiago is looking good

i think tiago is our best big man on the team.

[foodie2]

Did bonner just get a rebound, or am I hallucinating?

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu tres!!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Too many 3's

[Bill_Brasky]

Manu is on fire!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Pretty move Manu

[Spurs9]

:lmao canter

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Bonner doing a great job at padding his +/- by passing the ball to Manu :tu

[Manu20]

Manu en fuego!!

[DesignatedT]

Is Big Kev still doing the PA work? Something sounds different.

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu show

[DMC]

Manucure

[DMC]

Bonner has happy feet. He doesn't get position, he hops and shuffles his feet.

[024]

"rebound, bonner can't control..."

fuck bonner.

[mystargtr34]

Bonner just cant rebound.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

fucking sick shooting tonight wtf

[Trainwreck2100]

where was that shit on thursday

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Too many 3's

[Capt Bringdown]

Tonight on the Jefferson's, Wheezy gets her period and...

[DMC]

RJ piling on.

Bonner looking down at his legs when it's time to run, like "move".

[mystargtr34]

I dont like this.. Jazz scoring esy inside.. Spurs taking 3's.. even though they are making them at 90%.. not really sustainable.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

JA can't buy a bucket

[024]

feast or starve

[Spurs9]

Spurs making it rain on these bitches

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

talk about bullshit shooting

[Trainwreck2100]

seriously where was this shit on thursday

[Ice009]

We're too hot from 3 point range. I don't like it. lol.

[lefty]

Meh.....

[Manu20]

lol poor coach of the Jazz......He looks like WTF is up with all these threes!! lol

[Bill_Brasky]

Man, living by the 3 tonight. I like that they're going in but paint points would be nice too.

[Trainwreck2100]

fuck it, go for the most 3 pointers in a game record,

[tim_duncan_fan]

It's the same shit from last season.

At home, we get all bold and make 56% of our threes. Away, or against any team that tries on D and is well-coached, our softies lose confidence and we miss all our open shots, especially the threes, and we lose.

Result: We win a shitload of meaningless regular-season games and try the 3-pointer love fest with the pressure on and we get our asses waxed.

I hate that we take so many threes because we make them when they don't matter and it hides our crushing flaws until it's too late to try to do better.

[Em-City]

Toooooooo many 3s

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Can't wait till we get Neal's in between game back....

[Ice009]

I dont like this.. Jazz scoring esy inside.. Spurs taking 3's.. even though they are making them at 90%.. not really sustainable.

lol it's funny how most of us don't like the amount of 3 pointers taken.

[DJ Mbenga]

still living and dying by the 3? you need to feel our 3pt death.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Ugly

[mystargtr34]

Hopefully the starting unit doesnt shit the bed again.

[Bill_Brasky]

Horrible defense. This game would be a lot different if Utah could hit open shots.

[tim_duncan_fan]

You always know exactly what retarded ass TJ Ford is going to do...

[Ice009]

Spurs are actually playing quite poorly if you take away the 3 point shooting.

[GB20]

take out tim please!! i want to see more tiago.

[DMC]

I hate to say it, never thought I would, but the Spurs are better right now with Tim on the bench. He's not defending well, not shooting well, he's turning the ball over and basically a step slow. It's still important to get him going though, we're done once he is.

[mystargtr34]

lol it's funny how most of us don't like the amount of 3 pointers taken.

Yeah we all saw how this story ends last season.

[Capt Bringdown]

LOL Blair. What a turkey.

[DMC]

TJ Ford cannot finish a break. Parker can finish 1 on 3, TJ cannot finish one on one with the opponent running backward.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

It's the same shit from last season.

At home, we get all bold and make 56% of our threes. Away, or against any team that tries on D and is well-coached, our softies lose confidence and we miss all our open shots, especially the threes, and we lose.

Result: We win a shitload of meaningless regular-season games and try the 3-pointer love fest with the pressure on and we get our asses waxed.

I hate that we take so many threes because we make them when they don't matter and it hides our crushing flaws until it's too late to try to do better.

Not disagreeing, but our crushing flaw is that Timmy looks like he's 52 out there. Not much we can do to cover that. :depressed

[siraulo23]

The Spurs are a jumpshooting team

They have limited post scorers

Duncan is practically a jumpshooter, has a couple of moves, and Blair and Splitter are very raw and unproven as post scorers

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Another 3

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

OMG a dunk

[mystargtr34]

Live and die bitches.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol Blair tackle

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Manu... WOW.

I missed the Houston game, but in the other two games he was also mindblowingly good.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

:lol Howard

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu on fire!!!!!!!

James dunk

TP needs to wake up

[Spurs9]

:lmao Josh Howard

[bbarry]

lol blair

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

I hate that shot by Duncan

[Bill_Brasky]

Tim is short on everything he throws up. Sad to see.

[mystargtr34]

:lmao Howard

[bbarry]

manu just airballed a 3.

[urunobili]

No Kawhi on the second Q? needs to get over himself because of the great 1st Q or what? :rolleyes

[mystargtr34]

That tackle was a stupid play by Blair on the JA dunk.. could easily have turned an open dunk into an offensive foul.. didnt need to do that.. not so obviously anyway.

[Capt Bringdown]

Hey Timmy: the wheels have fallen off. Not sure if I want to see TD go out like Hakeem. Time to hang them sneakers up, bro.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

:lol Jazz can't shoot worth shit

[mystargtr34]

No Kawhi on the second Q? needs to get over himself because of the great 1st Q or what? :rolleyes

Thats it.. shoot him down before his confidence gets too high and makes more good plays. Pop knows what hes doing.

[Bill_Brasky]

Seriously, why doesnt Duncan seem to have more than 2 post moves anymore?

[tim_duncan_fan]

We are fucked come playoff time.

Totally fucked.

[bbarry]

spurs are lucky manu is hitting those 3s otherwise jazz is probably winning this one.

[GB20]

this looks like tim's last year. he looks old out there.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs up 15 at the half

[DMC]

I had a "duh" moment. "You're not going to gripe when you hold the other team to thirty nine in a half"... I thinking "where did they get the half point?"

[Capt Bringdown]

Seriously, why doesnt Duncan seem to have more than 2 post moves anymore?

Ever tried to play basketball when you're on the back side of 30? As much as we'd like to fantasize that it would be different with Tim, it isn't. He's done.

[DMC]

The Jazz had 39 in the half. How are the Spurs "lucky" they were hitting 3s? If you miss your shots, you're going to lose. That's not a revelation.

[Buddy Holly]

manu just airballed a 3.

It was touched/blocked.

[DMC]

Ever tried to play basketball when you're on the back side of 30? As much as we'd like to fantasize that it would be different with Tim, it isn't. He's done.
He is done, and it's very obvious. He might have some moments, but he's got one foot in the islands already.

[ducks]

jazz shot 8 threes spurs 10

[Bill_Brasky]

Ever tried to play basketball when you're on the back side of 30? As much as we'd like to fantasize that it would be different with Tim, it isn't. He's done.

:depressed

Hopefully he can do a little more come playoff time. I don't wanna completely dismiss him three games in but we haven't even seen so much as a flash out of him.

[Ice009]

It is possible that Tim is still going through his preseason and will play better later on. Even at his best he started off some seasons slow.

[mystargtr34]

The Jazz need to trade one of their bigs for a point guard.. or at least a playmaker.

[Tuddy]

TD is getting good shots in the posts, they will start falling sooner or later

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Seriously, why doesnt Duncan seem to have more than 2 post moves anymore?

Effective post moves are about quickness and strength. At 36, Timmy has lost most of his quickness and a lot of his strength, sadly.

[ducks]

duncan shots are short maybe he is just not in game shape he is on just short

[Spurologist]

hheeeerrreee comeee the spppurrrsss

[ducks]

It is possible that Tim is still going through his preseason and will play better later on. Even at his best he started off some seasons slow.

yes duncan starts slow that is why spurs usually start slow

[pgardn]

This team without Duncan probably does not make the playoffs. He may be done, but we still need him. Cant teach height and hands.

He is so slow right now it is kinda painful to watch.

[ducks]

spurs need another big if they do not have duncan
another big and spurs still make the playoffs without duncan
everyone said spurs would suck without david robinson to....

[GB20]

hopefully we get a decent big in next year draft.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Tim's got over 1200 NBA games on his body, at this point he's pretty much done as a scorer. Hopefully he can continue to help us out with smarts, defense, and decent jumpshooting.

As I said before the season, I'd be very surprised if Tim doesn't retire after this season.

[Capt Bringdown]

It is possible that Tim is still going through his preseason and will play better later on. Even at his best he started off some seasons slow.

The best we can hope for at this point. However, it seems more likely that he's grown old, and is going to stay that way.

[ducks]

duncan has not warranted a double team for 2 years or more
spur shooters have already know this...

[Spurs Brazil]

There you go TD

[ducks]

K. Leonard is a rebound machine
he makes up for booner lack of rebounding

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Has Harris lost a step? He use to destroy us!

[Bill_Brasky]

Late whistle.....refs havent been bad overall though.

[GB20]

Has Harris lost a step? He use to destroy us!

he is getting old

[bbarry]

its impossible that tim couldve fallen so much in one extended offseason. he is probably just a little rusty and not well conditioned just yet.

by the end of the year he'll probably be up around 15 pgg and 9 reb. book it

[Spurologist]

Loving the Blair/Manu combo plays

[itzsoweezee]

sweet fake by dejaun. those two play great together.

[foodie2]

It's helpful that the Jazz really suck.

[Bill_Brasky]

Dejuan shooting the FTs well this yr.

[Spurs Brazil]

Blair playing very well again

Tony doing a great job passing the ball.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

jesus TD looks awful

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I hope the Grizzly haters are shutting up now. Guy looks like a completely different player this year - can even shoot FTs!

[Bill_Brasky]

Stupid foul RJ. Glad the Jazz suck.

[024]

duncan looking terrible but dejuan looking good

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Blair playing very well again

Tony doing a great job passing the ball.

TP passing okay but has otherwise had a shocker. He looks tired.

[itzsoweezee]

Awesome 3rd quarter by DeJuan.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Who can jump higher Tim or Bonner?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Dammit, I just put the mockers on him. :lol

[justinandimcool]

Defense is so much better in the 3rd. Utah should only have 35 by now if it weren't for that horrible stretch in the second quarter.

Tony disappearing on offense, hopefully that's just Manu having a great game.

[Spurs Brazil]

Manu witn another fantastic game

Let's hope the bench can close it so Pop can rest the starters

[Spurologist]

Manu should be in the hall of fame just for his style of play....behind the back moves, behind the back passes, through the leg passes, through ridiculous traffic passes, big time shots, intensity etc etc etc

[analyzed]

sad watching td

[Spurs Brazil]

TP passing okay but has otherwise had a shocker. He looks tired.

Yep, I thought he would start fast since he was playing in France and Manu would start slow because of his time off. It looks the oppossite now

[pgardn]

spurs need another big if they do not have duncan
another big and spurs still make the playoffs without duncan
everyone said spurs would suck without david robinson to....

Yes.

And we did suck without Robinson which was part of the reason we got Duncan. The lottery did us well.

[itzsoweezee]

It's like night and day how the Spurs offense functions when Manu's in the game.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Tiago!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Gotta love Leonard's rebounding... when was the last time we had a SF that could rebound a bit? Elliott?

[Spurs Brazil]

WTF Pop. Just because Leonard attacked he's on the bench

[Spurs Brazil]

Duncan J!!

[mystargtr34]

:lol coach Pop the rookie confidence killer.

[ducks]

spurs hopefully will be able to rest manu,tp, duncan all of 4

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Manu should be in the hall of fame just for his style of play....behind the back moves, behind the back passes, through the leg passes, through ridiculous traffic passes, big time shots, intensity etc etc etc

Totally! Manu's feel for the game is up there with the all-time greats. I put his bball IQ up there with Magic and Larry - he sees the play 2 secs befpore it unfolds, know exactly where everyone is and what he should be doing.

I have no doubt Manu will make the HoF.


Yep, I thought he would start fast since he was playing in France and Manu would start slow because of his time off. It looks the oppossite now

Indeed.

[pgardn]

It's like night and day how the Spurs offense functions when Manu's in the game.

So true.

Most of the problems come in when he tires and has to stay in. And if you dont mind 2 wild passes every game.

Looks like our MVP again.

[TheSpurglar]

10 threes taken at the half, still 10 threes near end of the 3rd. Still leading big.

[mystargtr34]

Leonard has 4 and 5 in about 5 minutes of action in the first quarter.. Pop sits him for the rest of the half.. brings him back in the third he misses 2 shots and hes benched :lol Spurs up 15.

[justinandimcool]

Bonner rebound!!!

[GB20]

pop is going to kill tony, he needs to rest

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner monster board :lol

[ducks]

duncan almost with a double double

[ducks]

duncan block

[tim_duncan_fan]

Danny Green is a good player. Fuck the haters.

[GB20]

that was a nice move from the rookie.

[Manufan909]

Why did Splitter get taken out, he was in there only 3 min!?!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Why the fuck didn't we try to sign Josh McRoberts? He would've been a perfect 4th big for us.

TJ should lay that up.

[justinandimcool]

lol get Timmy outta there, he aged about another 3 years with that move

[GB20]

here we go tim!!

[TheSpurglar]

Duncan +1!!!

[Spurs Brazil]

TD and one!!!!!!!

[ducks]

who says we did not try to sign mcroberts

[Spur_Fanatic]

Timmah wwith the Manu move!

[lefty]

lol they just showed fat Mexicans

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Kyle Lowry with 2pts and 18 assists tonight!

[Bill_Brasky]

Man, fuck Josh Howard.

[Spurologist]

Josh Howard needs more weed

[justinandimcool]

suspend that crackhead

[Spurs Brazil]

That should be a flagrant

[bbarry]

that was blatantly cheap. jho new exactly what he was doing.

[ducks]

it is

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

who says we did not try to sign mcroberts

No-one. But I doubt we did. Pop loves him some redhead instead...

[GB20]

i am glad we did not sign that shit.

[Spurologist]

Kyle Lowry with 2pts and 18 assists tonight!

top 5 pg according to Mr. Drexler

[Thompson]

Howard did the exact same thing to Ginobili once; in that case, however, the damn refs didn't even call a foul (much less a flagrant foul).

[Uriel]

The Spurs are so good at basketball, it's scary. :downspin:

[TheSpurglar]

Jazz taken more threes than Spurs now. If the Spurs didn't have 13 TOs they'd be up 30+

[ducks]

i am glad we did not sign that shit.

why

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

top 5 pg according to Mr. Drexler

I like Kyle a lot, but Drexler is up there with the biggest homers in the history of NBA commentary! :lol

[Spurologist]

:rollin

good god Bonner is weak

[justinandimcool]

lol Kawhi officially in the doghouse

[justinandimcool]

Bonner rebounddddd!!!!!!

[justinandimcool]

Ja 33333333

[Cessation]

Turd Towers!

[GB20]

ford is a mess out there

[rasho8]

Shit.... Twin Turds on the court. Legs see ho long this shit lasts.

[ducks]

booner rebounded wow

[TheSpurglar]

Anderson 3333333333333!

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner a rebound machine tonigt

Anderson 33333333333333

[justinandimcool]

DB so niceeeee

[easy7]

Blair and one!!!

[Cessation]

wow nice

[angelbelow]

Blair with back to back nice plays. Smart pass to JA for the wide open shot and getting an and 1.

[GB20]

lol Kawhi officially in the doghouse

i hate to say it but you are right.

[Spurologist]

I like Kyle a lot, but Drexler is up there with the biggest homers in the history of NBA commentary! :lol

1. Heinsohn
1. Clyde

for sure :lol

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Grizz is maturing before our eyes - smarter, under control, stronger, even has some moves around the basket, and his man defence has improved. Great stuff!

[bbarry]

Jazz taken more threes than Spurs now. If the Spurs didn't have 13 TOs they'd be up 30+

13 TO is pretty average for a game.

[easy7]

Small ball..yeyah

[Chase_the_Bass]

Blair can really b-b-back that ass up

[Spurs Brazil]

Leonard and Tiago after the time out

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

1. Heinsohn
1. Clyde

for sure :lol

Yeah.

And 1a is the Sacto guys - apparently Kings players never commit fouls! :lmao

[Bill_Brasky]

Turd Towers is no longer a valid thing to say - that is an absolute insult to DB and the way he's played. From now on, there is only one Turd Tower.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

How has Leonard and Anderson looked? Anyone?

[TheSpurglar]

13 TO is pretty average for a game.

Of course. But the point stands, as the Jazz have only 6 TOs. The primary reason the Jazz have taken more shots is because of the TO differential.

[ducks]

blair o is much better this year

[tim_duncan_fan]

You know, if we can settle Blair down, he can be a total beast when we're not playing the Pau Gasol types.

I noticed that Blair can handle Griffin. Scoring and defensively, he should be able to do work against your Amare Stoudemires.

We just have to get this guy to zone in each and every night.

C'mon coaches!

[ducks]

8:44 San Antonio Spurs SA Kawhi Leonard enters game for Matt Bonner

[Bill_Brasky]

:lol Plastic Man

[easy7]

Stupid mistakes

[Bill_Brasky]

Blair :wow

[angelbelow]

Beast rebound from Blair.. hes giving some solid minutes right now. I like Pop yanking TJ, hes stagnant at best.