Game Blog: Spurs vs Timberwolves- Jan 2nd - 7:00 PM CST

[Amuseddaysleeper]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/04/26/sports/basketball/26spurs_dribbleblog/26spurs_dribbleblog-blog480.jpg

Vs.

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/gallery_images/photos/000/794/214/GYI0063927172_crop_450x500.jpg?1300185815

Game Preview (http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=320102016)

T-Wolves picked up their first win of the season last night against the Mavs. Beasley may not be playing due to a sprained finger.

Will be interesting to see how the Spurs handle Rubio and Love. Hopefully Duncan can get it going.

:flag::flag:


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/dembeatz/spurs_win.jpg

[thispego]

Why use est for the game time? Just put that it's at 7:30

[Libri]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/04/26/sports/basketball/26spurs_dribbleblog/26spurs_dribbleblog-blog480.jpg



It looks like Tim is taking a nap.

[Giuseppe]

I hope they spill your plums all over Minneapolis.

[timvp]

Amused, since that's Pop speaking in your sign, shouldn't it read "GTFI"?

[cantthinkofanything]

I hope they spill your plums all over Minneapolis.

Bend over...I'll show ye spilled plums.

[txstr1986]

I'm looking forward to seeing Rubio - I haven't seen him yet this year and heard he was an entertaining guy to watch.
:flag::flag::flag:

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Amused, since that's Pop speaking in your sign, shouldn't it read "GTFI"?

:lol:lol

Good call

[Brazil]

I have a new signature for this game so I do hope a spurs win

[DPG21920]

This is going to be a telling week. Spurs have two back-to-backs. Their opponents on those 2nd games: OKC & DAL. Very, very tough and will we see Pop adjust rotations to see if he can keep the team fresh in order to avoid the mess that was the HOU game? What can he do considering Tim didn't barely play the night before HOU and still looked gassed?

No to mention this game tonight is against a team with very mobile and active big men with plenty of depth. They have been giving the Spurs a lot of trouble even last year and now they seem to be giving everyone trouble despite their record.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Why use est for the game time? Just put that it's at 7:30

I live on the East coast, but I guess it would make sense to put CST next time.

[Brazil]

speaking of spurs win

I'm quite pissed that everybody is forgetting the most important thing in the blog thread

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/dembeatz/spurs_win.jpg

[Brazil]

Amused, don't forget the spurs win picture next time or I will be obliged to ask DPG to pink you.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Amused, don't forget the spurs win picture next time or I will be obliged to ask DPG to pink you.

Duly noted :tu

[urunobili]

who opened the game thread last time we lost?

[Brazil]

Duly noted :tu

thanks :toast :lol

[DPG21920]

who opened the game thread last time we lost?

I did. No one else would touch that because it was their first back-to-back.

[Bender]

ok DPG is not allowed to open any more game threads.

btw, what happened to bukefal... did he abandon ship?

btw again, NBA.com says it starts at 8pm EST...

[analyzed]

What I'm interested to see is who does Pop play in a thight 4th quarter. So far we haven't had the opportunity to see who he is likely to use. Specifically I wan't to see if he finishes with RJ or Kawhi or if he uses Bliar instead of Tiago

BTW can anyone confirm this, the Wolves haven't really been using 2nd pick Derek Williams?
Well anyway Beasley would be good matchup for kawhi to test his defense

[DesignatedT]

Spurs 103
Wolves 98

[DesignatedT]

Wolves are pretty solid. I expect this to be close.

[Texas_Ranger]

Love will probably have 45 rebounds, but we should still win this.

[DPG21920]

I'm not sure. I have my legit concerns about tonight's game and this week overall. Wolves always play the Spurs tough and they have improved.

[urunobili]

Is beasley out?

[TXstbobcat]

I am about to head over to the Target center for this one tonight. Kind of cool that I get to go to two spurs games this month.

[analyzed]

Base on both teams need, A trade for Anthony Randolph for J. Anderson makes sense.

[td4mvp21]

NBA.com says 8:00 ET?

[urunobili]

NBA.com says 8:00 ET?

yep. so does TV schedule...

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Per ESPN, game starts 8:00 pm ET

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Tried changing title, but I guess only mods can do that.

Apologies for the wrong time, could've sworn I saw 8:30 start time.

[timvp]

Danny Ferry doing color. Could be interesting because he's obviously plugged in.

[ace3g]

Danny Ferry doing color. Could be interesting because he's obviously plugged in.

Was thinking the same thing

[DarkGinobili]

:flag:

[Fireball]

With Adelman as Head Coach the Wolves can become an actual team. They are much better with Rubio on the floor and throw as many lobs as the Clippers ...

[024]

hopefully, the spurs can take care of business early.

[Fireball]

hopefully, the spurs can take care of business early.

they have to, because the Wolves have become a pretty strong 4th quarter team ...

[timvp]

I'm not too feeling to confident about this game. It's the first actual plane trip of the season and the Spurs have to face a young, hungry, fast team.

Let's hope Duncan looks better. If he looks tired for this game, that would be a really bad sign for the rest of the season.

[Fireball]

Let's hope Duncan looks better. If he looks tired for this game, that would be a really bad sign for the rest of the season.

and Darko already manhandled him last season ...

[Fireball]

cool ... Spurs call on ILP

[foodie2]

Please tell me andrew Monaco isn't calling this game.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs call!!!

[Fireball]

is Barea out?

[Spurs Brazil]

Please tell me andrew Monaco isn't calling this game.

he is

[stephen jackson]

omg i hate monaco

[ElNono]

Go Spurs Go! :flag:

[spursince#99]

Game Link?

[DPG21920]

Is TP coasting or has he lost a slight step? He seems to struggle blowing by anyone consistently so far. Everything is a battle for him with regards to isolations.

[Spurs Brazil]

TD another J!

[ElNono]

lmao that defense

[Fireball]

defense sucks badly

[DPG21920]

13-6 run by minny fueled by rebounding and some bad rotations.

[Fireball]

and Rubio isn't on the floor yet

[DJ Mbenga]

wow Blair just gave up on the defense

[BanditHiro]

we lost. fucking hate Minnesota.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

we lost. fucking hate Minnesota.

:rolleyes

[Libri]

Tim hitting jumpers

[DPG21920]

Wow defense, leaving corner 3 open?

[Death In June]

What happened to the Sean and Bill call? This pairing is dull as shit.

[024]

so i guess duncan has just given up on his low post play

[foodie2]

What happened to the Sean and Bill call? This pairing is dull as shit.

This. Snoozefest.

[BanditHiro]

What happened to the Sean and Bill call? This pairing is dull as shit.

cold weather is the excuse for sean but not sure about bill

[Fireball]

lets see what Tiago does with Love

[Libri]

nice fade away from Tim

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

so i guess duncan has just given up on his low post play


You were saying?

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Should have just went straight up Kawai

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Who are these announcers?

[DPG21920]

Minny getting much crisper play. You can see some of the match up issues they present.

[Texas_Ranger]

this D sucks.

[BanditHiro]

man james anderson can't hit a shot

[DJ Mbenga]

no Sean is music to my ears. league pass has spurs call tonigt

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Nice pass TP

[Libri]

what a great pass by Tim

[spursince#99]

Game Link ANYONE?

[BanditHiro]

no Sean is music to my ears. league pass has spurs call tonigt

what?!? sean is the best color commentator in the business. he always has nice things to say about the spurs.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Tiago!!!

[DPG21920]

Tiago finishing much more smoothly so far tonight. Minny going to the Darko on Tim match up.

[Refocus]

Tiago's first jump shot? lol.

[ElNono]

Love always has career nights against us...

[Libri]

Tim carrying the team so far.

[Fireball]

Love always has career nights against us...

well, he had career nights in all games so far ...

[Spurs Brazil]

Tiago playing well

Anderson not taking advantage of his opportunity

[loveforthegame]

Splitter off to a great start. As is Duncan.

Need others to step up.

[Bill_Brasky]

Love what i've seen from Tim/Tiago.

[DMC]

No defense, or at least not much. Kevin Love is so smooth.

[BanditHiro]

Tim carrying the team so far.

tired old shit bag duncan doing work...now if only he can tighten up a little more against Darko

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

JA can't make shit

[ElNono]

giving up 30+ points in quarters is a killer... that defense just sucked

[DJ Mbenga]

adelman has them playing good offense. defense will be a personnel problem

[loveforthegame]

JA has got to start hitting shots.

What a terrible way to end the quarter.

[DPG21920]

Pretty bad start. Spurs look slow and devoid of energy.

[BanditHiro]

wow disaster. i hate the wolves. a team that is going nowhere but acts like a bunch of try hards and give playoff teams a hard time.

[Texas_Ranger]

not looking good so far.

[Spurs Brazil]

Defense just AWFUL

I hope Neal can play soon. Anderson is hurting the team now

[Fireball]

Wow .. I knew Minny was better than their record indicated ... but that is surprising

Ford on Rubio is a recipe for disaster!

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

lol defense looking like shit

[Bill_Brasky]

Shit defense. I can live with Love getting his but we cant be leaving the lane wide open.

[GB20]

JA is going to lose his spot when neal come back.

[Rito3d30]

JA just couldn't hit a long range shot

[Ice009]

Spurs in a big hole early on the road again. Tim played the whole first quarter. NOT GOOD.

James Anderson is stinking it up.

What do we do about our defense? Do we start Tiago with Tim to try and get off to good defensive starts.

Spurs NEED a 3rd/4th big.

[bklynspursfan]

I know James has to get his legs back and shake off the rust, but one can only wonder if Neal were in his spot how many of these open 3's he'd be knocking down

[TE]

The team needs to be more aggressive in taking the ball to the rim. Settling for jump shots ain't gonna get you no where unless you get hot--which is an act we have all come to experience.

[Fireball]

only hope is that now come the 2nd and 3rd quarter which were the better ones in their 4 games

[TE]

And for god fucking sake make Love take you off the dribble. Shit.

[Ice009]

Fireball and any other European poster have you seen much of Rubio? Why did his stats suck over there, but here he is tearing it up?

[biskvito]

wow disaster. i hate the wolves. a team that is going nowhere but acts like a bunch of try hards and give playoff teams a hard time.

Rubio + Love is going somewhere. Maybe not this season, but is already a pain to play against that.

[GB20]

go bonner!!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Bonner :lol

[024]

lol pop waving the white flag already?

[DPG21920]

Bad call man.

[TE]

That's a terrible call. Tiago was straight up.

[objective]

Spurs are being outclassed.

[GB20]

fuck these refs

[Fireball]

shit call

[Spurs Brazil]

terrible call

[txstr1986]

Game Link ANYONE?

NBA League Pass has a free preview until January 8

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Damnit Kawai

[TE]

Here we go again.

[Fireball]

Fireball and any other European poster have you seen much of Rubio? Why did his stats suck over there, but here he is tearing it up?

No clue ... only watch NBA

[TE]

Thank you. Now lets get a run going.

[BanditHiro]

Wow .. I knew Minny was better than their record indicated ... but that is surprising

Ford on Rubio is a recipe for disaster!

they are not better than their record. their record defines them it just so happens they are having one of those nights they have 20 times out of the year.

[TIMMYD!]

TJ Ford taking the charge. Good play.

[GB20]

is love going to play the whole game?

[TIMMYD!]

Tiago dunk. Good pass by Ford.

[Muser]

Damn, I thought TJ was a horrible signing at first but he's a competent backup PG.

[BanditHiro]

is love going to play the whole game?

obvious stat padder is obvious

[GB20]

let's go ford!!

[TIMMYD!]

Shit the wolves can't miss.

[Muser]

These Spurs announcers are so boring.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

:lol

[loveforthegame]

Ford playing pretty good tonight too.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Wow....

[BanditHiro]

are we already giving up this line up has no offense

[Muser]

lol rubio

[DPG21920]

RJ with the bads

[ElNono]

Shit the wolves can't miss.

That's our D right now... "hope they miss"

[bbarry]

Spurs are half asleep. Fuck you RJ

[GB20]

we are getting kill at the three pointer.

[loveforthegame]

I hate games like this. Nothing but a tease.

[TE]

Timberwolves just playing out of their collective minds similar to the game against the Rockets.

[Bill_Brasky]

Theyre hitting everything....not hard when youre wide open.

[bklynspursfan]

We aren't going to get any stops with RJ and Bonner out there...

[BanditHiro]

Timberwolves just playing out of their collective minds similar to the game against the Rockets.

20 night out of the year they do this kind of bs that is also around the amount of wins they have a season.

[Muser]

zzzzzzzzzzzz

[BanditHiro]

Theyre hitting everything....not hard when youre wide open.

obviously it is if you are a spur.

[Fireball]

they are not better than their record. their record defines them it just so happens they are having one of those nights they have 20 times out of the year.

did the Spurs record define them last season?

I already watch three games of the Wolves this season and they did not look as a 1-3 team

[objective]

I feel like Pop is actually using an early season game to give the youth a chance to get better, which is unusual.

If they lose but get valuable time for Kawhi and JA (so he can get out of his funk), along with Tiago, then that's okay with me.

[DMC]

:pop: "they made some shots"
:pop: "I thought Matt did a special job on Love"

[bbarry]

fuck you RJ, again

[Fireball]

James sucks at the FT line as well

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

:lol Jefferson

[Libri]

:(

[bklynspursfan]

Thank you Manu.

[Muser]

Daaaaamn Williams is an athletic beast

[Fireball]

Small ball ...

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Fuck Rubio

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Fuck Jefferson. I hate how he can only show up for a couple games every season and just can't play consistent every night. Spurs need to dump his ass.

[bbarry]

thank you rj

[bklynspursfan]

PLease get parker in there and make Rubio work on defense..

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Dick for 3

[BanditHiro]

even rubio is making bs shots

[GB20]

we need to get going

[TIMMYD!]

Fucking gay. We hit a three then we leave then wide open again.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

James Anderson blows

[Texas_Ranger]

pathetic defense.

[bbarry]

fuck you blair, be smart. pass that shit back out. dont fuckin force your way in when you have no clear advantage

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Spurs looking very frustrated out there

[ElNono]

Blair needs to get that ball out

[GB20]

this fat boy can not finish

[TE]

Wow.

[TE]

Pretty much the Rocket game 2.0

[Muser]

lol at there being no call on blair there.

[loveforthegame]

We'll get some stops eventually right?

[Fireball]

Pretty much the Rocket game 2.0

only on defense ... offense is on pace

[Spurs Brazil]

Anderson with a terrible game. Make all the wrong decisions

[Chomag]

So are th Spurs going to take a day off every road game?

[Robz4000]

Just need to play some damn D. This game doesn't feel like the Rockets game yet. T'Wolves have choked away leads before, so as long as we're in it near the end we'll have a good chance.

[DPG21920]

Things that are jumping out to me:

1) How many no-show or mediocre first halves are we going to get from TP?
2) JA just can't get anything going. He's gone from passing the eye-ball test to his overall play decreasing in quality.
3) Spurs still struggle to defend the 3-point line.
4) With TP struggling the spurs have no one that can get to the rim consistently.

[GB20]

we need to make a run

[bklynspursfan]

4 games in 5 days this week. If we don't beat these guys on a 2nd night of their b2b we're in trouble... With OKC & Dallas waiting...

[bklynspursfan]

We started off doing well and Tim and Tiago are in there. WTF is up with small ball now???

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

That Manu 3 really helped.....glad to see Manu still playing strong

[GB20]

small ball

[TIMMYD!]

Blair is sucking it up. Can't finish at all.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Damnit Blair

[bklynspursfan]

Seriously... Get Tim/Tiago in there this is crazy Blair can't finish these shots....

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

There ya go TP, get going

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Spurs have got to take advantage of these turnovers by the Wolves.

[GB20]

fucking dejuan

[bbarry]

beasley luck 3

[bbarry]

ty rj responds with a 3 of his own

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

88% from 3......

[Juggity]

88% from 3... :lol

[Brazil]

Timber playing pretty stupid against small team but lucky enough to make shoots

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Finally Jefferson your fucking doing something

[GB20]

play some defense spurs!!

[bbarry]

uh oh manu holding his hand

hope he's ok.

[TIMMYD!]

Manu is hurt :(

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

FUCK my LIFE Manu :(

[ace3g]

shit manu holding his left wrist!!!

[Brazil]

manu ouch

[ElNono]

shit, left hand too

[loveforthegame]

Need stops. Can't trade with them.

[Robz4000]

Great....

[Texas_Ranger]

fuck

[urunobili]

Fudge :(

[bklynspursfan]

So Tim stinks it up and he stays on the court but he plays well and he rides the bench..... I dont get it

[txstr1986]

Crap, Manu's holding his hand.

[GB20]

wow!! manu is hurt.

[stephen jackson]

there goes our year

[Spurs Brazil]

Shit

[Muser]

well fuck

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Hopefully Manu just got a stinger and can walk it off during the time out.

[Bill_Brasky]

Fuck me.

[TE]

Fucking shit

[DJ Mbenga]

too bad these guys aren't at the game

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/dumbdumber1.jpg

[loveforthegame]

Hope Manu is ok. We're in trouble if he's out for any time. No Neal and JA sucking there is no where else to go.

[TE]

Fuck you basketball gods.

[BanditHiro]

fjsdkfklddsfklsdfj fuck!

fucking hate playing try hard under .500 teams

this shit always happens.

[Josepatches_]

Bad news if small ball works even if we end winning the game

[bbarry]

hopefully this sparks the team.

[TE]

Wow, Manu is out for this game.


Fuck me.

[DPG21920]

Damn it.

[GB20]

fuck

[stephen jackson]

go head come on up gary

[Juggity]

Back to the locker room. Goddammit. He'll be back by the third quarter though.

[Ice009]

Tp is stinking it up and getting outplayed by a rookie.

If TP wants out and doesn't want to give it 100% just fucking say so. No excuse for this piss poor efforts from TP.

[Fireball]

that doesn't look good with Manu

[ElNono]

looks like pinky finger hitting the ball

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Nice one RJ

[DPG21920]

C'mon tony

[GB20]

we need neal right now

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Manu out for game?

[TIMMYD!]

Wolves hitting everything they see

[Ice009]

What the fuck did Manu do?

If Pop says we can't win without Manu he needs to be fired.

[TE]

Who the fuck is this Johnson scrub?

[HarlemHeat37]

Minnesota is making everything, nothing you can do against some of these lucky shots, tbh..

[ace3g]

those FTs looked much better

[Libri]

I have Beasly on my fantasy team. He has sucked in all his previous games this season but is now having a breakout game against the Spurs. :(

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Shit I hope Manu gets back in by the 3rd.

[TIMMYD!]

So frustrating when the other team can't miss...

[Mugen]

at least the basketball gods didnt wait til the last game of the season to fuck us over.

[HarlemHeat37]

Wow, another lucky shot..

This is Wes Johnson, too, not prime Kobe..

[bklynspursfan]

These guys arent fucking missing

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Fuck, these past 10 minutes have been trading baskets. We can't a lead by less that 8.

[objective]

Ridnour's owned Parker since Seattle 05

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Nice patience Kawai

[BanditHiro]

unless we block shots everything is going to go in contested or not

[bbarry]

nice man'ing up djb

[DPG21920]

No one on our team attempts to go to the rim on a consistent basis.

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol elite flop from Blair..