Game Blog - 1/8/12: Spurs vs Thunder

[timtonymanu]

Tough game. Will Pop put Green on Westbrook? Leonard on Durant?

Get the win, boys!

[TE]

tbh, this is going to be an interesting game. Thunder are on the last game of a triple back to back and we know what the Spurs are coming out of.

What's different from match-ups of the past is that the Spurs have legit perimeter defenders to throw at Durant and Westbrook.

[TDomination]

very tough game.

the one saving grace is knowing that thunder are on their 3rd game of a backtobacktoback.

we'll see what the spurs are made. so far this year:
a road game + 2nd game of back to back = horrible outing

[Spurs Brazil]

PG Eric Maynor out for season

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7439800/oklahoma-city-thunder-pg-eric-maynor-season-torn-acl

[Spurs Brazil]

JMcDonald_SAEN For OKC, tonight's game vs. Spurs is third in three nights. NBA-wide this season, teams playing final game of back-to-back-to-back are 5-0.

[TDomination]

JMcDonald_SAEN For OKC, tonight's game vs. Spurs is third in three nights. NBA-wide this season, teams playing final game of back-to-back-to-back are 5-0.

All signs point to a loss tonight. But i'm optimistic, go spurs!

[ace3g]

Hopefully at one point Pop puts Kawhi on Durant

[Mal]

Which Dim Tuncan shows tonight ? This 50 yrs old version, or this 35 yrs old ?

[urunobili]

Trap game. the Thunder's got this TBH

[Dex]

I don't expect the Spurs to have much stronger legs to be honest. Sure, the Thunder are on the end of a B2B2B, but they have young legs. The Spurs are wrapping up a four games-in-five nights stretch (and a five-in-seven), and have "old" legs, so they may not be much better off. The good news is that a lot of players in the rotation didn't play big minutes last night (Duncan 20, Leonard 20, Splitter 19, Bonner 7, Anderson 4) so hopefully they'll be able to step it up and provide some energy.

[Mal]

Wasnt Bulls @Atlanta yesterday both team on b2b2b ?

[Mal]

Wasnt Bulls @Atlanta yesterday both team on b2b2b ?


About this twitter news with 5-0 for teams on b2b2b

[TDomination]

Wasnt Bulls @Atlanta yesterday both team on b2b2b ?

Hawks were, but bulls weren't

[Dex]

Wasnt Bulls @Atlanta yesterday both team on b2b2b ?

Chicago didn't play Thursday.

[Mal]

Hawks were, but bulls weren't

Ty, got it wrong

[siraulo23]

I would be very happy if the spurs stay close in this game

not really expecting a win though

[GB20]

I don't expect the Spurs to have much stronger legs to be honest. Sure, the Thunder are on the end of a B2B2B, but they have young legs. The Spurs are wrapping up a four games-in-five nights stretch (and a five-in-seven), and have "old" legs, so they may not be much better off. The good news is that a lot of players in the rotation didn't play big minutes last night (Duncan 20, Leonard 20, Splitter 19, Bonner 7, Anderson 4) so hopefully they'll be able to step it up and provide some energy.

i agree. neal ,parker and blair looked tired last night.

[siraulo23]

It will be interesting to see how Kawhi plays vs Durant, im sure he'll get burned early on, but hopefully he challenges durant on the defensive end

danny green is a good matchup against westbrook, hopefully we get to see that match up a little bit

[Mal]

When I looked at shithawks on b2b2b with 4 or 3 OT on first 2 games, and they looked so fresh. Shooting over 60 % FG, 90 % 3pts. They killed Bulls. It is all about, which teams shows up for the game.

[Mal]

Ok, have some time to watch this game. The last one for next 2 or 3 weeks, so throw some money on spurs ML @ +220 and just enjoy it.

[GB20]

go spurs go

[jag]

I absolutely hate Russell Westbrook.

[GB20]

neal

[GB20]

go tmmy

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Neal for 33333333333333

[Libri]

running 3 by Neal

[bbarry]

neal got bowled over and no foul

[urunobili]

I dunno if i dislike Perkins > Westbrook TBH

[LakerHater]

Damn, Tim got packed!

[jag]

Gary Neal is such an animal.

[GB20]

om

[Mal]

OKC seems to be this tired team

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Timmy with the J

[urunobili]

TD really angry shoting it was a Goaltend...

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Nice move Timmy, to bad it didn't fall

[bbarry]

damn. so stupid on defense.

[ElNono]

Blair looks like he's going to be useless against those two tall guys

[Libri]

I dunno if i dislike Perkins > Westbrook TBH

I have never seen Perkins smile. He always looks like he's sniffed a fart.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

WTF, Ibaka with the most obvious goaltend ever, and the refs miss it!

[ElNono]

That said, OKC has gotten everything from jumpers... I'll take that

[Ice009]

ffs why does everyone hit shots against us?

[Spurs Brazil]

WTF, Ibaka with the most obvious goaltend ever, and the refs miss it!

5pts swing

[will_spurs]

TD really angry shoting it was a Goaltend...

Real bad goaltending there.

[bbarry]

i cringe when dumpcan shoots a 20 ft fader

[Em-City]

ffs why does everyone hit shots against us?

obviously didn't watch the dallas game

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Jefferson on Durant is scary

[bbarry]

ewwwww ugly airball by blair

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Not a bad start. Going to Tim a lot.

I don't expect a win today - b2b on the road! But I hope we put up a good showing.

[Libri]

What a crappy shot by Blair.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Danny Green get it going

[will_spurs]

Ugly play by Blair.

[Spurs Brazil]

DAMN Blair.

[urunobili]

And 1 for Kawhi!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Kawai and 1

[Libri]

Green looks active again

[Spurs Brazil]

Leonard and one!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Loving the way Splitter, Grizz, Neal, Green and Leonard are developing.

I've even got some props for RJ, who has been blistering to start the season (can he keep it up is the question).

And it's great to see TJ Ford playing like he should have played from the start of his career - pass first, shoot when you have to, tenacious D.

[siraulo23]

kawhi rebound and putback and 1

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Bonner :(

[jag]

I hope Westbrook shoots every time down the floor.

[urunobili]

Horrible predictable shot by TP...

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Splitter is a perimeter player? Who is this announcer?

[jag]

There's Matt Bonner with his stellar defense.

[timtonymanu]

Holy shit watch the corners!

[urunobili]

Splitter from Kawhi!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Good to see Splitter get that basket to fall.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Did that idiot commentator just call Splitter a "perimeter player"?!? Moron.

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner one miss reb and one miss rotation

[DPG21920]

Don't give up the corner 3. Let Tiago man the paint.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Did that idiot commentator just call Splitter a "perimeter player"?!? Moron.

He also said earlier "Gary Neal is a good offensive player, but he has really made his mark with his defense" :lol

[biskvito]

put TJ Ford in!

[will_spurs]

Bad forced shot from TP.
Nice feed from Leonard to Splitter.
LOL @ "perimeter player" (must have him confused with Bonner :)

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

He also said earlier "Gary Neal is a good offensive player, but he has really made his mark with his defense" :lol

Oh lord! These homer commentators really shouldn't comment on the players from the other team that they clearly have never seen before. :lmao

[TDomination]

It makes me so sad to see parker miss so many layups, he used to always make anything and everything around the basket. Before, he could be going at full speed, end up under the basket with 2 defenders right there and somehow find a way to get the ball to go in.

[ducks]

westbrook is 1-5

[urunobili]

Splitter from Green!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Bonner offensive rebound! :lol

[jag]

He also said earlier "Gary Neal is a good offensive player, but he has really made his mark with his defense" :lol

:lol yeah I caught that.

"I'm going to pretend like I know dick about Gary Neal"

[TDomination]

come on bonner!

nice, green to splitter!

[Ice009]

obviously didn't watch the dallas game

yes I did watch it. Dallas were tired and playing like shit.

Minnesota is an example. Cleveland went there and won on their court easily, yet against us they hit every shot.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Can't let Harden get going. Putting him on the line doesn't help.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

TJ, after starting the season slowly, looks fantastic. As does Green.

With Green, Leonard and RJ, we're suddenly deep at SF. :wow

[bklynspursfan]

Proof Thunder announcers don't know that much about SA so far:

1. "the spurs offense is a mirror image of the thunder"
2. "splitter is a perimeter player, not a low post player"

[urunobili]

I used to like Harden... then he started with JET like theatrics that took away that respect I used to have for him...

[bbarry]

fuck

make that layup tj

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

:(

[jag]

Great pass from Kawhi.

[urunobili]

Pop yelling at Bonner hard! finally!

[bklynspursfan]

bonner getting an ear-ful from popp :lol

[bklynspursfan]

Hasn't seen anyone use those 2 steps better??? Manu is the master at that... smh...

[ElNono]

Bonner had to help there...

[GB20]

tj is being selfish right now

[jag]

Tiago's FT's looking nice.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

So far this season, JA is the only youngster/FA who isn't over-performing expectations. That is a VERY good thing. :D

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

"i've never seen Anyone use those two steps to get around a player like Harden does"

Obviously he's never watched Manu

[Ice009]

Bonner getting blistered. i love it.

[024]

was expecting the spurs to get blown out the first quarter, am pleasantly surprised right now.

[urunobili]

Nazr hard fouling... I miss that...

[will_spurs]

Nice of the refs to bailout TJ like that.

[ElNono]

good first quarter considering we've not been taking that many 3's

[timtonymanu]

Only down 2. But I don't like the way the Spurs played there.

[Spurs Brazil]

Not bad but we can play better on O. Some bad shots and wild passes

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

When I was in SA in 2007 I had a long chat with Chip and he told me that they don't try to change guys' shooting strokes so much as work with the stroke they already have and find ways to improve it...

I think they should throw that out the window with Splitter and start from scratch! :lol

[jag]

Ray Allen's wife is hot but she has something weird going on with her hairline. wtf is going on with that...

*I'm watching this on NBATV so I'm getting NBAHelps commercials and shit.

[urunobili]

I think we'll play better on the 2nd Q. Offense was stagnant

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Spurs taking some bad shots

[Amuseddaysleeper]

TJ forcing it too much now.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Danny Green is having a hard time guarding Harden

[The ADMIRAL 50]

Just like the Dallas game, OKC's star, Durant, hasn't gotten going yet. Let's hope he never does.

[Ice009]

Nazr hard fouling... I miss that...

I miss Tony Massenburg. He was the true hard fouler on that team. If he was able to came back in 2006 he would have laid some Mavericks players out.

[loveforthegame]

I don't know how we're down only 2. Too many missed shots around the rim and pretty ugly defense.

Splitter, Leonard, and Green look good though.

[ElNono]

Bonner Blair... watch out

[urunobili]

Green starting to fade. Let's give JA some of his minutes to keep him humble...

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Ugly line-up

[ElNono]

Who's gonna score with this lineup?

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Fuck Harden

[bbarry]

harden is gonna have the game of his life, it looks like

[urunobili]

second time TJ losses the ball frip :rolleyes

[ElNono]

wow... terrible D

[Cant_Be_Faded]

TJ going for the world record for turnovers

[024]

yupppp game over

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Ummmmmm Yeah.....

[loveforthegame]

That got ugly fast.

[bbarry]

time to throw in the white flag.

we aint coming back from 11 with these rooks and sophs

[GB20]

take this unit out please

[Amuseddaysleeper]

fuuuuuuuuuuck

[jag]

Spurs 2nd line getting worked by the Thunder's 2nd line.

[ElNono]

Blair completely lost

[will_spurs]

This line-up works great. Already -9 in a couple of minutes. I hope Pop keeps them in for a lot longer!

[timtonymanu]

So the Spurs are still a crap team on the road, I see.

[ElNono]

So Tim and Tony are not playing anymore tonight?

[Spurs Brazil]

Bench is bad tonight

And why Pop keep playing the Turd Towers

[siraulo23]

lol, well it was fun when when itt was close

didnt last very long

[Quiet Strength]

Tj ford is trying his best to help OKC win. He's doing a very good job so far.

[Mr. Body]

Bonner = Death

[ElNono]

It's normal for rooks to play crappy on the road... but what's TJ Ford, Matty and Blair excuse?

[urunobili]

My god what a play by Rothlisberger... game tied in Denver BTW

[jag]

Bonner's defense :lmao

[ElNono]

holy shit Bonner... welcome to the poster

[loveforthegame]

Wow Bonner.

[Libri]

bonner lol

[GB20]

red with a tree

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner is a fucking JOKE

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Nice Jumper Kawai

[urunobili]

Leonard sweet stroke...

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Wow, I just tuned in, and this is looking ugly.

[loveforthegame]

Leonard's shot looked good there.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Harden is destroying us....

[ElNono]

lol Collison shitting on our "frontline"

[GB20]

harden is killing our big man

[urunobili]

I have a hunch that JA could be brought in and contribute...

[ElNono]

just wow

[ElNono]

wake up matt

[ace3g]

k Bonner, you have to boxout on FTs..

[024]

bonner :vomit:

[Spurs Brazil]

Turd Towers is the same as small ball

Thunder in a layup drill

Pop never learn

[ElNono]

lol "Give it to whoever Bonner is guarding"

[bklynspursfan]

Just foul... Get bonner out collison is raping him.

[urunobili]

What a pass by Kawhi!

[DPG21920]

Bonner getting lit up by prime Shaq

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Leonard makes good cuts. A good passing high post presence would be able to feed him for some easy layups...

[bklynspursfan]

Get Diogu in there instead of Bonner at this point. Maybe he'll bring some energy.

[DPG21920]

Spurs just have to stay tough, quit fouling and focus on the glass.

[MannyIsGod]

Bonner's killing this team on the defensive end right now.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Just get out of here Bonner.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Leonard on Durant...hopefully

[MI21]

Switch on league pass broadband and proceed to watch Matt Bonner be destroyed by Nick fucking Collison.

Where is Splitter?

[will_spurs]

Nice pass by Leonard, I really like what he's showing tonight.

[ElNono]

goddamn blair

[Ice009]

Bonner got roasted so bad. hurt us a lot.

[ElNono]

now Collison is hot

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Good one Parker

[jag]

:lol Westbrook's faggot ass

[timtonymanu]

Bonner is embarrassing. How has he been with the team so long?

[urunobili]

TP missed J...

[ElNono]

Tony with the shit shot

[Cant_Be_Faded]

This team looks so pathetic on the road

[MI21]

Don't see where Kawhi fouled there, he jumped the screen which was a really nice play.. then just slipped. No foul.

[will_spurs]

Tony with the shit shot

Actually this one wasn't too bad.

[jhuan16]

Please no more bonner in the 2nd half.

[Em-City]

since it's been a topic.. bonner last on the team with +/- -11

[Duncan2177]

Bonner looks like a glob of doe out there.

[DPG21920]

TP shooting 25% tonight. Obviously he has to score at a better rate if the spurs want a shot at this one. He's moving the ball ok but he is clanking every shot. His only basket: a wide open layup.

[weebo]

blair and/or bonner are stinking it up. absolutely no interior presence. also, transition d is lacking. the guys must be tired.

[Quiet Strength]

Please no more bonner in the 2nd half.

No more Bonner period

[will_spurs]

Yeah but remember that stats show Bonner is a great defender. Don't ever trust what you see.

:lmao

[urunobili]

And 1 DeJuan!

[ace3g]

nice move by Blair

[bklynspursfan]

Am i the only one who cringes when Blair puts the ball on the floor?

[DPG21920]

Great move and finish by Blair. Quick move.

[urunobili]

Dick warming up!

[weebo]

Dick!

[bklynspursfan]

Rj!

[MI21]

Man, I love when Dejuan goes quick to the hoop with his moves.

[urunobili]

Dick fouled! two shots!

[ElNono]

go RJ

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Great 3 there. I smell a run

[ElNono]

Leonard good job on Duraaaaaant

[DPG21920]

Spurs showing fight. Good job RJ and defense

[MannyIsGod]

Spurs hanging in there.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Leonard forced a TO lol

[will_spurs]

Funny how guys find it harder to score in the post with Duncan at their back...

[Spurs Brazil]

Leonard doing a very good job on Durant

[weebo]

so far I like what I see from KL. seems to be holding his own against KD.

[MI21]

Fantastic D by Kawhi and Timmy on Durant there.

[DPG21920]

Hell yea defense :tu

[foodie2]

Bonner looks like a glob of doe out there.

A female deer?

[MI21]

lol Perkins moving pick.

lol every game

lol every play

[ffadicted]

Leonard doing a very good job on Durant

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Has Parker finished at the rim once this entire season?

[ElNono]

lmao Perk

[ace3g]

Perkins and Blair have to be separated!!!

[urunobili]

I am enjoying this long lineup with Dick at the two an Leonard at the three...

[weebo]

fuck perkins fake thug

[DPG21920]

Finish the damn ball tony. Wtf

[ElNono]

Perk was backing up pronto on Aldrige the other night... somebody give him his meds

[bbarry]

kp and dbj

:lol

who would win that battle?

[jhuan16]

Perkins being a dick as usual and Parker should pass to RJ in the last play he's wide open.

[MannyIsGod]

I've been impressed with Leonard so far this game.

[Proxy]

I love it when Duncan protects his teammates

[Em-City]

blair needs to pull Perkins' skirt up

[bklynspursfan]

Rjjjj

[urunobili]

Dick with the toughness!!!

[will_spurs]

RJ playing tough...

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Everytime we pull within 5 or 6, we give up some bad fouls, or miss some gimme FT's.

[024]

jefferson giving leonard defensive tips. god help us

[DPG21920]

TP looks really bad so far.

[ffadicted]

Tony paarrrkuuuuurrrr

[angelbelow]

Tuning in now.. just in time to see TD get blocked -_-

[will_spurs]

Starting to get worried about Tony's inability to finish :/

[ffadicted]

Duncan and Parker looking so bad, thank god we have a bench lol

[Spurs Brazil]

Finally we got a call

[DPG21920]

Get stops

[ElNono]

I think this game is going to boil down to who gets tired first

[MI21]

Nice to see Timmy go for that dunk, no shame in getting blocked by Ibaka

[DPG21920]

Fml

[ace3g]

crappy call...

[urunobili]

Bogus call TBH...

[will_spurs]

Was a nice pass from Tony to Duncan, too bad Timmy can't finish at the rim either.

And "Parker the 4-time All-Star" :)

[Quiet Strength]

That's bullshit

[ElNono]

wow... Tony Nunez suck

[loveforthegame]

Should have been a jump ball.

[Spurs Brazil]

Those refs are pathetic

Thunder get every call

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Oh nice, Tommy Nunez is reffing, he loves the Spurs!

[Tp9gospursgo]

lol Durant complains so they switch it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

we should be running the pace up for this game

arent they on the 3rd night of b2b2b?

[MI21]

Fuck sake, the Thunder players are becoming self righteous and entitled with the umpires. You guys should a ridiculous amount of FT's anyway, get over it.

Also, Joey Crawford, acting like a fuckhead again.

[ffadicted]

gay call

[Libri]

I thought that was Joey Crawford. lol

[DPG21920]

TP and Westbrook in a shooters battle. Each shooting 17%.