Game Blog: Magic at Spurs: March 14th

[DMC]

This will be a tough game.

[ElNono]

Go Spurs Go! :flag:

[DMC]

No kidding. Let's hope Howard wants to send a message to his team by tanking this one.

[Robz4000]

It'll really depend on how strong the Magic's locker room is right now. If Dwight really did say he was gonna not opt out, they'll have added momentum. If it's still up in the air, they could be checked out mentally or coming in with something to prove. Spurs need to take advantage of their lack of rest and try to blow it open early. Don't let them get hot from 3 either.

[Paranoid Pop]

M Stein, ESPN


When asked why Howard told several teammates and members of the organization earlier in the day that he had indeed decided not to opt out of his contract, the source insisted that Howard "didn't fully understand the ramifications" of surrendering his ETO and did so largely because Magic officials warned him that he would be traded by Thursday's 3 p.m. trading deadline if he did not take that step.

lol

[ace3g]

24writer ‏ @24writer

Manu Ginobili will play tonight, Danny Green will start at shooting guard. #Spurs

[timtonymanu]

Good. Hopefully Manu doesn't have anymore setbacks for the rest of the year.

[Paranoid Pop]

Good. Hopefully Manu doesn't have anymore setbacks for the rest of the week

That would be nice :toast.

[TDMVPDPOY]

d12 had a huge game yesterday, lets hope he does nothing this game

[ElNono]

lol fatass Parker fans :lol

[Spursfanfromafar]

I hope the Spurs beat Howard's ass to prove that good wins over greed... Yeah and then reality hit me.

[DPG21920]

Spurs have a terrible starting lineup :lol

[ace3g]

Quick start for the Spurs

[timtonymanu]

Ugh Magic feed.

[ace3g]

Timmy with the haircut

[timtonymanu]

God Blair pass the fucking ball.

[DPG21920]

Blair looks hurt.

[timtonymanu]

And Blair hurt

[Spurs Brazil]

damn Blair

[Muser]

lol Blair gets his fat ass blocked and then gets a 3 right in his face.

Oh he was hurt, well that sucks I guess.

[Libri]

Blair hurt after getting stuffed.

[Paranoid Pop]

God Blair pass the fucking ball.

Yeah Green and Blair slow the ball. Magic alrealdy with the 3 ball.

[DBMethos]

Black hole Blair.

[bklynspursfan]

At least Splitter is in first

[bklynspursfan]

3 3's... These guys are like us.

[bklynspursfan]

Jameer Nelson trying his hardest to keep Dwight :lol

[timtonymanu]

Jameer Nelson? Really?

[Libri]

What the hell? Nelson with another 3.

[Muser]

Splitter D'd up Howard perfectly there.

[DPG21920]

det 3 point defense....

[ace3g]

nice block by Splitter on D Howard, too bad Spurs couldn't get a hold of the ball, Jameer with the 3, now Splitter gets hit in the face, has to leave court due to blood rule

[DPG21920]

Spurs defense: The Slump Busters

[timtonymanu]

Still consistent with the pathetic defense.

[bklynspursfan]

Why the hell are we playing like we played last night

[Libri]

RJ lol

[timtonymanu]

God our team is trash.

[DPG21920]

Spurs need to make a trade ASAP. This defense is just horrendous.

[ElNono]

:lol defense

[bklynspursfan]

18 points in less than 5 minutes.

[Texas_Ranger]

we all know who needs to go..

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs defense get worst game after game

[Muser]

Wow now this is pathetic.

[Paranoid Pop]

Put Kahwi and Tiago already so that we have a legit chance.

[jestersmash]

Orlando has 18 points with 7:29 left to go in the 1st quarter :lol

[Sense]

Wow wtf.

[loveforthegame]

Pathetic start. Pathetic defense. Same shit, different game.

[Stalin]

nice d scros

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Wow...... :(

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs starting 5 have 3 players who would barely play any minutes in other 29 teams. That's why we get in trouble so often early in the game

[jestersmash]

Spurs with a combination of "hope they miss semi-contested 3s!" and "hope they pull back in transition and run half court instead of pushing hard towards the rim!" defense.

[ElNono]

RJ feeling the playoffs approaching...

[bklynspursfan]

Timmy Needs to stop cutting his hair and shaving. Makes me think we're back in 03 and I get disappointed lol

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Kl 33333333333333333333333333333

[ace3g]

Kawhi 3!!

[ElNono]

Kawhi >>>>> RJ

[timtonymanu]

See RJ that's how you make a 3. Go Leonard.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Wait why is JA in so early?

[bklynspursfan]

Leonard needs to start!! Then RJ can come in when there's not as much pressure.

[Stalin]

even orlando announcers ripping spurs defence

[bklynspursfan]

Rare move for Timmy to fall for that fake

[Spurs Brazil]

3 terrible players to the bench and the Spurs make a run

[timtonymanu]

Is Splitter okay now?

[bklynspursfan]

How long before Pop puts Bonner on Dwight?

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Let's go Manu!

[timtonymanu]

The post D actually has been good. Those damn open 3's were what made the defense terrible.

[ace3g]

nice tear drop over Howard

[DPG21920]

Tiago didn't give one single inch there and Dwight just made a tough shot :tu

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Damnit

[timtonymanu]

Damn I wish we had Ryan Anderson.

[ace3g]

Splitter showing his soccer skills after the Parker miss, lol

[Texas_Ranger]

Nice to see we only have 1 player in there.

[jermaine]

Tony is ballin out his mind.

[ElNono]

Nelson in foul trouble is good news

[Spurs Brazil]

Tony strong start

[DPG21920]

Kawhi calling his own play and bringing it up the court.

[bklynspursfan]

Magic might put 40 on us

[ace3g]

there we go again, Kawhi showing his point forward skills, rebounds runs the break, post up his man, passes to Splitter, who then passes to Bonner for 3

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

See Rj even Bonner can make 3's in regular season

[bklynspursfan]

Stupid ass foul Splitter what the hell was that

[Libri]

Tiago got schooled.

[ace3g]

nice dunk Splitter!!!

[ElNono]

that's what I'm talking about

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

At least Howard can't make Ft's

[DPG21920]

Splitter with a strong answer!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Bonner to Splitter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

Tiago doing a damn good job on Howard except for that foul.

[ace3g]

Kawhi for 3!!!

[ElNono]

lol magic defense :lol

[bklynspursfan]

I F*cking love Leonard

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Kl 3333333333333333333333333

[DPG21920]

Kawhi is shooting with some damn confidence :wow

[timtonymanu]

That's it Pop. Start Leonard already. Fuck Dick Jefferson.

[Sense]

Finally coming back, great play.. decent defense.

[ElNono]

kill RJ now... he's robbing minutes from Leonard

[DPG21920]

I want Parker/Manu/Kawhi/Tiago/Tim more!

[Juggity]

Leonard is the man

[ElNono]

I want Parker/Manu/Kawhi/Tiago/Tim more!

Manu is too fragile though

[timvp]

I would say Kawhi needs to start ahead of RJ but that's stating the obvious at this point, tbh.

[NASpurs]

What the fuck does RJ do that Kawhi can't do and what does RJ do to deserve the start the game?

Boggles the mind really.

[Spurs Brazil]

Leonard>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..Shit Jefferson

[Spursfanfromafar]

Now that Ricky Rubio is injured ...shouldn't Kawhi be in the reckoning with Irving and Faried for ROY? What a great great pick up by the Spurs. Feel good addition of the year.

[bklynspursfan]

Now Bonner wtf man.

[Texas_Ranger]

Dwight will score 50

[ElNono]

damn Matt, again?

[Libri]

Bonner is so weak.

[Stalin]

useless pussy bonner

[ElNono]

turnobili

[ace3g]

Kawhi with the nice steal

[bbarry]

I don't understand this. Can someone explain why players don't take away the other player's hands instead of their upper arms when they are attempting to wrap up an opponent so they don't get an easy two?

[bklynspursfan]

LOVE Leonard. Again... He does it all

[ElNono]

wow tiago with a great job

[bklynspursfan]

Great def there by Splitter

[ace3g]

nice defense again by Splitter

[DPG21920]

I would say Kawhi needs to start ahead of RJ but that's stating the obvious at this point, tbh.

Kawhi is boss.

Why is it that Pop states he's getting his playoff rotation ready and it involves more of the Spurs worst defensive players and less of their better ones?

[timtonymanu]

Leonard and Splitter :tu

[Muser]

Now that Ricky Rubio is injured ...shouldn't Kawhi be in the reckoning with Irving and Faried for ROY? What a great great pick up by the Spurs. Feel good addition of the year.


There isn't really a discussion for it tbh, Irving has it on lock.

[MI21]

Kawhi is 46% on his last 32 3pters.

[bklynspursfan]

Dam Bonner seriously. We expect that from Danny Green but you have to hit that floater

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Foul......Foul......Foul......Foul

[Paranoid Pop]

Bad end, 4pt play on the Dwight FT and now that.

[024]

howard looks like a grown man playing against the pre-teens of the spurs front court.

[ElNono]

if we started better we would be leading now...

[Stalin]

dwight treating bonner like a child

[ace3g]

Looks like Kawhi and Splitter are staking their claim for playoff minutes tonight.

[DPG21920]

Even though he missed, that was a hell of an athletic move by Tiago to avoid the charge. Silky.

[ElNono]

green was garbage fighting screens tonight too

[ElNono]

lol hack a dwight

[TDMVPDPOY]

i hate it when we waste our offensive plays from the hard fought defensive plays

[timtonymanu]

The lovely duo of DeJuan Blair and Richard Jefferson has led us to another 1st quarter hole :tu

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Hack a Howard.....

[DPG21920]

Howard makes both naturally.

[ElNono]

Manu tres

[TDfan2007]

Glad to see Dwight hit those 2. Pop just helping Dwight stat pad.

[DPG21920]

what da funk Manu :lol

[Spursfanfromafar]

Didn't work this time.. but gotto work later in the game - HackaHoward :)

[bbarry]

Neal for 33333333333

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Way to redeem yourself Manu!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ElNono]

Neal with it, bichnizz

[ace3g]

Neal with it!!!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Gary Neal is that DUDE! 3333333333333333333333

[DPG21920]

Gary is shooting pretty awful during the run of play, but he thrives in clutch moments.

[bklynspursfan]

Disgusted with the first quarter score.

[blkroadrunners]

Holy smokes, Gary Neal!

[MI21]

Hack a Howard in 1st quarter is horrible

[TDfan2007]

Neal is ice cold.

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Neal is so damn cool.

[ElNono]

lol Spurs with 36 in the 1st quarter, Lakers with 40 at the half :lol

[Spurs Brazil]

Neal 3333333333

D got much better with the bench.

[DMC]

If there's a clutch gene, Gary has it.

[DPG21920]

Defense was horrendous, but got better with Tiago/Kawhi in. Let's hope Pop gives them minutes and they can maintain the offense as well.

[Libri]

RJ doing a good job warming the bench. :tu

[MI21]

Fuckin hell, Neal is so cold blooded at end of quarters.

[Texas_Ranger]

Portland with 29 at the half. :lol

..against the Knicks. :lmao

[TDMVPDPOY]

nice finish for the first quarter, hopefully neal and bonner are just warming up, we need more 3s

[ElNono]

can't complain with the D since RJ and Green went to the bench, tbh... Magic already had 18 by then

[Spursfanfromafar]

How the hell, the Spurs lead after Quarter 1 is a mystery :). Pop is Don Nelsoning Van Gundy now.. This can't last.

[GB20]

if kawhi keeps playing this way for the rest of the season, richard would be gone this summer.

[Spurs Brazil]

if we started better we would be leading now...

Difficult to start well with Green, Blair and Jefferson together

[Spursfanfromafar]

and effing RJ.. can't even showcase him for a trade. The bastard.

[doldrums]

RJ doing well +/- is only -10

[bklynspursfan]

Wow Timmy is never in this early

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Timmy to Leonard!

[TDfan2007]

Magic hitting a lot of tough shots already.

[DMC]

Some of the shit Bill Land says "and as he braces for Tim to take advantage of him"

He says that kind of shit all the time, it's a wonder Sean hasn't mentioned it.

[bklynspursfan]

These games are so annoying. It's like we jus try to outscore people theres no effort to make stops as a unit.

[TDfan2007]

Great move by Pop putting Tim in when Howard is sitting.

[Splits]

Hack a Howard in 1st quarter is horrible

There was 40 seconds left in the quarter. Pop is in love with the 2 for 1. We hit 2 threes despite Howard making his throws. 4 pt swing in the final minute. Great coaching.

[TDfan2007]

Timmy getting bailed out. he was about to put up a garbage shot.

[bklynspursfan]

Great move by Pop putting Tim in when Howard is sitting.

Unless it's just cause Blair is hurt

[timtonymanu]

Damnit RJ is back in.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

RJ back! Hell Yeah!

[TDfan2007]

Spurs moving the ball well there. Timmy looks great tonight.

[DPG21920]

:wow that was a filthy move by TP. Just missed the finish.

[TDfan2007]

Timmy going circa 2007 with that move!

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Timmy dunk

[bklynspursfan]

Timmy has been dunking so much more this year

[DPG21920]

Tim is finishing with dunks any chance he gets. Just having a strong finishing year (outside of the missed chip shots).

[timtonymanu]

Timmy looks like a beast tonight!

[slick'81]

fck off hedo

[Spurs Brazil]

TD dunk!

[024]

is van gundy trying to outdo pop on who can come up with the worse lineup?

[MI21]

How many dunks has Tim had since the All-Star break? It would of been twice as many as he had before the All-Star break.

[TDfan2007]

Tim is finishing with dunks any chance he gets. Just having a strong finishing year (outside of the missed chip shots).

He hasn't gone up this strong so consistently since about 2007. It's been great to see.

[DMC]

RJ never challenges his defender, he give that fucking ball up right away.

[will_spurs]

Makes me laugh to hear Rose complaining about the refs (despite getting a shitload of calls) when I see how often Parker is being fouled and nothing is called.

[GB20]

timmy this year looks better than last year. i think the lockout is working for him.

[angelbelow]

Another hot start for Timmay. Lets hope he has another hot 3rd too.

[Barfunk]

Tim hasn't dunked this much in YEARS

[bklynspursfan]

Seriously how much poorer could our 3 pt defense be

[TDfan2007]

Howard is a TERRIBLE one on one defender.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Hedo........?

[TDfan2007]

Looks like Hedo is going to be next in line for having a season high against us...

[bklynspursfan]

Was that RJ AGAIN late to rotate to the shooter?

[timtonymanu]

RJ has made the defense shit again.

[ElNono]

lol pick & roll defense

[ElNono]

Pop needs to grab RJ and tell him "look I can't play you right now"

[Budkin]

No rotations...

[angelbelow]

The Key to the San Antonio Spurs consistent success is all of the above.

[maverick1948]

If Hedo had played like this in SA, he would still be here and getting 4 or 5 rings. But since he could not put his finger in the right hole, he is just another headcase having a good game.

[DBMethos]

Who needs defense, right? Right?

[ElNono]

The other problem with RJ is he only took one shot

[TDfan2007]

RJ playing as poorly as possible. Kawai continuing to play well.

[ElNono]

make that 2

[ace3g]

Tp 3!!!

[Budkin]

Tp 3333333333

[bklynspursfan]

Dam parker's gotta hit that

[024]

popovich's solution to the dismal defense is to leave jefferson in and take out duncan?

[ace3g]

@JMcDonald_SAEN @varner48MoH according to 82 games 6% of Duncan shots in '11 were dunks.. '12 season 10% are of shots are dunks.

[TDfan2007]

Green with awful defense there.

[ace3g]

Splitter and Kawhi crashing the boards

[will_spurs]

Haha that goaltending by Howard was almost as bad as JaVale McGee's one :)

[TIMMYD!]

TP not getting any respect...

[GB20]

parker gets no love

[bklynspursfan]

Dam why not keep SPlitter in there with Timmy?

[EVAY]

Tony got fouled by Turkoglu on that last shot of his and the refs aren't calling anything for Tony.

[TIMMYD!]

God, I fucking hate Nelson

[MI21]

So Nelson can finish like Parker and Manu yet those 2 can't make a layup tonight.

Ok

[relic]

manu has to shoot that wide open three

[MI21]

So Nelson can finish like Parker and Manu yet those 2 can't make a layup tonight.

Ok

[timtonymanu]

CROFL Nelson still plays like a superstar against us.

[TDfan2007]

brick city...

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Offense is cold

[DPG21920]

Sean going overboard with the superlatives for Nelson.

[TDfan2007]

big 3 3 on 2!

[Budkin]

Layin bricks now.

[ace3g]

nice 3 on 2 fast break by the Spurs, TP slows down to let TD get back in the picture, made the play

[DPG21920]

Great pass by TP. He is creating like crazy this year.

[bklynspursfan]

I'd consider it a decent half if they dont score 60 lol

[TDfan2007]

Timmy playing about as well as one could hope for so far. He'll have 10 FTAs at the half :wow

[will_spurs]

I wish there was a stat recording passes leading to fouls.

[jestersmash]

Kawhi with 10 points, 4 rebounds (3-4 shooting) and 2 steals in 16 minutes.

[Budkin]

Goddamn we give up a lot of points.

[timtonymanu]

Surprise Magic didn't score 60 by the half.

[Paranoid Pop]

We have to slow Nelson down at some point.

[TDfan2007]

Great offensive half. Defense definitely picked up in the 2nd quarter...although there was nowhere else to go but up.

[maverick1948]

Dam why not keep SPlitter in there with Timmy?

Because we dont have Blair to fall back on as a big. Not sure if he hurt the knees early but had a bad step. Now we need Splitter to be available to play when Timmy is out.

[DPG21920]

I wonder if Blair's injury forces the Spurs to make a move? Doubtful since you'd imagine if there was one available they would have pulled the trigger.

[Paranoid Pop]

RJ : 0/3 0pts -10

[TDMVPDPOY]

cant pop just tell rj stay the fuck away from this team and stay at home...fkn

[angelbelow]

I wonder if Blair's injury forces the Spurs to make a move? Doubtful since you'd imagine if there was one available they would have pulled the trigger.

What happened to Blair?

[ace3g]

man get Blair out of the game, he is clearly hurt

[ace3g]

anyone see what happened to Parker?

[DPG21920]

What happened to Blair?

He left early in the first quarter (looked like a knee). He appears to be fine though. Just the thought of one of the bigs going down has to make the Spurs nervous.

I guess they are really banking on Diaw.

[TDfan2007]

RJ attacked the basket! :wow

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Wow RJ actually attacked?

[TIMMYD!]

Dick ain't doing shit

[Paranoid Pop]

Tp is having a hard time now. Where's Manu, we need some help in the playmaking department.

[ElNono]

goddamn rj

[loveforthegame]

I wish RJ would GTFO already.

[doldrums]

Jefferson has scored!!!!!!!