Game Blog: Spurs @ Mavs - March 17 8:00 PM CT

[Spurminator]

Well I guess we've learned that trading Richard Jefferson completely messed up our offensive flow. Looks completely discombobulated out there, which is probably because RJ is no longer with the team.

I think it must have also affected team chemistry and attitude, because I saw a real "losing" approach on the floor tonight. It was as if they didn't have the same desire to make shots as they normally do when they're hitting their shots.

Finally, it's worth noting that this team has now lost every game with Stephen Jackson in a Spurs uniform since 2004.

[Texas_Ranger]

Manu looks like he can just shoot 3's this days...

[timtonymanu]

I'm still happy as fuck, tbh.

Just need Diaw to come in and replace Blair/Bonner.

[ace3g]

Spurs miss 8 Fts, lose by 7...

[DMC]

Overall I thought the Spurs played good. I liked what I saw from a lot of the Spurs players. Tony was off and forcing it, Manu was really off and that quick 3 with 1:23 left in the game was a poor decision in my opinion, as we should have set up and could have lived with a 2, being down by only 6 at the time.

Regardless, I like what I saw from Jack for sure, and Tiago did well as did Green and Neal.

Overall decent game, Dallas just brought it.

[DPG21920]

Spurs could have traded Manu for a really good big man.

No. Manu has no value outside the Spurs really due to his age/injuries. Manu needs to keep his ass healthy and produce something though. Him being so injury prone and unreliable lately has hurt the Spurs and if they are to make a legit run, he needs to give them stability.

[Borosai]

Quick look at the box score: rebounds and missed free throws.

Lost by 7 on a b2b on the road. Whatever.

[Capt Bringdown]

I hope Manu apologizes to his teammates. What a shitty, selfish performance.

[maverick1948]

On replay the pass from Kidd to Dirk read 15 sec should have been an 8 sec call. Of course, we dont get calls in Dallas.

[ElNono]

3 days of practice time should work out well for the team... Tony needs to sit out though... he looks tired as hell...

[DPG21920]

Poor free throw shooting and Kidd turning into Reggie Miller didn't help.

But overall, I'm okay with that loss. Got the split on this tough back-to-back. Now have some time to get everyone on the same page and ready for a closing push.

If Manu can stay healthy and allow Pop to develop a clear rotation...

[td4mvp21]

They looked gassed. The energy just wasn't there.

[Sense]

Tony 'the leader' was hiding behind Kidd... somebody has to take them...

He was chucking the shots, forcing them.. even the wide open ones weren't falling and he kept shooting :lol


I'm alright with the loss tbh, I expected it..

but it is humorous to see a Manu homer back him up after that performance.

[justinandimcool]

SJax and the young guys played with energy and toughness. Kawhi and DG being consistent is GREAT news.

reason we lost is Parker was tired and Manu played really really bad. simple. No need to panic, we defended Dallas well- they just made every three possible. We do it to other teams all the time. Just get a bunch of practices in before we see them again.

It's amazing how much less I hate Pop without RJ there for him to throw in and kill everything.

[DMC]

Well I guess we've learned that trading Richard Jefferson completely messed up our offensive flow. Looks completely discombobulated out there, which is probably because RJ is no longer with the team.

I think it must have also affected team chemistry and attitude, because I saw a real "losing" approach on the floor tonight. It was as if they didn't have the same desire to make shots as they normally do when they're hitting their shots.

Finally, it's worth noting that this team has now lost every game with Stephen Jackson in a Spurs uniform since 2004.

No

They are on the 2nd of a back to back. Not a losing attitude. Parker got a bit selfish and people weren't getting touches, but Dallas was playing good basketball all game and they hit their FTs.

You're reading too much into it. I am sure RJ won't be missed.

[DPG21920]

I was joking earlier about Manu, but my last few posts are dead serious.

[Pauleta14]

Tony is probably too worn down or injured... Pop needs to sit him out for a few games. He obviously hurt the team today.

:lol

of course, 11ast and only 1TO is "obviously hurting the team" for a PG...

CoM should wait a better opportunity IMO...

[ElNono]

He was chucking the shots, forcing them.. even the wide open ones weren't falling and he kept shooting :lol

I'm alright with the loss tbh, I expected it..

but it is humorous to see a Manu homer back him up after that performance.

I'm ok with the loss too. I thought Manu tried to bring us back even though he's clearly still not in game shape thanks to Pop sitting him out...

But nobody cares about regular season championships... Now Manu just need minutes and Tony needs to rest...

[Bruno]

Splitting the b2b @OKC and @DAL is a good result.

Some players were tired, some players are not in great shape, Pop needs to figure his roster...
When/If Spurs fix that, they will be significantly better. They won't be a contender because of their crappy defense and frontcourt but they should be fine.

[Spurminator]

No

They are on the 2nd of a back to back. Not a losing attitude. Parker got a bit selfish and people weren't getting touches, but Dallas was playing good basketball all game and they hit their FTs.

You're reading too much into it. I am sure RJ won't be missed.

I just know what I saw. The Spurs are now 0-1 without Richard Jefferson. At this rate we're at risk of missing the Playoffs completely.

[ElNono]

:lol

of course, 11ast and only 1TO is "obviously hurting the team" for a PG...

CoM should wait a better opportunity IMO...

Kidd 4-5 from downtown... -4 +/-.... he's just tired...

[maddnezz]

Not enough ball movement by our guards, and Manu rushing, and Pop leaving bad personel in the game WAY to long. Some one has got to drop off some AA pamplets at this dudes house, office and windshield on his car. I never understood double teaming the post if your man shoots a decent 3 point shot. Doesnt make sense stay at home.
Other than that im happy Jack is back!

[timtonymanu]

No

They are on the 2nd of a back to back. Not a losing attitude. Parker got a bit selfish and people weren't getting touches, but Dallas was playing good basketball all game and they hit their FTs.

You're reading too much into it. I am sure RJ won't be missed.

I'm pretty sure he's joking.

[moisaenz]

Great offense beats great defense.. our defense was bad today as well..

[maverick1948]

We committed 24 fouls not even fouling to stop the clock, Mavs called for 15? Should tell you how we lost this game.

[ElNono]

There's no easy fix for Bonner/Blair though... and we can dance around Tony and Manu all day, and the frontcourt issue isn't going away

[Ice009]

I'm shocked Jax played so little. It was really perplexing.

LOL will Jax speak up if Pop gives him Splitter minutes while other guys like Bonner are ahead of him and are stinking it up?

[moisaenz]

If we got Diaw who would you take out of the rotation, blair or bonner??

[loveforthegame]

Another sad thing is that Dallas was without Haywood, Marion, and West.

[Bruno]

I'm shocked Jax played so little. It was really perplexing.

Well, he hasn't played for a month.

[Johnny RIngo]

I just know what I saw. The Spurs are now 0-1 without Richard Jefferson. At this rate we're at risk of missing the Playoffs completely.

Didn't have Jefferson yesterday in OKC.

[TDfan2007]

No energy in that first quarter hurt to start the game. Manu was absolutely awful in that 4th quarter. That 3 that he took when we were down 6 with a few minutes to go was maddening. Tony was obviously gassed, but he distributed the ball well.

Also, I have NO clue why Dirk was getting doubled every time at the end there in such a predictable manner. Leonard had been playing him very well until that point, so Pop should have let him play Dirk 1 on 1.

[NASpurs]

I just know what I saw. The Spurs are now 0-1 without Richard Jefferson. At this rate we're at risk of missing the Playoffs completely.

Could you extrapolate on this 0-1 record to include the remaining games left in the season? I think you may be on to something.

[Spurminator]

Shit you're right. So, Jackson is a cancer then.

[Bruno]

If we got Diaw who would you take out of the rotation, blair or bonner??

Pop would take Blair out of the rotation without a doubt and I can't say it's a bad choice.

[timtonymanu]

Another sad thing is that Dallas was without Haywood, Marion, and West.

I don't like making excuses, but we were without Tony and Manu, tbh.

[TDfan2007]

And yes, the Mavs not having West, Marion, and Haywood makes this loss all the more pathetic.

[Pauleta14]

He was chucking the shots, forcing them.. even the wide open ones weren't falling and he kept shooting :lol


... as did Manu, that's why they're among the best, they never doubt and keep shooting despite their misses!!

When you're the go to guy, that's what is expected from you, and 12FGA and 11ast seems fine to me.
The lack of energy should be expected with back to back PO intensity games, the 2nd on the road at Dallas.

[DPG21920]

Well, he hasn't played for a month.

He didn't look tired, while TP did and led the team in minutes.

[Johnny RIngo]

If we got Diaw who would you take out of the rotation, blair or bonner??

It was a close game until the start of the third with Blair in the lineup. Mavs went on a big run and we played catchup the rest of the way through. Blair was -19 for the night. A lot of people are shitting on Bonner but Blair was just as bad(if not worse).

[Nathan89]

Manu with a terrible performance on both ends tonight. I hope he can get back to his early season form.

Sjax is a tough cookie and needs more playing time. Hard to find time for him the way Green/Kawhi are playing. I think Pop needs to play Kawhi some more minutes at the 4 right now to get Sjax more playing time. When Green comes back to earth he can take a lot of his minutes.

We have a overflow of talent at the 2/3 position. Pop has his hands full trying to figure out how to maximize the talent. One thing for sure is he needs to tell them to step up the defensive intensity because we have talent to rest them.

[loveforthegame]

It's not the loss that hurts. In the long run we'll be better for sure.

Just disappointed to see us come out so flat. Other than Parker no one should have been that tired.

Pop at his mad scientist self didn't help either.

[Ice009]

tp shots were short
he was gassed
manu did NOT play last night
manu fucking needed to be traded with rj

You're a loser.

TP is in rhythm, probably tired as shit from last night, but at least he has a rhythm so he should have a slight advantage on Manu. Manu hasn't played much so he needs to get a rhythm and his fitness back.

How bad was Parker to start the season until he got into a rhythm and his conditioning back?

Unless you can bring a decent take, fuck off.

For the record both played absolute shit tonight. I thought the Spurs made more runs with Manu, but overall both were nowhere near good enough tonight.

[DPG21920]

Spurs defense lately is more than alarming. They are still susceptible to getting blown up by 3 point shooting teams.

[Capt Bringdown]

If we're as deep as we think we are, Manu's going to have to learn better judgement and self-control instead of chucking up 3's when he's having a night off.

[Spurs Brazil]

If we got Diaw who would you take out of the rotation, blair or bonner??

In the playoffs both. Play Tiago/TD and Diaw.

Then small ball.

[Nathan89]

And yes, the Mavs not having West, Marion, and Haywood makes this loss all the more pathetic.

So how pathetic was the loss for the Thunder? It happens.

Were still trying to integrate Manu and Sjax into this system. It takes Time.

Also Kidd went crazy tonight, we missed fts, and the refs sucked.

[Pauleta14]

Kidd 4-5 from downtown... -4 +/-.... he's just tired...

:lol

I know! That's what I saying too.

You're "Pop should rest him a few games, he is obviously hurting the team" was just a bit extrem and made me laugh!

Next game is only Wednesday, Pop doesn't need to rest him any game...

[Ice009]

Spurs could have traded Manu for a really good big man.

Manu's trade value would have been too low to do it at this point if you were going to do something like that. With him sitting so many games the Spurs would have been ripped off in any deal they made with him.

[timtonymanu]

In the playoffs both. Play Tiago/TD and Diaw.

Then small ball.

Yes but we all know Pop will go with TD/Bonner and Diaw. Then Tiago and Blair.

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs defense lately is more than alarming. They are still susceptible to getting blown up by 3 point shooting teams.

I hope it's get better with more minutes for Leonard and Jax. Inside I have no hope; Bonner and Blair is a killer

[AusSpur]

I'm surprised at all the Manu bashing, he rolled the dice because the team was in a hole were the dice needed to be rolled. Today it didnt come off but when he is up and running he can pull that magic off.

I feel that Pop is always seduced into playing small ball, we were killing them at the centre position today, i wish he would roll Splitter and Duncan out at the same time and try pound them inside, even just for 5 minutes to see how it pans out.

[NASpurs]

So is Dice coming back or not and why is he licking his elbows?

[timtonymanu]

So is Dice coming back or not and why is he licking his elbows?

:lol

[Pauleta14]

He didn't look tired, while TP did and led the team in minutes.

He can't play PG tho' ...

[Nathan89]

If we're as deep as we think we are, Manu's going to have to learn better judgement and self-control instead of chucking up 3's when he's having a night off.

He has to attempt to take the ball to the hoop more often. We have Neal to just jack up threes. We don't need Manu to do the same thing. At least Sjax will help when it comes to attacking the paint.

[Ice009]

If we got Diaw who would you take out of the rotation, blair or bonner??

EASY ONE FOR ME. Bonner.

Bonner shits himself with any type of pressure.

Blair isn't scared and he could still be good as an energy big for up to 10 minutes a game.

Bonner is useless on the court for even 1 minute in the playoffs.

He needs to be out of the rotation permanently.

I'd really look at signing Nocioni to take his spot if Pop wants to go small ball and jack threes.

Spurs also need a defensive PG and Anothony Carter would have been great. I don't know why the signed Mills ahead of him, unless Carter isn't interested.

[Bruno]

He didn't look tired, while TP did and led the team in minutes.

Well, even a tired TP is better than Spurs other options at PG.

SJax hasn't played for a month, he hasn't had a single practice with Spurs and Spurs have some good depth at SG/SF. I don't really understand why you are so surprised he hasn't played a lot minutes.

[Spurs Brazil]

Well, even a tired TP is better than Spurs other options at PG.

SJax hasn't played for a month, he hasn't had a single practice with Spurs and Spurs have some good depth at SG/SF. I don't really understand why you are so surprised he hasn't played a lot minutes.

I'm the opposite. I expected less than 10 minutes. 1st game, haven't play in while. And I think he did well. He'll only get better

[Bruno]

I'm the opposite. I expected less than 10 minutes. 1st game, haven't play in while. And I think he did well. He'll only get better

Yeah, Sjax was fine when you consider it was his 1st game with Spurs and that he hasn't played for one month.

The best part is that he took only 4 shots in 17min. It's a good first sign that he will accept a lesser role than his role in his previous teams.

[DMC]

EASY ONE FOR ME. Bonner.

Bonner shits himself with any type of pressure.

Blair isn't scared and he could still be good as an energy big for up to 10 minutes a game.

Bonner is useless on the court for even 1 minute in the playoffs.

He needs to be out of the rotation permanently.

I'd really look at signing Nocioni to take his spot if Pop wants to go small ball and jack threes.

Spurs also need a defensive PG and Anothony Carter would have been great. I don't know why the signed Mills ahead of him, unless Carter isn't interested.

I take Blair out.

Here's why:

Bonner would only get minutes if he was getting open looks. Blair isn't a good defender and he's not good on offense except in a pick and roll or cleanup role. Blair does not bring any threat of offense. You cannot avoid silly fouls down low with Blair on the floor. With Bonner, you know his weakness and you keep him out of that area. If he clanks a couple, bench his ass.

[Spurminator]

SJax hasn't played for a month, he hasn't had a single practice with Spurs and Spurs have some good depth at SG/SF. I don't really understand why you are so surprised he hasn't played a lot minutes.

Spursfan wants 48 minutes of Duncan, Splitter, Manu, Jack, and Stephen McGee.

[DMC]

He has to attempt to take the ball to the hoop more often. We have Neal to just jack up threes. We don't need Manu to do the same thing. At least Sjax will help when it comes to attacking the paint.
When you look at Jack think "what would RJ do" and you instantly realize he would not attack the rim, and he would not defend and he would miss rotations and likely defer when he should shoot. That's 2.5 years into it. Jack shows 17 minutes in that he's not that.

That's all you need to do. You shouldn't think he's going to relieve Neal or Green or Tony or anyone, just RJ.

[Ice009]

I take Blair out.

Here's why:

Bonner would only get minutes if he was getting open looks. Blair isn't a good defender and he's not good on offense except in a pick and roll or cleanup role. Blair does not bring any threat of offense. You cannot avoid silly fouls down low with Blair on the floor. With Bonner, you know his weakness and you keep him out of that area. If he clanks a couple, bench his ass.

I disagree Bonner gives the other team too much confidence. They can exploit him at any time on the defensive end to get their offense going. Neither should play more than 10 minutes. I just think Blair's energy would be better in those 10 minutes than anything Bonner can give us.

Bonner is just fetal position material.

[T Park]

A player giving the other team confidence is a new one for me.

[Ice009]

A player giving the other team confidence is a new one for me.

It's not a new one at all. I've been saying it for almost 2 years.

Even Barkley backed me up and said it, after I said it. He said Matt is the limo guy, he's the guy you send a limo for to make sure he gets to the game if you're the other team.

He simply gives the other team confidence.

Ever heard of Rasheed Wallace? I'm sure you recall his comments on Bonner to his teammates. They're just the ones we know about. Who knows that the rest of the NBA players say about him on the opposing team meetings when they game plan for the Spurs.

And I'm not going to welcome you back AT ALL.

I told you over two years ago that the Spurs should try and trade for Sjax when he first wanted out of Goldenstate and I believe it was you that said I'm an idiot and that RJ is a much better player.

[DPG21920]

We all knew there would be hiccups with the changes. Let's stay healthy and gel.

[therealtruth]

I disagree Bonner gives the other team too much confidence. They can exploit him at any time on the defensive end to get their offense going. Neither should play more than 10 minutes. I just think Blair's energy would be better in those 10 minutes than anything Bonner can give us.

Bonner is just fetal position material.

The perfect role for Blair is to bring energy, scoring, and rebounding of the bench. I think that will allow him to be more consistent. Bonner is just not talented enough to be in the playoff rotation on a good team. He plays too soft.

[therealtruth]

I'm surprised at all the Manu bashing, he rolled the dice because the team was in a hole were the dice needed to be rolled. Today it didnt come off but when he is up and running he can pull that magic off.

I feel that Pop is always seduced into playing small ball, we were killing them at the centre position today, i wish he would roll Splitter and Duncan out at the same time and try pound them inside, even just for 5 minutes to see how it pans out.

Pop wants the challenge of winning with small ball. Playing Splitter and TD and letting them goto work would be too easy. He's trying to match up with the other coach so he doesn't have an unfair advantage.

[therealtruth]

There's no easy fix for Bonner/Blair though... and we can dance around Tony and Manu all day, and the frontcourt issue isn't going away

The easy fix is playing them less and in clearly defined roles.

[therealtruth]

If we got Diaw who would you take out of the rotation, blair or bonner??

No one. It's not fair to the team.

[Ice009]

The perfect role for Blair is to bring energy, scoring, and rebounding of the bench. I think that will allow him to be more consistent. Bonner is just not talented enough to be in the playoff rotation on a good team. He plays too soft.

Exactly man, exactly. He's just too soft and scared for playoff basketball.

Blair is not scared at all.

[crc21209]

Jax quote after the game: “Every day,” Jackson said Saturday, “I wish I wouldn’t have ever left.”

[silverblk mystix]

It's not a new one at all. I've been saying it for almost 2 years.

Even Barkley backed me up and said it, after I said it. He said Matt is the limo guy, he's the guy you send a limo for to make sure he gets to the game if you're the other team.

He simply gives the other team confidence.

Ever heard of Rasheed Wallace? I'm sure you recall his comments on Bonner to his teammates. They're just the ones we know about. Who knows that the rest of the NBA players say about him on the opposing team meetings when they game plan for the Spurs.

And I'm not going to welcome you back AT ALL.

I told you over two years ago that the Spurs should try and trade for Sjax when he first wanted out of Goldenstate and I believe it was you that said I'm an idiot and that RJ is a much better player.


Fuckin' pwned....nice...

[T Park]

It's not a new one at all. I've been saying it for almost 2 years.

Even Barkley backed me up and said it, after I said it. He said Matt is the limo guy, he's the guy you send a limo for to make sure he gets to the game if you're the other team.

He simply gives the other team confidence.

Ever heard of Rasheed Wallace? I'm sure you recall his comments on Bonner to his teammates. They're just the ones we know about. Who knows that the rest of the NBA players say about him on the opposing team meetings when they game plan for the Spurs.

And I'm not going to welcome you back AT ALL.

I told you over two years ago that the Spurs should try and trade for Sjax when he first wanted out of Goldenstate and I believe it was you that said I'm an idiot and that RJ is a much better player.


Im not welcomed back?

Im crushed.

[Nathan89]

Jax quote after the game: “Every day,” Jackson said Saturday, “I wish I wouldn’t have ever left.”

:cry We missed you to Jack...:cry

[Johnny RIngo]

Exactly man, exactly. He's just too soft and scared for playoff basketball.

Blair is not scared at all.

Blair's defense will hurt us in the playoffs though if we give him more than 10/15 mins a game. I'm still hoping that our big rotation will be Duncan, Splitter, Diaw/Turiaf.

[ace3g]

Cuban has his opinion of SJAX trade:

http://projectspurs.com/images/stories/Cuban_Project_Spurs.jpg


http://projectspurs.com/2012-articles/march/cuban-doesnt-care-about-spurs-getting-jackson.html

[Ditty]

Cuban has his opinion of SJAX trade:

http://projectspurs.com/images/stories/Cuban_Project_Spurs.jpg


http://projectspurs.com/2012-articles/march/cuban-doesnt-care-about-spurs-getting-jackson.html

:cry "Jackson was too physical with Dirk":cry

[Ice009]

oh lolz bonner sucks! he make other team so good! oh i knewz we shouldz have gotten stephen jackson like two yearses agos!

pwn3d with my takes.

Where we you two years ago dipshit? Probably sucking RJ's dick.

I wanted SJax back since 2004 and have been pretty consistent about it.

[Ice009]

Blair's defense will hurt us in the playoffs though if we give him more than 10/15 mins a game. I'm still hoping that our big rotation will be Duncan, Splitter, Diaw/Turiaf.

Definitely didn't say I want him playing more than 10-15 minutes a game.

In my other posts I've said I'd only play him 10 minutes a game, maybe up to 15 MAX.

We need another big though to make that work. I want Blair to slide down to at least the 4th big on the team, 5th would be ideal, and Bonner out of the playoff rotation completely, back to his 2007 role of warming the bench.

[ducks]

in the playoffs whoever booner is guarding they go to them

[DesignatedT]

That point is moot. I have seen that tactic fail just as many times as succeed.

[Vamos Manu]

Espero que Manu explote en los playoffs.
Soy Argentino y sé al igual que ustedes cuan importante es Manu en este equipo.
Espero que cuando se retire pueda hacerlo en los Spurs y que la #20 sea retirada.
Go Spurs !!!