Game Blog: Spurs @ Thunder - Game 3

[Johnny RIngo]

Is there any time under any circumstances when Bonner will hit a shot?

37% field goal percentage and dropping every game this post-season

[Nathan89]

Is there any time under any circumstances when Bonner will hit a shot?


The regular season.

He needs to be traded or amnestied.

[naico]

Greg Ostertag sighting

[spursfanincolorado]

Where is KL? He took a sip from Pop's wine?

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

This one is over. I'll take 20 straight victories. One loss isn't going to kill the Spurs no matter how big of a loss margin it is. Let's also note that Okc CANNOT win in San Antonio as it has shown the past couple years.

I'm calling this series a 5 or 6 games.

[$pursDynasty]

i repeat if Bonner isn't hitting 3's he isn't just useless, he is a liability, Splitter needs to be in the game he deosn't deserve to be sitting w/ the starters, lol

[Quiet Strength]

Bonner with the hot hand lol

[SpurPadre]

Is there any time under any circumstances when Bonner will hit a shot?

wait til the regular season next season and you'll see a competent Bonner.

[SpursFaninMS]

I don't know if Blair can be a huge difference maker, but it is time to get him out there for some meaningful minutes.

[Spurs Brazil]

Bonner still can't get a board

[InRareForm]

Free blair!!!

[Darius Bieber]

You're pathetic for wanting players to get injured.

Haha come on now man, picking a fight with someone over the internet? It was a comment. Don't be all butt hurt about it.

[pikkiwoki]

Jalen Rose on espn just said the Spurs are lucky they're not down 0-3 since they almost blew a 22 point lead on Tuesday night and he thinks OKC gave game 1 away.

fuck jalen rose. dude can barely speak engllish

[$pursDynasty]

good point by announcers, Spurs got outtoughed tonight, we need more Blair next game less Bonner, heck Less Splitter if he doesn't play better than he did, some one to get up in Perkin's grill.

[spursparker9]

Bonner is only useful in regular season.

[turkish spurs fan]

popovich did not care this game. tried interesting things.

[Quiet Strength]

I don't know if Blair can be a huge difference maker, but it is time to get him out there for some meaningful minutes.

When the spurs are sucking ass its not so bad trying him but his defense is very bad and he fouls alot.

[Shastafarian]

i repeat Bonner isn't just useless, he is a liability

fify

[DMC]

Bonner is only useful in regular season.
Insightful observation. Never considered it but you could be right.

[Supergirl]

Well, this game sucked. Hope this loss lights a fire in the Spurs, because the momentum is now in OKC's hands.

No it's not. OKC needed to win this game - they would be dead in the water if they went 0-3. And the refs were only too happy to oblige. So, Pop, reading the situation correctly, pulls his starters for good in the 3rd, and the game becomes a rout.

Spurs will win game 4, OKC probably squeaks out a game 5 win with more ref help, and Spurs will close it out in 6. That's my prediction.

[rasho8]

Our mills in instead of Neal, put Blair in instead of bonner.

Mills can stay in front of anyone and Blair isn't a bitch.

[DMC]

You guys are going to shit when the Thunder do this again in game 4.

[siraulo23]

Thunder dominated this game
Sefalosha's d on parker was terrific

But I hate pop waving the white flag so damn early. Really pop? anderson getting mins when there's so time left??

Spurs most definitely still would lose this game but cmon

[Quiet Strength]

popovich did not care this game. tried interesting things.

What I want to know is what adjustments he's going to make in game 4.

[Whisky Dog]

This is going to be a hard series now. The time to kill them was tonight but the Spurs didn't show up to do it.

Now they're going to be playing well and the series is going to be tough.

We could lose this series

[SpurPadre]

Blair should play over Bonner no doubt but the big adjustment has to be how to counter that asshole Sefolosha defending TP.

[Supergirl]

You guys are going to shit when the Thunder do this again in game 4.

they won't. Spurs will adjust, Thunder will fall apart again, and Spurs will find their groove again. BELIEVE.

[SpursFaninMS]

good point by announcers, Spurs got outtoughed tonight, we need more Blair next game less Bonner, heck Less Splitter if he doesn't play better than he did, some one to get up in Perkin's grill.

Agree to a slight extent. It is cliched, though, and too easy to throw out the "tough" card.

The story tonight was Sefalosha. He took away the guy that our offense runs through.

[pikkiwoki]

No it's not. OKC needed to win this game - they would be dead in the water if they went 0-3. And the refs were only too happy to oblige. So, Pop, reading the situation correctly, pulls his starters for good in the 3rd, and the game becomes a rout.

Spurs will win game 4, OKC probably squeaks out a game 5 win with more ref help, and Spurs will close it out in 6. That's my prediction.

isn't game 6 in OKC

[spurspokesman]

Spurstalk fixing to be unbearable until Saturday's game TBH.

:lmao

Probably. A win can't be expected every game but play with conviction and make it respectable. Nothing more or less.

[InRareForm]

This is going to be a hard series now. The time to kill them was tonight but the Spurs didn't show up to do it.

Now they're going to be playing well and the series is going to be tough.

We could lose this series

hahahah wow.

Same logic as I might cross the street and a car could hit me and I could diee!

[spursparker9]

Is it just me or I feel that bonner's posture of running kinda look like an idiot?

[Knoxxx]

The subsitutions were just pretty weird tonight. Not enough Leonard, too much Bonner, then logically Blair was the first relic we should have dusted off not James freakin Anderson.

Also Brooks FINALLY found his best five, which was as simple as benching Perkins for Harden, DUH.

Against that OKC lineup, certain people can't seem to play at all, Splitter comes to mind.

[Libri]

Reporters are going to be terrified to ask Pop any questions.

[sammy]

This game sucks! Too many turnovers, Parker playing like shit and throwing crappy passes to Duncan and another turnover! Can't buy a free throw from the refs and these little bitches ratching up the score after Pop pulled starters in the beginning of the 4th! Really, if they get hurt they deserve it! All of the hacking and grabbing and no calls! I would so love to see some hard fouls from Blair or Bonner, who did nothing tonight except throw bricks! After, that bitch Sefolosha did not even attempt a shot at the ball and went for Manu's throat! I wanted some payback for that shit!:bang

Oh well, Spurs in 5! Fuck you OKC!

[Supergirl]

isn't game 6 in OKC

doesn't matter, Spurs can win in OKC

[rasho8]

Blair would do good on the glass if he tried.

[Spurologist]

SpursTalk has seen this story countless times but we're probably due for another meltdown.

:rollin

[TE]

I hope Blair gets some burn next game, I can't believe I'm saying that.

[SpurPadre]

You guys are going to shit when the Thunder do this again in game 4.


Are you even a Spurs fan? What's with the defeatist mentality. We ARE winning Game 4. Stop with that bullshit.

[shingo_318]

bonner is such a clown, should never see the floor

[ShoogarBear]

:lol Blair getting double figures in garbage time.

[Quiet Strength]

lol blair. At least he can score against okc's scrubs. Bonner cant score against anyone.

[ShoogarBear]

bonner is such a clown, should never see the floor

He certainly never sees the rim.

[naico]

Spur player of the game: Blair

[Supergirl]

People here don't seem to get it. Pop saw the way the refs were calling this game and pulled our guys early - Did anyone even play 30 minutes tonight? I don't think so. Pop would rather give this one to OKC, let them pump themselves up like they've actually done anything, and get back to business in Game 4. He's done it before. In just about every playoff series I've watched him coach, in fact.

[pikkiwoki]

blair earning more PT next game

[Spurologist]

:lmao :lmao

Fisher flopping in garbage time

[Jumi]

Is it just me or I feel that bonner's posture of running kinda look like an idiot?
this

I thought that as well!!! There's nothing "masculine" about that guy!

[Spurologist]

:lmao :lmao

Fisher flopping in garbage time

[Budkin]

Everyone be thankful that no one got injured. It's one loss no matter by how much.

[Johnny RIngo]

The regular season.

He needs to be traded or amnestied.

I hear that Lorbek guy is a good shooter. Let's hope he's clutch unlike this red headed faggot

[Admidave50]

Just lame and lazy effort from our team tonight!

But we ALWAYS have this kind of showings in each of our playoffs, including our championship runs.

Our goal is just to get 1 win on the road!

So, time to regroup, focus, get the swagger back and be N-A-S-T-Y!

[Nathan89]

I forgot what defeat tasted like...It taste like shit.

[sammy]

Reporters are going to be terrified to ask Pop any questions.

LOL! The idiots are going to ask some stupid questions and Pop with either laser them with a stare or not answer! He'll say "Next question? :lol

[naico]

Sefolosha giving us a do over.

[pikkiwoki]

Soooo........Bonner is our Chosen1?

[Johnny RIngo]

Blair would do good on the glass if he tried.

He'd be a solid rotation player if he was in shape.

[Darius Bieber]

LOL! The idiots are going to ask some stupid questions and Pop with either laser them with a stare or not answer! He'll say "Next question? :lol

Reporters are always scared to ask Pop questions tbh

[RashoFan]

Oh well, none of our guys got injured during this game, The starters got some rest and perhaps there was info gathered and CIA Pop will bust out some crazy lineup in game 4 that will take the wind out of OKC's sails.

Having said that....Let the ST meltdown festivities begin.... :lol


BELIEVE

[wut]

The subsitutions were just pretty weird tonight. Not enough Leonard, too much Bonner, then logically Blair was the first relic we should have dusted off not James freakin Anderson.

Also Brooks FINALLY found his best five, which was as simple as benching Perkins for Harden, DUH.

Against that OKC lineup, certain people can't seem to play at all, Splitter comes to mind.
yeh agree with all these points.

Here's the thing though; when the Spurs lose a game it looks all the same. Parker is somehow unable to score on penetrations and the rest of the team wilts.

It seemed like Pop went WAAAY too early to Bonner tonight and not Splitter and Manu lineup.

[sammy]

lol blair. At least he can score against okc's scrubs. Bonner cant score against anyone.

True!:toast Blair should play over that worthless Bonner! True to form, Bonner is shitting bricks once again in the playoffs!:bang

[pikkiwoki]

Sefoloshit matched his season high LMAO. f-l-u-k-e

[SpurPadre]

People here don't seem to get it. Pop saw the way the refs were calling this game and pulled our guys early - Did anyone even play 30 minutes tonight? I don't think so. Pop would rather give this one to OKC, let them pump themselves up like they've actually done anything, and get back to business in Game 4. He's done it before. In just about every playoff series I've watched him coach, in fact.


What you don't get is that the team can't simply get back to business, they need to make adjustments. Sefolosha looked like a hall of famer out there tonight and he owned us defensively. We need to counter that and make some changes. The Thunder have clearly made some other adjustments in terms of ball movement, too. We will not beat them playing the same way we played in Game 2 from here on out. Changes have to be made.

[SpursFaninMS]

Sefoloshit matched his season high LMAO. f-l-u-k-e

The defense wasn't, though.

We've got to figure out a way to get Parker free to start our offense.

[Darius Bieber]

Here's my point on it.. I think there doesn't need to be any adjustments for Game 4. Why? Because Pop already made adjustments and found out they didn't work.

He experimented with the Line-Ups when the Spurs were down about 8 or so. We were up by 2 at the end of the first, with basically our normal subs and rotations. I just think tonight's game is on Pop's decision to pick and pull the rotation. Watch out for Game 4.

[Typical London Boy]

Thus far in the series, Bonner has a total of 4 points in 51 minutes. Total garbage.

[Crookshanks]

People here don't seem to get it. Pop saw the way the refs were calling this game and pulled our guys early - Did anyone even play 30 minutes tonight? I don't think so. Pop would rather give this one to OKC, let them pump themselves up like they've actually done anything, and get back to business in Game 4. He's done it before. In just about every playoff series I've watched him coach, in fact.

You just make too much sense for some of these knuckleheads on here! :lol

I'm sure Pop is glad the winning streak is over so the media will quit talking about it. He let the starters stew on the bench and watch this travesty of a game. Our guys are smart veterans and they'll watch film and disect this game and make the needed adjustments for game 4. We won't have all of our guys play this crappy all at once again. And, Pop didn't want any of his players injured in this worthless game. Now the Spurs can get back to business and continue their quest for another one of these: :lobt:


:flag:

[SpurPadre]

Sefoloshit matched his season high LMAO. f-l-u-k-e


Offensively, yes but his defense is NOT a fluke. That fucker needs to hit the deck on Saturday. I say someone needs to set a hard pick on that bitch. It would've been nice if Bonner actually did something positive and do a Robert Horry on Steve Nash bum rush on the fuck tonight.

[SpurPadre]

You just make too much sense for some of these knuckleheads on here! :lol

I'm sure Pop is glad the winning streak is over so the media will quit talking about it. He let the starters stew on the bench and watch this travesty of a game. Our guys are smart veterans and they'll watch film and disect this game and make the needed adjustments for game 4. We won't have all of our guys play this crappy all at once again. And, Pop didn't want any of his players injured in this worthless game. Now the Spurs can get back to business and continue their quest for another one of these: :lobt:


:flag:
Well no need to insult fellow fans. Let them vent and let's try to think about what kind of adjustments will need to be made.

[SpursFaninMS]

Offensively, yes but his defense is NOT a fluke. That fucker needs to hit the deck on Saturday. I say someone needs to set a hard pick on that bitch. It would've been nice if Bonner actually did something positive and do a Robert Horry on Steve Nash bum rush on the fuck tonight.

Agree. Get Blair out there to lay the wood once.

Everyone keeps talking about the personnel rotations. It didn't matter who was out there. We never got the offense started because of Sefalosha.

[DMC]

Blonde bimbo "test the mic? This one?" no stupid, the one between my legs.

[SpurPadre]

Here's my point on it.. I think there doesn't need to be any adjustments for Game 4. Why? Because Pop already made adjustments and found out they didn't work.

He experimented with the Line-Ups when the Spurs were down about 8 or so. We were up by 2 at the end of the first, with basically our normal subs and rotations. I just think tonight's game is on Pop's decision to pick and pull the rotation. Watch out for Game 4.

I hope Pop doesn't think like this because adjustments CLEARLY need to be made. We let OKC score 111 points on Tuesday and then get blown the fuck out tonight. Pop experimented with line-ups but he didn't really counter Sefolosha on TP. He might end up starting Manu or SJax over Green for Game 2. He might finally accept the worthless waste of space that is Bonner and have Blair steal all his minutes. Those are some good places to start making changes.

[HI-FI]

People here don't seem to get it. Pop saw the way the refs were calling this game and pulled our guys early - Did anyone even play 30 minutes tonight? I don't think so. Pop would rather give this one to OKC, let them pump themselves up like they've actually done anything, and get back to business in Game 4. He's done it before. In just about every playoff series I've watched him coach, in fact.

that's how i saw it. you know the refs and the league would have done everything in their power to give this game to OKC, so Pop didn't even stress about it. it would have taken a momentous and taxing effort to overcome a hyped up Thunder + refs, so I think he decided to experiment with some things.

if we can't beat these clowns, then that will suck but Pop seemed to be thinking more long term.

[Obstructed_View]

What you don't get is that the team can't simply get back to business, they need to make adjustments. Sefolosha looked like a hall of famer out there tonight and he owned us defensively. We need to counter that and make some changes. The Thunder have clearly made some other adjustments in terms of ball movement, too. We will not beat them playing the same way we played in Game 2 from here on out. Changes have to be made.

But it's so much easier for Pop to act like a clown and put in ridiculous rotations and not even run pick and rolls anymore.

[LakerHater]

Not worried....unless they win one in AT&T Center!

[cutewizard]

Blair played well to be honest, Pop should consider using him more

[cutewizard]

Actually, we were in the game pretty much in the first half, down by manageable margin, and then the turnovers came

Turnovers really did us tonight

sad

[timtonymanu]

I didn't get to catch the game so since the game has been over for quite some time and some people cooled off.

Was this a worrisome game? I know we lost by 20, but were the Spurs just outplayed tonight? Or was there more concerning issues to take from the game?

[LakerHater]

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1082566/Blqto_medium.jpg

[Supergirl]

Of course, adjustments will have to be made. Adjustments are always ongoing. But Selofasha or whatever the fuck his name is still a scrub who isn't gonna have the night he had most nights. Spurs still played good D on Durant and Westbrook, but refs decided that any time the Spurs made a run or got a good clean stop, that meant they had to call a foul on the Spurs. That was just how the game was going to be called. Maybe it's just homerism giving the fans what they want, maybe it's the refs being paid, maybe both. Who knows. But as someone already said, I'm actually sure Pop is relieved to have the winning streak over so the Spurs can go back to flying under the radar.

Look for Parker and Manu to get going early in Game 4, and get Timmy involved early. Spurs will get either Ibaka, Perkins, or Collison fouled out for their attempts to defend Timmy. I think Game 4 and 5 will both be close, and the Spurs will win at least one. Maybe 2.

[SpurPadre]

I didn't get to catch the game so since the game has been over for quite some time and some people cooled off.

Was this a worrisome game? I know we lost by 20, but were the Spurs just outplayed tonight? Or was there more concerning issues to take from the game?

Sefolosha switching to TP is major cause for concern because his length bothered him all night and that was the major reason we lost tonight. The Spurs need to counter that move but the worrying signs have been there since Game 2 in the 4th quarter and allowing OKC to score 111 points that night.

[pikkiwoki]

Actually, we were in the game pretty much in the first half, down by manageable margin, and then the turnovers came

Turnovers really did us tonight

sad

yup i really liked the way we weathered the storm in the first quarter. we had the ogayc crowd shitting their panties for a second there.

[cutewizard]

How about Duncan, Blair then Parker, Leonard and Anderson to start?

so that the second team is incredibly strong:
Splitter, Diaw, Green, Jackson, then Manu as facilitator

just trying some combinations here

Blair and Anderson actually played well in garbage minutes

[Supergirl]

Actually, we were in the game pretty much in the first half, down by manageable margin, and then the turnovers came

Turnovers really did us tonight

sad

But what got recorded as a TO was a lot of OKC getting away with things that should be called as fouls, but weren't. Then the one or two times the refs actually called a foul (you know to make it at least LOOK fair) Durant complained like a little bitch and the refs immediately gave OKC two make up calls. That's the kind of game it was tonight. OKC didn't out play us, the refs did.

[pikkiwoki]

Sefolosha switching to TP is major cause for concern because his length bothered him all night and that was the major reason we lost tonight. The Spurs need to counter that move but the worrying signs have been there since Game 2 in the 4th quarter and allowing OKC to score 111 points that night.

not worried about sefolosha on TP tbh. if jeremy freaking lin and pringles could overcome Marion's D, TP/Pop will figure out sefohosha

[SpurPadre]

How about Duncan, Blair then Parker, Leonard and Anderson to start?

so that the second team is incredibly strong:
Splitter, Diaw, Green, Jackson, then Manu as facilitator

just trying some combinations here

Blair and Anderson actually played well in garbage minutes

No, I think it's time to reinsert Manu in the starting lineup and make the Thunder think twice about Sefolosha keying on TP.

[cutewizard]

Did anyone see Manu on the bench? that was during the closing minutes He was pissed i think

hahahaha

[cutewizard]

No, I think it's time to reinsert Manu in the starting lineup and make the Thunder think twice about Sefolosha keying on TP.



watch out for Manu next game boys!!!!!


hell, yeah

[SpurPadre]

not worried about sefolosha on TP tbh. if jeremy freaking lin and pringles could overcome Marion's D, TP/Pop will figure out sefohosha

I wouldn't make that comparison. Marion is an overrated defender, his D only stuck out because he played for a suns team that didn't have players or a coach who could spell the word 'defense'

[TampaDude]

Just coasting, tbh... :lol

[DMC]

We were in the game until we weren't in the game, then we weren't in the game for the rest of the game.

[pikkiwoki]

I wouldn't make that comparison. Marion is an overrated defender, his D only stuck out because he played for a suns team that didn't have players or a coach who could spell the word 'defense'

parker and pop >>>>>>> lin and pringles

[Capster]

Thanks for putting that in perspective. What a bummer game!!!:flag:

[Capster]

Is it just me or I feel that bonner's posture of running kinda look like an idiot?

Agree, he looks kinda goofy.

[Capster]

Media talking point tomorrow:

Thunder Expose Spurs

You are sooo WRONG!!!:flag:

[ploto]

Be willing to give respect to OKC for how they played tonight. The excuses and whining are pitiful. The Spurs simply got outplayed.

[DontStopBelieving]

ugh.. I dread game threes.

You just know that OKC is going to come out red hot and fluke their way to a lead that the Spurs probably won't be able to overcome..

:depressed

[G-Dawgg]

Turn overs and poor execution was a major issue. The Spurs couldn't throw it in the ocean today.. we shot very poorly, we shot less from 2pt range than we did from 3pt range. -Fail

[Durant 35]

Great win which was needed... Thabo was great in all areas...

Bring on saturday

[therealtruth]

No, I think it's time to reinsert Manu in the starting lineup and make the Thunder think twice about Sefolosha keying on TP.

I think Jax may be the better option. He can take Westbrook in the post.

[Limguogolo]

OKC did what Euro teams always do against France with FNT. A good defender on Parker (Westbrook is shit, and I remember Batum saying that Sefolosha was the best defender in the league, no Howard, Westbrook or Ibaka...) and double team him in high pick and roll. Parker has said that in this condition he passes the ball to Diaw or Duncan, but I've nothing of that. And when finally Duncan has the ball, it's an isolation and four other guys stop moving... As the spacing and the ball movement is the best thing for the team, that's not good.

They need to be more aggressive on the movements, make screens, and move this damn ball with confident passes. And it's not possible if Parker keeps dribbling and Diaw don't ask for the ball -- or other players. Against two players, it's almost a turnover. And obviously he needs to pass the ball before the help. If he continues to move off the ball, Sefolosha will have the same problem Westbrook has had in the traffic. There's no secret, Sefo on Parker was a major impact, but the Spurs were also too moribund, less implicated and aware.

And if Parker can't give the ball to Diaw or if Diaw turn the ball over, perhaps it's time to experiment for one game Splitter, then Diaw playing with Ginobili in the second unit.

But less Westbrook, a more implicated Durant and more minutes for Sefolosha, it's automatically a better team.

[Obstructed_View]

Sefolosha switching to TP is major cause for concern because his length bothered him all night and that was the major reason we lost tonight. The Spurs need to counter that move but the worrying signs have been there since Game 2 in the 4th quarter and allowing OKC to score 111 points that night.

The way you counter it is to have a big man set a pick out at the three point line. The only pick and roll the Spurs ran before the game was out of hand was with Gary Neal and Matt Bonner which resulted in an offensive foul.

[DBMethos]

The way you counter it is to have a big man set a pick out at the three point line. The only pick and roll the Spurs ran before the game was out of hand was with Gary Neal and Matt Bonner which resulted in an offensive foul.

This. Pick and rolls were sadly nonexistent in this game. I can't remember I saw the Spurs run so many iso's.

[therealtruth]

The way you counter it is to have a big man set a pick out at the three point line. The only pick and roll the Spurs ran before the game was out of hand was with Gary Neal and Matt Bonner which resulted in an offensive foul.

I agree they need more spacing on their pick and rolls and to allow the guard to attack the big man at full speed.