Game Blog: Spurs @ Thunder - Game 4

[timtonymanu]

So did KY.

You talking about Leonard? He had 17. Not impossible for him to do.

[Budkin]

We were down 15 and lost by 6 and Blair will be taking all Bonner's minutes. Best thing about this game.

[Josepatches_]

Bonner -8 in 2:05 minutes is fucking awesome.
But Leonard had the worst +/- with -12 and surely he was our best player tonight.

I don't give a shit about +/- stats


Bonner played only 2 minutes.He sucks but we can put the loss on him.

[Spursmania]

OKC is going down game 5! There is no way their big 3 scores like that again. Their home crowd gave them the lift they needed to excel.

Plus no more Bonner will help. Kawhi rocked it tonight. He has shown he will be a player to contend with. Wow- really impressed. Parker sucked balls tonight and Manu made stupid turnovers.

[crc21209]

Another thing is that our role players will play way better at home and I'm pretty sure Ibaka, Perkins, Collins, and Sefolosha wont play this well in SA. They wont be as jacked up energy wise with the help from the crowd...

[Paranoid Pop]

You talking about Leonard? He had 17. Not impossible for him to do.

8 of 9 is pretty close to 11-11, especially since when you factor that KY took plenty of 3s.

[naico]

Tbh Pop wasn't that bad today. He made some good adjustments. They spread the floor better, the game plan was good. Diaw and Green both had lots of wide open shots. Diaw didn't hesitate this time around, last shots just weren't falling. Bonner got a shot to redeem himself, but he was horrible. Him being together with Green on the floor with both players looking for their ball sacs, was a a really bad stretch though.
Thought Parker was hesitant and hesitant while dribbling a little too much. Manu can play a lot better. TD was struggling a bit with his own demons in the first half but gave good effort nonetheless. Refs were horrible. Ibaka couldn't miss, Perk was getting away with a lot of things offensively, leading to easy baskets and KD was a monster in the end. All things considered it was still a close game. Jack and Leonard are getting really confident heading to game 5. Blair (with playing time) and TD will have a chip on their shoulder.

There's no reason to not be hopeful for a game 5 win.

[Spurs Brazil]

postgame news conference

Pop is next
http://www.nba.com/live1/

[Paranoid Pop]

OKC is going down game 5! There is no way their big 3 scores like that again. Their home crowd gave them the lift they needed to excel.

Westbrick scored in single digit, Harden didn't do much better I believe, it's 99% likely that their big 3 scores more in game 5 tbh.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Jackson

"If your'e Scared go to church"

[naico]

Kawhi played with tons of heart tonight. Loved the effort he gave and I wanted to give him a standing ovation for continuing to keep fighting out there.

Jax, Kawhi, Blair those guys showed they are tough and aren't giving in. We need to play our mentally strongest players.

I know Blair seems to be dumb bbiq wise at times, but honestly do you guys think he is mentally tough? I think he showed tonight that he is.

This.

[Darius Bieber]

Offense wins games. Defense wins championships. 'Nuff said.

[Stringer_Bell]

Well, I'm not underrating the Thunder by any means, but Spurs shouldn't feel pressure after that. They should be disappointed in themselves, but not giving up like some of the faggots on here. Seriously, grow some balls.

- I understood why Pop put Neal on Harden. When Danny Green isn't hitting shit, you know Neal can. You just risk giving up defense. Did you want Pop to go with Anderson instead?

- Ibaka and Perkins had the games of their lives and we still kept it close. It's a grey thing to point out, but it's true.

- Blair earned playing time for the rest of the series. Bonner is a lost cause like always. I don't give a shit about him.

- Duncan, Parker, and Manu better the wake the fuck up.

Agreed. TP and Manu getting cute with passes causes a lot of needless turnovers...Duncan came around in the 2nd half so I'm less concerned with him shitting the bed as the series goes on.

I'm actually energized by the second half of this game. No Bonner, TD hitting shots, Kawhi tearing it up. Look at the box score for the Spurs, that's a win any other night when Ibaka/Perkins aren't on god mode (which never happens for either, much less both at the same time).

Don't be scared, homies. This is awesome. Make love to the pressure (no rubber).

[ploto]

It will always be hard to counter the fact that Durant can play almost the entire game. He played 43 1/2 minutes tonight and could still play like that in the fourth quarter. Ibaka played 41 minutes.

For all the kudos for Durant's scoring, he also had 8 assists.

[Paranoid Pop]

Agreed. TP and Manu getting cute with passes causes a lot of needless turnovers...Duncan came around in the 2nd half so I'm less concerned with him shitting the bed as the series goes on.

I'm actually energized by the second half of this game. No Bonner, TD hitting shots, Kawhi tearing it up. Look at the box score for the Spurs, that's a win any other night when Ibaka/Perkins aren't on god mode (which never happens for either, much less both at the same time).

TP had only 1 turnover.

[Spursmania]

Westbrick scored in single digit, Harden didn't do much better I believe, it's 99% likely that their big 3 scores more in game 5 tbh.

I'm talking about Perkins, Ibaca and Collison.

[ducks]

manu 6 turnovers wow

[TDMVPDPOY]

duncan now has figured out how to score on perkins
He might break out soon
had a decent game this second half

duncan shouldnt hold on the ball too long, should always decide where his going to score first b4 receiving the ball, and attack straight away b4 the defender settles his foot...

parker and gino needs to limit their turnovers....

[Paranoid Pop]

manu 6 turnovers wow

Turnobili needs to play off the ball with a real PG.

[Ice009]

I cannot agree more. Captain Jack, Kawhi, and Blair looked like the only guys who gave a shit out there tonight. Props to Blair for showing up despite the fact that he has been on the bench for so long. He needs more playing time this series, because Bonner is playing like absolute shit right now.

Game 5 is do or die for the Spurs. Spurs better show up this time.

It's not as simple as Bonner playing like shit. He's mentally weak and scared shitless out there.

If everyone goes back to the first game of the season against the Thunder, Bonner shit the bed and make Collison look like a superstar. Remember kareem collison olajuwon? The first game of the season against the Thunder told the story of Bonner.

How in the fuck Pop continued to play Bonner in this series is beyond me. Before this game started it was obvious that he shouldn't play, but Pop decided to play him in the exact same situation as game 3 and the Thunder went on a 10-0 run again tonight. I really think that cost us the game this time as we were playing great at that point, unlike game 3 where we started poorly.


wow 22-25
perkins,collison and S. Ibaka



westbrook and harden still not shooting great


spurs still can do this

please do not insert booner for one minute pop

Perkollibaka! All the big men on the team were pathetic leaving these guys open and not even putting their hands up.


That will NEVER happen again. Especially not in SA.

People around here need to stop making assumptions. If you're going to play shit defense and leave players wide open like that and not even put your hands up, they sure as shit could have another great game. Splitter was atrocious at defending these guys. He didn't go up to them or even put his hands up at all.

Not happy at all with Splitter's soft ass play. Finesse bigs stink. GET DOWN AND DIRTY TIAGO.

[ducks]

duncan shouldnt hold on the ball too long, should always decide where his going to score first b4 receiving the ball, and attack straight away b4 the defender settles his foot...

parker and gino needs to limit their turnovers....

tp had 1 yes one turnover

spurs had 10 tonight

[Ice009]

I think sadly Manu and Duncan are gassed. The lack of days off in between is a killer like TIMVP said it would be.

So what's your call? Have you quit?

Game 5 will be a battle and the Spurs can definitely win it.

Home crowd MUST bring the intensity. Can't have a lazy, fat, soft Spurs home crowd for game 5.

[LakerHater]

Tiago Splitter Is Having A Bad Second Quarter

Spurs big man Tiago Splitter committed a turnover, nearly committed another, and has been punished defensively in the beginning of the second quarter. His combined defense with Boris Diaw (as Tim Duncan gets a breather) has been laughable. Serge Ibaka hit a wide-open jumper, Thabo Sefolosha and James Harden have scored buckets at the rim without much contest. Splitter has been more than passable so far in this series — especially in the Spurs' victories — but he's been an absolute negative in Game 4.
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/6/2/3059340/spurs-vs-thunder-game-4-nba-playoffs-2012-score-updates#ooid=FqZ2N4NDod3ucgI6L5X52Iynl4QDpjpF


Unsurprisingly, Duncan replaced Splitter after the next timeout.




9:18p by Ethan Rothstein

[Mugen]

So what's your call? Have you quit?


Wouldn't be the first time, tbh.

[Spursmania]

Carig Sager in his short red drawers-omg, please stop!!!:lmao:lmao

[Texas_Ranger]

Both Bonner and Splitter are playing like little girls.

[Shastafarian]

Both Bonner and Splitter are playing like little girls.

My 18 month old niece could run down the court with more grace than Matt Bonner.

[BatManu20]

Spurs are done, hopefully we can have a good off season and make some good moves, i knew this run was too good to be true, it's okay always a spurs fan. Kawhi will be huge next year.

Jesus you "fans" are pathetic. Fucking bandwagon fans. The series is tied 2-2. We still have HCA. If Ibaka doesn't have the game fo his life and Durant doesn't go God mode on us in the 4th we prob win this game. Green needs to start hitting open shots and hopefully we'll be alright. Believe man, damn. :flag:

[dbreiden83080]

My 18 month old niece could run down the court with more grace than Matt Bonner.

How is Bonner in the NBA exactly??

He can't defend
He can't rebound
He is soft as ice cream
He appears to be a dumb player
What can he do??

Make 3's.. If he can't make a 3 he is 100% useless..

That ensures him a roster spot and a 3 mil salary.. I shouldn't have quit playing ball when i was a kid..

[cutewizard]

game 5 is must win for us

[Spursmania]

Both Bonner and Splitter are playing like little girls.

True fact.

[Durant 35]

2-2 it is... What a series.

Game 5 could well decide it for whoever wins.

[Spursmania]

2-2 it is... What a series.

Game 5 could well decide it for whoever wins.


Definitely, whoever wins game 5 is heading to the finals. Odds are the SPurs will win. They will want blood and trying to beat a Championship team in their house is extremely difficult. If OKC can pull that geat feat off, they have not only defied the odds but they have come into their own.


But my money is with the Spurs. The fans will be rabid and carry the team home giving them the energy they need to knock down their shots and play better D. Plus, Ibaca and Perkins along with Collison will revert to who they really are.

[ballhog]

Yeah, definitely several Spurs can't play in OKC. Feel good about the next one. Some nice breaks by the refs would be ok too.

[TDMVPDPOY]

backdoor sweep, nothing has change much

[dbreiden83080]

Lets hope Ibaka leaves his jumper in OKC..

[ace3g]

Mike Monroe
Also in San Antonio Spurs

#RealCoachPop was real mad at #Spurs at halftime, and @DaTrilStak5 says they deserved every decibel: “I don’t think Gregg Popovich should have to come in this locker room and scream and kick to get guys to go in and play hard,”

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN

Stephen Jackson coming strong in postgame locker room. "They're being the hit-first team. We're just counterpunching."

[Arcadian]

Ibaka just had the game of his life. He will probably never score that many points in single game for remainder of his career - certainly not in this series. And we lost by 6...I'm okay with that. We're fine.

[Paranoid Pop]

Ibaka just had the game of his life. He will probably never score that many points in single game for remainder of his career - certainly not in this series. And we lost by 6...I'm okay with that. We're fine.

And Wesbrook and Harden wont score as little.

[ploto]

“I don’t think Gregg Popovich should have to come in this locker room and scream and kick to get guys to go in and play hard,”


We know that Pop has seemed to have to do too much of this himself in the last several years because no one on the team will do it.

[tkang456]

AHH forget all this. im depressed, im going for a drink

[Budkin]

And Wesbrook and Harden wont score as little.

And Paranoid Pop will be renamed Debbie Downer.

[racm]

On the bright side, the Spurs trimmed a 12 point halftime deficit and only lost by 6 at the end, and Durant had to take over whilst the Thunder bigs were getting touches.

The series shifts back to San Antonio, and this is where the Thunder will be truly tested. Both sides have drawn blood, but who will strike the decisive blow?

[Ice009]

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/06/02/spurs-can%E2%80%99t-survive-durant%E2%80%99s-daggers/

“They’re being the hit-first team,” Jackson said. “We’re just counterpunching.”

Jackson’s analysis also came with a bit of free advice for others in the locker room.

“If you’re scared, go to church,” Jackson said. “Tomorrow’s Sunday.”


http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/06/02/jackson-pop-gives-spurs-tongue-lashing-at-halftime/

“I don’t think Gregg Popovich should have to come in this locker room and scream and kick to get guys to go in and play hard,” Jackson said after the Thunder evened the best-of-7 series at two games apiece. “This is the Western Conference finals. I know a million people who want to be in our shoes. For him to have to come in here and scream at guys to play hard .?.?. I am shocked. Everybody should be ready to play. .?.?. We’ve got to show more emotion and more passion to want to win this thing.”

“Those (Oklahoma City) kids are playing hard,” he said. “They want it. I think we’ve got to get back to being that way.”

Jax needs more minutes IMO. Not sure if it's possible to start him because we can't have him getting fouls called on him. What do you guys think about starting him? Jack is right calling out some of the Spurs players. People like Bonner are flat out scared.

[TampaDude]

In a game on the road where OKC couldn't miss, Durant went nuts in the 4th (guess he didn't like being called out by ESPN) and the officiating was hopelessly biased against SA, we still had a chance to win. Spurs in 6. Book it.

[moisaenz]

There has to be some modifications..but to be this pessimistic shows how many bandwagon fans are out there... We all know these are pretty much the NBA Finals top two teams in the league fighting a close series...

Spurs in 6..

[tlongII]

OKC will most likely win in 6 or 7. I don't think the Spurs can win in OKC, but I think the Thunder can win in San Antonio.

[TampaDude]

OKC will most likely win in 6 or 7. I don't think the Spurs can win in OKC, but I think the Thunder can win in San Antonio.

I think the Trailblazers suck.

No, wait...I KNOW the Trailblazers suck. :lmao

[tlongII]

LOL at TNT with the My Way video.

This isn't a series. Why is everyone treating it like one?

Easy win for the Spurs.

Nice post! :lmao

[Harry Callahan]

OKC will most likely win in 6 or 7. I don't think the Spurs can win in OKC, but I think the Thunder can win in San Antonio.

And to think Kevin Durant was shunned by the genious Trailblazers.

Nothing you will say can change that for the next 10-12 years as he continues his likely hall of fame career.

I'm not sure why you continue to be a rather boring pest on ST.

A Blazer fan making fun of the Spurs abilities/accomplishments is like Rosie O'Donnell calling Charlize Theron homely.

Crawl back under the rock for a few months at least.

Even the Laker and Maverick fans have the good sense to tone it down at least a little bit the last couple of weeks.