View Full Version : Game Thread: Spurs vs. Thunder -- Nov 1, 2012
Mugen
11-01-2012, 11:42 PM
Manu makes everything so much easier for the 2nd unit bigs.
It's why the Thunder bench is goin to struggle with KMart instead of Harden. Just a huge downgrade for them IMO.
TDfan2007
11-01-2012, 11:44 PM
I still need to re-watch to see what the Spurs were doing to be so successful on defense. I have not been able to pin point anything yet in the last 6 quarters that led to the improvement. Obviously Kawhi getting 5 steals a game helps and Tim is playing well, but overall, I haven't studied it enough to see what big differences there are this year so far compared to last season.
The biggest difference is that shots are actually being contested from mid range. Last season the Spurs' defensive game plan was to avoid giving up 3's and shots at the rim, but they basically conceded mid range jumpers, which as we all know came back to haunt them against OKC in the playoffs. In the first two games of the season the Spurs are actually contesting shots from mid range, but still disrupting forays to the hoop and 3 point shots as well.
A big reason for this seems to be the limited minutes of Bonner, Blair, and Neal so far this season. Our lineups are quicker, and as a result guys are rotating well and contesting shots. Can't ask for much more, tbh.
ace3g
11-01-2012, 11:44 PM
One thing that will help the Spurs defense this year, is that it is Kawhi's 2nd year. He can be more aggressive against "star" players.
Solid D
11-01-2012, 11:45 PM
By the way...my new favorite commercial is the "Berry Pomegranite Mio" commercial. Hilarious. Every change of speaker has an entirely different set of surroundings. Run it in slow mo and see how many changes you can count. Mind bogglingly funny.
Salty
11-01-2012, 11:46 PM
Haven't seen anyone give props to Diaw for that pass out to Parker for the 3, very few big men could react the way Diaw did after Green fucked up the pass.
Brazil
11-01-2012, 11:50 PM
Diaw with two very solid games. He seems to be in very good shape and he is a very nice fit with this squad
Solid D
11-01-2012, 11:54 PM
Haven't seen anyone give props to Diaw for that pass out to Parker for the 3, very few big men could react the way Diaw did after Green ******* up the pass.
Yeah, I did. As part of a series of plays down the stretch, that was big. If Green's pass didn't lead Boris so much, he would have scored an easy 2 leaving the Spurs down by 1 with 30-35 secs. left. Instead, it was a bad pass and Boris made an awesome save to TP with the shot clock running down.
The biggest difference is that shots are actually being contested from mid range. Last season the Spurs' defensive game plan was to avoid giving up 3's and shots at the rim, but they basically conceded mid range jumpers, which as we all know came back to haunt them against OKC in the playoffs. In the first two games of the season the Spurs are actually contesting shots from mid range, but still disrupting forays to the hoop and 3 point shots as well.
A big reason for this seems to be the limited minutes of Bonner, Blair, and Neal so far this season. Our lineups are quicker, and as a result guys are rotating well and contesting shots. Can't ask for much more, tbh.
I'd agree with that assessment. Spurs won because of improved defense. Here's to hoping that this years Spurs will focus on defense.
Antidope
11-01-2012, 11:56 PM
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/files/2012/06/Durant-Westbrook-GIF.gif
SpurPadre
11-02-2012, 12:14 AM
If Green played one game like tonight in the WCF, the team would have received their Championship rings today before tipoff, tbh. Oh, well, this was one of the best feeling wins in the 2nd game of a season I remember having.
DapDaGenius
11-02-2012, 12:15 AM
WTF? Kawhi's steal pretty much sealed it for us. Are you high?
I know, I liked the steal and was proud of that, but I was talking about his shooting. It was kind of obvious that is what I was talking about. He did great with steals and helped win the game but that doesn't take away his bad shooting. Are you high? lol
SpurPadre
11-02-2012, 12:16 AM
Diaw with two very solid games. He seems to be in very good shape and he is a very nice fit with this squad
Agreed but we still need another big and shitcan Bonner, ASAP.
TampaDude
11-02-2012, 12:21 AM
Just like last night, if Manu plays, it's a double-digit win for the Spurs. Still, a W is a W.
TP was clutch. Diaw was hustling. Timmy...damn, Timmy...is it 2005? :hat
We're still UNDEFEATED, baby!
GO SPURS GO!!!!!
Arcadian
11-02-2012, 12:22 AM
Final score 86-84, opponent FG% 37.
I like it.
SpurPadre
11-02-2012, 12:25 AM
Final score 86-84, opponent FG% 37.
I like it.
I also like how Kawhi found a way to contribute by showing great hustle to make up for a bad shooting night. You just get the feeling that even on his off nights, he'll always find a way to make his mark on any game.
DapDaGenius
11-02-2012, 12:28 AM
How are you possibly disappointed in Kawhi's effort tonight? If your talking about his shot not falling, then you're missing the big picture of his stellar play the past two nights.
I'm not disappointed by his effort(as a matter of fact, I didn't even clarify what I was disappointed in with him, for all you know I could've been disappointed in his 4 turnovers), he put in a great effort, I was just referring to the shot not falling. He was taking good shots, don't get me wrong, but them not falling was what I was disappointed in. You might want to rearrange that last sentence, it just doesn't seem right.....his "stellar play?(Don't you mean plays) the past two nights".
I'm not saying he did a bad job, he took the shots he need, I was just having high hopes for him this game, It's not really him, it's more of me having higher expectations than what really happened(regarding his shots). Everything else was fine. You really are making it a bigger deal than I meant it to be, just said I was disappointed, I didn't say the guy sucked. But again, besides the shot not falling he played great and had "stellar" plays. With of course he had the steal which lead us to win the game.
timtonymanu
11-02-2012, 12:29 AM
I know, I liked the steal and was proud of that, but I was talking about his shooting. It was kind of obvious that is what I was talking about. He did great with steals and helped win the game but that doesn't take away his bad shooting. Are you high? lol
Fair enough. :lol. Tbh, I think some posters on here are expecting too much out of him. But I understand what you're saying now.
DapDaGenius
11-02-2012, 12:35 AM
I also like how Kawhi found a way to contribute by showing great hustle to make up for a bad shooting night. You just get the feeling that even on his off nights, he'll always find a way to make his mark on any game.
Yeah, his stealing really creates for the team. He had more steals than the rest of the team combined.
SpurPadre
11-02-2012, 12:36 AM
Fair enough. :lol. Tbh, I think some posters on here are expecting too much out of him. But I understand what you're saying now.
Pop saying in the offseason that Kawhi will be a star is the reason I think many of us are expecting more from him right now. I mean, that was an extremely rare thing for Pop to say, of all people. I think he will be but we gotta have a little more patience...at least during the regular season. I think we'll all be happy with how he'll be by the end of the season and on to the playoffs.
timtonymanu
11-02-2012, 12:38 AM
Pop saying in the offseason that Kawhi will be a star is the reason I think many of us are expecting more from him right now. I mean, that was an extremely rare thing for Pop to say, of all people. I think he will be but we gotta have a little more patience...at least during the regular season. I think we'll all be happy with how he'll be by the end of the season and on to the playoffs.
Oh yeah. I'm pertaining to certain posters that basically give up on Kawhi for one bad game. Won't name names, but certainly not the poster I just quoted.
DapDaGenius
11-02-2012, 12:38 AM
Fair enough. :lol. Tbh, I think some posters on here are expecting too much out of him. But I understand what you're saying now.
lol, yeah. Lots of posters are expecting a lot of him then again when someone is labeled with "The future of the Spurs", you can expect people to have high hopes for him.
timtonymanu
11-02-2012, 12:40 AM
lol, yeah. Lots of posters are expecting a lot of him then again when someone is labeled with "The future of the Spurs", you can expect people to have high hopes for him.
Like I just mentioned, I'm talking about those that have given up on him after one game. Definitely wasn't referring to you and I understand what you mean.
DapDaGenius
11-02-2012, 12:44 AM
Like I just mentioned, I'm talking about those that have given up on him after one game. Definitely wasn't referring to you and I understand what you mean.
I know you weren't, man.
LonghornMike
11-02-2012, 01:38 AM
Anyone catch subtle move Jackson put on Westbrook on the last play? When Westbrook was chasing Parker over the Jackson baseline screen, Jack taps Russ on his shoulder. To me, it looked like Russ thought it was Tony pushing off to change direction and reverse back cut, but instead Tony kept going, and Russ just chased Stephen Jackson's hand.
Am I making this up or do anyone see it too?
http://youtu.be/rbUyQm2Cc60?t=2s
timvp
11-02-2012, 01:44 AM
Anyone catch subtle move Jackson put on Westbrook on the last play? When Westbrook was chasing Parker over the Jackson baseline screen, Jack taps Russ on his shoulder. To me, it looked like Russ thought it was Tony pushing off to change direction and reverse back cut, but instead Tony kept going, and Russ just chased Stephen Jackson's hand.
Am I making this up or do anyone see it too?
http://youtu.be/rbUyQm2Cc60?t=2s
Good observation. Westchuck did react to that touch by Jackson.
Although it looks like the thing that really made the play was Parker's subtle studder step. If TP goes too fast under that screen, the play doesn't work. But by studder stepping, Westchuck was forced to either guess or turn around take his eye off the ball ... and thankfully he decided to guess.
spurs10
11-02-2012, 01:52 AM
Really beautiful! :flag:
LonghornMike
11-02-2012, 01:58 AM
"the thing that really made the play was Parker's subtle studder step"
So true timvp. But I can't discount anyone's efforts on that play. What a finish! That's the kind of execution and veteran savvy that's going to make this another fun year for a Spurs fan. It's good to be back on for the ride with you again you all again.
ace3g
11-02-2012, 02:07 AM
if you missed the game, it is on NBATV right now
justinandimcool
11-02-2012, 02:15 AM
I think Westbrook thought the ref was a Spur, tbh. In the replays you can see it. Maybe he gets caught up in the screens and thinks Danny's going right, but eh- I think he gets lost because his peripherals probably see a wide open grey shirt on that elbow three point line, so he sprints towards it. When he looks up and see it's some TOSB ref, he realizes his mistake and tries to recover, but he's already 40 feet away from Tony.
Yes, our ugly ass alternates won us the game.
Still gotta hit that shot though, good job TP/Pop.
ace3g
11-02-2012, 03:06 AM
http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/121101_parker
http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/121101_jackson
http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/121101_pop
I think Westbrook thought the ref was a Spur, tbh. In the replays you can see it. Maybe he gets caught up in the screens and thinks Danny's going right, but eh- I think he gets lost because his peripherals probably see a wide open grey shirt on that elbow three point line, so he sprints towards it. When he looks up and see it's some TOSB ref, he realizes his mistake and tries to recover, but he's already 40 feet away from Tony.
Yes, our ugly ass alternates won us the game.
Still gotta hit that shot though, good job TP/Pop.
PATFO probably had that in mind when designing the alt uniforms :lol
Fireball
11-02-2012, 05:20 AM
Just watched the game ... it was great ... that Duncan facial on Ibaka got me pretty excited ... Kawhi still making an impact ... Tony Parker with two clutch baskets. With Manu in the lineup we might be able to best the Thunder this season ...
Obstructed_View
11-02-2012, 05:45 AM
If shooting and confidence don't go cold for four straight in the postseason I think the Spurs have a shot with almost anyone.
Fireball
11-02-2012, 06:39 AM
If the Heat are healthy, nobody will beat them ... but I would love to see the Spurs at least get a shot and reach the Finals
DieHardSpursFan1537
11-02-2012, 08:29 AM
Great game to watch and phenomneal finish for Parker.
ElNono
11-02-2012, 09:30 AM
I still need to re-watch to see what the Spurs were doing to be so successful on defense. I have not been able to pin point anything yet in the last 6 quarters that led to the improvement. Obviously Kawhi getting 5 steals a game helps and Tim is playing well, but overall, I haven't studied it enough to see what big differences there are this year so far compared to last season.
Two things I noticed so far:
1) When TD is out there, every shot is contested. Having Diaw being active next to him ensures there's little weak spots near the rim.
2) Jack and his size and physicality on D have been a high point defensively from the bench. When Pop doesn't undermine it playing the usual softies under the basket, the bench isn't leaking leaking like a sieve.
If shooting and confidence don't go cold for four straight in the postseason I think the Spurs have a shot with almost anyone.
The game showed to me that these Spurs aren't as reliant on 3s to fall as the past two seasons, and can win ugly if need be. OKC shot below 40 percent - a tough act for a team with a potential 50/40/90 guy in Kevin Durant and an elite scorer in Kevin Martin.
Richie
11-02-2012, 11:42 AM
If shooting and confidence don't go cold for four straight in the postseason I think the Spurs have a shot with almost anyone.
Being honest, we probably can't beat a healthy Heat team. They're too deep. If we get good seeding we could win the West though.
emanueldavidginobili
11-02-2012, 12:04 PM
I still need to re-watch to see what the Spurs were doing to be so successful on defense. I have not been able to pin point anything yet in the last 6 quarters that led to the improvement. Obviously Kawhi getting 5 steals a game helps and Tim is playing well, but overall, I haven't studied it enough to see what big differences there are this year so far compared to last season.
They're just playing harder tougher defense so far this year and not taking breaks off on defense, thats what it looks like to me.
emanueldavidginobili
11-02-2012, 12:18 PM
With a healthy Manu and a healthy team I do think the Spurs can beat the Thunder in a 7 game series. Letting Harden go was huge I know Martin can flat out shoot but Harden controlled the whole second unit, he was tough he was the floor general and the playmaker and also was tough on defense, now when the second unit is out there Manu should shred the second unit, Martin cant play D especially on Manu, and I think our bench can dominate them now, the big thing is our role players have to come to play in the playoffs, if Green Jax Neal Tiago Kawhi come to play and we play defense the full 48 we have a good shot. Im more worried about the Lakers than the Thunder tbh
Richie
11-02-2012, 12:25 PM
The other important point that seems to have been overlooked is that now Sefolosha won't be guarding Parker. It was his great D on Parker that turned the tide in the WCF, but without Harden to guard Manu the Thunder will surely have to play Westbrook on Parker and Sefelosha on Manu.
Great win. Btw anyone else see how brutal our November schedule is? Wow. Glad to have this game sans Manu.
Raven
11-02-2012, 02:18 PM
that's what happens when you don't design plays that involve udoka as your go-to-guy
Obstructed_View
11-02-2012, 02:29 PM
The game showed to me that these Spurs aren't as reliant on 3s to fall as the past two seasons, and can win ugly if need be. OKC shot below 40 percent - a tough act for a team with a potential 50/40/90 guy in Kevin Durant and an elite scorer in Kevin Martin.
Absolutely. Falling back on defense is always a better way to go.
Obstructed_View
11-02-2012, 02:31 PM
Being honest, we probably can't beat a healthy Heat team. They're too deep. If we get good seeding we could win the West though.
Hence the "almost". They're amazingly skilled, and they play incredible defense. Now they're attracting title chasers to fill in the gaps as role players. A Spurs team not focusing on defense can't beat Miami, but I'd love to see them get a shot at it if they're locking down again.
crc21209
11-02-2012, 06:28 PM
The defense has looked pretty damn good to me for the most part since the second half of the New Orleans game. I'm interested to see if that continues, and if Pop finally sticks Bonner's ass on the bench where he belongs...
The biggest difference is that shots are actually being contested from mid range. Last season the Spurs' defensive game plan was to avoid giving up 3's and shots at the rim, but they basically conceded mid range jumpers, which as we all know came back to haunt them against OKC in the playoffs. In the first two games of the season the Spurs are actually contesting shots from mid range, but still disrupting forays to the hoop and 3 point shots as well.
A big reason for this seems to be the limited minutes of Bonner, Blair, and Neal so far this season. Our lineups are quicker, and as a result guys are rotating well and contesting shots. Can't ask for much more, tbh.
Conceding the contested mid-range has always been the Spurs' defensive MO. It works against most teams except OKC (which has Durant and Westbrooke) and Dallas (Dirk and Terry) - all excellent mid-range shooters. Probably why DAL has always given them problems - went against Spurs' defensive philosophy - guarding the rim and 3s.
The defense has looked pretty damn good to me for the most part since the second half of the New Orleans game. I'm interested to see if that continues, and if Pop finally sticks Bonner's ass on the bench where he belongs...
Vital statistic: Matt Bonner has played zero second half minutes in the season so far. :toast
Conceding the contested mid-range has always been the Spurs' defensive MO. It works against most teams except OKC (which has Durant and Westbrooke) and Dallas (Dirk and Terry) - all excellent mid-range shooters. Probably why DAL has always given them problems - went against Spurs' defensive philosophy - guarding the rim and 3s.
Thankfully, however, Pop now has guys who can afford to contest the mid-range - or prevent attempts from there entirely.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.