Pop: "We Ran Out of Gas"

[timvp]

Pop after the Knicks game: "We ran out of gas. Guys busted their butts -- I'm really proud of their effort. They just didn't have enough in the tank after that road trip. Tony was exhausted. He tried to play great -- he had 12 assists and no turnovers -- but couldn't throw it in the ocean. We got tired, we definitely got tired ... Down the stretch after we got the lead, we turned into a turnover machine. Lost our momentum, gave them the momentum and lost the lead. But it started with turnovers and bad decision on some shots."





Discuss :stirpot:

[jeebus]

:lol

[ElNono]

It's 8 games into the season and a day of rest... come on son...

If that's the truth, it doesn't bode well at all

[SA210]

He's full of crap. Sorry excuse really

[DesignatedT]

If he says they are tired then they must be tired. He's around them all day everyday.

Like he cares enough about what people think to make excuses.... lol no.

[Fabbs]

Play your bench numb nutts.
Sit there and watch them "run out of gas". :bang

[superjames1992]

If Tony is tired at 30 after a day's rest, maybe he should just retire.

[Chomag]

Knicks played the same amount of minutes as the Spurs

Just sayin...

[ElNono]

I thought Tony was young and could play extended minutes? :rolleyes

I guess Felton wasn't tired, tbh

[Stabula]

A home game after a day of rest and the team was too tired to compete? Wtf kind of excuse is that?

[DesignatedT]

Yeah he should have played the bench if they were tired.

[jeebus]

:pop: Tony, I know you're tired, so get in there, drive the paint, and chuck up as many shots as you can. Tiago, you've made 13 straight points but this is Tony's time to shine.

[justinandimcool]

sit them. what the fuck. especially Manu. seriously risking injury if you continue to play his bum 50% healthy ass. and you could tell Tony was off rhythm this game, just don't play him.

[ElNono]

:pop: Tony, I know you're tired, so get in there, drive the paint, and chuck up as many shots as you can. Tiago, you've made 13 straight points but this is Tony's time to shine.

Didn't you hear?! Manu's 3 turnovers!

[TDMVPDPOY]

tp didnt look tired playing half ass midget defense on felton, he sure didnt look tired when he went hero mode in the 4th...

suddenly he morphed into russel westbrick with the bad shot selections

[weebo]

Can't win them all.

[hater]

:lmao claiming guys were tired vs. the oldest team in the league

[Dingle Barry]

Knicks played the same amount of minutes as the Spurs

Just sayin...

yeah but they're a young team

[Arcadian]

Sounds pretty accurate to me. I mean, they looked tired in the 4th quarter.

It's one thing to ask why they were tired. That would be a good question.

But if you really would accuse Pop of lying or making false excuses...that's completely untrue.

[DPG21920]

:lmao 8 games into the season with a team that has one of the deepest benches and has their superstars minutes managed more than any other group in the league is gassed.












































:lmao

[jeebus]

Didn't you hear?! Manu's 3 turnovers!

:pop:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yty97KQXNpw

:pop:

[silverblk mystix]

Thanks for calling those strategic time-outs in the 4th qtr when the spurs started losing the lead. That really helped the players that were out of gas.

Thanks Pop! Those time-outs to call decent plays and replace tired/injured players with the ones that got you that lead was pure genius.
Nice win! Oh wait....

[TDMVPDPOY]

tired my ass, they had most of the knicks neutralized on offense with the lead, untill westbrick went kobe on us with the bad shot selections...

this team does alot of stupid shit when they have leads, and when they give up the lead, they usually just give up the game...typical as always

[timtonymanu]

I guess leaving Kidd open for 3 is considered good effort.

[superjames1992]

TBH, this was all part of CIA Pop's plan. He has losses built into the schedule that he uses to motivate and teach the team. Didn't you know?

[SA210]

Thanks for calling those strategic time-outs in the 4th qtr when the spurs started losing the lead. That really helped the players that were out of gas.

Thanks Pop! Those time-outs to call decent plays and replace tired/injured players with the ones that got you that lead was pure genius.
Nice win! Oh wait....

Yup

[TDMVPDPOY]

TBH, this was all part of CIA Pop's plan. He has losses built into the schedule that he uses to motivate and teach the team. Didn't you know?

yeh just like the 4 straight losses to the OKC in the playoffs last season...gtfo

[MaNu4Tres]

Pop after the Knicks game: "We ran out of gas. Guys busted their butts -- I'm really proud of their effort. They just didn't have enough in the tank after that road trip. Tony was exhausted. He tried to play great -- he had 12 assists and no turnovers -- but couldn't throw it in the ocean. We got tired, we definitely got tired ... Down the stretch after we got the lead, we turned into a turnover machine. Lost our momentum, gave them the momentum and lost the lead. But it started with turnovers and bad decision on some shots."

Pop blew this one.

If you know your main scorers don't have any legs because of a recent, strenuous road trip, one would think he should manage their minutes and the overall rotation a little bit more cautiously by playing the bench a little more (especially when the bench is having success; which they were).

It's the same reason Spurs lost to the Suns in 2010, the same reason Spurs lost to the Thunder (shortening the rotation and heavily relying on the Big 3 who aren't young anymore; they can't sustain efficient high level play for 36+ minutes; especially when they are carrying 34 plus minutes on their legs going deep in the 4th quarters when defenses are at their best. When this happens, as you saw in Suns 10'/Thunder 12' series, inefficient/lethargic execution down the stretch is inevitable.

[TDMVPDPOY]

popovich has been carried by tim duncan all his coaching career....dude is just another mike brown, when will he be replaced?

[superjames1992]

yeh just like the 4 straight losses to the OKC in the playoffs last season...gtfo
Exactly. Those four losses were designed to light a fire in this year's teams' asses. CIA Pop knew we had no chance to beat Miami, so he figured it was best to just fold against OKC and get this team angry so we could make a deep run this season.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Exactly. Those four losses were designed to light a fire in this year's teams' asses. CIA Pop knew we had no chance to beat Miami, so he figured it was best to just fold against OKC and get this team angry so we could make a deep run this season.

and whats that? become regular seasons champions again, but fodder in the playoffs? gtfo

[lefty]

but ..... but .........





............ but genius moves by Pop ......

[superjames1992]

and whats that? become regular seasons champions again, but fodder in the playoffs? gtfo
You do not seem to have faith in CIA Pop's abilities. Remember when CIA Pop allowed Derek Fisher to make that shot in 2004? That loss (and the loss thereafter) lit a fire in the 2004-2005 team's ass and they got a ring that year.

[TDMVPDPOY]

You do not seem to have faith in CIA Pop's abilities. Remember when CIA Pop allowed Derek Fisher to make that shot in 2004? That loss (and the loss thereafter) lit a fire in the 2004-2005 team's ass and they got a ring that year.

explain the last 6 seasons clown?

[TD 21]

Pop with the old first-game-back-from-a-long-road-trip excuse. Didn't see it coming.

Perplexing decision to have them double Anthony from the baseline in the 1st half. It left them having to play a scrambling brand of defense to rotate/recover to the Knicks shooters and no surprise, they got buried from deep. This team flat out doesn't have the foot speed to defend that way and that, combined with the condensed rotation, probably took their legs for the finish. So Pop should bear some of the blame for them "running out of gas".

[TheSkeptic]

popovich has been carried by tim duncan all his coaching career....dude is just another mike brown, when will he be replaced?

Whoa...Whoa...Whoa.

Popovich might make mistakes, but he's nowhere near Mike Brown levels of frustrating.

I had things to do so I ended up watching the boxscore at around the second quarter. But it looks like he could've kept the bench in a little bit longer -maybe ran a few plays for Duncan since he was looking good as well.
Since they've been a little inconsistent though I guess maybe Pop didn't trust the bench this time around.

But in all seriousness, this is probably a good example of why we need another big as well as a decent back-up pg. :bang

[KaiRMD1]

The point of subbing is to give guys a rest and let someone else play. Terrible reason on Pop's part

[silverblk mystix]

Actually Blair did a pretty decent job on Carmelo- so naturally- Pop started Diaw on Carmelo in the 2nd half. Truly a genius move.

[SpurSwag]

everyone calm down...normally im in meltdown mode after losses but has it ever occured to any of you that we aren't supposed to beat the best teams in the league every time? I know the collapse sucked, but shit happens...And knowing splitter, he was probably tired after all the run he got in the 4th, which probably explains why he was put on the bench. Plus, if we had lost that game with Splitter in, everyone would be on Pop's ass again

[jesterbobman]

The Knicks have played 3 fewer games. Relative tiredness might be a factor. Given that a flu went through the team, tiredness might be a factor.

[superjames1992]

explain the last 6 seasons clown?
CIA Pop has used the last six seasons to set us up for our inevitable title run this season. Teams are used to us choking in the playoffs, so they will be caught off-guard this season. CIA Pop is not a man who lives in the short-term. He has long-term plans that most simple-minded folks just cannot see. The man is a genius.

[DPG21920]

:lol Look, it was a bad loss. It happens. No need for the excuses from anyone.

[Hedgie]

In fairness to Pop, the team has been sick. Even after the symptoms are gone, your energy levels arent always back to the level they should be.

[Rapper]

It's not a problem of running out of Gas. On the contrary, it's a problem of our backcourt being too old and too slow
.
.

[Solid D]

"We" = mostly Tony. No Neal (injured). Mills non-factor. Manu negative factor. Tony had no legs the last 7 minutes of the game. Front rim empty trip....front rim empty trip...fouled and 1st FT barely scrapes rim but makes the 2nd one.....front rim emtpy trip. I was upset with Pop for not taking him out but I guess Pop didn't have many choices left at PG.

[Stabula]

Then bring back the bench if you know they're tired. Even Mike Brown is capable of making that call.

[Solid D]

Ridiculous post, TDMVPDPOY.

[DPG21920]

"We" = mostly Tony. No Neal (injured). Mills non-factor. Manu negative factor. Tony had no legs the last 7 minutes of the game. Front rim empty trip....front rim empty trip...fouled and 1st FT barely scrapes rim but makes the 2nd one.....front rim emtpy trip. I was upset with Pop for not taking him out but I guess Pop didn't have many choices left at PG.

Did TP really bust his butt defending Felton and play 40+ minutes?

[Stabula]

"We" = mostly Tony. No Neal (injured). Mills non-factor. Manu negative factor. Tony had no legs the last 7 minutes of the game. Front rim empty trip....front rim empty trip...fouled and 1st FT barely scrapes rim but makes the 2nd one.....front rim emtpy trip. I was upset with Pop for not taking him out but I guess Pop didn't have many choices left at PG.

Even with Mills being a non-factor he would have done better than TP at that point. Fuck even throw Nando into the fire again like you enjoy doing, what does it matter? It would be very difficult to match TP's 4th quarter performance for even a scrub PG.

[TDMVPDPOY]

CIA Pop has used the last six seasons to set us up for our inevitable title run this season. Teams are used to us choking in the playoffs, so they will be caught off-guard this season. CIA Pop is not a man who lives in the short-term. He has long-term plans that most simple-minded folks just cannot see. The man is a genius.

that was the same excuse use last year...how long u going to keep on using this excuse for failing and wasting whatever is in tims tank...

[Solid D]

Did TP really bust his butt defending Felton and play 40+ minutes?

You watched the game didn't you? What do you think?

[TDMVPDPOY]

Did TP really bust his butt defending Felton and play 40+ minutes?

he was craddled up in fetus position when his heroics backfired

[DPG21920]

The answer is no. He did not play a lot of minutes for a guy who is the youngest member of the big 3 and no he did not bust his butt on effort defending Felton.

[Solid D]

Even with Mills being a non-factor he would have done better than TP at that point. **** even throw Nando into the fire again like you enjoy doing, what does it matter? It would be very difficult to match TP's 4th quarter performance for even a scrub PG.

That's a fair point, particularly the Nando suggestion.

[TD 21]

everyone calm down...normally im in meltdown mode after losses but has it ever occured to any of you that we aren't supposed to beat the best teams in the league every time? I know the collapse sucked, but shit happens...And knowing splitter, he was probably tired after all the run he got in the 4th, which probably explains why he was put on the bench. Plus, if we had lost that game with Splitter in, everyone would be on Pop's ass again

Has it occurred to you that we're nine games into the season and this team has controlled exactly two of them? One of which came against a Pacers team that has been woeful and the other against an average Jazz team and they had to win the game twice.

I realize that, no matter how good you are, you're not just going to control 75% of your games and you're going to have to win some you shouldn't win to win 50+. But still. Two of nine and none of the last five.

[superjames1992]

that was the same excuse use last year...how long u going to keep on using this excuse for failing and wasting whatever is in tims tank...
CIA Pop is smarter than us all, my son. Trust in him and you shall be rewarded.

[DPG21920]

It's not about winning every game - it's about playing well and winning the games, especially home games, that you have a legit shot to win.

Spurs have been winning and shown some good things. This is a game they should have won all things considered. They probably could have also lost 2-3 games (two buzzer beater wins essentially). Their record is better than they are at this point and although losing a game like this at home the way they did is alarming, they still have a nice record.

What is annoying is the excuses.

[timvp]

After the game, Parker said he was tired due to recently being sick ... although he was quick to say it wasn't an excuse.

Coming up short on everything plus subpar defense (when he's been pretty darn good defensively this season) are other signs that TP ran out of gas. Plus, it's not like Pop plays the "tired" card very often. Maybe once or twice a season.

12 assists and 0 turnovers points to TP's head being in the game, so there must be another reason.

This loss sucked but I'm going to take Pop's word at face value this time.

[timvp]

It's not about winning every game - it's about playing well and winning the games, especially home games, that you have a legit shot to win.

:lol

"It's not about winning every game, it's about winning every game in which you aren't blown out."

[DPG21920]

Any news on Blair? I really liked how he played today so I am hoping it's nothing serious.

[DPG21920]

:lol

Why is that funny? A double digit lead in the fourth is not a game you should win?

[KaiRMD1]

I'm sure the Spurs are in "next game" mode by now

[TDMVPDPOY]

CIA Pop is smarter than us all, my son. Trust in him and you shall be rewarded.

6 years and counting with teh same bullshit smallball that hasnt worked for us.

disregard the fluke miami cheat team, lakers, celtics, mavs championship teams all have one thing in common...they had big men lineups, not small ball bullshit and still trying to experiment small ball crap to prove something....

when will change come?

[Stabula]

CIA Pop is smarter than us all, my son. Trust in him and you shall be rewarded.

Stop trolling, bro.

[Boomersgold]

This is what Pop really meant to say:
"Tony played like crap, and Manu looked completely out of sync with the team. I acknowledge that I should've played Splitter more, but I thought tiring our starters by giving them huge minutes was a better game plan."

[TE]

Has it occurred to you that we're nine games into the season and this team has controlled exactly two of them? One of which came against a Pacers team that has been woeful and the other against an average Jazz team and they had to win the game twice.

I realize that, no matter how good you are, you're not just going to control 75% of your games and you're going to have to win some you shouldn't win to win 50+. But still. Two of nine and none of the last five.
Did you honestly believe we were going to be in the rythym that got us into that 20 game win streak? I somewhat share the sentiment of being worried but considering the injuries, players playing in the summer Olympics and Pop's erratic and spontaneous rotations, I think we're relatively okay. Also, it's still early and Pop has yet to solidify a rotation. If this type of play extends to Feb/March, there is imo reason to panic.

Too much pessimism tonight, but its understandable.

[TDMVPDPOY]

After the game, Parker said he was tired due to recently being sick ... although he was quick to say it wasn't an excuse.

Coming up short on everything plus subpar defense (when he's been pretty darn good defensively this season) are other signs that TP ran out of gas. Plus, it's not like Pop plays the "tired" card very often. Maybe once or twice a season.

12 assists and 0 turnovers points to TP's head being in the game, so there must be another reason.

This loss sucked but I'm going to take Pop's word at face value this time.

this clown gets a free pass everytime on here, dude got bailed out by mills and danny green last 2 games, this game....he went westbrick at the wrong time in the game...was he hoping someone to have a career breakout game to bail his ass out? splitter at one moment until he was subbed to exposed the westbrick in parker all along

[benefactor]

when will change come?
A soon as the viability of suicide becomes a reality for you.

[Solid D]

The answer is no. He did not play a lot of minutes for a guy who is the youngest member of the big 3 and no he did not bust his butt on effort defending Felton.

He played more minutes than any of his teammates (36+). It was obvioius he didn't have his legs at the end.

[TDMVPDPOY]

parker fans should explain allowing that scrub over the hill KIDD hit 2 3s in crunchtime

[Sean Cagney]

Blah, this was a pathetic loss.

[DPG21920]

36 minutes is not a lot for the youngest member of a championship big 3 IMO. Especially a self proclaimed "young and can handle plenty of minutes" player. But I digress and it does not change the fact that no excuses, the Spurs coughed up a home game in a very bad way.

Just throw this tape on top of the smoldering Clippers tape.

[timvp]

parker fans should explain allowing that scrub over the hill KIDD hit 2 3s in crunchtime

Parker getting blamed for everything :lol

[TDMVPDPOY]

what was tps points b4 he went westbrick on us, cause he felt he needed to statpadd his stats to even up the law of avges.....

[DPG21920]

Also the question is how can a young man, 8 games into the season, with a coach that manages minutes more than any other coach in the league, with the deepest bench in the league be gassed in only 36 minutes?

Michael Jordan flu game(ssssss) I guess. Just don't like the whole Kobe "I'm tired, but it's not an excuse, but so you know, I was tired and had the flu and didn't eat lunch until 3, but no excuses from me. Im a no excuses guy, but I was tired, ya".

[DPG21920]

Why is that funny? A double digit lead in the fourth is not a game you should win?
timvp

[Stabula]

Green was guarding Kidd, no?

[TD 21]

Did you honestly believe we were going to be in the rythym that got us into that 20 game win streak? I somewhat share the sentiment of being worried but considering the injuries, players playing in the summer Olympics and Pop's erratic and spontaneous rotations, I think we're relatively okay. Also, it's still early and Pop has yet to solidify a rotation. If this type of play extends to Feb/March, there is imo reason to panic.

Too much pessimism tonight, buts its understandable.

Not to that extent, but I also didn't expect what we're seeing now. The perpetual motion/ball movement is gone.

They've been closer to bad than "relatively okay". Three longtime staples of the Spurs have been three-point shooting, defensive rebounding and turnovers. Right now, they're struggling mightily with all of them (turnovers have been better the last two games, but still). If this play extends into December, I'd be alarmed.

[timvp]

he felt he needed to statpadd his stats to even up the law of avges.....

Now this dude is just typing random words.





DPG, read my edit. I clarified my laughter.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Green was guarding Kidd, no?

he was gaurding whoever PARKER should be defending or is defending, or is he defending anyone at all?

[Solid D]

Green was guarding Kidd, no?

Correct. Well, Kidd was Green's assignment.

[DPG21920]

Ya, Kidd is not on TP. TP did so well in the first 3 quarters, it was just a horrific 4th. But his ability to not turn it over has been great. If he was gassed, he should have looked to create vs pull up short on jumpers.

[TE]

I'm sure the Spurs are in "next game" mode by now
As they should be, no time to look back with Denver and Monkeyball looming.

[SA210]

Pop's a liar

[ElNono]

After the game, Parker said he was tired due to recently being sick ... although he was quick to say it wasn't an excuse.

:lol

[benefactor]

TDMVPDPOY...please let us know if you are special needs or have had some sort of closed head injury. That way we will know for sure what we are dealing with. Thanks in advance.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Now this dude is just typing random words.





DPG, read my edit. I clarified my laughter.

it is what it is, im just stating what i saw...

explain to me why was there even a need for him to go hero mode when ur up 12?? yeh thats right he doesnt have the double double he needs, so he needs to be kobe

[Stabula]

Michael Jordan flu game(ssssss) I guess. Just don't like the whole Kobe "I'm tired, but it's not an excuse, but so you know, I was tired and had the flu and didn't eat lunch until 3, but no excuses from me. Im a no excuses guy, but I was tired, ya".

Hahaha exactly the way I felt about TP's statement.

[DPG21920]

timvp - I read it, just didn't make sense. Unless I am missing something, I am saying people mad about this one should be. Being up 12 in the fourth at home is not the same as "not being blown out so you should win them all". This is a game that a Spurs team wins 99% of the time statistically.

[ElNono]

Green was guarding Kidd, no?

And Patty Mills... who was guarding Kidd when he hit back to back 3s the cut the lead

[TDMVPDPOY]

Hahaha exactly the way I felt about TP's statement.

yeh but if he had a MJ flu game, ppl on here would be all over his nuts

[TheSkeptic]

Correct. Well, Kidd was Green's assignment.

Oh my goodness.

What's happening to Green's defense? Manu just needs to sit -maybe give De Colo some burn instead.

Any word on Neal? I'm just not convinced about Patty tbh...

[Stabula]

Neal could have sliced open a second finger and probably still played better than Ginobili tonight.

[timvp]

TP did go Westbrook down the stretch but it wasn't like he was alone in stopping the ball movement. In fact, he had four of the team's five assists in the final quarter.


Also the question is how can a young man, 8 games into the season, with a coach that manages minutes more than any other coach in the league, with the deepest bench in the league be gassed in only 36 minutes?

1. Parker was recently sick so perhaps he didn't have his normal energy level
2. His backup was injured
3. Manu isn't Manu right now so he's not carrying his normal load
4. The Knicks ball movement on offense caused a lot of chasing, which probably didn't help
5. He wasted a lot of energy toasting Scrublo Prigioni


I don't want to make excuses for Parker's choke but there are extenuating circumstances that one may point to in order to guess why he wouldn't be hitting on all cylinders.

[DPG21920]

Ok, fine, but if you are saying it's not an excuse, don't pull a Kobe and tell the world about it. Just say I sucked and will do better.

[DPG21920]

Also, his back up was injured? Don't the Spurs have depth? Was Nando not suited up? Patty?

[Stabula]

Parker was a huge part of this defeat but he definitely doesn't carry this cross by himself there's blame to go around.

[DPG21920]

Absolutely - I am not saying its all on him.

[timvp]

Also, his back up was injured? Don't the Spurs have depth? Was Nando not suited up? Patty?Pop would like a do-over, no doubt.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Absolutely - I am not saying its all on him.

he leader, he head of the snake...he must take blame...dont pull a kobe and blame others...

hopefully with all the negative comments lights a fuel in his ass to prove his haters wrong

[TE]

Patty played some and I would've liked to see Nando thrown into the fray.

[TE]

he leader, he head of the snake...he must take blame...dont pull a kobe and blame others
:lmao

[Russ]

They couldn't score down the stretch.

A Neal three (or two) might have been the difference. He will be missed.

Mills seems like the kind of player that's great when things are flowing well, but not so much in the crunch.

[TDMVPDPOY]

They couldn't score down the stretch.

A Neal three (or two) might have been the difference. He will be missed.

Mills seems like the kind of player that's great when things are flowing well, but not so much in the crunch.
the backup pgs are just as bad as the starting PG....dont expect much from the trio

[TDMVPDPOY]

u guys remember pops quote about the pebble/stone hittin a wall making a hole and getting through or someshit....

small ball 6 years and counting...hahahahaha that shit aint going to win anything

[polandprzem]

Soft card so early in the season?

[DPG21920]

Reminds me of this tbh....My Cousin Vinny


I bought a suit. You seen it. Now it's covered in mud. This town doesn't have a one hour cleaner so I had to buy a new suit, except the only store you could buy a new suit in has got the flu. Got that? The whole store got the flu so I had to get this in a second hand store. So it's either wear the leather jacket, which I know you hate, or this. So, I wore this ridiculous thing for you.

[jestersmash]

u guys remember pops quote about the pebble/stone hittin a wall making a hole and getting through or someshit....

small ball 6 years and counting...hahahahaha that shit aint going to win anything

"Small ball" won the 2012 NBA championship (and the Western Conference championship), tbh.

[timvp]

u guys remember pops quote about the pebble/stone hittin a wall making a hole and getting through or someshit....

http://dailyelements.com/popserious.jpg

[024]

the spurs core is old and that is a simple fact. even parker will be 31 by the playoffs. if the spurs keep marching out the same plan and roster as last year, they will get smacked down in the second round of the playoffs. but i think it's already too late to do anything. no one will want ginobili now.. so might as well ride it out until the engine stops.

[DMC]

They were tired, but take nothing from NY. They have a talented team and 5 other teams have been tired as well after chasing them up and down the court this season.

Next game.

[SpurSwag]

At the same time, doesn't it speak volumes to this team's potential that we are already good at closing games, despite poor performances and injuries? The only actual concern I have is defensive rebounding, for whatever reason that has disappeared. And as much as I'd like to pick up another big man, I still would feel fairly confident of our chances of getting back to where we were last year and maybe going even further. Save for a couple huge shots from Harden and a legendary outing by the Thunder's big men, and we would have probably been in the finals...This team can do it, i really believe that

[dylankerouac]

Four pages in two hours. Lol.

[dylankerouac]

Oh wait, Actually it was four pages in one hour. Darn my refresh skills.

[crc21209]

I can understand if maybe Tony was tired at the end of the game because it looked like he was in constant motion going up and down the floor. That and add on that he's probably not over the stomach flu bug (or whatever it was) all the way yet. But still not a good excuse. If TP was tired he should've thrown Mills out there then. Lets face it, the guys stopped playing, got comfortable with the 12 point lead, and blew it. Pop blew it too by taking out Tiago who was really hot at the time. I think the Spurs missed Neal tonight big time also. He could've hit a big 3 when they fell into the drought. Still, this team is 7-2 with alot of improving to do, and yet they still have a very,very good record...not bad.

[crc21209]

By the way, I'm also not totally sold on this Knicks team. Yeah they look awesome right now, but I feeling that once Amare comes back it's going to fuck everything up just like it usually does every season when he's hurt and comes back...

[rmt]

Don't know why Pop didn't use his bench more if the starters are tired. Splitter was hot and played less than 17 mins? If Parker was tired and Neal is injured, play de Colo. Even if they lost, he'd get valuable experience instead of a tired Parker and a run and gun Denver team coming up. This was a winnable game - can't be depending on last minute heroics - that'll come back and bite them in the ***.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Its just a game in the early regular season, numbnuts. The Spurs are bloody 7-2 while the much more fancied and overhyped Lakers are last in the WC. Get over this loss.

[Bruno]

I wouldn't put Parker being tired at the end of the game only on him recovering from the flu. Another issue is that he isn't in great shape to start the season. If you remember well, Parker played heavy minutes at the end of the preseason to try to get his conditioning back.

Parker not being in good shape at that stage of the season is logical given his summer. He has to stop playing physical activities before the Olympics because of the eye surgery and, from I've read, he took it easy after them. You can blame Parker for not having worked harder between the Olympics and the training camp but I think Pop/Spurs asked him to do so. It's hard to disagree with that: starting the season with Parker in so-so shape is way less problematic than having him exhausted in April for the playoffs.

[dunkman]

It's not a big deal. The Knicks stole the game, but Carmelo had 9 points and you can't win every close game always.

[z0sa]

I could tell Tony was gassed. Manu on the other hand... he is beginning to worry me. Like he might have fallen off a mini cliff or something. Hopefully its just his back.

[spurspokesman]

Play your bench numb nutts.
Sit there and watch them "run out of gas". :bang This

[Raven]

bad excuse but doesn't matter.

[dunkman]

bad excuse but doesn't matter.

I don't understand why an excuse was needed, Pop could have just said the Knicks played better.

[SenorSpur]

Play your bench numb nutts.
Sit there and watch them "run out of gas". :bang

Yeah, that's kinda what I was thinking too. You don't have to be Red Auerbach to figure out this one.

[dbestpro]

This is one that got away. Nothing really special about the Knicks, but our defense still has many issues. Finding a fourth big that can make a difference remains the key. Blair and Bonner are unable to provide what we need defensively on a consistent basis and will remain the weakest link. It is as evident when they do not play as when they do because Pop has no one to go to.

[phxspurfan]

I didn't watch the game but form the looks of it, we just ran into a hot team at the tail end of a road trip in which our guys got stomach flus and such. No big deal, it's an 82 game season. But yes, Manu needs to spend some time in the gym to get his legs and confidence back.

[rmt]

"Small ball" won the 2012 NBA championship (and the Western Conference championship), tbh.

Unfortunately, the Spurs don't have Lebron or Durant to play small ball with.

[Spur|n|Austin]

popovich has been carried by tim duncan all his coaching career....dude is just another mike brown, when will he be replaced?

I usually don't respond to your idiotic statements, but you sir, are a fucktard..

[Stabula]

The Spurs are just driving me crazy!
https://i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/11/9/HJtlXxJsU0OcSPeRMZmUug2.gif

[ChumpDumper]

Parker should have sat for a few minutes in the fourth.

Manu shouldn't be playing.

[ploto]

Too tired to cover 80-year old Jason Kidd in the fourth quarter.

[Stabula]

Drunk driving Jason got whatever he wanted last night

[jestersmash]

Unfortunately, the Spurs don't have Lebron or Durant to play small ball with.

...and that's exactly the point of my post.

[silverblk mystix]

Parker should have sat for a few minutes in the fourth.

Manu shouldn't be playing.


Blasphemy!!!!

Lord Pop will have you excommunicated from the Poppers!!!!

[dbreiden83080]

They took their foot off it that is for sure. Up 12 with 7 min to play they stopped playing expecting the Knicks to quit... This is one of their worst regular season losses in a while...

[ChumpDumper]

Blasphemy!!!!

Lord Pop will have you excommunicated from the Poppers!!!!What are you talking about?

There are a bunch of words and anger, but they make no sense.

[Juventini]

Give the credit where the credit is due. The Knicks had play a great game last night and if they can keep this is up, they are a threat in the east.

[Budkin]

It wasn't that they were tired, it's that the Knicks D rattled them and they made horrible decisions.

[spurraider21]

Out of gas? Really? It wasn't a back to back and it wasn't a road game. Parker all season seems to just be coasting, and long haul that won't be good enough when Manu is having his fair share of struggles. The bench should get more minutes if thats really what Pop believes

[Maddog]

Out of gas? Really? It wasn't a back to back and it wasn't a road game. Parker all season seems to just be coasting, and long haul that won't be good enough when Manu is having his fair share of struggles. The bench should get more minutes if thats really what Pop believes
Let's see-
LA wed
Sac Fri
Port Sat
LA Tue finish game at 12:20 AM SA time
fly back to play Thursday
Also half the team battling a stomach virus during the trip. Key player battling injury
Disappointed- yes after a lead in the 4th
Overall..
Game 9 of the season- 7-2 record can't complain too much

[ManuTastic]

Why were they tired? What is he talking about?

[jjktkk]

Why were they tired? What is he talking about?

Watching Parker clank a few of his tear drops in the 4th, made me think he was alittle gassed, but Ginoboli was off as well.

[Poolboy5623]

I won't argue they didn't look gassed but a big part if that was the fact that ny is that much more athletic than the spurs. I mean, it's not even close. Wether the spurs want to believe it or not, their brand of ball doesn't stack up to well against street ball...especially when that opponent has above average athletes...or even 38 year old Pf's!

[Proxy]

Why is this a big deal? Pop may as well make some kind of reason to keep the team moral high. This kind of sucks how pessimistic and bitchy ST has been this season.

[Proxy]

I won't argue they didn't look gassed but a big part if that was the fact that ny is that much more athletic than the spurs. I mean, it's not even close. Wether the spurs want to believe it or not, their brand of ball doesn't stack up to well against street ball...especially when that opponent has above average athletes...or even 38 year old Pf's!

The game was a toss up and Manu and TP played terribly in the final minutes. Don't attempt to make Xs and Os, or matchup problems out of that. It's just an early regular season game. Sheesh

[Fabbs]

Why is this a big deal? Pop may as well make some kind of reason to keep the team moral high. This kind of sucks how pessimistic and bitchy ST has been this season.
Playoff results 2008 - 2012.

[itzsoweezee]

I'm no popapologist, but he's absolutely right. It was painfully obvious the Spurs just ran out of gas. But please don't let the facts get in the way of the weekly meltdown. Continue on.

[therealtruth]

They ran out of gas against OKC in the WCF also. Pop has to figure out how to solve that problem or it will be the same results. It's ironic the Spurs average less minutes than almost all starters in the league and still have fatigue issues.

[Proxy]

Playoff results 2008 - 2012.

Been looking for another Horry and Bowen since then... settled for Bonner and RJ. :down:

[koriwhat]

i was there, they might've been gassed but pop needs to leave the players who got you back into the game on the floor and stop taking them out for god knows what reason. dude is consistently pulling players that are on fire and then our team ends up giving up their lead, happens every fuckin' time. all i'm glad for is the fact that bonner has been mia and that's what i wanna see all season long!

[TheDoctor]

They ran out of gas against OKC in the WCF also. Pop has to figure out how to solve that problem or it will be the same results. It's ironic the Spurs average less minutes than almost all starters in the league and still have fatigue issues.

Still applies today tbh.

[Hoops Czar]

Still applies today tbh.
Move over Cleveland! That's what happens when you're the oldest team the league.

[DAF86]

They ran out of gas against OKC in the WCF also. Pop has to figure out how to solve that problem or it will be the same results. It's ironic the Spurs average less minutes than almost all starters in the league and still have fatigue issues.

It's not ironic at all. It's actually very logical. You are used to playing no more than 30 minutes per game all season long and suddenly you are asked to start playing 35+ with increased pressure and intensity. You need to work on that endurance during the season too.

[Ice009]

It's not ironic at all. It's actually very logical. You are used to playing no more than 30 minutes per game all season long and suddenly you are asked to start playing 35+ with increased pressure and intensity. You need to work on that endurance during the season too.

Anyone with a brain and some knowledge on sports/fitness should be able to understand this, yet the Spurs FO doesn't seem to have a clue about it. Do the trainers even bother to explain this stuff to Pop, or are they bigger "yes" men than the SA media?