Game Thread: Spurs vs. Hawks - April 6 @ 7:30 PM CST

[superjames1992]

De Colo. :toast

[RD2191]

Dejuan Barkley

[superjames1992]

dejuan with it
Really?

[Uriel]

DeJuan Blair is so talented. It's a shame he's short and has no ACL's.

[hater]

Blair looks good

[$pursDynasty]

the real shame is when the Spurs play teams whose 'stars' are out injured, their role players seem to take advantage of the situation and opportunity to shine. sadly of the Spurs only KL has stepped his game up (TD goes w/o mentioning of course)

[hater]

Timmy playing so well makes me optimistic for the playoffs. :wine

I was just thinkin a team with td will always have a chance

[jestersmash]

I'd like to see Pop extend the reins on Kawhi a little bit and let him attack off the dribble in pick and roll. Attacking off the dribble is pretty much a hallmark of an all star-caliber player, and Kawhi really hasn't shown us much of this yet. Granted, he hasn't gotten the opportunity to show us what he can do.

His dribbling is good (it's much improved from last year) but not great yet. The only way to fix that is to get some hands on practice during a game.

[$pursDynasty]

Really?
considering what we are getting from Diaw, Splitter and Bonner then yea Really, I like Dejuan's effort

[HarlemHeat37]

Danny Green completely lost on defense on that 3..

[$pursDynasty]

man I don't know what Patty did to get put in the doghouse but seeing how DeC is playing I wouldn't mind him getting a few minutes.

[RD2191]

Terrible ball movement

[loveforthegame]

Danny Green completely lost on defense on that 3..

Becoming a habit.

[timtonymanu]

man I don't know what Patty did to get put in the doghouse but seeing how DeC is playing I wouldn't mind him getting a few minutes.

Simple. Patty can't defend nor can he consistently hit his shots (which is his specialty)

[hater]

Kawhai's handles are out of this world

[HarlemHeat37]

I'd like to see Pop extend the reins on Kawhi a little bit and let him attack off the dribble in pick and roll. Attacking off the dribble is pretty much a hallmark of an all star-caliber player, and Kawhi really hasn't shown us much of this yet. Granted, he hasn't gotten the opportunity to show us what he can do.

His dribbling is good (it's much improved from last year) but not great yet. The only way to fix that is to get some hands on practice during a game.

I've actually been pretty impressed with his pick&roll game in the scarce sample size, so far..his passing has progressed nicely with increased responsibility IMO..

[$pursDynasty]

it appears the Spurs don't have a backup PG

[timtonymanu]

Jenkins, nice little run, but go the fuck home!

[Uriel]

The Spurs' offense has been really bad lately.

[$pursDynasty]

wow a Splitter sighting

[Darius McCrary]

Awesome!!!!!!!

[timtonymanu]

The Spurs' offense has been really bad lately.

No Parker or Manu to run the offense

[Juggity]

Another 30 pt game for tim. Crazy

[Brunodf]

Splitter finally

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

What has been worse, the offense or the defense?

[Uriel]

No Parker or Manu to run the offense
Even when they were around, it was pretty bad. We haven't had a blowout win in ages (the Orlando game doesn't count).

[jestersmash]

What has been worse, the offense or the defense?

What's wrong with the defense tonight?

[$pursDynasty]

The Spurs' offense has been really bad lately.
I remember earlier this year, everyone marveling at the machine that is the Spurs offense, how it is the system and just plug and play, and it appeared to be so until TP went down and no that offesive engine has thrown a rod.

[Raven]

What has been worse, the offense or the defense?

offense, by a wide margin.

[timtonymanu]

Even when they were around, it was pretty bad. We haven't had a blowout win in ages (the Orlando game doesn't count).

Neither has looked the same after their injury. After the Sacto game, things went to shit.

[Darius McCrary]

Not the time for a high risk pass

Tim Duncan error

[Darius McCrary]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5nwl0tzMz1qf1116o1_500.jpg

[RD2191]

We need tony

[superjames1992]

Per par, we are pathetic at closing out games.

[$pursDynasty]

Since the board says Patty can't play D, and I have been far from impressed w/ DeC and CJ, maybe Pop should seriously consider Diaw at point, since he doesn't want to shoot. and ultra large lineup :lol

[timtonymanu]

The game can't end soon enough. :lol

[boutons_deux]

embarrassing mediocrity against mediocrity

[Darius McCrary]

What we just did would not have worked against GSW, LAC, OKC, LAL, HOU, or MEM

Once again Spurs closing out like crap.

[Sense]

How does Jenkins only get 27 minutes?

He's missed 2 shots! Also.. how does he only get 9 attempts? :lol

[$pursDynasty]

only good things about this game, the continued emergence of KL, the consistent excellency of Timmay and good effort by Blair.

[Uriel]

A little out-of-sync is an understatement, Bill.

[Reck]

Every time they extend the lead to double-digits, Atlanta makes a run..

Unbelievable. smh

I thought that 9 point lead with about 4-3 minutes to go would be comfortable enough. Sure enough ATL makes a mini run.

[milkyway21]

this is supposed to be TD'S rest night :(

[Darius McCrary]

If Kawhi did exactly what he does now for a punkass team like Brooklyn (loooool), LAL, LAC, NYK, he'd average 5 FT's a game playing like this.

[RD2191]

We are going to get raped in Denver

[Uriel]

3 days off after this game.

This team seriously needs to get its act together.

[jestersmash]

NDC is the best active playmaker on our team now. Why is everyone so surprised that our offense looks mediocre/stagnant?

[Darius McCrary]

Gangam Style SBC Center

[timtonymanu]

rofl the Spurs have also played 5 games in 8 days. The Spurs aren't exactly the most durable team so I don't understand the complaints.

[loveforthegame]

Leonard:

23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks. Did have 3 turnovers.

[ace3g]

Mike Monroe ‏@Monroe_SA (https://twitter.com/Monroe_SA) 4m (https://twitter.com/Monroe_SA/status/320730668684439552) Kawhi Leonard up to 22 pts, 5 RB, first time in career with back to back 20-pt. games; SAS 97, ATL 91, 35.2 sec. left in SA

[superjames1992]

Gangam Style SBC Center
SBC Center? It's not 2005 anymore. :lol

WTF, SPLITTER? JESUS.

[timtonymanu]

Hawks, just go the fuck home. Geez.

[HarlemHeat37]

The Spurs are missing Parker/Ginobili, the Hawks are missing Smith/Horford..

Ivan Johnson and Scott replaced Smith and Horford's production, while the Spurs didn't have anybody to replicate even one of Ginobili/Parker, tbh..

5th game in 8 days..

Games in early April are generally meaningless and teams are stagnant..

I'd like to see the Spurs play better, but these games are pointless to analyze, tbh..

[Budkin]

I want the whole team back. This piecemeal team is not cutting it.

[Texas_Ranger]

lol Splitter

[Raven]

3ft? :lol

[Reck]

rofl the Spurs have also played 5 games in 8 days. The Spurs aren't exactly the most durable team so I don't understand the complaints.

This is abit more than playing tired. Even when fresh they were playing as ugly as they are now tbh.

[timtonymanu]

What a stupid thing to do, Tiago.

[Darius McCrary]

Remember the 2011 season when we dominated close games 9/10 times? We made close games look like child's play. Ironic.

[RD2191]

We're fukin cursed

[Reck]

Wow its over. Wheew

[024]

fucking splitter, just hang on to the fucking ball

[$pursDynasty]

NDC is the best active playmaker on our team now. Why is everyone so surprised that our offense looks mediocre/stagnant?
That is soooo true makes me want to :lol and :bang at the same time

[Mal]

Corey Joseph wont be an NBA player in 2 years

[Robz4000]

:lmao Spurs

[timtonymanu]

Can't blame CoJo there. It's Tiago's fault for having such slippery fingers.

[Uriel]

:lol Spurs

[Budkin]

Pathetic win. Smh

[Juggity]

Remember the 2011 season when we dominated close games 9/10 times? We made close games look like child's play. Ironic.

The 2011 season was also the one that contained the longest losing streak of the Duncan era. And a 1st round exit.

[Uriel]

Pathetic win. Smh
Pathetic team, tbh.

[timtonymanu]

lol fuck you Hawks. Go home.

[Reck]

The fuck? I thought the game ended? rolf

[superjames1992]

Moral loss, tbh.

[Mal]

lol Spurs

[Darius McCrary]

The 2011 season was also the one that contained the longest losing streak of the Duncan era. And a 1st round exit.

You're not saying anything I don't know, I was just pointing out a fact.

[timtonymanu]

Pathetic team, tbh.

Both of you, pathetic fans, tbh.

[Raven]

well that was awfully close for a game closed in the first quarter

[Budkin]

Remember the 2011 season when we dominated close games 9/10 times? We made close games look like child's play. Ironic.

Not at the end of the season when we completely fell apart.

[timtonymanu]

Cue another meltdown.

[boutons_deux]

Spurs finally eaked out a close W

[RD2191]

Just hope the spurs can get it together

[Blizzardwizard]

How was that a shooting foul, the guy just flailed his arms out attempting to get a foul, the ball was knocked out of his hands before he even started to move his arms up.

[Juggity]

You're not saying anything I don't know, I was just pointing out a fact.

I'd say those facts discredit the idea of closing out games so well, tbh

[EVAY]

Anybody still fail to recognize how important TP is to this team's success anymore?

Not only did he make the offense look like a well oiled machine, but when we needed it, he would put the team on his back for a win. I miss that, frankly.

[Brunodf]

Terrible game

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Kawhi playing 40 minutes was great

[Darius McCrary]

Not at the end of the season when we completely fell apart.

smh, even bnsf misses my point

[Malice]

Man we have some emo, emotional bitches in this thread....

[EVAY]

To get this win, Tim had to have a herculean effort and Leonard had to play for 40 minutes to eke out this win over a poor team.

[Darius McCrary]

I'd say those facts discredit the idea of closing out games so well, tbh

In 2011 we had many many close games which we ended up winning at a very high clip. Whole season. End of the season, we limped into the playoffs and had the worst postseason of the Duncan era.

This year we can't close games for crap, and are limping into the playoffs

My point is, this is going to be a very dangerous 2-3 weeks while we get healthy again. Because it does not look good.

[Sean Cagney]

Cue another meltdown.

Almost like clockwork in the 4th Q.

[Strategic]

Spurs won, who is the next in line for a South Texas ass kickin'?

[HarlemHeat37]

To get this win, Tim had to have a herculean effort and Leonard had to play for 40 minutes to eke out this win over a poor team.

The Hawks needed career games from John Jenkins and some guy named Scott..it works both ways..

The Spurs essentially won by double-digits when Duncan was on the floor..when he wasn't, it was scrubs vs. scrubs..

[Sean Cagney]

Spurs finally eaked out a close W

I am sorry but they eeked it out because of choking again, it should not have been near that close at the end to make you eek it out.

[Sean Cagney]

In 2011 we had many many close games which we ended up winning at a very high clip. Whole season. End of the season, we limped into the playoffs and had the worst postseason of the Duncan era.

This year we can't close games for crap, and are limping into the playoffs

My point is, this is going to be a very dangerous 2-3 weeks while we get healthy again. Because it does not look good.Yeah this is the truth.

[boutons_deux]

hard to imagine these the same Spurs of 3,4 months ago. Jekyll and Hyde

[Budkin]

This team is just not that good, and we should be. Even without Tony and Manu.

[ace3g]

ESPN Stats & Info ‏@ESPNStatsInfo (https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo) 29s (https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/320736554110824449) Tim Duncan: 107th career 30-10 game, ties Dirk Nowitzki for most among active players

[jestersmash]

Well maybe our mediocre play lowers expectations for our role players going into the playoffs and paradoxically boosts their confidence. It's easier to adopt more of an underdog mentality with the way we're playing right now.

And I liked the message Pop just gave postgame. He called it a pathetic performance for everyone not named Tim (and presumably Kawhi), and that this group as-is isn't going anywhere in the playoffs.

[Libri]

"Pathetic performance."-Pop.

[Arcadian]

Tim Duncan is like the Bill Russell of the Southwest division: he wins it every year.

...And considering the NBA only had like 4-8 teams back then, the accomplishment is equally impressive. :lol

[ace3g]

http://binaryapi.ap.org/686096742b4d4760bcaa1521e4bfad25/940x.jpg

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/dam/assets/130406224519-tim-duncan-emotion-celebration-archive.home-t6.jpg

[DapDaGenius]

Good game. Duncan and Leonard went off. But wow, Blair the 3rd best scorer on the team for the night? Nice to seeing Blair get out there and play. He did nice with the rebounds too.

[Budkin]

"Pathetic performance."-Pop.

And it really was.

[TampaDude]

Duncan with yet another monster game.

Close call there at the end, but a win is a win.

GO SPURS GO!!!!!