Why is this board so obsessed with physicality?

[Spur Bank]

This doesn't apply to everyone, but in general, SpursTalk posters seem to place much more value on physical play than I find on other boards or sites. A common example is posters saying the Spurs are too soft, speaking of that as if it is the Spurs biggest reason for their losses. Another example is the players that the board seems to like and dislike -- Despite poor metrics, we hear a lot of "More Baynes!" and despite great metrics, we hear a lot of "Tiago sucks!" and "Bonner sucks!"

I'm not saying the Spurs ARE physical; I think everyone knows and agrees that relative to the rest of the league, they're not. But what I'm not understanding is, why is this such a common complaint here? In particular, why do some people emphasize physicality over production? Is it a cultural thing (SA likes its big boys)? Is it a grass is greener thing (SA hasn't had a very physical team for ~20 years)?

No hate, just curious.

[Aremid]

The difference between a contender and a champion is that physicality. Every year we've won the title we had at least one tough guy on the team

[exstatic]

The difference between a contender and a champion is that physicality. Every year we've won the title we had at least one tough guy on the team

Who was the tough guy in 2007? 2005?

[Aremid]

1999 Mario Ellie Jerome kersey
2003 Kevin Willis Bruce Bowen
2005 Bruce Bowen tony massenburg g rob Robert horry
2007 tony massenburg/horry

[ChumpDumper]

Bruce a tough guy?

lol

[spurraider21]

You seriously think the spurs won because of tony massenberg's physicality?

[Aremid]

Bruce a tough guy?

lol

his toughness got in Ray Allen's head in 05. Probably would have helped last year

[Aremid]

You seriously think the spurs won because of tony massenberg's physicality?

Well when you have someone who isn't afraid to dish out some physicality it certainly helps inspire and motivate your team

[spurraider21]

Well when you have someone who isn't afraid to dish out some physicality it certainly helps inspire and motivate your team
I asked a yes or no question

[exstatic]

2005 Bruce Bowen tony massenburg g rob Robert horry
2007 tony massenburg/horry

I didn't ask you about 99 and 03. That was before the hand checking rules went in to effect.

Massenberg never played. If that's your criteria, we have Baynes sitting on the bench.

Who do you propose we should have signed to fill the Horry role? He would have to be a tough guy with Championship experience and a 3 pointer. He would also have to be a plus defender. Think real hard....

[justinandimcool]

Massenburg :lol :lol :lol

Glenn Robinson :lol :lol :lol

[exstatic]

his toughness got in Ray Allen's head in 05. Probably would have helped last year

Not so much. He would have been 43 at the end of the Finals.

[Russ]

Who was the tough guy in 2007? 2005?

Horry, I would say.

[Mikeanaro]

This thread sucks

[Aremid]

Not so much. He would have been 43 at the end of the Finals.

No having someone on the roster who isn't afraid to grab kick do whatever to win

[exstatic]

No having someone on the roster who isn't afraid to grab kick do whatever to win

Who? Come up with an All Defensive player who was available that we passed on, or you're exposed as nothing but a BITCH.

[ChumpDumper]

No having someone on the roster who isn't afraid to grab kick do whatever to winThat's not toughness.

[Aremid]

Who? Come up with an All Defensive player who was available that we passed on, or you're exposed as nothing but a BITCH.

World peace was available in the offseason. Stephen Jackson was available.

[exstatic]

Done. Done.

[DMC]

Who was the tough guy in 2007? 2005?

Without Horry's hip check we don't see the Finals in 2007. Without Bowen's play against Billups, getting him in foul trouble (and Brown sitting him for waaaay too long) we don't win in 2005.

[exstatic]

Without Horry's hip check we don't see the Finals in 2007. Without Bowen's play against Billups, getting him in foul trouble (and Brown sitting him for waaaay too long) we don't win in 2005.

OK, I'll put the question to you? Who did we pass up that has those qualities AND can play basketball?

[sexinthatsx]

we should just bring Stephen Jackson back tbh...

[ChumpDumper]

we should just bring Stephen Jackson back tbh...To do what?

He can't play basketball anymore.

[cd021]

World peace was available in the offseason. Stephen Jackson was available.

World Piece is a good defender on a good day. Not a world class defender.

We didn't pass up on anyone who has the ability to make an all defensive team.

[DMC]

OK, I'll put the question to you? Who did we pass up that has those qualities AND can play basketball?

No one who wants to play for SA.

That's beside the point though. Physicality makes a big difference.

[DMC]

we should just bring Stephen Jackson back tbh...

Or Bruce Bowen for that matter.

[Spur Bank]

D7mHxF5D_xo

[exstatic]

No one who wants to play for SA.

That's beside the point though. Physicality makes a big difference.

Actually it's EXACTLY the point. There are plenty of tough guys in the dleague, and even at your local gym. They can't play NBA ball though, and so are useless.

[ElNono]

It's because on a game where athleticism and physicality are king, we already know the Spurs can't be the former, so they have to be the latter to be successful...

[DMC]

Actually it's EXACTLY the point. There are plenty of tough guys in the dleague, and even at your local gym. They can't play NBA ball though, and so are useless.

So it doesn't negate the importance of physicality. You have to have an enforcer, someone to take the ejection if need be and someone who's intimidating enough to keep people like Parker out of the paint.

We don't have it, and it's not out there right now, but it's important. I don't get your point. I don't think we've got any offerings at the moment, but surely we've built a system where that physicality isn't stressed in the construction (Cojo, Marco, Boris, etc...). Physical players are often dumb, low IQ guys, but not always.

[G-Dawgg]

When a team has the stigma of being soft, it's only natural for the teams fan's to want their team to lose that image....

[exstatic]

So it doesn't negate the importance of physicality. You have to have an enforcer, someone to take the ejection if need be and someone who's intimidating enough to keep people like Parker out of the paint.

We don't have it, and it's not out there right now, but it's important. I don't get your point. I don't think we've got any offerings at the moment, but surely we've built a system where that physicality isn't stressed in the construction (Cojo, Marco, Boris, etc...). Physical players are often dumb, low IQ guys, but not always.

You're living in the past. It's not that kind of league any more. It's all about small ball. Flagrants are called at the drop of a hat.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

I think physicality is overrated. Like DMC said, most "physical" players usually suck. But seeing your 7'0 center get 3 inches off the ground before getting blocked by a point guard can get annoying.

[DMC]

You're living in the past. It's not that kind of league any more. It's all about small ball. Flagrants are called at the drop of a hat.

Small ball is a gimmick for the regular season when teams are too lazy to get back.

[exstatic]

Small ball is a gimmick for the regular season when teams are too lazy to get back.

Tell that to Miami.

[DMC]

Tell that to Miami.

Pretty sure Chris Bosh isn't small. Neither is Lebron James.

[RD2191]

Pretty sure Chris Bosh isn't small.
X Factor, tbh

[testies]

I think we clearly need a mentally tough perimeter defender.. particuarly a black one who will go under players and potentially cause an injury, not a loud dumb one like Jax.. But we are not in the 90s anymore

[DMC]

X Factor, tbh

repeating a retarded statement doesn't make it less retarded

[RD2191]

repeating a retarded statement doesn't make it less retarded
Or should I say X Raptor? Get it?:lmao:lol:lmao

[exstatic]

Pretty sure Chris Bosh isn't small. Neither is Lebron James.

They're both face up 4s. They rarely play with a 5. Small ball.

[DMC]

They're both face up 4s. They rarely play with a 5. Small ball.

You're moving goalposts. Physicality exists aside from the big/small ball scenario. Penchant for flagrant fouls doesn't change that. It's always more heated in the playoffs, and you need to be able to handle it.

[Tuddy]

Hit our free throws against Miami and this would never be talked about again

[sexinthatsx]

To do what?

He can't play basketball anymore.

Stephen Jackson can still defend well. As much as I'd hate to admit it, he would've been HUGE in the finals

[ChumpDumper]

Stephen Jackson can still defend well. As much as I'd hate to admit it, he would've been HUGE in the finalsNo, he can't defend. He'd still be in the NBA if he could.