Pop interview

[jon123spurs]

Sorry if already posted. But he drops some real truth bombs. I found it very interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE4Ld2k-L5Q

[HI-FI]

:tu

good stuff. Pop sounds like the "cliff divers" who are worried how Spurs look against the elite teams. good to hear it straight from the top.

[spurs10]

Sorry if already posted. But he drops some real truth bombs. I found it very interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE4Ld2k-L5Q A must see really. Pop has a lot to say and speaks openly about the team.

[Robz4000]

Pop admitting the same things that have been discussed endlessly on here. Maybe they really will make a trade...

[spurs10]

:tu

good stuff. Pop sounds like the "cliff divers" who are worried how Spurs look against the elite teams. good to hear it straight from the top. :lol Well put, Pop the "Cliff Diver!" Telling it like it is really.

[spurraider21]

damn, he looks really down. i would have loved to hear his response to "do you think this team is capable of reaching the level needed to make another finals run"

[testies]

great interview for us fans, but players must lost a lot of confidence now.. wonder if that will affect us when we're 10 points down in a playoff game

[Chomag]

Looks like Pop was actually sober for this one.:lol

On a serious note: If Spurs stand pat again this year I think they might as well hang up the Big 3 and rest them for the rest of the year. In other words I think standing pat would be the biggest mistake this team could make right now.

[silverblackfan]

Nice interview. Pop sounded pretty honest, as usual. The team has to get healthy and execute better than the top teams to have a chance.
Good find. Thanks. :tu

[Russo21]

Good to hear Pop seem genuine and real and not just a sarcastic asswipe like usual

[Spur|n|Austin]

damn, he looks really down. i would have loved to hear his response to "do you think this team is capable of reaching the level needed to make another finals run"

I'm pretty sure he would laugh and say something along the lines of "right now? NO."

Good interview :tu

[Bruno]

Nice interview, thanks for posting it. :tu

With the trade deadline in a week, it will be interesting if Pop diagnosis (lack of length and athleticism) will translate into a move.

[TheGoldStandard]

Where are the homers with there coasting takes?

They can beat 6-8 in the playoffs but 1-5 are concerning with athleticism and lengthm we get killed on the glass and have too many spurts of offensive draught. I don't think there is a trade this season that solves this.

[tmtcsc]

I believe the Spurs are going to be ready and primed for the playoffs. The Spurs have failed to beat the better teams this season because they haven't brought the necessary intensity and energy needed to do so - mentally and physically. As Pop stated, there is a smaller margin for error when you are an older and less athletic team. Once the real season starts, the players will raise their games with a sense of urgency.

I'm not a psychologist, I just believe its human nature to see a tough regular season match-up against a good team as just that - a regular season game. You can't really simulate a playoff game in the regular season because you realize there is a tomorrow and as Tony says "Meh, its the NBA. You win some, you lose some. Time to get ready for the next one". I'm not saying its right, I'm just saying that's the way it is.

We are all aware of how close the Spurs were to finishing off the Heat in 6 games on Miami's home court. When they failed to do that, they were forced to a game 7 for all the chips. How does that big game compare to playing a "hot" OKC or Portland team that has something to prove to themselves in the regular season?

You will see the Spurs players - from the Vets to the new guys - give everything they have in the playoffs. The mental mistakes and the lack of focus will be a thing of the past. If the newer players can't hack the playoff pressure (Jeff Ayers), they will be buried on the bench.

** I agree with those that said that was the best interview we've seen of Pop. I wonder if the Spurs beat writers were left silenced by 'real' questions and 'real' answers. You want Pop to take you seriously? Ask good questions. I've seen too many of these types of sessions:

Monroe - "Uh Pop...the chemistry on the floor? It seems a bit off at times."

Pop: "That's an astute observation."

Or:

Monroe - "Mills looked like he found a rhythm out there and knocked down some shots".

Pop: "Again Mikey, your powers of observation astound me. What'd he score 31 points? He was pretty terrific tonight on the offensive end."

Monroe: "Talk about Tim Duncan tonight."

Pop: Blank stare - as if to say - ask a question.

Monroe: "He looked like vintage Tim."

Pop: "Tim did what he's done for years. Carried the team and led us to a win when not much else was going our way".

Pop: "Anybody else? See ya."

[Mugen]

Great piece by Pop tbh. Gives more credence to the rumors that the Spurs are active on the trade market. Hopefully a deal can be made.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Good to see that pop actually acknowledged the lack of athletisism on the team and how it's a bit of a prob. Lets hope he actually tries do something about it this go around.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Good to see that pop actually acknowledged the lack of athletisism on the team and how it's a bit of a prob. Lets hope he actually tries do something about it this go around.

He did, we extended Shannon Brown!

[Floyd Pacquiao]

He did, we extended Shannon Brown!

ha

[ginobilized]

Great to see him be relaxed and open in an interview. Should be an interesting week for the Spurs and the league.

[Boomersgold]

Nice interview, thanks for posting it. :tu

With the trade deadline in a week, it will be interesting if Pop diagnosis (lack of length and athleticism) will translate into a move.

Lack of length and athleticism at what position? We're obviously not going to trade away players at every position.

[palangi]

if pop acknowledges this then why are we signing brown and not ebanks? a long (6'9") athletic 3 man?

[Bruno]

Lack of length and athleticism at what position? We're obviously not going to trade away players at every position.

At SF/PF.

[pgardn]

Cliff diver Pop?
Really?

We need our whole team, AND we have a smaller margin for error than the athletic teams... Well in a 7 game series with our type of team we are less likely to make the same number of errors imo.

The above is cliff diving? Man I must have a different definition.

[ace3g]

Hopefully with the record Spurs have against those "long/athletic" teams, Pop finally realizes that going small requires you to use more than one mobile SF/PF in the line up and go away from 3 small guards. Also helps to have 2 true SFs on the roster.

Right now our best small ball line up is TP, Manu, Green, Kawhi, Diaw

[testies]

funny that Pop said our real record (against teams he consideres the top ones) is 1-9... so.. does he disregard the CP3less Clipper win, or does he not consider GS a top team?

[Baam]

funny that Pop said our real record (against teams he consideres the top ones) is 1-9... so.. does he disregard the CP3less Clipper win, or does he not consider GS a top team?

Could be both but imo it's Golden State who is barely qualified for the POs right now...

[Vic Petro]

damn, he looks really down. i would have loved to hear his response to "do you think this team is capable of reaching the level needed to make another finals run"

I can give you his answer.

:pop: Of course we are capable. But capability is irrelevant. You still have to go out and do it. :pop:

[lowdown]

Good clip. I'm not getting that "Spurs are seeking a trade" vibe from that interview. Complimenting Bonner & mentioning getting Belinelli familiar with the system doesn't give me the feeling that the rotation guys are going to be any different after the trading deadline. I think Pop wants to see what he has when healthy and just decide who he's going to use - at this point, that just means which shooting guard to start (Green or Belinelli) and which 4 to consistently sub (Ayers of Bonner). Clearly a better choice at 4 would help but I just don't see who they would get (and be familiar with their role/system in the coaches' eyes) before the trading deadline knowing the history of the front office. I also feel a bit conflicted when Pop emphasizes the poor record against the "good" teams. Sometimes that does more harm than good when one's constantly reminded. It's like the whole back-to-back game thing a few years back. I've always said, one of Pops weaknesses is he doesn't instill confidence in the team (unlike Phil Jackson). Don't make those previous losses an albatross.

[TheGoldStandard]

The problem is the FO will look at the injuries as the reason for the failed season over the fact that we do not have the correct depth with personnel and we have shitty talent in key spots. They'll just stand pat

[TheGoldStandard]

I would have loved Al Jefferson on the team and Aminu... Jefferson is not the most mobile big but guy has offense for days that would make defenses honest and open up our perimeter guys to hit 3s. He can pick n pop in pick n roll..

[Budkin]

Looks like Pop was actually sober for this one.:lol

On a serious note: If Spurs stand pat again this year I think they might as well hang up the Big 3 and rest them for the rest of the year. In other words I think standing pat would be the biggest mistake this team could make right now.

Agreed. This year more than in years past, it's clear we don't have what it takes to win unless we make a move.

[Bruno]

What happened this summer might give an idea about the trade deadline. Last summer, Spurs try to get Kirilenko and when they failed to S&T for him, they call it an offseason.

I guess at the trade deadline, Spurs will target some very specific players, players they think can help them. If they don't get one of them, they won't do a trade.

[ace3g]

Agreed. This year more than in years past, it's clear we don't have what it takes to win unless we make a move.

+1

It has been weird not having a few of those statement wins against top teams; like any other team we have had our struggles with certain match ups over the years but still found ways to win.

[Robz4000]

What's crazy is seeing these other low-tier playoff teams like Dallas, Memphis, and Golden State get wins against the elite while the Spurs just can't seem to get it done. None of them are more young/athletic to a significant extent compared to the Spurs. IMO it has more to do with the system being exposed. A trade does need to happen but I think Pop will need to add more wrinkles to the system on offense to compete; everything's just too predictable at times on that end.

[ace3g]

What's crazy is seeing these other low-tier playoff teams like Dallas, Memphis, and Golden State get wins against the elite while the Spurs just can't seem to get it done. None of them are more young/athletic to a significant extent compared to the Spurs. IMO it has more to do with the system being exposed. A trade does need to happen but I think Pop will need to add more wrinkles to the system on offense to compete; everything's just too predictable at times on that end.

Agree to a certain extent, I've mentioned it a few times on the forum but I honestly believe Pop is going to unveil "Operation Post Up" in the playoffs, running a lot of plays for Kawhi/Diaw in the paint.

[Budkin]

Damn that was a sobering take by Pop.

[Robz4000]

Agree to a certain extent, I've mentioned it a few times on the forum but I honestly believe Pop is going to unveil "Operation Post Up" in the playoffs, running a lot of plays for Kawhi/Diaw in the paint.

I agree too; those are the changes that need to be made. The Parker-Duncan PnR they love to run so much just won't get it done consistently anymore. However, just by adding a few more outs like that on top of the D finding its form from early in the year could be the difference.

[TheGoldStandard]

+1

It has been weird not having a few of those statement wins against top teams; like any other team we have had our struggles with certain match ups over the years but still found ways to win.

They don't have that extra gear this season which leads you to either believe that they have been playing in that gear and we've mistaken that for coasting or they just don't have that 2nd gear this year to get them over the top. In years past they have had games where they struggle but find there pace and then kick it into gear.. typically how it plays out with OKC but not this year.. It's been a struggle against these long teams that can rebound the ball and knock down the 3. Team defense is a must, would have been nice to go after some assistant coaches that hang there hat on defense. A call or two to the Grizz assistants might have been nice.

I would have loved a player like Al Jefferson on the team.. I know a lot of people will poo poo his defense but he's actually played quite well this year and his stats show that he's having a decent defensive year and his PER is pretty solid, win shares, 20/10 guy with 33 minutes. He can play inside and out and can get hot enough that teams have to actually honor his shot and stick a guy on him which means that he could command a double team long enough to get a perimeter guy open to swing the ball to. Could have done a sign and trade with Charlotte.. Splitter, Bonner and a draft pick for Jefferson and MKG.. gets us that backup wing we needed..

[Mel_13]

They don't have that extra gear this season which leads you to either believe that they have been playing in that gear and we've mistaken that for coasting or they just don't have that 2nd gear this year to get them over the top. In years past they have had games where they struggle but find there pace and then kick it into gear.. typically how it plays out with OKC but not this year.. It's been a struggle against these long teams that can rebound the ball and knock down the 3. Team defense is a must, would have been nice to go after some assistant coaches that hang there hat on defense. A call or two to the Grizz assistants might have been nice.

I would have loved a player like Al Jefferson on the team.. I know a lot of people will poo poo his defense but he's actually played quite well this year and his stats show that he's having a decent defensive year and his PER is pretty solid, win shares, 20/10 guy with 33 minutes. He can play inside and out and can get hot enough that teams have to actually honor his shot and stick a guy on him which means that he could command a double team long enough to get a perimeter guy open to swing the ball to. Could have done a sign and trade with Charlotte.. Splitter, Bonner and a draft pick for Jefferson and MKG.. gets us that backup wing we needed..

No, they couldn't. Jefferson's rights were owned by Utah.

[DesignatedT]

Agreed. This year more than in years past, it's clear we don't have what it takes to win unless we make a move.

It just seems that way because of where the spurs made it last year but in reality people have declared this team done and our chances of making an nba finals over for some time now. People were sitting here mid season last year having the same conversations about how we have no chance and wanting to blow up the entire squad.

[TheGoldStandard]

No, they couldn't. Jefferson's rights were owned by Utah.

Okay, then outright sign him when Utah let him walk

[Budkin]

At this point I'm starting to look forward to the rebuilding years just so we don't have to rehash the same fucking concerns and arguments over and over again.

[TheGoldStandard]

At this point I'm starting to look forward to the rebuilding years just so we don't have to rehash the same fucking concerns and arguments over and over again.

Dude.. they have a legend on the team and great players and they still can't fill in the holes despite none of them having a bloated contract (manu can be debated since he's been oft injured this year).. I think we'll be rehashing this same ole shit with shitty players in place of Duncan/Manu etc.

The sobering reality is that outside of Kawhi we don't have athletic players waiting in the wings.. It'll take either having really shitty seasons to get someone and then hope the FO actually targets someone on this side of the globe who has length and athleticism or Pop retires and we get some new guy in who goes after that kind of team.

[Budkin]

It just seems that way because of where the spurs made it last year but in reality people have declared this team done and our chances of making an nba finals over for some time now. People were sitting here mid season last year having the same conversations about how we have no chance and wanting to blow up the entire squad.

Yes but this year we simply can't win a measly regular season game against the really good teams. Don't think that's ever happened during the Timmy era.

[TheGoldStandard]

Yes but this year we simply can't win a measly regular season game against the really good teams. Don't think that's ever happened during the Timmy era.

Yes, last season despite how we lost we were witnessing a rebirth of Tim Duncan playing like he was 5 years younger and Parker was in the Top 3 conversation for MVP.. we don't have that kind of momentum or stellar play this season.

[SpurPadre]

Good clip. I'm not getting that "Spurs are seeking a trade" vibe from that interview. Complimenting Bonner & mentioning getting Belinelli familiar with the system doesn't give me the feeling that the rotation guys are going to be any different after the trading deadline. I think Pop wants to see what he has when healthy and just decide who he's going to use - at this point, that just means which shooting guard to start (Green or Belinelli) and which 4 to consistently sub (Ayers of Bonner). Clearly a better choice at 4 would help but I just don't see who they would get (and be familiar with their role/system in the coaches' eyes) before the trading deadline knowing the history of the front office. I also feel a bit conflicted when Pop emphasizes the poor record against the "good" teams. Sometimes that does more harm than good when one's constantly reminded. It's like the whole back-to-back game thing a few years back. I've always said, one of Pops weaknesses is he doesn't instill confidence in the team (unlike Phil Jackson). Don't make those previous losses an albatross.

I agree with what you say about not really getting a trade vibe from Pop, especially when he still feels the need to compliment Bonner, the man who gets more second chances and excuses for miserable play than anyone in sports it seems. But I do feel he needed to call the team out a bit like he did. As he's said many times, they're grown men out there, not boys. They should be able to take the heat. The truth hurts sometimes. It still sucks we won't make any deals, though.

[HI-FI]

I agree too; those are the changes that need to be made. The Parker-Duncan PnR they love to run so much just won't get it done consistently anymore. However, just by adding a few more outs like that on top of the D finding its form from early in the year could be the difference.
if there has been one benefit of Parker giving the Spurs sloppy seconds and playing like shit is it's forcing Pop to think outside the box, at least that's what I'm hoping. This interview though does sound like Pop is very aware of the team's limitations. Operation Post Up sounds really good, but I worry it will become Operation Post Up Heroball like the past few years. Past two years Parker should have fed the ball more to Kawhi or Pop dialed up some plays for him.

I agree with the above that they need more wrinkles, especially if Parker has hit a wall.

[weeks]

funny that Pop said our real record (against teams he consideres the top ones) is 1-9... so.. does he disregard the CP3less Clipper win, or does he not consider GS a top team?
pop said in an interview that he specifically didn't count the clipper win because they didn't have paul

[wildchild]

IMO it has more to do with the system being exposed. A trade does need to happen but I think Pop will need to add more wrinkles to the system on offense to compete; everything's just too predictable at times on that end.

Agree with you, but the system always comes before the players for Pop. He won't change the system despite criticisms, bad games, injuries, trades...

[lmbebo]

listened to the interview finally, doesn't sound like he thinks they need to add that piece to put spurs over the top.

When I listen to him, it sounds like we need our players healthy so that they system runs has intended to overcome those teams athletic ability and youth. He says that spurs need to be at the top of the league to be handle those teams, no margin for error.

[Proxy]

team doesn't have a reliable third option anymore with Manu dropping off. would be nice to get that (no shit, right?)

[tmtcsc]

I believe the Spurs are going to be ready and primed for the playoffs. The Spurs have failed to beat the better teams this season because they haven't brought the necessary intensity and energy needed to do so - mentally and physically. As Pop stated, there is a smaller margin for error when you are an older and less athletic team. Once the real season starts, the players will raise their games with a sense of urgency.

I'm not a psychologist, I just believe its human nature to see a tough regular season match-up against a good team as just that - a regular season game. You can't really simulate a playoff game in the regular season because you realize there is a tomorrow and as Tony says "Meh, its the NBA. You win some, you lose some. Time to get ready for the next one". I'm not saying its right, I'm just saying that's the way it is.

We are all aware of how close the Spurs were to finishing off the Heat in 6 games on Miami's home court. When they failed to do that, they were forced to a game 7 for all the chips. How does that big game compare to playing a "hot" OKC or Portland team that has something to prove to themselves in the regular season?

You will see the Spurs players - from the Vets to the new guys - give everything they have in the playoffs. The mental mistakes and the lack of focus will be a thing of the past. If the newer players can't hack the playoff pressure (Jeff Ayers), they will be buried on the bench.



bump

[testies]

after this interview I thought we had no chance of winning this year