Game 5: Western Conference Finals- Thunder @ Spurs

[Darius Bieber]

http://nba.com/spurs/photos/wallpaper_100224.jpg


Keith Bogans and He Who Must Not Be Named :lol

[TheGoldStandard]

A lot on the line tonight for this team.. If they lose this series lots of changes will be coming or at least there should be.

[ElNono]

A lot on the line tonight for this team.. If they lose this series lots of changes will be coming or at least there should be.

Agreed. If I had to guess, bring back DeColo and cut Daye... :lol

[ace3g]

Paul Garcia PS @PaulGarciaPS
(https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaPS)Matt Bonner to start for #Spurs (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Spurs).

[Mugen]

:lol seriously?

[Chomag]

No...just NO! Panic button much?

[ace3g]

http://photos-h.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-prn/10349684_1452997971610215_682657549_n.jpg

[timtonymanu]

smh

[rasuo214]

Might work if it gets Ibaka out of the paint.

[Baam]

:lol not the most terrible choice but imo full small ball with Kawhi at the 4 would have been even better...

[DPG21920]

F*ck Pop if true. No way he thinks MB is a WCF rotational player. Matt hits a couple of wide open 3's when no one is trying and suddenly he's starting again?? Is that the worst "chipping away at the lead" thing that could have happened?

[Chomag]

because it worked out so well before....

[ElNono]

:lol so we're giving up rebounding from the get go?

[crc21209]

Bonner? What in the fuck...

[Robz4000]

Might as well tbh

[Darius Bieber]

Well.... Now it might be 40 point blow out instead of 30.... Is this Pop's secret adjustment plan after 4 years of being raped by OKC? smh

[Baam]

Replacing Splitter or Duncan seeing both on Twitter ?

[HI-FI]

:flag:

http://radiuschurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/article_images_teaching_kids_prayer_505493964.jpeg

[BatManu20]

Wow is right.

472176572640681984

[DesignatedT]

I see bonner playing the first 5 minutes and then possibly not seeing the floor again for the night if it's close.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Oh god please have a quick leash on bonner oh man

[ElNono]

Come on Matty...

http://i58.tinypic.com/talnhg.jpg

[Chomag]

Could have been Ayers so...YA

[BatManu20]

As poorly as Splitter has played this series, I think Bonner can only be worse.. Don't like messing with lineups during a series either. Reeks of desperation and almost never works tbh.

[Nathan89]

Another reason to not start Diaw is he can match with undersized defender more often instead going at Ibaka or taking jumpshots. I rather Bonner start for 4-5 minutes.

The best move imo

[Mugen]

:lol 3 years of progress only to revert back to the 2011 Spurs tbh

[DPG21920]

Ya - that should help stop the layup/fast break/FT parades.

[rasuo214]

:lol so we're giving up rebounding from the get go?

They weren't rebounding with Splitter.

[Dex]

Mamba del Roja has been decent for his standards for a good two solid years, but...

I can't believe our secret fucking weapon against the Oklahoma City Thunder is supposed to be Matt fucking Bonner.

[.G.]

Matt Bonner Basketball!!!!

[Chinook]

I think it's worth a try. If Bonner comes through, it would absolutely destroy OKC's D.

[Nathan89]

Bonner is about to do big things.

[td4mvp21]

WTF.

[soxxx]

This could work if Bonner hits his shots, major risk tho.

[spurraider21]

is this real life? :rollin

[crc21209]

I mean yeah he might make a couple of 3's, but he's gonna give up midrange J's to Ibaka on the other end and rebounds...

[HemisfairArena]

Ibaka might laugh himself out of the game if Bonner starts. Great move by CIA Pop,,,,dude is one of the most overrat,,,,best coaches ever.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

WTF!!! Bonner:bang

[td4mvp21]

Bonner on Ibaka :lmao

[Nathan89]

Ya - that should help stop the layup/fast break/FT parades.

A more efficient offense will help a lot on those things.

[Chinook]

Ya - that should help stop the layup/fast break/FT parades.

It should, actually.

[loveforthegame]

Fluck the Thunder. Kill them Spurs!

Don't disappoint Bonner.

:flag:

[ThePop]

he's gonna give up midrange J's to Ibaka on the other end and rebounds...

Well that was happening regardless

[Mugen]

Hopefully RJ can attack the basket as well.

[ElNono]

I'm rooting for him, but I think Pop forgot how much he chokes in big games unless the lead is 20+... hope being at home helps him

[DesignatedT]

There's no way pop expects bonner to play heavy minutes tonight. I think this is as much a psychological adjustment as it is a strategical one. Make them think a little I guess.

[Chomag]

You know Pop could never resist... goes from 12th man to starter in the WCF in an instant. Has that ever happened before?

[r0drig0lac]

we are not worthy

[Nathan89]

Just as Spurstalk thought they've seen the last of Bonner.:lmao

[TE]

Holy motherfuck. Wow, this has to somewhat devastating to Splitter.

[Ron Swanson]

http://iknowimnotnormalbecause.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/got_a_bad_feeling1.jpg

[SpurPadre]

Am I in bizarro world right now? I'm at work, get off in 10 minutes...no way this could be fucking happening. Is this a put on? Come on, guys, stop joking. It isn't funny.

[MannyIsGod]

This move makes perfect sense, quite frankly. For as well as he's played, Tiago is just a horribly bad matchup when Ibaka is in there. Bonner will provide space and will can guard Ibaka on the perimeter well enough. I like Tiago matching up with Adams much more.

[313]

:lol 3 years of progress only to revert back to the 2011 Spurs tbh
:lmao Matty gonna come through

[ace3g]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0519/mag_bonner02_tp_400x600.jpg

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0519/mag_bonner01_tp_576x324.jpg

[$pursDynasty]

So if Bonner starts no Perkins and Ibaka guards Tim and is still in the lane, what is the advantage?

[BatManu20]

472177729895677954

[Jenks]

Pop has finally gone all the way and moved up garbage time to 12 minutes left in the 1st.

[Horry Hipcheck]

Mamba del Roja has been decent for his standards for a good two solid years, but...

I can't believe our secret fucking weapon against the Oklahoma City Thunder is supposed to be Matt fucking Bonner.

Think of how hilarious it will be if it works.

[Blizzardwizard]

It could of been Ayers, it could have been Ayers it, could have been Ayers *while rocking back and forth in a corner*

[Mugen]

Pop has finally gone all the way and moved up garbage time to 12 minutes left in the 1st.

:lol tbh

[CGD]

It makes sense. It aligns the bench big rotations too, which I like. The splitter/diaw combo spacing works well off the second unit. If (big if) the spurs are lucky to advance I expect something like this against MIA also.

[DPG21920]

Tim better be fully committed to leaving Perkins to rotate and protect the rim.

[ThePop]

472177585036607488

[BatManu20]

472176914048618496

[Chomag]

If the OKC is smart he would move Durrant to the 4 and have him guard Bonner. It would keep Durrant rested on D thats for sure

[RD2191]

Poor Pop, his dementia finally caught up to him.

[Horry Hipcheck]

So if Bonner starts no Perkins and Ibaka guards Tim and is still in the lane, what is the advantage?

Go for spacing early, bring Diaw in off the bench in the hopes that Bonner is doing more damage than Splitter would be, let Diaw take over from there.

[Horry Hipcheck]

Poor Pop, his dementia finally caught up to him.

:lol

[DPG21920]

It should, actually.

We will see.

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bo2EGivIMAAaESY.jpg:large

[CGD]

I just pray we dont have another 2012 ibaka 15/15 performance or the Perkins starts lighting it up.

[313]

Tim better be fully committed to leaving Perkins to rotate and protect the rim.
thisssss

[MannyIsGod]

Tim better be fully committed to leaving Perkins to rotate and protect the rim.

This will likely hurt them rebounding wise a lot but they're already giving up a ton of offensive rebounds so maybe not.

[SpurPadre]

So this is official? Ok, I'm about to say goodbye to my computer screen and smash the fuck out of it... SOMEONE tell me it's a sick joke, for crying out loud!!!!1

[Chinook]

If the OKC is smart he would move Durrant to the 4 and have him guard Bonner. It would keep Durrant rested on D thats for sure

Yeah and have no rim-protection on PnRs.

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Starting Bonner makes a lot of sense. Good for Pop to recognize that. That's exactly what I wanted tbh..

[TheGoldStandard]

Pop reverting back to 2008 - 2011 goods.. Oh well.. Can only hope that Parker and Co. win this in spite of Pop

[itzsoweezee]

Great move, Popovich. Bonner better hit those threes, though.

[DPG21920]

Spurs, even with Tiago, got plenty of uncontested looks that guys like Boris/Kawhi/DG missed. The defense got absolutely destroyed and Bonner is just an awful defender at this point.

[Johnny RIngo]

Bonner starting? Goddamn, Pop hasn't been the same since losing to Avery Johnson in 2006

[Mugen]

:lol Nothing like some more Bonner to help a team struggling with defense and rebounding tbh. Can't believe it's come to this but fuck it tbh.

:flag:

[emanueldavidginobili]

Tony Manu Tim combine 65 points tonight

[TE]

I remember coach Nick talking about an "adjustment" that could potentially be made by Pop...glass half full empty, I'm thinking this is move. Bonner, IF making shots, forces a big out out of the paint. It's that simple.

[timtonymanu]

So this is official? Ok, I'm about to say goodbye to my computer screen and smash the fuck out of it... SOMEONE tell me it's a sick joke, for crying out loud!!!!1

:lol You even started the game thread. Pop trolling you.

[hater]

:lmao Pop

old fuck has gone full on senile :pctoss

[SpurPadre]

So, no one is willing to tell me that this is all a joke?

[Nathan89]

I rather Duncan going at Ibaka instead going at Perkins with Ibaka standing right behind him like last game.

[TheGoldStandard]

Starting Bonner makes a lot of sense. Good for Pop to recognize that. That's exactly what I wanted tbh..
Said no one ever

[ElNono]

I'm a well renowned Bonner-in-big-role hater, and I can say this gimmick rarely works... they don't need to use Abaka on Bonner, and Bonner on the perimeter can be shut down by even Fisher...

Let's wait and see a bit, I suspect Corey might get some minutes off the bench too...

[DesignatedT]

How Long until OKC goes small? Is this pops attempt at trying to make them go small early? So pop can put in the extra guard

[DPG21920]

Bonner's main skill (shooting) has not been very good. Let's see if he can hit the shots or if OKC forces him to make 7 3's to prove himself before they decide to guard him.

[Horry Hipcheck]

The first play of the game will be drawn up for a Bonner three. Book it.

[rasuo214]

Matt Bonner the savior. Believe.

[SpurPadre]

:lol You even started the game thread. Pop trolling you.

He's potentially trolling the sport of basketball by doing this.

[crc21209]

1. Just take care of the ball.
2. Just move the ball and find the open man.
3. Just rebound the basketball.
4. Just defend and make smart, quick defensive rotations.
5. Just play with energy and heart.
6. Just stay calm and play SPURS basketball.

JUST WIN! :flag:

[Johnny RIngo]

Also LOL at blowing the MLE on two guys who haven't contributed at all to this playoff run. Never thought you could get worse than Neal/Blair but Spurs somehow did it with Ferrari and Errors

[Baam]

Spurs, even with Tiago, got plenty of uncontested looks that guys like Boris/Kawhi/DG missed. The defense got absolutely destroyed and Bonner is just an awful defender at this point.

It changes how OKC can defend, that's the most important thing, also no look were that open aside from Boris 3s (the shots Bonner should get)...

[DPG21920]

Bonner will not shoot over anyone, even a shorter defender. It's kind of a funny move, especially for a WCF, but hey, job security allows you to do awesome things :lol

[RD2191]

Fuck it, Spelling Bee on ESPN if anyone else doesn't wanna watch another massacre.

[ElNono]

Bonner's main skill (shooting) has not been very good. Let's see if he can hit the shots or if OKC forces him to make 7 3's to prove himself before they decide to guard him.

Exactly, "make Bonner beat us" is an excellent proposition for Scotty... smh

[DPG21920]

It changes what OKC can defend, that's the most important thing, also no look were that open aside from Boris 3s (the shots Bonner should get)...

That is just wrong and I can statistically prove it.

[TE]

The first play of the game will be drawn up for a Bonner three. Book it.
Has to be imo. Can't have a lack of rebounding out there to go with a cold shooter whose specialty is just that.

[TheGoldStandard]

Bonner will stab Ibaka and call it a career, book it

[Nathan89]

This just made a very interesting game even more interesting.

[SpurPadre]

Maybe Ibaka can crack a rib after laughing his ass off seeing Bonner on the floor.

[CGD]

Did the crowd show up tonight ?

[Chomag]

Wasnt going to drink tonight....

[r0drig0lac]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Qq1dCmZ_wk/USJc7m9McbI/AAAAAAAABG0/kYfhqLv-7ds/s1600/red+mamba.jpg

[313]

RT @danmccarneysaen (https://twitter.com/danmccarneysaen): Not to be a downer, but Spurs are 1-5 in Bonner's six career playoff starts.

[Random5843]

Pop must have had his reasons. Four rings and everything.

But this is too risky: slow, unathletic, old, a renown playoff choker, can't jump. I bet Bonner is a great person, but this can't be COTY's big move.

I guess Timmy will play again like crap, alone in the paint. And when this isn't working, I expect Errors.

Hope I'm wrong

[DPG21920]

If this works, the legend of Pop continues :lol If they lose, the legend of Pop continues.

Let's say this works ok and they lose a close one. Does Pop keep starting Bonner on the road? Even if they win? What is Bonner's conditioning? Will he get any benefit of the doubt from the refs?

[TheGoldStandard]

The Pop hate will be strong during and after this one..

[PingPong]

The game hasn't started yet and there's 12 pages. Meltdown ongoing.

[Johnny RIngo]

Wasn't Bonner really, really awful against OKC in 2012? I remember him coming in one game when the Spurs had the lead and Thunder proceeded to score something like ten points in less than two minutes. He was quickly yanked after that.

[DPG21920]

Maybe Ibaka can crack a rib after laughing his ass off seeing Bonner on the floor.

:lol

[RD2191]

:flag::depressed

[slick'81]

Bonner well fck me this shit is on

[Horry Hipcheck]

Well at least we're not getting a white-out this time around. That's always a good sign.

[ElNono]

Why not start Diaw and play him for 30-35 mins? :lol

damn it

[TE]

:flag:

This is it.

[DesignatedT]

I think this is an attempt at making OKC go small early. He didn't feel Diaw starting would prompt OKC to adjust

[r0drig0lac]

RT @danmccarneysaen (https://twitter.com/danmccarneysaen): Not to be a downer, but Spurs are 1-5 in Bonner's six career playoff starts.

solid record

[Darius Bieber]

Bonner's +/- will go straight from best of the team to worse in this game. Looks like the King will be dethroned.

[cjw]

Pop must have had his reasons. Four rings and everything. But this is too risky: slow, unathletic, old, a renown playoff choker, can't jump. I bet Bonner is a great person, but this can't be COTY's big move. I guess Timmy will play again like crap, alone in the paint. And when this isn't working, I expect Errors. Hope I'm wrong

He's up against a guy who can't jump either and is only a post defender. It makes OKC make defensive adjustments, so will force them out of gameplan if nothing else.

[RD2191]

:flag:

This is it.
:wakeup

[Beaverfuzz]

:flag: :lobt2:

[Horry Hipcheck]

Welp. 48 minutes to decide how much longer the Spurs' season lasts.

[TheGoldStandard]

Pop is now the Master of Panic..

Pop: "We're going to get backdoor swept"
Matty: "That's not the only ting getting backdoored tonight"
Pop: "Oh matty hold me"
Matty: "Okay, but you're gonna have to start me"

[RD2191]

:eyebrows

[DPG21920]

Please God let this work.

[Horry Hipcheck]

BONNER CONTROLS THE OPENING TIP AHHHHHH

[Beaverfuzz]

That was a wide open lay-in Bonner

[RD2191]

:lmao

[Leetonidas]

What the fuck is going on. BONNER!?!?!?!?!

[RD2191]

:downspin:

[Chomag]

lmao bonner being useless

[DPG21920]

Great offense :lmao

Bonner doesn't want to shoot!

[313]

bad start

[Blizzardwizard]

And it starts...

[Chomag]

oh dear god!!!! make itr stop

[TheGoldStandard]

Well Bonner won't last long.. Foul trouble in 1 more minute

[Horry Hipcheck]

Hahaha this is already going poorly.

[Beaverfuzz]

Diaw to come in, in the next three minutes.

[BatManu20]

Bonner doens't even want to shoot.... this sucks

[Spurs9]

We are not winning this folks

[DPG21920]

If this works, the legend of Pop continues :lol If they lose, the legend of Pop continues.

Let's say this works ok and they lose a close one. Does Pop keep starting Bonner on the road? Even if they win? What is Bonner's conditioning? Will he get any benefit of the doubt from the refs?

[Blizzardwizard]

:lol:lmao

[RD2191]

Dat Matty B D

[Beaverfuzz]

VERDE
4
3333333!

[313]

Verde333

[Horry Hipcheck]

DANNY

[ace3g]

Green 3!!!

[RD2191]

Dat Matty B D

[DPG21920]

For this to have any chance, Bonner cannot hesitate to shoot.

[Beaverfuzz]

TIM cleans up Tony's mess.

[BatManu20]

Tony's gotta hit shots today..

[313]

Verde333
nevermind

[Horry Hipcheck]

Well the shots aren't really falling for OKC either. And Parker is at least staying aggressive.

[Beaverfuzz]

Jesus Christ TIMMUH, BOX THE FUCK OUT!

[RD2191]

:lmaorefs

[Beaverfuzz]

TONY!

[RD2191]

Dat Matty B D
:toast

[Horry Hipcheck]

Twice now Bonner has forced Ibaka into a running hook, and twice now he's missed.

[Spurs9]

Attack every play run it down their throats

[Horry Hipcheck]

DUNCAN

[dg7md]

Duncan blocks Ibaka! Finally!

[Beaverfuzz]

Use your left hand Tony, Jesus Christ.

[BatManu20]

Come on Tony

[RD2191]

KAWHI GOOD EFFORT

[DPG21920]

Way to aggressively rotate, Tim. A must if Bonner is starting.

[ThePop]

472181805224058880

[ace3g]

Operation Post up

[DPG21920]

Dat Bonner D.....come on Matt.

[RD2191]

472181805224058880
:lmao

[Horry Hipcheck]

Interior passing!

[313]

good find Kawhi

[DPG21920]

Reggie just destroyed Bonner too easily and Tim to slow to help cut him off. Have to fix that. It's a big issue.

[Horry Hipcheck]

Minus that layup for Jackson, Bonner on D is kind of working?

[cjw]

Ibaka 0 for 3 with Bonner on him (with some help from Tim). Wow

[RD2191]

Get CoJo on RJ

[BatManu20]

Reggie Jackson torching Tony per par

[Horry Hipcheck]

And they've given up that layup twice now.

[loveforthegame]

Jackson blowing by too easy. :bang

[703 Spurz]

Ibaka 0-4....3 Spurs fouls in 4 1/2 minutes

[DPG21920]

Ya, layup drill still in effect. Obviously a big concern as I mentioned. Especially with Tim's consistent hesitation on helping.

[RD2191]

:bang

[Horry Hipcheck]

Jackson needs to cool off now because Westbrook and Durant will get going eventually and they can't all be going off.

[loveforthegame]

Green leaving Durant. :lol

[TheGoldStandard]

Danny Green with the shitty help defense for whatever reason

[Darius Bieber]

LMAO after all that, down by 1.

[313]

Danny Green helping 1 pass away, Jesus Christ

[CGD]

TP giving it away on D

[Chomag]

OKC waking up and realizing that its a lay-up drill with the current spurs line up

[r0drig0lac]

lol parker can not defend anything

[RD2191]

:lolNot bad, tbh. Jackson is torching us though.

[TE]

Goddamn...we look old and slow with Mr. October going to work.

[Blizzardwizard]

Why leave Durant open?? :bang

[DPG21920]

Have to abort this strategy IMO. Go to Boris. Too many layups and Tim is not turning back the clock on defensive rotations. It's just too much of a liability with Bonner out there IMO.

[Shaolin-Style]

You'd think you wouldn't leave the MVP wide open, or ever let him out of your sights.

[Horry Hipcheck]

Spurs are cruising towards putting OKC in the bonus.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Do these fucking chumps not realize the other team is actively trying to steal the ball and score points the other way?

God fucking damnit. Tim gets the dumbest fucking turnovers.

Wake the fuck up and play the game.

[313]

Get CoJo on RJ
NOW

[Nathan89]

Ibaka misses three shots and Green decides to leave Durant to guard him.

[ElNono]

layup drill... welcome back Matty!

[Arcadian]

Why Bonner over Diaw? Diaw really would have been the better choice.

Bonner wasn't even a rotation player this season, and you're going to start him in game 5 of the conference finals with the series tied 2-2? Really?

[MAx_Eric]

fuck u Thunders!!!
Reggie JAckson please go to hell

[Oh, Gee!!]

Crowd is quieter than a lutheran church

[TE]

No mistakes can be made against a team you match up horribly against. Rotations have to be crisp and correct. Not a good sign.

[Horry Hipcheck]

The Spurs are really good at looking unstoppable for about the first four minutes of any game against OKC. :lol

[crc21209]

Enough of Bonner. Put Diaw in now..

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Why Bonner over Diaw? Diaw really would have been the better choice.

Diaw can't hit open 3s.

[DPG21920]

Ya - that should help stop the layup/fast break/FT parades.


Tim better be fully committed to leaving Perkins to rotate and protect the rim.

[RD2191]

OKC ain't even breaking a sweat tbh.

[Beaverfuzz]

STFU David Aldridge.

[TheGoldStandard]

Lol Tim just standing there.. make decisions and pass the ball out.. You're useless at the top of the key

[Horry Hipcheck]

Manu needs to have a monster game, speaking of.

[Jenks]

Enough of Bonner. Put Diaw in now..
^

[RD2191]

Manu in early? Shit.

[Darius Bieber]

Crowd is quieter than a lutheran church

This is San Antonio, not OKC.

[TheGoldStandard]

Manu is in early.. lol.. Danny got the hook

[Arcadian]

Diaw can't hit open 3s.

He's been off lately, but he can hit those threes, and he can also post up and run the offense fluidly (unlike Matt).

[RD2191]

:lolTP benched.

[Chomag]

lmao green

[TheGoldStandard]

Wait, no tony? What???

[Horry Hipcheck]

What the hell was that Danny.

[Beaverfuzz]

No boxing out = this game is over.

[BatManu20]

Danny Green is a horrendous passer tbh

[ElNono]

wtf danny

[spurspokesman]

Cant rebound

[MI21]

The Spurs have broken down 3 times already and the offense is very frenetic, they are clearly nervous. That help D by Green was fucking atrocious, leaving Durant open :lol

The Bonner gimmick needs to end ASAP as well.

Pop has Green on Durant for some reason... put him on Westbrook ffs.

[loveforthegame]

Green with the wtf shit again.

[RD2191]

They're just better.

[spurspokesman]

Spurs playing scared again

[DPG21920]

Pop smart to stop this terrible move. Spurs looking out of sorts surprisingly :rolleyes

[Beaverfuzz]

Take it at Westbrook again, draw #2.

[Horry Hipcheck]

Drawing the foul on Westbrook, good sell, Manu.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Fuck it guys, just go get in your cars. Don't even play game 6. Just forfeit and call it a year.

[313]

Good patience TD

[DPG21920]

Gotta have more pump fakes!

[Beaverfuzz]

Serge scores after Duncan fails to play defense. *sigh*

[Oh, Gee!!]

KD is so fucking smooth on offense, man.

[Chomag]

umm munu wtf shot was that?

[RD2191]

:lmaodefense

[TheGoldStandard]

Manu with the shitty moves already

[loveforthegame]

:bang

[RD2191]

Ho Lee shit, straight punking.

[tim_duncan_fan]

OMG lololololol

[spurspokesman]

They are scoring easier

[dg7md]

Ugh, even with Leonard's great steal we can't get a break.