Game 4: Agree with Pop pulling the plug midway throught the 3rd quarter?

[myhc]

Agree with Pop pulling the plug midway through the 3rd quarter?

[MarCowMar]

I really would have loved to see some of the starters re-appear at the 8 minute mark of the fourth. The backups had done their part and brought us within reach. Let the refreshed starters have a crack at it.

If nothing else it would have given Brooks something to react to and worry about.

[spursparker9]

Actually can pull after the end of first quarter.

At that point of time you can tell who will win the game already.

[jag]

The starters gave up way before that. Why play guys who don't care and show no intensity?

At least the bench played with some pride.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

When do we get to pull Pop? He's getting worked by Scott freakin' Brooks.

[Shaolin-Style]

At least Joseph and the others were attacking the rim more and sharing the ball. Definitely agree with it and hope it sends a message to wake the starters up.

[dg7md]

Absolutely. Let them sit and watch what laziness and lackluster offense will do to our team. It's probably the best move, no sense in wasting our guys for a game that we had no chance of winning. On the plus side, CoJo and Diaw shined; hopefully they get big minutes for game 5.

[UZER]

I really would have loved to see some of the starters re-appear at the 8 minute mark of the fourth. The backups had done their part and brought us within reach. Let the refreshed starters have a crack at it.

If nothing else it would have given Brooks something to react to and worry about.

The bench had it going and were playing with urgency and heart. Putting the starters back in at that point just to get run back off the floor would'nt have made sense.

[boutons_deux]

Boris obviously felt the need to carry the load, go alpha-dog, when the Big4 were benched. respek!

[Spur|n|Austin]

Absolutely. Let them sit and watch what laziness and lackluster offense will do to our team. It's probably the best move, no sense in wasting our guys for a game that we had no chance of winning. On the plus side, CoJo and Diaw shined; hopefully they get big minutes for game 5.

One could only hope Pop and his staff find minutes for Cory to play, he was impressive. Silver lining in the loss last night was the starters got to sit and watch how a team should play...not scared. I guess you could say it was good that KD and WB played heavy minutes, but then again those guys are young and it shouldn't effect them.

[Skull-1]

At least Joseph and the others were attacking the rim more and sharing the ball. Definitely agree with it and hope it sends a message to wake the starters up.


The scrubs showing the starters how to play ballsy. Good lesson.

[Old School 44]

...until he put in Ayres and he put up an 18 footer. Should have also left Patty on the bench as well as the spot minutes from Green. I'd like them to run some plays for Belinelli. Not sure what's wrong with him, if it's confidence or what, but it's like he's not even thinking about shooting.

[DMC]

I never understood the mentality of putting people back into the game who showed you already they either weren't interested or weren't able to win.

[DMC]

...until he put in Ayres and he put up an 18 footer. Should have also left Patty on the bench as well as the spot minutes from Green. I'd like them to run some plays for Belinelli. Not sure what's wrong with him, if it's confidence or what, but it's like he's not even thinking about shooting.

Pop curses them out in the lockerroom and guys go all hot potato with the ball, especially guys like Marco who are just role players and new to the team.

[doobs]

Pop did the right thing, even leaving the bench in when the game was potentially within reach was the right decision. The starters played like dogshit. It must have been tough for the starters to watch as the bench played hard and had some success; if that doesn't wake them the fuck up for game 5, this team has no chance anyway. As for the bench, they got a chance to show what they can do, which they earned.

[doobs]

Frankly, I think that could have been a series (or even playoffs) defining moment for the Spurs. In the span of a couple minutes in the third quarter, Duncan let his frustration show and seemed the be arguing with Pop, then Pop sat the starters for the duration, and then the bench came in and balled (the most stunning example being the Cojo dunk on Ibaka). Either the Spurs go on a tear beginning with the next game, or they fold.

[Skull-1]

Frankly, I think that could have been a series (or even playoffs) defining moment for the Spurs. In the span of a couple minutes in the third quarter, Duncan let his frustration show and seemed the be arguing with Pop, then Pop sat the starters for the duration, and then the bench came in and balled (the most stunning example being the Cojo dunk on Ibaka). Either the Spurs go on a tear beginning with the next game, or they fold.


^^^^^

[Poolboy5623]

Imo, the only reason the bench looked decent, was because okc backed off on defense and wasn't pressuring the ball nearly as much. This allowed the spurs the freedom to play some offense and have movement. Im not defending the starters in any way (they stunk), but this is what I saw.

[unleashbaynes]

When do we get to pull Pop? He's getting worked by Scott freakin' Brooks.

No he isnt. Our guys are not running the offense and being scared little bitches. That isn't on coaching.

[cd98]

Hard to argue with a guy that has won as much as Pop. I don't think our guys had the gas to come all the way back, and while I think our bench played hard, I also think Thunder took their foot off the pedal a little. Not sure that would have happened with our starters.

[Shastafarian]

Frankly, I think that could have been a series (or even playoffs) defining moment for the Spurs. In the span of a couple minutes in the third quarter, Duncan let his frustration show and seemed the be arguing with Pop, then Pop sat the starters for the duration, and then the bench came in and balled (the most stunning example being the Cojo dunk on Ibaka). Either the Spurs go on a tear beginning with the next game, or they fold.

The problem is the starters still don't have their confidence or whatever you want to call it. What do you have to lose (barring injury) by playing them while only down 12? They're already mentally frustrated with themselves. If they continue to play poorly is it that much of a mental beatdown? Herm Edwards said it best, you play to win the game. The game was winnable. Pop chose to be stubborn or clever or who the hell knows. I personally think it was a mistake but that's what pop gets paid the big bucks for.

edit: was wrong about how much time was left

[weebo]

I would have liked to have seen Manu and Leonard back in there once the lead had been cut to 14. Manu played well enough in both games at OKC that he deserved a chance to win the game, and Leonard is still young and could use the experience.

[wildbill2u]

The starters gave up way before that. Why play guys who don't care and show no intensity?

At least the bench played with some pride.

Agree. The guys we count on haven't shown up with any intensity or focus the last couple of games. Thunder want it more than we do.

[Shastafarian]

I would have liked to have seen Manu and Leonard back in there once the lead had been cut to 14. Manu played well enough in both games at OKC that he deserved a chance to win the game, and Leonard is still young and could use the experience.

Instead he puts mills and green in. Mills promptly airballed a shot. It's hard to say one guy would be better than another but why not put a guy in who can act as a facilitator in Manu? Mills isn't really capable of that. Neither is Green.

[gameFACE]

Pop did the right thing even though he's guilty of not adjusting. The Spurs got rattled. They were manhandled by an aggressive team that has no reason to fear them. Why would they? And as we've seen before, once the Spurs get rattled they fold like puppies.

Although I love the blow-out wins on the surface, I don't like to see it constantly. Since Game 7 of Dallas all wins have been blow-outs. It gives a false sense of privilege. Then when you have to work for it and don't get your way it's frustrating.

What's weird is that if the Spurs were to jump out and get physical with the Thunder, the latter would get easily rattled, too.

[baseline bum]

When do we get to pull Pop? He's getting worked by Scott freakin' Brooks.

He's not getting worked by Brooks. Brooks made obvious adjustments and now doesn't need to have Durant guarding Duncan with Ibaka back.

[weebo]

Instead he puts mills and green in. Mills promptly airballed a shot. It's hard to say one guy would be better than another but why not put a guy in who can act as a facilitator in Manu? Mills isn't really capable of that. Neither is Green.

I agree. Mills and Green contributed to the horrible play and deserved to stay on the bench. Manu could've helped run the offense once Cojo went out and Leonard is our best young player.

I don't buy all this 'send a message to the starters' BS, because these are grown men (as Pop himself would put it) and they know what's at stake. It's the PO's and every game is important and you have to try and win every game.

[rjv]

i loved it. pop basically stating to the starters: if you're going to get pushed around and play soft i'll start coaching up the next generation. starters had to sit there and let that soak in while the bench competed so much harder and looked so much less intimidated.

[peacemaker885]

Just setting yourself up for a heartbreak and possibly injury. We are not winning anything in OKC. This is where HCA comes into play.

[MannyIsGod]

Pretty surprised that anyone wants to put blame on Pop. Last night was one of the worst Duncan games I've ever seen. He was obviously frustrated and let Perkins get in his head a bit. The starters in general took really poor care of the ball. I mean Westbrook is a good player but they made him seem god like last night.

The Starters just need to man up and play smart. I don't mind when Tony has a few possessions where he dominates the ball but otherwise this team should be moving the ball well and that isn't happening. Credit the thunder a bit but for the most part the Spurs just need to play better. You probably also can't play Splitter much in this series unless he develops a jumpshot over night. Not with Ibaka out there anyway.

[sexinthatsx]

Thunder scouts figured Parker out, and is countering his every move. What the scouts didn't do though, is scout the last player on the bench tbh...

[Duncan21MVP]

It's like we're seeing the 2003 version of Tony Parker, when Pop gave Speedy Claxton some big minutes to close out the Nets. Maybe start CoJo just to mess with Brooks' head a little bit and get TP in the game midway through the 1st qtr. Using the same pieces just isn't working -- I think that's why the bench players fared so well against OKC's starters. We've heard all year about what a great bench we have and how that will pose a problem for our opponents; let's start using it.

[hitmanyr2k]

Like I said last night, it was stupid to keep the starters on the bench when the lead was cut to 12-14 with a whole quarter to be played. Popovich could have put just ONE scorer out there with the bench rather than Ayres. Ginobili hadn't played the entire 2nd half. Kawhi doesn't need rest. He needs experience. This is the WCF, not some stupid regular season game. We've seen so much crazy shit happen in NBA history that not giving your team a chance with that much time left this late in the playoffs was idiotic to me. 12-14 point leads have been erased in minutes even when held by the best teams. What if the Mavs coach just decided to bench the starters when they went down by 15 to the cackling Heat midway through the 4th in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals? If Carlisle had Popovich's mindset he would have been like "Gee, Lebron, Wade and Bosh are just too athletic and good. My team is old and are getting run out of the gym. There's no way we can come back from 15 down with 6 minutes left in the game. Dirk is off. Jason Terry is MIA. Jason Kidd can't make anything. May as well give up and yank these guys. It's just one game right? Can't make that much of a difference :( :( :( :( "

Think Dallas would have a title today with that mindset if they go down 0-2 to Miami in the Finals and gave the Heat a ton of confidence going into Game 3?

[silverblk mystix]

Like I said last night, it was stupid to keep the starters on the bench when the lead was cut to 12-14 with a whole quarter to be played. Popovich could have put just ONE scorer out there with the bench rather than Ayres. Ginobili hadn't played the entire 2nd half. Kawhi doesn't need rest. He needs experience. This is the WCF, not some stupid regular season game. We've seen so much crazy shit happen in NBA history that not giving your team a chance with that much time left this late in the playoffs was idiotic to me. 12-14 point leads have been erased in minutes even when held by the best teams. What if the Mavs coach just decided to bench the starters when they went down by 15 to the cackling Heat midway through the 4th in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals? If Carlisle had Popovich's mindset he would have been like "Gee, Lebron, Wade and Bosh are just too athletic and good. My team is old and are getting run out of the gym. There's no way we can come back from 15 down with 6 minutes left in the game. Dirk is off. Jason Terry is MIA. Jason Kidd can't make anything. May as well give up and yank these guys. It's just one game right? Can't make that much of a difference :( :( :( :( "

Think Dallas would have a title today with that mindset if they go down 0-2 to Miami in the Finals and gave the Heat a ton of confidence going into Game 3?




Don't you know anything?

This is Lord Pop you are talking about - wtf is wrong with you - you ungrateful bastard!


:lmao:lmao

[florige]

Frankly, I think that could have been a series (or even playoffs) defining moment for the Spurs. In the span of a couple minutes in the third quarter, Duncan let his frustration show and seemed the be arguing with Pop, then Pop sat the starters for the duration, and then the bench came in and balled (the most stunning example being the Cojo dunk on Ibaka). Either the Spurs go on a tear beginning with the next game, or they fold.



Great take!

[kobexxx]

dejavu.. cant finish off .. OKC vs Heat will be better for the gates thats why .. wait for next year again

[ceperez]

Like I said last night, it was stupid to keep the starters on the bench when the lead was cut to 12-14 with a whole quarter to be played. Popovich could have put just ONE scorer out there with the bench rather than Ayres. Ginobili hadn't played the entire 2nd half. Kawhi doesn't need rest. He needs experience. This is the WCF, not some stupid regular season game. We've seen so much crazy shit happen in NBA history that not giving your team a chance with that much time left this late in the playoffs was idiotic to me. 12-14 point leads have been erased in minutes even when held by the best teams. What if the Mavs coach just decided to bench the starters when they went down by 15 to the cackling Heat midway through the 4th in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals? If Carlisle had Popovich's mindset he would have been like "Gee, Lebron, Wade and Bosh are just too athletic and good. My team is old and are getting run out of the gym. There's no way we can come back from 15 down with 6 minutes left in the game. Dirk is off. Jason Terry is MIA. Jason Kidd can't make anything. May as well give up and yank these guys. It's just one game right? Can't make that much of a difference :( :( :( :( "

Think Dallas would have a title today with that mindset if they go down 0-2 to Miami in the Finals and gave the Heat a ton of confidence going into Game 3?

+1

Ayres shouldn't have been on the court. There should have been an additional 3 point shooter. You never know when you can jack up 2-3 3's quickly. Look what happened in the game against the Mavs. In less than one minute a 10 point lead was cut down to two.