Game 25: Spurs @ Trailblazers: December 15th, 2014 @ 9:00 PM CST

[Spur|n|Austin]

San Antonio 17-7

@

Portland 18-6


Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Splitter, and Mills out tonight.

:flag:

[Dex]

FTGuests, tbh.

[313]

Beat me to it, I was just about to make a thread :lol

:flag:

[BatManu20]

Let's get it.

[313]

CJ McCollum is also out for Portland


Preview: Portland vs. San Antonio


San Antonio Spurs will be without three of their starters when they travel to Portland to play the Trail Blazers Monday night.
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Tony Parker, Tiago Splitter and Tim Duncan have all been ruled out for Monday's game.
Parker is out with a mild strain of his left hamstring. He missed Sunday night's game in Denver with the same injury.
Splitter will sit while he works to rehabilitate an injury to his right calf muscle.
Duncan, who is not injured, has been designated to miss the game due to "rest." Monday's game will be the second game of a back-to-back.
Manu Ginobili (low back contusion) and Patty Mills (recovering from right shoulder surgery) will also miss the game.
The Spurs improved to 17-7 on the season after defeating the Nuggets 99-91 Sunday in Denver.
Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. from Portland.

[DJR210]

Should be a super easy win.

[Hoops Czar]

:flag:

[Mikeanaro]

Dont hurt us.

[Dex]

Cojo - Green - Kawhi - Bonner - Baynes

Beli - Anderson - Daye - Bobo - Errors off the bench?

....this could get ugly.

[elemento]

Lamarcus to drop 40 today

[heyheymymy]

:flag:

[TheGreatYacht]

Cojo's defense getting exposed, tbh

[timtonymanu]

I expect LaMarcus to act like a Spurs killer again since Tiago is out, but I think Baynes can make him work for his offense.

Portland still has awful defense so the Spurs need to expose that.

Matthews will probably go off too since Scrubeli is going to be guarding him.

[ElNono]

:flag:

[TampaDude]

http://pngimg.com/upload/tank_PNG1320.png

[Brunodf]

I expect LaMarcus to act like a Spurs killer again since Tiago is out, but I think Baynes can make him work for his offense.

Portland still has awful defense so the Spurs need to expose that.

Matthews will probably go off too since Scrubeli is going to be guarding him.
:nope

[Robz4000]

Hopefully the game remains competitive for a half.

[TheGreatYacht]

Cojo is averaging an outstanding 12PPG as a starter, wow

[milkyway21]

Let's GO Kawhi !!!!! :flag:

[TheGreatYacht]

I expect LaMarcus to act like a Spurs killer again since Tiago is out, but I think Baynes can make him work for his offense.

Portland still has awful defense so the Spurs need to expose that.

Matthews will probably go off too since Scrubeli is going to be guarding him.
Funny. I thought Green, our starting SG, was gonna guard him

[loveforthegame]

:flag:

Obviously short handed but hope to see the Spurs play smart and hard. And stay healthy too.

[Raven]

I BELIEVE.

[Fireball]

I BELIEVE.

until Belli enters the game :lol


:flag: :flag: :flag:

[Raven]

until Belli enters the game :lol


:flag: :flag: :flag:
sad but true :lol

[itzsoweezee]

Wait, so is there some question as to whether Pop is coaching tonight?

[SpursFan86]

8 of our last 10 games in Portland have been on the 2nd night of a b2b :rolleyes

[Russ]

Daye and Anderson will have to put up huge numbers for the Spurs to have any chance.

[BillMc]

:flag:

[Robz4000]

BIG BAYNE!!!!!

[BanditHiro]

lol what a luck based shot

[Raven]

the pace is there.

[BatManu20]

Kawhiiiii

[loveforthegame]

Going to be a long night.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Oof wonder if the Spurs will break 70

[timtonymanu]

Defending well but the offense is terrible

[ElNono]

verde keeps jumping...

[BanditHiro]

Joseph is retarded

[ElNono]

Cojo needs to settle down... he's trying to play at 3x the speed of everybody else

[loveforthegame]

Joseph needs to get it together.

[BatManu20]

This is some ugly basketball.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Kawhi in the post plz

[Raven]

lol pointless tournovers

[timtonymanu]

Stop turning over the ball smh

[BanditHiro]

Ayers and Daye taking up roster space is killing the team.

[Uriel]

This is gonna be a long night. :lol

[TheGreatYacht]

Oh, so THIS is why Oseph doesn't run PG

[Robz4000]

:lol more turnovers than points

[Fireball]

great offense :lol

[Brunodf]

Turnovers :bang

:lol Baynes defense

[SpursFan86]

5 TOs and we're not even halfway through the 1st quarter :bang

[loveforthegame]

Letting Matthews go off. :lol

[loveforthegame]

Verde hitting those 3s. :tu

[Raven]

danny developing a 3 off the dribble is so important

[Mikeanaro]

CANTINFLI!

[timtonymanu]

Letting Matthews go off. :lol

He's actually capable of that. And with Green on him. Just gotta tip your hat.

[Raven]

Letting Matthews go off. :lol

what do you mean, he is one of the most badass players in the league.. not to mention, he plays for my fantasy team :lol

[BanditHiro]

He's actually capable of that. And with Green on him. Just gotta tip your hat.

except in the playoffs

[ElNono]

Bobo playing a bit better this game... at least defensively

[Robz4000]

Bobo's jumper is dead, but the rest of his game is solid.

[Brunodf]

He's actually capable of that. And with Green on him. Just gotta tip your hat.
That hasn't been a good thing lately...

[Raven]

i think the gameplan is clear, keep a torrid pace and let the bench shoot them out. Best part, cojo >>>>>> liliard and diaw can defend aldridge it seems

[Malik Hairston]

Joseph's PG skills are so disappointing, tbh, even with his improvements as an overall player this season..

[Uriel]

Bellinelli, Ayres, and Anderson all in the game. SpursTalk is going to be on a collective suicide watch. :lmao

[Malik Hairston]

Strange that Aldridge keeps posting up rather than playing the pick&pop, he always destroys the Spurs from the outside, never from the post, tbh..

[RD2191]

Lmao @ that fluke 3.

[timtonymanu]

Of course smh

[loveforthegame]

Of course. :lol

[BatManu20]

:lol Danny

[Raven]

too bad for that last three..

[Robz4000]

:lmao holy fuck that D

[Uriel]

That 1st quarter was a microcosm of how this whole game will turn out.

[ElNono]

and that's why you don't let Danny create for himself with the clock going down...

[timtonymanu]

Scrubeli's defense :lol

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Lillard is going to off and then the game will get out of hand.

[loveforthegame]

How are we only down 3. :lol

[jeebus]

:lol the bench tonight is going to be so fucking awful on defense. When daye comes in, that's rock bottom

[Brunodf]

:bang Green making so many mistakes

:bang nobody stepping up when it was obvious that he would stop and shoot

[BatManu20]

Bobo's jumper is dead, but the rest of his game is solid.

He's lost all his confidence in it imo. Shame too cause he gets so many open looks from 3. Guys are sagging off of him almost every time.

[ElNono]

:lol the bench tonight is going to be so fucking awful on defense. When daye comes in, that's rock bottom

:lol wait till verde sits down... I'm actually thinking Pop might rotate so one of Kawhi or Verde are on the court at all times

[timtonymanu]

Really want MVPatty back already.

[TheGreatYacht]

Sometimes I wonder why RC has only won "GM of the year" only once...

... Then I remember Ayres, Bonner, Daye, Jefferson, Etc.

[Capt Bringdown]

We have to be pretty close to tops in the league for allowing buzzer beater 3's. Pretty much automatic these days. Frustrating.

[timtonymanu]

:lol the bench tonight is going to be so fucking awful on defense. When daye comes in, that's rock bottom

On cue

[RD2191]

Fuck

[RD2191]

Lol daye

[Capt Bringdown]

This is gonna be a long night.

[TheGreatYacht]

Can anyone dribble the fucking ball?

[timtonymanu]

This lineup is so scrubby

[Raven]

beli doesn't know what he's doing out there..

[loveforthegame]

I wasn't expecting a win but I was hoping for a better showing than we're seeing right now.

[024]

wtf is this lineup. It's like Pop doesn't want to win.

[ElNono]

tbh, we're getting mugged right now, and no calls

[RD2191]

Mvayres

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Spurs need to attack the rim more if possible. Jumpers all night won't cut it.


Good effort so far :tu

[Mikeanaro]

It was Ayres, that counts as 5 points easily.

[DJR210]

I just ordered an authentic Ayers jersey.

[ElNono]

their bench isn't a whole lot better, tbh

[Raven]

good effort kyle

[RD2191]

I just ordered an authentic Ayers jersey.
:lol

[ElNono]

why would you toss a burger at a barbie? :lmao

[SpursFan86]

Joseph/Belinelli/Anderson/Daye/Ayres

Is this our worst possible lineup? :lol

[Capt Bringdown]

LOL Anderson. Channeling the spirit of Terry Porter.

[Robz4000]

He's lost all his confidence in it imo. Shame too cause he gets so many open looks from 3. Guys are sagging off of him almost every time.

He's been taking them, but since the Cleveland game I've seen him hit on like 3 of them. It looks a little broken.

[timtonymanu]

wtf is this lineup. It's like Pop doesn't want to win.

Who else can he go to? :lol

[RD2191]

Kawhi always delivers.:lol

[jeebus]

Really want MVPatty back already.

[Brunodf]

Sometimes I wonder why RC has only won "GM of the year" only once...

... Then I remember Ayres, Bonner, Daye, Jefferson, Etc.
Finley, Neal, Turkoglu, Bogans

[Uriel]

Really want MVPatty back already.
This would've been one of those games where he would go off for 30.

[Dancelot]

tbh, we're getting mugged right now, and no calls

This

[jeebus]

Joseph/Belinelli/Anderson/Daye/Ayres

Is this our worst possible lineup? :lol
Throw in Boner instead of Marco and we have a winner

[RD2191]

Can't let them get going from 3.

[BanditHiro]

Daye...

[Raven]

let's make a run now!

[Capt Bringdown]

Marco is pure scrub.

[RD2191]

Bullshit

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Is Kaman the ugliest player in the NBA?

[Uriel]

Kaman might be the ugliest player in the NBA.

[RD2191]

Is Kaman the ugliest player in the NBA?
Noah tbh.

[ElNono]

ugh, Portland starters back in

[RD2191]

Dammit

[Capt Bringdown]

Oh my.

[Cry Havoc]

We have a DLeague team + Kawhi on the floor right now. Wtf are we expecting?

Also, why is Kawhi not scoring 30 a game with this team? Parker is off the floor so guys should be willing to pass to him, right?

[loveforthegame]

Ugh. Leonard we need more from you than that.

[Capt Bringdown]

Anderson is straight trash.

[RD2191]

Here comes the blowout.

[Raven]

too many long jumpers

[timtonymanu]

Leonard and Diaw are struggling like hell. Which means Green is the one that has to go off. Not good.

[ElNono]

Get Beli back in there...

[NASpurs]

Instead of allowing Leonard to get some kind of groove against the bench of Portland, Pop brings Leonard back in when Batum comes in.

[TheGreatYacht]

Pop giving his ginger pet the night off. That's interesting

[jeebus]

We have a DLeague team + Kawhi on the floor right now. Wtf are we expecting?

Also, why is Kawhi not scoring 30 a game with this team? Parker is off the floor so guys should be willing to pass to him, right?
Not with Corey running the point

[Brunodf]

Pop giving his ginger pet the night off. That's interesting
Resting his star player tbh

[Hoops Czar]

Personally, i expected a better overall game from #1 option. Very disappointed in Kawhi so far. Maybe, he saving his heroics to the 4th quarter.

[milkyway21]

hey Pop...where is Danny Green???

[ElNono]

lots of game left...

[TheGreatYacht]

Finley, Neal, Turkoglu, Bogans
:lmao

[loveforthegame]

Offense might be ugly but the turnovers are worse.

[KL2]

Det med renge jumper

[Capt Bringdown]

Get the ball to Leonard and get the fuck out of the way!

[Raven]

had to be a run with this lineup

[Cry Havoc]

Not with Corey running the point

So wait. Kawhi is a superstar but needs an all-star point to help him to 25 ppg?

[exstatic]

Joel Freeland is one of our leading scorers, giving us 4 points on goaltends. :lol

[RD2191]

Trailrefs

[ElNono]

So wait. Kawhi is a superstar but needs an all-star point to help him to 25 ppg?

all-star sg, tbh

[jeebus]

So wait. Kawhi is a superstar but needs an all-star point to help him to 25 ppg?
He needs Manu, not the Turnobili version though

[KL2]

Not really, just someone with decent passing ability, which isn't Cojo lmao

[Capt Bringdown]

Lilliard = Spurs kryptonite

[RD2191]

Put him on his ass baynes.

[Brunodf]

Pop gonna burn all his timeout in the 1st half :lol

[TheGreatYacht]

So we can all agree Oseph is trash? Great

[Cry Havoc]

Not really, just someone with decent passing ability, which isn't Cojo lmao

Parker is a career 6 assist player. Easily fits. Yet people bitch when he's on the court.


He needs Manu, not the Turnobili version though

That makes no sense. There are no other legitimate threats on the court for the Spurs. So Kawhi is Shawn Marion?


Lilliard = Spurs kryptonite

Except in the playoffs. :lol

[Brunodf]

Lilliard = Austin Spurs kryptonite
fixed

[Mikeanaro]

Not everyday is Christmas Lilly...

[Cry Havoc]

Next thing you know people will be saying that Patty is a passing PG and Kawhi needs him to go off. :lol

[Raven]

green took a massive shit all over loliard

[Brunodf]

Beli is so dumb :bang

[ElNono]

were getting robbed right now

[KL2]

Parker stalls the offense, but he's still a better playmaker than Cojo. Cojo doesn't have any passing ability.

[Malik Hairston]

fixed

That doesn't make much sense from a defending Lillard standpoint, unless you're referring to the absence of Tiago..

[Mikeanaro]

Cut the bum-ball guys.

[Ice009]

That's it. I've had enough of Marco.

His defense is garbage and his offense isn't good enough to make up for it this season.

What a joke.

[Raven]

Lilliard = Spurs kryptonite

wtf he's been terrible

[Malik Hairston]

Spurs are playing fine, the starting unit has been even with Portland's starting unit, the difference has been the D-league lineups(Fivehead, Daye, Beli)..

[ElNono]

That's it. I've had enough of Marco.

His defense is garbage and his offense isn't good enough to make up for it this season.

What a joke.

:cry

[timtonymanu]

were getting robbed right now

Don't get why Portland gets so much home cooking. :lol

[jeebus]

The fact it is only a 5 point game is pretty amazing

[Raven]

Parker stalls the offense, but he's still a better playmaker than Cojo. Cojo doesn't have any passing ability.

are you really comparing a hall of famer to a young guy just breaking out?

[KL2]

Manu's scar looks like one of those breast cancer ribbons from far away to me

[Raven]

That's it. I've had enough of Marco.

His defense is garbage and his offense isn't good enough to make up for it this season.

What a joke.

welcome on board.

[KL2]

No, he is lol

[TheGreatYacht]

Manu looks like Walter White :lol

[Brunodf]

That doesn't make much sense from a defending Lillard standpoint, unless you're referring to the absence of Tiago..
Without Splitter and TD there is no D on the paint, plus Green would be on Lillard instead of giving up wide open 3s to W.Matthews

[Hoops Czar]

So Kawhi is Shawn Marion?


Somebody gets it.

[BatManu20]

That was the fastest first half we've played in a long time. Less than* an hour long.

[ElNono]

well, good 1st half overall.... I mean, we're playing in home cooking central...

[Mikeanaro]

It could be worse, Spurs are doing fine without the Big 3 and MVPatty.

[KL2]

See that guys? That's Leonard's inexperience, that's why you put them in these situations, Leonard never gets the ball at the end of quarters. It's a learning process, you desensitize them, get them used to these situations so they get used to it and can execute properly, basic coaching.

[loveforthegame]

Well that could have been worse.

[jeebus]

Somebody gets it.
I had to help him along but he got it :lobt:

[Malik Hairston]

Great half for the Spurs, can't ask for more, tbh..

The starting unit has outplayed Portland, only difference has been the bench:

Ayers: -10
Anderson: -10
Daye: -8
Beli: -8

[Raven]

very good first half, all portland starters have been bad to terrible on offence. too bad the bench lost the battle by 10 points...

[testies]

Why not let Marco do his iso?

[DJR210]

Cojo doesn't have any passing ability.

Bullshit, he has had a couple nice "thread the needle" bounce passes over the last couple of weeks, but the receiver hasn't finished for him. Not the best passer at this point, but wouldn't go as far as "no passing ability".

[RD2191]

Why has cojo become the scapegoat? He has been solid and rarely hurts the team. People expecting a 3rd string PG to play like an all star.:lol

[ElNono]

Future looks pretty bright... though if this is what the Spurs look like next year, it's 2nd round fodder, tbh... it's become pretty apparent we really need a playmaker that's not a complete liability on defense...

[Raven]

Why not let Marco do his iso?

because he is bad.

[ElNono]

Why has cojo become the scapegoat? He has been solid and rarely hurts the team. People expecting a 3rd string PG to play like an all star.:lol

I think the level he's shown this season, he's a NBA backup PG... but, he'll always need somebody next to him that makes and runs plays... either that, or he'll need to make strides in that department...

[Malik Hairston]

Cojo is Cojo, he doesn't deserve blame, he is what he is..

He's a SG in a PG's body, minus the shooting part..shouldn't expect more out of him, he's Jacque Vaughn with more athleticism..

[Raven]

Future looks pretty bright... though if this is what the Spurs look like next year, it's 2nd round fodder, tbh... it's become pretty apparent we really need a playmaker that's not a complete liability on defense...

still plenty of money to spend though

[KL2]

I like Cojo, he's just not a true pg

[Spursfanfromafar]

This forum is a heap of trash these days! A**holes cribbing about the Spurs JV backup team which is still hanging with a 75% winning team.

[KL2]

Lots of guys can make those passes, Spurs have been without a pure passing PG so long I think people forget what one looks like and just how much of an impact one could make with this roster.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Cojo is Cojo, he doesn't deserve blame, he is what he is..

He's a SG in a PG's body, minus the shooting part..shouldn't expect more out of him, he's Jacque Vaughn with more athleticism..

Completely disagree. Cojo is more of a PG than Patty is. He just has to refine his half court offense vision.

Methinks Cojo has turned out as one of the best backup PGs in the league this season. And great improvement from where he was in 2011 as a rookie. Under-rated story, tbh.

[ElNono]

still plenty of money to spend though

yeah, but creative guys that don't choke in the big stage can be difficult to come by... I actually cannot think of one off the top of my head right now...

EDIT: I mean, that's available... like Mo Williams (but not a choker)

[apalisoc_9]

My eyes burn when I try to watch cojo run plays

[DJR210]

I think the level he's shown this season, he's a NBA backup PG... but, he'll always need somebody next to him that makes and runs plays... either that, or he'll need to make strides in that department...

Well this would technically be his rookie season had he finished at Texas, so we'll see.

[SpursFan86]

11 TOs in the first half...going to have to cut those down if we want to win this game short-handed

[Malik Hairston]

Completely disagree. Cojo is more of a PG than Patty is. He just has to refine his half court offense vision.

Methinks Cojo has turned out as one of the best backup PGs in the league this season. And great improvement from where he was in 2011 as a rookie. Under-rated story, tbh.

Patty is also a SG in a PG's body, obviously, but the difference is that his shooting makes him a perfect fit with the ball-movement of the Spurs, particularly with Ginobili running the 2nd unit..

And I agree that Joseph has clearly improved as a player, as I said earlier in the thread, but I don't see any playmaking ability for a PG..his lack of outside shooting is always going to make him a questionable fit with Manu running the 2nd unit, too IMO..

[RD2191]

I think the level he's shown this season, he's a NBA backup PG... but, he'll always need somebody next to him that makes and runs plays... either that, or he'll need to make strides in that department...
I agree. And he plays better with a play maker. I've always said that. The hate he gets on this forum is ridiculous though. Every single game he gets hated on. I mean he has has moments but people take the hate too far. Blaming him for losses and what not. He's the 3rd string PG for Christ's sakes.:lol

[ElNono]

Well this would technically be his rookie season had he finished at Texas, so we'll see.

yeah, I'm speaking short term... he has obviously improved this season, and hopefully that continues...

[Raven]

one thing i wasn't happy with, is out offensive plays, they all looked very random and not spurslike.

[Ice009]

welcome on board.

Marco lost me in the playoffs round 1 when he made Vince Carter look like 2001 Carter. I just haven't posted about it much. During that series I didn't even want him on the court at all from that point on.

I decided to give him another chance as I thought he'd work his ass of in the off-season and at least come back improved. He's come back worse. I also thought that he worked out quite a bit by doing some sort of Cross Training program to enable him to come into camp in the best shape possible, but another poster (TD21) said that Pop said Marco came into camp out of shape. If that is true, that's just unacceptable to me. That article about the Cross Training must have been a fluff piece by the Express News.

I don't like guys that don't play defense and can't make up for it in other areas.

I was all over Roger Mason Jr. after the All-star break in his first season for his shit defense and RJ I wanted gone after his first month here. People like T-Park told me I was crazy wanting RJ gone that early and he needed more time, but I knew he just didn't fit on the team and wasn't a Spurs player.

For some reason I've given Marco more slack than some previous players, but that's almost come to and end. He needs to pick it up and show some major improvement, otherwise the Spurs need to look at getting rid of him by the trade deadline.

[ElNono]

I agree. And he plays better with a play maker. I've always said that. The hate he gets on this forum is ridiculous though. Every single game he gets hated on. I mean he has has moments but people take the hate too far. Blaming him for losses and what not. He's the 3rd string PG for Christ's sakes.:lol

well, it's really Enrique and Patty's fault... he has the spotlight right now, so more is demanded of him...

[ElNono]

one thing i wasn't happy with, is out offensive plays, they all looked very random and not spurslike.

because we don't have a floor general right now... normally when a play breaks, you pull back or you run a side pick & roll.... right now, when the play breaks we're scrambling and we don't know what to do...

which is expected off mostly young guys...

[Raven]

i don't really see what would make him a shooting guard tbh... patty yes, he's clearly a sg, but cojo has 0 problem defending pgs and has the speed to penetrate.

[RD2191]

well, it's really Enrique and Patty's fault... he has the spotlight right now, so more is demanded of him...
He needs to step up. That I agree on. But hell, so does the rest of the team tonight.

[RD2191]

Spurs have to be aggressive from 3 if they want to win tonight.

[ElNono]

Marco is simply not playing as well as last year, the frustration is understandable... last year he was leading the league in 3 point makes, and it just felt anything he threw up there was going in...

But if you understand his limitations, he's still a valuable piece...

[DJR210]

Anyone wanna bet that Bill Land calls it the "Bruin triple" whenever he decides to make a 3 for us?

[timtonymanu]

Marco lost me in the playoffs round 1 when he made Vince Carter look like 2001 Carter. I just haven't posted about it much. During that series I didn't even want him on the court at all from that point on.

I decided to give him another chance as I thought he'd work his ass of in the off-season and at least come back improved. He's come back worse. I also thought that he worked out quite a bit by doing some sort of Cross Training program to enable him to come into camp in the best shape possible, but another post said that Pop said Marco came into camp out of shape. If that is true, that's just unacceptable to me. That article about the Cross Training must have been a fluff piece by the Express News.

I don't like guys that don't play defense and can't make up for it in other areas.

I was all over Roger Mason Jr. after the All-star break in his first season for his shit defense and RJ I wanted gone after his first month here. People like T-Park told me I was crazy wanting RJ gone that early and he needed more time, but I knew he just didn't fit on the team and wasn't a Spurs player.

For some reason I've given Marco more slack than some previous players, but that's almost come to and end. He needs to pick it up and show some major improvement, otherwise the Spurs need to look at getting rid of him by the trade deadline.

Marco can't really improve at this point. His offense is nice. His defense will always be trash. You just have to hope he isn't in the playoff rotation. Thankfully, Pop knew better after the Mavs series.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Patty is also a SG in a PG's body, obviously, but the difference is that his shooting makes him a perfect fit with the ball-movement of the Spurs, particularly with Ginobili running the 2nd unit..

And I agree that Joseph has clearly improved as a player, as I said earlier in the thread, but I don't see any playmaking ability for a PG..his lack of outside shooting is always going to make him a questionable fit with Manu running the 2nd unit, too IMO..

One thing going for him is that he is quite good as a defender and is able to attack the rim unlike Patty (and a backup option to a declining TP who was the league's best PG in the paint for years now). It adds more wrinkles to a Spurs offense when it gets predictable and dependent upon outside shooting alone.

[ElNono]

Marco can't really improve at this point. His offense is nice. His defense will always be trash. You just have to hope he isn't in the playoff rotation. Thankfully, Pop knew better after the Mavs series.

Marco actually played quite a few minutes in the Portland series, and he did real well. It was after that series he received spot minutes. But he did play in the Finals and he made at least one important shot in that series.

[Raven]

Marco lost me in the playoffs round 1 when he made Vince Carter look like 2001 Carter. I just haven't posted about it much. During that series I didn't even want him on the court at all from that point on.

I decided to give him another chance as I thought he'd work his ass of in the off-season and at least come back improved. He's come back worse. I also thought that he worked out quite a bit by doing some sort of Cross Training program to enable him to come into camp in the best shape possible, but another post said that Pop said Marco came into camp out of shape. If that is true, that's just unacceptable to me. That article about the Cross Training must have been a fluff piece by the Express News.

I don't like guys that don't play defense and can't make up for it in other areas.

I was all over Roger Mason Jr. after the All-star break in his first season for his shit defense and RJ I wanted gone after his first month here. People like T-Park told me I was crazy wanting RJ gone that early and he needed more time, but I knew he just didn't fit on the team and wasn't a Spurs player.

For some reason I've given Marco more slack than some previous players, but that's almost come to and end. He needs to pick it up and show some major improvement, otherwise the Spurs need to look at getting rid of him by the trade deadline.

being in shape was never going to be the answer, he is a bad defender because he is dumb. Also he doesn't have the length or athleticism to make up for it. And actually, i think he is miles better defensively than he was last year, except last year we had like a thousand blowouts so people were really not paying attention as to how bad he really was.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Marco is simply not playing as well as last year, the frustration is understandable... last year he was leading the league in 3 point makes, and it just felt anything he threw up there was going in...

But if you understand his limitations, he's still a valuable piece...

Yes. Injury has played a role this season and was responsible for his slow start. All said Belly is a very useful regular season player considering his very cheap contract as well.

His defense.. I don't understand why he gives up so much space to the SG he is guarding. His one on one defense is still so bad.

[RD2191]

Marco is fine coming off the bench imo. His defense is trash but then again if it wasn't he'd probably be starting for another team somewhere.:lol

[MultiTroll]

When will CIA Pop unleash Bonny?
Oh that's right, he is resting his Big 3.

[DJR210]

That was a backboard lob

[BatManu20]

Unfriendly rims tonight.

[RD2191]

Much needed 3.

[DJR210]

Longhorn triple!!

[RD2191]

Damn, rebound.

[DJR210]

Baynes playing well tonight

[Raven]

good effort right now

[milkyway21]

DIAW 7 ASSISTS ALREADY .

WELCOME BACK Diaw !!! :D

[ElNono]

Yes. Injury has played a role this season and was responsible for his slow start. All said Belly is a very useful regular season player considering his very cheap contract as well.

His defense.. I don't understand why he gives up so much space to the SG he is guarding. His one on one defense is still so bad.

we're not going to go 10-deep in above average defensive players... no team does.. you just hope he gives you enough offense and live with the defense... the Spurs have done it many times before

[Raven]

gotta make those boris

[Brunodf]

:bang Splitter/Baynes may be better 3 point shooters than Diaw at this point

[DJR210]

We gotta win this.. Fuck the record, just to avoid reading 17 Blazers articles downstairs in the morning.

[timtonymanu]

Marco actually played quite a few minutes in the Portland series, and he did real well. It was after that series he received spot minutes. But he did play in the Finals and he made at least one important shot in that series.

Yeah he did fine against Portland and their defense was awful enough that he was able to contribute. But Pop mostly played him in the correct role after the Mavs series.

[Spursfanfromafar]

we're not going to go 10-deep in above average defensive players... no team does.. you just hope he gives you enough offense and live with the defense... the Spurs have done it many times before

I agree. What I said was for Marco personally. He has improved so much as an offensive player with high IQ and awareness. If he just works on his defense a bit more, he will be a much more rounded player.

[ElNono]

good defense, but we need to make a bucket

[Robz4000]

Love the D right now

[RD2191]

Love the D right now
Ha, gay.

[jeebus]

lol I was yelling for Banes to shoot that 3

[RD2191]

Nice diaw.

[ElNono]

finally Boris 2.0

[ElNono]

Make that 1.5

[loveforthegame]

Aldridge woke up.

[RD2191]

Fuck off Aldridge

[RD2191]

Bullshit

[scanry]

Watching Kwahi on offense is really painful. He has to improve his post up, iso, fadeaway jumper & pretty much every facet on offense.

[Hoops Czar]

whole team needs free throw lessons

[Raven]

aldridge is hot now, that is a problem.

[RD2191]

Wtf refs

[Brunodf]

So many fouls :bang

[ElNono]

here comes the bench

[Uriel]

Bonner should play over Ayres.

[RD2191]

Fuck fuck

[Brunodf]

:wowSlowmo

[timtonymanu]

The Spurs just have too many scrubs and lack of creators out there to keep up on offense, but the defense has been nice.