Game Thread: Spurs vs OKC -- Game 1 - Sat (4/30) - 7:30PM CST (3:30AM Riga)

[TampaDude]

Game 2 should be a better gauge on how this series will play out.

[cutewizard]

i want to cry

THAT WAS A HELL OF A PERFORMANCE!!!!

grabe ang galing ng Spursssssssssssssss!!

wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kawhitstorm]

It will be interesting to see how good this defense is. This is a great offensive team in OKC. When the shots don't fall for SA, can they still hold OKC down? That's what I want to see, but also I'm very encouraged that this could be a breakout offensive series as well which is sick.

The Mavs held Thunder to 84 pts at OKC w/ Dirk/Felton/Deron playing a bunch of minutes.:lol

[Spurs9]

LMA has said "you know" 75 times during presser lol
Yeah thats the one thing that has always annoyed me about him

[DPG21920]

The Mavs held Thunder to 84 pts at OKC w/ Dirk/Felton/Deron playing a bunch of minutes.:lol

Bro - OKC averaged 112 points against the Mavs :lol Let's not act like they were shut down.

[TampaDude]

The City is trembling in fear...and rightfully so...

[Kawhitstorm]

Bro - OKC averaged 112 points against the Mavs :lol Let's not act like they were shut down.

You can't be held to 84 points by a crappy Mavs squad at home in a playoff game then call yourself a "contender".:lol

[cutewizard]

A perfect game for the Spurs:

Lamarcus erupting offensively

Kawhi being a demon defensively, and setting the tone offensively in the first minutes of the game

DGreen regaining his awesome shooting touch

Parker being humble and dishing out assists, hahahahahahahaha

Manu with the unbelievable passes!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

the scary thing is:

Mills was not online today offensively, what if he was

we all know D West can still score more points offensively too.....

Parker did not need to score also, what if he gives his usual 15 to 20 points while being a beast in the paint.....

and MOST OF ALL, SUPER DIAW WAS NOT NEEDED!

__________________________________________________ ______

SO THIS WAS NOT A FLUKE GAME!

[All Mighty Janitor]

Yeah thats the one thing that has always annoyed me about him, you know.

[All Mighty Janitor]

A perfect game for the Spurs:

Lamarcus erupting offensively

Kawhi being a demon defensively, and setting the tone offensively in the first minutes of the game

DGreen regaining his awesome shooting touch

Parker being humble and dishing out assists, hahahahahahahaha

Manu with the unbelievable passes!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

the scary thing is:

Mills was not online today offensively, what if he was

we all know D West can still score more points offensively too.....

Parker did not need to score also, what if he gives his usual 15 to 20 points while being a beast in the paint.....

and MOST OF ALL, SUPER DIAW WAS NOT NEEDED!

__________________________________________________ ______

SO THIS WAS NOT A FLUKE GAME!
It was a fluke as far as OKC's defense is concerned. They are not a good defensive team but they aren't this bad. I don't know what their game plan was, but they were clearly not on the same page.

[BillMc]

Aldridge racked up his 38 points in 29:32, which ranks as the most points in 30 or fewer minutes played in a playoff game in the shot-clock era, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-antonio-spurs/post/_/id/849/spurs-stay-even-keeled-after-dominating-win

[gambit1990]

Wear your Spurs gear proudly bro. Tired of seeing all the Warriors bandwagoners here.
:toast

bet at the bellagio. all the spurs had to do was win by 7 :lol

[TheGreatYacht]

:toast

bet at the bellagio. all the spurs had to do was win by 7 :lol
How did TP play tonight?

[gambit1990]

i missed the entire game. i was flying. can't wait to watch it though.

i have to mail in my receipt so they can mail me my check since i couldn't be there to pick up the money.

gonna bet on the spurs again when i'm in nola next weekend.

[SAGirl]

👀

726076071313989632
He did make a lot of jumpers and a few 3 pt shots for OKC. Definitely the help is coming off him and he's stayed hot.

[TheGreatYacht]

He did make a lot of jumpers and a few 3 pt shots for OKC. Definitely the help is coming off him and he's stayed hot.
Pop's gameplan = Let them try and beat us with Ibaka

:tu

[hooperflash]

iq8TIWVdqpE
M9ww-sd2J8E

[99 Problems]

:claw

[808]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0kzvKi-Ug

[mudyez]

63 point from 36 shots from the Lawhi combo.

25 out of 26 participating players scored...Roberson :lol

[Fireball]

Solid Game ... Repeat that on monday

[NameLess Scrub]

Jordan Howenstine @AirlessJordan
(https://twitter.com/AirlessJordan) Danny Green is now the only player in NBA history to have 5+ three-pointers and 3+ blocks in multiple playoff games. 10 players have 1.





Some nice 3&D there.

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq1kR016KuY

[cutewizard]

if the 2016 Spurs keep playing like this, then it is possible........that this could be the strongest Spurs team.....of all time!

possibly..............

[cutewizard]

http://www.poundingtherock.com/2016/5/1/11548062/nba-playoffs-spurs-cage-thunder-game-1

[BillMc]

Some nice 3&D there.

Yep.

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0oE9hZm0x8

[BillMc]

Can someone please do a gif of the LMA to Manu to Kawhi sequence at 1:51 It's too cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJAZMri8JRk

[Perry Mason]

One thing I noticed last night was that Kawhi had a much improved dribble drive game. That was the one thing we were missing with TP's aging. If Kawhi can consistently mix up drives with his elite post up and face up game, watch out NBA.

Spurs are an embarrassment of riches right now with how good Kawhi has developed. Lots of credit to him, and to the incredible Spurs culture and leadership of Pop and the big 3 to nurture him. It's a match made in heaven. His humility and focus are so TD like.

[BillMc]

One thing I noticed last night was that Kawhi had a much improved dribble drive game. That was the one thing we were missing with TP's aging. If Kawhi can consistently mix up drives with his elite post up and face up game, watch out NBA.

Spurs are an embarrassment of riches right now with how good Kawhi has developed. Lots of credit to him, and to the incredible Spurs culture and leadership of Pop and the big 3 to nurture him. It's a match made in heaven. His humility and focus are so TD like.

Well said. :bobo

[Brazil]

One thing I noticed last night was that Kawhi had a much improved dribble drive game. That was the one thing we were missing with TP's aging. If Kawhi can consistently mix up drives with his elite post up and face up game, watch out NBA.

Spurs are an embarrassment of riches right now with how good Kawhi has developed. Lots of credit to him, and to the incredible Spurs culture and leadership of Pop and the big 3 to nurture him. It's a match made in heaven. His humility and focus are so TD like.

good stuff

dude is a star tbh... He signed a big contract and keep on going and improve work his ass off... Sign of a great

[DPG21920]

i missed the entire game. i was flying. can't wait to watch it though.

i have to mail in my receipt so they can mail me my check since i couldn't be there to pick up the money.

gonna bet on the spurs again when i'm in nola next weekend.

Nola doesn't have a sports book IMVHO

[GSH]

One thing I noticed last night was that Kawhi had a much improved dribble drive game. That was the one thing we were missing with TP's aging. If Kawhi can consistently mix up drives with his elite post up and face up game, watch out NBA.

Spurs are an embarrassment of riches right now with how good Kawhi has developed. Lots of credit to him, and to the incredible Spurs culture and leadership of Pop and the big 3 to nurture him. It's a match made in heaven. His humility and focus are so TD like.


The next step is to elevate his drive-and-kick. That, along with his defensive superiority, will put him over the top in the MVP voting, IMO.

[DarrinS]

Can someone please do a gif of the LMA to Manu to Kawhi sequence at 1:51 It's too cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJAZMri8JRk


I was having flashbacks to game 3 vs Heat.

[GSH]

I think I even mentioned that in my thread. I don't see how, with SA defense, how a team can survive starting a non scorer. Pop murders those teams.

Obviously OKC has won a lot with Roberson


Reading a couple of Danny Green threads, I remembered this comment. For most of the regular season, Danny Green was only a marginally better scorer than Roberson, and the Spurs set a franchise record for wins. Pretty good indication of how important Danny was to this year's elite defense.

It also makes me wonder what's going to happen to OKC's defense, if they put Waiters in for Roberson. He (Roberson) has obviously been there for his D, since he clearly isn't there to score. Waiters' offense isn't going to turn them into Golden State. How do they make up for the hit on defense? My guess is by getting a lot more physical.

[BillMc]

I was having flashbacks to game 3 vs Heat.

Yeah, me too! :toast

[boutons_deux]

the question is, KL and LMA were obviously red hot, but were both KD and RW cold because of Spurs defense, or both just having off nights?

[SpursforSix]

the question is, KL and LMA were obviously red hot, but were both KD and RW cold because of Spurs defense, or both just having off nights?

Maybe a bit of both. That being said, I don't remember them getting a ton of good looks. So I'd give most of the credit to BigDefense.

[spurs10]

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-antonio-spurs/post/_/id/849/spurs-stay-even-keeled-after-dominating-winWell this just made my day!

[spurs10]

Can someone please do a gif of the LMA to Manu to Kawhi sequence at 1:51 It's too cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJAZMri8JRk Will be watching multiple times today! Jeez!

[DPG21920]

Reading a couple of Danny Green threads, I remembered this comment. For most of the regular season, Danny Green was only a marginally better scorer than Roberson, and the Spurs set a franchise record for wins. Pretty good indication of how important Danny was to this year's elite defense.

It also makes me wonder what's going to happen to OKC's defense, if they put Waiters in for Roberson. He (Roberson) has obviously been there for his D, since he clearly isn't there to score. Waiters' offense isn't going to turn them into Golden State. How do they make up for the hit on defense? My guess is by getting a lot more physical.

Well at the end of the day OKC has won with offense. Their defense has been middling at best but they are the best offense outside of GS. They will try to win with offense and also hope that with increased focus/activity that SA will miss.

[BillMc]

Will be watching multiple times today! Jeez!

Did you miss the game?

[BillMc]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2016/0501/SpursVsThunderDuos.jpg

[DPG21920]

If WB/KD don't score 50-60 points every game, I don't think they can win that game.

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/706942258176614400/tv9P1s33_bigger.jpg Tom Orsborn Verified account ‏@tom_orsborn (https://twitter.com/tom_orsborn)

Adams: "It was so loud, boy. It was really hard for us to get the guards in position. They couldn't hear us. It was way too loud." #Spurs (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Spurs?src=hash)









https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/706942258176614400/tv9P1s33_bigger.jpg Tom Orsborn Verified account ‏@tom_orsborn (https://twitter.com/tom_orsborn)

Steven Adams said AT&T Center crowd played a role in Thunder's communication breakdowns defensively. #Spurs (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Spurs?src=hash)

[ace3g]

I wonder if LA dislocating his finger was a blessing in a disguise, forces him to use his left hand a little more in the post. Gives him more offensive options down there.

[PopTheGOAT]

I wonder if LA dislocating his finger was a blessing in a disguise, forces him to use his left hand a little more in the post. Gives him more offensive options down there.
Definitely. He was the reverse-Zach Randolph when he was on the Blazers. When the Spurs played them in '14, they just forced him left. He definitely has added that lefty this year, and the hurt hand seemed to make him more comfortable with it.

[Mugen]

Takeaways from Game 1:

-Roberson is unplayable in this series. I'm thinking one of Scotty Donovan's adjustments for Game 2 would be to start Waiters instead. If not, then Roberson on Porky and hide Russ on Danny (could lead to a bunch of open 3s for Danny if they run Russ off a bunch of screens).

-There's only one guy in the league that can shut down Westbrook (besides himself tbh) and that's the DPOY. Glad to see Pop going right for the jugular right at the onset. Honestly, if you crafted the perfect Westbrook defender, you'd get Kawhi.

-Ibaka can't handle Aldridge, been the case going back to LMA's Portland days. I'd put Adams permanently on LMA and dare Timmy to try and score on Serge. Would also allow Ibaka to stay close to the basket.

-The overplay on Tony was mindboggling IMO. I'd stay home on LMA and the shooters and dare Tony to finish in the paint.

-That said, the Thunder were average defensively all year. They can do the above but I'm not sure how much better they can get. If I were Scotty Donovan, I'd try to just put the best offensive lineup i could....bench Roberson/Singler, more minutes for Morrow/Waiter, run a lot more stuff for Kanter...

Spurs are in a good spot and if they keep it up, they can take full control of the series heading into OKC. I expect the Thunder to put up a much better effort tho, not sure if it'll be enough.

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/700444911749869568/GmeefGs-_bigger.jpg The Vertical Verified account ‏@TheVertical (https://twitter.com/TheVertical)

On Game 1 and the bigger stakes of the Spurs-Thunder series. @WojVerticalNBA (https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA) column:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-a-spurs-series-rout-could-lead-kevin-durant-to-leave-thunder-155323397.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma

[spurs10]

Did you miss the game? No Bill, I was lucky enough to attend last night and it was a really fun night! It's just getting to watch all those plays right in row that blows my mind. We just kept coming....:ihit!
:flag:

[thiste]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/700444911749869568/GmeefGs-_bigger.jpg The Vertical Verified account ‏@TheVertical (https://twitter.com/TheVertical)

On Game 1 and the bigger stakes of the Spurs-Thunder series. @WojVerticalNBA (https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA) column:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-a-spurs-series-rout-could-lead-kevin-durant-to-leave-thunder-155323397.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma

Haha well, we broke the Heatles a couple years ago might as well break the Thunderefs as well :)

[playbonner15]

Takeaways from Game 1:

-Roberson is unplayable in this series. I'm thinking one of Scotty Donovan's adjustments for Game 2 would be to start Waiters instead. If not, then Roberson on Porky and hide Russ on Danny (could lead to a bunch of open 3s for Danny if they run Russ off a bunch of screens).

-There's only one guy in the league that can shut down Westbrook (besides himself tbh) and that's the DPOY. Glad to see Pop going right for the jugular right at the onset. Honestly, if you crafted the perfect Westbrook defender, you'd get Kawhi.

-Ibaka can't handle Aldridge, been the case going back to LMA's Portland days. I'd put Adams permanently on LMA and dare Timmy to try and score on Serge. Would also allow Ibaka to stay close to the basket.

-The overplay on Tony was mindboggling IMO. I'd stay home on LMA and the shooters and dare Tony to finish in the paint.

-That said, the Thunder were average defensively all year. They can do the above but I'm not sure how much better they can get. If I were Scotty Donovan, I'd try to just put the best offensive lineup i could....bench Roberson/Singler, more minutes for Morrow/Waiter, run a lot more stuff for Kanter...

Spurs are in a good spot and if they keep it up, they can take full control of the series heading into OKC. I expect the Thunder to put up a much better effort tho, not sure if it'll be enough.

Definitely play Morrow and run more plays for Kanter, Double team Kawhi, and wish Westbrook and Durant's shots go in

[GSH]

Definitely play Morrow and run more plays for Kanter, Double team Kawhi, and wish Westbrook and Durant's shots go in

I mentioned it in another thread, but Morrow is one of those guys who could go off for a season high against the Spurs, out of nowhere, and help them steal a game. He shot over 60% of his FGA's from outside the arc this season, and made 38% of them. That's exactly the kind of guys who crawl out of the woodwork and go nuts, while the Spurs are looking elsewhere. Not saying he will - but he could.

Today I watched Anderson Varejao blatantly leg-whip Gerald Henderson. Henderson got up into Varejao's face and I don't blame him (The refs never acknowledged the leg-whip). Maybe you call a T on Henderson because they chest-bumped, but Varejao should have been sent to the locker room. (Leg-whipping is dangerous - even the NFL has a big penalty for it.) Instead the refs called the ridiculous double-technical. Then I watched Mahinmi get shoved in the back going up for an alley-oop that would have made it a 1-point game, and changed the possession strategy. That bizarre no-call could have cost Indiana a playoff series. I still worry that the best personnel for the Thunder could be holding a whistle.

[BillMc]

No Bill, I was lucky enough to attend last night and it was a really fun night! It's just getting to watch all those plays right in row that blows my mind. We just kept coming....:ihit!
:flag:

I'm jealous, I've never seen a Spurs game live. :depressed

Yeah, that's a good vid. Enjoy!:flag:

[spurs10]

I'm jealous, I've never seen a Spurs game live. :depressed

Yeah, that's a good vid. Enjoy!:flag: Look on the bright side Bill- with the money you've saved not going to Spurs games you can buy a Jaguar! :lol Once I went to the first one- lived in Austin at the time- I was hooked. I was a fanatical fan, but living out of SA I didn't think of it. I met someone with the organization and they invited me down upon hearing I was a big fan. Got in early to the game and Manu was out on the court shooting 3's by himself. Later everyone came out and it was a great experience.
:flag:
I've got a good feeling about this team- the focus and timing. They aren't f*cking around! Go Spurs! I'll be hollering on your behalf!

[polandprzem]

I mentioned it in another thread, but Morrow is one of those guys who could go off for a season high against the Spurs, out of nowhere, and help them steal a game. He shot over 60% of his FGA's from outside the arc this season, and made 38% of them. That's exactly the kind of guys who crawl out of the woodwork and go nuts, while the Spurs are looking elsewhere. Not saying he will - but he could.

Today I watched Anderson Varejao blatantly leg-whip Gerald Henderson. Henderson got up into Varejao's face and I don't blame him (The refs never acknowledged the leg-whip). Maybe you call a T on Henderson because they chest-bumped, but Varejao should have been sent to the locker room. (Leg-whipping is dangerous - even the NFL has a big penalty for it.) Instead the refs called the ridiculous double-technical. Then I watched Mahinmi get shoved in the back going up for an alley-oop that would have made it a 1-point game, and changed the possession strategy. That bizarre no-call could have cost Indiana a playoff series. I still worry that the best personnel for the Thunder could be holding a whistle.

That varejao move was crazy. They took a look for multiple replays and still T'ed up both. And then funny second T for Henderson from McCutchen fro the other side of the court for talking to the bench...

[BillMc]

Look on the bright side Bill- with the money you've saved not going to Spurs games you can buy a Jaguar! :lol Once I went to the first one- lived in Austin at the time- I was hooked. I was a fanatical fan, but living out of SA I didn't think of it. I met someone with the organization and they invited me down upon hearing I was a big fan. Got in early to the game and Manu was out on the court shooting 3's by himself. Later everyone came out and it was a great experience.
:flag:
I've got a good feeling about this team- the focus and timing. They aren't f*cking around! Go Spurs! I'll be hollering on your behalf!

Cheers man! If they stay healthy, this team is going to take home the :lobt2: Warriors or no Warriors, LeBron or no LeBron.

Saving up for the Jag.

[GSH]

That varejao move was crazy. They took a look for multiple replays and still T'ed up both. And then funny second T for Henderson from McCutchen fro the other side of the court for talking to the bench...


After the double technical, Varejao was on the bench. Henderson was standing on the sideline by the Dubs' bench, waiting for a ball to be inbounded. Varejao stands up right next to Henderson, just off the sideline, and keeps talking shit. The refs did nothing. Varejao had no business off the bench, crowding a guy on the court. And after already getting one technical with the guy, he had no business continuing to talk shit like that. He should have been kicked twice.

Henderson finally turns and says something BACK to Varejao, and THEN the ref across the floor called another double technical, and they were both gone.

It was some of the most irresponsible officiating you'll ever see, and not a word from the league.

[K...]

In other news where's our game two thread.....or do we just reuse this one to keep the mojo?

[BillMc]

In other news where's our game two thread.....or do we just reuse this one to keep the mojo?

BatManu20 usually does it. If he hasn't set it up by an hour or two before the game I'll do it.

[kaji157]

BatManu20 usually does it. If he hasn't set it up by an hour or two before the game I'll do it.

At this point and whith the gained Mojo BatManu20 should do it or wait for him until he does.

We seem to be at the point we were after game 7 against Dallas, on ´14, if we continue to build on this performance it could be the Spurs awaken we hoped all year.

[polandprzem]

After the double technical, Varejao was on the bench. Henderson was standing on the sideline by the Dubs' bench, waiting for a ball to be inbounded. Varejao stands up right next to Henderson, just off the sideline, and keeps talking shit. The refs did nothing. Varejao had no business off the bench, crowding a guy on the court. And after already getting one technical with the guy, he had no business continuing to talk shit like that. He should have been kicked twice.

Henderson finally turns and says something BACK to Varejao, and THEN the ref across the floor called another double technical, and they were both gone.

It was some of the most irresponsible officiating you'll ever see, and not a word from the league.

Yup

And it is kinda interesting to see. GS are whining more to the refs then the Clipps tbh, and Green can do whatever he wants. he is able to have more contact to the players then the others. IDk if it's just me or not :) But it's pissing me off they allow it to be like that along with those controversial screens. I bet Kerr and his staff were working on it. On some ref issue they can go around. Just like Jax Bulls with the illegal D back at the end of XX century.

[BillMc]

At this point and whith the gained Mojo BatManu20 should do it or wait for him until he does.

That's what I'm saying.

[BillMc]

http://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2016%2F0502%2F2SpursThunder.png&w=570

[TheDoctor]

Can we un-stick this thread already?

[travis2]

Just getting to this thread...a couple of quick comments.

1. The tech on DWest for the Kanter shove...I didn't check the rule book on this one, but I believe the reason DWest got the T was because it was a dead-ball personal foul. The foul on the 3 (Green shooting?) was judged to have happened first, and a dead-ball personal gets a T instead of another personal.

2. OMFG...Chris Webber has never been good behind the mic, but Marv Albert is going senile. He was OMFGawdawful...are we going to get stuck with them again tonight?

[gambit1990]

Nola doesn't have a sports book IMVHO
really? ugh. was looking forward to betting on more of the playoffs. i won both bets i made while in vegas.