Game Thread: 4/8/17 | 7:30 PM CT | Spurs vs Clippers

[gambit1990]

spurs were close. then they let parker back in for some reason :lmao

[TheGreatYacht]

Terrible stretch for Kyle on both ends. Pop bringing in the working Microwave, Forbes

[SAGirl]

Pau was completely absent on that rim protection...
it's going to happen with him.
Hopefully he makes it up on the other end.

[sasaint]

They're purposely switching for Anderson on Crawford. He has no shot there. Just way too slow.

True, that.

[SAGirl]

You have to have help... that is just how it is.

[SpursforSix]

The Cheetah is making Crawford look like damn Michael Jordan.

[SpursforSix]

spurs were close. then they let parker back in for some reason :lmao

Don't worry. It's just stage 4 of Phoenix Rising.

[SASdynasty!]

Clipperrefs

[Uriel]

If one needed any proof that there was no way this team is beating the Warriors this year, this game is proof of that.

Can't even beat the fucking Clippers at home rested.

[Em-City]

There's no way slow head can guard Crawford

[sasaint]

Fathead getting smoked by Geezer Crawford :lol

Crawford usually smokes the Spurs. Him and Austin Rivers.

[Darius Bieber]

If one needed any proof that there was no way this team is winning a championship this year, this game is proof of that.

Can't even beat the fucking Clippers at home rested.

[TheGreatYacht]

Why is Kyle still in?!

[skin27]

The Cheetah is making Crawford look like damn Michael Jordan.
All of their scrubs turns into a Michael Jordan everytime they play us.

[spurraider21]

david lee at center against jordan. great subs tbh

[bklynspursfan]

If one needed any proof that there was no way this team is beating the Warriors this year, this game is proof of that.

Can't even beat the fucking Clippers at home rested.

This game proves nothing . 2 teams playing, only 1 has something to actually play for

[theman21]

At what point do we blame bad matchups and just start believing we're just not that great this year?

I feel like Kawhi will turn it on in the playoffs but it will be similar to LeBron....Too many minutes and his legs won't be there when it's needed most.

[SAGirl]

I didn't like that experiment by Pop.
If he really wanted a stretch 4 he sould have tried Bertans.

[SAGirl]

david lee at center against jordan. great subs tbh
Horrible
Pop decision.
I guess he's testing shit out right now.

[BatManu20]

Yea sorry fellas tried to correct it immediately and ST froze up on me per par smh.. We play Rox in round 2. Glad we're avoiding the Clips.

[sasaint]

I didn't like that experiment by Pop.
If he really wanted a stretch 4 he sould have tried Bertans.

Bertans getting the DNP.

[SpursforSix]

All of their scrubs turns into a Michael Jordan everytime they play us.

Our second team looks like doodie.

[99 Problems]

:claw

[resistanze]

JVG can't say Quinoa :lmao

[SAGirl]

Kawhi is going to have to carry this team. They go as he goes.

[gambit1990]

parker on bench... spurs now have a chance.

[bklynspursfan]

Ahhhh. Simmons missed a wide open Leonard. selfish, heroballer :( ... That's the cool thing to say here when something like that happens I think

[Mikeanaro]

At what point do we blame bad matchups and just start believing we're just not that great this year?

I feel like Kawhi will turn it on in the playoffs but it will be similar to LeBron....Too many minutes and his legs won't be there when it's needed most.
What the fuck are you talking about? Kawhi is 25 years old.

[99 Problems]

Thank goodness Whi and Little General back in tbh.

[skin27]

Yea sorry fellas tried to correct it immediately and ST froze up on me per par smh.. We play Rox in round 2. Glad we're avoiding the Clips.
That's if the Spurs pass the grizzlies in the first round.

[rasuo214]

Kawhi and LMA may need to play 40+ mins a game in the playoffs.

[bklynspursfan]

That's if the Spurs pass the grizzlies in the first round.

They will. I don't see any way we don't unless we suffer a major injury

[SAGirl]

Ahhhh. Simmons missed a wide open Leonard. selfish, heroballer :( (end sarcasm)
glad
he turned it around.
I bet he got a talking to about moving the ball after his last game.
He can be a nice player if he doesn't go hero.

[sasaint]

Horrible
Pop decision.
I guess he's testing shit out right now.

Some tests don't need to be made; the result is obvious beforehand. But somebody needs to test Pop's cognition.

[BatManu20]

That's if the Spurs pass the grizzlies in the first round.

We will. Just might take a little longer than we'd like.

[BillMc]

I wonder if LMA, KL and others are getting all this time because they're not going on the final road trip of the season (or at least not playing on it).

[bklynspursfan]

I want to live in a world where Kawhi gets superstar level treatment from the refs

[TheGreatYacht]

Spurs still hiring those old ass mummy shot clock keepers

[sasaint]

I want to live in a world where Kawhi gets superstar level treatment from the refs

+1

[sasaint]

I wonder if LMA, KL and others are getting all this time because they're not going on the final road trip of the season (or at least not playing on it).

I am shocked to see them still out there.

[SAGirl]

Kawhi and LMA may need to play 40+ mins a game in the playoffs.
They were pretty much the only reliable guys last postseason too.

I think Pau can be relied on for scoring but he's a defensive liability that can be attacked and have minutes limited at times because of it. He can be a difference maker for scoring droughts though.

Luckily Simmons seems to have come in with a more balanced game, which I am glad to see. Hopefully he can have a few good games. '

Everyone else is questionable to me.

[Darius Bieber]

This team is fucking done. Trash.

[bklynspursfan]

glad
he turned it around.
I bet he got a talking to about moving the ball after his last game.
He can be a nice player if he doesn't go hero.

I think there are times on the 2nd unit where he has to kinda force the issue. But he does get carried away sometimes, and doesn't keep his head up. He's the only guy in that unit who can get to the rim , and tho Manu can, it's not realistic for him to do it often at his age imo. Just needs to be smarter

[Cklbmk]

LMA's game is so ugly

[99 Problems]

:claw Taking the ball from CP3.

[SAGirl]

I think there are times on the 2nd unit where he has to kinda force the issue. But he does get carried away sometimes, and doesn't keep his head up. He's the only guy in that unit who can get to the rim , and tho Manu can, it's not realistic for him to do it often at his age imo. Just needs to be smarter
He gets carried a lot and gets hit by tunnel vision really bad. That is when he has TO, and makes bad decisions.
I'd like to think it's a growing phase.
We shall see contract year Simmons in the playoffs.
I wish him well.

[DarrinS]

This team is fucking done. Trash.

I see you're bringing fresh takes. :tu

[TheGreatYacht]

Manure 1/4, 3TO, -15

[SAGirl]

I wonder if LMA, KL and others are getting all this time because they're not going on the final road trip of the season (or at least not playing on it).
It may be. I just think Pop has a feeling these guys are not playing well and they need to get it together.

[ElNono]

I'll take the Rockets over this team on our way to the WCF, tbh....

[Mikeanaro]

Porker killed the Spurs, funny because there is a new article on NBA.com explaining Porker´s new role... there is no new role.

[spursistan]

If Patfo splurge for Mills :lmao..

[ElNono]

hope that's a fracture on Paul...

[KDKSpurs24]

I can't stop laughing. I've been thinking this for a while. I can't even see an identity. I don't think we have one. Just a lot of awkward ball movement.

[mexicanjunior]

This shit team isn't beating Memphis...

[BatManu20]

Hard to beat good teams when you get absolutely nothing from the PG position.

[Darius Bieber]

White flag. LMAO Spurs losing the season series against the Clippers. Trash ass team.

[bklynspursfan]

He gets carried a lot and gets hit by tunnel vision really bad. That is when he has TO, and makes bad decisions.
I'd like to think it's a growing phase.
We shall see contract year Simmons in the playoffs.
I wish him well.

Probably a growing phase. Hopefully he shows up in the playoffs

[Darius Bieber]

This shit team isn't beating Memphis...

[theman21]

What the fuck are you talking about? Kawhi is 25 years old.

Hey thanks for being rude, but what does being 25 have to do with not being able to play at a high level for extended minutes on both ends of the floor in the playoffs? Spurs need Kawhi to be monsterous in order to win, and I believe he can't do it.

Having opinion around here that isn't a Homer take is apparently an insult...Grow up.

[Strategic]

Kawhi is going to have to carry this team. They go as he goes.Just play Tony as little as possible and Manu not at all and Spurs have a great team

[bklynspursfan]

This shit team isn't beating Memphis...

Yes they are.

[ElNono]

Chris Paul dominated, tbh.... he's a free agent this summer, right?

[Darius Bieber]

Chris Paul dominated, tbh.... he's a free agent this summer, right?

Already verbally committed to the Clippers.

[bklynspursfan]

Just play Tony as little as possible and Manu not at all and Spurs have a great team

Tony, maybe depending on the matchup. The Manu comment is kinda silly tho

[Mikeanaro]

Hey thanks for being rude, but what does being 25 have to do with not being able to play at a high level for extended minutes on both ends of the floor in the playoffs? Spurs need Kawhi to be monsterous in order to win, and I believe he can't do it.

Having opinion around here that isn't a Homer take is apparently an insult...Grow up.
What the fuck makes you think he cant? you think he is a fucking scrub? WTF?

[theman21]

I can't stop laughing. I've been thinking this for a while. I can't even see an identity. I don't think we have one. Just a lot of awkward ball movement.

Exactly, lack of offensive execution...Poor team defense, lack of cohesion when Parker is in the game.

[BatManu20]

Chris Paul dominated, tbh.... he's a free agent this summer, right?

Recently said he wants to remain a Clipper and said he's confident they'll work something out.

[Mikeanaro]

Already verbally committed to the Clippers.
Verbally is kinda weird for the Clips, like that time DeAndre verbally agreed with Cuban a few years ago.

[BatManu20]

This team needs John Wall tbh.

[SAGirl]

Kyle didn't have a good game.
I wanted to see him play well but I think he got frustrated at one point and then mentally rushed some passes, etc. and didn't make good decisions.

I just don't like guys going into the postseason in this funk.

He's not the only one with the shitty game though. Manu and Mills were awful.

Tony save one nice pass to Pau was terrible too.

Pau despite 15 points and carrying the bench was not playing any defense. etc. Just not good play.

[Capt Bringdown]

What happened to the Spurs ball movement?

[Darius Bieber]

Verbally is kinda weird for the Clips, like that time DeAndre verbally agreed with Cuban a few years ago.

Definitely no chance that the President of the Players Association goes back on his word. He's staying in LA.

[ceperez]

LMA's game is so ugly

I cannot believe he's on a max contract.

[BillMc]

Well that wasn't worth staying up all night for

[DarrinS]

Season was mailed in a few games back. Good to see some younger players get minutes.

[SAGirl]

Hard to beat good teams when you get absolutely nothing from the PG position.
+100
they didn't get anything.
If not for some Simmons playmaking and some attacks to the basket they would have been worse.

hard to feel good about this.

I guess Kawhi, LMA made shots, Simmons found a balance and Pau can score. That is it.

[KDKSpurs24]

What the fuck makes you think he cant? you think he is a fucking scrub? WTF?
It"s actually not something a normal person can pull off. That's something that's very demanding on the body. It's amazing that Kawhi has been able to do it for this long but his days of being able to do that are coming to a close unfortunately. Smart players know they can't go super hard on both ends especially for a whole series. If he has to do that for us to win then he will be worn out by round 2 or 3.

[DarrinS]

Well that wasn't worth staying up all night for

Two aspirin and coffee. All will be well.

[ceperez]

Spurs are pretty much done if we have to rely on these players who are like wearing lead shoes.

Parker, Gasol, Aldridge. To add, we got Manu who keeps forcing plays that aren't there.

Speaking of Mills, he can't get a shot because he's not quick and big enough to get away from his man.

[sasaint]

Season was mailed in a few games back. Good to see some younger players get minutes.

I expected to see some of the young 'uns get a lot more minutes this game. I am scratching my head about the minutes that Kawhi, LMA and Pau played in a game that we didn't compete in.

[FkLA]

Not sure why people are losing their shit over losing to the big daddy Clippers. Isn't it expected at this point since they're our fathers? Just be glad they aren't in the Spurs' bracket, tbh.

[daslicer]

:lol At anybody getting angry about this loss. This loss has zero bearing on the standings and psychologically has no effect on the Spurs since they are not going to be playing the Clippers in the playoffs.

[apalisoc_9]

Mills and Parker really stunk tonight. Mills in particular had no idea how to run a damn offensive. Kept on calling post-ups when the spurs were making a run with perimter play.

Team really needs Murray. Like Badly need him to improve ASAP.

Also, a good opportunity for Bertans to play meaningful minutes, bit mever happned.

Clippers 45 set still unstoppable. Coach Pop still can't figure out a way to stop itm

[sasaint]

I cannot believe he's on a max contract.

An "old" max contract, fortunately. Not a "new" max under the new cap.

[BillMc]

Two aspirin and coffee. All will be well.

I have coke zero and some random medicine my girlfriend left here that I can't read because it's in Ukrainian. Same thing, Why not....

[Mikeanaro]

It"s actually not something a normal person can pull off. That's something that's very demanding on the body. It's amazing that Kawhi has been able to do it for this long but his days of being able to do that are coming to a close unfortunately. Smart players know they can't go super hard on both ends especially for a whole series. If he has to do that for us to win then he will be worn out by round 2 or 3.
So Lebron can still do it at age 32 and Kawhi wont because he is 25?
Lol that HE WONT BE ABLE TO HOLD ON FOR SO LONG, HE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SO MUCH TIME THAT THE CRASH AND BURN IS COMING SOON. GOODBYE FELLAS THE CLAW IS LEAVING THE BUILDING...
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uwGf8qCKDKg/T4wBL551erI/AAAAAAAHSD4/er64sQpz1jA/s1600/sad+baby+face+photos+(21).jpg

[KDKSpurs24]

So Lebron can still do it at age 32 and Kawhi wont because he is 25?
Lol that HE WONT BE ABLE TO HOLD ON FOR SO LONG, HE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SO MUCH TIME THAT THE CRASH AND BURN IS COMING SOON. GOODBYE FELLAS THE CLAW IS LEAVING THE BUILDING...
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uwGf8qCKDKg/T4wBL551erI/AAAAAAAHSD4/er64sQpz1jA/s1600/sad+baby+face+photos+(21).jpg
So Lebron has to be monstrous on both ends every game with all that damn help? Ok. I see why you didn't understand his point.
I guess Lebron has a useless Tony Parker as his starting point guard and a slow footed Kyle Anderson off the bench, etc. Lebron is also a special exception. He ain't really normal and he has a different type of game where he is an elite playmaker while Kawhi is still learning.

[TheDoctor]

This team needs John Wall tbh.
http://i.imgur.com/kSy92Qt.gif

[Horse]

The reason this fucks give us trouble is the team(kawhi especially) can't get a fucking call. Also they are incredibly fortunate against us, get every roll and every bounce. But fuck them we won't see em again.

[Mikeanaro]

So Lebron has to be monstrous on both ends every game with all that damn help? Ok. I see why you didn't understand his point.
I guess Lebron has a useless Tony Parker as his starting point guard and a slow footed Kyle Anderson off the bench, etc. Lebron is also a special exception. He ain't really normal and he has a different type of game where he is an elite playmaker while Kawhi is still learning.
You have to be monstrous during the playoffs no matter who is with you, Lebron in Miami was a Finals team, the season after he left they missed the playoffs, The whole point is stupid since Kawhi wants to be a superstar and those guys plays big minutes, this is his breakout season and you guys think that will bring a trainwreck.

[skulls138]

People talk about the guard play but really, two people pissed me off tonight, KA and LA. KA didnt shoot when he had the shot (not a 3pt shot this time) and because of that, his game went to shit in every way. He let a guy blow by him, he jumped and passed...too a Clipper, got outrebounded....just a string of things one after another because he didnt take the shot and knew it. LA did great in the 2nd quarter but disappeared after that and Griffin had a great game. For some reason and I dont know why, when LA is good, it doesnt have much positive effect on the team. He had that good stretch and its still 9 down on the scoreboard. We win more when he has bad fg% but hustles on D.

[SAGirl]

Just play Tony as little as possible and Manu not at all and Spurs have a great team
If only we could have this wish.
Pop will go down with Tony and Manu.
:td

[SAGirl]

People talk about the guard play but really, two people pissed me off tonight, KA and LA. KA didnt shoot when he had the shot (not a 3pt shot this time) and because of that, his game went to shit in every way. He let a guy blow by him, he jumped and passed...too a Clipper, got outrebounded....just a string of things one after another because he didnt take the shot and knew it. LA did great in the 2nd quarter but disappeared after that and Griffin had a great game. For some reason and I dont know why, when LA is good, it doesnt have much positive effect on the team. He had that good stretch and its still 9 down on the scoreboard. We win more when he has bad fg% but hustles on D.
I agree about Kyle. He made a mistake and let that take him out mentally. The whole bench was in a bad funk though and he didn't help matters.
He has played little with them since they got reconstituted and likely Simmons is in the rotation but I still wanted to see him play better than he did and he had been solid until this crap.

Pop didn't do him any favors though with his rotations and subs. The bench was terrible as a whole.

The team wasn't playing defense like they wanted it... I guess that is expected bc they didn't care about this game as much as the Clippers did.

But like I stated elsewhere, I'd rather see 20 minutes of inspired play and then let the bench do what they do... than a whole "playoff like" rotation minutes play that badly.

[spursistan]

850907095075618817

Agree with this move :tu..Not optimal way to prepare for tough first round..few players were dogging it tonight..

[SAGirl]

850907095075618817

Agree with this move :tu..Not optimal way to prepare for tough first round..few players were dogging it tonight..
yes..
the players have taken a chillax pill and came out playing like garbage.

And frankly they did play like garbage against the Lakers too.. though all the blame got in the deep bench guys who played the majority of minutes. The regular rotation was awful against the ghastly Lakers too.

[skulls138]

Me too, rest is overrated if not harmful much of the time.

[BillMc]

A lot of overlap here (and Pop's interview has already been posted) but here's Kawhi, Pau and LMA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE3vqLw94M0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px3aPJhzhas


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jkyx1j7Y7Q

[Robz4000]

Glad the Spurs won't have to see this team again this year. Easily the Spurs' worst matchup in recent history.

[TD 21]

Glad the Spurs won't have to see this team again this year. Easily the Spurs' worst matchup in recent history.

That would be the Thunder.

[gambit1990]

not the most aesthetic graphic i've been a part of but the point still stands...

spurs were close. then they let parker back in for some reason :lmao
http://i.imgur.com/eLS4g0B.png

[Robz4000]

That would be the Thunder.

Thunder gave the Spurs loads of trouble, but they managed to beat them in the postseason in 2014. The Thunder also had two top-5 players along with another top 20ish in Abaka, and were good against everyone else as well. Meanwhile, even though Paul and Griffin are both around the Top 10 and Jordan top 20ish, they just aren't Durant/Westchimp/Abaka. However, I couldn't see this Spurs team taking more than a game off the Clippers in a potential series while they'd prolly lose to the Grizz/Thunder/Rockets in a series.

[TD 21]

Thunder gave the Spurs loads of trouble, but they managed to beat them in the postseason in 2014. The Thunder also had two top-5 players along with another top 20ish in Abaka, and were good against everyone else as well. Meanwhile, even though Paul and Griffin are both around the Top 10 and Jordan top 20ish, they just aren't Durant/Westchimp/Abaka. However, I couldn't see this Spurs team taking more than a game off the Clippers in a potential series while they'd prolly lose to the Grizz/Thunder/Rockets in a series.

If Ibaka plays the first two games and is healthy throughout, who knows how that series turns out? What we do know is, there's overwhelming evidence from the '12 WCF on that no team has given the Spurs more trouble.

The Thunder's star power and team is only slightly better than the Clippers, but the Heat were and Warriors are better than the Thunder and the Spurs haven't had as much difficulty with them, so you can't just chalk it up to caliber of team.

The Clippers would more than likely beat the Grizzlies or Thunder in a series. I'd pick them to beat the Rockets too, in part because of how they lost to them 2 years ago. I'd pick them to beat anyone other than the Warriors, though I maintain that they give them their toughest (and I use this term lightly) series.

[TampaDude]

Zero fucks given by the Spurs. Waiting for the real season to start.