Game Thread: Spurs @ Nuggets -- Fri. (2/23) - 8:00/C (4:00am Riga Time)

[Darius Bieber]

Worst RRT ever :lol

[ElNono]

At least LMA got his touches... he's happy tonight...

[twincam]

Only acquisition they'd make in trade deadlines would be a has-been aged player. Spurs organization is so prone to it. Not certain as to why they don't go young.

[TimDunkem]

Plumlee would be the most athletic big on the Spurs.

Must be nice to have athletes. I miss those Dedmon, Simmons, and Lee dunks...

[tholdren]

Our point guards suck. The best one we have is still the 36 year old. SAD.

Didnt you say murray was good?

[boutons_deux]

-14 RBs

[Crazymaddopeyo]

As long as our guys understand the importance of the Civil Rights Act then I’ll consider this a win.
These are easily becoming the dumbest comments.

[Darius Bieber]

One win on the RRT this year :lol

[TimDunkem]

Only acquisition they'd make in trade deadlines would be a has-been aged player. Spurs organization is so prone to it. Not certain as to why they don't go young.

Pop has said it himself. He is lost without his guys. He'd rather not have to coach up replacements unless forced.

[sasaint]

Must be nice to have athletes. I miss those Dedmon, Simmons, and Lee dunks...

Much prefer IQ.

[boutons_deux]

Did KL make the trip?

[TimDunkem]

Didnt you say murray was good?

He's a fine prospect but he isn't doing shit this year.

[UZER]

Yea Patty sucks but Pop pulls HOTS out of game when Spurs were on a run to let Dijon win the game, but instead Dijon squandered the momentum

Momentum. Pffft.

:pop:

[Leetonidas]

At least butler fucked his knee up. Not that I'm glad hes injured but that should drop the wolves a bit if he has to miss extended time

[TDTPMG21920]

Losing games because of missed FT per par

[TimDunkem]

Much prefer IQ.

That Mills BBall IQ at the end there was incredible.

[SAGirl]

Oh shit Jimmy Butler might have just torn his ACL
Aaaannndddd Thibodeau just killed yet another star’s career. Dude doesn’t learn. Kiwi wouldn’t have made it past his rook deal with Thibs.

[tholdren]

Aaaannndddd Thibodeau just killed yet another star’s career. Dude doesn’t learn.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Just so stupid

[cd98]

119 and no o
Whatever
Spurs need green or Leonard
D is bad without them

Look at their scoring in the last two minutes. Yeech.

[sasaint]

Pop has said it himself. He is lost without his guys. He'd rather not have to coach up replacements unless forced.

If the Spurs end up below .500, Pop might just decide to hand over the reins. Just looking for a silver lining here.

[tholdren]

He's a fine prospect but he isn't doing shit this year.

So hes played pg all his life, played pg in college, drafted 1st rd, still cant play pg... strange.

[cd98]

These are easily becoming the dumbest comments.

Hey some things are more important than basketball.

[TheGreatYacht]

Point guards played great. 45pts from Mills, TP, and DJ.

Once again (as per usual) it's the SG position that gives us absolutely nothing.

[sasaint]

That Mills BBall IQ at the end there was incredible.

The guy is alphabet soup: IQ, FT, D... What am I forgetting?

[spurs10]

Missing free throws like that you’re not beating anyone. It killed us! I bet the Kind Buds want us in the playoffs.

[TimDunkem]

So hes played pg all his life, played pg in college, drafted 1st rd, still cant play pg... strange.

It is what it is. The Spurs just don't draft playmakers...They have their mummies to do all the playmaking until their wheels fall off.

[tholdren]

It is what it is. The Spurs just don't draft playmakers...They have their mummies to do all the playmaking until their wheels fall off. i agree it is what it is. Just the whole absurdity of the media hype about talent that just isnt there

[davi78239]

How the hell are we still in 3rd?

[SpurPadre]

Yeah...standing pat at the deadline was clearly the right decision. :rolleyes

[sasaint]

It is what it is. The Spurs just don't draft playmakers...They have their mummies to do all the playmaking until their wheels fall off.

Unfortunately when that finally happens it will be some poor new coach's responsibility to pick up the pieces.

[TimDunkem]

How the hell are we still in 3rd?

Chemistry being just enough to keep the team afloat to start the season while most of the West was acclimating new pieces, Aldridge playing well, weakest schedule in the league, etc.

[Pauleta14]

How long is Murray's training/experiment is going to last??

The dude is not reliable

[cjw]

Point guards played great. 45pts from Mills, TP, and DJ.

Once again (as per usual) it's the SG position that gives us absolutely nothing.

Manu didn’t have a good game, but he and Forbes only played about half the game combined. The PGs were playing SG too and getting torched by Gary Harris. Danny Green plays and this is probably a W.

Rebounding was the real reason for the loss tonight.

[Ice009]

How long is Murray's training/experiment is going to last??

The dude is not reliable

Does anyone here even think Murray is the PG of the future for this team? To borrow one of Murray's favourite words - this "dude" sucks.

I'm pretty much thinking he's not good enough to ever be the PG of the future for the Spurs. Unless you want a bleak future that is.

[Ditty]

I think Murray could be a good backup guard in this league, and that is about it. I’m more excited about White because he can at least shoot.

Could this season be over yet?

[SpurPadre]

How the hell are we still in 3rd?

Warriors, Cavs, Rockets and Celtics have used the league as their farm system resulting in a league full of glorified g league rosters.That's why we're lucky to be in 3rd.

[Thomas82]

How the hell are we still in 3rd?

Minnesota lost to Houston tonight.

[TheGreatYacht]

Manu didn’t have a good game, but he and Forbes only played about half the game combined. The PGs were playing SG too and getting torched by Gary Harris. Danny Green plays and this is probably a W.

Rebounding was the real reason for the loss tonight.
I disagree. Green played last game against this same team and didn't stop a wet fart. Murray, Barton, and Harris scored a combined 52

[SAGirl]

TANK COMMANDER Mills coming through!
You called it.

[Darius Bieber]

Bryn Forbes has shot 5% from three point land over the last month. Dude was also -19 in 6 minutes tonight.

Why is this trash on the team? Bonner must have passed Pop's nudes to him tbh

[sasaint]

Does anyone here even think Murray is the PG of the future for this team? To borrow one of Murray's favourite words - this "dude" sucks.

I'm pretty much thinking he's not good enough to ever be the PG of the future for the Spurs. Unless you want a bleak future that is.

Dijon aside, how many of the Spurs players will/should be in the team's future, though?

[SpurPadre]

Worst take of the season: Pop comparing Forbes to Curry.

[Pauleta14]

Does anyone here even think Murray is the PG of the future for this team? To borrow one of Murray's favourite words - this "dude" sucks.

I'm pretty much thinking he's not good enough to ever be the PG of the future for the Spurs. Unless you want a bleak future that is.


I think Murray could be a good backup guard in this league, and that is about it. I’m more excited about White because he can at least shoot.

Could this season be over yet?

He could be usefull on D, but he doesn't have any offensive skill that could be reliable (shoot, ball handling, playmaking..., none!

That's crazy for an NBA player...

edit/ Sorry he can dunk. (good for the highlights...)

[TheGreatYacht]

Worst take of the season: Pop comparing Forbes to Curry.
It's up there with him comparing Manu to Jordan, that's for sure.

[NASpurs]

How the hell are we still in 3rd?

Spurs are basically handing it away and those other idiots keep losing. :lol

[NASpurs]

:lmao next game is on national TV vs the Cavs on the road, chalk up another L

[Ice009]

Dijon aside, how many of the Spurs players will/should be in the team's future, though?

I don't even want to talk about it anymore man. Not many of them. I've also lost faith in Rudy Gay too. I was worried he'd opt out, but now I'm starting to think I want him to opt out. I thought by this point of the season he'd be playing starter minutes.

Right now, Aldridge is the only guy I'd want to keep around, but he can't be a closer. The team needs another closer. He played great for the first 3 1/2 quarters tonight, but like usual, he can't close games. He just doesn't have any dominant go to moves or is even a reliable free throw shooter at the end of games. 2 point turn around or mid-range jump shots aren't the shots to rely on down the stretch when you need to close games.

Kawhi would obviously be the only other one I'd like to keep if he can get back to being fully healthy. Maybe TP too as a backup PG if the comes at the veteran minimum cost. Manu, I don't know. Depends if he has anything left in the tank. He always looks terrible after having more than 3 days off IMO.

[duncan2k5]

I fail to see how this loss is on DJ... We lost because of trash defense and rebounding... Dude is one of the best rebounder and defenders on the team... He is a good pg... Stop trying to scapegoat the young dude... It's not as if we didn't have a string of losses with Parker starting (and playing horribly) before Pop decided to start DJ for good... He wasn't the worst starter tonight by a significant margin... Tell our bugs to play defense and rebound and we may win some games

[duncan2k5]

Not to mention we got outscored when Parker came in at the end..

[SpurPadre]

I fail to see how this loss is on DJ... We lost because of trash defense and rebounding... Dude is one of the best rebounder and defenders on the team... He is a good pg... Stop trying to scapegoat the young dude... It's not as if we didn't have a string of losses with Parker starting (and playing horribly) before Pop decided to start DJ for good... He wasn't the worst starter tonight by a significant margin... Tell our bugs to play defense and rebound and we may win some games

Shit, I'd rather have actual BUGS out there than some of scrubs out there.

[HarlemHeat37]

Entertaining game, all you can ask for right now IMO..not expecting to win a road game in Denver, at the moment..it would have been nice if Gay could have handled more minutes, they desperately needed a closer at any point down the stretch, Aldridge clearly can't do it(most bigs can't, to be fair)..

The roster construction is just too poor without Kawhi..if healthy, at least they could have Kawhi/Aldridge/Gay/Green with the ability to hide either Mills or Parker without suffering on either side of the ball..

ATM, they can't run any lineups that can play both ways..they need 2 of Parker/Mills/Manu on for offense, but all 3 kill the defense..Murray can play D and rebound, but he's a horrendous offensive player who can't run an offense..Bertans and Forbes are completely unplayable if they aren't making shots at a super-efficient rate..that's not even touching on the issue with the bigs(although playing Gay at the 4 should help alleviate some of those concerns)..

Also, I don't know why Forbes is even on the roster, tbh..at least give White a shot, stop playing niggas under 6'3"..

[sasaint]

I don't even want to talk about it anymore man. Not many of them. I've also lost faith in Rudy Gay too. I was worried he'd opt out, but now I'm starting to think I want him to opt out. I thought by this point of the season he'd be playing starter minutes.

Right now, Aldridge is the only guy I'd want to keep around, but he can't be a closer. The team needs another closer. He played great for the first 3 1/2 quarters tonight, but like usual, he can't close games. He just doesn't have any dominant go to moves or is even a reliable free throw shooter at the end of games. 2 point turn around or mid-range jump shots aren't the shots to rely on down the stretch when you need to close games.

Kawhi would obviously be the only other one I'd like to keep if he can get back to being fully healthy. Maybe TP too as a backup PG if the comes at the veteran minimum cost. Manu, I don't know. Depends if he has anything left in the tank. He always looks terrible after having more than 3 days off IMO.

On any other team, Tony and Manu would be gone, to make way for some young talent. Except the Spurs' cupboard is so bare. I still don't really want them back, though. And except for Tony's desire to play 5 more years, I really can't see them wanting to go through the doldrums to come.

Oh, and I have thought Rudy would opt in since he went out.

[sasaint]

Shit, I'd rather have actual BUGS out there than some of scrubs out there.

Men In Black IV. Cool.

[SuperCam]

967268909169569792

manure's mummified lungs can't handle the denver air without injuring his organs, smh :bang

[TimDunkem]

Jesus. Just retire already Manu.

[Ice009]

Entertaining game, all you can ask for right now IMO..not expecting to win a road game in Denver, at the moment..it would have been nice if Gay could have handled more minutes, they desperately needed a closer at any point down the stretch, Aldridge clearly can't do it(most bigs can't, to be fair)..


I've bought this up numerous times in the past, but do you guys agree that TD was one of the best closing big men of all-time? I'd rate him number 1. I can't think of anyone else better than him.

I shouldn't be too hard on Aldridge not being able to close too well. I've said before that Shaq, Malone, D-Rob, KG, and even Hakeem weren't that good in crunch time. I really shouldn't even be mentioning LA's struggles at the end of games, as I know that even some of the greatest big men were never that great at closing with the game on the line.

[spurs10]

Jesus. Just retire already Manu. Attacking Manu is Un-American!!:lol

That charge was badass, but I think he has more greatness to put out there.

[tbdog]

I've bought this up numerous times in the past, but do you guys agree that TD was one of the best closing big men of all-time? I'd rate him number 1. I can't think of anyone else better than him.

I shouldn't be too hard on Aldridge not being able to close too well. I've said before that Shaq, Malone, D-Rob, KG, and even Hakeem weren't that good in crunch time. I really shouldn't even be mentioning LA's struggles at the end of games, as I know that even some of the greatest big men were never that great at closing with the game on the line.

LMA is like a top 5 current PF. TD was like the goat of pf. We have been spoilt.

[SAGirl]

LMA is like a top 5 current PF. TD was like the goat of pf. We have been spoilt.
Agree. I think it’s unfair to Lamarcus. Many here want to trade him for a pick that may not ever be as good as he is right now.

[spurs10]

Agree. I think it’s unfair to Lamarcus. Many here want to trade him for a pick that may not ever be as good as he is right now.
Absolutely. LMA is now the best player on our team. He had a great game tonight.

[Spurs da champs]

I wouldn't say its as simple as 'most big men are terrible closers', as LMA has been ass in the 4th since his days in Portland.

[ElNono]

967268909169569792

manure's mummified lungs can't handle the denver air without injuring his organs, smh :bang

Hopefully he seeks another opinion, tbh... in New York...

[Ice009]

LMA is like a top 5 current PF. TD was like the goat of pf. We have been spoilt.

I know that about TD, I'm just saying I never thought about it at the start of his career, but towards the end of his career, I tried to think about where I would rank him as far as clutch big men go and I rank him number 1. I'm trying to prop him up even more.

I obviously haven't seen every big man play, so I was asking those who may have seen more of the older generations what their opinion is? Is there any true big men that were more clutch/better closers than TD?

If you are old enough, in your opinion is there anyone better than TD? From the guys I know - Shaq, Malone, Ewing, D-Rob, Hakeem, none of those guys IMO were even close to TD as far as closing games went and in clutch play/shot-making down the stretch like TD was.

I'm also not talking about perimeter oriented bigs like Dirk who had no post game whatsoever.

[tbdog]

I know that about TD, I'm just saying I never thought about it at the start of his career, but towards the end of his career, I tried to think about where I would rank him as far as clutch big men go and I rank him number 1. I'm trying to prop him up even more.

I obviously haven't seen every big man play, so I was asking those who may have seen more of the older generations what their opinion is? Is there any true big men that were more clutch/better closers than TD?

If you are old enough, in your opinion is there anyone better than TD? From the guys I know - Shaq, Malone, Ewing, D-Rob, Hakeem, none of those guys IMO were even close to TD as far as closing games went and in clutch play/shot-making down the stretch like TD was.

I'm also not talking about perimeter oriented bigs like Dirk who had no post game whatsoever.

All those guys were not that clutch. In recent memory, Dirk is probably as clutch as TD was, at least offensively. Hakeem was clutch. Bird as well. Robert Horry, Barkley.

[r0drig0lac]

key moment:

3q - Pop replaces 6'9 '' Kyle Anderson for 6'2 '' Bryn Forbes, Denver goes on a run and gets a boost, good God, I could make better substitutes than Pop at that stage of the career.
damn dwarves, basketball is still a game that size and athleticism matters

[boutons_deux]

key moment:

3q - Pop replaces 6'9 '' Kyle Anderson for 6'2 '' Bryn Forbes, Denver goes on a run and gets a boost, good God, I could make better substitutes than Pop at that stage of the career.
damn dwarves, basketball is still a game that size and athleticism matters

yep, another WTF substitution, close game with Spurs trying to stay close, and Pop puts in a cold, non-scoring, non-defending small

[Ice009]

All those guys were not that clutch. In recent memory, Dirk is probably as clutch as TD was, at least offensively. Hakeem was clutch. Bird as well. Robert Horry, Barkley.

Yeah, umm, I'm talking about guys that played mostly center/pf. Not PF/SFs like you've listed.

Dirk, Bird, Barkley are excluded as they didn't spend a lot of time at center, and from what I've been told, Hakeem wasn't that clutch at all. Did you watch his whole career? If so, then I will listen to your opinion on him being clutch.

[tbdog]

Hakeem in his prime was short, but the guy dominated in his prime. He was clearly up there as one of the best and clutches players.

[Ice009]

Hakeem in his prime was short, but the guy dominated in his prime. He was clearly up there as one of the best and clutches players.

I know he dominated, but I don't remember him dominating the last few minutes of a game, then again, I was too young to remember. He had all those clutch shooters around him. I was just curious how he performed in crunch time in the years before he won any Championships. I never saw him play before '93-'94.

[UZER]

Lamarcus late post game issues also stems from him being such a horrible passer out of the post. They go hand in hand. He's not clutch so teams don't double team, and the rare times they do, he has has no idea how to read the floor and find the right guy. It's just not in him. Tim was an absolute beast at making defenses pay for double teaming him because he was also so clutch.

So the defense stays home, and he forces a contested fade away from 18' that easy to make in the first, but not in the fourth.

[SAGirl]

key moment:

3q - Pop replaces 6'9 '' Kyle Anderson for 6'2 '' Bryn Forbes, Denver goes on a run and gets a boost, good God, I could make better substitutes than Pop at that stage of the career.
damn dwarves, basketball is still a game that size and athleticism matters
It was a huge run too. (He ended up a -19, it was a big swing).

I just asked in the thread why Pop feels like he needs to play all 12 guys that were available to play. He didn’t need to make that substitution, specially bc Bryn hasn’t been playing well for many games now and he doesn’t need to extend the rotation to 12 guys. He did that bc he wanted to.

B4 the ASB, he was extending the rotation to Darrun Hilliard who is a 2 way player who doesn’t have chemistry with others. As strict as he used to be with rookies and young players in the past, this year he’s thrown all that away (except for Derrick White, who could be playing those Forbes minutes probably better than him).

[BackHome]

We’re tanking which I have no issue with. Play the young guys and get serious about making this team better. Tony, Green, Mills, Forbes, and that French dude all need to be gone this summer period!!!

[K...]

Spurs have to play Patty to hope he raises his trade value. Murray has to develop. Forbes is playing himself into a minimum contract. Gasol wants touches. Rudy needs minutes. Fathead is a glue guy. Bertrans can win a game of he hits. Parker is healthy, gino is playing farewell role.

The only thing that makes sense with white is that until mills or Parker move on, he can't get room. I think one or both have to leave next year. They can't waste White

Sadly, if we suck, players may want to resign thinking that Kawhi is the only missing piece.

[Spurtacular]

Spurs have to play Patty to hope he raises his trade value. Murray has to develop. Forbes is playing himself into a minimum contract. Gasol wants touches. Rudy needs minutes. Fathead is a glue guy. Bertrans can win a game of he hits. Parker is healthy, gino is playing farewell role.

The only thing that makes sense with white is that until mills or Parker move on, he can't get room. I think one or both have to leave next year. They can't waste White

Sadly, if we suck, players may want to resign thinking that Kawhi is the only missing piece.

Unless Parker has another gear like he had in the Memphis series last year, I think he's the one looking done. I'd take Manu back next season, tbh.

[tholdren]

It was a huge run too. (He ended up a -19, it was a big swing).

I just asked in the thread why Pop feels like he needs to play all 12 guys that were available to play. He didn’t need to make that substitution, specially bc Bryn hasn’t been playing well for many games now and he doesn’t need to extend the rotation to 12 guys. He did that bc he wanted to.

B4 the ASB, he was extending the rotation to Darrun Hilliard who is a 2 way player who doesn’t have chemistry with others. As strict as he used to be with rookies and young players in the past, this year he’s thrown all that away (except for Derrick White, who could be playing those Forbes minutes probably better than him).

Kyle didnt contribute anything to the game. Look at the talent in the nba. Forbes, kyle, murray all have gigs. Sad.

[Slippy]

Couldnt get stops. Bryce , patty , joeff & Rudy are the weaklinks. They also cant hit the three with any consistency. Take away Pattys threes from the first half that strike rate of the spurs looks worse. That's not even counting the extra threes this team is passing up because they aint confident at shooting.

Amazing the spurs made a game of it. LA a lone soldier tbh.

[Killakobe81]

I've bought this up numerous times in the past, but do you guys agree that TD was one of the best closing big men of all-time? I'd rate him number 1. I can't think of anyone else better than him.

I shouldn't be too hard on Aldridge not being able to close too well. I've said before that Shaq, Malone, D-Rob, KG, and even Hakeem weren't that good in crunch time. I really shouldn't even be mentioning LA's struggles at the end of games, as I know that even some of the greatest big men were never that great at closing with the game on the line.

Agree defonitely up there with Hakeem ...
So makes it more puzzling pop sat him in a key moment in the Finals vs the Heat tbh ...

[Killakobe81]

I know that about TD, I'm just saying I never thought about it at the start of his career, but towards the end of his career, I tried to think about where I would rank him as far as clutch big men go and I rank him number 1. I'm trying to prop him up even more.

I obviously haven't seen every big man play, so I was asking those who may have seen more of the older generations what their opinion is? Is there any true big men that were more clutch/better closers than TD?

If you are old enough, in your opinion is there anyone better than TD? From the guys I know - Shaq, Malone, Ewing, D-Rob, Hakeem, none of those guys IMO were even close to TD as far as closing games went and in clutch play/shot-making down the stretch like TD was.

I'm also not talking about perimeter oriented bigs like Dirk who had no post game whatsoever.

Hakeem not close?!

[Snaq O'Meal]

key moment:

3q - Pop replaces 6'9 '' Kyle Anderson for 6'2 '' Bryn Forbes, Denver goes on a run and gets a boost, good God, I could make better substitutes than Pop at that stage of the career.
damn dwarves, basketball is still a game that size and athleticism matters

:pop: “My system turns dwarves into giant killers.”

[Snaq O'Meal]

Agree defonitely up there with Hakeem ...
So makes it more puzzling pop sat him in a key moment in the Finals vs the Heat tbh ...

:pop: “My midgetball system wins championships. Tim needed to get over himself.”

[tbdog]

I know he dominated, but I don't remember him dominating the last few minutes of a game, then again, I was too young to remember. He had all those clutch shooters around him. I was just curious how he performed in crunch time in the years before he won any Championships. I never saw him play before '93-'94.

Look, Manu was our closer for years and not TD. But TD and Hakeem came up with big baskets and big plays often down the stretch. TD has his demons though, game 5 vs Pistons he missed a tip in which ended up Horry going nuts in OT. And of course game 7 miss against Battier. Hakeem would have his fair share, but he was far more reliable than KG and C.Webb who were known to falter down the stretch.

[TD 21]

Agree defonitely up there with Hakeem ...

So makes it more puzzling pop sat him in a key moment in the Finals vs the Heat tbh ...

Situational. Duncan was damn near playing on one leg at that point, with his specially made, highly restrictive knee brace essentially locking his knee place and providing a semblance of stability. As good as he still was, the one thing he struggled with was switching/guarding out in space, which was obviously required on that play.



Look, Manu was our closer for years and not TD. But TD and Hakeem came up with big baskets and big plays often down the stretch. TD has his demons though, game 5 vs Pistons he missed a tip in which ended up Horry going nuts in OT. And of course game 7 miss against Battier. Hakeem would have his fair share, but he was far more reliable than KG and C.Webb who were known to falter down the stretch.

Apparently you didn't follow Spurs from '97-'04, when Duncan was the undisputed closer. From '04-'08, he was still co-closer and even after that, had plenty of games where he did the same, most notably closing out Thunder for essentially the championship in '14, in game 6 of the WCF.

[Ice009]

Again, all you guys propping up Hakeem, did you watch him play in his prime before the Championship seasons? He wasn't the closer in the Championship seasons. The Rockets had a bunch of clutch players they went to that got them over the line. I want opinions from people that watched him before that.

I still say TD was the best closing big man of all-time. Like TD21 said, TD was closing for a long, long time. It seems that all you guys are either too young or just don't remember shit and are only looking at a past his prime TD.