Team Leader Mills: First fun win of the season

[SAGirl]

Posted this prior to tonight's game in a different thread



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interesting plot to hear about some other team's implosion. If one of the Spurs were to come out with something like this they would be traded faster than SJAX.

But privately I don't think Spurs are having fun either.

Then, Paddy Mills confirms it stating that prior to tonight, they weren't having much fun.

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[sasaint]

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The fourth quarter was what was fun. No LMA. Enjoy it while it lasted, Patty. Next game back to the grind. But it was the first fun game for me, too!

[SpurPadre]

Indirect shots fired at LMA, tbh.

[playbonner15]

Loool LMA's gonna sulk now and deman a trade :lol

[NickiRasgo]

No offense to LMA, but I think he's the reason of the downfall of the Spurs when they signed him. :depressed I'm too was excited about it because he's the next biggest signing of the Spurs since RJ.

[John B]

Ball was moving, extra passes, finding open man, hustling. It was a beautiful game that’s why it was fun win. I think Spurs can hang on this. They need to move the ball. We’re not the most athletic one-on-one, and it’s been always like that in the past for many years, but Spurs moved the ball and empowered each other and got the win. That’s Spurs culture. It takes time, familiarity and trust.

[NASpurs]

crofl LMA's contract extension hasn't even kicked in yet. Knowing PATFO, that dude is a lifer with incoming loyalty contracts and will be played past his expiration date.

I actually enjoyed the 4th quarter and a big reason why was because that dude wasn't in it to suffocate any semblance of fun.

[SouthTexasRancher]

And it was a really fun night for those of us in the stands.

[bklynspursfan]

What Patty said and what Gordon said are quite different. Gordon is talking about sacrifices and attitude, leaves the door open for speculation as to something brewing there.

Patty has said several times already this season during their struggles, they have a good group of guys who care and are still learning one another, staying positive.

[HarlemHeat37]

Aldridge is probably a nice guy, but his style of play would be intolerable as a teammate..difficult shots, no court vision or passing instincts, mandatory touches, etc..

His game is anti-basketball..

[Harry Callahan]

crofl LMA's contract extension hasn't even kicked in yet. Knowing PATFO, that dude is a lifer with incoming loyalty contracts and will be played past his expiration date.

I actually enjoyed the 4th quarter and a big reason why was because that dude wasn't in it to suffocate any semblance of fun.

Wrong. He is in the first year of a three year extension. Still, I am disappointed in the inconsistent effort displayed so far this year. DeRozan, while not a perfect player, is still showing up the vast majority of nights and is a hard working player who usually makes a positive impact on the floor. Looks like LMA is engaged every third game. Not good.

[sasaint]

crofl LMA's contract extension hasn't even kicked in yet. Knowing PATFO, that dude is a lifer with incoming loyalty contracts and will be played past his expiration date.

I actually enjoyed the 4th quarter and a big reason why was because that dude wasn't in it to suffocate any semblance of fun.

The main reason the Spurs need to bring in a new regime. We need one that will have no qualms about moving LMA. He has got to go. But I am scared to death that Pop is gonna double down on him, keeping him as the cornerstone and building a house of cards around him.

[Mugen]

I mean it's been clear as day for most of the season, guys look like they are just going through the motions out there. Some of that is probably the environment that Pop has built but it's also probably frustrating to have your team's success tied to Lamarcus chucking turnaround 20 footers or scream "ehhhhhhhhhh" every time looking for a foul call....

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Until LMA goes, this team is destined for medicority. Drunkford better move fast tbqh

[Ginobilly]

Looks like lma is really the big man version of carmelo anthony after all. I have tried to like him ever since the spurs got him, but he just has no bball sense of where he belongs or how to navigate around the court. He kills all ball movement with his tunnel vision, and he takes the most difficult of shots, even against smaller players. He would be best in a reduced role on offense(like a 3/4 option) and concentrate more on defense and rebounding, but nobody has ever put this guy in his place.

[duncan2k5]

The main reason the Spurs need to bring in a new regime. We need one that will have no qualms about moving LMA. He has got to go. But I am scared to death that Pop is gonna double down on him, keeping him as the cornerstone and building a house of cards around him.

That's Pop for u... Goes against the common sense move just to seem as if he knows more than everyone else (taking Duncan out the game on a defensive possession... Wtf?)

[sasaint]

That's Pop for u... Goes against the common sense move just to seem as if he knows more than everyone else (taking Duncan out the game on a defensive possession... Wtf?)

Sometimes zigging while everybody else zags is excellent strategy, but a lot of the time it is simply contrarian. Pop is beyond the excellent (or even "good") strategy stage.

[Coach X]

I don't understand the roasting to Aldridge. Last night he had zero problems not playing and enjoyed Poetl good play, celebrating Jacob's actions and greeting him as everybody did when he left the game in the final seconds.

LaMarcus started the season not playing well but for the last 5-10 games, he's trying to play harder. It's hard to dominate from the post when almost every team is doubling him. He's passing ok in these situations and trying to be more agressive in terms of attacking the ring (going to the FT line) and crashing the boards. Lately, he's even scoring his mid-distance shots more often. I understand people not liking his offensive game but after a mediocre start, he's working well and showing a good attitude. Moreover, IMO the problem is at the other end of the court.

I think he should be doing better in defense. Last season he was a huge presence in the paint, altering almost every lay-up from the opponents. He did very well away from the basket, either guarding shooting PFs or after switching in a pick. The changes in the roster, improving the offense but hurting the defense, require from Aldridge more in D but his performance has gone in the opposite direction. I don't understand what's the reason for this loss of focus but he must lead the team defense showing the way for other bad defenders to improve and reach a decent level.

Anyway, during the last games, I've noticed he's trying. Watching him smiling and cheering for Poetl is nice and finding Gay and the rest doing the same with Bertans is a good sign of group's cohesion.
The team must improve the defense but that won't happen without unity, commitment and unselfishness.

[RC_Drunkford]

I don't understand the roasting to Aldridge. Last night he had zero problems not playing and enjoyed Poetl good play, celebrating Jacob's actions and greeting him as everybody did when he left the game in the final seconds.

LaMarcus started the season not playing well but for the last 5-10 games, he's trying to play harder. It's hard to dominate from the post when almost every team is doubling him. He's passing ok in these situations and trying to be more agressive in terms of attacking the ring (going to the FT line) and crashing the boards. Lately, he's even scoring his mid-distance shots more often. I understand people not liking his offensive game but after a mediocre start, he's working well and showing a good attitude. Moreover, IMO the problem is at the other end of the court.

I think he should be doing better in defense. Last season he was a huge presence in the paint, altering almost every lay-up from the opponents. He did very well away from the basket, either guarding shooting PFs or after switching in a pick. The changes in the roster, improving the offense but hurting the defense, require from Aldridge more in D but his performance has gone in the opposite direction. I don't understand what's the reason for this loss of focus but he must lead the team defense showing the way for other bad defenders to improve and reach a decent level.

Anyway, during the last games, I've noticed he's trying. Watching him smiling and cheering for Poetl is nice and finding Gay and the rest doing the same with Bertans is a good sign of group's cohesion.
The team must improve the defense but that won't happen without unity, commitment and unselfishness.

Agree with your point here. I think he's not engaged cause he's playing with bad defenders. There are switches happening way too often and then Aldridge gotta come out to contest the guard, which then leaves his man, the big, open. Aldridge has to rotate a whole lot in our defense and that's not a good look. It's like damned if you do, damned if you don't. By the way his passing this season is his best ever if you ask me. He made a lot of smart passes this season.

[gospursgojas]

Loool LMA's gonna sulk now and deman a trade :lol

He was actually smiling and up congratulating Jakob. Was actually surprising (but welcomed) to see.

[Spurtacular]

How fun can it be if you're playing with Patty Mills? How fun can it be if you are Patty Mills?

:lol

[Play Boban]

Aldridge is probably a nice guy, but his style of play would be intolerable as a teammate..difficult shots, no court vision or passing instincts, mandatory touches, etc..

His game is anti-basketball..
But basketball is dead said poop..... :cry

[TimDunkem]

Aldridge is probably a nice guy, but his style of play would be intolerable as a teammate..difficult shots, no court vision or passing instincts, mandatory touches, etc..

His game is anti-basketball..

He lack of vision and passing instincts is next level, tbh. I've honestly seen randoms at the park with better passing instincts than this mother fucker. How anyone at his skill level can have no semblance of a passing game just amazes me. It's uncanny.

[TimDunkem]

How fun can it be if you're playing with Patty Mills? How fun can it be if you are Patty Mills?

:lol

Seems like it would be the most fun for Patty considering he has the best of both worlds in the sense that he has a nice contract and gets minutes without being expected to carry the team, or take accountability for any losses as a bench scrub and one of Pop's favorites.

[JeffDuncan]

... How anyone at his [LMA's] skill level can have no semblance of a passing game just amazes me. It's uncanny.

Well, he's averaging 2.3 assists a game. Which is more than Forbes. Lol

[Spurtacular]

Seems like it would be the most fun for Patty considering he has the best of both worlds in the sense that he has a nice contract and gets minutes without being expected to carry the team, or take accountability for any losses as a bench scrub and one of Pop's favorites.

Mills only averages 25 mpg. I say only b/c I had figured it was more than 30 this season and the last. It must just seem like it's that long, night after night. Yea, he's basically a fringe rotation player getting consistent starts and even being praised as a "leader" by a "HOF" coach.

[JeffDuncan]

Seems like it would be the most fun for Patty considering he has the best of both worlds in the sense that he has a nice contract and gets minutes without being expected to carry the team, or take accountability for any losses as a bench scrub and one of Pop's favorites.

Great point about Patty. On any other team, well never mind, because on any other team he would not be there.