Game Thread: Spurs vs Pelicans — Sat. (2/2) - 7:30/C (3:30am Riga Time)

[Robz4000]

So should Pop play all of his guys until the whistle? How much time has to be left to where it's not Pop's fault when Gay gets hurt?

He doesn't have to keep the starters out there, but he needs to call timeout when it's clear the unit he has out there is in over its head playing poorly.

[Pavlov]

ST post-win meltdown over garbage time:tu

[BillMc]

The Spurs had the same players they use for their back-up PG out there. They run with that guard tandem quite a bit. You also don't have to tell me teams can score quickly. But the Spurs playing bad offense and not using any time while also leaving guys open wasn't excusable. This was garbage time, but the guys who came in played unrealistically bad. Pop stick with them because, how can you really expect them to lose a 20-point lead so fast?

If Gasol were in the game instead of Jakob, he'd be getting killed rather than Pop. It's sad how predictable the channels are on this site.

This

[TDMVPDPOY]

who here this DDr is being under utilized cause guys like forbes, mills, belli, lma or whoever else that has the green light to chuck

if he chucks then his taking shots away from those scrubs who needs shots to get going...

hence if he better of being a point forward creating or looking for others instead of those guys trying to play pg looking for him

[Em-City]

So should Pop play all of his guys until the whistle? How much time has to be left to where it's not Pop's fault when Gay gets hurt?
he should have left out one half-decent nba player who can anchor an offense against 3rd stringers (patty is not that guy). Past spurs rosters had that kind of depth on the bench, but these guys were horrible in that last 8 minutes, so he probably should have played one of his vets for a couple of extra minutes. Even Pau would have been better than Poodle in that situation given his ability to hold up the ball at times.

[Chinook]

Gasol was fine tonight and I can understand why he's the back-up instead of Poeltl (who looks like shit right now). However, the Spurs not milking clock and taking bad shots while not defending the 3-pt line is something the Pop of old would call timeouts for even if the team were up 30.

I think Pop should have pulled the plug a couple of possessions before he did. But I don't think he put in the third-stringers too early. In years of old, you had guys like Mills, Green, Joseph, de Colo and others who could come in and extend leads like this. On paper, it shouldn't be this bad. Mills and Forbes just went cold, Poeltl put all his good play for the night into one block, Metu is a horrible combination of selfish and not very good, and Pon really can't change the tide. It's a shame they don't have a decent wing prospect to play instead of Quincy. The floor might be lower, but at least you could feel like that last stretch had some good in it.

[John B]

Rare time I see Metu, disappointed me.

[Em-City]

He doesn't have to keep the starters out there, but he needs to call timeout when it's clear the unit he has out there is in over its head playing poorly.
to be fair, he did call 2 TOs

[BillMc]

ST post-win meltdown over garbage time:tu

It's ST. We lose. "We suck." We win "Fools gold." Garbage time doesn't go the way we want. "Pop sucks."

[DAF86]

So should Pop play all of his guys until the whistle? How much time has to be left to where it's not Pop's fault when Gay gets hurt?

Do you want to pull everybody out 20 pts ahead with 6 minutes to go? OK, but when you see shit is going south don't wait for it to be a one possession game to put the starters back in.

If someday someone loses a game after having it won just because you don't make a simple adjustment like putting your best players back in then that loss is entirely on the coach.

[Em-City]

I think Pop should have pulled the plug a couple of possessions before he did. But I don't think he put in the third-stringers too early. In years of old, you had guys like Mills, Green, Joseph, de Colo and others who could come in and extend leads like this. On paper, it shouldn't be this bad. Mills and Forbes just went cold, Poeltl put all his good play for the night into one block, Metu is a horrible combination of selfish and not very good, and Pon really can't change the tide. It's a shame they don't have a decent wing prospect to play instead of Quincy. The floor might be lower, but at least you could feel like that last stretch had some good in it.

**cough cough Walker

[John B]

All they needed was milk the clock and play D, instead brick shots in attempt to pad stats but did not take care of the other side. No leadership on Mills there to control the pace.

[Chinook]

he should have left out one half-decent nba player who can anchor an offense against 3rd stringers (patty is not that guy).

Patty has literally been "that guy" longer than he's been a Spur. He used to be that depth on classic Spurs rosters. His PG skills have been fine enough to be the back-up PG this whole year. There's nothing on paper that would make it seem like this unit couldn't hold a 20-point lead in six minutes. Patty/Poeltl PnRs alone should have been enough to keep them afloat.

[Chinook]

**cough cough Walker

Wouldn't have minded him. Was actually thinking of Ben Moore when I wrote that. Ben's like the best-kept secret or something.

[Mr. Body]

nah this was on the players. Mills, Forbes, Pondexter, Metu, Poeltl should be good enough to close out a 20 point lead against the Pelicans 3rd stringers. Pop should've called a time out when the Pels went on a run and cut the lead to 8 though

Fuck that. You have three non-scorers in there and Forbes and Mills don't play off each other well. What a fucked-up lineup.

[Robz4000]

I think Pop should have pulled the plug a couple of possessions before he did. But I don't think he put in the third-stringers too early. In years of old, you had guys like Mills, Green, Joseph, de Colo and others who could come in and extend leads like this. On paper, it shouldn't be this bad. Mills and Forbes just went cold, Poeltl put all his good play for the night into one block, Metu is a horrible combination of selfish and not very good, and Pon really can't change the tide. It's a shame they don't have a decent wing prospect to play instead of Quincy. The floor might be lower, but at least you could feel like that last stretch had some good in it.

The problem is is that the third string units have shat away leads before. It hasn't resulted in any near-losses like tonight, but games that should've been 25+ point wins ended up being 10-12 point wins instead (examples include the Wizards game earlier in the homestand, the Pelicans the night before, the Pistons in Detroit to name a few recent games). We've seen evidence of this before, and it's something the coaching staff should be more aware of lest it come to bite the team in the ass in games that matter.

[HarlemHeat37]

#Metu is so bad:lol

[John B]

It's ST. We lose. "We suck." We win "Fools gold." Garbage time doesn't go the way we want. "Pop sucks."
This ST fans demand excellence. We’ been spoiled for so long. Our expectations are high :hungry::lol

[Pavlov]

Do you want to pull everybody out 20 pts ahead with 6 minutes to go? OK, but when you see shit is going south don't wait for it to be a one possession game to put the starters back in.

If someday someone loses a game after having it won just because you don't make a simple adjustment like putting your best players back in then that loss is entirely on the coach.So this is hypothetical outrage.

[Robz4000]

to be fair, he did call 2 TOs

He didn't call a timeout until the last few seconds. Gentry called one after Mills hit that three and then when the Pelicans got the ball down three. He didn't go back to the starters until that second timeout when he should've put at least White and Bertans in for Metu and Pondexter after that first Pelican timeout.

[Chinook]

The problem is is that the third string units have shat away leads before. It hasn't resulted in any near-losses like tonight, but games that should've been 25+ point wins ended up being 10-12 point wins instead (examples include the Wizards game earlier in the homestand, the Pelicans the night before, the Pistons in Detroit to name a few recent games). We've seen evidence of this before, and it's something the coaching staff should be more aware of lest it come to bite the team in the ass in games that matter.

Dunno if there's a lot they can do about it. It's not like it's the same guys in all of those units. You have to be willing to give up most of your lead if you put in guys for garbage time. That's why you wait until you have such a big advantage. They aren't supposed to hold serve. They're just supposed to hold the fort until time runs out. I think Pop decided he'd only pull the guys if there was a realistic chance NOP could catch up. Until the Pels made it a one-possession game, I can understand why Pop believed his team would figure it out and score a few times to keep it from getting that bad eventually.

[Degoat]

Hey a win is a win no matter how good or bad, rodeo road trip will be a tough test but hopefully we can steal a couple of road games

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

nah this was on the players. Mills, Forbes, Pondexter, Metu, Poeltl should be good enough to close out a 20 point lead against the Pelicans 3rd stringers. Pop should've called a time out when the Pels went on a run and cut the lead to 8 though

yeah 8 was the magic number

the pels announcers were like “uh so the spurs gonna call a timeout now right?”

[Chinook]

#Metu is so bad:lol

He's not THAT bad. He's just at a d-league level and really shouldn't be getting pro minutes. His real problem is that he's a huge black hole, and when you combine that with his inadequate skill level, you get him cutting off possessions so he can miss or turn it over any time he touches the ball. Had Quincy been a legit PF, Metu would have been better served just staying in the d-league all this year without any hope of a call-up. But PATFO really seem to like him, so I hope the light comes on at some point.

[Dverde]

yeah 8 was the magic number

the pels announcers were like “uh so the spurs gonna call a timeout now right?”

:lmao I remember that.

[Robz4000]

Dunno if there's a lot they can do about it. It's not like it's the same guys in all of those units. You have to be willing to give up most of your lead if you put in guys for garbage time. That's why you wait until you have such a big advantage. They aren't supposed to hold serve. They're just supposed to hold the fort until time runs out. I think Pop decided he'd only pull the guys if there was a realistic chance NOP could catch up. Until the Pels made it a one-possession game, I can understand why Pop believed his team would figure it out and score a few times to keep it from getting that bad eventually.

If a unit plays that badly together, even if it's only for 2-3 mins you need to change it up. No reason to go back to LMA/DeRozan/Gay, but he needs to reinsert White/Beli/Bertans in situations like tonight. Hell, as soon as Metu chucked up that 15-foot hook shot with 15 seconds on the shot clock he would've been benched immediately in the past.

[HarlemHeat37]

He's not THAT bad. He's just at a d-league level and really shouldn't be getting pro minutes. His real problem is that he's a huge black hole, and when you combine that with his inadequate skill level, you get him cutting off possessions so he can miss or turn it over any time he touches the ball. Had Quincy been a legit PF, Metu would have been better served just staying in the d-league all this year without any hope of a call-up. But PATFO really seem to like him, so I hope the light comes on at some point.

Your first sentence doesn't fit with the rest of your post:lol

[GAustex]

Who we rooting for in Rockets-Jazz?
A terrorist attack?

[Chinook]

Your first sentence doesn't fit with the rest of your post:lol

Like his moves work well against worse players, and he needs time to adjust to the NBA. He hasn't figured out what he can and can't do yet, and when he gets a few minutes after playing game after game in the d-league, he looks terrible. But when he gets longer NBA stints, he can string together some good possessions where he rotates well for a block or runs the floor for an easy basket. But that perimeter shit he tries to do needs work.

The biggest issue with him right now, though, is that he's selfish, so instead of picking his spots and doing what he can do well against NBA athletes, he forces up shots he doesn't have the skill or IQ to make. It's like how Walker looked like a poor shooter in college because he kept jacking up bad shots, but he projected to be a good shooter at the NBA level because his mechanics are really good. Metu needs to become a better player to really translate, but if he just accepted that he's the fifth option on the floor at all times and played accordingly, he could still do some things at the NBA level right now.

[jehawk81]

For a guy that talks so much about being over yourself, Pop sure likes to draw attention to himself doing "special" things.

He's one of those "do as I say, not as I do" kinda guys

[SpurPadre]

Forbes sucks as a starter. When is that fact going to get through PATFO's thick heads?

[stu scotts eye]

Quincy is so painful to watch.

He is like a less athletic Carl Herrera, who knew it was possible.

Wish Pop would just give that PT to anyone else, besides Dante. Anybody.

[DAF86]

So this is hypothetical outrage.

:sleep

[Pavlov]

:sleep:lol it is

Spurs win -- you're angry.:tu

[TimDunkem]

Metu isn't ready but I like his potential. You can't blame that kind of collapse on any one guy though. That kind of suckage is a team effort.

[DAF86]

:lol it is

Spurs win -- you're angry.:tu

That sounds like Pop against the Suns, tbh.

[Pavlov]

That sounds like Pop against the Suns, tbh.Are you the head coach now?:lol

[dbestpro]

I thought Gasol looked bad, but Metu looked like a deer caught in headlights.

[DAF86]

Are you the head coach now?:lol

Your comment makes no sense. Please try to make some sense.

[Pavlov]

Your comment makes no sense. Please try to make some sense.It was a question.

Did you not understand it?

[DAF86]

It was a question.

Did you not understand it?

It wasn't an actual question, tbh. It was a rethoric one. Rethoric questions work to try to make a point. Your point makes no sense. The coach of the team can be angry after wins but hardcore fans can't? That seems like a really stupid fucking point which only functions as semen shielding and being a fucking insufferable homer.

[Pavlov]

It wasn't an actual question, tbh. It was a rethoric one.No, I really have to ask you.

Are you the head coach?

[DAF86]

No, I really have to ask you.

Are you the head coach?

Yes, I am Popovich. I post in ST while coaching. You can come suck my dick in real life too if you want.

[Pavlov]

Yes, I am Popovich. I post in ST while coaching. You can come suck my dick in real life too if you want.:lol gay rage

[vander]

Are you the head coach now?:lol
Damn what an embarassing reply, hit the showers, try harder tomorrow

[HarlemHeat37]

Damn what an embarassing reply, hit the showers, try harder tomorrow

:lol

[Arcadian]

Who the fuck is Frank Jackson, and why does he have 25 points against us? God damn.

Nobody named Frank should ever score 25 points in an NBA game, I'm sorry.

[maximo]

Are you fans always so angry after a win?

[TimmyBuckets]

This team is trash. DeDumbass is useless. Struggling against Pels? Losing at home to Clips? Gonna be a freefall once RRT starts. Hope I'm wrong.

[Pavlov]

Are you fans always so angry after a win?Yep. Gleeful when they lose.

[tbdog]

I don't know. I would not have put Gasol back into the rotation when he was healthy. Poeltl was playing well and should have kept his spot. I don't think Pop's doing anyone favors by playing all three guys. At the same time, Gasol IS better than Poeltl. If Pop were to give him time to settle into the spot rather than doing this time-share thing, I think he'll be good. Or they can go back to Poe. Just don't do both.

The way I see it, if Spurs need 20mins, then go Gasol. If Spurs need 13 minutes, go Poeltl. I see Poeltl does better in short stints and Gasol works the game out during longer stints. Another way to look at it, if LMA gets 2 early fouls in the 1st quarter, I would go with Gasol to play out the quarter rather than Poeltl. However, on a normal rotational night, I want Poeltl subbing in for LMA in the last 3 minutes of the quarter.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

The way I see it, if Spurs need 20mins, then go Gasol. If Spurs need 13 minutes, go Poeltl. I see Poeltl does better in short stints and Gasol works the game out during longer stints. Another way to look at it, if LMA gets 2 early fouls in the 1st quarter, I would go with Gasol to play out the quarter rather than Poeltl. However, on a normal rotational night, I want Poeltl subbing in for LMA in the last 3 minutes of the quarter.

I see it more as Gasol and Poeltl being insurance for injuries and Pop trying to keep both as sharp as possible, but in reality it isn't working and both look worse when getting inconsistent roles. They'll probably get a few more minutes during the rodeo. That said, imagine if Pau is traded and either Aldridge or Poeltl gets injured, it'd mean Metu at center. Scary!

[Chinook]

The way I see it, if Spurs need 20mins, then go Gasol. If Spurs need 13 minutes, go Poeltl. I see Poeltl does better in short stints and Gasol works the game out during longer stints. Another way to look at it, if LMA gets 2 early fouls in the 1st quarter, I would go with Gasol to play out the quarter rather than Poeltl. However, on a normal rotational night, I want Poeltl subbing in for LMA in the last 3 minutes of the quarter.


I see it more as Gasol and Poeltl being insurance for injuries and Pop trying to keep both as sharp as possible, but in reality it isn't working and both look worse when getting inconsistent roles. They'll probably get a few more minutes during the rodeo. That said, imagine if Pau is traded and either Aldridge or Poeltl gets injured, it'd mean Metu at center. Scary!

Yeah. My plan would have been for Gasol to just fill in when needed. Like when Gasol got healthy, I thought Pop was going to start working in some rest games for Aldridge so Pau could start and Poeltl could keep playing his role. I don't think Poeltl is as good of insurance as Gasol, so even benching Jakob wasn't that desirable. I'd trust Pau to come in and do similar things to LMA more than I'd trust Poeltl to do the same things. It would be more jolting for the team to have to adjust from having both centers be post-bigs then having to play a roll-man center. I don't even begrudge him playing Pau when DeRozan or Gay was out. I really just don't believe in going more than two-deep at a position until garbage time or in case of injury/foul trouble.

Had that happened, I could see Pau not wanting to be just insurance and wanting a trade or buy-out. Again, it would have been best to keep him, but that was a result I would have been okay with. Even biting the bullet and trading Poeltl as the main incentive for a forward could have made sense with the way this upcoming draft is shaping up and with Milutinov waiting in the wings. But Poeltl doesn't seem like he can handle this at all, and losing him mentally would really hurt the club going forward.

[ceperez]

Yeah. My plan would have been for Gasol to just fill in when needed. Like when Gasol got healthy, I thought Pop was going to start working in some rest games for Aldridge so Pau could start and Poeltl could keep playing his role. I don't think Poeltl is as good of insurance as Gasol, so even benching Jakob wasn't that desirable. I'd trust Pau to come in and do similar things to LMA more than I'd trust Poeltl to do the same things. It would be more jolting for the team to have to adjust from having both centers be post-bigs then having to play a roll-man center. I don't even begrudge him playing Pau when DeRozan or Gay was out. I really just don't believe in going more than two-deep at a position until garbage time or in case of injury/foul trouble.

Had that happened, I could see Pau not wanting to be just insurance and wanting a trade or buy-out. Again, it would have been best to keep him, but that was a result I would have been okay with. Even biting the bullet and trading Poeltl as the main incentive for a forward could have made sense with the way this upcoming draft is shaping up and with Milutinov waiting in the wings. But Poeltl doesn't seem like he can handle this at all, and losing him mentally would really hurt the club going forward.

Nobody really knows if Pau can become better come playoff time. At least he knows how to pass!

[NameLess Scrub]

:pop: Pels got robbed.

[Mugen]

Where's Mugen (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=15519) at? He called this Pau obsession shit.

:lol It's laughable at this point, scrah. I mean the only explanation is Pop is trying to showcase Gasol, problem is that Pau is probably the worst big in the league right now and the Spurs are only killing their leverage with every time he touches the ball. They'll easily have to attach the Toronto pick just to get rid of him at this point, f'n crazy tbh.

[Mugen]

Yeah. My plan would have been for Gasol to just fill in when needed. Like when Gasol got healthy, I thought Pop was going to start working in some rest games for Aldridge so Pau could start and Poeltl could keep playing his role. I don't think Poeltl is as good of insurance as Gasol, so even benching Jakob wasn't that desirable. I'd trust Pau to come in and do similar things to LMA more than I'd trust Poeltl to do the same things. It would be more jolting for the team to have to adjust from having both centers be post-bigs then having to play a roll-man center. I don't even begrudge him playing Pau when DeRozan or Gay was out. I really just don't believe in going more than two-deep at a position until garbage time or in case of injury/foul trouble.

Had that happened, I could see Pau not wanting to be just insurance and wanting a trade or buy-out. Again, it would have been best to keep him, but that was a result I would have been okay with. Even biting the bullet and trading Poeltl as the main incentive for a forward could have made sense with the way this upcoming draft is shaping up and with Milutinov waiting in the wings. But Poeltl doesn't seem like he can handle this at all, and losing him mentally would really hurt the club going forward.

jesus christ Chin, I know it's always you know best around here...but jesus christ.

[Chinook]

jesus christ Chin, I know it's always you know best around here...but jesus christ.

Full disclosure, I do think Gasol is better than Poeltl. But that's not what I was saying there. When you take half a sentence out of a whole paragraph, you miss a lot of the context. The point was that Poeltl should have remained the backup and Gasol should have been third string (insurance), because if LMA has to sit a game, Gasol has a better chance of coming in and doing what Aldridge does than Poeltl does.