Game Thread: Spurs @ Celtics — Sun. (3/24) - 6:30/C (1:30am Riga Time)

[BatManu20]

Another tough road game tonight in Boston. Horford and Tatum are OUT for the Celtics. Aron Baynes and Gordon Hayward are QUESTIONABLE. Game will be televised on NBATV. Let’s get it.


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[BatManu20]

1109864179115180032

[BatManu20]

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[BatManu20]

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[emanueldavidginobili]

Celtics blew a 18 point 4th quarter lead against the Hornets last night.

[Mugen]

Let's see here....

-Spurs on a 2 game skid (one of the worst Ls of the year against Miami and the usual chokejob against the Rockets)
-Essentially a must win game to avoid the Dubs (GSW will finish #1, make no mistake about it)
-Pop playing against a coach he's extra chummy with and Boston coming off an embarrassing L
-Spurs on the road against a team that isn't lottery fodder

The team will definitely have to show some heart tonight and the coaching staff will definitely need to get them prepared and up for it.....

All adds up to the Spurs getting their absolute fucking blown doors off by the 2nd quarter, that 1.5 points is a fucking joke and easy money :lol

[Mugen]

Crofl at Quincy fucking Pondexter being the pic the twitter account uses, what a joke organization from top to bottom since Timmy, Manu, and Kawhi left tbh

[monty4329]

Boston very shorthanded tonight, should be an easy win. So it won't be.

Still, it is now basically impossible to do better than 8th seed. I'd rather sit everybody and plan for the first round against... Denver.

[Dex]

Just need a damn win tonight. A 3-game skid is the last thing the Spurs can afford...which is exactly what worried me about the Miami loss.

[slick'81]

Well boston isnt anywhere near full strength soo maybe spurs can hang in this one

[gambit1990]

bounce back game for the celtics i think. kyrie wants a w to take away from him hero balling his team to Ls.

hopefully white takes it to him.

[gambit1990]

there’s no one playing that i hate more than kyrie. glad kemba lit his ass up the other night.

[weeks]

Everyone got your butts ready for a 3 game losing streak?

[GAustex]

Cs banged up at the bigs and played last night
Good chance for the good guys to get one on the road
I like our chances

[TXstbobcat]

:flag:

[slick'81]

Everyone got your butts ready for a 3 game losing streak?


Lets go:smokin

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1109933324900974592

[RC_Drunkford]

Gon be a close game until the clock is under one minute with the Spurs up one and DeRozan loses the ball which then results into a fastbreak by the Celtics and they win the game

[ace3g]

Poeltl back in the starting lineup.

[slick'81]

Poeltl back in the starting lineup.

POODLE POWER

[Budkin]

Celtics have been awful and we are coming off a bullshit loss that we should have won. Expecting a W.

[Ron Swanson]

:flag:

[GreekSpursfan]

It should be a win but... you know the rest of the story.

[tenbeersbold]

Spurs by 8-11 ish

[RD2191]

Who gives a shit? Tbh. Spurs are destined to be the 8th seed and get screwed by the dubs again.

[sasaint]

Let's see here....

-Spurs on a 2 game skid (one of the worst Ls of the year against Miami and the usual chokejob against the Rockets)
-Essentially a must win game to avoid the Dubs (GSW will finish #1, make no mistake about it)
-Pop playing against a coach he's extra chummy with and Boston coming off an embarrassing L
-Spurs on the road against a team that isn't lottery fodder

The team will definitely have to show some heart tonight and the coaching staff will definitely need to get them prepared and up for it.....

All adds up to the Spurs getting their absolute fucking blown doors off by the 2nd quarter, that 1.5 points is a fucking joke and easy money :lol

That’s how it adds up on my abacus, too.

[NameLess Scrub]

Spurs will lose because this game is on the road,


no matter how much it seems they'll win in the 4th quarter.

[Mr. Body]

Celtics and Spurs have nearly identical records despite the EC being so incredibly weak. What a massive disappointment Boston has been this year.

[Dverde]

I’m leaning toward a loss on this one. Nothing certain with the Celts this year.

[SPURt]

Gross, stuck with the Celtic announcers

[Mugen]

Is Tommy Heinsohn actually in the arena or are they using a soundboard? I know for a fact that he doesn't know Poetl's name since he's called him "the Center" so far :lol

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Chris these Boston announcers. It's like having your ears waxed with a knife

[Keepin' it real]

Playoff atmosphere.

[YoungbuckMurray]

Forbes sucks

[r0drig0lac]

lmao Mills

[c whata11]

it's refreshing to see the team actually feed the hot hand for once

[vander]

Belinelli has been so much better than I expected when Spurs signed him.

[boutons_deux]

Belinelli has been so much better than I expected when Spurs signed him.

agreed, as good as he was in '14

[r0drig0lac]

nice pass by bertans

[Spurch]

Everyone got your butts ready for a 3 game losing streak?

I disagree totally, this 1's in the books, Spurs win!!

[bklynspursfan]

We win vs Houston if Aldridge played half this well

[Mr. Body]

Boston will struggle without Horford and Tatum. Spurs might win 55 games a year if they played in the East.

[Spurch]

Bertans has been struggling from the 3p line lately hopefully he can produce tonight

[Spurch]

Come on Rudy get it together man steupesss

[Spurch]

Belinelli has been so much better than I expected when Spurs signed him.

That's my guy Marco!!!

[YoungbuckMurray]

How is that a foul on gay

[YoungbuckMurray]

LMA coookin!!!

[bklynspursfan]

Is Tommy Heinsohn actually in the arena or are they using a soundboard? I know for a fact that he doesn't know Poetl's name since he's called him "the Center" so far :lol

:lol due is in his own world

[Mr. Body]

I think Heinsohn fell asleep in a puddle of his own drool.

[$pursDynasty]

LaMonster dominating, and some posters anxious to trade him over some inconsequential comment

[r0drig0lac]

fuck off forbes

[8sy21vd]

Forbes sucks

[YoungbuckMurray]

Forbes with the pull up 3 wtf is that. Then gets bullied on D get him on the bench

[8sy21vd]

Forbes sucks

LMA doesn't

[$pursDynasty]

Spurs feeding the hot hand for once

[Spurch]

LMA coookin!!!

Maybe he'll have another 50+ game

[Mr. Body]

LaMonster dominating, and some posters anxious to trade him over some inconsequential comment

Well, Horford's out and Ainge has completely failed to acquire any comparable players whatsoever.

[sananspursfan21]

I thought these Boston guys calling the game would be really aggravating and one sided but they’re kinda entertaining. And they seem to kinda like showing Spurs replays

[$pursDynasty]

Spoke too soon now LMA not part of offense

[emanueldavidginobili]

Tommy Heinsohn is absolutely hilarious and by far the most biased announcer out. Living in Boston for 20 years I’ve heard him announce hundreds of games. I’ve seen him absolutely lose it some games. The man has 8 rings as a player and 2 as a coach.

[gambit1990]

OT but the CHA buzzer beater today is one of the best buzzer beaters you'll ever see.

[Capt Bringdown]

Anti-Clutch

[212094ever]

This team can't close out quarters for shit

[$pursDynasty]

How the heck did LMA not touch the ball the last 4 possessions?

[spurs1990]

Spoke too soon now LMA not part of offense

What the hell was that. I turn it on with 4 min left and LA didn't even get a single touch. Just wacky belinelli threes and Derozan isos.

[BatManu20]

Holy shit. Nephew :lol

1109974769321926656

[Spurch]

Spoke too soon now LMA not part of offense

Can't understand why they went away from what was working perfectly smh

[$pursDynasty]

This team can't close out quarters for shit

Because Pop is trying to make Derozan something he is NOT

[Mr. Body]

Feels like the Spurs completely fell asleep down the stretch there.

[$pursDynasty]

Pop sure did, there is a much used gif back in the day of Pop ordering MVParker the HOTS to give up the ball to the klaw. Well he should do that to close out quarters getting the ball away from Defrozen and give it to White and LaMonster

[TheRemix]

Derozan ball is not winning ball

[r0drig0lac]

Because Pop is trying to make Derozan something he is NOT

he's been trying to make Forbes a starter in the nba and Pau a basketball player for quite some time, nothing new

[emanueldavidginobili]

God I hate Forbes my god

[$pursDynasty]

Forbes is a role player, I cut those more slack than players that are supposed to be ' the guy' like DeFrozen

[Larry O]

Whew! Good thing that the Celtics missing their shots or else this game would be close...

[Leetonidas]

LA going for 50 again

[Capt Bringdown]

Tommy Heinsohn is an awesome homer. 85 years old, FFS.
I remember him talking about players smoking cigarettes at halftime back in the day.
Smoke if you've got 'em!

[Larry O]

Gosh, RG22 can be a bone head sometimes, SMH...

[r0drig0lac]

Celtics are actually playing much lower than expected for a team with their talent level

[bklynspursfan]

Any other team vs us is getting 3 shots there

[Capt Bringdown]

Kareem Abdul Poeltl

[GreekSpursfan]

Refs smdh but that happens a lot in Boston so... yeah

[$pursDynasty]

If we feed LaMonster the ball in the 4th we win, we go the DeFrozen route????

[weeks]

ffs..with .5 left you obviously have to inbound it to someone facing the basket

[weeks]

3 pages going into the 4th..

[Spurch]

Gosh, RG22 can be a bone head sometimes, SMH...

Rg22 came to work and forgot his game back home

[Larry O]

Looks like the Spurs' defense waned some in the 3rd quarter. Thies was allowed to score too many easy shots.

[GreekSpursfan]

Mills playing well in this game

[Spurch]

Celtics are actually playing much lower than expected for a team with their talent level

Let's don't forget they are missing very important pieces

[Capt Bringdown]

Celtics playing like they absolutely don't give a shit

[Leetonidas]

88 posters browsing and 3 pages in the 4th against a decent team? Oof :lol

[Larry O]

Cee's gone cold from the arch!

[bklynspursfan]

ffs..with .5 left you obviously have to inbound it to someone facing the basket

Marco doesn't need to face the basket to get a good shot off tbh

[bklynspursfan]

88 posters browsing and 3 pages in the 4th against a decent team? Oof :lol

Lot quieter in here when the team does well lol

[GreekSpursfan]

Horford is their most consistent and some would argue most important player and Stevens knows that thats why he's resting him. They even worse than they actually are without him.

[bklynspursfan]

Patty doing good things

[Larry O]

Celtics playing like they absolutely don't give a shit

Yeah, sounds like there's some drama going on behind the scenes that's creating distractions. This team could bounce in the first round, tbh...

[vander]

If I was a Celtic fan, I'd be pretty pissed at Hayward's passive incompetent play

[timtonymanu]

:lol Celtics

[Capt Bringdown]

Pop limiting White's minutes when he letting his amazing development continue...

[Chris]

https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1109986632638316544

[Larry O]

Bertans still struggling from the arch, SMH...

[R. DeMurre]

In this entire game so far Aldridge is 6 of 7 from the free throw line and no other Spur has shot a single FT...

[Larry O]

Bertans for threeee!!! Finally!

[GreekSpursfan]

In this entire game so far Aldridge is 6 of 7 from the free throw line and no other Spur has shot a single FT...

You're in Boston, don't expect many FT's.

[$pursDynasty]

LMA needed that timeout looked winded

[GreekSpursfan]

Davis my boy

[r0drig0lac]

Bertans again

[bklynspursfan]

Maybe that'll get Davis back in rhythm. Man do we need him

[bklynspursfan]

Yup. There we go Davis

[GreekSpursfan]

on fire from Latvia

[Ron Swanson]

There you go, Davis.

[Robz4000]

Bertans coming alive when it's time to close.

[Leetonidas]

Boston looks demoralized. Don't think these guys like playing together very much

[$pursDynasty]

Should we have picked up Monroe instead of the euro we just got?

[Mugen]

Why is Derozan and Bertans still in tbh?

[timtonymanu]

Celtics are worse than their record, good win for our team but not surprising since Boston is so dysfunctional lately. Let’s hope the team doesn’t follow up with a shitty loss to the Hornets next.

[Mugen]

Boston looks demoralized. Don't think these guys like playing together very much

Blame Kyrie, one of the worst "franchise guys" in the league tbh. I'd almost rather have Derozan on my team since he's actually a good teammate and not a Stage 10 cancer like Irving is....

[daslicer]

Spurs remaining schedules consists of all lottery teams except 1 hard game against Denver. The goal would be to win every game except the Nuggets game but knowing the Spur they could still drop a few games to these lottery teams.

[Larry O]

That's 3 three pointers from the Latvian Laser! Getting his mojo back? Hope so!

[GreekSpursfan]

I prefer Motiejunas tbh.

[jmard5]

88 posters browsing and 3 pages in the 4th against a decent team? Oof :lol

Wait until the Spurs blow the lead and the usual suspects will make themselves known.

[$pursDynasty]

Does LMA become team high scorer after tonight?

[Mugen]

So QPon and Dante have gotten so over themselves that they are exempt from garbage time minutes? FOH

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Wait until the Spurs blow the lead and the usual suspects will make themselves known.
Still a minute and a half to go in the game. Not too late for the Celtics to come back tbqh

[GreekSpursfan]

Lonnieee

[r0drig0lac]

Walker!!!

[Robz4000]

LMA looks pissed at not being allowed to get his 50.

[GreekSpursfan]

Spurs win :flag:

[Chinook]

Dude has an NBA-level pull-up game. He should tear up the summer league as the top option this year.

[r0drig0lac]

lamarcus close to a 50 point triple double

[TimmyBuckets]

Damn Celtics look like shit. Great win though.

[Larry O]

LW4 sighting, and he takes advantage of the moment at garbage time...

[sasaint]

If only they had beat Miami. smh

[timtonymanu]

Way more excited for next year’s team than the current one with a healthy Murray and improved LW4

[BillMc]

Victory!:drunk

[Spurch]

Way more excited for next year’s team than the current one with a healthy Murray and improved LW4

& Add 1 more free agent "vucevic"7

[Spurch]

Spurs finally won on the road

[Indianman]

OMFG the Celtics suck. Especially Gordon Hayward. God bless that man.

[SpurSpike]

Pop is an asshole for pulling LMA out at 48 when it was obvious as all hell he wanted another 50 point game. I know it doesn't mean anything to the team but players like to hit goals like that and Pop should let them.

[timtonymanu]

Blame Kyrie, one of the worst "franchise guys" in the league tbh. I'd almost rather have Derozan on my team since he's actually a good teammate and not a Stage 10 cancer like Irving is....

Today’s NBA :lol. You got quitters like Nephew and Anthony Davis, cancerous players like Kyrie and Lakers LeBron. If one of White/Murray/LW turns out to be a legit superstar, I hope they don’t pull this bullshit on the Spurs too.

[TimmyBuckets]

Wow we dropped to 8th? I just checked. Clips still rising? Wow please np GSW again jeez.

[Barfunk]

Would have liked for Lasharkus to get 50, but pulling him was the right thing to do.

[RD2191]

Pop is such a fucking asshole tbh

[RD2191]

Pop is an asshole for pulling LMA out at 48 when it was obvious as all hell he wanted another 50 point game. I know it doesn't mean anything to the team but players like to hit goals like that and Pop should let them.

Pop never got over himself tbh

[Chris]

https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1109995510235123713

[bklynspursfan]

Wow we dropped to 8th? I just checked. Clips still rising? Wow please np GSW again jeez.

OKC can easily get the 8th. They have a far tougher schedule and we own the tiebreaker

[daslicer]

Pop is an asshole for pulling LMA out at 48 when it was obvious as all hell he wanted another 50 point game. I know it doesn't mean anything to the team but players like to hit goals like that and Pop should let them.

I agree with you on that. You have to let these players have their moments. I remember even Phil Jackson would allow Kobe and Shaq to get their 50-60 point games whenever they were on the verge of getting them.

[bklynspursfan]

Pop is an asshole for pulling LMA out at 48 when it was obvious as all hell he wanted another 50 point game. I know it doesn't mean anything to the team but players like to hit goals like that and Pop should let them.

And if Aldridge got hurt trying to get 50 that late with that lead, Pop would be destroyed here lol

[RD2191]

And if Aldridge got hurt trying to get 50 that late with that lead, Pop would be destroyed here lol

And if your mother has aborted you we wouldn't have to read your garbage takes. Tbh

[Arcadian]

:lol People who thought LA was done

[bklynspursfan]

And if your mother has aborted you we wouldn't have to read your garbage takes. Tbh

Internet tough guy, go fuck yourself

[BillMc]

:lol People who thought LA was done

The Lakers? Sure they're done. :)

[6erfan]

thank you spurs!!

[RC_Drunkford]

Like I've been saying people don't give LaMarcus enough credit

[CGD]

Man Haywood really looks bad

[Arcadian]

Spurs look good when the other team shoots 40%.

Aldridge with a Duncanesque performance tonight. I'm surprised he didn't record any blocks or steals - he played great defense too.

[Fusternino]

Hayward is finished.

[GAustex]

Cs banged up at the bigs and played last night
Good chance for the good guys to get one on the road
I like our chances

[weeks]

Like I've been saying people don't give LaMarcus enough credit

[MoSpur02]

Like I've been saying people don't give LaMarcus enough credit



This

[MoSpur02]

To be fair the Celtics were on the second of a back to back and missing two key players

[Mr. Body]

Man Haywood really looks bad

I actually think Haywood will be better next year, but the Celtics are trash. Ainge fucked up. He sat on his cards until they got bent and soggy. He's going to lose Kyrie, Horford doesn't have much left, and his young players aren't exactly setting the world on fire. Everyone made fun of Brooklyn for dumping so many picks on them, and rightfully so, but now Brooklyn has a player in Russell who may be better than anyone on the Celtics roster. Publicly trying to trade for Anthony Davis was stupid and killed what team morale/chemistry they had. Plus Ainge's doing IT dirty is something that is biting him in the ass.

[weeks]

i didn't get to finish the game..did pop really pull LA before he got his 50? that's fucked up if so.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Man Haywood really looks bad


Hayward is finished.

Wonder if Pop and RC would have bit on a proposal of Haywood, Brown and a couple of picks for Kawhitter?
Pop loves white stiffs.

[BillMc]

Publicly trying to trade for Anthony Davis was stupid and killed what team morale/chemistry they had.

It's kind of weird how the Anthony Davis trade discussions managed to mess with the heads of 3 teams: Pelicans, Lakers and Celtics, and at least for this season, hurt them all.

[BackHome]

17 pages when we loose 6 pages we win. Haha Spurs Talk.

[Mr. Body]

It's kind of weird how the Anthony Davis trade discussions managed to mess with the heads of 3 teams: Pelicans, Lakers and Celtics, and at least for this season, hurt them all.

I get the Lakers doing it -- their leadership is fucking stupid. I don't get the Celtics, but then Ainge isn't the whip-smart genius the legions of Boston fans portray him to be. A legend made by Billy King and a few good draft picks. Openly putting everyone on the trading block was stupid. But then he screwed a good dude in IT, a guy who played for the team right after his sister died, and screwed him hard, without realizing other players could see.

[timtonymanu]

To be fair the Celtics were on the second of a back to back and missing two key players

Yep good win for the Spurs but not a turning point of the season and this Celtics team is really bad lately. I hope Pop doesn’t decide to throw that hornets game for Borrego because he’s “one of our guys” :pop:. Knowing this team’s inability to take all their games seriously, it’s possible we blow more winnable games in this stretch.

[Mugen]

Today’s NBA :lol. You got quitters like Nephew and Anthony Davis, cancerous players like Kyrie and Lakers LeBron. If one of White/Murray/LW turns out to be a legit superstar, I hope they don’t pull this bullshit on the Spurs too.

I could see DJ doing it tbh, just the way shit goes nowadays...I'm getting old brah

[MoSpur02]

i didn't get to finish the game..did pop really pull LA before he got his 50? that's fucked up if so.

Yeah he got pulled out of the game. I'm ok with it. If he let's Aldridge stay in the game just so Aldridge can score 50 it gives them a bad look and more importantly it puts Aldridge at risk of getting hurt. Say he gets hurt because Pop let's him stay in the game, no one on here would ever forgive Pop.

[SpurSpike]

i didn't get to finish the game..did pop really pull LA before he got his 50? that's fucked up if so.

Yes, he pulled him at 45 and you could see LMA basically waive Pop off like "no" but he came and sat for a second. LMA came back in shortly after that and instantly shot up to 48 and he was then pulled for good with Pop shaking his head with over 1 minutes left.

[MoSpur02]

Patty Mills played really good tonight. Hadn't seen Patty Mills play like this in awhile.

[BillMc]

I get the Lakers doing it -- their leadership is fucking stupid. I don't get the Celtics, but then Ainge isn't the whip-smart genius the legions of Boston fans portray him to be. A legend made by Billy King and a few good draft picks. Openly putting everyone on the trading block was stupid. But then he screwed a good dude in IT, a guy who played for the team right after his sister died, and screwed him hard, without realizing other players could see.

Truth.

Looking more and more like Ainge isn't going to build a champion anytime soon.

[weeks]

Yes, he pulled him at 45 and you could see LMA basically waive Pop off like "no" but he came and sat for a second. LMA came back in shortly after that and instantly shot up to 48 and he was then pulled for good with Pop shaking his head with over 1 minutes left.

smh...and people ask why big name FAs avoid san antonio like the plague.
so what if there was a miniscule risk of getting hurt..obviously it matters to LMA with his remarks earlier on his first 50-point game ever. you could play your entire career and never get the chance to hit 50. it's not like this team is going anywhere anyway, why not indulge him in a rare opportunity for something special

[timtonymanu]

I could see DJ doing it tbh, just the way shit goes nowadays...I'm getting old brah

Yeah he’s close with LeBron so I already see that happening.

[skin27]

Great win and great game from LA

[cjw]

I actually think Haywood will be better next year, but the Celtics are trash. Ainge fucked up. He sat on his cards until they got bent and soggy. He's going to lose Kyrie, Horford doesn't have much left, and his young players aren't exactly setting the world on fire. Everyone made fun of Brooklyn for dumping so many picks on them, and rightfully so, but now Brooklyn has a player in Russell who may be better than anyone on the Celtics roster. Publicly trying to trade for Anthony Davis was stupid and killed what team morale/chemistry they had. Plus Ainge's doing IT dirty is something that is biting him in the ass.

At least he still has draft picks - except the Kings pick is going to end up being the last one in the lottery. Would have been funnier had the Kings caught the Clippers, and the Clippers conveyed a crappier pick next year once Nephew joined them or a second rounder if they missed playoffs.

They’re probably losing Irving for nothing (they won’t have meaningful cap space even if he walks), Rozier can leave or he’ll get overpaid by Boston, Brown is a year away from RFA and Tatum is starting to get expensive.

The Hayward albatross couldn’t have happened to a nicer GM who thought he was clowning the league.

The Nets, meanwhile, have tons of flexibility and finally have picks back.

[jmard5]

Yeah he got pulled out of the game. I'm ok with it. If he let's Aldridge stay in the game just so Aldridge can score 50 it gives them a bad look and more importantly it puts Aldridge at risk of getting hurt. Say he gets hurt because Pop let's him stay in the game, no one on here would ever forgive Pop.

Exactly this. Don't want another Ginobili incident to happen.

[BillMc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX3OC3XAbek

[spurs10]

Exactly this. Don't want another Ginobili incident to happen. Please don't remind me...that was rough.......good post though!

[spurs10]

Victory!!

[jmard5]

Please don't remind me...that was rough.......good post though!

It's just that people forget that freak accidents like that happen. Saw it live on TV when it happened against the Suns, and how sad it was to a fan when Ginobili tried to will it and played with the elbow injury against the Grizzlies.

Edit: Grizzlies instead of Lakers.

[skin27]

Exactly this. Don't want another Ginobili incident to happen.

that injury wasn’t the reason we lost to grizzlies. Our bigs just cannot stop Randolph.

[jmard5]

that injury wasn’t the reason we lost to grizzlies. Our bigs just cannot stop Randolph.

Are you saying we don't need a healthy Ginobili in that playoff run? Anyway, that is a discussion for another time, this is about injuries to players before playoffs.

[Mr. Body]

At least he still has draft picks - except the Kings pick is going to end up being the last one in the lottery. Would have been funnier had the Kings caught the Clippers, and the Clippers conveyed a crappier pick next year once Nephew joined them or a second rounder if they missed playoffs.

They’re probably losing Irving for nothing (they won’t have meaningful cap space even if he walks), Rozier can leave or he’ll get overpaid by Boston, Brown is a year away from RFA and Tatum is starting to get expensive.

The Hayward albatross couldn’t have happened to a nicer GM who thought he was clowning the league.

The Nets, meanwhile, have tons of flexibility and finally have picks back.

There are plenty of ways the Nets can fuck this up, but they have some nice pieces and are more importantly scrappy as all fuck. They have great role players like Joe Harris and Kurucs. They have tremendous team chemistry instead of the walking graveyard that is the Boston Celtics.

[Budkin]

Great win tonight. Dominated from start to finish.

[skin27]

[QUOTE=jmard5;9747618]Are you saying we don't need a healthy Ginobili in that playoff run? Anyway, that is a discussion for another time, this is about injuries to players before playoffs.[/QUOTE

Ginobili was fine that series..he’s injury wasn’t really that serious. Infact he’s scored 34pts in game 2

[BillMc]

LMA seems fine with "only 48". No drama. Need to relax folks.


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

[jmard5]

[QUOTE=jmard5;9747618]Are you saying we don't need a healthy Ginobili in that playoff run? Anyway, that is a discussion for another time, this is about injuries to players before playoffs.[/QUOTE

Ginobili was fine that series..he’s injury wasn’t really that serious. Infact he’s scored 34pts in game 2

Playing with a broken arm is not fine.

[BillMc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol-R5Vpv1dc

[John B]

Great game after disappointing lost to Rockets. But then again I wouldn’t read much on the Houston lost. Win/Loss Pop was matchup scouting and wouldn’t show all his cards, in case we steal game 1 from Houston imo.

[ceperez]

Regular season losses to playoff rivals should always be taken for a grain of salt. These are opportunities to experiment. Explains walker in rotation and Aldridge not showing up.

[sasaint]

smh...and people ask why big name FAs avoid san antonio like the plague.
so what if there was a miniscule risk of getting hurt..obviously it matters to LMA with his remarks earlier on his first 50-point game ever. you could play your entire career and never get the chance to hit 50. it's not like this team is going anywhere anyway, why not indulge him in a rare opportunity for something special

Yeah, 50 is a pretty big deal for almost every player who gets close. Indulging him in this one instance seems like a nada to me. I am not really a fan of LMA, but it makes Pop seem as petty for preventing it as LMA seems about his "touches."

[spurs10]

It's just that people forget that freak accidents like that happen. Saw it live on TV when it happened against the Suns, and how sad it was to a fan when Ginobili tried to will it and played with the elbow injury against the Grizzlies.

Edit: Grizzlies instead of Lakers. Since this is week we are honoring the one and only Manu Ginobili, I'm actually glad to be reminded he played in that series with a broken %$#!ing arm! Ain't that a man! Thursday is going to be badass!

[spurs10]

LMA seems fine with "only 48". No drama. Need to relax folks.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOBJlDy--Kc This! And Bill that March Madness gal is putting the hurt on the world! Ouch!

[BillMc]

This! And Bill that March Madness gal is putting the hurt on the world! Ouch!

It will be April soon and the world will be safe again my friend! :tongue

[cd021]

that injury wasn’t the reason we lost to grizzlies. Our bigs just cannot stop Randolph.

Duncan would've absolutely stopped Zbo, Pop not allowing Duncan to guard him in the second half of games didn't make sense. His length, height and size would've made it much harder for Randolph around the rim.

[spurs10]

It will be April soon and the world will be safe again my friend! :tongue Thank Jesus! :drunk

[BillMc]

Thank Jesus! :drunk
:rollin

[JPB]

What (some) people always surprisingly forget as far as team building is concerned is the psychological part and players egos to only focuse on piling up raw talent...

More Talent usually means more ego and there's no room for 3 alpha mentality dudes in a team... It's all good when they're young and developing but when they start to emerge + agents and friends feeding them with BS (there's an interesting D-Wade interview on that last point), tensions appear and there goes your chemistry...

Let's all have thought for LA and Boston fans who didn't want to give up their "talent" for Kawhitter last year...

[SupremeGuy]

that injury wasn’t the reason we lost to grizzlies. Our bigs just cannot stop Randolph.That's straight bullshit. Manu was our best player that year. Smh

[skin27]

That's straight bullshit. Manu was our best player that year. Smh

yeah but he wasn't able to carry the team to win the series..it takes 2 hail marrys just to survive game 5..LOL

[SouthTexasRancher]

Good win last night. Now go beat Tony and the Hornets. Beating Toronto last night is going to give them a big head. Knock it off their shoulders.

[skin27]

Duncan would've absolutely stopped Zbo, Pop not allowing Duncan to guard him in the second half of games didn't make sense. His length, height and size would've made it much harder for Randolph around the rim.


duncan was out of shape that year because of pop's resting bullshit.

[BatManu20]

Good win. Only negative is that both Boston and Utah are likely going to move ahead of us in the draft now before season’s end. But whatever. Let’s keep it rollin’.

[boutons_deux]

Good win. Only negative is that both Boston and Utah are likely going to move ahead of us in the draft now before season’s end. But whatever. Let’s keep it rollin’.

The Spurs ain't rollin'. Stuck in 8th by being 6 Ls ahead of 9th seed with 3 weeks left. With ANY luck, the might get 1 W in first round, then going fishin.

[spurraider21]

Let's see here....

-Spurs on a 2 game skid (one of the worst Ls of the year against Miami and the usual chokejob against the Rockets)
-Essentially a must win game to avoid the Dubs (GSW will finish #1, make no mistake about it)
-Pop playing against a coach he's extra chummy with and Boston coming off an embarrassing L
-Spurs on the road against a team that isn't lottery fodder

The team will definitely have to show some heart tonight and the coaching staff will definitely need to get them prepared and up for it.....

All adds up to the Spurs getting their absolute fucking blown doors off by the 2nd quarter, that 1.5 points is a fucking joke and easy money :lol
:bobo

[spurraider21]

duncan was out of shape that year because of pop's resting bullshit.
i dont think so. duncan changed his physique the following summer and redefined his game. he got showed up by gasol/randolph and realized he had to adjust with age.

[Mugen]

:bobo

I was a game early, gonna be Charlotte. BOOK IT I saiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid.

[Slippy]

Baynes gave LA a solid knee contusion on a drive. Didnt slow him down though. Hopefully he ok for tomorrow

Agree with others. Doesn't get enough credit and as usual is under appreciated. Not just from fans, the media too.

[Arcadian]

Off topic... Kawhi really botched the MVP this year. It should have been his for the taking, but now Giannis is going to snatch it and run away with it. :lol Kawhitter

[$pursDynasty]

Someone needs to fly that chick from the Detroit game down for LMA after this game's performance .

[Robz4000]

Off topic... Kawhi really botched the MVP this year. It should have been his for the taking, but now Giannis is going to snatch it and run away with it. :lol Kawhitter

Think Harden might repeat. Houston had a shit ton of injuries to key players yet they're gonna be the third seed out West.

[Slippy]

Someone needs to fly that chick from the Detroit game down for LMA after this game's performance .

Show the man some love for sure. Haha

Kidding aside, whoever put up that billboard last off-season has a pulse on his thinking.

[sook]

Think Harden might repeat. Houston had a shit ton of injuries to key players yet they're gonna be the third seed out West.

hopefuly Robz..hopefully. All hating aside, if it was Lebrick or Curri instead of Harden's name it would be a unanimous pick

[Luceni]

Harden is a MVP No-brainer, imo. He's been outstanding two years in a row now.

[GusT15]

Harden is a MVP No-brainer, imo. He's been outstanding two years in a row now.

MVP stands for Most Valuable Player.Not for best offensive player.

And even if offense is the most important thing in game,playing and baiting the refs for half of the game does NOT make you valuable.It makes you a gimmicky moron.

[TDomination]

MVP stands for Most Valuable Player.Not for best offensive player.

And even if offense is the most important thing in game,playing and baiting the refs for half of the game does NOT make you valuable.It makes you a gimmicky moron.

Pretty much this.

Giannis should get it.

[spurraider21]

i'd give it to harden over giannis imho. dude carried the team in a historic fashion when paul/capela were hurt. giannis has been amazing but that bucks roster is also pretty stacked

[r0drig0lac]

i'd give it to harden over giannis imho. dude carried the team in a historic fashion when paul/capela were hurt. giannis has been amazing but that bucks roster is also pretty stacked

agree

[GusT15]

i'd give it to harden over giannis imho. dude carried the team in a historic fashion when paul/capela were hurt. giannis has been amazing but that bucks roster is also pretty stacked

Without the eye test,just by looking at stats,you're absolutely correct,what Harden did during that stint was historic.He was dropping 40 and 50 like it was nothing,he was a one man wrecking crew.

But if you go pass the stats and use the eye test,what you're gonna see is a dude that flops on offense,travels,doesn't give a shit if he's gonna make the shot but only if he can get the touch contact foul on his defender,plays zero defense on the perimeter,plays defense on bigmen with fouling them (but he doesn't get called for fouls cause he's James Harden),and is single handedly changing the meaning of basketball to bait-a-ref-ball.

And then if you want to go back to the stat line,Harden is shooting more than 13 3's per game.13!
Harden is shooting more than 11 free throws per game! You want to know how many free throws Giannis is getting while leading the league in points in paint and banging bodies all night long? 9!!!

Giannis is leading in PER,leading in every Defensive Advanced Metric category,and the only thing Harden has to show for is PPG and ORPM.While playing 5 mins more than Giannis,taking 8 more FG's per game than Giannis,shooting more FT's than Giannis.On 10% more usage than Giannis.Okay,Harden has earned his scoring title then.Not the MVP tho.

And about the narrative that Bucks are stacked.
It's the same team as last year with the addition of Brook Lopez.The only thing that happened is that they got a Coach that designed the system around his best player.That's not being stacked.
That's exactly what Harden has at his disposal ever since MDA took over at Houston.And that's what Harden is using to produce MVP caliber seasons.

[GusT15]

#notmymvp


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS0i3_PZAyc

[spurraider21]

Without the eye test,just by looking at stats,you're absolutely correct,what Harden did during that stint was historic.He was dropping 40 and 50 like it was nothing,he was a one man wrecking crew.

But if you go pass the stats and use the eye test,what you're gonna see is a dude that flops on offense,travels,doesn't give a shit if he's gonna make the shot but only if he can get the touch contact foul on his defender,
this is just complaining because you don't like the player tbh. you might disagree how the refs call his game (i'm with you), but there is no doubt that he's getting his team wins. the rockets care about getting wins. it's not their concern that the refs are loose with the whistle. you might think he travels on those stepbacks. might be right. but they haven't called them, and he proceeds to knock down those shots, which win his team games. that's what matters for mvp, imo. getting your team wins.

as for the claim that he doesnt care about making the shots, did you watch him against the spurs a few days ago in the 4th? he was a shotmaker.


plays zero defense on the perimeter,plays defense on bigmen with fouling them (but he doesn't get called for fouls cause he's James Harden),and is single handedly changing the meaning of basketball to bait-a-ref-ball.
he's a poor defender, but it hasn't been to the detriment to his team. again, your complaint about whistles isn't really relevant to mvp voting. i think it should be a results oriented award


And then if you want to go back to the stat line,Harden is shooting more than 13 3's per game.13!
and? why is that a bad thing. you cant have your cake and eat it too. on one hand you complain when he drives to draw contact and then you complain when he takes jump shots that aren't reliant on calls. if he's so predictable with his 3 point shooting, why has it still been effective? and why is taking more 3's a knock against mvp consideration?


Harden is shooting more than 11 free throws per game! You want to know how many free throws Giannis is getting while leading the league in points in paint and banging bodies all night long? 9!!!
your complaint is with the officials.


Giannis is leading in PER,leading in every Defensive Advanced Metric category,and the only thing Harden has to show for is PPG and ORPM.While playing 5 mins more than Giannis,taking 8 more FG's per game than Giannis,shooting more FT's than Giannis.On 10% more usage than Giannis.Okay,Harden has earned his scoring title then.Not the MVP tho.
so you are skeptical of how harden gets more free throws than giannis and then immediately point out that he has a higher usage rate and is a higher volume offensive player. that seems to be as much an explanation as "but the refs!"

yes, giannis is a good defender and a much better one than harden.


And about the narrative that Bucks are stacked.
It's the same team as last year with the addition of Brook Lopez.The only thing that happened is that they got a Coach that designed the system around his best player.That's not being stacked.
bledsoe has been excellent for them. middleton is an all-star. they've also had next to no injury issues for most of the season with any of their key players. brogdon was hurt recently. on the other hand, paul, capela, and eric gordon have all missed some significant time this year.


that's exactly what Harden has at his disposal ever since MDA took over at Houston.And that's what Harden is using to produce MVP caliber seasons.
the coach and system isn't the same as the roster.

[Arcadian]

Milwaukee is running away with the best overall record. They're 8 games better than Houston right now. Giannis for MVP

[r0drig0lac]

Harden is also the player with the most steals in the season

[San Antonio Slayer]

Harden defense is a little underated, it became above average imo and it's a very nice upgrade for him while being the best offensive player in the league. but Bucks are the best team in the regular season, so it's an easy win for Giannis. and let's not forget about Westbrook's 3rd year in a row with triple-double.

[GusT15]

this is just complaining because you don't like the player tbh.

You are 100% right.

I cannot be objective cause i hate James Harden with a passion.

And James Harden deserves my hate 100% for what he is doing to the game/sport i love to watch.

Hence,Giannis for MVP.

[SupremeGuy]

yeah but he wasn't able to carry the team to win the series..it takes 2 hail marrys just to survive game 5..LOLBecause our best player was playing with a fucking broken arm.