Pop on Walker “He was non competitive”

[exstatic]

Humor me, ex. How much of that do you put on Pop?

Some. This team isn't very well constructed, defensively. We also don't have many shooters, and most of the players that can shoot the 3 are poor defenders, so it's kind of a devil's bargain: spacing on offense or defensive chops. The best thing would be to get a shooter who is also a plus defender, and Pop sees that in Lonnie. It would do absolutely no good to bench Forbes or Patty. You need their shooting, and they'll never be any better on defense than they are now. Benching Lonnie was his only option to improve the team before New Years.

Homegrown is best.

[DPG21920]

Some. This team isn't very well constructed, defensively. We also don't have many shooters, and most of the players that can shoot the 3 are poor defenders, so it's kind of a devil's bargain: spacing on offense or defensive chops. The best thing would be to get a shooter who is also a plus defender, and Pop sees that in Lonnie. It would do absolutely no good to bench Forbes or Patty. You need their shooting, and they'll never be any better on defense than they are now. Benching Lonnie was his only option to improve the team before New Years.

Homegrown is best.

So why not try the defensive lineups and see if they can survive the lack of shooting? Results couldn’t have been worse win/loss wise.

[bbarry]

Masterful job by Pop, tbh.

After hiding from Kawhi, Pop didn't let him play. He let Walker build up his anger. Walker knew the next time, he needed to take advantage of the opportunity and not back down on either side of the court.

Then tonight happens, when Walker is the best player on both ends. If Pop let's Walker off the hook and hide on defense like he did against Kawhi, we don't get games like tonight.

Thanks, Pop. And, more importantly, great job Lonnie :tu

Pop always knows what he is doing. He is always a step ahead of us all and thinks in the long term. Even when we see Mills/Forbes/etc out there together in crunch time - there's a reason for that! It might not win that particular game but showing that he trusts them (whether or not they are to be trusted), it's a huge mentality thing. And if not for anything else, it's always for experimentation. After all, it is the regular season.

[DPG21920]

Pop always knows what he is doing. He is always a step ahead of us all and thinks in the long term. Even when we see Mills/Forbes/etc out there together in crunch time - there's a reason for that! It might not win that particular game but showing that he trusts them (whether or not they are to be trusted), it's a huge mentality thing. And if not for anything else, it's always for experimentation. After all, it is the regular season.

It might not win any games!:lol

[Mugen]

Some. This team isn't very well constructed, defensively. We also don't have many shooters, and most of the players that can shoot the 3 are poor defenders, so it's kind of a devil's bargain: spacing on offense or defensive chops. The best thing would be to get a shooter who is also a plus defender, and Pop sees that in Lonnie. It would do absolutely no good to bench Forbes or Patty. You need their shooting, and they'll never be any better on defense than they are now. Benching Lonnie was his only option to improve the team before New Years.

Homegrown is best.

DPG already said but it needs reiterating. We've seen every iteration of "shooters" lineups this season but about what... 5 mins total of Dejounte & White? If they were a game or two above .500 with these lineups, then you live with it. But they've been one of the worst teams in the league with a historically bad defense.

I can't recall a single lineup this season where I go "yeah that makes sense defensively." Even the LMA/Jak lineups are stunted because it usually includes at least two of Beli/Patty/Bryn/Derozan.

It's not rocket science. If you're a terrible defensive team, maybe you should try playing your best defensive players at the same time especially when your "offense lineup" options are getting obliterated game in/game out.

Definitely more than "some" of the blame tbh.

[jjktkk]

You think Lonnies talent and abilities went from “can’t handle NBA minutes” to “best player on the floor” in 14 games? That’s some damn good development!

I'm sure Lonnie could of handled NBA minutes right away, but Pop has never just thrown a young, inexperienced, player out there, just for the sake of getting minutes, to learn from their mistakes on the court, etc... It's just not his MO. You can disagree with it, but the results are there regarding players Pop has developed over the years. His way has worked often than not.

[DPG21920]

I'm sure Lonnie could of handled NBA minutes right away, but Pop has never just thrown a young, inexperienced, player out there, just for the sake of getting minutes, to learn from their mistakes on the court, etc... It's just not his MO. You can disagree with it, but the results are there regarding players Pop has developed over the years. His way has worked often than not.

Except with Tony, Manu, Kawhi and a bunch of others..yeah.

[jjktkk]

But how come with all other players Pop believed in they received constant opportunities? And that was on sure fire playoff teams too.

TP, Manu, Kawhi etc all got hounded but didn’t they all get consistent opportunities?Different circumstances regarding LW. You're talking about 3 franchise players in Manu, Leonard and Parker, who proved they could handle minutes right away. Still, regarding Parker, Pop was constantly in Tony's grill yelling and screaming at him. TP proved he could handle it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Except with Tony, Manu, Kawhi and a bunch of others..yeah.

remember ghills rookie year? he fkn took a shit on everyone, only to see him in the playoffs not getting any minutes, i believe it was against the lakers where the spurs loss...pop was a pos here

[bluebellmaniac]

yes. I would say it’s the opposite. Whatever success the young guys have is in spite of pop not because of pop. Who knows how well they’d play if they didn’t have to handle all of the unnecessary obstacles that pop creates. pop is awful. If these losses keep coming he might just quit to save his legacy that he cares about.

Very insightful. Tell us about your coaching success.

[LakerHater]

https://images2.imgbox.com/a9/26/NKJKDHP0_o.gif

https://images2.imgbox.com/67/2b/rj2NG0qQ_o.gif

[Dejounte]

Very insightful. Tell us about your coaching success.

Lmao like ive laughed at these fools in other threads...we have a lot of wannabe coaches here.

[all blacks]

Drew reactions Is priceless!!!

[jjktkk]

So why not try the defensive lineups and see if they can survive the lack of shooting? Results couldn’t have been worse win/loss wise.
DPG already said but it needs reiterating. We've seen every iteration of "shooters" lineups this season but about what... 5 mins total of Dejounte & White? If they were a game or two above .500 with these lineups, then you live with it. But they've been one of the worst teams in the league with a historically bad defense.

I can't recall a single lineup this season where I go "yeah that makes sense defensively." Even the LMA/Jak lineups are stunted because it usually includes at least two of Beli/Patty/Bryn/Derozan.

It's not rocket science. If you're a terrible defensive team, maybe you should try playing your best defensive players at the same time especially when your "offense lineup" options are getting obliterated game in/game out.

Definitely more than "some" of the blame tbh.And how easy would it be for opposing teams to defend this defensive lineup of yours? Pack the paint and make the Spurs shoot from outside. Today's NBA is about scoring. Unfortunately our starters are flawed. Too many one dimensional shooters who can't create. Our bigs don't bang. Murray looks lost, White has regressed from last year, to which I think it's him dealing with plantar fasciitis. Lonnie could be that two way player this team needs.

[Mugen]

And how easy would it be for opposing teams to defend this defensive lineup of yours? Pack the paint and make the Spurs shoot from outside. Today's NBA is about scoring. Unfortunately our starters are flawed. Too many one dimensional shooters who can't create. Our bigs don't bang. Murray looks lost, White has regressed from last year, to which I think it's him dealing with plantar fasciitis. Lonnie could be that two way player this team needs.

Probably not as easy as it is to score on Forbes and Patty at will.

You're missing the point. Yes, the starters are flawed. Yes, the roster is poorly constructed. But just try a White/Murray lineup for more than 5 mins in the entirety of the season. That's all people are asking for.

You're fine with Pop trotting out a Forbes/Beli/Patty lineup (all offense, zero defense) that has yielded a lottery team but somehow a lineup of your best defenders who have shown flashes of offensive competence is unplayable because of a 5 minute sample size and your Pop knows best doctrine.

[Prime BEEF]

Very insightful. Tell us about your coaching success.
Hi. You must be one of those pop is still in his prime and his skills will never degrade or diminish guys. You probably wish Bobby Bowden and Joe Pa were still coaching and think they were just as good when they were forced out as they were when they won titles.

i could say that I played at the collegiate level and coached. Or I could say that I coached in the NBA. Or I could say that I was Pop himself. But it’s irrelevant cuz you’ll never know.

Pop himself would tell you that he’s failing to get it done and that his performance is unsat. But I’m sure you’d tell him to his face that he’s wrong.

[jjktkk]

Probably not as easy as it is to score on Forbes and Patty at will.

You're missing the point. Yes, the starters are flawed. Yes, the roster is poorly constructed. But just try a White/Murray lineup for more than 5 mins in the entirety of the season. That's all people are asking for.

You're fine with Pop trotting out a Forbes/Beli/Patty lineup (all offense, zero defense) that has yielded a lottery team but somehow a lineup of your best defenders who have shown flashes of offensive competence is unplayable because of a 5 minute sample size and your Pop knows best doctrine.

I just wrote a paragraph explaining in detail the flawed rosters Pop has putting out there, and you think I'm fine with it? But how is a defensive lineup going to score? This defensive lineup you conjured up is afraid to shoot. And if Pop did trot out this defensive lineup of yours, you'd be the 1st in line on here, spouting off that "Pop is senile, an old man schtick once this lineup struggled to score points. And yeah, it's a no brainer, Pop does know best. When you constantly overexaggerate and make Pop come off like some dipshit on here, you really don't have a whole lot of credibility on here tbh.

[DPG21920]

Different circumstances regarding LW. You're talking about 3 franchise players in Manu, Leonard and Parker, who proved they could handle minutes right away. Still, regarding Parker, Pop was constantly in Tony's grill yelling and screaming at him. TP proved he could handle it.

They didnt know that with Kawhi or TP or Manu at the time. Lonnie proved he can handle yelling, the point was all those guys got minutes while getting yelled at and no, no one knew they were franchise players.

[DPG21920]

I just wrote a paragraph explaining in detail the flawed rosters Pop has putting out there, and you think I'm fine with it? But how is a defensive lineup going to score? This defensive lineup you conjured up is afraid to shoot. And if Pop did trot out this defensive lineup of yours, you'd be the 1st in line on here, spouting off that "Pop is senile, an old man schtick once this lineup struggled to score points. And yeah, it's a no brainer, Pop does know best. When you constantly overexaggerate and make Pop come off like some dipshit on here, you really don't have a whole lot of credibility on here tbh.

What do you trust more? Murray/White to get stops, push the ball and find points or Forbes/Mills to shoot consistently and get stops?

[Monkeyboy14]

I never post here, just read. Didn’t want to start a thread for this question but does anyone know why the Spurs have 6 days off after the next game?? And we don’t even have a back to back for a looong time.. does anyone know why? Is the nba stretching out the season?

[jjktkk]

What do you trust more? Murray/White to get stops, push the ball and find points or Forbes/Mills to shoot consistently and get stops?

There has to be some sort of balance, to which LW is key. LW, we hope, has already relegated Beli to the bench. If Murray and White can come out of their offensive funk, then this team could really show some life. But now what do you do with DDR? Like I mentioned to you before, Trade DDR, and/or LA and go for a quick rebuild. Or keep LA and hope the trio of Murray, Walker, and White start coming on.

[jjktkk]

They didnt know that with Kawhi or TP or Manu at the time. Lonnie proved he can handle yelling, the point was all those guys got minutes while getting yelled at and no, no one knew they were franchise players.

JMI, but Leonard, TP, and Manu showed from day one that they could handle whatever Pop threw at them. I don't think that was the case with LW.

[SAGirl]

You have lost perspective. You seem to think Pop is Lonnie's personal trainer. That is not the case.

Pop is the head coach of a major professional sports franchise. The losses the team suffers go in the permanent records of all Spurs personnel. They also go in the permanent history of the franchise.

Pop knows that. Do you? Do you understand what that means?

You think Pop said, "sorry Tim, sorry Becky, and sorry to all you guys on the team, but I'm going to have to put 3 or 4 more losses on your permanent records, and on your professional resumes, to teach this kid - who isn't even a starter - a good lesson. You guys won't mind, I'm sure."

Are you nuts? Or do you truly think Pop has gone insane?

The reason why Pop was playing Beli instead of Lonnie is simply that Pop thought Beli was the better player. That is the truth of it. The sane truth. There was never any grand motivational scheme going on. It was merely questionable judgment by a coach who may be getting a little old for the job.
People have really gone that far. It used to be funny all the CIA Pop stuff but now it’s gone too far.

I really do think Pop couldn’t figure out what to do with Lonnie without sacrificing his pets’ minutes. He was already playing Murray and White only 20-22 minutes and not together to add to that the Lonnie factor. What minutes would all his pets get? He couldn’t figure out his best lineups.

If it was just a call out he would have returned to the rotation a lot sooner.

[JeffDuncan]

I've lost perspective? ...

Yes, you have.


... I'm saying Walker's improvement is more important in the big picture than the here and now. ...

So your idea of the big picture is that the Spurs should lose games every year, that they might have won, in order to motivate and develop better young players every year. Gotcha. The Spurs should always be worse, in order to be better, is what you're saying. You think that makes sense.


... A win or loss here or there is not important compared to the improvement of Lonnie Walker IV. You apparently disagree and you think I've lost perspective?

I think you've lost something in the area of rationality.

You're trying to argue that it's okay for the Spurs to let a few games get away, that they might have won, for the sake of motivating Walker. Who is not even a starter, and who has a history of knee trouble. Sure, let's roll with that.

Riddle me this. Premise: during that eight game losing streak, Pop intentionally let three close games get away, that the team might have won, by playing Beli instead of Walker, in order to motivate Walker, who Pop knows is of such importance to the team's future that wins and losses now don't matter. Then, in practice tomorrow, Walker, who has a history of knee trouble, tears up a knee so badly that he never plays effectively again, and never becomes a starter. And again, the head coach lost three games, that the team might have won, and he achieved that result.

Discuss.

If you really think Pop is that stupid, you're saying he should be fired immediately.

In your oddball theory, injuries don't happen. Is that reality? Do you think that Pop thinks that's reality, that serious injuries don't happen, so that he would completely ignore the possibility - as he intentionally lets the team lose?

Say that Pop had intentionally let games slip away, some years ago, in connection with trying to motivate James Anderson. How would that look now?

The truth is, Pop never had any grand design to motivate Walker. Pop played Beli instead, because Pop thought Beli was the better player. That is what really happened.



Huh? Part of Pop's job description is to make Walker better.


No, that is not part of Pop's job description. He is not Walker's personal trainer. Far from it.

The head coach's responsibility is to be sure that good instruction and good facilities are available to all the players, so the players can make use of those resources to make themselves better.

To make themselves better. The only one who can make a player better is the player, himself. I am sure Pop knows that, because everybody knows that.



Pop: "We have to get through to Lonnie that he has to be a two-way player in order to earn minutes. He has that ability but we're not getting it out of him yet. He seems like a strong kid who can take criticism. Let's coach him hard and push him to be the best he can be."

Duncan: "But what about my permanent record?"

Becky: "Yeah, my professional resume hangs in the balance, Pop."

:lol

Do you believe that Coach Pop views the professional achievements of his staff as trivial matters that exist solely for his personal amusement?

Walker played his first 8 or 9 minutes, or longer, in that Rockets game without any great distinction. His results at that point were maybe no better than Beli might have done. Pop left Walker in the game because Pop thought it was a sure loss, so the rest of the game was basically garbage time. He thought he was only giving the kid some more run in garbage time.

Pop couldn't be blamed for thinking that. Every single person still watching that game at the end of the third quarter thought it was a sure loss for the Spurs.

But the world we inhabit is full of surprises.

[JeffDuncan]

Which part of my message says that?

The part about being a good defender. Bad defense is no reason not to play Walker, instead of Beli, when Beli is such a bad defender.

What you mentioned is no reason to not play Walker, on this team.

[JeffDuncan]

... Benching Lonnie was his only option to improve the team before New Years. ...

B.S. The reason Pop played Beli instead of Lonnie is that Pop truly thought Beli was the better player. That is all.

[bluebellmaniac]

Hi. You must be one of those pop is still in his prime and his skills will never degrade or diminish guys. You probably wish Bobby Bowden and Joe Pa were still coaching and think they were just as good when they were forced out as they were when they won titles.

i could say that I played at the collegiate level and coached. Or I could say that I coached in the NBA. Or I could say that I was Pop himself. But it’s irrelevant cuz you’ll never know.

Pop himself would tell you that he’s failing to get it done and that his performance is unsat. But I’m sure you’d tell him to his face that he’s wrong.

So no success at any level.

Thanks for the insight.

[007nites]

I never post here, just read. Didn’t want to start a thread for this question but does anyone know why the Spurs have 6 days off after the next game?? And we don’t even have a back to back for a looong time.. does anyone know why? Is the nba stretching out the season?

They've played every other day since Halloween is the reason why.

[RC_Drunkford]

I'm curious, how did you know when Walker was ready for consistent minutes? Hasn't it always been the "The Spur's Way" under Pop for young players to earn their minutes, and not just for him to throw them out on the court. You can bitch and moan about it, but the system works, more often than not

After he guarded Harden well in preseason it was pretty clear to anybody with a pair of eyes that he should get consistent minutes. And I never said don't bench him. I said don't bench him for 10 games straight up and give 16 minutes per night to an inferior player on both ends

[jjktkk]

After he guarded Harden well in preseason it was pretty clear to anybody with a pair of eyes that he should get consistent minutes. And I never said don't bench him. I said don't bench him for 10 games straight up and give 16 minutes per night to an inferior player on both ends

Good thing I got 20 20 vision. You saw FLASHES of what Lonnie could do in PRESEASON. CONSISTENCY on the defensive end will probably dictate Lonnie's minutes going forward. I'm excited that Lonnie had a breakout game, and sure hope to see him getting consistent minutes going forward.

[DPG21920]

I think most of the people who are upset about how Pop treated Lonnie are upset not because they disagree with tough love but that it meant torpedoing the season to do it.

Sure, big scheme, did they ruin a title team? No. But this build was sold as a win now team and not a lottery team. If they were so concerned with the future at all costs then the decisions made the last few years, but mostly this off season, are even more baffling.

If Pop had done this exact same thing but the team was winning? I personally wouldn’t have too many complaints. Like when we had Duncan and he did this it was the youth learning from winners and it made sense.

But this team isn’t that so I feel it was not wise to tank a season and allow the team to be embarrassed nearly nightly for this purpose when at best it’s not clear whether or not it was needed to achieve the result.

Yeah, the result appears achieved and ultimately that’s what’s most important but damn it makes this team build even more frustrating for me.

[XDT76]

The part about being a good defender. Bad defense is no reason not to play Walker, instead of Beli, when Beli is such a bad defender.

What you mentioned is no reason to not play Walker, on this team.

I did not say anything about not playing him. I said he did not give me a feeling that he can sustain a good defence before the Houston game. If you go see my previous post regarding him and Belli, I had always wanted him over Belli.

[Dejounte]

I think most of the people who are upset about how Pop treated Lonnie are upset not because they disagree with tough love but that it meant torpedoing the season to do it.

Sure, big scheme, did they ruin a title team? No. But this build was sold as a win now team and not a lottery team. If they were so concerned with the future at all costs then the decisions made the last few years, but mostly this off season, are even more baffling.

If Pop had done this exact same thing but the team was winning? I personally wouldn’t have too many complaints. Like when we had Duncan and he did this it was the youth learning from winners and it made sense.

But this team isn’t that so I feel it was not wise to tank a season and allow the team to be embarrassed nearly nightly for this purpose when at best it’s not clear whether or not it was needed to achieve the result.

Yeah, the result appears achieved and ultimately that’s what’s most important but damn it makes this team build even more frustrating for me.

Your entire post has a big flaw: it is implying that Lonnie would have been the savior of this team from the start, especially when you said "torpedo the season to do it". If PATFO went into the season planning for Lonnie to be a core reason for the team to have success..... That would be a huge fail. Dont you think putting all your eggs in a basket for an unknown commodity is just poor decision making? That's totally ignoring team chemistry, and throwing expectations from last year's group out the door (granted they have disappointed so far, but that doesnt mean you dont try to see if they improve upon last year). Dont you know there would be implications of destroying team morale when you put aside all your other players for one player just because you think hes promising? Again, im going by your statement of "Spurs torpedoing the season because they dont coddle a promising player and put all their hopes on him".

[DPG21920]

Your entire post has a big flaw: it is implying that Lonnie would have been the savior of this team from the start, especially when you said "torpedo the season to do it".

It’s not all on Lonnie, Pop has had many questionable lineups, but no Lonnie is a large one and symbolic of the issues. Beli literally grades out as a bottom 10 nba player (at least defensively). While the bench lineups he was in have a good net rating he was an issue. It’s not a stretch to me that having Lonnies versatility over Belis would mean a better chance to win several of the games SA lost.



If PATFO went into the season planning for Lonnie to be a core reason for the team to have success..... That would be a huge fail. Dont you think putting all your eggs in a basket for an unknown commodity is just poor decision making? That's totally ignoring team chemistry, and throwing expectations from last year's group out the door (granted they have disappointed so far, but that doesnt mean you dont try to see if they improve upon last year).

Unfortunately yes. Many of us, before the season started, were adamant that with the off season they had (a bad one) that the best chance to win and reach the teams ceiling was by vastly expanding the roles of Murray/White/Lonnie and cutting out the one dimensional vets. Fair or not, that was the obvious position PATFO put the team in with no other roster upgrades.

We are seeing the “benefits” of chemistry and continuity now aren’t we...



Don’t you know there would be implications of destroying team morale when you put aside all your other players for one player just because you think hes promising? Again, im going by your statement of "Spurs torpedoing the season because they dont coddle a promising player and put all their hopes on him".

Nothing regarding team morale is worse than losing. Nothing. Especially getting embarrassed routinely. No one said to coddle him. We said that give him the same tough love approach as TP, Manu and others which means give him opportunities consistently to see if he learns and yank him if he doesn’t.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

I think Pop is one of if not the greatest NBA coach of all time but some of the rationale in here is straight ridiculous. There is no way in hell Pop or any other coach in any sport is going to purposely kill chances in winning multiple games to get through to one player.

I can understand not playing a malcontent or a person causing locker room issues so you can get them out of your locker room. I can understand holding the player out before completing a trade but the nonsense some of the folks in here are trying to spin is outrageous.

Pop has just been trotting out bad rotations. Maybe it’s because he trust the bad defenders more than the young unproven guy, maybe Lonnie looked bad in practice but to say he purposely tanked winnable games to teach the kid a lesson is the stupidest thing I’ve seen on this site. Which says a whole lot about that comment considering the asinine comments posted on a daily here. Smh.

[DPG21920]

Who said that?

[BillMc]

Pop has just been trotting out bad rotations. Maybe it’s because he trust the bad defenders more than the young unproven guy, maybe Lonnie looked bad in practice but to say he purposely tanked winnable games to teach the kid a lesson is the stupidest thing I’ve seen on this site. Which says a whole lot about that comment considering the asinine comments posted on a daily here. Smh.

The most costly mistake Pop made this season, imo, was starting DJ over White. I never had an issue with holding Lonnie out until ready. Also, the team is so desperate for shooting, its understandable trying to let Beli shoot his way out of his slump. Especially when Lonnie did himself no favors by failing to compete against the Clippers. Hopefully, that corners been turned.

People overreact here, but it is a discussion forum so this is the place to do so. :lol

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

The most costly mistake Pop made this season, imo, was starting DJ over White. I never had an issue with holding Lonnie out until ready. Also, the team is so desperate for shooting, its understandable trying to let Beli shoot his way out of his slump. Especially when Lonnie did himself no favors by failing to compete against the Clippers. Hopefully, that corners been turned.

People overreact here, but it is a discussion forum so this is the place to do so. :lol

Bill, that top gal in your sig is quite possibly the perfect woman...take away the "quite possibly". I really can't read your posts because all I can do is scroll down to the sig. In fact, I'm not sure I've read one of your posts since adding those pics.

Well done my friend, well done. :tu

[BillMc]

Bill, that top gal in your sig is quite possibly the perfect woman...take away the "quite possibly". I really can't read your posts because all I can do is scroll down to the sig. In fact, I'm not sure I've read one of your posts since adding those pics.

Well done my friend, well done. :tu

Many thanks bro. :toast Though there really isn't much to see of flour girl. :lol

And, if no one reads my posts because of my sig, than I can get away with writing things like:

"Forbes is a future hall of famer"

"Tim Duncan is overrated"

or

"I admire Uncle Dennis"

without anyone noticing? Such freedom. I don't even have to use a blue font. :lol

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

The most costly mistake Pop made this season, imo, was starting DJ over White. I never had an issue with holding Lonnie out until ready. Also, the team is so desperate for shooting, its understandable trying to let Beli shoot his way out of his slump. Especially when Lonnie did himself no favors by failing to compete against the Clippers. Hopefully, that corners been turned.

People overreact here, but it is a discussion forum so this is the place to do so. :lol

I agree about the Derrick White situation also. Before the season started I stated on here that I thought Pop wouldn’t change the starting 5 and if he did it would’ve been Carroll maybe starting. I never thought he would mess up the chemistry White had with the rest of the starters though. When he played healthy last season the team defense and offense played better. It was a statistical and seen fact.

As far as the Walker situation goes, it made no sense to keep trotting Marco and Forbes out there for the minutes they got when they were not hitting shots. It would be one thing if they were not getting killed on defense while being Luke warm to cold shooting but that isn’t the case for those guys. If they are not hitting shots they are useless. I understand they can assist in spacing but that isn’t enough to offset the negatives they are on defense. If Marco and Forbes are shooting bad and the team can’t get stops you sub their asses. It’s common sense to try something new and not keep doing the same over and over if it isn’t working.

I’m not saying give them no minutes period but at least make an in game adjustment playing Walker, Carroll, or playing Murray and White some minutes together.

I was honestly surprised we didn’t lose to Houston the other game when Pop played Forbes and Mills together to close out the game. If Houston wasn’t such dumb asses and chucking 3’s they should’ve attacked those guys off the bounce every time.

[RC_Drunkford]

I think Pop is one of if not the greatest NBA coach of all time but some of the rationale in here is straight ridiculous. There is no way in hell Pop or any other coach in any sport is going to purposely kill chances in winning multiple games to get through to one player.

I can understand not playing a malcontent or a person causing locker room issues so you can get them out of your locker room. I can understand holding the player out before completing a trade but the nonsense some of the folks in here are trying to spin is outrageous.

Pop has just been trotting out bad rotations. Maybe it’s because he trust the bad defenders more than the young unproven guy, maybe Lonnie looked bad in practice but to say he purposely tanked winnable games to teach the kid a lesson is the stupidest thing I’ve seen on this site. Which says a whole lot about that comment considering the asinine comments posted on a daily here. Smh.

exactly

[exstatic]

I think Pop is one of if not the greatest NBA coach of all time but some of the rationale in here is straight ridiculous. There is no way in hell Pop or any other coach in any sport is going to purposely kill chances in winning multiple games to get through to one player.

I can understand not playing a malcontent or a person causing locker room issues so you can get them out of your locker room. I can understand holding the player out before completing a trade but the nonsense some of the folks in here are trying to spin is outrageous.

Pop has just been trotting out bad rotations. Maybe it’s because he trust the bad defenders more than the young unproven guy, maybe Lonnie looked bad in practice but to say he purposely tanked winnable games to teach the kid a lesson is the stupidest thing I’ve seen on this site. Which says a whole lot about that comment considering the asinine comments posted on a daily here. Smh.

There are organizations that throw away whole seasons to try to build around a draft pick that they don't even have yet, or know which player they'll get. Not sure how 'crazy' sitting a kid that you see huge potential is to reset his desire to play and be great.

[weeks]

I'm of the opinion they were shopping marco and playing him in a failed attempt to raise his value

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

There are organizations that throw away whole seasons to try to build around a draft pick that they don't even have yet, or know which player they'll get. Not sure how 'crazy' sitting a kid that you see huge potential is to reset his desire to play and be great.

that is a totally different situation and you knew this while responding to my comment. SMH

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Many thanks bro. :toast Though there really isn't much to see of flour girl. :lol

And, if no one reads my posts because of my sig, than I can get away with writing things like:

"Forbes is a future hall of famer"

"Tim Duncan is overrated"

or

"I admire Uncle Dennis"

without anyone noticing? Such freedom. I don't even have to use a blue font. :lol

:lol

[exstatic]

that is a totally different situation and you knew this while responding to my comment. SMH

They are different situations. The Spurs and Pop did much less damage to their season than those other tankathon teams, and had a known commodity to work with. That was my point.

[Prime BEEF]

So no success at any level.

Thanks for the insight.
Yawn. You’re fishing. I’m not telling. Later troll.

[spin8]

I think most of the people who are upset about how Pop treated Lonnie are upset not because they disagree with tough love but that it meant torpedoing the season to do it.

Sure, big scheme, did they ruin a title team? No. But this build was sold as a win now team and not a lottery team. If they were so concerned with the future at all costs then the decisions made the last few years, but mostly this off season, are even more baffling.

If Pop had done this exact same thing but the team was winning? I personally wouldn’t have too many complaints. Like when we had Duncan and he did this it was the youth learning from winners and it made sense.

But this team isn’t that so I feel it was not wise to tank a season and allow the team to be embarrassed nearly nightly for this purpose when at best it’s not clear whether or not it was needed to achieve the result.

Yeah, the result appears achieved and ultimately that’s what’s most important but damn it makes this team build even more frustrating for me.

Good post.