Game Thread: Spurs at. Suns — Sunday, Jan. 30h, 2022 - 7:00pm CST

[DC23]

1487810428403073029

[emanueldavidginobili]

1487576719024439296

[BatManu20]

Good. Let’s get the tank rolling again and get Primo some minutes.

[John B]

Spurs Injuries: Keita Bates-Diop - Out (Health and Safety Protocols), Dejounte Murray - Out (Knee), Jakob Poelt - Out (Back), Derrick White - Out (Rest)

Suns Injuries: Dario Saric - Out (Knee), Frank Kaminsky - Out (Knee), Abdel Nader - Questionable (Knee), Cameron Payne - Out (Wrist), Deandre Ayton - Questionable (Ankle), Jae Crowder - Questionable (Wrist), JaVale McGee - Questionable (Knee)

Suns by 40 pts. ST bitchin’ tomorrow :lol

[exstatic]

Spurs Injuries: Keita Bates-Diop - Out (Health and Safety Protocols), Dejounte Murray - Out (Knee), Jakob Poelt - Out (Back), Derrick White - Out (Rest)

Suns Injuries: Dario Saric - Out (Knee), Frank Kaminsky - Out (Knee), Abdel Nader - Questionable (Knee), Cameron Payne - Out (Wrist), Deandre Ayton - Questionable (Ankle), Jae Crowder - Questionable (Wrist), JaVale McGee - Questionable (Knee)

Suns by 40 pts. ST bitchin’ tomorrow :lol

We have 3 decent players, and they’re all sitting out. It would be a miracle on the level of Lourdes or Fatima if we win.

I wish they would have at least called up Cacok.

[poopbox]

Why is anyone out for rest on this team :lol

I see Pop is gunning for that number one pick :hungry:

[John B]

We have 3 decent players, and they’re all sitting out. It would be a miracle on the level of Lourdes or Fatima if we win.

I wish they would have at least called up Cacok.

Yes, and to see that Spurs-killer Payne was out too and without Crowder. Cacok could have continued his double-diuble streak :lol

[ismael-robert]

Trade incoming

[LeBowen]

Last chance for Lonnie, tbh.

If he goes missing while there's noone else to run the offense out there, he's done.

Suns by 20.

[KingKev]

Going to be a long night but I hope we have more nights like this tbh.
Eubanks/Landale
Douggie/Juancho
KJ/Primo
Vassell/Walker
Tre

Was Weiskamp recalled?

[GAustex]

Going to be a long night

Eubanks/Landale
Douggie/Juancho
KJ/Primo
Vassell/Walker
Tre

Was Weiskamp recalled?
Yep
A long night

[spurs1990]

As long as eubanks doesn't get 30 plus minutes Spurs have a shot.
They've got 4 real, vetted NBA players - Vassell, Johnson, Walker, McDermott that can give you 20 pts

[emanueldavidginobili]

As long as eubanks doesn't get 30 plus minutes Spurs have a shot.
They've got 4 real, vetted NBA players - Vassell, Johnson, Walker, McDermott that can give you 20 pts
Without DJ and Derrick setting them up? not likely tbh.

[PhantomDashCam]

I love these type of games.

Suns seem to be the team lately where Pop goes into that mad scientist mode, (remember he sat out key veterans last year in arguably their best road win of last season).

While unlikely that one performance would swing teams either way, this is the ultimate Lonnie showcase game. Does he start, come off the bench?

‘Just wanna see constant aggression from him.

[RC_Drunkford]

I want to see Zollins and Primo start

[John B]

I love these type of games.

Suns seem to be the team lately where Pop goes into that mad scientist mode, (remember he sat out key veterans last year in arguably their best road win of last season).

While unlikely that one performance would swing teams either way, this is the ultimate Lonnie showcase game. Does he start, come off the bench?

‘Just wanna see constant aggression from him.

Lonnie with the beastmode tonight. Let's go Spurs!

[John B]

I want to see Zollins and Primo start

Zollins just finished his game at Austin. I don't think he can make it tonight

[heyheymymy]

Well shit, going to be a night of weird lineups but it'll be nice to get extended run from deep guys to see what we have in them or even possibly showcase in advance of the deadline

[heyheymymy]

Oof Drewbanks facing Byombo and Javale

[Barfunk]

Eubanks will lead us to a win...

[BatManu20]

Spurs dominating early.

[Barfunk]

Why is anyone out for rest on this team :lol

I see Pop is gunning for that number one pick :hungry:

Yupp, so we can stash him for 2 years minimum...

[PhantomDashCam]

Oof Drewbanks facing Byombo and Javale

Think I saw Javale in street clothes tonight. Be a big W for us if not playing. Always struggle with him.

Edit: No it was somebody else. He’s getting ready to check in.

[Dejounte]

TRADE ERRBODY!

TRE JONES IS THE FUTURE! HE'S THE NEXT TONY PARKER!!!

[emanueldavidginobili]

Primo playing PG here it looks like

[Barfunk]

B-Ball is so much like chess. Confidence against a lesser opponent almost always guarantees a win.

[heyheymymy]

nice cut to the rim from Jock

[heyheymymy]

Oh shit some early Juancho

Spurs seeing what's up

[Dejounte]

Primo playing PG here it looks like

Yeah, he's the only "PG-looking" guard out there right now save Lonnie. However, he's hardly taking the ball for himself and isn't trying to take control of the offense... they're evenly dividing up the ball handling duties.

[Maddog]

Just showed some Austin highlights with Josh signing autographs with some kids. Well probably ex classmates

[John B]

Wow what a quarter :clap

[PhantomDashCam]

Eerily similar feel to last year’s upset.

Apart from one dodgy pass, love what I’m seeing from Lonnie so far.

https://y.yarn.co/fdbdbeab-763d-4f63-90e8-863e763926c0_text.gif

[emanueldavidginobili]

Primo gotta be aggressive and try to score on that baseline drive

[heyheymymy]

Primo gotta be aggressive and try to score on that baseline drive

Yeah he had a nice window there but he didn't take it

[spurs1990]

Drubanks crapping the bed

[Barfunk]

The Suns just need to hang around to butter us up...

[Dejounte]

Vassell has GOT to speed up that shot. He should be making those open ones but he hesitates far too much.

[Dex]

Classic Lonnie...wide open lane to the basket, instead jumps and tries to pass it back to Eubanks at the three-point line, turnover.

[heyheymymy]

Javale is a one man vacuum off the glass

[heyheymymy]

Suns just now arriving to the arena

[Barfunk]

So many times this season where we have, say anywhere from about 300 to 350 Spurs under the basket, and the 1 player from the opposing team comes up with the board.

[ace3g]

Welp


3:28
https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/sa.png&h=100&w=100
Spurs Full timeout
42 - 44




3:28
https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/phx.png&h=100&w=100
Mikal Bridges makes dunk (Chris Paul assists)
42 - 44




7:53
https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/sa.png&h=100&w=100
Doug McDermott makes layup (Drew Eubanks assists)
37 - 31

[Barfunk]

Primo!

[Dejounte]

I know they're out but Murray, White, Poeltl didn't travel with the team? Don't see them on the bench...

[XDT76]

This game shows that with a decent mobile PF and length things would be much better on both end of the court.

[RC_Drunkford]

I know they're out but Murray, White, Poeltl didn't travel with the team? Don't see them on the bench...

1-Game Road trip. Makes sense for them to stay home and recover

[RC_Drunkford]

Tre Jones is our best player so far. He‘s really only missing a 3-Point shot

[El Santo]

Wonder if white not playing due to rest means a trade?

[heyheymymy]

Nice stretch from Tre Jones. Gets the mismatch on Byombo and attacks the rim in a way that gets the big off his advantageous positioning and scores

Returns downcourt on defense and helps seal off Booker before his assignment arrives and he breaks off to cover him.

[Dejounte]

Doug "Kobe Bryant" McDermott?

[Dejounte]

Lonnie has had TWO "MJ layups" in this game... switching hands in mid-air... and it's beautiful

[Dejounte]

Primo is a highlight reel WITHOUT flashy dunks or crazy athleticism... he's just a gamer. a great basketball play waiting to happen.

[Degoat]

Landale and eubanks are equally TERRTIBLE tbh

[PhantomDashCam]

Nice contributions from the entire team tonight.

KJ’s playmaking on his drives seems to have improved since the start of the season. :tu

[heyheymymy]

extrapolate on Primos natural ability when A. he develops even further and B. when Spurs surrounds him with better talent

[Dejounte]

This team falls apart when they fall in love with their jumpshot. No reason Keldon should be taking that 3 point shot nor Lonnie with his mid-range right after it. PASS the ball. Find a good shot for your teammate.

[PhantomDashCam]

Clearly Jakob, White and DJ were holding this team back tbh :lol

[spurs1990]

This is a great idea win by the Spurs. A GREAT win. Ownage of Phoenix

[Thomas82]

Looks like the Suns took the Spurs too lightly tonight.

[Dejounte]

Keldon going hero ball and it's going in, but I don't like it. I mean, sure... that's probably the only way he'll develop into anything more than a 1-dimensional 3-pt shooter/ wrecking ball role player. But, still... ugly shots if he doesn't make those.

[Chinook]

You can almost tell when any of Lonnie's jumpers are going to go in or miss. He's a very good shooter when he gets his feet under him, but he takes too many shots where he goes into the motion before he gets his balance. His upper body usually looks good, but he's going to have to keep working on his lower body consistency if he's going to be a guy who can make a rotation based solely on his scoring.

[PhantomDashCam]

Wainwright looks like what would happen if you put Obi Toppin and Otto Porter through “The Fly’s” transporter together…

[ace3g]

now the drought comes

9:36 - 4th


1
2
3
4
T


SA
31
24
36
2
93


PHX
23
27
29
11
90

[Dejounte]

Vassell hurting this team on both ends.

[Leetonidas]

Saw this coming a mile away :lol

[Dex]

I am so tired of watching Lonnie shrink in big moments. Dude just doesn't have it.

Spurs need to let him walk.

[Degoat]

Geeez can we please get a competent back up big lol Landale and Eubanks are so bad

[lefty20]

Looked like Keldon was in the air when he caught it.

[Dex]

Vassell has been really bad tonight, too...not sure what his deal is

[Dejounte]

No, Primo, he wasn't moving. You just have to make a better decision next time.

[Barfunk]

Dougie Dee!

[Uriel]

McBuckets!

[spurs1990]

McDermott earning his signing

[Dejounte]

That floater, if he made it, would have been Primo's breakout moment...

[Barfunk]

Gotta watch Paul around this time. This is where he usually fags it up.

[lefty20]

Primo doing what he does best, for the moment.

[Uriel]

It amazes me how so many of us melted down after Brian Wright picked Primo in the draft. Now he's proving us wrong.

[Dejounte]

That floater, if he made it, would have been Primo's breakout moment...

Okay, that 3-pointer became his breakout moment.

[heyheymymy]

PRIMO

[ace3g]

First missed FT...

[spurs1990]

Primo's no f's mindset is sorely needed

[emanueldavidginobili]

Primo looks like he can hang, with DJ, Derrick, and Jakob things become more easy for him

[Barfunk]

That's game....

[Uriel]

I like Tre Jones. I know the scouting report on him is "backup PG" but he's way better than another guy who's scouting report is "backup PG" Jacque Vaughn.

[lefty20]

Da fuq, apparently we can do a barrel roll, dribble then call a timeout.

[Dejounte]

Primo looks like he can hang, with DJ, Derrick, and Jakob things become more easy for him

Those guys, especially Murray, will allow Primo to do what he does best (and on a team that needs it most): SCORE!

[Barfunk]

Refs now fagging it up

[PhantomDashCam]

Booker going for the Shaqtin’ Hall of Fame award

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

i don't see how this suns team can win a lobt

[ace3g]

the ole up 2, down1 momentum swing...

[lefty20]

And that's prolly game.

[Dejounte]

Booker going for the Shaqtin’ Hall of Fame award

He gave it right back to Lonnie.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Good effort

[Uriel]

Add another moral victory to the win loss column.

[Mr. Body]

Suns excited to barely get past the Spurs' 2nd and 3rd teams at home.

[lefty20]

Another close L. The Spurs special to move the Tank along.

[Mr. Body]

Orlando and Detroit both won today, so this was a good loss.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/twoshotspodcast/status/1487985345052430337

[Degoat]

Really sucks that we didnt get the W, but there were some positives. Our bigs suck without jakob and Vassell probably had the worst game of his career tonight lol

[spurs1990]

Popvich is insane not having McDermott down the stretch. Six 3's he was on the mark tonight

[Degoat]

Games like these make me believe the spurs arent that far off from playoff contention again, the top team in the west barely beating us?

[RC_Drunkford]

this couldn't have went any better. Guys kept it close and came out with the L.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Another close L. The Spurs special to move the Tank along.

Choo Choo!

:lma :lma

[BacktoBasics]

I like Tre Jones. I know the scouting report on him is "backup PG" but he's way better than another guy who's scouting report is "backup PG" Jacque Vaughn.

Not making player comparison but Tre could replace White if he’s traded.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Really sucks that we didnt get the W, but there were some positives. Our bigs suck without jakob and Vassell probably had the worst game of his career tonight lol

that last 3 attempt by vassell

WOOF

[Dejounte]

Popvich is insane not having McDermott down the stretch. Six 3's he was on the mark tonight

I'm not 100% on the rules regarding reviewing plays, but the Spurs players were begging Pop to review the out-of-bounds play... and nothing happened. I don't know if it was because he couldn't or because he refused to. If it's the latter, then if it was any question that the team was tanking... tonight should have answered it.

[BatManu20]

Good, competitive L boys. :flag:

[Mr. Body]

I'm not 100% on the rules regarding reviewing plays, but the Spurs players were begging Pop to review the out-of-bounds play... and nothing happened. I don't know if it was because he couldn't or because he refused to. If it's the latter, then if it was any question that the team was tanking... tonight should have answered it.

If it was the Lakers, it would have been an insta-review.

[BatManu20]

Games like these make me believe the spurs arent that far off from playoff contention again, the top team in the west barely beating us?

Spurs are definitely better than their record. But it won’t matter unless they add another star talent via the draft. Hence why these losses are the best thing for this team right now.

[John B]

Just when Lonnie finally having a great game, he messed it up with a costly turnover

[spurs1990]

Primo just keeps hitting 3s. 18 now on the season. More than DeRozan had all off last year for perspective. He and McDermott can be the sharpshooters on the court down strecthes

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/twoshotspodcast/status/1487986165831643136

Your Spurs' wing of the future. Buy your jerseys, boys. This one's special.

[timtonymanu]

Spurs are definitely better than their record. But it won’t matter unless they add another star talent via the draft. Hence why these losses are the best thing for this team right now.

Sad thing is with how shitty the west is now, the spurs will always be in contention for the play-in

[John B]

But Tre showed that once again he belongs. I really want him to develop an outside shot because he is a very good PG. and Primo, boy that 3pts on the last 2 mins mark was cold, not afraid of the moment shot - alpha.

[Dex]

Overall, good showing from our young players. We were basically playing the B-squad against the best team in the league (record wise) and almost pulled off an upset.

Good experience for the youngsters like Primo, and another L for the tank. Develop and get that draft pick....win win.

[TD 21]

Games like these make me believe the spurs arent that far off from playoff contention again, the top team in the west barely beating us?

The Suns were missing Ayton, Crowder and Payne (technically, Saric, Kaminsky and Nader too) and probably found it difficult to "get up" for this game given that they knew they could turn it on whenever for a stretch and almost certainly win anyway.

[Degoat]

The Suns were missing Ayton, Crowder and Payne (technically, Saric, Kaminsky and Nader too) and probably found it difficult to "get up" for this game given that they knew they could turn it on whenever for a stretch and almost certainly win anyway.

And the spurs were missing DJ, White, and Jakob. As long as Booker and CP3 play there’s no excuse for them imo

[MultiTroll]

93-90 8:36 left

Chris Paul blocks Devin Vassell 's 12-foot driving layup




Legit block or did Clitter get the ref riggin again?

[TD 21]

And the spurs were missing DJ, White, and Jakob. As long as Booker and CP3 play there’s no excuse for them imo

I know. I'm just saying, let's not act like it was only the Spurs who were shorthanded or as if the Suns had the same give a shit level as players who were receiving atypical opportunities.

[Spurs Homer]

Had pop left tre on the bench and let primo run point and mcbuckets in

it would have been a W

tre jones choked

[Floyd Pacquiao]

I don’t like Pop’s defeatist mentality after all these losses.

[boutons_deux]

I didn't see the game but the box score says the Spurs offense choked Again in the 4th quarter after three excellent quarters

[MannyIsGod]

Tre Jones kinda shit the bed late, but honestly the Suns were sandbagging this game for 3 quarters and then decided they actually wanted to win and turned it on in the fourth. Primo's defense, shooting, and court vision all continue to be impressive. I wish he wouldn't be such a wall flower when he gets minutes when DJM is in the game, though. Would really like for him to be more assertive and hopefully we'll see that later on this season.

Tonight made a strong case for trading White at the deadline in one respect. The Spurs really need to figure out what they are going to do with Lonnie and with Tre Jones at the end of this season, and giving them an extended opportunity to see what they can do on a team where white doesn't dominate the ball when DJM goes to the bench is fairly important. Especially for Jones, IMO.

[John B]

Tre Jones kinda shit the bed late, but honestly the Suns were sandbagging this game for 3 quarters and then decided they actually wanted to win and turned it on in the fourth. Primo's defense, shooting, and court vision all continue to be impressive. I wish he wouldn't be such a wall flower when he gets minutes when DJM is in the game, though. Would really like for him to be more assertive and hopefully we'll see that later on this season.

Tonight made a strong case for trading White at the deadline in one respect. The Spurs really need to figure out what they are going to do with Lonnie and with Tre Jones at the end of this season, and giving them an extended opportunity to see what they can do on a team where white doesn't dominate the ball when DJM goes to the bench is fairly important. Especially for Jones, IMO.

Give the guys a break. They played real good for 3 quarters. But they’re young and experienced. But “sandbagging” wasn’t accurate. If not for Lonnie’s late TO, plus a couple of late bad calls, traveling on Booker (you can’t roll around and land on your feet and not be traveling), and possibly out of bounce to San Antonio, which should’ve been automatic review under 2 mins. Primo was jumping up and down that it should’ve been Spurs’ ball.

[KingKev]

I didn’t watch the game. Of Primo’s 5 TO’s two charges and back court violation? Were the other’s forced?

[spurs1990]

I didn’t watch the game. Of Primo’s 5 TO’s two charges and back court violation? Were the other’s forced?

IIRC on both TOs he was driving towards the hoop and made one of those leaping passes that got deflected each time. One of them he should have just shot the ball.

[KingKev]

IIRC on both TOs he was driving towards the hoop and made one of those leaping passes that got deflected each time. One of them he should have just shot the ball.

Thanks. Need to get these down if Pop is going to give him regular minutes next year. Seems like many of his turnovers can be corrected with experience.

[MannyIsGod]

Give the guys a break. They played real good for 3 quarters. But they’re young and experienced. But “sandbagging” wasn’t accurate. If not for Lonnie’s late TO, plus a couple of late bad calls, traveling on Booker (you can’t roll around and land on your feet and not be traveling), and possibly out of bounce to San Antonio, which should’ve been automatic review under 2 mins. Primo was jumping up and down that it should’ve been Spurs’ ball.

I don't know how you can say it wasn't accurate. Do you really think the intensity the Suns showed in quarters 1-3 was the same they showed in the fourth? I mean com'on man.

[Dejounte]

Intensity is such an intangible thing that it puzzles me when people act like they know how to compare such a thing. The fuck are y’all using to measure that? The sweat drops? The number of times they grunt? You can measure their speed and acceleration on TV? Is it based on their emotions? If they frown, that means they’re playing intense? What the fuck?

[MannyIsGod]

Intensity is such an intangible thing that it puzzles me when people act like they know how to compare such a thing. The fuck are y’all using to measure that? The sweat drops? The number of times they grunt? You can measure their speed and acceleration on TV? Is it based on their emotions? If they frown, that means they’re playing intense? What the fuck?

It's not hard to look at the effort a team is putting in on the court and see when it's been raised. If you really can't tell the difference between a team that is going through the motions and one that is actually trying then I'm not sure what to tell you. The space they give in defense amd the effort they give on the glass is extremely noticable. It's far from intangible.

I don't know why you're talking about frowns dude. It's about visible effort.

I question the basketball knowledge of anyone who didn't see the change in defensive intensity in the sun's in the fourth.

[Dex]

Intensity is such an intangible thing that it puzzles me when people act like they know how to compare such a thing. The fuck are y’all using to measure that? The sweat drops? The number of times they grunt? You can measure their speed and acceleration on TV? Is it based on their emotions? If they frown, that means they’re playing intense? What the fuck?

Not to mention that intensity doesn't always equal results. Obviously, playing hard and being competitive are important...but it's an intangible. One of those things that you just kinda know it when you see it.

You also need the level of talent to transfer that activity and energy into actual results. Most of us have probably seen those guys on the pickup courts that play with a lot of "intensity"....but that doesn't help if you are missing assignments because you want to chase the ball, or running as fast as you can just to throw a layup over the backboard.

[John B]

It's not hard to look at the effort a team is putting in on the court and see when it's been raised. If you really can't tell the difference between a team that is going through the motions and one that is actually trying then I'm not sure what to tell you. The space they give in defense amd the effort they give on the glass is extremely noticable. It's far from intangible.

I don't know why you're talking about frowns dude. It's about visible effort.

I question the basketball knowledge of anyone who didn't see the change in defensive intensity in the sun's in the fourth.


But sandbagging though? I mean the Spurs really played god the 1-3 quarters. I think they shot like 58%. It’s the 4th quarter that our guys normally comes out short, arguably because of the kind of defense they play, switching and helping. And the ball movement on offense. The Spurs lead the league in assist. So those people calling Pop “overrated.” Pop is coaching these kids team basketball, albeit because of lack of tier 1 players to rely on. Just the same, the team played great 1-3 quarters. Just need to learn more to close or pace to have enough to close the game.

[Chinook]

Not to mention that intensity doesn't always equal results. Obviously, playing hard and being competitive are important...but it's an intangible. One of those things that you just kinda know it when you see it.

You also need the level of talent to transfer that activity and energy into actual results. Most of us have probably seen those guys on the pickup courts that play with a lot of "intensity"....but that doesn't help if you are missing assignments because you want to chase the ball, or running as fast as you can just to throw a layup over the backboard.

Yeah, it reminds me of the Warriors win (and a couple of others, but that was the sweetest). Clearly GS hit another gear to take a late lead, but a close game at the end of the fourth isn't an open field where the more talented team can juke and outrun lesser competition. It's a phone booth where both sides have a limited number of possessions to execute or make mistakes. You can try hard and miss shots or defend hard and still give up points to better offense. If this were a situation where the Spurs had a big first-quarter lead and got run down before losing handily by the end, then I get saying that it was a loss the moment the other team turned up the intensity. But the Suns definitely could have lost that game.

[Chinook]

But sandbagging though? I mean the Spurs really played god the 1-3 quarters. I think they shot like 58%. It’s the 4th quarter that our guys normally comes out short, arguably because of the kind of defense they play, switching and helping. And the ball movement on offense. The Spurs lead the league in assist. So those people calling Pop “overrated.” Pop is coaching these kids team basketball, albeit because of lack of tier 1 players to rely on. Just the same, the team played great 1-3 quarters. Just need to learn more to close or pace to have enough to close the game.

I think that's true and a better way to look at it than the Suns turning it on. I don't believe in clutchness; you show me a guy who's "clutch" in the playoffs, I'll show you a guy who's lazy during the season. But I do believe in guys folding under pressure or a team panicking. The Spurs have a couple of good close wins like against Boston and GS. But they have had execution problems down the stretch in a few of their losses. I don't know that I really blame Walker's turnover on him being unable to handle pressure; he has the single best clutch shot of the team's season. But it was also clear they didn't have a plan on how to get good shots consistently.

[tonight...you]

But sandbagging though? I mean the Spurs really played god the 1-3 quarters. I think they shot like 58%. It’s the 4th quarter that our guys normally comes out short, arguably because of the kind of defense they play, switching and helping. And the ball movement on offense. The Spurs lead the league in assist. So those people calling Pop “overrated.” Pop is coaching these kids team basketball, albeit because of lack of tier 1 players to rely on. Just the same, the team played great 1-3 quarters. Just need to learn more to close or pace to have enough to close the game.
Damn man.
That's like yeah.
Good post bro.

[Jeremy]

What's with the big gash in the side of Pop's head? Is he alright?

[offset formation]

Intensity is such an intangible thing that it puzzles me when people act like they know how to compare such a thing. The fuck are y’all using to measure that? The sweat drops? The number of times they grunt? You can measure their speed and acceleration on TV? Is it based on their emotions? If they frown, that means they’re playing intense? What the fuck?

Its like the definition of porn...you know it when you see it.

[MannyIsGod]

But sandbagging though? I mean the Spurs really played god the 1-3 quarters. I think they shot like 58%. It’s the 4th quarter that our guys normally comes out short, arguably because of the kind of defense they play, switching and helping. And the ball movement on offense. The Spurs lead the league in assist. So those people calling Pop “overrated.” Pop is coaching these kids team basketball, albeit because of lack of tier 1 players to rely on. Just the same, the team played great 1-3 quarters. Just need to learn more to close or pace to have enough to close the game.

Yeah Sandbagging. Are you misunderstanding what my point is here? I don't get it, are you upset that I don't think a fairly bad Spurs team without its 3 best players is much of a match for the best team in the NBA right now? I think Pop has done a good job with the system he's put in place and that system is doing well. I give Pop a lot of credit and way more than most posters on this site. I'm not sure why you're brining him into it? The problem is Pop can't teach that group to beat that Suns team or equivalents when they are truly turned on. Look at the shots Tre got early in the game. Wide open layups. In the first, there were even two back to back plays where Tre gets easy layups in the lane. Now look at the quality of shots he got in the fourth. They were FAR more difficult because the Suns had dramatically increased their effort on the defensive end of the floor.

Pop is an absolutely atrocious end of game coach, and this game showed that as well. His failure to challenge late was a mistake (should have been an instant time out to challenge regardless of the chances of success), the Spurs letting the Suns take off 18+ seconds off the shot clock on the possession that started at 36 seconds while down 4 was a gigantic mistake, and Lonnie's drive to the rack with less than 15 seconds left in a 6 point game were all giant mistakes I've grown accustomed to seeing from the Spurs in the final minute. Pop for years - maybe always? - has never properly valued time in the last part of a game, and this continues. Had he not done these things, it increases the chances of a Spurs win. The Spurs still had chances to win down the stretch. If they make some of these more difficult shots then they can definitely pull out a win. Those shots are low percentage, and while the Spurs are less talented there's nothing that prevents low percentage shots from going in. They are low percentage not null percentage. So the Suns, by not trying for 3 quarters, lower their chances to win, obviously.

But all good teams do this. Its impossible to play an 82 game season like every game is game 7 of the playoffs. No one expects that and we saw the Spurs do the same every year. Spurs peak after March used to be this forums motto.

You ever watch sprinters or swimmers in the Olympics? When they have to run qualifying heats, to get into the final race, they never run their hardest unless they absolutely have to. They save that for the final race. They are sandbagging. This is what the Suns did last game. They came in, saw a depleted Spurs team, and didn't really try hard until they absolutely had to in order to win.


There's a dramatic difference in the defense played by the Suns in quarters 1-3 and the fourth. There's a dramatic difference in the quality of shots the Spurs got in those same two different periods. There's a reason they went from scoring 36 in the third to 19 in the fourth and its not because they need to learn how to play in the fourth. Pop has done well, but he's not going to teach Tre Young to better than Chris Paul and I really hope this isn't the level of expectation Spurs have for Pop.

[MannyIsGod]

I think that's true and a better way to look at it than the Suns turning it on. I don't believe in clutchness; you show me a guy who's "clutch" in the playoffs, I'll show you a guy who's lazy during the season. But I do believe in guys folding under pressure or a team panicking. The Spurs have a couple of good close wins like against Boston and GS. But they have had execution problems down the stretch in a few of their losses. I don't know that I really blame Walker's turnover on him being unable to handle pressure; he has the single best clutch shot of the team's season. But it was also clear they didn't have a plan on how to get good shots consistently.

That assumes its possible to create a plan with the team as currently constructed. When good defensive teams are locked in, its not so much about a plan as it is about individual brilliance. Lonnie's shot you mention, there was no plan for Lonnie to hit that shot ever. That's not something Pop can possibly draw up. That's Lonnie hitting an incredibly low percentage shot over the best interior defender in the league. If Lonnie was capable of doing that more, we'd win more.

I don't think Pop is a great end of game coach by any stretch. I think he's fucking awful, frankly. Its his worst coaching attribute, IMO. But the reason the Spurs struggle more at the end of close games is because they don't have a dominant offensive force capable of creating shots all the time and doesn't have to do with Pop. IMO anyway.

[R. DeMurre]

Yeah, words like clutchness, intensity, positionless, & momentum are thrown around a lot these days, often with very gauzy definitions or exaggerated value added to them. Tim Duncan had a stoic's face but won a hell of a lot more than Garnett or Kenyon Martin, who looked like they were trying out for some Musical Theater production about the NBA. The only guy I've ever heard say he doesn't believe in momentum is Bill Russell, the most successful player in history. His theory was you just keep playing as hard as you can, regardless of what has happened previously. Almost everyone else embraces the concept of momentum and endorses it as gospel, but Russell kicked it to the curb and was rewarded dramatically for that unusual viewpoint.

[Dex]

Yeah, words like clutchness, intensity, positionless, & momentum are thrown around a lot these days, often with very gauzy definitions or exaggerated value added to them. Tim Duncan had a stoic's face but won a hell of a lot more than Garnett or Kenyon Martin, who looked like they were trying out for some Musical Theater production about the NBA. The only guy I've ever heard say he doesn't believe in momentum is Bill Russell, the most successful player in history. His theory was you just keep playing as hard as you can, regardless of what has happened previously. Almost everyone else embraces the concept of momentum and endorses it as gospel, but Russell kicked it to the curb and was rewarded dramatically for that unusual viewpoint.

That's why I always liked the "pounding the rock" mentality. Seems very similar to Russell's mindset.

Whether it is over the course of a game or the course of a season...don't get too up or too down emotionally. Don't get cocky if you go up 20, and don't give up if you are down 20.

Just keep doing what you do and wear your opponent out with consistency. Points in the first quarter count just as much as points in the fourth, and all that matters is what the scoreboard says when the clock hits zero.

[John B]

That's why I always liked the "pounding the rock" mentality. Seems very similar to Russell's mindset.

Whether it is over the course of a game or the course of a season...don't get too up or too down emotionally. Don't get cocky if you go up 20, and don't give up if you are down 20.

Just keep doing what you do and wear your opponent out with consistency. Points in the first quarter count just as much as points in the fourth, and all that matters is what the scoreboard says when the clock hits zero.

That’s Spurs system actually, just trusting the system, continue playing thru mistakes and not getting rattled. Don’t get caught in the moment. It takes a lot of discipline because Bball by nature is a game of runs, and momentum’s. But Spurs system is to weather the storm by trusting the system. It’s harder for these young guys because they haven’t won enough, nothing a lot to base on. Unlike the big 3 when trusting the system won them rings. These kids just need to keep on trusting their coach that it’s a long process, Pounding the Rock.

[KingKev]

That’s Spurs system actually, just trusting the system, continue playing thru mistakes and not getting rattled. Don’t get caught in the moment. It takes a lot of discipline because Bball by nature is a game of runs, and momentum’s. But Spurs system is to weather the storm by trusting the system. It’s harder for these young guys because they haven’t won enough, nothing a lot to base on. Unlike the big 3 when trusting the system won them rings. These kids just need to keep on trusting their coach that it’s a long process, Pounding the Rock.

Have you considered coaching? I think you’d be good at it.

[John B]

Have you considered coaching? I think you’d be good at it.

Nah but I’ve used the Spurs as an example in many of my sales pep talks before :lol:lol, trusting the system, doing your part in the team, even Pounding the Rock. It wasn’t my original, but none of them read ST