what to make of lack of energy or sense of urgency

[George Gervin's Afro]

The season is long and we all know that there will be ups and downs. I believe we expect and accept that losing games will happen during the reg. season and we will play god awful or extrememly efficient at times. My problem lies in the fact that we have been playing without (you fill in the blank).. fire? sense of urgency?.. un-inspired? disinterested? without focus?.. I don't mind losing to teams like the Bulls/mavs/wizards who played a great game.. but the bucks? hornets? hawks? All of these losses were played as if we were sleep walking... I think Tim's demeanor has been less than inspiring lately.. the unfortunate part of this is that the spurs have taken to his personality... Tim certainly picked it up last night but is anyone else concerned?

[leemajors]

the bucks seem to be for real this year. tj ford has made a world of a difference to that team - he is a pass first pg on a team with a some good to great shooters, and he has improved his shot quite a bit. i went to ut, still live in austin and he was a poor shooter in college. moe williams is playing terrific - not just last night either. not to mention bogut seems to have a knack for making big plays at key times.

[BigVee]

Not yet. Other teams are playing inspired while the Spurs are not. The Spurs really miss Manu, especially on the defensive end. Many Spurs seem to be playing at 80% most of the game, sometimes turning it up when the game is on the line. Doesn't always work out. Manu does not know how to play at 80% and usually pulls the rest of the team along with him. Once he gets back and has a few games under his belt, I think the Spurs will take off on a nice winning streak.

[TDMVPDPOY]

this roller coaster ride is bs, when does it stop?

[cherylsteele]

this roller coaster ride is bs, when does it stop?
People said this type of thing last year......the rodeo road trip will be the time the spurs define themselves

[Marcus Bryant]

It's December. Wake me when it's April.

[polandprzem]

It's December. Wake me when it's April.
Okay.
I wish you nice sleep.
Seeya

------------

This year spurs are the old spurs. Ups and downs. And Pop doesn't wanted it.
But it 8is happening. The spurs are loosing and I hate the approval to the losses. I don't give a damn if it's November or December. Russells Celtic or the Jordans Bulls had alwayes the edge. That teams was awesome in the reg and in the PO, other teams were scared of them.
Like Pop said - the spurs haven't reach that mythycal point, and they didn't kicked anybodys ass last year.
But all those posterswho are intrested in Aprill and June....ohhhhhhh come on.
Iknow- I do not like the bitching also. And I'm not bitching the spurs nor Tim Duncan. But that just wrong loosing winnable games.
But again I agree that better spurs lost to the lottery team than the playoff team.
Bucks are the playoff team, spurs are in a b2b. And I want a win.

[StrayDog]

Everybody wants to beat the champs, especially when they come to your home floor. They play that much harder for that one game. The spurs have to do the same., and knowing they got another game the next day, they really can't afford to empty the tank every game, or there wont be anything left by the playoffs.

[doldrums]

They lack Manu's energy. Rasho has the energy of a stalled car. I think Sean Marks would have been better during crunch time.

[boutons]

"they really can't afford to empty the tank every game, or there wont be anything left by the playoffs."

The Pistons starters played averaged 35 minutes all last season, and it didn't slow them down. Same for the Suns, who run a lot more than the Spurs, much more up and down.

The same Pistons starters are all doing 35 mpg this season, with much results than the Spurs. And every team gets up for the Pistons, too. And the Pistons play defense as energetically as the Spurs.

It's part of the Spurs lore than they can't play hard all season because... ?,
The Spurs are so damn good they can't be good before March?

that they don't give enough of a shit about winning to play up to their capabilities Nov - Feb.

I think a lot of the problem is Tim's laid-back personality, and perhaps he's getting a little jaded after 9 or 10 years of the same old shit every year. And his annual injuries aren't much fun for him, either.

Since there's so much logistical effort to getting to/from games, practicing, staying in shape, traveling, being away from family, I'd think the pleasure of playing hard and well would offset all the pain of dragging your ass to NYC during a Christmas transit strike, screwing around in airports, busses, etc.

I think the Spurs' "only March - June counts" cheats both the players and the fans, but that's the way the Spurs play it.

Even this year exceptionally, where they have all the main rotation back from the championship team, plus Nick and Michael, you'd think they could just resume their excellence (like the Pistons are doing), but no, the Spurs seem to forget how to play, get outta sync, can't find the motivation, etc, whatever, end up with shitty efforts losing to shitty teams, getting outhustled by lesser teams.

So, I've come to the position if the Spurs won't invest themselves fully in the game before March, neither will I. :)

Normally, I'd get really up for Sunday's game, but what's the point? The Pistons probably want it a lot more than the Spurs, will have a riotous, blood-thirsty, revenge-obsessed crowd to support them. We won't have Manu anywhere near 100%, if at all. I'm ready for the Spurs 3rd, or 4th, loss this week. :)

Nov - Mar Spurs? "whatever" :)

[DDS4]

Spurs lull/grind + teams gearing up to play the defending champs = pre-S.P.A.M. losses

[BigVee]

Barring an incredible shooting day, looking at how both teams are currently playing, expect the Pistons to handle the Spurs easily.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Barring an incredible shooting day, looking at how both teams are currently playing, expect the Pistons to handle the Spurs easily.


I hate to agree with you..but I will..

[leemajors]

the bench isn't bringing it, at all. the first unit is doing great, then the second unit comes in and gives the lead back. part of that has to do with manu being out, but van exel, nazr,barry, and even horry aren't contributing jack. the bench is supposed to come in and keep the energy level up, but it's just not happening that way. by the time the starters are back in they have to try and get stops on a team that's suddenly hot. spurs seemed to shoot their wad in the first 20 minutes last night, then ran on fumes - 75-80% in first quarter, down to around 50% by halftime...

[sanman53]

Regarding resting Duncan, Pop said..."It's gone through my head a couple of times, but he tells me it's not to that point yet," Popovich said. "I just tell him we don't need him to be a hero. I want him healthy at the end. I'm not all that concerned about now."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA122105.1C.BKNspurs.bucks.gamer.a2162c1.html

When they finally get concerned, they are going to dominate the NBA! I CANT WAIT!

[T Park]

I think Sean Marks would have been better during crunch time.

uhhhhh,

what?!


The Pistons starters played averaged 35 minutes all last season, and it didn't slow them down. Same for the Suns, who run a lot more than the Spurs, much more up and down.

Both teams who lost to the Spurs in the playoffs.

WHATS YOUR POINT SUNSHINE!!?!??



I'm not all that concerned about now."



Neither should anyone else.

All they are pretty much doing now, are scrimmaging and working to getting better by March.

That simple.

Same song and dance, same mentality thats worked 2 out of the last 3 years.

[boutons]

"Both teams who lost to the Spurs in the playoffs."

What's your point, doughboy?

Are you saying the Suns lost to the Spurs because they were too tired from playing 35 MPG all season, or was it because the Suns don't play defense, and barely avoided being swept by a much more complete team?

Are you saying the Pistons lost to the Spurs because they were too tired in the last 12 minutes of the 100+/25 MPG season? or maybe because Spurs were before their extremely load SBC fans and cranked up their defense to a punishing level?

[ajh18]

Actually, last year, after winning their title, the Pistons had even more trouble than the Spurs are at the beginning of the year. This year they are hungry, because finishing so close to a championship and not winning is more frustrating for a team than getting knocked out early. But in their title defense year, the Pistons struggled too.

As for the Spurs' performance this year, it's true that teams always get extra-hyped to play the defending champs. But take any other team in the league, Pistons included, and have their second best player out, with his replacement being a new addition to the team, and their best player hobbled, and I doubt anyone would be dissapointed to have their team perform as the Spurs have in that state. We need to get healthy, and stay in contention for home court right now. As our players get healthy, and the new additions/rotations finally gel, we'll make a run and end up with one of, if not the, top record in the league.