Missing one MVP.

[MannyIsGod]

Say what you want, this loss is on Duncan and soley Duncan. Parker and Manu did their best to keep the Spurs in the game, and the bench didn't show up but if Duncan shows up then they'd be in this game.

If he's hurt, then rest him but stop playing him. I don't want to hear that. I'm tired of his reluctance to attack the basket hard and his complacency with outside jumpers. And what happend to getting a rebound or 2?

Tim Duncan is playing like complete ass right now.

[Leetonidas]

Well he did have 20 points...

But yeah, you're right.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

parker loves to dissapear in the 2nd half when it matters. TD is on a downward slope I'm telling you

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

Is it still too late to get KG for Tim?
No im joking...but is it?

[Kori Ellis]

Parker sucked this game. Don't give him praise.

Manu (and maybe Bowen) are the only ones that wanted to win.

[E20]

Well he did have 20 points...

But yeah, you're right.
20 points on 7-17 shooting.

Duncan set the tone early for the Spurs going 1-8.

[2centsworth]

Parker sucked this game. Don't give him praise.

Manu (and maybe Bowen) are the only ones that wanted to win.

Bowen sucked ass. His defense stunk tonight.

[E20]

Parker sucked this game. Don't give him praise.

Manu (and maybe Bowen) are the only ones that wanted to win.
I didn't really see him stopping Rip and Chauncey had a good game too.

Manu played pretty bad 4-13, but he had intensity. I think....

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Duncan is playing like a fuckin choker. Injury or not he's a no show in alot of big games this year.

[Kori Ellis]

I didn't really see him stopping Rip and Chauncey had a good game too.

Rip scored maybe 3 baskets on Bowen all game. What were you watching? Most of Rip's points came against Parker.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Duncan's hurt. This is plain as day. He has no lift on his shots, and it showed.

Like I said earlier this week, Duncan needs some time off.

[polandprzem]

Duncan's hurt. This is plain as day. He has no lift on his shots, and it showed.

Like I said earlier this week, Duncan needs some time off.
Some time?

Talkin about this injury it is 4 months

[2centsworth]

Rip scored maybe 3 baskets on Bowen all game. What were you watching? Most of Rip's points came against Parker.
Rip got hot early on Bruce. Usually Bruce takes him out of his rythm and Rip is worthelss the rest of the way.

[MannyIsGod]

Parker sucked this game. Don't give him praise.

Manu (and maybe Bowen) are the only ones that wanted to win.I call bullshit. Parker was the only reason they were in the game at all throughout the first half. He's going to struggle if no one hits a jumper on the outside because then even he can't find room on the inside, but he was doing well early.

Bowen was horrible tonight as well. He was unable to stop Rip at any point in the game, and then Pop elected to go Van Exel over bowen because of it. I've done nothing but praise Bowen all year, but he was a non factor tonight.

But speaking of Van Exel, I'm about to the point where Beno deserves a shot at that spot in the rotation. The Spurs can't run with Van Exel, and he takes bad shots. I know he'll hit them at times, but it just drives me up the wall to see him pull up on for a 3 with 20 on the shot clock.

[MannyIsGod]

Rip scored maybe 3 baskets on Bowen all game. What were you watching? Most of Rip's points came against Parker.Because Pop took out Bowen because he was so ineffective!

[Spurologist]

Parker sucked this game. Don't give him praise.

Manu (and maybe Bowen) are the only ones that wanted to win.

what was so bad about Tp's game??

[Kori Ellis]

Because Pop took out Bowen because he was so ineffective!

Bullshit.

Rip scored THREE baskets on Bowen all night. Go watch the tape.

[E20]

Rip scored maybe 3 baskets on Bowen all game. What were you watching? Most of Rip's points came against Parker.
Ok Rip scored 3 baskets on Bowen and the rest on Parker.....OK pretty random thing to say. Reason is why wasn't Bowen on him for the whole game? Chauncey wasn't feeling it(only 9PTS and 6TO) and I'm guessing since the Spurs are a good defensive team shouldn't Parker be able to hang with a off-Billups.

[Kori Ellis]

what was so bad about Tp's game??

Parker was horrible. He had tunnel vision.

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

I call bullshit. Parker was the only reason they were in the game at all throughout the first half. He's going to struggle if no one hits a jumper on the outside because then even he can't find room on the inside, but he was doing well early.

Bowen was horrible tonight as well. He was unable to stop Rip at any point in the game, and then Pop elected to go Van Exel over bowen because of it. I've done nothing but praise Bowen all year, but he was a non factor tonight.

But speaking of Van Exel, I'm about to the point where Beno deserves a shot at that spot in the rotation. The Spurs can't run with Van Exel, and he takes bad shots. I know he'll hit them at times, but it just drives me up the wall to see him pull up on for a 3 with 20 on the shot clock.


We'll at least he gets the ball past half court without turning it over. It'd be nice to have speedy right about now

[2centsworth]

Bowen is far from the reason why the spurs are out of sync. It's Pop and his Ego.

FREE NAZR, START MANU, play barry they only won a championship for you last year.

[MannyIsGod]

Duncan's hurt. This is plain as day. He has no lift on his shots, and it showed.

Like I said earlier this week, Duncan needs some time off.He may very well be hurt, but if so I don't want him on the court right now. He looks like shit. And I know that Detroits front court will make a lot of players look like shit, but Duncan was horrid.

He's never had a propensity to take over a game or having that intensity, but it seems even worse. I've always hated his complacency but I hate it even more now. Its almost as though he feels he can even be more easy going and let Manu take up that slack.

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Bowen is far from the reason why the spurs are out of sync. It's Pop and his Ego.

FREE NAZR, START MANU, play barry they only won a championship for you last year.

Barry??

[Spurologist]

Parker was horrible. He had tunnel vision.

it helps when someone can make an outside shot. Tp repeatedly got the ball to WIDE open jump shooters.

[MannyIsGod]

Bullshit.

Rip scored THREE baskets on Bowen all night. Go watch the tape.Where was Bowen the rest of the game then? He only scored that much because Pop didn't play him very much. Why?

[Pistons < Spurs]

Well he did have 20 points...

But yeah, you're right.


20? I see 17 on the boxscore????

[ABDENOUR POWER]

While I agree that Duncan often struggles, chokes, whatever you want to call it, remember that he was going up against the Wallace brothers before you're too harsh on him. Rasheed is probably the best at guarding him in the entire league.

[MannyIsGod]

Bowen is far from the reason why the spurs are out of sync. It's Pop and his Ego.

FREE NAZR, START MANU, play barry they only won a championship for you last year.I don't think Bowen is at fault at all. He brings it every single game. I agree though, Pop is seriously lacking in many regards as a coach this season. Where is the motivation?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I'm with Kori, Tony was back to getting his and not doing much to help the team.

When Manu had willed us back to 10 we had a transition opportunity with Nick spotted up on the wing.

Tony looked him off, drove in, got fouled, and clanged both free throws.

Shades of two years ago in the playoffs when Parker was looking off Manu all the fucking time.

[ShoogarBear]

Where was Bowen the rest of the game then? He only scored that much because Pop didn't play him very much. Why?Pop's rotations were ass, especially in the third and fourth quarters.

[boutons_]

"Duncan was horrid."

Duncan was horrid in 3 or 4 games vs Pistons Finals.
eg, he lost game5 by himself, saved by Robert.

Spurs had no balls, no heart, no hustle, no desire. Now they've got this embarrassing, 2-blowout sweep haunting them til June, where they will have to start with 2 games @Auburn Hills.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

right and I say: Duncan's hurt, he isnt the same player anymore he looks like Chris Webber, and i get torn a new asshole

[Kori Ellis]

I don't think Bowen is at fault at all. He brings it every single game. I agree though, Pop is seriously lacking in many regards as a coach this season. Where is the motivation?


Rip scored his first two baskets of the game on Finley on switches. He scored three baskets on Bowen throughout the rest of the game. And then he owned Parker in the 4th when Bowen sat on the bench for eight minutes straight (or whatever it was).

But the point really isn't about Bowen.

This team lost today because of offense .. and rebounding. Not because of D on Rip or Chauncey.

The Spurs shot like crap, didn't move the ball, and they were the most flat-footed team I've seen in a long time on the glass.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, I don't think the loss is even partially on Bowen. Like I said above, Duncan needs to step up or step out and get healthy. But if he's going to be in there he needs to play with some god damn fire. And maybe thats the result of poor coaching. Whatever the case may be, tonight was horrible.

[Banks91]

hey man, don't talk bad about Duncan, don't you know that's blasphemy.

But seriously, like i've said before he's quite passive. To me that is the one and only problem i got with Duncan. As for this game and this season, he's been playing sub-par, whether it be cuz he's declining or hurt.

Either way, if this Duncan shows up for the finals, or even against Dallas, might as well kiss that 4th ring good-bye

[MannyIsGod]

I'm with Kori, Tony was back to getting his and not doing much to help the team.

When Manu had willed us back to 10 we had a transition opportunity with Nick spotted up on the wing.

Tony looked him off, drove in, got fouled, and clanged both free throws.

Shades of two years ago in the playoffs when Parker was looking off Manu all the fucking time.Going to the hole was the right move by Tony then.

[Kori Ellis]

You guys realize the Spurs scored 68 points.

We shouldn't be talking about the D at all.

No team in the NBA should win if they score 68.

[E20]

You guys realize the Spurs scored 68 points.

We shouldn't be talking about the D at all.

No team in the NBA should win if they score 68.
Everybodys' FG% was worse than ass.

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

In defense of Parker, the best lineup the spurs had tonight was with Van Exel, Parker, and Manu. The starting lineup makes the spurs 1 dimentional, Tony is basically the only person able to create shots for the team.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Was fuckn mannys fault for givein ben shit before the game :(

[MannyIsGod]

hey manny...why dont u fucken try to stop rip

idiot:lol

Yeah, I can't point out what went wrong because I'm not capable of doing it myself. Nice.

[spurschick]

IMO, our defense was fine against a very good team. Our offense sucks ass. Tony is too busy thinking about making the All-Star team and is probably pissed that Manu is leading him in votes, even though he missed 8 games and isn't having as good a season.

[Kori Ellis]

IMO, our defense was fine against a very good team. Our offense sucks ass. Tony is too busy thinking about making the All-Star team and is probably pissed that Manu is leading him in votes, even though he missed 8 games and isn't having as good a season.

:rolleyes

That's ridiculous.
You can say Tony had a bad night but to pull out the Tony vs Manu card is pretty lowlife.

What people don't get is that there is NO jealousy or problems between Manu and Tony. It kind of sickens them when the fans start talking shit like that (i.e. Tony doesn't pass to Manu, etc.).

Tony sucked tonight. Grow up and leave it at that.

[spurschick]

:rolleyes

That's ridiculous.
You can say Tony had a bad night but to pull out the Tony vs Manu card is pretty lowlife.

Tony sucked tonight. Grow up and leave it at that.

Well excuse me for venting. I'm pissed just like everyone else.

[Buddy Holly]

I don't think nor believe there's Tony vs. Manu complex going on, but I do agree with SpursChick that Tony is too damn concerned about making the AS team.

I heard him mention it quite of few times at times when it didn't seem warrented.

[Kori Ellis]

Well excuse me for venting. I'm pissed just like everyone else.

Vent all you want.

Starting unfounded bullshit isn't necessary.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't think nor believe there's Tony vs. Manu complex going on, but I do agree with SpursChick that Tony is too damn concerned about making the AS team.

I heard him mention it quite of few times at times when it didn't seem warrented.

I think he's mentioned it three times since last season. Yeah, that's far too often :rolleyes He shouldn't have goals.

[spurschick]

Vent all you want.

Starting unfounded bullshit isn't necessary.

I wasn't trying to start unfounded bullshit, I was just venting. I used the word probably - I don't know them personally, so I will now publicly apologize if anything I said to hurt their feelings. I didn't think you calling me a lowlife was necessary, but it's your forum.

[Buddy Holly]

I think he's mentioned it three times since last season. Yeah, that's far too often :rolleyes He shouldn't have goals.

I never said he shouldn't have them, but when he's talking about improving his game so he can make the All-Star game. It just doesn't mesh. You shouldn't be improving your game so you can make some arbitrary All-Star game, you should improve your game so you can help your team when the championship.

And I've heard him mention it more than three times.

[Kori Ellis]

I didn't call you a lowlife. I called your comments and rationale lowlife.

I don't think you (or anyone else) has ever seen anything from Tony to indicate he's jealous of Manu's meaningless All-Star votes. So you are just talking crazy Manu Mafia crap and it will do nothing but divide fans.

[ShoogarBear]

Has anyone noticed that fucker Beno never passes it to Brent when he's open?

[Kori Ellis]

I never said he shouldn't have them, but when he's talking about improving his game so he can make the All-Star game. It just doesn't mesh. You shouldn't be improving your game so you can make some arbitrary All-Star game, you should improve your game so you can help your team when the championship.

And I've heard him mention it more than three times.

I'll call bullshit on that.

A lot of players (including Manu last season) stressed that it was one of their goals to make the All-Star team.

And I don't think you've heard it more than 3 times unless you have some private Tony Parker audio tape. When someone asks him about it, he answers. But he doesn't randomly bring it up.

[spurschick]

I didn't call you a lowlife. I called your comments and rationale lowlife.

I don't think you (or anyone else) has ever seen anything from Tony to indicate he's jealous of Manu's meaningless All-Star votes. So you are just talking crazy Manu Mafia crap and it will do nothing but divide fans.

I didn't think that anyone would take my comments seriously or that anything that I said would be influential enough to divide fans. The key word was "probably" and I meant it faceciously. Guess I'll just "grow up" and watch what I say from now on.

[SequSpur]

uh.. hello...... Mcfly..........

Bowen blew ass two. The Coyote is the only one who showed up last night.

Parker was decent. Bowen blows when the other team is killing us offensively, because he sucks on offense. Duncan blows. Rasho is still a Spur somehow. Finley sucks. Pop sucks.

Manu was out of control, but shit the whole team was. There is no leadership anymore, its a fucking free for all.

[SequSpur]

For those of you that don't know..........

NBA Allstar

is a benchmark that all NBA players dream of.

So STFU.

[leemajors]

the defense seemed pretty good after the first quarter. they score what, 28 in the first and get 53 the rest of the game? pistons were ripe for a viagra and the spurs couldn't make their shots. i would like to see pop at least try letting barry run point every once in a while and have tony play off guard, it seems like they could free him up inside that way since he is so quick.

[Ginofan]

:lol Manny I thought you weren't going to read the forum after the game??

My complaints
- Rebounding sucked ass, the Pistons got at least 3 shots each posession if they didn't make a basket on the first try.
- No passing, I think it wasn't until the 2nd when we got an assist...that's just uncalled for.
- Too many jumpers, when you're not feeling from outside, fucking drive that shit to the hole, get your foul and hopefully sink some free throws.
- play with some heart!!! This complacent attitude the Spurs have picked up as of late is really starting to piss me off. Granted, it's January, I just don't want to fall into a pattern like this.

[spurschick]

For those of you that don't know..........

NBA Allstar is a benchmark that all NBA players dream of.


Of course it is, but the players don't decide who actually makes the team. All they can do is play their best and hope that they are recognized and rewarded.

I made the comment about Manu's votes faceciously. I don't think that Tony gives a shit about Manu's votes and, without knowing Manu personally, I have no doubt that he would like nothing more than for Tony to make the AST. I also know that Tony is smart enough to know that he won't make first team as long as Kobe is around because Kobe will always lead in fan votes. Personally, I would much rather make the team as a reserve, being recognized by the coaches. Coaches thought he should've made the team last year and, with his improved play, I have no doubt he will make the team this year.

That being said, it appears to me, and this is just my opinion, that there is, at times, a combination of our other players lacking confidence in themselves and Tony lacking some confidence in them as well. I realize that an assist depends on a bucket actually being scored, so Tony's lack of assists last night had a lot to do with our poor FGP. What's happening is everyone stops shooting, so Tony stops passing. I think that most will agree that this is not the way to win. Without Tony, our record would not be as good, but they have to find a way to get more people involved and not depend on him for scoring all the time. On nights where they limit his FGP, he needs to have a high number of assists. His teammates have to stop giving up open shots and have more confidence in themselves and each other.

[Extra Stout]

The Spurs only took 70 shots last night, and made only 12 of 24 free throws. That is why they only scored 68 points.

They only got 70 shots because Detroit murdered them on the boards.

Tony had zero assists. Interestingly, he only had one turnover. The Spurs as a team only had six turnovers. It's not as if they were sloppy with the ball.

Scoring against Detroit is hard. No penetrators had any passing lanes all night long. If you want to know why Tony had tunnel vision, that is pretty much why. They were giving him penetration and counting on help inside.

When Billups or Hamilton do that, and the help defender alters the shot, one of the Wallaces, or Prince, or McDyess is there to follow up. When Parker or Ginobili do that, Rasho is useless, Horry is too small, and Duncan has no lift.

So Detroit pays no price for allowing penetration.

If the Spurs are going to get outrebounded by 25 every time they play Detroit, then they simply will not win any games against them.

[SequSpur]

Of course it is, but the players don't decide who actually makes the team. All they can do is play their best and hope that they are recognized and rewarded.

If Tony Parker wants to be an allstar, he can decide right now. He has the talent to do it. Some players don't have the talent to be an allstar.

Players don't shoot because this team revolves around what Tim Duncan does.

The ball is supposed to go through him.

When your main guy is allegedly hurt and can't play then Coach Pop needs to come up with a different game plan or sit his ass so it will force the empowerment of the other teammates to perform instead of watching.

Remember the Wallace dunk last night? The one where Rasho pulled up a chair, popcorn and soda and watched him?

The Duncan factor.

[pache100]

Duncan is playing like a fuckin choker. Injury or not he's a no show in alot of big games this year.

That's his David Robinson imitation.

[SequSpur]

The Spurs surrendered to the Piston's defense in the fourth quarter.

The Pistons like to lock up players one on one by being physical.

If the Spurs would set a fucking screen and help each other, problem is solved.

As for rebounding? The Spurs just lack heart. They've been getting their asses kicked all year on the boards by Eastern Conference Teams.....

I guess games against the East don't count.

[travis2]

The defense was there. Detroit executed their screens well and hit shot from outside.

I saw times when someone "scored on Bowen" because Bowen got picked hard and the shooter when up immediately...no time to recover. And hit the shot.

No, the offense was just not there. At all. I saw more bricks tossed up than I've seen in a long time.

[pache100]

your blasting players here left and right. its fine to do that but its stupid if you going to suck there balls after they win a game...or a ring

I think everyone here has a right to point out when the team and its players are not playing up to their potential. We earn that right by sticking with them, whether they win or lose. I don't think anyone is better qualified to point out mistakes and lethargy than people who watch them all the time and have seen them at their best and worst. I also think, by sticking with them, no matter what, that we have the right to celebrate when they excel, too.

They are kind of like our children. When your kids screw up, you point out what they did wrong and maybe even punish them. But, that doesn't mean you don't love them anymore. And it doesn't mean you aren't going to take a picture with their trophy when they win something, either.

[abelle23]

uh.. hello...... Mcfly..........

Bowen blew ass two. The Coyote is the only one who showed up last night.

Parker was decent. Bowen blows when the other team is killing us offensively, because he sucks on offense. Duncan blows. Rasho is still a Spur somehow. Finley sucks. Pop sucks.

Manu was out of control, but shit the whole team was. There is no leadership anymore, its a fucking free for all.

yes tony was decent (o assist 1 turnover and he is the PG right?) and yeah manu out of control (hussling for the ball..playing w/ his heart..) i agree w/ ya!...