Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. San Antonio Spurs Game Blog

[spurschick]

It'll be 4pm in Paris when the game starts and we all know how much they love playing afternoon games. :sarcasm I guess it's better than playing at 9am... oh, wait... :lol

[themvp]

GO SPURS GO

they (Maccabi) want to win badly, this will be fun to watch!

p.s. my 1000th post :)

[Kori Ellis]

Hopefully Duncan doesn't realize it's 9am in San Antonio while he's playing. :lol We know how Timmy hates early games.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Hopefully Duncan doesn't realize it's 9am in San Antonio while he's playing. :lol We know how Timmy hates early games.
:lol I hate mornings too.

But i'm making an exception right now to see the new guys ...

[MaNuMaNiAc]

at what time does the game start? I mean in San Antonio

[Kori Ellis]

I went to sleep two hours ago. So I hate mornings right now too. :)

[Kori Ellis]

at what time does the game start? I mean in San Antonio

9am.

[infinite styles]

Is it going to be webcast again or just on NBATV?

[Kori Ellis]

Is it going to be webcast again or just on NBATV?

Just NBATV.

[spurschick]

I went to sleep two hours ago. So I hate mornings right now too. :)

That's not going to sleep... that's called a nap. :lol

[Kori Ellis]

That's not going to sleep... that's called a nap. :lol


Yeah I was just going to stay up til the Spurs game and not "nap" but then I realized I'd have to stay up all day because of the NFL games. Maybe I can nap at the halftimes throughout the day. :lol

[themvp]

We, fans from Europe have just that problems during the NBA season.

[infinite styles]

Just NBATV.

Damn! :depressed :madrun

[boutons_]

Spurs 23 - 6

Maccabi's body language says "We'd rather playing Hesbollah" :lol

[Clandestino]

score?

[themvp]

34-17 end of 1st

[TDMVPDPOY]

We, fans from Europe have just that problems during the NBA season.

nba games in australia are shown early in the mornin or during the day b4 lunch which is good, cose i sometimes sneak out of class to place a few bets and watch teh game at some legal gambling joint.

[TDMVPDPOY]

is there any site where i can listen to the game?

[spursparker9]

nba.com audio league pass is free for all preseason games

[spursparker9]

parker with 11 pts

[spursparker9]

39-26

[timvp]

Spurs looking pretty good so far. Overall, the team work is there already.

Melzer getting some early playing time is a good sign for him.

[Slo spurs fan]

Is Gino playing?

[themvp]

^afkors

[tp time]

Eva next to thierry Henry...

[Duncan21]

i suspect thierry was feeling a little sick this morning

[kolko]

Is Gino playing?
Yes

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Anyone know of a play by play online?

[Duncan21]

Anyone know of a play by play online?

thats what im looking for but can't find anything

[tp time]

this morning
http://www.nba.com/media/Tparker_400_061008.jpg

48-32 HT

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

NBA Leauge Pass Audio on NBA.com has it

[polandprzem]

hi

[Clandestino]

this morning
http://www.nba.com/media/Tparker_400_061008.jpg

48-32 HT

it looks like he is wearing rob's jacket..

[ploto]

My general thoughts-- I don't comment on Tim, Manu, Tony, Bruce, Horry, or Finley because I know what to expect from them.

1. I understand why Pop is so frustrated about the Beno situation because this team is in trouble if they have to rely on Vaughn as the back-up.

2. Except for Tim, the team has a still unaddressed rebounding problem.

3. Oberto has done those little things that I know he can, but I am curious as to how it will translate into starter's minutes against NBA teams night in and night out. I still believe that he will be the starter.

4. I wonder if maybe Elson played better the other game because people said he played well and I didn't see it today. He hasn't shot well and he hasn't rebounded at all. I also did not see this good defensive rotation people claimed. He looked to be roaming around in no man's land a bit.

5. I hope those fans who were all gung ho about Bonner playing so much will realize that he won't. He is just too far down the rotation.

6. I think the Spurs will hold onto Melzer.

[Clandestino]

beno is a puss

[ploto]

beno is a puss
Maybe -- but the Spurs need him to play.

[Clandestino]

what we need is to trade his injury/turnover prone ass to someone else.. not sure what we'd get, but something is better than nothing

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

Spurs lead 52-34

Parker with 19

[Duncan21]

damn tony missed a dunk

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

Spurs lead now 60-38

[Texas_Ranger]

Go Spurs Go

[themvp]

^idiot you are and you know why!

[Texas_Ranger]

^mutan!

are you.
:lol

[Texas_Ranger]

Spurs 74 - 52 Maccabi

after 3rd.

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

Spurs lead 86-69

[themvp]

Come on Spurs, save me vBookie!

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

Spurs lead 91-80 1:52 remaining

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Boner with 2 straight threes!

[RogerIsEatingASandwich]

Spurs Win 97-84

[Texas_Ranger]

Spurs 97 - 84 Maccabi

End of the game.

WAWAWIWA.

[Duncan21]

ft 97-84 spurs

^beat me to it^

[jn77]

Bonner looked decent, NBA TV called him th "Red Rocket" Not sure id it will take off here though!

[timvp]

My general thoughts-- I don't comment on Tim, Manu, Tony, Bruce, Horry, or Finley because I know what to expect from them.

1. I understand why Pop is so frustrated about the Beno situation because this team is in trouble if they have to rely on Vaughn as the back-up.

2. Except for Tim, the team has a still unaddressed rebounding problem.

3. Oberto has done those little things that I know he can, but I am curious as to how it will translate into starter's minutes against NBA teams night in and night out. I still believe that he will be the starter.

4. I wonder if maybe Elson played better the other game because people said he played well and I didn't see it today. He hasn't shot well and he hasn't rebounded at all. I also did not see this good defensive rotation people claimed. He looked to be roaming around in no man's land a bit.

5. I hope those fans who were all gung ho about Bonner playing so much will realize that he won't. He is just too far down the rotation.

6. I think the Spurs will hold onto Melzer.


1. Actually, Jacque Vaughn ran the team very well. He even showed an ability to score a little bit to keep the defense honest. Vaughn knew the plays and knew how to get the Spurs into their sets. We'll see if he can do this versus NBA talent, but after watching him this morning I have hope the Spurs can survive when Beno catches a cold or whatever.

2. Don't need to tell me about rebounding. Makes me kinda miss Nazr at times.

3. Oberto is looking nice. For some reason, Argentines play much better in their second season in the NBA. If Oberto can get defensive boards (he's a good offensive rebounder), I like him as a starter. I actually wanted him to start last season.

4. Elson is what he is. A guy who can get up and down the court quickly and stay out of the way. He's not a rebounder or a shot blocker (or much of a shooter for that matter), but he'll give effort. His weakness around the rim offensively makes it seem like Rasho never left ...

5. Looks like you spoke too soon on Bonner. In the fourth, Pop went with the regular four starters and Bonner. That's a lineup that could be pretty deadly. Bonner has been put in pick-and-rolls and with other teams unable to trap it, he should get a lot of looks. He still has a lot ot learn (like the plays and where to be defensively), but he has a chance to help.

6. Melzer looked pretty good. I like his defense and his length. Melzer or Charles Lee hopefully are kept as the 15th man.

[SenorSpur]

My general thoughts-- I don't comment on Tim, Manu, Tony, Bruce, Horry, or Finley because I know what to expect from them.

1. I understand why Pop is so frustrated about the Beno situation because this team is in trouble if they have to rely on Vaughn as the back-up.

2. Except for Tim, the team has a still unaddressed rebounding problem.

3. Oberto has done those little things that I know he can, but I am curious as to how it will translate into starter's minutes against NBA teams night in and night out. I still believe that he will be the starter.

4. I wonder if maybe Elson played better the other game because people said he played well and I didn't see it today. He hasn't shot well and he hasn't rebounded at all. I also did not see this good defensive rotation people claimed. He looked to be roaming around in no man's land a bit.

5. I hope those fans who were all gung ho about Bonner playing so much will realize that he won't. He is just too far down the rotation.

6. I think the Spurs will hold onto Melzer.

All good thoughts. Allow me to follow-on with some idle thoughts from this 2nd preseason game.

It's clear that Jacque Vaughn is an offensive liability. It's a long season, but I believe the backup PG is going to be a position that could be problematic for the Spurs this entire season. Unless somehow Beno gets his "head out of his ass" and decides to become a player.

I share your concern with the potential rebounding problem. The Spurs were terrible on the glass all of last year. There's nothing that leads me to believe their rebounding woes have been resolved. Oberto looks more comfortable, but is he the long-term answer at that slot? Other than Duncan, they don't appear to have another guy who has yet shown the ability to hit the boards consistently.

I'm curious as to how much will the smaller lineup affects Spurs vaunted defensive principles. I'm also curious to see how much will Butler, Bonner, Elson and Vaughn will contribute toward their success this season. Would have like to have seen Butler play in this game.

Finally, I'm hopeful that the Spurs don't have enough lineup versatility to combat the likes of PHX and DAL. To be able to dictate tempo against these teams.

[ploto]

1. Actually, Jacque Vaughn ran the team very well. He even showed an ability to score a little bit to keep the defense honest. Vaughn knew the plays and knew how to get the Spurs into their sets. We'll see if he can do this versus NBA talent, but after watching him this morning I have hope the Spurs can survive when Beno catches a cold or whatever.

2. Don't need to tell me about rebounding. Makes me kinda miss Nazr at times.

3. Oberto is looking nice. For some reason, Argentines play much better in their second season in the NBA. If Oberto can get defensive boards (he's a good offensive rebounder), I like him as a starter. I actually wanted him to start last season.

4. Elson is what he is. A guy who can get up and down the court quickly and stay out of the way. He's not a rebounder or a shot blocker (or much of a shooter for that matter), but he'll give effort. His weakness around the rim offensively makes it seem like Rasho never left ...

5. Looks like you spoke too soon on Bonner. In the fourth, Pop went with the regular four starters and Bonner. That's a lineup that could be pretty deadly. Bonner has been put in pick-and-rolls and with other teams unable to trap it, he should get a lot of looks. He still has a lot ot learn (like the plays and where to be defensively), but he has a chance to help.

6. Melzer looked pretty good. I like his defense and his length. Melzer or Charles Lee hopefully are kept as the 15th man.

I wrote about Vaughn after his noticeably short stint in the second quarter that resulted in a quick reinsertion of Tony. My thought is that Tony will play way too much if Vaughn is the back-up.

As for Bonner, I know he can shoot some threes in garbage time but I just don't see him getting any real chance-- like Oberto last year-- too many players in front of him and not enough minutes. Surely, you aren't suggesting Bonner will play instead of Horry at crunch time. That does not even take into account Butler-- what's the deal with him today?

A big question to me is who will even suit up for each game. If Beno ever does return, will there be a spot for Vaughn on a 12 man roster. And what about the big boys? Are the Spurs going to start the season with Butler not even in uniform?? Either Butler or Bonner will have to sit- I presume.

[ploto]

On a general game note, I thought that for all the players they lost, that Maccabi Tel Aviv still did some nice things. Remember the talk about Vujcic this summer?

[Leetonidas]

Nevermind, I scrolled over it.

Awesome, Spurs are actually winning in the preseason for once. :lol

[SequSpur]

Outside of Duncan, Parker, Finley and Ginobili, the Spurs blow.

Vaughn sucks, can't shoot, will be left unguarded so his man can double tim or Manu...

Elson straight up blows, can't rebound, can't play defense, can't do anything but run and dunk... wtf is that?

Bonner, no comment, what a waste of money....

Oberto looks great against euro teams, but in the NBA, he will be used...

Will Smith needs to retire and go back to the theater.

Brent Barry needs to go skateboard or something.

Those other guys have no clue...

Oh well, another 60 win season and get bounced by the real teams.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Start:
Oberto
Duncan
Bruce
Manu
Tony
Constantly switch Barry to PG and SF so Vaughn shares it with him, Manu and Finley share time, Bruce, Brent, and Eric rotate, Bonner plays but put Horry in the 4th or when we we are down by a lot, and Oberto and Elson share the center spot. I don't think Butler is gonna be on the active roster. Trade Udrih for a 1st round pick and send that pick to Europe to develop and be a star. :smokin
C Oberto/Elson
PF Duncan/Bonner/Horry
SF Bruce/Eric/Barry
SG Manu/Finley
PG Tony/Vaughn/Barry

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

SeguSpur=wasted post.

[Leetonidas]

Has Eric Williams played yet?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Yea. I don't remember his stats, but I remember he had a badass 3-point play with a jumpshot off the backboard.

[loveforthegame]

Thanks for all the recaps and observations on the players.

Is there a boxscore available yet? I looked around some but couldn't find one.

[SLOVENIAN 8]

Ah Maccabi is not the same than 2 jears ago , so no big deal....

[angel_luv]

Judging from the part of it I was able to hear- the last eight minutes of the third quarter- it sounded like a great game.

Go boys! :)

[Kori Ellis]

Has Eric Williams played yet?

I thought he was injured and in street clothes today.

[Leetonidas]

I thought he was injured and in street clothes today.

Gracias.

[angel_luv]

Did I hear correctly on the radio that Oberto had ten rebounds?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I thought essayspur meant in both games. That's why I said yes. My bad. And Oberto had nine to exact along with 9 points. But that's still shows why he should be our starter. :smokin

[Lady M]

alamo50 posting from LadyM's crib in Paris:

I was stunned to experience how silent the french crowd was.
Come on, it's their only chance to support the team they love and they don't make noise!
Only when the Coyote played a noise game with them in the 4th quarter they showed that the roof could come down. Just not during the game.
Maybe because it wasn't a close game or because most people there only know Tony?

I tried to get the "GO SPURS GO" chant going, but got some weird looks from the peope seaed around me.
Oh well, it was great to see the men in silver and black again and I can't wait for the srason to start and for me to return to San Antonio for the playoffs.

Nice to finaly meet you Streaky!
I hope your mother will feel better soon.

Au revoir from Paris......

[remingtonbo2001]

Give BEANS a break....He'll be fine....Why, as Spurs fans, are we in a constant worry mode....We must have nothing better to do....COM'N....The Spurs will be VICTOROUS this year.....Don't ask me why, it's just the way the UNIVERSE works....Ask GOD, I didn't create it, I just live in it...

[Admidave50]

alamo50 posting from LadyM's crib in Paris:

I was stunned to experience how silent the french crowd was.
Come on, it's their only chance to support the team they love and they don't make noise!
Only when the Coyote played a noise game with them in the 4th quarter they showed that the roof could come down. Just not during the game.
Maybe because it wasn't a close game or because most people there only know Tony?

I tried to get the "GO SPURS GO" chant going, but got some weird looks from the peope seaed around me.
Oh well, it was great to see the men in silver and black again and I can't wait for the srason to start and for me to return to San Antonio for the playoffs.

Nice to finaly meet you Streaky!
I hope your mother will feel better soon.

Au revoir from Paris......

Man, 1/3 of the crowd were rooting for the fucking Macabi!
There are so many people from Israel in Paris and so many at this game (98€ - 144€ for the seat), there was really little people from the Black community!

Which was shocking is that they booed Tim or other players during there fts! wtf!

Alamo, were you wearing a Black Drob jersey, black cap and have a Spurs tatoo on your left arm?

I think I was one row behind u! :lol

[Streakyshooter08]

Okay... I will post this in both threads because there might be some interest about it. It was a really great game. It was fun seeing the Spurs again after 1999. I have a lot of photos but no webspace, so I probably won't post them. Here some short things.

- Beno looked really pissed and had a chat with some Maccabi Officials before the game

- R.C. Buford was there and talked to Simas Jasaitis after the game, a 6'7 SF I wonder if they are interested in him, he played very well

- Sam Presti was there as well (I have pics of him an R.C.)

- Eva was there, sitting next to Thierry Henry

- Tony played great (the missed dunk was hilarious though), Tim and Manu are not there yet but showed what they are able to do over streches

- Williams did not dress

- Bonner and Vaughn might be valueable to the team; Bonner was effective running the pic and roll and he shoots really well

- It was really nice meeting alamo50 :)

So it was a wonderfull weekend. I wish I could come to SA as well but it is too expensive for me. I hope all who have been there had a nice time as well.

Greetings from Paris.

Streaky :)

[Lady M]

alamo50 posting from LadyM's crib in Paris:


Alamo, were you wearing a Black Drob jersey, black cap and have a Spurs tatoo on your left arm?

I think I was one row behind u! :lol

YES OFCOURSE THAT WAS ME ADMIDAVE!!!
Damn, I wish you would have introduced yourself man.....

[Admidave50]

alamo50 posting from LadyM's crib in Paris:



YES OFCOURSE THAT WAS ME ADMIDAVE!!!
Damn, I wish you would have introduced yourself man.....

I saw you first before the game outside but I wasn't sure, you were not exactly the same as on the picture I saw on the other thread!

You were with a few people and I almost shouted ALAMO a few times, finally I convinced myself that you were not the right guy... lol :depressed

In the stadium, I was next to the gf of the game who kept shouting "DEFENSE" in french and was kind of annoying... I'm sure you noticed that guy! :elephant

[Horry For 3!]

Oberto did well on the boards today.

[phyzik]

Im still waiting for a report from Europe on how Macabbi is so stunned they lost... I mean, they DID beat the Raptors... Cause when I think NBA, I immediately think of The Raptors!! :angel

[boutons_]

France has 600K Jews vs 6M Arabs, so there is huge connection between Israel and Fench Jews. France has the largest Jewish population of any European country.

The unpunished harassment of Jews by Arabs has caused quite a number of French Jews to immigrate to Israel.

Maccabi having a large contingent of French/Israeli fans is no surprise.

[Mr. Body]

The unpunished harassment of Jews by Arabs has caused quite a number of French Jews have immigrated to Israel.

I'm sure. :rolleyes

[phyzik]

France has 600K Jews vs 6M Arabs, so there is huge connection between Israel and Fench Jews. France has the largest Jewish population of any European country.

The unpunished harassment of Jews by Arabs has caused quite a number of French Jews have immigrated to Israel.

Maccabi having a large contingent of French/Israeli fans is no surprise.

waits for Mouse to come in with his George Bush alias and make a stupid, but funny, comment about that post

:corn:

[pppp]

Oh come on...... :wtf

As a french I can't stand such clueless statements


France has 600K Jews vs 6M Arabs, so there is huge connection between Israel and Fench Jews. France has the largest Jewish population of any European country.

You do know that :
- Being jew = religion
- Being "Arab" = ethnicity

Not all "arabs" (as you say) are muslim, do you know that? And there's "arab" jews (not much, but there are some..). And there's also quite a number of black (sub-sahara africa), asian (Pakistan, etc.) muslims as well....Moreover, the vast majority of those 6M "arabs" are french nationals...


The unpunished harassment of Jews by Arabs has caused quite a number of French Jews have immigrated to Israel.

:rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes
Way of over-simplifying (I don't know if that word exists...) things!

There has been problems between the communities (ie. cocktail molotov on jewish school, etc.), so the problem does exist. But the scale of these issues are way overrated in the US.

It reminds me of the french riots in 2005 : I live in Paris and when I watched CNN, they made it look like it was iraq out there... :lol :lol

[boutons_]

"You do know that :
- Being jew = religion
- Being "Arab" = ethnicity"

Being Jew doesn't mean practicing Jewish religion. Jews in France are mostly ethnic Sephardim from N. Africa. (non-Muslim) Ethnic Arabs are the huge problem in France, and worse when they are radicalized Muslims.

"There has been problems between the communities"

Huge understatement, and made by a Frenchie who doesn't have many, any?, Jewish friends in France.

Jewish kids are harassed, traumatized every day from/to school by Arab kids (and racist French). The occasional Molotov cocktails at Jewish establishments makes the news, but the much more widespreead and frequent harassment of Jews by Arab youths doesn't. Jewish parents advise their kids not to wear yarmulkas or any outward sign of Jewishness. Complaints by Jews to the police don't stop the harassment by Arabs.

Yes, most of the 6M Arabs in France are French nationals, and is also where the Arab youth unemployment rate is twice the very high ethnic French/white youth unemployment rate. Easily radicalized by clerics, respecting nobody and nothing, easliy living lives of crime because they can't get jobs, have weak/no education (Arab culture in France doesn't place a high value on education because many of the adult population are uneducated manual laborers), profiled/harassed by the police, terrorizing "les cites" and "les banlieues", yearly riots, etc, etc.

Do you deny that there has been a wave of Jews (all French nationals) that has immigrated to Israel for a better quality of life for their kids, to avoid harassment by Arab France?

In my visit in France, the "Arab problem" and French/Arab is a huge concern driving French people's insecurity and major drag on French life. "SOS Racisme" was founded what? 25 years ago? The French/Arab is not a new problem and has been steadily getting worse since the early 1980s.

Watch the security issue be, yet again, a huge issue in the Royale/Sarkozy presidential race.

btw, do you vote National Front? :lol

[pppp]

Being Jew doesn't mean practicing Jewish religion. Jews in France are mostly ethnic Sephardim from N. Africa. (non-Muslim) Ethnic Arabs are the huge problem in France, and worse when they are radicalized Muslims.
Hmm...sorry but No.
being jew = being muslim= being christian = religion

In France there's "sépharate" (sorry I don't know the english word) jews from northern africa and "ashkenaze" (idem) jews from eastern europe....

And "ethnic arabs" are a "problem" only to people who don't (won't ?) accept them...


"There has been problems between the communities"

Huge understatement, and made by a Frenchie who doesn't have many, any?, Jewish friends in France.
You don't wanna go there.... :lol I live in the "Sentier" district in Paris..

But even that's irrelevant because that argument leads nowhere. what does it prove?

As a minority myself, I know that closet racists trying to convince me that in fact they aren't racist always tell me "Look, I know that many jews/muslims/etc...so I'm not racist". Sorry, but it just isn't an argument to me...:jack

What you wanna do, compare the numbers of jewish friends we have ? :rolleyes

Jewish kids are harassed, traumatized every day from/to school by Arab kids (and racist French). The occasional Molotov cocktails at Jewish establishments makes the news, but the much more widespreead and frequent harassment of Jews by Arab youths doesn't. Jewish parents advise their kids not to wear yarmulkas or any outward sign of Jewishness. Complaints by Jews to the police don't stop the harassment by Arabs.
no comment...I agree there's a problem but that's way overstating things...

It's true the situation has become more tense since the last intifada, and french jews do feel more insecure (and they have reasons to feel that way), but what you describe just doesn't represent fairly what happens really.

Don't trust the 20 sec. sequence on international news you have every week on American TV...

Yes, most of the 6M Arabs in France are French nationals, and is also where the Arab youth unemployment rate is twice the very high ethnic French/white youth unemployment rate. Easily radicalized by clerics, respecting nobody and nothing, easliy living lives of crime because they can't get jobs, have weak/no education (Arab culture in France doesn't place a high value on education because many of the adult population are uneducated manual laborers), profiled/harassed by the police, terrorizing "les cites" and "les banlieues", yearly riots, etc, etc.
:wtf :wtf
Man, there's so much inaccurate things in what you say that I won't adress them all, It would take all day.

You just don't know what you're talking about. Again, Don't trust the 20 sec. sequence on international news you have every week on American TV... It ain't that simple.

I'm just gonna say this : no generalizations (?) please.

I happen to come from the suburbs (cités) you're describing - I'm french, but my parents came from Africa - so I'm aware of the situation of minorities in France. But the description you're making of the "cités" is just full of clichés, and in fact...ridiculous (sorry, but it is).

And FYI, there's not only "arabs" in the cités (there's also "caucasian frenchs", blacks, asians,...christians, muslims, jews,etc.). And not all "arabs" are the same you know.

Do you deny that there has been a wave of Jews (all French nationals) that has immigrated to Israel for a better quality of life for their kids, to avoid harassment by Arab France?
I don't. Many jews considered the move.

But saying that there's been a wave is way exagerating the phenomenon. I'm too lazy to look for / post the actual figures, but I can garantee that.

And by the way, I'm not too sure about the "better quality of life for their kids" they may get in Israel right now.... :rolleyes

In my visit in France, the "Arab problem" and French/Arab is a huge concern driving French people's insecurity and major drag on French life. "SOS Racisme" was founded what? 25 years ago? The French/Arab is not a new problem and has been steadily getting worse since the early 1980s.
Linking insecurity with "arabs" or "immigration" is the problem to me. I mean what kind of simplification is this ? so if you drive all the arabs out of france there won't be insecurity anymore ?? :nope

The real issue here is the place of french nationals of african origin within french society, and it's too big an issue to be discussed here.

And what has "SOS Racisme" to do with all this ? It's an organisation created to fight all kinds of racism (or antisemitism...)

Watch the security issue be, yet again, a huge issue in the Royale/Sarkozy presidential race.
You got that right. The "security" issue sure will be at the center of the presidential race.

btw, do you vote National Front? :lol
What ??? :wtf

I'm black man....:lol

Do you know what the FN is ? They're not really "black friendly" you know

They basically consider that all the problems in France are caused by the "immigrés" (arabs, blacks..in fact everyone that aren't white) and want to strip them from their french nationality and expel them from france....

And they aren't "jew friendly" also, their leader being famous for his jokes about the "crematory furnaces" in the extermination camps or for considering the Holocaust as just a "detail" of the 2nd World War....He also said that the Nazi occupation of France was "not so bad"...

Sorry, but don't act like a french politics specialist when it's clear you don't really know what you're talking about...

[mathbzh]

Nice post pppp! I still don't understand how this thread get to that political questions but as a white french guy living in Paris, I confirm your impressions.
Racism and interreligious tensions exist in France. Powerty and security issues also.

These questions are really complicated, have a lot to do with french history (colonialism, slavery, WW2,...), have a lot to to with sociologic issues, have a lot to do with... everything. So you can't put all the fears in the mix and jump to definitive conclusions.

Does americans tried to explain terrorism with 1992 LA riots?

[Solid D]

Although political and religious aspects cannot be ignored, I'll take this back to basketball which is the primary subject in this thread. It is well-known, particularly in Europe, that Maccabi has some of the most loyal fans. They are treated like a national team and on Thursday nights, or any time they play, a high percentage of households are watching Maccabi. Fans save up their money and travel to see the Yellows play wherever the games are played.

Maccabi has some excellent outside shooters but Arnold was the only player who showed any inside presence. He was impressive in his footwork and confidence in the post. Yaniv Green just could not handle Duncan. Vujcic is a very good player and he was money from the outside but that's his strength. They really miss Anthony Parker's playmaking, slashing and scoring. No Maceo Baston to rely on.

I was impressed with Lior Eliyahu's offensive game. If he can learn to play defense and bulk up a bit more, then the Houston Rockets will be pleased with him if they ever do sign him. Jasaitis is a very good player and he has excellent touch from the outside, even making some tightly contested shots.

The Spurs played some pretty decent defense in the first half of this game. After Bowen let Rodney Buford slip behind him for the alley-oop dunk, he tightened things up and defended very well. The Spurs also played over the screens very well and when they switched, recovery was good. I hope that trend continues as they meet up with NBA teams.

Noticeable plusses:
* Ginobili and Oberto chemistry. Flow and tempo is very good with them in there together. I think it may have been a real plus for them to start out playing together in the Spurs system in Europe. It may just provide a perfect transition from their FIBA WC tournament style of play last month to the NBA rules and mindset.

* Matt Bonner found his shooting touch. He got 10 points in like what? 2 minutes? He looked more comfortable in the offense. Now he just needs to get the defense down, now... as it was rather unremarkable.

* Timmy isn't deferring as much. That's a noticeable plus.

* Elson is the new Kevin Willis on the fast break. Let's hope he doesn't get as many illegal screens called as Kevin used to get (or as many as Nazr for that matter).

* Jacque Vaughn can actually make a shot. Even though it was a layup, it was in traffic.

* Tony Parker is hustling for rebounds. He frequently moved to the FT line/top of key area when shots went up, and got defensive rebounds, a la Jason Kidd. It's amazing how many caroms end up in that area, if the Spurs PGs would actually go there first instead of watching.

[pppp]

These questions are really complicated
Thanks, that was my point exactly : these are really complicated issues. You can't adress them with bold, definitive statements.

Anyway sorry for going off topic.

On topic

Ginobili and Oberto chemistry. Flow and tempo is very good with them in there together. I think it may have been a real plus for them to start out playing together in the Spurs system in Europe. It may just provide a perfect transition from their FIBA WC tournament style of play last month to the NBA rules and mindset.
I agree, Oberto looked good. He looked like his old self. His combo with Ginobili is an asset.

[Kori Ellis]

After Bowen let Rodney Buford slip behind him for the alley-oop dunk, he tightened things up and defended very well.

LJ and I were replaying that sequence late last night. Bowen lost Buford for a second and actually confused him with the ref :lol stepping out to the direction where the ref was as Buford slipped behind him for the alley-oop. Replay it if you have it on tape, it's very funny when Bowen realizes that he messed up.

[Slomo]

pppp welcome to the board, nice first posts.

Thanks for reverting back to basketball - there's a pretty active political forum on this board where you can debate those issues at heart's will.

:tu

[pppp]

pppp welcome to the board, nice first posts.

Thanks for reverting back to basketball - there's a pretty active political forum on this board where you can debate those issues at heart's will.

:tu

Thanks.
This board sure is the best.
From now, I'll debate political issues in the dedicated sections :p

[ducks]

http://www.nba.com/games/20061008/SASTEL/boxscore.html?nav=scoreboardhome

[TwoHandJam]

Some random thoughts on the game:

- I liked Melzer's length but he definitely seemed nervous out there, especially when he threw that backcourt pass. It's hard to judge him on a couple of games but he didn't look like he could beat guys off the dribble if he was forced to and his outside shot looked suspect. He has the tools to be a Bowen replacement I think but it looks like his game needs work.

Duncan looked awesome. Maybe it's just me but his lateral quickness seems much improved. I don't know if this is due to his improved lower body strength or just that I can't remember how fast he was before his plantar fasciitis last year. It still bothers me that he seems to be the only one who can get rebounds in traffic. Rebounding is going to be a problem for us again this year :depressed . Can Oberto not jump or does he always prefer to tip defensive boards to another teammate?

- On the previous note, Oberto's defense looked very good and he has a knack for positioning on the offensive glass. He's always cutting and gets a lot of his points from just being in the right place at the right time. It's clear he has synergy with Manu.

- Elson can run like the wind but the rest of his game is mediocre. He seems to have the tools to defend well when he wants to though and has good lateral quickness. The Spurs are definitely trying to push the tempo when he's in the game (and overall for that matter). He seems to have good hands which is a plus. I noticed he could handle drives where our guards shoveled passed to him in traffic.

- Tony looks as good as I remember and his shot is starting to look really good. If he can shoot around 45% from the outside he will truly be unguardable. The only thing that bothers me about his game lately (even from last year) is that he either has tunnel vision on the break or gets greedy sometimes. A lot of times when he's on the break and has a numbers advantage with his teammates, he won't pass the rock for a guaranteed basket to a trailing big man or another wing player- preferring to try and draw contact for an and-1.

I don't like this strategy because 1) It's selfish and 2) It's not smart basketball to give up a virtually uncontested shot for a contested one and gamble that you'll get a 3 point play. Outside of this one complaint though, TP's game looks solid.

-It's a blessing in disguise that Barry finally gets to play some backup point. This is definitely the position he should play whenever possible.

- Vaughn controls the tempo well but needs at least one position where he can hit an outside shot.

- Finley looked great. He doesn't get many touches but he makes the most of the ones he does. His shot still looks pure.

[Solid D]

Good comments THJ. Regarding Oberto, I do think that some of his rebounds that are tips are due to a lack of position or height on his jumps, but some of them are simply efficiency. Tips count as rebounds, whether they are on a shot or as a pass and they certainly accomplish the task in a speedy fashion.

Regarding Parker, I agree that since Game 1 last season, Tony has been taking the ball to the basket more often. I think it's a product of his increased aggressiveness and Pop's encouragement to be that way. I think TP took a few extra opportunities to score instead of pass in the games played in France...but I think it's in his charter now. He's gotten so good at finishing shots, some of them in the unbelievable category, that as soon Tony starts showing he's got energy left in the 4th quarters of games, TP will join Tim and Manu in closing out games with the ball in his hands.

[boutons_]

"in his charter now"

I think Tony is scoring too much. His newly demonstrated efficiency and "next level" in driving is wonderful, but Tony doesn't win games, the Spurs win games.

I think he needs to balance his personal scoring efforts with more play making, involving more guys in the game, letting more guys touch the ball, which is extremely invigoratring, investing the others guys more fully in every possession.

[TwoHandJam]

Good comments THJ.
Thank you. I enjoyed your synopsis as well. Actually I usually enjoy your posts.


Regarding Oberto, I do think that some of his rebounds that are tips are due to a lack of position or height on his jumps, but some of them are simply efficiency. Tips count as rebounds, whether they are on a shot or as a pass and they certainly accomplish the task in a speedy fashion. Agreed, but I feel tip outs are less of a "sure thing" than a simple rebound. Sometimes the receiving player isn't expecting it or fumbles it. Other times an opposing player can get a hand on it or deflect it.


Regarding Parker, I agree that since Game 1 last season, Tony has been taking the ball to the basket more often. I think it's a product of his increased aggressiveness and Pop's encouragement to be that way. I think TP took a few extra opportunities to score instead of pass in the games played in France...but I think it's in his charter now. He's gotten so good at finishing shots, some of them in the unbelievable category, that as soon Tony starts showing he's got energy left in the 4th quarters of games, TP will join Tim and Manu in closing out games with the ball in his hands.
I can see where it was necessary for TP to pick up the scoring load last year but I hope that won't be the case this year. I agree he can finish very well in traffic but why take that risk if you don't have to? I'm a big proponent of rewarding a big man running the floor or getting a teammate involved who has a better look at a sure 2 points.

[lrrr]

What has impressed me most about the Spurs so far is their attitude towards the games (even preseason/exhibition games).

"Spurs coach Gregg Popovich treated both games as if they counted in the standings, primarily playing his regular rotation.

"While the Spurs are still getting in sync, Popovich looked like he was already in regular-season form. He barked at Parker early in the game for throwing a no-look pass that was batted out of bounds. After an ensuing shot-clock violation, Popovich yelled at his starters to remove their heads from their rears then called a timeout and ripped them some more."

To me, this is a huge improvement in attitude from last year, where they seemed to lack any type of urgency or fire, hence the coasting in back to back's, and Pop's statement that it was "more important to be healthy" at the end of the regular season than to be winning more games. Bullsh*t.

I think he has realized the error in his ways and will push the team. it sounds like they will be pushing themselves this season too. Their dissappointing finish last year was more to do with a lax attitude during the regular season than the lack of "bigs" in the Dallas series. Two seasons ago, they almost always found a way to win close games, despite playing small agains PHX. That ability is not due to talent alone, it's a result of being sharp. And sharpening takes time and a sense of urgency.

[Kori Ellis]

I think he needs to balance his personal scoring efforts with more play making, involving more guys in the game, letting more guys touch the ball, which is extremely invigoratring, investing the others guys more fully in every possession.

I'm sure he'll do that this season. Last season he was asked to score first and foremost by Pop, even to shoot up to 25 times a game. This year hopefully Tim/Manu stay healthy and we can see more balance.

[T Park]

You can see the team has potential.

Its just a question of if it comes together.

This team is probobly the biggest unknown since 99.


Elson to me at least, seems like a combo of Rasho's shooting and good hands, but Nazr's running ability.

Butler? Seems like a combo of Nazr's inside game and toughness.

Bonner seems like a to the second power version of Danny Ferry.


Vaughn could be another vet backup that is actually worth a crap, in that he can defend very well.