Phenomanul
11-08-2004, 06:55 PM
I know last night's game has been analyzed and over-analyzed to death...
But then CIA Pop came to mind....could last night's performance been purposefully designed??? I myself highly doubt it and readily accept the fact that it was a bad game...end of story (life will continue). Not to mention the Sonics played exceedingly well and aggresively on both ends of the court... something the Spurs, Manu being the exception, did not.
Pop probably doesn't like receiving too much national attention so early in the season... and so.... if you think about the oddness of Tim's performance last night could they have been in cahoots...?? Tim was mis-timing most of his rebounds, fumbling the ball in "his favorite" spot - the left elbow, and letting the likes of Fortson, Evans and James get the best of him....I mean he was playing like it was his first NBA game -- as a 6'-11'' 4th grader....
Could Pop have told Tim not to bring his "A" game so that the outcome would motivate the team to continue to work on their game and to not assume that the games will be handed to them simply by bringing their "B" game.... I mean it was the Sonics, someone we know we don't have to fear... or worse... let them think they have an edge over us (that optimistic mentality is dangerous enough in the playoffs... but since no one sees the Sonics making the playoffs... and it's early in the season... why not make a point now and ensure that your players continue to work and develop their skills.)
Pop knows, like Jackson did with the Lakers, that these sort of teams will drop their intensity because they feel that "when they want to win... they can turn 'it' on." Pop wants them bringing their "A" game to every game...period... no letting down. Just to drive the point home he gives his mid-season "the team was soft" speech -- as described by the Whott post. He further embellishes his crafty design by stating to the national media that his team has been playing with arrogance....
I tell you one thing... the Warriors need to watch out because every Spur will bring their "A" game on Wednesday (Tim will miraculously be himself again)... that is until they start to feel they are the league's shiznit once again.... and Pop has to design another 'failure' (i.e. wakeup-call) to get them working hard again.
Don't take this as a shot to Pop's integrity... look at it more from the perspective that he is doing what it takes in order to guarantee that his team will work -- and gel --- throughout the season.
But then CIA Pop came to mind....could last night's performance been purposefully designed??? I myself highly doubt it and readily accept the fact that it was a bad game...end of story (life will continue). Not to mention the Sonics played exceedingly well and aggresively on both ends of the court... something the Spurs, Manu being the exception, did not.
Pop probably doesn't like receiving too much national attention so early in the season... and so.... if you think about the oddness of Tim's performance last night could they have been in cahoots...?? Tim was mis-timing most of his rebounds, fumbling the ball in "his favorite" spot - the left elbow, and letting the likes of Fortson, Evans and James get the best of him....I mean he was playing like it was his first NBA game -- as a 6'-11'' 4th grader....
Could Pop have told Tim not to bring his "A" game so that the outcome would motivate the team to continue to work on their game and to not assume that the games will be handed to them simply by bringing their "B" game.... I mean it was the Sonics, someone we know we don't have to fear... or worse... let them think they have an edge over us (that optimistic mentality is dangerous enough in the playoffs... but since no one sees the Sonics making the playoffs... and it's early in the season... why not make a point now and ensure that your players continue to work and develop their skills.)
Pop knows, like Jackson did with the Lakers, that these sort of teams will drop their intensity because they feel that "when they want to win... they can turn 'it' on." Pop wants them bringing their "A" game to every game...period... no letting down. Just to drive the point home he gives his mid-season "the team was soft" speech -- as described by the Whott post. He further embellishes his crafty design by stating to the national media that his team has been playing with arrogance....
I tell you one thing... the Warriors need to watch out because every Spur will bring their "A" game on Wednesday (Tim will miraculously be himself again)... that is until they start to feel they are the league's shiznit once again.... and Pop has to design another 'failure' (i.e. wakeup-call) to get them working hard again.
Don't take this as a shot to Pop's integrity... look at it more from the perspective that he is doing what it takes in order to guarantee that his team will work -- and gel --- throughout the season.