2/27/07 Pop Show coming up on the Ticket.

[steppy]

Coach Pop will be on the Ticket in a few minutes. Just a heads up.

[Budkin]

Thanks, I'm tuned in online...

[steppy]

Don asked about turning the corner. Pop said that they're playing more consistent and better defensively. Thinks the players are meshing well. JV is giving a boost and Elson is figure things out.

Pop talked about mental errors and how they've ironed things out by watching tape, practicing and so on.

Manu coming off the bench is still a up-in-the-air thing. Pop is going to keep on monitoring how it works out. (I'd say it's working rather well.)

Joked about Rasho and how well he did.

Talked about Manu's minutes will be more in the 4th typically. He wants Manu's energy in the second half more so than the first.

Pop agreed with Vex that this is the best the Spurs have played all year. Sharing ball well, pushing it up more and defense are all better.

Caller asked about Manu's improvement. Pop attributed it to his aggresiveness and that he's a better player this way.

Pop commented on Livingston's injury. He wished he hadn't seen it. Pop felt that the MRI will tell the whole story.

Pop admitted that he thinks he needs to get Ely on the floor to see what he has but is a little concerned about seeding. Pop said he's a quick study but will have a hard time learning the whole system. Ely is working hard to get in shape on his own. Pop liked his touch/shot and it is better than he thought it was.

Caller asked about Finley. Asked about his attitude since he's have a rough time. Pop said he's positive and puts in a lot of work. Pop also thinks he's playing little better lately.

Don asked about Nash, Dirk and Kobe MVP race. Pop would go with Dirk. (My comment: REJOICE MAV FANS! ) Dirk has progressed every year, best team, etc.

Don asked about Bargnani (sp?) and Pop thinks he has a significant upside.

Emailer asked about Scottie Pippen. Pop again stated that this is the group they're going with from here until the end of the season.

Caller asked about Dallas and playoffs. Asked specifically about Mavs bigmen and how mobile they are. Pop thinks the Spur match up well with them. Playoffs are an unknown thing according to Pop and it's not wise to look past the 1st round.

Pop will throw different looks at guarding Dirk. It won't be one matchup...ie Elson, Oberto...

Vex asked about Miller and Mavs but Pop stated that the Spurs will just try to play their game.

Pop thinks the experience and ability to make some shots still helps some of the older players like Pippen or Miller and they might surprise people.

Emailer asked about James White and how he's disappointed he doesn't see playing time during garbage time. Pop stated he's part of the program and continues to learn. No room for him right now and it's hard to predict 30 point wins for White to play.

Don asked about what keeps ultra-athletic people from succeeding in the NBA. Stated players need to be able to translate that to a 5 man game. Free throw line, between the leg dunking is great but team contributions are better.

Walter asked about Rob and if Pop looks for anything from him. Specifially that Rob sleeps around during the season and if there were any signs Rob is starting to show up. :lol Pop agreed that he is waking up around now and that's a good thing.

Question e-mailed in by our own Taco about preference of back to back formats. Pop thinks all back to backs are the same. Whether it's home and away, home and home, away and home or away and away.

Caller ribbed Pop about AF Academy losses. They all joked for the rest of the show about the AF and boosters and them flying commercial. Nothing important.

[Kori Ellis]

Thanks steppy - that was a great recap.

[Budkin]

Nice recap steppy!

[steppy]

Thanks! :toast

[Hoy]

:reading

Good job, steppy.

[usckk]

Thanks dude!

[RC's Boss]

Hell I don't need to listen to that annoying laughter now! Preciate cha'!