Round 1, Game 1: Spurs vs Nuggets Official Game Blog Thread

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

1999...2003...2005

We lost opening games at home ; and we played horrible in those games >>>>>>> Wake-up call, Spurs'ego hurt, Spurs are pissed off, win championship


I mean this in the nicest way possible, but you are stupid.

[ATXSPUR]

So what now?

[lefty]

As much as like criticizing TP, it wasn't his fault tonight ; Timmy was awful ; Manu wasn't Manu ; TP wasn't that bad

But TP's time is gonna be versus Phoenix ; he is usually brilliant against them

[pad300]

Ivo: 11/16 after he started 0/6 btw.

How the fuck did he manage that - he somehow hit a shot so good that it erased one of his misses?

[lefty]

I mean this in the nicest way possible, but you are stupid.

You are going to eat your words come June, donkey

[ALVAREZ6]

:ttiwwp:

[rocyaice]

Letting both AI and Melo hit 30 is inexcusable.


Well its to be expected. They average 55 together. Though they've only scored 30 plus each twice i'm not really too upset about them because they're both superstars. But Camby and Hilario on the boards has got to be fixed.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Yup, we need Tim and Manu to play.

And we need one of AI/Melo to have 20, not 30.

[T Park]

This is also on pop in another way.

Why would you think Finley, or Ginobili can stop either AI or Melo?

WTF happened to shut em down, put Bowen on em??

WTF?!?!

Come on, if you want offense, tell Manu to pull his head out of his ass, and drive.

[Tek_XX]

Is Tim afraid to take it inside. He's always looking to pass the ball and it's obvious that that is what he wants to do. Not to hard to defend.

[Gerryatrics]

Now we just have to wait and see what adjustments Pop comes up with...

Oh oh...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Oh, and we need to play some motion offence and stop standing around with our thumbs up our asses.

[T Park]

Well its to be expected. They average 55 together. Though they've only scored 30 plus each twice i'm not really too upset about them because they're both superstars. But Camby and Hilario on the boards has got to be fixed.

aint gonna fix the rebounding, so you better hope AI or Melo slow down.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Oh well, see y'all for game 2.

[tlongII]

The Spurs are in deep caca. This Nuggets team is much better than the one in 05. They match up very well with the Spurs.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

You are going to eat your words come June, donkey

In June I will be playing golf, just like this team if they don't get their shit together.

[Phonzie20]

Sorry guys

[Udrihlooms]

As much as like criticizing TP, it wasn't his fault tonight ; Timmy was awful ; Manu wasn't Manu ; TP wasn't that bad

But TP's time is gonna be versus Phoenix ; he is usually brilliant against them

Forget phoenix, if we don't get out of Denver, we'll never be seeing those suns.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

This is also on pop in another way.

Why would you think Finley, or Ginobili can stop either AI or Melo?

WTF happened to shut em down, put Bowen on em??

WTF?!?!

Come on, if you want offense, tell Manu to pull his head out of his ass, and drive.

Bowen needs to be on Iverson. One of those other guys has to check, or at least limit, Anthony.

Pop went with Tony on AI, which pretty much gave AI free reign. Small, quick guys don't bother Iverson at all. You have to put some length on him (like Bowen).

Pop didn't figure it out all night long. Dumbass.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The Spurs are in deep caca. This Nuggets team is much better than the one in 05. They match up very well with the Spurs.

Agreed. This series will go 7, and I'm not sure we'll win it.

They were too quick and too good on the boards for us tonight. We might have to do something crazy like play James White to even have a chance...

[Bruno]

This loss is on the big 3.

Duncan+Manu+TP : 42 points with 52 shots taken.

Melo+AI : 61 points with 40 shots taken.

[Tek_XX]

This is also on pop in another way.

Why would you think Finley, or Ginobili can stop either AI or Melo?

WTF happened to shut em down, put Bowen on em??

WTF?!?!

Come on, if you want offense, tell Manu to pull his head out of his ass, and drive.

It's not a suprise that we lose these first games. Pop needs the other team to show their hand before he can draw up a game plan.

[T Park]

Bowen needs to be on Iverson. One of those other guys has to check, or at least limit, Anthony.

Pop went with Tony on AI, which pretty much gave AI free reign. Small, quick guys don't bother Iverson at all. You have to put some length on him (like Bowen).




bowens on him in the first quarter.

he goes 0-6.

Hmmmmmm

I don't see a corralation here :lol

[aaronstampler]

Manu took 3 whole shots in the 2nd half. Usually when they're down in the 4th, they go to him. Today they tried going to Duncan and we had a bunch of turnovers. We killed ourselves with turnovers in the 2nd half and the defense on Iverson and Melo wasn't good at all.

That's mainly on Finley, Parker and Bruce. Except for a little stretch in the 2nd when Manu was on Melo, he almost never guarded either of them.

I don't think it does anything to single out one guy above the rest in a lost. All three of our stars played a subpar game and Pop had no idea what he was doing.

[Clutch20]

JVaughn jacked Manu's personality. Hopefully he'll give it back to him before next game.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Oh, and we need to play some motion offence and stop standing around with our thumbs up our asses.

Agreed. Second to Pop's bonehead decision to guard Iverson with Parker, his second worst tactical decision was all the pick and roll and iso ball on offense.

But Pop's been stubborn about playoff offense for years now, can't change the spots on an offensively challenged head coach.

[lefty]

In June I will be playing golf, just like this team if they don't get their shit together.

I'm sure u were very optimistic in 2005 too

Don't worry ; we know they can play much better than that ; we played really bad the whole game, and It wasn't a blowout ; there is no reason to panic

[ALVAREZ6]

Melo can shoot over anyone



AI draws fouls and can't be stopped by the ring around the rosie method



The Spurs can't shoot worth a fuck




Marcus Camby has dingleberries on his face

[T Park]

It's not a suprise that we lose these first games. Pop needs the other team to show their hand before he can draw up a game plan

Yeah.

But, they showed their hand in the first half and didn't really change.

Gotta get smarter play out of elson next time also.

but, tiMVP warned us, and we didn't listen :lol

[xamila rey]

so i expect Pop doing some changes in the starting line up,
maybe Horry or Oberto for Elson.
what do u thinK?

[anonymous coward]

nuggets by 9+

not exactly but so close
im really good
im not? :lol

anonymous coward out

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

bowens on him in the first quarter.

he goes 0-6.

Hmmmmmm

I don't see a corralation here :lol

Kori called what I was thinking at half. You have to put Bowen on AI and leave him there.

That decision lost us the game. No way Iverson goes 12-16 or whatever he was the rest of the game after Pop went away from that matchup (not to mention all the easy looks AI got for teammates after he got by Tony).

[T Park]

That's mainly on Finley, Parker and Bruce

Bruce?

bruce?

how is it his fault?

he did fine when in there, but he cant fucking defend from the bench

[aaronstampler]

Bowen only played like 8 minutes after the 1st quarter, so Pop must have been less than thrilled with his defense.

[Tek_XX]

Yeah.

But, they showed their hand in the first half and didn't really change.

Gotta get smarter play out of elson next time also.

but, tiMVP warned us, and we didn't listen :lol

He can't adjust during the game!! Geez, who do you think he is, George Karl?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I'm sure u were very optimistic in 2005 too

Don't worry ; we know they can play much better than that ; we played really bad the whole game, and It wasn't a blowout ; there is no reason to panic

Actually I was much more optimistic then than this year.

We're playing this year with a 500 year old Robert Horry, Pop is stuck on small ball (outrebounded by probably 10-12 today), and Pop can't even get the defensive strategy right (put Bowen on AI and leave him there).

[T Park]

Kori called what I was thinking at half. You have to put Bowen on AI and leave him there.

That decision lost us the game. No way Iverson goes 12-16 or whatever he was the rest of the game after Pop went away from that matchup (not to mention all the easy looks AI got for teammates after he got by Tony).

Exactly, youve gotta have Bowen run him to the sideline, and then force him to make a bad decision.

ala lakers in 01.

kobe would run him to the baseline and he would jump and do that flail pass, TO.

If pop decides Bowen shouldn't play and he wants to Phoenix run and gun em and try and outscore em, then they're fucked, and we can just start analyzing draft picks, that pop will sit favor of Michael Finley.

[2centsworth]

Duncan sucked today, plain and simple. If he plays well the spurs coast in this series.

[aaronstampler]

I think even after 40 minutes we were okay. We had that one point lead with 8:30 to go and Timmy coming back in.

We played some terrible defense after that and had too many turnovers and bad shots.

[lefty]

Actually I was much more optimistic then than this year.

We're playing this year with a 500 year old Robert Horry, Pop is stuck on small ball (outrebounded by probably 10-12 today), and Pop can't even get the defensive strategy right (put Bowen on AI and leave him there).

True ; Pop sucked balls tonight ; but I'm sure he is going to make some adjustments regarding the rebounding problem

Devensively, I would like to see Vaughn more often on A.I

[T Park]

We're playing this year with a 500 year old Robert Horry, Pop is stuck on small ball (outrebounded by probably 10-12 today), and Pop can't even get the defensive strategy right (put Bowen on AI and leave him there).

Pop didn't go to small ball tonight.

he always had 2 bigs in there, so thats wrong.

[ploto]

Nuggets played 8 guys-- and mostly 7 guys.

Spurs went 11 deep in the first half. That was about all you needed to know.

I will refrain from mentioning just how much the Spurs could have used a center in this game. The starting center for the Spurs had 4 rebounds, and as nice as Horry's offense was, he had 1 rebound. Oberto was the only big guy doing it all-- scoring and rebounding. How does my prediction go-- and how long will Elson stay in the starting line-up?

[TMTTRIO]

I'm very concerned about Manu. He continues to play badly and is not bringing the same energy that he did. I hope Finley (who was great tonight) and Barry really step up now because the way Manu's playing we're going to have to rely on them a lot more to get very far.

[Tek_XX]

I hate it when Tim gets pushed around like a little bitch.

[T Park]

He can't adjust during the game!! Geez, who do you think he is, George Karl

Karl isn't the big strategist either his ownself.

Slow lets slow that roll right there.

[lefty]

Some adjustments for game 2 :

-Timmy has to step up, really

-Vaughn more often on Iverson

-Maybe it's time to put Manu back in the starting lineup, so we start the game with more energy, and maybe draw some fouls on Iverson

-Rebound !

[T Park]

I will refrain from mentioning just how much the Spurs could have used a center in this game. The starting center for the Spurs had 4 rebounds, and as nice as Horry's offense was, he had 1 rebound. Oberto was the only big guy doing it all-- scoring and rebounding. How does my prediction go-- and how long will Elson stay in the starting line-up?

Like who, Rasho? :lmao

[ploto]

If I recall properly, Bowen was on AI early in the game, but Carmelo was scoring at will. Try to shut down Carmelo, and AI goes off. If you really want to start with good defense, you need Manu in the starting line-up on Carmelo to put Bowen on AI. Finley can't guard Carmelo.

[T Park]

Some adjustments for game 2 :

-Timmy has to step up, really

-Vaughn more often on Iverson

-Maybe it's time to put Manu back in the starting lineup, so we start the game with more energy, and maybe draw some fouls on Iverson

-Rebound !

Leave the lineups alone.

wrong with Vaughn on Iverson, that plays into his hands, lke me and Aggie have said, you put Bowen on him AND KEEP HIM ON HIM!!

You treat him like fucking Kobe Bryant.

[T Park]

If I recall properly, Bowen was on AI early in the game, but Carmelo was scoring at will. Try to shut down Carmelo, and AI goes off. If you really want to start with good defense, you need Manu in the starting line-up on Carmelo to put Bowen on AI. Finley can't guard Carmelo

Ginobili can't guard him either.

The thought floated through tonight.

A Glenn robinson type player would've been nice tonight.

[Extra Stout]

With the way the Spurs played, there is no way they should have been within two in the final minute. Denver should have won going away. That they didn't is telling.

I'm not ready to bail just yet.

[dbreiden83080]

Just what i was afraid of and Karl is talking about it now. Denver played so bad in game 2 a few years ago and they are going to come out on a mission to play well in game 2. Spurs really put themselves in a shitty spot by losing this fucking game. Now this could be a long series, which given their draw is the last thing they needed.

[lefty]

Leave the lineups alone.

wrong with Vaughn on Iverson, that plays into his hands, lke me and Aggie have said, you put Bowen on him AND KEEP HIM ON HIM!!

You treat him like fucking Kobe Bryant.

:nope Just to force some turnovers, try to frustrate him

[Clutch20]

so i expect Pop doing some changes in the starting line up,
maybe Horry or Oberto for Elson.
what do u thinK?
He could, Pop can do what he wants.
But I think he's gonna go at least one more time with the same players and plans after he points these things out to those guilty of missing their assignments:GKarl's def/off. tactics and tweaks that popped uplike putting length and muscle on Duncan, sharp passing/locating perimeter shooters whenever AI or Melo is inside/out and lobs just to rub it in the Spurs defense which isn't effective above the rim unless Elson is in there somewhere,
I really really think that Denver was surprised by our passiveness and look for us at the next game to jump out with more energy, looking like a better executing team with a season on the line.
:clap

[T Park]

Barry really step up now because the way Manu's playing we're going to have to rely on them a lot more to get very far.

If manu aint gonna do it, and were relying on brent Barry?

Then fold the fucking tent up now, because that pussbag aint gonna show up.

[ALVAREZ6]

turn around

every now and then I get a little bit lonely and ya never comin round

turn around

every now and then I get a little bit tired to listenin to the sound of my tears

turn around

every now and then I get a little bit nervous to the best of all my years have gone by

turn around

every now and then I get a little bit terrified, I see the fuckin look in your eyes

turrrnnn aroouund, briight eyes, every now and then I fall apart

turrrnnn aroouund, briight eyes, a fuckin every now then I fall apart

AND I NEED YOU NOW TONIGHT, I FUCKIN NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER

[T Park]

Just to force some turnovers, try to frustrate him

Vaughn isn't gonna do that.

Realize that now.

Onlya long quick player frusterates him, and thats Bowen, or if you wanna throw down a bottle of glennlivet and get stupid, James White.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

True ; Pop sucked balls tonight ; but I'm sure he is going to make some adjustments regarding the rebounding problem

Devensively, I would like to see Vaughn more often on A.I

What adjustments is he going to make? He thought small ball and a 500 year old Horry were the answer last year.

This year, he appears to think that small ball, a 501 year old Robert Horry, and not playing Bowen on the other team's best offensive player is the answer.

He hasn't learned a fucking thing.

[aaronstampler]

I'm very concerned about Manu. He continues to play badly and is not bringing the same energy that he did. I hope Finley (who was great tonight) and Barry really step up now because the way Manu's playing we're going to have to rely on them a lot more to get very far.


When exactly did he play badly before? What's this continues shit?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Pop didn't go to small ball tonight.

he always had 2 bigs in there, so thats wrong.

Robert Horry is NOT a big.

[ploto]

Like who, Rasho? :lmao
You must have an extremely short memory. Go back some time and watch the Denver series of 2 years ago-- especially games 3 and 4 in Denver-- when Rasho, playing on an ankle at about 80% bailed out a sucking Nazr and helped the Spurs come back from a double digit deficit in game 3 and played into the OT in game 4 when Duncan fouled out.

Raptors played Denver last month-- Nene went 0 for 6 and had 7 rebounds- while Rasho went 4-6 and had 5 blocked shots.

[T Park]

AJ pulling a pop from last year.

Totally abandoned Dampier and Diop for the wings.

[spursrule32]

examine the game all you want and try to outguess Pop's coaching all you want, but bottom line our bread and butter was rusty and ineffective. Denver played probably one of their better playoff games and didn't dominate us. That said - first game is always a good guage and the Spurs have the better team. Spurs will execute and win, but this series will last longer than many expected. Gotta love the play of horry and vaughan. Manu will be aggressive and I can't see them holding down Timmy. If you're worried, you really don't know the Spurs - try to disagree with me when this series is over.

[T Park]

Robert Horry is NOT a big.

?

So 6'10 forwards arent bigs now?

I see.

[samikeyp]

Let the "the sky is falling" threads begin! :)

[T Park]

Warriors taking it to the mavericks.

that brightens my night :lol

[1Parker1]

Damn, Warriors up 6 on the Mavs in the 1st quarter and completely owning the glass. :wow

I'm surprised.

[T Park]

examine the game all you want and try to outguess Pop's coaching all you want, but bottom line our bread and butter was rusty and ineffective. Denver played probably one of their better playoff games and didn't dominate us. That said - first game is always a good guage and the Spurs have the better team. Spurs will execute and win, but this series will last longer than many expected. Gotta love the play of horry and vaughan. Manu will be aggressive and I can't see them holding down Timmy. If you're worried, you really don't know the Spurs - try to disagree with me when this series is over.

thats the problem.

Duncan and ginobili weren't agressive, and fuck, whats to say they wont keep playing like that?

Duncan has a tendency to shy from contact for some fucking reason.

[ATXSPUR]

Warriors taking it to the mavericks.

that brightens my night :lol

It only brightens if the mavs lose.

[dbreiden83080]

Manu needs to start driving the ball more. He got away with shooting a lot of 3's this year and you want him to shoot some 3's but his bread and butter come playoff time has got to be going to the hoop.

[T Park]

Damn, Warriors up 6 on the Mavs in the 1st quarter and completely owning the glass.

I'm surprised

looks like the regular season all over again.


So much for Jim's respect of AJ in "staying big" :lmao

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

?

So 6'10 forwards arent bigs now?

I see.

How many boards did Horry get tonight?

[ALVAREZ6]

turn around

every now and then I get a little bit lonely and ya never comin round

turn around

every now and then I get a little bit tired to listenin to the sound of my tears

turn around

every now and then I get a little bit nervous to the best of all my years have gone by

turn around

every now and then I get a little bit terrified, I see the fuckin look in your eyes

turrrnnn aroouund, briight eyes, every now and then I fall apart

turrrnnn aroouund, briight eyes, a fuckin every now then I fall apart

AND I NEED YOU NOW TONIGHT, I FUCKIN NEED YOU MORE THAN EVER

[aaronstampler]

thats the problem.

Duncan and ginobili weren't agressive, and fuck, whats to say they wont keep playing like that?

Duncan has a tendency to shy from contact for some fucking reason.

The history of their career's indicates they won't. God it's panic city in here. A player has one bad game and the totality of their career is forgotten immediately. It's like a bunch of Philly fans in here.

We'll regroup, figure out what we did wrong defensively, come out like gangbusters in Game 2, and take this thing to Denver.

[lefty]

Good Job Denver!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:toast

http://fusion94.org/images/mavs_wc_champs.jpg

That's the West trophy right? where isthe Big Prize ? :lol

[dbreiden83080]

The history of their career's indicates they won't. God it's panic city in here. A player has one bad game and the totality of their career is forgotten immediately. It's like a bunch of Philly fans in here.

We'll regroup, figure out what we did wrong defensively, come out like gangbusters in Game 2, and take this thing to Denver.

I think the Spurs will win game 2 but it will not be easy because Denver is going to look to avenge that shitty game 2 they played 2 years ago and they are also better than they were 2 years ago.

[1Parker1]

Agreed. Second to Pop's bonehead decision to guard Iverson with Parker, his second worst tactical decision was all the pick and roll and iso ball on offense.


Parker's defense as he's proven in the past on AI is pretty good. The weird thing tonight though was that on 2 or 3 straight possessions in the 3rd quarter, I saw Parker chasing AI on the perimeter off the 3 point line, only to have Duncan come all the way out and help out with that causing both Parker and Duncan chasing AI...and no one defending the rim. Duncan should have stayed in the paint and positioned himself to defend/block AI's shot instead of helping Parker chase him on the perimeter.


Either way, Duncan was shit tonight. Manu was un-aggressive and Parker waited too long to be drive to the hole.

Nuggets led the league in FTA's. Spurs went to the line something like 10-15 times less than the Nuggets. Showing which team was more aggressive from the get go.

[aaronstampler]

Manu needs to start driving the ball more. He got away with shooting a lot of 3's this year and you want him to shoot some 3's but his bread and butter come playoff time has got to be going to the hoop.


Manu took 1 shot in the 4th quarter. Whatever happened there offensively, he wasn't the problem. They weren't even looking for him in the 4th and certainly not running any plays for him. We just missed too many shots, Duncan had too many turnovers, and the defense and rebounding was atrocious the last 8 minutes.

[phxspurfan]

Leave the lineups alone.

wrong with Vaughn on Iverson, that plays into his hands, lke me and Aggie have said, you put Bowen on him AND KEEP HIM ON HIM!!

You treat him like fucking Kobe Bryant.


I completely agree. There has got to be some stat that says Bowen's effectiveness plummets when he is assigned to guard more than one (maybe two) players for over many posessions.

In an ideal world, I would let Bowen know who he would guard beforehand, and he would be prepared to shut that (preferrably one) guy down. In the real world, maybe give him two options (one primary guy to check by himself, Iverson) and some help defense on the secondary (Anthony).

[1Parker1]

It's like a bunch of Philly fans in here.


Ahem. There are Philly fans here :flipoff :ihit

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Parker's defense as he's proven in the past on AI is pretty good.

Look, I don't mean to be an ass, and I know you're on Parker's jock, but when AI goes 12-16 against someone, they aren't playing good defense.

[ALVAREZ6]

Ahem. There are Philly fans here :flipoff :ihit:hungry: :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: :hungry: :madrun :madrun :madrun :madrun




:clap :clap :clap




http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/owlive/img/feb03/oldschoolbig022103.jpg

[ploto]

Oh, I forgot to mention. How hilarious was it to see BOTH Salvatore and Nies! Hope all the Crawford haters were happy. :lol

[dbreiden83080]

Manu took 1 shot in the 4th quarter. Whatever happened there offensively, he wasn't the problem. They weren't even looking for him in the 4th and certainly not running any plays for him. We just missed too many shots, Duncan had too many turnovers, and the defense and rebounding was atrocious the last 8 minutes.

I agree with most of that but Manu to me looks like he is in a settling mindset instead of taking the ball into the heart of D. Timmy was awful tonight he will play better, Tony was ok tonight he will play better. This is going to be a tough series though, Denver is going to play hard in game 2 and not give the Spurs an inch.

[T Park]

How many boards did Horry get tonight?

well aggie i agree he did shit on the boards.

but look at it this way.

Without his offense, wtf would they have been had he NOT played Horry.


If Horry would put a better effort on the boards that would be fine.

Block out camby, hes the same build and can equal his muscle.

Duncans gotta do a fucking better job on goddamn nene though.



So much for that puss bag being hurt BTW :rolleyes

[T Park]

Look, I don't mean to be an ass, and I know you're on Parker's jock, but when AI goes 12-16 against someone, they aren't playing good defense.

Yeah, parker didn't start playing good D till about 30 seconds left in the 4th...

[dbreiden83080]

Look, I don't mean to be an ass, and I know you're on Parker's jock, but when AI goes 12-16 against someone, they aren't playing good defense.

If Spurs are winning this series they need to force AI to shoot a somewhat low percentage. They are not winning this series if both he and Melo shoot it at 50% clip or better every game.

[1Parker1]

Look, I don't mean to be an ass, and I know you're on Parker's jock, but when AI goes 12-16 against someone, they aren't playing good defense.

Learn to read. Where did I say Parker's defense on AI was good tonight? I said in the past, his defense on AI has been pretty darn good.

Bowen is our best option to defend Carmelo. WHo exactly do you propose defend's him?

[1Parker1]

Devin Harris is a bitch. :pctoss

[T Park]

Learn to read. Where did I say Parker's defense on AI was good tonight? I said in the past, his defense on AI has been pretty darn good.

Bowen is our best option to defend Carmelo. WHo exactly do you propose defend's him?

actually Bowen is more set up to guard ai.

Finley or ginobili have to stick with Melo.

Force ai into bad shots, or getting melo his shot down in the shot clock.

you arent gonna shut down Melo with Bowen.

[dbreiden83080]

Learn to read. Where did I say Parker's defense on AI was good tonight? I said in the past, his defense on AI has been pretty darn good.

Bowen is our best option to defend Carmelo. WHo exactly do you propose defend's him?

They need to guard AI by comittee. Bowen has got to stick to Mello because given his size and ability he is a more efficient offensive player than AI. Alllen usually shoots a lower percantage than 50% and hell will need to if the Spurs are going to win.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Learn to read. Where did I say Parker's defense on AI was good tonight? I said in the past, his defense on AI has been pretty darn good.

Bowen is our best option to defend Carmelo. WHo exactly do you propose defend's him?

I already said, Finley and Manu are going to have to make do. Bowen is a much better defender of AI than Tony is. And sorry, I don't think Parker has ever played him well since he got to Denver. I could care less about Philly, they had a wing that couldn't shoot to save his life playing alongside Iverson.

[Tanya]

I thought SA got three weapons: Duncan, Ginobili and Parker
But tonite's game showed that if Duncan doesn't play well, they are in trouble. The spurs is better than that. They are a deep team. What's wrong with Ginobili? Why wasn't he started?

[Clutch20]

Want to know who's fault it was? Who really is at fault for losing tonight's game against the Nuggs?
Mine.
This is the first time I DIDN'T DRINK A SINGLE BEER for a televised game.
No shit, I do weights like I always do during the first half, then take my game brew seriously for the 2nd half, but- I -jinxed- us.
Not a drop, seriously.
This is the week I play with my group at NIOSA, 4 nights in a row and I'm on the streets of downtown San Antonio wrestling with tearing down 300 lb. speakers at 11:00 at night, get home at 12:30, wake up at 6 am the next morning to go to work.
So I didn't want to drink any beer tonight because this is the week when every night I drink nonstop from the first note to the last so's I wanted to put moola into the sober bank this weekend.
But I jinxed the team.
Well, I'll take care of that for sure, next game :lol

[spursrule32]

Why do y'all think the big 3 sucked so much tonight? There was an obvious lack of aggression, but I gotta think there was a little bit of the oh so familiar lack of intesity that has plagued the Spurs so many playoffs before (and that usually changes.) Bottom line is that they know the task at hand and the talent that gets discounted so often will show up in game 2 and the rest of the series. No problem man - it's hard to be impressed with the Nuggets. AI and Melo got theirs and Nene had his way down low, but overall they weren't dominate and Spurs just looked rusty. It's all about rythm and the Spurs' starters had none. One game down - let it go, but if they don't step up in game 2 then obviously I would worry

[Clutch20]

Why do y'all think the big 3 sucked so much tonight? There was an obvious lack of aggression, but I gotta think there was a little bit of the oh so familiar lack of intesity that has plagued the Spurs so many playoffs before (and that usually changes.) Bottom line is that they know the task at hand and the talent that gets discounted so often will show up in game 2 and the rest of the series. No problem man - it's hard to be impressed with the Nuggets. AI and Melo got theirs and Nene had his way down low, but overall they weren't dominate and Spurs just looked rusty. It's all about rythm and the Spurs' starters had none. One game down - let it go, but if they don't step up in game 2 then obviously I would worry

Cause they didn't score more.
Back to basics, quickness, ball handling, settling into a playoff mindset that happens BEFORE the game starts, our boys will take care of all that stuff.
They freaking just don't like to lose.
Case closed. :spin

[T Park]

Learn to read. Where did I say Parker's defense on AI was good tonight? I said in the past, his defense on AI has been pretty darn good.

Bowen is our best option to defend Carmelo. WHo exactly do you propose defend's him?

actually Bowen is more set up to guard ai.

Finley or ginobili have to stick with Melo.

Force ai into bad shots, or getting melo his shot down in the shot clock.

you arent gonna shut down Melo with Bowen.

[angel_luv]

This is my one and only game comment so listen up.
Don't despair.

It's gonna be just like 2005. This is the last win Denver is going to get.

I still believe. Go Spurs! :)

Also-
Those noise makers they handled out tonight- love them. They are super fun. :)

[phxspurfan]

This is my one and only game comment so listen up.
Don't despair.

It's gonna be just like 2005. This is the last win Denver is going to get.

I still believe. Go Spurs! :)

Also-
Those noise makers they handled out tonight- love them. They are super fun. :)


:music Sorry, I was too busy watcing Dallas get owned by the Warriors to hear that... :music

What did you say Angel? :)

[T Park]

Gonna be wayyy wayyyyyyy tougher than 05.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

man i expected the Nuggets to win but im still pleasantly suprised to see them win a sub 100 pt game vs the Spurs on the road :smokin

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Gonna be wayyy wayyyyyyy tougher than 05.

uh huh, at least someone gets it :lol

So many people saying 'its good we lost game 1 blah blah'

The Spurs arent the same as '05 and the Nuggets have a guy called AI, a more mature Melo, a healthier Camby and a big guy threat (on O and D) called Nene. Throw in a bench that can show up (not tonight though :lol ) and its going to be a tough series

This is why the Nuggets traded for AI. This time of the year.

[T Park]

Yup.

"Oh T Park what are you talkin about its over in 5"

[T Park]

BTW, i can see why you guys let elson go

fucker didn't do shit tonight.

Props to you guys putting one over on us :tu

[ATXSPUR]

This wont be tougher than 05 if we get past this series imo. Nothing this year an compare to 05 detroit. However the nugs are tougher this year. Well we will always have the memories of our three championships ot fall back on.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

yeh its pretty easy to see that Frankie is fodder in this series.

The big man combo of Nene-Camby just started clicking and their rebounding and D tonight were awesome.

It's a long series though but i dont expect the Spurs to come out and blow the Nuggets out in game 2. It will be another close one and will come down to who can close it out again

[ploto]

The problem that the Spurs- as well as many other teams have had- is keeping AI out of the lane. Once he gets in the middle there- he is killer. I really don't think Tony can keep him out of there as well as Bruce can. Tony should guard Blake.

[ploto]

yeh its pretty easy to see that Frankie is fodder in this series.

The big man combo of Nene-Camby just started clicking and their rebounding and D tonight were awesome.
What did people expect- Elson was behind all those guys in the rotation in Denver for a reason.

[ducks]

add another loss to spurs in the postseason when tp has 8 assist
and does not score 25 points

[aaronstampler]

Yup.

"Oh T Park what are you talkin about its over in 5"


1. They'll have to win a second game first before it goes past 5.

2. The Nuggets were on fire the last third of '05 and everyone here was freaking out after Game 1. The two games were very similar, we were impotent offensively and got manhandled on the glass.

3. Our big three played like absolute crap and their big two both played incredibly well and it was still a close game. They had to play a perfect game to beat us and we played a "D-" game. There is still a huge gap between these two teams.

[aaronstampler]

add another loss to spurs in the postseason when tp has 8 assist
and does not score 25 points


Don't forget to add another loss where he gets torched defensively as well. We need him to be better in his own end like he was most of the year.

[siopaoboi]

we just got lucky. :) good game guys. game 2 on wednesday right?

[ducks]

The problem that the Spurs- as well as many other teams have had- is keeping AI out of the lane. Once he gets in the middle there- he is killer. I really don't think Tony can keep him out of there as well as Bruce can. Tony should guard Blake.
tp did in the first quarter
ai was 0-6 and 2 turnovers in first

[aaronstampler]

tp did in the first quarter
ai was 0-6 and 2 turnovers in first

Bowen was on AI in the first. Thanks for playing.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270422024


"They stopped us, doing the things we wanted to do and we couldn't stop their two stars," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "That's really the bottom line. Their defense outplayed us."


quote of the night :smokin The Nuggets D stops the Spurs :lol ........ awesome

(waiting for those spurs fans who say 'the nuggets didnt win but the spurs lost it blah blah')

[SuperManu!!!]

I WANT SPURS TO LOSE GAME 1

Why ? look no further than 1999, 2003 and 2005


Good point!

[SkunkinDuncan]

Nggets had almost zero bench scoring, tons of turnovers and scored under 100. That usually means a loss.

[Billy Shears]

bring fire, bring defense, bring toughnes. Bring a give a shit attitude.

Also, NO EASY SHOTS.


PS

Elson, time to earn your contract fucktard.


Lmfao.

[dbreiden83080]

Nggets had almost zero bench scoring, tons of turnovers and scored under 100. That usually means a loss.

Big 3 played like shit and their D in the 2nd half was bad. Our best is far better than your best and over the course of the series you will see that.

[Budkin]

Big 3 played like shit and their D in the 2nd half was bad. Our best is far better than your best and over the course of the series you will see that.

Agreed, best team always wins a 7 game series. That's the Spurs.

[dbreiden83080]

Agreed, best team always wins a 7 game series. That's the Spurs.

Which actually helps the Spurs in the first round since they changed formats from 5 games to 7 games. Spurs unfortunately have a tendancy to stumble a little bit out of the gate. This is going to be a tough series but they'll come through it.

[L.I.T]

The Spurs played like shite, yet had excellent results in some key categories. They held the Nuggets to 13 assists, while forcing 18 turnovers. The Spurs had 22 assists to only 15 turnovers. If they can maintain that type of assist to turnover ratio while making the Nuggets an isolation-based offense, they will win this series.

[ploto]

Charles Barkley: "The Spurs don't have a second big man."

[dbreiden83080]

Charles Barkley: "The Spurs don't have a second big man."

When Elson plays well the Spurs are fucking GREAT but when he plays like shit they are vulnerable, no doubt.

[Budkin]

Our best 3 players barely scored... of course we lost.

[bigfundamental21]

Losing the first game of the series is not the end of the world. The Spurs will play angry in Game 2 and that always translates into a win. This is going to be a tough series, but we will prevail in the end. The mavs are in the same position we are. Any team can win a game on any given night, but winning a series takes a lot more. BELIEVE!

[THE SIXTH MAN]

Charles Barkley: "The Spurs don't have a second big man."
Exactly, we haven't had a second decent big since Robinson.

[01Snake]

Shitty loses but not the end of the world.

[Budkin]

Spurs and Mavs are destined for a rematch. Tonight was a bump in the road for both.

[dav4463]

I feel confident the Spurs will come back. They just have a way of letting us down sometimes. Denver played a great game and deserved to win. They are much better than your average sixth seed. Spurs didn't show urgency until the final couple of minutes. That has to change. Robert Horry showed some heart though. He is about the only one that deserves credit tonight.

[Kori Ellis]

Everybody sucked but Oberto. And Finley part of the time.

Oh well.

Onto game 2.

[Trainwreck2100]

Everybody sucked but Oberto. And Finley part of the time.

Oh well.

Onto game 2.


Horry wasn't that bad

[Kori Ellis]

Horry wasn't that bad

True, he was good actually.

[T Park]

Only problem for me with Horry was that he only got 1 rebound.

Elson needs to get his head in the goddamn game and play ball.

Watching some of the highlights, the shots duncan missed were friggen chip shots.

That doesnt excuse the loss, but heres who it also doesnt excuse, Pop.

Letting these guys sit out for the last whole week was a mistake at the time, we called it, and it proved out tonight.

Hell if your gonna sit em a week, play em friggen 40 minutes.

BTW, if BRuce Bowen doesn't log 30 plus minutes wednesday this series is over.

[TDMVPDPOY]

melvin ely would come in handy now....

[aaronstampler]

More mins for Bowen, less for Fin. More for Oberto, less for Horry. And we either need 20 more FT attempts or to hit 5 more threes.

[aaronstampler]

Everybody sucked but Oberto. And Finley part of the time.

Oh well.

Onto game 2.


Fin and Bowen had 0 rebounds in 53 minutes. Not good. Tim needed help back there. Horry was good on offense, but bad defensively/on the boards, pretty much the opposite of his regular season.

[T Park]

Id pretty much go ahead and bench Elson. Worthless.

Play Oberto major minutes, let Horry play the 4th, but tell him to fight for some damn rebounds.

Finley is back to his rebounding ways, and Bowen never was good, but damn 19 friggen minutes, and he was 2 of 3 shooting.

Once again, if Bowen plays under 30 minutes wednesday, this series is OVAH.

[Typhoon]

I'm disappointed that Oberto only played 15:26 minutes, I mean wtf...the outcome of the game could been a lot different if he had more minutes in the game, the guy was having a great game...I truly don’t understand Pop.
Also I think is a good time to put Ginobili back in the start line, coming off the bench cold is not working for him anymore, and stop making stupid substitutions, what was the point in playing Matt Bonner for 2 Minutes and Brent Barry 13 minutes when he was sucking big time. Anyways that’s what I think.

[himat]

After watching a couple of Denver games I would say that the Spurs should try getting the ball out of AI's hands and let Melo take the shots. Carmello takes some of the worst shots in the NBA. I did not watch this game though. What was wrong with the Spurs?

[Kori Ellis]

After watching a couple of Denver games I would say that the Spurs should try getting the ball out of AI's hands and let Melo take the shots. Carmello takes some of the worst shots in the NBA. I did not watch this game though. What was wrong with the Spurs?

They started the game by shooting 28% for the first quarter. They got manhandled on the boards, didn't play D and overall just sucked ass. Manu/Tim/Tony combined for about 7-for-33 in the first half.

[George Gervin's Afro]

We got pushed around last night and we can start with TD being the main culprit. I was pondering last night who the bigger puss was TD or TP.. then I found myslef acknowledging TP at least played decent defense against AI last night so my puss award went to Tim Duncan..he managed to be pushed around all night and was a turnover machine..nice job Tim.

[Borosai]

The only guys who were ready to play were Finley, Horry, Oberto and Vaughn. The BENCH. The rest took the night off. Maybe it was some rust as a result of not playing for a week, but they can't come out and play like shit and expect to win. If any one of the big three had had a good game, the Spurs win.

The bright side is that AI and Melo should not go off like that for 3 more games against the Spurs. If they do, the Spurs deserve to go home. Play some fucking D, box out and get rebounds, and make those easy layups and shots around the rim. Not difficult, and I don't even get paid millions.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i think its time the spurs shut down 1 of them and let the other have a career night and end up losing the game, like the same tactic the spurs use against that team in phoenix. the sons....