Spurs @ Jazz Jan. 28 - Game Blog

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I'm not worried that much though. Manu will get his outside shot back once he gets used to playing without the cast. Bowen just needs his confidence back and once we get Barry back we should be ok. And at least Ime looks good when he shoots 3's!
Yeah, I really miss Barry already :depressed

He was one of the key reason why we won the Laker game, and we actually looked like ourselves, because the floor was spread out.

Bowen's three point game is something you can always count on. He only gets 2 shots a game anyway, and he usually starts rounding out consistently with that set jumper, later in the year.

[Ice009]

Maybe Ime was sick of Manu getting smashed to the ground all the time and the hard fouls Utah is laying on us. Someone has to stand up for the team no one else does on this team. Get in someones face.

[milkyway21]

I'm starting to think he wants to be traded too. Maybe he and Eva want to go to LA be like Posh and Beck. I really wouldn't be surprised.but I want the Spurs trinity to be intact to repeat.

let's trade those who can't deliver like Elson...

[Cherry]

Of course we get in a hole every game!!! Only ONE, count 'em, ONE, starter is a consistent scorer. Tim Duncan. Oberto can't score, Bowen can't score, Finley only occasionally scores, and Parker is MIA. I'm sick of Pop thinking Manu can come off the bench and fix this problem every single f-cking night.

100% AGREE :tu

[jmard5]

Maybe Ime was sick of Manu getting smashed to the ground all the time and the hard fouls Utah is laying on us. Someone has to stand up for the team no one else does on this team. Get in someones face.

Well, that is how Utah plays. Sloan likes it that way.

[ploto]

I'm still confused...How did Udoka get the first technical? He and Boozer were arguing? If it was double tech, then why didn't the Spurs get one technical foul shot?

The first "incident" was a double tech on Ime and Carlos- when the foul was called on Harpring. No technical free throws for either side. The second T was only on Ime. Free throw for Utah.

[greens]

Of course we get in a hole every game!!! Only ONE, count 'em, ONE, starter is a consistent scorer. Tim Duncan. Oberto can't score, Bowen can't score, Finley only occasionally scores, and Parker is MIA. I'm sick of Pop thinking Manu can come off the bench and fix this problem every single f-cking night.


Right now, I'm even beginning to feel bad for Manu...It's like the starters sort of dig a hole at the beginning of the game, then Manu has to come off the bench and get everyone out of it...while Timmy/Tony are on the bench...Manu is an amazing player but he should not have to do everything on his own...

It takes a team to win a game, not one or two players. Timmy is solid, but I'm worrying more about Finley's game lately...and Bruce is known for defense, but he even used to score some points at least, I know TP is not a hundred percent yet...I'm not sure what is happening with Elson or Oberto...or Horry.

I just think that perhaps, for even a little bit, start Manu just to get the flow of the game going or put Udoka into the starting line up...something small just to see what works. I feel like Pop never really changes his strategies, sometimes you gotta try different things...Right now, some things are just not working.

In today's game, right from the start, the Spurs starters were just not getting it done, only Timmy basically...then Manu comes in, and it's already more than a ten point lead for Utah...

[Crookshanks]

Maybe Ime was sick of Manu getting smashed to the ground all the time and the hard fouls Utah is laying on us. Someone has to stand up for the team no one else does on this team. Get in someones face.
Yep - I totally agree! Utah has always been known as a very physical, and sometimes dirty, team. Those hard fouls were uncalled for, and Ime got tired of the refs letting Utah get away with that crap.

[Xylus]

Current Conference Standings:

1. 32-12 New Orleans
2. 32-13 Phoenix
3. 31-13 Dallas
4. 27-18 Utah
5. 28-15 San Antonio
6. 27-15 Los Angeles Lakers
7. 27-18 Golden State
8. 26-18 Portland

9. 26-18 Denver
10. 24-20 Houston

[Ice009]

EXACTLY!! Stubborn goat Poppavitch has to realize his rotation no longer works. We can no longer dig a hole every single game and struggle to catch up.

We need to start Manu and Ime. And maybe even Vaughn for a while.

Imagine if the Celtics decided to have Ray Allen on the bench to start every game? You think they'd have such a great record?


I kinda like that, in a sick twisted way - Ime, Manu and Vaughn starting. Maybe Parker needs to be benched so he can see how Manu feels every night having to score and carry the entire bench load.

[greens]

The first "incident" was a double tech on Ime and Carlos- when the foul was called on Harpring. No technical free throws for either side. The second T was only on Ime. Free throw for Utah.



But why was there confrontation in the first place? NBATV didn't really show anything...I mean why did Boozer/Ime get into a sort of an argument...I think this was after Manu got fouled, but that was indeed by Harpring...so was Ime upset about that? He felt it was too hard? Or something else?

[milkyway21]

Current Conference Standings:

1. 32-12 New Orleans
2. 32-13 Phoenix
3. 31-13 Dallas
4. 27-18 Utah
5. 28-15 San Antonio
6. 27-15 Los Angeles Lakers
7. 27-18 Golden State
8. 26-18 Portland

9. 26-18 Denver
10. 24-20 Houston

frankly speaking, only 2 teams that gives me creeps on that line-up-Dallas and the Lakers. That Hornet win was fluke. There was a lapse of defense esp on the perimeter on that one, big time.

let's get real San Antonio despite the #5 seed still rule. (homer:lmao)

[Budkin]

I knew we were gonna lose this game, but the turnaround starts now.

[O.J. Mayonnaise]

The Jazz have played defense the same way the whole time that Sloan has been there. They pack the paint and try to force the opponent to beat them from the outside. The Spurs right now have one competent perimeter scorer, so the Jazz just collapse on Duncan, live with what Manu does, and dare anyone else to make shots. That's why Duncan had 7 turnovers.

[T Park]

Spurs made some good strides on defense tonight.

Some positives to take out.

Im sure though thats a horrid thing to say though.

[peskypesky]

I kinda like that, in a sick twisted way - Ime, Manu and Vaughn starting. Maybe Parker needs to be benched so he can see how Manu feels every night having to score and carry the entire bench load.

What would be so bad about that starting five? Vaughn, Manu, Ime, Duncan, Oberto. Oh? We might lose? Hello, we're already losing more than half our games.

I mean, what other team in the NBA has their SECOND best player sitting on the bench to start every game? It's moronic at this point. It's not working. Start Manu and let the team build up a lead, then let the bench come in and try to hold the lead against the other team's bench.

That sounds a lot better than losing the first quarter every game, playing from behind. It's just not good for the team's psyche to always be behind in the score. SPorts is half-physical, half-psychological. There IS such a thing as confidence. Players play better and smarter when they have confidence. Teams play better when they have a swagger.

Wake the f-ck up, Pop! :bang

[Amarelooms]

Man i hope the Mavs can get the Spurs some how in the first round...that would be ideal....maybe Mavs can be the 3 seed and the Spurs the 6

[naico]

The problem is our starting line-up and it's about time pop gets it.

TP is lost.
Oberto has no presence.
Finley is shooter only(risky)
The marathon minutes are finally gettin' to Bowen.

--------> We dig ourselves a hole, nd try to figure things out until,lets say, mid 2nd Q.
When we're finally in the game, it's too late.

I don't give a damn what the risks are, who has got experience or not blablabla.
Duncan needs a worker next to him: Oberto? Nope Elson? Nope. Give Bonner more playing time nd give Mahimni a chance. At least give him a decent look.

You could start Bonner nd play him for 7,8 minutes in the first quarter. Crash the boards nd hit the occasional three.

Udoka needs to start. He's got heart, full of energy, defense,strong, is focused, nd gives you points. We could use Bowen as a stopper off the bench. I see Udoka as a Mario Elie to this team.

Rest Parker!

Know loads of people won't agree with me here but this would be my starting line-up:

Duncan
Bonner
Udoka
Finley
Vaughn(Parker when healthy)

Doesnt mean they all need to play 30 min. Just start them.

[T Park]

Wake the f-ck up, Pop

yeah one of these years he might learn how to coach :lol

[Ice009]

What would be so bad about that starting five? Vaughn, Manu, Ime, Duncan, Oberto. Oh? We might lose? Hello, we're already losing more than half our games.

I mean, what other team in the NBA has their SECOND best player sitting on the bench to start every game? It's moronic at this point. It's not working. Start Manu and let the team build up a lead, then let the bench come in and try to hold the lead against the other team's bench.

That sounds a lot better than losing the first quarter every game, playing from behind. It's just not good for the team's psyche to always be behind in the score. SPorts is half-physical, half-psychological. There IS such a thing as confidence. Players play better and smarter when they have confidence. Teams play better when they have a swagger.

Wake the f-ck up, Pop! :bang

I like that idea, but would only ever dare do it if Parker was healthy. Parker has to be really hurt and sick to be playing this bad. TP does have heart, he usually gives it his all in games like this. If Parker was not hurt I would do it just to send a message to him, but he's gotta be hurt. I've never seen him this bad before in games that matter. Tony is tough, he might not be all that clutch, but he is definitely tough. Come on TP you can do it.

[peskypesky]

Starters:
PG Vaughn
SG Manu
SF Udoka
PF Duncan
C Oberto

Bench:
PG Parker
SG Finley
SF Bowen
PF Bonner
C Elson

[Xylus]

I actually think the Mavs are going to take the 1-seed by the end of the season. New Orleans and Phoenix will fight for the 2- and 3-seeds, and San Antonio will remain at the 5-seed.

[funeweb]

Spurs really need to get younger

[peskypesky]

I like that idea, but would only ever dare do it if Parker was healthy. Parker has to be really hurt and sick to be playing this bad. TP does have heart, he usually gives it his all in games like this. If Parker was not hurt I would do it just to send a message to him, but he's gotta be hurt. I've never seen him this bad before in games that matter.

Well, whether he's hurt or not, he should come off the bench for now. He hasn't been playing with any spark lately. If he's injured, then he could use the shorter minutes.

[ploto]

The Jazz have played defense the same way the whole time that Sloan has been there. They pack the paint and try to force the opponent to beat them from the outside...
Pop always says that Sloane's teams execute their game plan better than anyone.

[milkyway21]

despite tonight's 6 pts., Vaughn still sucks. He's one of the reasons we lost against against the Hornets.

TP MUST START at all times, IMO.

[O.J. Mayonnaise]

The Jazz did a great job executing tonight. Unfortunately, they haven't been very good at all defensively this season. It's easy to pack the paint on Duncan when Ginobili is the only perimeter player who can score, and half the time he's not in the game with Duncan.

[Roxsfan]

that is pretty scary that we are only 3 games out of 1st place and 3 games from being in 9th place!

1. Fuck Utah
2. your comments above are right, that is fucked up how the west is so stacked now.

[hsxvvd]

Yet another team we've let shoot 50% or more.

This is getting embarrassing, it there's been one constant about the spurs in the past 10 yrs it's been defence. This year they suck.

Is it not having PJ around? Pop needs a better assistant.

[sribb43]

Current Conference Standings:

1. 32-12 New Orleans
2. 32-13 Phoenix
3. 31-13 Dallas
4. 27-18 Utah
5. 28-15 San Antonio
6. 27-15 Los Angeles Lakers
7. 27-18 Golden State
8. 26-18 Portland

9. 26-18 Denver
10. 24-20 Houston

thats how crazy this west is...just the other day the jazz where out of the playoffs, now there in 4th in the west

[Hemotivo]

Is it not having PJ around? Pop needs a better assistant.
I forgot about PJ

maybe you're right :reading

[41times]

Current Conference Standings:

1. 32-12 New Orleans
2. 32-13 Phoenix
3. 31-13 Dallas
4. 27-18 Utah
5. 28-15 San Antonio
6. 27-15 Los Angeles Lakers
7. 27-18 Golden State
8. 26-18 Portland

9. 26-18 Denver
10. 24-20 Houston

Okay could one of you Spurs stat experts post your record at the same time last year and your current position then vs. what it is now. I am currious as to the difference.

Last year you guys were in the midst of a slump that ended around mid February and they you went on a Winning Tear the last 30 games or so.

I still think the Hornets will cool off. Now whether the Suns and Mavs do the same is guesswork. But the difference between being 1st in the West and being out of the playoffs could be as little as 6 or 7 games this year.

Having said that, if the Spurs go say 25-5 after the break they could be right there at the top.

[LifeOnaPlate]

Sean Elliot talking about the Mormon crowd: "They're mad at the world, they'll boo anything." :lmao

But "they're" not mad at the world. They like making noise at sports events.

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

I can't remember the last time the Spurs played this bad, they simply can't beat ANY .500+ team


this slump is MUCH worse then anything last season