Pop can shove small ball up his a--

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Way to blow a 20 point lead in the third you idiot.

[Alamo Boy]

we got into foul trouble and it kinda threw things off as well

[DoubtingThomas]

It ain't Pop's fault the shots weren't going down..........is it?

[MadDog73]

when we lose, it's Pop's fault...

when we win, it's because the players outwit Pop.

Aggie Rules.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Yeah silly me, it was a great move to bench Bowen because he had three fouls with us up 20 and go to a piece of shit small ball lineup that had no flow whatsoever offensively. :rolleyes

Clearly that worked out well, it's why our lead went from 20 to 5 in six minutes. Give Pop a raise for that one :tu

[MadDog73]

Yeah silly me, it was a great move to bench Bowen because he had three fouls with us up 20 and go to a piece of shit small ball lineup that had no flow whatsoever offensively. :rolleyes

Clearly that worked out well, it's why our lead went from 20 to 5 in six minutes. Give Pop a raise for that one :tu

And when Bowen fouls out in the fourth and we lose, you blame.... ?

Well, scratch that Kobe is still kicking our ass with Bowen.

[Beaverfuzz]

Losing a 20 point lead would mean that the Lakers regained the lead. That didn't happen.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

And when Bowen fouls out in the fourth and we lose, you blame.... ?

Well, scratch that Kobe is still kicking out ass with Bowen.

Yeah, that's because we let Kobe get his rhythm, which he didn't have until Bowen was firmly on the bench.

Who gives a shit if Bowen fouls out in the fourth if we're up 20 at that point. The game's over anyway.

Instead, we pissed away a 20 point lead and are in a dog fight now. Yeah, that's awesome coaching.

You're up 20 in LA in the third with a chance to steal game 1 against the Fakers and put their young kids under some duress, and instead you get cute with sitting Bowen and going to small ball.

Fucking stupid.

[MadDog73]

Yeah, that's because we let Kobe get his rhythm, which he didn't have until Bowen was firmly on the bench.

Who gives a shit if Bowen fouls out in the fourth if we're up 20 at that point. The game's over anyway.

Instead, we pissed away a 20 point lead and are in a dog fight now. Yeah, that's awesome coaching.

You're up 20 in LA in the third with a chance to steal game 1 against the Fakers and put their young kids under some duress, and instead you get cute with sitting Bowen and going to small ball.

Fucking stupid.
OK, you win, that was stupid.

Not sure what Vaughn was doing out there either.

[whottt]

I'm with AHF...Pop is fucking this game up with small ball...I hate it when he does this. We have a huge rebounding advantage against LA that Pop throws out the window when he goes small.

Yes...if Bowen fouls out in the fourth with the Spurs maintaining a 20 point lead it's better than putting him on the bench in the third.


Not only did Pop let Kobe get going offensively...

He is playing small ball with Finley out there.

LA is Finley kryptonite...I think he once lost like 20 games in a row there. Get his ass off the court.

[MannyIsGod]

I like small ball against the Lakers. Its what got us that 20 point lead. Bowen can't play the entire game.

[MannyIsGod]

I agree about wanting less Finely though.

[MadDog73]

Manu was fucking shit this game.

[Nikos]

Manu has sucked tonight. If he just plays mediocre the Spurs win this game easily.

[Rummpd]

Stupid shit.

[Rummpd]

This is a nightmare.

[Anti.Hero]

Finley is fucking garbage.

PLAY DEFENSE YOU FUCKING IDIOT.

[Rummpd]

hit these foul shots.

[King]

Why don't you just sticky this. You make this post in every single game they fall behind in.

[Rummpd]

What a blow job call.

[Rummpd]

How is that not a foul!

[Rummpd]

What a play by Duncan.

[Rummpd]

Great play by Kobe.

[Rummpd]

Just score.

[whottt]

Way to lose the game Pop :tu


Old team, just got done with a 7 game series and spending 7 hours on a plane...and you completely fuck a 20 point lead with your BS smallball bullshit.

[whottt]

Fuck Pop. Seriously...fuck him for this.

20 point comeback won't help the Lakers confidence at all...

[Das Texan]

ya this one is on pop. taking bowen out and then leaving him out for so long was riduclious.

that and finley being a total piece of shit along with manu just being flat out stupid cost us this game.

[baseline bum]

I don't know who's the bigger ass... fucking Pop, or Ginobili.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Why don't you just sticky this. You make this post in every single game they fall behind in.

So you think the personnel decisions in the third tonight were good?

Yeah, I can be overly critical of Pop sometimes, but he fucking deserves it for tonight.

You have a 20 point lead in the third in LA in game 1 of the WCF, you don't turn into a pussy about Bowen's minutes, you go for the damn kill.

Period. I don't give a shit if Bowen has three fouls in the third, you were off to a 7-0 start against LA and Lakers couldn't get shit going.

And then you take the straight jacket off Kobe and bench Bowen.

It's like the first 30 minutes of this game Pop thought he was coaching against D'Antoni and then looked over up 20 and said 'oh shit, it's Phil!' and went into the fetal position like he usually does against Zen.

Horrible precedent for this series, right up there with Finley getting 25 minutes against LA. Michael Finley is done. Fini. Adios. 86ed. Done. But he gets 25 minutes of run and scores as many points as I did tonight.

Stupid ass decision by Pop in the third, he pussy footed up 20 and got bitch slapped.

[jman3000]

seeing parker rest so much at the end of the 3rd and the start of the 4th pissed me off as well.... and the bowen thing pissed me off to no end as well.

[Kori Ellis]

ya this one is on pop. taking bowen out and then leaving him out for so long was riduclious.
.


Ditto

[SpursFan0728]

Gino played horrible....
fuck that was not good to watch

[whottt]

Manu's hurt...he's been hurt all playoffs but he got hurt again after game 5.


Pop choked against Phil Jackson...

[Kori Ellis]

seeing parker rest so much at the end of the 3rd and the start of the 4th pissed me off as well.... and the bowen thing pissed me off to no end as well.

Parker played the entire 3rd.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I hate to say it but we'll probably get rolled by 20 in game 2. That's how stupid the end of the game was tonight. LA's going to have all the confidence in the world, particularly when we're giving them the damn games with small ball and Michael Finley playing more than token minutes.

[MizzouMerlin]

whottt, i need some help here. how did small ball lose this game? i don't remember either oberto or thomas playing great. they lost this game because ginobili's jump shot was somewhere on a plane, parker stopped attacking the basket, kobe woke up and nobody could hit a shot. i don't see how oberto, thomas or horry would change anything.

[MI21]

Pop has some explaining to do... I'd really like to here his reasoning behind what he did.

[Anti.Hero]

ya this one is on pop. taking bowen out and then leaving him out for so long was riduclious.

that and finley being a total piece of shit along with manu just being flat out stupid cost us this game.

As soon as Bowen was out we lost the 20 pt lead. As soon as he comes back he shuts down Kobe. He's gotta play 48 mins.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Does anyone on this forum think Finley playing the four against Odem is a great idea? Damn, that's about as stupid as asking him to guard Dirk. Oh wait...

[to21]

He stayed too long with Manu on Kobe. Manu was casper tonight.

This lose hurts.

[baseline bum]

I'd like to hear why the fuck Popovich put Ginobili on Bryant in the third. Holy fucking shit. Why not stick Barry or Stoudamire too?

[1Parker1]

Not only was it dumb of Pop to leave Bowen out for so long, but when Kobe started to get hot in the 3rd quarter with Udoka on him....Pop actually calls a timeout and decides to put Frickin Manu Ginobili on Kobe :wtf :pctoss

This game may just come back and bite the Spurs in the end. They let a golden opportunity slip away from them to steal a road game.

[timvp]

It wasn't small ball. It was taking out Bowen with three fouls in the third quarter for no reason. He wasn't even in foul trouble. Then the Lakers made their run at that exact moment and Pop never put Bowen in until the lead was gone.

:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss
:pctoss

[whottt]

Fuck now all I have to hear for the next 2 days is everyone sucking LA off because Pop is a fucking dumbass.

[mrsmaalox]

whottt, i need some help here. how did small ball lose this game? i don't remember either oberto or thomas playing great. they lost this game because ginobili's jump shot was somewhere on a plane, parker stopped attacking the basket, kobe woke up and nobody could hit a shot. i don't see how oberto, thomas or horry would change anything.

Fab was playing well.

[timvp]

If the Spurs lose this series, Pop's move in the third to bench Bowen in the third quarter is something I will never forgive him for. That was just idiotic. Bowen had Kobe on lock. The Spurs needed to just close out the third playing par basketball and the game was over.

[jman3000]

Parker played the entire 3rd.

i saw loads and loads of vaughn... i cant believe that unless i they were out there at the same time.

[Das Texan]

You want to take Bowen out and put Udoka on Kobe for a couple fine.


Kobe starts hitting shots on Udoka you have to put Bowen in the game. Its not rocket science, I wanted to throw my tv through the fucking window at that god damn point of the game.

Fucking Pop, as good as he has been in the first two rounds by and large he just fucking pissed it all away tonight, that was fucking beyond stupid.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If the Spurs lose this series, Pop's move in the third to bench Bowen in the third quarter is something I will never forgive him for. That was just idiotic. Bowen had Kobe on lock. The Spurs needed to just close out the third playing par basketball and the game was over.

LJ joining me in criticism of Pop? Someone check the temperature in hell.

Just goes to show you how friggin' stupid Pop was tonight.

Even TPark is going to have a hard time spinning this one.

[Brutalis]

I like how we just fucked off our chance to steal a game in LA.

Finley jacking that three with 20 left on the shot clock in the 4th..

Tony going MIA?

Duncan got gassed, you could see it at the 5:41 break.

SA clearly shot themselves in the foot. Pop and all. TD was the only one who played hard for 48 mins.

[jman3000]

vaughn played 5:30 minutes... im fairly sure those came at the end of the 3rd and start of the 4th

[MizzouMerlin]

mrsmaalox, maybe i was a little harsh on oberto. he was playing okay. i don't have a problem with small ball in general. putting finley at the four was dumb, but i don't think small ball lost this game for them. taking bowen out hurt more than anything. also, the fact that nobody could shoot in the second half. that doesn't have to do with small ball. more with old legs coming off a seven game series and one days rest.

[timvp]

LJ joining me in criticism of Pop? Someone check the temperature in hell.

Just goes to show you how friggin' stupid Pop was tonight.

Even TPark is going to have a hard time spinning this one.I've criticized Pop often this postseason when deserved. Go check what I said earlier in the Hornets series.

I don't criticize for stupid ish like passing the ball to Duncan or playing small ball when the other team is playing small ball.

[ShoogarBear]

A few less cross-court passes from Manu to start Laker fast breaks would have helped, too.

[debo]

NBA
where what and the fuck just happened happens

[Das Texan]

and for good measure


:pctoss
:pctoss
:bang
:pctoss
:pctoss
:bang
:pctoss
:pctoss
:bang

:flipoff to Popovich

[1Parker1]

If the Spurs lose this series, Pop's move in the third to bench Bowen in the third quarter is something I will never forgive him for. That was just idiotic. Bowen had Kobe on lock. The Spurs needed to just close out the third playing par basketball and the game was over.

This was probably the most hurtful loss of the Spurs season. If they lose Game 2, I dont think they can beat the Lakers in 4 of 5. And Lakers are more than capable of beating the Spurs in SA.

[timvp]

vaughn played 5:30 minutes... im fairly sure those came at the end of the 3rd and start of the 4thNo Vaughn checked in to begin the fourth. Parker took the final shot in the third for the Spurs. He wasn't on the bench when taking the shot.

[T Park]

LJ joining me in criticism of Pop? Someone check the temperature in hell.

Just goes to show you how friggin' stupid Pop was tonight.

Even TPark is going to have a hard time spinning this one.

couldn't see the game so i can't say either way.

But I trust everyone's assesment in that Pop screwed up.

[T Park]

LJ joining me in criticism of Pop? Someone check the temperature in hell.

Just goes to show you how friggin' stupid Pop was tonight.

Even TPark is going to have a hard time spinning this one.

couldn't see the game so i can't say either way.

But I trust everyone's assessment in that Pop screwed up.

[Kori Ellis]

i saw loads and loads of vaughn... i cant believe that unless i they were out there at the same time.

You can go look at the play-by-play if you want. Parker played the whole 3rd. Vaughn came in for him around the 10 min mark of the 4th.

[T Park]

Just looking at the Box score outside of Pop I could say Finley and Ginobili can take alot of the blame as well.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Vaughn came in after the start of the fourth quarter jman.

Parker clanged the last shot the Spurs took in the third.

[sprrs]

I'm convinced Gregg Popovich is a Laker fan. Everyone knew Kobe was going to go off in the second half...and what does he do? He takes out Bowen and lets a 20 point lead turn into a 6 point lead. Then, with the Spurs up 2 with only a few minutes left in the game, he basically gifts the Lakers two points by putting Finley on Odom. Unbefuckinglievable.

[sribb43]

WTF was Udoka doing jacking up this shots in the 4th quarter...

[polandprzem]

The worst fucking thing is that that was the most important game of the series.

I hardly believe that spurs can do the same to LA what they did to NO.

LA was rusty as hell, and then they woke up. Odom was not playing geat, Gasol as well, not even the role players !

How the fuck spurs can win the 2nd game now? :pctoss

:cuss


And the 2nd game is a must fucking win game, fuck.


Too much fuck,

fuck

[baseline bum]

Hire AJ immediately.

[polandprzem]

Fuckin turnovers and damn Udoka jacking up the shots, as someone mentioned.
You are not the hero

damn, shit, fuck

[T Park]

Yeah up 20 and having the foot on the throat and losing is a bit of a blow.

I don't know if they can come back and win the series after this.

[sribb43]

Hire AJ immediately.

be careful what you wish for...a few more choke jobs come along with that hire

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Udoka shot late in the shot clock when no one else wanted to shoot. Well, unless you count Finley :lol

[mrsmaalox]

mrsmaalox, maybe i was a little harsh on oberto. he was playing okay. i don't have a problem with small ball in general. putting finley at the four was dumb, but i don't think small ball lost this game for them. taking bowen out hurt more than anything. also, the fact that nobody could shoot in the second half. that doesn't have to do with small ball. more with old legs coming off a seven game series and one days rest.

I agree with that.

[Kori Ellis]

Yeah up 20 and having the foot on the throat and losing is a bit of a blow.

I don't know if they can come back and win the series after this.

That's okay. You never think they can come back and win a series. Then, they win a game and you are overconfident. :lol That's the TPark way. It's worked for a few Championships, so I think they are fine.

[T Park]

From what my cousin tells me, Horry was guarding Odom great in the first half.

WTF pop down the stretch up 4, you don't put in Horry against Odom and go with the clutchest shooter in basketball history for at the very least a decoy on offense?

Yeah this is a 98% loss by Pop no question.

[1Parker1]

I'd rather see Matt Bonner out there than Finley. I officially cannot stand that guy. :pctoss

[T Park]

That's okay. You never think they can come back and win a series. Then, they win a game and you are overconfident. :lol That's the TPark way. It's worked for a few Championships, so I think they are fine.

I thought they could vs New Orleans.

Whatever though.

[jman3000]

You can go look at the play-by-play if you want. Parker played the whole 3rd. Vaughn came in for him around the 10 min mark of the 4th.

i saw the play by play and youre right... either way... it isnt the fact that vaughn got 5:30 minutes... it's when those 5:30 minutes occured... im not saying play parker 48 minutes... but with manu still taking a nap on the plane the spurs needed parker out there for as much as humanly possible.

[T Park]

I'd rather see Matt Bonner out there than Finley. I officially cannot stand that guy. :pctoss

Good thing you weren't in charge for game 7.

[1Parker1]

BTW, Where the heck was Oberto in the 2nd half? I thought his passing and defense was good in the first half and the Spurs definitely had great ball movement with him.

[T Park]

i saw the play by play and youre right... either way... it isnt the fact that vaughn got 5:30 minutes... it's when those 5:30 minutes occured... im not saying play parker 48 minutes... but with manu still taking a nap on the plane the spurs needed parker out there for as much as humanly possible.

I think he played 42.

After playing plus 40 in game 7 and what happened after that, who knows, but you gotta give the kid a rest even if hes 26.

[1Parker1]

Good thing you weren't in charge for game 7.

Yea, 2 pointers where huge :rolleyes

[Borosai]

I don't have a problem with Udoka in there. He did a good job on Odom and he's not afraid to take the shot when everyone else is. But who the fuck puts Manu and Finley on Odom? Seriously. Where was Horry and Oberto?

[baseline bum]

This is the worst way possible to lose. I would have rather dropped the game by 50.

And Pop, you ignorant slut, did you think this wasn't the same Kobe Bryant from game 1 of the 01 WCF or game 4 of the 04 WCSF?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Oberto was locking down Odem in the first half too, then we had to go to Finley in the third. Fucking bonehead.

[T Park]

Yea, 2 pointers where huge :rolleyes

those 3s were, I don't remember any 2s.

But continue the childish hatred.

[Das Texan]

From what my cousin tells me, Horry was guarding Odom great in the first half.

WTF pop down the stretch up 4, you don't put in Horry against Odom and go with the clutchest shooter in basketball history for at the very least a decoy on offense?

Yeah this is a 98% loss by Pop no question.



No.


100% on Popovich.

[jman3000]

finley's -21 and manu's -19 make me wanna throw up... then i look at bowen's +18 and really wanna throw up.

:pctoss

[T Park]

This is the worst way possible to lose. I would have rather dropped the game by 50.

And Pop, you ignorant slut, did you think this wasn't the same Kobe Bryant from game 1 of the 01 WCF or game 4 of the 04 WCSF?

Yeah it was said before the game, if your gonna lose, lose by a bunch and rest the starters.

Duncan and Parker going 40 plus, Duncan having a great game, and losing is not a good way to start the series. Especially against Jackson who will make some adjustments for friday.

[Anti.Hero]

Does anyone on this forum think Finley playing the four against Odem is a great idea? Damn, that's about as stupid as asking him to guard Dirk. Oh wait...

I am going to be so fucking happy when Finley is off this team.

[T Park]

No.


100% on Popovich.


So Ginobili going 3-11 and Finley 0-5 from 3 did nothing to hurt? :lol

[jman3000]

I think he played 42.

After playing plus 40 in game 7 and what happened after that, who knows, but you gotta give the kid a rest even if hes 26.

not this late in the playoffs imo.

you can't be conservative with minutes this late in the playoffs.


spurs by 16 in game 2.

fuck the lakers.

[Kori Ellis]

finley's -21 and manu's -19 make me wanna throw up... then i look at bowen's +18 and really wanna throw up.

:pctoss

:pctoss

It infuriated me. When Bowen went out with 3 fouls (up 20), I was like got damn, what is Pop doing?! Then he left him out for SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long. I would have rather Bowen fouled out 1/2 way through the 4th with the Spurs up 30.

Pop has to know when he looks at the tape that he f'd this game.

[T Park]

not this late in the playoffs imo.

you can't be conservative with minutes this late in the playoffs.


spurs by 16 in game 2.

fuck the lakers.

:lol

Yeah make him exhausted to where it effects his games the rest of the series, thats a great move.

[MizzouMerlin]

IMO, small ball didn't lose the game for San Antonio. There were other factors.

1. Taking Bowen out in the third with only three fouls. He left with 5:39 in the third and SA up 65-45. Kobe scored nine points and had four assists with Ginobili trying to guard him. There was no reason to take Bowen out. This wasn't a case of small ball, though, because they didn't take a big man out, they subbed a g/f for another g/f

2. Ginobili looked tired, forcing shots and bad passes. He was 3-of-13, attempted only two free throws and had four turnovers. A tired Ginobili is a bad Ginobili.

3. Parker took his foot off the pedal. In the second half, he only made one shot, which of course came at the basket. In the fourth quarter, he took four shots by my count, only one in the paint. When the Spurs offense goes through these droughts, often it's because Parker or Ginobili aren't aggressive offensively and creating opportunities.

When it comes down to it, San Antonio didn't look aggressive or energized in the second half. There was no urgency. Can we attribute this to old, tired legs after a seven game series? Maybe.

They sure don't help, though.

[Das Texan]

So Ginobili going 3-11 and Finley 0-5 from 3 did nothing to hurt? :lol



Bowen finishes up the third, we win.


so yes.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Very very sad way to lose. AHF you are right on on this one.

No doubt in my mind we are going to get blown out on Friday.

[T Park]

IMO, small ball didn't lose the game for San Antonio. There were other factors.

1. Taking Bowen out in the third with only three fouls. He left with 5:39 in the third and SA up 65-45. Kobe scored nine points and had four assists with Ginobili trying to guard him. There was no reason to take Bowen out. This wasn't a case of small ball, though, because they didn't take a big man out, they subbed a g/f for another g/f

2. Ginobili looked tired, forcing shots and bad passes. He was 3-of-13, attempted only two free throws and had four turnovers. A tired Ginobili is a bad Ginobili.

3. Parker took his foot off the pedal. In the second half, he only made one shot, which of course came at the basket. In the fourth quarter, he took four shots by my count, only one in the paint. When the Spurs offense goes through these droughts, often it's because Parker or Ginobili aren't aggressive offensively and creating opportunities.

When it comes down to it, San Antonio didn't look aggressive or energized in the second half. There was no urgency. Can we attribute this to old, tired legs after a seven game series? Maybe.

They sure don't help, though.


If true its part of it, but doesn't excuse not playing Oberto and Horry more minutes, and taking Bowen out with 3 fouls. I mean, wtf is that.

[1Parker1]

those 3s were, I don't remember any 2s.

But continue the childish hatred.

T Park, you didn't even watch this fucking game. I don't know how the hell you feel you can even comment on how bad Finley was or wasn't compared to previous games when u didnt even watch the game.

[T Park]

Bowen finishes up the third, we win.


so yes.


Of course not.

Ginobili can do no wrong.

[whottt]

I can't believe people are saying small ball didn't hurt us...you guys saying the Finley Odom matchup was a good one?


I guaranfuckingtee you we didn't build that 20 point lead with Michael Finley on Lamar Odom. Get serious.

[SequSpur]

I agree with this totally. just an FYI.

[T Park]

T Park, you didn't even watch this fucking game. I don't know how the hell you feel you can even comment on how bad Finley was or wasn't compared to previous games when u didnt even watch the game.


Uh i watched game 7 he was fantastic.

Looking at the box score he was horrible tonight.

But you act like he had nothing to do with a win in game 7 wich isn't right.


Chill the hell out.

[1Parker1]

Pop even sounded tired and defeated in the post game :pctoss

[timvp]

Oberto was locking down Odem in the first half too, then we had to go to Finley in the third. Fucking bonehead.How about because Odom wasn't in the f'ing game in the third quarter. He played the first couple minutes and got benched. Did you watch?

[T Park]

I can't believe people are saying small ball didn't hurt us...you guys saying the Finley Odom matchup was a good one?


I guaranfuckingtee you we didn't build that 20 point lead with Michael Finley on Lamar Odom. Get serious.

Yeah I said there would be small ball, but at the very worst udoka on Odom.

Horry and Oberto have got to play more no question.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Just looking at the Box score outside of Pop I could say Finley and Ginobili can take alot of the blame as well.

that wouldve canceled out odom and fishers production imo

too bad sumone decided to lay an egg on us

[Das Texan]

Of course not.

Ginobili can do no wrong.



what the fuck does it have to do with ginobili, he played like shit, but the reason we lost this game above and beyond anything else was the absolute horseshit stupidity shown by pop in the third when he took out bowen.

you leave bowen in, you win.


you take him out, you lose. it was that moment when kobe became riducliously hot. you leave bowen in, kobe remains locked down.


watch the got damn game if you want to make stupid comments. typical.

[MizzouMerlin]

Of course small ball hurt...when it was Finley playing the 4. When it was Udoka, things were okay. However, there were bigger things than just small ball hurting them. How long was Finley matched up with Odom? I don't remember, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the entire fourth quarter. To solely blame small ball ignores the other factors that were just as important.

[whottt]

I'll put my title on the line that we won't win this series and it'll be because Pop is a dumbass...any takers?


Pop fucking thinks Lamar Odom is Dirk Nowitzki or something and is going to use an old 2 guard as a C against him...that's why.

[Anti.Hero]

T Park quit being such a fucking Finley fan boy. It is fucking old.

He only hits his shit every so often and NEVER PLAYS ANY GOD DAMN DEFENSE.

Fuck. Who else plays on this team that doesn't play ANY fucking defense. Finley is such a pussy Pop will not bench his ass for the rest of the series.

If Finley doesn't hit his shots early on, he is no good. Watching him out there makes me sick.

[T Park]

what the fuck does it have to do with ginobili, he played like shit, but the reason we lost this game above and beyond anything else was the absolute horseshit stupidity shown by pop in the third when he took out bowen.

you leave bowen in, you win.


you take him out, you lose. it was that moment when kobe became riducliously hot. you leave bowen in, kobe remains locked down.


watch the got damn game if you want to make stupid comments. typical.


I agreed Pop fucked up and was a huge huge huge reason they lost.

Im just saying GInobili and Finley share quite a bit as well in the blame.

[1Parker1]

Uh i watched game 7 he was fantastic.

Looking at the box score he was horrible tonight.

But you act like he had nothing to do with a win in game 7 wich isn't right.


Chill the hell out.

He hit 2 three pointers in game 7. He was about the 6 or 7th reason why the Spurs won game 7. In no way was he a catalyst for that win. Where the heck was he when the Hornets were making their comeback in the 4th quarter?

Finley sucks this postseason. He hit a great shot in Game 1 and after that it's been downhill. If you can't see that, then I can't help you.


I think less Finley and more Barry in Game 2 may help the Spurs.

[Kori Ellis]

Pop even sounded tired and defeated in the post game :pctoss

I'm sure they are all tired. They all either slept in airplane seats, slept on the floor of a plane, or slept on a bus parked on the tarmac after a grueling 7 game series.

But got damn, tired or not, they had this fucking game... they were up TWENTY with 5 minutes left in the 3rd. They could have just stepped on their throats and put them away. :bang

[timvp]

I can't believe people are saying small ball didn't hurt us...you guys saying the Finley Odom matchup was a good one?


I guaranfuckingtee you we didn't build that 20 point lead with Michael Finley on Lamar Odom. Get serious.By the time Finley was on Odom, the game choke job was complete. Finley on Odom wasn't a part of the collapse.

[Das Texan]

By the way, I did think Udoka did a pretty good job on Odom from what I do recall.

Just a little side note. He forced way too many shots in the fourth, but at least he had the fucking balls to try to make something positive happen.

[T Park]

T Park quit being such a fucking Finley fan boy. It is fucking old.

He only hits his shit every so often and NEVER PLAYS ANY GOD DAMN DEFENSE.

Fuck. Who else plays on this team that doesn't play ANY fucking defense. Finley is such a pussy Pop will not bench his ass for the rest of the series.

If Finley doesn't hit his shots early on, he is no good.


Yeah me saying he should take a large role in the loss tonight supports that.

Genius :tu

[Spurs Brazil]

I don't hav a problem with small ball but:

1 - take Bowen too long was stupid. He should be back when the Lakers cut to 13 after Kobe 3.

2 - Finley. Too much Finley. He was horrible. 21 minutes, -21.

[jman3000]

:lol

Yeah make him exhausted to where it effects his games the rest of the series, thats a great move.

he had the break from the transition of the 3rd to the 4th... i know nba basketball is incredibly punishing on the body... but damn it you have to play him. all im asking for is 2-3 minutes more... that's not gonna drive him into the ground. in a close game such as this that's all you really need sometimes.

[Das Texan]

I agreed Pop fucked up and was a huge huge huge reason they lost.

Im just saying GInobili and Finley share quite a bit as well in the blame.



watch the got damn game and not the fucking box score.


fuck.

[T Park]

He hit 2 three pointers in game 7. He was about the 6 or 7th reason why the Spurs won game 7. In no way was he a catalyst for that win. Where the heck was he when the Hornets were making their comeback in the 4th quarter?

Finley sucks this postseason. He hit a great shot in Game 1 and after that it's been downhill. If you can't see that, then I can't help you.


I think less Finley and more Barry in Game 2 may help the Spurs.


:lol

Whatever.


He wasn't in the 4th because the starters were in, but, you can't see that between the red.

Whatever.

[T Park]

watch the got damn game and not the fucking box score.


fuck.



Sorry I had to work tonight, I'll be sure to skip work and do that next time.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

This turn of events seriously makes me want to drink until I pass out. I have never seen such a decisive game turn to shit to quickly. Pop seriously does get psyched out by Phil Jackson. Madness. Total madness.

[Das Texan]

Sorry I had to work tonight, I'll be sure to skip work and do that next time.



please do that if you want to comment like this.

[Anti.Hero]

Yeah me saying he should take a large role in the loss tonight supports that.

Genius :tu

I'm saying he is no good to us. His "once every 5 game offense" is NOT WORTH NO FUCKING DEFENSE ON THE COURT.

[whottt]

By the time Finley was on Odom, the game choke job was complete. Finley on Odom wasn't a part of the collapse.

Fail. I can't believe you think Finley being on Odom wasn't a factor. Crackpipe much?

Why don't you do your little +/- thing tonight...I'm interested in seeing Finley's.

[SPARKY]

More Barry, less Finley, for starters. Fin hit a basket late in NO on Monday but sometimes he's just off.

[loveforthegame]

If Finley got lit up by Kobe in that 3rd quarter with Bowen on the bench we'd never hear the end of it. I think that was the turning point when Udoka watched Kobe get going.

Who lit Finley up exactly? One possesion Odom scores on him when the collapse had already taken place and it's Finley's fault. Unbelievable. Finley sucked offensively no doubt but who scored on him exactly?

[T Park]

please do that if you want to comment like this.


No thats ok, read or scroll kid.

[Das Texan]

No thats ok, read or scroll kid.



:lol

classic. go quit on the team like usual.

[T Park]

:lol

classic. go quit on the team like usual.


:tu Adult

Wanna throw a tantrum and keep letting a ball game effect you by acting kiddish?

[timvp]

Fail. I can't believe you think Finley being on Odom wasn't a factor. Crackpipe much? You and AHF used to be good at your playoff cliff jumping back when you actually watched games. By the time Finley ever guarded Odom, the Spurs' 20 point lead was at 2 points. How the hell was Finley being on Odom reason the Spurs collapsed?

:bang

[whottt]

LOL Finley had a -21 +/- tonight in 21 minutes...that's got to be a fucking record.


And yes...it was the worst on the team.

[Das Texan]

:tu Adult

Wanna throw a tantrum and keep letting a ball game effect you by acting kiddish?



:lol


I'm just stating facts that I garned with my own two eyes by watching the fucking game.

what the fuck are you doing, besides being typical TPark

Have you quit on the team yet? That's usually a good sign for us.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I feel like im going to hurl. This is going to be such a horrible horrible turn of events. This game was OURS DAMMIT

[gameFACE]

More Oberto please. His passing could have helped break down the Laker defense.

[1Parker1]

Fail. I can't believe you think Finley being on Odom wasn't a factor. Crackpipe much?

Why don't you do your little +/- thing tonight...I'm interested in seeing Finley's.


Finley wasn't on Odom for that long. And Odom wasn't exactly scoring out there anyways. I don't think it was a factor.

I think Finley's affect was more on the offensive end. He was jacking up 3 pointers 2 feet behind the line with about 20 seconds left on the shotclock. He wasn't moving the ball and he was hesitating with some of his shots. He just sucked big time. But that's nothing new from him.

[whottt]

I'll put my title on the line that we won't win this series and it'll be because Pop is a dumbass...any takers?


Pop fucking thinks Lamar Odom is Dirk Nowitzki or something and is going to use an old 2 guard as a C against him...that's why.


C'mon pussies...if smallball isn't a problem then you guys shouldn't be too chickenshit to bet.

[GrandeDavid]

Yeah, that's because we let Kobe get his rhythm, which he didn't have until Bowen was firmly on the bench.

Who gives a shit if Bowen fouls out in the fourth if we're up 20 at that point. The game's over anyway.

Instead, we pissed away a 20 point lead and are in a dog fight now. Yeah, that's awesome coaching.

You're up 20 in LA in the third with a chance to steal game 1 against the Fakers and put their young kids under some duress, and instead you get cute with sitting Bowen and going to small ball.

Fucking stupid.

:clap

Completely agree. Pop almost made me throw my laptop off my balcony at my condo, which is 18 stories up. Maybe I would've hit the swimming pool and could've loaned the Spurs some shotmaking.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

If the Spurs win game 2, I will definitely be able to sit with the game 1 loss a lot easier.


However if we drop game 2, I doubt we'll pull off another N.O.

[Anti.Hero]

You and AHF used to be good at your playoff cliff jumping back when you actually watched games. By the time Finley ever guarded Odom, the Spurs' 20 point lead was at 2 points. How the hell was Finley being on Odom reason the Spurs collapsed?

:bang

Of course it is not all on him. Not even close. But he doesn't knock down his shots but every 3 or 4 games. He is no good to us.

THE SPURS CANNOT AFFORD FINLEY's SPOTTY SHOOTING AND TOTAL LACK OF DEFENSE. DON'T EVEN RISK PLAYING HIM.


At least Barry CAN break the Spurs horrid offensive droughts.

[ShoogarBear]

So 3 out of 4 playoff losses this year can be attributed in great deal to the fact that Pop doesn't know how to use Bruce Bowen?

Maybe old age is hitting the coaching before the players.

[whottt]

Finley wasn't on Odom for that long. And Odom wasn't exactly scoring out there anyways. I don't think it was a factor.

Who the hell do you guys think he was on then? Shaq?

He didn't evne hardly play in the first half.




I think Finley's affect was more on the offensive end. He was jacking up 3 pointers 2 feet behind the line with about 20 seconds left on the shotclock. He wasn't moving the ball and he was hesitating with some of his shots. He just sucked big time. But that's nothing new from him.


Finley's impact was on both ends....like I said, Lakers are his kryptonite...I think he lost about 20 games in a row in LA...no joke. He didn't win there until he became a Spur IIRC.


I knew we would lose this game the second I saw that Pop was going to go with him during crunch time.

[jman3000]

I'm not sure if this game is gonna be the exception or the rule for this series... but as much as im pissed right now that we blew a 20 point lead... outplaying the lakers for 31/2 quarters on their home gym after a short turnaround from an emotional game 7, has to at least be somewhat of a good sign.. as fuckign retarded as that sounds.

spurs in 6.

im getting a beer. fuck everyone.

[timvp]

LOL Finley had a -21 +/- tonight in 21 minutes...that's got to be a fucking record.


And yes...it was the worst on the team.Obviously Finley sucked azz. But only those of you who didn't watch the game will blame this lose of Finley guarding Odom. Odom wasn't in the game when the Lakers made their run and by the time Finley was put on Odom, the Lakers had erased the lead.

Finley was damn horrible but you stat jockeys should mix in some actual game footage.

[T Park]

4-19 out of your shooting guards is just killer.

Barry Finley and Ginobili have GOT to show up for game 2 to have any kind of shot.

Gonna give em a pass though, assuming they were exhausted though. Still though, down 20 with 5 mins left in the third, you've got to finish em off and at the very least get your rest from blowin em out.

[jman3000]

I'm not sure if this game is gonna be the exception or the rule for this series... but as much as im pissed right now that we blew a 20 point lead... outplaying the lakers for 31/2 quarters on their home gym after a short turnaround from an emotional game 7, has to at least be somewhat of a good sign.. as fuckign retarded as that sounds.

spurs in 6.

im getting a beer. fuck everyone.

jesus christ... i sounded like suns fan after game 1.

:pctoss :pctoss :pctoss

[GrandeDavid]

Fuck now all I have to hear for the next 2 days is everyone sucking LA off because Pop is a fucking dumbass.

:lol

That's why I'm glad tomorrow is a holiday in Brazil and its soccer tournament time so I won't have to hear shit about this game or series until sometime next week. :hat

[Fabbs]

Bowen went out at 5:39 left 3rd qtr with Spurs up 65-45.
When did PopaMoron put him back in?

[easjer]

I didn't think they needed game 1. I figured they could win game 2.

That was before they had a great first half and went up by 20 fucking points in the third.

Now I want to break something, I am so frustrated and angry. Game 2 is now a must win situation, when it wasn't before the game started. And they are going to be tense and edgy and sucky and Manu will likely continue trying to force the offense. Kobe is relaxed now, which is just fucking terrific.

If you go up by 20 points then you better gotdamn when the fucking game. This is worse than a fucking loss. What a choke job.

I'm so pissed off right now. I guess we'll see Friday if not watching will have any positive effect on this series.

[whottt]

In conclusion...

Finley sucks.
Pop sucks.
Smallball sucks.

[T Park]

Obviously Finley sucked azz. But only those of you who didn't watch the game will blame this lose of Finley guarding Odom. Odom wasn't in the game when the Lakers made their run and by the time Finley was put on Odom, the Lakers had erased the lead.

Finley was damn horrible but you stat jockeys should mix in some actual game footage.


I just blamed him cause he literally didn't make a shot :lol

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Bruce Bowen is a gift, one of the greatest players I've ever watched play IMO, and it is very very hurting to see him play one of the best games against Kobe in the history of Kobe Playoff Performances, then Pop cuts it short because he realizes that Phil Jackson fucking scares him.

This game has repercussions far beyond winning or losing this series. Every fucking single postulated theory put forth on this forum regarding Pop vs Phil will have to be revised. Every single one. Noone saw the degree that Phil has on Pop mentally was this strong. NOONE, not even AHF or his ilk.
This was a spurs history changing game.

[ShoogarBear]

Now I want to break something, I am so frustrated and angry.

sfie, check in please.

[T Park]

jesus christ... i sounded like suns fan after game 1.

:pctoss :pctoss :pctoss


:lol

Yeah bt its true.

Although a small part of me thinks its part rust from them being off for a few days.

I hope not and hope it was the personnel and the defense they were playing and that they just got tired and Pop fucked up the third.

[1Parker1]

Who the hell do you guys think he was on then? Shaq?

.


How many points did Odom have? He was pretty much held in check. He may have scored 1 or 2 baskets on Finley, that's not the reason the Spurs lost.

[Das Texan]

I just blamed him cause he literally didn't make a shot :lol


With that logic might as well blame Horry and Vaughn too for this loss.


Hell, Stoudamire also.


No shots made by any of them.

[easjer]

sfie, check in please.

He's fine, I swear. I won't break him, I like him.

He's blowing off steam playing video games and I'm waiting for the damn sleeping pills to kick in.

[DDS4]

It got so bad at the end of the 3rd period, my wife was wondering why Bowen wasn't on Kobe.

She hardly watches the games.

[baseline bum]

You could just see it from a mile away the second Pop took Bruce out. Fuck this shit. This is the most pissed I've been after a Spurs game since Terry Porter's ass fell over on the last shot.

[T Park]

With that logic might as well blame Horry and Vaughn too for this loss.


Hell, Stoudamire also.


No shots made by any of them.

Seeing as Horry didn't take a shot...


I don't see how the shooting guards go 4-19 and they don't take a part in the blame.

Thats unfathomable.

[whottt]

footage.


Footage? Footage?

You want some footage? Check the beginning of this thread and see at what point I started bitching about Finley.....there's your footage.



Footage my ass.

[SPARKY]

Pop picked a bad time to rest Bowen. Now he knows for game 2.

[timvp]

Footage? Footage?

You want some footage? Check the beginning of this thread and see at what point I started bitching about Finley.....there's your footage.



Footage my ass.Box score jockeying can only take you so far.

[ShoogarBear]

Pop picked a bad time to rest Bowen. Now he knows for game 2.

Problem is, this--like game one vs. PHX--could have essentially won the series. It would pretty much have been apples and lollipops from here out. Now it's going o be digging out of a hole for the next 5-6 games.

[T Park]

Problem is, this--like game one vs. PHX--could have essentially won the series. It would pretty much have been apples and lollipops from here out. Now it's going o be digging out of a hole for the next 5-6 games.


Yeah I agree, you win by 20 in game 1 against the Lakers, you get a HUGE shot of confidence for game 2, you get the lakers doubting themselves, and it all comes from there.

Yeah, hopefully they can pull out game 2, because it would be damn hard to win 4 outta 5 two series in a row.

[loveforthegame]

How many points did Kobe score when Udoka and Ginobli were guarding him?

How many points did Odom score on Finley?

Seriously, while Finley wasn't a positive he certainly wasn't the negative most are making him out to be.

[SPARKY]

Problem is, this--like game one vs. PHX--could have essentially won the series. It would pretty much have been apples and lollipops from here out. Now it's going o be digging out of a hole for the next 5-6 games.

True. Pop let up at the wrong time. TP and TD each played more than 40 minutes so it's not like he was that concerned about minutes.

[timvp]

Problem is, this--like game one vs. PHX--could have essentially won the series. It would pretty much have been apples and lollipops from here out. Now it's going o be digging out of a hole for the next 5-6 games.Yeah I have to agree with baseline and say this ranks right up there with the most disappointing losses in Spurs history. Pop had to just not take out Bowen and they could have stamped their passes to the Finals. They might have swept these b!tches.

Now they are in for another long series ...... that is if fatigue doesn't do in the Spurs prematurely.

[Spurs3000]

So you think the personnel decisions in the third tonight were good?

Yeah, I can be overly critical of Pop sometimes, but he fucking deserves it for tonight.

You have a 20 point lead in the third in LA in game 1 of the WCF, you don't turn into a pussy about Bowen's minutes, you go for the damn kill.

Period. I don't give a shit if Bowen has three fouls in the third, you were off to a 7-0 start against LA and Lakers couldn't get shit going.

And then you take the straight jacket off Kobe and bench Bowen.

It's like the first 30 minutes of this game Pop thought he was coaching against D'Antoni and then looked over up 20 and said 'oh shit, it's Phil!' and went into the fetal position like he usually does against Zen.

Horrible precedent for this series, right up there with Finley getting 25 minutes against LA. Michael Finley is done. Fini. Adios. 86ed. Done. But he gets 25 minutes of run and scores as many points as I did tonight.

Stupid ass decision by Pop in the third, he pussy footed up 20 and got bitch slapped.

Agreed 100%.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

He's fine, I swear. I won't break him, I like him.

He's blowing off steam playing video games and I'm waiting for the damn sleeping pills to kick in.

Just checking in to back up her story, but there's definitely no victory nookie tonight. :flipoff Thanks a bunch Coach Cockblockovich.

[T Park]

Yeah I have to agree with baseline and say this ranks right up there with the most disappointing losses in Spurs history. Pop had to just not take out Bowen and they could have stamped their passes to the Finals. They might have swept these b!tches.

Now they are in for another long series ...... that is if fatigue doesn't do in the Spurs prematurely.

Yeah when i looked at my phone and up 20 in the third, I was having visions of a reverse series from 2001.

[T Park]

Just checking in to back up her story, but there's definitely no victory nookie tonight. :flipoff Thanks a bunch Coach Cockblockovich.

:lol

Sorry bro, I don't mean to laugh but thats semi funny, sorry.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

poor spurstalk fans
to be so high on pop after timvp praises him more than ever
then to be let down after such a blatant coaching blunder.

sucks.

[whottt]

The fuck Finley wasn't a negative...Phil's eyes lit up when he saw a choker he could double off of...Finley let the Lakers start throwing doubles.

He wasn't doubling off Barry....and he damn sure wasn't doing it off Horry.


There's a reason the Lakers outscored the Spurs by a point for every minute Finley was in the game...he's the Smitty, the Hedo...

Those guys didn't choke against anyone but LA.

Keep his fucking ass of the court for the rest of this series. Playing Finley against LA is like playing Karl Malone in a finals...

[hitmanyr2k]

I'm not even going to put this game on Popovich. The Big 3 tonight down the stretch were terrible.

Tim Duncan...passes up two straight wide open looks after great feeds from Ginobili. He even had a wide open lane on one of those passes and didn't even look to the go the basket. He actually PANICKED like he didn't know what to do. I usually see that shit from KG. I shouldn't see that from Tim freakin Duncan. When the game is there you TAKE it. Instead he played hot potato and gave it to Udoka for tougher shots which he bricked or didn't even hit rim on.

Tony Parker...still trying to prove he has an outside shot when he should be taking the ball to the rim. I'll live with Parker missing layups or floaters. When I see him continually bricking 18-20 footers when he could easily get a better shot or create for others it's sickening. One play in particular that was unbelievable is he fumbles a pass late in the game and has a wide open Ginobili practically begging for the ball at the 3 point stripe. Instead of swinging the ball to the open man he dribbles for a few seconds and throws up a 20 foot brick. Just a dumb low IQ play.

Manu Ginobili...and speaking of low IQ, Ginobili made a couple of good passes down the stretch to Duncan but other than that he was straight garbage. Impatient, out of control. He was LA's best friend tonight. Sometimes he gets in one predictable mode where it's either a 3 point shot or going to the rim. Ever heard of mixing it up? Where's that midrange game you've been using all season? Why not do a couple of power dribbles and pull up for a 15 footer once in awhile? Stop being so predictable all the time and throwing dumb passes.

That 4th qtr did have a few bad calls (and non-calls) that factored in the Spurs losing but it should have never gotten to that point. If these guys played aggressive (looking at you Duncan) or smart (looking at you Tony and Manu) this game is theirs regardless of blowing that lead.

[1Parker1]

While I definitely agree that Pop not putting Bowen in hurt the Spurs, I don't think it was neccesarily the downfall of the Spurs. You had to know that Kobe would get going at some point during this game.

Spurs could have traded baskets at the very least. Instead they were outscored a whopping 46-18 or something. These offensive droughts that continue to haunt the Spurs are begining to really hurt them. They stop moving the ball on offense and the Lakers are a team who's offense leads to good defense.

You can't count on Odom, Gasol, and Fisher having subpar games all the time. That's the biggest thing the Spurs failed to capitlize on.

[mytespurs]

Fuck now all I have to hear for the next 2 days is everyone sucking LA off because Pop is a fucking dumbass.


Do you live in CA or LA area? The myopia will be at a peak the next couple of games.....

[SnakeBoy]

Why are so many spurs fans such predictable fucking idiots. If they lose pop sucks, the team sucks, and your all NBA coaches.

When they win this series you'll be right back on board talking shit about how great Pop and the Spurs are.

Same fucking thing year after year after year after year after year after year .

[T Park]

ou can't count on Odom, Gasol, and Fisher having subpar games all the time. That's the biggest thing the Spurs failed to capitlize on.

Yeah Fisher aint gonna go 1-9 again.

Odom might play that bad again.

Gasol? If he played bad, then thats a tossup, hes not exactly known for his toughness, but who knows.

[ShoogarBear]

Why are so many spurs fans such predictable fucking idiots. If they lose pop sucks, the team sucks, and your all NBA coaches.

When they win this series you'll be right back on board talking shit about how great Pop and the Spurs are.

Same fucking thing year after year after year after year after year after year .

Good thing you're always around to set us straight.

[jman3000]

Why are so many spurs fans such predictable fucking idiots. If they lose pop sucks, the team sucks, and your all NBA coaches.

When they win this series you'll be right back on board talking shit about how great Pop and the Spurs are.

Same fucking thing year after year after year after year after year after year .

fuck off. i love it.

[lefty]

Just checking in to back up her story, but there's definitely no victory nookie tonight. :flipoff Thanks a bunch Coach Cockblockovich.

:rollin

[1Parker1]

Good thing you're always around to set us straight.

:lol Who me?

[SPARKY]

Oh well, time to hit the bourbon.

[T Park]

Oh well, time to hit the bourbon.

The ole patron bottle is gonna be visited for me.

[ShoogarBear]

While I definitely agree that Pop not putting Bowen in hurt the Spurs, I don't think it was neccesarily the downfall of the Spurs. You had to know that Kobe would get going at some point during this game.

He was about to get going at anywhere near the rate he did once Bowen went out. No way ther Lakers were going to score their 14 in a row, or whatever they did, with Bowen out there.

Bruce was +18 in 35 minutes. Next highest +/- on the team was Oberto at +5 and Duncan at +4. Keeping him in would have guaranteed at least a 10-point lead going into the 4th, and more likely a 15-point lead.

[ShoogarBear]

:lol Who me?

You always set me straight. :eyebrows

[T Park]

He was about to get going at anywhere near the rate he did once Bowen went out. No way ther Lakers were going to score their 14 in a row, or whatever they did, with Bowen out there.

Bruce was +18 in 35 minutes. Next highest +/- on the team was Oberto at +5 and Duncan at +4. Keeping him in would have guaranteed at least a 10-point lead going into the 4th, and more likely a 15-point lead.


Goddamn...


Oberto has GOT to play more in game 2.

Sounds like he was having another game 7.

[SPARKY]

He was about to get going at anywhere near the rate he did once Bowen went out. No way ther Lakers were going to score their 14 in a row, or whatever they did, with Bowen out there.

Bruce was +18 in 35 minutes. Next highest +/- on the team was Oberto at +5 and Duncan at +4. Keeping him in would have guaranteed at least a 10-point lead going into the 4th, and more likely a 15-point lead.

Pop should've been more flexible in that situation. Now he knows. On to game 2.

[Fabbs]

He was about to get going at anywhere near the rate he did once Bowen went out. No way ther Lakers were going to score their 14 in a row, or whatever they did, with Bowen out there.

Bruce was +18 in 35 minutes. Next highest +/- on the team was Oberto at +5 and Duncan at +4. Keeping him in would have guaranteed at least a 10-point lead going into the 4th, and more likely a 15-point lead.

When did Bowen come back in. nba.com and espn do not say and I'm too disgusted to view the recording of Coatails Popabitch possibly blowing another title chance. Was it at the beggining of the 4th qtr when Bruce finally was reinserted?

[1Parker1]

He was about to get going at anywhere near the rate he did once Bowen went out. No way ther Lakers were going to score their 14 in a row, or whatever they did, with Bowen out there.

Bruce was +18 in 35 minutes. Next highest +/- on the team was Oberto at +5 and Duncan at +4. Keeping him in would have guaranteed at least a 10-point lead going into the 4th, and more likely a 15-point lead.

That doesn't negate the fact that the Spurs still couldn't buy a basket at the other end. Teams are bound to take advantage when you go 7-8 minutes without scoring.

[T Park]

Oberto and Horry have GOT to at least play 20 mins each in game 2.

No Finley, more Barry and Udoka.

Ginobili, Parker, Duncan stay agressive in going to the hole, and its a 1-1 series coming back to SA.

[jman3000]

half way through a sixer of 11% beer for me.

[T Park]

That doesn't negate the fact that the Spurs still couldn't buy a basket at the other end. Teams are bound to take advantage when you go 7-8 minutes without scoring.

yeah looking at the play by play, up 7 for a while and the Lakers missed some shots still, and the Spurs didn't take advantage.

Spurs at the beginning of the 4th get a three from Ginobili go back up 7 or 6, Lakers miss a shot, if the Spurs take advantage there, that breaks their spirit IMO.

Hard to conclude that though probably from the play by play read out.

[timvp]

Kobe's eyes got as big as that diamond he bought after he rrrrrra cheated on his wife when he saw Bowen go out of the game. His energy rose at that exact moment and he knew it was time to go into attack mode. The Lakers and their fans were dead ........... until Pop took out Bowen for no reason.

:pctoss

[T Park]

:lol

This loss seems very 2007 Game 4 against Phoenix esque.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

This game was over when Kobe started warming up against Udoka and Pop responded by bringing in Brent Barry, sliding Manu over to Kobe, and kept Bowen firmly planted on the bench. I knew it was over then.

Then he compounded it with the idea that Finley needed to play PF because, well, I don't know why the fuck he would think such a thing. Oberto was playing great D against Odem. Thomas came in off the pine and also pushed Odem out of his comfort zone.

So to compound no Bowen on Kobe, we go small ball and we leave both those guys on the bench. Pop couldn't have fucked that all up more if he asked Phil who Phil wanted to guard his guys and gave him free pick of the entire Spurs squad.

It's confounding how stupid the decisions Pop made in the third were, and I'm sure we'll get some bullshit excuse about everyone being tired or something stupid like that.

Someone from the media needed to call him out tonight for his stupidity.

And I don't get his lovefest for Finley. Yeah, he's old and he took the vet minimum to play here (hey Pop, he's still pulling down 20 mil from Cuban), but I've never seen Pop have such a mancrush on such a marginal reserve player past his prime.

It's simple with Finley. You put him for 2-3 minutes, and if he's hitting, you give him some run. If he's pump faking, dribbling, and/or missing, you pull him and give him another 2-3 minutes in the second half to see the same thing, and if you get the same results you set him down for the night.

Dude's either hot or cold (lately he's been antarctic), and everyone knows based on his first jumper if he's got it or not. And if he doesn't, he hasn't played a lick of defense in 3 months so there's no reason to keep him in the game.

Hell, I would have taken Damon out there for a while if Pop's just sticking bench scrubs out to see if someone can hit a friggin' basket.

I know Manu will play better in the coming games, but if Pop is going to continue to be Phil's bitch in the playoffs like this no amount of Ginobili/Duncan/Parker heroics are going to save us from that.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

half way through a sixer of 11% beer for me.

what beer? is it a trippel?

[SPARKY]

Bruce should be getting 40+ minutes a night in this series. This series is why he's a Spur. I have no doubt he'd run through that wall.

[timvp]

Thomas never guarded Odom but yeah Pop fvkced up by taking out Bowen.

[T Park]

and I'm sure we'll get some bullshit excuse about everyone being tired or something stupid like that.

So you're saying the players shouldn't have been tired?

[ShoogarBear]

Like I said, hopefully the light has gone on that 3 of 4 playoff losses have been directly attributable to misuse of Bowen.

[T Park]

Bruce should be getting 40+ minutes a night in this series. This series is why he's a Spur. I have no doubt he'd run through that wall.

Yeah this is the reason he was made FA number 1 in 2001.

2 points in the first half, and still holding him down in that third until he got his 3rd.

I mean this was on pace for an epic, "May 21st" esque thread.

[T Park]

Like I said, hopefully the light has gone one that 3 of 4 playoff losses have been directly attributable to misuse of Bowen.

Yeah hopefully its not 4 of 5.

[baseline bum]

Bruce should be getting 40+ minutes a night in this series. This series is why he's a Spur. I have no doubt he'd run through that wall.

Unbelievable. Bruce was brought here in 2001 for that one single matchup... Kobe Bryant. Nice preview of how badly we're fucked once Bowen retires.

[dbreiden83080]

We had open shots we blew and it was not small ball that made us forget down the stretch that Tim Duncan was having a great game. He did not get enough touches.

[ShoogarBear]

Oh, and anyone who is going to continue to dispute that the Big Three is not really the Big Four, and that Bruce Bowen shouldn't have his number retired by the Spurs, please take this opportunity to pucker up and kiss my black ass.

[T Park]

Unbelievable. Bruce was brought here in 2001 for that one single matchup... Kobe Bryant. Nice preview of how badly we're fucked once Bowen retires.

Yeah we got another sneak preview of that back in March against Detroit too.

[T Park]

Oh, and anyone who is going to continue to dispute that the Big Three is not really the Big Four, and that Bruce Bowen shouldn't have his number retired by the Spurs, please take this opportunity to pucker up and kiss my black ass.

If anyone says that after the Hornet's series where he single handily turned that series back twords the Spurs, then they should be committed I agree.

[timvp]

What pisses me off the most is Pop had no reason to take out Bowen. Bowen had three fouls ... okay? You had the Lakers on the ropes. Hold out for a couple more minutes and that game was over. Even if Bowen picks up his fourth foul, then you can hold him out until the start of the fourth. But not after his third foul. That was just ridiculous.

Bowen was owning Kobe and the game was almost over. Udoka was hacking all game long and it was obvious he was going to get lit up by Kobe. And then you put Manu on Kobe? The same Manu who was making Radmanovic and Vujacic look like two Hall of Famers?

That seriously might have been the worst coaching move in the history of the Spurs. If the Spurs don't come back and win this series, I might look back on that as worse than .4 and worse than the Manu foul.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

What is truly sad about this is that ShoogarBear is right. This entire playoffs, I have been saying to my disgusting dallas-fan coworkers that "Bowen is God" "Dirty = Good" "Bowen is the only good spur left" etc etc etc

it really does appear that Bowen is the key to these playoffs and we have sadly seen one of his best games against Jordan Jr has been pissed away.

[T Park]

And then you put Manu on Kobe? The same Manu who was making Radmanovic and Vujacic look like two Hall of Famers?

the only thing I could think, is the that he thought if Manu gets a couple stops, maybe it juices him up and gets him going on the offensive end.

Thats the only logic I could barely see behind it.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Oh, and anyone who is going to continue to dispute that the Big Three is not really the Big Four, and that Bruce Bowen shouldn't have his number retired by the Spurs, please take this opportunity to pucker up and kiss my black ass.


god damnit shoog is on fucking point tonight

i've never read anything like it

ive been telling every suckass mavfan up here that this is the case but been laughed at

[T Park]

What is truly sad about this is that ShoogarBear is right. This entire playoffs, I have been saying to my disgusting dallas-fan coworkers that "Bowen is God" "Dirty = Good" "Bowen is the only good spur left" etc etc etc

it really does appear that Bowen is the key to these playoffs and we have sadly seen one of his best games against Jordan Jr has been pissed away.

Yeah exactly, this seemed like the game that would've put Bowen into god like status, if he isn't already.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Bruce Bowen: The Forgotten Spur.

Don't be surprised if Jordan Jr uses the mental toughness gained from tonight to become unstoppable and we get pwwwnt

[timvp]

Oh, and anyone who is going to continue to dispute that the Big Three is not really the Big Four, and that Bruce Bowen shouldn't have his number retired by the Spurs, please take this opportunity to pucker up and kiss my black ass.:lol

I think that was proven in the first series. Peja scored 15 points per game less against Bowen than he does against everyone else. This game Bowen was out of his mind amazing defensively ..... until Pop put him on the bench for no reason.

And yeah, this playoff run really tells me that the Spurs' championship era is over the minute Bowen loses a step. The Big Three will turn into The Three Stars Who Watch Players Score Repeatedly when Bowen is no longer Bowen.

I like Udoka but Udoka is to Bowen's defense as Jacque Vaughn is to Chris Paul.

[baseline bum]

What pisses me off the most is Pop had no reason to take out Bowen. Bowen had three fouls ... okay? You had the Lakers on the ropes. Hold out for a couple more minutes and that game was over. Even if Bowen picks up his fourth foul, then you can hold him out until the start of the fourth. But not after his third foul. That was just ridiculous.

Bowen was owning Kobe and the game was almost over. Udoka was hacking all game long and it was obvious he was going to get lit up by Kobe. And then you put Manu on Kobe? The same Manu who was making Radmanovic and Vujacic look like two Hall of Famers?

That seriously might have been the worst coaching move in the history of the Spurs. If the Spurs don't come back and win this series, I might look back on that as worse than .4 and worse than the Manu foul.

The only way I would've taken Bruce out then was if it was his sixth foul. I wouldn't have put Manu on Kobe if Bryant was back in handcuffs again.

[1Parker1]

What pisses me off the most is Pop had no reason to take out Bowen. Bowen had three fouls ... okay? You had the Lakers on the ropes. Hold out for a couple more minutes and that game was over. Even if Bowen picks up his fourth foul, then you can hold him out until the start of the fourth. But not after his third foul. That was just ridiculous.

Bowen was owning Kobe and the game was almost over. Udoka was hacking all game long and it was obvious he was going to get lit up by Kobe. And then you put Manu on Kobe? The same Manu who was making Radmanovic and Vujacic look like two Hall of Famers?

That seriously might have been the worst coaching move in the history of the Spurs. If the Spurs don't come back and win this series, I might look back on that as worse than .4 and worse than the Manu foul.

:lmao The "adjustment" Pop made of putting Manu on Kobe after he got lit up by Udoka was just plain laughable. I mean, he had a better chance putting Parker on Kobe.

My only explanation for why Pop might do such a thing is that he was experimenting to see what may work in future games in this series? Hopefully, he learned that Manu/Udoka on Kobe for key stretches of the game isn't going to work.

If anything, he should put Udoka on Kobe more in the 1st half of the game when it seems Kobe tries to set up his teammates more. This way Bowen gets his rest and when Kobe goes Jordan on us in the 2nd half, Bowen is there to contest his shot as best as possible.

[SPARKY]

What pisses me off the most is Pop had no reason to take out Bowen. Bowen had three fouls ... okay? You had the Lakers on the ropes. Hold out for a couple more minutes and that game was over. Even if Bowen picks up his fourth foul, then you can hold him out until the start of the fourth. But not after his third foul. That was just ridiculous.

Bowen was owning Kobe and the game was almost over. Udoka was hacking all game long and it was obvious he was going to get lit up by Kobe. And then you put Manu on Kobe? The same Manu who was making Radmanovic and Vujacic look like two Hall of Famers?

That seriously might have been the worst coaching move in the history of the Spurs. If the Spurs don't come back and win this series, I might look back on that as worse than .4 and worse than the Manu foul.


Unforunately Pop is capable of following up a perfectly coached game 7 road win against a team that had blown them out 3 times prior with this gem. Of course, it was a real gem until that point in the 3rd.

The upside is that Pop seems more willing to adjust and throw out his initial assumptions in a series. Granted, it did take him until the 3rd game to make the obvious defensive adjustment against the Hornets.

If there are adjustments to come out of game 1, it's more Bowen and Barry and less Finley.

[ShoogarBear]

What is truly sad about this is that ShoogarBear is right.

I'm not quite sure how to interpret that. :lol

[whottt]

That's the other thing that sucked about pulling Bowen out...not only was he shutting Kobe's ass down...

He was hitting some nice shots tonight. There was one point where he put it on the floor and pulled up for a 3 with Kobe on him, and he made it, and it wasn't even from his spot...I don't think I've ever even seen Bruce put it on the floor and pull up for a 3...let alone actually make it.

Wasted that tonight as well. Bowen's usually only going to give you one or maybe two good offensive games per series...it really sucks to waste them.

[SnakeBoy]

Ok you guys are right. Pop is the worst coach around. Has no fucking clue what he's doing. If only Holt would have hired one of you then we'd have 10 rings.

All hail Phil Jackson. All hail the mighty laker defense that kept the spurs from scoring.

It's over. Spurs are old and they suck.

Come on everybody, let's just jump ship now....

GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!
GO LAKERS GO!

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I'm going to go for an overall question here:

Was this the best playoff game Bowen has ever had defensively against Kobe Bryant? I know its a very valid argument that Kobe was playing possum in the first half. We all know this. He has no in between game between Distributor Mode and Attack Mode. This is what helps him be the disgusting piece of trash he is.

But honestly, overall, judging from the tape, the stats, the facts, was this or was this not the best defensive performance against kobe in kobe playoff history?
Was it the best bruce bowen performance against kobe in kobe playoff history?

I am so sick, and bummed, and I think the reason i feel like this is because the answer to my questions is yes.

[Kori Ellis]

And on the subject of Bowen, I thought it was cool of Kobe in the interview prior to the game to make it so clear that Bowen isn't dirty, hasn't been given his due, and is an awesome defender. I know Kobe has always praised Bowen before. But after the last few years of scrutiny for Bowen and with him never getting DPOY, I was happy Kobe continued to recognize and appreciate.

Bowen and Pop are almost always on the same page, but this is one night that Bowen has a big right to go against Pop and rip his ass. (That would be kind of funny to watch.)

[timvp]

Oh and not only was the game almost over, the series would have been over as well. You are playing a team led by Kobe Bryant ... with the word "led" used loosely. You put the Lakers on their heels and they aren't going to go to bat for a teammate they don't even really like.

Pop keeps Bowen in the game to finish off the third quarter and the Spurs sweep or win in five and then get like a week and a half before the finals.

:pctoss

[ShoogarBear]

Unforunately Pop is capable of following up a perfectly coached game 7 road win against a team that had blown them out 3 times prior with this gem. Of course, it was a real gem until that point in the 3rd.

The upside is that Pop seems more willing to adjust and throw out his initial assumptions in a series. Granted, it did take him until the 3rd game to make the obvious defensive adjustment against the Hornets.

If there are adjustments to come out of game 1, it's more Bowen and Barry and less Finley.

The worrisome thing is that if this were against another coach, it would just be a simple brain fart. But against Jackson, there's the fear that Pop will either choke or overcoach.

[dg7md]

I'm really shocked people never referred to Bowen as the most crucial piece to our title runs outside of Duncan. Without him, there would be a very large chance that LeBron and the Cavs' offense would have ran all over us and took the title away from us last year.

Without Bowen, we'd be out in the first round, it's been this way for a long while. What Bowen does to this team when it comes to winning is simply amazing.

[SPARKY]

Bowen and Pop are almost always on the same page, but this is one night that Bowen has a big right to go against Pop and rip his ass. (That would be kind of funny to watch.)

Maybe Mike Bud and Newman need to have an intervention.

[whottt]

Bowen and Pop are almost always on the same page, but this is one night that Bowen has a big right to go against Pop and rip his ass. (That would be kind of funny to watch.)


IT'll never happen...those two are like father and son...Bruce is Pop's boy all the way. Pop can talk about whoever and whatever being great...but it's completely obvious that Bruce is his favorite Spur. And I honestly think Bruce kind of looks up to him as a father figure.

[Kori Ellis]

Ok you guys are right. Pop is the worst coach around. Has no fucking clue what he's doing. If only Holt would have hired one of you then we'd have 10 rings.

All hail Phil Jackson. All hail the mighty laker defense that kept the spurs from scoring.

It's over. Spurs are old and they suck.

Come on everybody, let's just jump ship now....



Do you have a reading comprehension problem. No one is given up or saying to fire Pop. They are just discussing his errors in this particular game. If you don't want to participate, move on to another thread.

[T Park]

And on the subject of Bowen, I thought it was cool of Kobe in the interview prior to the game to make it so clear that Bowen isn't dirty, hasn't been given his due, and is an awesome defender. I know Kobe has always praised Bowen before. But after the last few years of scrutiny for Bowen and with him never getting DPOY, I was happy Kobe continued to recognize and appreciate.

Bowen and Pop are almost always on the same page, but this is one night that Bowen has a big right to go against Pop and rip his ass. (That would be kind of funny to watch.)


Bowen going serbian on pop in the film session would be funny :lol


Great to hear that though, my respect for Kobe has gone up 1000% in the last couple years.

[T Park]

Oh and not only was the game almost over, the series would have been over as well. You are playing a team led by Kobe Bryant ... with the word "led" used loosely. You put the Lakers on their heels and they aren't going to go to bat for a teammate they don't even really like.

Pop keeps Bowen in the game to finish off the third quarter and the Spurs sweep or win in five and then get like a week and a half before the finals.

:pctoss

If you win game 2, could it still come into play?

[T Park]

IT'll never happen...those two are like father and son...Bruce is Pop's boy all the way. Pop can talk about whoever and whatever being great...but it's completely obvious that Bruce is his favorite Spur. And I honestly think Bruce kind of looks up to him.

I dunno, I've seen a few times Bowen and Pop go at it pretty good on the bench.

[Kori Ellis]

...but it's completely obvious that Bruce is his favorite Spur. And I honestly think Bruce kind of looks up to him.

I agree. That's why, no matter what people say about Bowen's other aspirations after his playing days are done, I think he'll end up on the bench next to Pop.

[SPARKY]

God forbid that a basketball discussion should break out tonight.

[T Park]

Maybe Mike Bud and Newman need to have an intervention.

Mike Bud seems to be the only one Pop will listen to.

Duncan maybe and Parker, but who knows if they would say anything.

Duncan did say something about Kerr in 03...

[timvp]

I'm going to go for an overall question here:

Was this the best playoff game Bowen has ever had defensively against Kobe Bryant? I know its a very valid argument that Kobe was playing possum in the first half. We all know this. He has no in between game between Distributor Mode and Attack Mode. This is what helps him be the disgusting piece of trash he is.

But honestly, overall, judging from the tape, the stats, the facts, was this or was this not the best defensive performance against kobe in kobe playoff history?
Was it the best bruce bowen performance against kobe in kobe playoff history?

I am so sick, and bummed, and I think the reason i feel like this is because the answer to my questions is yes.Yeah Bowen was in perfect rhythm. He was spacing him the exact right amount to allow Kobe to get off a contested shot but not drive around him or draw a foul. Bowen was in a defensive zone and was playing almost perfect basketball.

Then Pop overcoached and killed his own team.

[1Parker1]

Oh and not only was the game almost over, the series would have been over as well. You are playing a team led by Kobe Bryant ... with the word "led" used loosely. You put the Lakers on their heels and they aren't going to go to bat for a teammate they don't even really like.

Pop keeps Bowen in the game to finish off the third quarter and the Spurs sweep or win in five and then get like a week and a half before the finals.

:pctoss


:lol Ok now you're just exagerating. No way Phil Jackon or Kobe would allow a sweep or this series to be over in 5. Momentum can change very quickly as we've seen this postseason. This was a huge loss by the Spurs and I think the fact that they let a big game slip from them may hurt them later on. But I don't think this series would have been over in 4 or 5 had they won.

[T Park]

:lol Ok now you're just exagerating. No way Phil Jackon or Kobe would allow a sweep or this series to be over in 5. Momentum can change very quickly as we've seen this postseason. This was a huge loss by the Spurs and I think the fact that they let a big game slip from them may hurt them later on. But I don't think this series would have been over in 4 or 5 had they won.

I've seen teams fold up under Phil jackson.

06 against Phoenix being one of em.

[T Park]

Yeah Bowen was in perfect rhythm. He was spacing him the exact right amount to allow Kobe to get off a contested shot but not drive around him or draw a foul. Bowen was in a defensive zone and was playing almost perfect basketball.

Then Pop overcoached and killed his own team.

Damn't. Pop pulled a Tony La Russa.

:pctoss

[1Parker1]

I will say this, Game 2 is now a must win for the Spurs. Period.

[Discoflux]

blaming Pop?

*shaking head*

[T Park]

Yeah, the backs are back to being against the wall again, 4 days later.

Thats why getting tonight would've been huge mentally. It would've really helped out after the Hornet's series.

[1Parker1]

I've seen teams fold up under Phil jackson.

06 against Phoenix being one of em.

The fact that Phil even took that team to a game 7 should say something to you. Smush Parker and Kwame Brown were his starters. Now he has Fisher and Gasol and a deep bench. Imagine the adjustments he can make.

[T Park]

blaming Pop?

*shaking head*

Honestly, I'm admittedly the last to blame pop for a loss, but tonight was totally 100% in his hands.

Identical to games 1 and 2 against New Orleans.

[Kori Ellis]

blaming Pop?

*shaking head*

You don't think Pop was stupid to sit Bowen and watch the lead go from 20 to 6?

If you think that wasn't a key to the game, then you didn't watch.

[baseline bum]

I've seen teams fold up under Phil jackson.

06 against Phoenix being one of em.

They were a Devean George fuckup from winning a series they had no business even extending to a game 6, much less having a chance to take the series in the game.

[ShoogarBear]

I think it could have been over in 4 or 5. The only experience the Lakers have are Fisher and Kobe. Odom's psyche will crumble at the first sign of trouble, and Gasol is still a Grizzly at heart. And like timvp said, Kobe-led camaraderie is a big Hollywood facade that's likely to disappear when the going gets tough.

Having said that, if by some miracle Bruce can repeat his performance in Game 2, and Pop has learned from his mistakes, that would be the Spurs' best shot at pulling this out.

[T Park]

The fact that Phil even took that team to a game 7 should say something to you. Smush Parker and Kwame Brown were his starters. Now he has Fisher and Gasol and a deep bench. Imagine the adjustments he can make.

I agree, but still they folded. I mean down 50 in a game 7 is Yankees esque.

He can make adjustments, but, the personnel like Odom and Gasol are very dependent if they step up.

I think if the Spurs stay big in game 2 that negates the adjustments.

Hopefully Ginobili has something for game 2, cause he HAS to guard Radmonovic better.

[whottt]

I dunno, I've seen a few times Bowen and Pop go at it pretty good on the bench.


Watch the end of the 05 Finals...


The split second the clock stops Pop makes a beeline for Larry Brown, instantly...and Bruce Bowen is right behind him...it reminded me of a son following his father to work for the first time.