Game Thoughts: Spurs vs. Rockets - Jan. 22

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Originally Posted by mexicanjunior

This is a just another way of saying "I effing told you so!"...which I am right there with you on. Too bad the homers felt it was more important to point out what month of the year it was and posting pictures of chicken little instead of looking at this team's problems for what they are...

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Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Manu Ginobili

32:22 minutes, 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 turnovers
6-for-15 from the field, 2-for-7 on three-pointers

Manu Ginobili had an unusual game against the Rockets. Recently, he has played the role of a playmaker. On Friday, Ginobili was looking more toward the rim. He finished with a season-high 15 field goal attempts and had less than three assists for the first time in 18 games. Considering he shot poorly, defended without much intensity and had twice as many turnovers as assists, this outing was definitely a poor one for Ginobili.<<

I honestly don't know what game you were watching LJ. If you want to criticize Manu for shooting poorly or playing soft on defense, those are certainly legit criticisms, but you can't fault his passing at all.

He should've finished the game with like 10 assists. It was uncanny, especially in the first half, where no matter who he passed to, and how wide open the guy was, he would brick the shot. It didn't matter if it was a three, a 15-footer, or even a lay up, guys were missing every shot Manu created for them. Plus another three or four times, would-be assists for lay-ups turned into fouls as the Rox were hacking away in desperation.

Like I said, there were plenty of things to criticize about Manu's game, but his passing was top notch, as has been the case for most of the season. He created a good shot for himself or for a teammate literally every time he had the ball in his hands until the 4th quarter when he tired (as usual).

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Originally Posted by igruex

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

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...but apparently a blind homer can be wrong for months at a time...

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Originally Posted by TimDunkem

You think we have no need for RMJ anymore?

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nope but apparently this what pop is thinking. He is playing manu tp 30 mn around 25 for hill not a lot of space for mase. If you add the fact that pop will give to his lover (finley) a lot of minutes too. Mase seems to be condamned to low minutes volume.

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Originally Posted by rAm

Why is hill shooting 9 3-pointers? I know he is left open on the wing and thus has a wide-open 3, but no matter what he should not be shooting that many. Is he even considered a shooter?

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Good point, if Hill is left on the wing and not feeling his shot that day, I want to see him dribble it in close and take a 15-18 foot jay, or even try to get to the basket. We've seen the aggressive side of hill, if the defense from the team is out of sync from ball movement or whatever reason, and hill is open in the perimeter, he should definitly be able to explode to the rim and finish a high % shot.

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Originally Posted by roycrikside

I honestly don't know what game you were watching LJ. If you want to criticize Manu for shooting poorly or playing soft on defense, those are certainly legit criticisms, but you can't fault his passing at all.

He should've finished the game with like 10 assists. It was uncanny, especially in the first half, where no matter who he passed to, and how wide open the guy was, he would brick the shot. It didn't matter if it was a three, a 15-footer, or even a lay up, guys were missing every shot Manu created for them. Plus another three or four times, would-be assists for lay-ups turned into fouls as the Rox were hacking away in desperation.

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If those players were making their shots at a normal rate Manu would've ended with 5-7 assists.

What happened against the Rockets have happened over the last 10 games (Spurs constantly missing open looks) it is called a shooting slump. If the Spurs would have been shooting as one of the best shooting teams in the NBA (as they are) Manu would be averaging over 8 assists during that stretch.

Therefore he didn't create enough for the Spurs to win and it was way down his capacity.

I think Timvp was too soft on Manu. It was the worst game in a while for Manu, he wanted the win so bad that he forced too much. Havoc result in bad shooting decisions, turnovers and lack of basketball timing.

Pop playing Manu for 30 minutes and basically not playing Mason is pretty stupid. Manu at 30mpg is almost guaranteed to be injured before the playoffs.

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Originally Posted by timvp

I think this team can become a top five defensive team in the NBA. They have enough pieces to be a very good defensive team. It's doubtful that they could become a great defensive team ... but with an improved offense, this team could have a lot of success even if they reach "very good" on defense.

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I don't believe that you really believe this. Not tryin to start shit, but come on dude.

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Originally Posted by Cant_Be_Faded

I don't believe that you really believe this. Not tryin to start shit, but come on dude.

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Spurs are currently 6th in opponent's PPG and 11th in opponent's FG%. You don't think with a little more gelling, focus, and few extra minutes distributed to defensive minded players that they could jump 3-5 spots?

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Originally Posted by lurker23

Spurs are currently 6th in opponent's PPG and 11th in opponent's FG%. You don't think with a little more gelling, focus, and few extra minutes distributed to defensive minded players that they could jump 3-5 spots?

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i care much more about fg%, and i think we will be lucky to stay at 11 in that category when this season is over and we have played all the opponents we will play.

moreover we seem to just flat out not be a very competitive western conference team. i'd like to see what our defensive rankings are against conference opponents.

No Bruce and Pop's stubbornness was our premature downfall