The Spurs' energy level..

It has been evident that the Spurs have been playing with a poor energy level as of late..the games vs. LA and Miami in particular, where the Spurs didn't seem interested in playing from as early as the 1st..

It's understandable that a team that has virtually clinched the #1 seed won't have an incentive to play hard every night..it's also understandable that a team will attempt to conserve some bodies for the playoffs, especially when a number of these games are meaningless, at this point of the season, considering the Spurs' current position..

However, are the Spurs playing with fire?..can they "turn it on" for the playoffs, from an energy standpoint?..how would you like to see them play in this last month or so?(from an energy standpoint)..do they need some "statement wins"?..

A more dangerous and worrisome question could be: are the Spurs coasting, or are they worn out?..

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

A more dangerous and worrisome question could be: are the Spurs coasting, or are they worn out?..

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I'll go with coasting..........



.........and hope like hell that I'm right.

They really do look disinterested over the last month or so.

They are playing out of sorts with physical pressure. Slightly rushed shots, timing off, frustration, etc. See Memphis, LAL and Heat games, of late.

Worn out from what? They've all had plenty of rest. The only one who some might say has played slightly more than what's ideal is Ginobili, but even his minutes have steadily decreased.

I buy the coasting and lack of urgency against mediocre and worse teams. Not against the elite ones. They need to beat one or two of them before the playoffs and restore the confidence they had. Right now, it's looking like 08-09 through the first half of last season. Defeatist attitude when playing anyone credible.

The coach has to use his brain though and bench Blair in favor of Splitter. Enough is enough. These elite teams have got to be licking their chops when they see a Blair-Bonner combo.

I know it won't happen, but I'd like to see Splitter utilized as the backup five/secondary Nowitzki defender on Friday and the starters run into the ground if it takes it to win.

You can play with all sorts of all energy in the playoffs but if you don't respond well to the physicality/length of opposing teams in the playoffs then it really doesnt matter...

I'll attribute their post AS play to coasting but the Spurs have a lot more issues that will take more than increased energy to correct.

I'm very concerned with the energy level I've seen from Hill and Jefferson..they were both playing solid D for the 1st half of the season, they were both very active, all over the floor..it seems like they have been very weak and lacking aggression for a while now, on both ends of the floor, particularly on D..

BTW, it's obvious that the Spurs have bigger issues than energy, but those are issues that are constantly being discussed on ST, so I decided to make a thread about a lesser discussed issue..

Another concern, which ties into the energy argument, is that the Spurs' pace keeps getting slower, and their ranking in points in transition keeps dropping as well..they're playing at a slower rate than earlier in the season, which doesn't translate to success for this team, since the personnel doesn't match that particular style of play(Bonner and Blair in particular)..

colapse

I think the Heats were highly motivated for this game considering what happened to them March 4.

Irregardless, I wish we can just ffwd one month.

Spurs are getting exposed big time. No length, tenacity, poor defense, streaky shooting. Props for their record and for being class acts, but yeah, things aren't looking too good heading into the playoffs.

idk sometimes they look like they want to play and other times it seems like they don't....are they playing possum or there just not playing well...

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Originally Posted by GrandeDavid

Spurs are getting exposed big time. No length, tenacity, poor defense, streaky shooting. Props for their record and for being class acts, but yeah, things aren't looking too good heading into the playoffs.

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^This

Two recent games versus upper-echelon teams (Fakers and Heat) in 8 days produced two big-time blowouts. Forget the fact that they lost, it's the way they lost both these games.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

I'm very concerned with the energy level I've seen from Hill and Jefferson..they were both playing solid D for the 1st half of the season, they were both very active, all over the floor..it seems like they have been very weak and lacking aggression for a while now, on both ends of the floor, particularly on D..

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Hill is painful to watch. He looks like he doesn't care. Neal missed 10000 shots today but he was there attacking and playing with energy, Hill just don't fucking care.

The last 5 games have been a real eye-opener: 3 single-digit wins against non-playoff bottom-feeders, and 2 crushing losses against contenders.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

They are playing out of sorts with physical pressure. Slightly rushed shots, timing off, frustration, etc. See Memphis, LAL and Heat games, of late.

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Yep. Playoff basketball in other words. They aren't coasting, they are getting their asses handed to them against teams that are play with playoff style defensive intensity.

The length is certainly a problem but I'll say again, the Spurs aren't matching the physicality of some of these teams.

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Originally Posted by Ice009

Yep. Playoff basketball in other words. They aren't coasting, they are getting their asses handed to them against teams that are play with playoff style defensive intensity.

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Is it waht everybody have been talking about all year long?

The spurs has a fake record and without elite D and big frontcourt they are done.

It seems like to be the case ....




:depressed

I think other teams are starting to figure the Spurs out. Sure, energy level is a factor, but once again, they live and die by the 3. The 3 ball isn't going to be there for them every night in the playoffs. George Hill should've been traded, he's been horrible this year, and as much as I love the Duncan/Antonio combo, it's a shame they can't play 48 min a night together.

I was feeling antsy heading into the Spurs/Mavs series last year, and the Spurs pleasantly surprised me. We have a better bench this year, but that also depends on Neal avoiding 2-12 nights and Hill actually doing something out there.

If the Spurs lose to Dallas this Friday, I think there would be a lot of flags that would need to be raised. Clinching a top seed this early ended up allowing for the team to get lazy heading towards the playoffs as oppose to staying sharp.

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Originally Posted by Ice009

Yep. Playoff basketball in other words. They aren't coasting, they are getting their asses handed to them against teams that are play with playoff style defensive intensity.

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Yeah and they lose their confidence, their edge, when they don't match the physicality.

Can the Spurs match it, though?..

Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, McDyess and Neal have no problems matching the physicality and playing with confidence..

Can Bonner, Jefferson and Hill do it?..they're all streaky players that have confidence issues..all 3 of them are known to have shriveled balls when it's time to fuck..

we'll be fine. the 3 isnt there for us. when it comes back we will be unstoppable. as long as that 3 is there. and you also have to remember lebron is in his prime and is a beast. we ran into a beautiful train

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Originally Posted by Solid D

The length is certainly a problem but I'll say again, the Spurs aren't matching the physicality of some of these teams.

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Despite claims to the contrary, the lack of length IS and issue and will ultimately be the downfall of this team in the playoffs. If your lineup looks small against the Heat, you're a small team.

However in each of these recent blowout losses, the Spurs have failed to match the physicality of both the Fakers and Heat.

Losing is one thing. Poor effort and energy is quite another.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

The length is certainly a problem but I'll say again, the Spurs aren't matching the physicality of some of these teams.

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It's mainly the reserves that aren't matching it.

Hill is playing like a total pussy, Bonner is shocking in that area and then you got RJ who MUST turn up the aggression.

The Spurs defense has no energy. If we can't pick it up on that end of the floor we won't do anything in the playoffs. Our offense is way better when we play good defense.

It's no secret that physical teams win playoff games. The 2005-07 Suns ran a much better offense than the 2011 Spurs will ever run .. remember how the Nash/Amare pick-n-roll seemed unguardable? And they still couldn't win against us?

Well, the 2011 Spurs have nothing close to that level of offense, so unless we raise the physicality, we're going to get rolled.

Saying their coasting is giving them an excuse.

Like Ice009 said, they're getting their asses handed to them - and no one seems to be taking it personal or willing to do anything about it - except maybe Manu. Where is competitive fire. The malaise is so bad that even Blair has gone passive.

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Originally Posted by Harlem Preach

we'll be fine. the 3 isnt there for us. when it comes back we will be unstoppable. as long as that 3 is there. and you also have to remember lebron is in his prime and is a beast. we ran into a beautiful train

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Playoff teams will take away the three. Notice how well the Lakers and the Heat defended our three ball. We need to generate more points in the paint instead of relying on three point shooting so much.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Can the Spurs match it, though?..

Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, McDyess and Neal have no problems matching the physicality and playing with confidence..

Can Bonner, Jefferson and Hill do it?..they're all streaky players that have confidence issues..all 3 of them are known to have shriveled balls when it's time to fuck..

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I damn sure hope so. Hill was a HUGE reason the Spurs beat the Mavs in that 1st round series last year....

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Originally Posted by Solid D

Yeah and they lose their confidence, their edge, when they don't match the physicality.

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Yeah that is exactly what is happening. I don't think the Spurs are coasting because of the way they've lost these games. They've been pushed around and just crumbled. CRUMBLED under the intense pressure.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Can the Spurs match it, though?..

Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, McDyess and Neal have no problems matching the physicality and playing with confidence..

Can Bonner, Jefferson and Hill do it?..they're all streaky players that have confidence issues..all 3 of them are known to have shriveled balls when it's time to fuck..

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Wow I just mentioned the same three players. It's very easy to pin point. Hill, Bonner and Jefferson in that order for me.

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

Hill is painful to watch. He looks like he doesn't care. Neal missed 10000 shots today but he was there attacking and playing with energy, Hill just don't fucking care.

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I agree. I am MORE THAN OK with Gary Neal. The guy is playing hard and tough.

George Hill I am disgusted with. RJ has turned the aggression way down. Both those guys aren't showing any heart at all. It might be time for me to sign up to twitter and give George Hill a blast.

Bonner actually does play with heart though, but his talent level is way down. His slow release isn't doing him any favors either against playoff level defense.

Bonner refuses to take a charge. He's like a stick of butter with extended arms and blinking eyes defending face-up drives.

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Originally Posted by RocketfanYAO

have you noticed everytime the spurs get blown out, the game changes when matt bonner comes in ..... matt bonner more then 10 minutes in playoffs = disaster

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You need to play with an edge. Matt Bonner is the exact opposite of that. Like I said in another thread I feel like I can kick Matt Bonner's ass, so I can't imagine how good actual NBA players feel when they are on offense with Bonner defending them.

Bonner does play hard and does play with heart, but that doesn't do anything against the other team when they take away his three. Having said that half of it is his fault because IMO his three point release is too slow for playoff basketball. He needs time to wind it up and that's just not going to happen in the playoffs. He always seems rushed against the good defensive teams and that makes him miss shots he'd normally make. The rest of the blame is on Pop for not realizing all his flaws and not looking for a better big to replace him with or as an alternative if he's having his usual bad games.

At this point, we're playing the exact opposite of LA. Right now, LA is shooting 28% against Orlando, which is shooting 60%. Yet LA is only 6 points behind, due to an 8-1 advantage on the offensive boards and 4 turnovers forced. If we shot 28% and let the opponent shoot 60% we'd be dead and buried before the end of the first half.

I'm very concerned. I have no doubts in our big 3 stepping it up with the intensity/physicality in the playoffs. It's our small 3 (RJ Hill Bonner) that I have no confidence in come crunch time. This game was over as soon as Hill came in for Manu. The intensity/aggressiveness drop off was so obvious.

thank you Pop and FO for turning the spurs into the new Phoenix Suns :bang

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Originally Posted by GrandeDavid

Spurs are getting exposed big time. No length, tenacity, poor defense, streaky shooting. Props for their record and for being class acts, but yeah, things aren't looking too good heading into the playoffs.

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Agreed... it's really hard to keep denying it now. I knew this game would be bad but shit they could have at least kept it close.

For the Spurs to have any chance in the PO's this year, Duncan is gonna have to turn back the clock and own the paint. Every team seems to have figured the Spurs out. Chase them off the arc and pack the lane. Make'em beat you from mid range.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

Bonner refuses to take a charge. He's like a stick of butter with extended arms and blinking eyes defending face-up drives.

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But at least he spends his free time making hilarious videos for the web site.

This was our energy level!

http://i54.tinypic.com/244r5fm.jpg

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Originally Posted by LakerHater

This was our energy level!

http://i54.tinypic.com/244r5fm.jpg

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Wow that is approaching Jason Terry levels!

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Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

I think other teams are starting to figure the Spurs out. Sure, energy level is a factor, but once again, they live and die by the 3. The 3 ball isn't going to be there for them every night in the playoffs. George Hill should've been traded, he's been horrible this year, and as much as I love the Duncan/Antonio combo, it's a shame they can't play 48 min a night together.

I was feeling antsy heading into the Spurs/Mavs series last year, and the Spurs pleasantly surprised me. We have a better bench this year, but that also depends on Neal avoiding 2-12 nights and Hill actually doing something out there.

If the Spurs lose to Dallas this Friday, I think there would be a lot of flags that would need to be raised. Clinching a top seed this early ended up allowing for the team to get lazy heading towards the playoffs as oppose to staying sharp.

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This. Teams are taking away the 3, and its up to Pop to counter this. Of course this is only one of a few problems the Spurs are dealing with heading into the playoffs.

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Originally Posted by jjktkk

This. Teams are taking away the 3, and its up to Pop to counter this. Of course this is only one of a few problems the Spurs are dealing with heading into the playoffs.

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I already said this weeks ago that the threes would be taken away. Amazing how people are only realizing this. Well I was mainly referring to Bonner and possibly RJ, that is another reason I wanted RJ to drive more for these situations.

That is good that it is happening now though rather than in the playoffs because Pop has time to counter it. If he doesn't come up with anything other than "they made shots and we didn't" then we're in trouble.

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Originally Posted by Ice009

If he doesn't come up with anything other than "they made shots and we didn't" then we're in trouble.

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I'm tired of that fucking line... the nights you don't make shots you crank up the D and hustle. That's not happening.

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Originally Posted by Ice009

That is good that it is happening now though rather than in the playoffs because Pop has time to counter it. If he doesn't come up with anything other than "they made shots and we didn't" then we're in trouble.

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IMO Pop will a have a counter for this, but we won't really see it till the playoffs.

Physical play has been an issue... which does not bode well for the postseason. Then again, you could argue they're saving the wear and tear for later on.

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Buck Harvey: Popovich managing more than minutes
Buck Harvey

It’s official. The Spurs won’t win 70.

Something else is unofficial, and it happened with about 10 minutes left. LeBron James had dunked to a thunderous roar, and Dwyane Wade followed by trying to slam even harder. If there were tears in Miami, it was from laughing too hard. The Heat led by 20 points.

That’s when Gregg Popovich called time and went against his character.

Tim Duncan re-entered the game.

Popovich usually manages minutes. Given the score and time, wasn’t Popovich managing the psyche of a team doubting itself for the first time this season?

Keep reading...

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http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...-than-minutes/

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Originally Posted by Harlem Preach

we'll be fine. the 3 isnt there for us. when it comes back we will be unstoppable. as long as that 3 is there. and you also have to remember lebron is in his prime and is a beast. we ran into a beautiful train

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If we rely on that three will die by it, period end of story!!!!!!!

we'll see how the first round goes. i dunno if the spurs can turn it off and the turn it on so suddenly.

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Originally Posted by Budkin

Wow that is approaching Jason Terry levels!

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HOLY CRAP, I hope not!

With such a great start to the season and 7 gm cushion in the west, I believe they've bored of the reg season, their are reasons for concern but if they showup and play with desperation they can beat anyone. Just seems lately once they get down they kinda mail it in. You see spurts here and there but no consistency. Splitter does need to play more, you see last night macgloire was effective on sheer size alone.

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

It has been evident that the Spurs have been playing with a poor energy level as of late..the games vs. LA and Miami in particular, where the Spurs didn't seem interested in playing from as early as the 1st..

It's understandable that a team that has virtually clinched the #1 seed won't have an incentive to play hard every night..it's also understandable that a team will attempt to conserve some bodies for the playoffs, especially when a number of these games are meaningless, at this point of the season, considering the Spurs' current position..

However, are the Spurs playing with fire?..can they "turn it on" for the playoffs, from an energy standpoint?..how would you like to see them play in this last month or so?(from an energy standpoint)..do they need some "statement wins"?..

A more dangerous and worrisome question could be: are the Spurs coasting, or are they worn out?..

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Can't agree more. Posted something similar in the poll thread before seeing this one. Their starters are coasting in particular. Manu plays in two halfs, from "Kobe" Manu to the more articulate one play at a time Manu. Tim keeps holding back on D like the statue of liberty. R'J's too content in sharing the ball, shooting only threes and going for the odd big rebound. Blair the former starter is trying to be be too fancy while forgetting his core and rebounding are his strengths. Tony is playing aggressive but reverting back to his old self from a passing standpoint. Dice well he's trying hard, you just don't expect him to be the differnece maker out of the starters.

Clear examples of lacking energy and urgency. Preserving health might be in the back of their minds, expecting their bench to come in and pull it out could be it too . Either way, they gotta show up and set the tone.

I hope Spurs prove me wrong but I think we have serious reason to be concerned. Manu and Hill have looked terrible for the most part since AS break, Dice starting gives us better defense/rebounding to start the game but any advantage is negated by the Bonner/Blair combo that follows (the worst defensive front line in basketball). Not even sure if Duncan can play 35 minutes at high level in PO. The Spurs have been hurt by the lack of development of Tiago and to some degree JA (We saw Miami turn the game early by exploiting lack of size on perimeter not inside Wade vs. Hill). The Spurs second unit really lacks size and defense on perimeter and in paint - and I think it will be too much to overcome in playoffs.

What will it take for Spurs to have chance to make deep PO push possible win championship?

40% + shooting from 3pt line as a team in every series, and very low TOs (not easy when teams really focus on defending 3pt line)