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In an interview before the game against the Warriors, Sean Elliott basically said that even though the Big 3 probably won't play big minutes tonight, he still doesn't expect to see the Big 3 against the Lakers tomorrow night. Since Elliott is so plugged in, there's no doubt he was using some inside info when making that prediction.
What do you think about Pop sitting the Big 3 even if their minutes are limited tonight against Golden State?
Don't we have to beat them to avoid playing them in the playoffs though?
If he sits them against the Lakers then the only thing left to say is: "The Spurs had better win a championship this year".
I think Pop's scared shitless of the Lakers, and he's going to pray that someone else takes care of them in the playoffs.
That's ridiculous. That's what I think of it.
I think Pop is terrified of LA and this proves it. It says to me that he doesn't think they can handle another loss to LA mentally so he will build in an excuse.
At least Splitter will play 20 minutes....
In the pregame discussion with Bill Land, Elliott basically said that if Pop likes what he sees tonight, he'll go ahead and sit the Big 3 against the Lakers.
So now if the Spurs play well, Pop will sit the Big 3. If the Big 3 is forced to play too many minutes, he'll probably sit the Big 3.
Looks like either way Pop isn't going to play them tomorrow.
Can't say I'm thrilled with that, tbh.
I would hate that move tbh....
It'd be a gutless move and i don't agree with it at all.
...beside Bonner/Diaw/Blair...Excuse my strong language here, but Pop needs to pull himself together. He's going to be the cause of another premature exit in the playoffs if this keeps up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas_Ranger
They're actually a team without Kobe. I know it's probably nuts, but I feel more afraid of them without him.
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Originally Posted by timvp
Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
Oh no you didn't, girlfriend.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSkeptic
tbh why do we keep typing tbh...?
Does it mean we wanted to lie in the first place...
I cant take anything from Pops lineups and claim he is in fear. I personally get too confused.
Jesus... slight interruption, is Jefferson playing?
Sorry for the intrusion dont want to start a new post.
DPG, variables change . . .
:lol JK
Pop is being a coward, tbh.
Other than losing my sigbet, I don't particularly care, tbh... let's get to the playoffs already
If they don't play big minutes today, why not play them limited minutes tomorrow as well and use it as glorofied practice session?
What. The. F.
I was about to post that....variables, they be a-changingQuote:
Originally Posted by timvp
It's too close to the playoffs. In general, teams that tank games just prior to the end of the regular season don't usually benefit from it. And that's in other sports, not just basketball. And if he really wants to avoid the Lakers as much as possible, the best way looks to be getting the 1 seed.
Besides all that, it can't help but send a message to the team, especially after that last beating. They're people, not robots.
It appears that MWP has found himself, possibly because of what you state.Quote:
Originally Posted by iManu
Pop babies this team too much and it hasn't worked in a long time.
They shoulda sat tonight.
Terrible move. We are likely to face them in the playoffs. We should be playing them, not hiding from them.
I agree that health & rest do trump all concerns, but even then I think you have to play the odds with 1st seed still in play. You have 2 bunnies sandwiching a very hard road game, so make sure to pick up the 2 relatively easily games while hopefully giving your starters a chance to pick up some in-game rest to boot.
At some level I do wonder if Pop doesn't want to dent the team's confidence this close the POs in the event the Spurs drop 2 games to the Kobe-less Lakers. No need to also give the Lakers added confidence if we see them in the semis. While there is no doubt the Big 3 are mentally tough and hardened, I still have my doubts about most of those remaining come playoff time.
Just have to hope LAC goes 5-1 & LA hits a rough patch. That Mavs game hurt last night.
This is bullshit; they need to try like hell to push LA to that 4 seed and not get stuck in the Lakers' half of the bracket. What a fucking moronic move.
:lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Mugen
Seriously though, this is a terrible move. Let's hope this doesn't happen.
Well let's not panic until we see what happens. Just the thought though is annoying.
MAN this is getting really old already........ F POP.
This is the wrong wrong wrong move. You don't play not to lose.
:lmao Pop
He's sending a message to the whole team that he doesn't think they can beat the Lakers. Second round exit here we come!
need dat #1 seed, need LAL to play OKC in round 2
If he's hoping to avoid the Lakers, which would be disappointing, functionally forfeiting a game to them doesn't make much sense. In fact, it goes quite a long way to ensuring that the Spurs will be #2 and the Lakers will be #3.
The thing that really frustrates me about this move is the knowledge that this is compromising our ability to avoid the Lakers in the 2nd round. In all likelihood, the Lakers will end up as the 3 seed, so our best shot at avoiding them will be to get the 1 seed. If the Spurs and Thunder both win out, the Spurs would claim the 1 seed by virtue of the fact that they have the tie breaker.
As such, the goal for the rest of the season (besides staying healthy) should be clear: winning as many games as possible. Given that we're likely to beat the Warriors regardless of who plays, having the full big 3 available tomorrow while sitting them out today gives us the best possible chance of having the highest possible seed while at the same time having adequate rest for the playoffs.
By choosing to do the exact opposite, Pop seems to be ignoring the long term goals of this team.
Which is why it's stupid. He's terrified (seemingly) of LA to the point he has to play games now because of the fear of what a loss without Kobe again will do.Quote:
Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown
Because of all the cowardly forfeiting, I hope the Spurs end up having to go through both Memphis and the Lakers. Serves them right.
Why Tiago doesn't get more minutes?
Baffling and troublesome
Tiago again.
Spurs assistant coaches are spineless and dickless.
39 point 1st quarter.
Thought this was the game thread.
Oh well
The Mavs freefalling to the seventh seed. Lakers the 3rd seed. Spurs stuck in the second seed.
Damn, that's the worst possible bracket, tbh.
Lakers are getting 3 seed.Pop resting big 3 vs LA tomorrow will just aid the Lakers.
Pop is helping Lakers for 3 seed and tanking for 2 seed.Nice
I doubt Pop rests all 3. I'm thinking he is going all in tomorrow, rests the Big 3 in Sacramento, and then goes all in again on Friday. Karma has a way of rearing her ugly head come playoff time when you start doing things like this
looks like SJAX is going to jack up a lot of shots tonight
Good God. We have to aim for the 1st seed.Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
How is that going to happen if we're "resting" our best players every other game? :bangQuote:
Originally Posted by timtonymanu
And against the wrong opponents, too. :pctossQuote:
Originally Posted by TheSkeptic
I don't mind the Lakers w/ Kobe, but the seeing them after facing in the Mavs in the first would be quite the challenge. Not sure we'd have much in the tank left for OKC. :/
wonder if the the big three will play again tonight
sounds to me that Pop doesn't care who the Spurs get in the first/second round
he obviously knows the score and realizes by sitting them the chances of the 2nd seed is pretty high
that being said, either he has lost his mind and doesn't think his team can win and is pulling a "let the chips fall where they may," or he is confident that the Spurs can beat any team they have to face in the playoffs
i'm more so hoping it's the second, because if you're only hope of winning a title is to try and alter match ups because you're afraid of playing a team then you are in trouble anyway.
now s goes on 8-0 run
clippers and thunder tonight one will lose
go clippers
Might as well just forfeit all games until the playoffs. Everyone will be fully healthy and rested. Also it's also an excellent way to get out of the big and scary Lakers bracket. If Pop is really concerned about rust he can just play them in the last game of the season.Quote:
Originally Posted by DPG21920
Meanwhile Kevin Seraphin, Mo Evans and John Wall beat the Bulls.
It's not good to mess with the basketball gods.Quote:
Originally Posted by SpurinDallas
I bet cash money they all start and play tomorrow
I hope they play.
If not likely we'll be 2nd so we'll face the Lakers in the second round after 2 losses and without minutes to know how it works Tiago/Duncan against them. ...not the best situation.
I'm with you :toastQuote:
Originally Posted by thispego
They will play tomorrow I am damn sure about it. No way in hell Pop will rest them against the Lakers after the pathetic performance we had against them.
Pop is not a pussie. He has never been one.
beat the kobe-less lakers and so the clippers have a shot at no 3Quote:
Originally Posted by GSH
:tuQuote:
Originally Posted by Obstructed_View
Unbelievable. Well, at least we know why the team plays like a bunch of pussies against LA. It starts at the top. Not only should they rest against the Lakers, they should get a Pilates instructor to teach them how to find a corner in a room and roll in to a ball.
That's pretty fucking ridiculous. They should be concerned with two games the rest of the way: How to beat the Lakers and get over their mental shortcomings.
He pulled this same shit last year against the Lakers right ? Then decided to gang up on the Suns.
big 3 not playing this half now? I can't imagine he rests them tomorrow
See last year's schedule when he rested the big 3 against the Lakers and decided to play them against a Phoenix team that didn't make the playoffs.Quote:
Originally Posted by elemento
El Pinoche Grande.
this logic makes no sense. if he was scared of the Lakers then he would try to beat them to avoid them in the playoffs. by resting the big three he is setting up a matchup between the two in the second roundQuote:
Originally Posted by tmtcsc
i'm not saying i agree with resting the big three, but this decision has nothing to do with not wanting to face the lake show in the PO or hoping someone else beats them
15 losses for bullsQuote:
Originally Posted by Solid D
16 for spurs
16 for thunder
go clippers
If he doesn't play them tomorrow, Pop is admitting he doesn't believe they'll win either way and is more concerned with preserving their fragile psyches in case they DO face them in the playoffs. The fact that they are sitting in the second half is giving me some hope that he'll play them tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by ernest787
:lmao @ Sean Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_..wa sn't he Kobe's shit stain before Bowen :lol..I forgetQuote:
Originally Posted by timvp
The whole avoiding them in the playoffs thing to me is a little over-rated. If the Lakers can beat the Spurs they can beat OKC. Lakers are big underdogs to win it all this year. Spurs are a hell of a lot better than what they showed last time..
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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080
whatever you say :lol
If they lose they lose.... Spurs didn't win 4 titles being afraid to play someone..Quote:
Originally Posted by Koolaid_Man
when is pop going to let them get into playoff gear????
We are 1st seed now.We should play to win
3 games.. 3 nights.. 2 wins at a loss to LA proves nothing and that's why the media cries wolf on the Spurs. At least we are held to a higher standard.
Now I don't know if I want to go all out against LA :lol
Pop plays this game that if the Spurs lose without their Big 3, it doesn't prove anything. And there are times that's true. Tomorrow isn't one of those times.
You guys are not thinking big picture... if they play tomorrow, they're going to be too tired for next year's 50+ win regular season.
I predict all this boohooing is BS and Pop will play the Big 3 full minutes tomorrow, until we're up 30 mid-3rd and we'll just coast like we did tonight. Lakers are one or two beatdowns away from self-imploding, and we've got the chance to step on their throats.
Let's see, the Lakers have one fewer loss than the Clippers plus the tiebreaker.
The Lakers have the Spurs twice, OKC at home and two byes (GS and Sac). That's probably two losses.
The Clippers have @Den, @PHX, NO, @ATL, @NYK. None of those games are going to be very easy. Even NO is playing well. @ATL might be tanking to avoid the Celtics but that might be the only tanking team they play. There are probably two losses in there.
OKC has @PHX, @SAC, @LAL, SAC, DEN. The two SAC games are wins. Those other three games are pretty tough. One or two losses, tbh.
I think Pop got lucky. Now, forfeiting tomorrow isn't such a horrible move. Even after a forfeit, the Spurs still have the inside track at the number one seed. Giving the Lakers a win helps them stay at 3. So .............. damn, forfeiting isn't the horrible move it was 30 minutes ago, tbh.
That said, I'd probably still rather the Spurs just try to win it.
Starters rested a wholllllllle lot tonight, so what will his excuse be now? If he rests them he is a flat out coward.
I think duncan wants revenge. I think the big three atleast play the first half
if it close they might play in second half if they get done early big they sit and go all out against kings
i expect to see the big 3 tomorrow. or at least two of them.
sj also wants reverage
I can't believe you still think we're going to forfeit in LA tomorrow after none of the big 3 played more than 15 minutes tonight. No freaking way that is in Pop's plan. We're going all out tomorrow night, and we will bootstomp them.Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
Spurs afraid of the lakers? Cmon the piston and kings beat the lakers this season for christ sakes. :lol
Why would you not want to? Seriously?Quote:
Originally Posted by DAF86
Spurs players did not pay a whole lot tonight though, so why rest them? I don't get it? Rest two vs Sac yeah I can see that! But to rest them tomorrow and tank makes zero since to me personally. I would rather them play to win.Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
Play them limited minutes and see what happens. It's a win-win situation no matter what.
Sean Elliott specifically said that even if the starters play minimal minutes tonight, Pop will likely still sit them tomorrow night. Maybe the Big 3 can beg their way into the game but Elliott saying that means the coaches were planning on the Lakers game being a forfeit no matter what happened.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitman4evah
Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
That's only two losses for the Lakers if the Spurs beat them once. If the Spurs forfeit the first one, that sort of narrows things down, doesn't it?
That's not how matchups work. They're not transitive.Quote:
Originally Posted by dbreiden83080
Eh No it's really not, if we lose we lose and then are #2 again. You guys are seriously thinking tank this game? FOR WHAT? WHY? I agree play them first to see what happens, get down too far yank them, have a lead play to win! I hope they play to win.Quote:
Originally Posted by DAF86
Thats some pussy shyt, I will not watch it nor give them my support tomorrow if that happens! Thats straight coward stuff right there after limited mins tonight and we all know it. Pop outhinking himself here again, once again thinking he is smart. I can't co sign this crap, sorry. Forfeit for what? To give them more confidence and get us back to #2 see and make them the #3 more than likely, yeah that makes sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
Because if we beat them, they may fall to the 4th position and if we play the big three big minutes and still lose, the Sacramento game suddenly turns into a very dangerous one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
Either way, I would still play everybody tomorrow.
In '07 they were scared of the Mavs. I heard some Spurs players actually called the Warriors to thank them for taking them out.Quote:
Originally Posted by dbreiden83080
I think we're going to get one of these from Pop tomorrow. Someone should photoshop a troll face on Pop.
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/wp-co...-thumbs-up.png
Well, I had the GS announcers on LP and didn't hear it, but even so I can't envision that happening. Sean is tied in and all, but he can be used as a pawn in Pop's 3D chess game just as easily as he can be a reliable source. I expect tomorrow night to be a playoff game mentality. We'll find out soon enough!Quote:
Originally Posted by timvp
Number two but tied in the loss column owning the tie-breaker, with games that we should win the rest of the way (including the one against LA at home) and with OKC with a very hard schedule and struggling.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Cagney
Spurs should go out and try to win tomorrow. If they do, they can decide whether or not to tank the Friday game against LA to try to keep them in the 3 spot. Also I'm not too sure that road game against the Kings is a gimme unless they go into full-tank mode. Considering these may be the last games they play in Sacramento, I can't see them doing that.
Tim is lobbying to play tomorrow in the post-game.
Mike Monroe @Monroe_SA
I expect #RealCoachPop to suit up everyone tomorrow vs. #Lakers; No Big 3 played more than 14:32 in blowout in Oakland