Aldridge and Leonard in the 4th

Huge playoff game on the road, 4th quarter, and the offense was basically everybody standing around watching, and hoping that Parker and David fucking West would take us home.

Leonard and Aldridge are the big 2. When the chips are down, these guys need to carry. Aldridge did all he could in game 2, Kawhi was clutch in game 3. We can't be having them be so ineffective and passive in crunch time like today.

:lol Porker's turnover
:lol heroball phaggot

They missed some good looks. Difference in passing up shots and just missing looks.

Did they even score anything at all in the fourth? We can't beat anyone if they get nothing in the fourth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lefty

:lol Porker's turnover
:lol heroball phaggot

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by lefty

:lol Porker's turnover
:lol heroball phaggot

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:lol Did you get pinked?

Thunder in 6. Book it. I'm laying a dime on it tomorrow morning.

Fucking pussy shit by Kawhi tonight. He deserves to get blasted for that performance.

why do we suck at the start of the 4th

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Originally Posted by Silver&Black

:lol Did you get pinked?

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Not yet

:lol Porker's turnover
:lol heroball phaggot

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RD2191

Fucking pussy shit by Kawhi tonight. He deserves to get blasted for that performance.

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:wow

Aldridge was mediocre on the road, tbh..:lol home frontrunner..

Kawhbeta, tbh...

Kawhi was visibly gassed at the end. He shouldn't be playing the whole last quarter, tbh.

Leonard is so up and down. Expect a bounce back followed by a stinker in OKC.

I kinda felt like Leonard was affected by that hyperextension by Kanter landing awkardly. I haven't taken a second, look but I don't think Leonard did anything after that.

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Originally Posted by DAF86

Kawhi was visibly gassed at the end. He shouldn't be playing the whole last quarter, tbh.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

They missed some good looks. Difference in passing up shots and just missing looks.

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Kawhi was 0-5 from the field in the 4th, and 2 of those shots came on that one possession when the game was already close to being out of reach.
Aldridge was 0-2 from the field and 1-2 from the line

Even West took 6 shots in the 4th

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DAF86

Kawhi was visibly gassed at the end. He shouldn't be playing the whole last quarter, tbh.

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yeah kawhistans really never acklowedged that kawhi can be dpoy and also team alpha. He has to have a limit and the whole anti kyle peeps are retards.

It sucks that this team can't run offense except through two ancient guards.

Only worry is that we wasted a good game from Manu, tbh...

It's tough when you have to play both ends hard as fuck

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Originally Posted by ElNono

Only worry is that we wasted a good game from Manu, tbh...

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:lol

They both played fine. Need other players to step up.

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Originally Posted by Holden_Caulfield

why do we suck at the start of the 4th

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When you have a lineup of Diaw AND West as your bigs against Kanter and Adams. You are going to rebound like shit. They just pushed the lead a bit there and the spurs couldn't get back in it after that.

Other than that Pop did a good job accept using that lineup and them staying on the court way too long in the 4th.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Floyd Pacquiao

It's tough when you have to play both ends hard as fuck

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Of course it's tough. But he's a fucking superstar and it's the playoffs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lefty

:lol Porker's turnover
:lol heroball phaggot

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Lefty with a solid take per par.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spurraider21

:lol

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ehh... not really worried. Didn't think we would take both in OKC, and was surprised it was that close all the way to the end... they did want it more than we did, and they got the W...

We just gotta play better, and some home cooking, I'm hoping, will do us good.

Aldridge will show up at home, tbh..seems like the type of nigga that needs to sleep in his own bed and have his own blanket, etc..

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Aldridge will show up at home, tbh..seems like the type of nigga that needs to sleep in his own bed and have his own blanket, etc..

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Aldridge about to put up 82 pts in the first half alone, book it! :flag:

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Originally Posted by DarrinS

They both played fine. Need other players to step up.

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Watch the game next time faggot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TampaDude

Thunder in 6. Book it. I'm laying a dime on it tomorrow morning.

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First time I've ever seen this side of you TD; not cool.

Cat crew having a field day with it but Leonard wasn't right after the knee bang. That could be a real concern moving forward.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGreatYacht

Watch the game next time faggot.

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I did, cocksucker

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Aldridge was mediocre on the road, tbh..:lol home frontrunner..

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Dude cant contribute if hes not getting touches. :lol

They offense wanst really the problem though. It was the defense.

Plus Durant made every contested shot. Didnt like the switch with west on durant too.

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Originally Posted by Spur|n|Austin

First time I've ever seen this side of you TD; not cool.

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He pulled this reverse jinx crap in the 2014 Finals too. :lol

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Originally Posted by loveforthegame

Cat crew having a field day with it but Leonard wasn't right after the knee bang. That could be a real concern moving forward.

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I noticed his aggressiveness dropped after that collision with Kanter. I'm concerned but if he can play the next game I'm going to assume he's ok. Pop wouldn't risk it if it was a serious injury.

We got enough offense. You can't let Dion Waiters go off for 17 on 7-11. And since Duncan is essentially crippled, I fear we have no answer for Adams. Waiters and Adams playing like all-stars was all the difference. Sure, Kawhi and LMA could've popped off for more, but they got support from Tony, Boris, and Manu.

Leonard clearly got a little gassed late.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Aldridge will show up at home, tbh..seems like the type of nigga that needs to sleep in his own bed and have his own blanket, etc..

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:lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by midnightpulp

We got enough offense. You can't let Dion Waiters go off for 17 on 7-11. And since Duncan is essentially crippled, I fear we have no answer for Adams. Waiters and Adams playing like all-stars was all the difference. Sure, Kawhi and LMA could've popped off for more, but they got support from Tony, Boris, and Manu.

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16 points in the 4th isn't getting enough offense. started the quarter up 4 and lost by 14

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Originally Posted by loveforthegame

Cat crew having a field day with it but Leonard wasn't right after the knee bang. That could be a real concern moving forward.

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He was great in the first half and the 3rd quarter, huge plays on both ends. His last steal in the 3rd was just amazing.

But after Kanter hit Kawhi's knee when he was falling, he cleary didn't look like himself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by baseline bum

He pulled this reverse jinx crap in the 2014 Finals too. :lol

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It fucking worked, didn't it? :lol

They both look a little tired, tbh. Aldridge had been playing very heavy minutes, and Kawhi really went all out in Game 3. I sometimes wonder if Pop's resting players so much in the regular season makes it harder for them to stomach the increased minutes in the playoffs in close games. Obviously, the Spurs overall record in the playoffs disputes my assertion to some large degree. But I still wonder...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DAF86

Kawhi was visibly gassed at the end. He shouldn't be playing the whole last quarter, tbh.

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:lmao Today's NBA

:lmao maybe Kawhi has asthma

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spurraider21

16 points in the 4th isn't getting enough offense. started the quarter up 4 and lost by 14

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True, but even if we scored 102-105, which you would think would've been enough offense, it still wouldn't have been enough. Spurs are typically in good shape when they score in the high 90's.

Yeah, offense could've been better, but defense was the big issue tonight.

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

They missed some good looks. Difference in passing up shots and just missing looks.

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LMA doesn't do well shooting off the dribble. He's a spot up shooter and he needs to remain one. When he's moving he misses more often than not. He's not a great adjustment shooter. I didn't see them running him off his spot. I saw piss poor spacing and guys just standing around watching the ball handler.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by midnightpulp

True, but even if we scored 102-105, which you would think would've been enough offense, it still wouldn't have been enough. Spurs are typically in good shape when they score in the high 90's.

Yeah, offense could've been better, but defense was the big issue tonight.

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Rebounding and 50/50 balls were the big issues. We didn't seem to think it was that important of a game, at least most of us.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by midnightpulp

True, but even if we scored 102-105, which you would think would've been enough offense, it still wouldn't have been enough. Spurs are typically in good shape when they score in the high 90's.

Yeah, offense could've been better, but defense was the big issue tonight.

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a lot of bad offense and missed shots lead directly to transition where OKC thrives

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Originally Posted by DAF86

Kawhi was visibly gassed at the end. He shouldn't be playing the whole last quarter, tbh.

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Playing hard on both ends of the floor will do that to a player. Furthermore, he had to battle hard on the glass to make up for the size deficit in Pop's lineups.

Kawhi started out like 6-6 and then went 1-12. Not good. That duo of Thunder Mongoloids is trying to injure our players with their flopping bullshit and cheap shots. I hope KD gets f'd up the next game with those chicken legs.

Really Kawhi-et down the stretch

What bugs me is how physical OKC is allowed to be with LMA and SA gets called for everything. Every time Ibaka closes out on LMA & LMA goes by him, Ibaka puts his arm out (like a clothes line) and hits LMA. He still fights through it, but damn, it's a foul. You have to call it at least once.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DarrinS

They both played fine. Need other players to step up.

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There's other players?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

What bugs me is how physical OKC is allowed to be with LMA and SA gets called for everything. Every time Ibaka closes out on LMA & LMA goes by him, Ibaka puts his arm out (like a clothes line) and hits LMA. He still fights through it, but damn, it's a foul. You have to call it at least once.

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Only with LMA? Boris was fouled two times in the same play by Adams tonight.

Spurs had a chance to put this game away in the first half and didn't. OKC came out timid and flat. They should've easily been up by 15 at the half.

But once West Diaw gets out there, it's only a matter of time before OKCs size starts taking over in the boards.

If you gonna play that combo, you can only do it 3-4 min max! But they should've even be out there together, and especially without Kawhi on the floor.

We better not get the same old crappy refs we had at home in Game 2. :bang

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

Dude cant contribute if hes not getting touches. :lol

They offense wanst really the problem though. It was the defense.

Plus Durant made every contested shot. Didnt like the switch with west on durant too.

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Yeah, this was just insane and all the more reason Diaw should have played.

They can't keep them off the offensive glass either way, but at least with Diaw, he's a better option to switch that and he brings the possibility of the occasional three.

My only concerns in this series, are lack of volume three-point shooting and defensive rebounding, with Duncan barely playing. Either him or Marjanovic need to play the non Aldridge minutes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dylankerouac

I kinda felt like Leonard was affected by that hyperextension by Kanter landing awkardly. I haven't taken a second, look but I don't think Leonard did anything after that.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by DAF86

Kawhi was visibly gassed at the end. He shouldn't be playing the whole last quarter, tbh.

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All his shots were short, Danny being in foul trouble forced him to play heavy minutes. (Maybe should have given Kyle more minutes)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by UZER

Spurs had a chance to put this game away in the first half and didn't. OKC came out timid and flat. They should've easily been up by 15 at the half.

But once West Diaw gets out there, it's only a matter of time before OKCs size starts taking over in the boards.

If you gonna play that combo, you can only do it 3-4 min max! But they should've even be out there together, and especially without Kawhi on the floor.

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Weren't they up almost 10? Didn't they flirt with a near 10 point lead for much of the game?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TD 21

Yeah, this was just insane and all the more reason Diaw should have played.

They can't keep them off the offensive glass either way, but at least with Diaw, he's a better option to switch that and he brings the possibility of the occasional three.

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Diaw had no chance against KD tonight, even Danny was getting roasted. Kyle was the only guy that slowed him down.:lol

Pop is not going to make any rotational changes though. I dont think he will. Series tied at 2 a piece with us having homecourt. Hes never made changes unless the spurs were in desperation mode. Always stays with his gameplan.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

Diaw had no chance against KD tonight, even Danny was getting roasted. Kyle was the only guy that slowed him down.:lol

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Was calling for this because anderson is actually a better revounder than Diaw and West. Plus he was awesome in the first half. Surprised we didnt see him as a small ball 4.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TampaDude

It fucking worked, didn't it? :lol

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:lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

Pop is not going to make any rotational changes though. I dont think he will. Series tied at 2 a piece with us having homecourt. Hes never made changes unless the spurs were in desperation mode. Always stays with his gameplan.

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He benched Tiago & started Diaw in Gm 5 after the two blowout in OKC back in 2014.:wakeup (Tim might get benched for Diaw)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

Pop is not going to make any rotational changes though. I dont think he will. Series tied at 2 a piece with us having homecourt. Hes never made changes unless the spurs were in desperation mode. Always stays with his gameplan.

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Yeah, and I think Pop should stick to it. Despite the score, this was a 4 point game late, playing a good Thunder team in desperation mode who got all-star level performances from Adams and Di:loln Waiters and Kevin Durant's best playoff performance in like the past 4 seasons. No need to panic.

I don't put much stock in single game plus/minus, but Duncan was +5 in his 12 minutes on the floor. Even though he's giving us nothing offensively, he's still a presence. Foul trouble took him off the floor tonight, but I don't think he gets in foul trouble in game 5. Should shore up the defense.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

Was calling for this because anderson is actually a better revounder than Diaw and West. Plus he was awesome in the first half. Surprised we didnt see him as a small ball 4.

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But if DWest and Boris can't compete against Adams-Ibaka-Kanter...Why don't try to go small and force OKC to do the same?

Kawhi at 4 is a better rebounder than Durant and Danny/Kyle better than Waiters/Roberson. At least we could neutralize OKC rebounding.

Their superstar went nuclear, and our 2 stars shit the bed in the 4th. That's your ballgame right there.

The cumulative effect of the sanctioned hammering of LMA and KL kicked in in the 4th quarter. OKC has to try to damage/injure our best players to compete. Buncha twats really on that other squad. A shittier version of the Cavs, really.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

Was calling for this because anderson is actually a better revounder than Diaw and West. Plus he was awesome in the first half. Surprised we didnt see him as a small ball 4.

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Hopefully, he will get minutes at home especially w/ the short turnaround.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

Diaw had no chance against KD tonight, even Danny was getting roasted. Kyle was the only guy that slowed him down.:lol

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He still had a better chance than West.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry Callahan

The cumulative effect of the sanctioned hammering of LMA and KL kicked in in the 4th quarter. OKC has to try to damage/injure our best players to compete. Buncha twats really on that other squad. A shittier version of the Cavs, really.

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lay that valuable opinion on me when Thunder face off against Cavs in finals. always better from the couch.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TD 21

He still had a better chance than West.

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He should be starting so he can be matched up against Ibaka rather than coming off the bench when Ibaka goes to the bench.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

He should be starting so he can be matched up against Ibaka rather than coming off the bench when Ibaka goes to the bench.

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If I were Duncan and they did that, I'd retire on the spot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oh crap

lay that valuable opinion on me when Thunder face off against Cavs in finals. always better from the couch.

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Yeah, right.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

He benched Tiago & started Diaw in Gm 5 after the two blowout in OKC back in 2014.:wakeup (Tim might get benched for Diaw)

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Different scenarios because the spurs just meltdown in the fourth and the 3rd game was close.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by UZER

Spurs had a chance to put this game away in the first half and didn't. OKC came out timid and flat. They should've easily been up by 15 at the half.

But once West Diaw gets out there, it's only a matter of time before OKCs size starts taking over in the boards.

If you gonna play that combo, you can only do it 3-4 min max! But they should've even be out there together, and especially without Kawhi on the floor.

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Even Kawhi can't redeem them. Anderson got the lion's share of the blame previously for that line-up being shitty, but it wasn't on him alone and at least he gave Kawhi 2-3 minutes of rest so he could come in and close it out. That is valuable. The SF doesn't have much effect in that bench line-up. Yes Kawhi makes them better but they are still awful, and that says a lot.

Last game the line-up was also a net negative and Kyle was there. Yes he didn't save them or add anything, but what he did do was give rest to Kawhi. Kawhi came in at the 9 minute mark and was magnificent, both ends. So those crappy 3 minutes Kyle played were valuable in the end.

He couldn't have been worse here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apalisoc_9

Different scenarios because the spurs just meltdown in the fourth and the 3rd game was close.

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Except Diaw/West has been a disaster & Tiago only got exposed when Ibaka came back to the line-up in Gm 3/4.

Outside of elimination games, Gm 5 in a 2-2 series is essentially where you will see the most adjustment if there is an obvious lineup issue.

Off the top of my head:
-In the 2012 WCF, Pop started Manu over Danny who was wetting the bed.
-In the 2013 Finals, Pop started Manu over Tiago
-In the 2014 WCF, Pop started Bonner over Tiago who was essentially benched for Diaw

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SAGirl

Even Kawhi can't redeem them. Anderson got the lion's share of the blame previously for that line-up being shitty, but it wasn't on him alone and at least he gave Kawhi 2-3 minutes of rest so he could come in and close it out. That is valuable. The SF doesn't have much effect in that bench line-up. Yes Kawhi makes them better but they are still awful, and that says a lot.

Last game the line-up was also a net negative and Kyle was there. Yes he didn't save them or add anything, but what he did do was give rest to Kawhi. Kawhi came in at the 9 minute mark and was magnificent, both ends. So those crappy 3 minutes Kyle played were valuable in the end.

He couldn't have been worse here.

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Yes, all of that. In addition, I've said Kawhi or Aldridge must be in the floor at all times.

My point is that lineup shouldn't be out there period, but if pop is gonna be stubborn with it like we all know he is, then at the very very least, Kawhi should be in the floor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HarlemHeat37

Aldridge will show up at home, tbh..seems like the type of nigga that needs to sleep in his own bed and have his own blanket, etc..

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I don't disagree with you much Harlem, but Aldridge was fine on offense these two games in OKC. Did have some unordinary short shots (tired? Hopefully not, because he has played well in heavy minute situations when he was in Portland). He needs to get in better on defense, and box out rebound though tbh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by YGWHI

But if DWest and Boris can't compete against Adams-Ibaka-Kanter...Why don't try to go small and force OKC to do the same?

Kawhi at 4 is a better rebounder than Durant and Danny/Kyle better than Waiters/Roberson. At least we could neutralize OKC rebounding.

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I think Pop will stay traditional like Apo said, but you have made me think about it bc the advantage of staying BIG is the rebounding and defense boost but if Timmy is not playing, (and worse, if he's truly done, gulp!), why stay big with some guys that can't win that battle, the rebounding and defense battle?

I will give you this: Pop always used his small ball lineups in response to what the other coach was doing, never of his own initiative in the RS.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

Diaw had no chance against KD tonight, even Danny was getting roasted. Kyle was the only guy that slowed him down.:lol

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Intentionally or not:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3057/2...515ff7a325.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ditty

I don't disagree with you much Harlem, but Aldridge was fine on offense these two games in OKC. Did have some unordinary short shots (tired? Hopefully not, because he has played well in heavy minute situations when he was in Portland). He needs to get in better on defense, and box out rebound though tbh.

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KD clearly has no regard for him when he drives to the rim, he needs to lay him out flat so he would actually acknowledge his presence.:lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TD 21

If I were Duncan and they did that, I'd retire on the spot.

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As if he didn't get benched in a freakin' regular season game.:wakeup

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SAGirl

I think Pop will stay traditional like Apo said, but you have made me think about it bc the advantage of staying BIG is the rebounding and defense boost but if Timmy is not playing, (and worse, if he's truly done, gulp!), why stay big with some guys that can't win that battle, the rebounding and defense battle?

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Exactly

Quote:

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I will give you this: Pop always used his small ball lineups in response to what the other coach was doing, never of his own initiative in the RS.

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It's time to make a little change, Pop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

He should be starting so he can be matched up against Ibaka rather than coming off the bench when Ibaka goes to the bench.

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Good point. Hmm I s Pop at the point he would consider benching TD to reinforce the shitty bench line-up?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DPG21920

What bugs me is how physical OKC is allowed to be with LMA and SA gets called for everything. Every time Ibaka closes out on LMA & LMA goes by him, Ibaka puts his arm out (like a clothes line) and hits LMA. He still fights through it, but damn, it's a foul. You have to call it at least once.

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Manu pushed in the back on his breakaway...no and-one. Automatic if it's OKC. Danny Green hacked on the arm...out of bounds on Danny Green, it just goes on and on. And, that's fine if you are gonna "let 'em play", but The Thunder are getting call after call after call. Infuriating.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SAGirl

Good point. Hmm I s Pop at the point he would consider benching TD to reinforce the shitty bench line-up?

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He's already benching him in the 4th quarter & benched him in a regular season game so I don't see why it would be a farfetched. (Gm 5 in a 2-2 series has been historically when Pop makes lineup changes)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kawhitstorm

He's already benching him in the 4th quarter & benched him in a regular season game so I don't see why it would be a farfetched. (Gm 5 in a 2-2 series has been historically when Pop makes lineup changes)

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I agree that he needs to do something with the bigs. His adjustment tonight was just benching Kyle in the second half. That wasn't enough. Consistently these guys are a negative together. Of course if Manu and Patty were keeping them afloat with hot 3 pts shooting like the RS then fine, but it's not like it's news how deficient they are. I thought I'd see Boban with them but Pop has gone away from him.

series 2-2. if it's not that, someone inform me

The biggest issue I have with us going forward, even if we get past OKC is the fact that our offense is dreadful at times. There are halves where we can't hit the broad side of any fucking thing. We are brilliant usually in the first half, but in the second we quiver up and can't hit anything. This has to change. It's like we're great front runners, but after that we have issues closing games. Always been a problem for the Spurs.

Same as Game 2, Pop trotted out the uber-crappy-putrid line-up to start the 4th and the Spurs quickly went from up 4 to down 6. West took all the shots in the 4th when he shouldn't even have been out there.

The elephant in the room -- the Spurs may be wearing down in the 4th quarter (34-16 OKC in the 4th).

The Games are every other day now and OKC is a younger team.

Aldridge and Kawhi are playing 40 minutes every other day. This could be trouble unless the bench starts contributing (if not points at least minutes).

And TD playing so few minutes only adds to the strain . . .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littlecoyotecoin

Manu pushed in the back on his breakaway...no and-one. Automatic if it's OKC. Danny Green hacked on the arm...out of bounds on Danny Green, it just goes on and on. And, that's fine if you are gonna "let 'em play", but The Thunder are getting call after call after call. Infuriating.

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In the first quarter Kawhi gets body blocked by Adams - pure chickenshit play - not basketball. In the 4th quarter, Westbrick body blocks Parker with the intent to injure him. There probably 15 examples of this last night. That is not "being strong" or "being physical". It's just cheap shots by guys who are allowed to get away with it.

I have no idea what it will take for Kawhi to get more respect - the guy gets abused way more than he should. Durant the Diva took 13 foul shots last night. Half of those fouls putting him on the line were questionable at best. Don't get me started on his running buddy. WB plays completely out of control and gets rewarded way too much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ElNono

Only worry is that we wasted a good game from Manu, tbh...

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dg7md

The biggest issue I have with us going forward, even if we get past OKC is the fact that our offense is dreadful at times. There are halves where we can't hit the broad side of any fucking thing. We are brilliant usually in the first half, but in the second we quiver up and can't hit anything. This has to change. It's like we're great front runners, but after that we have issues closing games. Always been a problem for the Spurs.

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Thunder are way worse closing out games. They have to have the whistle to bail them out - or the no-call to allow them to pressure and move their screening. The Spurs scored 28 points in the third. You can't play defense as well when the other team is constantly in the penalty and going to the line. The abortion that was Danny Crawford's crew failed mightily last night. They sucked. Our players are getting run through a cheap shot meat grinder and nothing happens.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry Callahan

In the first quarter Kawhi gets body blocked by Adams - pure chickenshit play - not basketball. In the 4th quarter, Westbrick body blocks Parker with the intent to injure him. There probably 15 examples of this last night. That is not "being strong" or "being physical". It's just cheap shots by guys who are allowed to get away with it.

I have no idea what it will take for Kawhi to get more respect - the guy gets abused way more than he should. Durant the Diva took 13 foul shots last night. Half of those fouls putting him on the line were questionable at best. Don't get me started on his running buddy. WB plays completely out of control and gets rewarded way too much.

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I agree with this, but it would take some calling out by the Spurs' organization to change it and that is not going to happen. I was struck by what OKC was allowed to do under the basket and on screens with no call, but then Duncan and Green (those three fouls in 30 seconds) were just touch fouls. I don't get it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Russ

The elephant in the room -- the Spurs may be wearing down in the 4th quarter (34-16 OKC in the 4th).

The Games are every other day now and OKC is a younger team.

Aldridge and Kawhi are playing 40 minutes every other day. This could be trouble unless the bench starts contributing (if not points at least minutes).

And TD playing so few minutes only adds to the strain . . .

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Good point. Someone mentioned D west playing the entire 4th. That is too much at his age. TD needed to play a few minutes. Are we ready to let our season live and die by D west? I hope not.

We are probably not ringing if TD is done. It's dawning on me. He has to be better than he's been and maybe he can't.

KD killed us. He was due for a superstar game but we wasted LMA superstar game in game 2 which we should have won.

We still can get this series but this team is not playing their best basketball at this stage of the season, which is this goal. Without TD our ceiling is lowered considerably but nothing can be done about him. Him shooting 1/8 right at the rim in game 2 is as much the culprit for that loss as anything else. As Pop said, we lost that game 3 times.

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Originally Posted by Harry Callahan

In the first quarter Kawhi gets body blocked by Adams - pure chickenshit play - not basketball. In the 4th quarter, Westbrick body blocks Parker with the intent to injure him. There probably 15 examples of this last night. That is not "being strong" or "being physical". It's just cheap shots by guys who are allowed to get away with it.

I have no idea what it will take for Kawhi to get more respect - the guy gets abused way more than he should. Durant the Diva took 13 foul shots last night. Half of those fouls putting him on the line were questionable at best. Don't get me started on his running buddy. WB plays completely out of control and gets rewarded way too much.

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Well in g3 we were advantageous when it comes to fouling so OKC probably addressed it to the league. Hopefully the Spurs does the same and those shitty plays will be called from now on.

All in all I do not like that big of a disparity between RS and POs. Refs swallowing whistles way too much and as a result you have something like g2 ending.

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Originally Posted by dg7md

The biggest issue I have with us going forward, even if we get past OKC is the fact that our offense is dreadful at times. There are halves where we can't hit the broad side of any fucking thing. We are brilliant usually in the first half, but in the second we quiver up and can't hit anything. This has to change. It's like we're great front runners, but after that we have issues closing games. Always been a problem for the Spurs.

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That's exactly what happened against the Mavs in 2014 when Carlisle took Danny out of the series & dared Tony to be a scorer. The Manu/Tiago PnR that was the only consistent offense until the Spurs freed up Danny in transition despite losing Gm 6 after Blair dominated the game.

The only consistent offensive in this series is the Tony/LMA PnP but if LMA's shot is off then the well dries up.