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Yep. Tonight was a real reality check for me. If he didn't play Murray important minutes tonight, Pop isn't going to this season - unless injuries force his hand. I replied to another poster that tonight really burst my bubble about Pop and the direction he was taking.Quote:
Originally Posted by SAGirl
Most elite teams are top heavy(sans the warriors of the last two years that were ridiculously balanced). It's about the quality of the top which i think we'll see play out in the playoffs.
One would say the depth is for the regular season, so you don't go on a free fall if you have an injured player here or there (Spurs depth has been solid there), and so that you don't need to play your stars 44 mins per game like Lebron was complaining about (and the Spurs need that bc they have old players that need rest games and minutes managed... again Spurs depth has been solid there).Quote:
Originally Posted by 313
The quality of the top is an issue... that is where the overpaid/aged guys are anyways other than Kawhi.. and Lamarcus with his inconsistent play.
Pau still to be seen when he comes back from his injury... he had the "empty calories" syndrome.
Like I mentioned in the game thread Murray getting the Mahinmi treatment. Pop teaching him a lesson. "Win or lose I'm in charge, be ready to play when I call on you. And if you don't get called, sit there and don't complain about it." Pop still not over himself. Also, who benches their hottest player (Bertans) when you still have a chance to win? :bang
IQuote:
Originally Posted by Old School 44
think that is another example of how he sticks to the plan... Bertans was likely slated for just the 20 minutes he got (or less, if you take into account he played garbage time that was less minutes he would have played if the regular rotation had closed out the game)...
I think this is another sign of what sasaint said: Pop sticking to his regular rotation when it counts. The others don't matter.
I'm not saying Murray would have won the game. I just think his recent play would have warranted him some meaningful minutes.
The team came out flat on both ends of the floor. Watching them "fight" over screens was a disgrace.
Murray was pulled because he came in and started chucking without running any offense. People trying to make it into a power play by Pop are clueless. Pop doesn't think like you do so stop inserting yourself into his brain.
as if it wasn't worth itQuote:
Originally Posted by Capt Bringdown
Has nothing to do with depth, third wheel, etc... if you subtract the 5 shots from Murray/Forbes/Anthony in garbage time (and you should probably subtract a few more since Pop waved the white flag with like 4 mins to go), the stars took 36 shots and the entire rest of the team took 44. That's how we run our offense. If those guys are off, especially if both are off, we're going to struggle.
Actually, outside of Tony and Patty, who took a combined 13 shots, the rest of the team shot pretty well. We scored over 100 points.
The thing is, our stars also carry a heavy burden on defense. They are, arguably, our most important defenders inside and on the perimeter, considering the run they get.
It'll be interesting to see how Pop allocates rest for these two guys as the season unfolds. We're not going to change the way we play, IMO, we're relying on these two guys to take us to the promised land.
How good is cliff jumping
Where's the cliff jumping? This isn't a new realization either, something we've been discussing for a while, tbh.
Just pointing out the obvious, before somebody pulls the 'role players didn't do well' card.
As Fuzzy said, if we come out 'flat' on both ends, especially our stars (considering how the team is built and the offensive/defensive roles allocated), we're just not going to do very well.
I'm trying to gauge what other people think about this going forward. Will it be enough/good to put so many eggs in just a few baskets? I mean, I don't think that's changing this season.
ThisQuote:
Originally Posted by FuzzyLumpkins
I understand now what you say Nono. :tuQuote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
The rest of the team makes plays for Lamarcus pretty much. He is always passed the ball to if he's open. He's passed the ball to when he's covered so he can go one on one if he wants to or he can make a play for someone else. Sometimes he passes to someone else, that perimeter player tries to get a shot for himself and draws help leaving lamarcus again open for a jumpshot and he gets the ball back. It is how it is. Kawhi has become ball dominant and that is a different step for him. He's passing the ball much better but he still takes a lot of shots. If he's off tough luck. If he's on, he can carry you far like he did against the Cavs.
In that sense you are absolutely right. When the stars were injured we actually saw much more varied and spread out scoring and still won games (and scored without any problem even with Danny's recent shooting slump). I don't want to go there in that discussion bc I don't care about the player ego and the player fan. Heck I guy I like barely scores and mostly enjoys making plays for other ppl... but I really see what you mean.
Heck this is a very interesting and controversial subject in and of itself.
Parker and Manu have not over stayed their time, Pop just plays them too many minutes. Both will give you an offensive burst, but both are huge defensive liabilities. We will not win it all this year as Pop is committed to the old guard. Next year, may be our year, with Manu retired, TP on the bench, Murray and Dedmon starting. We may struggle at times, but the defensive boost would be outstanding. Gasol, Manu, and TP as great as they were are slipping into the liability category. It is time to move on. It will take a year to complete that journey.
60 points in the paint for NO. That's all that needs to be said, folks.
Overpaid only matters if it costs cap room, which wasn't the case with Manu. He could be getting the max right now and not have cost the Spurs any cap room.Quote:
Originally Posted by SAGirl
Wish we had Gobert
Other than David Lee and Bertans, no one played particularly well in that game. Off nights happen.
Elephant was Pels cramming 119 points down the Spurs throat. No need to analyze TP and MG. It's not like all doesn't know what we're getting from them.
Bertans gets pushed around on defense and the boards. He is as big a reason as any for the big fail on the defensive end for all of his offensive skills. He absolutely needs to work on his core and lower body strength.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarrinS
Would that space be safe?Quote:
Originally Posted by dabom
Yeah, I don't think Pop puts Bertans in for his defense. :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by FuzzyLumpkins
I'm was talking about the offense of Lee and Bertans.
Yes, Porker was born in Belgium.Quote:
Originally Posted by ElNono
Lol...Quote:
Originally Posted by Play Boban
You awesome fucker.
croflQuote:
Originally Posted by Play Boban