Game Thoughts: Spurs vs. Lakers Jan. 23

I sure miss defense. I don't mean individual defense, as there was a lot of that. I mean team defense. Some of you guys have gotten so accustomed to the the lack of it that you don't even miss it anymore. I guess you want to be the Suns so badly that you let the great outside shooting soothe you into thinking everything is okay.

I thank the Lakers for coming out in the second half and completely abandoning what was working long enough to give away all momentum in the game. The reason the Spurs did so well against the pick and roll in the second half is because the Lakers weren't running it. I also thank the refs for not putting Timmy on the bench for most of the first half, because we've all seen him in foul trouble for way less than what he got away with.

Small lineups, reliance on hot shooting, jumping the passing lanes, no interior defense. Can't wait for the playoffs.

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Originally Posted by Slippy

Gotta love Pop's response to Bucher's Q, if anyone missed it.. " He didn't have a great first half, what made you think he could spur you starting on the 3rd quarter.. Pop deadpanned "he Manu Ginobili".

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I know, that was great. It's funny how Manu has gone from the loose cannon who gives Pop heart attacks to his 2nd favorite 'warrior' on the team. If Tony gave Manu's effort and heart every game this team would never lose.

Bruce Bowen played only 23 minutes as Pop opted to go with players who could provide more of an offensive punch. - timvp

Um, why is Bowen starting if he only gets 23 minutes in a game where I've been told for years by Spurs fans that we need Bowen's perimeter defense?

In other words, if Pop doesn't feel like Bowen is needed to guard Kobe, how is Bowen of any value anymore?

Question.

Though it's still early to say the Spurs has turned the corner, this is at least a great step in that direction.

May I say Duncan is still the centerpiece of this team, in that any significant improvement in their game starts from him? Tim was playing at a high level at the beginning of this season, before he got injuried. Then injuries of other players followed. As in previous season, when Duncan begins to play better on both ends of the court, the "SPAM" thing occurs.

Right now I hope everybody stays healthy, & just be relaxed to play the Spurs-style basketball.

I guaranteed a Spurs win yesterday, but let's not get too excited.

The played without Bynum.

And let's face it -- the Lakers are overachieving.

They have no one besides Kobe.

I want to see the Spurs beat a proven, quality team with multiple stars like a Dallas or a Phoenix.

Relax.

One of the best second half performances I've seen the Spurs play in a long time. I was out of my seat yelling in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Barry and Manu are fun to watch.

I sort of agree with Ghost. Its not a huge win because they were missing Bynum. Bynum plays better defense on Tim Duncan. However, the Lakers are much improved and the Spurs dug themselves out of a hole. Its a very good win for San Antonio though because of the way they've been playing. Its not a huge win though.

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

Bruce Bowen played only 23 minutes as Pop opted to go with players who could provide more of an offensive punch. - timvp

Um, why is Bowen starting if he only gets 23 minutes in a game where I've been told for years by Spurs fans that we need Bowen's perimeter defense?

In other words, if Pop doesn't feel like Bowen is needed to guard Kobe, how is Bowen of any value anymore?

Question.

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Bowen is of great value. Ime proved he can help the Spurs out on defense and offense, but that does not mean that's the end of Bowen. Bowen is a necessity. There are going to be times that Pop is going to need the both of them in the game at the same time.

Im just happy they show'd some signs of life. They actually care about playing basketball it seems, and thats what makes it fun for me.


The lack luster, complacent spurs were really turning me off.

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

Bruce Bowen played only 23 minutes as Pop opted to go with players who could provide more of an offensive punch. - timvp

Um, why is Bowen starting if he only gets 23 minutes in a game where I've been told for years by Spurs fans that we need Bowen's perimeter defense?

In other words, if Pop doesn't feel like Bowen is needed to guard Kobe, how is Bowen of any value anymore?

Question.

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R U kidding with that QUESTION?

I thought Ghost Writer had a basketball knowledge beyond our world...

Aside from Udoka and co I think Parker played a much better game overall. I saw him being quicker and bolder than what he has been in the past few weeks. Maybe his injury is starting to heal finally. He still needs to stop trying to draw a foul on a point blank layup and go for the 2 points when it's needed. Other than that he took care of the ball and really had some plays where they couldn't stop his penetration. Hopefully, this is a good sign and he's back to be the player he really is.

GW's Bowen hate overrides any other consideration.

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Originally Posted by ChumpDumper

GW's Bowen hate overrides any other consideration.

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Umm I see

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Originally Posted by Purple & Gold

Good game Spursfans. The end of the first half and the whole 3rd qtr killed us. Catch us again when we're healthy.

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Yes because the Spurs haven't beaten the Lakers this season when LA is healthy.

Oh wait....

http://www.nba.com/games/20071113/LALSAS/boxscore.html

:smokin

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Originally Posted by SpurOutofTownFan

Aside from Udoka and co I think Parker played a much better game overall. I saw him being quicker and bolder than what he has been in the past few weeks. Maybe his injury is starting to heal finally. He still needs to stop trying to draw a foul on a point blank layup and go for the 2 points when it's needed. Other than that he took care of the ball and really had some plays where they couldn't stop his penetration. Hopefully, this is a good sign and he's back to be the player he really is.

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Seeing Parker's teardrop fall last night was good to see. If he gets that going and Tim's bankshot keeps falling, the Spurs are back. That and Bowen needs to hit the three from the corner.

I'd sure like to know what Pop said in the locker room at the half! :lol

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Originally Posted by MoSpur

Bowen is of great value. Ime proved he can help the Spurs out on defense and offense, but that does not mean that's the end of Bowen. Bowen is a necessity. There are going to be times that Pop is going to need the both of them in the game at the same time.

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Exactly. If we draw the Nuggets in the playoffs, wouldn't it be great to put a hard defender on AI and Melo at the same time? How flustered would they get if neither of then could ever get a open look?

Udoka is not a kid, he's 30

and this game once again proved that Odom sucks

Udoka defended him well.

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Originally Posted by Ghost Writer

Bruce Bowen played only 23 minutes as Pop opted to go with players who could provide more of an offensive punch. - timvp

Um, why is Bowen starting if he only gets 23 minutes in a game where I've been told for years by Spurs fans that we need Bowen's perimeter defense?

In other words, if Pop doesn't feel like Bowen is needed to guard Kobe, how is Bowen of any value anymore?

Question.

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Therein lies the D'Antoni Conundrum.

Pop currently doesn't feel like Michael Finley at power forward is in any way related to the inability of the team to defend the paint. But you are right: If Pop doesn't think he needs you, you have no value.

With a small lineup you have to be able to outscore your opponent, because you damn sure can't get stops. Since two of the small guys on the floor at any given time can't keep their man in front of them, it doesn't really matter if Bowen can, because teams will just go away from him and score in the paint when Duncan rotates to help an overmatched teammate. That negates Bowen and increases the need for another scorer on the floor to make up for it.

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Originally Posted by samikeyp

Yes because the Spurs haven't beaten the Lakers this season when LA is healthy.

Oh wait....

http://www.nba.com/games/20071113/LALSAS/boxscore.html

:smokin

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That game was in the beginning of the season when the team was still figuring things out. NOH beat us too early in the season in a similar fashion, and then we blew them out by 30 points on the road a week or two ago. We would have blown out the Spurs if we had Bynum, do you really think Duncan would have went 28/17? In reality you beat last year's Laker team, which was a middling .500 WC team. I guess that is an accomplishment considering your went an entire month without beating a team above .500.

The Spurs still have trouble putting the ball in the hoop. Don't think that is magically going to change because you got hot from 3pt land last night. Too much reliance on 3's this year, it's going to bite you in the ass.

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Originally Posted by samikeyp

Yes because the Spurs haven't beaten the Lakers this season when LA is healthy.

Oh wait....

http://www.nba.com/games/20071113/LALSAS/boxscore.html

:smokin

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But don't you know -- that was a different Laker team, mikey. They hadn't figured out yet how good they were (even though they had already punked the Suns in Phoenix by 30 or so) and, um, they were understandably intimidated by the big bad Spurs, and, um, they really only lost that game because Bruce Bowen had a once-in-a-season type of game, and, um . . . .

DazedAndExcuses

So if Andrew Bynum plays last night, there is no possible way at all that the Spurs could have won?

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

But don't you know -- that was a different Laker team, mikey. They hadn't figured out yet how good they were (even though they had already punked the Suns in Phoenix by 30 or so) and, um, they were understandably intimidated by the big bad Spurs, and, um, they really only lost that game because Bruce Bowen had a once-in-a-season type of game, and, um . . . .

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:lol

Damn...you're right.

"we're" screwed.

:smokin