Random thoughts after third easy win vs. Mavs

[timvp]

-That game has to win the le for the most misleading final score of the season. With Rick Carlisle coaching like it was the Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Mavs went on an 11-0 run in 49 seconds during the final minute. But, truthfully, that run was more annoying than anything. San Antonio’s lead was never really in jeopardy.

-Let’s not lose focus on how great of a win this was. No Tim Duncan. No Pop. Limited Manu Ginobili. Kawhi Leonard coming off an injury. Tony Parker misses a majority of the first quarter with a pair of lacerations near his eye. Two lacerations, no call. The Mavs have played great basketball as of late. The Mavs had extra motivation after the two beatdowns the Spurs put on 'em earlier in the season. There’s the natural rivalry. The Mavs had four full days off before this game (they hadn’t played since Sunday). The Spurs, on the other hand, haven’t had more than two days off since the first week of December. Despite all that, the Spurs came out and dominated. Very impressive.

-I was worried that DeJuan Blair was done due to the degeneration of his knees. He looked horrible for a few weeks. But recently, he has looked better. Tonight, he looked really good athletically. In the first half, he was finishing shots after multiple moves in mid-air -- something we haven’t seen in a long time. He threw down his first dunk of the season and was routinely beating his man up the court. Around the time Blair started playing horrid basketball, he also suffered an ankle injury and sat out only one game. Perhaps it’s not his knees that torpedoed his play -- perhaps it was that ankle injury. That’d be great news if that was the case because he can provide valuable depth on a cheap contract. Hopefully I was dead wrong about prematurely burying Blair.

-Gary Neal played a lot better tonight. He didn’t look a whole lot healthier; I thought the biggest difference was how aggressive he came off of screens. He’s been lazy about that recently and, because of that, he wasn’t getting many clean looks within the offense. But tonight, Neal was using picks well and that allowed him to play his normal role instead of relying on freelancing. When Parker was out early, Bud picked Neal to run PG … and Neal real did a marvelous job. Good call by Bud and credit to Neal for stepping up.

-Stephen Jackson … yeah … let’s move on.

-Is Tony Parker the most underappreciated player in the league right now? He might be. Even us Spurs fans don’t really talk about him much. But, damn, he has carried the Spurs to this seven-game winning streak. Manu Ginobili has mostly been sidelined. Tim Duncan has been in and out. Even Pop hasn’t been around for all of it. But Parker has been beastly night in and night out. His stats during the streak: 21.7 points and 9.7 assists on 54.9% shooting from the field in less than 34 minutes per night.

-Speaking of Parker, has a star point guard ever peaked pass the age of 30? I can’t think of anyone. That’s a testament to the amount of work he puts in and his willingness to listen to coaches and improve. Pop calls him the most coachable player he’s ever coached and Parker’s ability to get better and better -- even after all these years -- is evidence. You don’t have to like him but it’d be smart to appreciate the Hall of Fame point guard who is currently at the top of his game.

-Tiago Splitter has some of the stranger finishing tactics around the rim -- from no-look hooks to late-release layups and from flips from the hip to lateral Euro-step reverse layups -- but it’s so very effective when he’s got it going. When he hits hot stretches like this, his elite ability to roll to the basket and his elite finishing skills make him a monster. Going forward, the Spurs have no excuse not to include him in their offensive attack as much as possible.

-Kawhi Leonard is still finding his way as an NBA player but his presence always makes an impact. I’m not sure exactly why it is but whenever he’s on the court, the Spurs suddenly don’t play like a plodding team. He’s like the one-man infusion of youth. Just add Kawhi to make a seemingly tired and old unit look young again.

-Boris Diaw is a paradox hidden in a riddle locked away in a conundrum buried at the bottom of the French Sea (is that real, eh, let’s roll with it). One minute, he’s firing a three-pointer coming off of a screen after barely taking the time to turn to face the rim. The next minute, he passes up a three-pointer with no human within a country mile. And there’s really no rhyme or reason to it. Strange. It’s like Diaw is a temperamental artist who only sometimes feels like sharing his gift with others. Either that, or he enjoys messing with all of our minds.

-Hopefully Pop and Duncan return tomorrow for the Suns game. If they don’t, it might be time to locate the panic button. Not quite push it … but at least find where it’s situated.

[freetiago]

I still dont believe a team can win with parker as its best player and he has the resume to back this up
but you cant really expect much more out of him
averaging a 20/10 in his past 5 games mostly without duncan/leonard/ginobili
started hitting clutch 3s even
hes done a lot better at not going completely hero with a crossover dribble left pullup he use to do all the time
sitll dont think he gets much respect from refs considering westbricks are getting 10 fta a night

and diaw
has the skill of an all star forward but hes the most passive inconsistent player ive ever seen

[HI-FI]

I'm guilty of being a TP hater, probably because he has a tendency to go into Westbrick territory and maybe for other reasons. But he is the true definition of underrated. He's underrated because he'll never be in that top PG discussion of his era, yet the divide between TP and those behind him is massive. So while I think it's fair to point out the dumb he does, he's also capable of playing at elite levels and often does.

Agree on Kawhi, he's like a shot of youth or vitality whenever he shows up, both to the team and to the fans. I think it's because he's got so much untapped energy and talent, yet he's sticking to his role and not overdoing it.

[hater]

Lmao if parker was anything resembling westbrook, this site would have blown up long ago. Have you even seen some shots westbrook takes? PARKER is nothing like westbrook

[Das Texan]

Id be more worried if Duncan isnt back tomorrow.

If Pop misses the game so be it, dont need him getting all of the AT&T center ill. (though taking a ref or two down would be funny)

[racm]

Lmao if parker was anything resembling westbrook, this site would have blown up long ago. Have you even seen some shots westbrook takes? PARKER is nothing like westbrook

In transition TP does not pull up for a long 2 whenever possible, for starters.

[TrainOfThought5]

My love/hate relationship with Tony Parker = My love/hate relationship with Tony Romo

I have an undeniable belief that both players can lead a team to a championship.

With TP he either needs to continue his improvement from long range, and improve against lengthy defenders (Sefalosha), but if he did that he would be a TRUE MVP candidate and possibly the next PG to win a Finals MVP.

Tony Romo just needs a better team around him. But i believe in both players.

[racm]

My love/hate relationship with Tony Parker = My love/hate relationship with Tony Romo

I have an undeniable belief that both players can lead a team to a championship.

With TP he either needs to continue his improvement from long range, and improve against lengthy defenders (Sefalosha), but if he did that he would be a TRUE MVP candidate and possibly the next PG to win a Finals MVP.

Tony Romo just needs a better team around him. But i believe in both players.

You know who the last PG to win Finals MVP was, don't you?

[Bruno]

Great thoughts. Thanks

-Hopefully Pop and Duncan return tomorrow for the Suns game. If they don’t, it might be time to locate the panic button. Not quite push it … but at least find where it’s situated.

I am too worried a little with Duncan's knees.

For Pop, you should read the E-N article about it:
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...-another-game/

I see no reason at all for being worried about Pop.

[timvp]

I still dont believe a team can win with parker as its best player

I don't believe that either. I think Parker needs someone playing at his same level in order for the Spurs to win a championship. Thankfully, Duncan has done that so far this season.

But, no, I don't believe Parker is good enough to be the dominant MVP of a championship MVP. But that's not much of a slight because there really aren't that many. Today in the NBA there is LeBron James, Kevin Durant and maybe Chris Paul (but probably not). And that's it.

[ElNono]

Blair play was unexpected and welcome... I don't expect him to do the rest of the season, so that was nice... I thought Manu did ok in his limited minutes.

Jack might not do crap offensively, but he's a guy that boards, plays hard on D and gives the team a certain iden y. I mean, the alternative was Richard Jefferson out there, so yeah... no.

Kawhi is nice too... he's still learning the ropes, but he's not afraid to work hard and put his long hands out there and intercept passes and what not... we need that... we don't force a lot of turnovers... having a guy that gives you that is valuable.

Tiago is getting better and better, but looking at the Mavs frontcourt, at this stage of his development, you expect him to beast a bit. I still think he needs to be tougher and more assertive at times. And it's because I know he can be.

The rest of the guys also came in and did their thing... some better than others... you can tell chemistry is great. Guys like Patty truly look happy to be there supporting the team.

[timvp]

For Pop, you should read the E-N article about it:
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...-another-game/

I see no reason at all for being worried about Pop.

Good to see Pop is relatively fine

Carlisle's quotes in that link also fit with the random thoughts . . .

[JRHernandez88]

I was proud of DB45 tonight

Good win though without Pop and Timmy.

[objective]

Guys are missing Kawhi open underneath too much.

[mathbzh]

-Speaking of Parker, has a star point guard ever peaked pass the age of 30? I can’t think of anyone. That’s a testament to the amount of work he puts in and his willingness to listen to coaches and improve. Pop calls him the most coachable player he’s ever coached and Parker’s ability to get better and better -- even after all these years -- is evidence. You don’t have to like him but it’d be smart to appreciate the Hall of Fame point guard who is currently at the top of his game.

Nash

[mathbzh]

I'm guilty of being a TP hater, probably because he has a tendency to go into Westbrick territory and maybe for other reasons.

This is why he has the best career% of any PG?
Seriously, if Parker was going Westbrick he would average over 25 ppg

[capek]

-Kawhi Leonard is still finding his way as an NBA player but his presence always makes an impact. I’m not sure exactly why it is but whenever he’s on the court, the Spurs suddenly don’t play like a plodding team. He’s like the one-man infusion of youth. Just add Kawhi to make a seemingly tired and old unit look young again.

Definitely. Even though he's not a star yet, it's that kind of "can't quite pin it down but it's big" effect that is often the first sign of a star in the making. Your description is apropos, he's like the Spurs' viagra. I mean, I know I get a bonner every time I watch him play. I can't be the only one! Amiright?!

[mathbzh]

I don't believe that either. I think Parker needs someone playing at his same level in order for the Spurs to win a championship. Thankfully, Duncan has done that so far this season.

But, no, I don't believe Parker is good enough to be the dominant MVP of a championship MVP. But that's not much of a slight because there really aren't that many. Today in the NBA there is LeBron James, Kevin Durant and maybe Chris Paul (but probably not). And that's it.

How could he win "alone" when Lebron needed Wade/Bosh?

[Spursfanfromafar]

Parker has consistently been the best player for the Spurs since the past 2-3 years and with only random blips in form mostly because of injuries. And he is unique in the manner he plays - a very good scorer with a high efficiency and who has learnt to be equally efficient as a passer; plus adding above average defense as a PG. Very few players in the league bring all these attributes together, not less PGs.

[TrainOfThought5]

You know who the last PG to win Finals MVP was, don't you?

I know that he was being guarded by Boobie Gibson, and helped by Prime Duncan+Prime Ginobili.

this aint '07. If Parker wins FMVP this year, it will be because he raised his game to another level, and carried this team to victory offensively, and vanquished whatever offensive weaknesses he has. he will have truly earned it.

sidenote: I think he can do it.

[Arc]

Jeff Van Gundy was right when he said teams that are down by 10+ should lose their timeouts late in the 4th (or something like that). Carlisle was so annoying. End of game fouling is a blight on the game.

[spurs10]

Thanks for the thoughts, once again, Tony is indeed playing inspired basketball right now! It's a pleasure to witness. I'd seen Blair dunking the ball in warm-ups recently, so I'm glad to see he's making it real...

[TrainOfThought5]

Jeff Van Gundy was right when he said teams that are down by 10+ should lose their timeouts late in the 4th (or something like that). Carlisle was so annoying. End of game fouling is a blight on the game.

Would have been a nice rule to have when TMac was puttin up 13 points in 8 seconds.

[lefty]

Lmao if parker was anything resembling westbrook, this site would have blown up long ago. Have you even seen some shots westbrook takes? PARKER is nothing like westbrook

In a perfect world :

TP's basketball IQ + Westbrook's athleticism + Jordan's unchoking

[timaios]

In a perfect world :

TP's basketball IQ + Westbrook's athleticism + Jordan's unchoking

That... or Jordan's basketball IQ + Jordan's athleticism + Jordan's unchoking. Too bad such a player can't be real !