Spurs vs. Houston Game Blog - Preseason Game 1

[timtonymanu]

was impressed by Watkins, Hairston, and Hill.

was disappointed with Udoka and Tolliver.

[benefactor]

Do you know that I personally don't give a ? Pop did that because he has an unhealthy mancrush for vets. I would like the youngest version of each spot to start, when it comes to sf at least, unless there's a WAY superior player (why I want Mason over Hairston, Tim over Ian, Parker over Hill). Fin can be an expensive ace in the hole, not an expensive waste of 22+ minutes a game,

And thanks, buddy holly. Glad some people don't need reading comprehension to understand simple posts.

Its funny you talk of comprehension...when you understand little about your own team. The last time I checked our starting SF was Bruce Bowen, but hey, he is a old so lets just bench him. I am also fascinated with this idea that you seem to have about Hairston taking Finley's minutes when A) He played well in one preseason game and B) He somehow becomes this anomaly that picks up our system perfectly when it even takes veteran NBA players a year to do it.

Hairston played well. If he plays like that in every game he could wind up a third swingman while Manu is out. Depending on what he does in those games will dictate whether or not he is the starting SG for the Toros.

[Bruno]

What was quite worrisome in this game is that a lot of rotation players looked like . Udoka, Mason and Bonner were damn bad. Tolliver who could have taken Bonner spot was also horrible. Gaines was also disappointing, it looks like he is out of shape.
It's only one game and things can change but Spurs depth doesn't look good. Yesterday's Spurs best players (Hairston and Watkins) were the youngest ones and should land in Austin if they are kept. A positive point of this game is that all three PGs (Parker, Vaughn and Hill) have done a good job.

Spurs have a game today against Hornets I expect that players who haven't played a lot yesterday get some burn today.

[Spurs Brazil]

Udoka was the worst player on the floor for much of the game. Terrible defense, bad shooting, stupid turnovers and mental lapses. Bowen's job is safe until he's lost another step and a half or so.

I think Ime may be out of the rotation when Manu is back.

He needs to play better D. Against LA last season his D was a disaster. He needs to improve to get some minutes

[Obstructed_View]

He needs to stop being a mutton-head or else he and Bonner will be traded for a snow cone machine before Manu gets back.

[T Park]

Another point I'd forgotten to note earlier: Brent Barry leaves the Spurs and suddenly he can't in' turn down an open shot. , he even took one with the defender within seven feet of him, which would have inspired him to turn the ball over when he was in San Antonio.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Guaranteed Pop was sitting there going "Sure, now you do it er"

[T Park]

I think you guys are seriously overreacting to Roger Mason's game.

[Many PackYao]

I hope they put Emo Sudoku or whatever his name is on Artest when the Spurs play the Rockets in the reg season.Ron was blowing right by him every time.

[benefactor]

I think there is a lot of overreaction in here. I am far from innocent myself.

It's been said a lot already, but I'll say it again for the over emotional among us...its the FIRST game of the PRESEASON. New players are nervous. Veterans are shaking of rust and trying to stay interested in a meaningless game. It was also a game where Duncan did not play, so we really didn't see a lot that resembled our offense besides some high screen and roll by TP. Some guys tried too hard(Tolliver) and some guys got trapped in their own minds(Mason). After three or four games I think we will start to have an idea where our prospects stand. We don't have a lot of room on the bench and the players we keep out of this pool will probably split time between the D-League and the bench depending on how our rotation players play early on. I think the only one that stands a really good chance of being on the active roster on opening day is Hill, and in saying that I wouldn't be surprised if he was in Austin. My gut feeling is that we will keep guys we want to continue to develop and start the season with most of the regular rotation.

[DPG21920]

I think you guys are seriously overreacting to Roger Mason's game.

It was just one game, people just have high hopes as fans. I am sure his heart was going a million miles per hour. He should be fine. All it takes is that one good game where you hit shots and make good defensive rotations to become that "Spur". He should be fine.

[Many PackYao]

I like how Ron was working his ass off and taking the game serious. Hopefully that motivates T-mac cuz Ron looks serious about getting that le.Sometimes I think Mcgrady needs a good motivational ass-kicking.

[Obstructed_View]

I think you guys are seriously overreacting to Roger Mason's game.

I think people are overreacting to his stats. I thought Mason played well. He was better than some of the guys who have been here for a while, and never seemed lost even if he was a little frustrated. The Rockets knew to deny him shots, and without Duncan or Manu in the game they could pretty much do that.

[Obstructed_View]

I like how Ron was working his ass off and taking the game serious. Hopefully that motivates T-mac cuz Ron looks serious about getting that le.Sometimes I think Mcgrady needs a good motivational ass-kicking.

Yeah, those honeymoon periods are nice with Ron. The Kings had the best shot in the playoffs with him because they traded for him in the middle of the year. He's got a full season in Houston to wear out his welcome. He's a of a player when his head's right. Relatively.

[Many PackYao]

He's a of a player when his head's right.

Yup, that's how I see it.

[benefactor]

I think people are overreacting to his stats. I thought Mason played well. He was better than some of the guys who have been here for a while, and never seemed lost even if he was a little frustrated. The Rockets knew to deny him shots, and without Duncan or Manu in the game they could pretty much do that.

Not to mention the fact that the Rockets were playing all there starters besides TMac and our whole starting lineup was backup scorers besides Parker. Houston played all their major rotation players except for TMac and Battier. We were without Duncan, Manu, Finley, Bowen and Kurt Thomas.

[benefactor]

To put things in perspective...players that played over 20 minutes for each team.

Spurs - Tolliver, Green, Mason, Bonner, Oberto and Udoka

Rockets - Artest, Yao, Alston, Head, Brooks, Wafer, Barry and Hayes

So you got a bunch of guys in their first game out trying to make a team spending most of their time playing against star players/major rotation players. I'd say the odds were stacked slightly against our guys in this game.

[T Park]

I think people are overreacting to his stats. I thought Mason played well. He was better than some of the guys who have been here for a while, and never seemed lost even if he was a little frustrated. The Rockets knew to deny him shots, and without Duncan or Manu in the game they could pretty much do that.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly.

I still think he should stay the starter when Ginobili comes back.

[T Park]

Not to mention the fact that the Rockets were playing all there starters besides TMac and our whole starting lineup was backup scorers besides Parker. Houston played all their major rotation players except for TMac and Battier. We were without Duncan, Manu, Finley, Bowen and Kurt Thomas.

Might as well say without half a Parker.

Didn't even suit up for the second half.

[Solid D]

I hope they put Emo Sudoku or whatever his name is on Artest when the Spurs play the Rockets in the reg season.Ron was blowing right by him every time.

Emo Sudoku,

[Buddy Holly]

I hope we see Hill on CP3 tonight.

[Many PackYao]

To put things in perspective...players that played over 20 minutes for each team.

Spurs - Tolliver, Green, Mason, Bonner, Oberto and Udoka

Rockets - Artest, Yao, Alston, Head, Brooks, Wafer, Barry and Hayes

So you got a bunch of guys in their first game out trying to make a team spending most of their time playing against star players/major rotation players. I'd say the odds were stacked slightly against our guys in this game.

Wow, you make it seem if as the Spurs had their starters then the Rockets would have not won.Didn't they go 2-2 last season and the year before that? You didn't have to make excuses for them losing this game, we know the Spurs had the majority of their starters out.

[Buddy Holly]

Wow, you make it seem if as the Spurs had their starters then the Rockets would have not won.Didn't they go 2-2 last season and the year before that? You didn't have to make excuses for them losing this game, we know the Spurs had the majority of their starters out.

You read that and took away from it the BS you typed?

[Many PackYao]

You read that and took away from it the BS you typed?

Well, wasn't it obvious that the Rockets should of won with guys they put on the court vs what the Spurs had last night?He was making an excuse for the Spurs losing.

[underdawg]

Wow, you make it seem if as the Spurs had their starters then the Rockets would have not won.Didn't they go 2-2 last season and the year before that? You didn't have to make excuses for them losing this game, we know the Spurs had the majority of their starters out.

Wow, you seem to be pretty proud of winning a pre-season game. I can understand the excitement coming from desperate rockette fan, but reality check - a younger artest was on a pretty good Pacer team too and how did that turn out? Once a nut - always a nut (see rodman, TO, PacMan, chad johnson, etc.)

[Many PackYao]

Wow, you seem to be pretty proud of winning a pre-season game. I can understand the excitement coming from desperate rockette fan, but reality check - a younger artest was on a pretty good Pacer team too and how did that turn out? Once a nut - always a nut (see rodman, TO, PacMan, chad johnson, etc.)

Are you serious? No, I'm just responding to the unnecessary excuses made by Spurs fans for losing this game.Everyone who saw the game knows the Spurs were missing their other starters.I only care how they match up in the regular season and hopefully the playoffs.Also, Rodman played good overall for the Bulls didn't he?We're hoping Artest can do the same for the Rockets.