San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers Game Thread

[Quiet Strength]

we need the same thing we've needed for years. another athletic big man who can help Duncan. oberto's return will help, but thomas looks like he may be ineffective....please, basketball gods, let the spurs trade for a good big man.

Thomas looked like he had trouble moving at all. It was horrible watching him out there. But I totally agree.. the spurs need another athletic big man who can help duncan defend the paint and rebound the ball.

[ElNono]

This is a discussion board. Get over it or go somewhere else.

River in Egypt...

[peskypesky]

We just played 2 teams with athletic frontcourts exactly at the worst time, when our frontcourt is thin due to injuries and other external factors. Oberto should be back next week and hopefully Tolliver will be back too. We also have Ian coming back soon.

will there be room on the roster for Ian?

[Buddy Holly]

We just played 2 teams with athletic frontcourts exactly at the worst time, when our frontcourt is thin due to injuries and other external factors. Oberto should be back next week and hopefully Tolliver will be back too. We also have Ian coming back soon.

Exactly. A lot of people can't see things past their hands when it comes to the Spurs.

[tlongII]

The Spurs shot the ball extremely well. We were lucky to take that game with the way the Spurs were shooting. The Spurs need help on the front line though. That is obvious. That's why I thought your FO was re ed on draft day.

[mexicanjunior]

Exactly. He's injured.

Wait, you think because he's medically cleared to play and he's suited up that he's not injured. Ha, priceless!



He showed enough during the preseason you gigantic wart on the collective asses of this forum.

You actually think Pop would rather have Vaughn playing instead of Hill after what he showed in the preseason?

Again, DO YOU LIKE LOOKING LIKE A STUPID ASS?

If refutting your idiotic statements with facts and links is considered "looking like a stupid ass", I guess I will take it. Hill played what...2 preseason games? He showed he could play some decent defense and could make a jumpshot every once in awhile. Do you really think that will make Pop trust him enough to play him over Vaughn? If you really think Hill is too injured to play and Pop just doesn't trust him to perform...there is no point debating you, it's a lost cause. Congrats on being so inside man...your takes are gold.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

The Spurs shot the ball extremely well. We were lucky to take that game with the way the Spurs were shooting. The Spurs need help on the front line though. That is obvious. That's why I thought your FO was re ed on draft day.

Thanks for not gloating.

Batum looked awesome for you guys.

[peskypesky]

The Spurs need help on the front line though. That is obvious. That's why I thought your FO was re ed on draft day.

Thank you.

[Obstructed_View]

It's not worth talking about because Pop as the game went on wanted scoring tonight. Hairston like Bowen wouldn't have seen the light of day in the 4th.

Since you clearly didn't read what I posted, I'll post it again:

If Pop doesn't want defenders then he's not going to have defenders on the team. I'm not backing away from what I've been saying since training camp that it's a mistake to choose offense over defense, particularly with so many defenders on this team getting up there in age.

Nothing that's happened in two games has swayed me from that belief.

[Quiet Strength]

Do you really think that will make Pop trust him enough to play him over Vaughn?

Pop would be stupid in my opinion to not play him over vaughn. Vaughn doesn't do anything out there.. its pointless having him on the court.

[Obstructed_View]

will there be room on the roster for Ian?

Ian's on the roster.

[mexicanjunior]

if hill had not injured himself he would be playing thinking he's not playing because pop doesn't think he's good is inaccurate

There is no guarantee of that...he could have played himself out of the rotation entirely by reverting back to his summer league form for all we know. It's not like the Spurs weren't actively looking for insurance to cover his role on the team (Pargo, Stoudamire). If Pop was really as high on him as some of you people think, he would have played tonight...

[ElNono]

I think the story with Hill right now is that he's learning, and also Tony needs to play many minutes out there until Manu comes back. When Manu comes back, the offense will be more balanced and Tony will be able to rest more, along with TD and then Hill will get his chances.

Patience guys. We're shorthanded right now. I'm actually impressed with the effort overall, and that we had our chances to tie or win in both games. Even a guy that gives you 2 more points or 2 more rebounds can make a difference right now. That's why I think somebody like Oberto coming back to take Bonner minutes will help.

[mexicanjunior]

Pop would be stupid in my opinion to not play him over vaughn. Vaughn doesn't do anything out there.. its pointless having him on the court.

Hence my point about him not being good enough to come off the bench in the first place...he is not as injured as some would lead you to believe around here.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Since you clearly didn't read what I posted, I'll post it again:

If Pop doesn't want defenders then he's not going to have defenders on the team. I'm not backing away from what I've been saying since training camp that it's a mistake to choose offense over defense, particularly with so many defenders on this team getting up there in age.

Nothing that's happened in two games has swayed me from that belief.

But couldn't you argue that Pop may have felt the Spurs were always solid defensively this past season (though their defensive FG% was kinda shaky in my opinion) and that maybe it was time to go for more offense?

I don't think even he predicted the Spurs to be this poor defensively coming out of the gate. If Bowen truly has lost a step, I think that was something the team isn't quite ready for, as Udoka isn't exactly Bowen-Lite just yet.

[Obstructed_View]

There is no guarantee of that...he could have played himself out of the rotation entirely by reverting back to his summer league form for all we know. It's not like the Spurs weren't actively looking for insurance to cover his role on the team (Pargo, Stoudamire). If Pop was really as high on him as some of you people think, he would have played tonight...

If Hill still has the brace on his hand, Pop may not be wanting to take a chance on getting him hurt, particularly with Oberto and Tolliver out. Vaughn hasn't been bad and Parker's been amazing. The Spurs can ride Parker for a couple more games until Hill's closer to 100 percent.

[angelbelow]

i dont regret the none timeout.. pretty fun game to watch... until the end..

[ElNono]

Since you clearly didn't read what I posted, I'll post it again:

If Pop doesn't want defenders then he's not going to have defenders on the team. I'm not backing away from what I've been saying since training camp that it's a mistake to choose offense over defense, particularly with so many defenders on this team getting up there in age.

Nothing that's happened in two games has swayed me from that belief.

We pretty much always stared slow on defense, and improve as the season goes on. I think the offense stands out now because it was unthinkable to score 90+ without your leading scorer. But TD and TP are in great shape and Mason has been great. And BTW, even if he missed that last shot, Findog played a good game.

[Slippy]

Since you clearly didn't read what I posted, I'll post it again:

If Pop doesn't want defenders then he's not going to have defenders on the team. I'm not backing away from what I've been saying since training camp that it's a mistake to choose offense over defense, particularly with so many defenders on this team getting up there in age.

Nothing that's happened in two games has swayed me from that belief.

Im not trying to change your belief. I Fail to see the relevance in a game thread where the coach wouldn't have had any use for Hairston. I could see the reason's he went with Farmer.

[mexicanjunior]

If Hill still has the brace on his hand, Pop may not be wanting to take a chance on getting him hurt

I guess we will see but I recall comments stating Hill could have even played the last preseason game...that was over a week ago. I believe, if Pop thought he could help his team win, Hill would have been out there...at least for spot duty and some hustle on defense (which they needed badly).

[androck]

Have you guys checked the box score? Tim played 42 minutes tonight. I'm glad we have 4 days until the Mavs.

[Obstructed_View]

But couldn't you argue that Pop may have felt the Spurs were always solid defensively this past season (though their defensive FG% was kinda shaky in my opinion) and that maybe it was time to go for more offense?

I think that's probably a fair observation, but it doesn't change my belief that it was a mistake. The team was thin on the front line, yet the Spurs committed to several smaller offense oriented guards (Mason, Farmer, Stoudamire) and even an offense oriented forward in order to cover his bets, while ignoring the much greater odds that a 38 year old forward might not be as quick or durable as he'd been over the past several years and might expose the lack of shot blocking once people got past him. Scary that we're all looking forward to the return of Oberto so we can have some size and defense on the team.

[underdawg]

Thank you.

I guess when you criticize the FO, you have to consider a few things:
-Have they been a good FO? Were they successful? Are they successful? Have they outperformed the rest of the league?
-Is there other potential FO personnel that could outperform the current FO? Are their decisions so bad that you feel that your small amount of knowledge & experience regarding team personnel is superior to their vastly larger amount of knowlege & experience?

[Buddy Holly]

If refutting your idiotic statements with facts and links is considered "looking like a stupid ass",

Thinking you refuted anything is one of the many aspects of how you make yourself look stupid, you ass.

Hill played what...2 preseason games?

Three.

He showed he could play some decent defense and could make a jumpshot every once in awhile.

9-20 shooting in 3 games, 4-9 from the three.

That's every once and in a while?

That's 45% shooting and 44% from the arc.

Do you really think that will make Pop trust him enough to play him over Vaughn?

Yes, you complete jackass. It also doesn't hurt that in his first NBA game he recorded 5 steals.

If you really think Hill is too injured to play and Pop just doesn't trust him to perform...there is no point debating you,

I never said he's too injured. I'd love to see him play. I was hoping Pop would put him in today. But it's understandable why he hasn't.

it's a lost cause.

Is that your family's motto?

Congrats on being so inside man...your takes are gold.

[Buddy Holly]

If Hill still has the brace on his hand, Pop may not be wanting to take a chance on getting him hurt, particularly with Oberto and Tolliver out. Vaughn hasn't been bad and Parker's been amazing. The Spurs can ride Parker for a couple more games until Hill's closer to 100 percent.

Please try not to argue commonsense with the dummy. It's like what garlic is to Vampires.