Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Bobcats - Mar. 10

[Bender]

is this the "new format" of the game thoughts...? If so, I like it better.
Initial Reaction appeared faster, shortly after the game, when people want to discuss the game... rather than a few days later.

or is it in addition to the regular Game Thoughts?

[1Parker1]

timvp thanks for your reaction comments...

Farmar is the fast PG creator the Lakers have off the bench... do you think Hill minutes in a potential series against the Flakes would be based on that match up?

^ That's what I was thinking. Hill would be a great to go against Vuijic and Farmar in a Lakers series, IMO. At the very least, he has the quickness and athletiscim to match them when they come into the game and throw them off a little. Key to beating the Lakers as the Blazers showed the other night, is basically just shutting down their bench. If the Lakers don't get much production from Vuijic, Odom, Walton and Farmar, Kobe is forced to jack up 30 shots and we all know how good the Lakers do when that happens.

[wildbill2u]

I don't know what to think about Pop's mad scientist rotations. They're odd and quirky but somehow seem to work. Last night in the 4th quarter we saw TD, TP and three smallish defenders--Hill, Udoka, and Bower--and they began to put some distance between the Spurs and the starting five of the Bobcats in what had been a tight game.

One thing I know, the team is really deep with good role players behind our Big Three. If Pop continues to give them minutes, they'll be ready for the playoffs.

This may be a completely new CIA POP strategy. Use a deep rotation instead of cutting it to the starters plus 2 or 3. Put in some decent-- and fresh-- bench players whose role is to create havoc defensively while at least two of the Big Three are in there for scoring.

[Agloco]

What's weird is that Bonner usually doesn't get overpowered ... even by the stronger players in the league. Either Diaw is much stronger than he looks or he has located a in Bonner's armor because Diaw was treating him like he was up against his kid brother.

Diaw's in Bonner's head I think. A little bit of this on Bonner's part will fix that ......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGIiO8SW7HA

[Agloco]

Nazr Mohammad DNP Coach's Decision---I bet he wishes he never left. HAHA.

LMAO at the Schintzus avatar!!!!!

[The Franchise]

Good game by the Spurs. Charlotte took every punch the Spurs threw and kept coming back over and over again. The Bobcats played hard, but in the 4th they seemed to forget how to defend the pick and roll for some reason. Everytime The Spurs ran one it seemed like there was always one man double covered and one wide open everytime. That was the difference tonight between a veteran team and a young team with potential.

[xtremesteven33]

The only thing i worry about a little is the team chemistry once Manu and Gooden get in the rotation.

Both will be vital in our quest for a championship and they need thier touches. Parker will stop carrying the load as much and Bonner will see less minutes. He may even give up his starting job.

[phxspurfan]

Farmar would light Hill up in that offense. I would put Mason on him just to make him work at the other end of the court. I'm pretty sure we could get some open 3s the way Farmar leaves his man on D all the time.

[NFGIII]

Nice job Timvp! You've simplified format is very helpful, especially with the box score inserted. Porbably makes it easier for you to put together, also. Much appreciated!

[crc21209]

Great thoughts! Thanks! I also wonder what Pop will do with Hill once Manu comes back. For a crunch-time line-up I'd like to see TP, Hill, Mason or Manu (Inter-change them), TD, and Kurt Thomas.

[PDXSpursFan]

Not necessarily. He has played well the last two games but he's playing shooting guard. Once Manu returns, the shooting guard minutes will be filled.

The last few games, Hill and Udoka have basically taken minutes Manu would usually get.

That was exactly what I was thinking. IMO, Hill will be out of the rotation for playoffs. Our backup PG will be Mason.

[Spurminator]

If Hill plays the fourth quarter against the Lakers, Phil Jackson will leave him wide open. He'll need to hit his shots.

[Bruno]

GTPAM
Game Thoughts Peak After March

[Brazil]

I agree with you. Kurt looks like the 1999 Kurt playing for the Knicks. He is the biggest surprise this year. You can tell he wants that ring. The front court will be awesome in the playoffs and you can bet the starting lineup of TP, Manu, Bonner (or KT), Gooden and TD will be a force to reckon with come playoff time. Get better Manu and Gooden!!!!! We'll be waiting.

Now we need to have Manu and Good in the roster asap.

For sure I'm not asking for rushing things but we need them back, the sooner better it takes time to recover the rythm of the game, they need to be 100% already for the first round, each round will be a fight especially with an eventual spurs against dallas !

[Spurs Brazil]

Good read timvp

So timvp, do you think George Hill's minutes will go up again?

I know a lot of us were annoyed in feeling that Pop isn't giving him a fair amount of minutes.

Look what Pop said after the game yesterday. I hope Hill can get good minutes

On George Hill - “He’s doing a great job. He’s playing fantastic defense. He hits the boards and is aggressive on the offensive end. The last two games he’s been on the floor at the end of the game, so that should tell you something.”

[Whisky Dog]

I'll say this, the Celtics, Cavs, and Magic do not want to see the Bobcats in the 1st round. They way that team is gelling together they will be the bottom of the EC seed most likely to push an EC contender in the 1st round.

[GabeIsGone]

Ime....... 3 for 10 ... so much for getting better.

[The Truth #6]

I'm okay with Hill losing the backup PG position if it's only temporary. I think it's a mistake but Hill is playing better so maybe it was a good move despite obvious logic. If the Spurs don't return Hill to PG for the longterm then they are only destroying their own investment. Hill will have to be a PG at some point, he's not going to be a 2 in the NBA.

I don't think Mason is that much better. You can just have Hill pass him the ball and do the same thing he's been doing. Having Mase and Hill on the court together, and having them switch positions, is really stupid, though.

If this creates a further problem when Manu returns then I don't see the point of this at all.

In Pop we trust.

[ducks]

maybe pop is trying this because he is not convinced manu will be 100%
also if spurs have to play back to backs
in playoffs maybe pop rest manu on a back to back in playoffs if spurs are ahead in series

[wuss cones]

bump for Manu909