Something to notice

[MaNu4Tres]

This may sound crazy to some of you. But to me I think it is something small but vital for our team to reach its full potential. Anyway...on with the thread.

I don't think our players are buying into Pop this year. Usually in close games you notice that the players who care are actually up on their feet, cheering on their team, pumping their fists, ect ect. That has not been the case with the Spurs in the past month . I've noticed recently that Bruce is always last to come off the bench in timeouts, and our bench is motionless in the closing moments of close games showing not an ounce of emotion. (I know some of you fans may think that doesn't really mean much, but to those who have played organized sports know how vital team chemistry is for a team to reach its full potential). Another thing that's noticeable is that it looks as if most players on the bench are pouting to themselves on the inside because they aren't seeing the playing time they would like (body language). This could be the culprit for the lack of cohesiveness our team is displaying by their inconsistent and spotty play.

I guess that's what happens when you have such a deep team. Your always are going to have players who aren't happy, and your always are going to have players who think they should play more and think that the coach is crazy for not playing them. Which equates to players not really giving a rats ass.

If anyone questions this, I'd advise you to look at the past couple of games and you will notice what I'm noticing. During Sunday's game the Hornets bench and our bench looked entirely different during the last 4 minutes. Take a look for yourself. It's bothering.

Hopefully the at ude of our role players changes really soon.

And hopefully Pop will remember what made him a champion four years during the past decade. And that would be defense first.


Ps. I'm starting to be somewhat convinced Pop and Bruce have had multiple verbal spats during the course of this year. I don't see any other reason to justify Udoka worthy enough to steal Bruce's minutes especially this late in the season.

Here's to Kurt and Bruce in the starting lineup and hopefully a 8-9 man rotation nailed down by sunday.

[nz_spur]

I don't think our players are buying into Pop this year. Usually in close games you notice that the players who care are actually up on their feet, cheering on their team, pumping their fists, ect ect. That has not been the case with the Spurs in the past month . I've noticed recently that Bruce is always last to come off the bench in timeouts, and our bench is motionless in the closing moments of close games showing not an ounce of emotion. (I know some of you fans may think that doesn't really mean much, but to those who have played organized sports know how vital team chemistry is for a team to reach its full potential). Another thing that's noticeable is that it looks as if most players on the bench are pouting to themselves on the inside because they aren't seeing the playing time they would like (body language). This could be the culprit for the lack of cohesiveness our team is displaying by their inconsistent and spotty play.

I kind of agree. Although I think come playoff time this should be a distant memory. The intensity of post-season should override any issues.

Here's hoping.

[Yogurt210]

Here's to hope

[MaNu4Tres]

This is evidence on what I've been noticing.

“Sometimes, when we are struggling,” he said, “we go to a timeout and we just stay. And sometimes, pumping each other up and telling what he is doing wrong or right, or say a word, it helps. Sometimes it's not always the coach who has to say everything. The last week we were a little flat in that regard; not only energy, but supporting each other.

“It's something that every team needs, and we've done it way better in the past.”

Manu said this in the paper today.

[Yogurt210]

This is evidence on what I've been noticing.

“Sometimes, when we are struggling,” he said, “we go to a timeout and we just stay. And sometimes, pumping each other up and telling what he is doing wrong or right, or say a word, it helps. Sometimes it's not always the coach who has to say everything. The last week we were a little flat in that regard; not only energy, but supporting each other.

“It's something that every team needs, and we've done it way better in the past.”

Manu said this in the paper today.

The team is down, it's def. noticeable. With these screwy line-ups it is def. effecting the chemistry , ALOT!
Manu is the only one showing emotion and energy. He needs to slap Pop for us.

[iamdmann]

This may sound crazy to some of you. But to me I think it is something small but vital for our team to reach its full potential. Anyway...on with the thread.

I don't think our players are buying into Pop this year. [/B].

I don't disagree with what you wrote, but more than that it seems to me that Pop isn't buying into our players this year. No timeouts when double-digit leads are blown, no subs utions after careless errors and multiple chucked shots wasting possessions.

every time a game comes down to the last few minutes things seem to play out the same way. the spurs are up by 8-12 points with around 9 minutes left in the 4th. the other team goes on a run and gets to within two or three. by the time we get down to five or six minutes the spurs have kept the lead at two or three, but then they miss a couple shots or don't get a couple stops, or if ime and JV are playing, foul at just the wrong moment. with four minutes left the spurs are maybe starting to trail.

by the time it gets to two minutes left the spurs have to make up between five and nine points. it's around this point that pop starts becoming more active and finally seems to be watching the same game that we've been going crazy over. but two minutes isn't enough time. there's usually one key turnover or foul or bad shot. lately sometimes it's a foot out of bounds or a shot clock violation.

for all the mental errors and blown plays that come from a lack of focus, i think that a lot of the blame has to come back to popovich allowing it to go unchecked. maybe as he's gotten older and more successful he's been able to achieve results with less yelling and emotion. maybe the recent health scare reminded pop that basketball isn't the most important thing in the world, something i forget in the closing seconds of some of the recent games.

think back to when tony was fighting for time in the postseason against speedy claxton. i remember one game when manu made a mistake, pop called timeout, went wild screaming at the team, and then yelled at manu to get on the f-ing bench" these days manu is the only player that shows any emotion.

so, while i agree with manu4tres that the players aren't buying into pop, but i have to wonder what it is exactly that pop has given the players to buy into. all i can think of is a snooze bar.

[Yogurt210]

^ yup, yup.
I forgot about pop's little surgery.
Maybe that little injury is effecting his coaching abilities

[BigVee]

I believe there are big time problems on the bench. I can't imagine Mason is happy about being pulled at crunch time, I doubt Drew Gooden is happy about coming to the Spurs to get a few minutes primarily in the first half, I doubt Hill is happy about being left out, Oberto (prior to his heart deal) left for dead, and Bowen (who still looks like the best defender on the team to me) sitting and rotting, while his replacements allow guys to go around them and then miss 3's he might hit on the other end. This team is totally screwed up...not new news to anyone.

[Yogurt210]

^Indeed. Mason is a proven Crunch time player, but of late Pop shys away from him. Leaving me clue-less. Pop is dysfunctional right now, and needs to snap out of it. How about at the next game, we all bring signs to criticize pop. Maybe He will get the hint. lol.

[MaNu4Tres]

I believe there are big time problems on the bench. I can't imagine Mason is happy about being pulled at crunch time, I doubt Drew Gooden is happy about coming to the Spurs to get a few minutes primarily in the first half, I doubt Hill is happy about being left out, Oberto (prior to his heart deal) left for dead, and Bowen (who still looks like the best defender on the team to me) sitting and rotting, while his replacements allow guys to go around them and then miss 3's he might hit on the other end. This team is totally screwed up...not new news to anyone.

It's hard pill to swallow watching Bruce, who used to be a huge vocal leader on this team, not be in the equation. Especially considering the fact it was just 20 months ago he put the clamps on perhaps the best basketball player since MJ on basketballs biggest stage. Not to mention hitting the biggest shot of the year game 5 in Phoenix.

[mrcoon29]

This is evidence on what I've been noticing.

“Sometimes, when we are struggling,” he said, “we go to a timeout and we just stay. And sometimes, pumping each other up and telling what he is doing wrong or right, or say a word, it helps. Sometimes it's not always the coach who has to say everything. The last week we were a little flat in that regard; not only energy, but supporting each other.

“It's something that every team needs, and we've done it way better in the past.”

Manu said this in the paper today.

I do believe the team chemistry is suspect and I believe there is a bit of defeatism permeating through the players during the last few minutes of a close game - I don't think they have belief in themselves during crunch time.

But, I still support them - GO SPURS GO!!