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really really really curious to see if pop sits duncan.......
Following the devastating news that Manu Ginobili is to miss the rest of the regular season and the entire playoffs, the Spurs needed to regroup, focus and try to handle business against the Thunder. Considering that San Antonio had already lost against this team twice earlier in the season, a lack of motivation shouldn't have been an issue.
After a lackadaisical start, the Spurs clamped down and played very well over the final three quarters to post a 99-89 victory. The hangover from the bad news regarding Ginobili was apparent early on but then the Spurs stepped up their defensive intensity, allowing only 56 points after the first quarter.
The Thunder continue to look like a team that's going to be difficult to handle down the line. As long as management is patient and they add a few more decent pieces through the draft and free agency, they should start knocking on the playoff door in two to three years.
Overall, this was a good win for the Spurs. While the chances of a championship took a massive hit with the loss of Ginobili, the focus of this team should be to build some sort of momentum heading into the postseason. Tonight was a start.
-Tim Duncan actually played pretty well. He wasn't too quick, nimble or explosive but he gave good effort and his production level was high. Defensively, he clogged the lane very well, especially in the second half. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the game for Duncan is the fact that he removed one of his knee braces. Hopefully that means his knees are starting to feel a little bit better.
-Tony Parker had another very good performance. The Thunder were collapsing on him a lot so he sought out the open teammate. When he called his own number, he had a few very nice finishes. I also thought his defense was really active and and his fight on that end helped spark the team's defensive effort. With Ginobili out, Parker is going to have to play at a superstar level each night to give the Spurs a chance to win.
-Back in the starting lineup, Roger Mason, Jr. played well. He didn't have a great night shooting but Mason was aggressive and seemed ready to step up to the challenge. When he ran point guard, I thought he played that position better than we've seen him do in a long while. Mason made things happen and actually kept the Spurs afloat with Parker on the bench.
-Michael Finley had the opposite type of game than he's been giving the Spurs lately. After being silent in the first three and a half quarters, Finley hit a pair of buckets late in the game to seal the victory for San Antonio. His defense was also pretty good, especially compared to the last time these two teams played and Durant destroyed him. Finley didn't defend Durant nearly as much and when he did, the Spurs sent a lot more help than last time.
-Matt Bonner's grip on his spot in the starting lineup has to be slipping. He not only went scoreless from the field, he pulled down only one board in his 18 minutes of play. His rebounding ability has now just totally disappeared. Even his jumper wasn't close on most of his attempts. It's a shame because the Spurs could really use the Bonner of earlier in the season but that man has been missing in action for quite a while now.
-Drew Gooden had his best game in a Spurs uniform. Offensively, he has been very aggressive and his ability to finish from multiple spots on the court has been impressive. With Ginobili out, the Spurs now really need a lot of production from Gooden. Rebounding-wise, Gooden has been a disappointment as of late. He hasn't quite reached Bonner status on the boards but he's not pulling down caroms off the glass nearly as often as he was when he first arrived. That said, his ability to score on the offensive end and be a lively body on the defensive end was on display tonight. Over his last three games, Gooden is now averaging 17.3 points in 23 minutes per game.
-I liked the way Ime Udoka played against the Thunder. His main concentration was rebounding on both ends of the court. He also backed off a little bit defensively, which allowed him to keep his man in front of him. He didn't shoot well but this is the type of role in which Udoka can be useful. He's an extremely good rebounder for his size and he can be an asset when he's under control.
-Bruce Bowen played more minutes than his previous four games combined and he did a very good job. His defense on Durant was impressive and he also helped out with a lot of timely double-teams. Offensively, he had a few miscues but he hit the one shot he attempted. If Pop is planning to play Bowen more minutes with Ginobili out, his first night out in his new role was a success.
-It was another evening at the office for Kurt Thomas. He played defense and rebounded at a high level, while also tossing in six points in 16 minutes. His screens were important, especially when he was running with the second unit. A number of open shots were created thanks to Thomas' setting bone-crushing picks. It's going to be interesting to see how many minutes Thomas gets going forward if Gooden continues to show improvement and Bonner remains in the starting lineup.
-I thought Pop did good work in the first game sans Ginobili. Going to Gooden for some offense worked out well. Taking Vaughn out of the rotation was the right move. Even though I don't love Mason running the second unit without Ginobili at his side, it's definitely a better option than Vaughn. Playing Bowen more minutes was also a good call. Hopefully that is something Pop does more often, especially when the Spurs are going up against dominant perimeter players. It would have been nice if Pop gave Mason more minutes and found a little bit of room for George Hill, but all in all I'm happy with Pop's adjustments.
Tomorrow against the Blazers, one would have to assume Pop is going to let Duncan rest. However, with the playoffs fast approaching and the Spurs in jeopardy of losing home court advantage in the first round, the Spurs may have to just go all out from here on forward.
really really really curious to see if pop sits duncan.......
Go Bruce!
R we all happy that the spurs won with one of the worst teams in NBA?
I think it's time to limit Bonner's minutes..
Gooden is just a better option in every way, even defensively..Bonner's ability to stretch the floor was the only thing going for him, and that's gone now..maybe putting him on the bench can help spark him..
I'd like Gooden AND Kurt getting more minutes than Bonner..
I would play Duncan tomorrow, I'd like to see him get in a nice rhythm before the playoffs..I would rather rest him against a team like Sacramento, since we should beat them even without Timmy in the lineup..
would you rather have had them lose? ginobili just went out for the season and the spurs have been playing horrible. plus the thunder have beaten us twice, id say spurs fans should be happy about any win right now.
timvp, i know that hill prob wont get much minutes the rest of the season but do you agree with me that he should be getting Ime's minutes. Ime is a good rebounder but so is george plus i think george is a lot better defender, especially laterally, when compared to ime. the only thing ime does comparitely better is shoot the 3 but even thats inconsistent. curious on what you have to say...
Agreed. But I don't think coming off the bench helps him. I think once he's not starting and is competing for minutes off the bench that's the end for him.
tp had 5 steals
it feels like forever since Duncan lead in scoring
Good win.
The defense was very good in the last three quarters.
From the tone of Pop's voice in the Post interview, I'd say Duncan is not playing.
Excellent thoughts, timvp. Timmy looked like a victim in the first quarter with his post-ups against Collision. Pop put him on the move a little more in the 2nd quarter and following quarters, rolling to the basket and playing with more strength and confidence.
Gooden was exceptional with his shooting touch and his defensive awareness was much improved. His presence was in the order of what Pau Gasol brings offensively to his team. If this type of contribution can be repeated, it will really make the Spurs compe ive in the playoffs.
Bowen was great defensively and he even made a three. His aggressive, ball-slapping play really became infectious.
Parker had some amazing drives and shots, although he struggled in some stretches. His dribble drive and kick and his screen/roll decision-making was huge tonight.
Mason and Finley scored when they really needed the points...so a really nice win for the Spurs.
our ability to grab some turnovers and convert them turned the game around.
I'll be surprised if Duncan plays. What matters to me is that he feels good enough to play. It's fine with me if he loses the argument.
Well I'd rathere treat that win as a normal thing ...
But cosidering the facts. Yup we should be happy about every win. And in the playoffs getting one win is also good and enough.
sit him out.
If Pop sits Duncan, we're pretty much conceding the game, right?
that's another thing about Bruce that Solid D mentioned..when Bowen is on the floor, the ENTIRE team gets busy on D..his play is contagious, you can tell..he's also a defensive general on the floor, telling everybody where to go..
I'm surprised he would consider sitting Duncan against Portland.
Top notch writing, LJ.
With all the garbage posted in this board the last couple of days, it's certainly refreshing to read a well thought out post. I'm also thinking this is closer to the rotations we're going to see in the Playoffs. I think neither Vaughn or Hill are going to see much floor time, if any. And I think the only question is wether Bonner is going to be out there as a starter 10 days from now.
Not really but whats more important, a healthy duncan? or going balls out for a win on a back to back when you have games with Golden State and Sacramento sunday monday and the Utah Jazz at home friday ?
Agreed. I like that role for him. We already have great shooters. While I don't have gripes with Ime shooting an open shot, I'd prefer he back off offensively and just crash the glass.
If thats the Playoff Rotation then IMO its the best one can hope for.
IMO Mason should get more minutes in the 4th and play along side Bruce Tim DG and Tony, but beggers can't be choosers with Pop lately.
I think Pop will tweak depending who we are playing also. IE: Bruce will be out there if we're up in the 4th and we need to keep somebody cool.
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