Initial Reactions: Spurs vs. Mavs - Game 1

[Spurminator]

We're not as good as the Mavs right now. Fortunately, the first round of the NBA Playoffs is three weeks long and a lot can happen in that amount of time.

[NewJerSpur]

Only thing discomcerting here ...is that vintage games from Finley and Duncan (especially) was wasted.
Still think spurs win but the defense needs to be vintge Spurs as well ...
Mavs great game let's see if you have 7 more and hopefully we can meet in the WCF

Finley's been having a better season than last year so it's not an impossibility to think he can hit more outside/midrange jumpers to keep us in the game. Duncan's in playoff mode still....as long as his knees hold up there a chance.

[Man Mountain]

The Spurs were so bad that they would have lost even with MANU

[Obstructed_View]

When we lost 3 of the first 4 in 2006, I still liked the way we were playing and felt we could win the series. Watching this game made me question whether the Spurs would actually win the one game I predicted they would win in the series.

Our defense is simply . Mavs in 5. Maybe 4. This sucks.

I feel much better about this series after one game than I did at any time during the 2006 playoffs, and I wasn't excited about the Spurs' chances as late as this afternoon.

I think everyone on the team is up to the task. The mistakes they made were easily correctable, and they are better on the road than they are at home, so unless they the bed in game 2 I don't see why they can't win this series. We need more Bowen, less Bonner, more Duncan and Gooden on the floor at the same time, and Hill needs minutes at the backup point whether Pop likes it or not. If three of those four things happen and the Spurs don't have to play 8 on 5 the entire series they aren't even remotely out of this series, and I'm not sure there's anybody they absolutely can't beat.

[Spursmania]

When a starter doesn't play any defense, gets one rebound, doesn't block shots, gets one shot attempt IN THE WHOLE GAME, doesn't draw fouls, doesn't go to the line, and plays five minutes in the fourth quarter where a four point deficit turns into a ten point deficit, only a 100 percent dumbass wouldn't think that is a considerable part of an 8 point loss.

that was the worst flop ive ever seen from a spur.

The dumbest part about that Bonner play is that if didn't flop (or play for the offensive foul, however you want to look at it) and just stood his ground, Dampier probably miss. Damp has no post game and his one move is an ugly hook that he usually misses. Bonner is strong enough to hold his ground against Damp and make him do anything other than dunk it on him.

Playoff games are about pressure, momentum and confidence.

The Mavs were salivating at the sight of Bonner on defense. No amount of plus-minus stats and box scores are going to show you that. No coincidence that they got into their best offensive stretches when Bonner was on the floor. Once they get into that kind of rhythm, you can't just undo it by subs uting KT or Gooden for Bonner.

Bonner didn't belong on that floor today. I just hope Pop realizes this.

[NewJerSpur]

The Spurs were so bad that they would have lost even with MANU

Huh?

[Brazil]

I don't recall seeing the Spurs take a three that wasn't within the flow of the game. They were all very high quality shots, which improves the likelihood that they go in. Start looking for excuses to take them and the percentage plummets. The reason they shoot 13-36 some nights is because you almost never get 36 quality looks at a three in a game.

I agree with that but IMO when you are so hot on the 3 you can call more play to shoot 3s, even the desesperate 3s at the end of the 4th were good. Not all the 11 3s were easy by far.

[Russ]

When Bonner went back in the game, it was like he was saying: "You don't want small ball? Enjoy Matt Bonner "

A worse outcome would be if the Spurs lost and Bonner had a good game. This way, at least, Pop got to see that Bonner has "Hedoitis" when it comes to playoff ball.

Subs uting Gooden for Bonner right now makes so much sense you almost know it won't happen.

[Spursmania]

as much as i love him, bonner looked like he didn't belong out there, at any point. It's saddening but the matchup with Dirk just makes him look extremely bad.

So only you are allowed to criticize Matt Bonner while everybody else has to listen to you insult them for doing the very same thing you just did?

LMAO...

[EricB]

I feel much better about this series after one game than I did at any time during the 2006 playoffs, and I wasn't excited about the Spurs' chances as late as this afternoon.

I think everyone on the team is up to the task. The mistakes they made were easily correctable, and they are better on the road than they are at home, so unless they the bed in game 2 I don't see why they can't win this series. We need more Bowen, less Bonner, more Duncan and Gooden on the floor at the same time, and Hill needs minutes at the backup point whether Pop likes it or not. If three of those four things happen and the Spurs don't have to play 8 on 5 the entire series they aren't even remotely out of this series, and I'm not sure there's anybody they absolutely can't beat.

Agree with this.

HOwever, Its probobly 1000% certain Hill won't see time, so I guess they do have no shot.

Time to pray for second round picks I guess.

[Obstructed_View]

I agree with that but IMO when you are so hot on the 3 you can call more play to shoot 3s, even the desesperate 3s at the end of the 4th were good. Not all the 11 3s were easy by far.

The reason the three point shooters were open is because the Spurs were so aggressive going to the inside. Taking out of rhythm threes wouldn't have helped nearly as much as getting some of the whistles they earned.

[EricB]

A worse outcome would be if the Spurs lost and Bonner had a good game. This way, at least, Pop got to see that Bonner has "Hedoitis" when it comes to playoff ball.

Subs uting Gooden for Bonner right now makes so much sense you almost know it won't happen.

Along with Hill relieving an obviously tired Tony Parker.

[z0sa]

So only you are allowed to criticize Matt Bonner while everybody else has to listen to you insult them for doing the very same thing you just did?

LMAO...

I believe in Bonner. besides...

I admitted Bonner had a bad game.

Again, there's a difference between critiquing a player and what's going on here - a total meltdown after a single bad playoff game, really his first.

you always make it a habit of completely losing confidence in a player after his first playoff game? oh yeah, being a bandwagoner, you tend to jump from conclusion to conclusion about everything, don't you?

[Mugen]

the mavs just played the way 2006 NBA Finals participants should play.

[Obstructed_View]

Agree with this.

HOwever, Its probobly 1000% certain Hill won't see time, so I guess they do have no shot.

Time to pray for second round picks I guess.

Are you really so stupid that you can't count three out of four things?

[EricB]

Are you really so stupid that you can't count three out of four things?

Sorry I left out that Bonner won't get benched for Gooden.

Sorry to have bothered you that much.

[Obstructed_View]

Sorry I left out that Bonner won't get benched for Gooden.

Sorry to have bothered you that much.

Sorry you're a bag, whatever name you post under.

[EricB]

Sorry you're a bag, whatever name you post under.

Whatever makes you feel better board president.

[timvp]

I will never understand what happened to Hill. Yes, he wasn't Magic Johnson, Jr. But the second unit was perfectly fine with him running the show. His +/- numbers were as good or better than Parker's. He even finished a few games off in place of Parker. Everything was looking about as smooth as possible. Then Hill had like a few sub par quarters and it was determined he was a failuire for the rest of the season. Makes no sense.

Perhaps this is all one big punishment by Pop for Hill showing a picture of his junk on the internets.

[ElNono]

I will never understand what happened to Hill. Yes, he wasn't Magic Johnson, Jr. But the second unit was perfectly fine with him running the show. His +/- numbers were as good or better than Parker's. He even finished a few games off in place of Parker. Everything was looking about as smooth as possible. Then Hill had like a few sub par quarters and it was determined he was a failuire for the rest of the season. Makes no sense.

Perhaps this is all one big punishment by Pop for Hill showing a picture of his junk on the internets.

He defended Kobe in crunch time for crying out loud... I mean, if that's not Pop's love, I don't know what it is...

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Do you think there's a good chance we can (hopefully) see even more Bowen in game 2?

24 minutes may be a boost for Bruce's playing time over the last few weeks, but it really feels like he's got to be out there for 35-40 minutes a night.

I think Pop needs to go back to sacrificing offense for defense again. I also agree with what Kori said in the other thread about bringing back Oberto.

[z0sa]

I will never understand what happened to Hill. Yes, he wasn't Magic Johnson, Jr. But the second unit was perfectly fine with him running the show. His +/- numbers were as good or better than Parker's. He even finished a few games off in place of Parker. Everything was looking about as smooth as possible. Then Hill had like a few sub par quarters and it was determined he was a failuire for the rest of the season. Makes no sense.

Perhaps this is all one big punishment by Pop for Hill showing a picture of his junk on the internets.

Any idea on Hill on Barea or Terry wasn't even attempted? I mean, the guy is tailor made to stop Terry at least.

[EricB]

I will never understand what happened to Hill. Yes, he wasn't Magic Johnson, Jr. But the second unit was perfectly fine with him running the show. His +/- numbers were as good or better than Parker's. He even finished a few games off in place of Parker. Everything was looking about as smooth as possible. Then Hill had like a few sub par quarters and it was determined he was a failuire for the rest of the season. Makes no sense.

Perhaps this is all one big punishment by Pop for Hill showing a picture of his junk on the internets.

Thats what I was thinking, I don't remember what the turning point was, or the exact game he lost the spot.

The game he took Kobe in the 4th quarter was wayyyyy after the junk photo as was his great game against Detroit I believe.


Its a mystery.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Any idea on Hill on Barea or Terry wasn't even attempted? I mean, the guy is tailor made to stop Terry at least.

Probably because the gameplan was to limit Dallas's big 4, and let the bench players win the game for them. Which obviously failed miserably.

I don't even know if Pop factored Barea into the game plan (which is absurd, considering Barea had a great game against us in the 133-126 win over the Mavs during the season). Finley also said the team hadn't "considered" Barea.

Wow.

[Obstructed_View]

Any idea on Hill on Barea or Terry wasn't even attempted? I mean, the guy is tailor made to stop Terry at least.

Because Pop told the newspapers a couple of days ago that Hill wouldn't play in the playoffs. Pop has made exactly one adjustment in his entire career as a coach, and I think that one* was PJ Carlesimo's idea.


*parking JV under the basket against Phoenix.