Monroe: Pop Says To Get Over Ginobili

[SA210]

Pop needs to recite his own motto and "get over himself."

Stop bristling at the notion that your team is "too old" and accept the fact that THEY ARE.

Stop wearing the "experience" label as some badge of honor and try earning your
genius" label by opting to develop better roster balance and depth. You're wearing out your star players.

Stop hazing promising players by banishing them to the bench, when they've shown evidence of productivity. Try trusting them enough to give them playing time.

Stop thinking that players who have are athletic skill cannot fit into your system.

Pop needs to get over himself first.

O_V to Pop: Get over thinking your team's success has been a result of the cleverness of your coaching.

[kace]

well, what is pretty hard to admit, is that we have so few players able to create their own shot.

we usually have Tim, tony, manu. that's all. with manu out, we have ONLY ONE player in the whole roster able to drive to the rim.
we can hope that gooden will be the third man able to be an offensive threat by himself against the Mavs but that's still 3 men.

Mavs have Dirk, Terry, Howard, bass, barea and even Kidd. i expect bass and barea to be inconsistent. but you could also expect dirk and terry, even Kidd to have less quiet games.

they have a lot of players to respect. We have two.

the value of perimeter players able to penetrate is huge in the current NBA. without manu, we have only Tony. and Tim seems ing alone sometimes in the paint.

i still believe though.

[Obstructed_View]

Parker can create his own shot. Mason can create his own shot. Gooden can create his own shot. Duncan can create his own shot. Finley can create his own shot. Each can create from a different place on the floor. That said, the Spurs should never be relying on individual players creating their own shots. The reason they shot lights-out from three point range tonight is because they didn't create their own shot, instead creating shots for teammates through good ball movement, good screens and good rotations.

[Bruno]

Spurs season has ended in Cleveland when Manu broke his fibula.
Whoever disagrees is either a blind fan or seriously underestimate both Manu's level and other NBA teams level.

[SA210]

Spurs season has ended in Cleveland when Manu broke his fibula.
Whoever disagrees is either a blind fan or seriously underestimate both Manu's level and other NBA teams level.

It's so sad, because while I believe this, I can't stop watching and rooting for my team. I feel what you say to be true, but for some reason I don't give up hope. We can't pack up and go home. We gotta go with what we got.

[kace]

Spurs season has ended in Cleveland when Manu broke his fibula.
Whoever disagrees is either a blind fan or seriously underestimate both Manu's level and other NBA teams level.

this team is built around three guys. and whoever of them is missing (insert "manu") would really hurt us, that's true.

but i still believe that this team can make some noise in PO. i mean pass one round or two. at least, i hope.

[boutons_deux]

I think the season was over, maybe the Pop/Duncan era was over, when Pop quit insisting on defense, and started thinking he had enough offensive power.

Think where we'd be now if the Spurs defense was able to carry on even without Manu.

Is this the too-frequent Spurs-first-PO-game-loss or something different?

It doesn't matter. What's different is that the Spurs can't stop anybody.

[SenorSpur]

I'll never understand Pop's "all or else" philosophy about certain things.

1. For about a decade, his drafting strategy was all Euro, all the time. All the while, ignoring domestic talent.

2. For about a decade now, he has seen the value of adding experienced players to his roster. The value of that strategy has proven very effective and has been instrumental in helping the team win 4 les. As good as that strategy has been, it has had it's flaws. Especially when your coach blindly and completely "sells out" to said strategy, at all costs. Occasionally, Pop has been guilty of recruiting older players, whose declining skills put them at a disadvantage when going up against their younger, quicker, counterparts - especially during back-to-back game scenarios. With age usually comes the greater risk for potential injury. At other times, he's simply invested in these olders players for 1 or 2 seasons too long.

3. This team is no longer gets stops at crucial moments and has lost the ability to limit the opposition to one-shot possessions. Coincidence? I think not. It appears he's actually willing to sacrifice his long-respected, defensive strategy, in favor of slow-footed, perimeter players who cannot keep their man in front of them.

4. Unlike other Spurs team, this team is actually a good free-throw shooting team. However, they're ranking near the bottom in FT attempts. Why? Pop elected to surround his star players with 3-point shooters. Most of whom do not possess the ability to slash to the basket and get to the line.

Rather than put all of his "collective eggs" in the same basket, Pop would be better served if he would balance out his strategies and philosophies.

1. As of last year, he finally opted to spend his top draft choice on a domestic player. Good move. Of course, it took about 10 years and a plummeting global economy for him to get the message.

2. Instead of complete trust and total reliance on older players, mix in a young guy into the rotation. A player that can provide the necessary jolt needed to change a game's momentum. Perhaps Hill is such a player. Perhaps Hairston can be such a player next year.

3. See preceeding comment #2. Get back to your basics. This team desparately needs another defensive stopper or two, out on the perimeter. Fielding a roster of slow-footer perimeter players does nothing to help your bigs and simply leaves your best big (Duncan) hanging out to dry.

4. It's great to have specialty players, but too many players who mirror the same skill. Add another slasher or two. Get some cheap points and get your opponent into foul trouble.

[ducks]

I hate to say it but ducks has been mentioning that for a while and how continuing to talk about Ginobili when he's out could harm the team's psyche . . . .

thanks for the props

[Bruno]

And while I've given up on Spurs for this year, I haven't given up on Spurs' chances to get another le in the Duncan era.

Having the big 3 healthy will greatly help Spurs to reach that goal but I fear it won't be enough. Spurs will need to add some quality to their team. It would be nice if Spurs FO could do it this summer rather than wait the 2010 summer. I guess Spurs ability to improve the team this summer will highly depend on how Spurs are attached to the 2010 plan and if Holt is ready to pay some luxury tax for the 2009-2010 season.

[biba]

Bruno, didn't you see it? thread: Spurs' Parker Bears Up In Taxing Season

17/04/2009
Basket - NBA - Tony Parker fait le bilan

Tony Parker, sur la lancée d'une superbe saison, a livré à L'Equipe son sentiment sur les chances de San Antonio pour les play-offs. Un question-réponse dont voici un pe résumé, avant le premier tour des Spurs face à Dallas.

«Tony Parker, comment les Spurs abordent-ils ces play-offs sans Manu Ginobili ?
C'est clair que Manu va nous manquer. Il est une grosse partie de ce que l'on fait. Mais on a aussi pris l'habitude de jouer sans lui cette saison... Maintenant, on a deux choix. Soit on relève le challenge, ou alors on sera en vacances super tôt.

C'est le message que votre coach Gregg Popovich a aussi passé dans la presse...
Oui, c'est ça. Il n'y a que ça de toute façon. Il ne faut pas se voiler la face : il y a de très bonnes équipes à l'Ouest. Cela aurait été difficile avec Manu. Sans lui, on doit travailler deux fois plus et être encore plus concentré. On va devoir jouer à la perfection si on veut passer des tours dans ces play-offs.

Est-ce la première fois depuis que vous jouez pour les Spurs que le re vous semble hors de portée ?
On ne peut dire ça, sinon, ça ne sert à rien de jouer. Maintenant, c'est vrai qu'on ne sait pas du tout où on va. En sept ans à San Antonio, je n'ai jamais connu une situation pareille. Jusqu'à ce jour, chaque année on a abordé les play-offs en ayant une chance d'être champion. Une réelle chance d'être champion NBA. Parce que les équipes qui disent on peut être champion, il y en a. Mais celles qui peuvent vraiment, c'est plus limité. Là, sans Manu, ça paraît compliqué... difficile en tout cas. On n'a aucune marge. On peut battre tout le monde, mais on peut aussi perdre contre tout le monde ! Et il nous faudra donc jouer parfaitement pour gagner. Manu, c'était notre marge.

Est-il temps de parler de la fin d'une époque ?
Oui... au-delà des play-offs. On sait que cette saison et la prochaine sont les dernières de ce groupe. Après, l'été 2010 sera celui de tous les changements. Cela n'est pas nouveau.

Pour la première fois de votre carrière NBA, vous ne pouvez plus vous permettre de faire un match moyen si les Spurs veulent avoir une chance de gagner ?
C'est clair que du moyen à 18 points, 7 passes, ça ne suffit plus. Je dois produire et être à mon maximum tout le temps.

Les Lakers sont-ils imbattables à l'Ouest ?
Personne n'est imbattable. C'est clair que les Lakers ont une marge. Mais ils ne sont pas imbattables».

[Bruno]

Bruno, didn't you see it? thread: Spurs' Parker Bears Up In Taxing Season

Yep, I see this interview. It's an extract of a bigger one he made in french newspaper "L'équipe". When TP make interview in french, he said way more interesting things than in the ones made in english.

I'm sure Spurs FO has nothing set in stone for the moment. They will look at the economical situation of the team, at what other teams offered in trades and at what they can get in the 2009 and 2010 FA, before deciding what road to take.

[rayray2k8]

What the ? Get over Manu??
We did!!
He needs to get over himself and bench Bonner
and give more minutes to Gooden and insert Hill
to the lineup.
It makes sense since the mavs are playing 3 PG's!

[angel_luv]

New-old voice: Kevin Brock, who began the season as the public-address announcer at AT&T Center before suffering two knee injuries while playing basketball on Dec. 20, returned to the microphone.

It was great to have him back!

[completely deck]

You get over Manu, Pop.

Easy there, tiger.

None of you know whats going on behind closed doors. He probably heard someone mention something about Manu and wanted to put an end to it.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

O_V to Pop: Get over thinking your team's success has been a result of the cleverness of your coaching.

/thread

Oh, and get over any idea that Bonner is your Horry replacement.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Pop has been an awesome coach for us over the years no doubt but he's really starting to break down mentally now. I'm not sure what the is going on.

Easy, he has a bunch of yes men sitting on the bench next to him now that PJ is gone.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Spurs season has ended in Cleveland when Manu broke his fibula.
Whoever disagrees is either a blind fan or seriously underestimate both Manu's level and other NBA teams level.

I don't think anyone disagrees that we won't be able to get past LA without Manu.

But we should still be able to get past Dallas without him, and you're really pulling a TPark by trying to defend Pop's coaching last night by pointing out the obvious that Manu wasn't suited out...

[E20]

I will say what needs to be said again for the 1000th time.

If Bonner can't hit those threes early on then take him out. Incorporate Bowen and Hill into the rotation, doesn't matter if it is too late to keep on tinkering with rotations. Spurs have been doing it all season.

[Bruno]

I don't think anyone disagrees that we won't be able to get past LA without Manu.

But we should still be able to get past Dallas without him, and you're really pulling a TPark by trying to defend Pop's coaching last night by pointing out the obvious that Manu wasn't suited out...

I'm not trying to defend Pop's coaching, I have found him quite bad last night.

I disagree with you about Spurs being to beat Dallas (even with Pop doing a good job). I've said before the start of the series that Mavs were favorite with a 70/30 edge.

[Obstructed_View]

I'm not trying to defend Pop's coaching, I have found him quite bad last night.

I disagree with you about Spurs being to beat Dallas (even with Pop doing a good job). I've said before the start of the series that Mavs were favorite with a 70/30 edge.

This is the first year that the Spurs are going to need some seriously lucky breaks if they want a chance to win the le. The Spurs have plenty there to beat Dallas if the coach doesn't hamstring the rotation. If they can beat Dallas, they can hang with anyone in the west that isn't LA, and you never know what can happen between now and the WCF. Part of getting lucky is sticking around long enough to take advantage of your breaks. You sit there and trot out three point shooters with no defense, ride your two stars into the ground and refuse to make adjustments, and you might as well get them out of the playoffs and start thinking about the draft.

[SenorSpur]

This is the first year that the Spurs are going to need some seriously lucky breaks if they want a chance to win the le. The Spurs have plenty there to beat Dallas if the coach doesn't hamstring the rotation. If they can beat Dallas, they can hang with anyone in the west that isn't LA, and you never know what can happen between now and the WCF. Part of getting lucky is sticking around long enough to take advantage of your breaks. You sit there and trot out three point shooters with no defense, ride your two stars into the ground and refuse to make adjustments, and you might as well get them out of the playoffs and start thinking about the draft.

and

Pop's lame-brain decisions are just as big of a deterrent to this team, as any opponent they could face in the playoffs. The Spurs struggles are bigger than just the absence of Ginobili. At a time, where coaching ingenuity, experience and innovation are badly needed to give the team a better chance to win, Pop has come up woefully short.

[Bruno]

I'll never understand Pop's "all or else" philosophy about certain things.

The reason why you don't understand it, is because you think that it is a philosophy.
Most of what you think are choices, aren't.

1. For about a decade, his drafting strategy was all Euro, all the time. All the while, ignoring domestic talent.

You are acting like Spurs have spend multiple lottery picks on foreigners. Spurs picks were at best late first round pick and it's damn hard to get a good player that late in the draft.

Spurs have spend 4 late first round picks on international players :
- Parker : 3 time all star.
- Udrih : it didn't worked with Pop/Spurs but he is still a starting PG paid more than $5M.
- Mahinmi : Call him a bust if you want, I will still wait before doing that.
- Splitter : one of the best player in Europe. I don't see how you can blame Spurs for Splitter changing his mind about his priorities (money over NBA).

2. For about a decade now, he has seen the value of adding experienced players to his roster. The value of that strategy has proven very effective and has been instrumental in helping the team win 4 les. As good as that strategy has been, it has had it's flaws. Especially when your coach blindly and completely "sells out" to said strategy, at all costs. Occasionally, Pop has been guilty of recruiting older players, whose declining skills put them at a disadvantage when going up against their younger, quicker, counterparts - especially during back-to-back game scenarios. With age usually comes the greater risk for potential injury. At other times, he's simply invested in these olders players for 1 or 2 seasons too long.

It isn't a strategy. It's just that getting a good 25 years old player is damn hard.

3. This team is no longer gets stops at crucial moments and has lost the ability to limit the opposition to one-shot possessions. Coincidence? I think not. It appears he's actually willing to sacrifice his long-respected, defensive strategy, in favor of slow-footed, perimeter players who cannot keep their man in front of them.

It makes 3 years that Spurs have tried to get a good defensive player.Their first target in last year draft was Batum and Spurs have tried to grow a lot of players as Bruce's successor (James White, Marcus Williams, Bobby Jones, Malik Hairston...).

4. Unlike other Spurs team, this team is actually a good free-throw shooting team. However, they're ranking near the bottom in FT attempts. Why? Pop elected to surround his star players with 3-point shooters. Most of whom do not possess the ability to slash to the basket and get to the line.

Spurs first target this summer was Maggette...



There is a world between noticing a weakness in a team and being able to fix it. If you think that Pop and Spurs FO has decided to keep flaws in their team on purpose, you are just way off.

[tlongII]

I hate to say it but ducks has been mentioning that for a while and how continuing to talk about Ginobili when he's out could harm the team's psyche . . . .

You're the first person I've seen that has actually deciphered a ducks post.

[SA210]

This is the first year that the Spurs are going to need some seriously lucky breaks if they want a chance to win the le. The Spurs have plenty there to beat Dallas if the coach doesn't hamstring the rotation. If they can beat Dallas, they can hang with anyone in the west that isn't LA, and you never know what can happen between now and the WCF. Part of getting lucky is sticking around long enough to take advantage of your breaks. You sit there and trot out three point shooters with no defense, ride your two stars into the ground and refuse to make adjustments, and you might as well get them out of the playoffs and start thinking about the draft.