Game Thoughts: Spurs vs. Hornets - Oct. 28

[HarlemHeat37]

the Celtics are the best team in the NBA if they're healthy IMO, but we match up with them A LOT better than we do with the Lakers..so that's why I'd rather play Boston as opposed to LA..

Orlando is the team I don't wanna play out of all of them..

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Nice job Timvp!





I think everything you said was right on, I just have a few thoughts to add...


Blair didn't look like a rookie playing his first regular season game. He looked like a guy who belonged. He looked like a veteran when the offense ran through him...he knew when to pass, work the ball around, when to take his shot. He found how to get open for easy looks, rebounded like a beast, and had just a great 1st game. I'm with you on the defense, though. He wasn't playing the pick-and-roll very well, and it was obvious he can't defend the rim when his player backs him too far under the basket. With that big body he'll just have to learn to keep his man away from the hoop.

McDyess --- Awesome! He's tall, strong and mobile and knows how to play the game. He's a post presence we haven't had since David retired. Even though he's new to the team, you could see his veteran skill on display last night. I think he's going to be a big improvement in the post over what Thomas brought last year...as much as I like KT.

I was impressed with Jefferson's passing and court presence. You can just tell he's a player who's on a different level than anyone the Spurs have had supporting the big 3 in recent years. I thought he contributed in a lot of ways last night, in fact I was shocked when I saw he had only one basket because he seemed to do a lot of good things out there.

To me, Timmy looked like he was going about 60% out there. He put forth good effort, but you can tell he's carefully easing into the season. I really like that approach, actually. Last year when he was forced to carry the team early in the season I had a feeling he'd break down before it was over. If Pop can keep him just under 30 mpg in the regular season I think we'll have him at 100% at year-end when it starts to count.

Manu looks healthy which was awesome to see. I don't think his explosiveness is there yet, so I'm excited to see him work his way back into game shape.

Tony looked good running the offense. He looks like a guy who trusts his teammates this year. I didn't sense that the Big 3 had a lot of faith in their supporting cast last year. This year they appear to have a lot of faith in the new guys. You can sense their excitement.

Pop is coaching like the playoffs have already started...l was impressed by his fire last night. I was impressed by the whole team's fire last night. This just looks like a team this year that believes it can win at a high level. The Big 3 are excited about their teammates, and they appear to have a lot of faith in them. Our second unit looks like it could take most team's first units. This is a scary group! I'm so excited!!

[urunobili]

Thanks timvp!

[ducks]

the big three will trust the teamates early
they want to see what they can do
if they continue to shine then they will keep trusting them

[florige]

I hate TNT. While I held my breath as Parker was on the ground grimacing in pain, as soon as he sat up stupid TNT cuts to a commercial?!

[HarlemHeat37]

I wasn't impressed with Finley's defense at all TBH..

Bonner didn't look good defensively as well IMO, but he was passable..lucky West missed some shots he usually made, although Bonner did adjust later on..

Finley's defense isn't going to cut it though..it has nothing to do with effort or basketball IQ, the guy makes the right plays..he just can't close out quick enough anymore, and it was evident on at least 3 plays last night..

Mason on the other hand..his defense impressed me..he's definitely a lot quicker than last year, and it's going to be very useful when it comes to team defense..he closed out well last night, and played tough D from an individual standpoint..

Hopefully we can see more from Bogans and Hairston, since they bring something different..

[z0sa]

I hate TNT. While I held my breath as Parker was on the ground grimacing in pain, as soon as he sat up stupid TNT cuts to a commercial?!

It was ESPN, Spurs play on TNT tonight, but I totally agree just as he was leaning forward to get help up it cut

[benefactor]

Blair didn't look like a rookie playing his first regular season game. He looked like a guy who belonged. He looked like a veteran when the offense ran through him...he knew when to pass, work the ball around, when to take his shot. He found how to get open for easy looks, rebounded like a beast, and had just a great 1st game. I'm with you on the defense, though. He wasn't playing the pick-and-roll very well, and it was obvious he can't defend the rim when his player backs him too far under the basket. With that big body he'll just have to learn to keep his man away from the hoop.

He needs to watch some film of Chuck Hayes defending bigger players. Hayes is exceptional at using his strong base to keep the offensive player from backing him down while knowing when to move his feet...all while not fouling in the process.

[thispego]

Where is the "its cool to bash on things others like or mainstream things just to go against the grain, but it is no longer cool because it is so obvious and unoriginal" emoticon?

you kidding? they dont have an emoticon for that

[SamoanTD]

Thank you sir!!

[florige]

It was ESPN, Spurs play on TNT tonight, but I totally agree just as he was leaning forward to get help up it cut

Oh okay. Well I hate them too so.

[angelbelow]

Thanks for taking the time to write these!

[Bender]

the big three will trust the teamates early
they want to see what they can do
if they continue to shine then they will keep trusting them

fixed the syllable count for you

Big Three trust teammates
Want to see what they can do
If shine, continue

[Fpoonsie]

the Celtics are the best team in the NBA if they're healthy IMO, but we match up with them A LOT better than we do with the Lakers..so that's why I'd rather play Boston as opposed to LA..

Orlando is the team I don't wanna play out of all of them..

Hmm...unless there was some kinda addendum added to the new traveling rule, odds are we'd have to play LA to get to EITHER ONE of the two East contenders.

[Brazil]

here we go ! Thanks timvp highly appreciated !

[quentin_compson]

Great work as always, timvp!

Duncan and Ginobili looked good and healthy enough for a first game. Both will hopefully improve as the season runs its course.

Blair committed some stupid fouls and had his problems on the defensive end, but boy, what a way to play in your first NBA game. His instinct for getting the rebound is great, and he has very good hands, too. I really really hope he won't be in Pop's doghouse when he has some ty (comparatively speaking) games.

I was very impressed with Dice. He is just deadly with his midrange shot, and even if he has yet to gel with Duncan on the defensive end, you could already see what he can bring to the table in that department.

RJ was struggling with his shot, but I liked his athletic play. I think he can be a very decent defender for us if he focusses a little bit on that.

Bonner was good in my opinion. I even think he was as decent as he can be on the defensive end. I still hope he won't be starting by, say, January, but I liked what he was giving us.

Anyway, there is a lot of room for improvement on the defensive end, but I think we will be fine when everybody is comfortable with the system.

[loveforthegame]

Thanks for the game recap.

I'm not going to worry about Jefferson's shooting when he's attacking the basket. Whether he draws the foul or is kicking out to a shooter is much more important than his jump shot %. I loved how he kept moving without the ball too. No parking in the corners for this guy.

Blair is so much more than advertised. It's still hard for me to believe he landed with the Spurs.

Good to see Ginobli looking like his old self. We've been missing every bit of what he does on the floor.

McDyess looked like he'd been playing with the Spurs a few years now.

[Flux451]

Chris Paul and his move. Happy to see Spurs serve the Hornets.

[NFGIII]

Blair didn't look like a rookie playing his first regular season game. He looked like a guy who belonged. He looked like a veteran when the offense ran through him...he knew when to pass, work the ball around, when to take his shot. He found how to get open for easy looks, rebounded like a beast, and had just a great 1st game. I'm with you on the defense, though. He wasn't playing the pick-and-roll very well, and it was obvious he can't defend the rim when his player backs him too far under the basket. With that big body he'll just have to learn to keep his man away from the hoop.

I wonder if any scouts/team docs are getting their asses handed to them already? Passing on Blair will not enhance one's resume. The Spurs should send thank you cards to all of them. No seriously. Well maybe not but it would be appropriate and I'm sure a heart felt gesture, too.


^^^^

He needs to watch some film of Chuck Hayes defending bigger players. Hayes is exceptional at using his strong base to keep the offensive player from backing him down while knowing when to move his feet...all while not fouling in the process.

He learns that this season he will be even more of a beast.

I was impressed with Jefferson's passing and court presence. You can just tell he's a player who's on a different level than anyone the Spurs have had supporting the big 3 in recent years. I thought he contributed in a lot of ways last night, in fact I was shocked when I saw he had only one basket because he seemed to do a lot of good things out there.

Agreed. Though he didn't score hardly at all that will come around in due time. Once that happens then it will one of those OMG! moments with many wondering how this team ever got put together. Or better yet how are the other NBA teams going to compete them. If this continues the answer will not many or just a few.

To me, Timmy looked like he was going about 60% out there. He put forth good effort, but you can tell he's carefully easing into the season. I really like that approach, actually. Last year when he was forced to carry the team early in the season I had a feeling he'd break down before it was over. If Pop can keep him just under 30 mpg in the regular season I think we'll have him at 100% at year-end when it starts to count.

Well put. Easing into it and having his minutes limited due ot our depth on the bench only bodes well for the Spurs. Imagine him playing less than 30 mpg and sitting out some of the B2Bs. Crank him up in the last 15 or so games to tune his game and he will be the TD we all know and other teams fear.

Pop is coaching like the playoffs have already started...l was impressed by his fire last night. I was impressed by the whole team's fire last night. This just looks like a team this year that believes it can win at a high level. The Big 3 are excited about their teammates, and they appear to have a lot of faith in them. Our second unit looks like it could take most team's first units. This is a scary group! I'm so excited!!

I think Pop is going to have a very inteeresting and fun season this year. After last year's injury plagued campaign he and all the Spurs holdovers deserve it.


Now go out and get #5

[EricB]

Spurs will NEVER start fast if the starters include Bonner, Finley and Duncan. Ain't going to happen.

So Duncan should go to the bench?

[Leetonidas]

Good take timvp. I have to agree about DeJuan Blair. While he was great offensively and on the glass, he was absolutely terrible on the defensive end. I know it takes time to learn the system so I won't fault him, but damn, Okafor and West were eating Blair up down there. All he could do was put his hands up and stand there and they'd just spin around or elevate over him.

[SamoanTD]

Good take timvp. I have to agree about DeJuan Blair. While he was great offensively and on the glass, he was absolutely terrible on the defensive end. I know it takes time to learn the system so I won't fault him, but damn, Okafor and West were eating Blair up down there. All he could do was put his hands up and stand there and they'd just spin around or elevate over him.

I dnt knw if he wuz terrible bt yes he can get better i mean ur nt gna see blair swatting everybodys out the building bt i think he did good making da other big men uncomfortable stickin his big body on the them and making them work sometimes dats all u can ask for.

[lefty]

It was about ing time Timvp

Ginobili looked confident

Confident? Sounds like 2005 Manu !!!!!

[peskypesky]

So Duncan should go to the bench?

i don't think so.

[peskypesky]

i'm not worried AT ALL by Jefferson's uneven first game. sure, he may have looked a little hesitant with his shot, but that's totally understandable. not only is he new to the team, but he's going from being the first option on the Bucks to the ?th option on the Spurs. a player of his caliber is going to shine. make no mistake.