The Official Meltdown Thread

[mexicanjunior]

Parker and Ginobili need to get in the ing game. Parker, who's repeatedly stated that he's "okay", is sitting out for a mild ankle sprain? The same guy who said, because of the relatively easy schedule early, that the Spurs needed to get off to a good start. Now he's sitting out with a marginal injury. Same with Ginobili. Groin injuries can be tricky, but if Bryant can play with one, why can't Ginobili? Instead, they'd rather Duncan, who has limited mobility some night's, gutting it out for this out matched team every night. Good job guys, keep sitting out, take your time, allow Duncan to wear down early, because teams always win championships as 4-6 seeds.

And I don't want any excuses when they return. They better be playing as many minutes as it takes to win every possible game and playing well in the process. No "they're still getting back into shape/rhythm" or they're "still getting used to playing with the new guys". Enough of this . These guys need to get out there and earn their salaries, not rest on their laurels, or continually talk about the "big picture", as if it's a given that this team will be a top 3 seed. They need every win they can get right now.

Great post...

[FkLA]

Combined record of the teams we have played: 42-40

Not exactly a murderer's row...

So you think having additional days off to rest an older roster and help get cohesiveness in practice is a detriment?

Not exactly easy and favorable either. Especially for a depleted team.

Yes this early in the season it is. Practice can only do so much, you get rid of the off-season rust and gain rhythm and cohesiveness by playing continually not every 4 days.

Parker and Ginobili need to get in the ing game. Parker, who's repeatedly stated that he's "okay", is sitting out for a mild ankle sprain? The same guy who said, because of the relatively easy schedule early, that the Spurs needed to get off to a good start. Now he's sitting out with a marginal injury. Same with Ginobili. Groin injuries can be tricky, but if Bryant can play with one, why can't Ginobili? Instead, they'd rather Duncan, who has limited mobility some night's, gutting it out for this out matched team every night. Good job guys, keep sitting out, take your time, allow Duncan to wear down early, because teams always win championships as 4-6 seeds.

And I don't want any excuses when they return. They better be playing as many minutes as it takes to win every possible game and playing well in the process. No "they're still getting back into shape/rhythm" or they're "still getting used to playing with the new guys". Enough of this . These guys need to get out there and earn their salaries, not rest on their laurels, or continually talk about the "big picture", as if it's a given that this team will be a top 3 seed. They need every win they can get right now.

[ElNono]

Parker and Ginobili need to get in the ing game. Parker, who's repeatedly stated that he's "okay", is sitting out for a mild ankle sprain? The same guy who said, because of the relatively easy schedule early, that the Spurs needed to get off to a good start. Now he's sitting out with a marginal injury. Same with Ginobili. Groin injuries can be tricky, but if Bryant can play with one, why can't Ginobili? Instead, they'd rather Duncan, who has limited mobility some night's, gutting it out for this out matched team every night. Good job guys, keep sitting out, take your time, allow Duncan to wear down early, because teams always win championships as 4-6 seeds.

And I don't want any excuses when they return. They better be playing as many minutes as it takes to win every possible game and playing well in the process. No "they're still getting back into shape/rhythm" or they're "still getting used to playing with the new guys". Enough of this . These guys need to get out there and earn their salaries, not rest on their laurels, or continually talk about the "big picture", as if it's a given that this team will be a top 3 seed. They need every win they can get right now.

I believe your anger is misdirected. The decision on who is going to play or not play is made by the coach. Along with how many minutes they're going to play.

[mexicanjunior]

Not exactly easy and favorable either. Especially for a depleted team.

Yes this early in the season it is. Practice can only do so much, you get rid of the off-season rust and gain rhythm and cohesiveness by playing continually not every 4 days.

Getting rid of the off-season rust and gaining rhythm should have been addressed more in the preseason. When Pop decided to hold out players so much during this stretch, he put his team in a bigger hole and they are paying for it now.

Also, when you say this team is "depleted", you make it sound like they have been that way for a long stretch of this start. Parker has played 6 of these games, Manu has played 9 (8 if you don't count Mavs game) and Duncan 8...it's not like they've been completely out of the lineup. When they have played together, they've pretty much been an average team.

[TD 21]

I believe your anger is misdirected. The decision on who is going to play or not play is made by the coach. Along with how many minutes they're going to play.

Bull . The NBA, more than any other sport, is a player's league. Now I'm not suggesting that the Spurs start acting like a bunch of prima donna's, but if these guys genuinely wanted to play (supposedly, both of their injuries are "mild"), they could be playing. You don't think the Lakers would have preferred Bryant sit a game or two to rest his groin? Probably. But he said he was playing and so he played.

I'm not hitting the "panic button", I'm just so sick of this "big picture approach". They act like it's their right to be a top 2-3 seed. As of right now, there's 5 teams in the West head-and-shoulders above them and none of them are going to be easy to fend off. They need all of their key guys playing as many minutes as it takes to win as many games as it takes to at least be a top 3 seed. That is the reality of the Spurs in '09-10. I don't care how it used to be or how they used to operate, this team needs to start taking the regular season more seriously. You got teams like the Lakers and Celtics, both in another league than the Spurs currently, taking it far more seriously than a team with aspirations of reaching their level. It makes no sense.

[FkLA]

Getting rid of the off-season rust and gaining rhythm should have been addressed more in the preseason. When Pop decided to hold out players so much during this stretch, he put his team in a bigger hole and they are paying for it now.

Also, when you say this team is "depleted", you make it sound like they have been that way for a long stretch of this start. Parker has played 6 of these games, Manu has played 9 (8 if you don't count Mavs game) and Duncan 8...it's not like they've been completely out of the lineup. When they have played together, they've pretty much been an average team.

Yeah so lets just play our starters 35 minutes per game in preseason games right?

The team has been completely healthy against NO, Chicago, Sacramento, Utah, and the Thunder. Thats 5 games. The other games we have been missing one or two of the Big 3. Theyre 2-3 during that stretch so if you want to go off of that as the reason this team 'sucks' or 'isnt good enough' go ahead I guess. Pretty small sample though dont you think? I mean the same Cavs team that you claim is now steamrolling is started off 2-3 as well if Im not mistaken. The Celtics the last 5 games are like 2-3 as well. LA lost 2 games in a row recently which would make them have a 3-2 record over a 5 game span. I think you get the point.

[Zero_Twilight]

Bull . The NBA, more than any other sport, is a player's league. Now I'm not suggesting that the Spurs start acting like a bunch of prima donna's, but if these guys genuinely wanted to play (supposedly, both of their injuries are "mild"), they could be playing. You don't think the Lakers would have preferred Bryant sit a game or two to rest his groin? Probably. But he said he was playing and so he played.

I'm not hitting the "panic button", I'm just so sick of this "big picture approach". They act like it's their right to be a top 2-3 seed. As of right now, there's 5 teams in the West head-and-shoulders above them and none of them are going to be easy to fend off. They need all of their key guys playing as many minutes as it takes to win as many games as it takes to at least be a top 3 seed. That is the reality of the Spurs in '09-10. I don't care how it used to be or how they used to operate, this team needs to start taking the regular season more seriously. You got teams like the Lakers and Celtics, both in another league than the Spurs currently, taking it far more seriously than a team with aspirations of reaching their level. It makes no sense.

If what you say is true, Iverson would be a starter.

You aren't hitting the panic button but reading your post seems like a red alert.

[FkLA]

Bull . The NBA, more than any other sport, is a player's league. Now I'm not suggesting that the Spurs start acting like a bunch of prima donna's, but if these guys genuinely wanted to play (supposedly, both of their injuries are "mild"), they could be playing. You don't think the Lakers would have preferred Bryant sit a game or two to rest his groin? Probably. But he said he was playing and so he played.

I'm not hitting the "panic button", I'm just so sick of this "big picture approach". They act like it's their right to be a top 2-3 seed. As of right now, there's 5 teams in the West head-and-shoulders above them and none of them are going to be easy to fend off. They need all of their key guys playing as many minutes as it takes to win as many games as it takes to at least be a top 3 seed. That is the reality of the Spurs in '09-10. I don't care how it used to be or how they used to operate, this team needs to start taking the regular season more seriously. You got teams like the Lakers and Celtics, both in another league than the Spurs currently, taking it far more seriously than a team with aspirations of reaching their level. It makes no sense.

And I bet you wanted Duncan to play with his hurt knee in 2000 like Grant Hill did for the Pistons that same year right? How did that turn out for Grant Hill?

Attempting to play through mild injuries can turn those mild injuries into major ones moron. That first-degree sprain can easily become a second or third degree sprain if pushed too hard, that simple sprained hamstring can become a pulled hamstring. You also have no idea whether Kobe's hamstring injury is the same as Manu's, it likely isnt so comparing them is completely re ed.

[TD 21]

If what you say is true, Iverson would be a starter.

You aren't hitting the panic button but reading your post seems like a red alert.

Iverson is insignificant at this point in his career. Parker and Ginobili represent the 2nd and 3rd best players on a team with championship aspirations. When healthy, they're 2 of the top 20 players in the world. If they really wanted to play with "mild" injuries, they'd be playing. It's that simply.

So because I'm not a blind fan who thinks everything regarding the team I go for is all well and good, I'm automatically "hitting the panic button"? That's great logic.

[Indazone]

Oh well on the bright side I did win 2000

I predict some new lineup changes soon. It's rebounding, boxing out, and scoring. Defensively, I think the Spurs are down too.

[TD 21]

And I bet you wanted Duncan to play with his hurt knee in 2000 like Grant Hill did for the Pistons that same year right? How did that turn out for Grant Hill?

Attempting to play through mild injuries can turn those mild injuries into major ones moron. You also have no idea whether Kobe's hamstring injury is the same as Manu's, it likely isnt so comparing them is completely re ed.

Yeah, because that's exactly what I said you idiot. Learn to read. I said "minor" (or mild, whatever) injuries. I'm not expecting anyone to play when they need reconstructive surgery on something as significant as the knee, but a groin strain? A slight ankle turn? Come one. This team is just being overly cautious, which is fine if you're the Celtics, Lakers, Nuggets, heck even the Hawks or Suns right now, but the Spurs? This isn't the old days, this team needs wins in the worst way right now and they're not going to get them by being overly cautious.

They've both been described as minor groin strains. The difference is one guy decided he was going to gut it out and play through his, while the other just meekly conceded that he'd be about 7-10 days, because that's what the team physician and the head coach decided.

[spurspokesman]

if there is a god, than tony will play on Saturday, because if he doesn't then the spurs will struggle even against the wizards.

Wizards are a damn good team. Take a look at there roster. If we don't play very good they will hand our asses to us like they just did cleveland. Book it.

[FkLA]

Yeah, because that's exactly what I said you idiot. Learn to read. I said "minor" (or mild, whatever) injuries. I'm not expecting anyone to play when they need reconstructive surgery on something as significant as the knee, but a groin strain? A slight ankle turn? Come one. This team is just being overly cautious, which is fine if you're the Celtics, Lakers, Nuggets, heck even the Hawks or Suns right now, but the Spurs? This isn't the old days, this team needs wins in the worst way right now and they're not going to get them by being overly cautious.

They've both been described as minor groin strains. The difference is one guy decided he was going to gut it out and play through his, while the other just meekly conceded that he'd be about 7-10 days, because that's what the team physician and the head coach decided.

No, but youre comparing the approach Manu and the Spurs are taking to the approach Kobe and the Lakers are taking. Youre basically saying Kobe's out there so why isnt Manu...the same couldve been said about Hill and Duncan back in 2000. And basically what Im telling you is who gives a if other teams arent as precautionary as the Spurs. Id rather have them sit out a couple of days than see them possibly turn that minor injury into a bigger one.

Sure Kobe might end up being fine, but theres also the chance that he could aggravate the injury. He's at a higher risk than if he was fully healthy. Same with Parker, that first degree sprain can easily turn into a second or third degree sprain if pushed. But that right...they need to man the up and just go out and win so all the drama queens are satisfied and dont have meltdowns.

[DubMcDub]

Since we're sure to see a few dozen of these threads ... I'll get it started.

I can stomach most losses. But not losses at home against the Jazz. The Jazz are the arch rival of arch rivals. F the Jazz. This shouldn't happen.

Really? Thought that'd be the Lakers. Seems kinda weird.

[TD 21]

No, but youre comparing the approach Manu and the Spurs are taking to the approach Kobe and the Lakers are taking. Youre basically saying Kobe's out there so why isnt Manu...the same couldve been said about Hill and Duncan back in 2000. And basically what Im telling you is who gives a if other teams arent as precautionary as the Spurs that them not us. Id rather have them sit out a couple of days than see them possibly turn that minor injury into a bigger one.

Sure Kobe might end up being fine, but theres also the chance that he could aggravate the injury. He's at a higher risk than if he was fully healthy. Same with Parker, that first degree sprain can easily turn into a second or third degree sprain if pushed. But that right...they need to man the up and just go out and win so all the drama queens are satisfied and dont have meltdowns.

But the difference is in the severity of the injuries. Big deal if Ginobili has to play in some discomfort. If Bryant can do it, why can't he? Yeah, because the Spurs always know better. This is not the old days, this team can't get away with doing whatever the they want and it all working out. They're no longer the best team in the league. In fact they're not even close and the only chance they have of getting back to that level is to play their key players and play them as many minutes as it takes to win as many games as it takes to earn a top 3 seed.

Even if Bryant aggravates it, he'll still keep playing. Partially because he's an attention who loves the publicity he get's for playing hero and acting like Jordan, but also because he genuinely hates missing games and doesn't want to miss a week, have his team potentially slip and at the end of the year lose home court throughout the playoffs. ing right's they do ... one time can somebody not named Duncan go out and gut one out. You don't get it (none of you apologists do). If you're not at minimum a 3 seed, you got no chance to win a championship. So who gives a flying if they're healthy but the team ends up as a 4 seed. They're not winning 3 rounds without home court to cop the championship.

[FkLA]

But the difference is in the severity of the injuries. Big deal if Ginobili has to play in some discomfort. If Bryant can do it, why can't he? Yeah, because the Spurs always know better. This is not the old days, this team can't get away with doing whatever the they want and it all working out. They're no longer the best team in the league, in fact they're not even close and the only chance they have of getting back to that level is to play their key players and play them as many minutes as it takes to win as many games as it takes to earn a top 3 seed.

Even if Bryant aggravates, he'll still keep playing. Partially because he's an attention who loves the publicity he get's for playing hero and acting like Jordan, but also because he genuinely hates missing games and doesn't want to miss a week, have his team potentially slip and at the end of the year lose home court throughout the playoffs. ing right's they do ... one time can somebody not named Duncan go out and gut one out. You don't get it (none of you apologists do). If you're not at minimum a 3 seed, you got no chance to win a championship. So who gives a flying if they're healthy but the team ends up as a 4 seed. They're not winning 3 rounds without home court to cop the championship.

If Hill was able to do it why wasnt Duncan? Sure the severity of the injury is different but the logic is exactly the same. The Spurs were right that time, and they might or might not be right this time but Id rather they take a precautionary approach. Id rather have them out a couple of days instead of possibly a couple of weeks.

Your logic about winning as many games as possible is re ed. Them missing a couple of days affects the amount of games won much less than them missing weeks. Top 3 seeds are not won over the first ten games theyre won over an 82 game season. And Im not an apologist at all...Im just not stupid enough to judge this team on 10 games, 5 of which were missing 2/3rds of the big three. Give me a below .500 team thats completely healthy and halfway into the season and I will flat out tell you they arent good enough. As of right now though there is no reason for some of breakdowns from fans.

[SenorSpur]

Considering the new components added to the roster this offseason, it's not surprising that the Spurs have struggled out of the gate. Furthermore, the injuries certainly have done nothing but further set back and delay the integration process for all the rotation players. From that respect, it's understandable WHY they're struggling, but I admit that it's still hard to watch.

Because they're in a soft part of the schedule, I fear the Spurs could dig themselves into such a hole in the standings, that it may be difficult to get out of later on.

[jmill]

The Spurs start so far is surprising to me, but I don't think it's time to panic yet.

I think at the end of the year this team will be roughly where it was last year, a 54-55 win team that can contend in the playoffs. Preseason I thought they would finish anywhere from 2-4 in the West. I will say I was NOT big on the Richard Jefferson signing though, at least in terms of it putting them over the top or anything. I just don't see him having a big impact either way frankly.

I do think you guys will turn it around though, Pop is too good of a coach, and this team still has alot of talent, as a Lakers fan I hope I'm wrong though.

[benefactor]

lmao at people wanting Parker and Manu to play injured.

It's pretty early in the season, but it looks like mexicanjunior and Chieflion are already running out of cutting places on their arms and will have to move to the legs soon. We may have to put mexicanjunior on suicide watch if the Cowboys lose again this week.

TBQH, I am kinda looking forward to the Duncan era ending...because after the window is closed all these spoiled ass fans who don't get spoon fed perfection every night can go find some other team to follow.

[Chieflion]

lmao at people wanting Parker and Manu to play injured.

It's pretty early in the season, but it looks like mexicanjunior and Chieflion are already running out of cutting places on their arms and will have to move to the legs soon. We may have to put mexicanjunior on suicide watch if the Cowboys lose again this week.

TBQH, I am kinda looking forward to the Duncan era ending...because after the window is closed all these spoiled ass fans who don't get spoon fed perfection every night can go find some other team to follow.

Try harder. This is a meltdown thread for a reason. It is for me to let loose where I didnt want to. If you don't see the glaring weaknesses in these 10 games, I don't know how you can see it in the next 20. I would like to see the rebuild come, cause the new players will be interesting to watch.

Edit: Sorry for being a total ass. This is a meltdown thread. Just trying to fit in with the meltdown. If you even think I was serious about all the crap which I didn't even believe in, well almost of it, then you are wrong.

[SpurNation]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139878

Conclusion

With both Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker out for Thursday's game, this is a great opportunity for the Jazz to steal a win away from the Spurs in San Antonio.

This game might have easily gone the other way if at least one of the two could have played.

To seriously expect a team to be able to win against a decent team without 2 of your best players is unrealistic at best.

Disappointed about the loss I can understand. Especially since the Spurs even made it a close game while having to inject 3rd string players in order to just keep up.

I look forward to the positives the team has the potential of doing once all are healthy and the roster takes on a concise rotation.

(I'll reserve my meltdown for games the Spurs should win.)

[ManuTastic]

I'm not melting down about last night, though I'm not happy about it. But hey, RMJ played significant minutes at PG--if that had been Tony, I believe we'd have won.
I'm much, MUCH more concerned about Manu's injuries. I hope he can come back and have a strong year, but the injuries are starting to look chronic... if he is on and off the IL all year, then forget it...

Get well Manu!!

[TJastal]

I bet on those sorry mother ers and they cost me all my vBookie money.

Funny, I bet against the spurs all $1800 I had and now I have like $180 last time I looked. I think vbookie is broke.

[DaBears]

this was the first game i have felt this frustrated!!

And i think we are all so pissed because we know this team has the potential to be great. But right now they are lousy. Its a long season but it just sucks having to watch our team let the opposition get away with offensive rebounds, 3pt plays time after time.

+1

[mexicanjunior]

It's pretty early in the season, but it looks like mexicanjunior and Chieflion are already running out of cutting places on their arms and will have to move to the legs soon. We may have to put mexicanjunior on suicide watch if the Cowboys lose again this week.

Yeah...I'm glad you know me well enough to make that assumption. Nothing I look forward to more than random Spurstalk poster worried about my safety...