What does the team need to do to play better?..

[EVAY]

I have been one of Parker's greatest apologists since he got here. But right now, I have to admit it, I think he is playing miserably. He has always been an emotional player, in that, if he doesn't get excited for some reason, he just zones out. He has been WAYY tuned out for most of the games I have seen so far this year.

His fourth quarter against Denver was terrific, but it seems like he just really is just going through the motions out there most of the time.

Manu is inconsistent, but he needs to start and keep starting. He needs the minutes, and Tony HAS to learn to use both Tim and Manu at the same time. Usually I wouldn't get upset with Pop not starting Manu because he was wasted, inasmuch as Tony would never pass him the ball. But now, this has got to come together NOW. Forget saying it is Dec., or whatever month. Championship teams play together well. We don't.

Someone mentioned that Pop uses the pre-all star game as an extended training camp. That is so true it hurts. I used to be a season ticket holder ( for over 12 years) but gave them up because I was sick of spending over $400 bucks a game ( for 2 tix) to watch Pop prepare for what he admits is his 'real' season (the playoffs). Sorry, but I don't want to pay that much money for that. The tickets in November cost the same as the tickets in April.

[ezau]

The lack of playmaking from Parker and Hill is problematic. It would ok if it was just one of them, but both creates a problem. In addition, Manu is erratic right now. Mason is one of the few players who has improved his playmaking, which is great considering how bad it was last year, but we shouldn't be relying on a spot up shooter to make plays for us.

Dice - he seems lost to me and is going thru the motions. Yes, he's a veteran and is a great character guy, but I don't see a player burning to win a le.

Bonner - he's improved but still completely mechanical in the way he plays defense, sets picks and goes through the motions of much of the game. Good teams will cover his open shots better and hence they aren't going in. He's adopted the Oberto tap out which is better than nothing but he doesn't give me confidence for a big game.

Blair - he's showing inconsistency of a young player. This is to be expected but we need everything he can give us. Pop is warming up to him. Unfortunately, I take that more as desperation than turning a new leaf.

Manu - I don't think he's over the hill or anything like that. He can still be productive but I don't think even he knows what he's still capable of at this point. He's been sloppy on one play and then the next he makes a good pass that goes off a teammate's face because they weren't looking for it. He's out of control right now and needs to focus on making simple plays, but that might not be his game.

Jefferson - everyone wants to blame him for our problems but that's a cop out. No he isn't saving us, but the team's problems didn't start with him. He's actually improved on D and the team is slowly actually trying to get him involved. The people pissed at him probably never saw him play before. In the 2004 Olympics it was clear - he's a hustle guy, a great athlete, but not someone with fundamental basketball skills. He's like a running back playing basketball. Just hand him the ball when he's going full speed and see what happens. I think that approach is what the team should take. Instead we're coming up with complicated plays that intellectualize the game for him. I don't think he's an intellectual player like Manu or Tim.

Parker - Is he still injured? Hard to say. What concerns me is less the results and more the effort. It seems as if he's going through the motions right now. He seemed more motivated in years past. His jumpshot is not as good as it was last year. Not sure how that happened.

Pop - I think he's actually coaching fairly well right now. He knows he has to adapt but he's been so rigid for so long because he could, I think he, like the team, is struggling to make sense of the iden y of this team.

Do you realize that Parker fired off 11 straight points in the 4th quarter, which made the team stay in the game against Denver?

[relic]

Turnover, Free Throws, Spacing, and Heart.

[roycrikside]

I honestly don't think we're that far away from being a contender. When you play teams like Boston and Denver, and are in the game the whole time against both of them, it's a couple of little things here and there that make the difference. It's not like we lost to bums.

The biggest problem, as I see it, is lack of chemistry with the new guys (Jefferson, McDyess, Blair, Bogans) on both ends of the floor and Pop playing a lot of different combinations and lineups and having some really weird rotations.

I get that Pop is trying to experiment and find what works, but just from a common sense stand point a lot of what he's doing makes no sense.

George Hill, no matter how you try to shoehorn him to be the backup point guard, is not really a point guard. He's just not much of a passer. Mason is a bit better playmaker, but he can't dribble that well and he's a risk to put on the floor because he takes some crazy shots and plays probably the worst defense on the team.

There are two guys on the team that can create shots for others off the pick-and-roll and the drive and kick and they are Tony and Manu. Consequently, one or the other have to be on the floor at all times. Lineups where both sit drive me insane.

I don't think Tony's defense has been as bad it was last year, when he was basically in full on Iverson mode because of injuries and he had to rest on defense. I see him trying more this year. He has been sloppy in some of his decision making, but he is still trying to get used to his new teammates. It could just be my mind playing tricks on me, but it seems like he doesn't pass to RJ, Bogans, Dice, or Blair very much if ever. He's used to the other guys. It'll get better with him, but maybe Pop should take over the play-calling duties to ease that burden from him.

Manu's main problem, besides being unable to put two solid halves together, is that he's not finishing at the rim at all this year. Lord knows he's trying, but he's either getting blocked, or stripped, or not getting a call from the refs, or rimming it out. He'll get better, I'm certain of it, but only if he can stay healthy. He's a rhythm player. If he can string 15-20 consecutive games together, he'll improve.

Jefferson, I'm starting to suspect, is a smaller version of Shawn Marion, in that he's almost useless in a half court offense. He gets his points off transition and hustle and great point guard play. We don't have that here. Tony might be the worst fast break point guard in the NBA as a passer. The solution to get RJ off is to play him with Manu more and maybe even run a small-small pick and roll. Also, we have to post him up more.

I like Blair a lot, but he's a limited player. Teams go right at him defensively because he's small and a rookie. The refs won't give him any breaks. Pop should only use him for energy like 8 mins per half. More than that and you'll get diminishing returns.

McDyess has to play more and wake up. I don't care about his offense too much. If people leave open he has to make jumpers, but he has no excuse not to bring the defense and rebounding every day. Right now he's just going through the motions and not competing very hard. If he won't challenge shots, give Mahinmi or Ratliff a shot.

Mason was playing well, but he hurt his hamstring and has been awful for two games. He needs to find his game again.

Guys I have no problems with at all right now: Duncan, Bonner, Finley, Hill.

Lots of people bash Bonner, but he is absolutely playing up to his ability. He tries hard, he competes, and it's not his fault he's so limited. The jump shot comes and it goes. He takes 'em when he's open and doesn't force anything. What do people want?

Finley I think has been pretty good year. We have so many decent players, he knows he has to shoot like 50% to get any playing time. Defensively he is what he is.

The bottom line is that some guys have to play harder, some have to play harder, and the whole team needs another 10-20 games together to figure out how to play together. Have patience. Unlike last year athleticism and talent are not the problems. We're just not playing as well as we should on paper. The rebounding is good, the effort is there, it's just going to take time.

[MB20]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...ker+call+plays

From Oct 05th

“I'm really trying to make an effort to call fewer and fewer plays, and let Tony run the show, and let the flow of the motion and the reads he makes dictate most of the offense,” Popovich said.

In short, the Spurs are likely to run more, freelance more and settle into a half-court set less. All of those things would play to Parker's churn-and-burn style.

Well, I don´t think this is working. So Pop should start calling more plays.
Not a knock on Tony. Nobody except for Tim is doing well. I left Blair out, because he is a rookie after all.

[mingus]

there's quite a bit. for one, more consistent usage of Blair, and less of Bonner. Bonner, as great 3-point shooter as he is - well, against the scrubby teams at least - doesn't do enough on the other end. at this point Blair isn't much better at that end, but if he would play more consistently maybe he could develop into a nice defensive player as the season progresses.

better usage of Jefferson. Tony needs to take better advantage of running opportunities, and Pop needs to put him in half-court situations where he's comfortable, like on the low block

then there's stuff you can't control: RJ, Mason (which he's done lately), and Bogans need to hit their threes. it's always been a staple from those positions in this Spurs offense, and until it happens the Spurs will not return to form.

Ginobili needs to stay healthy and get confident again.

if they can work on these they should be a way better team. this team has so much potential int he way of scoring esp. and i think that's why it's so frustrating.

[Spursone]

Go back to the Basics, take care of the Ball, Don't make turnovers, Coach POP - Play to win, not play to experiment, If things are NOT working out, CHANGE, ADAPT!, It's is still early, but we have to decide HOW are we going to get things done and most importantly with WHOM!

Go SPURS GO!

[TJastal]

there's quite a bit. for one, more consistent usage of Blair, and less of Bonner. Bonner, as great 3-point shooter as he is - well, against the scrubby teams at least - doesn't do enough on the other end. at this point Blair isn't much better at that end, but if he would play more consistently maybe he could develop into a nice defensive player as the season progresses.

better usage of Jefferson. Tony needs to take better advantage of running opportunities, and Pop needs to put him in half-court situations where he's comfortable, like on the low block

then there's stuff you can't control: RJ, Mason (which he's done lately), and Bogans need to hit their threes. it's always been a staple from those positions in this Spurs offense, and until it happens the Spurs will not return to form.

Ginobili needs to stay healthy and get confident again.

if they can work on these they should be a way better team. this team has so much potential int he way of scoring esp. and i think that's why it's so frustrating.

I disagree about Bonner.

Shockingly, Bonner has been playing great team basketball the past few games aside from missing his open shots. He's been getting physical in the paint with his defense and rebounding and jumping higher than I've ever seen him jump for boards and loose balls. He's limited his mental miscues and playing within his game not trying to do too much and is passing the ball crisply. He'll never be a great help defender but if he does all of the above plus hit his 3's he and Blair make a nasty inside-out duo together off the bench which, once Bonner starts hitting his 3's again (and he is due anytime soon) they can both absolutely terrorize the oppositions bench players.

[Mel_13]

I disagree about Bonner.

Shockingly, Bonner has been playing great team basketball the past few games aside from missing his open shots. He's been getting physical in the paint with his defense and rebounding and jumping higher than I've ever seen him jump for boards and loose balls. He's limited his mental miscues and playing within his game not trying to do too much and is passing the ball crisply. He'll never be a great help defender but if he does all of the above plus hit his 3's he and Blair make a nasty inside-out duo together off the bench which, once Bonner starts hitting his 3's again (and he is due anytime soon) they can both absolutely terrorize the oppositions bench players.

OK, who are you and what have you done with TJastal?

[admiralsnackbar]

Time

This.

[benefactor]

OK, who are you and what have you done with TJastal?

lol...you thought that too, eh?

[VBM]

Boston and Utah frustrated us with their physical play too. This is probably one of the softest Spurs teams we've had in while.

Where's Mario Elie when we need him...

[BatManu]

It's mostly turnovers. I blame it on the fact that there are several new cogs in the Spurs engine and I don't think everyone knows or is comfortable with their role yet. Pop needs to settle on an 8-9 man rotation and let the core guys get more reps together so that they can learn to win together and develop better communication and chemistry. That's my thinking.

[portnoy1]

Where's Mario Elie when we need him...

he lives on in keith bogans.

[VBM]

he lives on in keith bogans.

Sigh...remember when Spurs games (or Spurs fans rather) were like this?



This is quite possibly my favorite Elie - Spurs highlight...

[mingus]

i don't like Bonner in there at all. over the course of the game Blair or Ratlfif is going to make the bigger difference. sure, Bonner might make a couple of threes, but defensively, oppposing players see him as a liabiltiy and target him right away. like i said, at this point Blair is about as much of a liability, but over time it'll improve.

Bonner has had one memorable game against a good team that i can remember and that was at Boston last year. besides that, he's never shown up, and i've givin up on the guy in big-game situations at this point. he's showed to little in too many games for me to give him any more chances. we've got to get away from him imo and find out how to maximize Blair's potential in this offensive system. only way that's going to happen is by letting him continue to play. and unlike Bonner he's shown me too much in the time's he's out there for me to think otherwise. i'm sure that, maximized in this offense, he'll be more of threat than Bonner in every offensive aspect other than the three ball; defensively i can see him becoming above average with his wingspan and girth, but it'll take time out there for that to happen. all of what Blair can potentially produce shouldn't be slowed down from developing so that Bonner can play his 2-3 good games - which have this incrutable ablity to make me doubt he is - and than throw up a dud against a good team.

[TJastal]

i don't like Bonner in there at all. over the course of the game Blair or Ratlfif is going to make the bigger difference. sure, Bonner might make a couple of threes, but defensively, oppposing players see him as a liabiltiy and target him right away. like i said, at this point Blair is about as much of a liability, but over time it'll improve.

Bonner has had one memorable game against a good team that i can remember and that was at Boston last year. besides that, he's never shown up, and i've givin up on the guy in big-game situations at this point. he's showed to little in too many games for me to give him any more chances. we've got to get away from him imo and find out how to maximize Blair's potential in this offensive system. only way that's going to happen is by letting him continue to play. and unlike Bonner he's shown me too much in the time's he's out there for me to think otherwise. i'm sure that, maximized in this offense, he'll be more of threat than Bonner in every offensive aspect other than the three ball; defensively i can see him becoming above average with his wingspan and girth, but it'll take time out there for that to happen. all of what Blair can potentially produce shouldn't be slowed down from developing so that Bonner can play his 2-3 good games - which have this incrutable ablity to make me doubt he is - and than throw up a dud against a good team.

The best way to maximize Blair's potential is to pair him up with a guy like Bonner who is going to take the opponents biggest player out of the paint and give him room to operate.

As far as Bonner goes, I don't think you've watched the past two games, dude has been scrapping and hustling for rebounds and loose balls and about the only guy that hasn't been committing careless turnovers.

[SpurNation]

Have confidence in themselves AND trust in their teamates.

Right now...too many are flying solo either by choice or attrition.

[rascal]

The team needs a true quality 7' center to team up with Duncan. Bonner needs to go to the bench for that center. The team needs to run the break more often when opportunities present themselves. The spurs have better athletes in transition and finishers(with Hill and Jefferson) than shooters now. Blair needs to get big minutes.

The Spurs need to play to their team strenghts not try to fit the players into a mold that worked with previous teams.

[xellos88330]

Stop turning the ball over.

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000

Turnovers have been the killer. If they reduced the number of turnovers by at least 5 for each of the last two games, it would be 2 W's instead of L's.

[HarlemHeat37]

*sigh*..

losing to Utah 3 times in a row in the same season is alarming..we've absolutely owned Utah during this decade..kind of a fitting way to say goodbye to the Duncan era..

20 mil $ in expirings..make a move, you're already all-in anyways..

[Chomag]

*sigh*..

losing to Utah 3 times in a row in the same season is alarming..we've absolutely owned Utah during this decade..kind of a fitting way to say goodbye to the Duncan era..

20 mil $ in expirings..make a move, you're already all-in anyways..

when was the last time Utah has swept the Spurs in the season. Anyone know?

[Höfner]

Trade some people.

[HarlemHeat37]

when was the last time Utah has swept the Spurs in the season. Anyone know?

1997 I think...

[hoopdreams11]

Spurs need to protect the rim better to many dunks this year and get better spacing on offense