Game Thoughts: L vs. Celtics, L vs. Nuggets, L @ Jazz

[Whisky Dog]

Who wants a busted Manu and an RJ who can't score?

I was fooled. I was wrong. RJ is a Spurs bust, Manu is finished, McDyess is below average, and Parker deserted us for that pansy ass national team that won't win .

I was duped. Duped into believing this was a team who would compete, who would contend. Duped into forking out for league pass on a lame duck team.

[GrandeDavid]

TimVP, the only reason I visit this site is to read your postgame critiques. Keep them up, please!

[SpurNation]

Frustration level orange. I don't know about the rest but I was expecting more than what's happened thus far. Especially regarding Jefferson. And it's not so much Jefferson has been struggling more so than the salary he is eating up from this franchise compared to what he been producing. If he were only making 8 to 10 mil. I would be more tolerant.

But Jefferson isn't the only problem at this time. It's the team as a whole. The off season saw promise of a new day. A hope that Tim and Tony wouldn't have to be relied upon so heavily for chances of this team to win. And we as fans were excited of that promise in what Jefferson could bring and a healthy Manu and what appeared to be an upgrade in our post.

Unfortunately...Tony's either injured or not happy or both...Manu has proven he is only as good now as the next injury and mind set allows him to be...Jefferson does not fit the system and would probably only be close to being worth his salary if the system changed. (Ain't goin' to happen)...Mason and McDyess are as consistent as the weather in south Texas...Finley is another year older than retirement age...Hill and Bogans are transcending into the lost and found (and then lost again)...and the rest of the team don't see enough minutes to make a clock tick.

On top of that...we have Bonner...who by all accounts was one of the least consistently productive players from last year being one of the players this team needs to count on the most so far.

It's been ugly the past 3 games because the team just isn't where it needs to be to beat elite teams in the league.

The bright side at this moment...the team has nowhere else to go but up. Beating teams they are suppose to beat isn't going to get me excited more so than just stop the pain for a while.

I'm not sure if trades are neccessary...but I did like Ruff's suggestions if one is ever to be made.

Otherwise...I'll sit back...chear them on...and hope some of these issues will resolve themselves in the near future against some of the elite teams when they play them again.

PS...I never mentioned Duncan. Really no need. He's proven himself more than "sevicable" and the only reason this team did not get blown away in the last 3 games. For those that want to use rust and/or lack of conditioning as an excuse ...he blows that theory out of the water.

[benefactor]

Who wants a busted Manu and an RJ who can't score?

I was fooled. I was wrong. RJ is a Spurs bust, Manu is finished, McDyess is below average, and Parker deserted us for that pansy ass national team that won't win .

I was duped. Duped into believing this was a team who would compete, who would contend. Duped into forking out for league pass on a lame duck team.

Then GTFO fair weather fan. I'll pay for league pass every year, no matter what the expectations are.

[timvp]

-Pop was really trying hard to get Jefferson going last night, especially in the 3rd quarter (IIRC). He called several plays for him, mostly for him to post-up against a smaller defender. It was largely unsuccessful, but at least it shows Pop is cognizant about the need to actively get RJ involved.

Good point. In the last few games, the first set play in each half is for RJ. That's another reason why I don't understand why a lot of Spurs fans are looking around for others to blame when the truth is that it's on RJ. He has to figure out how he can fit.

Of all the players currently struggling (and there are a lot of them), Dice is one that I'm worried about the least. When push comes to shove, he's not going to forget how to rebound or knock down a 15-foot jumper. He may still be feeling his way around about the best way to get those things in this system, but in the end it's a lot easier to integrate a big man than it is to effectively integrate a guard or swingman.

Agreed. As long as his body holds up and he keeps up the intensity, he'll be a good fit once everyone else figures out what they're doing on the offensive end.

[timvp]

while i'm concerned about the entire team, the only person i'm really worried about now is ginobili. he seems to have lost his explosiveness. other than his 3 pointers, ever other part of his game has suffered. it's sad but i can name many examples where players lose their effectiveness after major injuries.

i wonder, if ginobili does not improve, it's near the deadline, and the spurs are 7-8th seed will popovich really trade him?

After Manu's latest injury, Pop seemed pretty mad about the situation. Until those comments, I never thought Pop would OK a Manu trade. Now I think he might -- but only if the Spurs feel his body just won't allow him to be an asset in the playoffs.

[timvp]

How is Jefferson going to get boards if he is focusing on getting out on transition and getting back on D? He is still averaging 4+ a game.

First of all, his best rebounding years of his career were when he was running with Kidd and the Nets. He was able to mul ask those seasons.

Secondly, he's not even running out on the break that often. It's not like he's been running the floor hard and the Spurs are just missing him. He's not running much or rebounding at the moment.

And third, his season average is deceptive (and still it isn't that good). In the last seven games, he's averaging less than three boards a game. For a 6-foot-8 player with good athleticism who is getting a lot of playing time ... that is unacceptable, to put it nicely.

[polandprzem]

Few things

1. There is huge miscomunication right now on this team esp. on the ofensive end. many players seems to be lost and do not know what to do. It's kinda strange considering all the preperation that NBA has before season and esp. when spurs had some days off between games to work on that.

2. We do not have a force inside on ofense. Tim right now plays midrange game faceing the basket. And even when he plays backing down he still is toofar from the basket, all the other team defenders got easier and ball movement is not a) as easy b) as effective as it should have.

3. Tim is not getting as much attention as he used to. Double teams are not happening too much. And it was always (my opinion) tyhe most efective way to beat the spurs. single coverage Tim and not let the ofense flow. It was times when Tim on a single coverage destryoed other teams but it's not an issue right now.

4. Utah game shown the ofensive weakness too me that is a tactic mistake. All the players are on their spot with beautifull spread (get me right here ) And well it is not giving us any adventage simply because we have no space to operate. we need to suck the D. either it's on the low block or the midrange (side or top key) p&rolls or p&pops. Just do something to create that free space.

[Fabbs]

Good point. In the last few games, the first set play in each half is for RJ. That's another reason why I don't understand why a lot of Spurs fans are looking around for others to blame when the truth is that it's on RJ. He has to figure out how he can fit.

Who recruited him, dumped Bowen for him, gave him 70 million over X years?
Training camp they hadn't gone over all this crap?

Yeah yeah yeah roster acquisition, its a team effort. B.S., Pop has almost all say in personell matters and it was he who talked Holt and RC Dufas into it.

[ducks]

I trade manu and mason for jr smith

[Whisky Dog]

Then GTFO fair weather fan. I'll pay for league pass every year, no matter what the expectations are.

Every businessman's/scam artists dream. The consumer who blindly throws his money down the drain with no expectations on a return benefit. Thanks for fueling the system.

[DJB]

Trade RJ for Marcus Camby and all of our problems will be fixed. We need a true center.

[benefactor]

Who recruited him, dumped Bowen for him, gave him 70 million over X years?
Training camp they hadn't gone over all this crap?

Yeah yeah yeah roster acquisition, its a team effort. B.S., Pop has almost all say in personell matters and it was he who talked Holt and RC Dufas into it.

I trade manu and mason for jr smith

[benefactor]

Every businessman's/scam artists dream. The consumer who blindly throws his money down the drain with no expectations on a return benefit. Thanks for fueling the system.

So that is all this is to you? A business that you buy into where you just bail if you don't see a return? People like you have no business rooting for sports teams. Again...just piss off. No one wants fans like you around.

[DesignatedT]

The minutes are still way to spread out IMO. different players getting different minutes different times of the games. pop needs to shorten the rotations. nobody can get into a groove at this pace...

seriously name another starter (bogans)... who averges 13 minutes a game... ing ridiculous.

[Fabbs]

Every businessman's/scam artists dream. The consumer who blindly throws his money down the drain with no expectations on a return benefit. Thanks for fueling the system.

+1

Proud of the fact he's a "lower the expectation level" sheep.

[Robinson#1]

Great timvp, great article. I like the break down of every player

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

My hope is that Blair will continue to show improvement on the defensive end and that as the season wears on that his minutes will increase. He and Duncan in the paint will be a pretty imposing tandem. If Blair could play defense, having him play starters minutes wouldn't be a bad thing with McDyess as the backup. A second unit of McDyess/Bonner would be as good as any 2nd unit in the league. I don't care if Blair starts, but I foresee him playing a much bigger role if the team is going to win in May.

Manu needs to get healthy. He needs to work on his explosiveness. That's what appears to be lacking at this point...leg strength. The mental part of his game will be there if he can get his physical tools in order.

RJ...what can I say? I'm convinced he's a much better player than what he's shown so far. He may be the key to the whole season. If he could play with confidence and aggression, he could fill in a lot of the void that they currently are dealing with. He's supposed to be the 4th part of the big 4. Right now this team is the Big 1, Timmy, about .75 Tony, about .50 of Manu, and about .10 of RJ. RJ needs to step up on the offense and the defense. He needs to make guys like Bogans obsolete. If I'm Pop I may consider having him be part of the 2nd unit just to give him more touches and perhaps let him build his confidence back up. Start Manu and give him enough minutes so he can do the same thing.

At the moment this team would get brushed aside by the likes of LA if we can't get those 4 guys going. Let's hope people step up before Timmy wears out again this year. Wearing Tim out in December losses is not what I was picturing back in the summer.

Excellent summary Timvp!

[Whisky Dog]

So that is all this is to you? A business that you buy into where you just bail if you don't see a return? People like you have no business rooting for sports teams. Again...just piss off. No one wants fans like you around.

aww how cute this guy gets all emotional, you'd think it's Pop's son or something. Sorry, I'm a fan and have been a fan for over 20 years and will always root for the Spurs no matter what, but I don't blindly throw cash at failing attempts at entertainment. Watching them get beaten down night after night just isn't entertaining.

[benefactor]

aww how cute this guy gets all emotional, you'd think it's Pop's son or something. Sorry, I'm a fan and have been a fan for over 20 years and will always root for the Spurs no matter what, but I don't blindly throw cash at failing attempts at entertainment. Watching them get beaten down night after night just isn't entertaining.

If you are not emotional about your team then why do you root for them? Is is just a demographic responsibility? If it's all about entertainment for you then go be a Suns fan.

I tend to think...and I hope that other fans would also...that being a fan of a team actually required some sort of commitment. You say you've been a fan for 20 years but at the same time say that you'd rather change the channel on them if they are not giving you exactly what you want. The FO goes deep in to tax territory to try to get at least one more trophy and as soon as things start looking like they might not work out you say you have been duped? That's the biggest crock of bull I have ever heard.

If you don't really care about this team then just say so...but don't go around telling people that you are a fan. I...and I'm sure many others...do not want to be associated with people who think like you do.

[SuperManu!!!]

Start Manu.....if he gets the confidence back, you'll see it will spread all over the court. You can't deny that

[senorglory]

After Manu's latest injury, Pop seemed pretty mad about the situation. Until those comments, I never thought Pop would OK a Manu trade. Now I think he might -- but only if the Spurs feel his body just won't allow him to be an asset in the playoffs.

Spurs did cold bloodedly 86 Del Negro and Bob Hill. They'll pull the trigger.

[angelbelow]

Just rewatched Blair vs Boston.. very encouraging the way they played and the confidence and energy that he exhibited. I haven't been able to watch the past 3 games but I noticed that he hasn't been playing much. That's okay because hes still a rookie and the match up may have not been there but I hope he continues to improve and keep his confidence high.

[tp2021]

aww how cute this guy gets all emotional

Speaking of emo...

Who wants a busted Manu and an RJ who can't score?

I was fooled. I was wrong. RJ is a Spurs bust, Manu is finished, McDyess is below average, and Parker deserted us for that pansy ass national team that won't win .

I was duped. Duped into believing this was a team who would compete, who would contend. Duped into forking out for league pass on a lame duck team.

Then stop watching the games and don't post again.

When I read your post, I pictured this:

[senorglory]

I don't think Bogans is intended to be a starter, but is in there as a stop gap measure filling in for injuries and unexpected mediocrity, so that eventually, he'll slide back to his natural role player position, coming off the bench, and be a good addition to the roster. He had a stretch of over-achievement, playing above his normal abilities, and the Spurs tried to ride it for too long, making him look poor as he regressed to normal. He'll look good again when he goes back to his natural role. Probably.

And maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about:

"Save for one night in Dallas, when Popovich opted to start Ginobili instead, Bogans has been a fixture in the first five ever since. In games in which Bogans has started and logged at least 20 minutes, opposing guards are shooting 39.8 percent." Spurs' Bogans Relishing His Role, mysa.com 12/23/09