I'm happy, but dumbfounded that Pop plays a shortened rotation with mostly perimeter players on the second night of a back-to-back situation. The team was completely lucky to escape OKC with a win.
And, people seem to forget that the team could've gone to a zone with Ian or Ratliff out there. Nobody would've expected them to guard Durant, but the could helped defending the heavy amount of interior scoring for the Thunder in the second half.
I'll pre-empt TPark's goalpost moving on this one. "You're comparing Tim Duncan to Ian Pops Mensah Scola Schnitzius? rofl"So if i follow your thought, Duncan would have been useless in that game.
Yeah right !
Maybe it's a strawman? I always mix those up.
OKC had 54 points in the paint..
It's not about shutting down the opposing big men, it's about stopping the penetration in the paint..so comparing the numbers of the Thunder's frontcourt is pretty irrelevant in this argument..
I think he left cuz he realized he owned himself.
It's funny. Since Pop decided to sit Tim tonight against really good OKC team who have had our number since Durant was drafted after playing 40 minutes yesterday, a lot of Spurs fans (including myself) had the assumption that Pop would play Mahinmi.
The way the Spurs started out though, they obviously were going for the win since they jumped on a 20 point lead, and 12 point lead at half. The Thunder came back (like they have usually done in the past games against the Spurs), and all of a sudden it was a close game, neck to neck. After playing 8 players tonight, the Spurs were able to come w/ the win.
My point is, in Pop's defense, why would you play Ian if the game is tight and on the line?? Ian really has no NBA court experience, especially in the clutch, so obviously w/ the lineup, you're only as strong as your weakest link. The Spurs could have played him in the 1st half, but they already built a sizeable lead w/o him, in which that lead was necessary especially for the 2nd half. Pop could have play Ratliff some, but his offense is very raw, so it's somewhat understandable.
Spurs have given up on Mahinmi 3 months ago. The game against Nets was just a successful showcase.
What is more telling is that both Haislip and Hairston haven't played. Hairston could have bring some energy and Haislip was signed to play against mobile PF like Green. If it was needed, this game also shows that Pop has also quite given up on them (at least for this year).
Should have Pop gave some minutes to Haislip or Hairston? Maybe. It would have helped energy-wise but it was risky because they could have screwed it up.
What are you talking about ? You try Ian or even Theo in the 3rd qtr when the thunder were scoring at will in the paint.
Just a weak, weak comeback thread by AHF.
I would have liked to see some Ian Mahinmi tonight, but fact is the Thunder are a perimeter team. And they hardly played Collison (who is not really a post threat anyways........)
The Thunder are an incredibly athletic, fast, perimeter oriented team. And for those who have not paid attention the past two seasons, they matchups VERY well with this Spurs team. They have the horses to play excellent perimeter defense on us, and make us struggle to get things done the way we like to do it.
That's what made this game so fun to watch. We have no Duncan, and we play Spurs basketball against this tough matchup.....look what happens...our freakin inside Rookie goes for a beast game against them.
I thought Pop called a fair game.
That's the point he had other options and he didn't use one, not one. I''m glad they won, but him constantly going small ball and even smaller ball tonight is freaking fustrating.
I hope I am wrong, but Mahinmi not playing in either game, particularly against OKC, further supports the "showcase" game theory against the NJ. The front office is probably thinking, "He had 15/9, no reason to take a chance and mess up his last impression".
You have a point, Bruno. But, after seeing what Mahinmi could bring to this team in the present, and future, plus the fact that they used a 1st round pick on him, wouldn't it be smart to play him more to re-asses him as a player. I just feel like the team should give him some actual court-time, unless they feel like he's another Jackie Butler, and Ian will be out of the league shortly.
We're talking about New Jersey, man....
All I'm saying is why throw Ian right in the fire in the most critical part of the game when he hasn't play any really NBA games outside the game against the Nets?
Plus, I already stated they could have played Theo some.
We're talking about Brook Lopez, a top 10 center, man...............
Look Ian isn't the next Robinson or Mourning. Yet, he could bring the skills of a Chris Andersen or Samuel Dalembert to a team that desperately needs size and athleticism in the front-court. I just think the organization has invested too much time on Ian to give up on him so quickly. Especially, if Splitter would decide not to join the team this summer.
One thing that puzzles me is where does Parker stand in all of this??? Is Tony secretly lobbying for playing time for Ian, or has he remained quiet while the organization has his countrymen by the balls?
No... but how about calling a play for Hill down the stretch? With about a minute and a half left, and OKC up by two, we've got Manu tossing up a 3-point attempt. Manu was 0-9, and Hill was 7-9. Plus, Hill had fresh legs.
I guess that's why I'm not coaching the team. I would have tried to get the ball to the guy who had actually put the ball in the hole during this game.
If you guys don't think Ian should have played, then why didn't Ratliff play?..
It's also strange that they just guaranteed Hairston's contract and he wasn't even dressed tonight..he could have helped when Manu picked up his 3rd foul and Bogans was just subbed off..Bogans had to come back in, and it clearly had a toll by the 4th..I understand if he's scared that Haislip has never done anything, but Hairston gave us good NBA minutes last year and he very good in preseason..the fact that they kept him on and guaranteed his contract clearly means they like his game..
Yes, and he performed well above his averages that night.
Speaking as someone who has probably watched him play more than anyone on this board, that ship seems to have sailed.Look Ian isn't the next Robinson or Mourning. Yet, he could bring the skills of a Chris Andersen or Samuel Dalembert to a team that desperately needs size and athleticism in the front-court. I just think the organization has invest too much time on Ian to give up on him so quickly. Especially, if Splitter would decide not to join the team this summer.
I think pop coached stupid today, plane and simple. I seriously don't think he knows how to handle this kind of talent on the team. He's using all the pieces differently.
Okay, but what if the worst-case scenario happens and we end up with no re-signed Manu and Splitter still in Europe?? What is their back-up plan (you obviously don't know)?? I just think their being too damn short-sighted with a young guy that has some pro ability.
Damn, if only the kid hadn't been injured last season. We'd probably have a much better evaluation of the kid.
Neither do you. I stopped worrying awhile back. I feel much better.
I believe at this point, declineing the option could have just been a money decision.I just think their being too damn short-sighted with a young guy that has pro ability.
Yes, but I would have played Ratliff first.Damn, if only the kid hadn't been injured last season. We'd probably have much better evaluation of the kid.
Last time I checked the score, the Spurs won the game. Am I mistaken, I could have sworn they won???
They did win.Last time I checked the score, the Spurs won the game. Am I mistaken, I could have sworn they won???
You should be happy.
But actually not.
Nah, I mean when all we had to depend was old Kurt Thomas, a green Bonner and Oberto with a weak heart. , he probably would've been starting by the playoffs beside Tim unless he totally flamed out.
Well, sure -- but what ifs get boring after awhile.
So Ian would have had a low bar to match statistically in your eyes, and heaven forbid he might have blocked or altered some shots like he did the other night when he got some run.
man, you would kiss Pop's ass even if he were tea bagging your mom.
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