Game Blog: Spurs @ Rockets - Feb. 26

[Shastafarian]

And you continue this myth based on what, exactly?

Clyde Drexler said it therefore it is true.

[Budkin]

Good comeback... nice to see the "scrubs" play and play well. But you all know what Pop will say: "They played better than we did."

[Libri]

Good comeback... nice to see the "scrubs" play and play well. But you all know what Pop will say: "They played better than we did."

I want to see Pop's post game comments.

[Obstructed_View]

Clyde Drexler said it therefore it is true.

Clyde Drexler also says that every whistle against the Rockets is a horrible call by the refs.

[Obstructed_View]

i want to see pop's post game comments.

+11111

[boutons_deux]

"Why Pop is not playing Ian consistently why"

Pop told Ian months ago that he was finished as a Spur, not picking up his option.

[Ice009]

And you continue this myth based on what, exactly? I mean there are legitimate reasons not to just throw him into the starting lineup (a guy named Manu being chief among them), but where do people get the idea that he can't shoot?

I said he's not a great shooter. Where did I say he can't shoot??????

I just think starting him would take away from his slashing because the lane would be clogged. Am I wrong? I think that is the reason Pop doesn't play him, but I have no idea why Pop would not play him off the bench.

[Obstructed_View]

I said he's not a great shooter. Where did I say he can't shoot??????

I just think starting him would take away from his slashing because the lane would be clogged. Am I wrong? I think that is the reason Pop doesn't play him, but I have no idea why Pop would not play him off the bench.

Okay, let's put it this way. The only Spurs who have shot a better percentage from three point range the last two seasons are Bonner and Bowen, both last year. Hairston's three point percentage for his career in D League is higher than anyone on the team this season. Shooting is immaterial to what he brings, and people who repeat that fiction as though it means something puzzle me.

And yes, I think you're wrong, and here's why: Penetrating and breaking down a defense is what opens up shooters, and since he's the only one that does it, he's not likely to be shooting the threes anyway. I don't think there's any rational reason that Pop hasn't played him, and I think tonight's performance is further evidence of that.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Clyde Drexler also says that every whistle against the Rockets is a horrible call by the refs.

SIAP but he also said Mason was a great defender

[Ice009]

Okay, let's put it this way. The only Spurs who have shot a better percentage from three point range the last two seasons are Bonner and Bowen, both last year.

And yes, I think you're wrong, and here's why: Penetrating and breaking down a defense is what opens up shooters, and since he's the only one that does it, he's not likely to be shooting the threes anyway. I don't think there's any rational reason that Pop hasn't played him, and I think tonight's performance is further evidence of that.

Malik settles for jump shots when playing with Tim. I watched him one game and mainly took jumpers when he was out there with Tim.

I've seen him hit his shots in preseason and feel he is a good shooter when his confidence it up, but when his confidence is done he is not a great shooter. Pop never let him build on it though and it is another screw up from him to not bring Malik on quicker.

Edit : Either way I don't think Malik should be starting. That puts too much pressure on him and also puts him against some of the best scorers in the NBA. I think he should start by getting rotation minutes from the bench.

[Obstructed_View]

SIAP but he also said Mason was a great defender

No he said Mason is a good defender for the Spurs. Given the starters and the rotations, that is, unfortunately, not a completely inaccurate statement.

[djohn2oo8]

Didn't get to see much of this one but I am impressed. When Rox was up by 25 I thought this was over ...if any Rox fans are here ..how serious is Ariza injury?

Ariza has a hip pointer, not sure how long he will be out

[Obstructed_View]

Malik settles for jump shots when playing with Tim. I watched him one game and mainly took jumpers when he was out there with Tim.

So the absolute worst thing that can happen, if your one game is trend-making, is that he's exactly the same as every other Spur this season on offense, but he can defend and rebound and he hustles. Again, not an overwhelming case not to start him.

Remember, Ice, I'm playing devil's advocate a bit with this discussion, as I think Manu should be starting. Hairston's going to have some weaknesses, but I can't see his upside being more than Bogans or Finley at this point, and probably beyond Mason since it appears Pop has crushed his spirit.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

No he said Mason is a good defender for the Spurs. Given the starters and the rotations, that is, unfortunately, not a completely inaccurate statement.

Nah brah. Even for the spurs current lineup he blows ass. Tonight we had Mason, Hill, Bogans, Ginobili, I'd say Mason is the worst out of all four easily.

[Ice009]

So the absolute worst thing that can happen, if your one game is trend-making, is that he's exactly the same as every other Spur this season on offense, but he can defend and rebound and he hustles. Again, not an overwhelming case not to start him.

Remember, Ice, I'm playing devil's advocate a bit with this discussion, as I think Manu should be starting. Hairston's going to have some weaknesses, but I can't see his upside being more than Bogans or Finley at this point, and probably beyond Mason since it appears Pop has crushed his spirit.

I agree with most of what you said and if it was a choice between Malik and Manu starting I would go with Manu.

Unless you want to try something radical

Tim
Ian
Hairston
Manu
TP

Hill
RJ
Blair
McDyess
Mason Jr.

[Obstructed_View]

Nah brah. Even for the spurs current lineup he blows ass. Tonight we had Mason, Hill, Bogans, Ginobili, I'd say Mason is the worst out of all four easily.

Not having watched the game, I'll have to defer to you. Mason hasn't been bad when I've seen him this year, and he can score in bunches when he's on. I'd much prefer the Spurs had a shot blocker or two on the floor at all times to help cover for a defender that can't keep NBA scorers in front of him. The pre-smallball Spurs' shot blocking has probably helped a lot of guys look like much better defenders than they actually were.

[Obstructed_View]

I agree with most of what you said and if it was a choice between Malik and Manu starting I would go with Manu.

Unless you want to try something radical

Tim
Ian
Hairston
Manu
TP

Hill
RJ
Blair
McDyess
Bogans

I don't think that's all that crazy. I'd situationally start Blair at the three because he's got quick feet and can clean up the garbage. I might put Dice in as the starting center just to spread the floor with his jumpers. I'd definitely put Mason above Bogans on the rotation, though. Bogans has gotten every opportunity and stinks on ice in every way.

[Chomag]

I agree with most of what you said and if it was a choice between Malik and Manu starting I would go with Manu.

Unless you want to try something radical

Tim
Ian
Hairston
Manu
TP

Hill
RJ
Blair
McDyess
Mason Jr.

Thats the roster line up I have wanted since the start of the season

It puts the best players of the team out there

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Not having watched the game, I'll have to defer to you. Mason hasn't been bad when I've seen him this year, and he can score in bunches when he's on. I'd much prefer the Spurs had a shot blocker or two on the floor at all times to help cover for a defender that can't keep NBA scorers in front of him. The pre-smallball Spurs' shot blocking has probably helped a lot of guys look like much better defenders than they actually were.

Part of the reason we were getting our taints handed to us was that it was the Rocket's back court torching us....when Pop went Bogans, he got torched...but then its like who else do we put in for Bogans? Mason? Oh yeah---torched.

[Ice009]

I don't think that's all that crazy. I'd situationally start Blair at the three because he's got quick feet and can clean up the garbage. I might put Dice in as the starting center just to spread the floor with his jumpers. I'd definitely put Mason above Bogans on the rotation, though. Bogans has gotten every opportunity and stinks on ice in every way.

Yep. No Bogans, Finley or Bonner on my team or in my lineups. They have no potential and won't make us a better team. It is a complete waste of time playing them and if I was one of those assistant coaches of Pop's that is what I would tell him. Do you agree? I seriously don't know why Pop thinks they will help us. They won't help us now or later so why play them?

Thats the roster line up I have wanted since the start of the season

It puts the best players of the team out there

Would you go with my lineups or do you just like the actual players I picked. In other words would you alter the starting line up? if so what would you go with?

[Lars]

Franchise record tonight for the Rox. We have never had 3 30 point scorers in one game before.

[Chomag]

Would you go with my lineups or do you just like the actual players I picked. In other words would you alter the starting line up? if so what would you go with?

Nah, I like that starting line up. Only thing that might be in question for me is Manu for Hill of course, but I don't think him coming from the bench is needed anymore like it was needed before. With Hill,RJ, and especially Blair to bring the needed energy from the bench it just might be best have Manu there to provide the needed energy to the starters. Especially now because of TP having health problems..

[angelbelow]

Damn Scola is usually dominant against us.

[VBM]

Well...that's $20 I'll never get back. It was fun laughing with Rockets fans about how much RJ sucks, and discussing the D-League follies of Malik Hairston. Other than that...waste of a Friday night...

[Obstructed_View]

Part of the reason we were getting our taints handed to us was that it was the Rocket's back court torching us....when Pop went Bogans, he got torched...but then its like who else do we put in for Bogans? Mason? Oh yeah---torched.

Yeah, but I don't think Martin went off much after Hairston started covering him. I'd really love to see Mason and Bonner be turned back into role players who get a few minutes a game situationally and earn minutes in said game based strictly on production.