Coach Pop's Mailbag

[Obstructed_View]

Whew. They delayed long enough that now they have a reason not to ask or answer any "why don't you play Hairston or Mahinmi" questions, because he's already done it.

Where do you like to go on vacation, Pop?

Why do you think Mark Cuban hates the riverwalk?

Do you prefer Chinese food or Mexican food?

Do you have stay in contact with your former players?

Are you ever going to start wearing a tie again?

And I guess the form will be closed just in time to avoid, "Why did you start Bogans and Finley again?"

[word]

Dear Pop,

Why do the Spurs suck ?

Thanks

[spursdotcom]

The Mailbag has been answered.

http://www.nba.com/spurs/features/pop_mailbag_1003.html

[Obstructed_View]

Good, you got my PM. Thanks.

[Bender]

"small ball" question was asked too nicely

[Obstructed_View]

"small ball" question was asked too nicely

Small ball question was asked by someone stroking Pop's ego. He clearly thinks the league has changed somehow. He's an idiot.

[spursdotcom]

[ElNono]

Thanks for updating us about this...

[HarlemHeat37]

The +/- part is very telling about why he played a certain player so much last year..

Hopefully he realizes Bogans has the worst +/- on the team..

[lurker23]

Thanks, spursdotcom! We really appreciate all your work. I think many of us would like to see longer and more thorough answers from Pop, but I haven't seen an interviewer yet who has been able to do that; he is generally terse and to the point (sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way) toward everyone from local media to international media. Thanks for asking him the questions!

[Thompson]

Thanks spursdotcom. How many questions would you say y'all get on average (500-600)?

[DBMethos]

Despite all the flak that I've given Pop for the coaching job he's done this season (with much of it deserved), it's still pretty cool that he answered one of my questions.

[Fabbs]

Way to avoid answering the question, Popped. All he did was parrot back the question the reader asked and then change the subject to shooting!

V. Garcia
Location: San Antonio
Question: Championship Spurs teams always seemed to get stops when they were most needed. What are the biggest factors that have hurt the team in this regard?

GP: Well, the question just hit that right on the head. The thing we haven't done as well as in the past is make stops on demand. Our shooting has to become more consistent before we get to the playoffs if we're going to be successful.

[ginobilized]

Totally cool that Pop participates in this. Thanks spurs.com.

[spursbird]

Dear Pop, how many times have you had sex with Findog, Bonner and Bogans? Who are the hottest?

[Fabbs]

Originally Posted by Bender View Post

"small ball" question was asked too nicely

Small ball question was asked by someone stroking Pop's ego. He clearly thinks the league has changed somehow. He's an idiot.

no doubt. What a farce! He "has" to put Mike Finley on Dirk.
Bonner on any speedy 3 or athletic 4 ie Odom. STFU Popped.

Thanks for the attempt spurs.com seriously. Am in no way shape or form talking about your efforts.

[Death In June]

Wow, most of those questions were asked through a mouth full of Pop's .

[byrontx]

Thanks, spursdotcom. We appreciate you coming to spurstalk and being inclusive.

[Blackjack]

V. Garcia
Location: San Antonio
Question: Championship Spurs teams always seemed to get stops when they were most needed. What are the biggest factors that have hurt the team in this regard?

GP: Well, the question just hit that right on the head. The thing we haven't done as well as in the past is make stops on demand. Our shooting has to become more consistent before we get to the playoffs if we're going to be successful.

That was the Q and A that stood out to me, but for a different reason; the answer's pretty revealing.

What Pop acknowledges is that the team is either incapable of getting it done defensively or that there's been a significant shift in his approach to the game and philosophy. I believe it's the former but neither bodes well (nor is it surprising).

[spursdotcom]

Thanks spursdotcom. How many questions would you say y'all get on average (500-600)?

Depends how long we leave it open. For this it was only open a little more than a day and had a little less than that, but for the two previous mailbags they were in that neighborhood.

[SenorSpur]

Small ball question was asked by someone stroking Pop's ego. He clearly thinks the league has changed somehow. He's an idiot.

Regarding Pop's explanation of "small ball", again he's full of . He seems to think he needs to play that style situationally to matchup with opposing teams. However, if he had a couple of athletic, mobile perimeter bigs, who could defend, he wouldn't need to employ such a strategy.

Thanks to Spursdotcom for the link to the mailbag answers.

[SouthTexasRancher]

LOL at anyone getting a straight answer from Pop. Pop needs to spend his time getting the players to play up to their potential. Pop also needs to spend his time watching other teams to see how much more athletic the other teams are and the fact that they have true centers and guys who can actually play defense.

[Killakobe81]

I didnt think he said he bought in to +/- he just said it SHOWS trends.

he said he goes by situations and what is needed (my guess matchups?)

Pop is a great coach ...the teamhas performed below expectations but i thhought they were a contender for WCF but not a le team anyways ...

[SequSpur]

the top teams in the nba play big.. how has that changed? pop is aloof...

[jjktkk]

the top teams in the nba play big.. how has that changed? pop is aloof...

Yep thats how it usually works. You think if Pop had another viable big man to piar alongside Duncan, that he wouldn't take advantage of it? Pop's not aloof in that regard.