Pop's switch ups on D

[HarlemHeat37]

Pop is clearly coaching differently, and I give him credit for it..I haven't looked it up, but it seems like we're seeing a lot less small ball, probably because Bonner returned, but still, it's nice to see..

As for TD21's point, I agree with it..Hairston can't play the same role as Mason, he's too raw offensively..when Parker returns and you have more offensive weapons on the floor, you can get away with Hairston playing more than Mason for defensive/rebounding/energy purposes..

I like the way Pop has been using Malik TBH..he's played him in clutch time in a handful of games in the past month, little things like that get him experience..Hairston isn't ready yet, he doesn't have any chemistry with the team or experience, so Pop plays him in small amounts and leaves him on when he has good stretches..I still think he should have played him earlier in the season to gain experience and rhythm, but I like how he plays him now..

I just prefer seeing young defenders on the team, that's the style of basketball I prefer, and Hairston has a lot of defensive potential..

I hate Mason's game and he's a huge liability defensively, but he does have to be on the floor for the reasons TD21 said..

[jjktkk]

Funny how not starting Bogans and not playing four guard lineups with Richard Jefferson at center does that. Also funny how the defense seems to suddenly get better when you do those things.

No, basically I had faith that Pop would figure out this team's rotations, etc... So many new faces to inegrate this year, Pop himself said it would take longer for the team to jell than previous Spurs teams. Just proved my point that he knows what hes doing. Sometimes you and your fellow wannabe coaches just get alittle carried away with yourselves. Plus I figured one of the best NBA coaches with 4 NBA les on his resume, knows alittle more about basketball than some original ST member with a tiny black spur award on his profile.

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

No, basically I had faith that Pop would figure out this team's rotations, etc... So many new faces to inegrate this year, Pop himself said it would take longer for the team to jell than previous Spurs teams. Just proved my point that he knows what hes doing. Sometimes you and your fellow wannabe coaches just get alittle carried away with yourselves. Plus I figured one of the best NBA coaches with 4 NBA les on his resume, knows alittle more about basketball than some original ST member with a tiny black spur award on his profile.

So you're saying it took this genius almost 96% of the season to figure out that maybe playing 4 guards and Tim wasn't the best idea?

[jjktkk]

Genius? Your putting words in my mouth taco boy. Great coach, I'll say that.

[TJastal]

That happens when Pop stopped small ball and said just give the ball to Manu.

Amazing huh? Pop stopped his re ed small ball and those threads just dissappeared!

[in2deep]

Bogans played both Odom and Kobe pretty damn well.

[TJastal]

Bogans played both Odom and Kobe pretty damn well.

He did. Bogans' post defense is outstanding for his size. He's like a mini version of Chuck Hayes.

He has trouble guarding perimeter jumpshooters but man, let him muscle people up in the post and he is an animal.

[NFGIII]

Bogans played both Odom and Kobe pretty damn well.

He did and when he is solid defensively this team really plays well. I'm not expecting him to score much just take some shots here and there in order to keep the other team's D from collapsing on TD. But he isn't consistent enough to do that and that really hurts the Spurs. If he could be a little more consistent but so far that hasn't happened and most likely wont.

Damn shame, too.

[Obstructed_View]

No, basically I had faith that Pop would figure out this team's rotations, etc... So many new faces to inegrate this year, Pop himself said it would take longer for the team to jell than previous Spurs teams. Just proved my point that he knows what hes doing. Sometimes you and your fellow wannabe coaches just get alittle carried away with yourselves. Plus I figured one of the best NBA coaches with 4 NBA les on his resume, knows alittle more about basketball than some original ST member with a tiny black spur award on his profile.

The only problem is, he's finally doing a lot of the things that we've been suggesting all season, and they're working. It seems that he's only done some of these things because the Spurs were in real danger of missing the playoffs doing it his way. Bad coaching decisions have easily cost the Spurs three or four games minimum, which would have made a gigantic difference in the standings.

[dbestpro]

Bad coaching decisions have easily cost the Spurs three or four games minimum, which would have made a gigantic difference in the standings.

I would say 7-10 games.

[Obstructed_View]

Bogans played both Odom and Kobe pretty damn well.

Yep, he had a very good game, and I hope he keeps it up.

Since you pointed out Bogans' play in this thread, it seems important to note that this very good performance in no way justifies the starts and minutes he got for the majority of this season.

[Obstructed_View]

I would say 7-10 games.

But at the very minimum have likely cost the team a shot at the division le. A number 2 seed would be really nice about now with Manu playing well and Parker coming back healthy.

[dbestpro]

But at the very minimum have likely cost the team a shot at the division le. A number 2 seed would be really nice about now with Manu playing well and Parker coming back healthy.

Division le is not done yet. I think it is interesting that if we can make up just one more game on Dallas in the loss column between now and the season finale that the last game will be for the division le.

[Obstructed_View]

Division le is not done yet. I think it is interesting that if we can make up just one more game on Dallas in the loss column between now and the season finale that the last game will be for the division le.

Probably true, though unlikely in my opinion. How cool could that turn out to be, though?

EDIT: Looks like Dallas has the season series wrapped up. Doesn't that mean they own the tiebreaker?

[jjktkk]

It seems that he's only done some of these things because the Spurs were in real danger of missing the playoffs doing it his way.

OMG, you crack me up. So if Pop isn't doing things his way, who is he deferring to, as far as coaching decisions? Is it you Obstructed_View? Damn you finally got a coaching gig. Congratulations!

[Manufan909]

The only problem is, he's finally doing a lot of the things that we've been suggesting all season, and they're working. It seems that he's only done some of these things because the Spurs were in real danger of missing the playoffs doing it his way. Bad coaching decisions have easily cost the Spurs three or four games minimum, which would have made a gigantic difference in the standings.

If ST as a whole were to control the coaching decisions of the Spurs somehow, they'd probably have the Spurs in 9th or 10th. But at least Fin, and Mason would be gone (but a Tony/Hill-less team led by ST would be raped if it got to the finals with no guards that knew the system outside of Manu and Mason). Plus, it looks like now trading Bonner would've been bad. Let's not pat ourself on the back OV, Pop is doing all this on the front line.

Having said that, I wish he'd have never played small ball this season, unless a couple of the bigs (prob Ian and Blair) fouled out. He had a lot of new guards and wings at the beginning of the season, but there were 4 new bigs (Ian/Blair/Theo/McDyess), and the only one that would have made a dif against a healthy Lakers team was traded for nothing, one prays for blowouts, one gets inconsistent minutes, and one is taking way too ing long to thaw out.

[The Truth #6]

Bogans shot better, which was great. I'm not sure his defense was better, instead I think he had a matchup that better suited his strength, which is trying to defend in the post. Obviously, Kobe is much, much better than him. But as I said earlier, I think Bogans is better suited to defending in the post, even if it is against Kobe. The great thing is that Bogans makes Kobe work really hard in the post. Kobe has been going to the post to save some wear and tear on his body but Bogans did a good job making him work for all his points. If Kobe decides to take Bogans out on the perimeter Bogans would probably revert to form, but hopefully not.

[Mel_13]

Probably true, though unlikely in my opinion. How cool could that turn out to be, though?

EDIT: Looks like Dallas has the season series wrapped up. Doesn't that mean they own the tiebreaker?

Dallas leads the season series 2-1. If the Spurs win the last game to tie the season series, then they go to division record as the next tiebreaker. The Spurs would win that tiebreaker.

[Flux451]

i think his adjustment to have the lakers miss 3's was probably what won him the game.

I think DJ's moving screen is what lost the game for the Lakers.