6:18 3rd quarter. Spurs already down 17, Duncan and Manu, done for the night. That's garbage time.
Spurs played like early, got an infusion of speed from Tony who worked Dallas for some quick points and then when it seemed like the Spurs would push to make it a game...they didn't play with the appropriate fear response needed to sustain the push.
If they're not going to do that, than why should Pop play the guys who aren't?
2nd team played both good & bad, but really...the Spurs aren't a team that's built to win using their 2nd team as a primary weapon. The Spurs need balance and in game 5, they were off-balance.
apparently, parker and hill are garbage because they finished the quarter out. nice try - go back to spurs report son
Seriously, we're like $20 million over the cap. You think Holt didn't want another home game?
No...on that it's a 2-fold response. 1-It's extended fitness practice for TP & Hill. 2-Pop's going to use Temple but he's only letting him run in just 1 quarter of play.
Okay, The Spurs aren't the Clippers, but having said that, it's not uncommon for a pro coach to give starters some run in a blowout just to give them court time.
The bigger question should be asked of Dallas. When Pop put in the rest of the bench, why leave Nowitzki & Butler out there even though?
Answer: It's so Dallas of Dallas. A punk move that will probably bite them in the ass. They will see the Spurs' best on Thursday. There will be to pay!
Bogans was the only player stoping jj barea, now if only bogans didint suck ass on offense
wow - y'all keep acting like this was all strategy and we've got it in the bag. Sorry - I'm a Spurs fan just like the rest of ya, but I know that our big 3 isn't playing like they have in the past. Manu has been carrying this team for quite a while and like I thought, he's getting worn down. Timmy's show some real signs of wear this year and Tony's not up to speed yet - he's playing better each game, but he's no where near the level he needs to be to run this team like he did in the past. Y'all keep acting like it's 2005, but in reality, it's 2010 and we have just a few significant role players (hill, mcdyess, blair and jefferson.) Solution - don't roll out boner, mason or bogans any more - rely on your core players only. If you're going to be that desperate, please use temple, mahinmi or hairston or just give it up period.
Pop has brass balls and coaching credibility. Other than Phil Jackson or Pat Riley, how many coaches could get away with pulling the plug on a playoff game that early? It was an interesting decision, yet the right thing to do.
Holt seems to be a smart man - moving on to the next round sure has a better advantage to one more game
Spurs looked to lose this game. There was no effort on the boards, the defense was terrible and the turnovers killed us.
You can't hand games away like this. The Spurs essentially took a pitch right down the middle with the bases loaded and a 3-1 lead.
i dont really understand the name calling on pop - i'm looking forward to read your comments in 2 days time.
Strategy? I never said this was strategy.... I have no doubt that they played the game to win it but at the same time can see where the game is headed. Our guys just weren't up to speed and that was to be expected in this game...What Pop did was still gave us a positive out of tonight game... Duncan and Manu both getting less than 22 minutes which is good news considering the way they've looked(just like you said)...
and you continue to contradict yourself... Complaining about Manu and Tim slowing down because of fatigue and then preach how we can't play bonner,mason or bogans anymore and need to give all the minutes to Manu,Dice, and Tim ( the same guys you say are running out of gas)
don't need to wait - Pop's done a poor job of coaching this whole year. He's tinkered with rotations too much and even when faced with the reality that his "veteran" role players (bogans, mason, finley and boner) have nothing to offer in terms of being useful towards being compe ive, he stubbornly continues to try and force their aged skill upon younger more talented compe ion. The result is typically a more challenging role for his already aged "big 3" in terms of giving all of their last efforts towards keeping this team compe ive. Fortunately, the Spurs front office guessed well with George Hill and Dejuan Blair. Pop didn't want to use Hill last year in the playoffs against Dallas even when getting outmatched, but fortunately Hill was thrusted into the playoffs due to desperation and he actually didn't do too bad. It's also surprising to see as much of Blair in this year's playoffs too - didn't expect him to be "playoff ready" either. For all you Pop homers - imagine if Finley had not asked to be traded.
not complaining about their time - pointing out that it (time) is so valuable that you can't waste opportunities like this
Would definitely take finley over mason at this point. over bogans as well.
thank you for proving my point (see below)
Apr 27 vs. MIA1 W 96 - 86 5 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Apr 25 @ MIA1 L 92 - 101 14 2 - 5 1 - 3 2 - 2 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 1 7
Apr 23 @ MIA1 W 100 - 98 4 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Honestly, as a Spurs fan, I believe that we will actually win game 6 - only because of one person - MANU. If you really think otherwise, I only pity you because you believe in some other myth about the Spurs that I can't blame you for believing in - love timmy and tony, but this is Manu's team
Yet, they are still in the playoffs, and even with tonight's loss, they aren't perceived as the underdog in this series.
I don't get why you think that the copious injuries and brand new players don't warrant rotation tests. Maybe early on, especially during the rash of injuries, but in the last month, we've seen less of those players you named above. Agree or disagree?He's tinkered with rotations too much and even when faced with the reality that his "veteran" role players (bogans, mason, finley and boner) have nothing to offer in terms of being useful towards being compe ive, he stubbornly continues to try and force their aged skill upon younger more talented compe ion.
It's not typically. They were blowing out teams like Cleveland & Orlando & LAL. They are called the Big 3 for a reason and even though they're older, they still have serious skills. They aren't en led to a pass because as the elder statesmen on this team, they know that if they perform well, they will have a better chance at winning, plus if they lift the other players on their team, that's win-win.The result is typically a more challenging role for his already aged "big 3" in terms of giving all of their last efforts towards keeping this team compe ive.
It's not a guess when you're picking so late in the draft. It's not their fault that there are so many other GM's who fail to see the diamond in a rough. DeJuan was easy lottery based on his performances. All those other teams were afraid of his medical condition, whereas the Spurs were not. I don't see where it infers that they guessed. I'm curious to see you back up why you think that.Fortunately, the Spurs front office guessed well with George Hill and Dejuan Blair.
He actually didn't too good either. Wouldn't you agree that he's playing better this year because of the work he put in?Pop didn't want to use Hill last year in the playoffs against Dallas even when getting outmatched, but fortunately Hill was thrusted into the playoffs due to desperation and he actually didn't do too bad.
He's playoff ready...as a player off the bench, as a 1st or 2nd big depending upon matchups. Since you've already explained that the Big 3 is "aged" then that means you can't run Tim for 48 straight. It's not going to happen. Per Minute stats indicated that prior to tonight's game. Blair's Per Minute Stats had him #7. That indicates that he is ready, even if it's for limited minutes, even though he makes some mistakes. He makes positive contributions as well, if you're saying that he doesn't... then how did he get to #7?It's also surprising to see as much of Blair in this year's playoffs too - didn't expect him to be "playoff ready" either.
HE would be riding the pine or switching with Mason as the forth or fifth guard off the bench. Reality! Pop asked Finley to ride the pine, why do you think he wanted to leave. Sometimes...even if you don't know it, it's time for a player to go. Ask Boston if they're happy with the role that Finley has. 8.8 Minutes a game. Good for 2.5 Points. Yeah...he's still got it. of a guy, not so much as a player.For all you Pop homers - imagine if Finley had not asked to be traded.
did you just give me finley's stats in an attempt to prove that mason and bogans are better than him? LOL
like mason and bogans have been any better? It's a non-factor
and were going to need all the big 3 to play a good game on thurs. Manu is definitely going to have to play better than that god awful performance tonight.
spurs wanted another home game
rebounding was not a problem before tonight
butler was not afactor before tonight
how many millions did holt make with the loss tonight? 5-10?
spurs win thursday series over next round
Oh come on. Popovich is not playing. He can't make them play with energy, attention, and enthusiasm.
I think Pop did the right thing by basically throwing in the towel before the end of the 3rd. After the starters laid down at the start of the 2nd half, it was basically over anyway. At least this way the Mavs didn't get the chance to beat up on our first unit any more, and they got to sit on the bench and feel bad about it.
to op
ok ...dude ..spurs are up three to one... it is extremly difficult to close a team out on there home court...esp a team as talented as dallas (lets be honest they have talent)
human instict sets in for veterens and as much as we might not want to hear it professional players feel like they have a better chance next game at home so they dont play as hard.
and dont question pop..that is stupid..he knew they would have a tough time winning this game and when he saw the first half he knew what he was doing
why would you question a guy who has 4 rings? he has them for a reason...he is a good coach
Game 5 was Not pops Fault..... The players came out and Played like ...... game 5 loss is on the players.... all pop did was try and send a message to the players.... and normally pops messages get through.... so im sure we will see a way better game in game 6
Pop was resting his real players for the series-clinching game 6.
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