All the Pop bashing is BS

[rmt]

What's your theory on why no other team picked up Bowen, after the Spurs passed?

My theory is that he simply couldn't see himself playing for another team. I think any of the other contenders (LA, DAL, Den, Phx) would love to have him for veteran's min. but after so many bitter playoff battles against them, he couldn't bring himself to play for them.

In response to another poster, Bowen's currently 38, only 1 year older than Grant Hill. Bowen was in excellent shape - it's not like he took a lot of pounding like Duncan. Wasn't it just a couple years ago that his streak of consecutive games was broken by suspension (Chris Paul). I can't recall Bowen having any sort of injury.

I just don't believe that he couldn't be of some help right now - seeing as the Spurs are hurting for 3pt shooting and perimeter defense. What's the Spurs' alternative - Mason, Bogans, Bonner? With Finley and Ratliff gone, there's no playoff-proven player on the bench. He was clutch, cheap, proven, knows the system, didn't make bone-headed plays like Jefferson, etc. - no reason he shouldn't have been brought back.

NO MORE BONNER - play Dice. These 2 things (Bowen and no Bonner) and the Spurs would be up 2-0 now. IMO, just the sight of Bowen in uniform would have prevented Nash's performance in game 1 and if they had won game 1, the Spurs would be sitting pretty. These were winnable games - they played well. Now all the pressure is on the Spurs, and the margin for error is razor-slim.

Edit: Instead of all those memories of Bowen hounding him, Nash was licking his chops at the sight of second-year Hill who he carved up. His confidence grew and along with it the confidence of all the young, inexperienced bench. Parker needs to guard Nash even moment Nash is on the floor.

[Baseline]

The Pop bashing is not BS at all. Here's what Amare said after Game 2. You tell me if Pop isn't making Amare's life easier by playing Bonner so many minutes.

(On rebounding) “We’re doing a good job collectively of rebounding. It’s not always easy when you’re battling guys like (Tim) Duncan and (Antonio) McDyess – both guys are great on the boards. I think the guards are doing a great job of crashing the boards and coming in there and helping us out. It’s a total team effort out there every night – all the guys do a phenomenal job for us.”

The mere fact that Bonner is in the game gives Amare extra energy.

[dbestpro]

I would like Pop to start using a cattle prod on Bonner.

[senorglory]

My theory is that he simply couldn't see himself playing for another team. I think any of the other contenders (LA, DAL, Den, Phx) would love to have him for veteran's min. but after so many bitter playoff battles against them, he couldn't bring himself to play for them.

I like your theory, but I've never read that story anywhere.

[pjjrfan]

There's enough blame to go around. Pop shouldn't be immune to his share. He could've done some things different, like playing Dice more minutes, giving Hairston and Temple more play but the truth is that this team didn't have the horses to hang with the Suns. The team never jelled, and injuries had a lot to do with it. Jefferson never got it, Spurs basketball that is. Tony was hampered by minor injuries since the summer, It took Manu half a season to get his game going. In the meantime Tim had to carry us the first half and at his age it's tough to expect him to pick it up a notch come playoffs, Tim was way off his game, or even worse, what we saw is now what Timmy is. An average talent. It's really baffling that at one time our bench was the best in the league, scoring wise. tony's hand injury and our poor record put Pop in a bad spot and he made Manu a starter, and in the end this more than anything killed us. Because while the bench didn't hurt us against the Mavs the Suns were like sharks getting back into games with their backups and going on feeding frenzies when the Bench guys came in. So I just don't see any move that Pop could've made that would have made a difference, i do see where he could have given the younger guys some valuable experience and playing them and showing some confidence in them. These guys know who has it and who doesn't, seeing Gentry telling Drazen not worry about mistakes to be aggressive, I remember Pop once telling Manu if he was nervous during a crucial playoffs on one of our le runs and telling Manu not to worry that is how he should feel.

[DesignatedT]

the suns were better. thats it. its over with. Even if we played a perfect series we still would have lost. they simply had more weapons.

[itzsoweezee]

Pop's roster moves/rotations have been horrible all season. He deserves all the blame.

[Obstructed_View]

It's not like Pop can develop young players by trusting them during the regular season, particularly when they play well, and it's not like Pop can keep veteran free agents instead of trading them away for cap relief. God damn, people, what do you think he is, the coach or something? .

[D. Nile]

Coach Pop's got the yobs right where he want em, chaps. There's no need to doubt him. He's just brill! We'll win the game on the pitch tomorrow and be right back on track to win it all. It's going to be a smashing success! This team has bollocks and they're coming into their own. And with the Finals less than a month away, they'll be peaking at the right time. Just keep the faith, mates!

Toodle pip!

[spurs10]

D.Nile.....yes, your character is mildly amusing, but I still think you are an incredibly crazy misanthrope and need to stay away from the pipe.....cherrio.....old mate...right then ol'boy.....

[rascal]

People act as if its Pop's fault the Suns have a deeper team. This board is 99% unreadable after a Spurs loss.

It is. Pop is responsible for putting this roster together.

[TJastal]

It is. Pop is responsible for putting this roster together.

Are you saying Pop is the GM of the spurs too? No waaay... dude I would have never guessed.....

[lefty]

We lost the seires in the 1st 2 games when Pop played Bonner

Everytime he was on the court, Suns had decisive runs



All the Pop bashing is not BS.

[dbestpro]

This year is easily the worse job of coaching that Pop has had.

It started by playing players out of position. They never were able to get into a comfort zone. He should have known that this is the easiest way to blow up a player what with the eveidence of RMJ at the end of 2009.

Playing players out of position builds to the next problem, which is small ball. Our game is built on our defensive presence. There is no defensive advantage, when we go small.

Which leads to the next problem, which is the wearing down of Timmy. Too often he was asked to do too much by himself down low and inside. This guy was just beat up tired at the end of the season.

Which leads us to the next problem, which is players particularly on the bench simply lost their confidence due to all of the above.

Which leads us to the next problem, which is were the big 3 pressed trying to compensate for the rest of the team rather than just play their game.

So, for me, yeah, I pretty much put this season on Pop.

[rascal]

Are you saying Pop is the GM of the spurs too? No waaay... dude I would have never guessed.....

The main problem is the bad job the front office has been doing putting the team together not so much on who they are playing.

[FromWayDowntown]

Who should coach the Spurs next season?

[clambake]

Who should coach the Spurs next season?

rick carlisle

[J_Paco]

Who should coach the Spurs next season?

I don't think he should either be fired or resign. But, it's obvious that he needs to start developing more young players (not just Hill and Blair) and needs to rid himself of the tendencies of playing "small-ball" and the use of a 3-point specialist at PF. Pop needs to return to his defensive-minded roots and should play more traditional line-ups.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Who should coach the Spurs next season?

Avery Johnson

lol

[Fabbs]

The op and the PopApologists on this thread have yet to answer any of the many valid points made by the *bashers*.

1. Popazit as VP of all things basketball had tons of say in making this roster.
2. Popazit chose to play Finley for half a season and playoff choker Bonner instead of getting others playoff ready.
3. The 1st coach and 1st time in Soft Jeffersons career his offense has been nil. If he did not fit into *the system* (as if Popazit even has an offensive system) why did Popazit choose to bring him here at 15 mil per year?
4. Why put somone like Ratliff on the roster if the sole reason was to ship him out in midseason.
5. Bruce Bowen could not be brought in for minimal so that Finley could keep a spot, Ratcliff could rust on the bench, Ian could rust on the bench, Temple could play for 10 games.
6. Blair was absolutely consistent virtually all season long and certainly continuing into the playoffs. Yet make one mistake and he gets pulled while Bonehead gets 2-3 times the minutes. Idiotic to the tenth power.

Your silence speaks volumes PopApologists.
The Pop bashing should be increased tenfold. Local media pussies just want a paycheck.

[FromWayDowntown]

Who should coach the Spurs next season?

[D. Nile]

Yeh just watch how the ol' coach does tonight. He isn't the dogs bollocks in the business for nowt! The chaps are going to be sacked up and ready to go, and Pop's going to hae em well schooled and ready to emerge victorious! Keep the faith, Spurs fans! It's clear sailing from here on out.

Toodle pip!

[sabar]

This team was garbage. Ian/Theo/Hairston were not going to save it. Yes, not developing your talent is a big mistake. No, this does not put us past the Suns, let alone the Lakers.

Our non-existent cap space should force Pop to develop prospects this next year. Time to move on, phx was the better team top to bottom, get over it.

[Fabbs]

Who should coach the Spurs next season?

If only he would consider coming to San Antonio besides Miami? He may have in the past, now I'm sure he knows Popped has made idiotic personell moves/run the team into the ground enough that he'll stay away.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/bal...urn=nba,238571

[D. Nile]

The op and the PopApologists on this thread have yet to answer any of the many valid points made by the *bashers*.

1. Popazit as VP of all things basketball had tons of say in making this roster.
2. Popazit chose to play Finley for half a season and playoff choker Bonner instead of getting others playoff ready.
3. The 1st coach and 1st time in Soft Jeffersons career his offense has been nil. If he did not fit into *the system* (as if Popazit even has an offensive system) why did Popazit choose to bring him here at 15 mil per year?
4. Why put somone like Ratliff on the roster if the sole reason was to ship him out in midseason.
5. Bruce Bowen could not be brought in for minimal so that Finley could keep a spot, Ratcliff could rust on the bench, Ian could rust on the bench, Temple could play for 10 games.
6. Blair was absolutely consistent virtually all season long and certainly continuing into the playoffs. Yet make one mistake and he gets pulled while Bonehead gets 2-3 times the minutes. Idiotic to the tenth power.

Your silence speaks volumes PopApologists.
The Pop bashing should be increased tenfold. Local media pussies just want a paycheck.

I'm not familiar with this dialect or terminology. Is this sumfink used frequently in the colonies? At first I thought it might be some kide of cheeky remarks, made by a piece of tom who was projecting from behind his computer, but I figured there couldn't be someone that miserable and worthless here; I just know thou wouldn't consume time and energy doing it multiple times every time he posted.

Ta.

Toodle pip!