Game Blog: Spurs @ Jazz - Nov. 19

[angelbelow]

At the end of the day Splitter definitely needs to see the floor, I am not disagreeing with that. At the moment, It seems Duncan and Dice are playing a few too many minutes anyway, there should be plenty of minutes to go around to get Splitter better acclimated and hopefully he can continue to impress and earn more minutes.

I think he'll see some minutes tomorrow. Maybe rest Dice for the game or something. Won't be shocked if they sit Time either. But I hope he continues to work hard too.

[angelbelow]

Sure. I'm simply asking which one would be preferred. There would only be two choices.

My black and white answer: I would pick being 10-1 with Bonner playing easily.

What I really think is that we know what Bonner brings to the table and IMO, its not good enough for the long haul. Especially because hes a 3pt specialist, he can be ice cold or red hot at any given moment in the season. When it comes to the playoffs, its unrealistic to expect Bonner to become a cold blooded killer. Theres nothing wrong with the nerves getting to him, thats just who he is, not everyone can be a Kobe, or a Horry. Therefore, I still think its ideal that we develop Splitter (not saying that we haven't) but obviously I would like to see the development happen sooner than later.

However, just because I want to see Splitter develop sooner than later, it doesn't mean I think Bonner is trash. My opinion of Bonner is that hes specific type of role player that should be milked in certain situations and in others he shouldn't see the floor. I feel the same way about Neal. While Neal has shown intensity and aggression on the defensive end I wouldn't want him to start guarding the elites 1s and 2s of the NBA on a regular basis.

[ChumpDumper]

My black and white answer: I would pick being 10-1 with Bonner playing easily.

Great.

[GSH]

My black and white answer: I would pick being 10-1 with Bonner playing easily.

What I really think is that we know what Bonner brings to the table and IMO, its not good enough for the long haul.

Yeah, Pop is stupid. RC is stupid. Sean is stupid. Manu is stupid for passing to Bonner. They're all stupid. And you're a ing genius. We get it.


So why aren't you a GM or a coach?

[angelbelow]

Yeah, Pop is stupid. RC is stupid. Sean is stupid. Manu is stupid for passing to Bonner. They're all stupid. And you're a ing genius. We get it.


So why aren't you a GM or a coach?

Simple, because I dont like traveling that much.

[GSH]

Simple, because I dont like traveling that much.

You like to stay in one place and flip burgers, huh? You got a full set of Spurs Icee cups and you're an expert. Nice. You want fries with that?

[EricB]

Simple, because I dont like traveling that much.

Now thats a great ing answer

[EricB]

My black and white answer: I would pick being 10-1 with Bonner playing easily.

What I really think is that we know what Bonner brings to the table and IMO, its not good enough for the long haul. Especially because hes a 3pt specialist, he can be ice cold or red hot at any given moment in the season. When it comes to the playoffs, its unrealistic to expect Bonner to become a cold blooded killer. Theres nothing wrong with the nerves getting to him, thats just who he is, not everyone can be a Kobe, or a Horry. Therefore, I still think its ideal that we develop Splitter (not saying that we haven't) but obviously I would like to see the development happen sooner than later.

However, just because I want to see Splitter develop sooner than later, it doesn't mean I think Bonner is trash. My opinion of Bonner is that hes specific type of role player that should be milked in certain situations and in others he shouldn't see the floor. I feel the same way about Neal. While Neal has shown intensity and aggression on the defensive end I wouldn't want him to start guarding the elites 1s and 2s of the NBA on a regular basis.

I think the problem Pop is having is trying to find a balancing act between developing players and winning games. You can't argue with the results but you can question the way they are gone about and I agree. That said like I said in another thread, Bonner was playing good D and rebounded well for him and was still pulling his defender out to him on offense.

[angelbelow]

You like to stay in one place and flip burgers, huh? You got a full set of Spurs Icee cups and you're an expert. Nice. You want fries with that?

Lol you simpleton. Previously you entered this thread spewing blind hate at phantom posers claiming that they abandoned the spurs. At least now you're able to focus and actually quote someone other than yourself - although it still not clear what is making your asshole hurt so badly. If I were to guess you're either piss drunk, high off something illegal or just got brutally raped.

[GSH]

Lol you simpleton. Previously you entered this thread spewing blind hate at phantom posers claiming that they abandoned the spurs. At least now you're able to focus and actually quote someone other than yourself - although it still not clear what is making your asshole hurt so badly. If I were to guess you're either piss drunk, high off something illegal or just got brutally raped.

You know... as soon as you get upset, you immediately start talking about sexual assault and hurting backsides. You obviously have some unresolved issues. I'm sorry I upset you.

You really are very knowledgable, you know. You're a good person, too. And, doggone it, people like you.

[duncan228]

Sorry for the interruption, just a recap.

Notes on a scorecard: Spurs finding different way to win almost nightly
by Tim Griffin

...Outstanding game tonight from Tony Parker, who merely outplayed one of the league’s best point guards on his home court. Parker outscored Deron Williams, 24-23, but it was the other parts of his game that really underscored Parker’s effort. Both had four rebounds, but Parker beat him in assists, 7-5, and in steals, 4-0. And Parker was an efficient 11-for-17 from the field, compared to 7-for-19 for Williams. Parker was a plus-21, tied for the highest on the team. Williams was minus-10. It marked the fifth straight game that Parker has scored at least 20 points — with the last two coming when his life was under extreme (putting it mildly) public scrutiny.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...lmost-nightly/

*********************

Duncan gets his record, Spurs get revenge in Utah
by Jeff McDonald

...“We didn’t make a lot of shots and they didn’t either,” said Ginobili, as both teams shot less than 44 percent. “We kind of had to grind it out.”

...“I wasn’t thinking too much about (the record),” said Duncan, who also surpassed Robinson’s franchise record for games played, logging his 988th. “I think that was the best part about it.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...venge-in-utah/

[angelbelow]

You know... as soon as you get upset, you immediately start talking about sexual assault and hurting backsides. You obviously have some unresolved issues. I'm sorry I upset you.

You really are very knowledgable, you know. You're a good person, too. And, doggone it, people like you.

You are a million years away from offending me. I'm actually not sure how you interpreted my post as ME being angry, when the intention of my post was to question why you were so angry. Those things come to my mind because thats what you remind me of. Perhaps reading comprehensive is something you severely lack.

I think my discussion with other posters made you feel like I was forcing my opinion down your throat. And perhaps you got offended because you are unable to reject or ignore my opinion so you became angry.

[duncan228]

Some post-game quotes.

Duncan sets Spurs’ scoring mark in win over Jazz
By Lynn DeBruin

Tim Duncan had just made two free throws when he heard the word “congratulations” from a San Antonio teammate.

“It took me a second to catch on,” Duncan admitted Friday night after the Spurs’ 94-82 win over the Utah Jazz.

After scoring point No. 20,791 to set the Spurs’ career record, the star forward can be forgiven for the momentary mental lapse.

“I’m just happy for him,” Spurs coach George Popovich said of Duncan, who now has 20,797, seven more than David Robinson scored in 14 NBA seasons. “You know he is the driving force behind our championships and for him to have the record now with games played and points is appropriate.”

Duncan, who eclipsed the scoring mark with 5:28 left in the third quarter, also became the Spurs’ career leader in games played with 988—one more than Robinson.

What seemed most important in Duncan’s mind was that he broke the record in a Spurs victory, which improved them to 10-1 for the first time.

“It was a great win for us,” said Duncan, who added 14 rebounds and three blocked shots. “It was not particularly pretty, kind of ups and downs, but great defensively and great to get that milestone behind me.”

Duncan said it also gives him “bragging rights” over Robinson.

“I’m going to stick it to him a little bit,” Duncan added. “He started my career with me. It’s been a long career so far. It’s just great.”

While Duncan’s minutes and scoring average are down this year, he showed Friday he still has plenty left in the tank.

“We knew it was going to happen sooner or later,” Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. “We are just proud of him and I bet that he has many hundreds to go.”

Duncan and Tony Parker (24 points) were the difference down the stretch.

Utah, plagued by another slow start, rallied from a 15-point deficit to tie the game late in the third quarter. But unlike recent road wins against Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and Charlotte, the Jazz (8-5) couldn’t pull off another double-digit comeback.

Parker and Duncan combined for 10 fourth-quarter points as San Antonio ended a five-game losing streak against the Jazz.

Parker’s dribble penetration was key in getting San Antonio rolling.

“We tried to make a few adjustments, but a guy like that, you can try to keep him out of the lane, but he’s always going to find a way to get there,” said Jazz forward Paul Millsap.

Parker, in his first road game since his actress wife Eva Longoria filed divorce papers to end their three-year Hollywood marriage, heard a smattering of boos whenever he scored, cheers when he missed and occasional shouts of “Eva!” as he brought the ball up the court. But as he has vowed, he wouldn’t let his personal affairs be a distraction on the court.

He left the arena without talking with reporters.

Phil Johnson, who was filling it for Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan while Sloan tended to a death in his family, blamed the loss on poor rebounding. The Spurs held a 46-31 advantage on the boards, including 16-6 on offensive rebounds.

“We had 14 turnovers, but that’s not the thing. Offensive rebounds killed us,” Johnson said. “That’s the ballgame.”

Jazz center Al Jefferson couldn’t measure up to Duncan on Friday night. He finished with six boards and 10 points.

“We didn’t have too much energy out there,” said Millsap, who scored 12 points and added seven rebounds. “The (Spurs) were going after it every play … we just didn’t fight.”

Deron Williams led Utah with 23 points but shot just 7 of 19. Andrei Kirilenko added 10 points but also struggled, shooting 3 of 10 and committing four turnovers.

The Spurs again had all five starters score in double figures. Ginobili added 15 points despite hitting just 1-of-7 3-pointers, while DeJuan Blair had 15 and Richard Jefferson 11.

Duncan said the fact that the Spurs are healthy is a big difference from last season.

“I think all of us feel really good right now,” Duncan said. “This is the best I’ve felt in a couple of years. Manu is playing great, Tony is playing awesome. Richard’s acclimated to what we’re doing and what we’ve asked him to do. And he’s been playing great. Everybody’s feeling good.”

Notes: Ginobili and Parker have each scored in double figures in the first 11 games this season…Utah center Mehmet Okur, who has not played a single game while recovering from a ruptured Achilles’, was one of four Jazz players listed on the All-Star ballot. Not listed: Millsap, who has been averaging 21.1 points and a team-leading 9.5 rebounds a game. … Sloan, who is expected to miss Saturday’s game in Portland, has missed only 17 games in 23 seasons (The Jazz are 9-8 in those games). … San Antonio’s Matt Bonner saw his string of 3-pointers end Friday in a big way as he was 0 for 3 from beyond the arc and 0 for 6 overall.

[DesignatedT]

George Popovich!!

[duncan228]

View from the other side.

Parker, Spurs burn Jazz
By Brian T. Smith
The Salt Lake Tribune

San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker faked left, darted right, then burned the Jazz again. As soon as his undefended shot attempt shook the net, Utah point guard Deron Williams’ face creased and his head dropped downward. But Williams did not appear frustrated or upset. Instead, it was simple resignation. Parker’s dribble penetration was destroying the Jazz — and Utah had no answer.

The Spurs downed the Jazz 94-82 Friday night at EnergySolutions Arena before a crowd of 19,332. Once again, a speedy, crafty point guard led the charge. Parker finished with game highs in points (24 on 11-of-17 shooting) and assists (seven). He consistently set up four other San Antonio starters who all recorded double figures in scoring. And just like when Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Golden State’s Monta Ellis and Phoenix’s Steve Nash dismantled Utah during losses earlier this season, Parker easily had his way and ultimately decided the outcome.

“He did a great job of getting down the lane, whether it was for himself or setting up teammates,” Williams said. “That’s his game.”

The game worked.

But it was not that Williams failed to play NBA-caliber defense. It was simply that Parker’s dribble penetration forced a Utah team lacking energy, effort and toughness Friday night to help. And when the Jazz helped, San Antonio either buried shots from the perimeter or crashed the boards.

The Spurs’ starters combined to score 80 points, which was 85 percent of the team’s output. Meanwhile, San Antonio outrebounded Utah 46-31, including a 16-5 deficit on the offensive glass.

Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson said the unsightly margins were the difference. Utah’s positioning was poor, while everything from blocking out to concentration plagued the team in the paint.

“It’s disappointing,” said Johnson, who filled in for head coach Jerry Sloan, who was attending a funeral.

Johnson added: “We’ve gone over it. We’ve watched film. We’ve talked about it. … It’s something we simply have to concentrate on.”

Williams scored 23 points to lead the Jazz (8-5), while four other Utah players hit double figures.

San Antonio (10-1) set a franchise record for the best start in team history, while Tim Duncan established a franchise NBA scoring record with his 20,701th career point during the third quarter. He also set a team record for games played (988).

“I am just happy for him,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “You know he is the driving force behind our championships. And for him to have the record now with games played and points is appropriate.”

While Parker punished Utah, Duncan and DeJuan Blair were equally damaging. The duo tag-teamed the Jazz, combining for 22 rebounds. And their aggressive approach left an instant mark in the minds of Utah big men Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap.

Millsap said that the Jazz’s rebounding struggles are a combination of effort and positioning.

A downbeat Jefferson was more blunt.

“Whatever it was, we got to be better than we was tonight,” said Jefferson, who added that his team gave up early in the game and put its head down.

Utah trailed by 15 points late in the first quarter before pulling within 44-40 at halftime.

Back-to-back three-point plays by Williams and Millsap late in the third period narrowed the Spurs’ margin to 70-68 heading into the final quarter. But a 12-5 San Antonio run midway through the period put the Jazz away.

While their teammates focused on the aftermath, Utah veterans Raja Bell and Francisco Elson examined the big picture. The duo said there is a running theme in the Jazz’s slow starts, as well as the team’s defeats this season. Rather than drawing first blood, Utah is waiting to counter-punch. And while the Jazz clearly have the talent and strength to compete — evidenced by a recent gutsy 4-0 road trip — they cannot win if they do not fight.

“I think we’re plenty tough enough. But we have to play tough,” Bell said. “I mean, it’s not a question of whether guys on this team have heart or are tough. But it’s one thing to be tough and it’s another thing to play tough and play physical and impose yourself on someone.”

[Bruno]

Great and unexpected win. This team continues to surprise me.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

This win was unexpected. Everybody favored Utah. But Spurs came out and fought hard. If they can win tonight against Cleveland, a 10-game winning streak would be awesome.

[jimo2305]

i know im late with this but while watching the game last night.. i was saying.. this is what ive wanted tony parker to do his entire career.. take more jumpshots.. the limited amount of jumpers he usually takes makes him look like a bad shooter.. just like when he had that high scoring game against the t-wolves.. not all of them were layups and ft's.. he was takin' jumpers there too.. im not saying abstain away from being the lane-driving trick layup parker.. but i despise when he passes up wide open shots for a difficult layup or last second pass..

[duncan228]

San Antonio Spurs 94, Utah Jazz 82: Best. Start. Ever.
by Scott Sereday
48 Minutes of

Finally, a scoreline that looks more Spur-like. Not that I don’t appreciate a good offensive kick.

Short recap for this game because it’s a back-to-back and I’ve got to get my rest for tonight. In fact, let’s do this bullet-style.

Keep reading →