Game Blog: Lakers @ Spurs - Dec. 28

[spursfan1000]

im dissapointed in splitters defense

[TD 21]

If Duncan and Ginobili don't stop playing like they're scared to death of this team, then this team has no chance.

Parker, Bonner and Jefferson are the only ones who are playing with confidence. Everyone else is rushing their shots and playing hot potato with the ball.

Nice to see the coach is more concerned with experimenting than actually trying to win the game. A Blair-Bonner combo against Bynum-Gasol? No McDyess? Not enough Jefferson, like he's 35 and can't ever play 40 minutes. Too much coddling of Ginobili because he has a sore throat and managing of Hill's minutes, even though he said he's fine.

Very disappointed in Duncan. Instead of attacking Gasol, he's either throwing up weak or immediately getting rid of the ball, as if he's scared to go at him. Hie used to be brimming with confidence when being guarded by him, because he knew he could overpower him.

Just as disappointed in Ginobili. What is this, the Wizards they're playing? He needs to attack the basket and stop settling for threes or moving the damn ball hoping others pick up the slack. He wants the responsibility of this being his team, then step up against the Lakers.

[Capt Bringdown]

Manu needs to drive or give it up to his teammates if the jumper isn't falling.

[lefty]

im dissapointed in splitters defense

Our team D sucks TBH

[HarlemHeat37]

Phil Jackson's coaching scares me, he's going for the throat tonight..

While he's using his usual strategy against the Spurs, which is for the outside shot to beat them, he's made a point out of running Bonner off the 3-point line and making him beat the Lakers off the dribble..while it has worked so far, it stalls the Spurs offense and forces a bad play, so I wouldn't count on it working consistently..

He is also double teaming Duncan, as usual, but this time, it looks like he's just trying to keep him out of rhythm, since Tim can't make anything..

Good, subtle moves..

[DPG21920]

What are the odds of Bonner being the one that is NOT ting the bed with open looks against LA?

[ogait]

No real surprises in the half. Kobe can get hot but he's not the reason why the Lakers are better than the Spurs. It's those bigs that the Spurs just can't match up with specially with Duncan playing so bad.

[NASpurs]

@johnhollinger 44-42 Lakers at half. Duncan 0 points, Manu 2 points. If LA could guard Parker they'd be up double figures.

And if the Spurs could make some more threes, they would have been in double figures. What a dumbass.

[spurspokesman]

God those refs are ing horrible. Calling Tim on a foul after Bynum got away with a loose ball foul? No foul on Tony's drive? Bull- ing- .

We better come back and win this, if we're just too demoralized to come back I hope some of our most loyal fans come out with a 21 gun salute, each with a bullet for the cold hearts of each of the 15 Lakers, then the 3 zebras, then the 3 kardashians. They can all suck my and die for all I ing care.

Geesh you need anger management lol. But your right about the bynum bs

[ducks]

Phil Jackson's coaching scares me, he's going for the throat tonight..

While he's using his usual strategy against the Spurs, which is for the outside shot to beat them, he's made a point out of running Bonner off the 3-point line and making him beat the Lakers off the dribble..while it has worked so far, it stalls the Spurs offense and forces a bad play, so I wouldn't count on it working consistently..

He is also double teaming Duncan, as usual, but this time, it looks like he's just trying to keep him out of rhythm, since Tim can't make anything..

Good, subtle moves..

lakers really want the w tonight

this is not a regualar game

[maddnezz]

All I know is MATT came to play tonite. Keep it up Ritche!

[itzsoweezee]

Spurs simply need to hit their threes; that'll change the complexion of the game completely, just like it did in the 1st quarter.

[ducks]

Manu needs to drive or give it up to his teammates if the jumper isn't falling.

needs a layup or a dunk if he can dunk still

[Fireball]

What are peoples opinions on Tim's struggles. Do yall really think it is a rhythm/playing time thing? Or do you think it is something serious?

Struggling to score against mediocre and good front lines, so it doesn't seem to be a "coasting/disinterested" thing.

He was defended well, but as Sean always says, Timmy has put a little more junk in it, i.e. some more fakes here, an up and under there ... so at least you will get to the free throw line. Currently he backs off and takes contested shots against Gasol and Bynum ...

[Ikstomi]

splitter sucks

[007nites]

I rarely see Timmy using the drop step or spin move off the post.

[024]

i've always known that the spurs lack the quality bigs to compete with the lakers front court but not playing mcdyess is just making a bad situation even worse. pop probably just trying to give the younger bigs a test to see if they can compete defensively. too bad they are failing..

[ducks]

McDyess is going to play in the second half

pop is keeping him fresh

he will play alot in 4 quarter with 6 fouls to give

[HarlemHeat37]

What are peoples opinions on Tim's struggles. Do yall really think it is a rhythm/playing time thing? Or do you think it is something serious?

Struggling to score against mediocre and good front lines, so it doesn't seem to be a "coasting/disinterested" thing.

I think rhythm has a part in it, but like I said a few days ago, I think he's lacking confidence, which is scary..he rushes his shots, he's scared to back down deep, he doesn't try to get position anymore, he can't make jump shots..

TD21 has said before that he thinks Duncan doesn't go into his repertoire during the regular season, due to the wear and tear on the knees, which I agree with, but he's gonna have to, eventually, or this team won't keep it's pace up, in the standings..he needs to change up a little..I would like to see him use more fakes, for instance, and more importantly, play aggressive and get deep..

[NASpurs]

seriously, but c'mon man, you can't judge someone who shoots heroin and sucks 100 s every day

I don't get it. Does he actually do that?

[Sofaking]

Tim's struggling because he hasnt been playing recently. last three games he played 25, 20, 27 minutes. Playing no or barely at all in the end of 3rd/full 4th qtr

[Fireball]

i've always known that the spurs lack the quality bigs to compete with the lakers front court but not playing mcdyess is just making a bad situation even worse. pop probably just trying to give the younger bigs a test to see if they can compete defensively. too bad they are failing..

Pop just wants to play either McDyess or Splitter in a game, which I think is better in terms of rhythm ... but with Tiagos foul trouble we might see Dice on the court as well.

[ducks]

Tim's struggling because he hasnt been playing recently. last three games he played 25, 20, 27 minutes. Playing no or barely at all in the end of 3rd/full 4th qtr

[Chomag]

Spurs with 18 3pt attempts allready? They might should remember that it is ok to take other kind of shots.

[Capt Bringdown]

On the bright side, I was glad to see Splitter in there. He did OK, save for the fouls.