Q&A: What does Pop do now?

[SenorSpur]

Kudos to McDonald and Monroe for this interview. So much to dissect.

I disagree wholeheartedly with the following comments:

"Timmy’s not Timmy, like he used to be. But that’s not why we lost the series." Huh? Pop must be drinking his own Kool Aid - and in large quan ies. That's like the equivalent of him stating that "Timmy contributions over the past 13 years we're not necessarily the reason for the four NBA championships that we've won." Are you kidding me? If he truly believes this, he's delusional.

It was disheartening to hear him somewhat dismiss the youth and athleticism issue. "I don’t care about the age, the “athletic” thing. I care about performance." He should care about it - much. If the opposition has more talent, athleticism and skill, on both ends of the court, than you, it's likely that you're going to lose. If the opposition is better defensively, quicker to rebounds and loose balls, while running rings around your older, aged players on offense, you're going to lose - and not even an abundance of performance and corporate knowledge can overcome that.

"That team won 61 games. I contend if Manu was healthy, we’d still be playing. I don’t have any doubt we’d still be playing." Uh no, Pop. Your record was fool's gold. The factors of a declining Duncan, a porous defense and a trio of inconsistent, non-contributing role players was bound to catch up with you eventually.

On whether they can contend next season, "we’re either good enough to continue to contend, or we’re not. But I don’t see us being less of a team next year as this year, even if it stays exactly the same. So long as we’re healthy." If the roster stays EXACTLY the same, you WILL NOT contend. And health is only part the equation. An immediate power forward upgrade must be acquired (either via draft or free agency) to help mitigate the Duncan decline. Unless that happens, and if there aren't substantial improvements on defense, and if Pop keeps rolling out RJ and Bonner (with Hill on road games), they'll have a decent record, an average season and will likely flameout again in the playoffs.

I agree with him on the following statements:

"Richard (Jefferson) played well the first two games, then he was MIA. Tony (Parker) was absent the first three or four games, MIA. Then off the bench, you’ve got two or three other players that don’t show up." He's surprisingly dead-on, but I wanted to hear him call out Bonner and Hill by name.

"We’re playing under the (salary) cap. We don’t have 90 million frickin’ dollars. We’re playing with minimum (salary) people off the bench." That's true. Therfore, it's even more vital that the Spurs get consistent production from role players. Because they have a slim financial margin of error, there is no room or reason to house, inconsistent, non-performing role players. They simply cannot afford that luxury. RJ, Bonner and Hill exemplify this trio of non-performers. They can probably live with Hill's shortcomings because he's young enough to overcome himself. However at this point, RJ and Bonner are what they are and at should be moved off the roster.

"I felt very uneasy all year long with our spotty defense that could not be consistently relied upon in fourth quarters. It drove me crazy. I think I just need to do whatever I need to do — personnel-wise, or drill-wise or demand-wise — to go from the middle of the pack back to four, five, six, seven, somewhere in there." He should've felt uneasy, because the deficiencies were obvious and eventually came back to haunt this team. I'm glad to hear the he's is at least verbally committed toward molding the team back into an elite defensive squad. However, for this to be true, it has to be more than lip service - which is all that it's been so far. It also cannot occur with one-dimensional, offensive players. He also must find a way to mitigate the decline of Duncan, in this area. Thus the need for the upgrade at power forward. There is no mystery around how to accomplish this - ACQUIRE BETTER DEFENSIVE PLAYERS.

On roster improvements, "we’d like to find another skilled athlete to add to the mix. Our biggest need right now is a starting four (power forward). We need to know who is going to be our starting four. Is it DeJuan Blair? Is it (Tiago) Splitter, where Timmy’s the four and Splitter’s the five? Is it Matt Bonner? Do you need to make a trade? We’re investigating all those areas.". The hole here is as obvious as a pimple of the rear end. I hope that Pop does consider giving Tiago a chance to start alongside Duncan next season. Whle I agree with his comments, it did, however, make me a bit nervous to hear him even make a passing reference to Matt Bonner here. Don't even think about it.

[J_Paco]

This is ignorant at best, re ed most likely. Think about how many teams have had a dominant inside presence and didn't win jack . Think about how many times Dirk has been into the playoffs and how many coaches he has gone through and doesn't even have one ring, much less four. Malone, Barkley, Baylor, Ewing. All HoFers. All 0 rings.

The city of San Antonio owes Gregg Popovich a debt of gra ude that can never be fully expressed. The man has blessed our small little town, and small market owner with limited resources, with amazing success. How many other teams can you name that had one legit superstar surrounded by "mediocre" players and won 3 chips. And by mediocre I mean Manu, as much as we love him, has only made 2 all-star games and Tony just 3.

Our "big 3" is feeble in comparison to other dynasties. But somehow Pop managed to put the pieces in place, surround his superstar through the draft with late round picks, develop unknown players (hi Bruce), and accomplish something utterly unprecedented in NBA history.

Q: In the history of the NBA, which teams have won more chips?
A: 3 Lakers, Celtics, Bulls.

None of those small markets. None of those with less talent.

Anyone who hates on Pop is a ing moron. The only possible comparison in recent history is the Rocket's two chips with Hakeem. And last I checked 4>2.

You're ing re ed if you believe Manu and Tony are just mediocre. They comprise one of the greatest backcourt duos in NBA history, dip . Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars are the only combo that compare off the top of my head. Manu is a sure-fire HOF'er and Tony needs a few more ASG nominations, but I believe he'll be enshrined as well.

Also, Bruce wasn't a complete unknown before he got here. He was basically Raja Bell, a journeyman who needed to find the right atmosphere to let his (limited) talent shine, before he made it to Phoenix.

[TJastal]

Pop:Is it MATT BONNER?

That is as far as anyone has to read to discover that Pop is still delusional.

If you keep supporting him...go ahead...but be prepared to keep losing...that is just plain common sense.

Anyone with a brain can see that players like Bonner will never be enough against playoff teams with young athletes that can ball.

Pop is still trotting out that 1950's bull that athlete's aren't necessary...that a player with intelligence and character can help more than an athlete. Well of course...if the athlete in question is dumber than a bag of rocks...but today's athletes are not only athletic...but also have smarts,character and discipline.

Why continue to depend on a BONNER with no athletic ability, no balls, short arms and no in' mental toughness when other teams just attack and destroy him at will?
To prove what?

That nice guys CAN succeed? That character guys who suck off the coach can implement that coach's system without ever making a mistake or take a bad shot.....while LOSING?

I tried very hard to keep supporting Pop for years and years...

Once upon a time I believed in Pop and pounding the rock and all that hoo-rah spurs philosophy crap...until I opened my eyes and thought to myself;

hmmm...

It appears that Pop stresses defense and will jump on your if you miss a defensive rotation...that is good...b-but wait...Finley s up left and right...and Pop seems to just overlook it. Is it because Nellie recommended Finley? Is it cause Pop loves Finleys jump shot? Why is it that Bruce Bowen is in the doghouse...yet Finley is spared?

I kept watching...and wondering....

Why is Pop trying to match up with other teams going small by going smaller? Why is Naz'r, Rasho, and any other bigs...rotting on the bench while teams continually drive in for layups? Why is Bogans a centerpiece of a defense that can't stop anyone? Why?

This continued and got worse with Bonner....who ANYONE could see was getting killed each and every time he stepped on the floor? Why? Why would you continue to overplay a guy who does nothing but get killed on defense...yet you continue to lie to yourself that defense is the first priority? Why?

Finally, this past season...

To me...after being a diehard spurs fan since the red,white & blue ABA days...through thick and thin...through suffering through elimination after elimination....through all that...why was this season ---for me---

the absolute worst?

This season I found myself...unhappy...AFTER A WIN!!!!

Each time that the spurs won...I found myself unhappy???? I could not understand why????


Then it hit me....


This season the spurs acquired a big man...finally...

Tiago Splitter....


Finally...Pop will go back to the defensive schemes that won the spurs 4 les....championship spurs defense is back!!!!!!

Except...Pop refused to play him....Pop buried him on the bench...Pop at first blamed Tiago's injuries....then blamed Tiago missing training camp....then blamed the complicated spurs system as too complicated for rookies....then Pop just buried him.

Even when Tiago got healthy and was fresh from not playing all season...still...Pop would not play him.
Each victory was more of the same...yay...we won...but we played no defense...Bonner played 30 minutes and Tiago got another DNP....the worst thing was that you could not really be mad at Pop...because...hey--we are winning...but still no defense. No presence down low...no blocked shots--except for Timmy...no dominance.


The wins were not even satisfying....was I just a hater? Did I just fall out of love with my team that I had supported in good times and bad since 1973? (When they were the Dallas Chapparrals)....

The reason was that I just saw through the fact that Pop was not helping the team but hurting it. That the spurs were winning ---in spite of Pop---NOT BECAUSE OF HIM.

This is the truth if anyone wants truth.

If you want to continue losing in the first or second round...or worse...then keep believing in Pop...he was once great but now is just old and senile.

+1000

Every single popsucker on this website should be put in a straightjacket eyelids held open with pins and forced to read this post 100X out loud till they understand why the team is going nowhere with Pop at the helm.

And every single thing you mentioned in this post connected on some level. Thank you for taking the time, and damn good read bravo!

[pancakechef]

No one can answer this question: With arguably the best Spurs roster on paper, why does POP continue to blow big leads, lose when it counts, make proper adjustments?

Anyone who is still on the "pop thing" must not watch basketball

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

no one can answer this question: with arguably the best spurs roster on paper, why does pop continue to blow big leads, lose when it counts, make proper adjustments?

Anyone who is still on the "pop thing" must not watch basketball

wtf?

[Warlord23]

A rare Pop interview which features candid basketball talk rather than Pop being a sarcastic smartass

1. He acknowledges that they need to be better on defense, while simultaneously discussing the possibility of Bonner being the starting 4. These 2 statements are hard to reconcile. Let's hope he's playing up Bonner's trade value with these comments.

2. It's not as if Manu was completely ineffective. If Manu being at 70% or less means a quick exit for the Spurs (to a team that didn't have Rudy Gay), then we need to get more talent to contend. It isn't as if they were outdone by Rondo, Pierce and Allen - it was Conley, Sam Young and Tony Allen FFS.

3. "I feel good about that assessment. I wouldn’t change the game plan a lick. There’s nothing we’d do differently. It’s the playoffs. Players have to step up and play." Scary. Of course, he did try and change his "game plan" by putting Splitter in alongside TD.

[GrandeDavid]

I'm very surprised at Pop's boldness in straight up saying that had Manu not gotten injured the Spurs would've beaten Memphis. That's out of character.

I just think that even with a healthy Manu how would the Spurs have won that series playing 4 on 5? I mean it's obvious that Rich Jefferson did not/cannot play high intensity basketball.

[SenorSpur]

I'm very surprised at Pop's boldness in straight up saying that had Manu not gotten injured the Spurs would've beaten Memphis. That's out of character.

I just think that even with a healthy Manu how would the Spurs have won that series playing 4 on 5? I mean it's obvious that Rich Jefferson did not/cannot play high intensity basketball.

^ this

His statements about Memphis are both disengenious to the Grizz and highly unlikely. Unless Duncan was somehow able to "turn back the clock" and somehow transform himself into the best big in the series (throwing up 20 & 10), there's no way.

[Fabbs]

Jeffery McDonald had earlier emailed me and said oftentimes Popped makes comments on the side that do not get printed. I asked him to please elaborate on what his love affair with giving Matt Bonner significant playoff minutes and role is. ... (Also said before that Mike Finley 2008 09 1/2 10)
Stay tuned. If there is a response.

[joshdaboss]

I wonder how much of this is Popovich trying to save his own ass. Trying to deflect the fact he was, again, outcoached by a rookie head coach in the NBA playoffs. For the 2nd time, he had the team with immensely more talent, and somehow managed to lose.

[Fabbs]

I wonder how much of this is Popovich trying to save his own ass. Trying to deflect the fact he was, again, outcoached by a rookie head coach in the NBA playoffs. For the 2nd time, he had the team with immensely more talent, and somehow managed to lose.

99.99999%?

[cantthinkofanything]

No one can answer this question: With arguably the best Spurs roster on paper, why does POP continue to blow big leads, lose when it counts, make proper adjustments?

Anyone who is still on the "pop thing" must not watch basketball

Great point. I'm shocked that the Spurs were ever able to even have a winning season. let alone a le, trotting out Robinson and Elliott with Duncan.

Or those dark years where we had to put a young Tony Parker and green Manu, next to the Big Fundamental.

Now when we are finally able to land big names like Bonner, Jefferson, and Quinn, we can't even get out of the first round.

[Giuseppe]

I'm very surprised at Pop's boldness in straight up saying that had Manu not gotten injured the Spurs would've beaten Memphis. That's out of character.

Once Pop crossed over after searching & finding Neal on a police blotter it was Katie bar the door.

His character is like AWOL.

[Spurs Brazil]

Great interview

Props to the EN guys.

I'm glad Pop want the team to get better on D

[++SaiNt TiAg0++]

We need to know who is going to be our starting four. Is it DeJuan Blair? Is it (Tiago) Splitter, where Timmy’s the four and Splitter’s the five? Is it Matt Bonner?

Your credibility rating remains at zero, Popped.

i called this exact scenario right here, lol i had said =for all we know matt could be starting next year= thats how crazy pop is 4 that bonner, and everyone ignored me because they knew it wasn't so far fetched, its just pathetic for pop to resort to bonner starting next to a 36 year old duncan ? thats the defensive upgrade?

i know hes crazy.., but he cant be this crazy. pop just isnt the same coach/intense leader i remember, however what bad ass coaches do we have lined up for the position?? no one . so yes im thankful pop is changing his tone lets just pray peter holt got wasted and let pop hear what the fans were saying , & hopefully hes done treating tiago like a piece of and play that DEFENSIVE 7footer.

HOWEVER i was pleased with the interview, i mean really pleased i wasnt expecting pop to drop the al bundy at ude w/ the "we had bad luck" garbage! and i guess ill stick up for pop 2day and say:

i also believe he threw matt's name out there as a starter, mainly because he didnt want to hurt that losers feelings or anyone hes thinking of trading(im laughing in disbelief b/c the bonner nightmare continues if im wrong).

i have a good feeling hes been bothered by spurs haters/spurs fans and all say they were too small/killed in the paint. ..it seems like he has already trying to make up for being such an idiot this season, and i bet everyone is asking pop who they'll get this summer to fix what happened, and wheres the defense! so hes definitely feeling the heat. (nagging fans is worse than espn or local news because you hear it daily)

its now been 4 long defeated years and it seems like he's heard alot of from us fans, im just glad i didnt hear the whole "we lost due to the stars not being aligned just unfortunate/well be right there next year same team" oh never mind he's still using that ,sorry

i mean yes! manu's important...ok but for him to not have a 2nd playmaker and still be in this predicament/situation un-adressed w manu???? reinforce the team with tough mental/ phys talent players at least one that can fill for manu (thats why you let j.anderson b 6th man, play the talent dumbass, dont bench the kid who averaged a block or 2 at sg and played good 2 GREAT D !! of course BENCHED after returning from injury??)

remember pop goes to h.e.b he goes and puts gas like a normal person and i bet a few ppl good ppl told him the truth and talked defense when they saw him.anyway there seems to be a good defensive make over coming this summer and thats all we wanted as SPURS FANS (we the so called "pop haters)

so im pretty happy to hear hes at least talking defense making it non optional. and that in itself gives me satisfaction knowing bonner is somewhere reading this . ( probably text pop after reading lol)
matt->

bonner: "already working out and studying bowen film tonight when i get home, so am i starting or untouchable ? " coach pop: "great honey,of course you're starting!!you're a heck of a basketball player i mean AMAZING!i had to throw some names out there so they get off our backs and you'll never be "untouchable" esp when im attacking/penetrating the taint ... paint ..taint either way you suck at stopping penetration
great idea matt & perfect jargon to tell the news herd {mike mon~ /andrew monaco} they always feed my bull to spursfans!!"


POP&Matt: SPURS FANS: if matt starts: (spur fans begin mass suicide lol) sorry was bored guys

[silverblk mystix]

+1000

Every single popsucker on this website should be put in a straightjacket eyelids held open with pins and forced to read this post 100X out loud till they understand why the team is going nowhere with Pop at the helm.

And every single thing you mentioned in this post connected on some level. Thank you for taking the time, and damn good read bravo!

Try telling any of this to that SPLITMAN 4evah popsucker...he thinks Pop is questioned or doubted for no reason at all...but there are many reasons...

...and doubting or questioning Pop has nothing to do with being ungrateful for what Pop has done or has nothing to do with hating the spurs...

[coachmac87]

Look Pop just admitted Spurs first priority is a starting Pf. It's not going to be Blair, Bonner or Splitter..Pop only mentioned those people because as of now those are the only bigs left. He pretty much said that they will look for a trade to improve, because unless Duncan restructured his contract Spurs can't make a difference in FA. I look for RJ and Blair with Dice expiring contract to be moved for the next BIG. Spurs then use their FA $$ towards a Prince or Battier type player, somebody who is a vet and defensive minded. Pop must have a defensive toy on the wing. Splitter backs up Timmy while Bonner remains the 3pt specialist, people are gonna hate to hear this but Bonner is almost certain to comeback because he is under contract and unless some team wants him in a trade he ain't goin nowhere.

[TJastal]

Try telling any of this to that SPLITMAN 4evah popsucker...he thinks Pop is questioned or doubted for no reason at all...but there are many reasons...

...and doubting or questioning Pop has nothing to do with being ungrateful for what Pop has done or has nothing to do with hating the spurs...

splitman 4evah strikes me as a closet laker fan who decided to climb up here and vent some frustration on anyone he could find. Since we question Pop's decisions, we've already got a bullseye so it was just natural.

[SenorSpur]

Jeffery McDonald had earlier emailed me and said oftentimes Popped makes comments on the side that do not get printed. I asked him to please elaborate on what his love affair with giving Matt Bonner significant playoff minutes and role is. ... (Also said before that Mike Finley 2008 09 1/2 10)
Stay tuned. If there is a response.

What's really funny about Pop's long leash for Bonner, is that he normally doesn't give a long leash to players, who have clearly underperformed.

Hedo Turkoglu, a far better player than Bonner, was only given a year to prove himself. Same for the likes of Nazr Mohammed , Francisco Elson & Kurt Thomas, who were given roughly 1 or 2 seasons to clearly demonstrate that they could become regular contributors.

The point being is that all these players were acquired via trade or free agency. They were given a window to demonstrate their wares, then were moved out.

Only Bonner, like Finley before him, has been given the red carpet "royal" treatment by Pop. The coach has continued to force-feed him minutes and entrust him with defensive assignments, when clearly his skills, physical limitations and on-court deficiencies indicated otherwise.

Bonner, unlike Finley, has proven to be a continuous, royal playoff choker, and he keeps getting a pass from the coach, along with being rewarded with a 4-yr extension.

The decision by Pop to continue investing money and years into an end-of-the-bench player like Bonner, forcing him into a prominent rotation role, where he obviously cannot succeed, and yet expecting different results clearly demonstrates that Pop has lost his mind.

[portnoy1]

The solution is pretty obvious for Pop. Trade for Chris Kaman(Theirs your starting C) Sign and Trade for Krilenko(He can replace RJ and can play the 4 when Pop wants to go small) Sign TJ ford. Keep Duncan/Ginobili/Splitter/Neal/Novak/Parker????? everybody else can be traded and replaced in some way.

[TheManFromAcme]

LOL

How many consecutive years with a winning road record?

How many consecutive years making the playoffs?

Best record in the West, one shy of the league?

4 ing championships?

fired? LOL...

This aint the Lakers.

gotta agree with you here DMC

You couldn't just put anyone at the helm and Spurs fan has a terrible memory. What's next? Bob Hill got cheated out?

The man brought 4, again 4 championships with rotations with personnel that would have had other coaches pulling their hair

This guy is a shoe in HOF.

[Fireball]

Van Gundy has Dwight Howard and he hasn't done , according to some peoples what have you done for me logic. Players with tds mentality and skillset dont come around, often. Plus its unlikely, considering our standings, that well aquire a player of his level, soon.

In other words: Dwight Howard is not and will never be as good as Tim Duncan. I agree on that.

I liked what Pop said in this interview. Its gonna be interesting what happens in the next months ...

[TJastal]

What's really funny about Pop's long leash for Bonner, is that he normally doesn't give a long leash to players, who have clearly underperformed.

Hedo Turkoglu, a far better player than Bonner, was only given a year to prove himself. Same for the likes of Nazr Mohammed , Francisco Elson & Kurt Thomas, who were given roughly 1 or 2 seasons to clearly demonstrate that they could become regular contributors.

The point being is that all these players were acquired via trade or free agency. They were given a window to demonstrate their wares, then were moved out.

Only Bonner, like Finley before him, has been given the red carpet "royal" treatment by Pop. The coach has continued to force-feed him minutes and entrust him with defensive assignments, when clearly his skills, physical limitations and on-court deficiencies indicated otherwise.

Bonner, unlike Finley, has proven to be a continuous, royal playoff choker, and he keeps getting a pass from the coach, along with being rewarded with a 4-yr extension.

The decision by Pop to continue investing money and years into an end-of-the-bench player like Bonner, forcing him into a prominent rotation role, where he obviously cannot succeed, and yet expecting different results clearly demonstrates that Pop has lost his mind.

I have a theory, Senorspur. Pop was so shamed over the whole Scola incident he cannot let Bonner go until he "proves" to the world he made the right choice in obtaining Bonner instead. Don't matter that poor Tim Duncan who has done such great things for the franchise in his career (elevated the franchise value over 300 million dollars since he was signed), now must spend significant minutes with this putz on the floor. This is all about Pop and his stubborn pride to not admit to his mistake. Pop simply doesn't give a about the spurs, or any of his players. Just a narcissistic bag reveling in all the attention he's gotten by riding the coattails of Tim Duncan for the past decade.

[cantthinkofanything]

The man brought 4, again 4 championships with rotations with personnel that would have had other coaches pulling their hair.

LOL...what??? "Personnel that would have other coaches pulling out there hair." You mean having two of the most dominant post men in NBA history that are low key and not driven by ego and willing to be coached. Or maybe one of the quickest point guards in the world in his prime. Or maybe a foreign player that has won at every level. Not to mention all the other pieces of which almost all were coachable and not trouble makers.

I give all the credit in the world for the FO and Pop for finding some of those players. But to make it seem like Pop molded a ragtag bunch of scrappy players into world champions makes me snort beer out my nose.

[Spurtacus]

Q: If you do talk trades, are there any players you’d consider untouchable?

A: Yeah, there are several untouchables, but I won’t name them.

Bonner.