We just may not be good enough to beat the Thunder with any regularity.

[eDizzle20]

You can only take so much from any regular season game. Not having Kawhi I think changes things quite a bit. And don't tell me Pop and the players were not thinking about tomorrow night against Denver. That game is a lot more winnable than this one was.

[DPG21920]

The Thunder are undoubtedly the favorites. That's been obvious since last season.

But I'm not sure how much you can take from this game when two of San Antonio's four most important players against OKC didn't play. And Jack, who is either the fifth or sixth most important player against these guys, was returning from injury.

Tbh, that first matchup didn't really count because Martin was new to OKC. I don't think this game told us anything either.

Probably true - only differnce is it took a game winner at the buzzer during their "off time" while they beat the Spurs down during "their off time". But I agree, OKC is by far the favorites still especially if Pop/TP can't figure out a way to beat what we know will happen - Thabo on TP.

[ElNono]

But I'm not sure how much you can take from this game when two of San Antonio's four most important players against OKC didn't play.

tbh, does it matter when one of those guys have to defend KD? I mean, I think KD didn't even break a sweat today and we quit by the 3rd quarter...

[Poolboy5623]

This thread Is the reality of it all, if the spurs can get to that pt(wcf against okc). And missing Manu isn't that uncommon really. They got lucky with him last year but I'll me more surprised if he's healthy, come playoffs, than if he's injured. Unfortunately that's what's realistic these days. The spurs did NOTHING to avenge their 4 straight losses to okc, last year(personnel wise). Pop must just figure they'll make more shots this time around.

[cd021]

Its on Pop to counter what the Thunder are doing to Parker

To be fair, season series is 1-1 without Manu playing either game

I thought given the roster availability he did a decent job, but the turnovers man, Its like we have 5 Mark Sanchez's ballin' nightly. Are turnovers are nearly up 2.5 from last season. Thats insane.

[Sean Cagney]

We need to make a move to have a chance against them.

I agree with this here.

[letmk]

Unfortunately I have the same impression as I don't feel the comeback of Kawhi and Manu can change the flow of the game. They are just super athletic from 1 to 5. What is more worrisome is that, other than the speed advantage, they are actually overpowering us as well.

[JRHernandez88]

I ain't buying we need to make a move. I think we can beat them just the way we are. Our team still hasn't gotten everyone on one page and Tim looked worn out tonight. Kawhi & Jack switching off on Durant will make a difference too. The Thunder are still going to be the favorites but give this team some more time to get clicking with Splitter & Duncan, and everyone healthy. We'll be alright.

[Russo21]

Try nab Dalembert and Luc-Richard from the bucks... Do whatever it takes without trading the big 3 + Leonard. Then we'd be ready to rumble with the best of them.

[Russo21]

Strut out a defensive lineup of

Dalambert
Duncan
Luc-Richard
Leonard
Parker

The opposition would be in for a headache or two.

[JRHernandez88]

never gonna happen

[Juggity]

lol @ Neal shrinking away from big moments

[JRHernandez88]

lol @ Neal shrinking away from big moments

wtf someone said that?? Gary Neal gots bulls nuts.

[Spurs da champs]

If the Spurs could get Milsap for Jackson (slim to none, but the Jazz need to trade either Jefferson or Milsap because Favors is just too good & has too much potential to sit on the bench), I'd be all for that, his jump shot could lure Ibaka await from the paint & he's a decent post scorer.

He's also got the ability to play the 3.

But I don't know what it is with Ibaka & even Perkins they just don't miss their J's against the Spurs?

[Juggity]

wtf someone said that?? Gary Neal gots bulls nuts.

Yeah the OP said:

Guys like Neal, Bonner and Green are likely to shrink away when the games REALLY matter.

[JRHernandez88]

I should of stopped reading right there.

[MR-Clutch]

Maybe Kawhi will help but we need another offensive threat in the starting lineup. The fact the Green can't drive or create that well for others doesn't help our offense, especially with Tiago in starting line up. I would like to see what Anderson could do with some more minutes at the expense of green or Neal. Anderson had some solid moves tonight even if a couple did result in turnovers. He made a solid pass or two as well. We know what we have in Green and Neal. Anderson is still an unknown at this point and in his limited minutes has a higher player efficiency rating and assist percentage than both. I'm not saying he could be an all-star or anything, but if he can do what Green does ( defense / jumpers) but also drive and pass it would add another dimension to offense.

[crc21209]

Is it me, or do the Thunder not really have a good bench? I mean it's OK, but when they're bench was in there is when the Spurs hung around the most and it wasn't until their starters came back in that they extended their lead toward the end of the 2nd qtr. Other than Martin and Collison, that's about it. Maynor only played 11 minutes which isnt really. Ibaka and Durant played 39 minutes, while Westbrook played 37. At some point, this HAS to catch up to these guys right? I was also pretty pissed that Brooks kept his starters out there for basically the last 7-8 minutes of the 4th when the game was well at hand. I saw it as a slap in the face to keep his starters out there against De Colo, Mills, Anderson, Blair, and Bonner. I wouldn't feel bad for them if one of their stars got hurt over the course of the season for doing that....

[SpursRock20]

It's not just you. The Thunder don't have a good bench and they really don't need one when their stars can play over 40 minutes every night. Until one of them gets injured they will keep playing them a lot of minutes. One of the reasons I say start Manu against them is for that exact reason. Our bench outplays theirs with or without Manu.

[KaiRMD1]

The meltdown begins......

[Fabbs]

I'm sure Pop will find a way to beat OKC.

[dunkman]

It's just a regular season game. Still too early.

[Captivus]

The Spurs need to do something, im talking about a trade. We just cant expect that players like Nando and Anderson get better by the time we face them in the PO.
We need a guy that can rebound and block shots. They destroyed us yesterday...remember last year, 4 in a row...i dont forget and the Spurs shouldnt forget also.
I dont think Kiwi or Jackson can stop Ibaka, he is just too big, strong, fast, atheltic and he has a jump shot.
I like the idea of a big who can shoot, Ibaka cant be near the basket.

[spurspokesman]

Tim Duncan is too old to contend with a ridiculous number of trees and Tony Parker's "run faster than everybody else" tactic isn't going to get the job done against elite athletes. Guys like Neal, Bonner and Green are likely to shrink away when the games REALLY matter.

So...what do we do? What is/are our trump card(s) against them?

What will be our saving grace against them (and Miami/New York)?

Neal shrink?

[tmtcsc]

Just stop. No Leonard and no Manu changes lots of things. Player rotations, combinations, etc. OKC took a step back when they lost Harden. It will all wash out in the playoffs. Memphis and San Antonio are more than capable of beating this version of the Thunder. We aren't even at the halfway point of the season. OKC is playing good basketball and we are in a tough stretch. The Spurs will get some home cooking soon and some rest and will get back to the top of the WC. I'm with Tony - If Ibaka's going to shoot that much, then you let him be the poison. He (no one really) can sustain what he did last night.