Random thoughts after OT loss in Memphis

[hater]

some fans have low standards when it comes to this fkn team, they accept hero ball and first round fodder bull over a championship....

the hero ball movement needs to end!!!!

wtf is this TP era going to end?

LOL if you think this team as it is built should win 70% of games and be favorite to win it all, you the delusional one

wake up, as built this team is good to make it to WCF tops. Finals if Durant gets shot. that's all. Nobody is beating the Heat anyway

[quentin_compson]

Memphis. Does. Not. Scare. Me.

Well, I'm pretty sure the Spurs don't scare Memphis either.

[benefactor]

TDMVPDPOY
grey'd

[Richie]

LOL if you think this team as it is built should win 70% of games and be favorite to win it all, you the delusional one

wake up, as built this team is good to make it to WCF tops. Finals if Durant gets shot. that's all. Nobody is beating the Heat anyway

I think we could beat the Heat, but it would be on Timmy. As I see it, we need Tony to get us to the WCF, Manu to get us past OKC and Timmy to get us past Miami.

Manu is the trump card when it comes to OKC. Martin is a much worse defender than Harden, so if OKC want to put Sefelosha on Parker again then Manu will need to step up and torch Martin. Ideally they will switch Thabo on to Manu and allow Parker to destroy Westbrook as he did in the first 2 games last year. Harden is an underrated defender IMO, he's strong, quick and long and will be a big miss for them.

The Heats problem is up front, and with Timmy/Tiago we have the edge. Obviously they have the edge on the wings but if Timmy plays as well as he has to start the season he could kill them inside. Not to mention playing with two bigs will help defend the hoop and get Lebron/Wade taking jumpers. If they win with the jumpshot then fair play to them.

Obviously we're massive underdogs, but I don't see it as an impossible feat.

[Strategic]

And Leonard has looked completely lost on offense, just plain bad. I realize he has more of a garbage/utility man game but I used to see him driving and expect results. Now he is almost interchangeable with Green when he's driving to the rack

Pop didn't like Horry, Bowen, or RJ taking the ball to the hoop. If you're not TD, MG or TP you either pass or shoot.

[Ice009]

The old saying "A dunk is only worth two points" is costing the Spurs games. They need to ing dunk the ball when they are near the rim. Manu should have went for a dunk on that ty call that was reversed. Tiago would have had some more easy scores if he just dunked the ball. I'm getting sick of these guys going weak to the rim and trying to lay it up. In a playoff like battle against Memphis, you gotta dunk that ball home and not throw up weak , otherwise, you're going to get your ass sent home.

[Kidd K]

This is one of the few instances I actually will go ahead and blame Pop. The team's shot selection was very questionable late in the game. The Spurs were casting up threes over and over and over even when they were ahead and missing most of them. I understand the 3 point shot jacking when you're down 4 with 20 seconds left, but when you're up in OT? They kept shooting it.

They also never adjusted to the obvious and frequent late game double teaming. I can understand getting surprised by it once, twice, or even three times. . .but if a team "blitzes" every time, how do you not know it's coming anymore? Was there no counter for it planned at all? "uh. . .just keep doing what you're doing guys". Really?

I was happy to see the miracle comeback (of course, wasn't happy to see it be neccessary because the Spurs blew a double digit lead), but the Spurs looked mentally sloppy for the final 5 minutes of the game and in OT. So many errors and choke-esque plays. It was a close game against an obviously legit defensive team, but the way they closed the game was very disappointing.

[urunobili]

thought: Darrell Arthur is officially a Spurs Killer...

[TheChillFactor]

It was a tough game against a very good and very physical team on the road that we lost in OT. In January for chrissakes. grow the F up and get a handle on your emotions. The team will be top 3 seed and have a shot in May and June.

[cd021]

-Disappointing ending but it wasn't a bad loss. In fact, the Spurs played better than they did against the Lakers and probably the best they've played since the calendar turned to 2013. The in-game improvement was the highlight of the night. Specifically, after turning it over 12 times in the first half, the Spurs only had six turnovers in the second half and overtime. Against the best team in the league at forcing turnovers, that's quite an accomplishment. The shots didn't go down but the offense actually looked like the Spurs offense in the second half. It can still get cleaned up a bit more but this was a step in the right direction.

-The defense was pretty damn solid. The Grizzlies hit some tough shots but it was mostly really good D. Add in the fact that the Spurs rebounded on the defensive glass well against this brutish team and I'll take this. More often than not, when the Spurs hold the opponent to around one point per possession, they'll get a victory. It didn't happen tonight but the D was definitely good enough to get a win.

-Memphis is legit this year. I scoffed them last year, mostly because Zach Randolph was broken. Now, Randolph is back (not all the way back to his 2011 playoffs level, but much better than last year) and they are starting to figure out how to incorporate Rudy Gay into their offense. They are well coached and have a lot of above average players. I'm not sold that their offense is good enough to win a championship but their defense is no joke -- best D in the league in my eyes.

-I'm not yet pushing the panic button in regards to Tim Duncan's health. He hasn't been good in these last three games but it seems more decisions-based rather than he's hurting. Duncan is definitely lacking some explosion but I don't think it's anything serious. (small prayer)

-I'm just about tired of Gary Neal at backup point guard. It's just not working ... and it's not helping that his calf injury is still obviously bothering him. Patrick Mills did fine in the second half. Is it time to go full-time elsewhere? I'm 95% sold that it is time.

-Did Manu Ginobili run out of gas? It looks like he did. He didn't do much of anything in the fourth quarter or the overtime. That's the downfall of capping Ginobili's minutes. When he's needed for more minutes, it's more difficult for him to dig deep.

-I thought Tony Parker properly ran the show in the second half for the first time in a few games. He'd been in an orchestrational funk but he thankfully snapped out of it. The results weren't great but at least the Spurs got back to running plays again.

-Pop going to Danny Green for clutch three-pointers ... I can't say I love that strategy. You have Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson, Gary Neal and others who are old pros at hitting huge shots. Green is green in that category, bad pun somewhat intended.

-This upcoming three-game homestand is really important. The Spurs NEED to take care of business to get back on track. The games aren't easy -- T'Wolves, Grizzlies and then Warriors -- but this is a key stretch for this team to show what they are made of. Are they a 60+ win team that will battle for a first seed or are they going to taper off and settle for a top four seed? We'll know more over the next week.

Agree with every single thing you said.

[cd021]

Question,

1. Does anyone question Pop calling his final timeout in regulation with 9 seconds left and down 6 before the Spurs get a chance to run a play? To be fair, he did get Jackson in the game and his play got Jackson a clean 3 pointer. But it left the Spurs at the mercy of Gay missing 2 free throws (which he surprisingly did) and Parker getting a transition 3 to go in less than four seconds (Aside from Duncan, Splitter, & Blair, Parker is the least likely player to hit that shot)

2. At least to me, it seemed odd that with Memphis going with Arthur & ZBo, Duncan should have been paired with Jackson or Diaw to better cover Arthur on the pick and pops. Instead Splitter was used, given he played well but was in foul trouble.

3.Leonard played 39 minutes but produced only 6 pts and 2 rebounds, I didn't watch the entire game (save for the 4th and OT.) But maybe Jackson should have played more than 19 minutes, I'll defer to anyone who actually watched the entire game, I may have missed something that gave pop the reason to go with Kawhi.

[Brunodf]

Question,

1. Does anyone question Pop calling his final timeout in regulation with 9 seconds left and down 6 before the Spurs get a chance to run a play? To be fair, he did get Jackson in the game and his play got Jackson a clean 3 pointer. But it left the Spurs at the mercy of Gay missing 2 free throws (which he surprisingly did) and Parker getting a transition 3 to go in less than four seconds (Aside from Duncan, Splitter, & Blair, Parker is the least likely player to hit that shot)

2. At least to me, it seemed odd that with Memphis going with Arthur & ZBo, Duncan should have been paired with Jackson or Diaw to better cover Arthur on the pick and pops. Instead Splitter was used, given he played well but was in foul trouble.

3.Leonard played 39 minutes but produced only 6 pts and 2 rebounds, I didn't watch the entire game (save for the 4th and OT.) But maybe Jackson should have played more than 19 minutes, I'll defer to anyone who actually watched the entire game, I may have missed something that gave pop the reason to go with Kawhi.

1) Weird but worked. What pissed me off was Pop not calling a timeout after that Rudy Gay jumper in the OT.
2) Duncan on Arthur was a bad call by Pop, Splitter was just fine defending him...
3)Agree, Jack should have played in the OT, he hit big shots and Kawhi D wasn't that good.

[Russ]

--I'm not yet pushing the panic button in regards to Tim Duncan's health. He hasn't been good in these last three games but it seems more decisions-based rather than he's hurting. Duncan is definitely lacking some explosion but I don't think it's anything serious. (small prayer).

The cynic in me wonders if Pop playing Duncan this much is just an attempt to get Tim into the All Star Game one last time (rather than a basketball-first-Spurs based choice). If so, it would be very uncharacteristic of Pop.

We'll see if, after the AS team is announced and the game is played, Tim's minutes go down big time till the playoffs.

[Captivus]

My only concerne is Kiwi, i think Pop has to figure out how to make him play better, thats his job.
The other players are what they are...i mean, we played against a very good team, it is not easy to win, which we almost did.
So, like I said, my concern is Kiwi, honestly i wasnt expecting more from the other players.
Parker was ok, Green missing a few shots (not a surprise), TD having a difficult time with Gasol, Manu and Jax doing their thing, Diaw passing open looks and only shooting when there no more time on the clock, Tiago continuing to contribute to the team...blahblahblah...
Kiwi...he is my concern.
Are we contenders, i actually dont care, i want to see the Spurs play likw we assume they can, champs or not.

[jjktkk]

Nice writeup Tim. Unfortunately, its a catch 22 regarding Ginobol's minutes. You don't want him to wear down in crunch time, but Pop is probably afraid to extend his minutes, because of the age, injury factor. Manu's minutes will probably extend once we get closer to the end of the season.

[dbreiden83080]

-I'm not yet pushing the panic button in regards to Tim Duncan's health. He hasn't been good in these last three games but it seems more decisions-based rather than he's hurting. Duncan is definitely lacking some explosion but I don't think it's anything serious. (small prayer)

I am starting to worry.. If Tim has major problems with his knee this year i really hope he retires at years end. I just don't want to see him playing on one leg like he was 2 years ago..

[ploto]

-I'm just about tired of Gary Neal at backup point guard. It's just not working ...

Aren't you tired period of the Spurs taking SG's that are playing well and screwing them up by trying to make them into back-up PG's?

[spursfan09]

Ploto hit the nail on the head

[timvp]

Aren't you tired period of the Spurs taking SG's that are playing well and screwing them up by trying to make them into back-up PG's?

No, not in this case. If Neal can't play point guard, there's no room for him in the rotation. I agree that Pop should try to shoehorn him into the point guard position if at all possible because Neal is too good to rack up DNP-CDs.

Unfortunately, it's not looking very possible for him to stick there . . .

[look_at_g_shred]

The old saying "A dunk is only worth two points" is costing the Spurs games. They need to ing dunk the ball when they are near the rim. Manu should have went for a dunk on that ty call that was reversed. Tiago would have had some more easy scores if he just dunked the ball. I'm getting sick of these guys going weak to the rim and trying to lay it up. In a playoff like battle against Memphis, you gotta dunk that ball home and not throw up weak , otherwise, you're going to get your ass sent home.

FORREAL! NO LIE!!! Tiago would be much better if he quit trying to lay it up all the ing time!!

[spursmartyr]

My opinion is quite plain, the Spurs suck ass.

[TD 21]

Specifically, after turning it over 12 times in the first half, the Spurs only had six turnovers in the second half and overtime.

What type of a loser mentality is that? I know the Grizzlies have been the best in the league at forcing turnovers for a few years now and I know it went to overtime, but 18 turnovers is too damn many, particularly on the heels of their recent barrage, which has them at 28th in %.

I see no positives from this game, all I see is further confirmation that this team is going to be eliminated in the 2nd round unless they make a trade for a big and even that might not save them. This team lacks poise. Damn near every time they're on the road against an elite team in a close game, they fold down the stretch.

The defense was pretty damn solid. The Grizzlies hit some tough shots but it was mostly really good D.

Every time some ancillary scorer buries them with a cadre of wide open pick-and-pop jumpers (along with turnovers, this has got to be their Achilles heel), you and others (including the team) pull the "they hit tough (aka flukey) shots". But, for the most part, that's just not true. The shots that did them in were uncontested: The Arthur jumpers and the breakaway dunk at the end.

I'm just about tired of Gary Neal at backup point guard. It's just not working ... and it's not helping that his calf injury is still obviously bothering him. Patrick Mills did fine in the second half. Is it time to go full-time elsewhere? I'm 95% sold that it is time.

I don't disagree, but the calf injury is clearly the main reason for his poor performance . . . but he's not shooting sub 30% from 3, so I guess he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt.

Did Manu Ginobili run out of gas? It looks like he did. He didn't do much of anything in the fourth quarter or the overtime. That's the downfall of capping Ginobili's minutes. When he's needed for more minutes, it's more difficult for him to dig deep.

I don't think he did, he just did what he does now, which is cede control of the offense down the stretch to Parker. But if he did, then your reasoning is exactly why they need to play him a few more mpg.

[timvp]

What type of a loser mentality is that? I know the Grizzlies have been the best in the league at forcing turnovers for a few years now and I know it went to overtime, but 18 turnovers is too damn many, particularly on the heels of their recent barrage, which has them at 28th in %.

Read again. I was pointing out the improvement from the first half to the second half + overtime.

I see no positives from this game, all I see is further confirmation that this team is going to be eliminated in the 2nd round unless they make a trade for a big and even that might not save them.

Per par. Losses, injuries or whatever else is always simply more fodder for the flame of those fantasy trades that you come up with that will never happen.

Every time some ancillary scorer buries them with a cadre of wide open pick-and-pop jumpers (along with turnovers, this has got to be their Achilles heel), you and others (including the team) pull the "they hit tough (aka flukey) shots". But, for the most part, that's just not true. The shots that did them in were uncontested: The Arthur jumpers and the breakaway dunk at the end.

Poor assumption. I was talking about those three or four difficult shots Rudy Gay hit.

[polandprzem]

No, not in this case. If Neal can't play point guard, there's no room for him in the rotation. I agree that Pop should try to shoehorn him into the point guard position if at all possible because Neal is too good to rack up DNP-CDs.

Unfortunately, it's not looking very possible for him to stick there . . .

How is there no room for him at 2 spot?

TP
Green Manu Neal
Jax Kawhi
TD
Splitt, Boris


With manu taking charge as playmaker with the 2nd unit, if really pop needs Neal to play. Then you can have all variations with him at 3 spot or so.

[timvp]

How is there no room for him at 2 spot?

TP
Green Manu Neal
Jax Kawhi
TD
Splitt, Boris


With manu taking charge as playmaker with the 2nd unit, if really pop needs Neal to play. Then you can have all variations with him at 3 spot or so.

That rotation you suggested is the one Pop currently uses. It ends up with Neal at PG behind Parker because he's the best ballhandler available. Ginobili can't advance the ball under pressure well at all (worse than Neal) ... plus you don't want Ginobili wasting energy doing that anyways.