Is Game 3 a must win?

[Obstructed_View]

I don't understand why Pop takes out a certain player when he has a hot hand, like Danny Green yesterday. I can understand him resting Duncan because of his age or having a bad night but Pop is so fixated on playing people certain minutes including role players. This is nonsense. It's the NBA finals. Go out there and play some of our guys 40 minutes if necessary. The Spurs came from a 10 day rest there's no excuse to be conserving people's minutes.

Agreed. There's an excellent chance that Timmy may just be ready to use up whatever he's got for the next five games. No sense in saving anyone.

[TheGoldStandard]

I don't understand why Pop takes out a certain player when he has a hot hand, like Danny Green yesterday. I can understand him resting Duncan because of his age or having a bad night but Pop is so fixated on playing people certain minutes including role players. This is nonsense. It's the NBA finals. Go out there and play some of our guys 40 minutes if necessary. The Spurs came from a 10 day rest there's no excuse to be conserving people's minutes.

Its as if he intentionally wants to play ty at times or have lulls in the offense. Oh you're shooting well so lets stick you on the bench to get cold and out of rhythm and we'll go with this guy. Danny can go at least 37 to 40 minutes given his role, he's not on LeBron and he spreads the floor but we'd rather have Neal and Manu playing those minutes.. for the life of me I don't see why Neal is in this series at all, he gives up height, defense and his not reliable on offense.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

I hope Neal, Ginobili and Bonner play fewer than 5 minutes.

And I hope Green, Parker, Leonard, Duncan, all play 40-45 minutes.

[TheGoldStandard]

I hope Neal, Ginobili and Bonner play fewer than 5 minutes.

And I hope Green, Parker, Leonard, Duncan, all play 40-45 minutes.

This just in Gary Neal is starting..

[DJR210]

Nah, just have faith in a man who is largely responsible for a few Championships.

LMAO again. This is the typical "what Manu did 8 years ago argument". Bro, I am a die hard Spurs fan, and I wish the best for Manu and the team. But lets be honest for a second.. What Manu did for us 5 or more years ago doesn't mean in these playoffs. Faith is what you have in God, not a basketball player. His decline is no fluke, his time has come just like all the great ones before him.

His mileage has MORE than caught up w/ him. At this point he cannot even be relied upon to bring the ball up court. Last night was not the first time he looked that out of control handling the ball. His ability to split the defenders is gone.

This is a man who has played DEEP into the playoffs almost every year since 02', not to mention his National Team duties. The guy has a ton of damage to his body from the years of throwing his it around. He has been injured dozens of times over the years. He is not the same type of low impact, efficient style player that Duncan is which is why the two are at opposite ends of the productivity spectrum today.

The guy is a born winner, is highly intelligent/experienced, and I thank him for all he has done for San Antonio, but his body has simply given up on him. I think it's fair to stop referring to San Antonio as having a "Big Three" unless you plan on replacing Manu w/ Kawhi.

[siraulo23]

if the spurs wanna win in 5

yes

[The_Coyote]

The Spurs should absolutely approach tomorrow and every game from here on out as a must win.

But playing by (highly arbitrary) numbers, I'd say that as of today, the Spurs have a 30-40% chance of winning this series; those odds decrease to 10-15% tomorrow with a loss and increase to 60-70% with a win.

[maverick1948]

Yes. Every game is a must in win. It's the finals dammit. There is nothing else.

I AGREE

[therealtruth]

That's why I want Green and Leonard to push 40 min in this game.

The Spurs have to take any advantage they can get including their youth.