Manu will be the scapegoat as usual, but...

[ElNono]

Well, with Miami winning this game, he's definitely getting some criticism now. Barkley couldn't stop talking about Manu needing to play better in the postgame.

[Brazil]

I thought we could get away with it if Green kept on shooting like he is and Tony was healthy and played like he did in games 1 and 3... but with Tony hurt, I definitely agree.

That's why I said Manu will need to produce more personally. I thought the rest of his game was ok, but 4 shots isn't going to get it done.

This is where I disagree, tp hurt or not. Green shooting is totally off the chart, there is no way he keeps that during a 7 game serie. We need to win at least one game in Miami, this kind of games are not for green or Neal or diaw, these are the games we need the big 3 to carry the team. Once again I don't expect miracle, I think we will loose this serie but if we have a shot it will be thanks to two or three vintage perf by the big 3 and I'm fine with that.

Spurs 2012 / 2013 are already a success with a fifth lob or not.

[ElNono]

Dude, it was teh very next post after yours

I'm trying to watch the game. When I hit reload, there's 20 new posts... some will be missed, tbh

[LakerLanny]

Ginobili has fallen in love with the 3. He needs to look to drive the ball and he needs to play with a lot more scrap and urgency than he has shown so far.

If I am Popovich, I get him some isolations early in Game 5 and tell him to look to drive and finish or drive and kick. No more 3's, let Green, Neal and bad ass Kawhi Leonard (SDSU superstar) take those.

[Fabbs]

...he was ok. He handed Splitter 3 dunks right under the rim, and Tiago wasted them all.

Hacked the f out of Splitters elbow. Not sure if .gif or photo has been put up yet. BSPN made damn sure to change the subject.
The second one looked 50/50. Third one i agree Splitter was Bonbon soft. He needs to get angry.

[baseline bum]

I'm trying to watch the game. When I hit reload, there's 20 new posts... some will be missed, tbh

You're watching the game at 1:50 EST? Why the are you watching a replay of that ed up performance lol?

[ElNono]

This is where I disagree, tp hurt or not. Green shooting is totally off the chart, there is no way he keeps that during a 7 game serie. We need to win at least one game in Miami, this kind of games are not for green or Neal or diaw, these are the games we need the big 3 to carry the team. Once again I don't expect miracle, I think we will loose this serie but if we have a shot it will be thanks to two or three vintage perf by the big 3 and I'm fine with that.

Spurs 2012 / 2013 are already a success with a fifth lob or not.

I agree about already surpassing expectations.

With a healthy TP we did win in Miami, and Manu was good, but not great. Obviously, TP being hurt is a reality, so we're going to need a couple of great games from Manu and Tim.

The real issue here is that Manu's role will likely have to change in order to make that a reality. And I don't mean role as 'he just gotta want it more'. I mean the Spurs will have to put him in a position that the current backup PG role doesn't give him: open looks, the possibility to drive, etc. The big conundrum is how to do that without another actual solid backup PG.

[LakerLanny]

Hacked the f out of Splitters elbow. Not sure if .gif or photo has been put up yet. BSPN made damn sure to change the subject.
The second one looked 50/50. Third one i agree Splitter was Bonbon soft. He needs to get angry.

That one was a total hack by Wade, ridiculous no call. I knew the Spurs were in trouble when I saw the crew was Scott Fixster, Irish Mike Callahan and the hopelessly inept Bill Kennedy.

[ElNono]

You're watching the game at 1:50 EST? Why the are you watching a replay of that ed up performance lol?

dude, I made that post in the game thread while the game was going on... you been drinking?

[SpurSpurSpurs]

He won't get an open shot playing PG and running the pick and roll with one big and 3 other shooters. The problem the Spurs face is that there's nobody else to run PG. So you either play Manu with Tony, or we're going to have to stick with this.

Agree. As of now, just like what I mentioned in other threads, Joseph is just a filler in this series.

Question though, playing Manu means less time for Green. The way Manu is playing now, will you still risk it? No doubts of Manu being super Manu, but Green has been consistently better than him in this series.

[timvp]

Obviously, TP being hurt is a reality

Wait, you mean it wasn't a ruse to troll the Heat














@ Spurs fans

[ElNono]

Agree. As of now, just like what I mentioned in other threads, Joseph is just a filler in this series.

Question though, playing Manu means less time for Green. The way Manu is playing now, will you still risk it? No doubts of Manu being super Manu, but Green has been consistently better than him in this series.

Miami is starting Miller instead of Haslem. Pop today brought in Neal like 20 secs after the game started for Splitter.

Instead of Neal, Manu could play smallball with the starters. The big question mark is who plays PG with the second unit?

We've talked all season about who gets the backup PG spot. Miami is certainly exposing that now.

[baseline bum]

dude, I made that post in the game thread while the game was going on... you been drinking?

But you went back there to find your post lol. And I really could use a drink after this game tbh... stopped by the liquor store today to get a Father's Day gift and should have picked up a bottle of Herradura for the postgame I guess.

[GSH]

Damn... the more I think about it. With Manu playing a legit 2, he'd be getting the ball with some space. They'd have to respect the shot enough that they WOULD bite on his ball fakes. Once he gets inside the perimeter defense, he will still get guys some easy ones. And if he got a few open looks from the arc, he might just start knocking some down.

IF T-Mac could run the point enough to beat that trap and not cough it up, I can still see a way out of this series.

Wait, you mean it wasn't a ruse to troll the Heat

Heh

[ElNono]

Wait, you mean it wasn't a ruse to troll the Heat

I was just responding to "whether tp is hurt or not"... well, he damn sure is. there's no more hypothetical there.

[DMC]

Miami is starting Miller instead of Haslem. Pop today brought in Neal like 20 secs after the game started for Splitter.

Instead of Neal, Manu could play smallball with the starters. The big question mark is who plays PG with the second unit?

We've talked all season about who gets the backup PG spot. Miami is certainly exposing that now.

They are exposing it because we are allowing it. Several times I saw Cojo bringing the ball up under pressure without and backcourt help from his team. That cannot happen. He needs options. They are going to pressure him and we have to make them pay for doing so.

[ElNono]

But you went back there to find your post lol. And I really could use a drink after this game tbh... stopped by the liquor store today to get a Father's Day gift and should have picked up a bottle of Herradura for the postgame I guess.

oh yeah, no, I just missed it again...

I'm obviously disappointed in this loss, but we had too many errors. I'm mad we played like we did, but the fact is we're not going to win a lot of games turning the ball over like that.

[baseline bum]

Wait, you mean it wasn't a ruse to troll the Heat














@ Spurs fans

Do you think the Spurs have any choice other than to play Parker 40 minutes a night until someone is holding a trophy? I don't.

[timvp]

Do you think the Spurs have any choice other than to play Parker 40 minutes a night until someone is holding a trophy? I don't.

No, Pop has to play Parker 40 minutes in Game 5. If his hamstring explodes, it explodes.

And Manu needs to get his 30-32 minutes, with Duncan going 38-40.

[ElNono]

They are exposing it because we are allowing it. Several times I saw Cojo bringing the ball up under pressure without and backcourt help from his team. That cannot happen. He needs options. They are going to pressure him and we have to make them pay for doing so.

It's because the Spurs are not used to the trapping. We're used to the big spacing, so everybody walk to their spot, and don't think they need to be an outlet. It's hard to change when you played the same way for 100 games.

And I thought Miami was extra aggressive on CoJo today. Frankly, it's a tough stage for a rookie. Same with DeColo... that's why I'm more inclined with perhaps T-Mac getting a cameo there if we want to go with the Spurs starting Manu route.

[baseline bum]

No, Pop has to play Parker 40 minutes in Game 5. If his hamstring explodes, it explodes.

And Manu needs to get his 30-32 minutes, with Duncan going 38-40.

I have to venture that's what Tony's thinking too. To be this close to a le, knowing it will never happen again unless he's traded. And that he'll likely never play on a team this good again. I mean this 2013 Spurs team is pretty ing amazing. God I wish they didn't have to match up with a 66 win Heat team that is one of the all-time greats I have ever seen.

[Sean Cagney]

win or lose, i will always be on manu's bandwagon. y'all haterz!!!!

LOL haterz! How about he step up and play worth a and nobody will hate? Sometimes the truth is truth! He has sucked all finals and most of the playoffs, FACT! WE all love old MANU BLAH BLAh blah! I love old Manu too! NOW HE IS JUST garbage.......... He sucks now, period.

[GSH]

Miami is starting Miller instead of Haslem. Pop today brought in Neal like 20 secs after the game started for Splitter.

Instead of Neal, Manu could play smallball with the starters. The big question mark is who plays PG with the second unit?

We've talked all season about who gets the backup PG spot. Miami is certainly exposing that now.

The question is - what do you want out of a backup PG? I mean, obviously you want minimal dropoff, but that's not going to happen. What I'm getting at is, they are obviously counting on running down our backup ball handlers and making them cough it up. So someone who could just hold onto the ball would be a big improvement.

I would NEVER suggest putting in T-Mac expecting his old offensive abilities. But he's a good ball handler. And he's big, and strong, and experienced. He shouldn't be a rabbit in the headlights, the way CoJo is. Just getting up some shot attempts - any shot attempts, would be a big plus. Like I said, they way guys are shooting, a few of them will go in. But bigger than that, we would run out more of the clocks, which gives Tony more time on the bench. And the Heat wouldn't be able to run as effectively off of missed shots as off of turnovers, which means they won't be shooting 100% for those stretches of the game. If we're just looking to hold down the fort until Tony gets back, I think McGrady might be up to it.

[SpurSpurSpurs]

Miami is starting Miller instead of Haslem. Pop today brought in Neal like 20 secs after the game started for Splitter.

Instead of Neal, Manu could play smallball with the starters. The big question mark is who plays PG with the second unit?

We've talked all season about who gets the backup PG spot. Miami is certainly exposing that now.

I'd rather have Diaw in place of Splitter. Which is good than having Manu play right away. Taking away the PG and play maker of the 2nd unit is not a good thing to do. Diaw can defend either James or Wade.

Splitter should only get PT when one of Miami's big 3 is sitting. Manu and Splitter has that PnR chemistry that should work.

TP TD DG KL BDiaw as starters, again, maybe?
MG, Neal, Splitter and a BIT of Bonner as subs. KL, DG and TP (if hamstring not bothering him) should still get big minutes.

[Fabbs]

No, Pop has to play Parker 40 minutes in Game 5. If his hamstring explodes, it explodes.

And Manu needs to get his 30-32 minutes, with Duncan going 38-40.

By jibbers the Big 3 should still be playing 40 min a game in the year 2032. It's the only way we'll win.