Game Thread: Spurs vs Mavs -- Wed. (11/25) - 7:30PM CST (3:30AM Riga Time)

[sasaint]

I was looking at the number yesterday & they are similar to 98-99 on both ends. Even Kawhi is performing at the same level as Tim. If you guy remember Tim wasn't the clear cut #1 in 97-98 & that was clear in the series against the Jazz where the Spurs could have won if Tim went for his instead of differing to Admiral. In 98-99 he made it clear that it was his team just like Kawhi is doing this season. People were also saying the Spurs wouldn't win w/ Avery like folks are now saying w/ Tony.

D-West also reminds me of Elie who was the offseason acquisition in the summer of 98.

If memory serves me, '99 worked out okay.

[SAGirl]

Q: could Boban be turned into a serious player this season?

I wish. I kind of expected more playtime for him and the rest of the project players we have early this season.

But the experiments have been with the main guys, lineups, the SL struggling, guys getting amplified roles (I think Danny and Patty making plays off the dribble is by design), and well the low scoring games and tight games, we have not had enough experiements with the bench.

i thought both Simmons and Boban played well last game. Boban is prone to TO though, but Pop needs to play him at least 6 mins 3 mins here and 3 there. We probably don't want TD on B2B either. I am not sure.

Boban is on a 1 year contract though. I would think you need to play him some through the season, not only to evaluate if you want to resign him, but to be able to value his contract accordingly.

[Kawhitstorm]

Be just like Pop to revert to pounding the ball into the low post and relying on grinding defense just when the whole league falls in love with small ball.

Let's not forget that the Bulls were basically the original small-ball team to win a championship w/ Kukoc at the 4 & Rodman at the 5 along w/ Jordan/Pippen/Harper & Pop started none other than Will Perdue at small forward (****** was injured) along w/ Tim/Robinson in the 98 postseason. So he has been trying to defeat championship smallball w/ size.

****** being injured in 98 is the equivalent of Tiago's injury this past postseason as it cost them the Jazz series & a shot at going up against the Bulls.

[SAGirl]

Want to take a pause to thank all for chatting about this stuff.
Whether we want to crush each others opinions or not, its nice for me to hear what other fans as passionate as me think about these things.

Its a hobby of sorts!

Have all a happy holidays if you celebrate them, and if you don't cheers anyways.

[sasaint]

Let's not forget that the Bulls were basically the original small-ball team to win a championship w/ Kukoc at the 4 & Rodman at the 5 along w/ Jordan/Pippen/Harper & Pop started none other than Will Perdue at small forward (****** was injured) along w/ Tim/Robinson in the 98 postseason. So he has been trying to championship smallball w/ size.

****** being injured in 98 is the equivalent of Tiago's injury this past postseason as it cost them the Jazz series & a shot at going up against the Bulls.

Wow, Will Perdue at SF. That has to rank as one of the all-time biggest front-lines (not to say slowest) of all time. And people think Kyle's lack of speed should be a big concern!

[Kawhitstorm]

I wish. I kind of expected more playtime for him and the rest of the project players we have early this season.

But the experiments have been with the main guys, lineups, the SL struggling, guys getting amplified roles (I think Danny and Patty making plays off the dribble is by design), and well the low scoring games and tight games, we have not had enough experiements with the bench.

i thought both Simmons and Boban played well last game. Boban is prone to TO though, but Pop needs to play him at least 6 mins 3 mins here and 3 there. We probably don't want TD on B2B either. I am not sure.

Boban is on a 1 year contract though. I would think you need to play him some through the season, not only to evaluate if you want to resign him, but to be able to value his contract accordingly.

Baynes didn't play much in the regular season during his first season but Pop unleashed him against the Blazers in the playoffs. But then he left Tiago glued to the bench in 2011 so who knows what he's going to do as long as Bonner stays in the dog house. I'm expecting Kyle to get the rookie G.Hill treatment who got playing time in the playoffs when Pop wanted to throw the kitchen sink out of desperation.

[Arcadian]

The NBA is so predictable... We all know the Final Four will be Warriors/Spurs and Cavs/Bulls, so let's just cut the and start the conference finals now.

[DarrinS]

Finally.

I was getting worried as problems were not going to be fixed by his mobility.
David really needs to understand situations to be his most effective.

Thats a couple of solid games now. Keep it going.

That guy, more than anyone, made a huge sacrifice. I hope it works out for him. Good dude.

[ElNono]

Want to take a pause to thank all for chatting about this stuff.
Whether we want to crush each others opinions or not, its nice for me to hear what other fans as passionate as me think about these things.

Its a hobby of sorts!

Have all a happy holidays if you celebrate them, and if you don't cheers anyways.

Happy thanksgiving to you too

[DarrinS]

I wish. I kind of expected more playtime for him and the rest of the project players we have early this season.

But the experiments have been with the main guys, lineups, the SL struggling, guys getting amplified roles (I think Danny and Patty making plays off the dribble is by design), and well the low scoring games and tight games, we have not had enough experiements with the bench.

i thought both Simmons and Boban played well last game. Boban is prone to TO though, but Pop needs to play him at least 6 mins 3 mins here and 3 there. We probably don't want TD on B2B either. I am not sure.

Boban is on a 1 year contract though. I would think you need to play him some through the season, not only to evaluate if you want to resign him, but to be able to value his contract accordingly.

Pop is s damn Renaissance man. I never know what he's going to do. I do know that he can bring out the best in a player. I've always been skeptical of players Boban's size, tho.

[Kawhitstorm]

The NBA is so predictable... We all know the Final Four will be Warriors/Spurs and Cavs/Bulls, so let's just cut the and start the conference finals now.

I wouldn't count the Bulls in w/ Noah/Rose/Pau ready to crumble at any moment. The Heat are supposedly trying to make a trade for a shooter so their roster isn't set but Wade's health status is unknown. The Wizards frontline looks terrible but they have the best backcourt when Beal is in the lineup. Basically, the Hawks could reach the ECF for the second time in a row if the rest of the field isn't healthy thus Cavs will yet again cakewalk into the Finals.

In any case, Paul George is looking like the 2nd best player in the East so the Pacers are my dark horse to reach the ECF if Monta can find his groove.

[SAGirl]

Just when I thought you were coming around you the bed.

I still like him, but I am now sharing the concern others do, concerning our lack of depth. I thought Pop made some questionable decisions this game and overplayed Manu and Kawhi. We are just no surviving the full season with Kawhi at 41 minutes. It's too much over the long run. Pop counted on blowouts and what not to rest the stars, but we have had a relatively easy schedule until the last two games, which were hot teams and better coached, and still our games were close, or teams mounted come backs that made it impossible to rest ppl in the game.

I am still not sure another wing would solve that, bc Pop would be reluctant to play him unless he's an established vet or something, and for established vet we have Butler.

But it is indeed a concern over the long run that Pop is not playing his other wings as much. Maybe he does want Belinelli back, since he played Belinelli 22 mins average last season.

[SAGirl]

Also, Pop knows he's playing against probably the 2nd best coach in the league... Rick is very good in finding weak spots, so much more of a reason to roll with the older/experienced guys in crunch time.

I secretly admire Carlile and Dirk. Much respect to them.

[sasaint]

The NBA is so predictable... We all know the Final Four will be Warriors/Spurs and Cavs/Bulls, so let's just cut the and start the conference finals now.

Old but healthy Spurs would agree.

[sasaint]

Want to take a pause to thank all for chatting about this stuff.
Whether we want to crush each others opinions or not, its nice for me to hear what other fans as passionate as me think about these things.

Its a hobby of sorts!

Have all a happy holidays if you celebrate them, and if you don't cheers anyways.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for your analysis and courtesy.

[SAGirl]

Baynes didn't play much in the regular season during his first season but Pop unleashed him against the Blazers in the playoffs. But then he left Tiago glued to the bench in 2011 so who knows what he's going to do as long as Bonner stays in the dog house. I'm expecting Kyle to get the rookie G.Hill treatment who got playing time in the playoffs when Pop wanted to throw the kitchen sink out of desperation.

It has been concerning that Diaw is looking slower and heavier this season. I honestly don't think he's faster or more agile than Kyle at this point, and Kyle can really defend in the perimeter, Diaw is just adequate. Diaw will of course slim down in March, get on his diet and show up. He just has that knack for showing up for big games thankfully.

As for this game, I forgot about Diaw entirely, but now that you mention it Diaw has really gotten Pop upset. I missed whether Diaw was his own undoing in this case. I remember him passing up on shots from range, then we saw Kyle for 2 minutes, then Rasual. Those were all Diaw's minutes. It's not like Pop played Rasual or Kyle at wings spots. That is how we end up with Kawhi 41 minutes and Manu 28.

After all this, I really got on Pop over the Rasual decision, but it really comes back to Diaw.

[DarrinS]

At the end of the day, Spurs have the second best record in the league. Pretty amazing, tbh.

[Kawhitstorm]

It has been concerning that Diaw is looking slower and heavier this season. I honestly don't think he's faster or more agile than Kyle at this point, and Kyle can really defend in the perimeter, Diaw is just adequate. Diaw will of course slim down in March, get on his diet and show up. He just has that knack for showing up for big games thankfully.

I remember Diaw looking spry to start the season, swatting shots & all. He has looked sluggish since the Blazers game where he schooled the young bucks. I'm assuming he's just coasting but w/ D-West on board it shouldn't be a problem as long as Pop isn't sending him out there to guard stretch 4s. (If Butler can hit an outside shot he would have been getting more minutes against stretch 4s, he's keeping Bonner glued to the bench w/ his hustle so I can't complain)

[turb0time]

At the end of the day, Spurs have the second best record in the league. Pretty amazing, tbh.

[SAGirl]

I remember Diaw looking spry to start the season, swatting shots & all. He has looked sluggish since the Blazers game where he schooled the young bucks. I'm assuming he's just coasting but w/ D-West on board it shouldn't be a problem as long as Pop isn't sending him out there to guard stretch 4s. (If Butler can hit an outside shot he would have been getting more minutes against stretch 4s, he's keeping Bonner glued to the bench w/ his hustle so I can't complain)

I much prefer Butler as a stretch 4, but you know its not his natural position. One of the reasons I don't like Bonner as a stretch 4 is that he just stands there, which is the same Butler did in this case. There is a lack of cutting and rolling and off the ball movement with that set up and it doesn't work very well. It offers space to the post up player to go to work, but its less efficient, or worse than having a stretch 4 who can also make plays off the bounce, which is what makes Boris special. He not only spots up, but he also posts ups, drives, passes. He's incredibly versatile as Pops "medium 4".

Kyle is a much different player, and we don't know yet what he'll be, and hes much more perimeter based than Diaw, since he's so slim, but he is similar in making plays off the bounce, staying active off the ball, setting screens and not staying just spotted up, and unlike Diaw, since Kyle is slim and I guess "agile-slow", he cuts. He is just a smart BBIQ player. That opens up opportunities for others, etc.

Pop is having Butler play literally the Bonner role. I would much prefer Butler to Bonner, but Kyle is superior to both, even now. But that is just my fandom talking.

Diaw obviously is much better not just bc of his experience but bc he's a true 4, his strenght and weight allow him to battle inside. Kyle is a lightweight and Butler is playing out of position.

[LakerHater]

[All Mighty Janitor]

I'm letting you vent, my comment was actually for your own wellbeing in the long run...

They obviously like Kyle, but his role might not expand until next season... it's a process, as they say

I didn't know you were a therapist

[ceperez]

SAGirl, I am all in on your rant. World of difference between playing a hot Manu 21 minutes and a dead Manu 28. Lunacy. Pop seemed to be in reactive mode all night, never putting a lineup on the floor to force Carlisle's hand. Plus, he didn't even react well! Shoot, with a 12 point lead put in Boban and just feed him every time. See what happens for a couple of minutes. May get Zaza or Javale into foul trouble and give LMA and Timmy more la ude when they re-enter. Anything would have been a better game plan than the one Pop apparently didn't have.

With Spurs this season, it's hard to tell what the lineups will eventually be come playoff time. Pop is just inserting lineups that are just good enough to win.

The problem seems to be that there's too much talent. You could randomly put any five on the court and they still would win!

The challenge isn't there. Look at the previous game when LMA was not playing. All of a sudden there was a lot of effort from everyone else.

Incidentally, LMA injury did well for him, he's hesitating less in his offense and spacing is much better.

[callo1]

Missed the entire game

Wife said she had set it to record...she was recording the Suns game??? Pure sabotage!!

Are there any links to the game?

[still.focused]

One thing highlighted during this game is how reluctant the spurs are to milk a mismatch. (Regardless what bill or Sean say)
Dallas however will 1/4 P&R until they're blue in the face and either let Dirk ISO or wait for the defense to react
Why SA doesn't torture PGs with Kawhi & LMA baffles me
Kawhi has a mismatch against most SFs guards have no chance
I dony even care if scores, he'd definitely force the defense to move, thus scramble the rest of the team is super capable of knocking down the open jumper
I think were too stuck on having aa traditional PG initiated offense & missing a bunch of easy opportunities