Game Thread: Spurs @ Cavs -- Sat. (1/30) - 7:30PM CST (3:30AM Riga Time)

[Kawhitstorm]

Simmons/Kyle future bench core, might be able to start on some teams TBH.
and ppl want to trade him for peanuts.

It's sad to see Manu/Patty getting outplayed by Simmons/Kyle on a nationally televised game

[SpurPadre]

Steve Novak, the homeless man's Bonner.

Nah, the homeless man I gave some spare change to today so he can have a sandwich is the homeless man's Bonner.

[BillMc]

The problem is the defense has been slipping for over a month now, and Tim had been healthy for most of it. Even Kawhi's defense has been mediocre. Not sure what the issue is but if this is the team showing it's true colors on D, they're out in the second round.

Hopefully the losses plus the Rodeo Roadtrip will allow them the time and effort to get back to where they were.

[ElNono]

I think it's because of his lack of talent.

you know why im hating, tbh

[timtonymanu]

Spurs win!

[SAGirl]

It's sad Kyle's breakout game came in a game we lost, but he was the one pushing us forward. When he was out there, we were making runs.. if only we had gotten a few 3s to fall. If only he could expand his own range of course, but his jumpshot is money.

[tbdog]

crofl how is that not an And 1?

If this was called correctly and Love got that foul in the first play for the spurs, I am not too sure if he would go off in the 1st like he did. Love fouled him twice.

[ElNono]

you forgot Manure, Evita

Turnobili
Parker dribble dribble dribble
not playing Boban against Mozgov
ignoring Kawhi

[timtonymanu]

Danny just brings nothing to the table... shaky with the ball, everybody knows he won't attack the basket...

"I guess people prefer the days when we started Mason Jr./ Finley."

[TE]

I will worry about bad losses (I guess you can group this one in even though it overlaps with the penciled loss category) come during and after the RRT.

[TheGreatYacht]

Patty Mills after that shoulder surgery
TheGreatYacht

I used to be his biggest fan when he used to drop 30+, back when he looked like a chunky The Weeknd... Now he's done. The cancer he has on the road spreads around on others

[apalisoc_9]

Your entire defense was from start to finish. No one person cost you the game. Your entire team sucked as a defensive unit.

It was atrocious. The help defense in particular was a nightmare to watch. It doesnt help that Green barely plays nowayds

[Pauleta14]

He's 2-4 from the field and is one of the only players that hasn't gotten killed on defense

It took 3 and half quarters to get him a spot-up 3, after he made 6 3s last game and shot a great % for January..that's on coaching more than anything, though..

Pop needs to reminds him like a couple years ago, that the only reason he is on the floor is if he makes his 3s and put some pressure on him!

The team has done well with him sucking for the most part of the season, it's time for him to take some responsibilities tbh he can't keep deferring, passing on open shots. We're going nowhere if he and/or Patty to get their 3s back..

And his D is all or nothing, blocks, misses assignment...

[sasaint]

I agree. They came out balling. Kyle to me, really grew this game. Simmons had been balling already since a few games back and had grown before our eyes, now he's just building his confidence. The two of them play really well together.

When they sat the other team made a run. They don't look rattled anymore and I do hope Pop doesn't archive this performance under "to be used next season"

First time he seemed comfortable and confident AND was not passive. He looked like he thought he belonged on the floor against a contender. Good to see. Some pretty shots.

[BillMc]

But again. Overall January was a good month. Every season will have some down points.

I worry if Kawh's expanded offensive role is tiring him out and affecting his defense a little. But still Pop manages his minutes pretty well and he's only 24.

[ceperez]

First time he seemed comfortable and confident AND was not passive. He looked like he thought he belonged on the floor against a contender. Good to see. Some pretty shots.

Anderson and Simmons played well. Anderson though still needs to be more aggressive in offense.

[steeledl]

But again. Overall January was a good month. Every season will have some down points.

I worry if Kawh's expanded offensive role is tiring him out and affecting his defense a little. But still Pop manages his minutes pretty well and he's only 24.

We got dominated against the teams we have to be able to beat to win it..... that's a bad month

[rasuo214]

Switching to the zone was a bad move, it'll work over short spurts but that's it.

[ceperez]

It was atrocious. The help defense in particular was a nightmare to watch. It doesnt help that Green barely plays nowayds

I agree with this, why wasn't he on the court when the Cavs where exploiting Mills? Spurs could have had Green playing instead of Mills and move point guard duties to both Anderson and Simmons.

Anderson have better grow up pretty quickly because Spurs need bigger defenders at the point.

[SAGirl]

Put Manu in now with Bonner Boban Butler and ing Ray...... send this a message.

You got on my nerves long time ago steele, but you are funny.

[TE]

Man, Manu looked like he didn't give a during those sequences where he got his swatted. Microcosm right there.

[jbspurs]

It's not just his rim protection but rather the rotations/communication which is something Tim has been doing for the past 19 years as well as anyone that has played the game. On the other end, there hasn't been any high-low action involving LMA without Tim on the floor.

+ controlling the boards. He's a lot slower now. But, he can still do all these and make a difference. LaMarcus will need a shot blocker to help him out on defense once Timmy is done. For now, This team needs Timmy back healthy soon.

[Kawhitstorm]

The problem is the defense has been slipping for over a month now, and Tim had been healthy for most of it. Even Kawhi's defense has been mediocre. Not sure what the issue is but if this is the team showing it's true colors on D, they're out in the second round.

I'm not sure how you came up w/ the "defense has been slipping for over a month now" narrative when Tim has been healthy:
-They shutdown the Mavs/Knicks when both teams were rolling & Kawhi locked up Melo/Parsons
-The Cavs started hot & were shut down after the 1st quarter w/ LeBron scoring 6 points in the 2nd half thanks to Kawhi
-The Rockets were shutdown in the 2nd half w/ Kawhi locking up Harden
-Bucks/Jazz/Nets were blown the out
Kawhi had a bad game against the Pistons but even then Marcus Morris didn't do shyt.

[TE]

Switching to the zone was a bad move, it'll work over short spurts but that's it.

Yeah. Athletes who cut and attack gaps under good spacing at opportune moments will make zone defenders shift and that will momentarily open the floor for opportunities going to the basket or shots from the outside. Against NBA athletes and shooters you're asking to get burned. This doesn't even include the old rule that your ability to finish off possessions with boards takes a big hit. I still shudder at last year when Pop used it against Dallas in a regular season game. It worked because Dallas played like absolute that night but against a team like the Cavs? lolol

[sasaint]

That's what we look like right now.

Not having Tim is not a legitimate excuse.

Kawhi and Aldridge did not take on the challenge in either of the past 2 games against last year's finalists. That's a HUGE, GLARING problem.

Agreed. LMA is no LMAlpha. Neither is Kawhi yet.