Spurs looked like they were losing tonight on purpose

[SPURt]

Spurs havent won a single game on the road against a good opponent

The Spurs haven't lost at home to a bad opponent...

[sexinthatsx]

It just looked like leaving Harrison Barnes open all night was by design given that the Spurs dominated the individual matchup on Barned back in 2013. I also noticed because barnes was playing so well, Warriors are going to stray away from using Igoudala, which could potentially hurt the Spurs more.

I didn't see the Spurs giving max effort tonight - I expected all the starters to sit. But I can guarantee that Pop is still juicing plays out of the Golden State Warriors to study them closer and exploit the matchups while not showing their hand. I expect Spurs to try a lot harder on their home court though.

[SouthernFried]

Well, if this is true. Then, getting one of your 2 best scorers injured doing it was a pretty dumb move, donchathink?

[Kawhitstorm]

the game wasnt close since the 2nd quarter

lmao moral victories "only lost by 11" LMAO

Moral victory for the Lakers

[Hoops Czar]

Don't know why but it looks as if the Spurs were losing on purpose. Even when Barnes was hot they kept giving him open look after open look. I think they're trying to make Warriors play Barnes in the playoffs and exploiting that matchup like they did in 2013

That's why the Spurs starters were still in the game with 5 to go.

[Splits]

That's why the Spurs starters were still in the game with 5 to go.

And the Worriors starters with 1:15 to go

[Kawhitstorm]

And the Worriors starters with 1:15 to go

Pop was in' w/ Kerr since the Worriers blew a double digit lead in garbage time against the Cripples

[siraulo23]

[DenialTwist]

Kerr did that last season too. He s around with other teams letting Curry, Klay and Green stay in the game even when they've already won the game.

[Chinook]

The Spurs didn't lose on purpose. But I do think Pop's main goal was to scout GS' adjustments. The team wasn't as aggressive in their switches last night, and they left a lot of passes open that they didn't leave open in the second game. The Warriors aren't going to win unless the Splash Bros. figure out the Spurs' defense. Them scoring from two or hitting open guys won't win a series. I think Pop is add to the defensive game plan while trying to figure out how to be more efficient on offense.

[Kikoluna]

I agree with op. It certainly looked like they were given a directive to lose. Leonard missing every free throw. Tony guarding mouthpiece. Anderson playing anything more than a minute. They lost on purpose, foolish mindset, but they did. Number 1 seed WAS attainable. I was so eager for this game as soon as the Utah game ended and was so bummed to see that game plan unfold.

[spursfan09]

Don't think they lost on purpose but I don't think they were showing all their cards. Have to save something for if or when they meet in the playoffs.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Spurs were just running basic sets again last night and yes, the intensity was pretty low last night.

Spurs weren't getting the #1 seed. But I do believe Pop will go for the 41-0 record. Pop is just playing mind games, he played everyone as to force maximum effort from the Warriors. Now they still think 73-9 is doable, so they will play hard in Memphis, and will be gassed for Sunday's game, which is the Spurs will win.

The fact the Spurs didn't play Miller or Simmons when GS had a big lead makes me believe wanted the Warriors starters to play as many minutes as possible.

[Old School 44]

I don't believe they lost on purpose, but they didn't play their REAL game. I actually think the Spurs playing everybody was more of a gift to the league. I know Pop does whatever he wants, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was "encouraged" by the league to play everybody.

[MultiTroll]

Why no Andre Miller?
With the starters doing the slowdown game, I thought Miller would be a better fit then Parker. Not hating on Parker, just that he was too easily neutralized on O and his D on the Worrier guards is

[bklynspursfan]

lmao its called playing against a healthy Dubs team

2 blowouts that were never close

No #FullSquad for SA in either

[Rob123]

They definitely didnt lose on purpose. You could see at the beginning they were going for it until Aldridge got hurt. Once Aldridge got hurt Pop decided he'd try to steal it if possible, but he didn't show the teams cards. When Kawhi started ting on the warriors he pulled him, when patty started heating up he pulled him, he went to Duncan a few more times than he would in a post season game at this point, and he let kmart get some burn. I think he wanted to stay behind to see if his bench could recapture a lead, and it was smart, real smart, Patty looked like but he kept calling his number and the guy finally responded.

The warriors almost let a terrible bench mob come back on their starters so I wouldn't really put much stock in them, lol.

[NameLess Scrub]

Some guys doing some positive analysis.

Almost the entire ST saying or implying we need some sucker punch trick to have some chance vs the Warriors.

For me the they are the new villains. Some times I even forget how much I "hate" Lebron.

[apalisoc_9]

The Spurs didn't lose on purpose. But I do think Pop's main goal was to scout GS' adjustments. The team wasn't as aggressive in their switches last night, and they left a lot of passes open that they didn't leave open in the second game. The Warriors aren't going to win unless the Splash Bros. figure out the Spurs' defense. Them scoring from two or hitting open guys won't win a series. I think Pop is add to the defensive game plan while trying to figure out how to be more efficient on offense.

I hate the term "lose on purpose" on sports. No team does that. Its impissible to convince players to "lose on purpose". Its just the coaches prioritizing scouting. Im sure at the same time, they want to win, but sometimes you lose.

[SilverSpur]

Don't know why but it looks as if the Spurs were losing on purpose. Even when Barnes was hot they kept giving him open look after open look. I think they're trying to make Warriors play Barnes in the playoffs and exploiting that matchup like they did in 2013

If they tried losing on purpose , they should have just benched everyone and played the back ups telling GS "We don't care about you" but we played starter vs starter and got beat.
POP knows what he's doing but Parker and the rest of the starter forced Pop to play them.
It back fired on them cause they saw Minnesota beat them.

[look_at_g_shred]

Although I thought Pop experimented well tonight. He did leave Tony on Curry for long stretches, he's not going to give him practice time against Danny or Kawhi... also played around with KMart a bit, and I think we really miss Bobo against this team.

/MELTDOWN

[ceperez]

Boban "The Secret Weapon" Marjanovic was in street clothes... should tell you enough.

[TheDoctor]

The Spurs didn't lose on purpose. But I do think Pop's main goal was to scout GS' adjustments. The team wasn't as aggressive in their switches last night, and they left a lot of passes open that they didn't leave open in the second game. The Warriors aren't going to win unless the Splash Bros. figure out the Spurs' defense. Them scoring from two or hitting open guys won't win a series. I think Pop is add to the defensive game plan while trying to figure out how to be more efficient on offense.

Chinook summed it up perfectly. Pop didn't want to lose this game on purpose at all but the team lacked the intensity they need to win in Oakland. I noted some things:

1) Pop basically wanted to play his team pretty good minutes. I guess for conditioning. LMA dislocated his finger and still played 30mins.
2) More than anything, Pop wanted to dial in the defensive rotations. Hence the fastest time-out ever after Spurs lost Klay for a three.

If HBarnes goes off and decide to have the game of his life draining shots in front of Kawhi you can't do much about it, tip your hat, but at least communicate and play good team defense.

[SAGirl]

It wasn't on purpose. We were missing Diaw who is important against this team and some guys had bad games in general both ends. You can't do that on the road. There were defensive miscues. Guys were not picking up transition defense at times, specially lineups with D west. Patty had a terrible game on both ends.

Other guys were inconsistent. Good for stretches, bad in others. They have to be more consistent in their effort, but it wasn't a tanked game.

[SAGirl]

Spurs were just running basic sets again last night and yes, the intensity was pretty low last night.

Spurs weren't getting the #1 seed. But I do believe Pop will go for the 41-0 record. Pop is just playing mind games, he played everyone as to force maximum effort from the Warriors. Now they still think 73-9 is doable, so they will play hard in Memphis, and will be gassed for Sunday's game, which is the Spurs will win.

The fact the Spurs didn't play Miller or Simmons when GS had a big lead makes me believe wanted the Warriors starters to play as many minutes as possible.

Good points all around
Very CIA Pop.