Game Thread: Spurs vs Grizzlies -- Game 2 - Tue. (4/19) - 8:30PM CST (4:30AM Riga)

[PopTheGOAT]

Kyle did good.
SAGirl tell me I had a good review

[TXstbobcat]

Matt Barnes: "We're coming to a gunfight with spoons."

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Sure, but this is the playoffs. When guys know it means more, you don't see the slip ups like you do in the regular season. They are playing hard. That's not my beef and that's why you see them locking down this horrific MEM team. My concern is that they are playing hard and still can't sort out the offense against a very bad playoff defense.

It's legit scary to me and has crossed over from "we will be ok" to "I don't know if this thing is recoverable". I'm hoping the defense is good enough to win because I am losing major confidence in Pop's offense.

I don't understand the emphasis on the iso ball. We only seem to remember beautiful game stuff with the second unit. First unit is Tony dribbling for 20 seconds and forcing stuff up, or an Aldridge iso.

My only hope is we're keeping the motion stuff in our pockets for until we need it, but like you, I'm a little nervous about what we're seeing at that end.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't understand the emphasis on the iso ball. We only seem to remember beautiful game stuff with the second unit. First unit is Tony dribbling for 20 seconds and forcing stuff up, or an Aldridge iso.

My only hope is we're keeping the motion stuff in our pockets for until we need it, but like you, I'm a little nervous about what we're seeing at that end.

It's highly unlikely that they're going to change the system in the playoffs when they just spent the entire regular season playing ISO-ball, tbh..virtually impossible with the 2nd highest-usage player on the team playing his 1st season with the Spurs..

Pop is all-in on beating the Warriors with this counter-style..

[SAGirl]

Kyle did good.
SAGirl tell me I had a good review

Good review dude!!!!

[DPG21920]

I don't understand the emphasis on the iso ball. We only seem to remember beautiful game stuff with the second unit. First unit is Tony dribbling for 20 seconds and forcing stuff up, or an Aldridge iso.

My only hope is we're keeping the motion stuff in our pockets for until we need it, but like you, I'm a little nervous about what we're seeing at that end.

I don't think there is anything being held back TBH...I think we are who we are and shots are going to fall or they aren't. I think for the most part, the offense has gotten decent looks (uncontested - even if it looks ugly) they just aren't converting at all.

We are an ISO team. Spurs took more shots from mid range than any team. I don't think that will change. The good news is guys are shooting so much better from 3 this series. That is huge. The bench is clicking again which is huge. I just want to see the SL not look clunky on offense and convert.

I'm definitely nervous, but we just have to wait and see.

[SAGirl]

It's highly unlikely that they're going to change the system in the playoffs when they just spent the entire regular season playing ISO-ball, tbh..virtually impossible with the 2nd highest-usage player on the team playing his 1st season with the Spurs..

Pop is all-in on beating the Warriors with this counter-style..

I was surprised to see Tony with so many layups in the first game... I thought, where's our isos?????


Harlem I don't usually troll but this one was too tempting!

[PopTheGOAT]

Good review dude!!!!

[DPG21920]

Anyways, I've said my part on my concerns. I am just going to enjoy this run now as much as I can and hope that the SL offense hits stride like the bench is doing to end this series.

I really think more practice and prep for OKC is huge, so I am glad SA is taking care of business!

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

It's highly unlikely that they're going to change the system in the playoffs when they just spent the entire regular season playing ISO-ball, tbh..virtually impossible with the 2nd highest-usage player on the team playing his 1st season with the Spurs..

Pop is all-in on beating the Warriors with this counter-style..

I agree with you, and that's the scary part. This team can't get out of the West with that offense. Golden State beat it to a pulp in three out of four games. They have better athletes than the Spurs at several positions. Same as Miami did in that series. It's our only chance really.

It just feels at this point like we get beat, and people will just brush off the loss as "well, it's Golden State", instead of asking Pop why he ditched an offense that absolutely annihilated three opponents on one of the all-time great le runs of all time.

[SASdynasty!]

Anyone hear the "Matt Barnes" or "Mike Brown" chants?

[Spurs9]

Matt Barnes: "We're coming to a gunfight with spoons."

[HarlemHeat37]

Matt Barnes: "We're coming to a gunfight with spoons."

great quote, tbh..

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I agree with you, and that's the scary part. This team can't get out of the West with that offense. Golden State beat it to a pulp in three out of four games. They have better athletes than the Spurs at several positions. Same as Miami did in that series. It's our only chance really.

It just feels at this point like we get beat, and people will just brush off the loss as "well, it's Golden State", instead of asking Pop why he ditched an offense that absolutely annihilated three opponents on one of the all-time great le runs of all time.

Why he ditched it? How about because he doesn't have a single player who is an elite penetrator able to collapse a defense? How about because he has 2 of the top 10 iso players as his best players? How about because he has a starting line-up with terrible spacing due to Duncan unable to shoot from 3 feet away and Green on a season-long shooting slump? What's he supposed to do? Outshoot and outpass Warriors with this?

Btw, this season's offensive efficiency, shooting and assist % are almost identical to the 2014 team's. All that while playing iso ball, resting players and shooting an incredible amount of inefficient long 2s vs 'the beautiful game'.

[apalisoc_9]

Why he ditched it? How about because he doesn't have a single player who is an elite penetrator able to collapse a defense? How about because he has 2 of the top 10 iso players as his best players? How about because he has a starting line-up with terrible spacing due to Duncan unable to shoot from 3 feet away and Green on a season-long shooting slump? What's he supposed to do? Outshoot and outpass Warriors with this?

Btw, this season's offensive efficiency, shooting and assist % are almost identical to the 2014 team's. All that while playing iso ball, resting players and shooting an incredible amount of inefficient long 2s vs 'the beautiful game'.

Well someond at least watches basketball i guess

[spurs10]

great quote, tbh..

And he kicked Fisher's ass...for free!

[DenialTwist]

Kyle Anderson is not playoff ready. I'd rather see Simmons out there. At least he's not afraid to shoot, Kyle hesitates too much. If Pop is going to play Miller, why not have Simmons out there for a game or two?

[ace3g]

[Chinook]

Kyle Anderson is not playoff ready. I'd rather see Simmons out there. At least he's not afraid to shoot, Kyle hesitates too much. If Pop is going to play Miller, why not have Simmons out there for a game or two?

Simmons was "in there" for the first game.

[cariocaz]

I was surprised to see Simmons turn the ball over a few times in the first game. Is he uptight? Or is that a weakness he has?

[littlecoyotecoin]

Sure, but this is the playoffs. When guys know it means more, you don't see the slip ups like you do in the regular season. They are playing hard. That's not my beef and that's why you see them locking down this horrific MEM team. My concern is that they are playing hard and still can't sort out the offense against a very bad playoff defense.

It's legit scary to me and has crossed over from "we will be ok" to "I don't know if this thing is recoverable". I'm hoping the defense is good enough to win because I am losing major confidence in Pop's offense.

[BillMc]

Patty's first podium game?

[polandprzem]

I honestly think that much of the problem with the SL offense is that there are so many iso plays anymore, the one-time 'beautiful game' just doesn't occur. You hardly ever see a loop play being used any more, and everybody who gets the ball puts it on the floor before they decide what they are going to do next. I think it is a purposely different offense that is designed to play to the strengths of LMA and KL, but it is far slower and there is far less movement than we are accustomed to seeing. And when our main guys are missing shots (like they were tonight), it just looks bad.

And I am really interested in why is that? Cause if all of sudden Spurs gonna play loops and hi-lows in the WCF I'd say Pop is a genius

[SAGirl]

Not thread-worthy so I'll put it here. But our man Boris was 13th in the 6th Man vote this year. I would think Manu would get the token Spurs vote, or maybe West because of his well-chronicled financial sacrifice but obviously someone (or three voters) noticed how important Bobo is against the Dubs. If he turns the tide against the Dubs he'll be the most impactful 6th Man of the season. Until then....

Here's the complete results.

2015-16 KIA NBA SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR RESULTS
Player | Team | 1st place (5 pts) | 2nd place (3 pts) | 3rd place (1 pt) | Total Points
Jamal Crawford | L.A. Clippers | 51 | 23 | 17 | 341
Andre Iguodala | Golden State Warriors | 33 | 35 | 18 | 288
Enes Kanter | Oklahoma City Thunder | 19 | 20 | 27 | 182
Will Barton | Denver Nuggets | 15 | 21 | 20 | 158
Evan Turner | Boston Celtics | 3 | 7 | 10 | 46
Ryan Anderson | New Orleans Pelicans | 4 | 6 | 5 | 43
Jeremy Lin | Charlotte Hornets | 1 | 6 | 7 | 30
Ed Davis | Portland Trail Blazers | 1 | 5 | 1 | 21
Dennis Schröder | Atlanta Hawks | 1 | 2 | 6 | 17
Tristan Thompson | Cleveland Cavaliers | 2 | 0 | 6 | 16
Shaun Livingston | Golden State Warriors | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7
J.J. Barea | Dallas Mavericks | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5
Boris Diaw | San Antonio Spurs | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5
Zach LaVine | Minnesota Timberwolves | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4
Darren Collison | Sacramento Kings | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3
Allen Crabbe | Portland Trail Blazers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
Jrue Holiday | New Orleans Pelicans | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
Patrick Patterson | Toronto Raptors | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
Mirza Teletovic | Phoenix Suns | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1

[BillMc]