32 year-old with big miles Lebron played the entire 2nd half and our cute coach ...

[poeticism707]

Kawhi is not an elite athlete. Having to guard elite athletes at an elite level takes an elite amount of endurance, without adding the offensive load he's expected to offer as well. Kawhi Always looked gassed when playing extended minutes. Defense isn't nearly as easy as offense on the body. Especially when you're expected to cover whoever has the ball while you're on the court, since you're team can't score and HAS to get stops.

Like it or not, the rest is needed for Kawhi. Lma has always played big minutes, but never the intense consistent defense the spurs employ. Being the only legitimate big on offense and defense for the series obviously took a toll on him as well. Two way players are rare for a reason.

Kawi IS an elite athlete.

Not otherworldly, but easily elite.

Agree with everything else, great post.

People that haven't hooped before forget how much more effort it takes to be great on D.

And you haven't even gotten to his offensive duties.

Kawi will always need more rest,

Because he is elite on both sides of the ball.

24 or no.

[SAGirl]

No, he didn't have to sit. He wasn't in foul trouble for the rest of the game, he finished the game with only 3 fouls.

Pop sat him -and Danny, Parker, Tim- remaining 6 minutes in the 1st quarter because he overreacted to OKC lead, sitting his 3 best defenders at the same time...it didn't end so well.

Like it or not, Pop made many mistakes in the series.

You are right I think they did not come in with the required level of effort. He could have put them back in after he talked to them. Still that was Timmy's terrible layup missing line. Terrible start. In the past Pop would go to the bench to jumpstart slow starts like that. It didnt work here as Manu is done.

[YGWHI]

Game 2 was the worst, Kawhi only played 14 mins in the first half, Pop could have easily played him the entire 2nd half (only would have ended up with 38 mins). Instead Pop had both Kawhi and LMA on the bench to start the 4th, Kyle and company go -6 in the first 2 mins. Spurs end up losing by 1.

Pop's rotations in game 2...

[YGWHI]

You are right I think they did not come in with the required level of effort. He could have put them back in after he talked to them.

Even NBA-rookie coaches like Donovan and Tyronn Lue know they can't sit their stars at the same time, when Donovan sits Durant, Westbrook is still on the court, when Lue sits LeBron he lets Irving and Love on the court...

Pop not only sat his 3 best defenders at the same time in the 1st quarter but also he sat his two starts in the 4th, Kawhi and LMA, both at the same time.

[SAGirl]

Even NBA-rookie coaches like Donovan and Tyronn Lue know they can't sit their stars at the same time, when Donovan sits Durant, Westbrook is still on the court, when Lue sits LeBron he lets Irving and Love on the court...

Pop not only sat his 3 best defenders at the same time in the 1st quarter but also he sat his two starts in the 4th, Kawhi and LMA, both at the same time.

He had done that in the past bc he relied on Manu, and co. to hold the bench together as Manu had consistently been one of the team's best players and had not ever needed a starter to hold his hand with his bench group. This time, this year he did. Last season Manu was done too. ElNono will come out of the woods and shoot this down with a stat here or there, but he knows deep down Manu's confidence was shaken in the latter part of the season and he didn't arrive to the postseason playing his best. Marco and Patty were the ones holding the bench with some insane hot shooting and Diaw had a good series scoring at least, but Manu was subpar and it looks like he's now done and as Manu goes so goes the bench.

Pop should have realized these were not even the early season 2015 Spurs. But he had relied on these guys and they have brought him 5 rings... just no more. Time for him to recognize that too.

[apalisoc_9]

Lebron will never win another ring.

On his way to a third one if OKC holds up

[ElNono]

He had done that in the past bc he relied on Manu, and co. to hold the bench together as Manu had consistently been one of the team's best players and had not ever needed a starter to hold his hand with his bench group. This time, this year he did. Last season Manu was done too. ElNono will come out of the woods and shoot this down with a stat here or there, but he knows deep down Manu's confidence was shaken in the latter part of the season and he didn't arrive to the postseason playing his best. Marco and Patty were the ones holding the bench with some insane hot shooting and Diaw had a good series scoring at least, but Manu was subpar and it looks like he's now done and as Manu goes so goes the bench.

Pop should have realized these were not even the early season 2015 Spurs. But he had relied on these guys and they have brought him 5 rings... just no more. Time for him to recognize that too.

Not gonna shot anything down, but, there's no way Manu was worse than Diaw, West or Patty... that's not me saying he was good or anything like that. He's obviously not even close to 2014 Manu (which was a gigantic renaissance season, and we needed it), but I wouldn't call him done either. He's got game left in him, but he has to be a minor part, he's not a difference maker anymore, and he won't make up for other pieces around him having down performances.
I though he mostly played that minor role this season. He didn't force anything. Regardless of what he does, we're going to need to overhaul that bench, especially if Boris remains the Bobcats Boris...

[TheGreatYacht]

Without Pop you are light 5 and you are light being still relevant despite the big 3 being done. Next year Spurs will still be a top 5 franchise because of him.

Duncan is light 2 championships because of Pop. Spurs will be a top 5 franchise next year because Duncan made this team what it is today and if the Celtics would've landed the first pick that year.... Holt would've moved the team and you'd be looking at the Kansas City Spurs. Pop would've been fired in his second season after winning under 20 games just like he did his first year. He'd probably be drunk and passed out behind a corner store had Duncan never landed on his lap.

[dbreiden83080]

On his way to a third one if OKC holds up

The way OKC is playing. Totally different team and Westbrook looks to be a man on a mission..

[apalisoc_9]

Duncan is light 2 championships because of Pop. Spurs will be a top 5 franchise next year because Duncan made this team what it is today and if the Celtics would've landed the first pick that year.... Holt would've moved the team and you'd be looking at the Kansas City Spurs. Pop would've been fired in his second season after winning under 20 games just like he did his first year. He'd probably be drunk and passed out behind a corner store had Duncan never landed on his lap.

Pop is a great coach tbh...but its re ed how much his "system" or coaching gets credit for those 3 championship in the big 3 era.

I honestly think hes ego has balloned to a point of no return.

[ducks]

Pop is a great coach tbh...but its re ed how much his "system" or coaching gets credit for those 3 championship in the big 3 era.

I honestly think hes ego has balloned to a point of no return.

nope that would be U

[DrunkTXLabrat]

lol. take a look at the draft and stash policy. been winning championships. to with 1st round picks!

[ceperez]

Leonard does a ton of work on both ends of the court. Considering his style of play, there's no way he can play the same kinds of minutes that Durant, James or Curry play.

He also is not as gifted a offensive talent as any of the 3 mentioned. So he needs to work harder in offense to score.

Spurs lost against OKC because the played iso ball against a much bigger opponent.

[z0sa]

Definitely the biggest issue I had with Pops coaching. It was truly terrible decision making subbing Kawhi out in first quarters.

[SD126]

On his way to a third one if OKC holds up

pretty much has #3 wrapped up regardless of the WCF outcome.