Game Thread: 1/29 Mavs at Spurs 6:00 CST 7:00 EST. 2:00 Riga Time)

[BillMc]

Those first 3 seeds feel so locked into place already. Really strange.

Yeah, chances are small we catch the Dubs or the Rockets (or Cavs) catch us. Only drama is if the CLips can catch the Rockets.

[Hoops Czar]

Spurs with 6 home losses and it's not even February.

[Robz4000]

I would rather see RC get a new head coach before other personnel moves are made. These guys are playing like the Bulls! Makes me wonder if there isn't something going on behind the scenes or in the locker room, tbh.

I don't think that's the case since in the past Pop has jettison'd locker room cancers, but it could be Pop himself or LMA who is more difficult to deal with than end of the rotation guys like Stephen Jackson.

[John Petrucci]

Yeah, chances are small we catch the Dubs or the Rockets (or Cavs) catch us. Only drama is if the CLips can catch the Rockets.

Every "contender" starting to show tons of weaknesses except GS at this point.

[bklynspursfan]

At least they back up their claims with stats and analysis; I can respect that. Constantly posting that the Spurs are going to win and ignoring problems (and the players/coaches causing them) doesn't promote good debate or sway opinions. If that's all you want on a fan forum realGM or PTR might be more up your alley.

I can post stats too on why people cliff diving is ridiculous, trust me. But why bother? People will think what they want.

I can also post stats on the obvious issues with this team and areas of improvement. But with so much of that + complaining , there's no need. Its not a debate if it's only 1 argument.

The expectations for this team was a ? Anyway with such a transition. I'd say this far we've done a pretty solid job. But people love to focus on the negative.

There needs to be a balance. You have an issue with me being optimistic, yet you are the opposite. I bet if I go to the Cavs game thread u would have said the game was lost by us, no?

[Robz4000]

I can post stats too on why people cliff diving is ridiculous, trust me. But why bother? People will think what they want.

I can also post stats on the obvious issues with this team and areas of improvement. But with so much of that + complaining , there's no need. Its not a debate if it's only 1 argument.

The expectations for this team was a ? Anyway with such a transition. I'd say this far we've done a pretty solid job. But people love to focus on the negative.

There needs to be a balance. You have an issue with me being optimistic, yet you are the opposite. I bet if I go to the Cavs game thread u would have said the game was lost by us, no?

Post some analysis on what you like about the team to cancel out some of the threads about why this team is smoke and mirrors, then. Whether or not it sways anyone, at least you made an effort and can back up your claims like the naysayers can. , just sign up to do game grades and give us your two cents. Don't say there's no reason to post a meaningful take.

As for game threads, I've admitted plenty of times in the past that I tend to flip out; it's my way to avoid yelling at the TV. I also tend to give credit where credit is due. I've complimented Pop plenty of times this year when he's coached well, even in losses. I also call him out when he does a terrible job. Same with every player.

[tholdren]

At least they back up their claims with stats and analysis; I can respect that. Constantly posting that the Spurs are going to win and ignoring problems (and the players/coaches causing them) doesn't promote good debate or sway opinions. If that's all you want on a fan forum realGM or PTR might be more up your alley.

PTR is the worst. The only thing dumber than PTR is the losers on here linking to Ptr as some sort of insight.

In other news why did Anderson sub in for Mills with 38 seconds to go and SA had the ball?

[Robz4000]

PTR is the worst. The only thing dumber than PTR is the losers on here linking to Ptr as some sort of insight.

In other news why did Anderson sub in for Mills with 38 seconds to go and SA had the ball?

No idea on that one; maybe since he's a better passer into the post to set up LMA or Kawhi? Pop has been making head scratching decisions for a while now.

[TheDoctor]

NBA better give us another 1st round pick for putting up that nonsense call tbh

[Robz4000]

Pop's postgame comments really piss me off too. If everything is a teaching moment for this team, why don't they seem to be learning anything? The same mental errors that have been there since October are still there.

[BillMc]

Every "contender" starting to show tons of weaknesses except GS at this point.

Yep. Dubs will show too. Probably in the playoffs when Curry gets roughed up again and is playing on fumes. May not be enough for someone to beat them, but GSW is defintely a better RS team than playoff team.

[TampaDude]

Miss 8 FTs, lose by 4.

'nuff said...

[elemento]

When so many people call out the same problems over and over, it isn't a coincidence. Some of it is outlandish trolling like Porker is fat, Fathead, etc., but Pop's rotation and inability to practice what he preaches has been well-do ented for three-plus seasons now. It also cannot be denied that Parker has caused more harm than good since 2014 as a starter, albeit it's not all his fault (comes back to Pop's decision-making with the team).

100% spot on.

This team screams 2nd round exit, if not an embarrassing 1st round exit. But anyone pointing out the problems is called a spoiled Spurs fan.

Seems like we're supposed to be satisfied just because the Spurs created a dynasty during Duncan's career. We have to move on. If Pop doesn't give a damn about winning anymore after squeezing a late ring in 14, he should retire. It's that simple.

Right now, we have fool's gold team. We know it and Pop knows it. It's 2011 all over again. Great RS record but the team has too many flaws that could be exploited in the playoffs.

[TXstbobcat]

at least the Rockets lost today also so they didn't gain any ground on the Spurs for the 2 seed.

[Ice009]

And that's not totally abnormal, guys tend to coast at times. We don't win this if Murray starts or Anderson plays more or whoever else. At the end of the day it's on our big guns to take us home, and they've been sub par the last couple games.

I think Simmons energy is missed off the bench too, but there was no excuse for tonight. I wish others played with the passion that Lee plays with

So Dallas can sign a guy off the street to a 10 day contract, start him at PG and win the game in the SPURS' HOUSE, yet the Spurs can't start Murray and win the game?

You might be right and the Spurs still lose, but they also could have playing with more energy, had better defense out there and won the game.

[Ice009]

GSW going to run the away with that 1st seed early this season. Damn we're awful at home.

Yeah, I think they will be rested up this time. Spurs aren't going to push them at all. I think last season the Spurs may have pushed them into running themselves ragged. I think at first, they were just trying to keep the number 1 seed with the Spurs so close, but then they went for history. The Warriors might have a good playoffs this time around with extra rest obtained by not getting challenged for the number 1 seed.

[UZER]

Pop's postgame comments really piss me off too. If everything is a teaching moment for this team, why don't they seem to be learning anything? The same mental errors that have been there since October are still there.

Pop relishes teaching moments. Thats why he always ing with the lineup.

[HarlemHeat37]

Completely meaningless loss that doesn't tell us anything, tbh..crazy how many people here don't seem to follow the rest of the league

[Hoops Czar]

Completely meaningless loss that doesn't tell us anything, tbh..crazy how many people here don't seem to follow the rest of the league

You know what else tells us nothing? Wins against Golden State on opening night and a win against Cleveland in prime time. Shocking how you can't see the flaws but decide to use the overly used cliche "regular season games are meaningless" to prove a point. Have the last two postseasons taught you anything? I don't think people are complaining about losing a regular season game. It's the way in which they're losing that's alarming.

[HarlemHeat37]

You know what else tells us nothing? Wins against Golden State on opening night and a win against Cleveland in prime time. Shocking how you can't see the flaws but decide to use the overly used cliche "regular season games are meaningless" to prove a point. Have the last two postseasons taught you anything? I don't think people are complaining about losing a regular season game. It's the way in which they're losing that's alarming.

I've been pointing out the flaws since the off-season..games vs. ty teams don't expose strengths or weaknesses, though they're simply a matter of either lack of effort or poor/hot shooting, that's the NBA..the Warriors are the only team that has enough talent to play every night(Cleveland has been mediocre for most of the year, it's clearly not due to lack of talent, for example)

And please don't cite the last 2 playoff failures when your entire shtick has been to say the Spurs can't win a le every season that you've been here(and you're obviously aware of that)

[Hoops Czar]

I've been pointing out the flaws since the off-season..games vs. ty teams don't expose strengths or weaknesses, though they're simply a matter of either lack of effort or poor/hot shooting, that's the NBA..the Warriors are the only team that has enough talent to play every night(Cleveland has been mediocre for most of the year, it's clearly not due to lack of talent, for example)

And please don't cite the last 2 playoff failures when your entire shtick has been to say the Spurs can't win a le every season that you've been here(and you're obviously aware of that)

That's not even a half truth but even if it was, i would have been right 6 out of 7 years (.857 win pct.) Now let me give you a cliche that still holds water, "Defense wins championships." No matter what the stats say, in no way, shape or form is this defense anywhere near championship contending status. And this past week, you can't blame it all on Pau's help defense even though that would fit a lot of narratives around here.

[SpurPadre]

I'm late here and couldn't catch the game. How alarming is this loss?

[spurs10]

I'm late here and couldn't catch the game. How alarming is this loss?

It's pretty dispiriting. Especially coming at home against this team after the Big Easy Beatdown.

[SpurPadre]

It's pretty dispiriting. Especially coming at home against this team after the Big Easy Beatdown.

Yeah...I can't comment on what went wrong but can't help but wonder if there are chemistry issues or we're really staring to miss Pau.

[spursistan]

Post some analysis on what you like about the team to cancel out some of the threads about why this team is smoke and mirrors, then. Whether or not it sways anyone, at least you made an effort and can back up your claims like the naysayers can. , just sign up to do game grades and give us your two cents. Don't say there's no reason to post a meaningful take.

As for game threads, I've admitted plenty of times in the past that I tend to flip out; it's my way to avoid yelling at the TV. I also tend to give credit where credit is due. I've complimented Pop plenty of times this year when he's coached well, even in losses. I also call him out when he does a terrible job. Same with every player.

Lowkey the most annoying poster in here.. His constant policing of anyone expressing doubts/concerns about this team is really weird....I don't give a about his relentless "everything will be fine", Pop-sucking at ude (his right to express an opinion, after all), but he does seem to be triggered by anything that runs against his borderline blind faith in everything coming up roses for this team in the PO..