Great game, tbh

[kaji157]

kawhi needs to get better at recognizing the double team and reacting to it better. and not sure why we don't put LA down in the blocks more often ( , even leonard for that matter). not sure if pop was just tinkering or it we really hit the wall that badly, but we may eventually get to find out in june. still, GS has a huge advantage over us in regards to guard play and i don't see how we make up the deficit that exists between their guards and ours (especially parker and mills).

Because the chance of winning a RS game with very Slim chance of getting the 1st seed and with the 2nd locked wasn´t worth giving up a strategy that can win you a playoff game.

[Trueblood]

I can easily believe this. I hope Pop strongly considers transitioning Parker to a bench position as he's no longer starting material. He was getting wiped on the backcourt.

Couldn't agree more. I don't have all the troll like hate for him that this forum seems to have but a bench role does seem like his next natural transition. It's that time and I think they're self aware enough that it'll happen next season (as much as we all wish it would happen now).

[Trueblood]

Because the chance of winning a RS game with very Slim chance of getting the 1st seed and with the 2nd locked wasn´t worth giving up a strategy that can win you a playoff game.

This

[SAGirl]

Pau and Lee together doesn't make sense against GSW

I guess Kerr exploited those favorable matchups but also Pop failed on hiding them, he should take care of his lineups, rotations

They were horrible defensively. The Lee that built a reputation for bad defense showed up and the Pau that is a statue of liberty also showed up. They both showed up against the Cavs too, but Kyle was so impactful defensively that game, as well as DAnny, Lamarcus, Kawhi etc.. that it didn't matter. This game Kyle wasn't impactful on defense like he had previously been, and Lee and Pau were exploited... just layup after layup, as well as everyone else in the bench. They didn't have problems scoring (though both Patty and Manu were off shooting), but Lee, Pau and Kyle were efficient with what they did, however they couldn't stop anybody. At one point Kerr had a lineup of Dworst, Iguodala, Klay, Matt Barnes, Ian Clark. Spurs playing big couldn't hang with that crew. Dworst was finding cutters all over, he was taking jumpshots, the 3, pulling Pau out of the paint, etc. it was murder. Spurs bigs maybe needed to be more dominant than they were, I don't know.

Spurs got killed when GSW went small. I hope Pop looks at the film and adjust. Pau didn't struggle to score but he couldn't stop absolutely anyone. Him with Lee is just murder/suicide. Lee had the worst +/- in the team despite efficient scoring... he just couldn't stop a soul.

It's too late for experiments so they hall have to look at film and be better.

[rjv]

Because the chance of winning a RS game with very Slim chance of getting the 1st seed and with the 2nd locked wasn´t worth giving up a strategy that can win you a playoff game.

the optimist in me is hoping that was the case.

[SAGirl]

This really had the feel of a test game for Pop. I was shaking my head at some of the lineups that he was keeping on the floor way longer than they should have been. I honestly believe he punted this one away to try and learn more heading into a WCF showdown

That is what I think too, and like you I tend to think he let them in the time he had planned ahead of time bc he wanted to have sufficient film to see and learn whatever he wanted to see, instead of cutting something so short that he didn't have enough to go on.

CIA Pop IMO

[sasaint]

That is what I think too, and like you I tend to think he let them in the time he had planned ahead of time bc he wanted to have sufficient film to see and learn whatever he wanted to see, instead of cutting something so short that he didn't have enough to go on.

CIA Pop IMO

You see a glass that is half full... You derive some sense of hope by speculating that Pop is playing his cards close to his vest, not prematurely revealing some "secret strategy" to Kerr and the Dubs. I, however, observe that the Dubs just play "their" game without any concern that an opponent will "catch on to it" or any need to keep any tricks up their sleeve.

[UZER]

You see a glass that is half full... You derive some sense of hope by speculating that Pop is playing his cards close to his vest, not prematurely revealing some "secret strategy" to Kerr and the Dubs. I, however, observe that the Dubs just play "their" game without any concern that an opponent will "catch on to it" or any need to keep any tricks up their sleeve.

Exactly. Just coach the damn game. This CIA Pop is way overblown.

[r0drig0lac]

I like the "Pop hiding your game plan" against a GSW without Durant, it's funny

[SAGirl]

You see a glass that is half full... You derive some sense of hope by speculating that Pop is playing his cards close to his vest, not prematurely revealing some "secret strategy" to Kerr and the Dubs. I, however, observe that the Dubs just play "their" game without any concern that an opponent will "catch on to it" or any need to keep any tricks up their sleeve.

No..
not really any secret strategy. Pop stayed big the entire game against small lineups that killed the Spurs. It was clear what Pop's plan was, he never adjusted by introducing variables, playing small, playing Bertans, Simmons, etc. Pop had a plan to see if his bigs and crew could execute and they didn't. They made a lot of mistakes on defense and offensively wasted possessions and didn't get good enough shots or spread the ball around enough with passing. The lineups he put out there were his best lineups if he stays big. The Spurs chose to stay big in FA choices this past summer, spending almost nothing at PG and wings depth so even a small unit may not be able to perform better, but Pop never tested it.

I just think it was more valuable for Pop to get enough footage/film and experience than to cut things short, introduce variables like Bertans, Juice, etc. It's late in the season to be tinkering and he's still tinkering. It's a sign of this team not having the continuity of times past.

He let it play out so he could learn about his team, the players etc. So yes it's an optimistic take, but not one that involves witholding some secret hand, just Pop letting his idea play out and then adjusting (in the future)

[sasaint]

No..
not really any secret strategy. Pop stayed big the entire game against small lineups that killed the Spurs. It was clear what Pop's plan was, he never adjusted by introducing variables, playing small, playing Bertans, Simmons, etc. Pop had a plan to see if his bigs and crew could execute and they didn't. They made a lot of mistakes on defense and offensively wasted possessions and didn't get good enough shots or spread the ball around enough with passing. The lineups he put out there were his best lineups if he stays big. The Spurs chose to stay big in FA choices this past summer, spending almost nothing at PG and wings depth so even a small unit may not be able to perform better, but Pop never tested it.

I just think it was more valuable for Pop to get enough footage/film and experience than to cut things short, introduce variables like Bertans, Juice, etc. It's late in the season to be tinkering and he's still tinkering. It's a sign of this team not having the continuity of times past.

He let it play out so he could learn about his team, the players etc. So yes it's an optimistic take, but not one that involves witholding some secret hand, just Pop letting his idea play out and then adjusting (in the future)

You could be right. This idea makes better sense than the idea that Pop didn't want to tip his hand. It is odd that he withheld Simmons the entire game, for all intents and purposes.

[Horse]

They need to get physical that's how they beat the in the past and how Cleveland beat them.

[itzsoweezee]

Tony simply has nothing to offer against GSW. I can't even imagine a winning scenario involving Tony getting major minutes.

Pop has to start Manu at point guard. He should start doing it tomorrow, but we all know there is no way he's benching Tony

[UZER]

They need to get physical that's how they beat the in the past and how Cleveland beat them.

Everyone is afraid of Draymond. They're afraid to get physical. Bertans showed some fight against Beasley and got benched for 10 straight games.

[UZER]

Where's Robert Horry when you need him?

[SAGirl]

It is odd that he withheld Simmons the entire game, for all intents and purposes.

Anderson has been playing well lately in a very consistent fashion. He's earned his chances to see what he could do. That is all I think that was about. I think Pop may also be getting fed up with Simmons fouling and mistakes all the time, but I am reluctant to give it much meaning other than Pop wanting to see how Anderson would play against GSW after he played so well against Cleveland.

He couldn't have changed the outcome of this game bc so many of the veteran guys played poorly, he did what he could. I don't think Simmons could have done more either if switched places bc again the veterans f+cked up... unless we are talking about switching someone else for Simmons... some experimental small lineup, some no PG lineup, etc. Anyways, Simmons and Anderson may be situational and Pop may be gathering film on them as they each are getting chances.

[ElNono]

Is that supposed to happen in our lifetime?
They've only had 150 games together to work on this.

Watching a 40 point swing and non existent ball movement by Spurs for half their possessions was not "fun".

He hasn't been doubled that much for too long... at least as well as the Dubs executed last night. The Spurs will have to work on that. It's a process.

[YGWHI]

In our first matchup, we played Dedmon/Lee together off the bench, and obviously that worked out very well. It'll be interesting how it plays out, but i like Dedmon/Lee much better together against these guys. Pop has changed his SL based on matchups before, maybe we'll see it again if we get there.

They were horrible defensively. The Lee that built a reputation for bad defense showed up and the Pau that is a statue of liberty also showed up. They both showed up against the Cavs too, but Kyle was so impactful defensively that game, as well as DAnny, Lamarcus, Kawhi etc.. that it didn't matter. This game Kyle wasn't impactful on defense like he had previously been, and Lee and Pau were exploited... just layup after layup, as well as everyone else in the bench...Him with Lee is just murder/suicide. Lee had the worst +/- in the team despite efficient scoring... he just couldn't stop a soul.

Anyway, like Danny said hopefully the Spurs get a chance to play GSW again in this year, to improve and play smarter than this last game -Pop lineups included-.

[Yuixafun]

No..
not really any secret strategy. Pop stayed big the entire game against small lineups that killed the Spurs. It was clear what Pop's plan was, he never adjusted by introducing variables, playing small, playing Bertans, Simmons, etc. Pop had a plan to see if his bigs and crew could execute and they didn't. They made a lot of mistakes on defense and offensively wasted possessions and didn't get good enough shots or spread the ball around enough with passing. The lineups he put out there were his best lineups if he stays big. The Spurs chose to stay big in FA choices this past summer, spending almost nothing at PG and wings depth so even a small unit may not be able to perform better, but Pop never tested it.

I just think it was more valuable for Pop to get enough footage/film and experience than to cut things short, introduce variables like Bertans, Juice, etc. It's late in the season to be tinkering and he's still tinkering. It's a sign of this team not having the continuity of times past.

He let it play out so he could learn about his team, the players etc. So yes it's an optimistic take, but not one that involves witholding some secret hand, just Pop letting his idea play out and then adjusting (in the future)

You really do have a fine mind. Hardly do I ever encounter such thoroughly processed ideas into coherant fruition from females. That's not me being sexist either, it's just the sad truth of my current reality.

[Yuixafun]

The ghost of Hornets David West showed up too... doubt that's going to keep happening, still need to at least defend him.

[Yuixafun]

Tony simply has nothing to offer against GSW. I can't even imagine a winning scenario involving Tony getting major minutes.

Pop has to start Manu at point guard. He should start doing it tomorrow, but we all know there is no way he's benching Tony

Sims in at pg, while the Klaw runs the point 😀... sims goes all out on D to wear out Steph... Mills Manu Parker Gasol in the 2nd unit


It's like that classic scenario, where you and an opponent have 5 horses each, and you run 5 races. How do you win overall?

Start your slowest vs his fastest. You lose the first race but win the rest.

[SpursforSix]

No..
not really any secret strategy. Pop stayed big the entire game against small lineups that killed the Spurs. It was clear what Pop's plan was, he never adjusted by introducing variables, playing small, playing Bertans, Simmons, etc. Pop had a plan to see if his bigs and crew could execute and they didn't. They made a lot of mistakes on defense and offensively wasted possessions and didn't get good enough shots or spread the ball around enough with passing. The lineups he put out there were his best lineups if he stays big. The Spurs chose to stay big in FA choices this past summer, spending almost nothing at PG and wings depth so even a small unit may not be able to perform better, but Pop never tested it.

I just think it was more valuable for Pop to get enough footage/film and experience than to cut things short, introduce variables like Bertans, Juice, etc. It's late in the season to be tinkering and he's still tinkering. It's a sign of this team not having the continuity of times past.

He let it play out so he could learn about his team, the players etc. So yes it's an optimistic take, but not one that involves witholding some secret hand, just Pop letting his idea play out and then adjusting (in the future)

you're overrating the out of my thought process

[UZER]

:ppo: you're overrating the out of my thought process

Exactly

[SpursforSix]

you're overrating the out of my thought process

Whoops.

[rjv]

i didn't really think pop played "big" against the dubs at all. just because you have your bigs out there doesn't mean you're "playing big". aldridge and gasol were on the perimeter taking jump shots. how is that using size to your advantage?