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I agree, but this is the first round and Tony has played well in 3 out of 4 games. With Tony playing like he is and Kawhi being an MVP... the rest of the team is giving squat and you place the burden according to who is getting the minutes and the roles they have had.
Sure, there were guys that were available like George Hill who Utah traded for last season.. I am sure that opportunities could have been available to add a more reliable younger point guard in the course of the past couple of seasons, but obviously Pop wasn't going to move on from Tony... and it's tough to blame Tony specifically bc he has played well in 3 out of 4 games.
Like I said, Lamarcus has not been a star, Pau can't stay on the floor, his defensive shortcomings have cost the Spurs game 3 and 4.. and Manu is done. You can't bench the first two ... you can only limit Pau and by playing Lee or Dedmon the team isn't necessarily better but Pop has to get to Pau's ego somehow. So maybe Bertans helps a little bit. I am realistic in what I can expect from Bertans, and 10-15 minute should be enough. His shooting does make life easier on others. He's been a huge positive, while Lee is in the negative and he can't score against Zbo. I'd even play Murray, he gives the team a different look. I am not even high on JSimms but I don't hate him and he's been playing well and shooting well when he's gotten chances. He maybe should get more chances. He or Murray should get Manu's minutes. Kyle had played well except 5 minutes in the last game bc Pop put him in a lineup of non shooters and tried to go through Lamarcus which is a horrible choice, bc Lamarcus has been uber passive, is not decisive in the post, and if you double him quickly he can't make the right reads or passes. He got flash doubled and stripped twice. It was a terrible few minutes Kyle played but that was hardly about him and more about Lamarcus, Manu's passiveness passing the ball like a hot potato and maybe Pop's lineups.
Pop is being antiquated. I don't think he gets out of the first round unless his faith in his veterans pays off and they show up for game 5 or he simply makes adjustments and benches some guys who are having an awful series. The easiest to bench is Manu bc he's shooting 0 out there, playing gambling bad defense, getting lost, passing the ball like a hot potato, not being a threat to score and Pop has suitable replacements for him...
I am still a spurfan and root for whoever Pop has out there. If he chooses veterans again, I hope they don't go down with the ship and maybe rise to the occasion. Maybe Danny gets hot again at home, maybe Manu finally makes a shot... etc. I am not rooting for anyone to fail who is playing...
Yep. Preaching to the choir. I've been calling for Murray to start since before the ASG, using Tony on the second unit and as Murray's Speedy Claxton security blanket. Pop has just forgotten what those kind of bold moves are like.
T
