Aldridge and Pop had a heart-to-heart this summer

[Proxy]

Good news imo. Those kind of talks can go a long way, good on LMA to speak up instead of pouting about it.

He said he and Pau were starting to play off each other a lot better, TP and Gay seems pretty determined in their interviews to get back it.

Seems like a lot of people on the team have something to prove at this point. Promising .

[ducks]

spurs are hungry very upset at being swepted without their best player
gs watch out!

[MVPCues]

All well and good. I'm sure that's gonna fix everything.


Reporter: "Aldridge said during preseason he and you had a heart to heart conversation during the summer about his role in the system. Can you share anything about how that conversation went?"
Pop: "That's family business. Do you have a question about the game tonight?"

[jiggy_55]

I think calling him a diva is a bit of a stretch.

It's not long ago that LMA used to be an All-Star and All-NBA caliber player. The past couple seasons, he's tried to fit into the system, sacrificed touches and shots, and generally been a team player. Until this last summer, he never really complained...just did what the coaching staff wanted him to do and deferred to either Tim (when he was here) or Kawhi. He also busted his ass on defense last year.

If he feels that the team can get more out of him, I'd rather him come out and say it rather than just sit back and assume PATFO always knows whats best. He didn't come out and demand a trade or say that he should be the undisputed leader...he just said that he feels like he is capable of doing more for the team and wants to be the compe or he think he can be.

I think we can all agree that the version of LMA we have seen over the past two seasons is not what we thought we were getting when he signed. If this is a step towards getting us closer to that, I am all for it.

Perfectly written, thank you.

[21209]

Clearing the air is a step in the right direction, but it means nothing if the end result with him is the same as last.

[UZER]

All well and good. I'm sure that's gonna fix everything.


Reporter: "Aldridge said during preseason he and you had a heart to heart conversation during the summer about his role in the system. Can you share anything about how that conversation went?"
Pop: "That's family business. Do you have a question about the game tonight?"

Same Reporter: "Can you share your thoughts on Trump?"

Pop: "Sure." Goes on 5 minute rant.

[MVPCues]

Same Reporter: "Can you share your thoughts on Trump?"

Pop: "Sure." Goes on 5 minute rant.

That's right....

[rjv]

the only way i see LMA being happy is if we steer away from such an iso offense and move more towards the offense we were in the years before. i won't speculate as to whether we do that or not. only way to know is to see what the season brings.

[skulls138]

Aldridge pretty much told Pop he wasn't interested in fitting in to the system, the system needs to fit him. Got it.

Alridge talking about making allstar - 2

Alridge talking about winning a championship - 0

[ducks]

pop talking politics 10000
pop trying to figure lma out 1

[sananspursfan21]

Warriors, Rockets, Thunder

Still don't have anyone IMO that can guard him..especially the Warriors and Rockets..

If LMA can channel "Rockets Game 6" and "Warriors Game 1" type of play..Spurs will be a problem

I agree with this

[look_at_g_shred]

.

[SpursBig3s]

I think calling him a diva is a bit of a stretch.

It's not long ago that LMA used to be an All-Star and All-NBA caliber player. The past couple seasons, he's tried to fit into the system, sacrificed touches and shots, and generally been a team player. Until this last summer, he never really complained...just did what the coaching staff wanted him to do and deferred to either Tim (when he was here) or Kawhi. He also busted his ass on defense last year.

If he feels that the team can get more out of him, I'd rather him come out and say it rather than just sit back and assume PATFO always knows whats best. He didn't come out and demand a trade or say that he should be the undisputed leader...he just said that he feels like he is capable of doing more for the team and wants to be the compe or he think he can be.

I think we can all agree that the version of LMA we have seen over the past two seasons is not what we thought we were getting when he signed. If this is a step towards getting us closer to that, I am all for it.

Agree x1000

[BillMc]

I don't think it was news for Pop that LMA was unhappy but the degree of upset, how forceful that conversation with Lamarcus was could have caught him off guard for sure. Pop isn't used to coaching NBA divas. He's only had his stars that he molded from the very beginning and him and Tim were soulmates. To have an NBA diva like this isn't something Pop is used to I am guessing.

I agree with this. And actually the fact that Pop was to any degree surprised shows that even if unhappy LMA was not a locker room cancer, which is a point in his favor.

And as LMA just had the two best defensive years of his life, on the most successful teams of his life, Pop probably thought things couldn't be that bad.

[BillMc]

I think calling him a diva is a bit of a stretch.

It's not long ago that LMA used to be an All-Star and All-NBA caliber player. The past couple seasons, he's tried to fit into the system, sacrificed touches and shots, and generally been a team player. Until this last summer, he never really complained...just did what the coaching staff wanted him to do and deferred to either Tim (when he was here) or Kawhi. He also busted his ass on defense last year.

If he feels that the team can get more out of him, I'd rather him come out and say it rather than just sit back and assume PATFO always knows whats best. He didn't come out and demand a trade or say that he should be the undisputed leader...he just said that he feels like he is capable of doing more for the team and wants to be the compe or he think he can be.

I think we can all agree that the version of LMA we have seen over the past two seasons is not what we thought we were getting when he signed. If this is a step towards getting us closer to that, I am all for it.

Well said. I agree for the most part about this, though even the perception that this not what we thought we were getting when he signed was a little unfair. His D has been worlds better than Portland, and his first season, while the volume numbers were down, was his most efficient. So, really, it's only last year, and only offense, where LMA has disappointed. So even the problems are a bit overblown. But they are NOT obviously overblown from LMA's point of view. And as you say this should be a step in the right direction.

Of course, RJ also had a heart-to-heart with Pop before his last season. So sometimes these discussions help and sometimes they don't.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The notion of getting him involved with more postups reminds me of him passing out when matched up on Harden time after time. I am not expecting greatness here. I turned on him after that and he needs to prove something for me to turn back.

[cd021]

Warriors, Rockets, Thunder

Still don't have anyone IMO that can guard him..especially the Warriors and Rockets..

If LMA can channel "Rockets Game 6" and "Warriors Game 1" type of play..Spurs will be a problem

The Warriors have two players that can unfortunately; Raymond and Zaza, posting up against them is silly though scoring in P&R's and P&P's, crashing the offense glass and scoring on duck in's when he has deep position.

Rockets Game 3, Game 6 and Warriors Game 1 version of LMA is the LMA I wanna see.

[ceds]

To keep this thread related first ill some thoughts on his game / pop in a billboard thread yesterday. (i didn't check this thread as i assumed it was another bait attempt)

i want his value as high as possible ....hopefully he comes out beasting & teams we called earlier with offers come crawling back with something we can think about.

He looks slim and ready to fight for an all star spot. it's a contract year so i believe he is ready to show out

Shame my thread couldn't spark any legitimate discussion.

i wont be posting today or anytime soon so can get back to normal.

maybe ill just sit logged in chinook threads from time to time so i can make him feel as un-easy as he made me the last 2 days with this b/s. (young guns editing post / baits / controlling others accounts)

Ice i don't believe it was you for one second....in my thread.....i have some idea but cannot be sure 100%.

Maybe i'm just a paranoid **** thats been smoking too much??......whatever....as i said in the t-shirt thread it's made me feel uneasy when i wanted to contribute something great to everybody.

The board ing stopped for 2 days and its not like i came out after anyone or even slightly trolling.

It's 6am - there wont be another post for a long time unless i see something that interests me.

He is definitely a diva and a sook.

Its my belief that Pop blasted him after the end of season meeting - pure speculation it's just pop doesn't hold back and called out a player in the media (LMA)

That has never happened before am i right??

Hopefully he beasts to start the season and we can move him

EDIT ---

We also have stephan a smith for the first time in his career come out with "spurs insider info"

so it seems it me it was leaked

[skulls138]

pop talking politics 10000
pop trying to figure lma out 1

Figure out??? When he talks allstar appearances when we're second best team in the league, you know his heads in the wrong place to begin with. Pop can only meet him halfway. Kawhi on the other hand is the complete opposite. allstar games, championship is everything. Pops shouldnt worry about figuring LMA until he is up to speed with Kawhi at least in terms of at ude.

[Brazil]

maybe if pop was not so involved politically he would have found out lma was unhappy
his job is basketball not running the country
if he wants to do that let him run and get his ass handed to him like Clinton did

which sports writer will have the balls to question pop on this?

13 y/o ? sick... smh

[raybies]

. Pau must have also had a heart to heart with Pop and got himself back to starting games.

Pop getting soft in his old age...

[dbreiden83080]

He's not the best player on the team. This is why he is unhappy. As long as Kawhi is healthy this won't change and he will be moaning.

[raybies]

Interesting point. I wonder why that is. Is it the old man is too set in his ways? Too unwilling to adjust his system to changing personnel? I have my theories but I am interested in hearing others.

Also, I thought Pop was going to play a bit more small ball and he hasn't. So far he's sticking to his 2 bigs. I am guessing Rudy Gay being integrated slowly and Kawhi being out have everything to do with it... which worries a little bit bc the team will not be used to playing the way they really want to be playing. That would put Manu's comments about having a slow start to the season this year more in context.

Yeah I doubt Pop wants to go two bigs on the bench as well or I guess better worded have the personell to do it either. I think Pop was just being opportunistic with the absences of Gay and Leonard. But I must say I do think he likes what he sees from Joff and enough to give him minutes over someone and that might be Bertans. I think he'll be used situationally unless he becomes more consistent.

So I think the current First Team and Second Team look like this:

First Team Second Team?
Murray Patty
Green Manu
Kawhi Kyle
LMA Gay
Pau Joff

[TD 21]

Well said. I agree for the most part about this, though even the perception that this not what we thought we were getting when he signed was a little unfair. His D has been worlds better than Portland, and his first season, while the volume numbers were down, was his most efficient. So, really, it's only last year, and only offense, where LMA has disappointed. So even the problems are a bit overblown. But they are NOT obviously overblown from LMA's point of view. And as you say this should be a step in the right direction.

Of course, RJ also had a heart-to-heart with Pop before his last season. So sometimes these discussions help and sometimes they don't.

The perception that he struggled in both seasons, is mostly because he's not only generally struggled mightily in high profile games, but looked flat out overwhelmed by the moment. Still, this season will be the true verdict as to whether this marriage of convenience works and continues. As I've said all along, it's in both sides' interests for it to . . .

- From his perspective, few teams are expected to have significant cap space and it's unlikely most who do would pursue him. He also can't repair his reputation on an irrelevant team and the one who seems the most obvious fit (Mavericks) supposedly have Cousins as their number one priority.

- From Spurs perspective, they unfortunately probably can't do better in the near future and given that and their commitment to the majority of this roster, will have to hope for combination of continuity, internal development and luck, paving the way for a '11 Mavericks type run at some point.

The Warriors have two players that can unfortunately; Raymond and Zaza, posting up against them is silly though scoring in P&R's and P&P's, crashing the offense glass and scoring on duck in's when he has deep position.

Rockets Game 3, Game 6 and Warriors Game 1 version of LMA is the LMA I wanna see.

Yeah, it's got to be something that essentially gives him a head start on his defender, whether it's early offense duck ins, p&r into post up or even cross screen into post up. Execute those properly, especially against an undersized defender like Green and Aldridge will bury them under the rim.

Yeah I doubt Pop wants to go two bigs on the bench as well or I guess better worded have the personell to do it either. I think Pop was just being opportunistic with the absences of Gay and Leonard. But I must say I do think he likes what he sees from Joff and enough to give him minutes over someone and that might be Bertans. I think he'll be used situationally unless he becomes more consistent.

So I think the current First Team and Second Team look like this:

First Team Second Team?
Murray Patty
Green Manu
Kawhi Kyle
LMA Gay
Pau Joff

Unfortunately, Pop's early affinity for Lauvergne, will mean more minutes for the Aldridge-Gasol combination.

Many are looking for a clearly defined rotation, but the reality is, only the top 8 (Aldridge, Leonard, Gasol, Green, Parker, Gay, Mills, Ginobili) are guaranteed a rotation spot. The last 1-2 spots could easily be in flux/situational.

[apalisoc_9]

disgusting...

If this scrub things getting his 20 is so important..get his ass out of here.