Game Thread: PLAYOFFS. Rnd 1, Game 4: Spurs vs Nuggets — 4:30/C (12:30am Riga Time)

[Mugen]

To be clear, Pop didn't do anything different tonight that he hasn't done in the previous 3 games....

He came in with a good gameplan but nothing special that any legit coach could counter with...the difference is Malone has finally made the necessary adjustments...and Pop is shook....actually I doubt Pop really cares that much about...

The reason the Spurs were able to win 2 games were strictly because of Derrick and Derozan....

Derrick obviously struggled and that's on him but he wasn't even given a chance to redeem himself by his coach....

[jjktkk]

Sucks to be right about Pop but he is who we (non-Pop suckers thought he was)....

Obviously the poor play of guys like DWhite, Rudy isn't on him....

But putting Beli/Patty on the court at the same time as together is just asking to get killed on the perimeter (they've been killed by 3 the last 2 games)....

The failure to get Lonnie ready for any sort of playoff minutes for when Beli is unplayable was a failure that many called throughout the season....

The series was won by Malone by finally wising up and making the correct lineup changes. Pop won't make that move. When Murray was struggling in Game 2, Malone trusted him and kept him in. When DWhite wasnt playing well in the 1st half, Pop benched him as soon as he could...

That's the difference between a good coach like Malone and somebody that cares about getting "his" guy their minutes no matter what....

Good fight from the Spurs early this series but it's over and I hope it's the last series will see from Pop, time to hang them up old man.....

If only you had any credibility...

[sasaint]

He should’ve retired with Timmy.

At the least he should have stepped down and let his successor handle the Number 2 debacle

[$pursDynasty]

Pop should be called out for that , he isn't over himself BS, because his stubborn ass isn't over himself either. This full bench rotation is . He probably benched LMA in the 4th because even he couldn't make those scrubs look playable.

[Mugen]

If only you had any credibility...

there's my girl....

Check out the series preview thread and tell me where I was wrong...

Also check back with me after Game 6 and tell me where I was wrong.....

Go Pop Go!

[Mugen]

The downside to Pop retiring is that he's probably already mandated Becky ing Hammon to take over as coach

[tonight...you]

He should’ve retired with Timmy.

Nah...
For all his faults, would you really rather a Mike Malone?
How about a Tye Lue?
A Thibs? Maybe for the playoffs..., but his players barely make the playoffs.

How about a... - about anyone.
What he does during the game can infuriate us, but he can handle a team better than most anyone.

I hate his obsession with his bench as much as anybody, but he's better than say... Luke Walton.
Or name a name.

We got what we got and the good come with the bad.

Now all we can hope is that Pop takes Game 5 seriously and gives the bench no more than 4 minute a half.

Lawd... I can hope.

[HarlemHeat37]

To be clear, Pop didn't do anything different tonight that he hasn't done in the previous 3 games....

He came in with a good gameplan but nothing special that any legit coach could counter with...the difference is Malone has finally made the necessary adjustments...and Pop is shook....actually I doubt Pop really cares that much about...

The reason the Spurs were able to win 2 games were strictly because of Derrick and Derozan....

Derrick obviously struggled and that's on him but he wasn't even given a chance to redeem himself by his coach....

Malone didn't do anything he benched his worst chucker(Barton) in favor of Craig, a 32% 3-point shooter, who went off from 3..

Pop's rotations have been embarrassing, but Malone has coached pretty poorly in this series IMO..the difference is that his bench options are much better, though(which is Pop's fault for building the bench, to be fair)..

[$pursDynasty]

LMA probably complained about that crap lineup Pop had him playing with and got exiled. I would complain about Pop's crazy subs ution pattern too. Someone needs to do it if his assistnts are too scared to.

[jjktkk]

It's equally amazing, sad, and laughable how far Pop has fallen as a coach. This is gonna be four out of the last five postseasons he's been outcoached completely.

Or maybe it has something to do with Tim, Tony, Manu, and Leonard no longer on the team. But no, that can't be it, could it?

[tonight...you]

The downside to Pop retiring is that he's probably already mandated Becky ing Hammon to take over as coach

While Lakers fans salivate over her.
What do you think they would do for Him to take over their team?

[Robz4000]

The downside to Pop retiring is that he's probably already mandated Becky ing Hammon to take over as coach

Eh, better Becky than ing Ettore Messina.

[siraulo23]

This is the final step that White needs to work on this Summer.

hasnt he been a good three point shooter in college/G league etc...

its kinda surprising he doesnt take more jumpshots

i thought shooting is gonna one of first things hes gonna do well in his early nba career - but quite the opposite, a bit passive on his shot but pretty good at everything else

[paperboy77]

Originally Posted by Mugen
Sucks to be right about Pop but he is who we (non-Pop suckers thought he was)....

Obviously the poor play of guys like DWhite, Rudy isn't on him....

But putting Beli/Patty on the court at the same time as together is just asking to get killed on the perimeter (they've been killed by 3 the last 2 games)....

The failure to get Lonnie ready for any sort of playoff minutes for when Beli is unplayable was a failure that many called throughout the season....

The series was won by Malone by finally wising up and making the correct lineup changes. Pop won't make that move. When Murray was struggling in Game 2, Malone trusted him and kept him in. When DWhite wasnt playing well in the 1st half, Pop benched him as soon as he could...

That's the difference between a good coach like Malone and somebody that cares about getting "his" guy their minutes no matter what....

Good fight from the Spurs early this series but it's over and I hope it's the last series will see from Pop, time to hang them up old man.....

If only you had any credibility...

Pop pissess me off too but replaced by who? I agree, nobody can beat father Time, but I don't see anyone stepping in and doing with this team. Unless you give me the guy in Dallas???? It's stick with Pop and make the POs or go rogue and find someone new and really have to start over.

[Robz4000]

Or maybe it has something to do with Tim, Tony, Manu, and Leonard no longer on the team. But no, that can't be it, could it?

They were on the team when he got his pushed in by Tom Rivers and Billy Dnovan.

[jjktkk]

there's my girl....

Check out the series preview thread and tell me where I was wrong...

Also check back with me after Game 6 and tell me where I was wrong.....

Go Pop Go!

Sweetpea, I could spend years proving you were wrong. Usually I just laugh, but your takes are so ty, I just can't help himself.

[Mugen]

Malone didn't do anything he benched his worst chucker(Barton) in favor of Craig, a 32% 3-point shooter, who went off from 3..

Pop's rotations have been embarrassing, but Malone has coached pretty poorly in this series IMO..the difference is that his bench options are much better, though(which is Pop's fault for building the bench, to be fair)..

That's more than what Pop has done tbh, you think he's going to bench Beli in Game 5? We both know the old man is going down with Beli and Patty by his side.

[tonight...you]

Malone didn't do anything he benched his worst chucker(Barton) in favor of Craig, a 32% 3-point shooter, who went off from 3..

Pop's rotations have been embarrassing, but Malone has coached pretty poorly in this series IMO..the difference is that his bench options are much better, though(which is Pop's fault for building the bench, to be fair)..

Serious. That's the truth.

Anyone tell me what team wouldn't back the Brink's truck up to Pop to take over, should he leave?
He has his serious faults and I call them out, like we all do, but who's better, right now?
Who drags a team everyone thought wouldn't make it to the payoffs to a draw with the 2nd seed with lesser talent after 4 games?

Pop.

What would any of you think if Jeanie Buss got smart and offered a contract 5 times his contract to take over the Lakers?

[weebo]

This loss is on the bench...can't D up and can't hit a shot.

[Mugen]

Sweetpea, I could spend years proving you were wrong. Usually I just laugh, but your takes are so ty, I just can't help himself.

My dude, the last time you quoted me was literally you agreeing with me

Look it sucks for you, because I've been right about most of the series and your Pop Spurs are about to get ed in the ass these next 2 games.....

But you seem to be a good guy, I think with a little elbow grease and some luck, you can be managing that Whataburger in no time

[HarlemHeat37]

That's more than what Pop has done tbh, you think he's going to bench Beli in Game 5? We both know the old man is going down with Beli and Patty by his side.

Sure, but I'm not giving him credit for making an obvious move..

The problem with Pop is that he's so accomplished and highly regarded that he can stubbornly stick with whoever he wants without any backlash or pressure, unlike somebody like Malone

[Blackhaus]

No back history read, it’s a 2 7 matchup. U think they goin to lay dowm?

[jjktkk]

They were on the team when he got his pushed in by Tom Rivers and Billy Dnovan.

But didn't that same group with with the same coach push Lebron's in in 2014. BTW, aren't you the same re that once bragged that you know basketball because you had roommates that played basketball?

[$pursDynasty]

Every Denver run in this entire series began while Pop's pet bench run was on the floor yet Pop hasn't adjusted to that fact YET! Meltdown mode engaged.

[GigaloGino]

I know they need rest, but they would have had plenty of time to rest if they had been up 3-0.

I am not even talking about for the next round. I am talking about for game 5! Its a game to take the lost her to keep your bigs fresher for game 5.