Official "I'll never forgive Pop" or "I'm not over game 6" thread

[Johnny RIngo]

TOSB Manu becoming a crutch for Pop was sad to see. Playoff Parker showing up and ing things up was depressing(TP had his first great playoff run in 2013...until the Finals). Watching TD turn back the clock only for Pop to it all up with his overcoaching was infuriating.

[therealtruth]

I actually thought the Heat's defense should be credited for some of those turnovers from Manu. I just can't see him giving the game away to the Heat especially playing for an NBA le, no way. It's either the Heat's defense or Ginobili needs to have his eyes examined, maybe he needs glasses. I really think it was the Heat's defense more than Manu trying to help Miami win. LOL at that pic of him in a Heat jersey.

I also thought Pop overreacted at the end of game 6 there, taking Timmy out, it was a coaching mistake at the wrong, wrong time. It ruined the flow of the game the Spurs had built and led to the eventual Ray Allen 3 off the Bosh rebound tied the game it went to OT. Pop is one of the NBA greatest coaches ever but even the best coaches can make mistakes, it just sucks it came at such a time as winning a possible NBA le up by 5 points in the closing moments of game 6. Yeah taking Timmy out at that time will haunt him as a coach, no doubt. Leaving Timmy in could have made it harder for Bosh to get that rebound that went to Ray, outcome different maybe. I was thinking wtf are you taking Timmy out of the game for with so much at stake, it was a bad coaching decision by Pop. I am sure he would leave Tim in the game if they could do it all over again. Still even if Tim had stayed in the game it's anybody's guess how that would have played out, except that Bosh would have had a harder time getting a rebound.

I can live with the Heat still making the 3 as long as I know we played our best defensive lineup.

[therealtruth]

You are right, he plays not to lose alot instead of to win. The Spurs down the stretch of so many games I have seen just slow it down or fail to score or have some crap play drawn up and just hope to hold on! They were not playing to win as you said, moreso playing to just hold on and hope they pull it out. The lineups etc. he had out there to prevent a three did not prevent crap, instead it made sure the three was not even fully covered and rebounds were not there as well because he went small all the way. I would have had Splitter and Tim out there personally, you hit a three (Which they did) okay, but to miss and have no rebounds out there twice is a joke (They got both boards).
Some of those TO's he had were just running and stumbling and handing the ball to the other team, very very unbelievable IMO if you look at some of those unforced TO's that it is even possible to lose the ball. He looked drunk out there at times just throwing the ball right ot the other team or handing it to a player it seemed. If you did not know the compe or he is and follow the NBA you would have think he was throwing the game, honestly.

Their D was good though, very good D team no doubt.

I agree with you about playing Splitter and TD. We saw how they closed out the Grizzlies series defensively in end of game situations. Splitter's one of the best big man in his ability to switch on the guard and still force the miss.

[Chillen]

You are right, he plays not to lose alot instead of to win. The Spurs down the stretch of so many games I have seen just slow it down or fail to score or have some crap play drawn up and just hope to hold on! They were not playing to win as you said, moreso playing to just hold on and hope they pull it out. The lineups etc. he had out there to prevent a three did not prevent crap, instead it made sure the three was not even fully covered and rebounds were not there as well because he went small all the way. I would have had Splitter and Tim out there personally, you hit a three (Which they did) okay, but to miss and have no rebounds out there twice is a joke (They got both boards).
Some of those TO's he had were just running and stumbling and handing the ball to the other team, very very unbelievable IMO if you look at some of those unforced TO's that it is even possible to lose the ball. He looked drunk out there at times just throwing the ball right ot the other team or handing it to a player it seemed. If you did not know the compe or he is and follow the NBA you would have think he was throwing the game, honestly.

Their D was good though, very good D team no doubt.

There definitely was some questionable turnovers by Manu in the Finals, purposely throwing the game is a stretch, I highly doubt that but yeah it's a little bit of both. He did give the ball away to Miami plenty of times, not sure why but maybe he was tired or drunk.

Bull , the Spurs choked and the Heat got lucky. The Spurs were the better team and should have won the series.

IMO the Spurs were good enough to win that championship, and played hard enough and better than Miami and the difference being the Heat got lucky plenty of times in that series, one to many because they lost the series.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

That was the most crushing loss in NBA history.

[TDomination]

That was the most crushing loss in NBA history.

It still hurts, it still pisses me off. I have all the NBA Finals games recorded on my DVR. I've been able to watch game 7 again but I have been unable to watch game 6.

I am so anxious for this upcoming season to start, I truly believe this team can do it again and get back to the Finals. BUT WE NEED THE #1 SEED, homecourt throughout. If we are playing at the ATT Center in games 6 and 7 last year, we are champions no question.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I hope so, everything aligned so perfectly for SA last year.

[timtonymanu]

Honestly, I'm not hurt about the Finals like a lot of you because the Heat are good at toying with teams that think they have them beat (see the regular season game we played them in Miami, ECF Game 1 against Indiana, Game 6 Finals). Of course, our loss was the worst since it was on the biggest stage, but I never felt safe about the game because the Heat are clutch as down the stretch. And even with the Spurs peaking in the playoffs and the Heat sucking for most of the ECF, I still the Heat as the favorites. I give the Spurs credit for making it a great series. Too bad they couldn't seal the deal.

Of course, if Duncan never sees a le again after this year, it will hurt, but right now, I'm over it. Hopefully the guys have one more run in them and hopefully injuries don't fail them again and we can right back there next season.

[Sean Cagney]

There definitely was some questionable turnovers by Manu in the Finals, purposely throwing the game is a stretch, I highly doubt that but yeah it's a little bit of both. He did give the ball away to Miami plenty of times, not sure why but maybe he was tired or drunk.



IMO the Spurs were good enough to win that championship, and played hard enough and better than Miami and the difference being the Heat got lucky plenty of times in that series, one to many because they lost the series.

Yep, didn't say he gave it away on purpose but if you are an an outsider watching and don't know who he is then you might say is he trying to throw the game? That would cross my mind He looked like you said tired or drunk.


BTW on the second part, luck plays a part on most le runs, even some of ours we had some luck. I agree on all you said.

[therealtruth]

The Spurs late game execution has been shaky for a couple of years now. You used to be able to always give the Spurs the benefit of the doubt in close games.

[Budkin]

That was the most crushing loss in NBA history.

It has to be... there's been plenty of situations like that where there have been improbable last second comebacks, but never one where the other team literally took the le out of the hands of their opponent.

[texbound]

“Over Macho Grande?” "No, I don't think I'll ever get over macho Grande"

[21209]

The Spurs late game execution has been shaky for a couple of years now. You used to be able to always give the Spurs the benefit of the doubt in close games.

This.

It was a problem during many games during the regular season such as the road game in Utah, both regular season games against the Heat, the game in Golden State, the home loss to Phoenix, the home loss to the Knicks, the last second loss at Houston plus a few others. They were in control of all of those games and let them slip away.

Had their late game execution been what it was in years past, they're battling Miami for the best record in the league.

[therealtruth]

It has to be... there's been plenty of situations like that where there have been improbable last second comebacks, but never one where the other team literally took the le out of the hands of their opponent.

The reason it doesn't happen is that teams in that position win greater than 99%. In the playoffs it's 100% I believe. That 99% figure includes all those inexperienced teams that play during the regular season. It's unheard of for a veteran team to not know how to close a game. Coaches have so much control over end of game situations with the ability to sub on almost each possession. You can put your best free throw shooters in the game when the other team is forced to foul.

[Duncanforthree]

In my mind, we won.

the HGH Heat.

[galvanizedspur9]

Just like the Lakers, the Heat. How any Spurs fan can stand idle to the mention of the Heat without thinking up thoughts of cheating and collusion is a travesty. Lebron. He will always be a pussy who couldn't win without joining other superstars.

[Ice009]

It still hurts, it still pisses me off. I have all the NBA Finals games recorded on my DVR. I've been able to watch game 7 again but I have been unable to watch game 6.

I am so anxious for this upcoming season to start, I truly believe this team can do it again and get back to the Finals. BUT WE NEED THE #1 SEED, homecourt throughout. If we are playing at the ATT Center in games 6 and 7 last year, we are champions no question.

If game 6 and 7 was at home, I think we would have blown them out. Sucks that we didn't have home court. Some of those East teams in the regular season didn't pose any challenge to Miami whatsoever. Still, lots of other teams other teams that played in Miami got blown out. The Spurs went toe to toe with them on their homecourt and even outplayed them for the majority of game 6 till they ed it all up at the end. It still s me that we allowed them back in, in game 6 and didn't snuff them out. I was so angry at Pop when he started that regular season lineup at the start of the 4th quarter in game 6 of the NBA finals. I have no idea what the he was thinking at times in both game 6 and 7. There is a lot of things that I wouldn't have done if I was in his position coaching the 4th quarter of game 6, still can't believe some of his decisions.

[philldafunk]

A few of ginobes turnovers were just horrid.... I'm so over the let's get midair before I decide what I want to do with the ball thing.

[Budkin]

A few of ginobes turnovers were just horrid.... I'm so over the let's get midair before I decide what I want to do with the ball thing.

That is one of the first things you learn in basketball 101. NEVER leave your feet before you pass.

[Budkin]

The reason it doesn't happen is that teams in that position win greater than 99%. In the playoffs it's 100% I believe. That 99% figure includes all those inexperienced teams that play during the regular season. It's unheard of for a veteran team to not know how to close a game. Coaches have so much control over end of game situations with the ability to sub on almost each possession. You can put your best free throw shooters in the game when the other team is forced to foul.

When I was thinking about how close it came to happening was in Game 6 Heat at Mavs in 2006. Heat up 3, Wade gets fouled and can put the game away. Misses both free throws, Mavs come down with a chance to tie and Terry barely misses the 3. If that game goes to OT Mavs probably win and then win Game 7. Luckily for them they got the rebound.

[therealtruth]

That is one of the first things you learn in basketball 101. NEVER leave your feet before you pass.

I agree it's better to not leave your feet. But what's worse than that is telegraphing your passes. That's what Ginobili was doing. He was leaving his feet and telegraphing his passes.

[Obstructed_View]

I'd hope that nobody that reads Spurstalk would be on the "I'll never forgive Pop" side of this. Everyone knew Pop did this long before game 6. It's not the first le he's cost the team with his lineup decisions.

[Budkin]

I'd hope that nobody that reads Spurstalk would be on the "I'll never forgive Pop" side of this. Everyone knew Pop did this long before game 6. It's not the first le he's cost the team with his lineup decisions.

2006 Mavs was the worst.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

This thread needs to be stickied.

2014 season doesn't even matter until the playoffs with this hanging over like a shadow.

[Baam]

This thread needs to be stickied.

2014 season doesn't even matter until the playoffs with this hanging over like a shadow.

Like it will go away next POs... That will stick with us forever like TP said on his deathbed he will still think about it.

Game 6 will be the most watched Spurs game in history, even if game 7 technically did better game 6 is the game people will rewatch for years and years to come.