Game Blog: Preseason Game 3 - Spurs vs. Pistons

[Manufan909]

Hey, my first +1(or second, I can't remember), YAY!!!

Final: Spurs 86, Pistons 64

FOURTH QUARTER

Ime Udoka played point guard during the pivotal stretch of the game, Desmon Farmer was an offensive force and the Spurs were drilling 3-pointers as they rolled to an 86-64 preseason road victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Farmer led the Spurs with 13 points. Tim Duncan had 10 points in the first half and sat out the second half.

The Spurs went 10 of 24 from 3-point range. Farmer made 2 of 4. Rookie point guard George Hill, who started, hit 2 of 3 in the first half and sat the second half. Regular point guard Tony Parker got the night off.

The Spurs got off to a slow start to the fourth quarter after leading by 25 points. Devin Green made their first basket of the quarter on a 3-pointer and the Spurs led 75-55.

THIRD QUARTER

Udoka hit three baskets including a 3-pointer in the final minutes of the third quarter and the Spurs finished the period with a 69-46 lead.

The Spurs made a 21-2 run in the quarter. Udoka played point guard most of the quarter and Desmon Farmer is up to 12 points.

Jacque Vaughn, Matt Bonner, Malik Hairston and Farmer scored two points each in an 8-0 run that put the Spurs in front 56-44. Farmer is up to 10 points.

SECOND QUARTER

Duncan nearly recorded a double-double in the first half. He had 10 points and eight rebounds and the Spurs took a 48-35 halftime lead.

The Spurs' George Hill and Farmer had eight points each and Anthony Tolliver had seven. The Spurs were hot from the outside, hitting seven 3-pointers in the half.

Matt Bonner and Farmer hit 3-pointers early in the second quarter as the Spurs extended their lead to 13 points. Farmer's second 3-pointer of the quarter put the Spurs in front 35-21.

FIRST QUARTER

The Spurs clicked even with a hodgepodge starting lineup and subs ution rotation to finish the first quarter with a 26-18 lead.

Duncan had six points and Hill and Bruce Bowen had five each.

Bruce Bowen was the third Spurs starter to hit a 3-pointer as they took a 19-8 lead.

Hill and Tolliver hit early 3-pointers as the Spurs jumped out to an 11-0 lead.

PREGAME

Rookie George Hill started at point guard for the Spurs. He took the court with Ime Udoka, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan and Anthony Tolliver.

The Spurs' Tony Parker, Michael Finley and Roger Mason Jr. have the night off.

The Spurs take on the Detroit Pistons today at 6 p.m. in a preseason game played in Grand Rapids, Mich.

This game provides some of the new Spurs more playing experience in the Spurs system. For the youngest Spurs players, it's another opportunity to show they belong as a member of the team or are worthy of landing a job somewhere in the league.

Does anyone ever wonder why they don't just start with the 1st, instead of in reverse?

[duncan228]

Does anyone ever wonder why they don't just start with the 1st, instead of in reverse?

It's a blog, it's written, and updated, as the game goes on.

[Biggems]

the thing about Vaughn..I don't really buy into his "smart veteran" perception..Vaughn has made A LOT of terrible decisions over the years, and he isn't exactly a guy I fully trust as the main PG neither..I just don't see the point in having him on the 12-man roster anymore..he doesn't give us anything that can't replaced..

you're absolutely right that Hill isn't ready to run the PG position yet, but I'd rather have Mason running the point than Vaughn..

I would be happy with this 15(assuming they continue to play well as time goes on)..maybe it's just me though..

PG Parker/Hill/Vaughn..
SG Mason/Ginobili/Finley/Farmer..
SF Bowen/Udoka/Hairston..
PF Duncan/Bonner..
C Thomas/Oberto/Mahinmi..

obviously Farmer and Hairston are hopefuls for me..and I would also hope that Mahinmi can show enough to be considered a backup, and Bonner dropping out of the 12..

Tolliver is kind of irrelevant to me at this point, although I may be selling him short too early..

Vaughn and Bonner can take a hike......

PG - Parker, Hill, Farmer
SG - Manu, Mason, Finley
SF - Bowen, Udoka, Hairston
PF - Duncan, Mahimni, Tolliver
C - Thomas, Oberto, Watkins

This lineup gives us a great mixture of older, championship tested players and young, athletic, hungry players.

[Manufan909]

It's a blog, it's written, and updated, as the game goes on.

, it wouldn't be a big deal to just go DOWN, and set it up that way. Not trying to get in a fight over nothing, it just makes me want to .

[Ice009]

First half thoughts:

-Duncan looking good. He's not even trying and has 10 and 8 at half

-Hill looked REALLY good to start off the game. He's leveled out a bit but still looks promising. He's already won the backup point guard job.

-Desmon Farmer is a fearless scorer. He might be too small to make it but he's giving it a good try.

-If Tolliver could hit at least 40%, he's going to make the team and probably beat out Bonner for playing time. The problem is his jumper is so shaky that 40% might be asking too much.

-Udoka has sucked in the preseason. I'm not sure what's wrong with him.

-As much as I like Vaughn as a leader, I'm still not convinced whether or not he should or will make the final roster.

Good to hear about Hill. I hope Hill takes that back up poing guard job straight away.

How tall is Farmer? I thought he is 6'5" How come people keep saying he's too small? What is Udoka then???

Also, I've been saying Vaughn should be cut, but people keep saying NO WAY Pop does that. If this keeps up how can you keep him on the roster when you have other promising players that can take his spot? Plus with the addition of Mason that is a another guard that can play back up point for us. I don't see why you would need Vaughn on the team.

[Ice009]

That's interesting. The scoring droughts last year were pretty bad and I'm sure that was a main focus throughout the off-season. So hopefully they will address that, but I'm still not entirely convinced Pop would let JV go, and the Beno situation probably has something to do with that.

Though the beard might be a sign that Pop has loosened up.

There is absolutely no need for Vaughn. he is so bad on offense that at times Pop didn't even want to put him out on the court in the playoffs last season.

If what TiMVP said about Pop wanting a scoring point guard then he has to dump Vaughn and sign Stoudamire. Stoudamire could be a lethal scoring guard for us. Too bad he can't show his stuff because of injury. I'm going to say it right now - If Stoudamire gets healthy and lights it up VAUGHN IS GONE.

[Ice009]

Vaughn and Bonner can take a hike......

PG - Parker, Hill, Farmer
SG - Manu, Mason, Finley
SF - Bowen, Udoka, Hairston
PF - Duncan, Mahimni, Tolliver
C - Thomas, Oberto, Watkins

This lineup gives us a great mixture of older, championship tested players and young, athletic, hungry players.

I really like that lineup.

[tp2021]

Hey, my first +1(or second, I can't remember), YAY!!!

you're welcome.

[SenorSpur]

Vaughn and Bonner can take a hike......

PG - Parker, Hill, Farmer
SG - Manu, Mason, Finley
SF - Bowen, Udoka, Hairston
PF - Duncan, Mahimni, Tolliver
C - Thomas, Oberto, Watkins

This lineup gives us a great mixture of older, championship tested players and young, athletic, hungry players.

I love that lineup too and would take it in a heartbeat. In fact, it would be an absolute dream roster. However, realistically speaking, there's no way that Pop would ever get rid of Vaughn and Bonner, both of whom are still under contract and have little to no trade value.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Hey look at the top 3 defensive teams in the league right now

1. Spurs
2. Pistons
3. Nuggets

I told you losing Camby would actually be good..........

































j/k.......i know, i know, it's only preseason

[Bruno]

Hill looked very good. His offensive game still needs some work but I was impressed by him. Let's hope his injury won't be too serious.

Spurs three swingmen were good but not great. Farmer was the best one with his shooting and scoring touch. Hairston and Green also had their moments.

Spurs three bigmen were bad. The only noticeable thing Tolliver do is shooting and he isn't a good shooter. Watkins has a nice body but not a lot of skills in it. Gaines is in quite bad shape.

If Spurs had to cut their roster at 15 today, I would take the 13 guaranteed contracts + Hairston + Stoudamire. I would choose Hairston over Green and Farmer because he isn't significantly worse than them while being a gazillion years younger. Hairston has also the edge of being cheaper.

Anyway, Spurs have still two weeks to maker their choice. Things can and will change.

[Obstructed_View]

So I guess I'm the only person that thinks, based upon the two games I saw against NBA talent, Hairston is a REALLY good defender? I'm going to have to go watch the game again.

[Manufan909]

You recorded it? Damn you!!!!!!!

Jk, but how old are Farmer Green and Hairston anyways, I thought they were all early twenties?

EDIT: Did anyone see the coverage that was on ESPN? It showed one Spurs fg(a duncan bank), and then a bunch of Pistons bricks. No actual highlights AT ALL.

[Obstructed_View]

You recorded it? Damn you!!!!!!!

Jk, but how old are Farmer Green and Hairston anyways, I thought they were all early twenties?

EDIT: Did anyone see the coverage that was on ESPN? It showed one Spurs fg(a duncan bank), and then a bunch of Pistons bricks. No actual highlights AT ALL.

The question is, why didn't I record the Houston game.

I've long since given up on any dreams of seeing actual Spurs highlights on ESPN. They only grudgingly cover when the Spurs win the le.

[Bruno]

Jk, but how old are Farmer Green and Hairston anyways, I thought they were all early twenties?

Hairston is 21, Green is 26 and Farmer 27 is years old.
Farmer and Green have also a significant amount of pro basketball experience while Hairston just comes form college basketball.

I think Spurs will keep that in mind when they will decide who to keep.

[DPG21920]

Will there be a link to the game tonight?