I don't see a downward trend in his desire. His minutes are slightly down this season but he's been banged up quite a bit (knee, hip, ankle) and it's a blessing to me that they can rest him a couple extra minutes and still win ball games. Come playoff time, Duncan will be well rested and healthy (*knocks on wood*) and logging 40+ minutes per game.Can you honestly say, Kori, that you haven't observed a downward trend in Tim's playing time and even in his desire?
Maybe TPark can come into this thread and bestow the true genius behind Pop's actions.
The good guys are never wrong.
Didn't know I was the foremost expert on basketball.
Ill remember that the next time people call me T Fart, and want me run out of the forum.
Alright but can you explain this Beno benching situation.
Thanks.
Trying to get Barry and Brown to pull there heads out of there asses by giving them more playing time.
He knows what he has in Udrih, and doesn't know if he can depend on Barry or Brown yet.
IMO, Brent Barry has been a huge dissapointment.
30% shooting, quite a bit of the time, just standing out on the perimiter not wanting to do , just passing the ball and such.
Could be he's trying to see if he can actually run the big three guard lineup to create some mismatches. God knows we're getting some laid on us.
Don't know what team would go "big" guard on teh spurs.
I could see detroit going Billups Arroyo Hamilton
or Miami Wade Jones Jones
but those arent "big" guard lineups.
I'm not saying other teams would do that, I'm saying Pop might be seeing if he can create mismatches with a big guard lineup with the Spurs. Could also be a hedge in case Beno and Parker happen to suck at the same time.
Most other teams can get a mismatch on the Spurs by having a SF over 6'8".
He's just toying around. God knows these guys have no motivation to do right now.
I think part of Pop wants to go with Devin for the greater defense, but Part of him wants to go with Barry because of his hardon for veteran ball players. I don't think he can make a decision at this point, and he sees no harm in benching Beno.
I see harm. I see games slipping in a close home court advandtage race. And homecourt matters to the Spurs, so these March games shouldn't be taken so damn lightly.
I for one am hoping for Barry to come out and become the better option. He's shown flashes of it, but he's lacked consitency all year long. At some point soon, it's going to become nessecary to just pick someone and stick with them. That may be the best way to get someone into rythmn at this point.
I wish it would be barry too, but like you said, have a couple good games, then the third, act like he has no clue whats going on.
Pop = stereo guy playing with the knobs, even though the volume, balance and fade are just fine.
^ The above was just a joke, ya'll.
Maybe not as much as you think!
Hey y'all, didn't want to start another thread if I didn't have to, and it might be kind of early, but whose going to be left off the playoff roster?
I liked Devin better when he didn't know if he was going to play at all. He seems to have regressed since it became clear that he would almost always get 10-20 minutes per game.
Or maybe we're just noticing his faults more because we expect more from him.
I don't think so. He's definitely gotten worse. He looks very indecisive on the court lately. It seem like he's trying not to make a mistake instead of just playing the game.
Every player that plays for Pop seems to have to pass the "wrath of Pop" test. Some struggle and make it through Pop's tirades and become regulars (Tim, Tony, Manu, Bruce... ) and others can really suffer (at times) from the anxiety of trying to play ball his way (Devin, Rasho, Barry).
I really hope these guys can persevere and make it to the "other side" because once you stay in Pop's doghouse too long, there are a limited number of outcomes.
1) You get benched and/or traded.
2) Your confidence takes a hit and your game suffers (see Daniels, Antonio).
3) You turn into a role player with an extremely narrow focus on something you do well, squandering some other aspects of your game. (see Barry, Brent)
Pop is a great coach but sometimes I wonder if he really maximizes the talent of all his players. It seems that if you're not incredibly mentally tough, you can get bulldozed in his system. Brent Barry for example is a guy who averaged something like 11pts/6ast shooting 50% last year and the guy is turning into a spot up shooter under Pop. How much of this is Pop's doing?
His larger role probably also came with a new set of guidelines from the coaching staff... Before, when he came in, it was usually garbage minutes, or the team was desperate for some kind of scoring, so Devin had more freedom. Now that he has to play within a scheme, he's having trouble adapting. Pop could stand to loosen the reigns a bit on he and Barry and let them play a little more within their comfort zones.
"we expect more from him"
Devin's own performances last May and before Christmas defined those expectations.
Free Beno!!!
Play him or he will go FAT again!
Agreed. Why does he feel the need to sacrifice games in order to put guys at the point who are not true point guards (especially when we have two kick-ass point guards). I also disagree with the notion stated in the article that it doesn't matter who brings the ball up; that's bull . When Devin and Brent came in together in the second we were down four; when they left we were down 12. I know we're 42-13, but every game counts. Regardless of the great record, there are four teams within five games of us. Cut the tinkering Pop and go for wins. Save your tinkering for practice.
I agree. It doesn't make sense to play them together unless neccesity dictates it.
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