Game Thoughts: Spurs @ Celtics - Feb. 8

[lefty]

I am happy and now we can all say it was a great shot, but... was it a wise shot to take with lots of time in the clock (If I am not mistaken) and the Spurs down by 2 with 20 seconds left?

True, but Mason has major cojones

Clutch shooters don't think at all....

[Obstructed_View]

I am happy and now we can all say it was a great shot, but... was it a wise shot to take with lots of time in the clock (If I am not mistaken) and the Spurs down by 2 with 20 seconds left?

That's not what got Mason into trouble today. Until further notice, I'll live with letting Mason take a shot in rhythm any time he wants to. That's a far better shot than the Celtics' defense is likely to give them if they're given time to set up. Pop specifically said he wanted them pushing the ball ahead of their D, and Mason did exactly that. He also gave them time to be able to play the free throw game if he missed it. Go for the win on the road.

In other words, when watching it live, I didn't think it was a bad shot.

[Manudona]

The Spurs were actually only down one point. I don't think that is a shot you want, especially considering no one was in position for an offensive board. It seemed to surprise everyone.

Except for Mason

You are right only one point down.

[lefty]

Your are right only one point down.

" Manudona "

Great screen name

[EJFischer]

It's interesting to me that you specifically cite Mason's recovery on screens as a positive. I haven't gotten to watch many games on TV this season--I usually have to listen to the radio--but I watched this one and, in the second half especially, thought Mason was half a step slower around the screens than anyone else. Was he a full step slower before, and this is an improvement, or are you seeing something I didn't?

[Manudona]

" Manudona "

Great screen name

I guess it does not hide my country of origin, nor my bias towars certain player

[Capt Bringdown]

I thought Manu's D was terrible - he was in El Matador mode for most of the game.
His legs of stone made Allen and Pierce look like speed demons on several occasions.

[timvp]

It's interesting to me that you specifically cite Mason's recovery on screens as a positive. I haven't gotten to watch many games on TV this season--I usually have to listen to the radio--but I watched this one and, in the second half especially, thought Mason was half a step slower around the screens than anyone else. Was he a full step slower before, and this is an improvement, or are you seeing something I didn't?

He was about two steps slow a few weeks ago. Larry Brown saw it and began to constantly send him around picks ... and then the rest of the league copied. He's now improved to where he's still not very good but not the totally liability he was just a short time ago.

RMJ has a little bit of bulk to him so it's more difficult for him to get around picks ... especially compared to Bowen and Parker. But yeah, RMJ still can improve even more in that area.

[m33p0]

one thing you can definitely say about Mase is that he's a shooter alright.

[timvp]

I thought Manu's D was terrible - he was in El Matador mode for most of the game.
His legs of stone made Allen and Pierce look like speed demons on several occasions.

Manu did look like he had slow feet on defense, especially when he was trying to chase around Allen. I liked him much better on Pierce, especially when he could body him up.

[Biggems]

TimVp, Finley 5 for 6 on 3's?

is that V Hudg in your sig?

[DDS4]

Arguably Bonner's best game. Not necessarily percentage wise in shooting, but his assertiveness and all-round play today must've satisfied Pop to a great degree.

[Man Mountain]

Arguably Bonner's best game. Not necessarily percentage wise in shooting, but his assertiveness and all-round play today must've satisfied Pop to a great degree.

This has to be his best game. Even the CELTICS say he was the difference. How do y'all think his defense was???

[Agloco]

Nice synopsis, but do you have to keep using that dreadful picture of Pop?

Try this one......

How bout it timvp? I know you saw the post.......

[Cry Havoc]

The Spurs were actually only down one point. I don't think that is a shot you want, especially considering no one was in position for an offensive board. It seemed to surprise everyone.

Except for Mason

Mason has a crazy amount of confidence at this point. I would trust him with any late 4th quarter shot right now. He has so much faith in his shot right now that he's just willing the ball in the hoop.

If it's a close game and it's late, give him the ball and tell him to let fly.

If it's Robert Horry circa '04-05, you tell him to shoot if he has a shot he likes. The same applies with Mason. You CANNOT tell a player like that not to shoot in rhythm, because you destroy his decision making in doing so. His best weapon right now is that he feels a shot, and doesn't hesitate. Don't force him to question that shot selection.

[timvp]

Arguably Bonner's best game. Not necessarily percentage wise in shooting, but his assertiveness and all-round play today must've satisfied Pop to a great degree.

Bonner was definitely good. It'd be nice if he could string together two very good halves ... but that'd be greedy.

I think by nature Bonner has choke-ish tendencies but by giving him so many minutes in clutch situations, Pop is slowly making Bonner more comfortable in tight situations. Pop could easily go to Thomas or even small ball but Bonner getting end of game minutes is extremely valuable and hopefully will pay off at some point in the playoffs.

And that's another example of Pop using the regular season more as an extended preseason . . .

This has to be his best game. Even the CELTICS say he was the difference. How do y'all think his defense was???

I thought he defense was good. He defended Garnett about as well as possible. Bonner shined the most on defense late in the game. I didn't notice it as much when I watched it live but re-watching the game, Bonner was extremely active in the last five minutes. He made a few rotations that resulted in valuable stops.

[timvp]

How bout it timvp? I know you saw the post.......

I wouldn't mind changing the pic but that pic is SFIE's sig.

[ElNono]

I thought Manu's D was terrible - he was in El Matador mode for most of the game.
His legs of stone made Allen and Pierce look like speed demons on several occasions.

In Manu's defense I would say that at least two of Allen's curls were a Perkins illegal moving screen... Obviously they don't call that in Boston anymore. I thought he did pretty good on Pierce, considering Pierce has a bigger body (the thing is, Finley was so horrible on Pierce, I wonder if he made Manu look decent)

[Solid D]

Amzaing what can happen in the final 60 seconds of a game like this. If Ray makes the bunny layup instead of leaving it short with 56 sec. remaining, the Celtice go up 5. Garnett's jumper going around and out was also a key miss while Matt Bonner's similar offering prior to it had a much more fortunate bounce. Mace's three-pointer only needed a Clint Eastwood squint and thin cigar clenched between his teeth.

The 7 Spurs points in 1.6 seconds were equally amazing.

timvp, I enjoyed your recap. I do think you should give Mike Finley a little more credit for his defense on Paul Pierce today. Fin would not let Paul go to his right very much and he used his solid base to play just physical enough to cramp Pierce's style. I also thought Bonner did a fantastic job of helping in the lane any time Pierce or Allen tried to penetrate. Basically, Pop's team defensive strategy was good in limiting drives and and-1 situations.

When KG gives Matt Bonner props in a press conference, you know something unusual just took place.

The Spurs kept their poise and earned a quality win.

[Agloco]

I wouldn't mind changing the pic but that pic is SFIE's sig.

[bostonguy]

Props to the Spurs. Mason is money in the clutch as it has been proven over the year.

[m33p0]

matt looking gassed in the 3rd was probably the butterflies catching up.

[weebo]

Great game all around by both championship teams.

[Solid D]

matt looking gassed in the 3rd was probably the butterflies catching up.

He did look gassed but I think he was also hurting. A few trips prior to his bank-shot three, Matt had gotten kneed in the right thigh by Pierce and then at the other end, Matt was kneed in the "lower region" by Ray Allen. Matt didn't even run back to the other end after it...he was bent over.

[Blackjack]

matt looking gassed in the 3rd was probably the butterflies catching up.

No, Garnett was busting his ass to beat the Spurs in transition and Bonner got to feel the wrath of Tim and Pop.

You couldn't help but laugh after seeing Bonner do a couple of in-game gassers (doing everything he could to not get his ass chewed-out again) and then bank in a three, when he was clearly out of gas.