This is on Tim and Manu

[beirmeistr]

All of our big three can share some blame for their FTs in the last minutes, but at least manu hit half of his. It really hurts when a player misses both free throws and it hurts even more when the Sonics kept making all of their FTs. But the big three will bounce back on Sunday.

[Tom_Foolery]

Parker could have pushed the lead to 5 too.

He choked at the line as well.

Wasnt just Manu and Tim.

I don't know, I think the entire team and coach takes the blame.

Parker was absolutely nonexistent in the 4th. I saw him on the bench during the 4th and Pop must've said something to Parker because Parker was clearly upset about something. Maybe those Eva Longoria rumors are true?

Manu was not Manu tonight. Missing FTs in the 4th, trying to flop for a call. Sonics got in his head alright. They played physical and I think that rattled him a bit. He just seemed frustrated because of lack of calls and it just really hurt his game.

Duncan was making horrible shots in the 4th and was getting beat on that pick & roll time after time after time, pumping James ego. He wasn't hitting his FTs and I think that really frustrated his offense as he could not get ANYTHING going in the 4th, except that ugly brick on the side of the backboard.

Pop waited WAY too long to fix that pick & roll play Seattle was juicing. He waited until the 4th. They ran that same play probably a dozen times before Pop made an adjustment. Where was Nazr too? He was awesome and yes, he is a better defender than Rasho.

Also, Pop has such a strange way of dealing with the Spurs FT problems. This is a problem that's now a staple of Spurs basketball. It seems like we've had this problem since Duncan got drafted. I do not like how Popovich is so passive regarding FTs. Sometimes Popovich has to whip the Spurs players and drill them to make their FTs or else. FTs are the only problem Popovich seems to be so passive on dealing with. Everything else, he's more assertive and demanding...but not on the FT issue.


I want to see Devin Brown. How is his health? Bowen + Barry = 3/11 for 10pts.

I would not at all be opposed to putting Manu back in the starting lineup & Devin coming off the bench if he's healthy enough.

[ata]

I think that part of the blame should be on Pop also. After all 91 pts offensively is not so bad, 92 pts defensevily is what Spurs shouldn't allow. I've counted 14 ponts from driving layups and driving dunks in the 2nd half only. Hey, I like Nazr, however Rasho is The defender at the post and I doubt that he would allowed Sonics to promenade under Spurs basket.

added: No driving layups or driving dunks from Spurs in 2nd. Rasho would make same place for Gino and Tony, Nazr is waiting under basket so he can fill his rebound statistic. Nothing wrong with that, however 3R in 16 min is not much.

[T Park]

Also, Pop has such a strange way of dealing with the Spurs FT problems. This is a problem that's now a staple of Spurs basketball. It seems like we've had this problem since Duncan got drafted. I do not like how Popovich is so passive regarding FTs. Sometimes Popovich has to whip the Spurs players and drill them to make their FTs or else. FTs are the only problem Popovich seems to be so passive on dealing with. Everything else, he's more assertive and demanding...but not on the FT issue.

hes had shot gurus, sport shrinks, free throw coaches the whole 9 yards, what else does he have to do?!?!?! He cant in make it for them.

I want to see Devin Brown.

so would pop, but he has no strength in his right leg.

We will be lucky if we see him get consistent minutes in the western finals, god willing the spurs get there.

[T Park]

Hey, I like Nazr, however Rasho is The defender at the post and I doubt that he would allowed Sonics to promenade under Spurs basket.

neither Nazr nor Rasho were playing very good defense, and were giving up alot of offensive rebounds.

They both stunk out loud.

[Obstructed_View]

It's hard to blame pop when guys aren't getting to their spots on defense. Slow to rotate all night. Pop was scrambling trying to find someone that wanted to play. Unfortunately nobody stepped up except Bowen on defense, which was superb. Wasted effort. He could have helped his own cause by pulling the trigger a couple of times.

[ata]

neither Nazr nor Rasho were playing very good defense, and were giving up alot of offensive rebounds.

They both stunk out loud.

Rasho wasn't even ther in 2nd half

[T Park]

Because his D in teh first was downright atrocious.

his rebounding was pathetic.

As was Nazr.

hence the reason horry practically played the whole second half.


I wouldve gone with Massenburg IMO, someone quick enough, tough enough, will rebound.


That was a big mistake by Pop IMO.

[ShoogarBear]

I wouldve gone with Massenburg IMO, someone quick enough, tough enough, will rebound.

Massenburg vs. Fortson would have been worth it just for the entertainment value.

The referees would have had to buy new whistles.

[Solid D]

The Spurs played their tempo and worked it the way they like to work it. The Big Three missed 14 of the 15 errant FTs and the lone miss by Nazr. That miss came only after he had made his 2nd of 2 FTs but the ref waved it off and made him reshoot because one of the Sonics went into the lane early and pulled Timmy with him.

This loss is strictly a product of the Spurs beating themselves by missing their FTs, because their strategy was to get to the line in the 2nd half.

The Sonics get limited props for matching intensity with the Spurs and junking things up physically.