ESPN Radio: Great interview with Pop

[timvp]

But Green was the choker

Splitter's D was as bad as Green's O, tbh.

[therealtruth]

Yeah, that was a surprising admission. We've all seen games where we're like "WTF Pop wasn't even trying to win that game". I guess that's more than simply a case of a paranoid fan.

Well, to be fair, Pop also didn't call out Tiago by name for being the main example of a bench player who "wasn't ready for the playoffs". If Tiago played half as well as he's playing now against the Thunder, Spurs very well win that series.

Pop certainly played a role in Tiago not being ready. He could have given him more minutes to get ready like he's doing this season. I still don't think DG will be ready enough to start for a championship team. A good defensive team might reduce us to playing 4 on 5 again and then Pop has to start Manu again. Better to get that out of the way now.

[polandprzem]

Splitter's D was as bad as Green's O, tbh.

Yup I do not negate this. But overall it was Green that everybody was mad at. And there were few guys that should level their game up rather then play poorly that's why Pop addressed it.

[TD 21]

Pop flat out says he was trying to tank games during the 20 win streak. Amazing admission, I bet he was ecstatic with the recent DET loss. We STers have all "known" this but I've never heard him say it straight-up like that.

I'd have to listen to it again (which I don't feel like doing), but I'm pretty sure it was said tongue in cheek. I don't think he was literally trying to tank games during that streak, I think he was just hoping they'd lose at some point, for law of average purposes.

What I don't get is how he's come to the conclusion that the bench is so much better, when in actuality it's been worse than last season.

[freetiago]

all the guys from last season were mid season pickups or playoff virgins/young guys
Neal had 1 playoff series
Tiago had 1 series that he didnt start til game 5 and ended in 6
Danny Green wasnt even suppose to be on the team but he ended up starting and played his first series
Kawhi- rookie
Diaw- midseason pickup
Jack- midseason pickup
and Bonner the playoff choker

[Brunodf]

Splitter's D was as bad as Green's O, tbh.

I think u expected too much from a player who was just the 4th big last season tbh.
Pop also didn't make any adjustments to avoid the hack...

[Obstructed_View]

The difference in Pop:

Jack Ramsey <> Mark Jones.

[SA210]

Pop certainly played a role in Tiago not being ready. He could have given him more minutes to get ready like he's doing this season.

[Solid D]

I was thinking along the lines of what wildbill mentioned about Dr. Jack Ramsay. Pop gives Jack much respect...like student to teacher.

[Sean Cagney]

This is a great interview.

[Dingle Barry]

Really enjoyable. Wish there was at least one asshole comment though. This just felt like it was probably the T1000 in Pop form.

[Mugen]

Great stuff from Pop.

[Budkin]

This was a very unusual interview for POP. No sarcasm or humor. Just the straight dope on every question. It was the first time I ever heard an interview where Pop gave his real opinion on last year's team vs. this year's team without the little gibes.

I doubt he would be like that when Dr. Jack Ramsay is asking him questions just out of admiration and respect.