Not buying that. Closing moments of probably the game of the season is not the moment to try and "get players going". I think it's a matchups thing or he really hated those two Manu's TO's to end the 3rd.
Those two turnovers were awful, but this isn't the time to be disciplining players and sitting them because of errors earlier in the game. You have to play your best players - the players that got you there.
One of those turnovers could have probably been handled by Timmy, anyways, but the first one was truly terrible.
It is simple what Pop does. He knows it does no good for team to win this series if Parker does not win back his confidence and point scoring ability. And that strategy might just work.
Because Pop wants to win games, which he did by riding old faithful. If he was a "what have you done for me lately" Spurstalk poster, he might have gone with Mills. But he isn't...instead he's one of the greatest coaches of all time.
That's why he played a cold shooting Green over a Manu that was having a pretty good game right?
Yes...not sure if you're aware that we won the game with Pop's strategy. Manu gives and takes away. He cut into their lead early and then gave it right back later in the game with those back to back terrible turnovers. Parker regained the lead for the Spurs on three separate occasions and was on the floor when we took our biggest leads of the game multiple times.
Oh I see, you're one of those special kids that thinks that Pop never comitts mistakes and every decision he takes is the correct one. You're contradicting yourself though, you said Pop sticks with his "known oldies", he has always sticked with Manu. Tonight he didn't stick with him despite Manu having a more than decent game and the guy that ended the game in his position wasn't having a specially good one either, tbh.
Because Pop's one proud, stubborn son of a , that's why. He also happens to be the greatest coach in the league, and one of the greatest of all time. So you live with it.
manu can't guard consistently, that's why danny on thr floor in crunch time. It shows he adjusted after the last game when they couldn't get a stop to save their life. If you try to outscore the clippers you will lose, you have to keep better defenders on the floor in crunch time. I actually though manu was used properly tonight, he does not need heavy minutes against clipper starters you can only hide one player on defense and that has to be tony/patty, the clippers offense is the best in the league
Watching again, Pop actually did take Green out in favor of Belinelli..after Diaw's miracle shot and the 7-point lead, looks like he opted to go back to a defensive lineup with DG..
Seemed like he was more iffy about Manu than anything, as he went with Marco over him in the 4th for offense, too..
Yep, he must not have liked those two TO's. Still, not a good decision, imho.
Manu is a legend but the guy simply gambles way too much on both ends of the floor. Marco has shown some balls all series long and in crunch time Danny Green, even if cold, can hit big shots at any given time and usually provide you elite defense.
Going to have to disagree with DAF here.
Pop made the right call. Belli was making shots, and really was a huge offensive boost in the fourth. Don't remember, but I think Paul made a basket that made Pop put Danny..Manu eventually played anyway. I just don't see how it was bad call.
If Pop doesn't trust Manu this game why did he put him in at the last minute of the game? He didn't play most of the 4th so why did he get put back in at the end?
As I pointed out in another thread, if the Spurs were behind at the end of the game you'd probably want Manu and Patty in the game to generate as much offense as possible, and especially offense that isn't too scripted. That's what these guys do well.
But when you're leading then you certainly don't want Manu passing the ball to the other team in the clutch. Sometimes Manu plays "in control", but the end of the 3rd quarter clearly showed tonight was not one of those nights. In this case Pop goes with the boring, unimaginative guys who are going to run plays from the playbook and follow Pop's instructions. Up by 1-2 with a few minutes in not the time for creativity, it's the time for discipline and proper execution of the game plan. Still Pop played Manu in the end...
He appears to be playing his best player HUGE minutes.
Timfnduncan.
Manu was gassed, Green defended Paul very well. It wasn't a bad decision.
mills is a crazy 3 point shooter and a great transition player, he provide really important points but he can't run spurs offense on a long run, you can hate parker , but spurs are better with him on the court, and will need him to recover a decent shooting% to win it all.
It looks like TD's improved his conditioning. In past years when his minutes got high you could tell it was taking a toll on him.
Greens defense was really good, I thought. Having Mills adds shooting but there isn't really a play-maker more ball movement but not necessarily better shots.
I'd have went with Manu at the point with Green, KL, Diaw and Duncan. Green covers Paul, Ginobili on Barnes/Crawford, KL on Red , Diaw on Blake and Duncan on 'Dre
Ginobili actually can defend fairly well especially late in games, he does better off ball though. Really like the idea of having Manu run point with Green, Leonard,Diaw and Duncan to close out games.
I agree.
I'd only play Mills with Manu, KL, Diaw and Duncan to close out games. Parker couldn't hit the side of a barn but did run the offense.
Give Mills more play time!!! Not rocket science! Mills can drain 3's! I am going to have to up my blood pressure meds!
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