The Spurs Can Never Get A Stop

[RON ARTEST]

The Spurs can never get a stop because it's always a whistle that stops momentum from building up in there favor.

no there defense just sucks. they gave up a ton of layups and dunks tonight, and left stackhouse wide open in the corner for threes all night long. it had nothing to do with whistles.

[romsho]

The Spurs have spent the last three games reacting to what the Mavericks do- the pace, style of play and personnel all reflect Dallas Maverick basketball. Since when do the Spurs get into a scorefest and win? As much as I respect Popovich, the decision to play matchup w/ Dallas as opposed to playing the way they have all year long is proving to be a huge mistake. For a team predicated on a defense first mentality, scrapping everything and playing this ridiculous smallball has these guys lost out there. For the love of God, can we get one game of Spurs basketball please?

[efrem1]

Well, I have done my pouting for tonight. Small ball, large ball. whatever. The fact is that the team was two calls away from comprehensive victory in this series. Yea, the team let it be close enough for the refs to decide, but you can't play agressive defense and be denied momentum by arbitrary calls. Hey, we got three les and if our jugadores lose Weds. so be it. We are SPURTACUS!!!

[exstatic]

We can win this series with Offense. Just need to finish, plus I never complain about the refs ever but for the first time in my life I think the spurs got robbed.

neverthess, I will be shocked if the spurs don't win this series.

Put away the crack before the crack puts you away. Kori is right. Our defense sucks ass, and has for some time.

[M3//]

What a complete load of crap if you think the refs had nothing to do with it. Finley posterizes Dirk. What happens next? Duncan takes a charge. Does he get the respect he deserves? A three time Finals MVP taking a freaking legit charge. Does it get called? Of course not. Three point possession. Complete game swing. That call did it. Ya, they made shots, but their esteem would've been shot to the ground if the refs didn't personally pick it up for them. Way to go. Spurs in 7. This will only make the series victory even sweeter.

[Slinkyman]

we haven't "looked" like a championship calibur team all season even though people said it was "just jan." "just feb." "just march" etc. and now it's round two 3-1 dallas and we haven't shown that we are that calibur a team. I still believe we can win this series but it's gonna take alot from players who are only sub par defenders at best.

[strangeweather]

What a complete load of crap if you think the refs had nothing to do with it. Finley posterizes Dirk. What happens next? Duncan takes a charge. Does he get the respect he deserves? A three time Finals MVP taking a freaking legit charge. Does it get called? Of course not. Three point possession. Complete game swing. That call did it.

My ass. They had several chances to win it late in the game, and commited more than one crucial turnover. Even then, Duncan had the final shot. After that, they had a full overtime period to start over and win it. They didn't.

Successful teams take advantage of the opportunities they have in front of them. The Spurs get one more shot Wednesday to do it.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

We made a major mistake playing their way this series.

We have always beaten the Mavs in slow-down slugfests in the past, and I thought that is exactly the way we'd try to beat them this year, with Rasho in to camp in the paint, block some shots and rough some people up, but we haven't seen any of that. WTF is Pop thinking? He's played right into AJ's hands.

Anyway, I hope we change the approach in game 5 and at least take it to 6. How about switching everything back to the way we used to play - D FIRST, INSIDE OUT.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

My ass. They had several chances to win it late in the game, and commited more than one crucial turnover. Even then, Duncan had the final shot. After that, they had a full overtime period to start over and win it. They didn't.

Successful teams take advantage of the opportunities they have in front of them. The Spurs get one more shot Wednesday to do it.

True...Mentally they have to get the job done on Game 5...Tim and Co. Should call Steve Nash about what it felt like to be down 3-1. Even The SUNS for christ sake, made the necessary stops and played temporary D for that series...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

we haven't "looked" like a championship calibur team all season even though people said it was "just jan." "just feb." "just march" etc. and now it's round two 3-1 dallas and we haven't shown that we are that calibur a team. I still believe we can win this series but it's gonna take alot from players who are only sub par defenders at best.

Oh, and that is the truth. We never really gelled this year, God knows how we won 63 games. The 2003 or 2005 Spurs would trounce this team because they really gelled, and they were clutch as . These guys just aren't there.

Time to jetison the old guys and bring in some youth and athleticism - thankfully we have the Big 3 to build around, so the transition shouldn't be too hard.

[austinfan]

We made a major mistake playing their way this series.

We have always beaten the Mavs in slow-down slugfests in the past, and I thought that is exactly the way we'd try to beat them this year, with Rasho in to camp in the paint, block some shots and rough some people up, but we haven't seen any of that. WTF is Pop thinking? He's played right into AJ's hands.

Anyway, I hope we change the approach in game 5 and at least take it to 6. How about switching everything back to the way we used to play - D FIRST, INSIDE OUT.

What can it hurt us at this point to go back to the bigger line up? We're the underdogs now and historically the odds are against us. If for no other reason, Pop ought to go back to the "tall ball" just for s and grins, to see how the Mavericks react. Because they've figured out our small ball routine pretty thoroughly by now.

[strangeweather]

What can it hurt us at this point to go back to the bigger line up? We're the underdogs now and historically the odds are against us. If for no other reason, Pop ought to go back to the "tall ball" just for s and grins, to see how the Mavericks react. Because they've figured out our small ball routine pretty thoroughly by now.

it. Put Rasho in the lineup. He can camp out inside all day long covering the immobile Dallas centers.

Put Timmy all over Howard's skinny ass. Howard isn't that much of an outside threat, which means Tim can sag into the lane and help punish the out of punks like Harris when they try to penetrate.

With two guys in the paint, go back to old-school Spurs ball and superglue defenders to the rest of the mother ers. Rebound the out of the ball, don't give them anything outside, and don't give them anything inside.

[Nbadan]

If the Spurs have to rely on Rasho to win this series, it really is over.

[Streakyshooter08]

I would go back to the traditional lineup also. Start Rasho, Tim, Bowen, Manu and Tony

Bring Finley, Barry and Horry off the bench. Barry should be their backup PG. Leave NVE OUT OF THE GAME.

I would put Rasho or Tim on Dirk and let him score. Shut down the REST of the team!!!Of course you could mix it up during the game and use the small lineup over certain stretches and put Bowen on him.

Amare scored like 40 PPG last year and we still won. We are down 3-1, if we can't beat them with small ball... go back to the normal lineup, there is nothing to lose anymore...

GO SPURS GO...

[Vashner]

Need More D Fence

This is why I wanted Malik to stay... he used to wear down people like this.. too bad he could not get along with the Pop.


Maybe we should Ditch Believe for D FENCE ... (typo'ed in honor of Coyote)

[picnroll]

17 of the last 21 points at the FT line in game 3. 9 of the last 12 points at the FT line in game 4. Several of those not even questionably bad calls. Tough to play FT line defense.

[picnroll]

Getting stops in the fourth. The Mavs in the last two games in the fourth shot a combined 12 of 29 from the field or .413. They did, however, go to the FT line 35 times.

[dougp]

I'm sorry, but to those of y'all who are saying this loss is on the Spurs, not the refs - quit being NBA Homers ... this is bull , there were the EXACT TWO CALLS that have won 3 & 4 for the Mavericks, Dirk charges on Timmy. Period, it put the Mavs ahead by 1 in 3, and tied the game in 4. If you can't see the blatant calls, then please consider switching your allegiances ...

[WalterBenitez]

Ok

We have the material, 3 ASG 1 of them a Superstar a deffensive specialist and 3ps shooters ... doesn't sound bad ...am I right

However... our defense is not working anymore or our opponents discovered (learnt or whatever reason) our weak points, so... we saw in Dallas Pic 'n rolls, screens, speed ... hmmm

Bring here any FIBA's coach acustom to use that; prepare a decent defense for next year ...in terms of defense only Bruce is working a his level, then you got Manu stealing balls, TD is not as dominant as used to be and TP is being destroyed in his field ... speed on the paint with that combination a FIBA's coach will recomend ... hey boy goto zone, I know NBA's rules doesn't allow it in the extrict sense of the word but come on do sth.

A poster here has an avatarwith Oberto and "6 fouls to give" ... I am asking how we use those fouls, we need to send messages out there, did you see how Manu and TP are received in the other side; I am not talking about violence I'd love to know how many of our fouls didn't stop a basket.

Since I am finishig my breakfast there's another possible reason is jumping in my mind ... probably ... MAV is a better team and very well coached

[totalspurshomer]

What a complete load of crap if you think the refs had nothing to do with it. Finley posterizes Dirk. What happens next? Duncan takes a charge. Does he get the respect he deserves? A three time Finals MVP taking a freaking legit charge. Does it get called? Of course not.

That all sounds fine and dandy...until you remember the FACT that, to get a charge, your feet can't be moving when you get hit. And, on the overhead replay, Duncan was CLEARLY still sliding when he got hit. All the announcers focused on was "feet outside the circle", but even they didn't mention his feet were still moving.

And those "NBA hates us" bad calls don't outweigh late game, silly mistakes like a really crappy inbounds pass, Tim's last shot in regulation where he abandoned both his automatic bank shot AND his superior athletic drive moves in favor of a lower percentage turning jump hook.

I've also read where the bogus call on Bowen costs us the game, because if they don't call it, then "game over" at that point. HUH? Yes it was the wrong call, but you can't assume Dirk wouldn't have kept driving and scored, or passed for a score, without hearing a whistle.

[Trifecta]

My thought going to bed last night was that the Spurs could NOT GET A STOP ON D!!!

Committed crucial turnover late in game by Barry -- gave up offensive rebound late in the game!!

People said before the game that Tony needed to show up this game on offense -- HE DID!

Someone forgot to tell the Defense the same!!!

That's it plain and simple -- No credible center to help Tim!!!!

POPs not making any adjustments! Pic-N-Roll defense sucks!!!!

Heck -- gut the coaching staff and get some people in there who know how to make a freakin' adjustment!!!

The organization needs to gut the bench and come up with some younger quicker players along with a REAL CENTER!!!!

Where are those "project draft choices"? Get them in here and lets improve this team!

[picnroll]

That all sounds fine and dandy...until you remember the FACT that, to get a charge, your feet can't be moving when you get hit. And, on the overhead replay, Duncan was CLEARLY still sliding when he got hit. All the announcers focused on was "feet outside the circle", but even they didn't mention his feet were still moving.

And those "NBA hates us" bad calls don't outweigh late game, silly mistakes like a really crappy inbounds pass, Tim's last shot in regulation where he abandoned both his automatic bank shot AND his superior athletic drive moves in favor of a lower percentage turning jump hook.

I've also read where the bogus call on Bowen costs us the game, because if they don't call it, then "game over" at that point. HUH? Yes it was the wrong call, but you can't assume Dirk wouldn't have kept driving and scored, or passed for a score, without hearing a whistle.

Hey totlaspurshomer wondering about your name and favorite team when your posts show you an obvious Rockets fan and most of your posts relating to the Spurs are dergatory toward them. And oh yeah Duncan was stationary fool.

[totalspurshomer]

Actually, I follow the Spurs, Rockets, and Mavs(Texas baby), in that order, over other NBA teams. I took the name totalspurshomer because I noticed that, at times like these or when comparing "best evers, etc", alot of posters and fans around town see everything through silver and black glasses(the refs jobbed us, the NBA and media hate us, etc). Obviously, I understand this is a Spurs board and SA. I'm glad there's 100% backing of the Spurs. Part of my intent is simply to provide a more balanced, more objective view by commenting without the silver and black glasses.

There's no hate or bad feelings intended. Sorry you feel that way.

And it's hard to agree on the charge call when I see Tim moving across my TV screen when contact occurs(on the overhead replay).


PS...and obviously it's not all homerism all the time by all the fans. That's one of the reasons I enjoy this board. Not to brown nose, but Kori's a great example of a die hard Spurs fan who always seems able to discuss Spurs vs "other teams" in even handed terms(look at this thread le as an example). And it's amusing to think that, in the same household, is timvp who is also a die hard Spurs fan, but views things, shall we say, a "tad" more silver and black. You don't always see other boards' honchos so fair minded.

[T Park]

As much as I respect Popovich, the decision to play matchup w/ Dallas as opposed to playing the way they have all year long is proving to be a huge mistake

That would be a fine arguement, if he had a good bigman to PLAY that he isn't playing.


I don't understand this.

People want better defense, so they ask for Mohammed to play!?!?

WTF!?!?

[blaze89]

If we play Mohammed and Nesterovic, who do they defend? They just can't stand under the basket and wait...