Game Thoughts: Spurs @ Timberwolves Feb. 21

[baseline bum]

We should trade Duncan for Garnett so we can get an enthusiastic response to eeking out a win over the TWolves.

[wildchild]

Hmm, did anyone else notice the lack of enthusiasm on the Spurs bench (except for Oberto who pumped his fist) when Manu hit that game-winning shot?

So I started thinking that the other Spur players should be proud as playing alongside a player like Manu, especially after what he's done in the last 4 games. No way we win those games w/o his scoring, and as close as things are in the West, we could easily sink to 9th place. Am I seeing things that aren't there?

true

But usually you see the guys "happy" after a nice clutch play or excited when someone is having a nice overall game....but they all seemed sort of "down" that is why I thought it had to do with Barry & Elson being traded.

You weren't the only one. I think the same.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Hmm, did anyone else notice the lack of enthusiasm on the Spurs bench (except for Oberto who pumped his fist) when Manu hit that game-winning shot?

So I started thinking that the other Spur players should be proud as playing alongside a player like Manu, especially after what he's done in the last 4 games. No way we win those games w/o his scoring, and as close as things are in the West, we could easily sink to 9th place. Am I seeing things that aren't there?

I think it had to do with 6 seconds left on the clock.

Of course our guys are proud, but they only raised their fist after they got the defensive stop and the win. I think they must be really disciplined as a team, not to get their hopes up. (Ex: Al Jefferson probably thought they won with his And-1, celebrating a little prematurely only to get his heart torn out by Manu. )

[Slippy]

Thanks for the in-depth analysis timvp.. as alwways i look forward to reading them. IF i havn't seen the game it's great for a thorough recap. If i have, alwways good to see if we on the same page and anything i may have missed.

[dbreiden83080]

How long can Manu stay in the Super Manu mode???

[WalterBenitez]

How long can Manu stay in the Super Manu mode???

While Kryptonite were far away from him

[boutons_]

Manu has manned up, has stepped up, walked the walk while not bothering to talk the talk we hear from so many fakers, to fill the hole left by Tony. The Big Three has been Tim, Manu, and Manu.

If Tony's ankle isn't tender today, and he can get back to where he was pre-injury, the Manu can back off a bit, guarding his energy for the playoffs.

We're all fncking spoiled. The Golden Age of Spurs basketball.

[Obstructed_View]

I was surprised the Spurs were coming with double teams to help Tim. I hadn't seen that in a while.

They did it in the Cleveland game when Z was abusing Duncan.

[td4mvp21]

Is anyone else concerned with Duncan's 1-on-1 D or has it always been this way and I haven't noticed??

[timvp]

Is anyone else concerned with Duncan's 1-on-1 D or has it always been this way and I haven't noticed??

Duncan's usually a very good post defender. It was just a bad game against an up-and-coming star who has a ton of moves. Usually, the only time Tim struggles with post defense is when he's trying to avoid picking up fouls.

That said, it'll be interesting to see how much of Duncan's post defense responsibilities Kurt Thomas will shoulder. In a game like last night, I could imagine Thomas getting a whole lot of playing time.

[Obstructed_View]

Is anyone else concerned with Duncan's 1-on-1 D or has it always been this way and I haven't noticed??

I'm not really. Duncan has problems with smallball because he has no help coming from Finley, who usually does less damage just staying with his man. In addition, Thomas should be a step up, and I also think Duncan will ramp up the effort as the playoffs near.

To be completely fair, Duncan had a pretty tough assignment; Jefferson's dropped his on some pretty good defenders this year.

[boutons_]

How happy are we that AJ was traded away by the Celts.

Imagine the Celts Big Three now, plus AJ. ouch

[tp2021]

sometimes it seems like the spurs just dont care until they realize, "hey, we're about to lose to these chumps!"

[tp2021]

this game just serves as a refreshing reminder as to why manu is my favorite player.

[ShoogarBear]

Truth be told, Vaughn has always been better suited to be a third point guard rather than a starting point guard.

Genius, just sheer genius.

[timvp]

Genius, just sheer genius.

I meant backup, obviously.

Although if I hurt the feelings of Jacque Vaughn's biggest fan, I apologize.

[ShoogarBear]

Jacque Vaughn is the Spurs' only hope against the Hornets.