Game Blog: Spurs vs. Bucks - 11.12.2008

[024]

yeah, mason and udoka seemed to play fine as the third/fourth scoring options but once they are called to step up, they crumbled. they just need to relax and find their shots.

[kobyz]

Duncan should have played more than 34 minutes, he should have played the whole fourth quarter, the bucks made a big run at the start of the fourth quarter whan duncan was rested!

[benefactor]

This is one of those games we are going to have to endure throughout this stretch. We looked like a team that was missing its two best playmakers. It was almost a typical Spurs loss....play hard...get a lead...get complacent...lose. The box score is almost ironic. Finley leads the way and everyone else looks flat.

There was very little offensive flow to this game. I think the biggest thing we are missing is aggressiveness going to the rim. Hill and Mason need to step up in this area. Both of them still look indecisive when they have the ball. I think some of it is they are still trying to find their place within the system...but in that they seem to think too much. They need to recognize when the offensive struggles are happening and switch over to a play making mindset. Speaking of play makers, it was another DNP for Farmer. It might not have been a bad idea to put him in during the stretch where the Bucks were making a push. I am starting to wonder if he is just a warm body in a uniform until Manu is healthy. And Udoka...C'mon man. We need more than this inconsistent, schizophrenic play you have been giving us. You need to step it up and play the role you that is expected of you.

Duncan doesn't get a free pass on this one either. We need much more than 5 boards and 4 turnovers out of him. He was instrumental in getting us back in the game but he less than Duncanesque play early on canceled that out.

[Obstructed_View]

I just can't believe it. I never see Duncan blame anybody for the team's loss. Even when Manu fouled Dirk in 2006 when it was already sure W for the Spurs.

Maybe he was disappointed a play wasn't executed as it was supposed to be. He just can't do it all you know-defend, block, rebound, pass the ball and score. Well, he is human after all. Being a leader, IMO he shld SAY something. Afterall it's him who will take the blame for the loss. Not Pop. Not Oberto or Finley.

Be disappointed, that's fine.

Say something, that's fine.

Do NOT hang your head, look at your teammates with disgust and shake your head or stare incredulously at one of your teammates with your hands up after your man dunks the ball. Whatever leadership Timmy may be showing behind the scenes, he's undermining it with his body language on the floor.

I also have a really hard time believing that a guy who scored 14 points in 4 and a half minutes couldn't generate more than 10 points and 5 rebounds in the 43 minutes previous.

vaughn playing is understandable. i just expect hill to play at least 30+ esp since this is a great chance for hill to get some experience and playing time under his belt. pop is raving about hills D maybe he would have given us a spark or two on that end if he played.

I agree. Hill shouldn't have gotten the hook, and I'd have rather had Vaughn running point if Mason's not going to be taking shots. Pop should also tell Vaughn that he takes two shots from now on: wide open jumpers off a pass when his defender leaves him and layup attempts off dribble penetration. He should be told he's going to be in a suit the rest of the season if he doesn't adhere to it, and he's going to be beaten to death if he takes any shots off his own dribble ever again.

I really don't care what anyone else thinks... Tim had a great game, especially the fourth quarter. He literally picked the team up and carried everyone to the finish line. Unfortunately he couldn't get that last one to go, but no one is perfect. People need to give Tim the props he deserves. What killed us was that 21-2 drought that spanned the 3rd-4th quarter. There was just some terrible offense, no flow, awkward shots, and that led to shooters tightening up. And it didn't help that the Bucks started hitting everything. We can't have droughts like that and expect to win. The defense was encouraging though. We're fine and this team has big things in store this year, and I don't doubt that one bit.

Sorry, but you don't get props for a heroic game when it shows up as an L, especially when Timmy had the same number of rebounds as Roger Mason did. The Spurs were outscored 34-19 in the last 12 and a half minutes of the game and were outrebounded 16-6 in the fourth quarter. The reason the Bucks started hitting shots is because the Spurs stopped defending, and the extra shots from the offensive rebounds didn't help.

[SenorSpur]

Agreed. Can't give a desparate team a slew of "second chance" points. Duncan played a good game, but he's got to pick up his rebounding. He's got help from Tolliver and Mason on the glass, but the rebounding onus is on Tim. If he doesn't get double-digit boards, no one else will. Thus is the life of being the most active big on the roster. Hopefully, this will be mitigated some when Ian gets into the rotation. However for now, TD has to carry the bulk of the scoring and rebounding load.

[Obstructed_View]

And I have a hard time saying that anyone had a great game when they got dominated by Andrew Bogut.

[LEONARD]

Good game tonight. Milwaukee just hit a few lucky shots here and there. With an extra rebound or call to go our way, the game is ours. I'm not too concerned at this point with the 2-5 record.

Utah and New Orleans lost tonight, how tough can the West be? Not very.

You are the KING of excuses...you never disappoint...

[Obstructed_View]

You are the KING of excuses...you never disappoint...

He's the one I think of when the Spurs lose to take away the pain...