Game Thoughts: Spurs vs. Hornets - Oct. 28

[SpursFanATL]

Nice job as always, Timvp.

Last night was so weird. In a good way for sure, but the whole idea of Tim, Tony, & Manu as the main core truly was not the case last night. The fact that Tim didn't really have to do much, but yet to win so dominantly. Also, I can't remember the last time where there wasn't some kind of scoring drought. I mean damn. I'm going to have to get used to this. But if we stay healthy, what the are we going to look like come April?

Of course, if we lose tonight and the Hornets go on to win 12 games this year, then it will certainly put last night's game in its proper perspective.

[duncan228]

Duncan...seemed to be moving well laterally and he illustrated a healthy amount of quickness, however his jumping ability looked to be lacking a bit. I'm not sure whether it was the brace restricting his movement or simply Duncan being cautious -- but obviously Spurs fans should hope it was the latter. Regarding his actual play, Duncan put in good work. He rebounded very well, made good passes and had a few aggressive moves in the post. It'll be very interesting to watch his health early on in the season and see if he can physically take it to another level when the situation calls for it.

Thanks for the recap.


I think Duncan was cautious, and I think he'll continue to be for a while. He said the brace isn't bothering him but he'll only be able to get a true feel for it in games. Practice and everyday activities can't duplicate game action.

I think that he will gain his ground after a slow start. He started his summer court training a month later than he usually does, he'll need that time now. He looked better than I expected him to and I expect to see him play better each game.

Duncan did everything he could this summer to be able to stay healthy for the season. Barring injury I think we'll see Playoff Duncan when the time comes.

[Spurs Brazil]

Thanks timvp

[Chomag]

I'm wondering how happy Jefferson and Dice really are right now to be apart of such a great franchise.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

I dnt knw if he wuz terrible bt yes he can get better i mean ur nt gna see blair swatting everybodys out the building bt i think he did good making da other big men uncomfortable stickin his big body on the them and making them work sometimes dats all u can ask for.

English?

[anonoftheinternets]

I'm wondering how happy Jefferson and Dice really are right now to be apart of such a great franchise.

im thinkin the gret francise and their fans are happy to have jefferson and dice as well.

[ElNono]

Thanks!

[lefty]

I'm wondering how happy Jefferson and Dice really are right now to be apart of such a great franchise.

What are you implying ?

[lefty]

[Mel_13]

still funny

[Obstructed_View]

Hmm...unless there was some kinda addendum added to the new traveling rule, odds are we'd have to play LA to get to EITHER ONE of the two East contenders.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

For those who missed last night's game or wanted a recap :

1st Quarter : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUBM8T4QYvA
2nd Quarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS02CGBTz-k
3rd Quarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu-JZ_-wlas
4th QUarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX-00RniXZ0

I will make/upload as much as I could for this upcoming season

[AussieFanKurt]

Thanks very much Timvp. I've been waiting for this one

[EricB]

The ball movement on the offensive end is what surprised me the most out of last night's game.

They moved the ball so crisply around the 3 point line that it looked like they had played together for months.

Usually this team doesn't get that till about February.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Nice writeup, timvp.

The only thing that didn't resonate for me was the praise of Blair. To me, he looked a bit lost out there. His fouling was way out of control, he just didn't seem to be moving as quickly as everyone else so he got the fouls called due to awkwardness more than anything else.

On offense, he seemed pretty tentative running the plays. One time I remember Mason ran a pick and roll with him on the left side, and he sort of half rolled and left Mason in no man's land.

He was strong under the boards and on catch-and-shoot, no doubt. But I think he needs a bunch more game experience to become a good role player, much less a first-team player.

[mVp]

Nice recap.

PS: DeJuan Blair!

[TimDunkem]

Nice writeup, timvp.

The only thing that didn't resonate for me was the praise of Blair. To me, he looked a bit lost out there. His fouling was way out of control, he just didn't seem to be moving as quickly as everyone else so he got the fouls called due to awkwardness more than anything else.

The guy is a rookie playing in his first regular season game. There was nothing out of control about the fouls. If there was he would've fouled out, or Pop would've limited his minutes. I assume McDyess was out of control too?

[phxspurfan]

To me, Timmy looked like he was going about 60% out there. He put forth good effort, but you can tell he's carefully easing into the season. I really like that approach, actually. Last year when he was forced to carry the team early in the season I had a feeling he'd break down before it was over. If Pop can keep him just under 30 mpg in the regular season I think we'll have him at 100% at year-end when it starts to count.

I totally agree with this. On top of it I think the Spurs have the roster to keep their Big 3 under 30 minutes/game on average for the entire season and still get a top-4 (if not top-2) West seed. With that I think we will be in not good but great shape going into what should be a rough-and-tumble postseason. But one game at a time...

[phxspurfan]

For those who missed last night's game or wanted a recap :

1st Quarter : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUBM8T4QYvA
2nd Quarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS02CGBTz-k
3rd Quarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu-JZ_-wlas
4th QUarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX-00RniXZ0

I will make/upload as much as I could for this upcoming season

Those are some great videos to relive the action. Man, that 2nd quarter was truly dominating.

One thing that sticks out, and has already been pointed out, is that RJ looks a step slow and hesitant out there. You can really see it when you compare him with the ball to guys like RMJ and Hill, and even Blair and McDyess. They all know their roles very well as shooter (RMJ), distributor (Hill), rebounder/physical big (Blair) and rebounder/physical big/midrange shooter (McD). Hopefully RJ will elarn his role and carve it out nicely like these other guys have.

[clubalien]

Nice writeup, timvp.

The only thing that didn't resonate for me was the praise of Blair. To me, he looked a bit lost out there. His fouling was way out of control, he just didn't seem to be moving as quickly as everyone else so he got the fouls called due to awkwardness more than anything else.

On offense, he seemed pretty tentative running the plays. One time I remember Mason ran a pick and roll with him on the left side, and he sort of half rolled and left Mason in no man's land.

He was strong under the boards and on catch-and-shoot, no doubt. But I think he needs a bunch more game experience to become a good role player, much less a first-team player.

I agree.

[#2!]

As much of a he is when doing it, Paul thinks about basketball on level most people simply cannot. The shot he took when being intentionally fouled b/c TP was down is just genius. I mean completely , yes, but also incredibly intelligent.

[peskypesky]

For those who missed last night's game or wanted a recap :

1st Quarter : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUBM8T4QYvA
2nd Quarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS02CGBTz-k
3rd Quarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu-JZ_-wlas
4th QUarter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX-00RniXZ0

I will make/upload as much as I could for this upcoming season

thank you for the video uploads!!

[peskypesky]

Hopefully RJ will elarn his role and carve it out nicely like these other guys have.

Hopefully? Are you serious? That's Richard Jefferson you're talking about. The chances of him NOT figuring out his role are 0.

[timtonymanu]

is your avatar that kid from back to the future that says marty mcfly must be rich if he has two tvs

yep he's also wayne on the wonder years.

[Solid D]

Good summary, timvp.

BTW, to give some detail to one of the Finley defensive lapses mentioned that Pop chose to single Fin out on publicly...Chris Paul scraped TP off of an elbow ball screen and Fin helped from the wing, only to decommit - thus leaving CP3 open for a FT line jumper. This is why I think Pop called the time out and got after Fin. Fin should have stayed with the rotation and trusted the corner defender to slide over to the wing. It was a classic teachable moment for the new guys about rotational D with Fin bearing the embarrassing brunt.