The 2nd half rotation for tonight's game..

[EVAY]

It seems like just recently we had the best bench in the NBA. What the happened to that?

Three of them became starters. That's what happened. They look good as second unit because they are playing the opponent's second unit.

Best case in point is Bellinelli. Terrific for us in the second unit. But as a starter? Can't be very effective against the starters from other teams.

It does indicate that Pop knows what he is doing by setting up the first and second units as he does.

Remember when posters here were on Pop's ass about not replacing Green with Bellinelli? Well, he did and it hasn't gone too well.

[EVAY]

Manu was a hero in that game until he fouled Dirk. A friend of mine told me Manu cried in the locker room after that game. He cares a lot about the team and is super-compe ive (like Tim), that's probably why I give him a pass on so many bone-headed decisions. He'd be willing to pass the torch to someone else, but what player on the Spurs is a good ball handler and passer?

I felt so badly for Manu after that because he had just put us up by three at the opposite end of the court, and all we had to do was not let them get a three at the other end. I was at that game and I watched Pop turn around toward the scorer's table and kind of lean on it when the foul was called. Dirk made the basket and a lot of times that foul wouldn't have been called, but the ref was Javie and Javie ADORED the Mavs.

I'm not saying the call was bad. I'm just saying it didn't have to be called because it was so minor.

Having said all that though, he does in fact seem to have pretty low impulse control. His terrific instincts and his team-best passing allow him to look brilliant as a passer. But his lack of impulse control means that sometimes when his instinct if off, he really really hurts us.

He has terrible shot selection this year.

[EVAY]

No trade will matter if TP can't find his rhythm. The Spurs are not going to change the way their play unless it's Lebron coming in. This team needs last season's Tony, on both ends.

And last season you missed no opportunity to berate him for hero-balling. In fact, when he went down with the hamstring last finals, I seem to remember you talking about how much better the offense was gonna run without Tony running it. His injury last finals cost us more than folks like you will ever be able to acknowledge, NoNo, tbh.

[EVAY]

The system is built around a certain talent set that has some ability to flex, however it cannot be as nebulous as it is now and remain viable. Eventually the system is going to fail, especially when you put in enough players that A) don't play often and don't even practice with the team (in Nando's case) and B) aren't even the "bench" as we've grown to know them.

Team in general - Cannot get stops, relies on jump shooting and trick plays to get to the rim. Limited ability to post up. Relies too much on Tony's shooting percentage and Tim's obligatory, low percentage long 2pt attempts. Lacks a real iden y this season so far. Has been buoyed by their bench for too long in the season. If the starters are coasting, they might have fallen asleep at the wheel.

The observation about lacking an iden y is critical. I keep remembering that last year the team was clearly Parker's team. He was always on them in times out, he was coaching on the floor, telling people where to go, etc. etc. This year he is remarkably aloof, seemingly from the team members. He is not on anyone's case, he is almost expressionless on the sidelines. Just seems dis-engaged. Without his leadership, I think the team, even with everyone healthy, will not gel into the cohesiveness required for a finals run.

[Raven]

i actually thought CJ played solid tbh. Some strong D to start the game and a few very good passes. Not much of course, but an acceptable game imho.

[BacktoBasics]

Deep bench my ass

Depth and wins don't always go hand in hand. Once again your take is rooted in ignorance or more likely stupidity. They're decimated with injuries and depth is great for filling holes and spot moments when looking for a warm hand. Its not pure supplement when things go completely south.

[HarlemHeat37]

Ugh, it would be nice if these scrubs at least had a niche, tbh..

Athleticism with no talent, or pure shooters without athleticism, etc..

None of them have a niche, they're just all-around scrubs..

[RD2191]

Ugh, it would be nice if these scrubs at least had a niche, tbh..

Athleticism with no talent, or pure shooters without athleticism, etc..

None of them have a niche, they're just all-around scrubs..

Been saying this for the longest time but people just laughed at me. Fools gold bench.