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Pop didn't change from run and gun in the playoffs. It seemed that way because the Grizzlies controlled the tempo. The Spurs wanted to run more but the Grizzlies wanted a more grind it out game where the Spurs were forced to play more half-court.
That's why he's got to start. He's going to be needed to stop those guys in a playoff series. No point taking a chance those guys get hot early.
Pop didn't change from run and gun in the playoffs. It seemed that way because the Grizzlies controlled the tempo. The Spurs wanted to run more but the Grizzlies wanted a more grind it out game where the Spurs were forced to play more half-court.
Tiago gets only 20 minutes tonight and is our second leading scorer. He was 5-5 from the field. Wtf Pop.
Splitter can play much better...
He was great here.Overall at the same level of Scola o Marc Gasol.He had very similar impact in the game.
He missed last year. He lost his rythm,he lost confidence. But now he must start and he should play more.
There is no reason why Splitter isn't playing around 25 mpg. We must play our best players.
Greatest feature of this game was Pop dictated match-ups instead of responding. He should of built on it by playing Splitter in the 4th.
Neither him or Tim were needed in the 4th.
Pop played it smart.
Indeed. For years we have begged and pleaded for the youth movement to start in SA. It looks like we finally got our wish.
The best part about it is that it helps with the transition out of the era of the Big 3. We are not forced to watch Duncan/Parker/Manu try to carry a team that is trying to recapture some sort of past glory. Instead we get to watch a team of motivated young players that are stepping up and doing what needs to be done to get wins...young players that are doing a fine job at paying homage to what got this franchise all it's rings in the first place.
Defense.
Leonard getting 34 minutes and starts at SG. Who knew he could play SG at this level and not hurt the team?
Did anyone predict we'd be playing this well without Manu? And now Ford is out too. But somehow the train keeps moving down the track.
POP you crafty devil, you are the master at plugging players into the rotation where they can use their skills best to get the job done.
Seriously, we dont appreciate Pop enough for HIS coaching skills.
Easily the most impressive win of the year. I thought this team was toast after Manu's injury and was giving serious support to the thought of tanking.
However, Danny Green's defense and the team defense overall has given me reason to think differently. I certainly didn't see this coming. Tiago has also improved greatly since last year.
IF this team can somehow find a way to put this type of effort and win together on the road, they'll be legit.
There's actually a buzz in the arena these days. If you stop worrying so much about the destination, you can really enjoy the ride.
Going into the PO, the single most important key to having success is health. So in that respect you're correct. Pop is managing their minutes not so much to keep them fresh but to keep them from injury caused by the grind of a long season.
This is great to see. In fact the young guys are playing so well all together and starting to build a lot of confidence from the major playing time they're getting I’m almost wondering how bringing Manu back when he finally gets well will affect their confidence and chemistry out there on the court? Well anyways for now we don't have to worry about that and they can continue to get some good quality playing time.
The Kiddie Corp would be a great name for this group.
When Manu comes back he will have a field day running with these guys or vice versa. Whenever someone new is added the mix the guy they play better with has been Manu, Manu makes guys around him better much like Tim did when he was dominant. I just see it as a blessing that when Manu comes back these guys will have a better sense of what they can do out in the court. That will be to the team's and Manu's benefit.
I said this in another thread that Green, Leonard and Splitter need to get at least 25mins each game, which they almost reached tonight until Pop inexplicably decided not to play TS in the 4th. We are clearly a better defensive team with these guys on the court.
Also, Green has been the most impressive of all in my opinion. Although a totally different player than Ginobili, they are similar in that they make things happen on both ends. I do not agree that Green is simply a role player and his defense alone should warrant significant minutes.
Lastly, I think Jefferson should come off the bench. He doesn't bring the aggressiveness on the defensive end that I would like to see and unless he is hitting his 3's, he is nonexistent. He will hurt us in the playoffs like last year so I would start Green in his place.
when the cameras showed pop yelling on the sidelines, I think it was around 8 min. left in the game, I wonder what it was about... It might have been after a spur got an offensive foul called on him... maybe it was blair.
I always wonder if he's yelling encouragement, or if he's pissed off about something.
A strategy that should not be foreign to the Spurs. After all, they did the same thing to the Suns repeatedly in the playoffs during their chanmpionship years. They controlled the tempo and deliberately forced them into a grind-it-out, half-court-type game, which was not the Suns strength.
Now the Spurs defense has slipped, they've employed a more run-n-gun-type offense. They've devolved into a psuedo-version of the Suns.
My how things have changed.
Agree too!
I'm pretty sure you're talking about this:
When they bring a trap on Neal, he coughs the ball up a lot. He did the same thing last year. And it was the same way with RMJ before him. It's a big problem.
I've got my doubts about Green at the point. But so far, he's at least been pretty good about not giving the ball up under pressure. I'm all for having less than 23 turnovers in a game. But I really wish he'd at least give Cory Joseph a shot. If they aren't going to use him in a situation like this, they aren't going to use him ever. They should have left him in the D-League to get some experience.
Even if it's a very good win, I had to admit that Spurs got lucky on that one. Aldridge was killing Spurs but got in foul troubles. Camby has always been a pain in the ass for Parker and his injury has allowed Parker to dominate the 4th quarter.
Regarding the grades, I find C+ for Anderson harsh. Aside of a bad drive, he played well. Defensively he played some solid basketball too. After some bad games, he deserves some props for this one.
Great write up timVP, although Bonner is correct. He should have been given a Inc. I'm still hoping he will get back not form and start hitting 3s. There is no reason that in smaller lineups he can't rain 3 s like last season with Splitter holding down the middle.
Wish he would do it in the playoffs as well.
I really enjoyed watching this game last night. I was worried with all the turnovers in the first quarter. All of a sudden LA had something like 15 points if I recall within the first 17 minutes of the game. When he hit his 15th point I immediately told myself I would be happy if we could keep him to 30 points with a remaining 31 minutes in the game. He ended up with 29!!!
Third quarter Tiago was amazing.
Danny Green's defense and blocks were great!
Leonard's steal of Aldridge (in the fourth?) was pretty sweet too, though I couldn't tell if it was by luck or by design.
4th Quarter Parker coming in and getting straight to business and back to the .500 marker for his shots was terrific. I like!
How are the Trail Blazers a "powerhouse in the West"? And if they are, then what does that make the Spurs?
The best thing about this win was that it wasn't what one would expect if they were going to win. Meaning, Parker didn't have to go nuts, Duncan didn't have to have a throwback game and they didn't shoot the lights out from three. It was just a good, solid all around performance (other than the ridiculous amount of turnovers).
What once seemed unthinkable might be on the verge of happening: Neal and Bonner may be on the fringe of the rotation, once (or if) this team get's healthy. Let's face it, if Green is going to shoot even close to Neal from three, then how can he not play ahead of him? And if Leonard can guard a good amount of power forwards and Splitter continues to play more next to Duncan, then is Bonner really needed in the regular rotation? Obviously, Leonard is nowhere near the shooter Bonner is, but as a power forward, the mere fact that he can make the occasional mid to long range shot is good enough. With Anderson already firmly entrenched as a non rotation player, that would make three out of the projected top four subs entering the season, non rotation players.
As much as I like Neal, I wouldn't be against this radical shift. I thought they'd need him to play a bigger role with Hill traded and Ginobili injured, yet somehow this team is still thriving offensively. So long as Green and Leonard are not going to be offensive liabilities, then they should absolutely stay in the top nine.
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