Grades: Spurs vs. Suns - Jan. 15

[Mel_13]

I was suggesting that Tiago had superior BBIQ to DeJuan which is pretty obvious from watching the games.

Btw, I'm fine with Tiago being the first big off the bench. Tiago starting means increased minutes for Blair/Bonner which automatically becomes the worst lineup Pop can field.

I just want Tiago to be finishing games alongside Tim.

I think you'll see some of that depending on the opponent's line-up.

In the Houston game, Pop put Tiago in to play next to Tim with about 5 minutes to go in regulation. Houston had Hill and Patterson on the floor at the time. About 30 seconds later, Houston replaced Hill and Patterson with Scola and Parsons. Pop then replaced Tiago with Green and played small the rest of regulation.

In the OT, Houston went with Dalembert and Scola and Pop matched that with Tim and Tiago.

Last night, the Suns finished with Gortat/Frye and Gortat/Morris and Pop finished with Duncan/Blair.

So, Tim with no other big v. small ball, Tim with Tiago v. a conventional line-up, and Tim with Blair v. a big plus a stretch 4.

[Mugen]

This seems to be the new trendy idea I keep hearing lately... that it doesn't matter who starts but who finishes.

Pretty much.

[acoelho1]

I gotta admit, I've been very impressed with Leonard's impact in the starting lineup .. the stats of how much he has improved the defense (since his insertion) are irrefutable. Granted its only been 3-4 games so far but if he keeps having that kind of impact on the defensive side I really think keeping him there is the best solution. TD/TP/RJ is enough offense for the starting unit, and good defenders are sorely needed as compliments IMO.

Manu can still be a spark for that 2nd unit. He has done it before in years' past and is a mature professional and should do what is best for the team.

I agree that Leonard should continue to be in the starting line up when Manu is back. However, there will need to be an odd man out in the playoffs between Neal, Green and Jefferson. Knowing Pop, it will be Green that sits, which will be a mistake in my opinion. Jefferson can't be trusted and his defense leaves a lot to be desired. Green on the other hand, has shown the mental toughness needed in the playoffs on both ends of the court.

[Mugen]

So, Tim with no other big v. small ball, Tim with Tiago v. a conventional line-up, and Tim with Blair v. a big plus a stretch 4.

The thing is I think Tiago is mobile enough to be able to guard the stretch 4s of the league.

I don't really understand why Pop thinks Blair matches up with them better when he's 10x more likely to commit a dumb foul on the perimeter or take an unnecessary gamble and put pressure on the help defense.

I'm fine with taking Tiago for small ball if the opposing lineup calls for it but Tiago is more than capable of guarding the stretch 4s of the world like Channing Frye.

[TJastal]

I think you'll see some of that depending on the opponent's line-up.

In the Houston game, Pop put Tiago in to play next to Tim with about 5 minutes to go in regulation. Houston had Hill and Patterson on the floor at the time. About 30 seconds later, Houston replaced Hill and Patterson with Scola and Parsons. Pop then replaced Tiago with Green and played small the rest of regulation.

In the OT, Houston went with Dalembert and Scola and Pop matched that with Tim and Tiago.

Last night, the Suns finished with Gortat/Frye and Gortat/Morris and Pop finished with Duncan/Blair.

So, Tim with no other big v. small ball, Tim with Tiago v. a conventional line-up, and Tim with Blair v. a big plus a stretch 4.

So in other words, same ol' Pop always scrambling to adjust to what the other team is doing instead of trying to dictate. All that proves is a lack of confidence in your team.

[Brazil]

I think you'll see some of that depending on the opponent's line-up.

In the Houston game, Pop put Tiago in to play next to Tim with about 5 minutes to go in regulation. Houston had Hill and Patterson on the floor at the time. About 30 seconds later, Houston replaced Hill and Patterson with Scola and Parsons. Pop then replaced Tiago with Green and played small the rest of regulation.

In the OT, Houston went with Dalembert and Scola and Pop matched that with Tim and Tiago.

Last night, the Suns finished with Gortat/Frye and Gortat/Morris and Pop finished with Duncan/Blair.

So, Tim with no other big v. small ball, Tim with Tiago v. a conventional line-up, and Tim with Blair v. a big plus a stretch 4.

and maybe one day we will impose the match ups instead of adapting to what the other team is proposing...

[Brazil]

So in other words, same ol' Pop always scrambling to adjust to what the other team is doing instead of trying to dictate. All that proves is a lack of confidence in your team.

and maybe one day we will impose the match ups instead of adapting to what the other team is proposing...

faster than me TJastal

[Mel_13]

So in other words, same ol' Pop always scrambling to adjust to what the other team is doing instead of trying to dictate. All that proves is a lack of confidence in your team.

[Mel_13]

and maybe one day we will impose the match ups instead of adapting to what the other team is proposing...

Spurs won both games.

[ChumpDumper]

Spurs won both games.

Yeah, but not the way they should have won them!

[Brazil]

Yeah, but not the way they should have won them!

[TJastal]

I woudn't fret.

Rumpy was happy last year too when the spurs were winning regular season games and Splitter was getting DNP.

We saw how all that turned out in the playoffs.

Rumpy's lucky to remember what happened last week, let alone last season.

[jjktkk]

Yeah, but not the way they should have won them!

[ChumpDumper]

I woudn't fret.

Rumpy was happy last year too when the spurs were winning regular season games and Splitter was getting DNP.

We saw how all that turned out in the playoffs.

Rumpy's lucky to remember what happened last week, let alone last season.

Watch the games. You might avoid talking straight out of your ass that way.

lol happy

lol lucky

[TJastal]

Watch the games. You might avoid talking straight out of your ass that way.

lol happy

lol lucky

Don't need to watch games from last year, numbnuts. It's pretty evident how things turned out. Not enough Splitter from the get-go. Although you were quite satisfied while the spurs were amassing piles of regular seaosn victories weren't you? Do you deny this?

[ChumpDumper]

Don't need to watch games from last year, numbnuts. It's pretty evident how things turned out. Not enough Splitter from the get-go. Although you were quite satisfied while the spurs were amassing piles of regular seaosn victories weren't you? Do you deny this?

I'm talking about this year, genius. You're getting your ass handed to you because you aren't watching the games.

lol quite satisfied

[TJastal]

I'm talking about this year, genius. You're getting your ass handed to you because you aren't watching the games.

lol quite satisfied

You made damn near every excuse anyone could possibly think of why Splitter wasn't logging minutes and scoffed at anyone who suggested Splitter should play more.

And you know it.

[ChumpDumper]

You made damn near every excuse anyone could possibly think of why Splitter wasn't logging minutes and scoffed at anyone who suggested Splitter should play more.

And you know it.

Nope.

[TJastal]

Nope.

lol memory lapses.

You know damn well you were happy as long as the wins were comin.

[ChumpDumper]

lol memory lapses.

You know damn well you were happy as long as the wins were comin.

Nope.

[ElNono]

Say, is your boy Antonio Parker going to close a game without a hero shot on the road for us?

[callo1]

Alright, I have a question Spurstalk:

Do you think it is possible that Pop was giving TD more exposure against the Suns due to the Allstar voting?

Yes yes, I know, Pop would NEVER admit to that, but take a look at the situation a bit closer and it could be true.

A nationally televised game would give Tim a chance to show that he can still be effective despite his low points/rebounds thus far.

As many of you mentioned here, Tiago was looking very good, but Pop froze him out by leaving him on the bench. I would make the arguement that while TD looked vintage on offense, his defense was terrible. It wasn't until Tiago left the game that Gortat went off. Tiago was clearly playing much better defense on Gortat.

Look folks, there isn't anyone on these boards that has more respect for TD than me, but his defense looked really bad.

While it is easy to make sense of Parker playing heavy minutes due to Neal and TJ being out, why play Tim more minutes than Splitter, who was looking great on both ends of the court. All of this while playing a weak Suns team, and a road trip coming up where you will need more production from Tim?

Like I said, I know Pop would never admit to it, but...I can see it.

[Mel_13]

why play Tim more minutes than Splitter

really?

[callo1]

Mel_13, are you in the habit of creating false quotes?

I do not recall saying "why play Tim more minutes then Splitter".

Really?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

really?

even for me that was a bit much.