I agree 1000% that Tiago needs to play with Tim for us to have a chance to beat the Lakers. But if Tony and Manu are playing like this, it's all moot point.
Say go back to last year's playoffs against the Grizzlies, even Tiago got all the minutes, if the other 2 of big 3 were still playing like that, we still have no chance.
Tim's rebound # is very bad, but he is the only one to at least sort of hold his ground somehow down low. He fought hard on both ends. Except two lazy jump shots in the middle of 3rd quarter, I give Tim a B+. Of course, this is considering what we expect from a 35-year-old Tim. You can't wish him dominate other top center like Bynum anymore.
So this goes back to Tony and Manu. To me, IF we could compete with the Lakers first, then the presence of Tiago might help us get over hump. But with the way Tony and Manu playing, we are not even able to compete.
I disagree completely with Timvp about making a lineup change tomorrow.
If Pop actually made the right one last season and started Splitter instead of McDyess the Spurs might have been better off and not spiraled.
If Pop makes a change tomorrow and starts the right player in Splitter, and not something crazy like starting Bonner then that would be a good move IMO.
Holy I leave the house for the game and get back to all this? What the ???? The threads that were 1st page when I left are now 3 pages back? Calm the F DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn yal boys are scary!
Tbh, I don't put the Grizzlies in the same category as the Lakers. The Grizzlies are big but the Lakers are just ginormous. I think the Spurs can survive against the Grizzlies ... even with Pop's midget ball.
We'll see tomorrow night but I think a healthy Spurs team can beat the Grizzlies in the playoffs.
Basically, I think the Spurs should be favored against everyone in the West except the Lakers and Thunder. The Lakers should be favored over the Spurs. The Spurs and Thunder would be close to 50/50 ... with the team that has HCA getting a small advantage.
Unless the Spurs start to tailspin, all this loss really does is to reaffirm that the Spurs have to avoid the Lakers at all costs. There's no shame in avoiding bad matchups; you don't a bigger trophy if you have the most difficult possible run.
Definite possibility.
Nothing you guys says mean a dam thing...not as long as I have:
Bynum 30
Duncan 2
Here's the WTF stat of the night: The night was rounded out with 26, Metta's highest point total since joining the Lakers.Really? Really?
I won't be. But I definitely expect a much better effort than the pansy job they did today. Win or lose.
Been saying it... even Lakerfan was shockedHere's the WTF stat of the night: The night was rounded out with 26, Metta's highest point total since joining the Lakers.
So what are you saying? Tank games and start running scared. That's BS IMO.
On the plus side, ticket holders may also be melting down ... lower-level tickets for tomorrow's game against Memphis are down to $25 on stubhub.
IMO, 19 to 1 at halftime is better for your cause.
Oh God, come on. Splitter needs to start. Whether we are playing the Lakers or not, Splitter is the best big man to start next to Duncan. He should have been starting all season long. As well as last year.
Losing itself does not necessarily sound a alarm. In this long, intense short-season, you are bound to lose here and there.Folks, the best team in the WC "Oklahoma Thunder" looked invincible last week against these Lakers/Heat, etc....they've lost 3 in a row recently and lost to the Clippers (Yay! Go Clips)
Spurs were on a 11 game winning streak-it had to end sometime.....spurs may go through a little losing slump but they're playoff bound so if it gets them through the playoffs and a chance at a 5th ring.......this loss may be a blip towards something bigger....
Spurs got their collective a$$es kicked 2night-swallow the bile and move on.....
But the way of losing makes a world's difference. The Thunder look loke hitting a mentally down time after beating Heat, Lakers, and Bulls to show their competence.
While the Spurs are in full-speed mode (last game notwithstanding), and with the miss of KB, everybody expects a beat down on the Lakers. Instead, the Spurs was never in the game.
More importantly, it's not because we were having a bad shooting night (Granted, the FG% is atrociously low). It's because we have no idea of how to beat their defense. NO IDEA at all, starting with the snake head of Tony's penetration.
On the other end, we also have no answer for Bynum and Gasol at all. Actually on the defense side, we can see that the helper defenders are trying very very hard tonight. (As bad as we got beat tonight, must give players credit for trying to defend in the paint.) Still, we have no answer at all. This is even scary. Because it's not like we are not trying.
On the defense side, at least before Tiago gets 30+ minutes, we can still "dream." Then on offense, when Tony and Manu are showing no signs of being able to create for themselves and teammates (I know Tony have 8 assists tonight, but that's very misleading), we are doomed. Simple as that.
It would be ironic if the Spurs tanked games at the end of the season to play Memphis.
I'm fine with how we match up against the Thunder.
You dictate the pace, you beat the Thunder. That is hard to do, but there is no one better at doing that than Pop. OKC only has so many ways that they can beat you.
Exactly Bruno, if you start the right player, then it's a good move IMO.
I prefer Splitter, but would consider Diaw, but he simply fouls too much for my liking. I wouldn't want him out early with foul trouble. It's hard starting Splitter or Diaw because I don't want either in foul trouble which would get Bonner and Blair onto the court.
It's happened before. Especially after losses to the Lakers.
That's why I thought this game was so important. It's horrible timing to have to start rethinking everything.
Let's hope it just makes them more focused . . .
Look, I've been on LAs bandwagon all year. People lament their "lack of depth and 3 point shooting" but they are so much better in those departments than they get credit for. Guys not playing great does not equal incapable.
Not to mention they still have a top 3 big 3 in the league.
Sure but if the plan is to continue playing Bonner and Blair, the tanking strategy would probably backfire.
I have no problem with not playing the Lakers, but I have a problem with doing it on purpose.
Spurs didn't do it on purpose in 2007. Spurs didn't tank to avoid Dallas.
This game was an absolute nightmare through and through. This one single loss could end up proving devastating. Either that or it'll miraculously bring out the very best in players. I really, truly hope the Spurs can beat Memphis tomorrow night.
Pop is ridiculous not starting Duncan and Splitter together.
Our execution was poor, andrew bynum crashed the boards, metta world peace made everything he threw up, next...
Spurs gave up around the start of the 2nd quarter. Their heart isn't in it. They've already clinched a playoff spot.
Shades of 2001 out there tonight.
I left in the third quarter.
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