Random Thoughts after rebound win against OKC

[Dro210]

I really liked Pop bringing in Jack and Blair early when we were looking bad. I feel they provided a huge spark that turned the game around just by making a couple energy plays and really going hard defensively in that shot stretch. That something you noticed too timvp?

I've always felt Blair can make a difference against OKC, even, maybe even especially so, in an extremely short stretch like that.

[Mugen]

It's criminal what Pop did to him last year. Criminal, I said!! Pop should have spent last season forcing Tiago to learn how to play next to Tim. I've thought for a while now that they should run the offense more through Tiago. Even when he's not scoring, he makes great plays with his passing and he draws a surprising amount of double teams when he starts backing his man down.

[SpurYank]

Yeah, Timvp, but what have you got to say about all the THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING! Spurs fans in S.A. I don't remember even ONE YEAR when I didn't hear the same whining that I read this past Saturday. Everyone should remember that almost all NBA team lose minimally 25 times each year.

Stuff happens.

[Brunodf]

Nice read.

I'm still pretty torn in regards to Neal/Joseph. If Neal is consistently hitting his jumper it's hard to sit him. He's proved he can hit big shots on the biggest stage. If OKC is the matchup I don't mind playing Neal whenever Fisher is out there. I really like Joseph as well and his offense seems better then advertised. He runs the offense well but I'm not so sure how much better he is at creating for others compared to Gary. Gary can do a pretty fine job at it at times.

Short memory

[DesignatedT]

Fisher is done. Looking at him out there last night has confirmed my belief in that.

[Brunodf]

Fisher is done. Looking at him out there last night has confirmed my belief in that.

People said the same thing last season, i would rather have Splitter on Fisher and play big.

[cd021]

1- Pop Should have played CoJo 40 minutes(Lilard was just 4-10 in 22 minutes vs CoJo).
2- Took Tiago out (just 3 fouls) with 7 minutes left in the 3rd, scoreboard was 64-63(7-6 in the quarter), Blazers scored 26 points to end the quarter.
3- Started the 4th with Bonner/Diaw(Spurs was down by 8), Blazers scored 7-0 in 54 seconds and the game was over.

Thanks for the "random thoughts"

Man Kawhi is keeping you busy Having to change your G.I.Fs after every other game now.

[DesignatedT]

People said the same thing last season, i would rather have Splitter on Fisher and play big.

Lol well yeah, I'm not talking about 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter. I'm talking about when Fisher is playing backup PG then Neal can play a few minutes without being exposed.

[cd021]

I really liked Pop bringing in Jack and Blair early when we were looking bad. I feel they provided a huge spark that turned the game around just by making a couple energy plays and really going hard defensively in that shot stretch. That something you noticed too timvp?

I've always felt Blair can make a difference against OKC, even, maybe even especially so, in an extremely short stretch like that.

I like him against their second unit. Collison is one of the better P&R defenders in the NBA. Blair is capable of maneuvering around him to get to the rim. Something that Splitter didn't do well. Once Collision met him under the rim Splitter looked to pass.

[Brunodf]

Man Kawhi is keeping you busy Having to change your G.I.Fs after every other game now.

What can i say, kid is great.

[TheSkeptic]

Tiago has shown that he does have potential to be consistent in the post and can make the pass to the open defender when they come to double him. If we can continue to play this way with both Tim and Tiago on the court at the same time we're going to have a very productive front court when the playoffs start. This method really works in the slowed pace of the playoffs.

True. Earlier this season I had thought that the weight loss was making it difficult for him in the post and had pretty much given up on the offensive variation part. But he's figured it out. If you look at his Synergy Stats, his stats in the post look good. 1.01 PPP on 50.8% which is good for 10th. That said, he hasn't taken that many post attempts on the season (80) and it accounts for only about 13.4% of his offense.

Kawhi also has good numbers in the post but I can't say too much about that because I don't like to extrapolate too much on less than 50 or 60 attempts. I think it can't hurt to let him try it though.

[Pasta Batman]

Nice read.

I'm still pretty torn in regards to Neal/Joseph. If Neal is consistently hitting his jumper it's hard to sit him. He's proved he can hit big shots on the biggest stage. If OKC is the matchup I don't mind playing Neal whenever Fisher is out there. I really like Joseph as well and his offense seems better then advertised. He runs the offense well but I'm not so sure how much better he is at creating for others compared to Gary. Gary can do a pretty fine job at it at times.

History more often shows that Neal sucks against athletic teams like OKC and LAC. He should see limited minutes. He got lucky that Westbrook's shot was off. It's still better to let him shoot, but CJ is much better equipped to give him a harder time, once Parker is back. Neal should see limited time against teams like OKC and LAC unless he's on fire. CJ can easily lineup next to Manu just like any starters...

[Pasta Batman]

I really liked Pop bringing in Jack and Blair early when we were looking bad. I feel they provided a huge spark that turned the game around just by making a couple energy plays and really going hard defensively in that shot stretch. That something you noticed too timvp?

I've always felt Blair can make a difference against OKC, even, maybe even especially so, in an extremely short stretch like that.

With Blair, you never know what you are going to get. They also got away with Neal playing Westbrook a lot (luckily his shot was really off) since CJ got some ticky tack fouls in the 1st half. So It's really a game by game decision. Jack loves challenges so I don't doubt he'll be around, even if his shot is going in. I still don't think that lineup of all bench will work consistently.

[Obstructed_View]

Um, I don't know which is more disturbing -- the fact that this bag "spursmartyr" is tossing around blatantly hateful jew-baiting language, or the fact that no one bats an eye. Can everyone on this message board really be comfortable with it? I mean, it's sickening.

You're welcome to complain. Since got is accepted everywhere and people use variations of ****** in virtually every quarterback thread, I doubt you're going to get much traction. Nobody here has the balls to go after the people who say like that.

[rjv]

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...e-miles-ahead/

[emanueldavidginobili]

WOW Kawhi Leonard is getting better litterally every single game. Hes so much better than he is now than just the begining of the season. his confidence is improving his moves off the dribble, post up. The biggest improvement I have noticed was his ball handling, did you see him last night? He had all kinds of between the leg combinations sizing his man up and pulling up. Also his form is almost spot on its pretty impressive.

Did anyone watch ESPN first take today? Stephen A finally gave Tiago Splitter credit, he said Tiago will be the reason why they can get into the finals and give the Heat some trouble. I mean if Tim and Tiago play tough and play good Green and KL is playing to his potential, Tony returning and playing like a MVP like he was this season, Manu returning to his form and the bench shows up and everyone stays healthy, I know its asking for alot but there is no reason why the Spurs cant win it all.

[rjv]

-Another Pop move that worked was using Gary Neal at backup point guard. In his first few minutes on the court, I thought Neal looked bad. But he stuck to it and grinded out a solid showing. Neal is bad on defense -- but so is Patty Mills and Nando De Colo doesn't write back to France penning poems about his D either. Offensively, Neal can create shots for himself -- and that in itself is valuable. When he's passing adequately and not in a me-first, me-only mode, he's useful. Tonight he was useful.

and neal will have to be available at that spot during the playoffs as the chances are that if joseph gets into the playoff rotation he will be overwhelmed at times.

[Pasta Batman]

and neal will have to be available at that spot during the playoffs as the chances are that if joseph gets into the playoff rotation he will be overwhelmed at times.

And Neal hasn't been. Neal has been against LAC and OKC. Just because he's a rookie to NBA playoffs doesn't mean he'll crack. Some do, some don't. His role will be small even if he was the backup. Also, even if he plays backup PG with Manu, Manu will be setting up the offense most of the time.

[TheGoldStandard]

And Neal hasn't been. Neal has been against LAC and OKC. Just because he's a rookie to NBA playoffs doesn't mean he'll crack. Some do, some don't. His role will be small even if he was the backup. Also, even if he plays backup PG with Manu, Manu will be setting up the offense most of the time.

I have to agree, Gary Neal still gets overwhelmed on defense and gets caught doing stupid things like last night he was in the paint for some reason while the ball was rotated to his man and he hit an open 3. Mind you Tim and Tiago were in the game, he has no business in the paint. He's also clueless at handling the ball, always turns his back to the basket, picks up his dribble and gets caught or dribbles it off his foot.

He deserves 15 minutes a game at the 2 guard spot.

[SenorSpur]

As Timvp stated, Neal scares the chocolate out of me too, when he goes into "me-first" mode. That's exactly what he did when he entered the game in relief of Joseph. Thankfully, he found himself. He's still a terrible passer and defender.

As important as the win over OKC was, what did the Spurs do on the next night in Minnesota? They got their doors blown off.

[TheGoldStandard]

As Timvp stated, Neal scares the chocolate out of me too, when he goes into "me-first" mode. That's exactly what he did when he entered the game in relief of Joseph. Thankfully, he found himself. He's still a terrible passer and defender.

As important as the win over OKC was, what did the Spurs do on the next night in Minnesota? They got their doors blown off.

Nothing was falling all night even with open looks, just a horrible shooting night after a big game.