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Perkins likes to use his off-arm an awful lot too.
Thoughts on a Spurs giveaway (or a Celtics takeaway)
By Jeff McDonald
Random thoughts on the Spurs-Celtics, while wondering if anybody other than Ime Udoka picked Portland State to win a game in the NCAA tournament ...
* Caliber of opponent aside, last night's game paralleled the Spurs' loss at Oklahoma City earlier in the week. Decent-sized second-half lead, frittered away by correctable and/or fluky mistakes late in the game. Most notable: Six consecutive missed foul shots down the stretch. This one hurts, too, given what else happened in the Western Conference on Friday -- Houston, New Orleans, Utah were all winners. The Spurs now lead the division by half a game and are clinging to second place in the West by the same narrow margin.
* Another bad night from 3-point land (4 of 17). It marked the third consecutive game the Spurs had made fewer than 25 percent of their 3-point tries. They lost two of them. Gregg Popovich has always said his team needs to hit its 3-pointers to be championship-caliber. The past three games are a case in point. Still, the Spurs lead the NBA in 3-point shooting at 39.4 percent. You have to think at some point they will revert to their average.
* It might be time to rethink the Roger Mason experiment at backup point guard. Mason is game for whatever Popovich asks him to do, but he doesn't look quite comfortable in that role. Mason had three turnovers against the Celtics, including a critical one that led to a Ray Allen dunk at the quarter horn. Of course, if Mason isn't the backup point, then who? Popovich seems wary of handing the reins to rookie George Hill in the postseason, and Jacque Vaughn hasn't played meaningful minutes since November. The answer might be a guy currently sporting a sports coat -- Manu Ginobili.
* Speaking of Manu ... talked to him very briefly in the locker room before the game. That in itself was a tad surprising. Usually, the walking wounded hide out in the training room during pre-game media availability. Anyway, Ginobili says he has experienced no unexpected pain in his sore ankle since returning to practice and plans to pe ion Popovich to let him do more. Popovich maintains it will be about a week before he begins to consider the possibility of inserting Ginobili into a game.
* Kendrick Perkins is a talkative soul. He spent a good portion of the game yapping at Tim Duncan. With the way he was playing volleyball with Duncan's shots, maybe he had a right . After one such swat, Perkins whirled to the Boston bench and crossed his arms to signal an "X." Whatever that means. Not sure when Perkins became so loquacious. Some believe Kevin Garnett -- the league's king of trash talk -- has rubbed off on him. "He didn't used to be that way until he got with KG," one Spurs player told me.
Perkins likes to use his off-arm an awful lot too.
Timmy won't forget. He'll dunk on him in the Finals on an and-1 and promptly report to the foul line to collect his bonus as if the play didn't phase him as Perkins lies on the floor befuddled.
Wasn't there a thread that discussed this already?* It might be time to rethink the Roger Mason experiment at backup point guard. Mason is game for whatever Popovich asks him to do, but he doesn't look quite comfortable in that role. Mason had three turnovers against the Celtics, including a critical one that led to a Ray Allen dunk at the quarter horn. Of course, if Mason isn't the backup point, then who? Popovich seems wary of handing the reins to rookie George Hill in the postseason, and Jacque Vaughn hasn't played meaningful minutes since November. The answer might be a guy currently sporting a sports coat -- Manu Ginobili.
More than a thread about this topic, it's already been a reality in many season before this one. It wouldn't be surprising in the least bit if Manu had his backup PG duties restored come playoff time, but it's being phrased as if it's a new idea or something in this particular write-up.
[QUOTE
Anyway, Ginobili says he has experienced no unexpected pain in his sore ankle since returning to practice and plans to pe ion Popovich to let him do more. [/QUOTE]
So I guess he still must be feeling pain only its the expected kind..just get well Manu and don't think you can sway Pop's mind..
Even one of the worst writers in sport can see it and Pop can't* It might be time to rethink the Roger Mason experiment at backup point guard. Mason is game for whatever Popovich asks him to do, but he doesn't look quite comfortable in that role. Mason had three turnovers against the Celtics, including a critical one that led to a Ray Allen dunk at the quarter horn. Of course, if Mason isn't the backup point, then who? Popovich seems wary of handing the reins to rookie George Hill in the postseason, and Jacque Vaughn hasn't played meaningful minutes since November. The answer might be a guy currently sporting a sports coat -- Manu Ginobili.
Manu is chomping at the bit again to play. Seems like Pop is really extra cautious now, especially if Manu is recovering normally and just wants a few minutes out there to start his conditioning.
Mason sucked last night. I was wondering why Pop kept him in, then I noticed Finley was sucking last night too. So Pop may not have had a choice, especially with Manu out. Mason needs to stay in the gym and hit 1000's more 3 pointers. He has to have that shot going down come play-off time.
And, late in the first I believe, with seconds winding down, he was such a lame ass to let Rondo steal it from him and run in for a score. I was at the game and just watching that, it was almost slow motion because Mason was so lackadaisical with the ball and Rondo was hauling ass from behind him and just stole that ball and then scored on the other end. I thought Pop would sit his ass for playing like he was with the damn Wizards again! Mason really sucked last night! And, he really sucked against LA last time. And the last game against OKC he sucked as well.
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