Game Thread: Spurs vs Pacers -- Mon. (12/21) - 7:30PM CST (3:30AM Riga Time)

[GSH]

Spurs came close to evening up the rebound deficit they had. Outscored the Pacers in the paint 62-38.

[LakerHater]

[tholdren]

Actually, exactly 1/2 the FG% of Danny. 1-14 vs 1-7

I was meaning that even though he went 1/14 he still has a better FG % (year) than danny... because danny shoots like a girl... who has no arms.

[DMC]

Sometimes there is no understanding Pop, but I can't argue with his record this season, despite so many new guys and roles...
He's going with who he trusts.

I've said it plenty of times but bears repeating: Pop could be the CotY every year. He should be this year if it holds up, but how can you be better than Kerr coaching via telephone and that record? lol

[sasaint]

Paul George getting roasted around the interwebs.

He might just as easily be toasted after our rematch. The guy can play, and he will play with a chip on his shoulder next meeting.

[SAGirl]

Could it be fatigue?

I think as he starts hot, teams focus on stopping him, the offense doesn't help him get good looks.

If you remember our kawhi started cold, but he got an easy dish from Tim, dunked, and got rolling. Not all his looks were forced... Obviously, the man is talented, but he has help.

I think the Pacers don't do enough to get P.George some looks, everything was tough this game. YOu have to give credit to Kawhi of course, but since the question was in general... just my take.

[313]

that should be enough to keep the NBA lead in player efficiency rating in December

[RD2191]

KD used to be a classy dude when he came out of college but quickly turned into a whiny asshole.

Yeah, I'm a big UT basketball fan so he used to be a fav player of mine. But then his at ude started to turn so screw him.

[sasaint]

That is an MVP candidate right there TBH.

After a poor, 2/8 start he ended up 10/19, although his 3 point % took a hit.

[Budkin]

Still can't believe we traded Paul George tbh...

[GSH]

I've said it plenty of times but bears repeating: Pop could be the CotY every year.

Nuh uh. Sometimes the Spurs lose games. And when they do, this place explodes with calls for him to be fired. How can the COTY get that many demands for firing?

[Kawhitstorm]

Is Kawhi Leonard already better than Tony / Manu were at their prime? He's already a top 5 player in the NBA—something neither of the other two have ever been.

The current version of PRIME Manu is a motivated Harden with less FTAs & PRIME Tony is Kyrie Irving. You could argue Kawhi is better than Kyrie/Harden w/ less FTAs

[sasaint]

Nuh uh. Sometimes the Spurs lose games. And when they do, this place explodes with calls for him to be fired. How can the COTY get that many demands for firing?

[timtonymanu]

KD used to be a classy dude when he came out of college but quickly turned into a whiny asshole.

Well it's gotta suck having to be 2nd to LeBron and now he's going to be 2nd to Kawhi.

[james evans]

Boban 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block in less than 2 minutes

what is he averaging per 48 . That has to be unreal

[ceperez]

Leonard: 24pts, 6rbs, 5as, 3stls all the while mostly holding George to 1-14 shooting.

Not bad at all.

What happened to George???? Wasn't Paul George a guy running for MVP this season. Complete shutdown.

[SpurPadre]

Well it's gotta suck having to be 2nd to LeBron and now he's going to be 2nd to Kawhi.

True.

[SpurPadre]

Why did LMA only log 27 minutes while sitting out the last quarter?

[Arcadian]

KawhiVP sighting tonight

[sasaint]

Boris with the super mega +22

/smh those who wanted him traded in the offseason for a 4th wing.
4th wing Simmons looking great and more confident each game.
I think he's at the point where he should stay in the rotation for real to get more experience, but also chemistry with guys.
He's won the spot fair and square.

Time for Boban and Anderson to keep pounding that rock and getting better. Hopefully there will be plenty of garbage time to come for them to keep working on their stuff.

Kawhi/Tony coming up with buckets and plays. I think both are playing at all-star level this season TBH.

Lamarcus not closing out the game, just bc Tim is better at protecting the rim I think and Boris was having a monster game and better against small ball teams.

Otherwise, forgettable game. For some stretches we really seemed to coast, particularly in the first half.

Danny still cold, and making bad decisions at times. He had some good defensive moments this game though.

Seemed like Boris scored even more than 14. Game MVP. Go Simmons, nice game! He keeps progressing like this and he will be a good rotation player - sooner rather than later!

[steeledl]

Why did LMA only log 27 minutes while sitting out the last quarter?

Just sort of worked out that way.... Had a group of players start playing well together in the 4th and Pop road the hot hand. LMAlpha was set to come back in but we hit a big 3 to stretch the lead even further. Pacers called a timeout... and Pop went to Boban

[SAGirl]

Seemed like Boris scored even more than 14. Game MVP. Go Simmons, nice game! He keeps progressing like this and he will be a good rotation player - sooner rather than later!

I think so, on both counts.

I am going to sidetrack
/rant on

There is also no Simmons vs. Anderson for me. It annoys me that people see them competing like that (used to be Cojo vs. Mills--nothing to be done about that I guess). But for me, I would not enjoy watching the team do well if it required others to do bad, or if my guy wasn't playing well.

In the end, basketball is a team sport and you need all your horses to win. One guy can't do it all alone. My favorite player in the Spurs originally (I have been following the team for just 3 years was Boris)... still love him bc he's a team player. Cares zero for stats. As I became familiar with the team I started appreciating different guys, and really different guys bring very many different things, even flawed guys brought positives.

In the end, I see a little of Boris in Anderson and that is why I love him. Doesn't take any bit of my enjoyment away from seeing Simmons come into his own.

I am really, really excited to see this team gel and get better each game. As much as some guys are spectacular at times, really when they play well together, is when we are just a freaking monolith.

Anyways,
off my rant.

[ace3g]

ESPN Stats & Info
@ESPNStatsInfo


Since Tim Duncan's rookie season (1997-98) @spurs have 44 different win streaks of 6+ gamesThey have ONE 6-game losing streak in that span

[Kawhitstorm]

What happened to George???? Wasn't Paul George a guy running for MVP this season. Complete shutdown.

Teams are loading up on him & he isn't a good enough playmaker to make them pay which has resulted in turnover or forced shots.

[skulls138]

Didnt think KA was that bad but Simmons came with more urgency and his game gives something instantaneously which is needed when you play short minutes. I dont think its a bad on KA just a good on Simmons. I think KA is being groomed for the future where as Simmons can help now.