Comments on: The Notebook: The Death of the Game http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/ A San Antonio Spurs Blog Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:20:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Coast To Coast | WaitingForNextYear http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-589 Coast To Coast | WaitingForNextYear Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:00:42 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-589 [...] I can honestly say I’m not sure I can recall another instance of a coach resting his 3 best players in any game, let alone a big game against a conference opponent you are fighting with over seeding. I would be furious if Mike Brown pulled a stunt like this. Look, far be it from me to speak out about the situation in San Antonio. I have no clue what their injury and fatigue situation is really like behind closed doors there. It’s just hard to reconcile any team with a competitive spirit surrendering a big game like this. I would imagine most Cavs fans would lose it if Mike Brown sat the Cavs’ big 3 in their next game against Orlando. Poppovich better hope the extra rest was worth it for his guys. [The Notebook: The Death Of The Game] [...] [...] I can honestly say I’m not sure I can recall another instance of a coach resting his 3 best players in any game, let alone a big game against a conference opponent you are fighting with over seeding. I would be furious if Mike Brown pulled a stunt like this. Look, far be it from me to speak out about the situation in San Antonio. I have no clue what their injury and fatigue situation is really like behind closed doors there. It’s just hard to reconcile any team with a competitive spirit surrendering a big game like this. I would imagine most Cavs fans would lose it if Mike Brown sat the Cavs’ big 3 in their next game against Orlando. Poppovich better hope the extra rest was worth it for his guys. [The Notebook: The Death Of The Game] [...]

]]> By: Latin_D http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-572 Latin_D Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:19:26 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-572 I understand what you say, Graydon and Juan, but in the last few games I've seen Mason drive to the basket way more often than his ability to actually make a layup in transit merits, and I'm sure we have all suffered his foolish rushed triples equally. Mason can be (already is) an important role player for the Spurs, but he needs to play to his strengths. Encouraging him to delve beyond his comfort zone could lead him to consider those plays as viable options during a "real" game, and that worries me. Besides, several times this season Mason has run the point, so I imagine that might also be the case at some point in the playoffs. Last night's TOs certainly didn't fill me with confidence in this area. And for the record, I love Mason. I do think he can create his own shot, but he needs to be smarter about it. I understand what you say, Graydon and Juan, but in the last few games I’ve seen Mason drive to the basket way more often than his ability to actually make a layup in transit merits, and I’m sure we have all suffered his foolish rushed triples equally. Mason can be (already is) an important role player for the Spurs, but he needs to play to his strengths. Encouraging him to delve beyond his comfort zone could lead him to consider those plays as viable options during a “real” game, and that worries me.

Besides, several times this season Mason has run the point, so I imagine that might also be the case at some point in the playoffs. Last night’s TOs certainly didn’t fill me with confidence in this area.

And for the record, I love Mason. I do think he can create his own shot, but he needs to be smarter about it.

]]> By: Graydon Gordian http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-564 Graydon Gordian Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:37:59 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-564 I agree with Juan. All last night showed is that Mason does not have the skills to be a first option on an NBA team. But we aren't asking him to be that. We are asking him to be a fourth option. I am also not that worried about the 8 turnovers. We don't ask him to create for himself or for others. All we want him to do is space the floor and make open shots. I agree with Juan. All last night showed is that Mason does not have the skills to be a first option on an NBA team. But we aren’t asking him to be that. We are asking him to be a fourth option. I am also not that worried about the 8 turnovers. We don’t ask him to create for himself or for others. All we want him to do is space the floor and make open shots.

]]> By: Juan http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-562 Juan Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:17:21 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-562 But we are not asking him to do that. At least not on an everyday basis nor for the playoffs. As far as I see it, it is good that Mason and other people get more chances for trying things they seldom do when the starters are playing. Take Hill for instance. He did an awesome job when Parker and Manu were out at the beginning of the season, but once they came back, he regressed because he went back to the end of the rotation. He is not being asked to take over the offense or anything like that, but it would be a good idea to have them play the minutes needed to get experience and confidence. But we are not asking him to do that. At least not on an everyday basis nor for the playoffs. As far as I see it, it is good that Mason and other people get more chances for trying things they seldom do when the starters are playing. Take Hill for instance. He did an awesome job when Parker and Manu were out at the beginning of the season, but once they came back, he regressed because he went back to the end of the rotation. He is not being asked to take over the offense or anything like that, but it would be a good idea to have them play the minutes needed to get experience and confidence.

]]> By: pollackj http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-559 pollackj Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:08:18 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-559 I agree with Latin_D, Mason did not prove his worth last night. All he did was show that he is filling his proper role in the rotation right now. In his heart, I think Mason would be happiest playing for Golden State, in that kind of offense, but his guts and his accuracy from outside make him a key part of this team. His ability to create on his own does not. I agree with Latin_D, Mason did not prove his worth last night. All he did was show that he is filling his proper role in the rotation right now.

In his heart, I think Mason would be happiest playing for Golden State, in that kind of offense, but his guts and his accuracy from outside make him a key part of this team. His ability to create on his own does not.

]]> By: Latin_D http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-553 Latin_D Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:57:22 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-553 Admittedly I only watched one quarter of the game, but I skimmed over the rest today, and I have to wonder why people see Mason's play last night in such a positive light. If anything this game proved that Mason as the primary scoring option would be a disaster. Don't get me wrong, he's a great shooter, but he takes ill-advised shots (like those very long, out-of-balance 3s he's favoring lately) and can't drive to the basket. Absolutely can't. Shouldn't, too. In a bad team _someone_ has to score. Regarding Pop's decision, I think there's at least one conclusion we can reach: he can play all the mind games he wants and mess around with out lineup as much as he desires and the Spurs fanbase will support him. Admittedly I only watched one quarter of the game, but I skimmed over the rest today, and I have to wonder why people see Mason’s play last night in such a positive light. If anything this game proved that Mason as the primary scoring option would be a disaster. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great shooter, but he takes ill-advised shots (like those very long, out-of-balance 3s he’s favoring lately) and can’t drive to the basket. Absolutely can’t. Shouldn’t, too.

In a bad team _someone_ has to score.

Regarding Pop’s decision, I think there’s at least one conclusion we can reach: he can play all the mind games he wants and mess around with out lineup as much as he desires and the Spurs fanbase will support him.

]]> By: Ken http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-552 Ken Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:43:19 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-552 First, comparing Pop to Beckett, brilliant. Loved it. As an English lit teacher and a Spurs fan, I was smiling. And reading Beckett I realize that nothing is happening and everything is happening simultaneously. Just like Pop and the regular season: not important and vital. That got me thinking, if Pop can be compared to Beckett, what about other coaches and great writers? Who would, say, Phil Jackson equate to, or Bill Parcells, or Bill Walsh, etc.? I am not creative enough to figure this out. Or, which great writer is like a coach? Hemingway is who? Dickens is who? Loved this blog. First, comparing Pop to Beckett, brilliant. Loved it. As an English lit teacher and a Spurs fan, I was smiling. And reading Beckett I realize that nothing is happening and everything is happening simultaneously. Just like Pop and the regular season: not important and vital.

That got me thinking, if Pop can be compared to Beckett, what about other coaches and great writers? Who would, say, Phil Jackson equate to, or Bill Parcells, or Bill Walsh, etc.? I am not creative enough to figure this out. Or, which great writer is like a coach? Hemingway is who? Dickens is who?

Loved this blog.

]]> By: Will http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-550 Will Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:20:54 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-550 A few comments since I look at this move from Pop in a very positive way: - Duncan isn't getting any younger, really. Ginobili was injured. Parker injured himself in the next game after the big OT win (and his career night) against the Wolves. - instead of giving the Spurs a back-to-back of Warriors then Lakers or Clippers or even Sacramento, they make them go all the way to Denver where allegedly the players arrived at the hotel at 4am. Obviously Pop is telling the league: "if you make moronic decisions like this, then you pay the price" - the Spurs have Denver's number (and even more, Karl's number), they don't care about a loss in this case or a tiebreaker or what, and more importantly they are really playing mind games with Denver - I mean, Denver's starting 5 barely beat the Spurs' reserves, that must be a tough one to swallow. Denver got a meaningless win, dejected players and an angry coach (check Karl's postgame comments). - playing time for reserves and a good way to assess Hairston's value. All in all for me Pop took the only decision that made sense given the situation. And almost got a win anyway. A few comments since I look at this move from Pop in a very positive way:
- Duncan isn’t getting any younger, really. Ginobili was injured. Parker injured himself in the next game after the big OT win (and his career night) against the Wolves.
- instead of giving the Spurs a back-to-back of Warriors then Lakers or Clippers or even Sacramento, they make them go all the way to Denver where allegedly the players arrived at the hotel at 4am. Obviously Pop is telling the league: “if you make moronic decisions like this, then you pay the price”
- the Spurs have Denver’s number (and even more, Karl’s number), they don’t care about a loss in this case or a tiebreaker or what, and more importantly they are really playing mind games with Denver – I mean, Denver’s starting 5 barely beat the Spurs’ reserves, that must be a tough one to swallow. Denver got a meaningless win, dejected players and an angry coach (check Karl’s postgame comments).
- playing time for reserves and a good way to assess Hairston’s value.

All in all for me Pop took the only decision that made sense given the situation. And almost got a win anyway.

]]> By: Juan http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-548 Juan Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:11:53 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-548 I was surprised too. I was following the game on GameCast and I thought they had a glitch or something. After all, how come 4 starters are not starting and not getting any minutes by the start of the 2qt? Then I remember, these are the Spurs and Pop is their coach... Anyway, although I would like to have a good game against the Nuggets, I can't complain about this strategy because of this: We all know the Big 3 will be excelling come playoff time but if we are even considering winning the title, the supporting cast must play well and with confidence. Having the Big 3 scoring 3/4 of the points makes the Spurs very vulnerable come playoff time when defenses are stingier and the pressure is on because if one of them has an off night, the chances of winning drop dramatically unless someone else picks it up. I liked that little used guys played good minutes but I am very pleased with Mason's numbers. It shows he can be a boxscore stuffer, to some extend, whenever it's needed from him. It's hard to shine often when you have 3 (super?) stars on your team doing most of the work. Also, it was a win-win once he sat them down. The only way the Nuggets would have feel well about the matchup was if they would have blown these guys away from the start and they didn't. If anything they are now thinking how are they going to beat the full roster of the Spurs if they happen to meet come playoff time. I expect a few more lineups like this from Pop. If he wants a title, it's a must. I was surprised too. I was following the game on GameCast and I thought they had a glitch or something. After all, how come 4 starters are not starting and not getting any minutes by the start of the 2qt? Then I remember, these are the Spurs and Pop is their coach…

Anyway, although I would like to have a good game against the Nuggets, I can’t complain about this strategy because of this: We all know the Big 3 will be excelling come playoff time but if we are even considering winning the title, the supporting cast must play well and with confidence. Having the Big 3 scoring 3/4 of the points makes the Spurs very vulnerable come playoff time when defenses are stingier and the pressure is on because if one of them has an off night, the chances of winning drop dramatically unless someone else picks it up. I liked that little used guys played good minutes but I am very pleased with Mason’s numbers. It shows he can be a boxscore stuffer, to some extend, whenever it’s needed from him. It’s hard to shine often when you have 3 (super?) stars on your team doing most of the work.

Also, it was a win-win once he sat them down. The only way the Nuggets would have feel well about the matchup was if they would have blown these guys away from the start and they didn’t. If anything they are now thinking how are they going to beat the full roster of the Spurs if they happen to meet come playoff time.

I expect a few more lineups like this from Pop. If he wants a title, it’s a must.

]]> By: 48 Minutes of Hell » Blog Archive » We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Mid-Season Game http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-547 48 Minutes of Hell » Blog Archive » We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Mid-Season Game Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:56:38 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-547 [...] about The Notebook: The Death of the Game [...] [...] about The Notebook: The Death of the Game [...]

]]> By: GMT http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-546 GMT Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:47:21 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-546 This game proved to me that Hairston is definitely a keeper, and that we could stand to drop Udoka. Udoka did have nice stats with the 4 steals (really a net of 2, b/c of 2 TOs), but his 3/11 shooting only mostly jump shots (I think, missed much of the game) was underwhelming. Hill seemed to have an off night to me and was probably upset with himself afterward. I don't think he should have taken any 3 balls. Mason also seemed to have some troubling finishing (8 TOs, ouch), but otherwise had a very solid game. This game proved to me that Hairston is definitely a keeper, and that we could stand to drop Udoka. Udoka did have nice stats with the 4 steals (really a net of 2, b/c of 2 TOs), but his 3/11 shooting only mostly jump shots (I think, missed much of the game) was underwhelming.

Hill seemed to have an off night to me and was probably upset with himself afterward. I don’t think he should have taken any 3 balls.

Mason also seemed to have some troubling finishing (8 TOs, ouch), but otherwise had a very solid game.

]]> By: Mason http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-545 Mason Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:37:57 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-545 Let's just hope we take the Celtics game, otherwise there's more pressure on the Spurs to win the next game before this rodeo road trip turns into a disaster. Let’s just hope we take the Celtics game, otherwise there’s more pressure on the Spurs to win the next game before this rodeo road trip turns into a disaster.

]]> By: Mason http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-544 Mason Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:34:51 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-544 I don't think this game hurt the Spurs too much. If they had lost by 20 I think it would have sent the team in the opposite direction rather than give them confidence. The game was theirs, just that the Nuggets took 20 more free throws than the Spurs. And about half of their 30 something free throws was bailing out Anthony who kept yelling for calls. That being said, those people paid to see the Spurs' stars. Would you be upset if you paid for a Spurs/Lakers game and Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, and Odom were all sitting out? I don’t think this game hurt the Spurs too much. If they had lost by 20 I think it would have sent the team in the opposite direction rather than give them confidence. The game was theirs, just that the Nuggets took 20 more free throws than the Spurs. And about half of their 30 something free throws was bailing out Anthony who kept yelling for calls.

That being said, those people paid to see the Spurs’ stars. Would you be upset if you paid for a Spurs/Lakers game and Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, and Odom were all sitting out?

]]> By: Latin_D http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-543 Latin_D Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:31:57 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-543 I started watching last night's game midway through the 4th quarter, and my eyes couldn't believe what the boxscore showed. It took several hurried explanations by fellow PTRers for me to even begin to fathom Pop's reasons, or at least form my own theories regarding them. I have no idea how people could argue that sitting our Big Trio would lower us to the status of non-contenders. If they watch the Spurs at all they should know that Tim, Tony and Manu are all good SEGABABA players (Stampler from PTR even had some statistical evidence of Manu's numbers going up in those games), and Pop's decision not to use 4 of his 5 starters falls solely on his cranky shoulders. I believe the sheer length of the regular season invites this kind of attitude, and if more people had Pop's testicular fortitude, we would see these mind games played more often. Last night I was flummoxed by Pop's decision, today I'm once more completely happy that he's the Spurs' coach. Oh, and for the record, Graydon, you didn't mention our Fourth Big: Finley. Shame on you. Great article. Extra Popovichs for the literary analogy. I started watching last night’s game midway through the 4th quarter, and my eyes couldn’t believe what the boxscore showed. It took several hurried explanations by fellow PTRers for me to even begin to fathom Pop’s reasons, or at least form my own theories regarding them.

I have no idea how people could argue that sitting our Big Trio would lower us to the status of non-contenders. If they watch the Spurs at all they should know that Tim, Tony and Manu are all good SEGABABA players (Stampler from PTR even had some statistical evidence of Manu’s numbers going up in those games), and Pop’s decision not to use 4 of his 5 starters falls solely on his cranky shoulders.

I believe the sheer length of the regular season invites this kind of attitude, and if more people had Pop’s testicular fortitude, we would see these mind games played more often. Last night I was flummoxed by Pop’s decision, today I’m once more completely happy that he’s the Spurs’ coach.

Oh, and for the record, Graydon, you didn’t mention our Fourth Big: Finley. Shame on you.

Great article. Extra Popovichs for the literary analogy.

]]> By: Matthew http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/04/the-notebook-the-death-of-the-game/comment-page-1/#comment-541 Matthew Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:25:09 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=742#comment-541 I thought a road game against the team we'll likely see in the second round would be more important but all of that aside, it was nice to see Hairston get decent minutes. In some ways he looked exactly like he should (his 5 fouls in 20 minutes for instance) but he also went 6 of 8 and did a nice job getting scrappy offensive boards. I understand that it is barely a silver lining, but complaining about Pop giving up the game won't help anything. I thought a road game against the team we’ll likely see in the second round would be more important but all of that aside, it was nice to see Hairston get decent minutes. In some ways he looked exactly like he should (his 5 fouls in 20 minutes for instance) but he also went 6 of 8 and did a nice job getting scrappy offensive boards. I understand that it is barely a silver lining, but complaining about Pop giving up the game won’t help anything.

]]>