Tuesday, March 31st, 2009...9:26 pm
The Notebook: Thunder-Spurs, 3/31/09
Well, it’s official: I will never take a game against the Thunder lightly again.
The Spurs fell to 1-2 on the season against Oklahoma City with their 96-95 loss this evening at the AT&T Center. After coming back within one in the early fourth (having been down 17 in the third), the Spurs let the Thunder rebuild a double digit lead. Just to tease the faithful, the Spurs were able to crawl back to within one with under a minute left. But SA was unable to steal the victory (and I do mean steal) after Michael Finley missed a mid-range jumper on a chaotic final play.
After tough losses, I tend to spread the blame around. I generally don’t think that any one individual can be blamed for all the things that go right and wrong over the course of 48 minutes of play. But today, I’ll make an exception: Coach Pop, this one is on you. Popovich made some of the more misguided rotational decisions he’s made all season. It took almost 3 full quarters for Pop to commit to a defense-first unit, and it proved to be too little too late.
From a rotational standpoint, the game wasn’t merely mismanaged: It was just plain odd. Ginobili, Parker and Duncan all started. George Hill and Bruce Bowen never saw the court. Jacques Vaughn played for 13 minutes. Kurt Thomas played 7 (all of which came in the fourth quarter). From the opening tip right up until our disorganized final possession, this game was a distasteful combination of confusing and frustrating.
The most baffling aspect of tonight’s loss was how long it took Pop to recognize how ill-equipped Michael Finley is to guard Kevin Durant. At 25.7 per game, Durant averages the fourth most points of any player in the league. Michael Finley has always been a defensive liability, much less at the ripe age of 36. But Popovich left Finley on Durant for extended stretches and subsequently the rising star had his way with the grizzled vet to the tune of 31 points on 12-19 shooting.
From the outset, I hungrily awaited the moment Popovich would sub either Bowen or Udoka for Finley and we could finally slow Durant’s potent attack. Clearly Pop did not feel the urgency I did; Finley played for 35 minutes while Udoka played only 14 (most of which came in the fourth quarter) and Bowen received a DNP-CD. If my notes are correct, only 5 of Durant’s points came while Udoka was covering him (as did at least 4 of his 7 misses). Udoka did an excellent job being physical with Durant; by bodying him aggressively, he severely limited Durant’s off-the-ball mobility. If Pop had chosen to counter Durant with a stopper instead of a scorer from the outset, this game would have gone quite differently.
A close second in the baffling category was the court time Jacques Vaughn saw. Mason lacks the ball-handling and penetration ability to play back-up point. Hill lacks the maturity. But Vaughn is not the answer. While on the floor, the defense was paper thin. I would have much rather had Hill see all of Vaughn’s minutes. Yes, the offense may have suffered (and I emphasize may; Vaughn was 0-2 with 1 assist), but Hill’s defensive prowess would have more than made up for it.
This ties in to my confusion regarding Ginobili’s start: If Pop is concerned about the guard play of the second-unit, why rob our bench of its best ball-handler and slasher? Manu is more than prepared to play point. I’d love to see Hill get more minutes alongside Manu so Hill’s offensive deficiencies aren’t so glaring. Either way, when the Spurs have given up 81 points through 3 quarters, I see no reason the rookie shouldn’t get a chance to make a few stops.
Just another item on the long list of tonight’s oddities was the few minutes Kurt Thomas played. Thomas has been excellent in recent weeks and he would have given Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic (who combined for 32) some trouble.
After remembering that they are supposed to be one of the league’s marquee defensive teams, the Spurs buckled down during the fourth (or rather, Pop used players who have the ability to buckle down) and held the Thunder to 15 points. After Tim Duncan blocked Jeff Green’s layup with under 15 seconds to play, the Spurs pushed the ball up the court and fumbled their way through a poorly executed final possession. The ball, headed out of bounds in the corner, was barely saved by Manu and eventually made it’s way to the hands of Finley. He ended up taking a 19-foot fadeaway that clanked off the back of the rim as the buzzer sounded.
Headed away from this game, one question looms above the others: Why have the Spurs failed to set a rotation? It’s not merely that we haven’t gelled. It’s that our rotation has grown more chaotic as the playoffs approach, not less. Players like Hill and Bowen, who had seemingly found their admittedly limited niche, are now receiving DNP-CDs with some frequency. Players like Vaughn, who was for all intents and purposes a glorified assistant coach before today, come storming back into the rotation at any given time. The Spurs have 8 games left. Popovich needs to clarify the rotation and clarify it fast.
Our next game is Friday in Indianapolis. It is the first game of a 3-game road trip that includes stops in Cleveland and Oklahoma City.
20 Comments
April 1st, 2009 at 5:00 am
Tsk, tsk. You know Pop, CIA genius, he didn’t want to show OKC the defense (Bruce on Durant) that he’ll use when they face each other in the playoffs.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:10 am
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:17 am
Finely and Mason: 8 of 26. I don’t care about the 8, but 26 shots between them??
Tim and Manu: 16 of 25.
Tony: 4 of 8.
I don’t know what to say about this, just pointing it out.
One last thing: I love Manu. Love the dude. Admire him. Think he’s the best. But seriously, what the heck was the deal with those passes last night?
April 1st, 2009 at 5:22 am
Oh, and one more thing. I was at the game last night. During that embarassing second quarter (our worst quarter ever?), when we got down by 18 or whatever, Pop called a time out and I swear I heard a smattering of boos, not too loud or resounding, but I heard it. That must be the first time I have ever heard Spurs fan booing our team. (And to be frank, even though I would never boo, the team did deserve it after that second quarter.)
April 1st, 2009 at 5:23 am
Let me sum up the Spurs right now:
3 pointer
3 pointer
3 pointer.
You get the story.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:34 am
Jimbo, it’s actually more like:
*clank*
*clank*
*clank*
You get the story…
This game didn’t make any sense in any way, shape, or form. I really don’t know what to make of it. Pop is a good coach and I don’t think his mind’s gone missing yet – so I’m baffled. One bright spot yesterday night might be that the Mason at PG experiment might finally be over, and JV taking his spot – but the dark spot is that, well, we actually don’t want to have JV running the point in the 2nd unit either – we really want Manu or Hill to do it…
Also I’m wondering if Pop isn’t being a bit too risk-adverse re: injuries – Parker has barely brought the ball to the rim in the last couple of games (it’s less dangerous to settle for jumpers) and isn’t showing the same level aggressiveness as in the last month. And whenever Ginobili tried to do it (and with some success) he was brought back to the bench.
The rotations are weird, the intensity is there only by streaks – but I still can’t bring myself to believe that there is just no higher purpose to it. I trust Pop, I really do. The quality is there, in the players, the playbook, everything. I’m really thinking there’s no point in analyzing the regular season games any more. We will know all there is to know when we see the first few games in the playoffs.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:53 am
I think this is the first time in a long time that, not taking injuries into consideration, I’ve been worried about the Playoffs. I just don’t see this team being able to turn it on like they have in the past. I don’t know if that’s just age, or weird rotations, or too many injuries and new players, but something just doesn’t seem right. I know they always seem to come together during the playoffs and they have been there and done that, but the lack of desire and ability to beat the poor teams is disturbing. It’s great to win close games and get that toughness, but too many of them and it can become a warning sign.
I’m sure I’m just concerned for nothing, but it seems like there is just something off about this season. And does anyone else have an uneasy feeling about a 7 game exit in the first round against a scrappy younger team? Or an embarrassing exit in the 2nd round?
April 1st, 2009 at 6:16 am
First of all, JV does not belong in an NBA game as a player. He can’t shoot, he can’t pass and he can’t play defense! Other than that he’ll be a nice coach someday. Secondly, Manu, Please! for the love of the Spurs, please take the step back 3 out of your game. You are not a jump shooter. Attack the rim! Create contact! Create for your teamates! Please don’t take step back 3’s! 6-8 2 pt fg’s, 1-5 3pt fg’s. Lastly, Pop, did you not learn from NVE in ‘06 or Big Shot in ‘08? Father time catches up with all players. Can you not see he has caught up with Fin. At best, Fin would be a nice 10-15 min a game guy off the bench but 35 min+? I don’t think so. Also Pop, your team has played 74 games and you still have no clue about a playoff rotation. JV 13 minutes? Thomas only 7min? Hill DNP? What!? Do you think the Celtics, Lakers, Cavs know who they will go to in the playoffs? I’m guessing yes!
April 1st, 2009 at 6:18 am
Maybe Pop is secretly trying tank the team into 8th place so they can take on the Lakers in the first round so they can take them out before Bynum can be productive.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:39 am
Looks like there are 2 Wills around here
April 1st, 2009 at 7:01 am
[...] 48 Minutes of Hell: “From the outset, I hungrily awaited the moment Popovich would sub either Bowen or Udoka for Finley and we could finally slow Durant’s potent attack. Clearly Pop did not feel the urgency I did; Finley played for 35 minutes while Udoka played only 14 (most of which came in the fourth quarter) and Bowen received a DNP-CD. If my notes are correct, only 5 of Durant’s points came while Udoka was covering him (as did at least 4 of his 7 misses). Udoka did an excellent job being physical with Durant; by bodying him aggressively, he severely limited Durant’s off-the-ball mobility. If Pop had chosen to counter Durant with a stopper instead of a scorer from the outset, this game would have gone quite differently.” [...]
April 1st, 2009 at 7:25 am
Ever resolute,the hero stands tall.
Striving against the maw of curious beasts.
Knowing that as breath is still drawn,
Never is anything lost.
This loss means as much as eight more consecutive regular season losses would mean.
Zilch.
Its not even time to begin thinking about starting to panic.
Id hate to be the guard or wing that will be facing bruce in the postseason. Bruce must feel like a million dollars.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:29 am
Ken, I was actually one of those fans booing. I couldn’t stand it anymore…it seemed as if the Spurs woke up about 3o minutes before the game, and were just forcing themselves through it, just because they had to.
And please, someone tell Manu, when you’re down 11 points, no look passes are completely unnecessary, and only make everything worse.
I would continue my rant, but I loss my voice last night, and I don’t want to get arthritis typing out all my frustrations.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:29 am
I will never EVER second guess Pop on coaching moves. That being said, his rotation patterns, or lack thereof, are at the very least mildly interesting. I’m very nearly convinced that he has something up his sleeve. His coaching so far this year has differed greatly from every previous year. Looking at the glass half full, maybe he and Duncan had a meeting and decided to play 82 mind games with the western conference to spread seeds of doubt, only to turn it on in the playoffs and hit LA out of no where like a freight train. I dunno, just a conspiracy theory.
On a sour note, one quarter of basketball, no matter how badly played, should ever be met with boos. Are you kidding me?!?! We’ve won 4 championships, had nearly a dozen 50 win seasons in a row, witnessed the career of the greatest power forward of all time, plus another Hall of Famer, been protected by an organization that will not win at any cost, but win the Right Way, and have the best win percentage in any of the top 4 sports since Duncan was drafted. Come on guys, we have the greatest team since the Jordan Bulls, one quarter does not deserve a boo. Hell, Mr. Buford and company probably have two 25 win seasons of leeway before we can even think about booing them. Come on guys, we’re San Antonians, not New Yorkers.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:33 am
Popovich stubborness is what got the Spurs the lost. The Spurs are relying way to much on offense. Instead of their championship defense. Pop and the Spurs better wake up. For one Mason is not a good point guard. George Hill should play more, he’s 22!! Gooden should get more time against athletic power fowards.
Lastly, this shows that the Spurs need to start a youth movement this summer. Thomas, Bowen, Vaughn, Oberto, Finley are ancient. Duncan will turn 33 this month. So the Spurs need to start realizing. That rebuilding the Spurs is a very real reality in San Antonio.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:40 am
I’m sorry, but I for one am completely ready to second guess Pop.
If you want an offensive-minded rotation, José, playing Vaughn makes no sense. Not playing the second-best Spur in the last couple of months, Kurt Thomas, makes no sense. Finley taking 16 shots, more than any of the Big Three, makes no sense.
And Hill and Bowen getting DNP-CDs is just crazy.
I guess we’ll have to wait for the next game to see if we can actually win a game and get a sane rotation.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:54 am
giving credit where credit is due.
OKC outplayed the Spurs, AGAIN!
doesn’t matter who popp puts on the floor.
they are professionals and expected to perform.
if finley hits the shot at the buzzer, popps a genius and finley is still a solid veteran that can contribute to a winning team.
but he misses and popp and fin-dawg are scape goats.
the last possession was a mess indeed, but you try to catch the defense in transition mode. again, okc got back and helped each other, forcing the spurs to guess what, pass the ball to finley for one of his 16 shots.
give credit where credit is due.
hopefully the silver and black get back on track when the playoffs begin.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:37 am
Its the same old crap of riding veterans until they cost you a championship. Anybody remember Pop playing Van Exel instead of Beno?
April 1st, 2009 at 9:46 am
Not to hijack Graydon’s post, but one would have to answer yes and no, Sri. In this case, unlike the Van Exel/Beno mistake (and overplaying the corpse of Robert Horry last season), Pop is making the mistake of riding the wrong veteran. He’s riding Finley, and shouldn’t be. Bruce Bowen and Kurt Thomas, on the other hand, need more minutes, aged vets or not. But–back to your point–Vaughn over Hill is a straight NVE/Beno type error.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:56 am
dtm, if Finely hits that shot Pop is not necessarily a genius (at least not because of that one play) – the Spurs are simply lucky to squeak one out against OKC, who hasn’t beat a team above .500 on the road until now.
I desperately want to believe that Pop has something in mind, and given what he’s done for this organization and this city he ABSOLUTELY deserves the benefit of the doubt. So give it to him. Let’s hold our tongues until the playoffs so half of us don’t feel foolish (whichever way it may go).
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