Comments on: The Notebook: Blazers-Spurs, 4/8/09

By: blazercam

blazercam — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:11:42 +0000

For years your spurs have been a model NBA team through personnel and performance. Blazers fans are extremely excited right now especially after last nights win over a team we have respected, and had trouble with, for a long time. The only two teams I think we are truly worried about playing are Houston and Dallas due to match up problems.

As a side note, this is one of the best forums I’ve seen from another NBA team. Bashing and personal attacks seem to be very limited here. I guess you fans are as classy as your organization.

By: gekkomojo

gekkomojo — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:59:14 +0000

Spurred on…
…I’d remind you that Portland was also on the second night of a b2b, one in which their starters had to go to the wire. That advantage was limited to just their youthful legs. This Portland team has been blowing teams out for the past several weeks and are definitely rolling as they go into the playoffs.

By: ruth bader ginobili

ruth bader ginobili — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:30:46 +0000

Anyone else getting tired of Udoka playing the 4-spot? Shouldn’t happen against big teams like Portland. It looked like Aldridge wasn’t at all bothered with Udoka’s hand in his face. I thought Gooden did a better job defensively, not to mention the rebounding.
Hopefully there’s less of that come playoffs. If Tim’s anywhere close to healthy, it should be a pretty solid frontcourt.

By: SpurredOn

SpurredOn — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:09:57 +0000

Two observations: Duncan’s play last night is why Pop has rested him in b2b games. It’s also important to remember that this is the same Portland team we beat by 15 in late February w/out TD or Manu. Tony played great and our 3pt shooting was at its norm. Neither happened last night. There is no doubt that on the night #2 of a b2b, Portland would have an advantage, especailly after an energizing come from behind win the previous night. But there are no b2b games in the playoffs and the 1st round typically has 2-3 days between games to extend the series for TV purposes. An average game from TD last night (32 minutes, 15 pts/10 reb) would’ve been enough to hold off the late run and win by a possession or two.

Secondly, watching last night reminded me of the late season loss to Phoenix last season. It made us 1-3 vs the Suns and everyone said they were the one team S.A. would not want to play in the playoffs. What was proven (again) is that when Pop and crew focus their full attention on one opponent, S.A. is the most difficult team to beat in a best of seven. Obviously if Duncan can’t play well for four games within a series there will be no advancing. That aside, even a uniquely difficult matchup such as Portland (as opposed to N.O., Utah or Houston) can be won if Duncan has rest which in the 1st round he certainly will.

By: Graydon Gordian

Graydon Gordian — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:16:27 +0000

Just FYI, my description of Aldridge wasn’t meant to make him sound unguardable. But all season we’ve been getting beat by similar players in a similar manner and I’d never really taken the opportunity to detail how it was occurring.

By: Mason

Mason — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:20:32 +0000

I’m already looking forward to next year. I REALLY REALLY hope the Spurs don’t get rid of Drew Gooden like they got rid of Stephen Jackson.

By: NL

NL — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:24:58 +0000

Watching Duncan last night was disconcerting. He had no lift on his jumper, couldn’t get up for rebounds and, as Pop noticed, couldn’t move for loose balls. We all know Duncan has never been a freakish athlete, but he the first half the year, when healthy, he was putting up MVP numbers before parker took over the second half of the year.

Regardless, I still have hope. The fact that there’s no back-to-backs in the playoffs should help. Go Spurs.

By: gospurs44

gospurs44 — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:20:50 +0000

Nico, this was from ESPN Insider
San Antonio Spurs
Spurs Considering Personnel Moves
Gregg Popovich said that with Manu Ginobili out, the Spurs are considering personnel moves, including possibly recalling swingman Malik Hairston from their D-League team in Austin. — San Antonio Express-News

By: Mike M.

Mike M. — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:45:30 +0000

Hey Guys,

I am not giving up on the Spurs yet, but injuries to good players and seasons becoming train-wretchs because of that, sometimes open up the eyes of the Management, players, and fans. We knew we needed to rebuild (somewhat) but now we know we need to think future a little more than we do! We have done pretty good this year dispite the injuries, but it will only make us better! (just thought I would add some of my 2 cents).

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:58:22 +0000

Just watching Duncan struggle on the floor, a shadow of his self made me really sad. I turned off the game in the third quarter. This season has been a complete train-wreck because of a never-ending sequence of injuries. No idea what the playoffs will hold for us, suffice to say, I cannot see us winning even one series if we don’t have home court advantage (and that may not be enough if Duncan isn’t healthy)…

By: LionZion

LionZion — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:52:31 +0000

Aldridge is really good, and everytime I have watched the Blazers, the guy has looked really efficient.

But yesterday, lets give Bonner credit. He made Aldridge look better that he is on offense. In fact, LaMA probably should have scored a lot more if not for Portland guards failing to zip the pass to him on top of key p&rs because by the time Bonner caught up with him, he would be below the basket all alone.

By: ChillFAN

ChillFAN — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:31:18 +0000

A Spurs win on Friday could inch the Jazz closer to a first round match up with the Lakers.

By: ChillFAN

ChillFAN — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:22:47 +0000

Although not as exciting as last year, this West playoff positioning race is going down to the wire. I see a Spurs-Rockets 1st series in the future as Portland overtakes both these teams. I hate to say it, because it means Buck Harvey will recycle the old Scola column yet again. (he, he, I like Buck BTW.)

1 Lakers, Denver can beat Sacto to lock up the 2 seed, 3 Blazers beat LA at home to separate themselves, 4-5 Rockets and Spurs split their last 4 games. 6 New Orleans splits a tough final schedule, 7 Jazz lose in LA to end season, 8 Dallas.

By: Nico

Nico — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:01:41 +0000

Hey does anyone have ESPN insider access what’s with the “Spurs Considering Personnel Moves” lead?

Also, I don’t mind Udoka playing as much as Bonner… Doke grabbed like 9 boards against OKC. Granted, it’s OKC but that guy has hustle, he’s not sharp, but he has hustle.

I’m not too concerned about this win… I almost expected it. The Blazers are a year or two away from giving the Lakers a serious run for Western Conference supremacy. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a second round exit for the Lakers if they face Portland.

The playoffs are going to be tough this year…

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:42:02 +0000

If we keep playing Udoka and Bonner as much as we have been and keep George Hill locked up, I’m sure the Jazz can push that number to 3 wins against .500 plus teams..

(slamming head against table)