Comments on: Training Camp Head Games http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/ A San Antonio Spurs Blog Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:20:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Alamobro http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-9107 Alamobro Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:16:39 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-9107 Nice pickup on the George Hill Gushfest of late emanating from Coach Pop. ( The video though ? Easily explainable, I think i can smell the merlot from here). All kidding aside, George has the type of athleticism to make me think he could perhaps be Mini-Manu. Maybe Pop just wants him to cut loose, give him a longer leash, kinda like Manu. Nice pickup on the George Hill Gushfest of late emanating from Coach Pop. ( The video though ? Easily explainable, I think i can smell the merlot from here).

All kidding aside, George has the type of athleticism to make me think he could perhaps be Mini-Manu. Maybe Pop just wants him to cut loose, give him a longer leash, kinda like Manu.

]]> By: Vaughn http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-9061 Vaughn Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:22:41 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-9061 @ Sydnella, Regarding whether minutes will come available for Ian... Duncan, McDyess and Ratliff are getting up there. Barring some spontaneous outpouring of durability from the frontcourt gods, there will be minutes. I just hope Ian can hit the ground running when they call his number. @ Sydnella,

Regarding whether minutes will come available for Ian…

Duncan, McDyess and Ratliff are getting up there. Barring some spontaneous outpouring of durability from the frontcourt gods, there will be minutes. I just hope Ian can hit the ground running when they call his number.

]]> By: yuccaflatsranch http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-9034 yuccaflatsranch Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:33:11 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-9034 "we’ve invested too much time and money to send him to austin " CAN'T SEND IAN TO AUSTIN - he has used up all of his available time down there. He has to stay with the SPURS or release/trade him. “we’ve invested too much time and money to send him to austin ”

CAN’T SEND IAN TO AUSTIN – he has used up all of his available time down there. He has to stay with the SPURS or release/trade him.

]]> By: rj http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-9032 rj Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:10:51 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-9032 my thoughts on last nights game hairston (9 pts, 5 ast, 2 stls) is more valuble than williams (11pts), hill is a more effective shooter than penetrator, and timmy looked much lighter by virtue of his matchup with d'andre jordan being exploited often. and now ian: ian looked good as far as being an athletic young player. he finished above the rim, got to the line easily, NO FOULS, and had a crucial rebound over b-griff late in the game. i also thought manu and others passed up some easy under-the-basket opportunities for him either by lack of vision or trust. this should change if the players grow more confident in him. i also saw some tutoring going on with ian and duncan before the 4th quarter. i think we shouldn't expect ian to be anything more than a shot blocker, finisher, and active body. if he can put some more muscle on his frame, his rebounding will increase. he looked like an NBA calliber talent out there, but is lack of polish is clear. i think we need some younger frontcourt players now and in the future and ian is worth investing in. b-griff and jordan had no problem with timmy, dice, and theo and bonner can't stay infront of a breeze. haislip is as good as he's going to be and ian should get minutes before him. i say hold off on his contract extension, but throw him into the fire for stretches in the regular season. we've invested too much time and money to send him to austin and we need to see how well he can stand up to the garnett's, bosh's of the world. the sky is the limit for this guy and a splitter, blair, mahimi frountcourt sounds promising. my thoughts on last nights game

hairston (9 pts, 5 ast, 2 stls) is more valuble than williams (11pts), hill is a more effective shooter than penetrator, and timmy looked much lighter by virtue of his matchup with d’andre jordan being exploited often.

and now ian:

ian looked good as far as being an athletic young player. he finished above the rim, got to the line easily, NO FOULS, and had a crucial rebound over b-griff late in the game. i also thought manu and others passed up some easy under-the-basket opportunities for him either by lack of vision or trust. this should change if the players grow more confident in him. i also saw some tutoring going on with ian and duncan before the 4th quarter.

i think we shouldn’t expect ian to be anything more than a shot blocker, finisher, and active body. if he can put some more muscle on his frame, his rebounding will increase. he looked like an NBA calliber talent out there, but is lack of polish is clear. i think we need some younger frontcourt players now and in the future and ian is worth investing in. b-griff and jordan had no problem with timmy, dice, and theo and bonner can’t stay infront of a breeze. haislip is as good as he’s going to be and ian should get minutes before him. i say hold off on his contract extension, but throw him into the fire for stretches in the regular season. we’ve invested too much time and money to send him to austin and we need to see how well he can stand up to the garnett’s, bosh’s of the world. the sky is the limit for this guy and a splitter, blair, mahimi frountcourt sounds promising.

]]> By: agutierrez http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-9029 agutierrez Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:56:13 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-9029 As long as TP's free throw shooting is suspect, he'll never be the "go to" guy at the end of games. One of the singular characteristics of such players is their ability to make free throws with the game on the line. That's why... "he's Manu Ginobili." As for the future coach; my impression of Avery (not based on much I'll admit) is that he only knows one way of dealing with players, namely, harsh, critical, no nuance. As many have already said, as much as Pop blusters and intimidates in public, he appears to know when to offer the soft touch to his players; knows how to read them and proceed in a way that brings out their best. Not that he always had that characteristic, but he seems to have learned it. In fact, he has stated that Tony and Manu taught him that his first inclination with players was not always best, that sometimes he had to rein in his own tendency to "over coach (control)" and let them do what they did best, even when it caused him heartburn. I doubt that AJ could ever do that. As long as TP’s free throw shooting is suspect, he’ll never be the “go to” guy at the end of games. One of the singular characteristics of such players is their ability to make free throws with the game on the line. That’s why… “he’s Manu Ginobili.” As for the future coach; my impression of Avery (not based on much I’ll admit) is that he only knows one way of dealing with players, namely, harsh, critical, no nuance. As many have already said, as much as Pop blusters and intimidates in public, he appears to know when to offer the soft touch to his players; knows how to read them and proceed in a way that brings out their best. Not that he always had that characteristic, but he seems to have learned it. In fact, he has stated that Tony and Manu taught him that his first inclination with players was not always best, that sometimes he had to rein in his own tendency to “over coach (control)” and let them do what they did best, even when it caused him heartburn. I doubt that AJ could ever do that.

]]> By: Grego http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-9001 Grego Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:25:00 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-9001 @AP, eventually he might be the 2 guard with Parker as the Spurs current look changes once again and the youth takes over (with Parker being the only main hold over). A lot will depend upon how much Hill grows over this and next year though. @AP, eventually he might be the 2 guard with Parker as the Spurs current look changes once again and the youth takes over (with Parker being the only main hold over). A lot will depend upon how much Hill grows over this and next year though.

]]> By: zack http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-9000 zack Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:01:34 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-9000 you know i have a feeling pop is going to sign as many possible, package the ones he can part with and make an unexpected trade, as far as timmy and pop leaving at the same time, im starting to have a problem with it, its really unfair to go out when your superstar retires. Tony was raised by pop as well, i also think if he were going to retire, he should bring it up every now and then to ease us into it. i hope he has a change of heart you know i have a feeling pop is going to sign as many possible, package the ones he can part with and make an unexpected trade, as far as timmy and pop leaving at the same time, im starting to have a problem with it, its really unfair to go out when your superstar retires. Tony was raised by pop as well, i also think if he were going to retire, he should bring it up every now and then to ease us into it. i hope he has a change of heart

]]> By: emm http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-8999 emm Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:55:31 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-8999 Tydus I was at the game tonight and I would have to say the main reason for that would be Mahinmi not being very agressive. He just let them come into the paint all night :-\ Tydus I was at the game tonight and I would have to say the main reason for that would be Mahinmi not being very agressive. He just let them come into the paint all night :-\

]]> By: yuccaflatsranch http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-8998 yuccaflatsranch Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:41:06 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-8998 Not overly surprised, Ian can do it - give him a little more time. Did you see where Bogans threw up more bricks - he is going to play himself off the team. 1 for 14 in 4 games. Not overly surprised, Ian can do it – give him a little more time. Did you see where Bogans threw up more bricks – he is going to play himself off the team. 1 for 14 in 4 games.

]]> By: Tydus http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-8996 Tydus Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:38:05 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-8996 Here's a news flash. In the LAC loss Mahinmi played almost 20 minutes and didn't record a single foul. Anyone else shocked by this? Here’s a news flash. In the LAC loss Mahinmi played almost 20 minutes and didn’t record a single foul.

Anyone else shocked by this?

]]> By: ThatBigGuy http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-8993 ThatBigGuy Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:31:46 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-8993 I don't think Pop has changed at all. Remember, NBA organizations are multiple million dollar entities. Don't you think they have analyzed every player's psychological standing? Even if there is no official shrink on the payroll, the entire coaching staff knows how to approach a player's psyche. Give a coach at any level 2 weeks and he'll know Player A needs gentle encouragement while Player B needs a boot in his ass. Tony obviously needed a boot in his ass and Hill needs gentle encouragement and praise. As far as potential future coaches, I think Avery would be great. Some here have mentioned their fears about him being controlling. I think that this is a misconception. The Mavs players complained about him being controlling, yes, but remember who the coach was before AJ? Don Nelson. Of course the players weren't happy and complained about AJ's heavy handedness and I can't blame them. They were used to Nellie-ball. They had fun playing Nellie-Ball. But here is the pink elephant: they never won. AJ's style is similar to Pop's. It is structured on offense and defense. The current players are used to this style and won't even notice the coaching switch except for a Louisiana drawl in the next huddle. Plus, it wins. I don’t think Pop has changed at all. Remember, NBA organizations are multiple million dollar entities. Don’t you think they have analyzed every player’s psychological standing? Even if there is no official shrink on the payroll, the entire coaching staff knows how to approach a player’s psyche. Give a coach at any level 2 weeks and he’ll know Player A needs gentle encouragement while Player B needs a boot in his ass. Tony obviously needed a boot in his ass and Hill needs gentle encouragement and praise.

As far as potential future coaches, I think Avery would be great. Some here have mentioned their fears about him being controlling. I think that this is a misconception. The Mavs players complained about him being controlling, yes, but remember who the coach was before AJ? Don Nelson. Of course the players weren’t happy and complained about AJ’s heavy handedness and I can’t blame them. They were used to Nellie-ball. They had fun playing Nellie-Ball. But here is the pink elephant: they never won.

AJ’s style is similar to Pop’s. It is structured on offense and defense. The current players are used to this style and won’t even notice the coaching switch except for a Louisiana drawl in the next huddle. Plus, it wins.

]]> By: ChillFAN http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-8987 ChillFAN Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:57:57 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-8987 Tony Parker as the Spurs "go to" guy? Whatever. TP is great, Duncan's the beast that carries the team, but our "go to guy" could not be any more clearer than when we were embarassed by the Mavericks. For me there are no questions about the Big Threes willingness to follow Pop's plan. My main psyche issue this season with the SPuRS is more about RJ: will he be content to fit in or will he work hard to assert himself as a night in and night out leader so that Duncan and Manu can rest some games without the SPuRS dropping out of the top four seeds. A.J. is overly intense and controlling, but then, again, so was Pop until recently. Truth is, he's the kind of guy who will kill himself for a championship. Would, say, PJCarlisemo? Tony Parker as the Spurs “go to” guy?
Whatever.
TP is great, Duncan’s the beast that carries the team, but our “go to guy” could not be any more clearer than when we were embarassed by the Mavericks.

For me there are no questions about the Big Threes willingness to follow Pop’s plan. My main psyche issue this season with the SPuRS is more about RJ: will he be content to fit in or will he work hard to assert himself as a night in and night out leader so that Duncan and Manu can rest some games without the SPuRS dropping out of the top four seeds.

A.J. is overly intense and controlling, but then, again, so was Pop until recently. Truth is, he’s the kind of guy who will kill himself for a championship. Would, say, PJCarlisemo?

]]> By: Rye http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-8986 Rye Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:58:04 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-8986 Here's a scenario I've thought of probably more than any other ... it's late in a big playoff game against, say, the Lakers, the Spurs have the ball, inside a minute left, with a chance to take the lead on this possession. Who has the ball in their hands to make the make-or-break play? Is it predicated on match-ups? In the Spurs heyday it was always either Ginobili, Duncan, or a combination of both in a two man game. We know Parker will likely lead the team in scoring, but will he be the guy, even if the match-up is not in his favor (say, against Rondo) with the ball in his hands? To me, that is the final step towards him fully becoming the Spurs go-to guy. Here’s a scenario I’ve thought of probably more than any other … it’s late in a big playoff game against, say, the Lakers, the Spurs have the ball, inside a minute left, with a chance to take the lead on this possession. Who has the ball in their hands to make the make-or-break play? Is it predicated on match-ups? In the Spurs heyday it was always either Ginobili, Duncan, or a combination of both in a two man game.

We know Parker will likely lead the team in scoring, but will he be the guy, even if the match-up is not in his favor (say, against Rondo) with the ball in his hands? To me, that is the final step towards him fully becoming the Spurs go-to guy.

]]> By: Bill H http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-8983 Bill H Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:28:14 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-8983 Accurate? Definitely: 1.Timmy 2.Black Blur (TP) 3.Manu 4.RJ 5.Geo 6.Dice 7.Barkley... I mean Blair 8.Theo 9.Big Shot Rog 10.Fin 11.Red Rocket Probably: Ian Haislip Looks Good: Bogans Hairston On The Bubble: Marcus Probably Toros CJ Coming in 2010: Tiago Nando Gone in 2010: RR Fin + Coming in 2011: Yiannis Bourousis Accurate?

Definitely:
1.Timmy
2.Black Blur (TP)
3.Manu
4.RJ
5.Geo
6.Dice
7.Barkley… I mean Blair
8.Theo
9.Big Shot Rog
10.Fin
11.Red Rocket

Probably:
Ian
Haislip

Looks Good:
Bogans
Hairston

On The Bubble:
Marcus

Probably Toros
CJ

Coming in 2010:
Tiago
Nando

Gone in 2010:
RR
Fin
+

Coming in 2011:
Yiannis Bourousis

]]> By: ruth bader ginobili http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/10/14/training-camp-head-games/comment-page-1/#comment-8981 ruth bader ginobili Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:23:20 +0000 http://www.48minutesofhell.com/?p=5007#comment-8981 I'll join in with some $.05 analysis. I think Tony's always had a lot of (justifiable) confidence in himself, especially at the offensive end. George doesn't seem to have that confidence in his offense, but his response is to shaky offense is feisty defense. I've been on teams with guys like that, and my response was the same: knock the first guy down a peg so that he fits into the system, and encourage the second guy so that he keeps the defense and hopefully develops the offense. But, yeah, that was weird to see out of Pop. I’ll join in with some $.05 analysis.
I think Tony’s always had a lot of (justifiable) confidence in himself, especially at the offensive end. George doesn’t seem to have that confidence in his offense, but his response is to shaky offense is feisty defense.
I’ve been on teams with guys like that, and my response was the same: knock the first guy down a peg so that he fits into the system, and encourage the second guy so that he keeps the defense and hopefully develops the offense.

But, yeah, that was weird to see out of Pop.

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