Friday, May 7th, 2010...8:06 am
Arnovitz on Tim Duncan’s defense
Over at TrueHoop, Kevin Arnovitz (with some help from David Thorpe) takes a look at Tim Duncan’s pick-and-roll defense. It’s been painfully obvious that the Steve Nash-Amare Stoudemire combination on pick-and-rolls has been killing the Spurs.
And now, Arnovitz has twisted the knife for you. As great of a defender Duncan was - and still is - he can no longer defend the NBA’s bread-and-butter play like he used to. And that, more than anything, is why the Suns have a 2-0 lead on the Spurs:
When you consider that in the closing minutes of Game 2, the Suns repeatedly chose to attack Duncan with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire in a pick-and-roll situation, it’s a fair question to ask.
The Nash-Stoudemire high screen action is one of the most lethal weapons in basketball, but the frequency with which Phoenix deployed it against Duncan was disarming for anyone who’s watched the future Hall of Famer play defense since his days at Wake Forest. In his prime, few big men multitasked pick-and-roll defense the way Duncan could. He had both the intuition, reaction and agility to harass the craftiest ball-handlers, while simultaneously checking the screener. Duncan almost always seemed to guess right — but it wasn’t guesswork at all. Duncan’s instincts guided his movement on the defensive end of the floor.
Wednesday night in Game 2, Duncan seemed ill-equipped to deal with the speed and precision of Nash and Stoudemire, and the Suns made the Spurs pay for that vulnerability. Time catches up with every athlete — ask anyone who watched Willie Mays stumble around in centerfield in Shea Stadium during his twilight years. Duncan certainly isn’t that desperate. Even at his most exposed, he’s no worse than average for an NBA big man on the pick-and-roll. Still, his Game 2 performance clearly suggests that Duncan is no longer an asset in this capacity, at least not in the Spurs’ current defensive scheme.
Ouch. I’m going to go find a YouTube clip of Game 6 of the 2003 NBA Finals to try and feel better. Thanks Kevin.
81 Comments
May 7th, 2010 at 8:38 am
We knew this though. Duncan has fallen off as a defender this year and last year. It’s unfortunate but true.
However, Splitter is said to be the pretty good at defending the P&R. I just hope he signs with us in the off-season. Thanks, NBA for not letting us sign our draft pick.
If the Suns are going to go Frye, Dudley, Hill, Richardson, Dragic on us, we should try Hill, Parker, Manu, Jefferson and Bogans. If they want to “bend” lineups, I saw we go one farther and just make sure we box out everyone. It’d be interesting to say the least.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:42 am
So when Tim actually scores 29 an corrals 10 boards the knock is his pick and roll defense? And when Timmy plays a better defensive game and the scoring is down he is old and isn’t the scorer he once was. We no doubt know Timmy is aging but this article is another knee jerk reaction to Spurs loss. We have once again seen Tim’s game elevate in the playoffs. The problem is the help defense he is not getting and poor rotations. Nash and Amare have run the same pick and roll for years and they have been extremely successful but the Spurs still beat them. Game 2 was a function of getting beat from the 3 point line, being outrebounded again and the free throw disparity. If there is any knock on Tim it should be his free throw shooting this playoffs. I appear to be the only optimistic one hear. If the Suns can out rebound us and knock down the same 3 pointers and get to the line more in game 3 I will tip my hat to them. But I do not think this will happen. I expect the Spurs to hold home court. They have lost 2 home games since February!!! It’s time to once again belive in this team!
May 7th, 2010 at 8:45 am
This comes after you posted an article on Tim Duncan making the All defensive team for the 13th year in a row?
May 7th, 2010 at 8:52 am
I think we should switch all ball screens. Even if we end up with a bad matchup, don’t help and make Nash and Amare purely scorers.
We’ve seen how lethal Phoenix’s offense can be when their role players get into the flow of the game. Making Nash a scorer should help slow their ball movement and keep Frye, Richardson, and company as spectators. Instead, we’ve chosen to try to help and recover which has allowed them numerous open 3 pters.
This series is going to be determined by the role players. If we can limit them, I think we win, even if Amare goes for 40 or Nash scores 30. Similar to 2005, let Amare and Nash get theirs, but limit everyone else. Easier said than done, obviously, but might be something to look at….
May 7th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Amare used to go for 40 off the pick and roll against us, so let’s not pretend like Tim once had superhuman ability to stop it. There is no question he was too tired to defend it late in the 4th. This is because Tim burnt a lot of energy earlier in the 4th. Credit Frye for this, he sunk his 3s and made Duncan battle to establish position in the post. Meanwhile, Nash and Amare were relaxing on the sidelines, saving up energy for the finale.
May 7th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Why not try Bonner at the 3? Imagine the spacing nightmare phoenix would have. You can go down low with TimmyD or Dysce, then you got great perimeters players in TP and Manu, so that would set Bonner up with an open 3 alot. Maybe im crazy, but their killing us on the pick and roll.
May 7th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Shame, shame on all of you.
May 7th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Is it just me or the Amar’e/Nash p’n'r’ was quite effective against a younger TD in 2005 WCF?
Now, TD may be slower, but the main thing, in my humble opinion, is that the combination between those two sometimes is just too effective to be guarded. Especially by a tired TD.
I mean, we have to live with it.
What we can’t live with is Frye shooting 6 times without anybody around and being outworked by Dudley, Amundson and Dragic.
BTW, am I the only one thinking that maybe sometimes we should try something different than pushing Nash toward the baseline?
I agree with Tyler: let Nash and Amare combine for 70 points, but shut down everyone else.
May 7th, 2010 at 10:21 am
“Amare used to go for 40 off the pick and roll against us, so let’s not pretend like Tim once had superhuman ability to stop it. ”
I could not agree more. The difference is Jason Richardson and Channing Frye hitting 5-6 of threes. The role players make this Suns team a different team.
And we still could have beat them twice. We didn’t and face a very tough whole against a very good team, but I still have hope, as most of you do. Go Spurs!
May 7th, 2010 at 10:44 am
@Patrick - Thank you, sir, for a breath of fresh truth. Duncan’s p&r defense didn’t cost this team game 2. Bogans, Blair and Bonner’s rebounding did, starting in the 2nd quarter.
TD may not be able to guard the p&r as he used to, but he still plays better post defense than anyone on the PHX roster and they have no one that can guard him without help. Or Tony. Or Manu. Clean up the small stuff and we’ll be fine.
Is anyone else tired of the annual multiple articles that overreact in attempting to cast Spurs players or team as a whole as being unable to do things? Notice that they never appreciate what this team can do.
May 7th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Pick and Roll is not the problem.
Amare looks like a shell of himself compared to the 2005 playoffs when he (avg 37pts and 10 boards) and killed Duncan. Nash averaged 25pts and 10 assists. Watch the tape he was amazing. Most of his shots are defended pretty damn good in this series if you ask me.
Duncan has also slowed down, but I think it is a push when it comes to the pick and roll. Suns just have a better all around team then they had in the past. Better chemistry, better role players, and better rebounding, better 3 pt shooters. You guys should know how that works better than anyone.
I still anticipate about a 58% chance that San Antonio wins both their home games.
May 7th, 2010 at 11:15 am
By the way, I just got notice Robin Lopez will not be in tonight’s game, which would have been a huge upgrade at center.
PER of Jarron Collins of 3.76 compared to 17.66 of Robin Lopez’s.
May 7th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Spurs are washed up. They are too old and Duncan just needs to retire. Soon he will look like Shaq floundering around helplessly. They stayed with the old guys while rest of the league pumped youth into their rosters. I used to think it would be Suns in 7….now I’m sure it will be Suns in 5. Thank you “Sterns” for giving us the chance to humiliate you.
May 7th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Also, I think it might be wise to go small with RJ at the 4 a little more. Not only will our rotations be quicker, but that’s a matchup we can exploit on the offensive end. It might also help conserve minutes for TD and McDyess.
I haven’t been a fan of small ball this year, but when Phoenix goes with Frye, they’re essentially playing with 4 perimeters. I think we need to counter that with RJ and maybe Bogans as a second choice.
May 7th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
We went small with RJ at the 4 for the entire 4th quarter.
May 7th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
i just watched the 2003 NBA Finals – San Antonio Spurs vs. NJ Nets – game 6
and i said WAOUW TD; 4TH QUARTER; SPURS DEFENSE; SPURS ENERGY AND THE DAGGER 3s!!
Whatever good los locos suns are, they played and won both their 2 home games, we should win this G3 than G4 and go back to steal G5!!
I still in these Guys we are like DAVID
God Bless you all tonite
May 7th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
if Bogan doesn’t mess that game we might pick it up
May 7th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
i still believe in these guys, we are like David
God Bless in JC
May 7th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
if TD makes his FTs
if MANU returns Manu
if GH becomes GH
if if if if!!
May 7th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I wish Robin Lopez was playing to limit small ball lineups and Channing Frye minutes. The Spurs issues are with those.
At the end of Game 2, my problem with Duncan was more on how he couldn’t defend anyone on the court in Phoenix’s small ball lineup that featured Frye as the only big. We needed to either start playing a zone or bench Duncan for Bogans to match their small ball lineup. Frye isn’t strong enough to post up Bogans, but I would want RJ on Frye and Bogans on Richardson. Hill on Hill. Manu and Parker on their two other guardsof Dragic, Nash, and Barbosa.
With the zone, Duncan just plays safety and our 4 smalls have to guard the 3 point line and slow any penetration from getting to Duncan before he can react.
May 7th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
OT
Have you guys (48 MoH bloggers) seen the proposal from Dave Berri at wages of wins? It’s got an interesting idea for having a network of blogs writing about Wins Prodcued for their prospective teams and those articles being linked to on his site. Thought you might be interested.
May 7th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
A ray of hope for Spur fans
Phoenix is 5-12 on the road in the regular season against playoff teams. Although 8 of those losses were on the end of back to backs.
May 7th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
More importantly than who the Suns had in ’05 and ’07 compared with who they have now is who WE had. Compare, then: Robert Horry, Bruce Bowen, Brent Barry, Michael Finley, Fabricio Oberto. Now: Matt Bonner, Keith Bogans, Roger Mason, DeJuan Blair (still a rookie), George Hill (still a sophomore). If we still had the first group as they were during those years, it would make absolutely no damn difference who Phoenix had as starters or on the bench. Period.
May 7th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
PS: obviously, I’m talking beyond the Big Three.
May 7th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Number one, this is not a particularly relevant conversation to be engaged in at this point, lamenting the “NOT NEW”, and inevitable decline of Tim Duncan. Number two, despite the following assertion or conclusion drawn by either Andrew or Mr. Arnovitz (I’m not sure which):
“Duncan …… can no longer defend the NBA’s bread-and-butter play like he used to. And that, more than anything, is why the Suns have a 2-0 lead on the Spurs”………
No, I disagree, that is NOT the reason the Spurs are down 0-2 (Nash/Amare have ALWAYS torched us on the PNR). And if it is the reason, we’re in REAL trouble, because there’s no way we’re going to bring back “father time” as a remedy. Lets move on.
So, instead or reminiscing about the glory days of TD in his prime, or on his “individual” awards that still trickle in as a testament to the greatness of his career as a player on this “team”, perhaps we could turn our focus on how THIS TEAM, here and now, with all its known foibles, can win tonight’s game and get back in this series - with Duncan the way he is, NOW.
As a start, I’ll draw forward the questions I raised on the previous thread:
“For example, can someone get into Pop’s head and tell me what we’re likely in for in terms of strategy adjustments and personnel decisions for the Spurs/Suns game tonight? Do we start Parker? Approximately how many minutes do we see Blair on the court tonight? What are we going to do to address our rebounding deficits? Should we make a more “deliberate” effort to SLOW the game down? Do we give Bonner 10-20 minutes no matter what he does tonight on the court? If not, what are your parameters if you were the coach? Must we stick with NEVER playing Duncan & Blair together? Why, or why not? Why are McDyess’ minutes down this series? Is there good reason for it? Is Hairston really still injured, or is he just too inexperienced, or in the doghouse for some reason? If healthy, could we use Hairston for spot minutes against certain match-ups? If Bogans is not playing that well tonight, do we use Temple for more than 30 seconds a game, or do we put Mason back in? What are your top three ways that we can best slow down the Suns transition game?
I don’t know about you, but I’d sure like to see a Spurs win tonight. And contrary to conventional wisdom, it’s not a given, nor is it due to Duncan not playing like he did 3-4 years ago, otherwise the Celtics would still be complaining that Bill Russell is not blocking any shots anymore. So, what are the things THIS TEAM MUST DO to win tonight’s game?
Well, there you go, there’s a few questions to get us started. Any thoughts, or questions of your own, anyone?”
May 7th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
I fervently want a home court smash and grab on these suns. They are underestimating the spurs big time, and the horrible mojo created by all these trolls turning up and talking trash is bound to hit them sooner or later.
@Tristan
If you have read this blog during the year you’ll know that I have been Matt Bonners rock. I have stood by him in all kinds of conversations.
Putting him in the three spot though is madness he’ll get torched if he is forced to guard Grant Hill, plus he is shooting with all the finesse of a tree lopper at present.
I love the idea of creating issues via spacing, at its very heart that is the biggest scariest monster for this spurs team these playoffs. Our lack of 3 point shooting from the bench.
May 7th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
I just have one question:
Why do people (media included) call the Spurs an old team, when we only have 4 players on the team that are in their 30s?
I know 2/3 of our Big 3, plus Dice and Bonner are 30+, but that’s it. This team is not that old.
May 7th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I guess the board’s just chillin today. That’s cool. I like our chances tonight, but it will be interesting to see what adjustments are made, and who steps up outside of the big three. It’s really a do or die game, and I’m pretty confident the big three will us to victory, even if they have to kick some of our role players (or starters) in the butt to get the “W”.
May 7th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
……….anyone else tired of listening to Jon Barry’s commentary tonight??? What a douche!
May 7th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
This team is very exasperating. How does an experienced team in a must-win playoff game miss NINE free throws in one half? HOW?!
And, how does such a team leave a guy that’s shooting 55% from three in the playoffs for wide open looks? HOW?!
We did make some adjustments:
- better job on the defensive boards - Suns just 3 offensive rebounds in the first half.
- did a much better job of controlling the tempo, although we let that slip a bit at times - don’t fall for Suns tempo!
- got Blair a few more minutes, and he’s responded - 4 pts., 4 rebounds, and a block in just under 6 minutes - he gets the cheapest fouls called on him - the veteran Hill suckers him into one in the open court, and the one on Barbosa is one I like to call, a “breathing” foul. Ridiculous!
DEFENSE and FREE THROW SHOOTING has to improve in the second half! KEEP THE TEMPO SLOW. GO SPURS!!
Hey RJ, can you make a shot?
-
May 7th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Stop switching screens!! Stay with your man and fight over the screens!!
Damn it Popovich!! Your a complete dumb idiot telling them to switch the screens and allowing mismatches.
Make them beat us playing team basketball by passing the ball not one-on-one off the dribble for uncontested jump shots or layups!
Damn it Pop, get your head out of your ass!!
May 7th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Wow. What a choke. That’s all I have to say.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
They keep doubling and showing on the ball handler during the pick at the top of the arc and we cannot hit the roller.
Nash isn’t even playing…..
May 7th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
This is bad. Blame whoever you want, I don’t care. To me, it’s a collectively shitty display of basketball in a win-or-go-home playoff game. Words can’t describe what I’m watching right now.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
………..by the way, I told everyone about Dragic before this series started……….
May 7th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
WHY DO THEY CONTINUE TO SWITCH????????????
POPOVICH. THIS ONE IS ON YOU.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Goran Dragic just went coast to coast out of a made free throw? I’d guess Pops about to stab someone.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Hairston doesn’t play.
Dragic does play.
Coaching makes a difference.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Iv not to make too big a thing out of it..but Dragics been a massive part of their rotation all year.
This is not his first explosion. Hairston is not about to have this kind of an outing
May 7th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Ivanmain………Hairston ain’t the difference maker here dude, he hasn’t scored 20 since Oregon
May 7th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Richard Jefferson is a DISGRACE to the Spurs uniform.
Let’s face it fellas. This team was always a poor man’s version of our 2000s teams. It’s the one thing we all knew but did not want to admit ALL YEAR LONG. Admit it.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
did anyone else see blair switch onto barbosa - when there wasn’t even a screen?!?
it’s like pop gave em a mandate “whenever you can switch onto someone you can’t guard, do it.”
May 7th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Well….before I turn this game off, I just don’t understand how this team can go from a masterful performance against the Mavs to putting up this type of performance tonight. Their worst showing in a couple months in my opinion.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Hate to say it, but this loss is due to Popovich. He lacked developing a shot blocking 2nd big to play next to duncan. The lack of a second big man killed us in this series. Only if we had an athletic big man who could block shots. Oh wait we have one on the bench. Thanks for wasting a year pop.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Its always about matchups colin.
The Mavs isolated and stopped the motion of their offense. The matchups were a lot easier.
There is no Dampier or Haywood playing here for Tim to guard it’s a team of shooters and skilled ballhandlers.
Plus man you have to hand it to phoenix they have amped up their defensive intensity by a factor of 10…We didn’t just get beat in the 4th quarter we got smashed.
We were a team that could always tighten the screws turn up the pressure and out execute the opposition…That team right now is the suns.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Spursfanbayarea…
Mate your blaming pop for not “developing” a player?
Why don’t you blame him for the sun shining or the fact that he hasn’t developed Lebron James from a petrie dish.
Good god.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Ian has been on the bench for 3 years mate, and he has not produced anywhere but in the imagination of some fellow posters.
Thinking Ian Mahinmi is the stepping stone to not getting flogged by 12 points in the fourth quarter is lunacy.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I’m sorry guys. I know I’m probably being annoying but I’m finding refuge right here.
Spursfanbayarea I couldn’t agree with you more. This loss is on Pop. Matter of fact this series is on Pop. The RJ signing has to go down in history as one of the biggest ripoffs ever (that goes without saying) and ……. wow I can’t believe I’m gonna say this…… We have been witnessing the demise of Tim Duncan. God I can’t believe I just said that.
RJ you can go to hell. I’m just glad you’re an expiring contract next year. That’s who you are from now on - “X player (expiring contract)”
Thanks to you the San Antonio Spurs… OUR San Antonio Spurs “sold out” last summer.
I will forever hate you
May 7th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
SOrry fellas, but a slow ass injured fascitis Parker won’t make the cut this year… could be Phoenix turn for a championship
May 7th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
OK Guys we are done . i give up. blame on everybodybody?each game somebody is paying great on their end and somebody is playing very poor at our end. thats the difference. ok guys
May 7th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Bushka
Match-ups…..gotcha, how about missed free throws? Switching screens? Blowing 18 pt leads in the first half? Goran Dragic going ape-shit? Hairston, Mahinmi, etc, etc. would have made zero difference in a game like this. We needed our players to play up to par. RJ=no show. Hill=sub-par. Duncan=B game. Parker=B+ after first half. We have players to match up. Spurs needed to make free throws, defense with more intensity, and fight through screens to make life hard on the ball-handler instead of what we saw tonight.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Rafa
May 7th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Try not to take it so personal. Really, it’s not the end of the world. Cheer up. I’m sure RJ means well. It just really hasn’t worked out for him or us. It will all get better before too long. Try to be grateful for all the success we’ve had over the years. On the other hand, the Suns have had more than their share of bitter defeats. Maybe it’s just their time in the sun (no pun intended).
May 7th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
This is the championship for the Suns.
May 7th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Hairston could have been the difference maker if he’d played after Jefferson went 1 for 7 in the 1st half.
Hairston was the difference maker in the last win at Oklahoma City by shutting down Kevin Durant in the 3rd period.
Hairston wasn’t a difference maker because Pop refused to give him an opportunity to do so.
May 7th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Its hard being wrong….I definitely thought we could handle this team, despite the offensive firepower they have…Our bench has really been exposed as being lacking in shooting and athleticism and overall spark (blair an exception)
It’d be nice if we could get a W next game and at least give ourselves another crack at a road win. Can’t lose 4 zip, that would be embarrassing.
Seeing the Suns handle the spurs this way…I bet the lakers wish they still had Ariza…
May 7th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
@Colin
Exactly… Phoenix fans can hang their hat on the law of averages finally panning out in their favor (poor bitter bastards). Phoenix will go on to play LA and probably lose, but certainly lose to a far superior Orlando team in the Finals, should they see it that far.
May 7th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Ivanmain
Sounds like wishful thinking. We’ll see what Hairston does next season. Besides, Kevin Durant doesn’t play for the Suns.
May 7th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Popovich tell the bigs to hedge on the screens at the top of the key, and then go back to their man. Force the point guard away from the basket, and go back to guarding big on big and small on small.
Stop the Blair on Barbosa, Duncan on Nash, Blair on Richardson, Duncan on Hill matchups.
Tell Hairston to suit up to get some of Jefferson’s minutes and Hill’s minutes to stop the layup, post ups on Hill and the missed dunks from Jefferson.
May 7th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
While I still can’t say the Suns have better players than the Spurs, it’s true that the Suns are just playing better. Their gameplan is just flat-out better executed in the most pivotal stretches of the games…and of course, they have that one role player giving them the spark—something the spurs had in the Mavs series. Now, I don’t see the 0-3 deficit as being the death sentence that everyone else sees.
We will have 2 things going for us, if that’s ever going to happen:
1) We need to blow them out the water in game 4, to reinstill life in our team and to dampen their high-level of confidence
2) We have history on our side of ‘ridiculousness’ against the suns —unless, like most things in life with time, our mojo’s just run out of magic.
May 7th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
1) Pop loses another game.
2) Tim Duncan is a liability.
3) Again, Again, Again, Again - I’ve told you knuckle heads, Duncan, Ginobli, Parker need to get in the weight room.
4) Bonner is not an NBA player.
5) Are you kidding me? An experienced NBA coach will go into the post season playoffs with no bench, no front court depth?
6) Truth Revealed — Pop was nothing more than a free loader on those Championship teams. He road the coat tails of the Lil General Avery, David and a young, interested Duncan. Now, its as if this Pop fellow has never coached a basketball game in his life.
7) I am now vomiting all over my shoes, what a sorry, pitiful, losers effort.
May 7th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Jim Henderson
@ 8:49
You couldn’t be more right. What you say is true. The Spurs, throughout the years, have given me some of the happiest memories of my life (and I’m a pretty happy guy).
They’ve made my relationship with my father stronger and they’ve taught me a thing or two about having confidence in people that I don’t even know personally.
I get a bit emotional with our guys that’s all. They’re better than this. But quite frankly, this Suns team…. My RESPECTS. They’re really good.
I for one will be rooting for them…. I’m serious
Having said that…. It’d be nice to be the first NBA team to come back from a 3-0 deficit wouldn’t it?
Who’s with me?!
May 7th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
I Bet all of the Spuzs, including Pop, show more creativity, passion and enthusiasm when they are hitting their bongs - then that crap I saw tonight!
If Roger Mason Jr. plays again this season, I am going to go on a hunger strike until he is cut. No trade — I want him CUT. If there is anything left on his contract, I’d like to see him refund the monies in full back to the Spuzs.
May 7th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Guys,
I’ve been reading these posts, and I know that it’s a tough pill to swallow, but the Suns have absolutely had an answer (and then some) for everything that Pop has tried to do.
I don’t understand why Duncan continues to switch onto Nash, as I can’t remember the last time that he didn’t either take him to the hoop for a layup, or step back for an automatic jumper.
Also, it’s painfully obvious that the Suns have finally become incredibly deep, to the point that Nash didn’t even have to play for about 10 minutes of the 4th quarter.
I think Pop made it abundantly clear that, in years past, he was confident that the Suns couldn’t get stops, and they would eventually just out-execute and outscore them. Well, that’s not the case this year.
It’s been a hell of a ride, but I think it’s obvious that this might be about the end of the line. The Suns are playing their backsides off right now, and I just hope that, if and when they do clinch the series, that they can beat those damned Lakers!
May 7th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Calm down fellas…
calm..the..f*** down
Half way through the season I was worried we wouldn’t even make the playoffs, we have had one very good series and we’ve not got the horses to get any further. Such is life.
We still have at least one game to look forward to this season.
I am really really enjoying the way the suns are playing, they constantly remind me of the old spurs style of play, they Defend the pick and roll very well which has surprised me no end.
I would love to see us control tempo just for one game, and maintain poise with constant post work from Tim / Dejaun.
May 7th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
How now San Antonio cow? The rock has been cracked, folks, to smithereens by these blazing Suns, who, to a man, have outhustled, outsmarted, outplayed the silver and black for the last three games. The only consolation is that the opposing coach - Alvin Gentry- has a Spurs pedigree, which we can be proud of - or humiliated seeing the Spurs being beaten at their own game.
Four straight wins? That’s like shooting for the moon. And yes, it was sad to see TD on the defensive decline, with Steve Nash using him as the crosshairs of his pullback jumpers - all four of them. There was perhaps a time when Timmy still had the speed and the lift to swat those away like flies; not anymore. Those seven bricks he had also were like deadweight on a team trying to break away from the ravaging Phoenix.
These Suns are feisty and nasty as the former Spurs were, and deep enough to pull the rug on the defending champion on the Los Angeles Lakers once they hurdle the Utah Jazz.
Are we throwing in the towel? Nope, only being realistic. An 0-3 hole that no team that NBA has ever recovered from will that to you. Game 4 could be the Spurs’ season farewell, let’s all enjoy - or agonize anew - for all its worth.
May 8th, 2010 at 12:54 am
For real it has been a good season,
manu g’nosebleed played pretty great
too bad you have a couple more years to pay that richard jefferson guy, hes pretty horrible.
also i really like blair- he is awesome…. i’d love it if you taught him to play some or any defense… and then trade him to a team that gets on national tv a little
once duncan fully breaks down you guys are going to be the minneapolis of texas. your most famous landmark is an old barn
now it’s your turn to watch, end of a decade.
you guys have been good
thanks for the memories, and giving up the single greatest 4th quarter in nba playoff history to our backup point guard (that the spurs drafted)
May 8th, 2010 at 1:21 am
Pop is a HOF coach, but this team isn’t ready to beat this Suns team. Too good, too fast, just all around better……
All I’m saying is SUCK IT SPURS FANS!!!
YOU HAVE HAD YOUR FUN AT OUR EXPENSE, NOW IT’S OUR TURN TO TAKE YOU TO SCHOOL!!!
FEEL FREE TO ROOT FOR US AGAINST THE LAKERS, TIMMY NEEDS THE REST……..
May 8th, 2010 at 1:26 am
I think we can finally say that it’s all over but the crying! I look forward to the people that still try to say that the teams are “equal” and rationalizing about how the Spurs can come back from any deficit, and blah, blah, blah…..
After we DUST off the Spurs, we focus on the Lakers, who will undoubtedly be tough. However, thanks to the rest that you guys have afforded us, we will be just fine.
It’s been fun!
P.S. BTW, that was dripping with sarcasm, it hasn’t really been that fun…..
May 8th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Watched the ESPN replay, the Spurs were up 66-61 with 4 minutes left in the 3rd qtr and Pop calls timeout after a Nash jumpshot off a handoff from a big. Pop then changed the defensive strategy to switch all screens and have big men guard little men. The game went downhill from there.
Pop f….ed it up. Plain and simple.
Again force the bigs to hedge the dribbler and then go back to your man. If Grant Hill catches as an outlet from the trap, don’t rotate to him, let whoever guards him get back to him. Duncan will get tired, so Blair will have to play more minutes. But, for the sake of winning basketball games stop switching bigs on guards.
May 8th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Also, it would be nice to get in touch with Jesse Blanchard, since he has no problem talking garbage when he thinks he’s right.
Suns up now 3-0, and the bench has absolutely DOMINATED. I know you think I was coming on here trying to start trouble, but all I was saying was 100% true.
If you’re up for it, let me know how to contact you for a back-and-forth on the Suns/Lakers Western Conference Final.
DB
May 8th, 2010 at 4:58 am
@spurscan
Please, just shut it. I didn’t think anything could lessen the fun of that game I just watched, but seeing a Suns fan act so ungracious and classless (again, for what seems the 100th time) has done it.
Yes, I want see the Suns extract a little revenge, and perhaps even sweep. I want to see us go through or over the Spurs, and get a title for us. Perhaps even four. In other words, I want it to be our turn to be the Spurs. I want to see everyone who doubted that this Suns team was different from years past admit they were wrong. But in the process I’d hope our team and our fans could be as classy as the Spurs and their fans have always been. So just stop.
Besides, our Suns still need one more. I’m not popping the champagne till we have 4 wins in this series.
May 8th, 2010 at 5:12 am
“But, for the sake of winning basketball games stop switching bigs on guards.”
Couldnt agree more, I hated it.
May 8th, 2010 at 7:05 am
@spurscan
have fun little guy, this is your championship… enjoy it =)
May 8th, 2010 at 7:17 am
If I’m a Spurs fan, last night’s game really was 48 minutes of hell…
May 8th, 2010 at 8:13 am
my favorite part about this whole thing is that it took a 3-0 series lead for suns fans to start commenting on this site…
May 8th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Bushka
May 7th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
“I would love to see us control tempo just for one game, and maintain poise with constant post work from Tim / Dejaun.”
With our experienced, accomplished lead players & coach, is such a relatively simple request that much to ask for? It simply takes team discipline to execute such a basic game plan. But apparently we don’t have it. Very disappointing & inexplicable to me.
May 8th, 2010 at 11:25 am
@Sunsfansolicitingunusualrequests:
I’m not sure where I was “talking garbage”, but getting in touch is easy-I’ll be writing here at 48MoH even after this series plays out to its logical conclusion.
As for being right or wrong, the only things I’ve said that can be construed as negative towards the Suns is that
a.) this is not a rivalry-and I maintain that. Even in defeat, I really can’t muster any ill-feelings towards the Suns like I would say the Mavs or Lakers. Disappointment? Sure. But hatred that would constitute a rivalry? Not so much.
b.) Role players tend to leave their games at home. And this was true for much of the game. Blair and Bonner were appreciably better in the first half while Frye, Dudley and Dragic were non-factors. It wasn’t until it became apparent that the Spurs were not going to pull away (more through their own faults than the Suns) that the Suns bench gained confidence and took the game.
May 9th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Indeed, let the Suns fan gloat all he want: relish it, cherish it, medidate on it, morning, noon and night. We all have our vicarious thrills and satisfactions. Until you realize for all your posturings, there is one thing that Planet Orange inhabitants don’t have: a title. Till then, you may rant all you want, because, like it or not, San Antonio will be chipping away once again to their next championship. That’s the Spurs’ standard and mindset, a level of excellence that small minds may not comprehend.
Which is why we San Antonio aficionados, come hell or high water - or an eclipse if you want - will never abandon them. There are no fair weather Spurs fans on this website and we’ll keep on plugging for San Antonio when you’ve grown tired of your baiting and railing - all sound and fury signifying nothing. Comprende?
May 9th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
[...] pick-and-roll defense is springing leaks faster than they can plug them, depth is non-existent and Tim Duncan has declined defensively just enough that teams can attack him with smaller lineups. But this series is all on Manu [...]
May 19th, 2010 at 1:21 am
Watched the ESPN replay, the Spurs were up 66-61 with 4 minutes left in the 3rd qtr and Pop calls timeout after a Nash jumpshot off a handoff from a big. Pop then changed the defensive strategy to switch all screens and have big men guard little men. The game went downhill from there.
Pop f….ed it up. Plain and simple.
Again force the bigs to hedge the dribbler and then go back to your man. If Grant Hill catches as an outlet from the trap, don’t rotate to him, let whoever guards him get back to him. Duncan will get tired, so Blair will have to play more minutes. But, for the sake of winning basketball games stop switching bigs on guards.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:18 am
[...] skeptical that RC Buford and co. have plans to add Shaq to the frontcourt rotation. For a team whose pick-and-roll defense led to its demise this past season, adding O’Neal doesn’t help. At [...]
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