Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011...7:49 pm
San Antonio Spurs 109, Oklahoma City Thunder 105: Coach Pop has his [bleeping] bench
AT&T CENTER — It was the type of play that only Manu Ginobili used to be able to get away with. Gary Neal thought about taking the 3-pointer on the fast break, but thought better of it.
He took a couple of dribbles towards the basket; still mainly just Thunder defenders crossing halfcourt. Neal then dribbled back out to the 3-point line. And shot it.
“Might’ve been some furniture moving if I missed,” Gary Neal said after the game. Thankfully for him, it didn’t.
Otherwise, who knows what would’ve happened.
“I was wondering when the trade deadline was,” Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich said when asked about his reaction to Neal’s shot.
Neal hit the 3-pointer, giving the Spurs a 88-80 lead late in the third quarter. It was the standout play in a night chock-full of them for the Spurs rookie guard.
In the locker room post-game, Tony Parker marveled at the crowd waiting to talk to Neal. A crowd so big that Parker was able to sneak out without being bothered, only to be brought back into the locker room by a team official shortly after to answer questions.
Coach Pop wanted a bench this summer. After being swept by the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs last season, Coach Pop’s wishlist was simple: “a [bleeping] bench.”
Well, he’s got it. It’s not the deepest bench in the world. Most nights the Spurs go just eight or nine deep. But in terms of quality, it’s one of the best any Spurs team has had.
On Wednesday night, the San Antonio bench outscored the Thunder’s 45-32. Gary Neal scored 19 points and Matt Bonner had 12.
On the surface the Spurs bench looks one dimensional. They can shoot, but that’s about it. And there’s some truth to that, they sure can shoot. The Spurs second unit shot 8-11 from 3-point range against Oklahoma City.
But going deeper there’s an a full arsenal of skills for San Antonio. Neal’s ability to score in a variety of ways has been mentioned this season, but his playmaking ability was top notch against the Thunder.
“Gary Neal was super because he also assisted for about three or four layups in between making shots,” Coach Pop said. “He had a great run and played a complete game in that regard.”
Matt Bonner came up with a solid defensive performance on Jeff Green. Blair struggled early in the game on Green, but Bonner came in and, surprisingly enough, his defensive movement was great on Green.
The Thunder used Green frequently to set picks for Russell Westbrook, and Bonner was able to effectively help on the pick-and-roll and recover to Green, who was usually spotted-up on the perimeter.
George Hill shot just 3-8 from the floor in the Spurs win, but he put in some strong shifts defending Kevin Durant. Despite a disadvantage in both height and length, Hill was physical with Durant, and though 30 points doesn’t look great, it could’ve been much worse.
I’ve criticized Hill lack of court vision from time-to-time this season, but he made one play in the second half that really impressed me. In the third quarter the Spurs were in transition. Hill caught a pass near the free throw line extended and Neal was next to him, spotting up in the corner.
Hill could’ve easily just passed to Neal for a possibly-contested 3-pointer, but he didn’t. Instead, Hill took a dribble toward the basket, forcing a Thunder defender to commit to Hill. Then George passed out to Neal in the corner, who had all the time in the world to line up another 3-pointer.
Together the Spurs bench gives Coach Pop one of the best second units he’s had the fortune of coaching. If James Anderson is successfully integrated back into the rotation over the next few weeks, it becomes one stronger. All the better to take on the top of the Western Conference come April, May and June.
If only that Tiago Splitter thing had worked out better this year.
160 Comments
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Hopefully Neal keeps it up. With the way Manu’s been playing he’s done for the season so we’re going to need others to really score.
February 23rd, 2011 at 8:06 pm
It’s one thing to go 2-13 by missing open shots. Call it an off night and move on. But Manu was throwing up some crazy shots; he earned those 11 misses. He’s still creating and passing as well as ever but he’s out of sync when trying to score.
In other news, the non-Argentines went 12-16 from the arc. Wow. I was at the game and looked at the scoreboard when it was 101-98. We had been outrebounded 50 to 31. I asked my Dad “how are we up by 3?” The answer was 3 point shooting. In a 7 game series, though, long-range shooting will come and go while rebounding will be there every night.
February 23rd, 2011 at 8:13 pm
@ doggydogworld
“In a 7 game series, though, long-range shooting will come and go while rebounding will be there every night”
+10
We need to trade Splitter NOW…… hell just give him away to save money for all I care. We need another big, and have NOTHING. Anytime Blair/Bonner are having a bad night we are basically down to RJ at the backup 4 position and that’s not gonna get it done. Good win, just keep in mind we will not shoot it this well ever again probably.
February 23rd, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Heres to praying that Tiago Splitter can have any impact. Right now we are getting worked on the boards, second game in a row that it just hasnt even been close. I doubt anything happens and from the sounds of it, when Murphy gets bought out the Spurs aren’t even mentioned.
February 23rd, 2011 at 9:00 pm
@TD = Best EVER the guy is young and showed talent, he will be important next season and we can’t get any better
February 23rd, 2011 at 9:17 pm
For those wishing Tiago could come in and be an answer to poor rebounding…that has always been one of his poor attributes. I know a “hamstring” injury doesn’t take that long to heal to the point one can’t play after 2 weeks rest and rehabilitation.
Again Manu is having trouble being…Manu. The heart is there as always. The ability to perform like Manu is not. Still…he’s a leader for this team. A very wise voice and experienced professional that can get others to perform at their best with just his presense.
I agree…Thank you (bleeping) bench. Close game as I suspected. A couple of shots off or on either way and the outcome would be different. Gary Neal is the “Mad Bomber” to Matt Bonner’s “Red Rocket”
And speaking of Bonner…I don’t know if Blair should be totally ashamed of himself that Bonner played better D than he or just mercifully ask to be replaced as a starter.
February 23rd, 2011 at 9:29 pm
@ Ray
“With the way Manu’s been playing he’s done for the season so we’re going to need others to really score.”
If that’s true they might as well hang em up right now. I agree MANU hasn’t played great lately but there are 25 games left. It’s a miracle it’s taken this long for somebody on this team to go through a dry spell. I’ll be more concerned if he is playing like this during the last week of the season.
He did have a clutch lay-up.
Yes. If only that Tiago Splitter thing had worked out better this year. He didn’t have to be great. He just needed to be a big body out there. He was on his way but then the injury happened. There is still time for him. But that might be it.for this year.
@TD=BEST EVER
TIAGO is a nice trading piece but his upside is better than any big they could get.
February 23rd, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Wow, is Gary Neal good or what? Being henpecked by Pop for being a ‘rookie’ but still growing into and expanding his role is amazing. I mean in a year or two, with a little more tenaciousness on ‘D’ and being a little more comfortable on offense, and he’ll be a legitimate 6th man of the year candidate.
RJ as much as I would still like to see him traded for someone who doesn’t need the ball to have an impact on the game, i.e. - GWallace or Kirilenko(perfect stretch 4s for us, IMHO); RJ is really starting to look pretty good shooting those open Js, you wonder if it’s time that Pop started calling some more Isolations for RJ. Seems even when he grows a pair and drives the lane, it is too congested for him to make anything happen. Would running RJ Isos off the Duncan/Parker high pick and roll work? I think RJ just needs a little more space.
February 23rd, 2011 at 10:03 pm
@esrl
RJ has a fair impact without needing the ball. His defense has been solid and he’s rebounded at key times. He also is a decent passer off his drives. He usually makes the right decision for the extra pass and doesn’t turn it over often. I’m not sure what else RJ could do unless Spurs call more plays for him.
February 23rd, 2011 at 10:20 pm
@TD = BestEver
Trade Tiago for what? Draft picks? Cash? Another guy that you know just as well as I do is going to ride the bench for a whole season before he has any sort of impact?
C’mon man, I agree with you that the bigs need some help, but our options are kinda moot right now. As for the rebounding dilemma.. the problem really isn’t the bigs, it’s our guards not crashing the boards but rather taking off down the court looking for an outlet to run. This needs to stop.. especially when we’re trying to protect leads. This game should’ve been over midway through the 3rd quarter, but sloppy play and guys trying to force the issue rather than take care of things on the defensive end, let the Thunder back in it. There’s too much gambling (trying to force steals, gambling on rebounds, crazy plays) going on with the defense.
February 23rd, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Sorry for the double post..
But on another note.. Manu’s inconsistentcies have me wondering if it’s time to start to bringing him off the bench again like last year. IMO, I actually prefer him to play this way simply because it gives our 2nd group another slasher/penetrator and perhaps he won’t feel like he needs to carry the offense as much. This meaning that if Tony or Tim is having a good night, he can play his own game with the 2nd unit, rather than trying to force the issue on the 1st unit even though somebody else may be doing just fine. While I know it was against Washington, I’d like to see Hill start again in Manu’s place and see how it goes…
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:11 pm
San Antonio is ranked 8th in RPG… The only “contenders” ahead in that reguard are the #7 Heat, #4 Lakers, and #2 Bulls… the Bulls are getting 2 more RPG that us.. please. thats a big difference? Tiago? Trade? What big is gonna come in and not ride the bench? Theres not a big out there that would be able to come in and take mintues away from TD, Dyess, Blair, or Bonner.
Manu: As “junierizzle” said… If he’s playing like this come the end of April, thens its time to worry about him… I think he’ll come around.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 pm
@Flavor - I agree with you. Spurs were +9 and +2 in rebounding during the previous two games this season against OKC. One bad night and some fans think there’s a rebounding problem. No folks, just a one game sample size where our guys were a bit rusty and got out-hustled, plus had some easy boards go through their hands (looking at you, Blair).
I think OKC, a possible second round opponent for the Spurs, should be worried that despite scoring 105 points in SA and winning the rebound battle by +17, they lost the game. On a night Manu shot very poorly. That confluence on events is not likely to repeat itself when these teams play.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:31 am
@SpurredOn
you my friend, get a cookie. i’m of the mind that others should worry more about us than vice versa.
@Esrl
kirilenko is not a stretch 4. as much as i like the goofy russian, you have to be able to shoot to be a stretch 4.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:55 am
I would trade Splitter for Camby (although he is injured), Pryzbilla, Nazr Mohammed or Nene. Seem like possible trades, but highly unlikely. Pryzbilla and Mohammed though could be a real possibility.
Tiago just doesn’t have what it takes. I have watched almost every Spurs game and he has not shown nothing more than a glorified 3rd center backup. He fumbles the ball going for rebounds often, his hook shot is pretty ugly. Worst of all, it seems like his body’s base is horrible. It seems it has no strength in his core and legs which is a no, no if you are a big. And even worse if you aren’t uber athletic…
February 24th, 2011 at 2:39 am
@SpurredOn
The reason the Spurs won was the ridiculous 3pt shooting and the relatively low number of turnovers. Doing that gives you the chance to win games.
That’s why the defense has to improve. If the offense sputters too much the defense is all you have left. Also the offensive balance helps. When you any of your top eight rotation players is capable of being the leading scorer you’re not relying on a few players always having a good game.
As far as Ginobili starting Pop has made it clear he owns the starting SG spot. He probably should have been starting since 2005. The main reason was the Spurs got nothing out of Finley of the bench and he was more effective helping to space the floor with Parker’s penetration and Duncan on the block. It also helped that Ginobili was capable of being a spark plug of the bench. But he’s a starting SG in the NBA.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:55 am
Coming off the bench won’t help Manu. He’s going to still chuck up those shots. In fact I’ve heard Manu say many times that coming off the bench puts more pressure on him to produce and to get something done right away. Bad idea.
February 24th, 2011 at 6:11 am
I’ll consider a lot of things including trades but Splitter for Nazr Mohammed? Uh, no. Splitter for Nene’? OK, I’m on board there, but Nazr? He had his chance here, we’ve seen that show.
February 24th, 2011 at 6:12 am
I was very pleased with the win last night, especially because everyone else chasing won their games as well.
As much talk as has been going about regarding the D-Will and Melo trades, how about that Hawks trade? Psycho! Bibby, Evans, Crawford and a 1st for Heinrich and Armstrong, was the GM high when he pulled the trigger on that one? Fine, give up Bibby because he sucks but a workman like Evans, an annually contending 6th man in Crawford and a 1st for an OK point and a journeyman big? Stupid. Thank God the Spurs have the braintrust in the FO that we do.
I would love to pry DeAndre Jordan from the Clippers, although he is Blake G’s favorite running buddy, I would make the call and see if the Clips have a brain fart like the Hawks did in their deal.
February 24th, 2011 at 6:30 am
Don’t believe the Clippers are stupid enough to entertain it…..well, let the brain farts begin…..
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6153550
February 24th, 2011 at 6:32 am
td=best ever…… You say some really ignorant things boy. Thank god you are not running things in the spurs’ front office. Splitter has shown plenty. Most importantly toughness and a great ability to not only set picks but also complete the role out to the basket. He just needs more time in the gym. Its as simple as that
February 24th, 2011 at 6:36 am
Little correction to make….Hawks gave up Jordan not Jamaal but I still think it was a stuck in the mud trade.
The Clippers trade is stupid…..giving up a likely lottery pick, even in a supposedly stinker of a draft is never a good idea. With their luck they will get the #1 pick, although that won’t happen since it went to Cleveland.
February 24th, 2011 at 6:43 am
@Ed
“I’ll consider a lot of things including trades but Splitter for Nazr Mohammed? Uh, no. Splitter for Nene’? OK, I’m on board there, but Nazr? He had his chance here, we’ve seen that show.”
Nazr did have his chance here and he was the starting C on championship team. He out played Rasho consitently and Rasho would still get minutes and starts over him. I don’t think either Nene or Mohammed would be available for what the Spurs have to offer.
It looks like several servicable bigs may be boughtout so the Spurs could go after one of them and release Novak to open up a roster spot.
Back to trades. I think a trade of Splitter and Anderson could bring back a really good player. We can talk about the future but I don’t see Splitter as a major factor, Anderson yes. Neither is apart of the rotation as it is. I don’t see a trade coming but there does seem to be alot of movement.
February 24th, 2011 at 6:51 am
I see the “trade Tiago” posts have replaced the “trade RJ” posts.
Go Spurs Go!!
February 24th, 2011 at 6:59 am
Might it be time to bring Manu back off the bench w/ his recent struggles. The one game Pop did change the line up and brought Manu off the bench he prob had his best performance in the last 15 or 20 games
February 24th, 2011 at 7:05 am
Spurs won’t be trading Splitter. Kirelinko isn’t smart enough or care enough to fit in with the Spurs. Trade was a great move for the Hawks. Give up a low first rounder in a horrible draft for a major upgrade at the point guard position.
February 24th, 2011 at 7:06 am
If there is no contribution from Splitter come playoff time the Spurs will have a hard time contending in a 7 game series against the lenght of Dallas, Lakers and Celtics. They need Tiago to play and play well !
February 24th, 2011 at 7:06 am
@ IT Guy
its ridiculous isnt it… Its Impatience thats all. People are so scared of not winning it all that they cant help but come up with ignorant scenarios in trades.
News flash!!!!! The spurs are 9 games ahead of the lakers and 6 games ahead of dallas… And 5 games better than any team in the entire nba. Have some fucking faith
February 24th, 2011 at 7:39 am
Really tough game last night for both teams. It seemed the intensity level was elevated a notch for both sides. Last year, we probably don’t pull this one out.
Trade Splitter? Manu is done for the season? Please, stop the insanity.
We’ve still got a ways to go; we’re barely 2/3 of the way into it (less when you consider playoff games). There are times when every team looks like world-beaters (we’ve had more than our share so far) and times when it looks like you’ll never win another game.
I don’t know if we’ll win a championship, but we’ll be fine. The organization is in good hands.
February 24th, 2011 at 7:45 am
well said tyler…… The organization IS in good hands. Championship or not. But most likely championship
February 24th, 2011 at 8:26 am
not a big fan of russel westbr3ooks game. he played very selfishly, pulling up for clankers in transition and forays to the basket early in the shotclock. timmy had some nice swats. the only way i see james anderson and tiago splitter contributing trhough the remainder of the year is if we can maintain or lead and rest duncan and ginobili. we need anderson to give rj and manu some rest.
February 24th, 2011 at 8:29 am
Again this team made the plays they had to make to win a tough game. Neal’s 3 in the 3rd, Bonner’s big 4th quarter 3, tony’s loose ball board, dribble out jumper- but once again the Spurs won with a huge defensive stand. On the last play of the game Green airballed a pathetic attempt with Manu all up his face, but watch Durant during the play. RJ is all over him; he can’t shake free- he gets a great pick from Westbrook but Hill seamlessly picks him up and blankets him. After the game you can see Durant apologize to Green because he couldn’t get open. That’s Spurs Defense, and that’s what wins championships. Yes, it will be great when Manu gets out of this funk and yes, I would love to see us board better, but championship teams make big plays to win big games. This team does that. Let’s not panic folks. Our record is pretty damn good.
February 24th, 2011 at 8:30 am
If Manu is done for the season then so are the Spurs. For the season, on a team that is 48-10, the Spurs have a negative score when Manu is on the bench. Please, he’s shot terribly recently, but he still is the heart of the team (though I’m appreciating Timmy more and more).
When I wrote that I wish we had pursued Peja Stoyokovic, I got slammed. Well, he sure seems to be helping Dallas (18 points on 9 shots last night). And someone said that he didn’t hurt us when he was with New Orleans. I’ll point out that the year he was healthy with NO was the year they won the division and were the second seed in the West. Every team he’s played on has won. So I repeat — I wish we had pursued him. (I know, he was probably destined for Dallas, but I disagree that his signing won’t help them).
February 24th, 2011 at 8:38 am
I hate to break it to you guys, but Splitter isn’t going anywhere. If the FO gave Mahinmi 3 years of patience, then Tiago’s going to be around for at least that long.
Manu needs his minutes cut back a little, perhaps down to 29 a game or so. He’s averaging a career high and I think he’s getting a little fatigued. I think Pop plays the guys hard through the next 10 games, then lets off a little for the last 15. We have to keep our cushion on the Mavs, though.
As for rebounding, when the playoffs come around, Duncan’s minutes will increase and we’ll be fine.
Come on DeJaun, Bonner kept you on the bench because his defense was better than yours? We need you on the court, pal. You better find a way to get it done defensively.
February 24th, 2011 at 8:51 am
Judd
February 24th, 2011 at 8:29 am
+1
Excellent post. I couldn’t say it any better.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:00 am
The Spurs would have to go something like 13 wins the rest of the season and the Mavs would have to get 20 to take HCA from them. It’s a highly unlikely scenario (regardless of what that little punk Dirty Terry thinks:
http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=6148755
February 24th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Manu is tired, no doubt. That is fine. Neal, Hill, and Anderson need some burn, so cut Manu’s (and Tim’s) minutes down to maybe 20 a game for the next ten games. Maybe that puts the Mavs in striking distance, maybe not (I don’t think it will). But the Spurs need an energized Manu more than they need HCA. Manu is their best top-end talent right now. They only go as far as he takes them.
Splitter is not working out this year, won’t be a factor in the playoffs. But if you think that Splitter is a bust, and can’t be a factor for the Spurs next year, you are on crack.
Teams are fire-saling and getting ready to rebuild. If the Spurs could trade a pick for a 1 or 2 year rental on a serviceable journeyman big, I would be all for that.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:19 am
To the people who actually like SPLITER - I ask the question Why? He is 26 and won’t be ready for his face up, to borrow a Hollywood line in for like 2 more years.
SO let me get it straight - A 28 year old bigman - who can’t shot past 8 ft., doesn’t block shots, is only an ok rebounder, and not very strong on the block and is ALWAYS injured. This is the guy you all want to KEEP….lmfao……. That’s just too funny. SA should trade him with a 1st round pick and get a quality return on him before the rest of the NBA realizes how washed up he is. He @ 26 isn’t near the athlete that TD, Manu, TP were at that age and I repeat will not get many miutes next year because DICE said he will be returning. So that’s a 28 year old non- athlete as you possible starting 4 or 5 man. Really. Can u picture him at the age of 30 - after losing a step or two. Not having the lift that he has now. He will be an even worse player than. If he were 23 I would say keep him around and see what he can become, but at 26 going on 28. The guy is a lost cause and SA needs to move on.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:35 am
@Chris - Coming off the bench allows Pop to adjust the rotations so that Manu doesn’t start as the 2 guard and then turn into PG. That adds on a few minutes per game since Pop tries to keep Parker and Manu in games at all times. He only adds Quinn here and there and usually that is only when they have a strong handle on the game or there is massive foul trouble.
Manu’s always going to take some tough shots since he has a green light, but he does look like he could use some more rest as he’s playing career highs in minutes.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:36 am
We did win, right? The Thunder are pretty good, right? Good win. Hey, we could talk about Bonner’s game. Is it possible he could end the year at 50% from the 3 pt line? Is it just me or did he actually play some defense?
Does anybody know why Neo didn’t play? I thought he was healthy.
Woohoo! Good win over a good team.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:36 am
No needs for “Trade”
February 24th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Troy Murphy
February 24th, 2011 at 9:38 am
@ td=best ever
and this is why its clear you dont know much about anything…. Splitters best qualities are his pick and roll ( which fits with the spurs) and his post defense. You havent seen much of him… Why? Because pop wants to make sure he has the corporate knowledge just like it took rj a whole year. You sir need to just stop talking lmao. He has an 18 point game and a 15 point game already… But no he cant do jack shit lmmfao!!
February 24th, 2011 at 9:41 am
and i need to add hes getting a whopping 6 minutes a game
February 24th, 2011 at 9:46 am
do you really think the spurs would waste 4 years waiting for splitter without knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can play?? Were talking 4 years!! Use your brain boy
February 24th, 2011 at 10:00 am
@ td=best ever
I guess the biggeset question for me is, if it’s that obvious that Spliiter sucks, how would it be possible that the Spurs could get valuble assests for him? I wish people would think a little before dreaming up trades teams should make. Already there’s been a AK-47 would be good for the Spurs suggestion, yet there’s no way the Spurs could ever fit his salary into a trade, so it’s not even worth brining up.
Even if Splitter isn’t who you thought he would be the fact that he can move resonable well, and is 7 feet tall is worth 3-4 million per year. Look at some big guy salaries right now for comparison. Diop, Mohammed, Eddie freakin Curry, etc…
February 24th, 2011 at 10:14 am
The real question with any Spurs trade at this point is what is our time horizon. Sure we could trade Splitter plus Anderson and perhaps get back a decent big, but we would also be trading much of the Spurs future. However, if we really think that this year is our absolute last/best chance at winning #5 then perhaps the FO should look into the trade market.
IMO, we still have two areas that could use improvement. First, we could definitely use a Shane Battier type perimeter defender. Unfortunately, we don’t have the assets for that type of trade. Secondly, since Splitter has shown us virtually nothing in 57 games, we still need a big who gives us a legit chance at guarding the 7 ft PF’s of the league (Gasol, Dirk, etc.)
If the Spurs really wanted a big who could make an immediate impact in multiple areas, then they should make a run Troy Murphy after he is bought out at GS. Murphy cans score, rebound, and provide a big body in the paint and while he’s not exactly an ace defender, I believe he would improve on a team that was actually dedicated to winning.
In reality, there’s virtually no chance the Spurs make any trade moves and I would be surprised if they even picked up a free agent who had been waived. This lack of action, of course, has it’s own risks and possible consequences since this team is far from perfect.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:16 am
exactly david
February 24th, 2011 at 10:27 am
we are closer to perfect than any other team in the league outside of boston….. No team is perfect. Again look at the standings for proof
February 24th, 2011 at 10:31 am
“we still need a big who gives us a legit chance at guarding the 7 ft PF’s of the league (Gasol, Dirk, etc.)”
and the choice would be Troy Murphy? Haha
February 24th, 2011 at 10:32 am
@ TD
You make a lot of predictions. Unless you have a crystal ball, I find it hard to make accurate predictions about where a guy will be 2 years in advance, much less a guy just finding his niche in the NBA game on the team with the best record.
Rather, here’s what we do know. In limited time, he’s played decent, not great or out-of-this-world, but decent. However, decent doesn’t get you playing time on a team that’s 47-10. He’s not a great athlete, but plays solid positional defense and above average PnR defense. More importantly, on offense he seems to be in the right place at the right time, receiving dump offs from Manu and TP. However, finishing once he receives those passes is a weakness. But like a lot of players new to the NBA (take DeJuan for instance), they’ll learn how to finish in traffic. Also, he’s shown flashes of being able to score on the block. Again, he doesn’t look great and it’s many time not very pretty. But once he develops “a plan” when he catches (DeJuan needs work here too), he looks to have the skills to be a decent option.
No one is under the assumption that Tiago is going to lead us to the Finals post TD, but I think it’s absolutely wrong to believe he can’t develop into a serviceable, rotation big man for a very good team. Again, once he’s acclimated to the speed of the NBA game and the Spurs’ system, he’ll look much more fluid and comfortable and less robotic; less thinking and more reacting.
Also, keep in mind, the Spurs FO has worked hard to get Tiago into a Spurs’ uniform. Based on the FO’s track record in this department, that should send a very positive signal as well.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:38 am
justin-ray
February 24th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Thanks, big fella. I know our record and can read the standings. Simply because we have the best record doesn’t mean that we can’t AND shouldn’t look to improve the roster (if the opportunities present themselves). I don’t know why that’s so hard for some of you to understand…
BTW, Pop has repeatedly said that several other teams are better than the Spurs. Perhaps some have thought he was saying this out of modesty, but I take him more literally. Pop knows what he is talking about. I mean look at our record, right?
February 24th, 2011 at 10:44 am
David G
February 24th, 2011 at 10:31 am
“and the choice would be Troy Murphy? Haha”
So I guess you think Dejuan can handle this job, right? Maybe you envision Bonner as turning into the second coming of Mutombo or perhaps you see McDyess turning back the clock 10 years and growing 3 inches? I’m afraid some fans on this site will be severely disappointed in a few months…
February 24th, 2011 at 10:45 am
@ TD= Best Ever
Setting aside the merits of your “Trade Splitter” argument, which I think are largely non-existent, let’s clear up a little Hollywood lingo, shall we? At no time will Tiago be ready for his “face up”. However, if he develops as the team hopes, he may one day be ready for his “close up.”
February 24th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@ hobson
and if pop and rc thought we needed to trade to improve wouldnt they have done something?
I wont be dissapointed…. Whatever happens
thanks big fella
February 24th, 2011 at 10:55 am
I have full faith that the Spurs FO knows what is available and what the team needs this season and next. They know alot more than us fools do.
End of discussion.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:57 am
END OF DISCUSSION
February 24th, 2011 at 10:59 am
All you Nervous Nellies (no offense, Coach) and Chicken Littles need to cast your minds back to the plodding, desperate offensive sequences of…just last year. 3/4 tempo up court, set, feed Timmy, pause, start fingernail gnawing, pray, exhale and repeat.
Fast forward to games 1-57 this season. Guards and 3s busting up the wings, ready for catch and release outlets. Opposing defenses back on their heels, or if fortunate enough to man up, constantly risking ankle breaks keeping up with hot potato passing and Swiss watch-timed P&Rs. And this year the long range bombs are hitting, arguably the most dangerous weapon in a team’s arsenal (and Anderson is yet to play regularly).
All this trade talk (maybe just cause it’s the season or too many folks live in Fantasy Land) and hand-wringing about Manu is frankly absurd.
Take another good look at what you have here. Ain’t no fluke, it idn’t overachieving, and leave the lack of injuries out of the discussion. It’s all about execution, unselfishness, professionalism, and a basic belief in this beautiful rock of a team going out every night, pounding itself to perfection.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:01 am
@hobson
“So I guess you think Dejuan can handle this job, right? Maybe you envision Bonner as turning into the second coming of Mutombo or perhaps you see McDyess turning back the clock 10 years and growing 3 inches? I’m afraid some fans on this site will be severely disappointed in a few months…”
I think all of the players you listed are better for the job than Troy Murphy.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:02 am
that was beautiful! Wow
February 24th, 2011 at 11:23 am
David G
February 24th, 2011 at 11:01 am
justin-ray
February 24th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Then you two clowns know even less about basketball than I had originally thought and that takes some doing.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:36 am
I think Murphy has some good qualities as a basektball player, but defense certainly isn’t one of them…
in fact I read the Warriors are cutting him because his defense isn’t good enough for even them…just kidding! HEYO!
February 24th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@ justin-ray
“do you really think the spurs would waste 4 years waiting for splitter without knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can play?? Were talking 4 years!!”
You couldn’t have picked a better word…WASTE!! AS yes they have Wasted 4 years a draft pick and 3.5 Million on this dude and they need to wake up and realize it before he does more damage.
“Splitters best qualities are his pick and roll ( which fits with the spurs) and his post defense.”
Well if those are his best qualities and I really can’t say that they are. Then he is worse off than I thought. His post D is not that good, he has had like 1-2 game on D and several other sub-par ones. And he really doesn’t set strong picks, If you have watched most of the games you would have noticed that he slips most picks and just rolls. LOL And the fact that you compare him to RJ tells me that you just look at headlines and boxscores. RJ is averaging about the exact same as he did plat year. He is just macking alot more 3′s this yeaar. And RJ also played 31 min/game last year because SA Knew he could play. TS is not the same - he hasn’t really shown any legit NBA level skills.
@ David G
“I guess the biggeset question for me is, if it’s that obvious that Spliiter sucks, how would it be possible that the Spurs could get valuble assests for him?
I’m not saying that he won’t be a decent player. I’m saying that he WON’T help SA out anytime soon. He needs a team that can give him 20 min a game right now and even more next year to have a chance at being anything. SA doesn’t have the time/minutes to just give to a 2nd NBA Project. Blair is enough right now.
But like Hobson I don’t see them making the trade. I just need a place to vent my frustrations at the FO because SA should have more than four rings now but our FO is always too catious and have really never taken a chance.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:47 am
Is there ANY way possible that the Spurs can lure Dwight Howard to SA? He CLEARLY wants outta Orlando. I don’t mean immediately, but in the off-season or something.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:47 am
td=best ever
you couldnt be further off base….. YOU need to wake up.
I bet you thought that rj should have been traded last year too huh? YOU FUCKING CLOWN
February 24th, 2011 at 11:49 am
“I just need a place to vent my frustrations at the FO because SA should have more than four rings now but our FO is always too catious and have really never taken a chance.”
Can’t please everybody I guess….
February 24th, 2011 at 11:52 am
there is no viable trade scenario that would not be so disruptive to the current team chemistry as to totally destroy whatever chances we have of winning a title this year.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:55 am
td=best ever
i dont blame you for being a little frustrated with your team
it must be hard being a clipper fan
February 24th, 2011 at 11:58 am
at least you know something…..
Tim Duncan does equal…. The best ever
February 24th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Wow, we’re cussing each other out now. And all because we can’t agree on trading/not trading a big that’s the 5th option out of 5.
I remember reading suns blogs and how they wanted to get rid of players, well they did and you know where they’re now one year after being in the WCF.
Go Spurs Go!!
February 24th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@Td=Best Ever
The F.O. told everyone not to expect TIAGO to be Pao Gasol. So why are you wanting a trade? This is exactly what the F.O. was expecting save for the injuries. They knew he wasn’t really going to be a huge factor this year.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
@jwalt
I don’t think anyone slammed you for the suggestion actually - Spurs just never had a chance. It is widely believed (although the league found no foul play on this) that Dallas and Toronto pre-arranged this deal even before Peja was bought out: Peja was bought out way too early and Dallas sent a young prospect Ajinca for almost nothing. It’s not a simple FA signing by Dallas, but basically a trade involving Ajinca for Peja, if you think about it.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
You’d think fans would trust a FO that has built a team that has teh best record in the NBA 2/3 of the way in. Guess thats not for everybody though. I wonder if these are the same people who posted last year to trade Manu and/or Tony?
February 24th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
i wouldnt worry about tiago or blair for that matter. of course they are going to look a little out of place and sloppy playing with 10 yr +veteran allstars like Mcdyess, duncan, parker, manu, and rj. give them time to learn from these role models, learn the nba, learn the spurs system, and most of all, be coached. when we NEED them, they will be ready. playoffs will see duncan at 35+ minutes, mcdyess at 30 minutes, bonner and blair at 20 minutes or so. that covers our bigs and more right there. rj also plays some 4 depending on matchups. next year we will see tiago get blair type minutes, and blair get a few more…and both of them know enough about the spurs game and expectations to be productive. you dont practice against td and mcdyess every day and not learn how to use your skills. did you see blair in the rookie game amongst his peers? domination. domination against number 1 overall picks and such. i could go on and on preaching patience….just let the #1 organization do work.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@ Syd
+5
it is close up - Lmao
@ Tyler
“You make a lot of predictions. Unless you have a crystal ball, I find it hard to make accurate predictions about where a guy will be 2 years in advance, much less a guy just finding his niche in the NBA game on the team with the best record.”
Its doesn’t take a Crystal Ball to look back at history. How many 26 year old Projects have you known to become anything more than just decent players. I can’t think of any. Also the Best record doesn’t mean ANYTHING other that HCA and that’s all it has ever been. There have been several 60+ win teams that didn’t win it all.
@ Ward Silver
talking about how great our Offense is
Defense wins championships!! Look no further than the last 8 years or so and you will see several GREAT Offenses all fail to win a title and then you see teams like 2004 Pistons. Defense wins championships. 2000-2004 Kings - Best show in the court in a very long time. 2001-2004 Nets - same as Kings. 2004-2007 Dallas Mavs - All Offense and no Defense usually mean you are going fishing early. The Phoenix Suns of the last 5 years or so. The Cavs from 2005-2009. There have been several offensive juggernauts that have flamed out in the Playoffs. So History and the rules of the game don’t change now that we have the Offense firepower. Defense wins championships….well that and rebounding…..
February 24th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
And WOW @ the TradeTS talks here… I mean, if a decently skilled player like Splitter can’t get PT in this very good Spurs team, no one else can (that is, players within Splitter’s salary range).
February 24th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
So, Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. That’s an interesting trade.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@Sarge
I’m so shocked at that trade I actually thought you made it up. I personally think Jeff Green sucks, and I think the Spurs would have lost last night if Green didn’t play. Perkins is exactly what the Thunder need. If the Thunder can convice Mr Murphy to be their stretch four, watch out Lakers/Spurs!
February 24th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
It was kind of my thought as well. Perkins will really shore up the center position, and really, most of the scoring should probably come from Westbrook and Durant, anyway. I think OKC is actually better with this trade, although time will truly tell.
That being said, as far as the Spurs doing anything, given the roll this team has been on, I’d just let things stand pat for now. Not that they have a choice, given that the deadline has passed. If Ginobili comes out of his funk (and he should), the Spurs are going to be dominating teams again. And that was a very good OKC team that they beat last night.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
DID yall just see Kendrick Perkins getting traded to OKC - Now they have the size and talent to play with anybody. SO again We sit around and do nothing and other teams are getting better. So that rebounding issue just got way more serious now. Perkins/Ibaka in the paint will be beastly on the glass.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
@TD = Best EVER:
Yep. A couple of posts up.
Part of me does like to see trades, but part of me also knows that screwing around with the chemistry of a 47-10 (47-10!!!) is probably a bad idea.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
“47-10 TEAM”. Doh.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
So for those who advocate trades for trades’ sake, why? We did not have the pieces to get a lot of these trades done, and most would require Neo AND Splitter. The saying, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it comes to mind. There’s a reason adages gain traction - because there’s some truth and reason behind them. Just doing things to be doing them because others did something (reactionary - they’re REACTING to the fact that we’re ahead of them), doesn’t mean we have to waste time with these last 25-ish games w/integrating someone who really wouldn’t see all that much playing time anyway. I, for one, would much rather keep what we’ve got and see how THEY develop and progress. Both Neo and Splitter have shown some good flashes here and there, enough that I think they’d be reliable enough to manage several minutes each in a playoff game, if not more.
There’s clearly a plan here.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Don’t know if Perkins will have as great of an effect against the Spurs as he will against the Lakers since his a shut-down post defender more than a protect the rim shot-blocker. Still a great move for Thunder. IMO they should have just played Ibaka and Collins in Green’s minutes anyways. Maybe it’s just me but I never saw what green was good at. He couldn’t really play defense or rebound, he didn’t create offense, and he didn’t shoot well enough to be a stretch four ala Booner. (all the metrics seem to back up what I see) I wonder what the Celtics see in him
February 24th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@ Sarge
“And that was a very good OKC team that they beat last night.”
Yes they are and even worse, they just got better. Now Blair/Bonner are gonna have to really play STRONGER/SMARTER now. Here’s to hoping for a buy out and cheap signing.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@TD=Best Ever
I think it’d be best if you stop talking because you aren’t making sense.
Knee-jerk trades with a 47-10 record because “the FO never takes a chance” is called being STUPID!
February 24th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
okc also picked up nazr. they have the size now to contend with anybody and probably beat most. im not too sure if this makes okc better than sas seeing as the spurs are primarily guard driven, but it will make the spurs glaring rebound issue with okc more apparent. are there any notable buyouts the spurs may be looking into acquiring?
February 24th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Oh I see TD,
The Celts just gave away a bench sparkplug and a big bruiser for a suspect player in Jeff Green. Rrrriiiiigggghhhtttt.
You think the Celts just might have some inside info on Perkins? Maybe his knees aren’t rehabbing so good? Maybe he’s playing in pain but isn’t talking? C’mon now. The Celts didn’t become the Celts by making bad deals.
The Thunder need a POST PRESENCE. A big bruising body with bad knees is not enough to put them over the SA, DAL or LA. Gimme a break.
Your name should be “Chicken Little”.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
This OKC trade has the potential to be scary for the Spurs. One of the Thunder’s biggest weakness was inside muscle. Sure Ibaka is good and Collison is decent, but neither have the bulk of Perkins. OKC essentially gave away a decent young forward (Green) and a 7ft softie in Krstic for a decent backup SG and a beefy inside defender.
This move seems a bit on the desperate side for the Celtics. They already have a SF who will command the majority of playoff minutes so why would they NEED Green. Furthermore, they could certainly use Perkins since the O’Neal brothers are constantly injured and the young guys (Erden and Harangody) aren’t ready for a playoff run.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Erden and Harongody got traded to the Cavs for a 2nd round pick.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Len
February 24th, 2011 at 1:50 pm •
“Erden and Harongody got traded to the Cavs for a 2nd round pick.”
My god. We’ve certainly had a trade frenzy once Mello got traded. So I suppose the Celts are banking on Shaq coming back since J O’Neal won’t make it back for another 6-8 weeks.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
People are overreacting about OKC. They are desperate for an answer in the post.
Nazr and Kendrick do not have the post presence that they need. They are bangers who can’t shoot FT’s.
OKC is trying to see if anyone works for them down low. Quantity over quality.
Let the panic commence, right TD?
February 24th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
well nazr and kendrick may not be what they “need”, but they are better than what they had. they were already a good team before acquiring these 2 guys and they’ll surely be better because of it and thats not good for the sas or our rebounding issue. i agree that “over”reacting is bad, but plainly reacting is not. and the spurs need to react somewhat.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@ Colin
“Knee-jerk trades with a 47-10 record because “the FO never takes a chance” is called being STUPID!”
Before you call people STUPID just look at history. Having the Best record with suspect Defense/Rebounding issues haven’t led to many titles. With the exception of LA - whose D/rebounding comes and goes it hasn’t happened in an long time. So 20 years of history isn’t really knee-jerk. But that’s just common sense talking here.
@ Len
“The Celts just gave away a bench sparkplug and a big bruiser for a suspect player in Jeff Green. Rrrriiiiigggghhhtttt.”
Do any of you guys even watch the games. I mean really you all can’t be that dense. OKC just upgraded 2 positions. Center and back up PG/SG. They just got better on the Boards, defending the paint and scoring off the bench. And these were 2 of their biggest weaknesses. So that’s not to be made lightly of.
“The Thunder need a POST PRESENCE. A big bruising body with bad knees is not enough to put them over the SA, DAL or LA. Gimme a break.”
And they now have that on D - With Ibaka/Perkins starting - they can enough on D to stop anybody. And they never needed a POST scorer to beat the best teams. Between Westbrook, Harden, Durant and Ibaka chiping in 10 a game they can put up 100 points as easy as anybody can.
“Your name should be “Chicken Little”.”
I would rather be a over paniking chicken with brains than a complete airhead(ie…DeDe from Dexter’s Lab) who gets all my basketball knowledge from Q-cards or via a quick glance at a Wiki link.
@ justin-ray
Same to you dude - when you actually have a valid point to argue - then we can talk. But until then you can just keep blowing hot air out of your you know what.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Well texasj,
OKC’s moves are the exact reason RC shouldn’t trade Tiago. Didn’t Tiago outplay Cousins when he tried to take it right at Tiago? Isn’t DeMarcus a more skilled (raw) offensive player than either Nazr or Kendrick? Yes and yes. Tiago has shown that he can bang with other big bodies and do well.
It’s not like OKC got Nene or anything like that.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Len
February 24th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
If Perkins is indeed seriously injured then I agree. However, don’t forget how important Perkins was to their playoff run and against the Lakers last year. In the end, even if Perkins is 100% and a great fit for the Thunder, they are still behind SA, LA, and Dallas. However, I still think this trade makes them a better team.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
TD=BE
What do you do for a living? Perhaps you’re in the front office of an NBA franchise? Maybe, you’re a pro basketball coach…Or maybe you’re just CRAZY.
“I just need a place to vent my frustrations at the FO because SA should have more than four rings now but our FO is always too catious and have really never taken a chance.”
How many rings should the Spurs have won if they hadn’t been so busy sitting on their hands? Perhaps with the talent the Spurs have, they should have been winning every year. How long has TD been here? Shouldn’t we have 10 championships by now? At least 8. Just think, if we hadn’t had such stingy guys in the front office and if we’d only had more big men we could have won every single championship since ’98. With your brilliance, I bet we could have found a way to get KG, LeBron, Carmelo, and Amare here. We probably could have swung Shaq and Pau Gasol if we hadn’t bee so gun shy. But, who knows? Maybe Troy Murphy could make us into something other than the mediocre 47-10 team that we’re subjected to night in and night out. If only we had gotten Yao Ming (he’s pretty big, right?), he could have just lain down in front of the basket and been a better inside presence than Splitter. The FO are idiots for not offering Anderson, Splitter and all future picks for him. If we’d pulled the trigger on him, we’d be 56-1. Ya know, cuz’ ya can’t win ‘em all.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
“And they now have that on D – With Ibaka/Perkins starting – they can enough on D to stop anybody. And they never needed a POST scorer to beat the best teams. Between Westbrook, Harden, Durant and Ibaka chiping in 10 a game they can put up 100 points as easy as anybody can.”
Didn’t Timmy go right at Serge a couple times last night and do well?
And yes, they do need a post scorer. Or at least somebody who can catch the ball in the post and be somewhat of a dual (pass, score) threat. They still don’t have that.
How about OKC actually plays a few games and dominates some good teams before anybody concedes to them?
Too funny.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@ Len
“Let the panic commence, right TD?”
One more time with feeling for all the other poorly informed guests.
OKC doesn’t NEED a POST SCORER… They are not a great 3 point shooting team. Durant doesn’t need help getting off quality looks and neither does Westbrooke. SO why do they desperately need a post. Oh I get it, you read it off some blog site and now you are passing it around like you know something. Sorry, not cutting it.
SO Len any other poorly conceived ideas you want me to knock down for you.??? I will be here all day.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
TD,
You are a legend in your own mind. How could I possibly compete with that? I will bow out of this childish tit for tat humbly.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
well ya, but a minor reaction would to play tiago more(when healthy) because we will need is size.
im sure that okc didnt trade for these big bodies for their offensive prowess, but for their size and what comes with being “big” (defense, rebounding, blocks, etc..) and those reasons are exactly what has plagued the spurs somewhat during the season especially against okc. we will struggle with rebounding against them. we already have. so ya dont over react, but make some adjustments to prevent from being “man handled” against them. making use of tiago is one of these.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Also Portland just got better picking up Wallace from the Bobcats. So they are now a bigger threat in the West.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
td=best ever
a better name for you would be chicken shit.
Please just stop typing things…. You dont make any sense
February 24th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Ian — I’m sure you are right regarding Peja.
Hobson13 — of course you should look to get better all the time. But the better way to do it is thru coaching, for instance, demanding that Blair play the game with two hands instead of fumbling so many balls away by playing one-handed.
And to everyone high on the Perkins deal for OKC. He never closed games on the Celtics, never. And it’s not because he simply isn’t a low post scorer, but rather that he’s a complete offensive liability. There’s a big difference. You don’t have to guard him at all, which will leave the Spurs able to provide more help on Durant and Westbrook. Perkins can’t play a lick on offense, and it’s why the Celtics were willing to deal him. Think Ainge and Rivers are a couple of dummies?
February 24th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@TD=Best Ever
“Having the Best record with suspect Defense/Rebounding issues haven’t led to many titles.”
Actually, seven teams have had a similar or better record than the Spurs to this point. Six of them won the championship(Portland didnt, but that was because Bill Walton had suffered an injury)
So history says that this team and the FO is actually doing quite well.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@ justin-ray
What ever you say ignoramus…….. How pitiful it must be to be so unknowingly stupid……
February 24th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Hello anybody? Is it safe to post?
February 24th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
And Nate Robinson might be the single dumbest player in the league. I know Celtic fans here who for months have been calling for his head. Talk about someone who just doesn’t get it, Robinson is THE first example to use. How many players try a between-the-leg move while in the air when wide open for a layup that is going to tie the game in the last two minutes? D’Antoni, and now Rivers, were totally thru with Robinson.
February 24th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Tiago isnt going anywhere folks. Better yet, why don’t we transfer our energy towards getting Pop to play Splitter instead of watching Blair sit the pine in the 4 quarter when things are hot and Timmy and Dyess are playing for their lives!
February 24th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
@ Bentley
“Actually, seven teams have had a similar or better record than the Spurs to this point. Six of them won the championship(Portland didnt, but that was because Bill Walton had suffered an injury)”
We are making 2 different points here. So let me clarify mine. Best record the last 10 years.
99-00 Los Angeles Lakers 67-15 Won NBA Title 4-2 Pacers
00-01 San Antonio Spurs 58-24 Lost Semi-Finals 2-4 Lakers
01-02 Sacramento Kings 61-21 Lost West Finals 3-4 Lakers
02-03 San Antonio Spurs 60-22 Won NBA Title 4-2 Nets
Dallas Mavericks 60-22 Lost West Finals 3-4 Spurs
03-04 Indiana Pacers 61-21 Lost East Finals 2-4 Pistons
04-05 Phoenix Suns 62-20 Lost West Finals 1-4 Spurs
05-06 Detroit Pistons 64-18 Lost East Finals 3-4 Heat
06-07 Dallas Mavericks 67-15 Lost First Round 2-4 Warriors
07-08 Boston Celtics 66-16 Won NBA Title 4-2 Lakers
08-09 Cleveland Cavaliers 66-16 Lost East Finals 2-4 Magic
09-10 Cleveland Cavaliers 61-21 Lost Semi-Finals 2-4 Celtics
Only 3 teams in 10 years have won it all. And we are even in there as one of the teams that did win it back in 03
February 24th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@ Titletown99030507
“Hello anybody? Is it safe to post?”
Yup it sure is….. just trying to clean up the place a but after some of our lets say less than graceful posters have left.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
td best — you should appreciate this. Duncan is probably the best help defender in the league. Agreed? Well, if it’s K. Perkins he’s guarding, he will be nothing but a help defender.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Just got slammed by some espn analysts (namely Jalen Rose) for our lack of size and age in the front court. They’re all about OKC now.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
C’mon guys…let’s play nice. We all know the only thing that makes sense about TD=B.E. is his name. Splitter will contribute. Anderson will contribute. Actually they both have already. You heard that MVP word and expected Scola 2.0. Oberto came in as a 30 year old rookie and contributed to a Chip. Let’s stop panicking and start relishing in the fact that we are number 1 and guys like Jason Terry wants to spend all his energy chasing us.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
I speak the truth my brothers.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
The news yesterday had mentioned Perkins would miss at least the next 3 Celtics game with a knee injury. Looks like he’ll miss all of the Celtics games now, but presumably will miss some time with the Thunder as well. I guess that Ibaka will be moved to PF, with Nazr playing center until Perkins is ready? It does seem that none of the remaining Thunder bigs pose much of an outside threat, and their defenders could sag off of them to pack the paint. Durant and Westbrook could score 60 per game between them, but would the others get more than another 20 between them? They could go with a small lineup with Durant playing the 4 for a good portion of the game, but then what is the point of acquiring all those center-types?
February 24th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@ jwalt
“Duncan is probably the best help defender in the league. Agreed? Well, if it’s K. Perkins he’s guarding, he will be nothing but a help defender.”
Yes he is and he will get to help out alot. But keep in mind anytime TD leaves his man and chases a block shot he leaves a rebound eating machine alone under the basket. That’s why we need the extra height.
bankshot21 - The league was different when we had Oberto. That was before Boston’s 3. LA’s 3 Dallas adding 2 starting centers and and other pieces to sure up them being too soft. Though I still suspect they are gonna be too soft. So a 30 year old Oberto would help. But a 26 year old Oberto would be PERFECT.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
lets not forget that okc lost jeff green. he was a great glue guy, a matchup problem, versatile defender, 15ppg, and young. he was part of the durant westbrook core thats made them up and comers. very durable. he looked great against the spurs last night too…..who on the spurs can guard him when they use him as the 4? i think the lakers should be more worried about this move, because nazr and perkins can bang with bynum, gasol and odom. the strength of the spurs is team offense, defense, and GUARD play. this doesnt make okc better against our guards. it puts even more offensive burden on durant and westbrook. i guess look at it this way, green could hurt us, perkins and nate, cant.
if shaq, big baby, nenad, and kg stay healthy, this makes the celts better. im curious of the erden trade for a pick…….seems like theyd want to keep the extra big around. giving rondo an athlete like green will be pretty interesting…….green didnt have a facilitator before.
wallace to portland for two centers? now they have Lamarcus and Sean Marks down there……..and thats it. wallace i guess gets a lot of pf time.
and td=best ever, you are about as knee jerk and well, moronic as ive heard.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@soulidefy
+100 for jumping on the td=be is stupid bandwagon.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Getting killed in the paint is no fun. And depending on 3 point shooting is nerve wrecking. This team needs to win the old fashion way come playoff time. A big dude swatting away shots by those pesky little flies (slashers) and standing your ground against those bigs. you really can’t do that when your undersized even if your young and athletic. Sorry. The reality is Timmy and Dyess can’t go a 7 game series playing more than 30 min ea game they’re going to be worn out for the next one. That’s what’s gonna happen or you lose, don’t expect Bonner and Blair to go to the next level and challenge the better teams with better bigs. Just not going to happen. Put the the big man from Brazil on the court now since really you have no other alternative. Better now than later to see what you got to offer in the playoffs.
February 24th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@ soulidefy
“this doesnt make okc better against our guards. it puts even more offensive burden on durant and westbrook. i guess look at it this way, green could hurt us, perkins and nate, cant.”
Good to see you join the list of other idiots on here who know absolutely ZERO about basketball. Saying that adding a legit defensive Center will not help contain guards is like saying it’s not the PG’s job to run the offense. Just Stupid. If any guard has to run into a healthy Perkins/Ibaka wall all night they will have issue. Our guards have done well against OKC mainly because of Kristic/Green’s weak interior D. Or do u expect Perkins to be out at the 3 point line while TP/Manu drive to the basket. Just dumb. And Perkins can’t hurt you. Again really. Can DJB hurt a team on the offensive end. HELL YA he can. If you don’t stay close to him and keep a body on him he will eat rebounds and get put backs like BLAIR. Or do those not count as hurting the other team, idiot.
“wallace to portland for two centers? now they have Lamarcus and Sean Marks down there”
DUDE what planet are you from MARS - Do they not have “The Google” on that planet. Camby is still a Blazer last I check and will most likely play Friday. dumber and dumber.
soulidefy
February 24th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@soulidefy
“+100 for jumping on the td=be is stupid bandwagon.”
Nice job stroking your self off - what a simpleton.
February 24th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
TD=BE
You have just stolen your own ability to enjoy a regular season win. Does the score have to be 75-70 for you to enjoy it? I don’t know if we’re going to win everything but you are so sure the Spurs can’t win unless they look they way you want them to that you won’t enjoy any of the games…and you’re bumming everybody out. If we lose, you freak out. If we win, you freak out.
STOP FREAKING OUT!!!
Enjoy a good win over a tough team. Haven’t we beaten OKC every time we’ve played them? We must be doing something right.
February 24th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Do we have new Jim Henderson (aka the HoF troll in 48minutesofhell.com) in this blog? I think you should stop posting comments TD=BE - you make Jim Henderson look like an intelligent basketball analyst in comparison.
February 24th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@TD=BE
I didn’t call you stupid. I called the inclination to make a trade based off of what the rest of the league is doing as stupid.
Please keep talking because you are only digging yourself a hole on this one.
February 24th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
I said this dude was a little Jim Hendersonish when he post on here the very first time. Lmao
February 24th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
td=best ever is just a clipper fan in disguise… Im telling you guys. He is super thrilled to have mo williams on his team now.
Seriously dude you are something else
February 24th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Never met Jim but because So many think I remind them of him i will say he must have been a really nice, smart guy. But since the Deadline has come and gone, and SA didn’t make a move. I will hope that it for the best and that all works out. Besides its far more enjoyable to throw the TD=BE bomb when talking to all my friends come playoff time than it is to ruffle the feathers of you all. And that 5th ring will hurt them far worse than anything I have ever said to date.
February 24th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
the spurs biggest personel needs are on the bench. splitter provides another solid low post position defender, pick and roll defender/threat , and anderson provides another sf option, manu rest, and wing defense. i really think we should look no further then our bench, but it’s too late in the season to see this come to fruition.
February 24th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Alot has been written about Splitter in this sequence. I would like to add 2 points that I don’t think have been mentioned.
1. Splitter will undergo a great deal of strength training (NBA caliber strength training) in the off season that he has not previously undergone. This will be immensely important in getting him to his best.
2. Splitter WILL undergo the Chip England (or however his name is spelled) summer shooting work. He will undoubtedly increase his range and his consistency. This too will be immensely important.
February 24th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
i’m reposting this for grins and giggles…and what i believe to be a quite valid point: “there is no viable trade scenario that would not be so disruptive to the current team chemistry as to totally destroy whatever chances we have of winning a title this year.” thank goodness the trade deadline is past!
February 24th, 2011 at 7:37 pm
I don’t think The great 3 pt% wasn’t just San Antonio, OKC’s D was terrible. San Antonio will hit threes if no one is close.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Well TD,
The comparisons to Jim are not flattering, sorry sport. Jim became a know it all; Somebody who spent far too much time in this blog, patrolling every comment with no appreciation for the fact that other posters have intelligent observations. Not to mention, many debates boil down to opinions and everyone is entitled to one.
So, looks like you remind people of a blog nazi with no life. congratulations
February 24th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
@Len
“So, looks like you remind people of a blog nazi with no life. congratulations”
But that doesn’t mean I’m wrong so I will still take it as a compliment…….lol
February 25th, 2011 at 12:48 am
@badger: It’s Chip Engelland, my friend, one of the purest shooters you’ll ever find during his prime.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:26 am
So San Antonio stuck with the status quo, retaining its line-up without deeping into the trading pool. For all our collective armchair wisdom, it would be best not to second-guess what the Spurs management, whose “corporate knowledge” - to borrow Pop’s term - has produced four championships. If we were better than them, we would be in their shoes and theirs in ours: writing and anguishing interminably, sometimes snarkily, about the Spurs. Reality check: The opinions expressed on this blog are not and will never be the bases for the actions and decisions of the San Antonio front office. This isn’t fantasy basketball, after all.
February 25th, 2011 at 3:41 am
Don’t look now…the Thunder just got even better.
Kendrick Perkins from Boston and Nazr Mohamed from Charlotte at trade deadline.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:52 am
bong p.,
Thanks for the spelling correction. I knew I wasn’t right on the spelling, just too tired and lazy to look it up. From what I’ve heard, he (Engelland) is one of the greatest tools in the Spurs’ toolbox. Parker’s a much improved scoring threat, among others, because of the guy’s work.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:55 am
@bong p.
“For all our collective armchair wisdom, it would be best not to second-guess what the Spurs management, whose “corporate knowledge” – to borrow Pop’s term – has produced four championships.”
How many championships or even Western conference finals has that gotten the Spurs in the last 3 years? Remember the Spurs got destroyed in the playoffs 2 years in a row. This is a team that 3 years ago R. Horry said needed more help for Duncan and the biggest addition has been A. McDyess and MADE MATT BONNER the starter the next year. This is team that tried to make Roger Mason Jr. into a PG, when it was obvious he couldn’t play there.
It’s okay to talk about the merits of a trade. However, please stop thinking that this organization is perfect and can do no wrong. They have made mistakes, kept players they shouldn’t have, gotten rid of players they shouldn’t have, and given roles to people who couldn’t handle them. Let’s not use this tired argument to make a point.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:12 am
these comments are getting very useless…I used to enjoy commenting and reading other comments…now, everyone is just insulting others. No more intelligent basketball talk…just trash talk…I think that I will only read the articles from now on.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:30 am
@Espoon
I remember Nazr winning a ring….how long ago? He did barely enough NOT to screw it up for the Spurs, that’s it. Now all these years later I doubt he’s better than he was. I would take him as a FA or maybe for a 2nd round pick, but give up Splitter? No way.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:31 am
@Espoon,
The Spurs beat the #2 team in Dallas last year, don’t think that would be considered “getting destroyed” in the playoffs. Also, keep in mind injuries have killed this team more then any fiction FO non-move could have helped.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:35 am
I could be wronng but I think the Spurs path got easier after all these trades. Who got better? OKC? Maybe a little on defense but they lost scoring and they’re easier to matchup with now. Fakers? No. Mav’s? No. Boston? No. Who else is really a threat this year? Next yr may be different but I think the path just became a little clearer.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:39 am
SG, I was just thinking the same thing. Jim Henderson annoyed me too much to bother reading any comments on this site. Looks like I’ll stay away until there is (hopefully) another banned poster.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:28 am
@Mike
The Spurs got spanked in the 2nd round by Phx (and one of the weakest Suns teams in the Nash era). Dallas has it’s own problems, so beating a #2 Dallas team doesn’t mean much if it aint in the confernce finals, this is team that gave up a 2-0 lead in the finals and then lost to a 8 seed in GS.
I know injuries have been a factor in the Spurs recent lack of success in the playoffs but so has the roster. My main point was that if we are going to argue about trades and the Spurs organization, please stop this non-sense that the Spurs are always right, have done everthing great, and can do no wrong. It is one thing to trust in the Spurs and believe they have a good plan it is another thing to believe that their plan is the best possible one and they won’t/don’t make mistakes.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:45 am
@Ed
“I remember Nazr winning a ring….how long ago? He did barely enough NOT to screw it up for the Spurs, that’s it. Now all these years later I doubt he’s better than he was. I would take him as a FA or maybe for a 2nd round pick, but give up Splitter? No way.”
I wasn’t arguing for a trade of Splitter for Mohammed. What you said now sounds alot more logical and makes sense. Before you made it seem like Nazr had no value and would be a waste. He did more than not screw it up, he made the team better.
“I’ll consider a lot of things including trades but Splitter for Nazr Mohammed? Uh, no. Splitter for Nene’? OK, I’m on board there, but Nazr? He had his chance here, we’ve seen that show.”
I just wanted to point out what he did and has done with that chance. That last sentence is what got me. We did see that show and it ended with a ring.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Statistically Nazr Mohammed can still get it done, especially in limited minutes. He is still top 17 in the league in both blocks/rebounds per 48 minutes played. So is he a good starting center, maybe not. But as a back up, he still rocks out.
February 25th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Go Spurs Go!!
February 25th, 2011 at 11:06 am
Yes, the Spurs lost to the Suns, in the 2ND ROUND. There are plenty of teams that would kill to get to the 2nd round, let alone make the playoffs. So unless you completely ignore beating a decent Dallas team, they didn’t get “destroyed”.
As far as the FO, of course they make mistakes, Scola is a huge glaring star of one, however, to sit, contradict and post a bunch of garbage hypothetical about what the FO ‘should’ have done is equally as egregious. The only people that have any idea of the moves the FO have tried to make, or the steps they have tried to take to upgrade this team are the people in the FO.
Continually winning makes it awfully tough to gain pieces that are easy to move to teams that want/need specific players.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@ Mike / Espoon
Over HALF the league makes the playoffs each year; almost a third make the 2nd round.
-’10 wc semis—lost by 9, 8, 14 & 6 in ONE week- 4 losses, NO wins=sweep. ‘Destroyed’ not accurate; but ‘busted’ or ‘flattened’ by the Suns- is. Espoon was just saying that a lot of fans create an aura around the FO’s moves & procedures. Part of this is fanned by the sports media-ironically, led by the (“lets ignore/dismiss the Spurs’ record season) ESPN/ABC gang. Their mantra in discussing the team’s success is to praise the scouting and signing of foreign talent, which has fueled the championship run when in reality, once you get past Tony & Manu, what late round finds have we mined and developed that joins 9 & 20 in Silver & Black lore? No one. Udrih: 3 pedestrian seasons in limited minutes; Barbosa & Dragic: drafted & traded immediately. Oberto: fulfilled his part in the sub role during ’06-07, but afterwards inadequate as the starter. And as you mentioned Scola—the first of the ‘Euro big man draft & stash’ moves; 0-2 so far, No. 3 is so far grading as ‘incomplete.’ You dismiss some all reviews of past FO ops as “hypothetical garbage.” An equal number of fans wax poetic at the “Midas Touch ” of RC & Pop. History and the truth lie somewhere in the middle.
February 25th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@ DorieStreet
+10 - Well said Sr.
@ everybody - WOW this article just hit the 150 posts mark……. I haven’t seen anything close to this in the past 6 months or so that I have been posting here…….lol….. way to keep the Convo up guys/gals
February 25th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Oh -
My very late observation of the 1st game back home from the nearly month-long wandering of the league-leading Silver & Black:
When then OKC center Nened Krstic hit 2 jumpers-uncontested- within the first 1:40 minutes, I could not erase the sudden thought of this being a ‘rest vs. rust’ battle by the Spurs throughout the game. Sure enough, it was. The Thunder sliced & diced the Spurs, who hang in there with their own firepower striking back. On to the 2nd qtr, when the D steps up, and the team thumps OKC to the point where they almost run away and hide. Only 9 TOs in the game total, but the Spurs commit HALF of them in the 1st 9 minutes of the 3rd qtr- but flip the switch again and repeats the 1st half spurt. But (they’re going to be a TOUGH out) the Thunder takes the lead halfway through the sport and almost steals the game.
Good win, going strong in 2 phases - 3pt shooting and assists on makes- to overcome the beatdown on the boards. It was especially gratifying not to give away a game lead in the div/conf lead in the first game back from the allstar break.
Let’s go San Antonio-get these next 4 victories and square up the defense enroute before South Beach & Hollywood come to the house next weekend.
GO SPURS GO!
February 25th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
@ TD=BE
I didn’t post Thursday night/Friday morning because I was captivated by the point/counterpoint review that eventually erupted into an online ‘finger-to-chest, nose-to nose scrum. Got a little personal at times, but it goes to show: we can watch the same game and SEE differently. And add to that intense marathon was the backdrop of all those trades by so many squads. And since that guard from 300 miles north threw down the gaunlet (& his team is trying seriously to make his prediction come true), these last 25 games are going to make this stretch run all the more scintillating.
February 25th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@DorieStreet,
The fact they pulled Tony and Manu as late picks in the draft is all the evidence I need to put faith in them. What other FO has been able to pull off two players like that in the late 1st and 2nd rounds?
February 25th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
The fact of the matter is RC and Pops have been the best 1 - 2 punch compared to any team the past decade. The fact people want to fault them for not making ridiculous trades (see Ainge/Perkins), is utterly and completely ridiculous. This team wasn’t even projected to win 50 games this year with this team, yet they are currently 3 games away from 50 with 25 to go.
February 25th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@ Mike
Your faith and what other FOs have done with their late 1st & 2nd picks is not the issue. What is simply being stated is that those two great, franchise altering moves (along with the ’97 No. 1 overall pick) that happened in 1999 & 2001 were not followed up with acquistions of other foreign players to this team that have contributed so much. The sport media in general perpetuates this myth. That is the point being made, nothing else. Not a critiscism, just pointing out a misconception.
February 25th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Jared Jeffries just got waived - we should pick him up and play him at the combo SF/PF position. He isn’t the best scorer. But he can lock up like Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and should be cheap.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
So this is what a Laker blog feels like…..
February 26th, 2011 at 10:55 am
@Espoon
OK, I hear you. What I meant was the Nazr show resulted in a ring but also resulted in Pop sending Nazr packing, trying to improve. Go Spurs Go!!
February 26th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Spurs have more hits than misses. Will any of you disagree with that? That’s where the “aura” comes from. We made the 08 WCF and was injury riddled since then. Anyone who is suggesting Manu’s broken nose didn’t contribute to our being swept is delusional. Manu was ripping the entire Association a new one before that injury. The year before we were without Manu entirely. We have the best FO hands down. Nobody is perfect. We drafted Scola. That’s a plus. We gave him up. That’s a minus. The two cancel each other out. Same goes for Dragic, Barbosa, and others. We have maximized the thought to be done players like Finley, Smitty, Big Dog, Dyess. This team has worked wonders and anyone who questions that needs to look @ their entire body of worked.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Bankshot21, I thought I was the only person who realized there was a correlation between Manu’s broken nose and the Spurs struggles against the Suns last year.
Regarding all the drafted players that were traded, if my memory serves, both Dragic and Barbosa were pre-arranged trades, where the Suns picked them. And regarding Dragic, we got DeJuan Blair out of that trade, so I think we did OK.
As far as Scola goes… the Spurs wanted him. He and/or his agent caused problems. Scola had multiple opportunities to buy out his Euro contracts during short windows of reduced buy out times during one or two summers earlier on. He let those windows pass. When he finally decided to buy out and come to the NBA, he wanted Manu money, which the Spurs were unwilling to commit. I don’t blame the Spurs for that either. Scola is the reason he was never a Spur.
I’m not saying the front office is perfect, but they are the best in the NBA as far as I’m concerned. Then again, I don’t expect perfection.
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