After a third quarter collapse in Oklahoma City, the San Antonio Spurs will try again for their first road win when they play the Bucks tonight in Milwaukee. The Bucks are 2-6 but have been competitive in losses and benefit from Andrew Bogut's return. Milwaukee's solid defense is up against an elite offense even with Manu Ginobili out, and if they can't make a brick-fest of it we'll have our win and they'll be further mired in another slow start. Lineups, game preview and prediction when you take the jump.
If there's a bright spot for Milwaukee this season it's in the play of reserve PG Shaun Livingston. The Bucks' starters have been getting demolished with Bogut out of the lineup while Livingston has been leading the bench in doing the catch-up. Brandon Jennings leads the team in the "I know that guy" factor, but don't be surprised if Livingston is the fourth quarter PG.
Unless the point guards in tonight's game can put up more points than they have been lately I predict an ugly basketball match. Tony Parker is the difference between being one of those top NBA offenses and being in the middle of the pack, for tonight's game and going forward. We remember his 2008-2009 season where Manu was injured and Tony rose to the challenge. If he can be that kind of threat on a nightly basis it'll keep our shooters open and keep our offense in elite company.
When the benches are duking it out Spurs fans have a lot of young players to monitor and get excited about. Gary Neal, James Anderson, Danny Green, Tiago Splitter and 'new kid' Kawhi Leonard all have the potential to blossom into playoff contributors, something the Spurs need if they're not in the market for a trade. In tonight's game we're just looking for somebody who can get rebounds and score on the road against a quality defense.
The Western Conference is wide open right now, and beyond OKC being a force there's no telling who will end up where. This would be a sweet win to pick up before games against western rivals Houston (2-6) and Portland (6-2).
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NBA Stats Cube Lineup Comparison Here. Bucks perspective here: Brew Hoop
As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area. Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate.
0 recs | 34 comments
It’s almost like the new Spurs against the old Spurs (Gooden & Jackson). Let the race begin.
indiancharlie - January 10, 2012
The money use term ROI refers to Return on Investment. In other words value received for money spent. Tonight you you will watch Stephen Jackson @ $9,256,500. and Drew Gooden @ $6,226,200. vs. Neal @ 762,192, Green @ 854,389 and Tiago @ 3,672,000, and Blair @ 986,000.
indiancharlie - January 10, 2012
Great point. While I think the Spurs would have won at least one more if not two or more championships if Jackson had stayed, I believe he’s a little overpriced at this point in his career.
Big50 - January 10, 2012
Jackson has been awful so far for Milwaukee. He “demanded” an extension on his contract, which still has a year left after this season, and has shoot them out of games, in particular against the Kings.
Edg5 - January 10, 2012
I’m not saying he would be good now, but I think if he had stayed in SA for a few more years, he would have given us an extra scorer and a decent defender to throw out there against the Mavs, Suns and Lakers. That 2003 team was redonkulous.
Big50 - January 10, 2012
I agree with that. I think the guy needs structure to thrive and he hasn’t had that the past few years. I don’t know if it would have worked financially, though.
Edg5 - January 10, 2012
Well, I do remember him taking less money to go to Atlanta because he thought he could get more than the Spurs offered and by the time he realized he couldn’t they had moved on. I’m sure he would have left eventually, but it would have been pretty sick for a couple of years there.
Big50 - January 10, 2012
probably 2 more championships
spursfan87 - January 10, 2012
Nah people don’t remember all the misses, they just remember Big Shot SJax. He shot 32% on threes, 44% overall and loved to create turnovers. In 2004 Robert Horry came in.. can’t say we made the wrong move with SJax
greyberger - January 10, 2012
Or turnovers! That was probably worse than the misses.
grego21 - January 10, 2012
Maybe. If he re-signed, he probably would have been gone after that contract due to his earlier attitude problems. He worked those out, but Spurs probably wouldn’t have put up with it as long as Atlanta did.
grego21 - January 10, 2012
He was only in the ATL for one year.
Big50 - January 10, 2012
Oh yeah, that went by quick. It wasn’t a pleasant stay.
grego21 - January 10, 2012
All you need to know about the Bucks is that they signed Drew Gooden to a 5 year, $32 million contract.
Fred Silva - January 10, 2012
David Kahn’s financial genius is contagious even to neighboring teams.
SleepCrack - January 10, 2012 via mobile
You forgot to mention RJ.
Tim C. - January 10, 2012
If my memory serves me right, Carlos Delfino did pretty well against us last time we played the Bucks… I hope RJ and Kawhi can neutralize that very streaky guy…
Reylan - January 10, 2012
Offense will be a premium against this Bucks team. Assuming they’re as good as they were last year on Defense. If the Spurs are cold from the outside it will probably fall to Parker to really pick up the penetration.
Big50 - January 10, 2012
Here we go! Let’s do this.
Ed (dfjmed) - January 10, 2012
Fuck it, Spurs by 20!
spursfan87 - January 10, 2012
love it!
but, my memory says that the bucks always give us fits…i wonder which team has the missing ‘mojo’ factor tonight?
mikrobass3 - January 10, 2012
I’ll settle for a Manu Buzzer-Beater =/
ironm8 - January 10, 2012
Rumor ?ballineurope.com reports of a trade offer that would send Bargniani and Calderon to the Fakers for Gasol and Fisher. But it also says the Spurs are involve and they are high on Pau.
There isnt too much wind in this, but a Pau for Parker is something i would go for[i think]
ironm8 - January 10, 2012
From BiE:
Edg5 - January 10, 2012
yup. makes sense.
ironm8 - January 10, 2012
Yeah, that trade didn’t make sense anyway.
Tim C. - January 10, 2012
Lakers would have taken less value, so yeah.
grego21 - January 10, 2012
Lakers going for Dwight anyway.
greyberger - January 10, 2012
They should have kept Odom for that deal. Odom and Bynum or Odom and Gasol likely would have been batter pieces to move around.
grego21 - January 10, 2012
I thought SJax was still a Robertcat, lol. I guess there was roughly a SJax for Magette trade that I was oblivious to? Anyway . . .
GO SPURS GO!
Manu ex Machina - January 10, 2012
that was a pretty low key trade wasn’t it? I didn’t know about it either.
anirontag - January 10, 2012
I gotta go out this morning, looks like I’m missing this game. Have fun guys. Go Spurs GO!
anirontag - January 10, 2012
Hollinger's Power Rankings
I’m surprised we’re at 7th even with those blowout losses on the road. We’re in pretty good shape so far, I guess.
silverandblack_davis - January 10, 2012
take away Manu, and they did well.
Looking at all 3 losses….
OKC is arguably top 3 team in the league right now. It’s tough to expect Spurs to win in OKC against the healthier/better team.
Houston was a 4 games in 5 nights (even with Manu).
Twolves shot 80%+ from 3pt land
grego21 - January 10, 2012
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