AT&T Center — The natural reaction for fans and members of the media is to overreact to dominating wins like the one the Spurs had tonight against the Mavericks. So, naturally, I will now overreact. This 93-71 massacre was better than anything San Antonio could have reasonably hoped for as the Spurs approached the second game in LWM.
(LWM: Life Without Manu - a period of time during which Manu Ginobili is dressed in street clothes during games, generally, and almost always, due to injury.)
The Spurs scored nearly a third of their total points during the stretch that delivered the knockout. It was a completely dominant performance by the home team on the SEGABABA, when history suggests it generally doesn't go San Antonio's way.
Neal scored nine of his 12 points in the opening period, but it was Matt Bonner that stole the show throughout. His 17 points were more than the combined total of Dirk Nowitzki (6) and Tim Duncan (10). It was nothing more than a typical night.
"That’s what Matt Bonner is supposed to do," Duncan said as his deadpan acknowledgement and general look of sincerity fixated upon the reporter. "That’s what we brought him here for. So that’s what we expect from him night in and night out from now on ... I guess."
All joking aside, let’s call this one like it was: Dallas was cooked. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to discount what the Spurs were able to do, but once Gary Neal knocked down those early threes it was a punch to the gut of the Mavs. Open jumpers were falling short, defensive rotations were late, Jason Kidd was chasing Neal through screens with a cane … they were spent.
Don't you dare come off that screen, Gary!
via yeahdef.com
But such is life in this lockout-shortened season. While this was a THIGAFONI for the Spurs, the Mavericks were faced with the even more dreaded FOGAFINI.
"You didn’t see the real Dirk tonight, that’s for sure," Pop said after his team's destruction of its I-35 rival. "As the season wears on, all the teams will get in better shape and get sharper and look better."
Let’s put Dirk’s night in perspective: the Dallas superstar made just three of his 11 shots while missing all three of his 3-point attempts and his lone shot from the charity stripe. Dirk, a nearly 90 percent free-throw shooter, seems to miss about as often as hell freezes over and DeJuan Blair uses his ACL's, so this was obviously not his night.
Here’s the kind of night it was: by halftime, Matt Bonner had outscored the Dallas starting five 11-8. I’ll give you a second to digest that one: after 24 minutes, Matt Bonner had 11 points while Dirk Nowitzki, Brendan Haywood, Shawn Marion, Delonte West and Jason Kidd had eight. Combined. I mean, the only person that doesn't surprise is Duncan.
And the numbers tell the story. Dallas shot 35 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 15 times, but it was a staggering 5 percent clip from the arc that doomed the Mavs. On the other hand, the Spurs dropped a season-high 16 threes on 33 attempts as they ran away and hid early.
But this game was ugly. Quite frankly, San Antonio had a bunch of open looks due to the Mavericks’ inability to get out to shooters, and the shots fell. Other than that, when the Spurs tried to get to the interior against the Dallas length, it didn’t go so well.
Despite shooting nearly 49 percent from the 3-point line, the silver and black managed less than 40 percent shooting on the game. That’s 18 makes out of 53 attempts not beyond the arc. It was ugly, but against a divisional foe you’ll take it however you can get it. "Winning ugly" is part of the game, and the teams who master this art are oftentimes the ones left standing in the championship rounds.
So let’s put this one behind us and dwell on it no further. In a shortened season it’s great for the record, but keep it in perspective: this wasn’t the real Mavericks. Is Dallas the same team it was last season? It doesn’t really look like it, but it’s better than this.
But not better than this...
For all that concern over just how the Spurs would respond during their sixth game in nine days, I failed to consider just how the back-to-back would affect the Mavericks, the NBA’s oldest team. Still, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.
Spurs fans have studied the upcoming schedule with anxiety since learning of the injury to their team's best player, so tonight was a great chance to take a deep breath. The fresh legs of Gary Neal and the sandwich-fueled stroke of Matt Bonner gave San Antonio the scoring it needed, and the increasingly impressive play of T.J. Ford as the leader of the second unit is proving more formidable than perhaps originally thought.
With this kind of adversity staring the Spurs straight in the face from the get-go, it’s clear this group is ready for the test.
Stars of the game
3. Richard Jefferson — Richard Jefferson continued his strong play on the perimeter with 16 points, including a trio of 3-pointers.
2. Gary Neal — His fresh legs were crucial to the Spurs' fast start as he hit three 3-pointers in the opening frame on his way to 12 points in the game.
1. Matt Bonner — The Red Rocket was a no-brainer here. A game-high 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the arc will make you star of the game.
1 recs | 120 comments
Yeah, I was not really impressed with this win at all. I like the up tempo Pop, giving Parker grief for slowing down plays. Quite the turn around from a few years ago.
Joseph Parkes - January 6, 2012
man, I missed the game! Was the game really that ugly? Two old teams on a SEGABABA? Oh well, at least the Spurs win. Ugly win or not, we’re still 2-0 in LWM, every win counts.
anirontag - January 6, 2012
Q3 was ugly. The rest was pretty good. Although Mavs were tired.
grego21 - January 6, 2012
Look at this way too, this was far from the best Spurs team too. The Mavs weren’t missing their best player, but San Antonio was. Fully healthy and rested, the result would have probably been much the same. The Mavs just suck this year. Dirk and Terry are the only reliable and consistent scoring options, and it shows. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s scoring options are quite numerous.
It wasn’t a win to throw a parade over, but it’s not like this was nothing either. This was more than just another W. This was a litmus test on the state of Dallas compared to San Antonio, and the Spurs have a MUCH better team right now.
KA1Z3R - January 6, 2012
+1
spursfan87 - January 6, 2012
Not to side with the ponies, but this was their 6th game in 8 nights.
alamobro - January 6, 2012
3 sets of back to backs crammed into 8 days. I dont think much should be taken from this beatdown.
alamobro - January 6, 2012
Regaurdless….. I will take any win over the ponies.
Spurs Yoda - January 6, 2012 via mobile
While I agree, this was the Spurs 6th game in 9 nights. They only had one more day of rest in their run than Dallas did.
That’s not exactly night and day.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
They miss Barea, Chandler, Stevenson, Butler…
grego21 - January 6, 2012
Which is why I think that even if Dallas was rested, we’d still win. And that’s not even making things even with us getting Ginobili back. Both teams healthy and rested, it’s not contest. Dalls is not in any way, shape, or form a competent or competitive team this year. You can’t rely on only two players for consistent scoring. It wears them down, and it’s predictable.
KA1Z3R - January 6, 2012
Also, we might be able to go back to calling them Allas this year — because they are missing that D again.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
In LWM, every win is good—every beatdown great. Especially when that beatdown comes at the expense of our in-state rival on the wrong side of I-35.
Trey Felder - January 6, 2012
AFA, you are correct.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Enough of the humble pie. Pop got what he planned. High energy first and most of all competition. Dallas was playing against SA and the schedule. The Spurs were and are playing against each other. Self-synergism is each self motivates self rather than outside forces motivating self. ie. Green, Neal, TJ, Splitter, Blair, Anderson (no intended order of preference) and yes Tim desire playing time and proving they belong. They realize they have a chance and Pop plays it to the hilt. His screaming at Tony was and is not out of character. It gets Tony in line and shows other players there is a chance for them to play. The Spurs were and are playing against each other and Dallas was simply in the way. LWM is going to turn out just fine. And when Manu comes back, he will inject his will and everyone will benefit.
indiancharlie - January 6, 2012
I hope it really pans out is way. It is the only silver lining. Seriously Pops’s coaching chops should be tested this season with how he uses all the good partly mature talent to maximum effectiveness. And I am talking post season.
No more not playing athletic rookies. While we get carved up by a young Memphis bench.
LionZion - January 6, 2012
Wow, Icy. I didn’t know you had that in you. My self motivated my self just by reading what you yourself wrote.
Seriously; that kind of pumped me up.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
This was a great win
spursfan87 - January 6, 2012
For those that werent at the game. Please know that the place was filed with Mavs fans.
One guy, that looked exactly like the old guy in the picture in the cap above, had club sunglasses, a mavs champioship jack, pants and boots. Worst part……. The entire thing was covered in rine stones and 98% pleather. My gf asked if he was someone important. I said, yes sweetie. Then she asked who? I replied, “Mark Cuban’s boyfriend”.
Funniest part about the guy. After halftime he tried to get a fist pump from Rick Carlisle. Was right in front of him. He blew him off completely off, took 4 steps, and then just gave a lazy point at the rinestone leather guy.
Spurs Yoda - January 6, 2012 via mobile
I fully admit this may just be the Bonner hater in me rearing its ugly head, but Bonner as the MVP of the game?
The game was decided in the first 12 minutes. In those most critical minutes, Neal had 9, RJ 7, TP 5, TD 5, and Bonner 3. Bonner always makes as many shots when we are up by 20. Bonner also gets a lot of minutes when we are up by 20. How did the scrub get MVP for scoring a bunch of meaningless points? Even though he missed later in the game, Neal was the guy. He came out and punched them in the mouth. The team rallied around his quick start and before Dallas knew it, the game was over.
Well, that’s the game I watched through my clearly biased eyes.
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
You raise a good argument, no question… My thought process: we’ve seen the Spurs jump out to early, decisive leads in opening quarters before, only to let them slip away. No question the starters got it going, but Bonner’s shooting sustained it. (I know, without the other guys passing to a wide-open Bonner he doesn’t hit any threes.) As I mentioned, the guy outscored the Mavs’ starting five in the first half by himself. Also, prior to last night, his shot wasn’t falling. It was in this game, and we all know that’s important to this team. But again, you bring up good points.
MatthewTynan - January 6, 2012
Bonner definitely sustained the lead. I think I normally would value that more than I am because Dallas never seemed to threaten. I thought this was more of a KO delivered by a viscious right in the first round by our starters than a TKO sustained by Bonner’s jab. Either way, I enjoyed your recap.
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
Gary and RJ really let em have it from the start, didn’t they…?
MatthewTynan - January 6, 2012
Loved the way RJ was ripping down boards against the trees.
MatthewTynan - January 6, 2012
There’s been so many good surprises, I think we may be overlooking RJ. I know it’s early, but he’s easily having his best year as a Spur. And it’s not just his shooting. He’s playing great defense and crashing the boards.
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
I haven’t really seen the defense and rebounding part of it prior to last night, but if he could do that more consistently(especially when Manu gets back), I will feel soooo much better about this team.
Tim C. - January 6, 2012
I feel like he’s shown it here and there, but it really all came together in this game.
grego21 - January 6, 2012
Rebounding from the 3 involves a good amount of luck, as you are generally out of position when the ball is shot. All you can really do is put a body on someone and work to improve your position in case there’s a weird bounce. I think he’s been doing that more often than he did previous seasons, and last night the ball just bounced his way. I just feel like he’s working harder on both ends. It’s good to see.
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
It helps if the bigs box out (I’m looking at your Blair) as well…..
grego21 - January 6, 2012
And it really helps if they are in the paint to begin with, Bonner
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
Bonner is wherever the guy he is supposed to guard is. We are talking defensive rebounds here, right?
Edg5 - January 6, 2012
I was referring to offensive there. Just to pile on Bonner. But with RJ I was talking about defensive rebounds.
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
I know. It’s just that you were complaining on a different thread that no one was actually defending Bonner on PTR anymore and it was boring for you to hate on him now, so I threw you a bone.
Edg5 - January 6, 2012
Ha, thanks for the attempt.
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
RJ is having his best year as a Spurs so far but it would be nice to see more consistency from him
Joe deLarios - January 6, 2012
You are a true team player. Seeing your self motivate itself makes my self motivate its own self.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
The team is running plays for him. This is what I hoped for. It’s helping him stay involved, which is good. Heck, they need it anyway to give the team an extra “less predictable” dimension.
grego21 - January 6, 2012
The 7 – 0 run after halftime started to scare me though.
Spurs Yoda - January 6, 2012 via mobile
Fred, you’re a UFC fan to aren’t you? Which is more important, the sneaky left hook that stuns the oppenent, or the ground and pound dominance that puts him away?
(And I can’t believe that I just used an analogy that involved favorably comparing Bonner to G&P, but what can I say — your reaction to Bon-Bon’s game just draws this kind of thing out of me.)
J.R. Wilco - January 7, 2012
rec'd for "to"
SpursfanSteve - January 7, 2012
Winter shoes
He’s still winter shoes until he proves it in the playoffs. The last 3 years he’s checked out early. Don’t get your hopes up he’s going to save this team come playoff time. That isn’t going to happen.
Titletown99030507d - January 6, 2012
Hey, I coined it (or at least my subconscious mind did as I was searching for an analogy) so I’m not going to argue with you.
But I will say this: while we’re in the midst of LWM, the work Bonner is doing to help his team is precisely what’s needed. All of these games matter. Yes, they matter every year, but even more so now that Manu’s out. So, I’ll just leave it at this: the perfect time to own a pair of good Winter Shoes, is in the middle of winter.
Also, on a completely unrelated topic, it’s January the 6th, and San Antonio is in the Northern Hemisphere. Any questions?
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Yea the mavs were tired and we didn’t look great after the first quarter, but the fact that we destroyed Dallas after our own back to back, and it was a LWM game, is a great feeling that we should all be proud and able to beat our chests. No one feels sorry for us for losing Manu, so kicking ass on the court without him is great no matter the opponent or the situation
Argentinian Mamba - January 6, 2012
Great point, AM. I feel the same way.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
GO SPURS GO
TdotSpursfan - January 6, 2012
All 4th quarter lastnight i was chanting, we want Ike!
Then it happened. Ike played for 5 minutes…… but he did not look good.
Extremely slow on the weak side D. He was so out of postion on every play. Out rebounded like crazy. Looked like he had a 2 inch vertical and lack of enthusiasium.
His one shot attemp was sooooo slow that it was blocked like he was a timid high schooler on an NBA court by Wright.
While this guy might be in a new system, new teamates, and new town and full of rust; he did not impress. I personally saw very little poetiential. Infact, i am shocked we gave him a year contract after what i saw.
Spurs Yoda - January 6, 2012 via mobile
He did look all of that. However I think it is due to pure lack of conditioning. Can’t really gauge potential yet I think. Maybe he might be able to be another big body by end of season. But not before. He looked too out of shape.
LionZion - January 6, 2012
Yup, he was just out of game shape. I think we need to wait on him.
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
Hey, any big man who can shoot free throws like this, I’m willing grant all the time he needs to see if he can fit in.
I took this video before the Warriors game during pre-game warmups, when the arena is all but empty, because his stroke just looked so nice, and he refused to miss a single one. Very cool.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Wow, so many injuries happening this week. Manu, Curry, Kidd, those 2 Miami guys. 2 games after Manu’s injury, our last 2 opponents had injuries as well.
TDzilla! - January 6, 2012
Also have the Randolph injury which is a bad blow to Memphis.
grego21 - January 6, 2012
Just wondering what Odom is doing here
Galfusica - January 6, 2012
Caption: “my wife is thiiiiiis big”
Spurs Yoda - January 6, 2012 via mobile
LOL
Galfusica - January 6, 2012
Rec’d.
SpursfanSteve - January 6, 2012
LOL! Lakers and Mavs didn’t benefit from the Odom trade. LAL is fuked without Odom, and he’s practically useless in the Mavs’ system
TDzilla! - January 6, 2012
wonder how Cuban says this is a better team than the prev year!
Galfusica - January 6, 2012
Wishful thinking and his attempts at marketing his product, I suppose.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
I agree with your overall assessment, and worry what’s going to happen when we face a team capable of defending the perimeter. But, I would have put RJ first due to his aggressiveness on the boards. He was clearly doing the best he’s capable of to fill the Manu-shaped hole in the roster, though he can never fill the Manu-shaped hole in our hearts.
Tim C. - January 6, 2012
It’ll be tough. Spurs took the shots the team gave them though. All games will be tough. But Spurs will have to learn to find ways. This will help them in the post season.
And it looks like RJ will benefit a lot from this time without Manu since its pushing him to take on a lot of responsibility.
grego21 - January 6, 2012
T
p2cat - January 6, 2012 via mobile
This is exactly what I was thinking about as well. The Houston game we lost and the T-wolves game…either our jumpers weren’t falling or they defended better. Whatever the reason is, we had a hard time scoring inside. In my mind, interior scoring and FT’s are going to be key for the next few months, and may be for a long playoff run as well. Timmeh used to be that guy inside, but now, with him playing further from the basket, we are lacking that interior presence.
Heman - January 6, 2012
Timmeh used to be that guy inside...
He looked really bad yday , evenin 1on1 situations. We need tiago to progress offensivelg
forrestgump52 - January 6, 2012
Thanks for commenting.
I think I agree about Tiago, but I think we’d all appreciate you taking just a bit more time to be sure that you’re posting what you meant to type.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Same worry I keep bringing up. I would feel better if we can win a significant number of games utilizing less threes and more midrange and rebounding and inside game.
LionZion - January 6, 2012
But I’m afraid our team’s skill set doesnt cater to that.
Heman - January 6, 2012
This year we have the potential. Anderson, Neal, Green, Kawhi, RJ, and Tony could all potentially get a reasonably open pull up jumper whenever they want to in our motion offense. If we can build a bit of team confidence in that, I think we will have stuff to fall back on in the playoffs other than 3s and Manu. Defense won’t be a strength because inevitably mismatches are not in our favor anymore.
LionZion - January 6, 2012
Part of winning regularly is taking what the defense gives you. I’d like to see a more varied offense too, but there’s precious little time for practice this year with the crazy schedule. We’ll see what happens as the schedule continues.
All that said, I’m planning a post to discuss this issue — since our offense seems to consist of little else beyond a heavy dose of thee pointers, followed by long range shots behind the arc I’m thinking of calling it “Defense and Threefense.”
J.R. Wilco - January 7, 2012
I have seen them varying up the pick and pop with the shooter. It’s not just Parker. There’s been some RJ this season and now Green has been doing it. They are taking a book out of the Ray Allen/Reggie Miller play book. A lot more back screens as well.
grego21 - January 7, 2012
"what’s going to happen when we face a team capable of defending the perimeter?"
Bonner will spend 20 + minutes passing the ball to someone else.
Titletown99030507d - January 6, 2012
Hopefully Bonner won’t play 20 minutes against that type of team
Joe deLarios - January 6, 2012
From your lips to Pop’s ear.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Has RJ had a dunk so far this season?
Galfusica - January 6, 2012
He almost had one, but Parker over threw the pass.
grego21 - January 6, 2012
He sure did. Parker might be one of the worst lob throwers in the NBA. I know we don’t surround him with guys that can jump, but whenever he attempts one he always seems to throw an errant pass.
Fred Silva - January 6, 2012
I’d be interested in seeing them try that lob with TJ throwing it.
Tim C. - January 6, 2012
TJ lead Green perfectly in the 4th against Golden State, and Danny said after the game that he was upset that he’d missed the dunk — he just laid it in.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
danny green, 12mpg, 21PER.
ironm8 - January 6, 2012
He let’s guys get past him sometimes when he’s put in 1on1 situations but is great off the ball defender . Smarter offensive players can cut or draw fouls
forrestgump52 - January 6, 2012
He seemed to be doing that on purpose- and the way he lets them by is acceptable when they are being funneled to help defense- it’s what made Bowen such a great defender. Get up in your guys face, and if he gets by you, force him to help.
SpursfanSteve - January 6, 2012
Excellent analysis, SfS.
Btw, where’s your new avatar?
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Ahhh. There it is.
J.R. Wilco - January 7, 2012
Here is an interesting thing:
The spurs average 41.29 Reb … Not Bad
But we have nobody with at least 7 rebounds
cuentaluis1 - January 6, 2012
we also give up 41.29 rebs. I would say that’s an area for real improvement
Galfusica - January 6, 2012
At this point of the season, I’m happy that they’re even breaking even on boards.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
I like watching Tj draw the D in with dribble penetration and find the open guys. He will eat most Second units alive in my opinion.
bigtee34 - January 6, 2012
He scares me sometimes with that reckless play of his. Hold’s on to the ball to long then it’s too late to do anything so he either decides to penetrate thinking he’s Tony Parker only to loose the ball fighting for it on the ground with the opposing player, or just shoot it and hope for the best.
As it showed he got lucky on that long three. I don’t want to see him make a habit of doing that.
Titletown99030507d - January 6, 2012
I’ll bet that there’s something positive about last night’s blowout win that you’d like to share.
I wonder what it could be.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Personally, I doubt it :)
SpursfanSteve - January 7, 2012
That hook shot still looks bad. There is no consistency. He is either falling away, or pushing in etc. It is like Blair’s jumpshot.
LionZion - January 6, 2012
Poor Anderson
Seems like he is buried on the bench now. When he got in he stayed aggressive which was great but I think it is kind of sad the guy is already buried on the bench after such a solid couple of early games
gunnin' gervin - January 6, 2012
he had a chance when he started against GSW but he kind of blew it
Joe deLarios - January 6, 2012
I’m not sure he blew his chance as much as Green just seized it. Danny can seriously ball, and he has more experience than &erson at this point.
I guess we’ll see what happens as time goes on, but at this point, I’m excited to see all the young legs on the court with something to prove.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Both Green and Neal were more assertive in using their opportunities.
Kondor - January 6, 2012
I think Anderson was assertive. If anything, that is all he has been so far on offense. Except, he hasn’t been able to get them to go in.
LionZion - January 6, 2012
Honestly, I can see Neal is special for his shooting and Green for his defense and fearlessness on open threes. I’m afraid I can’t say for Anderson. What is his strength?
Heman - January 6, 2012
But the dude tries..I agree that much. Its not for lack of trying for sure.
Heman - January 6, 2012
All of it?
See I think thats the difference between the 3. Neal shoots but is a below ave def, Green is and decent defender but has struggled some, I think JA ceiling is much higher on both ends of the floor. But he’s basically a rookie
Hicksman - January 6, 2012
How do we know how high JA’s ceiling might be? Neal contributed a lot to our 60+ wins last season. Green plays very well recently. JA didn’t show to me anything, which would suggest that he is an exceptional player. Not like he was terrible, but pretty average. I don’t see any justification why he should get more minutes at the expense of either Neal, or Green. I think, he should contribute more in limutes to earn his playing time. For now, it’s very hard for me to see, why he deserves any preferential treatment than our other young players.
Kondor - January 6, 2012
If JA is able to use his limutes to contribute defesivily then he might just stop being a psot and earn a spot in the rotation. But it’ll only happen if he’s ready to tactice, and keeps brining it every night
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
He played well the first four games but his outside shoot isn’t dropping as well as it did last year early. The first four games Green was in the position Anderson is in now, which is riding the pine until the game is out of reach.
Green played solid in Minnesota and now he has Anderson’s minutes. I’m not going to lie he seems to be better defensively than Anderson and his shot is dropping more as of late than James. But I can’t sit here and say honestly Anderson hasn’t showed me anything this season when he started off well the first 4 games and has been aggressive.
I do understand why Green and Neal are getting his minutes, especially Neal because like Kondor stated he is most definitely proven offensively. The question I have though is Green going to lose his minutes if his shots stop falling like the way Anderson did?
gunnin' gervin - January 7, 2012
I agree with you Hicksman. Anderson is better defensively than Neal already and can do a little more offensively than Green. Anderson is actually good at shooting off of screens and both are marginal at best at creating there own shot but right now Green’s jumper is dropping and he is a better defender than Anderson.
I understand why Green and Neal are playing but i do think it is kind of sad how the guy has fallen so far down the depth chart so fast after starting off solid. We will see if he can get his minutes back though.
gunnin' gervin - January 7, 2012
Hey, it’s only been a couple of games since he started. Let’s not act like &erson is buried on the depth chart just yet.
We’ll see what happens against the Nuggs tonight.
J.R. Wilco - January 7, 2012
I hope you are right and most importantly I hope all three guys stay hitting shots and playing solid defense
gunnin' gervin - January 7, 2012
Crow on you. That said, Anderson still has that higher offensive potential. However, JA shouldn’t be taking Green’s minutes. He should be taking Neals.
grego21 - January 7, 2012
Unless Pop wants to destroy JA’s confidence, he needs to give him more PT and not banish him to the end of the bench based on one game. Granted, he was timid against GSW and didn’t play particularly well, but I believe JA needs to be a key component for this team come playoff time. I just don’t want this to become another Splitter type scenario where Pop doesn’t develop JA during the season and then decides halfway through the 1st rnd that his size and athleticism will be useful against the opponent.
MG99 - January 6, 2012
+100
Hicksman - January 6, 2012
It’s an interesting point you bring up, but I’m guessing that Pop is probably more concerned with winning games during LWM than he is trying to keep from bruising the fragile psyche of his 2nd year player.
But I could be wrong.
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Yeah he is way more concerned with winning, which he should be
gunnin' gervin - January 7, 2012
I always enjoy these recaps
The recaps on GSOM are just a couple bullet points :(
doubleteapot - January 6, 2012
Hey, maybe I should write for them, I could do a couple of bullet points on every game.
Do you think PtR would grow to be as large as GSOM if we just spent less time on our recaps? =]
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
Sorry I missed you before the game, Matt. Hope to see you Saturday!
janieannie - January 6, 2012
Absolutely…
MatthewTynan - January 6, 2012 via iPhone app
thanks everyone
Just wanted to take a second to thank everybody for their contributions in the comment thread. The last couple of nights have been a lot of fun and I really appreciate you guys pitching in with your input. So here’s to a great season and let’s hope the guys can keep this winning thing going. Cheers!
MatthewTynan - January 6, 2012 via iPhone app
PS
Thanks for all the kind words, btw. I come from the newspaper industry where comments only appear out of disdain… So this is fun!
MatthewTynan - January 6, 2012 via iPhone app
This was a fun read. Thanks for a nice recap.
Heman - January 6, 2012
Your first two recaps have been terrific, MT. I’m especially surprised with your usage of the Lexicon. Keep it up.
silverandblack_davis - January 6, 2012
He’s a Lexicon PRODIGY!
J.R. Wilco - January 6, 2012
I’m in the second fantasy league, and by overrating a number of Spurs in the predraft before the automatic draft I wound up with many of them in the draft. I had Tony, Tim, Manu and Anderson; then dropped a player to add Kawhi. I picked up Bonner just recently so had him on the fantasy league team last night. Danny Green I added after seeing he’d be getting playing time after the Warriors game, though he wasn’t available yet for last night’s game. My non-Spurs are Dirk (who wound up my top pick after some other players got drafted ahead of him), Luis Scola, Grant Hill, Landry Fields and Kris Kaman.
I was surprised that I actually was briefly leading the league for one day a few days ago, now I’m down to 7th. I’m not expecting the team to be that great, since as far as fantasy league stats to the Spurs are too much of a team to build up stats. Last night might have worked a lot better for me if Dirk had scored an additional 20 points and made the game close enough that Tim and Tony were used more, but nice win by the Spurs.
Alamo - January 6, 2012
Missed mentioning having Tiago from the draft as well, giving me 8 Spurs all together.
Alamo - January 6, 2012
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