Game Thread #6: vs Knicks
New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs, Nov 11, 2008 7:30 PM CST
One Stud and a bunch of suck. Better get used to it as now both Tony and Manu are slated to be out until mid-December. Tonight kicks off a stretch of 5 games in 7 nights.
Lot's of fun to be had in the Game Thread. Put on your party hat and don't expect any defense.
Tonight begins the "Be Careful What You Ask For, You Just Might Get It" section of the season. Everybody that wanted the Spurs to get younger, play new guys, etc., this offseason are going to get it now. However, I don't think this is what we had in mind. George Hill is going to get plenty of run now. Let's see how he does. I also expect Tolliver is going to be pulling down major minutes over the next few weeks.
Game Time: 7:30 Spurs Time
TV: Fox Sports
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| 1-4 | George Hill | Roger Mason | Fabricio Oberto | Tim Duncan | Mr Potato Head |
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| 4-2 | Chris Duhon | Jamal Crawford | Zach Randolph | Wilson Chandler | Q Rich |
| images via espn.com | |||||
Officials: Washington, Robinson, Davis
Keys To The Game:
Pace: I know we won't be able to gun with these guys. But, we are starting a rookie point guard and it will be interesting to see how George controls the game.
Small Ball: Our non-Duncan bigs have been lousy so far this year. How much small ball will Pop play? I hope a lot. More Mason, Udoka, Bowen. Less Oberto, Thomas, Bonner.
Defensive Rebounding: I've been bemoaning our defensive rebounding since game 1 claiming it to be atrocious. Well, much to my surprise, we are 5th in the league in defensive rebounding percentage. We have been getting 75.7% of our opponents missed shots. However, we are third from the bottom in offensive rebounding percentage and tied with the Heat and TWolves for 4th-6th worst in overall rebound percentage. Maybe it is just because it seems we don't get them when we need them. Maybe it is because the 25% our opponents are getting seems like a lot when they are never missing shots. Also worth noting, none of our opponents are good rebounding teams and two of them suck as bad as us.
Some other reading:
You can find some Knicks content at Posting And Toasting. There is a good recap of the Knicks/Wizards game that pretty much sums up D'Antoni and the Knicks.
Other:
A little something from the wayback machine:

I've heard that Larry Kenon and the Spurs organization don't get along because he was snubbed on a couple of occasions or something. That's really sad to me. The man gave a lot to the Spurs.
A shirt that describes what I expect to be Pop's coaching style the next few weeks:
via faroutshirts.com
Recap: SpurChief is on it.
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I had an epiphany today when I was looking at a fantasy team that I have on ESPN. It was not a nice epiphany, but a disturbing, “holy shit” kind of epiphany.
I have two knicks on my team (Chandler and Lee) and I actually decided to start both of them because they are playing against San Antonio. Holy shit.
I'm comfortable winning -- Emmanuel Ginobili
I know it’s early and he could totally fall apart, but can we refer to it as one stud, a bunch of suck, and Roger Mason? I mean, he’s been pretty good for us. I think he’s earned it.
Agreed
Mason is at least in the “might not be suck, therefore if we label him as suck, we seal his fate as suck” category.
Without him, we would not have a win yet. He was the key 3rd scorer in the Minny 2OT game and I think he finished with 26. Everyone fawned – deservedly so – over TP’s 55, but Timmeh and Mason pitched in 56 between the two of them.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ā Aldous Huxley
I really like Mason
I’ll admit I knew next to nothing about him when they got him, but he looks like he’ll fit in quite nicely
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
OSABOSAM - PTR's acronym of the day
One Stud, A Bunch Of Suck, And Mason
And I like the sound of it — oh saw bow sam.
It’s theraputic
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
I can’t help but notice that Bowen’s pic is the only one that zooms in completely to his head and doesn’t show the shirt. Is that related to the Potato Head label? I think it is, you subtle previewer you.
All I want tonight is to be able to yell “TOLLIVER!” at some point.
In the meantime, let’s hear it for athleticism:

Ahh, yes. Let’s hear it for athleticism. As in, “look at that incredibly atletic move he put on the defender before he bricked that shot”
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
by the way
that was with complete love and acceptance of our scrubs
as well as bad spelling
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
Où est Ian Mahinmi?
We need this kid more than ever
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Bring on the young'uns
Let’s see what Hill can do, Mahinmi needs to get back as well. I’d rather see them come and fail than seeing Oberto/Thomas out there flopping around. At least with the young bucks there is an unknown factor.
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
Hey all
I’ve been busy with school and work this year, so this is my first chance to watch my 2008-9 Spurs in action. What a joke D’Antoni, going to the Knicks… I guess he’s getting his just desserts, with a lousy 1-4 start compared to our Spurs fighting through injuries to start 4-2.
Wait a minute, the Spurs are 1-4? Hopefully I can bring them some good karma tonight.
Catch the Spurs Spirit! It's a Fast-breakin' Fiesta!
It’s game time beaches! Who’s got the link?
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
searching for the link
but the interweb is strong with the weakside help.
(see what i did there? With the whole basketball as a reference point….)
http://www.justin.tv/stealthshot
this lively young fellow just said he’d have spurs v knicks on in a moment for what its worth
yeah but apparently the guy doing the channel is new to the marvels of the internet and some guy in channel named Harry is talking him through the process.
Everyone say a prayer for Harry’s non verbal communication skills.
You can watch the game here, with IE and Sopcast:
http://www.andromedanet.com/tvtuner_sop_ps1.html
Form is emptiness
word...
just checking in, guys… wanted to let y’all know that even though I havent been around, I still like the Spurs….
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
When JV and Oberto start creating shots for themselves we are in deep caca!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Called plays for Fab out of a timeout. How the mighty have fallen.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ā Aldous Huxley
Serves you right. I believe you owe Mr. Duncan an apology.
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Hey, it’s hafltime and we are only down 3.
Are we playing good defense tonight?
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:37 PM CST reply actions
It makes me feel warm inside.
How’s George doing tonight?
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
No turnovers. Pop has to love that.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:42 PM CST up reply actions
Damn, why did Pop start Udoka over Bowen? I almost got the starting lineup correct.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:38 PM CST reply actions
Holy shit. The JV jacked up 5 shots in 7 minutes.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:43 PM CST reply actions
Very sad. I would rather see Oberto shooting 3’s or even Timmeh.
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Let’s rank ‘em. Who do you want shooting 3’s? Best to worst.
I’ll start.
1. Manu
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:47 PM CST up reply actions
Better yet, let’s practice our CS 101 insertion sort algorithm.
We’ll start with
1. Manu
2. Mason
Where would you put Bruce in the corrner? 1, 2, or 3.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:50 PM CST reply actions
Dan D’Antoni. Is he their defensive coach? Does he follow Mike around as the defensive specialist?
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:51 PM CST reply actions
Ok, so I’m getting.
1 Manu
2. Mason
3. Udoka
4. Bowen
who’s #5? FinDog, Farmer, Bonner.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:53 PM CST reply actions
5. FinDog
Still on the table: Farmer, Duncan, Thomas, Oberto, Vaughn, Hill, Bonner, Mahinmi, Parker, Who am I missing?
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 8:56 PM CST reply actions
I like me some George Hill. You sopcast guys are behind.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 9:02 PM CST reply actions
He’s got a great rebound coming up too.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 9:02 PM CST reply actions
Duncan is just such a freak..
When he works in the low post like that i just remember why i love him so much
When Tony is back...
…I can see a smallball lineup with TP, Hill, Manu, Mason, and TD. 3 slashers, 2 shooters (Manu is both), and Tim to clean the glass.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ā Aldous Huxley
He did it again...
…and scored. I’m petrified that Pop puts that in the playbook to keep him on the floor longer.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ā Aldous Huxley
Funny shot of Manu
He was sitting on the bench, with his eyes following Pop as the old guy is pacing and yelling. Manu has this play-me-or-I’m-going-to-kill-you-in-your-sleep look on his face. Kind of like Kurt looks all the time.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ā Aldous Huxley
never thought Id say this....
But we need some George Hill
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Great pass
From Mason to Tolliver!
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ā Aldous Huxley
Mason is a very serviceable backup point. In fact, I don’t think the JV has played this half at all, has he?
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ā Aldous Huxley
Damn you guys, I hate this delayed feed! Bruuuuuuuuce!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Thanks LatinD! What would I or a lot of people on here do without you. You are the mostest awesomest, stupendous person I have never met!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Can’t wait to see this team at full strength. Adding Mason and Hill to the awesomeness of the Big 3 (which by default limits Finley and JV’s minutes) will be great to watch. Once everyone is healthy and the team has gelled. In March.
Also need Ian healthy and in the “young” mix now.
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." ā Aldous Huxley
That, to me, at times, was vintage Spurs basketball.
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Hill looks like a freakish athlete—high shoulders, long arms, good defensive player; I think he’lll be the best backup point we’ve had since Speedy (talk about damning with faint praise)
Catch the Spurs Spirit! It's a Fast-breakin' Fiesta!
Key stat of the game: The JV played 12 minutes
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 11, 2008 10:39 PM CST reply actions

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