GameThread #4: at T'wolves
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 9:15 AM CST
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PrintSan Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves, Nov 5, 2008 7:00 PM CST
It's the Spurs worst start in their NBA history. Holy cow! Let's panic!
Come on in to the Panic Room. It's dark, it's scary, and I might grab you in your privates when you least expect it.
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| 0-3 | Tony Parker | FinDog | Fab | Tim | Mr Potato Head |
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| 1-2 | Al Jefferson | Ryan Gomes | Cory Brewer | Mike Miller | Randy Foye |
| images via espn.com | |||||
Officials: Dan Crawford, Blair, Stafford
Keys To The Game:
Can a brother get a 'W'?: We just need a win. Any win.
The boards: This will remain on the list until we out rebound somebody. Last night we got beat on the boards by 11. To be fair, we missed way more shots than they did. Oh wait, but they still had more offensive rebounds than we did. I think Pop is going to have to pull out the 'soft' rant a little early this year. Kurt and Fab COMBINED for zero rebounds in 26 minutes. Our "starting" centers COMBINED for zero rebounds in 26 minutes. SERIOUSLY.
Some other reading:
Go get yourself a little T'Wolves info at Canis Hoopus.
I also found this out on the internet. It's about the Spurs. It's by Stampler.
Other:
How about that George Hill? He looked good in his first playing time. How's Donte Greene doing?
I'm completely befuddled by the Bruce Bowen situation. Bruce didn't play in the second half against the Mavs. He logged 12 minutes. He's averaging 18 minutes per game. Normally, I would write this off to Pop reducing his veterans' minutes to keep them fresh. However, Tim logged 40 minutes for the second straight game.
I for one, don't believe Bruce has slipped that precipitously. Is he bad on offense? Yes, but no worse than he has been for the last 6 years. Has he slipped on defense? Probably. But not that much. He's still better than Finley, who by the way is pulling down 30 minutes a game.
Recap:
Bones, you are on it.
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Comments
Lack of Respect?
More like lack of interest. There were only 3 games in the NBA last night. Despite that, the espn Daily Dime makes no mention of the Spurs loss and their 0-3 start.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 9:37 AM CST reply actions
I Pop is planning on doing our usual “under the radar” thing this year. A losing record will go a long way towards accomplishing that.
chaos... panic... pandemonium... my work here is done.
Maybe he’s just lost it because instead of developing his young players to continue the winning tradition, he’s staying with old veterans like Finley and Thomas who’s not capable anymore. Duncan isn’t gonna stay forever..
Age is a factor.
I agree age is a factor. The older guys are good and I am a big TD fan, but he and many veterans on the team aren’t young anymore. And not enough is being done to develop the younger players.
by CanadianBlazerfan on Nov 6, 2008 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
Bowen...
Im guessing as the season goes on hes going to be a specialty player, in other words, he’ll come on like a three point specialist would, but only for defensive purposes….like if the other team is making a run and they need Bowens defensive skills….he just too old to do that for 30+ minutes night in and night out.
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.
Bowen’s NOT a three-point-specialist. He’s an aging and well-past-his-prime defender who happens to be able to hit a three from exactly two spots on the floor. He’s approaching uselessness.
chaos... panic... pandemonium... my work here is done.
by rick2g on Nov 5, 2008 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
0-3
I’m a big Tim Duncan fan and it worries me that he’s not again been given help to lessen his burden. Spurs want him to defend, score and rebound. Why not get a young athletic big man to support him at least in rebounding and defending the paint? I think part of the reason we are losing is that we don’t intimidate the opposing team anymore. All they see are aging players who can’t block their shots can’t get rebounds and can’t stay with them defensively. Our offense is also very bad part of it because Parker doesn’t make plays for his team. He goes in there trying to be Kobe which he’s not and even Kobe now trusts his team. Why have young players in the lineup when you’re not going to play & develop them?
So. We really can’t lose this one…
If we do lose, how many of you will be reaching for this:
I’ll be around tonight, if only to share the pain.
Does pushing the panic button result in a trade for Al Harrington?
by Jason Roberts on Nov 5, 2008 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
Interesting question. Al’s 9.2 Mill salary would be very hard for the Spurs to match in a trade. It would require 2 of the following: Bruce, Fab, Bonner, Mason, and KT and probably some filler like The JV and Farmer. KT and Mason can’t be traded for at least another month.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
That’s just what we need a soft three point specialist (30% or so) that can’t rebound a lick. Just put the ball in Parkers hands a little more and maybe pick up Mcdyess for his toughness if he’s available and we should crack the bottom 4.
by WinstonDetroit on Nov 5, 2008 7:06 PM CST up reply actions
Fret not my fellow PTR’ers, it’s still early in the season, we can recover. Now if we end the month with a losing record, that may be the time to push the panic button.
I’m dumbfounded as to what is going on with Bruce, only Pop knows the answer to that one. What i would like to see is Hill taking all of JV’s minutes away and Mason taking all of Finley’s minutes away. Is that too much to ask?
Man, the T-Wolves look all young and chit compared with our roster of geriatric fools. That sure doesn’t bode well for tonight. All that athleticism out-jumping, out-hussling, out-everything that has to do with being younger all over the court.
See you at game time beaches! (I may be a little late, since the game starts when I get out of work and who knows how bad the traffic will be crossing the street). Nevertheless, I’ll be here, so don’t worry!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Ok, I started laughing when the ad that appeared, it’s the one with the brunette lying down and smiling at you, said, “ATS locks won me over”. I think it is a gambling site.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 4:23 PM CST reply actions
Hopefully George and Farmer get more minutes tonight.
www.sportzchat.com
by Linix129 on Nov 5, 2008 5:33 PM CST reply actions
did ya’ll notice that parker and duncan are two of the top four in player efficiency so far this year? they’re playing out of their minds and we couldn’t beat an oden-less portland. i half expected to see hollinger crib powell’s famous mantra: “three studs and a bunch of suck.”
you ain't a beauty but hey you're alright.
Who didn't see this coming?
Never did I think I’d see the day that the Spurs would have to give their all out best effort to maybe defeat a team full of players that could barely crack the roster of a developemental league team. This is a wretched disgrace, but I’m sure if you look back far enough you can unearth the slow workings of the clumsy clownhand that orchestrated the debacle which is the 2009 season.
The blame lies squarely at the foot of a now certainly fallen idol. Maybe had (He) adhered to his doctors and teams requests to stay off his gimpy gimp ankle things may have started out a bit differently for us ever loyal fans, but as it is we have to suffer through the demise of a proud franchise that chose to honor a disobedient me first player most assuredly on the downslope of his career.
Perhaps if they could do it over again they would have severed ties to this impostor during the 2007 season when he had a bit of value left and we could be celebrating the march towards a threepeat instead of meandering hopelessly through a miserable 2009.
I don’t think Manu is a Me first player for playing in the Olympics, he choose to play for his country and got injured. Tough break for the Spurs, but I can’t fault him for playing for his country. It’s his life. He damn sure isn’t an impostor. He’s the team’s heart and soul. As far as severing ties with him during the 2007 season, you don’t win the chip without him in 2007. Just my two cents.
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
I have absolutely no qualms with anyone that chooses to honor their country through sport of any kind. Infact I have a deep respect for players that choose to follow this path. But I do have a problem with the judgement of a man that is injured and under contract choosing to worsen the injury by playing for his nation. To me that is total and blatant disregard for the organization, his teammates and the fans and is the essence of the mindset of a me first player and if that as you say is the heart and soul of the Spurs we are in for some dire days.
by WinstonDetroit on Nov 6, 2008 6:24 PM CST up reply actions
Hold on, let me get this straight. You are calling somebody a ME first player when he puts his country first ahead of his contract? It makes you a ME first player to play for FREE for your country instead of worrying about your MONEY and your contract? That’s a bit of an odd tact to take. You are arguing that by putting his country ahed of the organization, Spurs teammates, and Spurs fans that he is a me first player.
However, all that is beside the point. You have completely undermined your own position by stating that the Spurs should have “severed ties to this impostor” — you know, because if he was the real deal we wouldn’t care nearly as much — during the 2007 season. 2008 was the best season that he has had as a pro.
So, MEH, go elsewhere with your weak Manu hating. “Us ever loyal fans” don’t have such frail loyalty.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 6, 2008 8:48 PM CST up reply actions
Tell him how you really feel, ATS!
In light of Wednesday evening’s great offensive performances, it was interesting reading (Hollinger) that Manu had the second best overall performance of the past seven seasons. It was a 46-point, eight-rebound, five-assist gem against Cleveland, one in which he shot 15-for-20 (including eight 3-pointers), had three steals and just one turnover. When did it happen? In 2008. He sure doesn’t seem like an imposter to me…
It’s a shame he couldn’t have saved some of that for the playoff run no?
by WinstonDetroit on Nov 7, 2008 7:03 PM CST up reply actions
You obviously didn’t read my reply very carefully, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are just venting your hearts frustration over the demise of Manu and haven’t yet wrapped your mind around the logic of the situation that sits out there clearly for us all to see. Manu, instead of using his better judgement, chased glory. He may not be a me first player in the sense of stats or money or anything so material as that, but his actions clearly showed that he is chasing self satisfaction at the expense of the team. Let me repeat myself for you, if he had no recent history of injury I would have rejoiced in his playing with his national side, but as the situation played out, his injury will very possibly cost us the 2009 season. And that my friend is an affront to the fans, his team and the organization.
Perhaps if he was gone a couple of years ago we would have been on a differnt path, but as it stands, thanks to him, we are circling the drain, and I dare you to deny that.
by WinstonDetroit on Nov 7, 2008 7:01 PM CST up reply actions
Noooooooooooo!!!!!!! The NBA League Pass free preview is over. LatinD, you got a link? Can you hook a brother up?
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Can't find any
I’m a bit desperate myself. It happens, a few games every year. I’ll let you know.
Anyone remembers SiMA’s link from game 2? Maybe that’s working.
Tim is having a rough shooting night(0-4 at the moment)....
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
Not looking too good right now
Tim is currently 1-8, the Wolves are leading 36-28 with 6:08 left in the 2nd.
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
Parker brought is 'A' game tonight
18 points midway through the 2nd quarter.
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
Further proof
That LatinD is more awesome than all the awesomest awesome combined. Thanks!!!
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
We don’t look so great. Let’s hope for a better second half.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 8:20 PM CST reply actions
You guys weren’t kidding last night about giving the thumbs down to Oberto’s burns, eh?
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
NO
and NO and no and no
and also, some nyet, nope, not yet, non and Nuh uh
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
damn...
just got in… we suck…
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
hey...
does anyone else in here just get really mad at our offseason when they see this kind of shoddy product?
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
I would be, but...
I’m in the state of acceptance.
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
calm..
like hindu cows
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
by Justin Biehle on Nov 5, 2008 8:32 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Tim..
with the distance
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
I like that Roger Mason character. Between George, Mason, and the return of Manu the FinDog and The JV might be out of playing time.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 8:35 PM CST reply actions
I made it beaches! Thanks for the link LatinD!!!! You da man!!!!!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
ATS, isn't it about time
for an NBA cares update?
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
It's gotta be said...
If the Spur’s only current problem was Manu’s injury, then Mason’s play has been easily good enough to pick up any slack his absence creates. This raises some obvious questions regarding the rest of the Spurs roster…
chaos... panic... pandemonium... my work here is done.
does someone want to create a chart or a powerpoint presentation explaining exaclty how the spurs can have the 2nd best shooting in the league and be 21st in scoring?
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
Bruce is playing in the 2nd half???? Pop must read PTR!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
that would surprise me more than just about any other revelation about any member of the Spurs
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
Pop actually comes to me for advice.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 8:59 PM CST up reply actions
Of course.
There’s really no other way!
by HornPossessed on Nov 5, 2008 9:28 PM CST up reply actions
Allright then — now tell me (to go three for three) are you an Astros fan too?
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
Hah, I’m not a baseball fan at all. Sorry man.
by HornPossessed on Nov 5, 2008 9:31 PM CST up reply actions
Titans? You mean the Longhorns of the NFL? Oh yeah.
by HornPossessed on Nov 5, 2008 9:32 PM CST up reply actions
Man, our defense and defensive rebounding really, really suck.
Let’s win one in OT.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 9:35 PM CST reply actions
My tv’s off. Was that a make-up call, or was Tim really fouled?
chaos... panic... pandemonium... my work here is done.
Damn!
That was a helluva shot by Jefferson….
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
gaaaaahhh!!!!
I say let’s hit the 3 and go for the win
Tony!!!! Dude’s been eating his Wheaties.
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
Probably the only thing left in the house. You seen Eva lately? Tony had to eat the collector’s edition Spurs Championship boxes.
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
how about MASON with 24 on 8 for 14 and 2-3 on threes?
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
Did you guys/gals see...
…The guy wearing the tight ass shirt/jersey high five Tony?
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
Someone should tell Love that TD is First Team All-NBA Defense caliber type!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Tony!!!!
Don’t kill ’em like that TP!!!!
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
FIDDY-TWO! Go for 60 Tony, quit being so un-selfish.
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
we still have time for a 2 for 1
SA +1 with 35 sec left
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
Who’s man was that? Finley? I’ll blame it on him anyway! FUQ!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Wayne!!!! Where are you?
You’re missing a good one here.
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
Offensive boards! YES!! Me likey!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Wow, LD
they sure turn that feed off IMMEDIATELY after the game ends, don’t they?
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
129 Spurs 125 Wolves… 2 OT game. Spurs finally win a game!!! Holy Crap!!!!! It’s like I’m living in a bizarro world.
cornfused
Dude, I didn’t know he traveled for our road games
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
wow
Great game, Mason and Parker totally made up for our atrocious D
www.sportzchat.com
by Linix129 on Nov 5, 2008 10:15 PM CST reply actions
another WOW for
chiming in nearly 5 hours after your last post
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
Well, guys, it’s past 2 am here, and I have work in 5 hours. Thanks for the live blog. It’s been a blast, like always.
Looking forward to bones’ recap. Lates.
What a game! Man, I feel like I played in that game. Big, major, huge props to Tony “Le Conciergie” Parker. He did it all tonight! He pulled a Manu and willed this team to a “W”.
Thanks again LatinD, you and the Spurs made my crappy day so much better!
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Yay. All it took for our first win of the year was for Tony to have a career game over the craptastic Timberwolves. I’m so much more optimistic about the rest of the season now.
chaos... panic... pandemonium... my work here is done.
Why do you want to ruin my buzz like that?
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 11:18 PM CST up reply actions
Michael “His Airness” Jordan. Oscar “The Big O Robertson ". Tony "Frenchie McWonderbutt” Parker. Only 3 players in the history of the world have scored 55+ points AND had 10 assists. You, my friends, just witnessed history.
"Well if I am truly crazy, don't you know I like my life that way"
Good Company
Now that is the complete opposite of a buzz kill. Pretty cool.
I am calm, filling myself with patience - Manu Ginobili
I was at the game. Let me first say MN will soon be a good team.
However, I’ve never been to a more pathetic game. When I go to a road game I want to fear for my life when I yell. Here, people were all nice and only had good comments about the Spurs. It was also maybe 1/4th full. Also, worst music and PA of all time.
So much for Stampler’s “Tony has plateaued”. He’s averaging 36 and 7.
Ok, I’m off my rocker, but still, I think he’s leading the league in scoring.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Nov 5, 2008 11:35 PM CST reply actions
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