San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder in Austin Preview

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 20, 2009 8:15 AM CDT in Game Previews

San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder, Oct 20, 2009 7:30 PM CDT

Yippety! Yippety! Yippety! The Spurs are playing in MY town.

Here's your preview. Second to last preseason game. 9 days until the regular season starts.

I'm ready to get this freak on and shake it and break it. In fact, I'm ready to "Dance To The Music". (It's playing right now. I think it's a sign.)

San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Where: Erwin Center - Austin, TX
When: October 20, 2009, 7:30 PM Spurs time
Watch: NONE - M10R

How They Stack Up


0-0	Home	0-0
0-0	Road	0-0
0.0	Offense	0.0
0.0	Defense	0.0
0	FG%	0
0	3-pt%	0
0	FT%	0
0	Rebounds	0
0	TOs	0
0-0	Last 10	0-0
N/A	Streak	N/A


Country/Time Zone	Game Time
Argentina	9:30 PM
Armpit of America	5:30 PM
Philippines	8:30 AM
Central Europe	2:30 AM
Palestine/Egypt	2:30 AM
Hater's Coast	8:30 PM
Forgotten Time Zone	6:30 PM
Perth Australia	8:30 AM
Tokyo	9:30 AM
Sydney, Australia	11:30 AM

Spurs (0-0)	Matchups	Thunder (0-0)
Tony Parker NBA Usain Bolt	Point Guard Tony's just wicked fast and a polished vet. Westbrook is about to start his second season. He's massively talented. He needs to show that he's getting better. I expect he'll really work to see if he can slow Tony down. I bet no. Advantage: Spurs	Russell Westbrook The Sophomore

Manu Ginobili The Alfajore	Shooting Guard Another matchup in the Spurs favor where the opposition has a vested interest in showing their defensive chops. Advantage: Spurs	Thabo Sefolosha Bruce Bowen Light

Richard Jefferson The New Guy	Small Forward By definition, I hate the opposing players. I like Kevin Durant. I don't see anything not to like about him. Plus, he's a freak who can ball. Last year, a check always went into the opposition box here. Or, for you veterans, the ATS white dot wasn't on the Spurs SF. I expect it to be there a lot this year. But we've got no ATS white dot now. It's the ATS white box. Advantage: Thunder	Kevin Durant The Hometown Guy

Tim Duncan The Foundation	Power Forward Jeff Green is an enigma. He's good, but is he really good? Doesn't matter. It's the preseason. Advantage: Spurs	Jeff Green The Gifted?

Antonio McDyess The Other New Guy	Center Krstic has a nice mid-range game and he was a good mid-season pick up last year for the Thunder. Dyess has a nice mid-range game and he was a good off-season pick up this summer. Advantage: Draw (Positive)	Nenad Krstic The Sidekick

DeJuan Blair Rookie #37	Bench & Role Players Harden has long arms. You know what, that's just a longer fulcrum for DeJuan to generate more speed for launching him. (That's not a picture of Harden. It's Etan Thomas.) Advantage: Spurs	James Harden Rookie #3

Gregg Popovich The Old Me	Coach Not much to say. Advantage: Spurs	Scott Brooks Young Punk
	images via yahoo.com

Intangibles
We have a few guys fighting for a roster spot. And they are good. They have some other guys who are marginal. I like our guys.
Advantage: Spurs
Mojo
They gave us hell last year. Mojo respects that. Advantage: Thunder
Winner
Yeah, I'm going with them. Durant will be motivated.

Keys To The Game

The Refs - Will Durant shoot 20+ free throws?
Three Ballin' - I'd like to know if we are going to be a great 3-point shooting team this year.
Hairston vs Williams vs Bogans - These guys have one more week, and two more games, to seal their fate.

Last Time They Met

I don't recall the date or the outcome. I know we were fighting for playoff seeding and they kept kicking our ass.

Some Other Reading

Thunder

Welcome To Loud City - The Thunder SBN blog. Pappa G has come alive now that the offseason is over.

Spurs

48 Minutes of Hell: I'd like these guys more if they didn't hate on Eric today.
Project Spurs: I haven't checked it out in a little while. They are now part of their own blog network, as well. They are the OTHER blog included at mysa.com.

Where to Tune In

TV

This game will be aired nationwide on ESPN. NOT!

Online

This game will be streamed at NBA.com. NOT!

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. In fact, nobody can stop you from googling "atdhe". You can also shoot an email to dmenendez@gmail.com for more assistance.

Spurs League Pass audio is still free this year, so check it out. NOT! League Pass Audio hasn't worked all pre-season.

Radio

If you're in the San Antonio area and aren't near a TV, tune in to WOAI (1200 AM).

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Comments

I had one goal with this preview. To make LionZion happy.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 20, 2009 8:25 AM CDT reply actions

Lol. Thanks all you guys! This preview is indeed pleasant on the eyes and very easy to scan.

The matchups section is looking really good. Clear and concise. Kudos.
Not to nitpick, but you got MaceWindu’s pic in Blair’s slot. Just looking out for you Wayne, when the JRW and jrwlings come calling.

I understand we will be having two separate stat posts every week or so. So all that combined makes for a good weekly review as the season goes on.

Thanks to the whole group.

by LionZion on Oct 20, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Correction, That’s Blair Afro version.

Blair lite?

Hard to tell, those pearly whites too bright.

Venus de Milo is a memorial to those who had tried rebounding against Dejuan Blair. –"Spurs_fan_in_exile" (edited)

by 'DSilverlining on Oct 20, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

The “ATS white box”? :)

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Oct 20, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions

that’s funny.

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney

by bellasa on Oct 20, 2009 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions

You had me at “Fulcrum”.

I really like the new format. The Advantage line under mojo is missing a break line by the way.

I will take the over on Durant getting more FTA’s then minutes played.

by BlaseE on Oct 20, 2009 8:41 AM CDT reply actions

Damn. That’s not a line break it is missing. It’s a whole separate row it is supposed to be on. That whole section looks like dog piss anyway. I was working on it last night and finally gave up and just did the preview.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 20, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Damn, that’s not a picture of Blair either. Yahoo doesn’t have rookie photos yet.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 20, 2009 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions

and harden looks remarkably like etan thomas. but you probably knew this already,

free george hill!

by sleep research facility on Oct 20, 2009 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Come on yahoo what you doin!? Get a picture of the Blair.

Good post Wayne!

Air Alamo - My Blog On the San Antonio Spurs

by mikesatx on Oct 20, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions

There’s a Blair-ific pic in one of the previous game threads(the first one for sure).

9.20.21.24.34
ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco

by Tim C. on Oct 20, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Use ESPN’s.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Oct 20, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions

That’s what I did.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Oct 20, 2009 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Use this avatar. it’s inevitable that the ball will end up in his arms, anyway.

DeJuan Blair is Mr.Snuffleupagus of teh NBA. Freak of nature (elongated arms,ginormous behind), effin incredible (rebounding machine), blows you away (for a rook) n cuddly cute.

by 'DSilverlining on Oct 20, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope we go all “pre-season Lebron” on these young punks, and whipem by 50 ( ten would be nice too )

The boogie man checks his closet for DeJuan Blair before he goes to sleep !

by alamobro on Oct 20, 2009 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

Wayne, OKC has the other Scott, Scott Brooks. Fixed it for ya, if you don’t mind :)

The Roleplayer's Realm

by silverandblack_davis on Oct 20, 2009 9:24 AM CDT reply actions

BLAIR

you have roger mason’s picture in dejuan blair’s box…

by Zain521 on Oct 20, 2009 9:49 AM CDT reply actions

Already noted above, hoss.

WWTD?

by Lauri on Oct 20, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I love the use of “hoss” here.

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 20, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Hoss is good. I would have gone with ‘chief.’

"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles

by Fred Silva on Oct 20, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

“Chief” works as well, but some would go with “champ” or “sport”

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 20, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

or dude.

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney

by bellasa on Oct 20, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions

But “dude” isn’t really complimentary at all, and you need it to be, otherwise the blow of being corrected isn’t softened.

That’s why hoss is so perfect, b/c it’s vaguely complimentary while maintaining a bit of irony around the edges, and just a slight tinge of a smirk. But a knowing smirk that says “it’s ok, we both know you were trying to help — just read the other comments before you jump in there next time.”

See?

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 21, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m going to have to disagree with you. It’s all in the way you use the word. Just one small example…

I’m the dude.

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney

by bellasa on Oct 21, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions

That movie just gets better every time you see it.

If you haven't lived with a squirrel, you haven't lived. - Bob Ross

by Hipuks on Oct 21, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions

The Dude minds!

and

Let me explain something about The Dude.

AND

The Dude Abides.

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 22, 2009 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Good lord. It’s official—today is Kevin Durant Day. No pressure to put on a show, KD!

That press release reads like The Onion’s story on Yao Ming when they pretended they had been bought by a Chinese conglomerate.

“Additionally, Kevin Durant is the light.”

WWTD?

by Lauri on Oct 20, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions

20 not 28

The game is tonight not on the 28 like it says on the top of the preview. You had me all confused thinking you were already doing a preview for the season opener or something.

Going for the first even year championship!

by Sh!fty on Oct 20, 2009 10:49 AM CDT reply actions

Fixed, thanks.

WWTD?

by Lauri on Oct 20, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Thank you for the effort Wayne!

by SaSleepless on Oct 20, 2009 11:15 AM CDT reply actions

512

Thanks for the preview.

This will be the only game I probably will get to see live this season—so i’m stoked.

It’ll be weird to see the Spurs playing in the Irwin center. Have they done this before? I’ve slept since then.

by Cedarpark on Oct 20, 2009 11:20 AM CDT reply actions

Especially peculiar is the fact that this is an away game for the Spurs. Well. I guess this is Austin, not San Antonio. But it’s a home game for the Thunder? That confused the hell out of me until I read that it’s Kevin Durant day.

That’s right. Kevin Durant day. They’re giving people cheaper tickets if you have signs or shirts or whatever with his name on them.

Yeah. My friend and I will be wearing our custom made Williams/Hairston Spurs/Toros shirts instead. Good luck trying to make this into an OKC home crowd, guys.

by DUNOTS on Oct 20, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Love the changes in the formatting, Wayne, especially the time zone addition. Armpit of America made me GOL. I’m so excited that I’ll get to see/hear the game tonight – NOT! I’m expecting a great recap, since several of you will be at the game.

My people call it "sarcasm." - Lauri

by CapHill on Oct 20, 2009 11:33 AM CDT reply actions

Hooray! There’s a game feed! As long as something’s on TV somewhere, it’ll be online everywhere. Cable and satellite networks should really acknowledge that and adjust formats, its ridiculous that after 35 years of the Spurs in San Antonio I can’t even watch pre-season games in a bar, let alone my home. Meanwhile, in their 2nd season, the even smaller market Oklah-who-the-hell-cares **ity Blunder will have the game broadcast on local television. RIDICULOUS! Oh well, the local stations won’t get my viewership anyway cause I’ll be watching the game online… just look at the instructions up top^^

by RamblingSpur on Oct 20, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions

It’s not only ridiculous, it’s costing them money. The NBA needs to work like ABC and Hulu, or at least remove the blackouts on local teams. Why would I pay for NBA Broadband League pass if I can’t watch the spurs on it?
It’s always bad for business when your customers are trying hard to give you money and you can’t take it..

by SaSleepless on Oct 20, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Great preview! I know it’s preseason, but no more losing to crummy teams like OKC this year. I think they’ll be improved.

by Ed (dfjmed) on Oct 20, 2009 12:13 PM CDT reply actions

If the Thunders keep somehow winning against us it will give the I-35 rivalry a new meaning.

by SaSleepless on Oct 20, 2009 12:47 PM CDT reply actions

I think we will do it tonight guys! Though it is preseason we are going to BAAAA-Ring It!

Air Alamo - My Blog On the San Antonio Spurs

by mikesatx on Oct 20, 2009 3:55 PM CDT reply actions

Anyone else a little scared of the Thunder? We split games with them last year, but it seemed as if they were just too athletic for us. The only game I chose not to attend was against the Thunder. My thought was, either we take care of them and it’s a blow out, or we play them close and if we pull it out you feel more relieved than happy and if we lose it would really suck. We lost that game.

I’ll be interested to see how our key players perform. Hopefully RJ brings some athleticism to the table.

"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles

by Fred Silva on Oct 20, 2009 4:01 PM CDT reply actions

I agree with you Fred. They were and probably still are more athletic than us but I feel we can survive. There is just something about this damn team that gives us fits.

Air Alamo - My Blog On the San Antonio Spurs

by mikesatx on Oct 20, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if the Tyson Chandler deal went through last year. Yikes!

When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.

by the little o on Oct 20, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

A little scary....

cause of Jeff Green we can’t guard him.

by JaySo on Oct 20, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

If you can make them a half court team and eliminate the fast breaks, they are beatable.

by JaySo on Oct 20, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

They’re also very TO prone, which Manu, Tony, and even RJ should be able to exploit.

9.20.21.24.34
ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco

by Tim C. on Oct 20, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Their team is built around good wing players. Not a post player and not a point guard. Our wing defenders just were not very good last year. Especially when Bruce was on the bench.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 20, 2009 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

I’m including Jeff Green, an athletic 4 who played on the perimeter, as a wing in this.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 20, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions

The other problem is that our defense is built around making players take low percentage shots, but that is exactly what Durant seems to be good at. He takes a 20 footer fading and I think good defense, but for some reason they always fall against us. I’m hoping we put RJ on Durant so we can see if he can defend. And I want to see McDyess or Blair on Jeff Green. We all know what Bonner can [read: can’t] do defensively.

"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles

by Fred Silva on Oct 20, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

I’m hoping McDyess will be our defensive cure for David West. We never have an answer for him and I’m tired of him scoring at will on us.

"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles

by Fred Silva on Oct 20, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m think Haislip on Green – after all, it seems like he was brought in to guard perimiter bigs like that.

9.20.21.24.34
ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco

by Tim C. on Oct 20, 2009 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions

think = thinking*

Stupid customers.

9.20.21.24.34
ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco

by Tim C. on Oct 20, 2009 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions

First, you dancing to Sly & the Family Stone does not compute… but excellent choice.

Second, For the love of the FSM, someone please find a new photo for Pop. He looks like a serial killer and we all know who that is… that’s right… not Pop.

Third, really excellent preview… I love what you’ve done with the place.

Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney

by bellasa on Oct 20, 2009 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

Hey there, party people. What a nifty preview! That Wayne guy sure knows his design!

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Oct 20, 2009 6:10 PM CDT reply actions

Game thread’s up, folks. Just in case you need some reminding :)

The Roleplayer's Realm

by silverandblack_davis on Oct 20, 2009 7:01 PM CDT reply actions

Good work old man, I don’t know what we’re gonna do when you die, which shouldn’t bee too far off.

If you haven't lived with a squirrel, you haven't lived. - Bob Ross

by Hipuks on Oct 20, 2009 7:05 PM CDT reply actions

Hey, thanks for the Philippines love.

"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50

by theonlyromeo on Oct 20, 2009 10:46 PM CDT reply actions

You guys are some crazy mofos but we love you.

Hey, and keep in touch. Looks like you guys have another nasty storm coming at you.

We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 20, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m putting up a snarling pic of Blair to scare the crap out of that storm

DeJuan Blair is Mr.Snuffleupagus of teh NBA. Freak of nature (elongated arms,ginormous behind), effin unbelievable (rebounding machine), blows you away (for a rook) n cuddly cute.

by 'DSilverlining on Oct 21, 2009 5:11 AM CDT up reply actions