PtR Quick Cap: Spurs vs Bulls - The Ground Hurts When You Fall From Such A High Place

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 29, 2009 10:33 PM CDT in Game Previews

That thumping you heard was me slapping into Mother Earth. I should have packed a parachute.

On the fall, I did catch a glimpse of a supposedly washed up old man with no hops and no explosion posting 28 points,16 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Other than that, it was pure terror all the way down.

Here's your box score for the 92-85 loss to the Bulls.

For every bit of good we had in last night's game, we had bad in this game. Our bench was weak. We couldn't shoot from 3-point, we didn't rebound, and we looked three steps slow.

There are a lot of stats, that are all bad, that I could give you. But all of them only highlight the fact that we got out-hustled and out-worked. Their hustle and work is what kept them in the game in the first half when they weren't shooting well at 38%. The Spurs, who shot 50% for the half, still found themselves down 1 and that is usually a bad sign. It was tonight.

The Bulls did a really good job in the second half of moving the ball on offense, finding the open man, and knocking down their shots. In general, they just looked like the far better team after the break. They shot 17-36 from the field and went to the line 17 times. Working harder and hustling more usually pays dividends and tonight was not an exception, as they build up as much as a 14 point lead in the third quarter at 72-58.. It remained in double digits most of the rest of the game.

Your three stars:

3 - Matt Bonner: Matt led the team with a +11. 7 points and 5 rebounds were ok.

2 - Nobody

1 - Tim Duncan: If it weren't for him, we would have had ZERO players who showed that they could play. He was 13-19 from the field for 28 points and he hauled down 16 rebounds.

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It was absolute crap tonight save Duncan. I watched the game and there were possessions in which we would just force a long, contested shot 5 seconds into the shot clock. It was ugly. And so frustrating.

Still, it’s only game 2. Pop didn’t look overly concerned. I will trust. I will be patient. Now let’s win the next 80, k?

by Rich Town on Oct 29, 2009 10:46 PM CDT reply actions

For some reason, watching the game reminded me of last year’s Spurs. We couldn’t make shet!

Long live Mr.Bowen

by ddog28 on Oct 29, 2009 10:51 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

The Roleplayer's Realm

by silverandblack_davis on Oct 29, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly DDog – the Team looked liked last year – scary, very scary

Props to Timmy for proving me wrong last night
the rest of the team had the dreaded CANT-BUY-A-BUCKET-IN-THE-3rd-QUARTER-NIGHTMARE

Pop is still playing the same game plan from last year, not going to win in the end – you cannot have 1 man in the paint with everyone else taking jump shots from beyond the arc – Live by the 3, Die by the 3 is for College Hoops

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Oct 30, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I think in the first half the team felt it could keep up just by scoring and not bothering on defense, when the inevitable drought occurred, we still couldn’t play defense and fell behind big. Pop is probably glad this happened though, if we would’ve won another game on offense alone it would’ve been a terrible message for the team.

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

by Hipuks on Oct 29, 2009 11:17 PM CDT reply actions

i think this is a good wake-up call to all us fans who were getting a little giddy after game 1. hopefully its also a good wake-up call for the spurs that things are far from good yet.

and i’m sorta glad i had to leave for work, instead of watching what sounded like a frustrating second half to watch.

free george hill!

by sleep research facility on Oct 29, 2009 11:20 PM CDT reply actions

Message to Spurs players

I’m awake now! Ya got that? Wide awake. Don’t need to be awakened or roused from slumber. I’m good.

Seriously, I do NOT need another wake-up call that with the Bulls.

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 29, 2009 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Didn’t take long for our new, highly athletic team to look old and earthbound. Their point guards outplayed ours, their bench dominated ours and they outhustled, outmuscled and outjumped us on the boards.

Defense was frightening. The Bull guards repeatedly penetrated and dumped the ball back out to a wide open big just behind the free throw line. That just can’t happen.

by doggydogworld on Oct 29, 2009 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

Ye of little faith.

We can still win this game! Go Spurs Go!

"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 29, 2009 11:28 PM CDT reply actions

Weird #'s

Tops in +/- Bonner with +11
Bottoms in +/- Dice with 15 (but at least he scored a point)
TD with 28 pts and 16 reb, his +/ is 0
Manu took 11 shots to get 12 pts
Blair 3/3 from the field for 6pts, 4 reb, 4 fouls in 13 min

and the Bulls are almost as bad at FTs as we are

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 29, 2009 11:54 PM CDT reply actions

I know +/- are based on numbers, and numbers don’t lie, but something’s gotta be wrong when I can just make up any number next to any player after any game and it would be plausible.

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

by Hipuks on Oct 30, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions

TD played half his minutes with Bonner (+11) and half with McDyess (-15)

by doggydogworld on Oct 30, 2009 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I take this back. TD played with:

Bonner – 17:29, +6
McDyess – 4:59, -3
Blair – 1:49, -1
Smalls – 10:06, -2

Our other big combos:
McDyess/Blair – 8:41, -8
McDyess/Ratliff – 2:43, -4
Bonner/Blair – 2:13, +5

Bonner/Blair +5 was garbage time at the end of the game, including Blair’s putback dunk at the buzzer. McDyess was negative no matter who played with him, truly an awful game for him.

by doggydogworld on Oct 30, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Not only was McDyess’ +/- bad, he looked pretty bad. Maybe that’s why Bonner started.

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

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 30, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Duncan and Blair need to let him rebound so he can feel useful. His offense will come.

by BlaseE on Oct 30, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Defense wanst bad!

Our Defense was acutlly good it was our rebouding that killed us. Altough in the second half it was hit and miss on defense. This team certaniley has what it takes to be a great defense team now it just need to find out what the roation is and who does what.

GO SPURS GO
SPURS 2010 NBA Champions (if team is healty LoL)

by Manu-20 on Oct 30, 2009 12:03 AM CDT reply actions

thay hammered us on the O glass and our shooters were throwing rocks. funny how it didnt take too long for the same old problems came back to haunt us with all these new guys on the team……

by bones on Oct 30, 2009 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Rebounding is part of defense, right?

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

by LatinD on Oct 30, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh my goodness...

I watched this game on TV with my friend. I am SO glad I actually did not attend. I could not believe it. Everything looked bad, and as Barkley said, we looked OLD. I’m sorry. And I know I missed the thread and maybe this question was answered earlier, but why in the hell did both Finley and Bonner both start and play extensive minutes??

by Ed (dfjmed) on Oct 30, 2009 1:10 AM CDT reply actions

Except for Tim, sorry. He was brilliant, as usual.

by Ed (dfjmed) on Oct 30, 2009 1:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I actually kind of expected this loss, we almost always lost after a big win. Also it was a back to back against a young team in the road, in their home opener, we just could not mach their energy, but we are going to be alright, 80 games left.

by spursfan87 on Oct 30, 2009 1:32 AM CDT reply actions

Chicago dominated the paint in both offense and defense. They made us into a jump shooting team and it was painful to watch. Tony and even Duncan got abused inside with Duncan doing most of his damage with his bank shot and from nice passes that left him free inside.

It is scary how the team is still extremely dependent on the 3pt shot. If those are not falling, the oppenents clog the lanes and the Spurs crumble. Pop needs to come up with plan B (something outside the box POP) for nights were we shoot so poorly from behind the 3pt line.

"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG

by LasEspuelas on Oct 30, 2009 7:19 AM CDT reply actions

Exactly Las Espuelas! Same thing as last year, rely on the 3 point shot and we are horrible! WE have to play both sides in the paint. If this does not happen then it will be the same as last year. period.

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Oct 30, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Duncan

Well he showed up lastnight to play and he looked good. Chicago showed how athletic they were compared to us.

We looked like as if we were late into the season how slow we looked. It was only the second game. I know that we are okay, I am not worried one bit and I know PTR is not either.

Go Spurs Go!!!!!!!

by mikesatx on Oct 30, 2009 9:48 AM CDT reply actions

Mulligan.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain

by spurchief on Oct 30, 2009 9:50 AM CDT reply actions

January 25th which may be during LatinD’s trip….

by BlaseE on Oct 30, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

One mully for the season, or one per 9?

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

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 30, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

See, that’s how I golf. I shank the drive on the second tee box, shout “Mulligan!!!”, then ask, “one for the day or one per 9?” That way the other guy has to decide whether or not he wants to give me another mully, make me play a clean game the rest of the round, OR whether he wants two mullies for himself. Now, I’m in his head.

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

by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Oct 30, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

You are crafty, Wayne. Crafty.

WWTD?

by Lauri on Oct 30, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

So if we take 8 more than LA gets 9?

I’ll take the one for the season.

by BlaseE on Oct 30, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Here’s the main question I have after this debacle:

Why do we have a 15-man roster if we’re not going to use the “spares” on B2B’s? I think Malik and Ian(or Haislip) would have actually helped us match up with this team more than Ratliff or Finley. Those guys are old and slow – they can’t match up with the players Chicago has, especially in a SEGABABA.

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 30, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

Or keep Finley in the lineup, but what about Bogans? Either use him to shut down Hinrich/Rose/Salmons, or activate Hairston. Then, even if Hairston doesn’t play all game, he can come in and get some minutes in the blowout. I would have even been curious to see Haislip on Deng. If we’re losing, those guys need to be active so we can get them minutes.

by BlaseE on Oct 30, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Anyone notice that RJ doesn’t seem that explosive?

He had a couple of drives in the game last night and it seemed he had at best an average vertical leap. He didn’t seem explosive at all.

by beachwood on Oct 30, 2009 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

Channeling Hipuks

Trade him!

Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10

by J.R. Wilco on Oct 30, 2009 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

You got it all wrong, it’s like this:

He sucks!

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

by Hipuks on Oct 30, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope you guys are wrong but I haven’t seen anything that says any different….athletic, quick, strong?, no shot…….we don’t need another, thanks

"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html

by Joe deLarios on Oct 30, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Give it a sec, fellas. He’s just getting into his own. Maybe after, I don’t know, possibly the first week of play? Let’s just agree to let him marinade a little while. He’s shown good things too… be patient. He’ll end up being a baller for us very soon.

Direct that anger and anxiety towards Michael Finley, and his mere presence in the starting lineup.

"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA

by SgtinManusArmy on Oct 30, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions