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Typically when I think of Spurs closing moments I think of Manu and Tim through out the last 6 years or so.  I've always felt like things started and ended with these two and the Spurs have been one of the best, if not the best, in close games.  They're still here so what's the big deal with this year?  Why can't we close out games?  Well I shortchanged a certain someone and I think we miss him dearly. 

Star-divide

When we think of clutch we usually, or at least I do, think of the last 2 or three possessions but that's not quite fair.  I think clutchness really begins in the 4th quarter around the 8 minute mark in a close game.  Basically where players start to think about what they do instead of just doing. 

Last night was a microcosm of our season.  George Hill missed two wide open threes in the right corner and Manu one in the left.  Each were huge misses as we only lost by three and each were within the six final minutes of the game.   

In the final minute of the game up 1 George Hill was assigned to Derron Williams.  Williams drove hard, did that fake cross over with one hand, stopped and popped a 17 footer.   George was back peddling and never really had a chance of contesting the shot.  Hill is our best perimeter defender but he isn't close to elite yet.  This sucks because when we need a stop we can't get one.

And now for nostalgia.  Bruce would have hit at least ONE of those threes, right?  And I bet the farm he pulls his ancient art of war magic to some how some way make sure Williams doesn't make the game winner there.   Am I suggesting we bring him back?  No...but the Bruce of old is what this team is missing.  Timely back-breaking threes, clutch D and someone who will hold his teammates accountable for defensive lapses.  Going into timeouts it was not uncommon to see Bruce irate with someone for botching an assignment; this years team doesn't seem to care as much.  

Here's to Bruce, we've never missed you more. 

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I honestly think Hill missing those wide, wide open 3s were part of the reason we lost. Manu’s was also pretty bad.

Right now, neither Hill nor Mason, Bogans, Dyess or RJ can shoot. We can’t win like that. It has to change – the law of averages says as much. In math I trust.

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

by LatinD on Dec 8, 2009 4:36 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

In math I trust.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!

I’m confused.

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 8, 2009 4:43 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I’m at war with myself.

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

by LatinD on Dec 8, 2009 6:35 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

yes trust math, thing is they are writing the equations not random lotto #'s being pulled.

The law of averages is just probability so the harder they work the more probable the average will be in their favor. right?
Spurs are sitting on a changeover right now. They need to work harder as a team & on character. Relate their recent playing together to how their basketball savant of the 6 yrs. pass went (with better character on/off the court together), align some uncanny defense to get through & triumph some mighty performance with their harder work rather than any more defeats (tomorrows game would be great!)
Before you rip me apart I realize my comment is nostalgic since I don’t have your insight guys but they are definitely on a changeover and in need of drive & execution in all 4 quarters not just closing. Otherwise we are just flipping a coin at the end. OK rip………… : /

by cojones2thewall on Dec 9, 2009 1:23 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

chicken…

Just call me The Profit

by Manuwar on Dec 9, 2009 2:11 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

You seem to have conflated Chicken Little with Rockin’ Robin.

I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.

by Lauri on Dec 9, 2009 11:58 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I mostly meant that veteran players tend to consistently shoot at their career averages – which is why they are their averages, after all – or close to it, so our shooters won’t stay cold for too long.

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

by LatinD on Dec 9, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Law of averages don’t apply to clutchness. Hill’s averages are fine. Manu’s three point percentage will go up or I’ll shoot something. And once Manu starts being Manu again the games shouldn’t even be close. Right?

Just call me The Profit

by Manuwar on Dec 9, 2009 2:49 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

as long as the psych for “ganas” (spanish for wants/desires) is maintained.
Manu be Manu! Tim come through guy! Red play how you played most of the last game, please (not the end part).

by cojones2thewall on Dec 9, 2009 11:42 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Manu’s shooting 42% from the 3-point line in the last three loses, right?

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

by LatinD on Dec 9, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Shot, I mean, not shooting.

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

by LatinD on Dec 9, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Good point about Bruce talking to his fellow defenders on the floor. The reason Billups made such a huge difference for the Nuggets is he became the on-court defensive field general on day one. Bruce was not as vocal as Chauncey, but we do miss his on-court presence.

by doggydogworld on Dec 8, 2009 6:53 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Yes, I miss Bruce. I’d take a prime Bruce over a prime RJ.

"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 Dec 8, 2009 8:53 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I’d take washed up Bruce over prime RJ. Yes, I realize what RJ did last night.

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

by the little o on Dec 10, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Wow, one step further eh?

"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 Dec 10, 2009 8:15 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I’ll take both. Is there any way we can have both?

The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!

by Tim C. on Dec 10, 2009 9:13 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

and a 94-95 Robinson, a 02-03 Duncan, 2005 (or 08?) Manu, and 2007 (or 09?) Parker. How about a 2000 Finley too?

"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 Dec 10, 2009 9:48 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

2012 Blair and Hill

"I will five all over this blog." - JRW

by Manuwar on Dec 11, 2009 1:20 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

But the world will end in 2012…

"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 Dec 11, 2009 1:35 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

or else I would have said 2013 version of Blair and Hill. Get with the program!

"I will five all over this blog." - JRW

by Manuwar on Dec 11, 2009 1:41 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Then 2012 it is.

"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 Dec 11, 2009 2:53 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

this entire sequence made me crack up. nice.

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

by the little o on Dec 14, 2009 12:27 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

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