The Day The Season Died
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 3, 2009 10:56 PM CDT
89 comments
It is the popular belief around here that the Spurs chances at a championship, or even a deep playoff run, ended when Manu Ginobili was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his ankle on April 7th. I say it ended before then. Any realistic chance the Spurs had for a deep playoff run went up in smoke the day Matt Bonner convinced Coach Pop that he was a legitimate option as a starter. If I had to pick a day, it would be Feb 8th when the Spurs beat the Celtics in Boston on the strength of Mudbutt's 23 points and 8 rebounds. I'm just going to say it was February when he had a string of solid games averaging 11 points and 6 rebounds a game.
We saw too much of this
via a.espncdn.com
Yep, I'm saying it. We weren't winning anything with Matt Bonner as a our starting power forward. Obviously, I'm viewing this in hindsight after the debacle that was the Mavs series. However, we should have seen it coming. I should have at least. I pour over the box scores and the team stats. Yet somehow, I didn't notice the tell-tale signs as they unfolded. What did those signs point to?
BonBon's playoff plummet was just a continuation of his performance in March and April. He shot only 30% from 3-pt in 17 games in March. That is a pretty big sample size to be that bad. Those are downright Corpse of Robert Horry umbers. In addition, his rebounding dropped to 4.5 boards a game. In the last two months of the season, MattyB only had 6 games -- out of 25 -- in double figures. During that stretch, he shot 33% from 3-pt land. In April, his rebounding dropped to 4.1 per game.
Matt's playoff performance was just a continuation of this downward trend. He only scored 15 points in the 5 games. 11 of those were in game 2 when he shot 3-9 from the field. His best shooting game of the series. He shot 22% from the field, 23% from 3-pt, and grabbed 3.2 rebounds per game. 7 of this 16 rebounds also came in game 2. If you throw out his stand out game 2, he scored 4 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 71 minutes.
You know what the worst part of all this is? I'm talking about the parts of the game THAT ARE HIS STRENGTHS. I know during the Mavs series that I said Dirk was a bad match up for Big Red, but was he really? Dirk wasn't going to muscle him in the post. He wasn't going to jump over him. Dirk isn't especially quick off the dribble. All of these are things that give Bonner trouble. The fact is, that Bonner is so weak defensively -- and we all knew this going in -- that Dirk was going to have a field day just like every other half-decent power forward in the playoffs would. Matt getting abused by Dirk wasn't surprising. It was just very unnecessary.
The stunning part, to me at least, was that Bruce Bowen was a better option on the offensive end than the Red Rocket. Yes, I went there. Bruce Bowen is a better weapon on offense than Matt in the playoffs. You don't believe me, ok, here's my thinking. Who would you rather have shooting the kick-out work-it-around three? Matt Bonner or Bruce "I make big corner 3's in the playoffs all the time" Bowen? Bruce shot 43% from 3 this year. Ok, that was the easy one. This is the one that I learned in the Mavs series. I would rather have Bruce taking his man off the dribble than Matt. Yep, I went there too. Bruce Bowen does a better job driving the ball when his man runs at him than Matty. Now stop. Let's think about that statement for a while. Close your eyes and envision Bruce driving to the basket. The ineptness, the clumsiness, the lack of handle. Yep, he's still better. Add it all up, and there is no doubt whatsoever that Bruce Bowen is a better power forward in the Spurs system than Matt Bonner.
"Damn, I almost touched one."
via a.espncdn.com
This season was doomed alright. But it wasn't Manu's injury. It was the dreadful string of games in February where Matt Bonner pulled the wool over Coach Pop's eyes. I don't know what this offseason holds for us, but it better be something that gets us a new starting power forward.
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I think that poll more than anything summarizes what’s wrong with the Spurs.
My tapeworm tells me what to do.
by Hipuks on May 3, 2009 11:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
hilarious piece, but while i’m laughing i’m crying because this is how atrocious we look right now.
What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)
the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post
by Hamer_SpursFan on May 3, 2009 11:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you overestimate Bonner’s strengths, actually. Rebounding sure isn’t one of them. In fact, I never understood why Kurt wasn’t the starter, because there was a moment in this regular season when Mad Eye was simply monstrous when it come to corralling rebounds – especially on the offensive end.
He fooled us, the Red Rocket did. I admit I was fooled for a few games in December and early January. He looked like a most improved player candidate. But he’s a choke artist, and let us down again in the playoffs. I don’t want him playing for the Spurs next season – and I’m sorry to say this, because he’s a nice guy.
Not a good basketball player, though.
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by LatinD on May 3, 2009 11:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
bingo – i would’ve used kurt first, with bonner off the bench as a streak shooter. if he hits his first shot or two, he gets minutes for that game until he cools off. KT might not be any better offensively, but i’d still take him.
though i voted pops in the poll……..sigh.
free george hill!
by sleep research facility on May 3, 2009 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I wouldn’t say I overestimated his strengths. I’m just saying that the shooting and rebounding are the best parts of HIS game. Not that he’s good.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 3, 2009 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
Within the first month of our season, I had decided we weren’t going anywhere with Bonner. But then, Timmy carried us and then Tony and then Manu and it went up and down with Bonner having a good stretch somewhere which had me biting my lip about any reservations.
“Any realistic chance the Spurs had for a deep playoff run went up in smoke the day Matt Bonner convinced Coach Pop that he was a legitimate option as a starter.”
Thats prob the most insightful thing ATS has said in a while I think :P and I can’t agree more. Our team did a lot of things really well against Dallas. But those small things like repeatedly letting Dampier tap rebounds out or tip them in, it just killed us not to mention all the slow rotations against that small pesky pipsqueak who made expressions of constipation each time he made a bucket.
At the end of the day, I will say Pop made a lot more errors this year in the playoffs, but then again, he didn’t have a lot to work with and most of the stuff he banked on never showed(Bonner, Mace, Udoka etc) up or were on the sidelines. And then again, maybe he didn’t and Nowitzki would have shot them to a series win on single coverage anyways, who knows.
by LionZion on May 3, 2009 11:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sticking with my somewhat delusional idea of a hero.
You can stop laughing now ATS. ;-)
"I had the right to remain silent.... I did not have the ability." - Ron White
by Absolutely Cynical on May 3, 2009 11:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tim Duncan is the Spurs starting power forward. Matt Bonner was just the guy who played next to him in “center”.
Yeah, I went there….?
by r21x on May 4, 2009 12:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If there’s a center in a Duncan/Bonner starting lineup, it sure ain’t Bonner. :)
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
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by LatinD on May 4, 2009 6:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d vote Pops if h were on our team in a hearbeat. But he is not, unfortunately. Bruce is the best defender of the above listed, no question. But best ‘power forward’ of the above listed? * sigh * Fab.
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by dfjmed on May 4, 2009 12:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Is Pop seriously still going to consider using Matt Bonner next season? If yes, I’m scared stiff of what the future will bring.
http://roleplaya.blogspot.com
by silverandblack_davis on May 4, 2009 12:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So sad that i instantly click on Pops
We have been scol’ad again, mark my words
" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "
by Bushka on May 4, 2009 2:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And to think that all we had to do was release Vaughn and we could of kept Pops.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed.
by CMoney on May 4, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
don’t you mean “The only THINGS we would have had to do is release Vaughn AND rewire Pop’s brain to allow him to play a young, athletic power forward who also had a bit of a mouth” ??
You’re better off trying to intimidate the sea. - LatinD
Free George Hill! (member #4)
by jollyrogerwilco on May 4, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
JRW, my translating partner… nice job.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Free George Hill! (member #3)
by bellasa on May 4, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
pops had that whole issue with dunking the ball at the hoop as well
you need electro shock therapy for those kind of deep seated issues
" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "
by Bushka on May 4, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spot On
Great analysis. One thing that I think entered into Pop’s thinking was that, with TD’s minutes being reduced, so would his offensive production. In steps Matt. That was fool’s gold, as you so astutely point out. BTW: I think the reason for his drastic drop off late in the season was simply that opponents realized after his first half, that he could hit the uncontested three. But put up even minimal resistance, and he sucks.
by agutierrez on May 4, 2009 7:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think this points out...
what a colossal failure the Spillter draft was; he wouldve address all these needs. I hate to keep harping on that, but it looks worse and worse everyday. This team, with its aging core, needed help immediately, not some sort of European, he might be great when he comes over in 2013 titillation
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.
by bren on May 4, 2009 8:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who would you have picked instead? Here’s a link to the 2007 NBA draft:
http://www.nba.com/draft2007/board.html
There are three players drafted after Splitter who you might say the Spurs should have taken instead: Big Baby Davis, Carl Landry, and Marc Gasol. They missed on Landry, but then again, so did everyone else in the league. You’d rather have Gasol now, but only because he’s here; at the time it was no more clear he’d make it to the US than would Splitter. And Big Baby is a big “meh” in my book—I’m sure he would frustrate us if we had him on our team.
If the Spurs had known Splitter would stay in Europe, they might have done something differently. As I’ve mentioned before, though, at the time everyone thought the Spurs would be able to sign him in another year, and the pick was widely hailed as a savvy pick.
If you want to point out a colossal failure, how about drafting Mahinmi ahead of David Lee, Rony Turiaf, and Brandon Bass (not to mention Monta Ellis, though I doubt he’d see much PT ahead of Manu and Tony)? That one seemed to be much more of a reach to me—a foreigner no one had heard of ahead of some bigs who had been productive in college and could contribute pretty much immediately. At least Splitter was widely viewed as the best player in the world not currently in the NBA.
My last question is what if Mahinmi and Splitter come in and prove to be good players? Was picking them still a mistake because they weren’t around to contribute last year and this year? In other words, would having, say, David Lee and Big Baby have made the difference the last two seasons? I would think not.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
by tomasito on May 4, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well your making a big assumption
That Mahinmi or Splitter will even be as good as David Lee, who is doing quite well in D’Antoni’s system.
I think we have the tendency as Spurs fans to assume every Euro we take will be a game changer like Tony or Manu or even Scola and Barbosa-but the fact of the matter is no one knows for sure how good Splitter of Mahinmi will be. We cant assume they’ll be stars, nor can we assume they’ll be scrubs. I think we’re overestimating their value and potential, and overlooking guys like Lee and Big Baby, who are turning out to be solid NBA players. What percentage of 1st round picks turnout to be stars? or even a Double-Double type of player?
Point being, there is a very real chance they will be about the same player as Lee, so why not just go with the guy who is already here, is readily signable and knows the American game?
Youre correct in pointing out that no one of real value went after Splitter, with the exception of the three you mentioned, but with the teams current state, they couldve used immediate assistance, not the vague promise of potential several years down the road.
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.
by bren on May 4, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
David Lee is the wrong draft.
My main objection is to your argument is that there is any value in the bottom of the draft at all. By the time you make the 25th pick it is a crap shoot. Especially for big men. Anybody you get at that point of the draft is the “vague promise of potential”. There is no immediate assistance.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 4, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For everyone’s info:
David Lee went in the 05 draft, two slots after Mahinmi:
http://www.nba.com/draft2005/board.html
I was comparing drafting Mahinmi over Lee et al to drafting Splitter over Landry, Davis, or Gasol. I think Splitter was the right pick in ’07 (even knowing what we know now), whereas Mahinmi was more of a head-scratcher in ’05.
You are certainly right, though—you never know who’s going to pan out from the bottom of a draft. Every year there are two or three guys who fall into the second round who go on to become stars, and fans point out those as examples of their front office’s incompetence. Really, FOs should be congratulated for finding someone useful with those picks even a third of the time, because I would guess 75+% don’t turn into anything. For example, in the ’05 draft, I count 5 players drafted after Mahinmi (out of more than 30) who are rotation players.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
by tomasito on May 4, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well in all fairness to Ian
he hasnt really been given a shot yet. And he was great in the Dleague, so the promise is there. But the ankle injury combined w/ Pops distrust of young players, doomed his 08-09 season
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.
by bren on May 4, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Youre right on Lee
My mistake.
My counter argument, I suppose, was that if its all on potential in the bottom of the draft, you might as well take one who is closer to fulfilling that potential in the NBA, not one who may never come over. Youre effectively devaluing the 1st round pick by continually taking foreigners who have no intention, or the Spurs have no means, of bringing them over.
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.
by bren on May 4, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A little interesting tidbit I read today. I think at espn’s draft center. They said that Blake Griffin is like an young Carlos Boozer. Of course, Boozer went in the second round. Not the first pick in the draft.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 4, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw Boozer in person at Duke, then later saw him with the Jazz in San Antonio, and he looked like a totally different person—much bigger and more muscled. Granted, it was a few years later, so he could have “filled out” as he matured physically, but I always wondered about PEDs with him. That could explain why he was overlooked coming into the NBA but developed into an All-Star after being drafted so low.
I’m guessing he goes at 4 or 5 if they held a do-over on that draft. In looking at that draft, I noticed also that our very own Roger Mason Jr. went ahead of Boozer.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
by tomasito on May 4, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lewis and Redd also recent 2nd rounders
hard to imagine
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.
by bren on May 4, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Before the season I didn’t think Bonner was an NBA-quality player. I would rather see the Spurs find and give minutes to a legitimate big man; in other words, a guy who rebounds, scores inside, plays defense, etc. It remains to be seen whether letting Pops go was a big mistake—he could just be a bigger James White, and we were all convinced the Spurs were foolish for not giving him more burn. I do think it was a mistake only in that he was a better option at PF than Bonner, though not better (in the short term) than KT and Drew Gooden.
However, I’m not sure that misplaced confidence in Bonner was the primary issue. He hardly played against Dallas in Game 5, and they still lost handily. The Spurs tried to find a real big to put alongside TD with the near-trade for Camby, so I think we can assume they recognized that Bonner wasn’t the answer there. The issue is that the Spurs just weren’t good enough collectively at the 2, 3, and 4 positions (considering Duncan a 5). All the guys they ran out there were serviceable, which is ok at one or even two positions. However, if 3/5 of your starting lineup are D-league replacement level quality, you’re going to struggle.
If anything, I would actually “blame” Fab for the current struggles (though it’s not his fault). He played so well in 2007, especially in the playoffs, that I think he convinced management that he could be the answer at PF, and they didn’t need Scola, and could afford to wait for Mahinmi and Splitter to develop and join the team.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
by tomasito on May 4, 2009 9:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You blame Fab, but we can all agree he should have started over Bonner against Dallas if Pop did want KT and Gooden off the bench. I think Fab is a solid player and he is great on the offensive end for tip outs to our points and making the extra pass for the assist. In the garbage minutes of game 3, Fab played very solid. I mean he wasn’t and isn’t ever going to be amazing, but he works. His TS% is also at just under 60% for the season which shows he isn’t forcing much.
The starting lineup is about the guards and the small forward getting a rhythm. TD can get started anytime. Finley needs shots early or he is pathetic all game. Mason and Bonner also benefit from early shots. We need passing, defense and rebounding and not shooting from our starting 4-5 guy with Duncan. Bowen for defense and Oberto for size are far better choices than Bonner (assuming KT is off the bench to fortify D with Duncan coming out). Bonner (if forced to keep him on the team) and KT are slightly better offense from the bench. KT obviously gives his D too. I guess my point is that I don’t think Fab fooled us and his heart troubles can just be added to the injury list of 2008/09.
If Fab is our legitimate 12th man in 2009/10 then I’ll be optimistic about our bigs. We shouldn’t have to question whether our 11th man should be starting…
And about David Lee, every person courtside at MSG should get double digit rebounds at D’Antoni’s pace and long 3 rebounds. 34.4 mpg this season too. He’s a good player but don’t let the Knicks pace fool you. Get rid of Bonner and then no more Florida players for the Spurs.
by BlaseE on May 4, 2009 11:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hindsight being 20/20, I agree with you about Fab. I think as much as his heart troubles took him from the rotation, so did Manu’s injury. Manu and Fab had a good rhythm with pick and rolls and both brought willing passers that contributed to great ball movement. I think he would’ve played more had Manu been healthy. The lack of ball movement vs dallas was frustrating. It tends to expose a weak defense and outside of game 2 we did very little of it.
by SpurredOn on May 4, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Allow myself to introduce... myself
I’ve been lurking on this blog since a buddy of mine forwarded me Stampler’s re-cap of the Golden State Warriors game in which James White got his first NBA dunk. I felt like I was trapped in a bad Jim Rome e-mail as I proctored a mid-term for my university class and desperately tried not to laugh so hard that I sprayed Diet Coke all over my keyboard. "an erection that would frighten Traci Lords" indeed… hilarious.
I posted a couple of times in the past under a different screen name but have since had the login deleted. I was sad to see Matthew go. I’m still waiting for Stampler to say something scathing yet amusing about the way the season petered out. And I’m ready to throw in some cents of my own:
1) While your post is great and insightful, ATS, I’m amazed that no one has pointed out this essential truth— Matt Bonner sucks because he AGREES WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID ABOUT HIM. There are countless players with NBA rings who have MUCH more marginal NBA talent than Bonner (Avery Johnson, take a bow… Kurt Rambis, you’ll get another shot at leading an NBA team… [not]) but all of those guys played like they had a giant chip on their shoulder to prove that they belong. Matt plays like he put down one bet in a casino, one 18 gazillion with it, and knows that each subsequent bet is just losing money for him. Deep down he believes that he doesn’t belong, and when the pressure is on him, he proves it to us. So, yeah— offseason priority, hasta la Bonner.
2) Why has no one mentioned the fact that first round picks get guaranteed contracts? When you’re picking deep in the first round, as the Spurs have been for the last decade due to their playoff successes, you get first rounders who are “first round” in name only. In reality, you’re picking first in the second round. So the Spurs deliberately picked guys that they had no intention of bringing in, nor room for, so that they could avoid using cap space on marginal players. It’s a risky strategy, but it has worked for them. Say what you will about losing a player of Scola’s quality, but if we hadn’t drafted him using that strategy, he wouldn’t have been ours to lose. And we would have been paying a guaranteed contract to some schmoe that none of us would remember. And finally, since our first championship, we’ve avoided the huge mistake of giving big free agent deals to marginal talents to “reward” them for their past contributions. (Can you believe that Isiah was willing to pick up Malik’s contract? Does anyone remember the fat tub of goo that showed up in 2000 wearing Jaren Jackson’s jersey??)
3) I don’t think that there can be any doubt that everyone in the Spurs organization knows that they are undersized and that they can’t get away with it anymore. I can’t remember which run it hit me in (probably the ’03) but after having three seven footers in our front line (Tim/David/Perdue) we were down to having Tim plus one shaky tall guy (end of career David; Rasho McSulkavic, endless string of guys who were a) unathletic or b) athletic but dumb as a sack of hammers). And Tim has been successfully covering for that sucky extra big for the past 6~7 seasons. And he can’t do it any more. Tim’s got to be the suck guy. He’s got to be the one getting the Kurt Thomas 15 foot jumpers because the other team is collapsing on the dangerous guy. If not, he’s out of the league within two years. If so, maybe he’s got another 5. Once nice thing about not having any athleticism—when you lose it, it doesn’t take away your whole game. So I expect this offseason to be real serious when it comes to getting big bodies in the fold. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of summer league line-ups that consist of George Hill, Marcus Williams, and three bigs (how ‘bout Javotkas, Mahinmi, and Gist?) just to be sure we know who to bring to camp. Oh, and a last word in Bonner’s "defense"—can anyone name a big that the Spurs have released in the last 5 years that’s in this year’s playoffs? Is Samalki Walker tearing it up somewhere? Are Jackie Butler and Francisco Elson leading the Cavs’ renaissance?
4) Things that I would love to see in 2010:
- Gist in a Spurs (not Toros) Jersey
-Yawn with an ankle not made of pixie dust and rainbows
- no trace of JV, Billy Ocean, Davy Jones, I’m Clankdoka, and the aforementioned Matthew Ball-less.
-enough young players who have no clue what the f&*) is going on that Pop gets back to being Pop, which means regular tirades that leave assistant coaches exhausted from hauling him off the court and his wife speed-dialing their pharmacist for extra blood pressure meds.
Finally, I love the Spurs. I will never root for another NBA franchise. I’m completely disinterested in who wins the championship this year. And I knew that this season was not meant to be. There is no contradiction in loving your team and knowing that they don’t have a chance in hell—I’ve been rooting for these guys since Gervin was hoisting ‘em up at the Hemisfair… which is now a 5-star hotel convention resort. Sheesh.
Oh, and for all of you guys that criticize RC—have you ever met him? He may be the poster-child for the 2-o’clock pick me up cocktail frat boy made good, but if he wasn’t so damn good at his job, he wouldn’t lose so much of his staff every off-season.
Peace,
vespaguy
by vespaguy on May 4, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 7 recs
Well played, sirrah. I’m glad you tossed those pennies our way.
This in particular is so, so true (and I love the Red Rocket, so it makes me sad to admit it):
Matt Bonner sucks because he AGREES WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID ABOUT HIM.
Bonus points for mentioning the Hemisfair.
by Lauri on May 4, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Triple bonus points for speaking Argentine.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Free George Hill! (member #3)
by bellasa on May 4, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
plus one
You’re better off trying to intimidate the sea. - LatinD
Free George Hill! (member #4)
by jollyrogerwilco on May 5, 2009 1:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn Vespa, Otstanding post. There were alot of things in there that I hadn’t ever thought about.
What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)
the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post
by Hamer_SpursFan on May 4, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice post… welcome to the insane asylum.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Free George Hill! (member #3)
by bellasa on May 4, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome, vespaguy. Great comments – recced to Manu’s non-paradise.
Give the FanPosts section a try next time. This was definitely FanPost-worthy, and would’ve definitely started some interesting conversations. I completely agree with your take on Bonner, by the way. It’s not his skills set, it’s his weak psyche.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 4, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ive noticed that you often point out nice comments that would be otstanding fanposts. Is there away, (with permission of the author of course), to re-publish some comments as fanposts? Maybe related to the reccing system and meeting the length requirements. Some of the comments are great reads and it is a shame they dont get the publicity they deserve.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on May 5, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s no way that I know of (other than copy/pasting, that is), and that’s why I often point it out: the author of the comment needs to write the FanPost.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 5, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vespaguy, that was awesome. Tirades and all. But who the hell is Traci Lords? I may be sorry I asked. Maybe I will just google it. LOL
by cojones2thewall on May 5, 2009 2:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Traci Lords was a legendary porn actress who turned out to be underage, therefore making all of her films but one illegal to own, as they’re considered child pornography. All the people who worked with her tried to distance themselves after it all blew up and it almost brought the porn industry under government supervision.
So though you might be curious as to who she is, be VERY careful on the stuff Google turns up.
My tapeworm tells me what to do.
by Hipuks on May 5, 2009 3:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Welp, wikipedia worked & was clean!
by cojones2thewall on May 5, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who the hell is Traci Lords?
Here is the original post I was referencing… and yes, the joke is funnier if you know she’s a porn star:
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2007/3/27/63815/1954
btw, apologies to all involved— the post I referenced was written by “sungo” who I assume is a friend of stampler’s, b/c he mentions receiving a text from him.
by vespaguy on May 5, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
sungo is the new user name for Matthew
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 5, 2009 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was actually written by Matthew Powell, the creator of this blog. It was a brilliant post.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 5, 2009 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I miss Matthew.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Free George Hill! (member #3)
by bellasa on May 5, 2009 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, Wayne, we should put all of these classic posts in a sidebar somewhere, so that they’re not lost in the archive.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 5, 2009 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Same here.
And if you reply by attaching a youtube link of “Feelings”, I will drive to Austin and slap you upside the head.
OK, I’m all better now… I think the meds are kicking in.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Free George Hill! (member #3)
by bellasa on May 6, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow, how did I never get to read that? The very essence of PtR – dirty and intelligent at the same time.
F*#@ you, fate! - Latin D
by Tim C. on May 5, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent post vespa. Welcome to PTR. I love the points on the draft.
www.kateinafrica.wordpress.com
http://myspace.com/eme0916
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=569220294&ref=profile
by dfjmed on May 5, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny you should bring up Robert Horry. I saw him at The Rio Saturday morning playing craps and blackjack. I almost went up to him and asked him what he thought of Matt Bonner, but my wife held me back since I was a wee bit intoxicated. Plus, I didn’t want to bother him since he was out and about.
A buddy of mine went up to him while he was playing craps and BSR totally gave him the “Manu-answering-LD’s-question” treatment, the cold shoulder and all. OUCH!
It is what it is.
We are who we are.
by SinCitySpur on May 4, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
"Manu-answering-LD’s-question" treatment
Double ouch. Owie owie owie. So cold. And I don’t mean Big Shot Rob.
by Lauri on May 4, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
…No comments.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 4, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has Pop Seen The Light...
Pop post season comments came as a refreshing surprise. He acknowledged the teams shortcomings and wasn’t surly or sarcastic or combative with the local media hacks.
I say the hell with the 2010 plan. If you’re top flight FA in 2010 what’s your motivation to join a team that could be 3 yrs removed from its last championship and whose best player is a year or two away from retirement.
Window closing must win now!
by Este on May 4, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i feel like matt bonner’s lack of production in the play-offs was only one very small symptom of a bigger problem. bonner was just one guy who didnt step up in the play-offs. matt does does deserve some blame, but i’m only pointing a pinky at him.
frankly, i think a bigger finger of blame should be piointed at guys we relied more heavily on all year – like say, roger mason jr. or maybe even mike fin or KT. none really did anything to speak of after about april 15. the spurs needed NEEDED someone else to step up vs. the mavs and who other roger would have been candidate #1 to do it? i was really disappointed in his play more than mattys.
during that stretch in february, i dubbed bonner house money. he has proven to be a good long range shooter, with the propensity to make the occasional hustle play. he gave us that in spades and more during the regular year. we all loved him, but we all knew deep down that it wouldnt last forever. regular season wise, this was probably his most productive year as a pro. he can play a role on our team, just not the size of one that he was asked to play.
as far as the season’s end, i dont know. i had harbored the hope all along that everything was going to come together just in time and that the spurs would start to work their magic. never happened and i think i didnt really give up hope until after that sunday april 5 game in cleveland. truth be told, i did attend that apr 3 game at indy and it was just one more time when things didnt look quite right……
honestly, i’m not sure the season really began for me until that march 25 game at atlanta when manu came back and contributed for real. i knew right then that the spurs could do it. we were missing tim on a SEGABABA, but played spurs basketball and just flat took apart a play-off team on the road. a 102-92 win where all the scrubs played all the 4th. i began to think it just might happen for us again…but alas, that was short-lived.
by bones on May 4, 2009 4:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes. Finley was atroctious. He did not make his shots and he was a living highlight reel for the Mavs on defense. So many Mavs scored on him in so many different ways.
"The evolution has been good, and I am much more tranquil now in the face of what comes next,"--Manu Ginobili
by VWolf on May 6, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What I've Learned...
Since the season has ended I’ve learned that I actually have a wife and 3 kids. I learned that yard work is highly over rated. I’ve also realized that the Mavs and Nuggets looked very ordinary in game 1 and that the Fakers are going to enjoy a cakewalk to the NBA Finals.
They’re should be some congressional investigation into how the Lakers were able to land Gasol. Stern is an evil little man.
by Este on May 4, 2009 4:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Denver didn’t look like a cakewalk to me.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed.
by CMoney on May 4, 2009 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Denver looked damn good in my mind. I really wish we could get Nene from them
What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)
the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post
by Hamer_SpursFan on May 4, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh Nene would be sick on our roster. The guys been flying under the radar because of the injury to his knee and his bout with cancer. Good call.
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed.
by CMoney on May 4, 2009 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They’ll never let us have him. It’s be as much of a [word we can’t say on PtR] as the Scola trade.
F*#@ you, fate! - Latin D
by Tim C. on May 4, 2009 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh man…nene would be a great fit for us for sure. not only is he big, bad and flying under the radar – but he also seems to have really good games against the spurs.
chauncey billups should get some kind of something for the 180 turnaround that bunch has shown since he arrived. they are now legit and no longer as worthy of our scorn and derision. plus, look at what happened to detroit and it just adds to billups worth.
they would have beaten the spurs.
by bones on May 5, 2009 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Denver exposed dallas w/out getting huge games from Melo or Chauncey. Just makes me further at a loss how no one outside of TP, TD and Hill could expose the Mavs. Winning game one has won them the series and if it goes down in less than 5, the Nuggets have very good hope of preventing an LA cakewalk.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
by SpurredOn on May 4, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
why is that?
Doesn’t seem to have a thuggish attitude, he might be the only person on that team besides Kleiza that doesn’t have full tattoo sleeves on their arms, and has a feel-good story of recovering from testicular cancer to play
What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)
the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post
by Hamer_SpursFan on May 5, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know what this offseason holds for us, but it better be something that gets us a new starting power forward.
I think we need to sign a big to play Center. Meet your 2009-10 Spurs starting Power Forward:
By the way, that other guy in the photo is also pretty fucking awesome.
F*#@ you, fate! - Latin D
by Tim C. on May 4, 2009 8:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i dont like that picture, because it makes me think of the scenarios if we ever trade Manu to another team (better not EVER HAPPEN)
What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)
the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post
by Hamer_SpursFan on May 4, 2009 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like it because it shows how both of them are such fierce competitors – it should serve as a reminder not to let him go, not a premonition of things to come.
F*#@ you, fate! - Latin D
by Tim C. on May 4, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Immediately after this photo was taken Manu fell to the ground after no contact and Tim turned to the official looking for a call with HIS FACE.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 4, 2009 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you watching the game?
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed. - CMoney
Free George Hill! (member #3)
by bellasa on May 4, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what game? Um, so no.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on May 4, 2009 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am! I watched Orlando beat the Celtics (that was pretty crazy, what with the big lead, and the losing it, and the glayvin), and now I am watching the Rocketships fight the good fight. That was quite a cut Shane Battier received, eh? He looked like Carrie at the prom. Adelman was so pissed that he kind of pulled a Pop with Sager.
by Lauri on May 4, 2009 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
how’d he get cut? i’m assuming somebody’s elbowed greeted his face
What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)
the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post
by Hamer_SpursFan on May 4, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed. Vujacic’s elbow. And earlier, Kobe and Shane got tangled up and chippiness ensued.
Adelman was spitting nails with Sages!
by Lauri on May 4, 2009 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m watching it. Good thread at Silver Scroll and Roll. Linix is there…. join us. :)
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 4, 2009 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 4, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm, maybe I’d better go to Dream Shake. :)
by Lauri on May 4, 2009 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m also there, but there’s a nice crowd at SCaR.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 4, 2009 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
scar…. yeah that sounds like a fun place to be
Superman wears Manu Ginobili pajamas to bed.
by CMoney on May 5, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Consorting with the enemy…I see…
My tapeworm tells me what to do.
by Hipuks on May 4, 2009 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They’re good guys, and you can chat with them. I want the Rockets to win, but The Dreamshake is just too hectic.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 4, 2009 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And not in the PTR way.
Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
by LatinD on May 4, 2009 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And now Artest with the halftime interview can’t resist telling Sager that Kobe missed 8 shots. Heh.
by Lauri on May 4, 2009 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the part about manu falling down and tim showing the face that is…….
by bones on May 5, 2009 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We died when the F.O. decided it was best to draft foreign players with no chance of signing them to our aging roster. It worked with Manu but since then we haven’t gotten any returns on our investments overseas. Now we are faced with a roster full of “savvy” (i.e. old) players who can’t keep up with the current roster of our opponents. Now without a 1st round pick this year (due to our acquisition of the “savvy” Kurt Thomas) we once again don’t have the means to get a quality young player. We are no longer in the win now mode and must shift our focus to rebuilding the roster.
Let the purging begin!!!
by D1g1tal J1m on May 5, 2009 3:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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