PtR Quick Cap: Spurs Yawn While Beating Nets 97-85
by Tim C. on Jan 10, 2010 9:24 PM CST
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Hey look, a unicorn an athletic 7-footer in a Spurs uniform!
Yeah, I know... very punny. I'm trying to be as clever as the dialogue in Avatar.
So, the Spurs won a game tonight. But the bigger news was that the team got very solid contributions from a guy who hasn't played a game for them in 2 seasons. That's right, Ian Mahinmi played tonight, for the first time all year. Not only that, he played meaningful minutes when the outcome of the game was still in doubt. More surprising than his minutes, however, was that he actually looked like he belonged for the most part. In fact, Bill Land didn't even realize Ian was playing until he had already been in the game for almost a minute.
Let's be realistic here: Pop was most likely showcasing Ian to his counterpart, Kiki Vandeweghe, who has a trade exception to burn after sending Eduardo Najera to Dallas in a trade yesterday. So, we shouldn't think that Ian's playing time today was an indicator of things to come for the Spurs' rotation. But it was really nice to see him get a chance to prove himself again.
So, how did it go? Join us after the jump to find out.
First Half
The Spurs came out of the starting blocks with very little energy. New Jersey had quite a bit more energy, and got a few good looks at the basket early to build a 12-7 lead less than halfway through the first quarter. At that point, only Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker, and DeJuan Blair had even attempted a shot. Then, Manu Ginobili came into the game, and things started to turn around. The Spurs started moving the ball to get good shots for Tim Duncan. After Timmy got a couple of shots to fall, Pop benched him in favor of Mahinmi, and a funny thing happened: he did well. Ian did a great job of fitting in to the offense, and even made an impact with his size on the defensive end, and the Spurs finished the quarter down by 2.
To start the second quarter, Courtney Lee got into the lane and attempted a shot over Mahinmi. Yawn wasn't having it, as he blocked the shot, leading to a fast break. On the break, Jefferson found him for a monstrous dunk that nearly brought the backboard down. Two possessions later, he was fouled and made both free throws(no wonder the Spurs want to trade him). Yawn was pulled about a minute after that, when he picked up his third foul, only one of which was legitimate. Meanwhile, Manu was scoring almost at will on New Jersey, even if he made some questionable decisions with his passing. By halftime, the Spurs were up by 2, but still couldn't seem to get stops.
Second Half
After the half, the Spurs came out flat again, allow New Jersey to open the 3rd quarter on a 5-0 run. That's when Tony Parker woke up. Tony scored all of his 8 points in the third, and the Spurs captured the lead on his second bucket, then never gave it back. The Spurs built the lead to double digits, and Mahinmi replaced Duncan again with less than 3 minutes left in the quarter. Yawn made another bucket, but it was Manu who really got the crowd going when he threw down a vicious dunk in traffic with 35 seconds left. This left the Spurs up by 12 at the end of the 3rd.
In the 4th, Mahinmi got even more burn, playing the full 12 minutes. The Spurs simply played to keep preserve the win over the final 12. Roger Mason and George Hill played well, while Mahinmi hit a mid-range jumper(gasp) and another dunk and layup to complete his scoring for the night. With 2 minutes left, an interesting lineup made its way onto the floor, when DeJuan Blair(PF), Mahinmi(C) and Marcus Haislip(SF) were all in the game at once, giving 3 of the Spurs' young big men some more burn.
Random Observations
Rebounding: The Spurs won the battle of the boards 39-28
Assists: The Spurs had 24 assists on 36 field goals, so the ball movement was good, but not great. They'll need to do better against LA on Tuesday.
Haislip looked awkward playing the 3, but that might change with a bit more experience.
Your 3 Stars
- Ian Mahinmi - Talk about a guy who made the most of his chance. Ian ended with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block and 1 assist. What impressed me more, though, is how he managed to have an impact on the game without fouling in the final 9 minutes, after he had picked up his 5th. Good job, Ian.
- Tim Duncan - This man continues to prove that he isn't washed up. When 14 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks is an "off game", you're pretty damn good.
- Manu Ginobili - Manu had a few turnovers in this game by trying to force the issue when the options just weren't there, but he still outperformed everyone else in a Spurs uniform. 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and a team-leading +16. Manu was really active tonight, and the energy that he and Ian brought probably kept this game from being a big disappointment.
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Pop should start Mahinmi against the Lakers. At least if they had Pau Gasol in the line-up.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
Yes, I thought the refs did scew Ian tonight. Yet he managed to play 20 minutes, including the whole 4th quarter while having 5 fouls. If we can get 15 minutes of him and he fouls out, that’s fine, as long as he’s not committing silly fouls. He was also guarding Brook Lopez who is a top center in this league, and he did so without much double team help. He made Brook work on offense and defense by running the floor and establishing position early on. I saw a couple offensive possessions where Ian caught the ball down low and Brook had no choice but to foul him.
Anyways, Brook is much better than Bynum IMO. While Brook has better numbers, he’s also asked to do more on his team and doesn’t benefit from having great players around him. So It wouldn’t be too bad to put Ian on him for a few minutes to make Bynum work on both ends.
It’d be nice to have Ian start alongside Tim for defensive purposes, with Dice being the first big off the bench (he’s more comfortable off the bench anyways). Then Blair or Bonner could be our 2nd big off the bench depending on what is needed during the game. Of course, this is just me letting my imagination run wild. Pop will nail himself to a coffin before he starts Ian on Tuesday.
Besides, this is only one game we’ve seen from Ian so far, we need a much bigger sample size to evaluate his game/knowledge of the system. Hopefully Pop give him the minutes he showed he deserved tonight.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 11, 2010 4:01 AM CST up reply actions
Ahh, Roger.
MoneyMase
Good team win tonight. Brook Lopez is a good young talent, but man he needs a shower. Lol. He was stinkin the court up tonight!
The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!
When Ian blocked the shot and followed with the dunk, the first guy to his feet on the bench was Duncan.
Nice game from Ian.
Pop coached this game much better. He started TD and didn’t over play him. Lesson learned from Toronto.
He allowed Ian to play with 5 fouls. Lesson learned from last night.
No Small Ball. Learned this from 13 losses.
And he kept Bonner on the bench. Oh wait he didn’t have a choice there. But it was still a good move.
But I know everyone has to be thinking, why didn’t he play Ian Friday? I
My eyes liked this response. My brain kinda does too, oddly enough… you’re converting me!
Do you think Pop will give him minutes against the Lakers? I hope so.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 11, 2010 1:07 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah Ian will get mins. Pop won’t have a choice. After the Lakers get done pounding Blair and Dice on the glass. You will see Theo too.
Phil Jackson is as predictable as they come. He will try to pound us into submission.
But we need to take away Kobe posting up. Whoever is guarding him he needs to fight Kobe off the block. Don’t give him that sweet spot because if a big has to help on Kobe in the post, that just opens us up to 2nd chance pts by the Lakers. But when Kobe is on the perimeter we should guard him one on one and send help as soon as he starts his dribble but not before then. If we can do that and secure the defensive glass we can make it a game. If not, we LOSE.
Also stay the hell away from Small Ball.
This game as with all the Lakers games will be determined on 2nd chance points. Take 2nd chance pts away from the Lakers offense, and they are very beatable.
This game felt kind of different, like watching the old Spurs with always two bigs on the floor. Pop’s got to realize that he’s got talented players on that bench (Haislip, Hairston and Ian) but they need a chance to prove themselves. He did that mistake with G.Hill last year, He needs to trust these guys.
And the thing that I’m surprised most about is in this post is that the Mavs were able to get Najera. WTF. Good pick up by them =(
I missed the game tonight, glad to hear Ian did well :)
He is not the old Najera anymore. I don’t think he has played much recently. But if he starts producing like the old, then its bad news. He is one bruising defender and very strong on the glass as well as always hustling and causing havoc.
One thing I did notice about Ian’s game that could be useful against the Lakers.
He loves to run the floor. If we can gets some stops and push the ball back at the Lakers, Ian should be able to score in transition because the Lakers bigs shouldn’t be able to keep up with him in the open floor.
The Spurs need to push the ball at the Lakers whenever Bynum is on the Floor, try to run, as much as possible without turning it over.
Perhaps while pop was watching the 4th quarter of the mavs game on a tv, as I do, unable to control the line up/strategy, as can’t I, pop was overcome with the same thoughts that I was: besides duncan,who is the spurs next big that other teams have to adjust for? The answer, quite unfortunately, is currently matt bonner who is not a post big. Theo ratlif is another post big, but he’s way past prime.
Perhaps the dallas game was a wake up call that, at least at times, the spurs need two 7 footers in the post again. Btw, the three Yawn shot. Looked comfortable to me, I thought it was going in, but rimmed out. If he could hit even around 35% he becomes bonner’s replacement, cause he could really drive on opposing bigs
by RamblingSpur on Jan 11, 2010 2:53 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Ian made all of his shots… But maybe you meant Haislip? Because in that case, I’m in complete agreement. The Spurs aren’t going to find another big who shoots 45% from 3, but even 35% from long range is more efficient than shooting 50% inside, and teams will have to respect it. So if Haislip could shoot around 35-40% from out there, he’s replacing Bonner, and he has the speed and athleticism to drive when the 3 is taken away.
The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!
I wouldn’t read too much in a one game performance. But it’s already better than what I expected. Seeing a few of our recent losses, it wouldn’t be that risky to give him some run, but I fear that Ian would foul out quickly. In any case, if He is not good enough, maybe he would show enough to tempt another GM.
And Ian has a 80% FT career percentage.
Your right one game is not going to tell the story. We still need a true center, but until we can sucker some team into a trade, Ian should keep us away from playing small ball. Between Ian, Dice, Blair, and Theo (notice how I excluded Bonner). There should be no excuse for going small.
In fact, even before Ian returned we shouldn’t have been playing small ball.
I still see there are those who think we can use Bonner, but unless it’s in a trade. I don’t think Bonner is going to get us where we need to be on defense. We should start playing players that will help us tighten up the defense. Stretching the floor on offense is not important if you don’t get stops on the defense end.
Don’t get excited about Yawn yet, people… it was the friggin’ Nets. Our summer league team is better than the Nets.
If he plays tomorrow, its to absorb fouls.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 11, 2010 7:30 AM CST reply actions
You right we shouldn’t be too excited just yet, but I just can’t understand why Pop would bring him back Sunday, when he didn’t really need him. Instead of Friday against the Mavs, a much more important game.
It just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
It isn’t smart to bring in someone who basically hasn’t played an NBA game in two years against a team like the Mavs.
Especially someone that hasn’t really impressed anyone this year (until now I guess). I say he has earned more minutes against sub .500 teams but not against powerhouse teams.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 11, 2010 9:20 AM CST up reply actions
I think the answer is obvious. Pop just doesn’t know what he’s doing. He has no idea how to manage a roster or coach a game.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 11, 2010 9:43 AM CST up reply actions
I think I’m sensing …
I’m pretty sure about this, but I’d like a second opinion. Cap, if you replaced your sarcasmometer after Pop blew your old one out, please let me know what your new model reads off the above comment.
Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10
A lot of you joke about Pop not being able to coach. But I am dead serious.
Bringing Ian out against N.J. instead of DAL is borderline stupid.
How can you justify playing Theo and TD against Dirk and Damp. When Dirk will run circles around Theo.
But not play Theo against Lopez who is much slower than Dirk and plays at Theo’s tempo.
The way Pop has been using his personnel this season is not smart.
Yeah I know its tough to criticize a coach with 4 Titles, but when you see Pop preach one thing but put players on the floor that specialize in something else, then either he doesn’t know his personnel or he is just plain lying about being a defense minded team.
We are giving up way too many points. We are way too small, and yet at times we look like we are shrinking out there.
Then he has a healthy Ian buried on the bench and we are still seeing Haislip and Hairston in uniform.
Now if we didn’t have 13 losses I could see Pop getting a pass on some of these dumb decisions, but not only do we have 13 losses we just suffered 2 of our worse losses of the year at home to Portland and Dallas. Not on the road, AT HOME.
I am completely puzzled with these moves.
Pop’s a mad genius in my book. He takes the ‘mad’ part a bit too seriously, sometimes to distraction.
But even you have to agree, and this is irrefutable and proven by pages of your own posts, that if Pop was able to take a team with Bonner as a starter to second place in the Western Conference standings, he is a veritable mad scientist or maybe magician as its very close to magical.
Quod Erat Demonstrandum :D
Actually we are in 3rd place and we should be in 2nd. Back when Pop was playing Bonner we were in 6th. If not, for Bonner’s injury, we would probably be 5th(giving Bonner a little credit here). But Pop couldn’t play Bonner so we started winning by default.
Pop’s a mad genius in my book.
This is partially the problem. This is basketball, not some military op in Russia. There is no need to over think this game.
Let the Dunkers dunk, the shooters shoot and the drivers drive.
A mad genius doesn’t bench his best player. EVER! Then he gets TD to take the heat off of him for making that decision by going public saying he was OK with it.
I mean, come on…. What was TD supposed to say to media? “Guys my damm coach has lost his mind, benching the best PF in the history of man”
I think Pop has done a lot of good things, especially his rapport with his players.
But I starting to wonder if they still trust everything he is telling them, maybe that is why we don’t see the effort every nite. Maybe they don’t believe in some of the things that he has them doing.
Ah but you misunderstand. I thought it would be obvious, but apparently not. I was talking about last season and what Pop accomplished with a motley crew. The proof is beyond question :P
Also, on a serious note, after all these years, if you really think TD not starting is such a big deal(thats what I am understanding as ‘benching’ coz otherwise TD sure does gets rests in a game) to anyone, then you probably haven’t followed the team enough. Far crazier things have happened.
This is partially the problem. This is basketball, not some military op in Russia. There is no need to over think this game.
What I said is, I think he is really really good at his job in an exceptional fashion. I have no idea if those are the qualifications to run a black ops in Russia.
Let the Dunkers dunk, the shooters shoot and the drivers drive.
Excellent. You just figured out the Phoenix Suns or maybe the Dubbs, though the Dubbs have a bit more randomness mixed in and oversimplification is not enough to encompass their pointlessness as a basketball team.
I thought you meant this year, yeah you are right, last year we were injured and old so he gets a pass.
But so far this year we are fine and more athletic, so no excuses.
I guess I am still a little pissed for Pop cheating me and my kids last year when the Spurs came to town here in Atlanta. He gave TD the night off without any warning.
Good for us TP went off on the Hawks and we got the win. But Pop owns me some tickets or a championship.
Dammit I paid good money for those seats and there TD was sitting in street clothes instead of dunking on J Smooth.
HE OWES ME!
I guess I am still a little pissed for Pop cheating me and my kids last year when the Spurs came to town here in Atlanta. He gave TD the night off without any warning.
That explains a lot ha!
I know how that feels, Im from Puerto Rico and in 03 I went Fiba Americas to watch the “Dream Team” vs. Virgin Islands and Timmy didn’t play, I was pretty mad, but at least I watched Manu play for Argentina.
Acting like you know more about The SPURS than Gregg Popovich does is borderline stupid.
You’re basing a lot of things off 20 minutes of play you witnessed, and against one of the worst teams in the history of the NBA. In the 3+ years Ian has been in San Antonio Pop has had thousands of minutes to evaluate Ian’s play. If Pop and his staff felt like Ian wasn’t ready before the NJ game then Ian probably wasn’t ready.
"I will five all over this blog." - JRW
Also, this was the first completely positive game by Ian that I remember. It’s not Pop’s fault that he was injured so many times.
Bone breaking? -340
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
Acting like you know more about The SPURS than Gregg Popovich does is borderline stupid.
I have watched every single minute of the Spurs playing this year. Every minute.
So during the time they are actually playing a game. I am seeing exactly the same thing that Pop is seeing.
I don’t need to sit in on the Spurs practices to see, WE CAN’T STOP ANYONE.
There is a saying, “You play like you practice”
So either Ian plays much better than he practices or he should have been if that damm game against Dallas.
I don’t think after 3 years, he healed up and practiced for the 1st time Saturday morning.
Here’s why I am on Pop.
Is he trying to make the Spurs better defensively or offensively? Because it appears to me that the things that he is doing is geared more towards offense than defense. There is nothing wrong with the offense, when is he going to start making the necessary defensive adjustments?
A lot of you joke about Pop not being able to coach. But I am dead serious.
I’m stopped reading right here. Pop’s skills as a coach is something that is just not up for discussion. It isn’t a matter of opinion even. You may question why he does the things he does, but to think you might know better or that he is not good at his job is asinine. You might want to find another drum to bang.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 12, 2010 2:05 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
that he is not good at his job is asinine
I’m not going to give credit unless it is due. Pop has made dumb decisions this year. I am going to call him on it. I don’t care how smart you are or how skilled you are, in the end you are what your record says you are.
If Pop can’t beat elite teams with elite talent something has to give. Either we don’t have elite talent or we don’t have an elite coach.
So in your opinion what makes a bad or good coach?
To me, it comes down to winning or losing.
Has Pop been winning regular season games? Nope! The Spurs are not beating elite teams.
Winning playoff games? Nope! Got bounced in the first round last year.
Are the Spurs winning on the road? Nope! We are 6-7 on the road.
All the things that I think a good coach succeeds at Pop is failing this year.
You give me your litmus test for deciding a good coach?
Because so far this year, Pop has failed mine.
Tonite I am sure Phil Jackson is going to bring his A game, I hope Pop does the same because a bad loss tonite will not help the psyche of this years Spurs team.
Hm. So if Phil Jackson starts coaching the Nets, and they keep on losing, does that mean he’s a bad coach?
Bone breaking? -340
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
Come on, now you know that is not what I mean. If you have elite talent and you are squandering away winnable games. At some point, what you are doing is going to be considered bad coaching.
Like giving up a 22 point lead with Small Ball while the Lakers are pounding your little guys inside.
I am not saying Pop is a bad coach because he has done some very good things thru his career, but to me, lately, in the last 3 games we lost he has been coaching poorly.
In other words, Pop was not maximizing his talent.
Obviously I’m just a fan, when I disagree with what the coach is doing, I display my disgust with my voice.
Players can’t do that, they display their distrust for a coach’s decisions by not giving 110% effort on both ends of the court.
I’m not entirely sure I know what you mean by maximizing our talent. Sure for one game we could play our best players tons of minutes and maximize our talent, but at what cost? Health? Cohesion on the team? Growth of our younger players? Not testing players in match-ups to evaluate the team? To think Pop’s only job/concern is winning games is insanely short-sighted.
A Good Coach:
-Manages minutes
-Understands its a business and home games in front of your home fans are actually more important than regular season road wins
-Manages players on the court and off
-Teaches and makes the players better
-Provides structure to the team
-Allows players to play within themselves
-Tailors the players the team while tailoring the system to his players
-Is respected by the team
I’m sure I could think of tons of others….
The thing about winning is sometimes good coaches lose and sometimes bad coaches win so it’s not the best judge of coaching ability. If it was, I’m satisfied that Pop has us at 7th in the league (3rd in the west) in win percentage while integrating/adapting to 7 or so new players. We’re currently on pace to win 52-53 wins despite our 4-6 start.
Pop is a Hall of Fame coach, period. The fact that you don’t like what he’s doing this year is irrelevant. Period. You can disagree with what he’s doing. You can question his decisions. But, to draw the conclusion that he isn’t a good coach is asinine.
Who gives a shit if Phil Jackson brings his A game tonight. It’s January 12th.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 12, 2010 7:30 PM CST up reply actions
The Spurs care. If we would have lost this game tonite to the Lakers B team in our gym, well you know.
And Pop screwed up again tonite. Letting Artest abuse our little guys inside. And Phil kept going to it until he forced Pop into a time out.
Exactly what I mean by getting out coached. Good thing we got the win tho.
GT, your draw conclusions too quickly. With Artest for example you dont know what Pop is thinking. Maybe he is trying to get some information out of the match to see how he can counter it in the future. Maybe he is experimenting with a new strategy and slowly trying to refine it. The fact is that it was a regular season game, we had a big lead and we know Pop is willing to risk a win in order to get some better knowledge of his team and the opponent. Maybe Artest abusing “the little guy” was a battle won for Jackson, but the winner of the war is still to be determined.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jan 14, 2010 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
you* draw conclusions too quickly
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jan 14, 2010 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
On 48MoH, Varner puts a quote from Hill saying Mahinmi got play because someone was hurt. Maybe he means Bonner, but Ratliff was really limited in the Dallas game, and it appeared Hairston was inactive for this game.
The only way he plays tomorrow, is if its a blowout, either way.
Ian Mahinmi - the future
When I first saw Mahinmi on the floor for just a few minutes when he was just 20 years old I saw a in the raw talent that could become a super star in time. Serious ankle injuries have hampered his progress and I beleive that the Spurs have been playing it very cautiously with this 6’11’ leaper. Before going down while playing for France, Ian was named the development league’s All-Star center. I’m betting several teams showed interest in him at that time. Bad ankles are the big question. Pop and RC probably wanted to as deep into the season as possible before putting him into a game situation. On Tuesday the Spurs will go up against LA which has a really big frontline. Blair has shown plenty of reasons for his playing, but the last two games against Dallas and New Jersey bring out his shortcomings, 6’6", against teams that have two seven footers on their front line. Blair still hustled his buns off, but lets be real he can’t outmuscle the bigs of Dallas, LA or even New Jersey. Too many of his rebounds and put back attempts are just swatted away. Mahinmi, however, has great hops and at 6’ ll" can doesn’t have to return to the floor to put a shot back up. He’s high enough to grab the ball and stuff it. Tough to defend. Mahinmi and Blair both have a lot of work to do on the defensive footwork. Ian has to learn not to swat with his hands so much and use his feet to play position defense. I believe with his speed and athleticsm he may be the answer for Nowitski. The suggestion that Pop put Ian out there to showcase him for New Jersey is absurd. There is only one player out there that I would consider trading him for and that is Indiana’s Hibbett. Don’t see that happening unless we through in Bonner and Finley. No….I think I would stay with Ian, bad ankles and all. Lets see, now, how about playing bad ankles Mahinmi and no knees Blair alongside Timmy with Tony and Manu at the guard spots. That combo would reak havoc for most teams in the NBA.
In case you were wondering how good Mahinmi was in his limited minutes against the worst team in the NBA…..
Hollinger Ratings with All Players for Today
A 38% DRR is impressive against any opponent to me though….
Wanna know what’s really crazy? Ian led the league in PER two years ago, too. Way to go, Yawn!
The Spurs - now playing like sh*t again!
we’ll see if Pop plays him
"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 Jan 11, 2010 2:28 PM CST up reply actions
ian
start ian instead of blair in the pf position and then can havbe the rotation,dice and timmy,and if pop decided theo on the c…but i guess its safer that blair gets limited time cuz his a rook going up against l.a….maybe 15 mins for him and another 20+mins for yawn…very impressive game..hope yawn keeps it up…
I think Ian should start too. The reason for starting Blair was rebounding both offensive and defensive, because we know he can’t guard bigs and on offense we never call plays for him.
But if Ian is just as good a rebounder and he has a much better chance of guarding the rim, then it makes no sense to play Blair ahead of Ian.
I got serious doubts that Ian rebounds as well as the beast.
Dejuan is like, second in the league at rebs per 48 minutes. That being said, lets hope Ian is actually going to pan out and that the only reason he hasnt seen more time is because pop was more interested in getting Blairs feet wet. ( That, and maybe Pop wanted to conserve Ians fragile body ) >>fingers crossed<<
...Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is forty five.
all this talk about yawn yawn yawn…..it seems to me that the guy with his name on the subhead of this blog had a pretty fair game too…….
and some of it really stupid talk at that…
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 12, 2010 7:52 AM CST up reply actions
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