Game Preview #14: Spurs @ Timberwolves
by silverandblack_davis on Nov 24, 2010 2:40 AM CST
in Game Previews
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Have mercy on the cuteness, puh-leez?
via knowyourmeme.com
Aside from the team's winning streak, you gotta love the Spurs' early schedule right now. After beating a quality team like the Orlando Magic in one heckuva game, the San Antonio Spurs take some sort of a breather going up against a young but hungry Minnesota Timberwolves team. Don't get me wrong, this could be a TARP game and after all, the T-Pups have 2 more wins than the cellar-dwelling Clippers. Still, they'd find it difficult to stop the Spurs' Victory Train and its cache of destructive weapons.
Hack preview, after the jump.
Happy song to descibre the 11-game win streak state of mind.
And for the PtRockers discussing Charlize Theron the other day, enjoy this one:
Well... I planned to make fun of David Kahn with some 'chops, but forgot about so tell ya what, I'll still make fun of KAAAAAAHHHN!
Kahn-isms (or quotes by the worst GM in the league)
On Michael Beasley's drug problem:
"He’s a very young and immature kid who smoked too much marijuana and has told me that he’s not smoking anymore," Kahn said, "and I told him that I would trust him as long as that was the case."
Gee, David. Thanks for being brutally honest.
Describing an interview he had with Chris Webber:
He's kind of a schmuck, isn't he? Methinks that he spent a lot of time on NBA TV with a former Timberwolves person and he seemed to come into the interview with an agenda. Tough questions are fine, but I felt like he was a little defensive about some of the things
Methinks, huh? Maybe Kahn can make a good blogger, just not a GM, please.
Describing newly-signed center Nikola Pekovic:
a real brute
almost the kind who'd kick sand in somebody's face at the beach
Nikola is impressively efficient in scoring the ball in the post. The fact that his lowest field goal percentage is 57.4% should tell you a lot about his patience and ability to get off quality shots inside. There’s not a lot of wasted movement. For the last couple of years, we’ve been used to watching Al Jefferson pump fake eight times before awkwardly getting his shot off. It went in more than it rimmed out for a rebound opportunity but it wasn’t the most efficient way to get a good flow in your halfcourt offense. But with Pekovic, you’re going to get direct movement that gets the ball into the basket in the quickest and most proficient way we’ve seen with this franchise.
Wow, I'm quacking in my boots. Looks like we're looking at the next Tim Duncan.
Have some Kahn Wisdom:
I think it's important to have not only a veteran presence, but somebody who's playing significant, steady minutes. It's easier to lead rather than just from the locker room.
Umm.... yeah, sure.
Asked about who'd win a game of H-O-R-S-E on his team:
It'd be hard (to pick a winner). We have a lot of good shooters, but I wouldn't discount Bill Laimbeer. Bill can still shoot it.
Way to pick a retired old geezer like Laimbeer and throw your current players under the bus, Kahn.
Some Wolf Memes for Your Viewing Pleazure
via www.halolz.com
I'm such a hack. On to the preview.
 Minnesota Timberwolves vs San Antonio Spurs Watch: FSSW
By the Numbers
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Lineups
Starters Matt Bonner |
Lineups
Starters Nikola Pekovic
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Matchup Analysis
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Winner |
Starters
PG: I've been trying to catch Tony Parker break into a smile, a half-smile, grin, Blue Steel, smirk or whatever expression that conveys satisfaction or excitement during the past few games since The Incident. So far... NOTHING. He's even growing his beard that further contributes to the "Eff You" mode that he's in right now. I don't know if he's enjoying this streak as much as Timmy and the others and the fans do, but somehow... I like it.
We might not ever see the warp-speed TP due to past injuries, but he's still hella fast, and has the current mindset of a killer. Yes, I went there. I think right now, Tony believes that no one can stop him -- if his penetration isn't working, he's passing beautifully and smartly. Add to that some extra confidence in his jumper - he's already made some crazy off-balanced Js and accurate three-point shooting - and you'd be a total ignoramus if you don't rate him as a Top 5 PG right now. Someone's already pointed out how he's performed well so far against some of the league's best PGs, and I expect that trend to continue.
As for Sebastian Telfair... I can only hope the guy comes out of this game alive and psyche still intact.
SG: We've always known that Manu's one heck of a competitor, and now that Tony's joined the fray, too, it's hard to say when the team will cool off. Not that I'm complaining because winning is fun. That being said, Wesley Johnson is a promising rookie who can play both ends of the court, but he won't be able to handle a superduperstar like The Sickness.
SF: RJ's stat line during the last game wasn't exactly praise-worthy - only 8 points, 4 boards and zero assists. But what's really encouraging is that the man just knows now how to keep playing even if it isn't his night. He hit some huge clutch baskets down the stretch, and continued to defend with intensity. He has another challenge tonight in trying to contain the talented headcase known as Super Cool Beas (as his tattoo says). Beasley seems to finally be getting it - his work on the offensive end looks more under control, and he's been using his wide arsenal to good effect. Still, I have faith in the Two-Point-Oh that he can keep Beasley in check.
PF: DeBeast hasn't been consistently beastly so far, but now he gets a real chance to match up with The Sasquatch, Mr.30-30, Love Handles, Love Machine, K-Smoove, whatever you wanna call Kevin Love. Love is just a monster right now, and it'd make for an exciting game if Blair can match K-Love rebound for rebound. It will be like watching two heavyweights punching each other to the death. Make sure to check the foundations of your home, the magnitude of this earthquake of a matchup will register high on the Richter.
C: I want Pop to sit Timmeh in this one to prepare him for the next brutal stretch of games. In case he does, I'm still giving the Spur to our bigs contingent in SAM, Sandwich Guy and Banana Man. Darko's playing well the last few games to make Kahn look good, but I'm confident that Darko will be kicked back in his old overrated place.
Bench: If you told me Bassie Telfair is your starting PG, I'd be scared to look at what the rest of the roster looks like. Corey Brewer's too limited, Ridnour's average, and Tolliver... well, let's just say that he couldn't even last in the Spurs rotation. Now that the opposing bench doesn't seem to pose a threat, I expect BAM 2.0 to help put this game away so that our starters can rest up. And also to have more Banana Time!!!
Coaching
Rambis might know the Triangle O, but he will still be out-Pop'd.
Intangibles
This Spurs team is on a mission, and I expect them to run roughshod over contender fodder like Minnesota.
Mojo
Team and fan swagger alike are at an all-time high.
Prediction
Spurs by a rout. Oh please oh please oh please FSM let this be a blowout.
Other Reading
Spurs
OPPONENT
Canis Hoopus (SB Nation)
RANDOMNESS
If you want Toy Story 3 to be in the Oscars running.
4 Minutes of Nicolas Cage just losing his mind.
Following Along
TV
FSSW
Radio
WOAI 1200AM; Audio League Pass[streaming]
Online
As always, NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area.
Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate. You can also shoot an email to poundingtherockmail@yahoo.com (IMPORTANT: Please include your PtR username in the email for reference) for further assistance.
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Comments
Fixed.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Nov 24, 2010 3:47 AM CST up reply actions
This is totally one of those games that can sneak up on a team: They just had a solid win over an ECF calibur opponent, its the day before thanksgiving (the guys wanna get home to their families ASAP), and its real easy to look past the tiny wolves when the Mavs and Hornets revenge are on the horizon friday and sunday respectively.
The good news is that this is another game where Tiago is likely to get some real min and maybe he, RJ, George, DeJuan, and Neal can handle these guys on their own with the big 3 + Bonner acting as more of a decoy than an actual players (gotta Keep Matty fresh like this for the playoffs). Since our bench is so deep and min hungry, their likely to bring their A game just cause they can, this will probably be what wins us this game, we just can’t sleep on it (like I currently can’t sleep).
i can’t believe i used “their” instead of “they’re”… maybe I’m tireder than I thought
by RamblingSpur on Nov 24, 2010 3:29 AM CST up reply actions
can someone change the default PtR match-up preview? Bon2x is not there….make it 4 key bench players…
by the way, thanks davis for the preview..nice observation there for TP. .
We might not ever see the warp-speed TP due to past injuries, but he’s still hella fast, and has the current mindset of a killer
I think TP deserves the nickname “Killer” during his current post-Eva rampage through the league.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 24, 2010 1:15 PM CST up reply actions
Done and done. Thanks for pointing that out, rank. I matched up Bonner against Pekovic for full effect.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Nov 24, 2010 4:11 AM CST up reply actions
Im gonna call this game right now, we are going to crush them. This years team is immune to the Tarps that plagued us in season past. (And if im wrong, I will vehemently deny ever having typed these words)
[ "Duncan, the Spurs' 34-year-old captain, was aghast when Splitter told him he used to watch him as a kid."]
"I didn't enjoy that at all," Duncan said
THEY ARE ALL TRAPS. That’s the whole point of a winning streak. At some point, I feel it starts adding undue pressure to the team – no one wants a streak to end.
I don’t care about tonight. I’m not sure I care about Dallas all that much – they can’t cut it in the playoffs. NOH, though, bugs me. How exactly are they that good right now?
I smell death... everywhere.
no one wants a streak to end.
good thing Josh McRoberts isn’t on the team.
by magnuskrauss on Nov 24, 2010 7:15 AM CST up reply actions
Jeez, 144 points? I hadn’t heard of that. Those Nuggs really do suck right now.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on DeJuan Blair
by Manu ex Machina on Nov 24, 2010 4:05 PM CST up reply actions
good question LatinD – How good are the Hornets? Considering their two losses are to the Mavs and the Clippers – their record really doesn’t tell us much
"The A-Train 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 Nov 24, 2010 8:36 AM CST up reply actions
Not as good now as I thought they were earlier in the season. They lost vs. LAC in a game the Slippers were trying to give away, and they didn’t play that well against the Kings the game before. They’re still good, but I think they’re vulnerable to trap games… and they’ll bring it against the Spurs. It should be a good test for us.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 24, 2010 1:17 PM CST up reply actions
I think the Spurs do a pretty good job of taking games one a time and not thinking about keeping a streak alive for its own sake, but instead as a means towards an end (putting W’s in the bank for later in the season and measuring themselves against the rest of the league).
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 24, 2010 4:42 PM CST up reply actions
Forget the Timberpups...
They suck!
Beasley? Laughable!
The rest? A total joke!
I like the Clippers lineup better if only they had a better coach.
But let us not get too overconfident or else Kevin Love may unleash a 40-40 against us and we become the laughingstock of the NBA if we lose by 1 point after blowing a lead of say, 40 points!!
Tonight is a very big game for us. The reason being: it’s a swing game with the other games being played tonight…NO @ Utah and Dallas @ OKC. Somebody is going to loose tonight and it’s not us.
Methinks that’s what the Hornets said on Monday.
by DrumsInTheDeep on Nov 24, 2010 7:16 AM CST up reply actions
Nice Kahn impersonation with the “Methinks”.
by SaSleepless on Nov 24, 2010 12:13 PM CST up reply actions
I might be alone on this, but I actually like the T-Wolves roster. Their front line is actually good. There’s an elite scorer in the making, a rebound machine and a defensive big. People just dismiss two of them as scrubs because their names are Beasley and Milicic. Their guards are pretty bad, but they have Rubio supposedly coming over next year or the one after that. Their bench is improved and I feel that if Webster and Flynn return to form fast from their injuries, their win total could be in the high 20s or low 30s.
I’m not saying Kahn is a great GM, or even a good one but I think people have been too quick to dismiss everything he’s done. Part of it is his own fault for sounding like an idiot every time he gives an interview, but part of it can be traced back to the constant bashing he has taken from guys like Simmons. Once a narrative is set, it’s really hard to escape it.
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
This is true. And although Simmons us a very funny read, he is really just another fan, not any kind of basketball expert. He has made more than his share of dumb statements and silly predictions himself.
But who can resist saying, “Kaaaaaaaaaaaaahn!”?
All these GIFs are breaking my browser.
by quincyscott on Nov 24, 2010 8:11 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I do appreciate the new Wolves as well – but they still shouldn’t be competing with the NBA’s elite
"The A-Train 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 Nov 24, 2010 8:37 AM CST up reply actions
They’ve lost about 6 close games. They could easily have been closer to a .500 team, which might give them the 8th seed.
Ridnour has been coming back from an injury, and had about twice as many minutes as Telfair in the last game. Even if they’re better with Ridnour in, the Spurs definitely have an advantage in the backcourt. Their frontcourt looks solid, and we’ll need to keep them from getting a lot of second chance baskets. Beasley had about a 26 point game against us last year while he was with the Heat, though now he’s playing SF where he’ll often have a 4" or so height advantage.
Some mojo is weighing against us tonight as I shall not be in attendance of the game thread. Sorry folks. Got stuff to do tonight and figured that with us playing Minny (a TARP game for sure), that this would be a better night to take off.
But here’s some good mojo to offset it
The Sunkist Kaiser, most epic thing since the Grizzly BLAAAAAAAIR! Relax, play, and drink Sunkist! Your Kaiser commands it.
For mojo purposes, I’m listening to the whole thing… but I’m not liking it!
The things I do for you guys….
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 24, 2010 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
Keeping up with the theme…….
Biggest coach Pop/Tiago Splitter homer on the internet™
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Nov 24, 2010 11:16 AM CST reply actions
Brilliant stuff from 48MoH.
A Spurs game is always one Matt Bonner 3-point barrage away from unbridled pandemonium
And I bet this is gonna by the signature of many a spurs fan in this space :)
<++ If Dejuan Blair had ACLs, nobody would ever get a rebound ++>
Malik Rose will fill-in for Elliot:
http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/malik_rose_joins_spurs_broadcast_101123.html
A casual diehard Spurs fan.
lol, I’m hoping for Mengke Bateer to get a secondary role in this remake.
by spursfan_needs_counseling on Nov 24, 2010 1:47 PM CST up reply actions
Play well, get up early, double digit lead at half, mow em down in the 3rd, bench hammer it home in the 4th. Keep everyone under 30 minutes and quickly hop the plane so all the guys can enjoy Thanksgiving rested at home. In & out while inflicting as much quiet damage as possible.
Thank you SF Giants for an incredible 2010 season and painting the City orange & black!
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Fuck it, Spurs by 80
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobili
-
For jrw
Biggest coach Pop/Tiago Splitter homer on the internet™
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Nov 24, 2010 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
Ime the Bodyguard
No one has seen or heard anything from Brent Barry since the story broke. Maybe the Spurs are signing Ime as Tony’s bodyguard.
It be nice for SA to put the pups to bed early so the bigs can get ready for the weekend matchups. Go Spurs Go!
SKOL VIKINGS 2010!!
You do realize that you just implied Ime had something to begin with. I think you misspoke.
"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles
"I mean, Dartmouth really sucks and Cornell only beat us by 18. Temple will beat the hell out of Cornell. Promise." -- Me
Follow me on Twitter @DartFred
This seems like the type of game where last year the starters would come out an put little energy into the game, then Pop would have to bench them in favor of the backups just to get some guys excited about playing. I wouldn’t be surprised if our bench doesn’t have to be the unit that beats them tonight as well, with Neal and Hill having their best games in a while.
I’m dying at university because of Spurs.. It’s always 2 – 3 am in Poland (where I come from). But I’m going to watch – Go Spurs Go!!!! I hope there will be a lot of Splitter action and easy win for us. Hope Pop gonna give Manu and Tim some rest.
manuuu
Wow, welcome to PtR! I think you’re our only Polish fan on board. I’m not sure this game is worth losing sleep over, but I can’t deny a fellow die-hard Spurs fan. =)
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on DeJuan Blair
by Manu ex Machina on Nov 24, 2010 4:19 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly, I’m not losing any sleep over a Minny game…
"Sometimes the Spurs make you play ugly. That's just the way they are." - Gary Bender
by Bakkie009 on Nov 24, 2010 4:54 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
You deserve extra acclaim and thanks for your dedication, Marek!
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 24, 2010 4:49 PM CST up reply actions
Nice. Welcome to PtR, Marek, and we hope you stick around.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Nov 24, 2010 5:49 PM CST up reply actions
Let’s Do Dis Chit.
"Sometimes the Spurs make you play ugly. That's just the way they are." - Gary Bender
by Bakkie009 on Nov 24, 2010 4:55 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Entertaining preview s&b_d, rec’d.
Your T-pup pic is soooooo cute! I have been wondering though, I’ve been writing “Tpups” myself, but technically, dogs have puppies and wolves have cubs, so perhaps it should be “Tcubs” instead? Tpups certainly sounds cuter though.
As for
quacking in my bootsI’m pretty sure you meant something different than this:
but maybe I’m mistaken. (And by the way, I really wanted to find a picture of a duck with its beak stuck inside a boot, but it’s really hard to find one of those when there’s apparently a kind of footwear called “duck boots”).
As some predicted, Beasley 2.0 seems to be coming into his own after getting traded by Miami… but our own 2.0 is due for another stat-line performance. And even if RJ 2.0 saves it for the Mavs game (he had some great games in the playoffs vs. Dallas), I expect that he’ll make life difficult for whoever Pop has him guard.
Tony “Killer” Parker is playing with a fire, an intensity that I haven’t seen much of from him before. He’s scary good right now.
I don’t even want to think about what “Banana Man” or “Banana Time” are about…
Rambis has the Tpups/Tcubs/Tcups playing the “triangle?” This should be interesting, to see a young team master the intricacies of that system. Or did you mean that he has them playing the simplest instrument in the band? (We let our classmates who couldn’t play any other instruments hold the triangle, and hit it from time to time.)
And yeah, this is a classic TARP. Or as in this outtake from Serenity… (the take used for the move was better, but this one was funnier).
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 24, 2010 5:17 PM CST reply actions
Hah, the quacking was a reminder to something that bellasa said last season. It’s not in the Lexicon but I’ll try to find the post.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Nov 24, 2010 5:51 PM CST up reply actions
Ah, sorry… I shoulda known better. It does seem Lexicon-worthy, though perhaps jrw has already decided against it.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 24, 2010 6:03 PM CST up reply actions
Here’s the origin. Well, Lexicon or not, we had fun with it.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Nov 24, 2010 6:07 PM CST up reply actions
Not sure I get TWolves’ marketing slogan: “United We Run.” Either they’re a team that prefers an up-tempo offense, or they’re all cowards.
Biggest coach Pop/Tiago Splitter homer on the internet™
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Nov 24, 2010 5:18 PM CST reply actions
GOL! Where is that from?
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 24, 2010 6:05 PM CST up reply actions
GOL… and rec’d!
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Nov 25, 2010 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
Heh, nice one, jal.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Nov 25, 2010 7:15 PM CST up reply actions
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