Game #17 Recap: Spurs 118, Warriors 98 -- Post Thanksgiving Feast.

by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Dec 1, 2010 1:55 AM CST in Game Previews

I'm sure many of you still find yourself battling through the leftovers of Thanksgiving dinner. If you are anything like me, you come from a family upbringing where "wasting food" is a grave injustice punishable by death. My Aunt Carolyn once water boarded me and my brother just because we were unable to finish her famous southwest corn stuffing.

My Post-Thanksgiving Stress Disorder aside, I hope your holidays/vacation have been smooth and pain-free. I also hope you are joining me after another victorious evening for the Silver & Black. Did we get another win? Did Golden State earn a 2-game winning streak? Did Monta Ellis have another career game against us? Does Curry still look like a 12 year old?

All I know is that Matt Bonner has had five days of cold turkey sandwiches and, according to scientific study, should (have) go(ne) 20-20 from deep tonight.

via img99.imageshack.us

Their day WILL come and you will count yourselves amongst the doomed.

Pre-Game: 16 lbs of mashed potatoes down, 66 lbs to go.

That is the number of first quarter points the San Antonio Spurs forfeited to the New Orleans Hornets. It is also the number of points the Spurs allowed in the entire second half.

Now add 65 second half points of their own and start wondering if this type of 24 minute production can develop into a 48 minute standard. The Spurs have been a fantastic second half team this season and have had to rely on these second half explosions to save their butts from a couple of major deficits. Compare this season’s team and the 09-10 Spurs when it comes to these dire situations. Think of all the blown leads, random quarter collapses, and struggles to find any type of consistency throughout last season. The 2010-2011 Spurs may have blown a few quarters this season but they are showing that they can win no matter what situation they put themselves in. Based on what we have seen, if the Spurs can develop and maintain consistent four-quarter domination, this squad may just break the 60 win barrier.

The Spurs have beaten the Warriors eight straight times heading into tonight’s game. Even with a dominant history over their west coast opponent; San Antonio will have their hands full with Golden State’s lethal duo of Curry and Ellis. The two guards, a combined 45 PPG average, will have San Antonio’s backcourt on high alert which will leave little help for the Spurs big men to keep David Lee off the offensive glass. Another note of importance: Golden State is 7-2 when David Lee is in the lineup and 1-7 without him. Corralling the former Knick will be a huge priority for Greg Popovich.

Game time. (Please no tarp, please no tarp, please no tarp)

via images2.memegenerator.net

Warriors Starting Five: Curry, Ellis, Wright, Lee, Biedrins

Spurs Starting Five: Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, Duncan, Blair

1st Quarter – Reheated tofurkey, anyone?

10:51 Duncan puts up a hook over Biedrens SAS 2 - GSW 0
10:34 Ginobili steal, to Parker, and then to Jefferson for dunk. SAS 4 - GSW 0
10:09 Ellis makes a jumper. SAS 4 - GSW 2
9:31 Curry takes open 3PT and drains it. SAS 4 - GSW 5
9:13 Nice pass from Duncan to Blair. Spurs want to get DeJuan going. SAS 6 - GSW 5
8:55 Lee takes a split second to get up a layup by Blair. SAS 6 - GSW 7
8:47 Duncan tips in a Parker miss. SAS 8 - GSW 7
8:28 Biedrens loses the ball, Parker makes a break for two. 3 Warriors TO already. SAS 10 - GSW 7
8:00 Lee watches Duncan makes a jumper. He can shoot those, Dave. SAS 12 - GSW 7
7:43 Curry with a pretty jumper. SAS 12 - GSW 9
7:34 Parker-Ginobili give and go for 2 PTS. SAS 14 - GSW 9
7:14 Duncan makes 1/2 FT. SAS 15 - GSW 9
6:46 High screen by Duncan for a Ginobili jumper. Spurs are 8/13 on the floor. SAS 17 - GSW 9
6:24 Lee makes easy hook over Blair. SAS 17 - GSW 11
5:54 Biedrens gets hook deep in the paint over Duncan. Pop calls a timeout. SAS 17 - GSW 13
5:36 Blair saves loose ball, passes to Duncan who gets fouled. 1/2 FT for Tim. SAS 18 - GSW 13
5:23 Duncan fouls Lee under the basket. SAS 18 - GSW 14.
5:08 Duncan misses hook over Lee but its obvious Tim will have his way in the paint tonight.
4:42 A billion pump fakes by DeJuan and then a quick two. SAS 20 - GSW 14
4:14 Lee sinks a perimeter shot. I have no issues if he takes those all night. SAS 20 - GSW 16
3:56 Parker gets quick jumper. SAS 22 - GSW 16
3:33 Ellis steals ball from RJ and gets layup against Duncan. SAS 22 - GSW 18
3:18 A missed Parker jumper creates a break from the Warriors ending with Ellis jumper. SAS 22 - GSW 20
3:04 Hill hits technical. I have no idea what the technical is for. SAS 23 - GSW 20.
2:45 Hill travels after rebound. Golden State calls a timeout much to the delight of a flustered Coach Pop. The Spurs have 3 TO in the last two minutes.
2:29 Curry fakes Parker out of his shoes and hits jumper. SAS 23 - GSW 22
2:10 No look pass to Wright from a driving Ellis. SAS 23 - GSW 24
1:18 Hill has a bad offensive possession. Nearly throws a pass to Warriors and then called for a charge.
1:05 Curry hits another jumper. Turnovers killing Spurs. What a shocker. SAS 23 - GSW 26
0:35 A last second 3PT from Gary Neal bails out bad offensive possession. SAS 26 - GSW 26
0:03 Ginobili fakes out Ellis and gets fouled shooting a 3PT. Add a technical on a complaining Ellis. SAS 30 - GSW 26

End of 1st, 30 - 26 Spurs Up.

Outside of dumb turnovers (5), the Spurs are clicking on offense; shooting 52.4% overall and getting to the line 9 times (hitting 7). The Spurs are actually scoring more on the break than Golden State but Curry isn't missing much tonight. If San Antonio can prevent the points off turnovers they keep giving the Warriors, this game will be a double-digit difference by half.

via Getty Images

Stephen Curry is knocked back by the Argentinian's God-like Aura

2nd Quarter – Gravy smoothies... not that bad.

11:39 Carney gets a wide open drive for a strong dunk. SAS 30 - GSW 28
11:29 Ginobili gets to the FT line again (3 PT attempt). SAS 32 - GSW 28
10:29 Warriors fast break, Curry stops and pops a jumper. SAS 32 - GSW 30
9:59 Blair gets fastbreak pass to Ginobili who gets layup plus a foul. SAS 35 - GSW 30
9:42 Spurs trying to make role players for GSW take shots. Carney tries to make a driving... jump shot? Not sure what that was. It misses and the Spurs want to run.
9:28 Ginobili passes it around defenders back to Blair for easy layup. Warriors timeout. SAS 37 - GSW 30
9:04 Ellis tries to drive and pop a jumper but misses. 3-11 tonight. More please.
8:45 Neal makes a nice spin move to get open for jumper. SAS 39 - GSW 30
8:27 Ellis decides to drive for layup since he can't hit a jumper. SAS 39 - GSW 32
8:05 Blair jumper sighting. SAS 41 - GSW 32
7:33 Neal drives right and makes a running banker off the window. Wow. SAS 43 - GSW 32
7:10 Gadzuric makes a spinning post move to the basket against Blair. SAS 43 - GSW 34
6:38 Udoka blocks Williams.
6:28 Gadzuric fouls Hill. Golden State is getting angry about the foul calls. SAS 45 - GSW 34
6:15 Carney shotputs a 3PT. SAS 45 - GSW 37
5:42 Udoka creates a steal during a Golden State break. Blair gets foul during a retaliatory fast break from the Spurs. Blair with 10 PTS already. SAS 47 - GSW 37
5:11 Williams goes to the line (Blair foul) but misses both FT.
4:53 Parker to Jefferson for an EASY alley-oop dunk. SAS 49 - GSW 37
4:26 Curry hits a deeeeep 3PT. SAS 49 - GSW 40
4:05 Spurs turn it over (Parker pass out of bounds). First TO this quarter.
3:31 Pop calls a timeout. Team is starting to play a little unorganized after a solid eight-plus minutes.
3:24 Duncan tips in a Parker layup miss. SAS 51 - GSW 40
2:49 Curry throws an alley-oop to Wright from almost half court. Bonner playing bad transition D. SAS 51 - GSW 42
2:30 Jefferson stuffs it over David Lee. SAS 53 - GSW 42
2:12 Lee gets a putback after block by Duncan. SAS 53 - GSW 44
1:24 Duncan gets a tough shot in the paint plus a foul. Spurs are 15-18 at the line tonight. SAS 56 - GSW 44
1:03 Wright gets a bank layup over Duncan block attempt. SAS 56 - GSW 46
0:49 Blair floater! SAS 58 - GSW 46
0:41 Curry pullback jump shot. 16 PTS for Curry so far. SAS 58 - GSW 48

Half Time Spurs - 58 Warriors - 48

If San Antonio can prevent the points off turnovers they keep giving the Warriors, this game will be a double-digit difference by half.

After committing 5 TO in the first quarter, San Antonio only handed it over once in the second. The shots from outside aren't exactly falling (1-7) but the team's aggression in the paint has created a gluttony of easy points at the line (15-18). Outside of Stephen Curry (16 PTS) , Golden State has been miserable on both ends of the floor. If you take away Curry's 7-11, the Warriors are shooting 39% overall and 16% from deep. San Antonio is forcing Golden State to drive and pop instead of moving the rock and creating opportunities. Ellis (-10) is 4-12 and struggling against the stingy defense of Ginobili (+22). All the Spurs have to do is tighten up the transition defense a little bit and keep their current offensive production.

Oh yeah... Tim Duncan has 13 PTS, 8 REB, and 5 ASTS through 17:39 minutes of play.

via i56.tinypic.com

via Getty Images

Here we see the Golden Radmonovic expanding his wings, in an attempt to appear larger and to scare off a dangerous predator. He is not successful.

3rd Quarter – Well, SOMEBODY has to eat the candied yams...

11:45 Lee jump shot to start the half. SAS 58 - GSW 50
11:25 Ginobili shoots a 3Pt over the smaller Ellis SAS 61 - GSW 50
10:53 Lee turnover creates a fast break 3Pt for Manu! SAS 64 - GSW 50
10:53 Curry fouled and hits both FT SAS 64 - GSW 52
10:29 Two handed block by Duncan... playing volley ball, Tim?
9:52 Biedrens tiips in Wright miss. SAS 64 - GSW 54
9:35 Parker makes jumper. SAS 66 - GSW 52.
9:07 Lee gets a tough post shot and a foul. Misses FT. SAS 66 - GSW 56
8:47 Ellis gets easy dunk off Curry steal. SAS 66 - GSW 58
8:30 Ginobili layup gives Duncan his 7 AST. SAS 68 - GSW 58
8:07 Blair gets monster dunk on fast break pass from Jefferson. Timeout Warriors. SAS 70 - GSW 58
7:19 Wright gets turnaround jumper over Manu. SAS 70 - GSW 60
6:44 Ellis clanks 3PT (5-13 overall) and then gets clear-path foul on Jefferson. Makes both FT. SAS 72 - GSW 60.
6:25 Curry with a sweet driving reverse past Duncan. SAS 72 - GSW 62
6:11 Ginobili fakes out defender and sinks corner 3PT. SAS 75 - GSW 62
5:27 When possible, Blair (6'7") is getting to ball before Biedrens (7") does. Lots of easy uncontested def rebounds for Biedrens are padding his stat line.
4:42 Jefferson fouls a driving Williams. Williams makes both FT. SAS 75 - GSW 64
4:24 Jefferson gets late whistle in the paint. Makes both FT. SAS 77 - GSW 64
4:02 Lee jump shot. SAS 77 - GSW 66
3:38 Neal gets another 3PT at the last second. Does the ball actually touch his skin? SAS 80 - 66
3:19 Duncan pulls down his 14th REB. He now has 13 PTS, 14 REB, and 8 AST (and 2 BLK).
3:06 Duncan to Jefferson for alley-oop slam. Lee and RJ get into it and the teams have to step in to separate the two. Jefferson lands on Lee after dunk. RJ raises hands in apology but Lee still goes after RJ. SAS 82 - GSW 66
2:34 Lee fouled by McDyess. Hits both FT. SAS 82 - GSW 68
2:16 Ginobili gets easy layup. SAS 84 - GSW 68
1:39 Ginobili creeps into the lane and gets easy floater plus a foul. SAS 87 - GSW 68
1:25 Lee gets deep into paint but fouled by McDyess. Hits 1/2 FT. SAS 87 - GSW 69
1:04 Manu turns it over on tough pass to Splitter. Ellis breaks it for easy layup. SAS 87 - GSW 71
0:42 Another Neal floater. SAS 89 - GSW 71
0:07 Ginobili loses it on drive and Golden State gets another easy layup. SAS 89 - GSW 73
0:04 Ellis fouls Neal. Spurs looking sloppy in final seconds of the quarter. Neal hits both FT. SAS 91 - GSW 73

End of 3rd, 91 - 73 Spurs Up

Ginobili gets 16 PTS in the 3rd quarter. That is all you need to know. Oh, that and the 3PT shots have started falling (4-5 in the 3rd quarter) and the team defense is frustrating the Warriors.

via Getty Images

Pop: On this play, Richard, I want you to ride David Lee's head as if it were a petting zoo pony.

4th Quarter – Golden State stuffing courtesy of Ginobili.

11:38 Ginobili steals the ball, passes to Hill on break who gets fouled. Hits both FT. SAS 93 - GSW 73
11:15 Wright hits a corner 3PT over Udoka. SAS 93 - GSW 76
10:48 Udoka makes nice pump fake and makes easy in-between jumper. SAS 95 - GSW 76
10:07 Curry gets rebound and easy floater. SAS 95 - GSW 78
9:46 Hill gets jumper off screen, SAS 97 - GSW 78
9:31 Radmonovic gets tough running jumper plus foul. SAS 97 - GSW 81
9:04 Curry makes running leaning/falling jumper over Splitter. What can you do? Golden State on 7-2 run. Spurs timeout. SAS 97- GSW 83
8:49 Duncan re-enters game (1 AST shy of triple-double) and Bonner hits deep 3PT. SAS 100 - GSW 83
8:28 Carney spots up and hits jumper over Jefferson. SAS 100 - GSW 85
6:49 Curry has Duncan on him... so hits a 3 PT. SAS 100 - GSW 88
6:26 Hill hits jumper off Duncan screen and AST. Duncan has his 7th career triple-double and his 1st since 2003. Golden State calls a timeout to shower praise and shine his shoes. SAS 102 - GSW 88
6:08 Radmonovic called for goal tending Parker fast break layup. SAS 104 - GSW 88
5:38 Duncan gets 16 REB on the defensive end and then dunk off Manu AST (pick and roll). SAS 106 - GSW 88
5:24 Curry gets another jumper. SAS 106 - GSW 90
4:20 Golden State running after 3PT pump fakes like mad. Duncan gets another rebound (17) and Hill gets fouled by Carney. Hill makes both. SAS 108 - GSW 90
3:56 Parker hits nuice jumper off Duncan AST (11). SAS 110 - GSW 90
3:38 Ginobili steals the ball and Pop calls a timeout to bench Tim. Duncan finishes with 15 PTS, 18 REB, and 11 AST.
3:01 Curry gets driving layup and a Splitter foul. SAS 110 - GSW 93
2:35 Bonner 3PT. SAS 113 - GSW 93
2:23 Udoka picks off Curry pass which leads to Hill fast break and foul. Hill shoots team FTs #30 and #31. Hits 1/2 and the Spurs are 27-31 at the line. Splitter gets second FT miss and puts it in. PtR, meet the Bizarro Spurs. SAS 116 - GSW 93
1:39 Williams drives it it for two. SAS 116 - GSW 95
1:15 Lin drives and gets fouled. Misses both FT.
0:51 Blair step back jumper, ladies and gentleman. SAS 118 - GSW 95
0:34 Adrien makes easy layup and gets the foul. SAS 118 - GSW 98
0:15 Splitter throws some wild elbows/post moves and draws the non-shooting foul. Just looked weird.

Spurs ~~Win~~ Dominate: 118 - 98.

The Spurs never relented on the fast breaks and controlled glass throughout the 4th. This was definitely a more consistent game on both sides of the ball and is a positive indicator that this team is still working/improving. Solid play throughout the team (7 players in double digits) and smart/efficient control of the ball. The Spurs were a little careless in the 1st quarter with 5 TO but tightened up their play by only committing 6 throughout the rest of the game. You combine that with the 31 team ASTS (vs 20 from GSW) and its easy to see how San Antonio ran away this one.

Solid 48 minute game.

- Manu in post-game interview.

Post-Game: Never a bad time for pie...

via i54.tinypic.com

via Getty Images

Now, when I say, "Who's da mastah?" you say, "GOAT PUFF!"

Warriors’ Three Stars

Stephen Curry: 32 PTS, 13-22 FG, 3-6 3PT, 5 AST -- He was the only reason GSW was even competitive at times.
David Lee: 18 PTS, 7-12 FG, 7 REB, 5 AST -- Played a solid offensive game in the post. No where else though...
Jeremy Lin: Because he went to Harvard.... seriously though, no one deserves this spot.

Spurs’ Three Stars

Manu Ginobili: 27 PTS, 8-13 FG, 3-7 3PT, 8-9 FT, 6 REB, 3 AST, 5 STL, 30:26 MIN (+31) -- "MVP" is an understatement.
Tim Duncan: 15 PTS, 6-15 FG, 18 REB, 11 AST, 2 BLK, 32:35 MIN -- Bow to the mastah.
DeJuan Blair: 16 PTS, 8-13 FG, 10 REB, 2 STL, 28:16 MIN -- Hope this is a spark.

Honorable mention: Gary Neal (hot shooting), George Hill (defense), Udoka (defense)

Best of the Best from the Best

MANU GINOBILI Cares not for your humanity.

-Bushka

Jefferson booed like it was 2009!

-Ed (dfjmed)

"Playing the Spurs is like having a root canal—they just take you apart deliberately and painfully"

-AirForceAggie2010 (comment originally from Golden State local broadcast team).

Five Quick Shots: What is this "dribble" you speak of?

Gary Neal runs funny.
Ginobili is having a career year. MVP votes will come if this keeps up.
Udoka fitting in very well so far.
Jefferson didn't exactly have a "good" game but I still like what he bought.
27-31 FT? Almost 80% on the season? Whose soul did we sell?

Next Game: San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Griffins --- Wednesday, Dec 1. 9:30 PM Spurs Time (CT)

Tweet Comment 40 comments | 9 recs |

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Comments

that was fast…

"The Spurs never go away. They’re the Freddy Krueger of the NBA. You turn around, and there they are again." - DP

by cryoscourge on Dec 1, 2010 2:04 AM CST reply actions

TWSS

Running game?
Where we're going, we don't need a running game.
~Norv Turner

by TecateBoltsFan on Dec 1, 2010 2:35 AM CST up reply actions

Great recap, Hirsch! Fast recd.

by TD21 on Dec 1, 2010 2:34 AM CST reply actions

Based on what we have seen, if the Spurs can develop and maintain consistent four-quarter domination, this squad may just break the 60 70-win barrier. :-)

by 4Him on Dec 1, 2010 2:37 AM CST reply actions

Great job, Hirschof! You’re recapping as fast as the Spurs’ pace nowadays. Rec’d.

by day_late_friend on Dec 1, 2010 2:50 AM CST reply actions

Now, when I say, “Who’s da mastah?” you say, “GOAT PUFF!”

Ahh! I am totally giving this a rec based your awesome “The Last Dragon” movie reference used with that picture of TD! Great job :)

"Add him to the list. Everybody hates the Spurs." - Duncan on Cuban's hate

by ojsimpsondidit on Dec 1, 2010 2:59 AM CST reply actions

“Bruce Leroy?”…

by In the 666 on Dec 1, 2010 3:15 AM CST up reply actions

I think RJ deserves honorable mention for riding on Lee’s shoulders. He had like 3 or 4 dunks in this game. He cut really well. He works well with Duncan and Parker. I think Spurs need to exploit this as much as possible.

Good observation on Udoka. He was in there and things kept flowing as normal. Hopefully Spurs can find ways to rest Manu more with Udoka until Anderson comes back.

Hill’s 3 pt shot is still not there. But his midrange is super sweet. His passing, is still meh… Good to see he’s more aggressive though. He just has to watch out on pushing off.

by grego21 on Dec 1, 2010 3:15 AM CST reply actions

Who’s soul did we sell?

Mason’s.

"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich

by bj1der on Dec 1, 2010 3:25 AM CST reply actions

GOL

by TD21 on Dec 1, 2010 3:43 AM CST up reply actions

27-31 FT? Almost 80% on the season? Who’s soul did we sell?

haha!

by rank on Dec 1, 2010 3:46 AM CST up reply actions

Changin my pic as homage to RJ’s unintentional nasty alley little ram against Lee.It’s not an HD picture,so to anyone who has one,can you please post it here?thanks

"I cry,but everyone will cry if I'm in the NBA"-Adam Morrison.I know now why fans cry when they see him on the floor.

by tp_09 on Dec 1, 2010 3:54 AM CST reply actions

Pop: On this play, Richard, I want you to ride David Lee’s head as if it were a petting zoo pony.

GOL.

Hirshchof, please check out the Quotes page which has been updated to reflect your recent awesomeness.

RJ2.0: vive la différence.

by J.R. Wilco on Dec 1, 2010 4:02 AM CST reply actions

I have arrived

Tim C put my random wisdom MANU GINOBLI cares not for your humanity in his sig.

For a long range Aussie spurs lover that’s az sweet as a terry cummings mid range dagger rock on baby

"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."

by Bushka on Dec 1, 2010 4:04 AM CST via mobile reply actions

nice recap!

by audreypots on Dec 1, 2010 4:21 AM CST reply actions

I have arrived

Tim C put my random wisdom MANU GINOBLI cares not for your humanity in his sig.

For a long range Aussie spurs lover that’s az sweet as a terry cummings mid range dagger rock on baby

"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."

by Bushka on Dec 1, 2010 4:28 AM CST via mobile reply actions

At the work Xmas party double posting for justice

"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."

by Bushka on Dec 1, 2010 4:34 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Great dribble Sir Hir.

by indiancharlie on Dec 1, 2010 5:41 AM CST reply actions

From an astute SpursNation commenter: Spurs would have to go 34-31 the rest of the way to NOT get their 12th straight 50 win season. #spurs

- Jeff McDonald

"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 Dec 1, 2010 6:48 AM CST reply actions

Spurs are 8-0 on the road for the first time in franchise history after 118-98 rout of Dubs. #spurs

"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 Dec 1, 2010 6:53 AM CST up reply actions

WIN!!!! Great recap Hirschof!

Yo, I’m 6-11, but I just want to dribble through my legs and shoot jumpshots like a guard. - Marc Blucas on Tim Duncan

by TDzilla! on Dec 1, 2010 7:35 AM CST reply actions

Captions made my day, Hirsch. Well done.

I smell death... everywhere.

by LatinD on Dec 1, 2010 7:49 AM CST reply actions

Here we see the Golden Radmonovic expanding his wings, in an attempt to appear larger and to scare off a dangerous predator. He is not successful.

GOL

"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

by spursfan87 on Dec 1, 2010 8:52 AM CST reply actions

I also GOL’d. Very nice.

by Big50 on Dec 1, 2010 8:56 AM CST up reply actions

yeah. that was my favorite.

Bonner with the nice box out!

by SpursfanSteve on Dec 1, 2010 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

Great recap. The headings…or footings on the pictures where great!

by Big50 on Dec 1, 2010 8:57 AM CST reply actions

Spurs win by 20 while Manu had a +31. So in the 18 or so minutes that Manu was resting, the Spurs were outscored by 11? It would seem the Spurs need to improve their performance when Manu is not in the game if he is to be afforded many opportunities for rest or he should get injured. Ball movement seems to get pretty bad when both he and Tony are on the sidelines.

by Alamo on Dec 1, 2010 9:03 AM CST reply actions

Excellent points.

It goes back to what you’ve been lobbying for, for Hill to assume more of the backup PG role so that Manu could have more rest. I suspect that Pop felt it was more important for Hill to get confidence back in his shot first, before adding the responsibility of running the second unit by himself. I think now that George has overcome his early-season shooting woes, Pop will hand more of the backup PG duties to Hill, but it’s a process. He’s not going to channel Tony and/or Manu immediately, it’s going to take time for him to grow, and it’s going to be painful at times for us to watch. (As it was during some of the parts of the Warriors game when Hill was the half-court set ball-handler.)

Consulting the popcornmachine, the situation is not nearly as dire as one might think. True, during the first quarter, when Manu was resting, the Spurs had a -8 (the Warriors went on a 10-1 run). Manu came back in, Neal nails a three, and then Manu makes a four-point play off a three-point miss (because of the Ellis technical). But in the 2nd quarter, Manu rests twice and the Spurs are only -2 each time. And in the third quarter, the Spurs are +3 while Manu is on the bench.

In the fourth quarter, a Hill/Neal/RJ 2.0/Udoka/Splitter lineup goes -5 in 35 seconds, so Pop brings back the starters minus Manu and Blair plus Hill and Bonner, and that unit holds serve (+0) until Manu re-enters the game. (Remember, the Spurs are up by double digits during this entire period.) Manu finally sits for the rest of the game with 3 minutes to go, and the Spurs go +1 in garbage time.

So the -8 in the first quarter and the -5 in just over a half-minute in the 4th stand out as when the team really missed Manu, from a plus-minus perspective. But this team can post double-digit turnarounds on teams like the Warriors very quickly, so I’m not too concerned.

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 Dec 1, 2010 1:20 PM CST up reply actions

I see they used units with both Manu and Tony our for a total of just over 6 minutes, and they wound up with a -4. The minutes were spread out, and likely were hurt by the fact that Golden State had just scored when Pop would switch units, not being allowed the opportunity to even things out.

I’m happy to see that George managed 8 assists over the past 2 games, after having only 7 over the previous 6 games. He likely could have had at least twice as many, but at least it’s a start. A number of snap judgments are required as to whether to shoot from long range, drive with the ball, or pass the ball. If what you did worked, great; if not you’re criticized. There were a couple of times that Tiago allowed George to get wide open for a shot near the top of the key area, making one and missing one. Eventually he should be getting some assists to Tiago breaking towards the basket as they switch to George.

by Alamo on Dec 1, 2010 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

Yes. If Pop continues to play either Tony or Manu for the majorities of games, he may well decide the heck with it and ask Manu (or Tony) to come off the bench, even though the rotation with both starting is working. I’m hopeful that George will pick up more of the slack as the season continues, but it’s likely to be an on-going process.

I would like his decision-making to be a little sharper, but he is playing better overall, and as I’ve mentioned in the past, it’s a challenge for even great players like Manu to seamlessly transition from off-guard to point guard within a game. More time on the floor with Splitter and/or Blair running the PnR would probably help Hill develop some chemistry and trust with them.

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 Dec 1, 2010 5:00 PM CST up reply actions

It hurts with Parker somewhat struggling, but for the most part, the offense moves with Parker in. It’s when the lineup goes without Parker or Manu, where the Spurs really hit a grind since Hill is not a PG.

by grego21 on Dec 1, 2010 2:39 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, but I don’t think of him as just a SG either. He’s a guard. In Pop’s system, (combo) guards are sometimes ball-handlers. We say that Manu plays SG, but really, he’s Pop’s prototypical combo guard.

Now, Hill is by no means the playmaker that Manu is, but let’s not forget it’s also only his third year as a pro (and he was basically an off-guard in college). He certainly has down the “drive” part of the drive-and-kick play, he just needs some more practice with the “kick” part. And to do more PnR in game situations, a lot more. Now, with the bigs rotation changing every night, it may be hard for Hill to develop a rhythm or chemistry with his roll partners, each of whom has a slightly different style. It might behoove Pop to send into games a designated big (Splitter?) and Hill as a unit, with instructions to ‘pound the PnR rock’ until they figure it out.

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 Dec 1, 2010 5:12 PM CST up reply actions

Hill is a two guard who lacks the size to play 2/3 because he doesn’t have the size for all the matchups. He makes up for in with his athleticism, but he still doesn’t have the size.

He doesn’t hand the ball over, but when Pop tries to use him with Neal, the offense really doesn’t move. Spurs haven’t had another guy like Brent Barry. With Manu off the bench, he sort of cleaned that up, but now that Manu has two duties, leading scorer and co-distributor with Parker, it becomes more of a grind (especially since Parker is in a little slump).

I don’t buy the “difficulty in the P&R”. I’m sure he could have worked on that more. Splitter is new, but Parker and Manu play with him just fine. And Duncan should be easy to do a P&R with. Hill really lacks that part of his game or he’d get way more easy jumpers.

Can he get there? Sure. This year, not likely because it doesn’t look like he improved much in that realm.

He looks like he can shoot of his own dribble a little bit better and has a better midrange shot though. He’s still one of my favorite players, but he does lack some keys that could help the Spurs.

by grego21 on Dec 2, 2010 12:23 AM CST up reply actions

great cap Hirsch.

Bonner with the nice box out!

by SpursfanSteve on Dec 1, 2010 9:55 AM CST reply actions

Great recap.

Solid 48 minute game.

Spurs won all four quarters. We totally denied their team any momentum or their crowd a chance to get involved. Tonight we’re back at home where momentum and the crowd ought to be on our side.

by greyberger on Dec 1, 2010 1:10 PM CST reply actions

Ummm… the Spurs moved to LA? Overnight? No one told me!?

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 Dec 1, 2010 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, dang. Well Clips shouldn’t have much of a home crowd advantage at least

by greyberger on Dec 1, 2010 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

Great recap, amazine job to do it so quickly!

My favorite ‘behind-the-scenes’ tidbit about this game was this pre-game Tweet from Manu the Magnificent:

It reallly upsets me when somebody from the hotel wakes me up of my pregame nap by mistake VERY early. Baaaad mood.

which someone alluded to as an omen th at the Warriors should have heeded. Not sure we want to wake Manu early before every game now, however….

As for what people have been calling RJ 2.0’s ‘donkey ride’ it of course has gone viral, and plenty of people are saying stupid things about it. (e.g. calling RJ a jerk, f*g or worse, saying that it was intentional, etc.)

I’ll just say that 1) watching it in slo-mo, I can understand how someone might possibly think it was intentional; but 2) watch it in real time first and you get an entirely different impression; 3) it happened at possibly the worst time (when the Warriors and their fans were very frustrated by their play and the way the game was going); and 4) for a team to give up two alley-oop baskets to the same player from half-court sets indicates to me that they’re not communicating and/or paying attention on defense. It’s like a more athletic and showy version of the back-door cut… for a professional team to get beat on that kind of play more than once in the same game means their players’ minds are not focused on defense. “Fool me twice” and all that…

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 Dec 1, 2010 1:38 PM CST reply actions

The recap from Golden State of Mind was interesting, though of course I disagreed with his take on the ‘donkey ride.’ I liked this observation, it seemed very ‘pounding the rock’ to me:

The Spurs didn’t build a big lead quickly against the Warriors and then just cruise to a 20 point win like the Lakers do. They let the Warriors stick around and every now and then would add a point to their lead. After the first quarter, you just kept hoping for a Warriors run because the game was still within reach, but no run came. The Spurs just wouldn’t allow the Warriors to make that run. The Warriors stayed close enough to have hope, but never were able to get close to be a threat.

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 Dec 1, 2010 1:43 PM CST reply actions

I don’t have anything else meaningful to contribute to this discussion, so………..

rec’d.

"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton

by Trey Felder on Dec 1, 2010 8:21 PM CST reply actions