Game #20: Spurs 109, Hornets 84
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Dec 6, 2010 12:34 PM CST
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PrintFirst off, apologies from the PtR staff for not having an official front page recap for this most recent Spurs victory. This recap is somewhat brief...
AaronStampler hasn’t posted his habitually superb recap for this game yet (at the time of this post) but if you want a more in-depth review of the Spurs dominating performance, I suggest you check it out when it becomes available.
A bit of a warning though... Stampler can be a bit... salty.
via wickedstageact2.typepad.com
AaronStampler on a good day.
I had the fortune of attending this game via extra ticket of a friend. Although I switched sides at half time, my view was from the upper deck (mid-court). I focused on two things from this vantage point; Tony Parker’s defense on Chris Paul and the Spurs' off-the-ball movement on offense.
From Paris, with love.
As mentioned above, my attention was on Tony Parker while the Spurs were on defense. Throughout the season I have felt like Parker’s off-the-ball defense has improved. The constant change in camera angle and zoom doesn't really provide the proper study of this so I made it a point to focus on the Frenchman's D.
Its better.
Parker was slipping screens, cutting off the passing lane, and sticking to CP3 like a shadow. Parker didn’t do too bad when the ball was in Paul’s hands either. From my memory, Paul stuck two jumpers off back-to-back high screens early in the first quarter. The Hornets rarely got a good look off a screen after that. Parker was communicating well with his bigs and was moving through/around the screens without having to switch-off. Chris Paul finished the night with 16 PTS on 5-13 shooting.
David Anderson: As majestic as Gomer Pyle on downers.
Have another paralyzer!
The Spurs ate the Hornets alive with screens and pick and roll attacks. Even when there was a bad pass out of a pick and roll, the Hornets usually over-collapsed on the big men* leaving the Spurs deadly perimeter shooters open.
*Except Matt Bonner. For whatever reason, New Orleans felt it was alright to allow Bonner to float behind the 3PT line after setting a screen.
Hornets Post-game meeting: Matt Bonner can shoot threes?!?!
It didn’t matter what two players made up the screen game, New Orleans either played way too loose on the shooters or found themselves on the short end after a defensive switch. How many big men do you think can handle Tony or Manu away from the basket? Simply put, the Spurs offensive game plan consisted of three words; Screen. Drive. Kick.
Or maybe just one; Domination. San Antonio finished the game with a blistering 58.6% (41-70) on the floor including a 50% (11-22) performance from deep. The offensive onslaught was not properly represented in the final score; 109 – 84
via i56.tinypic.com
Pop demonstrates ball spinning using pure intimidation.
Hornets Three Stars Least Pathetic Performers
- David West: 13 PTS, 6-11 FG, 5 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK
- Tervor Ariza: 13 PTS, 6-12 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4 REB
- Chris Paul: 15 PTS, 5 -13 FG, 2-4 3PT, 5 REB, 8 AST, 4 TO
I know Quincy Pondexter had a decent stat line but he mainly played garbage minutes.
Spurs Three Stars
- Tony Parker: 19 PTS, 7-10 FG, 5-7 FT, 6 AST, 2 STL, 27 MIN
- Richard Jefferson: 13 PTS, 5-12 FG, 3-7 3 PT, 4 REB, 26 MIN
- Manu Ginobili: 8 PTS, 2-5 FG, 2-4 3PT, 5 AST, 2 STL, 22 MIN
Honorable mention: Bonner, Hill, Duncan, and Neal
via i.cdn.turner.com
Splitter with some stenchy defense late in the game.
Quick Shots: What the hell is an "assist?"
- Does Manu take the spot of "Most Annoying Player" now that Bowen is long gone?
- Hill would drive straight through a person's abdomen if he could.
- Blair dunks are felt in China.
- Duncan is very active in garbage time.
- Chris Paul will be traded this season. I'm damn sure of it.
This post will be updated throughout the day. Again, apologies for the last minute hack job. Please check out AaronStampler's review if/when it becomes available in the FanPosts section. You won't regret it.
Maybe.
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Updated.
"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 6, 2010 1:45 PM CST reply actions
Nice recap Hirsch, thank you. I think that Matty faked that screen and slipped it to get free. His man was so worried about Manu with the ball that Bonner was able to get to the open spot scot-free.
Domination and destruction were certainly the words of the day. I think the Spurs were something like 75+% from the field and 80% from behind the arc mid-way in the 2nd period. I mean, who does that?
I wonder if the flu was bothering some of the Hornets players…. I hope they didn’t pass it along to our guys. And I also wonder if the news stories about the NBA buying the Hornets from Shinn had them all a bit concerned about their futures with the franchise. I didn’t see much of the game, but they played a lot differently compared to earlier in the season.
Frankly, I was concerned that the Hornets would come out angry and with fire after losing that 17-point lead in New Orleans. But they didn’t bring anything at all. The game was actually a best-case scenario imho, the Spurs achieved psychological dominance over the Hornets, making New Orleans feel they had no chance, no chance at all.
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 6, 2010 1:56 PM CST reply actions
Yeah, a “fake screen” is still a screen (in a way).
The Hornets are going through some very tough issues; West and maybe a few other players have the flu, the team is now NBA owned, and FSM knows what the hell is going on in Chris Paul’s mind.
I hope this doesn’t get any worse for the Hornets and their fans.
"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 6, 2010 2:03 PM CST up reply actions
i feel terrible for the hornets fans. They thought it was finally going ok and it’s actually now worse than anyone imagined at the start of the season.
"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
I actually think it’s gonna get worse for them. And the terrible thing is that there’s not a darned thing they can do about it, not unless someone local is prepared to buy the team from the NBA before they open up the bidding to potential owners who would move the team. The clock is ticking…
Actually, there is one thing fans could do… if they could somehow get the average home attendance between Dec. 1st and Jan 17th above 14,735, the team would not be able to opt out of their current lease agreement with the state of Louisiana. That would reduce, considerably, the leverage the NBA would have, and the value of the team to an outside investor who wants to move the team (because of the higher cost of breaking the lease agreement). If fans alone can’t do it, a smart move by a potential local investor might be to buy up home game tickets and donate them to charities and other groups (provided of course that the ultimate recipients of the tickets promise to attend the games). I kinda hope something like this happens, or maybe a fan-organized movement to support the Hornets.
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 6, 2010 6:24 PM CST up reply actions
I’m against owners coming out of nowhere and moving teams but I’m also NBA cities that can’t fill arenas even when their teams are doing alright. Yes is hard due to the economy and in this case, a hurricane ruined city but unless that is about to change then a relocation should happen. For the good of the team and the league. The question would be, is there any large enough city with enough basketball fans that can host an NBA franchise? At least in size and other professional sports or/and college basketball: Pittsburgh, Cincinatti, Seattle, Saint Louis, Kansas City, San Diego, Louisville, like with the New England Patriots have some Chesapeak Colones to draw crowd from the Virginias and Maryland. Finally, if you want to go that way: Las Vegas!
Is not like the Hornets have a great tradition playing there.
A casual diehard Spurs fan.
A number of those cities; Cincinnati, Seattle, Saint Louis, Kansas City and San Diego; formerly had NBA teams and lost them. They are all able to support an NFL and professional baseball franchises.
It seems there also should be a name realignment. I guess if New Orleans loses their team, they won’t need the name Jazz but it makes much more sense there then in Utah. The name Lakers does not make nearly as much sense in Los Angeles as it originally did in Minneapolis. Bring back the Cincinnati Royals (unless Rochester gets a team).
Ahhh, the Royals. The Big O (the one before Overstock.com)
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 6, 2010 11:12 PM CST up reply actions
Ohio’s economy is horrible. Of those, Seattle (if they get a new arena) seems most likely, followed by Kansas City/St Louis. I feel like with California already having 3 teams, it’s unlikely San Diego would get one.
I’d still like to see a team go to Vegas, then trade for Sjax, Baron Davis, Ron Artest, and Gilbert Arenas. Lets just send all the nuts to Vegas on the same team and then make it a reality show.
Bonner with the nice box out!
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 6, 2010 11:38 PM CST up reply actions
GOL. Don’t forget about San Jose… Larry Ellison, having lost out on the bidding for the Warriors, would love to establish a competing franchise across the Bay.
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 7, 2010 1:16 AM CST up reply actions
San Diego barely cares about its somewhat successful football team.
"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 7, 2010 6:49 AM CST up reply actions
Austin would encroach a bit into the Spurs market…. can Central Texas support two NBA teams? And can Texas support four? It could make for a heck of a I-35 NBA road trip if the Hornets moved to Austin.
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 7, 2010 11:56 AM CST up reply actions
UT pretty much owns all of Austin’s sports market.
Similar to how USC and UCLA owns LA’s football market.
"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 7, 2010 12:08 PM CST up reply actions
It seemed to me that both the Rams and the Raiders (for the brief time they were there) were supported fairly well. Both left over stadium issues. I’ve been away from Los Angeles for over 10 years, but it would seem that the Dodgers would also have a stadium issue if they haven’t done something recently.
USC and UCLA would have a difficult time trying to abandon the L.A. area. If the area were ever able to build a modern outdoor stadium to house an NFL game, I would think they’d have no problem supporting an NFL team.
I knew most of the games (for both teams) were blacked out but I never realized it was because the stadium were too big. Though you would think an NFL team in L.A. could fill a 100,000 seat college stadium…
I’m not sure how a new stadium would get built in Los Angeles. I’m not aware of the city/county’s finances. The state sure as hell can’t help and most folks aren’t too keen on paying more money in a crap economy (and high cost of living region).
USC and UCLA would have a difficult time trying to abandon the L.A. area.
What?
"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 7, 2010 1:53 PM CST up reply actions
From what I recall, one of the main issues was the lack of luxury boxes. The Coliseum was built during the 1920’s in anticipation of the 1932 Olympics, and while it has had some limited updates it did have nothing like the luxury boxes that most stadiums have. There were some plans for renovation back around the time that the Raiders were there, but they disappeared after an earthquake did some damage.
The UCLA Bruins used to have their home field at the Coliseum as well, and then moved to the just as old Rose Bowl back when the Raiders moved in.
The indoor Sports Arena next door to the Coliseum used to be home of the Lakers (and maybe later the Clippers). Most likely all of these structures are considered historic preventing them from being torn down to make room for new facilities.
with California already having 3 teams
Normally I would assume you weren’t counting the Clippers, but since they beat us I think we have to include them and admit CA has four teams.
by doggydogworld on Dec 7, 2010 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
I assumed he wasn’t counting the Kings, since they probably won’t be there long.
MANU GINOBILI Cares not for your humanity --Bushka
I actually completely forgot about the Kings. And now that I think about it, I forgot Sacramento was the capital. How odd.
Bonner with the nice box out!
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 7, 2010 11:20 PM CST up reply actions
Well, I guess I’m saying that if New Orleans fans can get the attendance up just a little bit, they might have a better chance to hold onto their team. And I’m quite serious about potential local investors using the tactic of buying up cheap tickets and donating them in an effort to boost attendance. They get a nice tax write-off and make it more difficult for the NBA to sell it to an outside buyer.
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 6, 2010 11:11 PM CST up reply actions
The Spurs would not doubt be scheduled to play them as part of a back-to-back where the 2nd game would be an afternoon game on the East Coast.
GOL
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 7, 2010 11:56 AM CST up reply actions
btw, great observation about Parker’s defense. The guys at 48MoH were raving about it too.
Also, in another 48MoH piece, Bonner was quoted as saying that he was able to get open so much, sometimes without even setting a screen, because the Hornets were ‘hard-hedging.’ I’m not exactly sure what that means, but does it have something to do with both players in the PnR defense playing the ball-handler more than the screener? I can’t imagine why they would think that would be a good idea against the Spurs.
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 6, 2010 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
I think Duncan or Bonner should get the nod over Manu. Getting run over took Manu sort of out of the game. His first low scoring night not in double digits. Still important, but I think Bonner or Duncan’s contributions win in this case.
What I thought was interesting was that despite not scoring only 8 points, Manu tied RJ 2.0 for the best ± that night, at an eye-popping +27. He only made two FGs, but both were triples, and he had 5 assists and two steals (and one t.o.). I’m not sure I’d agree that he was ‘out of the game.’ He’s a statistical anomaly, that one….
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 6, 2010 2:11 PM CST up reply actions
If we’re going by +/- then put Dyess as the 3rd star. +16 in 9 minutes…
by Jordan Leithart on Dec 6, 2010 2:15 PM CST up reply actions
Dice had a nice game. He brings a lot to the Spurs, and I will be sad when he retires.
But it’s not just the magnitude of the ±, or how little time it takes to garner a good positive value, it’s also when it’s earned. A positive ± when the team is up by nearly 20 isn’t nearly as interesting or important as one earned when the team is behind and coming back, or when the outcome of the game is in doubt.
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 6, 2010 2:28 PM CST up reply actions
I know… I was being more facetious…
I would’ve given a star to Duncan. He really set the tone early.
by Jordan Leithart on Dec 6, 2010 3:17 PM CST up reply actions
sorry… still haven’t rec’d my replacement sarcasmometer. :)
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 6, 2010 6:25 PM CST up reply actions
Manu was doing the ton of little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. Its somewhat reflected in the +/-.
"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 6, 2010 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
Tipped passes, saving plays, breaking screens, drawing massive amounts of attention, etc.
"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 6, 2010 2:15 PM CST up reply actions
drawing massive amounts of attention
+infinity. The gif you have posted for Bonner’s three is a prime example. You can’t believe how easy it is for Matty to lose his man…. until you notice that the man with the ball is Ginóbili.
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 6, 2010 2:22 PM CST up reply actions
And he also did not take many shots last night – he didn’t get that many touches in the first half. He made his presence felt, but not in the scoring column.
"Ginobili. . .He's weaving, he's throwing up triple axels in sneakers, he's willing the ball into the basket. It's Cirque du Soleil with refs." Dan Oshinsky / KENS 5
I know he did a lot, and he was still better than most players, but he wasn’t necessarily the best in this game. I thought he was bested by Duncan and/or Bonner, but that didn’t man he had a bad game. I was glad he didn’t have to work hard considering he got run over.
The +/- reflects that, but he also benefited from some great runs that occurred when he was in as well.
best record in the NBA….look at you guy’s. didn’t you guys get the memo; you’re too old to be any good, time to blow it up and start over.
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
yea they sent it to nash and hill…they sent it back with a suggestion about where to put it.
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
two quality humans right there.
"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
they’re both playing REALLY well and the team is starting to gel…I’m excited. I just had to come by and say congrats to PtR on the spurs sporting the best record in the NBA, impressive.
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
Did it start with putting Turkoglu with the second unit and Warrick (?) with the first?
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 6, 2010 6:26 PM CST up reply actions
really hard to say. Warrick is clearly the best PnR partner for nash, but his role as a starter is not set in stone. gentry made it clear no one but nash is a guaranteed starter. channing frye has really expanded his game on D and O and last night new guy earl baron got the start over him. I can’t say turk has been great but he has hit some big shots and is really hustling, I can’t even bitch about turk anymore.
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
Hmmm… the next meeting between the two clubs should be… interesting.
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 6, 2010 7:47 PM CST up reply actions
yeah I’ve been watching some spurs games, they look really good. that neal kid seems to be found money. hopefully both squads are healthy and at 100%…. and when are suns spurs games not interesting? I still hate you RMJ
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
I think they’ll stick with Frye as starting PF and Lopez as Starting C when he comes back with Hakim off the bench. Should be interesting to see how that goes I see them as a guy short come playoff time unless Lopez is fully healthy (which he hasn’t been all season).
"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."
agreed…I’ve said since the summer any team sportting nash hill and Jrich will be relevant. but if they’re really gonna make some noise Fropez needs to not just come back to form but to continue to improve. fryes knew game has been a nice suprize but we still need a legit mobile big man (still getting killed on the glass)…speaking of big men, how’s the much anticipated Splitter coming along. i saw him make some good moves Vs PHX but under limited PT
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
I think CIA Pop is saving Splitter as a surprise just for you guys… lol
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 6, 2010 11:15 PM CST up reply actions
After the last game, I’d think you’d be more worried about RJ 2.0 than RMJ.
Honestly, I have not been watching Phoenix lately, as I expected them to implode. I guess I’m gonna have to start paying attention to them again. Sigh.
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 6, 2010 11:14 PM CST up reply actions
lets put it this way….not counting the current 3 game winning streak they’ve had the lakers twice once on the tail end of a B2B, Jazz at utah, denver twice, some team called the spurs (lost by 2) miami and orlando B2B during a 4 games in 5 night east coast trip (their second 4g in 5n in 17 games)….without nash for 2 games and their starting center for 7 games and adjusting to life without ’ and 3 new rotation players…and they finished at 500(almost) by just finding a way. as far as the steve nash being past his prime, last night he chimed in with 20 pts 17 dimes and 3 rbiey’s while shooting a perfect 8 for 8. the next suns spurs game will be as always…a deliciously good game!
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
oh, yeah….props to RJ2.0, looking damn good. but I’ll make a prediction for the next game RJ2.0 will struggle to breath under GHill JChill and studly dudley these…JRich and the ManuMan will cancil each other out. however I still give no prediction on the winner….SO there
"I feel younger almost every year. I feel like I'm getting better every year. I feel like the season gets easier for me the last two years." Steve Nash
Also, Neal isn’t the only case on the Spurs of what you call ‘found money’ just the latest.
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 7, 2010 12:40 PM CST up reply actions
i really can’t understand why PHX traded for Turk. They could’ve gotten a lot of other players with better contracts. Theoretically it didn’t seem like he’d fit in PHX, and he didn’t/doesn’t. Lots of players were being given away for almost free last summer.
I remember a different summer than you do… too many teams with money they saved up to try to land LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Amar’e, etc. who were disappointed and started throwing cash like it grew on trees. Or ones that overpaid in their contract extensions for players they were afraid to lose.
As for why PHX traded for Turkoglu, blame Sarver, who let Kerr go, rather than to reward him for what he did to help build the franchise. I can’t imagine Kerr paying $30M+ for three years of Turkey. But the man Sarver tapped to run his franchise, Lon Babby, had no problem with it. Babby was Turkoglu’s agent, btw. (Also Tim Duncan’s, but that’s a different story… Babby gave up his clients to take the Phoenix job.)
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 7, 2010 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
Yep. people were being given away before that to clear space for LeBron, but that summer itself was a bonanza for free agents. Sun’s did not have much of a choice at that point.
Agreed on Kerr, I forgot what the disagreement was about, but I remember thinking that it could come back to bite them. Suns lucked out with Gentry though, he is a class act and will make the most of what they have.
Lauri: thank goodness I have you magnificent bastards to waste [the offseason] with.
Basically, Kerr wanted more money, Sarver didn’t want to give it to him. Big mistake. For a fraction of the money given to say, Turkoglu, Sarver would’ve saved much more money in the long run with Kerr running things.
imho, Gentry is probably why the team hasn’t imploded, as I expected/hoped.
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 7, 2010 6:03 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks for the reminder. IIRC it was even worse than that, I think Sarver cut Kerr’s salary as a cost reduction move. Or maybe it was a way to fire him without actually firing him. Who knows with that man.
Lauri: thank goodness I have you magnificent bastards to waste [the offseason] with.
btw, Kerr did say that it wasn’t about salary to him, but financial limitations Sarver imposed on the team. So I might be wrong to say that Kerr wanted more money. But Sarver did hedge when asked if he offered Kerr a contract with a pay cut, so your interpretation may be correct.
An ironic point… Kerr was one of the former NBA players that helped Sarver buy the Suns franchise.
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 7, 2010 7:56 PM CST up reply actions
I am one of those that thought Blair might lose his spot in the starting lineup, particularly beginning with the stretch of games starting with Orlando. Throw out the Golden State game, and he did average just 4.3 pts and 3.6 rbs during the 7 game stretch (compared to 7.2 pts and 7.9 rbs for the other 13 games). Since they’re past that stretch which I thought might present some tough matchups, I expect there won’t be a change to the starting lineup for some time now and that Blair should begin looking better.
Looking better, but he really can’t cut it against taller lineups. I think Pop’s just going with it for luck or some other reason only he understands (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it). But certainly Blair’s not been getting starter (at least by Spur standards) minutes.. He’ll be the first out of the starting lineup if/when the Spurs hit a rough patch
Pop doesn’t believe in superstition, thinks it’s a waste of time.
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 7, 2010 2:20 PM CST up reply actions
I would expect Tiago to become a starter eventually, so it makes sense leaving Blair in until that happens rather than constantly mucking with the system by having Dyess or Bonner start. However, Tiago seems to sub for Duncan, not Blair, so my expectations do not make sense, i.e. I should just shut up and go back to eating lunch.
Lauri: thank goodness I have you magnificent bastards to waste [the offseason] with.
Here’s a report that some of the Hornets players did ask before the game in San Antonio about the ownership situation, so it may have been on the minds of some of the players. Green and Okafor insisted that it didn’t change their focus on the game, however.
The “At The Hive” recap of the game was kinda hilarious, in that it was apparently written and posted way before the end of the game.
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 6, 2010 6:31 PM CST reply actions
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