Spurs at Rockets Pre-Season Game #1 Preview - Basketball...finally
by Big50 on Dec 17, 2011 7:00 AM CST
in Game Previews
Email
Print
|
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas |
After a long post season of watching our cross state rivals win it all (while our beloved Spurs sat at home...or on a beach somewhere, followed by a long off-season of watching guys argue over dollar amounts we can only dream of and seeing no NBA basketball. After all of that and more we are going to see some real life Spurs basketball TONIGHT!
Well sort of, the Spurs notified the press...and us...that Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are not making the trip to Houston. It seems Pop is keeping Timmy and Tony under wraps. Yeah, that's it...they're a secret. Anyway, Gary Neal is also home in San Antonio recovering from surgery and according to his twitter he's not happy about it. Manu Ginobili is making the trip, apparently Luis Scola owes him dinner. Corey Joseph did make it to Houston to play the first pre-season game.
It's SPURS basketball, KIDS! (except only 1 of those 3)
via marioxiao.com
The Rockets tried to make a splash in the short off-season with a trade that would have sent Kevin Martin and Luis "I make Spurs fans cringe" Scola to the Hornets and in return would have seen Pau Gasol in Houston. Needless to say that trade never happened, thanks to the all-knowing David Stern. The Rockets are looking for new blood. I believe the attempt to trade two of their best players indicates that their front office doesn't think the current roster has what it takes to get it done in the always tough Southwest Division.
The Spurs, meanwhile, signed T.J. Ford to address the back-up PG spot and remain mostly unchanged roster wise from last year. To my knowledge, we still haven't heard anything solid on what's going to happen with Antonio McDyess. It's hard to remember after the disappointing playoff exit that the Spurs had an amazing year in 2010-2011. Winning 60+ games and seeing amazing year from the Great Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Needless to say, those two worn down and the rest of the team could not help carry the Spurs through the road block that was Memphis.
Well, that was supposed to be a positive paragraph on why there's hope... that didn't work out so well. We all know this current Spurs team isn't perfect, but they have a nice veteran core that, with the right amount of help from the young fellas, can have a chance to make a run at a 5th title. All of Spursdom will have a chance to see rookie Kawhi Leonard in action as well as 2nd year player James Anderson. Both of these young guys will be key if the Spurs are going to make any kind of noise.
Of course the Spurs old nemesis of Health will be a season long concern. I'm just hoping that if something has to happen to one of our key guys that it happens early and the Spurs can work that player back in. Last year Manu Ginobili's knock in the last game of the year did not help San Antonio in dealing with an already tough Memphis team. Let's hope the Spurs can make it through the pre-season without any injury issues. Let's take a look at the lineups as we get prepared to see our first NBA action since last summer.
 |
 |
||||
Lineups
Starters |
Lineups
Starters
|
I have no idea what the starting lineup will be for the Spurs, or Rockets for the matter, but this is what I'm guessing it will be. We may see Manu come off the bench again this year or Jefferson see his role diminished. At this point, I'm going with what's listed above. The Rockets team isn't awe inspiring, but they did lead the NBA in assists per game, the Spurs will need to keep their hands in the passing lanes...any chase Leonard will get his big paws involved?
As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and 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.
64 comments
|
4 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
FINALLY!
UNLEASH THE KONAMI!
FREE TIAGO!
LET’S GO RJ 3.0!
GO SPURS GO!
"I'm good at killing fat boys. I like killing fat boys." ~Arya Stark
Can’t wait to see Lenard, JA and Cory Joseph.
by spurlover on Dec 17, 2011 7:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Strive for five!! One for the thumb!! …. That’s all I got :/
by Nate_Mtz on Dec 17, 2011 7:40 AM CST via mobile reply actions
At last, the Flight of the Kawndor.
"Sometimes I think I lost something really important to me, and it turns out I already ate it."
by DrumsInTheDeep on Dec 17, 2011 8:00 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
Tony looks like (make believe) Rolando Majic and Manu looks like Northside Bob (check out bagboy) at the HEB. And Tim is not in the center. Anyway..we begin to find out if Pop was right and injuries was our downfall last year. Same song..second verse. The truth is…we are going to do GREAAAT if we can just keep walking. As always..thanks Big.
Fuck it, Spurs by 20!
"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 17, 2011 8:14 AM CST reply actions 13 recs
Hoping to see big minutes for Anderson and The Freak(Leonard).
First you must find... another shrubbery! Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must place it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle. Then, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest... with... a herring!
I want to see how TJ runs the offense
"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 17, 2011 9:31 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I want to see an angry BL(no LOL)AIR dismantle Hasheem.
"White-orange, orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, brown"
by magnuskrauss on Dec 17, 2011 9:41 AM CST up reply actions
Nice write-up, Big 50. You capture the anticipation well. Let’s get this thing started, already.
Also, I am liking the clean refresh on the look of the preview. Kind of reminds me of the Spurs current uniforms, which I have to admit I’m still not used to.
All these GIFs are breaking my browser.
by quincyscott on Dec 17, 2011 8:51 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I thought Thabeet got amnestied?
First you must find... another shrubbery! Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must place it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle. Then, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest... with... a herring!
I believe your correct
Do or do not! There is no try!
by Spurs Yoda on Dec 17, 2011 10:38 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
No, he didn't.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
by bone31crusher on Dec 17, 2011 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
I think he was going to with that trade but since it didn’t go thru he stuck around.
by play_splitter on Dec 17, 2011 1:00 PM CST up reply actions
...
SPUUUUUUUUUUURS TONIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!
by In the 666 on Dec 17, 2011 9:58 AM CST reply actions 4 recs
Ummmmm more importantly…… Is the game televised???
Do or do not! There is no try!
by Spurs Yoda on Dec 17, 2011 10:37 AM CST via mobile reply actions
No way this game is being streamed….right? I have NBA league pass, does it count for preseason games?
"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"
Are you on the FB group?
First you must find... another shrubbery! Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must place it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle. Then, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest... with... a herring!
I don’t know if I am. Search for PTR?
by LionZion on Dec 17, 2011 12:37 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
I see it scheduled for NBA TV tonight hopefully its not blacked locally.
by play_splitter on Dec 17, 2011 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
This new preview looks great, Big50! And yea, I think Thabeet got the amnesty. I wouldn’t be opposed. He’s 7’ 3", and would definately work for cheap. We’d get crucified by the critics, but who cares.
I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.
He also has no lateral movement or athletic ability. Waste.
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 17, 2011 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
I just flipped through my tv guide, and this game is on NBA TV, if anyone didn’t know.
I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.
And, oh yea, you wrote that in the Preview. Way to know thy product, eh? :)
I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.
by Ed (dfjmed) on Dec 17, 2011 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
Where'd you see that Thabeet was starting, Big50?
He probably will start, but I haven’t seen anything saying he will.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
@celtics
Boston Celtics
Jeff Green will undergo surgery on Jan. 9 after an aortic aneurysm was detected in his physical. He will miss the 2011-12 season.
Speedy recovery, Jeff.
I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.
Anyone else see George Hills line lastnight?
FG 1-7 3P 0-2 FT 1-2
Thats a rough first game in a new system. Their were already predictions of Hill starting over Collison by Mid January.
Do or do not! There is no try!
by Spurs Yoda on Dec 17, 2011 12:26 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Offensively he wasn’t great, but I watched the game and as usual he was solid on defense. Also, he probably got the loudest ovation of the night when he entered the game.
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 17, 2011 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
Glad to hear it. I hope the best for him.
Do or do not! There is no try!
by Spurs Yoda on Dec 17, 2011 1:01 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Bob Costas introducing:
And that day has arrived. Spurs team warming up at Toyota Center, Houston, more than five hours before today schedule tip-off. Seven months have passed since the Spurs last played competitive basketball. For seven months the NBA was without it’s supreme artists. There may be many interesting aspects about their departure and return, but at the heart of it is simply this – the best in the World are back. And in the sports world darkened by constant talk of money, trades and lockout, here is the shining reminder of why we love the sports in the first place – the drama, the anticipation, the sheer beauty of the moment. Today, the Spurs returns to theirs true canvas – the hardwood courts of the NBA. The San Antonio Spurs are back!
NBA on NBC theme
manuuu
by Marek Głowacki on Dec 17, 2011 1:42 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Awesome sauce….finally time for some basketball!
It's a fez, I wear a fez now, fezzes are cool
-The Doctor
by prozak on Dec 17, 2011 1:43 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Anderson and Leonard on the same floor,. One is a legitimate scorer and the other a defender.. the Bulls days..
"You learn that one person really doesn’t get anything done. In any business, in any endeavor, the people around you have to be good people and have to be able to work together. That’s where the real joy is – when you’re sharing success with somebody." - Pop
Anybody know where to I can watch the game if I don’t have NBA TV? I know the houston local channel is showing the game but I don’t live in the Houston area.
Well, we aren’t allowed to post links to any illegal feeds here, but you can either google “first row sports” (Nobody could stop you from doing that) or find the Pounding the rock group on facebook and ask someone there :)
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 17, 2011 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks man. I really want to see some Kawhi Leonard and James Anderson so I’m a bit desperate.
by cartoonspurs on Dec 17, 2011 3:29 PM CST up reply actions
Biggest coach Pop/Tiago Splitter homer on the internet™
@completelydeck / @PoundingTheRock
Micoblogger extraordinaire.
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Dec 17, 2011 4:28 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Chillin
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Dec 17, 2011 6:15 PM CST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Pounding The Rock
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Featured Stories
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
- Dwyane Wade’s hot pink pants: The kind of thing you can get away with when you drop 41
- Lamar Odom to New York? Dwight Howard on the move? For now, it’s all talk
- David West hilariously denies each and every one of his young fans a high-five (VIDEO)
