Spurs vs Rockets Pre-Season Game #2 Preview - Farewell to Dice and Novak
by Ed (dfjmed) on Dec 21, 2011 7:00 AM CST
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 San Antonio Spurs vs Houston RocketsAT&T Center, San Antonio, TXDecember 21, 2011 | 7:30 P.M. Spurs Time TV: FSSW - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI  |
Good day PTRockers! I'll keep this short, sweet and to the point. First off, it is good to be back... officially! Originally, I had a nice little redundant paragraph about my view on the lockout, and who should get what, and all that. Then I decided to not beat a dead horse and move on. It's over and done with, and for that we are thankful! We've got a pre-season game tonight, folks.
Now's the time on PTR when I rant. Let me just say that I - and I am pretty sure I can speak for almost everyone here? - really hope that our Spurs are back, and ready to fight. I dunno about you, but I was not the least bit pleased with the way last season ended. Personally, I don't care if the regular season was a blast, or a thrill, or what. The 2011 Playoffs were my worst sports nightmare, come to life. Our guys killed it in the regular season, and then get the playoff match up they absolutely didn't want, where it all comes crashing to a halt to the team that probably gave them more trouble than any other throughout the season. Done. Over. #1 seed and home court down the toilet. 61 meaningless wins. Laughing stock of the league. Bizarro 2007. But it wasn't the Mavs being knocked out in Round 1 this time. About the only thing that was the same was LeBron's Eastern Conference Finals heroics, and losing in the NBA Finals once again. Props to Memphis. They wanted it, and seized it. Props to the Mavs. They stepped it up when it mattered most and earned their Championship. Let's help our Spurs to make it their last.
Greener pastures. It's a new season! Buck up, and get positive! It's time for revenge. Too bad we won't have the guy on the left to help us out.
...or #23...
On the transaction side, we have yet to acquire that elusive big we've all been hoping for. We struck out in free agency, with the exception on T.J. Ford. Antonio McDyess calling it a day is bittersweet. We sure could use his help down low, but he gave us his best effort in his two final seasons, and I was happy to see him retire as a Spur. To us, he'll always be San Antonio McDyess. Getting Steve Novak back was good too... but short lived. He's now a Knick. Best of luck to both. Both were good Spurs in my book.
We need to get bigger. Size matters. K-Mart might be coming back to the States. He might be a nice band aid, as a fellow PTR member stated before, and I suppose we could do worse. Maybe a little...craziness might be what our guys need. Just not this guy...
via theswamp51.files.wordpress.com
...or this guy.
via i.cdn.turner.com
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As Big50 did for last game's excellent preview, I am totally speculating on tonight's lineups. Blair may get the nod in the middle. From what I see, Tim and Tony did not make Saturday's trip, but should suit up tonight. It'd be nice to see them get some minutes, but if Pop decides to rest Timmy and give Blair some more burn, aka chance to market himself to other teams, I'm for it. Houston out rebounded the Spurs by 18 last game, which clearly, had a hand in the outcome. Jordan Hill had 13 boards of his own, while no Spur had more than 7. And I know I harp on this quite a bit, but it's difficult to win when you don't shoot better than 61% from the free throw line. There's been a need to improve in this department for as long as I can remember. Thankfully, the Rockets weren't much better, at 64%, or else the 14 point loss may've been bigger. With our 2nd stringers, I was pleased with what I saw from T.J. Ford. I also liked both Joseph's, and Anderson's aggressiveness. I thought all three looked...legit. Let's close out the pre-season with a W.
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.
Additional reading: 48MinutesofHell, Red94, The Dream Shake.
Spurs Fan Confidence Poll
Last tallied on 12/21.
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Comments
I would like to see Tiago dominate Scola :)
by LionZion on Dec 21, 2011 7:20 AM CST via iPhone app reply actions
I’d like to see him dominate the League!
"If you run, you'll just go to jail tired!" TJ73
by TrooperJoe73 on Dec 21, 2011 7:42 AM CST up reply actions
NVP!
NVP!
(that’s from the Philly chant for AI)
by In the 666 on Dec 21, 2011 9:08 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
If that was a nightmare come true last year going out in the first round of the playoffs, sorry to say that nightmare has a good chance to repeat itself if we don’t get at least two bigs to backup TD and Tiago.
by spurlover on Dec 21, 2011 8:00 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I hear what you are saying and I might even agree with you, but could you please stop stating your vote of no confidence on Blair and Bonner on every thread in this blog. I hope I speak for a few other PTR’ers as well. Please try to be a little positive and optimistic and enough of the doomsday theory. I’m positive that PATFO is aware of the situation more than you and I are and they will do what is in the best of their ability to put out a competitive team on the floor.
No offense, just wanted to share my thoughts.
Keep the faith!!
by Heman on Dec 21, 2011 11:56 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Heman you want positives. Tiago is a legit big man for us now and the future. Green looks like he wants to be the man some day. I think he likes the chance to be what RJ never became for us. A legit third or fourth option on offense for us and by the way he ain’t bad on D either. Ford didn’t look bad but Cory Joseph looked really good for a rookie. Lenard looks like he might be a beast on D. The big three is the big three. There is a lot of positives on this team. The talent, the youth. The one thing I don’t like and our one big weakness is our lack of size at the four and five. It’s not doom and gloom. I think we are more talented and better than a lot of the better teams in the league. Our size is the only thing holding us back.
by spurlover on Dec 21, 2011 2:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
How do y’all feel about Kenyon Martin? One of the writers of SA Express News mentioned him as a choice the Spurs could go after. I personally wouldn’t mind, especially since he doesn’t like Mark Cuban. haha.
"D'oh!"
He doesn’t have much left, but I think he could help. However, based on some of the outrageous contracts this summer, I doubt 3 mil will be enough to sign him.
Yep.
All these GIFs are breaking my browser.
by quincyscott on Dec 21, 2011 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
He’d be a good option, but other teams with the mini-MLE or better are probably more attractive choices for him. (OKC, for instance)
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!
Well, Woj is reporting that KMart has gotten out of his contract. Interested in seeing how this plays out.
Nevermind.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reported late last week that Kenyon Martin’s Chinese team, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, was giving strong consideration to releasing Martin.
And now, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports via sources, the team has agreed to a buyout with him.
But it looks like that doesn’t mean he’s free to come back to the NBA.
From Wojnarowski: “As part of agreement, Martin must honor China Basketball Association rules, wait until end of team’s season for return to NBA, sources said. Xinjiang plays regular season through mid-Feb., and likely will make playoffs. Martin can’t get letter of clearance for NBA until it’s over. Martin’s buyout will set the precedent for J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler, Aaron Brooks in China: None will play in NBA until CBA season is over.”
So while none of these players will be heading back to the NBA soon, it’s possible they could hook on with an NBA team before final NBA playoff rosters are set in the spring.
Missing this one (teaching tonight).
Maybe Buford can take Daryl Morey out for a few drinks tonight and convince him to give us Scola and Budinger for Bonner and Jefferson?
OK… maybe more than a “few.”
Duke of Bexar
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Dec 21, 2011 10:17 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Does the math even work? Trade machine is blocked here.
Duke of Bexar
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Dec 21, 2011 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
Let’s just hope they call a taxi.
Ouch… too mean?
I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.
by Ed (dfjmed) on Dec 21, 2011 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
That center from Mexico is apparently signing with the Hornets, for less than our 3 million. So maybe we weren’t that interested in him after all?
All these GIFs are breaking my browser.
About JR Smith….Pop used to want him on the team a few years ago and nearly traded Brent Barry for him, but JR Smith failed his physical and the deal was canceled. I have to go to work so I can’t research this, I am pretty sure that’s how it happened.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
I thought they didn’t get the deal into the league office in time…it was minutes after the deadline.
Yeah, this is the version of the story I’ve heard.
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!
J.R Smith is the anti pop, I dont understand why they would want him. Dwight Howard on the other hand…
Usually what the Spurs do on the off-season is frutrating and mind boggling, but with a shirt in july that says "NBA champions" im totally okay with what the Spurs are doing.
many many moons ago, pop as a gm did take a risk on dennis rodman. albiet JR and denny arent of same caliber but they have just as many tatoos
by i luv this site on Dec 21, 2011 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
Rodman, Stephen Jackson, Mario Ellie, Jerome Kersey, Kevin Willis. Crazy guys have helped us over the years. Crazy implies fearless, and we need fearless to win in the playoffs. Sane fearless guys have included, Horry, Kerr, Jaren Jackson (that one year). Neal could be that guy this year. But if not, JR definitely fits that Captain Jack personality/role.
"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles
the difference ? Captain Jackson was and is a hell of a defender, one of the best in the NBA when its a game that matters. Jr Smith cant guard me.
"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"
I disagree. It’s about putting a crazy guy in a situation that demands his attention. Captain Jack has not played defense since he left San Antonio. What if JR hasn’t cared to play defense because he’s never been on a team that mattered? Is it the player or the team that causes excellence? It’s a combination, and JR never has had the second part to the formula. So how can we say with certainty what the outcome would be?
By the way, place some of the “JR’s crazy” blame on George Karl. He’s an ass. His team is perpetually a mess. It all stems from him. He makes crazy players worse. He feeds their craziness. How sane could JR be when his minutes/role vary on a weekly basis? Basketball is about consistency and reps. If your situation is never constant, bad habits and craziness will ensue. Plus, how sane would you be if you spent the majority of your time with Kmart, Melo, and Birdman?
"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles
apparently you didnt watch much of Stephen Jackson since he left the spurs. As I said, when its a game that matters, Captain Jack has been a beast defending. He was a key in the upset of Dallas in 2007, he was the primary defender of Dirk (yes, they crowded him, but Jack was the guy who got the main task).
And what about those Bobcats? They were always awful offensively but they won games and even reach the playoffs on the back of a top 5 defense. Jackson was a big factor of that.
And even when he is “coasting” he is 100 times better than JR smith on defense. Smith just doesnt care one bit.
"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"
Yeah those above were great players for the team, but I seriously doubt that JR can do that for us. Anyway the Spurs shouldnt even look at wing players, they should look for talented bigs.
Usually what the Spurs do on the off-season is frutrating and mind boggling, but with a shirt in july that says "NBA champions" im totally okay with what the Spurs are doing.
by Spurs4life on Dec 21, 2011 1:55 PM CST via Android app reply actions
What talented bigs are sill out there that we can get? I mean what realistic options to we have.
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
I think Hilton Armstrong is available. One of his talents is the ability to steal the ball from someone that is not paying attention while the clock is running out on a game that’s already been decided. I’m not sure if he does much else, but he is 6’11"
Damn. That was irritating. And mildly hilarious.
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 21, 2011 6:26 PM CST up reply actions
Bad news for the Lakers.
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!
Divorce will do that.
Do or do not! There is no try!
by Spurs Yoda on Dec 21, 2011 3:51 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
really.. didnt know. so sorry Kobe. the Lakers were already down in that 3rdQ when Jordan blocked you or knocked you down.
Caribeña
by cojones2thewall on Dec 21, 2011 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, when I saw the replay, I was thinking how hard he landed on that hand. I don’t know what a torn ligament will mean, recovery-wise. I guess it’s better than a fracture.
All these GIFs are breaking my browser.
Bah! Ligaments are overrated.
In fact, I’ve heard that DeJuan Blair doesn’t have any ACLs in his wrists at all. And he still plays in the NBA!
small ball will at least be bigger overall. - grego21
Pounding the Rock
ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Just going up on http://t.co/Ir9HrM0O: Rockets and Samuel Dalembert reach terms on two-year contract. Link on way momentarily
I'm not as good as I once was...and that's just the cold, hard truth.
Well that takes another big of the market. Kenyon Martin can’t come back till Feburary so it looks like were outta luck.
by cartoonspurs on Dec 21, 2011 4:18 PM CST up reply actions
Do we have the means to get Kaman?
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Nope.
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
It might have worked when McDyess could have been included. Kaman has an almost $14M contract where the Spurs would have to trade away at least $11M in salaries. There’s RJ for around $9M, which is not enough. Would the Hornets want RJ when they have Trevor Ariza? If they took RJ, you’d still have to throw in someone else and Blair’s salary is not enough. That would likely mean combining RJ and Bonner, two of your better 3 point shooters, and you’d still have only 4 bigs.
McDyess/Bonner would have put them at about 9M. So it they put a few more guys into it, they could have gotten close. However, meh…
That said, they would only be able to send Kaman to the Spurs and not include another (since he was just traded).
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
Valentine’s seems more probable. Easter if it is KMart. July if it is DH12.
A casual diehard Spurs fan.
I like the way you dream big for July.
small ball will at least be bigger overall. - grego21
Pounding the Rock
Too good to be true, regardless of money and talent. Although, it would be interesting if Duncan came back and… yeah, this is like me trying to date Charlize Theron. Not going to happen… For a moment I had a chance!
They say every time Pop smiles, an angel is told to stop being so fu--ing lazy and play some defense. -Hipuks 2/3/11
We’re paying TJ Ford $8.5 Mil this season? Is that right? Suddenly RJ’s $9.3 doesn’t seem so steep.
"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles
There’s no way that’s the league minimum contract. Which is what we were told he was signed for.
Either that’s NOT the contract he signed and that detail was wrong, or your source is wrong. Where’d you get those #’s?
small ball will at least be bigger overall. - grego21
Pounding the Rock
http://espn.go.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs
Maybe it defaulted to his last known contract until his current one is published?
"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles
NO. NAME 2011-2012 SALARY
1 21 Tim Duncan $18,835,381
2 9 Tony Parker $12,500,000
3 20 Manu Ginobili $11,854,584
4 24 Richard Jefferson $9,282,000
5 11 T.J. Ford $8,500,000
6 22 Tiago Splitter $3,672,000
7 15 Matt Bonner $3,315,000
8 25 James Anderson $1,402,540
9 45 DeJuan Blair $986,000
10 7 Gani Lawal $788,872
11 14 Gary Neal $788,872
12 4 Daniel Green $130,022
"GINOBILI!" -- Sir Charles
That is wrong. Probably represents last year of previous contract.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
Exactly. He was making that with the Pacers. Also, it would have been impossible for the Spurs to sign him to that contract. Salary cap restrictions.
"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
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