Game Preview: Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs
by Jordan Leithart on Dec 31, 2011 7:00 AM CST
in Game Previews
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San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz
AT&T Center12/31/11, 6:30 PM Spurs Time
TV: NBA TV - RADIO: 1200 WOAI
Well that was ugly. It seems we either blow out our opponents and Duncan gets to rest, or we get blown out and Duncan gets to rest. As Pop said, "...it was a great opportunity to treat [the game] like training camp...treat it like practice." With a shortened season, there will be many games like the previous one. Especially until we find a solid backup big.
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I'm terrified of the Jazz, if I'm honest. And I am honest since my mother raised me that way. I'm not terrified that we will lose to them (I prefer to think we've had enough rest in between games). I am terrified because I don't want us to become like them when Pop retires. It's not that the Jazz are a bad team, they just seem to have no direction. They have so many weapons firing off in all directions that it's impossible to mount a successful attack. They have a decent point guard (hey! remember when we thought New Jersey was getting the better end of that deal for Kidd?) who works best as a bigger mini Tony Parker, but then you have a big guy who just wants to hold onto the ball for 15 seconds before pirouetting toward the basket for a lay up. I can see the Jazz making some noise in the regular season, maybe even making the playoffs after some cohesion time. But at the moment they're still reeling under the effects of a Jerry Sloan hangover, and the Spurs definitely ain't the cure.
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.
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Since when did we stop making predictions and match-up analyses?
Don’t get me wrong, this is a good preview. Everything you say is correct, Jordan. So this is not a hit on you, it’s just something I’ve been noticing.
Also, let’s beat these guys, and beat them in the first half if it’s possible.
"That’s cool." - Duncan on his near quadruple-double in game 6 of the 2003 NBA Finals.
We have a new preview format. Obviously. We are trying it out this year to see how it goes. This format is vastly easier for our Previewers to work and put together.
What are your thoughts?
by Big50 on Dec 31, 2011 8:28 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Well, the texts are always (as they have always been) right on the money. But I really liked reading the match-up analyses. It’s also nice to read something like “Prediction: Spurs Win, but it’ll be a close one.” or something like that. Guess we’ll have to do that now ;)
Spurs win, but it’ll be a close one.
"That’s cool." - Duncan on his near quadruple-double in game 6 of the 2003 NBA Finals.
Spurs win by 15 imho. Jazz are on a back to back and aren’t the team they used to be
"If the NBA season is a marathon, Gregg Popovich is a full-blooded Kenyan."
-Timothy Varner 48MoH
by Jordan Leithart on Dec 31, 2011 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
Are we not doing match up previews, predictions etc this year? Haven’t seen them this year yet..
<++ If Dejuan Blair had ACLs, nobody would ever get a rebound ++>
Fuck it, Spurs by 25!
"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 31, 2011 7:30 AM CST reply actions 9 recs
"got him at 42……Chad Ford can’t keep up with RC ‘Bargin Basement’ Buford."
Spurs Yoda on Draft Night 2011
by Joe deLarios on Dec 31, 2011 8:55 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Say, that’s a pretty sweet page. Bookmarking it.
All these GIFs are breaking my browser.
by quincyscott on Dec 31, 2011 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
Thanks Artis, thats a fantastic unbiased analysis.
by indiancharlie on Dec 31, 2011 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
Utah played last night. Jefferson sat out with an inflamed right ankle with Milsap starting in his place. Favors scored 20 with 11 rebounds, Milsap 14 and 14. Rookie Enes Kanter has averaged just under 17 minutes per game with an average of 4.3 points and 7.3 rebounds.
I hope Jefferson plays for them tonight. Pretty sure they won last night because of his absence.
You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime
by the little o on Dec 31, 2011 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
Da’Sean Butler played in his 2nd Toros game last night and scored 13 points coming off the bench. Eric Dawson may be the leading candidate for a call up as a 6’9" big averaging 17.8 points, 10.3 reb, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks over 6 games. The next Toros game are Thursday and Friday at home, might Neal get in some work with them?
Coach Popovich’s Top Five New Year’s Resolutions:
5. Stop being so nice to the media.
4. Kill Prokhorov.
3. Drug Craig Sager and ship him to Sudan.
2. Finish that goddamn Sudoku book that Danny Ferry bought me.
1. Kill Danny Ferry.
Duke of Bexar
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Dec 31, 2011 11:06 AM CST reply actions
Im hyped up about this Center. We need to sign him. Check him out.
http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/chris_daniels/index.html
Do or do not! There is no try!
His stats look terrific and hes big, but alot of D leaguers hold both of those distinctions. Those inflated stats dont translate to the NBA 99 pct of the time.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
I agree, but no wants the Nba free market agents i previously posted. This guy adds size and potential. Give him a ten day contract.
Do or do not! There is no try!
It seems the rumors are that Haddadi might sign again with Memphis for just over $1M (seems cheap) and that Fesenko now will not be going to Golden State but possibly Dallas. Ian had a nice game for Dallas last night, so maybe there will be 2nd thoughts about how much time Fesenko could get with Haywood, Ian and Sean Williams already on the roster.
I havent seen Fesenko play, what are his strengths?
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
Think Kevin Willis in his Spurs years.
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 31, 2011 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
Yea, but Willis was also somewhat of an enforcer. I remember at least one instance of him knocking someone on their ass who had dared to foul one of the Spurs hard.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
by alamobro on Dec 31, 2011 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This and wrecked
"got him at 42……Chad Ford can’t keep up with RC ‘Bargin Basement’ Buford."
Spurs Yoda on Draft Night 2011
by Joe deLarios on Dec 31, 2011 5:34 PM CST up reply actions
Right- Fesenko may not have Willis’ attitude yet, but the bruising, fouling play style is similar.
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 31, 2011 6:11 PM CST up reply actions
IMO it’s more likely the Spurs bring back Oberto, or package some wings and guards for an established big, before they sign a completely unproven commodity like this guy.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
Maybe Oberto or some of their D-League guys. No way they are trading their wings, not for a 4th big.
Winter is coming
I think that depends on who the big is. And it would be the 3rd big, if you arent counting Blair as a bigman.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
Spurs count Blair as a big so it would be 4th big. Spurs would have to trade a lot of their key likely future “core”
Spurs lost their best asset in McDyess so it’s pretty much guaranteed that Spurs aren’t doing any trades for anything big named. if there is a trade, it’s going to be something people yawn over (aside from Spurs fans).
Winter is coming
We shall see, though from my humble and largely uninformed perspective, I agree that a significant trade is unlikely.
On the other hand, the Spurs could probably survive with trading a couple of their guards, and or Bonner with Blair, especially if its a bigman at Mcdyess quality level.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
He’s 27 years old, so it would seem if he were going to make it he might have by now. He’s the 11th leading rebounder in the dleague. More interesting might be Greg Smith, formerly of Fresno State and a recent cut by the Rockets. He’s 6’10", and in his first dleague game had 4 blocks, 18 points and 11 rebounds for Rio Grande vs. Texas Legends.
Smith apparently was somewhat of a surprise to not be drafted after declaring early. Most noted in draftexpress for his big hands. I expect it would not be worth giving him an NBA contract to have him sit on the bench or play with the Toros, though maybe later in the year he might get offered a 10 day contract ala Larry Owens and company.
There you go and thank you. Somebody actually looking at young talent instead of older guys or bottom feeder bench warmer dudes. LOL. I would like to see us get somebody who is actually in there early 20’s some what athletic and hasn’t been wasting away on another NBA roster.
No more older guys and no more fat slow dudes should be mentioned. LOL
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Dec 31, 2011 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
The only “older” guy I’ve given much consideration to is Haddadi, who is all of 26. I tend to think he did not get as much playing time as he might have earned because Memphis was paying way more for both Marc Gasol and Thabeet to play center. The next oldest guy would be Ajinca at 23. Since the Spurs traded away Thomas, Bowen and Oberto; I’ve wanted them to not have anyone older than Tim.
I know you haven’t and that is why I am thanking you for bringing up younger guys. I even stated that above. But other people are talking about bringing in Older guys.
Haddadi might be a solid fit and Ajinca still has time to maybe figure shit out but I think he might be a lost cause. LOL. He needs to put on muscle and learn to play defense in general
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Dec 31, 2011 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
I just wish the FO would bring in a strong showing D leaguer for 10 days.
Still pissed Ian Mahammi had a strong game lastnight
Do or do not! There is no try!
There are several guys I wish the Spurs had never let go, but Yawn isnt one of them. Hes smoke and mirrors.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
He had better games as a Spur in games that were equally as meaningless. He cant defend big guys, has no post moves and cant rebound. That’s probably why Pop let him go.
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
I would think Duncan’s retirement will affect this franchise more than Pop’s retirement. But what do you all think?
by i luv this site on Dec 31, 2011 11:53 AM CST reply actions
Hard to say. Look at Utah. Life went on as usual after Malone and Stockton left. But after Sloan? I have no idea who the Jazz are, anymore.
On a similar note, Let’s see what life is like for Kobe Bryant this year without Phil Jackson.
(Full disclaimer: I hate everyone.)
Life would go own in Utah if they had another real point guard. Harris doesn’t fit what they are trying to run out there in Utah. If they had a solid point guard the team would be fine.
You have to remember when Malone and Stockton first left Utah sucked until they drafted Darren Williams and Boozer tricked the Cavs front office. Sloan got the players to run the system he wanted and they were solid again.
There are a lot of coaches that suck in the NBA but they win because they have talent
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Dec 31, 2011 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
They didn’t suck but the missed the playoffs.
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Dec 31, 2011 2:16 PM CST up reply actions
Parker’s summary of what they worked on in practice:
"Details," Parker said. "Make sure we do the same thing. Don’t let them run their plays."
(Full disclaimer: I hate everyone.)
Thanks Quincy, and on the same site it qoutes Utah’s Jefferson as a maybe.
by indiancharlie on Dec 31, 2011 1:11 PM CST up reply actions
Does TP have a ferrari f430? I think he freakin sped (at least going 100) right next to me on by I-10 Dezavala this morning going towards downtown. He was drving like an asshole zooming in and out of traffic lol. The license plate said “Tony P 9”
"Dear prescription drug commercial,
It's nice to know that even though I have genital herpes, I can still go fishing.
Sincerely, thanks for giving me peace of mind."
by Cello the great on Dec 31, 2011 1:34 PM CST reply actions
lol
"Dear prescription drug commercial,
It's nice to know that even though I have genital herpes, I can still go fishing.
Sincerely, thanks for giving me peace of mind."
by Cello the great on Dec 31, 2011 1:59 PM CST up reply actions
LMAO
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Dec 31, 2011 2:17 PM CST up reply actions
Time to rebound! Go Spurs Go!
Predictions for the other games today:
Nuggets > Lakers
Pacers > Pistons
Hawks < Rockets
Suns < Thunder
Knicks > Kings
76ers > Warriors
"D'oh!"
Cuban forgets that the key to the Mavs’ success last year was that their owner actually shut the hell up for the playoffs. Apparently he’s a slow learner.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest." --Willy Wonka
In all honesty, they may turn out to be a very good team again this year, Odom is one of those unique rangy small forwards. He did so much for the Lakers, and they would not have won either of the last two titles without him. There are two significant factors working against them this year. A big downgrade at center, and can they once again catch lightning in a bottle?
A man gets the eye of a Tiger, but a Tiger gets the eye of a Manu.
Odom is one of the only truly positionless players, IME. He can handle the ball, rebound, and defend at least 3-5, if not 2-5.
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
by SpursfanSteve on Jan 1, 2012 1:27 AM CST up reply actions
Hey Pounders! I’ve got to work tonight… at least I get off by about 11 CT, but : GSG!
First you forget names, then you forget faces. Next you forget to pull your zipper up and finally, you forget to pull it down.
George Burns
by oldtimeyspurfan on Dec 31, 2011 4:42 PM CST reply actions
Damn lakers are lucky
"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
Jazz are not a good team this year
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
When I read
“I’m terrified of the Jazz, if I’m honest…” My reaction was to wonder what the devil you guys are smoking down in San Antonio. Then I read on and picked my jaw up off the ground. I’ve always maintained that the Spurs are a better version of the Jazz, (or what the Jazz used to be) so hopefully for you the fallout won’t be as bad once coach Pop leaves.
"Shoot baskets, not people." -AK
That’s pretty high praise. Thanks, man.
Will argue against trading #45 until I am blue in the face and your eyes and ears are bleeding.
by SpursfanSteve on Jan 1, 2012 1:28 AM CST up reply actions
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