Game Recap #60: Spurs Destroyed by Grizzlies

by SpursfanSteve on Mar 2, 2011 2:00 AM CST in Game Recaps

Is there much else to say other than whats in the title? Also, we need Tony like biscuits need molasses. The Grizzlies absolutely crushed us tonight, led by Mike Conley (!!!!), Darrell Arthur (!!?!?) and Tony Allen. Pretty good game by them, pretty not good game by us.

Sorry ya’ll. I was at a pot-luck with some friends from college and we started late, so I didn’t get back to the house until it was 24-16 and just about 3:00 minutes left in the first. I picked up from there. But first, this song sums up about how I feel about the game. I find it best played as loudly as possible, but I don't necessarily recommend that for everyone.

First Quarter:

Tiago Splitter had a couple nice buckets., then CHRIS QUINN WITH THE NICE CORNER TREY! Manu had a nice and-1 to close out the quarter. End of the first, we’re down, but I could see us pulling this one out.

Second Quarter:

At the moment, we’ve got a rebounding problem. And a defensive problem, and an offensive problem. We aren’t moving the ball well, we aren’t defending any shots well, and we aren’t keeping them off the offensive glass. We can survive one of three, and on some nights, maybe even two of three. But there is no way we can win a game when we have all three problems. Speaking of problems we have…Darrell Arthur, anyone?

Duncan is so much money in the post. Even the Memphis announcers are saying "Give him time in the post, and he will convert 80% of the time." I think they said 80. It could have been 90. Either way, they’ve got a point. With Tony out, I’d prefer our offense to revert to going back through him, because IMO he’s the most efficient means to getting points. Especially against teams like Memphis who lack the dominant post defenders to stop him. We’re down by 6.

We need Tony Parker. Mike Conley killed us. Did anyone ever think we’d say that?

Halftime.

Third Quarter:

DeJuan Blair came out playing pretty well. Good position on offense led to a layup, then he hit a midrange jumper (confidently) right in Randolph’s face. In spite of this…we just cannot cut into this lead, and Pop takes a timeout. Couple minutes later, and I can confidently say we are not winning this game. There is still plenty of time for a comeback, but I don’t think we’ve got it tonight. We’re pretty much trading buckets and that isn’t going to cut it when you’re down double digits.

We had 20 turnovers by the end of the third quarter. I HATE turnovers. We also couldn't make 3’s. Let’s face it: tonight, we just sucked.

Fourth Quarter:

I think this is the white flag from Pop but I’m not sure. Darrell Arthur is taking Tiago to school. If Pop wasn’t surrendering before, he is now: Steve Novak is in, and we’re down by 20+. At this point, if we lose by less than 20 I’ll sleep easy. Quinn sucked royally. Conley straight up took it from him a couple times then tied him up for a jump ball. I was not happy with his play at all tonight. While editing, I realized that the "his" in the previous sentence is ambiguous. I forget the rule that is called, but I'm deciding to leave it ambiguous because you can apply it to pretty much everyone who played for either team.

Analysis:

We suck and we need Tony.

Ok. Seriously now- how many of us actually expected to win tonight? First game minus Tony, attempting to work Splitter back into (or for the first time) the rotation, on the front end of a back to back…if you were expecting greatness tonight, I’m sorry. While I expected us to do better than this, I didn’t expect a win. Honestly, it was probably better that it wasn’t close because Manu and Duncan barely played at all (if they did play at all) in the fourth quarter. Our ball movement was bad, our shooting (from 3) was bad, our defense was bad. I’ll save myself some time and just do this like a fill in the blank test question, and let ya’ll fill it in. Our ____ was bad. We got destroyed by MIKE CONLEY and DARRELL ARTHUR. All I can think of right now are words I’m not allowed to post in a recap so I’ll just say "BAHhumbug" and move on. I suggest you all do the same, because tonight the Spurs showed all of their weaknesses but left their strengths in San Antonio.

Like it:

Tiago doing pretty well in his 15 minutes of action. So happy to see him back, even if Darrell Arthur did run circles around him. Not fair to evaluate Splitter on tonight’s game- it’s his first game back from a long injury and he wasn’t playing for us much beforehand. Mostly, I liked what I saw.

Love it:

Katy Perry. That’s all I got right now. Oh. We also held Zach Randolph to 21 points on 19 shots (not too shabby) and only 10 rebounds. Normally, I’d take that.

Loathe it:

Everything that had anything to do with tonight’s game, minus Splitter/ James Anderson getting some decent minutes.

Three Stars (do we do these for ~~losses~~ epic fails?):

Third: Gary Neal: the only Spur in double figures.

Second: Steve Novak- led the team in plus/minus. Lookout, Matt Bonner, he’s after your spot.

First: MANU GINOBILI- even though you missed all your 3’s (again), I’m giving you the nod over Duncan because you had seven assists and ONE turnover. Why can’t you do that when we win?

Next up: The soon-to-look-unstoppable-due-to-Spurs-poor-play Cleveland Cavaliers. Just kidding. If we make them look good, I'm jumping off a bridge, and none of you can stop me. Well, maybe. I personally will be going to see the OKC Thunder play, hopefully (but doubtfully) witnessing the debut of Kendrick Perkins.

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Comments

Those turnovers really killed us. End of story. We could have survived all of those point blank putbacks and maybe even the blistering shooting if it wasn’t for those turnovers. I read somewhere they had THIRTY points off turnovers.

Get well soon, Tony.

[ "Duncan, the Spurs' 34-year-old captain, was aghast when Splitter told him he used to watch him as a kid."]

"I didn't enjoy that at all," Duncan said

by alamobro on Mar 2, 2011 2:13 AM CST reply actions

That’s what stood out to me. I rewatched the first half and was stunned at the lazy predictable passing that led to immediate turnovers and layups. Our guys were not sharp or focused enough to defeat any decent team, much less a good team in their arena. Memphis was quite focused and played well in their own right. Had we cut out the bad early play on our end, Memphis still would’ve made some plays and the game would’ve been competitive throughout but the Spurs likely win even without Tony. Certainly our guys would have been in the lead after the 1Q and at worse tied at the half.

I expect a far more focused team tonight, and when back in Memphis four weeks from now.

- Thank you SF Giants for an incredible 2010 season and painting the City orange & black!
- I vow to never again mention "playoffs" and "49ers" together until we have a "quarterback."
- You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Mar 2, 2011 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

Man, if that’s how Hill is going to play PG the rest of the way, Spurs really need to try another solution. He made looked like RMJ at times playing the PG position. They are probably better off having Neal play the backup PG minutes split with Quinn.

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

by grego21 on Mar 2, 2011 2:37 AM CST reply actions

I don’t expect George to struggle this much the rest of the way. He won’t be as efficient as Tony, but my guess is that he’ll make half as many mistakes as he did tonight, or less. I don’t have any stats to back it up, but it’s a hunch and I’ve got faith in Hill.

It's in the dictionary under D-E-F-E-N-S-E...I may be wrong, I may be wrong, I may be wrong, I may be may be may be wrong, but I doubt it.

by SpursfanSteve on Mar 2, 2011 8:41 AM CST up reply actions

I agree. He showed flashes last year of why we could move on and not resign Tony (not that I supported that).

No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

by Spurs Yoda on Mar 2, 2011 9:31 AM CST up reply actions

Ridiculous.

[ "Duncan, the Spurs' 34-year-old captain, was aghast when Splitter told him he used to watch him as a kid."]

"I didn't enjoy that at all," Duncan said

by alamobro on Mar 2, 2011 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

Also, I hate how some people and many on SpursTalk are going off on Hill. We won 49 game already! When are we 100% at work the whole dang year? People need to cut the guy some slack.

No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

by Spurs Yoda on Mar 2, 2011 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed

by KOE33 on Mar 2, 2011 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Some people have talked themselves into perfection from every player in every game. It’s like they’ve forgotten how last season felt and how difficult and bumpy even past 60 win Spurs teams were.

by SpurredOn on Mar 2, 2011 12:12 PM CST up reply actions

They may have forgotten, but more likely, they’ve blocked it out. People tend to do that where memories of traumatic events are involved.

Pounding the Rock
I cannot wait for the sixth fifth. - LasEspuelas

by J.R. Wilco on Mar 2, 2011 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

I haven’t forgotten. George is one of my favorite players. He’s had many games this year (especially at the beginning) where he struggled.

He’s not a PG though. When he’s focused there, he loses his pluses on the offensive side of the game usually. He has improved as a passer through the season though.

Hill is still not a PG though. Last year, even though he started for the Spurs, Manu was handling the PG duties.

This is still a good learning experience for Hill, but it’s not going to be easy.

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

by grego21 on Mar 2, 2011 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

Manu was running the PG last year when he was going balls out too. Manu just hid a lot.

I’m not down on Hill overall though. He’s nothing like RMJ. I just mean to say, he needs to get over his phobia of playing the PG. Obviously Grizz are an athletic defensive team.

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

by grego21 on Mar 2, 2011 12:26 PM CST up reply actions

Manu should become the main PG. There are more than enough scorers for Manu to hit with his passing.

You also want to start off the game with momentum and some rhythm to get the other guys going. Manu is that guy to jump start it. Later in the game, Hill and Neal and maybe Quinn can split minutes.

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

by grego21 on Mar 2, 2011 2:48 AM CST reply actions

i agree on you on this..

by rank on Mar 2, 2011 3:52 AM CST up reply actions

Manu already does this. The reason Tony is so important is because he is the lead off creator and sets the tone of our offense. Manu is our closer and takes turns, together with George, in orchetrating our offense. Tony orchestrates the offense for the first three quarters which leaves Manu with enough energy to take over the fourth. Without Tony and with George having some TO issues, Manu is burdened with a heavier load of orchestrating the offense early which leaves him tired by the 4th. I really thought Pop was auditoning Gary in that role the other night when he ran some PnR with our bigs.

by TD21 on Mar 2, 2011 8:12 AM CST up reply actions

He does. Pre-injury he was the backup PG. However, Manu’s the best one to get the momentum started. Hill started off and it went downhill from there.

That being said, Grizz are a tough defensive team that’s super athletic.

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

by grego21 on Mar 2, 2011 12:27 PM CST up reply actions

I really thought Pop was auditoning Gary in that [PG] role the other night when he ran some PnR with our bigs.

THIS

Pounding the Rock
I cannot wait for the sixth fifth. - LasEspuelas

by J.R. Wilco on Mar 2, 2011 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

This needs to be bigger.

Getting Hill away from PG responsibilities frees him up to do things like that nice drive to the basket off the sweet Manu pass early in the 1st quarter. I think it was the passing play of the day from Sean.

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

by grego21 on Mar 2, 2011 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

We got destroyed by MIKE CONLEY and DARRELL ARTHUR.

I’m sorry, who?

I missed this whole suckfest.

What happened to Hill? I thought he would be a solid backup at PG.
Was his proliferation of minutes enough to expose his inadequacies?

"It's hard to see all my teammates working hard and have to sit there and watch the games." "Of course, the massages are nice." ~Tiago Splitter

by eastbaysd on Mar 2, 2011 2:58 AM CST reply actions

How bad was Geoge Hill? I found myself missing Nick Van Excel and Damon Stoudamire.

by agutierrez on Mar 2, 2011 7:03 AM CST reply actions

WOW. I could see us grabbing Temple now, but reports on SN suggest otherwise.

No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

by Spurs Yoda on Mar 2, 2011 9:33 AM CST up reply actions

This one game has exposed all our current and potential weak areas. Much of it can be blamed on bad BBQ.

by indiancharlie on Mar 2, 2011 7:18 AM CST reply actions

George Hill on Twitter after game:

Feel like crap () right now… Played terrible and let the TEAM down… Good thing we have another one tomorrow to redeem myself. Sorry SA

No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

by Spurs Yoda on Mar 2, 2011 9:31 AM CST reply actions

ummmmmmmm what happened lastnight????

No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

by Spurs Yoda on Mar 2, 2011 9:44 AM CST reply actions

Spurs were playing a team with a physical style and the refs were letting them play. This reminds me a bit of when they lost to Boston earlier in the year. Their motion offense was completely disrupted.

   It’s games like these that I want the Old-School Spurs. Throw it in to Duncan and let him take 15-20 shots. They double team, then pop the three or cut to the basket. Too much P&Roll and motion stuff. That doesn’t work against a more physically gifted and aggressive defense, especially when you don’t have a true point guard who can penetrate and finish like Tony. Really Duncan, was the only chance we had at winning this game. I thought RJ was getting into a rhythm in the second half, but not enough touches.
       Please simply the offense a little bit! Tony is irreplaceable.
       This shows why PG, is such a valuable position. Setting the tone for everyone else, and that allows them to play in a rhythm. Instead we had TO’s and missed shots.

by SpursfanNrome on Mar 2, 2011 10:10 AM CST reply actions

Memphis has been one of the best teams in the league in the last few months. Here’s hoping they move up to 6-7 seed and take on the Lakers/Dallas in the first round.

"If the NBA season is a marathon, Gregg Popovich is a full-blooded Kenyan."

-Timothy Varner 48MoH

by Jordan Leithart on Mar 2, 2011 11:34 AM CST reply actions

Assuming we’re at full strength, I’d rather play Memphis than Portland. That being said I haven’t looked at the standings in a week or two so I’m not sure how close that is to happening.

It's in the dictionary under D-E-F-E-N-S-E...I may be wrong, I may be wrong, I may be wrong, I may be may be may be wrong, but I doubt it.

by SpursfanSteve on Mar 2, 2011 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

The team that has the luck of injuring Parker vs. Portland, the super dangerous team. It’s a no win situation…

I hope it would be Denver, but I don’t think they’ll fall as many believe. They look pretty damn good with a more diverse unit.

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

by grego21 on Mar 2, 2011 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

We got destroyed by MIKE CONLEY and DARRELL ARTHUR

I’ve only watched a few Memphis games this season, when they’re playing the Lakers, Heat, Celtics or have some competitive game in the 4Q. When they beat the big boys it’s because Conley plays great, including making his outside shots, and Arthur is solid. They get good work most every game from Gay and Randolph, but when these other players have great nights they’re going to win 80% of the time. Spurs needed only to match this level of execution to win but fell far short. We’re not the first team to suffer a loss when those players are on. They aren’t on consistently enough which is why they are unlikely to win more than two games in a first round series, but they’ll bruise whomever they play.

by SpurredOn on Mar 2, 2011 12:19 PM CST reply actions

Don’t care what anyone says about lastnight:

No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

by Spurs Yoda on Mar 2, 2011 3:33 PM CST reply actions

verrah nize.

It's in the dictionary under D-E-F-E-N-S-E...I may be wrong, I may be wrong, I may be wrong, I may be may be may be wrong, but I doubt it.

by SpursfanSteve on Mar 2, 2011 4:27 PM CST up reply actions

Develop Haddadi into a great center

Grizzlies are doing great but they should give Haddadi more playing time. He did great when he got 20 min playing time with a double double and last night he was in the game for 5 minutes scoring 6 points and 4 rebonds. Given the opportunity he will produce. He was 4th in scoring when he played in the Olympic games and he has shown his ball handling, rebonding and scoring abilities when given the chance.

by Bballbuddy on Mar 2, 2011 8:14 PM CST reply actions