Patience, avoiding Nikola Pekovic will be key

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 7:56 AM CST

14-10-2, 7-13 FGM-A, 5 PF (I had to add that in here because it makes me feel better), +11.

Nikola Pekovic did this? Excuse me for a second while I position myself in the corner while I cry myself to sleep watching Cupcake Wars . I'm inconsolable. I'm stunned.

I went in this game expecting Ricky Rubio (18-4-10, 1 3PM, +10 plus his usually exceptional assortment of no-look and what-the-eff-do-we-have-to-do-to-stop-this-guy passes) and Kevin Love (18-16, + 10) to dominate our nonexistent defense. But freaking Pekovic was the last straw.

I understand he's gigantic. I understand he actually has basketball ability. But his performance only reaffirms my recurring fear that the Spurs frontcourt won't be able to sustain any injuries if they really want any remote chance of competing down low. I'm becoming increasingly afraid of Kwame Brown putting up 20-10 as a stunned Poppovich looks on. For my sake, and my third TV remotes sake, I really hope we can progress into, at the very least, a palatable defensive team.

Thankfully the Spurs have time. Time to figure out what the hell just happened. Time to develop a strong rotation and eventually into a cohesive unit that hopefully plays defense on occasion. Time heals all wounds (even wounds inflicted by Pekovic), time is not our enemy. This is paradoxical as a Spurs fan; we lived in the moment, basking in the seemingly never-ending glory of Tim Duncan's incredible talent and PATFO's shrewd decisions. We didn't want it to end. Time was always to be feared and remains the driving force behind Timmy's decline from a physical specimen with immense basketball acumen into a flat-footed, above-average defender, that still showcases his brilliance. But only in short bursts. Unfortunately.

Back to Pekovic. Hopefully his performance is a turning point in our season. Hopefully we can revisit this game and laugh at everyone as we prance into the NBA Finals come June. I realize that it won't happen over night. And in this generation of instantaneous reaction, I feel we need to stop and continuously examine the big picture. If the season ended today (extremely arbitrary cut-off point but bear with me), we'd be the fourth seed in the West despite a 2-7 road record. We boast a top 5 offense, the best coach in the game, a legitimate superstar when healthy, an above-average point guard, an impressive group of shooters and Tim Duncan. Not many teams can say that.

Games like tonight will never be fun. We should be angry after blowing a winnable game.

And if the Spurs rotation don't develop and Manu Ginobili comes back as a shadow of his former himself? I guess I'll just have to take solace in the fact that we only have to face Pekovic one more time.

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New low for the Duncan’s career, being totally outplayed by Nikola Pekovic. I am sad.

Both teams played hard

by Kondor on Jan 28, 2012 10:12 AM CST reply actions

I think he was afraid for his own livelihood. Can’t blame him, I would be too.

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 10:20 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

are you paid $18M/year to play basketball? are you GOAT PF?

Both teams played hard

by Kondor on Jan 29, 2012 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

Offensive rebounds got him most of his points and he had a few solid moves. It wasn’t like he was just losing Timmy or any of the other guys out there consistently with awesome moves. The ball some time bounced his way or our guys did piss poor jobs of boxing out. Give the guy props but don’t make it out to be more than what it truly is.

One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.

by gunnin' gervin on Jan 28, 2012 12:42 PM CST reply actions

It’s a little concerning that we allowed 6 offensive rebounds to him, no? I’m not saying it’s the end of the world, but we next frontcourt depth desperately. Kenyon Martin … come in down!

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 12:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

*need
*on

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 12:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Right now, I’m not surprised by ANYONE we allow a ton of O-Rebs to.

Like you said, we have time. I just fear that getting this group to gel on D will be the work of years, and not the months we have left — with hardly any time to practice — and an obscenely difficult stretch in April leading up to the playoffs.

sigh

We’ll just have to see.

The 2012 season: the Spurs have a chance, but only if Manu can be Manu in the playoffs. - CapHill
Pounding the Rock

by J.R. Wilco on Jan 30, 2012 10:47 AM CST up reply actions

If only Tim Duncan was 28 and Manu was healthy. If only. Games like yesterday’s hurt, but I loved the way our defense was considerably more fluid in the fourth quarter. Our rotations were spot on and with the way our shot was falling, it was definitely a glimpse of what our team can accomplish. Unfortunately performances like that are few and far between.

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 30, 2012 1:16 PM CST up reply actions

Seems to have carried over into the Memphis game. Could Sunday have been the start of a trend?

We could call Pop’s new system ~~Offense~~ Threefense and Defense, or 3 and D for short.

The 2012 season: the Spurs have a chance, but only if Manu can be Manu in the playoffs. - CapHill
Pounding the Rock

by J.R. Wilco on Jan 31, 2012 12:10 PM CST up reply actions

The Spurs do have a 7 footer on the Toros that they might call up. Luke Bonner.

by Alamo on Jan 28, 2012 1:07 PM CST reply actions

Though first it might be nice to see how they might do with Malcolm in the middle.

by Alamo on Jan 28, 2012 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

Is his nickname officially Malcolm in the Middle? If it isn’t, it should be.

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 1:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I was trying, but the movement doesn’t work well since he doesn’t get play time…

Winter is coming

by grego21 on Jan 28, 2012 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah I wanted to see Malcolm in the Middle play.

by laughing hyena on Jan 29, 2012 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

Thank you for this

I’ve been a Wolves fan since they signed KG and beating you guys twice in a row for the first time since 2000 feels good.

Yes, these aren’t your garden variety Wittman/McHale/Rambis Wolves. We’ve got a real coach now and a couple of key additions that make the future so bright even us Minnesotans will be wearing shades.

This was a breakout game for Pek, a guy we’ve had high hopes for. But mostly, everyone on our team is better with Ricky. He’s our Tony Parker and don’t think we haven’t envied you your French PG for some time now.

Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!

by TMiss on Jan 28, 2012 3:58 PM CST reply actions

You’re welcome. With the exception of Lakers, Mavs and Heat fans, everyone should experience some sort of winning. As long as the Spurs win it all. Enjoy Ricky Rubio by the way.

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 4:47 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Ricky is a gift from the gods. Words can’t express how ecstatic we are over him.

"Oh my, oh my, oh my. Is that great basketball or what?" --Hubie Brown, Jan. 20, 2012

by Cynical Jason on Jan 28, 2012 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

He had a couple of passes last night that were unbelievable, but I’ve been watching enough Wolves games to know that he does that almost every game. His defense is what surprises me. The guys has long arms and knows how to use them. Plus his BBIQ is of the charts for such a young kid.

"Manu Ginobili is the ultimate human cheat code, the password to the rim."
-Alex Dewey

by Edg5 on Jan 28, 2012 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

We’re always calling him a rookie, and then we catch ourselves. Sure, Rubio’s new to the NBA, but he’s been playing professionally for seven years (and he’s only 21!) He’s a freak, and that’s a good thing for Wolves fans, but there’s a lot of wisdom in that kid.

"Oh my, oh my, oh my. Is that great basketball or what?" --Hubie Brown, Jan. 20, 2012

by Cynical Jason on Jan 28, 2012 6:06 PM CST up reply actions

I love his game. I can’t enjoy his incredible season, though, because I live with constant regret. I traded him from my fantasy team and his success is rather bitter sweet for me.

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 7:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

D’oh!

"Oh my, oh my, oh my. Is that great basketball or what?" --Hubie Brown, Jan. 20, 2012

by Cynical Jason on Jan 28, 2012 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

In my defense, I was able to get Ty Lawson and Hibbert for Rubio (and David Lee).

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 7:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Pekovic didn’t just score consistent on Duncan, Duncan couldn’t score on him. Terrible night shooting for Duncan. He shouldn’t have taken that many shots, and Splitter should have played more.

"That’s one thing I’ve been wanted to discuss with you. I’ve never mentioned my Orange Fanta crush…" - lullaby
"As long as you’ve known kaizer? That’s like being friends with Lady Gaga and never mentioning that you like to dress up!" - J.R. Wilco

by KA1Z3R on Jan 28, 2012 6:03 PM CST reply actions

I’ve had a tendency to be overly negative lately. At least Timmy got 4 blocks? There.

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 28, 2012 6:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I think that you are missing something important here. Pekovic can play. The dude has skill, he is not a stiff. Yes he is an unknown to most nba fans, but he is only in his second year in the NBA. Defensively he is below average, but can give some very hard fouls. But offfensively dude is a beast. He doesnt have any polish in his game, but he is a brute that goes at it every time, can crash the offensive boards and get to the line a ton.
Yes, timmy is really slipping, but as other have said its not like Pekovic was going one on one on him embarrasing Duncan with post moves. IF Peko can ger enough minutes on the court, he can do what he did to us to a lot of teams.

"Kevin Garnett once described defending Tim Duncan as "trying to guard a tree"

by Chilai on Jan 29, 2012 3:10 AM CST reply actions

I briefly mentioned his basketball ability (“I understand he actually has basketball ability”). In fact, not sure who said so I don’t have clarification, I think Pek was regarded as the second best European big man behind Splitter. Impressive. I was just disappointed we allowed that performance to a guy averaging 15 minutes per game (averaging 16-7 per 36 though). So, yeah I agree, I probably overreacted.

by The Big Fundamental on Jan 29, 2012 9:20 AM CST via mobile up reply actions