Great game from Beno... but Parker will dominate him with 30 points on 80% shooting or something stupid like that

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Some thoughts about the game before giving my completely erroneous prediction:

• Durant can play. What's with rookies having their coming out party against the Spurs? First Scola, and now Durant. It was the first time I watched him play, and I have to say I was fairly impressed. Up to the third quarter he got to show off his weapons: nice shooting stroke, great athleticism, loooong arms that always strip the ball away from Parker two or three times, and even some limited ability to pass to the open teammate. He made Manu look bad in a few possessions during the second quarter, too.

• Great game by Duncan. He didn't grab many rebounds, but the Sonics didn't miss much during the first half, either. And he bailed out Tony a few times too by grabbing the loose ball or picking up the offensive rebound. They really didn't have anyone that could stop Timmy.

• Parker's shot selection during the first half was atrocious. It shows how much confidence Pop has in him that he let him shoot so much later in the game, but it's no surprise by now. And Tony shot his way into a fair showing, with 7 or 8 assists (not looking at the box-score, sorry) to boot. And I saw him grab an offensive rebound, believe it or not. All in all, good game from Parker.

• Manu was great. He picked an early second foul that made Pop bench him before the second quarter finished, and it was a real pity, because he was on fire. I find it odd that Manu has only shot two FTs in the last two games - I wonder if it's because he's not going as strong to the hoop as he did in the first 11 games, or just bad luck. He only had one rebound and dished out two assists, otherwise his efficiency (hello, PER) would've been through the roof in this one, I think.

• Oberto's playing well lately. He has limited minutes, and yet he's been grabbing some key offensive rebounds, and I think he's done great at D. Just solid play from the big fella.

• What's up with our defense? I know it was sort of a freak night, with Durant being more efficient than in all previous games combined, and Wally freakin' Szczerbiak just making points at will, but how can allow 60+ first half points in consecutive games? When the Sonics only have 1 TO in 24 minutes, you know you're not putting enough pressure on them. Can't wait for Pop's comments on this.

• Just another thing, didn't you guys find the Sonics announcers kinda goofy? I meant it in a good way. They made silly jokes all the time, and despite the expected homerism for the home team, they managed to compliment the Spurs often. Anyway, they were just having a plain ol' good time. Guess you have to keep up the spirit when your team blows that hard.

• Oh, yeah, the other Spurs: Findog made some shots, but I barely noticed him on court for some reason; Barry was okay, not as hot as in previous outings, and he can still pass the ball; Vaughn... was Vaughn; Bonner had a good game, amazingly enough. And Elson is back in Pop's doghouse, it seems.

Can't wait to see Beno again. I've read that he's been playing well in Sacramento, but I've yet to watch him. Regardless, till we play against Dallas any game we lose will be an upset so let's go with:

Spurs 100
Kings 90

We're going to play D eventually, right? Right.

I am happy.  I am proud.  - Manu Ginobili

Damn I hate the Pats.

The kings game should be a blowout unless Beno decides to go for 40 and throws a towel in Pop's face and starts calling him zit face! That my friends would be priceless.

SA 106
SAC 104

crowd goes into conniptions when super bon bon hits a long two-ball to seal the deal.

We'll play crappy defense in half court again, but Pop will pressure Beno mercilessly bringing the ball up and we'll get a few turnovers. I think Tony will outscore him something like 26 to 12.

I kinda miss the days when the Kings/Lakers rivalry was at its peak, with C-Webb hitting that little 15 ft. turnaround jumper from the elbow, Vlade "I refuse to shave" Divac making ridiculous passes for a 7 footer, and Peja hitting every 3 pointer he threw up from half court blindfolded with one hand tied behind his back. Listening to Shaq refer to them as the "Queens" was pure entertainment...

Back to the present day "Queens", I hope Artest avoids assaulting a one armed homeless man on his way to the arena tonight, only so he can get in the game and have Bruce do his best "Karate Kid" impression for him. Beno may finish with around 16-18 pts, but he'll also turn the ball over at least 7 or 8 times. The Spurs' defense finally wakes up from its drunken stupor down under a bridge on the Riverwalk and catches a flight to Sacramento in time for tonight's game. And a huge thanks to Matthew for finding that clip of Bowen going all "Daniel-son" on Wally! Priceless...my stomach still hurts from laughing so hard!

I plan to see a doctor first thing tomorrow morning.

I am happy.  I am proud.  - Manu Ginobili

it was almost like tony didnt want to run all up in him and make the bean look bad in front of his new coach or something.

i'm gonna chalk it up to the second day of a back to back and try not to think about all of this again. 12-3 is still pretty good.

I agree somewhat with both of your points of view.    

Regarding Beno, R2G is right about Pop not giving him a shot after the championship series against Detroit.  After that series I don't think Pop ever really thought Beno played with the appropriate amount of fortitude.  But I also think Beno could have done alot more to try to get out of Pop's doghouse.  I think over the years Beno was O.K. with just getting by. I hope he has a wonderul career in Sac-town.

On Scola, I think Pop & RC are probably under strict orders to remain under the cap... blame his loss on Peter Holt.  Scola will be a monster for the Houston Rockets and I think Pop and RC knew that when they agreed to the deal.  I also  think Scola should say a prayer for both Pop & RC each night this season... because they didn't have to make this deal.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but Scola probably would have re-signed with his Spanish club if the Spurs had decided to sit on his rights for 1 more year.  My understanding is he loved Spain and his team was willing to shell out big time money to get him to stay.  I think Pop & RC wanted to give Scola an opportunity to show his stuff in the NBA.

As far as the front office changes go, I gotta agree with LD.  People need to grow and have an opportunity at the brass ring.  It's a great compliment to the Spurs organization that so many front office guys are sought after.  

Lastly, Pop needs to get over the whole Manu foul on Dirk.  It kills me that such a wonderful opportunity at then #4 was squandered.  But, I'll take Manu Ginobili handling the ball in the last two minutes of a tight game any day of the week.  Pop should also remind himself daily that we wouldn't have been in a position to win that game (or a ton of others) without the fearless play of Mr. Great Balls of Fire.

That's it in a nutshell.  Good Luck to Beno & Luis - except against us.  And much love to Pop... he may be a curmudgeon - but he's our curmudgeon.

One last thing... I found this website towards the end of last season and I'm totally addicted.  I love Stampler's and Powell's posts.  I love the sarcasm, the wit, the knowledge and intellect of your recaps.  I also enjoy the lameness of Powell trying to catch the game in Austin this season and the weirdness that is the personal life of Michael... and i'll stop there before I get all girly on you.  

I am happy.  I am proud. - Manu Ginobili