DALLAS BEATS SPURS 106-93

I expected a tighter game. It crossed my mind that the Spurs didn't want this game--an elimination game for them--badly enough. Then when it appeared to me that they were tired in the fourth quarter I figured they were tanked out.

They couldn't get stops and couldn't score when it mattered. It was back and forth with Dallas--a better offensive team--and Tony Parker and Tim Duncan again did most of the scoring with little help except from George Hill. They didn't get enough from the other players, and for some reason Gregg Popovich didn't play the potent scorer Drew Gooden. I think Drew could've easily pitched in 20 points. So, where do they go from here? What will they do and what do they need to do in the off-season?

I think the development of George Hill and Ian Mahinmi should continue and that they should probably bring back at least one of their last off-season pickups--Desmond Farmer (who resembles a muscular Stephen Jackson) and Malik Hairston (who's built like a football defensive back), the sweet-shooting free-throw specialist Blake Ahern or maybe Marcus Williams or Salim Stoudamire.


I think the Spurs should continue to get younger. Age and experience matters, but so does youth. Being able to play is as important as knowing how to play. The mind and body must be in synch for best performance, and often they're not in older athletes. The body must cooperate with the mind. Knowing is not the same as doing.

I'm hoping that the Spurs front office assembles a monster offensive and defensive team, as the Chicago Bulls were during their title years. Of course the Spurs don't have a Michael Jordan or a Scottie Pippen, but they don't need those types of players to achieve this, and besides during their title years the Chicago Bulls' defense wasn't as tight as the Spurs' was in their title years.

IF THE SPURS ROLE PLAYERS DON'T STEP IT UP THE SPURS WILL BE STEPPING OUT

If the Spurs are to survive the first playoff round and have another crack at the title they will have to learn how to compete without Manu. They will have to find a way. In yesterday's game they got 0 points from both Matt Bonner and Roger Mason. These guys will need to step it up. The Spurs can't replace all that Manu does, but they can at least replace his scoring, and they must do so to survive in these playoffs.

LONG TIME NO BLOG

Wow. Until today I hadn't written anything in this blog since Sunday, February 22, 2009--over a month ago. I don't feel like doing the math. The cool thing about having your own blog is you can write whenever you're moved to do so on the topic of your choice, and the last time I was moved to write before today was on the aforementioned date. I love the internet. It's a great avenue for aspiring journalists like me who've been ignored by mainstream publications. This May will make it 14 years that I have held a communications degree, and so far I've been unable to find work in my field. I would still love to work for a publication, but if I can't have that at least I can have this.

CAVALIERS BEAT THE SPURS 101-81

The commentator and former NBA guard Jon Barry called the Spurs "old," "archaic" and "done." I hope the Spurs make him eat those words, but from what I've seen from the Spurs lately I'm not sure they will. Unless something magical happens and they suddenly start clicking I don't see them advancing past the first round in this post season and am thinking "Better luck next year." I still support the Spurs and want them to succeed. I'm more than a fair weather Spurs fan, and I hate fair weather fans and other phony people. However, I can't honestly say I believe they will survive the first round let alone win a title this year since they are struggling unusually late this season. However, the consolation is that the Spurs are better off than either Phoenix or Dallas right now and definitely better than the teams who will be watching the playoffs on TV this year. That might include Phoenix or Dallas depending on who wins their battle for the eight seed today.

SPURS SCORING DROUGHTS

The Spurs are playing in Cleveland today and so far are losing. They tend to have long scoring droughts. I'm not sure why that is and how they'll fix that. However, I have noticed that during those droughts they have little motion (players standing around, not coming to the ball) and either too little or too much ball movement. That's in addition to an inability to make shots.

GUNNING FOR GLORY

Again, the fearless shooting the Spurs have had this season was on display in last night's game against the Wizards. Roger Mason Jr again showed why I and others say he was a solid off-season pickup for the Spurs. To be fair the NBA veteran Michael Finley, who the Spurs acquired a few seasons ago, was 5 of 9 on 3's as Mason was, but Fin's talent has been known since his rookie season. He may lack the agility he had in his younger years, when he was athletic enough to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk contest, but he can still provide 20 or more points.

ROAD WARRIORS

Beating the Celtics I think will spike the Spurs' confidence. They've beaten one of the NBA's elite teams. I'd say the Celtics and the Lakers are two good measuring sticks for other teams. The Orlando Magic are also strong this season. Too bad they've lost Jameer Nelson--possibly for the season. That's just how it goes. Winning a championship requires not only talent, but also the fortune of good health. Then, again isn't life sort of like that? Succeeding requires personal skill or talent, drive and luck--being in the right place at the right time and seizing opportunities when they present themselves.