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.
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
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.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
SPURSIFIC
(THIS IS A COLLECTION OF BLOG ENTRIES ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON ASSOCIATED CONTENT.)
I've been eager to see more of the Spurs center Ian Mahinmi. I understand he has a tremendous upside, like back-up point guard George Hill. I like Hill too. I like his toughness and his defense. I would like to see him become a steadier jump shooter, which I think he will do in time.
That was a close game yesterday (December 25, 2008). I'm glad the Spurs' 2008 off-season acquisitions are not afraid to take shots. Roger Mason (the swingman who hit the game-winning shot), George Hill and Anthony Tolliver are fearless. I'm also glad the Spurs have gotten younger on the perimeter, which they sorely needed. Matt Bonner, who they got last season, is playing better. He's playing with more confidence. Although he's not a true center, he seems comfortable at the center position. The Spurs acquired him for his shooting, and he and Mason are among the NBA's top 3-point shooters, but he's also a solid rebounder who has surprised me with his post game. The Celtics are favored to win the 2009 NBA title, to repeat, but you can't count out other teams. That includes the Spurs--a smart, rugged and now more athletic team with much deep post season experience. Partly due to smart acquisitions by arguably the NBA's best front office they have won four NBA titles and have been in the playoff mix perennially except for two seasons (the lottery season before they drafted David Robinson and the one before they drafted Tim Duncan). With a core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobiili, surrounded by superb role players and their perimeter sharpshooting and tough defense they should advance far again next postseason--provided they stay healthy. The Lakers (who now have a healthy Andrew Bynum along with Kobe Bryant and talented role players, and beat the Celtics yesterday), the Hornets (who are especially troublesome for their opponents), the Cavaliers (with LeBron James having a stellar season), the Magic (who are quick defensively as well as offensively and beat the Hornets yesterday), the Nuggets (who are stronger and more cohesive with Chauncey Billups at the point) and the Rockets (who now have the premier defender Ron Artest without any misbehavior so far and Luis Scola along with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady) are some other strong contenders. The Celtics are going to find a second consecutive title harder to win than the previous one, as other defending champs have. They are exactly what every team wants to be: the one with the bulls-eye on its jersey.
The Spurs lost to the Bucks yesterday (December 30, 2008). It was a game they nearly had. Again, Roger Mason hit a clutch 3-pointer. Then, after a Bucks brain fart and resulting turnover, Tim Duncan attempted and missed a layup among a few Bucks and one or two Spurs and then lost a rebound to the Bucks. Had Tim Duncan scored that layup he would've forced overtime. Had he gotten the rebound and the Spurs scored again--well, I don't need to say what the outcome would've been, do I? I don't know why they struggle against this team. For years Bucks squads have given the Spurs squads trouble, even during the Spurs title years.
The Spurs have beaten the Memphis Grizzlies four straight times this season. As I'm sure the Spurs can attest the Grizzlies are no joke. This bottom-scrubber team is better than its record shows. The mighty Spurs have struggled mightily against this team, needing double overtimes to beat them on December 27, 2008. They beat the Grizzlies again last night (January 2, 2009) in regulation. With point guard O.J. Mayo and forward Rudy Gay (all-star-caliber players), center Marc Gasol (who replaced his brother Pau at that position) and their tight defense they are a lower rung team you must respect. A team struggling to make the playoffs in April would dread playing them then. Based on conference ranking alone some opposing teams might disrespect the Grizzlies, figuring a win to be a foregone conclusion--and get their butts kicked. That a team with the Grizzlies' winning percentage can be so troublesome is a reminder of how tough the Western Conference is overall and its Southwest division is in particular. That division has the Spurs (.656), the Mavericks (.625), the Rockets (.618), the Hornets (.690) and the Grizzlies (.303). (These rankings are as of January 3, 2009.) Don't be fooled by the Grizzlies' conference ranking. If the Grizzlies played in the Eastern Conference, they would be among that conference's top teams. I think that they will be a team to reckon with within a season or two, if not this season.
January 3, 2009: The afore-mentioned Memphis Grizzlies point guard O.J. Mayo is a quiet player who doesn't play a quiet game. He doesn't scowl, smile, talk trash or celebrate when he scores. He just plays the game--phenomenally. He'll kick your butt without blinking. He achieves what he does with a cyborg-like (or is it a shy?) demeanor. New Orleans Hornet point guard Chris Paul is another extraoinarily talented guard, but he shows at least enough emotion to remind you he's human. As good as Mayo is he's still a rookie and only 21. He's likely to get even better. That must be scary for his opponents.
January 4, 2009: I didn't tune into yesterday's game against Philadelphia until the third quarter. The Spurs nearly matched their franchise record of 16 3-point field goals. The Spurs never had that kind of 3-point accuracy in past seasons. Several Spurs players can hit 3-pointers: Matt Bonner, Roger Mason, Michael Finley, Manu Ginobili, Ime Udoka, Bruce Bowen, Anthony Tolliver, Tony Parker and George Hill. On rare occasions Tim Duncan will make a 3-point shot. Among bigs who shoot 3's, he's no comparison to Matt Bonner, Dirk Nowitzki or Rashard Lewis, but when he attempts 3's his stroke looks good. He looks like he knows what he's doing. The Spurs are among the league's top 3-point-shooting teams. I thought they might break the franchise record in last night's game. They didn't, but I think they will some time this season.
January 17, 2009: The Spurs lost to the 76ers yesterday and play the Bulls tonight. The teams that seem to give the Spurs the most trouble are athletic teams that play good defense: the 76ers, the Magic, the Hornets, etc. Although the Spurs are a great team, you wouldn't call them an athletic team. So far this season they've struggled against the 76ers and the Magic. They've split two games with the 76ers and lost both games against the Magic. The Magic are second in the East, where the 76ers are scraping .500. However, let's not forget, this is the regular season. The playoffs are what matter most, and the Spurs are a playoff-proven team and owner of four NBA titles. Can the Magic and 76ers go deep in the post season? Can they win an NBA title? We'll see.
January 24, 2009: As the Spurs 3-point shooters go I'd say that Matt Bonner has a purer shot than Roger Mason, and that Roger has the quicker release.
January 25, 2009: I agree with Jeff Van Gundy's assessment of the Spurs needs during today's game against the Lakers: a fourth explosive scorer after Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
I think they should get a fomer Spur if one is available since he would already know the offense. I think he would quickly become reacquainted with the Spurs system. If he's available one I would consider is Stephen Jackson, who left the Spurs for more money with the Atlanta Hawks after winning the 2003 title with them. Another might be Desmond Farmer, who resembles a more muscular Stephen Jackson. A fourth scoring option could help the Spurs during their offensive dry spells such as they had in today's loss. So, who will be available for a mid-season trade?
I've been eager to see more of the Spurs center Ian Mahinmi. I understand he has a tremendous upside, like back-up point guard George Hill. I like Hill too. I like his toughness and his defense. I would like to see him become a steadier jump shooter, which I think he will do in time.
That was a close game yesterday (December 25, 2008). I'm glad the Spurs' 2008 off-season acquisitions are not afraid to take shots. Roger Mason (the swingman who hit the game-winning shot), George Hill and Anthony Tolliver are fearless. I'm also glad the Spurs have gotten younger on the perimeter, which they sorely needed. Matt Bonner, who they got last season, is playing better. He's playing with more confidence. Although he's not a true center, he seems comfortable at the center position. The Spurs acquired him for his shooting, and he and Mason are among the NBA's top 3-point shooters, but he's also a solid rebounder who has surprised me with his post game. The Celtics are favored to win the 2009 NBA title, to repeat, but you can't count out other teams. That includes the Spurs--a smart, rugged and now more athletic team with much deep post season experience. Partly due to smart acquisitions by arguably the NBA's best front office they have won four NBA titles and have been in the playoff mix perennially except for two seasons (the lottery season before they drafted David Robinson and the one before they drafted Tim Duncan). With a core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobiili, surrounded by superb role players and their perimeter sharpshooting and tough defense they should advance far again next postseason--provided they stay healthy. The Lakers (who now have a healthy Andrew Bynum along with Kobe Bryant and talented role players, and beat the Celtics yesterday), the Hornets (who are especially troublesome for their opponents), the Cavaliers (with LeBron James having a stellar season), the Magic (who are quick defensively as well as offensively and beat the Hornets yesterday), the Nuggets (who are stronger and more cohesive with Chauncey Billups at the point) and the Rockets (who now have the premier defender Ron Artest without any misbehavior so far and Luis Scola along with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady) are some other strong contenders. The Celtics are going to find a second consecutive title harder to win than the previous one, as other defending champs have. They are exactly what every team wants to be: the one with the bulls-eye on its jersey.
The Spurs lost to the Bucks yesterday (December 30, 2008). It was a game they nearly had. Again, Roger Mason hit a clutch 3-pointer. Then, after a Bucks brain fart and resulting turnover, Tim Duncan attempted and missed a layup among a few Bucks and one or two Spurs and then lost a rebound to the Bucks. Had Tim Duncan scored that layup he would've forced overtime. Had he gotten the rebound and the Spurs scored again--well, I don't need to say what the outcome would've been, do I? I don't know why they struggle against this team. For years Bucks squads have given the Spurs squads trouble, even during the Spurs title years.
The Spurs have beaten the Memphis Grizzlies four straight times this season. As I'm sure the Spurs can attest the Grizzlies are no joke. This bottom-scrubber team is better than its record shows. The mighty Spurs have struggled mightily against this team, needing double overtimes to beat them on December 27, 2008. They beat the Grizzlies again last night (January 2, 2009) in regulation. With point guard O.J. Mayo and forward Rudy Gay (all-star-caliber players), center Marc Gasol (who replaced his brother Pau at that position) and their tight defense they are a lower rung team you must respect. A team struggling to make the playoffs in April would dread playing them then. Based on conference ranking alone some opposing teams might disrespect the Grizzlies, figuring a win to be a foregone conclusion--and get their butts kicked. That a team with the Grizzlies' winning percentage can be so troublesome is a reminder of how tough the Western Conference is overall and its Southwest division is in particular. That division has the Spurs (.656), the Mavericks (.625), the Rockets (.618), the Hornets (.690) and the Grizzlies (.303). (These rankings are as of January 3, 2009.) Don't be fooled by the Grizzlies' conference ranking. If the Grizzlies played in the Eastern Conference, they would be among that conference's top teams. I think that they will be a team to reckon with within a season or two, if not this season.
January 3, 2009: The afore-mentioned Memphis Grizzlies point guard O.J. Mayo is a quiet player who doesn't play a quiet game. He doesn't scowl, smile, talk trash or celebrate when he scores. He just plays the game--phenomenally. He'll kick your butt without blinking. He achieves what he does with a cyborg-like (or is it a shy?) demeanor. New Orleans Hornet point guard Chris Paul is another extraoinarily talented guard, but he shows at least enough emotion to remind you he's human. As good as Mayo is he's still a rookie and only 21. He's likely to get even better. That must be scary for his opponents.
January 4, 2009: I didn't tune into yesterday's game against Philadelphia until the third quarter. The Spurs nearly matched their franchise record of 16 3-point field goals. The Spurs never had that kind of 3-point accuracy in past seasons. Several Spurs players can hit 3-pointers: Matt Bonner, Roger Mason, Michael Finley, Manu Ginobili, Ime Udoka, Bruce Bowen, Anthony Tolliver, Tony Parker and George Hill. On rare occasions Tim Duncan will make a 3-point shot. Among bigs who shoot 3's, he's no comparison to Matt Bonner, Dirk Nowitzki or Rashard Lewis, but when he attempts 3's his stroke looks good. He looks like he knows what he's doing. The Spurs are among the league's top 3-point-shooting teams. I thought they might break the franchise record in last night's game. They didn't, but I think they will some time this season.
January 17, 2009: The Spurs lost to the 76ers yesterday and play the Bulls tonight. The teams that seem to give the Spurs the most trouble are athletic teams that play good defense: the 76ers, the Magic, the Hornets, etc. Although the Spurs are a great team, you wouldn't call them an athletic team. So far this season they've struggled against the 76ers and the Magic. They've split two games with the 76ers and lost both games against the Magic. The Magic are second in the East, where the 76ers are scraping .500. However, let's not forget, this is the regular season. The playoffs are what matter most, and the Spurs are a playoff-proven team and owner of four NBA titles. Can the Magic and 76ers go deep in the post season? Can they win an NBA title? We'll see.
January 24, 2009: As the Spurs 3-point shooters go I'd say that Matt Bonner has a purer shot than Roger Mason, and that Roger has the quicker release.
January 25, 2009: I agree with Jeff Van Gundy's assessment of the Spurs needs during today's game against the Lakers: a fourth explosive scorer after Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
I think they should get a fomer Spur if one is available since he would already know the offense. I think he would quickly become reacquainted with the Spurs system. If he's available one I would consider is Stephen Jackson, who left the Spurs for more money with the Atlanta Hawks after winning the 2003 title with them. Another might be Desmond Farmer, who resembles a more muscular Stephen Jackson. A fourth scoring option could help the Spurs during their offensive dry spells such as they had in today's loss. So, who will be available for a mid-season trade?
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