Spurs @ Suns game thread 12-9-17

[hcsilla]

Yeah, Pop, in my mind, is the greatest coach of all time. He has consistently adapted to both his roster and the climate of the NBA. The Spurs of the early 2000s were the ultimate, grind it out, win ugly team, in a grind it out, win ugly NBA. Yes, he had Tim Duncan, one of the best big men of all time, but he never had another superstar around him (Robinson was good but no longer a stud). Then over the last decade the Spurs became the ultimate, ball movement, beat you with pace, defense and hustle on both ends team, in a spread it out modern NBA, and they've consistently contended despite a roster that every analyst in the league seems to think is on the decline for like 9 years now.

Kawhi is a great player, but it took 4 years to find his stride, and I think on a different franchise... and I mean probably any other franchise in the league, he would merely have become a solid player, instead, under Pop, he is a monster. Kawhi is a beast, Pop is incredible, and I remain convinced that if not for the astoundingly dirty play of Zaza Pachulia that the Spurs would have beaten the Warriors last season despite a gargantuan talent disparity.

Yes, Popovich is unbelievable. Each and every prospect, addition to Spurs' roster under his regime becomes contributor.

Kyle Anderson, Simmons, Bertans, Forbes, only a few names among his latest wonderkids: unknown players, unathletic stiffs, doesn't matter, the Popovich-factory somehow always produces a valuable player.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Tatum is a good NBA-ready-now pick, but IMO he is already at his ceiling, he's not going to improve all that much. Jackson has loads of potential, most of it unrealized.

So does Bender. So does Chriss.

My point is that it would be nice to draft someone who is good now, not could be good 4 years from now.

 

[elindholm]

Yes, Popovich is unbelievable. Each and every prospect, addition to Spurs' roster under his regime becomes contributor.

Kyle Anderson, Simmons, Bertans, Forbes, only a few names among his latest wonderkids: unknown players, unathletic stiffs, doesn't matter, the Popovich-factory somehow always produces a valuable player.

And yet even Popovich couldn't elevate Tiago Splitter to a playoff contributor. The further they advanced, the less he played.

 

[Superbone]

Suns take 100-99 lead. Jackson fouled but he makes only 1 FT.

Spurs take back the lead on a 3 after Jackson failed to get out on defense.

And did everybody see that Aldridge held Jackson to prevent him from getting back out on the shooter? It should have been an offensive foul.

 

[hcsilla]

And did everybody see that Aldridge held Jackson to prevent him from getting back out on the shooter? It should have been an offensive foul.

Yes, it should have.

 

[Mainstreet]

And did everybody see that Aldridge held Jackson to prevent him from getting back out on the shooter? It should have been an offensive foul.

I will take your word for it less video replay. Jackson was certainly struggling to get there.

 

[Superbone]

I will take your word for it less video replay. Jackson was certainly struggling to get there.

I’m sure the video must be available. He helped out on Aldridge (which he probably shouldn’t have) but then Aldridge held him to prevent him from recovering to his man.

 

[Mainstreet]

I’m sure the video must be available. He helped out on Aldridge (which he probably shouldn’t have) but then Aldridge held him to prevent him from recovering to his man.

Would Aldridge do this? Nah.

I'd be curious to see the video to find out how bad the hold was and if the referees saw it.

 

[Superbone]

Would Aldridge do this? Nah.

I'd be curious to see the video to find out how bad the hold was and if the referees saw it.

I still had it on my DVR. Watched it again tonight. Jackson complained to the refs about it but it fell on deaf ears of course. Veteran move by Aldridge on the rook.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

JJ was definitely held on that play, but he has to learn to sell the contact. Flail your arms, fall to the ground, make a loud noise or something. Really have to sell those types of fouls late in games.