I guess it is kinda hard to play with a team that likes to stay under the radar:nod:

Wow, really liked Suns/Piston game, almost gave me a heart attack but it was fun to watch. Mavs have Suns on 4/13 and sure hope Mavs cant keep up, Suns play hard (not smart), we had them twice during March.

We have to worry about Suns, Nuggets and Mavs:doh: in the West. We will have Kings on their back to back (4/4 Mavs, Spurs 4/5) and will be the first time we play since Ronnie was made King.

We have a back to back tonight Jazz, tomorrow Kings, and archrival Mavs 4/7. Go Pistons against NOK, those guys play to win. Looking forward to Piston wins on Heat/Magic back to back.

Nuggets didnt take care of Mavs:frusty: Dang it. They have Clips and Lakers this week, then pretty easy schedule (maybe) still have to go thru Sac and Sonics.

Still hope Spurs make west. Want a Spurs/Piston Finals. :fingerscr

BSA, Ps with out Sheed due to techs at NOK Hornets. I think they'll man up even tougher. They are dead set on HC and best record. I keep expecting them to lose focus on a look ahead or back to back but so far -----------balls out. Heat are going to get it again to!

I think as a team Pistons are better than Heat, more players are commited and will not let Shaq psyche them out. Shaq will beat himself. Wade will be intense, but he cant win a game by himself. The other players are too inconsistent, dont have their rhythm. So, IMO, Pistons will do what they do and win. Hope they get them early though:doh:

We beat Jazz, had something like a 24 point lead and it fizzled to 5 in the last few minutes. Dang I hate that:frusty: Have Sac tonite, they will prob be tired from Mavs game, but dont count on it. Well, Nuggets lost to Clips when Clips came back from 22 down. Wow, I hope Clips do that to Mavs, they play them twice this month (4/10 and 4/19).

During half-time announcers said "Well, guess we can stop our pie in the sky thinking that we can catch the Pistons, no way now". Huh? I never thought we could catch them...what were they thinking???!:laugh:

Wade will be intense, but he cant win a game by himself.

He beat us in Miami a few weeks ago. He took over in the fourth, overcame a deficit, and beat the Detroit Pistons.

The Kings just put away the Spurs pretty easily. Looks like it would be a good 1st round matchup in the West if Sac gets that 8th spot.. Pistons up on SA by 3.5 games now!

Sounds like a little RonRon action.

That may have locked up HCA... I can't see the Pistons losing three more than the Spurs

I meant 2.5 games..sorry for the typo. Hopefully add to that tonite against the Heat!

Sounds like a little RonRon action.

Well, it coulda been. Here is exerpt from Spurs Notebook SA EX NEWS:

Artest believes he should have been defensive player of the year more than once.
"I feel like Ben Wallace stole it," Artest said of the Detroit Pistons' center who has won the award three times in the past four seasons. "Well, he didn't steal it, but I feel like I gave him three defensive player of the years. I gave him one that year I got in trouble ... that year I was suspended." :violin:

Actually I bought into one posters idea that a team might let a lesser team win as teams are jockying for positions in the playoffs, and using a strategy of letting some teams win to get bounced up over the team you dont want to meet in playoff.:P That could work probably.

I still havent figured out how the seed thing works out. :confused: I can see how that could play with SAC, but then Spurs lose to Mavs:mad: letting Mavs catch us. Avery Johnson out coached Pop, no lie. Mavs just outplayed us. Glad to see Finley and Van Exel get 14 points each off the bench against their former team. Horry didnt play (death in family) and it probaby contributed to Spurs loss. When Spurs beat Mavs Mar 2 Horry made 12 points in a 98/89 game.

Just watched Suns dry up the lakers. One of the announcers said about the lakers: Well, the non-Kobe Lakers are struggling. Rest of team are non, no name players. Does Kobe even know their names :doh:

Another funny interview with a Knicks (dont know his name) said "we're just not playing the "right way", we're imbeciles. So when the announcers started giving the plays, they referred to the Knicks, they called them the imbiciles. like: well the imbeciles missed that, gave that up, the imbeciles are doing this and that... I couldnt watch the game so I dont know how long they kept it up.:nod:

Just watched the Memphis - Spurs game. What an exciting playoff type atmosphere in this one. The Spurs barely sqeaked it out 83 -81,

The Spurs play and win so similar to the Pistons it is scary. In this game with the score tied with about a minute left and the Griz with the ball, Gasol went strong to the basket, block by Duncan, Spurs score on other end.

Next possession, with Spurs up by 2, almost same senario - Gasol clear path to the hoop on the baseline, he blows the layup! He clearly remembered what happened seconds earlier. Very good game.

SA at this moment has 59 wins, despite having various injuries to key players throughout the season. Suprisingly they haven`t missed a beat while the bench and the defense remains effective whoever is on the floor.

Ginobili didn`t play in this one so Finley and Van Excel combined for 20 points off the bench, Horry added 10.

I would love to see a Spurs/Pistons Final rematch.

The NBA would like more drama like "Ben-im not-going-into the-game theme to increase the ratings for the Finals.

I got an idea, how about David Stern suggest Bruce Bowen put a choke hold on PJ Carlesimo in practice and say he was practicing his defense. That might be good for a few more viewers!

I want to see a Spurs-Pistons Final. I fully expect Pistons to be the East but keep having doubts about Spurs for West. Pistons looked great today (I can only watch them when they are on national TV) but it was fun watching them, actually more fun than Spurs. :nod:

Ginobili was out due to calf strain he got in Mavs game (dang those Mavs) but Finley and VanExel came through. They have saved the Spurs this year, really been the added spark Spurs needed. I dont think we would be ahead of Dallas if not for them, well, I know they're on our tail, too close. Dallas still has to play Clips twice and Suns for last 5 games:P

We have a couple we could lose, Sonics (beat us 3/26) and maybe Magic just because they beat Mavs, Pistons and Heat:doh: One thing though, both games will be here in SA:)

It was a good win for us today because we just lost our last 2 at home, no less, and a 3rd straight loss would have been awful. It was a tough win because Griz are good. You know, when Tim feels good and Ben Wallace feel good, they really got game. Tim says he is just now starting to feel good and it shows.

Anyway, great day:laugh: GO PISTONS, GO SPURS!!!!!

BSA I told you Nick the Quick was the real deal. So the other entree from Texas won't get it done? Wings may need to go through Dallas also. Get used to it.

Maybe next time on 4/19. Warriors got them and that was great, and tonight Mavs will be on back2back with Suns:) They have only 3 games left, hope we can stay ahead. We have Majic tonite:frusty: Hope they dont pull win on us like Pistons, Heat an Mavs.Just cant underestimate these teams.

Pistons had a nice win last nite, hopefully they can get the next 4, but I say, once again, you just cant underestimate teams you think you should beat. :fingerscr

Hated to hear about Yao's broken foot. He will probably be out a year after surgery:hurt: That's the problem with these last few games, the chance a major player gets hurt. That jerk that fouled Sheed was really trying to put him out of action. I'm glad they ejected him and Sheed just blew it off.

Sheed isn't much of a fighter, to my mind he hasn't thrown down on anyone. Just refs. ;]

and join the elite circle of losses to the Magic: heat, pistons, mavs, spurs.:doh:

I think our players may be sicker than we know. But we have enough bench to take up the slack, just didnt do it. I imagine Pop will give the guys the same talk Avery Johnson said about his Cavs. In a local interview a few days ago, Avery said "79 games!" and he always hears it's the coaches fault, always. He said since the beginning of the season he has tried to develop internal leadership, but the guys still play with no energy, no emotion and no concentration. They need to give Cuban a rebate, because they sure havent deserved pay for the play they are giving. Oh yes, the good news Suns beat Mavs:)

Hey, how about LB being carried off on a stretcher to hosp during game? Well, I dont wish anyone ill health, but he just cant help bringing drama and attention to himself. He was supposed to stay overnight.

Ray Allen talks about staying with the Sonics, but I wonder what he will do if Sonics leave Seattle. Stern says Seattle not interested in having NBA, they have the worst lease in league (expires 2010). Stern even went to State lawmakers in Feb trying to get them to pony up more money but State said, no, not at this time. Funny business, huh?

Yeah, whose Knick players had him vomiting in his own mouth.

and join the elite circle of losses to the Magic: heat, pistons, mavs, spurs.:doh:
That's the work of Joe Dumars. He built the ultimate deathblow for opponent's home court aspirations by trading Darko. Plus, it gave Ben a reason to kick ass and take names on the sideline. The starters in Detroit are playing great ball now.

I think our players may be sicker than we know. But we have enough bench to take up the slack, just didnt do it.
Spurs are only going as far as Manu and Tim can carry them. Tony's not a franchise player (yet). I just realized he is only like 23 years old.

Hey, how about LB being carried off on a stretcher to hosp during game? Well, I dont wish anyone ill health, but he just cant help bringing drama and attention to himself. He was supposed to stay overnight.
Tough on Ol' LB. He's just taking all of his sick days before he loses them at the end of the season. White collar employees do it all the time.

Ray Allen talks about staying with the Sonics, but I wonder what he will do if Sonics leave Seattle. Stern says Seattle not interested in having NBA, they have the worst lease in league (expires 2010). Stern even went to State lawmakers in Feb trying to get them to pony up more money but State said, no, not at this time. Funny business, huh?
Ray's under contract, he'll play where he is told to. Stern is in a dilly of a pickle. Normally he can woo and strong arm what he wants because the NBA is such big business, but in the Pac N'West Seattle has good baseball and excellent football right now. It's a beautiful city with a strong economy. They don't "need" the Sonics. Especially since they have been so badly mis-managed over the years.

I'm sure DStern has a backup plan. "Hello, Las Vegas"? Oklahoma City? Kansas City?

Sad to see a city that once had an NBA champion lose it's franchise but que sera sera.

and that was good. We had 52 points from the bench. I'm thinking, that's good, we're ahead of Mavs, Mavs have only 1 more game to lose and we have 2, the Jazz tonight (who will be on a back2back) and Rockets on 4/19. But then I read this in the Express News and it looks like Pop and Avery are working some kind of strategy where neither one wants to be #1 in West, just want to concentrate on getting some rhythm and energy from players, preparing for the playoffs.

Injuries have contributed to the recent struggles of both Dallas and the Spurs. The Mavericks have been trying to work Josh Howard, Devin Harris and Adrian Griffin back into the rotation. Ginobili has missed the past three games with a bruised left calf and Parker has been battling a stomach virus.
"I just think we're both playing multiple lineups," Popovich said. "I don't know if Avery feels similar, but we're searching for who should be in the game and who's playing well and who's not. It seems like every night, it's different people and there's no real consistency as far as what five are going to be on the court in synergy playing well together.
"It seems like the only teams that are doing that are Detroit and Orlando. Everybody else is trying to get there."

When Spurs lost to Orlando, moments after Spurs loss, Avery shifted his team's focus on preserving health for players in playoffs and dallas took the floor in phoenix with it's starters on bench. And lost to Suns.

Hmmm, kinda interesting. A problem that the Pistons dont have:nod:

Who want Sac and Ron-Ron ?
I give Spurs big props. for playing so well with all the game minutes lost to injuries.

Artest is out for tonites game, and if he feels that he was being picked on, he probably was.

From SpursZone:
The one-game suspension caught both Artest's teammates and the Spurs completely by surprise, because neither club thought the personal foul was even worthy of postgame comment, much less a suspension nearly 48 hours after the fact.

Pop did not complain to the league, as is common when they think their team needs to be defended, so he was pretty surprised. He started to call for a flagrant foul, but Manu got up and continued to play with no problem. There will be bad blood in tonights game I bet.

The problem for Pop and the Spurs will be to see how the Kings use their players and what kind of adjustment spurs will have to make. Kings have a short bench so they will be switching roles a lot.

Oh well, so many think the spurs are not exciting, uninspired, dull, I guess RonRon brought a little sparkle to the games:nod:

Maybe the suspension will get the Kings riled up. And they could win. And I could not look quite as foolish as I should for saying they will take two from the Spurs. :fingerscr

But probably not.

I saw Ron-Rons face had a cut/fat lip. Something hit him.

I saw Ron-Rons face had a cut/fat lip. Something hit him.

Thee, I don't know why more wasnt said about it, especially since he got the 1 game suspension for hitting Manu. Manu caught him with his elbow (I think) on Artest's first possession and 3 stitches were taken in the lip. Why nothing said? Dunno. :eyebrows:

I was glad to see Kings play such a good game last night without Artest, it gave players a chance to really show up as a team. Game 1 was a blowout with Artest, so maybe he will play as a team when he gets back to Sac and respect his teamates. Game 3 in Sac is going to be a tough one for the Spurs. :nod:

Go Pistons, Beat the Bucks tonite:fingerscr

Very interesting, we'll see.

I'm really not sure how the Kings managed to screw up that lead last night. Leave Brent Barry open when you are up 3 with 8 seconds left???

One thing that is impressive though, is that the Spurs can put in Finley, Barry, Horry, Ginobili, and Parker in that situation. A very threatening 3 point line up with 2 slashers for the and1 threat.

Still, the Kings should have pulled that out. It would have become a very interesting series after that.

Oh well, we'll see the Spurs in the June again.

I'm really not sure how the Kings managed to screw up that lead last night. Leave Brent Barry open when you are up 3 with 8 seconds left???

Let's see, leave a three point threat open in the last few seconds...

Who else do I remember doing that? Of course, that didn't make any more sense than this.

The Kings are doing their best to eliminate me from the playoff pool.

The Pistons were only up 2 though, right? So it sort of makes sense to help out, if you do it right.

Last night, with a 3 point lead and 8 seconds to go, I think that you just have to give Manu the layup. It was just a choke job.

And what about that foul to get Bonzi Wells out of the game? Their shorts brushed and Manu fake tripped. Horrible.

True, somewhat different situation.

Manu is one of the last great floppers.

I'm really not sure how the Kings managed to screw up that lead last night. Leave Brent Barry open when you are up 3 with 8 seconds left???

One thing that is impressive though, is that the Spurs can put in Finley, Barry, Horry, Ginobili, and Parker in that situation. A very threatening 3 point line up with 2 slashers for the and1 threat.



I caught that game and that lineup for the Spurs also. That is an impressive lineup indeed, however, I would love to see that lineup against the Pistons. That is not their best defensive team. I believe Duncan was on the bench with foul trouble at the time.

Detroit would have to defend the 3, and not let Parker and Ginobili free access into the paint, but defensively Detroit would be able to doi almost anything they wanted.

Although the game situation would dictate who would be on the floor, I just thought that lineup was an interesting one for Popovich.

Felt kinda bad about it (mad about it) until I see how well you guys are handling the Piston loss. You know, because we are first we play 8th, and 8th is playing for their lives and we forget how they fight the elite teams...we lost to Kings in regular season and Pistons lost to Bucks, so I guess we can let them have ONE win, no more though.:frusty:

I felt at the end of the season Avery was positioning Mavs to place 4th, he didnt want 1st because he didnt want to play Sacramento. That's okay, the Griz will come through with a couple of wins:fingerscr

Spurs better show up for tonight's game, especially Parker. If they dont get hungry, they may as well forget the Finals:hungry:

I'm not saying that lineup is good in the general course of the game. But at the end, if you have 1 possession and need a 3 pointer, that is pretty dangerous.

Artest is playing tough. I'm curious to see whether or not he stays with the Kings after this year.

Game 5 and we're 3-2 and I'm not sure we can pull out a 6, even a 7 game. The Kings are playing tough, Ginobili and Duncan both take responsibility for losing game 3, Manu says his turnover cost game. :frusty:

Pop says Spurs have no answer for Bonzi, or combo Bonzi and Artest. He actually glows when he talks about Bonzi and how great he is. :doh: Hope he's not getting ready to pull an LB and let the dang Kings get into the Spurs heads. Well, he has 2 games to figure out what to do, and if he can't, it's goodbye Finals.:fish2:

Sound pessimistic? Yep, Spurs have to play with passion, focus and intensity. They have no "fire in the belly". Kings do, they have one goal, win it all. Nothing wrong with that. Hope some of it rubs off on Spurs. :nod:

I hope Suns beat Lakers, Bulls beat Heat, and Cavs beat Wiz. Pistons did a great job on Bucks. I know you guys will be in Finals, hope you will be playing Spurs, not Mavs. Pistons are more handsome than those silly looking Mavs.:P Yeah, I notice stuff like that:laugh:

It's so strange to hear you talk about the Spurs that way. I've gotten trained to thinking about them as a basketball machine that just rolls over most teams.

I'd suspect Pop is doing a little reverse psychology thing with Bonzi and that Friday night will be the end of the upstart Kings. Tough, close game, but Spurs come out on top. Besides, it's been ten minutes, could be time for another RonRon meltdown.

"It's been 10 min." :-6
I hope RonRon meets BBen in the finals.

"It's been 10 min." :-6
I hope RonRon meets BBen in the finals.


Man, that would be AWESOME!

hide the women and children.
increase security

DBA, you have more faith than I have for Spurs. IMO, Pistons are the well oiled machine, can function at all levels. For some reason, it doesnt seem like the Spurs meshed this season, they don't seem to be on the same page, still trying to find rhythm. Maybe it's because I dont really understand the game, like this comment on Tim Duncan from SpursZone:


Tim Duncan was ready to go Tuesday night he had 27 point. But, we've got some cool inside scoop from coach Popovich. Remember Duncan's patented bank shot? Where did it go? Duncan has abandoned the face up game and gone strictly back to the basket. On The Coach Pop show, the coach told us why. "He just doesn't feel that comfortable with it, you know it's as simple as that. Guys are really crowding him on it, he just doesn't feel comfortable, he feels better as a post up guy right now. And when a player doesn't feel confident doing a certain thing on the court he's not going to do it." Coach Popovich said on the Ticket 760.

I mean, dang, it's about time he get's comfortable and confident.:frusty: He better do something that works, like tonight:fingerscr

Tony got a knee to the thigh by Mike Bibby in Tuesday game and been pretty sore, but will try and play tonight. :) It will be tough, Artest is in high cotton at home and wont let up. Maybe he will have his meltdown in SA game 7:smow: :boom:

DBA, you have more faith than I have for Spurs. IMO, Pistons are the well oiled machine, can function at all levels. For some reason, it doesnt seem like the Spurs meshed this season, they don't seem to be on the same page, still trying to find rhythm. Maybe it's because I dont really understand the game, like this comment on Tim Duncan from SpursZone:


Tim Duncan was ready to go Tuesday night he had 27 point. But, we've got some cool inside scoop from coach Popovich. Remember Duncan's patented bank shot? Where did it go? Duncan has abandoned the face up game and gone strictly back to the basket. On The Coach Pop show, the coach told us why. "He just doesn't feel that comfortable with it, you know it's as simple as that. Guys are really crowding him on it, he just doesn't feel comfortable, he feels better as a post up guy right now. And when a player doesn't feel confident doing a certain thing on the court he's not going to do it." Coach Popovich said on the Ticket 760.

I mean, dang, it's about time he get's comfortable and confident.:frusty: He better do something that works, like tonight:fingerscr

Tony got a knee to the thigh by Mike Bibby in Tuesday game and been pretty sore, but will try and play tonight. :) It will be tough, Artest is in high cotton at home and wont let up. Maybe he will have his meltdown in SA game 7:smow: :boom:



barbara SanAntone, you sound like a very nice person and all, so please don't take this personally. But :horn:GO RonRon Go! Come on Bonzi!
Somebody mentioned Ben and Artest in the Finals. That sounds good to me. :rockon:

DBA, you have more faith than I have for Spurs.

That's the fun part as well as the frustrating part of being a fan. You get to over analyze everything with the end result being that you just can't imagine anymore how your team manages to beat anyone.

I don't want to try and speak for you, but I imagine no small number of us sat around after the loss to the Bucks, at least for a short time, just knowing that the run was over, that the evil twin Pistons were here to stay and that they would never win another game. I already had Redd in the HOF and on the 50 greatest list, at number five with a bullet.

Without paying a lot more attention to the Spurs, all I can see is Parker and Manu penetrating and scoring at will, and Sheed and BBen fouling out chasing Duncan around. Of course, the great thing about your posts is that they keep the Spurs human. :fingerscr

Hey Justice 32, I don't take it personally, honest:) This is my first year to follow basketball, and only did so with last year Finals. I suspected that the Spurs had the Pistons at a disadvantage for several reasons last Finals,:deadhorse they had a win, but it wasnt a good win. Frankly, it never felt right, and a lot of SA fans (probably even Spurs) had that same feeling.

As I joined this forum I learned about basketball, about Pistons and the Piston love the members have. The PF-ites are great people and hopefully we have a Spurs/Pistons Finals and some of you all might just come to SA. That will be fun, we'll have some beer on the River:nod: Hey, I just live a block or so from the Alamo:eyebrows:

So. This year, I want Spurs and Pistons to meet again. I want each team to be mentally and physically strong, no dramas going on, just each team playing it's BEST. And, I want the BEST team to win. I have told you all before, I am bipolar, I like the Spurs but have come to love the Pistons. Why? Danged if I know.

DBA, I had to laugh at the thought of fans wondering how their team ever won anything, I guess I am at that fan-stage:laugh:

I dont know what Spurs need to beat Mavs, just show up hungry and send them back to little D.:) I like Avery and know he is gonna make his guys work. He knows Pops moves and will adjust in a minute, and vice-versa. He has given Dirk confidence and it's rubbed off on all the players.

I am counting on Michael Finley coming up strong. After all, that's why he chose to join Spurs, wants a ring, NOW. Mavs beat us twice during season, Nov and April:doh: Well, first 2 games in our house, so counting on that to be in our favor:nod:

Soooo glad to see Lakers lose. I bet there was a lot of Phil/Kobe drama afterwards, from the looks on their faces. :eyebrows:

Kinda interesting about the Cavs and Wiz, Arenas at the free throw, plus all the non-calls on James. Pistons at least know what to expect and not respond to refs, don't let James push any emotional buttons. As I understand, that "talk" and "push" was uncharacteristic for James, so maybe he's getting ready to act out with the Pistons. Stay cool, you guys. Go Pistons/Go Spurs. :fingerscr

Let me guess BSA, you had 2 lover-men in your life at some time.
Come the finals lines will be drawn!

Bowen's rep as a defensive force helped him out when he was guarding Nowitzki at the end. It was very physical and probably would have been called in the normal course of the game.

I just hope Ben will get the same leeway.

Let me guess BSA, you had 2 lover-men in your life at some time.
Come the finals lines will be drawn!

Nah, with my lovers, I would just flip a coin:eyebrows:

I only draw a line in sand against Mavs:) I will just stand back and admire the Spurs/Pistons knowing they each have the athletic ability and bball IQ to win and the only thing that can beat either will be themselves. Whoever can be cool and keep it together will win:nod: To me, it's not a battle, but an exhibition. Two excellent teams.

Today SpursZone had a great article on BigBen getting DPOY, and listed his achievements. No other player deserved it, Bruce Bowen was second and he only had 308 points against Ben's 420 points (quite a difference). I didnt know that Ben is the only player in NBA history to win DPOY 4 times in 5 years.:first:Good job.

Hey, for what it's worth, Stern apologized today to the Spurs for making them play less than 36 hours after their game 1 series. :doh:

Today SpursZone had a great article on BigBen getting DPOY, and listed his achievements. No other player deserved it, Bruce Bowen was second and he only had 308 points against Ben's 420 points (quite a difference). I didnt know that Ben is the only player in NBA history to win DPOY 4 times in 5 years.:first:Good job.
Bruce really doesn't deserve it. I respect his individual defense but he is hardly a catalyst and teams don't scheme to take him out of the game the way they do against Ben.

Next year, this could be Ron's trophy but it's nice to see the D award in D-Town.

Hey, for what it's worth, Stern apologized today to the Spurs for making them play less than 36 hours after their game 1 series. :doh:
Spurs gutted out a win, but I still see this going 7. The Mavs are not going to roll over. The only thing the Spurs have going for them personnel wise, is that Stackhouse is the Mavs sixth man and he is a bonafide playoff choker in the fine tradition of Cliff Robinson and Karl Malone.

Right, I see it now, you made them fight it out to see who would get your favors.

Mavs are killing us:doh: Even our local news says we're "old and slow".

Hey, also on news tonight Eva Longoria is 31 years old. Heck, she's older than Tim Duncan who just turned 30. Hmmmm, Tony is only 22. I think she's bad-luck omen:mad:

Well, guess little D will get out their wheelchairs for Spurs:P

Spurs better shape up. Manu admits he's having mental problems and has lost his confidence. Soooo? Don't we all? C'mon Manu:nod:

I feel better when I hear words of woe coming from S.A.

I feel better when I hear words of woe coming from S.A.

Here's some more woe words, Thee:mad: We are on the brink of being eliminated:doh: Sad but true.

Kinda interesting what Stern said in Dallas last night:
NBA commissioner David Stern attended and discussed a new playoff seeding format that, if used this season, would’ve slotted Dallas second instead of fourth, ensuring the teams with the two best records couldn’t meet until the conference finals.

Sure wanted a Spurs/Piston rematch, but pretty doubtful right now.

Dang BSA, that was a hella good game last nite. SA was in control most of the way. If the Ps don't get their game on we'll both be in a state of woe. We worked on our D last nite. Why, I don't know, it's gonna take 100 pt. games to whack any West team.

Speaking of Stern attending the Spurs/ Mav`s game last night, I read in the USA Today that after a foul was called on Bowen while guarding Dirk, Bowen walked downcourt looked up in the stands where Stern was sitting and yelled loud enough to be heard by Stern and fans: "THIS IS RIDICOULOS"...........

Stern replied, "yeah I know, you guys are about to get eliminated"

Just joking about Stern`s reply, but Bowen`s comments are true........

Sure hope it's not this one:fish2: . Win against Mavs gave a little glimmer of hope, but it will be hell to play Mavs next 2 and win. Mavs w/Avery have been really tough, especially next one in Dallas:doh:

At least Pistons have a chance against Cavs, they just have to mentally get Cavs out of their heads and play DEEETROIT BASKETBALL.:whip:

So, don't rock the boat, don't rock the boat, don't rock the boat:lalala: GO PISTONS/GO SPURS...

a player would not put his team in jeopardy, especially in playoffs, no matter what "impulse" or reaction he feels. Jason Terry's closed fist constituted a "punch" as Pop said "to the family jewels". Pop said he didnt see it, just Finley's reaction, until he viewed the tapes.

Of course Cuban is mad but he goes over the line when he talks against league and officials (can't remember exact words but he admits they were not very nice). Seems he might get fined another $200,000 again.
He really goes over the line when he talks about San Antonio. From Spurzone:

"Would we rather have Jason there? Of course," Cuban said . "There's not going to be one fan in there that doesn't believe that we can kick their butt all the way back to that ugly-ass, muddy-watered thing they call a Riverwalk."

So, if nothing else, Spurs have to win in little D tonite so Cuban is forced to come back to SA and face our fans:P

I really believe that the old guard will take the young upstarts in both games. the Spurs will for one reason: TIM DUNCAN. He's focused and challenged and the NBA will protect him over the Mavs centers(?). Also. Cuban will not get ANY close calls tonight. The 2nd quarter is the key to the series tonight, but if close in the 4th , the Spurs will get the calls. U be fine, BAS, my sweet. Hang on!

I really believe that the old guard will take the young upstarts in both games.

i agree. i don't think the spurs and pistons are ready to give way to the new school just yet, and need to get back to the finals just to p1ss everyone else off who doesn't like watching them :D

Hi BSA. I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and your Spurs. :)

a player would not put his team in jeopardy, especially in playoffs, no matter what "impulse" or reaction he feels. Jason Terry's closed fist constituted a "punch" as Pop said "to the family jewels". Pop said he didnt see it, just Finley's reaction, until he viewed the tapes.

Of course Cuban is mad but he goes over the line when he talks against league and officials (can't remember exact words but he admits they were not very nice). Seems he might get fined another $200,000 again.
He really goes over the line when he talks about San Antonio. From Spurzone:

"Would we rather have Jason there? Of course," Cuban said . "There's not going to be one fan in there that doesn't believe that we can kick their butt all the way back to that ugly-ass, muddy-watered thing they call a Riverwalk."

So, if nothing else, Spurs have to win in little D tonite so Cuban is forced to come back to SA and face our fans:P

Barb, I admire the Spurs intensity. They woke up after going down 3-1 and I can only hope the Pistons do the same.. But they really want this bad by sending their own video to the NBA league office showing the "punch". Finley was all on top of him wrestling for the ball and sometimes whwn you are in that situation your fist could have an involuntary reaction.....

I am wondering if Terry would not been suspended if not for that video from them. Finley was pretty hot about it and the refs didn't even call Terry for a tech or foul during the incident.

The video was a desperate but good move by upper management to get back the advantage.

You're right, LA Dre, it was a desperate move. You made a good point. The refs nor Pop saw it, and until Finley was up and gesturing and other spurs trying to hold him back, no one knew it happened, until they checked their video. Terry didnt deny doing it, and even one of our homer sportscasters said "That's the difference between a veteran player and a newcomer, we know how to hide it". The other anchor said what do you mean, who do you mean? He said "you know, uh, Horry, and uh, Ginobili." There was total silence.

I also agree it is probably pretty hard to control the impulse. A fist is an automatic response, whereas you have to second think a slap, push, shove or pinch. But the rule is "punch" (closed fist) EVEN if it doesnt make contact. Not fair when youre in a contact sport, and BBall is a contact sport.

But then again, fair is only for 4 year olds, fair grounds and ferris wheels.
Hey, our spurs Coyote mascot got evicted in a game because he used his 2 doubled up fists at a ref.:laugh:

So Spurs and Pistons, be cool tonight, don't let anyone push any buttons on you, take charge from the tip-off. Bring on game 7.

And to all my forumite friends, thanks so much for your love and I send it back to you guys. We will have a rematch, we deserve each other:nod:

sometimes when you are in that situation your fist could have an involuntary reaction.....

Happened to me all the time as a teenager. :eyebrows:

Spurs force game 7....15 seconds away

I started off pulling for Dallas, mainly because of Stack. SAN has won me over. I am glad they won. With the trouble the Pistons have had in this series SAN has been sort of a kindered spirit as both team fight to stay alive.

Of course SAN is facing a much better team and have been in a much tougher spot but now it all boils down to a final game 7 at home for both teams.

That SAN/DET Finals re-match is looking pretty for the 1st time in awhile. SAN has had to struggle in both rounds but a win in game 7 will pit them against probably their easiest competition out West. Win game 7 on Monday and they are just about in. But don't make the same mistake the Pistons made and underestimate a lesser team.

"Would we rather have Jason there? Of course," Cuban said . "There's not going to be one fan in there that doesn't believe that we can kick their butt all the way back to that ugly-ass, muddy-watered thing they call a Riverwalk."


Mark Cuban continually blurs the line between being an owner of a professional basketball team and being a fan(atic) of one. I guess it's his privilege, if he wants to pay those fines and say a classless thing like that. It's a free country. But it is inappropriate for him to say such a thing as an owner. If it was just a fan in the stands, I'd laugh real hard at that though. Part of being a fan is having the fun of saying over the top and sometimes politically incorrect things. If he wants to say something like that, he should write it up and hand it to someone else to say.

Hi Aurora (like your name), I see your point, but I think it was Cuban just being "dallas", D hates SA especialy since we became 2nd largest city in Texas, knocking them to 3rd, and that gave us advantage of securing large companies moving their home bases to SA, creating jobs and getting national recognition. Cuban just sees it as a way to get a reaction, from SA Exp News:

Some cities are great and heckle with style and humor," Cuban wrote on blogmaverick.com. "Then there are cities with zero sense of humor. ... The worst? San Antonio.
"There isn't even a close (second). The bleacher bums have filtered down to the lower bowl, and they are living up to their past."
Cuban said his pregnant wife was "verbally abused" at the AT&T Center last week.
"It didn't represent the city or Spurs fans," he wrote. "But that doesn't change the fact that they are the rudest and curse the most." :P

Avery Johnson was embarrased that his boss talked against the city that will be retiring his #6 jersey. I have to admit it wasnt as gross as Sacramento's hate display against the city of Detroit during season, which was thoughtless and totally out of line. I think the fine should have been much higher.

Pop just says Cuban needs to chill out and have a margarita.

Well, these skeeters wont get under spurs skin.:nod:

Go Pistons...you have all the experience and skill to take a game 7. I just heard on a sports show that only Cav w/game 7 experience is Damon Jones, who played game 7 with Miami against Pistons, and he lost the last possession causing Miamis loss, and says he watched the tapes of last years game and is trying to make Cavs believe every second counts.

So c'mon guys, do your job and we will try and do ours tomorrow to get that rematch:fingerscr

Barbara - apparently the West Finals came early this year. Its going to conclude Monday night. No cake walk or guarantees for sure. Dallas is a tough opponent that is sick of losing game 7's. Suppose I should not discount PHX or the Clipps considering what the Pistons have went through but those kind of near upsets do not happen very often.

I can only imagine what Cuban will have to say about Detroit. Hopefully the Spurs can spare us from that.

I had Dallas winning this series in 5 games, just missed on that prediction........would have made me a genius.

I don`t see Dallas winning a game 7 in SA, WONT HAPPEN. I look back to the mistake Stackhouse made early in the series when he retreated to the 3 point line instead of going to the hoop.

That one play in my opinion cost the Mav`s dearly. I also don`t see Phoenix or the Clips beating SA in a 7 game series either. Dallas was the only team capable of eliminating the Spurs, and once again thay blew it.

You did it!:) Now, sweep Heat in 4-0, they should be fat and sloppy from their wait in the wings, even if it will be at home:eyebrows: I felt kinda sorry for Lebron, he looked so stunned post-game. I think he actually bought into all that King James hype and figured he was entitled to the win, just by virtue of showing up.

Well, kid, you gotta lot ahead of you, and you will be in more game 7 play-offs later, just not now. Join the "big boys" club, top teams who all have felt the pain of elimination at one time or another. :nod:

Speaking of elimination, it better be Mavs, you guys definitely don't want dallas anywhere detroit, they will really stink it up:laugh:

Folks I talked to about game yesterday were mixed: some wanted Cavs because they would be easy to beat (fans are afraid of Pistons) and most want Piston win, cause they really want a re-match:fingerscr

I think suns and clips play about the same, but I hope Clips win because I dont want Steve Nash shoved down my throat like Lebron James was Pistons. Honest to God, you would have thought it was King James with no name cast, playing some ghost no-name team, the way it was hyped:P

Interesting styles & contrasts in these playoffs.

* You've got teams like the Mavs and Suns, built to win spectacular games and look great doing so ...

* And teams like the Spurs and Pistons, built to squeak by in ugly games when they look like crap.

* Plus teams somewhere in the middle, like the Clips and Heat.

History says crap is the prevailing condition in playoff basketball, which must frustrate Cuban and the network guys no end.

I just saw an interview on Chris Myers (?) with Cuban. You know, I kinda like the guy, especially since he is NOT from Dallas originally but from Indiana. He seems more like he should be in Austin or Houston. Anyway, he's an energetic entrepreneur, and Mavs are a business with him (still gets depressed when Mavs lose) as is the whole NBA.

He wants to take 2% of NBA income and put it in marketing, especially to 18-24 y/o. IMO, if he can generate that kind of influence with NBA owners, surely they can figure out some way to bring ticket prices down.

Tickets that were $110 last week for game 6 are now $1500 game 7. :doh: Finals are at $5000. No wonder NBA like games to go to 7.

Cuban is a workaholic, made his money from scratch (and the internet) and demands that kind of work ethic from his employees and players. He was asked if he would ever hire (? name) university coach from Indiana and he said "no", not because he wasnt a good coach and a good person but that coaching NBA players was different than college and many didnt understand that. I still hate the Mavs and hope they lose:mad:

I hope this isnt my last post...in case we get eliminated:fingerscr

I hope this isnt my last post...in case we get eliminated:fingerscr
BSA, that means that you need to start posting in the Pistons threads. Remember, you have TWO GREAT LOVES! ;)

Scrappy teams, Purrs 67, Mavs 74.
It aint over til it's over.

Sorry Barbara. That was a tough one. Spurs had it with 18 seconds to go. The way that they were playing defense down the stretch, I didn't think it was possible for the Mavs to tie it up.

Oh well. I hope that you can switch gears and root for the Pistons now. The Spurs have not peaked yet. They'll be back.

Feel your pain Barbara... you know you can always hang with us...
Gotta a feeling this board could pick up several S.A. friendlies.
It's a shame we won't see the rematch.

BSA, that means that you need to start posting in the Pistons threads. Remember, you have TWO GREAT LOVES! ;)

Thanks Roscoe and all PF folks. I really think this is year for Pistons, even if SA had stayed in. I have learned so much about basketball this past year, but this forum has given me so much fun:nod: I will definitely stick around and lurk.:couch2: The Pistons are such a good team they just can't let Heat get to them mentally. With luck, Suns will beat Mavs. Mavs got swagger this year, that's why Pistons just have to get back their swagger and put some fear in the opponents. :frusty:

From what you guys say about Maxiell, let him get in game and put some hard fouls on Shaq, so if he fouls out it wont hurt Pistons as much. God Bless all of you, you're quite a gang:grouphug:

Luv the Av Barbara.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/48683

Good article about taking the art of flopping too far.

BSA, what do you know about this Narz Mohammhed guy?

I've been out for a while, but you guys probably know more about Nazr than I do. We got him in a trade from Knicks, pretty unpopular trade because Spurs traded Malik Rose, a SA favorite. He missed a lot of practice before league games started because his wife and baby were really sick, but okay right now as far as I know. Personally, I think he played well, kinda streaky, one of his later games he scored 30.

I hope he works out good for Pistons, really hard to follow a strong and popular act like Ben. I guess the only thing to do is wait, but he has had good coaching under Pop and maybe Joe D will be helpful in getting him to fit the Piston DNA. As far as I know, he is a team player, not a fit thrower or pouter, and gets along with others okay.

You guys are going to do alright...now we need to get the Spurs fixed:nod:

I've been out for a while, but you guys probably know more about Nazr than I do. We got him in a trade from Knicks, pretty unpopular trade because Spurs traded Malik Rose, a SA favorite. He missed a lot of practice before league games started because his wife and baby were really sick, but okay right now as far as I know. Personally, I think he played well, kinda streaky, one of his later games he scored 30.

I hope he works out good for Pistons, really hard to follow a strong and popular act like Ben. I guess the only thing to do is wait, but he has had good coaching under Pop and maybe Joe D will be helpful in getting him to fit the Piston DNA. As far as I know, he is a team player, not a fit thrower or pouter, and gets along with others okay.

You guys are going to do alright...now we need to get the Spurs fixed:nod:

Barb, tell me this...did the Spurs fans declare it the end of the world when they lost to the Mavs in the second round?? We Piston fans were upset of course since some us thought our team was invincible so the rough path in Cleveland and the eventual elimination by the Heat had some scratching our heads....uhh...what happen... but we figured with our core returning and pickup of a nice slasher/scorer, we'd be back in the mix in 06-07. :fingerscr

However with Ben now gone, some have already written off the Pistons playoff chances. Same uproar occured here in LA when the Lakers succumbed to the Pistons and Shaq escaped to Miami. There was all types of finger pointing on whose fault was it that the Lakers lost and who should have been sent packing Shaq or Kobe. Now the lakers failed to make the playoffs the following season with out Shaq, but the difference between that team and the current Pistons is that we have four bonifide starters and the Laker lost Shaq, Fisher, Malone and payton..and Phil. So what are we crying about?

:focus: anyway thanks for the info on Nazr. I think with the new NBA, we can still make some use of him in Flips scheme of things. Good luck with the Spurs and maybe the Matt Bonner is the answer.

.

Yep, LA Dre, we were disheartened but probably more embarrased losing to Dallas (we hate Dallas), especially in 2nd round. Since we are only a one team/one horse town, it hurt, but no one seemed surprised. Spurs just didnt have the fire in the belly hunger it takes to win, and it showed.

Frankly, I felt worse when Pistons lost. I was really counting on them winning ECF, and losing to Miami was heartbreaking because Miami really wasnt that good a team. I still cant and wont acknowledge them as champs. Yes, I'm a sore loser:mad:

But, tomorrow's another day and good lord willin and the crick dont rise, Spurs and Pistons will shoot it out next year:) Spurs have a lot of guys coming in I've never heard of, and Pop isnt counting on them playing for a few years. I think you guys have a good start with last years rooks especially JMax, the beast. I like the idea of him:laugh:

Besides, Spurs and Pistons are best, right? Cant keep us down long:fingerscr

Yep, LA Dre, we were disheartened but probably more embarrased losing to Dallas (we hate Dallas), especially in 2nd round. Since we are only a one team/one horse town, it hurt, but no one seemed surprised. Spurs just didnt have the fire in the belly hunger it takes to win, and it showed.

Frankly, I felt worse when Pistons lost. I was really counting on them winning ECF, and losing to Miami was heartbreaking because Miami really wasnt that good a team. I still cant and wont acknowledge them as champs. Yes, I'm a sore loser:mad:

But, tomorrow's another day and good lord willin and the crick dont rise, Spurs and Pistons will shoot it out next year:) Spurs have a lot of guys coming in I've never heard of, and Pop isnt counting on them playing for a few years. I think you guys have a good start with last years rooks especially JMax, the beast. I like the idea of him:laugh:

Besides, Spurs and Pistons are best, right? Cant keep us down long:fingerscr

Yeah, Barb, the two best teams from 2004 to 2006 may be defeated, and hit a temporary:bump: but neither are dead yet. Look for both to have some say next year on who will eventually hoist the trophy :first:

Com'mon BSA, the Spurs went down in 7 but in no way disgraceful. And to a fine team. I hate Dallas teams too. Actually I hate all Texas teams. Spurs showed way more heart and togetherness than the supposed tightest 5 in the NBA. It was a 6 game sweep. Sad!

Spurs went down like champs. We just went down.

Sorry, but down is down.

Hey, guess what? I have suddenly started feeling so good about what next season might bring for both of us. Actually, I havent felt that until just now. For one thing, we know Heat wont win again...it's just too hard to win a back to back ship, especially if you're not a hot team. The other thing, IMO, is that our teams are going to be "different", don't quite know how, but they will be different and surprising.

A lot is going to happen in summer camps and other folks will take notice. I dont think anyone has written off a Piston/Spurs rematch if they know anything at all about the stamina of these teams. They each have the core and not that much rebuilding to do. They have to figure out how they can play the NEW NBA with their OLD championship ways.

GO PISTONS/GO SPURS:fingerscr

In case anyone thinks I might be over-optimistic, here is Bruce Bowen's take on Nazr going to Pistons: Oh Noooo, anywhere but Detroit!!!:doh:

Bruce knows Pistons are the team to beat, and he knows Nazr will be a big help to the team. Yep, you guys didnt get a pig in the poke, you got a real contributor. :nod:

So are Purr Fans crying about the loss of Nazz?

Nah, Thee, SPur fans have short attention spans...right now they are watching Tony Parker and his development of a teen ager singer career:nod:

Yep, havent given a restricted free agent an offer sheet since failing to land Tyrone Nesby in 1999, now we did 2 at the same time. Johnny Ludden SA ExpNews comments on Spurs roster (excerpt):

"It's very difficult to walk away from guys like Nazr and Rasho when you've had a great deal of success during their time here in San Antonio," Buford said. "But I think one of Pop's strengths was looking at all areas of the franchise and figuring out not only what's best today, but what also provides the best opportunity for long-term success."
The Spurs hope Elson, Butler, Bonner and the rest of their additions will contribute enough to keep them contending for a championship the next two years. Then, the franchise will have significant room under the salary cap to remake the roster when only Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili will be under contract.
If Elson and Butler succeed, the Spurs will be hailed, once again, for being fiscally prudent. If Elson and Butler flat-line and Mohammed thrives in Detroit?
"Prudent" could be construed as a synonym for "cheap."
At the least, the Spurs think their roster has become more versatile.

So, folks, we got a lot to look forward to for both of our teams. Pistons and Spurs have tweaked their teams enough to make the subtle changes that became obvious as the finals played out. Nothing drastic, no over-reaction, just making the best moves with what was out there. :fingerscr

Still looking for the Spurs/Pistons rematch, when you all can come down and I'll buy some margaritas on the dirty river:nod:

Free Margaritas? I'm booking my ticket right now!:nod:

Barbara....any reaction to the allegations made by Ron Artest of poor treatment of opposing players by Spurs officials?


Nearly three months after the Spurs won the series in six games, the Kings' small forward said San Antonio's home-court advantage went beyond the court. He said the AT&T Center's visitors' locker room reeked with gas before the Spurs' Game 5 victory, and that the hotel experience at two facilities didn't do much for relaxation and preparation throughout the series.

Wake-up calls in hotel rooms, Artest said, routinely came hours early for numerous players. And room service, he also said, would take several hours to arrive.
http://www.broadbandnewsnet.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=3275&z=5

Wahhh, uh, wahhhha:Cry: Thanks Basketbills for bringing that up, because I never read anything about it. I checked Spurs archives and nothing said. A gas leak? Not likely, since that would have been dangerous and the arena would have been shut down. Hotel problems, VERY likely, especially since game was during Fiesta when 500,000 people or more crowd downtown for 10 days, with 5-6 hour parades:doh:

SA's biggest business is tourism. Just last week we had 24,000 Lutheran kids meet, and week before that 20,000 kids. Hey, Artest was just across street from MacDonald's, he should have sent his coach over for the breakfast taco:)

Anyway, I think it's kinda funny, every team on the road probably has some sort of complaint about the way they are treated by the home team. Well, I guess we know what to expect from Dallas, as the Cowboys start their training camp here next week:nod:

Hey, Artest was just across street from MacDonald's, he should have sent his coach over for the breakfast taco:)




I think if he had the Breakfast Taco he just would had another gas problem?

Shhhhhh!

Haven't eaten yet and Huevos Rancheros sounds really good about now...

:frusty:

Thats the entire point of home court advantage. Make it as uncomfortable for the opposition as possible. Nothing wrong with that as long as its all legal.

I seem to remember the Lakers complaining of the same thing a couple of years ago in the Finals. When large groups of Pistons diehards were yelling and screaming outside of their Hotel all night long.

Here is Buck Harvey's take on Spurs adding Jackie Butler who they hope will be another Stephen Jackson. This is exerpt from SA Exp News:

Duncan's hope, however, is his opposite. Butler. Whereas Duncan stayed at Wake Forest against the advice of those who knew he would be the No. 1 choice overall, Butler went pro out of high school against the advice of those who knew better.

Butler wasn't drafted, and this career decision fits his demeanor. Those in New York say he's hard to understand because he mumbles, and they say he has a few social issues.
And when he played well at times last season? Even that was hard to measure, because the Knicks were so chaotic and awful.

But Larry Brown saw it all, and he saw how hard the guy tried and how quickly he improved. "I love the kid," Brown said this week from Long Island. "He can just play."
Brown can get carried away. When coaching the Spurs, Brown would say "I love the kid," then cut his love the next week.
But Brown knows everything about his players, and he sees nothing in Butler that a more mature locker room wouldn't cure. Put Butler next to Duncan and Bruce Bowen and Michael Finley, and Brown says, "In that environment, he will be phenomenal."

Jackson needed the same. He had already endured the CBA, as Butler did, and had received some NBA experience in the New York market, as Butler did.
Jackson left the Nets with some bitterness, and the attitude would fester later. Jackson lost half a season after going into the stands to defend Ron Artest.
But in San Antonio, calmed by those around him, Jackson closed out playoff series after playoff series in 2003 on the way to a title. Would the Spurs have won that championship without him?

Butler can score, too, and his post game could be handy when Duncan sits. Brown says Butler isn't afraid, just as Jackson wasn't, and he comes with gifts that can't be taught, just as Jackson did.
Brown's assessment: good hands, good passing touch and "great instincts" for the game.
Only 20 years old last season, Butler shot 55 percent from the floor and averaged almost 16 points per 40 minutes. Duncan will notice, too, that Butler is a 75 percent free-throw shooter.
Butler won't be the solution to Nowitzki, and he's not known as a shot-blocker. He won't help the Spurs go small, and he likely won't play in many fourth quarters, either.

IMO, we may have a diamond in the rough:)

IMO, we may have a diamond in the rough:)

Or, someone rough with the diamonds................:eyebrows:

Mumbler.
Other social issues. I hope he bathes. Unlike Bison Dele.

Spurs didnt want to show their interest in 2005 draft pick Ian Mahinmi, so they hid him with an alias (Johnny Ludden SA Exp News)

"John Mason" sounded like a basketball player, so the name stuck. Anyone eavesdropping wouldn't know the difference.
Or so the Spurs thought. With the draft only two weeks away and the Spurs in the middle of the NBA Finals, general manager R.C. Buford opened the Sports section of the San Antonio Express-News and felt his stomach drop. "When you're talking 'Detroit basketball,'" read the headline stretched across the top of the page, "you're talking John Mason."
Buford relaxed after reading further. The story profiled the Pistons' public-address announcer, who, in addition to popularizing the chant "DEE-TROIT BAS-KET-BALL," also happened to share the same name as the one the Spurs selected for Mahinmi.


"All I saw was 'John Mason'" Buford said, "and thought somebody had found us out."

That was in an article about Mahinmi being a project and will still most likely play in France this season. :nod:

LOL! So you guys are trying to be slick.

BSA, any word on how Mahinmi performed last year in France?

BSA, any word on how Mahinmi performed last year in France?

Don't know what he did in France, but here is exerpt from Johnnie Ludden SA Exp News showing Summer League and why he will probably spend another year in France:

Though Mahinmi's stats weren't impressive in the opener at the Rocky Mountain Revue, he ran the floor well, challenged shots and was aggressive with the ball.
"He had a presence," said Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer, who headed the team. "He looked like he knew he belonged out there."
In the next game against Seattle, Mahinmi produced 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. After watching him total 14 points and seven rebounds in 13 first-half minutes against Atlanta, one Spurs official asked if David Robinson ever looked so good at 19.

Had he known Mahinmi would collect five fouls in nine minutes in the second half, he would have kept the question to himself. Repeatedly outmuscled for position by Hawks rookie forward Shelden Williams, Mahinmi countered by holding and pushing. Once, he clubbed Williams as they battled for a rebound.
Mahinmi's low point came the next day against Philadelphia. Unable to move 265-pound forward Harold Jamison, he committed eight fouls in 17 minutes.

Mahinmi improved the next two games, though neither performance matched his early efforts. He averaged 8.3 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds in the six games, but also totaled 38 fouls, seven more than any other player in the six-team league:doh:

Yep, he's still a project:)

Hi folks, finally getting into basketball mode again, even tho nothing much is being said here, Spurs just got back from summer camp in France, Beno and Horry not too healthy, plus Tony has an infected finger. They must have played with the new ball over there because Tony likes it, says it helps to keep his sweaty hands on the ball.

Don't know if you guys covered this in your "Sheed rules" but this is exerpt from SpursZone, WOAI:


The Spurs did come back to find a few things have changed in the NBA, including a new “no whining” policy which could have a big impact on the team. In an attempt to get players to curtail post-whistle whining, NBA referee representatives have made the rounds early in training camp to emphasize the league's zero-tolerance policy.
Commissioner David Stern, long fed up with players' histrionics over questionable calls, is threatening to hit them with quick technical fouls -- and later fines -- for those who curse, throw their hands up, or make other gestures that show disgust.
"The thought process is we have the best athletes in the world, playing a spectacular game as well as it has ever been played," Stern said. "In my view it detracts from it, when a small handful of players spend their time negotiating and slowing the game down, at least in the perception of the fans, by engaging in an enterprise which is not productive."

Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili both have a reputation in the league as over-complainers. The new rule means quick technical fouls and fines for those who curse, throw their hands up or make other gestures that show disgust.
So which Spurs should worry? We asked Manu.
“Well, Bruce is going to have to adjust… Tony, Tim, me. I think we usually argue more. It’s like I said before, we’re not so emotional that we cannot control ourselves,” Manu told WOAI.com after practice Wednesday.
Rasheed Wallace, for one, told the Detroit News he took the league's crackdown personally.
"It's just another 'Sheed Wallace rule," Wallace, shaking his head, told the newspaper. "It just means I must be doing something right. Any time they change the rules of the game for one specific player, you must be doing something right."
The league's fine system, which was introduced last season, includes a $1,000 fine for each of the first five, $1,500 for the next five, $2,000 for the next five, $2,500 for the ones that follow, and, in addition, a one-game suspension for every other technical after the 15th.
"What happens if I am one of the captains?" Wallace asked the News. "Does that mean I can't talk to them? You can't talk back to them like they're your mom and dad. It's like they're saying, 'If you say something to me I am going to put you on punishment.' That's how it is. I will come up with some way to tell them how I feel."
Wallace was issued 16 technical fouls last season and a one-game suspension. It's reasonable to think, if referees consistently show zero tolerance, he could double that total.
"It'll be an adjustment for everybody in the league," the Heat's Dwyane Wade told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Heat coach Pat Riley believes players will still be able to express their opinions to officials, but will have to police their body language and tone of voice. "They are going to be very conscious of player complaining," Riley said last week. "That's one of the big things with them. Every call, there's always 10 guys complaining to the officials. They're just telling them to cut it out."

STFU Riley, I dont want to hear anything from the HEAT!:(

I think Sheed will be okay, certainly no Dallas TO type. His team mates still like him, and I think he will not put his team in jeopardy. We play our first preseason with Orlando, don't know when, and our season opener will be on the road with Dallas:gun1:

I still dont like the way last season ended, and this year it better end with a Spurs/Pistons final. GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO:)

Well, Pop not talking much here. During preseason he will pretty much rest the starters, evaluate our new guys and see what other teams are up to. He doesnt care about wins/losses. Didnt see any comment on Orlando (they won) and we play Bulls here on Saturday. Pop will probably be watching Ben and thinking about Nazr, since he pretty much knows both guys. Dang, we're boring:rolleyes:

Yeah, it's all quiet here too BSA.

I read that Beno is in Pop's doghouse. We'll take a PG with 3 point range. Our coach isn't too worried about defense, although if he's always hurt, that's not a lot of help...

After signing Finley, Nick the Quick and Fabri, Pop offered a refresher course about our recent playoff history in Express-news. He said: If you think about it and look back at the Detroit series NBA Finals 2005 which the Spurs won with a shortened playing rotation, we played 7 people, period. You have to be pretty fortunate to play just 7 people in a series like that, so we can use more players, without a doubt.

Spurs knew they were up against a great team, and they were lucky to win. I sure hope Detroit wins the east, and beats Miami. Shaq called spurs a WNBA team, really.

Hey, G-Man thanks for starting Spurs thread. :)care to join the dark side/...i think the spurs havent treated u right, either...

Snazzy Nazzy Mohammed 20 pts. last nite. Eat your heart out. Pistons are going to make him a star.

Hi folks, since spurs are only game in town, not going to dark side yet...

I heard some commentator the other night say Ben Wallace was going to come to Spurs, but the money was too great from Bulls to turn down!? Is that true? I dont remember anything like that being said:rolleyes:

Has any sportswriter written off the Pistons yet? Some jerk wrote this about spurs :rain:

Duncan and Parker are one of the league's best one-two punches in the league, and can carry the Spurs very far in the postseason. However, it seems like San Antonio may have fallen back a bit. Fifty-five wins during the 2006-07 regular season and a high seed in the playoffs, but there will not be a parade for this team.

Copyright 2006 Courtesy of The Sports Network (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/).

I mean, that guy already has us goin' fishin':fish2:

(micro/rosco, sure like the new smilies)

Wallace.... "I will come up with some way to tell them how I feel."

Scary, but fun to comtemplate.

Sorry BSA, too many games lost to injuries. You need healthy bodies.

STFU Riley, I dont want to hear anything from the HEAT!:(

That's so refreshing to hear BSA.:sssh:

Yeah, it's all quiet here too BSA.

I read that Beno is in Pop's doghouse. We'll take a PG with 3 point range. Our coach isn't too worried about defense, although if he's always hurt, that's not a lot of help...

Well Roscoe36, they were pretty quiet about Beno but this came out today:

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) - The San Antonio Spurs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/sas/) on Saturday exercised the 2007-08 option on the contract of reserve guard Beno Udrih (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3845/). The option is worth $1.747 million and prevents Udrih, 24, from becoming a restricted free agent next summer.

Got spurs schedule and dang it, we only play Pistons twice, on 2/14/07 in Detroit (happy valentine's day:love: ) and 3/23/07 here, and dont you hate it, it's too early for Fiesta. But WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE FINALS!
:dancingparty:
Soooooo glad the seasons starting. Good Luck you guys, safe and healthy. I've been watching box scores on Piston pregames and loved to see where JMax, the brahma, the bull, the pit-bull has really been working! I agree that Sheed will show his feeling, probably with a laugh or a smile, and that kid has got the biggest smile in the whole NBA.

Just want to thank all you folks, you have really taught me all I know (or think I know) about basketball. My sports bar days are over, but man, I could really hold court now, with all the BS I throw. They would all fall over.:faint2: :cheers: :burp:

BSA, the Spurs seem to be staying on the Low this offseason... I was surprised that Beno was picked up after hearing reports that he had been demoted to 3rd or 4th PG by Pop.... this could also be for the purpose of trading him.

I'm also looking forward to the Butler/Nazr matchups (if that takes place) just to see if we took the right guy.

Anyways it's cool that you've stuck around and have become an active contributing member of our community... BSA is the anti-troll... always pleasant and giving us the new Spurs scoop. :yo:

Thanks for your post Merc...your ps about your girlfriend asking if you want to know when you'll die was funny. With Halloween and all, my netscape home page has all this stuff, deathclock and find your fate. I'm so old they had me dying in 2004:)

Well, Tony P sprained his ankle in practice today, doing drills and stepped on someone's foot, so he may miss the opener with Dallas:sssh:

I think Jackie Butler will be a good guy for us. And I think Nazr will come thru for you guys, he's been enough places that once he finds his fit in a team, he will show up. Pistons play as a team, and they will work with him. I feel sorry for the teams with their "star" because the other guys just fall by the wayside. That's why I think those teams (and they know who they are) will not really make it to the finals, it takes a TEAM, not a one-man-show, no matter what Sterns is pushing. Just won't happen.

dang, we have a lot of back to backs, 5 in november and 3 in Dec. I havent checked 2007 yet. SO, GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO

Spurs-Mavs opener won't include rub-it-in reminder of playoffs

Spurs-Mavs opener won't include rub-it-in reminder of playoffsBy JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
November 1, 2006

DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Mavericks (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/dal/) are letting the San Antonio Spurs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/sas/) off easy in their season opener Thursday night.
Rather than raising the banner proclaiming themselves "2006 Western Conference Champions" in front of the state rival they beat along the way, the Mavs are saving the ceremony for their second home game.
That's right, Mark Cuban is skipping a chance to rub it in.
"Because opening night is its own celebration, we wanted to do the banner raising separately," Cuban wrote in an e-mail Wednesday. "In addition, winning a conference championship is not our ultimate goal. So the banner raising was more as a thank you to the fans than anything else."
Cuban might have done it -- if he thought it would bother the Spurs. "I love to stir things up," he added. "But this is at our place, not theirs. Raising the banner doesn't stir things up in front of our fans." Artificial gestures aren't needed to stoke a matchup between the teams that had the two best records in the West last season and are among the favorites to win it all this season.

Anyway, I am getting to like Cuban more and more, so if you guys pick Mavs over Spurs, I won't fault you:) I wonder if Heat blamed their loss on excitement over getting rings. Good luck tonight against Bucks. GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO

By the way, Cuban's remark about our Dirty River was on the mark. The State of Texas is making us clean it up:rolleyes:

After the Heat debacle Cuban might want to keep his players heads in the game.

The rest of the story...seems like it was Avery Johnson's idea :love: not to raise the banner for this game. Besides Mavs play Golden State next (I think) and Cuban wants to rub Don Nelson's nose in it. :)

Hey, btw, maybe Sheed needs to get a mask that hides his expressions. Dang, the poor guy cant even roll his eyes:rolleyes:

Good game for us tonight. I think both teams looked good, and our new guy Francisco Elsen is gonna be a Spur for sure. Glad Tony decided he was ready to go, Pop left it up to him. Seems like everyone is healthy. Heard one sportscaster talking about all the teams that had player injuries during preseason and I'm thankful Pop didnt play the starters much.

Wow, one sportscaster said Cuban changed the balls after the first quarter. I only heard it once, and the sportsguy wondered if Cuban would get fined for it:stirthepot:

Goodnight folks, we have Cavs tomorrow Friday in our house. The king aint king here...yet:)

Yeah, Sheed better learn some mime or poker face.
I thought Cuban and D Nelson left on good terms.
I'm beginning to think Flip S. is Don N. junior.

I saw this exerpt from SI this morning about Cuban.

Cuban sat quietly throughout most of the Mavericks' opener. He wore a shirt with a large '$' sign on its back under a script, "HE FINE ME.''
He promised to maintain his independence in one area: He will continue to violate the spirit of the NBA dress code by refusing to wear a suit and tie. "That's a commitment I made to myself when I sold my first company,'' he said. "When I was one of the highest-ranked young enterepensuers in America and things were going great and I sold my company, I got lucky the first time, the second time, the third time, the fourth time, the fifth time -- I got lucky and every time I said, 'I won't wear a suit except to a wedding or a funeral, unless my wife makes me change.'''
Cuban was caught off guard when he learned during the recent league meetings that his fellow owners were preparing to reprimand him. "They told me what was going on, and I went home and I reflected on the best way to deal with the circumstances,'' he said. "And a bright light shone. A moment of clarity, that's exactly what it was.
"They obviously thought I had a greater impact than I thought I did. I thought I was some schlep on the sidelines enjoying the game.
"Now I'm going to school with the University of David Stern to learn.''

Oh Cuban, tell me it aint so:( I hate to see someone's spirit broken. I think Sheed needs to take Cuban's lead, follow the rules of Stern U. and just do what you do best, play the game. If Cuban can eat it, so can Sheed.

Mark hasn't been broken. Like any smart businessman, he's responding to market forces.

Cuban is great for the NBA, and despite what the stodgy ownership groups and management think, might be the best possible replacement for David Stern.

And that is the battle within the battle.

New school vs. old school.
Conservatism vs. Progressive action

Mark makes his point sarcastically when he says he got lucky 5 times. It's a comment about how his success is viewed as a twist of fate, and not the savvy mind of this generation's foremost Entrepreneur.

Yes, I am a Cuban hugger. Who wouldn't want to be him (with a better haircut)?

Cuban's spirit is NOT broken by any means. Go Cuban. lmao.(Apologies if this was posted elsewhere).

"I have a new aspiration beyond winning a title in the NBA: That's to fit in and be like everybody else."

Marked Maverick - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ahlad3ykm3CwkyOocqO_RUE5nYcB?slug=aw-cuban110306&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)

I just saw Buck Harvey's ExNews article, talking about Elson being a bigger Bruce. I thought that guy looked tall last night, standing with Bruce and Timmy. Anyway he said Elson got a technical for giving a primal scream when he made a dunk after pass from Ginobili. What??!

That wasnt against a ref, it was pure joy. New rules say you cant be happy? Looks like it's going to be the same old refs deciding who wins by ejecting players who are strong and going for it.

Hmmmm, sounds like game fixing to me. The refs should be scrutinized and not by foxes guarding the henhouse but by an independent fan based group. Fans come to see their team favorites win, not the refs.

Oh, and how about that new synthetic ball bouncing up and hitting ref, sending him out to get 5 stitches...wow

ELSON looked GOOD! Mobile big guy. Decent touch around the basket. Fits well with the Spurs. You can't taunt or hang on the rim. The hanging part can be contested but he ended up yelling into that guys face which is a judgement call there but if you consider the taunt rule...it could be justified as a T.

Taunting is good for the sport. I like it. It's entertaining. It creates rivalries. If the player wants to give the other team a reason to play harder by all means let them do it.

Can't see all of these rules changes helping the league. Too bad there isn't any real competition for the NBA. You'd have to think that if a proffesional league existed that could match the salaries of the NBA but give more power back to the player (old dress code, old defensive rules, old basketball, removal of ref no-tolerance rule ), they might be able to make a case for luring elite talent. Never understood why all of those retired millionaires have not got together and tried to battle the beast.

Never understood why all of those retired millionaires have not got together and tried to battle the beast.

Sorry big guy, but if I were a retired millionaire I'd think that beast battling would be fairly far down my list.

Too bad there isn't any real competition for the NBA. You'd have to think that if a proffesional league existed that could match the salaries of the NBA but give more power back to the player (old dress code, old defensive rules, old basketball, removal of ref no-tolerance rule ), they might be able to make a case for luring elite talent.
Collusion.

Sorry big guy, but if I were a retired millionaire I'd think that beast battling would be fairly far down my list.

Well, I dunno DBA, if you're a retired millionaire maybe you are looking for new challenges or wanting to contribute to the game in a way outside of hitting jump shots. If you are a retired basketball player most likely you remain a basketball enthusiast. If you have money, most likely you are a business owner in this country. Sounds like a natural fit to me.

Collusion.

I can see where this can affect salaries, but in the end it would force the NBA to have a more player friendly environment. We'd have a WCW/WWF battle on our hands to get the best talent. Competition is good. Boosts quality!

Well, I dunno DBA, if you're a retired millionaire maybe you are looking for new challenges or wanting to contribute to the game in a way outside of hitting jump shots. If you are a retired basketball player most likely you remain a basketball enthusiast. If you have money, most likely you are a business owner in this country. Sounds like a natural fit to me.

Could well be. At the ends of weeks like this when I've already been on more flights than there were days, and still have more to go, it's hard to think about retiring and then looking for another career. Of course, I'm not 32 and rich either.

ELSON looked GOOD! Mobile big guy. Decent touch around the basket. Fits well with the Spurs. You can't taunt or hang on the rim. The hanging part can be contested but he ended up yelling into that guys face which is a judgement call there but if you consider the taunt rule...it could be justified as a T.

I followed Franciso last year and wasn't too impressed. Its amazing what a change of scenery can do for a player.

I followed Franciso last year and wasn't too impressed. Its amazing what a change of scenery can do for a player.
------------
:sssh: <-------also accepted facial expression per NBA Face Judges.
:rolleyes: <-------deemed detrimental to leagues body language

Well, you guys did good on your back-to-back. It killed us, Cavs played really good, wanted to beat us and did, but we were so glad we beat the Mavs the night before, it didnt hurt too much. I think the back to back killed the Cavs because they didnt show up for the Bobcats.

We have another back to back, at Toronto Sunday and New York Monday. That will make 4 games in 5 days. Most of our losses last year were on back to backs. Hey, it's hard on us old guys!

GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO

Cavs lost to Bobs, what they didn't make the plane?

Cavs lost to Bobs, what they didn't make the plane?

Well, most of them were there, dont know their names yet as they are hardly mentioned, but I think the :king: was busy reading his raves:reading:

I was sorry to hear Bosh has the same thing, plantar fasciitis, that kept Tim Duncan hobbling around all last season. Bosh is playing with pain too, and Tim talked to him about it. Dang, that must hurt.

barbara SanAntone,

Most of us have plenty of respect for the Spurs. It would be great to see a rematch this year.
that surely would be Stern's nightmare- nevertheless, I want revenge!!! :stirthepot:

that surely would be Stern's nightmare- nevertheless, I want revenge!!! :stirthepot:

2Times, I agree. A Piston/Spur rematch would be soooo sweet, and it would definitely give Stern a nightmare just to think about it:)

I thought Johnny Ludden E-News was a good take on Oberto and Barry in Toronto game. Oberto made a jump from bench to starter, which he credits because he was only center during month of July and got a chance to work. Nesterovich and Mohammed were gone.

Oberto gave his coach even more reason to be confident in him Sunday after producing a career-high 12 points and matching a personal best with nine rebounds in the Spurs' 103-94 victory over Toronto at Air Canada Centre.
"He's the most productive ugly player I've ever seen," Popovich said. "He looks like a bull in a china shop out there, but he sets good picks, rebounds his fanny off and makes great passes. He just knows how to play."
Starting Oberto wasn't the only decision by Popovich that paid off Sunday. After not playing Brent Barry at all in the season opener against Dallas, Popovich pulled him off the bench in the first quarter then sat back and watched him make all five of his 3-pointers.

Oberto aint that ugly, just needs to get a haircut:drillsergeant:

We play Knicks tonight. This will be Pops 2nd trip to NY in a few months. He went there just before team went to France to speak on LB's behalf in arbritation hearing. Pop says "the whole summer was just a big negative":sssh:

GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO

Oberto aint that ugly, just needs to get a haircut:drillsergeant:

The Spurs have come up with a pretty good center tandem at least for a couple of games. Last night they got 18 points, 17 boards, 3 assists, a steal and a block and only 1 turnover from Oberto and Elson. That should make things a lot easier for Timmy D.

Well, we beat the Knicks but I was really sweating the 4thQ. The closest they had been all night was 9 points, Spurs were 20+ most of the night. Suddenly, Knicks exploded in the 4th and went on a 20-2 run. Wow we were just 1 point ahead, with 3 min left. Finally got it together and won, a heart stopper. Pop said in post game interview that it's a coach's worst nightmare to come out at beginning with 20 + because you know it will change, it always does, you just dont know when. This is first time in Spur history they won 3 away games at start of season.

Saw where Warriors rained on Mavs parade. First of all, the banner they waited to hang when Don Nelson came got stuck and workers had to go on catwalk to give it a tug and release the snag. Cuban barely nodded to Nelson. Nelson is suing him to collect 6 million he says the previous owners promised him.

From NBA summary:
Johnson was tossed with about four minutes left in the second quarter following a non-call when Terry missed a layup and wound up sprawled on the floor. He got one technical for saying, "That's bull," then another -- and an automatic ejection -- for griping about getting a technical. His harshest words followed as he made his way to the locker room.

Stern really is mad at Cuban! Now he's taking it out on Avery.

Well, we have Nash and Suns here Wednesday and Friday Knicks will be here. Spurs are going to have to figure out how to handle Knicks their untimely explosions:) Malik Rose was part of that, he knows how Spurs play. He and Tim were matched and Malik pulled the chair out from him and Tim landed on his butt.

Jazz dealt you a heart-breaker, but you guys played with heart (I think) I only get to watch the box scores, just a few points diff all night long. That's okay, long season yet. Still looking for Spurs/Piston Final.

Pistons coaches got tee'd up tonight as well.

Apparently the refs think the no tolerance rule extends beyond the players.

It makes for unwatchable basketball.

Pistons coaches got tee'd up tonight as well.

Apparently the refs think the no tolerance rule extends beyond the players.

It makes for unwatchable basketball.

What got me was that Avery got 1 Tech, then another for complaining about the tech. Really, that should have been with the 1st tech, not make it 2. What a mess! Just be aware if you get a tech, don't comment on getting it, or you will automatically get ejected. WOW!

Another thing about last nights game. That was the first time I saw Matt Bonner play and he is really good. He looks more like a football player because he's husky, not lean and muscular like the other guys. I don't think it's fat...I just don't see other guys with that build.:)

Bonner is also a super good citizen and a really nice guy.

He'll surprise you with his hustle and 3 point shooting.

Oberto aint that ugly, just needs to get a haircut
Oberto was big questionmark for me before the season, because I became a fan of the Argentinian national team last summer- he did good during the world championships. But since he's not quite athletic, I wondered if he'd be able to translate his stellar performance to the NBA level. I think he can, at least against other bench players. He's one of these players who know the game, know where to set picks and all that basic stuff. I also think he's stronger than he looks.

I agree with you 2 times. We really havent got a good look at him until this year and he is really going to work. I'm glad Pop went with him instead of Scola. Scola's agent and the International team he works with started upping the price (as I remember) so Pop left him where he was. Oberto sure came thru against the Suns, and the Suns played really well. I was glad to see Amare come back. and I have been surprised that Phx seems to think there is a problem working him into their game. I can remember year before last when he and Marion really worked together, I dont even remember Steve Nash at that time:stirthepot:

Glad I got to watch Piston game, and wish they had played JMax more. I like to watch that kid. :hoops:

Anxious to play Knicks Saturday, especially since I have a little history on Zeke, thanks to this forum. Such a nice guy, screwed by Stern, now by his boss with that "one year chance to show something." It would be interesting for Zeke to come up with some other plot for the Players Union, with input from Cuban (and his bucks). It will take something very creative, but I think they could do it.

Go Pistons/Go Spurs Go:)

On local sports news tonight, some writer (didnt say who) has trashed 2 of our spurs, Ginobilie and Horry. Said Manu has a bald spot so he must be at least 35, and you can stick a fork in Horry:stirthepot: He thinks they're done:)

Tony Parker is bald. DUH!

Well, Pop, Zeke and Bowen got in to it last night and all 3 got a technical. Ex-News reports the whole incident, here is exerpt:

Aware that New York guard Steve Francis sprained his left ankle after landing on Bowen's foot in the team's first meeting, Thomas became incensed when he thought Bowen stepped under Jamal Crawford while contesting a shot early in Saturday's game.


"Next time he does that," Thomas told his players, "break his (expletive) foot!"
Thomas started jawing at Bowen, who said he also heard the Knicks coach threaten to "break his neck." The referees gave them each a technical.
That brought Popovich off the bench. He shouted at the officials to tell Thomas to "stop talking to my players!" Popovich then told Thomas himself, yelling at him after marching to midcourt.
Thomas initially waved off Popovich before shouting back. Both coaches were restrained by their assistants as the officials tried to calm them.
"I think Pop was just defending his player," Bowen said, "because Pop doesn't talk to players."
Bowen and Thomas glared at each other briefly in the second quarter, and when Bowen walked off the court during the ensuing timeout, Popovich told him, "Don't say a word to (Thomas). Not a word."

Well, we don't meet the Knicks until way down the line. Maybe things will cool off by then. Saw the Piston/Laker game. Pistons looked so good. When Kobe only made 2 points in the first half (I think) I figured he would wait until the 4thQ to "save" the team. He tried, but it just didnt work:)

GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO

Well, we don't meet the Knicks until way down the line. Maybe things will cool off by then. Saw the Piston/Laker game. Pistons looked so good. When Kobe only made 2 points in the first half (I think) I figured he would wait until the 4thQ to "save" the team. He tried, but it just didnt work:)

GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO

I don't think Kobe really tried until the fourth.

Bonner is also a super good citizen and a really nice guy.

He'll surprise you with his hustle and 3 point shooting.

For a Canadian, you're quite diplomatic.

For a Canadian, you're quite diplomatic.
Thanks. I think.

@BSA, I saw a nice article on Beno the other day. It was posted at Hoopsworld.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Global.shtml

That was a great article on Beno. It is interesting to learn about another country (I've only been outside Texas twice) and his heart in basketball. I laughed when I read that when he was 15 he grew 3" in a month and said "I was not used to being taller":)

I just watched the spurs/rocket game and I was ready to give them the western conference champs for the 1st 3 quarters. They were GOOD. It didnt seem like Spurs had an answer to Yao. Spurs doubled him and Yao sent his guys on the perimeter the ball and 3's were all over the place. Then finally, 2min left in the 3rd, Spurs down 19, Beno got hot, the rest of the team lit up and Spurs were down 1 going into 4th. I think it totally stunned Rockets because they got so cold that Yao and McGrady just scored 3 each. They just couldnt get their balls to go in, Spurs did their thing and the rest is history.

I love to watch Yao play, he's gotten very aggressive. It's so funny when he gets a call against him, he looks at the ref in such a comical way I think the ref cant figure if it's a tech or not, so he lets it go. There are 10 Chinese reporters who follow Yao every game he plays in.

I see you guys play Rockets Sat. 11/18. Good luck, don't give up if you go down 20 points. Sports guy said when guys are down so much in the third, and there is a back to back (Play Charlotte tomorrow) Pop will usually pull his starters to rest them, but BENO got hot, gave everybody energy and everybody played. Rockets are playing a run and gun, not like previous years.

We have Bulls Friday. I will have to check. I think Rockets have them Thursday, maybe they will wear them out.:)

Nice come back by the Spurs tonight Barb. I thought they were down and out 75-60 only to see them close out the game on on 32-9 run. Very impressive with bench even contributing 41 points

Only wish the guy masquerading as the Piston coach could play 10 guys and get double digit scoring out 3 of his bench players when the staters tank it. I guess that is why POP has three rings and Flip only has twitches:)

Thanks LaDre, it was outstanding, and even the Spurs surprised themselves. I think Houston was numb, and just fell apart after the spurt. We are playing Charlotte right now, they are back to back too, played NO/Ok last night. Just going into 2ndQ now and Bobcats and Spurs are playing point for point. They have a couple of good guys, Okufur and a kid Adam Morrison(sp?) really putting up a fight. I am surprised that they have won only 1 game so far. At the rate they are going, they might get their second win tonight:sssh:

Well, Bobcats did it, got their second win tonight. And they really deserved it, they played tough and with heart. Spurs might have been a little sloppy, but that doesnt discredit the great game Bobcats played. It's funny, prior to this game, Bobcats only win was with Cavs and our only loss was with Cavs. That Adam Morrison is WOW, and he also is a diabetic (they said something about him having to sit to get insulin). And there was no answer for Okufur, very intimidating, strong. Bobcats are something to watch.:hoops:

Saw where Shaq will be out a while. We play Heat here 11/22 and you all have them 11/30. I heard he will not be back until the finals, that is if the team can get that far. Also heard he isnt even going to any of the games:stirthepot: Isnt that called retirement?

Well, you guys have Rockets in your house tonight, good luck. The key to Yao may be in not letting him get feet planted, he seems to have trouble keeping up with his feet. Just remember, they cant seem to follow thru with their leads so dont give up:)

We had the Bulls last night, of course they were on a b2b from Houston so not really fair to judge them. Of course I was interested in Big Ben because he was ex-Piston and I read all about him here. Frankly, he didnt look like he liked the Bulls, he seemed very distance to them IMO. I know you guys hated to see him go and he may be unhappy with his move. Chicago's expectation level may have been too high, hard for him to fill. Of course, I could be reading it wrong:hoops:

one more thought on the Rockets. They now play a run and gun style which is unlike VanGundy's usual play, more conservative, but he has sort of turned them loose, so to speak.

So, I would match your smallest, fastest player with Yao, play the young guys from the bench. Think it would work?

We simply do not have the shooters to play small for 80% of a game.

If we could bring Barry, Finley and Horry off the bench it would be different.

Hey Roscoe, whatever you guys did, it worked. Couldnt watch the game but I followed the boxscores and looked like your guys held up good. I always feel better when i see Pistons play like they did, because it looks really good for a good season:hoops:

got back from out west games, Barry said it was more like a hockey arena in Sacramento, his head was busted open and required 12 stitches, and a Kings player had a busted lip and had about 5 stitches.

I thought the TrailBlazers played well in Portland. I am always interested in looking at the home crowd at other arenas. This was the deadest crowd I ever saw. It was half empty, no noise, no cheers, nothing. I think they made a little noise in the 4th. The announcer said that Portland was having a hard time getting a fan base. At one time the team was known as the Portland Jailblazers.:stirthepot: Anyone ever hear that?

Well, it looks bad for the Heat. We played them tonight and the bench played to 4th Q. Wade got a tech because he slapped the ball into the stands with that pouty look he gets. Then another guy Damon (?) got a tech for getting into the refs face about Wades tech. Riley should have gotten one, he was yelling and screaming at the refs, long and loud, but Pop and the refs just let him go, after all he was 30+ behind.:deadhorse
It's kinda sad, I dont think Shaq can come back and save them and there is no way Wade can carry them. They are going to have to play a different kind of game, IMO, You guys did good tonight. Good luck with Charlotte on Friday, Adam and Okemur are lethal:sssh: We have Mavs and You know they are after us, big time!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL:)

GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO

Portland Trailgansters, Portland Gunblazers whatever.

Portland Trailgansters, Portland Gunblazers whatever.

Hi Thee, I like "gunblazers":pound: Well Mavs got a big smile on their faces today, beat the Spurs in our own house, just llke we did them. OUR Avery Johnson has taught them all of Pop's moves, they played good and it was a good game, it's a hot rivalry:gun1: We go out west, Sunday Sonics, Monday GS, Wednesday Jazz. Then come home for Kings on Sat and GS on Monday. Then back out west for a clipper, laker, clipper run.
Got the Bobcats in the middle on 12/6 and hope we can Piston-ize them. Did Adam Morrison get to play you guys? I didnt see his name in recap or boxscores. I like to watch that guy play.

Do you remember when Spurs played New York and Isaih and Pop and someone else got into it? Then Zeke complained that Bruce was trying to get under players feet, and Stern reviewed it and told Bowen to keep away. Bruce says he stays close to his guy, thats how he defends. Anyway, NBA warned Bruce and Pop told him not to pay attention, to play like he does. So, today was a good article on Topix.net about playing dirty, and the writer brought up the Piston Bad Boys and all the players that are playing "dirty" now (mostly Mavs:) ) but the only thing refs are calling are "dirty looks". I will see if I can cut it down to post.

GO PISTONS/GO SPURS GO:hoops:

To be honest I don't remember if the P.T. were avid gun slingers but they did like a full plate of police blotter back when Sheed was young. Not Sheed though.
P.S. watch out for the Jazz and Warriors.

ROSCOE... This is part of ar