Manu Ginobili was not going to shoot 20% all night. Tony Parker was not going to shoot 20% all night. At some point, Matt Bonner….the NBA’s best three point shooter so far this season…was going to hit on a deep ball or two. Even with the big lead, the Wolves had to know that at some point, San Antonio was going to stage a comeback run, and they did.
Believe it or not, Tim Duncan is just the latest star big man Darko has outplayed this year (22-8-4 with 5 blocks, to Timmah’s 9-13-3 and no blocks) Others on the list: Pau Gasol, Blake Griffin and Amare Stoudemire. Not bad, not bad
Manu Ginobili is really damn good. Yes, he can be over-dramatic at times, but let’s be clear: this guy can ball with anyone on the planet. Just a very unique, very talented player
Tiago Splitter is going to be pretty good too. Maybe not Tim Duncan good, but still. He got hammered tonight by Love, but you can see the potential there. More than anything, he looks like he’s just trying to find a comfort zone and adjust to the NBA pacing and rules. His 16-7-2 averages in the ACB league last year are up in the Pau Gasol stratosphere. I think it’s just a matter of time before he figures it out, takes over the Spurs’ other starting spot in the paint, and starts being the new Tim Duncan as the old Tim Duncan eases into the vacant David Robinson role.
Tonight, Darko took Duncan to school. Yes, I said it. There was one point in the game where Duncan was growing so frustrated with Darko’s success in the post that he picked up three fouls. . . in less than two minutes. His confidence and energy has elevated his game to an all-new level, one that compliments our offense very well.
Star Tribune beat writer, Jerry Zgoda, questioned the Wolves’ poise and composure in these tight games. I feel it directly correlates to our youth and inexperience. This team has had trouble sealing the deal because no one understands that you need to elevate to the next level to shut the door. It takes single-handed efforts to pull these kinds of wins out — Ginobili and Parker did it tonight. Sooner or later these guys are going to realize that we need to kick the adrenalline up and make plays happen down the stretch.
Tim Duncan angry is a sickening sight. He doesn’t just get mad at anyone, rather he throws his arms up in the air looking for sympathy. What a baby??
Manu Ginobili may be a bigger baby than Duncan. With two minutes to go, he assumed the cradle position on the court, wincing in pain. And then he got right up and nailed a three into our backs.
I can’t believe we blew a 21 point lead and lost in OT. Well… I guess I can believe it, we are the TWolves after all. Still, this was infinitely closer than I ever thought it would be. Oh well. Good game Spurs. Way to stay in it and fight back. That’s why they are champions.
But wow… their three point shooting. They were 2 of 17 from deep at one point. 10 of 32 on the game. Egads.
The refs were about as atrocious as atrocious can get. I know people complain about NBA refs all the time (well deserved I’d say), but oh my god this was bad. Story of our lives.
Duncan. Man, he’s just not the same. He’s still good of course, but not what he once was. And he’s still soooooo… damn… whiny. It’s very annoying. Of course he wasn’t ever called for a technical. Weird how that works. You asshat Stern.
Manu is definitely their best player, in my humble opinion.
Does Tiago Splitter suck? Or does he just need more time to get used to the NBA (same as with Pekovic.) I dunno. And he looks malnourished. He’s like the Corey Brewer of big men.
