http://www.sportsnipe.com Sports news headlines from all sources http://www.sportsnipe.com/images/logo.gif http://www.sportsnipe.com Sports news headlines from all sources http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049257/turner-no-15-ohio-st-beat-13-cal-ap.html Evan Turner had 26 points and 14 rebounds, his fourth double-double in as many games, and No. 15 Ohio State beat No. 13 California 76-70 on Friday night in the third-place game of the 2K Sports Classic. The Buckeyes (3-1) went through an opposite experience from their 77-73 loss to No. 6 North Carolina in the semifinals of the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049256/neuvirth-to-start-vs-montreal.html Michal Neuvirth will make his first start of the season against the Canadiens tonight, Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He had a great training camp and then got hurt," Boudreau said. "We wanted to see him play." The 21-year-old's last start in Washington was a 5-2 loss to Carolina March 3. Neuvirth will be backed up Semyon Varlamov. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049255/tonights-lineup-canadiens-at-caps.html Michal Neuvirth will make his season debut tonight at Verizon Center as the Caps look to win their second straight game and for the sixth time in their past seven contests. Carey Price, meanwhile, will get the nod for the Canadiens. The Caps, as you know by now, are really banged up. They're so banged up, in fact, owner Ted Leonsis blogged about it earlier today: No Alexander Semin; Mike Knuble; Boyd Gordon; Quintin Laing; Milan Jurcina; Shaone Morrisonn. Jose Theodore is out for a few days and, of course, Michael Nylander is deciding where he wants to play. It is funny. That is about $20 million in payroll not in the lineup. With that said, here's what the Caps' lineup should look like: Forwards Ovechkin-Backstrom-Fleischmann Laich-Morrison-Clark Steckel-Perreault-Fehr Sloan-Beagle-Bradley Defense Schultz-Green Poti-Carlson Erskine-Pothier Goalies Neuvirth Varlamov I'll have more after the game. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049254/mj-says-others-deserve-lebrons-gesture-too.html Michael Jordan is grateful for LeBron James' suggestion last week to retire No. 23 leaguewide, but the Hall of Famer says there are several more players just as worthy of the honor, according to an ESPN.com report Friday. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049253/turner-leads-no-15-ohio-st-over-13-cal.html Evan Turner had 26 points and 14 rebounds, his fourth double-double in as many games, and No. 15 Ohio State beat No. 13 California 76-70 on Friday night in the third-place game of the 2K Sports Classic. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049252/lebron-cavs-face-pacers.html Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049251/no-6-carolinasyracuse-in-2k-classic-final.html Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049250/live-no-6-unc-syracuse-clash-at-garden.html Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049249/florida-panthers-kitchener-crew-supports-deboer.html A group of about 50 people from Kitchener, including several kids wearing Kitchener Rangers jerseys, drove about three hours from Kitchener, Ontario to Detroit for tonight's game to support Pete DeBoer and the Panthers. DeBoer coached Kitchener, a junior hockey... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049248/florida-panthers-kitchener-crew-supports-deboer-sunsentinel-blog.html Florida Panthers: Kitchener Crew supports DeBoerSun-Sentinel Florida Panthers (blog)DeBoer coached Kitchener, a junior hockey team in the OHL, for seven years before accepting the Panthers' job and won 297 games with a .676 winning ... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049247/florida-panther-found-decapitated-near-yeehaw-junction-tampabaycom.html Florida panther found decapitated near Yeehaw JunctionTampabay.comAn anonymous caller reported seeing a dead Florida panther by the side of the Florida Turnpike near Yeehaw Junction. That's more than 150 miles north of ...Info needed on decapitated pantherOrlando Sentinelall 6 news articles » Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049246/hurricanes-look-to-repeat-exciting-finish-burlington-times-news.html Globe and MailHurricanes look to repeat exciting finishBurlington Times NewsRALEIGH ? After the most inspirational finish to a game this season, right wing Tuomo Ruutu of the Carolina Hurricanes was ready to put it in the past. ...Ruutu lifts Canes past Leafs, 6-5 in shootoutThe Associated PressNever Leave Early: Canes 6, Leafs 5 in ShootoutCanes CountryWilson won't change Leafs lineupGlobe and MailMiamiHerald.com -Canoe.caall 263 news articles » Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049245/hurricanes-send-rodney-to-minors.html The Carolina Hurricanes sent defenseman Bryan Rodney back to their AHL affiliate in Albany. The team made the move Friday after bringing him up Nov. 11. Rodney had two assists in five games and averaged nearly 18 minutes of ice time during his first stint with the team this season. The Hurricanes host Tampa Bay on Saturday. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049244/what-might-have-been-but-really.html I am a bit a masochist, being a like long Leaf fan who has refused to turn of his TV during the worst of Leaf games (most of this season for instance) is a telling sign of that.Being the bringer of self pain, and inspired by THIS post by Mr mf37 I decided to look at what might have been if the Leafs had not surrendered all of those needlessly spent picks and had some how miraculously finished in the same position every year and drafted the best available player in said round.I call this the "Oh dear god why do I do this to myself" list of possible Leafs/ex Leafs2000- Brad Boyes (1st rnd for Nolan)2003- Corry Perry (1st rnd for Nolan)2004 -Mike Green (1st rnd for Leetch)2005 -Tukka Rask (1st rnd for Raycroft)2007 - David Perron (1st rnd for Toskala)I'm not even gonna go back any farther and look at the famous Luongo draft pick and all that because I would drive my head through my laptop.I'm gonna go drink myself to death now. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049243/battered-blue-line-to-blame-for-montreal-canadiens-power-play-woes-bleacher-report.html Bleacher ReportBattered Blue Line to Blame for Montreal Canadiens Power Play WoesBleacher ReportIf nothing is done, the Canadiens will continue to struggle until Andrei Markov returns, because as of right now, Montreal's battered blue line can't get it ... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049242/sabres-unveil-aud-brick-ticket-special.html The Buffalo Sabres today announced a unique promotion that will enable fans to take home a limited edition brick from the Memorial Auditorium, along with a pair of tickets to the New Year’s Day game vs. Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. Fans can purch... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049241/rask-to-start-again-tonight.html Getting close to the 7:30 puck drop here at HSBC Arena. Tuukka Rask will make his third straight start in the Boston net. Tim Thomas, the backup again, still has a niggling (undisclosed) injury, allowing Rask to start for... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049240/bruinssabres-updates.html Boston's first-/ujnit power play has Patrice Bergeron centering Mark Recchi and Blake Wheeler, with Zdeno Chara and Derek Morris on points. 6:45 -- Buffalo penalty, Ellis, 2:00 for hooking. 4:20 -- Sabres 1, Bruins 0 -- Parked on doorstep,... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049239/marchand-assigned-whitfield-on-waivers-nhlcom.html Marchand Assigned; Whitfield on WaiversNHL.comBoston Bruins assign Brad Marchand to Providence; Place Trent Whitfield on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Providence. BOSTON, MA ? Boston Bruins ...Bruins Assign Brad Marchand to Providence, Place Trent Whitfield on WaiversNESN.comall 2 news articles » Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049238/boston-bruins-nhlcom.html Boston BruinsNHL.comTickets can be purchased online at bostonbruins.com, by calling 617-624-BEAR (2327) and in-person at all Ticketmaster outlets or the TD Garden Box Office. ... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049237/buffalo-sabres-vs-boston-bruins-game-thread-die-by-blade-blog.html Washington PostBuffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins [Game Thread]Die By The Blade (blog)I quickly put up a post before the first game that explained the SPG Game. Unfortunately I did not do ...Sabres notebook: Skate's on the other foot for BruinsBuffalo NewsSabres Weekend Preview: Big games vs. Bruins & SenatorsMetrowny.comSCOUTING REPORT: Bruins on the road again, at Buffalo.The Patriot LedgerBuffalo News -Die By The Blade (blog)all 290 news articles » Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049236/live-blog-bruins-at-sabres-boston-nesncom.html Live Blog: Bruins at Sabres - Boston Bruins - NESN.com. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049235/marchand-assigned-whitfield-on-waivers.html BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has assigned Brad Marchand to the Providence Bruins and placed Trent Whitfield on waivers for purpose of assignment to Providence. Marchand has playe... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049234/bruins-week-ahead-1120-1127.html THIS WEEK’S NEWS, NOTES AND NUMBERS: AT & T LEGENDS CLASSIC TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY: Tickets to the AT&T Legends Classic – which will take place at Fenway Park on January 2, 2010 –  went on sale to the general publ... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049233/penguins-reassign-nate-guenin.html The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Nate Guenin to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, it was announced by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero. Guenin, a Hopewell High School graduate, saw ac... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049232/senators-donovan-sidelined-by-nasty-hit-national-post.html Faceoff.comSenators' Donovan sidelined by 'nasty' hitNational Post... in the way of Shean Donovan in the first period as the Ottawa Senators meet the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place in NHL action November 19, 2009. ...Sens' Donovan suffers knee injury, out for 'a long time'TSN.caSenators' depth gets new testNHL.comSenators lose KovalevFaceoff.comThe Province -SLAM! Sports -Rotowireall 19 news articles » Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049231/wilkesbarrescranton-pens-dream-playing-in-nhl-kdka.html ECHL.comWilkes-Barre/Scranton Pens Dream Of Playing In NHLKDKA2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during a pre-season NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on Sept. 22, 2009, in Toronto. With the recent rash of injuries to the ...Pittsburgh Recalls 2006 All-Star LeeECHL.comPenguins Re-Assign Forward Mark LetestuNHL.comDepleted by injuries Pens prep for 2 gamesWilkes Barre Times-LeaderOurSports Central (press release) -Scranton Times -MLN - The Raw Feed (blog)all 23 news articles » Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049230/penguins-send-guenin-back-to-wilkesbarre.html The Penguins have returned defenseman Nate Guenin to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049229/flyers-pregame-november-20.html Tim Saunders and Chris Therien take a look at the upcoming game in San Jose between the Sharks and Flyers on Nov. 20, 2009. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049228/sacramento-kings-vs-dallas-mavericks-live-stream-watch-online.html Don't miss to watch Sacramento Kings vs Dallas Mavericks live stream and online video coverage this November 20, 2009 via Justin TV, Sopcast, Youtube and many more. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049227/sacramento-kings-owner-maloof-sports-ampamp-entertainment-will-no.html The Sacramento Monarchs folded on Friday, a shocking and disappointing development for the WNBA and one of its original eight franchises. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049226/nba-expert-picks-sacramento-kings-vs-dallas-mavericks-betuscom.html betting.betfair.com (blog)NBA Expert Picks ? Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas MavericksBetUs.comThe surprising Sacramento Kings (5-5 SU, 6-4 ATS, 5-4-1 O/U) haven't exactly been chopped liver as they've won and covered the spread in four of their last ...Sacramento Kings (5-5) at Dallas Mavericks (9-3), 8:30 pmMiamiHerald.comSacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks previewDallas Morning NewsKings-Mavericks PreviewCBSSports.comBleacher Report -Sactown Royalty (blog) -The Two Man Game (blog)all 56 news articles » Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049225/wnba-loses-another-team-sacramento-monarchs-folded-seattle-times.html Seattle Post IntelligencerWNBA loses another team: Sacramento Monarchs foldedSeattle Times"Maloof Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Monarchs, has deemed it essential to focus all of its resources on the Sacramento Kings at this time. ...Sacramento Monarchs Fold, Says GMNews10.netWNBA Folds in Sacramento, Seeks Bay Area Owner for 2010FanHouse (blog)Another WNBA original foldsDime MagazineSI.comall 166 news articles » Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049224/new-orleans-hornets-upset-phoenix-suns-110103.html Behind 25 points from Peja Stojakovic, the New Orleans Hornets upset the Phoenix Suns 110-103 Thursday night as Hornets General Manager/Coach Jeff Bower earned his second consecutive victory. The Suns (10-3) came in with the best record ... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049223/practice-report-nash-says-suns-got-quotfatquot-quotcozyquot-102-record.html Steve Nash was not happy with his team's effort in Thursday's loss to the Hornets. (Photo by Max Simbron) View full size photo » Unlike last week when the Suns came home from a road loss to the Lakers and took Friday off before a Sunday game, today they went hard for a full two hours. The media are let in for the last half hour of practice which almost always is just guys taking shots on their own or in small groups and perhaps a group of four or six of the younger players doing some extra work with the assistant coaches. Today though Coach Gentry had the team going hard in five on five scrimmage with an 18 second shot clock. Everyone but Nash participated with Barbosa taking his spot on the starters squad and Taylor Griffin subbing in and out for Grant Hill. Nash was fine by the way - obviously there's no need for HIM to get in extra floor time. The guys were into it and it was great to hear communication on the defensive end and see Gentry really lay into guys when he didn't like what he was seeing. At the same time between plays there was still some joking around. It was nice mix between intense focus and loose camaraderie. The highlights of the scrimmage were: Earl Clark throwing down a massive jam which drew plenty of oohs and aaahhs Robin Lopez practicing with the team for the first time and moving well. Offensively, he hit a nice mid-post hook shot which drew a sharp clap of approval from David Griffin and then on the very next trip down missed a wide open reverse layup which also drew a reaction I won't bother repeating It was fun seeing Jason Richardson argue (loudly) for a goal tending call on an inside look by Amare The highlight though was in the last couple of plays which were end of game side line out of bounds situations. Gentry had JRich inbound the ball off of Dudley's ass (if you notice he often turns his back to the inbound passer). Jason caught the ball and nailed the three and was fouled by Dudley who turned to contest the shot...laughter ensued as did a joke about the ball almost not bouncing back which you can interpret for yourself Practice ended on another inbound play that had the ball going in and Amare setting a screen on Dudley as Jason got open in the corner for a three. That certainly ended the tough work-out on a high note Steve Nash had some interesting thoughts on the game in New Orleans. I love how he's willing to call out his team for a poor performance and not sugar coat anything. The Suns played poorly. They weren't prepared to battle. They were a little complacent with themselves. Great to hear Steve acknowledge that: "If we're honest we didn't deserve to win. We came out lackluster. We got ourselves back in the came but never really curbed the ills that we started the game with. We didn't really have any attention to detail and we gave up a lot of rebounds so our concentration and effort weren't good enough." Steve talked about the teams tendency to play from behind "Great that we have the characteristics to come and wins games that we're behind in but that's not the way you want to draw up a game plan. You want to come out early and play well and set the tone. Put doubt in the other team's mind and really have a solid 48-minute performance. You don't play in spurts or patches and have to come from behind. You expend too much energy and you play with fire." Comparing this year's start to 04/05 when team was 34-4 He said the Suns have played well this year and rebounded the ball well and now they have to prove to themselves they can come back from a bad performance and do well on Sunday. Nash said the league is stronger this year and especially the West. Asked where the team can improve offensively "I still think our rhythm, our tempo, and that seamless flow of getting into our spots and spacing and reading and reacting to one another. I think we've got a lot improvement to do there that just needs time and experience." Saying more about underestimating the Hornets "I felt like our energy showed that we underestimated them. I think we knew, we talked about it, Alvin (Gentry) told us this is a game that is potentially trap door for us. We talked about it but I don't think we backed that up or came out with the urgency we needed. Our concentration I thought was less than what was necessary and we found ourselves down big early. That was proof that maybe we underestimated them." On how much of Tuesdays game was due to Chris Paul being out Nash said "That's part of it but I think more than that we were riding a little high. We got a little fat for ourselves and we were just too comfortable, too cozy with our 10 and 2 record and didn't take care of business." "It's going to happen in our league you know but it's frustrating and there's no need. Last night was very winnable so we've got to be greedy." Talking a bit about the bench Nash said that Jared Dudley is a huge part of the team and is becoming a leader of the second unit. Robin coming back will be huge. He's the only true Center on the roster and brings a great defensive presence and his offensive game is coming along as well.   I am trying out a new audio recorder. Take a listen and let me know what you think:     And here's the video via Suns.com Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049222/richardson-retiring-no-23-greatest-idea.html Jason Richardson does not wear No. 23 for Michael Jordan and is not on the LeBron James pulpit that the league should retire the number. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049221/notes-lopez-rejoins-suns-practice.html Robin Lopez returned to Suns practice, plus more Suns notes. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049220/lakerliker-los-angeles-lakers-50-amazing-years-in-city-angels.html Los Angeles Lakers: 50 Amazing Years in the City of Angels. Get this amazing book encapsulating the Lakers in L.A. Foreword by Coach Phil Jackson, stories by L.A. Time sportswriters and photos from Getty Images. Order Information: ... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049219/andrew-bynum-ankle-update.html Or A.B.A.U., for the acronymically* inclined... No surprise, after turning his right ankle in the third quarter of Thursday's 108-93 win over the Bulls, Andrew Bynum didn't practice Friday afternoon in El Segundo, instead receiving treatment ranging from medicine to ice to something he called a "laser level," which I always thought was used to hang picture frames properly. (Note: If my Google skills are worth their salt, I'm pretty sure he meant a low-level laser, which is used to help reduce swelling.) "It was sorer than last night, he said. "I left last (the arena) last night without doing... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049218/friday-practice-notes-pau-pj-bynum.html (Self Promotional Notes: Don't forget to download this week's 710 ESPN.com Lakers PodKast, and to follow us on the Twitter at latimesKbros. Finally, AK and I are the, ahem, "personalities" representing 710 ESPN at this poker tourney at Hollywood Park Casino. Apparently, there's a bounty on our heads. Not for capturing us Boba Fett style for delivery to Jabba the Hutt, but rather knocking us out of the event. Come down/up/over and play if you can. That is all... for now. Moving on...) Sorry for what will be a brief report from Friday afternoon's practice in El Segundo, but it's... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049217/are-los-angeles-clippers-tickets-chic-hot-article-in-tinsel.html Los Angeles Clippers tickets were, at best, an afterthought after decades in the city. The Clippers had lone of the worst records in the NBA outstanding a time. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049216/are-los-angeles-clippers-tickets-meet-hot-article-in-tinsel.html Los Angeles Clippers tickets were, at finest, an afterthought for decades in the city. The Clippers had a man of the worst records in the NBA outstanding a. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049215/denver-los-angeles-clippers-gamethread-nov-20-2009-830-pm-mst.html Game 12 Preview & Thread: Nuggets @ Clippers (8:30pm MDT) Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049214/conversation-wesley-matthews.html At the start of training camp, there was only a slim chance Wesley Matthews was going to make the team.  Beside the fact that he was an undrafted rookie, the Jazz were also over the luxury cap and had a full roster.  Of course not only did Matthews make the ... Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049213/200910-denver-nuggets-season-forecast.html Never too late for a forecast. This was in the November Mile High Sports Magazine (still on the newsstands) Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049212/hey-i-wonder-what-this-shiny-red-button-labeled-quotpanicquot-does.html Kelly Dwyer astutely points out what is very obvious to most fans: we are missing our 2nd and 3rd best players. That will wreak havoc with any team, but especially a team that relies on 3 very unique and gifted players. This is what makes games like last week's win over Dallas a mirage of sorts: yes, we can win (and play beautiful basketball) shorthanded; but in the end, you need your stars and best play makers down the stretch of close games to win those games.This isn't to take anything away from Richard Jefferson or George Hill. They are both great players and will play vital roles for us this year. But when you ask players better suited as tertiary stars or stud role players to step into the role of superstar, it can get dicey. George Hill is coming into his own as a great player, and is a better-than-adequate back up PG. But it's too much to ask him (right now) to run the offense in the last 5 minutes of a close game, create his own shots and shots for other players, and guard the other teams best player. His best moments are usually born from the spectacular plays of Ginobili and Parker.It all creates a domino effect, where everybody has to play a level or two higher than they are best suited for. Parker goes down, and Hill steps in as starting PG. Where this hurts us most is not in the drop off from Parker to Hill, but from Hill to our next PG (in the case of last night's game, Mason, Jr.). I've been really impressed with Roger's improved floor game this year, but I still don't think he is suited to be a PG of any sort. This hurts him and it hurts the team. He is a deadly shooter (and the expansion of his ball handling abilities will only help this, much like they have for Matt Bonner this year), but when he's asked to run the point, it removes the best part of his game from the team. So now we have a below average point guard (where we used to have a good PG in Hill), and we're without one of our best shooting guards. Double whammy. This is what allows Finley to play 24 minutes. (That, and Pop's apparent undying love for him, which can only be matched by Bella's love for Edward. What, Twilight references are no good?)This all played out in the last five minutes of the game. Utah had their best players on the floor, and their two studs running their money play over and over again, and we could not stop it. We had our best play makers in street clothes, forcing Duncan to shoulder the offensive load, and players unaccustomed to these moments trying to win us a ball game. And we didn't.Look, we're playing hard, we're playing tough, and we're growing as a team, slowly figuring each other out. If you watch the games, you know that we're getting better, even if the results of our efforts aren't shown in the standings. This doesn't take the sting out of losing, or our of our 4-6 start. But it might keep us off the ledge. At least for another week or two.What I Liked:--Tim Duncan. Another Herculean effort in a loss. He led the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and +/-. He played 39 minutes and he left it all on the floor.--Keith Bogans. He continues to impress me. His individual D is the best on the team. He guarded Deron Williams better than George Hill. And his offensive game is good. Not great, but not bad. It's good. I don't cringe when he shoots (I'm looking at you, Theo Ratliff), and I don't cringe when he puts it on the floor (I'm looking at you, Finley and Bowen).--Defense. We are definitely improving on the defensive end of the floor. We held the Jazz to 90 points, and contested everything. It certainly didn't help that the game was being called tight, and every little foul was putting players on the line. There's still some things to fix (cough*rebounding*cough), but we're headed in the right direction.--Theo Ratliff's block party. That's why we brought him here. His block on Boozer in the 3rd was particularly nice.--Roger Mason, Jr.'s shooting. Nice to see it return. Think of how good he could be with his shooting form back and not being asked to run the point for the team.What I Didn't Like:--Offense. Not heading in the right direction. We're running into each other. We're playing too much one-on-one. We're not moving the ball, we're not moving players, we're not attacking the rim, we're not being patient. We have players RUNNING INTO EACH OTHER! Did I mention that already? All this added firepower and we're still struggling to put points on the board.--George Hill, foul machine. Yes, things we're being called tight. Yes, young players rarely get the benefit of calls. But he has to play smarter, and know when to back off a bit. Especially when he's starting for Parker, we need him on the floor. He got two really quick fouls in the first and had to come out of the game much earlier than we would have liked.--Rebounding. I should just copy and paste this for every game, huh?--Start of the fourth quarter. We had fought tooth and nail to be tied going into the fourth. Then we started the quarter with a few really bad possessions (though we were aided by some good Mason, Jr. shooting), and dug ourselves into a hole that we were never able to get out of.--3-pt shooting. 4-20 = bad.--Free throw shooting. We've never been known for outstanding free throw shooting, but we shot only 15 for 23 last night. That's a lot of points to leave off the board in a tight game. It's scary when Duncan is your most reliable free throw shooter.Game Ball:It'd be criminal to give it to anybody other than Tim Duncan.Looking Forward:We have Washington at home on Saturday night. They are off to a struggling start, as well, but they are coming off a big win against Cleveland, and are also boosted by the return of Antawn Jamison (who had a huge night against Cleveland). This should be a good game, and if recent history is any indication, a tough one. At this point, what game isn't tough for us?It appears that Manu will be out for at least a week. Parker is listed as day-to-day, so maybe we'll have him back. It's tough to get a feel for what the rotation will be like with star players missing, but we should keep an eye on the minutes of some of the fringe players, like Hairston. He's gotten real minutes in the last two games, and I've been encouraged by what I've seen, if not blown away. Also keep an eye on Blair's minutes, as they seem to be dropping, probably because of his inability to fully grasp the defense at this point. We know that Pop will always sacrifice offense for defense.Finally, let's keep an eye on who guards whom. The Wizards have 3 tough match-ups in Arenas, Jamison, and Caron Butler. By position, the defense against them would be Hill, Duncan, and Jefferson (Jamison is their PF, Butler their SF). Obviously, I don't think we'll see that. I'd like to see Bogans guarding Arenas, Jefferson guarding Butler, and Hill guarding Jamison. Jamison is only 6'9", and has a similar build to Durant. And we all know how well Hill did against him.And most importantly, stay away from that panic button...for now.Update: Check out this really great article on Pop at si.com. I love articles like this, and they make me love Pop even more. He is the rarest of breeds: a great coach who is probably an even better person. As those who know like to say, he gets it. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049211/spurscast-180-live-jazz-recap.html Listen as Jeff and I recap last night's Jazz loss live. We go over the numbers, discuss the Spurs' troubles, give out shiny and rusty Spurs awards, take a call and look at the upcoming schedule. Oh yea, and I got shocked, like 3 times, that's how good we are. So listen for a shockingly good time. We'll be live again next Friday for the Spurs vs. Rockets game. {audio}http://projectspurs.com/podcast/download/sc112009.mp3{/audio} Download Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049210/will-madness-never-end.html I didn't see it coming when they slaughtered the Hornets on their opening night. Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049209/quotif-playoffs-started-tomorrow-i-think-wed-be-in-trouble-but-weve-got-long-way-to-goquot -t.html "If the playoffs started tomorrow, I think we?d be in trouble. But we?ve got a long way to go." ? Tim Duncan Thanks, BlaseE. I feel better already. (ht: ESPN's Daily Dime) Sport Snipe - Sports News http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1049208/spurs-links-for-nov-20-2009.html Jazz break through against Spurs Spurs' Ginobili to miss 7 to 10 days Fire Pop? That was the last time Suicidal Thoughts and Home Losses Jazz end decade of futility Team wins in SA for first time in 10 years Behind the Box Score: Utah 90, San Antonio 83 Sport Snipe - Sports News