Doubt it. Missing shots doesn't necessarily mean you are dumping a game. Not sure why they didn't foul in that situation but it likely wasn't because they were tanking the game. If the Spurs wanted to tank to avoid the Jazz, they didn't need to do it tonight. Plus, so much can happen in the final stretch that nobody can predict where any team will end up. And if the Spurs/Popovich did want to tank this game, they wouldn't have let it get so close down the stretch. They could have let the Hornets pull ahead much earlier.
Everyone is free to have an opinion and mine may be wrong in this instance. As always, to each his won. One last thing about that series: The Hornets blasted the Spurs at home in games 1 & 2. In games 3 & 4, it was close at halftime. IMO, in both games the Hornets looked like the better team. In both games, I expected them to take control in the 2nd half and step on the neck of the Spurs. I think most people did because the Spurs just didn't look very strong, and the Hornets were just obviously better. Instead, the Hornets (including CP) lost their will, displayed no killer instinct and lost both games. It wasn't as if CP was pulling the boat by himself, like tonight, and they lost. He was a part of the problem. By the time the series got to game 7, most people (myself included) expected the Spurs to raise their game and take the series. Instead, it was pathetic as already discussed. I post all of this to say it was more than just a one-game problem for CP against the Spurs. Perhaps you can blame it on being his first time in the postseason. Just so everyone understands, I think CP is a great player, probably the 4th best in the NBA. I would kill for him to be on the Rockets. He does things nobody else in the NBA can do. He's also one of the craftiest players in a long time, and this is only his 4th year. He's on a fast track for the Hall of Fame. The Spurs weren't trying to tank. They want to clinch the 2nd seed ASAP so TD can rest. I promise you that. Losing this game could bite them.
Indeed. There was one point in the 2nd half where Sean Marks(!) blocked Duncan twice in the same possession. It was unreal. He didn't look himself.
Interesting take. I watched a little bit of that series but not much. I'll keep an eye out, especially this postseason. A lot of people are obviously questioning Paul's toughness so there must be some reason for it.
That was crazy. If TD doesn't feel better in the playoffs, the Spurs could lose in the 1st round to almost anybody. Pop has some tough decisions to make about him in the remaining regular season games. IMO, a healthier TD is more important than seeding, but the Spurs don't want to fall to #4 to face the Lakers in the 2nd round.
