MarHill
01-15-2009, 04:35 PM
Well, I've read most of the posts from last night and today about the Spurs-Lakers game and I wanted to give my observation.
First of all, it was an excellent regular season game for mid January. Both teams played at a very high level and the game could have gone either way.
Next, this was not a defensive game. From the 1st quarter...both teams come out hot (especially Gasol) and it was 30-29 SA at the end of the quarter and 63-61 SA at the half. So for Spurs fans to complain about the defense last night....the flow of the game dictated it would be an offensive game. Some games are going to be like that.
The Spurs shot 57.1% from the field and 50.0% from 3 point land and the Lakers shot 56.6% from the field and 56.3% from 3 point land. The Spurs had 6 players in double figures and the Lakers had 5 players in double figures. The Lakers have the most dynamic offense in the league and it was good to see the Spurs shooting that well and match them point for point. Like I've posted many times before the Spurs have more offensive weapons this season and when they shoot like this....they have a very dynamic offense!!!
Now it was good to see Manu played like Manu last night. After hitting those first two three-pointers...it got him going! Also, the steal on Kobe at the top of the key in 1st half. Again, Manu was the X-Factor last night and if he's healthy he will be the key in order for the Spurs to win another championship even more than getting another big to play alongside Tim.
I know ST Posters...we need a big! But with no tradeable assets and other team's bigs making too much money...this is the roster the Spurs will have for the rest of the season. And in order for it to work...KT and Fab will have to play well and contribute. (Kurt will his jump shot and toughness and Fab will his smarts and passing). But, I still feel if the Spurs don't get a big by the trade deadline...I can see Horry coming back!
Most of the ST posters have written about the Lakers frontline...in particular Gasol and Bynum. Both of them had good offensive games last night. Gasol with 21 pts and 5 rebs and Bynum with 18 pts and 3 rebs. That's right those two only had 8 rebs between them and their team only outrebounded the Spurs by 1 (32-31). That will still be an issue for the Lakers along with their defensive intensity.
Lastly, I believe know that Pop knows he has a legit fourth option in Mason and he has to be in the ballgame in the fourth quarter. His ability to catch-and-shoot so quickly will help them win playoff games. You saw that Kobe denied Manu from getting the inbound pass from Bonner....there's Mason to go to out on the wing. This will make the Spurs even harder to defend especially in late 4th quarter situations.
All in all....it was a nice win for the Spurs and another game to see how far they've progressed in the season. And I'm looking forward to Spurs-Lakers Round 2 in L.A. on the 25th!
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First of all, it was an excellent regular season game for mid January. Both teams played at a very high level and the game could have gone either way.
Next, this was not a defensive game. From the 1st quarter...both teams come out hot (especially Gasol) and it was 30-29 SA at the end of the quarter and 63-61 SA at the half. So for Spurs fans to complain about the defense last night....the flow of the game dictated it would be an offensive game. Some games are going to be like that.
The Spurs shot 57.1% from the field and 50.0% from 3 point land and the Lakers shot 56.6% from the field and 56.3% from 3 point land. The Spurs had 6 players in double figures and the Lakers had 5 players in double figures. The Lakers have the most dynamic offense in the league and it was good to see the Spurs shooting that well and match them point for point. Like I've posted many times before the Spurs have more offensive weapons this season and when they shoot like this....they have a very dynamic offense!!!
Now it was good to see Manu played like Manu last night. After hitting those first two three-pointers...it got him going! Also, the steal on Kobe at the top of the key in 1st half. Again, Manu was the X-Factor last night and if he's healthy he will be the key in order for the Spurs to win another championship even more than getting another big to play alongside Tim.
I know ST Posters...we need a big! But with no tradeable assets and other team's bigs making too much money...this is the roster the Spurs will have for the rest of the season. And in order for it to work...KT and Fab will have to play well and contribute. (Kurt will his jump shot and toughness and Fab will his smarts and passing). But, I still feel if the Spurs don't get a big by the trade deadline...I can see Horry coming back!
Most of the ST posters have written about the Lakers frontline...in particular Gasol and Bynum. Both of them had good offensive games last night. Gasol with 21 pts and 5 rebs and Bynum with 18 pts and 3 rebs. That's right those two only had 8 rebs between them and their team only outrebounded the Spurs by 1 (32-31). That will still be an issue for the Lakers along with their defensive intensity.
Lastly, I believe know that Pop knows he has a legit fourth option in Mason and he has to be in the ballgame in the fourth quarter. His ability to catch-and-shoot so quickly will help them win playoff games. You saw that Kobe denied Manu from getting the inbound pass from Bonner....there's Mason to go to out on the wing. This will make the Spurs even harder to defend especially in late 4th quarter situations.
All in all....it was a nice win for the Spurs and another game to see how far they've progressed in the season. And I'm looking forward to Spurs-Lakers Round 2 in L.A. on the 25th!
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