duncan228
04-19-2009, 10:04 PM
Spurs hope hedging slows Mavs guards (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_hope_hedging_slows_Mavs_guards.html)
Mike Monroe
The Spurs spent a bit of Sunday's film session and light workout pondering a basketball version of an age-old question: Was Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea the chicken, and center Erick Dampier the egg in Game 1, and which came first?
To find out, the Spurs know they must cross that road again in Game 2 today if they want to tie the first-round series against a Mavericks team whose coach, Rick Carlisle, insists it is so hungry it would be willing to swallow a dozen raw eggs, Rocky Balboa style.
Barea's forays down the lane off pick-and-roll plays in Game 1 forced Spurs power forward Tim Duncan to leave Dampier in the low post to prevent Barea from getting layups.
As a result, Dampier got three baskets on uncontested offensive rebounds, part of a 21-8 advantage in second-chance points for the Mavericks.
The Spurs actually had a 12-10 edge in offensive rebounds Saturday, but Dampier's easy putbacks were the biggest factor in the Mavericks' 13-point differential in second-chance points.
“The game, whether one wins or loses, is always made up of a variety of factors,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “It's not one thing, but from our perspective, we need to do a better job. We can't let them score that many points and expect to win. So what really were the factors that got away from us were the 21 points they got on the offensive boards. And a good portion of that was Barea getting into the middle, and that helped (Dampier) be as effective as he was at the rim.
“So those 21 points were not expected.”
Expect the Spurs to make some defensive adjustments designed to prevent Barea from creating havoc in the middle of their defense. Mostly, expect the Spurs to “hedge” on the Mavericks' pick-and-roll plays, stepping into the guards' driving lanes to disrupt their attempts to turn the corner and get into the lane.
“We were so focused on Dirk (Nowitzki) that we weren't hedging and stopping the ball,” Spurs forward Ime Udoka said. “When a guy like (Barea) steps up and has an opportunity, it's somewhat unexpected. But we know what he can do, and there will just be more of a focus on him now. (We'll do) what we do to most guards during the year.”
Said Duncan, clearly frustrated about having to cede easy rebounds to Dampier: “We're going to try to get our guards in there and try to help block out, but if I do step up, (the front of the rim) is where he goes.”
Drew Gooden, an athletic, 6-foot-10 forward who signed a free-agent contract with the Spurs on March 5 after he was released by the Kings, is willing to do his part to keep the Mavericks off the offensive glass if Popovich gives him the chance.
“Whenever my number is called I'm ready to play,” Gooden said. “Pop is a great coach and he's going to make the decision.”
Mike Monroe
The Spurs spent a bit of Sunday's film session and light workout pondering a basketball version of an age-old question: Was Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea the chicken, and center Erick Dampier the egg in Game 1, and which came first?
To find out, the Spurs know they must cross that road again in Game 2 today if they want to tie the first-round series against a Mavericks team whose coach, Rick Carlisle, insists it is so hungry it would be willing to swallow a dozen raw eggs, Rocky Balboa style.
Barea's forays down the lane off pick-and-roll plays in Game 1 forced Spurs power forward Tim Duncan to leave Dampier in the low post to prevent Barea from getting layups.
As a result, Dampier got three baskets on uncontested offensive rebounds, part of a 21-8 advantage in second-chance points for the Mavericks.
The Spurs actually had a 12-10 edge in offensive rebounds Saturday, but Dampier's easy putbacks were the biggest factor in the Mavericks' 13-point differential in second-chance points.
“The game, whether one wins or loses, is always made up of a variety of factors,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “It's not one thing, but from our perspective, we need to do a better job. We can't let them score that many points and expect to win. So what really were the factors that got away from us were the 21 points they got on the offensive boards. And a good portion of that was Barea getting into the middle, and that helped (Dampier) be as effective as he was at the rim.
“So those 21 points were not expected.”
Expect the Spurs to make some defensive adjustments designed to prevent Barea from creating havoc in the middle of their defense. Mostly, expect the Spurs to “hedge” on the Mavericks' pick-and-roll plays, stepping into the guards' driving lanes to disrupt their attempts to turn the corner and get into the lane.
“We were so focused on Dirk (Nowitzki) that we weren't hedging and stopping the ball,” Spurs forward Ime Udoka said. “When a guy like (Barea) steps up and has an opportunity, it's somewhat unexpected. But we know what he can do, and there will just be more of a focus on him now. (We'll do) what we do to most guards during the year.”
Said Duncan, clearly frustrated about having to cede easy rebounds to Dampier: “We're going to try to get our guards in there and try to help block out, but if I do step up, (the front of the rim) is where he goes.”
Drew Gooden, an athletic, 6-foot-10 forward who signed a free-agent contract with the Spurs on March 5 after he was released by the Kings, is willing to do his part to keep the Mavericks off the offensive glass if Popovich gives him the chance.
“Whenever my number is called I'm ready to play,” Gooden said. “Pop is a great coach and he's going to make the decision.”