Man Mountain
04-28-2009, 04:38 AM
The Spurs Pathway to Victory
Reported by: Kori Ellis
http://www.woai.com/content/sports/spurs/story/The-Spurs-Pathway-to-Victory/7y7N-6PGtkCc5mNSgrxb3A.cspx
Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks will arrive at the AT&T Center wearing their road blues to try to put an end to the first round series against the San Antonio Spurs. With a 3-1 advantage, the Mavs have all the momentum in the series, even though it's mostly been Dallas' role players who have handled the heavy lifting.
However, the Spurs have been here before. In 2006, San Antonio trailed the Mavericks 3-1 and they were able battle back to force overtime in Game 7. Without Manu Ginobili, a similar bounce back effort is less likely, though not impossible.
After four games between these two Texas teams, the weaknesses of the Spurs have been on display for the world to see. Yes, the team's role players are excruciatingly limited, the defense isn't nearly as stout as it was in past years and the execution during tense moments has been lacking.
On the other hand, a few bright spots have emerged that may be able to illuminate the way to a three straight Spurs victories. It won't be easy but something old, something new and something borrowed could help to defeat something blue.
Bruce Bowen, who turns 38 on June 14th, isn't just old by NBA swingman standards -- he's ancient. And while his minutes in the regular season dipped significantly this year for the first time in his Spurs career, Bowen has found himself back in the starting lineup. In Game 5, he will likely start once again in an attempt to cool J.J. Barea, the diminutive Dallas guard who has risen to the status of X-factor in this matchup.
For the Spurs to come back and win this series, they will need Bowen on the court as much as possible. If he's not harassing Barea, he should be taking on Josh Howard or Jason Terry. With as many weapons as the Mavs have at their disposal, there's always someone for Bowen to defend. And despite his advanced age, he's still far and away the best defensive perimeter player on the Spurs squad.
Not only does Bowen help defensively, he's one of the few shooters on the team who isn't hesitating when it comes his time to hoist the rock. On the series, he's hit 6-of-10 shots from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the three-point line.
Playing rookie guard George Hill would give the Mavs something new to worry about. Hill obviously doesn't have the experience or the veteran know-how of his teammates but his skill-set features strengths that can help the Spurs.
First of all, Hill actually has the ability to penetrate off the dribble and get all the way to the rim. Outside of Tony Parker, the Spurs simply do not have anyone else who can do that with any type of regularity. Though the Mavs have been impressive defensively, one of their weaknesses on that end of the court is the ability to protect the rim. Hill can exploit that potential chink in the armor.
Secondly, the rookie out of IUPUI can rebound the ball. In the three losses, the Spurs have been out-rebounded in each contest, while winning the lone game in which they grabbed more boards. For a player who is only 6-foot-2, Hill proved to be a fantastic rebounder during his freshman campaign in the NBA.
Another reason Hill can help is his ability to defend the quick guards the Mavericks put on the court. In Game 4, his defense against Terry was extremely impressive. Hill could also be placed on Barea or Jason Kidd.
Finally, Hill seems to have that unquantifiable characteristic that allows him to be impervious to pressure. During the regular season, he seemingly never appeared rattled –- even when he struggled. Thrown into the fire in Game 4, he calmly connected on a pair of hugely important three-pointers. Going forward, Hill has a chance to assist in tipping the scales in San Antonio's favor.
In 2006, the Mavs changed the complexion of the series by inserting Devin Harris into the starting lineup. Harris' penetration, defense and activity level were invaluable qualities for Dallas. That strategy is something the Spurs can borrow by playing Parker and Hill together for long stretches.
With a Parker and Hill duo, the Spurs suddenly won't appear as sedentary and unathletic. They can also better match the Mavericks' personnel and if they get out and run, that duo could help the Spurs get a few much needed effortless conversions in transition.
The pathway to a happy ending in the first round for the Alamo City begins tonight. It's time to either defeat something blue or spend the rest of the summer months singing the blues.
Reported by: Kori Ellis
http://www.woai.com/content/sports/spurs/story/The-Spurs-Pathway-to-Victory/7y7N-6PGtkCc5mNSgrxb3A.cspx
Tonight, the Dallas Mavericks will arrive at the AT&T Center wearing their road blues to try to put an end to the first round series against the San Antonio Spurs. With a 3-1 advantage, the Mavs have all the momentum in the series, even though it's mostly been Dallas' role players who have handled the heavy lifting.
However, the Spurs have been here before. In 2006, San Antonio trailed the Mavericks 3-1 and they were able battle back to force overtime in Game 7. Without Manu Ginobili, a similar bounce back effort is less likely, though not impossible.
After four games between these two Texas teams, the weaknesses of the Spurs have been on display for the world to see. Yes, the team's role players are excruciatingly limited, the defense isn't nearly as stout as it was in past years and the execution during tense moments has been lacking.
On the other hand, a few bright spots have emerged that may be able to illuminate the way to a three straight Spurs victories. It won't be easy but something old, something new and something borrowed could help to defeat something blue.
Bruce Bowen, who turns 38 on June 14th, isn't just old by NBA swingman standards -- he's ancient. And while his minutes in the regular season dipped significantly this year for the first time in his Spurs career, Bowen has found himself back in the starting lineup. In Game 5, he will likely start once again in an attempt to cool J.J. Barea, the diminutive Dallas guard who has risen to the status of X-factor in this matchup.
For the Spurs to come back and win this series, they will need Bowen on the court as much as possible. If he's not harassing Barea, he should be taking on Josh Howard or Jason Terry. With as many weapons as the Mavs have at their disposal, there's always someone for Bowen to defend. And despite his advanced age, he's still far and away the best defensive perimeter player on the Spurs squad.
Not only does Bowen help defensively, he's one of the few shooters on the team who isn't hesitating when it comes his time to hoist the rock. On the series, he's hit 6-of-10 shots from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the three-point line.
Playing rookie guard George Hill would give the Mavs something new to worry about. Hill obviously doesn't have the experience or the veteran know-how of his teammates but his skill-set features strengths that can help the Spurs.
First of all, Hill actually has the ability to penetrate off the dribble and get all the way to the rim. Outside of Tony Parker, the Spurs simply do not have anyone else who can do that with any type of regularity. Though the Mavs have been impressive defensively, one of their weaknesses on that end of the court is the ability to protect the rim. Hill can exploit that potential chink in the armor.
Secondly, the rookie out of IUPUI can rebound the ball. In the three losses, the Spurs have been out-rebounded in each contest, while winning the lone game in which they grabbed more boards. For a player who is only 6-foot-2, Hill proved to be a fantastic rebounder during his freshman campaign in the NBA.
Another reason Hill can help is his ability to defend the quick guards the Mavericks put on the court. In Game 4, his defense against Terry was extremely impressive. Hill could also be placed on Barea or Jason Kidd.
Finally, Hill seems to have that unquantifiable characteristic that allows him to be impervious to pressure. During the regular season, he seemingly never appeared rattled –- even when he struggled. Thrown into the fire in Game 4, he calmly connected on a pair of hugely important three-pointers. Going forward, Hill has a chance to assist in tipping the scales in San Antonio's favor.
In 2006, the Mavs changed the complexion of the series by inserting Devin Harris into the starting lineup. Harris' penetration, defense and activity level were invaluable qualities for Dallas. That strategy is something the Spurs can borrow by playing Parker and Hill together for long stretches.
With a Parker and Hill duo, the Spurs suddenly won't appear as sedentary and unathletic. They can also better match the Mavericks' personnel and if they get out and run, that duo could help the Spurs get a few much needed effortless conversions in transition.
The pathway to a happy ending in the first round for the Alamo City begins tonight. It's time to either defeat something blue or spend the rest of the summer months singing the blues.