Blackjack
01-18-2010, 11:33 PM
Inside, Outside, Around and Through (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2010/01/18/inside-outside-around-and-through/)
by Graydon Gordian
With around 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Spurs found themselves ahead by 12. The previous play had featured a nice back-to-the-basket move by DeJuan Blair, and after Peja Stojakovic dribbled into a 16-foot spin-around fadeaway miss (not the shot the Hornets want Peja taking), Duncan secured the rebound and San Antonio was headed back up the floor.
Tony Parker fed the ball into Blair, who had established position on the low block and was being guarded by David West. After a few anticipatory dribbles by Blair, Darius Songalia left Tim Duncan and collapsed onto the ball. Blair immediately noticed the double and tossed the ball back out to Parker. The ball then made a decisive journey around the 3-point line: From Parker to Manu Ginobili and then finally into the hands of George Hill, who was setup in the corner. Hill paused and extended; the ball slid through the net.
That play won’t be making any highlight reels, nor should it. It wasn’t the game’s most spectacular or impactful play. It didn’t initiate or conclude the particular run the Spurs were on, nor did the 21 point lead built up during that stretch stop New Orleans from fighting their way back into the ball game. But the play struck me nonetheless.
On the surface the play, although well executed, doesn’t seem that noteworthy. The Spurs have run that exact play, and run it exceptionally well, for years. Duncan draws the double then kicks the ball back outside. The ball is quickly moved around the perimeter to a waiting shooter- Bowen, Ginobili, Horry, Bonner – who, setup in the corner, buries the ball at the bottom of the net. But Duncan wasn’t the player who drew the double and it wasn’t Bowen or Bonner or any member of the old guard who took the shot. The play began with an undersized 20-year-old power forward from Pittsburgh and ended with an unheralded 23-year-old combo guard from Indianapolis.
Put more succinctly, with around 7 minutes left in the third quarter, I watched the Spurs perfectly execute a play they’ve been running for years. But it didn’t begin or end with guys who’ve been doing it for years; it began and ended with guys who’ll be doing it for years to come. That’s why, with around 7 minutes left in the third quarter, I couldn’t help but smile.
by Graydon Gordian
With around 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Spurs found themselves ahead by 12. The previous play had featured a nice back-to-the-basket move by DeJuan Blair, and after Peja Stojakovic dribbled into a 16-foot spin-around fadeaway miss (not the shot the Hornets want Peja taking), Duncan secured the rebound and San Antonio was headed back up the floor.
Tony Parker fed the ball into Blair, who had established position on the low block and was being guarded by David West. After a few anticipatory dribbles by Blair, Darius Songalia left Tim Duncan and collapsed onto the ball. Blair immediately noticed the double and tossed the ball back out to Parker. The ball then made a decisive journey around the 3-point line: From Parker to Manu Ginobili and then finally into the hands of George Hill, who was setup in the corner. Hill paused and extended; the ball slid through the net.
That play won’t be making any highlight reels, nor should it. It wasn’t the game’s most spectacular or impactful play. It didn’t initiate or conclude the particular run the Spurs were on, nor did the 21 point lead built up during that stretch stop New Orleans from fighting their way back into the ball game. But the play struck me nonetheless.
On the surface the play, although well executed, doesn’t seem that noteworthy. The Spurs have run that exact play, and run it exceptionally well, for years. Duncan draws the double then kicks the ball back outside. The ball is quickly moved around the perimeter to a waiting shooter- Bowen, Ginobili, Horry, Bonner – who, setup in the corner, buries the ball at the bottom of the net. But Duncan wasn’t the player who drew the double and it wasn’t Bowen or Bonner or any member of the old guard who took the shot. The play began with an undersized 20-year-old power forward from Pittsburgh and ended with an unheralded 23-year-old combo guard from Indianapolis.
Put more succinctly, with around 7 minutes left in the third quarter, I watched the Spurs perfectly execute a play they’ve been running for years. But it didn’t begin or end with guys who’ve been doing it for years; it began and ended with guys who’ll be doing it for years to come. That’s why, with around 7 minutes left in the third quarter, I couldn’t help but smile.