Goran Dragic
05-04-2010, 07:49 AM
Nice bickering with some of you, it's all in good fun.
I know a lot of Spurs fans think differently but I personally think it's ludicrous to say this was some kind of game where Phoenix played their best, San Antonio played their worst and it's a moral defeat because they barely won. No one outside of either teams' top 3 players really showed up to play, Phoenix's big 3 just happened to play better.
Nash Amare and J-Rich combined for 83 points off 32-52 shooting, 14-17 FT shooting, 22 rebounds, 10 assists and 12 turnovers
Parker Duncan and Manu combined for 73 points off 28-56 shooting, 14-20 FT shooting, 18 rebound 12 assists and 7 turnovers
When it's all said and done, I think the production of each team's "big 3" will roughly equal each other. Phoenix isn't gonna get 4 wins off Nash, J-Rich and Amare outplaying the big 3 that has haunted Phoenix since 2005, I could be wrong if age really has slowed them down, but I just don't see the elusive playoff victory over SA being that simple. I'm hoping though that they don't get fat from the win and focus on what they need to do to be prepared for the team they'll play on Wednesday, because you can bet Greg Popovich will be making plenty of adjustments. These are the 3 X-factor matchups that IMO will play a big role in the series (ranked in order of importance)
1. Grant Hill vs. Dick Jefferson
Neither one was a factor on offense, but Hill helped his team win in other ways. With the offensive options around these guys neither one will be needed to score tons of points, which is why Grant has the edge, because he can help his team in many ways. Him being willing to guard Manu is important because it makes J-Rich's job on D a lot easier. Dick should be stepping up to the plate to guard J-Rich so Manu can spend less energy on D. Overall, the intangibles, little things and spot offense Jefferson and Hill give might impact multiple games.
2. Goran Dragic vs. George Hill
They both finished the 1st round on a strong note and let that confidence get to their head for this game. They both played very selfish on offense and had sub par defensive nights when both players are in the NBA because of gritty defense and unselfish decision making. Now that Parker is starting w/ Ginobili and Duncan, it means George Hill needs to lead the 2nd unit. For the Suns, Parker starting means that Dragic needs to lead the bench to not just match but outplay and build leads on SA's 2nd unit. Whichever 2nd unit is the one that builds leads, erases deficits and gets the starters quality rest affects the outcome of the series noticeably. So far, this is a wash, both guys blew terribly tonight, it remains to be seen if either one returns to what got him here.
3. Channing Frye vs. Antonio McDyess
Frye can't guard Duncan 1 on 1. McDyess can't guard Amare 1 on 1. The question is, which one can make his guy work harder to score and take defensive pressure off Amare/Duncan. Furthermore, which one is consistently hitting their jumper to provide spacing, this is especially important regarding which one can make the open shots late in close games. After 1 game this is a wash, they both played average D and their J was inconsistent.
PS - If you're wondering why I'm posting this at an ungodly hour, I'm studying for a final and needed a break.
I know a lot of Spurs fans think differently but I personally think it's ludicrous to say this was some kind of game where Phoenix played their best, San Antonio played their worst and it's a moral defeat because they barely won. No one outside of either teams' top 3 players really showed up to play, Phoenix's big 3 just happened to play better.
Nash Amare and J-Rich combined for 83 points off 32-52 shooting, 14-17 FT shooting, 22 rebounds, 10 assists and 12 turnovers
Parker Duncan and Manu combined for 73 points off 28-56 shooting, 14-20 FT shooting, 18 rebound 12 assists and 7 turnovers
When it's all said and done, I think the production of each team's "big 3" will roughly equal each other. Phoenix isn't gonna get 4 wins off Nash, J-Rich and Amare outplaying the big 3 that has haunted Phoenix since 2005, I could be wrong if age really has slowed them down, but I just don't see the elusive playoff victory over SA being that simple. I'm hoping though that they don't get fat from the win and focus on what they need to do to be prepared for the team they'll play on Wednesday, because you can bet Greg Popovich will be making plenty of adjustments. These are the 3 X-factor matchups that IMO will play a big role in the series (ranked in order of importance)
1. Grant Hill vs. Dick Jefferson
Neither one was a factor on offense, but Hill helped his team win in other ways. With the offensive options around these guys neither one will be needed to score tons of points, which is why Grant has the edge, because he can help his team in many ways. Him being willing to guard Manu is important because it makes J-Rich's job on D a lot easier. Dick should be stepping up to the plate to guard J-Rich so Manu can spend less energy on D. Overall, the intangibles, little things and spot offense Jefferson and Hill give might impact multiple games.
2. Goran Dragic vs. George Hill
They both finished the 1st round on a strong note and let that confidence get to their head for this game. They both played very selfish on offense and had sub par defensive nights when both players are in the NBA because of gritty defense and unselfish decision making. Now that Parker is starting w/ Ginobili and Duncan, it means George Hill needs to lead the 2nd unit. For the Suns, Parker starting means that Dragic needs to lead the bench to not just match but outplay and build leads on SA's 2nd unit. Whichever 2nd unit is the one that builds leads, erases deficits and gets the starters quality rest affects the outcome of the series noticeably. So far, this is a wash, both guys blew terribly tonight, it remains to be seen if either one returns to what got him here.
3. Channing Frye vs. Antonio McDyess
Frye can't guard Duncan 1 on 1. McDyess can't guard Amare 1 on 1. The question is, which one can make his guy work harder to score and take defensive pressure off Amare/Duncan. Furthermore, which one is consistently hitting their jumper to provide spacing, this is especially important regarding which one can make the open shots late in close games. After 1 game this is a wash, they both played average D and their J was inconsistent.
PS - If you're wondering why I'm posting this at an ungodly hour, I'm studying for a final and needed a break.