spurschick
06-08-2005, 04:48 PM
June 8, 2005
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
http://www.sportsline.com/print/nba/story/8545113
This year's NBA Finals might have the No. 2 seeds from the East and West, but it's a series that's second to none. The bellyaching over the lack of a superstar of the magnitude of a Shaquille O'Neal will be replaced by a series in which you will never know what to expect.
Forget the thunderous dunks or eye-opening acrobatics; this series seems likely to go the distance, providing drama nightly. Sturdy defenses and veteran teams that make the extra pass -- what basketball fan wouldn't want to see that? The San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons haven't reached the Finals for nothing.
Here are five central themes to watch in this series, a true purist's paradise:
1. The Wallace Boys and the 'Dyess man ganging up on Timmy: Much like they did against Miami's O'Neal, the Pistons' three main big men will take turns tangling with Tim Duncan, and it will be interesting to see how often Larry Brown varies his strategies. Ben Wallace is the bruiser of the bunch, and will look to get as physical with Duncan as possible. One way Duncan can combat Big Ben is to pop out for jumpers on the pick and roll instead of rolling toward the basket, forcing Detroit's top rebounder out from under the basket. That would leave Nazr Mohammed, who flourished on the offensive boards against Seattle and Phoenix, available to crash more easily.
The length and versatility of Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess will also be used against Duncan, but Sheed's propensity for picking up touch fouls could make for a dangerous proposition against a player as adept at generating contact with his footwork, pump fakes and genius around the basket. Rasheed Wallace, called the Pistons' best player by teammate Chauncey Billups, must stay on the floor.
2. Rip vs. the Ripper: Upon helping eliminate the Pacers, Richard Hamilton was told by Reggie Miller that it's on him to carry on the legacy as the game's best shooter. It looks like he has taken that burden to heart. Hamilton was incredibly clutch against Miami and will now have good buddy Bruce Bowen to pester him.
Bowen has drawn criticism for his physical play and what some have labeled as dirty tactics. It has already cost him one friendship in Ray Allen. Will it cost him another former UConn standout's affection? With the big prize at stake, emotions are bound to be high. Bowen runs through screens with reckless abandon, and it's inevitable a few hard fouls are in Hamilton's future. Hamilton shot just 8-for-26 in the two meetings with the Spurs this season.
3. Detroit is in trouble if ...: The Manu Ginobili legend continues to grow. He's already being called the most exciting player in this series, and he has been spectacular thus far.
Ginobili keys San Antonio's offensive proficiency with his fearless penetration, and if his jumper is falling, forget about it, he's practically unguardable. It doesn't seem like an appealing proposition to have Rip chasing Manu around on defense and trying to run away from Bowen on the other end.
If Ginobili continues to shine as he has to date, the Spurs are going to win the series and the league will have its first true Latin superstar.
4. San Antonio is in trouble if ...: The unflappable Billups consistently gets the better of 23-year-old "veteran" Tony Parker. Despite their difference in age, Parker already has 60 playoff notches in his belt, but he's often inconsistent and tends to disappear for stretches.
Billups hasn't shot the ball well these playoffs, but is always there when needed. President Joe Dumars was gushing about him after Monday night's Game 7, telling a small group of reporters that Billups might be the best clutch shooter in franchise history, and "that includes myself, Isiah. We've done some great things here, but Chauncey has done it down the stretch, time and time again, more than anybody else."
Carlos Arroyo will be a key coming off the bench to spell Chauncey Billups. (Getty Images)
5. Bench play: Brown went deeper into his bench against Miami than he had in the first two series, dusting off Elden Campbell and relying more on Carlos Arroyo. While Campbell probably won't see as much action without a Shaq to push around, Arroyo could play a major role, given his familiarity with the Spurs. The first man off the bench will obviously be McDyess, who has been a difference-maker all playoffs. Lindsey Hunter is the only other Piston who should see action, providing his pesky energy for 8-10 minutes a night.
Gregg Popovich is far more reliant on his reserves than his mentor, with Robert Horry and Brent Barry likely to log significant action depending on the combination Detroit puts out there.
Horry, as he always does around this time, has taken his game up three notches, doing all the little things from rebounding to setting screens to nailing clutch shots. He'll play a major role in his search for a sixth ring. When Barry is knocking down shots, San Antonio is as dangerous offensively as it gets. Pop will also find minutes for Glenn Robinson, Beno Udrih and Devin Brown.
And so ...: This series could be decided by surprise heroes, and San Antonio appears to have more options.
Mejia's selection: Spurs in 7.
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
http://www.sportsline.com/print/nba/story/8545113
This year's NBA Finals might have the No. 2 seeds from the East and West, but it's a series that's second to none. The bellyaching over the lack of a superstar of the magnitude of a Shaquille O'Neal will be replaced by a series in which you will never know what to expect.
Forget the thunderous dunks or eye-opening acrobatics; this series seems likely to go the distance, providing drama nightly. Sturdy defenses and veteran teams that make the extra pass -- what basketball fan wouldn't want to see that? The San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons haven't reached the Finals for nothing.
Here are five central themes to watch in this series, a true purist's paradise:
1. The Wallace Boys and the 'Dyess man ganging up on Timmy: Much like they did against Miami's O'Neal, the Pistons' three main big men will take turns tangling with Tim Duncan, and it will be interesting to see how often Larry Brown varies his strategies. Ben Wallace is the bruiser of the bunch, and will look to get as physical with Duncan as possible. One way Duncan can combat Big Ben is to pop out for jumpers on the pick and roll instead of rolling toward the basket, forcing Detroit's top rebounder out from under the basket. That would leave Nazr Mohammed, who flourished on the offensive boards against Seattle and Phoenix, available to crash more easily.
The length and versatility of Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess will also be used against Duncan, but Sheed's propensity for picking up touch fouls could make for a dangerous proposition against a player as adept at generating contact with his footwork, pump fakes and genius around the basket. Rasheed Wallace, called the Pistons' best player by teammate Chauncey Billups, must stay on the floor.
2. Rip vs. the Ripper: Upon helping eliminate the Pacers, Richard Hamilton was told by Reggie Miller that it's on him to carry on the legacy as the game's best shooter. It looks like he has taken that burden to heart. Hamilton was incredibly clutch against Miami and will now have good buddy Bruce Bowen to pester him.
Bowen has drawn criticism for his physical play and what some have labeled as dirty tactics. It has already cost him one friendship in Ray Allen. Will it cost him another former UConn standout's affection? With the big prize at stake, emotions are bound to be high. Bowen runs through screens with reckless abandon, and it's inevitable a few hard fouls are in Hamilton's future. Hamilton shot just 8-for-26 in the two meetings with the Spurs this season.
3. Detroit is in trouble if ...: The Manu Ginobili legend continues to grow. He's already being called the most exciting player in this series, and he has been spectacular thus far.
Ginobili keys San Antonio's offensive proficiency with his fearless penetration, and if his jumper is falling, forget about it, he's practically unguardable. It doesn't seem like an appealing proposition to have Rip chasing Manu around on defense and trying to run away from Bowen on the other end.
If Ginobili continues to shine as he has to date, the Spurs are going to win the series and the league will have its first true Latin superstar.
4. San Antonio is in trouble if ...: The unflappable Billups consistently gets the better of 23-year-old "veteran" Tony Parker. Despite their difference in age, Parker already has 60 playoff notches in his belt, but he's often inconsistent and tends to disappear for stretches.
Billups hasn't shot the ball well these playoffs, but is always there when needed. President Joe Dumars was gushing about him after Monday night's Game 7, telling a small group of reporters that Billups might be the best clutch shooter in franchise history, and "that includes myself, Isiah. We've done some great things here, but Chauncey has done it down the stretch, time and time again, more than anybody else."
Carlos Arroyo will be a key coming off the bench to spell Chauncey Billups. (Getty Images)
5. Bench play: Brown went deeper into his bench against Miami than he had in the first two series, dusting off Elden Campbell and relying more on Carlos Arroyo. While Campbell probably won't see as much action without a Shaq to push around, Arroyo could play a major role, given his familiarity with the Spurs. The first man off the bench will obviously be McDyess, who has been a difference-maker all playoffs. Lindsey Hunter is the only other Piston who should see action, providing his pesky energy for 8-10 minutes a night.
Gregg Popovich is far more reliant on his reserves than his mentor, with Robert Horry and Brent Barry likely to log significant action depending on the combination Detroit puts out there.
Horry, as he always does around this time, has taken his game up three notches, doing all the little things from rebounding to setting screens to nailing clutch shots. He'll play a major role in his search for a sixth ring. When Barry is knocking down shots, San Antonio is as dangerous offensively as it gets. Pop will also find minutes for Glenn Robinson, Beno Udrih and Devin Brown.
And so ...: This series could be decided by surprise heroes, and San Antonio appears to have more options.
Mejia's selection: Spurs in 7.