One change I'd like to see.

[SouthernFried]

How 'bout we play Bowen a little more on Billups?

Billups has been the rock of gibraltar for Detroit. He has been the one, almost single-handily, keeping Detroit in these games. Ya, last night, RIP and Prince finally got off..but, it was Billups that kept them in the game till then.

Tony is doing the best he can with Billups...but, he just doesn't have the size or strength.

I think Tony matches up on RIP a little better than he matches up on Chauncy. He can match RIPS quickness and chase him around.

Billups is the one who's doing it all. He's basically the MVP in the series right now. He's the one that will win it for Detroit, if they do win it.

Let's put our MVP defensive guy, on their MVP offensive guy!

RIP might, or might not get off against TONY...but, I think it's been proven...Chauncey WILL go off on him.

[ALVAREZ6]

Parker is Chauncy's toy. He plays with him the whole game.

I think we should bring Parker off the bench and have Bowen guarding Chauncy, Manu on Rip, and Barry on Prince.

[DarrinS]

How 'bout we play Bowen a little more on Billups?

Billups has been the rock of gibraltar for Detroit. He has been the one, almost single-handily, keeping Detroit in these games. Ya, last night, RIP and Prince finally got off..but, it was Billups that kept them in the game till then.

Tony is doing the best he can with Billups...but, he just doesn't have the size or strength.

I think Tony matches up on RIP a little better than he matches up on Chauncy. He can match RIPS quickness and chase him around.

Billups is the one who's doing it all. He's basically the MVP in the series right now. He's the one that will win it for Detroit, if they do win it.

Let's put our MVP defensive guy, on their MVP offensive guy!

RIP might, or might not get off against TONY...but, I think it's been proven...Chauncey WILL go off on him.


I didn't see Bowen on Billups at all last night. We should also put Manu on Rip. And what was with Pop's love affair with Brent Barry last night. It pissed me off when he lobbed up a 3 and immediately started running toward the opposite end of the court. He thought it was going in -- turned out to be a brick. Pop -- more Horry, less Barry. Please!

[ALVAREZ6]

It pissed me off when he lobbed up a 3 and immediately started running toward the opposite end of the court. He thought it was going in -- turned out to be a brick. Pop -- more Horry, less Barry. Please!
He's been like that the whole season...

That's just how the fucker shoots...

Quickly releases, sprints back down.

Fucking moron...

I change my mind, start Horry on Prince. We also need size.

[1Parker1]

Parker is Chauncy's toy. He plays with him the whole game.

I think we should bring Parker off the bench and have Bowen guarding Chauncy, Manu on Rip, and Barry on Prince.

:wtf Dumbest thing you've ever said Alvarez. And you've said some pretty dumb things...

[ALVAREZ6]

:wtf Dumbest thing you've ever said Alvarez. And you've said some pretty dumb things...


Barry covered Prince last night quite a lot...


?



Fine, have it your way 1Parker1...Let's keep Parker on Chauncy for 48 minutes and see who wins the championship.

Im a dumbass for wanting to stop a guy who has toyed with us the whole series???

[nkdlunch]

Parker is being embarrassed by Billups, but it's not really his fault.It's a clear missmatch.

[ALVAREZ6]

Parker is being embarrassed by Billups, but it's not really his fault.It's a clear missmatch.
Exactly.


P_p STILL hasn't made any adjustments...

[Perfect10]

Hamilton will go OFF if Pop puts Bruce on Chauncey and Parker on Rip. And if he instead puts Bruce on Chauncey and Manu on Rip...Tayshaun will have a field day with Tony. Either way he goes, there's going to be a mismatch.

[1Parker1]

Barry covered Prince last night quite a lot...


?



Fine, have it your way 1Parker1...Let's keep Parker on Chauncy for 48 minutes and see who wins the championship.

Im a dumbass for wanting to stop a guy who has toyed with us the whole series???


Were you even watching the game? Or were you too busy being immature and cursing out the entire team, aside from Manu? Yes, Barry was on Prince a lot last night...BTW, how many points did Prince have last night again? Yea, that's what I thought.

Secondly, I never said let's keep Parker on Billups--find me a quote where I said that. Your response was dumb on so many levels:

1) Why the F would we bench our Starting PG, when we don't have a legitamite BACK-UP for him to begin with? Manu and Barry are NOT point guards in case you haven't noticed. Sure they can play the point for some streches, but you honestly think they could run the offense the entire game?
2) What has Brent Barry done this series for you to even warrant him starting?! He cannot play any defense, he is not hitting his 3 pointers, he's averaging something like 5 ppg this series. His only positive is that he doesn't turn the ball over quite as much.
3) Manu on RIP Hamilton the entire game? I know you think Manu is God, however, he CANNOT expend 30+ minutes on one end chasing and defending RIP through screens while score 20+ points and 8+ rebounds at the other end of the floor. Just not gonna happen.

You are acting so childish Alvarez, it's not even funny. GROW UP! At least back up your dumb statements.

[ALVAREZ6]

Hamilton will go OFF if Pop puts Bruce on Chauncey and Parker on Rip. And if he instead puts Bruce on Chauncey and Manu on Rip...Tayshaun will have a field day with Tony. Either way he goes, there's going to be a mismatch.
Ummm, Who said that Tony has to start??

Bowen-Chauncy
Manu-Rip
Horry/Barry-Prince

[ALVAREZ6]

w.e 1Parker1


You're right....you always win.

F' you.

[ALVAREZ6]

Were you even watching the game? Or were you too busy being immature and cursing out the entire team, aside from Manu? Yes, Barry was on Prince a lot last night...BTW, how many points did Prince have last night again? Yea, that's what I thought.

Secondly, I never said let's keep Parker on Billups--find me a quote where I said that. Your response was dumb on so many levels:

1) Why the F would we bench our Starting PG, when we don't have a legitamite BACK-UP for him to begin with? Manu and Barry are NOT point guards in case you haven't noticed. Sure they can play the point for some streches, but you honestly think they could run the offense the entire game?
2) What has Brent Barry done this series for you to even warrant him starting?! He cannot play any defense, he is not hitting his 3 pointers, he's averaging something like 5 ppg this series. His only positive is that he doesn't turn the ball over quite as much.
3) Manu on RIP Hamilton the entire game? I know you think Manu is God, however, he CANNOT expend 30+ minutes on one end chasing and defending RIP through screens while score 20+ points and 8+ rebounds at the other end of the floor. Just not gonna happen.

You are acting so childish Alvarez, it's not even funny. GROW UP! At least back up your dumb statements.

Why not bench our starting PG? Because it will help on defense, defense wins championships and we can't rely on offense. I don't want Chauncy to get hot from the beginning tip. I want to contain his ass early in the game so he doesn't get hot.

When did I say Manu is god?

Why can't Horry play on Prince?


I know you only like the Spurs because you have a crush on Tony, and you're jealous of Eva, but stop being so childish.

I can say the same shit about you.

[Perfect10]

Ummm, Who said that Tony has to start??

Bowen-Chauncy
Manu-Rip
Horry/Barry-Prince

That's a pretty bold move to make on the eve prior to a game 7, don't you think? Bench your starting point guard? Do you have that much trust in Barry and Manu to be able to handle the point guard spot, create for teamates and limit turnovers in the pressure packed vacuum that is game 7 of the NBA Finals?

[1Parker1]

Forget it, I am not even going to bother arguing with you. Not worth my time.

[ALVAREZ6]

That's a pretty bold move to make on the eve prior to a game 7, don't you think? Bench your starting point guard? Do you have that much trust in Barry and Manu to be able to handle the point guard spot, create for teamates and limit turnovers in the pressure packed vacuum that is game 7 of the NBA Finals?
Yes.

The one who's turning it over the most isn't Barry or Manu... :rolleyes

[dcole50]

i't not only bold, it's well, dumb. sorry, alvarez.

[ALVAREZ6]

Forget it, I am not even going to bother arguing with you. Not worth my time.
Good.


Manu>Tony X 100.

I win.

:smokin :smokin

[ducks]

tp and the spurs got there with tp starting
benching tp would be the stupidest thing you could do

[SWC Bonfire]

I personally would like to see the Pistons all get mild food poisoning 30 min before the tip...:lol

[Jimcs50]

Did you guys watch TD trying to call double dribble on Billups when he was beyond the 3 pt arc? TD was too busy reffing the game to guard Billups and Billups just shot the 3 which hit nothing but net.

That crap has to end. Let the refs call the game, please.

[ALVAREZ6]

You guys are getting the wrong idea, I'm not saying bench TP for the whole game, we need him to score and shit like that.

I just think we need to contain fucking ass Billups.



YES, it's a bold move, but we have lost 3 of the last 4 games with TP on Chauncy, and the 1 game we DID win, we won with a game winning 3. That doesn't happen every game.

So yeah, it's bold, but we might as well try it.

[nkdlunch]

Parker will never start on the bench. Like him or not, he is our PG, and a team has to start w/its PG, or they might as well give up the game.

PG is the most important position, this is why the team is struggling because we only have parker to depend on. he is good, but he is no Steve Nash.

[ALVAREZ6]

Did you guys watch TD trying to call double dribble on Billups when he was beyond the 3 pt arc? TD was too busy reffing the game to guard Billups and Billups just shot the 3 which hit nothing but net.

That crap has to end. Let the refs call the game, please.
There's Duncan for you...

He's fucking slacking in every category.

He better show some leadership and do his thing tomorrow.

[kskonn]

Although I would not make the bold move of bringing parker off the bench before game 7 I do think that Barry on Prince is not a bad matchup. barry has actually played some decent defense this series, and he is one of the few guys who has the length to guard Prince. I know a lot of you will say a I am crazy but Prince did not just score on barry last night.

[SouthernFried]

I don't wanna take Tony outta the game...he has been driving hard, and he has been playing defense...its just he's mismatched. But, I still like his driving and offensive threat going to the hole.

I think TONY should guard RIP...I think he can if he uses his body to compensate for lack of height. RIPS not gonna muscle him as bad as Chauncy does. And TONY can keep up with him running around.

And yes, play Barry more. Make him earn that 5-6 Million dollar salary.

Do NOT put MANU on RIP. We need Manu's offense, and running around after RIP is fucking exhausting.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

We Southern that was one of the non-four letter word based suggestions I was yelling at my TV last night. Rip was having one of those nights anyways where Bowen was on him like stink on a monkey and Hamilton was still hitting his J. Why not at least switch up the looks on things? Rip and Chauncey were looking a little too comfortable against that set up. Frankly I think that Barry should see some more minutes at the point. With his length and the Spurs help defense he can effectively guard Prince in the post, and Manu and Bruce have been pretty effective against Rip and Chauncey.

[kskonn]

And yes, play Barry more. Make him earn that 5-6 Million dollar salary.

Do NOT put MANU on RIP. We need Manu's offense, and running around after RIP is fucking exhausting.

yes I agree , I almost would like to see Barry on Rip, Barry is in incredible shape and can run around with him, and once again he has the length to get a hand up.

[kskonn]

barry also spreads the floor really well when he is at the point, he force the guard(that keeps swiping at Duncan) to stay with him.

[SouthernFried]

Another idea...Don't put BOWEN on Billups right away. Switch it up. Make them uncertain what's happening. Have Bowen guard Billups most of the game...but, not right at the outset where Brown see's the change right away and adjusts to it.

Do it gradually, so Brown isn't sure that's its a major adjustment. Hopefully, by the time Brown really see's it's a major adjustment, we'll be well into the game.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I don't know that Brent could really keep up with Rip. I don't question his conditioning but his foot speed and lateral movement. Lindsey Hunter has been torching Brent this series, despite his length.

[dn0]

barry also spreads the floor really well when he is at the point, he force the guard(that keeps swiping at Duncan) to stay with him.
Totally agree, now we need somebody to print this thread and hand it to pop.

[kskonn]

I don't know that Brent could really keep up with Rip. I don't question his conditioning but his foot speed and lateral movement. Lindsey Hunter has been torching Brent this series, despite his length.


No I agree he can't keep up with him if he is taking him off the dribble, i do think he could chase him around the floor. barry would have to force Rip into the Bigs. Barry would have to commit to stopping jumpers and hope that the help D is there when rip get to the rim.

[kskonn]

Totally agree, now we need somebody to print this thread and hand it to pop.


Lol!!! :lol :lol

[rwb]

I think at this point I'd like to see Pop just make some kind of adjustments. Anything. Why not let Massenberg do some dirty work? Where's Big Dog? And I don't think starting Barry is that far fetched since the changeup with him and Manu worked earlier this season, giving Barry confidence and Manu a chance to be rested and full of energy for the fourth period. He admitted himself that he ran out of energy...and although he seems like the Energizer Bunny, he's got his limits. Our team just looks so small compared to Detroit, and Tony is getting abused by Billups. Why not keep changing his defenders? We seem to get beaten because of our predictability. Let's face it...we've got only one more shot Thursday...let's throw anything we can at them to surprise them for a change.

[SouthernFried]

CHAUNCY is the MVP of the series so far. He's the one we have to stop...he's the most likely one to win it tomorrow.

Fuck with the other matchups all u want...but, for godsakes...put Bowen on Billups.

[kskonn]

CHAUNCY is the MVP of the series so far. He's the one we have to stop...he's the most likely one to win it tomorrow.

Fuck with the other matchups all u want...but, for godsakes...put Bowen on Billups.


Yes yes yes... Even a pistons fan in another thread said that his biggest fear was the spurs putting Bowen on Billups.

[Alchal]

I think thats a good idea for you guys to start Tony on the bench, put Bowen on Billups, Manu on Rip, and Barry on Prince.

[SouthernFried]

I do not want Manu on Rip. We need Manu's legs on offense. Give Parker some minutes on RIP. I think he can do better there than on Chauncey. Parker must play starting PG tho.

[spur219]

I would put Bowen on Billups but then Parker would have to guard RIP who is about 4-5 inches taller. But just make RIP dribble the ball. He can't shoot worth a shit off the dribble.

[rr2418]

He's been like that the whole season...

That's just how the fucker shoots...

Quickly releases, sprints back down.

Fucking moron...

I change my mind, start Horry on Prince. We also need size.

It could be that Pop told his guards to go back on "D" as soon as they shoot!

[Deeeeeetroit Basketball!]

You guys forget that RIP, and not Chauncey, is our leading scorer. Bowen is doing an excellent job containing Hamilton and taking RIP out of his game.

I contend that it would be suicide for the Spurs to use anyone else on RIP for two reasons:

1) RIP would have an obvious mismatch against anyone else on offense. He is taller than Parker, Ginobili doesn't have the defensive instincts Bowen has, and Barry is...well he's Barry. When I say Ginobili doesn't have the instincts, I am talking about screen avoidance. 90% of playing RIP is manuevering around screens, and most players in the NBA inevitably pick incorrectly when faced by a screen many times during the game. This gives RIP tons of open looks. Bowen does a remarkable job staying glued to Hamilton.

2) You can't put a player who's expected to perform on offense on RIP. The dude runs around in circles for 48 minutes straight, and there's nobody in the league who can contain RIP for the whole game and score 20+ points. So if you want to see a big game from Parker or Ginobili, you have to keep them off of RIP.

MAYBE you could switch up and put Bowen on Billups at the end of the game, but again you are forcing whoever is guarding RIP to run constantly at the end of a game where they will undoubtedly be tired. It's just a bad idea. The Spurs have to pick their poison, and putting Parker on Billups is the best matchup available for them.

[theMUHMEshow]

I wouldnt switch Bowen either...Especially since RIP had a big game last game. Bowen is a GAMER! He is going to come out and shut RIP down. I think 99% of Pistons fans know that. We are all just hoping that Sheed just comes out and plays!

[SouthernFried]

It's Chauncey that's owning this series...not RIP.

Yeah, yeah...Rip might go off against someone else like Parker. He might. But we KNOW Chauncey is going off against Parker. We KNOW Chauncy was last years Finals MVP...Let's deal with what we know, and what's happening right now.

RIP might become the scorer with someone else on him...but, he might not.

Deal with Chauncy now...and if RIP takes over game, then deal with him at that time.

"IF" Rip takes over game.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Look, Tony can match up with Rip. He's quick enough and the Spurs have been good about helping out on the screens set for Rip.

Chauncey HAS to have Bowen on him.

Billups is playing with a ton of confidence right now because he has figured out Tony can't guard him.

For a defensive guru like Pop, it's pretty dumbfounding that the guy doesn't apparently have the balls or the brains to figure it out.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I do not want Manu on Rip.

Manu played against Rip for several minutes of game 2, and had him so pissed the guy threw his mask and got a technical.

Manu is in Rip's head, but Pop's stuck with his fucking stupid matchups that have gotten us beat 3 out of the last 4 games.

[Deeeeeetroit Basketball!]

Look, Tony can match up with Rip. He's quick enough and the Spurs have been good about helping out on the screens set for Rip.

Chauncey HAS to have Bowen on him.

Billups is playing with a ton of confidence right now because he has figured out Tony can't guard him.

For a defensive guru like Pop, it's pretty dumbfounding that the guy doesn't apparently have the balls or the brains to figure it out.

Has it occurred to you that he DID think about it? RIP is much more difficult to play than Billups. So if Parker can't handle Billups, he will get torched against RIP. Do you really want to figure this out in Game 7 of the Finals?

[T Park]

Start Manu on Hamilton and Bowen on Billups.


How about playing some zone too???

I think Zone would throw these guys off a little and would help out.

WOuld also force them to shoot outside shots with a guy in their face.

[T Park]

If you want to make Manu the focal point of the offense, or run it through him heres a lineup

Manu
Bowen
Robinson
Horry
Duncan


Robinson is long enough stay in front of prince and contest him.

Bowen on Billups


Manu on Hamilton


But, fuck it, were gonna keep ramming our heads in the wall with Parker on Billups.

[MadDog73]

I don't know, Parker did a pretty good job against Rip in the last shot of Game 5.

Could he keep it up for 30+ minutes? I doubt it, but it seems smarter to take your chances with Rip (who scored 23 pts last night anyway) then to get continually torched by Billups.

Look, for the Spurs to have a better chance at winning, they need to force some Piston turnovers. Billups had 6 assists, 0 Tos last night. I'm damn sure Bowen wouldn't allow that.

[Jimcs50]

Bowen on Billups, Manu on Rip and TP on Prince.

Prince is not a post up player, and if he tries to post Tony up, we can give help. Bruce needs to lock down Chauncy, as Billups is the straw that stirs that drink and if we can disrupt him even a little, it will trickle down to the rest of the team.

Chauncy has 6 turnovers in 6 games, he is having his way out there, he needs to have our best stopper on him, if we are to slow him down.

[angel_luv]

One change I would like to see in game seven: Spurs win instead of Detroit. By any means necessary. LOL

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Tony can guard Rip. Rip doesn't play physical, he plays on speed and quickness, which Tony can match him step for step with.

Billups makes the Pistons go. If you want to kill the car you've gotta take out the engine.

I just want to see Pop make some adjustments, because he's been on the wrong end of things three of the last four. Not a good trend, if you ask me.

[Kori Ellis]

Tony can guard Rip. Rip doesn't play physical, he plays on speed and quickness, which Tony can match him step for step with.

For short stretches. But not over the long haul of the game.

[SouthernFried]

If POP makes any of these changes...I hope MANU doesn't play RIP.

Manu has looked exhausted at the end of the game these last few. He expends so much energy, all the time, already POP's gotta limit his minutes because of it.

Manu running around after RIP will just exhaust MANU even more...cuz MANU will do his best. Which means, on the offensive end, where we need Manu most...he's gonna be spent.

Put Parker on RIP...and see how it goes. If necessary, bring in Devin or Brent to help.

But, above all...Bowen on Billups. That's a no brainer. And wait till the 2 minute mark to do it...suprise them a little in the flow of the game. Do a couple more switches during the game, so BROWN won't know what's gonna happen and adjust to it. But, keep Bowen on Billups the majority of the time.

Damn, you'd think I actually know what I'm talking about here :blah

[JamStone]

Rip uses his quickness and screens against bigger defenders. If Tony Parker guards Rip, you can bet that the Pistons and Rip will exploit that mismatch and put Rip in the post on Parker or just shoot over him. If Parker is successful, more props to him, but I don't see him being able to stay with Rip for long stretches.

[SouthernFried]

Oh, I think Parker can stay with him. I just think RIP could shoot over him. Parker would have to use his body some to throw off RIPS rythm (meaning some fouls too), and he might be able to deny RIP the dribble or the pass in the first place. I don't know how good RIP is a post-up player...haven't seen him do it much.

I think Parker could do it.

I KNOW Parker can't guard Billups. Not because he ain't trying tho...he's just mismatched.

One thing in Parkers favor...Billups can't guard Parker either. If Parker would drive even more, shoot more...well, who knows.

[td4mvp21]

Rip will take advantage of TP. Why not put Ginobili on Billups, Bowen on Rip, and Barry on Prince FOR STRETCHES. See how that goes. Pop just needs to try new things, I'm getting sick of his stubborness. When you lose three games in a series, there should be adjustments for Game 7.

[SouthernFried]

Manu on Billups?

Now, that's an idea! I think that could work.

But, I really beleive you gotta have Parker out there. He's almost as effective as Manu driving...mebbe even moreso in this series. The question is...who does he guard?

RIP is the only one I think he has a chance with. He can't guard Billups, that's for sure.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

you can bet that the Pistons and Rip will exploit that mismatch and put Rip in the post on Parker or just shoot over him

Rip is not a physical player, and the thought of the Pistons running a low post offense with Rip as the focal point is exactly the kind of thing that would ensure the trophy stays in SA when Detroit heads home.

Plus it's not like he's not going to get some help defense.

That said, I'd still like to see the Devin Brown trump card played here, but expecting Pop to make adjustments at this point is wishful thinking.

I'll be shocked if they even practiced today, I mean the game got over late last night.

[ballhog]

I agree---put Bowen on Billups and see what he does. Manu can guard Hamilton.

[Deeeeeetroit Basketball!]

I agree---put Bowen on Billups and see what he does. Manu can guard Hamilton.

No he can't. Did you bother reading the opinions of the people who actually know what they're talking about?

[Uncle_Rico]

the change i want to see is...fight through the damn picks. how many shots does it take for you to realize you cant go under and where is the damn hedge or show against the pick, that was freaking abscent.

one more thing 8-28 games 5 & 6, 14 touches in game 6. TD needs the ball and needs to quit telegraphing moves. last but not least....14 touches TIMMY. Take your teammates become a freaking leader on the court and demand the fucking ball, it's a physical game. refs wont foul him out anyways. guards must be patient.