milkyway21
06-23-2005, 03:47 AM
reasons why Spurs lost game 6
(note: :nope=don't do it again)
Analysis...
by C. Rosen, Foxsports
Still, the early developments indicated that the Spurs were well on their way to establishing a mini-dynasty: Especially when Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker were penetrating to the rim from 20-feet and beyond without facing a serious defensive challenge. And when Tim Duncan was allowed to post on the right box, dribble TWICE into the lane, and drop a lefty hook under minimal pressure. Never mind that Nazr Mohammed broke Keith Van Horn's playoff record for having the most shots blocked :lol(attn:mouse)— the Spurs came out of the gate playing with confidence.
The Pistons, meanwhile, were intent on having Rasheed Wallace attack Duncan and making the Big Fundamental have to ante up on defense. After four quick isos produced four points, Gregg Popovich sent Robert Horry in for Mohammed. With Horry now guarding Rasheed, TD could move over to Ben Wallace and Detroit's opening gambit was effectively foiled. In fact, Rasheed went into an ambulatory coma until the game was up for grabs.:D
How did the Pistons stay in early contention? By unleashing a successful barrage of 3-balls:nope. And by turning virtually every San Antonio turnover into beaucoup points on the run.:nope
Midway through the second quarter, the Pistons were on the verge of self-destructing: Lindsey Hunter got his fillings loosed and his shoelaces untied by a solid screen set by Horry. On the next two sequences, Hunter forced (and missed) a long jumper, then picked up his third foul. Shortly thereafter, Rasheed committed a two-shot foul just prior to the Pistons inbounding the ball — and his loud, scowling protests drew a technical. Next up, was a switch that caught Tony Parker defending the posted R. Wallace, who responded with a fadeaway turn-around-jumper that never had a chance. Followed by another foul on Rasheed, and a tech on Larry Brown.
Detroit seemed to be in the midst of a fatal freakout. But Chauncey Billups calmly buried a trey, and the Pistons somehow survived their temporary insanity:D. Indeed, it was Billups' clutch 3-ball near the end of the second quarter that was the game's most significant score. Had he missed, the Pistons might easily have scowled and loud-mouthed their way into oblivion.
In the third quarter, the Pistons continued to gripe on every call that went the other way. Especially when the Spurs were clawing and scratching their way to repeated offensive rebounds.
Even so, San Antonio began to be burned by a very questionable aspect of their defensive game plan — going under every screen/roll that featured Billups. With no hand in his face, and often with no defender in sight, Billups proceeded to make the net dance:nope. And with Rip Hamilton moving and grooving, Detroit's offense was in high gear.
Also, Dee-troit began putting up defensive roadblocks in the previously unattended open lanes to the rim. Late in the quarter (and for the first time in the entire game), the Pistons ganged up on Ginobili's dribble-penetration and forced a turnover. This was a sign of good things to come for the visitors.:nope
These are the biggest disasters that afflicted the Spurs in the end-game: Another pair of dribble-drives by Ginobili was surrounded and produced a blocked shot and a turnover. Ginobili tossed an airball from beyond the arc. TD continued his putrid free throw shooting (there's still too much ball-movement in his shot preparation), and even missed a layup.:nope
Here's what went right for the Pistons: Antonio McDyess fronted Duncan and prevented the Spurs from stuffing the ball into the pivot. Hamilton ran a nifty figure-eight cut that lost Bruce Bowen and created plenty of space for Rip to comfortably drop a mid-range jumper. Hamilton curled around a screen by Rasheed, who flared, caught a pass and knocked down a ten-footer. (This screen-and-flare play has ALWAYS been productive throughout the series.) Rasheed followed a 10-foot airball with 3-pointer from 25 feet. And it was Rasheed Wallace — adding a critical tip-in — who turned the game.
In the closing minutes, Dee-troit ratcheted up their defense, and the Spurs couldn't find their way to the hoop with a road-map. The name of the game is basketball, and Billups and Hamilton were able to put the ball in the basket. And that was the difference.
For every big-time clutch play the Spurs came up with in Game 5, that's how many clinkers they produced when Game 6 was in the balance. And vice-versa for the Pistons.
Dee-troit won because they showed championship-quality resilience. And the Spurs lost because Larry Brown out-adjusted Popovich.
To retain their championship on Thursday night, the Pistons must play their characteristic swarming, Bogarting, shot-threatening defense for 48 minutes — and hope that Billups and Hamilton can keep shooting bull's-eyes.
For the Spurs to win, they must get Duncan more involved on the blocks, play better perimeter defense, and shoot a high-percentage of long balls.
So here it comes! Game 7! A joy to coach, play, watch, and maybe even to officiate! I, for one, will be disappointed if it doesn't go into triple-overtime.
(note: :nope=don't do it again)
Analysis...
by C. Rosen, Foxsports
Still, the early developments indicated that the Spurs were well on their way to establishing a mini-dynasty: Especially when Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker were penetrating to the rim from 20-feet and beyond without facing a serious defensive challenge. And when Tim Duncan was allowed to post on the right box, dribble TWICE into the lane, and drop a lefty hook under minimal pressure. Never mind that Nazr Mohammed broke Keith Van Horn's playoff record for having the most shots blocked :lol(attn:mouse)— the Spurs came out of the gate playing with confidence.
The Pistons, meanwhile, were intent on having Rasheed Wallace attack Duncan and making the Big Fundamental have to ante up on defense. After four quick isos produced four points, Gregg Popovich sent Robert Horry in for Mohammed. With Horry now guarding Rasheed, TD could move over to Ben Wallace and Detroit's opening gambit was effectively foiled. In fact, Rasheed went into an ambulatory coma until the game was up for grabs.:D
How did the Pistons stay in early contention? By unleashing a successful barrage of 3-balls:nope. And by turning virtually every San Antonio turnover into beaucoup points on the run.:nope
Midway through the second quarter, the Pistons were on the verge of self-destructing: Lindsey Hunter got his fillings loosed and his shoelaces untied by a solid screen set by Horry. On the next two sequences, Hunter forced (and missed) a long jumper, then picked up his third foul. Shortly thereafter, Rasheed committed a two-shot foul just prior to the Pistons inbounding the ball — and his loud, scowling protests drew a technical. Next up, was a switch that caught Tony Parker defending the posted R. Wallace, who responded with a fadeaway turn-around-jumper that never had a chance. Followed by another foul on Rasheed, and a tech on Larry Brown.
Detroit seemed to be in the midst of a fatal freakout. But Chauncey Billups calmly buried a trey, and the Pistons somehow survived their temporary insanity:D. Indeed, it was Billups' clutch 3-ball near the end of the second quarter that was the game's most significant score. Had he missed, the Pistons might easily have scowled and loud-mouthed their way into oblivion.
In the third quarter, the Pistons continued to gripe on every call that went the other way. Especially when the Spurs were clawing and scratching their way to repeated offensive rebounds.
Even so, San Antonio began to be burned by a very questionable aspect of their defensive game plan — going under every screen/roll that featured Billups. With no hand in his face, and often with no defender in sight, Billups proceeded to make the net dance:nope. And with Rip Hamilton moving and grooving, Detroit's offense was in high gear.
Also, Dee-troit began putting up defensive roadblocks in the previously unattended open lanes to the rim. Late in the quarter (and for the first time in the entire game), the Pistons ganged up on Ginobili's dribble-penetration and forced a turnover. This was a sign of good things to come for the visitors.:nope
These are the biggest disasters that afflicted the Spurs in the end-game: Another pair of dribble-drives by Ginobili was surrounded and produced a blocked shot and a turnover. Ginobili tossed an airball from beyond the arc. TD continued his putrid free throw shooting (there's still too much ball-movement in his shot preparation), and even missed a layup.:nope
Here's what went right for the Pistons: Antonio McDyess fronted Duncan and prevented the Spurs from stuffing the ball into the pivot. Hamilton ran a nifty figure-eight cut that lost Bruce Bowen and created plenty of space for Rip to comfortably drop a mid-range jumper. Hamilton curled around a screen by Rasheed, who flared, caught a pass and knocked down a ten-footer. (This screen-and-flare play has ALWAYS been productive throughout the series.) Rasheed followed a 10-foot airball with 3-pointer from 25 feet. And it was Rasheed Wallace — adding a critical tip-in — who turned the game.
In the closing minutes, Dee-troit ratcheted up their defense, and the Spurs couldn't find their way to the hoop with a road-map. The name of the game is basketball, and Billups and Hamilton were able to put the ball in the basket. And that was the difference.
For every big-time clutch play the Spurs came up with in Game 5, that's how many clinkers they produced when Game 6 was in the balance. And vice-versa for the Pistons.
Dee-troit won because they showed championship-quality resilience. And the Spurs lost because Larry Brown out-adjusted Popovich.
To retain their championship on Thursday night, the Pistons must play their characteristic swarming, Bogarting, shot-threatening defense for 48 minutes — and hope that Billups and Hamilton can keep shooting bull's-eyes.
For the Spurs to win, they must get Duncan more involved on the blocks, play better perimeter defense, and shoot a high-percentage of long balls.
So here it comes! Game 7! A joy to coach, play, watch, and maybe even to officiate! I, for one, will be disappointed if it doesn't go into triple-overtime.