midnightpulp
06-05-2014, 06:19 PM
Feel free to add you own.
In addition to my (possibly irrational) concern about Rashard Lewis, here's some others I have that could prove problematic for the Spurs.
- Tony Parker's health
As we all know, Tony Parker's game seems to drop off 10% for every 2% he's injured. So a 90% healthy Parker will be 50% effective. We can get away with playing Joseph and Mills heavy minutes against teams like Portland and OKC, but the Spurs are going to need a near all-level Tony Parker to win this series. Gino doesn't have the legs to penetrate against the Miami defense anymore, and if Parker is hobbled, the Spurs have really no one who can get Miami's D back on their heels and make them work.
- Chris Bosh has come alive
A big reason the Spurs were 28 seconds away from number 5 last year was because of the poor play of Bosh. He was essentially a role player over the series and didn't contribute much outside of the offensive board that led to Allen's dagger. In these playoffs, Bosh has been on fire from midrange and 3, which is a big boost to Miami's spacing. Chris Bosh can become a big, big X-factor in this series.
- Danny Green will not go historic
Danny Green's long range explosion was another major reason the Spurs were seconds away from hoisting the O'Brien. I doubt he replicates that performance.
- Wade is healthy this year
He looked old in last year's Finals, and even then, he still had a pretty strong series, averaging 19.6, 4, 4.6 on .476 shooting. A healthy, motivated Wade is a different beast, and could be a huge problem.
- Does Duncan's wheels finally fall off?
Timmy averaged 19 and 12 on .490 in the Finals last year. Does he have the gas to do it one more time?
- Mental and Emotional Pressure
The Spurs perform best when they're detached from their emotions and function like automated parts in a large, efficient machine. It's the reason they're here and not OKC, even though they lack a superstar player and can win a big game on the road without their best offensive player. Because their system is second to none. While other teams try to beat you with their top 1-2 punch (OKC), the Spurs beat you with their whole. But I fear the Spurs might "try too hard" instead of letting the process of their system take care of itself. I also don't have much confidence right now in a close game that is going to come down to making freethrows. Game 6 is going to be running though every player's mind when they're at the line, and I can see a major case of the yips coming on, especially for Manu.
That said, let's hope we can take care of Game 1.
In addition to my (possibly irrational) concern about Rashard Lewis, here's some others I have that could prove problematic for the Spurs.
- Tony Parker's health
As we all know, Tony Parker's game seems to drop off 10% for every 2% he's injured. So a 90% healthy Parker will be 50% effective. We can get away with playing Joseph and Mills heavy minutes against teams like Portland and OKC, but the Spurs are going to need a near all-level Tony Parker to win this series. Gino doesn't have the legs to penetrate against the Miami defense anymore, and if Parker is hobbled, the Spurs have really no one who can get Miami's D back on their heels and make them work.
- Chris Bosh has come alive
A big reason the Spurs were 28 seconds away from number 5 last year was because of the poor play of Bosh. He was essentially a role player over the series and didn't contribute much outside of the offensive board that led to Allen's dagger. In these playoffs, Bosh has been on fire from midrange and 3, which is a big boost to Miami's spacing. Chris Bosh can become a big, big X-factor in this series.
- Danny Green will not go historic
Danny Green's long range explosion was another major reason the Spurs were seconds away from hoisting the O'Brien. I doubt he replicates that performance.
- Wade is healthy this year
He looked old in last year's Finals, and even then, he still had a pretty strong series, averaging 19.6, 4, 4.6 on .476 shooting. A healthy, motivated Wade is a different beast, and could be a huge problem.
- Does Duncan's wheels finally fall off?
Timmy averaged 19 and 12 on .490 in the Finals last year. Does he have the gas to do it one more time?
- Mental and Emotional Pressure
The Spurs perform best when they're detached from their emotions and function like automated parts in a large, efficient machine. It's the reason they're here and not OKC, even though they lack a superstar player and can win a big game on the road without their best offensive player. Because their system is second to none. While other teams try to beat you with their top 1-2 punch (OKC), the Spurs beat you with their whole. But I fear the Spurs might "try too hard" instead of letting the process of their system take care of itself. I also don't have much confidence right now in a close game that is going to come down to making freethrows. Game 6 is going to be running though every player's mind when they're at the line, and I can see a major case of the yips coming on, especially for Manu.
That said, let's hope we can take care of Game 1.