mando6599
01-21-2006, 01:46 AM
Yes! I feel this team is starting to gel much nicer as of late, especially playing on the road. They're starting to remind me of the road team we had two years ago when they had such a great road record. They're finishing quarters much stronger and, as evidenced tonight against Miami, and even against the Bucks on Wed., they're making the clutch shots down the stretch when necessary.
I can't really describe what the feeling is, but to me it feels like the Spurs are beginning to play like they have a chip on their collective shoulders. I thought that even though we did not have a good assist night, the team offense ran smoother and there was a flow to it. I know we turned it over a lot tonight, but it seemed when it came to crunch time, we didn't turn it over.
I don't know, the last two away games against the Grizz and the Heat have just seemed like our defense has stepped up and really played well. Props to Rasho tonight for an inspired effort against Shaq. I'd take that effort every night, Shaq or no Shaq. But if we were to play them in the Finals, I'd feel pretty good about it after tonight. Yes, Shaq is still working back into shape, but still. Rasho held his own and was in a lot more plays defensively than all year, to me at least. Blocked shots without fouling, boards, and tough ones at that. Pushing Shaq back out of the block more than I've seen before. If there's ever been a case for Rasho over Nazr, it's now. Nazr showed no answer tonight for Shaq when he was on him. Nazr got 3 fouls in about 3 minutes out on the court. One created a 3-point play for Shaq which capped off a spurt for the Heat.
Of course Parker was amazing and just literally punched his ticket to the ASG with his performance tonight. Came up big in so many ways and even took the hits and punishment that came with it. Huge respect for TP tonight. He had both inside and outside game working tonight and it showed how deadly he's going to be if he plays like that consistently. And to top it all off, he wasn't stopping driving to the rim and was also taking the big shots at the end! His confidence is way up and I hope the team can ride for a while, while Manu heals(again) and rests.
This team is on the right track and to me they're starting to get together.
mando
I can't really describe what the feeling is, but to me it feels like the Spurs are beginning to play like they have a chip on their collective shoulders. I thought that even though we did not have a good assist night, the team offense ran smoother and there was a flow to it. I know we turned it over a lot tonight, but it seemed when it came to crunch time, we didn't turn it over.
I don't know, the last two away games against the Grizz and the Heat have just seemed like our defense has stepped up and really played well. Props to Rasho tonight for an inspired effort against Shaq. I'd take that effort every night, Shaq or no Shaq. But if we were to play them in the Finals, I'd feel pretty good about it after tonight. Yes, Shaq is still working back into shape, but still. Rasho held his own and was in a lot more plays defensively than all year, to me at least. Blocked shots without fouling, boards, and tough ones at that. Pushing Shaq back out of the block more than I've seen before. If there's ever been a case for Rasho over Nazr, it's now. Nazr showed no answer tonight for Shaq when he was on him. Nazr got 3 fouls in about 3 minutes out on the court. One created a 3-point play for Shaq which capped off a spurt for the Heat.
Of course Parker was amazing and just literally punched his ticket to the ASG with his performance tonight. Came up big in so many ways and even took the hits and punishment that came with it. Huge respect for TP tonight. He had both inside and outside game working tonight and it showed how deadly he's going to be if he plays like that consistently. And to top it all off, he wasn't stopping driving to the rim and was also taking the big shots at the end! His confidence is way up and I hope the team can ride for a while, while Manu heals(again) and rests.
This team is on the right track and to me they're starting to get together.
mando