Nikos
05-02-2006, 01:21 PM
As timvp states, "Manu this is not the WNBA....."
That being said, what is up with him these last two games? Is Artest and his bad Game 3 Turnover all it takes to take him completely off his game? Last years playoffs he was a beast, now he has been just the opposite these playoffs. Why?
It's not like he was taking his man one on one last year over and over. he has had excellent games before without having to use the pick and roll over and over...Artest is good at chasing men off screens...but come on....Rip Hamilton was able to scorch him in 2004 by using screens....why can't Manu make a few open shots once in a while to get him in the flow? It's like even when he is open now he doesn't want to shoot it much. Instead he telegraphs his shot fakes and makes a poor pass.
He has had plenty games where he just scores in the flow of the game, and now he isn't even doing that. It isn't only Artest that is locking him up, it is his own mental games with himself (I hope).
As bad as Manu has been the team hasn't guarded Wells at all. I could totally see Wells being neutralized against another team, yet because he has the size advantage he has the power to even post Tim Duncan consistently, and OWN the team on the boards. WTF is that? Ok one or two games fine, but not the ENTIRE series completely own the Spurs underneath.
This Kings team is tough, and in reality a solid 4 seed. They are probably weaker than the Mavs, Spurs (technically), and the Clippers (well very close). But it is disgusting to see the team lose the way they did in Game 4, and just as bad to see Manu lose his confidence for possibly the rest of the series.
Duncan was great in Game 3, Parker has been solid on average (but not great since Game 1). The bench has been fine offensively, actually as good as they need to be in that regard.
Can this team win even with a passive Manu? Shouldn't Duncan, Parker, and the defensive system be enough to squeek this series out whether Manu wakes up or not? Why can't the Spurs overcome Bonzi Wells and co.?
Right now I am pretty nervous and pissed off at Manu mostly. Manu is better than this, and last playoffs proved it. Can't he find a way to contribute off the ball and make some defensive plays? Even if Artest does have his number. I thought he was better that this.
This is sort of looking like Seattle 2005, but the main difference is that Manu is probably not going to kick ass in Game 5. Can the Spurs overcome it? Can Manu come to the rescue? Can Tim Duncan freaking dominate regardless of what his teamattes do (like he can)? Can Tony find a way to make his mark? Right now I have confidence that the bench will be efficient and solid on offense, but it's up to the BIG THREE to SET the example. The role players should follow THEIR lead.
Can they do it? Right now I am nervous and unsure about this team. No inspiring wins all season -- it's like they forgot how they played their best basketball -- and now Manu (of all Spurs) is playing with extreme tentativeness. Can the Spurs get themselves out of this mess. This Sacto team is tougher than Denver05, Phoenix03, and Seattle05 most likely. Can they muster up two wins?
That being said, what is up with him these last two games? Is Artest and his bad Game 3 Turnover all it takes to take him completely off his game? Last years playoffs he was a beast, now he has been just the opposite these playoffs. Why?
It's not like he was taking his man one on one last year over and over. he has had excellent games before without having to use the pick and roll over and over...Artest is good at chasing men off screens...but come on....Rip Hamilton was able to scorch him in 2004 by using screens....why can't Manu make a few open shots once in a while to get him in the flow? It's like even when he is open now he doesn't want to shoot it much. Instead he telegraphs his shot fakes and makes a poor pass.
He has had plenty games where he just scores in the flow of the game, and now he isn't even doing that. It isn't only Artest that is locking him up, it is his own mental games with himself (I hope).
As bad as Manu has been the team hasn't guarded Wells at all. I could totally see Wells being neutralized against another team, yet because he has the size advantage he has the power to even post Tim Duncan consistently, and OWN the team on the boards. WTF is that? Ok one or two games fine, but not the ENTIRE series completely own the Spurs underneath.
This Kings team is tough, and in reality a solid 4 seed. They are probably weaker than the Mavs, Spurs (technically), and the Clippers (well very close). But it is disgusting to see the team lose the way they did in Game 4, and just as bad to see Manu lose his confidence for possibly the rest of the series.
Duncan was great in Game 3, Parker has been solid on average (but not great since Game 1). The bench has been fine offensively, actually as good as they need to be in that regard.
Can this team win even with a passive Manu? Shouldn't Duncan, Parker, and the defensive system be enough to squeek this series out whether Manu wakes up or not? Why can't the Spurs overcome Bonzi Wells and co.?
Right now I am pretty nervous and pissed off at Manu mostly. Manu is better than this, and last playoffs proved it. Can't he find a way to contribute off the ball and make some defensive plays? Even if Artest does have his number. I thought he was better that this.
This is sort of looking like Seattle 2005, but the main difference is that Manu is probably not going to kick ass in Game 5. Can the Spurs overcome it? Can Manu come to the rescue? Can Tim Duncan freaking dominate regardless of what his teamattes do (like he can)? Can Tony find a way to make his mark? Right now I have confidence that the bench will be efficient and solid on offense, but it's up to the BIG THREE to SET the example. The role players should follow THEIR lead.
Can they do it? Right now I am nervous and unsure about this team. No inspiring wins all season -- it's like they forgot how they played their best basketball -- and now Manu (of all Spurs) is playing with extreme tentativeness. Can the Spurs get themselves out of this mess. This Sacto team is tougher than Denver05, Phoenix03, and Seattle05 most likely. Can they muster up two wins?