Are the Spurs vulnerable to physical teams?

[Solid D]

Physical Players.......Sturdy Players.......Non-Physical Players

Tony Massenburg.....Tim Duncan...........Rasho Nesterovic
Malik Rose...............Robert Horry.........Tony Parker
Bruce Bowen............Devin Brown.........Manu Ginobili
.................................................. ....Brent Barry
.................................................. ....Beno Udrih
.................................................. .....Mike Wilks

It is no secret that the Spurs are a terrific passing team and are more offensively oriented this year. They can dominate non-physical teams, but when they encountered a team with three physical players like Seattle, they played as soft as a baby's bottom. Is there a correlation? In 2002-03, the Champion Spurs seemed to rid themselves of the "soft" tag-line or being labeled a team that lacked physicality, as Philip described them in 2001-02.

Do the Spurs settle too much for the non-contact stuff with the present team? Are they vulnerable to physical-style teams?

[Jimcs50]

They are vunerable to teams like Phoenix and Dallas who can out shoot and outrun them. They can bang with anyone.

[FromWayDowntown]

I don't know that I'd characterize Manu Ginobili as non-physical. . . . .

[timvp]

Do the Spurs settle too much for the non-contact stuff with the present team? Are they vulnerable to physical-style teams?

Yes.

This team is going to be softer than I'd like. Barry, for as skilled as he is, is pretty much what you'd have to call a "soft" player. Parker and Beno aren't going to beat anyone up.

As far as physical players go, the Spurs are going to have to rely on Rose, Massenburg and Ginobili. I think Ginobili is the key. He's not afraid to get down and dirty. If he's attacking and grabbing rebound, the Spurs aren't as soft.

Devin is another player that has to come in with an edge. He is strong enough to dish out a couple of hard fouls. The more time he gets, the tougher the Spurs are in the swing positions.

I wouldn't call Bowen a physical player because most of what he does is with his awesome footwork. But true, he doesn't back down from anything.

[Brodels]

Yes.

This team is going to be softer than I'd like. Barry, for as skilled as he is, is pretty much what you'd have to call a "soft" player. Parker and Beno aren't going to beat anyone up.

As far as physical players go, the Spurs are going to have to rely on Rose, Massenburg and Ginobili. I think Ginobili is the key. He's not afraid to get down and dirty. If he's attacking and grabbing rebound, the Spurs aren't as soft.

Devin is another player that has to come in with an edge. He is strong enough to dish out a couple of hard fouls. The more time he gets, the tougher the Spurs are in the swing positions.

I wouldn't call Bowen a physical player because most of what he does is with his awesome footwork. But true, he doesn't back down from anything.

That's exactly what I think.

[Marcus Bryant]

I recall some saying this wasn't a problem.

[tlongII]

The Spurs are a bunch of pansies. The only non-pansy in that group is Duncan and he's not enough.

[Mr. Body]

I don't expect Devin Brown to be much of a factor in any way this season.

The Spurs will be vulnerable to the top physical teams, but so will everybody. That includes Utah and, unfortunately, Detroit. These are teams that will swipe rebounds out of Rasho's hands, like Fortson and Lewis did constantly in Seattle.

But the Spurs will generally be fine down low simply because of Duncan. What they will have a problem with, as always, is with hot-shooting teams with one or two players who can get their own shots. Ray Allen was that on Sunday. Cassell is always a nightmare. Marbury, Iverson... Those are teams that kill us - when they're on.

[Rick Von Braun]

The Spurs will suffer physical play in the paint, and over the top shooting by long SFs. The first issue might be solved giving TonyM more minutes, the second issue will be (hopefully) solved by playing Linton III.

[ChumpDumper]

I thought Malik was tough.

What gives?

[BigVee]

Players are who they are. Want to trade our roster for Seattle's? The goons (Fortson) have made their way because they lack true basketball skills. So they win a few times because during the course of the season you don't always feel like gooning it up with those kind of guys. You want Fortson on the court for you when the chips are down and you need a hoop? Come playoff time the Spurs will be plenty tough enough. I can't believe how much is being made of one game in November. Remember the 76's at home last year and Atlanta away? This stuff happens. Relax and quit over-analyzing everything.

[Marcus Bryant]

Malik isn't the problem honey.

[ChumpDumper]

He sure wasn't the answer against the Sonics. Go figure.

[2pac]

The Spurs are a bunch of pansies. The only non-pansy in that group is Duncan and he's not enough.

This coming from the guy who loves:
Derek Anderson
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
NVE
Theo Ratliff
Damon Stoutmire
You have no room to talk about soft.

[Marcus Bryant]

He did his job missy. He should have gotten more PT.

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah, another two minutes and he would've fouled out. A couple more cheap pushes right in front of the refs woulda done it.

[Marcus Bryant]

There you go. Wasn't the man's fault. Thanks Toots.

[Solid D]

Seattle was physical but they really shoot pretty well. They did last season too.

They've already shot 9-21 from the 3-pt line after 3 quarters tonight against Denver.

The West is deeeeeep.

[ChumpDumper]

Wasn't the man's fault.That was the worswt homeristic take I have ever seen.

Remember Malik's last bitch foul?

His fault.

[Marcus Bryant]

ChumpHumper goes to the well and finds it dry.

So "homer" it is.

[ChumpDumper]

So you didn't watch?

Understood.

Leave it to the folks who actually watch the games.

[Marcus Bryant]

Oh little miss, I watch alright.

[ChumpDumper]

Through Rose-colored lenses no doubt, junior.

[Solid D]

I don't know that I'd characterize Manu Ginobili as non-physical. . . . .
Yeah, I've thought about that too. Would anyone else classify Manu as at least "sturdy"? I look at "sturdy" as someone who is tough to move when posted up or someone who is tough to penetrate on in the lane.

[samikeyp]

Anyone who has the ability to make it to the NBA and stay there cannot be soft. However, the Spurs are more of a finesse team than I would like. When the passing offense is clicking...you can't hit what you can't catch up to. Its when the Spurs stand around, dump it into Duncan and just watch is when they get into trouble. They stand around, don't box out, don't fight for the boards, etc. I think they have the ability to get down and dirty they just don't. I for one would like to see a few more opposing players hit the ground when they get into the lane. It would make them think twice about it.

[Marcus Bryant]

Nah, I only use my glasses when I drive. Stick to tying ribbons 'round your ponytail, darlin.

[Nikos]

Yeah, I've thought about that too. Would anyone else classify Manu as at least "sturdy"? I look at "sturdy" as someone who is tough to move when posted up or someone who is tough to penetrate on in the lane.

Yeah I wouldn't say he is non-physical. He draws offensive fouls all the time and isn't afriad to put his body on the line. I also think that guys of the 6'5-6'6' range cannot really post him up very easily cause he has very quick hands and isn't afraid to stick his nose in their on D.