The Last Hope

[timvp]

http://www.gambling911.com/Robert-Horry-BetUS.jpg

Spurs fans can fool themselves into thinking that Pop might go with Francisco Elson in the fourth quarter of the playoffs, but that's simply not happening. Pop clearly doesn't trust him and when the chips are down, Pop is going with what he trusts.

For whatever reason, Pop trusts small ball. If in the regular season he won't end a game with a big, do you seriously think he'll change it up and do so in the playoffs? There's no way.

In Pop's mind, Elson just isn't worth clogging the lane for Duncan, Bonner isn't good enough defensively and Oberto just isn't athletic enough. There is only one final hope:

Robert Horry.

Pop trusts Horry. If Horry can show any life in the playoffs, I'm confident that Pop will go with him down the stretch. I honestly think (or is it hope?) that Pop doesn't like small ball, he just doesn't believe in any of the bigs outside of Duncan.

I'm starting to think the Spurs will win or lose in the playoffs depending on whether Horry can at least be 80% of what he was in 2005. If he can stay on the floor in the fourth quarter, he's crafty enough defensively to get the job done. Offensively, he spreads the court and has by far the highest basketball IQ on the team.

The Spurs can't win a championship with Finley playing center. It's just not possible. I don't even know if they can beat the Lakers if the Spurs go-to lineup is small ball.

(And don't even get me started on this new mini small ball lineup that has Vaughn, Parker, Manu and Bowen/Finley playing at the same time. :pctoss)

As scary as it may be, this season can very easily rest on the shoulders of 59-year-old Robert Horry.


The Last Hope

http://www.betus.com/images/news/robertHorry.jpg

[Tippecanoe]

good point, never thought about it this way

[tlongII]

Horry's too busy with those honeys to worry about playoff basketball.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Damn, I forgot all about Horry


but if we're gonna do small ball then put james white on the playof roster and let it rip!

[td4mvp21]

Well, it was a pretty good season.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Good point timvp. I was wondering why Pop never seems to end the game with Fran, and this is a good explanation. From my perspective, word to Pop: give Fran a go in crunch time and see what happens! It has to be better than small ball... anything is.

[ploto]

From the other thread. I know it scares you when we think alike.

It's quite apparent by now that it does not matter if it was Rasho, Nazr, or Oberto last season or Elson, Bonner, or Oberto this season-- Pop will play one of two players in the fourth quarter when it matters-- Horry or Finley. And with Horry sucking/hurt, it's going to be Finley. Get accustomed to it.

[tlongII]

If the Spurs are depending on an over-the-hill Robert Horry to lead them to the promised land they are in deep shit.

[E20]

He's pretty tall compared to those girls.

[SAtown]

He's pretty tall compared to those girls.

Yeah for real, someone get Chris Hansen in here

[ShoogarBear]

If we can just hit 60% of the 25 three-pointers a game we take, the point will be moot.

[Kori Ellis]

If we can just hit 60% of the 25 three-pointers a game we take, the point will be moot.

:drunk

[T Park]

I don't get why Elson isn't playing either.

Its not like his defense tonight wasn't good.

It was decent, but better than Oberto's.

That was the mistake of the night letting that stiff play.

[whottt]

Pop didn't play Horry last year...I don't expect that will change.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Horry was too old and winded. This year Pop took the appropriate measures to rest him enough, so he might be a little bit better in postseason. So we MIGHT have Horry magic on our side this time around..Though I doubt it. :depressed

[angel_luv]

Timvp: Where is the Believe thread? Surely that should come before a " Last Hope" one.

[ploto]

Horry was too old and winded. This year Pop took the appropriate measures to rest him enough, so he might be a little bit better in postseason.
Last season Rob only played 1182 min. This season he has already played 1040 minutes with a couple of weeks to go. He only played 17 MPG in the play-offs last year. He was NOT overplayed last season at all.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

well, I was referring to Pop purposefully resting Horry on B2B games this year, I guess. As opposed to last year, when he didn't do that.

But like I said, he's pretty old now. But can never rule him out to make an awesome play or two, since he's still Robert Horry.

Besides, Robert Horry admitted in the Mavericks series he felt like a dinosaur, so wanted to get in better shape in the off-season.

[Capt Bringdown]

Won't this be the last chance for Horry's magic?
Love the guy, but as others said, I wish we had more realistic options.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Won't this be the last chance for Horry's magic?
Love the guy, but as others said, I wish we had more realistic options.
yeah...well hopefully Horry grooms Bonner enough before he departs.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I'm not even looking for Horry to have a repeat of game 5 against the Pistons.


All I want is for him to do all the little things he used to be best


Rebound efficiently. Play solid defense. Hit the occasional open 3.

If he can 6-8 points and at least 6-8 boards I'd be one hell of a happy camper (granted he gets sufficient playing time to do all that)

[silk]

elson defense is not that bad when he's not in foul trouble. and bonner rebounds well while stretching the floor, ithought our best option was melvin ely tall and athletic enough to give us o good job but it seems like not..

[dg7md]

If the Spurs are depending on an over-the-hill Robert Horry to lead them to the promised land they are in deep shit.

:lol :clap

[SRJ]

It seems that Pop has reached the point in his coaching life where he puts too much stock in veteran players.

I mean experience is nice and all, but we have that on the floor with Tim, Tony, and Manu. How about removing some experience from the roster and replacing it with running, jumping, and stamina? (Looking ahead, of course)

[Dalhoop]

Elson is the only seven footer on the team, Duncan is second tallest at 6-11, everyone else is 6-10 or shorter. The Spurs are not made to go "Big" all game long. Mavs have four players that are 6-11 or taller, Rockets have three players over seven foot.

Like it or not, the Spurs are a small team.

[Extra Stout]

I don't see what everybody is complaining about. Michael Finley is among the 60 best power forwards in the NBA.

[bdictjames]

Elson is the only seven footer on the team, Duncan is second tallest at 6-11, everyone else is 6-10 or shorter. The Spurs are not made to go "Big" all game long. Mavs have four players that are 6-11 or taller, Rockets have three players over seven foot.

Like it or not, the Spurs are a small team.
You forgot Oberto. He may have a 2 inch vertical but technically he's still 7 feet tall. :lol

That said, Spurs are a small team, but small ball just doesn't seem to work.

[phyzik]

So fitting that the last hope is now a Red "X" image...

[Fabbs]

Is Pop being hospitalized/homebound for a month or so with some serious but not life threatening malady a possible last hope?

TallBall return? :elephant

[T Park]

hey fabbs

youve yet to answer the question, of what coach is available that you want to coach the team instead.


Answer the question, or STFU.

[Fabbs]

hey fabbs

youve yet to answer the question, of what coach is available that you want to coach the team instead.


Answer the question, or STFU.
I think you should coach the Spurs.

[sanman53]

Was there an actual lineup of

Parker
Manu
Vaughn
Bowen
Finley

all on the floor at the same time?

[Dalhoop]

You forgot Oberto. He may have a 2 inch vertical but technically he's still 7 feet tall.

ESPN has him listed at 6-10, he doesn't look taller then Duncan, I would say that 6-10 is more acurate.


what if elson does the same he did in game one of this season?

hmm..

If the Mavs play like they did in the first four games on the season (When that game took place) then the Spurs could play four and five and still win.


Parker
Manu
Vaughn
Bowen
Finley

This line-up is not something that you would want to see very often ... I mean geez, with the Mavs Finley was a SG, that would make it four guards and a SF. I guess if all you wanted was shooting that would be alright, but Vaughn and Bowan are not the best shooters in the world.

[Kori Ellis]

:lol @ calling Oberto 7 feet

He's about 6'9 or so

[1Parker1]

Pop's not even giving Elson enough of a chance to be the "X-Factor" for the Spurs, that's what is pissing me off. Yes, his defense still isn't phenomenal, but he has shown glimpses of what he can do. Problem is, Pop has scared him so much with the whole yank him after one mistake thing that he sometimes looks scared and tries too hard out there instead of just reacting Elson thinks too much.

I agree that Horry is probably the next Spurs X-Factor. Problem is though I think he still has a game or two left in him...I'm not too sure how many minutes and how long he'll be able to play in the playoffs. Especially if the Spurs get a chance to have a back to back series against both Pheonix and the Mavs. :depressed