timvp
05-12-2007, 05:03 PM
Spurs fans can try to play down the importance of this game, but I think Game 3 is a must win game. The Spurs can't afford a loss here. Going down 2-1 against the Suns would give them a huge advantage in the series ... not to mention that a Tim Duncan team has never recovered after being in such a hole.
Here are the timvp keys to victory rated in order of most important:
1) Defensively matchup properly. Bowen on Nash makes no sense. I respect Bowen's defensive abilities as much as anyone but he's not built to guard Nash. Parker has defended Nash well in the past and should be given the job.
It also helps because you can then put Bowen and Finley/Manu on Marion and Bell ... and those are very good matchups for the Spurs. Bell scored 18 last game but with Bowen on him, he'd struggle to score at all.
If the Spurs defensive strategy is to let Nash score but keep everyone else in check, it makes no sense to waste your team's best defender on Nash. If in the fourth quarter Pop wants to mix it up and put Bowen on Nash, I can live with that. But not for the whole game.
Keeping Bowen on Nash would be akin to the mistake last year when Pop kept Bowen on Dirk. And we all saw how that one ended up. Bowen is a great defender -- but not great enough that he can guard point guards and power forwards. Like I've said, you don't see D'Antoni putting Bell on Duncan or Parker. Keep Bowen on a swingman and let the Spurs point guards defend Nash.
2) Get out and run. The Suns halfcourt defense is much improved and is actually pretty damn good. But they aren't a great transition defensive team.
The Spurs can get some good opportunities if they can get out on the fast break. It'll help get Tony and Manu involved and get the team some easy baskets. Running will also free up some transition three-pointers.
Run after defensive rebounds, turnovers and even made baskets. It might sound odd, but you have to push the tempo back at the Suns. Pop's Spurs over the last eight or so seasons are probably the best transition defensive teams of all-time. The Spurs need to use that to their advantage on the other end of the court.
3) Get Manu going. Although it hurts the team as a whole, I'd be willing to start Manu at this point. The Spurs have a higher ceiling of greatness with Manu coming off the bench, but the Spurs aren't going to win this series if Manu is producing like the Argentine Boris Diaw.
Running will help Manu but he's going to have to knock down a couple three-pointers to get his confidence going and keep the defense honest. But even if his shot is off, Manu has to drive the lane and get to the line. I'd rather him finish 3-for-15 than 3-for-9 if it means a more aggressive and basket-attacking version of Manu.
4) Short leash for Elson, Vaughn and Barry. If these three guys aren't producing, Pop just needs to yank them. The more Horry, the better. If Manu has to play backup point, so be it. If Bowen and Finley have to play 48 minutes because Barry is sucking, then it's time to play 48 minutes.
Charity minutes and waiting for guys to produce is over. It's winning time.
5) Don't give the Suns transition baskets or three-pointers. The Spurs are very good at stopping the fast break ... so it's no time to slip up. Additionally, everyone (that means you Barry and Manu) has to keep with the gameplan and not leave a three-point shooter to come and help.
You want the Suns to beat you playing in a halfcourt setting with no open looks from deep. If Nash and Stoudemire score 40 apiece in such a setting and lose, you lose. But forcing them to do that is the lesser of all evils.
Get this damn game.
1.
Believe.
http://spurstalk.com/popsean.jpg
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/sports/popovich_gregg030428.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/spurs/elliott_trophy_200w.jpg
Here are the timvp keys to victory rated in order of most important:
1) Defensively matchup properly. Bowen on Nash makes no sense. I respect Bowen's defensive abilities as much as anyone but he's not built to guard Nash. Parker has defended Nash well in the past and should be given the job.
It also helps because you can then put Bowen and Finley/Manu on Marion and Bell ... and those are very good matchups for the Spurs. Bell scored 18 last game but with Bowen on him, he'd struggle to score at all.
If the Spurs defensive strategy is to let Nash score but keep everyone else in check, it makes no sense to waste your team's best defender on Nash. If in the fourth quarter Pop wants to mix it up and put Bowen on Nash, I can live with that. But not for the whole game.
Keeping Bowen on Nash would be akin to the mistake last year when Pop kept Bowen on Dirk. And we all saw how that one ended up. Bowen is a great defender -- but not great enough that he can guard point guards and power forwards. Like I've said, you don't see D'Antoni putting Bell on Duncan or Parker. Keep Bowen on a swingman and let the Spurs point guards defend Nash.
2) Get out and run. The Suns halfcourt defense is much improved and is actually pretty damn good. But they aren't a great transition defensive team.
The Spurs can get some good opportunities if they can get out on the fast break. It'll help get Tony and Manu involved and get the team some easy baskets. Running will also free up some transition three-pointers.
Run after defensive rebounds, turnovers and even made baskets. It might sound odd, but you have to push the tempo back at the Suns. Pop's Spurs over the last eight or so seasons are probably the best transition defensive teams of all-time. The Spurs need to use that to their advantage on the other end of the court.
3) Get Manu going. Although it hurts the team as a whole, I'd be willing to start Manu at this point. The Spurs have a higher ceiling of greatness with Manu coming off the bench, but the Spurs aren't going to win this series if Manu is producing like the Argentine Boris Diaw.
Running will help Manu but he's going to have to knock down a couple three-pointers to get his confidence going and keep the defense honest. But even if his shot is off, Manu has to drive the lane and get to the line. I'd rather him finish 3-for-15 than 3-for-9 if it means a more aggressive and basket-attacking version of Manu.
4) Short leash for Elson, Vaughn and Barry. If these three guys aren't producing, Pop just needs to yank them. The more Horry, the better. If Manu has to play backup point, so be it. If Bowen and Finley have to play 48 minutes because Barry is sucking, then it's time to play 48 minutes.
Charity minutes and waiting for guys to produce is over. It's winning time.
5) Don't give the Suns transition baskets or three-pointers. The Spurs are very good at stopping the fast break ... so it's no time to slip up. Additionally, everyone (that means you Barry and Manu) has to keep with the gameplan and not leave a three-point shooter to come and help.
You want the Suns to beat you playing in a halfcourt setting with no open looks from deep. If Nash and Stoudemire score 40 apiece in such a setting and lose, you lose. But forcing them to do that is the lesser of all evils.
Get this damn game.
1.
Believe.
http://spurstalk.com/popsean.jpg
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/sports/popovich_gregg030428.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/spurs/elliott_trophy_200w.jpg