The real story of the series

[ShoogarBear]

Rebounding.

After getting killed on the boards -15 in game one (but getting bailed out by incredible shooting), the Spurs have gone +9, -4, +1 against the best rebounding team (in terms of differential) in the league. And after giving up 21 offensive rebounds in game one, they have subsequently given up 13, 10, and 8.

Memo Okur (7.6 rpg during the regular season) is only averaging 5 rebs/game, while Oberto is getting 7.3 rpg (4.7 season avg.).

[MI21]

Ssssshhhhh.... Stop speaking sense, it's the flopping that is driving the Spurs to the finals.

[ATRAIN]

Ssssshhhhh.... Stop speaking sense, it's the flopping that is driving the Spurs to the finals.


I want to take flopping lessons.

[tlongII]

Okur is getting pwned by Duncan. That's the story of the series in my opinion. Duncan has had several TO's, but that's only because Utah has to send 3 guys at him. He's killing them.

[BigBeezie]

The Spurs hit the boards hard when they have to.

Is it just me or has Duncan been blocking an incredible amount of shots this offseason?

[LilMissSPURfect]

and all the raggin by mark jackson how he's never seen tim have such a bad game..... i think he matched boozer on an OFF night and TIMMAY still the MAN!

[Solid D]

Good point, ShoogarBear. Although, I'm pretty sure Oberto is averaging 7.25 rpg versus the Jazz in this series after 4 games.

[ShoogarBear]

You right. For some reason I divided by 5 instead of 4.

[td4mvp21]

Good point, ShoogarBear. Although, I'm pretty sure Oberto is averaging 7.25 rpg versus the Jazz in this series after 4 games.

He is, along with 11 ppg in 31 mpg. I'd say he's been pretty effective.

[ShoogarBear]

Okur is getting pwned by Duncan. That's the story of the series in my opinion. Duncan has had several TO's, but that's only because Utah has to send 3 guys at him. He's killing them.Okur and Harpring are neck-and-neck for the LVP of the series. Along with Boozer's "defense" on Oberto.

[DDS4]

3 > 2.

Unless Utah gets that 3rd scorer/difference maker, this series will be over on Wednesday.

[td4mvp21]

Okur and Harpring are neck-and-neck for the LVP of the series. Along with Boozer's "defense" on Oberto.

Boozer's doesn't have defense. Ironically, his only defensive play of the series came with the really good block on Duncan.

[Mitch Cumsteen]

The offensive rebounding kept the Spurs in the game last night during that awful third quarter. Fabio got 6 OR by himself and the team out-offensive-rebounded the Jazz 12-8. Nothing is more demoralizing that playing 20 seconds of good defense, then giving up the offensive rebound and having to play 20 more seconds of defense.

[Supergirl]

Agreed.
The reason why the Spurs are winning 3-1 in this series are:
1. Duncan (They have no answer for him, and they dominated in Game 3 when they were able to get him off the floor for most of the game)
2. Rebounding (Oberto is a big part of this)
3. Aggressive in the paint & hitting outside shots (both of which have a lot to do with #1, so really, it's all about DUNCAN and REBOUNDING.)

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Boozer's doesn't have defense. Ironically, his only defensive play of the series came with the really good block on Duncan.
That single play will be probably be enough to convince many fans that he's a great defender and is not the reason that Oberto is shooting 117% for this series.

[Spurminator]

Fabricio Oberto's contributions cannot be understated.

Our biggest obstancle coming in was Utah's size advantage and their ability to dominate us on the boards. Without Fabricio's rebounds and tip-outs (not to mention his scoring contributions) we would be in trouble.

While he's by no means our best player, IMO he's been the most important player for the Spurs this series when you look at his impact compared to what you'd normally expect from him.

[Spurminator]

Stat question... do you get credit for a rebound if you tip out an offensive board to a teammate?

[td4mvp21]

Stat question... do you get credit for a rebound if you tip out an offensive board to a teammate?

Yes.

[timvp]

Good points.

The gang rebounding mentality was in full effect last night. We saw Parker ripping rebounds away from Oberto and Manu skying over Duncan to pull down boards.

The Spurs are a poor rebounding team unless they make it a top priority like they have the last three games.

[Testing]

:lol One of these days Manu is going to hurt Duncan...sometimes he seems like he's in such a zone he doens't evne realize who he's jumping on/over.