Was neutralizing Peja always the answer

[female sports fan]

To this series? Sure seems that taking him out of the game has been very key.

[Parkerlooms]

Yes. I believe it is. If you take away his 20-25 ppg then you obviously will have a much easier time. I think Pop has it figured out now.

Let Paul go nuts, shut down West, Stojakovic, and Chandler.

[BRHornet45]

yes no doubt. I love Peja, but he is such a one dimensional player it aint even funny. I forgot he was even in the game tonight.

[T Park]

A huge difference.

THe addition of Ginobili into the lineup, along with Duncan getting healthier has been huge.

[Manufan909]

Quick question: why can't Manu get the same minutes when he comes off the bench? I know the extra option theory has worked to perfection, but that part still gets me. And someone tell him to stop with the three's if he keeps shooting 30%.

P.S. BRH, keeps posting, whatever you do, don't eat, don't sleep, and soil yourself if you have to. I'm an ass man, so I think you can understand why I'm begging you to spam.:downspin::downspin::downspin:

[Shaolin-Style]

Its a major part but honestly I think what has been more important has been making wide open shots they dared us to take in 1 and 2 and that we pretty much missed in the 3rd quarter and fell behind big, as opposed to shooting well in 3 and 4. Also, Duncan getting back into the mix has been very key.

[SpurAddict561]

The equation actually was originally supposed to allow West to go nuts with Paul, and shut everyone else down

but West is so inexperienced and frustrated that he's shutting himself down...passing up his trademark 15 ft J for a drive to the hole where Timmy & Oberto collapse on that ass

And yes, Peja getting the lock on his shot was definitely the answer....I just hope Bowen can keep it up.

[AFBlue]

The switch was big, but I just think the overall intensity level (especially on defense) was dramatically higher in the last two games. The Spurs MUST keep up that intensity level in NO for game 5 or they're in danger of finding themselves in another hole.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Moving Bowen to Peja worked three fold.

You take away Peja. It also eliminates the mismatch of Parker trying to guard Peterson. MoPete went from averaging 10 a game the first two games with Parker on him to averaging about 4 now.

So you cut Peja from 25 to 7 PPG. MoPete from 10 to 4.

And with everyone staying home, Paul's assist numbers have dropped as he's not finding wide open teammates to kick off to.

[florige]

Yes. I believe it is. If you take away his 20-25 ppg then you obviously will have a much easier time. I think Pop has it figured out now.

Let Paul go nuts,
shut down West, Stojakovic, and Chandler.

That was our main problem after game 1. I think our defenders have figured him out some.

[jmard5]

Yup, I think it helped. What's good is seeing the Hornets trying to make a play for Peja and seeing the Hornets wasting their shotclock and/or missing shots.

[Taco]

neutralizing everyone else, let Paul take all the shots

[Jimcs50]

If you recall, before the series started, when the discussion was that Bowen needed to guard Paul, I stated that Bowen needed to guard Peja who he had had great success with in the past, and TP needed to stay with Paul. I said that it was more imprtant keeping the role players in check than Paul, who was going to get his no matter what. :smokin

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If you recall, before the series started, when the discussion was that Bowen needed to guard Paul, I stated that Bowen needed to guard Peja who he had had great success with in the past, and TP needed to stay with Paul. I said that it was more imprtant keeping the role players in check than Paul, who was going to get his no matter what. :smokin

You and half the board.

[m33p0]

no. but since bruce has been unable to stop paul from doing his thing, why not put on someone that he has historically put a sleeper hold on thus taking away one of the hornets' primary weapon. parker on paul, speed on speed, seems like a good matchup since they have difficulty guarding each other anyway.

taking chandler out of the game is more important coz, after him, the hornets are really small. without chandler on the court, hornets' interior d is open for business.

[Jimcs50]

You and half the board.


riiight.

[Solid D]

riiight.

The Forum has a nice historical record from around, ohhh, say 5/1/2008, prior to the start of the Hornets/Spurs series.

Quite a few people were proponents of the Bowen-on-Peja strategy. Letting Paul score and keeping his high assist totals down were expressed and echoed by quite a few here.

If West and Paul both hit their shots at a high rate, the Hornets are still difficult to beat, but it is easier when the Spurs aren't giving up turnovers.

[cajunhornetsbayou]

female sports fan

Isnt this an oxymoron? Sports should not be discussed by females. Go talk about the WNBA which isnt a sport.

[Jimcs50]

The Forum has a nice historical record from around, ohhh, say 5/1/2008, prior to the start of the Hornets/Spurs series.

Quite a few people were proponents of the Bowen-on-Peja strategy. Letting Paul score and keeping his high assist totals down were expressed and echoed by quite a few here.

If West and Paul both hit their shots at a high rate, the Hornets are still difficult to beat, but it is easier when the Spurs aren't giving up turnovers.

He said "half" the board.


the proof is in the pudding:


http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93759&page=2

I seem to see only Kori and I were strictly in favor of putting Bruce exclusively on Peja. I did not want Bruce on Paul at all, and if we had not ever tried that silly matchup, perhaps the Spurs would be up 3-1.

[Cry Havoc]

He said "half" the board.


the proof is in the pudding:


http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93759&page=2

I seem to see only Kori and I were strictly in favor of putting Bruce exclusively on Peja. I did not want Bruce on Paul at all, and if we had not ever tried that silly matchup, perhaps the Spurs would be up 3-1.

Oh really?


Don't expect Bruce to guard Chris Paul much, if at all. In the past he has done well guarding Peja, and will probably continue to do so. It hasn't happened yet, but hopefully by the end of this series the Spurs will find a way to defend David West on the pick and roll. To be fair, it's not just them- West basically makes a living knocking down the 18 footer. It's usually an open look too due to the greatness of Paul, which makes it all the more effective. It really is a pick your poison situation. Their offensive execution has been a clinic for most of the year...I trust Pop will find something that works.

Hmmm.


Exactly.......

Bowen is a good defender, but I just don't see how the Spurs are gonna be able to defend Paul, West, Peja, Bonzi, all at the same time.

I personally think putting Bowen on Paul would limit him a little, but it would be silly for Pop to do that considering Paul is so quick off the dribble. He would drive past Bowen all day.

Wow.


I think the Spurs are going to try to make CP3 a scorer, and cut down his kickouts and dunk lobs. This is a similar strategy to how they've handled Steve Nash the last few years.

Or maybe...


Let Chris Paul score and shut the rest of the Hornets down.

Let's not forget....


Kori is correct. Ever since Peja came to the Hornets (and historically), Bruce Bowen has been assigned to stopping Peja. It is Peja's worst nightmare.

So what were you saying, again?

[Kermit]

Oh really?



Hmmm.



Wow.



Or maybe...



Let's not forget....



So what were you saying, again?

All he's looking for is a little validation. Someone pat him on the back.

[justanotherspursfan]

Isnt this an oxymoron? Sports should not be discussed by females. Go talk about the WNBA which isnt a sport.

You'll have to excuse this guy. He's just bitter because chicks won't get near him unless he pays cash up front.

[Jimcs50]

Oh really?



Hmmm.



Wow.



Or maybe...



Let's not forget....



So what were you saying, again?

AHF said "half the board"
I do not count 1000 people, do you????

Also half of these quotes do not say to keep Bruce on Peja, do they?

[Jimcs50]

All he's looking for is a little validation. Someone pat him on the back.

I want my props!!!

:lol

[G-Nob]

Timvp was right.
It could very well be a series changing adjustment.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

lol they are fighting over who called it first