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05-24-2008, 02:30 PM
How Spurs can dig out of 2-0 hole
by Charley Rosen, Updated: May 24, 2008, Foxsports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8172496/How-Spurs-can-dig-out-of-2-0-hole
In Game 2, Kobe Bryant and his sidekicks shot the lights out even before the opening tip-off.
So, after losing an agonizing squeaker and a humiliating blowout, the pertinent question is this: Can the Spurs rally in San Antonio and get back into the series?
If the defending champs can make the following adjustments, the answer is "Yes."
The fact is that Fabricio Oberto cannot adequately defend Lamar Odom. That's why the Lakers' first play was to isolate these two, a move that eventuated in a layup by Odom. Trouble is that Pau Gasol's length and pivotal trickery also abuses Oberto's putative defense. Even worse, Oberto's lack of offensive skills allowed Odom to play a one-man zone. And, since Robert Horry has little left, he certainly showed no presence on defense. Also, both Michael Finley and Ime Udoka were similarly torched by Odom. Why then, did Pop keep Kurt Thomas on the bench until garbaggio time? Surely, Thomas can do a creditable job in defense of Odom or Gasol, and can even knock down short-range jumpers. Simply put, Thomas needs to play starter's minutes.
In truth, the only Laker whom Oberto can defend is Ronny Turiaf. That's why Oberto's playing time should exactly coincide with Turiaf's.
In Game 1, the Lakers played Duncan straight-up (except for a few cursory double-teams in the fourth quarter) — the idea being to concede TD his 30 points while tagging the Spurs' perimeter shooters, and the tactic worked to perfection. In Game 2, the Lakers changed their game plan — variously doubling Duncan on the catch and on the move. This wrinkle was something that the Spurs obviously didn't expect. In Game 3, the Spurs have to plan for every anti-Duncan eventuality. Put him in screen/roll situations, position him at the high post and clear the middle, run more wing-isolations, have him set up deeper in the pivot so that he can spin baseline and away from the incoming doubles.
In Game 2, the Spurs had Michael Finley curl off weak-side screens twice, with Finley burying jumpers on each occasion. Tony Parker was able to zip his way for layups on the two times he likewise curled off similar weak-side screens. That's 4-4 on nearly identical plays. Why not run the same stuff until the Lakers stop it?
The Spurs' only reliable offensive weapon was Tony Parker's penetration. How about a few possessions where Parker is teamed with TD and three shooters (ahem!) and is allowed to create in a 1-4 set?
If Pop is so desperate to get a dead-eye shooter in the game, why not activate Matt Bonner? His defense can't be any worse than Oberto's or Horry's.
It is time to employ non-traditional modalities on Manu Ginobili's ankle. I'll bet Pop's mortgage that acupuncture will bring out a dramatic improvement. It's certainly worth a try.
In Game 2, the Spurs missed 16 layups — five by Oberto, four each by Parker and Duncan, two by Ginobili and one by Finley. The culprits are advised to find a body while attempting any subsequent layups before a body finds them.
Since the Lakers have a convincing advantage in overall team speed, the Spurs absolutely must take the air out of the ball. Force the young, eager Lakers to play defense for at least 20 seconds on every possession. Test the Lakers' patience, stretch their concentration, tempt them into undertaking risky gambles. And, at the same time, cut down on their own turnovers.
Kobe must be judiciously doubled, preferably when he's positioned on either wing, and certainly when he sets up in the low post.
The Spurs are well aware that they were also down 0-2 to New Orleans, and that it took them two games to figure out exactly what they had to do in order to beat the Hornets. The veteran Spurs have the resilience, the courage and the know-how to make radical adjustments in their game plans. They've demonstrated these qualities many times over the years.
Desperation, after all, is at least the stepmother of invention.
Still, the most significant improvement will be in San Antonio's field-goal accuracy when they return to the friendly confines of their home court: The familiar rims and the well-known reflection-patterns of the overhead lights off the glass backboards. The favorite shot-spots. The background that is unique to every arena. All of these factors will turn misses into makes, and vice versa for the visiting Lakers.
That's why, come Sunday night, all signs point to a shoot-out at the AT&T corral.
by Charley Rosen, Updated: May 24, 2008, Foxsports
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8172496/How-Spurs-can-dig-out-of-2-0-hole
In Game 2, Kobe Bryant and his sidekicks shot the lights out even before the opening tip-off.
So, after losing an agonizing squeaker and a humiliating blowout, the pertinent question is this: Can the Spurs rally in San Antonio and get back into the series?
If the defending champs can make the following adjustments, the answer is "Yes."
The fact is that Fabricio Oberto cannot adequately defend Lamar Odom. That's why the Lakers' first play was to isolate these two, a move that eventuated in a layup by Odom. Trouble is that Pau Gasol's length and pivotal trickery also abuses Oberto's putative defense. Even worse, Oberto's lack of offensive skills allowed Odom to play a one-man zone. And, since Robert Horry has little left, he certainly showed no presence on defense. Also, both Michael Finley and Ime Udoka were similarly torched by Odom. Why then, did Pop keep Kurt Thomas on the bench until garbaggio time? Surely, Thomas can do a creditable job in defense of Odom or Gasol, and can even knock down short-range jumpers. Simply put, Thomas needs to play starter's minutes.
In truth, the only Laker whom Oberto can defend is Ronny Turiaf. That's why Oberto's playing time should exactly coincide with Turiaf's.
In Game 1, the Lakers played Duncan straight-up (except for a few cursory double-teams in the fourth quarter) — the idea being to concede TD his 30 points while tagging the Spurs' perimeter shooters, and the tactic worked to perfection. In Game 2, the Lakers changed their game plan — variously doubling Duncan on the catch and on the move. This wrinkle was something that the Spurs obviously didn't expect. In Game 3, the Spurs have to plan for every anti-Duncan eventuality. Put him in screen/roll situations, position him at the high post and clear the middle, run more wing-isolations, have him set up deeper in the pivot so that he can spin baseline and away from the incoming doubles.
In Game 2, the Spurs had Michael Finley curl off weak-side screens twice, with Finley burying jumpers on each occasion. Tony Parker was able to zip his way for layups on the two times he likewise curled off similar weak-side screens. That's 4-4 on nearly identical plays. Why not run the same stuff until the Lakers stop it?
The Spurs' only reliable offensive weapon was Tony Parker's penetration. How about a few possessions where Parker is teamed with TD and three shooters (ahem!) and is allowed to create in a 1-4 set?
If Pop is so desperate to get a dead-eye shooter in the game, why not activate Matt Bonner? His defense can't be any worse than Oberto's or Horry's.
It is time to employ non-traditional modalities on Manu Ginobili's ankle. I'll bet Pop's mortgage that acupuncture will bring out a dramatic improvement. It's certainly worth a try.
In Game 2, the Spurs missed 16 layups — five by Oberto, four each by Parker and Duncan, two by Ginobili and one by Finley. The culprits are advised to find a body while attempting any subsequent layups before a body finds them.
Since the Lakers have a convincing advantage in overall team speed, the Spurs absolutely must take the air out of the ball. Force the young, eager Lakers to play defense for at least 20 seconds on every possession. Test the Lakers' patience, stretch their concentration, tempt them into undertaking risky gambles. And, at the same time, cut down on their own turnovers.
Kobe must be judiciously doubled, preferably when he's positioned on either wing, and certainly when he sets up in the low post.
The Spurs are well aware that they were also down 0-2 to New Orleans, and that it took them two games to figure out exactly what they had to do in order to beat the Hornets. The veteran Spurs have the resilience, the courage and the know-how to make radical adjustments in their game plans. They've demonstrated these qualities many times over the years.
Desperation, after all, is at least the stepmother of invention.
Still, the most significant improvement will be in San Antonio's field-goal accuracy when they return to the friendly confines of their home court: The familiar rims and the well-known reflection-patterns of the overhead lights off the glass backboards. The favorite shot-spots. The background that is unique to every arena. All of these factors will turn misses into makes, and vice versa for the visiting Lakers.
That's why, come Sunday night, all signs point to a shoot-out at the AT&T corral.