J.T.
05-28-2008, 03:04 AM
Flashback to 2004, six weeks or so after the Spurs lost to the Lakers, largely because of a lack of outside shooting when the Lakers packed the paint on Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Fearing another playoffs showdown with Shaq's Lakers, the Spurs signed Brent Barry on July 15, 2004. Ironically, the day before that, the Lakers traded Shaq to the Miami Heat in the wake of being dominated by the Pistons in the NBA Finals. At that point, the Spurs had to feel good about their chances against Kobe's Lakers, with Derek Fisher and others also leaving the team in that offseason.
Case in point, Brent Barry is a Spur to beat this team. With Michael Finley seeming to have left his offensive production on the court in New Orleans, Barry needs to start now. The writing is on the wall, and if Pop is too blind to see it, typical minutes from Finley in Game 5 will prove catastrophic. Barry has been balls to the wall in the last two games and has more than earned the right to start.
The Spurs hopes don't hinge on Barry alone, but the Spurs have much to gain by giving him more playing time.
Case in point, Brent Barry is a Spur to beat this team. With Michael Finley seeming to have left his offensive production on the court in New Orleans, Barry needs to start now. The writing is on the wall, and if Pop is too blind to see it, typical minutes from Finley in Game 5 will prove catastrophic. Barry has been balls to the wall in the last two games and has more than earned the right to start.
The Spurs hopes don't hinge on Barry alone, but the Spurs have much to gain by giving him more playing time.