Spurs vs. Mavs - First Round Series Preview - Part 3

timvp, do you think there is a chance that Hill gets a shot at defending Terry? I just hope Pop hasn't ruled out playing Hill at all.

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Originally Posted by quentin_compson

timvp, do you think there is a chance that Hill gets a shot at defending Terry? I just hope Pop hasn't ruled out playing Hill at all.

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If everything is going well, probably not. If Pop gets desperate, he's not adverse to going deep into his bag of tricks.

As evident by 2006.

I have a feeling Pop will put Hill out there when the mavs run a Terry + Barea lineup. Parker on Barea and Hill on Terry.

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Originally Posted by timvp

If everything is going well, probably not. If Pop gets desperate, he's not adverse to going deep into his bag of tricks.

As evident by 2006.

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IMO Hill could be a lot more key than you think in this series. The JET is having a career year and Hill is the only guy who can matchup with him. I'm actually expecting Hill to get extended minutes this series after game 1.

Mavs fan is probably right, except that it usually takes Pop 2 games to make changes he didn't think he was going to have to make.

Hill should get a shot. It's not like our back aren't against the wall.

This has been one of Pop's best coaching year's just by keeping the team somehow on track. I think that approach works well for the regular season to get through the long grind. But in the playoffs, I think the ability to quickly adapt is more important. Teams unveil new approaches and the "chess match" aspect to the game is heightened. I have doubts Pop will adapt quickly, but we'll see. If he can get this team to the WCF, then it could be considered his best year of coaching out of all.

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Originally Posted by timvp

If everything is going well, probably not. If Pop gets desperate, he's not adverse to going deep into his bag of tricks.

As evident by 2006.

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If 2006 was desperation, then it started in the first round. He never got desperate enough to consider putting in a seven footer to alter shots, even after the Mavs dominated in the paint for five straight games.

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Originally Posted by timvp

How do you make Nowitzki defend? Play Duncan and Drew Gooden together and feed whoever Nowitzki defends. Gooden has been on fire on the offensive end and he's shown to be a capable post scorer. Even if Gooden can't convert, that extra energy Nowitzki will have to spend will help out down the line.

Pop hasn't used Duncan and Gooden too much together but the matchup against the Mavs makes it a duo that needs to see time together. Gooden is green in the system, however Gooden must be productive during the playoffs if the Spurs are to have any shot at a championship. Might as well figure out what Gooden is made out of early on in the playoff run.

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From your lips to God.:ihit

I didn't see much of the 3rd quarter. Did Bowen defend Barea during that stretch?