Originally Posted by timvp
Spurs didn't have the personnel. Plain and simple.
This is the new NBA where you need four good perimeter defenders on the court. With the new rules where you can drive to the basket without any contact along the way, that changes everything. Just look at the WCF. You have Phoenix and Dallas, two teams with athletes at all positions.
Pop's only chance to evolve was to go small ... but the Spurs just didn't have the necessary player. They needed a long three type who could play power forward, grab rebounds and defend. If the Spurs rebound better in Game 3 and 4, this series was over in five.
It's not about the players adjusting. They did all they could. Manu was grabbing tough rebounds. Tony was doing all he could to guard Dirk and others off of switches. Bowen and Finley fought defensively. Duncan played the series of his life.
It came down to the game evolving and the Spurs not having the type of players they needed. Instead of the agile power forwards they needed, they stocked up on centers who were useless. Nazr, Rasho, Oberto and Marks had no place in this new style of basketball.
We all knew that the Spurs' main roster flaw coming into the season was not having a long three. That came back to kill them.
All in all, however, this Spurs team fought and left it all out on the court.
What more could you ask?