Spurs @ Hornets Game 1 Blog

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Originally Posted by ElNono

Kidd was probably at his peak back then, with playoff experience and probably better than Paul is today.

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:lmao

However, it will be a tough series for both teams.

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

:lol Paul is not a guaranteed HoFer yet.

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Of course he is Sportscenter just confirmed it with Stephen A Asshole yelling in the background.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

To put this series in perspective, we can look at the NJ Nets of '03. Kidd was probably at his peak back then, with playoff experience and probably better than Paul is today. Same thing with KMart and Chandler. Pretty much the same thing with David West and Richard Jefferson. Their 3pt guy back then was Kerry Kittles, and Peja is definitely better. Same coach.
All in all, I think that Nets team was better than this Hornets team, and as far as the Spurs goes, we're much more experienced than back then, especially Tony and Manu.
We don't have DRob, but then this Hornets team plays basically with just Chandler up front. Bonzi might come in, but I think Thomas can do a good job on him. The other thing with Bonzi is that if the offense runs through him, then Paul, Chandler and Peja will get out of rhythm sooner or later. See Boris Diaw in the Suns series.

While I don't think it will be a cakewalk, just like that Nets team was not a cakewalk, I don't think it's going to be as difficult as some predict.
A lot will depend on Manu's health. If he's fine, I think we can have this series in 5 or 6 games. Stealing one of the first two in NO is imperative.

One other thing to be on the lookout for is Chandler's foul situation. Guarding Tim is no easy feat, and fouls can add up quickly on him.

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Hmmm... never thought of it from that perspective -- the Spurs playing another Byron Scott coached team -- and it makes sense.

I have fond memories of Scott, btw. Although Magic, Kareem and Worthy were the Showtime Lakers' "Big Three," they didn't really function without Scott. His being injured was the reason why the Lakers got clobbered by the Pistons that one year in the finals. Scott, I think, was as important to those Lakers as Bowen is to the Spurs today. In different ways, of course. The Spurs may have their Big Three, but the machine doesn't really function without Bruce putting the clamps on each perimeter's best players.

In any case, Scott is obviously a terrific coach, and I always thought he pulled off miracles getting the Nets to those two finals. But unfortunately for him, he can't go out and make the plays himself. The Spurs will come in having a healthy respect for the Hornets, but I have a feeling that the disparity in postseason experience will show in numerous ways down the stretch.

Anyway, Hornets fans: I'm thrilled by your team's recent success, and I was rooting for them to beat on the Mavs all along. Too bad you weren't seeded to meet the Lakers or the Rockets, because as a Spurs fan I now have to root against your team...

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Originally Posted by Spuradicator

This will be a different Spurs team, than the regular season Spurs team.

I don't think the Hornets realize that.

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That's what they're about to find out.

Scott has lost to us before. So, he better prepare them for the difference.


Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen, + ...

In a best of 7 series.

Parker and Bowen will slow CP3 down.

Look at what the Spurs (esp Bowen and Tim) did against LeBron.


Wow. I have serious questions whether this will be competitive.

:nope

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Originally Posted by Teal Street

. I have a lot of respect for the Spurs really and this will be the Hornets biggest test even if we advance to face the Lakers. You have to beat the defending Champs to get the right to play in the Championship. It will not be an easy series even though we beat the Spurs by twenty twice this season. Once on your floor and once on ours. You guys might take the Hornets lightly but I doubt seasoned players like Parker and Duncan are doing that. They are probably watching game film as we speak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC-pW...eature=related

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I don't think anyone is take NO lightly. I think it's just that NO is going to play a Spurs team they have never seen before. It called the Playoff Spurs. When the REAL Spurs take the floor.

Plus NO is riding an emotional high. They have just won their first playoff series ever. When they come down off that high, they are going to find the 4 time NBA Champs awaiting them. Emotion won't win the series for them.

In fact, if Spurs defense can force a few early turnovers, you may just watch CP3 come unraveled before your eyes. Also see how quick TD puts Chandler on the bench with foul trouble.

I predict Spurs in 5.

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Originally Posted by SAGambler

I don't think anyone is take NO lightly. I think it's just that NO is going to play a Spurs team they have never seen before. It called the Playoff Spurs. When the REAL Spurs take the floor.

Plus NO is riding an emotional high. They have just won their first playoff series ever. When they come down off that high, they are going to find the 4 time NBA Champs awaiting them. Emotion won't win the series for them.

In fact, if Spurs defense can force a few early turnovers, you may just watch CP3 come unraveled before your eyes. Also see how quick TD puts Chandler on the bench with foul trouble.

I predict Spurs in 5.

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I think both teams have amped it up. Did you not see the stats Paul is putting up? Look you guys are Champions, we are the underdogs and we will just have to rise above your level of play. We are capable of much more than you might be expecting. I am really looking forward to facing the Spurs and like our players, look forward to the challenge.

As for emotional high, there was no celebaration in the locker room. Chris Paul said 4 down 12 to go in his post game interview. They know they havent won anything yet.

why is this already 5 pages. jesus, its not even gameday!

- Mars

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Originally Posted by ClingingMars

why is this already 5 pages. jesus, its not even gameday!

- Mars

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I agree. It's turned into another basic thread. IMO, game blogs should be just that... game blogs.

Paul is not a guaranteed Hall of Famer by any means (though an MVP trophy would go a long way towards making that eventually a good possibility).

By contrast, I can't see how Manu Ginobili is anything other than a guaranteed Hall of Famer, given his great successes in the NBA and his amazing international career. Manu is likely going into the Hall on a very early ballot, so let's not diminish his resume by suggesting that the Hall is somehow a questionable destination for him.

Here's a real basketball question that I posted elsewhere, but might be worth discussing here: Given the troubles that Bonzi gave the Spurs in 2006, is it likely that: (a) he can do that again -- will Scott increase his minutes and disrupt his rotation to get Bonzi that opportunity?; and (b) if Bonzi is capable of that, are the Spurs better equipped to deal with him with the addition of Ime Udoka as a strong and athletic wing who isn't afraid to get physical with bigger players?

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

Here's a real basketball question that I posted elsewhere, but might be worth discussing here: Given the troubles that Bonzi gave the Spurs in 2006, is it likely that: (a) he can do that again -- will Scott increase his minutes and disrupt his rotation to get Bonzi that opportunity?; and (b) if Bonzi is capable of that, are the Spurs better equipped to deal with him with the addition of Ime Udoka as a strong and athletic wing who isn't afraid to get physical with bigger players?

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I think Udoke would be helpful in that regard.

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Originally Posted by lakaluva

Tim Duncan/32 Kurt Thomas/36 Bruce Bowen/37 Robert Horry/38 Oberto/33 Finley/35 Vaughn/33 Damon/35 Barry/37

I dont know what you are talking about buddy, but that is old. This is the last year for this team. Good thing is they have their core of Duncan, Manu, and Parker for a few more years, but its time to replace those replacement players next year.

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That's why people like you have been saying for years.

They said that we lost in 06 because we were told.

Tim's 32. Manu is 31 and Tony is 25.

The core of our team has a number of years left to compete for a championship.

Other players have come and gone.

That trio can produce a championship with different supporting casts.


These are the defending champs.

Lakers will be challenged by Jazz.

Lakers can't beat the Spurs.

Sorry.

I don't see Lakers beating Jazz. Pau Gasol, meet a stronger Boozer.

Anyway, Tim Duncan is a special case. Seeing the way he plays, he's not prone to injury and since he doesn't usually jump that high off the floor (he doesn't have to), his legs should still be in pretty good shape. I can even see him going for rings when he's 38-40.

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Originally Posted by ClingingMars

why is this already 5 pages. jesus, its not even gameday!

- Mars

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I can top that. My boss is a Lakers fan and is already talking smack to me about the Lakers-Spurs 3rd round!

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Originally Posted by Summers

I can top that. My boss is a Lakers fan and is already talking smack to me about the Lakers-Spurs 3rd round!

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Lakers have to get past Jazz first. It won't be as easy as they think.

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

Here's a real basketball question that I posted elsewhere, but might be worth discussing here: Given the troubles that Bonzi gave the Spurs in 2006, is it likely that: (a) he can do that again -- will Scott increase his minutes and disrupt his rotation to get Bonzi that opportunity?; and (b) if Bonzi is capable of that, are the Spurs better equipped to deal with him with the addition of Ime Udoka as a strong and athletic wing who isn't afraid to get physical with bigger players?

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I was just thinking about this. Cuz he has his way the spurs on the boards. I think horry and Udoka will be big if they can stop him. If he plays more, then that means less mins for Peja.

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Originally Posted by Don Quixote

I live off Hayne just to the west of Bullard.

New Orleans baby!!

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Originally Posted by cjjr72984

I live in the East. Right off Hayne past Bullard.

New Orleans baby! :tu

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How cool is that...you guys are near each other!

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Originally Posted by Don Quixote

I know the area well. For a non-local, I've gotten to know the city very well.

Alright then, perhaps we can organize a small get together to watch the games, because tickets are likely to be hard to come by and expensive.

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Hope you can have a GTG...take some pics and post them:downspin:

I'm down for it.

I've met some Spurs fans here in N.O. We'll be getting together. Hornets fans will be welcome too.

Bonzi's maneuverability has always been effective against the Spurs, but this year the combination of Udoka and Thomas should neutralize that. Really, as much as he's hurt us in the past, I just don't see it happening this year. There are some big, fast, young bucks on the Hornets who will be doing some damage; and needless to say, CP3 is one of the better guards to come along in years.

But as LeBron, the Jazz's Williams, Nash and even the Answer have found over the past two postseasons: it's not so easy to shine against the Spurs precisely because they don't play a star-oriented style of basketball. They find themselves in old fashioned, in-your-face, team styles of game when they come up against the Spurs.

If the Hornets beat the Spurs in this series, it won't be because of the individual talent or youth. It will because they've grown much faster than even we suspected as a disciplined, cohesive team, and it will also be because Scott is truly a premier coach.

All this, of course, remains to be seen. As a Spurs fan, I'm inclined to believe that teamwork and experience will prevail.

i really expect ime udoka to come up big in this series. he had his cherry popped against the suns and now will be able to actually hit some damn open 3's for a change. i think he was 0-for the entire series until game 5.

If Bowen is on CP3 who the hell is going to stop peja?

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Originally Posted by FromWayDowntown

Paul is not a guaranteed Hall of Famer by any means (though an MVP trophy would go a long way towards making that eventually a good possibility).

By contrast, I can't see how Manu Ginobili is anything other than a guaranteed Hall of Famer, given his great successes in the NBA and his amazing international career. Manu is likely going into the Hall on a very early ballot, so let's not diminish his resume by suggesting that the Hall is somehow a questionable destination for him.

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While technically you are correct it will take something like a career ending injury to keep Chris Paul out. He has the potential to be an all time great at the position. How is Manu these days? whats the story on his injury?

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Originally Posted by Spurs Dynasty 21

If Bowen is on CP3 who the hell is going to stop peja?

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How fast is Bowen? can he move quick enough to stay with Paul? I think you guys are going to have to double team Paul like the Mavs tried to do.

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Originally Posted by Teal Street

How fast is Bowen? can he move quick enough to stay with Paul? I think you guys are going to have to double team Paul like the Mavs tried to do.

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and leave the 3pt shooters open?



I don't think Pop wants that, he hates the open 3