Small Ball Ultimately Lost the Game

[superjames1992]

When you take a look at the +/- stats, you will see that McDyess was +1 in 21 minutes of playing time and Bonner was 0 in 15 minutes of playing time. What does that mean? Well, when they were not in the game, we were most likely playing small ball. That means that in the other 12 minutes, we were outscored by nine points and those 12 minutes, and those minutes were played with small ball, mostly toward the end of the game.

I thought going to small ball was a good idea at the time, but the Suns just out-small balled us. They're small ball is better than our small ball.

[superjames1992]

I don't usually do this, but I'm going to "bump" this while they're more traffic on the forums than when I posted this in the morning.

[Kamala]

I am puzzled by the lack of playing time for McDyess. He was playing a pretty decent game in both games yet spent most of the game on the pine looking pissed. Don't get it?

[superjames1992]

I am puzzled by the lack of playing time for McDyess. He was playing a pretty decent game in both games yet spent most of the game on the pine looking pissed. Don't get it?

I think the main reason is because Pop went to small ball for the final quarter, which means that Dice didn't get his usual 7-8 minutes of playing time in the fourth quarter to close out the game. If he would have played his typical amount of time in the final quarter, he would have had 23-26 minutes or so of playing time.

[DesignatedT]

phoenix is going small also. its not like its only pop who puts small lineups out there.... the suns have been doing it all year.

[superjames1992]

phoenix is going small also. its not like its only pop who puts small lineups out there.... the suns have been doing it all year.

This is true and, unfortunately, Phoenix's small ball > Spurs' small ball.

[spursfaninla]

This is true and, unfortunately, Phoenix's small ball > Spurs' small ball.

The question here is, are we going small before or more than phx, or basically to counter that move?

Phx went super-small at one point, putting their only bigs on the 3pt line, so playing them like sf's, and forcing Duncan to guard the perimeter. That was deadly.

However, that will not work with Lakers, their bigs are mobile enough to keep up.

[DesignatedT]

The question here is, are we going small before or more than phx, or basically to counter that move?

Phx went super-small at one point, putting their only bigs on the 3pt line, so playing them like sf's, and forcing Duncan to guard the perimeter. That was deadly.

However, that will not work with Lakers, their bigs are mobile enough to keep up.

that is what ultimately lost us the game. and what people were referring to as pop being "outcoached" when really... he just doesnt have the personnel to match that lineup. I expect the same type of lineup from phoenix tomorrow night in the 4th quarter, but expect pop and crew to know exactly what to do to make them pay. (duncan has to abuse frye on the other end. HAS TO)

[PDXSpursFan]

Bonner lost the game on that sequence where he missed a 3 pointer and followed it by giving an open 3 to Frye at the other end

[superjames1992]

Bonner lost the game on that sequence where he missed a 3 pointer and followed it by giving an open 3 to Frye at the other end

No, he didn't. The last quarter lost us the game and our bigs weren't in the ball game then. And one play doesn't lose the game, anyways.

That said, Bonner sucked pretty hard out there last night. I'm losing hope for him to ever come through in the playoffs...

[SpurCharger]

If we Go Small Ball, Instead of Just Blair being The only Big.... They Need to Try It With Dice as The only Big....But Im not A Believer In Small Ball..... If They Wanna Go Small, Then thats Fine.... we should Punish Them on the block, instead of playing small and playing there game...