Spurs beautiful game requires tight whistles from refs

[hitmantb]

And that's all there is to it.

In sheer physical power, this team just can't match up the clippers.

Physical play ruins any passing game.

[Malik Hairston]

True to an extent, but the Spurs also shot a ridiculous 30% on uncontested shots..

According to the numbers, they generated more open looks than the Clippers, but made just half the % of shots that LA did..

[hater]

Trapped!

First look at this picture (below). This is a really bad situation being caught in the corner, hemmed in by both sidelines. Don't let yourself get caught in a corner. Don't ever stop your dribble in the corner or along the baseline... if you've dribbled baseline and find that you've got nowhere to go, just back-dribble back out, but never stop the dribble there.



Avoid the Trap

Avoid getting caught by dribbling into one of the "trapping zones" (colored areas) seen below.



Escaping a Trap

Once in a trap, get in triple threat position and get low with the ball protected on the hip. The common mistake is to stand upright and pivot away from the defenders. This allows the defenders to "squeeze" into your backside. Now you can neither see the floor, nor can you pivot. See position below



"Take an Outside Leg"

If you have a little room along the sideline, from triple-threat position, if you can't find someone to pass to... "take an outside leg". Get your leg around the outside leg of one of the defenders and bust out of there with a dribble. In the diagram, the left foot is your pivot foot. Get low and take a long step with your right foot around the defender's outside foot, while pushing the ball forward, protecting it with your body.



"Split the Trap"

If the trappers are not "knee-to-knee", then "split the trap". From triple-threat position, stay low and aggressively step thru, between the two defenders, and dribble out of there. This is a little like a "football move", like a running back getting low and running thru the line.



In either case, you've got to be tough and strong. Don't be afraid to make contact with the defenders.

[DesignatedT]

Spurs had open looks. Missed them. Would have changed the entire complexion of the game if Green/Boris knock a few of those threes down.

[Malik Hairston]

Spurs had open looks. Missed them. Would have changed the entire complexion of the game if Green/Boris knock a few of those threes down.

Diaw will probably keep missing, it's been the case all year(outside of that 2-week stretch in March or April IIRC), unfortunately..

Green shoots 35% from 3 on the road and 48% at home..wouldn't be surprised if he struggles again in game 2, but goes off in games 3 and 4..

[Robz4000]

Its gonna take Timmy turning back the clock for a game or two and Tony showing up instead of Enrique for the Spurs to have a chance unfortunately. Clippers were the worst potential first round opponent to get this year.

[TDfan2007]

Diaw will probably keep missing, it's been the case all year(outside of that 2-week stretch in March or April IIRC), unfortunately..

Green shoots 35% from 3 on the road and 48% at home..wouldn't be surprised if he struggles again in game 2, but goes off in games 3 and 4..

If your prediction holds, then this series will be over in 6 or 7 in favor of the Clippers...at best. Spurs don't have a transcendent talent on their team to make up for that type of awful shooting.

[cd98]

IF the Spurs want the refs to reduce the whistles, then they need to play with more aggression. Refs reward the most aggressive team. Spurs were too reactionary yesterday.

[Malik Hairston]

If your prediction holds, then this series will be over in 6 or 7 in favor of the Clippers...at best. Spurs don't have a transcendent talent on their team to make up for that type of awful shooting.

I think I'll be Clippers in 7, as I said prior to game 1..