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Groin pull?
So, you found it.Actually, no. In the one Suns possession, Parker guarded Nash and Ginobili was on Barbosa.
Groin pull?
OK let's end this right here 'cause we aren't going to get on the same page on this, and after-all maybe we do get a different video feed in Argentina 'cause here it looked like the guy that sent the game to a 2nd OT with a three was Duncan. And there's no way that's what happened.
I also remember Manu guarding Nash in the first half. Nash scored a three pointer while Manu was guarding him.
Yeah, but you're from Argentina like me. We get a "3rd world country" kind of video quality that's why we see things that aren't really happening.
Manu defended Nash for a bit. It just wasn't while Parker and Barbosa were on the floor.
Didn't want to be accused of being racist.
very nice summary even in suns fans' eyes.
I believe the main mistake by DA was how he rotated players, or didn't do much unless forced to.
Giricek would have provided enough everything. Hill was hurt and Bell got tired, which helped to make Manu the hero in the OT. But Gira was sitting. Also, he should plan to use Skinner regularly 4-6 mins in the 1st half, instead only as a reaction to foul trouble. Suns lost 8 pts due to hack-a-Skinny and Spurs smartly forcing Skinner to be open. Had DA used him early 2nd with another big, he might have been able to take some of Diaw and Shaq's fouls while he was in the game.
Fantastic recap as always, LJ, and I like the "enemy's perspective". You are a far better writer about the specifics of a basketball game than most of those paid to do it for a living.
Of the role players, I thought Thomas was incredible, and it was great to see Barry on the court messing with people again. Something you didn't mention is that his off-the-ball movement was really good and something the Spurs have often lacked this season.
Manu and TP were great in the second half and OT, but as for Tim, this was my take:
This was not Tim's greatest regular season. At times he was dominant - he had a great rodeo road trip, and some 5-8 game stretches, particularly against lesser teams, where he dominated on offense or on D, but rarely put the two together. He coasted for stretches, and sometimes played without the smarts we have come to appreciate from him. Tim was also plagued by a dearth of foul calls compared to the rest of his career which clearly put him off his game at times.
That was the regular season. Now, it's the playoffs, and today Tim Duncan showed the world why he is the greatest compe or of the post-Jordan NBA. In maybe the best first game of the first round of the playoffs in NBA history, Tim controlled crunch-time with indomitable will.
Specifically, from the 6 minute mark of the 4th quarter, when the game was on the line, Tim dominated every aspect of the game. On offense, he showed his entire repertoire - low post, drive, put-back, jumpshot, smart pass. He set impeccable screens. He played rugged, intelligent defense. His decision-making was unimpeachable. We witnessed a virtuoso performance reminiscent of Michael Jordan in that Tim demonstrated steel will and veins of ice in making play after incredible play to carry the team to victory. Tim singlehandedly broke Phoenix today - this was Tim Duncan, PLAYOFF WARRIOR.
http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92480
Finally, concerning the 3pter, how about this:
Check this out: watch the play again from the top-down shot. Manu drove and drew two guys, Finley was parked in the far corner, Thomas was in the near post with two guys on him (what was Bell doing hanging out in the post near Thomas?), and guess who was wide open in the corner - TP. Tim had enought time to switch it to him for the open 3, but chose to take it himself. Interesting choice, eh?
Udoka is hesitating when he gets the ball on the wing for the 3 pt shot and then making a move inside the arc or shooting after a fake. And then the shot is usually off.
These are the signs of a player without playoff experience and confidence. If he'd shoot when he gets the ball in rhythm, he'd do better.
Thanks for the read, great recap
I still have to disagree with you on this!
I hate to say one of the "godfathers" of ST is completely WRONG, but that statement doesn't make sense.
By "space eater" I HAVE to assume that you mean Shaq. "Whak (or Hack)-A-Shaq)" takes him OUT of the game, which means the Spurs are more easily able to do whatever they want in the paint.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't something like 32-34 of TD's points scored when Shaq was out? On top of that, weren't 2 of Shaq's blocks on TD?
Getting Shaq OUT of the game is exactly what Pop wanted to do with "Hack-A-Shaq" and it worked to the Spurs' advantage.
I don't think Pop planned on D'Antoni taking Shaq out of the game as a counter-adjustment. Pop was just hoping that Shaq would miss a few free-throws. That D'Antoni panicked and took Shaq out of the game was just an added bonus.
Phil Jackson would leave Shaq in the game until Shaq got on a roll at the line. Then again, that's why one is Phil Jackson and one is Mike D'Antoni.
D'antoni was stupid enough to fall into Pop's trap, If Pop tries this again I don't think MD'd do the same.
While it was an amazing win, it is what it is. Game 1 of the first round series. It took a superhuman effort and lots of unforeced errors on the part of the Suns to win this game. My worry is how the Spurs react and will handle the Suns IF Amare/Shaq DOn't get into foul trouble. D'Antoni is going to turn this in the jumpshooting contest and before the Spurs won the game with late 3 pointers, Suns were actually doing a great job denying the Spurs 3 point shooters. That's why Bowen was driven off the corner 3's and forced to dribble and drive. Finley wasn't able to get clean looks either and Ginobili is obviously still hurt as many of his 3 point shots were flat.
Spurs historically have shown that they struggle to win games when they aren't making 3's. They aren't a great jumpshooting team either. This game could still go either way and as a Spurs fan, I can't help but recall Game 1 of the 06 Mavs series. Mavs made some unforced errors in that one too and the Spurs got away with a win. However, we all know how that series ended up going
And the worst part is, whoever wins this round, Spurs or Suns, is going to be so tired by the Conference finals, imagine having to go through 3 straight series like this and then having to play the Celtics (most likely, Sorry Pistons fans) who's going to basically have a cakewalk to the finals.
I don't know about everyone else, but I'd like to see the Spurs play a different style of basketball in game 2. It would be nice to see the Spurs run more and have better ball movement. I think this would help get our perimeter game going. Instead, what we saw was a lot of feeds to Tim in the post, while everyone stood around watching him. I suspect that the original game plan changed early, when Tony got wacked in the head and Shaq got into early foul trouble. Luckily, Tim had one of his best performances of all time. His 3 rivals Horry's dunk on the Pistons as one of the great Spurs moments of all time.
I thought Pop's coaching in game 1 was brilliant.
What I want to see in game 2 is a lot of running. Suns aquired Shaq to play a slow-paced halfcourt game, so why give that to them? Just my opinion.
I think the Spurs will have more 3's with better ball movement. The Spurs have to force the action and go into attack mode. Is there anyone faster with the basketball than Tony Parker? When TP is penetrating and dishing, the Spurs play their best basketball. The last game of the reg. season was a shining example.
Yeah I agree with you. I can't see the Suns getting a big lead again and blowing it. We have to find a way to keep from falling behind by more than double digits to them. Nash and Amare are too good offensively. Like Parker1 said, you can't bank on Phx commiting the same errors thru-out the series when they have a sizable lead.
This game became an instant classic. I really appreciate that you took the time to make game thoughts that matched it. Your best work!
I am a proud spurs fan and a proud spurstalk user!
On the game:
Nash and parker looked average in the first half and i told my buddy something was wrong with them. But this 2, especially nash impressed me so much. You could see they both elevated their game with pure WILL.
I thought phoenix played better. But spurs showed heart and the difference: coaching.
timvp, you were dead on about Bowen
I'm glad Pop took him out, because if he's not doing a great job defensively he just hurting the team
and I have a feeling Horry will hit some big shots this series
Agree. Except for Tim and Mike with their last and awesome 3's or maybe Brent 3's, the Spurs were erratic all game in the perimeter. We need a better selection of throw and more %FG and 3p% in Game 2 if Shaq and Stoudemire can manage their fouls troubles.
That what I said but you won't get more motion offense woith Udoka or Bowen out there mostly because they are spot up shooters. And damn I was pissed when they watched Tim do his thing other then move or move the ball. Bringing Barry in helped a lot.
And about Manu, damn I was pissed he was taking his shots when he was way off with the target all night long. HE was killing the spurs with stupid mistakes as well. Good that he found another way to the basket esp. with Suns bigs having foul troubles.
We basically have to plan for Amare and Shaq both not being in foul trouble Tuesday. Eventually in this series like it or not, Tim is going to have to find a way to score on Shaq. If Shaq gets the timeout after he pretty much picked Duncan's pockets clean we are probably down 0-1.
Game 2:
Less Bowen, Oberto - More Thomas, Barry, Horry(if possible)
Udoka has to focus on his energy,defense and passing(down low)
Like Timvp says, play Barry at the point instead of using JV. I wouldn't mind having him, for some stretches, in a line-up of TD, Thomas, him @ the forward position, Ginobili, parker..With TD's nd Barry's passing skills and Gino's creativity this would really benefit the spurs.
I would also like to see a 2-1-2 zone, where Udoka's body could be usefull, him being the one defending the middle. It would help fight the nash/STAT pick n rolls nd the shaq and STAT game down low. With his quick feet nd his strong body, Udoka can quickly close out nd help on the low block.
TP had 3 really stupid fouls. 2 on 3PTA, Nash and Barbosa, and one on Barbosa on that layup from the behind the head pass from Diaw.Parker's biggest mistakes defensively were unnecessary fouls and he ended up fouling out in the second overtime.
But I was very happy with his play in the 2nd half. He was attacking and played a good D on Nash. I hope his terrible 1st half was because of his head injury.
When Ime was in the game I remember your game thoughts a lot. You always questioned if Ime would be able to help in the playoffs and he did exactly what you fear. Bad shots and playing out of rhythm. I hope we see more Barry and less Ime in game 2.I was extremely unimpressed with Ime Udoka in his first playoff action for the Spurs. He rushed ill-advised shots offensively that got the Spurs out of rhythm.
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