Believe
This is what it's all about. We'll reset this series at home.
I'm not saying the Spurs aren't a better team than the Mavs were this year, because they certainly are, and with the championship a en....but this is exactly what we were saying after being down 0-2. Then, we won Game 3, but it didn't plant any doubt whatsoever.
Point being--if you're hinging your hopes on the Hornets doubting themselves when (if?) you win Game 3, don't even bother. It's not going to happen. Spurs aren't going to win this series on account of mental pressure. They're going to have to go out there and play better basketball than the Hornets 4 times.
Believe
This is what it's all about. We'll reset this series at home.
The only way I'll believe is if I see something, anything from Ginobili. Considering the successful regular season he's had, I expected him to dominate these playoffs. Aside from Games 1 and 2 against the Suns, he's basically been average. He isn't bringing the same type of energy and hustle that we've grown accustomed to. I know he's injured, but he sure doesn't look like it on the court. He looks out of sync for some reason.
Well said. They've been remarkably resiliant this year. After four straight poundings of the Spurs, all with the big runs taking place in the second half, it's difficult to explain away their killer instinct. Their whole "we don't get no respect" thing could conceivably backfire on them, but it would take a monster effort by a championship squad to do it. Maybe one of those will show up in this series.
The Spurs need to flush all their excuses. Ginobili is fine. A sprained ankle doesn't make him throw stupid azz passes that ignite the Hornets' fast break. A cold doesn't stop Duncan from rebounding. Whatever the excuse is for Parker doesn't stop him from scoring the basketball.
The Big Three need to step up and no excuses and insinuating excuses anymore.
I'd be suprised if you think that after you review the tape. They were pumpfaking and passing up open shots all game. You can't drive into the a defense that is packing four players into the lane on every drive - you have to hit hte jumpers to kill them for that - but the Spurs simply pump faked themselves and the shot cloth to death.
They were all scared to shoot.
After Game 5 of the 2005 NBA Finals, this isn't over, it's just begun.
Agreed. And I do fully expect that this will be a series yet--6 or 7 games, no doubt. But it's not going to be because the Hornets suddenly start thinking they can't beat the Spurs. Scott and CP3 have these guys thinking they can beat anybody, and that's not going to change.
The Hornets did a surprisingly good job of closing out as well, but you're right. I wouldn't mind a couple of blocked shots if they'd just decide to make the doublers pay.
I did see a little of that tonight. Bowen on Predrag and let it fly in game 3.
spurs will win the next 4. pop was just feeling this team out, spurs will roll from here on out.
first two games were mostly a fluke and huge luck.
like this is just so unbelievably ignorant.
Pop and Duncan went the no excuse route in their post game press conferences.
When asked about Duncan being sick Saturday Pop said "We're fine. We're healthy."
When asked the same question Duncan said "I'm fine."
I bet whoever told the TNT crew that Duncan was sick is going to hear it.![]()
I saw more confused than scared. It looked like they were all trying to "do the right thing" and look for Duncan or penetrate the ball. I just can't buy that their hesitation was due to being intimidated by the situation.
this team just isn't in it mentally. there's no other explanation for missing WIDE OPEN shots like that.
Hornets took care of homecourt through first 2 games. Now it is time for the Spurs to take care of homecourt in games 3 and 4.
Yes, they definitely were. How many times did we see Ginobili pumpfake a 3? Or Bowen pumpfake from 3 point line and drive in for a midrange shot he missed badly? Brent Barry got most of his points in garbage time. He has to understand that when he's in the game, he needs to shoot the ball. He's certainly not in the game for his defense.
So much for the team remembering the one thing Pop has been telling them all year long. It might as well be on the logo at half court. The whole season has been in perparation for this series where there are so many guys so wide open, and they aren't doing it.
The Hornets haven't proven jack.
Unless Duncan averages 27/15 the rest of the way its over. our guys can't hit shots at some point that dilemma is gonna bite them in the butt in SA. Pop has given up making adjustments and we are getting screwed.
It's absolutely ing astounding to me how well Brent Barry can shoot with a guy right on top of him when the game is no longer in doubt.
I don't think they're intimidated, I think they've lost confidence in their shooting. And when everyone else on the team starts clanking their shots, it gets contagious. Add to it, Spurs barely had an easy opportunity shots to get their confidence going and it's going to be a long night.
This Spurs team, more so than any other, if their offense isn't going, their defense seems to fall through the cracks with it.
Proven that we can kick ass at home. Check
Proven that we can kick Spur ass on the road. TBD
Barry was draining them tonight. Spurs will need that as they come back to Texas.
As a Spurs fan I thought of this from the point of a view as a Mavs fan and you're 100% correct. This whole "experience" thing, while it matters, its completely overplayed. The mavs had a ton of playoff experience and that didn't stop the mavs from getting outplayed in game 4 last series. Anyone can play up any number of "factors" that might influence an outcome but it all comes down to who plays the best basketball on any given night.
That being said, I have complete faith in the Spurs, if nothing else, to make a series out of this. People comparing this to the 01 series against the lakers, i really dont see a comparison. I feel like I've seen good things the past 2 games that we can, and will capitalize on in the coming games, it just comes down to playing a full 48 minutes, which we've seen an obvious problem with doing throughout most of this season. Kenny Smith mentioned imposing your will on the other team in the postgame show, and against this team its vital. "They can't play slow and we can't play fast." This is what it comes down to. And I feel like this is where pop will make the neccesary adjustments. And needless to say, its in 2nd half that we need to enforce these adjustments.
The whole Spurs team, from the coaching, to the playing has been completely outplayed these first 2 games. That's no reason to believe we won't make the proper adjustments. We WILL make adjustments and we WILL win the next 2. I was wrong, this will be a long series, but....
Believe..
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