It will be interesting to see what the starting lineup will be in Game 3.
What about TD on Odom, and then put KT/Oberto/Horry on Gasol?
TD on Odum:TD is long enough to disrupt Odom's game more than anyone on our team when he takes it to the hole.
KT on Gasol: KT guarded Duncan very well last year, plus he can spread the floor on offense (if he proves he can hit the 15 footer.
Gasol will eat up Thomas. But it's worth a shot. As for Horry no way. He's actually half decent against Odom.
Salient point. It's no secret the Duncan spends the majority of his time at the 5 spot in a small-ball lineup. Meanwhile the rest of the time, Pop throws out guys like Oberto, Thomas and Horry to play center. THe problem is each has his own limitations and is usually overmatched against bigger more skilled players because of their own limitations. (If I see Oberto tap out another offensive rebound instead of grabbing it, I'm going to eat through my own skin.)
Like you, I have long believed the Spurs coaches have relied waaaay too much on Duncan to be the hub of the offense and anchor the defense. It is a lot of responsibility and obviously he's been great at it. In fact, Duncan's true greatness has been demonstrated in the years since David Robinson retired. It's amazing that he's been able to handle all these responsibilities, at an all-star-caliber-level, without the benefit solid frontline running mate in the post-Robinson-era.
As you've correctly pointed out, the Spurs do have deficiencies on their frontline that are being exposed by the Fakers. Fortunately those will be addressed this offseason with the additions of Tiago Splitter and Ian Mahinmi. Personally, I'd also like to see them add a guy like Desgana Diop (Nets).
I have a hard time believing Gasol would "eat anyone up", he not that good. Thomas has proved he's an effective defender against Duncan in the past, and obviously TD >>>>>>>>> Gasol.
And it could open up the floor for us on offense if he can hit shots.
I agree it is unfair of what they ask of Duncan. It was a perfect situation when he came into the League getting paired with Robinson. I don't understand why they at least didn't try to recreate that with some type of lesser player. Duncan is the perfect PF and should be used as one. Because of Duncan the spurs frountcourt should be able to dominate against the Lakers. Odom and Gasol defensively are a weakness for the Lakers. Even the Jazz were able to get multiple offensive rebounds. Other than Duncan the spurs are not really a good rebounding team. I mean Parker had 10 rebounds in the first game, the Lakers were able to eliminate those 10 in the second game. Those were a lot of giftwrapped rebounds that the spurs weren't able to make up. The Jazz were able to live on the offensive rebound, the spurs if constructed properly, with a Tim Duncan, should be able to do the same. It's a reason why Bynum wasn't traded for anybody no matter what Kobe said. This is a perfect opportunity for the spurs to do it with an injured Bynum. If they can't capitalize on it now, they never will with the team they have. When Bynum comes back it will be that much harder. I think they will need somebody with a little more NBA experience than Splitter. Diop would be a good fit as would any other player that can hold down some minutes at the 5 and allow Duncan to play the 4 spot.Salient point. It's no secret the Duncan spends the majority of his time at the 5 spot in a small-ball lineup. Meanwhile the rest of the time, Pop throws out guys like Oberto, Thomas and Horry to play center. THe problem is each has his own limitations and is usually overmatched against bigger more skilled players because of their own limitations. (If I see Oberto tap out another offensive rebound instead of grabbing it, I'm going to eat through my own skin.)
Like you, I have long believed the Spurs coaches have relied waaaay too much on Duncan to be the hub of the offense and anchor the defense. It is a lot of responsibility and obviously he's been great at it. In fact, Duncan's true greatness has been demonstrated in the years since David Robinson retired. It's amazing that he's been able to handle all these responsibilities, at an all-star-caliber-level, without the benefit solid frontline running mate in the post-Robinson-era.
As you've correctly pointed out, the Spurs do have deficiencies on their frontline that are being exposed by the Fakers. Fortunately those will be addressed this offseason with the additions of Tiago Splitter and Ian Mahinmi. Personally, I'd also like to see them add a guy like Desgana Diop (Nets).
Actually Gasol is a very good player. You just don't notice it. He would eat up Thomas, but it's worth a shot. It would definitely help the spurs in the matchup against Odom. I just wonder how many minutes Thomas can play now. When's the last time he logged heavy minutes.
Not if you were a suns fan. I was glad to see him go, overrated. He probably still has nightmares about Duncan torturing him years back.
Thomas on Gasol and Td on Odom >>>>>> TD on Gasol and Oberto/Thomas/Horry on Odum.
Perhaps you just haven't noticed that Thomas is a more than capable post defender, whose physicality would definitely disrupt Gasol's essentially soft post game.
We'll see what works and what doesn't for game 3.
I'll agree Gasol is MUCH softer than Duncan. He thrives because the defense gets distracted by Kobe and forgets about him.
I'd like to see how Gasol reacts to KT's physicality, and Odum to Duncan's length.
JV, Findog, Bonner, Horry and Oberto
and whose lack of footspeed would give him no ability to disrupt Gasol's drop step and isolation game.
Awwwh cmon guys..Same old same old the spurs are old blah blah yall wer saying the same shiet when the spurs wer playin the hornets cmon lets wait and see the outcome..Dont catch your chickens before they hatch..GO SPURS GO! I BELIEVE!!!
Opss! I meant to say count ! jajajaja XD
The sun will be shining again on the Spurs fans by late Tuesday when the series is 2-2. And this won't be any harder to get out of than New Orleans. That's a bull take.
You just about had to take a bus to get out of New Orleans.
How much harder do you want?
They could actually make it easier on themselves by simply skipping the travel back to Los Angeles. 4-0.
it would be nice to have elson instead of thomas...at 36 6'9 and slow as a speed bump imo elson would help alot more...help with fab as well...but someone thought letting beno go(who could shoot the 3 and is a proven backup point with experience) and replacing him with a short, no shooting, turnover making, 4'11 38yr old mighty mouse then followed it by letting go of the only 7'0ter we had(once again proven backup center with experience)......thats how we will live...win or lose......go spurs go
Hi there...
I saw her first.
Hi there.... Name's Quixote. My friend's name is Rosinante.
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