Again, the TIMVP Game thoughts are late but again, I understand.
1 - The reason for the blowout was Fisher and Odom came to play. You always know Kobe will be there but if 2 of the 3 (Odom, Gasol, and Fisher) have good offensive games - the Spurs simply don't have the firepower to compete.
2 - LA's 2nd unit coming up is a killer for the Spurs. As young as they are, they are effected more by the previous game than the Spurs vet players. The confidence is sky high across the board and that won't change with the airplane ride.
3 - Once again, putting that wall in the paint against Parker is killing the Spurs. TP has got through a few times but not nearly the 20 times or so a game he needs to so he can not only score but set up the 3 point shooters. Pop said its not about Xs and Os anymore - if not, I have no idea how SA is going to get Parker in the paint. If they don't do that - they are done.
4 - SA will come out firing with everything they have in Game 3 - question is how much is that. The biggest difference between NO and the Lakers is Kobe - he knows what kind of will it takes to win on the road. Especially with the Spurs lacking the firepower to blow LA out for 48, he's going to be ready to put up 50 if need be in one of these games to win. Hard to see too many more games going by without him getting to the line 10+ times - its going to happen eventually. And Bowen was catching plenty last night - he alone ain't stopping Kobe.
5 - Ginobili getting a taste of his own medicine in Vujacic. As a compe or, its a shame he isn't physically able to answer. As a Laker fan - ahh well, to the victor goes the spoils.
6 - Spurs gotta hope they can slow the game to a crawl, not that it will help the Spurs score anymore but hopes LA doesn't score as much.
The Spurs had to dig deep to come back against the Hornets. With no cushion in between games, do they have whats left in the tank to come back against the Lakers?
Question for Spurs fans - why are you saying that NO is better than LA? I'm not even going to point out the standings and how NO folded the last week when they could have won HCA
- LA had the best road record in the West this season.
- LA has the MVP and the recognized best player in the game and one of the best offensive weapons of all-time.
- LA has a better coach than NO.
- LA has a deeper bench than NO.
- LA has guys that are leaned on with a championship resume (Fisher/Kobe).
I guess you can go by that NO blew you guys out 3 times and LA has only did it once but that sounds like a sorry nail to hang your hat on.