Game Thoughts: Spurs @ Suns - Jan. 29

[roycrikside]

True. Plus blitzing a secondary pick-and-roll is much harder than blitzing a pick-and-roll you know is coming.

We'll see tonight if Pop keeps it up and how it works against a sturdier defense. The Hornets had a lot of success in the playoffs last year pressuring Manu and getting him to turn the ball over.

uh, he led the team in points and assists.

[timvp]

uh, he led the team in points and assists.

I was specifically talking about success in blitzing Ginobili's pick-and-rolls, especially early in the series. When the Spurs figured out that Ginobili had a massive advantage against anyone who guarded him, Pop went away from the picks and let Ginobili dominate from the perimeter on one leg.

But comparatively speaking, this game will be more of a test because the Hornets actually know how to execute a pick-and-roll blitz. The Suns aren't evolved enough defensively to pull it off.

If Pop stays with the same strategy of keeping Manu on the court with either Duncan or Parker and turning Manu into the ultimate finisher and it works again, the Spurs may be on to something . . .

[Slippy]

If Pop stays with the same strategy of keeping Manu on the court with either Duncan or Parker and turning Manu into the ultimate finisher and it works again, the Spurs may be on to something . . .

I believe the last time POP put Manu on his own was the laker game. Tony feeds of Tim, Tim feeds off Tony, now Manu gets to feast off both and it's all in the flow of the offense. Good on POp for making the adjustment.

[roycrikside]

If Pop stays with the same strategy of keeping Manu on the court with either Duncan or Parker and turning Manu into the ultimate finisher and it works again, the Spurs may be on to something . . .

Postscript: Pop left Manu bareass nekkid for stretches in the second, third, and fourth quarters and it worked out fine.

[timvp]

Postscript: Pop left Manu bareass nekkid for stretches in the second, third, and fourth quarters

True.

and it worked out fine.

"Bareass nekkid" Manu had a plus/minus of -7 in eight minutes. "Clothed" Manu had a plus/minus of +21 in 18 minutes.

But yeah, Pop apparently only went with his "I'm going to keep clothes on Manu and not call plays for him" strategy for only the Suns game. It was back to the regularly scheduled broadcast against the Hornets.

[Manufan909]

Manu Ginobili

32 minutes, 30 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals
6-for-13 from the field, 0-for-4 on three-pointers, 18-for-18 at the line

In scoring a season-high 30 points, Manu Ginobili was stubbornly relentlessness. His 18-for-18 showing at the line was arguably the most important stat in the game. Ginobili’s attacking of the basket was vintage and hopefully a preview of what is to come. Part of the reason why Ginobili was so effective on the offensive end was his patience. He waited for the perfect time to attack against the Suns’ vulnerable defense instead of forcing the action when he saw a glimpse of open space. The patience also allowed him to not turn the ball over in his 32 minutes. When Ginobili wasn't hitting free throws, he mixed in acrobatic scores and a number of crisp passes, including the assist on Parker’s 22-foot clincher. Defensively, he didn’t make many mistakes and especially helped out with his nine defensive boards. A good sign for Ginobili is that he was so effective on offense despite not connecting on a three-pointer. In fact, the 30 points he scored was a career-high in a game in which he was held without a three-point make.
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How do you find this out? 82games.com???

And more improtantly, how did you have the insight to look that up?

[timvp]

How do you find this out? 82games.com???

And more improtantly, how did you have the insight to look that up?

Game logs.

Figured it was the case because Manu's big games usually involve at least a few threes.

[Slippy]

"Bareass nekkid" Manu had a plus/minus of -7 in eight minutes. "Clothed" Manu had a plus/minus of +21 in 18 minutes.

But yeah, Pop apparently only went with his "I'm going to keep clothes on Manu and not call plays for him" strategy for only the Suns game. It was back to the regularly scheduled broadcast against the Hornets.

Next time im gonna go re-check the game log before going by what i remember. He did play a 3min span in the Utah game. My mistake. Sitll think it's too soon in reverting back to Manu on his own. Yah the confidence is growing and we've seeing the Manu of old the last couple of games but playing with Tim or Tony has more benefits. The main one being not having the pressure to make things happen as the only creator. Also most his scores are coming from the flow of the offense and playing to his strengths.

Hopefully POP wont set it stone and make the adjustments when necessary.

[TMTTRIO]

So if Manu has to play with Tim and Tony why don't they just start him instead of adjusting around him. Even Manu has said before that it would be easier to start to let his game come to him where when he comes off the bench he feels like he has to rush it and produce right away which can be bad for us. Mason can do just as well coming off the bench and bringing it.