Reply With Quote
Let's get it!!!!
If you are a fan of the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday's Game 3 won't go down in the annals of history as your favorite performance in team history. The Spurs went into Dallas following a blowout win and played like a team that lacked the appropriate fear, the appropriate respect and the appropriate energy. The result was some of the ugliest 48 minutes of basketball that have ever been witnessed since James Naismith raised his first peach basket to the sky.
The Mavericks deserve a lot of credit for the win. Looking back at the tape, their adjustments worked perfectly. Add an obvious advantage in effort and the Mavs were literally able to dominate from the opening tip until Pop waved the white flag. It's a bit cliche to say one team wanted a win more than another, but that was actually apropos for what occurred on Thursday evening.
The good news for San Antonio is that the beating only counted for one loss. Being down 2-1 isn't a great position but it's also far from a dire situation. A win in Game 4 and the Spurs will be back in the driver's seat in this series. How can the Spurs get the needed win?
1) Tim Duncan Plays Like Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan is coming off of the worst playoff game of his life. I didn't realize how bad he was until I watched the tape. Offensively, he not only couldn't score in one-on-one situations, he also had trouble holding his position. He got pushed when trying to set screens and he didn't put up much of a fight on the offensive boards.
On defense, the Mavs adjusted their attack to take the offense to Duncan. In Game 2, it was mostly Matt Bonner involved in pick-and-rolls and Bonner did a great job all night of moving his feet. Dallas adjusted and forced Duncan to defend pick-and-rolls and he did a poor job. He wasn't moving his feet and allowed countless open looks.
In Game 4, Duncan needs to realize the Mavs are coming straight at him and be ready for the challenge. I realize he's not 100% healthy but the time for excuses has past. If he's out there, Duncan either needs to hedge better to disrupt the pick-and-roll or drop back and protect the lane.
Duncan doesn't necessarily need a vintage performance but he needs to not be a liability.
2) Tony Parker Plays with Confidence
Although Tony Parker didn't have a good game, it's laughable to suggest he is the reason why the Spurs lost. Considering that the Mavs were single-teaming Duncan the whole night and the shooters weren't requiring any attention, Parker wasn't given much of an opportunity to make a difference.
In Game 4 Duncan will play better and the shooters will shoot better. The key with Parker is for him to remain confident. In Game 2 he played like he knew he was the best player on the court. The Spurs need that swagger on Saturday afternoon.
It's going to be an extremely difficult battle and Parker has to believe in himself if the Spurs are to have a shot.
3) Don't Hesitate to Shoot
The Spurs weren't nearly quick enough on the draw on Thursday. They hesitated on a number of shots and the 32.1% field goal percentage for the game illustrates why that's not a good idea.
Usually, ball movement and unselfishness means a lot but that's not the case in this series. The Mavs are a good scrambling defense but they do allow open shots, especially early during a possession. The first open look needs to result in a basketball being sent toward the basket.
4) Keep J.J. Barea Out of the Paint
It's amazing that J.J. Barea of all people has been the difference-maker in this series, but that's the situation the Spurs face. When Barea gets in the lane, the defense breaks down and the floodgates open.
One thing was clear in Game 3: Roger Mason, Jr. cannot guard Barea. Mason can't maneuver around screens and Barea utilizes countless screens. It's a horrible matchup.
Either Pop has to switch Parker off onto Barea or put Bowen into the starting lineup. Starting the game with Mason on Barea is asking to get blown out again.
5) Slow Josh Howard Early
The Mavs go to Josh Howard early in games. Somehow, the Spurs seemed oblivious to this fact last game. Michael Finley was passive defensively and played extremely when confronted with a pick.
The Spurs don't need to double-team Howard early but they need Finley to apply pressure and they need Duncan to defend with more urgency on the pick-and-roll. Both of Howard's early buckets were on Duncan.
If Howard gets going, he gets excited and then he becomes a threat on both ends of the court. Keep him quiet early and there's a chance he'll vanish.
6) Control the Pace
Playing at home, the Mavs love to push the ball. Jason Kidd is great at passing the ball up the court and immediately finding the mismatch.
Transition defense against the Mavs is more difficult than usual because even if their initial break doesn't create an opportunity, they love hitting the trailer for either a dunk or a three-pointer. The Spurs need to be cognizant and align their defense quickly each time up the court.
If they can turn the game into a battle of the halfcourt offenses, they have a better shot to win. Controlling the pace also helps in terms of keeping the crowd noise in check.
7) The Role Players Step Up
With no Manu Ginobili, each role player has to step up a little bit to hopefully make up part of his absence. Finley, Bonner and Mason need to supply spacing and outside shooting. Bowen needs to turn back the clock on the defensive end.
Off the bench, the Spurs need Kurt Thomas to wake up and play like he did during the regular season. Drew Gooden can't get handily outplayed by Brandon Bass. Ime Udoka has to hit shots and play better perimeter defense. George Hill, Jacque Vaugh and Fabricio Oberto have to be ready if they are called upon.
The Spurs simply can't afford for all the role players to play sub par like they did in Game 3.
8) Keep Rebounding
Rebounding was quietly a bright spot on Thursday. The Spurs kept the Mavs off of the offensive boards. Dallas won the rebounding battle but that's because they fattened up on the defensive boards as they collected miss after miss.
Now isn't the time to give back the good momentum the Spurs have in this category.
9) Win the Free Throw Battle
Truthfully, the Spurs have done a good job of keeping the Mavs off the line all series, especially compared to 2006. But this is another area that could cost the Spurs a game if they aren't careful. With Dirk Nowitzki's ability to draw fouls, San Antonio has to keep their team fouls to a minimum early in each quarter.
On the other end, getting to the free throw line would help relieve some of the pressure on the offense. Duncan getting to the line only four times in three games is insane. Outside of Parker and Duncan, Gooden is probably the best chance the Spurs have at getting some freebies.
10) Play Together, Be Patience and Show Energy
Game 4 is going to be a challenge. The Spurs can get the job done but they can't fracture. Even if the Mavs get off to a good start, they need to stick together and show some of that resolve that has resulted in four championships. Patience, especially when things aren't going well and the crowd is rocking, is vital.
And it goes without saying but the Spurs need to show a huge improvement in the energy department. Life or death intensity is expected considering the situation and considering what happened in Game 3.
The Spurs can do this.
Believe.
Let's get it!!!!
That says it all. If Tim looks like did in the 4th qtr of the Portland game, the Spurs have no chance. If he can play like he did in the OT of the Hornet game, the Spurs chances are bright.
Furthermore, he's going to have to do it early and help the Spurs establish a lead. And not just to put a damper on the crowd noise and Mav confidence. I don't think it is realistic to expect TD to perform at a high level for extended minutes. I think the upper limit is 33-36 minutes. Even if Tim begins at a high level, I am doubtful that he can sustain it in the 4th qtr if he is playing minutes 40-43 down the stretch.
In the Spurs-Mavs games of the last several years, I always look for one thing in the first 4-5 minutes of the game. If Tim is able to establish a good low post position, or draw fouls on Dampier trying to keep him away from the basket, the game usually has a happy ending. On the other hand, if Dampier is able and/or allowed to use his strength to dislodge Tim from his favored position, it seems like we see a 7-21 stat line and sad ending for the Spurs.
I am sure we will get the maximum performance that Tim is physically capable of bringing. In a few hours we will know if it is enough.
Slow Josh Howard easily, slow down Frodo Barea, and they will win.
Whether Pop wants to do this or not, I don't know.
What is this easy way to slow Josh Howard that Pop may not choose to employ?
I think you get physical with him and push him on the perimiter and get in his head.
Wich is exactly what Michael Finley did in game 2. Was physical, elbowed, pushed grabbed, was a pain in the ass, got Howard frusterated, and he was taken out of the game mentally after that offensive foul.
Rinse, repeat.
Ok, got it. So if Finley does not play him that way, it will be because Pop directed him to play otherwise???
More than likely pop will tell him "give him the jumper".
Leaving Mason in to guard Barea will happen again, and Barea will do what he did in game 3.
It's pointless, Pop thinks you have to "outscore" the Mavericks.
The simplest blueprint?
Put the rock in the hole.
Give the Spurs 47% shooting like the Mavs had in Game 3 and you have a tie game.
Alright, 1-for-10 before the game starts. Good job by Pop so far . . .4) Keep J.J. Barea Out of the Paint
It's amazing that J.J. Barea of all people has been the difference-maker in this series, but that's the situation the Spurs face. When Barea gets in the lane, the defense breaks down and the floodgates open.
One thing was clear in Game 3: Roger Mason, Jr. cannot guard Barea. Mason can't maneuver around screens and Barea utilizes countless screens. It's a horrible matchup.
Either Pop has to switch Parker off onto Barea or put Bowen into the starting lineup. Starting the game with Mason on Barea is asking to get blown out again.
It's not this complicated to me.
they should pinch him with hemostats.
Fail. Better but not being able to rebound killed the Spurs.1) Tim Duncan Plays Like Tim Duncan
2) Tony Parker Plays with Confidence
Massive fail.3) Don't Hesitate to Shoot
Meh.4) Keep J.J. Barea Out of the Paint
5) Slow Josh Howard Early
6) Control the Pace
7) The Role Players Step Up
8) Keep Rebounding
9) Win the Free Throw Battle
10) Play Together, Be Patience and Show Energy
And we almost won it. cue REM "Everybody Hurts"
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
You think?