Adjustments for Game Five

[Galileo]

Adjustments for Game Five

Dallas has found a way to defend the three. They let Duncan and Parker play a two-man game. This is not enough for the Spurs unless their defense is better. Parker wore down. Duncan would have worn down had he noo shot 18 free throws. Neither of these two is a three point shooter.

CIA Pop is studying the film, along with the team and the coaches.

The Spurs need to figure out what Dallas is doing to defend the three. If they figure it out, they will win Tuesday.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

I'd say the Spurs need to go back to the tape in 05 and look at the adjustments D'Antoni made when they used the same strategy against Nash, Stoudemire, and the Suns, except that he never made any.

Maybe Pop just needs to yell, "Let's go! Let's go!" a little louder.

[jack0fspeed]

The Mavs are just doing a good job rotating. They've left the corner 3 open a few times, but for the most part they've done a much better job than usual in their rotations.

Like a lot of this series, it comes down to energy.

[Horse]

The only adjustment to make is don't be stupid. They missed the 3's it's not a maverick defensive scheme. How bout the missed free throws or the stupid-ass turnovers we had every opportunity to win game 4, But let it slip away by losing focus. The mavs ed up down the strech like they always do and we did'nt take advantage. Then will 2 mins to go we go on a 3-point shooting spree only down by 5. We gave this game away.

[Galileo]

The Mavs are just doing a good job rotating. They've left the corner 3 open a few times, but for the most part they've done a much better job than usual in their rotations.

Like a lot of this series, it comes down to energy.

One strategy is to use more cutters.

If you remember the Rockets back in the 90s, they played kinda like the Spurs. But they had Thorpe and then Clyde for a cutter.

Do the Spurs have any cutters? We did with Ginobili, who could also hit the three.

Who do we have now? Do we have a cutter who can hit threes?

[antgomez2009]

Na, SPURS are just shooting horribly!...check it out. the game they won, shooting above 50 %...everyone. The next game, shooting % was at 35. Next game shooting % was like 42. They need a couple of guys to step up. If bonner and Mason score 6 more points each, they spurs win!!

[Galileo]

The only adjustment to make is don't be stupid. They missed the 3's it's not a maverick defensive scheme. How bout the missed free throws or the stupid-ass turnovers we had every opportunity to win game 4, But let it slip away by losing focus. The mavs ed up down the strech like they always do and we did'nt take advantage. Then will 2 mins to go we go on a 3-point shooting spree only down by 5. We gave this game away.

We did, but if we were up by 5 instead of down by 5, we would have won anyway. We have an older team that suffers fatigue.

We need to be more efficient in the first three quarters so we can weather the fatigue.

I have confidence in Pop that we will win game 5. The big question is game 6. If we make the right adjustments for game 5, can we continue in game 6?

[Galileo]

Na, SPURS are just shooting horribly!...check it out. the game they won, shooting above 50 %...everyone. The next game, shooting % was at 35. Next game shooting % was like 42. They need a couple of guys to step up. If bonner and Mason score 6 more points each, they spurs win!!

The Spurs are shooting poorly because Duncan and/or Parker are wearing down and the Mavs are defending the three. An adjustment needs to be made. Better defense would be enough, but we are already doing our best in that area.

[superbigtime]

Adjustments for Game Five

Dallas has found a way to defend the three. They let Duncan and Parker play a two-man game. This is not enough for the Spurs unless their defense is better. Parker wore down. Duncan would have worn down had he noo shot 18 free throws. Neither of these two is a three point shooter.

CIA Pop is studying the film, along with the team and the coaches.

The Spurs need to figure out what Dallas is doing to defend the three. If they figure it out, they will win Tuesday.

Pick and roll them to death.

[Galileo]

Pick and roll them to death.

We are already doing that. At least Duncan and Parker are. Does Gooden know how to do it? What about Mason?

[NRHector]

make the open shots is that simple

[DPG21920]

Rebound.

[mingus]

more George Hill , less Finley from the get-go . i would actually prefer to let Finley come off the bench . with Hill and Bruce starting , the Mavs would have a tough time scoring and getting into a groove and getting confidence from the start . and i miss the old motto of letting the defense lead to offense . that's what the Spurs have always been about (well , not so much lately , which pisses me off) ... let the Mavs know they're going to have to work hard for their baskets early on ...

and i know shooting better at freethrows isn't really an adjustment , but it's just as important . the bad ft shooting last game may have killed us more than anything else we didn't do right .

less Matt Bonner . he guards Dirk pretty well , but Dirk just seems to have his number despite that . and when he isn't hitting threes that's a deadly combination - for the Mavs ... you never know though ... he had a good game last time in SA , and may take and hit his shots at home . if he is hitting , and he can keep Dirk from going off , than i would say give him minutes ... one thing with him in there though is the Spurs tend to get outrebounded ... they gotta watch out for that .

[Galileo]

make the open shots is that simple

A lot of the threes have been contested. That lowers your percentage.

[Galileo]

more George Hill , less Finley from the get-go . i would actually prefer to let Finley come off the bench . with Hill and Bruce starting , the Mavs would have a tough time scoring and getting into a groove and getting confidence from the start . and i miss the old motto of letting the defense lead to offense . that's what the Spurs have always been about (well , not so much lately , which pisses me off) ... let the Mavs know they're going to have to work hard for their baskets early on ...

and i know shooting better at freethrows isn't really an adjustment , but it's just as important . the bad ft shooting last game may have killed us more than anything else we didn't do right .

less Matt Bonner . he guards Dirk pretty well , but Dirk just seems to have his number despite that . and when he isn't hitting threes that's a deadly combination - for the Mavs ... you never know though ... he had a good game last time in SA , and may take and hit his shots at home . if he is hitting , and he can keep Dirk from going off , than i would say give him minutes ... one thing with him in there though is the Spurs tend to get outrebounded ... they gotta watch out for that .

When George Hill is in, he needs to cut to the basket if the three-men are covered and Duncan/Parker don't have a good shot.

Hill can hit threes, but he's not as good as Finley/Bonner/Mason/Bowen/Udoka.

[jack0fspeed]

less Matt Bonner . he guards Dirk pretty well , but Dirk just seems to have his number despite that . and when he isn't hitting threes that's a deadly combination - for the Mavs ... you never know though ... he had a good game last time in SA , and may take and hit his shots at home . if he is hitting , and he can keep Dirk from going off , than i would say give him minutes ... one thing with him in there though is the Spurs tend to get outrebounded ... they gotta watch out for that .

I think the philosophy is that since the Spurs are doubling Dirk on the catch, they need a tall guy that can keep Dirk from catching and shooting. Then on the offensive end, he's a three point shooter that can help spread the floor.

Since Dirk plays mostly in the high post, whoever defends him isn't going to get many rebounds. And since the Spurs offense is mostly P&Rs, spreading the floor and keeping the help defense away from the hoop is goodness.

If you put a smaller player on Dirk he shoots over the top ... even with a double team. If you put a big on him then the Mavs leave that player every time a P&R is run.

I think it's pretty solid basketball strategy and I doubt you'll see a change there.

[Galileo]

less Matt Bonner . he guards Dirk pretty well , but Dirk just seems to have his number despite that . and when he isn't hitting threes that's a deadly combination - for the Mavs ... you never know though ... he had a good game last time in SA , and may take and hit his shots at home . if he is hitting , and he can keep Dirk from going off , than i would say give him minutes ... one thing with him in there though is the Spurs tend to get outrebounded ... they gotta watch out for that .

Pop said that Bonner is in the spread the floor. Bonner occassionally dribbles in for a shot, but he is not very skilled at that. He certainly gives 110% effort, though.

Bonner also matches up well with Dirk, because Dirk is not a post-up inside threat.

[NRHector]

A lot of the threes have been contested. That lowers your percentage.

true, but we only lost by 9 points, how many missed layups?how many bricks from Bonner?how many missed free throws? how many shots Mason took? we only lost by 9, it can be done

[Dex]

1. Hit shots. I know it seems painfully obvious, but for a group of professional basketball players, these guys have an amazingly difficult time putting the orange ball through the round cylinder sometimes. Whether it's nerves, fatigue, or just plain lack of focus, they need to get over it if they want to extend this series. You can be perfect in every other aspect of the game, and it doesn't mean a thing if you can't accomplish priority one of basketball: put the ball in the hole.

2. Efficient team rebounding. Whatever the Spurs did to make the gang-rebounding tactic work in Game 2, they need to figure it out and do it again. The Spurs have managed a formidable defensive effort against the Mavs so far (especially Dirk and Terry), but that's been negated by the fact that they've been crushed on the glass and are giving up second shots on the rare occasion the Mavs decide to miss. I'm pretty sure you could score this series on who wins the rebounding battle.

3. Mason needs to be the Manu factor. I completely agree with moving Bruce to the starting lineup, and since it's obvious that Pop doesn't want to hurt Finley's feelings again, we need Roger Mason Jr. to step up off the bench and be a spark. Tony and Tim have been pulling the load as much as can be expected; it's time for Mase to step up and bring some of that regular season Money to the table. Without a third scorer, the Spurs days are numbered.

4. Spread the offense. The Spurs will likely need at least 90 points to beat the Mavericks. Even if you count 50 from Tim and Tony, that's too big of a remainder for one or two more players to carry. The Spurs needs to get the motion clicking, get some shots to fall, and start doing more than standing around, watching Tony be a one man show. The Spurs were outscored by 16 in the seven minutes while Parker was on the bench in Game 4, and they only lost by 9. Everybody else needs to start pulling their weight.

5. More George Hill. Maybe while the game is still in-hand this time. Kthxbye.

[ulosturedge]

1)Quit camping the 3 point line and move your f$*%@ legs.

2)Swarm the f$*&*$ glass. We getting destroyed on put backs and 2nd chance points.

3)No more stupid passes that lead to a fastbreak for them.


Been so many holes in our team its sick...

[tsb2000]

Call me crazy, but finishing strong would be a nice adjustment.

[nkdlunch]

they need to beat the mavs in rebouding and play defense 100% of the time. and then they MIGHT have a chance

[Morg1411]

1. Hit shots. I know it seems painfully obvious, but for a group of professional basketball players, these guys have an amazingly difficult time putting the orange ball through the round cylinder sometimes. Whether it's nerves, fatigue, or just plain lack of focus, they need to get over it if they want to extend this series. You can be perfect in every other aspect of the game, and it doesn't mean a thing if you can't accomplish priority one of basketball: put the ball in the hole.

2. Efficient team rebounding. Whatever the Spurs did to make the gang-rebounding tactic work in Game 2, they need to figure it out and do it again. The Spurs have managed a formidable defensive effort against the Mavs so far (especially Dirk and Terry), but that's been negated by the fact that they've been crushed on the glass and are giving up second shots on the rare occasion the Mavs decide to miss. I'm pretty sure you could score this series on who wins the rebounding battle.

3. Mason needs to be the Manu factor. I completely agree with moving Bruce to the starting lineup, and since it's obvious that Pop doesn't want to hurt Finley's feelings again, we need Roger Mason Jr. to step up off the bench and be a spark. Tony and Tim have been pulling the load as much as can be expected; it's time for Mase to step up and bring some of that regular season Money to the table. Without a third scorer, the Spurs days are numbered.

4. Spread the offense. The Spurs will likely need at least 90 points to beat the Mavericks. Even if you count 50 from Tim and Tony, that's too big of a remainder for one or two more players to carry. The Spurs needs to get the motion clicking, get some shots to fall, and start doing more than standing around, watching Tony be a one man show. The Spurs were outscored by 16 in the seven minutes while Parker was on the bench in Game 4, and they only lost by 9. Everybody else needs to start pulling their weight.

5. More George Hill. Maybe while the game is still in-hand this time. Kthxbye.

Agree with all of this. Plus, Bonner and Finley, bless e'm both, need to be yanked from the starting lineup. Put Mason and Gooden in their place.

[Galileo]

Top Spur combo for playoffs:

Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 Team + - +/- Min +/- /Min G

M. Finley B. Bowen T. Duncan I. Udoka T. Parker Spurs 30 -10 20 10:02 1.993 2

http://www.nba.com/statistics/plusmi...t=9&team=Spurs

[Thomas82]

1. Hit shots. I know it seems painfully obvious, but for a group of professional basketball players, these guys have an amazingly difficult time putting the orange ball through the round cylinder sometimes. Whether it's nerves, fatigue, or just plain lack of focus, they need to get over it if they want to extend this series. You can be perfect in every other aspect of the game, and it doesn't mean a thing if you can't accomplish priority one of basketball: Put the ball in the hole.

2. Efficient team rebounding. Whatever the spurs did to make the gang-rebounding tactic work in game 2, they need to figure it out and do it again. The spurs have managed a formidable defensive effort against the mavs so far (especially dirk and terry), but that's been negated by the fact that they've been crushed on the glass and are giving up second shots on the rare occasion the mavs decide to miss. I'm pretty sure you could score this series on who wins the rebounding battle.

3. Mason needs to be the manu factor. I completely agree with moving bruce to the starting lineup, and since it's obvious that pop doesn't want to hurt finley's feelings again, we need roger mason jr. To step up off the bench and be a spark. Tony and tim have been pulling the load as much as can be expected; it's time for mase to step up and bring some of that regular season money to the table. Without a third scorer, the spurs days are numbered.

4. Spread the offense. The spurs will likely need at least 90 points to beat the mavericks. Even if you count 50 from tim and tony, that's too big of a remainder for one or two more players to carry. The spurs needs to get the motion clicking, get some shots to fall, and start doing more than standing around, watching tony be a one man show. The spurs were outscored by 16 in the seven minutes while parker was on the bench in game 4, and they only lost by 9. Everybody else needs to start pulling their weight.

5. More george hill. Maybe while the game is still in-hand this time. Kthxbye.

+1