Spurs vs lakers; closing five strengths/weaknesses

[Muser]

We got torched with Bowen in 08, so that point is invalid.

[2Cleva]

We got torched with Bowen in 08, so that point is invalid.

Bowen was done in 08.

[Muser]

Bowen was done in 08.

I was responding to someones claim of without Bowen we won't beat L.A.

[Supergirl]

Lakers v.s Spurs match up

Starters:
Parker v.s Fisher - easily the Spurs' edge

Kobe v.s. Manu - Kobe obviously has the edge one-on-one, esp without a Bowen-like defender on him.

Duncan v.s. Gasol - Duncan has the edge, because he's more reliable and sound, whereas Gasol is a weak defender. But they're pretty equal.

McDyess/Blair v.s. Bynum - It could come down to the newbies more than anything else - Bynum versus Blair. And that would be a fun matchup. Hard to say who would win it, they're both still really unknown quanities. We've never seen Blair play in the NBA and Bynum has yet to play a full season. McDyess should give Bynum a lot of trouble, though.

Odom v.s. Jefferson - Equal. They're both very different players. Jefferson is longer and will be a tough cover for Odom, Odom is stronger and will be a tough cover for Jefferson. So they should cancel each other out.

Bench:
On paper the Spurs bench is currently better than the Lakers bench, I think. We've got a solid back up PG (Hill), some muscle and rebounding (Haislip, Hairston), some three point shooting (Bonner, Finley), but the Lakers bench performed well last season so it would be crazy to rule them out. However, I think they performed above their usual capabilities (any one can have one season - See exhibit A: Jaren Jackson).

All in all, I think it is pretty close and will come down to health and injuries. Cavs, Celtics, and Magic all match up pretty well with the Spurs too.

[2Cleva]

I was responding to someones claim of without Bowen we won't beat L.A.

Gotcha. My bad.

[ohmwrecker]

Defending Kobe is not just about who can do the job one on one, but making Kobe work on the other end. Kobe's offense always takes a hit if he is defending a good offensive player.

[Supergirl]

Defending Kobe is not just about who can do the job one on one, but making Kobe work on the other end. Kobe's offense always takes a hit if he is defending a good offensive player.

this is true. but even with a 100% healthy Manu (have we ever seen such a thing? LOL) Kobe still gets the edge.

[2Cleva]

Kobe doesn't get slowed down guarding perimeter threats, its moreso the guys who go into the post.

He also doesn't have to be the fireman - guarding whoever is hot, now that Artest is here. He's not going to slow down when he's focused on just guarding one guy for the game.

[kace]

without Bruce, we have to hope that RJ will be great in defense, because he's the only one i can see able to slow down Kobe. Kobe is too good for our others players.

but since RJ could be also the only one able/strong enough to defend Artest, we could have problems without Bruce with Kobe and Artest on the court at the same time.

the spurs will also be one of the few teams, like LA, able to have two great offensive players on the wings with manu and RJ, and even good backups with mase and fin. but LA, with Kobe and Artest, has the ability to defend that kind of combo.

[antgomez2009]

The Spurs biggest problem last year was when Trevor Ariza was on Tony Parker. Now that he's gone and with RJ, we'll have a better chance offensively than last year.

One key to beating LA to get Kobe tired by the 4th quarter. All the great finishers know how to pace themselves for the final kick in the end. RJ being a legitimate offensive threat will force Kobe to work harder. Against Boston, Kobe had to work overtime while covering Pierce. With our backcourt of Parker, Manu and RJ there's little chance than Kobe can relax.

It's necessary however that the pressure is there for the entire game. That's why our bench has to maul LA's bench. That hopefully is the weak link. Against Orlando, LA rarely played any bench players other than their guards (Farmar and Brown). Guys like Vujacic and Walton are too slow to be effective in playoff basketball just like Mason and Bonner are too slow.

What the Spurs needs is for guys like Hill, Blair, Haislip and Mahinmi to give them fits just like Powe, House, Posey gave them trouble.

LA can be beat, Boston showed us how. A defensive physical grind it out game is exactly what the Spurs are known for.

Yea, i felt like Trevor Ariza long athletic body really bothered TP late in the 4th, I dont think Kobe is quick enough to guard Tony Parker Late, especially in Pick n Roll! Artest wont be able to guard Tony, he'll match up better with Rj, Manu vs Kobe, Duncan vs. Pau and either Ian/Blair/Ratliff/Dyess will guard either LO or Bynum, chances are it will be Odom late!

But the Spurs have guys that played last year either starting or coming off the bench and relied to much on them like bonner, finley, Mason and Hill. This year, that wont be the case you'll see them as second or third back ups! which is scary, because thats pretty dam deep!


All in all, late in the 4th tied up ball is on whoevers side...i think the Closing five for each team will be this with their matchups!
Potential matchups, depends if going small or big is helping either team! and if they need defense or offense in the closing seconds.!!

Spurs

Tony ------Derek Fisher/Brown/Farmer
Manu ------ Kobe Bryant
Jefferson ---- Artest
Blair / Dyess - Lamar odom / Bynum
Duncan --Gasol /Bynum

Lakers

Derek Fisher ---Tony/Hill
Kobe ----Rj
Artest ---- Manu / Finley
LO/Gasol ----Duncan/Blair/Dyess
Gasol/Bynum----Duncan/Dyess/Blair


its going to be a great year!!!

[SonOfAGun]

I'm a hardcore pessimist and I am extremely confident about this year.

[2Cleva]

Being that many Spurs supporters felt last year was theirs because it was an odd-year, shouldn't you guys be talking "next year" already?

[urunobili]

Being that many Spurs supporters felt last year was theirs because it was an odd-year, shouldn't you guys be talking "next year" already?

at my son trying to smack talk old style... you should try something new...

[2Cleva]

at my son trying to smack talk old style... you should try something new...

I'm always a fan of the classics.

If I'm SA - I continue the all-out approach and go for one more move. With so many guys available for the vet min, that 9.5 combined last year's of Mason, Bonner, and Finley would be used to get something done.

And it has to be something inside.

If he's back to his Chicago days as his weight loss suggests, Eddy Curry is a guy SA has had interest in before. Not going to bring it on D but he gives SA an option in the post that can attack Bynum/Gasol/Odom. Right now, the Laker bigs are really going to be relaxing and protecting the basket because only Duncan can make any of them work.

[portnoy1]

I was responding to someones claim of without Bowen we won't beat L.A.

Bowen did a decent enough job. What happened was when IME came in Bryant went at him and got hot. Then after a quick 10pt torching of Udoka, Bowen had to guard a Hot Younger Kobe Bryant.

[portnoy1]

I think the spurs still need a 7 footer who can block shots and a perimeter defender. Dahntay Jones or Shane Battier. Jones is physical guard and battier wont touch you and still make you miss.

[DPG21920]

You have to let Kobe go Amare on you. Let him get his, but you stick to the other guys and rebound.

[SA210]

We need Bruce back.

[SpurCharger]

You have to let Kobe go Amare on you. Let him get his, but you stick to the other guys and rebound.

Agreed, Im Ok With Kobe gettin 40 points..... When the Lakers are at there best Is when Everyone Is gettin Involved.... Guard Kobe One On One, And stay home On the Laker Shooters....

[21_Blessings]

LA would put Fisher on Jefferson with Kobe on Parker late.

.

No, that would never happen. Are you joking? Fisher on a 6'7 RJ? Haha.

Kobe would be guarding Manu - which is SA's most dangerous crunch player anyways. Artest has struggled guarding him in the past. Artest matches up with RJ quite well, physically speaking.

Only way Kobe would be on TP is if Sasha or Brown was in the game. They have the height to guard to Manu.

[DPG21920]

Also, lol at Battier as the Kobe defender. Kobe lit up Shane almost as bad as anyone (Ron Ron got lit up by him a little worse maybe.)

[21_Blessings]

Bell slowing down Kobe? No, not at all.

Tay prince has the best Kobe track record. But when Kobe is feeling it, it won't matter who is guarding him.

You don't slow down Kobe with one player. You need an entire team effort focused on stopping him. Which is what we saw in 04/08 finals. And that only works when Kobe's supporting cast doesn't show up

[Man In Black]

Being that many Spurs supporters felt last year was theirs because it was an odd-year, shouldn't you guys be talking "next year" already?

No, what we're talking about is the following:
1 for the thumb.
Should SAS meet LAL in the playoffs, being the 1st team to stop PJax from repeating.
An Even Year le.

[ezau]

you guys that say TP cant be guarded by anyone, whos going to guard kobe? id take the kobe mismatch over the TP mismatch any day. with TP just give him space until he makes his jumper. if his jumper falls then the lakers have no answer. but with kobe, its pick your poison. and whos going to guard odom? dyess is too slow, jefferson is too short, finley is both short and old. if pau and bynums on the court, duncan can take one but dyess and bonner are too short to contest bynum or gasol's shot.

i think both teams have mismatches but the lakers have a better chance at countering than the spurs. just my opinion

Blair is gonna rough up that pussy named Odom

[SA210]

The only players I have seen slow Kobe down CONSISTENTLY were Bowen