Initial Reaction: Spurs vs. Mavs - Game 3

[Rogue]

Bonner's gonna go to work in game 4. He has the Mavs right where he wants them.

You easily know we sucked balls in paint when even Matt Bonner was made look good there, and you all know what a soft pussy bonner is.

[Manufan909]

Bonner guards Nowitzki better than anyone else on the team, now if he would just start hitting those 3's, he'd be a real asset out there.

Better than Dice? I think not.

[kace]

The big three was good and we had our 4th offensive weapon for those two wins: RJ then Hill. With Dice doing the job. If Blair could be a little bit more productive, we would have a loaded team.

but that's great to see four + 15 pts scorer in a game.

[taps]

I agree that Grizzly has been poor this series, but who would you give his minutes to?

Also, he's a rookie in the playoffs for the first time going up against the franchise's arch-enemy, so the learninig curve is very steep.

I hope Pop keeps giving him those minutes at the end of the 1st Q/start of the 2nd Q so that when he finally calms down he might be a factor in a game. Those minutes allow Pop to assess whether to play him later in the game or not.

I Agree heartily with this. Blair was still one of our top rebounders in limited minutes and his defense has been criticized but I saw him alter a shot or two even though at some poinnt Najera did score on an offensive board (blech.)

Without scoring he was the only big on the floor during microball and held serve without the mavs really catching up which was good rest for TD. He kept some possessions alive iirc so he gets some intangibles credit from me.

He still has to play better, if the offense can run through him for a quarter and have success i'd be thrilled - I'm quite worried about TD's minutes (seemed to play the whole second half without rest.) Just seems like a matter of a couple rattling down instead of out just like game 2.

I was skeptical but Pop has given him chances and has been more than fair with Blair the past couple of game. Like Sean said, take the lid off that basket Dejuan's shots are hitting everything but the bottom

[Ice009]

I agree that Grizzly has been poor this series, but who would you give his minutes to?

Also, he's a rookie in the playoffs for the first time going up against the franchise's arch-enemy, so the learninig curve is very steep.

I hope Pop keeps giving him those minutes at the end of the 1st Q/start of the 2nd Q so that when he finally calms down he might be a factor in a game. Those minutes allow Pop to assess whether to play him later in the game or not.

I say keep playing Blair. He needs to play better and I know that he can.

[timvp]

I'm not sure whether this game was immensely fun or immensely stressful to watch; the end result makes me lean toward fun, but my stomach most of the game says otherwise (unless that was just the tortilla soup...).

The biggest problem was that through the entire first half, I felt the Spurs were outplaying the Mavericks thoroughly. They were efficient on offense and swarming on defense. Despite all that, they could never build any kind of padded lead, and that was very concerning. I attribute this mostly to the Mavs ability to hit 3-pointers, and the fact that the Spurs practically gave up on the 3-ball in this game. I love that they were attacking the basket, but being -24 on the game when comparing points from 3s is really hard to overcome. (For the record, the 7 threes that the Spurs attempted was their second lowest of the entire season; the only game where they attempted less was the Rockets game on 11/27, when they were 2 for 5 from three point range. Also, the last time the Spurs played a game without making a three-pointer? April 7, 2005...against the Dallas Mavericks.)

Anyway, once the Mavericks went on that big run in the 3rd quarter, and the Spurs managed to right the ship, that's when the game actually got fun to watch, and was a complete dog fight to the end.

A few other random bits:

-Tony Parker is the man. That is all.

-I knew when Manu left the game that he would come back as soon as they got the bleeding stopped. He's just a flat out warrior, and the kind of guy you love to have secured for 3 more years.

-It was great to see George Hill be the player we've come to expect the last few months. I was pretty sure it was in him, but until a player has a really good game in the playoffs, you still have that lingering doubt in the back of your mind.

-Matt Bonner must lead the league in contested shots made over his hands. The effort is certainly there, and the execution is usually there too, but players just seem to have so much confidence shooting over him. I really don't know if there's much the poor guy can do about it, but it never ceases to amaze me.

-If the Spurs go on to win this series, then no one should doubt the signing of Antonio McDyess again. He's been huge on both ends, especially against Dirk, and while he may not quite be averaging 8 and 8, he's getting awfully close, and his intangibles make up for it.

Very good post

There's no mistake that the Spurs have had their low water marks against the Mavs and the Rockets when it comes to three-point shooting. Those two teams double TD less than any other teams in the league. And as good as TP and Manu are at making plays for others, the number one reason why the Spurs usually get open looks from beyond the arc is because Duncan typically draws a lot of attention.

[J.T.]

Parker and Duncan have pretty much roasted the Mavs two games in a row. They really have no match for Ginobili either. The best D they played on him all series was breaking his nose and sending him to the locker room for five minutes.

[ceperez]

I don't think it's fair at all to criticize Jefferson for this game, for the very reason you stated - to his credit, he only took 3 shots (2-3 from the field)

if jefferson isn't open, i don't want him forcing shots for the sake of padding his own PPG potentially to the detriment of the team

Jefferson has never been an "I can create my own shot in isolation" type of player and he never will be. He thrives on receiving the ball from initial penetration and then driving it to the rim as the second penetrator, while there is movement on the floor due to the opposing team reacting to the initial driver. that's his game for the spurs, and ginobili/parker did not place him in these situations enough

[ceperez]

Jefferson is not entirely useless in a half-court offense.

He does well posting up. Last game he easily scored on top of Jason Kid. The 2nd game he showed some good moves against Butler. He can do well if given the ball and isolated at the post.

Last game he didn't score much because he never got the ball. He's not going to get the ball unless the Ginobili, Parker or Hill give him the ball. Unfortunately, he isn't involved in any pick and roll play. Matter of fact, I don't think the Spurs have any plays designed for him.

Jefferson can do well if he gets the ball in the right spot and plays aggressively. Matter of fact, I would say he is best that if he ever gets the ball, he should never pass it way and make a drive to the basket.

[wildbill2u]

i'm worry about Manu broken nose, i'm hope this injury will not hurt us!

"Fear not. Manu Ginobili heart of a Jedi knight has." Master Yoda

[ceperez]

Blair is killing his chances right now and honestly, I am surprised Pop played him at all. He has performed poorly now the last two games and I won't blame Pop if Blair sees no time next game. Blair has given him no reason to.

Wait a minute here, I think he did well during his time on the floor. Didn't he have a good assist to George Hill? He also got 5 rebounds, which incidentally is 1 less than the highest rebounder on the team (mcdyess 6 rebounds).

[wildbill2u]

yeah
many

let's just hope that they can fit him out with a mask asap and none of the mavs players are cheap enough to jack him in the face, because multiple nose injuries can be devestating

Speaking of cheap shots to his nose, at the end of the game when Manu had the ball and they were fouling, it looked like Berea may have hit his nose when he swarmed him. Manu sort of rocked back his head and put his hand up to his nose.

Working over an opponents' injury is a time-tested tactic. Usually it means driving on a guy who has limited mobility because of foor or ankle injury. I hope a smash to the face isn't a deliberate tactic they will use.

[MateoNeygro]

I love reading Timvp's analysis. I get a good run down of what happened in the game. I'm in the middle of the ocean on a ship for 6 months and am sadly missing my Spurs. I can't even watch highlights because it takes hours for them to load but thanks Timvp keepin me updated. GO SPURS GO!!!!

[kace]

"Fear not. Manu Ginobili heart of a Jedi knight has." Master Yoda

well, i have to admit i'm a little bit worried too.

Everyone seems very confident so i guess that even if manu play with a mask, he will be OK.

we really don't need him to be injured the way he's playing and now that the team has this cohesion.

[NZ Spurs]

timvp continues to be unduly harsh on RJ. RJ played great D on Kidd, and hit a huge basket to bring the points difference back to 2 at the end of the third. I don't see how RJ could have done any more especially considering that 90% of the offense was either a PnR with Manu or Tony and Tim, or a dump down to Tim.

[TJastal]

I agree with DPG about Bonner. We really got in a hole when Bonner played. Same as in game 1.

BONNER HAS TO PLAY BETTER ON BOTH ENDS.

Dejuan Blair needs to step up and just play his game. We need around 15 quality minutes from him. Blair can do it.

Hill played tough and so did Dice. The big 3 were great. TP AWESOME tonight.

+1

Bonner is never going to be even an average defender in this league as long as the officials continue to see that imaginary bullseye on his chest. I swear, the guy cannot win, and gets called for the most ridiculous ticky tack of anyone in the league in the past 5 years. Case in point: 1st quarter Caron Butler used his left forearm to "shove off" of Bonner into a running jumpshot and the refs call Bonner for a "and-1" foul and it becomes a 3pt play. Total horse call. After getting a call like this, Bonner will almost always play even more docile and unaggressive and last night's game was no exception, a couple of mav players scored in the paint right over Bonner after the Butler foul.

Because of this, he is basically forced to drop 3's at a rate of at least 45% and also give the spurs scoring off the dribble in order to justify his defensive liabilities on the court.

[emanueldavidginobili]

okay so great win.

TP really sparked us in the begining hitting his floaters, vintage parker, and had 7 points in the last minute or so, he was clutch tonight.

Timmy just being timmy he has really turned it on during the playoffs. he makes some mistakes here and there passing the ball but he understands and will learn from his mistakes.

Manu, said it all already, one of a kind. only thing i dont like is when were on offense and he just sits there in the corner, no cuts no nothing i dont now if thats by design or not, but loved his defense right of the tip getting like2 steals a block stripped terrys pull up J.

dice i love his hustle doing all the dirty work crashing the boards giving it his all, and hitting that mid range.

RJ i think he played very well 2/3 and i like him not forcing anything. also he was good in the 1st couple of minutes he had a nice pass to i think dice down low when RJ was in the corner also he had a nice Defensive posssesion in the 3rd or 4th which forced a shotclock violation...we had 4 of them.

George getting heavy minutes. played 45 minutes so his ankle has to be fine, every day his ankle is getting better i expect hill to be 100% explosion and everything back by sunday. he stepped up when manu went out and was active on the defensive end.

all in all great win i love the emotion Manu and TP are showing when manu made those two and 1's swinging his fist and when manu gave the pass to tp at the end of the game for the and 1 they both went nuts, i even saw george hill jumping pumping his fist haha. this team right now has alot of confidence right now, you can see it in the press conferences and everything and we have momentum.

the mavs have made alot of Bull shots and desperation shots, and that will not continue. also dirk had a huge game 1 had a average game 2 had a huge game 3 dirk will have a average game 4.

we win this next game, were in good shape.

[SenorSpur]

Jefferson is not entirely useless in a half-court offense.

He does well posting up. Last game he easily scored on top of Jason Kid. The 2nd game he showed some good moves against Butler. He can do well if given the ball and isolated at the post.

Last game he didn't score much because he never got the ball. He's not going to get the ball unless the Ginobili, Parker or Hill give him the ball. Unfortunately, he isn't involved in any pick and roll play. Matter of fact, I don't think the Spurs have any plays designed for him.

Jefferson can do well if he gets the ball in the right spot and plays aggressively. Matter of fact, I would say he is best that if he ever gets the ball, he should never pass it way and make a drive to the basket.

It's also pretty clear that in order for RJ to have a productive game, you must get him untracked early. That was the case in Game #2. Pop ran a few plays exclusively for him and his teammates looked to get him the ball early. We all saw the results. That didn't happen in Game #3. Of course, RJ needs to come out with an aggressive at ulde, as well.

[SenorSpur]

Wait a minute here, I think he did well during his time on the floor. Didn't he have a good assist to George Hill? He also got 5 rebounds, which incidentally is 1 less than the highest rebounder on the team (mcdyess 6 rebounds).

Blair isn't scoring around the basket, with the proficiency he showed during the season. However, he continues to hustle, which is a good sign from a rookie. I agree that he made some things happen in small sequences during Game #3. That assist to Hill was boss. His offensive struggles have not hurt his aggressiveness on the glass.

I hope Pop continues to stick with him because obviously the more rest Duncan has, the fresher he will be during crunch time.

[Muser]

Dyess earning his paycheck

[ShoogarBear]

Lol shnozz-bloaded

The first three quarters of this game could have been played by any of the January or February Spurs.

The difference was the fourth quarter, which was vintage.

[Bender]

I hope Pop continues to stick with him because obviously the more rest Duncan has, the fresher he will be during crunch time.

Duncan had to play some major minutes, 40+. Hope he doesn't have to do that all thru the playoffs, if the spurs get that far. Be nice if Blair could do more, for Tim to get a few more minutes rest.

[NFGIII]

I think the most important thing going forward is the point you made about DeJuan Blair. Duncan needs some rest, jesus I was worried less going into the final 6 minutes knowing Duncan had got little to no rest in a long time.

If Blair hits those baby shots he always hits, and jesus CHRIST he was going against the walking corpse of eddie najera and gave up Offensive Rebounds, Duncan can get some well-needed in-game rest.

I agree but if you look below you will see what I've been preaching all series long. Shut down/disrupt Kidd and that makes the Mave less effective. Given that this game was close some might not agree. But Kidd is the captian of the Mavs and runs it the best. Put the clamps on him and you make the Mavs a lesser team even though they are explosive at times. IMHO

I think Hill's defence on Kidd is one of the keys to the series. Jason is yet to really put a stamp on anything, and that's down to Hill mostly, but also running him off the 3pt line (where he shot over 40% this year), as DPG said.

Superb game of basketball to watch - tough, see-sawing, indefatigable, awesome. Game of the Year so far for mine.

GO SPURS GO!

Get in his jersey and never leave. Make him shoot moving Js rather than set shots and he is much less effective. He runs the team the best. Disrupt Kidd and you effect the whole team.

Now lets get game 4 and really put some doubt into their heads. I believe that this team will crack if put under enough pressure, especially Marrion. That's just my gut feeling and with MArrion it goes back to his Suns days. This guy just never got the job done with them and until he soes I don't think he can.

[florige]

Truth be told, Dirk is going to get his points regardless he is just that good. I liked how the Spurs didn't double team him the whole time, just through certain stretches which sorta threw him off in the 4th quarter. It just burns me up when I see that little turd Barrera slicing through out defense causing all kinds of havoc. Its probably better I'm not a player playing for the Spurs because I would had elbowed the crap out of that bas .

[HarlemHeat37]

Jefferson has a horrible matchup vs. Kidd..even though he scored in the only post-up he had, it was extremely shaky, Kidd tipped the ball out twice before Jefferson just rose up and took the J..

While he had a good game in game 2, he didn't have success in 1 on 1 situations, especially vs. Butler..his worst stretches of the game came in the 2nd half when Butler was guarding him 1 on 1, RJ couldn't do anything..

I'd like to see him get a few plays coming off screens or in transition, but you can't run too many isolation plays for him..he isn't that good of an iso player in general, but it's even tougher against Kidd, since he doesn't have an advantage over him other than rising up and taking a J..Jefferson's jump shot isn't exactly reliable though..he has a tough matchup against Kidd..

The best thing Jefferson can do is keep playing hard..he played good D in this game, he made some great rotations..he just needs to keep playing active and he'll get his touches..his all-around game is more important to me than his scoring..