Game Blog: 2010 Playoffs Round 2 - Spurs vs. Suns, Game 3

[Shastafarian]

Blair needs to play more. RJ needs to sit more.

[01Snake]

As crazy as it sounds, more Bonner might be needed.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I don't buy it. You've still got a core that has seen this puppy before.

Sure Tony, Tim and Manu have but the other 5-6 guys that need to play haven't. That's where they are getting killed.

[alchemist]

It's sickening to see us complain about our offense when the Spurs have 50 points on the board. That should be enough for a decent half, the defense is atrocious on the close outs. To be perfectly honest you have to give Phoenix all the credit in the world. They have 3 deadly 3pt shooters on the outside and Nash/Amare who create living for the Spurs on the inside. If you try to help out on those guys the best shooters in the league are getting wide open shots. The Spurs at some point will have to live with Amare and Nash carving them up inside but don't leave those ing 3pt shooters open!

[quentin_compson]

Some of you act like you've never seen an NBA playoff game before. The game doesn't really start until the 3rd quarter, the team that makes the plays these last 2 quarters always wins. The Spirs need to be that team again like they were consistently last series.

Nah, Spurs should be up by about 12 right now. Not saying this would guarantee a win, but they wasted Phoenix shooting bad enough for the Spurs to be up big.
It used to be the Spurs that got the better of the Suns when it came to hustle and all the little things. This series? Not so sure.

[Seventyniner]

This has to be the least satisfying 6 point halftime lead ever.

[DPG21920]

I am not so concerned with the Suns making a run. They are an explosive offensive team and the Spurs are known to go cold. Especially when they miss 7 consecutive FT's.

My problem is what keyed the run for the Suns. Not the run itself. All teams go on runs, but when you allow teams to have such a blatant advantage in certain areas that have really hurt you, that is where you get into trouble.

[Spurologist]

Pop would be wise to avoid an extended dose of Blair/Bonner combo in the 2nd half

[ohmwrecker]

Blair needs to play more. RJ needs to sit more.

Nope. We need RJ to play and play well.

[resistanze]

Nah, Spurs should be up by about 12 right now. Not saying this would guarantee a win, but they wasted Phoenix shooting bad enough for the Spurs to be up big.
It used to be the Spurs that got the better of the Suns when it came to hustle and all the little things. This series? Not so sure.

This half was a big missed opportunity, but the Spurs have still dictated the game for the most part.

[DPG21920]

I could find you a dozen posts in that same span of being saying the same thing. People were calling the Spurs idiots and pussies in this thread. You decided to make an ad hominem attack on me being from Toronto because you incorrectly took it as a slight to the Spurs.

Hence I said you were on my . I'm not sure you mean "whenever we talk," I don't remember saying that before. You're being a clown and you're too stubborn to admit it.

Talk basketball or

[TheProfessor]

Spurs defense was not as good as some seemed to think. Phoenix missed a number of pretty open shots. Even though the Spurs were winning, the Suns were playing more physical.

Keep bringing those solid, informative takes

See, no way is resistanze this bad.

[Russ]

Halftime speech:

Boys, I don't want to alarm you, but the season hangs in the balance.

[4>0rings]

Pop would be wise to avoid an extended dose of Blair/Bonner combo in the 2nd half

Blair was hustling and Bonner was hitting his 3's. They actually did decent this game and helped greatly to get that big lead.

[Shastafarian]

Nope. We need RJ to play and play well.

They don't need him if he's playing like . And he is. I'd rather have Blair or even RAIN DANCE out there since they're actually trying.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

can manu please takes over this crap already, we need you to lead by example, attack, make FTs, hustle...

[Capt Bringdown]

If I was Gentry, I would seriously consider hack-a-Duncan for a few possessions. Our FT misses lead to meltdowns.

[awktalk]

Jefferson + Hill = 2/11
Rest of Team = 17/29

ADJUST

[Barfunk]

One thing that doesn't bode well is that Stoudemire and Nash are a combined 5-16 with Nash going 0-3 from behind the arc and only having 3 assist yet they are only down 6

[NewJerSpur]

It's sickening to see us complain about our offense when the Spurs have 50 points on the board. That should be enough for a decent half, the defense is atrocious on the close outs. To be perfectly honest you have to give Phoenix all the credit in the world. They have 3 deadly 3pt shooters on the outside and Nash/Amare who create living for the Spurs on the inside. If you try to help out on those guys the best shooters in the league are getting wide open shots. The Spurs at some point will have to live with Amare and Nash carving them up inside but don't leave those ing 3pt shooters open!

Good point. It's worked in the past. Have to either stay hom on the 3-pointers and keep crashing the boards or trap/show a quick early double to the primary ball carrier and get back.

[DPG21920]

I have more of a problem with Hill's play than I do RJ's.

[ohmwrecker]

All teams go on runs, but when you allow teams to have such a blatant advantage in certain areas that have really hurt you, that is where you get into trouble.

Yep. That's how teams make runs by exploiting an advantage. Brilliant.

[quentin_compson]

It's sickening to see us complain about our offense when the Spurs have 50 points on the board. That should be enough for a decent half, the defense is atrocious on the close outs. To be perfectly honest you have to give Phoenix all the credit in the world. They have 3 deadly 3pt shooters on the outside and Nash/Amare who create living for the Spurs on the inside. If you try to help out on those guys the best shooters in the league are getting wide open shots. The Spurs at some point will have to live with Amare and Nash carving them up inside but don't leave those ing 3pt shooters open!

So you'd rather give up a layup/dunk to Nash/Amare than daring guys like Frye try and beat the Spurs? Yeah, the Suns are shooting over 40% from downtown right now, but it's mainly Richardson who has been killing us.

[Warlord23]

This game should be tied right now; the 6-point lead is fool's gold. Matt Bonner made 2 consecutive three pointers in a playoff game ... there's your fluky 6 point difference. The bottomline is that we are unable to stop their pick and roll offense; repeatedly collapsing and leaving the shooters open. Meanwhile, all the Suns have to do is double TD and challenge someone to make a 3, or just foul Duncan and force him to shoot free throws.

Not even Alvin Gentry can this up.

[royal2006]

They don't need him if he's playing like . And he is. I'd rather have Blair or even RAIN DANCE out there since they're actually trying.

RJ is more effective staying close to rim, rebound and drive , but not catch and shoot
i just don't know why you guys shouting about the spacing issue for the RJ in game 2 depsite the numbers
either don't use him or put him close to the rim