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Small ball works sometimes. And I imagine we'll see at least some of it in almost every game. But in crunch time of close games, the Spurs will probably go with Manu, TP, Duncan, Splitter, and either RJ or Hill. Those are the finishers.
I don' think that Pop believes small ball is the way to beat the Lakers - it is a long season and this team is deep with different parts that can work well together - Pop went small becuase we desperately needed to score to make up ground and the NO front court is not that physical - It made sense tonight - we do not have a DROB to put next to Duncan nor is Duncan that same player (especially in regard to help defense and shutting down the lane) that he was playing next to combos of Rasho/Nazi/Fab/Horry, etc.....what we do have are good players that each bring alittle something different to the game - maybe Splitter can become the most complete compliment of the bunch - but right now he is still adjusting - anyway - small ball has a place for this Spurs team especially against smaller less physical frontcourts
Small ball works sometimes. And I imagine we'll see at least some of it in almost every game. But in crunch time of close games, the Spurs will probably go with Manu, TP, Duncan, Splitter, and either RJ or Hill. Those are the finishers.
I can live with that.
Well I did post before realizing I got my ass trolled off by LJ, but I might as well answer you.
Depending on the lesson, yeah. Smallball didn't win the game, Manu and Parker going to the rim and Bonner and Chris Quinn staying on the bench won the game. The smallball defense relies on two guys chasing the ball around the court like crazy. Ball movement breaks that defense down and wears out the Spurs players.
If they look at this game and say "wow we need to shoot fewer threes and more layups" then I'm happy for the win.
If they look at this game and say "wow Matt Bonner needs to be a role player" then I'm happy for the win.
If they look at this game and say "wow smallball really works great. Let's scrap that idea of starting Splitter with Duncan and start Hill instead, and imagine how much better we'd be if Bonner's playing big second half minutes again" then I'd rather they have gotten blown out now.
Leading the power rankings is fun, but the important wins aren't for another few months.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...k-in-big-easy/Small-ball switch aids Spurs’ comeback in Big Easy
Jeff McDonald
...Williiams, the rookie New Orleans coach, had been in similar locker rooms with Gregg Popovich over the years.
He knew Popovich was up to something. He just didn’t know what.
“I don’t know anybody else who does the chess game better than Pop,” said Williams, a former Spurs player and coaching intern.
What Popovich did, in the key tactical decision that ignited the Spurs to a 109-95 come-from-behind victory, was essentially take out the Hornets’ king with an army of rooks.
Good points. Small ball is not the path to a championship. But tonight in the 2nd half, it proved the correct call. I also know small ball will not work against the Lakers. As far as Bonner getting few minutes, good call by Pop. BTW, I did not see the 1st half, so I don't know what was not working against NO.
I'm still not convinced that the smallball portion is what worked; I think it's possible that the way Parker and Ginobili played, they were going to do some damage no matter what.
And even if nothing changes, it's still early, and I'm happy to just beat those -ass Hornets and move on.
U know what the Lakers gotta play us to. Why does every cyber analist on this forum seem to think that the Lakers are just gonna breeze through everything? Ive never been afraid of them and never will be(as a fan of course). While a healthy amount of respect is due them, at the same time those es gotta play us to.You really think Tony is scared of Steve no D blake or old ass Fisher? Tim afraid of Gasol or Bynum? And Manu of anybody? Come on give the team the benefit of the doubt. If we are agressive and go to the hole time and time again on any team in this league and balance it out with our outside shooting.......man we are aforce to be reconded with! When its all said and done and we see them in the finals and we will, I guarentee it, WE WONT BE A CAKEWALK! So, you can either analize how they are so much better than us and what works and what dosent or you can sit back and enjoy the show and be proud as when that jackass laker fool comes in here and spouts that bull.The season is long and we are strong and they better not underestimate the heart of our team! Go Spurs Go till the in wheels come off and then some more! the Lakers!
When I said "pull this type of ", I wasn't referring to small ball, but rather the slow starts.When you have players that are actually a threat in the post, small ball becomes significantly less effective. Against the mavs and hornets, theyve got Chandler/Haywood + Dirk is not a big time low post player. Similarly with the Hornets, they have David West, who typically prefers to spot up from the midrange, and Okafor whose low post offense is extremely poor.
Against the lakers, theyre gonna have gasol, bynum, odom.. therefore, smallball is not the ideal match up against the lakers. Im sureknows.. hopefully he wont try it unless were in a desperate situation.
They're not going to overcome it every time obviously, but they can overcome that, Pop playing ridiculous lineups, etc. against teams like the Mavs and Hornets, because they have superior talent. But against the Lakers, that won't cut it.
We just need Tim and Manu to be healthy come play off time.
We can win the 2011 NBA le!
Go Spurs of Manu, go! LOL
Its Manu time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guys, lets just enjoy the years of Manu!!!!!!!!!!!
One of the greatest players of all time!!!!!!!!!!!
Coz no one leaves forever!!!!!!!!!
I wish Manu lives forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My point exactly our big three, 4 5 6 7 all the way up 2 our 12th man. But so are the other teams in that playoff bracket. it's been a long time since I felt this confident about Spurs team. Gary Neal has that Sjax kinda mentality," I gotta shoot it cause its going in coach". Rj shooting and attacking like Sean the "Ninja" back in the day.Antonio' grit Tiago's potential and other little intangiables that you cant prepare for as an opponent. Be prepared league......Whe're Back.......
Small ball is definitely not a path to a championship.
Winning is the path to a championship.
The Spurs won.
Small.
Only a matter of time til Pop really runs with the Manu/Parker/Hill tandem.
We've already seen it to close out 4th quarters.
We should.
The best 5 players on the Spurs roster are Timmy, Manu, Parker, and Hill.
Depending on match ups, I would replace Hill with McDyess.
In the later stages or during the playoff (after Splitter fits it nicely), I would prefer Splitter to replace Dice.
Props to Pop for making the right coaching decision in this game. I still would like to see Splitter start and play significant minutes sooner rather than later however. Duncan, Dice, & Splitter should be the main rotation bigs, Bonner & Blair should be the reserve bigs that Pop uses situationally.
I hope Gary Neal can prove me wrong. Problem is, I've only seen a couple spurs games so far and he's stunk in both.
All in all a good win, against a dangerous team in their home gym. Can't really complain.
I'm really OK with either. It depends on how fast Splitter develops, but he is very productive on the bench right now, so it doesn't really matter. I realized today that as long as Bonner doesn't start, I'm pretty cool with whatever they do at the center position. However, Manu, TP, Tim and RJ are untouchable as starters. imo.
+1 Amen bro, thats some deep !
I can't believe we actually saw small ball work. Although I do think it CAN work, but it has to be against the right teams. Try this small ball line-up today against the Lakers and we probably get killed. But against the Hornets it worked because West and Okafor arent exactly "huge" guys. But props to Pop anyways for throwing a small, quick lineup out there to swarm the Hornets.
pretty much exactly what i was thinking. good post
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