Small ball dominated

[ChumpDumper]

Spurs win.

Fire Pop.

[Wilford Brimley]

I'm still waiting for the bottom to fall out, yet I can't help but be excited.

[polandprzem]

Only a matter of time til Pop really runs with the Manu/Parker/Hill tandem.

A tandem that include 3 people



Small ball can be effective and I said it before - long time ago.


In the 2nd half spurs picked up the D and they pretty much locked down Hornets big as help was quick to come and rotations were sharp.

That was a beautiful game

[lefty]

Couldn't believe how much better we looked with the small ball lineup, offensively and defensively. Major props to RJ for his defense on West.

Small ball works IF you have the right personel, which we didnt have a few years ago.

But now, it can work

[99-03-05-07]

shades of nelly? haha jk

[velik_m]

San Antonio Suns.

[Obstructed_View]

Small ball works IF you have the right personel, which we didnt have a few years ago.

But now, it can work

Any scheme works with energetic defense and inside scoring.

[Solid D]

Couldn't believe how much better we looked with the small ball lineup, offensively and defensively. Major props to RJ for his defense on West.

He was allowed to stay with it because RJ played so well on defense. Props to Pop for staying with something that was working instead of going all mad scientist and trying to get too creative.

I've never seen Richard Jefferson play that tough on defense.....and like it.

[Spurologist]

Props to Pop for making the right call for the comeback. Having said that, small ball

[TD 21]

Small ball works IF you have the right personel, which we didnt have a few years ago.

But now, it can work

The key to small ball is long, versatile forwards/wings.

The Spurs still don't have that. Only Jefferson and to a lesser extent, Anderson, somewhat fit that description, the rest of the perimeter players on this team are guards (Udoka is a forward trapped in a guards body. . .he plays forward because he's not skilled enough to play guard).

Against a smallish PF like West, who's more of a face up four than a back to the basket type, the Spurs can get away with going small because Jefferson can guard him without being completely physically overwhelmed. Also, West is a poor rebounder, so the Spurs don't have to worry about getting destroyed on the glass.

[Josepatches_]

The key to small ball is long, versatile forwards/wings.

The Spurs still don't have that. Only Jefferson and to a lesser extent, Anderson, somewhat fit that description, the rest of the perimeter players on this team are guards (Udoka is a forward trapped in a guards body. . .he plays forward because he's not skilled enough to play guard).

Against a smallish PF like West, who's more of a face up four than a back to the basket type, the Spurs can get away with going small because Jefferson can guard him without being completely physically overwhelmed. Also, West is a poor rebounder, so the Spurs don't have to worry about getting destroyed on the glass.

This.

[TE]

Small ball only works against certain teams.


Certainly the Spurs exploited the opportunity and discovered a way to "small ball" the Hornets out of the gym.


Against the Lakers however (which is our biggest threat), we need to play both small and large ball.

[Solid D]

The key to small ball is long, versatile forwards/wings.

It's a luxury but not a necessity for small ball. Basketball can be a rock-paper-scissors game. "Long, versitile forwards/wings" don't necessarily trump 3 quick, good-shooting guards...an increasingly popular basketball strategy. The attacking style of Parker, Hill and Ginobili plus RJ can get them into the bonus and their opponents in foul trouble in many scenarios. Yet, the opposition must honor the outside. Why? They can shoot as well as dribble drive and attack...especially the 3 quick guards.

It's not an end-all strategy to go small but it's a great pair of scissors to have.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Basketball can be a rock-paper-scissors game.

Beautifully put.

Its a chess game played with abnormally tall athletes for pawns and sometimes, two rooks can be more powerful than a queen piece.

[Solid D]

[LeCrab]

never thought id say this but small ball is working great rght now

[Solid D]

Bump.
Small ball was the right decision versus Minnesota in the 4th quarter. Duncan, RJ, Gino, Hill, Neal and Parker.

Sometimes scissors beats paper.

[DesignatedT]

Parker,Hill,Manu,RJ,Duncan seems to be a lineup noone can stop. Definitely our best Defensive lineup. RJ has gotten a lot more comfortable at that "small ball 4" position.