Top Ten Keys - Spurs vs. Grizzlies 2011 Playoff Preview

[1Parker1]

I actually think Bonner will do ok against Memphis and even if Ginobili isn't 90% healthy, the Spurs can beat them. It's the later rounds, where the compe ion gets stiffer than Bonner seems to retreat and be a non-factor. Grizz don't have anyone who can really defend Bonner and they aren't too good at defending the 3 point line, so Bonner and Neal should have a field day. Especially given all the gambles the Grizzlies take on defense.

With that said, this is going to be the perfect series for the Spurs to showcase the outstanding ball movement and rotations they've shown for most of this season and their motto of taking a "good shot" to a "great shot", Go Spurs!!

[DPG21920]

People here underrate Memphis and their physicality. They are dismissive because they are Spurs fans that don't watch a lot of the NBA. Memphis does a lot of things very well, and besides a lack of 3PT shooting, they have balance. They do all the important things pretty well; score easy baskets and rebound. They are unselfish and tough.

However, SA should beat them and it would a catastrophic upset if Memphis beats the Spurs.

[timvp]

Spurs are the way better team. It is en easy series that Spurs should win in 4 or 5 games.

Losing Manu makes the series a toss up? The Spurs are the much better team, if they can't beat a Memphis team without Manu then they have no chance against anyone.

I don't think that even without Ginobili, that it is a toss up.

How many games do you think the Spurs would have won this season without Ginobili?

TIA.

[DPG21920]

At least 53. Much like how losing Rudy Gay allowed from some mediocre players to step up, the Spurs without Manu would have allowed the deepest position on the team to help out IMO.

[timvp]

At least 53.

Wow.

[DPG21920]

Correct me if I am wrong, but did you mean losing Manu like MEM lost Gay or for the entire season?

[DPG21920]

I also see what you are trying to do, but you know it doesn't work like that. Much like Memphis survived Gay being out, I believe the Spurs have more talent and could absorb losing Manu much the same, if not better.

Spurs have more talent all around and SG is the deepest position on the team.

Regardless of the hypothetical, even without Manu, the Spurs should win and it would be an upset. Does it make it closer? Of course. But the Spurs should still win.

[MannyIsGod]

I actually think Bonner will do ok against Memphis and even if Ginobili isn't 90% healthy, the Spurs can beat them. It's the later rounds, where the compe ion gets stiffer than Bonner seems to retreat and be a non-factor. Grizz don't have anyone who can really defend Bonner and they aren't too good at defending the 3 point line, so Bonner and Neal should have a field day. Especially given all the gambles the Grizzlies take on defense.

With that said, this is going to be the perfect series for the Spurs to showcase the outstanding ball movement and rotations they've shown for most of this season and their motto of taking a "good shot" to a "great shot", Go Spurs!!

Holy you're alive.

[LakerHater]

No game thread yet... WOW!!!

[DPG21920]

Spurs have more talent without Gino than MEM has without Gay is how I look at it.

[Bruno]

How many games do you think the Spurs would have won this season without Ginobili?

TIA.

I consider Manu missing more than the first game as a remote possibility so that's an irrelevant question to me.

[MannyIsGod]

Spurs have this series in 5 even if Manu never steps foot on the court. Its like Bruno says, they're simply the much better team. I don't give a that their records were identical, the Spurs have been coasting for months now.

[MannyIsGod]

Also, I'm very surprised you didn't mention Hill or Neal in your keys. For me the key isn't Bonner so much as it is 2 players stepping up to hit jumpers off the bench. Whether thats any combination of Hill Neal and Bonner I don't care but the Spurs need at least 2 shooters off the bench consistently spreading the floor.

[MannyIsGod]

I guess you kinda did with the exploit the 3 point line but I don't think it has to be Bonner. I think it can be any combination of the 3 I mentioned. Even RJ I guess even though he starts.

[silverblk mystix]

The grizzlies are similar to the lakers in their front court size...(not necessarily talent-wise but in their sheer size)

so this makes me wonder if this will be a preview of how Pop will use (or not use) Splitter in defending this size...

any thoughts?

[1Parker1]

Holy you're alive.

Yes, I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack!

[DPG21920]

RJ will be important this series as well. Don't suck, RJ.

[LakerHater]

Yeah, hes gotta drive more & get those bigs in foul trouble!

[SpurSpurSpurs]

People forgot RJ. Is he really not worth hoping for to be at his best during the PO's?

Edit: Nevermind. I just refreshed and saw this page has already 2 pages. Read DPG21920 post and yeah, stupid me. lol

[DPG21920]

I literally have no reason to believe RJ won't suck, but he has talent and I hope he turns it up.

[SpurSpurSpurs]

The only thing that sucks from him currently is being a passive player (again). He need to move around without the ball to generate points, hit his 3's and defend well. That's all I'm asking for. Well technically, defending isn't that easy but who cares? He's getting 8 mil so he should play an 8 mil player.

[Dex]

I guess you kinda did with the exploit the 3 point line but I don't think it has to be Bonner. I think it can be any combination of the 3 I mentioned. Even RJ I guess even though he starts.

bonvp just wants to see Matty do well so we can rock the 15 jersey.

[smeagol]

Yes, I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack!

Wassup Parker-girl . . . ?

[GrandeDavid]

Spurs in five. Won't be that difficult, LJ.

[DPG21920]

8. Fluster Zach Randolph
Zach Randolph has seemingly always been a tough player for the Spurs to defend. He's a physical rebounder with great hands, a soft touch around the rim and range on his jumper. Randolph has proven to be too nimble for the bigger bigs and too powerful for the smaller bigs. Perhaps the best option the Spurs have ever had to defend Randolph was Bruce Bowen, whose gameplan was to front him and then lead him into a help defender. Unfortunately, Bruce Bowen isn't walking through that door.

These Spurs will have to rely on murking the water. Randolph is a below average passer, so sending double-teams his way should be part of the strategy. However, he's smart enough to adjust so the Spurs need to remain a step ahead. Front him occasionally. Throw a smaller player at him. Let Duncan guard him sometimes. In crunch time, when it comes down to it, expect the job of slowing Randolph to fall to Antonio McDyess.

I want to comment on this. This is something that is traditionally true. Even this year for the most part. However, as of late, ZBo has improved with his timing and decision making in this regard.

Over the last month, Zach has averaged just under 4 assist per game. That is large jump from his normal average and shows that a blitz strategy, while maybe the best tactic, might be more dangerous than before.