Utah's super big lineup.. how do the Spurs react

[MannyIsGod]

It's a legit concern. In the last game against the Jazz, Utah was +18 with that lineup. It was also the lineup they used in the fourth quarter to make their comeback. Since the Spurs only lost by six points, it was likely the difference in the game.

It's possible Pop could try something like Diaw at small forward to combat it if it becomes too much of a problem but I think that Leonard and Jackson are big enough to hang. The key will be to have Duncan on the court so he can clean up the boards. Without Duncan last game, the Jazz just lived on the offensive glass.

I'm not sure if Leonard will be able to defend one of those three but I'm pretty sure Jackson is up for the challenge. He's tall, strong and compe ive enough that he'll be able to survive.

The real key will be to make the Jazz pay on the offensive end. While Millsap is mobile for a power forward, he's slow for a small forward. Spread the court, utilize a lot of movement and make those bigs chase players off the three-point line. The Jazz aren't very good at defending the three-point line as it is. With those three on the court at the same time, the Spurs should get plenty of wide open looks from deep.

Reading too much into stats from a regular season game with no big 3. You should pretty much just throw that box score away.

[MannyIsGod]

Basically the Spurs would have to make that lineup move. Thats one thing the Spurs excel at, however. Appropriate ball movement would absolutely destroy a big slow Jazz lineup. I would love to see Milsapp on the perimeter chasing a 3 off the line. Or better yet, Milsapp NOT chasing one of our 3's off the line and just giving up open 3s.

[jhfenton]

What are the chances Pop would throw out a zone against that big lineup?

I can't see that Jazz lineup defending the Spurs well regardless.

[TimmehC]

Counter with Bonner/Diaw and Jax/Kawhi to spread the floor a ridiculous amount. If they're getting torched by threes and dribble penetration, that lineup won't stay on the floor long.

[CubanMustGo]

@ZachLowe_SI: Spurs vs Jazz in 97 mins w/ Bonner on court: 125.6 points/100 possessions. Bonner on bench (95 mins): 82.2

[timvp]

Reading too much into stats from a regular season game with no big 3. You should pretty much just throw that box score away.

Tbh, I don't read anything into it; just posted what happened. The rest of my post basically agrees with your other two posts in this thread.

Pop and the coaching staff should be concerned enough about the lineup to gameplan for it ... just like they would any odd lineup in a team's repertoire. But, like we've both said, it's unlikely to be much of an issue and the Spurs naturally should be able to exploit it.

[ElNono]

Barring unexpected last-minute injuries, I'll be mildly disappointed if the Spurs don't finish them off in 5 games or less.

There's no "super big" lineup (by league standards anyways) on that team. The only way Utah can make it compe ive is simply by outhustling the Spurs. I think with RJ's departure and Jack's focus, there's less room for that to happen.

[Venti Quattro]

Did you see Enes Kanter play? A turtle can beat him in a race. He can be the first big man that Bonner and Blair can outhustle and outplay.

[Dr Cox]

Did you see Enes Kanter play? A turtle can beat him in a race. He can be the first big man that Bonner and Blair can outhustle and outplay.

I do think Bonner has a lot of hustle in him but I do get what you are saying. Their two bigs on the bench could make a run or two in maybe ONE or TWO games max, no way those guys make a difference for a 7 game series.

[gambit1990]

spurs in 5 against utah or denver.

[Horse]

Let's not forget the refs handed utah the last game against our bench.

[Venti Quattro]

refs again? Referees are not enough to lose you a 7-game series

[Mr Fundamental]

Stop Hayward - the only winner in Jazz roster - that's all.

[Fenix]

Barring unexpected last-minute injuries, I'll be mildly disappointed if the Spurs don't finish them off in 5 games or less.

There's no "super big" lineup (by league standards anyways) on that team. The only way Utah can make it compe ive is simply by outhustling the Spurs. I think with RJ's departure and Jack's focus, there's less room for that to happen.

utah is statisticlly the best team in the league with the lineup of
C: Favors
PF:Jefferson
SF:Milsap
SG:Hayward
PG:Harris

[Mel_13]

utah is statisticlly the best team in the league with the lineup of
C: Favors
PF:Jefferson
SF:Milsap
SG:Hayward
PG:Harris

What statistic is that?

[DAF86]

What are the chances Pop would throw out a zone against that big lineup?

I can't see that Jazz lineup defending the Spurs well regardless.

They tried a zone for a bit tonight in the second quarter, they may have been practicing. I heard somewhere that Utah is the worst team attacking vs the zone.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The Spurs had issues with Memphis because Gasol could guard Duncan one on one. Horry was able to do so when he was with the Lakers as could Bogut. Those teams gave the Spurs fits.

We know Jefferson can't and unless Favors has improved by leaps and bounds then neither can he.

I think the notion of size in reference to the Spurs is overrated. Being able to guard Duncan one on one is meaningful. If you have to rotate and double in order to play good defense the Spurs are the best in the league at making teams pay.

Spurs in 5.

[Texas_Ranger]

we should play without the big 3 so their players would feel offended again.... their bigs, sweep their ass.

[T Park]

If Neal is healthy, I don't see how Utah wins 1 game.

[z0sa]

The Big 3 lineup for the Jazz will have a lot of trouble reacting against the perimeter players of the Spurs if the previous games this season are any indication. Parker got 10 FTAs both games he played and Manu 15 FTAs. Neal also had a good game scoring without the big 3 @ utah in a close game which is a good sign for the playoffs. I think they will actually dictate the pace of the game and ultimately the series. IMHO these streaking Spurs very may well may "blitzkrieg" Utah, at least in the first couple games @ ATT.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

They tried a zone for a bit tonight in the second quarter, they may have been practicing. I heard somewhere that Utah is the worst team attacking vs the zone.

They don't have to attack the zone, just put up anything and crash the offensive glass. That's the great weakness of the zone: you give up offensive rebounds by the bushel.

[pgardn]

As individuals this is a nice group of players.

As a team, not so much.
We could lose a game or two in Utah.
The future looks good if they can keep together and find a workable rotations with roles played well.

[pgardn]

The Spurs had issues with Memphis because Gasol could guard Duncan one on one. Horry was able to do so when he was with the Lakers as could Bogut. Those teams gave the Spurs fits.

We know Jefferson can't and unless Favors has improved by leaps and bounds then neither can he.

I think the notion of size in reference to the Spurs is overrated. Being able to guard Duncan one on one is meaningful. If you have to rotate and double in order to play good defense the Spurs are the best in the league at making teams pay.

Spurs in 5.

I think this is a very good point. If Duncan can hit his foul line jumper, Gasol is dead meat. Tim can go around him this year if Gasol dares inch out to contest the jumper.

[Mr. Body]

Stop Hayward - the only winner in Jazz roster - that's all.

Hayward is a guy who doesn't quite worry me, but he's a concern for that reason. Not to say they don't have other winning players, but Hayward has great intangibles and can win plays.

[ffadicted]

Tony, Manu, Leonard, Splitter, Duncan is a pretty big lineup as well, I'm not worried if we roll with that, even if we switch Diaw with splitter