I'd give the Spurs the best chance of any team at taking down Miami should they meet. I still can't go above about 40%, though, even if the Spurs have HCA.
One problem with trying to "punish them on the boards" by staying big is that the Spurs are a bad offensive rebounding team, and it's not all by design. Some of it has to do with individual skill; while every Spurs starter plus Manu is at least a good rebounder, none are elite other than Duncan and none excel on the offensive glass.
Having Tiago and Duncan take turns in the post and perhaps playing the high-low is a better way to attack a small lineup.
Someone needs to get into the front office and send an email/fax to the officials from David Stern letterhead that states, "Let them play ball" or no "special" calls for Lebron and If Lebron and wade don't live at the free throw line we'd have an even better chance.
I'd rather not play 3 in a row in Miami. I think we have a better chance of stealing 1 in Miami then winning 2 of 3 home games, putting us up 3-2 and try to win 1 in Miami. Otherwise I feel we'd split first 2 at home then go to Miami for 3 straight and fall behind.
I think the last time the Heat were beatable was last year, and the Spurs missed their window. That said, I'd love seeing them make the finals and have a shot, as anything can happen.
As others have said, the only thing I'd love more than seeing the Spurs make the finals is seeing the Spurs make the finals and NOT suddenly go small the whole game. No Spurs team has ever won a le trying to adjust to their opponent. Throw 40 minutes of Parker, Ginobili, Leonard, Duncan and Splitter at them and let the chips fall.
People act like Miami didn't lose to Dallas. People act like Miami didn't almost get beat by Boston last year. People act like Miami is this undefeated, unmovable object. They're not.
Last edited by Buddy Holly; 03-04-2013 at 07:14 PM. Reason: Brain fart.
Yeah, sounds about right. Whichever (between Tim and Tiago) is being defended by the worse PnR defender should sprint up to the 3 point line and screen tony. So if Miami has bosh on Tim and bron on Tiago, Tim should get up and let bosh defend. Granted, bosh's agility/length makes him a solid pNr defender (not necessarily KG-like though) it's better than just having Lebron rape our offense.
As long as we don't give up putbacks, that's all you can ask for out of that lineup. Lebron thrived on the offensive glass
The problem with judging the Spurs vs Heat is that most of the games over past couple of seasons, have either been blow outs and/or part of the Big 3 was missing from one of the teams.
Spurs still have the height that troubles the Heat.
In the East I would go with the Pacers (2-0 against Heat this season); possible ECF match up. Paul George exploded this year, Hibbert always gives them fits (height) and David West can knock down mid range jumpers from anywhere. Plus they are a great defensive team.
Spurs still have a long way before worrying about Miami...
Indiana has a great shot as well.
I don't get all the hype around Miami. They're not unbeatable, they have more losses than the Spurs at this point. , the Toros were one Ray-Allen-Three-Point-Miss away from beating them. If the Spurs play their game, at their high intensity level, with Ginobili, Parker, Duncan, Leonard, Green, Splitter all playing their absolute best; with Mills and Bonner knocking down threes; with Jax adding toughness; and with Blair keeping seats warm for the players on the Bench, I believe the Spurs are unbeatable and will go all the way. However, injuries and ailments will deter it.
I think if we make it to the finals Tim, Tony, and Manu will be playing on another level and locked in on that trophy regardless of who we play just because it's the Finals (where we are undefeated I might add)
Boston beat Miami the year before Lebron and Bosh arrived. Miami's made the finals twice since that happened.
I would take my chances with Tim and Tiago in the paint. Let Lebron come in. I like the Spurs to limit him, he can't be stopped, but at least don't let him have a layup drill. You mean to tell me LEONARD can't slow Wade? Leonard can slow Wade to a crawl!!! Wade isn't a young man anymore, and he has had a injuries. Put a young, lengthy, athletic defender on him and we will see how he plays. Why does everyone bow to the Heat??? They are a very good team, but they are still flawed inside.
About this Parker injury. It freakin sucks, but it just means others will have to step up and score. Personally I think it will be good for a guy like Leonard. Leonard needs to get more involved scoring and this is chance for him to do so. He is already heating up, maybe he will bust out a bit. We will get to see more from CoJo. The Spurs just have to play team ball. Remember we played our "road" games already.
Yep, you will see the Spurs playing at another gear. That is the truth, The Big 3 want to walk away champions one more time. The effort will be 2nd to none. I hope we get there!!!I think if we make it to the finals Tim, Tony, and Manu will be playing on another level and locked in on that trophy regardless of who we play just because it's the Finals (where we are undefeated I might add)
Absolutely. OKC is Miami's . The Spurs would give them problems.
Miami was without Bosh for most of the playoffs last year..kind of a big deal, tbh..
are you going to predict that Miami doesn't make the Finals for the 3rd straight year?
Spurs-Heat Finals...LeBron will be thinking, "oh, man...not THESE guys again."
Miami is 18th in the league in FTAs and 10th in FTAs allowed..
Lebron and Wade aren't in the top 5 in FTAs despite shooting more shots in the paint than 4 of the players in the top 5..
Anybody that actually watches Heat games, rather than assuming, would conclude that they don't get an egregious amount or calls, especially against teams like Indiana, tbh..
Sure why not.
Spurs have a decent shot at beating the Heat IMO, it will be based on the following factors:
- Duncan needs to play at prime level..Miami is susceptible to opposing bigs dominating them..Tim needs to average around 28-13 if the Spurs are going to win the series IMO..
- Spurs need to make 3s at a high level..the Spurs are one of the best shooting teams in the NBA, and Miami's system often allows 3-point barrages..
- Let Lebron score..focus on shutting down Wade and Bosh, along with their shooters..Lebron is a pass-first player, don't give him options..
The Spurs' playing big could work, but I doubt Pop sticks with it..Splitter would not be able to beat Lebron in the post, while James would kill him on the other end..they will have to hope that Kawhi and Jackson do a decent job on both ends of the floor..
Are you going to predict Miami is going to win the finals for the third straight year?
Just for the record, I predicted Miami would make the finals last year after Rose went down, However, I was on record as saying they didn't deserve to make the finals after playing a dysfunctional Knicks team, a self destructive Pacers squad and a serverely undermanned Celtics team that pushed them to seven. I did pick OKC to win the finals but forgot to take into account the refs. Tough to win a series 5 on 8. The Pacers are much more prepared this year than last so it isn't going to be a walk in the park. And if the Spurs do make the finals, they'll take out the trash and that's my prediction.
So basically your picking both teams. Way to go out on the limb.
the problem is tiago still isn't dominant enough that forcing opposing teams to match up big with us makes sense. Lebron can more than hold his own if forced to guard splitter tbh he'd also probably out rebound him. Durant wouldn't have as much success, but splitter/duncan would have a much harder time guarding a perimeter player than durant guarding splitter.
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