Spurs Need to Keep the Appropriate Fear

[T Park]

They're probably going to try not to give up any threes next game and see if we can beat them inside. Spurs gotta be ready and keep it up.

Im sure Tony Parker, Manu, Duncan, and Tiago will love the open lanes....

[LongtimeSpursFan]

They will stay back on the shooters next game. Tim and Tiago have to keep them guessing.

If Memphis decides to stay with the shooters at the three point line then that is going to leave the lane wide open. Parker or Ginobili with a big trying to stay with them on a PNR is going to be an easy layup OR now you have Splitter (who is an excellent on going to the rim) will have a small on him. Those are easy pickings. Memphis only real choice is to send the player guarding Parker or Ginobili under the screen then hoping neither can hit the outside jumper. Of course there are several ways the Spurs can counter a defense in which the defender goes under the screen such as ball movement. Either way I think this is what is different from 2011. The addition of Splitter and Diaw (and the resurgence of Duncan) combined with our much better three point shooting and athleticism on the wings has created so many more lanes and defensive movement that is very difficult to play team defense against this years Spurs. In 2011, and immobile Duncan, aging McDyess and ineffective Bonner were easy to defend. These three caused no weak side defensive help thus Tony was forced to pretty much play against a zone defense. Memphis may make some adjustments that may help but I just don't think they have what it takes. They are what we are a couple of years ago when we played them.

[T Park]

If the Spurs can put another good size whipping on them in 2, the three days off are going to really mess with their heads.

Makes me almost harken back to the Trail Blazers of 99...

[024]

Grizzlies will adjust for sure. Their defensive schemes were perplexing. They didn't need to pay so much attention to the Big 3... the Warriors let the Big 3 shoot as much as they want and it worked pretty well defensively. Duncan/Parker/Ginobili aren't capable of all getting 20+ points at the same time anymore. Letting the role players get going is very dangerous.

On the offensive end, I definitely give the Spurs defense credit. It was handled very well. But watch out for Zbo to bounce back and have a monster game.

[T Park]

Grizzlies will adjust for sure. Their defensive schemes were perplexing. They didn't need to pay so much attention to the Big 3... the Warriors let the Big 3 shoot as much as they want and it worked pretty well defensively. Duncan/Parker/Ginobili aren't capable of all getting 20+ points at the same time anymore. Letting the role players get going is very dangerous.

Im very confident Duncan if given more room to score will score. Also Manu, is slow getting out of the slump. He wasn't half bad today. Maybe I'm wrong, but, he's close.

Parker looks great and only played 31 mins. Should be very fresh for Tuesday.

[Legacy]

lol @ the "Believe" after all the latest suicidal posts.

[Budkin]

If the Spurs can put another good size whipping on them in 2, the three days off are going to really mess with their heads.

Makes me almost harken back to the Trail Blazers of 99...

Hah I'm still shocked that we swept the Blazers that year. They were tough as nails until the Memorial Day miracle and then we just steamrolled them.

[Sean Cagney]

Hah I'm still shocked that we swept the Blazers that year. They were tough as nails until the Memorial Day miracle and then we just steamrolled them.

That game broke their damn heart! If they win that game that one could have went 6 or 7, but when Elliott hit that damn three they were done! They gave up falt out and mailed it in and said no way we win this. I have never seen a team lay down like that after two games on the road, they did though and I don't expect the Grizz to do it . I did not expect the Warriors to do it either after game one! I knew they would come back and they did.

[ShoogarBear]

I think one big move the Griz make for game 2 is putting Tony Allen on Parker. While Allen's only 6'4", he's still in the mode of rangier guys that sometimes give TP problems. Also Conley is more likely to stay home Green behind the arc.

[Spursfanfromafar]

What the Grizz would do is to make adjustments in their offense. They will move the ball more to get the Spurs defenders busy and then attempt the high-low in the later period of the shot clock. They will not just try to dump the ball to Randolph. Spurs have to be more attentive and not be rash with their defending. They have done a fantastic job and I guess Pop will keep them primed for more.

On offense, the Grizz will try to be more aggressive on Parker without doubling-tripling him and expect the others to beat them by shooting them off. The rest of the offense beyond Parker must be ready to take the cue and mix it up beyond jump shooting. Ginobili will again be very key in the next game.

[DMC]

How soon we forget that the Spurs looked like total in the 1st two games of round 2 and got destroyed in game 2. If you used the same joy joy feeling about that series as this, you'd conclude that the Warriors would be playing in the WCF now.

They will play better and we will play worse. Both have to happen based on the law of averages.

However, look at the bright side: Tim did not have a great game, not even a decent one by his standards. Tiago didn't do anything. Our two bigs did basically nothing in the paint. Once Memphis closes out on 3pt shooters, those two have to make them pay. For some reason Memphis thought it was best to gang defend the paint, and you can bet it wasn't by accident. Hollins acted like it wasn't supposed to happen that way but the entire team doesn't collectively decide to run a game plan they never heard in the lockerroom or practice. Hollins needs to step up to his failure in that regard.

[DMC]

What the Grizz would do is to make adjustments in their offense. They will move the ball more to get the Spurs defenders busy and then attempt the high-low in the later period of the shot clock. They will not just try to dump the ball to Randolph. Spurs have to be more attentive and not be rash with their defending. They have done a fantastic job and I guess Pop will keep them primed for more.

On offense, the Grizz will try to be more aggressive on Parker without doubling-tripling him and expect the others to beat them by shooting them off. The rest of the offense beyond Parker must be ready to take the cue and mix it up beyond jump shooting. Ginobili will again be very key in the next game.

The difference between Spurs and Grizz in terms of ball movement is that the Grizz ball movement outside the arc is easy to predict, because they have one or two guys on the floor who will even attempt a 3 whereas the Spurs often have 4 guys out there who can shoot from outside. Marc Gasol can hit from outside, but he was a bit passive last game. The Grizz will use ball movement just to get the ball into the post, and the post player has limited options, not much in the way of a kick out for a 3 (but some). What they will do is get 2nd looks and tip ins. They'll get to the line more for that reason. Marc and Zbo shoot FTs good enough to hurt us.

[703 Spurz]

Hope this win doesn't go their heads. Tends to happen a lot to the Spurs.

Have you not heard Parker's comments about how no one is satisfied yet?

[Obstructed_View]

I think one big move the Griz make for game 2 is putting Tony Allen on Parker. While Allen's only 6'4", he's still in the mode of rangier guys that sometimes give TP problems. Also Conley is more likely to stay home Green behind the arc.

If they do that, Manu should get inserted into the game early. The last thing you want is Danny Green handling the ball.

[T Park]

I think one big move the Griz make for game 2 is putting Tony Allen on Parker. While Allen's only 6'4", he's still in the mode of rangier guys that sometimes give TP problems. Also Conley is more likely to stay home Green behind the arc.

I agree, I just don't know if he's quick enough to keep up. Also, if Randolph is involved in the PNR that negates it as well too no?

[Budkin]

Have you not heard Parker's comments about how no one is satisfied yet?

Yes I posted this before I heard that. Very good sign.

[Budkin]

I think one big move the Griz make for game 2 is putting Tony Allen on Parker. While Allen's only 6'4", he's still in the mode of rangier guys that sometimes give TP problems. Also Conley is more likely to stay home Green behind the arc.

I did not understand why they didn't start off like that. Tony is the head of the snake. Thought they would go the Sefalosha route.

[DejuanorwhatDude]

Considering Memphis has no competent shooters is Patty Mills an option to spread the floor?

[T Park]

Patty Mills is atrocious defensively, so no.

[DejuanorwhatDude]

Point well taken lol

[T Park]

As for keeping the appropriate fear, it's a perfect scenario. Two years off the embarrassing loss to these Grizzlies, plus losing the four in a row to OKc LAST year, they have plenty of motivation to stay grounded and motivation to stay at a high level.

[pikkiwoki]

I think one big move the Griz make for game 2 is putting Tony Allen on Parker. While Allen's only 6'4", he's still in the mode of rangier guys that sometimes give TP problems. Also Conley is more likely to stay home Green behind the arc.

Zach Lowe suggested moving Allen to the bench and starting Bayless. Bayless would hide on defense by guarding Green, while Allen would come off the bench to guard Manu. The idea is to minimize the amount of time Tayshaun and Allen are on the floor at the same time, as them being non-factors on offense kills the Grizz' spacing.

[Obstructed_View]

I'm all for an adjustment that takes their best player off the floor to try to get more jump shots. Sounds very Popesque.

Also, I'm saying Popesque now.

[Budkin]

As for keeping the appropriate fear, it's a perfect scenario. Two years off the embarrassing loss to these Grizzlies, plus losing the four in a row to OKc LAST year, they have plenty of motivation to stay grounded and motivation to stay at a high level.

Agreed. If these guys haven't learned from what they've gone through from the last several playoffs, they never will. I don't think we need to worry.

[ShoogarBear]

I'm all for an adjustment that takes their best player off the floor to try to get more jump shots. Sounds very Popesque.

Also, I'm saying Popesque now.

Why you gotta bring religion into this?