Wow! That must have been the most demoralizing loss I ever witnessed, not just for the Spurs but for any team in any sport. Personally, it sucked for me because I was in a hotel lobby filled with teenage girls who were wondering why I was slightly ticked off and telling me to get over it. But let's get to Game 7. Here are some of the keys to an improbable Game 7 win...
1. The most important key for Game 7 is to play as if nothing has already happened in this series. Humans have a tendency to look back and say "what if". We have to play in the moment and have our heads solely into Thursday's game. This series has shown that the losing team has come out strong and ready to win the next one (5-0). However, this Game 7 is going to be especially tough for the Spurs. Firstly, road teams do not have much success in Game 7's in the NBA. Secondly, this is the first Spurs loss where we actually had a chance (more like an overwhelming opportunity) to win the game. But as I said, forget about it. Manu forget that you had the worst game of your career. Parker forget that you seemed to ignore your teammates in crunch time. Kawhi forget that you missed one of the two clinching free throws. Duncan forget that your knee might not be 100%. It will be very difficult to do, and probably impossible for some of them, but if the Spurs are able to click the refresh button, this will probably provide the most help for an unlikely Game 7 win.
2. This key is devoted entirely to Manu Ginobili. There are many questions that must be answered in regards to him before tip-off. Does he start? Should the pick-and-roll be eliminated from Manu's weapons? Should his playing time be limited if he comes out flat? Pop needs to answer these. Manu has long been my favorite Spur, barely edging out Duncan. However, he looks scared out there. I know he is a proven champion and has won it all in multiple continents and yada yada. But what I saw out there from him yesterday was straight fear. He second guessed himself too many times to count. His jump pass isn't fooling anybody. I believe he deserves the nod to start again. However this time, no pick and rolls and no crazy passes. Just be out there Manu and let the game come to you. I know this isn't Manu's game, but his game looks non-existent out there. Quit thinking and just do Manu.
3. Tony Parker needs to score around 26 points on 16-20 shots. We need an efficient Parker if we want to win this next game. We also need a Parker that knows what he is doing when he enters the paint. Nowadays, it looks as if he is solely trying to draw the foul rather than finishing near the basket. Why? I'm not sure. He knows he doesn't get those superstar calls, he never really has. Parker needs to play around 40 minutes and go all out on that leg. If it tears, it will go down as a valiant effort but if he is hesitant and doesn't look to push it will go down as the team that could not be led by Parker. This probably isn't fair, but let's be honest: Parker is our best player and he is not looking like it right now. I know his injury is hampering his stamina a bit, and Lebron is no fun to play against, but Parker needs to have a very efficient game on Thursday. And once Lebron switches to Parker, the screens need to be solid. I am finding that the screens aren't being effective enough to switch another defender on Parker. A tall order, but we simply need better execution with the Parker pick-and-roll in Game 7 in the fourth quarter.
4. Pop needs to be Pop. He is highly regarded as a coach that doesn't over complicate things. He aims to make basketball simple in regards to its philosophy. However, he second-guessed the out of himself in Game 6. We don't need mad-genius Pop, we just need X's and O's Pop. I'm not going to reiterate his countless mistakes on Tuesday, but I will say what he needs to continue to do. In Game 7, he should continue look to limit Splitter's minutes. I'm sorry but this is not Splitter's series and I'm glad Pop finally recognized it. A big that finishes soft around the rim is not effective against the Heat. Those two shots he made last night were completely lucky. 10 or less minutes please. Another thing that I liked last night was seeing Gary Neal getting extended minutes. I know he is the villain around these parts, but if Manu plays like he did in Game 6, I want more Gary and maybe even some Cory Joseph minutes. It's true that Manu was the Heat's best player last night, and if it looks the same way then I'd much rather have the D-League sop re in there.
5. Duncan needs to do what he did in Game 6. His shots came in the flow of the offense and he wasn't gunning for the Finals MVP by being selfish. He was rising to the moment and then some. I've heard from a few people that his effort tapered off in the second half but I attribute that more to the Spurs inexplicably going away from him. He owns both Bosh and Anderson in the low block and he should continue to be fed. I believe that the high-low needs to be run a bit more effectively, seeing as how the Heat front him on every offensive possession. Diaw should get more minutes with him, as he is the most effective at feeding the post.
Yes, I only have 5 keys. This is not some intricate mathematical formula. I agree with Timvp, the Spurs looked like the better team. No need for drastic changes in Game 7. Play your game, play in the moment, and don't panic. If they do, I believe the Spurs have a good shot at getting Timmy's elusive 5th ring.
Believe.
Last edited by SpursRock20; 06-19-2013 at 12:21 PM.
Those are all great thought out points.
That'd be cool if the Coaching Staff had one of those Men in Black memory eraser things they could flash.
In reference to you 2nd point... I believe Manu even said he felt "insecure" in his post game interview - yikes.
Yes, this scares me. I felt hungover this morning and I did not drink a drip of alcohol last night. Imagine how he felt. He needs to get over it though. Prove to the world that you have the heart of a champion, Manu.
Can we send this message via e-mail to them?
Can I add one?
Stop playing Tiago without another rebounder. You can't rest TD, Kawhi, and even Diaw at the same time. One of them must be on the court with Tiago. Giving the heat 10 minutes a game of 2+ possessions every time down court is completely unacceptable.
One of Duncan or Leonard must be on the court at all times for rebounding - why rest them at the same time?
I'm at the point where I'd rather see Tiago and Neal run down the court together, Tiago set a screen and Neal just pull up and let the 3 fly - better than a Manu turn over that fuels a fast break.
1. score more points than the heat
Didn't think of that, thanks for pointing it out.
Play for 48 minutes. Not for 47 minutes and 32 seconds.
Comes down to taking care of the ball, sinking the freebies, and getting every board you can.
^^ THIS.
The LAST 30 seconds in reg. were a FRRRRIGGGGGIN' JOKE and NOT Spurs basketball.
I'm greateful we had this game in G6 and NOT G 7
G 7 Spurs will come out and play the game of their LIVES.
MANU REDEEMS HIMSELF BY HITTING THE GAME/SERIES/CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING 3.
No managing minutes, this is the last game of the season, everyone needs to be prepared go play 48 minutes... the only rest they should get is the last 30 seconds of a quarter and Tiago is not touching the floor, I'd rather go with 5 smalls or Bonner or Blair than that slow soft asshole. Short leash on Manu, 1 turnover and he's on the bench.
#1: Not losing Game 6 is the most frustrating, heartbreaking way in NBA history.
This has been my struggle with Pop, especially in the Finals.
No more rest. Game 6's momentum turned when he didn't play Tim and Parker to start the 4th.
The Heat hit 2 threes that cut the lead to 4 in the first minute.
Normal rotation aside, rest them in the middle of the 4th if you need to, when you're up by 12-14.
No more rest.
Yes, there are long tv timeouts to take advantage of for rest, play them the first 4 minutes, give them a 1 minute and then call a long timeout if you need another minute to get wind.. At the end of the day the Spurs still played long minutes but from a struggle to maintain the lead or coming back.
Absolutely. You play Parker, Duncan, Leonard, Green, and Diaw to start the 4th, no way Miami cuts the lead so fast.
TP, TD, DG, and KL MUST play 40+ minutes tomorrow to have any chance.
We have the best defensive frontcourt in the NBA in TD, TS, and Kawhi. Spoelstra is forcing us to not use it.
6. Bench Pop
My theory is that that game 6 was so devastating that it could focus them like never before for no other reason but to keep the thought of that game at bay. I see that game either crushing their spirits or realizing that it could crush their spirits and rising above that crushing. I can see the loss of game 6 really pissing them off.
don't choke
The Key
Stop turning the ing ball over.
Play like Game 1
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