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Agreed. It looked as if TP and Duncan were gonna just that but idk what happened.
Pop identified 2 areas of improvement in Game 1:
1. Bench scoring
2. Ball movement
He responded in Game 2 by overcompensating on both those issues. The problem with his strategy is that the entire team ended up suffering for it.
When your opponent switches on every screen, the logical thing to do is to exploit the mismatch and rely on your individual players to beat their man. The Spurs' talent is far superior to that of the Mavs, and they demonstrated it towards the end of Game 1, when they won on the strength of sheer star power (Big 3 doing all the work, everyone else virtually nonexistent).
But in Game 2, Pop put the cart before the horse, and completely misunderstood the problem. Instead of carrying out the obvious solution, he tried to force the issue by reverting to the regular season rotation in an effort to increase bench production. But this only took minutes away from more talented players in favor of lesser players. And then he called a mul ude of plays that required off-ball screens, dribble hand-offs, and spacing in an effort to increase ball movement. Unfortunately, this ultimately backfired on him by causing a plethora of turnovers.
His logic is akin to seeing the statistic that the Spurs are undefeated when Tiago Splitter scores 10 points or more, and then deciding that we should force feed him the ball to get him to reach that threshold. The fallacy in this reasoning is failing to see that Splitter's scoring output is a symptom, rather than a cause, of his system flowing (which consequently allows the Spurs to flourish offensively).
Pop needs to stop overthinking this and do the right thing; that is, run more isolation plays for Tim, Tony, Manu, and Kawhi, and watch a clearly overmatched Mavs team cower in despair.
Last edited by Uriel; 04-24-2014 at 10:45 AM.
Agreed. It looked as if TP and Duncan were gonna just that but idk what happened.
I don't think he's over thinking anything. Actually, I saw him do nothing from game 1 to 2.
Can't say I blame him seeing that we still won game 1 on a huge run at the end but he's definitely got to start making adjustments now. The Mavs are sacrificing the rim in order to stay on the role players and the perimeter and the Spurs are still trying to force passes that just aren't there anymore. Instead of taking advantage of the what defense is giving them. I can't help but think that if somebody tried this strategy last year; Parker and Duncan would have had a field day in the paint.
The problem is that Pop made zero adjustments from Game 1 to 2.
Very well written post. I think that Pop will stop forcing the issue and allow the stars to exploit the mismatches. The difference in points in the paint between Game 1 and 2 was pronounced. We won't have a turnover night like that again. That said, Dirk's going to have a good game at least once in this series. Suddenly this looks like a 6 or 7 game matchup, but I still like the Spurs.
It's just like GS series. It was hard to grasp much from the 1st game cause it was a game won on momentum late. Game 2, turnovers obviously killed this team among other things. But it wasn't until Game 3 in that GS series that we really played dominant and we saw Pop make adjustments. I think we'll see a sharper more focused team and a game plan that will counter some of what Dallas is doing. Sometimes it takes a couple games to figure out a counter for what the other team is doing.
Agreed. Unfortunately we have to use the word "suddenly", but that's the way it is.
As good of a road team as the Spurs have been this season, I'm predicting a completely different team on Saturday in terms of, sense of urgency, ball protection, & ball movement.
We continue to play like this and we're getting swept by the Blazers no doubt.
Why is that funny? You don't want to see the Spurs win? Or just like laughing at their expense or what? Just wondering why that makes you laugh.
He's a troll
That's basically what I said in the OP.
It's funny because the Spurs are the top seed with the COTY struggling in the 1st round.
Well at least your amused at watching Tim fail.It's funny because the Spurs are the top seed with the COTY struggling in the 1st round.
Tim isn't failing. His teammates and coach are. Tim is the reason they aren't headed to Dallas down 0-2.
It's funny to see him lose though. Apparently.
If the team doesn't win he fails at being able to enlarge his legacy.
His legacy is set.
Doesn't mean he can't further it.............................................
It's funny to see him lose though.
Yeah I agree. I was just saying I think it's more of Pop doing a lack of adjustments than him over thinking something. I didn't see much of anything from game 1 to 2.That's basically what I said in the OP.
His logic is akin to seeing the statistic that the Spurs are undefeated when Tiago Splitter scores 10 points or more, and then deciding that we should force feed him the ball to get him to reach that threshold.
really?
We need to establish Tim and Kawhi early period! Ellis can't handle Kawhi in the post, and if they are going to double tim in the paint. Someone is going to be open. We have yet to take advantage of mis-matches like we did in the regular season, and it's frustrating as a fan to see your team not use its potential!
In two games our Big 3 were decent (putting those 2 games in perspective), the rest is pure . Young talented players doing nothing and scrubing big time, go figure.
They want a ring? this is not their first PO here excepting Marco so no excuse.
This is dallas if we beat them Porkland is gonna kill us, you have to take every game seriously.
I dont think pop is overthinking, our role guys sucks ass plain and simple.
It's good that we're being challenged in the first round. As long as we don't lose, it should payoff later lol
How is it funny to see Tim lose?Doesn't mean he can't further it.............................................
It's funny to see him lose though.
I sure didn't see or feel much fire, swagger, confidence or mojo from the Spurs. Doesn't matter what the coach does if the players don't bring it. Spurs didn't bring it.
Game 3 will be a real clarifier. I see others harkening back to the Memphis 1st round loss a couple of years back. This is looking more like the Phoenix series to me where Devin Harris is going all Dragic on us and we are not handling the pick and roll well on either side of the court. My heart says they'll pull their heads out for Game 3. They sure as better.
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