Start Joseph instead of Green. Put him on Westbrook. If he collects fouls, no big deal.
Game 4 was a forgettable game, but overall I think its the best it has ever felt watching the Spurs get blown out.
This is because the bench unit came in and showed us a lot of heart, cut into the lead, and play with so much fearlessness, aggressiveness and energy that I feel theres something to take from there.
It also showed that with better ball movement, confidence and patience we can execute our offense.
With that said this what many of us think and almost certainly will be Pop's adjustments for Game 5:
1. Start Diaw or even Bonner, get floor spacing out there by pulling Ibaka off the paint. Perkins wont do damage offensively so there could be good advantages of playing Bonner in this series because you can hide him on defense, and he has always rebounded better than given credit for. Diaw is also a great option and the only player crafty enough to take Ibaka one and one and be able to spread the floor at the same time. Diaw could also stay in when the Thunder go small by guarding Durant and switching Kawhi into RW.
2. Splitter could use minutes together with Manu. He's better cut to play against Adams and the Thunder second unit.
3. No more Belinelli. If he's not taking or hitting shots, and cant create for others while being a liability on defense there's really no point of having him out there. I think you give his minutes to CoJo who showed us he's not afraid to go at RW and has the capability to disrupt him somewhat on defense. You can even play CoJo with Mills when they play RW and Jackson.
I think Spurs take game 5, theres too much heart to let history repeat itself and get backdoor swept, just cant see it happening. Then they steal 6 on the road. Remember all streaks have to end sometime and 9 consecutive L's on OKC is due to end.
Start Joseph instead of Green. Put him on Westbrook. If he collects fouls, no big deal.
green plays much better at home but joseph has to play
Solid post Tbh. All your points are absolutely true.
Many of our brethren have jumped off a cliff already Tbh, but like you, i believe they learned something those 2 games in OKC.
its 2-2 my friends you all knew this wouldn't be easy.
Game 5 we will see the true Spurs we know and love and that will carry on to game 6.
Pass the ball and make open shots that they have made all year.
No, off the bench playing Beli's minutes and even some of Mills, depending if Mills is making shots or not...
I need the pick and roll. I don't know why the spurs went away from it.. Since they are hacking all our players, they should start with the good pick and roll. That will pull away ibaka or adam away from the paint and creates mismatches... gees!!! they need to post up too.. diaw, leanard, Duncan should post up. That will slow down the pace of the game...
All of the spurs can be more crafty with Ibaka. Ibaka is a human being that is great at blocking shots. He's not a machine. Pump fakes, hesitations, and keeping him out on the perimeter are all ways of limiting his defensive ability. I don't get why they're just haplessly chucking the ball up there
And what about Aron Baynes? Didn't he do pretty well in game 1?
Solid post bro. I don't understand most of the people here on spurstalk which is why I don't post much. Before the series started most people though 7 game series with ibaka in and a 5 game series with him out. So why people are jumping off the cliff is beyone me. I could care less if we lose in okc. This series becomes a problem when they beat us in San Antonio. I believe in pop and the spurs and my confidence isn't as easily shaken as most on here
Stop running the damn pick n rolls right into 3 defenders. The Biggs don't even have to work on D. The spurs are always within 3 feet of reach other in the paint.
Clear one side and run more two man inside out game with a shooter, not Parker. Old school nba with Diaw posting. Guys need room to work. Ibaka is not a great one on one post defender. He's decent but not great.
Agreed...Splitter should stay on the bench for the rest of the series, Replace him with Diaw in the starting lineup. Spread the rest of the mins. with Bonner (who can spread the floor) and Baynes ( that plays with toughness and has strength). Give CoJo Marcos Mins. And we should be good to go.
I don't know how much the starters took note of the bench and their come back. They looked too dejected.
The scariest thing is it feels like the Spurs are splitting apart internally. With such a short turnaround that's awfully dangerous.
I disagree with Pop that the Spurs tried to attack the rim too much. Parker showed up.
I just want to see the Spurs force OKC to shoot from outside as much as possible.
Stop with the excessive passes. The Spurs need to get out of that 'if I've got an open shot, but you've got a better one, I'll pass it to you' mentality. It's frustrating to see Splitter attempt to pass off a wide open shot to Diaw only to have it knocked away by Serge or Adams.
Hope we see this on play next game.
This. Just make your shots. Don't turnover the ball. Basic basketball I guess which we couldn't do in the last game.
I don't think we should bench splitter for the rest of the series. But him coming off the bench is what I would suspect happening in favor of diaw.
Damn this is when we need a guy like Stephen Jackson. Not afraid of moments and likes the pressure.
Anybody else the Spurs can play fast. Slow the game down. Make it a half court game. Protect the ball. Play like Memphis plays OKC.
Diaw has to start. Plain and simple...
Him being out there draws Ibaka away from the basket. Yes they lose Splitter's defense, but the fact is, the Starters need to get in a groove offensively. They are a unit where their offense can fuel their defense. And if OKC counters by putting Perk on Diaw, then that's a P&R all day with he & TP. Either gets Perkins to come out and guard Parker or gives Diaw a big advantage in the post.
He has to start, and I hope Pop makes the move. This starting unit needs a mixup and they need more fluidity to their offense.
From what we saw yesterday I think cojo is that guy. He didn't back down at all and took it right to the thunder. Fun fact is our 3rd string out played their first string and we actually won the second half
Duncan himself said postgame that the bench showed them how to attack and it was good to be on the bench and analyze how they were doing it
Start Manu and Diaw. Those two play well together.
Bring Green and Joseph off bench with Splitter.
Diaw needs to hit his outside shots, if he can do that, Ibaka would have to go further away from rim.
Green has to start for defense and because hes worthless off the bench, for me thats not an option.
If diaw isnt hitting his shots i wouldnt mind turning to Bonner at that point, even if hes missing you cant give him that shot so it will spread everything automatically.
Never thought I'd hear a fan want Bonner to play much anymore.
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