Lowe on Adams changing the series, SA Bigs slaughtered and the challenge to go small.

[cd98]

Boban doesn't have Tim's knowledge of team defense or playoff experience. It would be desperation and likely surrender to bench Duncan for Boban. Even at this age, Duncan has some big games in him. I think he has one of his better games tonight.

[wildbill2u]

Duncan is hurt. He couldn't even walk at his sons game last week. The right knee was the only thing holding him up and now its doneso. He's playing on pain killers, trying to tough it out because its likely his last ride.

I wouldn't count on him turning it around since he's essentially playing with no legs.

I've been looking for info on his knees to come out because you can tell he can hardly walk or move under the basket--and was pitching up scoop shots from 3 ft because he couldn't get to the rim or move right. Wonder why the Spurs haven't acknowledged this. If I can spot it, then the pros on the OKC sideline can spot it and take advantage. Adams/Cantor just throw him around and he falls to the floor.

[Keepin' it real]

I've been looking for info on his knees to come out because you can tell he can hardly walk or move under the basket--and was pitching up scoop shots from 3 ft because he couldn't get to the rim or move right. Wonder why the Spurs haven't acknowledged this. If I can spot it, then the pros on the OKC sideline can spot it and take advantage. Adams/Cantor just throw him around and he falls to the floor.

Too proud. Don't want to make excuses. I usually applaud this, but not now.

It's a way for Pop to avoid criticism for not playing Boban, who at this point is a more viable option. But there's no way in Pop will give Tim's minutes in his final playoffs to a crowd favorite borderline freak show in Boban. Pop loves Tim too much to do that. Loyalty to a fault. It's bittersweet.

[Horse]

No mention of Boban.

Boban needs to play. What was an underrated staple in the "beautiful game" offense , from 12'-14' was having that efficient pick and roll guy like Splitter. It sucked in the weakside defense and opened up so much action on the weak-side of the floor.

Without a guy like Splitter or Boban, Spurs don't have that weakside action unless Kawhi or Tony really kills their man off the dribble or creates separation on the drive from the pick at the top (this barely happens). Having a big target like Splitter or Boban rolling to the basket would induce the ball movement Spurs need to beat OKC. Another thing, Bobans' length on defense should negate the effectiveness of Kanter/Adams tandem on the offensive boards. Boban actually played really well vs. the two during the season and in his short stint in the playoffs.


Boban needs to play. If he doesn't play Spurs will likely lose this series just like they did vs. the Grizzlies in 2011 when Pop stubbornly stuck with Bonner/Blair over Splitter vs. Memphis' physical frontcourt.

Atleast against there bench. Many feel we beat the grizz in '11 if Pop played Splitter more.

[YGWHI]

Great article as usual but I do think our small lineup - say Tony,Manu,Danny,Kawhi,LMA would put their bigs into so much trouble that they couldn't stay on the floor.

Lowe say if the Spurs go small, Adam rebounding would kill us, but he forgets that Kawhi/LMA/Kyle are really good at it, too.

[tmtcsc]

The only thing Boban could do now is tire Adams out with his body and size. Boban is a bad rebounder, doesn't move well defensively and is careless with the ball in a crowd. For as big as his hands are, they are comparatively weak. Oh, and Kanter is a ing scrub. Someone just needs to put a body on that mother er. He's mentally weak and not tough at all. West should be able to handle him.

Diaw's defense was poor in game 4. He failed to close out on Kanter when he made his 3. He just flat out didn't even make the effort.

If the Spurs lose tonight or even get pushed to 7, they can off until next year. They won't beat Golden State or Cleveland.

Golden State took care of business with their MVP not even suiting up. That's impressive no matter how much I despise that team and their antics.

[TD 21]

I suspect Lowe is close with Presti and/or others in their front office, because he's always been an obvious Thunder homer.

I don't get how someone so connected either doesn't realize or won't acknowledge that Duncan looking like he does is the result of injury.

The biggest reason this series is closer than many anticipated, is because the Spurs' depth advantage isn't nearly as pronounced as many thought and it's not just because of the big rotation issues.

This team reminds me somewhat of the '03 one, only in this case it's not revisionist history. People look at the collection of names instead of where they're at in this moment of time.

[therealtruth]

Atleast against there bench. Many feel we beat the grizz in '11 if Pop played Splitter more.

I felt that way. We saw what a healthy Splitter could do when they swept the Grizz in '13.