Moment of Truth. Stuff to watch for game 6 and beyond.

[Obstructed_View]

Well, here we are. The Spurs are on the brink. This could be the Genesis of a memorable and historic playoff run, could be the swan song of multiple hall-of-fame careers. Here's what needs to happen to avoid the latter.

Note: Since my Danny Green avatar worked perfectly to fix what ails him, I'm using my mojo on the whole team. GSG, tbh.

• Gang rebound
  The Spurs have success when they go for rebounds as a group and tip them to each other. Nobody's in a hurry to get back on offense, so securing defensive rebounds is vital. Keeping the ball from the opponent gives your team a chance. They haven't been able to sit back and just wait for OKC to turn the ball over, so opportunities count. Grab those boards.
  
  
• Return to Defense
  Where did that incredible defense from the beginning of the season go? Lots of sagging, lots of cheating, lots of late rotations equals the Thunder getting a lot of what they want. We already know OKC is going to get the lion's share of the calls, so don't give them a single easy basket. Contrary to what some people think, you can prevent easy baskets without having to hard foul anyone. Save the hard fouls to prevent and-1 situations.
  
  Defense also helps your offense. Turnovers lead to fast break opportunities, which the Spurs need badly. Push the ball in live-ball situations.
  
  
• Where my Ball Movement at?
  Game 1 of this series made many of us think The Beautiful Game© was back. Turns out it was just a fluke and we watched them go back to post up and stand around. Who would have thought Danny Green would be out of his slump and the Spurs would still be struggling to score?
  
  
• Emulate the Superior Team
  We have spent most of this season talking about how the Warriors were going to burn themselves out by playing hard every night, when what's actually happened is they are a team that never takes a play off and is mentally strong. Meanwhile the well-rested Spurs go on a 10-2 run and then allow the opponent to catch back up, then keep the score close enough to get screwed by a 50/50 ball or a non-call. Rest time is over. Time for the Spurs to realize they aren't as good as everyone says, especially if they don't start playing hard for 48 minutes.

Prediction: The Spurs won't do any of the I suggested. Thunder in 6. It ends tonight.

[TampaDude]

Well, here we are. The Spurs are on the brink. This could be the Genesis of a memorable and historic playoff run, could be the swan song of multiple hall-of-fame careers. Here's what needs to happen to avoid the latter.

Note: Since my Danny Green avatar worked perfectly to fix what ails him, I'm using my mojo on the whole team. GSG, tbh.

• Gang rebound
  The Spurs have success when they go for rebounds as a group and tip them to each other. Nobody's in a hurry to get back on offense, so securing defensive rebounds is vital. Keeping the ball from the opponent gives your team a chance. They haven't been able to sit back and just wait for OKC to turn the ball over, so opportunities count. Grab those boards.
  
  
• Return to Defense
  Where did that incredible defense from the beginning of the season go? Lots of sagging, lots of cheating, lots of late rotations equals the Thunder getting a lot of what they want. We already know OKC is going to get the lion's share of the calls, so don't give them a single easy basket. Contrary to what some people think, you can prevent easy baskets without having to hard foul anyone. Save the hard fouls to prevent and-1 situations.
  
  Defense also helps your offense. Turnovers lead to fast break opportunities, which the Spurs need badly. Push the ball in live-ball situations.
  
  
• Where my Ball Movement at?
  Game 1 of this series made many of us think The Beautiful Game© was back. Turns out it was just a fluke and we watched them go back to post up and stand around. Who would have thought Danny Green would be out of his slump and the Spurs would still be struggling to score?
  
  
• Emulate the Superior Team
  We have spent most of this season talking about how the Warriors were going to burn themselves out by playing hard every night, when what's actually happened is they are a team that never takes a play off and is mentally strong. Meanwhile the well-rested Spurs go on a 10-2 run and then allow the opponent to catch back up, then keep the score close enough to get screwed by a 50/50 ball or a non-call. Rest time is over. Time for the Spurs to realize they aren't as good as everyone says, especially if they don't start playing hard for 48 minutes.

Prediction: The Spurs won't do any of the I suggested. Thunder in 6. It ends tonight.

^this, tbh

Dubs would've humiliated us in the WCF, anyway.

[nkdlunch]

just want it more than them and we'll be fine

[Budkin]

Prediction: The Spurs won't do any of the I suggested. Thunder in 6. It ends tonight.

[DarrinS]

Kawhi will get heavy minutes and play like a man possessed.

[DarrinS]

Russ is overdue for one of his boneheaded games

[Amuseddaysleeper]

What play frustrated me towards the end of Game 5 was when the Spurs forced a turnover and Parker SLOWS DOWN to let the Thunder set back up on defense instead of hitting them on the break. Spurs seem too cautious instead of running the ball down OKC's throat.

[spurs1990]

History, both ulative and recent, says a Spurs win tonight is highly unlikely.

There's too many factors going against them on top of everything OP laid out. Plus you need the opposing team to play sub-par, which is also not a good bet.

I expect a loss, but on the other hand a win tonight would almost be as gratifying as winning this series.
And there is the fact that bettors are still laying money on SA for whatever reason....

End of an era or huge gut check, everyone should be tuned in heavily.

[Budkin]

Russ is overdue for one of his boneheaded games

Nah he's saving those up for the GSW series. I'm sure every single game.

[Gervin44Silas13]

What play frustrated me towards the end of Game 5 was when the Spurs forced a turnover and Parker SLOWS DOWN to let the Thunder set back up on defense instead of hitting them on the break. Spurs seem too cautious instead of running the ball down OKC's throat.

NO en and they start passing the ball around like the en Harlem Globtroters....WTF?????????????????????????

[Gervin44Silas13]

History, both ulative and recent, says a Spurs win tonight is highly unlikely.

There's too many factors going against them on top of everything OP laid out. Plus you need the opposing team to play sub-par, which is also not a good bet.

I expect a loss, but on the other hand a win tonight would almost be as gratifying as winning this series.
And there is the fact that bettors are still laying money on SA for whatever reason....

End of an era or huge gut check, everyone should be tuned in heavily.

Tim coulda had legs if hed stop ing Vanessa Macias

Women weaken legs

[Horse]

Well, here we are. The Spurs are on the brink. This could be the Genesis of a memorable and historic playoff run, could be the swan song of multiple hall-of-fame careers. Here's what needs to happen to avoid the latter.

Note: Since my Danny Green avatar worked perfectly to fix what ails him, I'm using my mojo on the whole team. GSG, tbh.

• Gang rebound
  The Spurs have success when they go for rebounds as a group and tip them to each other. Nobody's in a hurry to get back on offense, so securing defensive rebounds is vital. Keeping the ball from the opponent gives your team a chance. They haven't been able to sit back and just wait for OKC to turn the ball over, so opportunities count. Grab those boards.
• Return to Defense
  Where did that incredible defense from the beginning of the season go? Lots of sagging, lots of cheating, lots of late rotations equals the Thunder getting a lot of what they want. We already know OKC is going to get the lion's share of the calls, so don't give them a single easy basket. Contrary to what some people think, you can prevent easy baskets without having to hard foul anyone. Save the hard fouls to prevent and-1 situations.
  
  Defense also helps your offense. Turnovers lead to fast break opportunities, which the Spurs need badly. Push the ball in live-ball situations.
• Where my Ball Movement at?
  Game 1 of this series made many of us think The Beautiful Game© was back. Turns out it was just a fluke and we watched them go back to post up and stand around. Who would have thought Danny Green would be out of his slump and the Spurs would still be struggling to score?
• Emulate the Superior Team
  We have spent most of this season talking about how the Warriors were going to burn themselves out by playing hard every night, when what's actually happened is they are a team that never takes a play off and is mentally strong. Meanwhile the well-rested Spurs go on a 10-2 run and then allow the opponent to catch back up, then keep the score close enough to get screwed by a 50/50 ball or a non-call. Rest time is over. Time for the Spurs to realize they aren't as good as everyone says, especially if they don't start playing hard for 48 minutes.

Prediction: The Spurs won't do any of the I suggested. Thunder in 6. It ends tonight.

okc got 15 offenisve rebounds and only scored 95(26 of those at the line) what more do you want from the D. REFS they are the only thing that needs to change. If we don't blow them out the zebras will take it from us.

[Horse]

If all of you are certain of defeat why are you still hanging around here?

[DPG21920]

Thanks for this op

My 2c: Make f*cking shots! I DGAF if it's bs or good offense - rain a sh*t storm of shots down on the Thunder

[Obstructed_View]

If all of you are certain of defeat why are you still hanging around here?

You have to think the team you root for is going to win in order to discuss the team?

[ernest787]

Spurs are going to get pounded tonight. I just hope they show some fight.

[Obstructed_View]

okc got 15 offenisve rebounds and only scored 95(26 of those at the line) what more do you want from the D.

Check the last ten minutes of the previous two games and then come back to me if you still don't think "grab those boards" is good advice.

[Obstructed_View]

Spurs are going to get pounded tonight. I just hope they show some fight.

Frankly, if they show some fight they win the game. I just don't really think they will.

[lefty20]

I'd prefer to losing via a blowout over these cruel ways we've been so far.

[DMC]

Screw Tim, Screw Manu, Screw Tony..

That's the formula to win. Other guys have to step up, stop trying to involve Tim out of respect, and stop deferring to Tony ing Parker. Make him mad, him.