If the Spurs lose, I'll look back and maybe wonder if there was some complacency, but my hope right now is that they are just being silent assassins, veterans ready to walk the walk instead of talking the talk. I think that Neal's subdued reaction to that season saving bomb showed the professionalism of this team. Imagine how Joakim Noah would've reacted? His nappy wig would've been flopping around the court, screaming so hard he'd have burned about 500 calories doing so.
Anyway, I'm hoping that the Spurs are just all bidness. This is no time for humility and feeling "lucky" as Manu stated. This is time to win at all costs. Tim must find a way to show up in the second half, particularly the third quarter to steady this team.
Conley wants to, "Put on a show". Yeah, ok bro. I hope Tony feeds off that OT performance and lights you up.
You gotta think sooner or later hopefully tonight the grizz will finally just play a bad game, not get all the rolls and bounces and just be off. Maybe we can make them play bad.
Go Spurs! Yes the Spurs need to methodically dismantle these guys like they've done so many times in the past. We will need to show great poise in the 2nd half and be prepared for their energy coming out of the half. I think the real sleeping bear has awoken.
Exactly.
Play Gary Neal and tell him to launch 3s.
Sorry, first post edited.
http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/0...s=iref:nbahpt1Spurs’ hope: The return of Parker
Fran Blinebury
NBA.com
MEMPHIS – There was much for the Spurs to celebrate in the way Game 5 ended, not the least of which were the five wild points they scored in the last 2.2 seconds of the fourth quarter that forced overtime and led to their victory.
First, Manu Ginobili hit his improbable shot from right in front of the San Antonio bench, when he admittedly could not even see the rim. Then there was rookie Gary Neal’s 25-footer that settled into the net as time expired.
But those were fleeting moments. If there is a larger reason for the Spurs to be jubilant and hopeful, it was the return of Tony Parker to being his typically effective self.
The former All-Star and NBA Finals MVP had been losing the head-to-head matchup with Grizzlies’ point guard Mike Conley for the first four games of the series. But Parker finished with 24 points and nine assists on Wednesday night.
“That’s the most confident he’s played in the series,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “We’ve been trying to figure out why he hasn’t been more aggressive, especially with his shot. He’s been hitting that mid-range shot all year long and done a great job with it.”
Parker drove the bus in overtime, making 3-of-5 shots as the Spurs pulled away for the win and it was his 14-foot pull-up jumper with 1:33 left that put his team in front for good.
“I’ve shot well all season long,” he said. “I’ve been working hard making shots in practice. It’s about time I made one.
“That last one, I played one-on-one like I’ve been doing all season. I’m just happy they went in.”
Parker shot 51.9 percent from the field in the regular season, but has often struggled to find a rhythm going against Conley and the Grizzlies, connecting at only 43.4 percent.
Not only was he more effective with his own shot, but Parker also jumpstarted the other Spurs in Game 5, dishing eight of his nine assists in the first half. He was particularly effective getting the ball to Tim Duncan about 10-12 feet from the basket, so that the Spurs’ big man could turn and face the basket rather than play bump-and-grind in the low post with Memphis’ Marc Gasol.
“That was one game and we still have more work to do to get the series tied,” Parker said. “What I would like to do is build on this.”
If there is going to be a Game 7 back in San Antonio, Parker will have to again be the architect.
Parker should have more confidence tonight then he's had all series after that overtime showing. Lets hope he continues to let them fly and they go in.
One of these days, the Conley/Allen/Young trio are going to remember that they're scrub jumpshooters and start missing shots like they're supposed to. Hopefully that's tonight.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba...antonio-spurs/Can the Memphis Grizzlies Close Out the San Antonio Spurs?
by Marcel Mutoni
SLAM
The San Antonio Spurs know they’re lucky to still be playing Playoff basketball. , they flat-out admitted this much following their incredible, thrilling Game 5 over the upstart Memphis Grizzlies.
Though understandably s -shocked by the crushing defeat, Memphis has a chance to put the Spurs away for good tonight (and potentially, Game 7 back in San Antonio), and the Grizz claim that they can’t wait to get back on the court.
From the Commercial Appeal:
Zach Randolph couldn’t sleep. Mike Conley and several teammates spent the night watching their Game 5 loss again and again. The Grizzlies insist that they won’t be reeling when their playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs shifts back to FedExForum tonight for Game 6. They’ll be restless. “I wish we could play right now,” Randolph said Thursday shortly after a noon film session.
“We’ve always played better with an edge,” Griz forward Shane Battier said. “After two wins we may have lost it. But being around us (Thursday), I have a feeling the edge is back.” History still is on the Grizzlies’ side. Only eight teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. Plus, the Spurs are 0-5 all time when facing that situation since Tim Duncan arrived. San Antonio has to win three consecutive games to break those trends. The last time Memphis lost three straight was Dec. 17-21. “We’re confident,” Randolph said. “It’s going to be a tough game. Everybody is going to have to contribute to get this win. It’s definitely a must-win situation.”
Lionel Hollins strongly advised his team to forget the shock of the Game 5 loss, and judging by their statements to the media, they’re ready to do just that.
Now, it’s only a matter of the 8th seed knocking off a proud, veteran championship team (which won the most games in the Western Conference this season.) No big deal, right?
Game 5 was the turn around. From here on out its smooth sailing.
It's gonna be funny to see how many contested 3's Neil puts up tonight. You know how he gets after he's made one.
We're HUNTING Grizzly tonight!
Great photo--now if only the bear's head was Randolph's head
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