Utah's super big lineup.. how do the Spurs react

[Old School 44]

Because of tie breakers Denver is either 6-8.
Dallas is either 6-7.
Utah is either 7-8.

I know...sounds strange.

[elemento]

Not locked yet

If Denver loses both games (@OKC and @MIN) and Utah wins against POR, we play Denver in the playoffs.

[elemento]

Not locked yet

If Denver loses both games (@OKC and @MIN) and Utah wins against POR, we play Denver in the playoffs.

[FromWayDowntown]

Basically (I think this is right -- I've given it about 30 seconds of thought; if someone finds something wrong, please correct):

NUGGETS

• Denver ends up #6 if it wins out (@OKC, @MIN), or if it loses 1 and Dallas loses in Atlanta.
  
• Denver ends up #7 if it loses one and Dallas wins in Atlanta.
  
• Denver ends up #8 if it loses out AND Dallas loses in Atlanta AND Utah beats Portland.

MAVERICKS

• Dallas ends up #6 if Denver loses out OR if Denver loses once AND Dallas beats Atlanta
  
• Dallas ends up #7 if Denver wins out OR if Dallas loses at Atlanta AND Denver wins one of its remaining games
  
• Dallas cannot end up #8.

JAZZ

• Utah cannot end up #6
  
• Utah ends up #7 if Denver loses out AND Utah beats Portland.
  
• Utah ends up #8 in any other scenario.

[SenorSpur]

The fact that the Spurs have basically evolved into a perimter-oriented team is evident. Outside shooting, as a primary weapon, comes and goes and cannot be depended upon consistently for a deep playoff run. It will be interesting to see how this bodes for the Spurs.

Meanwhile, the Spurs inferior size along the frontline still concerns me - but not against the Jazz. I'm more concerned with possible future matchups against the Grizzlies or Fakers.

[acoelho1]

There is zero chance that Utah or Denver can beat the Spurs. Clearly, Utah is the more physical team and I wouldn't expect a sweep but 4-1 seems about right. In terms of lineups, the only permanent change I hope Pop maintains in the playoffs is keeping Diaw as a starter. Everyone one else should remain the same.

Parker
Green
Duncan
Leonard
Diaw

[Keepin' it real]

Basically (I think this is right -- I've given it about 30 seconds of thought; if someone finds something wrong, please correct):

NUGGETS

• Denver ends up #8 if it loses out AND Dallas loses in Atlanta AND Utah beats Portland.

JAZZ

• Utah ends up #8 in any other scenario.

Will they tank?
I wonder if the Jazz will tank against the deflated Blazers team to ensure a matchup with San Antonio. If they don't, I wonder if Denver will "pull a Memphis" and tank vs. Minnesota to get the Spurs. Maybe Denver's been watching First Take, so they think these are the same Spurs from last season!

[KaiRMD1]

Don't sleep on the Jazz though

[ffadicted]

Tony is gonna murder harris, and with Timmy, Splitter, a surging Diaw and hopefully a Bonner with some balls, I think our frontline is good to go

[emanueldavidginobili]

Spurs dominate this series.

[K-State Spur]

FWIW, length/shotblockers give the Spurs more problem in the front line than bulk.

And, of Jefferson, Favors, and Millsap - only Favors would be considered long for his height - which falls short of 7 feet.

[timvp]

Utah's renaissance in the final few games was because of its super size lineup it featured quite heavily in the run up to the playoffs -

PG: Harris, SG: Hayward, SF: Millsap, PF: Jefferson, C: Favors.

And it is also the highest yielding lineup it has featured all season, according to Basketballvalue - link

How does the Spurs counter it, if they start with this one? Do the Spurs react at all? IMO, they should. Kawhi has been featured as a wing defender with limited plays on offense and the Jazz won't lose much by keeping Jefferson or maybe Millsap on him. And even though they will lose on speed, they will be difficult to defend.

Your opinions?

It's a legit concern. In the last game against the Jazz, Utah was +18 with that lineup. It was also the lineup they used in the fourth quarter to make their comeback. Since the Spurs only lost by six points, it was likely the difference in the game.

It's possible Pop could try something like Diaw at small forward to combat it if it becomes too much of a problem but I think that Leonard and Jackson are big enough to hang. The key will be to have Duncan on the court so he can clean up the boards. Without Duncan last game, the Jazz just lived on the offensive glass.

I'm not sure if Leonard will be able to defend one of those three but I'm pretty sure Jackson is up for the challenge. He's tall, strong and compe ive enough that he'll be able to survive.

The real key will be to make the Jazz pay on the offensive end. While Millsap is mobile for a power forward, he's slow for a small forward. Spread the court, utilize a lot of movement and make those bigs chase players off the three-point line. The Jazz aren't very good at defending the three-point line as it is. With those three on the court at the same time, the Spurs should get plenty of wide open looks from deep.

[silverblk mystix]

There is zero chance that Utah or Denver can beat the Spurs. Clearly, Utah is the more physical team and I wouldn't expect a sweep but 4-1 seems about right. In terms of lineups, the only permanent change I hope Pop maintains in the playoffs is keeping Diaw as a starter. Everyone one else should remain the same.

Parker
Green
Duncan
Leonard
Diaw

This is exactly what a lot of posters here were saying about Memphis last year....

I think the Spurs can beat anyone...but I don't see any team as having zero chance....and a few teams have a really good chance....

[Spursfanfromafar]

It's a legit concern. In the last game against the Jazz, Utah was +18 with that lineup. It was also the lineup they used in the fourth quarter to make their comeback. Since the Spurs only lost by six points, it was likely the difference in the game.

It's possible Pop could try something like Diaw at small forward to combat it if it becomes too much of a problem but I think that Leonard and Jackson are big enough to hang. The key will be to have Duncan on the court so he can clean up the boards. Without Duncan last game, the Jazz just lived on the offensive glass.

I'm not sure if Leonard will be able to defend one of those three but I'm pretty sure Jackson is up for the challenge. He's tall, strong and compe ive enough that he'll be able to survive.

The real key will be to make the Jazz pay on the offensive end. While Millsap is mobile for a power forward, he's slow for a small forward. Spread the court, utilize a lot of movement and make those bigs chase players off the three-point line. The Jazz aren't very good at defending the three-point line as it is. With those three on the court at the same time, the Spurs should get plenty of wide open looks from deep.

Indeed. Duncan cleaning up the defensive rebounds; the three point specialists not choking and Leonard/Jackson defending Millsap well. That sums it up.

[Dr Cox]

Milsap 6'8 Diaw 6'8
Jefferson 6'10 Duncan 6'11
Hayward 6'8 Leonard 6'7
Carrol 6'8 Green 6'6
Harris 6'3 Parker 6'2


Where is this "SUPER Big Lineup" you are talking about?

EDIT:
The Lineup I would run out there against the Big"er" Utah Lineup.
Favors 6'10 --- Bonner 6'10
Jefferson 6'10 --- Duncan 6'11 or Splitter 6'11
Milsap 6'8 --- Jackson 6'8
Hayward 6'8 --- Manu 6'6
Harris 6'3 --- Parker 6'2

[Spursfanfromafar]

Milsap 6'8 Diaw 6'8
Jefferson 6'10 Duncan 6'11
Hayward 6'8 Leonard 6'7
Carrol 6'8 Green 6'6
Harris 6'3 Parker 6'2


Where is this "SUPER Big Lineup" you are talking about?

Check the opening post again.

[Dr Cox]

Check the opening post again.

My bad lol

I don't think Favors helps them that much against a team like the Spurs.

With Milsap/Favors at the three gives them a size advantage but not really that big of one with Leonard in the game.

Also, putting in Bonner (I know I know) could make them take that lineup off the floor if the Spurs can spread it out and hit some threes.

[Paranoid Pop]

Milsap 6'8 Diaw 6'8
Jefferson 6'10 Duncan 6'11
Hayward 6'8 Leonard 6'7
Carrol 6'8 Green 6'6
Harris 6'3 Parker 6'2


Where is this "SUPER Big Lineup" you are talking about?

When they put in Millsap for Carroll, did you even read the opening post?

[DesignatedT]

Wait so if Dallas wins @Atlanta and Denver splits it's two games (OKC,MIN) then Dallas is 6?

[DesignatedT]

Favors is a non-factor. Kid will be irrelevant or in foul trouble if they expect to play that lineup all game.

[DesignatedT]

Also, does anybody see Denver trying to tank the last 2 games to draw us first round ala memphis last year?

[CGD]

Utah tried that triple big line up again yesterday with Jeff/Milsap/Favors at the same time. Seems like our spacing and shooting would negate any of that crap. Suns couldn't buy a bucket last night. Also, it's a lot of energy that their bigs will expend guarding a PnR as it is.

[urunobili]

in 6...

[MannyIsGod]

I think the starting lineup matches up well against that lineup. The ball movement the Spurs have should absolutely destroy that lineup.

The Spurs WILL have to hit their jumpers, though. If the Jazz want to try to kill the offensive boards with that lineup, then the Spurs need to be sharp with out let passes and make them pay with easy fast breaks.

If running a big slow lineup like that was viable in the long term for teams in the NBA then you would see more do it, but the reality is that it is extremely exploitable.

[Solid D]

The Spurs give the Jazz appropriate respect. Pop will always respect them.

Boxing out is key because their size is definitely a concern. With that said, the Spurs have tremendous scoring superiority and remember, without their 3 stars, they led the game in Salt Lake City until 2:47 remaining. It wasn't the Jazz' height & length that won it in the end. It was 6'-3" Devin Harris and 6'-8" Paul Millsap.

Appropriate fear and respect and the Spurs depth and firepower should prevail.