How do you envision the matchups and some concerns going into this series...

[houston spurs fan]

It really boils down to Tony....

[mute]

Dwight and Gasol are great players and are gonna get theirs (especially with Kobe being out). I'm just terrified both players will suddenly find their ways and go on a tear. Both players have shown they are capable of carrying the load. The fact that they have two players like this scares me to death. We just cannot let guys like Steve Blake and their other role players beat us.

[DPG21920]

I'm a nervous wreck about the playoffs. Outside of Tim & TP I trust no one on this team. They have been bad.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

I'm a nervous wreck about the playoffs. Outside of Tim & TP I trust no one on this team. They have been bad.

I don't even trust TP right now tbh

[ElNono]

I'm a nervous wreck about the playoffs. Outside of Tim & TP I trust no one on this team. They have been bad.

I've had a ton of work lately, and that has helped me put my mind somewhere else. But I guess once they start playing the games, it's gonna hit me.

I'm also a bit lost on what to expect. Were they coasting a bit? Who will Pop play out there? I think after the first game we'll have a better idea of what we're looking at.

[hater]

I've had a ton of work lately, and that has helped me put my mind somewhere else. But I guess once they start playing the games, it's gonna hit me.

I'm also a bit lost on what to expect. Were they coasting a bit? Who will Pop play out there? I think after the first game we'll have a better idea of what we're looking at.

Well dont worry. We will know as soon as soon as sunday no later than wed. What this team got

[Johnny RIngo]

Parker's definitely hurt...which is going to make every playoff game difficult.. I think he made a big mistake coming back early from that injury. Seems like TP was gunning for those regular season awards at the expense of the team.

[Tuddy]

Duncans been copping much better treatment from the refs this season. If Parkers heAlthy spurs will sweep

[Brazil]

We all know the current Spurs struggles, both on health and game... but I want to focus a bit on actual matchups.

In the last game, Pop played Tiago on Gasol and TD on Dwight. I'm not sure that's the way to go. While it's true that you want to keep TD near the basket at all times and Gasol likes to pull out more, the Lakers really have nobody that can penetrate from the perimeter on a consistent basis (MWP would be the exception, but he just barrels to the basket). Putting Tiago on Dwight makes it easier to foul Dwight without TD racking up fouls. Also Tiago has had much more difficulty trying to play outside the paint, where Gasol like to operate these days.

The rest of the Lakers are fairly average and below-average players. But they can shoot. It will be key for guys like Green, Kawhi, TP, etc to not go help or double-team. Stay in front of your guy, fight through screens and make them put the ball on the floor.

Steals and transition will be another aspect the Spurs need to focus on. Lakers like to turn the ball over, and they're pretty bad in transition D.

For the Lakers the gameplan is fairly easy: pack the paint, and make the Spurs beat you from outside. Spurs will likely run pick & roll to death, but Lakers will be happy to give up the shot every time.

I don't often post but when I do it's usually because I have something important to say. Now I don't want you to take this personal but your threads are terrible. Again I don't know who you are, what you do, etc but I certainly hope that your contribution to this website is not the culmination of your life.

[Chinook]

Pop just needs to not worry about switching Green on Blake or Nash if Parker struggles. With Meeks in for Bryant, Parker can check the off-guard. It's also possible to see Leonard on the point, Parker on the two-guard and Green on MWP. Danny has actually played Metta well.

Leonard needs to find a way to score against MWP. Kawhi's greatest value in the series is gone without Bryant playing, so he's gonna have to contribute more on offense to make up for it. Lord knows Green isn't going to do enough to make MWP switch off Leonard, although Parker and Ginobili may.

Bonner could be big in this series. He's a good post defender, which helps against Gasol and Howard. His outside shooting is also the key to stopping the Lakers' "defense." Let's face it: With Diaw out, Bonner has become one of the semi-expendables.

[Blake]

Leonard needs to find a way to score against MWP. Kawhi's greatest value in the series is gone without Bryant playing, so he's gonna have to contribute more on offense to make up for it. Lord knows Green isn't going to do enough to make MWP switch off Leonard, although Parker and Ginobili may.

After watching that last game v the Lakers, I'd say this is a concern I have as well.

I'm concerned if the Lakers decide to run a bunch of hi-lo with Gasol and Howard if Splitter isn't in the game.

[CGD]

What is the Diaw situation? Is he completely out this series? We could use him.

[Darius McCrary]

Am I the only one who thinks it will be a criminal decision for Pop to play Blair over Baynes in this series? We all know he'll play Blair, but I think Baynes has the size to at least make Dwight work a little harder to get his.

[Seventyniner]

Am I the only one who thinks it will be a criminal decision for Pop to play Blair over Baynes in this series? We all know he'll play Blair, but I think Baynes has the size to at least make Dwight work a little harder to get his.

I think it would be criminal if either one gets more than garbage minutes.

[Darius McCrary]

With no Diaw that bumps every big up a notch on the ladder. Using Bonner over Baynes (even though we all know he'll choke) has logic. Using Blair over Baynes does not.

[EVAY]

My biggest concern is rebounding. Frankly we have been terrible at it most of the season. Duncan is better at blocks this season than rebounds, and Howard can out rebound most everybody on our team all by himself. They don't have to be good shooters if they get enough shots on goal.

Howard was called out by Bryant so often this season that I think he is dying to show that he can be 'the man' for the Lakers, and put Kobe to shame.

So far, he and Gasol have played better together since Bryant went out than they ever did with Kobe around. If we don't have that answered somehow, we are going to lose regardless of what Tony or Manu or Green or Kawhi do.

Rebounding.

[Chomag]

Bonner getting PT that is all that worries me.

[cd021]

-Splitter plays Gasol well. Tim usually plays Howard well. Better to have Tim closer to protect the rim If they can adequately defend the Lakers front court without a double team, i don't see how the Lakers can put up enough points tbh.

-The lakers perimeter rotation is essentially their bench tbh so they can play 40+mpg for all i care.

- Rebounding will again be key. Kawhi/Green are going to have to step up rebounding wise in the series.

-If the Spurs don't defend every Laker perimeter player extremely tight (Blake, Meeks, Jamison, Artest, etc.), Pop should be fired after the series tbh.

The thing is we actually struggle to score against them as well the 1st game we won 86-84. Duncan is the leading scorer against the Lakers this season with 16.5 points (I believe thats correct)

[bklynspursfan]

Man Sunday can't come soon enough...

I'm really anxious to see how this team goes out. I sort of feel like they're going to come out on fire, with a ton of energy and jump on LA early as they don't have the firepower to win a game where they have to come back.

I could be totally wrong and they come out sloppy and LA is the aggressor.