Adjustments for game 4

[wildchild]

More plays like when he threw down that huge dunk on Ibaka. I want to see more of that.

I think there's some opportunities for Kawhi to post up Reggie if they keep switching the P&R...

Agree.
The only thing still bothers -even after his good performance vs Blazers- is why Leonard should make the adaptation to his new offensive role in playoffs and not in the regular season.

The adaptation should be seen as part of continued development and it would have been helpful for Leonard -and the Spurs- involve him consistently in the offensive team scheme in the regular season.

If that had happened -which it didn't-, maybe we would see the Kawhi's offensive game in playoffs as a well-oiled machine and not those forced/ugly plays sometimes we watched this postseason.

[SupremeGuy]

Start Patty
Rebound
Every time Adams goes in, throw in Baynes

That's really all it would take, tbh.

[EVAY]

Did anyone notice OKC extending their defense considerably in game three. It seemed like our high screen and roll plays were taking place several steps beyond the three point line allowing more time for the defense to recover. Also our kick out passes were again to players who are multiple steps beyond the three point line. I think the Spurs should try to punish OKC for being ultra-aggressive on the perimeter. I don't know enough about X's and O's, but I thought I would point that out. Maybe somebody could expand on it or disagree.

I think this is true but it is also attributable in part to the presence of Ibaka in the paint, which allows the OKC perimeter guys to stay on their assignments more easily. Plus, Reggie Jackson played the best defensive game of his life, really closing out on the perimeter shooters faster than Thabo ever considered doing. Of course, part of that is a function of not feeling like he has to collapse on the paint - because Ibaka is there.

[Spurs9]

Start Mills and pull Parker off bench

[Capt Bringdown]

Spurs don't make adjustments, they pound the rock. Just try harder, that's the ticket...that hasn't gotten us a ring since '07.

[therealtruth]

I think this is true but it is also attributable in part to the presence of Ibaka in the paint, which allows the OKC perimeter guys to stay on their assignments more easily. Plus, Reggie Jackson played the best defensive game of his life, really closing out on the perimeter shooters faster than Thabo ever considered doing. Of course, part of that is a function of not feeling like he has to collapse on the paint - because Ibaka is there.

I was thinking the same thing. Westbrook and Jackson can be more aggressive because they don't have to worry about being beat of the dribble. That's what having shotblocking does.

[TDfan2007]

It would also help if Kawhi played with more activity. He needs to rebound better and not settle for those contested long twos over Durant.

[EVAY]

I just watched the video of Pop before the Spurs practice today, and when asked about the free throw discrepancy he said "I told my team that it was because they were more aggressive", but said it clearly tongue-in-cheek.

I know he won't say what they are going to do differently than they did in the last game, but Pop seems to always believe that if our guys would just do what he tells them to do that it will be fine. I think some of that is his stubbornness. If we have lost to OKC the last 8 times we have played them with
Ibaka on the floor, I would think that we might consider doing SOMETHING differently,even though I understand that Pop is not going to tell us what that something is.

Pop said Tony has to play better, and Tony said Tony has to play better. Tony was really hard on himself (appropriately so, imo) and when told that his teammates said it was all of them, not just him, he said "Well, that's nice of them but I know my job on this team and I didn't do a good job lat night and it is on me to do better". He seemed really mad at himself, and I am wondering how that will manifest itself on the floor during the game.

Tim also seemed angry. I think that is probably a good thing - that Tim and Tony are both pissed.

[Mugen]

Same as always. Limit turnovers, rebound the ball, and keep them off the FT line. I expect a better effort from the team in Game 4.

[th3answ3r]

duncan and parker looked mad pissed on the bench, i expect a brutal beatdown for game 4

[mercos]

Be aggressive, and give more effort. It looked like the team knew OKC was going to come out blazing, and decided not to give much effort to stop them. It looked like game 4 against Portland all over again. Ibaka should get some of the credit, but tbh the numbers were similar whether he was on or off the court in game 3. Despite everything going in OKC's favor, the game was close until the 4th. If the Spurs keep doing what they have been doing, and bring the intensity in game 4, they should be fine.

[objective]

Keeping Marco on the bench would be a good start.

[313]

Play smarter in the paint tbh. If Ibaka is on the right side of the rim, don't lay it up there for him to block it. Use the rim to protect your layup and lay it in on the left. Just general awareness would help. I think we've gotten used to playing lazy paint defenders.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Clear. The. God. Damn. Defensive. Boards.

We do an even AVERAGE job of that last night, and we're neck and neck with OKC in the 4th quarter, if not leading.

[benefactor]

Same as always. Limit turnovers, rebound the ball, and keep them off the FT line. I expect a better effort from the team in Game 4.

Yep. No rocket science needed. Just play better.

[therealtruth]

I just watched the video of Pop before the Spurs practice today, and when asked about the free throw discrepancy he said "I told my team that it was because they were more aggressive", but said it clearly tongue-in-cheek.

I know he won't say what they are going to do differently than they did in the last game, but Pop seems to always believe that if our guys would just do what he tells them to do that it will be fine. I think some of that is his stubbornness. If we have lost to OKC the last 8 times we have played them with
Ibaka on the floor, I would think that we might consider doing SOMETHING differently,even though I understand that Pop is not going to tell us what that something is.

Pop said Tony has to play better, and Tony said Tony has to play better. Tony was really hard on himself (appropriately so, imo) and when told that his teammates said it was all of them, not just him, he said "Well, that's nice of them but I know my job on this team and I didn't do a good job lat night and it is on me to do better". He seemed really mad at himself, and I am wondering how that will manifest itself on the floor during the game.

Tim also seemed angry. I think that is probably a good thing - that Tim and Tony are both pissed.

There's definitely something to be said for playing tougher and smarter. But sometimes you have to make adjustments like Scott Brooks did with Reggie Jackson and Thabo. He's not being afraid of making adjustments which I think you have to do. The problem for Pop is his adjustments are mainly relying more on the big 3 till they run out of gas. Sometimes you have to go with a guy like Jeremy Lamb who has not played.

[look_at_g_shred]

Make shots, grab a rebound, attack the paint (tp, Manu, KL, splitter)

[Prime Time]

Perhaps let Tony guard Westbrook? Russ would probably think he has the green light to shoot.

[dbreiden83080]

Perhaps let Tony guard Westbrook? Russ would probably think he has the green light to shoot.

Scottie Pippen and MJ could be guarding him and he'd think he has the green light..