Phoenix Making Dallas Play Their Way

[strangeweather]

The point is that instead of saying 'oh , we gotta ditch our system for an entire series to try to match up', D'Antoni said 'we're going to play our way and see if you can beat us.'

I remember when Pop used to say the same.

D'Antoni did the same thing last year against the Spurs, while Pop adjusted. Personally, I enjoyed advancing to the finals last year, but you may feel differently.

[T Park]

Either way Pop messed up.

So in other words, he can't win with any of you heads.

[SenorSpur]

Pop was already saying last season, paraphrased, "we can run and gun, we can slow-down, we can whatever game you want to play" It's a boast that the Spurs are good at different styles and paces of game,

... which is OK when you can do it and win, but that approach always seemed somewhat weird to me.

Funny, Avery made that exact same boast today on a local sports talk station here in Dallas.

[T Park]

D'Antoni did the same thing last year against the Spurs, while Pop adjusted.

yeah pop adjusted by playing Horry more.

GASP

[SequSpur]

[strangeweather]

yeah pop adjusted by playing Horry more.

GASP

And happily running and playing uptempo. Lineups aren't the only adjustments.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

D'Antoni did the same thing last year against the Spurs, while Pop adjusted. Personally, I enjoyed advancing to the finals last year, but you may feel differently.

What did Pop adjust to? The only adjustment we made for Phoenix was breaking out more in transition, and having two bigs in there rebounding made that possible.

That, and telling guys to step out of the way, let Amare dunk it, and not give up three point plays.

Typical Tpark. Pop could give your mom a dirty sanchez and you'd be there waiting when he got done to slap him on the ass and tell him good game.

[Sway]

Wouldnt it be ironic if the Mavs get spanked by "small ball"! That would be SOOOOO sweet.

[strangeweather]

What did Pop adjust to? The only adjustment we made for Phoenix was breaking out more in transition, and having two bigs in there rebounding made that possible.

You think letting Phoenix control the tempo is playing our own style? Whatever.

[strangeweather]

Stuck with their regular season lineup and are crushing Dallas at the offensive end.

62-58 at the half. Now that's pwnage.

[Dunc]

Typical Tpark. Pop could give your mom a dirty sanchez and you'd be there waiting when he got done to slap him on the ass and tell him good game.

[jmard5]

Not a great number of posts here by Mavs fans.

1. Are they busy watching the game?
2. Just waiting to have a lead in the game?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

You think letting Phoenix control the tempo is playing our own style? Whatever.

How did Phoenix control the tempo? They were playing catch up every game. Pop recognized the fact that Phoenix didn't get back in transition and attacked it. Of course, that all started on the glass.

[mavsrule]

here

[T Park]

Typical Tpark. Pop could give your mom a dirty sanchez and you'd be there waiting when he got done to slap him on the ass and tell him good game.

Typical Aggie with the childish insults.

[Dunc]

rebounding is not a strong suit for suns usally

I don't have the numbers for this cuz I'm far too lazy to look it up, but I believe the Suns were one of the top defenseive rebounding teams in the NBA this year. Which makes sense, when you think about it, because what team would be suicidal enough to try and chase a loose ball to get another possession when Bell or Marion are streaking down the floor wide open for a pass and layup? Teams will sacrifice extra possession for the sake of transition defense.

Another point: it's amazing how close to robotic the Suns are. You can't get them down by hitting a big three or slamming a dunk on them, because as happened at least three times in the first half (such as after a big 3 from _allas, by Terry I think), the ball was immediately inbounded to Nash who instantly spotted Marion downfloor for an open layup. The only way to get into their heads is to stop them, and stopping them is damn hard. This could be a weird series, but fun to watch, for sure. Better get ready, Mav fan.

[strangeweather]

How did Phoenix control the tempo? They were playing catch up every game. Pop recognized the fact that Phoenix didn't get back in transition and attacked it. Of course, that all started on the glass.

Phoenix 2005 regular season: 110.4 points scored, 103.3 points allowed
San Antonio 2005 regular season: 96.2 points scored, 88.4 points allowed

2005 WCF:
5/22/2005 SAS at Phoenix Suns 121 - 114 1 - 0
5/24/2005 SAS at Phoenix Suns 111 - 108 2 - 0
5/28/2005 SAS Phoenix Suns 102 - 92 3 - 0
5/30/2005 SAS Phoenix Suns 106 - 111 3 - 1
6/1/2005 SAS at Phoenix Suns 101 - 95 4 - 1

Whose tempo were we playing at exactly?

[T Park]

uptempo

we played their game.

THe only difference is, the game SOMEWHAT slowed down in the 4th.


shhhhh.

[dieman8686]

Not a great number of posts here by Mavs fans.

1. Are they busy watching the game?
2. Just waiting to have a lead in the game?

For me I'm busy watching the game, only reason I'm here is because of half time. Posting and reading doesn't mix with watching a game...

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Typical Aggie with the childish insults.

Look in the mirror Tfart

[T Park]

Link to where I insulted you lately?

[T Park]

Oh thats right, cause I havent.

Your just a plain and simple.


as Kris and others have told me "Aggie doesn't know about basketball I dont know why you let him bother you"

I don't know why either.

[SequSpur]

87.3%

[JMarkJohns]

I don't think Dallas playing the Suns tempo is going to matter much either way. It will result in a few wins and a few losses.

Honestly, I think every game will be close enough that, no matter the score, three or four late possessions will determine the winner.

Dallas is every bit as quick and athletic as Phoenix and they are deeper (so long as Howard returns this series). Suns shoot bettre from everywhere, but Dallas has a half-dozen players who can break the Suns down off the dribble and score.

Suns struggle defensively in matchups like that.

[T Park]

Why is it, honestly hard to admit, the Mavericks had a more talented, and versatile team.

Period.

Give them their props, and MOVE ON.


GO Suns.