Ludden : Spurs end preseason with solid showing

[FromWayDowntown]

I liked how Oberto was able to stay in front of Dirk, which at this point that's about the best any of our big men can do against Dirk, just stay in front of him and not let him go to the basket.

But even just staying on the floor and hoping to stay in front of Dirk has a domino effect that really benefits the Spurs, because it allows Bowen to slide down to Howard or Terry and keeps the Spurs' defensive principles more sound. Pop couldn't do that last year in the playoffs, because Rasho and Nazr had no realistic chance of even staying in front of Dirk. Oberto, Elson, Horry, and Bonner, as a committee might.

[spurtime]

But even just staying on the floor and hoping to stay in front of Dirk has a domino effect that really benefits the Spurs, because it allows Bowen to slide down to Howard or Terry and keeps the Spurs' defensive principles more sound. Pop couldn't do that last year in the playoffs, because Rasho and Nazr had no realistic chance of even staying in front of Dirk. Oberto, Elson, Horry, and Bonner, as a committee might.

You are exactly right about the domino effect. It was like we were playing on our heels and counterpunching that whole series.

[Cap'n Gus' matey]

A stale bag of Sta-Puff marshmellows has more toughness than the Rockets.