On the positive side, they won the boards for a change. And--except for the spurts when they kept handing the ball over to them--they were able to keep the Mavs out of the lane and make them jump shooters.
That's Spurs Basketball. And that's what they'll have to continue to do to beat Dallas.
Honestly what were the worries about going against the Mavs in a playoff series.
Rebounding, defense, and guarding Dirk.
You cannot tell me today's game didn't make you feel 1000 times better about the 3 above.
The rebounding while it stunk int he first quarter got even better 2nd through 4th.
The D was good, and Dirk had to take what ws it, 19 shots for 20 points or something?
GOOD THING!!!
On the positive side, they won the boards for a change. And--except for the spurts when they kept handing the ball over to them--they were able to keep the Mavs out of the lane and make them jump shooters.
That's Spurs Basketball
You can't tell me that didn't get you all warm and fuzzy inside.
WE HAD OUR BOYS BACK!!!
What wasn't I happy with? Let's see...
Obviously we allowed way too much transition garbage to Harris, but he was due for a game against us. The guy leads the league in +/- per minute and he's been absolutely atrocious the past three games against us, so it's only natural that he had one good game. I think we can clean up most of our mistakes against him by simply taking care of the ball better.
In the half court we were very, very good defensively. We outrebounded Dallas and held them to 44%, even with all of their lay-ups, with Duncan not playing the last 15 minutes. I was pleased with the play of all the bigs, including Horry. It would've been nice to see Bonner in the 4th. Maybe he could've hit a three or gotten an offensive rebound or something.
Really my biggest complaint is that we played smallball for half the 4th quarter for no reason. Our bigs were doing a great job. If Elson/Oberto were tired then Pop should've played Horry or Bonner.
Offensively Tony had a couple too many turnovers and forced a half dozen shots, but he sank a bunch of jumpers and had some nice lay-ups too. He wasn't great or terrible, just average for him. We need Finley and Barry to shoot better from three. Manu too. We were awful from three today and it kept Dallas in the game. But give them credit for not giving us that many clean looks. We had a few, but about half as much as we usually get.
We ran too much isolation, especially in the 4th with Tim out, and I guess part of it was Pop wanting to be vanilla and part of it was desperation. Didn't see much movement out there from Fin or Brent. It looked like Pop totally took the foot off the pedal in the 4th, coaching wise.
If we play our A game we'll beat any team in the NBA, including Dallas. But the Mavs do a good job of getting you out of your A game.
10-21 From the field. Almost 50%. About on par with the series last year overall, as well as both games in SA earlier this year that the Mavs won.
...but congrats?
but he had 20 or 22 points?
taking 21 to get 20 or 22 is not good.
Shooting almost 50% IS good.but he had 20 or 22 points?
taking 21 to get 20 or 22 is not good.
Only difference is he didn't get as many foul shots as usual. And with good cause--why would he take it to the lane with any semblence of reckless abandon or aggression when the game meant nothing outside of pride and bragging rights?
What's funny is Harris has been playing at a subpar level all season. I hate that tater tot.
You're insane. Harris has been their 3rd best player all year. He LEADS THE LEAGUE in +/- per minute.
unless Tony does it.but he had 20 or 22 points?
taking 21 to get 20 or 22 is not good.
I haven't seen anything about Elson's defense. I was watching him on their pick and rolls Several times he'd fall off on the guard or SF who would then go to the sideline or corner. He stood there like a deer in the headlights without making a move to cover the guy in the corner and without doubleteaming on Dirk.
Unless he was following instructions and Pop told him to stand halfway between either guy with a thumb up his ass, he didn't look like he had a clue. They will exploit his inexperience on the perimeter defense in the playoffs
He was a little better when he was down deep in the paint, but then I guess he's used to that.
A)the refs don't want the spurs to beat the mavs so bad so the prevent the spurs to win
B)all mavs players and fans r gay
c)mark cuban digs joey crawford....did I mention (rumor)someone saw mark blowing kisses to joey
Harris' forays to the hoop looked EXACTLY as it did last year during the WCSF. By now you'd think someone would actually FOUL the guy and prevent a 3-pt play. Harris is a talented, rapidly-developing, young player - but he's NOT unstoppable. Foul him HARD. Put him on his ass a few times. Not to hurt him, but to send him a message. , the Mavs do not consistently allow TP to get to the rim without some measure of a hard foul.
Obviously, this is strategy that Avery coaches. It's strange that Pop doesn't subscribe to this philosophy. I watch my share of Mavs games. For whatever reason, he seems to give the Spurs more problems than most. I'm so sick of the Spurs letting this guy get to the basket on along with an and-1.
One fear is the way Manu plays against the Mavs. I'm seeing less of his so-called incredible will to win and more of his ability to make awful mistakes.
Extremely well said.. I have the same opinion about my Spurs.. and I just hated how people playing Parker vs Manu all the freaking time..
Enter James White!
Nah joking...Spurs had a poor game with some pretty poor shot selection. And ofcourse when every the Keystone of your team is missing something is gonna give.(ask kobe)
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