Spurs' Key to Winning the Finals

[BWJACKETS]

I think maintaining some degree of control over the defensive glass is crucial for the Spurs, particularly early in the series. As the Cavs send their bigs to the offensive boards, the Spurs can get transition opportunities with numbers by simply being strong on the defensive glass and pushing the ball after the rebound, particularly when Ilgauskas is on the floor. I can't see that Z has the speed to get up and down with Duncan, Oberto, and/or Elson. It seems to me that if the Spurs can control the defensive glass early in the series, it puts the Cavs in a predicament about whether to continue to crash the boards and give up break opportunities or to focus on getting back in transition and foregoing their usual feast of 2nd chance points. Even if the affect on the Cavs' decision-making isn't that pronounced, controlling the defensive glass with gang rebounding will aid the Spurs significantly.

I didn't even have to read your entire post, here is my response: In all likelihood, CLE will probably be even or have a slight advantage on the defensive boards, however offensive rebounds will be big advantage for Cleveland, the Cavs IMO are better offensive rebounding than they are defensive, Duncan must be a monster on the boards, which he is capable of, but Cleveland has a definitive size advantage across the board on the Spurs beside Duncan.

[FromWayDowntown]

I didn't even have to read your entire post, here is my response: In all likelihood, CLE will probably be even or have a slight advantage on the defensive boards, however offensive rebounds will be big advantage for Cleveland, the Cavs IMO are better offensive rebounding than they are defensive, Duncan must be a monster on the boards, which he is capable of, but Cleveland has a definitive size advantage across the board on the Spurs beside Duncan.

You should have read my post -- my point was that if the Spurs control their own defensive glass (that is, keep Cleveland from rolling up a big advantage in offensive rebounds) they are going to be a long way towards winning this series.

You're obviously arguing that the Spurs won't be able to do that -- but you might want to check in with Jazz fans about that issue.

[MadDog73]

I didn't even have to read your entire post, here is my response: In all likelihood, CLE will probably be even or have a slight advantage on the defensive boards, however offensive rebounds will be big advantage for Cleveland, the Cavs IMO are better offensive rebounding than they are defensive, Duncan must be a monster on the boards, which he is capable of, but Cleveland has a definitive size advantage across the board on the Spurs beside Duncan.

Jazz were better rebounders than Spurs...

that worked out well for them.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

I believe the whole thing is going to be decided by Parker and Ginobili penetrations. Cavs don't have anyone to stop them on a consistent basis. I foresee Cavs throwing different people at Parker every night. I don't think they have anyone to stop Ginobili. Jazz had the same problem. They may put LBJ on Ginobili for a quarter or so since he is capable of defending him due to his size but I think Ginobili will make him pay for that. I really believe Cavs don't have any way to stop them, period. There's no player in that roster with that set of skills.

[Solid D]

Hey Marcus. Glad to see you combined your other threads into this one. You did that, right?

The Cavs are playing excellent defense. I would not take Cleveland lightly. The Spurs lose some of their offensive efficiency with teams that junk-it-up. The Cavaliers have a chance...especially with LeBron James.