Game Thoughts: Spurs @ Lakers Apr. 13

[WalterBenitez]

If NBA doesn't adopt 40 min's game like FIBA we won't win anything this year

[Allanon]

Beating the Spurs without Manu is not very difficult.

1) Clog the lane with your Center, Small Forward and whoever is guarding Bruce/Ime to prevent Tony's drives

2) Double off Parker to help out on Tim Duncan and he passes out or has to shoot over a double/triple team. The rest of the team can't reliably hit jump shots and that's the end of the story. Tony doesn't believe in his jumpshot so Fisher was messing with Duncan all night long since TP was standing at the 3pt line.

Things should change dramatically once Manu comes back since it will no longer be so easy to neutralize Timmy and TP.

And once Barry comes back, you can't double off him either.

[td4mvp21]

Beating the Spurs without Manu is not very difficult.

1) Clog the lane with your Center, Small Forward and whoever is guarding Bruce/Ime to prevent Tony's drives

2) Double off Parker to help out on Tim Duncan and he passes out or has to shoot over a double/triple team. The rest of the team can't reliably hit jump shots and that's the end of the story. Tony doesn't believe in his jumpshot so Fisher was messing with Duncan all night long since TP was standing at the 3pt line.

Things should change dramatically once Manu comes back since it will no longer be so easy to neutralize Timmy and TP.

And once Barry comes back, you can't double off him either.

All very true

However, the Lakers deserve credit they raped the Spurs yesterday. Their offense is really good.

[DazedAndConfused]

I've said for a long time that Barry is a huge part of the Spurs offense. It may not show up in the stat sheets but he is kind of the glue guy for their 2nd unit. Great passer, shooter, knows how to run the show. Invaluable player and the Spurs are really hurting with him out.

[bigfundamental21]

It is hard to not overlook the poor second half performances of late, but we have to trust that our Spurs will bring their best effort when the playoffs start. Health, of course is an issue, but I think the FO is being extra cautious in bringing guys back. It's like Coach Pop said... it is better for us to go into the playoffs healthy and at a lower seed, than unhealthy with the number 1 seed.

[Obstructed_View]

Seems like the best we can hope for is for us to get even luckier than last year. Whatever happens next year, I hope we can put an end to the "let's play uninspired basketball until the playoffs" mentality.

And that's why they've never repeated.

[Brutalis]

Yeah it's frustrating. And I'm glad someone knows how to put it in perspective. So without reason this is what I'd be saying if they could hear me.

Duncan has to get it in his head he has to work harder to do things that were once easy as eating cake. I hate it, but I also hated it seeing David go down to injuries. TD must realize, this is not about being quick, fast, or jump higher. This is about your head. Get that right and the body reacts, like so fluently you show in your career. Only a handful have ever had the talent to do that in the league.

Where Duncan goes, as do the Spurs. I love Manu and Tony. (alphabetical order ) But whatever they do only helps in a win when Duncan plays well enough. When he don't, we are a .500 team and I truly believe that, at best. His knowledge, experience, and presence alone is what separates him from others in this league who may have better numbers. Just step up in your head and see it happening. I don't know what else to say, ..use the Force, the Darkside is easy yet strong.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

We really need a "fingers crossed" emoticon, because incredible luck is about the only hope we have of getting through the most stacked West in recent memory with this beaten up team of gallant but aging role players...