Game Thoughts: Spurs @ Kings Apr. 14

[SequSpur]

Yes, the Spurs were quite fortunate to come away with a win against this chippy, over-achieving Kings squad. To think that 4 players who have started against the Spurs in previous encounters, in fact playoff encounters (Brad Miller, Kenny Thomas, Ron Artest, and Kevin Martin) were missing and the game came down to the final play. Whew, what a sigh of relief. Had John Salmons hit just one of his last 3 or 4 shots, the game may have ended differently. In fact, had Salmons not chosen to turn and take the last 3 himself at the buzzer.. a wide open Beno was standing right in front of his face awaiting a simple hand-off. Beno could have sent it to OT with just an ounce of consideration. (Sigh of relief)

I must admit, one of the major surprises to me this year has been Reggie Theus' coaching job. I thought he would bomb, big-time. I also must admit that I would have never expected to see Spencer Hawes curling off screens knocking down mid-range jumpers as a set play....multiple trips.

That 3-2 zone is a great call against this iteration of the Spurs. The Spurs will need to keep Oberto out of foul trouble for the 4th quarters now. Fab, Tim, Manu and pre-injury-form Brent Barry are the best Zone Busters the Spurs have, IMO.

Finley, you were feelin' it and your shot-making really helped get that win last night.

Kurt Thomas needs to spend the next week in Fab Oberto's hip pocket learning how to run screen rolls and cut to open-space. He hasn't correctly timed a single screen-roll with Tony Parker in 2008. We are waiting, Kurt.....

Here is a feast or famine scenario that we are seeing way too often: Tony Parker dribbling off a screen, then a re-screen, then a re-screen, a pass and then a return pass to TP, coach Mike Bud yelling 5, 4, 3 and then a shot is hoisted from TP with 2 seconds left on the shot clock. Scenario 1: TP makes 20 footer; Scenario 2: TP misses 20 footer.

Manu and Brent, the Spurs need you healthy!

Damn, that's to much to read right now.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Totally agree this is not a mental issue for Timmy and he has not gotten old overnight. The whole idea that Shaq is in his head if the Spurs play the Suns is ridiculous when he has played great against him when Shaq's fat ass was in his prime. Tim is a warrior as you said and he will be there for the playoffs and kick ass as long as he is healthy. I think he is healthy just in a funk with the rest of the team. Game 1 of the playoffs he will rise like the champ he is. You don't win 4 les and 3 finals MVP's for nothing, the real Timmy is coming

Believe.

Tim is complaining WAY too much about the no calls (time to get over it Tim - they are not calling the low post like they used to, and no manner of complaint will change that), and putting up too many weak shots. He is also not playing his opponents smart - trying to back down stronger guys and drive on quicker ones, a mistake he's made all season. I really hope he's just foxing us all and the Timmy we saw for a stretch in Feb-March returns ASAP. Most important, the incredible help D we've seen from him for most of the season needs to return ASAP, or it'll be one and done.

[peskypesky]

Spurs have got to turn it ON tomorrow and go for the win at all costs. We need huge games from Duncan, Parker and Finley.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

If San Antonio win, Phoenix win & Houston lose then

3 San Antonio 56 26
4 Utah 54 28
5 Phoenix 55 27
6 Houston 54 28

Thanks.

Let's all cross our fingers and pray for this to happen. beating up on Houston is exactly what this team needs right now, and Utah-Phoenix would be a great series.

[grjr]

[QUOTE=timvp]
It was looking bleak there for a while until Parker led a comeback in the closing minuets.
QUOTE]

Hey, I thought the big dance was over last week.

[gilmor]

I apologize for the delay. I had to savor the last game of the season against a lottery team. We don't get another of these for about seven months.

TiMVP's sarcasm is so thinly veiled that I am not many can get it!!

[jackseven]

I'd like to thank the person that authored these in-depth game thoughts all season long. I only watch the Spurs every 4 or 5 games - and even then fragments of the games - but I feel like I get a good sense of the game from these recaps. It's basically a paid subscription service without the cost.

I think the continued literature after every game is deserving of a nobel peace trophy under your screen name.

[SAGambler]

Vaughn did pull the trigger on open jumpers -- he just air-balled them, bricked them, and bricked them again.

Pushing it up on the break he doesn't look as bad as in the half-court. That's because he passes it as soon as humanly possible and usually doesn't touch it again unless they have to set up a half-court play. Then the offense stalls out entirely like it does whenever he runs the point.

I really believe he is the biggest liability -- bigger than injury, depth, bench scoring, etc...

Vaughn = getting outscored 10 - 0 until Tony comes back in.

Tony, therefore, is KEY to this playoff run. More important than a consistent Timmy or an electrifying Manu -- TP will have to play balls out all the time and,
, Pop! -- keep Vaughn off the floor!

I have maintained for most of the season, that if you have a big lead, and Vaughn comes in, the lead will be gone by the time he goes back to the bench. And if Spurs are down a couple they will be down double digits by the time he sits again.

I wish Barry would have gotten well sooner. Maybe we could use him as the backup to Tony. Neither Vaughn nor Damon can be counted on right now. I just hate it when Tony has to sit. And we won't be able to overcome those Vaughn deficits in the playoffs.

[Lebowski Brickowski]

I'd rather have Stoudamire jacking up shots and running all over the place than have Vaughn dribbling around in circles at half court and passing to the wrong team. Vaughn's D is a little bit better but neither is gonna make All NBA 7th team Defense.

I don't get how Stoudamire is so much worse.

[smeagol]

Thanks!

[Spurs Dynasty 21]

Duncan would have had 30pts against the Kings if it wasn't for foul trouble



let's see what he does against Boozer and Okur tonight