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He's going to look worse in the playoffs where the minutes are more intense.
You think it will be that cut and dry, huh?
Do you seriously believe that it will be easy to steal a game in Miami in the month of June, just because the "C-team" almost won there months ago? If that game was in June, the Heat would crush them and send them back to the YWCA. Even at full strength, it would still be a long shot for the Spurs to steal a game in the lion's den of Miami. Last year, I've seen the Heat even lose home games to vastly inferior opponents... in the regular season. Because it is 82 games long, the regular season can enable even the best teams to coast every now and then. But unfortunately for the Spurs, since they are not in the same conference as the Heat, they can only play one another in the Finals, where the Heat, especially James and Wade and perhaps Bosh, are at their absolute best. The Pacers and Celtics had their chances in last year's playoffs but failed to capitalize when James suddenly took over games in a god-like fashion. So in other words, the Heat become an entirely different team in the playoffs and become absolute beasts in the Finals, where the Thunder didn't even stand a chance.
As for tonight's event, unfortunately I was unable to watch the game and could only follow it through the yahoo box score. I do believe Parker cannot be solely relied upon deep into the playoffs in order for the team's success. I pray they do not meet up with the Thunder again, because if the plan was only "live by Parker, die by Parker", well then I fear it would be die by Parker, for Thabo Sefolosha would be waiting. Certain basketball analysts have all said in order for the Spurs to win it all, it would depend upon the big 3 to play their best. I strongly disagree for we've seen their best in last year's playoffs. With no great Jordan-esque superstar, Parker who could be neutralized by a bigger shutdown defender and Duncan and Manu on the great hope that they do not run of gas into June, the team needs more than the Big 3. They need the Big 5 -- the starting lineup. I cannot stress enough how much the team needs sufficient production from Kawhi and Tiago. I was very disappointed that those two were not given more opportunities to score after establishing the fact that the big 3 were not getting it done. As for the playoffs and hopefully the Finals, the key to win it all/beating Miami is not Parker, but rather Duncan and Splitter. The Spurs need to use, and use frequently, the twin tower offense, something that very few other teams possess. If they can do that plus unleashing Kawhi, the Spurs, led by the "big 5", will have a relatively good shot.
Speaking of Tiago, could someone please explain to me why does Splitter have so few chances to score, whether it is from this game (where he played like 32 minutes but with only 4 shots) or most of the other games from the past three weeks?
He's going to look worse in the playoffs where the minutes are more intense.
I sadly agree. There are no "big three" anymore...I wish the media would stop with that already.
The good news is that the Spurs don't have to have huge nights from Manu, but simply steady play, and he can still do that. Manu will still be able to give a 20 point game here and there, but the frequency will be low.
I really want to see Tim get more rest tbh. We need the TD we had for the first half of the season to make a hard push..we can get by with Manu dropping off more than Tim.
Let's forget about the recent wins we've had and focus on the quality of play in those wins and two of our most recent losses since the 13th. First, we barely beat a bad Cavs team that required a GW three to win. Next game after the AS break, we stumble out of the gate and let the Kings hang around only to put away the game in the closing minutes. The Paper Clips game looked great on paper and on primetime TV but we have to keep in mind it was the Clips first game since the AS break and they had 3 extra days of rest all reasons one can then say they were rusty. Next game comes along and the Warriors bring out the blueprint to keep TP in check and the team blows a late 13 point lead with sloppy possessions and atrocious shot selection from everyone. Mind you this is a Warriors team that had lost 6 out of their last 7 and haven't looked good since that game, barely beating the lowly Wolves Sunday and losing two in a row after. So yeah, we go on to beat the lowly Suns by 10 on Sunday to end the RRT on a winning note but then piss away that goodwill with an awful game tonight against them at San Antonio with TP back, getting Sefolosha'd once again. So, when you honestly look at these past two weeks, you see growing list of concerns: sloppiness, still struggling on the glass against athletic teams, deteriorating free throw shooting, inconsistent 4th quarter play, questionable rotations by Pop, Manu looking like he's 50 years old out there, and now to make matters worse is TP getting Sefolosha'd with him not having a plan B to overcome it. I was feeling better about the team's chances 59 games into the season last year than I am after 59 games this season.
I was trying to look at the bright side but I also think we match up better against the Heat than we do against the Thunder and Grizzlies.
I think Kawhi needs to move up to number 3 on the depth chart. I don't know if it should be over Manu or Tim though. I'd like to see what he can do with more shots and touches on offense.
Spurs
Yeah, 1 is worrisome... I'm actually not sure what it is that causes the issue. He still gets free for his jumper. He still gets into the lane - he just loses a lot of effectiveness. It's strange.
I still think the lack of defensive rebounding in the clutch is a huge issue. If it's a close game you can go to the bank with the fact that the Spurs will give up multiple offensive rebounds. They are a much improved defensive squad but the Spurs can't go far having to defend 2/3 possessions in a row in the playoffs in tight games.
This. I would have liked to see Leonard take the last shot.
Kawhi got completely frozen out on offense at the end of the game last night. I was really pissed off, still didn't think we would lose the game as I was watching it, but yeah, it was annoying me that he wasn't get the ball at all. Then after we lost the game, I couldn't help but think that we might have had a better chance to win it if he got the ball at all.
Manu took some really stupid shots out there. He needs to stop screwing around and put in some more time in the gym to try and regain his game.
Every time Manu seems to be "finding his groove" he picks up another injury. We should all just deal with the fact that he's too old and unreliable, at this point, to be our go-to guy down the stretch . He'll be good for 25 mins a game in the playoffs but anything more than that will be decreasing his effectiveness.
Man bad losses happen I would not freak out to much.not
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