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The Spurs were aware of the rules changes. They were unable to adapt, be it due to the lack of opportunities to add the right personnel or making the wrong choices (passing on Josh Howard, for example).
If only Josh's last name was Popsonofabich.
Thanks to Mark Cuban's whining for years and the other sheep who do not appreciate good defensive basketball, the rules were changed. It is no coincidence that the Spurs and Pistons were both knocked out despite having the best records in the league last year. Quite simply, the teams were not allowed to play defense the way they did when they were winning championships. It's what the public wants ......touch fouls so LeBron, Dirk, and Dwayne can drive to the hole unmolested. It sucks, but it is the new NBA. They want to see more points scored. Spurs and Pistons have to adapt, but it is hard for a team to radically change the style of play that brought championships.
The Spurs were aware of the rules changes. They were unable to adapt, be it due to the lack of opportunities to add the right personnel or making the wrong choices (passing on Josh Howard, for example).
If only Josh's last name was Popsonofabich.
I know they were aware of them and did not react, but I think it sucks that just because Cuban is a rich guy who always gets his way.....a league would change rules for him because his team couldn't win playing the old way. Spurs and Pistons were champs....the league should adapt to their style --not change the rules to help level the playing field.
I hope you really don't believe this is what happened
An outsider view of the difference of this year's Spurs team and the last few year's team...........Tim Duncan. Yep, his name hasn't even surfaced once on this entire thread as being the culprit. Yeah, he is still very good. But he isn't so exremely dominating anymore that opposing teams are forced to double team him.
The Spurs offense is designed to attack the double team. In years past, Duncan would just score every single time if you didn't double him in the post and outside shooters would get clean looks off of those double teams. Now, teams have figured out that Duncan will miss a lot of those shots if he is left with one player guarding him. I have seen in time and time again this season. In fact, Duncan would prefer to be double teamed this year so he can pass it. He actually likes to pass it better because he knows he might miss.
And Tim's defense isn't as dominating either. Devin Harris and Jason Terry often have made it all the way to the rim on the Spurs this season. They just couldn't do that against the Heat. Mourning and Shaq completely shut that down. Duncan is just a step slower this seaon and it shows both offensively and defensively. Of course Duncan could get a second wind for the playoffs, only time will tell.
^Tim is shooting at a higher % this season than in years past, 50+%. When he's played one on one, he's unstoppable. Difference is when he's double teamed, actually. He often doesn't rotate quick enough and is slow moving in the post so he get's a TO or often nothing. Also, teams can now afford to double team him even more due to the fact that when he does pass it to the open shooter, they're missing their shots. Teams would rather take their chances that way now.
As for his defense, that has a lot to do with Oberto and Elson being horrible.
This is what I'm seeing as well.
i don't watch all the games, but i have yet to see timmy make a bank shot this year, those used to be money. i thought players generally get more accurate as their career progresses, not less.
And the times now that he has the ball facing the basket where he either shoots the bankshot or drives to the basket...he seems to take much longer to decide which he's going to do than he used to.
this is what kills me, he's awfully indecisive this season. instead of making a quick move, he holds the ball, dribbles until he thinks of something. for this team to be effective, timmy has to make quick, decisive moves in the post to put pressure on the d.
I agree! They still lost to the Spurs in WCF!
I agree!
allass had an opportunity to win the Finals, were up 2-0 against an old unathletic team Miami and choked! There are 35 games left in the season so anything can happen. Look at how allass & suns are playing to get the top seed as they don't want to play the Spurs in the 2nd Round!
He's taking them, I say he averages 2 - 4 per game. In fact, usually his first shot attempt lately has been a bank shot.
The Biggest problem for the Spurs is not the "Big 3" it's that at ude that a "Big 3" is all you need. And that's just not the case.
Timmy, Tony and Gino are great. But your worker bees are not. They are either too old and their skills are declining or they are too inexperienced.
Ex: Finley, Barry, Horry. All used to be good or very good but in the last 2 years have begun to decline.
Oberto is good but it's year 1. Elson maybe be pretty good but it's early for him and he was injured. Bonner, too early.
The rest of the guys are spares or average at best.
If you expect to beat the Mavs and or Suns over 7 games, you will need 2-3 studs (which you have) + 5 other really good players (which you don't have)
Your GM better fix that over the off season or you will be wasting the "big 3" talent.
Spurs Roster
2006-07 Roster
NUM PLAYER POS HT WT DOB FROM YRS
17 Brent Barry G 6-7 210 12/31/1971 Oregon State 11
15 Matt Bonner F 6-10 240 04/05/1980 Florida 2
12 Bruce Bowen F 6-7 200 06/14/1971 Cal State Fullerton 10
45 Jackie Butler C 6-10 260 03/10/1985 Coastal Christian Academy (VA) 2
21 Tim Duncan F-C 6-11 260 04/25/1976 Wake Forest 9
16 Francisco Elson C 7-0 235 02/28/1976 California 3
4 Michael Finley G-F 6-7 225 03/06/1973 Wisconsin 11
20 Manu Ginobili G 6-6 205 07/28/1977 Argentina 4
5 Robert Horry F-C 6-10 240 08/25/1970 Alabama 14
7 Fabricio Oberto C 6-10 245 03/21/1975 Argentina 1
9 Tony Parker G 6-2 180 05/17/1982 France 5
14 Beno Udrih G 6-3 200 07/05/1982 Slovenia 2
11 Jacque Vaughn G 6-1 190 02/11/1975 Kansas 9
33 James White G-F 6-7 200 10/21/1982 Cincinnati R
55 Eric Williams F 6-8 220 07/17/1972 Providence 11
I stopped reading at "Oberto is good"
He does this because he is waiting for the double team. He actually wants the double team to arrive for whatever reason.
No, I'm talking about when he has the ball out aways from the basket (at that spot that he takes his bankshots from). He doesn't usually get double-teamed at that spot on the floor. Teams will double team him when he drives to the hoop instead of taking that bankshot.
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