ESPN: NBA Lockdown - Who wins in a Spurs/Warriors playoffs matchup?

[ceperez]

I think Simmons is coming along faster than anyone (coaches included) thought he might. His athleticism is elite, so even if skillwise he wasn't quite there, he was going to be able to make athletic plays. Luckily, his skills have been improving too, he's handling the ball better, he's avoiding traps or going into them aware of where guys are (that pass to Bonner last night?!!!). He has been shooting the 3 without hesitation and making a good %, and he can keep in front of guys. He still needs to be careful not to foul too much, bc of his energy (although he has terrific body control for a guy with such springs), but some calls against him were also 50/50. He has frankly looked like between these games and the playoffs he'll be fine.

He's ahead of Anderson in the rotation, so he's prioritized. Pop is still going to play Anderson though, not ahead of him or in close games maybe, but those who don't want to see him at all will be disappointed, bc Pop is developing him and likely, he and Simmons will be a bench tandem when Manu retires.

For GSW, I only see Simmons playing. We'll need minutes from a 4th wing to give Manu a breather and Danny is so limited. I don't see Anderson in the playoffs. Pop has only played him lately against the weaker teams, and he's clearly still improving and developing, but minutes for him are limited anyways by virtue of needing to prioritize Simmons and he won't see minutes against tough compe ion and playoff teams, therefore he won't be ready.

I keep thinking the same thing about Boban, although his minutes need to come from somewhere else and he's not affected by the wing rotation situation. If Pop doesn't play him for a few minutes against elite teams it is difficult to see him in the playoffs bc Pop won't trust him. So right now, maybe Boban and Anderson are really being developed for next season, and Simmons will see some action in the playoffs more out of necessity for some minutes.

Simmons attempted four 3 point attempts, my concern was that he would become a afraid to do so (despite having a good percentage). What is promising is that he took them even when he wasn't open!

He made a lot of good defensive plays but kept getting called by refs biased against his game. Pop should figure out how he should play so he doesn't get called.

Spurs need to keep their players fresh all the way to the finals. To do that, you either sweep opponents or you spread minutes. Who plays will depend on matchups.

Boban is a liability against quicker players and players that can shoot. Howard, Jordan, Bogut are the kind of players that Boban should be decent playing against.

Anderson seems to have mastered scoring on top of smaller players. I however don't see any playoff bound teams with small SFs. The only scenario I see him playing is if Tony and Patty get torched continuously by a Livingston like player. You would think Anderson would sub for KL, but in the last game it was Simmons guarding Hayward. Anderson just doesn't have the speed to keep up with a quality SF.

Simmons likely has solidified himself in a position in the 2nd unit. The value of a player that can take it to the ring, shoot the 3 and defend quick guards cannot be understated.

[spursistan]

OKC's defense is terrible & Kawhi can neutralize Durant. Ibaka can't camp in the paint anymore b/c of LMA/West & Pop can go to Boban if Kanter is mauling Diaw. I won't take them seriously until they get someone better than freaking Andre Roberson to be their starting wingplayer.

It's the Clippers the Spurs should avoid since Pierce is actually showing signs of life & Austin Rivers is actually much improve so he would feast on Patty.

Spurs fans are underestimating (a) our defensive troubles vs Clips, which are by design for most part (b) LAC ability to bloody the Warriors ( i think that's 6 hard-fought game series at minimum.. it is just that that Clippers only fizzle in late minutes while OKC D will get carved up by the Dubs throughout)

[TheGreatYacht]

Lmao @ people thinking HCA will determine the series. Does Curry even have a winning record against the Spurs at home? Beat them twice there in the playoffs, beat em with Patty dropping a couple of 30pt+ games, A Belinelli led-team with no big 3 also smacked them, last year early in the season Spurs blew them out by double digits thanks to Parker.

It's Golden State who should be worried about playing in San Antonio, because Spurs are taking one or two in their court.

[SpursBig3s]

That's exactly what I was thinking. One of the beat writers said this last month. If the Spurs end up with the 2 seed, they will definitely meet either OKC or the Clippers before they ever face the Warriors. It's a battle of attrition. Warriors will have HCA and will probably face the Rockets, Jazz or Grizzlies again so their path will be less stressful that's for sure. But that's the advantage of HCA.

Houston is only 1.5 games behind Memphis, they could easily overtake them for the 6th seed, which would have them most likely play OKC 1st round, and us playing Memphis first. That would be much more ideal for us. OKC will win, but I bet Houston takes them to 6 games, they have just as much talent as OKC does maybe

[SpursBig3s]

On the contrary... I think Parker is going to be a very big asset to us in a series vs the Warriors. If Popovich is smart he'll go to Parker early and often and make Curry chase him around on defense. It'll be a long hard and tiring series for Curry if he has to shoulder most of the Warrior's offensive load and work very hard covering Parker on defense as well. I think Parker could be very key in a 7 game series versus Golden State.....

I like this idea, but wouldn't Golden State counter that by hiding Curry on Danny and then have Klay or Barnes guard Parker? That's what I'm worried about. FWIW, I don't think either of those 2 players can check Kawhi all game

[Kawhitstorm]

I like this idea, but wouldn't Golden State counter that by hiding Curry on Danny and then have Klay or Barnes guard Parker? That's what I'm worried about. FWIW, I don't think either of those 2 players can check Kawhi all game

Yeah, the Warriors usually put Klay on Tony & Curry on Danny. This season, Curry has been adamant about wanting to guard his own man which is how he got in early foul trouble against the Clippers trying to guard Paul.

If Tony isn't at the top of his game, it's best to go at Barnes who is an average wing defender. I would be against trying to postup LMA against Draymond since he would probably have more success pounding them on the offensive glass.

[SAGirl]

[ceperez]

I like this idea, but wouldn't Golden State counter that by hiding Curry on Danny and then have Klay or Barnes guard Parker? That's what I'm worried about. FWIW, I don't think either of those 2 players can check Kawhi all game

Spurs game plan will need to be to tire out either Curry or Draymond Green. If Curry is indeed on Green, then Green has to start running around.

I don't know how effective Diaw with Green defending. That is something I would like to see. If Diaw can score on Green easily then it's going to be very difficult for GSW to win. Take out Green because of foul trouble and GSW can't function.

[EVAY]

Spurs game plan will need to be to tire out either Curry or Draymond Green. If Curry is indeed on Green, then Green has to start running around.

I don't know how effective Diaw with Green defending. That is something I would like to see. If Diaw can score on Green easily then it's going to be very difficult for GSW to win. Take out Green because of foul trouble and GSW can't function.

[CGD]

If Parker is clicking like he has been this year, then who are the WARRIORS going to hide CURRY on?

[DenialTwist]

Lmao @ people thinking HCA will determine the series. Does Curry even have a winning record against the Spurs at home? Beat them twice there in the playoffs, beat em with Patty dropping a couple of 30pt+ games, A Belinelli led-team with no big 3 also smacked them, last year early in the season Spurs blew them out by double digits thanks to Parker.

It's Golden State who should be worried about playing in San Antonio, because Spurs are taking one or two in their court.

Because the spurs' path to the Finals will be more brutal. Spurs will face Clippers and OKC before they ever meet GS. GS will probably face Rockets or Jazz first. Sucks because I wanted OKC to face the Warriors first, let them neutralize Durant and Westbrook.

[TheDoctor]

...If the Spurs end up with the 2 seed, they will definitely meet either OKC or the Clippers before they ever face the Warriors. It's a battle of attrition. Warriors will have HCA and will probably face the Rockets, Jazz or Grizzlies again so their path will be less stressful that's for sure. But that's the advantage of HCA.

Spurs 2nd round is vs LAC or OKC, not both. The Worriers will also have to play one of them (LAC/OKC) in the 2nd round.

1st round is gonna be a warm-up for both (SAS/GSW) teams . 2nd round will be a tough for either of them.

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

Diaw/West/Aldridge/Duncan/Boban

[DMC]

Lockets this year don't have McHale, they have that drunk point guard, Howard doesn't give a rat's ass, that was last year, we have Aldridge this year instead of ter, etc

Nothing you said changes anything. McHale was a ty coach.

[DMC]

The Spurs bench stands out so much because the starters typically come out dragging ass. It's a great bench, no doubt, but when Tony is running the point and Tim is taking those 18' wide open 2's and clanking them, or Tony dribbles 16 seconds off the shot clock, half of that getting across the half court line, then there's a switch and suddenly there's 2.3 seconds on the clock with an out of bounds play, that drags the team down. They have to work too hard on offense to get anything because Pop goes Tony ball which only works if Tony can score. Tony passing the ball is no better than Patty Mills the chucker passing the ball, probably worse. That's why Manu is such a breath of fresh air, quick, decisive ball movement that doesn't allow the defense time to set up. I realize it's a speed change intentionally but LMA, Kawhi and Green don't need to be in a grind it out game for 12 points in the quarter. That won't work against the Clippers anyhow.

[G-Dawgg]

I like this idea, but wouldn't Golden State counter that by hiding Curry on Danny and then have Klay or Barnes guard Parker? That's what I'm worried about. FWIW, I don't think either of those 2 players can check Kawhi all game

Also, I don't think Thompson or Barnes have the quickness to keep up with chasing Parker around screens all series. I think parker could have a huge series against Golden State.

[YGWHI]

I can see some problem with Livingston post ups on Patty/Manu...Anyway, it's just a minor problem. Boris-Manu-Patty-West-Simms-Boban is a dangerous unit.

[SAGirl]

I can see some problem with Livingston post ups on Patty/Manu...Anyway, it's just a minor problem. Boris-Manu-Patty-West-Simms-Boban is a dangerous unit.

I see Simms on Livingston. Is there anyone to hide Patty in their bench. Austin Rivers also owns Patty. Tbh, Patty is a defensive sieve. His saving grace is all the loose balls, hustle plays and energy plays, but it doesn't seem to me like he can present much resistance to guys bigger than him.

[YGWHI]

I see Simms on Livingston.

Kyle can bother Livingston post-ups moves with his length more than Simms...who knows how Pop will play Simms/Kyle against the Warriors.

Jonathon's working his way into the regular rotation now, but we watched in the last game against Utah that they can play together, and it's a long season.

[SAGirl]

Kyle can bother Livingston post-ups moves with his length more than Simms...who knows how Pop will play Simms/Kyle against the Warriors.

Jonathon's working his way into the regular rotation now, but we watched in the last game against Utah that they can play together, and it's a long season.

You are right on that, and they are very different players who are both good passers.

I think one of the reasons Simms played his minutes tonight was that he provided better defense than Patty.

I hope Kyle keeps on the aggressive mindset he's shown lately. We'll see. Manu is likely to get rested for games. Hoping he comes through for us.

[cd021]

As much as I love and respect Manu, I don't think he still has the juice to play defense against the GSW first team.

He would probably be guarding Iggy in that situation. He has always been a good off bad defender, i think he would be fine. In that lineup he would probably have more trouble creating with the warriors length. I would expect Thompson to guard him in that scenario.

I like that particular hypothetical lineup.

[Obstructed_View]

If the Spurs go small when GS does, they lose in five games.

[SAGirl]

If the Spurs go small when GS does, they lose in five games.

What did you think of that lineup Pop trotted out: Tony, Simmons, Danny, Kawhi, LMA.
Pop later subbed Manu for Simmons.
I have my su ion Pop is actually going to match up.
Which means, rookie Simmons may play a larger role than one would expect. We won't see much Tim (20 mins?). Has he been turned into Tiago?
Boris/WEst will be needed to post up and punish whoever matches up with them.

[Spurtacular]

What did you think of that lineup Pop trotted out: Tony, Simmons, Danny, Kawhi, LMA.
Pop later subbed Manu for Simmons.
I have my su ion Pop is actually going to match up.
Which means, rookie Simmons may play a larger role than one would expect. We won't see much Tim (20 mins?). Has he been turned into Tiago?
Boris/WEst will be needed to post up and punish whoever matches up with them.

it's an interesting thought; but probably over-stated at best. Pop relied on Duncan more than anyone in the Clips series. Timmy has some slight natural regression; but Pop still relies on him in big games to a good extent. Also, Pop puts trust in a limited amount of players in a playoff series and in rookies. I think where I agree is I can see Pop going deeper than he has in the past; but then again, this is arguably the deepest bench yet.

[sasaint]

it's an interesting thought; but probably over-stated at best. Pop relied on Duncan more than anyone in the Clips series. Timmy has some slight natural regression; but Pop still relies on him in big games to a good extent. Also, Pop puts trust in a limited amount of players in a playoff series and in rookies. I think where I agree is I can see Pop going deeper than he has in the past; but then again, this is arguably the deepest bench yet.

IMHO that is probably under-stated at best. Timmy has shown real inconsistency this year, and his mid-range shot is, well, shot. At the end of last season, I did not expect to see as much slippage as we have seen on offense, although he is still a great defensive asset - the anchor of the defense, still.