The Pop Show Today

[travis2]

I think it's pretty clear by now that Dallas is versatile. Besides, with the rules as they are, they did the right thing in forcing matchups.

This is the point that I don't understand from the Rasho/Nazr camp -- it's not as if playing those guys was going to force the Mavs to go big on the defensive end. Neither Rasho or Nazr is a particularly strong offensive player. AJ could have played Dirk on either of those guys and not had to concern himself with any sort of fouling issues or the need for double teams. Since playing those guys wouldn't have forced Dallas to matchup on the offensive end (any differently than they did), and since those guys wouldn't have had anyone to defend on the defensive end, what good does playing them do?

It seems to me that such a choice would have been far more stubborn than prudent.

FWDT shows his usual brilliance. Too bad there are so many ing-idiot-poser-Spurs fans trying to either ignore him or shout him down. Or maybe they just can't comprehend it?

Whatever. His post bears repeating. As often as necessary.

[K-State Spur]

What we were doing didn't work.

You say that with the benefit of hindsight. With 30 seconds left in the game Monday night, a strong argument could have been made to the contrary.

[MoSpur]

Why didn't the Spurs ever go into a zone? Just a question.

[mabber]

I think it's pretty clear by now that Dallas is versatile. Besides, with the rules as they are, they did the right thing in forcing matchups.

This is the point that I don't understand from the Rasho/Nazr camp -- it's not as if playing those guys was going to force the Mavs to go big on the defensive end. Neither Rasho or Nazr is a particularly strong offensive player. AJ could have played Dirk on either of those guys and not had to concern himself with any sort of fouling issues or the need for double teams. Since playing those guys wouldn't have forced Dallas to matchup on the offensive end (any differently than they did), and since those guys wouldn't have had anyone to defend on the defensive end, what good does playing them do?

It seems to me that such a choice would have been far more stubborn than prudent.

Now here's someone that understands the current NBA game. Excellent post!

[blaze89]

Why didn't the Spurs ever go into a zone? Just a question.

They would have attacked the zone with their quickness, I believe.

[strangeweather]

They would have attacked the zone with their quickness, I believe.

Or shot over it all day long. If you play off Dallas's shooters, they'll make a ton of uncontested jumpers.

[blaze89]

Or shot over it all day long. If you play off Dallas's shooters, they'll make a ton of uncontested jumpers.

True, also if the Spurs went zone, all the pro-Nazr/Rasho posters would have gone ballistic. That new server Ms. Ellis have in placed would have melted.

[ducks]

my internet is going down
please post the link if you do not I will post it when it is working

[ata]

You just can't play zone against shooters!
First rule how to play against zone is: shoot from outside and with shooters Dallas have, Pop would cancel zone faster as T Park flops.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If you truly believe that putting either Nazr or Rasho in was going to help us, you are a complete moron. The reasons have already been given ad infinitum.

What reasons were those? Do you feel that Horry and Bowen rotating at PF worked out well?

+25 offensive rebounds for Dallas says it all.

[Sasha]

NVE lost confidence in his shot...he was afraid to shoot. When that happens to NVE one of the great balls shooters in NBA history...it is time for him to hang it up.

I don't want to remember Nick the Quick, Nick the Clutch, like he looked in this series...it's just sad. He was a much greater player than he showed in this series and hopfully no one will remember this part of his career when they are remembering Nick Van Exel.

Thanks for this post, Whottt.

I remember NVE so well. I used to love to watch him play - at one point I even said we should put a hit out on him, he was so good. He's had a terrific career and I'll always be a fan of his, even though his last season, for the most part, was lousy.

He has nothing to be ashamed of. It's just time for him to retire and find something else to do that he can be fabulous at. It happens to all of us.

[mabber]

Thanks for this post, Whottt.

I remember NVE so well. I used to love to watch him play - at one point I even said we should put a hit out on him, he was so good. He's had a terrific career and I'll always be a fan of his, even though his last season, for the most part, was lousy.

He has nothing to be ashamed of. It's just time for him to retire and find something else to do that he can be fabulous at. It happens to all of us.

NVE was absolutely CLUTCH when he played for the Mavs. Watching him play in this series kinda made me sad cuz I hardly recognized him cuz he was playing so timidly.

[travis2]

What reasons were those? Do you feel that Horry and Bowen rotating at PF worked out well?

+25 offensive rebounds for Dallas says it all.

Try reading. FWDT and CosmicCowboy presented excellent explanations. I reposted FWDT's post on this and one other thread.

And no, it doesn't say it all. Try expanding your horizons outside of the box score.

[ducks]

http://spurs.woai.com/main.html

[deespur]

So what was the story with Del Harris? Was something said to Duncan during the game?

[deespur]

He said that all players whine too much and that he wishes they wouldn't. But that every player on every team does.

(This was in reference to Del Harris thinking Timmy whines too much)

So what happened? Did Del Harris say something to Duncan?

[alamo50]

Those links to part 1 and 2 have not been working for me since the last show.
What's up?

[CubanMustGo]

Del Harris was quoted in the Dallas paper a few days ago saying Tim was a whiner.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42094

[Bruno]

They are talking about looking for a young, athletic guy who is 6'9/6'10 to keep up with teams like Dallas and Phx next year.

Three months later : no sign of a player like that (and don't tell me that Melzer is our Dallas stopper ).

I won't judge the offseason before the end but I start to wonder if Spurs will fill what was our biggest need.

[diego]

I'm getting into this discussion late but I dont think dallas has that many shooters anymore. In 03 they had NVE, nash, finley, dirk... in 06 just Dirk, KVH (who is gone now). Terry and stack I dont consider dependable shooters, harris and howard less so. Plus the clutch factor (two young guys, two unstable guys in terry and stack)... I think we definitely should have tried playing a zone on them.

[ALVAREZ6]

I would consider both Terry and Stack shooters, when they are on, they are on, and will light a team up. And it's not like they are rarely making their shots, these guys can shoot.

[orhe]

we really need Hedo back