Random Thoughts After Game 2 Loss to Warriors

[Xevious]

Without reading this entire thread, I say Tiago has to start again asap. That fluke run at the end of game one might have hurt the Spurs more than help them (both Tim and Tiago out of the game). Now Pop thinks small ball is the answer. Spurs can't match GS's backcourt, so they need to play to their strengths and go back to what they had success with earlier in the season.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

I commend you for writing this. I agree on pretty much everything. They need to play tough. Some Warrior's players are just too comfortable. The Spurs looked soft.

[wildbill2u]

The pick and roll is our primary offensive weapon--and GS has simply taken it away from us. I don't recall seeing many successful P&Rs in Game 2 but maybe there were a few, a very few. Timmy said at practice the Spurs would have to set better picks. That isn't happening.

When we find the lane blocked, our offense stalls because we aren't making 3s. Sometimes it looks like our guys are afraid of taking the shot and that may be why Neal was put in to the game.

Finally, we simply can't defense their perimeter shooters. They are too quick with the shot on the spot ups and can get their shots off the dribble whenever they want. I don't know if they can keep up their high percentage, but perhaps they can beat the averages. After all, we're supposed to be one of the best teams on 3s and we aren't shooting our averages out there so far.

[Obstructed_View]

However, if you go back and watch game 1 you will also see Curry was shooting 30 footers and rolling the ball to himself and shooting anyways. No doubt the defense has to get better, but Curry is about the only player in the league who makes those types of shots consistently. Playing bigger definitely isn't the solution, especially with Tim and Tiago. Boris would work potentially and Tiago is surprisingly good on switches, but I still think going small is our best bet. I do want to go back and watch game 1 though to see what the issue is, you may be right.

The Warriors scored 52 points in the paint and out rebounded the Spurs by 10, which is a much bigger deal than a couple of 30 foot jumpers. Everything goes back to having guards suddenly trying to learn how to play against forwards and a lack of size. The offense and defense are completely out of rhythm because people are playing out of position.

I was pretty sure we established a few years ago that if you want to run a smaller lineup, you need guys that are above average defenders and above average rebounders. With the exception of Leonard, the Spurs don't have that to throw into those lineups.

I'd be interested in someone explaining how you run a small lineup and get any benefit from Bonner. He doesn't do anything better than Splitter other than shoot from the outside. If you wouldn't play Bonner at small forward because he's too slow, why would you think he could play in a "small" lineup and have any kind of success?

[Obstructed_View]

The pick and roll is our primary offensive weapon--and Pop has simply taken it away from us. .

Fixed. The best bigs at rolling to the basket are Splitter, Diaw and Blair.

[milkyway21]

love for Duncan and Splitter to start Game 3

I think this is better idea...so Bonner started in game 2? I didn't watch the entire game.

well, Splitter seems to play better with GS, he scored 19pts against them this season, if I remember correctly, and the Spurs won that game.

[polandprzem]

This...

Golden States playing like a clubber lang while the spurs are playing like a pre eye of the Tiger rocky.

Young Pop with mustache and tan!

[Brunodf]

Diaw/Splitter always step up when our guards get beat off the dribble and they are quick enough to defend PGs/SGs/SFs.
Small ball = if our guards get beat off the dribble, that's it, guaranteed basket.
Small ball = We double scrubs because our players can't hold their own.
On offense, bigs set screens/move without the ball.
Guards just stand in the corner, our Offense is isoball
I

Told you my friend SpurSwag

[SpurSwag]

Told you my friend SpurSwag

Like I said, I wasn't sure if going big would solve the problem or simply add to it. Thankfully, it really cut off driving lanes and created some problems. Rebounding is curiously still an issue though...Oh well, lets hope for similar results Sunday

[therealtruth]

Like I said, I wasn't sure if going big would solve the problem or simply add to it. Thankfully, it really cut off driving lanes and created some problems. Rebounding is curiously still an issue though...Oh well, lets hope for similar results Sunday

It's how we played all season and lead to our 3rd ranked defense.