Random Thoughts Amid the Sadness After Game 4 of the 2013 NBA Finals

[024]

I agree with Pop sticking with the original defensive game plan. If Lebron and Wade hit their jump shots, so be it. You don't want them driving and opening up 3's from much deadlier shooters. This series is Miami's to lose so the Spurs should shut down all of their strengths and pray Lebron and Wade's jump shots don't fall at a decent clip. That's pretty much all you can do against the best player in the world and a top 10 player.

The thing is, the game was still close even with Wade and Lebron hitting their jumpers. Looking at the stat sheet, the Spurs hit at a decent rate (45%) and a good rate from the 3 point line (50%). The Heat had a small rebounding advantage, but nothing to big. So why did the Spurs lose? The answer is turnovers and lots of it. Miami had 13 steals and the Spurs had 18 turnovers. Transition points off turnovers are an offensive staple for the Heat and gave them the extra offense needed to blow out the Spurs. Bad execution led to the turnovers and also many broken plays that don't show up on the stat sheet. Also, when the Heat dials up their defensive effort, they can lock down the Spurs like the Thunder did last year. They have very athletic personnel and the Spurs lack that transcendent superstar like Dirk, Lebron, or Prime Duncan that can tear down double teams. The only way the Spurs can win this series is if someone on the big 3 steps up and start breaking down the Heat's defense.

[chrhawk]

As good a game Wade had, he still shot 4-for-12 outside of the paint and got to the free-throw line four times. And two or three of his field goals came off of turnovers. If I'm Pop I come into Game 5 with a similar gameplan and live with the results.

[tesseractive]

Pop panicked early. He subbed Neal for splitter at the first dead ball out of fear for miller. Our rotations and fives were off the rest of first half.

If he wanted to contribute Poo should have gotten a T when heat were getting away with everything in first half.

Manu is sicking. Glad the team called him out but holy crap he needs to step up.

Yes, that was exactly the problem -- Splitter was so incredibly effective that taking him out is what lost us the game.

Well, you're nothing if not consistent.

[spurtech09]

Manu is never better with less rest, not sure what people expected and Tim looks tired as well, he's not posting up much anymore for a reason.

his shot is getting blocked lol....but yeah Duncan needs to do something.....

[spurtech09]

spurs gave a half baked effort......