48MoH: Defending Dirk in Game 2

[Blackjack]

Defending Dirk in Game 2
by Andrew A. McNeil



For the San Antonio Spurs, defending Dirk Nowitzki in Game 1 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal Series was damn-near a lost cause. The Dallas Mavericks forward torched the Spurs for 36 points on 12-14 shooting from the field.

How the Spurs choose to defend Nowitzki in Game 2 will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game. And how this series plays out. Win Game 2, and the Spurs go back to San Antonio with a split and the momentum.

But leaving Dallas in an 0-2 hole puts a lot of pressure on this Spurs team. Suddenly, whispers about the Mavs having the Spurs number and the impact of 2006 start getting louder.

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[MannyIsGod]

There's too much focus on defending Dirk, IMO. There are certain players that the Spurs are bad matchups with and he's probably at the top of that list (maybe 1a 1b with Amare). Everyone is going to have to learn to live with that and to accept it.

What should not happen, is seeing Kidd get any open 3s, letting Dirk's precious misses become offensive rebounds, or any of the supporting scorers have good games.

If Dirk shoots 12-14 again and the rest of Dallas is shut down but they still manage to win then you tip your hat at the man for a great game. But if you make too many concessions trying to get him to miss and allow other Mavs to beat you then I believe you've made a huge error.

[Whisky Dog]

I believe that was part of his point - don't send doubles on Dirk, instead stay tight on him and rotate to the other players to keep them from going off. Deny the ball to Dirk as much as possible.

Fact is this is going to come down to who shows up. Butler can't be the guy showing up. RJ and Hill have to be the role players showing up.

If everything else is pretty consistent with game one except Butler goes back down to Earth yet RJ and Hill show up I think the Spurs win even with a great game from Dirk.

[nkdlunch]

don't worry about Dirk. Worry about defending others like Butler and Kidd/Terry 3pts