Reply With Quote
thanks for great analysis always, timvp and stay healthy. praying for ya !
Exactly one year ago to the hour, I was dying. Unable to move and increasingly unable to breathe, I had just been taken to the hospital. As I was placed on the hospital bed, I remember telling myself that I couldn't let this be my death bed. That wasn't an option. I had to get up and walk out of this place on my own two feet. I had more life to live.
Within in a few days, I was in intensive care. The low point was when I was told there was nothing else the doctors could do. They told me I was about to die. Nothing could be done. My respiratory system had failed and it would just be a matter of time.
I remember feeling angry. But I also remember feeling an odd sense of calm. If death is all but certain, fighting with every last fiber of my being didn't seem like a daunting task. Either I die like they say I will or I prove the doctors wrong. Everything was so simple. No longer were a million thoughts running through my mind. There were just two: either I'm going to live or I'm going to die. That's it.
Today, I'm fine. The recovery wasn't always easy and I'm not quite 100 percent ... but I have no complaints. And although it's not something that can be explained or is logical in any sense, this great Spurs season has helped me along the way. No matter what side-effect or annoyance I was dealing with, how could I complain about anything when my family is perfect and the Spurs are playing so well? It's felt like a dream. (In fact, a couple times I've seriously had a conversation with myself wondering whether I actually did die in the hospital and I'm just in my personal heaven where I have an amazing wife, astonishingly genius kids and a Spurs team that never loses)
On the one year anniversary, the Spurs are headed to Oklahoma City. Most agree that they won't make it out alive. Not only is this year's team dead, the Tim Duncan Era will die with it. After watching the Spurs lose Game 5 at home, I was ready to sign the death certificate. There's nothing to be done. It's just a matter of time; 48 minutes to be exact. Right?
After rewatching the game, I'm starting to piece together a few glimmers of hope. And while I know sports isn't comparable to life and death, if there was ever a sports version of death, that's what Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are facing right now. This is the last legit opportunity for this squad to win another championship ring. There's no tomorrow. The Big 3 faces a reality where they either win Wednesday night or their championship contending life will be no more.
The Spurs have faced other elimination games in the past but nothing like this. Maybe these unique cir stances will bring out a level of fight and determination that we've never seen before. Instead of pressure, maybe they will feel calm -- realizing there are only two possible outcomes. Maybe now, with all that is on the line, they can look passed the tactics and strategies and see what is really important: heart, single-mindedness, desire and belief.
Maybe, just maybe, even we Spurs fans underestimate what this team is capable of doing when winning one game means more than it ever has.
I thought the Game 5 loss was a harbinger of death. As a Spurs fan, I gave up. It was over, I told myself. I gave them a token 2% chance of escaping Game 6 with a win.
But screw that. I should know that when one is facing a near certain demise, everything other than survival becomes a moot point. And in that state of mind, there is no obstacle that can't be overcome. Not just this team but this era is standing at the precipice. Knowing their character and knowing they understand what is at stake, I expect the most acious fight we Spurs fans have ever witnessed.
Sit back and enjoy.
Believe.
As for the glimmers of hope basketball-wise, here's what I see:
1. Yes, Pop's rotation in Game 5 was horrendous in the first half. But he stumbled into a very workable rotation in the final two quarters. Start Duncan, Diaw, Leonard, Ginobili and Parker. Use Jackson, Splitter and Neal off the bench. Splitter plays when Duncan sits. Neal buys spot minutes for Parker and Ginobili. Jackson fills in all the rest of the time. It's not complicated but it should work well.
2. Parker needs to relentlessly pressure Westbrook. In Game 3 and Game 4, Parker mostly defended Sefolosha. Going into Game 5, he was back on Westbrook due to Ginobili being inserted into the starting lineup. I think it took awhile for Parker to remember how great he's been at pressuring the basketball during these playoffs. When he got back to it in the second half -- undoubtedly thanks to a stern reminder from Pop at intermission -- Parker once again was able to give Westbrook fits. San Antonio's defense has been poor this series but it's looked the best when Parker is harassing Westbrook. In Game 6, I expect Parker to force Westbrook to battle for every inch, which in itself could make a big difference.
3. In retrospect, Duncan's foul trouble played a huge role in Game 5. The Spurs were outscored by 22 points in the 15 minutes he was on the bench. If he wouldn't have been in foul trouble, Pop probably would have played him for about 40 minutes. Those seven additional minutes could have been enough to turn the loss into a win. On Wednesday night, we should see Duncan play 38 to 40 minutes. Considering the Spurs are +23 with Duncan on the court this series and -42 with him on the bench, that will be a huge help.
4. There's no reason to believe Ginobili's Game 5 offensive show was necessarily a fluke. When he's been bottled up this series, it's usually been when he's played with the impotent bench unit. Now that he's in the starting lineup, playing with Duncan and Parker makes life a lot easier. The Thunder can't switch pick-and-rolls involving Duncan and they have to gear their defense toward stopping Parker. That leaves Ginobili to wreak havoc -- and we all know how much havoc Ginobili can wreak.
5. Has there ever been a 20-year-old rookie starting in the playoffs that seems less like a rookie than Kawhi Leonard? He knows his job. He does his job. He did fine work against Durant in Game 5. Perhaps just as encouraging was the fact that he also defended Harden well plus was able to help control the defensive backboard. I don't worry about him at all.
6. Jackson returned to San Antonio with impossibly high hopes yet he's been able to fulfill those hopes this series. He's shooting the lights out. He's making plays. He's playing smart. He's defending his heart out. More than anything, you can see how much he wants to win and how he tries to do everything in his power to help the Spurs win. I expect more of the same out of Jackson in Game 6.
7. Diaw, Splitter and Neal all know what they have to do. Diaw understands that the Thunder will leave him open. He has seen it now for the better part of three games. In Game 6, I think he'll be ready to try to make OKC pay. Splitter has received his wakeup call and there were signs in Game 5 that he's ready to step up to this challenge. As for Neal, he can't shoot any worse than his 0-for-6 on Monday night. He's going to be looking for redemption. And considering that he shot much better on the road this season (and during his rookie campaign, for that matter), I would not be surprised if he makes the Thunder Neal with it.
8. At some point, don't the Thunder have to cool off? I know the Spurs aren't exactly a defensive force but OKC has been hitting long jumpers at a ridiculous rate these last three games. From 15-to-23 feet, the Thunder have hit 35-of-61 shots beginning in Game 3 for an astronomical 57.4%. On the season, the Thunder hit 42.6% from that range. In the playoffs versus the Lakers and Mavs, OKC had only two games better than 41% from that range. Regression to the mean will start Wednesday night and without those long jumpers finding net repeatedly, the Thunder will experience some hiccups in their offensive flow. And that, combined with the previous seven glimmers of hope, will give the Spurs the break they need to get this win.
One win.
1.
a
Last edited by timvp; 06-06-2012 at 03:52 AM.
thanks for great analysis always, timvp and stay healthy. praying for ya !
Last edited by tkang456; 06-06-2012 at 04:07 AM.
From 0:03 - 0:15 it's the Thunder during games 3-5
From 0:36 - 0:52 it will be the Spurs tonight.
Believe.
More on the Thunder's bullsh!t shooting on long two-pointers:
Game 3: 13-for-23
Game 4: 10-for-19
Game 5: 12-for-19
During the regular season, the Thunder made double-digit long two-pointers three games in a row only twice. They shot 52% or better from that range in back-to-back games only once all year. Now, they've done it three games in a row.
That's a of a fluke to run into in the WCF if you're the Spurs. But that worm has to turn. Making long twos at that rate and that frequency is definitely not sustainable.
That fluke shooting has to end in Game 6. It's been too long as it is.
Epic .
I, too, have a feeling the spurs will experience a certain calm, perhap even a certain assassin like coldness, when they step onto the court tonight. A flood of memories from the distant, not so distant, and recent past will wash over them . . And inspire greatness.
Great comparison and I too hope the spurs can find their "inner calm" just as you did and take care of business at hand. Refs be damned.
Great post! It's good to see you thinking positively again.
I agree with most of your points, but I think Pop has to give Green a chance atleast to give Manu a breather now and then. And I hope Green atleast takes care of the defensive end in his limited minutes.
One of the best things I've read these past few months.
TEAM
I almost gave up on the season too, tbh. But there's nothing you can do but just support your team. Your write-ups are a big part of why I still believe. Thanks and stay healthy bro.
Its like that old saying goes in reference to a wild animal: when cornered with its back to the wall, a wild animal will either fight, run, or play dead.
Spurs are gonna fight. Fight till their basketball deaths. No way in do they go down without landing a couple of haymakers. I expect our team to play with a championship pedigree that will have once-doubters (like me) eat .
Lets get this shiz
Thank you for that, timvp. I really needed it.
That said, I'm not sure I can buy into your optimism. One of the biggest strengths of this Spurs team has also been one of their biggest weaknesses -- they're overly rational. They're acutely aware of the long odds facing them, and I think they're too smart to play with the reckless, carefree abandon needed in a desperation situation like this. As you yourself pointed out, when the Spurs have bowed out in the playoffs, they've tended to do so rather quickly, with little resistance.
That said, I sincerely hope I'm wrong. I'm coming into the game with no expectations, and I'll heartily accept whatever outcome may come, remaining grateful to the Spurs all the while for such a magical season.
I forgot to add, it's interesting to witness how spoiled us Spur fans became during that amazing 20 game run.
Now, it's gotten to the point of relying on one game, one chance, one shot. It's a humbling feeling, tbh.
stay healthy bro!
really inspiring read that I hope the spurs be able to read.
f**k this game!
its more important that you (better said "we") are healthy! god bless you!
a W would be nice nonetheless
Someone should forward this to our players!
Great read timvp! You have my utmost respect
Let's do this.
Yes!
Made so many bets with my friends that Spurs win the series AFTER Game 5. I believe. I truly do.
INVICTUS
Out of the pit that covers me
black as the pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul
In the fell clutch of cir stance
I have not winced or cried aloud
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody but unbowed
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid
It matters not how strait the gate
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul!
GO SPURS FIGHT! TO THE DEATH!!
One of the few times I wish some players browse this forum.
to your good health
thanks timvp. I didn't feel that bad after game 5 because they went down fighting. But your words have ramped me up and ready to fight for life
1.
I hate the Cowboys but the current situation of the Spurs made me reflect back on a quote by Nate Newton describing Ray Donaldson during their Super Bowl years in the 90's.
A reporter asked Newton what he thought attributed to the success of Donaldson at his advanced age. I think Donaldson was 37 at the time and performing at high level at center. Newton said Ray has "Old Man Strength." He described it as playing your old man in basketball on the driveway, one on one. Even if you were the same size as your pops, he would still be able to beat you because he had that old man strength.
Maybe TD and the Spurs can tap into their old man strength tonight.
Spurs 4 life I still believe and always will till the final buzzer.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
