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You forgot to mention TMAC......
Spurs just need to speed up the game and run the Fakers to the ground!
-Rewatching Game 1, it was fun to see the Spurs once again win a playoff game with their defense. They shot ~38% yet weren't really in danger of ever losing command. Sure, the Lakers helped out ... but this is the best defensive Spurs team in a long while and the focus on D paid dividends in Game 1.
-The Spurs offense is in a worrisome state right now. It's been a long while since they've appeared to be humming at 100% (Clippers game back in February?). Let us hope they can work out the kinks during this series.
-Tonight's game is pretty damn vital. Realistically, if the Spurs are going to do damage in these playoffs, they not only need to beat the Lakers, they need to win this series in 4 or 5 games. An extended first round series would make it nearly impossible for this team to stay upright against DEN/GSW and then OKC.
-The Lakers are undoubtedly going to try to post, post, post and post some more. When TD and Splitter are on the court, the Spurs are well equipped to defend that strategy. Unfortunately, beyond that tandem, things get ugly. Bonner was able to avoid getting overly exploited in Game 1 ... but I'm not confident that will hold true going forward.
-Speaking of Bonner, let's not celebrate just yet. Remember that this guy is the King of First Round Game 1. Last season, he had by far his best game of the playoffs in Game 1. After going 3-for-5 in that game -- he ended up shooting 25% the rest of the way in the postseason. In 2011, same thing. He scored 12 points in Game 1 (including those two huge three-pointers late) -- but then shot ~25% on threes the rest of that series against the Grizzlies. So, yeah, let's keep the mariachi band on standby until we see him play well again.
-Who is the real Tim Duncan in this series: The player who was 6-for-9 in the first half or the one who was 0-for-6 in the second half? The Spurs need him to be closer to the former than the latter or else things could go downhill in a hurry.
-I saw some slight improvements in Tony Parker's athleticism. He's still at around 75% but he had a few adequate bursts here and there. Although, he needs to keep progressing to give the Spurs a serious shot of making even the WCF.
-I loved Manu Ginobili's production. Who didn't? But (don't shoot me) I think it was kinda fluke-ish. He wasn't moving okay but not extremely well. He got some shots to go -- including some really tough shots -- but I don't think he's "back". There's no way the Spurs can count on him for 18 points per game right now. At this point, I don't think you can even count on him for double-digits. Hopefully I'm wrong but from what I witnessed, Ginobili is still in the early stages of working his way back into shape.
-I'm not quite ready to sound the alarm on Tiago Splitter ... but he really does need to adjust for playoff basketball. He did too much flopping/flailing/acting. That works in the regular season. In the playoffs, especially against D-Ho and Marc's brother, he has to be more physical. He did well at times in Game 1 but things will be so much easier if he shows a backbone.
-Metta World Peace is probably the toughest matchup in the league for Kawhi Leonard right now. Leonard usually has the strength advantage at small forward -- but that's definitely not the case in this matchup. To combat that, Kawhi needs to run. With or without the ball, he needs to fly up the court. A fast paced, open court game gives Kawhi a huge advantage.
-I thought Danny Green was a bit excited in Game 1. He hurried through his stroke a couple times and was "jumpy" on both ends. Let's hope he can settle down and be the player he was for a majority of the year during the regular season.
-Pop needs to stick with Cory Joseph in this series. Against Nash and Blake, Joseph's pressure D is very effective. And since the Steves aren't good on defense, Joseph's inexperience running the O isn't much of an issue. I've though CJ was the man for the backup PG job all season .... but ESPECIALLY in this series. It's perfect for him.
-All I ask of Gary Neal is to attempt to play smart. He might be needed to take over the offense -- especially if Ginobili's production reverts a bit -- but that's not a certainty. Settle down and think. Please?
-This is a dangerous game for Pop because Game 1 included a lot of odd happenings (Ginobili exploding out of nowhere, Bonner not choking in the playoffs, etc.). He can't coach this game like he's trying to reclaim the magic from Game 1. If Bonner begins to crumble, he needs to go in another direction. If Ginobili isn't generating offense, he needs a Plan B and Plan C. He can't give up on Splitter prematurely in this series -- same with Green. Really, this should be viewed more as a second Game 1. Be ready to adjust, Pop.
-F
-T
-L
You forgot to mention TMAC......
Spurs just need to speed up the game and run the Fakers to the ground!
one thing overlooked from game 1 .............. blair harassed gasol on defense................. play blair >>>>> bonner .............
Meh. The Spurs won Game 1 handily and still showed more upside than the Lakers.
They should win this one in a blowout.
If Parker and Ginobili aren't pretty close to 100% by the end of this series, we ain't got a chance vs OKC or Miami IMHO. So Parker @ 75% IYO is quite concerning, at least for me.
save an injury or re-injury. spurs should win this one IMO
Come on Pop... Unleash "The Mac!!!!"
Indeed. Though not overly confident (who can be with what we've witnessed since March 1st?), I get the sense they might explode tonight, if for no other reason than law of averages (and after three straight strong defensive performances, at least statistically, the same holds true for the Lakers).-The Spurs offense is in a worrisome state right now. It's been a long while since they've appeared to be humming at 100% (Clippers game back in February?). Let us hope they can work out the kinks during this series.
Agreed. It reminded me of game 3 of the '08 WCF.-I loved Manu Ginobili's production. Who didn't? But (don't shoot me) I think it was kinda fluke-ish. He wasn't moving okay but not extremely well. He got some shots to go -- including some really tough shots -- but I don't think he's "back".
With Diaw injured, there is no other viable option. Bonner has to play 20 something mpg. The same holds true for Splitter, though in his case, even with Diaw healthy, he still couldn't afford to give up on him, particularly in this match-up.-If Bonner begins to crumble, he needs to go in another direction. He can't give up on Splitter prematurely in this series.
Yeah like we're going to face them next.
What are you implying? This will be the easiest opponent we face.
Parker will heal. It's not like we face OKC or Miami next. And Manu will never be back at 100%, let's all be honest and just accept that.
We still have some time before we'd encounter OKC or anyone like that so plenty of time for the Spurs to get as right as they can be.
Parker needs to heal sooner than later... Which is what I said. And believe whatever you want about Manu.
To repeat what Sean Elliott said (although this was obvious to anyone) if the SA can swing the ball around and get back to their screening/cutting ways, they can blow this LA team out the door. There's no "D" in "LA," especially on the perimeter, so passing the ball around a few times will lead to wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide-open shots, inside and out.
Parker will step up today. 20+ and 10+
I believe the Spurs will get a lot of good looks it just depends if our perimeter guys can hit those open shots. Danny Green and Tiago Splitter need to take a Viagra and get hard for this game, playing soft and scared of the ball.
Actually it's not exactly what you said.
And no I'm not being pessimistic about Manu or what. I'm one of his biggest defenders/supporters in this forum. So you can't throw that at me. I'm just being realistic when saying he won't be back to 100%.
It is clearly implied. And I was responding to timvp's estimation. I never mentioned you. Stop being so defensive.
The 8+ pts make up for the -3 assists, tbh.
Anyone know a mariachi band that works after midnight?
Oh, and FTL
depressing thoughts. one would think we are going to lose this series by reading this.
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