Reply With Quote
I think it was a mismatch on the Pacers series, but props to Rashard for stepping up.
That said, if you can make Rashard Lewis beat you instead of Lebron and Wade, you probably did a good job.
The normally cynical me wasn't too necessarily scared of facing the Heat last week. I like the way the Spurs match up with them, and Pop is, without a doubt, the best Lebron game planner in the league. In addition to that, the Heat have nothing at the PF spot.
Until now.
Lewis is +58 over the last 4 games, has seemed to find his shot, and is the stretch 4 that offense desperately needed. It's no surprise Lebron's best games came when Lewis was inserted into the lineup.
That said, the Spurs matchup with Lewis fine on an individual level (Diaw, Leonard at the 4 in small ball>Lewis), but it's more about what Lewis's presence does for James and Wade. Like what Mike Miller (who Spoelstra started at the 4 following the Game 3 beatdown) was for the Heat last year, only Lewis is arguably the better player.
The Heat's achilles is their rebounding, but they played us about even on the boards in their small ball lineup in last year's Finals.
I guess I'm overly concerned because the Heat having no stretch 4 means we can sag back and turn James and Wade into jumpshooters. Now that the Spurs have to be concerned about Lewis, that option appears to be off the table.
I think it was a mismatch on the Pacers series, but props to Rashard for stepping up.
That said, if you can make Rashard Lewis beat you instead of Lebron and Wade, you probably did a good job.
I doubt Spo starts him tbh, so the game plan should remain the same at the start of the series. When he plays it should be the same strategy on D while making a point to attack him with Diaw/Leonard on O. As it is he isn't the clutch player Miller is, tho his chemistry with Allen is a concern.
Diaw found his impact in the small lineup. He's a totally different player this year. He'll take Lewis to the post.
we can waste matt bonner on bosh or lewis if they like to camp at the 3
Post him up like West should have been doing
Lewis is trash and got hot against a team that would probably get stomped by any of the playoff teams out west imo
Its the same as the Matt Bonner factor
i'm not understanding how he's significantly different than Mike Miller
If this doesn't convince you, nothing will: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207362
One word should help you sleep well tonight. Pacers.
that ain't tbh.
Entschuldigen sie!
Any semi-competent defender that can hit threes for the Heat is a threat.
Mike Miller was 11/14 from three against use in last year's Finals in games 1-6.
Lewis will not shoot that good.
Also, Shane Battier shot 43% from three last season. Just 35% this year (good so far in playoffs though).
Miami's 3pt attack isn't gonna be as good this time. Nearly 40% last year, only 36% this year. 35% for Lewis. Lewis is going to be a marginal influence at best.
Battier wasn't really a factor at all last year until game 7. i'm still not sure why people see Rashard Lewis as anything other than Mike Miller's replacement. He's going to shoot 3's and be a defensive liability
Miller was just tall, he couldn't legitimately defend the 4. He was a SG. Rashard is closer to a Battier replacement
oh. and which Spurs power forward is Rashard going to defend?
Diaw. He defended David West who is a similarish player. Let's not act like Diaw is going to continually post him up or anything. He's never shown consistency in doing that.
Well or Bonner. I think the Heat would love it if the Spurs went smaller than that with Kiwi at the 4.
The Spurs did a fantastic job on the boards in games 5 and 6 against OC, especially against small lineups. Postups and rebounds are the prototypical way to attack a small lineup (yes, I know Lewis is tall but I still consider him undersized for a PF).
Kang led the Finals in points, assists, and steals last year and won the series..... "best LeBron game planner" my ass
did you not watch the okc series?
he also led the Finals in field goal attempts and usage rate which would explain points/assist totals, and he was held to a pedestrian 44.7% from the field. he shot below 44% in 5 of 7 gamesKang led the Finals in points, assists, and steals last year and won the series..... "best LeBron game planner" my ass
Ummm no Pop is not the best LeBron game planner. Carlisle is.
Yeah, I'm not trusting that. Diaw is the definition of inconsistent. He's been like that his entire career.
(and fwiw, so is Rashard's 3 point shot right now. He's played at least some defense all year. It's why he took over Beasley's minutes.)
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
