Fatigue and energy management key to this series, just like OKC

[hitmantb]

Like most honest Spurs fans here, game 6 in OKC was a flashback to game 6 of the finals. 10 point lead going into the fourth quarter lost, borderline miracle shot from Manu (comparable to Tony's 3 last year) to take the lead, Manu missed a free throw and they forced OT. I didn't think we could pull it off against OKC's top two players on the floor, and had we played game 7, even if we won we would be in a ton of trouble against the Heat from fatigue alone, not to mention further damage to Tony's ankle if he was forced to play in a do-or-die situation.

But the real reason we actually survived in game 6 was Durant/Ibaka/Westbrook all logged well over 40 minutes by the time we went into OT, after similar minutes per game all play-off long. Plus, Pop also made sure none of them could really hide on defense. Spurs passing game really drains the opponent physically and mentally and slow them down on offense as the game progresses. Duncan also didn't run post-up plays earlier in the game at all, a huge contrast in game 6 against Miami where he was very low on energy in the second half. No one on this team averages more minutes in the post season than Duncan, and he only plays 32 minutes a game.

I still believe the big three is at least 80% of what they used to be say, first half of the game, the biggest difference is a much smaller energy pool to draw from. If you ask Duncan to take over the second quarter, chances are he will have nothing left in the fourth. Last year in game 7 the way he missed that easy basket in the final minute, it was clearly because of fatigue because he played the entire fourth quarter and was at 42 minutes at that point.

The same thing applies to LeBron and Wade. LeBron is only 29 but he already played 11 seasons. He has a bigger energy pool than just about anyone but I noticed he has been having more muscle cramps lately, when he has to guard opponent's best player AND run the Heat offense. The key is to force him to play a lot of minutes and be a two-way player. In the regular season and Eastern conference post season, he could afford to stay passive on defense and let other guys do the work. Spurs offense can easily win even if LeBron/Wade score 30 each. As long as we can shut down everyone else, their shooting percentage will go down toward end of the game like Durant/Westbrook. Miami would win if Bosh and their role players produce good numbers and LeBron/Wade only need to score 15 points each for the first three quarters and are fresh to take over the final quarter.

Duncan above 40 minutes is actually inferior to a fresh Splitter. This is why it is key to keep him under 35 minutes per game. Same goes for Parker vs Mills/Joseph, Ginobili vs Green etc. Depth is the only way Spurs can win! Wear them down!

[xmas1997]

The sneaky player I worry about is Ray Allen. He is capable of hitting those 3s like Derek Fisher did, only better.

[hitmantb]

Until LeBron loses weight, Pop really needs to exploit it. Spurs passing game wears him down. He is very vulnerable.

[ducks]

spurs deep bench will win it