I don't care what the so-called experts say, what they don't understand is that from day one, this Spurs team was constructed to contend with the Golden State Warriors.
I don't care how good the warriors looked in the first and second round, those teams were chumps and nothing like what the Spurs have had to face in a physical Memphis team and a explosive Houston team.
Those two teams have sharpened San Antonio into a well oiled machine. Yes, Golden State comes into this game healthier, but they have also been sitting around getting lazy, and losing their edge. In game one this will be advantage San Antonio.
Now like I said earlier, this Spurs team was constructed from day one to match up with what Golden state does. Rule one of the NBA playoff, it's all about matchups.
So lets look at the matchups.
Golden State has 3 amazing starters and two really good starters. But they have one basketball, that is their downfall. No doubt how good Durant, Thompson, and Curry are, but defensively the Spurs will throw waves of defenders at those 3 guys, not just defenders but really tall defenders. This is what Golden State hates, long defenders that don't foul. This is what the Spurs specialize in.
The Spurs also have two big men that can protect the rim and own the boards. To me the series is going to hinge on how Aldridge handles Dramond Green. Green is a good player, but undersized and will not be able to handle Aldridge, more important is that if they go small, San Antonio will go small and still be effective, that is because Durant is Charmin soft and not an especially good rebounder.
San Antonio is going to expose the Golden State Defense and make them work on offense, when that happens I think you are going to see some Prima Donna at ude start to point fingers.
One last point
In 2004, The Lakers added Karl Malone and Gary Payton to their Roster, and everyone said just mail them the le. But they didn't win the le, they lost to the Detroit Pistons a defensive team with grit and determination. That is what this San Antonio team is, I'll take our one All Star and the chemistry we have over those all flash no substance warriors any day of the week.
The main concern for me is the refereeing.
If the referees apply an equal standard on both teams, Spurs have a great chance to beat the GSW.
That is if the ref calls moving screen on Spurs, they should do the same for GSW.
Really intrested in seeing a Ginobili-simmons-green-leonard-aldridge lineup in action.
Game 1 is to take, TBH.
Like I said in an earlier thread if the spurs can be 2-2 after 4 games then they will win the series. If they fail and are 1-3 they will lose. It all hinges on getting that split. I think the Warriors will crumble with all the adversity they would face if the series is tied 2-2.
In order of importance and effectiveness for GS:
RayMond Green - C
Durant - PF
Curry - PG
Thompson - SF
Iguodala - SG
Shaun Livingston
ZaZa P.
Javale McGee
David West
Ian Clark
Matt Barnes
Damian Jones
Patrick McCaw
James Michael McAdoo
Green doesn't need to score to have a huge impact on the game. He is the heart, soul and leader of that team. Take him out and you improve your chance of winning. He's knocking down almost 50% of his threes, seems to get every important rebound for his team and directs his guys on D. Pop has to have some sort of plan to get him out of his comfort zone.
Defense wins championships...
^ this
If it's 5 on 5, we cool. If it's 5 on 8, fuhgeddabou .
I don't about "sharpened into a well oiled machine@. I'm not even sure that makes sense. But I like their chances more than I did a couple of weeks ago. If LMA plays like he did in game 6, they certainly have a chance. I don't care how good a defender Nutkicker is. LMA has several inches on him and can shoot over him. It'll come down to how the Spurs defend. Unlike Houston, GSW will drive to the hoop if they don't have the three. Will be a tough task. Really need to steal game 1.
OP, there was already an irrational homer thread
I like your optimism OP! I agree, biggest factor is if the Spurs take advantage of their size which could easily be a negative. Most important stat of the series, to me, will be rebounding particularly on the offensive end.
All valid points . Spurs can win this.
The Spurs defense better show up in this series. The Warriors ball movement is outstanding. Almost as good as what the Spurs showed in 2014.
Depends on Leonard's ankle. If he's not wrecking havoc or trying to put Zaza on a poster then it's going to be tough. Should know within the first few minutes if it's really bothering him or not. He has to be at full strength going at these guys.
If SA comes out and plays weak until GS can get their lungs back, SA will lose game one. "Weak" in this case means that they don't take advantage of early turnovers and missed shots by GS. Once GS gets back into it (around the middle of the 3rd), if the score is within 10 points, GS will win.
Let's not kid ourselves.
Simmons needs to posterize someone early in the game. Bring energy and show they aren't intimidated
We have had big leads in EVERY game. I know that was the regular season and different situations where no one had chemistry and players were missing and stuff but that HAS to be a sign of some advantage that we have right? If that's the case and we execute well shouldn't that advantage possibly show itself again? It gives me hope so I'm really ready to see if it's true.
If you need some confidence go back and watch highlights of the October 2016 game.
Just need the same performance from Leonard , LA, and Simmons.
The CoJo effect tbh.
The one player that worries me the most is Ian Clark. I expect Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, and Iggy to get theirs.....but if Clark goes off too, we are in trouble.
This is what I want......
Offense
1. Feed Aldrige early and often
2. Get to the FT line often
3. Crisp and rapid ball movement, avoid lazy passes
4. Avoid being too unselfish, take the open shots
5. Crash the offensive glass
Defense
1. Force GS off the 3pt line
2. Keep GS FTs to a minimum
3. Crash the defensive glass
4. Let Curry and Durant have theirs, while slowing down everyone else
Another thing.....Green is a hothead.....have someone like Simmons go at him and get him to self-destruct.
You cannot let the top 2 shooters in the NBA "have theirs". They can beat you without anyone else doing anything.
The more I've thought about it, the more I believe Game 1 is of a HUGE game.
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