Who do you start at center? Rasho played well for the most part in the first round. Horry, when he was finally allowed extended minutes, produced in Game 6. Nazr was a non-factor for much of the series, but he's actually the guy who I think should start in Game 1 versus the Mavs. Dallas is a lot tougher inside since Nellie left and Nazr is a good match for that.
Plus, I want Horry early and often off the bench to guard Dirk. The only reason I wouldn't start him is to make sure most of his minutes come in the fourth.
I think start Rasho and let Nazr come off the bench and earn his start back. Rasho is a nice tree to have in the lane for guards to deal with. If Nazr can improve on rebounding and defense, then maybe by game 2 or 3 give him the nod. But game one Im goning with Rasho.
It's not obvious between Rasho and Nazr which strengths we'll need against Dallas.
I say start Rasho Game 1 just because he's been gettng more PT lately, but give Nazr generous amounts of PT early to see what he's going to bring.
I think you're going to have to be flexible from game to game, unfortunately.
I'm gonna give Nazr the benefit of the doubt. He had some godo games against Dallas so hopefully his head will be in the game and he'll want it. However, if he sucks, I hope Pop puts him on the end of the bench. At least I never doubt Rasho's effort.
Diop sucks and wont be in the game very much. Dampier is a solid center that either Rasho or Duncan should guard. Save Horry for the second half.
Robert guarding Dirk?
Didn't Pop put Bruce on Dirk with excellent results in the season?
Even if Dirk has learned better how to shoot over smaller players, I still think Bruce can bother Dirk enough to keep him from getting huge points.
I'd start Rasho, since I think he's earned the minutes vs Nazr. Nazr might be super motivated when coming off the bench, even early, and actually do something.
Someone forgot to watch the last regular season game between the two teams.
Rashooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
That last game proved as much as the last game with the kings did - it was one day later. I was at the game and it was painfully obvious at the time that the Spurs were cruising to the P.O. and that the Mavs really wanted it. And it was still close. Give Rasho the start, he deserves it. Either way, we'll need all of the bigs in this series to produce D and rebounding.
Narz by far is the more flexible of the two..... more aggresive and tougher.... give Rasho bout 10 minutes......
I voted for Rasho......but In thinking more about this, I change it to Nazr.
The reason is that I've seen many instances where Rasho picks up 2 very ealry fouls, and thus the team loses his presence for quite awhile. I guess I'd like to start Nazr. Play him for 5 or 6 minutes, then bring in Rasho once the ealry ticky tacky whistles are over with.
In order of minutes played, I'd want Rasho to play the most, followed by Horry and then Nazr.
you have some good points about the quick fouls as both Rasho and Narz are prone to. I'd play Rasho during the lull in the games when it really does not matter who's in. Horry, I'd use him more on the offensive side instead of him excerting energy chasing and opposing player.....
Nazr matches up better than Rasho vs. Dallas. Save Horry for when he's really needed.
What minutes are those during the playoffs?I'd play Rasho during the lull in the games when it really does not matter who's in.
I'd start Rasho. The Spurs defense didn't start unravelling this year until Mohammed got the starts. We need Rasho's defense. Nazr always played better off the bench, anyway.
Horry- if you start Nazr or Rasho, then Tim has to guard either Dirk or Howard. With Horry, you put Tim on Diop and let Horry/Bruce cover Dirk/Howard. Bring in Rasho to match up with Dampier off the bench.
No way will Nazr start this game after two "basic" DNP's. Pop is all about what have you done for me lately. Plus, with the quick turn-around, you need players who can learn fast what the team wants to do in Game 1.
Melivn Sanders
Nazr played well against Dallas during the regular season. Who can forget that posterizing of Dampier? I say Nazr.
C. David Robinson - 10 day contract - New 13th man rule. Nazr to IR.
What others are saying:
Popovich started three centers against Sacramento: Nazr Mohammed, Rasho Nesterovic and Robert Horry. He is likely to stay with Horry, who was in an uncharacteristic silent mood after the win at Sacramento.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...e.79a66f0.html
Tim Duncan has been a mainstay at the starting power forward position for years, but Robert Horry started several games against Sacramento. Dirk Nowitzki is the Mavs' failsafe scorer at the No. 4 spot. In Gregg Popovich's fondest dreams, Nowitzki defends T.D. and is defended by Horry — but it makes the most sense for Mister Big Shot (Horry) to continue in the starting lineup, if only to avoid having Duncan try to shadow Nowitzki beyond the 3-point arc.
The center matchup between Duncan and DeSagna Diop is the most lop-sided one in the playoffs. Actually, Diop starts only to shorten the playing time of the foul-prone Erick Dampier. Diop will block an occasional shot and throw down an ever rarer dunk, and Dampier will bull his way to a few points in put-backs and clumsy, but powerful, interior moves — yet Duncan's scoring, passing, screen-setting, and long-armed defense will give them both nightmares for months to come.
Rasho Nesterovic is a solid second-stringer, whose jump hooks, short jumpers, chest-to-chest defense, and body-blasting screens are vastly underrated. He and Dampier will provide a convincing imitation of gigantic head-butting rams. Since Nesterovic doesn't look to score, Diop might also earn some bonus PT against him.
Nazr Mohammed seems to be the forgotten man in the middle. He's active on the boards, can block careless shots, and he can even drop an occasional short-range jumper. It's his clang-hands and poor decision-making that have Mohammad banished to the bench. Still, he's capable of providing an unexpected shot of energy in random moments.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5580622
i think he would start with Nazr,,since dallas have a more conveintiolnal ineup
Start Rasho or Nazr. NOT Horry.
You start Mohammed in this series. Dampier can't play 20 feet from the rim, so you need someone to body up on him and get boards.
Spurs are on a nice roll- won their last 2 games by a combined 33 points. Why does anyone want to mess with the line-up, especially when you look at who Dallas starts? You really want Duncan on Dirk- or Duncan on Howard??
How is Dallas a conventional line-up? They have a seven foot PF who shoots 3 pointers and fade-away jumpers.
You realize that Dampier doesn't start. You also realize that Rasho actually has better rebounding numbers versus Dallas than Nazr this season? Nazr only averaged 3 rebounds per game against Dallas in 20 minutes per game this season.
Doesn't matter. Mavs can't copy the Kings.
To me it is almost inconsequential whom starts because if he is sucking Pop will pull him out.
The decision should, and will I'm sure, all come down to match ups and performance.
We really need all our Centers to bring it. And I believe they will.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
