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good point, never thought about it this way
Spurs fans can fool themselves into thinking that Pop might go with Francisco Elson in the fourth quarter of the playoffs, but that's simply not happening. Pop clearly doesn't trust him and when the chips are down, Pop is going with what he trusts.
For whatever reason, Pop trusts small ball. If in the regular season he won't end a game with a big, do you seriously think he'll change it up and do so in the playoffs? There's no way.
In Pop's mind, Elson just isn't worth clogging the lane for Duncan, Bonner isn't good enough defensively and Oberto just isn't athletic enough. There is only one final hope:
Robert Horry.
Pop trusts Horry. If Horry can show any life in the playoffs, I'm confident that Pop will go with him down the stretch. I honestly think (or is it hope?) that Pop doesn't like small ball, he just doesn't believe in any of the bigs outside of Duncan.
I'm starting to think the Spurs will win or lose in the playoffs depending on whether Horry can at least be 80% of what he was in 2005. If he can stay on the floor in the fourth quarter, he's crafty enough defensively to get the job done. Offensively, he spreads the court and has by far the highest basketball IQ on the team.
The Spurs can't win a championship with Finley playing center. It's just not possible. I don't even know if they can beat the Lakers if the Spurs go-to lineup is small ball.
(And don't even get me started on this new mini small ball lineup that has Vaughn, Parker, Manu and Bowen/Finley playing at the same time.)
As scary as it may be, this season can very easily rest on the shoulders of 59-year-old Robert Horry.
The Last Hope
good point, never thought about it this way
Horry's too busy with those honeys to worry about playoff basketball.
Damn, I forgot all about Horry
but if we're gonna do small ball then put james white on the playof roster and let it rip!
Well, it was a pretty good season.
Good point timvp. I was wondering why Pop never seems to end the game with Fran, and this is a good explanation. From my perspective, word to Pop: give Fran a go in crunch time and see what happens! It has to be better than small ball... anything is.
From the other thread. I know it scares you when we think alike.
If the Spurs are depending on an over-the-hill Robert Horry to lead them to the promised land they are in deep .
He's pretty tall compared to those girls.
Yeah for real, someone get Chris Hansen in here
If we can just hit 60% of the 25 three-pointers a game we take, the point will be moot.
I don't get why Elson isn't playing either.
Its not like his defense tonight wasn't good.
It was decent, but better than Oberto's.
That was the mistake of the night letting that stiff play.
Pop didn't play Horry last year...I don't expect that will change.
Horry was too old and winded. This year Pop took the appropriate measures to rest him enough, so he might be a little bit better in postseason. So we MIGHT have Horry magic on our side this time around..Though I doubt it.
Timvp: Where is the Believe thread? Surely that should come before a " Last Hope" one.
Last season Rob only played 1182 min. This season he has already played 1040 minutes with a couple of weeks to go. He only played 17 MPG in the play-offs last year. He was NOT overplayed last season at all.
well, I was referring to Pop purposefully resting Horry on B2B games this year, I guess. As opposed to last year, when he didn't do that.
But like I said, he's pretty old now. But can never rule him out to make an awesome play or two, since he's still Robert Horry.
Besides, Robert Horry admitted in the Mavericks series he felt like a dinosaur, so wanted to get in better shape in the off-season.
Won't this be the last chance for Horry's magic?
Love the guy, but as others said, I wish we had more realistic options.
yeah...well hopefully Horry grooms Bonner enough before he departs.
I'm not even looking for Horry to have a repeat of game 5 against the Pistons.
All I want is for him to do all the little things he used to be best
Rebound efficiently. Play solid defense. Hit the occasional open 3.
If he can 6-8 points and at least 6-8 boards I'd be one of a happy camper (granted he gets sufficient playing time to do all that)
elson defense is not that bad when he's not in foul trouble. and bonner rebounds well while stretching the floor, ithought our best option was melvin ely tall and athletic enough to give us o good job but it seems like not..
It seems that Pop has reached the point in his coaching life where he puts too much stock in veteran players.
I mean experience is nice and all, but we have that on the floor with Tim, Tony, and Manu. How about removing some experience from the roster and replacing it with running, jumping, and stamina? (Looking ahead, of course)
Elson is the only seven footer on the team, Duncan is second tallest at 6-11, everyone else is 6-10 or shorter. The Spurs are not made to go "Big" all game long. Mavs have four players that are 6-11 or taller, Rockets have three players over seven foot.
Like it or not, the Spurs are a small team.
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