Reply With Quote
Spurs' elite skills tough test for Cavs
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
Already humbled by one of the NBA's doormats, the Cavaliers will learn how they can fare against one of the league's penthouse franchises tonight.
Three nights after the debacle in Chicago, the Cavs will need to find some answers in traveling to San Antonio, as the Spurs have three All-Stars, a strong bench, good outside shooting and a solid inside game.
Still, the Spurs are coming off two consecutive losses, including the end of a 21-game home winning streak Wednesday against Seattle. On Thursday, Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in the final 35 seconds as Houston stole away with a stunning comeback win.
"You have to come with an A plus, plus game in order to beat them," coach Paul Silas said. "Just an A game isn't going to do it."
Defeating the Spurs means getting past a stacked starting lineup that includes Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Rasho Nesterovic. Duncan gets all of the accolades, but Cavaliers assistant coach Stephen Silas said Parker actually runs the show.
"It starts with Tony Parker because he makes them go," Stephen Silas said. "When he has a good game they're very successful. Especially when he's pushing the basketball, getting easy points and pressuring the ball. Duncan will get the double-doubles, but when Parker is good, he's great."
Ginobili causes fits because of his great outside shooting touch and his ability to go strong to the basket. The Cavs will put their best defender, Ira Newble, on him, but the task will remain difficult.
"Ginobili constantly puts pressure on the defense by driving to the hoop or spotting up for open jumpers," Stephen Silas said. "He's a lefty and everyone knows that but he still goes left. He's relentless and he puts lots of pressure on the defense. Ira plays good defense, but Ginobili's quickness is a problem for anyone."
The difference in the game could come down to Bowen's defense on LeBron James. Bowen is one of the top defenders in the league.
"Bowen doesn't take time off and he has a reputation as a good defender and he gets away with some things and it'll be a tough job for LeBron," Stephen Silas said. "Teams crowd LeBron and he's been able to find the open man but the Spurs won't have to help Bowen as much and that will clog the passing lane, making it difficult for LeBron to find the open man."
The Spurs are the toughest defensive team in the league. They can also score, averaging 95 points per game and they're shooting 45.1 percent from the field. The Spurs are beating teams by 11 points per game.
"They're just steam rolling the league right now," said Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy. "I mean, they are a machine."
Still, the Rockets managed to win Thursday, even though admiration for the Spurs is widespread.
"They've been playing together for a long time," Paul Silas said. "They know each other. They have one of the best players in Tim Duncan. Everything feeds off him, but the Manu Ginobilis and the Tony Parkers are also on top of their games."
The Cavs haven't won in San Antonio since Dec. 8, 1988. The streak looks safe, especially after Wednesday's 28-point loss in Chicago.
But Stephen Silas believes the streak can end.
"But it's going to take a big-time effort from everyone," he said. "We're going to have to establish Z [Zydrunas Ilgauskas] early and make them have to make some decisions, like crowding Z or doubling him. We can establish the pick and roll or get out and run on them. They only give up about 85 points per game and we need to get some easy shots and second shots."
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plai...1096230873.xml
Did Rasho just have a slame dunk?
