Eight on five

[Treesquid PhD]

I actually think the second half d is what killed us - to begin the second half, we gave up 9/10 FGs - we built ourselves a big hole against a great team and couldn't get over the hump. It was DA's matchup nightmares putting Marion on two guys, neither of which he can guard and then when that didn't work, he put ANOTHER guy (Diaw) who couldn't guard Duncan. That was the problem as far as I saw it. DA just being a complete and utter stubborn fool, not admitting that KT needed to be in there to play Duncan. Parker ALWAYS kills us, but the only time we've beaten the Spurs the last two years is when KT played solid minites against Duncan and made him work.

I don't think he is completely stubborn, until he processes the film and makes his adjustments, if the adjustments are more Marion guarding Parker and more Diaw time, then he is a fool.

D'Antoni was brilliant post game making a point about the officials specifically how those calls changed the flow of the game and making a point to say it's happened "The time before and before and before and before!" brilliant post game move, IMO.

Another adjustment that needs to happen is they need to just run no slow downs, San Antonio plays with us at our pace because it's a sorta hybrid pace, one in where if they get a lead they can revert to grinding it. But if we made it hectic the suns will eventaully go on a huge run and take this next game!

 

[cly2tw]

We lost the game mainly by DA's stubborn refuse to play KT more time against Duncan. The second reason is we couldn't defend Parker at all. 3rd, we played Marion a bit too long that Parker didn't have to spend any energy on defense.

Only then we could count the bad timing of two crucial bad calls, 3rd foul on Amare and the end-game one on LB. Both were smart setups by TD and Parker respectively. Refs are humans too and they made worse calls than that, but the timing really hurt us. Other than that, the referring was pretty even. In particular, they called foul on Horry on an Amare layup when he stood still till the very last moment. Realizing no contact was gonna happen, Horry leant in with his shoulder to draw contact and was caught. That's good signs for us that the refs are rather alert and aware of Spurs' player's tricks. And another one on Manu for impeding Diaw(?) with his pelvis would not be normally called.

 

[Joe Mama]

I actually think the second half d is what killed us - to begin the second half, we gave up 9/10 FGs - we built ourselves a big hole against a great team and couldn't get over the hump. It was DA's matchup nightmares putting Marion on two guys, neither of which he can guard and then when that didn't work, he put ANOTHER guy (Diaw) who couldn't guard Duncan. That was the problem as far as I saw it. DA just being a complete and utter stubborn fool, not admitting that KT needed to be in there to play Duncan. Parker ALWAYS kills us, but the only time we've beaten the Spurs the last two years is when KT played solid minites against Duncan and made him work.

I actually thought Diaw was decent on Tim Duncan. However I have to admit that I was looking back and forth between my computer and the TV. I thought Duncan made some really tough shots over Diaw. I was actually surprised because I thought he would just kill him easily.

I saw an interview with coach Mike tonight where he was asked specifically about whether he should have put Kurt Thomas on Tim Duncan to start the second half. Of course he didn't like that idea because he didn't think they could run with Kurt Thomas and that's how they win.

I have a couple problems with that. First, you don't have to have all five players running in order to play transition basketball. It's a lot easier to run when your opponent is not making every shot. It's also a lot easier to run when you have somebody they are securing the rebounds. Lastly, it's nice to run, but it doesn't make much sense when in order to run you have to give up 10/11 on the other end.

Joe Mama

 

[Cheesebeef]

I actually thought Diaw was decent on Tim Duncan. However I have to admit that I was looking back and forth between my computer and the TV. I thought Duncan made some really tough shots over Diaw. I was actually surprised because I thought he would just kill him easily.

I saw an interview with coach Mike tonight where he was asked specifically about whether he should have put Kurt Thomas on Tim Duncan to start the second half. Of course he didn't like that idea because he didn't think they could run with Kurt Thomas and that's how they win.

I have a couple problems with that. First, you don't have to have all five players running in order to play transition basketball. It's a lot easier to run when your opponent is not making every shot. It's also a lot easier to run when you have somebody they are securing the rebounds. Lastly, it's nice to run, but it doesn't make much sense when in order to run you have to give up 10/11 on the other end.

Joe Mama

the bigger problem I have with that is this: WE'RE RUNNING AND SCORING AND STILL NOT WINNING. Maybe, just maybe it's because we're not getting ENOUGH STOPS. (Note: these caps aren't meant for you, they're just my frustration with DA).

And were we NOT a running team with KT starting last year when we went on a 45-13 stretch and playing some of the best DEFENSE in the league? I believe he was playing major minutes, playing next Diaw, which is basically a sh&tty version of Amare. Honestly, I'm beginning to think DA is just a flat out freaking stubborn moron who is going to be unmasked as a complet fraud the day Steve Nash even slightly begisn to tail off.

and if he noticed, we win against EVERYONE but SA - maybe it's time to TRY something else? Just maybe?

 

[JS22]

Phoenix lost the game the second the 3rd quarter started and MARION was guarding Duncan. Duncan proceeded to school him repeatedly. KT was brought in for a reason. That reason is Tim Duncan. Duncan scored just 2 points against him, turned the ball over, and basically looked average in the TWELVE minutes that Thomas actually played. (I'd also guess that Duncan was only in for about 7-8 of those minutes.)

Phoenix went on their run when Thomas was in - playing solid D on Duncan, boxing out to prevent offensive rebounds, etc.

D'antoni showed me today that he is completely stubborn in his coaching style. While I still like what he brings to the team, his refusal to play KT just exposed him as a coach. Make him play YOUR game, and he'll refuse to adapt.

Thomas needs to play at least 25 minutes in game 2 for the Suns to even have a chance. Marion and Diaw will not cut it down low defensively and on the defensive boards. The Spurs just killed Phoenix in the rebounding department today.

 

[Gaddabout]

I think D'Antoni's afraid of putting KT in with Amare because he has no one to go to if both get in foul trouble. He'd have to use Pat Burke in spurts to give them breathers. But does anyone care if Burke goes out there and puts Duncan on the line? As long as it's not an and-1. And as long as Burke knows he does NOT have the green light to shoot 3s.

 

[cly2tw]

Phoenix lost the game the second the 3rd quarter started and MARION was guarding Duncan. Duncan proceeded to school him repeatedly. KT was brought in for a reason. That reason is Tim Duncan. Duncan scored just 2 points against him, turned the ball over, and basically looked average in the TWELVE minutes that Thomas actually played. (I'd also guess that Duncan was only in for about 7-8 of those minutes.)

Phoenix went on their run when Thomas was in - playing solid D on Duncan, boxing out to prevent offensive rebounds, etc.

D'antoni showed me today that he is completely stubborn in his coaching style. While I still like what he brings to the team, his refusal to play KT just exposed him as a coach. Make him play YOUR game, and he'll refuse to adapt.

Thomas needs to play at least 25 minutes in game 2 for the Suns to even have a chance. Marion and Diaw will not cut it down low defensively and on the defensive boards. The Spurs just killed Phoenix in the rebounding department today.

I think TD played only about 4-5 min against Kurt. So, we made runs while TD, and actually Nash too, were resting.

 

[cly2tw]

I think D'Antoni's afraid of putting KT in with Amare because he has no one to go to if both get in foul trouble. He'd have to use Pat Burke in spurts to give them breathers. But does anyone care if Burke goes out there and puts Duncan on the line? As long as it's not an and-1. And as long as Burke knows he does NOT have the green light to shoot 3s.

I think it's DA's ego telling him he ought not adjust to the opponents, it's personal.

Actually, Diaw exploited matchup advantage quite well the few times he got the touches. We should do that more and play KT and Diaw while resting Amare for some stretches.

 

[Errntknght]

Eight on five
No point in being surprised, I guess--that's always been the Spurs' advantage.

Imagine how bad it will be in games 3 and 4.

F-Dog, I'm disappointed in you. There was the usual poor refereeing but it wasn't particularly lopsided - certainly nothing like 8 on 5 suggests. Take away the momentum killing phantom (3rd) foul on Amare, away from the action, and I'd actually be happy with the refs. I'd have been unhappy with that call if the ref had called the foul on Duncan, who intiated the arm tangling.

 

[Errntknght]

I have to agree with cly2tw that its a point of pride with D'A that 'his' style can win it all and that causes him to not play KT as much as he should. (A point I've made made about Mike for years.)

It somewhat makes sense against Dallas because KT allows Avery to play Dampier but Tim Duncan is going to play whether KT plays or not. If anything, Popps showed he preferred not to play Timmie against KT.

Hopefully, Jr will see no more time against the Spurs - not only can he not effectively guard anyone on the team, whoever is guarding him gets to rest! I'd rather see Banks trying to slow down Parker... much rather, now that I think of it. If I thought he'd use his strength for a physical stop or two, I'd positively applaud the move.

 

[PHX 32]

All I want to know is who is the dead man who hit Steve in the nose with the salt shaker?!

 

[RingtheBell]

And as long as Burke knows he does NOT have the green light to shoot 3s.

I would be laughing my ass off if this actually happened... then I would be pissed.

 

[F-Dog]

KT got pulled in the second half because he kept switching on Duncan/Parker screen/rolls, so Marion was guarding Duncan anyway, and KT got eaten alive by Parker. He didn't get back in because Boris was doing a better-than-decent job.




The problem with the officiating on Sunday was that it was exactly to the Spurs' liking style-wise--brutal--plus they got the two biggest calls of the game. Amare's third foul in particular was a 10-point swing (I'll admit the Suns made it even worse by losing their composure), and there was absolutely no reason for Delaney to call anything there if he didn't see what had happened, since the ball was miles away from the play.

If you think the Suns are going to get their kind of game in San Antonio, plus free calls to boot, you're crazy.

 

[msdundee]

The problem with the officiating on Sunday was that it was exactly to the Spurs' liking style-wise--brutal--plus they got the two biggest calls of the game. Amare's third foul in particular was a 10-point swing (I'll admit the Suns made it even worse by losing their composure), and there was absolutely no reason for Delaney to call anything there if he didn't see what had happened, since the ball was miles away from the play.

If you think the Suns are going to get their kind of game in San Antonio, plus free calls to boot, you're crazy.

After the game Sunday Barkley said this series was going to be a "heavyweight slugfest" and for a change I think he's right. Much as they like their rep as a fundamental, defensive powerhouse, the Spurs are also masters of a book full of tricky moves and playing the refs -- they're good at both. These definitely aren't going to be finesse games. The Suns are going to have to work hard, foul hard, and play the same physical game to get anywhere -- at the same time keeping their cool when it gets really ridiculous. It goes without saying that they already know this, it's not exactly privileged information. That's a tall order -- tonight we'll see how tough they can be.