Whats the best anti Spurs line up?

[HooverDam]

So I've been thinking about if this years WCF are a repeat of last years, whats the best starting 5 the Suns could go with? Obviously, this is assuming Amare (and LB) are back to full strength by that time.

My first notion would be this lineup:

KT
Amare
Marion
Bell
Nash

KT guards Duncan. Amare on Rasho, but can use his athletic ability to try to come over for blocks and help on Duncan when necessary. Bell would guard the flop machine, as he apparently gives him fits. Nash would probably be on Bowen since he is the least offensive threat and Nash is a defensive liability.

But then that leaves us w/ Marion on Parker. While Marion is certainly athletic, do we want one of our best rebounders out on the perimeter guarding Parker? Can he do it? Marion could guard Bowen the other SF, but it seems like a waste of his defensive skills- plus Parker seems to light up Nash if memory serves.

So, the other possible line up would be:

Amare
Marion
Diaw
Bell
Nash

This line up would seem to be more of the Suns trying to cause match up issues for the Spurs, and not try to match up against them.

Bell would remain on the Flop. Nash probaly on Bowen. We are now very small inside and probably have to put Marion on Duncan. Amare on Rasho, again coming over to help. This leaves Diaw on Parker. Again, seems to be advantage S.A..

The other option of course with either line up is just to leave Nash on Parker and hope Nash doesn't do his best matador impression. Perhaps with better bigs (KT, Diaw to some extent) inside, Parkers penetration will be less of a problem.

Anyway- your thoughts....?

EDIT: I should disclaimer my post by saying I didnt get to see the Suns-Spurs game the other night, which probably wouldve answered a lot of my questions. It wasnt on here in St Louis and the local sports bar had nothing but NFL games on every TV- screwing me out of access to their NBA League Pass

 

[boisesuns]

If we could sign Jason (the hockey mask guy) to a 10 day contract and have him guard Manu, that might be effective.

 

[nowagimp]

I like Marion on Parker, it seemed to limit the layups when the defender goes under the screen. Marion seemed to be able to catch up with parker and bother the shot attempt. Also, it appeared that Duncan did poorly with Diaw on him, though thomas did a good job as well in more extended minutes. I might like Diaw on Duncan better than Marion. Diaw's length and tendency not to go for pump fakes may reduce Timmy D's toolbox of tricks. Diaw also seemed to have a big quickness advantage off the dribble on all the spurs bigs, and he is too much for the guards to handle down low. If the spurs were not starting Manu, I would start Nash, Diaw, Marion, Thomas, and Amare. This would work if they tried to take away the 3, opening up the middle as in the last game.

 

[jibikao]

I like Marion on Parker, it seemed to limit the layups when the defender goes under the screen. Marion seemed to be able to catch up with parker and bother the shot attempt. Also, it appeared that Duncan did poorly with Diaw on him, though thomas did a good job as well in more extended minutes. I might like Diaw on Duncan better than Marion. Diaw's length and tendency not to go for pump fakes may reduce Timmy D's toolbox of tricks. Diaw also seemed to have a big quickness advantage off the dribble on all the spurs bigs, and he is too much for the guards to handle down low. If the spurs were not starting Manu, I would start Nash, Diaw, Marion, Thomas, and Amare. This would work if they tried to take away the 3, opening up the middle as in the last game.

I have to agree. Marion's speed, long arm and height can probably stop a lot of Parker's rainbow-drop shots which he does THE BEST in the league. For a guy that small, I think he has the most points in the paint in the league?!!! Parker is not a very good outside shooter.

I honestly don't think anyone in this league can match up Parker's speed. No one! With Duncan setting screens, I don't think anyone can catch up with Parker but limiting his rainbow shots is probably the best idea. Marion is the best for it.

I mean the good news is Bowen sucks ass on offense. Even Nash can handle him. Marion can't guard Duncan, period. Let Kurt/Diaw handle him.

As for Gino, let Bell harrass him.

 

[Shawty]

The best lineup is Lou Grillo, Ben Salvatore and Violet Palmer.

 

[nowagimp]

The best lineup is Lou Grillo, Ben Salvatore and Violet Palmer.

Actually the best lineup against the spurs is the NBA schedule. The new, "old" spurs are 1-5 in the second game of back to backs. I'll bet last years team was better.

 

[F-Dog]

If the Suns are really looking to match up, this is the way to do so:

Nash
Barbosa
Raja
KT
Amare

On defense, the Suns hide Nash on Bowen and Amare on Rasho/Nazr, with their 'defensive specialists' on Duncan and Ginobili, and Barbosa with the speed and length to stay in front of Tony Parker. On the other side, Amare is surrounded by shooters to force tough choices on isos, and Tony Parker has to pick between Nash and Barbosa, with the other player being too quick for either Bowen or Ginobili--a significant advantage on S&Rs.


I imagine the Suns will start Shawn Marion instead.

 

[nowagimp]

If the Suns are really looking to match up, this is the way to do so:

Nash
Barbosa
Raja
KT
Amare

On defense, the Suns hide Nash on Bowen and Amare on Rasho/Nazr, with their 'defensive specialists' on Duncan and Ginobili, and Barbosa with the speed and length to stay in front of Tony Parker. On the other side, Amare is surrounded by shooters to force tough choices on isos, and Tony Parker has to pick between Nash and Barbosa, with the other player being too quick for either Bowen or Ginobili--a significant advantage on S&Rs.


I imagine the Suns will start Shawn Marion instead.

Good point! I really like the Barbosa/Parker matchup for the suns and "hiding Nash on Bowen" is real good strategy as we have seen. Put KT on Duncan and back him up with Diaw. Marion must play substantial minutes as well(rebounding is needed) and should do well against Finley and Barry(Jones could defend these guys as well). I dont like the Marion/Duncan Matchup, but Marion could also spell STAT on Rasho.

 

[George O'Brien]

Assuming Leandro is completely healthy, he creates problems for any team that tries to use a spread defense against the Suns. It is notable that he went 6 of 10 in the 20 minutes he played before getting injured in the first game as he was able to get to the basket before anyone could get back to pick him up. (He scored 21 points in 20 minutes against the Pistons.)

In a sense, Leandro forces teams into a kind of double team because no one can keep him from getting into the paint. He's a great weapon and there were signs that his defensive techniques were catching up to his talent.

 

[jibikao]

Mark my word, Michael Finely will jinx Spurs this year!!

I picture us fighting against Pistons this year!!!!

I like our matchup against Pistons. Without Parker and Duncan, I feel we have a better chance fighting especially when Amare comes back!

 

[HooverDam]

Mark my word, Michael Finely will jinx Spurs this year!!

I picture us fighting against Pistons this year!!!!

I like our matchup against Pistons. Without Parker and Duncan, I feel we have a better chance fighting especially when Amare comes back!

I think, like others have pointed out, the Spurs age is going to jinx them more than anything this year, especially Timmy's bad ankles.

I do not like our match up w/ the Pistons, in fact I feel we match up much better against the Spurs. Mainly, I feel this way because their is no one in the Pistons starting 5 that stinks on offense enough for us to hide Nash on them (maybe Ben Wallace ).

Billups is the big problem, I'd like the have Bell cover him, but we need Bell on Hamilton. As far as an anti Pistons line up, I'd go:

KT
Amare
Marion
Bell
Nash

We need Marions quickness on Prince. KT on R. Wallace, and Amare can (hopefully) stay out of trouble on B. Wallace. Their big back-court is the trouble, its tough to match up against. Leandro will have to play some nice D in a series against the Pistons.

 

[George O'Brien]

Worrying about how to match up with the Pistons (after they killed the Spurs tonight) is interesting, but a tad premature. A lot will happen between now and the championship and the biggest question will be health.

The most notable element of the Pistons is that they do not have a long bench. They have five guys averaging 35 minutes a games. The next highest is Dice at just under 20. Maurice Evans plays 15 minutes and Arroyo is at 13.3

It is hard to imagine where this team would be with 3 rotations guys on the DL like the Suns are. If they are completely heathly through the playoffs, they'll be tough to beat. But June is a long time away to run everyone at 35 minutes plus.

If by some fluke the Suns ARE healthy by the playoffs, they will have one of the most interesting SECOND TEAMS in the NBA:

C - Brian Grant
PF - Boris Diaw
SF - James Jones
SG - Leandro Barbosa
PG - Eddie House

 

[BC867]

If by some fluke the Suns ARE healthy by the playoffs, they will have one of the most interesting SECOND TEAMS in the NBA:

C - Brian Grant
PF - Boris Diaw
SF - James Jones
SG - Leandro Barbosa
PG - Eddie House

Good point. Actually Diaw is a Point-Power Forward, with Barbosa and House as 2-Guards on offense.

On defense, the postitions are as you listed above.

Diaw's 6-to-whatever assists on any given night are certainly a new concept to the Power Forward position.

 

[jibikao]

How come Pistons has not had any big injuries??!!!!!!!

Looks like last night they raped Spurs.


I don't know... I feel we match up better against Pistons. Yeah, on paper, Pistons' offense is harder to stop but maybe it's due to this "Spurs dominance" syndrome, I feel if we can pass the Spurs, anything is possible. Spurs is like this "mental problem" for the Western teams.

Yes, we may not be able to stop Piston's starting 5 but as far as I know, their brilliant defense NEVER slows us down that much. If Amare comes back healthy, our offense is just as hard to stop as they are to us.

Nash can't really guard Billups but I believe Billups can't guard Nash either. Nash can penetrate pretty easily.

The biggest problem IMO is Hamiliton. Pistons has this one play where they set two screesn for Hamilton and let Hamilton shoot the jump shot. That's like the hardest thing to guard on the perimeter. I don't think even Bell can stop that... only if Hamilton misses.

 

[LakeShowMan]

Ben Wallace
Sheed
Tayshaun Prince
Rip Hamilton
Chauncey Billups

 

[nowagimp]

Ben Wallace
Sheed
Tayshaun Prince
Rip Hamilton
Chauncey Billups

We have been talking about what lineup is best against the spurs, but its really what spurs lineup is most vulnerable to our players. When I was watching the spurs/pistons game last night it became obvious that the spurs are weakest when parker and ginobli sit down. I was watching Finley guard prince and van exel guard Rip Hamilton. This was a joke, I couldnt believe it. Finley cannot guard prince(he afraid to get close enough to guard against a shot attempt outside of 14ft), Van Exel on Rip Hamilton was comical, and Horry was devoured by Rasheed. Then on offense with a lineup of Duncan, Van exel, Finley, Horry, and Bowen, there was no-one who could beat his man one on one except duncan. This was a very ugly, hopeless, game for the spurs. I thought the spurs had more in their tank. They must be winning on execution and guile, because nick isn't quick anymore, and Finley looked relatively immobile on D, and stood around on the perimeter waiting for the ball. The pistons look like a confident, well oiled machine, though they really had ALOT of easy open shots because of these defensive mismatches. It might have been the worst defense I've ever seen the spurs play.

 

[George O'Brien]

We have been talking about what lineup is best against the spurs, but its really what spurs lineup is most vulnerable to our players. When I was watching the spurs/pistons game last night it became obvious that the spurs are weakest when parker and ginobli sit down. I was watching Finley guard prince and van exel guard Rip Hamilton. This was a joke, I couldnt believe it. Finley cannot guard prince(he afraid to get close enough to guard against a shot attempt outside of 14ft), Van Exel on Rip Hamilton was comical, and Horry was devoured by Rasheed. Then on offense with a lineup of Duncan, Van exel, Finley, Horry, and Bowen, there was no-one who could beat his man one on one except duncan. This was a very ugly, hopeless, game for the spurs. I thought the spurs had more in their tank. They must be winning on execution and guile, because nick isn't quick anymore, and Finley looked relatively immobile on D, and stood around on the perimeter waiting for the ball. The pistons look like a confident, well oiled machine, though they really had ALOT of easy open shots because of these defensive mismatches. It might have been the worst defense I've ever seen the spurs play.

The Pistons offense is vastly improved this season, but I'm not surprised that Finley and Van Exel are ineffective on defense. They weren't that good even when they were younger.