Round 2: Spurs VS Hornets

[Donald Kaufman]

This is possibly the most obvious thing anyone could say, but we can't afford a split of these two homes games. We need both to make it a series. I certainly don't think it's beyond this team to do it.

So Ballings, you think Bowen on Peja and TP straight up on CP is the way to go? I'd have to agree, I think if Peja doesn't get into a rhythym right away he's not much use. The problem being, he's doing a lot of damage right now.

I'm still kind of surprised and disappointed that we're not coming home at least 1-1. And maybe the players feel the same way.

[Ballings7]

Yes, basically make Paul do more, focus on West and Peja, others.. I don't think you can contain Paul enough over a series.

I think it's the most favorable situation for us to get back in it, combined with coming home and a bit of a refresher. I expect the shooters to hit their shots more, and Brent Barry to play more than he has so far.

Peja's damage has come with pretty easy or open looks, though. He's been in his comfort zone. Deny him the ball, make him dribble the ball, be physical with him. That's when he gets off his game. With Bruce all up on him and with him, it's going to be significantly different. Should be anyway. Trenton Hassell as the guy on him in 04 with Minnesota, did that to him, they made him have an up and down series, and ultimately below how he usually plays. Peja hasn't been a real focus defensively yet, and obviously has to be.

And yeah, absolutely have to get both games at home. I'm actually kind of expecting us to do that, and it is doable.

[DBMethos]

I've always thought that Bruce on Peja is the way to go. Parker is quick enough to stay with Paul enough to force him into taking mostly jumpers, which should be the only way we let him score. Also, I doubt that Mo-Pete's ridiculously hot shooting will continue.

[johnnyjohnnyjohnny]

I don't mind that we're down 2 games to none. I mean, I DO mind but what disappoints and scares me is the fact that we've been utterly destroyed in those games. Actually, our last 3 games vs. the Hornets we have not even been playing in their league. This is not something that home court can remedy. The score in those losses is a little more telling than the losses themselves, IMO.

[wizardg]

Is it me or does it seem like every round we have the toughest matchup?

At this point the Spurs should be a humbled desperate bunch of ballers. Hopefully the supporting cast will step up at home.

1. We need to win tonight on emotion if nothing else.
2. We need the next game on heart.
3. We need the next game on championship heart and execution.
4. We need to complete the backsweep on killer instinct.

We need the next four to win this series IMHO.


Go Spurs
. I don't see us winning G7 in NO but I hope I'm wrong.

[wizardg]

I don't mind that we're down 2 games to none. I mean, I DO mind but what disappoints and scares me is the fact that we've been utterly destroyed in those games. Actually, our last 3 games vs. the Hornets we have not even been playing in their league. This is not something that home court can remedy. The score in those losses is a little more telling than the losses themselves, IMO.

Game 1 was an 8 point game with 2:30 left. With a decent Timmy that was the game we should have gotten. The last two minutes the ran the score up.


But I know what you are saying. We just don't matchup well with these guys and they match up well with us. Our one major advantage Timmy has been compromised by bad play, 80% doubles, and health I've heard.
Finley, Barry, Bow and the rest have to knoch down their shots.

[DBMethos]

Is it just me or does anybody else cringe when Bowen fakes a shot in the corner and then drives inside looking to score? Seems like he's done that several times in games 1&2. His leash should be a little tighter on offense IMO. If he's not open for that 3...PASS THE BALL!!!!

[johnnyjohnnyjohnny]

Bowen is one of the few players on the team smart enough to pass the ball to Timmy. I cringe when we don't involve Timmy on offense for several consecutive posessions.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

What the Spurs MUST DO.

-Play to their strengths. They have one of the more dominate forwards in the game in Tim Duncan. Slashers in Parker and Manu. Shooters in Bowen and Barry. Put the ball into the post and space it out and threaten the Hornets from all directions on offense.

-Defensively, you must SHUT DOWN the paint. Chris Paul is a good shooter, but not as great as he is a creator. Use Parker as the primary man and immediately double the ball. We want Chris Paul to be making last-second passes and having the Hornets rush on offense.

[Blame Rasho]

What the Spurs MUST DO.

-Play to their strengths. They have one of the more dominate forwards in the game in Tim Duncan. Slashers in Parker and Manu. Shooters in Bowen and Barry. Put the ball into the post and space it out and threaten the Hornets from all directions on offense.

-Defensively, you must SHUT DOWN the paint. Chris Paul is a good shooter, but not as great as he is a creator. Use Parker as the primary man and immediately double the ball. We want Chris Paul to be making last-second passes and having the Hornets rush on offense.

I agree with you wholeheartly...

[Magz50]

Well offensively we HAVE been getting it to Duncan drawing the double with him passing out to open looks. However our open looks just won't drop. Fin, Manu, Bowen, Udoka, Barry aren't hitting crap right now. if just ONE of those guys catches fire we'll be fine, but games 1 and 2 none of them could hit the jack. Let's hope the home court gives them some much needed confidence and start draining those shots.

[johnnyjohnnyjohnny]

Well offensively we HAVE been getting it to Duncan drawing the double with him passing out to open looks. However our open looks just won't drop. Fin, Manu, Bowen, Udoka, Barry aren't hitting crap right now. if just ONE of those guys catches fire we'll be fine, but games 1 and 2 none of them could hit the jack. Let's hope the home court gives them some much needed confidence and start draining those shots.

Bowen was phenomenal in game 1, Finley has been horrid, though. Barry, in garbage minutes has also been shooting extremely well. Hopefully we will see him get key minutes tonight.

[Magz50]

I'm liking Manu and Parker's game so far, both playing hard.

[Ballings7]

Peja - shut down, as expected

I expect a little better game from him in G4, but still not at the level as before

[bbfan_1]

What a fun game, this is basketball.

One thing about Pop. No doubt a great coach, but....he has lost his way with what the game is all about.

Anyone watching this game has to wonder why he goes for these silly gimmicks that he does:

-Putting Bowen on CP was a move to get to his head? Do Spurs need to play game this way to win? Not at all, play basketball.

-Bringing Manu off the bench? Why? What does this do for anyone? It is a stupid gimmick. Let the man play and let us fans enjoy his game.

-Hack-a-whoever, (Please Use More Appropriate Word), just makes a game look like there is something wrong with it. It's bad for basketball.

These Spurs are first of all a great team and than individually have some amazing players. I want to see them play and not have Pop pull silly stunts, so much better this way.

Great game for Champs tonight, Parker did way better than I ever thought he could once Pop took off his leash. We got ourselves a series again.

[Ballings7]

Manu comes off the bench generally, so Parker and Duncan get into their offensive flow, and then Manu comes in some minutes after, and eventually finishes the game.

It's been done in the past, too. Usually, it's what is best for the team. But obviously has needed to be changed up with this series.

In this series, I think it's good he's starting now, it helps with his ankle, and against this Hornets team more energy and offensive ability is needed to start. Along with how Duncan's being played, and is more limited because of the doubles. I actually thought Pop may of done it in G1, and was a bit surprised he didn't in G2.

[Magz50]

Pop made some great moves last night. Most importantly our 3 shooting showed up finally. That's the difference maker for the Spurs, with 3 point shooting TD can create space for Manu and Parker to penetrate, without our 3 falling they clog the lane and force us into making bad jumpshots all game.

[TAI8]

I expect a 20/10 from Duncan in Game 4. I would like Ginobili and Parker to play at this level for the remainder of the series. Finley, Bowen, Barry, and Horry have to continue hitting their shots. I think Duncan will fully recover for Game 4. We should retain the game plan that won us Game 3. Byron will make defensive adjustments. New Orleans's offense rests on the shoulders of Chris Paul and his playmaking. I expect us to kill it in Game 4.

[Blame Rasho]

We got to win the next game.... the Jazz just tied the Lakers... so we should do the same..

[lukeridenour]

gooooooooood sh*t looking forward to game 5.