Monday, January 18th, 2010...6:03 pm
Inside, Outside, Around and Through
With around 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the Spurs found themselves ahead by 12. The previous play had featured a nice back-to-the-basket move by DeJuan Blair, and after Peja Stojakovic dribbled into a 16-foot spin-around fadeaway miss (not the shot the Hornets want Peja taking), Duncan secured the rebound and San Antonio was headed back up the floor.
Tony Parker fed the ball into Blair, who had established position on the low block and was being guarded by David West. After a few anticipatory dribbles by Blair, Darius Songalia left Tim Duncan and collapsed onto the ball. Blair immediately noticed the double and tossed the ball back out to Parker. The ball then made a decisive journey around the 3-point line: From Parker to Manu Ginobili and then finally into the hands of George Hill, who was setup in the corner. Hill paused and extended; the ball slid through the net.
That play won’t be making any highlight reels, nor should it. It wasn’t the game’s most spectacular or impactful play. It didn’t initiate or conclude the particular run the Spurs were on, nor did the 21 point lead built up during that stretch stop New Orleans from fighting their way back into the ball game. But the play struck me nonetheless.
On the surface the play, although well executed, doesn’t seem that noteworthy. The Spurs have run that exact play, and run it exceptionally well, for years. Duncan draws the double then kicks the ball back outside. The ball is quickly moved around the perimeter to a waiting shooter- Bowen, Ginobili, Horry, Bonner - who, setup in the corner, buries the ball at the bottom of the net. But Duncan wasn’t the player who drew the double and it wasn’t Bowen or Bonner or any member of the old guard who took the shot. The play began with an undersized 20-year-old power forward from Pittsburgh and ended with an unheralded 23-year-old combo guard from Indianapolis.
Put more succinctly, with around 7 minutes left in the third quarter, I watched the Spurs perfectly execute a play they’ve been running for years. But it didn’t begin or end with guys who’ve been doing it for years; it began and ended with guys who’ll be doing it for years to come. That’s why, with around 7 minutes left in the third quarter, I couldn’t help but smile.
11 Comments
January 18th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
That was a sweet play. How often does a rookie merit a double team? Blair really seems to be coming into his own with this team. I have no doubt that we could have beat both Charlotte and Memphis with Blair playing more minutes. Memo to Pop: please do not play McDyess with Manu. Antonio is starting to remind me of Nazr “manos de piedra” Mohammed.
January 18th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
That play also struck me, as in “A Spur not named Duncan is drawing a double team in the low post?” and on top of that, this occurred with Duncan on the court at the same time.
January 18th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Another quality write up. Had to smile at the play myself as you say promising for the future a front line of Blair/Splitter/RJ would scare ALOT of teams out there (although a touch undersize) With another opportunity (with Dice injured) could rthis not be ANOTHER opportunity to get YAWN some more burn??
Pls Pop give us(and the rest of the league!!) a look at the young guys. Why didn’t Ian 15/7 (I think) get him some extra minutes???
January 18th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Yes I understand that would be a front line of Timmeh/Splitter/RJ for the near future
I justthink the future looks BRIGHT in SA
GO SPURS GO!!!
January 18th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
A question for the Splitter scholars - first, what proof is there that he’s going to be here next year? And second, might Blair be better than Splitter?
January 18th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Graydon,
The play you mentioned was in the NBA.com highlights of the game. Very nice and flawless play! Go Spurs!!!
January 18th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Aren’t we all glad of the decisions made in this league? People thought we would take Mario Chalmers instead of George Hill, but Cubits fits into our system perfectly. 28 teams passed on DeJuan due to certain risks that can come along with drafting any player. Even if he is at a higher risk, that doesn’t change anything. Blake Griffin is evidence of that.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Hicksy
I was at the grizzly game about 5 rows behind sean elliot, Ian got alot of playing time because blair couldnt stop picking up fouls, when blair was out there we were awesome, when Ian was we sucked. it looked like he had no energy and wasnt boxing his man out very well. Maybe just a bad game but haislip had alot of energy out there and pop told him shoot it when u get open, he did just could hit much.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Winning in NOLA felt good. It was irritating to go 0-2 there last season. That this was game 5 in six & a half days made it even better. I was worried and certainly did not see our guys building a 21 point lead.
Graydon, good observation. It was a well executed play and overall the offense seems to have fewer hiccups, outside of Manu passing to Dyce. There is still the problem of one bad quarter per game, usually starting with the offensive end, but let’s hope the team is moving beyond that, as exemplified by this one play.
January 19th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Is it a coincidence that the Spurs break their losing streak on the game Matt Bonner comes back. I think not.
RED ROCKET!!!!!!!!!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Give McDyess’ minutes to the young players. I thought he can help the team, but he ain’t, in my opinion. Tony and George play well together with Tim.
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