The 4-Down Podcast, episode 25: NBA Playoff talk with Sebastian Pruiti

by

The San Antonio Spurs are out of the NBA Playoffs and most fans of the silver and black are still trying to figure out what to do with the unexpected free time in their evenings. While we can’t help you there, we’ve got a podcast with Sebastian Pruiti of NBA Playbook exploring the tactical side of the postseason for those of you still craving hoops talk.

Sebastian is one of the best at breaking down plays and such from the NBA, as you should know since we often link to his stuff here at 48MoH, so we had him to to take a look back at San Antonio’s series with the Memphis Grizzlies. We also look at some of the areas the Spurs need to improve and discuss both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals.

You can find the majority of Sebastian’s work at NBA Playbook, but he writes for pretty much every other major basketball blog, so just follow him on Twitter @sebastianpruiti to see his latest stuff.

Make sure you subscribe to the 4-Down Podcast via iTunes or RSS feed. And leave us good feedback / ratings in iTunes, I hear that’s what all the cool kids are doing these days.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

  • Rob

    Agree completely about the pick and roll. And in the Spurs case they don’t execute that play as effective as other teams with a PG adept at passing in that situation.

    But I would disagree about Bonner. If in the post season he can’t release the ball quick enough and his defense is not appropriate in the post to handle better post players…then how can he be defended as an important player for regular season success while consistently dropping off in the playoffs?

    Agreed about Duncan…he just doesn’t have the “stamina” to play extended minutes and be the player he once was. A strong, young, effective (taller) post player would be a great help for this team. As well as a help defender/rim protecting big.

    Amen. The backside screen and/or weak side cutter to the basket was open many times against Memphis but the Spurs never took advantage.

    Spurs run offensive sets then ISO many times…and it frustrates me as well when they do that. Especially when they have a lead only to watch it diminish because they stopped doing what was effectively working to get the lead then all of a sudden laying back.

    Same as Spurs as explained about the Thunder. Too many times stagnant players standing around. Hence backdoor cuts or weak side cutters not effectively used in the Memphis series.

    If the players aren’t playing man like Pop is saying he wants them to do only to subside to zone defense…then shouldn’t he get players that effectively play man D and get rid of the players who don’t?

    By the way…great interview.

  • http://48minutesofhell.com Andrew A. McNeill

    Â I wasn’t trying to defend Bonner as an important player, I just wanted to bring up the positives he exhibits because the negativity is so loud. I think the Spurs would be better off without relying on him for anything more than 10 minutes a game, especially in the playoffs.

  • http://48minutesofhell.com Andrew A. McNeill

    Â I wasn’t trying to defend Bonner as an important player, I just wanted to bring up the positives he exhibits because the negativity is so loud. I think the Spurs would be better off without relying on him for anything more than 10 minutes a game, especially in the playoffs.

  • Rob

     Ah! Sorry for my misunderstanding. Agree.

  • http://48minutesofhell.com Andrew A. McNeill

    All good, I knew when I was saying it that I wasn’t explaining myself properly. Just had to roll with it and hope for the best. Â

  • idahospur

    I think the biggest downfall of Bonner is when he became a starter a few years ago and everyone saw his weaknesses. He was good with that 10 minutes when he could make a few 3’s and cause the other team’s defense to get tired with the extra spacing of the Spurs offense. But as Pop has asked Bonner to more, it’s obvious that Bonner will not be able to handle to load.

    I hope that Splitter gets some good time this summer to figure a few things out and become the player we need him to be. Ryan Richards could probably use another year, but he should come early and be that 3rd option for the 4/5. I would also like to see Dice “retire” and then come back near the end of the year and be that defensive option. Yeah I see that this puts us with Duncan/Splitter/Richards/Dice/Blair/Bonner to cover two positions but so what.

  • idahospur

    Love the comment about Duncan, Robinson, and the Spurs.

    Â http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2011-05-17/who-will-get-the-lucky-bounce-in-the-nba-draft-lottery

    We need another #1 pick.

  • Pingback: Spurs Nation » Spurs links: Should the Spurs erect statues outside of the AT&T Center?()