Pre-Game Thoughts: Bobcats-Spurs, 3/10/08

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At first glance it may seem as if tonight’s game against the Bobcats lacks intrigue but there are more than a few reasons to tune in.

First and foremost, no game is a throwaway game from here on out. The standings are just too tight. Popovich’s priority is health not home court-advantage and rightly so, but I’m more interested in who we are playing as opposed to where we are playing. At this point, a 2-seed is likely to set us up with a first round match-up against either the Blazers or the Nuggets, neither of which is that concerning. A series against the Rockets in the second round isn’t that intimidating either. As Tim and I mentioned on “NBA Today,” early series opponents to avoid are the Jazz (because of their physicality) and the Hornets (because of the specific match-ups).

To flip the entire idea of playoff positioning on its head, Matt Moore actually suggested that sliding back to the 4-seed might not be so bad. It would mean we would meet the Lakers in the second round but the road to a 5th ring goes through LA one way or another. Why not face them earlier when we are healthier and more energetic? We could beat some of the other Western Conference teams even with a few bumps and bruises but not the Lakers. I’m not saying I support the idea. When it comes to subjects like playoff positioning there isn’t really anything to support. I’m just throwing it out there as a something to discuss.

Either way, the point is seemingly unimportant games against likely lottery teams seem more important in March than they did back in November and December.

Broader season implications aside, tonight’s game has the potential to be interesting in and of itself. Our first meeting this season was an 86-84 thriller in Charlotte that ended with a Boris Diaw 3-pointer to win rimming out. The Bobcats may not be able to give the Spurs as much trouble in San Antonio (Charlotte is 18-15 at home; 10-20 on the road) but if there is one chessmaster who can go move for move with Pop, it’s Larry Brown.

Despite his journeymen status, Brown is one of the best coaches in the NBA. He is the only coach to win a championship at both the collegiate and professional level and if it weren’t for his incessant need to take coaching positions with struggling franchises, he’d have more. While most great coaches relish stability, Brown is a rolling stone. So don’t let his lack of success in recent years fool you. Pop gladly admits that he learned most of what he knows from Brown.

Brown aside, I’ll admit a little secret of mine: I just like watching the Bobcats play. Gerard Wallace’s style can be placed somewhere between a whirlwind and a jackhammer. Boris Diaw is a positional enigma par excellence. And I’m a University of Texas fan so wherever D.J. Augustin goes, my heart follows.

For more Charlotte coverage, check out Queen City Hoops. The game starts at 8:30 Eastern/7:30 Central. Go Spurs.

  • ChillFAN

    When I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven in the Age of the Romantics.

  • Latin_D

    I don’t think dropping to the 4th place is a good idea. Not because we’ll face the Lakers first, but because I prefer to have the Spurs get used to playing well. I always thought teams learn how to be winners, and there’s some sort of momentum going on that makes them win games they should’ve lost. In the case of the Spurs this might not be such a big deal, because they’re a very veteran team, but I still prefer to finish at full speed.

    Besides, no one can ever tell what will happen in the POs. The one year Dallas looked unstoppable, and no one wanted to face them, they lost in the first round.

  • Ken

    I am worried about about back up point guard situation during a press. Neither Mason nor Hill inspire confidence as a ball handler.

  • ChillFAN fan

    I dig the walton-ism chillfan. And also, Is not Robert Horry the best inbounds passer in the modern era?

  • Martin

    I believe best scenario is if the POs began today we would be playing against Denver in the 1st Round and Houston in the second (given that Houston finally gets out of 1st round against NOH)

    And…the best part is that LAL would face Utah in the second round (if seeding works) leaving them banged up for the WCFs

    However, this would be being very very optimistic that Houston can beat NOH in a seven-games series, if not, we would have to go through NOH in the second and they are dangerous enough to take it to the a game 7 and left the team exhausted for the WCFs

  • Jimbo

    No post-game thoughts? I’ve been very impressed with the play of Hill – he’s providing the athleticism we’ve been sorely lacking. Let’s hope Gooden joins the fold shortly.