Monday, May 3rd, 2010...10:54 pm
San Antonio Spurs 102, Phoenix Suns 111: Steve Nash exorcises playoff demons and George Hill
George Hill is a player on the rise; Steve Nash an established two-time MVP. Monday night Nash was quick to put into perspective just how far apart those first two statements truly are.
At every turn Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry seemed to have an answer for the San Antonio Spurs second-year combo guard.
Opening on Nash, George Hill fell victim to a series of intricate hesitation dribbles that led to four uncontested layups and a 17-point first quarter outburst from Steve Nash (33 points and 10 assists) to set the tone in the Phoenix Suns 111-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
When Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich countered with the three-guard lineup that put away the Dallas Mavericks, Gentry sent the much bigger Jason Richardson (27 points, 10-16 shooting) into the post on Hill.
And the theory that Hill’s offense would leave Nash with no one to hide his defensive deficiencies? One tiny flaw-just because a player scores 20-plus points in a couple of games does not mean he created all of those shots. As mentioned in the preview, Hill still scores the majority of his points on standstill spot-up jump shots and remains the type of player that can be taken out of a game if you focus your defense on him.
This is not to put the loss on Hill. Those 17 first quarter points were just as much a failing of the Spurs help defense, which was non-existent in the first quarter. But the San Antonio Spurs are going to need more from their starting point guard if they hope to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
The solution? Enter Tony Parker. While George Hill is one of the most improved players in the league, Parker is an All-Star coming (albeit with injuries) off an All-NBA season. This is, as Kenny Smith said, a Tony Parker series.
And when Gregg Popovich went with Parker to start the second half, pairing him in the back court with Manu Ginobili, the San Antonio Spurs responded with a 24-12 run to claw back into the game and take a brief lead.
At the heart of it was Tony Parker’s aggressiveness, attacking Steve Nash off the dribble, putting pressure on the Sun’s defense and easing some of the playmaking burdens, and Suns defensive focus, off of Manu Ginobili.
But eventually Ginobili had to go to the bench to get his customary breather and the Suns offset all the damage the Spurs momentum generated to end the third quarter in his absence.
In many ways, the game mirrored the San Antonio Spurs Game one loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Tim Duncan (20 points, 11 rebounds), Manu Ginobili (27 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals) and Tony Parker (26 points) played well enough for the Spurs to win, they got absolutely no help from their supporting cast (a combined 29 points, led by George Hill’s nine) and allowed the opposing team to get into transition off turnovers and missed three-pointers (21 percent).
Like the Mavericks series, this is a game that can be remedied moving forward. Steve Nash might not have been hitting fluke shots in the manner the Dirk Nowitzki was after game one, but it would be foolish to think the San Antonio Spurs allow the same uncontested layups he got in the first quarter.
Unlike the Mavericks series, the Spurs cannot expect Steve Nash to vanish. That’s why it would be reasonable to expect Tony Parker to rejoin the starting lineup at some point this series as trying to win the battle of the benches at this point in the season is a lost cause.
Between Blair, Bonner and Roger Mason the Spurs got nothing from their bench. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson need to share the court as much as possible if only to maximize the weaknesses of Steve Nash while making sure Hill holds down the fort and offsets Goran Dragic and Leandro Barbosa.
They also absolutely must have something, anything, from Richard Jefferson, who was a non-factor with five points and three rebounds.
The Spurs will also need to get more punch from the three-point line. A recent and disturbing trend has been the absence of quality three-point shooting from the Spurs role players outside of Hill, highlighted by their Game 3 win over the Mavericks in which they failed to connect on a single long distance shot.
One game does not a series make. And while there were some worrisome trends to keep track of, there are not many people in the NBA better at making adjustments than Gregg Popovich.
109 Comments
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Even though the SPURS took the lead it was pretty much lost in the 1st quarter. WE all know what NASH can do but I didn’t think the SPURS would let him have a lay up drill like that. That gave the SUNS the courage they needed to get the win. I know NASH is a former MVP but I also thought HILL would be more physical with him.
It reminded me of Game 1 against the MAVS too. SUNS pretty much had to play a perfect game and the SPURS still nearly stole one.
The positives
-SUNS had to play a near perfect game to win.
-TP and MANU can do whatever they want.
-Dudley and Hill aren’t going to do what they thought they would.
-SPURS missed all those free throws and still managed to take a lead.
-SPURS have advantage over the SUNS bench. They just got lucky they had 10 point lead cushions each time they went in.
-They could have easily been blown out but they hung in there til the end.
The negatives
-RJ??? Where are you bro? THis series is taylor made for you.
-missed Free throws. I know the SPURS have historically been bad at em but WOW!!
-A bad start. Nash went wild in the 1st but SPURS did nothing to match it on the other end.
-TD seemed puzzled at times when he was doubled.
-The 3 ball. HIll, Bogans and RMJ all missed wide open 3′s in the clutch. Hit a couple of those and maybe you steal one.
-Transition D. Like POP said, they knew what they had to do but they didn’t do it.
Anyone else find it funny how SUNS keep talking about DEFENSE and how they play it now???
WHat D??
Spurs either made a shot or missed it.
I will give them credit for their free throw defense though.
I’m not worried, yet.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Parker starting the next game has my vote. Can’t wait to see what Pop does.
@ballhog - I’m taking the bait. Who would you like to see coaching the Spurs next season?
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Every second Mason was on the floor made me miss Finley!!!
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:43 pm
And how is this as an adjustment, Manu and Jefferson off the bench with Parker, Hill and Bogans starting on the perimeter.
I’m not saying Bogans should play a “starters” amount of minutes but him starting off on Jason Richardson would be a good thing in my opinion. Hill on Hill and Parker taking it to Nash. Off the bench Manu and RJ with Blair could provide a lot of firepower! If we are going to start Parker than let’s not waste Manu minutes at the beggining of games by having Manu defering while Parker punishes Nash in opening minutes.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Suns are gonna take it this year.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:04 am
If Duncan is not going to score in the post, in the halfcourt offense, the Spurs are toast. Duncan was atrocious guarded by Collins and Frye and he scored what 2 baskets? I know for a fact that 6 of his baskets came via pick and roll and running the break. Duncan has got to step it up in his one-on-one with Collins/Frye or the Spurs are done.
Also in NO game this year have the Spurs held the Suns under 110 pts. The Spurs need to be more effective offensively.
Heard the press conference and interviews with Duncan and Ginobili and they were extremely upbeat in saying the Suns didn’t win the game but it was more the Spurs lost it due to easy misses on offense and poor transition defense. That’s a good sign.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:15 am
@lvmaimman
Exactly, what was up with TD not taking it to Collins and Frye?? Dampier and Haywood were much tougher and he schooled them. Plus at times he did not know what to do when they doubled him. I thought he looked confused.
TD in the post is supposed to be an advantage. He did get fouled though. But they way he’s been shooting from the line, SUNS might Hack a Duncan.
Yeah, Spurs seemed pretty upbeat despite the loss.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:21 am
@Cory Clay I couldn’t agree more. I think there’s a consensus that Tony must start the next game, whether it be in place of Hill or Manu is open for debate, but your idea of putting Bogans off the bat on Jason Richardson I think is brilliant. That, in my mind, would be the best way to fluster the Suns’ early attack.
It also makes more sense bringing Manu and RJ off the bench together given RJ’s need for Manu’s movement and excellent passing in order to become productive.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Some of you note similarities in Game 1 of the previous series with the Mavericks, but I think that’s like comparing apples and oranges, since, primarily, Nash is no Nowitzki and vice-versa.
Nash is the engine that runs the Suns. Shut him down, which the Spurs - George Hill in particular - failed to do in the opener, and the win was there for the taking.
Glanced at the stats, and note that Dallas converted three more triples than San Antonio, which was the nine-point difference between the teams.
Bench contribution, obviously, was also horrible.
Expect coach Pop to make the proper adjustments and the Spurs to square the series in Game 2 and head home with a split.
On second thought, I’d love to see this semis mirror what happened in the opening round against Dallas.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:38 am
No worries yet, mates. I don’t know about most fans, but I’m not really that surprised that the Spurs gave up the first one. I’ve always seen the Mavs as a greater threat to us than the Suns, and am not that surprised that we came out a little complacent in the beginning. It was like we wanted to turn the switch on only when we wanted/needed to, unfortunately that ain’t gonna cut it against a hungry Suns team. But, we are the better team. Despite all our mistakes, we were right there—even without the usual supporting cast. With our usual fire and intensity coming out of the gates, we should win Game 2. I guess we’ll see.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:14 am
For once, you douchebags can feel free to admit that the Suns are the better team in this series. Don’t worry about how Phoenix is going to match up with the Spurs, figure out how to stop the much deeper Suns team that you have to deal with.
Make Nash a scorer? That worked out pretty well…. George Hill is the next big thing……… doubt it, he’s average at best.
It’s been a nice run, but it’s time to stick a fork in this totally unlikeable group. Thanks for coming, and feel free to exit stage left.
Peace out, ladies…
May 4th, 2010 at 2:24 am
Reading all the articles underscoring San Antonio’s dominance of Phoenix in the past, I detect a collective smugness that the Spurs, inevitably and ultimately, will eclipse the Suns once again. I harbor no such thoughts because to do so, as SilverAndBlack, breeds the complacency that could be TD and Company’s undoing.
I certainly hope that George Hill’s finds his mojo back, RJ hustles and scores more and Dejuan Blair (2 pts., 3 boards, ugghh!) bounces back from a teddy-bear performance and help out the Big 3.
May 4th, 2010 at 2:43 am
CoryClay i would had agreed with u until I watched the game. bogans in 1st qrt against the suns is a bad thing. cuz j-rich gets hot towards the end of 2nd qrt, and 2nd half. thats what happened last series(my brother in law is from portland so i watched couple games form that series) we need bogans then. and i hope pop plays bogans more than rj, if rj plays the way he did in game 1. moreover, i’m not too worried about hill or parker starting. hill i think will adjust and shut down nash. and plus nash will not ahve 4 days off again. and parker will do his thing. btw what do u guyz think about lopez palying do u think that will help or hurt us?
May 4th, 2010 at 2:57 am
btw did anyone else notice the crowd singing the good bye song and the fact that they were showing the loser digns to the spurs team. I hope POP plays that song for rj and hill so they might actually show up in game 2
May 4th, 2010 at 3:07 am
Mystified as to why mason got the run, but loosing one to the suns away was to be expected.
Was a while since i’d really watched nash operate, he is one hell of a player, just such a dangerous guy, watching him and Manu on the same floor..two fearless operators.
May 4th, 2010 at 3:56 am
[...] PER 48 Minutes of Hell: When Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich countered with the three-guard lineup that put away the Dallas Mavericks, (Suns head coach Alvin) Gentry sent the much bigger Jason Richardson (27 points, 10-16 shooting) into the post on Hill. [...]
May 4th, 2010 at 3:58 am
Parker starting the next game has my vote. Can’t wait to see what Pop does.
@ballhog – I’m taking the bait. Who would you like to see coaching the Spurs next season?
POP .
We did not PLAY well but could have won G1, our best unit with TP -TD - RJ - DICE - MANU gave us a lead (+3) and GH RMJ BB missed their shots.
Its the first time of the season i see suns playing and i am very sure; and POP knows it we can close these guys and beat them 2-4, they only live by and with nash, all these espn tnt abc etc experts are just fooling themselves and not accepting the FACT EVEN AN OLD SPURS TEAM IS STILL A TOP CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER TEAM.
Come POP just adjust and lets kill them and steal G2
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
May 4th, 2010 at 4:02 am
Again, Pop not on top of his game…
The adjustments that needed to be made were never made, not even after half time. Why not make an adjustment on Nash off of a time out instead of giving him layup drills for the entire half?
Absolutely must rotate and help on Nash. Cannot expect Tony or George to be able to guard him straight up. Not gonna happen. Nash handles the ball too well for that and Pop knew it before tipoff.
These are the details that Pop should have ironed out before the game even starts. He knew Richardson and Nash would be key.
I mean, come on guys….Everybody knows that Nash is the engine that runs this train. Suns cannot win without him. So why not take him out and make the other nimrods beat us? Would that move require Pop genious or basic common sense?
Is it deep? Is it science? Is it just that difficult to see? Not hardly…Its just more 2010 Pop. News flash….I dont particularly care for 2010 Pop. Amazing though. Guy coaches flawless seasons for years and suddenly sucks? WTF?
One last note…
Bad defensive rotations and lack of low post play lost this game. Also, Duncan is catching it too far out again. Must get him back to the low block and must feed Blair the rock in the paint when he is in the game.
Spurs must consistently attack the paint on this team. Duncan, Blair, Dice, Parker, Jeff, Ginnobli must go to the rack. Suns are extremely suspect in the frontcourt. We must take advantage of that weakness…
Somebody send Pop a tweet,,,,I beg you!
May 4th, 2010 at 4:29 am
Additionally,
Enough experimenting already. We have definately won championships with Ginnobli comming off the bench.
We have never won a championship with Parker comming off the bench. G. Hill is really nice, but again, TP is a proven warrior. A warrior that has always been nasty against this team…
He gets to the paint and he gets the whistle….
However, cant do any of that on the bench.
I would touch on the Mason addition to the rotation, but it would cause me to use too many expletives….
Hopefully, we can simply stop farting around and take this series….
May 4th, 2010 at 5:14 am
@Ballhog
agreed on farting around and just play and take the series.
Start TP and he will punish them in the paint
GH and MANU could run together but POP JUST FINISH 4TH Q WITH OUR VEY BEST UNIT:
TP-TD-MANU-DICE-RJ
May 4th, 2010 at 5:38 am
Spurs fans do have the benefit of experience to know a game one loss does not make the series. Clearly the lone, anally challanged Suns fan poster popped their load a little too quick.
Let’s get a look at game 2 first.
May 4th, 2010 at 5:42 am
Many have thrown stones at me in here for being critical of this coach. So I offer the following as viable questions in reference to his mind set.
Why did the team look as if there was no preparation for this game?
Why try to play Nash one on one with a second year player instead of getting the ball out of his hands?
Why not go hard in the low block with Duncan and Blair against this team? Is he worried about Frye and Amare inside?
Why play Mason at all? For what reason? What was his basis for this decision? Over 20 minutes?
Why not use Temple? Didnt Temple prove to be able to contribute consistently? Could he give you more overall production than Mason?
Why not play Blair with Temple and Ginnobli in the second unit? Didnt Ginnobli and Blair play well in the pick and roll? Wouldnt Temple and Blair be more productive on the floor with Manu?
Why allow 3 guys to drop 30 points on you in a game? They were effective in the 1st half. Why was there no halftime adjustment for at least one of these 3 players?
Finally, just because it chaps my azz a bit….Where in the hell is Hairston? Is he on the playoff roster? Did he have a mild ankle sprain or did he break his leg in 4 places?
Not that he would play anyway, but these are the type of unanswered questions that frustrate me so in reference to this coach.
I know that all we do as lowly fans is support the team, buy the tickets, buy the over priced consession items, jerseys, etc…
But even with such an insignificant contribution (LMAO), couldnt we at least know what the mindset is?
Guess that would be too much..
May 4th, 2010 at 5:45 am
@junierizzle:
really? the spurs have an advantage over our bench? if you’re talking spurs starters over suns bench, then, yes, obviously. but the spurs bench better than the suns? the suns have one of the best second units in the league. if each team played their 2nd units (all 5 subs) against each other, phoenix would surely win.
May 4th, 2010 at 5:51 am
If Nash gets past you it’s over. He’ll keep you on his back all the way to the rim. If you help he’ll pass for a dunk or open 3. You can’t rotate fast enough, he’s too good of a passer. The only answer is to stay in front of him. He’ll still score but will be less efficient and the players who feed off him will never get going. Bruce could stay in front of him. We thought George could. We were wrong.
So where do we hide George on defense? Barbosa is too fast, Grant Hill too skilled and Jason Richardson too strong in the post. He can guard Dragic for 12 minutes, unless the game stays close and Gentry shortens Dragic’s minutes.
May 4th, 2010 at 5:56 am
POP adjust we can not afford to loose to this overrated suns team
May 4th, 2010 at 6:13 am
@Ballhog, the formula which kept Mason on the bench against Dallas was 44 minutes from George, but George was so atricious last night (-31 in his first 25 minutes) Pop had no choice.
And you need to sober up about Temple. Nash would shred him. Replay the start of last month’s Denver game — Billups literally toyed with him. Temple shows promise but lacks the experience needed to defend veteran NBA PGs. And the playoffs are no place to gain experience.
May 4th, 2010 at 6:17 am
@Cory Clay
I think you have to start Tony Parker with Manu Ginobili AND Richard Jefferson. Offensively Steve Nash is almost flawless, and while Bowen was a nice option in case you didn’t notice, he didn’t exactly shut Nash down either-he just made him work.
And that’s what this series will come down to, making Nash work. That starts with putting him through screens on defense and maximizing his weakness: defense. Bogans or Hill give Nash an opportunity to hide. Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson are all terrible matchups for Nash.
Regarding Jason Richardson: He’s just too tank-like for Hill or Parker to guard. Ginobili can do well enough, but this might be a series where the smaller backcourt combination of Hill and Parker needs to be limited to matchups: i.e., Nash and Dragic, Dragic and Barbosa, Nash and Barbosa.
Like I said, Blair, Bonner and Mason have regressed so much as of late that winning the battle of the benches is a lost cause. Better to get off to a great start.
May 4th, 2010 at 6:22 am
@Germany,
This is not an overrated Suns team. In fact, all the numbers that once had stat geeks telling everyone who would listen that the Spurs were far better than the Mavericks are now slightly in favor of the Phoenix Suns.
The numbers are a very slight advantage, and the two teams are nearly identical. If there is something that swings an advantage it’s that Phoenix has home court advantage.
Even in my preview, I didn’t write that the Suns were overrated, merely that the notion they are our rivals is overrated. Of course, that can change with one series as it did in 2006 with Dallas. That being said, I still expect the Spurs to win in 6.
May 4th, 2010 at 6:30 am
@Justin - as presently constituted the Spurs bench is vastly superior because it includes Tony Parker. If you say George Hill is really the 2nd string PG then it stacks up like this:
PG - Hill vs. Dragic
SG - Barbosa vs. Mason
SF - Dudley vs. Bogans
PF - Frye vs. Bonner
C - Amundson vs. Blair
Suns only win SG spot and would lose big in a scrubs game. But the Suns bench is more effective in the limited minutes of real game scenarios.
May 4th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Where is Hairston? Why does Mason ever play?
Why don’t sports reporters ask Popovich these questions?
May 4th, 2010 at 7:34 am
Some things I find funny about the previous comments. Clowning on the Suns D? How about the Spurs D? They allowed 111 pts to the Suns 102. Once the Spurs went up by 3, Suns didnt panic, not after the Spurs cut it to 94-93. The Suns D kicked in, nad the Spurs didnt much after that. Not sure what you are talking about the Suns playing a perfect game because that was far from perfect. If they had played a perfect game, Dudley, Fry, Dragic would have had hit 7-8 3′s combined which is what they usually do, and it would have been a 30pt blowout.
I was also cracking up when I read that someone said the Spurs bench have an advantage over the Suns. Maybe you haven’t seen the Suns play very much. Given that the Spurs can’t shoot a 3 into the ocean, I don’t know how you can even compare the Spurs bench to the Suns bench (unless you consider Parker your bench). Dudley, Fry, Dragic, Barbosa are all light years ahead in terms of shooting than the Spurs bench. Mason, Bogans and Bonner are pretty much garbage (no real production).
The Suns bench had a horrible game and the Suns still won. I dont expect the bench to be that off in the next few days. So if Manu, Parker, and TD can lead them to victory more power to them.
Anyway, the playoffs are about adjustments, so we we’ll see how both teams adjust to their problems
May 4th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Hey Hill, letting a 34 year old white dude score 33 points on you is pretty bad. You better show up and make life difficult for Nash or this series is over.
This series rests in the hands of Hill, like it or not.
Why does this make me very nervous?
May 4th, 2010 at 7:48 am
@Doggy
Unfortunately, I would take Frye over Bonner and Dudley over Bogans.
That being said, our benches are pretty close.
I actually thought Bogans played smart last night; passing the ball into the post instead of trying to spot up; then hitting the open three on the right wing. If he can continue to play like he did last night, putting him on Jrich would be smart.
Mason, Mason, Mason. How does somebody just forget how to shoot? Bad juju for asking for a midseason trade?
Interesting that Pop matched the Suns small ball line-up yesterday. Not sure if that’s the way to go, even though it seamingly got us back into the game.
The first period was horrendous. There were so many bad rotations. I don’t know how many times I saw Timmy rotated out to the 3 pt line to cover Frye or nobody guarding Frye at all. Timmy on Amare. Dice or Bonner on Frye. How hard is that?
This Suns team is different from years past, not only beacuse the defensive mindset of players like Dudley and Amundson, but the 3pt shooting of Frye really leaves the opposing frontcourt vulnerable to drives. Not to mention that Grant Hill is playing like a youngster and Dragic is a legit backup PG.
Our team is different too, obviously, because we don’t have that frontcourt length and toughness that we’re used to and we don’t have reliable 3 pt shooting to space the floor at the SF spot.
This series is NOT just like any other Tuesday (as suggested by yesterday’s post).
Our lost yesterday belongs in the category of “Talk shit, eat shit.” Our cockiness on this board in overlookiong this Suns team is very unbecoming for such normally classy, smart fans.
Anybody notice the ill-intent Barbosa had in pulling Timmy into the cameras last night? Punk ass.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:19 am
As much as people deride Mason and Bogans, they didn’t lose this game for us (our run is the 4th actually started when we went small and put Bogans at PF). We simply didn’t get it done on the defensive end. A few things from last night’s game:
- Offensively, outside of the big 3, we got next to nothing, yet we still scored 102 points. That tells me our offense will be fine this series; we’ll score enough to win.
- for everyone saying we didn’t attack with TD on the block - I actually thought we made a concerted effort to iso him against Frye and Collins - TD just didn’t finish the play. TD left at least 10 points out there last night. I expect him to have a monster game 2.
- depending on matchups, we need to get RJ involved early. If Richardson is guarding RJ, post him. I think RJ can be successful there.
- trying to outscore the Suns (which is what ended up happenning last night) is not a game we want to play - we lose that game 9/10 times.
- Our goal should be to limit Phoenix to 100 pts/game. If we can do that, we’ll win.
- I thought we did a good job 1st half limiting the Suns’ 3pt shots. But second half, when the Suns made their runs, it was usually by the transition 3. We need to make them take the ball out of the basket as much as possible to limit transition opportunities. And when we get transition opportunities, score layups. Unless it’s a Manu dagger 3 to seal the game in the 4th, we need to try to get easy, high % shots in those situations.
- Steve Nash is a 2 time MVP for a reason. Like Jesse said, we’re not going to stop him, we just need to make him work on both ends of the court. I expect TP to be the main Nash defender. This might also mean a reduced role for Hill. It looked like Hill struggled getting over a few screens last night.
- In terms of overall defensive strategy, I think playing Hill and TP at the same time invites post up opportunities for Phoenix. I expect the two to play together less often and only against smaller backcourts.
- As bad as George played, our help defense was just as bad. I’d rather cut off Nash’s driving lanes totally and make him a passer or single up Nash and don’t help at all and make him purely a scorer (similar to what we do against Chris Paul). Last night, we were in between, and Nash is to good for that. We have to take one or the other away. Make him a passer or make him a scorer.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:19 am
How about Bogans on Nash for certain stretchest? We all know that Nash will get his no matter what, but by putting a bigger body on him, that will at least wear him down somewhat.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:22 am
I blame this loss squarely on RJ. He was completely stagnant on the offensive end. Absolutely zero movement to the ball.
I’m in the “RMJ should never play” camp, but I actually appreciated his hustle last night. Watching him though, it’s clear he’s lost his offensive game. If he played better off the ball, he might be seeing a few more open looks.
Credit to the Suns defense. They played good team ball last night.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Game 1 really was identical to the Mavs series. The first quarter dictated everything. It seemed as if Georgie and RJ were just waiting for the other to be that 4th guy. At least Hill tried, but you can tell he lost his confidence early on. He relied way too much on his length and quickness, and Nash burned him consistently. RJ pulled another disappearing act, but not all the blame is on him.
The killer is finding someone to slow down J-Rich. When he’s in transition, he’s impossible to stop. And how does trading Dragic for Hairston look now? Gentry has no problem playing him, but Pop refuses to let these young guys go out there and fail or succeed. He’d rather run that dog Mason, who couldn’t hit a jumper even before his wrist injury.
But, I trust in Pop. The adjustments he made in the first were just a little too late, but his halftime adjustments were incredible. Gentry is a smarter coach than D’Antoni was…let the chess match begin.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:41 am
We took down a very talented Dallas team after realizing how to win. This stuff is simple.
We learned that Hill cannot stay in front of Nash. Replace Hill with Parker. Problem solved. Phoenix offense slows down. Game 2 win. Proceed with same tactic for Game 3.
Our 3′s are terrible. No more 3′s unless completely open. Near the end of the game, we could’ve driven a few more times but decided to throw up lousy 3′s in hopes of either getting a stop or only allowing 2 points on the next Suns possession.
In years past, when a game looked out of reach, this team called it a day and looked to win the next one. This team is different because they fight to the end, which wears out the other team.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:45 am
@John, in the Dragic trade the Spurs got Malik plus a 2009 2nd round pick, which ended up being a certain ACL-challenged rebounding machine. You still want to undo that trade?
May 4th, 2010 at 8:46 am
The Spurs 3 guard lineup that worked so well in the Mavs series is not going to work so well here since Jason Richardson has a good post up game. I think it’s clear Parker has to start so he can attack Nash on defense. George Hill doesn’t penetrate as well. I think the rest of the starters are fine. That unit got them a 3 point lead in the third and was playing excellent defense. They were limiting the Suns to one shot and getting opportunistic fast-breaks. Jefferson really needs to attack on the fast-break. Every time a shot goes up the Spurs should be looking for him. Popovich has to consider going back to the strategy of playing a bigger defender on Nash like he used to use Bruce Bowen. It made him work harder on offense, limited his shots, and made him less effective in finding his teammates.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Anyone who says the Spurs bench is better or equal to the Suns bench is out of their minds. The Suns bench is deeper and far more talented and explosive.
The only way the Spurs win this series is if Manu/TD/TP play maximum minutes together with Dice and RJ having above average games.
After last night’s game, I don’t think Hill is going to have the impact he had against the Mavs. He’s not smart or tenacious enough to guard Nash and he’s too small to guard JRich. Hill is better suited to guard Dragic or Barbosa.
Nash and Stoudamire are going to get theirs. Spurs need to do to JRich what they did to Stojakovic in 08; leave a man on him at all times. I think that job should go to RJ or Bogans. Yes, Bogans. With his size, I think Bogans has the chance to bother JRich and make him uncomfortable in a half court setting. As long as he doesn’t start fouling him all the time; and as long as our transition D is top notch.
Dice looked tentative last night and that’s just not going to cut it. He needs to play with the same aggressiveness he had against the Mavs for us to have a chance.
Pop needs to figure out how to use Hill. Hill cannot create his own offense, or is too timid to try and he cannot guard Nash or JRich. So how best to use him? That’s probably the biggest key to the series.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Lol some ppl really think Suns are gonna win this ?! lol they had to stay FG 55% all the way thru to win by like 5 at the end LOL
May 4th, 2010 at 9:05 am
As unhappy as it makes me, I think we need to go small for longer stretches this series. Put Jefferson in to guard Frye and have Duncan down low. As long as we make a concerted effort to box out, we should be able to defend.
It must be so frustrating for Hill. Nash is just so crafty (similar to Manu) with his dribble that George has to guess the whole time. I think we should start making Nash play some defense by having George running off screens. We know he can hit curl jumpers and making Nash run around would help prevent his offense.
May 4th, 2010 at 9:13 am
i really liked seeing bogans out there. i thin k this is a series in which he will be of a great help. he provides enough muscle to d-up with g-hill (grant) and j rich. mason, however, just seemed to be out there for the sole purpose of giving some of our guards a rest. i think mason should have taken a few more shots. pop is always telling people to be agressive. i guess we are all still waiting for him to resdiscover his shooting touch.
perhaps we should start keith at small forward this way our bench will have some punch with the likes of g-hill and jefferson. too right about the regression of blair and mason. what was once our biggest asset is becoming a weakness.
nash won’t go for 30+. i think we got phx best shot and we can still do better
May 4th, 2010 at 9:20 am
@JUSTIN
When I said the SPURS have an advantage over the SUNS bench is because SPURS had MANU and TP on the floor. MANU or HILL on the floor.
The SUns bench clearly struggled. Like I said they were luck in having 10 point cushions.
@BALLHOG
NO RMJ agreed.
BUt trying to “take out nash” is the wrong plan. If they collapse on NASH then all the 3′s would be wide open. POP should have just started TP from jumpstreet. NASH got the good start. And you’re right the old POP would have called a time-out after the first lay-up.
It’s almost the same strategy as the MAVS. Play Nash tough but not double, like DIRK. ANd stop the 3 point shooting.
The plan is going to work.
It could have worked last night if THE SPURS had a better start, or hit there free throws, or didn’t fall asleep at the end of the 3rd quarter.
It’s gonna work.
May 4th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Let’s not forget that George had a shitty game 1 against Dallas as well. He learns fast, so let’s hope he bounces back. I’m surprised no one mentioned Dyce. On our first 2 or 3 possessions, Manu got Dyce wide open 15 footers and he bricked ‘em, resulting in transition for the Suns, which was how Nash got rolling. He’s got to nail those shots, not only for the points but also what it does in slowing the Suns down and changing their defense, especially on TD. I’m with the rest of you with Mason: WTF happened to him after the all-star break? He has no business on the court. And as for Bonner: yes, we all like his hustle and self-deprecating humor. But opponents figured out late last year that even with the slightest contest, he can’t hit shit. And, of course, the Bonner Rule still applies: as soon as he is put in the game run your offense at him every time. You get a foul or a score or both. Shit, every other team in the league has figured it out, why haven’t we?
May 4th, 2010 at 9:45 am
@BigGuy, age may be one thing, though Nash is ageless….but what does white guy have to do with anything? Nash is Nashty
May 4th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Three years ago, after Amare and Diaw were suspended for game 5 in the Suns-Spurs series, I emotionally disconnected myself from the NBA. It was too much, too painful. Since that time I have enjoyed following the Suns from a distance, but I have carefully kept my heart hidden, and protected from the pain that can be the NBA. Until last night… for the first time in three years, I openned up my heart again to the Phoenix Suns, and what I found was not good. I found a still badly damaged heart, a heart that could find little joy in the Suns victory over the Spurs… instead, all I felt was fear for the next game, just waiting for SA to assert its will in the series.
So, as a Suns fan, let me be the first to congratulate the SA Spurs for making me their whipping boy in this highly abusive relationship, wondering if I will ever be able to find fulfillment in the NBA, or if it just isn’t better to lock my heart away, safe and protected, watching from a distance.
May 4th, 2010 at 10:51 am
doggydogworld
May 4th, 2010 at 6:13 am
“And you need to sober up about Temple. Nash would shred him. Replay the start of last month’s Denver game — Billups literally toyed with him. Temple shows promise but lacks the experience needed to defend veteran NBA PGs. And the playoffs are no place to gain experience.”
Nobody’s saying Temple’s an all-star. But Mason’s our worst defender in the back court. PLUS, he couldn’t hit a shot if his life depended on it. Shooting is about confidence, and his confidence is irredeemably “shot”. Also, we wouldn’t put Temple on Nash very much, if at all; he would be on Dragic or Dudley. Parker should be on Nash as much as possible.
May 4th, 2010 at 10:53 am
By the way, what would help us with spot play in our match-ups in this series is Hairston. Where the hell is he?
May 4th, 2010 at 11:00 am
1. Spurs have no bench
2 Spurs have no long range game.
3 Spurs have no transition defense
4 Duncan has lost ALOT in the last 2 years
5 Suns are better 1 spot to the 10 spot
6 With the game being called more EQUAL Spurs have no chance
This will be the year that we finally break through. You have had our number for a while now, but its done. You cant run with us, you cant shoot with us, your free throw shooting sucks. You have 3 player that are good. In the playoff, as we have learned in the past, you need to play at leat 9 players. We have 3 bench player that are equal too, or better than, most starter in the leauge. Dont cry to much next week when your seasons end. You had a great run, but all good things must come to an end.
May 4th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Maybe he’s still recovering from his ankle?
May 4th, 2010 at 11:53 am
I wouldn’t say RJ was a non-factor. His hustle, defense and effort were good which is my priority for him. The points will come.
Blair needs to understand that he no longer has the Dallas bigs around the rim. He catches the ball in the paint and needs to score on these guys. Go over or through them but they can’t guard the rim with the same ability as our previous opponent.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
@SunsRule - If you consider Suns D kicking in to be our players shooting wide open shots and missing layups at the rim, you are certainly a Suns fan since that’s what passes for defense in Phoenix.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Wow. I am not one to rag on Bonner, but wow. What is his 3pt shooting percentage in these playoffs? Mason? Cmon. I thought Bogans played OK last nite. Can everyone see now that Parker is important as a scorer and with pick-roll you don’ need a “pass first” PG.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Listen to these all of a sudden so confident suns fans jumping in on our discussion they’re so funny!!…it kinda reminds me of the Dallas series after Game 1 …now I’ll just sit back and see if we hear from them again the rest of the series as they look for another excuse on why their team lost again…we love playing the Suns it just gets us in shape for the next round hahaha….losers!!!
May 4th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Suns played much tougher than I thought they would, but we shot 21% from 3-pt range on 19 attempts and lost by only 9. If we hit our season average on 3′s, it’s a tied ball-game even with the other flaws in how we played. I’m still very high on our chances.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Start Parker, trap Nash like they did effectively in the third qtr when they took the lead. Keep McDyess on the floor more Dyess less Bonner is a good thing. Dyess started off missing a couple of mid range jumpers that are usually automatic for him if he gets those same looks again he should knock them down.
Manu is being affected by the nose that’s clearly obvious but he’ll tough it out and have a good effort in game 2. Parker feasts on Nash and the Suns it’s time for him to start again and let George Hill go at Tragic I like that match up.
May 4th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
@ Joe
I don’t know if the 3 pt. shooting is going to get any better in this series or this playoffs. Their only consistent 3 pt. threats at this point are Ginobili from everywhere and G. Hill from the corner.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Keep in mind that the Suns only shot 35% (7-20) from 3 pts. Your same argument applies to the Suns, if they shoot and make what they normally do, then the Spurs have no chance.
The only way the Spurs got back into the game both times last night was by playing a faster pace game. If that’s the type of game they are going to play then that’s fine because that’s our style of play. Given the fact that Spurs dont have any 3 pt threats then I like out chances.
Anyway, I think it’s going to be a good series, and the Spurs are always a tough out. The playoffs are all about adjustments, which is the reason the Suns dominated Portland after game 1. Same thing with the Spurs over Dallas. Now we just need to see how both teams adjust for game 2. I dont really think home court matters in this series.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
LV/Junior- Exactly what I said about Tim having an awful series V Dallas. He never took it to the rim strong and just threw up slop that went in the first couple games and didnt the past 5. We cant control tempo since he sucks at FTs and is shooting awful. We have to run the ball and not take Js, which is why I prefer Ian, simply because we just need someone tall to run, over McDyess.
@ Doggy coaching by +/- is that of a dumbass. And great point about playoffs and experience…. NOT. Throw the hounds at Nash if only for a couple of minutes to give him different looks and fouls. In addition your point about second units only giving the edge to the suns in one spot? Frye is better than Bonner, Bogans is tied, so we are about even.
We need to play small and/or athletic. NO BONNER, NO MASON, limited MCD. Blair needs more than 11. He is WAAAAY to aggressive to not play this series.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Three years ago, after Amare and Diaw were suspended for game 5 in the Suns-Spurs series, I emotionally disconnected myself from the NBA. It was too much, too painful. Since that time I have enjoyed following the Suns from a distance, but I have carefully kept my heart hidden, and protected from the pain that can be the NBA. Until last night… for the first time in three years, I openned up my heart again to the Phoenix Suns, and what I found was not good. I found a still badly damaged heart, a heart that could find little joy in the Suns victory over the Spurs… instead, all I felt was fear for the next game, just waiting for SA to assert its will in the series.
So, as a Suns fan, let me be the first to congratulate the SA Spurs for making me their whipping boy in this highly abusive relationship, wondering if I will ever be able to find fulfillment in the NBA, or if it just isn’t better to lock my heart away, safe and protected, watching from a distance.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I think last night was a “kitchen sink” game for the Suns. Meaning they were ready to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Spurs to win. This was essentially a must-win for Phoenix. If they had lost game 1 (again), it would be, “Oh no, here we go again….” They played with a sense of urgency we couldn’t match.
Give Phoenix credit - they played really well last night. Yet, the Spurs were still in the game despite one of the worst showings we’ve seen over the past 2 months. We were worse last night than game 1 against Dallas last series - game 1 vs. Dallas we just fouled too much and Dirk went nuts. Last night we just didn’t play well in any facet of the game.
What happens if we play well? We win. Our “A” game is better than Phoenix’s “A” game simply because over the last 2-3 months (and especially last series), we’ve shown we can get stops when it counts. The Suns on the other hand, can’t do the same. We didn’t play particularly well on offense, yet we still managed to score 102 points. What happens if we play well on offense? 110 or 115 is definitely in the realm of possibilities. They simply can’t take anything away offensively from us.
Looking back at game 1, I think you have to be optimistic if you’re a Spurs’ fan. We played badly, the Suns played well, yet we still had a chance late. A few minor adjustments and I’m confident we come back to SA with a split.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
With all that happened, had TD made a couple more free throws and one of our role players made another three, the outcome of the game would have likely been different.
Several causes for worry. I don’t get what’s happening to Duncan’s free throws after a great season from the stripe. Also, it didn’t seem like TP or Manu were setting up Jefferson or anyone not named Timmeh. Manu and Tony took 42 shots between them. It’s too difficult to take that much of a share of the shooting and still involve other teammates in the offense.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Remember the Mavs. The drive for 5 is alive!!!!! I STILL BELIEVE!!!!! 2010 THE YEAR OF THE SPURS!!!!! GO SPURS GO!!!!!
May 4th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
@Sunsrule
I disagree - we got back into the game, not because we made a conscience decision to run, but because we forced a few turnovers and hit Manu for a few leak outs. That’s not the same as playing an uptempo game.
And that’s another common misconception w/ the Spurs - the notion that we don’t want to run. We, in fact, want to run, but only when the opportunity presents itelf. We just don’t push it every time down the court off a miss or even a made basket like Phoenix. If we force a turnover or get one of TD’s patented 1/2 court oulet passes, we’ll try to get easy baskets. The hardest thing to do is run when you have to take the ball out of the basket every time. The Spurs want to run, just not all the time.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
@Cheyenne
We definitely need to get RJ involved early. Post up opportunities against Richardson is something I think we can look at.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
@SunsRule
“Keep in mind that the Suns only shot 35% (7-20) from 3 pts. Your same argument applies to the Suns, if they shoot and make what they normally do, then the Spurs have no chance.”
It’s not the same situation; we defend the 3 well, so you wouldn’t expect the Suns to hit their season average on 3s. The Spurs held opponents to 34.3% on 3s for the season and just held Dallas, with Dirk shooting the lights out, to 32.3% on 3s as a team. On the other hand, the Suns allowed 35.3% on 3s for the regular season and allowed Portland to hit 34% last series. The Suns’ performance in game 1 is not nearly as anomalous as us hitting 21% — we will regress to the mean.
May 4th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Eventhough we lost I remain confident. The Spurs (nearly) erased two 14 point leads last game, Steve Nash just killed us. We had no answer for him. And we have to play better defense on Jason Richardson. Oh yeah and Timmeh?? Pleease do something about those free throws!!
We lost the first game against Dallas too and I am expecting a very aggressive Spurs team tomorrow. Better watch out Phoenix!
Go Spurs Go!!!
May 4th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
@Tyler
“The Spurs want to run, just not all the time.”
Great point, and that also means that we need to rebound better. Phoenix out-rebounded us 44 - 38; that shouldn’t happen. Most of their rebound edge came from the wings — Hill, Richardson, & Dudley combined for 17 boards. We need to box out better (I’m looking at you, RJ!).
May 4th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
spurscantonguemyahole
May 4th, 2010 at 1:14 am
For once, you douchebags can feel free to admit that the Suns are the better team in this series. Don’t worry about how Phoenix is going to match up with the Spurs, figure out how to stop the much deeper Suns team that you have to deal with.
Make Nash a scorer? That worked out pretty well…. George Hill is the next big thing……… doubt it, he’s average at best.
It’s been a nice run, but it’s time to stick a fork in this totally unlikeable group. Thanks for coming, and feel free to exit stage left.
Peace out, ladies…
_______________________
Just one question for your tongue:
Does your tongue lick the flavor: Howdoesitfeeltowant?
Your an embarrassment as a fan and am so thankful you’re not a Spurs fan.
Spurs will leave PHX with a Split. PHX is the next Dallas.
How does THAT taste….?
May 4th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
83% of the home teams that win the 1st game in the 2nd round of the playoffs go on to win the series.
May 4th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
If you are a Spurs fan after watching game 1 you cant be too worried. Nash is amazing but the Spurs helped him look amazing that first quarter. That stadium had some nerves in it at the first part of that game. People wanted to go nuts but werent sure if this was going to be heart break round 5. Steve’s start set the tone for the game, huge.
A couple things:
-Richardson; the suns record when he scores more than 20 points. Richardsons point total is less about how well he plays and more of a reflection of the pace of the game-the pace the suns play well at. Fast breaks lead to easy buckets- Richardson is the recipient of those easy buckets becuase he runs and is good in the open court. If he scores alot, the game is at the pace where the suns are successful, its bigger than him. Thats why Marion had so many great years there and why the Mavs had no clue what to do with him in a half court set.
- Duncan; played well. But he’s different, 6+ times he cought the ball back to the basket (2nd half) when he had a single defender and his first look was to pass or he hesitated then slowly attached the rim. Tim Duncan 4 years ago takes a power dribble and lays in 5 of 6 of those. the 4 guard set only emphasized it.
May 4th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Tim really didn’t finish on the low block. Frye played very well on him and they came with the double from what I could tell, from an odd angle. They seemed to be channeling Tim to the middle then sending a guy baseline instead of doubling down from the high post?
Happened a few times in the 2nd half.
Bonner/Mason…Where are you? These two guys were top 10 in the league last season in terms of volume & percentage.
Bogans I thought gave us valuable minutes, he drew a fantastic charge on Amare and played physical D.
I said a few threads back that the suns were lightning in a bottle, and I absolutely stand by that, they can let you back in a game but dear god can they just turn on the points like a tap when needed.
Great series shaping, but isn’t it always with these two teams?
May 4th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@sunsrule
Also, if you go by 3pt% the suns should’ve only made 1 more 3.
May 4th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Having a long guard like Temple seems like the perfect answer when we want to go small since that offers us some versatility on D, but I can’t get mad at Pop for not playing a rookie who only recently joined the team in the second round of the playoffs.
I like the idea of moving Hill back to the bench and putting TP back in the starting lineup. We have to make Nash work on D and Hill isn’t consistent enough at creating his own offense yet and TP did a better job on Nash last night on D. Plus I think Hill can really get going against their bench.
I think in order to win this series we need either Jefferson or Hill to play well in a given game and Bonner or Blair to step it up. That and we can’t let them kill us on the boards like they did in the first half. That’s supposed to be our advantage and if we keep losing that battle we’re in trouble.
All that being said, we did a lot of things wrong and still made the game competitive so this series is far from over. I still expect a 7 game series.
May 4th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
@Bushka, I think Mason needs 25 minutes a night to stay in rhythm. Unfortunately he’s not good enough to get those minutes on a healthy Spurs team.
Bonner is 5-17 in the playoffs, two makes away from 40%+. That could be random variation or it could be defenses chasing him off the line. His attempts are down so it’s at least some of the latter. It’d be nice if fewer minutes and fewer attempts translated into higher percentage, but it usually doesn’t work that way. Steve Kerr notwithstanding.
May 4th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Yup doggy,
let me rephrase my earlier post.
I’d be happier with Bonner playing 20 minutes than Mason getting 1.
I agree that Bonner at least could turn the corner and presents more positives against the suns, I see absolutely no positive from Roger right now, he has vanished since his hand injury, he can’t play great D regardless and he doesn’t handle the ball well.
Loved this pic posted at Pounding the Rock by Docrostov
http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/447648/pop-wisdom-down-five-less-than-four-minutes-left-fuck-it-im-playing-roger_medium.jpg
Totally sums up how I felt when Mason got more minutes than Blair.
May 4th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
So really what youre saying Doggy, is that Bonner is a “crap” 3pt shooter. Thus with his suck defense and rebounding and inability to dribble the ball, why do we allow him, and not someone who is of unknown suckiness (temple), minutes?
Its the same stupid coaching that Pop has been doing. Playing the same people over and over and HOPING for some drastic NEW player to emerge…
The way you should coach is whoever PERFORMS gets minutes.
Bonner’s CAREER playoff shooting is not 5-17 even so thats 29%. HIS ACTUAL STATS ARE 9/34. Which simply means that when we actually play someone of importance he blows. Sure he can have all the +/- stats in the world when he is a sub playing with our big three against other subs, but when it counts he BLOWS.
which is exactly what some people are upset about for the past 2-3 years. Let the new kids play. ANYONE IN THE WORLD could shoot 26% from three ANYONE. I could get high school kids to shoot that. He sucks and needs to get injured.
May 4th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Este
May 4th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
“Start Parker, trap Nash like they did effectively in the third qtr when they took the lead. Keep McDyess on the floor more Dyess less Bonner is a good thing.”
Yes, very good points. That’s the only way to have a shot at effectively containing Nash; sporadically trapping him in specific areas on the court, and to mix it up under certain conditions - keep him a bit out of rhythm. Bonner should ONLY be in for three point shooting. If he’s not getting off “at least” 2-3 attempts per 8 minutes of play, and making “at least” a third of them, get him the hell out; otherwise he becomes a liability.
May 4th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Also, if Blair can defend okay without fouling too much, I’d like him to get more minutes, a little taken from TD, Dice, &/or Bonner. Blair could help us in rebounding & scoring in the paint against the Suns. I would go to him on the pick & rolls in the paint. And we NEED the BEAST on the boards!
May 4th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
(disclaimer - I have not read all 72 posts as I am in the middle of finals and don’t have that kind of time - so if my post duplicates someone else’s… my apologies)
I wanted to post this last round, but I was afraid of getting torn to shreds, and now that I am choosing to comment now I feel like I’m only stating the obvious, but whatever… I think that there has been a bit too much Hill worship by this site and Spurs fans in general after his first round/late season exploits. Don’t get me wrong, Hill is a good player and will only get better, I have no idea if he will be an “all-star” but he is a great compliment to this team. Notwithstanding his contribution I think it is a bit much to expect his performance in the last few games of the first round with any sort of consistency. I have seen comments posted about the “big-4″ and other similar statements. This kid is nowhere near the league Tony, Tim, and Manu are, nor Steve Nash. Nash is not Kidd, and Hill can’t just crowd him out of the game. So my point is, lets give Hill credit, be happy when he performs well but not expect him to be our saviour - we all have the holy trinity on our team after all and four as you know is a crowd.
A few comments on the game, as I don’t feel like studying:
1. About the Hill thing, it seems as if Pop is drinking the kool-aid too, at the beginning of the first it was like the Spurs were purposefully going to Hill to create his own offense - he should NOT be our first option and getting Manu and Timmy going should be priority because they will get shots for others as well.
2. what was with our inability to get into the paint at will? - we shot a lot of jumpers and I’m not sure if the Spurs’ offense was out of sync because of the time-off, or new opponent, or if the Suns are just that good defensively now (of that I’m dubious) - but we had 48 points in the paint to their 56 and that shouldn’t happen. most of that 56 was Nash and STAT but with Tim, Manu, Tony, and Jefferson we should kill them in that category, especially if we can’t hit 3′s. It just seemed like the Spurs took too many jumpers - whether that was because of laziness, confusion, or defense I don’t know
3. What’s up with Timmy. I know he had a double double, but he looked slower than molasses out there, and he’s looked that way for the past 4 games now (and he had 4 days rest before this game, that’s what really worries me). After the first 3 games of the Dallas series I was sure we would win the Championship because playoff Timmy was here, now it seems like post all-star game Timmy is back. We aren’t going to beat these guys without playoff Timmy. He got blocked by frickin’ Channing Frye for goodness sakes. Look with Frye, Collins, or STAT guarding him, he should get more clean looks than what he got. Even at 34 he has the foot work to allude those 3 and it worries me that he labored as much as he did for his 20 and 11 - i know he went 8 of 15, but he worked for it - not a good sign.
4. I don’t have the energy to comment on our lack of bench - if Mason or Bonner could find it in them to hit a 3 - just like one or two each in a game - that would make all the difference
all in all like the rest of you I’m not overly worried. Jesse’s post was right on, as most of your comments are, I’m sure. If playoff Timmy can show up for at least 3 games and the Spurs can not overtly rely on Hill so much (if he is going I’m all for giving him the ball lets just not force the issue), find lineups that will work for this series instead of last series then we should still win it - even in 6, but we have to get tomorrow night, if not its trouble.
May 4th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
If anybody with basketball knowledge that looked at the two teams last night could tell the Spurs can win with just a few minor adjustments. We got this man!!!! GO SPURS GO!!!!! Sorry SUNS fans. Try to take some other route to the Finals because if u go through I- SSP it is a one way street lol.
May 4th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
The best team wins game 2 because they make the proper adjustments to win. We did it in the Mavs series, we’ll do it this series.
May 4th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Ryan,
I’m actually not an embarrassment as a fan, I’m much more realistic than any of the moronic fans on this message board, and I’m extremely happy not to be a Spurs fan, as I couldn’t imagine rooting for this team. People thinking that Matt Bonner is more valuable than Channing Frye is the kind of garbage that made me post anything at all.
It’s been really irritating to lose to this Spurs team the past few years, and it’s going to be super sweet to be the team that puts the final nail in their aging coffin.
By the way, you got it right once, “you’re” means “you are.” It makes it very hard to take you seriously when you can’t type a simple sentence.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Trolls Suck! Go Spurs Go!!!
May 4th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
@Micah
I agree in regards to Hill. He’s stepped up this postseason for sure, but he’s not a creator. Like Jesse touched on, he still gets his points off of others’ playmaking ability. If we’re relying on him to set the table for others on a consistent basis, I think we’ll be disappointed.
I love what George brings to the table, especially for this Spurs team. He’s long and versatile on both ends, but I doubt his ceiling is nearly as high as some here would like to believe. I seriously doubt he’ll ever reach All-Star status, but there’s no doubt he can be a quality role player/starter for the next decade.
May 4th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Adjustments will be made as far as rotations, defense on Nash, etc. I am confident they will be correct, at least on paper. How many thought we’d win 3 in a row against Dallas after dropping that first one???? Anyone?
However Pop cannot shoot our free throws, lay-ups (Duncan missed a couple timely ones), and 3 point shots.
The Spurs need to make shots in order for all this theoretical arm-chair coaching to be worth all the smoke we’re blowing.
May 4th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
…….by the way, Nash ain’t scoring 33 points in more than one or two games (didn’t Nowitizki torch us in game 1 as well?!!). Limit his ass, and we’ll find the right groove.
May 4th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
“4. I don’t have the energy to comment on our lack of bench – if Mason or Bonner could find it in them to hit a 3 – just like one or two each in a game – that would make all the difference”
Love that.
Tradetp I understand your frustration. The thing is though honestly, Bonner & Temple are not interchangeable parts.
Bonners subbing in at the PF/C slot and temples going to be guard/SF.
We left an awful lot on the table, especially timmy. There is a 40 point night in this series if he wants it.
In my opinion we need to load down low with TD & Blair and work from that on offence. Frye and Amare are the kind of bigs that Blair will really go hard at and mangle.
May 4th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Also @Spurscantonguemyahole,
I’m glad that your open enough to your needs to let the world know what floats your boat.
May 4th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Hey “spurscantonguemyahole” … how are those zero championships going over there in sunny Arizona?
….tumbleweeds….
When the proverbial sun sets on the Duncan era (and the corresponding Steve Nash era), we will be remembered for our four titles, and your Phoenix Suns will be remembered in the same way the old Golden State “Run TMC” teams were … high scoring and fun to watch but ultimately failures. Even were you to win this series it’s never going to make up for the years of daggers we’ve planted your way - and you know it.
May 4th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
You will also be remembered for the one title that you won in a strike shortened season over a terrible 8-seed Knicks team that should include an asterisk, for 3 other appearances that rank amongst the worst TV ratings for the NBA Finals in history, and for employing some of the cheapest players in recent memory (Bowen, Horry, etc.).
It’s not just Suns fans that hate your team, the ratings have shown that nobody cares to watch your boring-ass squad play.
May 4th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
“It’s not just Suns fans that hate your team, the ratings have shown that nobody cares to watch your boring-ass squad play.”
You can raise your little sideshows all you want. But for anyone that appreciates the fundamentals of playing basketball well, which is coming up with methods to put that round ball through that round hoop more than your opponent, and executing those methods during the biggest moments, there’s very few teams in the history of the game that have been as successful at this endeavor over an 11 year span as have the Spurs. True aficionados of the “game” don’t really care about “flash” (in the pan), they care about winners. They enjoy seeing a team exhibit the mastery of the “W”, when it counts the most. And that’s something your Suns have never been able to accomplish. Your barrel of excuses must just keep blocking your path. But gain some perspective, and don’t take it so hard. After all, just getting to the playoffs isn’t so bad, is it?
May 5th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Timmy’s not going to make any excuses, but he took a shot to his braced knee against the Mavericks from Barrea in game 4 I think and then he took a shot in the same knee from Dragic in game 1 of this series. Timmy is as tough as they come, but he needs that knee to make shots. I think those shots to his knee have affected his shot, especially his free throws. He doesn’t have any spring in his free throw in the first place, now even less. I know he’ll find a way to compensate, he’s a warrior.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:31 am
San Antonio basketball is simple winning elegance, a minimalist masterpiece that only true cage connoisseurs can appreciate and admire, which, like vintage wine (a salute to Pop), only gets better with age. ‘Nuff said.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:40 am
And who says the Spurs are only good for four titles? “But we still have an opportunity to steal homecourt here tomorrow, and we’re going to do just that,” said Tim Duncan in an AP interview. And, as we all know, coming from TD, it isn’t an idle boast. Watch out, Phoenix, the Suns are in for an eclipse in Game 2. The Spurs’ march for five crowns goes on.
May 5th, 2010 at 3:12 am
@doggydogworld
with parker, fair enough. but let’s take another look at the benches again
PG – Hill vs. Dragic
SG – Barbosa vs. Mason
SF – Dudley vs. Bogans
PF – Frye vs. Bonner
C – Amundson vs. Blair
you said the suns would only have the advantage at the 2 spot. so you’re saying dudley isn’t as good as bogans? i’d take dudley in a heartbeat over a lot of guys in this league. and bonner better than frye? i’d give the suns advantage at sg, sf, and pf, and the spurs advantage at pg and c.
May 5th, 2010 at 3:22 am
POP : God bLESS YOU
Just make your genious adjustments : God Bless your adjustments
Bring our best unit : TD TP RJ DICE MANU , God Bless our best unit
Bring BeastBlair AND tell him its your time!!
God bless beastyblair
Tell MASON and BONNER , just dagger the 3s1!!
God bless their 3s!
Throw BOGANS in these 48 minutes , muscles energy and agressive like a lion of Judah.
God bless you Boggey
Remember GHill, Alpha and Omega bang your shots and terminate theirs
God Bless you young man!!
God Bless You all and God Bless me.
See you all tonite for a G2 TRIUMPH!!!
May 5th, 2010 at 4:18 am
@jim Henderson
Nice posts…I see you are trying to steady the ship with real knowledge of the game and the Spurs.
Saw a lot of back and fourth on Matty Bonner. Boner shouldnt be in the conversation. He, like Mason and Bogans, have been given more than enough opportunity to find thier place on this roster. It just hasnt happened.
Bonner could be retained, but the other two are roasted. Bonner could be 8th or 9th man off the bench at best. He is just not that player, period.
Shouldnt even be mentioned.
Spurs core players are older, but still nasty. What teams like the Suns should be concerned about is the future.
If the Spurs reload in the offseason and surround our Core with players, I see more banners hanging from the roof in the SBC center…
Our Core guys are just better than most. Hungry and unyielding. Never quit and never give up. They dont get rattled and they do not panic. Folks might consider our style of BB boring, but we flat out get-er-done in SA.
Hate all ya like, doesnt matter….
Spurs have been whaling on Phoenix’s azz for years and will continue to do so….Thing is, the Suns have a deep and talented roster this year and on paper, should beat the Spurs in this series.
But paper doesnt win games baby, the Spurs do…
Silver and Black in 6…..
NEXT!
May 5th, 2010 at 5:40 am
@Justin, I didn’t say Bonner and Bogans are better than Frye and Dudley, just that those spots were not clear wins for Phoenix in the way that Barbosa is a clear win over Mason or Hill and Blair are clear wins over Dragic and Amundson. Remember, I’m only talking about a 5×5 scrubs game here — no Steve Nash. That makes a vast difference in how guys like this look. Look at Frye’s career numbers: down each year until finding the healing waters of Phoenix. Monday night he was +14 with Nash in the game, -10 without.
May 5th, 2010 at 8:11 am
hey, i am a suns fan. i have read all the articles and comments that have been posted about this series on here and i would like to make a few comments.
first, this will be a great series, but i seriously think many of you are underestimating the suns. these guys are resilient. they have not lost 2 games in a row since early january. in the portland series, after they didn’t show up in game 1 they literally DEMOLISHED them after that in 3 blowout games. the only other game portland won was when b-roy came back as their inspiration, but after that he was a non-factor. gentry can make adjustments too just like i see you guys talking about poppovich doing. gentry knows where the weak spots for us were in game 1 and he will know how to correct them.
this is not the past years where we were only a 7 man rotation. this is a 10 man rotation. our bench played terrible on monday night but that doesn’t mean they will continue to do so. your “bench” outscored ours but your bench was basically tony parker. i have a feeling dragic is going to make the necessary adjustments this game and be on point tonight to get frye and dudley involved on the perimeter. i noticed that gentry had dragic give the ball off to barbosa a lot during the first game. i don’t believe this is the right approach, because dragic is good at creating.
also if the spurs really want to try to win this series they would put ginobili on richardson because richardson is our most consistent scorer and most potent from the perimter. when he scores 20+ we have been almost unstoppable.
you have parker duncan ginobili but we have nash stoudemire richardson. let’s just agree that nobody on either team is going to stop any of the guys so this series will come down to who’s bench steps up the most and i truly believe that the suns have the all-around better team this year.
before this series began i said whoever wins game 1 will win the series and i truly believe that. it will be a tough series indeed but i believe the suns can come on top this time.
may the best team win
May 5th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Wow.. just got back from a short vacation and this place has more Trolls than a Lord of the Rings sequel… Bad ones too. First off, the only thing better than sitting in a cabana surrounded by the sandy shores in Cabo is when that cabana has a view of the Spurs taking out the Mavs. Tons of Lakerfans there and I hate to say it, but they seemed about 100 times cooler than the trolls that have shown up around here from Phoenix. At least Lakerfan can cheer about championships. League MVP isn’t a championship BTW… So onto this series:
I knew it was over when…. Mason was on my TV screen way too much. I wish there was a button on my TV remote like the “mute” button but instead it would delete Mason totally from my screen, I would be a much happier man. Then again, he does a d@mn good job of that himself when he tries to play defense and misses open J’s. The game started off really really messed up. Jump shot after jumpshot; it almost looked like we were trying to start off the game by shooting J’s to open up the inside??? That set the tone for misfortune by getting a not so great start. The Hill story has been analyzed to death. He didn’t have a good game is an understatement. He missed quite a few good looks. He’ll get his rhythm going (hopefully) and he needs to hit those corner 3’s. He got some very open looks, they didn’t’ go down. Getting outrebounded is of major concern, as is the lack of scoring in the paint. Blair had a bad game but I have to believe he’ll have at least a few better ones in him. This Mason talk is a serious matter. Bonner isn’t giving us the regular season 3, he’s giving us the Dan Bonner postseason 3 or lack thereof but no one looks worse than Mase (at least he has cool hair). Playing Mason is beyond horrible at this point. Not only can he not hit his shot, I don’t think he could defend in the WNBA right now. As much as I’m not a fan of his, Bogans should play a very key role in this series. He’s stronger and a better defender than Mason. They both shoot the corner 3 about as well as an old lady in a walker with a bucket over her head, buts Bogans will at least make you work and won’t expose guys like Blair when their defender blows right past him and someone else has to help. Mase did a fantastic job getting Spurs in foul trouble in the Mavs series. Not good when you step on the court and the opposing fans say, “Awesome he’s in, you’re our best player Mason!”
TP should get the starting nod for obvious reasons. The Suns have never had an answer for TP. TD also needs his points in the paint. And for the love of God, please start hitting your free throws Timmy. We need someone other than the big 3 to step up, just like we did last series. We need to make Nash work as a defender and tire him out. I hope we realize at this point what Hill can and can’t do. Guard Nash is a “can’t do.” We need to find a solution for the problem that is Mason; I recall a scene from Old Yeller that fits the moment… When the Suns go small if Mase is on the floor with other non-shooters, we’re done. Bogans needs Mase’s minutes and please play Hairston or Temple. We need some bench productivity to rest our guards so they are sharp in the 4th. This isn’t putting hopes in unproven talent, this is a move of desperation because the Spurs have a man on their roster that is absolutely worthless and brings absolutely nothing to them. Moving fwd:
-Start TP (Hill goes to the bench until next series)
-Get Jefferson involved early
-Adjust the bench, Mase stays on it and keeps it 98.6F while Bogans/Hairston/Temple are allowed some burn
-Aggressive in the paint /attack the rim It’s how you get calls, it’s how we’ve won games (points in the paint and rebounding)
-Must hit 3 point shots (Manu/Bonner/Jefferson)
-Transition D, stop the easy baskets and save those legs for games 5 and 6
-Make Nash defend P&R over and over. Tire out that hip of his
-Defend the 3, Spurs did a good job of it last game. While tweaking D for this game we need to make sure our adjustments aren’t setting ourselves up for open 3’s. Phoenix does it better than anyone else and can hit them in bunches. Gotta adjust for Nash/Richardson’s play but keep the 3ptrs at bay.
Pretty obvious points but sometimes the obvious ones are ignored. It’s your time again Pop, make the adjustments. We have the team to win, whether or not we do is still up in the air. What I like about Phoenix is that they have that Chicago Cubs blood flowing through their veins. They excel at opening up a big fat can of “quit” at the right moment. Similar to the Mavs, it’s encoded in their DNA. Lest we forget though… the can of quit Mavs have knocked us out of the playoffs; so the same clowns in Phoenix can do it on their way to another heartbreaking loss in the WCF too. Proceeeeeeed with caution.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Nice post, excellent read, Dr. Who!
May 5th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Bushka - Bonners subbing in at the PF/C slot and temples going to be guard/SF.
1. We need to play small as stated in previous post. When trying to adjust for matchup and situational basketball generic terms C/PF/G/PG etc. dont really matter.
May 5th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Thanks Jim, amazing what a little R&R will do. It’s actually kinda scary in here since most everyone is agreeing on the key points (a first for this board). Hopefully that means good things are ahead.
@valleyofthesun
Your kind is welcome here! You make some valid points without being the annoying trolls that have plagued this earlier today. You’re right about Richardson. You can’t really shut down Nash only slow him a bit, he’ll dsitribute (maybe not score in bunches) and Amare will get his. How Richardson goes… so go the Suns. Very similar with us and Manu. Your bench has more talent, but they are a young group. Honestly both teams have the talent to win the series.
TP will be tough to stop especially if we run the snot out of him in P&R’s at Nash. This series should be named the P&R fest. If we can slow the tempo you guys are in trouble. If our defense sleeps on your 3pt shooters we are in major trouble. Pop is good at adjustments, I actually have more respect for Gentry than Carisle as far as X’s and O’s. I still think our boys come out on top. Here’s to a good series!
May 5th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
@Spurstonguemyahole
“You will also be remembered for the one title that you won in a strike shortened season over a terrible 8-seed Knicks team that should include an asterisk, for 3 other appearances that rank amongst the worst TV ratings for the NBA Finals in history, and for employing some of the cheapest players in recent memory (Bowen, Horry, etc.).”
Exactly 4 titles in one decade. Thanks for illustrating the point.
I am ridiculously happy at how much you care about TV ratings for basketball games. Hopefully Lebron can beat the lakers in the finals while tonguing your ahole, fulfilling your wildest erotic fantasties of TV ratings and bum licking………..
May 5th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Well, Frye and Dudley sure made me eat my words.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
[...] Adjustments must be made. That might mean starting Tony Parker so that Manu Ginobili can revitalize Blair, Bonner and the rest of the San Antonio Spurs’ bench. It definitely means finding a way to rebound, after getting beat on the boards, losing that battle again after it helped them lose Game 1. [...]
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