spurs don't play big 3 ball. If their offense starts clicking, it doesn't matter who is on the court. They roll.
Okc isn't that kind of team.
2012 NBA Playoffs |OT2| OKC VS LA: Black on Black Crime
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Okc isn't that kind of team.
MorisUkunRasik
Member
You mean the thread Houston has been occupying the last 17 years?
Justin Timberlake
Member
Raw power? Their bigs are trash. Their bench is trash. Their coach is trash. Our strengths are their weaknesses (we don't foul, we have great transition defense, etc).
Pop has a week but he won't even need it. He figured out this OKC team long ago. I saw G-Hill MVP demolish Durant when he was with us. Expect smaller, quick defenders to guard him and deny him the ball. They don't have the passers to free him.
Everyone is going to be shocked at how easy we'll make it look, but they shouldn't be.
Ninja Scooter
Member
ryutaro's mama
Member
MonkeyKing
Member
No. 75% of the players in this over-expanded league are garbage, and the 25% that are any good, no one is going to give them up to the Lakers of all teams. Trading away your big men...when there simply aren't many big men of quality.....in the hopes of finding some diamond in the rough is lunacy. At best you're subtracting from one of your strong traits even if you improve at one of your weak ones. Its a wash.
The Lakers don't run. They don't get easy baskets. They don't feed their big men the ball in positions to score. They walk the ball up and telegraph their intentions to the defense. Whereas OKC got the ball and bee-lined straight to the hoop. Easy opportunities time and again that neutralized the size advantage. So damnit, put Goudelock (sp?) and Sessions in the game, and let them run. Keep a big guy back on D. The Lakers are better served by playing fundamental basketball than they are by blowing up the team and hoping they get lucky with someone else's refuse.
They don't because they're not forced too. Teams lose track of the role players, overhelp on Tony drives and Timmy postups and their ball movement is incredible. the way for this OkC team to beat the Spurs is the strategy the Celtics used against the Magic a couple years back. Stay at home on the shooters, defend their bigs 1on1 (Ibaka and Perkins can) and don't overhelp on the PnR.
If Westbrook/Safalosha/Harden/Durant take turns guarding Tony and Manu you won't need to double and can force the Spurs to play big 3 ball because the Spurs don't have a clear matchup advantage (Perkins and Ibaka are the perfect duo against Duncan).
Edit: and you just saw how easily Durant took apart the Lakers who had 2 7 footers and Artest guarding him...he will tear apart the Spurs.
OKC is a much more suited playoff team than the Spurs - we'll see how badly Pop out coaches Brooks though
Ninja Scooter
Member
the Kobe/Pau/Bynum trio is only going to get worse. You might as well pull the plug on it now. My plan would be to keep Pau, but trade Bynum. His value is high (higher than you give credit for. He just had a full, HEALTHY, really good season. If you don't think GMs will want him you are crazy) but don't add any long term contracts. And especially don't give one to Bynum. Let this current era run its course with Kobe and Pau's contracts expiring together.
And the size advantage is no longer a strong trait. Not when Bynum only rebounds when he wants to, Pau doesn't show up half the time and Kobe is too aged to be the sole playmaker in the backcourt. People need to stop giving me this "You can't trade away our size advantage" shit when it's not that big of an advantage anymore.
The Spurs aren't coached by Stan.
As brilliant as Pop is, he can't change who they are...if the Thunder stay at home on the 3 point shooters and force the big 3 try to out duel the Thunder big 3 (who are also better defenders) they have a great chance.
ryutaro's mama
Member
I didn't read a single one of your posts (except this one) for the last 2 pages but holy shit...you actually
1) typed this line up
2) thought about it
3) posted it
The spurs don't succeed off of waiting for teams to double. I don't even...
And LAs defense really is one dimensional. They can guard one kind of attack. Thats it. Their 7 footers aren't even consistently active and artest is a liability on O so his defense is moot.
ThisWreckage
Banned
It's not that simple. The Spurs have an intricate offense. Saying stuff like, "All you have to do is stay at home on the shooters," is easier said than done. I'm sure Utah and Clippers didn't try to do the same thing.
I don't think run and gun small ball gets it done in the playoffs...that's the Spurs best strategy and their biggest strength. The Thunder have great defense in all 5 positions, a scorer/playmaker coming off the bench that's the best in that role league-wide, a clutch late game performer or two, phsycial defenders that can wear you down and a more unstoppable superstar.
So yes, I think their team is more suited for playoff success
Edit: tell me one clear matchup advantage the Spurs have besides Duncan? (who will go up against 2 of the top 5 defensive bigs in the league this series)?
So yes, I think their team is more suited for playoff success
Edit: tell me one clear matchup advantage the Spurs have besides Duncan? (who will go up against 2 of the top 5 defensive bigs in the league this series)?
ryutaro's mama
Member
If he doesn't end up in jail, I'd like to see how Hill develops next year. He was a solid pick-up as a throw in.
Red Blaster
Member
This is the dumbest false equivalency I've read on here in quite some time;
i mean, you literally just made this comparison on the basis that both teams shoot a lot of threes and swept the first two rounds while ignoring every other variable
spurs play run and gun?
You sound like Mamba back in January before he got that 20 piece of crow.
ThisWreckage
Banned
The Spurs have a better bench. They have a better coach. This is inarguable. Westbrook and Parker will probably be a wash. Duncan is better than Ibaka or Perkins.
He did not touch that women.
oh wow i tried to make it sound like I was talking about kobes case and it actually worked out...creepy
Yeah... I don't see it.
Against the Thunder? Who are literally bigger, stronger, and more athletic at every single position? Yes Small ball is their best strategy and their bench is their advantage, but their bench has Manu who will be outplayed by Harden, Stephen Jackson who can be defended by Safalosha or Durant easily, and a 3 point shooters.
What the Spurs do is draw double teams in PnR and Timmy post ups and the swing the ball for a great shot but OkC has the defensive personnell too avoid double teaming Parker or Timmy. You really think Danny Green is going off on Safalosha or Leonard is going off on Durant?
And of they DON'T double and force the SA big 3 to beat the OKC big 3, that's not happening.
Again this is all based on the strategy that OKc doesn't double and plays everyone straight up (Like Boston against Orlando)...they have a great shot.
Justin Timberlake
Member
Perkins is going to be in foul trouble half the games and Ibaka will get tore up in the pick n roll. Our rebounding will dominate either, and that will be a major difference in the series. Their bench bigs in particular simply can't keep up. Nazr (love him to death) and Collison will get exposed.
There will be a lot of Duncan iso. An antsy OKC team will eventually double once Timmy gets a couple easy ones in a row, and it'll be downhill from there.
Dude you haven't even been watching us, have you?
There will be a lot of Duncan iso. An antsy OKC team will eventually double once Timmy gets a couple easy ones in a row, and it'll be downhill from there.
Dude you haven't even been watching us, have you?
Don't you get it? Both Orlando and San Antonio shoot threes, therefore their offense is the same.
So you agree with me on what OKC should and shouldn't do, and what Spurs need/want them to do...I guess I've been watching them just as much as you buddy.
Bottom Line, OKC has the personnell defensively to play everyone straight up, stay home on the shooters, and force the big 3 to try to outplay the Thunder big 3. If they don't play disciplined, start scrambling all over the place and let SA get their open 3's they'll lose.
I think OKC is disciplined enough, smart enough, and poised enough to win this series in 6 games. Book it!
:lol
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for those of you who want the shirt...
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my douche swag would be over 9000
3 things
I already said the spurs are going to have issues with okcs upfront talent. Harden being the bigger threat.
Small ball is not the key to the spurs success and they don't rely on a simple pnr game by any means. Yes, TPs penetration is a big part of it, but their spacing and off ball movement is the best the league has seen in years. Its not dependent on one guy or even the ballhandler. Its great and they don't even have sets where any guy is truly one dimensional or not a threat. Its an essentially flawless offense.
And lastly, why are you comparing the spurs bench to okcs starters? Okc has a bench too. And it sucks. Westbrook is going back to worstbrook. Pop just made the best point guard in the game look unimpressive - YNB is gonna look terrible. Spurs wrote the book on defending KD too. Its all on Harden
Justin Timberlake
Member
What? I don't agree with anything that you've said. Our big 3 is better than their big 3. But regardless, its not like OKC has a choice. What, you want Collison, Nazr, Perkins, and Ibaka on Duncan full time? Good luck buddy. Its gonna be murda no matter what they do. Even if Scott Brooks was smart enough to find it, there is no "adjustment" they could make here.
Theres a freight train headed their way and they are tied to the tracks. Write your obituaries now, because this one will be over quick.
Herpes Reasons
Banned
Is Mike brown fired yet?
Ok really good points!
1) we agree on
2) Spurs offense is the best I've seen in years, true. But it's predicated on creating havoc through forcing the defense to overhelp and then using the brilliant spacing to find the open guy. Most teams just defensively get lost because individuals lose track of their own guys because they don't stay disciplined. Unlike the Clippers and Jazz, OKC have great perimeter AND low post defenders and play them straight up. They basically played the Lakers the same way. The only time they doubled was off a Kobe/Pau PnR...on every other set, they played it straight up...they have the personnel to do the same against the Spurs.
3) The Thunder play 5 perimeter players - Westbrook/Durant/Safalosha/Harden/Fisher. So 3 of those guys will be in the game at all times, they don't go as deep into their bench as the Spurs, especially on the perimeter. Stephen Jackson and Manu will NEVER be matched up against Fisher or Cook I would hope. CP3 was Injured and I don't think anyone can stop Dursnt anymore, I think he's arrived.
The Thunder are just bigger, stronger, more athletic at nearly every position. Their ONE drop off is fisher in terms of pure athleticism.
Anyway, it remains to be seen, but if the Thunder play everyone straight up and don't lose sight of their man for cuts and open 3's they should do just fine.
Black Mamba
Member
wtf are you talking about?
Anyway, that sucked. Figured it was gonna happen, but sucked nonetheless. More than anything, the team looked tired in the 4th.
Time to throw a 2 year, $16 mil contract at Steve Nash and get back to to promised land.
Bam Bam Baklava
Member
You guys are crazy. Spurs have every advantage they could want over OKC, it's gonna be a 5 game series.
The Chosen One
Member
Man, the OKC v. Spurs is going to be such a good series. Either it will go down to the wire in 6-7 games or the Spurs will steamroll through OKC. Either of which will be entertaining.
But most importantly, it is now assured that the West will put forward their strongest teams in the Finals. If the Heat somehow manage to make through the LCF and to the Finals, they'll get their shit pushed in by either OKC or the Spurs.
All I ask is that the winner of the OKC v. Spurs series get through injury free.
But most importantly, it is now assured that the West will put forward their strongest teams in the Finals. If the Heat somehow manage to make through the LCF and to the Finals, they'll get their shit pushed in by either OKC or the Spurs.
All I ask is that the winner of the OKC v. Spurs series get through injury free.
MonkeyKing
Member
I'm sure there are teams that would take Bynum. The real question is what they've give up in return. IMO at this point they would demand too much and give up too little. At this point I'd keep him and...you know....feed the post a bit more. Keep his sensitive ass happy.
I'd really like to see Mike Brown out of there. This team was ill prepared for the road all season, they lost a fair number of road games that should've been wins. So I wasn't surprised that their lack of road composure ended up costing them in the playoffs. I put that lack of preparation squarely on Mike Brown's shoulders.
Black Mamba
Member
I'd be shocked if it's under 6 games. OKC is a tough matchup for Spurs because of their perimeter speed and athleticism.
I don't see how they're going to keep WB, Durant, and Harden out of the paint. Now with Perkins screens and the way Durant works off the PnR these days.
Key to the series will be Westbrook. If he plays controlled like he did vs LAL, I think OKC takes it.
edit: god damn it people, benches don't matter! OKC just played WB and Durant 45 min and will continue to do so. Those 2 and harden are so young (and Ibaka) they can all roll 40mpg.
How the heck are the Lakers going to offer that contract?
StickSoldier
Member
Spurs pass the ball better than the Mavs last year, these playoffs have already been decided.
With what cap space?
Ninja Scooter
Member
Keeping Bynum means signing him to a max extension which is why I want to ship him out now. Let some other team pay him $15-18 million for the next 5 years. That's a bad contract.
Black Mamba
Member
With the Odom TPE. You can make a sign and trade with it. I've been telling you all year the Lakers can sign and trade for almost $9 million in 1 player or split it among 2.
Don't need any.
You wanted to trade for Melo. Your argument is invalid.
GremlinFool
Member
I don't really understand how a team can defensively scheme for the Spurs and not be cognizant about the utter futility of even trying. The Spurs offense is so versatile and adaptable and disciplined that it's absolutely ludicrous to me that someone actually thinks "staying home" on shooters that are continuously moving off the ball and cutting will cripple the Spurs.
Offense will be the LEAST of San Antonio's worries. OKC cannot defend San Antonio. The only hope for OKC is maintaining streaky shooting while not faltering under the mind games and petulant game-time adjustments that we've come to expect from Popovich. OKC runs an jump-shooting offense with three iso-players, and in order for them to have a realistic chance of pulling off even one win, there needs to be a fusillade from at least two of the big three.
Offense will be the LEAST of San Antonio's worries. OKC cannot defend San Antonio. The only hope for OKC is maintaining streaky shooting while not faltering under the mind games and petulant game-time adjustments that we've come to expect from Popovich. OKC runs an jump-shooting offense with three iso-players, and in order for them to have a realistic chance of pulling off even one win, there needs to be a fusillade from at least two of the big three.
ClovingWestbrook
Banned
What are the odds heavy doesnt post until next season?
You can't combine the TPE or split it. It has to be used on a single player only.
The sign-and-trade would have to happen before July 1st, and it would have to be a sign-and-extend AND the Suns would only have a very short window to use it.
That changes things up enough to make it a "lol keep dreaming" scenario.
Black Mamba
Member
OKC can't stay home with shooters. It's not a stand and shoot offense. OKC is going to have to hope their length and athleticism on the perimeter will allow them to recover fast enough to bother the shots.
It will be interesting to see how they approach their defense for this series. Ibaka overhelping could doom them, but if he plays it right, he could be a huge asset.
Durant on Ginobili could be a big trump card late in games, too.
Wrong. You can't trade the TPE with players, but it CAN be split up into separate trades.
Where did you get July 1st? They have all off-season to do it. Sign and Trades are legal for next season for luxury teams.
It will be interesting to see how they approach their defense for this series. Ibaka overhelping could doom them, but if he plays it right, he could be a huge asset.
Durant on Ginobili could be a big trump card late in games, too.
Wrong. You can't trade the TPE with players, but it CAN be split up into separate trades.
Where did you get July 1st? They have all off-season to do it. Sign and Trades are legal for next season for luxury teams.
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