Parker is their best player and Kawhi is a stud only getting better. Splitter outplayed Dirk and LMA in the playoffs this year. They may take a step back but I expect to see them find another great team player and be in the mix.
Series stats: Splitter 7/6 LMA 22/10 Yeah, Splitter outplayed LMA. Sure got the best of him in that match-up!! Did he slow down LMA? Sure. Did he outplay LMA? Only in the most subjective of opinions.
He's never won back to back titles. He seems to love and appreciate the game so I see him going one more season, one year at a time.
Jordan and Pipp win that matchup by quite a lot for sure. But Spurs would make them work and tired just as what happened to Durant and Westbrook in quarter 3 of game one. Bulls never had to play against teams with this much pace up and down the court. Spurs reserve would murder bulls reserves.
LaMarcus couldn't get quality shots for himself or teammates. It was all due to Splitter dominant defense. When Splitter was out LMA abused Diaw down low. It's similar to harden Wes match up in round 1. Harden got points but was so inefficient it hurt the team.
Yeah, I remember Splitter playing very tough D against LA. So, I did some researching for matchup data statistics and found the SportVU Archive. Enjoy! Game 1 http://stats.nba.com/featured/sportvu_matchup_data_searchin_2014_05_07.html#por-san Game 2 http://stats.nba.com/featured/sportvu_matchup_data_defendin_2014_05_09.html#por-san Game 3 http://stats.nba.com/featured/sportvu_matchup_data_saturday_2014_05_11.html#por-san Game 4 http://stats.nba.com/featured/sportvu_matchup_data_no_stopp_2014_05_13.html#san-por Game 5 http://stats.nba.com/featured/sportvu_shutting_the_door_2014_05_15.html#por-san
team defense by the Spurs slowed down Aldridge, not one player. Just like team defense is slowing Durant. Not one player. You know that's how good teams defend superstars. with 5, not one.
It wasn't due to team defense? It was all on Splitter? Again, Splitter averaged 7/6 for the series. Saying he outplayed LMA is a reach, in my opinion.
Yes, that's part of it. Each defender needs to be able to guard their man and provide help defense as necessary. Some match-ups work in our favor and some don't. Great coaches like Pops exploit those match-ups.
Is anyone else seeing what the Spurs are doing to OKC and letting out a huge sigh of relief? It's not just us man. They're making the Thunder look like amateur hour. I actually think we did a lot better than the Thunder are doing. It will be interesting to see if they even win a game.
Honestly, another team's failure doesn't make me feel any better about our team. I think our boys are well on their way to being a highly competitive team. We'll see how they respond next season.
You don't think it vindicates us? A lot of people were saying we didn't belong in the second round because of how badly we were beaten by San Antonio. The fact that they're actually beating OKC even worse, in my mind, says that San Antonio is just fucking really good and we were another bug in the road.
Durant and Westbrook aren't even close to MJ and Scottie, yet. Also, the Bulls top 7 were pretty good. Don't forget, Jordan got past the Bad Boy Pistons and they would make him work infinitely more than these Spurs would. Unless you think the Spurs team defense is better than the Bad Boys piston (in which I'd find that VERY hard to believe, especially if you include how much more physical they were allowed to be.) And finally, the 95-96 Sonics pace was 93.8. The Spurs is 95. I think they'd handle it ok.
Scottie understood his role. Westbrook does not. Would Scottie have ever told MJ to "wake up?" https://vine.co/v/MH9H1vvO1Qe
I think Westbrook knows his role. Attack the basket, shoot a jumper, or hand it to Durant so he can do the same. Their offense has always been pretty simple. I do expect the games to be close in OKC.
I'd agree Pistons defense was superior. But Spurs D is still good and their offense is lights outs compared to the Pistons. As others have said the rules would be a factor too. Those Pistons teams were built on being able to do things you can't do in today's league. I think the changes are for the better of the game but it makes a comparison difficult.
Def not, but pippen would never have had to tell him. MJ was always awake. Spurs are just good. Ibaka is day to day. Guy isn't going to make up for getting blown out by 35points.
After watching spurs demolish okc the other night I dont feel as bad. Everyone from bench role players to their stars are playing out of their mind good. Its really impressive to watch the ball movement. I thought we were moving the ball like that to start the season but then we got away from it as guys got tired. The spurs are shooting incredibly from the 3 point line and its mostly due to being wide open from great movement. I think blazers have potential to move like that but everyone has to buy in and not get lazy.
We belonged in the second round because we beat Houston in the first round. That was quite an accomplishment! Many people knew SAS were going to be a force to reckon with before the playoff series started. Hopefully our boys and management took some lessons from it.
