I think they did make adjustments at halftime, Aldridge and Lillard both started settling down and scoring. The Spurs just showed them how champions play in the play offs... I don't think Blazers are going to let them get that far ahead of them in the 1st Q again. The Spurs are fantastic but not THAT much better than the Blazers. I think game 2 will be closer but I don't know if the Blazers will win. The Spurs are just so smart and they do all those little things (diving on the floor for loose balls, tapping rebounds out to their guards, etc). We have to keep these games close, they're not going to let us come back on them like Houston.
Exactly right. I was frustrated we played our starters so many minutes, then I realized the point: If Game One wasn't going to be about a victory, then it was going to be preparation for Game Two. I applaud Stotts' strategy. I think Game Two will be much more competitive.
Batum takes parker out to dinner, slips him some roofies, meyers gets laid. Also release the peoples champ for the millions (and millions) of portland fans. If you smell what the thrill is cookin.
If he does this, then I would have so much more respect for him. That's a ballsy move and that's what sets championship coaches apart from wannabes. A champion coach doesn't worry about ego. He makes adjustments for wins. Let Mo prove he can earn minutes. Let him know that his play has been totally unacceptable so far in the playoffs.
This is the one area in which I feel Stotts is not a good coach. I think a big part of his agenda is keeping the main players happy. I feel for example that Lopez sitting instead of other players is sometimes because he knows Lopez would never complain or become disgruntled. I understand the importance of hierarchy, having the best players on the court as much as possible, etc, but I think his decisions aren't always 100% having the most effective lineup on the floor. You'll never see T-Rob on the floor with 5 minutes to play unless it's a blow out, even if he had a great game. Not just T-Rob, any bench player. We were down big in the 2nd half, why not try something different, T-Rob, T-Rob with Freeland, Claver, Barton, just to shake things up a bit and see if some lineup can hit a stride. Everything is just so predictable, reacting to the other team instead of making them react to you - they go small, we go small, like with Houston. Time to think outside the box, Terry, do something that isn't totally predictable for once.
I had the same complaint, but I think I saw what Stotts was trying to do. I may be wrong, and if you disagree with me, please say so. I think Stotts spent the second half as a practice session for Game Two. His goal was to get our playoff legs under us. To become accustomed to the intensity. LA and Dame both seemed to get a bit more comfortable. Like I said, perhaps I'm wrong.
GO UNDER A FREAKING PICK AND MAKE PARKER SHOOT FROM FURTHER OUT. the guy lives in the paint and is money from midrandge
I agree! And we need to attack the rim, be aggressive! Don't settle for a layup, DUNK IT and get fouled! Batum needs to put his big boy pants on and play tougher and rebound.
I think Popovich is best in the league at juggling his lineup, using many different bench players to create mismatches. If Stotts just keeps his usual on-the-minute substitution party we'd be in trouble, he has to be more flexible!
Both Nic and LA tend to lay the ball up when they could have dunked it. It's pretty annoying at times.
Leave the static rotations behind. There's no reason Mo should have gotten as many minutes as he did when he was so godawful. Good team players will understand, just look at Pop's rotations for the Spurs.
McHale unexpectedly used Troy Daniels, to good effect. Pop unexpectedly used Baynes, to good effect. Stotts has finally given Wright a short leash, but he still won't yank Mo when he's stinking up the joint. Will Stotts ever give Barton more run when Mo is contributing to games slip away from us?
The biggest adjustment should be the willingness to make a drastic change in the line-up. Even McHale did this against us. Good coaches will see a player like Mo and yank his ass if he isn't playing well.
I think we need either Batum or Mo on the court with Lillard, obviously both didn't play well but we need another ball handler/decision maker next to Damian.
Try to contain Parker as he is the spark plug for the SAS engine. You won't stop him, but you hope to contain him as much as possible. LA needs to abuse Tiago Splitter in the paint. Take it to him LA and make him think about "Checking his privilege!" Lastly, use a combination of Lopez, Freeland, and Claver to guard Duncan.
