Spurs got their butts whipped, there is no other word for it. The real difference from the first two games was the fact the Lakers did a good job on double teaming Parker and doing a better job on the pick and roll, they got out to him better. However Parker was out of control most of the game, he tried to force it way too much in that 1st quarter which set the tone for the rest of the game. Tim Duncan looked totally lost out there, he was very sloopy with the ball and wasn't really effective on the defensive end. Devin Brown looked impressive once again, I really like this kid's future. He was knocking down those jump shots and attacking the basket strong. Spurs need to get back to their game and It all starts with Parker, he needs to let the game cone naturally. He was forcing it alot today. I have no doubts Duncan will bounce back and put in a great performance in game 4. They can't let Shaq get the ball so deep and when they front him they need to send someone over from the weak side that will denie him from getting the ball right under the basket, they did a good job of that in game 1. Spurs played a terrible game, I havn't seen them play that badly on both ends for many years. I don't expect that to happen in game 4.
No doubt about it, the Spurs got spanked. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan had horrible games, no way they repeat that performance in game 4. Parker did not punish Shaq when he tried to help on those pick and rolls. Parker just dribbled it back out when he should have been attacking Shaq off the dribble. As AllNet said, he forced some bad shots, he played out of character and I credit the Lakers for that. TD has to play like the MVP that he is. The Lakers didn't do anything different. He just couldn't score and took too many off balance shots. He needs to take control of this team and that is what I expect out of game 4.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">TD has to play like the MVP that he is. The Lakers didn't do anything different. He just couldn't score and took too many off balance shots. He needs to take control of this team and that is what I expect out of game 4.</div> Actually they did do something different - they actually played defense on him. In the first two games they were either letting him get too much room or they were picking up fouls, and Duncan was dominating the game. Today however, Karl played good defense on him and they did a good job as a team defending him as well. I too don't think he will have another bad game, but I don't think it will be easy if the Lakers come out with the same kind of defense they did today. Same goes with Parker, they played tight defense on him compared to the other days and did a good job on the pick and roll defense. I guess it didn't help that he kept taking poor shots, but I think the Lakers actually playing defense was the key. Even in a bad game like that, the Spurs were able to get offensive rebounds like crazy, and if they can continue to do that next game the Lakers will in trouble IMO. Looking forward to GAME 4!
These are the adjustments LA should have made after game 1. Look for the Spurs to make the proper adjustments in Game 4. Should be a good one.
Yeah the Spurs got rolled over that game. One thing I thought was odd was how Pop didn't put Ginobli in when the Lakers energy was crushing the SPurs in the 1st. Turkoglu has to start hitting jumpers. He's yet to come alive this series. I was impressed with Brown, and Rose also played good when he came in. If Pop mixes him in with Horry, that could be some fresh energy (I just hope Rose doesn't take stupid jumpers). Duncan better bounce back or we don't have a chance. Spurs also didn't run it as much as the other games. Parker I know can play better than what he did, and I expect him to bounce back.
I just don't think Hedo fits in with this team that well. He is at his best when he is focusing on defense and spotting up from the perimeter. But he has too much of that "Sacramento" mentallity. He passes up open looks and takes a much tougher shot. He forces his shots when he should just keep the ball moving. I too was suprised that Pop took so long to put Manu in the game.
If the Spurs are to win Game 4, they will need Tony Parker and Tim Duncan to step up. The Lakers had changed their tactics, and were just more prepared tonight. If they are to double team again, Manu will have to knock down the 3's. Better shot selection is important, and with the right moves the Spurs can win game 4.
Their best game they've played so far in this 2004 playoffs. Even though Pop will make adjustments Tuesday night, I expect the Lakers to be physical with Parker again. Which means sealing up all the holes when he penetrates, and creating a wall so that he can be stopped in his tracks and fouled hard. Payton at times still couldn't keep up with him, but as long as Parker is contained, I'm sure he wouldn't sweat it. Another thing is neutralizing Duncan. Malone did an excellent job on harassing, disrupting, and getting under his skin, and as long as Malone can pull the tricks out of the bag so to speak, the Lakers will cruise. Lastly, the Lakers will have to do a better job of limiting the Spurs second chance opportunities and offensive rebounds as a whole. The Spurs feasted in that category. If they can also guard the freakin' perimeter, that'll be great too. It should be a good game fellas tomorrow night, and I'll have that preview up in no time.
The big question is whether or not the Lakers will be able to keep up their intensity for Game 4. I don't think so. They guys are old and tired and do not have 5 days in between games this team. The Spurs also will not play another game like that. They played 17 games in a row and they were bound to have one slip. Game 4 will go to the Spurs along with this series.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">The big question is whether or not the Lakers will be able to keep up their intensity for Game 4. I don't think so. They guys are old and tired and do not have 5 days in between games this team. The Spurs also will not play another game like that. They played 17 games in a row and they were bound to have one slip. Game 4 will go to the Spurs along with this series.</div> I disagree. I feel the Lakers would want to return the favor to San Antonio. Since the Spurs won their first two games, the Lakers want to come back tomorrow night and even the series at 2-2. It's all about defending your home turf. And I wouldn't underestimate the Lakers intensity. Sure, they don't play like that on a consistent basis, but this is the playoffs and these guys realize that if they don't bring their 100%, then they'll be out of this playoffs very quickly. I look for the Laker defense to be very physical with Parker again. Payton still got burnt at times trying to guard him, but his teammates picked up the slack for him. I don't really see Malone stopping Duncan for a second time because that task is very impossible, but when it's all said and done, the Lakers will prevail in this one, and the series will be tied back at 2-2. Then in that critical Game 5, it'll be anyone's series for the take.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">I disagree. I feel the Lakers would want to return the favor to San Antonio. Since the Spurs won their first two games, the Lakers want to come back tomorrow night and even the series at 2-2.</div>Didn't the Lakers want to even out the series when it was 1-0 Spurs? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> It's all about defending your home turf. And I wouldn't underestimate the Lakers intensity. Sure, they don't play like that on a consistent basis, but this is the playoffs and these guys realize that if they don't bring their 100%, then they'll be out of this playoffs very quickly. </div>They have only played with this intensity for one game. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't really see Malone stopping Duncan for a second time because that task is very impossible, but when it's all said and done, the Lakers will prevail in this one, and the series will be tied back at 2-2. Then in that critical Game 5, it'll be anyone's series for the take.</div>Haven't you picked the Lakers in every game thus far?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Didn't the Lakers want to even out the series when it was 1-0 Spurs?</div> The Lakers had opportunities to even be up 2-0 prior to Game 3. They had the lead in Game 1 entering the 4th quarter, they ended up shooting themselves in the foot. Game 2 I believe they rallied from a huge deficit to only be down by three points. And again, they shot themselves in the foot. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">They have only played with this intensity for one game.</div> As I already said, it's about defending your home turf. And I believe the Lakers want to return the favor by winning tomorrow night at Staples. Then when the series is even at 2-2, it turns into a three game series and it'll be anybody's series from here on out. Yes, the Lakers have only played with intensity for only one game, but it was by far their best basketball they've played throughout this 2004 playoffs, and they understand if they fall 3-1 in this series, their confidence will be drained as they head back to San Antonio for a Game 5. I'm confident they'll repeat the same performance as yesterday afternoon. As long as they're hungry, they'll do all they can to win tomorrow. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Haven't you picked the Lakers in every game thus far?</div> Knowing how close they were to winning twice in San Antonio without making miserable mistakes, why wouldn't I go with the Lakers everytime?
You Triple team Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and they don't get a call til the third quarter is half gone. Come on! Why play the game if the refs are going to just hand you the game. "that's some kind of home court advantage" but you know i'm glad they handed them that game because that when the Spurs play better. Can't wait.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Oneinpower:</div><div class="quote_post">You Triple team Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and they don't get a call til the third quarter is half gone. Come on! Why play the game if the refs are going to just hand you the game. "that's some kind of home court advantage" but you know i'm glad they handed them that game because that when the Spurs play better. Can't wait.</div> No more of that referee nonsense. Do you know how annoying that gets? You were never in this game if of course you want to take out what happened in the very early stages of the first quarter. But other than that, your team was dominated from start to finish. Stop pointing fingers, and realize your team didn't come out prepared and ready to go.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post"> Knowing how close they were to winning twice in San Antonio without making miserable mistakes, why wouldn't I go with the Lakers everytime?</div>Because the Spurs are clearly the better TEAM.
Refs If we're going to go down the refs path, either side has stuff to rancor about and believe me, i dont think there is a right argument in either case. i think homecourt means youre going to get the benefit of the doubt calls. in game 2, I remember Payton spotting up, ready to hit his three and then duncan came out to cover, when GP took the shot, tim hit him on the elbow hard, the ball was an airball and they didn't call any foul. in the play before that i think it was ginobili who got the same contact and the foul called. he hit all three shots in game 3, i remember payton driving to the hoop and he "supposedly" got fouled by bowen while hitting the layup. that was a questionable foul cuz i didnt see bowen touch him. Either ways, my point was to illustrate that refs will in doubt, call more fouls for the home team. This isn't saying taht its always the case that the home team wil have more fouls called. no its just saying that if the game is equally played on both sides, you can expect the refs to be a little biased.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Oneinpower:</div><div class="quote_post">Hey I recorded that game and watch it again. maybe i should send you a copy of this so you can realize that i was correct. It clearly showed that everyother play was a foul on use and you can't say that didn't play in their favor (lakers) watch the next game on you will see everytime Shaq is frontted he push off just like he did on game three. The Lakers did play good but don't just call the fouls on one side. (first foul was half way in the third quater) if you can't admit that then you are not a true fan. Let them play, thats all what a true fan wants!</div> Well....you're bitter. And if your team loses by 22 points, I'd try to find someway to make excuses on my team's behalf.
The referees had no impact on game 3 at all, the Spurs came out flat and never got anything going offensively. Parker didn't play his natural game, Duncan couldn't hold onto the ball and get low post position. Lakers deserved to win game 3 purely down to more energy, tighter defense and the will to win. Infact I don't remember any call that I suddenly thought "What the hell" Didn't notice the refs doing anything too wrong to be honest. Spurs need to come out and play with more energy and passion in game 4 otherwise this series is heading back to San Antonio tied at 2-2.
