Grizz vs Spurs - the official series thread!

I have a feeling the Grizzlies would have fared better against the Heat than the Spurs. Popovic and Duncan are too much for the Griz.

 

I laughed then realized it might not be a joke.

 

Pop is the best. No doubt. But Hollins kind of got fucked over by the trades. The fact they reached the WCF's is amazing. The Gay trade may turn out well in the long run, but right now they need help scoring. Bayless plays over 30 minutes a game off the bench......

 

I think I just didn't realize that Tayshaun was so bad now.

 

I've got to completely disagree with you there. The Grizzlies have been a much more efficient team without Gay. If we had Gay, maybe there'd be less defensive attention on Randolph, but I doubt it. Pops would probably let Gay bury the Grizz with his poor shot selection and "hero ball," just like he let Jerryd Bayless do this game.

In reality, Pops is just a that much better coach than Lionel, managing his rosters, controlling momentum etc., but that's not saying much, because Hollins is as overrated of a coach out there. I can't wait til we get rid of Hollins, honestly.

Yeah, our players made some mistakes, and the Spurs are our worst match-up nightmare, but why was Tony Allen was on the bench until under four minutes to go? Why did he play less than ONE minute in overtime, when the Spurs were scoring at will? Hollins has beef with Allen, has for a while, and it's only hurting in the way of the team. I mean, 26 minutes (in an OT game) for the best defensive player in the NBA? Not playing him in crucial moments where SA was gaining momentum and going on scoring runs?

Not to mention, what the hell was up with this fourth quarter line-up: Conley/Dooling/Bayless/Pondexter/Gasol? Not to even start on how Dooling should never be in the game, or how Bayless should not be used in important situations or when we've got a close game with the lead (or how bad he is on P&R defense compared to Allen), but really... Q-PON AT THE FOUR?! That rotation was being used and abused on defense every trip down the floor.

I love Q-Pon, and I'd rather he start at the three than Prince, but why put him out there at the four? There was one key possession late, where Duncan went 0-2 at the line, and instead of the Grizz getting the rebound that a player would Randolph, Arthur (who only played 3 minutes), or Davis would easily get, Pondexter not only got outrebounded by Manu, but he fouled him. +2 for the Spurs instead of a Grizzlies possession.

 

^ Well you know your team better than I. So I will defer to you. But when you say.......

Not to mention, what the hell was up with this fourth quarter line-up: Conley/Dooling/Bayless/Pondexter/Gasol? Not to even start on how Dooling should never be in the game, or how Bayless should not be used in important situations

.........My thought is because you don't have anyone else to put in the game. And that is not Hollins fault.

As for Tony Allen, He had a good game, but his two missed free throws in crunch time hurt. Maybe that's why he was not in as much.

 

I know that Z-Bo has worked hard to share the ball more than he used to and that he works a lot harder on defense than he used to; but there were at least two times he didn't make it across the half line before SA scored and a third time on offense when he could have helped on a second chance. also he was out of the play another time when he instead was arguing with the ref. not even to mention his 50% on free throws.

 

It's just the real FatBo showing up. He's just taking longer to show his true colors but he is still there.

Tim Duncan beating him down the court repeatedly is ridiculous, and San Antonio has exposed his several still-present basketball and character flaws.

 

No one else to put in the game? C'mon man, Darrell Arthur could start on a lot of teams, and he played 3 minutes! Instead, we had a two-guard in at PF in crunch time. Was a three-PG rotation really necessary, with a SG playing PF? They had a field day against that line-up.

As for Tony Allen, the Spurs went on a huge run with him on the bench, and as soon as he came back, he locked down Parker. He missed some free-throws, but I'm not going to persecute him over that, because the only reason he went to the line the first time was because he got the rebound... a rebound that we wouldn't have even gotten with any other player in the game.

I just think back to the play where Pondexter bricked the open layup and think, "if TA were in there, he'd have cleaned up that board." He's one of the worst offensive players in the game with the ball in his hands, but at least on the offensive end, half-court or transition, he's one of the most active guys in the entire league. If there's a chance at a loose ball, Tony's going to try to get it.

Trust me, this team operates a lot better with him on the court than off. Lionel's just got a petty feud going with him. That's why we lost one of our assistant coaches in the playoffs, why Lionel is not signed through the end of the season, and why Tony Allen only played 26 minutes in a crucial game 3 in the WCF that went to OT.

As far as "Fat-Bo" goes, he's struggled all year long against this Spurs frontcourt. That's nothing new, but we still split the regular season series 2-2. We just need to go back to the way we played in the regular season, feeding the post, playing Tony Allen, and not trying to get into a shooting contest with one of the best shooting teams in the league, when we're one of the worst.

With that said, morale is pretty low around here. I haven't heard too many Grizzlies, or even fans for that matter, talking about making history, turning around the 0-3 deficit into a 4-3 series win, which is where their heads should be at right now. I just hope they show up to play tomorrow, and at least force a game 5.

Moral of the story is that the Grizz should let Lionel walk... let him go to Brooklyn or one of those teams that's buying into his hype, and take Henry Bibby with him while they're at it. They should then promote David Joerger to Head Coach and retain Bob Thornton as an assistant.

 

Ginobli just went 5-hole on Prince on an assist to Joseph.

 

The Idaho Stampede and the Reno Bighorns?

 

Spurs about to pull one of the most ho hum runs into the finals in the last decade. Even for them

12-2 in the playoffs so far? Just sick. Still don't think they have a chance against MIA, but I think they can make it interesting.

 

Timmy is 4-0 in the finals in his career. Would be a fitting way for him to retire from the game if he wins again.

 

I hope the Spurs get their 5th.

 

The Spurs' owner has a dangerously red face. Blood pressure meds? Anyone?

 

Manu's line tonight: 6pts, 6rebs, 6asts, 6 turns on 1-6 FG

 

How do they know it's his last appearance?

I suppose it doesn't really matter given the wording. That record is his regardless