Spurs - Suns series

[Reality]

GNob before and after the nosebreak were very different, as can be expected.  Still SuperGNob, he went out of 2005 Co-MVP mode and dropped *down* to very good mode. 
Games 1 & 2  shot 58.1% (18-of-31) and 53.8% (7-of-13) of his threes.
Games 3 4 5 6 shot 31.5% (17-for-54) and 16.7% (3-for-18) on treys. 
Even with the broken beak, Manu continued to take the ball to the rack.  RIP FineySpur.

It's going to be a continuing factor.  GNob has refused the idea of wearing a mask.


Duncan, sufficient.  Big drop after games 1 and 2 but still played D and got the rebounds.
GHill and McDyess, fantastic.

Dick Jefferson did change for the Dallas series and played some agressive D, rebounded and took the ball to the rack on occasion.  So that changed play has helped.  Unlike Matt Bonner, who proved the board Bonner honks wrong again with his paltry 34% fg and 31% treys. 

Blair.     Continue to silence the critics, Blairdawg. 
54 minutes
25 points
26 rebounds
In addition to swatting loose balls, taking a beautiful charge (did not get call) and literally changing the momentum for the Spurs in Gm 3.
26.5 PER (near league leader in playoffs?  did lead the Spurs)
Almost all minutes done without Duncan or McD and instead with Matt Bonehead.

So is this a new Phoenix team, can they use homecourt to upend the Spurs?  I don't think so.  Tough blow in that Lopez is out.  Frye is gonna have to really play well otherwise the Spurs should win the frontcourt battle and one hopes that Blairdawg will get more minutes. Of course Dumbassovich could always up Matt Bonners minutes so hold on.....

[Reality]

<sigh>
Matt Bonner 15 minutes last night Gm 2.
0-4 (0-3 treys), 3 rebounds.
He is now 10-32 including 5-20 on treys.
Lurker and Joe, you said this guy helps space the floor?  At the YMCA and in non pressure non playoff reg season NBA games, yes.
 
2010 Playoff Stats:
14 mpg
2.4 ppg
2.7 rpg
0.25 apg (that's 1 -one- assist)
0.12 spg
0.25 bpg

This coming after last years playoff stats of:
2000 playoffs:
20 mpg
3 ppg
3.2 rpg
0 asp (not a single assist in 5 games and 100 minutes)
0.6 spg
0.4 bpk

Defense?  Which 2008 opponent was it that said their plan on O was to give the ball to whomever Bonner was guarding and let him have at it?
Channing Frye 5-6 tonight on treys (not all guarded by Bonehead but still....)

Ya, you've got to earn your minutes with Pop. 

 

[Reality]

So do the Spurs have a chance?
Sure, it could be 2-2 after two games at home.

Can they win 4 of 5 including Game 7 at Phoenix?  Doable, ut bvery doubtful. 
Manu is clearly not the same since the broken nose.
Popavich being owned by Gentry. 
GHill drastically cooled off.
McDyess played great tonight but oh, benched in favor of Bonner.  See 2.

[Reality]

[Reality]

[Reality]

A poll put up at RealSpurs.
"Who coached the series better Gentry or Popavich?"
Currently at 82%  for Gentry.  67 to 15.

11 of the 15 Popped votes are PopApologist Reality haters.