With Game 1 to be set
underway tonight, it only feels right to see how the Spurs stack up against the
boys from South Beach. Obviously the Spurs have a better coach. Pop is the true
king of the playoffs in this scenario, not James and definitely not Spoelstra.
Greg Popovich has won 4 titles with big time Timmy Duncan, and with this
looking like the last real chance the two of them have, Pop will get the best
out of his guys to make sure Duncan gets ring number five.
The starters: Tony Parker,
Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter, and Tim Duncan. The bench: Manu
Ginobili, Gary Neal, Matt Bonner, Boris Diaw, and Cory Joseph, with the
occasional DeJuan Blair. This group nearly slow trotted through the NBA playoffs
this year with the sweep of the clearly overrated Memphis Grizzlies. Tim Duncan
has been nothing short of spectacular with a classic 17.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.7
BPG. Tony Parker has also been playing some of the best basketball of his
playoff career with 23 PPG, 7.2 APG, and making great plays to set up his teams
47% field goal percentage and 36% from three. The two of them have put helped
lead a team that does play team basketball. They make the extra pass, because
why else would Bonner, Kawhi, and Green shoot 50%, 42%, and 43% from three,
respectively.
Stats talk, but let’s talk
about defense instead. Defense is not necessarily proven by stats but instead
by simply watching this team work every play down. The Spurs prepared
exceptionally well for the formidable frontcourt of Randolph and Gasol, and TP
shut down Mike Conley as well as any other point guard in the league. The only
caveat I have with the team defense of the Spurs is their perimeter defense.
The Spurs allowed Quincy Pondexter to have career nights because he was a lock
from downtown when the Grizz needed him most. The Miami Heat have phenomenal
three point shooters: Allen, Chalmers, and Miller to name a few. Now I believe
that Parker will be able to face Chalmers and prevent penetration, but unless
Danny Green and Gary Neal can close out on Allen (which is doubtful when LeBron
is kicking out assist after assist) it’ll be tough to keep the game close and
in control to win 4 games.
Speaking of LeBron James,
Kawhi Leonard said earlier this week, “It’s just a great challenge for me to
try to help my team win by good defense on him…I just accept the challenge and
am ready to play.” Paul George probably said something similar before the
Eastern Conference finals, but James was still able to average 29 points and
5.3 assists on 51 percent shooting. Jimmy Butler was given the assignment of
King James yet the Bulls only had the energy to win game 1, not necessarily the
next 4. Kawhi is stronger, more experienced, and definitely more defensive minded
than Paul George, and Leonard has to worry more about defense than offense
unlike George who needed to put the team on his back.
The Spurs put together a team
where each player fills their role perfectly, but if LeBron James matches up
against Tony Parker a little bit, I doubt Tony will be able to run circles
around the defense and find Bonner or Green open for easy threes.
Matchups: Danny Green versus
Dwayne Wade. Wade’s struggles will not extend into the NBA finals. Danny Green
will be able to contain Wade on the perimeter, but once Wade starts to post him
up and use his playmaking abilities near the rim, it will be no contest. The 2-time
champion and 1-time finals MVP will show Danny G how to play grit and grind
basketball.
Tim Duncan versus Chris Bosh.
We all saw this coming. The Miami big three is a big 2 with a tall dinosaur
making ill-advised jump shots and boosting the crowd. Tim Duncan is one of the
most dominant big men in the past 10 years and a shoo-in first ballot Hall of
Famer. Bosh has had recent struggles, and most clearly shot 3-13 in game 7 of
the Eastern Conference finals. Tim Duncan will easily out play Bosh because,
let’s be honest, Bosh is not even close to as dominant as Randolph and Gasol
(individually or together). Duncan will find himself posting up Bosh with ease
just as Hibbert did. What makes Tim better is his play making abilities,
finding the best possible shot, whether or not he takes it. Hibbert and West
always tried to score immediately, and Bosh looked weak, but still in the game.
Duncan will embarrass Chris Bosh.
The Spurs will play their
hearts out, so NEVER count them out. EVER.
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