Blazers vs Spurs

[maxiep]

Errors won't see a minute of meaningful playing time and if he does it means you guys will win the series. Mills will be fun to watch in this series. Still can't believe Portland gave him up; he was one of my favorite non-Spur players for a while.

There's still a lot of Patty love here. He was very popular in Portland.

That being said, he needed the kind of coaching that only Pops and his staff could provide. You all wanted Batum as well. However, I'll give you a third name to watch: Victor Claver. Every time I see him, I think about how much better he would be playing for the Spurs. He is your kind of player. If he gets minutes, watch him.

 

[Rz4k]

Wait. What? Please post RobinLopez.gif. I've never seen it.

 

[maxiep]

LOL! Awesome! Repped! I had never seen that one, but that's totally his sideline personality!

There's a great gif of RoLo bicycling on his back from this year.

 

[blue9]

Exactly my point. Howard is a great defender (not what he used to be, mind you), but him and Splitter are different kinds of defenders. Howard will bang down low while jumping up to block layups and floaters, unlike Splitter who keeps his feet on the ground and leaves the paint often to defend bigs who stretch the floor and even opposing guards. Splitter is a lot more mobile and is actually a big plus in switching situations.

I'll be interested to see Splitter in this series. Last year when we badly needed a C people were throwing his name around as a possible target. When I watched him last year I was not impressed, and was glad that we didn't try to extend a big offer to him.

 

[Rz4k]

I'll be interested to see Splitter in this series. Last year when we badly needed a C people were throwing his name around as a possible target. When I watched him last year I was not impressed, and was glad that we didn't try to extend a big offer to him.

Without Splitter last year the Spurs lose to Golden State or Memphis tbh. Same with this year, if he hadn't played as he did against Dallas, the Spurs would've been embarrassingly beaten in 5 games max.

 

[blue9]

Without Splitter last year the Spurs lose to Golden State or Memphis tbh. Same with this year, if he hadn't played as he did against Dallas, the Spurs would've been embarrassingly beaten in 5 games max.

I didn't watch any of the Spurs/Mavs series - I just recall that the few games I watched in last year's POs I didn't feel like it would be a good idea for us to offer him a $10M+ per year deal.
Like I say, I'm interested in seeing him for 6ish games in a row! I wanna see how Splitter/Lopez shakes out. I don't think they will go head-to-head often, but it'll be interesting to see how each of them help their team. After Lopez made it through the HOU series I think/hope he's going to have a much easier time. Howard was just too quick and too strong for Lopez. Neither Duncan nor Splitter will both out-quick and out-strong him. His biggest issue will be dealing with Parker while also trying to eliminate the passing lane to his man and boxing out for the rebound. Hopefully Stotts has some better help-defense rotations this series - I still don't understand why he didn't have LMA helping off Asik when Howard would get deep position late in games.

 

[magnifier661]

I didn't watch any of the Spurs/Mavs series - I just recall that the few games I watched in last year's POs I didn't feel like it would be a good idea for us to offer him a $10M+ per year deal.
Like I say, I'm interested in seeing him for 6ish games in a row! I wanna see how Splitter/Lopez shakes out. I don't think they will go head-to-head often, but it'll be interesting to see how each of them help their team. After Lopez made it through the HOU series I think/hope he's going to have a much easier time. Howard was just too quick and too strong for Lopez. Neither Duncan nor Splitter will both out-quick and out-strong him. His biggest issue will be dealing with Parker while also trying to eliminate the passing lane to his man and boxing out for the rebound. Hopefully Stotts has some better help-defense rotations this series - I still don't understand why he didn't have LMA helping off Asik when Howard would get deep position late in games.

I disagree with the opinion about Lopez and Splitter going "head to head" often. I think the assignment to guard Aldridge will be on Duncan and only Duncan. I think Pops trusts Duncan enough to at least "contain" Aldridge and match him statistically. Splitter may defend Aldridge in spurts or vice versa dependent of foul trouble, but I think Lopez vs. Splitter will be the true battle this series. I also think Matthews vs. Manu is another big battle.

 

[Rz4k]

Duncan will be a much harder cover for Lopez. While he isn't as physically dominant as Howard, he's much smarter and has much better post moves. He'll also draw Lopez out of the paint with his jumper.

 

[magnifier661]

Duncan will be a much harder cover for Lopez. While he isn't as physically dominant as Howard, he's much smarter and has much better post moves. He'll also draw Lopez out of the paint with his jumper.

I would bet large amounts of money that Aldridge will be mainly on Duncan.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Duncan will be a much harder cover for Lopez. While he isn't as physically dominant as Howard, he's much smarter and has much better post moves. He'll also draw Lopez out of the paint with his jumper.

Duncan's jumper is exactly the shot we want to see, especially at crunch time.

 

[Rz4k]

I disagree with the opinion about Lopez and Splitter going "head to head" often. I think the assignment to guard Aldridge will be on Duncan and only Duncan. I think Pops trusts Duncan enough to at least "contain" Aldridge and match him statistically. Splitter may defend Aldridge in spurts or vice versa dependent of foul trouble, but I think Lopez vs. Splitter will be the true battle this series. I also think Matthews vs. Manu is another big battle.

If this was the Duncan of 4-5 years ago I'd agree, but you have to remember Duncan is 38 years old now. His lateral quickness is nonexistant and his mobility is extremely limited. He's the worst PnR defender on the team these days which is something LA and Lillard would exploit if TD was on LA. It'll be Splitter and Diaw guarding LA unless he makes his way into the post and Duncan happens to be in position to switch to him.

 

[Rz4k]

I would bet large amounts of money that Aldridge will be mainly on Duncan.

He'll get tired out pretty quickly then. I agree with whoever said you put your best offensive big on the opposing team's weaker offensive big to save energy. With the Blazers' lack of depth this should be even more paramount. If LA exhausts himself playing both ends for 36+ mins he'll be gassed by crunch-time and later on if the series drags.

 

[Rz4k]

Duncan's jumper is exactly the shot we want to see, especially at crunch time.

lol Yep, his jumper has gone to shit this year. If it was last year you'd prolly die by it, but this year it isn't as dependable.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

lol Yep, his jumper has gone to shit this year. If it was last year you'd prolly die by it, but this year it isn't as dependable.

I just think it is the lesser of evils for us. I love Timmy, couldn't have more respect for him, but I'd rather see that shot than see him in the post or the ball in the hands of Manu or TP.

 

[BBert]

lol Guess my takes wouldn't be too popular here. That's fine tho, this is a Blazer board so there's bound to be a bit of bias. Just keep an eye on Green and Splitter, I feel as if they'll be household names in Portland in a few days.

It's all good. I appreciate other perspectives.

 

[Prue]

Duncan's threat comes when teams try to double him at 10-14' out. He's a great passer to a cutting guard, so long as we keep things honest there is no reason to send a double to Tim. LA can guard him straight up, and if LA is taking a rest I trust Wright to keep a hand in his face...Wright showed some good D in the Houston series. Hell, put T-rob on Duncan...I'm sure he'll get schooled once or twice, but his energy can make up for it with transition buckets if we RUN.

 

[jlprk]

There's another one of Lopez after a Robinson shot/block a couple of months ago. Someone should put it side-by-side with this one.

 

[magnifier661]

He'll get tired out pretty quickly then. I agree with whoever said you put your best offensive big on the opposing team's weaker offensive big to save energy. With the Blazers' lack of depth this should be even more paramount. If LA exhausts himself playing both ends for 36+ mins he'll be gassed by crunch-time and later on if the series drags.

Duncan will exhaust himself as well. Aldridge has no problem playing Duncan straight up. He's done it for their entire series vs. each other. Rarely you see Duncan or Aldridge guard anyone else but each other.

 

[blue9]

I disagree with the opinion about Lopez and Splitter going "head to head" often. I think the assignment to guard Aldridge will be on Duncan and only Duncan. I think Pops trusts Duncan enough to at least "contain" Aldridge and match him statistically. Splitter may defend Aldridge in spurts or vice versa dependent of foul trouble, but I think Lopez vs. Splitter will be the true battle this series. I also think Matthews vs. Manu is another big battle.

We will soon find out. But Pops is way too good of a coach to not throw a ton of different looks at LMA. Just because he goes single-coverage in the regular season doesn't mean that's what he's going to do in the POs. We'll see Duncan on LMA at times, but I think just like we want to keep LMA rested so too will SAS want to keep Duncan rested - so they'll both likely spend the majority of the game guarding the least effective offensive player (Lopez/Splitter). In crunch time I expect that to change if LMA is having more success than Lopez at guarding Duncan - just like how Stotts changed up the assignment against Howard.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Duncan's threat comes when teams try to double him at 10-14' out. He's a great passer to a cutting guard, so long as we keep things honest there is no reason to send a double to Tim. LA can guard him straight up, and if LA is taking a rest I trust Wright to keep a hand in his face...Wright showed some good D in the Houston series. Hell, put T-rob on Duncan...I'm sure he'll get schooled once or twice, but his energy can make up for it with transition buckets if we RUN.

Watch Duncan utilize most of the backboard while he's in the post in order to sink his shots. LA is going to have his hands full with Duncan.

However, I think we'll see Lopez guarding Duncan most of this series.

 

[blue9]

Duncan will be a much harder cover for Lopez. While he isn't as physically dominant as Howard, he's much smarter and has much better post moves. He'll also draw Lopez out of the paint with his jumper.

I don't agree with that AT ALL. And it makes me think you didn't watch much of the POR/HOU series. Howard dominated Lopez.
Yes, Duncan is a much smarter - and better - player. But he's not quick enough to work Lopez over like Howard did. Lopez will take the bumps and, for the most part, stay between Duncan and the hoop. He'll force Duncan to shoot over him. Duncan can do that, but it's a much lower-percentage shot than what was essentially an uncontested Howard dunk-fest. Lopez won't be picking up fouls for simply being too slow.
And on the offensive end Lopez will have an easier time shooting his hook shot or 10-footer against Duncan.
We may not be able to run an offense through Lopez the way you can still do that with Duncan, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have a statistical draw in the series (other than assists).
And BTW - Duncan is my favorite non-Blazer. I think the world of him. If everyone played with his integrity the game would be so much better.
Additionally, Pops is my favorite coach and the Spurs are the only other team in the league I'm even remotely a fan of.

 

[Rz4k]

I don't agree with that AT ALL. And it makes me think you didn't watch much of the POR/HOU series. Howard dominated Lopez.
Yes, Duncan is a much smarter - and better - player. But he's not quick enough to work Lopez over like Howard did. Lopez will take the bumps and, for the most part, stay between Duncan and the hoop. He'll force Duncan to shoot over him. Duncan can do that, but it's a much lower-percentage shot than what was essentially an uncontested Howard dunk-fest. Lopez won't be picking up fouls for simply being too slow.
And on the offensive end Lopez will have an easier time shooting his hook shot or 10-footer against Duncan.
We may not be able to run an offense through Lopez the way you can still do that with Duncan, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have a statistical draw in the series (other than assists).
And BTW - Duncan is my favorite non-Blazer. I think the world of him. If everyone played with his integrity the game would be so much better.
Additionally, Pops is my favorite coach and the Spurs are the only other team in the league I'm even remotely a fan of.

I'll admit Howard surprised me when he broke out some post moves during the series, but in the end his post game is pretty weak. Duncan is leagues ahead of him and lengthier. Lopez will have to use his head to defend Duncan. It also won't just be Duncan's scoring but his passing. I can see him averaging ~17 PPG but throwing in 4 or 5 assists as well, which is something Howard isn't a threat to do. Doubling him also won't effect him as he'll find the open man. As with Duncan's jumper, I hope Lopez shoots that hook. If he his it often so be it, but I don't think so.

 

[blue9]

I'll admit Howard surprised me when he broke out some post moves during the series, but in the end his post game is pretty weak. Duncan is leagues ahead of him and lengthier. Lopez will have to use his head to defend Duncan. It also won't just be Duncan's scoring but his passing. I can see him averaging ~17 PPG but throwing in 4 or 5 assists as well, which is something Howard isn't a threat to do. Doubling him also won't effect him as he'll find the open man. As with Duncan's jumper, I hope Lopez shoots that hook. If he his it often so be it, but I don't think so.

Sounds like we're essentially agreeing on the basics. I still think it'll be an easier series for Lopez - he's a pretty smart player, but his smarts couldn't help make up for the strength/agility of Howard. Yeah, Duncan will make the pass - but that's on Lopez's teammates to pick up once the pass is made.

 

[ripcityboy]

Think they will stretch us too far. I mean, Mathews will have his hands full with Parker (who seems like he only get's better under pressure) Lamarcus on Duncan is no picnic, Batum may get Manu, I don't know about Lopez and Splitter. That could go either way. And then you have guys like Mils coming off the bench.... how do you guys see it??

 

[MARIS61]

The worst bench in the NBA vs the best bench in the NBA

Big advantage for the Spurs in that area

Especially if Stotts keeps refusing to play Freeland or Leonard. Smallball has never won a title, nor has it ever won a series against the Spurs.

 

[PDXFonz]

I think I speak for us all when I say that I am ecstatic to not have to face some one dominant on the block like Howard. His post game has really improved. I would argue that there is no one else in the nba you can give the ball to in the post and expect that kind of efficiency. Dwight was amazing in that series, and the fact that we were able to overcome that gives me tremendous confidence in this team.

 

[Rz4k]

Especially if Stotts keeps refusing to play Freeland or Leonard. Smallball has never won a title, nor has it ever won a series against the Spurs.

Heat won the last two titles with smallball tbh. If Portland goes small its a massive benefit to them.

 

[Rz4k]

I think I speak for us all when I say that I am ecstatic to not have to face some one dominant on the block like Howard. His post game has really improved. I would argue that there is no one else in the nba you can give the ball to in the post and expect that kind of efficiency. Dwight was amazing in that series, and the fact that we were able to overcome that gives me tremendous confidence in this team.

Griffin and Davis tbh. Even Lebron has a more dominant post game. I'd also argue for Zbo but Howard is much more athletic I suppose.

 

[PDXFonz]

Griffin and Davis tbh. Even Lebron has a more dominant post game. I'd also argue for Zbo but Howard is much more athletic I suppose.

You are quickly starting to lose your credibility...none of those guys have dominant post games, but you say they are better in the post than Howard. :/

 

[Rz4k]

You are quickly starting to lose your credibility...none of those guys have dominant post games, but you say they are better in the post than Howard. :/

Griffin has vastly improved his post game over the course of the season, while Davis has always been fairly skilled. Remember, post game isn't all about scoring the ball; it's about making the right play to get points. Howard still can't pass out of a double team and even when drawing fouls he's a liability at the line. If you're talking about both sides of the ball then yes, Howard is superior.