Few thoughts...

 

- I think the Spurs can win in Miami. Last season they split the first two games in Miami. Should have won game 6, and game 7 was in it until late in the 4th. Don't forget the Spurs had the best road record in the league by 5 games this season. Not banking on it, but if the Spurs lose it will not be because of the away environment affecting them.

- If anyone watches the Spurs much - which is not many - there are times their offense will become stagnant, and that is typically when Parker just sits on the perimeter and pounds the ball running back and forth trying to get by guys. It just doesn't work, especially when you have LeBron guarding you. The offense moves better often with Ginobili running the point in these situations.

- LeBron was a stud. He played phenomenal, working his game from the inside-out. He built up confidence inside and then went on one of those rare hot streaks he goes on from outside and it was curtains as far as trying to guard him. He was the sole reason they won last night. I thought he was defended soundly last night.

- Has Leonard regressed from last season? He was great during the finals last season.

- Splitter has the worst hands of anyone in the NBA.

- Why is Ray Allen allowed to stiff arm everyone when he has the ball?

 

Nice post with some good observations.

 

Missing four straight free throws when things were going pretty well for the Spurs was obviously big.

 

But to me, the most telling play of the game was the one that resulted in the Parker out of bounds review. Early in the sequence, the Heat get caught in a bad switch with Wade now on Duncan. Parker over dribbles and fails to exploit the matchup. Poor offense. Miami was struggling to recover from the bad switch, but Parker dribbled until they were able to do so.

 

Not typical Spurs basketball there, but pretty indicative of their offense late. Too many guys taking hard shots.

Retaliating would have been pretty stupid, especially in a close game.

 

Even if he didn't retaliate initially, he could have saved face without laying there like he did, going to the bench, or not taking an opportunity to take a hard, legal shot at him later on with a hard foul. It's about more than just the game. If he doesn't retaliate, I think he comes off as weak, and that's not something you want to be seen as, even in today's NBA.

 

I don't think he should have got up and threw a punch, but getting up and getting up in his face about it would have showed some grit, and it's unlikely that he'd have seen any kind of punishment for doing that.

Even if he didn't retaliate initially, he could have saved face without laying there like he did, going to the bench, or not taking an opportunity to take a hard, legal shot at him later on with a hard foul. It's about more than just the game. If he doesn't retaliate, I think he comes off as weak, and that's not something you want to be seen as, even in today's NBA.

 

I don't think he should have got up and threw a punch, but getting up and getting up in his face about it would have showed some grit, and it's unlikely that he'd have seen any kind of punishment for doing that.

have you taken many elbows straight to the ribs from guys the size of Chalmers? Getting right up like nothing wrong is probably easier said than done. Dude ain't the terminator.

Wade is a punk. Don't like Chalmers either. Didn't think it would be easy. The spurs can win in Miami.

 

 

I sure hope so. I was sick after game two. Those free throw misses changed the energy. I despise the Heat. The Spurs are champs in heart and determination and they will never give in. Just hope they have enough to get one in Miami.

have you taken many elbows straight to the ribs from guys the size of Chalmers? Getting right up like nothing wrong is probably easier said than done. Dude ain't the terminator.

 

Not his side, but I've actually cracked ribs and finished. Fractured a wrist taking a charge and played the rest of the game, same with a broken nose from getting an accidental headbutt. Once the adrenaline wore off, it was a much different story and I was in a world of pain.