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The Spurs main goal is to never let it get to a coin flip. They prefer to build a large lead and push it or hold onto it. Anything can happen in the last 30s of a game. No lead is safe until you're well into the double digits. 12 play off wins by 15+. They don't take their foot off the gas, and thus seek to remove most of the random factors. Ray Allen hit a 3 at the last second, but that's a low to moderate percentage shot. Half the time or more the Spurs are the Champs. Lillard hit a 3 against us, but once again, half the time or more the Rockets are playing game 7 in Houston. People talk about "championship mentality", but the real "championship mentality" is to stay fully focused and engaged for as much of the 48 minutes as possible. Pops is a master at it... however, their system of ball movement and sharing helps tremendously with that. When you feel you are a participant in the offense, when your every decision matters, when your cuts, passes, and screens are rewarded with shots or scores that help the team, you're far more likely to be engaged throughout the game on both sides of the floor than if you're standing in a corner or on the wings watching a person dribble for 20s. Toss in the fire from a terrible season loss, and it's a LOT easier to stay focused. Multiple players in post-finals interviews said during the season when he felt that the Team's focus was slipping Pops would say to them, "You remember what last year felt like? You ever want to feel like that again?" Pops system and sets are as much a part of his coaching as his interpersonal coaching skills (which are formidable). It's why he's the best in the game.
Aw man, J.R. I almost want to thank you for posting that, for the b-ball lover in me, but I don't want to get the feels for the Spurs! LOL (*sniff*)
The Rockets were less talented last year, but more coherently built in terms of players complementing each other's skills and fitting in with how they want to play. Thus, they were more "Spurs-like." Notably, the Rockets had shooting at the PF position in 2012-13, which made everything run smoother. Harden, Lin, Parsons and company had room to drive to the basket and either finish or kick it out for a shot or more action. Asik go get his offensive rebounds and is actually decent as a roll guy on the pick and rolls (not great finisher but sets great screens and is a pretty good passer). Patterson, Delfino and Morris (for the most part) also tend to make quick decisions-- shoot, pass, or drive on close outs. They don't stand there sizing up the defender and bounce the ball in place like Terrence Jones sometimes does. The Spurs, at their best in the Finals and vs. OKC, had shooter/quick decision maker at the PF spot-- Boris Diaw mostly, but also Matt Bonner in short stretches and Leonard when they go small.
How about we start with our own division and the Rockets? Name me one set play the Rockets have right now?
If anything to the Rockets advantage, more fast-break plays. Weren't they #1 in fast-breaks last year before Howard or with Howard I forgot?
