Pop is 10X the coach of just about any coach in the league, so I am not sure why you are singling hollins out here. Hollins knows what he is doing and is well capable of drawing up willing plays down the stretch. In other words, hollins isn't a liability, more than pops is an asset. Listen, even you and I can figure out what this series is about and I'll prove it. Pops and the spurs are going to try and penetrate the lane, draw the defense to him and kick it out to bonner or another 3 point shooter. The grizzlies are going to have to prove that they can limit the spurs 3 point shot attempts, and contest shots. The spurs are going to double zach and pressure conley and hope that nobody else beats them. It is simple. The grizzlies have to take away the spurs 3 point shooting and the spurs have to take away zach.
I only meant that Pop is a huge advantage for the Spurs. Just one thing to consider about the series. Hollins is an OK coach, I guess. Agree with your analysis. With TD being less of a threat, the Spurs will live and die with drive & finish and drive & kick. Their 3-point shooters will be under tremendous pressure. Any post-game they get will be "found money", but this is what they have been saving TD for all season.There is no way the Spurs will "take away" Z-Bo. I question their ability to slow him down much. The Spurs defense can't impose it's will anymore. I expect monster stats from him. Still, he will need help for the Grizzlies to win unless the Spurs offense crumbles. I gotta tell you, talking about this series has really got me amped up for it now.
Thing is, Hollins IS a bad coach, only reason Grizz has had success is because of their impressive front court. They play with alot of heat and effort, but don't credit the overall success to hollins
I don't have any idea what you are talking about, your statement is that hollins is a bad coach because he has an impressive front court? I am not sure how that tells me anything about Hollins as a coach, but it does however tell me plenty about your powers of deduction.
NONE of the ESPN guys picked the Grizzlies to win this series. All 11 chose the Spurs in 5 or 6 games. I am surprised at least a couple of them didn't predict it would go 7. If the Spurs end up spanking the Grizzlies, I'll take responsibility for not respecting them enough. But I just don't see them having an easy time, IF they advance.
Memphis in 6. The Spurs have trouble stopping teams down low and Memphis averages over 50 ppg in the paint. Memphis is confident and the Spurs are battling injuries.
never thought I'd be rooting for Memphis but I can't root for the Spurs. Spurs in 6 but hope I'm underestimating Memphis. They get a big boost in bb iq and have a defender that can guard the other teams best player in Battier. Can't wait for game 3 in Memphis. Tickets on stubhub were about $400 for tickets on the floor or $150 courtside! Not too bad for playoffs tickets.
<!-- http://twitter.com/#!/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/59651194196467712 --> <style type='text/css'>.bbpBox59651194196467712 {background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/35332164/newball_060628_250jd.jpg) #9AE4E8;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style> <div class='bbpBox59651194196467712'><p class='bbpTweet'>Spurs announce Manu Ginobili (right elbow sprain) will not play in today's Game 1 playoff game vs. Memphis.<span class='timestamp'><a title='Sun Apr 17 16:15:27 +0000 2011' href='http://twitter.com/#!/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/59651194196467712'>less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://blackberry.com/twitter" rel="nofollow">Twitter for BlackBerry®</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=59651194196467712'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png' /> Favorite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=59651194196467712'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png' /> Retweet</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=59651194196467712'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png' /> Reply</a></span><span class='metadata'><span class='author'><a href='http://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo'><img src='http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/408572304/yahooball_normal_normal.jpg' /></a><strong><a href='http://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo'>Marc J. Spears</a></strong><br/>SpearsNBAYahoo</span></span></p></div> <!-- end of tweet -->
my god, mchale's analysis is beyond terrible. "tim duncan looks more slender, it appeared he lost some weight while waiting for the playoffs to start." is he even serious with that? and he is stuttering a lot. geez. makes the game so hard to watch. have to mute soon
