Pretty much that he told them to cover the three and give the two, but they failed to do it. He kept yelling at them to do it. IMO, Battier should have either 1) Switched the pick which would have denied Neal the open space he was able to get or 2) Let Duncan roll inside the paint. He was pushing Duncan out which does not really make any sense. I would rather have Duncan shoot a layup or a 3 pointer than their best 3 point shooter shhot it.
This has become an epic series. Whoever loses the series will have to endure a long and painful summer considering what has transpired.
Lionel Hollins said after the game that he doesn't like to foul up 3 in that position. Hasn't it been proven statistically that fouling is the best way to win?
Credit the spurs they went after Mayo on that play. I think the grizzlies were trying to match speed on that play. If the spurs go small so do the grizzlies a lot of time to match up. Whatever it was it was a great shot.
Your team's character will be tested. If they win convincingly in Memphis after losing tonight, my respect for them will be greater. This will be a tough game to bounce back from, but all they need to do is play a solid 48 mins and game 6 is theirs. It will be more fun closing it out in front of the homefolks anyway. Just ask OKC.
Mark your calendar to remember the day that saw the origin of the Curse of the Chocolate-covered Krispy Kreme.
Atrocious defense by Shane on that last play. Why guard Tim so tightly when they needed a 3? And....he should of passed it to Mayo on the play before.
I really don't believe the grizzlies LOST the game. The spurs WON the game. So, if the spurs beat us and we continue to play like this there's nothing you can do. It was a GREAT game on both sides in my opinion.
That's what I was thinking too. But I still think they should have switched on that play, even if the shorter Mayo would have to contest Duncan's shot.
that's what i wonder. was shane supposed to switch or not? duncan would be a prime candidate for that shot because no one would expect it to be him and he might get a wide open look. i understand guarding him. i would certainly have been switching on everything but i don't know what hollins told them. and like barkley just said, i don't understand why anyone is below their man. just stand at the 3 point line and make them run out to you. granted, that's easier said than done because if you basically try to block a guy from getting to the 3 point line you might run into them and get a foul called on you before they even throw the ball in but running behind the guy doesn't make much sense.
Sounds like I missed a good game. The upside for Memphis is that they'll have the opportunity to get their first playoff series win in franchise history in front of their home crowd.
Manu said it right: this wasn't the heart of the champion, it was a lot of luck. Still Manu and co. had to make the shots.
Wow sucks to be memphis up by 3 going to make it to semi-finals then baam overtime. I would of been spewing if that was Houston. Lets Go Memphis.
1.7 seconds is enough to make a quick move and pass off...TD was there to step back and launch a 3 incase Battier left him. He's done that step back move before. Battier can't leave early because of that and leaving late is pointless. I guess people forget, that despite not having a great shooting %, TD has a legit shooting form from deep. We're not talking about Joel Anthony here. <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k2SJpItgiA8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> He is a 3 point threat, especally if he's going to be open. If you want to put the blame on Battier, then blame him for missing a free throw. That missed free throw, the refs remembering they were in SA, and the prayers of 18,000 fans were what sent this game to OT.
That falls under the fans' prayers, which would be for the spurs to win. Yes, he was clutch, but the shot didn't win them the game or get them close enough to have a shot at tying. A combination of things won the game for the spurs, not just a clutch shot by Neal. As for the switch that didn't happen....Battier reacted to Mayo's decision, which was not to switch. Mayo never attempted to back off of Neal and committed to chasing him. At that point Battier switching would leave TD open to curl to the 3pt line. Mayo would have been too far into covering Neal to go back and pick up TD.
