[Western Conf Finals] Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs

Oh man! we are watching a basketball clinic from the Spurs.

 

I think Boozer met his match against the taller, athletic big men of the spurs.

Like I said earlier, i don't really think Boozer is a superstar and has benefitted a lot from mismatches against the slower Yao and the smaller Warriors.

He is a good player though, an all star...but not a superstar.

 

Let's not credit Jeff Van Gundy for something Don Nelson figured out on his own. Remember game 3 where the Warriors went to this zone and shut down Boozer. Jazz just missed all their shots from there on. It worked in games 4 and 5 but Warriors missed to many 3s to take advantage.

So what does a good coach like Pop do? He studies the tapes in less than 48 hours and hits them with the zone right away. Those are the kind of adjustment JVG never made.

In the 1st few minutes of the game Duncan was guarding Okur and was too far away in the post like a natural post defender would do. So Okur gets a few open looks then right away Pop hits them with the zone and takes away Okur's game. A smart coach understands where he is getting played so he changes tactic. JVG knew after game 1 that Yao can't guard Boozer but never changed his strategy.

The way Spurs are playing this series may not even go beyond 5 games.

 

Manu Ginobili = Earl Campbell

 

Spurs score 108 points and win. They can win high scoring affairs and the low level games in the 70s. I don't see how Jazz have a shot in this series. This will be over soon.

 

Nicely said.

DD

 

Well let's wait till they play a game in Utah first. Remeber the talk of Rockets sweep Jazz after game 2??

 

the Spurs will not get bullied around like Yao or settle for jumpers like T-Mac. They have guys that drive to the basket and score or either get fouls. Houston and Golden State relied to heavily on 3 pointers and that is why both lost. San Antonio has already figured out that if you put a zone on the Jazz then they struggle. Spurs will shut down their inside game and force them to take jumpshots. Same thing they did to Steve Nash and the Suns. Duncan put up a blocking clinic in game 6. Amare was very effective in the post but they took away Nash's ability to drive of forced the ball out of his hand. Unless Okur, Fisher and Deron catch the hot hand from downtown, I don't see how the go more than 5 games. Spurs are a very good road team and they will the first 2 at home and then split a game in Utah to finish the series in 5. Mark it the Jazz don't have the players to stop Duncan or even Tony Parker for that matter.

 

JVG never changed because his system was supposed to be perfect and if his players would implement it perfectly it could not fail. Mind over matter. Lunacy over reality. Big sigh of relief. Now I did not watch, was there any thuggery or is there a truce based on the fear of retaliation? Did Bowen assault anyone?

 

I was at the game this afternoon. It was so nice seeing the jazz get pounded. The came back but it was all for nothing.

 

i agree the spurs are the better team, however don't discount jerry sloan's ability to make adjustments as well. I hate the jazz with a passion but jerry sloan is a good coach and has the ability to make adjustments like he did in houston and in golden state after game 3.

spurs in 6

 

I wouldn't say all for nothing. They made the Spurs play their leaders extra minutes and Utah had to build some confidence with the way they found ways to score. The way they finished has to put them in a much better position for game 2, which I think they need to win to have a realistic shot at the series. This isn't like versus the Rockets where the Jazz can go down 0-2 and then win 4 of 5.

Each game is a battle with winning the war needing 4 wins. If the Jazz can make it to game 6 (even down 2-3) they have a chance, because they have game 6 at home where they would be favored and them have a chance to wear down the Spurs for game 7.

But if the Spurs go 2-0 at home and get a 1-1 split in Utah (which I think is likely), the Jazz are doomed.

 

Does anyone still Jazz have a shot in this series beyond the one game they might win at home?

 

Man... do you guys notice how freaking boring the announcer for the spurs are? he says uhh and and before most of the calls....

 

The real reason why Utah is losing:

JERRY SLOAN HATES ROOKIES

Ronnie Brewer - an athletic first round draft pick...is WASTING AWAY on the bench.

Let's face it, the guy can't develop young players because he hates rookies. Win now? Look where it got them.

SF

 

Yeah and that is why he plays Millsap a second round pick big minutes in the playoffs?

What about a young pg like Deron Williams?

 

It's called sarcasm.

 

Does Memo have a spine?

 

So what, he only played Williams because of injuries last year. He doesn't count. He hates rookies and I know it. He has a FIRST ROUND PICK riding the pine...in favor of a midget like Derek Fisher playing out of position. He hates rookies.

 

The Jazz are outmatched and outclassed. I don't see this series go beyond 5 games.