Satyr
Paster of Muppets
This is a slightly modified preview to the one I wrote in BAR's thread, so if you haven't read that one, check this one out.
(will update my record after today)
Pistons-Spurs
One of the most anticipated clashes of the month.
I'm a huge Spurs fan, and a long time one now, but I just can't resist fading them at this spot. Even though you never know with the Spurs since they do have the talent and the perseverance they are just in a funk right now and it's no wonder, tell me when was the last time we could say "the Spurs are going through a bad period"? Dating a few years back even, the Spurs have become a sports phenomenon playing classy ball even when all other teams would fold.
But those days are fading now, they need to trade older players and start focusing on the future. TD isn't getting any younger and they (namely Buford and Holt) will regret it some day if they don't start fishing for younger players to rely on.
I've watched a lot of Spurs games this season and for example the last two Florida games can tell the whole story. One being Spurs vs teams they should definitely beat, teams they would own playing at their best let alone being depleted as the Magic were. They were up by 10 at HT but allowed not only a backdoor cover but completely fell apart, missing easy layups and making inexplicable defensive plays. We all know how intelligent players Tim and Manu are. These guys are just the best if you ask me. But they're in a funk. Look at the game against Miami, mid 3rd: TIED GAME. Late 3rd, Spurs -5, mid 4th: Spurs -10.
Spurs aren't closing games any more, and that's the only thing that counts. Look at this and you'll see it's no coincidence:
@ Miami (L 85-100) (halftime: 46:45 Spurs)
@ Orlando (L 104-106) (halftime: 58:49 Spurs)
@ Washington : A full blowout (W 110:83), no 2nd half letdown pattern emerging here.
@ Phoenix (L 87-103) (halftime: 53:50 Spurs)
@ Utah (L 93-97) (halftime: 47:45 Spurs)
The reverse situation appears in the Staples match against the Lakers (last night's game against the depleted Nets is out of this pattern), where the Spurs climbed back after being down. But mostly this season the previously mentioned trend has occurred more regularly. Spurs beat the Nets easily last night, as NJ were missing Kidd (as well as previously sidelined Jefferson and Krstic), they just couldn't cope with San Antonio. But another letdown spot for SA seems to be looming shortly afterwards.
Pistons' backcourt is the least Tony and Manu need to be facing now, plus Barry and Bowen haven't been as dependable shooters as before, even when they're left alone obviously, Oberto can't produce but is only a presence in the inside, also he seems a bit too light weight to cope with some of the league's big men. He is rather mobile but that's what Duncan is for, we need a heavier center, who can guard the paint and not be pushed out of it. Elson knocked down a few distance shots in Miami, but he's not the presence they need either. It all comes down to Tony driving to the basket or Manu trying to pull one of his wonder assists finding Tim in the inside who posts up and nails hook shots or layups. But lately, that hasn't worked.
Spurs' rodeo trip won't have a happy ending I think, I guess when Manu spoke earlier this month about the necessity of stepping up and that's either that or burst... well this time it's the latter. Spurs will probably have their heads with their families (provided they fall behind early in the game), this is their last game before the break and these guys need rest and home cooked meals more than anything else. It would be a different picture had the Spurs really stepped up and proven themselves on this trip but they've been quite mediocre and have shown a lot of weaknesses Pistons should hopefully exploit tonight.
These Pistons are just too good right now and the Spurs are getting zero support from the bench. Zero real support at least. Finley and Barry are all about the jumpshot now, and that's not enough for competing at this level. Bowen is getting old, and I mean really old. He's fouling more than before and Robert Horry should really retire. Whenever I see this guy he's trash talking to the ref or complaining about something, mr clutch isn't mr clutch anymore. Beno Udrih hasn't excelled to a player Spurs expected him to, he was supposed to average 15 PPG by now and dishing out some assists to lay the pressure off Tony for at least 15 mins per game, and in reality he's nothing close to that.
The Pistons should take this one hands down and Spurs should use the All star break to regroup and try to bounce back from a rough start of 2007.
Pistons (-3,5) (1.92 @ Expekt) 7 units
adding more picks shortly.
:cheers:
(will update my record after today)
Pistons-Spurs
One of the most anticipated clashes of the month.
I'm a huge Spurs fan, and a long time one now, but I just can't resist fading them at this spot. Even though you never know with the Spurs since they do have the talent and the perseverance they are just in a funk right now and it's no wonder, tell me when was the last time we could say "the Spurs are going through a bad period"? Dating a few years back even, the Spurs have become a sports phenomenon playing classy ball even when all other teams would fold.
But those days are fading now, they need to trade older players and start focusing on the future. TD isn't getting any younger and they (namely Buford and Holt) will regret it some day if they don't start fishing for younger players to rely on.
I've watched a lot of Spurs games this season and for example the last two Florida games can tell the whole story. One being Spurs vs teams they should definitely beat, teams they would own playing at their best let alone being depleted as the Magic were. They were up by 10 at HT but allowed not only a backdoor cover but completely fell apart, missing easy layups and making inexplicable defensive plays. We all know how intelligent players Tim and Manu are. These guys are just the best if you ask me. But they're in a funk. Look at the game against Miami, mid 3rd: TIED GAME. Late 3rd, Spurs -5, mid 4th: Spurs -10.
Spurs aren't closing games any more, and that's the only thing that counts. Look at this and you'll see it's no coincidence:
@ Miami (L 85-100) (halftime: 46:45 Spurs)
@ Orlando (L 104-106) (halftime: 58:49 Spurs)
@ Washington : A full blowout (W 110:83), no 2nd half letdown pattern emerging here.
@ Phoenix (L 87-103) (halftime: 53:50 Spurs)
@ Utah (L 93-97) (halftime: 47:45 Spurs)
The reverse situation appears in the Staples match against the Lakers (last night's game against the depleted Nets is out of this pattern), where the Spurs climbed back after being down. But mostly this season the previously mentioned trend has occurred more regularly. Spurs beat the Nets easily last night, as NJ were missing Kidd (as well as previously sidelined Jefferson and Krstic), they just couldn't cope with San Antonio. But another letdown spot for SA seems to be looming shortly afterwards.
Pistons' backcourt is the least Tony and Manu need to be facing now, plus Barry and Bowen haven't been as dependable shooters as before, even when they're left alone obviously, Oberto can't produce but is only a presence in the inside, also he seems a bit too light weight to cope with some of the league's big men. He is rather mobile but that's what Duncan is for, we need a heavier center, who can guard the paint and not be pushed out of it. Elson knocked down a few distance shots in Miami, but he's not the presence they need either. It all comes down to Tony driving to the basket or Manu trying to pull one of his wonder assists finding Tim in the inside who posts up and nails hook shots or layups. But lately, that hasn't worked.
Spurs' rodeo trip won't have a happy ending I think, I guess when Manu spoke earlier this month about the necessity of stepping up and that's either that or burst... well this time it's the latter. Spurs will probably have their heads with their families (provided they fall behind early in the game), this is their last game before the break and these guys need rest and home cooked meals more than anything else. It would be a different picture had the Spurs really stepped up and proven themselves on this trip but they've been quite mediocre and have shown a lot of weaknesses Pistons should hopefully exploit tonight.
These Pistons are just too good right now and the Spurs are getting zero support from the bench. Zero real support at least. Finley and Barry are all about the jumpshot now, and that's not enough for competing at this level. Bowen is getting old, and I mean really old. He's fouling more than before and Robert Horry should really retire. Whenever I see this guy he's trash talking to the ref or complaining about something, mr clutch isn't mr clutch anymore. Beno Udrih hasn't excelled to a player Spurs expected him to, he was supposed to average 15 PPG by now and dishing out some assists to lay the pressure off Tony for at least 15 mins per game, and in reality he's nothing close to that.
The Pistons should take this one hands down and Spurs should use the All star break to regroup and try to bounce back from a rough start of 2007.
Pistons (-3,5) (1.92 @ Expekt) 7 units
adding more picks shortly.
:cheers:
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