On June 07 2013 13:20 On_Slaught wrote:
Most things Magic says are meh, but I really agree with what he said tonight (not just b/c I'm rooting for the Spurs). The Heat should be worried because the Spurs can def. play better than this, but I'm not sure how much better the Heat can play.

James had a monster game (yes he could have scored more but 18/18/10 is boss). Wade got 17pts, which is a lot better than he's done in many games outside of like 2 others in these playoffs. Bosh, while not a great game can certainly be considered an above average game compared to what he gave them in the Pacers series.

Ray Allen had a great game by his recent standards. Anderson had a really solid game. Miller had a solid game as well. On top of that they held the Spurs to only 41% shooting. And they lost.

All the while the Spurs Ginobli played worse, or at least no better than, Bosh. The Spurs shot 7-23 from the 3point line, MANY of those being open shots. Those will go down at some point. Duncan starts 0-5 and gets in early foul trouble (Heat built the 9pt lead while Duncan was on the bench). And most importantly, the Spurs continue to prove they are the best team in the playoffs in the end of the game. They finish better than anyone with their crisp play.

Also:

1. I really like the reffing this game overall. The fact nobody is really talking about the refs on TV or this board means they generally did well.

2. Lol at Duncans interview attire. A simple plad button up. Lovin it.

3. Pop/Duncan 5-0 in game 1s in finals. Won the other 4

They played far from perfect, but your post paints a picture of Miami playing A+ ball and losing to a C effort from the Spurs. Please. Spurs only turned the ball over 4 times, that's going to be the lowest number they get for the series, probably by a solid handful(their season average was ~14, ~12 for the playoffs, and the Heat are one of the best teams in the league at forcing TO's). Miami missed a bunch of open 3s as well(really looking at Battier on this one). The Spurs also got more FTA's, another number not statistically likely to repeat itself in the series(this one I'm less confident in, but in the 1st half they showed they can attack the basket against SA, I'd expect more of that for all of game 2). You're also taking a ton of snapshots of play from the Indiana series, when the matchups were totally different, the pacing was different, the 'physicality' was different.

The sky was falling after they lost game 1 last year too, and then they won it in 5. It was a 4 point game after a RIDICULOUS shot, this series is going to be tight all the way, no brooms.

slowbacontron

United States7722 Posts

June 07 2013 08:11 GMT

#303

Happy for the Spurs

Hope they can keep their advantage going!

Itsmedudeman

United States19229 Posts

June 07 2013 08:12 GMT

#304

I don't think Miami played A+ ball at all. They played well, but they definitely played terribly in the 4th quarter. Even with good defense, 16 points in the 4th is terrible. James played well, but he could've definitely scored more for sure. Wade played okay, not amazing, bosh played below average, miami bench played well. By the end of the game nothing was outstanding. Originally Miami was shooting over 50% from the 3 but that went down as the game progressed. They rebounded really well, but on the other hand the Spurs only had 4 turnovers. That's exceptional.

The worrisome issue here is can the heat ever play A+ ball? Bosh hasn't had a good game in weeks, Wade's good games are far and few in between, although I imagine it won't be nearly as terrible in this series.

At the end of the day it was a 4 point game where Tony Parker made a ridiculous shot at the end. A few free throws here and there, one extra possession, not being so lax on the offensive end is all it takes for the game to be completely different. I think the games will be competitive but San Antonio is for sure the more consistent team.

Ferrose

United States11378 Posts

June 07 2013 11:03 GMT

#305

Shame that they missed the shot.

[image loading]

Scarecrow

Korea (South)9174 Posts

June 07 2013 12:21 GMT

#306

4 turnovers ties an NBA Finals record, I guess all the practice looking after the ball vs the Grizz paid off. Such a great game to watch, really high quality play from both sides, though I feel the Spurs missed a lot of easy/open shots they'd normally make. Heat are in trouble.

a176

Canada6688 Posts

June 07 2013 12:48 GMT

#307

tim duncan haters where y'all at?

TheKefka

Croatia11752 Posts

June 07 2013 12:49 GMT

#308

On June 07 2013 21:48 a176 wrote:
tim duncan haters where y'all at?

gone fishing

Gentso

United States2218 Posts

June 07 2013 13:25 GMT

#309

I think it all comes down to how the Spurs very rarely allowed Lebron a lane to drive in. If they can adjust and find ways to Lebron to continuously attack the paint, they'll win. Not only that, but Chris Bosh needs to attack the rim as well. He's probably still shell shocked from the Pacers series but he needs to grow some balls and get in there. It seems like the point guards for the heat are the only ones that can squeak through.

And it's a strange situation when you put Lebron to guard Parker, because he gets a screen most of the time and gets a much easier matchup. I think in the last one or two minutes that happened and Parker got a nice bit of space to attack with Miller ending up guarding him.

Also, I don't think Miami can afford to have Lebron sit on the bench at all in the 4th. I think he said he took himself out because he needed the rest. Wade and Bosh should take on more load offensively the first three quarters to give Lebron some rest.

Vindicare605

United States16122 Posts

June 07 2013 14:14 GMT

#310

On June 07 2013 21:48 a176 wrote:
tim duncan haters where y'all at?

Tim Duncan has haters? Who doesn't love Timmay!?

Orangered

289 Posts

June 07 2013 14:25 GMT

#311

Perker is a killer!

jeeeeohn

United States1343 Posts

June 07 2013 14:41 GMT

#312

I called Spurs in 5 before game 1 started and I'm sticking with it. Spurs have a better coach, a deeper roster, and they match up well.

mjxn

Australia939 Posts

June 07 2013 15:12 GMT

#313

On June 07 2013 23:14 Vindicare605 wrote:

Show nested quote +

Tim Duncan has haters? Who doesn't love Timmay!?

Nobody hates him, nobody I've met anyways lol

What I'm beginning to hate is all the people that keep iterating that he is underrated.

Gentso

United States2218 Posts

June 07 2013 15:25 GMT

#314

Gif of lebron funny foul reaction:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2733607/lewhine.gif

Ferrose

United States11378 Posts

June 07 2013 15:27 GMT

#315

On June 08 2013 00:25 Gentso wrote:
Gif of lebron funny foul reaction:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2733607/lewhine.gif

Pantagruel

United States1427 Posts

June 07 2013 16:00 GMT

#316

Great win for the Spurs. I think it was a high level game by both teams though not quite their A+ games. The spurs did extremely well taking care of the ball and I think we can expect a few more turnovers in the coming games but I also believe they will shoot better, especially from 3-point range. Leonard and Green missed a number of wide open 3's that could have put this game away for the Spurs even earlier and Manu and Duncan missed a few easy baskets at the rim. The same can be said for Miami who also missed a number of open shots. I think Chris Bosh really let Miami down however, there is no other player you can really pinpoint and say they had a bad game for them.

All in all I think this is shaping up to be an amazing finals. Miami and SA look really evenly matched (I dont think they were ever separated by more then 9 points in this game). With that said, I think SA will win the NBA finals ; they just have that desire this year. Just like the Memphis series SA looks so zoned in and I think ultimately their execution will trump Miami.

If the Spurs do end up winning I can't see anyone except Parker winning FMVP. Parker to me is really a unique player. A point guard whose game initially was predicated on speed who is still improving at age 31 (an old 31 too considering how much mileage he has playing for the Spurs). I have never seen a player improve so dramatically at such a late age, especially one who is already a star. It's a testament to Parker how he has transformed his game in the middle of his prime, a time when most star players have unbelievable egos and generally don't change until they start to decline. To me he has become a true superstar very late in his career, something I could not have predicted in my wildest dreams even just 3 years ago. I'm glad he is beginning to get his due.

cLutZ

United States19574 Posts

June 07 2013 19:01 GMT

#317

On June 07 2013 15:44 FakePseudo wrote:
Yeh, so clever to compare a 90+min game on a 100x50pitch with a 48min game on a 28x15 court...

Gooo Spuuuuurs. I'm done with my finals on the 13th, pulling allnighters for MLGs, NBA and stuff all week long after that!

Hey man, all we do in soccer is stand around then jog a little. :p