This topic contains 2 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar JNixon 11 years, 9 months ago.

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  • #39518
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    fliptonn
    Participant

    I watched last night’s game again this morning and came to the conclusion that Scott Brooks just got sorely out-coached. The fourth quarter demonstrates this idea perfectedly. The Thunder had been running plays, stopping penetration, and slowing the tempo up to that point and had a 9 point lead to show for it. In the fourth however, this was not the case. Serge Ibaka didn’t play the entire fourth quarter which opened up a lot of options for San Antonio.

    It allowed them to exploit Kenrick Perkins who had 5 fouls (evidence is Ginobili’s cutting inbounds layup). It allowed them to keep their smaller line up in which plays to the Spurs strengths of a fast pace game. It free’d up penetration without any fear of weak side help from Iblocka. And it also kept Oklahoma City off of the boards, giving way to very few second chances on offense and guys like Duncan and Splitter getting tip in’s and easy lay in’s on the other end.

    On top of that, the Thunder stopped running plays completely. Every time down the floor it was give the ball to Durant or Westbrook and run either an isolation or a pick and pop with Perkins. Popovich was all over that, reading it like a book by dropping Duncan down to clog the lane knowing that Perkins wouldn’t be taking an jumpshots in crunch time or worst case scenario he gets the ball inside and you put a 60% ft shooter at the line late in the game. On the other end, the Spurs continuously ran set play after set play late in the fourth, getting basket after basket.

    This game was OKC’s to lose and they did. This was really their best chance at a win too because it’s hard to imagine San Antonio shooting 8-24 from three and 68% from ft again.

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  • #674424
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    Chewy
    Participant

    I don’t know many people who WOULDNT be outcoached by Pop. But I have to agree w/ you Dlipto, not having Ibaka in is like waving a "Welcome to the lane" sign infornt of Parker and Ginobli’s faces.

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  • #674480
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    JNixon
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     I agree, Pop outcoached Brooks really badly. I had a feeling OKC would lose the lead, but it was REAL suprising they didnt play Ibaka. When SAS cut the 9 point lead to 3, I just knew Ibaka would check in. But he didnt, and Perkins got exposed (as usual, he’s not very good). Parker, but mostly Ginobili, really took advantage of Perkins slow feet in the pick and roll.

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