It’s still way too early in the series to write the defending champs off, but I think that even the most ardent San Antonio supporter would admit that things aren’t looking too good. The Spurs entered the series with a serious advantage in playoff experience, but all that’s got them thus far is a pair of 18+ point defeats.
It looks like the Hornets are a horrible matchup for the Spurs. San Antonio’s offense starts with Tony Parker, who is typically able to use his quickness to get into the lane at will. But with the speedy Chris Paul and even speedier Jannero Pargo splitting defensive duties, those driving lanes aren’t nearly as open as they usually are. If Parker’s jumper isn’t falling – and at the moment it isn’t – his effectiveness is severely limited.
Inside, the Hornets are trapping Tim Duncan just about every time he gets the ball. Tyson Chandler is the type of player that can give Duncan problems down low. He’s long and very athletic, and he has enough strength to keep Duncan from getting deep post position. They aren’t trapping every time he gets the ball, and that’s playing mind games with Duncan, who doesn’t know for sure if the double-team is coming. The Hornets’ plan is to get the ball out of Duncan’s hands and force some of these other players – Bruce Bowen, Michael Finley, Kurt Thomas, Ime Udoka, etc. – to beat them. The neat thing is that the Hornets have enough team speed to rotate (or recover) to those perimeter shooters, so those open shots aren’t so open.
In my preview, I suggested that the Hornets might use Julian Wright, the very athletic rookie out of Kansas, to cover Manu Ginobili, and they have. He has long arms and a great motor, and he’s been able to keep Ginobili from getting a good offensive rhythym. They are also surprising Ginobili with the occasional double-team when he’s near the sideline, which contributed to three straight first half turnovers by the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.
Offensively, the Hornets can hurt you in so many ways. Chris Paul looks like he’s toying with Bruce Bowen, and the Spurs simply don’t have a matchup with David West, who is displaying a serious mean streak. Throw in some terrific shooting from Wright, Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson, and the Spurs have their hands full.
Game 3 is an obvious must-win for the Spurs, and I expect them to give it everything they’ve got. There’s still a chance that Pop will make the necessary adjustments and turn the tide of the series, but Byron Scott is no pushover when it comes to strategy.
