THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

[fluent2332]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

Blair rebounds. Bonner is a matchup nightmare. Which would you rather have? In this case the Spurs have chosen to go with the matchup nightmare over the guy who rebounds. I don't see what's so crazy about that.

It's important to point out that the reason Bonner is a matchup nightmare is because a big man on the opposing team has to guard him out to the three point line. This creates excellent floor spacing for the pick and roll game. The defense can't load up as easily when you have a stretch 4.

How does Dejuan Blair make them better offensively? He can't make the plays Bonner can, not even close. The Spurs are winning because of their dynamic offense so I see no reason to change that at this point.

I'm not saying Blair isn't capable, he's a fine role player, just like Bonner. But either one has their advantages, so to me, it's not a stretch at all that Bonner is playing over him. The Spurs have found a lineup that works and that lineup includes Bonner.

I also see Bonner hitting some key shots for them if they are going to win a championship. It seems lots of championship teams have had a stretch 4 that could shoot to help the win.

[Vni]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

Toughest game of the season for both team tonight.

Makes sence to start Harden and get sephalosha in later when Manu gets in?

[BringTheHeat]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

Guys on the radio station here in OKC said they need to play Westbrook and Durant all 48 minutes. Thoughts?

Spoiler

He also said they need to go under screens more...smh

[ehh]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

I think all they need to do is accept that their team is losing in the WCF for the second straight year.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

Being up 2-0 doesn't mean you can't play a better lineup. By that logic, the Heat shouldnt play Chris Bosh when he gets healthy because they're 2-0 in the series without him.

As brought up earlier, Blair brings physicality to the team, which they'll need in OKC. He's a monster rebounder. If he plays a mere 15 minutes, I guarantee he would get 4 offensive boards. Bonner is good for taking Ibaka out of the paint, but Blair's superior rebounding ability makes that difference moot.

Blair always has good games against OKC.

Whatever bro. They're 10-0 and have been torching everyone. Formulas been working perfectly. Not sure why you think you need Blair so much and think Bonner is hurting the team...

If you want Blair in there, whoopty do.

Not gonna argue about two role players.

[BringTheHeat]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

I think all they need to do is accept that their team is losing in the WCF for the second straight year.

I've been calling them Choklahoma City for a bit now.

#CHOKC anyone?

[Jasong7777]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

I've been calling them Choklahoma City for a bit now.

#CHOKC anyone?

Come on man. They are just playing against a better team.

[BMS53]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

I've been calling them Choklahoma City for a bit now.

#CHOKC anyone?

I wouldn't call it choking. The Spurs are just that good, period.

[The 24th Letter]

I've been calling them Choklahoma City for a bit now.

#CHOKC anyone?

"lol, a Miami Heat fan talking about choking" comment in 5...4.....3...2

Lol,

I wouldn't say they're choking by any means though, the series is still wide open....

[superjames1992]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

I'm not calling for Blair. He plays hard and rebounds well, but his height is still a huge liability, especially defensively. He would certainly be getting heavy playing time if Diaw had not been brought in, but I am fine with the lineup the Spurs are using in the low post now.

Diaw is obviously a veteran and reminds me of centers the Spurs have had in the past on their title-winning teams from 2003-2007 (Nesterovik, Nazi Mohammed, Fabricio, Malik Rose, etc.).

Bonner is somewhat of a liability defensively, but his excellent three-point shooting spaces the floor for Tony, Manu, etc. to do what they do. He's also been playing better in this playoffs this year than in years past when he seemed to disappear come playoff time.

Then again, I've always had it out for Blair because of the college he attended (Pitt), so maybe I am not the most unbiased person to ask about this!

Frankly, though, I'd rather not change the formula that has had San Antonio go on a 20-game win streak!!!

[The Big Squeezy]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

I don't think OKC is choking at all, San Antonio is just a buzzsaw at this point. It'll be hard for anyone to beat them when they're rolling like they are right now. They can hurt you in so many ways.

[The 24th Letter]

In expecting a loss tonight, please let me be pleasantly surprised..

[Boltman]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

lmao @ Chuck eating Lamb Fry.


I will pass thanks.

[J_Posse]

Whatever bro. They're 10-0 and have been torching everyone. Formulas been working perfectly. Not sure why you think you need Blair so much and think Bonner is hurting the team...

If you want Blair in there, whoopty do.

Not gonna argue about two role players.

Yes, a whooping 3 points and 2 rebounds per game from the first big off the bench should be acceptable. Matt Bonner is a bigger defensive liability than the offensive advantage he brings. His skillset is redundant when the Spurs already play one "stretch" (more like wide) four in Boris Diaw. Having Bonner on the floor also causes the Spurs other bigman (either Tim or Tiago) to have to give more effort covering his (often) mistakes. Did you people not see Darell Arthur, Derrick Favors and Blake Griffin not destroy him in the last two postseasons? He shrinks in the playoffs and bring nothing but one skill, a skill that is redundant on a loaded 3-point shooting team, and is a liability in every other fashion (passing, rebounding and defense).

Blair also plays extremely well against Oklahoma City. I believe both of his career 20/20 games were against the Thunder. For whatever reason he plays well against the group of Ibaka, Collision and Perkins.

From Spurs Nation/Bills Backer Clubhouse

[23]

Re: THUNDER vs. SPURS - 2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS THREAD

LOL@ them not correcting Barkley although he called Garnett Kevin Durant 5 times in a row