New Spurs strategy vs. Hornets in game 3

Okay, the same things aren't working like they did against the Suns.

Tony & Manu aren't able to run these young guys off the court like the Suns.

I propose a new strategy.

The Spurs did show some signs of getting into the Hornets heads in game 2.  The Hornets started picking fights and getting technicals late which let the lead shrink.

The Spurs need to live up to all their untrue bad publicity and make it a WWF grind-it-out wrestling match.

The Spurs are trying to foolishly run with the Hornets.  The Hornets have the speed to get back on defense.

Turn up the brawn.  Slam Chris Paul to the deck every time he drives to rim...nothing dirty but really really hard...make him earn his points at the line...and slow down the game to a start & stop Spurs ugly tempo....

The Spurs have a huge size and brawn advantage over the mostly speedy & finesse oriented Hornets.  It is time to start using it rather than try and play the Hornets game.

The Hornets cannot run that fluid fast-break if the game keeps stopping due to foul shots.

Make it a game that the Spurs feel comfortable in.

Bonus:

The Hornets might take the bait and start fouling back.  They do not have anywhere near the depth the Spurs have..

Tempt them, dangle the carrot, Make them want to punish the Spurs right back physically rather than use their speed to run around the Spurs.

...............

Byron Scott is a good coach who will try and prevent that scenario, but it might just work.

Trying to run with them certainly isn't going to work.

That is not at all what I was preaching.

I never preached trash-talking or inflicting cheap shots.

The Spurs keep trying to out-finesse the Hornets.  That is the Hornets game not the Spurs.

It is silly for the Spurs to be driving the lane against this quick team.  The pick and roll defender is able to get back too fast.  Shot blockers turn the fast break the other way.

They need to grind it out instead on both sides.  Milk the shot clock by mind-numbing Charles Barkley type post up dribbling.

Let the game descend into a 75-65 type of crawling pace.

There is a fine line between thuggery and playing it tough & physical to get into a SLOW SLOW half-court game.

There is absolutely nothing wrong by pounding on Chris Paul to see if he can keep his focus.  It helps slow the game down even further.

Already there are signs that West & Paul are close to losing their cool.

Why shouldn't the Spurs take advantage of strength, depth ,and size?

I like the stratagy.......here's my new proposel......WIN GAME 3 BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE!!!!

1. The Spurs have not had any problems playing good in the first half. I definetly see that working again in game 3. Now the question is, can we maintain that? I propose to start Manu in the 3rd. (I don't recall if coach pop did this in game 2). Hopefully that can give the spark that the Spurs need in order to maintain the lead heading into the 4th.

2. Substitue Defense for Offense. In game 1 and 2, I think the Spurs did a "decent" job of playing D until (of course) the 2nd half. Keep  the likes of Brent Barry, Robert Horry, and Matt Bonner on the floor. If the Spurs can maintain the lead in the 2nd half I would gladly trade buckets with the Hornets. The Spurs offense has been very "stagnant" and needs a good jolt to get going.

3. OWN THE PAINT. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu, Kurt Thomas, these players need to get "down and dirty"......crash the boards, be the aggressor, and force them to foul.TP needs to get his confidence back, a few easy lay-ups will help, and it might even help his jump shot.

4. Make their damm FT's........I know, you know, we all know, that the Spurs are not the best team when it comes to making FT's. But, right now their shooting horribly. Players who are useually 80-90% (Michael Finley, Manu, Barry) FT shooters are shooting in the 60-70%.

5. And last but not least...................................have faith in the Spurs. Yes, they lost game 1 and 2, but, they can't win'em all. The Hornets did what they were supposed to do, hold home court. Now it's the Spurs turn to hold home court. When the Spurs tie it up after game 4, it will be a whole new sereis.

GO SPURS GO

I am up for whatever works. I do think The Hornets are like punks and letting Bruce get in thier head. I would like to see Chris Paul fouled hard......JUST TO SEE HIM GET FOULED HARD.

Let me take you back to 2004. Remeber when we blew the Lakers out of the building in games 1&2? all the media was calling the lakers old, and we would Sweep the Lakers? Well, we never won another game that series. I have watched basketball to long to say for sure a series is over after the home team wins the first two games. Remeber the Mavs from 2 years ago? Same thing. Blew the Heat out in 1 and 2, then never won another game. Thats why they play the games my friends.

I liked Pop's plan better....

Let Parker & Paul cancel each other out & try to have the rest of the Spurs out play the rest of the Hornets....