Wow. Tony Parker stepped up, huh folks? He cranked out 41 points on open jumpers and turned what was once billed as the best first round matchup ever into a rout. No one saw this coming. After watching Shaq harrass Timmy in the regular season, I thought maybe the Spurs were in trouble come playoff time. I was holding out hope that Tim and co. were taking advice from Bob Horry and saving themselves from the playoffs. After watching the shellacking on Friday night, it really seems as if that was the case.
Looking back on it, it makes sense. Spurs fans don’t get up for the regular season like they once did-- why should the Spurs be any different? After winning four ‘chips and battling through ten playoffs Timmy knows when it matters, and that ain’t the middle of December.
Shaq knows too. Back in his days in L.A. he and the Lakers were notorious for taking the regular season lightly and turning it up in May and June. Anyone remember how the Lake show dominated the ’01 playoffs after ‘coasting’ through the regular season? I do. I know the Spurs on the roster that year do. They were right in the middle of the rampage, getting smoked four-zip in the conference finals. Could it be Los Spurs have taken a page or two out of The Big Diesel’s playbook? It sure looks like it thus far.
Tim, Tony and Gino have all upped their averages and their games. Game three showed that the Spurs have also improved on their ability to crush a team’s will. They haven’t had that ability since ’99. Back then, during their 15-2 romp through the playoffs they didn’t let teams hang around when they had them down 2-0 or 3-0.
The biggest flaw in the Spurs’ dynasty (aside from not going back to back ever) is their frustrating pattern of letting teams even up the series or extend it even. The Suns did it a couple of times, the Pistons should have been out in six, the Lakers did it twice and once won the series, and Seattle and the Sacramento gave the Spurs unusually tough times in those playoff battles.
It is cliché that the close out game is the toughest. The team fights hardest when it is trapped in a corner and there is no escape. The Spurs can do something they haven’t been able to do against quality teams-close them out when they should and not let them hang around. Could it be that these old Spurs have learned a new trick? We will see Sunday.
Well said Mescan, well said.
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