2013 NBA Finals: San Antonio Spurs (2) vs Miami Heat (1)

[Andrew]

Ridiculous shooting performance by Green and Neal. In a series with its fair share of big names and all-time greats, it's always nice to see a couple of unsung heroes have their moment.

LeBron seems to be struggling at the moment, though he's still finding ways to contribute. Tough for him to make too much of an impact with his passing when his teammates aren't do a much better job of scoring though. Wade seemed to disappear once again after a strong start. If not for Mike Miller being on target, it would've been an even more lopsided affair by the end.

The Spurs are doing a good job keeping LeBron out of the lane and he hasn't been able to make them pay so far. The situation with Tony Parker has to be a concern for them though, hell of a time for an injury like that. They didn't need him to do a lot in Game 3, but they need him on the floor for the rest of the series.

Dejuan Blair is certainly playing for a contract somewhere next season. When he's received the ball in garbage time the last couple of games, there's no way he's giving it up. Speaking of players getting a run in garbage time, it would be better for the series if we get more games like the first one as opposed to the last two blowouts, but I feel like we need at least one more so that Tracy McGrady has an opportunity to at least get one basket.

[shadowgrin]

I like how the link is old that tells about a rumor when there are more recent links/pics that confirm they are an item.

[hova-]

Kind of reminded me of the 2011 Finals, where the Mavs also had those three or four guys who can shoot the ball from beyond the arc and that costed the Heat. James and Wade are in the league for quite some time now, but somehow they will never be more than average shooters (which is not a big problem in many games and sometimes they even have a hot hand from down town, but they are not consistent imo) and that hurts their game so much when opponents take away their drive.

The Heat really have to find some bench players who can not only shoot the ball but also move on the court (unlike Lewis, Allen, Jones). The difference between the Spurs' role players and the Heat role players seems to be that they are younger and more all-around players who can also handle the ball.

I love how Leonard is playing. It's not his defense I'd name first, but how he crashes the (offensive) glas and is such a calm team player. I had already mentioned how I don't like Miami chest bumping and yelling etc etc (and some stupid Heat fanboy here said: "That's just our chemistry, buddy!"). The Spurs have some silent assassins, Green and Neal will kill you and won't show any emotion.

I hope SAS can take game four and thus decide this series.

[Andrew]

Leonard's definitely doing a good job. Game 3 was the first time he's shot the ball particularly well in the series, but his rebounding and defense has been more than commendable throughout. Yet another great pickup by the Spurs; that trade has worked out quite well for both San Antonio and Indiana.

[Sauru]

Spo is a mediocre coach. IMO

the dude is junk. the only reason some people fail to see it is they have lebron james. case could be made for pop to be a top 5 of all time coach(he is in my top 5) and thats where the spurs have the real advantage

[_Steve_]

I agree. As you could see in Game 3, Spo is just unable to adjust. Pop got him off guard with his own small ball atempt and other lineup switches.

[koberulz]

I like how the link is old that tells about a rumor when there are more recent links/pics that confirm they are an item.

That's not nearly as good as the assertion that the rumour is only being posted on the condition of complete anonymity for the woman, despite being accompanied by a photo of her. What exactly does he think 'anonymity' means?

[Jackal]

Hey guys..

Did you guys watch the bitches from South Beach get raped and enjoy it as much as me?

Good game, good effort.

[NovU]

the dude is junk. the only reason some people fail to see it is they have lebron james. case could be made for pop to be a top 5 of all time coach(he is in my top 5) and thats where the spurs have the real advantage

Spoelstra isn't Phil Jack, or Greg Pop. But he doesn't try to be one either. He may not be great, especially with his play book. But he isn't no Keith Smart, or Scott Skiles either. Every players on the Heat team like him, respect him, and don't want anybody else but him. Remember when there was a rumour of him getting fired for Riley's return to the bench? Wade defended him, so did LeBron and others. For how many coaches in the league is that gonna happen? He's keeping this talented bunch together towards one goal. Just look what happened with the Lakers. Spo's always been under huge pressure and in the middle of spotlight. And he's rather handled it well. So fuck you guys for being pretentious when it's all about this bang he's getting.

[Jackal]

Who gives a shit who he's banging? It sounds like you get off more on him having sex with that chick than he does.

[NovU]

Angry LoLakers fan sighted, take cover!

[Jackal]

Lol lame attempt at being lame is lame.

Just a basketball fan enjoying some good old fashioned basketball.

But tell me more about Spo banging that blonde bimbo who are dime a dozen in Miami, please. That will make him an awesome coach.

[NovU]

Just a cheatPurs fan enjoying some good old Heat spanking.

Fixed.

The point is that Spo isn't the problem(not as much as Lakers' and theirs lol). In fact, the Lakers could use a coach like Spo who kept his players together throughout underachieving stretches and numerous ordeals.

[Jackal]

Why are we talking about a team that's gone fishing long ago?

Is that your way of trying to forget the Spurs supporting cast raping the Heat?

First the Spoelstra girlfriend tactic, now Lakers talk...just now you'll be saying Shadowgrin is sexy or something abundantly clear to the rest of us in an attempt to divert attention from the train wreck that was the last game for the Heat.

[NovU]

I am yet to see your own argument on Spoelstra yourself rather than hating on her bimbo gf. That your way of avoiding a trainwreck that I am?

Figures...

[Jackal]

I wasn't even bothered by Spoelstra, let him do his thing. He's not great, he's not terrible...but your counter argument to him being a bad coach in Sauru's opinion is telling us about "her" banging that chick.

So...I don't need an argument since I have no opinion on the guy & secondly..

The Spurs raped the Heat and Lebron sucked.

Edit: Guys don't forget to check out NovU from 2:10 onwards in the video and I'm sure the other Heat fans make an appearance some where too.

phpBB [video]

[NovU]

Jealous hater confirmed.

The Spurs raped the Heat and Lebron sucked.

Well, that was pretty much it if you really want to talk about it.

It's not like LeBron wasn't aggressive or anything but just was having an off night. LeBron was something like 3 for 14 the second time Spurs went on to take the biggest lead of the game by 11. Then Wario Chalmers did what he's known for. Nobody else from the Heat stepped up and defended the boards. Meantime, Green and Neal went on unbelievable fire backed up by great offensive boards. And the lead blew up to 21+.

Give the Spurs credits. Duncan looked amazing, and their supporting cast stepped up big time. I thought a lot depended on how well Ginobili and Parker play for the Spurs in this series(warranted Duncan plays well), but anytime your supporting cast wins you a game like this, your chance at winning the series look much brighter.

I don't think the series is over but it'll be obviously tough to bounce back from a loss like this, just mentally exhausting. But the Heat haven't lost a back to back game in awhile iirc. I'd like to think the series is still very much alive.

[Sauru]

The point is that Spo isn't the problem.

he is though. he is exactly the problem. the players are clearly not motivated to play for him. the guy is a total bum who was handed a dream team. wait til he does not have lebron to lean on then we will see how he does

[NovU]

You are talking 'motivation' on a team that are 3 wins away from the title, of whom happens to have a title, and that made to the Finals 3 straight years. What exactly is not a problem? LeBron choking, Wade with bad knees, inconsistent Chalmers, Bosh being the softest big ever, and now Spoelstra being a bum. Why not blow up the whole fucking team, right? I would also love to pin this entire 1-2 down situation to Spoelstra's incompetency get LeBron to play at the highest level possible. But really, is it?

Anyways, here's an update on Parker.

Tony Parker didn't practice Wednesday but said he expects to play in Thursday's Game 4.Parker is officially listed as day-to-day and the Spurs tabbed his hamstring injury as a Grade-1 strain. Parker injured the hamstring during the third quarter of Game 3 and never returned to the court, which is partially due to San Antonio running away from Miami. Parker will likely be limited, but we'd be pretty surprised if he misses Game 4, when the Spurs have an opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead.

Even if he missed a game, the Spurs are still a very capable team. They were 11-5 w/o him this season.

[Andrew]

wait til he does not have lebron to lean on then we will see how he does

We more or less did, in Game 3. The name on the jersey might have said otherwise, but that wasn't LeBron out there.

[benji]

Spoelstra isn't amazing but he's not terrible. He did figure out in the middle of the playoffs a year ago that trying to play actual bigs was killing the team and that he could play Battier and LeBron at PF with no ill effects against 90% of teams. And they redesigned the offense to take advantage of this eliminating a lot of the stagnant isolations that he allowed LeBron and Wade to dominate the offense in his first two years. And he's been smart about shortening his rotation except for when his three point shooters aren't hitting. And the team's been pretty good defensively no matter who they're giving minutes to.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Properly summarized by benji. I actually posted the same statement on my previous post & I just found out that you posted the same here

[shadowgrin]

Remember when there was a rumour of him getting fired for Riley's return to the bench? Wade defended him, so did LeBron and others.

I remember differently...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... index.html

"I'm not going to say he's my guy, but he's my coach, you know."
-- Dwyane Wade, 11/29/10

Now, in Spoelstra's time of need, Wade has gone silent. One month into a six-year experiment of teaming with LeBron and Chris Bosh, Wade has joined the masses, choosing to shove blame for Miami's lackluster start on the coach's lap rather than accept it as his own.

"A lot of times LeBron will call his own play," an advance scout said. "And when it doesn't work, he will look at the bench like it's the coach's fault."

Funny how people revision history.

Just saw some past posts in the Heat thread where some dope fanboys were arguing after the Heat lost to the Mavs that LeBron didn't need a postgame when it's one of the reasons they were able to rape OKC in the following Finals.
HE DOESN'T NEED THE POST GAME HE HAS MAD SKILLZ ANYWAY HE THE B.O.A.T.!
OMG THEY WON A RING BECAUSE LEBRON SACRIFICED TO PLAY IN THE POST A TRU HEART OF A CHAMPEEN!

Shadowgrin is sexy or something abundantly clear to the rest of us

Freudian slip or real talk.

[RedPhazon8]

Just saw some past posts in the Heat thread where some dope fanboys were arguing after the Heat lost to the Mavs that LeBron didn't need a postgame when it's one of the reasons they were able to rape OKC in the following Finals.
HE DOESN'T NEED THE POST GAME HE HAS MAD SKILLZ ANYWAY HE THE B.O.A.T.!
OMG THEY WON A RING BECAUSE LEBRON SACRIFICED TO PLAY IN THE POST A TRU HEART OF A CHAMPEEN!

They do know that Mike Miller was the real MVP of that finals series right? Oh, and of course, Joel Anthony played a huge part in their success.

[NovU]

LoL. Mike Miller was good but you can't be serious with that MVP talk, now are you? And Joel? LoL. I want LBJ haters to step up and be more man like Sauru is here. He at least is being consistent after each loss on how we should break up the team. But now that is too much. But then everone's an expert on these Heat team when it comes to the playoffs. Perhaps we should listen to every Heat expert and fire everyone not named Joel and Mike.

I remember differently...

Sure they had their own version of adversity but they bonded over a shared, unbending commitment to win in the end.