K. Bentley's Scouting Report - SAN ANTONIO SPURS
STRENGTHS The 'Big 3' - Duncan, Parker and Ginobili must be neutralized in order to win; Dane is quick and suprisingly effective for a 6'6" sub-200 lbs PF;
WEAKNESSES Spurs did not re-sign defensive specialist, Bruce Bowen, electing to start offensive-minded James Jones; drafted 3 rookie PGs (is Parker on the trading block or something?); absolutely no depth at the SF position - wise or demise?
TEAM RATING - STARTING LINEUPS HOU (93) - Center Ming (94), PF May (69), SF Artest (89), SG Webster (72), F McGrady (94); SAS (72) - Center Duncan (91), PF Dane (71), SF Jones (63), SG Ginobili (88), PG Parker (82)
INJURIES Claxton - sore thumb, a few more days for full recovery
GAME RECAP
- Nov 7, 2008 SAN ANTONIO, TX (AP) -- "Offense sells tickets, but defense wins Championships," states the old adage.
It's something the reigning world champs will have all season to ponder after they elected to sign undrafted Nigerian rookie PG, Kalunga Cato, and back-up Center, Michael Doleac, during the off-season in lieu of re-signing 37-year-old defensive specialist, Bruce Bowen, who averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block and steal in last year's Finals to help the Spurs regain the NBA trophy.
Thirty-Seven. Bowen's "over-the-hill" age, as he now waits patiently in free agency still un-signed; but also the mind-boggling point-deficit San Antonio was crushed by in a 126-89 massacre in front of their stunned home crowd at SBC Center, the third worst margin of defeat by a newly-crowned champion in NBA history.*
The rout began from the opening minutes when Houston's over-anxious, new starting SG, Martell Webster, picked up 2 back-to-back fouls and was quickly replaced by 2nd-year guard, Garrick Briggs. Nicknamed "the Marksman" back in his days playing for Hofstra U, Briggs got the offensive momentum rolling for Houston with red-hot shooting from anywhere on the court; but what really lit the explosive Rockets' fuse was what the Spurs lacked - defense.
Like a school of hungry piranha the Rockets swarmed the Spurs on the defensive end, forcing them into 16 turnovers to the Rockets 5 with a concerted effort to focus on All-Star, Tim Duncan, and 2nd-year guard, Samuel Cantrell, resulting in their 4 turnovers a piece. Ron Artest also locked-down on San Antonio's new starting SF, James Jones, forcing the 5-year pro into a dismal 2-of-14 shooting night.
With the Spurs in complete panic-mode from the outset, the Rockets' offense kicked into overdrive. At the end of one, they held San Antonio to just 14 points while exploding for 37; San Antonio's implosion continued into the 2nd quarter as Houston expanded its lead to a comfortable 35-point margin by halftime. Unable to shave into the lead by more than 6 points, the shell-shocked, demoralized Spurs were all too ready to have the night over and done with as the Rockets cruised to a blowout in a moot second half that merely served to punctuate Houston's dominance.
"I really don't know what to say. We did nothing - nothing - right tonight," said a visibly disgusted head coach, Greg Popovich. "This wasn't a defeat; this was an embarrassment... to our organization, to our fans, to the league. Defending champions don't have games like this; you just don't."
Rockets' head coach Phil Jackon took his usual, more 'zen' approach, "Well, games like tonight sometimes happen; it was our night. We played strong defense which led to numerous opportunities on the offensive end. Our new guys did a great job off the bench which helped keep our momentum going; just a solid performance all-around and a great win for us."
Newly acquired Nick Collison and Linas Kleiza both had terrific nights in their Rockets debut. Collison's final line was a thing of perfection, shooting 4-of-4 from both the field and the free-throw stripe, collecting a double-double and leading Houston with 10 rebounds while adding 12 points, a steal, block plus no turnovers or fouls.
"Coming into a new city you just want do your absolute best, make a good impression and hopefully help the team win; I think I did that tonight," said Collison after the game.
Kleiza also impressed his new teammates with a solid 14 point, 2 rebound, 1 assist and team-high 2 steals effort in only 12 minutes of play, although he struggled from long-range going 0-4 from beyond the arc. But he showed an uncanny ability to get to free-throw line where he went 3-of-4, "Coach Jackson told me he wanted scoring off the bench from me so when it wasn't falling outside, I decided to keep attacking the basket and was able to draw the fouls."
When the dust finally settled, Houston's utter conquest over San Antonio had been so complete, they had topped the Spurs in every statistical category but free-throw shooting percentage and had six players score in double-digits. The only blemish to mar the Rockets' spectacular night came at the 7:49 mark of the 4th quarter.
Sitting on a comfortable 101-66 lead, Artest broke free of his defender and drove to the basket for what looked to be a clear lane dunk; instead he was hammered mid-air on a blatant frustration foul, sandwiched between James Jones and Manu Ginobili. Artest came down awkwardly holding his lower back, doubled over in severe pain and after some minutes, was escorted to the locker room. He finished the night with 12 points, 5 assists and a rebound and steal a piece.
Angered by the unnecessary hit to their star defensive specialist which mysteriously did not result in any ejections, Tracy McGrady, who had an otherwise quiet night, exploded to the rim to send a message of his own and put a final stamp on the night (see, "Clutch Play of the Day"). McGrady finished a perfect 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from the free-throw stripe on his way to a 14 point, 7 assist and 2 rebound night.
The Rockets now go from the defending NBA champs to facing one of the East's top contenders as they continue their tough road trip against King James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
* don't know if this is accurate or not but it's gotta be up there!
BOXSCORES
- "Who is this Briggs kid, anyway?" Duncan wonders
Ron Artest's smothering defense plagued the Spurs all night
A terrific debut for Houston's newest duo
Yao got silly on anyone able to past the perimeter defenses, even going near horizontal on one diving block!
Artest strong to the rack | Teen heartthrob, Garrick Briggs, celebrates after draining one of his team-high 3 treys
The only black mark on the Rockets night - Artest goes down with injury midway through the 4th and did not return
- TMAC attacks the basket
Ron Artest blows by his defender for the slam
Nick Collison crashing the boards on the Kleiza miss on his way to a perfect Rockets debut
McGrady again, showing why he's the reigning Slam Dunk champion
Linas Kleiza in his impressive debut finishes on the break with the basket-and-1
Houston set the tone early, no more so than on this incredible defensive sequence
McGrady gets McNasty on this 'payback' play after Artest is taken down hard
Cal Berkeley's 6'9" 266 lbs sophmore sensation, Jonas Otter drafted sixth-overall by the Magic gathered 16 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals en route to a 86-75 victory over Milwaukee
The "JUMBO MUTOMBO" Contest Results #6
EDIT: edited for a few typo corrections (good catch on the starting lineup Chaser
i just re-read again and i'm surprised you didn't catch the "126-39" final score i just now caught! now that would've been a INSANE blowout lol
)
You absolutely blow them out 
Their SG is as tall as their PF 
but i digress... back to my 'virtual' league, Bowen (who i can at least respect) wasn't re-signed; cheapshot Whorey? i'm not really sure... maybe retired in season 1; can't remember playing against him;
