Game #2 Preview: Hornets @ Spurs - The Return of BatManu
by Big50 on Oct 30, 2010 8:00 AM CDT
in Game Previews
Email
PrintYour San Antonio Spurs are undefeated! At this rate the Spurs are going to be the most entertaining team in the league, but don't expect any pundits to start saying that. Of course the defense wasn't up to the Spurs standard. Tonight the Spurs play their first divisional game against the Hornets. The Southwest Division has been, if not the best, one of the best divisions over the last decade. It's always good to beat divisional teams and tonight is the Spurs' first opportunity to do just that.
The Spurs are coming off of an impressive offensive performance, scoring 122 points in the opener. Can they keep up the pace against the pesky Hornets? Well, if BatManu has anything to say about it they will.
It was a year ago tomorrow that the legend of BatManu was born
Alright, I think some BatManu photos and videos are in order.
The Event:
The interwebs response:
Put together by our very own silverandblack_davis as was the first one
via uolesporte.blog.uol.com.br
via seriesandtv.com
via i38.tinypic.com
This is one of my personal favorites
via fresnobeach.com
via www.slamdumb.com
The Spurs response:
Nothing a little hand sanitizer won't clean off
The bat will not return
Even the Coyote got into the bat maina
Good times where had by all, well not the bat, but everybody else. Even PETA got into the fun by getting on to Manu for bludgeoning the harmless flying varmint. Of course Manu did have to get rabies shots, so he may not have had much fun either. Manu warned all the kids not to play with bats. The real question here being, why would any of them want to?
Speaking of flying varmints let's hope the BatManu and Company are ready to treat the Hornets to the same treatment the bat got, PETA be darned. The Hornets are a hapless franchise, there's no sense in giving them hope with a 3-0 start. As Halloween approches I think nothing would be more fitting of the holiday than for the Spurs to take care of their divisional opponents with BatManu leading the way. Chris Paul and the Hornets could use a good bludgeoning, on the court of course. We don't promote violence here at PtR, just emotional torment through mind tricks. On that note, let me wish everyone:
Awesome.
 San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Hornets Where: AT&T Center When: October 30, 2010, 7:30 p.m. Spurs Time Watch: CW35 HD
By the Numbers
Data source: basketball-reference.com |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lineups
Starters |
Lineups
Starters
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Matchup Analysis
|
|
|
 |
Point Guard | |
| |
Shooting Guard | |
|
Small Forward | |
|
Power Forward | |
| |
Center | |
|
Bench | |
|
Coach | |
|
Intangibles | |
|
Mojo | |
|
Winner |
Starters
PG: This is a match up of two of the leagues best Poing Guards. Chris Paul is coming off of a 16 dime, 17 point performance in a 4 point win against the Bucks and a slightly less impressive performance against Denver scoring 18 while only having 7 assists. Meanwhile Tony Parker is coming off a 9 assit, 20 point game. Both guys were in the good double digit +/- in their first game, Paul only managed a +1 against the Nuggets. As much as people whine about Parker not being a passing PG, he still fits the Spurs system better than CP3, mostly because he's not a punk. French, yes, punk, no.
SG: Let's see, Manu Ginobili or Marco Belinelli. I'll go with the guy they call BatManu. I've got to admit, I've never even heard of Belinelli before. So, I'm giving Manu the edge.
SF: Rage matching up with Trevor Ariza. Ariza was such a disappointment in Houston that they traded him to a divisional opponent. He was a -12 against the Nuggets. I can see Ariza having a good night, but I'm not giving him the edge over Peanut.
PF: Battle of the little big men. This should be an interesting test for Blair. West is a whiney baby, but he's a solid offensive threat. He can hit the outside shot and once he does, he loves the pump fake and drive. Blair's size shouldn't be an issue in this match up. I'd like to see Blair use some of those new offensive skills to punish West on defense.
C: Timmeh should win this match up on veteran wiles. Okafor is a nice player. He's a very good defender and rebounder, but has a limited offensive game. Okafor is probably the one Hornet player I'd really like to see in a Spurs uniform.
Bench
Marcus Thronton, Jerryd Bayless and Peja do not make up the most intimidating bench. The Spurs will roll with McDyess, Hill and the rookie Anderson. This edge has to go to the Spurs, but they need to be careful, Thornton has given the Spurs issues in the past and Peja can still hit the outside shot.
Coaching
I'm not even sure who's coaching the Hornets these days. Oh, apparently it's Monty Williams. He got his first NBA win in the Hornets first game of the year. That's all you need to know. Edge: CIA Pop.
Intangibles
The Spurs have been in the heads of the Hornets since the Game 7 win in the Second Round of the 2008-09 Playoffs. In fact, they own so much space, there's been talk of renting some of it out. Oh, did I mention that BatManu will be playing for the Spurs tonight?
Mojo
BatManu
Prediction
The Spurs keep up the tradition of owning both the Hornets and small flying varmints.
Other Reading
Spurs
Hornets
Following Along
TV
CW35 - Channel 35 in San Antonio
Radio
WOAI 1200AM; Audio League Pass[streaming]
Online
As always, NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area.
Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate. You can also shoot an email to poundingtherockmail@yahoo.com(IMPORTANT: Please include your PtR username in the email for reference) for further assistance.
37 comments
|
4 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
GOL, great preview. BatManu has quite a following. So great to see the legendary bat swat again.
Now to the game. West worries me against Blair. I’m sure Blair and he will feed off the other’s bad defense. However, West is still the better offensive weapon and could put up big numbers against Blair. I’m sure we’ll probably see Duncan and Dyess rotating in on him as well, but Blair will be getting the bulk of those minutes. Just gotta hope Blair can step up his ferocity on defense and make some big plays.
Ariza is another player that worries me on the Hornets side. He was pretty bad in Houston, and I still think he’ll do even worse with Nawlins, but he could have a big game against both RJ and Anderson. Anderson will have to play his best defense once again. It’ll be interesting to see if Peanut and Anderson can put up some good numbers against Ariza. Looking mostly at Jefferson.
Overall though, this deep Spurs team should come away with a good win, and one I think we’ll find lower scoring than the Pacers game (not really a difficult task to lower those point totals). Look for our Big 3 to all post 20+ tonight.
The Sunkist Kaiser, most epic thing since the Grizzly BLAAAAAAAIR! Relax, play, and drink Sunkist! Your Kaiser commands it.
Ariza
only scares me if he gets open jumpers or gets set up for lay ups or dunks. He can’t create any offense for his self but if West and Paul get going it is going to be an ugly game for us. Especially if David West is able to get going with his jumper. Like you stated I hope Blair is able to stay with West on the pick and pop plays because I am not to worried about West on the block scoring against Dejuan.
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Oct 30, 2010 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I’m a fan of Monty Williams as a person, going back to his brief tenure as a Spur. His wife was my Sunday School teacher for a time. I hope that his job security doesn’t hinge on Chris Paul.
BATMANU!!!!!! Best moment from last season: Yes, or Hell Yes!?
The biggest flopper in the game CP3. Anyone watch the flops last night against Denver? It was ridiculous. No wonder he was injured last year – you breath on the guy and he falls over! Expect that tonight.
Expect West to dominate the Beast and watch Blair be forced to the bench while West is in. West is their leading scorer, expect a big game. *West also is the type of player who the Spurs are traditionally weak against – a mid-range jump shooter who makes a high % in the area.
Arizu isn’t much but he can hit a three every once in a while.
Okafor was solid last night and we have no real answer for him – luckily he is soft and does not possess any killer instincts – so he will get his 14/8 tonight.
Spurs by 5
"The A-Train deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
+1
I agree with everything you stated. I think Blair might be able to do okay with West though. He is just as quick as West and like you stated he loves to shoot the mid range jumper so if Dejuan can stay in front of him and contest shots thats most of the battle. West has killed us in the past because our bigs aren’t quick enough to contest the jumpers. Hopefully Blair can get West in foul trouble on the other end by being aggressive around the rim.
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Oct 30, 2010 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Paul = biggest flopper on offense. Fisher wins the award for defense.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
so true, so true – though Paul will pull that sh*t on defense too
"The A-Train deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Joe deLarios on Oct 30, 2010 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I’d rather McDyess guard West, even if it changes the starting lineup. McDyess is longer and craftier than Blair and matches up better with West. If he gets off to a good start against the Beast, I think Pop should sub McDyess in early. The rationale is that if McDyess did a credible job against Nowitzki, he’ll be even better against West.
Ariza can go one on one as much as he’d like. I’d rather he try to create his own offense than have Paul set everything up. Paul also isn’t much of a on-the-ball defensive player so Parker and Hill can attack him and know the Hornets don’t have much in the way of shot-blocking. I also like how Hill defends Paul. He’s stronger and longer and that creates some problems.
Ginobili and Jefferson should be able to drive as much as they’d like. Ariza’s a good defender, but can only guard one player at a time.
Asked before the game how Parker has looked, Popovich said, "He’s still cute. "
+1
I love our fans on this site. It seems like our fan base is so damn knowledgable about the game and opponents.
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Oct 30, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
McDyess braces for more minutes after Bonner injury
"I was like, ‘Oh my God. How many minutes am I playing now?’" McDyess said.
It seems odd when a player is concerned that he is not going to get enough time on the bench. Maybe the Spurs need a 6th big after all.
Was that possibly said in jest?
I get a feeling it was; Dice is the consummate pro. The Spurs will probably sign another big for practice and—-heaven forbid—-just in case something else happens.
What happened to Marcus Cooo-Zawn anyways? Waived? D-League? Europe? Bermuda? Anyone know?
Great ’chop there, Big50.
↓↘→ ↓↘→ ↓↘→ + P
by transgojobot on Oct 30, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
He probably meant it half seriously, half jokingly. We all know he’s old, but he has also said that this is his last hurrah, so I don’t think he would be much against giving it his all for more games this season than usual. Not to mention that Pop wants us to kick-start this early, so there’s that sense of urgency coming from Pop as well.
"I like the fact that he’s a man." – Hubie Brown on DeJuan Blair
by Manu ex Machina on Oct 30, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Obvious joke. Or do you think people’s inner dialogs have “Oh my God”s?
I smell death... everywhere.
you mean yours dont?
Rim Rockin' Red Rocket -silverandblack_davis
by SpursfanSteve on Oct 30, 2010 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
This might be one of those moments when you realize you were always a freak and people don’t actually eat pizza slices backwards to leave the best part for last, weirdo.
I smell death... everywhere.
what about stuffed crust pizza?
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Oct 30, 2010 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Big 50
excellent job!
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Oct 30, 2010 12:08 PM CDT reply actions
Well done, 50. Looks like I’m missing the game tonight. Costume party – not Halloween!
Sometimes the time difference really screws you.
I smell death... everywhere.
I love the reaction from the Kings’ bench when Manu knocked out the bat. Made them fear the Manu even more.
Good job Big50. And yes, the Southwest has been the best division this past decade, and reaching back to the final few years of the Midwest. How nice that our Spurs have been the lead reason.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
So where is it I can see the time in my own timezone? I still see 7:30 Spurs Time.
The Eurbro - By Tim C.
In the actual Game Thread, at the top.
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2010/10/30/1783703/gamethread-2-vs-hornets-part-i
Fantastic first preview, Big50. Looking forward to the next ones.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Oct 30, 2010 7:22 PM CDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Pounding The Rock
Related FanShots on Pounding The Rock
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Featured Stories
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Larry Bird calls his Indiana Pacers “soft” following the team’s physical Game 5 loss to Miami
- Dexter Pittman’s elbow to Lance Stephenson’s throat is just one of three nasty hits in Miami/Indiana’s Game 5 (VIDEO)
- Behind the Box Score, where the Miami Heat split the Indiana Pacers in two
- Metta World Peace calls Mike Brown fat
- Tracy McGrady is in a Chinese beer commercial (VIDEO)
