FanPost

Coach Popovich coaching is costing the Spurs

Coach Popovich's coaching is killing the Spurs.

1.) Benching Danny Green was dumb. Why? a) He's the team's 2nd best wing defender, b) role players perform best at home, so not playing him denies the possibility of him having success, c) his confidence and the team's belief in him will be shot off the bench, d) Ginobili's effectiveness wanes after 32 minutes of playing time, so asking him to play 38 or more, will not help the team

2.) Pop has not made the necessary adjustments for the pick and roll. What should he do? a) set the pick and roll higher toward half court, why? it will make Ibaka/Perkins/Collison more tired to hedge so far away from the basket or if they don't it will give Parker and Ginobili a running start to take them one on one to the basket b) do what I saw Pop do only once tonight, screen for the screener so that once the pick is set the defender on the screener is way behind so that they can't hedge or contest a jumper

3.) Stop chasing shooters off the 3 point line!!! Every time the Spurs chase the Thunder off the 3 point line, the Thunder get a layup/dunk or an offensive rebound. Just stay in front of them and challenge the shot. The Spurs are too old and slow and short to rotate and play good defense. a) in game 4, Durant got 8 assists and Fisher got 4 assists off dribble penetration, b) the play that pissed me off the most tonight was in the 3rd qtr, Westbrook catches the ball at the 3 point line in the left corner, Parker for some unknown reason races past him out of bounds, Westbrook dribbles uncontested to the rim and Duncan stands to take a charge, Westbrook slides by him makes a layup and for some puzzling reason Duncan is called for his 3rd foul because Westbrook ran into him, 3 point play!!! - I'd much rather Westbrook make a 3 pt jumper than scores 3 pts via a layup and FT and a foul on Duncan

4.) Tell Parker to stay home on his man!!! Has anyone ever seen Parker helping in the paint do one of the following 3 things? a) Block a shot, b) Take a charge, c) Get a steal - NO, he's never done any of those! Parker's defense was responsible for Cook's 2 3pt baskets and the Westbrook 3 pt play that got Duncan his 3rd foul

5.) Believe in your bench. Especially at home!!! a) benching of Green - see above, b) the bench gives options to see who's playing well - if Green is stinking then maybe Neal will be better, if Bonner is stinking then maybe Blair will play better, if Leonard is stinking then maybe Jackson will be better, if Diaw is stinking then maybe Splitter will play better

6.) Don't coach scared. Just because Duncan or Ginobili get 2 fouls early in the 1st half, you don't have to bench them before you'd normally bench them. They're veterans and know how to play with fouls, and hopefully the refs will give them the benefit of the doubt. Same with 4 fouls, early in the 3rd qtr. Don't bench them before they're scheduled time. If the refs want to screw the Spurs, let them. Don't screw the Spurs on your own.




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