Things look good for us Spurs fans but I still think LeBron is going to break out. I think it will be tonight. If I was Mike Brown I would definitely get Gibson more time. I would also tell my guys to go hard at Tim and really focus on getting Tim into early foul trouble. The game where the Jazz kicked the Spurs butts occurred when Tim picked up two fouls very early in the 1st and sat a lot of the game. Try to make that happen. Easier said than done.
The Cavs could have won last night. They had many chances. But it seems to me that inexperience has caught up to them. I know every one keeps harping on LeBron but it really is the rest of his team. Varajeu or whatever his name is, that was a terrible play at the end, he should have passed it back to LeBron. The Cavs perimiter shooting sucked. They had lots of open shots and missed them.
I’ll be interested in seeing who TMoney’s player of the game was. I vote for Bruce Bowen.
That whole game was just kind of weird. So low scoring, so many easy shots missed on both baskets. The Spurs won because they are more experienced, in a game like that, when so much is going wrong(for both teams) it was not going to be decided by critical plays or star players, just steadfast warrior-ing through the game. The Cavs played so hot in the first half, but inevitably sputtered and fell apart, the Spurs, pushed along modestly and eventually took the lead and the game.
I would be very surprised if the Cavs take even game 4 at this point.
NBA FINALS RECAP, GAME 3:
Spurs defeat Cavs 75-72 - Tony Parker had 17 points and Tim Duncan added 14 and 9 boards, and the Spurs take a commanding 3-0 series lead. LeBron James had 25 points, but was 9-23 from the field. He had a long three point chance at the end, but missed.
TMONEY1’S NEAT-O STUD OF THE NIGHT, SPONSORED BY T-Nation: Bruce Bowen. The Spurs made 10 3’s in the game, and Bowen hit 4 of them. His 9 rebounds were huge also, and he helped the Spurs to victory, and within one victory of another championship.
[quote]deputydawg wrote:
The Cavs could have won last night. They had many chances. But it seems to me that inexperience has caught up to them. I know every one keeps harping on LeBron but it really is the rest of his team. Varajeu or whatever his name is, that was a terrible play at the end, he should have passed it back to LeBron. The Cavs perimiter shooting sucked. They had lots of open shots and missed them.
I’ll be interested in seeing who TMoney’s player of the game was. I vote for Bruce Bowen.[/quote]
Yeah, Varejao actually had a good look at the basket, but couldn’t convert. Both teams were missing a lot of easy buckets, especially in the fourth quarter. LBJ missed a couple of layups that should have fell. I was really surprised the Cavs lost.
Like you said, inexperience played a factor in this game, and anytime there is a game like game 3, the more experienced team will usually win, hence, the Spurs did just enough to close out the game.
And yes, your vote for stud of the night was correct. Bowen was a big factor on offense, and his 3 point shooting was huge. Job well done DD.
[quote]Malevolence wrote:
That whole game was just kind of weird. So low scoring, so many easy shots missed on both baskets. The Spurs won because they are more experienced, in a game like that, when so much is going wrong(for both teams) it was not going to be decided by critical plays or star players, just steadfast warrior-ing through the game. The Cavs played so hot in the first half, but inevitably sputtered and fell apart, the Spurs, pushed along modestly and eventually took the lead and the game.
I would be very surprised if the Cavs take even game 4 at this point. [/quote]
Good points Malevolence. Slow and steady wins the race (referring to your comment about the Spurs pushing along modestly). Four of five starters for the Cavs finished in double figures, but both teams were cold the whole game. And like you said, experience wins out in a game like game 3.
I was surprised how cold Boobie was (1-10) upon getting the start for the injured Larry Hughes. Maybe it was just a bad night, maybe he’s more comfortable coming off the bench.
Do you know if he is getting the start in game 4? I’m assuming he will.
I heard Rick Barry on our SportsTalk radio station yesterday afternoon before the game say that he would NOT start Gibson. Barry said that it would be too much to put on Gibson that it would mess his game up and that instead Brown should just give him more minutes. Looks like he was right. It seems like some players do better coming off the bench.
[quote]deputydawg wrote:
I heard Rick Barry on our SportsTalk radio station yesterday afternoon before the game say that he would NOT start Gibson. Barry said that it would be too much to put on Gibson that it would mess his game up and that instead Brown should just give him more minutes. Looks like he was right. It seems like some players do better coming off the bench.
[/quote]
Good stuff. Thanks DD. I believe he does better off the bench, and I’m sure he was really nervous starting. A rookie starting game 3 of the NBA Finals must be frightening for a 20-year old kid.
But, he’s proven himself in these playoffs to justify him getting a chance to start. And not that many rookies even play in an NBA Finals Series, let alone start.
Coach Brown should bring him off the bench, I think he’s more comfortable.
So do the Spurs clinch tonight or will the Cavs avoid the sweep? My vote, the Cavs will win tonight. Surely their threes will start falling tonight. Plus, I think LeBron will get more selfish and just think screw it, I’m going for it. What do you guys say?
[quote]deputydawg wrote:
So do the Spurs clinch tonight or will the Cavs avoid the sweep? My vote, the Cavs will win tonight. Surely their threes will start falling tonight. Plus, I think LeBron will get more selfish and just think screw it, I’m going for it. What do you guys say? [/quote]
Bring out LeBroom, the Cavs are done!
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
deputydawg wrote:
So do the Spurs clinch tonight or will the Cavs avoid the sweep? My vote, the Cavs will win tonight. Surely their threes will start falling tonight. Plus, I think LeBron will get more selfish and just think screw it, I’m going for it. What do you guys say?
Bring out LeBroom, the Cavs are done![/quote]
Agreed, I eneded up watching the ESPN replay of the 4th quarter at 1:30 AM because I couldn’t sleep, after the 50th miss by the Cavs I fell asleep. They played like poo poo
NBA FINALS GAME 4:
Spurs defeat Cavs 80-73 - Tony Parker had 24 points, Manu Ginobili added 27 points off the bench, and the Spurs sweep the Cavs and win their fourth championship in nine years. LeBron James had 24 points, 10 dimes, and 6 boards, but was not enough for the Cavs to extend the series.
TMONEY1’S NEAT-O STUD OF THE NIGHT, SPONSORED BY T-Nation: Manu Ginobili. His 27 points, including key free throws at the end of the game, helped the Spurs win the championship…again.
EDIT: Final score was 83-82, not 80-73. My apologies.
Congratulations to the Spurs on a great season and a great playoff run. The league’s oldest team proved they have the experience, the heart, and the hustle to win the championship once again. They are the true meaning of the word ‘team’, and have established themselves as a dynasty.
All credit is due to the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James truly is a star, and lead his team to a great season. He has a good foundation to build on, and needs a good supporting cast. He now has the experience, and will be hungrier next season. Shaq was swept in his first Finals by the Rockets when he was with the Magic. As we know, it turned out well for Shaq.
Congratulations to Tony Parker on winning the Finals Most Outstanding Player. He lead the Spurs in scoring, and played phenomenal all series. He has definitely established himself as one of the best point guards in the NBA, and of all the great PG’s currently playing, he the only one with any championships.
Of all the Spurs, I am happiest for Michael Finley. After being with Dallas for so many years that were beaten by San Antonio, he goes to San Antonio last year, and Dallas beats them. After 12 years, he finally gets his due, and has earned his ring. Great guy, great teammate, well deserved.
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Allright, lets keep track of the NBA Playoffs on this thread, for everyone who is interested.
I think the Spurs are going to come out of the Western Conference, and in the Eastern Conference, I’m going with the Pistons.
The Spurs will have a harder road, with Denver, and possibly Phoenix, then possibly Dallas. The Pistons should cruise on through.
In the Finals rematch of 2005, I’m going with the same result: Spurs win.
Let’s see what happens.[/quote]
Looks like my original prediction was correct…well, at least the team I picked won the championship, but not against the opponent I picked.
Score was 83-82.
anyway, Spurs win 
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
NBA FINALS GAME 4:
Spurs defeat Cavs 80-73 - Tony Parker had 24 points, Manu Ginobili added 27 points off the bench, and the Spurs sweep the Cavs and win their fourth championship in nine years. LeBron James had 24 points, 10 dimes, and 6 boards, but was not enough for the Cavs to extend the series.
TMONEY1’S NEAT-O STUD OF THE NIGHT, SPONSORED BY T-Nation: Manu Ginobili. His 27 points, including key free throws at the end of the game, helped the Spurs win the championship…again.[/quote]
The Cavs played a good fourth quarter. They started out with an 11-0 run, and took their first lead in the second half in the Finals of any game. If the Cavs played with that urgency and intensity for all the games, it would have been an interesting series, and might have been extended to at least 5 games.
But, as usual, LBJ tried to do too much, but he had to. The Cavs are his team, and it was his time, but it wasn’t enough. The Spurs were just too much.
[quote]Curzon wrote:
Score was 83-82.
anyway, Spurs win
tmoney1 wrote:
NBA FINALS GAME 4:
Spurs defeat Cavs 80-73 - Tony Parker had 24 points, Manu Ginobili added 27 points off the bench, and the Spurs sweep the Cavs and win their fourth championship in nine years. LeBron James had 24 points, 10 dimes, and 6 boards, but was not enough for the Cavs to extend the series.
TMONEY1’S NEAT-O STUD OF THE NIGHT, SPONSORED BY T-Nation: Manu Ginobili. His 27 points, including key free throws at the end of the game, helped the Spurs win the championship…again.
[/quote]
Good heads up Curzon. I made an edit in the original post. Sorry about that, thanks for catching that, apparently I typed it wrong originally.
How tense was Manu Ginoblli’s first free throw(of his last two) Bouncing in and around the rim before the basketball god decided to sink it. Had that shot puttered out, the game would have gone OT on the strength of that buzzer 3 pointer from the Cavs. I actually think the Cavs could have won it in OT, they really seemed to be getting some good shots in the last couple minutes.
The last quarter was really good. The Cavs stepped it up and for a couple of moments looked to be extending the series, But I think it was pretty clear either way that it was the Spurs’ night.
The trophy ceremony was pretty bleak, I have to say. Kind of sucks to win such a big game away from home, especially when the vast majority of the crowd just had its heartbroken. A handful of people were cheering for the event of it all, but I heard enough Boos as well. Not to mention the crowd didn’t care what any of the Spurs had to say post-victory.
Robert Horry’s rep was damaged a little by the Nash incident( unfairly if you ask me) but man he was so important in this series. His hustles and ‘being exactly where he needed to be’ type play came through a lot for the Spurs.
Although I don’t have any particular personal attachment to either team, you cannot deny the Spurs talent as players and as a team, they deserve this victory completely.
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
But, as usual, LBJ tried to do too much, but he had to. The Cavs are his team, and it was his time, but it wasn’t enough. The Spurs were just too much.[/quote]
That is a really good point about LeBron, he tries to do too much, but I mean that in the best way possible. It’s not like he is arrogant or full of himself, he’s the exact opposite, but if anything, that is his downfall, he is too selfless for his own good. Also, I would say, something gets lost between his ‘okay, I have to do the superstar thing’ and ‘okay, I have to play the team’ thing.
The closest example I can think of is with Kobe, who will spend a whole game dishing to his teammates, but after so long of them missing easy possessions, he switches on the superstar thing, scores 40 points and then gets blasted by the fans.
Lebron is at least half of that formula, except, he just doesn’t seem quite able of forcing the game to go his way like some more advanced players are known to do. But, that is not to say he is incapable of it, so once again, given another year or two he should be there.
But what am I saying, he brought his scrub team to the finals, revitalized their franchise, and posted some huge games. He’s going to win a championship eventually.
[quote]Malevolence wrote:
How tense was Manu Ginoblli’s first free throw(of his last two) Bouncing in and around the rim before the basketball god decided to sink it. Had that shot puttered out, the game would have gone OT on the strength of that buzzer 3 pointer from the Cavs. I actually think the Cavs could have won it in OT, they really seemed to be getting some good shots in the last couple minutes.
The last quarter was really good. The Cavs stepped it up and for a couple of moments looked to be extending the series, But I think it was pretty clear either way that it was the Spurs’ night.
The trophy ceremony was pretty bleak, I have to say. Kind of sucks to win such a big game away from home, especially when the vast majority of the crowd just had its heartbroken. A handful of people were cheering for the event of it all, but I heard enough Boos as well. Not to mention the crowd didn’t care what any of the Spurs had to say post-victory.
Robert Horry’s rep was damaged a little by the Nash incident( unfairly if you ask me) but man he was so important in this series. His hustles and ‘being exactly where he needed to be’ type play came through a lot for the Spurs.
Although I don’t have any particular personal attachment to either team, you cannot deny the Spurs talent as players and as a team, they deserve this victory completely.[/quote]
Yeah, Manu’s free throw was nerve racking, especially if you’re a Spurs fan. I’m sure everyone in San Antonio was holding their breath.
I think if he would have missed, the Spurs would have played tighter defense and wouldn’t have given the Cavs an easy look like they had. Jones’s three at the end of the game was pointless, they had lost anyways. Since the Spurs were up 4 at that point, they had already won and didn’t want to foul. Instead, they started celebrating.
I agree with the post game ceremony. It seemed like right when Stern started talking, everyone started booing, and just booed throughout. But then again, the Cavs are having the Spurs celebrating a championship on their home floor, so I wouldn’t be too excited either if I was a Cavs fan. I wouldn’t boo, though, I would at least show respect for the Spurs and applaud their efforts.
Even if Horry’s rep was slightly damaged, all he has to say is 7 rings, and that should make up for it. After he left Houston and went to Phoenix in the late 90’s, half way through the season, he threw a towel in head coach Danny Ainge’s face, got traded to the Lakers, and won three titles there, so I don’t think it’s gonna be a big deal.