It’s difficult to know if a different defensive strategy would have helped the Spurs. San Antonio was trailing by small margins for most of the game. If Popovich had doubled Nowitzki, one of Dallas’ three point shooters could have, theoretically, cashed in on an open look. You can’t fault Popovich for choosing to die by forcing contested mid range jumpers rather than giving up open three point attempts.
And the Spurs did double Nowitzki on a key final minute possession that resulted in a missed three point attempt by Jason Kidd. That is to say, this was not a case of coaching obstinacy. Popovich was simply allowing one kind of shot by preventing another.
Dirk Nowitzki won the battle on this occasion, but it doesn’t mean the Spurs should abandon their man-up defense of him.
via San Antonio 94, Dallas 99 | 48 Minutes of Hell.
Hmm. I know I’m kind of crazy, but I tend to think that guarding Dirk Nowitzki with Matt Bonner is a BAD idea. But I’m crazy. Even when he did okay, he was fouling, which led to more free throws for the Dirkster. Meanwhile, I’d also take my chances on Jason Kidd or Jason Terry on a bad night knocking down threes over the MVP candidate. But I’m crazy like that.
It’s almost as if Spurs fans have a hard time coming to grips with how well the Mavericks do against them. It’s not like Dirk hasn’t shown before he can damage them. McDyess did a good job, but on the Pn’R his age starts to show. I think at full strength the Spurs would have taken them, because for reasons unbeknownst to me Carlisle kept Jub-Jub and Kidd out there at the same time instead of Beaubois, and Manu wasn’t around to capitalize. But next time…
/twiddles fingers
/mwahaahahaha
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Because when it comes to Roadrunner Beaubois (I’m gonna keep using it until it sticks); he is the future of the franchise. When it comes to his playing time, on-the-job training has to take priority over making an immediate impact on the game in question. He’s earning the respect and the opportunity to play, but that has to be balanced with what the Mavs need from him long term.
In other words, the Mavericks haven’t suddenly stopped needing Josh Howard.
Dammit.