THE SPURS ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE

There is a phrase I’m going to use when describing the San Antonio Spurs current situation against the New Orleans Hornets. It is a phrase that was uttered from the mouth of that great American scholar, poet, thinker and basketball great Michael Ray Richardson. That phrase is, “The ship be sinkin’“. What better way to explain what is happening to the chances of the Spurs successfully defending their NBA championship.  

Thursday evening the San Antonio Spurs will be taking their home floor knowing that their season is on the line. They were soundly beaten by the New Orleans Hornets twice to start this best of seven Western Conference Semi Finals. Game one and two were mere images of each other in certain aspects. San Antonio played even with the Hornets for the first 24 minutes of both contests. But in the second half for San Antonio it was a much different story. It seemed that New Orleans, led by super quick point guard Chris Paul, put it into another gear for which the Spurs could not counter. New Orleans speed, quickness and overall athleticism made San Antonio look old, slow and tired.

The last time we saw the Spurs look so overmatched in a playoff series was the 2001 Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, a series in which they were swept. I can still remember the blank, confused, defeated look on the faces of the Spurs as they watched helplessly Shaq dominating the paint, Kobe abusing anyone trying to guard him, and Derek Fisher hitting three pointers like they were uncontested lay-ups. Those looks of bewilderment, and shock were unearthed again as the Hornets pulled away once again.

Chris Paul has outplayed Tony Parker, who had his way against Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa and anyone else who tried to guard him in the first round match up against Phoenix. The aggressive double teams of New Orleans and the length and athleticism of rookie Julian Wright have held Manu Ginobili in check through the first two games. The biggest surprise of the series so far might be the average to below average play of Tim Duncan.

Duncan has had all kind of problems against Tyson Chandler as well as other New Orleans frontcourt players. While a bout of feeling under the weather has led to some of Duncan problems, Chandler and the Hornets overall team defense is the main culprit for Duncan feeling blue.

I still believe the defending champs are going to come back and make this a close, competitive series…At least back in San Antonio. The Spurs from head coach Greg Popovich, to the trio of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili, are to good, and to proud to go out in such unceremonious fashion as losing in four straight. My thoughts are San Antonio will play much better at home while New Orleans level of play will drop slightly. One cannot convince me that Parker will continue to be embarrassed by Paul and not be a factor at home. I will not conceive that Ginobili will continue to be confused and ineffective on the offensive end and has another five-turnover game. I will laugh in your face if you tell me San Antonio will allow New Orleans to out hustle, out play and dominate the Spurs in the second half like they did in games one and two.

I would be surprise to see Peja Stojakovic averaging 24 points and shooting 7 for 11 from the three-point line like he did at home. I would be surprised if Morris Peterson continued to shoot 80% from the field like he has for the first two games. I realize there are some things in game two that New Orleans didn’t do well and still won in impressive fashion…David West had a sub par offensive game, the Hornets bench shot 6-21 from the field probably the most glaring. But the Spurs still have enough bullets in the chamber to make this a series.

Maybe I’m giving to much respect to this team that has been a NBA dynasty during the Tim Duncan era. I’m not ready to proclaim this era of Spurs supremacy over just yet. After game three let’s see if I’m right.