bench_blob
Bench
...since the Hornets have already started their off-season and we know the Spurs are our first round opponent:
Ginobelli -- barrells his way to the basket and tries to run u over...can't do it against Wells or Ron. We have the size to match. Will have to be on from the perimeter to have a real impact.
Finley and Van Exel --- shells of their former selves.....once King killers are a half-step to a step slower. No real threat in limited minutes.
Duncan -- good for 20 points and 10 boards...but with foot problems is he good for 35 and 15 --- which is what it will take to beat us when we bring our "A" game (or even a "B+" game)? Probably not. I am NO fan of Kenny Thomas....but he does play active post defense....and his smaller size may actually work to his advantage to push Duncan away from his sweet spot down low. Needs to stay out of foul trouble since Rahim is pretty weak defender anyway you slice it.
Parker --- quick as a bug...give him the outsider. Has Ron Artest rubbed off enough on Mike Bibby to actually mean he can slow him up? Mike has been playing brilliant basketball...and if he puts the pressure on Parker on the offensive end I like our odds at this position. Besides, Parker has Eva Longoria waiting for him every night....isn't he way friggin overdue for a little adversity and setback in the form of first round dismissal. C'mon!!!! No one can lead this charmed of life, can they?
Nazir Mohammed -- this guy is a good player. Kind of like a Kevin Martin for us. Can be a real impact player when he is game is "on".
Bruce Bowen --- no-talent hacker scrub, dirty bum. Hopefully, the ref crews will call the game tight, and not allow for his holding, hacking, and cheap antics. The guy can hit the corner "3" so K-Mart, Bonzi have to stay close when he drifts to the corners.
Robert Horry --- I have to believe his glory days have come and gone. But just when you count him out....he will nail the big shot. But I like our ability to defend the wing position b/c of (1) Artest and Wells do not want to him an inch and (2) K-Mart has recovery quickness to get him. Horry has no post game, no dribble moves. Very one dimensional but still don't ignore him. EVer.
Overall....this roster does not fear me top to bottom as the Suns do when they are "on" nailing threes and Nash is running their offense to perfection. And Shawn Marion is flying to the basket...and Eddie House draining shots in a blink of an eye....no thanks. Give me the Spurs.
So what if they are the defending champs? That was last year....this is now. There is a reason very few teams repeat as champs. Complacency sets in...age takes it toll...injury take their toll....the hunger is not there as it once...we are not going to roll over lightly...and despite their reputation as being so vaunted defensively I really believe we can score on this team too.
Greg Popovich may be their biggest weapon. But he does not put on a uniform. He only has so much influence. But he will have his team ready, and his game plan, his in-game adjustments, and his defensive schemes will all have to be effectively counter schemed by Adelman and staff.
I love the playoffs!!!!!!!
Does anyone know if a defending champ has ever been knocked out in the first round? I know they keep stats on everything....I'd be curious to know how many times a NBA Champ has (1) failed to make the playoffs the following year (if ever?) and (2) got bounced in the 1st round (if ever?).
If never, let's make history!
Ginobelli -- barrells his way to the basket and tries to run u over...can't do it against Wells or Ron. We have the size to match. Will have to be on from the perimeter to have a real impact.
Finley and Van Exel --- shells of their former selves.....once King killers are a half-step to a step slower. No real threat in limited minutes.
Duncan -- good for 20 points and 10 boards...but with foot problems is he good for 35 and 15 --- which is what it will take to beat us when we bring our "A" game (or even a "B+" game)? Probably not. I am NO fan of Kenny Thomas....but he does play active post defense....and his smaller size may actually work to his advantage to push Duncan away from his sweet spot down low. Needs to stay out of foul trouble since Rahim is pretty weak defender anyway you slice it.
Parker --- quick as a bug...give him the outsider. Has Ron Artest rubbed off enough on Mike Bibby to actually mean he can slow him up? Mike has been playing brilliant basketball...and if he puts the pressure on Parker on the offensive end I like our odds at this position. Besides, Parker has Eva Longoria waiting for him every night....isn't he way friggin overdue for a little adversity and setback in the form of first round dismissal. C'mon!!!! No one can lead this charmed of life, can they?
Nazir Mohammed -- this guy is a good player. Kind of like a Kevin Martin for us. Can be a real impact player when he is game is "on".
Bruce Bowen --- no-talent hacker scrub, dirty bum. Hopefully, the ref crews will call the game tight, and not allow for his holding, hacking, and cheap antics. The guy can hit the corner "3" so K-Mart, Bonzi have to stay close when he drifts to the corners.
Robert Horry --- I have to believe his glory days have come and gone. But just when you count him out....he will nail the big shot. But I like our ability to defend the wing position b/c of (1) Artest and Wells do not want to him an inch and (2) K-Mart has recovery quickness to get him. Horry has no post game, no dribble moves. Very one dimensional but still don't ignore him. EVer.
Overall....this roster does not fear me top to bottom as the Suns do when they are "on" nailing threes and Nash is running their offense to perfection. And Shawn Marion is flying to the basket...and Eddie House draining shots in a blink of an eye....no thanks. Give me the Spurs.
So what if they are the defending champs? That was last year....this is now. There is a reason very few teams repeat as champs. Complacency sets in...age takes it toll...injury take their toll....the hunger is not there as it once...we are not going to roll over lightly...and despite their reputation as being so vaunted defensively I really believe we can score on this team too.
Greg Popovich may be their biggest weapon. But he does not put on a uniform. He only has so much influence. But he will have his team ready, and his game plan, his in-game adjustments, and his defensive schemes will all have to be effectively counter schemed by Adelman and staff.
I love the playoffs!!!!!!!
Does anyone know if a defending champ has ever been knocked out in the first round? I know they keep stats on everything....I'd be curious to know how many times a NBA Champ has (1) failed to make the playoffs the following year (if ever?) and (2) got bounced in the 1st round (if ever?).
If never, let's make history!
