12/03/24
June 13, 2005
Ginobili Metio 27 Puntos y Los Spurs Aplastaron a Los Pistons: In Game 2 of the Needs-a-Better-Name Finals, the San Antonio Spurs edged the Detroit Pistons 97-76 on a dramatic last-second 22-point shot by Manu Ginobli, un candidato firme a ser el jugador mas valioso. "It's the good old boys versus the bad boys," Rasheed Wallace told AP, and the badness of the Pistons was evident all night long.
posted by rcade to basketball at 07:40 AM - 34 comments
Bahia Blanca, Argentina.
posted by rcade at 08:01 AM on June 13, 2005
I want some of what Horry was drinking last night.
posted by platocave at 09:05 AM on June 13, 2005
I totally called this shot in advance. Also, He was fouled. Tayshaun totally got most of his arm on the way up. It should have been a 23. And I want some of what rcade is drinking. Seriously.
posted by chicobangs at 09:08 AM on June 13, 2005
Any Spanish speakers here who can translate aplastaron? I'm guessing that it means "beat another team so badly their children will take up a different sport."
posted by rcade at 09:21 AM on June 13, 2005
I refuse to believe the Pistons can't come back, but given the Spurs' backcourt and transitional domination of the last two games, it's hard to see how. They better have an answer in Game 3, or else this could be a sweep.
posted by chicobangs at 09:32 AM on June 13, 2005
aplastar = to crush or squash. Or, you know, plaster. (the -aron is just the conjugation for "they did x) Lord that was an ugly game.
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:58 AM on June 13, 2005
Ufez Jones, "ugly" in the sense that Detroit's offense was discombobulated? Because San Antonio's fast breaks, cuts, backdoor passes, and reversals to open 3s on the other side were all gorgeous to watch for me. I'm starting to think that people really don't know how to see the beauty in a basketball game. ABC, which normally has crappy basketball analysis and converage, laudably showed one San Antonio sequence last night sped up where the ball was zipped to 11 different guys, inside and outside, until Rob Horry had an open 3 which he drained. Pure visual poetry. How about Manu's give-and-go with Parker that took up half the court and happened in a blur? How about Manu's own cut to the free throw line, then perfect V-cut back to the basket for Parker to find him for the layup? How about Manu's points-per-shot-attempt being above 3 points - 27 points on 8 field goal attempts!? That's insane. What more do you want? Yes, it wasn't beautiful basketball from both teams, but can you appreciate what was there? Because what was there was spectacular.
posted by platocave at 10:33 AM on June 13, 2005
Obviously, not 11 different guys but 11 different passes. Sorry.
posted by platocave at 10:34 AM on June 13, 2005
Of course, thinking about the context of your post, you could just mean "ugly" in the sense that SA plastered Det, but I was on rant mode as soon as I saw the word "ugly".
posted by platocave at 10:37 AM on June 13, 2005
I'm starting to think that people really don't know how to see the beauty in a basketball game. ... Yes, it wasn't beautiful basketball from both teams, but can you appreciate what was there? For me, the ugliness of game 2 was Detroit's inability to make a shot, which turned it into a rout that only briefly flirted with a single-digit lead in the fourth period. I wouldn't have minded a rough, choppy defensive struggle if it was close. But this was a laugher.
posted by rcade at 10:47 AM on June 13, 2005
PISTONS=PISSED-ONS....... :}
posted by HOE.O.K. at 01:04 PM on June 13, 2005
Go Pistons, if only because, well, dammit, I want seven games of this.
posted by chicobangs at 01:35 PM on June 13, 2005
(also, go lockout! I want the NHL to have a clear road to redemption next year if at all possible.)
posted by chicobangs at 01:36 PM on June 13, 2005
If the Pistons come back, and the good citizens of Detroit, umm. . .take to the streets in. . ah. . .celebration, my cousin has me down for a Barcolounger.
posted by rainbaby at 02:55 PM on June 13, 2005
Of course, thinking about the context of your post, you could just mean "ugly" in the sense that SA plastered Det, but I was on rant mode as soon as I saw the word "ugly". Ugly in the sense that it was more of a clinic than a competitive game. I'm not discrediting anything that the Spurs have done (even if I despise them from a Mavs fan POV), but this is the Finals for fuck's sake. We're not getting any more basketball for what, four months? It'd be nice if there was more than one team playing.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:50 PM on June 13, 2005
this is the Finals for fuck's sake. We're not getting any more basketball for what, four months? Maybe a lot longer than that, kemosabe.
posted by chicobangs at 05:17 PM on June 13, 2005
"It'd be nice if there was more than one team playing." There are basically two types of basketball games that I think are beautiful to watch: one is where both teams are fighting, equally matched, down to the wire, forcing each other to new heights of play; and the other is a dominant team ripping the hearts out of whatever team it's playing with precise superior play. I enjoy the distinct aesthetic pleasures of both types of games, especially when the two magically dovetail in the same series. But in the first two games, the Spurs (other than the first quarter of the game 1, when the script was switched) have imposed their wills so much that the games have become the latter type. It would be nice if there was more than one team playing, but I guess I find it odd how people don't seem to appreciate the beauty of one-sided dominance. (Is it just the American love of the underdog? Are humans hard-wired to dislike efficiency? Because the Spurs are playing that supremely well right now, and yet the praise is strangely muted.)
posted by platocave at 05:41 PM on June 13, 2005
Because the Spurs are playing that supremely well right now, and yet the praise is strangely muted I don't really think either of those has to do with it, platocave. At the beginning of the series, most (both profesh media and slack jawed yokels like myself) kind of saw it as a toss up, with maybe a slight edge to the Spurs since they had homecourt, so the underdog thing doesn't work. The efficiency thing kind of baffles me. I think it's more that the hype before the series started was "finally getting the two best teams in the NBA in the Finals" and "a series for fans of true basketball" and "one for the ages" and all that and it's been a pretty big letdown. If the praise is muted (and I can probably concede that point), it's probably more due to the fact that Detroit has been a major, major disappointment. They've had open shots both on the perimeter and around the rim that they've balked, they've played sloppy in transition, they're not even close to executing their defense, they've gotten T-ed up time after time while arguing calls, and just haven't looked like the Eastern Conference Champions, much less defenders of the crown. A lot of that is the Spurs are executing quite well, which is pretty much what was expected. Inevitably, the bigger story here is Detroit's non-presence. Seattle gave the Spurs a tougher time while missing two starters. The games just haven't been competitive. If things continue on this path, the Spurs will get their accolades after the series is over. Until then, Detroit's going to dominate the headlines. Maybe a lot longer than that, kemosabe. You shut your purty little mouth, boy.
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:09 PM on June 13, 2005
Listen, Dad, Stern used the phrase "when the lockout happens" in a sentence at least twice yesterday. I'd get that Stars jersey out of mothballs if I was you.
posted by chicobangs at 07:16 PM on June 13, 2005
the praise is strangely muted The Spurs have held home court, just like they should. I want the Spurs to win but game three will be telling. If the Spurs win that game I'll be one of the first one's here with the "Oh Yeahs".
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 07:40 PM on June 13, 2005
I hope nobody's suprised by what they've seen so far. Tim duncan will retire as the best PF/C to ever play the game.
posted by Pac-Man at 07:47 PM on June 13, 2005
Im very excited, but not surprised on how the SPURS have dominated the PISStons in the first 2 games of this series. To win by 15, and then by 21 is total dominance by a MUCH superior team.(period) We have a better backcourt including our backups, and the best big man on this planet not to mention the deepest bench in the NBA. They hussle their butts off, drive to hole with no fear, and execute to percision. Maybe after the SPURS decapitate the PISStons, and seal the deal in detroit , people will be forced to realize that the SPURS are the ELITE team in the NBA, and can also beat you at a slow halfcourt game ,or up and down running the floor. LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD!
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 08:08 PM on June 13, 2005
I think we should let them play seven games just so coaches like me can watch the CLINIC that is the spurs. They moved the ball, shifted the defence, Detriot just played pick roll, iso basketball BORING I'm sorry how good are they on defence we are talking abotu a team that just drives and dishes for the most part of the game. Who was guarding Bowen and why if the guy is hot are you stepping off to help, this just seemed fundamentally wrong his man should have played straight up to help def. and let the rest help out on the drive. I'm a high school coach but seemed pretty clear to me.
posted by bballcoachreid at 09:22 PM on June 13, 2005
I hope nobody's suprised by what they've seen so far. Tim duncan will retire as the best PF/C to ever play the game. Tim Duncan is a great player, but to say that he is the best who ever played-considering who has played and who is playing, is a bit strong. He will be in the discussion but you cant say he will come out on top. You cant just lump all of the PF/C togather and say that Ducan is they best who ever Played. Duncan, KG, SToudamire, Dirk etc are a different type of big men. You cant really compare them to the True great centers. Heck, right now, if you added three Championships to KG's numbers and you could make the same arugement for him. When all is said and done, Stoudamire may leave Duncan and KG is the dust. Duncan is a great player, but remember that he has a great TEAM around him.. The NBA needs to get away from the "Superstar" mentality and get back to the "team" Concept. That is exactly what the NFL has done.. Yes, there will be a lock-out--its the popular thing to do!
posted by daddisamm at 09:35 PM on June 13, 2005
It's simple: the Spurs are better than the Pistons. The better team typically wins.
posted by PhoenixRenaissance at 09:50 PM on June 13, 2005
daddisamm, you might have a point, but -- who is a better Big Forward than Duncan, ever? Certainly, there's no one better today. (I'd take Duncan over Ben Wallace, who's his closest active counterpart.) So, who? Karl Malone? Not enough D, and no rings. Barkley? nope. Bill Russell? Larry Bird? Eh, maybe. But even if he quit right now, Duncan certainly belongs right in that discussion, if not at the top of that list.
posted by chicobangs at 10:01 PM on June 13, 2005
Dammit, Pistons, you're making me look bad. Clearly the Spurs learned something from Game 1, inasmuch as their passes and shot selections were significantly quicker than before. Having not watched that much Deeeeeeetroit Baaaaasketballllll, I'm not sure if they can increase their pace as well. So please, Detroit, play competitively for at least two games so that we Spurs fans don't have to hear another "yeah, they won the championship, but..." from the sour-grapes brigade. I'll even let you torch my Toyota. ;-)
posted by avogadro at 10:52 PM on June 13, 2005
Kg is certainly in the discusion. Like I said, if you put two or three chanmpionship rings on his Stats and he would certainly have bpeople call him the best ever! Look, Duncan is good, but lets not get carried away....Ben Wallace????? what are you drinking, Chcobangs?
posted by daddisamm at 07:13 AM on June 14, 2005
I'd take Duncan over Ben Wallace, who's his closest active counterpart. There are several big men with way more complete games than Ben Wallace; KG, Amare Stoudamire, Kirilenko, Jermaine O'Neal, Shaq, possibly even Elton Brand or Rasheed. Ben's a dominating player on one end of the court and, most nights, a non-factor at the other. He's the equivalent of an offence only player; point-differentials are still usually not in his favour.
posted by dfleming at 08:57 AM on June 14, 2005
After game 3--Duncan and Manu look a little more human.....
posted by daddisamm at 11:19 PM on June 14, 2005
Point taken daddisam, the PISStons won a game, out of 3. Im actually glad at the situation, now the pisstons got the SPURS attention, and thats the way I like it. As for KG, cmon dude he is very good along with amare, nowitski and a host of other players in this league. BUT WHO GETS THE JOB DONE!! Think about that , Tim Duncan will soon have 3 rings for the SPURS organization and the fans, what do these other talented athletes got to show for it. LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD.
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 12:18 AM on June 15, 2005
Look at the cast that has surrounded Duncan during those championship runs. All I am saying is that you shouldnt write off KG or Stoudamire untill their careers are over. Note--The Spurs havent won the championship yet. There is a lot of basketball to play. This series will go back to San Antonio- The only question is will the Spurs be up or down by one.??!! I seem to recall that the Pistons have had tough times in most of their playoff seies during the last two years. I seem to recall that the Heat were rolling until a key componet (wade) got slowed by an injury--- This series is a long ways from being over...
posted by daddisamm at 09:39 AM on June 15, 2005
Oh daddy sammbo, Ihear your opinion and KG, but I stik to my guns as far as him getting impatient with that JACKASS Kevin Mchale and his poor personnel decisions. They need a ligit center not the rock candyman, to make any noise. As for the SPURS, they will win the championship without a doubt in 5, 6 ,or 7... It dont matter just dont bite it. lol
posted by Rage Rod 74 at 01:09 PM on June 15, 2005
Just how far back from the basket do you have to be to make a 22-point shot????