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Hornets continue to surprise fans and pundits

by Charley Rosen

Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 15 books about hoops, the current ones being The First Tip-Off: The Incredible Story of the Birth of the NBA and No Blood, No Foul.

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Updated: May 6, 2008, 2:01 AM EDT

Game Time:

The young and hungry Hornets exposed all of the defending champs weaknesses at both ends of the court.

To whit:

  • With Tim Duncan doubled every time he touched the ball in the low post, the Spurs offense depended entirely on Tony Parker's drives in a broken field, Manu Ginobili's lefty slices and 3-point shooting, and somebody (anybody) knocking down perimeter shots.

  • In all, TD was two-timed 17 times with the Spurs being able to produce a mere 8 points to counter this tactic — 6 of these points resulting from early treys by Ginobili and Bruce Bowen.

  • For sure, the Spurs long-range marksmen were on target for much of the first half — going 6-10 in the opening period — which was primarily responsible for the visitors' early lead. But it was impossible for them to sustain this kind of drop-dead accuracy. Indeed, for the rest of the game, the Spurs were only 6-21 from downtown.

  • While Parker's stats were A-OK — 9-17, 23 points — he did have the same number of assists and turnovers (5). Even worse, with the Spurs desperately needing to hit springers to create some room for Duncan, Parker shot a measly 2-7 from mid- and long-range. In other words, his jumper is still as erratic as it ever was.

  • With Duncan shut down — 1-9, 3 rebounds, 5 points — the Spurs were unable to create any kind of offensive flow.

    It's well-known throughout the league that the Spurs' half-court offense is limited, especially when they're faced with a quick-handed, active defense. In fact, the foundation of San Antonio's championships has always been its defense.

    But the Hornets had an easy time turning this foundation to dust.

  • After Kurt Thomas' defense blanketed David West in the early going, West finally got his mojo working when Fabricio Oberto came into the game. For the duration, West was simply unguardable — 13-23, 30 points. He absolutely destroyed Michael Finley, Ginobili, and Robert Horry, and was invincible in his return engagements with Thomas. In fact, West was easily the best player on the floor.

  • Peja Stojakovic was unusually aggressive with the ball — 9-15, 22 points — looking to drive at every opportunity, giving Ginobili, Finley, et al, much more than they could handle.

  • The Spurs tried to hinder Chris Paul's entry into the paint by having a big man throw a hand at him on the far side of high screen-and-rolls. CP3 countered this by either blowing by the half-hearted stop-signs or, more often, kicking the ball to an open teammate. Credit Paul with 7-16, 13 huge assists, 4 steals, only 2 turnovers, and 17 points.

  • Tyson Chandler led the Hornets' assault on the glass with 15 of his team's 50 rebounds. Compare this to the Spurs' total of only 34 rebounds.

  • Bonzi Wells came off the bench to torch Finley's over-the-hill-and-down-in-the-valley-defense to the tune of 5-9, and 10 points.

  • Melvin Ely was scoreless, yet his super-aggressive fronting defense was another factor in the Hornets' being able to negate Duncan's low-post game.

  • All game long, the Hornets were quicker to the ball, as demonstrated by their edge in offensive rebounds (16-8), steals (11-6), and shots taken (86-71). Their superior foot- and hand-speed, harried every pass and every catch, forcing the Spurs to play at a more accelerated pace than they were accustomed to.

  • Actually, the Hornets' margin would have been much greater had they not missed a total of 9 layups.

  • With his continuous double-teaming of TD, Byron Scott got the jump on Pop, and, yes, out-coached the old master.

    So where does that leave the Spurs?

    In truth, they only have to win on Monday to gain the home-court advantage, but for that to happen, several radical adjustments have to be made. In addition to taking command of their defensive glass, back-cutting when the Hornets lean into the passing lanes, and making more of their free-throws (only 12-21), here are some other possible tweaks:

  • Duncan has to be evacuated from the pivot and situated at the high-post, where he can drive, shoot jumpers, and become actively involved in screen-and-rolls.

  • Bowen has to take a shot at defending West.

  • Parker has to match-up defensively against Paul. And since CP3's jumper is still suspect — he was only 1-6 on these — Parker should go under any and all screen-and-rolls, beat Paul to his turning point, and let him shoot as many jumpers as he wishes.

  • The Spurs could mix up their screen-and-roll defense by jump-trapping Paul, a tactic they never attempted in Game 1.

  • The Spurs should also show the Hornets some zone defenses.

  • Unless there are obvious opportunities for Parker to run his one-man fast-breaks, the Spurs should walk the ball into the attack zone, get better spacing on offense, and make the Hornets play defense for 20 seconds on each possession.

    Meanwhile, the Hornets have fooled several NBA savants (including me!) by proving that they're for real. Still, veteran teams and battle-hardened coaches are quite capable of designing and executing reactive game plans that can turn the tide.

    That's why Pop and his crew will be up late eyeballing the game video, and why Sunday's reconvening of the reigning champs will be their most important practice session of the entire season.

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    Member Comments


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    {fsComments::userName}

    (Report inappropriate content)

    b ball<br /><br />Agreed.<br /><br />But, they were the only team in the NBA that scared me this entire season.<br /><br />And, they've proven my fears were justified.<br /><br />Guess that's why I labeled them great a little early. <br /><br />But, you have to agree they are handing it to the defending Champs.

    whiteflyerwhiteflyer
    5/6/2008 16:49:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    Hey Smokey: The saying "A series doesnt start until a home team loses" is really dumb and overused. According to that the Celtics-Hawks series never started. Yet it is over now. Let's put it this way. The team with the home court advantage can afford to lose a game at home more, because it only has to win one road game whereas the team without the home court can hardly afford it as it would have to win twice on the road. The Slurs basically have to win three times at home and once in NO. I don't see it happening. Hornets in 5, just like the Dallas series. <br />home team loses

    gaurangagauranga
    5/6/2008 0:57:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    bye bye SA Slurs

    gaurangagauranga
    5/6/2008 0:51:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    GO SPURS GO! GO SPURS GO! No worries to the loyal Spurs!! Both teams defended their homecourt during the regular season, and with these teams now and how they are playing, should expect any different? <br />I think not!! This series is going to SEVEN games and I have SPURS taking game 7 in an overtime thriller to advance to western conference!! That's right, I'm not too worried "right now". I have to tell you though, if my SPURS don't defend home court (which I know they will) this first game, then I "might" start to wrry a bit. But right now, this is a series!! This is going to be a great series!! <br /><br />Say it with me SPURS fans!! GO SPURS GO! GO SPURS GO!<br /><br />Colen, Spurs overrated??? Please, the whole world is picking LA to win the whole thing not the Spurs.. So I would have to disagree with you there. You just cursed yourself by saying what you said! Copy and paste this so you can replay it when they take the Hornets in 7!! <br /><br />Don't forget Colen, don't forget!! Laters brother!

    CasCas
    5/5/2008 22:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    Not this time there done. Its clear new orleans is to much for them they blow the spurs out to many good temas in the west anymore. the spurs used to just have to go through two or three good teams. this era things have changed. The spurs don't have it anymore they overrated. Yes there is gonna be talk until they get knocked out just because they won it last year. Hornets in five, get your fishing pole and your smoke partner your taking a early trip this year,ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

    colencolen
    5/5/2008 22:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    DOOkie why the hater vibe? Did the Spurs shatter your teams championship dream during one of their runs?

    SirSmokeAlotSirSmokeAlot
    5/5/2008 22:09:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    COlen. When talking about heart and passion, the Spurs will show you something your fake Suns never have or will.

    SirSmokeAlotSirSmokeAlot
    5/5/2008 22:01:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    Man, ANYONE who can beat the Spurs is okay with me, and everyone else who lives more than 10 miles from SA. Go, Hornets!!

    dukkeedukkee
    5/5/2008 21:55:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    sir smoke a little, you need to start smoking more cause your gonna need it after your team gets buzzed again.ha ha ha ha ha. face it the spurs are done with. There championship times are over

    colencolen
    5/5/2008 21:55:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    Why is COlen even on here? Suns PLZ!!! just type about next year fool and your MVP has no RINGS to show for them.!

    SirSmokeAlotSirSmokeAlot
    5/5/2008 21:48:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    whiteflyer<br /><br />What makes the Hornets the "one great team"?<br /><br />According to your own criteria, the Hornets have not "done anything yet".<br /><br /> Let's just say the Lakers and the Hornets are two up and coming teams.<br /><br /> Neither of them is "great". Yet.

    BBall_WisdomBBall_Wisdom
    5/5/2008 21:46:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    whiteflyer, why does that make the Hornet the "one great team", according to your criteria, the Hornet have not "done anything yet". Let's just say the Lakers and the Hornets are two up and coming teams. Neither of them is "great". Yet.

    BBall_WisdomBBall_Wisdom
    5/5/2008 21:43:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    guaranga is just mad Timmy Duncan wasnt on his team.

    SirSmokeAlotSirSmokeAlot
    5/5/2008 21:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    If anyone really knew the NBA, then you would say "a series doesnt start until a hom team loses." To all you Spurs hAteRz NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION!!!

    SirSmokeAlotSirSmokeAlot
    5/5/2008 21:32:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    Any Spurs fans out there, you're in for 50 years of no more championships. Your sucker team won two fraud championships along the way and everyone outside of SA hates watching them.

    gaurangagauranga
    5/5/2008 21:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    More of the same today, the SA Sterns are so dead. They can only beat a totally disorganized Phoenix squad. Lakers-Hornets will be a great series.

    gaurangagauranga
    5/5/2008 21:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    sorry spurs you were to focused on fouling shaq in the first series cause thats the only way you could win. now your so damn old your looking for a player to hack on the hornets and there just blowing you out. Spurs are dirty and they win with refs not passion sorry texas your gone fishing

    colencolen
    5/5/2008 21:19:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    listen up spurs fans you have just been stung by trhe hornets they are going to finish there nest in san antonio. go suns **** the spurs<br /> chokers

    colencolen
    5/5/2008 21:00:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    b-ball<br /><br />Regular season means nothing in the playoffs.<br /><br />See Spurs.<br /><br />LA does have a good up and coming team.<br /><br />But, there are many good young teams now.<br /><br />Wouldn't it be scary if the Spurs got a name inside player to go along with an aging Tim?<br /><br />Would kinda change the entire landscape, wouldn't it?<br /><br />Lot of talk, but only one great team in the West right now.<br /><br />That's been my point.

    whiteflyerwhiteflyer
    5/5/2008 18:51:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    Whiteflyer - Huh? Didn't the Lakers beat the Hornets and Spurs late in the season on their way to the number one seed?<br /><br />And if your criteria for greatness is titles, doesn't that also make the Hornets a "good up and coming team" also?<br /><br />I think the winner of the Lakers/Hornets series will win the title this year.<br /><br />And why would Kobe have any off-season remarks if the team loses? This team is much different than the Kwame Brown-Smush Parker-as-starters teams.<br /><br />I, too, think the Hornet and Blazer have a shot at greatness in the coming years. But why wouldn't the Lakers have as much of a chance at being great, exactly? Have you forgotten that Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza should be healthy next year?

    BBall_WisdomBBall_Wisdom
    5/5/2008 17:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

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