Playoffs Series Spotlight: San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers


This post was composed by my former student, former RP-Youth player, and current Ateneo Blue Eagle, Von Pessumal.

            After an unbelievable first round filled with clutch performances, 4-point plays, overtimes, and Game 7s, I believe it is now safe to say that no team is a lock to advance to the next round. The Playoffs have just started. Literally. The intensity, the competitiveness, and the tenacity that we have witnessed through the past weeks are all just foreshadowing. Buckle up, everybody. Things are about to go down.

The best PF today and the best PF in NBA history. It's about to get busy.
(image by Steve Dykes/USA Today)


 Blazers vs Spurs

            Hmmmm. Where to start?
           
            Youth vs Experience. Athletic Talent vs Savvy Veterans. Old School vs New School. The Young Ones vs the Young Once.

            Despite their differences, out of the four match-ups remaining in this year’s Playoffs, I believe this is definitely the most interesting one simply because both these teams are so similar. It’s actually kind of strange. Not only are both teams built the same way in terms of personnel, they play the same way, too. Both use a lot of pick and rolls and post-ups. Even the way they space the floor seems almost identical.
           
            The Playoffs are all about individual match-ups. Teams can struggle not just because their opponent is much better than them, but because the match-ups are not in their favor (See: Roy Hibbert vs Altanta Hawks) With that being said, here’s a breakdown of some of the key match-ups in this series:


Tim Duncan vs LaMarcus Aldridge

            Even though both players are matched-up in the Power Forward position, it’ll be interesting to see if Greg Popovich and Terry Stotts will use them to defend each other. I feel like Duncan will share time with Tiago Splitter to defend LMA, although I expect Duncan to guard him in the 4th Quarter. On the other side of the coin, I believe Portland will use Robin Lopez to try and slow down the greatest power forward of all-time, allowing LMA to rest his legs for offense.

            Let’s take a look at their individual numbers in the Playoffs so far:



PTS
REBS
ASTS
STLS
BLKS
FG%
FT%
TO
Duncan
17.3
8.4
1.3
0.1
1.9
58%
73.1%
0.7
Aldridge
29.8
11.2
2.0
0.7
2.7
47.9%
82.0%
1.2

            First of all, wow. Aldridge’s numbers are absolutely mind-blowing. Don’t sleep on what Duncan has been putting up, though. He’s averaging fewer points, but he’s shooting at an unheard of 58% from the field. Both these players are just so efficient. In this series, expect Aldridge’s numbers to dip simply because of San Antonio’s defensive schemes. Duncan’s numbers have been the same since his rookie days, so unless his body breaks down due to old age, he’ll still be effective for these Playoffs.

            At the end of the day, if either of these teams needs a bucket, it’s going into the hands of these two. So, what’s more reliable? Duncan’s poise in the post, or Aldridge’s soft touch? I don’t think there’s a wrong answer for this one.


Tony Parker vs Damian Lillard
           
            Okay, now things are getting really interesting.
           
            I would love to see how Damian Lillard stacks up against the ultimate veteran point guard in Parker. If Tony Parker were a couple inches taller, he would be the best post player in the world. Seriously. Parker gets buckets in the paint. Not only that, but Lillard will have his hands full chasing Parker off screens, staying in front of his penetration, and trying not to fall for his arsenal of fakes and hesitations.

            Inversely, Tony Parker isn’t exactly in a good position either. Damian Lillard is an assassin. Despite his even-keeled demeanor, you just know he’s a fierce competitor. He can pull-up from practically anywhere, he can get to the basket and finish, and he takes (and makes) big shots. He’s not afraid of the moment. Overall, he’s just an amazing young player. It’s so easy to forget it’s only his second year in the league at 23 years of age.

Can Tony Parker contain Damiam Lillard in the second round?
(image by Steve Dykes/USA Today)

            Here’s a closer look at their numbers so far:



PTS
REBS
ASTS
STLS
BLKS
FG%
FT%
3P%
TO
Parker
19.9
2.6
4.7
0.4
0.1
47.2%
74.1%
33.3%
3
Lillard
25.5
6.3
6.7
2.3
0.2
46.8%
87.5%
*48.9%
2.3

*Nope, that’s not a typo.

            Point guard play at it’s finest.

            Both players are terrific decision makers – in pick and rolls, fast break opportunities,  and in the 4th quarter. Ultimately, I believe it will all boil down to who can BETTER make big shots down the stretch. This is gonna be fun.


Kawhi Leonard vs Nicolas Batum

            Don’t sleep on this matchup. These do-it-all forwards mean so much to their respective squads. Offensively, they can shoot, finish, and pass. Defensively, their length and athleticism allow them to defend multiple positions and cover a lot of ground. If Batum were in San Antonio, and Kawhi were in Portland, not only would they have the same role, I believe they would be putting up the same numbers.

            Check out their stats so far:


PTS
REBS
ASTS
STLS
BLKS
FG%
FT%
3P%
TO
Leonard
11.9
7.4
1.9
1.1
0.1
49.2%
59.1%
31.6%
1.9
Batum
15.8
5.8
5.2
1.3
0.7
46.4%
87.5%
30.3%
1.0
            I would want to see both players average more points in this series, simply because their scoring will allow their fellow star teammates to have a lighter load in terms of offensive responsibility. I’m more excited to see how these players will defend each other. I believe their true value to their teams lies in their defense prowess. The player who plays better defense will get the edge in this matchup.


X-factor: Manu Ginobili

            Don’t forget about Manu. This is not a knock on Wesley Matthews, who is a very solid starter for Portland, but Manu is Manu. The future Hall of Famer is crafty to say the least. He gets to basket, can hit big-time shots and creates for everybody on the floor. After a disappointing Finals showing last postseason, it’s safe to say Manu is still balling.



PTS
REBS
ASTS
STLS
BLKS
FG%
FT%
3P%
TO
Ginobili
17.7
3.7
4.6
2.3
0.1
45%
80.9%
37.8%
3.1

            
Popovich said it best: Manu is the ultimate competitor. I mean, this guy is just a winner. He will always find ways to make crucial plays, whether on offense or on defense. Expect to see Manu come up big in the clutch.

            I believe that at the end of it all, the series will come down to one thing: Execution,
particularly in the fourth quarter. The team that can get the ball to the right players, in the right spots, and at the right times will win this series. I guess with that being said, I have to say the Spurs are gonna come out of this one. Grep Popovich is a maestro. He will figure out a scheme to win, someway, somehow. He always does. The Blazers are gonna give the Spurs a run for their money, but the experience of San Antonio will prevail.

            If I were to give my personal opinion on the series score? Spurs in 6.

Von Pessumal picks the Spurs to win in 6. Agree or disagree?
(image from ripcityproject.com)

            
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