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Experience Trumps Youthful Exuberance ………….Normally …….
By tophat | May 6, 2008
The title should say a lot and in many an instance that’d be true. But as the series unfolds between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Orleans Hornets. We’re seeing that this is just not the case. In looking at the play of both teams after the two games played you’d be hard pressed to tell who were indeed the defending champions and who was the team making it’s first playoff appearance in a number of years.
Chris Paul of the Charlotte Hornets evades the outsretched hands of the San Antonio Spurs’ Robert Horry in game 2 of the 7 game series Western Conference semi finals. The game was won decisively by the Hornets 102-84. picture courtesy of getty images/chris graythern…….
So far San Antonio as defending champions have looked out of sorts whilst the Hornets have looked anything but an inexperienced team. They’ve derailed whatever game plan coach Greg Popovich had in mind and it best summed as saying that the Spurs are behind the eight ball with little chance of extricating themselves from the position that they now find themselves. Instead of dictating the pace of this series they’ve allowed the Hornets and in particular point guard Chris Paul to have his way and at the same time make the Spurs look ever so pedantic. At this jucnture many a Spurs’ fan must be wondering whether or not the team has walked into a buzz saw.
Chris Paul of the Hornets makes the layup whilst Tim Duncan and Kurt Thomas of the Spurs looks on. picture courtesy of getty images/ chris graythern ……………..
Two games played and two resounding victories for the Charlotte Hornets and not so much as a whiff of competitiveness from the Spurs thus far. Something that one would’ve have found unimaginable from a Spurs’ team and one in particular that’s coached by someone of Greg Popovich’s stature. His counterpart Byron Scott has all of a sudden has the makings of a Bobby Fischer. In game one the Hornets came out decisively and showed that they weren’t scared of the defending champions and in many ways showed that they’d be equal to the task in matching the Spurs in specific facets of the game. Surprisingly so on the defensive side of the ball it was the Spurs who were made to look anemic.
On the bench Tony Parker , Manu Ginobli and Tim Duncan seem at a loss as the Hornets go on to victory in game 2 of the conference semi finals game played in New Orleans, Louisiana. picture courtesy of getty images/ chris grayrthern …………
As this series continues to unfold it’s becoming very clear to those who’ve witnessed both games so far . The Spurs are in for an uphill battle against a youthful and overly exuberant team. The Spurs as a four time champion of the NBA are looking anything but that at this juncture. In all honesty it’s the Hornets who seem to be playing like champions. And it’s the Spurs who seems to be in need of a wakeup call. Their lacks and indecisive play has handed the Hornets the series in all but name. And though you can never count this team out and down for the count. It has to said that they look all but spent in trying to keep up with the Hornets’ style of play.
Duncan makes a shot whilst under the watchful eye of David West and Chris Paul. picture courtesy of getty images/ chris graythern ………………..
Whereas we’ve seen the Spurs’ triumvirate of Duncan , Parker and Ginobli come together as a force and dispel anything in the team’s way. The Hornet have in Chris Paul , David West and Peja Stojackovic their own set of erstwhile cold blooded assassins. They’ve plunged more than a dagger into the heart of the Spurs and their fans thus far. If anything the hilt of this particular weapon has actually split the Spurs’ breastbone to show that their heart. Though still pounding it will be in need a great deal of resuscitation if it’s to measure up to the strength of its opposite number.
Jannero Pargo of the Hornets makes his successful attempt at a three pointer eluding Michael Finley of the Spurs. picture courtesy of getty images/ chris graythern ……..
And as efficiently as the Spurs disposed of their previous round opponents in the Suns. I’d summize that they’d hoped that they were in for just an easy a task in dealing with the Charlotte Hornets ? But I guess sometimes you can either underestimate your opponent or you just play down to a level that’s not normally part of your persona. However in this case it has been the Spurs who’ve not raised the level of their play in anticipation as to what this means not only to their fans but to the Hornets as well. As I’d previously alluded to before they’ve alllowed their divisional rivals to outplay them in every facet of the game. And it has been very telling to see this team exposed …….warts and all !
Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets leaves the floor to the applauding fans after his team’s 102-84 victory over the Spurs. picture courtesy of getty images/ chris graythern ……………………..
As a Spurs’ fan I can’t say at all that I’m totally surprised by what is now happening to the team. It’s not so much that they’ve rested on their laurels but it comes from the fact that many a time they’ve seem to just flick a switch and everything would be just right and they’d do what’s necessary to prevail over a foe. But there comes a time when just flicking that switch is never enough and all the experience in the world is never nearly enough to deal with a foe that wants the victory more than you do. And that appears to be what the Spurs are in the midst of as they face the New Orleans Hornets with everything on the line to play for. It’s about who wants it more and what they’re prepared to do to get it ! And having witnessed both games so far I can honestly say that is the Hornets that wants it more and are prepared to do whatever it’ll take to win it all ! And in this case it’s the youthful exuberance of the Hornets and their coach Byron Scott that most definately has the upper hand. The Spurs for all of their undoubted experience seem to be just spinning their wheels and not gaining any traction whatsoever.
tophat ………………………
Topics: Uncategorized |
May 7th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Terrific job, tophat!
Chris Paul refuses to act his NBA age. The kid is totally dismantling the Spurs.
Throw in David West’s and Peja’s contributions and it’s no wonder the Hornets lead the series 2-0.
Can’t wait for Game 3 …
May 7th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Mean Dovine
It’s as I’ve alluded to before. If they can’t contain Paul. Then this series’ll be over with before we’re all able to bat an eyelid.
Popovich is being outcoached by his counterpart Byron Scott. And the Spurs’ main triumvirate have contributed very little thus far to the series. So it could really get any worse for ‘em than it is now ? You beit it can ! And if things continue this way it most definately will !
tophat ……………