Bye bye San Antonio

San Antonio did it once again. Incapable to reach the NBA finals 2 years in a row. One of the reason this year has been the injurie of two majors players, Parker and Ginobili. If Parker has maintain his status and statistics during the playoff run, it wasn't the same for Ginobili.
In fact the sason 07_08 has been so tuff in the west conference that a team like Golden State (50 wins in the season) has been eliminated. And That Ginobili who has fight and produce an mvp caliber season to fight and obtain the home court advantage. Unfortunately for the spurs the load was to heavy for the argentino, and Manu has never be again the same after the hornets-spurs serie.
The numbers of Parker and Duncan were predictible, but the Spurs really needs Ginobili to be on the top. He is the poor's Kobe Bryant. Unpredictible, an offensive machine and a hard nose defender, when he is healthy. In fact he has the same season as Kobe last year. Forced to take the team on his shoulder in order to reach the playoff or a good position.
What the Spurs have learn with this defeat?
They need a solid power forward to support Tim Duncan. The spurs has been destroyed by David West in the hornets series. The lengh og Gasol, the rapidity of Odom in the offensive block has contributed also to the destruction of the Spurs in the Lakers serie.
They need more athleticism in the wing. Finley and Horry are showing their age. Someone like Idoka even if he's 30 years old can take Finley place.

And maybe it would have been better to force Kobe go to the line. Bowen has been spectacular on Kobe, even if the guy has put great numbers. Kobe is apart like Michael Jordan was and maybe like Lebron James will be. The only guy who can stop him is himself. So you have to play smart defense and force him to go on his weakness. Meaning playing a one man game . But by force him to share the ball, the spurs has created confidence on the Lakers roster.

Give also credits to Fisher to defend so well on Parker and force him to play away from the paint.