Spurs Might Need to Set a Trap for Bryant

In the NBA playoffs, every best-of-seven series is like a chess match. Because strategy often plays as large a role as talent, the team that makes the key adjustments between games usually advances. A breakdown of Game 2 of the Western Conference finals between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs:

Spurs’ Move

Before Game 1, San Antonio was more concerned about slowing the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal inside and not allowing Kobe Bryant and role players such as Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Robert Horry and Brian Shaw to hurt them with open three-point baskets. What they should have been worried about was Bryant’s ability to penetrate to the rim off the dribble.

Throughout the season, a key staple of the Spurs’ perimeter defense was to funnel everything inside to their twin towers, David Robinson and Tim Duncan, who dominated opponents with their shot-blocking ability. But Bryant proved Saturday that San Antonio can’t keep playing this way. The Spurs will have to do everything they can to take the ball out of Bryant’s hands and the best way is to double-team him before he starts to make his move.

San Antonio may be forced to play a soft full-court trapping defense on Bryant and hope that the Laker role players do not have big games. The Spurs do not want the game to be played in the open court. They know that they have a better chance of winning when the Lakers are forced into their half-court offense and if that happens tonight, look for the Spurs to foul O’Neal often and make him beat them with his free-throw shooting.

Offensively, the Spurs need to follow the Lakers’ lead and become more aggressive driving to the basket. Duncan had his usual big game with 28 points, 14 rebounds and six assists but he needs more help. Many of San Antonio’s 15 turnovers in Game 1 resulted from either forcing the ball inside or not moving to an open area when Duncan or Robinson had to pass back out from a double-team. Veteran guards Terry Porter and Avery Johnson have to be more like Antonio Daniels and attack the Lakers’ interior defense. This will open things up for perimeter shooters Danny Ferry and Steve Kerr.

Lakers’ Move

Bryant has to keep forcing his will on the Spurs. He knows that San Antonio does not have anyone who can defend him but he can’t start relying on his jump shot for points. Coach Phil Jackson realizes that San Antonio will be looking for ways to stop Bryant, so don’t be surprised if he has Fisher or Fox look for their shots early in Game 2. If Fisher and Fox are not shooting well, Jackson will not hesitate to go with Shaw, Horry or even Ron Harper to get more first-half offense to help take the Alamodome crowd out of the game.

In Game 1, the Lakers seemed to catch San Antonio by surprise when Bryant opened the game defending point guard Porter. It was a great move because San Antonio relies heavily on Porter to direct the Spurs’ half-court offense. Porter is not as athletic as Daniels and Bryant took advantage by smothering the San Antonio veteran all over the court. Look for more of the same tonight, because if the Spurs have difficulty making entry passes, their offense will continue to struggle.

Overlooked Factor

San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich has been successful because of his consistent coaching style. He is known as a coach who doesn’t like to make changes, especially with his substitution patterns. But Popovich is going to have to alter his approach when it comes to giving Robinson rest at the end of the first and third quarters. Backup big man Malik Rose is too small to play heavy minutes against O’Neal but Popovich tried it anyway, even though Robinson was not in foul trouble. For the Spurs to defeat the Lakers, they need both Robinson and Duncan in the game as much as possible. Popovich only helps the Lakers when he sends Robinson to the bench.