Spurs-Warriors draw historically poor TV ratings

Written by Quixem Ramirez on May 23, 2013 14:00.

Many people enjoy watching the San Antonio Spurs -- their convoluted motion-based system is capable of producing points in a hurry -- but there is

still a sizable subsection of America that cannot stand the Spurs and their "boring" brand of basketball. (Ignoring the fact, of course, that they have finished among the top seven in offensive efficiency in three consecutive seasons.)

Without the allure of either Kevin Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Paul's Los Angeles Clippers and Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers -- each were prohibitive favorites in the Western Conference prior to the regular season -- ABC TV ratings dropped significantly last week according to Sports Media Watch.

Sunday's Game 4 tilt between the Spurs and Golden State Warriors registered a 3.4 rating (5.3 million viewers). Those numbers represent a 29 percent decrease in viewers from last year's Heat-Pacers series and 36 percent from the Lakers-Mavericks series in 2011 via Awful Announcing. Knicks-Pacers drew identical ratings on Saturday, too. The Players Championship on NBC, by comparison, received 7.6 million viewers.

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Ginobili: Grizzlies' late-game rally might inspire them in Game 3

Written by Quixem Ramirez on May 23, 2013 12:00.

It took seven quarters, in which the Spurs outscored Memphis by 34 points, but the Grizzlies may have found a viable solution against San Antonio's

pack-the-paint strategy -- spread the floor with Jerryd Bayless and Quincy Pondexter to make them pay for doubling Zach Randolph in the post.

Another fortuitous circumstance -- the nominally foul-averse Tim Duncan, averaging 2.5 fouls per 36 minutes this season, picked up his fifth personal foul with 7:36 remaining in the fourth quarter -- attributed to the Grizzlies' fourth quarter rally. With Duncan on the sidelines, they rattled off a 15-2 run in the final eight minutes to bring the game to overtime.

A well-rested Duncan scored six points in overtime to put the finishing touches on a narrow 93-89 victory in Game 2. But, instead of heading home searching for answers, Memphis already has tangible evidence that San Antonio is mortal.

If the Grizzlies late rally is the impetus behind an inspired Game 3 performance, don't be too surprised. Spurs guard Manu Ginobili wouldn't be surprised either.

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Video: Spurs' 'Big 3' speak on Game 3 vs. Grizzlies

Written by Jeff Garcia on May 23, 2013 10:30.

The San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies will have two more days to rest and make adjustments heading into Game 3 this Saturday.

The Spurs held a practice yesterday and Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan spoke more on the overtime win versus Memphis in Game 2 including Memphis' late rally, and more.

Parker on MRI on aching calf, team role players, playing defense and more.

Duncan on crediting Parker in the series, team shooters, Grizzlies' playoff expereince and more.

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Video: Parker, Ginobili on Game 2 win vs. Grizzlies

Written by Jeff Garcia on May 22, 2013 18:00.

The San Antonio Spurs edged the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals in overtime winning 93-89. After the game, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili spoke on the narrow win.

Parker admits keeping a lead on Memphis is tough to do and runs like the Grizzlies made is expected. He also says the Spurs didn't do anything other than protect the home court. Ginobili says he noticed Parker was getting tired as the game progressed and says the series is not over until it is over.

Check out what else the two had to say after the Game 2 win.

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Report: Spurs' Budenholzer among top candidates for vacant Clippers' head coaching spot

Written by Quixem Ramirez on May 22, 2013 16:30.

The Los Angeles Clippers may not look much different on the floor next season -- assuming Chris Paul re-signs with the club, which isn't a guarantee -- except for one notable exception. Vinny Del Negro will not be coaching the team. The Clippers, according to the Los Angeles Times, will not extend his contract, which expires June 30.

Del Negro inherited a 29-win team in the 2010-11 season. He and rookie phenom Blake Griffin infused the Clippers with excitement, but few wins. The Clippers nabbed Paul the next season, won 40 games, defeated the Grizzlies in a taut seven-game series before bowing out to the San Antonio Spurs in four games. Del Negro's Clippers, with a few ancillary pieces added to the mix, were even better this season, winning 56 games and clinching the fourth seed in the Western Conference. A first-round exit, especially one where the Clippers held a 2-0 lead, didn't assuage the prevailing sentiment that Del Negro simply doesn't have the coaching acumen to win consistently in the NBA.

So how will the Clippers replace Del Negro, the most successful coach (.556 winning percentage) in franchise history?

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Grizzlies' Gasol won DPOY, but is Spurs' Duncan proving to be more worthy?

Written by Paul Garcia on May 22, 2013 15:00.

AT&T Center – Four weeks ago, Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol was named the 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Gasol and the Grizzlies were defensive juggernauts in the regular season as they won games with their style of play, “grit and grind.” USA Today Sports

Today, with Gasol’s Grizzlies down 0-2 to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, something was visible Tuesday that didn’t catch a lot of the spotlight. Game 2 was all about Tim Duncan’s offense in the headlines, but not much was mentioned in regards to his defense.

Going back to four weeks ago, Gasol won the DPOY award with a total of 212 points. His teammate Tony Allen even finished fifth in the voting with 102 total points. However, even after Duncan and the Spurs began to insert themselves in top defensive categories this season as they did in their prime defensive years, Duncan only received 94 total votes and finished 6th in voting.

“It was huge,” said Tony Parker Tuesday of Duncan’s scoring plays in overtime. “He made some big baskets for us. A big rebound and it was a great boost for us.”

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Tony Allen: Manu definitely committed a flagrant foul on me

Written by Jeff Garcia on May 22, 2013 13:30.

That's Grizzlies' Tony Allen flailing on the court, apparently in agony as he is grabbing his head after San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili was called for a flagrant foul late in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. But was it more an outstanding overreacting job by Allen?

Clearly Manu went for his arm but no where did Allen hit his head during his fall yet there he was, clutching his head seemingly in agony.

When asked about Manu's foul postgame, Allen replied, "Yes, most definitely. He cannot pull me out the air."

However, this isn't the first time Allen showed off his flopping skills on the court.

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Report: Parker to undergo MRI

Written by Jeff Garcia on May 22, 2013 11:57.

According to Jared Greenberg of NBA TV, San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker will undergo an MRI on his calf during the three-day layoff before Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals versus Memphis.

Tony Parker to undergo an MRI tomorrow on calf. Says three days off couldn't have come at a better time @nba. @nbatv @nbaontnt
— Jared Greenberg (@NBATVJared) May 22, 2013

Parker, who led the Spurs in Game 2 with 15 points and a career playoff high 18 assists, showed no signs of any calf injury during the overtime win. However, during the semifinals versus the Warriors, he did suffer a left calf injury when Andrew Bogut kicked him in Game 3. Parker did finish out the series versus Golden State despite the "baseball" size knot in his calf. At that time, no medical tests were given.

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Parker looking to avoid repeating last year's WCF exit

Written by Quixem Ramirez on May 22, 2013 10:30.

This feels eerily similar. Deja vu, maybe.

At about this time last year, the San Antonio Spurs had put the finishing touches on a nine-point home victory in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder then quickly dispatched of the Spurs' 10-game winning streak in four consecutive games.

Oklahoma City bottled up Tony Parker in the pick-and-roll, giving him little real estate in which to operate while staying home on the bevy of Spurs shooters. Parker averaged 19.3 points while shooting 41.2 percent from the field in the four losses. The problems were residual -- with Parker limited by Thabo Sefolosha, Danny Green, Matt Bonner and Gary Neal were innocent bystanders on the perimeter. No penetration means no space, and no space means no points.

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San Antonio Spurs 93, Memphis Grizzlies 89: Survival of the Fittest

Written by Jesse Blanchard on May 22, 2013 02:23.

AT&T CENTER -- Whether looking at a series as a whole, or individual games, the objective in the playoffs remains the same. Make a run, build a lead, and then protect that lead with everything you have.

Through three quarters the San Antonio Spurs appeared to pick up where they left off in Game 1, combining a dominant defensive performance with a precision offense directed by the brilliant play of point guard Tony Parker. For a brief moment in the third quarter, Parker was at the height of his powers, getting into the middle of the Grizzlies defense and reading their schemes and rotations at an elite level.

When Parker wasn’t finding Tiago Splitter at the rim for a layup or dunk, he was kicking out passes to Danny Green or Kawhi Leonard for open three-pointers. Parker scored four points and eight of his career-high 18 assists in a third quarter that saw the Spurs build an 18-point lead.

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