This is a PSA, take it at your own risk, just remember this was FREE:
The title of the thread should be "Why I Love Timmy D and why the Spurs are Punked without him"
ESPN does not have Timmy starting today, it's Splitter.
Why is Timmy so important?
1. He's a good Rebounder, which is essential for the bench filled with shooters. Lately, they've been really bad, so Timmy needs to get those 2nd chance plays. McDyess has good stats for O rebounds too but I'm concerned about McDyess, he was -6 v Suns, in 18 mins play with 5 rebounds. Why? He must be a liability somewhere.
What about DeBlair, you say? He was -10 in 17 mins. Who was picking up the slack? Bonner!!! Yes, the Red Rocket had 11 rebounds, his D was the big difference between the Suns game and the Rockets game.
My concern is: if Bonner is playing D at the PF position, who is scoring? Ginobili? Parker? that concern me, because they didn't play well v Suns. And will Bonner be able to take on Horford?
2. He opens up plays for Parker. I noticed Parker is more efficient when Duncan is playing and there's no one on Hawks who can match Parker's speed. Hill played great v Suns but he's an equal match for Hinrich, who also been playing great. Physically there's no edge, speed there is no edge. But with Parker I see a speed advantage and that's why he killed it v. Celtics.
Enough about Timmy, let's talk Spurs... I disagree with the masses, they HAVEN'T been playing well. Any other day, the would've annihilated the Rockets, which they have a long standing Rivalry with. They lost by what I think are coaching gaffes. How could the COY candidate lose 6 in a row? Easily. He's throwing the games. He's got his eyes on the playoffs, not the last week of regular season.
Who would you want to play in first round? The new and improved juggernaut Memphis? Or the stingless Hornets? Spurs can and will beat both teams, but my concern for first round with Memphis is they are physical, tough team that will be playing HARD. A tough win v. Memphis may knock the wind out of the Spurs. Why not have another tough rival, say the Lakers, win that battle instead? BRILLIANT
With this logic, I may put a small amount of Hawks ML today.
I MAY BE WRONG.... but I doubt it.