David West of the New Orleans Hornets was very upset with his play in game four of their Western conference semi-final matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. Tonight in game 5 in the hive he was unstoppable. West carried the Hornets through the first half to keep the game close enough that when they went on a run in the third and took the lead they wouldn't relinquish it.
Photo courtesy of Chris Graythen / Getty images
West finished the game with playoff carreer highs of 38 points (one point shy of tying a club record set by Glen Rice with 39) and 14 rebounds through in 5 assist and 5 blocks he showed that he is a superstar in the making.
Scrappy and relentless defense is what helped the Hornets in games one and two, something that was missing in games three and four in S.A. but turned it back on at home. Forcing the Spurs into 10 total turnovers and holding Tim Duncan to just 10 points was enough to give them a 3-2 lead heading back to San Antonio and put the pressure on the Spurs.
Chris Paul struggled a little in the first half but turned it on in the second to finish with 22 points 1steal and 14 assist. Not to mention his decision making throughout the game was exceptional. He consistantly worked the pick and roll to perfection with David West or found Morris Peterson wide open beyond the arch for threes. Mo Pete ended the game with 12 points 2 steals and four rebounds. The 12 points made up for the lack of scoreing by Peja who only had 9 points but added 11 reb. and a steal.
Photo courtesy of Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty images
As young and inexperianced as this Hornets team is, they make up for it with confidence and good team defense. Something that has made the Spurs the champions they have been for so many times this last 9 years.
Take nothing though from the Spurs, they are every bit of the great team they have been for so long. However the third quarter was the key. West with a tweaked back just wouldn't be denied and Paul drove the lane fast and hard to keep the Spurs defense off balanced.
The Hornets played Tony Parker hard and he seen the floor up close almost as many times as he seen a shot fall for him. He finished the game with 18 points but only 4 assist. The Spurs best offensive weapon tonight was Manu Ginobli who had 20 points and 7 assist. That however wasn't enough as the rest of the team couldn't make a beach ball land in the ocean.
Game 6 will be a good one and the Spurs backs are against the wall. However they are a extremely good team and by no means will they just lay down and accept defeat. The Hornets will have to come out with even more intensity and defensive awareness than this game if they hope to knock off the defending NBA champs.
Note: The team that wins Game 5 in a best-of-seven that was tied 2-2 has gone on to win 83.7% of the time.
I know some New Orleans fans were a bit skeptical about Mo-Pete when he signed a contract with the Hornets, but after seeing him play for 6 years in Toronto, I knew they'd be getting a great role-player who can essentially do the work necessary to improve his team. I'm very happy to see him doing so well in New Orleans, and also happy to see the Hornets doing well, too.
goTo,
While I am a still bit skeptical as to what he brings to this team I am however optomistic about his future here. He is as you say a good role player. He has stepped up big most noteably lastnight when Peja struggles. The four three pointers he hit was crucial to them winning this game. Let's hope he continues to succeed and gel with this team. thx for commenting and please do return.
Nique,
While I am happy about the convincing win lastnight, I am however a realist and know the Spurs will not just take this laying down. They are the defending champs and will come out looking to make a statement and push for a seventh game. Scott needs to have this team ready to play with the same intensity they showed at home. It was a very exciting game and hope it ends come thursday in S.A. thx for commenting sweetie and you are always welcomed to return
gambitxxx
There's a knot in the pit of my stomach as of now. I tend to take note of such things as it usually gives me a sense foreboding. Things did not go well last night for the Spurs as they allowed West to run wild like a bull in a China shop.
God we could do nothing right on the night and there was no sense of urgency about the team whatsoever.
I do believe that Byron Scott has gotten inside the head of his counterpart Greg Popovich. And is matching him wit for wit in all aspects of the game, not only coaching in this series but also in motivating their respective players.
rampant' aka tophatal .........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 14th at 10:17 AM.
rampant' aka Top,
I'm sorry you had to endure another beatdown here in the Big Easy at the hands of the Hornets. Yeah West had a heck of a night. There was no answer for his offense or defense. Think Rafer Alston still believes he's no superstar? after out playing T.D. for most of this series? He's more of a superstar than what Alston claims Yao Ming is (who in my opinion is soft) if so then he needs to leave the weed alone as it's screwing up his brain.
gambitxxx
Rafer Alston wouldn't know the front end of an #### from the back end of an #### . But I can definitely tell you this he's an #### himself. Where the hell are the Rockets now ? Seated at home on their proverbial as*ses once again showing how soft they really are .
Mr Wipple says he wants his roll of Charmin back Rafer .
Mr Whipple of the Charmin ads......
As soft as they come just like the team he plays for ....Rafer Alston of the Houston Rockets. Gift of the gab that he as a player has yet to back up.
gambitxxx
The Spurs deservedly loss the game as they were outplayed by the Hornets once again in all aspects of the game.
There was no sense of urgency in their (Spurs') play whatosever and they paid the price for their errant play.
They now face an uphill battle in the two games that quite possibly'll have to be played in San Antonio if they're to prevail overall.
As for your Spurs they have to have the same urgency that the Hornets had last game. Treat both these games as a game seven and get out there and hustle. There defense is sorely lacking as well and that's odd coming from possibly the best defensive team in a decade.
gambitxxx It was meant to be as I prefer guys to do their talking on the field of play. After they've achieved what they'd set out to do. Then I for one don't have a problem with 'em shoutin' it from the rooftops. But until then they're best seen and not heard !
There's a saying .......'time waits for no man' . At this juncture it's caught up with the Spurs and it's time to pay The Piper. They've messed around for too long with the Hornets allowing 'em to dictate the pace and flow of the game and series from the outset. And it has come back to bite us right in the proverbial ####.
What's even more astounding is the very fact that Popovich is being outcoached by Byron Scott. Who'd have thought that at the start of this particular series ?
Quite possibly the most fearsome duo in the Bayou ?
Rampant',
You are right as far as Rafer Alston is concerned.
As for the Spurs I see them winning and pushing a game 7 but ultimatly lose to the Hornets in the Hive. Make no mistake about it though if any team is going to win a game seven on the road this season it'll be the Spurs.
gambitxxx
I don't how true that'll be but at this juncture Popovich does need to rally his troops. I've said as much in a piece that I've written over at another sport's website. I'll send you a Fox e-mail as to the details of the piece in question.
The perfect breakfast as I see it.
You’re sitting at the table and your son is on the cover of Wheaties, your mistress is on the cover of Playboy, and your wife is on the back of the milk carton.
Cool Myspace Comments
Cool Myspace Comments
Cool Myspace Comments
