NBA Playoffs 2013: Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview
The Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs series pits the younger up-and-coming team in the Warriors against the tried-and-true veteran Spurs club. The Warriors are riding high after defeating the Denver Nuggets in six games, while the Spurs are well rested after thrashing the Los Angeles Lakers in four straight.
Will experience and poise trump youth and atheticism? Let’s break down the matchups.
The ageless Tim Duncan is having one of his finest years. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
Likely Starting Lineups
Point Guard
Stephen Curry (GSW) vs. Tony Parker (SAS)
There’s no hotter young name in the NBA right now than Mr. Curry. He isn’t tremendously fast or strong, but the guy has a killer jumper and is playing with a tremendous amount of confidence. He’s brash and he has a good reason to be. On the other side, Parker leads the Spurs by doing a little bit of everything. He isn’t as flashy and doesn’t get the kind of press that Curry gets, but make no mistake about it, he’s a winner. When Curry’s hot streak ends, will he still impact the game?
Advantage: San Antonio Spurs
Shooting Guard
Klay Thompson (GSW) vs. Danny Green (SAS)
While they aren’t mirror images of each other, this is definitely a close race. Both players play off of their point guards and like to spot up. Thompson has a small advantage on the offensive end, while Green gets the small advantage on the defensive end. At the end of the day, Green has the experience in big situations while Thompson has a higher ceiling. This isn’t a five-year series, so we’re going with experience.
Advantage: San Antonio Spurs
Small Forward
Harrison Barnes (GSW) vs. Kawhi Leonard (SAS)
Kawhi Leonard isn’t flashy, but he’s effective. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule
If the 2012 NBA Draft was redone, there’s no way Barnes would fall to the Warriors at No. 7. He grew quickly during his rookie year and put up a solid 14.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the first round. Leonard was thought of in the same light, but is a year ahead. He posted 11.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals for the Spurs during the 2012-13 regular season. Barnes might be more athletic, but Leonard is more complete as a player.
Advantage: San Antonio Spurs
Power Forward
Carl Landry (GSW) vs. Tim Duncan (SAS)
One of the bigger steals of the summer of 2012 was the Golden State Warriors signing Landry for just $8 million over two years. He’s been excellent in his role off the bench, but with the injury to David Lee, he’s being pressed into starting duties. Unfortunately, he has to go against the best power forward in NBA history. At least he’s old, right? Maybe, but he’s coming off one of his finest seasons, averaging 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocks in just 30.1 minutes. No contest.
Advantage: San Antonio Spurs
Center
Andrew Bogut (GSW) vs. Tiago Splitter (SAS)
Splitter is another in the long line of players who have blossomed under coach Gregg Popovich. He won’t make many highlights, but he also doesn’t make many mistakes. Splitter very quietly finished No. 7 in the NBA in field-goal percentage and No. 9 in offensive rating. For the Warriors, Bogut was brought over for his attitude and defense in the paint. Against the Nuggets, he averaged 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in just 27.7 minutes per game.
Advantage: Golden State Warriors
Sixth Man/Bench
Jarrett Jack (GSW) vs. Manu Ginobili (SAS)
It goes without saying that Ginobili is one of the best sixth men in the game of basketball. Going past that, the Spurs have an excellent shooter in Matt Bonner to go along with Gary Neal, DeJuan Blair and Cory Joseph. The Warriors have energy off the bench with Jack and Draymond Green, but they aren’t nearly as deep. The loss of Lee really hurts them here.
Advantage: San Antonio Spurs
Coaching
Mark Jackson (GSW) vs. Gregg Popovich (SAS)
What can be said that hasn’t been already about coach Pop? He’s insufferable at times, but the one thing that is certain is that he’s a tremendous basketball coach. He won’t be out-coached by Jackson today, tomorrow or any day for that matter. No slight to Jackson, but this is an easy choice.
Advantage: San Antonio Spurs
Key Matchup
Stephen Curry vs. Tony Parker
The not-so-secret to the Warriors’ success has been Curry. As he goes, they go. The key for the Spurs to stopping the Warriors is to stop Curry. Will Parker try to outscore him? No, that won’t work. But, he can neutralize him by making him work hard on the other end of the court. The Spurs are coached tremendously well and will have a defensive scheme to force Curry to work hard at all times.
Golden State Will Win If…
…Curry and Thompson can keep a hot hand for a whole series.
San Antonio Will Win If…
…Parker, Ginobili and Duncan outwork and outsmart the young Warriors.
Prediction
San Antonio Spurs defeat the Golden State Warriors 4-2.