[h=1]Game 2 adjustments for Z-Bo[/h][h=3]How Zach Randolph counters a Spurs D specifically designed to stop him[/h]
By David Thorpe | ESPN Insider
The San Antonio Spurs wasted no time getting things going against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
It was the likely game plan, as Memphis had just completed 11 straight games in which it defended offenses with little movement and passing. Now the Grizzlies had to adjust to a crisp, fluid Spurs offense. For instance, on their opening possession, the Spurs threw four passes in a hair less than eight seconds to create an open corner 3, actions symbolic of how San Antonio plays, which was in stark contrast to what the Memphis defenders had gotten used to since mid-April.
Thus, for Game 2, the adjustments are all on the Grizzlies. To be sure, Memphis' defensive mindset will adjust to the new type of scoring threats it is now facing. Slowing down the Spurs' attack will easily be Memphis' greatest challenge of the postseason. But better defense alone won't be enough.
Zach Randolph must return to form. He must play great on both sides of the ball, something that didn't come close to happening in Game 1. Randolph produced so little that, without some major adjustments, Memphis simply cannot win.
Here's a breakdown of the problem facing Randolph and three things he can do to counter a Spurs defensive strategy designed specifically to neutralize him.
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[h=3]Spurs' well-oiled defense[/h]We can only surmise that the conversation between Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and his team before Game 1 went something like this: "[Marc] Gasol and [Mike] Conley are often reluctant scorers, so we need to focus on slowing down Z-Bo."
Indeed, if Randolph gets a lot of touches inside, he will finish many of them and draw a lot of fouls, especially if he creates angles to the rim the way he normally does. Meanwhile, Gasol lives on the perimeter and Conley is small, so the Spurs shouldn't have to foul them. The two might score some, but they can't get the Spurs into foul trouble like Randolph can. If Gasol or Conley got rolling, the Spurs would adjust accordingly.
The problem: The Spurs cut off the Grizzlies' best bucket guy. The execution of that plan was strong, almost flawless. San Antonio defended Z-Bo with Tim Duncan a good portion of the game, and he did an effective job of bumping Randolph out of the paint or pushing him below the rim. The Spurs also were hyperaware of where Randolph was at all times, throwing a second guy toward him any time the ball was one pass away -- typically using whoever was defending Tony Allen -- and sending someone when he drove to the rim.
Randolph never got a clean shot attempt, not even when he was able to get past Duncan. When Randolph has the ball, Duncan's length allows him to press up on Randolph, taking away his jump shot and forcing him to drive toward help.
And Duncan, one of the savviest defenders in NBA history, prevented Z-Bo from getting his body on him and prevented good "seal" opportunities (offensive players don't want space between themselves and their defender inside; defenders do). They also took away Randolph's left-hand drives, even if it meant allowing him to drive to the middle, albeit with his weak hand.
Bottom line, the Spurs emphasized "contest, don't foul," using length and smart angles to avoid making contact with Randolph. And Duncan, still an elite shot-blocker and perhaps the best in the league at blocking shots of the man he's guarding (compared with those that come off help), timed his contests perfectly when Randolph found a sliver of a lane to drive through. Randolph missed easy shots and lost some desire to hunt for great shots. The result was a frustrated Randolph who never got into a scoring rhythm.
Adjustment 1: For Game 2 and beyond, Randolph must make quicker decisions when he catches the ball. In theory, it's great to want to catch and hold (which is what Randolph did in Game 1), see where the help is coming from and play accordingly. But the Spurs are too long and too sound on defense to make catch-and-read work.
Instead, quick attacks can be a solution. The moment the ball reaches his fingers, Randolph can drive or shoot. If he chooses to shoot, the Memphis player whose man was headed toward double-team help on Randolph can crash the glass. If Randolph drives, his sudden attack move is more likely to draw contact (thus a foul) or at least put him in a better position to get past the helper. Offensive players with the ball are easier to defend standing still or moving slowly.
Adjustment 2: Z-Bo must move the ball to the open man quickly. If he drives and draws help defenders, then suddenly makes a pass, the Spurs' rotations will be slower to respond, in part because the helper is moving directly toward Randolph. Earning an open shot for a teammate does not mean Randolph won't get shots, and a scrambling Spurs defense will have a difficult time keeping Randolph (and his teammates) off the offensive backboards.
Randolph did not finish inside the way he's capable of. He was bothered by lengthy defenders and lacked enough shot fakes to keep defenders off-balance. The failure to earn a free throw is a telltale sign of those struggles. Quick attacks and being more patient inside off an offensive rebound can alleviate this. Also, more shot fakes, better balance and just going up strong without concern that he might have his shot blocked can help Randolph score in the paint against the San Antonio defense.
Adjustment 3: Memphis also can line up a rotation of Jerryd Bayless, Conley and Quincy Pondexter with their two starting bigs and keep the smalls on the perimeter behind the 3-point line. Gasol, in the pinch post, can deliver quick entry passes to Randolph, especially if the guards are flooding one side of the floor and the top of the key. This will leave a side of the floor open for Randolph to use as he works to seal Duncan or Boris Diaw toward his teammates and leaving the help side open. Randolph must begin to work his defender into the proper position before Gasol makes his catch in the pinch post area. There won't be enough time to do so after the catch because help will be coming.
Lastly, Randolph excels at grinding, pushing, shoving and bumping. He wears down his opponents this way (see Nick Collison). That part of his game was not seen in Game 1. Duncan has looked tired at multiple times this postseason. A Z-Bo focused on his "ugly" game can demoralize the Spurs' front line, perhaps earning more than eight free throws and a half dozen offensive rebounds. Even if he is not scoring effectively, staying sharp and focused on wearing down the Spurs' bigs can produce the result Z-Bo and his teammates are looking for.