Some Hard Questions About Soft Spurs

It’s only one victory in a best-of-seven series, but the Lakers’ convincing, 24-point win in Game 3 might raise questions about the heart of the San Antonio Spurs once again.

In their NBA championship runs of 2001 and 2002, the Lakers crushed San Antonio, winning eight of nine playoff games, and the Spurs’ lack of toughness was criticized.

Even last year, the Spurs had to answer questions about their manhood en route to the league title. After blowing a 2-0 lead against the underdog Lakers in the second round, many basketball experts wondered about the character of Coach Gregg Popovich’s team before San Antonio won two in a row to win the series.

The Spurs can shut up their critics by winning tonight’s Game 4 with force. Because if San Antonio gets roughed up again, the Lakers will make sure the Spurs get the same treatment the remainder of the series.

Spurs’ move -- For the most part, San Antonio’s offense was soft Sunday, starting with Tim Duncan. Once the Lakers opened Game 3 with an aggressive defensive approach that featured quick double-teams in the post, Duncan seemed to drift away from contact. He took two shots in the first quarter and had two points at halftime.

The Spurs can’t afford to have the ball taken out of Duncan’s hands. They need him to be assertive because he opens up the court for his teammates, especially point guard Tony Parker.

In Game 3, the Lakers did a better job on the Spurs’ screen-and-roll plays because they took away Duncan’s aggressiveness. That can’t happen in Game 4 if the Spurs hope to go home with a 3-1 edge.

On Sunday, Popovich wasn’t pleased with the play of center Rasho Nesterovic, who was moved out of position all game by the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal. Nesterovic played well in Games 1 and 2, but did not score and had five fouls, three turnovers and one offensive rebound in Game 3.

Don’t be surprised to see Kevin Willis and even seldom-used Malik Rose get key minutes early if Nesterovic struggles again.

Lakers’ move -- Kobe Bryant played his most complete game of the playoffs Sunday. It wasn’t only his efficient offense, which was solid across the board with 22 points, six assists and six rebounds, but also his defense.

Bryant was a one-man wrecking crew in breaking down the Spurs’ half-court offense. Whenever and wherever he felt needed, Bryant positioned himself to make a defensive play. Look for him to continue to help double team Duncan in the post and get into the lane whenever Parker attacks the basket.

In Game 3, the Lakers gave up open perimeter shots to Bruce Bowen and Hedo Turkoglu and it did not cost them. The key is to make them rush their shots. Such players as Gary Payton, Devean George, Derek Fisher and Bryant have to keep moving their feet in rotation in order for that to happen.

Also expect the Lakers to continue to run more pick-and-roll plays with Karl Malone, O’Neal, Payton and Bryant. This attack helped keep the Lakers’ spacing in place and provide more offensive options from the weak side. But the Lakers still have to take better care of the basketball because 19 turnovers -- committed in Game 3 -- are too many.

Something to look for -- Although his coach, Popovich, mistakenly called him Devean George after Game 3, the Spurs’ Devin Brown could play a key role tonight.

In 24 minutes off the bench Sunday, Brown had 16 points and seven rebounds. He has the size and quickness to make Bryant work on offense and his offensive skills provide an added dimension to the Spur attack. If Bowen and Turkoglu again have trouble making plays as they did Sunday, expect Brown to play a lot of minutes.