Most coaches use Game 1 as a feeling out process. Sort of like Round 1 in boxing when both fighters barely throw punches and use the whole round to study how each fighter moves.
Well, the Lakers and Spurs know each other so well that both teams' scouting departments will be taking the next two weeks off. There is no need to study. The Lakers are all too familiar with the Spurs' discipline on offense and defense and the Spurs are well versed in the triangle offense.
Game 1 on Wednesday night is critical. Both teams want to land the first hard punch and force the other to adjust. Most likely, Lakers coach Phil Jackson will make the first move and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will counter.
Jackson is notorious for throwing curveballs in Game 1.
In 1998 when the Chicago Bulls faced the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, Jackson had 6-8 forward Scottie Pippen guard 6-1 poing guard Mark Jackson in Game 1. Pippen's length and quickness bothered Jackson so much the Pacers were unable to run their normal offense the whole series. The Bulls won in seven.
Jackson pulled out all the stops again as Lakers coach in Game 1 of the 2001 conference finals against the Spurs when he had 6-6 Kobe Bryant defend 6-0 point guard Terry Porter. The young and energetic Bryant took the slow and aging Porter out of the series and the Lakers swept the Spurs.
Those two Game 1 gems are reasons why Jackson is 40-0 when he wins the first game of a best-of-seven series.
The 4-0 thumping in 2001 forced Popovich to revamp his roster. The following season, he drafted a little known but ultra quick point guard in Tony Parker and the next season took a chance on Manu Ginobili in the second round.
If Tim Duncan is the foundation of the Spurs' machine and Parker is the driver, then Ginobili is the engine.
Most teams key on Duncan and Parker to try to derail the Spurs, but I've always thought that the key to San Antonio's championship teams starts and ends with Ginobili. He is their X factor. When the Spurs need a spark or a lift, Popovich turns to Ginobili. When it's money time in the fourth quarter, the ball is in the hands of Ginobili.
Ginobili is the only Euro with a blacktop game. Yup. I called him Euro even though he's from Argentina. He looks Euro. He plays like a Euro. And he smells like a Euro. He is rugged, plays with a chip on his shoulder and looks like he belongs on Rucker Park. He loves the big stage. He's been on three Spurs championship teams, won a championship in Europe and led Argentina to an Olympic gold. He's a winner.
If Phil Jackson and the Lakers want to advance to the NBA Finals, they better figure out a way to take Manu Ginobili out of the series.
Can't wait for Game 1. It's on!
Keywords: Gregg Popovich, Lakers, Manu Ginobili, Phil Jackson, Spurs
