SAN ANTONIO — The MVPs for the Spurs Game 5 win you know — Manu Ginobili came back like the prodigal son to have a huge game, Danny Green knocked down any shot given inside the San Antonio city limits, and Tony Parker continues to be the guy who should get the Finals MVP award if the Spurs win because he makes it all go for them.
But Boris Diaw’s defense on LeBron James also was key.
Yes, you read that right. Diaw’s defense on LeBron in the second half was key — LeBron shot just 1-of-8 over the big Frenchman.
“Boris is a pretty good defender,” Tony Parker said after the game. “He looks awkward, but he gets the job done. Every time in Europe he guards guys like that, the Kirilenkos, stuff like that, the fours who can’t really move.
“I think it gives a different look for LeBron. Kawhi (Leonard) is doing a great job. The whole team we’re trying to do a good job. I think Boris, we have confidence in him that for a couple of minutes he can do a good job.”
Kawhi Leonard has been doing a good job, but LeBron was attacking for much of the game and Diaw was oddly better suited to deal with that.
Diaw, 6’8” with a body by Whataburger, would stand a few feet off LeBron, put his long arm out to contest a jumper and try to make it hard to drive the lane. LeBron is strong, when he drives he bullies his way to the rim with his shoulder. Diaw’s size lets him absorb that contact in a way Leonard or Gary Neal cannot.
Diaw was on LeBron through the late third quarter and early fourth quarter stretch when the Spurs went on a run to pull away and basically put the game away. LeBron had a free throw in there but little more.
You can’t stop LeBron with one player or one look — Diaw got beat a couple of times but Tiago Splitter and Tim Duncan had time to get over and help (you can’t drive around Diaw quickly).
Nobody stops LeBron but the Spurs have contained him this series, for the most part, by throwing a lot of different looks at him — the long and athletic Leonard, the strong Gary Neal, the big body of Diaw. The Spurs bring the doubles in the post on LeBron and make him a passer as much as they can (they will live with the Mario Chalmers three over the LeBron dunk).
It has worked. Expect more Diaw on LeBron in Game 6, and if it works again the Spurs may be hanging out with Larry O’Brien after the game Tuesday.