San Antonio Spurs: Last-Second Adjustments That Must Be Made Before Game 6 - Bleacher Report

Head coach Gregg Popovich made one major adjustment before Game 5, but it's still uncertain whether it was the correct one.

It's even less certain that it will be the last one.

After shooting a combined 7-of-28 through the first four games of the series, shooting guard Danny Green was demoted to the bench and saw just four minutes of action in Game 5. Green promptly missed his 18th three-pointer of the series along with a step-back jumper he had no business taking.

So, maybe keeping Green out of the starting unit wasn't a bad move.

But that doesn't mean switching him with Manu Ginobili will be enough. 

Does San Antonio need to make some changes?

Does San Antonio need to make some changes?

• No, they just need to execute better.

• Yes, change the starting lineup.

• Yes, change the play-calling.

• Yes, change the defensive strategy.

• Total votes: 607

Ginobili had his best game of the series, racking up 34 points and seven assists in 38 minutes. Unfortunately, the Spurs offense is currently alternating between fits of uncharacteristic one-on-one play and forced passes.

That has a lot to do with Tony Parker over-dribbling and pressing against a squad of long-armed defenders like Thabo Sefolosha. Though Parker has reliably led this offense all year, he is getting trapped on pick-and-rolls, and one of San Antonio's principal offensive weapons has been all but taken away.

Of course, that is no reason to take the ball entirely out of Parker's handsâ€"but it is a reason to get him moving off the ball while able passers like Ginobili and Boris Diaw try their hands at distributing.

Here are a few more changes head coach Gregg Popovich should make before it's too late.

Stop Posting Up Timmy

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Even if Tim Duncan misses half of his mid-range jumpers from the top of the key, he's better off taking those shots than bodying up with Kendrick Perkins in the post. He isn't getting calls in the paint, and Perkins is smothering him. Those mid-range shots may not be especially high-percentage attempts, but at least they're open.

Let DeJuan Blair Out of His Cage

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After disappearing entirely from San Antonio's postseason rotation, Blair has finally seen some action in the last three games against Oklahoma City, but not much of it. With Matt Bonner cold to the point of total irrelevance, it's time for Blair to get a few extra minutesâ€"especially against the similarly wide and undersized Perkins. If the Spurs need to bring more "nasty," Blair may be the guy to do it.

Get Stephen Jackson the Ball

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A savvy veteran who doesn't lack for confidence, Stephen Jackson is a guy who San Antonio needs to find on offense. Over the last three games, Jackson has made nine of his 14 three-pointers, shooting 15-of-22 overall. If he is smothered beyond the arc, he has the ball-handling skills to penetrate and find the open man. 

Make the Thunder's Big Men Think Twice

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Spurs fans can't be especially pleased about the number of dunks Nick Collison is getting. Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins have also had their fair share. San Antonio has to focus its defensive resources, but there is no excuse for letting these guys hover around the baseline without recourse. This may be one of those times some "playoff fouls" are in orderâ€"if San Antonio's interior guys get walked all over again in Game 6, this series is over.