The greatest coaching tactic last night was Fran's insertion of Pemsl into the rotation. That a$$hat falls down after contact by THT, gets the ref to bite and call a HORRIBLE charging foul, and then proceeds to run his mouth while laying on the ground. MJ takes exception to it, and the "entitled one" instigates physical contact. Being the gutless wonder that he is, Pencilhead cheap-shots MJ. Unfortunately, MJ's "retaliation" lands him his second foul and our interior defense suffers the rest of the first half. Also, that charge call eventually affected our play during the rest of the half - cuz Horton-Tucker (who was carving up their D with drives to the basket) would soon have to sit due to foul trouble. This was, by NO means, the only reason we lost - but Pemsl's thug play shifted the entire tone of the game. Our guys just have to channel that hatred or frustration to better play. I think we settled for too many contested 3s/jumpers vs trying to break down their 'D.' Oh well, on to bigger and better things!
It was pretty clearly a Robert Horry situation for their most important game of the year. The guy is supposed to have surgery and be out for the year, he flops and starts a fight seconds after entering the game.
I'm always surprised desperate coaches don't do it more. Send an end of bench guy, or even an injured guy, out to harass and bait a star player. It won the Spurs a championship they didn't earn. It does work, all you have to do is have no moral character.