Tim Duncan Knows Series vs Memphis Grizzlies Won’t Be ‘Pretty’

The San Antonio Spurs advanced to the Western Conference Finals last night, eliminating the Golden State Warriors after six thrilling games. The next round, against the Memphis Grizzlies, will feature considerably less highlight plays and a lot more bruising defense. Don’t say Tim Duncan didn’t warn you ahead of time. Per Yahoo! Sports: “It’s not going to be pretty,’ Duncan said. ‘Sorry. It’s just not going to be. It’s going to be two teams trying to impose wills on each other. Two very well-coached, good executing, tough-minded, defensive teams. And that’s just how the series is going to go.’ The point guard matchup between the Spurs’ Tony Parker and the Grizzlies’ Mike Conley Jr. should be exciting, but the main reason for the expected grimy play is Memphis power forward Zach Randolph and center Marc Gasol. The Spurs earned the right to play the Grizzlies after knocking off the Golden State Warriors in the second round with a 94-82 victory in Game 6 on Thursday night. There isn’t a duo in the NBA more physical and who enjoys every hit more than Randolph and Gasol. The Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin would certainly second that because he couldn’t get up the floor without being bumped by Randolph. Gasol is this season’s Defensive Player of the Year. Both have games more suited for the 1980s. Duncan and his post mate Tiago Splitter have faced impressive size already in the postseason: Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol in the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Warriors’ frontline of Andrew Bogut, Carl Landy, Festus Ezeli, David Lee and Andris Biedrins. But all those guys were just primers for what’s next. ‘It’s going to be a rough one,’ Duncan said. ‘If you thought this [series] was physical, it’s going to turn up about 10 notches.'”