Scott turns to Kittles in Game 4

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Ticker) -- Before the game, New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott said that it was a possibility that guard Kerry Kittles would take a defensive turn on San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who had been a huge factor in the Finals.

Not only did Scott use Kittles on Parker, he also found it to be effective.

Through the first three games, the 6-2 Parker has used his quickness to outplay the 6-4 Kidd, an All-NBA defender. Scott believed that the length of the 6-6 Kittles could hinder Parker as a shooter or a penetrator.

"I don't think (Kittles) gets enough credit for his defense but he's an excellent defender," Scott said. "He's got those long arms, and he's pretty quick. So I think he gives Tony just a different look."

Scott said that Kidd would start out on Parker and remain the primary defender. But Kidd has been averaging a team-high 42.7 minutes per game, sitting out only the early portion of the second quarter, and his coach seems concerned with the fatigue factor.

"What it does for J-Kidd is it saves his legs a little bit, so he's just not chasing him around all over the place," Scott said.

SI.com On Site  Marty Burns: With their NBA title hopes on the line, the Nets pulled out all the stops Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Finals. • Click here for more  Analysis and Opinion  • Fast Breaks: Second-guessing Pop • Rushin: San Antonio loves its Spurs • Picks: Burns | Hollinger | McCallum More Stories  • Game 4: Recap | Box Score • Admiral unhappy with Parker's shots • Kittles puts clamps on Parker • Mutombo giving Duncan problems • Nets win Game 4 with defense • Spurs again miss a 3 at the end • Notebook: Jefferson hits the boards   Instant Poll  Who should Gregg Popovich have played at point guard in the final minutes of Game 4? Speedy Claxton Steve Kerr Tony Parker View Results

Both Kittles and reserve guard Anthony Johnson spent the second quarter on Parker, who had an awful game. He made just 1-of-12 shots and scored three points, spending most of the second half on the bench.

"I thought the coaches did a good job of letting us know certain things that we were able to do defensively to be a little more successful than we had been," said Kittles, who scored just four points. "We forced a lot of turnovers."

Kittles was most effective during a 14-2 run in the second quarter. The offense of the Spurs stalled, and one of Kittles' two baskets came when he stripped Parker and went in for a breakaway dunk.

"I thought Kerry did a wonderful job," Kidd said. "We talked about making that change and we did it on the run right there."

Not having to chase Parker helped Kidd, who played 47 minutes, sitting out just briefly in the second period.

"To chase Tony around, it wears on you offensively and defensively," Kidd said. "So we made a little adjustment in that sense to give me a chance to play off the ball."

Kidd joked about his defense on Parker.

"I did play him a little bit different," he said. "I was over on the sideline. I was guarding (Manu) Ginobili or (Bruce) Bowen, so I guarded him a little bit differently in that sense." ...

 

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