sonic21
02-08-2009, 03:29 AM
http://www.nba.com/2009/reportcard/midseason/spurs/index.html
Froncourt
PF Tim Duncan (20.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg) remains efficient at both ends. SF Michael Finley (9.7 ppg) plays out of position and C Matt Bonner knows his role.
Grade: B
Backcourt
PG Tony Parker (20.3 ppg, 6.3 apg) is enjoying a career season and SG Roger Mason (11.7 ppg, .451 3P%) has stepped right into SA's system. Not bad for first-time teammates.
Grade: B+
Defense
Sixth in points allowed (93.7), but 22nd in rebounding and 16th in FG%. Teams are shooting 45.5%, a number that doesn't please the coaching staff.
Grade: B-
Bench
G Manu Ginobili (14.7 ppg) has resumed sixth-man duties, F Bruce Bowen is new to the bench, G George Hill is a rookie find and F Kurt Thomas is steady.
Grade: B
Coaching
Gregg Popovich juggled the lineup out of necessity with Ginobili and Parker out early, and the Spurs have remained in the West hunt. The team respects/listens to Pop.
Grade: A
OVERALL GRADE: A
Not many outside of the Alamo City remember the 2-5 start and talk that this might be the year the Spurs miss the playoffs. Yeah, right. Ginobili began the season hurt and Parker soon followed, leading to the limp out of the gate.
But the start wasn't slow as many expected because of an early season boost from newcomers Mason and Hill. As usual, Duncan was there to steady the waters while his two decorated shipmates sat in sickbay. In the search for a consistent mix and more firepower, Popovich moved defensive specialist Bowen to the bench and 3-point shooting big man Bonner into the starting five.
San Antonio climbed through the ranks of the NBA's hardiest division and hit midseason trailing only the defending West champion Lakers in the conference. The Spurs have to been considered among the handful to teams capable of winning it all.
Froncourt
PF Tim Duncan (20.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg) remains efficient at both ends. SF Michael Finley (9.7 ppg) plays out of position and C Matt Bonner knows his role.
Grade: B
Backcourt
PG Tony Parker (20.3 ppg, 6.3 apg) is enjoying a career season and SG Roger Mason (11.7 ppg, .451 3P%) has stepped right into SA's system. Not bad for first-time teammates.
Grade: B+
Defense
Sixth in points allowed (93.7), but 22nd in rebounding and 16th in FG%. Teams are shooting 45.5%, a number that doesn't please the coaching staff.
Grade: B-
Bench
G Manu Ginobili (14.7 ppg) has resumed sixth-man duties, F Bruce Bowen is new to the bench, G George Hill is a rookie find and F Kurt Thomas is steady.
Grade: B
Coaching
Gregg Popovich juggled the lineup out of necessity with Ginobili and Parker out early, and the Spurs have remained in the West hunt. The team respects/listens to Pop.
Grade: A
OVERALL GRADE: A
Not many outside of the Alamo City remember the 2-5 start and talk that this might be the year the Spurs miss the playoffs. Yeah, right. Ginobili began the season hurt and Parker soon followed, leading to the limp out of the gate.
But the start wasn't slow as many expected because of an early season boost from newcomers Mason and Hill. As usual, Duncan was there to steady the waters while his two decorated shipmates sat in sickbay. In the search for a consistent mix and more firepower, Popovich moved defensive specialist Bowen to the bench and 3-point shooting big man Bonner into the starting five.
San Antonio climbed through the ranks of the NBA's hardiest division and hit midseason trailing only the defending West champion Lakers in the conference. The Spurs have to been considered among the handful to teams capable of winning it all.