Quick Grades: Spurs vs. Clippers - Nov. 10

[timvp]

Quick Grades: Spurs vs. Clippers (http://www.sanantoniodispatch.com/san-antonio-spurs/spurs-grades/quick-grades-spurs-vs-clippers/)
By LJ Ellis | San Antonio Dispatch (http://www.sanantoniodispatch.com/)

Facing an undermanned Los Angeles Clippers squad, the San Antonio Spurs let them hang around for much of the game. Ultimately, the Spurs were able to put the Clippers away with a late run to earn a 107-95 win. The victory was nice, although it would have been better if the Spurs could have stepped on their throats earlier.

Tim Duncan B Entered the game sick … and played like it. But didn’t hurt team.

Manu Ginobili B+ Outside of unforced turnovers, Ginobili was very efficient.

Tony Parker A Attacked throughout. Made plays constantly. Only one turnover.

Richard Jefferson A- Four more three-pointers. Continues to look very comfortable.

DeJuan Blair C+ Good individual defense. Poor team defense. Better offensively.

Antonio McDyess A- Jumper was off but rebounded and defended very well.

George Hill B Really bad early. Played much better after sinking a few shots.

Tiago Splitter A- Defended really well. Protected the rim. Finding spots on O.

James Anderson B+ Nailed two threes but rest of his game wasn’t too impressive.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Alright what does the timvp have against Anderson?

He gives him the dumbest pic ever and now this?

I think a B+ is deserved but the 2 threes automatically make him impressive.

[Cessation]

those seem about right, except for blair, who was a c at best, with -14, the next one was -1 anderson and everyone else with positive, hes play definetly supports that

[ducks]

manu shot selection was better tonight

[spurs1990]

3rd best record in the league after Orlando's loss.

Who'duv thunk it?

[DesignatedT]

Seems about right, although Hill continues to look very poor IMO.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Manu had 4 straight turnovers at one point but otherwise was awesome as usual.


Blair is worrying me.

Hill looked fine after he nailed that first shot but still worried about him, too.

[Old School 44]

Pop C Considering it was a short handed Clippers team, I would have thought they would have had this wrapped up by at least the middle of the 3rd quarter. Also, I would have liked to see Neal get some meaningful minutes. He earned at least 10 based on his previous performance.

[spursfan4ever]

Where was Gary Neal tonight?

[DesignatedT]

Nothing wrong with giving certain players rest on some nights. Obviously Hill and Neal play the same role and Pop wanted to let Hill get in a little bit of a groove and get out of this funk that he is in. We need Hill and Blair to play better, they have to play better for us to have a chance.

[GSH]

Spot on with Blair. I thought he did a respectable job defending Griffen throughout the night. It is the team defense that is the problem. I watched him get sucked out of the middle several times, when he should have stayed home. Young player mistakes. But he wasn't the complete disaster some people are yelling about. If he would just get back to being patient under the basket, and finishing those point blank shots like he did last year, we wouldn't be hearing so much noise. Sometimes one thing feeds another, and those chip shots are his bread and butter. If he fixes that, I think a lot of other stuff will fall back into place.

I think a lot of people are being too hard on Hill as well. His numbers were more than adequate tonight. When he doesn't kick that right elbow, his stroke is a lot better and he's knocking down some shots. He's overthinking when he has the ball, and he's going to have to get over that. But I went and re-watched the Hornets game. He did a hell of a job on Stephen Jackson. I think SJax only scored on two possessions when Hill was in the game - a pair of FT's, and a busted-play shot just as the shot clock expired. You know Pop wants him in for defense, and he's done a lot better there than people are giving him credit for.

Tonight I saw Tiago Splitter get in Blake Griffin's head. Griffen had the ball in the low blocks, and he didn't want to try and take it up against Splitter. It was classic avoidance, and it wasn't just one play. Splitter has really good footwork down there. He's going to make a real difference to this team.

McDyess is playing like he got younger over the summer. With his experience and smart play, along with that kind of energy, he's giving a lot of younger guys all they can handle and more. I thought for sure this was his last year, but I'm starting to really hope he decides to stick around.

[Rummpd]

Spurs winning ugly as Pop decides on rotations but DIce has turned back the clock and his block was sublime and his rebounding and toughness is all good. Give him an A IMO. When in there he basically played a young stud in Griffin to a draw. Spurs basically got 24 points and 24 boards or so out of the center/PF position and 8 blocks - which was enough on a night that Tim gutted it out.

If Spurs get 35 points, 20 boards and 3 - 5 blocks out of these 4* on a fairly consistent basis and Pop does not fall back in love with Bonner (if he takes Dice's minutets the Spurs will start losing) the Spurs will be alright. One has to expect both Blair and Splitter to produce more and in more limited minutes Dice to stay strong and Duncan to be Duncan.

[timvp]

Where was Gary Neal tonight?

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

[DesignatedT]

I'm not worried about Hill's shot but the lack of aggressiveness and confidence hes showing out there. Him and Tony run this offense two totally different ways. Hill never seems to try and penetrate or take the ball up on the break. The offense seems so stagnant when he is running point and he just seems to be roaming around the perimeter looking to shoot jump shots when he needs to be trying to create for himself and others.

[jestersmash]

Pop C Considering it was a short handed Clippers team, I would have thought they would have had this wrapped up by at least the middle of the 3rd quarter. Also, I would have liked to see Neal get some meaningful minutes. He earned at least 10 based on his previous performance.

So, the players on the floor were unable to pull away from the Clippers in the 3rd quarter, therefore it was Pop's fault.

Your logic is absolutely awful.

Criticize Pop for things that are actually under his control, like keeping Gary Neal out on the floor (which, to your credit, you did mention, but almost as an afterthought by saying "Also...")

Though, to play devil's advocate, it might actually turn out to be better in the long run to try and artificially bolster Hill's confidence by giving him some of Neal's hard-earned minutes. I don't know, obviously I'm just speculating, but the point is that even keeping Neal out of the game in lieu of George Hill isn't necessarily a terrible move by Pop.

[OrEmuN]

Where was Gary Neal tonight?

Pop benched him because he was featured in a nba.com article

[itzsoweezee]

Spot on with Blair. I thought he did a respectable job defending Griffen throughout the night. It is the team defense that is the problem. I watched him get sucked out of the middle several times, when he should have stayed home. Young player mistakes. But he wasn't the complete disaster some people are yelling about. If he would just get back to being patient under the basket, and finishing those point blank shots like he did last year, we wouldn't be hearing so much noise. Sometimes one thing feeds another, and those chip shots are his bread and butter. If he fixes that, I think a lot of other stuff will fall back into place.

I think a lot of people are being too hard on Hill as well. His numbers were more than adequate tonight. When he doesn't kick that right elbow, his stroke is a lot better and he's knocking down some shots. He's overthinking when he has the ball, and he's going to have to get over that. But I went and re-watched the Hornets game. He did a hell of a job on Stephen Jackson. I think SJax only scored on two possessions when Hill was in the game - a pair of FT's, and a busted-play shot just as the shot clock expired. You know Pop wants him in for defense, and he's done a lot better there than people are giving him credit for.

Tonight I saw Tiago Splitter get in Blake Griffin's head. Griffen had the ball in the low blocks, and he didn't want to try and take it up against Splitter. It was classic avoidance, and it wasn't just one play. Splitter has really good footwork down there. He's going to make a real difference to this team.

McDyess is playing like he got younger over the summer. With his experience and smart play, along with that kind of energy, he's giving a lot of younger guys all they can handle and more. I thought for sure this was his last year, but I'm starting to really hope he decides to stick around.


everything you said was on point. nice to see a reasoned opinion around here.

[DesignatedT]

but the point is that even keeping Neal out of the game in lieu of George Hill isn't necessarily a terrible move by Pop.

Exactly, Pop needs Hill to get going here quick and he knows it, this team is going nowhere without Hill playing at the level he did last season regardless of Gary Neal and Pop knows that.

Same goes for Blair.

[Darkwaters]

Nice match. I was able to watch this one from tip to buzzer. This was the first game of the year that I've been able to see.

Jefferson looks much improved. He didn't take it to the rack much, but his shooting was very nice. Still, much more confident than last year.

Parker looked great and made a number of nifty moves. His passing was on display early and he dropped in a total of 9 dimes before it was over.

Ginobili made some really bone headed mistakes during the game included some silly back-to-back turnovers late in the 3rd. But all in all he played a very solid game. That drive at the end of the game was awesome. "Don't let Ginobili go left...." he goes right and scores. Classic.

Blair...battled hard on the boards and got a number of nice garbage points. Defense...not so much.

McDyess - beast. Played great out there. Definitely the type of presence we've wanted from a bench post. I don't care if hes a tad small, the dude is still legit.

Tiago - first impressions are very good. Three blocks are nice. I think I'm going to like this guy a lot.

Hill - Looked like ass. Made some shots and chipped in 10 points, but also made a silly turnover that was just pathetic.

Neal - Did everything you could possibly hope for in two minutes of play. Go Team.

Quinn - Are we sure hes even legal to drink? Vote?

[TDMVPDPOY]

Where was Gary Neal tonight?

choo choo train

[crc21209]

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

:lol

[Cessation]

choo choo train


WOW the guy in the news is hilarious!! I can't stop laughing, and the way he points to his crotch in the end is too much :toast :downspin:

[Dex]

I think a B+ is deserved but the 2 threes automatically make him impressive.

Matt Bonner says hello.

[gospursgojas]

Clippers were too long for choo choo

[Cessation]

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

That sounds rather unlikelly, probably wanted to give hill some minutes to get a bit of a rythm going, he needs it much more so than choo choo, who just came on fire the other game, and dropped 5 triples on the hapless cats,

and if you recall neal hit the winner vs clips in preseason and also hit 4 threes against them in the last reguar season game, about 10 days ago, seems like hes got their number, i mean who doesnt, lol

I think neal was his not so secret weapon tonight, incase shit happens, thats cia pop, got a plan b, c, and d happening

[bugmenot]

Duncan was throwing up this morning with flu-like symptoms. Neal didn't play because Pop didn't want Neal to get excited if Duncan hurled on the court.

:spin

[Obstructed_View]

Duncan was throwing up this morning with flu-like symptoms. Neal didn't play because Pop didn't want Neal to get excited if Duncan hurled on the court.

:spin


Post o'tha mulfuckin' day.

[Cessation]

Duncan was throwing up this morning with flu-like symptoms. Neal didn't play because Pop didn't want Neal to get excited if Duncan hurled on the court.

:spin


lol good one +1

[timvp]

Wrong ... yet hilarious.

[NASpurs]

:cry You guys are idiots! How dare you disrespect one of the Spurs! :cry

BTW, that was fucking hilarious!

[EricB]

I think tiago is gonna be a better shot blocker than people thought.

When ready hes gonna be great next to Duncan. With mcdyess looking good the bigman rotation is very good.


Personally I thought Anderson Shouldve played a bit more but no big deal.

[Cessation]

how dare we!!?
Choo Choo!!

[angelbelow]

I just don't see why we needed Neal tonight. We had a few offensive droughts that were quickly watered. After all, Neal is still a situational role player, him measuring up to the standard that was set for him doesn't mean he suddenly gets to play no matter the circumstance.

[Obstructed_View]

Speaking of Gary Neal, whoever decided to keep double-teaming tonight deserves a big fat D.

[jestersmash]

Speaking of Gary Neal, whoever decided to keep double-teaming tonight deserves a big fat D.

8.5/10 :lol

[angelbelow]

James Anderson B+ Nailed two threes but rest of his game wasn’t too impressive.

I liked his defense once again. Not afraid of being in someones poster and attempting to block a dunk.

His ball handling/passing was solid once again, i remember at least one drive and dish for an open 3.

[spursfan4ever]

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

These mind games that Pop plays on these players are getting freakin old, already.

[Manufan909]

Duncan was throwing up this morning with flu-like symptoms. Neal didn't play because Pop didn't want Neal to get excited if Duncan hurled on the court.

:spin

I would go farther, and say post of the season.:toast

[Manufan909]

Tonight I saw Tiago Splitter get in Blake Griffin's head. Griffen had the ball in the low blocks, and he didn't want to try and take it up against Splitter. It was classic avoidance, and it wasn't just one play. Splitter has really good footwork down there. He's going to make a real difference to this team.

Who did Splitter block besides the guard at the end of the 3rd quarter?

EDIT: Looked it up, Splitter blocked Griffin, and two of the guards. So if Griffin was being psyched out by Tiago once he got blocked at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, why did I see the Spurs double team him even with Tiago there? Did Griffin overcome his fear or something?

[phyzik]

Anderson should have a better grade.... a few broken plays happened where someone else on the Spurs caused a turnover and right after the whistle was blown he made the shots.

I remember at least 2 times this happened tonight...

It wasnt his fault, he could have easily had another 6-9 points if it wasnt for stupid mistakes by other Spurs players.

Aside from the turnovers, he was shooting lights out.

[galvatron3000]

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

yeah, and after Anderson nails his jumpers Pop makes sure he got no more than 11 minutes to continue punishment for actually making shots. Typical Larry Brown coaching that continues to haunt the Spurs and will kill chances of winning another ring. 11 min...smh

[ceperez]

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

(1) The clippers length in the backcourt make Neal a liability in defense.
(2) Spurs secret weapon

[ceperez]

yeah, and after Anderson nails his jumpers Pop makes sure he got no more than 11 minutes to continue punishment for actually making shots. Typical Larry Brown coaching that continues to haunt the Spurs and will kill chances of winning another ring. 11 min...smh

Anderson definitely needed more touches... but on the other hand everyone else needed more touches!

[spurspokesman]

Manu looked dumb as a bell with about 5 turnovers. Yeah he is a beast but at some point those type of stupid turnovers will hurt you.

[Spursfan 87]

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

:lol

[ceperez]

Seems about right, although Hill continues to look very poor IMO.

Hill can't run the offense like Parker can.

[TJastal]

Seems about right, although Hill continues to look very poor IMO.

How is logging 10pts/4ast in 26 minutes, hitting a pair of 3's and playing good defense poor in your book?

[ElNono]

I thought Hill was worse than B. The offense simply froze when he came in and he wasn't aggressive enough attacking the zone.
Blair was also worse than C, IMO, his defense was atrocious (he managed to finish with a -14 even tough almost everyone else on the team ended up with a positive plus/minus).
Manu was super efficient on offense, but he had another game where he played aggressive defense only on small spurts.

Can't really argue with the other grades. Richard has been beasting out there.

That said, without Gordon, Kaman or BDiddy, and playing at home, the Spurs should have found a way to stomp on these Clippers. It was actually worrying to see how much the zone bog down the offense. Hopefully there's a lesson learned there.

[MoSpur]

Tiago is one of the best and few big mean in the league who doesn't leave his feet when his man is pump faking. I love that about him.

[lefty]

Manu had a bunch of WTF turnovers


But with that nice basket towards the end of the game

[GSH]

Who did Splitter block besides the guard at the end of the 3rd quarter?

EDIT: Looked it up, Splitter blocked Griffin, and two of the guards. So if Griffin was being psyched out by Tiago once he got blocked at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, why did I see the Spurs double team him even with Tiago there? Did Griffin overcome his fear or something?

Okay, I'm going to try and do this nicely. Look for the place where I said that a single block turned Griffin to jelly, and the Spurs never doubled him again. If you want to argue with me about what I said, fine. Don't argue with me about things I didn't say.

There were plays where Tiago had Griffin one-on-one in the low post. If you've watched Griffin play, they were situations where he usually takes the ball up. Instead he looked hesitant, and eventually kicked the ball back outside. I think it was because Splitter had been successful earlier in the game. You may disagree, and that's fine.

I never said that Splitter owns Griffin, or that the Spurs will never double him again. Just that Splitter has good footwork, and is strong enough to body up on an opposing big. I think he did a good enough job to force Griffin to give some respect.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

[DAF86]

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

Is that a good thing?

[silverblk mystix]

Gary Neal got a lot of publicity after last game. Instead of giving into the hype and featuring Neal on national television, Pop humbles Neal by keeping him on the bench and reinforcing the fact that he's a role player.

Classic Pop. :smokin

I believe the reason had more to do with the clippers length-rather than anything else.

IF- Pop was sending some head-game message to Neal...well that would be Pop's dumbest move since he played with Mason's head...

Neal goes 5 for 7 on threes and gets benched....kinda asking for trouble if Pop keeps this shit up.

[ajballer4]

Matt Bonner says hello.:lol:lol

[Das Texan]

I'm more and more impressed with Dick after every game this season. He has effectively pulled his head out of his ass when I had thought it was so far up his ass that it could never be removed after last year. He looks very confident. Shooting the ball very well, making very good and quick decisions et al.

As much as I hated him last year, he has turned it around completely this year.


Then there is DeJuan Blair. I dont know whats happened this year, whether its losing too much weight or hooking up with this new chick or what, something is off and I have no clue what.

[Das Texan]

Its also going to be interesting to see how Pop integrates Bonner back into the lineup. I'd suspect he will cut Antonio's minutes some (which makes sense), but who else will lose minutes, especially if Splitter see's his time increase, which you would think would happen also.

Pop is going to have some decisions to make. Glad I'm not having to make that one.

[galvatron3000]

Anderson definitely needed more touches... but on the other hand everyone else needed more touches!

I wasn't talking about touches, I was talking about playing time. 11 total minutes? How many touches can you get if you play 11 minutes, what kind of sample can you judge based on 11 minutes, if the player shot well. He wasn't THAT bad that he only got 11 minute for being bad, heck Bonner gets more minutes than that and he is strictly a situational player at best.

[SenorSpur]

Has anyone noticed how TP has taken more of a playmaking role this season? I've never seen him deliberately look to create so much offense for others. Instead of completely looking for his own offense, he's now looking guys on the break and setting teammates up more often, in the half-court offense. Thus his assist totals are way up this year. That over-the-shoulder pass to Blair, as he broke down the defense at the rim, was a thing a beauty.

He's also taking reasonably good care of the basketball and he's playing the passing lanes like a man possessed. He's really evolving into more of an all-around point guard.

[GSH]

Has anyone noticed how TP has taken more of a playmaking role this season? I've never seen him deliberately look to create so much offense for others. Instead of completely looking for his own offense, he's now looking guys on the break and setting teammates up more often, in the half-court offense. Thus his assist totals are way up this year. That over-the-shoulder pass to Blair, as he broke down the defense at the rim, was a thing a beauty.

He's also taking reasonably good care of the basketball and he's playing the passing lanes like a man possessed. He's really evolving into more of an all-around point guard.



The change in Parker is remarkable. The increase in assists is more than just teammates making shots. He is distributing the ball better than he ever has.

The number of steals he is getting may be more of a surprise. The 5 steals that he got against Houston saved the game for us. He's averaged about 1 steal per game for his career. He's getting 2.3 per game for the first part of the season. That's an impressive number.

Tony has always been a very good PG, but this is an impressive step up. If he can keep this up (and cut down just a little on the turnovers) they will have to start mentioning him on the short list with the best PG's in the league.

Edit: BTW - Spurs are 2nd in the league for Assists/Game. They are 4th in the league for Steals/Game. And 5th in Blocks/game (not that that has anything to do with Parker).

[Gagnrath]

The Anderson, Neal minutes argument, as of last night the spurs had 6 guys on the roster who are naturally shooting guards, Manu, Hill, Anderson, Gee, Temple, and Neal in no particular order. (you can argue Gee is a 3 naturally but he is a work in progress slasher at either) Though a few of them can pick up minutes at either PG or SF those are a bit match-up determined, and is probably a big part of why Temple was let go. This is why you only see limited amounts of rookies, Anderson and Neal on any given night, and its hard to have two rookies on the floor at the same time especially in the back-court, more so if you look at possible combinations with spurs personal of the other 3 positions

I personally would have kept Temple and waived Gee (Temple has shown a cool head in play-off and late season games, and in my opinion has a higher ceiling and more versatility) as of today Gee has the body that can defend more NBA small forwards and that is where the spurs are the thinest.