Quick Grades: Spurs vs. Thunder - Jan. 1

[timvp]

Quick Grades: Spurs vs. Thunder (http://www.sanantoniodispatch.com/san-antonio-spurs/spurs-grades/quick-grades-spurs-vs-thunder/)

The Spurs missed a plethora of open shots. They had issues finishing at the rim. The ball movement wasn't always crisp. As it turned out, it didn't matter. The Spurs silenced the Thunder with a suffocating defensive performance, holding OKC to 32.9% shooting from the floor. The Thunder also turned it over 19 times while totaling only 10 assists. The result was an easy 101-74 victory for San Antonio.

Tim Duncan A On fire from the outside. Helped jumpstart team. Couple mistakes on D.

Manu Ginobili B Again looked tired but passed well and good effort on defense.

Tony Parker A+ Defended well. Relentlessly made plays. Gave Thunder no hope.

Richard Jefferson A Great defense on Kevin Durant. Stayed connected at all times.

DeJuan Blair A- Very good energy in all phases. A little out of control at times.

Gearge Hill B+ Good on D, explosive on O. A couple mental mistakes sprinkled in.

Matt Bonner A- Active on the defensive end. Kept the floor spread on offense.

Gary Neal B- Questionable shot selection. Mistakes on D but rebounded well.

Ime Udoka A Came in and did good work on Durant. Avoided shooting the ball.

Tiago Splitter D Soft and immobile on both ends when the game was competitive.

[ducks]

spurs had thunder shootign 29% tell mid 4 and the starters did not play in 4

[ducks]

rj was great like to see him guard dirk

[weebo]

lol Udoka getting an A for not shooting

[TDMVPDPOY]

parker gettin a+? i didnt see do much for the last 3 quarters

[TD 21]

This team is really locked in right now. I'll give the Thunder the back-to-back reason/excuse, but the Spurs still dominated roughly the tenth best team in the league and did it with ease. No one really had to exert themselves too much and they didn't even play all that well offensively. I can only imagine what would have happened had the Spurs fully exerted themselves.

I'm not really concerned with anything in particular at the moment. The one thing I would like to see Ginobili stop with his Walker impersonation and get back to penetrating more. I know people will say that's more a product of him being ill than anything, but even before that, I felt he's settled a bit much this season. I realize he's trying to pace himself, but still. Roughly 7 threes attempted per game in roughly 32 minutes per game is overdoing it.

[ShoogarBear]

First game all year I was able to attend.

OKC missed as many gimmies as the Spurs but the Spurs forced turnovers and that was the difference.

Splitter is an even worse finisher at the rim than Rasho Nesterovic.

I would have given Hill an A and Manu a C+. Manu passed well? He had a couple of nice ones but at least 3-4 horrible ones. Stats say only two turnovers, but they lie.

Didn't think Parker's defense was all that great, but Westbrook looked like he completely gave up trying to defend him after the first few minutes.

The Thunder looked liked they were playing the second of a back-to-back, with some serious New Year's Eve partying in-between.

I think Pop completely killed the momentum of the first quarter by giving us seven minutes of Udoka in the second quarter. WTF was that?

[ducks]

First game all year I was able to attend. shoogarbear
first game you attened all year
gee I hope so since it is 2011 not 2010

[ShoogarBear]

Shit. Owned by ducks.

[DMC]

I thought Manu's recovery on D was terrific. He took a couple of charges to stop the momentum after turnovers. You cannot always shoot the ball well, so I wouldn't grade based on shooting.

I didn't think Neal was bad. His shot was off just a bit short, but that way all game which tells you he's a very accurate person who can adjust his shot.

Bonner was ok when the Thunder were struggling, but he really looks lost most of the time up top with the ball and those glued feet.

What I do like about the Spurs in the last few games (since Denver actually) is that they are going the extra mile to protect the ball on the rebound or inbounds. They are not outletting in traffic that often, and they are finding their PGs on the break. That's big, but that's because of communication. You can hear the PGs yelling after the rebound.

Pop is steady as a rock. You cannot tell if he's happy or not, but when he uses the word "pride" in a positive sense, he's happy.

[ducks]

Manu a C+. Manu passed well? He had a couple of nice ones but at least 3-4 horrible ones. Stats say only two turnovers, but they lie.

ofcourse manu gets a better grade he deserves because he is manu

[TMTTRIO]

Manu seems to have peaked and seems now like he's already running down. Thankfully we're so deep he doesn't need to play well for us to win. That might be a good thing.

[jmanu20]

Good grades timvp.

I was ecstatic to attend a game tonight, it was the first one I had gone to since last March when the Spurs played the Cavs.

It was the 2nd quarter when the Spurs missed a lot of gimmes.

The team defense on Durant was outstanding--holding the NBA's leading scorer to 16 is something!

I can only hope that Splitter turns it around eventually, because he was terrible tonight, particularly with his attempts around the rim.

[Kori Ellis]

Manu seems to have peaked and seems now like he's already running down. Thankfully we're so deep he doesn't need to play well for us to win. That might be a good thing.

I wouldn't say he's running down yet - just maybe a little fatigued from his sickness.

[ducks]

Manu seems to have peaked and seems now like he's already running down. Thankfully we're so deep he doesn't need to play well for us to win. That might be a good thing.

hopefully he will recover during allstar break resting at home

right now he is sick though so he has an excuse but he was struggling before then



atleast in playoffs usally there is a bigger break in between games

[timvp]

hopefully he will recover during allstar break resting at home

Well played.

[MannyIsGod]

Ducks - A+ for this thread.

Tiago really annoyed me tonight. I hate hate hate hate hate his offense outside of the pick and roll. Dude is going to have a hard time cracking any meaningful rotation unless he stops trying to hard.

If I'm Tiago, I'm trying to make my mark on defense and rebounding every time I get minutes. I'm also trying to be involved in pick and roll situations and picking up garbage buckets. The last thing I want to see is the ball dumped down into him in the post. Its just not good at all right now.

Get boards. Draw Charges. Set some picks. Do that well then grow into more.

[Solid D]

The defense was incredible by the Spurs. If it weren't for Serge Ibaka's excellent play at both ends, the Spurs would have won by 40.

[ShoogarBear]

If I'm Tiago, I'm trying to make my mark on defense and rebounding every time I get minutes. I'm also trying to be involved in pick and roll situations and picking up garbage buckets. The last thing I want to see is the ball dumped down into him in the post. Its just not good at all right now.

He seems to alternate between a) immediately throwing up some weak stuff, or b) trying to put about three or four post moves together. His footwork isn't horrible but it's very mechanical and isn't going to work against any good defender.

[cube1980]

This game reminds me the defense Spurs played against Lakers. But I don't like seeing Neal stay off court until the second half. I think this brake his rhythm. Why Pop keeps doing that? Like last time Neal score career high 26 points against Clippers, Pop didn't let him play the following game.

[EricB]

Udoka was pretty damn good tonight on the defensive end, I don't see how that can be ripped.

[EricB]

This game reminds me the defense Spurs played against Lakers. But I don't like seeing Neal stay off court until the second half. I think this brake his rhythm. Why Pop keeps doing that? Like last time Neal score career high 26 points against Clippers, Pop didn't let him play the following game.


OKC is very tall and long and Neal didn't match up well with them AT ALL.

As evidenced by the god awful second half he had.

Played so bad to the point Pop pulled him off to the side during a FT attempted and ripped his ass good.

[EricB]

Also this might have been one of the worse games I've seen Splitter play.

He did Zip to help his cause for more playing time going forward. Looked TERRIBLE in the second quarter.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Shit. Owned by ducks.

roflroflrofl



I'm going to go ahead and admit it now: Tiago Splitter sucks. Other than that, great win.

[Mark in Austin]

Ducks - A+ for this thread.

Tiago really annoyed me tonight. I hate hate hate hate hate his offense outside of the pick and roll. Dude is going to have a hard time cracking any meaningful rotation unless he stops trying to hard.



To quote The Walton:

"Throw it down, big man!"

Seriously.

[cube1980]

Pop pulled him off to the side during a FT attempted and ripped his ass good.
Really? He didn't shoot well the second half but I think he played D very hard. Did he make some mistakes like didn't rotate properly?


Also this might have been one of the worse games I've seen Splitter play.

He did Zip to help his cause for more playing time going forward. Looked TERRIBLE in the second quarter.
Yah....hate to see that happen...especially tonight, his B-day. He's going to remember this night.

[lefty]

Timvp gave Udoka an A for avoiding shooting the ball and hoping Durant would miss

[EricB]

Timvp gave Udoka an A for avoiding shooting the ball and hoping Durant would miss

What game did you watch, Udoka played good defense on him. My favorite play was not going for his upfake and holding his ground while Durant tried to draw a foul.

Im not an Udoka fan, but give him credit when he deserves it. He played well tonight on the defensive end.

[lefty]

What game did you watch, Udoka played good defense on him. My favorite play was not going for his upfake and holding his ground while Durant tried to draw a foul.

Im not an Udoka fan, but give him credit when he deserves it. He played well tonight on the defensive end.

I didnt watch the game :lmao

[EricB]

I didnt watch the game :lmao


:wakeup

[Dex]

Double-double for Parker.

Near double-doubles from both Tim and Blair.

Timmy's jump shot resurfacing.

I almost feel bad for the tongue lashing teams must get for allowing that Jefferson oop play at this point.

Neal with a tough shooting night, but still finding other ways to contribute.

Spurs defense.

Minutes for Splitter.

Rest for Old Man Dice.

Overall, good game against a quality opponent. About all you can hope for. :tu

Now if only Manu's shot would come back.

[Cry Havoc]

Double-double for Parker.

Near double-doubles from both Tim and Blair.

Timmy's jump shot resurfacing.

I almost feel bad for the tongue lashing teams must get for allowing that Jefferson oop play at this point.

Neal with a tough shooting night, but still finding other ways to contribute.

Spurs defense.

Minutes for Splitter.

Rest for Old Man Dice.

Overall, good game against a quality opponent. About all you can hope for. :tu

Now if only Manu's shot would come back.

They will, Dex. His legs aren't under him yet, you can tell.

[ElNono]

Just finished watching the game. Great D. We also seemed to have an answer for every run they made, thanks mostly to Tim's timely buckets. Again, great D and by most everyone. A lot of great effort on that side of the court. I hope it's here to stay.

[Ice009]

OKC is very tall and long and Neal didn't match up well with them AT ALL.

As evidenced by the god awful second half he had.

Played so bad to the point Pop pulled him off to the side during a FT attempted and ripped his ass good.

You don't like Gary Neal at all do you? Was it you that said he'll be cut soon after a week or so at the start of the season. I seem to recall you saying something along those lines? or am I wrong on that?

[TJastal]

This team is really locked in right now. I'll give the Thunder the back-to-back reason/excuse, but the Spurs still dominated roughly the tenth best team in the league and did it with ease. No one really had to exert themselves too much and they didn't even play all that well offensively. I can only imagine what would have happened had the Spurs fully exerted themselves.

I'm not really concerned with anything in particular at the moment. The one thing I would like to see Ginobili stop with his Walker impersonation and get back to penetrating more. I know people will say that's more a product of him being ill than anything, but even before that, I felt he's settled a bit much this season. I realize he's trying to pace himself, but still. Roughly 7 threes attempted per game in roughly 32 minutes per game is overdoing it.

I'd rather see him plug his assist total up to Parker's standards. 10+

[TJastal]

LOL @ Udoka haters, he's doing exactly what he was brought in to do, which is help play some defense against the bigger wings in the league.

Like I said before, don't be surprised to see Udoka come playoff time, while the kiddie with a bad widdle toe sits.

[TJastal]

Spurs got the magic number of 15+ assists (17) tonight between Parker/Ginobili... and spurs roll the competition.

[EricB]

LOL @ Udoka haters, he's doing exactly what he was brought in to do, which is help play some defense against the bigger wings in the league.

Like I said before, don't be surprised to see Udoka come playoff time, while the kiddie with a bad widdle toe sits.


Your not talking about the guy with a BROKEN foot are you?

[EricB]

You don't like Gary Neal at all do you? Was it you that said he'll be cut soon after a week or so at the start of the season. I seem to recall you saying something along those lines? or am I wrong on that?


?

I like Gary Neal just fine, but thats an honest assessment of the game.

Sorry. Neal isn't a good matchup vs OKC and when he did play he didn't play well at all.

[TJastal]

- DeJuan needs to stop shooting that god awful ground shot
- Tim should shoot more jumpers, with confidence
- Spurs turn the ball over too much still
- Tiago needs to rebound like he's 7 feet
- Poor spacing on our fast breaks
- Stop the baseball passes and forced entry passes that aren't there
- Tony's jumper has looked the worst this year that it has since 2005
- Lol at Manu impersonating Fatoine Walker

these are all legitimate concerns..

[will_spurs]

Parker with another quality game (I'd call a double-double on 70% shooting a quality game!)

Gino good on D, that's fine, but being bailed out by others on the offensive end. I wonder how many 4-11 or 2-11 shooting night he can have and the Spurs still winning. If his passing is so good he should be using it more, because right now it looks like he's in chucking mode.

Always nice to see end of the bench role players like Quinn doing what they have to do, and more consistently than Udoka. I wish the Spurs had role players like Quinn in previous years, people you can put on the floor for ~10 minutes per game and the boat is not going to sink. Quinn seems to have found exactly the right level of activity: contributing decently without doing costly mistakes. A player who understands playing conservatively will guarantee him minutes, instead of trying to be a star. Big props to Quinn, that was a really good pick up by the Spurs scouting.

[Spurs Brazil]

Ime is done but yesterday he played well. I think the Spurs need to cut him before January 10th and maybe bring him back on 10 days contract.

Defense was fantastic. Even Blair made some great rotations to help.

Tiago must play better to earn more minutes. He was awful yesterday

[carina_gino20]

Parker with another quality game (I'd call a double-double on 70% shooting a quality game!)

Gino good on D, that's fine, but being bailed out by others on the offensive end. I wonder how many 4-11 or 2-11 shooting night he can have and the Spurs still winning. If his passing is so good he should be using it more, because right now it looks like he's in chucking mode.

Always nice to see end of the bench role players like Quinn doing what they have to do, and more consistently than Udoka. I wish the Spurs had role players like Quinn in previous years, people you can put on the floor for ~10 minutes per game and the boat is not going to sink. Quinn seems to have found exactly the right level of activity: contributing decently without doing costly mistakes. A player who understands playing conservatively will guarantee him minutes, instead of trying to be a star. Big props to Quinn, that was a really good pick up by the Spurs scouting.

I don't think of it much as chucking mode. I think it's more to do with Manu's sickness and him not feeling confident with his finish. I'd rather him take open 3's than force the issue inside now that he's sick.

As for Chris Quinn, I somehow think of him as JV with a better jumpshot.:lol I didn't get to see him play today but so far this season he's been a pretty solid player.

[Trainwreck2100]

Ime is done but yesterday he played well. I think the Spurs need to cut him before January 10th and maybe bring him back on 10 days contract.



that makes no sense

[Ice009]

Ime is done but yesterday he played well. I think the Spurs need to cut him before January 10th and maybe bring him back on 10 days contract.

Defense was fantastic. Even Blair made some great rotations to help.

Tiago must play better to earn more minutes. He was awful yesterday

I actually think Ime could have a role as an enforcer. He might come handy in the playoffs if we need someone to go in there and lay the law down.

Other than spot minutes for defensive purposes I don't think he's good enough for a regular rotation spot.

Ime did play well yesterday though as you guys said. I will give him that.

[Mel_13]

Ime is done but yesterday he played well. I think the Spurs need to cut him before January 10th and maybe bring him back on 10 days contract.


that makes no sense

It makes perfect sense if the team's goal is to maintain maximum payroll flexibility.

btw-they would need to waive Ime by January 5th to make this work. I doubt it happens. Last night's effort just solidified Ime's spot on the roster.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Shit. Owned by ducks.

:lol

[HarlemHeat37]

Ime had a pretty good game, but even Bogans had a good game vs. Durant last year too, it happens..Ime still has no business being in an NBA rotation, he arguably doesn't belong on a 15-man roster at all, so hopefully he isn't a Spur by the playoffs..

[DMC]

- DeJuan needs to stop shooting that god awful ground shot
- Tim should shoot more jumpers, with confidence
- Spurs turn the ball over too much still
- Tiago needs to rebound like he's 7 feet
- Poor spacing on our fast breaks
- Stop the baseball passes and forced entry passes that aren't there
- Tony's jumper has looked the worst this year that it has since 2005
- Lol at Manu impersonating Fatoine Walker

1. Blair shoots because he's told to.
2. Any turnover is too much
3. Tiago has to be on the floor to get rebounds
4. Fast breaks aren't planned
5. Tony's jumper is fine. He's passing the ball more.
6. Manu is sick

[DMC]

Ime had a pretty good game, but even Bogans had a good game vs. Durant last year too, it happens..Ime still has no business being in an NBA rotation, he arguably doesn't belong on a 15-man roster at all, so hopefully he isn't a Spur by the playoffs..
This I agree with.

He was worse than Beno. That's saying a lot.

[TJastal]

Ime is done but yesterday he played well. I think the Spurs need to cut him before January 10th and maybe bring him back on 10 days contract.

Defense was fantastic. Even Blair made some great rotations to help.

Tiago must play better to earn more minutes. He was awful yesterday

Wow I can't even imagine how anally cheap are you in real life.

[gameFACE]

I like the way the Spurs are scrapping and fighting for rebounds. That's 180 from recent previous seasons. I also love the way they're forcing turnovers and steals.

[ChumpDumper]

Wow I can't even imagine how anally cheap are you in real life.As opposed to your being so anally giving.

[Brazil]

As opposed to your being so anally giving.

:lmao Chump regulation, a well deserved one tbh

[DMC]

As opposed to your being so anally giving.
His nickname down at the bus station is "little anal Annie".

[jjktkk]

As opposed to your being so anally giving.

:lmao

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/3505/grannyowned.jpg

[Ice009]

Do you guys think we need an enforcer? If we let Ime go we wouldn't really have one.

[DMC]

We have one. His name is BONNER... he's the force on the floor.

[Ice009]

We have one. His name is BONNER... he's the force on the floor.

Well most great teams have one and I think Ime should stay for that reason alone. Unless we need a roster spot for a better player then we should definitely have an enforcer.

[Manu-of-steel]

Neal didn't shoot well, but he defended and rebounded well.

[DMC]

I can't see Pop sending someone out to get a flagrant. Maybe to intentionally foul a bad shooter like Shaq in Boston when he's on the floor, but an enforcer? No.

Ime is one and done. He's been here before, didn't produce but was a good guy so Pop saw he was out of work, needed a warm body for a while and that's all. Ime will be released to go his merry fucking way, I hope.

[EricB]

I can't see Pop sending someone out to get a flagrant. Maybe to intentionally foul a bad shooter like Shaq in Boston when he's on the floor, but an enforcer? No.

Ime is one and done. He's been here before, didn't produce but was a good guy so Pop saw he was out of work, needed a warm body for a while and that's all. Ime will be released to go his merry fucking way, I hope.


And if he's kept on but doesn't play?

Whats the hurt?

[EricB]

Neal didn't shoot well, but he defended and rebounded well.

Neal may have rebounded OK, but he didn't defend well.

Also was very mentally bad. Got pop pointing to his head at him a couple times because of it.

[Ice009]

I can't see Pop sending someone out to get a flagrant. Maybe to intentionally foul a bad shooter like Shaq in Boston when he's on the floor, but an enforcer? No.

Ime is one and done. He's been here before, didn't produce but was a good guy so Pop saw he was out of work, needed a warm body for a while and that's all. Ime will be released to go his merry fucking way, I hope.

You can still foul hard with out it being a flagrant. I never said Pop will send someone out there just to flagrant foul someone.

You ever heard of guys like Kevin Willis? Tony Massenburg? Those guys played a role on previous championship teams and they weren't main rotation players. IMO it's worth having an enforcer type on the roster.

[EricB]

Kevin Willis though actually defended and rebounded.

Ime? A rebound, some defense...... thats about it :lol

[Ice009]

Kevin Willis though actually defended and rebounded.

Ime? A rebound, some defense...... thats about it :lol

Kevin played a bigger role that I'd want Ime to play, but I think Ime can be the enforcer for limited minutes compared to K-Will. Very limited minutes. He wouldn't play most of the time, but there might be a certain situation when you could bring him out.

I just liked that he didn't back down from Dwight Howard who was punking us in that last Orlando game and Ime stood up to him and it looked like if Dwight wanted to start something Ime would have been happy to oblige. That game got me thinking about keeping Ime as an enforcer.

[EricB]

Kevin played a bigger role that I'd want Ime to play, but I think Ime can be the enforcer for limited minutes compared to K-Will. Very limited minutes. He wouldn't play most of the time, but there might be a certain situation when you could bring him out.

I just liked that he didn't back down from Dwight Howard who was punking us in that last Orlando game and Ime stood up to him and it looked like if Dwight wanted to start something Ime would have been happy to oblige. That game got me thinking about keeping Ime as an enforcer.

Agreed, and that would put him more along the lines of the Tony Massenburg type.

That said, Im hoping when James Anderson comes back Ime is wearing button ups slacks and loafers and being a cheerleader.

[Ice009]

Agreed, and that would put him more along the lines of the Tony Massenburg type.

That said, Im hoping when James Anderson comes back Ime is wearing button ups slacks and loafers and being a cheerleader.

Yeah I agree with that too. He'd be on the IR for most of the season and if JA is playing well then you'd probably keep Ime on the IR.

The Massenburg role is definitely more inline for Ime. What I liked about T-Mass was even if we were up by 20+ points he'd come in and play hard like it's a still a close game. He would foul hard and lay the wood on people to make sure they know they ain't getting back into the game. Tim had to tell him to settle down a bit some games. That's what I'd want from Ime if he got any court time. Come in and still play hard and aggressive defense no matter what the score.

It's too bad Tony Massenburg was injured and couldn't come back in 2006. I really think he would have helped us that season. I appreciate everything he did for us the season before.

[angelbelow]

Agreed, and that would put him more along the lines of the Tony Massenburg type.

That said, Im hoping when James Anderson comes back Ime is wearing button ups slacks and loafers and being a cheerleader.

As long as its not a big financial burden, theres no reason not to hold onto Ime, even though he peaked during the thunder game lol.

[jjktkk]

IMO, some of the people on here hating on Udoka are thinking of Udoka's last stint with the Spurs. Different circumstances, Udoka of this year, is a good insurance policy and is not asked to produce, or be a a defensive centerpiece like he was a couple of years ago.

[HarlemHeat37]

Ime is shooting 17.6% off of jump shots this season..I haven't looked it up, but I'm fairly certain that it's the worst jump shooting % in the NBA for any perimeter player..overall, his eFG% is 24%, which is atrocious..he has not scored a point this season on a play where he had to create his own shot or score off of a rebound..

If Pop likes him, the guys want him around and want to see him collect a big paycheck, that's cool with me..however, if he TOUCHES the floor, it's horrible for the Spurs..he doesn't belong on an NBA roster..

[temujin]

The Spurs are having their best season ever so far.
Certainly on offense (only the early 80s squad was equivalent),
and lately on defense as well.

Yet some people can't help but hate someone.

Previously, it was mostly Bonner.
Now, it turned to Udoka. Paradoxically, since he had his best game vs the Thunders, and was a significant part in the best defense we have seen so far.

On a return-on-investment basis, Udoka is excellent: just check what Spurs get out of Splitter, who gets payed 100-times more, currently.

Ime Udoka is a guy that could literally kill someone.
He is no paper-tiger a-la Arenas or Artest.
Check his CV, keyword Algeria.

He is all will and he is zero offense, fluidity, smoothness, quickness, in one word "talent".

When you are a teammate and a coach, it's good to have someone like that.
Actually, in any business.

This is an interesting psycological trait of some forum people.
The less talent they have in their own personal life, the more they want it from their "heroes". In the end, they don't want to see someone talent-less just like them that actually MADE it big time for 4 years at the top of the business.

I like Ime Udoka.

[EricB]

Ime is shooting 17.6% off of jump shots this season..I haven't looked it up, but I'm fairly certain that it's the worst jump shooting % in the NBA for any perimeter player..overall, his eFG% is 24%, which is atrocious..he has not scored a point this season on a play where he had to create his own shot or score off of a rebound..

If Pop likes him, the guys want him around and want to see him collect a big paycheck, that's cool with me..however, if he TOUCHES the floor, it's horrible for the Spurs..he doesn't belong on an NBA roster..


Enough, we get it, you hate Udoka....

[EricB]

The Spurs are having their best season ever so far.
Certainly on offense (only the early 80s squad was equivalent),
and lately on defense as well.

Yet some people can't help but hate someone.

Previously, it was mostly Bonner.
Now, it turned to Udoka. Paradoxically, since he had his best game vs the Thunders, and was a significant part in the best defense we have seen so far.

On a return-on-investment basis, Udoka is excellent: just check what Spurs get out of Splitter, who gets payed 100-times more, currently.

Ime Udoka is a guy that could literally kill someone.
He is no paper-tiger a-la Arenas or Artest.
Check his CV, keyword Algeria.

He is all will and he is zero offense, fluidity, smoothness, quickness, in one word "talent".

When you are a teammate and a coach, it's good to have someone like that.
Actually, in any business.

This is an interesting psycological trait of some forum people.
The less talent they have in their own personal life, the more they want it from their "heroes". In the end, they don't want to see someone talent-less just like them that actually MADE it big time for 4 years at the top of the business.

I like Ime Udoka.


Ah fuck, now you've done it....

[Whisky Dog]

Udoka isn't an enforcer. He's never been one and won't be one. Besides, with the way the sport is governed now the enforcer can do more harm than good.

[angelbelow]

IMO, some of the people on here hating on Udoka are thinking of Udoka's last stint with the Spurs. Different circumstances, Udoka of this year, is a good insurance policy and is not asked to produce, or be a a defensive centerpiece like he was a couple of years ago.

I don't think so. I think most people are hating on Udoka because hes done. No one expected him to regain his role from his last stint and that's simply because everyone believes hes not an NBA player all together. His time with the Spurs was underwhelming, his time with the Kings last season was absolutely atrocious.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against the signing - I do feel there are better and young options with potential but that's more of an idealistic view. With that said, its perfectly understandable why Ime is here BUT I don't think he provides a (good) insurance policy at all. When JA comes back i'd be fine if Ime is waived so that we can save money.

[Ice009]

Udoka isn't an enforcer. He's never been one and won't be one. Besides, with the way the sport is governed now the enforcer can do more harm than good.

You want to explain how he can do more harm than good?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

First game all year I was able to attend.


Damn. I was at that game, too. Would have loved to catch up.