timvp
01-02-2012, 11:58 PM
Tim Duncan B-
Finally showing some life offensively, Tim Duncan hit 7-of-12 shots from the field including his first five attempts -- all of which were perimeter jumpers. He also handed out five assists. However, Duncan's scoring declined quickly after the hot start and he continues to show no ability to score in post-up situations. Defensively, he was adequate when defending the block but his help defense left a lot to be desired. Duncan also made no impact the glass.
Manu Ginobili B
Manu Ginobili didn't show much energy during his 13 minutes be he was still producing at a high clip. Unfortunately, the big news of the game is Ginobili's broken a bone in his hand. He'll be out a while -- perhaps 6-8 weeks. Without him, the Spurs will find it tough to even remain in the playoff race. To date, Ginobili has been by far the best player on the team this season.
Tony Parker B-
Scoring, or the lack of it, has become an issue with Tony Parker. He only had 11 versus the Timberwolves and hasn't scored more than 15 points in a game this season. Tonight he was 3-for-11 from the field and appeared to lack his usual burst to the hoop. He made up for his scoring struggles a bit by dishing out nine assists without a turnover. Defensively, Parker's execution wasn't bad but he repeatedly saw opponents scoring over and around him.
Richard Jefferson B-
In the first half, Richard Jefferson was shooting the lights out on his way to 16 points. His stroke looks better than ever and he has become deadly in catch-and-shoot situation. Unfortunately, the T'Wolves paid more attention to him in the second half and he was held without a point in the final two quarters. Defensively, Jefferson spent the night going through the motions -- no passion, little energy.
DeJuan Blair C-
Until this game, DeJuan Blair had been a monster this season scoring in the paint. Against Minnesota, he was missing easy shot after easy shot. He had a couple good passes but overall his offensive impact was negative. On defense, Blair simply doesn't have the ability to defend a player as talented on the perimeter as Kevin Love. He gave effort but it was definitely a struggle. As I wrote after last game, Blair's lack of defensive rebounding is a major concern right now. Tonight, he went without a defensive board in 28 minutes of action.
James Anderson D+
With Ginobili out for an extended period of time, James Anderson will need to step up. If this game (and, honestly, the last couple) was any indication, Anderson isn't ready. His defense is mediocre at best; he just doesn't play with much intensity or concentration on that end. Offensively, he wasn't much better. When he's not shooting (and usually missing) three-pointers, he has a very loose handle that leads to turnovers and broken possessions. The Spurs entered this season with high hopes for Anderson and so far he's been a disappointment.
Tiago Splitter B
On offense, Tiago Splitter is spilling over with confidence. No matter where he catches it, he's looking to either score or make a slick pass. The results aren't always positive but I can't fault the effort. Defensively, Splitter was above average but didn't make much of an impact tonight. The most noticeable aspect of his defense continues to be his newfound ability to protect the rim. He had another block against the T'Wolves and now has seven on the season, which is surprising considering he had 17 blocks all of last season.
Kawhi Leonard C+
In Leonard's 17 minutes, he didn't hurt the Spurs much but he also wasn't helping. He had good activity on defense, although his contribution on that end was minimal. Offensively, he continues to cut well but he looks surprisingly unathletic when finishing at the basket. Leonard just isn't much of a leaper, especially off of two feet. All in all, Leonard's search for his niche is ongoing.
TJ Ford A-
I thought TJ Ford played near his ceiling. Defensively, he was really active in the passing lanes and going after loose balls. He pressured the ball well without giving up too many drives. On offense, he had five assists and a pair of baskets in 17 minutes. Ford is still trying to figure out the offense but he has been playing a really determined brand of basketball.
Danny Green A-
Danny Green once again supplied fantastic energy when called upon. Right now, there's not a better perimeter defender on the team. He has quick enough feet to stay in front of his man and enough athleticism to challenge shots. On offense, he keeps firing away. While Anderson and Leonard have gotten all the attention when discussing young wings on this team, Green at the moment is playing better than both. (I'm not sure that's a good or bad thing.)
Matt Bonner B
Stat of the night: Matt Bonner had more than two times as many defensive rebounds (5) than anyone else on the team. And he played only 13 minutes. For someone who entered the game with four total rebounds all season, that's pretty darn impressive. Too bad the good news ended on the defensive end of the court. Bonner missed all three of his treys and spent most of the night struggling to get open looks.
Pop B
Pop couldn't do anything to stop Ginobili's bone from snapping. In regards to the game, he apparently also couldn't do anything to stop the T'Wolves from shooting the lights out (they spent most of the night around 70% shooting and hit 11 of their first 13 three-pointers). I would like to have seen an old school Pop sideline explosion to try to turn up the volume on defense, but that didn't happen. Pop did break out small ball for long stretches, which didn't seem to help or hurt matters. Going forward, Pop is going to have to think about inserting Green earlier. In the bigger picture, he's going to have his hands full trying to keep this ship from sinking.
Finally showing some life offensively, Tim Duncan hit 7-of-12 shots from the field including his first five attempts -- all of which were perimeter jumpers. He also handed out five assists. However, Duncan's scoring declined quickly after the hot start and he continues to show no ability to score in post-up situations. Defensively, he was adequate when defending the block but his help defense left a lot to be desired. Duncan also made no impact the glass.
Manu Ginobili B
Manu Ginobili didn't show much energy during his 13 minutes be he was still producing at a high clip. Unfortunately, the big news of the game is Ginobili's broken a bone in his hand. He'll be out a while -- perhaps 6-8 weeks. Without him, the Spurs will find it tough to even remain in the playoff race. To date, Ginobili has been by far the best player on the team this season.
Tony Parker B-
Scoring, or the lack of it, has become an issue with Tony Parker. He only had 11 versus the Timberwolves and hasn't scored more than 15 points in a game this season. Tonight he was 3-for-11 from the field and appeared to lack his usual burst to the hoop. He made up for his scoring struggles a bit by dishing out nine assists without a turnover. Defensively, Parker's execution wasn't bad but he repeatedly saw opponents scoring over and around him.
Richard Jefferson B-
In the first half, Richard Jefferson was shooting the lights out on his way to 16 points. His stroke looks better than ever and he has become deadly in catch-and-shoot situation. Unfortunately, the T'Wolves paid more attention to him in the second half and he was held without a point in the final two quarters. Defensively, Jefferson spent the night going through the motions -- no passion, little energy.
DeJuan Blair C-
Until this game, DeJuan Blair had been a monster this season scoring in the paint. Against Minnesota, he was missing easy shot after easy shot. He had a couple good passes but overall his offensive impact was negative. On defense, Blair simply doesn't have the ability to defend a player as talented on the perimeter as Kevin Love. He gave effort but it was definitely a struggle. As I wrote after last game, Blair's lack of defensive rebounding is a major concern right now. Tonight, he went without a defensive board in 28 minutes of action.
James Anderson D+
With Ginobili out for an extended period of time, James Anderson will need to step up. If this game (and, honestly, the last couple) was any indication, Anderson isn't ready. His defense is mediocre at best; he just doesn't play with much intensity or concentration on that end. Offensively, he wasn't much better. When he's not shooting (and usually missing) three-pointers, he has a very loose handle that leads to turnovers and broken possessions. The Spurs entered this season with high hopes for Anderson and so far he's been a disappointment.
Tiago Splitter B
On offense, Tiago Splitter is spilling over with confidence. No matter where he catches it, he's looking to either score or make a slick pass. The results aren't always positive but I can't fault the effort. Defensively, Splitter was above average but didn't make much of an impact tonight. The most noticeable aspect of his defense continues to be his newfound ability to protect the rim. He had another block against the T'Wolves and now has seven on the season, which is surprising considering he had 17 blocks all of last season.
Kawhi Leonard C+
In Leonard's 17 minutes, he didn't hurt the Spurs much but he also wasn't helping. He had good activity on defense, although his contribution on that end was minimal. Offensively, he continues to cut well but he looks surprisingly unathletic when finishing at the basket. Leonard just isn't much of a leaper, especially off of two feet. All in all, Leonard's search for his niche is ongoing.
TJ Ford A-
I thought TJ Ford played near his ceiling. Defensively, he was really active in the passing lanes and going after loose balls. He pressured the ball well without giving up too many drives. On offense, he had five assists and a pair of baskets in 17 minutes. Ford is still trying to figure out the offense but he has been playing a really determined brand of basketball.
Danny Green A-
Danny Green once again supplied fantastic energy when called upon. Right now, there's not a better perimeter defender on the team. He has quick enough feet to stay in front of his man and enough athleticism to challenge shots. On offense, he keeps firing away. While Anderson and Leonard have gotten all the attention when discussing young wings on this team, Green at the moment is playing better than both. (I'm not sure that's a good or bad thing.)
Matt Bonner B
Stat of the night: Matt Bonner had more than two times as many defensive rebounds (5) than anyone else on the team. And he played only 13 minutes. For someone who entered the game with four total rebounds all season, that's pretty darn impressive. Too bad the good news ended on the defensive end of the court. Bonner missed all three of his treys and spent most of the night struggling to get open looks.
Pop B
Pop couldn't do anything to stop Ginobili's bone from snapping. In regards to the game, he apparently also couldn't do anything to stop the T'Wolves from shooting the lights out (they spent most of the night around 70% shooting and hit 11 of their first 13 three-pointers). I would like to have seen an old school Pop sideline explosion to try to turn up the volume on defense, but that didn't happen. Pop did break out small ball for long stretches, which didn't seem to help or hurt matters. Going forward, Pop is going to have to think about inserting Green earlier. In the bigger picture, he's going to have his hands full trying to keep this ship from sinking.