timvp
04-03-2012, 04:28 PM
Fifty games into the 2011-12 season, the San Antonio Spurs are 36-14 and sit in second place in the Western Conference. In their last 29 games, the Spurs are 24-5. Here's a look at the grades for each player based on expectations coming into the season.
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Tim Duncan B+
The Good: Since Feb. 1, Tim Duncan is averaging 17.1 points and 10.2 rebounds with a PER of 24.2. To put that in perspective, those numbers put him back at the level he played at from 2008 through 2010. Subjectively, Duncan is moving and running really well -- a massive improvement from the first few weeks of the regular season. On offense, he has played closer to the basket in the last two months and his post-up game is still capable of supplying the Spurs with key baskets in big moments. Playing closer to the hoop has also resulted in Duncan going to the line 6.2 times per 36 minutes in February and March, a rate he achieved only once since the last championship (6.4 in 2009). Defensively, his individual post defense has been great and Duncan is still one of the best bigs in the league at defending the rim. Rebounding-wise, Duncan is pulling down defensive boards at a career-high rate.
The Bad: On the season, Duncan is shooting a career-low 47.1% from the field. Even during his hot stretch of the last two months, it's still only 47.8%. His offensive rebounding and blocks are also at or near career-low rates. On offense, he can no longer consistently create quality shots for himself in the paint; Duncan can still do it from time to time but it's far from automatic. He also relies on his outside jumper more than ever. Defensively, his pick-and-roll defense hasn't been good and his age has robbed him of any quickness on the perimeter. And it shouldn't be totally forgotten that Duncan looked old and tired in December and January.
The Question: Can Tim Duncan keep it up? Since Feb. 1, he has been able to turn back the clock. It wouldn't be outrageous to say he hasn't played better since the 2007 championship run. But in each of the last four seasons, Duncan has peaked during the regular season. This year, if the Spurs have any hope at getting a fifth ring, the team needs Duncan to keep playing at this level for the next two and a half months.
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Manu Ginobili B+
The Good: Manu Ginobili has been absolutely magical on the offensive end of the court. The Spurs are averaging 120 points per 100 possessions he has been on the court this season. That's by far the highest mark of any player in the NBA (James Harden is second at 116.58). His field goal percentage (52.4%), three-point percentage (44.3%) and assists per 36 minutes (7.1) are all career highs. Ginobili's PER (23.5) is his highest since 2008 and has remained consistently high throughout his injury woes.
The Bad: Defensively, Ginobili has yet to find his legs. The Spurs allow 109 points per 100 possessions he's on the court, the worst mark of any player outside of Cory Joseph. His closeouts on shooters have been a step slow and he hasn't been able to consistently stay in front of his man. Offensively, even though his shooting percentages are through the roof, Ginobili is scoring only 19.4 points per 36 minutes -- his lowest mark since his second year in the NBA. He's also relying on three-pointers more than ever, with 48% of his attempts coming from beyond the three-point arc.
The Question: Can Manu Ginobili stay healthy? He hasn't had a healthy playoff run since 2007. This season, his frequent trips to the injury report haven't done anything to quell those fears. If he's healthy, Ginobili is undoubtedly a huge asset -- especially on offense. But, unfortunately, it's far from certain.
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Tony Parker A
The Good: Tony Parker has been the team's best player this season. After a relatively slow start to the season, Parker has a PER of 22.9 since Jan. 11. On the season, Parker is averaging a career-high in all of the assists related stats including assist-to-turnover ratio (3-to-1). He's also averaging his most points since 2009 and has posted a career-high free throw percentage of 79.4%. Offensively, as the stats suggest, Parker has been facilitating better than ever. He has mastered the art of when to pass and when to shoot. Parker also shows much more patience, smarts and leadership on the offensive end this season. When it comes to scoring, the Frenchman is best in the fourth quarter when he averages 25.4 points per 36 minutes on 50.3% shooting from the field and 86.8% shooting from the line. On the season, he's also getting to the free throw line more than ever (5.5 free throw attempts per 36 minutes). Defensively, Parker is having a fine season. Opponents are averaging only 101 points per 100 possessions with Parker on the court, the best mark on the team. While he doesn't always stop his man from producing or always play with the appropriate amount of energy on D, Parker's defense is usually near perfect in terms of following the gameplan.
The Bad: Parker's field goal percentage of 47.4% is his lowest since 2004. And though he's shooting more three-pointers than any season since 2005, his percentage (26.4%) is very poor. While he has only missed three games this season, Parker has already dealt with a number of minor injuries. The fact that he has played 34 minutes per game in this shortened season has to be considered a negative.
The Question: Is Tony Parker ready to be The Man? Whether he wants to admit it or not, these Spurs are built around him more than any team in franchise history. Parker needs to be selfish enough to realize that fact and brave enough to embrace it. The Spurs won't go anywhere in the playoffs unless Parker is great. So far, there are some worrisome signs. For example, when Parker is on the court with Ginobili, while his assists go up his scoring goes down 2.7 points per 36 minutes and his field goal percentage drops to 41%.
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Kawhi Leonard A
The Good: Kawhi Leonard's very good play this season has undoubtedly been the biggest surprise of the season thus far. While there is a lot of good regarding Leonard, his recent play has to be the most encouraging news of all. In the past 17 games, he has a PER of 21.7 to go along with averages of 11.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in 27.5 minutes per game, while shooting 56.8% from the floor, 43.9% on three-pointers and 84.6% from the line. Offensively, he has found a niche as a player who runs the court, slashes into the lane through the backdoor and takes spot-up three-pointers. As the season has progressed, we have seen Leonard become increasingly more aggressive and confident on offense. Defensively, he's dedicated to the craft and he doesn't back down against top competition. On the boards, he's an elite rebounding swingman on both ends of the court. Overall, he's just a very productive player who makes very few mistakes.
The Bad: While the effort is usually there on defense, his success on that end of the court has been mixed. For the season, the Spurs actually give up 2.46 more points per 100 possessions with Leonard on the court. Offensively, he has stretches of passive play in which he's satisfied to blend into the background. He's also not someone who can create his own offense or make plays with court vision. While he has above average handles for a small forward, he needs to be on the receiving end of passes to have success.
The Question: Can Kawhi Leonard avoid hitting the rookie wall? Last season at San Diego State, he played 1,172 minutes. This year, he has already played 1,216 minutes. Since he has already become a key cog in San Antonio's machine, the Spurs can't afford for him to run out of gas before the finish line.
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Danny Green B+
The Good: He entered the season as an afterthought but Danny Green has started 22 games this season, including the last ten contests. Offensively, he's a streaky three-point shooter who hits for a very solid overall percentage (38.7%). For a shooting guard, he passes reasonably well and limits mistakes. He's not a great ball-handler but he's good enough to play point guard in a pinch. Green is willing to attack the basket and has authored a few memorable moments in the clutch. Defensively, the third year guard has been an asset. His length and tenacity make him a good one-on-one defender. Green is also a surprisingly good shotblocker who rebounds very well for his position. With more polish, he has a chance to become a high-end perimeter defender.
The Bad: Green had a weak stretch of game in the middle of the season but he seems to have recovered as of late. On offense, he's not a good finisher; his floater is especially weak. His shot selection could also improve. On the defensive end, he has one glaring flaw: an inability to maneuver around screens. It's bad enough that if Green doesn't figure it out, it could end up being his undoing as an NBA player. Overall, he's not a fluid basketball player and isn't blessed with a ton of natural ability.
The Question: Can Danny Green keep his spot in the rotation? For now, he's the starter at shooting guard. However, his streakiness combined with the quality of players behind him on the bench could eventually lead the coaches to make a move. Then again, if he can keep knocking down three-pointers and become reliable on the defensive end, Green could end up playing a lot of minutes down the stretch of the season.
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Gary Neal C+
The Good: Gary Neal has been forced to play a lot more point guard this season and he has done well on the offensive end. He increased his assists by 57.1% over last season while keeping his turnovers steady. While his three-point percentage is down from last year, his 39.2% shooting from deep is still very good. Neal has shown more and more of an ability to create shots from himself and others. He's effective in pick-and-roll sets and is deceptively quick when going to the basket. In money time, Neal has no problem stepping up and shooting jumpers with confidence. Defensively, Neal's fouling is down 31.3%.
The Bad: Neal's biggest problem is on the defensive end. No matter how you judge him, he's just a really bad defensive player. At point guard, he's too slow to stay in front of most players. At shooting guard, he's too short to contest jumpers. He also lacks good instincts on that end, especially when the defense is scrambling. Offensively, while he shot 48.1% on two-pointers last season, he's shooting only 42.7% on two-pointers this year. His free throw percentage is also down (80.8% to 73.5%), plus he's getting to the line less often. When at PG, Neal is a below average ball-handler, with below average court vision and below average shot selection. It should be mentioned that Neal got off to a slow start this season due at least partly to a preseason appendectomy.
The Question: Can Gary Neal keep his backup point guard job? Despite the fact that he doesn't appear to be a point guard, the numbers show that he has done a really good job on the offensive end when running the show. He needs to keep that up while also figuring out how to play defense against point guards. Right now, he's such a liability on the defensive end that the coaches may be forced to remove him from the rotation at some point.
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DeJuan Blair C-
The Good: On offense, DeJuan Blair does a lot well. He's really good at scoring in the paint. His hands are good and he's a far above average passer for a bigman. His field goal percentage of 53% is very good and Blair is difficult to keep off of the offensive glass. Perhaps his best asset of all is the amount of chemistry he has playing next to Duncan on the offensive end.
The Bad: Defense. All of it. Blair is simply a very bad defender in all aspects. He can't defend on the perimeter. He's not good down low. He can't defend pick-and-rolls. His defensive rebounding ability has plummeted to the point where he's a liability on the boards. Blair being short and not overly quick dooms him on defense. Add in bad defensive instincts and you have the recipe that has created one of the worst defensive bigmen in the NBA. On offense, Blair tends to be out of control too often. His shot selection is iffy and he just doesn't play a smart brand of basketball. Blair's lack of a jumper also really hurts the spacing on the court.
The Question: Is DeJuan Blair willing to come off the bench? Though he has started every game this season, Blair is simply not a starting quality bigman in the NBA. His lack of height is too exploitable as a starter, as is his lack of defense. Unfortunately, Blair sulked last season after being benched near the end of the season. The coaching staff might think twice about going down that road even if they believe it's the right move for the team because they don't want to totally remove his production. Hopefully one day Blair realizes that his main value in this league will be as bench big who can physically overwhelm the opposing reserves.
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Matt Bonner B+
The Good: Matt Bonner is still shooting lights out. His 44.7% shooting on threes is fantastic. He has mastered a dribble move that allows him to counter defenders who are closing out hard. Bonner's turnovers are at a microscopic level and he's just a very low mistake player in general. On defense, he's solid in most areas. He can defend pick-and-rolls, move quick enough to go out on the perimeter, guard the low block and his defensive rebounding is actually the best it's been since 2009. Overall, his ability to be a competent defender on one end and spread the court on the other end makes Bonner a really valuable player is San Antonio's system.
The Bad: To tackle the elephant in the room first, let's just say that Bonner hasn't done anything during clutch-time this season to dispel the worries that he will once again shrink in the postseason. Offensively, Bonner is getting increasingly one-dimensional. This season, 72.6% of his shots have been three-pointers -- by far a career-high -- while his free throw attempts are down 36.4% from last season. Defensively, Bonner is of little use when he's attempting to guard a high quality player.
The Question: Can Matt Bonner perform well in the playoffs? If Bonner once again disappoints in the playoffs, his time in San Antonio could come to an end.
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Tiago Splitter A-
The Good: In nearly every area, Tiago Splitter has had a very productive sophomore season. His averages of 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game are extremely impressive. His PER (19.8) and field goal percentage (60.2%) have been great. Splitter has shown very good improvements in free throw percentage (up 23.8%), assists (up 69.2%) and blocks (up 87.5%). Offensively, he's one of the very best in the world at running pick-and-rolls. His screens are strong and his rolls to the hoop are perfectly executed. Splitter also shows talent on the low block. Not only can he score around the basket, he's also a very good inside-out passer. Defensively, Splitter defends well on the block, protects the rim and has enough quickness to survive out on the perimeter when it's needed.
The Bad: First of all, Splitter has missed time due to nagging injuries. He had durability issues prior to joining the NBA so these latest injuries are at least noteworthy. Splitter's turnovers are up 81.3% this season and he's getting to the line 25% less -- not exactly what you want to see out of developing bigman. Offensively, he tends to require a lot of involvement when he's on the court. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, it'd be better if Splitter could sometimes switch gears and succeed off the ball. Defensively, Splitter is sometimes slow to rotate and he can get bumped out of position if he's not expecting the contact.
The Question: Can Tiago Splitter carve out a bigger role? It's very difficult to argue against Splitter being one of the top five players on this team. He's just too skilled, too productive and has too high of a ceiling to ignore. But right now, it appears the only minutes he will receive are minutes behind Duncan. If he's going to impact the playoffs in a meaningful way, Splitter is going to have to find a way to earn more minutes.
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James Anderson D
The Good: James Anderson has been much more aggressive and confident since the trade deadline. His rebounding has also improved dramatically as the season has progressed. Defensively, Anderson doesn't hurt the team at all. In fact, he's one of the very best at staying in front of his man.
The Bad: He came into the league as a shooter but suddenly Anderson can't shoot the ball. He's hitting just 25% of his three-pointers this season and 37.1% of his shots overall. His lack of accuracy has basically reduced his role to an end of the bench player who can sometimes provide a burst of energy.
The Question: What happened to James Anderson's three-point shot? That thing was gorgeous in his rookie season before he broke his foot.
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Stephen Jackson Inc.
The Good: Billed as a low efficiency gunner, Stephen Jackson has returned to San Antonio and is playing a different brand of basketball than he played at any point in his career. On offense, he doesn't force the issue at all. Instead, he takes good shots, makes smart passes and is dedicated to running the offense. Defensively, he's tough, good in isolations and attentive to his help defense responsibilities. Overall, Jackson brings a level of swagger that was needed on this team and so far his fit has been virtually flawless.
The Bad: Since he's been away, Jackson's shooting percentages have been consistently low and his turnover rate has been consistently high. At some point, he's going to go through a shooting slump or pile up a lot of turnovers. I think.
The Question: Will Stephen Jackson snap? Through seven games, he has been willing to come off the bench and play a limited role. It's somewhat difficult to believe he'll be satisfied with this role for the rest of the season, especially since he was asking for a contract extension prior to being traded to the Spurs. At some point, you'd think Stephen Jackson will have a Stephen Jackson moment.
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Boris Diaw Inc.
The Good: Even though he's only played 89 minutes as a Spur, it's already obvious that Boris Diaw is a very good passer who can also make plays off the dribble -- a rare trait for a bigman. His screens are excellent and he knows how to find open spaces. On defense, he's a quality defender on the low block and his mobility allows him to be an asset against pick-and-rolls. In all areas, his high basketball IQ comes in handy.
The Bad: On offense, he rarely looks to score anymore. His outside shot has abandoned him -- he hasn't hit a three-pointer yet for the Spurs after hitting just 26.7% on threes with the Bobcats this season. Defensively, he's not a player who can protect the rim or rebound at even an average level for a bigman.
The Question: Is Boris Diaw ready to contribute? He'll get his chances over the next few weeks. His job will be to play so well that the coaches can't help but include him in the rotation. Since he was bad for the Bobcats this year, it's unknown whether he can instantly flip the switch and produce well enough for the coaching staff to make a change.
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Patty Mills Inc.
The Good: Patty Mills is a willing shooter with a fearlessness about him. He's not a playmaking point guard but he's a capable ballhandler who can utilize his speed to collapse a defense. On the other end of the court, he uses his quickness to pressure opposing dribblers.
The Bad: He's not blessed with much point guard ability; Mills mostly plays the position because he's short and fast. He has never been a high percentage shooter and he's susceptible to length on both ends. Defensively, his lack of strength can get him in trouble against bigger point guards.
The Question: Can Patty Mills stay ready? At some points -- it might not happen until the playoffs -- Mills will likely be called upon in an emergency. That will be his time to shine.
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Tim Duncan B+
The Good: Since Feb. 1, Tim Duncan is averaging 17.1 points and 10.2 rebounds with a PER of 24.2. To put that in perspective, those numbers put him back at the level he played at from 2008 through 2010. Subjectively, Duncan is moving and running really well -- a massive improvement from the first few weeks of the regular season. On offense, he has played closer to the basket in the last two months and his post-up game is still capable of supplying the Spurs with key baskets in big moments. Playing closer to the hoop has also resulted in Duncan going to the line 6.2 times per 36 minutes in February and March, a rate he achieved only once since the last championship (6.4 in 2009). Defensively, his individual post defense has been great and Duncan is still one of the best bigs in the league at defending the rim. Rebounding-wise, Duncan is pulling down defensive boards at a career-high rate.
The Bad: On the season, Duncan is shooting a career-low 47.1% from the field. Even during his hot stretch of the last two months, it's still only 47.8%. His offensive rebounding and blocks are also at or near career-low rates. On offense, he can no longer consistently create quality shots for himself in the paint; Duncan can still do it from time to time but it's far from automatic. He also relies on his outside jumper more than ever. Defensively, his pick-and-roll defense hasn't been good and his age has robbed him of any quickness on the perimeter. And it shouldn't be totally forgotten that Duncan looked old and tired in December and January.
The Question: Can Tim Duncan keep it up? Since Feb. 1, he has been able to turn back the clock. It wouldn't be outrageous to say he hasn't played better since the 2007 championship run. But in each of the last four seasons, Duncan has peaked during the regular season. This year, if the Spurs have any hope at getting a fifth ring, the team needs Duncan to keep playing at this level for the next two and a half months.
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Manu Ginobili B+
The Good: Manu Ginobili has been absolutely magical on the offensive end of the court. The Spurs are averaging 120 points per 100 possessions he has been on the court this season. That's by far the highest mark of any player in the NBA (James Harden is second at 116.58). His field goal percentage (52.4%), three-point percentage (44.3%) and assists per 36 minutes (7.1) are all career highs. Ginobili's PER (23.5) is his highest since 2008 and has remained consistently high throughout his injury woes.
The Bad: Defensively, Ginobili has yet to find his legs. The Spurs allow 109 points per 100 possessions he's on the court, the worst mark of any player outside of Cory Joseph. His closeouts on shooters have been a step slow and he hasn't been able to consistently stay in front of his man. Offensively, even though his shooting percentages are through the roof, Ginobili is scoring only 19.4 points per 36 minutes -- his lowest mark since his second year in the NBA. He's also relying on three-pointers more than ever, with 48% of his attempts coming from beyond the three-point arc.
The Question: Can Manu Ginobili stay healthy? He hasn't had a healthy playoff run since 2007. This season, his frequent trips to the injury report haven't done anything to quell those fears. If he's healthy, Ginobili is undoubtedly a huge asset -- especially on offense. But, unfortunately, it's far from certain.
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Tony Parker A
The Good: Tony Parker has been the team's best player this season. After a relatively slow start to the season, Parker has a PER of 22.9 since Jan. 11. On the season, Parker is averaging a career-high in all of the assists related stats including assist-to-turnover ratio (3-to-1). He's also averaging his most points since 2009 and has posted a career-high free throw percentage of 79.4%. Offensively, as the stats suggest, Parker has been facilitating better than ever. He has mastered the art of when to pass and when to shoot. Parker also shows much more patience, smarts and leadership on the offensive end this season. When it comes to scoring, the Frenchman is best in the fourth quarter when he averages 25.4 points per 36 minutes on 50.3% shooting from the field and 86.8% shooting from the line. On the season, he's also getting to the free throw line more than ever (5.5 free throw attempts per 36 minutes). Defensively, Parker is having a fine season. Opponents are averaging only 101 points per 100 possessions with Parker on the court, the best mark on the team. While he doesn't always stop his man from producing or always play with the appropriate amount of energy on D, Parker's defense is usually near perfect in terms of following the gameplan.
The Bad: Parker's field goal percentage of 47.4% is his lowest since 2004. And though he's shooting more three-pointers than any season since 2005, his percentage (26.4%) is very poor. While he has only missed three games this season, Parker has already dealt with a number of minor injuries. The fact that he has played 34 minutes per game in this shortened season has to be considered a negative.
The Question: Is Tony Parker ready to be The Man? Whether he wants to admit it or not, these Spurs are built around him more than any team in franchise history. Parker needs to be selfish enough to realize that fact and brave enough to embrace it. The Spurs won't go anywhere in the playoffs unless Parker is great. So far, there are some worrisome signs. For example, when Parker is on the court with Ginobili, while his assists go up his scoring goes down 2.7 points per 36 minutes and his field goal percentage drops to 41%.
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Kawhi Leonard A
The Good: Kawhi Leonard's very good play this season has undoubtedly been the biggest surprise of the season thus far. While there is a lot of good regarding Leonard, his recent play has to be the most encouraging news of all. In the past 17 games, he has a PER of 21.7 to go along with averages of 11.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in 27.5 minutes per game, while shooting 56.8% from the floor, 43.9% on three-pointers and 84.6% from the line. Offensively, he has found a niche as a player who runs the court, slashes into the lane through the backdoor and takes spot-up three-pointers. As the season has progressed, we have seen Leonard become increasingly more aggressive and confident on offense. Defensively, he's dedicated to the craft and he doesn't back down against top competition. On the boards, he's an elite rebounding swingman on both ends of the court. Overall, he's just a very productive player who makes very few mistakes.
The Bad: While the effort is usually there on defense, his success on that end of the court has been mixed. For the season, the Spurs actually give up 2.46 more points per 100 possessions with Leonard on the court. Offensively, he has stretches of passive play in which he's satisfied to blend into the background. He's also not someone who can create his own offense or make plays with court vision. While he has above average handles for a small forward, he needs to be on the receiving end of passes to have success.
The Question: Can Kawhi Leonard avoid hitting the rookie wall? Last season at San Diego State, he played 1,172 minutes. This year, he has already played 1,216 minutes. Since he has already become a key cog in San Antonio's machine, the Spurs can't afford for him to run out of gas before the finish line.
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Danny Green B+
The Good: He entered the season as an afterthought but Danny Green has started 22 games this season, including the last ten contests. Offensively, he's a streaky three-point shooter who hits for a very solid overall percentage (38.7%). For a shooting guard, he passes reasonably well and limits mistakes. He's not a great ball-handler but he's good enough to play point guard in a pinch. Green is willing to attack the basket and has authored a few memorable moments in the clutch. Defensively, the third year guard has been an asset. His length and tenacity make him a good one-on-one defender. Green is also a surprisingly good shotblocker who rebounds very well for his position. With more polish, he has a chance to become a high-end perimeter defender.
The Bad: Green had a weak stretch of game in the middle of the season but he seems to have recovered as of late. On offense, he's not a good finisher; his floater is especially weak. His shot selection could also improve. On the defensive end, he has one glaring flaw: an inability to maneuver around screens. It's bad enough that if Green doesn't figure it out, it could end up being his undoing as an NBA player. Overall, he's not a fluid basketball player and isn't blessed with a ton of natural ability.
The Question: Can Danny Green keep his spot in the rotation? For now, he's the starter at shooting guard. However, his streakiness combined with the quality of players behind him on the bench could eventually lead the coaches to make a move. Then again, if he can keep knocking down three-pointers and become reliable on the defensive end, Green could end up playing a lot of minutes down the stretch of the season.
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Gary Neal C+
The Good: Gary Neal has been forced to play a lot more point guard this season and he has done well on the offensive end. He increased his assists by 57.1% over last season while keeping his turnovers steady. While his three-point percentage is down from last year, his 39.2% shooting from deep is still very good. Neal has shown more and more of an ability to create shots from himself and others. He's effective in pick-and-roll sets and is deceptively quick when going to the basket. In money time, Neal has no problem stepping up and shooting jumpers with confidence. Defensively, Neal's fouling is down 31.3%.
The Bad: Neal's biggest problem is on the defensive end. No matter how you judge him, he's just a really bad defensive player. At point guard, he's too slow to stay in front of most players. At shooting guard, he's too short to contest jumpers. He also lacks good instincts on that end, especially when the defense is scrambling. Offensively, while he shot 48.1% on two-pointers last season, he's shooting only 42.7% on two-pointers this year. His free throw percentage is also down (80.8% to 73.5%), plus he's getting to the line less often. When at PG, Neal is a below average ball-handler, with below average court vision and below average shot selection. It should be mentioned that Neal got off to a slow start this season due at least partly to a preseason appendectomy.
The Question: Can Gary Neal keep his backup point guard job? Despite the fact that he doesn't appear to be a point guard, the numbers show that he has done a really good job on the offensive end when running the show. He needs to keep that up while also figuring out how to play defense against point guards. Right now, he's such a liability on the defensive end that the coaches may be forced to remove him from the rotation at some point.
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DeJuan Blair C-
The Good: On offense, DeJuan Blair does a lot well. He's really good at scoring in the paint. His hands are good and he's a far above average passer for a bigman. His field goal percentage of 53% is very good and Blair is difficult to keep off of the offensive glass. Perhaps his best asset of all is the amount of chemistry he has playing next to Duncan on the offensive end.
The Bad: Defense. All of it. Blair is simply a very bad defender in all aspects. He can't defend on the perimeter. He's not good down low. He can't defend pick-and-rolls. His defensive rebounding ability has plummeted to the point where he's a liability on the boards. Blair being short and not overly quick dooms him on defense. Add in bad defensive instincts and you have the recipe that has created one of the worst defensive bigmen in the NBA. On offense, Blair tends to be out of control too often. His shot selection is iffy and he just doesn't play a smart brand of basketball. Blair's lack of a jumper also really hurts the spacing on the court.
The Question: Is DeJuan Blair willing to come off the bench? Though he has started every game this season, Blair is simply not a starting quality bigman in the NBA. His lack of height is too exploitable as a starter, as is his lack of defense. Unfortunately, Blair sulked last season after being benched near the end of the season. The coaching staff might think twice about going down that road even if they believe it's the right move for the team because they don't want to totally remove his production. Hopefully one day Blair realizes that his main value in this league will be as bench big who can physically overwhelm the opposing reserves.
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Matt Bonner B+
The Good: Matt Bonner is still shooting lights out. His 44.7% shooting on threes is fantastic. He has mastered a dribble move that allows him to counter defenders who are closing out hard. Bonner's turnovers are at a microscopic level and he's just a very low mistake player in general. On defense, he's solid in most areas. He can defend pick-and-rolls, move quick enough to go out on the perimeter, guard the low block and his defensive rebounding is actually the best it's been since 2009. Overall, his ability to be a competent defender on one end and spread the court on the other end makes Bonner a really valuable player is San Antonio's system.
The Bad: To tackle the elephant in the room first, let's just say that Bonner hasn't done anything during clutch-time this season to dispel the worries that he will once again shrink in the postseason. Offensively, Bonner is getting increasingly one-dimensional. This season, 72.6% of his shots have been three-pointers -- by far a career-high -- while his free throw attempts are down 36.4% from last season. Defensively, Bonner is of little use when he's attempting to guard a high quality player.
The Question: Can Matt Bonner perform well in the playoffs? If Bonner once again disappoints in the playoffs, his time in San Antonio could come to an end.
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Tiago Splitter A-
The Good: In nearly every area, Tiago Splitter has had a very productive sophomore season. His averages of 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game are extremely impressive. His PER (19.8) and field goal percentage (60.2%) have been great. Splitter has shown very good improvements in free throw percentage (up 23.8%), assists (up 69.2%) and blocks (up 87.5%). Offensively, he's one of the very best in the world at running pick-and-rolls. His screens are strong and his rolls to the hoop are perfectly executed. Splitter also shows talent on the low block. Not only can he score around the basket, he's also a very good inside-out passer. Defensively, Splitter defends well on the block, protects the rim and has enough quickness to survive out on the perimeter when it's needed.
The Bad: First of all, Splitter has missed time due to nagging injuries. He had durability issues prior to joining the NBA so these latest injuries are at least noteworthy. Splitter's turnovers are up 81.3% this season and he's getting to the line 25% less -- not exactly what you want to see out of developing bigman. Offensively, he tends to require a lot of involvement when he's on the court. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, it'd be better if Splitter could sometimes switch gears and succeed off the ball. Defensively, Splitter is sometimes slow to rotate and he can get bumped out of position if he's not expecting the contact.
The Question: Can Tiago Splitter carve out a bigger role? It's very difficult to argue against Splitter being one of the top five players on this team. He's just too skilled, too productive and has too high of a ceiling to ignore. But right now, it appears the only minutes he will receive are minutes behind Duncan. If he's going to impact the playoffs in a meaningful way, Splitter is going to have to find a way to earn more minutes.
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James Anderson D
The Good: James Anderson has been much more aggressive and confident since the trade deadline. His rebounding has also improved dramatically as the season has progressed. Defensively, Anderson doesn't hurt the team at all. In fact, he's one of the very best at staying in front of his man.
The Bad: He came into the league as a shooter but suddenly Anderson can't shoot the ball. He's hitting just 25% of his three-pointers this season and 37.1% of his shots overall. His lack of accuracy has basically reduced his role to an end of the bench player who can sometimes provide a burst of energy.
The Question: What happened to James Anderson's three-point shot? That thing was gorgeous in his rookie season before he broke his foot.
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Stephen Jackson Inc.
The Good: Billed as a low efficiency gunner, Stephen Jackson has returned to San Antonio and is playing a different brand of basketball than he played at any point in his career. On offense, he doesn't force the issue at all. Instead, he takes good shots, makes smart passes and is dedicated to running the offense. Defensively, he's tough, good in isolations and attentive to his help defense responsibilities. Overall, Jackson brings a level of swagger that was needed on this team and so far his fit has been virtually flawless.
The Bad: Since he's been away, Jackson's shooting percentages have been consistently low and his turnover rate has been consistently high. At some point, he's going to go through a shooting slump or pile up a lot of turnovers. I think.
The Question: Will Stephen Jackson snap? Through seven games, he has been willing to come off the bench and play a limited role. It's somewhat difficult to believe he'll be satisfied with this role for the rest of the season, especially since he was asking for a contract extension prior to being traded to the Spurs. At some point, you'd think Stephen Jackson will have a Stephen Jackson moment.
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Boris Diaw Inc.
The Good: Even though he's only played 89 minutes as a Spur, it's already obvious that Boris Diaw is a very good passer who can also make plays off the dribble -- a rare trait for a bigman. His screens are excellent and he knows how to find open spaces. On defense, he's a quality defender on the low block and his mobility allows him to be an asset against pick-and-rolls. In all areas, his high basketball IQ comes in handy.
The Bad: On offense, he rarely looks to score anymore. His outside shot has abandoned him -- he hasn't hit a three-pointer yet for the Spurs after hitting just 26.7% on threes with the Bobcats this season. Defensively, he's not a player who can protect the rim or rebound at even an average level for a bigman.
The Question: Is Boris Diaw ready to contribute? He'll get his chances over the next few weeks. His job will be to play so well that the coaches can't help but include him in the rotation. Since he was bad for the Bobcats this year, it's unknown whether he can instantly flip the switch and produce well enough for the coaching staff to make a change.
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Patty Mills Inc.
The Good: Patty Mills is a willing shooter with a fearlessness about him. He's not a playmaking point guard but he's a capable ballhandler who can utilize his speed to collapse a defense. On the other end of the court, he uses his quickness to pressure opposing dribblers.
The Bad: He's not blessed with much point guard ability; Mills mostly plays the position because he's short and fast. He has never been a high percentage shooter and he's susceptible to length on both ends. Defensively, his lack of strength can get him in trouble against bigger point guards.
The Question: Can Patty Mills stay ready? At some points -- it might not happen until the playoffs -- Mills will likely be called upon in an emergency. That will be his time to shine.
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