timvp
10-07-2012, 05:02 AM
The Spurs looked sharp in their scrimmage a few days ago. In their first preseason game, nothing changed. San Antonio continues to play a surprisingly precise brand of basketball and Montepaschi Siena really never had a chance. When it was all said and done, the Spurs had posted a 106-77 victory over the European team that has won the last six Italian League championships.
Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan wore a bulkier knee brace than he did during the scrimmage (it looked like the brace he wore last season) but he was still moving with ease. He’s able to run the floor and is showing a burst to the basket. Even though he might be as skinny as ever, he did some good work in the low block against Siena’s physical centers (namely Benjamin Eze and Mario Kasun). Duncan absolutely looks ready for the regular season.
Manu Ginobili
Like Duncan, Manu Ginobili is showing no perceptible rust. He’s attacking the basket with ferocity, his timing on passes is nearly flawless and he’s showing signs of athleticism that weren’t always there last season. In recent interviews, Ginobili said that he made it a point to try to keep his basketball rhythm heading into training camp and it really is a noticeable difference. He, too, is ready for the regular season.
Tony Parker
The Big 3 is three for three in being ready for the regular season. Tony Parker was in attack mode from the opening tip. I’m surprised with how physical he has played in the two outings so far. Typically, Parker will wait for the games to count before he starts seeking out contact in the lane. This year, he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder from Day 1. I can’t say that I’m disappointed with that mindset.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard had some difficulty converting shots he usually makes but there was a lot to like about how he played -- particularly on the defensive end. He used his athleticism and length to alter shots and corral rebounds and other loose balls. On offense, besides missing those chippies, Leonard sometimes hesitated when deciding whether to attack or run the offense. But his ballhandling remains a positive and he didn’t let the miscues negatively impact his energy level.
Danny Green
Although he wasn’t exactly loafing, Danny Green didn’t play with as much vigor as is needed out of him. He also seemed frustrated when he missed his lone three-point attempt. (Until he knocks a few down, I’m sure those misses against the Thunder will haunt him.) Defensively, he was decent but could be a lot better. I’m personally hoping he can have a breakout game sometime during preseason so that any jitters he may be experiencing (be it from bad memories or trying too hard to live up to his new contract) can be purged before the real games begin.
Boris Diaw
One of the most exciting aspects of the game was how in shape Boris Diaw looked. Sure, he’s still a little chunky but he appears to be a lot skinnier than any point last season or during the Olympics. The lighter load has made him more mobile -- which in turn makes him even more dangerous as a ballhandler and facilitator. When you have a power forward who can grab a long rebound and head up the court with point guard level instincts, that’s extremely difficult for the opposition to defend.
Stephen Jackson
I thought Stephen Jackson looked more mobile than he did in the scrimmage. He was able to defend one-on-one against smaller players without much help. He also didn’t have any trouble getting up and down the court. His timing -- mostly in terms of dribbling and passing -- needs work, though. Interestingly enough, Pop didn’t call many plays but the few he called were almost all to post-up Jackson on the low block. It appears that utilizing Jackson as a post threat is going to be a go-to option for the second unit. I think that’s a good idea.
Gary Neal
As the scrimmage suggested, Gary Neal is the backup point guard right now. Neal, per usual, was a weapon as a scorer, made good passes on pick-and-roll sets and on the break, and was poor defensively. If anything, he’s being even more aggressive than usual. Neal knows his spot in the rotation is at risk and it’s evident that he refuses to relinquish his role without a fight.
DeJuan Blair
In his 15 minutes on the court, DeJuan Blair was a bowling ball of energy. It seemed like he hit the floor a dozen times tonight. On offense, he was constantly drawing contact. Defensively, he sacrificed his body repeatedly. Blair looks like he’s in the best shape of his basketball life and he’s trying to take advantage of his newfound agility. Sometimes he’s out of control but the Spurs can live with this version of Blair as long as he keeps playing hard. Probably the most positive difference so far is Blair’s ability to defend out on the perimeter. While he didn’t shoot a jumper, I liked what I saw from his free throw stroke. He’s doing a much better job of shooting a soft shot while making better use of his guide-hand.
Matt Bonner
Matt Bonner had some rebounds fall in his lap and otherwise did passable work on the defensive end but I didn’t like what he did on offense. He passed up a handful of open shots; he quickly moved the ball to the next teammate no matter how much space he had to fire. A Bonner who doesn’t shoot open shots isn’t worth much.
Patrick Mills
When he’s on the court with Ginobili, Patrick Mills is a terror on the fast break. He takes off as soon as the Spurs gain possession and Ginobili likes to make the long pass to him. It’s like the Southern Hemisphere’s version of Montana to Rice. Unfortunately for Mills, that’s about all he did well tonight. His defense was spotty, his ballhandling was iffy and he didn’t show much playmaking ability. If he’s going to win the backup point guard job, he’ll have to play much better.
Nando De Colo
Spurs fans have to be excited by what they saw out of Nando De Colo. What stands out the most is De Colo’s creativity. He’s crafty with his ballhandling and his passing shows a great amount of imagination. It’s truly a trait that can’t be taught. De Colo reads angles well and finds ways to deliver passes that the vast majority of other players simply can’t see. You don’t have to watch him long before you notice how special his vision is with the basketball in his hands. I also continue to be pleasantly surprised by his athleticism. Once he faces other NBA competition, we’ll get a true sense of his skill level. I believe in his creativity and his athleticism. The question I have is his overall skill level and whether he can be efficient enough when going against the best of the best.
Cory Joseph
He didn’t play in the first half but I thought Cory Joseph did really well in the third and fourth quarters. Defensively, he had a few fantastic sequences. He was by far the best defensive guard on the court tonight. His transition defense was wonderful and he was constantly around the basketball. On the other end, Joseph’s jumper looked smooth and he was able to knock it down off the dribble. He had a few forays to the hoop and exemplified much improved athleticism over last season. I also liked the pace at which he ran the show and his execution, even with deep reserves on the court, was a plus. It’s going to be next to impossible for him to earn a spot in the rotation out of training camp but this was a step in the right direction. At the very least, this was further proof that the 21-year-old is a legit NBA prospect.
Josh Powell
Josh Powell was the best training camp invitee in the scrimmage and he was the best invitee tonight. He really is playing some of the best basketball I’ve ever seen him play. His defense is solid and he’s controlling the glass. Powell’s overall athleticism is better than I’ve seen it. On offense, he had a few beautiful moves on the block. As it stands, the Spurs would be hard-pressed to cut him.
Eddy Curry
Speaking of difficult to cut, Eddy Curry gave the Spurs brass a lot to think about tonight. His three baskets were all notable. Two of the field goals were as a result of quick moves that beat his man to the basket. When someone as large as Curry is beating his man to the rim … that simply can’t be ignored. His third basket was a swift yet powerful dunk following an offensive rebound. We’ll see if he can keep this up as the preseason progresses. If he can, I’m not sure how a Spurs team that is desperate for size could let him go. Then again, Curry’s not exactly known for consistency and this might have just been a lucky night against inferior talent. Stay tuned.
Derrick Brown
Ugh. I like Derrick Brown and what he could theoretically bring to the table but tonight was ugly. He looked like the worst type of tweener: a forward with not enough perimeter skill to play outside of the paint and not enough size to play in the paint. Brown is regarded as a top-flight athlete but none of that was on display. His hands and instincts were poor. He didn’t show much fluidity on either end and even his jumping -- typically his bread and butter -- was nothing special. Brown is going to have to turn it up quickly or else he may be the next player waived.
Wesley Witherspoon
I don’t understand how Wesley Witherspoon averaged only 7.2 points per game as a senior at Memphis. In warm-ups and out on the court, he looks like a prototypical NBA small forward. He’s long, athletic and coordinated. He needs a lot more polish but he’d be a quality investment for the Toros.
Tyler Wilkerson
I would like to see more out of Tyler Wilkerson. He only got to play the last three minutes of the game and it was impossible to draw even a premature conclusion. I like his work in summer league and his skillset could be useful. In the next few games, hopefully he gets an extended look.
Tiago Splitter
Tiago Splitter is still sidelined with back spasms. He attended the game and he’s supposedly going to be ready to begin practicing again on Monday. We’ll see.
Pop
Not only do a majority of players look ready for the regular season, Pop’s rotation in the first half was unexpectedly similar to what we’ll see in November. It appears as if Diaw is going to start next to Duncan and Green is going to start at shooting guard, with Ginobili once again playing the sixth man role. Right now, Neal is the backup point guard with Mills the third option and Joseph the fourth option. De Colo is being played strictly at shooting guard. Pop also played Parker at shooting guard for a stretch (with Mills at point guard). Perhaps that’s an alignment we’ll see more of this season. With Splitter out, it’s impossible to tell who he plans to play between Bonner and Blair.
Viktor Sanikidze
The Spurs drafted Viktor Sanikidze in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft. After all these years, they still own his rights and it’s still possible that the 26-year-old will one day end up in silver and black. Sanikidze started for Siena and will be one of their main players this season. I actually liked what I saw out of him, even though it wasn’t what I was expecting. The last I saw of Sanikidze, he was mostly a hustle player who relied on his athleticism as an Andrei Kirilenko type small forward. Now, Sanikidze has bulked up and he’s a stretch power forward who relies mostly on skill. The added bulk has taken away some of his athleticism but he’s a much better basketball player. He’s a very good rebounder with an effortless stroke form the NBA three-point line. He’s also quick enough to defend the pick-and-roll surprisingly well and he’s not timid when it comes to mixing it up in the paint. He has long arms and is a fast leaper (I saw him block Leonard twice even though he only got credited for one total block). Since the Spurs can always use stretch power forwards, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they look at him in a year or two. He needs to work on his offensive game to become more well-rounded and it looks like he could still get stronger but he’s a worthwhile prospect who should be monitored closely.
Mario Kasun
Mario Kasun is known for dating porn stars. Whichever porn star he is currently dating sat a couple seats away from me. Even though he had an underwhelming performance, her enthusiasm was admirable -- even if not always authentic. Unfortunately, a Google search doesn’t bring up a name so I guess this is where the scouting report must end.
Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan wore a bulkier knee brace than he did during the scrimmage (it looked like the brace he wore last season) but he was still moving with ease. He’s able to run the floor and is showing a burst to the basket. Even though he might be as skinny as ever, he did some good work in the low block against Siena’s physical centers (namely Benjamin Eze and Mario Kasun). Duncan absolutely looks ready for the regular season.
Manu Ginobili
Like Duncan, Manu Ginobili is showing no perceptible rust. He’s attacking the basket with ferocity, his timing on passes is nearly flawless and he’s showing signs of athleticism that weren’t always there last season. In recent interviews, Ginobili said that he made it a point to try to keep his basketball rhythm heading into training camp and it really is a noticeable difference. He, too, is ready for the regular season.
Tony Parker
The Big 3 is three for three in being ready for the regular season. Tony Parker was in attack mode from the opening tip. I’m surprised with how physical he has played in the two outings so far. Typically, Parker will wait for the games to count before he starts seeking out contact in the lane. This year, he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder from Day 1. I can’t say that I’m disappointed with that mindset.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard had some difficulty converting shots he usually makes but there was a lot to like about how he played -- particularly on the defensive end. He used his athleticism and length to alter shots and corral rebounds and other loose balls. On offense, besides missing those chippies, Leonard sometimes hesitated when deciding whether to attack or run the offense. But his ballhandling remains a positive and he didn’t let the miscues negatively impact his energy level.
Danny Green
Although he wasn’t exactly loafing, Danny Green didn’t play with as much vigor as is needed out of him. He also seemed frustrated when he missed his lone three-point attempt. (Until he knocks a few down, I’m sure those misses against the Thunder will haunt him.) Defensively, he was decent but could be a lot better. I’m personally hoping he can have a breakout game sometime during preseason so that any jitters he may be experiencing (be it from bad memories or trying too hard to live up to his new contract) can be purged before the real games begin.
Boris Diaw
One of the most exciting aspects of the game was how in shape Boris Diaw looked. Sure, he’s still a little chunky but he appears to be a lot skinnier than any point last season or during the Olympics. The lighter load has made him more mobile -- which in turn makes him even more dangerous as a ballhandler and facilitator. When you have a power forward who can grab a long rebound and head up the court with point guard level instincts, that’s extremely difficult for the opposition to defend.
Stephen Jackson
I thought Stephen Jackson looked more mobile than he did in the scrimmage. He was able to defend one-on-one against smaller players without much help. He also didn’t have any trouble getting up and down the court. His timing -- mostly in terms of dribbling and passing -- needs work, though. Interestingly enough, Pop didn’t call many plays but the few he called were almost all to post-up Jackson on the low block. It appears that utilizing Jackson as a post threat is going to be a go-to option for the second unit. I think that’s a good idea.
Gary Neal
As the scrimmage suggested, Gary Neal is the backup point guard right now. Neal, per usual, was a weapon as a scorer, made good passes on pick-and-roll sets and on the break, and was poor defensively. If anything, he’s being even more aggressive than usual. Neal knows his spot in the rotation is at risk and it’s evident that he refuses to relinquish his role without a fight.
DeJuan Blair
In his 15 minutes on the court, DeJuan Blair was a bowling ball of energy. It seemed like he hit the floor a dozen times tonight. On offense, he was constantly drawing contact. Defensively, he sacrificed his body repeatedly. Blair looks like he’s in the best shape of his basketball life and he’s trying to take advantage of his newfound agility. Sometimes he’s out of control but the Spurs can live with this version of Blair as long as he keeps playing hard. Probably the most positive difference so far is Blair’s ability to defend out on the perimeter. While he didn’t shoot a jumper, I liked what I saw from his free throw stroke. He’s doing a much better job of shooting a soft shot while making better use of his guide-hand.
Matt Bonner
Matt Bonner had some rebounds fall in his lap and otherwise did passable work on the defensive end but I didn’t like what he did on offense. He passed up a handful of open shots; he quickly moved the ball to the next teammate no matter how much space he had to fire. A Bonner who doesn’t shoot open shots isn’t worth much.
Patrick Mills
When he’s on the court with Ginobili, Patrick Mills is a terror on the fast break. He takes off as soon as the Spurs gain possession and Ginobili likes to make the long pass to him. It’s like the Southern Hemisphere’s version of Montana to Rice. Unfortunately for Mills, that’s about all he did well tonight. His defense was spotty, his ballhandling was iffy and he didn’t show much playmaking ability. If he’s going to win the backup point guard job, he’ll have to play much better.
Nando De Colo
Spurs fans have to be excited by what they saw out of Nando De Colo. What stands out the most is De Colo’s creativity. He’s crafty with his ballhandling and his passing shows a great amount of imagination. It’s truly a trait that can’t be taught. De Colo reads angles well and finds ways to deliver passes that the vast majority of other players simply can’t see. You don’t have to watch him long before you notice how special his vision is with the basketball in his hands. I also continue to be pleasantly surprised by his athleticism. Once he faces other NBA competition, we’ll get a true sense of his skill level. I believe in his creativity and his athleticism. The question I have is his overall skill level and whether he can be efficient enough when going against the best of the best.
Cory Joseph
He didn’t play in the first half but I thought Cory Joseph did really well in the third and fourth quarters. Defensively, he had a few fantastic sequences. He was by far the best defensive guard on the court tonight. His transition defense was wonderful and he was constantly around the basketball. On the other end, Joseph’s jumper looked smooth and he was able to knock it down off the dribble. He had a few forays to the hoop and exemplified much improved athleticism over last season. I also liked the pace at which he ran the show and his execution, even with deep reserves on the court, was a plus. It’s going to be next to impossible for him to earn a spot in the rotation out of training camp but this was a step in the right direction. At the very least, this was further proof that the 21-year-old is a legit NBA prospect.
Josh Powell
Josh Powell was the best training camp invitee in the scrimmage and he was the best invitee tonight. He really is playing some of the best basketball I’ve ever seen him play. His defense is solid and he’s controlling the glass. Powell’s overall athleticism is better than I’ve seen it. On offense, he had a few beautiful moves on the block. As it stands, the Spurs would be hard-pressed to cut him.
Eddy Curry
Speaking of difficult to cut, Eddy Curry gave the Spurs brass a lot to think about tonight. His three baskets were all notable. Two of the field goals were as a result of quick moves that beat his man to the basket. When someone as large as Curry is beating his man to the rim … that simply can’t be ignored. His third basket was a swift yet powerful dunk following an offensive rebound. We’ll see if he can keep this up as the preseason progresses. If he can, I’m not sure how a Spurs team that is desperate for size could let him go. Then again, Curry’s not exactly known for consistency and this might have just been a lucky night against inferior talent. Stay tuned.
Derrick Brown
Ugh. I like Derrick Brown and what he could theoretically bring to the table but tonight was ugly. He looked like the worst type of tweener: a forward with not enough perimeter skill to play outside of the paint and not enough size to play in the paint. Brown is regarded as a top-flight athlete but none of that was on display. His hands and instincts were poor. He didn’t show much fluidity on either end and even his jumping -- typically his bread and butter -- was nothing special. Brown is going to have to turn it up quickly or else he may be the next player waived.
Wesley Witherspoon
I don’t understand how Wesley Witherspoon averaged only 7.2 points per game as a senior at Memphis. In warm-ups and out on the court, he looks like a prototypical NBA small forward. He’s long, athletic and coordinated. He needs a lot more polish but he’d be a quality investment for the Toros.
Tyler Wilkerson
I would like to see more out of Tyler Wilkerson. He only got to play the last three minutes of the game and it was impossible to draw even a premature conclusion. I like his work in summer league and his skillset could be useful. In the next few games, hopefully he gets an extended look.
Tiago Splitter
Tiago Splitter is still sidelined with back spasms. He attended the game and he’s supposedly going to be ready to begin practicing again on Monday. We’ll see.
Pop
Not only do a majority of players look ready for the regular season, Pop’s rotation in the first half was unexpectedly similar to what we’ll see in November. It appears as if Diaw is going to start next to Duncan and Green is going to start at shooting guard, with Ginobili once again playing the sixth man role. Right now, Neal is the backup point guard with Mills the third option and Joseph the fourth option. De Colo is being played strictly at shooting guard. Pop also played Parker at shooting guard for a stretch (with Mills at point guard). Perhaps that’s an alignment we’ll see more of this season. With Splitter out, it’s impossible to tell who he plans to play between Bonner and Blair.
Viktor Sanikidze
The Spurs drafted Viktor Sanikidze in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft. After all these years, they still own his rights and it’s still possible that the 26-year-old will one day end up in silver and black. Sanikidze started for Siena and will be one of their main players this season. I actually liked what I saw out of him, even though it wasn’t what I was expecting. The last I saw of Sanikidze, he was mostly a hustle player who relied on his athleticism as an Andrei Kirilenko type small forward. Now, Sanikidze has bulked up and he’s a stretch power forward who relies mostly on skill. The added bulk has taken away some of his athleticism but he’s a much better basketball player. He’s a very good rebounder with an effortless stroke form the NBA three-point line. He’s also quick enough to defend the pick-and-roll surprisingly well and he’s not timid when it comes to mixing it up in the paint. He has long arms and is a fast leaper (I saw him block Leonard twice even though he only got credited for one total block). Since the Spurs can always use stretch power forwards, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they look at him in a year or two. He needs to work on his offensive game to become more well-rounded and it looks like he could still get stronger but he’s a worthwhile prospect who should be monitored closely.
Mario Kasun
Mario Kasun is known for dating porn stars. Whichever porn star he is currently dating sat a couple seats away from me. Even though he had an underwhelming performance, her enthusiasm was admirable -- even if not always authentic. Unfortunately, a Google search doesn’t bring up a name so I guess this is where the scouting report must end.