timvp
11-04-2004, 03:00 AM
Tim Duncan
Duncan started off the regular season playing just as he was playing in the preseason – like a man on a mission. He dominated the Kings, displaying powerful moves around the basket. His jumper looked pure and he was decisive with the ball in his hands. Duncan also picked up 10 rebounds in the first half, leading the Spurs to their dominating 54-36 advantage on the boards. Maybe most important of all, the Spurs’ franchise player hit all eight of his free-throws. Bottomline: Duncan has never looked this good, this early.
GRADE: 98
Bruce Bowen
The Spurs pay him to defend and Bowen didn’t disappoint tonight. He held Stojakovic to 5-14 from the field for only 15 points. His cat quick reflexes and savvy positioning were in mid-season form. The new rules seem to have no effect on him, seeing as he had only one foul in 28 minutes. His offense, on the other hand, wasn’t too hot. He hit only two of his seven shots and also wasn’t able to pull down a rebound.
GRADE: 83
Rasho Nesterovic
Nesterovic had an up-and-down game to begin the season. While he pulled down 12 rebounds and got a block in 27 minutes of play, he also missed some defensive rotations and some layups. If he would ever learn to dunk the ball when he has it around the rim, he’d be much more effective. But seeing as this is his seventh year in the league, you’d probably have more luck teaching pigs the intricacies of flying. Although, as long as he sticks to defense and rebounding, the Spurs will be fine.
GRADE: 85
Manu Ginobili
This was a vintage performance by Ginobili. He was all over the court, both offensively and defensively. Whenever the Kings would make any sort of run, Ginobili would be quick to erase any momentum by making a big play of his own. He hit 7-12 from the field, 2-3 from beyond the arc and 8-9 from the line. If Ginobili can continue this level of play, the Spurs will accomplish whatever they want to this season and Ginobili will be an all-star.
GRADE: 100
Tony Parker
Whether he was pressing after getting his contract or he was suffering from a case of opening game jitters, Parker was off against the Kings. He hit only 3-16 from the field, while allowing Bibby to hit 9-13 shots for 23 points. To his credit, Parker did manage five rebounds and four assists while committing only two turnovers. Hopefully he can shake off whatever was ailing him in the first game, keep his same level of aggression and start producing at the level he is capable of.
GRADE: 62
Brent Barry
Barry played 32 minutes in his Spurs debut, which could mean that Pop plans to give Barry starter type minutes off the bench. So far, so good for the Spurs’ primary offseason acquisition. He shot 6-9 from the field and hit 3-6 from three-point land. His basketball IQ was apparent, helping the Spurs to an assortment of easy baskets. Defensively, he looked better than he ever did in the preseason. He stayed in front of his man and even forced a couple turnovers. Barry won’t have 16 points and three assists every night, but it’s obvious that Pop has major plans for his new bench stud.
GRADE: 90
Malik Rose
Spurs fans were excited to see that Rose was the first player off the bench for the Spurs. In Pop and Malik’s love-hate relationship, it seemingly is in the love category right now. Rose, hoping to stay on Pop’s good side this year, produced like the Rose of old. He was all over the boards, grabbing nine rebounds in 18 minutes. He also passed the ball effectively and had great shot selection. While he only scored four points on 2-3 from the field, he was playing the way Pop wants him to play.
GRADE: 88
Beno Udrih
Udrih didn’t play like a rookie in preseason and didn’t play like a rookie in his NBA debut. He was silky smooth running the offense, especially the top pick-and-roll. For a rookie at his stage of development, he runs the pick-and-roll about as well as you could imagine. On fast breaks, he makes great decisions with the ball. He missed all three of his shots, but that was overshadowed by how well he ran the team. His defense wasn’t spectacular, but so far he’s proving to be a capable defender. The Spurs must be excited by his quick progress in picking up the NBA game.
GRADE: 80
Devin Brown
After a very solid preseason, Brown only got nine minutes in the regular season opener. If this is a precursor for things to come, Brown looks to be a spot player on the wing positions. While he was on the court, he produced. He had a nice jumper off of a pick and also had a quality penetration and dish sequence. Defensively, he was very active in his limited time.
GRADE: 80
Robert Horry
Horry played only seven minutes and was pretty much invisible out on the court. The only statistics he compiled were one rebound and one foul.
GRADE: 75
Tony Massenburg
He came into the game with a chip on his shoulder trying to prove his worth to the latest team that let him go. In five minutes, he had two viscous blocked shots to re-introduce himself to his former teammates.
GRADE: 82
Duncan started off the regular season playing just as he was playing in the preseason – like a man on a mission. He dominated the Kings, displaying powerful moves around the basket. His jumper looked pure and he was decisive with the ball in his hands. Duncan also picked up 10 rebounds in the first half, leading the Spurs to their dominating 54-36 advantage on the boards. Maybe most important of all, the Spurs’ franchise player hit all eight of his free-throws. Bottomline: Duncan has never looked this good, this early.
GRADE: 98
Bruce Bowen
The Spurs pay him to defend and Bowen didn’t disappoint tonight. He held Stojakovic to 5-14 from the field for only 15 points. His cat quick reflexes and savvy positioning were in mid-season form. The new rules seem to have no effect on him, seeing as he had only one foul in 28 minutes. His offense, on the other hand, wasn’t too hot. He hit only two of his seven shots and also wasn’t able to pull down a rebound.
GRADE: 83
Rasho Nesterovic
Nesterovic had an up-and-down game to begin the season. While he pulled down 12 rebounds and got a block in 27 minutes of play, he also missed some defensive rotations and some layups. If he would ever learn to dunk the ball when he has it around the rim, he’d be much more effective. But seeing as this is his seventh year in the league, you’d probably have more luck teaching pigs the intricacies of flying. Although, as long as he sticks to defense and rebounding, the Spurs will be fine.
GRADE: 85
Manu Ginobili
This was a vintage performance by Ginobili. He was all over the court, both offensively and defensively. Whenever the Kings would make any sort of run, Ginobili would be quick to erase any momentum by making a big play of his own. He hit 7-12 from the field, 2-3 from beyond the arc and 8-9 from the line. If Ginobili can continue this level of play, the Spurs will accomplish whatever they want to this season and Ginobili will be an all-star.
GRADE: 100
Tony Parker
Whether he was pressing after getting his contract or he was suffering from a case of opening game jitters, Parker was off against the Kings. He hit only 3-16 from the field, while allowing Bibby to hit 9-13 shots for 23 points. To his credit, Parker did manage five rebounds and four assists while committing only two turnovers. Hopefully he can shake off whatever was ailing him in the first game, keep his same level of aggression and start producing at the level he is capable of.
GRADE: 62
Brent Barry
Barry played 32 minutes in his Spurs debut, which could mean that Pop plans to give Barry starter type minutes off the bench. So far, so good for the Spurs’ primary offseason acquisition. He shot 6-9 from the field and hit 3-6 from three-point land. His basketball IQ was apparent, helping the Spurs to an assortment of easy baskets. Defensively, he looked better than he ever did in the preseason. He stayed in front of his man and even forced a couple turnovers. Barry won’t have 16 points and three assists every night, but it’s obvious that Pop has major plans for his new bench stud.
GRADE: 90
Malik Rose
Spurs fans were excited to see that Rose was the first player off the bench for the Spurs. In Pop and Malik’s love-hate relationship, it seemingly is in the love category right now. Rose, hoping to stay on Pop’s good side this year, produced like the Rose of old. He was all over the boards, grabbing nine rebounds in 18 minutes. He also passed the ball effectively and had great shot selection. While he only scored four points on 2-3 from the field, he was playing the way Pop wants him to play.
GRADE: 88
Beno Udrih
Udrih didn’t play like a rookie in preseason and didn’t play like a rookie in his NBA debut. He was silky smooth running the offense, especially the top pick-and-roll. For a rookie at his stage of development, he runs the pick-and-roll about as well as you could imagine. On fast breaks, he makes great decisions with the ball. He missed all three of his shots, but that was overshadowed by how well he ran the team. His defense wasn’t spectacular, but so far he’s proving to be a capable defender. The Spurs must be excited by his quick progress in picking up the NBA game.
GRADE: 80
Devin Brown
After a very solid preseason, Brown only got nine minutes in the regular season opener. If this is a precursor for things to come, Brown looks to be a spot player on the wing positions. While he was on the court, he produced. He had a nice jumper off of a pick and also had a quality penetration and dish sequence. Defensively, he was very active in his limited time.
GRADE: 80
Robert Horry
Horry played only seven minutes and was pretty much invisible out on the court. The only statistics he compiled were one rebound and one foul.
GRADE: 75
Tony Massenburg
He came into the game with a chip on his shoulder trying to prove his worth to the latest team that let him go. In five minutes, he had two viscous blocked shots to re-introduce himself to his former teammates.
GRADE: 82