timvp
11-17-2004, 08:28 PM
Tim Duncan
Relatively speaking, Duncan had a quiet game against the New York Knicks. However, you must be pretty good when 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists is thought as nothing special. Duncan’s defense was stellar, as he did a great job helping on the penetrating guards. So far this season, he’s done a great job of limiting his turnovers. With two against the Knicks, he lowered his season average to 2.14 per game – the lowest of his career.
GRADE: 85
SEASON: 87
Bruce Bowen
Although he hit only one of his seven three-point attempts, Bowen scored 13 points by hitting all four of his two-point tries and both of his free throws. After a 22 point performance against the Hawks, Bowen followed it up with another impressive offensive showing. His defense, like always, was amazing. Jamal Crawford and Tim Thomas shot a combined 11-30, with much of that credit going to Bowen and his defensive exploits.
GRADE: 90
SEASON: 84
Rasho Nesterovic
Nesterovic was efficient on the offensive end, shooting 5-8 from the field. On the other end of the court, he helped clog the middle and forced the Knicks into a variety of difficult shots. He needs to pick it up in the rebounding and blocked shots categories. His numbers are down in both compared to last season and he finished with only two rebounds against the Knicks.
GRADE: 83
SEASON: 86
Manu Ginobili
After starting the season off on a tear offensively, Ginobili has come back down to earth. Scoring nine points for the second time in as many games, he’s not being as aggressive with ball as he was early in the year. While the Spurs don’t need him to average 20 points, they do need him to be at around 15 to 17 points an outing. The good news is he still filled the stat sheet with five assists, four boards and a steal while committing only one turnover.
GRADE: 84
SEASON: 93
Tony Parker
Hopefully this is the game that broke Parker out of his slump. Against the Knicks and his arch nemesis Stephon Marbury, Parker posted 18 points, nine assists and five rebounds. While his shooting continued to be off (he missed both of his three-point attempts), he continually attacked the basket to finish 4-9 from the field and 10-12 at the line. His ball distribution was good and will remain a vital part of the Spurs’ offensive success.
GRADE: 93
SEASON: 78
Brent Barry
Barry had one of his better games as a Spur. He was aggressive on both ends of the court and really seemed to understand what the team was trying to do. It usually takes new players some time to fully comprehend how the Spurs want to play, however Barry looks to be ahead of the curve. He finished with 12 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal.
GRADE: 90
SEASON: 88.1
Malik Rose
Having played 20 or more minutes in three out of the last four games, Rose has reacted by playing inspired ball. His energy is off the charts and he’s staying active around the basket. In perhaps his most complete game of the season, Rose totaled seven points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. If he can continue to play at this level, Popovich will have no choice but to play him.
GRADE: 90
SEASON: 85.3
Beno Udrih
Udrih’s shooting is slowly but surely getting on track. The Slovenian rookie point guard hit 2-5 from the field, 1-3 from beyond the arc and 4-4 from the charity stripe. His shooting ability helps spread the defense and he’s progressively increased his percentages as the season has advanced. The bad news is Udrih finished without an assist for the game. The Spurs want him to be a creator off the bench and setup his teammates. Against the Knicks, that part of his game was lacking.
GRADE: 84
SEASON: 79
Robert Horry
Horry had the most bounce in his step that he’s had since the season began. He looked a step slow until his game Tuesday night. In ten minutes, he had three rebounds, one assist, two steals and two points on an acrobatic follow tip. If he can stay lively and do a good job rebounding, the Spurs will be able to use him in critical situation.
GRADE: 88
SEASON: 82.2
Devin Brown
Despite only playing six minutes, Brown made his presence felt. He came into the game hustling and looking to attack. He sparked the team when he flew toward the Spurs’ bench as he saved a ball from going out of bounds.
GRADE: 85
SEASON: 82
Relatively speaking, Duncan had a quiet game against the New York Knicks. However, you must be pretty good when 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists is thought as nothing special. Duncan’s defense was stellar, as he did a great job helping on the penetrating guards. So far this season, he’s done a great job of limiting his turnovers. With two against the Knicks, he lowered his season average to 2.14 per game – the lowest of his career.
GRADE: 85
SEASON: 87
Bruce Bowen
Although he hit only one of his seven three-point attempts, Bowen scored 13 points by hitting all four of his two-point tries and both of his free throws. After a 22 point performance against the Hawks, Bowen followed it up with another impressive offensive showing. His defense, like always, was amazing. Jamal Crawford and Tim Thomas shot a combined 11-30, with much of that credit going to Bowen and his defensive exploits.
GRADE: 90
SEASON: 84
Rasho Nesterovic
Nesterovic was efficient on the offensive end, shooting 5-8 from the field. On the other end of the court, he helped clog the middle and forced the Knicks into a variety of difficult shots. He needs to pick it up in the rebounding and blocked shots categories. His numbers are down in both compared to last season and he finished with only two rebounds against the Knicks.
GRADE: 83
SEASON: 86
Manu Ginobili
After starting the season off on a tear offensively, Ginobili has come back down to earth. Scoring nine points for the second time in as many games, he’s not being as aggressive with ball as he was early in the year. While the Spurs don’t need him to average 20 points, they do need him to be at around 15 to 17 points an outing. The good news is he still filled the stat sheet with five assists, four boards and a steal while committing only one turnover.
GRADE: 84
SEASON: 93
Tony Parker
Hopefully this is the game that broke Parker out of his slump. Against the Knicks and his arch nemesis Stephon Marbury, Parker posted 18 points, nine assists and five rebounds. While his shooting continued to be off (he missed both of his three-point attempts), he continually attacked the basket to finish 4-9 from the field and 10-12 at the line. His ball distribution was good and will remain a vital part of the Spurs’ offensive success.
GRADE: 93
SEASON: 78
Brent Barry
Barry had one of his better games as a Spur. He was aggressive on both ends of the court and really seemed to understand what the team was trying to do. It usually takes new players some time to fully comprehend how the Spurs want to play, however Barry looks to be ahead of the curve. He finished with 12 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal.
GRADE: 90
SEASON: 88.1
Malik Rose
Having played 20 or more minutes in three out of the last four games, Rose has reacted by playing inspired ball. His energy is off the charts and he’s staying active around the basket. In perhaps his most complete game of the season, Rose totaled seven points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. If he can continue to play at this level, Popovich will have no choice but to play him.
GRADE: 90
SEASON: 85.3
Beno Udrih
Udrih’s shooting is slowly but surely getting on track. The Slovenian rookie point guard hit 2-5 from the field, 1-3 from beyond the arc and 4-4 from the charity stripe. His shooting ability helps spread the defense and he’s progressively increased his percentages as the season has advanced. The bad news is Udrih finished without an assist for the game. The Spurs want him to be a creator off the bench and setup his teammates. Against the Knicks, that part of his game was lacking.
GRADE: 84
SEASON: 79
Robert Horry
Horry had the most bounce in his step that he’s had since the season began. He looked a step slow until his game Tuesday night. In ten minutes, he had three rebounds, one assist, two steals and two points on an acrobatic follow tip. If he can stay lively and do a good job rebounding, the Spurs will be able to use him in critical situation.
GRADE: 88
SEASON: 82.2
Devin Brown
Despite only playing six minutes, Brown made his presence felt. He came into the game hustling and looking to attack. He sparked the team when he flew toward the Spurs’ bench as he saved a ball from going out of bounds.
GRADE: 85
SEASON: 82