Spurs vs. Jazz Game 1 - Grades

[timvp]

Tim Duncan
Duncan came out strong early, especially in the second quarter. The tone he set on both ends of the court led the Spurs to a nice sized halftime lead and San Antonio coasted from there. It was your standard Tim Duncan playoff game of 27 points, ten rebounds, five assists and two blocks. He was very good but he's consistently so good that it's tough to be wowed anymore.
Grade: B+


Manu Ginobili
Earlier in the playoffs, Manu was playing like a rhythm player who couldn't find his rhythm. Now he's playing like a rhythm player who is in rhythm and has everything clicking for him. He was fantastic for the second game in a row and was the difference in the second quarter run that put the Spurs up for good. If he continues to play this well, it's very tough to beat the Spurs. He finished with 23 points and ten assists while leading the Spurs in plus/minus with a +17.
Grade: A


Tony Parker
Parker did a good job of being aggressive and defended Derek Fisher very well, but struggled some with turnovers and poor decisions. He finished with 21 points, six assists and three steals on 8-for-15 shooting, but also had six turnovers. He'll need to take better care of the ball for the Spurs to be successful in Game 2.
Grade: B-


Bruce Bowen
Bowen was on Deron Williams a lot of the game and didn't guard him too well. Williams had a huge game of 34 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and only one turnover. Bowen is going to have to figure out a better way to guard him that doesn't turn him into a Hall of Fame caliber player. To Bowen's defense, this might have been the first time he played extensive minutes against Williams.
Grade: D+


Francisco Elson
Elson had his best game of the playoffs. His stats don't speak volumes (six points and one rebound) but he was second on the team in plus/minus (+10) and looked much more comfortable than he looked at any point against the Suns. His post defense was surprisingly good and he was competing out there. It was good to see Elson have a quality outing for a change.
Grade: A-


Michael Finley
Finley went scoreless in the first half but helped seal the game with 14 second half points. He nailed his free throws down the stretch to end any hope Utah had of a comeback. He played solid defense on Andrei Kirilenko and did a good job of not forcing any bad shots.
Grade: B+


Brent Barry
Barry again played 13 minutes without doing much of anything. In the last three games, Barry has played 40 minutes and hasn't scored a point. He's not hurting the team too much because he's playing hard, but it'd be nice to see him make a shot every now and then.
Grade: C+


Fabricio Oberto
Oberto was superb in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. He had 14 points and seven rebounds, while hitting 6-of-8 shots from the field. He was moving very well without the ball and his teammates were finding him around the bucket. His energy continues to be great and he's providing leadership and toughness.
Grade: A-


Robert Horry
Horry came back from his two game suspension and looked rusty. He didn't take a shot in 17 minutes of action, but did have three rebounds, one assist and one block. He defended decently well but at times let Memo Okur get too open beyond the three-point line. Hopefully, Horry can get back in a groove because the Spurs will need his perimeter defending and rebounding skills this series.
Grade: C+


Jacque Vaughn
Vaughn missed both of his shots but did have two assists and didn't hurt the Spurs too much while he was out there. He finished without a turnover and did a pretty good job on the defensive end of the court. As long as he's not turning the ball over or forcing up too many shots, he's a passable backup point guard.
Grade: B-


Pop
There's not much to complain about this game. The Spurs played well enough in the second quarter to essentially wrap the game up by halftime. The Spurs struggled some in the second half, but it was partly due to mailing it in and partly due to fatigue. The Spurs played pretty well overall, but I think it was more a matter of these Jazz not used to the bright lights of the Western Conference Finals. Pop did a good job of exploiting their eagerness with some backdoor plays. The coaching staff has to make sure the team is ready for a much better effort out of the Jazz for Game 2.
Grade: B+

[ChumpDumper]

I haven't read them yet, but Manu's grade is too low.

[ShoogarBear]

Oberto didn't get an A+?


Here comes the deluge . . .

[Dipship31]

Can't say anything wrong about any of those grades.

[Admidave50]

I haven't read them yet, but Manu's grade is too low.

I think that the missed free throws (3/6) in the money time cost him the A+!

[timvp]

Oberto didn't get an A+?


Here comes the deluge . . .

:lol

Oberto was pretty damn awesome. I docked him a bit because he wasn't on the court when the Spurs were making their run. It was actually Elson who was out there.

Oberto played really good but he's played really good all playoffs so this didn't come as too much of a surprise.

[T Park]

I mean, has there been one game we could say Oberto wasn't "Solid to good"?

The guy has just flipped the perverbial switch.

[Cry Havoc]

I actually have disagreements with Timvp, for once.

Parker played HARD this entire game. The steal on Milsap was HUGE -- it demoralized him and completely shook the confidence of the Jazz. It also got the crowd into a frenzy. I realize it was just one play, but it's impact was much more than that. It was a firm slap to the head of the Jazz.

Of all the players on our team who had to adjust, Parker had the most to adjust to. He's bringing it up the floor against the Jazz instead of the Suns -- a huge improvement on defense. One of his turnovers was the result of getting poked in the eye (missed call). I understand he had his problems, but he totally shattered the Jazz defense in the first half, especially with that ridiculous through the legs pass. That and the steal in the 2nd were big momentum boosts for our team.

Love the Elson grade. He hit some tough shots and played GREAT defense.

Barry is hard to grade this game. He made a couple of nice passes and mishandled two passes that he got his hands on. But I'll agree with your assessment.

How Duncan doesn't get an A for completely turning Boozer into a non-factor this game is beyond me. He absolutely shut him down.

That goes for Oberto as well, who played extremely heady, tough defense inside the whole game. I think he gets an A as well.

Horry gets a C-, but extra credit because of his contribution last series and because it's his first game back, so he winds up with a C. He didn't do much out there tonight, and we'll need more from him the rest of the series.

Still very good grades, Tim. I kept refreshing ST waiting for you to post these -- were you at the game tonight?

[Cry Havoc]

:lol

Oberto was pretty damn awesome. I docked him a bit because he wasn't on the court when the Spurs were making their run. It was actually Elson who was out there.

Oberto played really good but he's played really good all playoffs so this didn't come as too much of a surprise.

I could have scored on the Jazz with those ridiculous passes Manu was feeding him. What a great combo.

[Sec24Row7]

He scored over 300% of his season average...

Duncan would have scored 60...

[Kori Ellis]

I could have scored on the Jazz with those ridiculous passes Manu was feeding him. What a great combo.

Did you guys notice on TV that when they were doing a little montage about Oberto the bottom of the screen said, "Duncan to Oberto", "Parker to Oberto" etc and when it said, "Ginobili to Oberto", it spelled Ginobili wrong :lol twice.

(I'll answer for timvp - yes, we were at the game)

[T Park]

Two things that make me happy about this game and going into 2.

Parker won't turn it over that much again, and Bowen will hit those shots when given them again.

[Kori Ellis]

To Parker's defense about his turnovers - two of them were crap. One of them was that one where he drove the lane, got hit hard on the side of the head/face and stayed down on the floor (Sevening had to come out and check on him). The ball went out of bounds - Jazz ball. Another one was bad too.

But yes, he definitely needs to reel it in a little bit, as far as watching his passing.

[ShoogarBear]

On the other hand, the between-the-legs pass to Manu was sweet. Too bad he couldn't get an assist off of it.

[mVp]

good grades :toast

[ploto]

Grades are too high for a team that gave up 21 offensive rebounds.

Utah missed 50 shots and yet the Spurs only had 25 defensive rebounds- while SA missed 32 shots and Utah grabbed 27 defensive boards.

[ChumpDumper]

Rasho's grade was too low.

[Cry Havoc]

Did you guys notice on TV that when they were doing a little montage about Oberto the bottom of the screen said, "Duncan to Oberto", "Parker to Oberto" etc and when it said, "Ginobili to Oberto", it spelled Ginobili wrong :lol twice.

(I'll answer for timvp - yes, we were at the game)

Personally, those kind of cuts annoy me where it has to highlight the players names -- I'm trying to watch the action it's talking about as the fancy special effects rotate and fade away. I totally missed that. :lol

You're lucky you were at the game. They used that damn roving camera that's placed down near the court and floats around for like 10 minutes + in this game. The thing bounces around and makes me sick to my stomach. We hates, it, precious. We hates it!

I'm happy with Parker's performance tonight, although Duncan and Ginobili were in a class of their own tonight. Oberto was unreal with his defense and movement off the ball.

[MannyIsGod]

Grades are too high for a team that gave up 21 offensive rebounds.

Utah missed 50 shots and yet the Spurs only had 25 defensive rebounds- while SA missed 32 shots and Utah grabbed 27 defensive boards.
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[Sec24Row7]

Yeah Manny... I laughed at that too...

We should get Rasho back so we could lose the rebounding battle by even more...

[Don Quixote]

And the grade for, for lack of a better term, hot woman cam?

F-

Not a single shot of any hot women the entire game? Don't tell me that San Antonio women aren't beautiful either; there should have been enough hotties for at least a few montage clips.

[Don Quixote]

I can understand the lack of a woman-cam in New Orleans. Unless you actually like large, loud women with gold teeth and neck-toos.

[SouthernFried]

At least Oberto CATCHES those passes and finishes...so freakin' tired of having C's with no hands and quadruple up fakes.

[michaelwcho]

I had to work, but I missed the game. It sounds like it played out more or less how I thought...

Question: did Bowen guard Williams most of the game? Charley Rosen's article said that Pop took Bowen off him in 2nd half (presumably so Williams wouldn't get used to playing him)?

[ChumpDumper]

I think there will be a replay at 2am on ESPN.

[Sec24Row7]

At least Oberto CATCHES those passes and finishes...so freakin' tired of having C's with no hands and quadruple up fakes.


Oberto's brain in Cisco's body...

Drool

[ATXSPUR]

I can understand the lack of a woman-cam in New Orleans. Unless you actually like large, loud women with gold teeth and neck-toos.

Hey man there are ALOT of nice lookin females in Nawlins.

[milkyway21]

what?
Tim Duncan B+
Elson A-

??????????????

no offense, but you must be kidding Timvp:D

[polandprzem]

I will be a douche to ask ... but


WHY BARRY PLAYED SCARED AGAIN AT HOME?

[100%duncan]

hey man even if duncan is just b+ your rating rules!

[Budkin]

Man this team is really coming together at the perfect time.

[romain.star]

good rates....... although i'd give Tony an A-

[carina_gino20]

I'd bump Timmy to an A. Just because we're so used to the 20 and 10's doesn't make what he does any less great. :toast

[WalterBenitez]

I haven't read them yet, but Manu's grade is too low.

Yes ... too low, is any grade above A++, he even give the interview in halftime ... :wakeup

[WalterBenitez]

what?
Tim Duncan B+
Elson A-

??????????????

no offense, but you must be kidding Timvp:D


I read grades are given considering expectations ... if so ... I agree ... Elson didn't do it anything stupid out there

[thousandth]

I disagree with Tim, Oberto and Elson grades.

Tim and Oberto to deserves more than Elson.

[mathbzh]

You expect much from our big 3.
I give Manu an A+ Tim an A- and Tony a B+.

[ducks]

pretty good grades considering they played 2 quarters

glad they did not blow them out
pop can show them film where they went off on them

[2centsworth]

Tim was at an A- for me because of all the fouling, a couple of missed layups and turnovers.

Manu gets demerits for missing those FTs, so I gave him an A.

Tony had a strange game for me. I just want him to kick it out a little more when his penetration is blocked off, but maybe never taking no for an answer is what makes him so good going to the rim. I'm not sure how to grade Tony. I want to give him an A-, but then something is bothering me about his game yesterday. For sure no worse than a B-.

[Supergirl]

I disagree with your assessment of Bowen, Barry, and Horry. Horry played some excellent defense, esp in the 1st quarter, which was a big part of why the Jazz struggled to make shots. Bowen also played pretty good D against Williams and I don't believe he was on him much in the 4th, which is when Williams did most of his damage. And even if he was, he did a good job on him for 3 quarters, which is good enough for a B plus, at least.

And Barry was our best back up PG out there. He had a couple beautiful passes and assists and did a good job spacing the floor, even if his shots didn't go down. He needs to keep doing that, because they'll drop eventually. Good enough.

I'd give em all three a B+, personally. They can all play better, and they will. But they all had pretty good games.

[spurster]

Grades are too high for a team that gave up 21 offensive rebounds.

Utah missed 50 shots and yet the Spurs only had 25 defensive rebounds- while SA missed 32 shots and Utah grabbed 27 defensive boards.
I think the grades for the players are good, but timvp's grade drops to B- for not mentioning the rebounding disparity anywhere.

[DarrinS]

I think your a little hard on Bruce. To me, it looked like he was tired.

[aaronstampler]

I think the grades were pretty solid, but Oberto and Elson (as well as Fin and Bowen) have to take a knock for not rebounding enough. Fab had a great offensive night, but he was a -7, and a bunch of those in the paint buckets Utah got in the fourth were at his expense.

[Don Quixote]

Hey man there are ALOT of nice lookin females in Nawlins.

Those are the tourists. Trust me.

Actually, the area does have its share of good looking women, but you'll have to venture out to the suburbs. Metairie for the blond beautiful people, Kenner for the Latinas, and Village de l'Lest if you like them Asian (although they act black). St. Bernard Parish is mostly old people, although it was pretty much wiped out. Stay away from the projects, mid-city, Marrero, and the lower 9th, unless you like em large and with gold teeth.

[Brutalis]

I'm going to agree for the most part and add our two headed centers need to stay up and Parker and Bowen need to play better D

[Obstructed_View]

JV deserves to be docked a full grade point for throwing that alley oop to Elson. Elson gets props for not flubbing it, but a PG has to know who's running the floor with him. They both lucked out and it turned out to be one of the most exciting plays of the game, but how many of us saw that play developing and were going "no no no no no"?

[ChumpDumper]

Why? Elson has caught stuff like that before. The only thing he can really do is run the floor so why not take advantage?

[thousandth]

the Grades are not grading players against each other, the Grades are grading players as to "who they are and what is expected of them".

Duncan is expected to play great each night, so a 20/10 game from him is "typical".

really? noo. the grades are grading players as to who they are and what is expected of them. I don't know. :lol


I not expect much from Elson, but 4 points and 1 rebounds not deservers A-. :rolleyes c'mon! B or B-.


I think the grades were pretty solid, but Oberto and Elson (as well as Fin and Bowen) have to take a knock for not rebounding enough

Tim took 10 rebounds. Oberto 7 and Elson 1 :wtf

[timvp]

Compared to what we've seen out of Elson so far this playoffs, I had to hold myself back from giving him an A+ for just going out there and playing decent. Second best plus/minus on the team and no turnovers (for only the second time in the last seven games) is more than you can expect out of Elson.

[thousandth]

I read grades are given considering expectations ... if so ... I agree ... Elson didn't do it anything stupid out there

Yes. We had champagne to celebrate ... :lol

ELSON DIDN´T DO IT ANYTHING STUPID!!!!! :elephant

[Obstructed_View]

Compared to what we've seen out of Elson so far this playoffs, I had to hold myself back from giving him an A+ for just going out there and playing decent. Second best plus/minus on the team and no turnovers (for only the second time in the last seven games) is more than you can expect out of Elson.
Absolutely. Considering that his expectations were going sharply downhill for most of the playoffs, you can't discount that performance. His rotations are improved, and his intensity level went up a notch when Pop put Oberto into the starting lineups. He plays hard, scored with his opportunities and didn't turn it over. That's about all you can ask of him.