timvp
05-31-2007, 12:48 AM
Tim Duncan
Duncan opened the game with passion and an obvious purpose in this game. He was aggressive and did all he could to assure that the Spurs didn’t have to go back to Utah. Not much was needed from him, but he delivered whenever called upon. Duncan was solid on both sides of the court and showed great heart throughout.
Grade: A
Manu Ginobili
Ginobili was a nice spark off the bench in the first quarter and helped bury the Jazz. He came in the game and seamlessly carved out his own way to impact the game. He brought the energy and pulled down some big rebounds while the game was still in doubt. Ginobili also battled defensively. He had a couple careless turnovers but overall there isn’t much to be critical with.
Grade: B+
Tony Parker
Parker was simply amazing early on. He almost single-handedly ended the series with his play in the first half. His aggression and tenacity were on full display as he sliced up the Jazz. If he wasn’t getting to the rim, he was finding a teammate wide open. Defensively, he didn’t let Deron Williams get many open looks in the first half. In a closeout situation, Parker played about as well as a point guard can play.
Grade: A+
Bruce Bowen
Bowen came ready to play and brought some needed physicality to the game. He led the Spurs in plus/minus at +24 and was really active while he was on the court. He pulled down a couple nice rebounds and hit two three-pointers that really helped push the lead up early. He loses a couple points on his grade due to giving up some offensive rebounds to Matt Harpring and a couple of bad flops in the second half, but overall Bowen did his part.
Grade: B+
Fabricio Oberto
What more can you say about the way Oberto has come ready to play in the playoffs? He’s just been a monster. He plays each game like it’s his last. Any ounce of effort he can give, he gives to the team. His seven first half rebounds were huge and his overall energy was contagious.
Grade: A
Michael Finley
Finley seemed to overcome any back problems he was having to perform nicely. He hit the first two shots for the Spurs to really get them off on the right foot. Finley also had a couple big time plays on the defensive end, including a rebound where he outbattled the beast that is Paul Millsap. He came out like he wanted to wrap this series up and helped the Spurs do so.
Grade: B+
Robert Horry
Horry had his best game in a long time. His tenacity on the defensive end of the court was palpable. He had a big steal and two key blocks to go along with four rebounds in 12 minutes of action. Horry didn’t shoot a shot from the field, but he didn’t have to tonight. Hopefully he finds some offensive rhythm between now and the time the Finals tip off.
Grade: B+
Jacque Vaughn
Vaughn had his second consecutive nice performance. His defense was animated and he had a nice pace on the offensive side of the court. He finished with eight points, six assists and no turnovers in 21 minutes. You can’t ask much more from Vaughn.
Grade: A
Francisco Elson
Elson played as confidently as he has all playoffs. He looked like he found some sort of groove. It was partly because the game wasn’t close, but hopefully he can continue playing like this into the Finals. He had nine points, six rebounds and a block in 16 minutes of action.
Grade: A-
Brent Barry
Barry might have been the only regular who appeared a bit out of rhythm. However, it’s understandable seeing as he didn’t play in the last game and he’s the type of player who needs a few trips up and down the court before he’s ready to roll. He did his job well enough of keeping the lead large to avoid having to put back the starters.
Grade: B-
Matt Bonner
The Rojo Rocket didn’t set any nasty back picks – he didn’t have to this game. He played hard in garbage time and celebrated well after the game.
Grade: E
Beno Udrih
While tall guys ran around on that wood platform and bounced a ball around, Udrih was the real show. How many players can get the ball stuck between that medal circle thing and that glass panel on their first shot? Guys tried all game and couldn’t duplicate that feat. Now that’s true skill.
Grade: E
Pop
Pop’s best coaching came before the game because whatever he did or didn’t do got this team ready to compete from the get go. It was a fine performance by a team who obviously likes to play together. Pop just further cements himself as a Hall of Fame coach with each passing year.
Grade: A
Duncan opened the game with passion and an obvious purpose in this game. He was aggressive and did all he could to assure that the Spurs didn’t have to go back to Utah. Not much was needed from him, but he delivered whenever called upon. Duncan was solid on both sides of the court and showed great heart throughout.
Grade: A
Manu Ginobili
Ginobili was a nice spark off the bench in the first quarter and helped bury the Jazz. He came in the game and seamlessly carved out his own way to impact the game. He brought the energy and pulled down some big rebounds while the game was still in doubt. Ginobili also battled defensively. He had a couple careless turnovers but overall there isn’t much to be critical with.
Grade: B+
Tony Parker
Parker was simply amazing early on. He almost single-handedly ended the series with his play in the first half. His aggression and tenacity were on full display as he sliced up the Jazz. If he wasn’t getting to the rim, he was finding a teammate wide open. Defensively, he didn’t let Deron Williams get many open looks in the first half. In a closeout situation, Parker played about as well as a point guard can play.
Grade: A+
Bruce Bowen
Bowen came ready to play and brought some needed physicality to the game. He led the Spurs in plus/minus at +24 and was really active while he was on the court. He pulled down a couple nice rebounds and hit two three-pointers that really helped push the lead up early. He loses a couple points on his grade due to giving up some offensive rebounds to Matt Harpring and a couple of bad flops in the second half, but overall Bowen did his part.
Grade: B+
Fabricio Oberto
What more can you say about the way Oberto has come ready to play in the playoffs? He’s just been a monster. He plays each game like it’s his last. Any ounce of effort he can give, he gives to the team. His seven first half rebounds were huge and his overall energy was contagious.
Grade: A
Michael Finley
Finley seemed to overcome any back problems he was having to perform nicely. He hit the first two shots for the Spurs to really get them off on the right foot. Finley also had a couple big time plays on the defensive end, including a rebound where he outbattled the beast that is Paul Millsap. He came out like he wanted to wrap this series up and helped the Spurs do so.
Grade: B+
Robert Horry
Horry had his best game in a long time. His tenacity on the defensive end of the court was palpable. He had a big steal and two key blocks to go along with four rebounds in 12 minutes of action. Horry didn’t shoot a shot from the field, but he didn’t have to tonight. Hopefully he finds some offensive rhythm between now and the time the Finals tip off.
Grade: B+
Jacque Vaughn
Vaughn had his second consecutive nice performance. His defense was animated and he had a nice pace on the offensive side of the court. He finished with eight points, six assists and no turnovers in 21 minutes. You can’t ask much more from Vaughn.
Grade: A
Francisco Elson
Elson played as confidently as he has all playoffs. He looked like he found some sort of groove. It was partly because the game wasn’t close, but hopefully he can continue playing like this into the Finals. He had nine points, six rebounds and a block in 16 minutes of action.
Grade: A-
Brent Barry
Barry might have been the only regular who appeared a bit out of rhythm. However, it’s understandable seeing as he didn’t play in the last game and he’s the type of player who needs a few trips up and down the court before he’s ready to roll. He did his job well enough of keeping the lead large to avoid having to put back the starters.
Grade: B-
Matt Bonner
The Rojo Rocket didn’t set any nasty back picks – he didn’t have to this game. He played hard in garbage time and celebrated well after the game.
Grade: E
Beno Udrih
While tall guys ran around on that wood platform and bounced a ball around, Udrih was the real show. How many players can get the ball stuck between that medal circle thing and that glass panel on their first shot? Guys tried all game and couldn’t duplicate that feat. Now that’s true skill.
Grade: E
Pop
Pop’s best coaching came before the game because whatever he did or didn’t do got this team ready to compete from the get go. It was a fine performance by a team who obviously likes to play together. Pop just further cements himself as a Hall of Fame coach with each passing year.
Grade: A