Spurs vs. Rockets Dec. 9th - Grades

[timvp]

Tim Duncan
Prior to Tracy McGrady’s Three-Pointers Heard ‘Round The World, Duncan was having a nice night versus the Houston Rockets. Though his shots weren’t falling at his regular clip, Duncan kept the pressure on Houston offensively and defensively. On one side of the court, he recorded a season-high seven blocks and tied a season-high with 18 rebounds. On the other side of the court, he finished with 26 points but only shot 7-for-22 from the field. His poor shooting and unfortunate foul on McGrady late in the game withstanding, Duncan played one of his better games of the season. Another plus – he finished 12-for-14 at the line.
GRADE: 83
DECEMBER: 87.5
SEASON: 87.8

Bruce Bowen
Everyone will remember this game for how McGrady sank shot after shot in the final minute. What no one will remember is the job that Bowen did on McGrady in the game’s first 37 minutes. Preceding those final four three-pointers, Bowen had held McGrady to 8-for-25 shooting from the field. So it can be easily argued that Bowen played fantastic defense for 47 out of the first 48 minutes. On offense, Bowen was sharp. He connected on 3-of-6 shots from the field, including 1-of-2 from downtown.
GRADE: 84
DECEMBER: 82.5
SEASON: 83.6

Rasho Nesterovic
Popovich came out in the press and confirmed what most Spurs fans have known – Nesterovic has been horrible as of late. He started the season off pretty well, but it’s gone in the toilet since then. Against the Rockets, Nesterovic actually showed some signs of snapping out of his funk. In 24 minutes, he totaled eight rebounds and a season-high four blocks. Offensively though, he was still struggling. He finished 1-for-5 from the field and 1-for-2 from the line to tally three points for the game. While he’s not out of the woods yet, it was at least baby steps in the right direction for Nesterovic.
GRADE: 81
DECEMBER: 71.3
SEASON: 81.5

Manu Ginobili
For the second straight game, Ginobili found most of his success beyond the three-point line. He was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and 1-for-5 from within. For the game, he finished with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 29 minutes. His defense was superb, holding Ryan Bowen scoreless. On the lest leg of the seven games in ten nights stretch the Spurs were in, the fatigue factor probably hurt Ginobili the most. That can be seen in his inability to finish at the basket in the last two games. Now that the Spurs will be getting more rest between games, Ginobili’s overall play should rise.
GRADE: 84
DECEMBER: 85.5
SEASON: 88.2

Tony Parker
It was an atypical game for the starting point guard for the Spurs. He couldn’t hit the side of the barn (2-for-9 from the field, 1-for-3 from beyond the three-point line), but handed out a season-high nine assists. His defense was above average, as he basically shut down Bob Sura and Andre Barrett. As the numbers would indicate, Parker did a fine job creating for his teammates. He broke down the defense and found shooters wide open. His lack of scoring is troublesome, as he’s only 8-for-25 from the field over his last two games.
GRADE: 81
DECEMBER: 86.7
SEASON: 83.5

Devin Brown
Take away the final couple seconds of the game and you can say that Brown played pretty near flawless basketball. Since taking over the job as the primary swingman off the bench, Brown hasn’t disappointed. Against the Rockets, it was more of the same. Playing 26 minutes, Brown scored 20 points and corralled four rebounds, while shooting 6-for-11 from the floor, 0-for-1 from beyond the arc and 8-for-8 at the line. He’s raised his scoring average to 7.2 points per game, fourth highest on the team. Now if he had only not turned the ball over to allow Houston to win the game, he’d have been the hero of the game. Now, sadly, he’s the goat.
GRADE: 86
DECEMBER: 89.7
SEASON: 85.8

Malik Rose
Playing with a dislocating ring finger on his left hand, Rose wasn’t effective against the Rockets. He gave great energy, but the results just weren’t there. He was 0-for-5 from the field and didn’t score. He also only recorded two rebounds in 25 minutes of action. With his play this season, Rose has earned the role as the first bigman off the bench. While this injury could upset his play, Popovich will most likely keep going to him because he knows that Rose will at the very least provide an emotional spark.
GRADE: 71
DECEMBER: 84.7
SEASON: 85.7

Beno Udrih
Udrih is going through some growing pains again. He played exceedingly well for a stretch before cooling off over the past couple games. Although he hit 2-of-3 shots from the field on his way to four points, his playmaking and offensive execution left a lot to be desired. He wasn’t getting the team into its offensive sets and was frustrated by pressure. He’s going to half to get back to making running the offense his number one priority.
GRADE: 80
DECEMBER: 84.2
SEASON: 81.5

Brent Barry
Another game and another benching for Barry. He played only nine minutes against the Rockets, his second consecutive game playing less than ten minutes. In those nine minutes, he was 0-for-3 from the field, including 0-for-1 from beyond the arc. His shooting slump has hit legendary status. He’s made one of his last 22 three-point attempts and shooting 20.8% in December. Luckily, Barry is a wily veteran who will undoubtedly fight his way through this slump.
GRADE: 70
DECEMBER: 72.7
SEASON: 82.1

[ALVAREZ6]

Manu should have shot more 3's

[whottt]

It's good to be back to playing Spurs basketball.

Please tell Manu to stop being a pussy and not get tired. It'd be one thing if we had a good bench...but we don't...at least not good enough to use when we face the mighty Rockets.

Rockets are obviously unbeatable, so all mistakes by anyone not named Brent Barry or Robert Horry should be excused, and it was only due to the incredible d by Bruce, the brilliant decision making by Devin...that we were able to hang with them as long as we did.

I also agree with your thoughts on running the bench O through a player with a dislocated finger...and advocate continuing to do so like yourself.

I mean we don't have a bench...least talented Spur team in history.

[ALVAREZ6]

It's good to be back to playing Spurs basketball.

Please tell Manu to stop being a pussy and not get tired. It'd be one thing if we had a good bench...but we don't...at least not good enough to use when we face the mighty Rockets.

Manu's a pussy?
rrright.

He plays with more energy than any other spurs, so shut ur mouth.

Pop takes him out, he doesnt take himself out.

[ALVAREZ6]

its hard having manu and barry and devin all on one team, they need to share minutes.

if you don't remember Barry was a starter last year.

[ChumpDumper]

He made more than one three last December too.

Go figure.

[Karl Mundt]

11 minutes, 0/0 FG, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks = grade 60
25 minutes, 0/5 FG, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 0 blocks = grade 71

Does that really seem fair?

[boutons]

"Bowen played fantastic defense for 47 out of the first 48 minutes. "

Bowen was on the floor 32 minutes. :)

McGrady for 44.

So he played 12 minutes of great defense on McGrady from the bench! DPOY!! :)

[whottt]

"Bowen played fantastic defense for 47 out of the first 48 minutes. "

Bowen was on the floor 32 minutes. :)

McGrady for 44.

So he played 12 minutes of great defense on McGrady from the bench! DPOY!! :)

Apologize to TimVP!

[Spurminator]

Bowen really did even better on McGrady than the numbers suggest. If I recall, in the first half TMac scored most of his points on Brown/Manu.

[whottt]

TMac was 6-14 against Bowen. 6-15 against everyone else(and this includes the 3 pointer with the foul).

[Kori Ellis]

"Bowen played fantastic defense for 47 out of the first 48 minutes. "

Bowen was on the floor 32 minutes.

McGrady for 44.

So he played 12 minutes of great defense on McGrady from the bench! DPOY!!

It's pretty obvious that was supposed to mean that Bowen played good D except the last minute of the game. :rolleyes

[SequSpur]

McGrady is one of the best players in the league. Dude is going to get his sooner or later, no matter who is guarding him.

Spurs lost. Game over.

Malik won that other game with a stolen pass at the end. Devin Brown slipped on the ice and turned the ball over and lost this game. It's as simple as that. If he would have just waited for a foul or passed it, these topics wouldn't be here.

Devin Brown's fault.
Malik's praise.

Period.

[whottt]

McGrady is one of the best players in the league. Dude is going to get his sooner or later, no matter who is guarding him.

Spurs lost. Game over.

Malik won that other game with a stolen pass at the end. Devin Brown slipped on the ice and turned the ball over and lost this game. It's as simple as that. If he would have just waited for a foul or passed it, these topics wouldn't be here.

Devin Brown's fault.
Malik's praise.

Period.

When Bowen or Devin cost us a game...No biggie...It is the mighty Rockets and 19 losses in a row Tmac...

When Barry or Horry don't shoot 10-10 with 48 boards per 48 minutes in 30 point blowouts...They are hurting the team.

[SequSpur]

Devin Brown did go to West Campus and UTSA. He might need to read the book of Duke fundamentals of basketball since he is probably lacking.

He won't make that mistake again.

This youthfulness is one of the reasons why I am against Beno being the Spurs backup. How many kids do they need?

[Kori Ellis]

Whottt, if Barry gets 12+mpg for the next two weeks, and is still struggling? Would you still advocate giving him more minutes? Where is your limit?

[SequSpur]

What about Manu's turnovers? Why does he get a season pass to Sea World? His turnovers and stupid ass decisions wipe out his dunk between 3 lakers. Dude is out of control.

What about Parker? Dude has the inside game of Tim Duncan, but the outside game of Anthony Carter. Isn't that a problem? Barry isn't the only problem and by the way, Barry is not a scorer that is going to get you 15 a night. Maybe 8-10, but not 15. He is not Bowen, he is one of the best shooters in the league. Dude is used to consistent playing time, now he is thrown out there Pop unexpectedly. Again, another example of Pop trying to change players, rather playing them in their comfort zone. Pop has the tools, he just needs to use them.

[SequSpur]

Manu would probably average at least 2-3 more turnovers per game if they counted the passes that go out of bounds.

[whottt]

Whottt, if Barry gets 12+mpg for the next two weeks, and is still struggling? Would you still advocate giving him more minutes? Where is your limit?

After we get eliminated from the playoffs because he shoots like Hedo or Smitty. Honestly, that's my limit, and I'd be saying the same thing if he was shooting 80% from three right now. We already know what we are going to get from Devin...We know Manu and TP are going to be strekay from 3....Barry is the key to us being more successful than last season. And if he pulls a Hedo...or a Smitty...

Then you guys will have to pull me off of him...meanwhile..he makes good passes, makes fewer bonhead TO's than any player on the team, hits his FT's, has shot well under pressure this season, he draws a defender off of Duncan, and is the most experienced guard type on the team...

We need to use our deep bench...Manu loses effectiveness when he logs heavy minutes and Bruce is 34...Bruce gets beat more on defense than he used too, he wears down easier. He's 34 and he has the toughest job in the NBA. S'why I wanted to start Devin ahead of him....and I'd like to see him still have enough legs in the post season to have a J. He hasn't had a post season J since game 2 VS Kobe in 03. He's only human, sooner or later all that energy he expends on D has to be paid back.

[boutons]

Of course, we all got the sense of what he meant.

I was just having some fun with the numeric impossibilites. :)

[Spurminator]

I was talking about before the last minute barrage, Whottt.

Nobody could have stopped those shots from going in.

[SequSpur]

Malik Rose is not 7 foot.

[whottt]

I was talking about before the last minute barrage, Whottt.

Nobody could have stopped those shots from going in.


Well...the two TO's we had in the last 48 seconds didn't help, unless you are a Rocketfan...

Nor did the fact we were trying to guard a player who is closer to 7 feet tall than the 6'8 he is listed at ...at the 3 line with a guy who is 6'6. Might have been a good idea to try something different, try something a little bit closer to what TMac is, after the first two he hit,...like Horry..he is a good perimeter defender....and since a three was the only thing that could hurt us...the fact that TMac would have blown by him for some twos 2 would not have been as much of a factor....and I like Duncan guarding the interior better than I do the perimeter.

There is no excuse for losing this game. There really isn't...I'd rather take the blame then appoint TMac as unbeatable...especially since I just watched the Mavs beat him in an almost identical game.

[duncan2k5]

After we get eliminated from the playoffs because he shoots like Hedo or Smitty. Honestly, that's my limit, and I'd be saying the same thing if he was shooting 80% from three right now. We already know what we are going to get from Devin...We know Manu and TP are going to be strekay from 3....Barry is the key to us being more successful than last season. And if he pulls a Hedo...or a Smitty...

Then you guys will have to pull me off of him...meanwhile..he makes good passes, makes fewer bonhead TO's than any player on the team, hits his FT's, has shot well under pressure this season, he draws a defender off of Duncan, and is the most experienced guard type on the team...

We need to use our deep bench...Manu loses effectiveness when he logs heavy minutes and Bruce is 34...Bruce gets beat more on defense than he used too, he wears down easier. He's 34 and he has the toughest job in the NBA. S'why I wanted to start Devin ahead of him....and I'd like to see him still have enough legs in the post season to have a J. He hasn't had a post season J since game 2 VS Kobe in 03. He's only human, sooner or later all that energy he expends on D has to be paid back.

I kinda agree with whottt. remember when barry used to log minutes all those deft passes and easy lay-ups and slam dunks we were getting? I dont think because he is in a slump that this would change. im not saying lower brown's minutes. im saying maybe they can both play on the court at the same time. or whatever the rotation is, just give him more minutes. he doesnt have to be shooting that well to be a help to the offence. plus how can he get out of a slump if he dont play?

[whottt]

No duncan2k, they don't remember those things, they also don't remember the beautiful and unselfish pass by Barry that officially unleashed Devin Brown upon this season...Devin's still getting a few dunks...but what happend to those passes?

What happend to the Spurs looking like the best passing team in the NBA?

Simple, a drastic reduction in the minutes of Robert Horry and Brent Barry, two of the smartest players in the NBA, reduced for absolutely nothing to do with W-L.

Reduced because the #1 defensive team in the NBA wasn't playing good enough D. It's called Spurs basketball and Barry's game is the antithesis of it...

So now insteading of looking like the class of the NBA and charging off to the best start in team history...we look like the same offensively challenged, hardworking boneheads, that can't hold a 4th quarter lead, that we usually are this early in the season...

[ALVAREZ6]

Manu would probably average at least 2-3 more turnovers per game if they counted the passes that go out of bounds.


STFU

[duncan2k5]

STFU
LOL :lol

[BigVee]

Said perfectly by Whott. If Pop wanted Trenton Haskell why did he go after Brent Barry?

[smeagol]

What about Manu's turnovers? Why does he get a season pass to Sea World? His turnovers and stupid ass decisions wipe out his dunk between 3 lakers. Dude is out of control.
Sequ, Manu's TOs are the least of this teams problems.

[timvp]

Whotttt, stop your crying. As everyone can tell by your signature, you have no sense of what is happening or will happen with the Spurs. Pop hasn't been playing Barry lately, but you can bet on the Coyote's life that Barry is going to get major minutes when all is said and done. He's struggling defensively, but he'll fight his way through it.

Before too long, he'll be averaging around 20 minutes per game again. Just stop your whining and listen.

[BigVee]

Whotttt, stop your crying. As everyone can tell by your signature, you have no sense of what is happening or will happen with the Spurs. Pop hasn't been playing Barry lately, but you can bet on the Coyote's life that Barry is going to get major minutes when all is said and done. He's struggling defensively, but he'll fight his way through it.

Before too long, he'll be averaging around 20 minutes per game again. Just stop your whining and listen.

timvp, I respect your knowledge and hope like hell you are right. I didn't give a shit about Charley Ward, but Barry is they type of player who could put us over the top. I think you are right, Pop is too smart to let Barry's talent sit and waste. He will figure a way to get him involved.

[timvp]

11 minutes, 0/0 FG, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks = grade 60
25 minutes, 0/5 FG, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 0 blocks = grade 71

Does that really seem fair?

First of all, those are two different games. The top one was Rasho versus Seattle and the second one is Rose versus Houston. I don't know if you watched Rasho versus Seattle, but he was horrible. He came out like he didn't care that there was a game on. He was looking into the crowd and not really paying attention half the time. Pop ripped him to shreds on the sidelines and then never played him again.

Rose was bad against the Rockets, but at least he brought energy. Rasho was still pretty bad (as evident that he played like 1 minute in the fourth), yet he was still awarded an 81 for the "effort".

[timvp]

timvp, I respect your knowledge and hope like hell you are right. I didn't give a shit about Charley Ward, but Barry is they type of player who could put us over the top. I think you are right, Pop is too smart to let Barry's talent sit and waste. He will figure a way to get him involved.

This is the same thing Pop's been doing for seven years or whatever. He is making Brent Barry play SPURS BASKETBALL.

If whottt would pay attention, he'd notice the pattern and wouldn't be embarrassed a month from now when I bring up his whining on this subject.

[whottt]

I know what Pop is doing, he's sending a message that defense comes first...unfortunately he's doing it when we haven't been playing bad team D so he is just being an ass.

And furthermore...don't act like Pop won't banish the wrong guy to the bench...he banished Kerr, he traded...

He traded Kerr just go he could pay Smitty 12 million dollars to suck ass.

Pop's not flawless, he's fucked up before...you yourself don't like the way he handled Malik last season...guess what? He's doing the same thing with Barry.


This is gonna piss you guys off, but Barry deserves the patience Hedo got...Barry wants to do a good job, Hedo just wanted to start, get his shots, and get paid. Barry wants to win...Pop should be less of a dickhead to Barry...

Because yanking Barry has been hurting our offense, it's an inescapable conclusion.

And furthermore...Blazed asked for it to be marked down...And he did go overboard with his prediction. I am leaving it in there for a reason...and I said this summer, right along with you that Devin should start.


Brent Barry is the anti Bowen, Bowen is the anti Barry...they are both specialists, Bruce on D and Barry on O, and Devin is more complete and younger than either of them when you are talking both sides of the ball...Devin should be starting, as I said last summer... with Barry off the bench as the o specialist and Bruce as the d speclialist.

[T Park]

Rasho was still pretty bad

8 boards and 4 blocks aint what it used to be I gues.

He could get a good game tonight against Illgauskis.

Both are similar, But Z is an amazing scorer.

[whottt]

This is the same thing Pop's been doing for seven years or whatever. He is making Brent Barry play SPURS BASKETBALL.

If whottt would pay attention, he'd notice the pattern and wouldn't be embarrassed a month from now when I bring up his whining on this subject.

Why should I be embarrassed?

You guys aren't embarrassed by your perfect D playing team getting ass fucked by the Rockets in a game we played hard to win.

You guys would rather designate a player who loses 19 games in a row as an unbeatable opponent rather than admit Pop fucked up with his usage of the bench...and admit maybe just maybe Barry and Horry aren't the crap you want them to be...maybe it's more because they threaten the precious minutes of your favorites.

I'd rather play less stellar D and win than play the D lovers wet dream and look like a bunch of chokers against a subpar team.

Just like Kerr was the solution to not blowing 4th quarter leads in 03...Barry is a similar solution in the here and now. Maybe not in the playoffs..but deiinitely right now...struggling from 3 or not. Any stat you want to look at backs me up..

[SuperManu!!!]

Manu would probably average at least 2-3 more turnovers per game if they counted the passes that go out of bounds.

At least manu makes what he is asked to....not like rasho who is a sissy little girl

[ALVAREZ6]

At least manu makes what he is asked to....not like rasho who is a sissy little girl


Manu is the man. He does what he's supposed to do.
Rasho is a different story. I think Rasho will step it up later in the season, around the ASG.

[timvp]

8 boards and 4 blocks aint what it used to be I gues.

He could get a good game tonight against Illgauskis.

Both are similar, But Z is an amazing scorer.

Yeah, too bad there is two sides to a court. Rasho's offense was still bad ... and his defense wasn't too great either.

There's a difference between blocked shots and actual defense.

[timvp]

Why should I be embarrassed?

You guys aren't embarrassed by your perfect D playing team getting ass fucked by the Rockets in a game we played hard to win.

You guys would rather designate a player who loses 19 games in a row as an unbeatable opponent rather than admit Pop fucked up with his usage of the bench...and admit maybe just maybe Barry and Horry aren't the crap you want them to be...maybe it's more because they threaten the precious minutes of your favorites.

I'd rather play less stellar D and win than play the D lovers wet dream and look like a bunch of chokers against a subpar team.

Just like Kerr was the solution to not blowing 4th quarter leads in 03...Barry is a similar solution in the here and now. Maybe not in the playoffs..but deiinitely right now...struggling from 3 or not. Any stat you want to look at backs me up..

It was a fluke win by Houston. Down by 10 with under a minute left ... 9999 times out of 10000, the Spurs win that game. It was just that one. Get over it.

Barry is going to get his chance whether you are sitting here crying or not. All Barry needs to do is come in and hit a shot and play defense. Pop gives him a chance to do that every game. So far, Barry has responded with a bunch of 0-fers. Soon, he'll hit his first shot and then it'll go from there.

It's funny that you were saying how great this team is and how they will win the championship no questions asked and then a fluke miracle happens ... you now you are whining like a little girl.

Classic.

[whottt]

It was a fluke win by Houston. Down by 10 with under a minute left ... 9999 times out of 10000, the Spurs win that game. It was just that one. Get over it.

No, it wasn't...it's happened in all 3 games Barry got no substantial second half minutes.





It's funny that you were saying how great this team is and how they will win the championship no questions asked and then a fluke miracle happens ... you now you are whining like a little girl.

Classic.

Yeah, I was incredibly optismistic about this team...and at least I wasn't whining when were winning, like some on the board.

I was optimistic because I didn't think even Pop could fuck up the guard rotation on this team...I was oh so wrong. And if he uses our bench like this in the playoffs...I will hold him responsible for this team not winning a title.

And we will not win a title if he uses the bench like this.

[ALVAREZ6]

rasho , pop, are responsible.

i think they should haev some more plays for Manu to drive it all the way.

the spurs are a pretty athletic team, so when TD gets a board, quick pass to Manu, and let him go coast to coast...hes the best at that

[SuperManu!!!]

i think they should haev some more plays for Manu to drive it all the way.

the spurs are a pretty athletic team, so when TD gets a board, quick pass to Manu, and let him go coast to coast...hes the best at that


Like I said the other day, last year it was manu who had the ball in the last seconds. He is the more capable of driving into the rim and get a foul, making a possible 3 point play

[johnny00]

After we get eliminated from the playoffs because he shoots like Hedo or Smitty. Honestly, that's my limit,

Then you guys will have to pull me off of him...meanwhile..he makes good passes, makes fewer bonhead TO's than any player on the team, hits his FT's, has shot well under pressure this season, he draws a defender off of Duncan, and is the most experienced guard type on the team...

We need to use our deep bench...
Great points Whott, Brent Barrys court knowledge is probably the best of the team. Why isn't his savvy being used??? Because he hasn't picked up the 'system' yet? Pop has got to get this guy on the court especially in the early parts of games when the motion offense is more predominate.

P.S. to TIMVP
I appreciate and look foward to reading all your game grades but count me in as requesting you start putting a grade for coaching. Some decisions are being made that aren't players fault.

[ducks]

the last 5 games barry's minutes have been down
but pop was giving him much more before
but brown has taken advantage
just like when a player gets hurt the other guy has to take adavatage to keep playing
brown is doing it
he will cool off then barry will see more time relax

barry atleast is resting now and is staying fresher for playoffs