Series Grades: Spurs vs. Hornets

[timvp]

SPURS 4 - HORNETS 3

Series Preview: Spurs vs. Hornets (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94015)

Game 1 - 82-101 - Game Thoughts (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94076)
Game 2 - 84-102 - Game Thoughts (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94347)
Game 3 - 110-99 - Game Thoughts (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94688)
Game 4 - 100-80 - Game Thoughts (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94946)
Game 5 - 79-101 - Game Thoughts (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95229)
Game 6 - 99-80 - Game Thoughts (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95513)
Game 7 - 91-82 - Game Thoughts (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96042)

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Tim Duncan
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3173.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 15.3
Rebounds: 13.0
Assists: 2.7
Blocks: 1.9
FG%: .421
FT%: .675

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Tim Duncan played extremely well in the first round against the Suns. However, his stats plummeted severely against the Hornets. All in all, his stats were worse than any series in his entire professional career.

ANALYSIS
The Hornets hit Tim Duncan with double-teams early and often in the series and he was never really able to find a rhythm. Tyson Chandler guarded him well and deserves a lot of credit. I don't believe in playoff excuses but supposedly Duncan was ill for the first few games. However, with the way he struggles in Game 5 and down the stretch in Game 7, his illness couldn't have been the only thing wrong with him against New Orleans. Defensively, Duncan had his moments but he wasn't his normal dominant self.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
C-
Tim Duncan played the worst series of his life. He still wasn't horrible all things considered but he will definitely need to play a lot better for the Spurs if San Antonio wants to be in the championship hunt.
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Manu Ginobili
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3380.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 21.3
Rebounds: 4.1
Assists: 6.0
FG%: .435
3P%: .386
FT%: .868

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Compared to his numbers against the Suns, Manu Ginobili put up much better statistics in the Hornets series. His assists were down and his turnovers were up in the Suns series, but he turned that around against the Hornets by tripling his assist numbers and cutting his turnovers by 15%.

ANALYSIS
Against the Suns, Manu Ginobili's numbers didn't show how well he played. Against the Hornets, Ginobili's numbers look better than his actual performance level. The Hornets guarded him with below average defenders and then would sag off of him. If he was more in rhythm on his jumper, he could have averaged closer to 30 than 20. Defensively, he wasn't too impressive -- especially in terms of team defense, which is usually his specialty. All that said, he produced enough for the Spurs to advance. His improvement in the series from Game 1 to Game 7 was vital and his outside stroke returned for the final two games.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
B
I'm giving Manu Ginobili the same grade I gave him against the Suns. The good news is he should be getting healthier and I feel that the best is ahead of him in this postseason.
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Tony Parker
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3527.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 19.4
Assists: 5.7
Rebounds: 3.7
FG%: .486
3P%: .444
FT%: .706

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Tony Parker obviously didn't have the amazing numbers he had against the Suns, however his stats turned out to be close to what we expect out of him in the regular season.

ANALYSIS
After a roller coaster seven games, thankfully Tony Parker was able to end it on a high note by coming up big in the fourth quarter of Game 7. Overall though, Parker needs to be more consistent going forward. He had a few really good games and a few poor performances. Defensively, he did a satisfactory job against the Hornets. He guarded Chris Paul a majority of the time and seemed to defend him better as the series went along. I'll give him credit for competing and giving good effort no matter the situation.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
B
Tony Parker went up against the best point guard the Spurs have ever faced in the Tim Duncan Era and he survived. Paul undoubtedly outplayed him but when it came to the end of the series, Parker came up big while Paul disappeared.
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Bruce Bowen
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3167.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 9.1
Rebounds: 2.7
Assists: 2.3
FG%: .370
3P%: .372

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Against the Suns, Bruce Bowen totaled four points and two assists in the five game series. Against the Hornets, Bowen came alive offensively -- averaging more than ten times as many points and more than five times as many assists.

ANALYSIS
Defensively, Bruce Bowen shutting down Peja Stojakovic was huge. After Stojakovic went wild in the first two games, Bowen was switched off onto him for the final five games. Stojakovic's scoring average went from 23.5 points per game in the first two games to 8.6 points per game once Bowen defended him. Offensively, Bowen was able to put up points but he didn't hit as many open shots as he usually does in the playoffs. If teams are going to dare him to score, he needs to shoot north of 40%. Then again, it's tough to complain when Bowen not only shuts down Stojakovic -- he also outscores him on the other end.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
B+
Bruce Bowen was born to defend Stojakovic so I wasn't surprised in the least that he dominated him, although he did dominate him more than usual. His grade would have been higher if he would have knocked in more open three-pointers.
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Michael Finley
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3023.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 7.1
Rebounds: 2.0
Assists: 1.3
FG%: .435
3P%: .385

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Despite playing nearly 13 less minutes per game against the Hornets than against the Suns, Michael Finley averaged more points, rebounds and assists. Finley also shot better from the floor and from beyond the arc.

ANALYSIS
Michael Finley had really good moments and horrible moments in this series. He shot well in Game 1 and then was huge off the bench in Game 3 and Game 4. He then had two straight pitiful games until he re-emerged in Game 7 with two dagger three-pointers. Finley is streaky by nature and now that he's coming off the bench, his streaks will be more noticeable than ever. However, at the end of the series, all of his numbers were up and he was big in Game 7.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
B
After computing all the ups and downs, Michael Finley ended up playing a par series. I might have gotten an even better grade but his defense was poor throughout.
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Kurt Thomas
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3012.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 3.6
Rebounds: 5.9
Blocks: 0.4
FG%: .462

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Kurt Thomas saw his minutes go down in this series but his rebounding remained impressive. His points per game stat isn't pretty but he shot relatively well.

ANALYSIS
The Hornets figured out pretty quickly that Kurt Thomas isn't much of a passer and doesn't have a lot of offensive cohesiveness with his teammates -- and New Orleans took advantage. As the series went along, the Spurs struggled more and more to score with Thomas on the court. Defensively, he didn't have much of a positive impact against David West. To his credit, Thomas kept rebounding the ball through good times and bad.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
C
As it turned out, West was an impossible matchup for Thomas. On offense, Thomas has to find a way to fit in.
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Fabricio Oberto
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3988.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 3.0
Rebounds: 4.9
Assists: 1.4
FG%: .556

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
If you look just at his numbers, you'd think Fabricio Oberto had a below average series. His stats in each category were either the same or down when compared to the regular season.

ANALYSIS
Fabricio Oberto didn't have much of an impact on the stat sheet but he was extremely effective on the court. His passing was spectacular, his pick-and-roll defense was good and he made smart rotations defensively. He did a good job of connecting on the few shots that he attempted. Oberto started the final two games and was important in helping the Spurs take both contests. The only aspect Oberto struggled in was his one-on-one defense against West, which was poor for almost the entire series.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
A-
After a slow start to the playoffs, Fabricio Oberto picked it up and is now back to being an important part of this team. The smart play he brings to the court can't be praised enough.
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Ime Udoka
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3501.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 7.4
Rebounds: 3.0
Steals: 1.57
FG%: .543
3P%: .522

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Ime Udoka couldn't hit the ocean against the Suns. In the Hornets series, Udoka's marksmanship was much improved -- to say the least.

ANALYSIS
Ime Udoka officially became a Spur during the Hornets series. With the perimeter players routinely missing open shots, Udoka turned the tide by entering the game and confidently stroking the three ball. His shooting was extremely impressive, however so was his aggressiveness defensively and his work on the boards. In just about every phase of the game, Udoka played better than he did during the regular season and in the first round of the playoffs.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
A
After a poor opening series against the Suns, all hope seemed to be lost. But then Ime Udoka snapped out of his funk and played by far the best basketball he has played as a Spur.
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Robert Horry
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/830.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 1.7
Rebounds: 1.9
FG%: .235
3P%: .300

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Robert Horry's numbers look like the same crap numbers he has put up all season.

ANALYSIS
If you look at his series stats, you'd think Robert Horry had a horrible series. But he was a big part of turning the tide. In Game 6, he succinctly explained to West that the Spurs weren't going down easily. In Game 7, Horry nailed two huge three-pointers, played very good defense and West stayed away from the paint. Once again, when Horry's career looked finished, he manages to add yet another chapter to his legacy.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
B-
Robert Horry didn't do much positive in the first five games of the series but he sure did end it with a bang.
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Brent Barry
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/basketball/nba/players/3017.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Points: 3.2
Rebounds: 0.5
Assists: 0.8
FG%: .462
3P%: .364

SECOND THE NUMBERS
On a per minute basis, Brent Barry produced at his normal clip.

ANALYSIS
Brent Barry got some run early in the series but he was taken out of the rotation for good after Game 2. The main issue with Barry at the moment is injury. He's simply not moving well enough to defend at all. He does fill a role as an emergency sharpshooter who can be called upon if the Spurs begin to falter.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
B-
If Brent Barry can get healthy, there is still a chance he'll have a big moment at some point in the postseason.
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Gregg Popovich
http://espn.go.com/photo/2007/0605/nba_g_popovich_275.jpg
SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Hack-a-Chandlers: 3
Fingers in his chest: 1
Non-awkward in-game interviews : 0

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
For the second straight series, Pop was very hands-on. He also insisted Joey Crawford be hands-off when discussing double delay of game matters.

ANALYSIS
I thought Pop entered the series with a below average gameplan, but to his credit he junked that gameplan and came up with a way to beat the Hornets. By the end of the series, he was masterful. For two consecutive series, Pop has played a huge role in the Spurs being able to survive.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
A-
Pop is having the playoff run of his life. Now he takes on his arch enemy. We'll see if he can keep it up.
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[1Parker1]

Points: 15.3
Rebounds: 13.0
Assists: 2.7
Blocks: 1.9
FG%: .421
FT%: .675

If you had told me before the series that this would be Duncan's averages, I never would have believed we'd make it out of that series. His #'s are going to have to be a lot better than that against the Lakers though.

[mystargtr34]

Awesome work as always.

[Pero]

Duncan will have to playe a lot better if the Spurs are to beat the Lakers.
And where's Beno's grade? :lol

[boutons_]

Fabs gets a ding from me for overall lack of aggressiveness, eg, Ime rebounds better by going to the ball, while Fabs, usually closer to the basket, watches both the shot and the RB bounce away. Seems like he's relieved the ball isn't falling in his direction. He should be disappointed that it isn't and Go Get It, like Ime does.

Fabs was did not get up close enough to bother West/Paul jumpers. Getting a hand up from 3-5 feet ain't gonna bother any jumpshooter. Drove me nuts.

Tim was a mystery. Don't ever wanna see Duncan mediocrity.

[wildbill2u]

At times the Hornets looked like the more poised and confident team. I couldn't believe all the unforced turnovers caused by sloppy passes and dribbling on the part of the Spurs. I hope this was just a momentary quirk.

Won this series on Pop's magic. We didn't have any player (except maybe Udoka) who played up to their capability and our expectations.

Individual players will have to step up and play better --like a veteran team--to beat the Lakers.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Fantastic roundup, agree with it all, especially about Udoka. He earned his Spurs in this series. ;)


In Game 6, he succinctly explained to West that the Spurs weren't going down easily. In Game 7, Horry nailed two huge three-pointers, played very good defense and West stayed away from the paint. Once again, when Horry's career looked finished, he manages to add yet another chapter to his legacy.

:lmao

That's exactly what he did!

Those worried about Timmy shouldn't. He loves destroying the Fakers, and they don't have a Chandler type. Gasol can't guard Tim's jockstrap. The only thing to worry about is if Phil uses the same strategy Byron did and the Fakers can do it as well as the Hornets did, which I doubt. I like the matchups against the Lakers better than against the Hornets.

Oh, and this is my 9996th post...

[BigVee]

Grades are too severe. You are saying that none of the big 4 had their A game for the series, in fact only one out of 10 players had an "A" series yet they still managed to take out a hot, young talented team that had home court advantage? I think you are being too critical.

[santymrc]

Grades are too severe. You are saying that none of the big 4 had their A game for the series, in fact only one out of 10 players had an "A" series yet they still managed to take out a hot, young talented team that had home court advantage? I think you are being too critical.


Yup, you're right.

Timmy was a B-, Manu A-, TP A-.
Considering Manu leads the team in PPG and ASP, Tony clutched a shot in a Game 7, Timmy struggled but relayed on his teammates and the work was done.

First time I don't agree with you Timvp, i guess there's allways a first time for all.

[mVp]

Well deserved A for Ime! :p

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Finally someone mentions Fab's pnr defense. It improved dramatically as the series went on.

Hopefully our role players get better against the Lakers too.

[2centsworth]

Tony deserved a little higher grade, either an A- or B+. Little dude was the biggest reason the spurs turned it around in games 3 &4.

[Supergirl]

Duncan faced the best defense he's face since the 2005 finals series against Detroit. I expect him to have a much easier time getting open against LA.

[santymrc]

Tony deserved a little higher grade, either an A- or B+. Little dude was the biggest reason the spurs turned it around in games 3 &4.

Starting Manu too.

Both deserve an A-

[50 cent]

I agree that Tony deserves at least a B+ or A- with his defense. He was definitely the most consistent of the Big 3 as well.

[Say-Townbball]

Fabs gets a ding from me for overall lack of aggressiveness, eg, Ime rebounds better by going to the ball, while Fabs, usually closer to the basket, watches both the shot and the RB bounce away. Seems like he's relieved the ball isn't falling in his direction. He should be disappointed that it isn't and Go Get It, like Ime does.

Fabs was did not get up close enough to bother West/Paul jumpers. Getting a hand up from 3-5 feet ain't gonna bother any jumpshooter. Drove me nuts.

Tim was a mystery. Don't ever wanna see Duncan mediocrity.

I agree. Fab did pick it up in the last couple of games (especially game 7), but those 3 road games they lost, Fab kinda stood around and looked lost. And when he did throw his hands up, there was entirely too much space. He was pissing me off.

Ime is a go-getter, however, his ball handling skills MUST be tightened up. If he can stop slappin the ball into the ground, keep making his shots (instead of brickin' like in the Suns' series and the first couple of games against NO), AND have a presence of mind in terms of FOULING....I can bump him up in my head to an "A" class player. I love his aggressiveness but sometimes it's a bit too...feisty. Tighten it up, Ime!

[Cry Havoc]

Another example of why even Spurs fans underappreciate Duncan.

Without him, the Hornets can stay at home on defenders and they send us packing in 6.

With him, it forces constant doubling and rearranging of the defense. Byron Scott was scared TO DEATH of Duncan, to the effect that he completely rotated his defense around stopping Timmy. Tim shot poorly, but he passed effectively, and played fantastic post defense. It's just hard for him to stop both Paul's flop-happy waltzes in the lane and David West's mid-range jumper.

[lefty]

Horry : I told you he would be huge in this series ! (Book it :D)

Oberto and Pop: I don't agree on those grades; too generous :nope

Other than that, good job Timvp :tu

[TDfan2007]

Those numbers for Tim are unfathomably bad...and we still won. Man this team is good.

[Kori Ellis]

Starting Manu too.

Both deserve an A-

An A- would mean that they played almost as well as they possible could have. Do you think that's true?

I think they both could have played much better.

[O-Factor]

Another example of why even Spurs fans underappreciate Duncan.

Without him, the Hornets can stay at home on defenders and they send us packing in 6.

With him, it forces constant doubling and rearranging of the defense. Byron Scott was scared TO DEATH of Duncan, to the effect that he completely rotated his defense around stopping Timmy. Tim shot poorly, but he passed effectively, and played fantastic post defense. It's just hard for him to stop both Paul's flop-happy waltzes in the lane and David West's mid-range jumper.

I couldnt agree more

[santymrc]

An A- would mean that they played almost as well as they possible could have. Do you think that's true?

I think they both could have played much better.

Don't get me wrong they weren't perfect or anything like that, but to grade all our players below B -at least the big three- showed that timvp has no respect for NO basketball or the series. They are a great team and gave us a good battle. It wasn't only that Manu, Tim, or Tony played below their average, NO played great D too. So what I think is just that, Timvp is not counting with the other side, and he should.

[Cry Havoc]

Don't get me wrong they weren't perfect or anything like that, but to grade all our players below B -at least the big three- showed that timvp has no respect for NO basketball or the series. They are a great team and gave us a good battle. It wasn't only that Manu, Tim, or Tony played below their average, NO played great D too. So what I think is just that, Timvp is not counting with the other side, and he should.

The inconsistency, especially on the road, was scary. The 3 losses were so horrific that nearly every player on the team should have received a "C" or lower on them.

[timvp]

Another example of why even Spurs fans underappreciate Duncan.

Without him, the Hornets can stay at home on defenders and they send us packing in 6.

With him, it forces constant doubling and rearranging of the defense. Byron Scott was scared TO DEATH of Duncan, to the effect that he completely rotated his defense around stopping Timmy.I want to say Duncan struggled due to illness or double-teams or any other reason ... but then you look and he ended Game 7 shooting 0-for-10 with not a double-team in sight.

The only explanation, other than Duncan playing poorly, is Chandler played the best defense anyone has ever played against Duncan. I just can't buy that Chandler suddenly woke up and was David Robinson redux. I think Duncan just played poorly, for whatever reasons.


Tim shot poorly, but he passed effectively, and played fantastic post defense. I agree with "passed effectively" but what post defense did Duncan play? Chandler shot once or twice against him on the low block and scored. Even Melvin Ely scored a couple times against him. He didn't play much post defense and when he did, he wasn't too effective.

His defense on West in Game 6 was impressive but that was out on the perimeter for the most part.

[ducks]

I think duncan played poorly because he lacked confidence after his first game
I think it was more mental then anything
especially since he played so well against suns

oh it is a new series so lets hope duncan has a good game one so he has confidence in this series

[timvp]

Don't get me wrong they weren't perfect or anything like that, but to grade all our players below B -at least the big three- showed that timvp has no respect for NO basketball or the series. They are a great team and gave us a good battle. It wasn't only that Manu, Tim, or Tony played below their average, NO played great D too. So what I think is just that, Timvp is not counting with the other side, and he should.I have respect for the Hornets but I just can't see reason to give free passes to the Big Three for struggling. Duncan played poorly offensively whether or not he was doubled. Ginobili had some of the worst defenders in the NBA on him and he wasn't shown much respect -- and he didn't exactly explode. His inability to defend Peja also was a big part of the Spurs losing the first two games. Parker was up and down throughout the series and had trouble shifting gears from the Suns series to the Hornets series.

I'm happy as hell the Spurs advanced but their Big Three can play a lot better than what they showed.

[timvp]

I think duncan played poorly because he lacked confidence after his first game
I think it was more mental then anything
especially since he played so well against suns

oh it is a new series so lets hope duncan has a good game one so he has confidence in this seriesHope you're right. Spurs need the real Tim Duncan to stand back up.

[ducks]

yeah kenny smith thought manu would own the hornets and he looked more average then great

[1Parker1]

I think Duncan played badly because Byron Scott used the same tactic Pop used on CP3 the last 2 games of the series, except Byron did it from the begining. He sent multiple different double teams at Duncan, sometimes he let Chandler go at him one on one, sometimes not.

Duncan was hesitant because often times he was waiting for the double team to come and then when it didn't, he'd shoot a fadeaway with about 5 seconds remaining. Spurs also did a poor job of spacing the floor those 3 losses in NO, and not hitting their shots made it easier for them to focus on Duncan.

Hopefully Duncan plays smarter, quicker, and more aggressively against the Lakers. Otherwise, we're doomed. He can't be averaging 15 ppg like in the Hornets series against LA.

[Cry Havoc]

I want to say Duncan struggled due to illness or double-teams or any other reason ... but then you look and he ended Game 7 shooting 0-for-10 with not a double-team in sight.

The only explanation, other than Duncan playing poorly, is Chandler played the best defense anyone has ever played against Duncan. I just can't buy that Chandler suddenly woke up and was David Robinson redux. I think Duncan just played poorly, for whatever reasons.

I agree with "passed effectively" but what post defense did Duncan play? Chandler shot once or twice against him on the low block and scored. Even Melvin Ely scored a couple times against him. He didn't play much post defense and when he did, he wasn't too effective.

His defense on West in Game 6 was impressive but that was out on the perimeter for the most part.

I guess I agree with most of what you said, but the fact remains is that Byron Scott completely shuffled and tailored his defense to slow down Duncan. So of course that's going to make it tough on him. A lot of his close shots just rimmed out as well. Duncan was a monster on the boards though, and I felt like a lot of his defensive plays were redirection. Short of Paul, no one consistently went in the lane for the Hornets in the games we won.

It's kind of weird to say, but I'd go so far to say that Duncan dominated that series without playing well. He made the Hornets adjust to him every game, even when he wasn't hitting shots. That's dominance, forcing your opponent's hand. After Phoenix said, "We can single cover him" and Duncan destroyed them almost single-handedly, it just goes to show how much respect Scott has for Duncan, and, if he is indeed on the downward side of his career, he's got a long way to go from the peak of Everest.

[Spurs Brazil]

Great recap timvp


Gregg Popovich

SECOND ROUND STATISTICS
Hack-a-Chandlers: 3
Fingers in his chest: 1
Non-awkward in-game interviews : 0

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
For the second straight series, Pop was very hands-on. He also insisted Joey Crawford be hands-off when discussing double delay of game matters.

ANALYSIS
I thought Pop entered the series with a below average gameplan, but to his credit he junked that gameplan and came up with a way to beat the Hornets. By the end of the series, he was masterful. For two consecutive series, Pop has played a huge role in the Spurs being able to survive.

SECOND ROUND GRADE
A-

Pop is doing a great job. He seems to have an answer for everything