Game Grades: Spurs v. Blazers Game 1

I thought I saw someone saying they would post game grades in a different thread, but I have yet to see it and I have a bit of time to kill so I'm going to go ahead and give it a go tonight.

Kawhi Leonard: A
Kawhi for the most part was able to get easy shots and some open dunks on the fast break tonight. He also contributed on defense by getting 4 steals. Excellent job tonight, and look to Kawhi to continue pressing hard on defense per usual.

Tim Duncan: A-
Because the Spurs cracked the lead wide open late in the 1st quarter, Duncan was able to get more time resting on the bench. However, he was still able to contribute by putting a double double, putting him just 8 games away (I believe) from having the most double-doubles in NBA history.

Tiago Splitter A
Don't let the empty stat sheet fool you... although Tiago got only 5 points and 5 rebounds, he continued the excellent defense where he left off from the first series. Definitely showed hustle tonight and early on against Aldridge. Look to Splitter to continue pressing on Aldridge this series.

Tony Parker: A+
Tony Parker finally showed up to play in the playoffs. This has been his best game of the playoffs so far, and it seems like his ankle sprain from round 1 has been healed and he definitely looks a lot faster and fluid on the court. He hit a ton of his mid-range jump shots because Lillard kept running under the screen, and as long as the shots keep falling for TP, he'll continue being a problem for the Blazers to come.

Danny Green: B-
Danny Green had a very short leash with Pop tonight, and wasn't seeing much action on the court. At the same time, however, Danny Green didn't need to be in the game since the Spurs blew the lead wide open in the 1st quarter.

Marco Ferrari Belinelli: A
Granted, a lot of posters here said Belinelli's 19 points tonight was simple stat-padding at the lead, a lot of his shots were timely to protect the lead. Also, these shots that he hits will be great for his confidence especially having a shooting slump in the first round. I believe Marco Belinelli will have some huge games throughout the entire series.

Boris Diaw: B-
He didn't match up on defense well against Aldridge, as LMA was able to score at will against Diaw. Unfortunately, Diaw's the odd man out this series because he matches up horribly with Robin Lopez too. He can be a defensive liability this series as a result.

Manu Ginobili: C
Manu had some good passes throughout the game, but he just couldn't get his shots going and his rhythm was off the whole game, particularly through two travel calls early on. He looked pissed due to his poor performance on the bench, so look for Manu to turn around in game 2.

Aron Baynes: A+
Aron Baynes, simply put, brought it tonight. He was getting some strong rebounds, setting some really strong screens, and even had a put back dunk at the end of the 3rd (of course TNT doesn't replay it). Pop has unleashed Baynes, and I hope he continues to bring this effort and energy off the bench for the Spurs.

Patty Mills: B+
Patty Mills played well tonight, but nothing really stood out. Like Belinelli, he helped hit some shots throughout the game that helped Spurs retain their big lead.

Jeff Errors: C-
Only got minutes during garbage time, and even then he wasn't playing too well.

Matt Bonner: N/A
Garbage time as well

Cory joseph: B
Cory came in during garbage time as well, but I felt compelled to give him a grade because he hit a really nice and-1 for the Spurs during his minutes played.

Play Daye: DNP

Damion James: DNP

Errors > Hibbert imo fwiw..

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Originally Posted by Gummi Clutch

Errors > Hibbert imo fwiw..

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by 1 assist lol

Ferrari Belinell :tu

Baynes :tu

Leonard :tu

Mills :tu

Black Keys "Turn Blue" :tu (listening to it now)

Great effort

I expect no less from the other Spurs. Parker was absolutely dominant. back 2 back 30 point games, first time since 2008 playoffs against Dallas (6 seasons ago)

Tony Parker-35 MPG 24-43 (55.8%) 16-21 FT (76.1%) 7.5 Asts, 3.5 RPG,. 32.5 PPG

including last night and Game 7.

Thank fucking goodness we had a non-Manutard make game grades this time. No Lyfe Scrub's game grades thread was a total disaster last time. A 'C' is a very fair grade for travelonobili tonight.

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Originally Posted by Gummi Clutch

Errors > Hibbert imo fwiw..

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Baynes-15 Minutes, 10 pts, 7 rebs,
http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...Bane_TDKR3.jpghttp://www.perfectshotsshooting.com/...ron-baynes.jpg



Roy "Trash" Hibbert-18 minutes, 0 pts, 0 rebs,
http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp...t-Wilt-pic.jpg

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Originally Posted by jARS mEsH sEt

Thank fucking goodness we had a non-Manutard make game grades this time. No Lyfe Scrub's game grades thread was a total disaster last time. A 'C' is a very fair grade for travelonobili tonight.

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I grade based on a game-by-game performance... if Manu deserves an A, he gets an A. Likewise, if he plays horrible he gets the grade he deserves

did parker consume his baby's placenta?

By the way, you forgot to grade Coach Popp and his staff. I think he deserves an A+ easily. . .when you crush a team in the initial game that badly, your coaching staff did it's job well imo. I dunno if that many people deserved A's, but we did crush the fuck out of the Blazers so I guess that makes sense. :lol

Good job OP.

thanks

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Originally Posted by sexinthatsx

I grade based on a game-by-game performance... if Manu deserves an A, he gets an A. Likewise, if he plays horrible he gets the grade he deserves

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As it should be.

No Lyfe Scrub grades based on how far Manu's dick is rammed up his ass. With 3 inches of penetration, Manu gets a B+. If it's 5 inches of penetration or more, Manu gets an A- or higher.

Pretty much agree with everything, although I'd downgrade Danny down to a C+ and upgrade Boris to a B..

I agree with Kidd K about Pop, he deserves an A+ tonight..the Spurs emphasized the attack on Portland's weakest defensive points, all night(pick&roll defense, post defense, Lillard)..

I think that is pretty damn accurate.

Let me add...

tlongII: B-
Was overconfident walking into this series, predicting a Blazers sweep after playing a below average team with no coach in the 1st round... but he gets extra plus points for showing up after defeat with a classy thread

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Originally Posted by The Reckoning

did parker consume his baby's placenta?

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That's private :lol

Thanks for the feedback guys! :toast

Oh and Pop deserves an A+ simply because he gave such a warm welcome to Terry Stotts to the second round of playoffs. Like other posters said, Stotts is no Carlisle, and he had no answers to Pop's coaching changes. Throughout this series, Pop >>>>>>> Stotts

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Originally Posted by ElNono

Let me add...

tlongII: B-
Was overconfident walking into this series, predicting a Blazers sweep after playing a below average team with no coach in the 1st round... but he gets extra plus points for showing up after defeat with a classy thread

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tlong has always been a good poster imo

Thanks for the grades!

Portland will make some adjustments, IE Batum on Parker. The key will be how well Splitter can continue to guard Aldridge, and if Manu can get loose to the rim like he was able to tonight. Also, more Leonard post ups please.

Splitter could take off his shorts and take a shit in the middle of the court and people would still be amazed, it's getting so comical at this point... He got outplayed by Baynes and Robin Lopez, shooting 30% as a 7 footers who mostly shoots layups...

Can you say middle class Kendrick Perkins?

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Originally Posted by Baam

Splitter could take off his shorts and take a shit in the middle of the court and people would still be amazed, it's getting so comical at this point... He got outplayed by Baynes and Robin Lopez, shooting 30% as a 7 footers who mostly shoots layups...

Can you say middle class Kendrick Perkins?

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when kendrick can go to the wing and shut down Dirk for 7 games, come back, tardo

Good read! Thanks sexinthatsx!

The Spurs exploited Portland's pick and roll defense for many points in the paint but their defensive inability on the wing allows mid-range jumpers, too. And that's a weakness the Spurs can exploit more next games.

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Originally Posted by sexinthatsx

He also contributed on defense by getting 4 steals. Excellent job tonight, and look to Kawhi to continue pressing hard on defense per usual.

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And led the team in deffensive rebounds -8-.

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Originally Posted by The Reckoning

did parker consume his baby's placenta?

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Yup. His defensive effort needed an explanation.

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Originally Posted by Baam

Splitter could take off his shorts and take a shit in the middle of the court and people would still be amazed, it's getting so comical at this point... He got outplayed by Baynes and Robin Lopez, shooting 30% as a 7 footers who mostly shoots layups...

Can you say middle class Kendrick Perkins?

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Baynes was not in the game until Splitter's defensive plays sparked the Spurs big lead

I'd lower Manu's and Danny's grades, tbh, but nice effort.

thanks

Bonner -1 !!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Baam

Splitter could take off his shorts and take a shit in the middle of the court and people would still be amazed, it's getting so comical at this point... He got outplayed by Baynes and Robin Lopez, shooting 30% as a 7 footers who mostly shoots layups...

Can you say middle class Kendrick Perkins?

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Just the same way you can post shitty takes in threads after threads and I'm still amazed... it's getting comical at this point.

Splitter set the tone early with great defense and THREE FUCKING STEALS. He's the reason why LMA didn't go off early (and mind you LMA only scored 30+ points because of phantom fouls). Splitter had a Bowen-esque stats line yesterday for good reason.

So you agree that he's the white Kendrick Perkins or not?

If Aron Baynes continues to play even half this good, the frontcourt of Duncan-Splitter-Diaw-Baynes could be one of the most versatile in the league.

Portland doesn't have big-man depth, so letting a big body like Baynes wear them out could very well end up being a key factor to this series.

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Damion James: NWT

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Good game by the spurs and pop

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Originally Posted by Baam

So you agree that he's the white Kendrick Perkins or not?

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Not, he can shoot. Perkins cannot shoot.

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Originally Posted by jARS mEsH sEt

As it should be.

No Lyfe Scrub grades based on how far Manu's dick is rammed up his ass. With 3 inches of penetration, Manu gets a B+. If it's 5 inches of penetration or more, Manu gets an A- or higher.

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Wow, really dude?

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Originally Posted by Baam

So you agree that he's the white Kendrick Perkins or not?

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If Perkins had a pick and roll game and could defend a little further from the basket

The very positive stuff about Parker performances game 7 and game 1 is that teams will now think twice before using shut down everybody and let Parker do his stuff. He clearly showed in two games that if you do that he will make you pay, Manu showed that too and Duncan also. That is probably one of the biggest achievement in the POs so far for this team, we won't go anywhere without a solid production of our role payers. To think we have to rely on big 3 with their mileages to score 60 points during the whole POs is quite scary so all in all the big 3 reminding everybody they still have the legs to kill you if you let them open is big. That will open stuff for the others.

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Originally Posted by Brazil

The very positive stuff about Parker performances game 7 and game 1 is that teams will now think twice before using shut down everybody and let Parker do his stuff. He clearly showed in two games that if you do that he will make you pay, Manu showed that too and Duncan also. That is probably one of the biggest achievement in the POs so far for this team, we won't go anywhere without a solid production of our role payers. To think we have to rely on big 3 with their mileages to score 60 points during the whole POs is quite scary so all in all the big 3 reminding everybody they still have the legs to kill you if you let them open is big. That will open stuff for the others.

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Great and accurate comments, tbh.

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Originally Posted by Brazil

The very positive stuff about Parker performances game 7 and game 1 is that teams will now think twice before using shut down everybody and let Parker do his stuff. He clearly showed in two games that if you do that he will make you pay, Manu showed that too and Duncan also. That is probably one of the biggest achievement in the POs so far for this team, we won't go anywhere without a solid production of our role payers. To think we have to rely on big 3 with their mileages to score 60 points during the whole POs is quite scary so all in all the big 3 reminding everybody they still have the legs to kill you if you let them open is big. That will open stuff for the others.

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Yes. Parker had all the time in the world to hit those mid range jumpers!

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Originally Posted by sexinthatsx

Yes. Parker had all the time in the world to hit those mid range jumpers!

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they dared him to shoot it, they will do it again but I'm pretty sure they will stay a bit closer after game 1