Game Grades: Mavericks @ Spurs

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

This is first time trying my hand at grades, so bear with me. I just learned how to do it, so it might be aesthetically challenged, but I will go off of what I've seen in the past. Go easy on me, if they suck, I can be forbidden from doing them again. I'm just tired of not seeing any game grades.

Tony Parker

Grade: A
In his triumphant return, Toilet Paper had 22 points and 7 assists. TP9 looked fresh and ready to go from the buzzer. He was aggressive, and his smart decision making allowed him to finish with only 1 TO. In my opinion, he looked a step slow on defense at times, but it was only cobwebs I'm sure. Good overall game for our lovable adulterer.


Tim Duncan

Grade: B

The Big Fundamental turned in 17 points, a lot of which came from the stripe. TD also pulled down 9 boards, and swatted two shots, one of which was an impressive stuff on Brendan Wright. Timmy's defense was sufficient, but he lost the ball a few times, which added 4 TO's to the already gaudy TO numbers. He showed up with big plays down the stretch though, and like always, brought elements to the game that without them, the Spurs would have lost. One concern for me, is Duncan's consistent trouble with backing down players in the post ; when this happens, Timmy usually forces up a flat shot that hits the glass and clangs off the rim. Other than that, #21 added another great game in a long line of great games accrued this season.


Kawhi Leonard

Grade: B+

The Hand finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and also shot a healthy 3-5 from behind the arc. Kawhi's shot is looking great, I read a tweet somewhere that said "Every time Kawhi Leonard strokes a 3 point shot, a puppy is born". At times, Kawhi looks a tad lost on offense, but when his confidence is there, it's very apparent ; for example, that tough and-1 he hit in transition. I thought Kawhi did a fine job on defense, especially on Ellis, but Ellis still turned in a solid game as well. I agree with some posters, that Kawhi needs a few more touches, but for now, I'm enjoying what he does contribute. Good game for Kawhi.


Manu Ginobili

Grade: B-

Manu ended with 15 points, 7 assists, and only 2 TO's. I thought Manu did a great job finding his team-mates, especially in the first half, with those back to back bullet passes to Diaw near the rim. Gino did not shoot that great tonight, but the shots he did splash were big for the Spurs down the stretch. His defense wasn't anything to write home about, but he attacked the basket well and got himself to the line, since I'm sure he was aware his shot wasn't falling. Smart basketball from Manu tonight, and a big part of the victory.


Tiago Splitter

Grade: B-

Tiago Splitter turned in 11 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Tonight, Tiago shared with Boris, the awful duty of guarding Dirk Nowitzki. Tiago did a nice job, but Dirk is Dirk, and on some shot attempts, Tiago might as well not even exist. For the first time in a while, Tiago shot under 50%, and threw up some weak stuff a couple times as he tends to do, but his contributions were much appreciated in this game of runs. In 28 minutes, I believe Tiago should walk away with a few more rebounds than he did earlier tonight, but overall, he shot it okay, and passed the ball well. Decent game for Dracula.


Danny Green

Grade: C+

Danny Green had a very subpar night, finishing with only 5 points, off of 2-8 shooting. Though Danny's shot was off, he wasn't entirely detrimental to the team. He pulled down 4 boards, and connected with 3 assists on the night. You never know when Green's shot will be on, so it's common-place to see a poor night from him, but he was still +13. His defense left a lot to be desired, but let's hope Danny has a big game against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.


Boris Diaw

Grade: B+

Buttcheeks got himself a double-double tonight, with 14 points and 10 rebounds, four of which were offensive rebounds that contributed largely to the victory. There are times, when Diaw looks incredible offensively, and there are times when Diaw looks incredible defensively, tonight was not one of those nights. But to be fair, he was tasked with guarding the German sharpshooter, who could shoot it over the Eiffel Tower if he needed to. Boris is such a valuable player for the Spurs, and you have to believe the Spurs will throw what they have to at him to keep him around. Tonight, Diaw missed a few more shots than usual, but was a huge piece of the puzzle, pulling down more rebounds than Tim Duncan. Great game for Diaw.


Marco Belinelli

Grade: D+

Earlier tonight, Marco Belinelli did not give the Mavericks something long and thick to eat. He ended with 5 points, and missed all but one of his shots. More importantly, he could not guard Vince Carter to save his life, and Carter did whatever he well pleased when Marco was defending him. The one shot he did hit, was of course a big momentum 3, so for that I award him the "+" on the end of his grade. I'm positive Marco will turn it around against the Cavs.


Aron Baynes

Grade: B+

Not a very big sample size, but Baynes made the most of his 5 minutes of play. He was 2-2, pulled down 3 boards, and had a smart assist. I can't put my thumb on Baynes, whether or not he's a good prospect, or just another player who can't put it together, but tonight his 5 minutes were duly noted. Hope to see the big banger get some more burn in the future.


Patty Mills

Grade: D

Mills was invisible tonight, finishing with 3 points, off of 1-5 shooting. He didn't do much to help the offense, but he also didn't do much to hurt it, save for missing 4 shots, two of which seemed ill-advised. Patty had a single assist, so that's something. Tony's return likely threw Mills off his groove, but I'm sure the heat will return soon for the little firecracker.


Pop: B+

Didn't expect Pop to play Parker more than 25-27 minutes, but Pop made the right decision letting Parker play for as long as he did. He had an answer for everything Rick Carlisle threw at him. Good win for the old bat.


Thanks for humoring me guys, I hope these grades weren't too horrible. Take care.

[Lerojo]

Roger Freemason Jr.: A+ Great grading, would read again.

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

Thank you kindly Lerojo.

[Brazil]

thanks RFJ good grade

[spurraider21]

awesome write-up. it would be incredible if baynes can turn the proverbial corner. this team looks so strong on paper. with parker back, we dont need mills to be on fire, with green/kawhi, the defense is consistent, and if kawhi's improved 3ball is a thing, then that just makes the duncan-splitter starting lineup better due to the spacing. with manu and marco, we dont need them both to be on fire. so much depth there. the bigs are thinner, but kawhi plays some 4.

[MVPCues]

F'ing good write up.

[Splits]

Pop should get no lower than an A- whenever Ayers-DNP shows up in the box score. Forget Kawhi's triples, a puppy is born every time Errors is strapped to the bench

[Embedded]

Wow excellent job. Usually I just look at grades mostly, but your write-up was entertaining. Uh oh...is that...yeah I gotta poop. Later!

[Robz4000]

Good job good effort imo

[Raven]

agree with everything.

[Boomersgold]

Thanks, man!

[eDizzle20]

This game was probably the most realistic as far as a playoff rotation is concerned give or take the minutes Baynes contributed.

[Dex]

Nice grades.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Thanks for taking the time to put grades together, agree on everything.

[ginobilized]

Great write up!
Some funny bits in there.
Hope to read more from my favorite freemason!

[Baam]

Great stuff.

That said Tiago shot below 50% the previous game (Charlotte) as well.

[Cry Havoc]

Ayres and Bonner finally both in the doghouse? Color me shocked.

[elemento]

A well-rested Parker is a completely different player.

Great game by Parker and I am glad he is back .

[txstr1986]

"lovable adulterer" -

[ElNono]

thanks

[concan1]

great Job!!!!

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I liked the write-up...some nice points and good humor mixed in.

[SpurSwag]

Does anyone feel like since their injuries Kawhi and Danny have shot the ball much better from deep?

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

Thanks for the warm reception guys, I had a great time putting it together for y'all. I'll be doing the grades for the Cavs game tomorrow, if nobody objects. Once again, thanks!

[SupremeGuy]

Kawhi played better than Parker, imho.

And great writeup, thanks.