The Spurs handled the Memphis Grizzlies about as easily as a team can be handled. The Spurs got up by double figures early and didn't break a sweat as they rolled to a 101-88 victory.
The game was basically over when Marc Iavaroni, head coach of the Grizzlies, started the game with Rudy Gay on Tim Duncan. How Iavaroni thought Gay, a small forward, was going to guard Duncan I don't know. Then again, when your previous job was the defensive coordinator of the Phoenix Suns, we probably shouldn't expect too much out of him.
The most impressive aspect of what the Spurs did tonight was their defense. The Grizzlies actually have quite a few players who are talented and can score, but the Spurs never let them get rolling. The Spurs had great energy defensively and managed to stay in front of the Grizzlies, even though they were playing a small ball lineup against the Spurs' regular lineup.
-Tim Duncan was really good. He played as if he was insulted to be guarded by Gay to start the game. He played only three quarters but still managed to finish with a season-high 28 points. Duncan's defense in the first half was fantastic. He was about as active as he's been all season. He even dove on the court a couple times going after loose balls. Great overall effort by Duncan.
-Manu Ginobili brought great energy yet again. Although his shot was off (5-for-15 from the field), Ginobili made up for it with his overall play. He had a couple of big rebounds (finished with four for the game) and also dished out four assists. His intangibles were evident in the plus/minus stat as he finished with a team best +21.
-Tony Parker in the first half was awesome. He had 17 points, seven assists and four rebounds in the first half. In the second quarter, he was unguardable; whether it was him looking to score or setting up his teammates. Parker didn't play too well in the second half but the game was basically over by that point.
-Bruce Bowen was mostly on Mike Miller and he did a decent job on him. He didn't have a typical Bowen outing but he wasn't overly needed tonight. Bowen did chip in with five rebounds and led the starters in plus/minus at +11.
-Michael Finley had another cold outing. He hit only 1-of-7 shots, including 0-for-3 on three pointers. To his credit, Finley was at least playing well defensively. He had six rebounds and did a good job of staying in front of the younger and quicker players on the Grizzlies.
-Fabricio Oberto did a good job of battling Pau Gasol on the defensive end when called to do so. On offense, he also attacked the small lineup Iavaroni was trying to trot out there. Eight points and five boards is about all you need out of the center spot in 24 minutes of action.
-Brent Barry was again very good. His hesitation was back a bit early in the game but as the game went on, he started letting it fly again. Barry finished with 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals while bringing a Manu-esque level of energy to the court. Barry is looking as comfortable as he's ever looked in a Spurs uniform.
-Tonight was a step in the right direction for Francisco Elson. His rebounding was great as he finished with nine in 20 minutes. More importantly, he got back to playing smart basketball as he was earlier in the season. He went through a period where he was just going through the motions but against the Grizzlies, he was back to his previous form.
-It appeared as if Jacque Vaughn was trying to set a personal record for field goal attempts tonight. He shot nine times (making four) in 19 minutes of playing time. That's a lot of shots for a player who doesn't have much of an offensive game. I'd rather him pass more but if he's open like he was tonight, he's going to have to shoot. Let's just hope that he doesn't shoot this much in an important game.
-Matt Bonner, Ime Udoka and Darius Washington got some minutes when the game was over. The most notable news is that it appears as if Bonner has fallen out of the regular rotation. Since Bonner hasn't played well since the preseason and the very beginning of the regular season, that isn't much of a surprise. Udoka came in and quickly airballed a three-pointer. It appears as if he has been stricken with the “I can't shoot in my first year as a Spur” disease. Washington was sloppy in his short time on the court, which isn't something you want to see out of a young player.
-Pop didn't have to do much coaching tonight. Duncan's inspired play pretty much ended the contest in the first quarter. It's interesting to see how his rotation is working out. Barry appears to have earned more minutes, while Bonner has earned his additional minutes on the bench. Perhaps the best part of the game is that no Spur played more than 30 minutes. That should pay dividends as the Spurs embark on a road back-to-back against the Sonics and Kings on Sunday and Monday.
always enjoy the game summary timvp!
nicely done
Don't you find this one of the biggest let-downs of the young season as Bonner was expected to really get some playing time with Horry out. Wonder if he is soon to become the new "guy the Spurs have to get rid of because of his contract?"The most notable news is that it appears as if Bonner has fallen out of the regular rotation. Since Bonner hasn't played well since the preseason and the very beginning of the regular season, that isn't much of a surprise.
Wow, that post wasn't expected...Don't you find this one of the biggest let-downs of the young season as Bonner was expected to really get some playing time with Horry out. Wonder if he is soon to become the new "guy the Spurs have to get rid of because of his contract?"
Not really.Not really, but thanks for not taking a holiday from your agenda.Wonder if he is soon to become the new "guy the Spurs have to get rid of because of his contract?"
Whenever I see Timmy's jersey untucked, I know he means business.
Thanks timvp, I was waiting for you.
I love watching a game and then having you sum up what I saw.
Having no Spurs fans around me in my "real life" I look forward to your thoughts. They wrap up the night for me.
I've been an NBA fan for years but I find I still learn a lot from your insight.
All I want to add is the emphasis on Duncan tonight. As great as Parker has become, as wonderful as it is to see Manu returning to form, as exciting as it is to see this team so jelled this early, there's nothing like watching a Spurs game when Duncan plays like he did tonight. This is his team and on nights like this he reminds us all that he is the best player on both ends of the court. Energy, focus, drive, it was all there tonight. And it was a joy to watch.
He wasn't hesitating...you just don't understand his game. He likes to make passes...that's why he's good at making them. Plus he doesn't like chucking up crap shots. Punish the dude for being unselfish why don't you.
I promise you...the Grizz were aware of what he did in his last game. And Ivaroni was familiar with him for other reasons as well.
He was hesitating.He wasn't hesitating...you just don't understand his game. He likes to make passes...that's why he's good at making them. Plus he doesn't like chucking up crap shots. Punish the dude for being unselfish why don't you.
He passed up alot of shots in the second quarter he should've shot.
Quit it.
Sorry...you're just projecting.
People have been projecting Barry as a heartless choker who plays afraid since the day he signed here...
And he's made them look stupid for it..
Meanwhile...you were the biggest Rasho and Hedo fan on the board when they signed...and TimVP is MBon Fan num 1...
The last two guys that need to be giving lectures on who plays afraid...are you two.
I just want to make sure I got the logic right...
Not afraid VS the 10-1 Magic
Afraid VS the 3-7 Grizz?
Got it.
You don't understand agressive vs tentative do you.I just want to make sure I got the logic right...
Not afraid VS the 10-1 Magic
Afraid VS the 3-7 Grizz?
Got it
I was also the orginal Ginobili homer, and having to defend him when it was popular to think "Giricek> Ginobili"Meanwhile...you were the biggest Rasho and Hedo fan on the board when they signed
He's an agressive passer...not an agressive scorer. And it's got nothing to do with fear...and it never has.
You want to say he's not selfish enough for something go right ahead...but you guys have been trying to gloss it as some kind of fear since the day he signed here...and...jeez...I'd just shut up if I'd been proven wrong as much as you guys have.
IT's really not hard to figure out why Barry plays the way he does...
His dad is the ALL TIME SHOT CHUCKER in NBA history, he makes AI look like John Stockton...Barry had an estranged relationship with his dad for most of his life, his Dad divoreced their mom and partied and was never around when he was a kid...he doesn't want to be his dad...is it really so hard to figure out?
It's not fear...he just doesn't want to be a ball hog. And I've never seen a guy get hated more for being unselfish than Barry has by Spurs fans.
I agree that Barry's not afraid to shoot and prefers to make plays for others, but that bit about his dad and not wanting to be like him is way out in left field and very Oliver Stone-esque.
Whottt's racist.
Barry is White.
Fin is Black.
What else is new?
Last edited by E20; 11-24-2007 at 01:17 AM.
Actually...it's not at all. In fact he or Jon said as much in an interview....none of them liked Rick when they were kids, and they were pretty honest about why. And Barry has said he's not a chucker like his dad many times.
One of them liked him...it might have been Brent...but he has always said he's not a chucker like his dad.
That may be true, but I doubt Brent made it a point to not shoot as much because of his dislike for his dad. It's probably just his personality and the way his game developed. You do what you're comfortable with, and Barry isn't comfortable taking a ton of shots.
I'll concede that Barry may be the Barry son that didn't dislike Rick(because in the article I read one of them liked being his son and it might well have been Brent)....but I know for a fact that the reason he doesn't jack up a lot of shots is because he wants to be a different player than his Dad...he's flat out said it.
Plus...his Dad was a legendary NBA asshole that wasn't liked by a lot of his teamates because of the fact that he was a ball hog...Rick was the original selfish ballhogging player rep....this is easy to verify.
Whottt, id say it probably is Brent that gets along with his Dad, as Rick is quite often seen at Spurs games, and he was there for most of both Finals trips ... I dont remember hearing anything about him being around for Jons games (although, that doesnt mean much!)
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