Quick Grades: Spurs at Warriors - Nov. 30

[timvp]

Quick Grades: Spurs at Warriors

This time the Spurs didn’t need a miraculous second half performance to get the win. After securing an early advantage over the Golden State Warriors, the Spurs broke it open in the third quarter and cruised to victory. The 118-98 win improves San Antonio’s record to 15-2 — a full two games better than any team in the NBA.

Tim Duncan A+
Duncan’s triple-double was spurred by his fantastic passing throughout. He also rebounded and defended the rim very well. He had some trouble shooting but the effort was there and he was taking good shots. All in all, it was Duncan’s best game of the month.

Manu Ginobili A+
That was impressive. Ginobili played like a machine with militaristic precision with each decision he made. When the ball was in his hands, he literally made something good happen each and every time. His defensive play was also a plus. Let’s hope Ginobili can keep this up because he’s playing at an unbelievably high level right now.

Tony Parker C
Parker just wasn’t very good. Defensively, I thought he had his worst game of the season. He was a step slow and didn’t look horribly involved mentally. On offense, he was forcing shots and didn’t look comfortable. That said, Parker still did a decently good job of creating shots while not turning it over too much.

Richard Jefferson B+
Though he wasn’t overly impressive, Jefferson did a lot right. He was aggressive at the rim and his shot selection was good. Defensively, Jefferson did well closing out on shooters and hitting the defensive boards. He also deserves credit for running the court aggressively both ways.

DeJuan Blair A-
This was one of Blair’s better games of the season. Early on, his defense was at a high level. Blair was making good rotations and caused a few turnovers. On offense, he seemed to find a niche that allowed him to have success by running the court and moving to open spots in the halfcourt setting. Late in the game, Blair got sloppy but overall it was still a step in the right direction.

George Hill A-
I’m really starting to like what I’m seeing out of Hill. He had a tough time shooting the ball but every other aspect of his game was good. Hill was tenacious on defense, attacked when he had the ball and made smart decisions on both ends. It appears as if he’s really starting to blossom in his sixth man role.

Gary Neal A
There’s not much to complain about regarding Neal. He was aggressive with his shot and knocked down a good percentage. His defense was good enough and he continues to exude confidence. Neal may have forced a few shots but that’s not a bad trait for the hired gun off the bench.

Matt Bonner C-
I rarely question Bonner’s effort but this was one game where he didn’t seem to be going all out. He got burned multiple times on transition defense, which earned him a couple trips to the pine. I also wasn’t impressed with his effort on the boards. I’m not sure whether he’s hurt or he ate too many sandwiches on Thanksgiving but he just hasn’t been himself in the last few games.

Ime Udoka A
Though the grade feels a bit high, I really couldn’t have asked for much more from Udoka. On offense, he stayed out of the way and didn’t force any shots. Defensively, Udoka was a pest and had a hand in about five Golden State turnovers. Compared to the last time he was on the Spurs, Udoka looks slimmer and so far he’s moving better. His role right now is to basically absorb playing time while not disturbing the flow — and he did that to perfection on Tuesday night.

Tiago Splitter B-
Splitter got all his minutes after the Spurs had the game in the bag so it’s difficult to take anything from his play. The good news is he looks healthy and I don’t see any limitations in his movements. With the Spurs headed into the second night of a back-to-back, I expect him to play a larger role against the Los Angeles Clippers.

[lefty]

I didnt watch so this comes handy

Thanks

[DBMethos]

Thanks for this...sounds like a good one to watch on the LPBB Archives.

[Whisky Dog]

When there's that many A's and B's there's usually a win. I think Bonner is just on the downslope of his usual roller coaster, inconsistent performance, but he still knocked down a couple of shots so at least he hasn't lost confidence in that part. Hopefully he can keep his shot until he starts playing better.

[polandprzem]

As I was looking at NO game I though TP had a minor injury . From the body language and Pop using him.

?


A+ for manu and TD - they cannot play better


(?)

[rjv]

i know we will never hear it mentioned but manu is starting to play at a level where MVP consideration is not an absurd notion.

[Old School 44]

Nice grades. Manu is exuding confidence. It really seems like it's HIS team.
A few weeks ago, I saw a lead in paragraph for an ESPN insider article about the "Best International Player", and they debated Dirk and Gasol as the best. (they excluded Hakeem and TD from consideration since they played college ball here in the US) I didn't read the full article, but they also mention Petrovic, Divac and Sabonis.
I am shocked that Manu gets no mention.

[E-RockWill]

i know we will never hear it mentioned but manu is starting to play at a level where MVP consideration is not an absurd notion.

Is Manu really playing at a "high" level, or is he finally back to playing like Manu Ginobili.

Discuss.....

[sananspursfan21]

for the first time this season, i was actually impressed with blairs play

[rjv]

Is Manu really playing at a "high" level, or is he finally back to playing like Manu Ginobili.

Discuss.....

this may be the best he has ever played. while he is not as athletic as he once was, he can still get to the rim, he gets to the free throw line a lot and his free throw % is at its best ever. his step back 3 is lethal now and he can even hit the pull up 3 as well. defenders hesitate to give him a foot of space because of the 3 but they hesitate to close on him because he can get by them or draw the contact. his passing is crisp, he is running the floor brilliantly and his leadership role is at its strongest level ever. finally, he is as clutch in the closing minutes of a game as any MVP type player.

[tmtcsc]

Nice grades. Manu is exuding confidence. It really seems like it's HIS team.
A few weeks ago, I saw a lead in paragraph for an ESPN insider article about the "Best International Player", and they debated Dirk and Gasol as the best. (they excluded Hakeem and TD from consideration since they played college ball here in the US) I didn't read the full article, but they also mention Petrovic, Divac and Sabonis.
I am shocked that Manu gets no mention.

Shocked that ESPN has its lips on everyone else's pipes and not a Spur ?
I think the word you are looking for is disgusted, not shocked. Well, that's how I feel anyways.

Manu Ginobili deserves to be in the HOF for everything he's accomplished. His numerous awards are too many to list here but the guy has an Olympic Gold medal and 3 NBA les. He's won Euro MVP awards and is one of the greatest compe ors in the world - On level with MJ and Kobe.

Can you be nominated for the HOF if you are an active player ?

[Cry Havoc]

I think RJ deserves a better grade. He was so aggressive, and those two alley-oops he caught and flushed were completely demoralizing for GS. The second one pissed off Lee and really got our team going.

If we can get easy points like that, it's going to be very, very difficult road for any team that has to beat us 4 times in 7 games.

I honestly think Tony is hurt. He isn't moving like he does when he's healthy. He isn't attacking. It's fine because we have SO many weapons this year, but we'll need him come playoff time.

[ajballer4]

McDyess didn't play too much did he? If at all. I wonder if him and Tiago not playing much last night means they'll get 25 minutes tonight. I'd like to see Taigo.

Seems likely. Tim got 33 minutes so I can see him starting and coming out quickly until we need him later in the game, if we need him.

[Fabbs]

Matt Bonner C-
I rarely question Bonner’s effort but this was one game where he didn’t seem to be going all out. He got burned multiple times on transition defense, which earned him a couple trips to the pine. I also wasn’t impressed with his effort on the boards. I’m not sure whether he’s hurt or he ate too many sandwiches on Thanksgiving but he just hasn’t been himself in the last few games.

So what exactly does BonBon have to do to get rated lower then C- ?

[Agloco]

Ime Udoka A
Though the grade feels a bit high, I really couldn’t have asked for much more from Udoka. On offense, he stayed out of the way and didn’t force any shots. Defensively, Udoka was a pest and had a hand in about five Golden State turnovers. Compared to the last time he was on the Spurs, Udoka looks slimmer and so far he’s moving better. His role right now is to basically absorb playing time while not disturbing the flow — and he did that to perfection on Tuesday night.

I'm getting the distinct feeling that the less he does, the better his grade. Sorta like the Trent Dilfer - Baltimore Ravens run in 2000. Just don't lose the game for us please.

[Agloco]

McDyess didn't play too much did he? If at all. I wonder if him and Tiago not playing much last night means they'll get 25 minutes tonight. I'd like to see Taigo.

Seems to be the pattern that's emerging. Last back to back saw Splitter and McDyess get no minutes on the front end, then play a lot on the back end. Look for Timmy to have about 15-20 minutes tonight I'd guess.

[Barfunk]

Is Manu really playing at a "high" level, or is he finally back to playing like Manu Ginobili.

Discuss.....

Exactly that. He is just back to being Ginobili. He's been capable of these numbers since he was 27 in 2004-2005 season. But things like less minutes, and in and out of the starting lineup and bench, and being the 3rd option next to Tim and Tony have maybe effected his past perception of him being "inconsistent". It's a new season and a different ball club so we'll see what's up.

[mexpurs21]

for the first time this season, i was actually impressed with blairs play

Me too, especially because he made a couple of mid-range shots and cuz of his improvement in FT shooting. Hope he keeps expanding his game.

[Blake]

i know we will never hear it mentioned but manu is starting to play at a level where MVP consideration is not an absurd notion.

and yet, there's a chance he won't be an all-star, let alone a starter.....

[wildbill2u]

I'm trying to remember the last time we had a player that was a threat for an 'alley-00P" play. Robinson?

[Darkwaters]

I've always been a major fan of Ime's underdog story and, to a degree, an Ime apologist. I really like the guy - solid citizen. But his play near the end of his first Spurs tenure was definitely a step slow. I went back through and systematically watched his minutes in this last game. He actually looked pretty good. He had his hands on a lot of deflections and disrupted the passing lanes a lot. Offensively he mostly stayed out of the way, taking only one shot on a pretty nifty move. He does look slimmer and more mobile than I remember too.

Honestly, if he plays big minutes through the season and in the playoffs we're screwed. But if he serves only as a minutes sponge for the regular season I like his role a lot. He should be a rotation player only in the games that don't matter, but he definitely seems able to take some strain off the others.

[lil'mo]

Jefferson had like 7 dunks, he should get an A+

[angelbelow]

I didnt watch so this comes handy

Thanks

Me too, was only able to catch some of the 2nd quarter. Thanks.

[Solid D]

timvp, 'preciate ya!

If there was a team for Blair to excel against, it would be the Warriors. Biedrens is a great rebounder but he's not an imposing presence in the paint. Same goes for David Lee. With Udoh not on the floor yet, the Warriors are soft in the middle. Blair was able to make himself some space and do work. He will still struggle against the bigger, longer teams.

Tim thrived as a rebounder for similar reasons.

I'm with polandprzem...it seems like Parker may be dinged-up a bit. With that said, when Parker is in there the past few games, a higher percentage of the trips Pop has been signalling in "2 roll" or other plays for Manu. As soon as TP or Hill crosses mid-court, the ball is handed to Manu and he runs the screen/roll offense. TP just isn't getting as many opportunities to score as he was earlier.

Gary Neal!

Bonner needs to tweak his shot or change sandwiches. Whatever works, dude.

Splitter may as well be Robertas Javtokas. Splitter the screen-setter. For some reason, TP finds him on rolls to the basket better than Manu and George have so far. I'd like to see Pop encourage Tiago to use that quick hook shot he's got a little more against the Clips.

All in all, this game was fun to watch if you are a Spurs fan.

Keep the focus tonight, guys.

[ManuTastic]

Tony being off his game right now might not be a physical problem...