Quick Grades: Spurs at Clippers - Dec. 1

[angelbelow]

Clippers were hot? They scored 90. They did shoot 49%, though, not surprising since with each passing game, every team seems to shoot higher and higher percentages against this team. They keep this up, they'll be allowing teams to shoot close to 50% against them for the season. Right now, they're closing in on 47 and they already allow 40% from three, both deplorable marks that won't cut it against elite or near elite teams in the playoffs.

This team needs to start blowing some teams out or at least get blown out themselves. Every game can't be some nip-and-tuck game, where they pull away late. That requires too many minutes from too many key players.

If the Timberwolves game isn't essentially over by halftime in favor of the Spurs, then no matter the outcome, it'll be a loss. That's how this team has to start measuring themselves. It shouldn't take 30-35 minutes and 20-25 points from Ginobili to beat that team, yet that's probably exactly what it'll take.

They were hot towards the end of the 1st half. But to be more precise, I guess I should say that the clippers scored when they had to while the Spurs struggled to in the 4th.

I personally thought they should have just rested the guys for the 4th. Clippers were obviously more energetic and focused, no need to force out a win esp. off a back to back. The game wasn't too out of hand either, if the bench can pull off a comeback (im confident they could) than that's even better.

[objective]

Only reason Bonner doesn't get an F is because Pop absorbed some of the failing grade for putting him in unbelievably bad positions.

wouldn't that mitigate Duncan's F for Pop playing him on a b2b after he had his first triple double in years?

Bonner = FAIL

fail = F

[Blackjack]

Is the potential of Bonner getting hot from the 3-point line more valuable than Splitter's consistent defensive presence?..that's pretty much what it comes down to IMO..

How this has even become a question for debate is beyond me . . .

What happened to my team's coach?

[ohmwrecker]

I don't expect Splitter to play well against Griffin..I don't judge Bonner for his defense against Griffin either, that's unfair..

The best thing that Splitter did tonight was single-handedly slow the pace of the game with all those free throws. Of course, The spurs couldn't take advantage of any favor tonight.

It's pretty ridiculous to compare Bonner's defense (30 min) on Griffin to Splitter's (7 min). Maybe Splitter can defend Griffin better than Bonner over a 30 minute period . . . maybe not. Thanks to Pop, nobody knows.

[siraulo23]

thats bonner

one night he's 7-7, another night he's 0-6

[UnWantedTheory]

Agree with most scores but I think Bonner and Udoka should have gotten an F. They both did nothing but hurt the team.

That is such a fresh take from you, I was seriously shocked.

[objective]

Is the potential of Bonner getting hot from the 3-point line more valuable than Splitter's consistent defensive presence?

It's possible that the previous two postseasons could shed some light on that question.

[duncan228]

You have to give the credit to their defense and to their energy, so I’m happy for them. It’s the NBA, and anybody can beat anybody at any time.

We played badly, bottom line. Nobody played well. I played awful. The ball wouldn’t go in the hole. On top of that, Blake played great, Eric played great, and they kept making shots down the stretch. … Our defense gave us a chance, and we got to that threshold where a 3-ball or any made shot would have got us right in it, and we couldn’t get the ball to go down.

[Man In Black]

I'm of the opinion that Pop mailed in this game early to make sure his team doesn't get a big head and still has that "appropriate fear," and that his boy Vinny gets a another W against a good team so he gets a chance at staying around longer.

[ElNono]

It's pretty ridiculous to compare Bonner's defense (30 min) on Griffin to Splitter's (7 min).

Maybe you can't directly, but Del Negro sure as heck knew he had to call the isos whenever Matt guarded Griffin. After Matty was overpowered twice in consecutive possessions, we started doubling, which in turn opened up their 3 point game. None of that happened with Tiago, because he can bang with strong guys down low. Tiago definitely had his own share of mistakes, but there's no doubt Pop put Matt in a position to fail trying to stay with Blake.

[MaNu4Tres]

It's understandable why Splitter is trying to do too much-- He hardly gets minutes. And when he finally does get his sporadic 8-12 minutes a night, he is constantly ignored by the 2nd team guards on the offensive end (rolling to the basket-- and in the post).

It's really quite simple-- the guy is a rookie, trying to prove himself to his own coach and his own teammates after the hoopla Spurs received about him finally coming over. To me it's easy to understand why he seems to be trying to do too much when he finally gets a touch or two offensively-- It's because he knows he will never get another opportunity to prove himself because either Hill or Neal will just ignore him or Pop won't play him again that very game, so he essentially has to force the issue. Which shouldn't be an accurate assessment of his offensive game-- for those of you who have already crowned him Oberto Jr.

Tonight would have been a perfect opportunity for Pop to sit Duncan and his 50 lb pair of Adidas-- in order to get an accurate assessment on what Splitter can provide to this team when he's given quality minutes (25-30 minutes). Unfortunately Pop didn't do that and fortunately it's only December.

[TD 21]

How this has even become a question for debate is beyond me . . .

What happened to my team's coach?

He suffered head trauma in may of '06. At this point, it's safe to say the damage is irreparable.

[BanditHiro]

I'm of the opinion that Pop mailed in this game early to make sure his team doesn't get a big head and still has that "appropriate fear," and that his boy Vinny gets a another W against a good team so he gets a chance at staying around longer.

i wanna believe that but we should have accidentally won that game if we had just made at least 6 or 7 more % of our shots

[ohmwrecker]

Maybe you can't directly, but Del Negro sure as heck knew he had to call the isos whenever Matt guarded Griffin. After Matty was overpowered twice in consecutive possessions, we started doubling, which in turn opened up their 3 point game. None of that happened with Tiago, because he can bang with strong guys down low. Tiago definitely had his own share of mistakes, but there's no doubt Pop put Matt in a position to fail trying to stay with Blake.

You're probably right. I'm not a Bonner booster at all. Read my posts. I am speaking on the reality of the game. What happened? Bonner played 30 minutes. Tiago played 7 . . . he might have been awesome, he might have fouled out in 15 . . . point is, we don't know.

Pop just coached an awful game tonight. He is the worst improviser in the NBA. He cannot deal with a wrench in the works. Just horrible in game decisions. Can you give him a lower score than an F?

[ElNono]

Let me point out that I didn't say you're a Bonner booster (whatever that means )...

[Blackjack]

He suffered head trauma in may of '06. At this point, it's safe to say the damage is irreparable.

Funny, and true. At least, I have to believe it's head trauma.

Pop's too intelligent and has only had championship success doing things with a defensive base, consisting of a two-pronged back line of defense, so it's got to be the case. Just gotsta be . . .

[Blackjack]

Let me point out that I didn't say you're a Bonner booster (whatever that means )...

[ohmwrecker]

Let me point out that I didn't say you're a Bonner booster (whatever that means )...

Just a point of clarification . . . or, what Jacko said.

[ALVAREZ6]

in terrible

[HarlemHeat37]

I fully agree with 4Tres..

For me, I'm not big on going to Splitter in the post too much..by the end of the season, sure, once in a while, but I don't think he's going to be a significant 1 on 1 player..so far this season, his post game has been terrible..however, he clearly knows how to play on the p&r, he knows how to cut to the basket and where to be on the basketball court..that's something you can't teach, that's just a guy with a feel for the game..

When he's always playing with Hill and Neal, his offensive strengths aren't utilized at all, and he looks bad, like 4Tres said..

I can't even count how many times Hill has missed Splitter on a cut this season..I don't necessarily blame Hill, since he's one of the worst passers I've ever seen(just stating a fact, I'm still a fan of Hill), but it's obviously a disservice to Splitter..

When he has seen minutes with Manu and/or TP, the p&r game has clearly been very good..

[angelbelow]

It's understandable why Splitter is trying to do too much-- He hardly gets minutes. And when he finally does get his sporadic 8-12 minutes a night, he is constantly ignored by the 2nd team guards on the offensive end (rolling to the basket-- and in the post).

It's really quite simple-- the guy is a rookie, trying to prove himself to his own coach and his own teammates after the hoopla Spurs received about him finally coming over. To me it's easy to understand why he seems to be trying to do too much when he finally gets a touch or two offensively-- It's because he knows he will never get another opportunity to prove himself because either Hill or Neal will just ignore him or Pop won't play him again that very game, so he essentially has to force the issue. Which shouldn't be an accurate assessment of his offensive game-- for those of you who have already crowned him Oberto Jr.

Tonight would have been a perfect opportunity for Pop to sit Duncan and his 50 lb pair of Adidas-- in order to get an accurate assessment on what Splitter can provide to this team when he's given quality minutes (25-30 minutes). Unfortunately Pop didn't do that and fortunately it's only December.

Well said.

[polandprzem]

Quick grades to Grades


Has anybody got an E grade this year?


Bonner was decent on D but other aspect were horrible

[crc21209]

I fully agree with 4Tres..

For me, I'm not big on going to Splitter in the post too much..by the end of the season, sure, once in a while, but I don't think he's going to be a significant 1 on 1 player..so far this season, his post game has been terrible..however, he clearly knows how to play on the p&r, he knows how to cut to the basket and where to be on the basketball court..that's something you can't teach, that's just a guy with a feel for the game..

When he's always playing with Hill and Neal, his offensive strengths aren't utilized at all, and he looks bad, like 4Tres said..

I can't even count how many times Hill has missed Splitter on a cut this season..I don't necessarily blame Hill, since he's one of the worst passers I've ever seen(just stating a fact, I'm still a fan of Hill), but it's obviously a disservice to Splitter..

When he has seen minutes with Manu and/or TP, the p&r game has clearly been very good..

+1. I've said it time and time again that the p&r game with TP or Manu and Splitter can be and has shown to be DEADLY. With Hill....not so much....

[Chomag]

Quick grades to Grades


Has anybody got an E grade this year?


Bonner was decent on D but other aspect were horrible

If that was Bonner's decent defence I sure would hate to see his bad defence.

Not all of it was his fault though. Bonner should never ever be guarding Blake Griff

[polandprzem]

If that was Bonner's decent defence I sure would hate to see his bad defence.

Not all of it was his fault though. Bonner should never ever be guarding Blake Griff

that's for sure. That's why i was so pissed at pop that he did not let tiago play more.
His 1-1 defense was worse then a team D.

It was really bad game for him. And to me grade E suits best