Short Game Grades/Extended Game Thoughts - Spurs @ Pistons - February 8th, 2011

[Cry Havoc]

Format change!

In light of the fact that the Spurs have 4 games in 5 days, I don't think I'll have enough time to devote a large paragraph to each player for each game. So in lieu of skipping games with no grades at all, I'm going to change the format up a bit. Let me know what you think of it compared to standard game grades, and perhaps I'll incorporate these a bit more in the future if it's well received.

I had a feeling the Pistons weren't going to let us get away with this one easily. In a very tough game, the Spurs continued to battle and finally put the game away in the fourth quarter, improving the league's best mark to 43-8, continuing one of the 5 best starts in the history of the NBA. The game was largely overshadowed though, thanks to trade talks from Denver and LA about a potential Carmelo Anthony-for-Andrew Bynum trade. Funny, wasn't it the aging, over-the-hill Spurs, the team that would be lucky to be a top 4 seed out West who needed help and a big trade this year to have any hope of beating the Lake Show, not the other way around? Regardless of what you make of the 'Melo-drama, the Lakers are very close to panic mode right now, if not fully convinced that they are doomed to an ousting from one of the other elite teams in the league with the way things stand.


Game Grades:

Tony Parker: B. Yes, he turned the ball over a lot, but he also didn't miss a shot until late in the 4th, going 7-7 from the field to start the game. He also dished out 7 assists. If Parker doesn't keep the offense moving, we lose this game, no doubt about it.

Manu Ginobili: C-. Going to get crucified for this, but Manu had a horrible game until midway through the 3rd. He started 0-6 shooting and fumbled the ball a number of times, either turning it over or completely destroying ball movement. It seems he's lost his focus. Manu was THE WORST player on the court in the first half. Overall, a subpar effort from Manu, and if he plays this badly for 30 minutes per game in the playoffs, the Spurs could be fishing before the Finals.

Richard Jefferson: B+. Shot the ball well. EXCELLENT defense this game from RJ. He seems to be improving his footwork in every game as a Spurs player. Another solid outing from O4O (Our 4th Option).

Tim Duncan: C-. Shot was very off tonight. Missed his patented jumper from the key and went 4-8 at the line. Good defense by Tim though, except for a stretch in the 2nd Quarter where he and Dice got caught flat-footed repeatedly.

DeJuan Blair: A-. I love this kid. Led the team in rebs, and 2nd in points to Tony on 9-15 shooting. He had more hustle than any other Spurs player throughout the game on both ends of the floor. He's officially raised a tier in grading, and therefore will have to work even harder to get an A from now on, and that means playing better D.

George Hill: B+. Gets a boost in his grade because he's becoming more of a playmaker/facilitator. Had one of the assists of the season in the 2nd quarter with a ridiculous pass under the hoop to Blair or Dice. Still defending well, needs to come off screens better.

Antonio McDyess: C-. Solid outing from him, but some defensive lapses gave the Pistons early penetration for buckets. Still, can't complain about his effort, this is likely just a one game flub for him.

Matt Bonner: A-. He's baaaaaaaaaaaack. Bonner gets a high grade because he shot so well after extended time away. Helped put the game away in the 4th. Obviously needs to get his BBall legs back under him.

Gary Neal: C. 2-2 from downtown and then picked up some cheap (questionable) fouls to send him to the bench. Looked like Neal was on pace for a big night before the refs took him out of it. I can't dock him for not being on the court when it looked like he was going to be a weapon.

Gregg Popovich: C. So, on a night when no one is bringing intensity, you decide not to play Tiago, who's coming off his career-best game? Unbelievably poor decision by Pop. I understand saving him for the next game, but he could have made a big difference in the first half. I wonder if Pop knows how badly his coaching affects confidence. Would also liked to see more Neal, considering he was 2-2 from 3.


Game Thoughts:

Defense (Before offense, naturally):

The starting 5 played really solid defense early on. If the Pistons don't hit a series of shots that are normally tough to make from mid-range, they would have looked even better. The Pistons tried to ISO with Prince against RJ, and he shut Tayshaun down so thoroughly that they didn't use it for the rest of the game. Dice came out and played lackluster on defense for most of the 1st half, didn't box out and didn't get rebounds. The Spurs limited the Pistons to shooting jumpshots until the 2nd quarter when they started getting to the rim on the D, especially with Duncan and Dice on the court, who were looking pretty slow. Tim picked it up though and ended with 3 blocks. The Spurs tried a stretch with Hill, Neal, and Manu on the court during the second quarter and it was probably the worst defensive series of the night, as no one rotated and gave the Pistons wide open shots and drives into the lane. FOUR different times in my game notes I wrote that we weren't playing with much energy... an ominous sign for the first game of 4 in the next 5 nights. Hopefully they were saving something for the next 3.


Offense:

It was a frustrating game to watch. Literally every time the Spurs put a decent run together, they'd relax and let the Pistons back into it. Well guess what, San Antonio? A lot a teams out there are fighting for their playoff lives, and they aren't going to go away just because we're 43-8. Quite the opposite, since everyone wants to beat us. Once again, Tony was the only Spurs player who even wanted to burn energy in the first half. Pop should sit him a game and make the other starters work a little bit, because TP's going to get hurt at this rate of shouldering the scoring load. Surprisingly, one of the best lineups on the floor for the Spurs frontcourt tonight was when Pop put Dice and Bonner on the court together, and they seemed to gel very well, and spread the floor even more, allowing Manu to get some good looks. The Spurs finally put it away in the 4th, going 6-9 from downtown in the final frame to extend the lead and exhaust the wind from Detroit's sails. The Pistons played a grinding style of possession hawking ball that purposely choked the game flow and made it difficult for the Spurs to find any rhythm on offense, and it was only when they started playing harder and moving the ball better that we found open looks and got the lead to double figures.


Overall:

C- effort from our team tonight. I want to see more effort and passion, not this lifeless team who wakes up 34 minutes into the contest and realizes the other team is still playing hard. I really do hope Pop sits Tony for a game, I think it would force our offense to move the ball and rely less on him in the first two quarters of every single game.

[Dice]

Good take.

I thought all the guys looked tired.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Take it easy, Cry. Your thoughts come across with a tinge of frustration at some inconsistent play now and then from the Spurs' core players. This won't happen in the playoffs

[fyatuk]

I would have picked Neal for worst player on the court in the first half. He looked lost on both offense and defense to me. He made 1 3pt basket in the first half, but picked up 3 fouls, and played HORRIBLE defense. He just plain got schooled by Stuckey.

He played slightly better in the second half, but he was still hurting the team being out there. He's been playing mostly bad for a while now. Hope he gets out of his funk soon.

[ManuTastic]

Totally agree on Pop/Splitter comments. WTF Pop??

[Cry Havoc]

I would have picked Neal for worst player on the court in the first half. He looked lost on both offense and defense to me. He made 1 3pt basket in the first half, but picked up 3 fouls, and played HORRIBLE defense. He just plain got schooled by Stuckey.

2 of those fouls on him were bogus. And yeah, I noted his bad defensive rotations, but Manu was pretty bad on D too, and Neal didn't start 0-6 shooting.

He played slightly better in the second half, but he was still hurting the team being out there. He's been playing mostly bad for a while now. Hope he gets out of his funk soon.

I think Pop is being too hard on him. Neal is a guy that kicks himself for his mistakes, he doesn't need Pop riding him into the ground every time he misses a rotation.

[Cane]

Gregg Popovich: D. So, on a night when no one is bringing intensity, you decide not to play Tiago, who's coming off his career-best game? Unbelievably poor decision by Pop. I understand saving him for the next game, but he could have made a big difference in the first half. I wonder if Pop knows how badly his coaching affects confidence. Would also liked to see more Neal, considering he was 2-2 from 3.

I think Pop's coaching was fine especially since Duncan played less than 28 mins. Splitter will probably not be a big rotation player now that Bonner's back although Pop could be saving Tiago for the back to back against Toronto tonight. Tiago also got one of a thrashing in his career night against the Kings so he might be a little banged up. I'm surprised Neal was able to stay out there for as long as he did considering his foul trouble but at least he's fearless with his 3. Both Neal and Splitter seem like they're more veterans than rookies in at ude so I don't share your thinking that its an "unbelievably poor decision" to limit 'em.

[coyotes_geek]

Gregg Popovich: D. So, on a night when no one is bringing intensity, you decide not to play Tiago, who's coming off his career-best game? Unbelievably poor decision by Pop. I understand saving him for the next game, but he could have made a big difference in the first half. I wonder if Pop knows how badly his coaching affects confidence. Would also liked to see more Neal, considering he was 2-2 from 3.

A D for Pop for not playing Tiago on a night when Blair, Bonner and Dyess were all playing well seems a bit harsh.

Neal's low minutes were primarily the result of him picking up 3 fouls in his first 4 minutes of the game.

[Cane]

A D for Pop for not playing Tiago on a night when Blair, Bonner and Dyess were all playing well seems a bit harsh.

Neal's low minutes were primarily the result of him picking up 3 fouls in his first 4 minutes of the game.

Agreed especially since Duncan played less than 28 mins.

[Cry Havoc]

A D for Pop for not playing Tiago on a night when Blair, Bonner and Dyess were all playing well seems a bit harsh.

Neal's low minutes were primarily the result of him picking up 3 fouls in his first 4 minutes of the game.

Bonner got 13 minutes. Blair was awesome, but Dice did not have a very good game.

Either way, it was a close game for 3 quarters. Why not give Tiago 10 minutes to see if he can make a difference? If he looks bad, just yank him for the rest of the game.

[Xevious]

Totally agree on Pop/Splitter comments. WTF Pop??

As I've posted in other threads, Tiago is a lost cause at this point. He'll provide some relief during back-to-backs and whatnot, but those expecting him to be a regular contributer the rest of this season are going to be disapointed. He is not going to play a single minute come post-season except for garbage time. It's too late in the season and Pop seems to have his rotations pretty well set. Splitter and James Anderson are the odd men out because of injuries. The most we can hope out of them is a restful summer so they can contribute next year.

[Cane]

Bonner got 13 minutes. Blair was awesome, but Dice did not have a very good game.

Dice had a pretty decent game. His shot was falling and was grabbing the boards.

Either way, it was a close game for 3 quarters. Why not give Tiago 10 minutes to see if he can make a difference? If he looks bad, just yank him for the rest of the game.

Why not? You answered it yourself: it was a close game. Pop, like most coaches would, stuck with the bigs that have the NBA experience especially those with corporate knowledge. Also unlike most of the other Spurs bigs, Tiago doesn't have a jumper and can't space the floor which makes the Spurs work harder to get their points in a close game. Pop could also be saving Tiago for tonight and/or his role will just be lessened now that Bonner's back.

[wildbill2u]

Maybe a little hard on Neal's grade since he really only has rookie expectations--and the refs are gonna punish him on certain nights for being a rookie.

[coyotes_geek]

Bonner got 13 minutes. Blair was awesome, but Dice did not have a very good game.

I'll take 6 & 7 w/ 3-4 shooting in 22 minutes from Dice every night. No doubt he had a few defensive lapses, but overall his contribution on the court was a positive one.

Besides, it was a mini-homecoming for Dice and Pop seems to recognize those moments. George Hill always seems to get extended minutes when the Spurs are in Indiana for example. I don't have a problem with Dice getting a few extra minutes in this one.

Either way, it was a close game for 3 quarters. Why not give Tiago 10 minutes to see if he can make a difference? If he looks bad, just yank him for the rest of the game.

Sure, Pop could have done that. But him deciding not to hardly merits a D-grade.

[Cry Havoc]

Sure, Pop could have done that. But him deciding not to hardly merits a D-grade.

And if the Spurs don't catch fire from 3 in the 4th, it might have cost us a game.

[Supreme_Being]

Nice write up. Well done.

[Cry Havoc]

And it wasn't just sitting Tiago that got Pop a D. The team played lazy and let Detroit stay in it until very late.

[tuncaboylu]

I don't blame Pop for not giving 10 minutes to Splitter against Detroit, because he will play against Toronto tonight. But I blame Pop for playing him for 45 seconds. This kind of moves decreases the stats of Splitter, I would prefer him DNP instead of 45 seconds

[coyotes_geek]

And if the Spurs don't catch fire from 3 in the 4th, it might have cost us a game.

And if he played Tiago, Tiago might have sucked and that too could have cost us the game.

[Cane]

And if the Spurs don't catch fire from 3 in the 4th, it might have cost us a game.

Not likely.

And it wasn't just sitting Tiago that got Pop a D. The team played lazy and let Detroit stay in it until very late.

D's still too low of a grade tbh

[Mr. Body]

It's a long season and teams are allowed to space out against below average teams, but hopefully it doesn't bite them in the ass and make them regret it. It'd be nice to finish these games up earlier. And to see Splitter.

[coyotes_geek]

And it wasn't just sitting Tiago that got Pop a D. The team played lazy and let Detroit stay in it until very late.

Meh. I put that more on the players than the coach. This is the NBA, not high school. The players are getting paid millions of dollars to be motivated, it's their job to be up for the game.

[Cry Havoc]

You guys have a point. Grade changed to a C.

[Old School 44]

Nice write up. Bonner was great. Much has been written about him spacing the floor, primarily for the slashing of Manu and TP and the inside play of TD, but he also spaces the floor for other three point shooters, particularly Gary Neal. Over the next few games, I wouldn't be surprised to see a big up tick in three pointers made.

[BRs.Ganso]

i don't blame pop for not giving 10 minutes to splitter against detroit, because he will play against toronto tonight. But i blame pop for playing him for 45 seconds. This kind of moves decreases the stats of splitter, i would prefer him dnp instead of 45 seconds

+1