Grades: Spurs vs. Clippers - Dec. 28

[dbestpro]

My fear for Blair is he will start thinking he is an offensive force and completely forget what we need him to do, and what he does best, and that is rebound.

I don't have a problem with him taking what the defense gives him, but quite often in the past after a game or two like this he starts to force his shot.

[SenorSpur]

This is exactly my concern with Duncan, I haven't seen 1 basket on the block against a good defensive big (Gasol, Jordan) if scoring in the post offensively is no longer a threat, and no longer attracts a double, it puts so much more preasure in the perimeter to deliver. As Pop said those shots won't always go in, plus they will obviously be defended better in the playoffs. we won't have the same looks we had in the regular season.

And you're not going to see that again from Duncan. What we are now watching is the athlete formerly known as the great Tim Duncan. It's meant as no disrespect, but TD, while still an occasionally effective player, IS NOT that superstar guy anymore. He's no longer that guy who could get a double-double in his sleep. His game has changed, on both ends of the court, and unfortunately, so has the Spurs offense and their chances at a 5th le.

For these early games , I'm looking for positives, the defense is one (Tiago and Kawhi), Andersons and RJ offensive confidence is another. We know what we will get from Manu and Tony, Unfortunately TD's ability to remain a threat one on one on the block is not one of them. In fact Blair actually had more low post baskets, I'm just not confident in placing my faith in an undersized big like Blair, Teams are probably saying yeah let him get his points now , come playoff we're shutting that down

Get used to it because the Tim Duncan that we all knew and loved isn't walking through that door anymore. He's gone for good. For me, it became so evident in the 2010 second round playoff series versus the Suns. It was painful watching TD get exposed trying to defend the pick-n-roll, while the other Suns ran around him like a traffic cone. All of which is why the fact that this roster is missing another young, developing, athletic PF/C-type, who CAN score in the low post, force teams to double, while providing some rebounding and shotblocking, is such a huge deficiency.

The decline in Duncan's production, and the resulting evolution in his game, has left a rather large void that may not be filled for a very long time.

[Obstructed_View]

My fear for Blair is he will start thinking he is an offensive force and completely forget what we need him to do, and what he does best, and that is rebound.

I don't have a problem with him taking what the defense gives him, but quite often in the past after a game or two like this he starts to force his shot.

My fear for Blair is that he won't be allowed to be who he is and then he'll completely forget what we need him to do. If he's defending and hustling and blocking out, I don't mind if he tries to go one on five against the Clippers once in a while.

[Imp23]

spurs fans: B-


where are the pessimists now.....???

when the chips are up, we are all happy,

when the chips are down, lets trade everyone, including the spurs fans


lol

Too Funny

[The Truth #6]

If Blair is doing his out-of-control spin shots, then that is a bad thing. But, if like last night, he's doing a legit post move and backing his player down for an easy two foot shot, then I think he should be allowed to do that as much as possible.

It's too early to say for sure, but after these first two games, Blair has shown an interest in using his obvious strength as a way to go through people instead of trying to outquick them and go around them when in the paint, which almost always fails. This low post game might not be effective all the time, but already he's successfully posted up Zach Randolph and Blake Griffin a few times. If Pop can allow (and expect) Blair to play like this, then his confidence should improve and his ten foot jump shots might actually go in more consistently.

I agree that Blair can lose focus. Hopefully his time in Siberia actually gave him maturity...and if not then maybe Pop can keep him on track, and away from Whataburger.

[The Truth #6]

Bonner...he's already in post season form. Bricking outside shots, avoiding rebounds, igniting oppenents to score at will. Luckily, Pop seems to have him pegged as the last big.

Also, there's actually a sense of sanity to the rotations right now. Pop is making good choices. Around March the drunked sea captain version of Pop may still materialize, because too often Pop can't help himself, especially when the team is playing well. But as long as Pop focuses on defense, then the ship should be headed in the right direction.

[TDMVPDPOY]

blair doing the circus shots hurts him alot, i wish he has added a jumper like malik rose did...then he would have no problem with range when left open...

[DMC]

whats worst?

splitters pussy layups or blairs showtime layups?

I'll take either if they equate to 2 points.

[DMC]

spurs fans: B-


where are the pessimists now.....???

when the chips are up, we are all happy,

when the chips are down, lets trade everyone, including the spurs fans


lol

Though I am not a wholesale the team kinda guy, it's a bit too late to do that anyhow. The season has started. We got what we got.

I'm more than certain you can find the constructive criticisms here.

[Mugen]

Pop hasn't had a chance to overreact to anything yet. His rotations have been solid and he's trusting the young guys.

His first test will be how he handles Neal's return. The shortened schedule almost forces Pop's hand to stop outthinking himself and actually play the guys he should be playing.

That said, i never underestimate Pop's ability to make some re moves late in the season and screw over any chance of this team going deep in the playoffs.

[Obstructed_View]

That said, i never underestimate Pop's ability to make some re moves late in the season and screw over any chance of this team going deep in the playoffs.

Like playing starters in a meaningless game at the end of the season?

[Dawkins]

The thing with Splitter is, he actually has a very good and polished offensive game. He just needs playing time, playing time, playing time and self-confidence. Once he sees, the coach trusts in him his offense will become better and better.
It was the same in Vitoria where he also was a defense specialist in the beginning and once he became more involved in the offense and he became more confident he was very hard to stop on the offensive end with his long arms and crazy shot angles.

His offensive game depends a lot on self confidence, once he sees Pop trusts in him and he becomes more confident he ill be valuable on offense.

[ElNono]

The thing with Splitter is, he actually has a very good and polished offensive game.

No

[Mel_13]

No

Concise post.

[Mugen]

Like playing starters in a meaningless game at the end of the season?

[jjktkk]

Pop hasn't had a chance to overreact to anything yet. His rotations have been solid and he's trusting the young guys.

His first test will be how he handles Neal's return. The shortened schedule almost forces Pop's hand to stop outthinking himself and actually play the guys he should be playing.

That said, I never underestimate Pop's ability to make some re moves late in the season and screw over any chance of this team going deep in the playoffs.

Lol, Pop's first test? Really? So how many tests does Pop have to pass to be considered a competent coach to you?

[quentin_compson]

I was kind of Meh when the season started after the Spurs being demolished in the playoffs and the lockout and all.
But two (Spurs-)games into the season, I'm as hooked as ever. If nothing else, these two games reminded me of how much I love watching Manu play. He truly is one of a kind.

[Mugen]

Lol, Pop's first test? Really? So how many tests does Pop have to pass to be considered a competent coach to you?

sorry pop apologist. I meant first test for the season.

I know he did such a bang up job last season but i thought i'd give him some tests this season too just for s and giggles.

[jjktkk]

sorry pop apologist. I meant first test for the season.

I know he did such a bang up job last season but i thought i'd give him some tests this season too just for s and giggles.

Lol, Pop apologist, that schtick is alittle worn out. You should go outside this forum and give your opinions on how bad a coach Pop is, then maybe you'd have to find some Mugen apologists.

[Bruno]

Aside of Bonner, the whole team played well.

I wasn't sold by TJ Ford first game but he looked way better in this second game. I've especially liked his at ude: you can really see how he try to help the team by playing the right way.

[Mugen]

Lol, Pop apologist, that schtick is alittle worn out. You should go outside this forum and give your opinions on how bad a coach Pop is, then maybe you'd have to find some Mugen apologists.

that sounds pretty good

[jjktkk]

that sounds pretty good

Just trying to help with your pessimism Mugen, so you can enjoy the season.

[SpursDynasty85]

I saw this game from Row 5, 2 rows behind the spurs bench. I'd say these grades are spot on. One thing that sticks out is that certain players are given more responsibility and more minutes than others. I thought overall James Anderson bounced back just like you said to deserve a good grade but Kawhi Leonard really does not do much but stay out the way and rebound/defend. Given his responsibilities Kawhi performed great, but were his contributions really better than James Anderson's? Like you said, he looked like a legitimate scoring threat. Otherwise very accurate grades and analysis imo.

[FkLA]

Leonard has very good handles and penetrating is his biggest strength offensively, he can also post up. He's not an offensive liability, eventually he'll start getting used to playing with everybody and gain confidence.

lol wtf he hasnt shown that hes good at any of those things in the nba, give him his props for his defense and rebounding if you want...but offensively hes done nothing so far.

Remember that Fkla was George Hill greatest fan and is still butthurt about the trade. So cut Fkla some slack, it wouldn't be fair to his partiality if he wasn't ting on Leonard's play after 2 games...

Was the great leader timvp butthurt about the Hill trade too, is that why he feels Leonard is an offensive liability as well? Quit being re ed, I didnt like the trade but Im a Spurs fan not a Hill fan so Id be more than glad to eat crow...its just too apparent that at 20 yrs old Kawhi is very awkward and limited on offense.

[timvp]

Some interesting numbers thru two games...

Points Scored When On the Court (Per 48 Minutes)
DeJuan Blair - 127
Tim Duncan - 114
Matt Bonner - 104
Tiago Splitter - 91

Points Given Up When On the Court (Per 48 Minutes)
Tiago Splitter - 79
DeJuan Blair - 84
Tim Duncan - 86
Matt Bonner - 94

-Blair has been a beast. The offense has been unstoppable when he's on the court. And even his defense is really damn good considering he's been matched up against starters.

-Splitter's defense is for real. Unfortunately, his offense (and its affect on the team's ability to score) has been really bad. But again, I don't think this is alarming. Splitter will figure things out offensively, while he's showing some defensive ability that just isn't teachable.

-Duncan being Duncan.

-Newsflash: Bonner hurts the defense.