Reply With Quote
We staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacked
For the second game in a row, the Spurs built a big lead in the first half. After a TJ Ford hoop four minutes into the second quarter, the Spurs were up by 20 points. The Nuggets, unlike the Mavericks, came roaring back.
By halftime, Denver was only down by seven points. The third and fourth quarters featured run after run after run by the Nuggets. The Spurs bent -- the lead was only two points with six minutes remaining in the contest -- but the Spurs didn't break. With a number of key shots from a variety of players, the Spurs were able to hold onto a 121-117 victory.
Despite the blown lead, it was a great win for San Antonio. The Nuggets have been the best team in the conference so far and the Spurs had a number of opportunities to crack. Instead, the home team showed enough backbone to hang on for the victory.
As for the Nuggets, they look like a legit team. George Karl has a truckload of above average players who are all playing team basketball. The way Karl mixes and matches makes the Nuggets a nightmare. As of right now, there's no reason for Denver to not be a top four seed in the West.
Tim Duncan B
The Nuggets started a big lineup and Tim Duncan did great work anchoring the middle against that length. While he was weak on the glass, his activity on defense was otherwise very good. Offensively, his passing was fantastic; whenever the Nuggets doubled or even hedged, Duncan made them pay. Scoring-wise, he did enough to make Denver key in on him.
Tony Parker B-
It was a rollercoaster of a night for Tony Parker. He started out playing well before hitting a long dry spell. To end the game, Parker hit a few vital shots to keep the Spurs ahead. Defensively, he had success against Ty Lawson early, but as the game wore on, Lawson got the better of him. That said, I thought Parker's overall energy and effort were at high levels throughout.
Richard Jefferson B+
Richard Jefferson's evolution into Dale Ellis continues. He knocked in 5-of-8 three-pointers, many of which stopped runs by Denver. Jefferson also had the play of the game when he blocked Lawson on one end and then hit a three-pointer in transition. Defensively, he was good in his individual assignments, however he made little to no impact in the team defense and on the boards. But if he keeps shooting like this while showing flashes of hustle, the Spurs will happily live with the results.
Gary Neal B-
Gary Neal got his second straight start and did some good things. He hit three teardrops, which if he can add to his regular arsenal would really make him a dangerous offensive weapon. On defense, Neal continues to look a step slow. He's being physical but he's not able to stay in front of his man. The rust, in that area, remains.
DeJuan Blair B
The third quarter was the ultimate staring contest between Pop and George Karl. The team's had DeJuan Blair matched up with Danilo Gallinari and neither player could stop the other player -- yet neither coach made a move. It was actually funny to watch play out. While, yes, Blair got lit up by Gallinari, I can't really blame him since the Italian is basically a giant shooting guard. All in all, Blair was a beast on the offensive boards again and scored enough trash buckets to have a positive impact on the game.
Danny Green A
I'm not quite ready to claim Danny Green is for real ... but I'm close. Green led the team in scoring tonight with 24 points, while also stuffing the stat sheet with seven boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Offensively, besides his outside shooting, Green showed an ability to score off the dribble. Green also had no fear when taking key shots. Defensively, he might have been even better. Inexplicably, the Nuggets tried to attack him a few times and Green made them pay. His one-on-one defense was solid, his team defense was smart and his tenacity makes him a pest for the opponent.
TJ Ford A
Wow. TJ Ford put on a clinic of how to play the point guard position in his first stint on the court. It seemed like each time up the court, Ford found a new way to carve up Denver's D. Ford not only was making really good passes, he was also playing at perfect pace and knew how to take advantage of each mismatch San Antonio's motion offense was creating. In the second half, Ford's offensive prowess wasn't nearly as good but he made up for a bit with fantastic hustle and physicality on the defensive end. All in all, I was very impressed.
Kawhi Leonard B+
Watch out world, Kawhi Leonard is starting to figure out this NBA thing. On offense, his cuts and dives to the basket made him a threat against the Nuggets. He also put pressure on Denver by crashing the offensive glass. Defensively, Leonard made a handful of mistakes but he flashes a huge amount of potential on that end. He's a dedicated defender whose sturdy body, long arms and quick hands make him very difficult to score against in isolation situations. I'd say this was Leonard's best game of his rookie season so far.
Tiago Splitter B+
Better. After a couple difficult outings, Tiago Splitter bounced back tonight. He was making quicker decisions offensively and was more physical when it came to finishing around the hoop. His passing was good once again and he was setting mean picks. On defense, Splitter had an odd array of assignments but he did good work throughout.
Matt Bonner Inc.
With the Nuggets either going really big or really small, Matt Bonner was left out in the cold. I can't say I was shedding tears about him playing only seven minutes.
James Anderson Inc.
Even though we only saw him for four minutes, there was actually a lot to like from James Anderson. The confidence witnessed earlier in the season was back. He took shots when open, created shots off the dribble and had a pair of great passes. Anderson, despite being dropped from the regular rotation, isn't letting the sporadic minutes phase him -- which is impressive for a young player.
Pop B+
Karl's lineups had Pop unsure of himself during the middle quarters. At first, Pop matched down and played small ball. When that didn't work, he stayed big. By the fourth quarter, Pop had figured it out and was doing a great job of matching Karl's unique lineups. Letting Green play 33 minutes was the right call. The Parker and Ford combo worked again. Pop playing Leonard 20 minutes in this game was a great learning opportunity for the rook. Perhaps best of all, Pop held Duncan to only 20 minutes, which means he may be able to play tomorrow night in Oklahoma City.
We staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacked
Thanks for the writeup. I actually feared this one would be one of those trouble matchups for Tiago (vs Birdman, a good shot blocker) and he actually did good. After getting his first shot blocked, he actually adjusted nicely.
Danny Green was a man, and TJ Ford really giving the team a different look from the PG position, while keeping the speed.
If there is a silver lining to the Manu injury, it gave D. Green the opportunity to showcase his game and I am very impressed. I don't expect this kind of offense every night but he is solid defensively and seems to get his hands in every loose ball. He filled the stat sheet and as Kwahi continues to improve, we will have 2 stud defenders on the wings.
I hope that's not a playoff prediction.
Pop is being VERY good with minutes this year. OKC played KD and Westbrook 35 and 40 mins tonight. RJ led us with 33.
Also like when Kawhi/Green were in the game together. They seemed to feed off each other very well, especially with TJ running the offense.
lol TIMVP still on high on JA? theres a reason why his behind KL AND Green in the rotation now....
Anderson has shown flashes but I wouldn't play him ahead of Leonard or Green. He had his opportunity and couldn't deliver. However, that doesn't mean he won't be a good player. Time will tell.
that kawhi/green fast break was the worst 3 point play ive ever seen but ill take it
still think kawhi needs to be more aggressive offensively, especially on fast breaks, even though theres a less than 5% chance TP is going to pass it off
It's really fun to watch the Spurs of the future come into their own.
I need a lot more from Danny Green before I think he's legit. That being said, I love what I've been seeing lately.
Leonard on the other hand, I love everytime he's out there. If both can work out well then the Spurs will have options at the 3.5 and 2 guard spots that they haven't seen in a while.
Matt should get an A for his INC. He really made a difference.
I wasn't impressed with KL. He seems lost.
Richard Jefferson B+
Richard Jefferson's evolution into Dale Ellis continues. He knocked in 5-of-8 three-pointers, many of which stopped runs by Denver. Jefferson also had the play of the game when he blocked Lawson on one end and then hit a three-pointer in transition. Defensively, he was good in his individual assignments, however he made little to no impact in the team defense and on the boards. But if he keeps shooting like this while showing flashes of hustle, the Spurs will happily live with the results.
I have to say Jefferson's play was worth an A
Instead of just hitting shots, RJ is beginning to have all-around floor games
I really like the way TP came out tonight to start the game. I think he started with a good balance of distributing and scoring, which is something he has always struggles with. I really think having TJ on this team is helping Parker.
I love the option of having TP and TJ on the floor at the same time. TJ essentially becomes the true pg and Tony is the 2, with the ability to slip into the pg role, or drive and dish.
This team is shaping up really well. I know the Spurs blew a big lead, but they still finished, a year ago, this would have easily been a loss.
The Spurs are deep, athletic at key positions, and have shooters galore. I really like the fact that the offense is so multiple right now, with the ability to play on the perimeter, or work inside out when they need a key bucket.
All of the doubters are being proven wrong by TJ thus far, I hope and expect he keeps it that way.
Still a long way to go, but the "doom and gloomers" look kind of silly about now.
It is, unfortunately.I hope that's not a playoff prediction.
Yeah, "Inc." stands for incredible.
Agreed. Right now, Green is playing better on defense than JA ever could and offensively he's doing about what JA could do at his ceiling. Green will probably come down to earth but he's firmly ahead of JA in the rotation.
Leonard's size alone will hopefully keep him ahead of JA.
TP is definitely a blackhole on the fast break....I have never seen a more selfish PG in all my basketball watching days. He just ducks his head and goes right to the basket, 1 on 1 or 1 on 5.....he doesn't care.that kawhi/green fast break was the worst 3 point play ive ever seen but ill take it
still think kawhi needs to be more aggressive offensively, especially on fast breaks, even though theres a less than 5% chance TP is going to pass it off
That block play was Jefferson's best play as a Spur, imo. If Pop can find a way to bottle that effort then it will be outstanding.
I'm used to watching RJ be a cheerleader from the bench in crunch time.....this time HE was the one making the play. Great stuff, we need this to be playoff RJ.
Richard Jefferson: A
Danny Green: A +
Ford: A -
Blair: B+
bad combo, both are streaky fluke shooters...
backup pg out-producing starting pg, nothing to see here...
Yes this is why I like this year better than last! No real huge expectations but the youngins out there playing! Not some old washed up vet! I have low expectations so seeing the young guys play and winning so far is rewarding! I might actually enjoy this year (lets face it last year late was a flat out headache after the season they had).
I also like seeing them in the game together plus those two seem to like to crash the boards. I can't remember the last time the Spurs' 2/3s (depending what pos. Green/Kawhi are playing) crashed the boards on both sides of the court like this.
I love offensive rebounds.
I remember when we played with all those TOSBs (Finley, Oberto, Vaughn, Thomas, Bogans, etc.) that were too worry about the "transition D" Pop loves so much and jogged to the other side of the court whenever a teamate looked remotely close to taking a shot.
This is the most I've agreed with timvp's grades all season, except personally I would have put Parker at a C+ .
Fact is, I'm with DPG in starting to sincerely get worried over whether or not Parker has lost a step. With Manu out, Parker is our best player, our season will depend on him. He has exhibited a pension for saving energy and being a quasi "mr fourth quarter" in previous seasons.....in fact, every game I see Parker playing I find myself praying that his Mr. Piedlourde act is just him saving his energy. But as this season is playing out I'm not only seeing a fatigued Tony Parker, but a slower less athletic Tony Parker.
Even a fatigued basketball player can have his burst and speed in the early minutes.
Maybe Parker is just growing and shining, and has developed a new level of confidence and power, conserving that energy and not sacrificing his body unnecessarily, but I am sincerely getting worried that the effort he shows when games are on the line is indicative of him losing a step.
I hope to the Quattro GODS I am wrong about this.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
