Grades: Spurs vs. Rockets - Feb. 1

[wildbill2u]

One more thing. Several players were asked in post game interviews if they thought Pop would 'pull the plug' because of the Rockets start and big lead, especially knowing there was a back to back comng up. They admitted to having a concern.

Pop was also asked about if he was close to pulling the plug. He said something like his judgement was they were playing pretty well on defense while the offense just wasn't there. And Houston was having some incredible shooting.

But he obviously made the decision to see if they could keep playing hard and pull it out. Knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em makes a good coach. We came away with a W because Pop made a decision that his players could win if they kept pounding the rock.

Whether this is intuitiveness, crystal ball gazing, experience or a finely tuned sense of how his team is playing, Pop pushed the right buttons and we got the W.

[mercos]

The team is playing pretty well right now, but I think Pop needs to make a change to the starting lineup. Of course, I would like to see Splitter inserted but that is probably a long shot at this point. Either Leonard or RJ need to move to the bench. We need either Danny Green or Gary Neal in the starting lineup to give it some juice. We lack an offensive punch in our opening five outside of Parker and Duncan.

As much as I like Leonard I think he should go to the bench. He brings no offense and that is where the starters are weak at the moment. I would plug Neal into the 2 guard spot. He brings much needed offense, and then our second unit is filled with high energy guys that can play decent defense. I believe Green is a better overall player than Neal, but I like having him as the sixth man.

[xellos88330]

I was actually most impressed with Bonner this game. I think his grade is spot on. A guy I was sitting next to wasn't very subtle with his displeasure when Bonner entered the game. I can't really blame him either. I was pretty much in the same boat. In the second half that all changed. Matt Bonner should play like that every single game. I would honestly rather have Martin/Lowry/Lee's offense rythym disrupted than Patterson. Bonner was closing out really aggressive and seemed to be reading every single play to get one of those three guys an open jumper. With Bonner closing out not only hard, but really fast, it completely destroyed their touch. It was a solid effort by Bonner last night. Now he just needs to do what he has shown he is capable of defensively more consistently.

[z0sa]

Bonner just proving his haters wrong per the usual. Now if only he can hit a couple more clutch shots..

[mystargtr34]

It seems like almost every game the starters dig a hole only for the bench to come in and scratch and claw to get it back to even. Something needs to be done to balance the two sides out. Its obviously a good thing having a great bench.. but not at the expense of a ty starting lineup.

Manu coming back into the starting lineup will fix alot of the issues.. but even he will find it hard to carry the dead weight around (Blair, y) against the better teams.

[dbestpro]

Bonner just proving his haters wrong on this very rare, rare, rare occasion. Now if only he can hit another clutch shot one more time before his career ends..

fixed

[mystargtr34]

Although im starting to wonder if bringing Manu off the bench might be the better option. James Harden started the game before last for the Thunder when Thabo was injured and he really struggled to get his looks playing with Durant and Westbrook. Likewise, it might be tough to get TP, Tim and Manu going while starting together.. not to mention y J needs some touches to give half an effort.

Starting Blair, Tim, RJ, Manu and TP isnt a great balance imo.

[jjktkk]

It seems like almost every game the starters dig a hole only for the bench to come in and scratch and claw to get it back to even. Something needs to be done to balance the two sides out. Its obviously a good thing having a great bench.. but not at the expense of a ty starting lineup.

Manu coming back into the starting lineup will fix alot of the issues.. but even he will find it hard to carry the dead weight around (Blair, y) against the better teams.

While this is true, Manu is one of the few that can carry the "dead weight" and has that unique ability to make that dead weight play better when hes on the floor with them.

[mystargtr34]

Thats true.. although he wont make either of the two play any defense.. which is still a concern.

[jjktkk]

Thats true.. although he wont make either of the two play any defense.. which is still a concern.

Where did I say Manu was a miracle worker?

[Obstructed_View]

I had to watch the game in the middle of the night.

First Quarter

• Passing up some good shots and then not sharing the ball. Parker and Duncan are terrible early. No ball movement at all. When Manu comes back he'll hopefully focus on distributing the ball, which should help that starting unit.
  
• After the timeout, the ball movement was better. Still not good shots, but the energy allowed them to scramble and continue to get rebounds
  
• Splitter comes in for Duncan and suddenly the team offense starts working. Unfortunately it isn't generating points, but the motion is contributing to the defensive intensity.
  
• Officiating is absolutly horrible. Spurs can't buy a call at home.

Second quarter

• Please pass the ball to Tiago. Really. Right as I type that he gets an assist.
  
• The Rockets' jumpers are starting to fall. Not a good sign.
  
• Gary Neal's inability to pass the ing ball to Splitter is ridiculous. Splitter's ability not to take it personally is shown when he gets another assist for a three to Neal.
  
• Good, active defense by this second unit. Getting hands in pasing lanes, staying at home, forcing tough shots. Can't seem to get a good shot off though.
  
• First unit guys come back in, Parker and Duncan have tunnel vision. Immediately RJ gets lost on defense and gives up a three.
  
• Gotta credit Pop for bringing Ja back into the game.
  
• Duncan just made a move I haven't seen from him in a while. Wow. Very decisive in the post. Then he turns into a black hole on the next trip down and coughs it up. The only way Duncan can ball-hog that badly and be successful is if he can continue to make moves like that first one. Someone might remind him that he doesn't really anymore.
  
• Steals and ugly breaks. The Spurs used to be a really good fast break team. They just had two in a row that are just terrible. Both came away with points, however, which is important. Wait, no points, as Blair missed both freebies.
  
• Looks like the Rockets are already relaxing. Do they think they've won the game? Running the clock out on inbounds. I guess they're in prevent mode with a 17 point lead.
  
• Timmy still shows no ability to pass the ball to anyone. At least he's drawing fouls and can hit his free throws.
  
• Finally. Scola called for over the back. He wasn't, but the Spurs got a call in their favor.
  
• Duncan drawing whistles. Ride that train as long as possible. He hasn't gotten this kind of love from the zebras in years. Great screen by Duncan on that Parker layup.
  
• Now suddenly the Rockets aren't showing the same confidence on their jumpers because the Spurs are penetrating. Spurs cut it to ten. Right as I type that Martin hits a three and Parker settles for a heat check jumper.
  
• Pop made everyone at the press table laugh with the way he called a timeout. I wonder what he said. He didn't look cheerful about it.
  
• Damn, I really wish Anderson would find his range. Actually, I wish he'd found it a couple of weeks ago.

Halftime

NBA showing great dunks, and they show the Lebron dunk "over" Timmy in 2007. What makes that dunk great is that it pissed Timmy off. Really not a good choice for James to hang that pic in his locker.

Third quarter

• Another really nice spin move from the Black Hole Mamba (timmy). At least his legs are feeling good. Of course he starts out missing free throws.
  
• Funny that Kawhi was rewarded with bench duty to start the third. Didn't seem like the first quarter was his fault, but apparently the coach doesn't agree with me.
  
• Duncan's really racking up foul trouble for the Rockets and he's really active. Maybe he's feeling it tonight. Got hit again with no call but he hit the bucket. Parker's way too selfish on the fast break. Looks like the Spurs might have a chance to cut into this lead from the line because they're going to be in the bonus early.
  
• Duncan makes a strong move and kicks it out, results in a Parker three off good ball movement.
  
• You're not supposed to be able to jump into a defender to draw a foul, Danny Crawford.
  
• If Gary Neal were Beno Udrih or Cory Joseph, he'd be demonized forever for that sequence where he turned the ball over twice in a row.
  
• I'm really getting nostalgic now. It's 2006 Timmy with the lefty hook. Hard not to be excited about
  
• Blair should teach the rest of the team how to tie up a man on the floor. DeJuan jumped on Scola with absolutely no regard for either man's safety. He's really taken the ass-whippings from Scola personally. He's not really contributing stats, but he's doing a job with Luis.
  
• Wow, that was a quick decisive move by Timmy in the post. That move was lightning fast. Someone must have said "they're not going to double you, just go."
  
• And now that he's made that move, they're actually doubling him.
  
• Great touch pass by Anderson. Duncan blew the kitty. He's got everything else working though.
  
• Great pickpocket by Bonner. If he'd gotten the dunk on that breakaway it would have been an all-time Spurs highlight.
  
• Duncan goes SuperKobe one-on-nine in the post and scores. His defense in the paint has been just amazingly good as well. I don't think he's gotten a single block but he's intimidated a dozen shots.
  
• Wow. Timmy. Wow.
  
• Anderson just simply can't buy a break on offense so far but you can't tell from his energy level. That's why many of us like him so much. Now he hits a three, right on cue. Very glad for him.
  
• And the momentum killed by a late whistle. The refs bought the flop. I love this game.
  
• Whatever Duncan ate today, I hope they have more of it.
  
• Good coaching, Pop. Tell the defender to back off the opponent within hearing range of opponent so opponent can drop a long three at the end of the quarter. Sigh.

Fourth Quarter

• Great defense. Bonner's defense is really good when he's hustling and the other team isn't setting someone up to shoot over him. Bonner draws a whistle with a flop to say thanks. I wonder if the Spurs should aggressively double when guys try to take advantage of Matty in the post.
  
• Bonner missed that three, but he was ready to pull the trigger long before the ball got to him and just shot it. That's a good sign. I'll take him shooting like that all the time.
  
• As soon as I compliment Bonner's defense, he just falls asleep on a rotation and his man gets a wide open jumper.
  
• Bonner tips in yet another rebound for the other team. He should just get into the fetal position when there are a lot of bodies so that he can do less damage.
  
• Parker feeds Splitter, and something good happens. Spurs get over the mountain with plenty of time to go.
  
• As good as Timmy's been , I'd prefer he get a chance to rest this game and actually suit up tomorrow. I think this team can hold the lead.
  
• Don't exactly know why Parker fancies himself a great long range shooter when crunchtime comes around. He's not a great long range shooter. Fortunately he's pretty clutch to make up for it.
  
• Danny Green can't argue that foul call on Martin, it was a foul. Tie game with 5 to go. I'm happy with that, particularly after the first quarter.
  
• Parker Duncan 2 man game results in a 24 second violation with no shot attempt. Bad time for this to studdenly stop working. Good news, the Rockets are settling for jumpers, the bad news, they're hitting the jumpers. The jumpers are being defended so they might not keep going in.
  
• Once again, Bonner was ready to pull the trigger in a close game and drew the foul rather than get run off the line. That's a good sign for him. Hits two of three free throws. Also a good sign.
  
• Someone should tell Matty that he doesn't need to fight his teammates for rebounds.
  
• Matty hits the three in a close game with a minute to go. He was ready for the shot. You just knew this shot was going to come up and I'm glad it did for him.
  
• lol Bonner fighting Timmy for the rebound. He's truly feeling it. Glad Duncan didn't catch a bow for his trouble.
  
• Say what you want about Popovich, but don't say he doesn't want this game. I was worried he was going to tackle Scott Foster trying for that timeout.

End of game

[Obstructed_View]

Bonner just proving his haters wrong per the usual. Now if only he can hit a couple more clutch shots..

Wow, the playoffs started last night? News to me.

[z0sa]

Wow, the playoffs started last night? News to me.

you (and everyone else) only about him during the playoffs? news to me.

if he plays pick and roll defense and rebounds like he did last night, I dont' give a if he never makes another three pointer.

[Budkin]

Bonner sucks... Bonner FTW!

[rmt]

Splitter with the least big man minutes again. Blair isn't going to get any taller and Bonner isn't going to man up in the playoffs. I just don't see why Pop is so enamored with Bonner/Blair. When I look at Splitter, I see size, upside and the ability to make the right play (take the shot or pass to the open team mate) - things Bonner and Blair don't have. Blair never passes out once he gets the ball and if Bonner isn't shooting, he shouldn't have the ball.

It's as Sean said last night - play inside-out, stop taking this long jump shots, give Splitter the ball in the post. He's got good position and calling for the ball and his team mates ignore him. Houston wasn't defending the paint last night so when TD sat, why not do continue the post play with Splitter? Hopefully, when Manu and TJ come back, one of them will pass him the ball, but I'm not holding my breath.

[LakerHater]

Pop A-

Shoulda had an A+ for his vertical!!

[therealtruth]

Splitter with the least big man minutes again. Blair isn't going to get any taller and Bonner isn't going to man up in the playoffs. I just don't see why Pop is so enamored with Bonner/Blair. When I look at Splitter, I see size, upside and the ability to make the right play (take the shot or pass to the open team mate) - things Bonner and Blair don't have. Blair never passes out once he gets the ball and if Bonner isn't shooting, he shouldn't have the ball.

It's as Sean said last night - play inside-out, stop taking this long jump shots, give Splitter the ball in the post. He's got good position and calling for the ball and his team mates ignore him. Houston wasn't defending the paint last night so when TD sat, why not do continue the post play with Splitter? Hopefully, when Manu and TJ come back, one of them will pass him the ball, but I'm not holding my breath.

Pop is trying to prove you can win without Splitter and by playing Bonner/Blair major minutes.

[benefactor]

Shoulda had an A+ for his vertical!!

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Shoulda had an A+ for his vertical!!

[Obstructed_View]

you (and everyone else) only about him during the playoffs? news to me.

if he plays pick and roll defense and rebounds like he did last night, I dont' give a if he never makes another three pointer.

Welcome to Spurstalk. Matt Bonner fails in the playoffs. What he does in the regular season isn't really going to convince any of his "haters".

[angelbelow]

you (and everyone else) only about him during the playoffs? news to me.

if he plays pick and roll defense and rebounds like he did last night, I dont' give a if he never makes another three pointer.

We when Bonner does a combination of missing open shots and giving poor effort on defense. Early in the season, (maybe 15 games or so) this was true. His shot was not falling with regularity and his effort on defense was unacceptable.

For the past several games now, Matt's either been on fire or giving good effort on defense. However, this was the case for the majority of the 2010-2011 regular season. You're right about the playoffs not starting today but that doesn't ease the thought of him choking in the playoffs again.

[Indazone]

Meanwhile, the Rockets still have a hole at Center. Either that or nobody is passing the ball into the post.

[Manufan909]

Meanwhile, the Rockets still have a hole at Center. Either that or nobody is passing the ball into the post.

I know you're probably talking mainly about offense, but do you think Dalembert has been a solid fit so far?