Grades: Spurs vs. Timberwolves - Mar. 21

[therealtruth]

Yes, like he did last year. If you recall, Blair was forced to watch from the bench for most of that series. I would love to see Memphis in the Playoffs again. It's the type of tough match-up that prepares your team for the rest of the playoffs. Plus, we owe them some payback.

Things would be different this year. We're a better team and Memphis took steps backwards with injuries and roster changes.

I don't look forward to Bonner/Blair getting abused by Gasol/Randolph.

It's interesting that having a size advantage can get you 21 and 15 pretty easily. Do you think if Pekovic or a motivated Millic plays TD still gets 21 and 15? That's why I can understand why the Spurs don't play bigger more often with TD and TS.

[FkLA]

Tim Duncan A+
With the T'Wolves starting Kevin Love and no one taller than 6-foot-8, Tim Duncan had a chance to dominate this game ... and did he ever. To post 21 points, 15 rebounds and four assists in a complete game is great work. But to do so in only 24 minutes? Ridiculous. In fact, in the last 27 years (as far back as I can look) no player has ever put up those stats in that few of minutes. Duncan wasn't only bigger than everyone on Minnesota, he was also seemingly quicker, sharper and hungrier. When Duncan is this good, and we've seen him play at a high level a lot in the last month or so, the possibility of adding a fifth ring to the collection doesn't seem nearly as far-fetched.

You think Love proclaiming himself the best PF in the game had anything to do with Timmy going at him hard and dominating? Or was it simply him being fresh from the 3 days off ??

[GSH]

Well, Kyrie Irving is obviously the best rookie. But after him, there's really no one else who stands out as more capable of helping the Spurs right now outside of Leonard. Maybe Faried but it's doubtful that a rookie bigman could step in and help right away in San Antonio.

Did you notice that Gustavo Ayon has slipped into the Rookie Rankings? That, to me, is probably the only real personnel disappointment this season. Most of the other people we discussed weren't very realistic. I think we could have had him, and for a good price. And I think he could have made some difference in the middle. Of course, he's a rookie in the same way Fabbs was a rookie when he came here.

[FkLA]

Not to mention the fact that hes Mexican. Ticket sales wouldve skyrocketed tbh.

[jjktkk]

Thanks for the writeup Tim.

[ElNono]

Thanks for the writeup, LJ!

I'm just enjoying watching Jack... so good to have a guy that's not a pussy and can guard bigs roaming the perimeter. I thought he did a great job when Pop put him on Love.

Then on the 3rd quarter, when we needed a couple of baskets to maintain the big lead, he made a 3 off a Kawhi pass followed by a little shake and bake and a long jumper.

The fact he can still create his own shot is huge and a major difference from RJ...

[tmtcsc]

The fact he can still create his own shot is huge and a major difference from RJ...

Yeah, that and the fact he has a pulse is a REAL plus. RJ was dead man walking. Played when he felt like it.

[therealtruth]

Thanks for the writeup, LJ!

I'm just enjoying watching Jack... so good to have a guy that's not a pussy and can guard bigs roaming the perimeter. I thought he did a great job when Pop put him on Love.

Then on the 3rd quarter, when we needed a couple of baskets to maintain the big lead, he made a 3 off a Kawhi pass followed by a little shake and bake and a long jumper.

The fact he can still create his own shot is huge and a major difference from RJ...

RJ has seems to have no problem creating his own shot with the Warriors.

[tmtcsc]

RJ has seems to have no problem creating his own shot with the Warriors.

I don't know what it is about our system that makes shooters hesitant to shoot. It happened to Finley, Barry and Jefferson. The only two guys that came in here and fit right away were Derek Anderson and Gary Neal.

Roger Mason was great at first but his demise came soon after. That was awful to see because he was so aggressive and confident at first. Pop may have ruined the dude's career or exposed him. Not sure which. The playoffs can do that to people. You either shine or fade.

[ElNono]

RJ has seems to have no problem creating his own shot with the Warriors.

Because there's no pressure there. Missing shots on that team is a plus.

[Mel_13]

rj has seems to have no problem creating his own shot with the warriors.

11-33

[Slippy]

Manu Ginobili B+
This game followed a familiar pattern for Manu Ginobili. On offense, he was god-like. His passing was outstanding, he made plays whenever he wanted and executed flawlessly. Even though he's far from 100% physically, I'm not sure if I've ever seen Ginobili play smarter on the offensive end. It's like he's seeing the game three or four beats ahead of everyone else

How Manu sees the game these days is nothing short of amazing. His passing, vision and court awareness often reminds me the way John Stockton saw and played the passing game.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

How Manu sees the game these days is nothing short of amazing. His passing, vision and court awareness often reminds me the way John Stockton saw and played the passing game.

True, good comparison. This is why I believe Manu could be very effective even at an older age as a rich man's Brent Barry. He's not finished at all after his contract is up.

[therealtruth]

True, good comparison. This is why I believe Manu could be very effective even at an older age as a rich man's Brent Barry. He's not finished at all after his contract is up.

His passing is great but we need him to regain his aggressiveness before the playoffs. But you can imagine the passing ability the starting lineup would have with TP,Manu,SJ,TD,TS? Everyone would be a good passer, high bbiq, ability to make plays. They could pick teams apart. And on defense they would be very good. If the Spurs can give that lineup plenty of minutes I like the chances for #5.

[TDMVPDPOY]

we up 20pts or any lead for the matter, why do we always do stupid with leads, either its turnovers or wankers looking at padding up their stats, its not like their minutes will decrease etc...

jacksons last 2 baskets where he created for himself, certainly he was pissed at many open opportunities where he was free that no one passed it to him cause someone on the team was chucking....

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

His passing is great but we need him to regain his aggressiveness before the playoffs. But you can imagine the passing ability the starting lineup would have with TP,Manu,SJ,TD,TS? Everyone would be a good passer, high bbiq, ability to make plays. They could pick teams apart. And on defense they would be very good. If the Spurs can give that lineup plenty of minutes I like the chances for #5.

Agree with you but it seems a given Pop will not play TD with Tiago too long together. However, getting Diaw and starting him next to TD would still make it a very good passing 5.

Also, we now have a very good lineup for small ball. People don't like small ball, obviously, but it can be very effective when the personnel is right and with Kawhi and Jax at forward it could potentially be a big difference maker in Spurs favor.

[Slippy]

True, good comparison. This is why I believe Manu could be very effective even at an older age as a rich man's Brent Barry. He's not finished at all after his contract is up.

We share the same belief. I reckon the Spurs feels the same way too.

On offense he hardly relies on athleticism. On defense, im quite happy to see him relax a bit more and cheat if he has to. Tim does it quite a bit but more than makes up for it in other facets of his game. Plus Pop seems ok with it and all great players ramp it up when they have to.