Grades: Spurs vs. Sixers - Mar. 25

[Ice009]

I'm actually wondering what Diaw's playing weight should be for the Spurs. I thought he might still be a little overweight before he suited up for the Spurs and should look at losing some weight, but now I am not sure at all. This playing weight has some advantages when he is setting screens and holding his ground on defense.

What do you guys think?

I also think Diaw has been pretty good on offense. His passiveness to shoot the ball hasn't bothered me at all so far. He's a very good play maker and can really set up others quite well, and with the weapons we have that's a good thing. I do want him to take wide open shots though, but other than that I like Diaw's game on the Spurs.

[Obstructed_View]

Although Diaw does pass a lot, a majority of the time they are great passes for open shots. His ability to drive and dish is a nightmare match up against immobile bigs. One thing everyone has mentioned before but wasn't something I initially expected, was the screens he sets off the ball to create shots for his teammates. Basically overall he is filling for that "Oberto" type role on the team.

The Spurs have a lot of great PF/C passers on this team (Diaw, Timmy, Splitter, Blair). And overall have a lot of great playmakers, I'm not worried about this roster going into a close game.

We'd discussed Diaw passing up shots when he was signed, but the shots I've seen him pass up most often result in an even better shot. He's also a very good screen setter. I'm really looking forward to watching some of these lineups get comfortable playing together.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Phillies?

Good catch

[DAF86]

Jackson's shots looked awful tonight, you could see they weren't going in as soon as the ball left his hands.

P/S: Don't think I didn't notice Manu's slip in your grades list

[ace3g]

And that is the difference between RJ and SJAX:

RJ had to score double figures (mostly 3s) to make an impact, SJAX can still score double figures without his 3 point shot falling and also play defense, get assists. I doubt we win the game vs Hornets with RJ.

[ElNono]

Thanks for the writeup LJ!

[angelbelow]

Thanks for the grades. Had to mul ask while watching the game so I missed a lot of the details.

But from what I saw, this was a really fun game to watch. The Sixers are ranked #1 in defensive efficiency, opp FG% and opp PPG and we really diced them up.

A few things I caught:
-Jack was like -18 when I started watching. He trimmed it to -8 pretty quickly by making plays for his teammates, driving the ball hard to the basket and either scoring or getting to the line and hitting an open 3. It wasn't all good though, I watched him turn the ball over and brink open 3s, but he never stopped trying.
-Blair did have a really ugly stretch early in the 3rd there. I though to myself "typical..." He was forcing shots, slow to rotate and out of control. But he proved me wrong by turning around and finishing out the 3rd quarter in excellent fashion.
-Wasn't sure if Diaw was going to show up as the above average defender he was in Phx or the lazy mofo reputation he received in Charlotte. But outside of getting burned by Carl Landry on a few plays, his defense has been very solid and should keep us fans optimistic.

[DAF86]

And that is the difference between RJ and SJAX:

RJ had to score double figures (mostly 3s) to make an impact, SJAX can still score double figures without his 3 point shot falling and also play defense, get assists. I doubt we win the game vs Hornets with RJ.

Agreed, but still it would be nice if he finds his stroke come playoffs time.

[ace3g]

We already talked about that SJAX overall 3 pt % isn't noteworthy, yet if it is a pressure 3, aren't too many other players on this team I want taken that shot

[Solid D]

Matt Bonner amazingly punked Spencer Hawes. He outscored Spencer and outrebounded him. Bonner also created 2 or 3 turnovers in that matchup. Matt deserved the A- grade.

[CitizenDwayne]

Matt Bonner amazingly punked Spencer Hawes. He outscored Spencer and outrebounded him. Bonner also created 2 or 3 turnovers in that matchup. Matt deserved the A- grade.

Yeah it's hard to think of a more favorable matchup for Bonner than Spencer Hawes.

[jjktkk]

Coach of the year, possibly, but still coach who refused to play Splitter last season. It's still not too late to play Manu in a meaningless game at the end of the regular season and get him injured either.

I'm more than glad the Spurs are taking advantage of their depth and talent, but let's not act like this erases everything that's ever happened.

So what your saying is Pop is a good coach, but? Whats the point? Are you looking for a mistake-free coach? Pop has his issues, but I would think its pretty obvious that his positives outweigh his negatives by a considerable margin.

[jjktkk]

Thank you Tim for the grades and writeup.

[DrSteffo]

Props to the TEAM. Also props to Pop. I just hope this doesn't make him repeat the old mistake of trusting Bonner and Blair in the POs.

[TDMVPDPOY]

u know that full court press Green does when the other team inbounds the play, i wonder if he can do that all game....since we have so much depth on the roster, wouldnt hurt to have him full press aggressive hounding the pg bringing the ball up....

[Kurik]

Thanks for the writeup.

[jiggy_55]

Great writeup as always timvp!

[Ginobleed20]

Thanks for the writeup timvp! I must add that Jack's offense at the beginning of the second quarter (ball-stopping, turnovers) really killed the spurs offensive momentum and enabled the sixers run. As much as I love what he brings to the table, he deserved a lower grade (if grades are based on expectations)

[angelbelow]

u know that full court press Green does when the other team inbounds the play, i wonder if he can do that all game....since we have so much depth on the roster, wouldnt hurt to have him full press aggressive hounding the pg bringing the ball up....

Disagree, Green doesn't have the speed to keep up some the elite guards so he shouldn't risk defensive position by playing a full court press. Good intentions but I'd rather he focus on his half court D.

[benefactor]

Thanks for the grades. Feels good to come out of this stretch 3-0. Let's make it 5-0 starting tomorrow.

[silverblackfan]

It was a great game for showing that the Spurs can play some very effective swarming defense. Long time fans have got to be excited with that.
The offense has just become a nightmare for other teams to plan for. Every position is a threat and I can't remember a time when the team was this potent.
Jax and Diaw are smart players and playing with a lot of heart and energy. Huge upgrade on the wing. As others have mentioned, I have not been bothered by Diaw's weight at all. He is using it well.

I do have to admit that the starting line up with Blair and Bonner spooked me.

[jag]

I'm actually wondering what Diaw's playing weight should be for the Spurs. I thought he might still be a little overweight before he suited up for the Spurs and should look at losing some weight, but now I am not sure at all. This playing weight has some advantages when he is setting screens and holding his ground on defense.

What do you guys think?

I also think Diaw has been pretty good on offense. His passiveness to shoot the ball hasn't bothered me at all so far. He's a very good play maker and can really set up others quite well, and with the weapons we have that's a good thing. I do want him to take wide open shots though, but other than that I like Diaw's game on the Spurs.

His playing weight doesn't seem to affect his mobility so I think it will only be a problem if it affects his stamina late in games. I doubt he'll play big minutes so I don't see that being a huge problem.

[Old School 44]

The difficult stretch of games isn't over yet. After a day off tomorrow, the Spurs have a back-to-back on the road that begins in Phoenix and ends in Sacramento. My fingers are tired just from typing these grades for a third consecutive day so let's hope the Spurs have fuel to finish this exhausting stretch in style.

Thanks again for the summary/grades.
So are you sitting out after this Tuesday's game?

TIMVP........ DNT.......Tired Fingers

[Mr. Body]

I expect Jackson is really trying to get acclimated and his shot will get more comfortable. As it is, he's getting in the mix in other ways, which is far more than Jefferson could ever do.

[Keepin' it real]

Matt Bonner A-
... Bonner ... was able to use his mobility advantage to find open looks ...

There's something you may never see again, Bonner with a mobility advantage.