Grades: Spurs @ Celtics - Apr. 4

[silverblackfan]

Oh, and the refs did suck tonight. Thought someone was going to get hurt the way they were swallowing their whistles.

[timvp]

B- for Neal? wow, too generous LJ.

I wanted to grade him worse but a 19-2 run with little to no help from TP or Manu ... and that big three at the end made me change my mind. How many times has TP had a negative plus/minus in the starting lineup and Manu a negative plus/minus off the bench yet the Spurs still win? Probably never.

Tonight it happened because of Neal's explosion in the second quarter.

[gambit1990]

Is it annoying that Tiagos minutes are the biggest eye sore every night?

yes.

[The ADMIRAL 50]

Pop D
Honestly, it just didn't feel like Pop ever had command of his troops. He tried pushing buttons in the second half ... but nothing worked. He literally never found a combination that showed any amount of cohesion in the final two quarters, which is a rarity for Pop. I thought playing Duncan 34 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back when he wasn't moving well was much reckless. I also think Jackson should have played more and that he should have given Boris Diaw a look in the second half, especially because the ball-movement had stopped and that's Diaw's specialty. To Pop's credit, I thought he was crazy to send Bonner into the game at the end but that ended up being the right call. And Pop having the sense to keep trotting out Ginobili despite the struggles paid off with a couple key plays at the end.

Great points I felt the same way with Diaw, it seemed like he coulve helped settle us down some and help get some easy looks in that second half when we were forcing it left and right but he never got the call.

I disagree with your conclusion on Bonner's crunch time presence, though. While Matt did somewhat redeem himself with the ten footer off the Manu scoop pass, his presence on the court on the defensive end was deadly. There were back to back plays at the very end where he wound up matched up on Paul Pierce (blow by drive and dish) and Avery Bradley (blow by drive attempt leading to a put back) that lead to buckets for Boston. Both were very bad places to fail to get the stop. Boston went small with KG-Pierce-Allen-Bradley-Rondo to close the game and I thought it was strange that Pop left Bonner in with Duncan when I really, really thought he needed to sub in Kawhi. He came through when needed with the hit, but I'm still not sure that makes staying with him over the course of the last few minutes tonight the right call.

Manu deserved your grade completely. That said, this observation is also spot on. Manu came up very big at the end with a couple of clutch plays of just the variety that Manu normally comes up with. More proof tonight of how incredible he is as a basketball player even on a night where nothing is going right.

[TE]

Aside from that offensive explosion, Neal's defense on Avery Bradley was absolutely pathetic to say the least. It kind of got him going in that first half. I looked up the second half points totaled per player and Neal scored 10. -- with a notably timely one coming towards the end of the game. Neal's turnovers (coupled with his lack of defense) throughout the game, particularly in the second half during the Celtics failed comeback, are what make me question a B-. If I was to give him a grade, it'd be more around a C- tops.


Neal played a Richard Jefferson-like game (when he's on fire), the timely shooting at the end of the game notwithstanding.

[Borosai]

+/-!

[The ADMIRAL 50]

B- for Neal? wow, too generous LJ.

I agree 100%. As I said elsewhere, in a game full of ty play Gary really stood out for playing ty.

I get your perspective as you further stated above Timvp, but he really did lose it for awhile there. The amount Pop trusted him out there shows how much he knows Neal is always ready to change his fortunes by hitting the big shot, and Gary rewarded his coach tonight.

[Splits]

+/-!

Bonner's first double/double in 367 days

[timvp]

And TBH, Pop's D is also a little too high imo.

He deserved an F.

But I agree with TriggeredExcellence.

But c'mon now. We only had an 11 point lead at the half and hung on to win our 9th straight against the 2nd hottest team in the league. 15/17 on the road and 26/31 overall. And the coach gets a D? The fact that we even have 13 players who are healthy and can contribute/start is an accomplishment of its own. Our defense only gave up 38 pts in the 2nd half while nothing was falling on offense. You can't just suggest Pop "should have given Boris Diaw a look in the second half" and expect a double-digit win. Pop can't shoot the ball. The offense was horrible. But the two goats, Bonner and Neal, both avenged themselves in the end. Pop deserves a B- at worst

I'm sure there will be strong feelings both ways regarding Pop's coaching on this night. I can understand both stances ... so I decided to split the difference.

[skin]

Thanks for the grades.

As for Pop, I'd say F-. Terrible rotation.

Tim Duncan is 35 but he played 17 minutes in the first half + 10 more minutes in the 3rd quarter. I'm not saying Splitter>Duncan, but looking at their numbers (MPG) it seems Splitter is the old guy or at least Pop thinks he is. We need Tim healthy for Playoffs as well as Splitter capable of playing at least 20 minutes of BB.

Can't understand either why Diaw didn't play. Ok, Matty had a good night but IMO Blair/Bonner are one of the worst PF rotation in the league.

And also why did Pop play Manu for so long? I'm a big fan of his but yesterday may have been the worst game of his career.

[Dex]

Thanks for the grades. Great read, blah blah blah.

But c'mon now. We only had an 11 point lead at the half and hung on to win our 9th straight against the 2nd hottest team in the league. 15/17 on the road and 26/31 overall. And the coach gets a D? The fact that we even have 13 players who are healthy and can contribute/start is an accomplishment of its own. Our defense only gave up 38 pts in the 2nd half while nothing was falling on offense. You can't just suggest Pop "should have given Boris Diaw a look in the second half" and expect a double-digit win. Pop can't shoot the ball. The offense was horrible. But the two goats, Bonner and Neal, both avenged themselves in the end. Pop deserves a B- at worst

Disagree. While the Spurs were playing passable defense (for their current standards) and controlling the boards, the Celtics still managed to get plenty of open shots in the 2nd half. They just weren't hitting them. They missed a number of wide open jumpers and bunny layups, and also left 7 points at the free throw line. Let's not kid ourselves...the Spurs are really just lucky that the Celtics went as offensively inept as they did at the same time, or that game gets real ugly real fast.

The reason this game really became a contest again is because the Spurs just went colder than the cold Celtics. On most nights, that's not going to cut it. And Pop seemingly did nothing to try to remedy it. He just kept using the same lineups that, while effective in the first half, seemed offensively inept in the second half. It was the definition of crazy: trying to do the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. , even the final play was ugly...first we needed a tough offensive rebound from Ginobili even to get the shot up (after another broken play), and then you end up going to Matt Bonner in a bad spot at the shot clock in the clutch? I'm pretty sure the Celtics would live with that.

When you've got one of the deepest benches in the league, that's exactly the time to go to it. And the funny thing is, some of the options might have been able to help on defense just as much as offense. Not only could Diaw have helped the discombobulated offense with his passing, but he's also defended long fours well thus far, and Garnett was one of the Celtics doing damage in the second half. Splitter was one guy that Boston was having a hard time solving and was doing well patrolling the paint, and he got only 14 minutes. Need a quick guard who can hit some shots and keep up with the likes of Rondo and Bradley? Doesn't Mills fit that bill? I know we can't say any of these would have been surefire answers, but as pathetic as things were looking out there, they were worth a shot imo.

I can live with the D because Pop was right (lucky) with a few of his calls and coached well enough to win a tough game, but he really didn't do too much to help the team win tonight.

[timvp]

Can't give Bonner too much credit for boarding, IMO. He was playing against midgets for the most part.

I thought that accounted for his rebounding total too but it turns out he got six of his ten boards when Boston had a big lineup in.

[Beanzamillion21]

I fear this may be our playoff rotation folks.

[TheSkeptic]

I fear this may be our playoff rotation folks.

So you're saying we're doomed.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I thought Pop deserved an A fire benching Tony and leaving neal in, cuz Parker would have air balled that three.
But since it was outta necessity cuz Parker was hurt, I say Pop gets a B at best

[SenorSpur]

Now that, was a fun game to watch. Sure it wasn't dominant or flashy like the Cavaliers game, but this is a fantastic game for the Spurs to build on. Great learning experience going up against such an elite defensive oriented team. Our offense really suffered and stalled in the 2nd half and almost led to our defeat. Luckily for us, they're horrible on offense, below average rebounding team, and have no bench. We did a great job capitalizing on their weaknesses by out rebounding them by 14 and applying enough pressure to force Boston to play a 6 man rotation.

Some negatives:

Bonner - I didn't gain an inch of confidence despite his final shot. In the 2nd half, Bonner was 0-4 from 3pt line and made some gigantic mistakes in the 4th. Thankfully, it wasn't ALL bad - but if Ginobili didn't beast an offensive rebound, proceed to throw his body into 3 Boston defenders and find a wide open Bonner from 15 ft, I would have lost all faith in Matty.

Despite him hitting the last shot, the manner in which Bonner clanked those second-half shots (open looks too) is reminiscent of his many memorable playoff performances. It appears that the Red Rocket is rounding into playoff form.

[Cow Eye]

Despite him hitting the last shot, the manner in which Bonner clanked those second-half shots (open looks too) is reminiscent of his many memorable playoff performances. It appears that the Red Rocket is rounding into playoff form.

And I bet that single clutch shot just earned him 30 minutes a game in Pop's eyes...

[Splits]

Disagree. While the Spurs were playing passable defense (for their current standards) and controlling the boards, the Celtics still managed to get plenty of open shots in the 2nd half. They just weren't hitting them. They missed a number of wide open jumpers and bunny layups, and also left 7 points at the free throw line. Let's not kid ourselves...the Spurs are really just lucky that the Celtics went as offensively inept as they did at the same time, or that game gets real ugly real fast.

We scored more points in the 2nd quarter than in the 2nd half with a 10-man rotation, all playing 14+ minutes and our big-3 sucking

The reason this game really became a contest again is because the Spurs just went colder than the cold Celtics. On most nights, that's not going to cut it. And Pop seemingly did nothing to try to remedy it. He just kept using the same lineups that, while effective in the first half, seemed offensively inept in the second half. It was the definition of crazy: trying to do the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. , even the final play was ugly...first we needed a tough offensive rebound from Ginobili even to get the shot up (after another broken play), and then you end up going to Matt Bonner in a bad spot at the shot clock in the clutch? I'm pretty sure the Celtics would live with that.

Well, they lived with it and they lost! Again, how many ways can you mix 10 players? Should Pop have gone 11/12/13 deep, trying to find someone who can pull the trigger at that moment, during a 2 minute sprint? Or stick with the guys digging you in and out of the hole (Bonner, Neal), and watch them bail the team out with clutch buckets in the last 2 minutes?

When you've got one of the deepest benches in the league, that's exactly the time to go to it. And the funny thing is, some of the options might have been able to help on defense just as much as offense. Not only could Diaw have helped the discombobulated offense with his passing, but he's also defended long fours well thus far, and Garnett was one of the Celtics doing damage in the second half. Splitter was one guy that Boston was having a hard time solving and was doing well patrolling the paint, and he got only 14 minutes. Need a quick guard who can hit some shots and keep up with the likes of Rondo and Bradley? Doesn't Mill fit that bill? I know we can't say any of these would have been surefire answers, but as pathetic as things were looking out there, they were worth a shot imo.

I can live with the D because Pop was right (lucky) with a few of his calls and coached well enough to win a tough game, but Pop really didn't do too much to help the team win tonight.

How many teams run a 10-deep bench, giving them all 14+ minutes? Pop sets expectations before the game, whether or not you're going to get burn or going to play spurts. This was a game he decided to give guys burn. No subs played under 14 minutes... it was a game of attrition, he recognized it, and the dudes who everyone was ing about in the game thread made the last 5 points to seal it. Game over. 9 in a row. In Beantown's motha ing house. Suck my St. Patty. Ballgame.

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

I thought that accounted for his rebounding total too but it turns out he got six of his ten boards when Boston had a big lineup in.

From what I remember (and from the Celtics commentators constantly pointing out) the C's never really crashed the boards. After shots, they were getting back on defense.

[SenorSpur]

I wanted to grade him worse but a 19-2 run with little to no help from TP or Manu ... and that big three at the end made me change my mind. How many times has TP had a negative plus/minus in the starting lineup and Manu a negative plus/minus off the bench yet the Spurs still win? Probably never.

Tonight it happened because of Neal's explosion in the second quarter.

Now that Neal is playing backup PG, he can sometimes be as maddening as Manu. With his terrible passes, ill-advised shots and costly turnovers, he made he want to throw stuff at the TV.

Then, he magically hits those clutch shots and all is forgiven.

Great writeup, as always.

[ajballer4]

Im starting to get worried about Parker's shot selection. Dude seriously needs to stop shooting 3s

[freetiago]

our starting lineup is the worst lineup we put out on the floor
were probably the only team in the history of the nba who can say that

people are being to harsh on neal
ya he had turnovers and his defense wasnt great but neal still tries
unfourtunately neal plays a position with some of the fastest players in the league and gets burned
his 2nd quarter was insane
making tough shots and throwing all the right passes
he led the team in assists and he hit the big shot, bigger then bonners
everyones shot was off tonight and everyone fumbled the ball so i cant fault neal specifically for that

i dont have to cover the tiago thing since everyone else did
his teammates didnt help either though
they kept trying to make bailout passes to him after their failed penetration he couldnt catch

once again though rondo continues to make jumpers vs us and only us
even drained a contested 3 while dancing around at the end of the clock
his 7th of the season
refs also werent calling anything tonight
kevin garnett gets away with too much
he set multiple moving screens on danny then danny gets called for the foul
the duncan getting mauled on his drive attempt then brandon bass jumping into parker and getting his free throws
garnett taking out ginobili on a screen
and rondo flopping into ginobili for free throws on a pump fake when there wasnt even contact
and ginobili doing the same and getting none

[anakha]

our starting lineup is the worst lineup we put out on the floor
were probably the only team in the history of the nba who can say that

people are being to harsh on neal
ya he had turnovers and his defense wasnt great but neal still tries
unfourtunately neal plays a position with some of the fastest players in the league and gets burned
his 2nd quarter was insane
making tough shots and throwing all the right passes
he led the team in assists and he hit the big shot, bigger then bonners
everyones shot was off tonight and everyone fumbled the ball so i cant fault neal specifically for that

i dont have to cover the tiago thing since everyone else did
his teammates didnt help either though
they kept trying to make bailout passes to him after their failed penetration he couldnt catch

once again though rondo continues to make jumpers vs us and only us
even drained a contested 3 while dancing around at the end of the clock
his 7th of the season
refs also werent calling anything tonight
kevin garnett gets away with too much
he set multiple moving screens on danny then danny gets called for the foul
the duncan getting mauled on his drive attempt then brandon bass jumping into parker and getting his free throws
garnett taking out ginobili on a screen
and rondo flopping into ginobili for free throws on a pump fake when there wasnt even contact
and ginobili doing the same and getting none

That was positively ducks-esque.

[Spurs da champs]

I'm not discounting Bonner's double double(actually I am) but realize this that the Celtics are the worst rebounding team in the league, as they made Bonner look like Moses Malone. But if this really is the Playoff rotation then don't expect the Spurs to get far in the post season.

[Mel_13]

From what I remember (and from the Celtics commentators constantly pointing out) the C's never really crashed the boards. After shots, they were getting back on defense.

The Celts are last in the NBA in offensive rebound % and the Spurs are first in the NBA in defensive rebound %. Still, holding a team to 4 offensive rebounds is an impressive feat. That's also the 2nd time in three games that the Spurs allowed only 4 offensive rebounds (and that against Indiana which is 7th in the league).