Grades: Spurs @ Lakers - Apr. 17

[Obstructed_View]

Matty threw a forearm into Bynum's chest on a switch. The plan was clearly to lean on Bynum and tire him out. It worked to perfection. While wearing him out, you need length to counter him. He makes Duncan look like a little kid so having Splitter on the floor is absolutely essential. Great move by Pop. Hope it's not too late for them to get some rhythm together.

[timvp]

That's not Tiago's real grade, that's just you being super happy that he got to start, he couldn't make a FT to save his life, was more foul happy than Boris, threw a wild behind the back pass to Nicholson and managed to end up -8 in a blow-out win . Stats don't tell the whole story but the expectations for Tiago can't low enough that he deserves a B for this showing imo.

Given that Splitter hadn't played meaningful, non-accidental minutes next to Duncan in weeks (or has it been months at this point, I've lost count) and was thrown into the fire in a game the Spurs really needed to win, I thought he did about as well as could have been expected. Splitter has no chemistry with Duncan ... and that was painfully obvious. But in his first stint, the Spurs were able to out-rebound the Lakers -- which was obviously a huge change from the last game.

Most of Splitter's minutes this season have been as a center who gets to run pick-and-roll just about every possession. To think he'd seamlessly transition to a power forward who could play off the ball would be naive. Besides, the template for the Spurs' success this season has been for the starters to keep it close and then for the bench to come in and begin to wear the other team out.

Sure, Splitter could have done better and would do better in the future if given more chances to learn how to play next to Duncan. But given the cir stances at hand, I thought he did pretty well last night.

[TwoHandJam]

Jackson's physicality seemed to bother World Peace

Didn't anyone else find this line funny?

Great job on the grades again timvp.

[TJastal]

Given that Splitter hadn't played meaningful, non-accidental minutes next to Duncan in weeks (or has it been months at this point, I've lost count) and was thrown into the fire in a game the Spurs really needed to win, I thought he did about as well as could have been expected. Splitter has no chemistry with Duncan ... and that was painfully obvious. But in his first stint, the Spurs were able to out-rebound the Lakers -- which was obviously a huge change from the last game.

Most of Splitter's minutes this season have been as a center who gets to run pick-and-roll just about every possession. To think he'd seamlessly transition to a power forward who could play off the ball would be naive. Besides, the template for the Spurs' success this season has been for the starters to keep it close and then for the bench to come in and begin to wear the other team out.

Sure, Splitter could have done better and would do better in the future if given more chances to learn how to play next to Duncan. But given the cir stances at hand, I thought he did pretty well last night.

The important thing now is just get the two familar enough with each other that they can coexist on the floor without being a major detriment out there. Obviously great chemistry isn't going to happen immediately.

I've got confidence in Tiago and believe that once he gets comfortable playing in a lineup with Tim Duncan the miscues (that were obviously due to nerves) will stop altogether and the spurs will benefit greatly having this option to go to in the playoffs.

[SA210]

No offense but did you read what you quoted? All I said in what you quoted was that I hope Pop plays Duncan/Splitter more often. I didn't say anything about the effectiveness of the pairing. In fact, the quote insinuates that they didn't do very well since they have to learn how to coexist. Your "no bearing on reality" take has no bearing on the quote, tbh.

Splitman4evah was making things up again

[bklynspursfan]

Nice write up.

Tiago did well, and mainly cause he boxed out and really helped keep those guys off the boards. I don't necessarily care for his lack of offense that quarter it wasn't needed. Running P&R's was getting it done and TP was on fire. He's in there to defend, box out and rebound. Anything else is bonus. I would love for him to start a few more games with Timmy but don't see that happening.

On another note, I really enjoyed Inside Trax with TP. Funny guy that TP is

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Last night was awesome

confidence is back

Ftl

[vander]

-8

[vander]

I've only seen highlights, but it looks like a lot of the points the Lakers scored were difficult and contested, impressive.

[crc21209]

Awesome job as always timvp. Gotta love the rotation Pop threw out there last night. No Blair = perfect. I was also very impressed with Bonner, one of his best games as a Spurs tbh (considering it came against Gasol and Bynum)....

[Mugen]

-8

I've only seen highlights, but it looks like a lot of the points the Lakers scored were difficult and contested, impressive.

Pointing out Tiago's +/-. Didn't even watch the game.

[vander]

Pointing out Tiago's +/-. Didn't even watch the game.

still a fact

[pad300]

...

Most of Splitter's minutes this season have been as a center who gets to run pick-and-roll just about every possession. To think he'd seamlessly transition to a power forward who could play off the ball would be naive. Besides, the template for the Spurs' success this season has been for the starters to keep it close and then for the bench to come in and begin to wear the other team out.

...

Actually, were I coaching, would be having Splitter and TD switch roles between the defensive and offensive sides. On D, Splitter takes the "mobile" big, the PF role, while TD guards the paint. On offence, however, I would let Splitter stay in his comfort zone, playing C off the pick and roll. Duncan has far more skills than Splitter, especially jumpshots, so he's a better fit for the offensive PF role. Letter Splitter set screens on the P&R, while Duncan uses his B-ball IQ and skill level to play off the ball movement for Tony...

[Splits]

No offense but did you read what you quoted? All I said in what you quoted was that I hope Pop plays Duncan/Splitter more often. I didn't say anything about the effectiveness of the pairing. In fact, the quote insinuates that they didn't do very well since they have to learn how to coexist. Your "no bearing on reality" take has no bearing on the quote, tbh.

Fair enough, I stand corrected.

I do find it quite interesting that there is no mention of the fact that Splitter got benched to start the 2nd half in place of Diaw. Pop almost always starts the same 5 in the 2nd half, despite their effectiveness in the first (see Blair, D all season). The kid-gloves treatment of needing time to "build chemistry" and the "season 90% over" comments are a bit annoying when a guy who has been with the team for less than a month seems to have no problem integrating and playing with the starters, yet when one with a season and a half of corporate knowledge has trouble, it leads to "irritation" with the coach because he "wasted so much of the season not building chemistry". These guys are paid big money to be ready anytime anywhere to go out and perform. But whatever, I understand you have to appease your most vocal audience here (Pop haters) even if they represent a tiny minority of Spurs fans globally.

[Mugen]

still a fact

Another fact:

Blair in the starting lineup: 14 point loss at home
Splitter in the starting lineup: 21 point victory on the road



I hope the NBA doesn't schedule any Spurs games at the same time as Glee so you can actually watch the game next time.

[polandprzem]

Well coach Brown was honest about his grades:




Thanks to BRHonets45 for the idea!

Mike was really pissed.

[vander]

Another fact:

Blair in the starting lineup: 14 point loss at home
Splitter in the starting lineup: 21 point victory on the road



I hope the NBA doesn't schedule any Spurs games at the same time as Glee so you can actually watch the game next time.

obviously sitting Blair helped, but just FYI, to get that 21 point win, the Spurs had to outscore the Lakers by 29 points in the 30 minutes Tiago wasn't out there

[timvp]

Thought starting Splitter was odd and risky.

Perhaps it was odd and risky but only because Pop has neglected that pairing so much. Duncan and Splitter are mobile and talented enough to play together, IMO.

Starting Diaw is the clear choice and I'm not sure if there is anyone (nasf, gnsf) left who would be against it.

I'm fine with Diaw starting. Though, against the Lakers, I'd still prefer Duncan and Splitter. Diaw is bigger than Blair but he's still a small bigman.

Splitter would have started the second half if not for his foul trouble. It'll be interesting to see if Pop starts him again on Friday. I obviously think he should.

I'm actually a big fan of Kobe.

Speaking of Kobe, I'd put the chances of him playing against the Spurs on Friday at about 99.999%. He loves being the hero and now that the Lakers looked vulnerable without him, it the perfect chance for him to come "save the day".

Well coach Brown was honest about his grades:




Thanks to BRHonets45 for the idea!

Actually, were I coaching, would be having Splitter and TD switch roles between the defensive and offensive sides. On D, Splitter takes the "mobile" big, the PF role, while TD guards the paint. On offence, however, I would let Splitter stay in his comfort zone, playing C off the pick and roll. Duncan has far more skills than Splitter, especially jumpshots, so he's a better fit for the offensive PF role. Letter Splitter set screens on the P&R, while Duncan uses his B-ball IQ and skill level to play off the ball movement for Tony...

Even if they switched roles on offense, with Duncan on the floor (and Parker and Leonard, to a lesser extent), there is still much less spacing than what Splitter is used to. Splitter is accustomed to being surrounded by four sharpshooters. So even if he gets to run pick-and-rolls with the starters, it's a totally different type of rolling because the lane will be more clogged.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Friday is going to be a battle.... Spurs still need to keep that embarassing loss to the Lakers firmly in mind come friday.... I fear that if we get out of hand again for the Lakers that Bynum, or maybe even Blake, will do something stupid and really hurt one of our guys out of frustration.

blake was already getting quite chippy with Manu towards the end there and Bynum was visibly livid in the post game interview.

Yeah, they had a couple dirty moves last night. Did you or anyone else happen to catch Barnes' elbow to Manu's ribcage after he shot and drained a three?

[Mel_13]

Speaking of Kobe, I'd put the chances of him playing against the Spurs on Friday at about 99.999%. He loves being the hero and now that the Lakers looked vulnerable without him, it the perfect chance for him to come "save the day".

ESPN agrees:

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/s...be-bryant-helm

[TJastal]

Fair enough, I stand corrected.

I do find it quite interesting that there is no mention of the fact that Splitter got benched to start the 2nd half in place of Diaw. Pop almost always starts the same 5 in the 2nd half, despite their effectiveness in the first (see Blair, D all season). The kid-gloves treatment of needing time to "build chemistry" and the "season 90% over" comments are a bit annoying when a guy who has been with the team for less than a month seems to have no problem integrating and playing with the starters, yet when one with a season and a half of corporate knowledge has trouble, it leads to "irritation" with the coach because he "wasted so much of the season not building chemistry". These guys are paid big money to be ready anytime anywhere to go out and perform. But whatever, I understand you have to appease your most vocal audience here (Pop haters) even if they represent a tiny minority of Spurs fans globally.

Don't forget, Diaw and Parker have played together on the french national team for years plus they (the french national team) borrowed alot of the spurs sets, so he has a built-in advantage already.

[Splits]

Splitter would have started the second half if not for his foul trouble.

Do you really believe this? Since when is having 3 fouls at the half "foul trouble"?

[Fabbs]

Gary Neal A-
Everyone knows Gary Neal isn't a true point guard. But if he can play like he did tonight more often, he could be an incredibly valuable piece of the puzzle in the playoffs. I really liked how he played on both ends. Offensively, he played to his strengths and kept it simple. When Neal was asked to create, he looked to score himself and only passed if the Lakers brought help. It's not exactly a complicated scheme but it works well when Neal is running the show since he's such a talented scorer. Defensively, he was much better than usual. I liked his closeouts and he was usually able to keep his man in front of him.

Neals game last night.
Lakers started the 4th with 7 straight points by Barnes and World Puss. Both of these assholes were feeling chesty and as the lead was *cut" from 19 to 14, visions of Popped going into fetal mode was within the realm of possibility. Spurs offense looked confused and unagressive.
Enter Neal. Did a nifty fake 3 to get rid of Blake, drove it towards the hoop and when a tree was in his way he did that nifty stop and pop-running-one-footed jumper. Killed Flamer momentum, brought it back to Spurs.

[Splits]

Don't forget, Diaw and Parker have played together on the french national team for years plus they (the french national team) borrowed alot of the spurs sets, so he has a built-in advantage already.

It's a fair point. I just think Splitter has better chemistry with Manu and the 2nd unit, and his role should remain as Tim's backup. People dismiss the importance of the bench and act like once the playoffs commence it is a non-factor. It won't be as big of a factor because the starters will obviously play more minutes, but it is still vitally important. And it is the primary reason the Lakers have zero chance of winning a chip this year.

[polandprzem]

lj you know pop likes to use diferent stuff before playoffs.

On friday we can see Bonner in s5, although I do not think so.

I wonder how lakers will respond now being so pissed about that one loss.


However if everything will go spurs way and they will be able to take no 1 spot. The chances to win the West are big IMO - having LA and OKC on the same bracket.