Grades: Spurs vs. Clippers - Game 1

[TMTTRIO]

I still think Manu could've played a lot better but it was good to see him getting involved tonight. Onse thing I've noticed is his very reduced minutes. Tonight he only played 26 minutes. So is this going to continue for the rest of the year.

[DBMethos]

Boris Diaw had a whale of a game.

I c wut u did thar

[100%duncan]

Should've put copyright/watermark,tbh.

[pgardn]

Tiago's FT shooting saved him from an F.

Take a bow son, what on God's green earth...?

We move the ball around better than any team in the NBA. When we got it going, its a thing of beauty. No highlights for excellent off the ball movement, spacing, and passing if it does not end with a thunder dunk.

And we are doing this with new players inserted. Its pretty damn amazing.

[Horse]

Did it seem like Pop went away from Diaw even though he had a great game? I guess cause the clips went small. Anyway even with a double-digit win we know these Spurs will play alot better from here on out, keep the broom on standby.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I still think Manu could've played a lot better but it was good to see him getting involved tonight. Onse thing I've noticed is his very reduced minutes. Tonight he only played 26 minutes. So is this going to continue for the rest of the year.

he came on and did alot of stupid , even though he score +18, it felt like he got these pts out of somewhere while not makin any highlight plays...

im surprised they didnt play martin alot of minutes, his the only one that could play any form of defense on our bigs until his emotions get the better of him...

[ALVAREZ6]

I think Manu deserves slightly lower than an A-, did not play well enough imo to get any type of A. He took a couple of bad shots and ed around with that one three at the top of the 3 PT line trying to draw a foul leading to another basket for the Clips in part of their run.

I'm a little concerned with Manu because he still hasn't come close to playing to his potential offensively. He mainly just shoots 3s and sometimes drives but even when he drives he's still not 100% at finishing. And perhaps he's lost a step or two and can't shake defenders off and get by them as quickly. He's also rarely shooting mid-range jumpers, which is something he's added to his game over the last few years.

[gameFACE]

Kawhi = the real ROY. His play is a big reason the Spurs are able to maintain a high level of play. Sure he's hit a few rookie walls this season. But to contribute what he does on this team, and in the playoffs no less, gets him ROY.

(but congrats to whoever got it.......)

[EVAY]

Dude, the Clippers went full court press on the bench, which took the Spurs pick n roll away. This is really easy to counter. Have Tiago and Sjax set double screens (one right after the other) going up the court on Bledsoe or Mo Williams. Pick them hard. Have Neal or Manu go up the court full speed, right around each pick, this will cause one-on-one matchups with Evans/Martin on Neal or Manu and both will eat those guys for lunch.

Pop will make the adjustments and make the Clips pay for being overly aggressive.

And for Parker, they are just doubling and it hurt them with TD and Diaw hitting their jumpers. But to really negate this, just have Green or Leonard Spot at the top of the Key or close to the wing, have Duncan/Diaw set the pick. As soon as they continue to double, Duncan/Diaw cut to the post, Parker make the quick pass either to Duncan/Diaw if open. But if Kwahi or Green guys drops to defend them then pass it to either of them. If their defender don't step up, shoot the 3 ball. if they do step up, pass it back down low to Duncan or Diaw for a two on one in the post.

The Clippers put up their best effort last night and it wasn't enough. They have so many holes on their D to exploit its not funny. I am sure Pop will make alot of adjustments come Thursday where we might see another 30 pt Game 2 shalacking.

Really good observations. Well said.

[lefty]

Great read

[OldSilentHill]

Good post but Manu deserved a B+(can do way better).

And Boris Diaw an A+ like Duncan ????? C´mon!

[OldSilentHill]

Double post.

[EVAY]

Hey, Timvp:

I often disagree with one or more of your observations/grade write-ups, but I have to say that I thought every one of these was spot on! Not suggesting that you need/want any encouragement from me...just thought I would pass along praise since I so frequently pass along differences.

Thanks for doing these.

[EVAY]

Hey, Timvp:

I often disagree with one or more of your observations/grade write-ups, but I have to say that I thought every one of these was spot on! Not suggesting that you need/want any encouragement from me...just thought I would pass along praise since I so frequently pass along differences.

Thanks for doing these.

[EVAY]

One thing overall...Tim totally deserves the A+ from last night.

As a couple of us noted before the series began, given the nature and talent of the Clippers big me, he should easily be the MVP of this series. He was HUGE last night, and will continue to be so, I believe.

[GSH]

Hmmm, not really what I would say.

Here are mine, you will notice they're quite different:

--------------------------------------------------

After more than 7 days of rest, the Spurs were back on the court. And for the 15th straight game, San Antonio's work resulted in a W. While the Clippers showed a lot of fight, the Spurs were able to coast with ease to a 108-92 victory.
...
--------------------------------------------------

As you can see the differences are subtle, but I feel quite meaningful.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go talk to my editor.


P.S. Can you do these a little sooner next time? I'm way past my submission deadline.

Oh, holy ! This is so brutal, but so funny at the same time.

[EVAY]

I seems that it always takes Tony a couple of quarters to get the defense of a good team figured out. So I wasn't surprised or upset when he started the way he did last night. Patience is a good thing in those situations. I think the offensive spacing saved us last night from some nightmare scenarios that could have occurred with other teams, and that almost occurred with Neal.

We have got to stop Neal from bringing the ball up. Manu just has to be the ball handler, or even Jackson...but Neal is a liability against a team like the Clippers, who are quick with their hands and feet. We need him out there for scoring, but somebody else has to be the ball handler.

[Old School 44]

Great write-up, great win!
With the layoff, I think in the first half, the Spurs were just shaking the rust and getting reaquainted with playoff game speed. On Thursday, I expect fewer turnovers and an even more convincing victory.

[Mr. Body]

It's just filthy the Spurs got Boris Diaw for absolutely nothing. Thanks for tanking it up on the Bobcats, Boris!

[ginobilized]

Just out of curiosity, did James Anderson warrant a grade?
I was surprised to see him in the first quarter and thought
he did pretty well.

[John_Carroll]

off!!!
Find your own forum to pilfer!

[_jin]

hum, he played 4 sec in the 1st quarter and had one stupid foul

[jiggy_55]

Good shooting made up for dumb passes and defensive lapses. I expect the team to be far better on Thursday.

I thought the lineup of Neal, Manu, Jack, Why and Splitter was promising. You've got good defenders, good rebounders, good shooters and the two guys that do the best job of getting the ball to Splitter in good spots.

I wouldn't expect much better shooting, we were rolling from deep.. But I would expect less mistakes and turnovers, and the same type of defensive effort.

[FvckMavs]

Thanks, John...

[rmt]

It's just filthy the Spurs got Boris Diaw for absolutely nothing. Thanks for tanking it up on the Bobcats, Boris!

I wonder if he purposely did that. He must talk to TP about how well he would fit in beside Duncan given the Spurs' weakness up front.