Quick Grades: Spurs vs. Thunder - March 11

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Kawhi is blossoming right before eyes.

There have been a couple of plays recently where Kawhi is taking guys off the dribble, crossovers and then pulling up for a jumpshot. This guy can now take it to the rack, shoot the three and has a midrange game!

Dare I say he reminds me just a little bit of Kevin Durant.

[TD 21]

I thought OKC playing Durant at the 4 would be an issue and prevent us from playing Duncan/Splitter, but Pop was able to let Splitter shadow their worst offensive player (in the stretch I remember, Fisher) and leave Kawhi on KD. If Splitter or help defenders can essentially prevent his man from getting off open threes, it's such an advantage on the other end of the floor where Durant is forced to body up TD/Tiago.

Now when it comes to Miami, Lebron's just a different animal playing at the 4. But we can worry about that when the time comes.

I knew it wouldn't. Unlike the Heat, who can go to Chalmers/Cole, Allen, Wade, James and Bosh, which would prevent the Spurs from playing Duncan/Splitter simultaneously, the Thunder lack that extra wing threat that would do so. Instead, they've got one of two classic "hiders", Sefolosha/Fisher, to fill that role.

As for the result, I'm not surprised. I thought they'd win and do so relatively comfortably, too. I thought this before the Trail Blazers debacle and my belief was further cemented following that. It also helped that the Thunder were playing their 4th game in 5 nights and that the Spurs were coming off of 2 days off.

The biggest takeaway from this game for me is, they didn't win because Duncan or Ginobili played out of their minds (in fact, outside of Splitter, no one really did . . . you could argue Green, but he's had plenty of games where he's shot lights out), nor did they win because they shot lights out from three. They won because of two strengths of this team, superior scoring depth and stout defense, meaning this is a repeatable formula. That makes the win all the better.

[tesseractive]

Once you lower that shoulder, and lean into him he can't do a thing. Collison is the best defender (and big man) on that team IMO.

If Tiago can bring that every night in the playoffs, we might force OKC to bring Ibaka off the bench, which would hurt them in other ways.

Of course, I think we should also extend some credit tonight to the real unsung hero tonight: Matt Bonner. Without him contributing to the win by doing what he's most effective at, there's no way we notch this victory.

[cd021]

If Tiago can bring that every night in the playoffs, we might force OKC to bring Ibaka off the bench, which would hurt them in other ways.

Of course, I think we should also extend some credit tonight to the real unsung hero tonight: Matt Bonner. Without him contributing to the win by doing what he's most effective at, there's no way we notch this victory.

Splitter looked good in the post. Its interesting to see how diverse the offense is without Parker. More post plays for Twilight and Kawhi and Icy Hot playing with the ball in their hands.
Ibaka does has an intimidation factor. Diaw was looking to put up a shot quickly at the rim. Hoping he wouldn't get blocked. OKC is quicker when he is in the game. Perkins should get benched for Collison. I read somewhere he has the worst T.O % in league history. He reminds me of the guy you pick on a pick up game and all your teammates agree to not pass him the ball before the game starts.

It fascinates me how in one series Bonner could be a rotation player but in another series he could be a bench warmer while Blair gets burn. And in another series both gets benched for Diaw and or Jackson.

[LakerHater]

[Pasta Batman]

Also Diaw should have a better grade. he got a few ticky tack fouls, but his offense in the second half was critical, especially with OKC made their run.

[Pasta Batman]

I knew once he was "healed" Neal would be back in the rotation stinking it up at the PG spot. He's so predictable, can't dribble and picks up the ball way to quickly and gets trapped easily. What a liability in the playoffs if he's at the PG spot instead of coming off the bench for a few bubble screen 3s. The guys just a better version of Roger Mason Jr.

Well CJ has to start right now, so Neal has to play. Now, if CJ can keep up his competent play, he has a chance.

[dylankerouac]

Come on, man. Green's second-half defense was great. I don't know if he allowed a bucket in the fourth outside of Westbrook's uncontested fast-break near the end of the game. Green was the third-leading scorer, the second-leading assist-disher, tied for first in steals (and should have had five) in addition to shooting 67 percent. It's a legitimate argument that he was the second-best player on the Spurs tonight.

And Green had that nice dunk, not enough props for the guy who had trouble finishing only a few weeks ago.

[MR-Clutch]

I think the spurs took some notes from the heat. They were playing rough defense on durant,and harassed him every time he had the ball, even at half court. They were frustrating him, and made him make a lot of decisions with the ball.

With each passing game, Kawhi continues to make me question what his ceiling is. His dribbling,jumpshot, and fundamentals just looked so fluid and he's becoming more confident each game. I find myself constantly wanting the ball in his hands just to see how much of much of load he can carry us on offense. I honestly believe he has the talent, smarts, and work ethic to be a top 10-20 player in this league.

If we beat OKC in a series it's going to be because the medium 3 step up to the spotlight.

[Pasta Batman]

I think the spurs took some notes from the heat. They were playing rough defense on durant,and harassed him every time he had the ball, even at half court. They were frustrating him, and made him make a lot of decisions with the ball.

They no longer have Harden, their guy they could fall back on. They'll miss that in the post season. Now Durant and Westbrook have to carry a bigger load.

[Obstructed_View]

It's looking like, barring further injury, Mills and De Colo have front row seats for the playoffs.

[Pasta Batman]

It's looking like, barring further injury, Mills and De Colo have front row seats for the playoffs.

CJ's doing a pretty good job on a more consistent basis. That's big for him, bad for them.

[therealtruth]

Hopefully TP's return doesn't kill Kawhi and Tiago's aggressiveness. Pop could have developed Tiago more last season. That's all on him. I called him out at the time that not developing Tiago was a mistake that would cost them in the playoffs. You need to be able to score from the low post in the playoffs. It allows you to control the game more.

[Obstructed_View]

CJ's doing a pretty good job on a more consistent basis. That's big for him, bad for them.

Precisely. Neal showing signs of both life and health are also going to hurt them.

[tasmanianfan94]

So glad we won today after that abysmal loss to the Blazers

[Brazil]

I pretty much agree with those saying Tim's grade is too high and Diaw's one is too low.
I am fine with Manu getting a C, he had a tough night but he was key at some critical moments and contributed positively overall imho

[Brazil]

Bustell Westbrick A++

One of his best outing for the Spurs. Getting raped by Gary Neal in D was decisive for the outcome of the game. His relentless pursuit of his own shot was also key to help the good guys limit KD O production.

[therealtruth]

CJ's doing a pretty good job on a more consistent basis. That's big for him, bad for them.

I'm wondering if CJ can hold the backup PG spot when TP returns of if he goes back out of the rotation. At least Pop is continuing to start him in favor of Neal.

[EVAY]

Duncan's grade was way too high, imo. He was hesitant and poor on defense all night. Nothing better than a C, imo.

Ginobili had a couple of brain farts, to be sure, but he always brings energy (which is more than Tim has done for the last several games).

Cojo had 2 basket attempts and one assist to three fouls and he gets a B+? Come on, had DeColo had those stats he would have been roasted in the grades.

Cojo has to be more aggressive on offense in the playoffs to be the backup, or teams will just sag off of him. If you beat up on Diaw and deColo for not taking many shots, I don't know how you can reward Cojo for the same thing.

Diaw was better than his grade, imo.

[rjv]

i loved the stare down pop gave manu after manu's hideous pass to leonard that sailed out of bounds. the best thing about this win is what it showcased-the big 3 lacked parker and manu and tim were supporting actors. this was all about joseph, splitter, green and leonard. that's a of a young future squad one can build around !

[travis2]

Pretty obvious to me that, barring injury, Gary is the backup PG on this team. Don't think theres anything Cory can do about it outside of playing like a superstar for the next couple of weeks.

Neal may have been the backup PG on paper, but most of the time he actually played SG, with Manu picking up the PG role. Which Manu can handle fine as long as he's not smoking something like he was last night.

It's looking like, barring further injury, Mills and De Colo have front row seats for the playoffs.

Agreed. De Colo evidently has himself in Pop's doghouse between his erratic play and his unwillingness to take a Toros assignment. Mills can play the point, but CoJo is better, imho.

Seems to me the final PG rotation is/should be TP/CoJo/Manu. Let Neal play SG like he's supposed to. If Mills and Manu are on the court at the same time, they could conceivably switch off.

[rjv]

Neal may have been the backup PG on paper, but most of the time he actually played SG, with Manu picking up the PG role. Which Manu can handle fine as long as he's not smoking something like he was last night.



Agreed. De Colo evidently has himself in Pop's doghouse between his erratic play and his unwillingness to take a Toros assignment. Mills can play the point, but CoJo is better, imho.

Seems to me the final PG rotation is/should be TP/CoJo/Manu. Let Neal play SG like he's supposed to. If Mills and Manu are on the court at the same time, they could conceivably switch off.

i love manu but he pissed me off last night with his constant shaking his head and throwing his hands up in the air. he just seemed out of focus although he never stopped competing. and de colo is on his way to being the next beno if he doesn't watch it.

[Obstructed_View]

De Colo has a fraction of the talent Beno has. Beno was lazy, and the Spurs made a mistake thinking they could coach that out of him. De Colo may or may not be a legit NBA caliber player, but likely can't be on a team that's rediscovered defense.

[rjv]

De Colo has a fraction of the talent Beno has. Beno was lazy, and the Spurs made a mistake thinking they could coach that out of him. De Colo may or may not be a legit NBA caliber player, but likely can't be on a team that's rediscovered defense.

i would say de colo is a better passer and ball handler but beno was a much better shooter. just not sure if de colo is the party animal beno was.

[superbigtime]

Good things happen when Bonner doesn't play.