Game Thoughts - Spurs vs. Mavericks Round 1 Game 1

[superjames1992]

Parker had six assists, tbh. That's par for the course for him and there were some missed shots by the role players that could have been additional assists, too. I thought he was fine in that regard.

I thought it was disappointing that he decided to disappear for the middle portion of the game, but that's often what you get from him. He'll start out on fire, disappear, and then show up again late. It's just the way it is.

[gilmor]

Sorry but I have to disagree with your assessment of the Big 3's effort (and even Tiago).

If anybody kept the Spurs afloat it was Parker in the first half. Carlisle admitted his strategy was to prevent the Spurs from scoring 3s, which worked, but Parker made him pay for it by relentlessly attacking the paint. Parker built the Spurs lead to +12, and as soon as he was on the bench the lead quickly disappeared. He came back at the end of the 2nd to yet again keep the game close. If not for Parker the Spurs would have been down by 10+ at the half.

Then Manu ran the show in the 3rd and the Spurs stalled, but he had 2 threes that were much needed. Parker then had a huge assist to Splitter (from memory) followed by 2 quick baskets at the end of the 4th, when Manu had 2 turnovers, including one pass directly into the stands.

The fact that the Mavs bench scored twice as many points as the Spurs bench is somewhat worrisome. Hopefully it was only a fluke.

Duncan and Tiago were great. Tiago wasn't looking for his own shot, but scored back-to-back baskets in the 4th to help cut Dallas lead. He was huge in this game.

Bro Chilled.. Doesn't matter what they said in this Forum.. Bottom line, Spurs win.

If we were to win the Championship (a long and faraway shot), you and I know who will be the MVP

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

You kill the guy's grade for the first quarter?

And for being nowhere in sight for the first half of the 4th. Kawhi had more to do with getting us over the hump than Parker did IMO

[T Park]

And for being nowhere in sight for the first half of the 4th. Kawhi had more to do with getting us over the hump than Parker did IMO

You need to go rewatch the fourth quarter....

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If you're mad because Tony got a B for overdribbling and being unable to get the team started in the first quarter as the PG, awesome. Cry about it and write something better

Overdribbling? Did you bother to look as to where the opposing defenders were positioned or were you just sitting there counting as Tony was putting the ball on the floor? He had one turnover on 6 assists and shot 56%.

And why is Manu not held to the same overdribbling/getting his teammates going standard? He shot 40% and only got 3 dimes while coughing it up 4 times which included his boneheaded forced passes inside that teams have been sitting on for two years now. Trying and failing is not the desired outcome.

[will_spurs]

If you're mad because Tony got a B for overdribbling and being unable to get the team started in the first quarter as the PG, awesome. Cry about it and write something better

Are we talking about the 1st quarter during which Parker scored 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting with 1 rebound and 1 assist? Or are we talking about some other 1st quarter?

If Parker had tried to "get the team started" (and since everybody else was shooting like crap to start the game, we know how that would have ended), you would have said "Parker was his usual pussy self for not abusing a wide open way to the hoop and instead decided to gift his teammates with tough shots".

At this point you might as well write "Tony did the job, but I still don't like him".

[Em-City]

The word you're looking for is uninterested. Disinterested means objective, without bias.

interchangeable given the context tbh

[SpurAddict561]

Our bench won't get outscored by 20 again....

[wildbill2u]

When Parker is "over dribbling" out front, he is looking over the defense to spot the weakness and decide where and how to attack it. Manu does the same thing. They are smart, crafty, veteran players. You don't see Pop going ballistic about it so he probably understands what they are doing and approves.

We can't expect Dirk to go 4-14 again in any game, missing some wide open shots he can make in his sleep. On the other hand, the Mavs can't expect Green, Bellinelli and Mills to shoot that badly either (or can they?) This will be Marco and Patty's first real playoff experience where they are expected to play some meaningful minutes. They have to get over the pressure, but Frankly, if I had to pick one of those three who might fold under playoff pressure it would be Green, even after his remarkable shooting against the Heat last year. Somehow he is just too 'wussy' and streaky for me.

[Mel_13]

When Parker is "over dribbling" out front, he is looking over the defense to spot the weakness and decide where and how to attack it. Manu does the same thing. They are smart, crafty, veteran players. You don't see Pop going ballistic about it so he probably understands what they are doing and approves.

We can't expect Dirk to go 4-14 again in any game, missing some wide open shots he can make in his sleep. On the other hand, the Mavs can't expect Green, Bellinelli and Mills to shoot that badly either (or can they?) This will be Marco and Patty's first real playoff experience where they are expected to play some meaningful minutes. They have to get over the pressure, but Frankly, if I had to pick one of those three who might fold under playoff pressure it would be Green, even after his remarkable shooting against the Heat last year. Somehow he is just too 'wussy' and streaky for me.

Patty yes, but Marco has played meaningful playoff minutes before. He started in 13 of his 18 previous playoff games.

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

Are we talking about the 1st quarter during which Parker scored 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting with 1 rebound and 1 assist? Or are we talking about some other 1st quarter?

If Parker had tried to "get the team started" (and since everybody else was shooting like crap to start the game, we know how that would have ended), you would have said "Parker was his usual pussy self for not abusing a wide open way to the hoop and instead decided to gift his teammates with tough shots".

At this point you might as well write "Tony did the job, but I still don't like him".

Yes I ing hate Tony Parker. Especially when my Daughter's name is Parker and yes because of Tony Parker. Dumbass

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

I almost forgot how bad the Tony vs Manu factions are on this board lol. Staying away the last few months was a good idea

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

When Parker is "over dribbling" out front..

Ah, so this must have been why he wasn't pulling the trigger on those open jumpers he had available in the first quarter. I was wondering why on Earth he wasn't taking open shots there and was continuing to get in the paint

[TE]

A better username would've been "TacoPalenqueFajitas"...other than that TCF be murdering s in the paint tbh

[will_spurs]

Yes I ing hate Tony Parker. Especially when my Daughter's name is Parker and yes because of Tony Parker. Dumbass

That shows some dedication. Your assessment of Parker's play in that game was still off the mark as far as I'm concerned (and as far as a couple of other posters are concerned as well).

That doesn't mean you should stay away from SpursTalk or prevent you from writing up the grades next time. I've done it before and know it's tough. I'm glad you took the time to write your thoughts, but you can't expect them not to be challenged, and I'm under the impression that I back up my criticism. As to the trash talk, I feel I'm well within the boundaries of what is usually going on (and has been going on since forever) on this board.

EDIT: and for the record yes I'm partial when it comes to Parker: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135000 - which doesn't mean I'm a Manu hater by a long shot. The Tony vs Manu constant debate around here tires me to no end as well.

[hater]

Manu B+

please

Manu gets a C+ at best. Dude was mas-o-menos at most

Parker should get an A along with Duncan and Splitter. I don't see how he possibly deserves less credit for the win than the other 2 bigmen

[hater]

The grades make it hard to take you seriously. Carlisle forced Parker to beat them and he did especially in the first half. IOW, Parker carried us.

truth bomb tbh

[wildchild]

Good read! Thanks TacoCabanaFajitas!!

Maybe Leonard's 4th defensive quarter and double-double -rebounding effort- deserved more than C+.
About Tony and other guys said of his second half, I don't think that was Tony's disappearing act. The Mavs made some defensive adjustments at halftime and I expected another guy to step up, expected more from Patty, who was our X factor in last game at Dallas.

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

That doesn't mean you should stay away from SpursTalk or prevent you from writing up the grades next time. I've done it before and know it's tough. I'm glad you took the time to write your thoughts, but you can't expect them not to be challenged, and I'm under the impression that I back up my criticism. As to the trash talk, I feel I'm well within the boundaries of what is usually going on (and has been going on since forever) on this board.

I don't care about the criticism, but it's always some whiny ass people that turn it into a Manu vs Tony thing. Pathetic members of this board, and one of the many reasons this place is dying. So far 5 people or so disagree with Tp's grade and a bunch of others haven't said anything. It's all opinion and none of it matters but if you're coming to criticize at least be ready to debate it rather than "This is bull , he should have a 9 next to his grade!" It all boils down to one thing, do you think Tony played his A game? Do you think Manu played is B game?