Darius Bieber's Game Grades: Spurs at Hornets (Nov 23, 2016)

[Chinook]

After Coach Popovich expressed his disdain for his team's play against the Mavericks on Monday, the Spurs hoped to look energized again on their first of three road games. They were a perfect 7-0 on the road prior to this game. The Hornets, on the other hand, are having a bit of a rough stretch. Although they maintain the third place in the East, they have had a season filled with winning streaks and losing streaks and are currently on a cold spell: losing two in a row coming into this one, most recently against the Grizzlies.

The Game in Review

This game featured a ton of lead changes and ties throughout the game. Neither team held a double digit lead at any point. It felt like a grit 'n grind type of game; not one you would expect against the Hornets. Spurs jumped to a quick lead early, but (as the rest of the game would go) the Hornets tied it up within two minutes.

Kemba Walker (who is having a career year in all stat categories) was held to just 11 points heading into the Fourth Quarter. However, he doubled his point total with tremendous play in the last few minutes. This included a four point play after being fouled by Parker when the Spurs were up 7 (Danny Green had just sinked a what-seemed-to-be dagger three pointer).

Contrary to what many posters on here believe, the Spurs' late game execution was nearly perfect. They had forced a five-second inbound violation on Belinelli, Parker came up with a clutch steal and subsequent three pointer after. The only flaw in the final two minutes was an ill-advised pass by Parker to Green. (The pass crossed half-court, but Green's foot was barely out of bounds).

In all, a very good "gut" victory which the Spurs needed against a very decent Hornets team.



GAME GRADES

Tony Parker: B

While Tony's statline was generally lack luster, (11 points in 29 minutes, going 30% from the field) I felt his play in the final two minutes warranted his B grade. He forced a costly turnover against Kemba Walker and then drained a corner three seconds later. He also nailed all 4 clutch Free Throws to ice the game. His defensive effort could have been better, he did seem to be quite late on rotations early in the game. As many people on this board know, I'm not the biggest Parker fan... But I do have to give him props for his play in the final few minutes. Also, only getting 3 assists as a starting point guard for a contender is worrisome.

Danny Green: A-


This was a great game by Danny Green. He went a very respectable 4-7 from three point land (two of them came in crunch-time). His early game play was great as well. His cuts to the basket led to some easy buckets early. He played great defensively and was very alert. His help defense on Kemba Walker through the first three quarters was excellent (Walker was held to 11 points coming into the third). This is exactly the type of game we need from Danny Green going forward if the Spurs want to make a run towards the finals.

LaMarcus Aldridge: B+

LaMarcus was our second highest scorer tonight, going 8-17 from the floor. I thought his low post play was pretty decent in this game. I didn't give LaMarcus an A rating due to the fact that the Hornets' frontcourt had injury problems and expected LaMarcus to feed. Getting 23 points from 17 shots is decent enough.


Kawhi Leonard: A

This was an excellent showing by our star player. He had a good touch on his shots and didn't force it too much (although, it can be argued he did force his three point shots as he did miss one in crunch time when we had more than enough time on the shot clock). This wasn't his best game defensively, though, getting his grade from an A+ to an A.

Pau Gasol: C+


He still looks a bit uncomfortable down there. He didn't seem to get in a rhythm all game, and he needs to in order to be effective. He did share the ball well and have great court vision on the offensive end, with a team leading 5 assists. Defensively, though, he was a struggle. His effort on the glass was abysmal too, there were two instances where it feels like his legs are stuck in molasses when a rebound is near him.


David Lee: B-

He did well off the bench. Don't let the -5 fool you, it was an up-and-down game all night. Showed great effort on both the offensive and defensive end.

Davis Bertans: A-

We finally got to see Bertans' silky stroke. Nailed all of his three point attempts (each barely hitting the rim) and also had a breakaway dunk. Definitely his best game as a Spur. He did have a few turnovers I didn't like. He forced a pass to Simmons (who Bertans thought was cutting, but didn't). That'll get buffed out once he becomes more familiar with his teammates.

Patty Mills: C+

Not Patty's best game. He did hit a timely three pointer and had a nice change-of-pace on the offensive end, but not much else. It's not that he was bad, it's just that he wasn't THAT good either. An above average C rating seems like the right fit.

Manu Ginobili: C-

Didn't have much to contribute. Not a good game for Ginobili. He went 1-6 from the field (only bucket was a three), he felt off. Of course, he did hustle the classic Manu way.

Jonathon Simmons: INC/D+

He has certainly not repeated his outstanding performance against the Warriors so far this season. Pretty empty stat-line with 14 minutes of play. Missed a few cues on offense (notably the Bertans turnover) and had a few defensive lapses.

Kyle Anderson: INC

Only played for a minute or so. Not much to contribute. Didn't cost us the game, so that's a plus.


Gregg Popovich: B-

Not many in-game adjustments. Good late game execution though, not what a lot of us were expecting.

[Chinook]

If the le didn't give it away, this are from Darius Bieber, not me.

Thanks for the grade. I will say that those TOs between Simmons and Bertans were Simmons' fault. You don't fake a back-door cut unless it's part of the play. Green used to get yelled at by Pop for doing that. If you make eye contact and start to move, you have to go. I loved that wrap-around pass to Lee. I agree that David was better defensively than some people want to make him out to be. The lack of a legit guard to play next to Green and Leonard is still present, even if Parker is subbing for that player adequately right now. Would be awesome to have an Eric Gordon to put in with the others.

All in all, I liked the game quite a bit. Beating a good team on the road is never easy.

[Darius Bieber]

Tried to get this out quickly after the game, since I expected not many posters would be able to watch the game. (Early start time + Thanksgiving activities).

[GSH]

Good write-up and much appreciated - especially so quickly after the game. No reason to nitpick the grades. I was a little more negative about our starting bigs. And I've already made my disgust with Pop known, so I won't re-re-repeat.

A pretty representative set of grades, and good comments behind them.

[Seventyniner]

Tried to get this out quickly after the game, since I expected not many posters would be able to watch the game. (Early start time + Thanksgiving activities).

Much appreciated.

[Darius Bieber]

Much appreciated.

No problem, enjoy!

[$pursDynasty]

Good work DB

[Darius Bieber]

Good work DB

Thanks homie!

[TheGreatYacht]

Good write up from fellow pinked poster, Darius Bieber tbh.

Only part I disagree on was Lee, thought he was terrible aside from that one fast break layup

[elemento]

Thanks for the grades man.

Feel that Pau deserves a better grade. Despite not putting so many points, I think he played well overall. To me the entire bench was crap today, except for Bertans.

[RD2191]

Bold the biebs.

[RD2191]

Good write up from fellow pinked poster, Darius Bieber tbh.

Only part I disagree on was Lee, thought he was terrible aside from that one fast break layup

Why do you always say you're pinked? Your name looks fine to me.

[Darius Bieber]

Why do you always say you're pinked? Your name looks fine to me.

His and my name are slightly darker shades of grey, almost black.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Great write up but a B is way way too high for Parker. Loved his efforts in the final minute, but this was headed for being his worst game in some time.

[All Mighty Janitor]

These are great. Very accurate write up.

[Darius Bieber]

Thanks for the grades man.

Feel that Pau deserves a better grade. Despite not putting so many points, I think he played well overall. To me the entire bench was crap today, except for Bertans.

No problem!

I do understand that Pau's grade could be higher. But his lack of effort (or perhaps how it looks like his lack of effort, could be age) just got to me. There were at least two instances were I thought he could have at least attempted for the defensive rebound, but didn't - and the offense got it.

But I agree, bench was apart from Davis.

[Darius Bieber]

Great write up but a B is way way too high for Parker. Loved his efforts in the final minute, but this was headed for being his worst game in some time.

True. If we had a PG such as Walker this game wouldn't be this close. But Parker did basically ice the game for us, so I gave him some extra credit for that.

[Darius Bieber]

These are great. Very accurate write up.

Thanks!

[Amuseddaysleeper]

True. If we had a PG such as Walker this game wouldn't be this close. But Parker did basically ice the game for us, so I gave him some extra credit for that.

Fair enough, and once again great write up my man

[TheGreatYacht]

Why do you always say you're pinked? Your name looks fine to me.

We can't make threads, check our notifications, or click on profiles. Idk if it happened by accident (because my threads were great) , but yeah we're pinked

[Darius Bieber]

Fair enough, and once again great write up my man

Thanks homie!

[Raven]

David Lee was a straight up F imo and none deserves more than a B- tbh..

[Darius Bieber]

We can't make threads, check our notifications, or click on profiles. Idk if it happened by accident (because my threads were great) , but yeah we're pinked

Mods were probably jealous of the threads you were making and took away your power

[timtonymanu]

Bold the biebs.

This. Also good write up, homie

[Darius Bieber]

This. Also good write up, homie

Thanks bruh