Grades: Spurs vs. Warriors - Jan. 4

[TE]

A couple of questions. What lineup finished the game? Is Green better defensively than KL? If so, why?

Depends on match-ups. Green looks better on smaller players while KL would look better guarding bigger guards/smaller forwards.


Green looks a bit more tenacious on D while KL relies more on his length to bother who he's guarding.

[FkLA]

People willing to forget their beloved Parkers horrible outing bc of the last 3-4 minutes

The Spurs were in a hole in large part because of him, with Manu out the Spurs depend on his scoring and playmaking more than any other player. He wasnt bringing any of that and was getting torched on the other end. He was probably the worst starter on the floor for the first three quarters and thats saying alot considering how bad Andersen was. Ford, Green, and RJ brought them back. The Spurs were already up after an RJ three by the time Parker got hot.

[TDMVPDPOY]

People willing to forget their beloved Parkers horrible outing bc of the last 3-4 minutes

The Spurs were in a hole in large part because of him, with Manu out the Spurs depend on his scoring and playmaking more than any other player. He wasnt bringing any of that and was getting torched on the other end. He was probably the worst starter on the floor for the first three quarters and thats saying alot considering how bad Andersen was. Ford, Green, and RJ brought them back. The Spurs were already up after an RJ three by the time Parker got hot.

tell that to his homer fans who only care the end 3minutes riding green/tj for the win...

[LongtimeSpursFan]

A couple of questions. What lineup finished the game? Is Green better defensively than KL? If so, why?

Green is better defensively because he moves he feet well thus he is able to keep in front of his man. I have always liked players that are able to shuffle feet quickly but also through short quick steps. This allows them to change direction quickly when need be. I also like players that keep their feet close to ground. Too many player raise their feet too high and thus not fast enough to change direction. Also, Green has long arms and anticipates well. He was able to get in the passing lane well and come close to stealing the ball but he could also anticipate when player was going up for the shot so he could contest. Finally, I like his willingness to stick his nose in the players face and play straight up in your face defense. This seemed to aggravate Ellis after a while. Ellis also seemed to force up shots a little more quickly in anticipation of Green blocking shot. Green also had a good effort against Rubio on Monday.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Green is better defensively because he moves he feet well thus he is able to keep in front of his man. I have always liked players that are able to shuffle feet quickly but also through short quick steps. This allows them to change direction quickly when need be. I also like players that keep their feet close to ground. Too many player raise their feet too high and thus not fast enough to change direction. Also, Green has long arms and anticipates well. He was able to get in the passing lane well and come close to stealing the ball but he could also anticipate when player was going up for the shot so he could contest. Finally, I like his willingness to stick his nose in the players face and play straight up in your face defense. This seemed to aggravate Ellis after a while. Ellis also seemed to force up shots a little more quickly in anticipation of Green blocking shot. Green also had a good effort against Rubio on Monday.

hopefully KL plays defense like this instead of giving his man 1metre in radius to do whatever they want....

[DAF86]

IMO he didnt look scared...he looked pretty aggressive early on. He just doesnt have NBA level athleticism.

I agree he looked aggressive looking for his shot but looked scared while taking them, if that makes any sense.

[therealtruth]

It seems like Pop should have put Green on Kevin Martin in the Rockets game. He looks like he might be able to fulfill a Bruce Bowen type of role where you put him on the best perimeter player. I always assumed KL would be the successor to Bowen. I actually thought the Spurs were going to try RJ in that role when they first got him.

[DAF86]

Despite of the energy he displayed on defense and a couple of great plays on that end, Green didn't strike me as a very good defensive player, it seemed to me like the Warriors ran right past him in many plays.

[ElNono]

Despite of the energy he displayed on defense and a couple of great plays on that end, Green didn't strike me as a very good defensive player, it seemed to me like the Warriors ran right past him in many plays.

I thought he did great considering he was playing against Monta ing Ellis and Monta had typed "godmode" at the start of the game.

He's not going to get every stop, but he shadowed him well and really hounded him. Considering what Anderson brought to the table so far, he looked like an instant upgrade.

[scottspurs]

T.j. Ford a+

[DMC]

I am going to go ahead and... yeah.. disagree with the Bonner assessment. He had 3 boards in 16 minutes. Gary Neal had the same number in the same minutes.

Don't be fooled by Matt's fake hustle. RC Buford crashed more boards than Bonner.

Best thing about Bonner, 16 minutes only. Thanks RJ and Green.

[ElNono]

I am going to go ahead and... yeah.. disagree with the Bonner assessment. He had 3 boards in 16 minutes. Gary Neal had the same number in the same minutes.

Don't be fooled by Matt's fake hustle. RC Buford crashed more boards than Bonner.

Best thing about Bonner, 16 minutes only. Thanks RJ and Green.

I thought Matt had 2 good plays the entire game. That challenge at the rim early, and the 3 pointer at the end.

But as long as his minutes stay in the 15 min area, I won't complain too much.

[therealtruth]

I like the idea of Pop playing the better defenders. In the past he might not have played Green because of his lack of offense. He's also reduced Bonner's minutes. If the defense continues to get better I think the offense will take care of itself.

[dylankerouac]

An enjoyable hard fought win that I look forward to re-watching on my DVR.

With Manu out for a bit Tony will be able to have a larger leadership role, hopefully he cleans up his game as the season wears on. Even though people will endlessly complain about his play he shot just under 50% on his field goals, 78% on his FTs (above his career average, yes it's a small sample rate but bottom line is it's still above his career average), his assist to turnover ratio was also better than his career average. He may have made some mistakes here and there but Tony played lights out, by the way he has one less turnover than Manu for the season with an extra game under his belt yet I don't hear anybody constantly complaining about Manu's mistakes. Manu was able to make it up offensively but at the same time the big three have always claimed to let whoever is on fire to continue to be on fire. It's not like one of the other two (Tony and Tim in this case and notwithstanding Tim's decline) to disagree and force their will on the team to make sure they get force fed into a Kobe night - all those feeds eventually start falling and numbers average out at the end of the night. I can see that people would be disappointed that Tony was not on fire to start the season because of his playing time in France but unfortunately Manu was hotter; that's no reason to give Tony a hard time for not making Manu get out of the driver seat.

I look forward to more hard fought wins like this to give our young team more character.

[mookie2001]

splitter was an F, how could anyone give him a passing grade for that turd of a game?

he played so badly in fact the warriors game should probably end his career, pro players dont recover from games like that. his performance was absolutely oppressive to the human condition

[Fireball]

For comparison:

http://www.48minutesof .com/final...spurs-warriors

[mathbzh]

tell that to his homer fans who only care the end 3minutes riding green/tj for the win...

Say the hater who can't give credit where it is due.

Parker was indeed horrible to start the game (and does not deserve more than a C-). But you could have enough class to acknowledge he was clutch.

[Russo21]

Danny Green was awesome + 10 did fantastic

TJ will be a great backup to Tony, 8 assists in 20 minutes, perfect effort from a backup PG + 16

Tony 20 and 8. did well but didnt shoot so well but happens. Was clutch though!

RJ nailed his threes, got to the line only once, what happened to him attacking the rim? But still happy with Jefferson tonight + 21

Duncan was fantastic 15pts 11 reb 3ast 3block 66%

Splitter disappointed me same with bonner and leonard and neal.

Allin all good game. Very happy for TJ and danny green. Big block by green on Eliis with 1 minute left probably saved the game for us. Very happy for him. Lookin forward to the new guys stepping up in manu's absence.

Please lock Tiago in the weight room.

[analyzed]

hopefully KL plays defense like this instead of giving his man 1metre in radius to do whatever they want....

We have to be careful about this, using Green at the expense of Kawhi's development can bite us down the road. We know the Warrior's game Green played beyond his ceiling. While I am certainly for including Green into the rotation we have to do not at the expense of Kawhi. Pop and his staff have to figure this out. Here is a clue, RJ played 38 min today, tomorrow B2b don't expect him to continue to go 100 % from three. More so I would'nt use him more than 25 minutes. and I would give the remaining minutes at SF to Kawhi. that should continue his development.

BTW while green is a better defender on Ellis, I think Kawhi stands a better chance on Dirk tomorrow. In fact I think he would be the ideal defender on dirk. We just don't have PF that are mobile enough.

[TDMVPDPOY]

We have to be careful about this, using Green at the expense of Kawhi's development can bite us down the road. We know the Warrior's game Green played beyond his ceiling. While I am certainly for including Green into the rotation we have to do not at the expense of Kawhi. Pop and his staff have to figure this out. Here is a clue, RJ played 38 min today, tomorrow B2b don't expect him to continue to go 100 % from three. More so I would'nt use him more than 25 minutes. and I would give the remaining minutes at SF to Kawhi. that should continue his development.

BTW while green is a better defender on Ellis, I think Kawhi stands a better chance on Dirk tomorrow. In fact I think he would be the ideal defender on dirk. We just don't have PF that are mobile enough.

Green is gettin the jax treatment, that 2nd year experience in the spurs system is panning out...he can only get better...

should lock him up on a very cheap long term contract, we cant afford to let this guy go


as for KL, his passiveness on offense or not enough touches is killing his offensive game, spurs shouldnt be forcing him to only become a spot up shooter, he should be ISO down low like his college games....whatever happen to all that offense?

[TJastal]

Green is gettin the jax treatment, that 2nd year experience in the spurs system is panning out...he can only get better...

should lock him up on a very cheap long term contract, we cant afford to let this guy go


as for KL, his passiveness on offense or not enough touches is killing his offensive game, spurs shouldnt be forcing him to only become a spot up shooter, he should be ISO down low like his college games....whatever happen to all that offense?

Not like it would matter, he'd get pawned trying to take it at nba level defenders in the post. Playing in the mountain west conference made him look pretty darn good.

I see his ceiling as an above average rebounder who gets a few garbage buckets now and then and makes a few hustle plays. Basically a bench scrub.

Thinking he'll be the next Shawn Marion or Gerald Wallace are pipe dreams.

[Blake]

...Green was very aggressive. He wants the ball and is decisive with his decisions once he gets it.

You are truly wordy with your words.

A+

[wildbill2u]

Remember that Pop started playing Green at the end of last year playoffs. He must've seen something there. Pop believes in going with players who produce and play with intensity on defense so Green looks like a lock for more minutes.

[Russ]

splitter was an F, . . his performance was absolutely oppressive to the human condition

Splitter is responsible for the human condition.

He is GOD!

[ElNono]

For comparison:

http://www.48minutesof .com/final...spurs-warriors

More to my liking, tbh