My favorite Jefferson play is still the time Manu stripped him at halfcourt in game 6 tbh.
Watched Parker a lot this summer and he definatly couldnt finish around the rim like he used to. But its not like this just sudenly happened, he has been getting slower and slower since that 2009 injury he had ( forgot what it was exactly). Its a slow process, aint like he is falling off the cliff TD style anytime soon.
We saw that happen live at Seau's in San Diego on the Big Screen!
Someone correct me if I misunderstood - but in the post-game, it sounded like Ford said something to the effect of "my unit is starting to understand each other". He was quick to acknowledge Tony, and to make it understood that he is happy coming off the bench. But if he is going to look at the second unit as "his", and be floor general for that group, I'm feeling better about the season. He also commented about how much he likes being here, and what a difference it makes having a coach that is fully committed, etc.
Honestly, I think the Spurs' second unit may be the best team T.J. Ford has ever played with, and the best situation he's been in since he left college.
I thought Neal's game faded right along with his legs. I'm looking for even better things a few weeks down the road - especially on defense.
Richard Jefferson playing with heart and emotion? I don't care if he's not perfect. Nobody's perfect. But if he somehow grew a pair in the offseason, it's going to make a huge difference. It did tonight.
The Spurs couldn't have expected more than about 15 minutes, 6 points, and 2 boards from Danny Green. Anything more is one of a bonus, considering where he came from. I really do think he could be first man off the bench for the rest of the season. Maybe more, but I really don't want to jinx things. His shot may not be falling every night, but I think those steals and shot blocks are here to stay.
I saw the same good things from Blair as everyone else. But my biggest concern for the night was that the momentum seemed to shift in the second quarter right when Blair entered the game. And there seemed to be some cause and effect. He did a lot of dumb/weak things on the offensive end and all the great play just seemed to evaporate. Yeah, he fought for offensive boards. But he squandered most of the ones he got. And part of the reason he was reaching for offensive boards was because of his poor offensive play.
Good times.We saw that happen live at Seau's in San Diego on the Big Screen!
Good call on that play.
I still watch the DVDs and wait for that play.
Leonard got the 1 stat I wanted to see from him, an offensive foul going to the basket, I'm serious. That showed his agresivness and that he is starting to figure out he can be effective offensively
It's hard to believe that the Spurs signed and waived Danny Green last year without a second thought. Glad they took a second look.
lol the floor sweeper was like "oh "`Good call on that play.
I still watch the DVDs and wait for that play.
The thing I like the most about this season is seeing Splitter, Leonard, Green and even Anderson get minutes, while Bonner is in the doghouse and the stars are resting. And the Spurs still winning.
Bonner's not in the doghouse
Doghouse is a bit harsh, but I really like that he's playing 15 minutes or less quite often (except season opener and vs Dallas).
When Bonner is playing 10-15 minutes a night (preferably earning a little less than $3.5M tbh) he is actually a valuable 9th-10th man. Its when hes playing 20+ minutes a night where he startings hurting you more often than helping.
Bonner +9 in 7 minutes. Its actually pretty funny. The team is just more effective with him out there... Period.
The pluses.
The win, the growth of Green, Leonard showing some game, Bonner playing little, Jefferson and Ford at at a hugely unexpected high level. Duncan largely on the bech when the game was on the line.
The minus.
Denver was on a back to back. The defense was terrible from minute 18 on.
Popovich watching bad calls after bad of the officials doing nothing, and Blair getting destroyed by Gallinari -no less- in the second half.
This team is young and energetic.
They deserve a young and energetic coach.
Green and Ford are playing great.
So, you cream your panties over Leonard's 6/5/1/1 contribution yet you're skeptical Green's herculean 24/7/2/2/2 beastmode game?
I swear, never ceases to amaze me how fickle some of you assholes are. I bet you were one of those Anderson fanboy gots who thought Green was nothing but a 12th man roster filler.
Thanks for the game grades. Good read for me since I missed the game. But it appears I missed a fun one =/
Nice to see Green continue to improve and impress.
We have to use Tiago on post-up more.
He can create from there.
Sadly Tiago has not shown that he can score from the post consistently. Last night showed it is much better for him to set screens, cut to the basket and be ready for a nice pass by TJ Ford.
I don't think you can expect your backup-PG to play any better than TJ Ford did in the first half. He was mixing up the tempo, made good decisions throughout and played together very well with Tiago on P'n'R situations.
What I like about Tiago is that he is getting better and more confident when it comes to protecting the rim. His offense was also decent last night - as long as he didn't try to create something on his own.
TP was a bit lackluster in fighting through screens, but I won't blame him for not being able to stay in front of Lawson - this guy is just very quick and really crafty.
This is still a long ways off...
but if Pop were to continue to use all these young guys and then in the playoffs --continue the same rotation--it would be fun to watch...
but I fear that in the playoffs Pop will be scared less and shorten the rotation to 6 or 7 or 8 players and all this young potential will watch the Spurs tired legged veterans get trashed again...
Even if defenses weren't great, that was a very high quality game. After the ugliness of the game against Mavs, it was nice to see some great basketball.
When you look at the bigger picture, there are some positive signs for Spurs.
First, Spurs are doing an amazing job at winning games despite Manu being out without overplaying their key players. After 8 games and a 6-2 record, Only RJ with 31mpg and Parker with 30mpg are playing more than 25mpg. Duncan's 24mpg looks especially great.
Second, the RJ's situation is getting better. I don't want to create too much hope but Spurs could have a shot at trading him at the deadline. With Hill gone, Manu injured and Duncan aging, RJ has a bigger role with Spurs and he is taking this opportunity to play better and raise his trade value. Spurs also have a lot of depth on the perimeter: Ford has been a great backup PG and there are a lot of qualities at SG/SF with Manu, Neal, Leonard, Green and Anderson. Spurs didn't want to amnesty RJ without signing a quality SF, but they might very well have no problem to trade him in a salary dump move or for a big and don't get a good SF back in the trade. It looks like Spurs would be fine on the wing with what they have even without RJ.
Another great writeup.
Leonard does indeed appear as though thingst are coming together for him. He's still not as offensively confident as he will eventually become, but he's making baby steps. I absolutely love watching him D-up an opposing player, who attempts to bring he ball upcourt against him. That defensive steal was a thing of beauty.
Ford has been superb as a backup PG. I admit it's not what I expected from him, but he's been savvy, smooth and confident. When Parker leaves the game, Ford has mitigated any dropoff by his fine play. It certainly appears that Ford and Splitter are developing some awareness and feel for one another. Because Ford is a much more willing passer, it certainly seems that guys are running harder on the break. I don't know how long Pop can get away with playing Parker and Ford together, in the oate stages of games, but whatever works.
Of course, what can be said about Green that hasn't already been said. I don't know if there is any reason to doubt him any longer. It's clear that this kid has the right amount of smarts, compe ive drive, and junk needed to become a regular staff-stuffing, utility player for this ball club. His confidence is growing with each game.
With every passing game, it seems that some less-heralded player has stepped up in Manu's absence. Green has been the latest. Of course, I'm waiting to see how he, and the other young players, respond to the pressure of a series of road games. That will likely determine how successful the Spurs will be while Manu is out.
Thanks for posting the boxscore in this game summary. Of course, I have to admit that it makes me feel not only guilty, but incredibly lazy, for not going out to NBA.Com to review them there.
So who else lol'ed when RJ said "they were running it down our throats all night"?
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