Perhaps the Spurs should consider keeping Blair around and getting rid of the red-headed choker.
It looks like you know inside info on Neals' condition. Did that injury keep him from passing the ball to Jackson for a lay up in the final moments of the game? Isn't the offensive theory "Good to Great"? I understand the man could be hurt, but if it affects his decision making in such a way.......
Great question. That fingernail of Tiago's really affected that shot.
Inform us . How good was gary's help defense in the keyway when Conley shot that three.
Pop deserves an F for putting Gary out there to close it out on defense. If it was on offense, not so much of a problem.
Agree. If Bonner is going to pass up shots, hes a big liability on the floor. The problem with Blair, as we know, if his consistancy. Blair, if not involved in the game early, tends to lose his focus.
Perhaps the Spurs should consider keeping Blair around and getting rid of the red-headed choker.
Blair does indeed suffer from inconsistency. However, the one thing that can be counted on from Blair, is that he NEVER, EVER plays scared. He will make mistakes of commission, has a tendency to commit untimely fouls and can be questioned for his unreliable pick-setting, but the guys plays hard, tries to make plays and he doesn't pass up shots when open. Heck, he even looks to setup his teammates in half-court situations. I know he's got one foot out the door, but I like his courage, his effort and his moxie, which is a uva lot more than I can say for Bonner, who has none of those things.
2003 Jack ? what are u smoking ? I didn't say he didn't had a good game but imho a A- is too high unless your expectations are low tbh.
Without Leonard, Tim and Manu we needed scoring and I though he could have been more aggressive in 35 mn.
Is Tiago's fingernail 8 inches long or is it fun to exaggerate? In defense of Pop, maybe he's searching. It doesn't matter who's out there, they've proven time and time again they can't get a defensive stop when they need one. Maybe Pop is trying to build Neal's confidence just like he has De Shih Tsu all season. Whether Pop made the right or wrong decision is beside the point. Remind me again who guarded Conley (11-17) for the majority of the game? If it wasn't for him and to a lesser extent Bayliss tearing into the Spurs defense all game long, it wouldn't have come down to that three at the end.
For the record, Neal shouldn't have been out there but nobody on defense was going to deny Conley from getting the shot he wanted and scoring so it's a moot point. If Neal wasn't out there, it would be some other excuse.
I actually wouldn't be opposed to bringing Blair back. Let him compete with Baynes, and whoever else. for a backup role next season.
Go easy on S-Jax. That was one of his biggest offensive explosions of the season. I think Timvp is just giving him propss. And Yes, the expectations for him are floored.
Last edited by Hoops Czar; 04-02-2013 at 10:23 AM.
I'm going easy on him, I always said that expectations after the trade was too high but I love to have him back in a spurs jersey. I hope like some posters that he is coasting and he will be back for the POs. this game is definitely a step in the right direction, just sayin' that if yesterday jax 35 mn deserved a A- yes expectations are floored.
Well Jack coming back to strong play makes up for a lot. We will need him playing like this in the playoffs. Commendable effort without Tim and Kawhi. Rotations on Wednesday and Thursday will be interesting, as the former is a must win now.
I'm with you on that.
Thanks for the grades Timvp but I thought that Neal was a net negative out there tbh. As the others have said, the B+ is just too generous. That failure to pass to Jackson doomed us. If Jackson makes the shot or goes to the line, we extend our lead and maybe get another possession out of Tiago. I'm so done with Neal at this point that I'd rather have De Colo out there in crunch time.
Jackson actually put together 2 quality performances back to back this season before Manu
suprising tbh
Nah, the ship has sailed on Blair's time with the Spurs. The team needs to think about going in other avenues, playing Baynes being one, then bringing back Blair. We all know his limitations and (few) strengths, plus he isn't going to grow 6-7 inches over night and his knees aren't getting any better. Sad part is, had he been able to play this well all season he'd be setting himself up for an okay contract. He'll be lucky to be making more than the Vet. minimum, IMO.
I can't say I agree with these grades, in particular Gary Neal. He almost single handily lost the Spurs the game with poor decisions (on offense and defense). Parker didn't do a good job defensively or creating shots for others, but I'd cut him some slack when he's obviously not 100% and is playing with mostly the B team. , we all saw what happened when Manu took on the Timberwolves with the B Team, well at least Tony was able to keep it close.
I'd go:
Parker - B-
Below average defense, inability to find open teammates and coming up empty on two end of game possessions cost him a higher grade. Good effort, though.
Splitter - A-
He did most everything you could ask for against a very tough opponent short-handed, but fouling out - in part to the next idiot - may have sealed the game for Memphis.
Gary Neal - D
Made shots and played well for being hampered by injuries, but he made two critical mistakes in the 4th quarter (one which ended Tiago's night) that clinched the win for the Grizzlies.
Matt Bonner - C-
Plays hard and made some shots early on, but he doesn't affect the outcome of the game in either a tangible or intangible manner. He also was passing up open looks at times, per par.
Coach Popovich - C-
I liked most of his rotations throughout the first 3 quarters, but I'd would have like to have seen the starters re-inserted into the game earlier in the 4th. Could have gone to Stephen Jackson more in the high-post and would have like to have seen Parker and De Colo on the floor together to the end the game. We needed play making and De Colo was providing that more so than Neal. And playing Diaw and Bonner to close the game was a very questionable choice even if short-handed and Tiago having fouled out.
I completely concur especially with the bold part. De Colo is beginning to really find his niche on this team. I just hope he remains aggressive and continue knock down those open looks.Thanks for the grades Timvp but I thought that Neal was a net negative out there tbh. As the others have said, the B+ is just too generous. That failure to pass to Jackson doomed us. If Jackson makes the shot or goes to the line, we extend our lead and maybe get another possession out of Tiago. I'm so done with Neal at this point that I'd rather have De Colo out there in crunch time.
Last edited by J_Paco; 04-02-2013 at 11:52 AM.
Right now it is a team problem in that the team is not playing team ball. Defensive rotations are off, and passing to the open man has become nearly extinct. The officials the last 10 games or so have not been kind to the Spurs while other teams ratchet up the physical play. What could have been a nice preparation for the playoffs instead has seen the Spurs collapse and ditch their concepts for isloation plays. While Parker had issues towards the end the one guy who should never ever never put the ball on the floor (use to be Blair) is Danny Green. He can shoot the three, and that is it. He needs to focus on what he does well and quit trying to be more than he is. This team's only hope is to play as a team. It is simply not good enough individually to play the type of game it is currently playing.
I know this season is not realistic, but honestly, Baynes could end up being vital. A backup frontcourt of Baynes and Diaw should be more than adequate. Instead of Bonner I'd rather try to pull a deal to bring one of our Euro's over, like Bertans or Lorbek. although I think Lorbek is locked up for another 2-3 years or so.
Perhaps the Spurs should consider keeping Blair around and getting rid of the red-headed choker.
spot on, tbh
Which is why I wouldn't mind bringing him back. Cheap, knows the system/players, etc...
Neal's worst play was pulling up for a jumper on a fast break and bricking it with Jack open for an easy 2 under the basket.
As far as his defense, we all know its terrible so that's on the coach for having him in the game when we needed defensive stops.
Give Baynes one training camp and he'll know the system too.
Regardless of Neal's previous mistakes, he should have been out there for the last possession. He's got the quickest release on the team and is ideal for a .6 hail Mary. Green, I can see but Parker, SJax and Bonner? What was Pop thinking?
How about we let Blair and schtickkk compete to see who can fit the most what-a-burgers in their mouths at one time instead? That at least might have some entertainment value. Rumphumper can be the official judge of the compe ion.
Why has tony been playing so bad lately? Do you think he might have a small but nagging injury? I mean he gets beaten around a lot in the paint, and ive seen him grabbing his hand a lot.. Without a fully healthy tony we are fuuuucked
Tony looks completely different to me than he did prior to the ankle sprain. Hopefully he's saving it for the post season, because he's shown no explosion, and none of the grit he was displaying prior to his injury.
Green has been a disaster the last two games.
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