Game Grades: Mavericks @ Spurs (:vomit:)

[dabom]

Kawhi-Simmons plays better than Kawhi-Fathead. Just posting it out there. Not saying Simmons is great or anything.

Simmons also has that 1vs1 decent lockdown defense. Any pick s with him though. He is useful when he is the weakside switch on defense. Something we like to do vs GSW.

I hope some down trending posters use some info I just gave...

[Robz4000]

This Kyle Anderson hate is getting out of hand, considering he did not do any wrong, and Spurs were switching most of the game and towards the end. Anderson has shown he can defend better that half this team.

I agree tbh His stats say he's a good defender and he shows the effort. His use of angles and spacing on D is greatly improved. IMO he's only playing now because he's an above average defender. Better than his comp Simmons too. And we all thought that would be his weakness as a pro lol but it's the offense that he needs to just plainly pick spots.

Not sure if we've been watching the same team tbh. Every now and again he makes a good play on D, but the same can be said of James Harden. Unlike Harden, however, he doesn't bring anything positive on offense for this team currently: afraid to shoot, too slow to drive past defenders, poor foot work and court awareness, and unable to post up (mostly due to the style of play of the bench and how crowded the post is with the starters). I've said in the past that if Pop wanted to bench Gasol for Fathead it could work well enough since the SL is much more ISO-oriented, but I'm not sure it'd make the team better especially if Gasol/LMA continue to grow more comfortable together.

[spurs10]

Thanks for the grades! At least the last two minutes of the game were fun to watch and got the crowd's attention.

[SAGirl]

This Kyle Anderson hate is getting out of hand, considering he did not do any wrong, and Spurs were switching most of the game and towards the end. Anderson has shown he can defend better that half this team.

I am with you. I just wanted to let you know we don't all hate him bc you will be drowned out by others hating.

I still want him to do well personally and he has shown up b4.

He's still unsure of himself offensively, but I do hope he finds a groove. I considered dleague too, specially for confidence shooting but I guess Pop thinks he's outgrown it bc he dominated there when he was 21. He needs to compete against better compe ion at this point and to keep pushing.

It didn't incense me bc I didn't think he had a particularly good game on defense either. He was kind of uneven, same as the rest of the team. I also kind of agree with Rob and others that a trade might be in the player's and team's best interest but I am more realistic.

He's not padding stats in garbage time to raise interest for other teams and he still is making just the 1 mill... so it's kind of unrealistic to expect he will be traded and net any player that can help the Spurs unless he's part of a package with other guys, so it is what it is.

I am still rooting for slow mo.

[raybies]

Not sure if we've been watching the same team tbh. Every now and again he makes a good play on D, but the same can be said of James Harden. Unlike Harden, however, he doesn't bring anything positive on offense for this team currently: afraid to shoot, too slow to drive past defenders, poor foot work and court awareness, and unable to post up (mostly due to the style of play of the bench and how crowded the post is with the starters). I've said in the past that if Pop wanted to bench Gasol for Fathead it could work well enough since the SL is much more ISO-oriented, but I'm not sure it'd make the team better especially if Gasol/LMA continue to grow more comfortable together.

I was focusing on the defensive aspect of his game. I acknowledge the offensive parts of his game. I'm not sure that his aggressiveness on o or lack thereof is by design. He didn't play like this as a rookie.

[SAGirl]

I was focusing on the defensive aspect of his game. I acknowledge the offensive parts of his game. I'm not sure that his aggressiveness on o or lack thereof is by design. He didn't play like this as a rookie.

Or even last season, though he did start out slow or passive offensively he had many games he showed up, I suspect bc Pop laid it on him to be aggressive, but not right now. I saw a statement from Pop who said he was never going to score that much, so there you have it from the coach's mouth. I dont think we can expect anything different and it has made me wonder same as others what he's doing here then....

[100%duncan]

First off, fantastic write up, this forum is sorely lacking in thoughtful analysis since timvp stopped posting so it's nice to see great thoughts after a game.


What I find bizarre about Pop, is that this is a guy who coaches "appropriate fear" for your opponent yet he trots out the most insulting lineups possible. With the amount of turnover the Spurs have experienced he should be focusing on making sure Kawhi/LMA/Gasol are locked in because without them we don't go anywhere. It's early days and I totally understand experimenting with all the new players but the team has so many glaring flaws that this isn't the time to play mad scientist with a D-League starting lineup.

The one thing I will say in favor of Pop was during the first game of the season against the Warriors is that he looked locked in. That game felt like a playoff game and Pop was pressing all the right buttons. I mention it, because it gives me hope that he hasn't completely lost his fire. It's also times like this I wish we still had Bud as an assistant coach, because right now Pop is surrounded by yes men and that never benefits anyone in any situation (look at Kanye).

I also hope Dedmon gets healthy ASAP and plays meaningful minutes upon his return. I hate how Pop preaches players needing to get over themselves but the guy refuses to take a hard look in the mirror.

Boom.

[Robz4000]

I was focusing on the defensive aspect of his game. I acknowledge the offensive parts of his game. I'm not sure that his aggressiveness on o or lack thereof is by design. He didn't play like this as a rookie.

His defensive stats are in large part due to the fact he played a lot of his minutes early on with Leonard, LMA, ans Dedmon, all of whom he compliments. When he's with Patty, Manu, Lee, and Simmons (or any of the rookies) his defense gets exposed. He's fine as a complimentary defender or on a switch, but his team defense and ability to fight through screens is awful; I can't count how many dumb fouls he's had trying to double whether it's on the perimeter, in the post, or on a drive.

[SAGirl]

His defensive stats are in large part due to the fact he played a lot of his minutes early on with Leonard, LMA, ans Dedmon, all of whom he compliments. When he's with Patty, Manu, Lee, and Simmons (or any of the rookies) his defense gets exposed. He's fine as a complimentary defender or on a switch, but his team defense and ability to fight through screens is awful; I can't count how many dumb fouls he's had trying to double whether it's on the perimeter, in the post, or on a drive.

In that stretch with the starters he was the best of them. Tony and Pau were terrible on defense and have turned things around since but they started terrible (they have LDN now too), but the point was that he had to carry his weight. The bench has actually been better with Dedmon who has boosted all of them up on defense.
He did well l as t season too. He's not mistake free but one has to admit when he's played over 1000 minutes last season and over 200 in this one of non garbage time in every conceivable line-up 2-3 that he does bring value defensively.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I'm sure Pop loved every bit of this and got exactly what he wanted - an actual game, instead of a meaningless blowout. He even let Messina coach quite a lot. Sure, his rotations were bizarre and he started 2 rookies and played a 3rd one meaningful minutes, how's that for hating and not trusting rookies? They were all terrible

I don't get how Anderson gets an F but Simmons a C-.

[SAGirl]

The D league plays at a much higher pace so turnovers come in bunches. The pace in this game was half that, yet he had (or was responsible for) just as many against similar compe ion. Like I said though, he's shown flashes so he has the chance to be special, but right now he just isn't an NBA player.

I agree on Murray he's a year away from being a year away, not due to lack of talent. I just expected what we saw, both the good flashes and all the bad. He's not ready but I guess Pop has to see for himself. I doubt he's any different in practice. Pop is going to have to strategically find him time. The lack of an ability to control pace in the Sacramento game where the team gave up almost 18 points in 3 minutes was more concerning to me. It seemed like Anderson was the only one having composure in that game at the end. Bertans was fouling Demarcus at the 3 point line, Muray was TO etc.

They are just not ready and I didn't expect them to. It's going to be like this this season. Hopefully Bertans shows up, he's older but he's a rookie too.

[SAGirl]

I'm sure Pop loved every bit of this and got exactly what he wanted - an actual game, instead of a meaningless blowout. He even let Messina coach quite a lot. Sure, his rotations were bizarre and he started 2 rookies and played a 3rd one meaningful minutes, how's that for hating and not trusting rookies? They were all terrible

I don't get how Anderson gets an F but Simmons a C-.

Agreed. I also don't get how Simmons is the same grade as LDN either. Is this an average game for Simmons now bc it's not good.

[YGWHI]

Thanks for the grades!

something is clearly wrong with his shot (and offense in general really).

I'd say it's just his shooting this season, not his offense. He has been amazing in other ways offensively.

Also, his shot-selection wasn't bad in this game. He missed really easy ones tonight.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

^ Great post. Would like to see the ball much more in Kawhi's hands on the PnR and much less in Pau's in the low post.

[Robz4000]

Thanks for the grades!



I'd say it's just his shooting this season, not his offense. He has been amazing in other ways offensively.

Also, his shot-selection wasn't bad in this game. He missed really easy ones tonight.

Wasn't talking about the whole season. Early on he was tearing it up on both ends and looked like the leader for MVP, but the last 4-5 games his shot has been way off. Usually he's around 50% with an eFG% around 60, but in this stretch he's around 40% with an eFG% below 50. That's Kirby levels of inefficiency.

[YGWHI]

But the last 4-5 games his shot has been way off...That's Kirby levels of inefficiency.

Agree. Like Kobe, Harden, Russ, LeBron career...most offensive players don't shoot .50 FG%

Also, with Pop increasing Parker/Pau P&Rs, he's taking less shots so we can't blame his USG% for his poor shooting, he doesn't have Kobe usage anymore in the last 5 games.
Like I have said before, hopefully he can put it together in next games and find his shot.

A weird thing. I wonder why Kawhi shoots worse in home games than on the road.

Last season, even when he was extremely efficient, he was a lot more on the road in playoffs.

[YGWHI]

^ Great post. Would like to see the ball much more in Kawhi's hands on the PnR and much less in Pau's in the low post.

Saldy, in the last games, we only saw Kawhi in P&Rs situations with Patty and the second unit on the court. Tonight he had a few nice P&Rs with Lee.

[jermaine]

Not too sure why everyone is mad at Pop.

Want to develop your rookies?
Play them against the worst team in NBA.

It is on the players for not showing up.

Preach my brother! An did Kawhi change his shot mechanics?? He seems to be going up the pushing the ball!

[jermaine]

I think Kawhi is stuck on tryna draw fouls right now... But I'm loving when he attacks the rim, or post up!

[NameLess Scrub]

Well, at least Jonathan Gibson didn't score 30.

[Bender]

First off, fantastic write up, this forum is sorely lacking in thoughtful analysis since timvp stopped posting so it's nice to see great thoughts after a game.

yep. Robz's write-ups have been my favorites so far.

[Chinook]

Not sure if we've been watching the same team tbh. Every now and again he makes a good play on D, but the same can be said of James Harden. Unlike Harden, however, he doesn't bring anything positive on offense for this team currently: afraid to shoot, too slow to drive past defenders, poor foot work and court awareness, and unable to post up (mostly due to the style of play of the bench and how crowded the post is with the starters). I've said in the past that if Pop wanted to bench Gasol for Fathead it could work well enough since the SL is much more ISO-oriented, but I'm not sure it'd make the team better especially if Gasol/LMA continue to grow more comfortable together.

Thanks for the work. You've been huge in this revival of consistent grades, and I hope we can all follow your example and keep this going all year and in perpetuity.

I didn't watch the game, and I don't even feel inclined to find a copy to watch. Every win counts with the Spurs chasing GS and LAC, so I wouldn't downplay things too much.

Anyway, I don't think it's fair to attribute Anderson's defensive numbers to Kawhi. Outside of that GS game, Kawhi hasn't been a lock-down guy this year. A big reason for that is that the Spurs haven't really played great teams or teams with great SFs. Last year, Kawhi had KD, Gay and Melo all to start the year. Only Gay is in that group (seeing as Kawhi was guarding Klay in the GS game), but Cousins has become so dominant now that Rudy is sort of marginalized. That combined with his new push for offense has taken him out of defensive rhythm.

Anyway, back to Anderson. He has that Green way of grading out a lot better than he looks. One reason is that Anderson was a great rebounder as a starter, especially as a "guard". He's also second in steals. He is barely negative in his on/off defensive rating, but that's actually better than most Spurs, including every starter but Green.

People who don't like him see what they want to see. Like when a guy drives past Anderson, they assume that Kyle was beat rather than funneling. They used to do the same thing with Green and close-outs. Just like with Green, there are times that Anderson makes bad defensive plays. But he's following the game plan for the most part, and then he can use his length to get his hands on balls.

[Chinook]

Not too sure why everyone is mad at Pop.

Want to develop your rookies?
Play them against the worst team in NBA.

Because that's exactly what a "lack of respect for the opponent" looks like. There's nothing humble about tying a hand behind your back. Pop's coming off as a huge hypocrite here, and he deserves to. Dude has been pushing the wrong buttons for years now. If it's all on the players, the Holts are wasting millions on a spokesperson.

[TDomination]

Thanks for the grades!

I definitely look forward to these after every game

[kaji157]

If Kawhi adds creating from the pick and roll, that´s LeBron James with the Spurs uniform and better defense.