Grades: Spurs @ Mavericks - Jan. 16, 2019

[Dverde]

Derozan’s mind was in that Jack in the Box parking lot for three quarters. Glad he woke up.

[Dre_7]

that moving screen they called him for was bull too.

This Spurs team is just incredible if they have all 9 rotation guys healthy. DeRozan woke up in the 4th, his drive and kick game was missing during the last 4 games. He needs to get back to that. He's super effective at sucking in the defense and then kicking out to shooters, which is why he has to be the main facilitator when the bench comes in.

Yeah for sure!

[Keepin' it real]

Trade Gasol ASAP.

Yes, especially with every team in the NBA begging for him.

[timvp]

I can't understand why Belinelli, playing super-hot, was on the bench the last 8 minutes of the game. It almost costed us the game.

I think Pop's right for not using Belinelli as a closer. Pound for pound, he's easily the worst defender on the team (one of the worst in the league, if we're being honest). Unless it's the perfect matchup, you're going to give up more than you gain with him on the court in crunch time. It doesn't matter how hot he is offensively, either.

Bringing Belinelli off the bench and using him as a whirlwind to mix it up with the other team's subs and leaving the closing to other players is the correct way to use him, IMO. That maximizes his value.

Dirk was always slow, unathletic.

Going to have to disagree with that one. In Dirk's prime, no power forward could defend him. Too athletic and too fast for a player who you had to guard all the way past the three-point line.

Gee, what a coincidence that this is when pop let DeRozan run point. It's almost like he doesn't want to participate unless the offense is running through him.

Eh, Pop has given DeRozan the same responsibilities during his doldrums and it hadn't gotten him out of his slumber.

[phxspurfan]

Bert my ninja comes through in the clutch.


Also refs putting 4 fouls on LMA by the 3rd quarter was no bueno

[spurs10]

Thanks for the grades. It would have been hard to have face another loss against a team we should be able to beat. LMA has been a stalwart of late and i'm really glad his teammates stepped up with his ridiculous foul trouble and limited minutes. I very much feel that Gay was very missed, as was Beli against Charlotte. We need them both and hope Gay's knee is okay. The Wolves will be tough, but I'm hoping last night helped turn the page a bit. DDR plays like the 4th quarter of last night's game and we are a good team.