Spurs vs. Nuggets Game 2 - Grades

[Cry Havoc]

This is still a team sport. Pop stresses role play, in order to facilitate for each other. Timvp has no idea what that is all about. Based on that, here are my scores:

Spurs Team: A-
Nuggets Team: A
Timvp: C-

I can just see Spur players reading this Monday morning quarterbacking and rolling their eyes. What NBA tean did Timvp last coach?

What posts have you made on this forum for anyone to take you seriously?

Meanwhile, Timvp is probably the most respected poster on this forum. So congrats for being clueless.

[Cry Havoc]

WHen Tim sat at the end of the first half, the Nuggets went on a 7-0 run.

No, really? Too bad Pop couldn't look in his crystal ball and see that coming.

[boutons_]

"Bottomline is Finley is playing like he realizes that this is playoff basketball."

.... and that the window on his ring is closing.

[leemajors]

What posts have you made on this forum for anyone to take you seriously?

Meanwhile, Timvp is probably the most respected poster on this forum. So congrats for being clueless.

i would give that honor to SpursDynasty. i think LEONARD would agree with me.

[Spurminator]

I have to say I'm not exactly relieved after last night. In fact, I'm a little more concerned than I was before the game.

Let's be real here, the Nuggets played like in the first half. And it wasn't because of what we were doing. Unforced turnovers, missed putbacks... I really thought we should have blown them out the way they played last night, but we let them hang around and I feel like they still have the momentum going into Game 3.

Tim and Tony and Manu need to wake up and play the way they're capable of playing.

[Spurminator]

Vaughn missed two jumpers, both from about 18 feet. The grades are for what's expected from each individual player. Nobody expects Vaughn to hit long jumpers, and everybody expects Parker to play better than he did.

I don't want Vaughn taking those jumpers.

[FromWayDowntown]

Brent Barry
After Barry's Game 1 performance, it looks like he played himself out of the rotation against the Nuggets, at least. This game, he was pretty good in his five minutes of action. He hit a three and got an assist and helped the Spurs while he was out there. Although he played better, he's not a very good matchup for the Nuggets and should continue to see just spot minutes.
Grade: B

I also thought that Barry's effort in getting back off a turnover to deny an easy bucket in transition to Camby in the 2nd quarter wasn't insignificant, either. Camby ended up hitting the 2 FT, but Barry denied Denver a momentum-changing play with his hustle. Even if he's fallen out of the rotation, he brought a great effort in the few minutes he got.

Fabricio Oberto
Oberto was perhaps the biggest key in the win for the Spurs. He came in for an ineffective Elson and was just huge. Eight points, ten rebounds, two assists and no turnovers is outstanding production. His help defense was perhaps his most impressive part of his game. He was a big factor in why AI and Carmelo didn't go off. Offensively, he was very nice until late in his time on the court when he was having trouble down low. If he could ever figure out a way to finish around the basket consistently in the NBA, it'd be hard for Pop not play him more and more.
Grade: A

I agree with all of this. I'm wondering if Pop isn't contemplating putting Oberto into the starting lineup, though I can see the wisdom of keeping Oberto and Manu together. Still, Oberto's tenacious rebounding was critical for the Spurs in Game 2 and his ability to find ways to get some easy buckets around the rim (without trying to make posterizing plays) is quite helpful, I think.

Robert Horry
Horry had a huge block in the third quarter that turned what have been an eight point lead into a 15 point lead. If he doesn't block that shot, Manu loses more confidence after the turnover and Manu doesn't get the layup to get him rolling. That block might have actually been a season saver, considering how close the game ended. Overall, Horry was deceptively better than he was last game. In Game 1 he was hitting his shots, but this game he was playing better defense, rebounding better and was more active overall.
Grade: B+

I don't think anyone can understate the importance of Horry's block. Unlike last year, when I doubted his resolve at times, I think Horry's emotionally into this playoff run. His effort in Games 1 and 2 has been phenomenal. The things that Horry does well don't always translate into boxscore numbers, but they're undoubtedly vital to any chance the Spurs have to win this series and advance through these playoffs.

[T Park]

Im very interested in seeing Horry bring his game 1 and game 2 efforts together for a game 3.

Block out and put good efforts on the boards, along with taking more open shots and getting a bit more involved on the offensive end.

[Cry Havoc]

Im very interested in seeing Horry bring his game 1 and game 2 efforts together for a game 3.

Block out and put good efforts on the boards, along with taking more open shots and getting a bit more involved on the offensive end.

Plus he's taking his lumps and still fighting. Game 1 he got thrashed and still played like he wanted it.

I'm digging the shaved head, too.

[T Park]

Watching the end of the first half again, the Nuggets made alot of jumpers, and the Spurs never ran their damn offense correctly.

Small tweaks.

Small tweaks.

I don't feel THAT bad so far after watching the first half.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

It looks to me that Finley, Oberto and Horry are the only guys that got the memo that the playoffs have started.

Parker owned AI in the regular season but AI has reversed that in the post season.

Timvp's point about Tim's 33 minutes is a good one. This is the playoffs! Everytime Timmy sat the Nuggets eased their way back in it. Of course, Pop used to do the same thing with DRob. I remember watching leads against the Lakers disappear while the Admiral was on the bench. Back then you could use the bad back excuse for David, but there's no reason to sit Timmy for long stretches. This is playoff basketball, play your starters!!

[T Park]

Ginobili was agressive for 1 or 2 plays.

(This is the darn first half)

The times he was, they were running the damn Nuggets off the court.


God Manu, if your agressive and DRIVING, the Spurs dooo soo much beter.

[Phonzie20]

Watching the end of the first half again, the Nuggets made alot of jumpers, and the Spurs never ran their damn offense correctly.

Small tweaks.

Small tweaks.

I don't feel THAT bad so far after watching the first half.

I can't bring myself to watching my tape of the game

[T Park]

Timvp's point about Tim's 33 minutes is a good one. This is the playoffs! Everytime Timmy sat the Nuggets eased their way back in it. Of course, Pop used to do the same thing with DRob. I remember watching leads against the Lakers disappear while the Admiral was on the bench. Back then you could use the bad back excuse for David, but there's no reason to sit Timmy for long stretches. This is playoff basketball, play your starters

Second half I agree.

First half, hes got 2 fouls, and he prob should've yanked him about the 1 and a half mark maybe.

But, thats just splitting hairs.

The second half? I agree completely

Take him out with 1 minute to go in the 3rd. Bring him back in with 10 mins to go in the 4th, and PLAY IT OUT.


None of this under 36 min crap.

[T Park]

I can't bring myself to watching my tape of the game

eh, in the playoffs I can do it.

Regular Season i dont even bother.

Obviously when we rewatch something, were not doing it for coaching purposes, i just think its feeling better going into the next game

[Phonzie20]

eh, in the playoffs I can do it.

Regular Season i dont even bother.

Obviously when we rewatch something, were not doing it for coaching purposes, i just think its feeling better going into the next game

well we DO have some time 'til Sat. i may watch. still hurts right now though.

[T Park]

hurts?

I don't why it would be that painfull.

They played a good second half. They were compe ive.
They accomplished the job of getting 1 of 2.

They've got home court advantage. Why the glum?

[Phonzie20]

hurts?

I don't why it would be that painfull.

They played a good second half. They were compe ive.
They accomplished the job of getting 1 of 2.

They've got home court advantage. Why the glum?

Kinda wanted it :o

I wasn't expecting a win but seeing them miss easy layups and making stupid TO's makes me believe we could have taken it.

[wildbill2u]

Elson's score is a bit generous.

I couldn't believe how bad his passing was. He telegraphed every pass with movement so slow that in the first quarter I think 4 were stolen. It was a miserable performance.

I hold no big hopes for Butler, but he could get some time in place of Elson in back of Oberto in my opinion. That's how bad Elson looked to me.

[Das Texan]

Oberto and Horry are saving our asses down low this series so far.


Its true though. They have both been there and done that. They show up for big games, its their MO. Along with Timmy, they should be the only 3 bigs playing, barring the refs blowing their whistles repeatadely.


Elson needs to go sit next to Jackie.

[Testing]

Why does Manu get a B and Parker a C?

Parker had some pretty sweet assists in this game, spent much of the time chainsg around AI on the defensive end, got to the line and made 8 FT's, hit a pretty clutch basket in the 4th. He didn't have a great game overall, I agree as his defense wasn't great and he seemed to make bad decisions turning the ball over.

But I was very un impressed with Ginobili, he's the X-Factor and didnt play like it until the 4th quarter, end of 3rd. He needs to show up for all 4 quarters and make his presence known.

[timvp]

Parker's overall game management just wasn't up to par. He never really set a quality pace for the Spurs and can overall play much better. His defense was actually pretty good considering who he is guarding this series.

I was much more impressed with Ginobili's defense compared to his Game 1 effort. In Game 1, he wasn't trying at all on defense. In Game 2, he bought a couple possessions on Carmelo and was fighting him for every inch of space (although the Manu fans told me he wasn't capable of guarding Carmelo). If Manu can fight on defense, that turns him from a liability into an asset on that end of the court.

Offensively, someone seriously needs to tell Manu to stop with the one-handed crossover move. That move hasn't worked in two years. It literally gets stolen every time. He tried it again in Game 2, it got stolen again ... luckily Horry saved the day with the block.

[Obstructed_View]

I don't want Vaughn taking those jumpers.

I don't either, but he has to take them when the other team rotates away from him. By that decree, he should have only taken one of them. My only reason for mentioning it, however, was that someone said they were 10 foot jumpers.

[T Park]

Uh oh, you'll be labeled a Ginobili hater like me

[Phenomanul]

Parker's overall game management just wasn't up to par. He never really set a quality pace for the Spurs and can overall play much better. His defense was actually pretty good considering who he is guarding this series.

I was much more impressed with Ginobili's defense compared to his Game 1 effort. In Game 1, he wasn't trying at all on defense. In Game 2, he bought a couple possessions on Carmelo and was fighting him for every inch of space (although the Manu fans told me he wasn't capable of guarding Carmelo). If Manu can fight on defense, that turns him from a liability into an asset on that end of the court.

Offensively, someone seriously needs to tell Manu to stop with the one-handed crossover move. That move hasn't worked in two years. It literally gets stolen every time. He tried it again in Game 2, it got stolen again ... luckily Horry saved the day with the block.

He seems a step slower on the offensive end for some reason.... Maybe guarding Iverson takes a much bigger toll on him than we thought.... and or Camby is already in his head.