Spurs vs. Jazz Game 3 - Grades

[TampaDude]

Spurs will probably win Game 4 by about 5 points.

There...fixed it for ya...

[wildbill2u]

I hate to criticize Tim when he's had a bad game but how in the world has he played at such a high level for 10 years and not learned how to protect the ball from being stripped? The 'book' on him has to be that he can be stripped by the doubler when he puts the ball down low.

In 50+ years of watching NBA big men, I can't remember any star of his caliber with this chronic problem. It usually happens when he's not playing well in other areas as well.

Are his hands too small or too weak or what? Or is it a factor of officiating letting the other team get away with it.

[ALVAREZ6]

Hopefully they step it up for next game, I wanna end this series at home!



Spurs in 5.

[L.I.T]

For whatever reason I can't get that Elson offensive foul outta my head. He runs into the guy, Jazz player flops, ref doesn't call it, but Elson stops cold in his tracks and stares at the player, then it's like he wakes up and lunges forward like Herman Munster.

At that point the ref goes, awwwww now I have to call something cuz it's so freaking obvious.

I am getting worried though about the Spurs inability to slow DW down. If Bowen or Parker can't (and lets not mention Vaughn) then their going to have a serious problem the rest of the series. And that's kinda a minor understatement.

[Spurs Brazil]

You forgot to give Beno a grade.
He actually played for more than a minute!

I give Beno a Z

[Marcus Bryant]

Are his hands too small or too weak or what? Or is it a factor of officiating letting the other team get away with it.

It seemed like every time he made a move in the post there was a guard hitting him on the arm. If the refs clean that up in Game 4 Utah will be hard pressed to defend him.

[Budkin]

The series is not in doubt because we lost one freaking game. Obviously people should not have been bragging about a sweet because we've all seen this before but more often than not we've been able to bounce back from these types of losses. Spurs fans panic over the littlest stuff. I've been guilty of that too. But come on people, show some spine.

[GrandeDavid]

It seemed like every time he made a move in the post there was a guard hitting him on the arm. If the refs clean that up in Game 4 Utah will be hard pressed to defend him.

Prolly in Game 5 they'll have it cleaned up, but I doubt tomorrow night.

[Johnny RIngo]

It seemed like every time he made a move in the post there was a guard hitting him on the arm. If the refs clean that up in Game 4 Utah will be hard pressed to defend him.

Yeah, the replays showed Williams smacking his arm on a few ocaisions. Refs didn't let Duncan play his game. Nothing surprising as the away team should expect this kinda and adjust.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Yeah Deron blatantly hacked Duncan's forearm multiple times but so what. It was up to Duncan to adjust...

I'm tired of looking to excuses. We just got the beat out of us in the 3rd blowout loss of the playoffs.

Here's to Duncan leading the team to a rebounding victory on Monday

[Ocotillo]

i thought Elson was absolutely miserable last night.

Where's Beno's grade? He was terrible as well.

Vaughn is suppose to be this smart guy. Let's get in the coaching trainee program after this season because he brings nothing to the floor as an NBA player.

[DarrinS]

I normally agree with all of your grades, but this time, I think most of your grades are a little harsh. This game was compe ive for 3½ quarters. Tim's foul trouble was probably the biggest problem the Spurs faced. Even with Tim playing 12 minutes in the first half, the Spurs still led at halftime. The Jazz seemed to have more energy than the Spurs in the 2nd half, especially Milsap (he reminds me of Malik). Then the game got out of hand, Pop raised the white flag and emptied the bench. No big deal. I expect a better game on Monday.

[spurschick]

Yeah, where's the grade for the deep bench? It truly wasn't an official blowout til Beno contributed a turnover.

[florige]

People don't be surprised if this series takes the same tone of the Detroit series in 05. I mean think back, the first two games Parker and Manu did whatever they wanted, driving, shooting, whatever. Then Detroit goes back home and EVERYTHING changes. Detroit cuts off the lane, Detroit' D has Duncan about as flustered as I've ever seen him, and Detroit goes on to crush us in game 3. We are all thinking that there is NO WAY that we come out and play like this in game 4. We will make the needed adjustments. Wrong again. Much if the same happens, Duncan is being bothered by Big Ben and Detroits stingy defense, Parker and Manu have been kept out of the lane, and we get creamed again. Game 4 we did play better collectively, but if it weren't for Horry, and a bonehead Wallace we would have probably lost all three at Detroit. That game imo shot Detroit's hopes down the drain. Even though it did go 7, you could see in the Pistons eyes that they were flustered. If this were any other coached team I wouldn't be as quick to make this comparison, but Sloan is just as good as Brown, and I definatly wouldn't be too surprised if we lose tommorow's game as well. Not hoping it, but wouldn't be surprised. Utah IMO has found a comfort zone against us. I think that Williams is good don't take me wrong, but we just got finished playing against the best pg in the NBA. There is NO WAY that he should be running wild like he is. We find a way to take him out of the flow, then we win the series. If we keep allowing him to drive, shoot, dish, then we might be in trouble. I'm confident that Bowen can stop him, he just has to stay out of foul trouble.