Grades: Spurs vs. Thunder - Game 2

[Spurs Brazil]

I always remember that great Manu game 5 against the Sonics in 2005. What Tony did yesterday I won't forget either. He was fantastic

[Blake]

Never thought I'd see the day where Bonner out rebounds Splitter.

probably why Splitter got a B+ instead of an A.

[crc21209]

Thanks for the grades as always timvp. I also loved that Pop has trusted and stuck with Leonard and Green, that really has to boost their confidence. TP and Manu were just amazing tonight, and I hope they keep this show going in OKC....

[angelbelow]

During the Hack-a-Splitter, Jackson, followed by Ginobili, were the most supportive and talkative. But the team on a whole, along with the crowd, were really supportive as well.

Jackson went up to Splitter just about every time it happened, no doubt to give him some encouraging words. Bonner also clapped his ass off after one of Splitter's makes.

[Horry For 3!]

It was an awesome game, first Spurs playoff game I have been to and for sure not my last!

[TD 21]

I'm sure it's been said a bunch of times, but I don't have time to sift through a lot of threads. The biggest takeaway from this game was all of the positive stats for the Thunder. Honestly, they've got to feel like they played to capacity in so many areas and still lost and not only lost, but were never really in it for a good amount. That's what's got to be eating away at them.

Brooks finally figuring out the lineup he needs to play major minutes isn't some series changer. Maybe it wins them a game, but that's it. Ultimately, when you have to make radical/dramatic rotation changes, you know you're not winning a series. It's basically saying "we can't do what we do to win, so we have to resort to something that's not really us". Speaking of Brooks, I always thought he was overrated and would get exposed in this series. Not that any coach was changing the inevitable outcome, but still, they need a better coach if they're to take the next step.

I knew Duncan was due for a few off games offensively, but what concerned me yesterday were two shots we've seen a lot of the past few seasons, but little to none of during his resurgence the past few months: 1) that step through one handed flip shot, where he get's little elevation and just tries to rely on his superior length and 2) that fade away where he also get's little elevation and basically forces it up, because he can't take his man off the dribble. Both shots are telegraphed and are flat out bad signs. I don't know if his knee is starting to give him trouble again or if it's just fatigue, but neither is a good sign. The assertiveness, decisiveness, explosion and lift we've seen for the past few months was gone.

[vander]

hmm, TP and manu played out of their minds
lots of bad calls in spurs favor
home court

only win by 11

this thunder team still got me scared

[therealtruth]

I'm sure it's been said a bunch of times, but I don't have time to sift through a lot of threads. The biggest takeaway from this game was all of the positive stats for the Thunder. Honestly, they've got to feel like they played to capacity in so many areas and still lost and not only lost, but were never really in it for a good amount. That's what's got to be eating away at them.

Brooks finally figuring out the lineup he needs to play major minutes isn't some series changer. Maybe it wins them a game, but that's it. Ultimately, when you have to make radical/dramatic rotation changes, you know you're not winning a series. It's basically saying "we can't do what we do to win, so we have to resort to something that's not really us". Speaking of Brooks, I always thought he was overrated and would get exposed in this series. Not that any coach was changing the inevitable outcome, but still, they need a better coach if they're to take the next step.

I knew Duncan was due for a few off games offensively, but what concerned me yesterday were two shots we've seen a lot of the past few seasons, but little to none of during his resurgence the past few months: 1) that step through one handed flip shot, where he get's little elevation and just tries to rely on his superior length and 2) that fade away where he also get's little elevation and basically forces it up, because he can't take his man off the dribble. Both shots are telegraphed and are flat out bad signs. I don't know if his knee is starting to give him trouble again or if it's just fatigue, but neither is a good sign. The assertiveness, decisiveness, explosion and lift we've seen for the past few months was gone.

I think he may be playing slightly too many minutes. The Spurs need to get more minutes out of Tiago to rest Duncan. I think the Thunder's faster lineup and switching on everything gave us some problems. It definitely kept them in the game.

The Spurs still have a couple of areas they could improve on. They need to foul OKC less and they should have done a better job keeping OKC from offensive rebounding.

[BillMc]

I think he may be playing slightly too many minutes. The Spurs need to get more minutes out of Tiago to rest Duncan. I think the Thunder's faster lineup and switching on everything gave us some problems. It definitely kept them in the game.

The Spurs still have a couple of areas they could improve on. They need to foul OKC less and they should have done a better job keeping OKC from offensive rebounding.

Give Blair like 3 or 4 minutes, a little more for Diaw and Tiago and get Tim back down to 30 minutes a game.

The Heat will run too. And, if Bosh can get healthy, will be well-rested. We'll need a good Timmy.

[TD 21]

I think he may be playing slightly too many minutes. The Spurs need to get more minutes out of Tiago to rest Duncan. I think the Thunder's faster lineup and switching on everything gave us some problems. It definitely kept them in the game.

The Spurs still have a couple of areas they could improve on. They need to foul OKC less and they should have done a better job keeping OKC from offensive rebounding.

36 when the games are going every other day is more than ideal, but ideal is irrelevant at this time of year. He's gotten more and more rest the past half decade, particularly the past few seasons. He was even well rested in the first two rounds, both minutes wise and because of the long break between series. These last two rounds, forget rest. It's all about doing whatever it takes to win. Besides, the quicker they can end this series, the more rest he gets between rounds again.