Quick Grades: Spurs vs. Bucks - Dec. 4

[quentin_compson]

What's up with ElNono's "I hate TP" shtick lately?

Anyway, it was nice to see the Spurs taking care of the defensive glass this time. Cory Joseph also deserves props for his hustle. Blair, on the other hand, seems to have lost most of his finishing abilities.

[Mel_13]

No, I don't think Splitter is in line to start (other than games against the Lakers and any other team that comes up with a pair of large bigmen). Splitter is needed to anchor the bench unit -- on both sides of the court. Hypothetically the Spurs could start both and still have Splitter play with the bench ... but then if Splitter gets in early foul trouble, the bench becomes a bunch of midgets.

For Splitter to move into the starting lineup, the Spurs would have to acquire a backup center.

That said, I'm hoping Pop bumps Splitter's minutes up to ~25 MPG. That's doable and it should be a priority to play your fourth or fifth best player a healthy amount of time.

Exactly.

[Slippy]

as a completely objective fan
spurs need to pass the ball to tiago "mr fourth quarter" splitter more
nando is the only spur who passed to him and its no suprised we went on a 16-2 when he did
splitter either got easy layups or made good passes while rolling
then parker came in and played hero mode and the lead went away

Tony atleast looked out for Tiago and other teammates.

Can't say the same for Gary Neal who only sees rim when running the offense. Opposing teams find that offense or his more to the point easy to pick off or guard.

Spurs played a higher percentage brand of basketbball once Nando got the ball going into 4th. That's says alot considering he can get a little fancy with passes but from a fan standpoint im loving it.

[boutons_deux]

Nando is one cool cat of a passer. unemotional, no at ude, all business, loves to Play The Right Way. If he gets his jump shot falling next year, fantastic.

But I always have to wonder WTF a 23-year-old has been doing for all these basketball years that he can shoot worth a damn.

[Obstructed_View]

Did you have a Bonner poster made for him? Surely they aren't available to buy.

[Obstructed_View]

Schtick officially worn out. Time to move on.

[maverick1948]

Bonner and Anderson deserve an A as well as Splitter, De Colo and Joseph. For some reason that 5-some created more problems for the Bucks than the starting 5. Bonner was a killer on the boards, 3 offensive and 9 on the defense. His defense was as good as Diaw and way better than Blair. Anderson is looking more and more like the player the Spurs drafted. Some of his passes were better than TP's attempts. De Colo showed what the Spurs saw in him in Europe. Ball handling skills and most of all, shooting skills. He is settling into the grind of the NBA and not nervous. I see Joseph going back to the Toros when Jax and Kawhi come back with "Patrick" Mills and Anderson swapping out with matchups for game time. I want to more of De Colo with Splitter over the next 5 or 6 games. Extended minutes I think will show he and Splitter can work together on the Spurs as well as they did on their European teams. This would let Manu move back to the starting lineup and Green back to the 2nd unit.

TD, Boris, SJax, Manu and TP, start the old geezers then bring in Splitter, Bonner, Kawhi, Neal and De Colo with Green and Blair off the bench as needed.

[Boomersgold]

Bonner and Anderson deserve an A as well as Splitter, De Colo and Joseph. For some reason that 5-some created more problems for the Bucks than the starting 5. Bonner was a killer on the boards, 3 offensive and 9 on the defense. His defense was as good as Diaw and way better than Blair. Anderson is looking more and more like the player the Spurs drafted. Some of his passes were better than TP's attempts. De Colo showed what the Spurs saw in him in Europe. Ball handling skills and most of all, shooting skills. He is settling into the grind of the NBA and not nervous. I see Joseph going back to the Toros when Jax and Kawhi come back with "Patrick" Mills and Anderson swapping out with matchups for game time. I want to more of De Colo with Splitter over the next 5 or 6 games. Extended minutes I think will show he and Splitter can work together on the Spurs as well as they did on their European teams. This would let Manu move back to the starting lineup and Green back to the 2nd unit.

TD, Boris, SJax, Manu and TP, start the old geezers then bring in Splitter, Bonner, Kawhi, Neal and De Colo with Green and Blair off the bench as needed.

I see Pop playing a bench lineup of De Colo, Mills, Splitter, Ginobili and Bonner for the next few games or until Kawhi and Leonard are back.