Grades: Spurs vs. Blazers - Jan. 13

[timvp]

Leonard's steal of Aldridge (in the fourth?) was pretty sweet too, though I couldn't tell if it was by luck or by design.

It was by design. Pop had Kawhi doubling from along the baseline for much of the second half. On that one, it was good work by Kawhi in covering Batum's cut to the paint and then sneaking in behind LA.

How are the Trail Blazers a "powerhouse in the West"?

The Blazers had the second best record in the West despite having the second most difficult schedule in the NBA to date. Call that what you wish.

[dylankerouac]

It was by design. Pop had Kawhi doubling from along the baseline for much of the second half. On that one, it was good work by Kawhi in covering Batum's cut to the paint and then sneaking in behind LA.

Ah, yeah I had seen this play earlier in the game without the turnover. In fact KL didn't attempt a swipe at the ball, so I guess the first go was to learn how LA operated. Second time he made LA pay with the turnover. This might say something about the speed in which KL learns something.

I also thought Tim was either a little gassed, though I wouldn't say he looked gassed, or if he was just having an off game. On the other hand, today I saw he had 9 rebounds, so if 9 rebounds is an off game in 21 minutes of play I must be nuts for even suggesting he looked off.

[TD 21]

The Blazers had the second best record in the West despite having the second most difficult schedule in the NBA to date. Call that what you wish.

Thank you for the history lesson. Now here's another one: The Spurs are a half game better in the standings, are a plus 1.99 in point differential and have played only one more game at home, while playing the same amount on the road. True, the Trail Blazers schedule has been much more difficult, but they're not missing what's widely regarded as their best player, either.

When Ginobili got injured, you and the masses claimed this team would struggle to make the playoffs. But if they're ahead of a supposed "juggernaut", then logically it would make them something more. Or has it become consensus already to pretend that they're another team that's head and shoulders above the Spurs?

[GSH]

When Ginobili got injured, you and the masses claimed this team would struggle to make the playoffs. But if they're ahead of a supposed "juggernaut", then logically it would make them something more. Or has it become consensus already to pretend that they're another team that's head and shoulders above the Spurs?

If someone was disloyal enough to suggest that the reason the Spurs have a good record is because they've had a lot more home games than road games, I would have a hard time arguing with them. Not that anyone would dare to say such a thing.

I'm just saying.

[timvp]

BTW, Malcolm Thomas got screwed out of a rebound. He grabbed a defensive board that somehow ended up being credited to Gary Neal.

[mudyez]

Green has the talent to be more than just a role player, IMO. Bowen didn't put up great numbers either and nobody would say he was just a role player. And Green impacts a game in even more ways IMO.

IMHO he and BigShot-Bob have been the two best roleplayers of all time! (Snow, Kerr, Willis could be the others on the others on the all time roleplayer team)

...and I would take them both over a lot of so called stars.

[SenorSpur]

If someone was disloyal enough to suggest that the reason the Spurs have a good record is because they've had a lot more home games than road games, I would have a hard time arguing with them. Not that anyone would dare to say such a thing.

I'm just saying.

Well, seeing as how the Spurs are now "0-fer" on the road, you certainly wouldn't be lying if you implied as such.