Quick Grades: Spurs vs. Warriors - Round 2, Game 5

[SouthernFried]

When DUNCAN wasn't on the court...there was zero interior Defense. Nothing, Nada...zilch.

Bonner and Splitter's interior defense was bad as I've ever seen 2 big men play. Out of position, poor or non-existent rotations, not cutting off lanes...it was absolutely horrible.

When Duncan came in...it was totally different.

So, giving Duncan a C for this game because his offense wasn't as effective, I think is doing him a disservice. I'd give him an A for the game, just because of how he changed the Spurs defense when he was on the court. Splitter and Bonner should both be F's...or at least D-.

Other than that, you're right on...as usual

[Spur-Addict]

Screening doesn't make an ineffective player effective. Have you noticed that GS is guard orientated team. They swarm and swipe on defense. On offense their plays develop from the outside. Splitter is not good that far from the basket, with his back turned, Closing out on shooters, Snagging long reboundslimited mobility, is different than guarding a stiff on a PnR or schooling someone in the post

I never said him setting screens makes him effective, it's what happens after that does. Perimeter guys are always going to swarm and swipe, it's the playoffs. It's only going to get worse next round with SUPERIOR PERIMETER DEFENDERS ON MEMPHIS who "swipe and swarm". And they are a better defensive team overall, so their rotations will be better. Are you watching what's happening underneath the basket? Are you watching what happens when he touches the ball around the basket? Are you watching him guarding Bogut, Ezeli, Landry etc? Are you watching him once he touches the ball around the basket, or what's happening when he is supposed to be boxing out underneath? When they go small, he's hardly out there unless he's guarding a center. How do I know this? The guy has played over 19 minutes once this series.

Unless he's on the back end of a rotation running to close out, he has the upper hand on his man on the switch once his man elevates to shoot as far as boxing out is concerned. Any player on the back end of a rotation trying to close out is vulnerable when chasing a man off the line.

Tim has less ability than Tiago in guarding PnR's, yet he's still effective enough to play big minutes. Why is that? Because the other areas of his game are far more on point in comparison. Like I said originally, it's his whole game that is lacking, not just one aspect.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

the every other day game schedule is getting to tim's legs imho

[dbreiden83080]

The Duncan/Manu grades need to be flipped IMO..

[Spur|n|Austin]

I have to wonder why Splitter is so bad. GS only have one legit big and that is Bogut. You would think Splitter would have a field day out there against Carl Landry and a 40% David Lee. If the Spurs get past the Warriors, I shudder thinking about what the Memphis bigs will do to him. Splitter needs to play well enough to stay on the floor, otherwise, it's more Bonner time.

He'll be better next series; this series just does not bode well for him.

[Raven]

green A+ tony B imho

[Juggity]

Can someone tell me real quick what it means when Patty puts his hand on his wrist and throws up the number 5 with his fingers? I've seen it like every game so far

[Aztecfan03]

so you only do grades when Spurs win?

I don't think he did game grades of game 1 though.

[Aztecfan03]

Chris Webber A-
The announcer didn't say anything especially memorable. However, it seemed that all night long the former Golden State Warrior was saying the right things about the Spurs. Perhaps the hate San Antonio fans were pouring on him earlier in the series has something to do with him telling it like it is, and that GSW truly was the better team than SAS, at that point in time. All around good performance by the color commentator.

dunno if you are being serious but his saying manu would get a letter from the league for flopping on a play that he was taken down by the shoulder was ridiculous.

[Aztecfan03]

Tim tied Kareem for second most double-doubles in the playoffs and then went into an offensive funk.

fify.

[pgardn]

I don't agree that Duncan is wearing down...he's just had 1.5 bad games in a row. He'll be fine. As for Tiago, I think he should have been a little higher...his offense has sucked but he helped our d alot in the second half (he had 4 steals in the game!).

I see a guy who is not playing well as we continue these every other day games. He is not as effective, I think it's pretty clear. He should be destroying Bogut. And he did so early on.

Tiago is just not made for this series. We must have him, but he is going to look bad. Has he actually grabbed a rebound above rim level?

[letmk]

I see a guy who is not playing well as we continue these every other day games. He is not as effective, I think it's pretty clear. He should be destroying Bogut. And he did so early on.

Tiago is just not made for this series. We must have him, but he is going to look bad. Has he actually grabbed a rebound above rim level?

In game 4, Bogut defended Tim hard, and Tim just could not beat him with dribbling. In last night's game, it's not related with Bogut much. Just Tim missing shots here and there. Can't tell the reason though.

[aal04]

I can see TD hasnt recovered from the Flu.

Game 1. Full adrenaline in his system. Compe ive by nature. game is in OT. TD walks off. TD does not walk off when he is needed MOST.

He must have been in some real pain. I was very surprised he was at training the next day. He is training in off days, and playing very physical interior defense against Bogut during game days with no inside help as a 37 year old.

We need to wrap this up in 6 and give him some proper rest.

[Spur-Addict]

Screening doesn't make an ineffective player effective. Have you noticed that GS is guard orientated team. They swarm and swipe on defense. On offense their plays develop from the outside. Splitter is not good that far from the basket, with his back turned, Closing out on shooters, Snagging long rebounds

limited mobility, is different than guarding a stiff on a PnR or schooling someone in the post

That "Limited Mobility" closed the series out over Duncan

@Swipe and swarming, yet he showed up in space, hitting some nice crafty shots, rolling hard to the basket and even hitting a floater

I told you he just had to tighten up the other areas of his game. @Heavy Legs.

Made a nice heavy leg rotation to block Thompson at the rim.

Splittter found part of his sack, and made an impact. He was being pushed under the basket by Ezeli, and having trouble with their bigs in general. Something to watch going forward. Still needs to tighten up his ball control under the rim.