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Splitter was an F
Tim Duncan B+
This was the most Tim Duncan-esque game out of Tim Duncan this season. As the Spurs made their run in the second half, his rebounding was great and his ability to protect the rim was fantastic. Offensively, it wasn't always pretty but he was very efficient (15 points on nine shots and only one turnover). Overall, Duncan's performance gave hope that he can at least turn the clock back far enough to play at last year's level.
Tony Parker C-
On the positive side, Parker hit some big shots down the stretch and continues to distribute well (8 assists). However, I didn't like any other aspect of his game tonight. He just didn't seem engaged; Parker had countless mental mistakes on both ends. He had no control over the tempo and he seemed to second guessed his every move. Defensively, he was getting torched by Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. Parker definitely caught a break when Curry left when yet another ankle injury. All that said, give Parker some credit for doing enough late in the fourth to help the Spurs get the W.
Richard Jefferson B+
The difference in the game, statistically speaking, might have been Richard Jefferson going 5-for-5 on three-pointers. Live I've been noting, his stroke looks better than ever and he's suddenly now one of the most dangerous catch-and-shoot threats in the league. That's not bad for a player who struggled in that area as recently as two years ago. We also saw Jefferson drive to the hoop a few times, which had been missing all year. Defensively, he was solid and he also helped out on the boards. On the other hand, his effort and intensity doesn't seem to be all the way dialed up, though it may be that Jefferson isn't yet in game shape.
DeJuan Blair C-
To begin the game, DeJuan Blair was absolutely atrocious on defense. His transition defense was especially horrible, as was his pick-and-roll defense. As the game progressed, Blair got better on defense -- but even at his best, he was still poor on that end of the court. Thankfully, Blair was good offensively after the first quarter, rebounded the ball well throughout and finished without a turnover.
James Anderson C-
James Anderson got the start and got a major test in his matchup against Ellis. Unfortunately, Anderson failed the test. He just looks slooooow compared to Ellis. When isolated defensively, Anderson didn't have a prayer when it came to staying in front of the explosive Warriors guard with the amazing last name. On offense, Anderson wasn't much better. His early season confidence is fading quickly and he simply isn't knocking down open jumpers like he did early in his rookie season.
TJ Ford A
The Spurs were desperate for playmaking with Ginobili out injured. TJ Ford answered the bell. He totaled eight assists in 20 minutes and San Antonio would have been toast without him. He passed great in the second quarter to help bring the Spurs back from an early hole. When Ford re-entered in the second half, he added some scoring (9 points on 4-for-5 shooting) to go along with his passing. Defensively, Ford had his struggles but he gave great effort on that end. All in all, the UT legend was outstanding.
Tiago Splitter D+
Ugh. I don't even have an adjective to describe how soft Tiago Splitter was on the low block. Multiple times he was isolated on a point guard and decided to give up the ball. When he wasn't doing that, he was needlessly using numerous ball fakes when he had a clear look at the basket. (And that damn waist-high hook is going to drive me insane.) Defensively, Splitter was decent but nothing special. The Brazilian bigman has had some really good moments this season, however none of those moments occurred tonight.
Danny Green A+
Give Danny Green the game ball. He has played well in recent games but he took it to another level tonight. His tenacity on defense was contagious. The only success the Spurs had on Ellis was when Green was put on him for the final 16 minutes. He uses underrated athleticism, his wiry frame and high basketball IQ to be a disruptive force on D. Offensively, Green was very aggressive. He wants the ball and is decisive with his decisions once he gets it. Going forward, Pop must find a spot in the rotation for Green. He has more than earned it at this point.
Gary Neal B-
Gary Neal made his season debut and did what he does. He's fearless offensively and he's always ready and willing to take the next open shot. Despite the rust, his jumper looks picture-perfect -- like always. Defensively, tonight was a horror show for Neal. He got roasted by every Warrior he attempted to defend. Last season, Neal was a sub par defender so it wasn't a surprise that he would struggle on that end when you consider his rust and the fact he's recovering from the appendectomy.
Matt Bonner B
I liked how Matt Bonner played tonight. He was only 1-for-4 shooting from the field but his defense was really good and he was crashing the boards. Even his post defense, an area where he usually struggles, was strong. Offensively, Bonner didn't try to do too much when the Warriors closed out on his shots. It was just a solid 16 minutes out of Bonner.
Kawhi Leonard B-
It was some more good and some more bad for Kawhi Leonard as the rookie continues to learn the league. His rebounding remains strong and he had a few good defensive possessions. Conversely, he was oftentimes overmatched when attempting to defend one-on-one and when he tried to maneuver around screens. In a perfect world, I would want Leonard to keep getting minutes. But without Ginobili and with Green playing so well, Pop will probably have to decide whether to cut Leonard or Anderson out of the rotation for the time being.
Pop A
yes, this was the Pop that has been missing in action for a while. He actually showed some emotion on the sideline and was able to spark his troops. He literally demanded that his team push the tempo all the way to the finish line. This type of demonstrative coaching was effective in the past during championship runs and without Ginobili to supply the passion, Pop should step up and carry some of the emotional slack. Oh, and when it came to coaching decisions, he was really good, too. Putting Green into the game and keeping him in was obviously key. Letting Ford remain on the court with Parker down the stretch was the right move. He even judiciously utilized small ball. It just seemed like every button Pop pushed in the final two quarters was the right button at the right time.
Last edited by timvp; 01-05-2012 at 12:02 AM.
Splitter was an F
Awesome.
" the explosive Warriors guard with the amazing last name"
Thanks !! I agree with you on most of the grades !!
Manu Bonner? ing disgusting.
(Though I had to fix it avoid an international incident.)
My brain almost imploded when Splitter was posting up on Charles Jenkins, got to use a couple power dribbles against the rookie point guard and then passed it back out. That might have been the softest moment in Spurs history.
Well, RJ was this good at the first half of last season, but in the second half, he sucked.Richard Jefferson B+
The difference in the game, statistically speaking, might have been Richard Jefferson going 5-for-5 on three-pointers. Live I've been noting, his stroke looks better than ever and he's suddenly now one of the most dangerous catch-and-shoot threats in the league. That's not bad for a player who struggled in that area as recently as two years ago. We also saw Jefferson drive to the hoop a few times, which had been missing all year. Defensively, he was solid and he also helped out on the boards. On the other hand, his effort and intensity doesn't seem to be all the way dialed up, though it may be that Jefferson isn't yet in game shape.
Solid grades, though I'd up Neal to a B. He did good considering he hasn't actually played, D-league or NBA, yet this season. As long as he doesn't shy away on offense he's good.
If Green can bring that type of defensive effort every night, and slow down the quickest guy on the floor, then he better get minutes. Who the cares about his offensive production, just let him sit in the corner on set plays. Dude had serious intensity tonight defensively, he was all over the court... I just hope it wasn't an aberration.
This is true, but right now we need regular season RJ. I agree he is playing pretty soft and he rarely drives, but right now Spurs need someone to knock down shots and he is. I wish he would play with more energy and at least attempt to drive a few times a game, but overall we have to hope RJ can continue to stroke it.
imo he had a good start until he was bench, then coming back being passive with the offense not going to him no more, maybe he was fine with his stats whatever it was b4 his last 4 pts, but imo he couldve done more damage if he wanted to instead of concentrating on offense, we went away from the guy who basically had a hot hand in the first quarter who kept us in the game....
there are moments in the game, he continues to pull the same when his b2b possessions his gettin stopped but continues to pull the same again on the next...very frustrating
offensively in the first quarter he was very good of it wouldve been a blowout without his contribution and duncans hot hand...
if a c = pass, then he shouldnt be gettin one this game, dude played like this game, just another player on the court we didnt need just to make up the numbers when nothing is going his way....
Tiago Splitter D+[/quote]
he did well rebounding and , didnt do much when he was with the bench forcing space for himself down low with very good position only to flop up 2 weak ass hookshots.....defensively he didnt do much when most of the gsw points came of jumpshots
bonner a fkn B? he did all this game, enjoyed the moment he was bench...
he only had one good play all game and that was it and for the rest of the night didnt play in the 2nd half...
Pop A[/quote]
to be honest he did all this game, everytime his force to clear the bench means his given up and hope for the best these players get playing time, its only when these guys get us back into the game, it makes it look like pops coaching but in reality no....
Yeah, its too bad, Splitter started the game so well. First few minutes had me thinking Splitter and Leonard were bright spots once again. He played the rest of the game so poorly though. I think things went down hill after he botched his post up play late in the 1st quarter.
Tony Parker hit 2 clutch step back jumpers and 4 clutch free throws in the fourth quarter. Plus Pop slapped him upside the head and he laughed and then went out and balled his ass off. He deserves a B+ at a minimum if Pop deserves an A.
i was fkn pissed with monta and curry was fkn torchin us like crazy expecially with whatever crap we had on them b4 green made them his ...i was hoping pop would throw leonard on either one just for defensive experience guarding better players in the league, then hovering around the perimeter doing all besides makin numbers on the court
Splitter looks scared on the offensive end, somebody has to teach him to use his size and go hard.
pathetic weakass layups and flat ft shooting....thats the only downside of his game
i wonder why marc jackson didnt bother hacking when the game was on the line
I felt like I watched Neal pass on a couple of defensive plays that he normally would have gone after. If he's a little tenative coming back from an operation, it would be understandable. I, for one, was really happy to see him back on the floor.
One of my favorite moments was Danny Green out in front on a fast break, settling in for that corner 3 and begging for the ball. Ford couldn't get it to him, but you could see he that Green really wanted the shot. That's a guy you want to feed. It made me think about Ime Udoka, and all the times he looked like a kid in class, hoping that the teacher didn't call on him. There is all the difference in the world between the two. Tonight Green looked like a guy who believes he belongs, and has been looking for a chance to prove it.
Bonner was 1-3 from the 3-point line. The two that missed were stroked, and just a hair off. If those balls drop, he would have earned an A in my book. He didn't do anything great, but he didn't get victimized. If the grades are expectation-based, then he played up to expectation. I would take those 16 minutes from him any night. Unfortunately, we won't be playing Golden State every night.
I always thought Rasho was a eunuch. Tiago looked like a kinder, gentler Rasho. Echhh.
IMO he didnt look scared...he looked pretty aggressive early on. He just doesnt have NBA level athleticism.
he didnt get alot of damage done to him cause he was barely down low and mainly on the bench, hence most of the gsw points came from jumpshots and 3s....he was save for the abusive meltdown waiting for him tommarow against dallas
if splitter can get his shots to fall down, then he exceeds rasho...his defense is right about there, just needs to hustle for offensive rebs and settin good picks
Agree with most of the grades but Parker deserves a B at the very minimum. Although he looked absolutely unmotivated during most of the game, he helped close the game out with his timely jumpers and made FT.
A couple of questions. What lineup finished the game? Is Green better defensively than KL? If so, why?
2nd year experience of the spurs system in full affect...he has shown he can play when given minutes, its just that we havnt seen him done what he did today with more minutes...now lets up the ante and give him +25mins and see what he can do....
JA provides nothing when his shots aint falling
KL provides nothing offensively maybe due to him passively hanging out on the perimeter and not forcing up shots, but his defense and reb doesnt make it up enough
both players combined = green
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