In what can only be described as a league-imposed loss for the Spurs, tbh, probably due to Pop giving a big middle-finger to TNT by sitting Kawhi, the Grizz were helped by the refs into a win they couldn't really close until 3-4 mins before the game was over. Which really should tell you this Memphis team is pathetic (no disrespect to my bro Memphis fan in here), tbh. Refs basically stopped short of lobbing alley-oops to JaMaicheal (sp?) Green, just embarrassing... anyways, on to the grades.
Tony Parker: A-
Tony started hot, sinking jumpers, then judiciously distributed the ball to his teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. His defense on Tony Allen was adequate (there were two travels not called by the refs by Allen going to the rim, not only Lebron gets away with those, apparently). His floor general game was solid (per, par), but there was no beating the refs tonight. The offensive foul call at the end was a microcosm of this game.
Danny Green: A-
Massive on defense, and his usual magician with the ball. Tonight he showed his whole repertoire, three pointers, floaters, behind the back... the Spurs haven't yet seen the ceiling on this guy. It's unfortunate the league doesn't appreciate him like Spurs fans do. They probably don't watch the games, tbh.
Kawhi Leonard: A-
TNT couldn't stop directing the camera at him. I counted 5 instances, and I had to take a leak during the game, could've easily been 6 or more. The star power of this kid is off the charts. Tony Allen was lurking around him all game when they were attacking on that end, I think he wanted to get a picture with him. The team battled valiantly without him, but it's realistically difficult to beat 8 guys without Kawhi.
Jonathon Simmons: A-
More subdued than in other occasions. Very likely the refs were talking trash to him during the game. He started tonight and did not disappoint, he wasn't much better than the rest, but when you're playing with guys like Tony or LaMarcus on the floor, it makes sense to go there offensively. His defense on Parsons was phenomenal when the refs allowed it (rare occasions).
LaMarcus Aldridge: A
With Kawhi out, LMA had the spotlight, but you knew the fix was in when this guy was in foul trouble immediately. He played in foul trouble all game, battling against the Grizz and the refs, but there's only so much you can do when you're fouled blatantly and repeatedly with no calls. Pop should've just sat him at halftime in protest, but then TNT would've probably sent a cameraman to break his legs. They so mad already, they basically erased him from the All Star game (a game nobody cares about, tbh, when everybody already knows Kawhi is going to be MVP)
Dewayne Dedmon: A-
What a beast (if the refs would've actually let him play). He basically took Marc Gasol's cookie, ate it and then spit it back at him. He's the confirmation we have a complete matchup advantage against this team. Gasol was so scared to go at him at some point, the refs had to push him then call fouls to send him to the line. The league will learn to fear this guy.
Patty Mills: A-
He gets a minus because despite the bench being really solid (per, par), he just couldn't get his shot to drop. One of those nights. He was otherwise his energetic self. Bittersweet in a way, since this Patty is a $20m/year guy in this league's environment, tbh. Hopefully PATFO is ready to open the purse in the offseason.
Manu Ginobili: A-
Manu looked like he would dust off SuperManu for a while there, and be the rebel that tilts the balance of injustice seen on the floor. It was not meant to be though, despite a valiant effort. It wasn't a great game from him though, thus the minus. He basically was only 2x better than your average Harden night. Might be unfair, but we expect better.
Kyle Anderson: A-
Kyle did everything right tonight (as usual). Ran when he needed to run, rebounded when he needed to rebound, attack the rim when he needed to. We're seeing Summer League Kyle flourish in front of our eyes. Exciting times. The only nick on his otherwise otherworldly performance was stepping on the line on a 3 point shot. Just little things he still learning.
Davis Bertrans: A-
What a player! Only in Europe you can find such mix of finesse and athleticism. Another gem by RC. Spurs playing chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers. Tonight he was his active self, except when the refs kept constantly reminding him "this is Trump's America now, boy". On defense he was superb, but refs kept calling fouls on him, even when ZBo was literally bouncing on the floor. Ridiculous.
Pop: A-
Pop pushed all the right buttons tonight. He basically coached a 2005 Game 6 game, but just like that game, the refs were too much to overcome. I thought he should've gotten himself ejected at some point, just to show them. But he already gave TNT the middle finger sitting Kawhi, so Pop wins again, per par.
In sum, a meaningless league-imposed regular season loss. Just a shame the league (and TNT especially) has such a bias against the Spurs, tbh. One would think this will be over by the playoffs, tbh, especially since Pop and Silver are such butt-buddies on the social agenda. Remains to be seen though.
Hope you all enjoyed the grades!
Thanks for the grades
I also applaud your humility, tbh, this would have been an appropriate time for your serious grades after Manu looked great
"Silver & Black colored glasses"
Heh thanks for the humorous positive vibe.
Thd refs did let Memphis foul everyone going to the basket. Not all blocks were clean for example and OTOH called Dedmon for at least one foul on Carter when he was straight up. The refereeing was definitely tilted to the grind house. It was a flashback to yesterday's NBA apparently.
Forgot to grade David Lee, but you guys already know what I think, tbh...
Kyle was great tonight, thanks for the grades
I thought since Pop is a limo-crat and TNT is owned by lefties that reffing would be a little more benevolent, this game was very 2011-ish.
I needed this, thnx m8.
This was a Pop-imposed loss and the middle finger was for his own team and superstar. Nothing to see here.
Thanks for the grades! We put on a clinic tonight. An optometrist clinic. Forgot this was on TNT until it was over. I'm sure the general public was impressed with both teams hot shooting!
agree
I think you were a little tough on a couple of the guys, but I don't want to split hairs. The one thing that should be mentioned, IMO, is that you could just see that LMA wanted it more than the rest of the team. A guy who plays with heart? You just can't keep him down.
Thanks for the in depth write-up. Just like being courtside.
lmao I only caught the stats, what actually happened last night?
I especially loved Pop's starting 5. When the Spurs couldn't score a basket for like the 25 minutes they played together, I thought it was a stroke of genius. The Grizzlies kept thinking we were about to sub and go on another big run . . . nope. Pop kept them guessing right up to the end.
I don't think OP watched the game.
Scored only 14 in the first quarter and even worse in the fourth (2 fgs total). Complete meltdown on the offensive end.
Pop pulls his usual coaching shenanigans on national TV and people still wonder why the spurs are always under the radar.
Stealth campaign for Kawhi MVP.
Manu only has one ball, and he refused to share it with any of his teammates who have none.
The last time the Spurs scored this few points was in 2011. You remember... the ty team that lost in the first round to Memphis? But this is different. Because back then, the backup for Parker was a chucker 2 guard.
tony with 2 assists, 2 turnovers in 29 minutes
Nice grades, but I think POP deserves a 110 for his 1st quarter rotation. Instead of calling a timeout or calling for someone to foul to stop the clock, he left the starters intact until only 2+ minutes remained in the quarter. This allowed the subs extra rest while camped out sitting on the floor in front of the scorers table. Everyone else is just learning rotation is not important. The mans a genius!
Spurs probably lose by 20+ if Chandler Parsons sits out, tbh
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