Spurs vs. Kings Game 1: Grades

[timvp]

Tim Duncan
If you look at Duncan’s stats, nothing really jumps out at you. He played about half the game and finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists. While his numbers weren’t great, he was a big part of the Spurs’ success. He was passing very well and wasn’t forcing anything offensively. Defensively, he was rock solid.
GRADE: A

Bruce Bowen
The Spurs’ stopper was at it again. He made Artest work hard and forced him into a 7-for-21 night from the field. Bowen wasn’t a huge part of the Spurs’ offensive attack, but hit both of his shots he took. All in all, it was another successful day at the office.
GRADE: A

Nazr Mohammed
Mohammed had an impressive stat line Saturday night. In his team-high 25 minutes, Mohammed scored 18 points, pulled down eight rebounds and had three blocks. He also went 6-for-6 from the field and 5-for-6 from the line. However, Mohammed didn’t play as well as the numbers indicate. He was a little slow rotating on defense and was in the way a lot on offense. Oh, and his late game three-pointer with ten seconds on the shot clock didn’t exactly indear him to Pop.
GRADE: B+

Manu Ginobili
In the beginning of the game, it was Ginobili who got the Spurs off on the right foot. He attacked the basket early and his energy got San Antonio rolling. With Manu setting the tone on both ends of the court, the Spurs stayed aggressive the whole game. As the playoffs continue, expect to see much more of Manu setting the tone and the energy level for the Spurs.
GRADE: A

Tony Parker
Parker was the player who inflected the most damage on the Kings. He obliterated Sacramento’s defense in the first half by getting in the lane and causing havoc around the basket. For the game, Parker finished with 25 points, five rebounds and four assists. He also did a good job on Mike Bibby by never letting him find an offensive rhythm. If Parker can keep playing this way, the Spurs will be a very tough out in the playoffs.
GRADE: A+

Brent Barry
Although he didn’t have a great shooting game, Barry was very effective overall. He finished with a team-high six assists in only 24 minutes of action. Barry’s passing was vital in getting the outside shooters flowing in Game 1.
GRADE: B+

Rasho Nesterovic
Nesterovic was a defensive monster Saturday. He defended the pick-and-rolls brilliantly and clogged the lane. Offensively, he had his best game in months. For the contest, the Slovenian center had ten points and seven rebounds, while shooting 4-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line.
GRADE: A

Michael Finley
A lot of Spurs fans were worried about how Finley would play in the playoffs. If Game 1 is any indication, San Antonio doesn’t have anything to worry about. Finley scored ten points, pulled down seven rebounds and dished out two assists in 20 minutes. That type of play over the course of the playoffs would make Finley hugely valuable for the Spurs.
GRADE: A

Nick Van Exel
Van Exel was wicked in the second quarter the Spurs. His three-pointers really blew the game open. Those are the kind of shots the Spurs were hoping Van Exel could hit in the playoffs. If he can stay healthy, Van Exel could be a weapon for the Spurs in this postseason.
GRADE: A

Robert Horry
Horry wasn’t needed much in the first game, but he produced while he was on the court. He had eight points, five rebounds and two blocks in only 16 minutes of action. As the playoffs roll on, Horry’s role will get larger and larger.
GRADE: A


+/- Breakdown
Bruce Bowen +25
Tim Duncan +23
Rasho Nesterovic +20
Tony Parker +17
Manu Ginobili +16
Brent Barry +15
Nick Van Exel +13
Nazr Mohammed +13
Michael Finley +9
Robert Horry +9

[1Parker1]

Awwww! It's back! I missed these. Great analysis, Timvp

[Supergirl]

Good analysis. Not so good editing job though.

"endear" - not indear
"inflict" - not inflect

pop out at me right away. Might be more. Sorry to be nitpicky, it's a pet peeve of mine.

[Slo spurs fan]

Really missed this grades...