Spurs vs. Nuggets Game 4 - Grades

[timvp]

Tim Duncan
Duncan did a great job of fighting through adversity this game. The refs were letting the Nuggets be physical with him and they also missed a few calls, but Duncan kept his cool. He didn't force up many bad shots and instead continued to pass out of double teams. He played great in the fourth quarter and asserted himself as the foundation that everything Spurs related is built off of. His defense wasn't great but picking up only one foul over the last two games is a reason why the Spurs were able to take both in Denver.
Grade: B+


Manu Ginobili
Ginobili didn't shoot overly well but the effort was definitely there. He didn't quite have the same level of aggressiveness that we saw in Game 3 but it wasn't for a lack of trying. His one-on-one defense wasn't anything to write back to Argentina about, but he had by far his best team defense game. He was active and was really causing havoc on that end of the court. I wish he would have attacked the rim a bit more and not settle for so many threes, but he made up for it in other areas. Again in the fourth quarter, he tired out. However, he led the spurt that got the Spurs into position to win the game in the first place.
Grade: B+


Tony Parker
This was the game I've been waiting for from Parker. He hit 7-of-11 shots and was the main reason Allen Iverson shot 9-for-25. I thought it was his best decision-making game of the series and his best job of keeping the Spurs pace. He also came up huge in the fourth quarter, hitting two huge layups and assisting Horry on the dagger three-pointer. AI shot only 1-for-6 in the fourth quarter, with much of the defensive work coming from Parker. He did have four turnovers, but most of those were out of being aggressive.
Grade: A-


Bruce Bowen
Bowen didn't have his greatest defensive game, but his offense was key in keeping the Spurs afloat. He was the only Spur outside of the Big Three to reach double figures, hitting 4-of-8 from the field. Again, the Nuggets offensive players got physical with him and although the Nuggets got called for a lot of offensive fouls, there were a lot more that weren't called. Overall, it was a good performance out of Bowen.
Grade: B


Francisco Elson
Slowly but surely, it appears that Elson might be working himself into playoff form. He was by far his most active for the series and had a couple good finishes around the rim. He still didn't do that well on the defensive end and was again last on the team in +/- (-4), but at least he's improving. His biggest fault was not keeping Marcus Camby off the glass enough.
Grade: B-


Michael Finley
Finley had a horrible time shooting the ball, connecting on only 3-of-11 shots from the field. But he deserves a lot of credit for a couple of huge baskets in the fourth quarter. It was great to see him stay aggressive and unafraid to keep shooting -- even when the shots weren't going down. It was probably his worst game of the series, but he was still a vital cog in the Spurs machine.
Grade: C+


Brent Barry
Barry missed all three of his shots but I don't fault him for that. He was aggressive with his shot and that's all I've ever asked out of him. Barry had some great passes and played passable defense. He was competing and brought energy, which is what you want in the playoffs.
Grade: B-


Fabricio Oberto
Although he only played 14 minutes, Oberto played rather well again. His post defense has probably been the best out of any Spur in the series. He's playing smart and just helps you win games. He's also doing a good job of not forcing anything offensively.
Grade: B


Robert Horry
Horry just continues to amaze. In what was otherwise a nondescript game from Horry, all he did was hit the game clinching three-pointer with half a minute on the clock. Just another day at the office for Big Shot Rob. The amount of game changing shots he's hit in his career is just getting ridiculous at this point.
Grade: A-


Jacque Vaughn
Vaughn isn't someone you want to see shooting a lot, but this game he scored his first six points of the series -- and the points turned out to be vital. He competed defensively, with varying levels of effectiveness. However, the big news was he finally was able to knock down a few shots and make the Nuggets' defenders pay.
Grade: B


Pop
Pop coached his azz off. Although all of his moves didn't work, I thought he showed a lot of trust by throwing out different combinations that hadn't been seen all season. The most important thing he did was get Duncan enough rest in the second half to let him dominate down the stretch. If I had to criticize any of his coaching, it'd be regarding Ginobili. For the second straight game, Ginobili had nothing in the tank at the end of the fourth. Pop has to find a rotation that can keep Ginobili fresh. Also, the isolation play for Ginobili at the top of the key hasn't worked in a big game in I don't know how long. In that scenario, Ginobili has way too many turnovers to keep running it. In the end of quarters and games, if Ginobili's number is called, Pop needs to put him in a situation where he's off the ball and can attack right away instead of letting the defense get set for what they've seen countless times on tape. Overall though, Pop coached a fine game.
Grade: B+

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Also, the isolation play for Ginobili at the top of the key hasn't worked in a big game in I don't know how long. In that scenario, Ginobili has way too many turnovers to keep running it. In the end of quarters and games, if Ginobili's number is called, Pop needs to put him in a situation where he's off the ball and can attack right away instead of letting the defense get set for what they've seen countless times on tape. Overall though, Pop coached a fine game.

Very astute, and I agree. That play doesn't work much for Manu any more. Yup, run him a motion play or two.

It's surprising they don't run the iso play occasionally for Tony given his speed, and that his pull-up, while not money, has improved vastly.

[jman3000]

Very astute, and I agree. That play doesn't work much for Manu any more. Yup, run him a motion play or two.

It's surprising they don't run the iso play occasionally for Tony given his speed, and that his pull-up, while not money, has improved vastly.

i dont like either of those iso plays... i would much rather have the ball in motion and have multiple touches... as great of one on one players that manu and parker seem... nothing beats some good old fashioned ball movement.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

i dont like either of those iso plays... i would much rather have the ball in motion and have multiple touches... as great of one on one players that manu and parker seem... nothing beats some good old fashioned ball movement.

Yeah, I agree most of the time, but the occasional iso in the right cir stances can work, depending on matchups. I mean, for a while there, esp. in 2005, it really worked for Manu, but now the league knows him too well.

Love your new avatar, BTW.

Wish I could've been there with you guys tonight.

[jman3000]

Yeah, I agree most of the time, but the occasional iso in the right cir stances can work, depending on matchups. I mean, for a while there, esp. in 2005, it really worked for Manu, but now the league knows him too well.

Love your new avatar, BTW.

definately... in 2005 it was almost automatic... unfortunately that was 2 years ago and manu *usually* doesn't come through with the same efficiency as he did back then. give me timmy d backing somebody down and passing it to the open man any day.

[sabar]

Dead on grades. Barry had some good passes and an inbounds.

[greens]

Nice grades.

Although, I'd give Bruce a B+ just for this block on Melo, very late in the fourth quarter:

[lefty]

Regarding the Manu Iso plays, they do work when Manu is farther from the 3pt line and already dribbling the ball (remember in 2005, it worked every time)...unlike in game 4 (standing close to the 3 pt line)

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

True. I'd like to see Pop and Manu adjust because the game is fluid. So they just have to counter-their current counters. I know Pop can use Manu and accomodate his ISO plays for him, in crunch time. It just has been more the Defenses responses, more than Manu ing up unforced. They are extra tight with him, so I hope Pop and Manu go over gametape and remedy a solution, getting back to being two steps ahead of the opposition rather than it being a gamble with tightening defenses as I've now been noticing..(They cut off the passing lane from Manu to Tim pretty well on that 4th Q TO.)

[aaronstampler]

Tony Parker
This was the game I've been waiting for from Parker. He hit 7-of-11 shots and was the main reason Allen Iverson shot 9-for-25. I thought it was his best decision-making game of the series and his best job of keeping the Spurs pace. He also came up huge in the fourth quarter, hitting two huge layups and assisting Horry on the dagger three-pointer. AI shot only 1-for-6 in the fourth quarter, with much of the defensive work coming from Parker. He did have four turnovers, but most of those were out of being aggressive.
Grade: A-<<

I don't have issue with your grades or analysis, but I found this paragraph pretty interesting since like literally eight hours ago you were telling me that the team depends on Tony shooting a lot to succeed. You praised his decision making here and his discipline taking only 11 shots. I say the exact same thing and I'm labeled a Tony hater who doesn't want to see him shoot the ball. If you're saying it was a good decision for him to shoot only 11 times, exactly how is that any different from what I've been saying? Really I'd love to hear this.


Also, on the Manu isolation play, I prefer it to come from the wings rather than the top of the key. The angles work a little better that way for him to squeeze through. If it has to be the top of the key, I'd like the screener to be Oberto rather than Timmy because if Tim is still close to the basket, defenders won't leave him and Manu can have more room. The pick and roll from straight on is dicey because if he's trapped at the top, a lot of hands are in the way between him and Duncan, as we saw today.

[Bruno]

Thanks, good read.

Jacque Vaughn
Vaughn isn't someone you want to see shooting a lot, but this game he scored his first six points of the series

It was his first six points from the field. He hit 2 free throws in the first game.

[timvp]

You praised his decision making here

I praised Parker's decision-making as far as leading the offense as a whole. He kept it at a Spurs pace and got the team into sets. He stayed in attack mode the whole game.

and his discipline taking only 11 shots.

What deep, dark corner of Tony hate-dom did you get this?

You pulled that out of your own Tony hating azz. I never mentioned anything about "his discipline taking only 11 shots".

Amazing.

If it has to be the top of the key, I'd like the screener to be Oberto rather than Timmy because if Tim is still close to the basket, defenders won't leave him and Manu can have more room.

He'd rather have Manu be double-teamed than run a pick-and-roll with the best player in the league?

If making up things I said wasn't bad enough . . .

The pick and roll from straight on is dicey because if he's trapped at the top, a lot of hands are in the way between him and Duncan, as we saw today.

The problem is he usually gets the ball stolen in that scenario. Getting the ball stolen on a pass hasn't been the main issue.

But whatever, I don't know why I even take the time.

[timvp]

It was his first six points from the field. He hit 2 free throws in the first game.

Apologies to Jacque Vaughn and his family.

[aaronstampler]

So when he takes 11 shots, that's a good decision, and when he takes 23, that's also a good decision?

[timvp]

So when he takes 11 shots, that's a good decision, and when he takes 23, that's also a good decision?

If he's being guarded by Carmelo Anthony, as he was in Game 3, you want him to take as many shots as possible to exploit the mismatch and make them swith their defense. If they are trying to force the ball out of his hands as they were in Game 4, you want him to still be aggressive but not force the issue and get himself into trouble.

Did you watch the game?

[ginobili fan]

So when he takes 11 shots, that's a good decision, and when he takes 23, that's also a good decision?

YES because Tony makes always the good decision.
Plus in this series he looses his energies guarding IA,then he wouldn't be as agressive as usual,then as efficient.
I think against the suns,tony will take AT LEAST 20 SHOTS BY GAME,whatever good decision or bad decision or in f*** you,bla bla bla...

[aaronstampler]

I watch all the games. And Carmelo was on him for the last three minutes of Game 3. I'd love to know what the excuse was for the first 3 and a half quarters.

Look why can't you just accept what I said as a compliment? You gave Tony an A- and I agreed. All I said is this game proves that Tony is capable of having good playoff games without putting up a bunch of shots. Stop taking everything I say the wrong way. You're the one who insists that Tony has to score a lot for this team to win, not me. I'm the one who just wants him to play smart and under control.

[ginobili fan]

I watch all the games. And Carmelo was on him for the last three minutes of Game 3. I'd love to know what the excuse was for the first 3 and a half quarters.

Look why can't you just accept what I said as a compliment? You gave Tony an A- and I agreed. All I said is this game proves that Tony is capable of having good playoff games without putting up a bunch of shots. Stop taking everything I say the wrong way. You're the one who insists that Tony has to score a lot for this team to win, not me. I'm the one who just wants him to play smart and under control.

I agree but you know that Tony is Tony and if he wants to score,he's sometmes blind because he's too confident

[Solid D]

There was a point in the game when Pop sat Timmy next him and talked to him. It was at the time Jimmy Lynam's daughter Dei reported from the sideline about how Duncan glared at Pop and then told him to settle in and play. The cameras focused on Pop and Timmy and Pop appeared to be saying (lip reading skills needed here) if he didn't...the game could turn into a "football game". I don't exactly know what Pop said there but after that "football game" comment, Duncan started playing better, getting deeper, getting second chance points and rebounds. He looked less the victim and more the inflicter. Pop may deserve an A grade for this game.

[GrandeDavid]

I appreciate you taking the time to write out the grades for each playoff game. For a traveller like myself who misses some games from time to time, your Grades Sheet is the first thing I look for after reading the headlines.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

btw, is it me, or has Manu been sucking at splitting the defenses lately?

He either needs a screen set up to penetrate more and more.

[Nikos]

I thought Bowen's D was underratted. He drew/created two offensive fouls in the first half that helped keep the Spurs afloat. I actually think his defense was pretty good, some tough shots were made by the Nuggets big two. But never at any point was I thinking Bowen was a liability in the game. Sometimes he can be exposed in the post or a player can even get hot on him once in a while (especially when someone else lets the player gets hot, and they throw Bruce on him). But tonight Bowen played a nearly perfect Bowen game. Hit open shots, played excellent position D, and created turnovers. I would love it if Bowen could have games like these all the time.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

btw, is it me, or has Manu been sucking at splitting the defenses lately?

He either needs a screen set up to penetrate more and more.

I was thinking the same thing

[spurster]

It was a gutsy move by Pop to let Big Shot shoot with a lot of time left on the clock. I was expecting the Spurs to let the clock run down into the teens, and the Nuggets probably were too.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I was thinking the same thing

yeah, (oops I forgot to say, "or bait them with a fake three" )

but yeah, I don't think it has anything to do with Manu losing a step. I think Manu's decisions on offense aren't the best.

He's settling too much, and isn't looking to finish, unless, something actually clicks in him. (where it's one of those by any means necessary pressure plays)

He'll settle for a J in response to the defense. I'm not saying he's not being smart, and taking what he reads in the Defense . But I still think he's settling on a game, that he hasn't quite used instinctive-wise (like he normally would do).

I like his floaters, but I've seen him take floaters "You're already half-way to the rim Manu. Just go in there for the ing lay-up or dunk." and I've seen him take 3 pointer J's after a fake, where he's looking to draw a foul even. He should take cue from Finley. Since he's already missing threes. (He's currently having a low FG percentage in this series) No need to fake. Just shoot the damn ball. Or drive it. Change it up. Too much thinking on his part actually IMO.

He hasn't been going for the finish consistently yet. I hope he wakes up, because once he starts going for the finish....The defenses will have to settle their actions on him more.

He shouldn't treat his game by settling for what the D gives him.