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Gold. Wait, not gold. PLATINUM
Tim Duncan
Duncan had a streaky game but he was a huge part of the win. He struggled early on but recovered on both ends of the court like champions do. Once he started to punish single-team coverage, he forced the Suns to send help. Once the Suns made that adjustment, it opened the floodgates for shots from downtown. His defense near the end of the game was almost perfect. Not the best of Duncan, but good enough.
Grade: B+
Manu Ginobili
Sure, Ginobili had some big turnovers in the fourth quarter. But like I always say regarding Ginobili, as long as he's being aggressive then I'm happy. His 26 points led the way for the Spurs and he hit many huge free throws down the stretch. Also worthy of note were his huge rebounds he snagged at various points in the game and possessions of possessed defense. He's still relying on his three-pointer a tad too much, but no one can fault his effort. Ginobili gave everything he possible could for the Spurs to win.
Grade: B+
Tony Parker
I was proud of the way Parker fought through adversity in this game. His jumper wasn't falling for most of the game and that allowed the Suns to really pack the paint on him. Instead of folding and just depending on others, he kept fighting. Because of that, the Spurs were rewarded with a great effort down the stretch from their point guard. He hit a jumper to tie the game for the first time in the second half. Parker also got the assists on the other final two baskets, three-pointers from Finley and Bowen. Defensively, Parker continued his amazing play. Quietly, he's been the best defender on the team this series.
Grade: B
Bruce Bowen
Bowen's three-pointer with 36 seconds to go in the game might go down as the biggest shot of his career. It gave the Spurs a lead that they never relinquished. On top of that, he played amazing defense on Nash down the stretch. While that hasn't always been the case this series, he was in top form in the fourth quarter on Nash.
Grade: B+
Francisco Elson
Elson looked lost. He had a couple of decent plays but he was a liability when he was on the court. More concentration while on the court would help matters.
Grade: D+
Michael Finley
Finley hit some big buckets and was one of the few Spurs not hesitating on their shot. His defense down the stretch was greatly improved and his will to win was apparent all game. He missed some shots but overall, Finley did his part.
Grade: B-
Brent Barry
As good as Barry was in Games 3 and 4, that's how bad he was in Game 5. Honestly, I'm not totally sure he made the flight to Phoenix. No points, one assists and one rebound in 16 minutes is not exactly what the Spurs had in mind coming off his last two performances. Timid Barry was back.
Grade: D
Fabricio Oberto
Early on, it seemed like Oberto was the only Spur who wanted to win. He came ready to play and ready to take home the victory. You couldn't say that for too many Spurs in the beginning of the contest. However, Oberto became a liability when the Suns went to their mini-ball lineup.
Grade: B-
Robert Horry
Horry's defense on Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw was fantastic. He kept both players in check single handedly. He didn't get many open shots tonight, but he made all the ones he took. Although he was seventh on the team in plus/minus at +0, his impact went beyond the numbers.
Grade: A
Jacque Vaughn
If it's possible to play a worse six minutes, I'd like to see it. Well, as long as it's on the other team. Vaughn was literally the best player for the Suns. It's gotten to the point that it's hard to watch when Vaughn is in the game. Please for the love of all that is holy, please stop shooting the ball, Jacque. Please?
Grade: D
Pop
It was a tale of two halves for Pop. In the first half, he was getting outcoached and was being stubborn. The lineup the Suns put on the court screamed for small ball from the Spurs. Yet Pop decided he was going to let Shawn Marion go for Wilt Chamberlain numbers in the first half. Luckily, Pop came to his senses and put a lineup out there that could compete with what the Suns had to play with. He leaned heavily on his stars in the second half, which was the right call. He also learned from the last game and did a better job of conserving timeouts.
Grade: C+
Gold. Wait, not gold. PLATINUM
I was waiting for your post for a long time, LOL @ Horry & Vaughn comments
i saw this one coming
thanks Rob and Amare
Finally got to watch the game. Parker has seriously been an unsung hero on the defensive end. It's like he's shutting people down for the first time in his career.
I'd probably give an A to Ginobili on the strength of that fourth quarter, the only really bad turnover in that period I saw was that Vickesque pass (high and to the right) to Parker.
Horry deserves an A+
Robert Horry - Clutch even when he doesn't play!
D Plus? Hmm...a little generous there on Elson.
You gotta give my boy Bonner a grade too. And I'd give him a D. He didn't do anything but he looked scared on the few attempts and looks he got.
Don't forget Bonner!
These grades would make an awesome sports column in the Express News. Anyways, pretty much dead on. I'd bump Manu up and lower Elson and Vaughn.
vaughn deserves a F------. his intentions are noble but he just doesn't have the talent to execute. he should facilitate the offense period. no jumpers and no wild drives to the basket.
Oh, but doesn't small ball lose games?
One would hope this game would put that particular fallacy to rest, but I just know some people here will continue to watch games with a mini-TV in their ass...
Nice call, timvp...
just an A for horry?? come on timvp thats an automatic A++!!
Didn't see the game, but great call on TP's defence this series. He's been exceptional.
I'm worried about game 6Francisco Elson
Elson looked lost. He had a couple of decent plays but he was a liability when he was on the court. More concentration while on the court would help matters.
Grade: D+
Elson is playing so bad and with no Horry he'll see more minutes next game.
Bonner also didn't play good yesterday
Maybe small ball will be the best thing for game 6
I would have given Vaughn an F
Itis nerve wrecking just knowing that Vaughn is out there. He had some terrible lay-up attempts in the first half, and his shot was simply terrible last night, yet he kept shooting like he was a star trying to shoot his way out of a slump.
I'd give Pop a solid B.
With Horry, out, it's way hard to go small. Especially with Elson playing like a lost child. Oberto and Bonner can't run well enough with the suns on D OR O to play small ball. Still, Pop gave Elson the chance to prove himself (to no avail obviously.)
Pop DID finally go with Oberto over TD in the 3rd and the Spurs started to hit some shots. Like Kerr said, it forced the perimeter players to step up; thank God they did.
Pop forced the issue w/ thomas on Duncan in the 3rd, and the Spurs opened the half on a big run. He also called some good plays w/ Manu in the 4th.
I think Bowen's grade could be a little higher, because not only did he hit the big 3 for us; he actually rebounded really well also!
Vaughn makes my eyes crust over in fear.
Especially when he had that open three early, hesitated, dribbled in and ended up passing it away or turning it over, can't remember which. But I was upset because that's why we have him here, to take and make just a couple of threes.
These two guys? Uggghhhh.
It's time to dust off Beno and let him score some points.
Raindrops!
no doubt. pop's curtailed elson's minutes in this series but with horry's out he still has to get some minutes. too bad bonner didnt have a good outing in game 5.
pop finally went with barry and manu together on the floor with tp and vaughn on the bench in the 4th last night. not so sure about beno. he might have us clamoring for vaughn if he sees any minutes.
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