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About damn time. Just kidding.
I love the way Oberto is playing. I wish he didn't have to rest. I cringe when I watch Elson.
Tim Duncan
Duncan had just an amazing overall performance in Game 2. He finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, four assists and two steals, while shooting 10-for-15 from the field. It's tough for a bigman to play much better or more efficiently. If Duncan continues to play at this level, it's going to be tough for a team to beat the Spurs.
Grade: A+
Manu Ginobili
After three great games in a row, Ginobili looked almost human for a night. With 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, he had a very nice all around game. However, he was a little loose with his ballhandling and passing, leading to five turnovers in 30 minutes and a number of other near turnovers. Ginobili was playing a bit too fast and although he played a good game, he can afford to slow it down a bit.
Grade: B-
Tony Parker
Parker played nearly flawless in the first half. It might have been his best half of basketball in the playoffs. He was being aggressive with his drive, which broke down the Jazz defense numerous time. His defense was also very good. In the second half, Parker lost some focus and aggressiveness. He wasn't driving as well and had five of his seven turnovers in the half. However, for the game, Parker had 17 points and 14 assists on 7-for-12 shooting, while tying for the lead in plus/minus at +9.
Grade: B
Bruce Bowen
Bowen had a nice bounce back performance after not doing too well in Game 1. In Game 2, his defense was improved and on the other end of the court he was tossing in the daggers to end the game. He had all three of his field goals in the fourth quarter when he drained three three-pointers to end the late Utah push. His defense still has room to improve, but it was better than it was in Game 1.
Grade: B
Fabricio Oberto
Oberto is playing at a high level right now. He's gone from a nice playoff surprise to a player expected to produce each night. And again in Game 2, he produced. He had 14 points and seven rebounds for the second consecutive game, while hitting 6-of-7 shots from the field. He has solidified himself as a starter and as long as he keeps playing well, he could stay there a while.
Grade: A
Michael Finley
Finley stepped it up from his Game 1 performance, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and no turnovers. The stat that jumps out is the rebounds. After having no rebounds in Game 1, the six he got in Game 2 were big. He was also the only Spur who played at least nine minutes who didn't have a turnover.
Grade: B+
Brent Barry
Barry broke out of his shooting slump in Game 2, finishing with nine points, two rebounds and two assists, while hitting 3-of-4 three-pointers. After not scoring in the three previous games, he broke out in the first half with all three of his baskets. If Barry can continue to spread the defense, he makes the Spurs much more difficult to guard.
Grade: B+
Francisco Elson
Elson had a good first couple minutes where he looked ready to build on his Game 1 performance, but then it started going downhill. He failed to rotate to an open Memo Okur and Okur drained a three. Then later, he committed a couple of bad fouls. Elson finished with two points, no rebounds and three fouls in eight minutes.
Grade: C-
Robert Horry
Horry hasn't found his rhythm since his suspension. He missed all four of his shots, which were all from beyond the arc. Horry did contribute in other areas, pulling down four rebounds, swiping two steals and blocking two shots in 17 minutes. Hopefully the shot part of Big Shot Rob can return soon.
Grade: B-
Jacque Vaughn
Vaughn played a Vaughn type game. He played nine minutes in which he had one assists, one rebound, one turnover and two fouls. He only shot once, so that was good.
Grade: C+
Pop
Pop got the point across that the Spurs needed to rebound. After getting demolished on the boards in Game 1, the Spurs actually outrebounded the Jazz 44-35 in Game 2. However, Pop loses some points for the team continually blowing big leads. It already almost cost the Spurs the season in Game 4 against Phoenix and has happened in both games against Utah. The Spurs can't keep blowing big leads and expect to keep being able to stop the runs right before the situation becomes critical. Overall, Spurs fans have to be happy that the Spurs won the rebounding battle and were in position to blow another big lead.
Grade: B+
About damn time. Just kidding.
I love the way Oberto is playing. I wish he didn't have to rest. I cringe when I watch Elson.
Elson sucks so bad, he makes me wish Ely or Butler were playing sometimes
Duncan has been incredible this whole post season.
He will get this done.
Oh...I agree with your grades timvp!
Duncan is dominating this post season like no other player did in a while...
He is moving from a top 10 to a Top 5 Hall of Famer
Tim easy grade. Tim was unstoppable. However, Manu was better than a B-. Though he committed some turnovers, all except 1 was a hustle turnover. The end of the half turnover to Barry being an example. Everytime the Jazz would threaten Manu would score off a drive or drain a 3. Watch the end of the 3 period when Manu scored quick 5 to extend the lead to 16. Plus, Manu's help defense last night was fantastic. Manu B+ to A- IMO.
Tony was on pace to having a perfect game. He had some silly turnovers down the stretch, but again a lot of his turnovers were hustle plays. I got to go with atleast an A for Tony if not an A+.
btw, Elson is a big baby.
Parker is the guy that found Bowen the open looks to quench the Jazz's late run. He also hit a nice, late mid-range shot. Parker is getting so much better at hitting those late in the game when they are needed. Got to bump him to A-. He still has trouble when they jump the pick and drive him wide, that's what slowed him most in the second half.
ROFL... penalizing Manu for Near Turnovers...
Parker is being instructed to really push it, so the turnovers can be dealt with, even if they hurt at times. I've really liked the way he's been playing.
That Elson missed rotation which led to an Okur 3 pointer...I don't think Ive seen Parker get that mad...the camera caught him as Pop called Timeout, he was laying into Elson BIG TIME!
a- for tp
a couple of those turnovers were not his fault imo
and they were trapping which they had not done before
Really all Elson had to do was raise his arms, but he didn't even do that.That Elson missed rotation which led to an Okur 3 pointer...I don't think Ive seen Parker get that mad...the camera caught him as Pop called Timeout, he was laying into Elson BIG TIME!
pop even goes off on duncan
And Elson deserved it. Pop gets livid when the Spurs double team on the strong side.That Elson missed rotation which led to an Okur 3 pointer...I don't think Ive seen Parker get that mad...the camera caught him as Pop called Timeout, he was laying into Elson BIG TIME!
The Spurs can't afford for Okur to gain confidence in his shot and go off. It would give Utah a 3rd scoring threat.
As long as it's Boozer, D. Will and nobody else.....the Spurs are in good shape.
Spurs play better when the game is tight for most of the way and then they can make a big push in the third or fourth quarter. Big leads are hard for them to keep. And I'm not really sure this is a coaching thing, or even all that different from other teams in the NBA - when you go up by 20 it's only natural to let your guard down a little.
On the other hand, the fact that they'd let Utah back in in both Games 1 and 2, but NOT LOST, that is huge progress from the Game 4 meltdown against Phoenix.
I expect Games 3 and 4 to be much tighter, and for the Spurs to make a push in one of them and win. Then they go back to SA up 3-1, win another, and then close out a close one in Utah in 6 games. That's my prediction.
I'd have given Tony a B+, personally. 14 assists is pretty freakin' impressive.
I'd give Fin Dawg an A-, but that's being picky. A B+ is still pretty damn good.
Good take...and these teams that are coming back are not lottery teams...they are elite offensive teams.
Denver had two dominant scorers, Phoenix is the best offensive team in the NBA, and Sloan's offense is one of the most efficient offenses in NBA history....it might be the most efficient offense in NBA history...it's like the Spurs D.
Of course these teams are going to come back....not just on the Spurs, but on anyone. Most teams won't be able to withstand the charge as well as the Spurs.
Nice grades...the only one I might not agree with is Pop's...I think Pop deserved an A for this game and the effort the Spurs showed.
Keep in mind...they still haven't gotten much rest since the Suns series, and Pop deserves some credit for the sharpness and mental focus of the team, as well as getting them rest...I also tended to like his subs utions this game.
Teams are going to come back on you if you get a lead on them, it's extremely tough to completely blow anyone in the NBA out of a game, much less one of the best teams in the league. I think the Spurs got a little sloppy in the 2nd half again but kept enough focus and edge to not let Utah get within less than 8. That's impressive in itself.
Tim is GREAT...
Again, good job timvp.
Good call....also, they need to cut down on the turnovers. Luckily it didn't bite them last night.The Spurs can't keep blowing big leads and expect to keep being able to stop the runs right before the situation becomes critical.
timvp keeps the grades down so the Spurs do not become overconfident.
So when is this going to be an official column timvp? It's pretty much dead on every game.
Parker deserved at least an A- I thought. His defensive effort in the second half was second to none in his playoff career. Add to that the 14 assists (granted everyone was hitting every shot possible) you've got a great performance.
I agree with Manu's grade though. The man played a good game, but he had some plays that looked forced and could have definitely been better handled. Aside from that, I thought Manu had a very decent game.
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