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Barry didnt play?
Tim Duncan
Things didn’t come too easy for Duncan against the Orlando Magic, but he still finished with a huge line. In 39 minutes, he finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks, while shooting 10-for-21 from the field and 4-for-6 at the line. The Magic did a good job of throwing a lot of manpower and defensive looks at Duncan. They were physical and made Duncan earn everything Wednesday night. If you watch Duncan on a nightly basis, you can see that he’s having his best year to date. He’s consistent on both ends of the court and is bringing more energy than ever. As long as he can stay fatigue and injury free, the Spurs should finish the regular season with around 60 wins.
GRADE: 91
DECEMBER: 89.3
SEASON: 88.4
Bruce Bowen
It wasn’t a very effective day for Bowen. Despite working hard on defense, Cuttino Mobley and Grant Hill both played well against him. Those two players combined to score 39 points on 15-for-32 shooting from the field. On offense he didn’t produce much for the Spurs, finishing with three points on 1-for-4 shooting from the field and 1-for-3 shooting from beyond the arc. Even with the nondescript play, Bowen played 32 minutes – his fourth straight games with over thirty minutes of playing time.
GRADE: 79
DECEMBER: 83.5
SEASON: 83.9
Rasho Nesterovic
Nesterovic has now played three good games in a row since being called “awful” by Gregg Popovich. For him to be successful, it all revolves around effort. If he comes to games ready and willing to put in the work, the production will come. Against Orlando, the production came on the defensive end. He finished with seven rebounds and a blocked shot in 24 minutes of playing time. Offensively, Nesterovic was aggressive but didn’t see the results. He scored only two points and finished 1-for-4 from the field and 0-for-3 from the line. Although he missed those three free throws, it was a step in the right direction. Known for being soft around the basket, those three free throw attempts were a season-high and illustrated his added aggression.
GRADE: 84
DECEMBER: 74.9
SEASON: 81.8
Manu Ginobili
It was a rollercoaster ride for Ginobili against the Magic. For much of the first three quarters, he was being ripped into by Popovich for not playing smart basketball and for playing lousy defense. Then in the fourth quarter, he came out and played like a man possessed. Ginobili scored 11 points in the fourth quarter as he led the Spurs to a comeback victory. He attacked the basket relentlessly and scored hoop after hoop when the Spurs needed it the most. Overall, he had a solid all-around game. He ended the contest with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes.
GRADE: 88
DECEMBER: 84.9
SEASON: 87.7
Tony Parker
With his status questionable going into Wednesday night, Parker not only played but played pretty well. Though he was noticeably slowed by the groin injury (hitting only 6-of-15 shots from the floor), he did an adequate enough job leading the team before turning the reins over to Beno Udrih in the fourth. He had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists and played very good defense on Steve Francis. Though this was far from being one of his better games of the year, it was nice to see him fight through the injury and give the team everything he had.
GRADE: 81
DECEMBER: 87.4
SEASON: 84
Devin Brown
The more time that goes by, the more and more likely it looks like Brown is part of the regular rotation. Every time he enters the game, it seems like he makes something good happen. Against Orlando, he was one of the main components of the comeback. In 32 minutes of action off the bench, Brown scored 11 points, pulled down four rebounds, dished out two assists and recorded two steals. If he keeps playing this well, he’ll become a vital cog for the Spurs.
GRADE: 89
DECEMBER: 89.5
SEASON: 86.1
Malik Rose
Rose might be playing the most controlled, effective basketball of his career. He’s becoming the player the Spurs imagined he’d be when they signed him to that multi-year contract. Against Orlando, it was just more of the same for Rose. He totaled 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals, while hitting 4-of-6 shots from the field and 4-of-4 shots from the charity stripe. He’s taken the job of reserve backup bigman and has done nothing to relinquish it anytime soon.
GRADE: 91
DECEMBER: 85.5
SEASON: 85.9
Beno Udrih
Welcome to the NBA, Beno Udrih. In his breakout game, Udrih orchestrated the Spurs’ fourth quarter that saw them come from ten points down to win. In a word, he was incredible. He ran the offense to perfection and got the ball to everyone in the spots they wanted it. As a result, he finished with a career-high seven assists in only 19 minutes of play. In addition to his work quarterbacking the team, he also was deadly from the outside. He hit two fourth quarter threes to finish with eight points. The Spurs have found their backup point guard for the years to come.
GRADE: 96
DECEMBER: 86.9
SEASON: 83.3
Last edited by Kori Ellis; 12-17-2004 at 05:33 AM.
Barry didnt play?
He played less than two minutes.
For the whole season, I've only given grades to players who play at least five minutes.
IMO Parker should have rested.... and thus given Barry an opportunity to get out of Pop's doghouse.....
Rasho Nesterovic
Nesterovic has now played three good games in a row since being called “awful” by Gregg Popovich. For him to be successful, it all revolves around effort. If he comes to games ready and willing to put in the work, the production will come. Against Orlando, the production came on the defensive end. He finished with seven rebounds and a blocked shot in 24 minutes of playing time. Offensively, Nesterovic was aggressive but didn’t see the results. He scored only two points and finished 1-for-4 from the field and 0-for-3 from the line. Although he missed those three free throws, it was a step in the right direction. Known for being soft around the basket, those three free throw attempts were a season-high and illustrated his added aggression.
GRADE: 84
DECEMBER: 74.9
SEASON: 81.8
Even I believe this is stretching it!
Actually, I'd agree with LJ on this one.Rasho Nesterovic
Nesterovic has now played three good games in a row since being called “awful” by Gregg Popovich. For him to be successful, it all revolves around effort. If he comes to games ready and willing to put in the work, the production will come. Against Orlando, the production came on the defensive end. He finished with seven rebounds and a blocked shot in 24 minutes of playing time. Offensively, Nesterovic was aggressive but didn’t see the results. He scored only two points and finished 1-for-4 from the field and 0-for-3 from the line. Although he missed those three free throws, it was a step in the right direction. Known for being soft around the basket, those three free throw attempts were a season-high and illustrated his added aggression.
GRADE: 84
DECEMBER: 74.9
SEASON: 81.8
Even I believe this is stretching it!
On those two FG attempts to get sent to the line, Rasho was very aggressive in trying to get those putbacks (and did one of them). He really wasn't trying to earn a ticky-tack foul - he had the look of WANTING to get the put-back plus the foul.
All you can ask for from Rasho.
Look at this statement:
That was an aggressive performance by Rasho.
Now compare that to:
That was an aggressive performance for Rasho.
Rasho had a good game the other day, this one was not very good. When 3 free throws is your season high and you're not named Massenburg there's not much to say. I'm not going Sequ on him, I just wish he could be more Malik aggressive than Rasho aggressive.
Touche.
But! Rasho isn't going to come out and do it K-Will style in one night. He's hopefully getting some positive re-inforcement (another kick in the ass) about his performance and can get better as the season progresses.
If not, he gets another negative re-inforcement (a smack upside the head).
He's not in the doghouse, that's the way he's going to be used.
Just look at the rotations of the Spurs in the past..he's in the slot that Kerr and Smitty occupied...and based on the PT they got once moved into that role...barring injury, this was an active game for him.
Barry's career as an NBA player who gets regular minutes, is for all intents and purproses, over.
If not traded he's currently serving out a 3 or 4 year prison sentence, his ultimate crime...Devin Brown and Beno's hot starts.
Nesterovic has now played three good games in a row since being called “awful” by Gregg Popovich. For him to be successful, it all revolves around effort. If he comes to games ready and willing to put in the work, the production will come. Against Orlando, the production came on the defensive end. He finished with seven rebounds and a blocked shot in 24 minutes of playing time. Offensively, Nesterovic was aggressive but didn’t see the results. He scored only two points and finished 1-for-4 from the field and 0-for-3 from the line. Although he missed those three free throws, it was a step in the right direction. Known for being soft around the basket, those three free throw attempts were a season-high and illustrated his added aggression.
GRADE: 84
DECEMBER: 74.9
SEASON: 81.8
Honest grade = 69 max and that number chosen for a reason - Rasho continues to be a "&*$#case".
I want this guy to do well but 1 block and 2 points stinks when you are 7 foot tall - Willis would have out played this guy over that stretch any day.
MadDoc
That's what ticks me off... If the Spurs are up by ten pts or more, rest your SF defenders (Bowen or Brown) and give Barry some PT alongside Duncan, Manu, and Parker... I can assure you this would only allow the Spurs to assert themselves offensively even more.... and yes, heaven forbid... to entertain the fans.
At that point Pop shouldn't be pulling Barry out of a game for a missed defensive assignment. The way I see it, if Pop allowed Barry (and Manu) to play unrestrained, yeah the other team might have a 20-25pt quarter, but we would definitely have 30+ pt quarters. It seems to me Pop is after the record for fewest ppg allowed as a team (he didn't like sharing it with last year's Pistons), and forgetting that in the end, it is the team that scores more that wins.
Am I saying that the Spurs should forget about defense... A resounding NO!!! That's who they are... all I'm saying, is that when the Spurs reach a point in the game where they have locked down the opponent defensively... give them the killer blow by unleashing your most productive offense....
I know what most people will say... Barry is simply not being productive... and to a certain extent I agree.... But why all of a sudden is a known prolific sharp-shooter worse off now that he is paired with Duncan.... Becuase Pop is being unreasonable with Barry on the defensive end.... If Barry has played marginal defense over his entire career, but managed to be productive on the offensive end, I would take what I get... It certainly would space out the floor much better for the Spurs and allow them to be more consistent on offense... we would definitely not be suffering 4th quarter breakdowns which have become the trademark of Pop basketball over the past few years.
People have been clamoring for Barry to grow a pair... I don't see that as the problem.... the main problem is that he is being asked to do something that he's never been good at... and because he stuggles with that style (and been publically reprimanded for it), it has hampered and corrupted his offensive flow.... He is too good a shooter not to be given the opportunity to be used correctly.
Poor Brent.
Waiting in the welfare line.
Make fun if you want, but it won't be funny when we lose another playoff game 73-72.
Barry is the only reason the Spurs will win anything this season.
We get your POV.
Sorry, but Beno is doing everything you say Barry cna do on both sides of the ball and NO I wouldn't play them together against the likes of Francis/Mobley.
Barry will get his chance without your welfare.
Yeah? And so was Hedo when you leaned towards him. Ate those ing words didn't you.
And what worries me is not that you will eat your words again...for if Barry got playing time I know that would happen...what worries me is he won't get the chance.
He is not going to be better than Devin in the eyes of Pop. Ever. I don't care if he shoots 80% from three for the rest of the season. He's just not the defensive player Devin is and he's not the PG Beno is...but he is unquestionably a better shooter than either of them.
Moot point though...Pop is not going to utilize his deep bench to get the most out of it...even if it costs us a playoff series,,,even as we blow huge second half leads.
No he won't. He won't ever get a chance again unless we lose talent or someone gets injured.Barry will get his chance without your welfare.
If by getting his chance you mean that in a tight playoff game when no one can make a shot or get a call, and Duncan is being collapsed upon, Pop will throw him in there in hopes that he will somehow bail the team out, you are probably right. Sounds like a good approach to me.
Really, how many mpg do you think Barry will play the rest of the season?
Say it now.
That doesn't even mean anything. You're losing it.Yeah? And so was Hedo when you leaned towards him.I've already said he will get the PT, so again you have no point whatsoever.And what worries me is not that you will eat your words again...for if Barry got playing time I know that would happen.Wait, you just said player can improve. Are you flip-flopping yet again? Yes you are.He's just not the defensive player Devin is and he's not the PG Beno is.Make it your sig.No he won't. He won't ever get a chance again unless we lose talent or someone gets injured.
We'll see.he is unquestionably a better shooter than either of them
It's not like either Brown or Beno ever had your precious regular time over the course of an NBA season. Maybe they ARE this good. Or maybe they could IMPROVE to make their current level of play the norm with the PT like you say players can (except Barry for some reason you can't explain).
If Barry is such a good shooter he should quit passing up open shots. Don't blame Pop for that. He doesn't pull players for taking open shots during the regular course of a game and you know it.
Yes, let's see...although we won't be looking at what Barry does in the future...we'll be looking at what they do in the future...
That's not why he's getting pulled. And you are stupid if you think that is why.If Barry is such a good shooter he should quit passing up open shots. Don't blame Pop for that. He doesn't pull players for taking open shots during the regular course of a game and you know it.
If he averages 10 minutes a game from this point forward, it would only be because of an injury. Answer is: less than 10. What is your guess?
Agree with bigvee...rest of the season under 10 minutes a game...
And he's got some DNP CD's in his immediate future and coming farily frequently for the rest of the season, I'll say that now too.
And it doesn't matter if he doesn't give up another point all season to a player and if totally figures out the Spurs D systems.....that's what he's going to get..Because he's not as good of a defensive player as Devin...
Alright.
Thanks for your input.
It's a fait accompli in your book because you don't think Barry can play anything resembling good D and has no reason to anyway.
Understood.
It also doesn't matter how much his shooting PCT rises from this point or if we continue to struggle offensively in the second halves of games.
Barring injury or loss of talent this is his role on the Spurs for the forseeable future and if Pop says otherwise he is lying.
If I was Barry'd I'd say Pop play no D and do everything in my power to force a trade, without really pissing him off, to a contending team.
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