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I'm really surprised we came out with as much energy as we did tonight.
We're usually winded on the 2nd game of a back to back.
-First of all, I have to give props to the Rockets. They were very physical and played really hard. Even though they were shorthanded without Tracy McGrady, they did all they could to come away with a victory.
I was really impressed with Luis Scola. Not only was he on fire with the midrange jumper, he was the Rockets’ best defender on Tim Duncan. Supposedly Scola didn’t have a face up jumper and was a horrible defender. He did a good job of dispelling both of those myths today. His post defense was really good for a player of his size and his team defense was impressive as I counted at least three charges he drew. The Rockets got a steal in that trade, especially considering that history tells us that an Argentinean like Scola is going to massively improve as he further adapts to the NBA game.
-Tim Duncan showed why you can’t beat the Spurs in a series if you use single coverage on him. The Rockets used the same gimmick man-to-man-and-hug-the-shooters defense that they used the first time against the Spurs. Duncan responded with 20 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Adelman was forced to switch up his defense for the second half. I was impressed with Duncan’s effort and his all-around performance. After a couple of off games, it was good to see Duncan back on the saddle.
-Manu Ginobili had another near triple-double. In 29 minutes, he finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block. That’s the kind of varied yet dominant performance we’ve come to expect out of Ginobili this season. He did have six turnovers and hit only 5-of-14 shots from the field but I liked his overall compe iveness out there. His clutch shut over Yao Ming at the end of the game was the icing on the cake. Also of note was his team leading +/- of +16.
-I was happy that Tony Parker stayed aggressive this game with his shot. After not making a basket from 18-feet out all night long and missing both of his free throws, Parker tossed in two jumpers and both of his free throws in the final couple of minutes. Parker’s willingness to take and make those big shots is a big part of the Spurs being a championship level team. If teams can leave Parker open at the end of games, that’s a huge negative for the Spurs. Overall, Parker was poor for the first 45 minutes of the game but redeemed himself a bit when it mattered most.
-Bruce Bowen again proves why he’s the best perimeter defender in the NBA. Bonzi Wells has tortured the Spurs many times in the past, including earlier this season. However, with McGrady out injured, Bowen was able to concentrate his efforts on Wells and thoroughly dominated him. Wells finished with four points and two rebounds on 1-for-9 shooting from the field. Perhaps the other Spurs defenders can see how Bowen guarded Wells so that when Bowen has to defend McGrady in the future, the other Spurs won’t let Wells go buck wild.
-Major props to Michael Finley for his performance. I was hard on him after last game but he produced one of his best outings of his Spurs career. He finished with 17 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and no turnovers in 31 minutes of action. Finley also went 7-for-8 from the field. When Finley is playing well, he makes the Spurs really tough to beat. And while his shooting stands out, I was more impressed with his passing. He had more good passes tonight than he had all season coming into this game. Hopefully this is a start of a good stretch of basketball from Finley.
-Fabricio Oberto quietly might have been the player of the game for the Spurs. His defense on Yao all game long was spectacular. Usually against the Rockets, I wish the Spurs had Rasho Nesterovic to throw at Yao. But Oberto gave his all and really made Yao fight for every inch. Oberto tends to sleepwalk in the regular season but he was wide awake tonight.
-It was another impressive out from Brent Barry. He played well against the Mavericks last night and tonight he was right back at it against the Rockets. He didn’t play as well as he did against the Mavs because he hesitated a couple times and missed a wide open three-pointer late that would have made the game much easier, but it was still a positive game from Barry. He’s definitely earned a spot somewhere in the rotation.
-Matt Bonner has to be making the Spurs think about whether they made the right move by trading away Scola. While he was on the court, the only thing he did of note was turn the ball over. He didn’t score and didn’t grab a rebound, while on the other end Scola was playing flawlessly. Considering that Bonner got a larger contract than Scola, the Spurs front office has to be second guessing themselves right about now. Bonner was good early in the season but he’s been pretty horrible for the last couple weeks. Scola showing a perimeter jumper and better defensive skills than Bonner has ever shown isn’t a good combination.
-Francisco Elson looked like an improved player early in the season. As of late, Elson has looked like the same old Elson from last year. If he’s not making bad defensive rotations, he’s fumbling the ball out of bounds. He had some moments of competence this game but overall, it was another underwhelming performance.
-Jacque Vaughn was out on the court for 15 minutes and did nothing other than miss two shots. One of those shots was a bad shot early in the possession. However, when it comes to Vaughn, less is more. If you see an empty stat line, that means Vaughn is doing his job. Vaughn is best when he plays defense and then on offense gives the ball to someone else (usually Ginobili) and just gets out of the way.
-Pop coached a pretty good game. It was obvious he wanted this game a bit more than usual during the regular season. Against the Mavs Pop was coaching like he didn’t care. This game he coached to win. Near the end of the game, he made Ginobili the main ballhandler, which proved to be a good move. Ginobili being guarded by anyone on the Rockets is a matchup you want to exploit and Pop exploited it. Pop also did a good job of having the team force feed Duncan to get Adelman out of his gimmick defense. Overall, it was a bit of an ugly win and the Spurs were far from perfect on offense or defense. But these are the type of close, physical battles that helps a team prepare for the playoffs.
I'm really surprised we came out with as much energy as we did tonight.
We're usually winded on the 2nd game of a back to back.
He's making me think that too...I know they are both chokers...but Bonner takes it to a whole new level. The slightest bit of pressure and he becomes a headcase...Mengke Bateer had more poise. I know he's a nice guy...but he can go be a nice choking guy on someone else's team...I'll still like him...in fact I'll like him even more if he does it for the Mavs
No! Really?
For the same money, would you rather have Matt Bonner or Luis Scola on this team?He's making me think that too...I know they are both chokers...but Bonner takes it to a whole new level. The slightest bit of pressure and he becomes a headcase...Mengke Bateer had more poise. I know he's a nice guy...but he can go be a nice choking guy on someone else's team...I'll still like him...in fact I'll like him even more if he does it for the Mavs
Really?
We had to get rid of Jackie Butler to sign anybody. We had to trade Scola to get rid of Jackie Butler.
I'm not closing the book on any player on November 14.
That said, good for Scola. He'll have nights like this.
For the same money, would you rather have Luis Scola or Matt Bonner?
Thanks.
Cap Space owns both of them.
I'm still on the fence...I tend to like Bonner better, but I might have to reconsider if Bonner keeps this crap up. Scola may choke but at least he doesn't become a headcase in midgame while doing it...that's a whole new level of choke on Bonner's part....right now it's like a choice of gonorreah or crabs...I'm not running to get either of them.
One good game by Scola...if you are make a huge ordeal about it...just be sure to show up when he sucks...
Oh and money-wise, Bonner > Scola + Butler.
If he is going to shoot 10-11 every night, definitely Scola.
You're welcome.
We had to get rid of Butler.
So did Houston.
Scola's near flawless shooting was mostly luck but the fact that he has an outside shot and is a pretty good defender shows how off a lot of opinions in here were of Scola's game. Scola played better defense in this game than Bonner has in any game of his whole Spurs career.
We're doomed.
Let me try again. All thing being equal, would you want Scola or Bonner for the next three years?
Thanks.
First time I've ever quoted someone and applauded their comment.
I couldn't have said it better.
So does Bonner...
The Spurs were testing Scola's shot out you know...seeing what he had. He still wasn't any kind of a great inside scoring presence.
LMAO, including yours.and is a pretty good defender shows how off a lot of opinions in here were of Scola's game.
He's not a great defender...he was pumped up. Sure he can have his moments...as he did in 02 when he got a few blocks off, but he's not the defender Oberto is.
Scola played better defense in this game than Bonner has in any game of his whole Spurs career.
That's not saying much...
Wake me when Scola goes 11-11
I don't know, one good game doesn't make a career for me. Nothing I saw tonight changed my mind about Scola. If he goes for 20 and 4 every night when TMac is also playing, definitely. If Scola plays like he has up to tonight -- Bonner.
Would you want Scola or Bonner for the next three years?
Thanks.
Great recap timvp.
I still think the Spurs made a blunder with Scola. Even if Scola ends up being a bust --which I highly doubt it--, his perceived value at the time of the trade was much higher that basically the "nothing" that the Spurs got in return. The fact that Scola earns less money than Bonner is just horrendous!
I actually liked the effort of all the players, from Tim, TP, Manu, to Bowen, FinDog and Barry. The Duke of Canterbury is regrading to his usual self and that worries me a bit. With Horry sleeping through the regular season, Bonner being con uous by his lack of production, and Oberto getting in foul trouble, I worry that Pop may use tinyball more time than recommended. Is Mahimi ready for prime time?
I am happy with the win, and happy with FinDog's performance. However, his averages are still horrible in the first 10 games, and his is killing the Spurs' production. Udoka may not be ready to start (+ playing Udoka and Bowen at the same time is a big NO-NO), but if Finley continues his decline I am truly concerned that he may become the next Van Exel. Let's hope this game is an inflexion point.
Barry has shown he deserves more minutes. Pop should reduce Finley's time on the court a bit and give the extra time to Brent. He deserves it.
This back-and-forth between Timvp and Chumpdumper is cracking me up!
I'm curious, CD...why is Atlanta listed as your team?
Someone has to be a fan.
I definitely prefer Scola over Bonner until he doesn't play well and I can flip-flop again.
One thing that stood out to me was how important Tony is to this team, even when his shot isn't falling. TD is the man, don't get me wrong. But I think a large part of his success tonight was due to Houston's first half defense.
There was one stretch, in the fourth quarter I think, with both Parker and Manu on the bench when the offense looked like they were Conga line dancing. There were four guys surrounding TD who couldn't create their own shot. Finally, Tony came in and the offense instantly improved because of his speed and penetration. Once everything opened up, his shot started falling too.
Great team effort. Plus, it's nice to see that Adelman still hasn't lost that whiney face from way back in his Portland days and Sacto days.
I could have sworn people said Scola could not play alongside Duncan but he sure looks fine alongside Yao. Then they said he could not defend, but he has that sneaky Argentine defense. Oh, but his game will NEVER transfer to the NBA. We need Bonner!
I could have sworn people said Scola could not play alongside Duncan but he sure looks fine alongside Yao. Then they said he could not defend, but he has that sneaky Argentine defense. Oh, but his game will NEVER transfer to the NBA. We need Bonner!
Welcome to Toronto, circa 2005.He's making me think that too...I know they are both chokers...but Bonner takes it to a whole new level. The slightest bit of pressure and he becomes a headcase...Mengke Bateer had more poise. I know he's a nice guy...but he can go be a nice choking guy on someone else's team...I'll still like him...in fact I'll like him even more if he does it for the Mavs
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