El Conclusión: San Antonio Spurs 104, Brooklyn Nets 73

by

manutango

Brooklyn Nets 73 Final

Recap | Box Score

 104 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, PF 25 MIN | 7-12 FG | 1-1 FT | 4 REB | 3 AST | 15 PTS | +24Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez is said to have idolized Duncan coming out of college, and tonight Duncan provided Lopez a first person account why. Duncan scored efficiently in the post and off cuts, anchoring the defense, and doing as much or as little as the Spurs needed from him.
Tiago Splitter, PF 22 MIN | 5-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 10 PTS | +24Tiago Splitter is displaying some beautiful chemistry working the high-low with Duncan, conjuring up memories of Fabricio Oberto. Didn’t grab a lot of rebounds but managed to tip a few to teammates that won’t show up in the box score.
Kawhi Leonard, SF 23 MIN | 4-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 10 PTS | +28It seems like each game Kawhi Leonard is good for at least a steal and breakaway dunk, a corner three-pointer, a layup off a cut, and a put back off an offensive rebound. That’s nine easy points Leonard generates each night and a great foundation from which to expand his offensive game.
Tony Parker, PG 26 MIN | 9-13 FG | 1-2 FT | 1 REB | 6 AST | 20 PTS | +25Tony Parker absolutely torched Deron Williams. It seemed like there wasn’t a pick and roll he couldn’t turn the corner on. He got into the middle of the Nets defense at will, made the right passes, and did a commendable job defending Deron Williams all night.
Danny Green, SG 16 MIN | 1-1 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 3 PTS | +14`A ho-hum night for Danny Green. He and Duncan are starting to form similar chemistry on the backdoor cuts that Duncan shares with Parker.
Matt Bonner, PF 21 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 10 PTS | -2A pretty good indicator of a bad defense is leaving Matt Bonner ample space for open three-pointers. A great indicator of a terrible defense is losing him for two layups off of cuts.
Stephen Jackson, SF 25 MIN | 1-6 FG | 4-4 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 6 PTS | +3Passed up some open three-pointers for an even better shot, passed up a few for a worse attempt. Loved the energy and edge though.
DeJuan Blair, C 12 MIN | 0-2 FG | 1-2 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 1 PTS | -2DeJuan Blair appears to be regressing at a rapid pace. His once fine pick and roll work devolving into a mess of fumbled catches and bumbled finishes. The rebounding that once appeared to be the foundations for a quality NBA game? Non-existent.
Boris Diaw, C 16 MIN | 3-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 6 PTS | +18There was no hesitation on the trigger from Boris Diaw tonight. He stepped into every jumper and resisted the temptation to dump off an extra pass when he had a layup off a cut.
Patty Mills, PG 12 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 4 PTS | -2Patty Mills Shot Count: 5
Nando de Colo, PG 22 MIN | 4-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 11 PTS | +6Nando de Colo’s jumper looked nice tonight, displaying good balance and follow through. More importantly, each jumper appeared to look the same from where I was sitting.
Manu Ginobili, SG 20 MIN | 3-4 FG | 2-3 FT | 3 REB | 5 AST | 8 PTS | +19Breaks his streak of 20-point games but extends his streak of getting into the paint and generally looking like Manu Ginobili of old.
Gregg PopovichI’m not sure much coaching was needed tonight, but if there was a key adjustment it was Popovich turning to Kawhi Leonard after Joe Johnson went on a mini-run in the second quarter to bring the Nets back.

Five Things We Saw

  1. There was a time when Tony Parker and Deron Williams was a marque matchup in the NBA. Furthermore, there was a time where Williams was largely considered the better player. That time isn’t now. The Nets trade for Williams was absolutely the right call, and you do it every time. But Favors, Jefferson, and Millsap are a playoff team in the Western Conference and Lopez, Favors and Kanter are a reasonable facsimile of the Jazz in a much weaker conference, minus the coach killer.
  2. As much as I’d like to give the Spurs defense all the credit in the third quarter, the Brooklyn Nets absolutely quit. Forget uninspired Avery Johnson sets, the Nets appeared to give up on running any organized sets whatsoever.
  3. As much attention as we’ve given the chemistry between Duncan and Splitter on the offensive end, some credit is due on defense where the two are communicating better on when to recover, switch, or stay at home. So much of defensive revolves around hedging and rotating that it’s absolutely essential that your two front court players are on the same page. That’s beginning to happen.
  4. Last season I was impressed with Danny Green’s shot-blocking prowess for a shooting guard. This season I’m equally impressed by his ability to deflect a ball-handler’s dribble without over committing on the reach.
  5. Happy New Years!
  • Blofeld

    I remember when Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul was a semi-legitimate argument. My how times change. I wonder if Deron went up to P.J. after the game to complain about P.J.’s offense?

  • sam

    tony parker has always been underrated, it is true that his jump shot is not that great but his ability to score in the paint is unrivaled for a pg , none of other pgs come close and he does exactly what pop asks of him, they always compare him to point guards in terms of numbers and stats, they forget that he shares the play making duties with Manu and sometimes they go to Timmy in the post. all big 3 are unselfish and they could have been first option on offense during their primes (not right now) but they are willing to sacrifice their game to win, but a lot of fans don’t appreciate that and talk about trading him for some young unproved talents

  • neverthehero

    I remember a time when Blair was considered a steal of the draft. I wonder what happened to him. I”m curious if his confidence went to crap after he started most of the year and PoP thought it was best to switch to Mcdyess. I’m still pissed on how the end of the regular season ended that year.

  • Len

    D Will is a classic example of a player who’s sole goal was the big contract. And anyone who was really paying attention the last couple years in Utah could see it.

  • Titletown99030507d

    Jesse are you selling your art yet. Love this piece.

  • ThatBigGuy

    I’m developing a love/hate relationship with the Splitter/Duncan pairing. I love the way they pass to each other, especially off weakside cuts and the high/low post. They’re developing quite the chemistry (I agree with the Oberto-type relationship).

    However, every time Splitter hits a lay-up off the high/low post pass, or off the roll in a PnR with Manu, all I hear is the ka-ching of a cash register. That guy is going to double his paycheck, if not more this summer. I’m not sure the Spurs will match a 4-yr, $40 million offer this summer…

  • DorieStreet

    Haven’t been able to view the Spurs in awhile, but reviewing the box scores after each game, it’s easy to see the picture is not pretty for #45 so far in 2012-13. Will Blair be put out of his misery with a trade soon?

  • DorieStreet

    Don’t even know if he could be considered a top 3 PG in the east-and that’s saying something with Rose and Wall still on the sidelines with injuries.

  • Titletown99030507d

    Dwill had a bad game wonderif PJ is sending out his resume. Sad that a coach has on egg shells because of spoiled superstars in the NBA today.

  • Titletown99030507d

    “Walk on egg ahells” . Sorry too much new years last night.

  • Bob

    It’s Pop’s fault. If he had been nicer to Splitter he might more willing to accept a home team discount. I doubt he will after his past treatment.

  • Bob

    The Spurs should have traded high on Blair. It was probably too much to hope he could live up to expectations.

  • Titletown99030507d

    That’s what he get’s for being an a$$. Tiago wasnt MVP for nothing
    Just needed minutes to prove pop wrong. I hope he breaks somebody’s bank. And pop is still dissing him by taking him out righ before hr can register double doubles. I know he could have had quite a few but I wonder if pop is doing it to keep his value from sky rocketing. Sitting the entire 4th quarters in blowouts is keeping him from padding his stats and value
    Sly fox that pop.

  • Len

    Deron’s defense has gotten lazier and lazier. His shot has fallen off a cliff. I’d say Holiday, Rondo and Irving are better than him today. In my book D Will has fallen to the Jeff Teague, Jameer Nelson level.