El Conclusión: San Antonio Spurs 105, Atlanta Hawks 83

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Atlanta Hawks 83 FinalRecap | Box Score 105 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, C 22 MIN | 3-7 FG | 0-1 FT | 11 REB | 2 AST | 6 PTS | -4Tim Duncan had an easy night. He boarded well, and didn’t have to do much else because so many other Spurs played great.
Richard Jefferson, SF 27 MIN | 3-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 8 PTS | +7At this point, Richard Jefferson has spent more of the season as a mediocre player than a good player. Another so-so night punctuated by poor shooting.
DeJuan Blair, F 31 MIN | 8-12 FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 17 PTS | +7Blair missed a handful of boards he typically snags, but he scored well enough to earn 31 minutes of action. His defense was neither good nor bad, and that’s about the best you can hope for from DeJuan.
Tony Parker, PG 30 MIN | 5-13 FG | 3-5 FT | 2 REB | 7 AST | 15 PTS | +7Tony Parker couldn’t have improved on his last game, but this was another solid outing. Parker is giving the Spurs the punch they need as the continue along sans Manu.
Kawhi Leonard, SF 30 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS | +9I like the way Leonard runs on the break. He’s always looking to finish, but he’s a smart enough player to know when to give the ball up. Kawhi’s +9 led the starters.
Matt Bonner, PF 19 MIN | 6-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 17 PTS | +13Bonner’s best game of the season, which isn’t saying much. But, still, Bonner’s offensive game was on point.
Daniel Green, G 27 MIN | 4-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 5 AST | 10 PTS | +19The best thing about Green is that he brings defense, rebounding and an ability to locate open shooters every night, even if his shot isn’t dropping. Tonight was a good example of Green’s all around game.
Gary Neal, PG 8 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 2 AST | 0 PTS | +8Gary is already trying his hardest to forget this game.
Tiago Splitter, C 20 MIN | 5-6 FG | 6-7 FT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 16 PTS | +27Tiago Splitter led the Spurs with an incredible +27. He’s been playing so well, I can’t remember when he last played poorly. Why doesn’t Splitter start?
James Anderson, SG 4 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 2 AST | 0 PTS | +1James Anderson isn’t giving Gregg Popovich any reason to give him additional minutes.
Malcolm Thomas, F 4 MIN | 0-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | +1C for effort?
Cory Joseph, G 18 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 4 AST | 8 PTS | +15Joseph +15 was earned. He played well, and showed an ability to push the ball into the paint. Best of all, he showed good defensive instincts and, for one night at least, gave us reason to think he’ll develop into a fine player.

Five Things We Saw

  1. Tony Parker is now a willing three point shooter. Parker has, surprisingly, attempted nine three pointers in the last four games. New, that.
  2. Cory Joseph is getting better as the season progresses. He’s still a raw rookie, but I’m increasingly bullish on his ability to stick in the NBA.
  3. Setting aside Parker’s play in NOLA, Tiago Splitter is San Antonio’s best player right now. Splitter’s back to the basket game is much stronger than any of us expected.
  4. The Spurs are still embarrassingly thin on the front line. Malcolm Thomas serves as a good reminder that San Antonio is one front court injury away from the lottery.
  5. James Anderson?
  • Justin-ray

    TRADE TRADE TRADE TRADE TRADE TRADE TRADE TRADE TRADE TRADE TRADE LMFAO

  • http://radsci.uthscsa.edu/index.php/User:Nima Nima K.

    Didnt watch the game. 3 questions though which I cant tell from the stats:

    1. What was with DB’s 6 TOs? What happened?

    2. How did you guys assess CJ? A stroke of mere luck, or did he really play well?

    3. Did our defense play well tonight, or was ATL just gassed or something?

  • Hunter

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
    Heres a trade I came up with, Your thughts?

  • Ch500634

    1. Blair had good thoughts as a passer tonight and I encourage that. He even made some of them but some others were just overzealous looks at windows that had closed shortly before he tried to make the throw. Still, its good he’s trying to be creative so hopefully he can pass better in the future.

    2. Joseph played well, he may not be able to consistently play at that level yet, then again maybe he can. That’s why the games are fun to watch!

    3. ATL didn’t shoot that well but our defense was partially the reason for that. They are playing without Al Horford but they are still a solid team as their 13-5 record coming into the game shows. Our defense seems to have a faster motor at home and their are less brain cramps on that side of the ball. Finally when ATL went into OT with Miami, the Heat had no Wade AND no Lebron. That’s not to say with the 2 that either of these teams can’t take it there though!

  • Jacky

    You bring out really great questions, and I want to make some comments on the grading:

    1. DB has not enough basketball IQ. He is too aggressive on offensive side (Although it may bring advantages sometimes) and that’s why he had 6 TOs.

    2. Actually CJ is not a point guard. He just bring the ball over the court and have no organization, and his “great” performance mainly came from rubbish time.

    3. I think Spurs is okay on defense, but the main reason why they won by 22 is they all have good touch on the basket.

    4. Matt Bonner does not deserve a A-. Although he played well in offensive end, his defense is still terrible.

    5. I don’t think you can grade Neal, Anderson and Thomas by just watching a few minutes.
    Actually Neal, Anderson, Leonard and Green plays same position (SG-SF, or swingman), while Jefferson is still being a starter, these 4 players are competing for 60-72 minutes.
    Today both Green and Leonard are playing well, so it is normal to see Neal and Anderson just have a few minutes, not because they are playing bad.

  • grego

    CJ played well in the first half before the game was blown open. He was solid, in non-rubbish time.

    Bonner’s defense might have been terrible, but the Spurs built up their lead when Bonner was in and Smith didn’t get much when he was one of the bigs.

    Blair was the one that had trouble with the D until the game was put away enough for Pop to bring him back.

  • Bob

    Alot of people were arguing for Splitter to start last year. He at least deserved the chance. Now he’s finally getting the chance he’s showing he should have been starting all along. But now because of the Spurs lack of frontcourt depth it’s harder to start him without weakening the bench.

  • Sam

    at what point do we start seeing rj playing less minutes?? i think having daniel green in the starting line up would be better, the guy shoots the 3 well and plays better def. than rj, this way rj plays with second unit and maybe that will motivate him to be more aggressive instead of taking his position in the starting lineup for granted.

    also splitter needs to start getting more minutes because of his solid play. i mean 20 minutes only in today’s game?/ he clearly played better than bonner or blair and i think he deserves more minutes. his def is better than db’s .

  • Samm

    not sure if you can link trades like that.

    have to click save trade, then it gives you a different link to share.

  • Anonymous

    I think Pop likes the punch of the bench that Tiago brings. That could be why he isn’t starting yet. Even so, he should still get more minutes even if he isn’t starting. Pop is Pop.

  • grego

    It makes no sense to start Green as he’s the 6th man/spark off the bench. It’s better he stays in that role. He helps join some of the starters and helps lead the second unit. Especially now without Manu and TJ, Spurs need a guy who can do a little bit of everything, even handle/pass the ball.

    This game became a blow out so overplaying Splitter on a night like tonight is not worth it. That said, Bonner and Blair (towards the end of the 3rd picked it up) played well enough.

  • grego

    He’s the Spurs go-to-guy in the 2nd unit, especially as they don’t really have anyone but Parker who can be a playmaker consistently.

  • Tim in Surrey

    Exactly. Then you just put the link in your post, like this (as long as we’re all dreaming about trades that will never happen):

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7kxkfh5

  • Fuji

    GOOD WIN …….BUT STILL THE SPURS NEED A “CENTER” CENTER” A “CENTER”…………..!!! AND POP… HE WANT DUNCAN TO REST IN THEIR BACK-TO-BACK…….WHY POP HE DOES’NT GIVE THOMAS,ANDERSON SOME MINS…….JUST LIKE GREEN……. IF MANU DOES’NT HURT…….. THEN GREEN WAS NOT IN THE ROTATION RIGHT NOW……!!! GIVE THOMAS, ANDERSON TO PROVE IT THAT THEY CAN PLAY TOO……JUST LIKE GREEN……!!!

  • Anonymous

    What do you think will happen to the rotation when Ginobili is healthy and ready to play?

    Kawhi first off the bench at the 2 spot while Ginobili starts?

    So many options the Spurs can place in rotation when Manu gets back poor Neal might not find playing time.

  • Anonymous

    1. That’s DB. Aggressive to a fault but non-the-less…the type of game you like to see from him. Just needs to compensate some of that energy with better decisions. One thing I saw was a better duo effort from DeJuan and Tiago. Tiago is starting to garnish double teams more often leaving better opportunity for DB in the post. Tiago is proving to be a really good pass big man off the double teams and good at finding the open person. Last night he found his team mate in the post DeJaun with great efficiency.

    2. CJ looked more comfortable in that lead guard role. Still a long way to go but…can see some of the things once he matures and has more experience that the Spurs probably saw in him when they drafted him.

    3. This was the best defensive effort by far this year. Regardless if Atlanta was a little gassed from the night before, the Spurs perimeter players were on top of their man even off the ball. Something they haven’t been doing all this year. Interior D was still suspect but played with better cohesion and made proper adjustments as well as the help D from both perimeter and interior.

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  • http://radsci.uthscsa.edu/index.php/User:Nima Nima K.

    LOL at Parker. Says Tony of Pop:

    “As he gets older and drinks more wine, he gets more patient”

    “I always tell the rookies they’re lucky. Because it’s nothing like when I was a rookie. He’s so nice to them.”

    Maybe it’s because you were better as a rookie than they are, Tony. He had higher expectations of you!

  • paul

    I’m going to stay on the develop anderson bandwagon even though it might be catching fire. i think danny green is as developed as he will be as a basketball player. i think james anderson is has a ways to go. both for the immediate and foreseeable future, i want to develop james anderson. given the way cory joseph is playing, that might not seem like a real idea now. i don’t know. i still want to develop anderson. and last night was a PERFECT opportunity to give the kid more minutes and pop didn’t.

  • JustinFL

    In regards to #2…. it’s too early to assess his game at the pro level mainly because Pop has him on a tight leash so he’s not asked to do much more than bring the ball upcourt. In “rubbish” time he can look to score and that’s where some of his points came from.
    But… if you watched the game, early in the third Pop called a timeout and put CJ and Danny Green in the game and they helped to spark a small run that changed the course of the game. Especially after the defensive collapse that ended the 1st half.

  • grego

    No one gets overplayed. It’s either Green of Kawhi. Honestly, Manu off the bench would be pretty awesome since he’d play with Splitter.

    Neal has found a way to get play time, and likely will find a way. He’s more situational since his D is bad.

    With the depth, if the Spurs stay healthy, Pop can accord to go with the hot hand. Green becomes more impactful since his positives will be highlighted and he won’t be overplayed. Kawhi has less pressure to perform each night. This should result in Manu having nights where he doesn’t have to kill himself to create energy with the new blood.

    RJ = will see minutes when he’s performing, and on off nights see less minutes. This will provide him with more competition to stay on the floor.
    Neal = A clutch version of Bonner at the guard position
    Leonard = defender guy
    Green = defender/energy guy/shooter
    Anderson = likely will be MIA through the full season

  • Bentley

    Yeah, Anderson’s kinda had it tough here. I believe that he is a player we could develop into a nice contributor off the bench at least, he just hasn’t had enough time to prove himself yet, the emergence of Danny Green really set James back…but hopefully he’s putting in the work in practice and improving and maybe later on down the line we’ll see him get the chance he probably deserves

  • Anonymous

    I would argue that if the game was out of hand in the Spurs favor (which it was) why play Tiago or Duncan too many minutes and save those minutes for a b2b or to be fresher for a game the day after.

  • Anonymous

    “i think danny green is as developed as he will be as a basketball player”
    I would tend to believe he’ll become more consistent and improve in a year or two. He’s young and got loads of developmental talent that’s just now being tapped.

  • Thomasholdren

    EARTH TO GRADERS…. +/- means nothing to a personal stat. Basing your grades on a plus/minus shows that you have no clue what you are talking about…. Not to mention you contradict yourself.

    For example, Tiago gets an A+ for leading the team with the best -/+ yet Duncan gets an A for having the ONLY - on the team…?

    Have you ever seen that south park where they make fun of the morman historty? They do a little sing-a-long where they narrate how the mormon faith originated. After each clip of the song they sing “dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb….”

    I hear this song after each “grading” It has no rhyme or reason. Most of all it lacks common sense.

    http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/59507/detail/

    Click play.

    Great game by Splitter yet again… I hope he keeps it up

  • http://profiles.google.com/lordxar Ray Briggs II

    I don’t think it matter that Tiago starts. It only matters the he is finishing in the 4th qtr.

  • http://profiles.google.com/lordxar Ray Briggs II

    I am also glad I didn’t get over excited at RJs start like I did last season. He has fallen back to the mediocre minutes sponge that I figured he would be. As long as he stays active on defense while he is on the floor I won’t complain….to much.

  • Bob

    Splitter’s defense in the starting lineup could help to set a defensive tone to each game. Coaches generally try to start their best defenders.