El Conclusión: Sacramento Kings 88, San Antonio Spurs 86

by

Sacramento Kings 88 Final
Recap | Box Score		 86 San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, C 25 MIN | 4-8 FG | 2-2 FT | 10 REB | 3 AST | 10 PTS | -15

Sluggish early. Played better in what few minutes he had in the second half, but nothing to write home about.
Richard Jefferson, SF 30 MIN | 2-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 5 PTS | +12

Didn’t shoot well, like most of the Spurs, and it hurt. The effort was there defensively, at least.
DeJuan Blair, F 22 MIN | 4-9 FG | 2-3 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 10 PTS | -6

Like Duncan, played few minutes in the second half. Had trouble rebounding against the long, athletic Kings.
Tony Parker, PG 39 MIN | 8-18 FG | 7-8 FT | 2 REB | 6 AST | 24 PTS | 0

Like Duncan, Parker was sluggish early. TP recovered to knock down some shots late, but didn’t get any in the last minute.
Kawhi Leonard, SF 21 MIN | 0-3 FG | 4-4 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 4 PTS | -6

Kawhi Leonard can’t consistently knock down the corner 3. This hurts the Spurs and keeps Leonard from playing more.
Matt Bonner, PF 20 MIN | 3-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 7 PTS | +11

I spent a good portion of the second half wondering if this was the worst season so far that Bonner has had with the Spurs. Fans should hope that instead of flaming out late, Bonner is instead becoming a late bloomer. Committed some bad fouls in this game.
Daniel Green, G 28 MIN | 4-11 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 8 PTS | -7

Missed some shots, including the final one, but wasn’t afraid to take them. Brought some energy in the game when the Spurs desperately needed it in the first quarter.
Gary Neal, PG 24 MIN | 3-12 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS | -2

Gary Neal will have some games like this where he takes a lot of shots and misses almost as many. They’re not pretty when they happen.
Tiago Splitter, C 25 MIN | 3-6 FG | 4-4 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 10 PTS | +14

Splitter played the bulk of the center minutes in the second half. Tiago doesn’t do one thing over and over again to be successful. Instead, he does a lot of different things to great effect. This makes it hard to gauge whether or not he’s playing well.
Cory Joseph, G 6 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -11

Gary Neal got the bulk of the backup point guard minutes tonight. Joseph might see more burn Saturday night in Houston.
James Anderson, SG DNP COACH’S DECISION MIN | FG | FT | REB | AST | PTS |

….
Malcolm Thomas, F DNP COACH’S DECISION MIN | FG | FT | REB | AST | PTS |

Maybe some minutes tomorrow night? Nah, probably not.

Five Things We Saw

  1. The offense looked out of sync for large parts in this game. I couldn’t tell if it was guys cutting when they shouldn’t be cutting or if the timing was off, but players were in the way a lot.
  2. The Spurs are going to struggle to win games when the don’t hit 3s, that’s just how this team is constructed. Tonight was one of those nights, but at least they kept it close.
  3. Richard Jefferson held the ball a couple of times on the perimeter when he was wide open, often after a broken play or scramble. While I appreciate settling down the offense, I couldn’t help but wonder if those were the best looks the Spurs would get on those possessions.
  4. Duncan and Blair each played about nine minutes in the second half. If the Spurs won, it would’ve been considered great man management by Pop heading into Saturday’s game in Houston. Instead, we’re left with the feeling that the Spurs left a win sitting on the table.
  5. From my angle, I couldn’t tell if Danny Green got fouled on that last play. I was surprised to see him go to the basket, though. I figured the Spurs would go for the win and avoid potential overtime.
←  Older Comments
 →
  • Deeds130

    Well, NJ quit on their rebuild with unknown results. Favors would fit nicely next to Lopez, add Marshon Brooks and the other picks and that’s a promising rebuild. Knicks are stupid, they ALWAYS overspend the wrong way…
    I can’t use that as an example in anyway similar to what SA would do. UTA, OKC, MEM, SAC are better examples. SA simply has to try to try something new, starting next summer, and trip to the lottery is needed soon.

  • Deeds130

    I haven’t seen the D-League used to any good effect by anybody. Teams assign a guy there for like 2 games, and then just bench them in the NBA. Once, Manu comes back, will Anderson get big minutes working on his game, and learning the system in Austin? NO! Just like Tiago piled up DNPs last season once he came back from injury. I thought Danny Green played well enough last year to at least get sent down instead of cut.

    Why in the world did Hasheem Thabeet keep getting called back up time and again, when he’s useless in the NBA, but considering how far R Hibbert has come after getting real playing time, Hasheem should have been getting “development” down there. Ntm, Derrick Favors last year. The minor league grind should also serve as a motivator… a talent like Terrence Williams does nothing but avg a triple-double in the DL, and is gonna get waived in the NBA if he doesn’t connect the dots for himself… put him down there, and leave him until he sees the future and really gets to work. With early draft entry, few players can contribute in their first few seasons anymore. The DL could be brimming with talent, if teams used it, and would be an
    exciting league.

    Forget about the DL, let Bertrans show something overseas. Most 2nd rounders ain’t no good.

  • Bob

    You need to build the reputation before teams start thinking twice about attacking. But it’s still much better than Blair where guys shoot like he’s not there.

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

    It’s just that I think players like Bertans can do what Bonner is doing, but better, and at a cheaper price.

  • Tyler

    Both were ready to play when they came over. TP started in little time (5 games?) and Manu was 24 when he came over. Both were well more advanced when they made the transition than Bertans is at the moment.

    Give Bertans time. No need to rush him, no need to pay him until we need to.

    As for Ryan Richards, he hasn’t played at any level approaching the NBA. He didn’t make the senior men’s national team in GB, which isn’t a good sign. My hunch is he’ll never develop into an NBA caliber player.

  • Lvmainman

    Agree that Pop needs to be graded as well. No TD in the 4th qtr? No James Anderson when the team is struggling? Why not let James Anderson learn and struggle on the floor like everyone else?

  • Anonymous

    Dude either you haven’t been watching any games or you need a beer and go rethink what you just wrote. Don’t bring that trash in here. What you want Bonner to play 30 minutes? Your crazy and misinformed. Mahinmi? Yeah right.

  • Cantrellmarcus

    As daily readers of this blog, you have inspired us to start our own.Our names are Cantrell Marcus and Gunner White. We are 16 years old, and are senior writers for a blog that we started. If you wanna be entertained, and informed please visit http://hebankeditin.blogspot.com
    -Thanks

←  Older Comments
 →