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Can we get your player impression/analysis please?
Well, as far as Hill is concerned, he still needs to work on finishing around the basket. His defense looked pretty good (I'll admit I'm no expert, but he didn't leave his man open) and he was really aggressively going for steals (he succeeded quite a few times, and came close on others). He had a long two when he was open that looked great (the commentators mentioned he had a smooth shot). I wanted to see him take an open 3, but the other guys on the floor inside didn't pass it out to him (I think they wanted to score themselves understandably).
Based on one game Green and Hairston looked pretty good driving it inside and going for rebounds. Green had a good assist in traffic to Tolliver as well.
Tolliver had some horrible shooting early on, but looked a little better towards the end (I'm hoping it's just nerves, and he improves as the preseason goes on).
Watkins had a monster block on Artest and an altered shot a few seconds later; other than that, I can't judge how he was doing.
Mason started poorly and looked pretty good at the beginning of the second half, shooting once from the outside and driving inside to lay it up once.
Our 3 point shooting was horrible and cost us the game. I think Udoka finally hit one and Bonner hit one, but I don't remember many more.
I'm looking forward to seeing Hill play more and take more shots. He was really hustling after the ball on defense.
I wish we hadn't traded Scola for nothing. He didn't have a fantastic game, but he's so much more talented offensively than Oberto. I know people hate hearing this, but I was shocked then and I still don't get it now.
I thought Hairiston looked good inside. He got a lot of dunks around the basket. But his jumper was terrible.
Hill, on the other hand, looked solid all around. It wasn't just that he stayed in front of his man, he actually created turnovers, something the spurs struggle to do. His long arms tipped several passes and he outright stole the ball 2 times. I thought he looked solid. He blew one lay-up, but it was a beautiful move down the middle, the ball just rolled off the rim. His other dribble penetration would have gone in, but the Houston defender goaltended. So he got the basket.
Other guys had there moments, but Hill and Hairiston impressed me the most.
Oh, and Oberto looked good as well. He hit several fadeaway jumpers on Yao, which is something pretty hard to do given Yao's size. I think he had a little chip on his shoulder about all the Scola talk.
Oh, and Oberto looked good as well. He hit several fadeaway jumpers on Yao, which is something pretty hard to do given Yao's size. I think he had a little chip on his shoulder about all the Scola talk.
Oberto has a fadeaway jumper? Oberto has a jumper?!?
Well, as far as Hill is concerned, he still needs to work on finishing around the basket. His defense looked pretty good (I'll admit I'm no expert, but he didn't leave his man open) and he was really aggressively going for steals (he succeeded quite a few times, and came close on others). He had a long two when he was open that looked great (the commentators mentioned he had a smooth shot). I wanted to see him take an open 3, but the other guys on the floor inside didn't pass it out to him (I think they wanted to score themselves understandably).
Based on one game Green and Hairston looked pretty good driving it inside and going for rebounds. Green had a good assist in traffic to Tolliver as well.
Tolliver had some horrible shooting early on, but looked a little better towards the end (I'm hoping it's just nerves, and he improves as the preseason goes on).
Watkins had a monster block on Artest and an altered shot a few seconds later; other than that, I can't judge how he was doing.
Mason started poorly and looked pretty good at the beginning of the second half, shooting once from the outside and driving inside to lay it up once.
Our 3 point shooting was horrible and cost us the game. I think Udoka finally hit one and Bonner hit one, but I don't remember many more.
I'm looking forward to seeing Hill play more and take more shots. He was really hustling after the ball on defense.
I wish we hadn't traded Scola for nothing. He didn't have a fantastic game, but he's so much more talented offensively than Oberto. I know people hate hearing this, but I was shocked then and I still don't get it now.
Great recap thanks so much.
I expected Hill to hustle and do something special.. Good for him..
I guess JV was going nuts as he is about to lose his job to My boy Hill...
Also I am real surprised that Tolliver did not do that well, and that Hairston was more confortable out there....
Oberto usualy does good when we play HTown. Not surprised at all.
Roger did not show up as he was a bit nervous I guess...No biggie..He will get better IMO.
I just wish to see when Timmy D is playing how these big guys will look.
I hope that we see them at the AT and T center tomorrow winning their 1st pre season Home game.
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May you always have more blessings than you need SPURS!!
I watched the game, and think castaway man was pretty accurate. Some thoughts:
1) I don't think Hill played at all in the first half. He played very good defense - had 5 steals. He kept in front of a very quick Aaron Brooks, and instigated the Spurs comeback by creating turnovers - steals turned into fast-breaks. His offense was pretty lacking as a PG. He pulls up his dribble too quickly. He doesn't move much with the ball, certainly limited penetration. He ONLY penetrates to the right, same with summer league, and it's very telegraphed, led to a charging foul once. I think it's asking a lot for him to develop a left hand, crossover moves, stutter steps, etc. Chris Paul and Steve Nash (and then Tony) are the best in the league at moving through the defense with the ball, doesn't need to be fast, but when Jacque Vaughn looks infinitely more comfortable doing this sort of thing then it's pretty clear Hill's got a long way to go as a PG. But hey, defensively, he was great.
2) Tolliver was nervous and way off on his early shots. But he does have good size, he's very active, and he's definitely slimmer than in college, so that he can play both the 3 and 4. He started hitting shots after some time, and his technique and ball rotation looked good. I expect he'll get better in upcoming games. You could tell he was a guy with potential.
3) Hairston had a pretty good scoring game, some dunks, but I don't see him being special.
4) Watkins is a good shot blocker. He's slim and turned the ball over a number of times, mostly because of being outmuscled. But if injuries limit the Spurs in the front court he might find a home.
5) Mason was forgettable except for two made shots. He looked tentative initially, often finding himself stalled on the perimeter and then stuck in a double. Ultimately he's going to wind up behind Manu and Finley this year, which will limit his minutes and stunt his production. Brent Barry missed a lot of wide open 3s and actually danced around Mason a bit, if the 3s had fallen at his typical rate, it would have really made Mason look bad. I wish he had more size as a 2, and I don't expect much this year despite the high hopes of many. Please prove me wrong.
6) Tony was terrific to start, and all from the outside.
7) Bonner is a self-proclaimed role player, IMO not that much different from a Brian Scalabrine, but the difference is the Celtics have Leon Powe and Big Baby (and PJ Brown last year) ahead of him in their rotation, and the Spurs have him lined up right behind Duncan. The big problem with Matt Bonner, and nobody draws this connection, is that we paid him instead of Scola. Everyone speaks of Oberto or even Duncan when discussing our decision to pass up on Scola, but Bonner is the key piece here. Last year we gave him a $3 mil/year contract and Scola then wound up in Houston for about $3 mil/year. And oh boy did we bet on the wrong role-playing PF. It's not about saving money and cap space, no excuses. It was simply the wrong PF to direct the exact same amount of money towards. Very very wrong, and everyone's sick of the Scola talk, but that's the difference between 2 more rings.
I watched the game, and think castaway man was pretty accurate. Some thoughts:
1) I don't think Hill played at all in the first half. He played very good defense - had 5 steals. He kept in front of a very quick Aaron Brooks, and instigated the Spurs comeback by creating turnovers - steals turned into fast-breaks. His offense was pretty lacking as a PG. He pulls up his dribble too quickly. He doesn't move much with the ball, certainly limited penetration. He ONLY penetrates to the right, same with summer league, and it's very telegraphed, led to a charging foul once. I think it's asking a lot for him to develop a left hand, crossover moves, stutter steps, etc. Chris Paul and Steve Nash (and then Tony) are the best in the league at moving through the defense with the ball, doesn't need to be fast, but when Jacque Vaughn looks infinitely more comfortable doing this sort of thing then it's pretty clear Hill's got a long way to go as a PG. But hey, defensively, he was great.
That is just great to hear, My boy Hill have some skills that Spurs need desperatley as the defense and hustle and quick hands of steal are soooo needed here. I always thought who else besides Manu can do that (although sometimes I see TP doing that too)...And the offense shall come later, as Pop would preach.
2) Tolliver was nervous and way off on his early shots. But he does have good size, he's very active, and he's definitely slimmer than in college, so that he can play both the 3 and 4. He started hitting shots after some time, and his technique and ball rotation looked good. I expect he'll get better in upcoming games. You could tell he was a guy with potential.
Who knows why Tolliver was nervous, I mean maybe he is overdoing it, it was his first NBA pre season game. But he has to break thru and show Pop that he deserves more minutes, I still remember his hustle and rebounding and points at the summer league, I am a bit surprised but I expect him to do more as time goes on..
3) Hairston had a pretty good scoring game, some dunks, but I don't see him being special.
Hairston is a mixture of good and bad, but I didn't see him as a real smart player in the summer league, hope he proves all of us wrong, he could be a nice surprise if he did..
4) Watkins is a good shot blocker. He's slim and turned the ball over a number of times, mostly because of being outmuscled. But if injuries limit the Spurs in the front court he might find a home.
Watkins is a not so bad player. I think we can use his nice shot blocking and dare devil attitude out there, he needs to muscle up though, as he was above expected average defensive presence..Hope he keeps it up to earn some minutes, we sure need some good ole defense all the time, something Oberto doesn't do so greatly ..
5) Mason was forgettable except for two made shots. He looked tentative initially, often finding himself stalled on the perimeter and then stuck in a double. Ultimately he's going to wind up behind Manu and Finley this year, which will limit his minutes and stunt his production. Brent Barry missed a lot of wide open 3s and actually danced around Mason a bit, if the 3s had fallen at his typical rate, it would have really made Mason look bad. I wish he had more size as a 2, and I don't expect much this year despite the high hopes of many. Please prove me wrong.
Mason was the mystery out there for me. He had the great chance, but it is probably a quiet HUGE pressure to start and to try too hard to impress....Nevertheless I expect him to be a good offensive presence especialy when we have Bowen in the game, as he might be more freed to do some good offense, but he must learn to play good D, that is the keyword here in Pop's minute earning Exams....He will learn and it might be too much for him at the beginning but he will be help this Spurs club a lot in until Manu gets healthy again.
6) Tony was terrific to start, and all from the outside.
Tony was the leader and he showed up beautifuly esp at the beginning of the game, I hated to see him play for too long, but who else would teach the new squad...thankfuly Pop brought Hill at the right time. JV was trying to help but he just can't do much...I hope Pop knows how limited JV is comparing to Tony's GREAT game, JV is just very very slow out there. Tony needs to have a solid and quick back up so he can stay fresh and the Spurs offense stays healthy....Period.. Pop will need to keep inserting those new guys in periodicaly to finaly find the perfect rotation..Hope TP will keep on the Great leadership work..
7) Bonner is a self-proclaimed role player, IMO not that much different from a Brian Scalabrine, but the difference is the Celtics have Leon Powe and Big Baby (and PJ Brown last year) ahead of him in their rotation, and the Spurs have him lined up right behind Duncan. The big problem with Matt Bonner, and nobody draws this connection, is that we paid him instead of Scola. Everyone speaks of Oberto or even Duncan when discussing our decision to pass up on Scola, but Bonner is the key piece here. Last year we gave him a $3 mil/year contract and Scola then wound up in Houston for about $3 mil/year. And oh boy did we bet on the wrong role-playing PF. It's not about saving money and cap space, no excuses. It was simply the wrong PF to direct the exact same amount of money towards. Very very wrong, and everyone's sick of the Scola talk, but that's the difference between 2 more rings.
To be honest I never liked Bonner, but who knows why the Spurs FO did that....I see that Bonner is being Bonner, with no leading skills and very very limited BBALL IQ alas, nothing changed all the time he was off the off season, he probably did not change a bit. And the Spurs need to either find him a role or trade him before the trade deadline, Just My Opinion. So what if Spurs FO missed out on Scola, we have to let it go people please. I am not too sure he would have helped if Manu was injured in the Fakers series, but we must let it go..Scola is never meant to be a Spur period...We have the MVP of the Olympics in the last 8 years MANU and we need him healthy in the PO and that would be the key...Pop MUST change the formula this year IMO, because Manu has to realy rest up the whole season with glimpses of him coming back, as we will see the emerge of the new guys who will do a very good job in Manu's absence... I expect Pop to tweek the Sprus offense a lot and make up for Manu's powerful explosiveness in some ways. Never has a Spurs year as the other one, and Pop knows exactly that Spurs need some tweeks to make it all the way to the end of the top of that mountain
Go Spurs Go
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May you always have more blessings than you need SPURS!!
Thanks a lot for your comments, folks...for those of us who can't watch these games, your comments are invaluable in feeding our Spurs fix...yes, it's an addiction...
will tomorrow's game in San Antonio be broadcast on tv anywhere?
I dont know but Ill be there sometime around halftime. Ramage play tomorrow so its knock the court down and finish preparing the hockey rink. Then cover the ice once the rampage are done and get it ready for Mr. Diamond and his personal crew. Thats alot of hours, so I have every right to say whatever I want. Thou, because of Lynn7mo Ill sugarcoat my words. In life when your nice and ask nicely Ill always comply. If any of yall knew me personally you'd say this guy isnt nothing like he types. For me and alot of my family who run the ushering, the AT&t center is one giant playground. We've met so many humans its ridiculous and when they come back and know you by name its something you get used to. Back in the days I used to get pics and autographs left and right, then it just became a job, and the people we serve are no different then you and I. The only person I keep in contact with is Jack Black, and the rudest person Ive ever met is Lisa Marie Presley easily. You guys run a great site here and its always been a joy. Let the games begin and who knows maybe Ill see yall at the game. Im easily the best looking man on the floor, so it wont be hard to spot me.
i agree with most of the posts above. However, i thought Hill looked great all around. he definitely never went to his left, but most of his opportunities were to the right. There were a few occasions on pick and roll when they jumpred him off of the pick that he picked up his dribble too quick, but that is better than trying to force yourself around a defender when they jump out like that. when they did that he did quickly reverse direction and pick up his dribble and pass off to the wing. he will get more comfortable with the suttle nuances such as how to handle those pick and rolls and know when isnt and is the right time to stop that dribble. So i dont hold too much stock in that. anyways, he has time to work on that if it is a glaring deficiency in his game. he did miss an easy lay up (but the move to get him in the lane was nice) and missed on a baseline runner over Yao Ming (his first shot - wasnt off by that much). he was great on defense. not just bottling up his man, but playing great team defense and slagging off and helping when appropriate. He has great reaction speed and has a high basketball iq. did a great job of anticpating and reacting. he had five steals, but it wasnt like he was gambling out there trying to get them. he got them smoothly. and his one outside shot looked smooth.
as far as Watkins --> big body, decent shot blocker, lots of energy. we need a guy like (especially considering bonner and the question mark that is Mahinmmi and the impact he will have this year)
Hairston -- Looked much better. outside shot looked like #### though. but he moved well without the ball (on screens and running baseline). he showed ability to consistently slash to the hole and he had two nice finishes (strong dunks) on baseline cuts.
Green - showed some promise. he is very wild, but can slash and can create for others off of his penetration.
between these two --> hard to tell, but Malik has the overall better game and might possibly make the squad. (insert a smile from Alpine Baller here). green is just too wild and out of control sometimes.
Tolliver - defense and activeness looked good. he is mobile and quick for a power forward. Although i disagree he would be able to play the small forward position. that being said, he is the best option of guarding very athletic power forwards and big small forwards (but not extremely quick ones - that is asking too much). he is better than bonner though.
thanks for the great recaps, guys. Couldn't watch the game.
But your postings give me a pretty good picture about the game and our new boys.
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“When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” — Jacob Riis
Mason's understandably nervous about the big shoes he's being asked to fill. Everybody's assuming he's going to be the Manu replacement (not that he'll be as good, but that Manu's minutes are now his). That's a lot of pressure.
I expect him to relax as the preseason continues and he sees the floor some more. But if there's any hesitation left in him by the time the opener comes, Finley will be in the starting lineup-- and may well be even if Mason's playing pretty well, considering the praise the Spurs have had for Mason's playmaking ability.
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Tim Duncan is like democracy. He is the worst power forward in NBA history, except for all others who have played the game at any time.
i agree with most of the posts above. However, i thought Hill looked great all around. he definitely never went to his left, but most of his opportunities were to the right. There were a few occasions on pick and roll when they jumpred him off of the pick that he picked up his dribble too quick, but that is better than trying to force yourself around a defender when they jump out like that. when they did that he did quickly reverse direction and pick up his dribble and pass off to the wing. he will get more comfortable with the suttle nuances such as how to handle those pick and rolls and know when isnt and is the right time to stop that dribble. So i dont hold too much stock in that. anyways, he has time to work on that if it is a glaring deficiency in his game. he did miss an easy lay up (but the move to get him in the lane was nice) and missed on a baseline runner over Yao Ming (his first shot - wasnt off by that much). he was great on defense. not just bottling up his man, but playing great team defense and slagging off and helping when appropriate. He has great reaction speed and has a high basketball iq. did a great job of anticpating and reacting. he had five steals, but it wasnt like he was gambling out there trying to get them. he got them smoothly. and his one outside shot looked smooth.
as far as Watkins --> big body, decent shot blocker, lots of energy. we need a guy like (especially considering bonner and the question mark that is Mahinmmi and the impact he will have this year)
Hairston -- Looked much better. outside shot looked like #### though. but he moved well without the ball (on screens and running baseline). he showed ability to consistently slash to the hole and he had two nice finishes (strong dunks) on baseline cuts.
Green - showed some promise. he is very wild, but can slash and can create for others off of his penetration.
between these two --> hard to tell, but Malik has the overall better game and might possibly make the squad. (insert a smile from Alpine Baller here). green is just too wild and out of control sometimes.
Tolliver - defense and activeness looked good. he is mobile and quick for a power forward. Although i disagree he would be able to play the small forward position. that being said, he is the best option of guarding very athletic power forwards and big small forwards (but not extremely quick ones - that is asking too much). he is better than bonner though.
i agree with most of the posts above. However, i thought Hill looked great all around. he definitely never went to his left, but most of his opportunities were to the right. There were a few occasions on pick and roll when they jumpred him off of the pick that he picked up his dribble too quick, but that is better than trying to force yourself around a defender when they jump out like that. when they did that he did quickly reverse direction and pick up his dribble and pass off to the wing. he will get more comfortable with the suttle nuances such as how to handle those pick and rolls and know when isnt and is the right time to stop that dribble. So i dont hold too much stock in that. anyways, he has time to work on that if it is a glaring deficiency in his game. he did miss an easy lay up (but the move to get him in the lane was nice) and missed on a baseline runner over Yao Ming (his first shot - wasnt off by that much). he was great on defense. not just bottling up his man, but playing great team defense and slagging off and helping when appropriate. He has great reaction speed and has a high basketball iq. did a great job of anticpating and reacting. he had five steals, but it wasnt like he was gambling out there trying to get them. he got them smoothly. and his one outside shot looked smooth.
as far as Watkins --> big body, decent shot blocker, lots of energy. we need a guy like (especially considering bonner and the question mark that is Mahinmmi and the impact he will have this year)
Hairston -- Looked much better. outside shot looked like #### though. but he moved well without the ball (on screens and running baseline). he showed ability to consistently slash to the hole and he had two nice finishes (strong dunks) on baseline cuts.
Green - showed some promise. he is very wild, but can slash and can create for others off of his penetration.
between these two --> hard to tell, but Malik has the overall better game and might possibly make the squad. (insert a smile from Alpine Baller here). green is just too wild and out of control sometimes.
Tolliver - defense and activeness looked good. he is mobile and quick for a power forward. Although i disagree he would be able to play the small forward position. that being said, he is the best option of guarding very athletic power forwards and big small forwards (but not extremely quick ones - that is asking too much). he is better than bonner though.
Agree with most takes on game, but I think Green (judging from 1 game) has far more upside than Hairston/Farmer. Green was aggressive but made good passes all night - many weren't finished (Bonner/Watkins each fumbled balls out of bounds that would gave been easy scores). Green showed more ability to create for other last night than any other player outside of Tony. He got to the FT 6 times and dished 3 asst (should of had 5 or 6) including a no look to Mailk for dunk. He did had 2 TOs and needs to finish better at basket, but considering the specific needs the Spurs have I think Green fills those needs best - Of course it was just one night.
I really liked Tolliver during the summer league. Hopefully he can get rid of those butterflies in his stomach and start playing. I don't want to see him cut from the team when the season starts.
