San Antonio Spurs-Indiana Pacers: Grading the Spurs in Their Season Opener
The San Antonio Spurs opened their 2010-2011 NBA season with an exciting, high-scoring 122-109 win over the Indiana Pacers. Solid play from the veterans along with promising signs from the youngsters gave everyone a good idea of where they stand.
I graded each player by their overall effort and contribution to the game, as well as a final overall analysis for the starters, bench and the entire team.
Tony Parker (PG)
1 of 14
Key Stats: 20 points, nine assists.
That’s the Tony we know and love. Hit inside and outside shots. Missed a couple of layups, but that's easily solved and will come back. Needs to improve on the four turnovers though.
Grade: B+
Manu Ginobili (SG)
2 of 14
Key Stats: 22 points, 5-for-9 on three-pointers.
In midseason form and on fire from outside! Kept the team in it during the firsthalf when stops couldn't be made. Not as effective from the inside (only one FG), but still got it done when the team needed him most.
Grade: A-
Richard Jefferson (SF)
3 of 14
Key Stats: 16 points, 7-for-10 FT’s
Looked much more comfortable than last year with quicker decisions and more aggression towards the basket. Got into some foul trouble (five), but at least two of those calls were questionable at best.
Grade: B+
Tim Duncan (PF)
4 of 14
Key Stats: 23 points, 12 reb.
Healthy and refreshed, Timmy looked 25 years old again. Shot well inside and out (10-for-12 FG). Pretty good defense with three steals and four blocks. Seems to have found a better FT stroke (cross your fingers!).
Grade: A
DeJuan Blair (C)
5 of 14
Key Stats: Nine points, three rebounds
Tried to be aggressive on both ends of the floor, but the height disadvantage vs. Roy Hibbert (7’2’’) was evident. Improved shooting stoke was obvious while making all five free throws with no trouble.
Grade: C+
Overall Grade For Starters
6 of 14
Twenty-plus points from each of the Big 3, another 16 from RJ and Blair just one point off from double figures makes for an excellent outing. Making baskets inside and outside was key to keeping the Pacers' defense guessing. Overall, it was a great start with the only real negative being 10 turnovers.
Grade: A-
George Hill
7 of 14
Key Stats: 16 points, three assists
Seemed nervous in the first half but was a force after calming down in the second. Found his lost shooting stroke and had a big four-point play.
Grade: B
James Anderson
8 of 14
Key Stats: 10 points, 2-for-5 on three-pointers.
Great rookie debut! Was probably forced in sooner than expected with RJ’s foul trouble, but contributed immediately and wasn’t nervous. Seemed strongest from the wings, but needs to work on straight up shots. Decent defending.
Grade: B+
Antonio McDyess
9 of 14
Key Stats: Four points, six rebounds.
Solid 19 minutes from the veteran. Played solid defense and hit outside shots when they were available without forcing anything.
Grade: A-
Matt Bonner
10 of 14
Key Stats: Two points, two assists
Seemed somewhat invisible despite playing 13 minutes. Hit a good outside shot before spraining ankle. Hopefully won’t be out too long.
Grade: B-
Bobby Simmons
11 of 14
Key Stats: One assist, 0-for-2 FG.
Missed a couple of wide open shots (one pretty badly), but played some pesky defense in a scattered six minutes of action.
Grade: C
Rest of the Bench
12 of 14
Gary Neal and Garrett Temple: Each played one minute at the end.
Grade: N/A
Tiago Splitter and Alonzo Gee: DNP
Overall Grade For Bench
13 of 14
Pretty good start despite missing the former Sixth Man of the Year to the starters. They held their ground well. With two players in double figures with Hill and Anderson, they outscored the Pacers' bench, 32-17. It should only get better once Tiago is ready to go, hopefully within the next week (Pop says probably by Monday).
Grade: B
Final Overall Grade
14 of 14
Amazing display of offense with six players in double figures and the Real Big Three with 20+ points each.
Not so great on the defensive end despite having five blocks, 15 steals and 23 forced TOs. The Spurs cannot expect to win every night when allowing that many points (given the Pacers do have a great group of shooters), so the defense will have to do better.
Overall, it was a solid effort from everyone and an exciting season opener.
Grade: B+
