Series Grades: Round Two Complete, Spurs Handed Final Grades

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich (center) instructs power forward Tim Duncan (21) and point guard Tony Parker (9) against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Another series has ended for the San Antonio Spurs and before we take a look at their next opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies, revenge time, lets take a look back at the series against the Golden State Warriors, one last time. As we did after the round one series against the Los Angeles Lakers, we will hand out the final grades for this series.

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May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich (left) instructs point guard Tony Parker (9) against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

PG Tony Parker 22.5 PPG | 6.2 APG | 4.7 RPG | 2.5 TO 

When Parker plays well, the team plays well and that is exactly what happened in this series.  Parker averaged 22.5 points per game.  He also dished out 6.2 assists per game.  Though his performance last night will not reflect his overall grade in this series, Parker is the motor that runs this team.  The elimination game he proved that even though he did not have the best shooting night, he was still ready to take the big shots as he did.  Parker hit two three pointers in the corner to boost the team in the final period.  He scored 13 points, this marked his lowest output since game four when he scored 17.  The game that really turned the corner for the Spurs, game five.  Why?  Parker had 25 points and was relentless.  He took advantage on what the Warriors were giving him.  Stephen Curry was still bothered by a bum ankle and was guarding Parker, he saw it and took advantage.  The supporting cast followed suit.

Final Grade: A

May 8, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green (4) takes a shot over Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the second half in game two of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the AT

SG Danny Green 12.0 PPG | 1.7 APG | 4.2 RPG | 1.5 SPG

Danny Green was looked at more in this series for his defensive stands against the ‘Splash Brothers’.  He did not shoot the ball well this series even though his averages were up from round one.  Though this discouraged a lot of Spurs fans, Green knew that he could help the team in another way and that was one that really helped this team overcome a young Golden State Warriors team that will make more noise next season.  After scoring 22 in game one, Green went off the deep end on the offensive side of the ball until game five.  He scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor.  In game six, he shot the ball five times and hit three shots, three big shots.  Green was 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.  He hit two crucial ones down the stretch that helped propel the Spurs to a 4-2 series win.  Final Grade: B-

May 14, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks over Golden State Warriors small forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the third quarter in game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the AT

SF Kawhi Leonard 14.7 PPG | 1.5 APG | 9.2 RPG | 1.5 SPG

What can’t you say about Kawhi Leonard. This is his second year in the league and he is on his way to conference finals number two.  This kid, yes kid, just amazes me every time I see him player, whether it be in person on on the tube.  He just goes out and plays the game.  No need to talk to the referees after every single play, he just plays.  In this series, Leonard improved in all areas from a series ago.  His points went up two, rebound +1.9 as well shooting percentage, not much of a change but it went up a few points.  Game five and game six of this series was really the changer for Leonard and he seemed more confident in shooting the ball.  In game five he helped lift the Spurs to a win with 17 points and 3-of-4 from behind the arc.  It was a game he needed to counter with the great defense he has been playing.  Since game two, Leonard has really put a strangle hold on Klay Thompson.  He made life for Thompson miserable.  He is a hard worker and the scary thing is, he will continue to get better.  Final Grade: A+

May 6, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during player introductions before game one of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at the AT

PF Tim Duncan 19.5 PPG | 1.8 APG | 10.3 RPG | 1.3 BPG

“The Big Fundamental” is what he is known as around the league, “Timmeh” is what the fans in San Antonio refer to him as.  Game six marked the 200th career playoff game for a man that is like wine, gets better with age.  Duncan this series has brought it.  Averaging a double-double in this series, and seeing his minutes spike from round one, he has stepped up to the challenge that is set forth him by Head Coach Gregg Popovich.  One of the reasons Duncan has all the respect from people in the league is that he knows what is right for the team. In game one, Duncan went into the locker room and as much as he wanted to get back on the floor, he did not think it was best for the team.  Last night, Popovich pulled Duncan in the final minutes of the game.  Duncan respects Popovich’s decision.  To anyone watching the game on Thursday night, you can see that he looked winded, fatigued.  He averaged 35 minutes a game this series.  In game four he logged the most minutes this playoffs for him with 43.  Maybe it all came back to him at once, one thing is for sure, he is a future Hall of Famer.  He put the team on his back when they needed a bucket and made some shots just look plain silly.  But he is Tim Duncan, it is all in a days work for him.  Final Grade: A++

May 14, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (10) is defended by San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (right) during the second half in game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the AT

C Tiago Splitter 6.4 PPG | 1.0 APG | 4.0 RPG | 1.4 SPG

His minutes are down in this series, but that did not detour Splitter.  Offensively, he was not a threat, bobbling the ball, missing chip shots if you will, but in game six, everyone including myself did not care about his play from previous games on the offensive end because Splitter went absolutely nuts…….well for him he went nuts.  Splitter had 14 huge points for the Spurs.  He shot 75% from the floor while hitting six of his eight shots.  Back to his defense is what sticks out.  The Warriors did not have much of a low presence scoring as the Spurs do but Splitter was still put in positions that he could elevate that defensive game.  Way to go Splitter.  Final Grade:  C-

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Manu Ginobili 12.7 PPG | 6.3 APG | 5.0 RPG | 1.7 SPG

After his performance in game four, Ginobili has not produced well on the offensive end as we all would of liked.  In game six, he along with Tony Parker had the worst shooting performance of the series going 1 of 6 from the floor.  Though the scoring was not there, as he has been doing all series long, Ginobili has distributed the ball very well.  Game six he led the team with 11 assists.  I am not sure what goes on in his head but there were times during this series that he would be playing really well then do something total out of the ordinary, well anything Ginobili does looks to be out of the ordinary right?  It is like he breaks down to try to make ‘that’ play that make people talk, try to fit passes between players, trying to throw a pass across court, or taking quick shots early in the shot clock.  Despite all of that, he does play good team ball and is great on the defensive end and has the knack for being around the ball. What Ginobili will best be known for this series is the shot that won game one in double-overtime.  Final Grade:  C+

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Jarrett Jack (2) passes out the ball between San Antonio Spurs point guard Gary Neal (14) and center Boris Diaw (33) during the first quarter of game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Boris Diaw 4.0 PPG | 2.0 APG | 3.0 RPG

Diaw just makes things happen.  This is his first appearance in this years playoffs and though he did not score much, 17 points total this series, it is what Diaw does on the floor that makes him a good player.  He is an exceptional passer.  He does a great job finding his teammates to take good shots.  Defensively, he plays big, he contributes, and is always ready to tip a ball or make it hard for the opponents to make a pass over.  He comes in the game and does what he is out there to do.  He knows he is not the scoring option, he will take shots but not many.  He knows his role, this is what made him a factor off the bench for San Antonio.  Grade: B+

May 14, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph (5) drives against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second half in game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the AT

Cory Joseph 3.5 PPG | 1.0 APG | 0.8 RPG | 0.0 TPG

He is growing right before our eyes and is gaining so much respect from Head Coach Gregg Popovich.  His time spent in the D-League really showed the maturity that he has gained.  When his number is called he makes the most of it.  He doesn’t have the staggering numbers that are eye popping but if you have watch any game this series, Joseph went in and did a remarkable job.  Defensively, nothing bad to talk about.  He showed his speed when defending, Jarrett Jack.  His ability to slide and cover ground is nice to see from a young player.  Offensively, he knows his role as well.  He does not shoot the ball much, nor does he look for his shot first.  He is a point guards, point guard, if that makes sense.  Look to pass first shoot later.  Yeah, those of you that were point guards growing up know what I am talking about.  I am not taking anything away from Parker, this is his team, but what Joseph does makes me smile.  He controls the game and does not force a shot.  I cannot recall seeing him force a shot during this series.  I like his attitude and glad that he is here in San Antonio and we can see him grow into a good point guard for this league.  Final Grade:  A

May 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph (5) crashes into the scorer

Gary Neal 4.7 PPG | 0.5 APG | 2.5 RPG

Neal is that type of player you want in when he is doing good but want him to be taken right out when he does something bad.  He continued this trend during this series accept for game six.  Neal shots 4-of-6 from the floor for 8 points in the elimination game.  The Warriors were closing out on him when he would receive the ball out on the three point line and he did what I was hoping he would of done more this series, take the ball inside and shoot a jumper.  There are times when Neal just feels he has to shoot the ball and it turns out to be a mistake and a start for a run for the Warriors. If he just calms down and lets the game come to him, he can be a good threat. Final Grade: B-  

Apr 21, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) talks to Matt Bonner (15) during game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT

Matt Bonner 2.0 PPG | 0.3 APG | 1.2 RPG

Bonner was non existent during this series. His scoring dropped off considerably from the series against the Lakers.  I believe it has to do with the speed of the Warriors and Bonner lacking in that department, but, he still managed his own.  Not the most athletic of players, he still managed to get his hands on the game.  Hell he tries. He is in the NBA and your not.  Final Grade:  D+