Friday, December 12, 2008

Match-up of the Night: Parker vs. The Entire Timberwolves Lineup

On November 5th the Spurs logged their first win of the season in a grueling 2OT time victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. If it weren't for the heroics of Tony Parker, who scored 55 points, the Spurs would have surely dropped to 0-4. Parker scored at will throughout the game, but was most impressive during the two overtime periods. If the Wolves are going to be competitive, they are going to have to slow him down.

This is not to say Parker is unstoppable. He certainly didn't look so on Wednesday against the Hawks. His 6 point, 2 rebound, 3 assist game may have been his worst of the season. That being said, Parker is unlikely to have two mediocre outings in a row. Tonight could be a big night for the speedy little Frenchman.

In some ways the November 5th game against the Wolves feels like a lifetime ago. As the only positive part of our 1-4 start, that whole moment feels like a bad dream given the 12-4 record we have racked up since then. That being said, in order to truly exorcise the demons that have haunted us since early November, the Spurs need to win convincingly. What is so quietly disconcerting about our first game against Minnesota is that it took us 2 overtimes to beat a pretty bad Minnesota team. Re-establishing the notion that the Spurs win the games they are supposed to and win them consistently will go a long way towards putting the silver and black back in the title contention discussion (which for all intents and purposes, we are already in). The game starts at 8 Eastern/7 Central.

5 comments:

Perception & Reality said...

I have a question though.

What do you guys think about Hill's dribbling skill? Some of my friends say that his dribbling skill is pretty bad. I mean ...really really bad.

I know Hill is not turning the ball over much. But it's just that i do notice that he is not really keeping the ball much anyway in many situations. I think it is nice to see that he is a willing passer. But maybe it has something to do with his dribbling skill that is not up to par with his athletic ability so that he couldn't help but give up the ball.

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks

Timothy Varner said...

Hill is not a refined ball handler, but he'll improve in time. He's learning a new position at point and is more accustomed to playing off the ball. In general, he dribbles the ball too far away from his body and he almost always goes right.

He's not awful, however. He is playing point for an NBA team...

I think he gives the ball up on offense because he is tentative (rookie) and sometimes defers too much to teammates. I'm not sure if that is also a handle thing or not.

The good news on Hill is that he is just scratching the surface of his potential. He's probably an NBA starter a year from now--at least on many teams he would be. Not for the Spurs, obviously.

Perception & Reality said...

Guess he dribbles the ball too far away from his body bc his arms are so long. Freakish.
Yes, and he only can go right..that is a problem I think. However, do you think it's due to his left thumb injury? He is still wearing that thing.

[He's probably an NBA starter a year from now--at least on many teams he would be. Not for the Spurs, obviously.]

--> Wow. this is a big statement. Think he can do that? I know he is a really good NBA defender already though.

We can keep him for three years though bc of his rookie contract.

Timothy Varner said...

The Spurs have Hill locked into a 4 year contract, and, you're correct, the NBA starter comment was a little strong.

Hill's left thumb is no longer an issue.

Perception & Reality said...
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