Spurs vs Rockets: Sunday Oct. 14th: 4th Preseason Game (1 PM CST Start Time)

[ElNono]

Delfino tired of the scrubs

[Libri]

With that pass, De Colo looks like Manu but without the bald spot. lol

[NASpurs]

Derrick Brown is automatic close to the basket.

[szkorhetz]

I hate the De Colo comparisons to Manu ... but damn that was Manu-esque.

That's a legit comparison.

[ElNono]

The passing is there for Nando... the difference with Manu is that Manu at that age was going to the rack non-stop

[timvp]

Derrick Brown is automatic close to the basket.

Yeah, Brown on the move near the basket = two points

Unfortunately he can't do anything else . . .

[timvp]

Wow Brown sucks in the halfcourt.

[spursince#99]

Brown is Trash

[ElNono]

seeing Blair with the scrubs makes me thing he might be the 5th big when it's all said and done... Tim/Diaw - Tiago/Bonner

[ElNono]

s/thing/think

[jeebus]

Bye Brown

[NASpurs]

Brown again :lol

[timvp]

Waive Brown ASAP.

[Libri]

Brown is terrible

[Juggity]

terrible pass by brown

[NASpurs]

Brown doesn't trust his jump shot because he doesn't have one apparently so he forces shit when the defense is on his grill.

[spursince#99]

Witherspoon >>> Brown and Powell

[Russ]

Waive Brown ASAP.

Or as the Princeton fans in the stands would chant, "What the color of s*it? Brown, Brown, Brown."

[Raven]

The passing is there for Nando... the difference with Manu is that Manu at that age was going to the rack non-stop

manu was flat out unguardable from the first season with Kinder Bologna on and decolo is not even close to what manu was at his age, they look alike with manu's declined athleticism ... don't get too exited guys..

[Juggity]

Neal, making the awful long 3 per usual

[NASpurs]

Brown again :lmao :lmao

[timvp]

Brown :(

[jeebus]

Br:lmaown

[szkorhetz]

Fuck, Nando is much better than hoped.

[timvp]

Neal's closeouts on three-pointers this game has been horrendous.

[timvp]

Put in Witherspoon for Brown.

[NASpurs]

I was hoping Brown would have done better tbh. 6'8" tweener sounds great but I guess the search continues.

[ElNono]

tbh, defense looks like garbage as usual... hard to play D when you have personnel like Neal/Matt... Tiago also back to being soft and poor defensively

[ElNono]

Curry is money

[ace3g]

Curry again

[bklynspursfan]

Curry with the nice spin

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

damn Curry..

[Juggity]

Curry is Shaq.

[spursince#99]

Curry will love the Rodeo Road Trip :lol

[timvp]

Curry!

[spursince#99]

Curry

[szkorhetz]

Curry!!!

[ace3g]

nice block

[ElNono]

nice... both ends

[ace3g]

and now a dunk

[bklynspursfan]

Nice look from DC

[szkorhetz]

Both fucking ends!!

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

Curry making Blair so damn expandable

[Spurs Brazil]

Keep Curry!

[Libri]

A dunk by a Spur big! Haven't seen many of those lately. :lol

[szkorhetz]

Neal..:depressed

[NASpurs]

Gary "The Blackhole" Neal makes an appearance.

[timvp]

Curry making Blair so damn expandable

Expandable via Whataburger.

[Juggity]

Curry is 5-5 today

[timvp]

Looks like the French trio will be busy tonight.

[Libri]

Curry is 5-5 today

Bonner is 0-3

[ElNono]

I like Neal as a SG... the backup PG experiment has to end

[Russ]

Curry is Shaq.

Curry is (and always will be) "Baby Shaq."

[Raven]

I like Neal as a SG... the backup PG experiment has to end

:tu

[timvp]

De Colo another great pass.

[ace3g]

neg Blair shows up for that pass

[timvp]

De Colo again.

[NASpurs]

Dat pass by Nando

[jiggy_55]

De Colo again.

That was amazing.

[ace3g]

the Blair spin move...

[BackHome]

One our team is so small we have to Keep Curry.
Pop please stop the Neal at PG it doesn't work.
Wesley is a basketball player I like him a lot.

[timvp]

Curry a willing passer now? :wow

[NASpurs]

Blair needs to stop taking charges. he's never outside the circle.

[ElNono]

Blair needs to stop taking charges. he's never outside the circle.

that's all he's got on D

[timvp]

:lol Rockets
:lol Going to be even worse than usual

[Russ]

not sure why is Witherspoon starting, perhaps just to even the odds a bit..

In hindsight, maybe the coaches were seeing this in practice.

[ElNono]

:lol chink in the armor
:lol McHale
:lol Clyde spinning that turd sammich

[Juggity]

Glad that Duncan only played in the first quarter. No reason to waste his energy against the Rockets in the preseason.

[RodNIc91]

I keep liking curry more and more.

[Libri]

:lol Rockets
:lol Going to be even worse than usual

At least they will sell over one billion Jeremy Lin jerseys. lol

[Raven]

In hindsight, maybe the coaches were seeing this in practice.

yeah they failed in the mission...

[Frenchie]

I really appreciated what De Colo has done at the point in the 4th QT.

Curry is also interesting. DNP for Powell maybe released this week.

[temujin]

My take on the game.

1) Houston is going to be terrible this year.
2) Curry looks like a letigimate NBA center.
3) Blair is thinner and bought an outside shot in the off-season. FT technique modified and improved.
4) Witherspoon is an interesting player.

Spurs should test the market for Splitter.

[jon123spurs]

I think curry is a lock to make the roster. If he doesnt well it might be just as bad a move as trading for rj.

[elemento]

Lin is terrible.

LOL @ fat Morey trying to keep Chinese fans giving that shit contract to Lin

The Rockets will be terrible this season.

[timvp]

The Powell DNP-CD doesn't make a lot of sense considering how well he's been playing. Either RC got my email or Pop likes him so much that he doesn't think he has anything left to prove.

Let's hope it's the former :drunk

[Bruno]

It was a fun game to watch.

Pop put again Splitter with Duncan while he didn't pair them at all last season. A reason of that could be the good surprise that is Curry. Pairing Splitter and Duncan is easier to do if you have another competent center on the bench.

I wish Pop a lot of courage to manage that stacked backcourt. Neal, De Colo, Jospeh and Green all looked very good today. If Mills come back at a good level of his ankle sprain, it's going to be a nightmare for Pop.

Regarding the invites, Witherspoon was a huge surprise. Curry plays really well and will likely be kept. Brown sucked and should be the next player to be waived. Powell got a DNP-CD.

[pookenstein]

It's just preseason, but damn it feels good to see the Spurs again. That was the first game we were able to see via ILP in Germany and I liked what I saw. Can't wait for the season to start.

[RodNIc91]

Bruno dont you see a scenario where everyone in the backcourt is happy with whichever playing time they get? Could they be that selfless?

[Frenchie]

Neal, De Colo, Jospeh and Green all looked very good today. If Mills come back at a good level of his ankle sprain, it's going to be a nightmare for Pop.

Regarding the invites, Witherspoon was a huge surprise. Curry plays really well and will likely be kept. Brown sucked and should be the next player to be waived. Powell got a DNP-CD.
I have not really appreciated what Neal has done tonight. Too many difficult shots tried.

Witherspoon could be signed by another team if he's released (what should probably be the case at the end of the preseason). He has skills to earn a spot somewhere. Nevertheless, he took benefit from the Spurs' passing game. It's always easy to play in a team like this.

[ace3g]

De Colo's jumper looked a bit quicker/smoother today; I think a small tweak from Chip will do wonders; he already has the passing, a reliable jumper on the move, etc (not just set shooting) will make him a tough player to guard.

I knew Brown's jumper needed work but I thought he could do more than just score in the fast break. He has no halfcourt offense, figured he could use his size to post up or take guys off the dribble. Plus he isn't as quick as I thought.

[DPG21920]

I am definitely really worried about the defense though. I am hoping they just don't want to show too much of a change in pre-season, but I have seen 0 improvement or change and that is a huge issue. Maybe once regular season starts they roll out the changes, but you would imagine they need a chance to practice the new philosophy in game.

[Bruno]

Bruno dont you see a scenario where everyone in the backcourt is happy with whichever playing time they get? Could they be that selfless?

Keeping everybody happy is just a part of the challenge. If you want to really develop prospects like Joseph or De Colo, you have to give them some playing time. Practicing and playing with the Toros is fine but it has its limit.

[RodNIc91]

I am definitely really worried about the defense though. I am hoping they just don't want to show too much of a change in pre-season, but I have seen 0 improvement or change and that is a huge issue. Maybe once regular season starts they roll out the changes, but you would imagine they need a chance to practice the new philosophy in game.

I think that we'll see the improvement in the last games of preseason. Where Pop will likely show the real rotation. But I agree with you. The D today sucked balls. Im really hoping the Keep curry. I know that blocking shots does not mean playing defense, but Curry is a REAL presence in the middle of the paint. He could alter some and block others more, thats for sure

[loveforthegame]

Witherspoon has been a huge surprise.

Curry continues to impress.

Wish we could keep both.

[RodNIc91]

Keeping everybody happy is just a part of the challenge. If you want to really develop prospects like Joseph or De Colo, you have to give them some playing time. Practicing and playing with the Toros is fine but it has its limit.

Thats very true. For me, one of the storylines of the season will be the involvement of the spurs in the market. I know its highly unlikely we get to hear from these but nevertheless we may hear one or two rumours throughout the season, as long as these players keep looking this good. Theres no doubt in my mind that some teams will be calling.

[Dex]

As good of a prospect as Witherspoon may seem, the Spurs have to keep Curry. A wing prospect would be nice; a big man is a glaring need. They have been looking and waiting too long for a legit center to fall into their hands just to let him walk now. He seems to have answered all the question marks about him that he came in with; to let him go would be looking a gift horse in the mouth.

[timvp]

With Duncan 36 and Splitter with possible ongoing back issues, Curry does fit a need. I'm not totally sold that the Spurs will keep him but he's doing just about all he can to win a roster spot. You have to respect that, at least.

[TE]

With Duncan 36 and Splitter with possible ongoing back issues, Curry does fit a need. I'm not totally sold that the Spurs will keep him but he's doing just about all he can to win a roster spot. You have to respect that, at least.

What, do you think, is the possibility Curry will get a roster spot (%)?

[TD 21]

With Duncan 36 and Splitter with possible ongoing back issues, Curry does fit a need. I'm not totally sold that the Spurs will keep him but he's doing just about all he can to win a roster spot. You have to respect that, at least.

I never thought they'd keep him, no matter how well he played. I always thought that spot was going to Brown or Powell and it didn't take long to realize it wasn't going to Brown, so that leaves Powell.

This is where Duncan needs to step in and have a talk with them now and basically tell them, don't even think about doing something this stupid. Powell fills no need, while Curry, though still a long shot to make any sort of impact, at least has proven to be a worthwhile project.

[ace3g]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8N2uxqTg7v0

[CGD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8N2uxqTg7v0

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[Bruno]

Whole Nando's highlights of that game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7WgKXiE-pWI

[timvp]

Got damn, De Colo had some awesome passes in this game. You have to watch 'em a couple times just to really see how great the pass truly was.

One thing I hadn't thought about too much but could be a legit weapon is De Colo on the low block. At 6-foot-5 and reasonably long and athletic, you can post him up against the small point guards in the league. And with his vision, teams would be stupid to double team him.

With as much as passing is valued on this team, Pop is going to have to think long and hard if he can afford NOT to give De Colo a few legit chances to make the rotation.

[CGD]

Whole Nando's highlights of that game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7WgKXiE-pWI

My first time seeing video of him with the Spurs. Impressive passing, and better stroke than I thought. Looks like yet another great find. It's going to be tough finding minutes for everyone.

[AussieFanKurt]

Who is Witherspoon? :lol

[ace3g]

If De Colo can find a spot, Spurs have 3 guys that can rack up assists. Plus he has shown the ability to get to the basket and finish smoothly.

And like timvp said with his size he can potentially post up small PGs and help with defensive rebounding leading to fast breaks/outlets quicker.

[ace3g]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrcMA_w1BF8

[ace3g]

Who is Witherspoon? :lol


HOUSTON – When Spurs coach Gregg Popovich first informed Wesley Witherspoon he’d be in the starting lineup for Sunday afternoon’s preseason matinee at Houston, the rookie from Memphis tried to stay stone-faced.

All the while, his stomach was performing a gymnastics routine straight out of the Summer Olympics.

“Somersaults, cartwheels and everything else,” Witherspoon said. “The emotions were definitely flying.”

One day, Witherspoon will be able to tell his grandchildren he not only started next to Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, but he also outscored them.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/10/14/undrafted-rookie-leads-way-past-rockets/

[AussieFanKurt]

^ thanks mate

[DPG21920]

timvp - you know who De Colo reminds me of (besides Dunleavy): Greivis Vasquez. Not identical, but appears like De Colo could have some similar role to him.

[Bill_Brasky]

Whole Nando's highlights of that game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7WgKXiE-pWI

The passes at :40 and 1:00 are some fuckin DIMES bro.

[timvp]

timvp - you know who De Colo reminds me of (besides Dunleavy): Greivis Vasquez. Not identical, but appears like De Colo could have some similar role to him.

:lol Dunleavy comparison. Sorry mang that's just funny.

But yeah, Vasquez is a decent comparison. Hopefully De Colo proves to be a better athlete and a better passer but at least that one is in the ballpark :tu

[lefty]

I like that Spoon dude

Reminds me of Courtney Lee in his Orlando days

[racm]

The reason the defense looks questionable is because the best defensive players either played only one quarter (TD) or were given the night off (Leonard).

[JRHernandez88]

Man i cant wait to see De Colo and Curry in a game. Ive been using these threads to keep up with them and im just really excited. I just De Colo's highlights on my phone. Idk if its the screen being small or what but he really does look like Manu. The way he plays AND the way he looks lmao.

[therealtruth]

The Spurs have got a really versatile team. The challenge of course is taking that and coming up with a working rotation. I think defense and passing are some of the more important elements that should be addressed.

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Expandable via Whataburger.

:lol

Damn, wish I had known about this game.

[TMTTRIO]

don't worry I think De Colo will get a whole bunch of playing time in place of Manu. I have a feeling Manu will be injured a lot again this season.

[ace3g]

If you didn't catch the game earlier, they are replaying it on NBATV right now 2-4:30 a.m.

[racm]

don't worry I think De Colo will get a whole bunch of playing time in place of Manu. I have a feeling Manu will be injured a lot again this season.

As long as he's healthy by April :toast

[BackHome]

For me I would get rid of Blair and Bonner and keep Curry and Wesley.

[ceperez]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtla2zhQpA

Witherspoon highlights

[CGD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtla2zhQpA

Witherspoon highlights

thanks for sharing. Does anyone have Curry specific highlight from this or any other preseason game?

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

thanks for sharing. Does anyone have Curry specific highlight from this or any other preseason game?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICy0aOeDBqg

[CGD]

Awesome, thanks bud.

[CGD]

Color me impressed. I like that he was aggressive, and showed a good back to the basket game.

[xmas1997]

Wish we could keep both Witherspoon and Curry.

[spurs10]

Curry would give us some much needed size and toughness underneath the basket. I wonder what's cooking? Today should be a great barometer....