Pivotal First Preseason Game Thread - Spurs @ Kings - Oct 8, 2015 9 PM CST

[Dex]

SuperBoban coming back in!

[TheGreatYacht]

Thnks :tu

[ceperez]

Simmons doing LeBron James offense.

[Dex]

Gonna miss det dude Beli. :(

[SpursFan86]

Boban is noticeably faster than Tim at this point, no? Definitely looks like it.

[hater]

Jimmer back in. We fucked

[Dex]

Messina pulling a Pop by pulling the scrubs off the bench for the guts of the game.

[Spurtacular]

Stockton making McCallum look like a ghost.

[hater]

It's game. Oh well.

[TheDoctor]

Jimmer -infinite

[TheDoctor]

Anderson so smart.

[spursgu]

Seth Curry is living up the hype from being Steph's brother.

[HarlemHeat37]

Jimmer getting bodied by Seth Curry:lol

[Kawhitstorm]

Deshaun Thomas/Jimmer are definitely getting cut.

[NASpurs]

Poor Jimmer. It's going to suck to play for the Tijuana Banditos

[hater]

:lol jimmer

What a scrub

[Slime Baller]

The Boban giveth and the Boban taketh away.

[TheDoctor]

Nice, Jimmer deflected a pass.

[RD2191]

Poor Jimmer. It's going to suck to play for the Tijuana Banditos

:lol ElNonos fav team

[hater]

Boban steal! :lol

[Shipupi]

Boban is rotation material I'm calling it now, his defense is awesome

[r0drig0lac]

KA

[Spurtacular]

Nice offensive rebound by Jimmer; Simmons ruining his assist.

[HarlemHeat37]

Nice pass from Jimmer..Boban looks really mobile/active on D, but horrible on offense..

[Slime Baller]

Much like summer league, KA keeping us in this late.

[Boomersgold]

Anderson's ready to contribute.

[Mikeanaro]

Beli helping Spurs ,)

[ceperez]

Anderson looking really confident.

[313]

Classic Belli

[Dex]

SloMo doin work.

[hater]

Ferrari taking over

[spursgu]

Kyle Anderson again

[RD2191]

Fuck Marco

[weeks]

anderson looks ready

[TheDoctor]

Kyle's balling hard. Told ya guys.

[hater]

Marco what big bolas ;!!!!!!!

[HarlemHeat37]

Wow, Anderson looks like a completely different player, tbh..so smooth and confident..best player for the Spurs tonight outside of maybe Mills..

[ElNono]

:lol ElNonos fav team

:lol

[ChumpDumper]

Nice offensive rebound by Jimmer; Simmons ruining his assist.Let us know Jimmer's alternate reality stats after the game.

[Nathan89]

KA going off.

[hater]

Kyle's balling hard. Told ya guys.

I told them first bitch

[Rito3d30]

Kyle saves the day

[SAGirl]

F@ck Reggie!! Giving Beli a wide open 3.

[TheGreatYacht]

Kyle will have a better career than Randle.

[Boogie Munster]

Can someone link me to a stream real quick, por favor?

[tmtcsc]

That big doofus Anderson is looking good out there. Good for him and good for the Spurs. Would love to see him contribute this year.

[ElNono]

Wow, Anderson looks like a completely different player, tbh..so smooth and confident..best player for the Spurs tonight outside of maybe Mills..

Have to agree with this... had my doubts, but he looked calmed and composed out there

[Spurtacular]

Jimmer keeping Stockton in front of him. McCallum couldn't do that.

[jyra]

It's clearly going to take time for Boban to adjust to the higher pace.

[SpursFan86]

It's pretty awesome seeing just how different KA looked last year vs. this summer/fall. Amazing what one year can do.

[tmtcsc]

Can someone link me to a stream real quick, por favor?

http://www.stream2watch.co/sports/basketball/san-antonio-spurs-vs-sacramento-kings-live-stream-october-09

[SAGirl]

Wow, Anderson looks like a completely different player, tbh..so smooth and confident..best player for the Spurs tonight outside of maybe Mills..
I love him and have been campaigning on his behalf. Kyle sits and the Spurs look like shit.

[Chinook]

Anderson can get his shot whenever he wants. Not too many on the team can say that. Scrubber Fredette is doing his best to counteract that though. Has Thomad played?

[KaiRMD1]

Surprisingly, League pass is actually showing the game. That's a miracle

[Spurtacular]

Anderson looking good.

[TheDoctor]

Anderson can get his shot whenever he wants. Not too many on the team can say that. Scrubber Fredette is doing his best to counteract that though.

[NASpurs]

Watch George Karl bring back Gay and Cousins

[hater]

Boban I love that big ass mofo damn

[TheGreatYacht]

"Jimmer keeping Stockton in front of him" :lmao

[Kawhitstorm]

It's clearly going to take time for Boban to adjust to the higher pace.

He's thinking too much & not anticipating/reacting.

[SAGirl]

It's clearly going to take time for Boban to adjust to the higher pace.
Has potential though. I like him.

[Nathan89]

Damn he likes doing that carry too

[Slime Baller]

Fredebt more like.

[NASpurs]

Can't even make an open jumper. Hope Jimmer has a ride back home after this game.

[Spurtacular]

Surprisingly, League pass is actually showing the game. That's a miracle

It is on my computer....not on my Amazon Fire (box and stick).

[spursgu]

Fredette fucking sucks.

[hater]

Holy shit jimmer sucks

[HarlemHeat37]

I've been skeptical about Anderson, but I hope his improvements translate to the regular season..it would be so massive for the Spurs to divert some of Manu's playmaking responsibilities..

[NASpurs]

Bobaniator!

[ElNono]

Time to cut Jimmer on the flight back to SA

[RD2191]

We need to leave Jimmer in Mexico.

[SpursFan86]

Jimmer is fucking awful :lol

[Kawhitstorm]

Simmons not getting superstar calls unlike Harden

[r0drig0lac]

boban!

[Slime Baller]

Boban I love that big ass mofo damn

Seriously. He's fun as shit to watch.

[hater]

Boban!!!!!!

[weeks]

CLUTCH basket by Boban!

[Mamuza94]

BOBAAAAN!!! :D

[G-Dawgg]

Jimmer's only value is making 3's yet he can't even do that......

[Dex]

Dat entry pass tho.

[Kawhitstorm]

Jimmer getting schooled by scrubby white boy

[KaiRMD1]

Jimmer isn't going to stay on this team, right?

[TheGreatYacht]

Errors' ghost hunting Boban :depressed

[Spurtacular]

Carrying? Chicken shit call.

[SAGirl]

Anderson can get his shot whenever he wants. Not too many on the team can say that. Scrubber Fredette is doing his best to counteract that though. Has Thomad played?
No I didn't see Thomas at all.

[ElNono]

Jimmer's only value is making 3's yet he can't even do that......

we already have Bonner for that

[RD2191]

Jimmer's only value is making 3's yet he can't even do that......

Reminds me of Bonner.

[Arcadian]

God dammit. Why do the Spurs always give up critical rebounds?

[TheDoctor]

Boban, why we have you in there?

[NASpurs]

We need to leave Jimmer in Mexico.

Los Mexico City Zetas need a shooter

[siraulo23]

Box out boban

[Robz4000]

At least we don't have to worry about giving Jimmer that roster spot. How'd Butler/Ndoye looked?

[Darius Bieber]

Jimmer isn't going to stay on this team, right?

Not sure why they'd give him guaranteed cash if he wasn't though.

[KaiRMD1]

Jimmer is the predecessor of Ayres, somebody has to suck and it can't be Bonner anymore

[K...]

Really wish we had wcs. Then again, I want every promising young big, so there's that.

[weeks]

95-92 KINGS
12.3 left

[hater]

Los Mexico City Zetas need a shooter

Jimmer would lose the cartel war for them thou

[ElNono]

Alba Berlin all over again

[Dex]

Here comes Jimmer to brick the three for the tie.

[ElNono]

Boban for 3

[RD2191]

Los Mexico City Zetas need a shooter

:lol

[NASpurs]

Can we get rid of Jimmer but keep Whitney somehow?

[Kawhitstorm]

Reggie loses Belly for a 3 then gets caught ball watching instead of blocking out

[SpursFan86]

At least we don't have to worry about giving Jimmer that roster spot. How'd Butler/Ndoye looked?

Both looked pretty impressive.

[TheDoctor]

4pt play. Let's go home.

[BatManu20]

At least we don't have to worry about giving Jimmer that roster spot. How'd Butler/Ndoye looked?

It's Butler's spot to lose tbh.

[Dex]

Alba Berlin all over again

No way. We lost to Alba Berlin on a freaking halfcourt prayer. It was the first sign of many that last season just wasn't meant to be for the Spurs.

[HarlemHeat37]

At least we don't have to worry about giving Jimmer that roster spot. How'd Butler/Ndoye looked?

Butler looks like Butler, and Ndoye looks raw offensively, but played really well in the energy big/garbage man role..

[BatManu20]

Pop should set up an open look from 3 for Boban. Kings would never see it coming.

[KaiRMD1]

Eh, I can live with that. Boban looks pretty good though. Jimmer is the player I figured he'd be though

[SpursFan86]

Wow, what an awful final possession :lol

[siraulo23]

WCS is a beast

[HarlemHeat37]

:lmao what a last possession..

[Texas_Ranger]

amazing play.

[jyra]

He's thinking too much & not anticipating/reacting.

Yep, but it also didn't help that the guys just stopped running any plays.

[ceperez]

Meltdown time!!!!

[TheGreatYacht]

Ettore is fucking awful. Chicago took the wrong coach srs

[hater]

Not bad. We probably win if Jimmer crashes his car on the way to the arena.

[Dex]

Terrible execution on the last sequence.

[spursgu]

Cut Bonner and Fredette.

[KaiRMD1]

I expect a bunch of "LOL SPURS" threads to be started

[NASpurs]

Messina needs to go back to Mexico with Jimmer.

[.G.]

WTF was that? Goddammit
Fuckit

[TheDoctor]

Pop should set up an open look from 3 for Boban. Kings would never see it coming.

Pop's not coaching. He's in the Bahamas.

[Kawhitstorm]

Reggie loses Belly for a 3 then gets caught ball watching instead of blocking out

Then pulls a Porker to end the game, nice coaching Messina

[TheGreatYacht]

Kings players & crowd saluting Ray.... Not Jimmer

wonder why

[HarlemHeat37]

Yep, but it also didn't help that the guys just stopped running any plays.

He looked mobile and active on defense, which is more encouraging IMO..looked terrible on offense, but that's going to be a work in progress until he adjusts and the team finds chemistry with him..

[ChumpDumper]

Then pulls a Porker to end the game, nice coaching Messinashitck

[tbdog]

How was kyle? Stats look great. Is he ready?

[BatManu20]

Lol at that last possession.

Preseason is fun. ST is already in mid-season form, insulting players left and right and calling for their heads. Loing forward to seeing the Big 3 play again. Should be an interesting season.

[Kawhitstorm]

Not sure why they'd give him guaranteed cash if he wasn't though.

Someone has to fill the designated American born white player spot on the squad once Bonner vacates the seat

[Spurtacular]

WTF, Williams. POS.

[Slime Baller]

West, Butler, Boban, Anderson were all bright spots. Mills hustled the way you want Mills to hustle. Kawhi put up a fight.

LMA is a question mark without the rest of the starters.

[Mugen]

:lol Homeless Harden is still on the team? I thought we cut that nigga back in February tbh

[weeks]

so when's the next game?

[Darius Bieber]

What's with all the hate on Fredette? His shots were rushed... He made the open shot but it didn't count.

[spursgu]

How was kyle? Stats look great. Is he ready?

He should easily get the backup SF role. He looks like a better player this season.

[Spurtacular]

Kings players & crowd saluting Ray.... Not Jimmer

wonder why

Cos he played for them last year; Jimmer didn't.

[TheDoctor]

We'd probably win if not for Brickette's massive bricking job.

He must have thought he was building a Mormon temple.

[Buddy Mignon]

Lol at that last possession.

Preseason is fun. ST is already in mid-season form, insulting players left and right and calling for their heads. Loing forward to seeing the Big 3 play again. Should be an interesting season.


What big three?

[Spurtacular]

What's with all the hate on Fredette? His shots were rushed... He made the open shot but it didn't count.

Jimmer looked tentative though. That needs to change. It's only one game. ST posters thinking it happens in a snap. LMA looked terrible too. They'll find their games.

[SAGirl]

At least we don't have to worry about giving Jimmer that roster spot. How'd Butler/Ndoye looked?
Both looked good to me. I really liked Butler. I'd just as soon cut Bonner and get Butler TBH. Bonner didn't do anything in there.

[Ditty]

Can we get rid of Jimmer but keep Whitney somehow?

This, she is smoking!

[ChumpDumper]

What big three?You said you couldn't p:cryst up here.

[SAGirl]

I don't know what Messina drew, but they botched it. Shoulda have Becky draw up a play.:bobo

[ceperez]

It's Butler's spot to lose tbh.

Butler did very well for himself. He's probably a better fit than Jimmer. Jimmer couldn't even guard Stockton.

Anderson looks even better than when he was at SL.

McCallum really isn't a PG, but he's got much better offense than CoJo.

Simmons was making good passes and got a lot of players open.

Boban was a beast. Lots of intimidation when he was on the court.

Jimmer had one good assist, but otherwise a poor game. Missed open shots badly.

Aldridge and West didn't play well at all.

[Kawhitstorm]

:lol Homeless Harden is still on the team? I thought we cut that nigga back in February tbh

He's probably a good practice player which is why he is still on the squad through training camp.

[ace3g]

https://s.yimg.com/sr/imgv1/1/8a280a06-2da1-358f-ba8b-7dc8e8607a31

https://s.yimg.com/sr/imgv1/1/44d18798-413a-34de-8445-dba1dcde2c62

https://s.yimg.com/sr/imgv1/1/98d306b6-6751-34c0-983a-0c993ec76627

https://s.yimg.com/sr/imgv1/1/fee7a992-bf89-331b-9617-4da63b70c648

[TheDoctor]

How was kyle? Stats look great. Is he ready?

He looks ready to go. Much more mature and smart. Doing the little things. He made an entry pass to Boban in the last minute that left me in awe.

[Chinook]

What's with all the hate on Fredette? His shots were rushed... He made the open shot but it didn't count.

His shots were rushed because of his slow release. Like 30 pages of the Jimmer thread go over that.

[benfti]

In the past in TPs absence Cojo Started so Mills could stick with the second unit. Patty starting tonight is interesting.

[HarlemHeat37]

Hopefully LA loses a few more pounds by the end of the month, tbh..

[jehawk81]

Someone has to fill the designated American born white player spot on the squad once Bonner vacates the seat

Thought Boner was Canadian.

[SAGirl]

I predicted Jonathon' s ballhandling would be an issue and it is. He had some nice passes and hustled on D though. I am unsure about Williams. I didn't like him b4 and he didn't make a case for himself here. Unsure about Jimmer still. He made some plays off the dribble, but his slow shot is indeed a problem. Was better on D than I thought. Williams was worse.

[Spurtacular]

Butler did very well for himself. He's probably a better fit than Jimmer. Jimmer couldn't even guard Stockton.



He did better than McCallum did guarding Stockton, tbh.

I still doubt we see Butler getting a roster spot. He's auditioning for another team.

Jimmer had a bad game; but he'll fill a role on this team.

[TheDoctor]

https://s.yimg.com/sr/imgv1/1/8a280a06-2da1-358f-ba8b-7dc8e8607a31


Damn. Kawhi's hands look like a frigging face hugger in that pic.

[Chinook]

Ettore is fucking awful. Chicago took the wrong coach srs

I'm not a Messina fan at all. Was totally hoping he'd get hired away. Something just feels off about him on the Spurs.

[Spurtacular]

I predicted Jonathon' s ballhandling would be an issue and it is. He had some nice passes and hustled on D though. I am unsure about Williams. I didn't like him b4 and he didn't make a case for himself here. Unsure about Jimmer still. He made some plays off the dribble, but his slow shot is indeed a problem. Was better on D than I thought. Williams was worse.

Just one game; but Simmons didn't look like a force out there like in SL.

[ChumpDumper]

He did better than McCallum did guarding Stockton, tbh.

I still doubt we see Butler getting a roster spot. He's auditioning for another team.

Jimmer had a bad game; but he'll feel a role on this team.:lol

[Nathan89]

Jimmer couldn't even guard Stockton.



Damn shame. That's what really took away all the hope tbh. Never really watch him much so just watch some highlights which show no defense obviously. That was bad.

[RD2191]

He did better than McCallum did guarding Stockton, tbh.

I still doubt we see Butler getting a roster spot. He's auditioning for another team.

Jimmer had a bad game; but he'll feel a role on this team.

Why would Butler not get a roster spot?

[Kawhitstorm]

Both looked good to me. I really liked Butler. I'd just as soon cut Bonner and get Butler TBH. Bonner didn't do anything in there.

Bonner is probably going to stay on the squad until they find someone worthy of a guaranteed contract in free agency. I'm assuming Butler/Simmons make the team & if there is a need to pickup a player at any point during the season then Bonner might get waived especially once everyone gets acclimated to the system.

[apalisoc_9]

Messina has absolutely no idea how to utilize a big that shots mid 40's midrange.

He run post ups all day..Disgusting. If the spurs are going to play the same way, they wouldn't even make the playoffs.

[SAGirl]

Butler did very well for himself. He's probably a better fit than Jimmer. Jimmer couldn't even guard Stockton.

Anderson looks even better than when he was at SL.

McCallum really isn't a PG, but he's got much better offense than CoJo.

Simmons was making good passes and got a lot of players open.

Boban was a beast. Lots of intimidation when he was on the court.

Jimmer had one good assist, but otherwise a poor game. Missed open shots badly.

Aldridge and West didn't play well at all.
Good, succinct summary actually.
/cosign.

[NASpurs]

Becky Hammon >>>>>>> Messina

[Nathan89]

Jimmer only shot one "rushed" 3. The other was wide open but he missed.

[RD2191]

Bonner is probably going to stay on the squad until they find someone worthy of a guaranteed contract in free agency. I'm assuming Butler/Simmons make the team & if there is a need to pickup a player at any point during the season then Bonner might get waived especially once everyone gets acclimated to the system.

Bonner is like herpes. He's here for life.

[Gibbz]

Why would Butler not get a roster spot?

Rasual the Jewel would definitely be a better addition than Jimmer.

[TheGreatYacht]

I'm not a Messina fan at all. Was totally hoping he'd get hired away. Something just feels off about him on the Spurs.
Not even trolling, Becky's play calling in the SL was better than whatever this was. Sucks that he already cut in front of Ime on the coaching line.

[HarlemHeat37]

Is that John Stockton's son? Looks terrible, tbh, probably only receiving a chance because of his dad:lol..that nepotism, tho..

[Kawhitstorm]

I predicted Jonathon' s ballhandling would be an issue and it is.

They called a carry when he did the Harden sidestep b/c he's a D-league player otherwise he didn't really get to run PnR sets which he feasts off b/c Messina was calling atrocious sets. He was able to set up people when the ball came to him otherwise he didn't get to run the offense enough to judge his ball handling. He actually got frustrated by the lack of penetration & cleared the side to drive to the bucket when he got called for the carry.

[Nathan89]

He did better than McCallum did guarding Stockton, tbh.

I still doubt we see Butler getting a roster spot. He's auditioning for another team.

Jimmer had a bad game; but he'll fill a role on this team.

Butler is getting a roster spot. Jimmer has to play well to force the team to part ways with Bonner.

[spursistan]

Becky Hammon >>>>>>> Messina
he has coached a a couple or 3 games, but i haven't seen anything influenced by him thus far in his Spurs tenure and neither his on court presence suggests that on the surface.. ..

[Kawhitstorm]

Messina has absolutely no idea how to utilize a big that shots mid 40's midrange.

He run post ups all day..Disgusting. If the spurs are going to play the same way, they wouldn't even make the playoffs.

At least Jim Boylen was a good defensive mind.

[ElNono]

I predicted Jonathon' s ballhandling would be an issue and it is. He had some nice passes and hustled on D though. I am unsure about Williams. I didn't like him b4 and he didn't make a case for himself here. Unsure about Jimmer still. He made some plays off the dribble, but his slow shot is indeed a problem. Was better on D than I thought. Williams was worse.

I liked Simmons in general... didn't stand out like in SL, but I thought he made generally good decisions... he wasn't better than KA tonight, but I didn't he stunk up the joint (ie: like Jimmer)

[Kawhitstorm]

he has coached a a couple or 3 games, but i haven't seen anything influenced by him thus far in his Spurs tenure and neither his on court presence suggests that on the surface.. ..

He's the Porker of the coaching staff. Entitled b/c of his superstar status in Europe.

[BillMc]

Patty and Kawhi looked ready to go.

Anderson has come a long way and is a pleasant development. He already seems one of the sharpest guys on the court and he's beginning to use his size well.

West had his moments, nothing staggering.

LMA looked lost and tentative. -21 tonight, the offense stalled around him.

Simmons didn't really look like an NBA player to me. Ray M looked like an NBA player, but a bad one. Boban looked deep benchish (which is what he is, nothing more). All were disappointments to me.

Jimmer looked bad, too slow on his release. Can't see much to get excited about him.

Butler looked good.

[HarlemHeat37]

Ya, I don't see how anybody can judge Simmons from anything we saw tonight, he didn't really get a chance to stand out, and to be fair, he didn't really make any noticeable mistakes, either..pretty neutral performance..

It's easier to judge a player like Fredette since we've already seen him in the NBA and we all know his flaws at the NBA level..still, though, everybody deserves more than 1 game, of course..

Generally speaking, though, most of the experienced players you see in these preseason games have low ceilings and won't really improve much from what you've already seen from them at the NBA level(McCallum, Jimmer, etc)..

[TheDoctor]

Never forget.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bm1tnKUCYAADSmo.jpg

[Nathan89]

LMA been chilling with his family all damn summer.

[SAGirl]

I liked Simmons in general... didn't stand out like in SL, but I thought he made generally good decisions... he wasn't better than KA tonight, but I didn't he stunk up the joint (ie: like Jimmer)
On that you are right. I still like what I see from him, but his ballhandling is an issue though and he didn't change my mind on that tonight. Hopefully he improves. I really like him with Kyle. The lineup with him, Kyle and Butler was the best, but Jonathon is likely to have that ball stolen in traffic a lot.

[Kawhitstorm]

Generally speaking, though, most of the experienced players you see in these preseason games have low ceilings and won't really improve much from what you've already seen from them at the NBA level(McCallum, Jimmer, etc)..

For the low ceiling players, it's more about finding a niche & a system that will cater to them. Jimmer has bounced around & hasn't found a marketable niche, Ray on the other hand can be a Patty type player in the Spurs system if he improves his outside shot (he converted both of his 3 point attempts tonight).

[Chinook]

On that you are right. I still like what I see from him, but his ballhandling is an issue though and he didn't change my mind on that tonight. Hopefully he improves. I really like him with Kyle. The lineup with him, Kyle and Butler was the best, but Jonathon is likely to have that ball stolen in traffic a lot.

Yeah. Having Mills in there with him helped. McCallum's shooting would be such a boon if it holds up. But I really liked that second quarter lineup. Ndoye moves hos feet really well, and if he can learn to finish off the PnR in Austin this season, he can be somewhere between Splitter and Baynes. I actually didn't like Boban much in this game. Would be interesting to see who would make the team of no one's salary were guaranteed.

[Kawhitstorm]

Hopefully LA loses a few more pounds by the end of the month, tbh..

Looks like he was enjoying his summer a bit too much ala Diaw/Blair. He should abstain from what-a-burger & Tex-Mex until the conclusion of the season.

[SpurPadre]

Ettore is fucking awful. Chicago took the wrong coach srsYou only feel that way because Boylen still doesn't know who the fuck Kawhi is.

[SAGirl]

Patty and Kawhi looked ready to go.

Anderson has come a long way and is a pleasant development. He already seems one of the sharpest guys on the court and he's beginning to use his size well.

West had his moments, nothing staggering.

LMA looked lost and tentative. -21 tonight, the offense stalled around him.

Simmons didn't really look like an NBA player to me. Ray M looked like an NBA player, but a bad one. Boban looked deep benchish (which is what he is, nothing more). All were disappointments to me.

Jimmer looked bad, too slow on his release. Can't see much to get excited about him.

Butler looked good.
Agree with you!!!

[TheGreatYacht]

You only feel that way because Boylen still doesn't know who the fuck Kawhi is.
:lmao

[Kawhitstorm]

You only feel that way because Boylen still doesn't know who the fuck Kawhi is.

Boylen is a decent offensive mind meanwhile Ettore claims to be an offensive genius & call awful sets.

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2B3QZpsaSk

[HarlemHeat37]

For the low ceiling players, it's more about finding a niche & a system that will cater to them. Jimmer has bounced around & hasn't found a marketable niche, Ray on the other hand can be a Patty type player in the Spurs system if he improves his outside shot (he converted both of his 3 point attempts tonight).

I agree to an extent..improving ball-handling is extremely difficult in your 20s, can't teach height, can't teach coordination/balance very well, etc, but shooting is something you can improve later in life with the correct coaching/situation(assuming you have decent height and release speed), so if McCallum can make 3s at a higher level than his 30% from last year, he could become a backup level PG on a good team..

[SpurPadre]

Boylen is a decent offensive mind meanwhile Ettore claims to be an offensive genius & call awful sets.

Well, If I'm Hoiberg, I make damn sure Boylen recites to him the whole roster each and every day. Nevertheless, I'm not sold on Ettore, either. Too bad we can't bring back PJ, tbh.

[ducks]

Lma needs tp to set him up

[Spurtacular]

Butler is getting a roster spot. Jimmer has to play well to force the team to part ways with Bonner.

Doubt it. Spurs ain't taking a cap hit on Jimmer for an old player who ain't gonna crack the rotation anyhow.

[Spurtacular]

Why would Butler not get a roster spot?

See one post above.

[NASpurs]

Some quotes:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/spurs/2015/10/09/lamarcus-aldridge-balance-aggressive-selfless-spurs-preseason-debut/73638170/?

LaMarcus Aldridge seeking balance between aggressive and selfless with Spurs

SACRAMENTO — There is, it turns out, a place that exists between uncomfortable and comfortable that is not the former but also not the latter.
LaMarcus Aldridge is there right now, somewhere on that path from Point A to Point B and hell-bent on getting there in this new life as a member of the storied San Antonio Spurs. And Thursday night at Sleep Train Arena, you see, was but a baby step.

After working his way through the weirdness of it all — wearing an NBA jersey other than Portland’s for the first time since he entered the league in 2006 and having all that history come rushing back when he saw a recent Blazers-Kings game on the Spurs’ locker room television before the game — the Spurs’ latest project went back to work on this tricky task.

It wasn’t about the numbers in San Antonio’s preseason-opening loss to the Kings, though for the sake of record-keeping he finished with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting with three rebounds in 23 minutes. On this night and the many more that are to come, this was about Aldridge learning to be his aggressive, ball-dominant self within the context of a system that has so long been known for its balance and selflessness.

For all of Aldridge’s accomplishments, this blending of styles has been a mental game of sorts for the four-time All-Star. It was one thing when coach Gregg Popovich and his crew told him during the free agency process in July that they didn’t want him to change, but it’s yet another still to put that plan into action. Truth be told, it will likely never be easier than it was in his opener because of who didn’t take part: No Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili or Boris Diaw, meaning Aldridge could conceivably have his run of the place.

"They’ve been trying to get me to (be aggressive), and now I’m just getting back to it because I didn’t want to come in being aggressive and then be too aggressive," Aldridge told USA TODAY. "I think it’s better to be passive (at the beginning), and then kind of get into it more, so they’ve got me back to (thinking), 'You’ve got to still be yourself, but take the good pass and make the great pass,' and that’s what I’ve been doing.

"I think tonight showed that. They gave me the ball on the block a pretty good amount of times. I got pick-and-pops. I wasn’t making my shot tonight, or I probably would have got it more, but I don’t think I was overlooked tonight. I thought I got good shots all night."

Rest assured, there are some Spurs fans back in San Antonio who will remain skeptical of this marriage until the wins start piling up.

(http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/10/07/paul-george-pacers-pistons-preseason/73512110/)While the Aldridge addition (along with David West and the re-signing of Danny Green) made the Spurs the offseason champions, the question of fit and whether he might be frustrated by the Spurs’ way was front and center during all that late-summer downtime when such answers are unattainable.

Specifically, Aldridge’s honesty during an interview with USA TODAY Sports in July (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/spurs/2015/08/24/lamarcus-aldridges-move-san-antonio-got-unlikely-assist/32211597/) led to hours of scrutiny on a San Antonio sports talk radio show that includes former Spurs guard Antonio Daniels.

The center of the debate, it seemed, was this comment: "So I was like, 'Maybe I’m not a Spur, because I’ve been averaging 23 (points per game) for the last three to four years, and maybe I don’t fit into y’all’s system of let’s all average 17 (points per game)," Aldridge had admitted saying to the Spurs during the recruitment process.

Yet as his longtime friend and Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka told him at the time, things have changed in San Antonio. The old heads like Duncan, Parker and Ginobili need help of his kind more than ever before, and he now finds himself leading the way alongside 24-year-old small forward Kawhi Leonard. That new dynamic, as they see it, has led to an opportunity that’s tailor-made for Aldridge.

"People told me that I’m not going to fit in because I’m ball-dominant, I’m a ball-stopper, so I’m not worried about that," Aldridge told USA TODAY Sports. "I feel like if the Spurs didn’t feel like I fit in, then they wouldn’t have gotten me. I think the things that they wanted was someone who could play in pick-and-roll. I do that. Someone who could score on the block. I do that.

"I can make the extra pass, which I’ve done. I think every guy on the team would say that I’ve made the extra pass more than I have probably in my career. In my last practice, Pop told me to shoot it, because I wasn’t looking to shoot because I’m trying not to be that guy, so I made the extra pass."
If anything, Green said, Aldridge may need to work on being more selfish.

"Be aggressive, especially for LaMarcus," said Green, who has been with the Spurs since 2010 and signed a three-year, $12 million deal to return. "He’s used to making his moves. He knows where guys are when he was in Portland, and now he’s still getting used to where the double-team is coming from and where guys are going to be at for his outlets. He’s not used to that yet.

"(Aldridge and West) are trying to adjust, but they’re adjusting very unselfishly. From my perspective, I think they should be more aggressive, and make us adjust around them. I tell them, 'Be aggressive, go make your move, and we’ll adjust to you guys’ games.' But that’s just them."

By comparison, West’s challenge should be a breeze. At 35 years old, having left $11 million behind in Indiana to sign a veteran’s minimum deal in San Antonio, he’s fully prepared to play whatever role they so desire. But Aldridge is still 30, with many years still ahead and no plans to lose his status as one of the game’s best. But the comfort, they’re convinced, will come.

"So far, I think he’s blending right in," Green said. "Same high character, high quality guy, similar personality to a lot of guys here. Very laid back, very easygoing. Everybody here gets along, and I think that chemistry will continue to build and get better just like it was in the past. I don’t see any personalities here that will clash, so I think we’ll be good."

Follow Sam Amick on Twitter @sam_amick (http://twitter.com/sam_amick).

[ceperez]

I liked Simmons in general... didn't stand out like in SL, but I thought he made generally good decisions... he wasn't better than KA tonight, but I didn't he stunk up the joint (ie: like Jimmer)

Simmons on offense was finding a lot of folks open. He found Jimmer open twice, only to have Jimmer miss shots.

In offense he just needs experience getting a feel of the much quicker and bigger NBA players.

He didn't force any shots and apparently he was bring the ball up the court. He was able to finish in contact though.

McCallum problem begins when he starts dribbling the ball. He can't figure out how to get separation and it just slows down the offense. He did very well when he was shooting. You can see that he's a much better offensive talent that CoJo could ever be.

[From Downtown]

As I said yesterday I couldn't watch the game,from your comments I get that:

- West and LMA didn't play well and still lack chemistry with their teammates (but I wouldn't worry about that too much,it was their first game in a Spurs uniform after all)
- KA is constantly improving and seems ready to play solid minutes with the bench unit
- McCallum is worse than CoJo on defense,but better than him on offense,still needs to learn how to run a team (but RC cited his ability to do it as the reason why they considered him an improvement over Joseph,so I believe he'll get there edventually),anyway he's really good as a 3rd string PG
- Simmons didn't have a monster game and basically confirmed what we already know about him (really good passer,can make it to the basket,but bad handles and he needs to get better on defense,even if he's already pretty active in his own end)
- Boban,as seen on videos of him in Europe,moves pretty fast for a guy of his size and loos like a serviceable bench guy
- Jimmer was awful
- Butler was solid and has a chance of getting a roster spot over Fredette

Is that right?

[BillMc]

As I said yesterday I couldn't watch the game,from your comments I get that:

- West and LMA didn't play well and still lack chemistry with their teammates (but I wouldn't worry about that too much,it was their first game in a Spurs uniform after all)
- KA is constantly improving and seems ready to play solid minutes with the bench unit
- McCallum is worse than CoJo on defense,but better than him on offense,still needs to learn how to run a team (but RC cited his ability to do it as the reason why they considered him an improvement over Joseph,so I believe he'll get there edventually),anyway he's really good as a 3rd string PG
- Simmons didn't have a monster game and basically confirmed what we already know about him (really good passer,can make it to the basket,but bad handles and he needs to get better on defense,even if he's already pretty active in his own end)
- Boban,as seen on videos of him in Europe,moves pretty fast for a guy of his size and loos like a serviceable bench guy
- Jimmer was awful
- Butler was solid and has a chance of getting a roster spot over Fredette

Is that right?

I'd say West did a little better than that, and Simmons and Boban were worse than you mentioned, but otherwise spot on.

[TheGreatYacht]

As I said yesterday I couldn't watch the game,from your comments I get that:

- West and LMA didn't play well and still lack chemistry with their teammates (but I wouldn't worry about that too much,it was their first game in a Spurs uniform after all)
- KA is constantly improving and seems ready to play solid minutes with the bench unit
- McCallum is worse than CoJo on defense,but better than him on offense,still needs to learn how to run a team (but RC cited his ability to do it as the reason why they considered him an improvement over Joseph,so I believe he'll get there edventually),anyway he's really good as a 3rd string PG
- Simmons didn't have a monster game and basically confirmed what we already know about him (really good passer,can make it to the basket,but bad handles and he needs to get better on defense,even if he's already pretty active in his own end)
- Boban,as seen on videos of him in Europe,moves pretty fast for a guy of his size and loos like a serviceable bench guy
- Jimmer was awful
- Butler was solid and has a chance of getting a roster spot over Fredette

Is that right?
Yup pretty much it. West looked better than LMAlpha though. Simmons looked timid, differing to Ray Mills and Jimmer, like he didn't want to disrupt the flow (not even close to how aggressive he was in SL) I still think he'll be really good