Game Thread: Spurs @ Grizzlies -- Wed. (1/24) - 7:00/C (3:00am Riga Time)

[sasaint]

It’s going to be the best bench in the NBA. A plethora of riches on the bench. The key will be Murray finding any sort of consistency (and obviously Kawhi actually being healthy)

If Dijon settles into a starting role and really cements the starting unit, that bench does have a lot of talent. Swapping Dijon and Tony wasn't exactly genius, but it may be the best move Pop makes this season.

[daslicer]

Didn't watch the game but judging by the boxscores it seems like Murray was solid tonight.

[Seventyniner]

Love the ball movement without TP in the starting lineup, tbh..his game is much better suited off the bench, although I'm very interested in seeing how it will look when Gay and Manu return, he obviously won't continue to post a >30% usage rate..

It's hard to judge without Aldridge and Kawhi though. Both of those are ball-stoppers, can't put it all on Tony.

[sasaint]

Joff did finally get credit for 1 block :lol

I hope somebody posts it on the Watch thread.

[Seventyniner]

Joff did finally get credit for 1 block :lol

I also saw him make a pass out of the paint for what feels like the first time all season. I was ready to cringe yet again at some horrible jump hook attempt.

[sasaint]

Didn't watch the game but judging by the boxscores it seems like Murray was solid tonight.

Better than solid.

[tholdren]

It's hard to judge without Aldridge and Kawhi though. Both of those are ball-stoppers, can't put it all on Tony.

Yep. The center had more assists than the pg. Probably murrays best game, but jl had a career night, wait for a quality opponent

[HarlemHeat37]

It's hard to judge without Aldridge and Kawhi though. Both of those are ball-stoppers, can't put it all on Tony.

That's true..I wasn't necessarily blaming Parker, I just think there's an element of unpredictability and added athleticism with Murray out there..obviously Murray doesn't know how to run an offense(and both his good games have been against a bad Memphis team and the worst defense in the NBA in the Cavs), at the moment, but I like seeing the ball flow in the hands of multiple playmakers, which works when Pau and Anderson(or Kawhi) are on the floor with Murray..

I wish Aldridge had court vision or passing ability, but there's nothing they can do about that..

Parker is still the Spurs best PG in terms of running an offense(easily), but his pace is so slow and most of his assists no longer come through penetration..

[tholdren]

Better than solid.

2 games against....?? Perspective is a helluva drug

[sasaint]

2 games against....?? Perspective is a helluva drug

Tonight Dijon was better than solid against (what I called in another post) a depleted Grizz team. They weren't playing the Warriors tonight.

[NASpurs]

It's hard to judge without Aldridge and Kawhi though. Both of those are ball-stoppers, can't put it all on Tony.

And with our two main guys being ball-stoppers, this team has an identity crisis transitioning from the 30 assist team we witnessed tonight to the iso-centric team when those two play. How do you even juggle that? Doesn’t help when everyone is consistently injured...

[DAF86]

2 games against....?? Perspective is a helluva drug

Don't be a hater. Root for the kid son. The Spurs will be better if he pans out.

[tholdren]

Tonight Dijon was better than solid against (what I called in another post) a depleted Grizz team. They weren't playing the Warriors tonight.

And jl was better. And pau was probably the best. The point is, its against a terrible team... post wasnt directed at you

[tholdren]

Don't be a hater. Root for the kid son. The Spurs will be better if he pans out. so will they of jl, forbes, mills, kawiso pan out. His game is game is broke mans manu, fearless attacking with zero intelligence or playmaking that i dont know if it can be coached out of him. Hard to root for someone making wrong basketball plays.

[SAGirl]

And with our two main guys being ball-stoppers, this team has an identity crisis transitioning from the 30 assist team we witnessed tonight to the iso-centric team when those two play. How do you even juggle that? Doesn’t help when everyone is consistently injured...
I think that’s why Kawhi coming back got the team off rhythm. He’s obviously high usage and everyone has to adapt to him. Then he would only play 15 minutes and he out the next game or two, then after 3 games it was the same but with 20 minutes. No wonder the team lost most those games until Kawhi played 25-30 minutes. The team needs him but at 100%. Even Manu, ok Manu of all ppl said it in the post he made in La Nación. They miss him but need him back for real none of that partial stuff. Meantime they probably are better off doing what they can to develop their guys and their chemistry. Hope he comes back healthy with sufficient time for everyone else to adapt to smaller and/or different roles.

[pgardn]

so will they of jl, forbes, mills, kawiso pan out. His game is game is broke mans manu, fearless attacking with zero intelligence or playmaking that i dont know if it can be coached out of him. Hard to root for someone making wrong basketball plays.

The kid is definitely not Ball as far as getting a feel for where his players are. And it is very tough to teach what should be done in a short unfolding moment in 3-d. That's why PG is so difficult. Ball fakes, changing direction, changing pace, proper spacing, when to push or pull back given a certain pt and time situation, setting up your man for a screen... it's endless from a pure teaching perspective. Then it all being easier if you are an athlete with the gift. We got an athlete so far.

I know a player can get better. But there is an innate feel for the game that must be present to start with.

[Bynumite]

That ball movement wouldn't be possible with ball stoppers like Kiwi and Lasoft.

[bklynspursfan]

Is that before or after you eat out Pop's asshole?

Um... Ouch?

You are what Shaq called Stan Van Gundy years ago. The master of panic. It's all good tho. It's just funny to see

[Robz4000]

Um... Ouch?

You are what Shaq called Stan Van Gundy years ago. The master of panic. It's all good tho. It's just funny to see

Sorry bruh, was a little harsh. Was mad at something else and rage posted.

[spurraider21]

Hopefully Dijon can stay consistent

[bklynspursfan]

Sorry bruh, was a little harsh. Was mad at something else and rage posted.

:bobo

[ECOV]

so will they of jl, forbes, mills, kawiso pan out. His game is game is broke mans manu, fearless attacking with zero intelligence or playmaking that i dont know if it can be coached out of him. Hard to root for someone making wrong basketball plays.
Basketball genius over here

[HarlemHeat37]

Basketball genius over here

:lol

[BatManu20]

956385715339882496

[SAGirl]

Hopefully Dijon can stay consistent
He’s bound to struggle some. I already expect it but his energy he can bring it in every game.

[BatManu20]

956383816192585728

[BatManu20]

956383987127214080

[BatManu20]

CHS_D7bWp70

[spurs10]

956383987127214080 :toast

[SAGirl]

956383987127214080
Kyle DPOY confirmed. 4 steaks and 2 blocks in this game...
not really.
In reality it’s a team effort, but Dejounte and Kyle have been exceptional on defense this year. It’s funny no Spurs are mentioned as DPOY candidates when the team has a top defense without Kawhi and with Danny getting injured for parts of it.

[spurraider21]

Spurs by 20+ tbh


Grizzlies by 20+ tbh


:corn:
:hat

[HarlemHeat37]

Kyle DPOY confirmed. 4 steaks and 2 blocks in this game...
not really.
In reality it’s a team effort, but Dejounte and Kyle have been exceptional on defense this year. It’s funny no Spurs are mentioned as DPOY candidates when the team has a top defense without Kawhi and with Danny getting injured for parts of it.

Kyle should be a lock for all-defense, but he won't make it due to lack of name recognition, tbh..he's been the best defensive player on the best defensive team in the West, it's a shame he won't receive any accolades..

[spurraider21]

pretty cool that in a game without Kawhi, Aldridge, Gay, Manu we still had 8 guys scoring in double figures and kyle wasn't among them

[BillMc]

Pau has been easily our second best player this season. It's amazing how many don't seem to realize this.

[BillMc]

Kyle DPOY confirmed. 4 steaks and 2 blocks in this game...
not really.
In reality it’s a team effort, but Dejounte and Kyle have been exceptional on defense this year. It’s funny no Spurs are mentioned as DPOY candidates when the team has a top defense without Kawhi and with Danny getting injured for parts of it.

That's a good point. On the year end All Defensive team you'd hope LMA, Kyle and Danny would all get some some votes. Probably only Danny has a shot, based mainly on rep.

[BillMc]

Then hug Lebron again on 30,000...
:lol

[Seventyniner]

Kyle DPOY confirmed. 4 steaks and 2 blocks in this game...
not really.
In reality it’s a team effort, but Dejounte and Kyle have been exceptional on defense this year. It’s funny no Spurs are mentioned as DPOY candidates when the team has a top defense without Kawhi and with Danny getting injured for parts of it.

I would call that well done!

Kyle had a shit-ton of deflections this game too. He would rival Kawhi for pickpocket dunks the other way if he had enough explosiveness.

[Atl Spur]

If Kyle played with a little more toughness/aggressiveness, he could be a real monster with his measurables!

[bigfan]

Think this was the biggest win of the season so far. No Leonard, no Aldridge, great defense and lots of points by lots of players. On the road.

[rjv]

956383987127214080

the one silver lining to this last month is that the spurs defense has been quietly becoming quite consistent; if the team can just gel offensively, with the caveat that they also get healthy, then maybe they can be more than a one and done in the playoffs.

[SAGirl]

Kyle should be a lock for all-defense, but he won't make it due to lack of name recognition, tbh..he's been the best defensive player on the best defensive team in the West, it's a shame he won't receive any accolades..
Pop really keeping his contract down too by not even bringing it up ... though they may just want to keep him hungry and working hard all season. Still plenty of games to go.

[Seventyniner]

the one silver lining to this last month is that the spurs defense has been quietly becoming quite consistent; if the team can just gel offensively, with the caveat that they also get healthy, then maybe they can be more than a one and done in the playoffs.

The Spurs are basically tied for #1 in DRtg with Boston on the season. That's remarkable given how little Kawhi has played.

[monkeypunk]

the one silver lining to this last month is that the spurs defense has been quietly becoming quite consistent; if the team can just gel offensively, with the caveat that they also get healthy, then maybe they can be more than a one and done in the playoffs.

The problem is that we spend the whole season getting the team to click, then Kawhi comes back and takes half the shots away from the others and the chemistry is shot for the end run and playoffs.

Not sure there's a good answer if he takes much longer to rehab. If they don't put him in ISOs all the time and embed him into the team game, his personal stats won't be great but the team chemistry may survive. I just don't know if they are willing to not have him be the focal point when he returns...

[duncan2k5]

The problem is that we spend the whole season getting the team to click, then Kawhi comes back and takes half the shots away from the others and the chemistry is shot for the end run and playoffs.

Not sure there's a good answer if he takes much longer to rehab. If they don't put him in ISOs all the time and embed him into the team game, his personal stats won't be great but the team chemistry may survive. I just don't know if they are willing to not have him be the focal point when he returns...

What's the alternative? Go into the playoffs WITHOUT Kawhi?? Lmfao!!!!!

[r0drig0lac]

What's the alternative? Go into the playoffs WITHOUT Kawhi?? Lmfao!!!!!

[TimDunkem]

Anyone who thinks this team has a chance without Kawhi having a huge role is one delusional fuck.

[bklynspursfan]

Anyone who thinks this team has a chance without Kawhi having a huge role is one delusional fuck.

This team has a chance without Kawhi.... To lose in the 1st round

[monkeypunk]

The problem is that we spend the whole season getting the team to click, then Kawhi comes back and takes half the shots away from the others and the chemistry is shot for the end run and playoffs.

Not sure there's a good answer if he takes much longer to rehab. If they don't put him in ISOs all the time and embed him into the team game, his personal stats won't be great but the team chemistry may survive. I just don't know if they are willing to not have him be the focal point when he returns...


What's the alternative? Go into the playoffs WITHOUT Kawhi?? Lmfao!!!!!


Anyone who thinks this team has a chance without Kawhi having a huge role is one delusional fuck.


This team has a chance without Kawhi.... To lose in the 1st round

That's my point, we don't stand a chance of going far without him but bringing him back late in the season will likely jack whatever chemistry we've built due to his utilization.

It's a catch 22 with no easy answer. You can't not bring him back if he's healthy so the only way I see it working is limiting his ISOs and forcing him to play within the offence we've started to built in his absence.

[Thunder1]

This team has a chance without Kawhi.... To lose in the 1st round
Well, maybe Joffrey can take up the slack??...just kidding!!..

[TimDunkem]

That's my point, we don't stand a chance of going far without him but bringing him back late in the season will likely jack whatever chemistry we've built due to his utilization.

It's a catch 22 with no easy answer. You can't not bring him back if he's healthy so the only way I see it working is limiting his ISOs and forcing him to play within the offence we've started to built in his absence.

This is on Pop. He has to get the man more easy points within the offense.

[monkeypunk]

This is on Pop. He has to get the man more easy points within the offense.

Totally agree, :toast

[21209]

Ball movement and players moving without the ball offensively has been superb the last game-and-a-half.