Grades: Spurs vs. Nuggets - Mar. 4, 2019

[timvp]

https://i.imgur.com/efdyImE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1Sje62S.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4mI6Q19.jpg

The Spurs completed a three-game sweep of their homestand by defeating the Nuggets on Monday night. After the disastrous Rodeo Road Trip, San Antonio has to be thrilled with their recovery and their much improved defensive play they displayed while at home.

Tonight's win was almost snatched away. The Spurs were up by 14 points with four and a half minutes remaining when Denver caught fire. They hit five three-pointers over the next four minutes, while the Spurs could only manage two points courtesy of a DeMar DeRozan shot in the lane.

In the final 15 seconds, the Nuggets had three shots that could have won the game. Thankfully, all three shots clanged and the good guys were able to escape with a 104-103 victory.

The fourth quarter collapse was unsightly and the offensive execution was abysmal down the stretch, however this still classifies as a very good win. The Nuggets entered the game with a 42-20 record and were as healthy as they've been all season.

Well done.

-------------

LaMarcus Aldridge
https://i.imgur.com/1nluyNF.png
It was a successful night at the office for LaMarcus Aldridge. Defensively, he was stout. He guarded the paint well, was strong against post play, boxed out with physicality, rebounded the ball and made a few key plays late in the game on that end. His only weakness defensively was the fact that he was sometimes slow to close out on shooters. Offensively, he had his jumper going and was confidently going about his business. Aldridge's early season struggles on offense are now a distant memory.
Grade: B+
Summary: Aldridge laid the foundation.

-------------

DeMar DeRozan
https://i.imgur.com/ZKxGADZ.png
For the first three and a half quarters, I was very pleased with DeMar DeRozan's play. He was staying within the offense, picking his spots well, taking high percentage shots and creating very good looks for his teammates. Defensively, he was extremely active. His defense, both individually and team-wise, was well above average. This is as locked in as we've witnessed DeRozan on the defensive end. Unfortunately, his play down the stretch erased a lot of the good he did against the Nuggets. He started calling his own number, broke the team's rhythm and wasn't producing much of anything resembling quality shots. The Spurs don't need DeRozan to be a hero to close out games. Let's hope he figures that out.
Grade: B+
Summary: DeRozan was really good for a majority of the contest.

-------------

Derrick White
https://i.imgur.com/IrTA2dV.png
The good: Derrick White's playmaking was fantastic, as evidenced by his career-high nine assists and his zero turnovers in 36 minutes. His court vision, patience and pinpoint passing were all quite impressive. White's defense was also a plus. His man-to-man D was tight, his help was timely, he crashed the boards well and he was even challenging shots in the lane (White tied his career-high with three blocks). The bad: The Nuggets were sagging off of him and White couldn't make them pay from beyond the three-point arc, finishing 1-for-6 from deep. Denver also caught him cheating on defense a handful of times and White couldn't recover in time. And although it wasn't really his fault, I would have loved to have seen White continue to be aggressive playmaking-wise down the stretch.
Grade: B
Summary: White was a few jumpers away from having a stellar night.

-------------

Bryn Forbes
https://i.imgur.com/yXVIEAs.png
Offensively, while Bryn Forbes shot well, he exhibited his fair share of discombobulation. He routinely found himself in disadvantageous positions, which resulted in his play on that end being much sloppier than usual. Defensively, he was about average. He didn't get burned too much individually but he also wasn't supplying much useful help and got lost too often in rotations.
Grade: C+
Summary: Forbes wasn't terrible but he also didn't help the cause much.

-------------

Jakob Poeltl
https://i.imgur.com/FUIlW00.png
Jakob Poeltl got in early foul trouble and never truly found a rhythm. That said, he was solid while he was out there. Poeltl finished well, made good decisions passing-wise and set quality screens. Defensively, he did well. Poeltl clogged the paint when needed but was also quick to help out on the perimeter. When he was in the game, the Nuggets found it difficult to score ... and that wasn't a coincidence.
Grade: B+
Summary: Poeltl was never able to settle in but he did well.

-------------

Rudy Gay
https://i.imgur.com/vqYr2we.png
Up until the final minute, Rudy Gay was having another really good ballgame. While he struggled a little bit from three-point range, the rest of Gay's offense was flowing. He was the focal point of the bench's attack and thrived in the role. When he wasn't exploiting a mismatch, he was distributing great psases. Defensively, I thought he was equally as effective. He was snaring contested rebounds, guarding the rim like a legit bigman and was useful out on the perimeter. In the last minute, Gay failed to grab a pair of defensive rebounds and then missed two free throws that almost came back to haunt him and the team.
Grade: B+
Summary: Gay was really good until the very end.

-------------

Marco Belinelli
https://i.imgur.com/hP9vIFY.png
Marco Belinelli played his part. He spread the court on offense while moving expertly without the ball. He was a little bit more muted than usual but also avoided mistakes and bad shots. Defensively, Belinelli competed better than normal and wasn't much of a liability at all.
Grade: B
Summary: Belinelli was rock solid.

-------------

Davis Bertans
https://i.imgur.com/ucY2jSF.png
Davis Bertans wasn't helping much in any area. He didn't get any open three-point looks and that took away his value on that end. Defensively, he did better than usual on the boards but he was also making a lot of mistakes. His transition D was iffy, he was slow to contest shooters and he could have been more physical in the paint.
Grade: C
Summary: Bertans won't be sending this tape home to Latvia.

-------------

Patty Mills
https://i.imgur.com/gTa4B5z.png
Better than last game, at least. Patty Mills' energy level was much, much improved against the Nuggets. I didn't love all of his decisions but any mistakes tonight were out of aggression rather than indifference. His defense wasn't great by any means but he was definitely much better than usual on that end.
Grade: B+
Summary: Mills came to play this evening.

-------------

Drew Eubanks
https://i.imgur.com/vVjWbtE.png
With Pau Gasol now playing for the Bucks, Drew Eubanks has apparently been given the chance to be the team's third center behind Aldridge and Poeltl. In his first outing in that role, I was pleased. Eubanks is a big, agile, coordinated body. He moves and jumps well, which is honestly a breath of fresh air when compared to post-injury Gasol. Eubanks obviously has a lot to learn but he seems to have a decent enough feel and I didn't see anything tonight that suggests he can't successfully play the role of third center.
Grade: B
Summary: Eubanks looks like he'll be a part of the big boy team from now on.

-------------

Pop
https://i.imgur.com/x7B1It7.jpg
For three and a half quarters, I thought Pop coached a good game. I didn't love his coaching down the stretch, though. Allowing DeRozan to take the playmaking duties away from White was the wrong move. Especially with how well White was making plays tonight, Pop shouldn't have let that happened. And Mills in the game for defensive purposes late? Yikes. The rest of the rotation was good enough but I would have appreciated more minutes for Poeltl, especially when the Nuggets were featuring lineups with two legit bigs on the court.
Grade: B-
Summary: Well coached game for 42 minutes or so.

Looking ahead: Great job on the homestand. Momentum is back in their favor now.

To keep things rolling in the right direction, a win Wednesday night in Atlanta would be nice. The Hawks have been playing decently as of late but the Spurs need to show that their improved play can travel.

[John B]

Thanks for the grades Timvp. B for White for not making his shots? What a guy got to do? :lol I thought he’s the difference in losing and winning, both distributing and playing defense. What’s up with Bertans? Staying late with the baby? His shots been inconsistent. Just keep shooting. I agree with your assessment on Mills defense or no defense at the end. Pop should stick with Bertans at 3 and Demar on 2. It was a tough W but I’d take it. I hope it continues. GSG!

[DAF86]

Derrick White
https://i.imgur.com/IrTA2dV.png
The good: Derrick White's playmaking was fantastic, as evidenced by his career-high nine assists and his zero turnovers in 36 minutes. His court vision, patience and pinpoint passing were all quite impressive. White's defense was also a plus. His man-to-man D was tight, his help was timely, he crashed the boards well and he was even challenging shots in the lane (White tied his career-high with three blocks). The bad: The Nuggets were sagging off of him and White couldn't make them pay from beyond the three-point arc, finishing 1-for-6 from deep. Denver also caught him cheating on defense a handful of times and White couldn't recover in time. And although it wasn't really his fault, I would have loved to have seen White continue to be aggressive playmaking-wise down the stretch.
Grade: B
Summary: White was a few jumpers away from having a stellar night.

I have told this before: White isn't that good of a shooter. He's good enough, but he's not a spot up shooter. The Spurs would be way better off trading away DeRozan and making White the premier ball handler. I know that won't happen, but I'm just telling you what it needs to happen for the Spurs to become a better team.

[John B]

I especially like Eubanks fitting well in there. I hope he can be an energy guy coming off the bench, and also helps Pop manage Aldridge’s minutes. I’m liken him to be Lee with his quick feet and craftiness around the basket. He needs to continue to roll with pick and get opportunities to dunk the ball. I think he will have a long career with his skills.

[R. DeMurre]

There used to be a description of Jonas Valanciunas on Hoopshype that said he'd found his niche as a 20+ mpg player who plays well against opposing teams' second stringers-- I always thought that was an accurate scouting report on him, and I'm beginning to feel the same way about Davis Bertans. It seems his advanced stats are good mostly because he is used in the right situations, and not because he is an above average player. White and Bertans were the two players at the beginning of the season whose progress I was most interested in seeing. White has lived up to his potential, but Bertans has been a bit of a disappointment. I think he has value, but I'm pretty doubtful he'll ever be a quality starter for the Spurs.

[slick'81]

Mills grades are usually way to generous

[monty4329]

Sorry Timvp, but B for Derozan (and Pop) is way too much. The crybaby almost costed us the game.

Last 4 minutes only fucking iso dribbling, for God's sake.
He got a decent game until he or Pop decided he had to have the ball instead of passing it. I honestly can't take him anymore.

Denver gifted us the game, they missed an incredible number of shots in the first half, and their execution in the last three possessions wasn't good. And Jokic was fouled too.

Good defense for the most part, we must be happy about that.

I hope somebody from the coaching staff will have the balls to tell the truth to Pop: DDR cannot handle the ball closing the games. He simply cannot, he is a total liability.

[John B]

There used to be a description of Jonas Valanciunas on Hoopshype that said he'd found his niche as a 20+ mpg player who plays well against opposing teams' second stringers-- I always thought that was an accurate scouting report on him, and I'm beginning to feel the same way about Davis Bertans. It seems his advanced stats are good mostly because he is used in the right situations, and not because he is an above average player. White and Bertans were the two players at the beginning of the season whose progress I was most interested in seeing. White has lived up to his potential, but Bertans has been a bit of a disappointment. I think he has value, but I'm pretty doubtful he'll ever be a quality starter for the Spurs.
Yet I’d rather see Bertans closeout on 3’s instead of shorter Mills/Forbes. White, Demar, Bertans, Gay or Poeltl, and Aldridge, specially tonight.

[monty4329]

...how bad is IT?

[Twisted_Dawg]

Sorry Timvp, but B for Derozan (and Pop) is way too much. The crybaby almost costed us the game.

Last 4 minutes only fucking iso dribbling, for God's sake.
He got a decent game until he or Pop decided he had to have the ball instead of passing it. I honestly can't take him anymore.

Denver gifted us the game, they missed an incredible number of shots in the first half, and their execution in the last three possessions wasn't good. And Jokic was fouled too.

Good defense for the most part, we must be happy about that.

I hope somebody from the coaching staff will have the balls to tell the truth to Pop: DDR cannot handle the ball closing the games. He simply cannot, he is a total liability.

^^^^^This^^^^
Derozen with Pop's blessing tried his best to lose that game last night in the 4th period with his iso hero ball. If he gets a B for 1st-3rd periods, he gets a D for the 4th and a C for the game.

[cjw]

There used to be a description of Jonas Valanciunas on Hoopshype that said he'd found his niche as a 20+ mpg player who plays well against opposing teams' second stringers-- I always thought that was an accurate scouting report on him, and I'm beginning to feel the same way about Davis Bertans. It seems his advanced stats are good mostly because he is used in the right situations, and not because he is an above average player. White and Bertans were the two players at the beginning of the season whose progress I was most interested in seeing. White has lived up to his potential, but Bertans has been a bit of a disappointment. I think he has value, but I'm pretty doubtful he'll ever be a quality starter for the Spurs.

You’re sure a tough grader.

White has blown the doors off what people thought his potential was. The team is 6 points per 100 better with him out there stabilizing things in his first year getting real minutes. Pairing him with Murray will be a scary defensive backcourt, and if either or both develop a jumper watch out.

Bertans was leading the league in 3pt% until a game or two ago. And the team as a whole shoots a lot better with him out there, with an eFG% four points higher than when he’s off the floor, and an ORtg 10 points higher that is better than the Warriors. Defense is about the same.

Then again once upon a time Pau led the league in 3pt%...

[Kobe'sAchilles]

White deserved at least a B+. Just bc his shot wasn't falling didn't really mean anything since he was still aggressively finding open people and basically shut down Denver's guards (until they started making everything at the end).

Pop almost deserved an F for letting DDR do nothing but iso when he should know by now that it doesn't work. Also him putting Mills in defensively on the last possession was a really stupid move that almost cost us the game. Dude gave up a wide open 3 at the end.

Gay deserves a C for missing those 2 free throws alone. The last sentence you typed about DeRozan holds true about Gay. He basically ruined anything good he did in the first 3 and a half quarters by missing 3 free throws late 4th quarter.

[vavvi]

After this game I really want Denver in the playoffs. They are very very beatable. Actually I think they start having "too many guys problem". They became worse with Thomas back meaning the likes of Murray, Beasley, Harris and Morris play less.

As for the Spurs:
1. It becomes more and more obvious that White is already our second best player
2. Forbes playing less is good for the team
3. Nothing new with DeMar down the stretch
4. Don't agree with Timvp's complaints on Mills for the defense purposes. Mills is better than Forbes and Marco. And we have nobody else.

[skookumchuck]

White deserved at least a B+. Just bc his shot wasn't falling didn't really mean anything since he was still aggressively finding open people and basically shut down Denver's guards (until they started making everything at the end).

Pop almost deserved an F for letting DDR do nothing but iso when he should know by now that it doesn't work. Also him putting Mills in defensively on the last possession was a really stupid move that almost cost us the game. Dude gave up a wide open 3 at the end.

Gay deserves a C for missing those 2 free throws alone. The last sentence you typed about DeRozan holds true about Gay. He basically ruined anything good he did in the first 3 and a half quarters by missing 3 free throws late 4th quarter.

Pop also put in Bryn for a defensive possesion right at the end. Subbing out Bertans, no less. We all know Forbes is Pops pet project, but this is openly sabotaging your own team, game after game.

[monty4329]

After this game I really want Denver in the playoffs. They are very very beatable. Actually I think they start having "too many guys problem". They became worse with Thomas back meaning the likes of Murray, Beasley, Harris and Morris play less.

As for the Spurs:
1. It becomes more and more obvious that White is already our second best player
2. Forbes playing less is good for the team
3. Nothing new with DeMar down the stretch
4. Don't agree with Timvp's complaints on Mills for the defense purposes. Mills is better than Forbes and Marco. And we have nobody else.

Denver will cut IT before playoffs.

Spurs:
1. White is the MVP -not "better" but certainly "most valuable".
2. It depends on the game. Lately opposing teams are more aggressive on defending the 3point line, he has a good penetration but without shooting threes he has no business on the floor. it really is situational with him.
3. Cancer
4. I like Mills closing this kind of games, the guy has balls.

[vavvi]

Denver will cut IT before playoffs.

Spurs:
1. White is the MVP -not "better" but certainly "most valuable".
2. It depends on the game. Lately opposing teams are more aggressive on defending the 3point line, he has a good penetration but without shooting threes he has no business on the floor. it really is situational with him.
3. Cancer
4. I like Mills closing this kind of games, the guy has balls.

Even if they cut IT I want Denver. Would be such a fun series. They have no Paul George on their roster and no pocket officiating.

[monty4329]

Even if they cut IT I want Denver. Would be such a fun series. They have no Paul George on their roster and no pocket officiating.

Well it is Denver or Dubs, you are not making a difficult choice :)

(OKC -to me- risk not making even 3rd, Utah has a strong chance)

[vavvi]

Well it is Denver or Dubs, you are not making a difficult choice :)

(OKC -to me- risk not making even 3rd, Utah has a strong chance)

You're right. Realistically it's Denver or Dubs.
But I'd take Denver even over OKC, Utah and Houston

[BD24]

Really didn’t like Derozan taking the ball out of whites hands down the stretch. Would really like to see pop out an end to that, unfortunately he will not because derozan is to sensitive. White should run the offense down the stretch though, it is much smoother when he is running the offense

[monty4329]

Really didn’t like Derozan taking the ball out of whites hands down the stretch. Would really like to see pop out an end to that, unfortunately he will not because derozan is to sensitive. White should run the offense down the stretch though, it is much smoother when he is running the offense

DDR is such a fucked up cancer that defense don't even put pressure on him, they just watch him gifting them the ball

[Coach X]

With DeRozan playing this defense Spurs can compete against elite teams. I haven't seen him so active in so many different situations. I give him credit for that and his very good offensive game despite missing a couple of shots in the clutch. Everybody in the court made mistakes in the final minutes, what about Rudy's missed FTs? DeRozan at least scored the last field goal, grabbed an off rebound, gave chances to White and Pop to make different calls... (they didn't, no timeouts either). He took the shots and they were makeable shots for him so I have nothing to say about it. I can't understand the criticism.

White played a great game but skipped the play set for Bertans, missed that and another open shot and didn't play the best defense in the final minutes. Anyway, I love his game, he's growing as a player in front of us. No turnovers yesterday, playing increased minutes, including the clutch time.

Poetl is becoming more solid under the rim which helps immensely the team defense. The new starting line-up shows much more bodies and hands to the rival offense. Size matters.

It's also noticeable to me that DeRozan and White are learning to play together, sharing opportunities to generate and finish possessions. The offense looks pretty when one penetrates and finds the other for a cut or another penetration. Also, DeRozan can benefit from White's defensive plays that lead to fastbreaks where Demar is unstoppable.

As I said, Eubanks will be the third big and it seems it could be more serviceable than Gasol. His agility allows him to run the court better, avoiding transition D mismatches, and play better defense than Pau. He moves well in the offense and just has to do Poetl's job of screening, rolling and looking for the off rebound. I believe he will assert his game enough to play as backup C vs bad teams if Pop wants to give some rest to L.A.

I'd like to see Bertans playing more, something between 20-28 minutes. Pop is taking too long on giving rest to DeMar and Aldridge in the first and third quarter and probably Davis could help more with his shooting and improved defense and rebounding at the SF position, playing next to Rudy.

[Harry Callahan]

Denver is a very good team, but if that is the second best team in the West, the Western Conference has taken two or three steps back from just a couple of years ago.

The Spurs can score, but they have to play a least a decent level of defense to get wins. That has been the struggle all season.

[GreekSpursfan]

I have told this before: White isn't that good of a shooter. He's good enough, but he's not a spot up shooter. The Spurs would be way better off trading away DeRozan and making White the premier ball handler. I know that won't happen, but I'm just telling you what it needs to happen for the Spurs to become a better team.

Can't trade Derozan, no one wants him, scratch that.

[Coach X]

Denver is a very good team, but if that is the second best team in the West, the Western Conference has taken two or three steps back from just a couple of years ago.
Denver has just started to play their completely healthy roster, they are in some kind of adaptation process. Not the best time of the year for that. They didn't look good as a #2 to me. Portland/Rockets might steal their position.

[monty4329]

With DeRozan playing this defense Spurs can compete against elite teams. I haven't seen him so active in so many different situations. I give him credit for that and his very good offensive game despite missing a couple of shots in the clutch. Everybody in the court made mistakes in the final minutes, what about Rudy's missed FTs? DeRozan at least scored the last field goal, grabbed an off rebound, gave chances to White and Pop to make different calls... (they didn't, no timeouts either). He took the shots and they were makeable shots for him so I have nothing to say about it. I can't understand the criticism.


Well, he singlehandedly wasted 15 points advantage with his idiotic iso shit. Actually, with the complicity of Pop who instead of telling him to piss off the ball and move his ass, just gives him the ball every single game on closing. Costed Toronto game, almost costed us this one, and the list goes on and on. So what if he grabbed a rebound which fell on his lap?

Other than that, yes the critisism is hard to understand....

[duncan2150]

Well, he singlehandedly wasted 15 points advantage with his idiotic iso shit. Actually, with the complicity of Pop who instead of telling him to piss off the ball and move his ass, just gives him the ball every single game on closing. Costed Toronto game, almost costed us this one, and the list goes on and on. So what if he grabbed a rebound which fell on his lap?

Other than that, yes the critisism is hard to understand....

it's only on derozan ? what we do on defense at the end of the game against Murray was not derozan fault. Yesterday he had a good game, also some mistakes but he is far away from the main problem in that late game.

[Kobe'sAchilles]

Pop also put in Bryn for a defensive possesion right at the end. Subbing out Bertans, no less. We all know Forbes is Pops pet project, but this is openly sabotaging your own team, game after game.

The worst part is that it worked which will only enable Pop to pull this shit in the playoffs.

[SpursDynasty85]

Really didn’t like Derozan taking the ball out of whites hands down the stretch. Would really like to see pop out an end to that, unfortunately he will not because derozan is to sensitive. White should run the offense down the stretch though, it is much smoother when he is running the offense

Fabrication saying DeRozan is too sensitive for that. If anything it is Popovich's plan. He is putting the responsibility on DeRozan despite DeRozan being a new member this year. Whote is too which makes a lottle sense but White has his own share of growing pains. Derozan is an excellent teammate and is supportive of White.

[tmtcsc]

No one wants any part of the Warriors in the playoffs. Certainly not the Spurs. This year has been so unusual and the Spurs have been so maniac with their efforts, anything can happen and nothing would surprise me. I take that back. IF the Spurs beat the Warriors, that would surprise me. I could see the Spurs beating Denver or OKC in a playoff series and could see the Clippers and Kings sweeping the Spurs too. Just weird.

[peacemaker885]

If Drew Eubanks develops a killer 3, we have a new mamba. Frost Mamba?

[skookumchuck]

The worst part is that it worked which will only enable Pop to pull this shit in the playoffs.

It absolutely didn't work. Like, at all. But Denver still managed to not pry the game away from our cold and limp hands, so you're right. Expect this bs to continue for the time being. After all, we're on a winning streak.

[skookumchuck]

I'd like to see Bertans playing more, something between 20-28 minutes. Pop is taking too long on giving rest to DeMar and Aldridge in the first and third quarter and probably Davis could help more with his shooting and improved defense and rebounding at the SF position, playing next to Rudy.
Bertans could absolutely help with his shooting. It does look like that's not the plan, however. I mean, fuck what was working for the team in December, let's do the opposite. Pop has his projects he's working on, a hole to bore in the ship's hull if you will.

[Mugen]

:lol Denver would roll the Spurs in 5 games in a playoff series, so yeah I guess that is technically better than a sweep from Golden State.

[ceperez]

Among the players who have gone to Austin, including Metu and Walker, Eubanks has been the most consistent.

[TDomination]

:lol Denver would roll the Spurs in 5 games in a playoff series, so yeah I guess that is technically better than a sweep from Golden State.

Yeah because of everything we've seen between the 3 matchups shows that that the Nuggets are far and away the better team. And plus they are a savy veteran playoff team that will know when to turn it on when it counts. Yup i can see where you got Nuggets in 5.

[monty4329]

it's only on derozan ? what we do on defense at the end of the game against Murray was not derozan fault. Yesterday he had a good game, also some mistakes but he is far away from the main problem in that late game.

19 points in the 4th quarter, 4 points in the last 6 minutes...Again, 4 points in the last 6 minutes.

And the problem was Murray defense????

[GusT15]

19 points in the 4th quarter, 4 points in the last 6 minutes...Again, 4 points in the last 6 minutes.

And the problem was Murray defense????

Hell no.The problem was not Murray defense.That dude is capable going for 40 and he has caught fire multiple games this season.

He had a terrible 1st half shooting and at some point he was bound to make his shots.

The problem was every time he made a 3 in the 4th we were going the other way on offense and gave the ball to DDR with no ball movement.

[skookumchuck]

Yeah because of everything we've seen between the 3 matchups shows that that the Nuggets are far and away the better team. And plus they are a savy veteran playoff team that will know when to turn it on when it counts. Yup i can see where you got Nuggets in 5.

I get your sentiment, but we don't have any real savy playoff veterans on the team anymore. LMA and DD are known to fade in the playoffs year after year, and you can't tell me you expect to anchor our game in the only championship caliber savy veterans in Patty and Marco?

It's very likely that would be a long series, but I'm weary of putting us ahead of a more athletic team with as clear a homecourt advantage as we have.

[acoelho1]

As bad as we have played, outside of the Warriors, I don't think there is anyone in the west that we couldn't be in a 7 game series.

[monty4329]

Hell no.The problem was not Murray defense.That dude is capable going for 40 and he has caught fire multiple games this season.

He had a terrible 1st half shooting and at some point he was bound to make his shots.

The problem was every time he made a 3 in the 4th we were going the other way on offense and gave the ball to DDR with no ball movement.

That's exactly my point. According to Duncan2150 Derozan had a good game and the problem was defense....Sometimes I wonder if basketball is too difficult to understand....

[monty4329]

As bad as we have played, outside of the Warriors, I don't think there is anyone in the west that we couldn't be in a 7 game series.

Even ignoring the fact that apparently we can't win an away game, a series is completely different than a regular season single game: there are very sophisticated adjustments, each game. Which makes it almost impossible for this Spurs to be successful. We simply don't have enough talent to keep up with the adjustments: we will be painfully exposed on our weaknesses.
Just think about last 6 minutes against Denver. In a playoff series, we'll have at least 10 minutes like that in 4-6 games.

[Hoops Czar]

As bad as we have played, outside of the Warriors, I don't think there is anyone in the west that we couldn't be in a 7 game series.
What's up Chinook.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Just about what I figured.


White with 11 points, 9 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks, but only 1-4 from 3P. It'll be interesting to see what kind of grade he gets.



This is as locked in as we've witnessed DeRozan on the defensive end.

So is the diaper half full... or half empty?

[R. DeMurre]

You’re sure a tough grader.

White has blown the doors off what people thought his potential was. The team is 6 points per 100 better with him out there stabilizing things in his first year getting real minutes. Pairing him with Murray will be a scary defensive backcourt, and if either or both develop a jumper watch out.

Bertans was leading the league in 3pt% until a game or two ago. And the team as a whole shoots a lot better with him out there, with an eFG% four points higher than when he’s off the floor, and an ORtg 10 points higher that is better than the Warriors. Defense is about the same.

Then again once upon a time Pau led the league in 3pt%...


I love White, so I don't think I'm grading him harshly at all. I like Bertans, but the Valanciunas comparison seems fair to me. I think Bertans is midway between a legit starter and a net positive bench guy like Matt Bonner... better than Bonner for sure, but not quite starter level for a team thinking about a championship.

[John B]

Among the players who have gone to Austin, including Metu and Walker, Eubanks has been the most consistent.
I kept waiting for an athletic big, but Eubanks tbh has the NBA ready skills now, and can cleanup for Aldridge to manage minutes. I hope he can fathom his game with Lee, energy guy and can cleanup around the basket.

[superbigtime]

it is so easy for me to hate DDR and love Mr. White. nice first half D by DDR but in crunch time White has to be the primary ballhandler. Pop surely knows this wtf Pop.

[TDomination]

it is so easy for me to hate DDR and love Mr. White. nice first half D by DDR but in crunch time White has to be the primary ballhandler. Pop surely knows this wtf Pop.

Hopefully we see pop stomping up and down demanding for ddr to give up the ball to white. Similar to when pop got after parker and told him to give it to kawhi.

[Crazymaddopeyo]

:lol Denver would roll the Spurs in 5 games in a playoff series, so yeah I guess that is technically better than a sweep from Golden State.


Another fucking dumb comment. GTFO Nothing you have seen in the match ups these teams have had shows this.

[Mugen]

Yeah because of everything we've seen between the 3 matchups shows that that the Nuggets are far and away the better team. And plus they are a savy veteran playoff team that will know when to turn it on when it counts. Yup i can see where you got Nuggets in 5.

I'm not even factoring in Denver's playoff experience or overall quality as a team even though they've got much more talent in general.....I'm just looking at the Spurs product and how any competent coach should be able to tear them apart with actual preparation/scouting during the playoffs.

Spurs have a bunch of one-dimensional to zero-dimensional players that get meaningful minutes, are a horrible road team, have choked away a ton of games...not to mention one of their "stars" is known for completely disappearing in April/May......

But yeah they're just waiting to flip the switch and take down a top 4 seed in the West. I mean they did beat a Nuggs team missing 3/5 of their starting lineup that one game and they managed to not completely choke away last night, i definitely love their chances. :lol

[spurs10]

Great game and almost great comeback for Denver. It was good to see a game won by defense. Those three stops in the end were huge. The fact that we kept missing perfectly good shots was tough to take. Glad they finally missed a few.

[superbigtime]

Hopefully we see pop stomping up and down demanding for ddr to give up the ball to white. Similar to when pop got after parker and told him to give it to kawhi.

DDR has no constitution to take that like TP could.

[TD 21]

I have told this before: White isn't that good of a shooter. He's good enough, but he's not a spot up shooter. The Spurs would be way better off trading away DeRozan and making White the premier ball handler. I know that won't happen, but I'm just telling you what it needs to happen for the Spurs to become a better team.

Yeah, that's why this talk of a Murray-White-DeRozan starting perimeter trio next season and probably beyond, is insane and it'll only be exacerbated if they're going to try to shoehorn Poeltl into the starting lineup as much as they can.

The only way to attempt to make sense of this roster going forward, is if Forbes is traded and a starting caliber wing is acquired. Otherwise, the 5th/6th best guard/wing on the team will probably have to continue to start, which would mean rotational gymnastics would be required for him to receive the minutes commensurate with his standing, as well as the others with theirs.

[spurraider21]

having a starting wing that can't space the floor (demar) is always going to make it a challenge to assemble a good lineup

[DAF86]

Yeah, that's why this talk of a Murray-White-DeRozan starting perimeter trio next season and probably beyond, is insane and it'll only be exacerbated if they're going to try to shoehorn Poeltl into the starting lineup as much as they can.

The only way to attempt to make sense of this roster going forward, is if Forbes is traded and a starting caliber wing is acquired. Otherwise, the 5th/6th best guard/wing on the team will probably have to continue to start, which would mean rotational gymnastics would be required for him to receive the minutes commensurate with his standing, as well as the others with theirs.

Bertans should be starting instead of Forbes, tbh.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Nice write-up Timvp!

I'd rather see the Spurs face Denver over GSW, OKC or even Houston or Portland in the first round. The Spurs match up ok with them and could possibly stretch a series a bit. I'm just hoping the Spurs (and us fans) aren't subjected to another drubbing at the hands of the Warriors.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Yeah, that's why this talk of a Murray-White-DeRozan starting perimeter trio next season and probably beyond, is insane and it'll only be exacerbated if they're going to try to shoehorn Poeltl into the starting lineup as much as they can.

The only way to attempt to make sense of this roster going forward, is if Forbes is traded and a starting caliber wing is acquired. Otherwise, the 5th/6th best guard/wing on the team will probably have to continue to start, which would mean rotational gymnastics would be required for him to receive the minutes commensurate with his standing, as well as the others with theirs.


Well if you look at shooting percentages, White shoots as good or better than Tony Parker did, from every range - except 3P, where he shoots much better. You might not know it, but he's shot .538 on corner 3's. White's biggest problem is shooting unassisted straight-away 3's. I'm not trying to compare the two as overall players. Just saying that White's shooting is adequate for the job and I think he's just getting started.

Murray, on the other hand, needs to get all the way to the hole before he can score effectively. BUT... by the second half of the season he was much improved. His TS% in the playoffs was actually pretty good. (He's aggressive going to the rim, and draws a lot of fouls.) Yes, his shooting needs to improve. But between his defense and rebounding, he secures a lot of possessions for the Spurs.
It will be interesting to see if he comes back shooting like the second half of last season, or the first. I said it in another thread, but I think he will benefit a lot from not having to pretend to be a PG.

[ZeusWillJudge]

having a starting wing that can't space the floor (demar) is always going to make it a challenge to assemble a good lineup

It gets a lot harder when he's not used right. For years, DDR has been one of the top 5 players in the league for drawing fouls and getting FTA's. Collapsing the defense can be just as good for the offense as stretching the defense by shooting 3's, because it gets the other guys wide-open looks. DeRozan has been forced to be the primary distributor too much, and it's no coincidence that his FTA's are down. He's going to the rim less often and less aggressively.

DeRozan is more than capable on the offensive end. A great slasher makes 3P shooters much more effective. The question is whether they can hide him on defense, and whether he can resist being a black hole down the stretch.

[TD 21]

Bertans should be starting instead of Forbes, tbh.

That would leave no rotational backup big wing and four rotational backup guard/wings.

For obvious reasons, I think it's safe to say DeRozan, Mills and Belinelli aren't going anywhere, so either Forbes is turned into a starting wing who can shoot and at least isn't a physical liability defensively (not saying 1 for 1, just his spot) or the pieces won't fit.



Well if you look at shooting percentages, White shoots as good or better than Tony Parker did, from every range - except 3P, where he shoots much better. You might not know it, but he's shot .538 on corner 3's. White's biggest problem is shooting unassisted straight-away 3's. I'm not trying to compare the two as overall players. Just saying that White's shooting is adequate for the job and I think he's just getting started.

Murray, on the other hand, needs to get all the way to the hole before he can score effectively. BUT... by the second half of the season he was much improved. His TS% in the playoffs was actually pretty good. (He's aggressive going to the rim, and draws a lot of fouls.) Yes, his shooting needs to improve. But between his defense and rebounding, he secures a lot of possessions for the Spurs.
It will be interesting to see if he comes back shooting like the second half of last season, or the first. I said it in another thread, but I think he will benefit a lot from not having to pretend to be a PG.


Adequate, sure, but not nearly good enough to somewhat provide breathing room for a starting lineup featuring Aldridge, DeRozan, Murray and apparently sometimes Poeltl.

White would basically have to transform into Forbes, Mills, or Belinelli if he starts alongside them. That's not him and even if it could be, it would be a waste of his talent.

[DAF86]

[LEFT][COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]

That would leave no rotational backup big wing and four rotational backup guard/wings.

Gay is coming off the bench now.

[TD 21]

Gay is coming off the bench now.

He'll still likely end up primarily starting going forward, the same way Gasol did for the previous 2 seasons. Even if that wasn't the case, it makes no sense to have Bertans play wing minutes. The trickle down effect would be more minutes for 2 big lineups and even less flexibility defensively on the perimeter.

[DAF86]

He'll still likely end up primarily starting going forward, the same way Gasol did for the previous 2 seasons. Even if that wasn't the case, it makes no sense to have Bertans play wing minutes. The trickle down effect would be more minutes for 2 big lineups and even less flexibility defensively on the perimeter.

Well, I made that comment because it seems like that's the way Pop is planning to go (starting both LA and Poeltl). If that's going to be the lineup going forward, then starting Bertans over Forbes makes more sense.

[GusT15]

DeRozan is more than capable on the offensive end. A great slasher makes 3P shooters much more effective. The question is whether they can hide him on defense, and whether he can resist being a black hole down the stretch.

This right here is one of my biggest issues with DDR.
A great slasher does indeed make 3pt shooters more effective.
But DeRozan slashes,stops,gets his defender to close up on him,fakes,goes around on his pivot foot,fakes once more.If his defender bites on the fake he'll try to draw the foul and shoot awkwardly for the and1.If his defender does not bite he will shoot the 2.If his defender is a wing with a long wingspan that can block him he will look for the open 3 pass.

This is NOT how a slasher gets open looks from the 3 for his team.
This is DeRozan's horrible BBIQ on full display.

[Chris]

Good stuff per par :tu


I like Patty Mills using his body and chest to play defense more aggressively and I thought he played well towards the end. The Nuggets made some tough shots.

[TD 21]

Well, I made that comment because it seems like that's the way Pop is planning to go (starting both LA and Poeltl). If that's going to be the lineup going forward, then starting Bertans over Forbes makes more sense.

It was an old timey preference mixed with a desperate attempt to somewhat stabilize the defense . . . but it's just not tenable as a constant in today's NBA. Two bigs is one thing, but three non 3-point shooters is another.

Even if he tries to force it in some matchups for the time being, when the congestion inevitably suffocates the offense and the defense is still not good enough to win based off of, he'll relent.

[tonski17]

Off season work out with chip would be beneficial for White, Dejounte and Lonnie.

[byrontx]

Thanks for the Grades. There’s few professional sportswriters with your knack.

[ZeusWillJudge]

This right here is one of my biggest issues with DDR.
A great slasher does indeed make 3pt shooters more effective.
But DeRozan slashes,stops,gets his defender to close up on him,fakes,goes around on his pivot foot,fakes once more.If his defender bites on the fake he'll try to draw the foul and shoot awkwardly for the and1.If his defender does not bite he will shoot the 2.If his defender is a wing with a long wingspan that can block him he will look for the open 3 pass.

This is NOT how a slasher gets open looks from the 3 for his team.
This is DeRozan's horrible BBIQ on full display.


Meh. There's some truth to all that. The biggest thing you said, IMO, is that he holds the ball too long and then looks to make the pass to a 3P shooter. Wide open 3's are the result of more than one pass. The slasher bends the defense, but doesn't get the assist. By the time DeRozan decides to give up the ball, there's time for one pass and a shot. Not all the time, but too much of the time. I can't argue with you.

That's what I meant about him learning not to be a black hole. He's not going to learn to play defense well. And he's not going to be a de facto PG. But maybe, just maybe, he can learn not to be such a black hole and trust teammates to make the extra pass. The problem is, the Spurs are stuck with him - so maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

[GusT15]

Wide open 3's are the result of more than one pass. The slasher bends the defense, but doesn't get the assist.


That's true as well.The way for the slasher to get the straight assist is if you're playing 4 out with a Mega Star slasher like Lebron or Giannis.

I really don't think DeMar is capable of learning not to hold the ball too much though man.He's pushing 30,he would have learnt it by now.Plus he's made millions and all star games with that exact playstyle.
I mean,his style gets him buckets,sometimes,it gets him free throws,many times,but it will never ever get him actual playoff success.Cause it's the wrong way to play the game! (Plus it's ugly)

[ZeusWillJudge]

That's true as well.The way for the slasher to get the straight assist is if you're playing 4 out with a Mega Star slasher like Lebron or Giannis.

I really don't think DeMar is capable of learning not to hold the ball too much though man.He's pushing 30,he would have learnt it by now.Plus he's made millions and all star games with that exact playstyle.
I mean,his style gets him buckets,sometimes,it gets him free throws,many times,but it will never ever get him actual playoff success.Cause it's the wrong way to play the game! (Plus it's ugly)


Well I guess we'll find out if Pop really is the GOAT, because I don't see anybody buying the $55.5M left on DDR's contract. He's going to be in the SL next year. White is going to be in the SL next year. Murray's stock is pretty low, coming off this injury. And star-caliber SF's usually don't sign for the MLE. So I think we're going to see those three playing a lot of minutes together. Surely the GOAT can make it work?

[GusT15]

Well I guess we'll find out if Pop really is the GOAT, because I don't see anybody buying the $55.5M left on DDR's contract. He's going to be in the SL next year. White is going to be in the SL next year. Murray's stock is pretty low, coming off this injury. And star-caliber SF's usually don't sign for the MLE. So I think we're going to see those three playing a lot of minutes together. Surely the GOAT can make it work?

Well,20 years ago,he would work on it day and night.
Hell,10 years ago,he would try to find a way to at least minimize the impact it has on the team's overall performance.
But on his last year before retirement,and with what he's been through the last couple of years? I can see him lose his shit on practice one day and storm out murmuring "I used to coach Tim Duncan damn it,i'm too old for this shit".

[cjw]

I love White, so I don't think I'm grading him harshly at all. I like Bertans, but the Valanciunas comparison seems fair to me. I think Bertans is midway between a legit starter and a net positive bench guy like Matt Bonner... better than Bonner for sure, but not quite starter level for a team thinking about a championship.

That’s fair on Bertans. He’s a role player and requires certain lineups to maximize his effectiveness. Count on him for 30 minutes and having to play without ballhandlers and things get ugly.

That’s what made Green so useful at his peak. His shooting always had to be respected, kind of like Bertans. But his defense was top 10% at his position.

[spurs10]

It's not Foerbe's fault that he is in the SL and we are essentially playing 3 guards with DDR playing the 3 instead of the 2. Yes we won't be getting a starting SF for the MLE so I see the SL remaining that way. I'm just wondering if Gay continues to come off the bench.

[monty4329]

Bertans should be starting instead of Forbes, tbh.

Bertans starting didn't work at all

[monty4329]

This right here is one of my biggest issues with DDR.
A great slasher does indeed make 3pt shooters more effective.
But DeRozan slashes,stops,gets his defender to close up on him,fakes,goes around on his pivot foot,fakes once more.If his defender bites on the fake he'll try to draw the foul and shoot awkwardly for the and1.If his defender does not bite he will shoot the 2.If his defender is a wing with a long wingspan that can block him he will look for the open 3 pass.

This is NOT how a slasher gets open looks from the 3 for his team.
This is DeRozan's horrible BBIQ on full display.

And that is when he doesn't lose the ball dribbling...

[monty4329]

Meh. There's some truth to all that. The biggest thing you said, IMO, is that he holds the ball too long and then looks to make the pass to a 3P shooter. Wide open 3's are the result of more than one pass. The slasher bends the defense, but doesn't get the assist. By the time DeRozan decides to give up the ball, there's time for one pass and a shot. Not all the time, but too much of the time. I can't argue with you.

That's what I meant about him learning not to be a black hole. He's not going to learn to play defense well. And he's not going to be a de facto PG. But maybe, just maybe, he can learn not to be such a black hole and trust teammates to make the extra pass. The problem is, the Spurs are stuck with him - so maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

If he didn't learn yet, there is no reason to think he wil get his head out of his colon anytime. DDR is what he is, a bad contract and a net negative on the team.
Spurs are in almost the same situation as Washington (theirs is worse because Wall has a longer contract): there is no way out, except cut ans spread the cost. Or find a dumb GM and dump him. Unfortunately Demps was fired, but maybe the Suns...

[duncan2150]

That's exactly my point. According to Duncan2150 Derozan had a good game and the problem was defense....Sometimes I wonder if basketball is too difficult to understand....

That’s not my point but for you if it’s Normal To let Murray shooting 3’s with bad defense ok

you talk only of derozan but what he did offensively before the 4th quarter is also a reason why the spurs win no ?

[vavvi]

As bad as we have played, outside of the Warriors, I don't think there is anyone in the west that we couldn't be in a 7 game series.

Houston. I can’t see us beating a fully healthy Rockets team. We just don’t have the personnel to guard them.
Even Pop-D’Antoni curse can’t overcome that.

[RC_Drunkford]

By now I think Pop keeps changing up the starting line up so teams have to scout them again before they can exploit the team defensively. It buys you time for like 10-20 games

[RC_Drunkford]

This right here is one of my biggest issues with DDR.
A great slasher does indeed make 3pt shooters more effective.
But DeRozan slashes,stops,gets his defender to close up on him,fakes,goes around on his pivot foot,fakes once more.If his defender bites on the fake he'll try to draw the foul and shoot awkwardly for the and1.If his defender does not bite he will shoot the 2.If his defender is a wing with a long wingspan that can block him he will look for the open 3 pass.

This is NOT how a slasher gets open looks from the 3 for his team.
This is DeRozan's horrible BBIQ on full display.


truth bomb

[monty4329]

That’s not my point but for you if it’s Normal To let Murray shooting 3’s with bad defense ok

you talk only of derozan but what he did offensively before the 4th quarter is also a reason why the spurs win no ?

What he did almost costed the game (another game). I don't know what game you watched.
I'll let you know a secret: the game lasts 48 minutes, in four quarters. What you do decently in the first three counts for nothing if you forget what you were doing and decide to play like a wannabe star in the fourth hence throwing in the gutter 15 points advantage just to show you cannot dribble, cannot pass, cannot involve the four other players on your team, instead clanging bad shots after bad shot.

Again: 4 points in the last 6 minutes. And you talk about defense....

[duncan2150]

The defense was good on Murray ? Just a question.

I talk about defense because we lead by 10 with 2 minutes remaining. You can’t talk only about derozan, that’s Just my opinion. And you can’t Say that what he did during three quarter offensiely was nothing.

I agree with you about the fourth, i’m not blind but imo it was an overall bad performance at the end.

[monty4329]

The defense was good on Murray ? Just a question.

I talk about defense because we lead by 10 with 2 minutes remaining. You can’t talk only about derozan, that’s Just my opinion. And you can’t Say that what he did during three quarter offensiely was nothing.

I agree with you about the fourth, i’m not blind but imo it was an overall bad performance at the end.

Look, when you get outscored 19-4 in 6 minutes to close the game, defense is no good, that's obvious. As it is obvious as well how difficult it is to defend on tranasition after turnovers and clanked shots. I'd agree with you if the whole game was the same. But that is the whole point: 42 minutes of good defense and smart offense (plus Denver couldn't hit a shot even the most open). Then just to appease the moron crybaby, everything has to change into "look how good I am, am I a superstar or not? Look how I dribble and can't hit a shot but I am a superstar so who ceares...".
Fuck me, if I was on the floor I would have stopped playing defense myself.

Have a look at past games: when DDR takes up to 15 shots, we often win. More than that, it is an almost sure loss. I am not kidding. He must sit or at least put away from the ball, closing games.

[duncan2150]

I understand your take and he needs to make better decisions sometimes.

i rewatch last 5 minutes of the game, offensively 2 first possesions were not good (3's by bertans and white) , then derozan made a solo possesion and score ( during this time murray made three 3's with two really bad defense), there's another derozan shot after a block by aldridge, after that derozan goes inside and gives white an open look at 3, he grabds the O board and then white gives him the ball with 6 sec left for the shoot : Imo that stints was not bad by Derozan, he could have done better but Spurs offense was passive.

Next possesion was a one on one by DDR, i agree he could have done better.

I understand what you mean overall, he's not a franchise player, he does not need to force things but vs denver i think that was not bad.

[DAF86]

Bertans starting didn't work at all

Bertans only started when we were short handed.

[monty4329]

Bertans only started when we were short handed.

I don't understand: you want to start him without benching anybody?

[monty4329]

I understand your take and he needs to make better decisions sometimes.

i rewatch last 5 minutes of the game, offensively 2 first possesions were not good (3's by bertans and white) , then derozan made a solo possesion and score ( during this time murray made three 3's with two really bad defense), there's another derozan shot after a block by aldridge, after that derozan goes inside and gives white an open look at 3, he grabds the O board and then white gives him the ball with 6 sec left for the shoot : Imo that stints was not bad by Derozan, he could have done better but Spurs offense was passive.

Next possesion was a one on one by DDR, i agree he could have done better.

I understand what you mean overall, he's not a franchise player, he does not need to force things but vs denver i think that was not bad.

I might be harsh on DDR, I know. The guy pisses me off royally. I loved how he played at start of the season: not too many shots, ball moving, taking his supergood lateral penetration with the 15 footer which is unguardable, playing team basketball (and zero defense). Then some reasons -probably LA playing better, White too, and the second unit killing it- it all made him feel he needed to prove something, and turned into a pussy crybaby. So yes, I am biased now. If he takes up to 15 shots a game, that's where he is most valuable, not looking to take 30 shots on iso shit situations.

[duncan2150]

I agree with you, at his age he needs to be smart the way he did during the first half of the season. I also hope he can understand what you explain about him taking 15 shots and not 30.

[DAF86]

I don't understand: you want to start him without benching anybody?

That's a dumb reply coming from someone that quoted this post of mine:


Bertans should be starting instead of Forbes, tbh.

[Coach X]

Well, he singlehandedly wasted 15 points advantage with his idiotic iso shit. Actually, with the complicity of Pop who instead of telling him to piss off the ball and move his ass, just gives him the ball every single game on closing. Costed Toronto game, almost costed us this one, and the list goes on and on. So what if he grabbed a rebound which fell on his lap?

Other than that, yes the critisism is hard to understand....

Your subjective opinions aren't allowing you to understand the facts:





Action
Time remaining



DeRozan scores 1on1 action in the paint (100-86)

5:48



Murray scores fadeaway J from Elbow on White (100-88)

5:32



White misses cutting lay-up after Bertans drive

5:12



Nuggets airballs open 3 in transition after Forbes-Bertans miscommunication

5:02



DeRozan turnover in P&R with Aldridge

4:45



White blocks Harris fastbreak layup

4:39



Timeout Spurs (100-88)

4:31



DeRozan scores layup in ATO sideline bounds (102-88)

4:26



Murray makes open 3pt. Bad communication White-LA not switching in screen (102-91)

4:09



Bertans misses desperation 3pt after Rudy's post up

3:43



Murray scores corner open 3pt, White unnecessarily helps out instead of staying (102-94)

3:24



Spurs try to post-up Aldridge but Jokic deflects. Out of bounds set play for Bertans 3 but White breaks the play and takes a dribble 3pt he misses

3:01



Murray quick off the dribble jump shot from the elbow, misses, Aldridge rebound

2:47



3 non-successful possessions after last Spurs field goal, from DeRozan, Pop goes back to him. P&R with Aldridge, DeRozan scores again (104-94)
Now you tell me genius, what would have you done as a coach at this point?

2:33



Harris penetration, Spurs help, he kicks out to Milsaap, White closes out, extra pass to Murray in the corner, Gay doesn't close out, 3pts (104-97)

2:15



Spurs DDR-LA P&R again, DeRozan misses pull up jump shot. A good shot for him.

1:55



Barton hits contested transition three (104-100)

1:41



High-low action for Aldridge, Jokic fouls. Sub Forbes for Bertans.ISO for DeRozan who's doubled and facilitates White for an absolutely open three he misses but DeRozan rebounds.

1:19



Ball returns to White who returns it to DDR for a side ISO. He's doubled again with 4” in the shot clock but takes the shot and misses.

1:05



Murray scores pull up 3pt after transition P&R, Spurs switched leaving Gay on him (103-104).

0:49



DeRozan takes the ball and POP calls ISO for him to go to the rim (2 for 1 quick attack). He beats his man, misses the lay-up.

0:30



Murray misses off the dribble 3pt after another P&R switch defense from Spurs. Gay can't get the rebound.

0:14



Murray takes the designated shot in the paint after curling in a screen in a quick baseline bound play from Malone. Gay doesn't box out Millsaap again and Denver has another chance.

0:08



Jokic receives wide open but doesn't take the shot and LA deflects the ball. Gay grabs the ball this time and he's fouled. Misses BOTH free throws.

0:03



Mills fouls before the shot as Spurs are not in the bonus.

0:02



Harris misses turn around jump shot

END




Maybe if you go action by action, possession by possession you find some clarity to understand my point of view. Or you can keep saying "but he missed shots!"

[monty4329]

Your subjective opinions aren't allowing you to understand the facts:

Maybe if you go action by action, possession by possession you find some clarity to understand my point of view. Or you can keep saying "but he missed shots!"

Ask yourself why he was kept off the ball in the last minutes against Atlanta.

[Coach X]

Ask yourself why he was kept off the ball in the last minutes against Atlanta.
Because he wasn't having a good night. I'd have done the same as his coach. He was playing very well vs Denver, which is what we are talking about.

[monty4329]

Because he wasn't having a good night. I'd have done the same as his coach. He was playing very well vs Denver, which is what we are talking about.

If you are right and that is the reason, then there is no hope to win close games.
I hope instead that somebody in the coaching staff finally spoke the truth to Pop, and DDR closing games is a closed mistake.

[Coach X]

If you are right and that is the reason, then there is no hope to win close games.
I hope instead that somebody in the coaching staff finally spoke the truth to Pop, and DDR closing games is a closed mistake.
DeRozan closing games worked pretty well at the beginning of the season.

Season-wise, I think you have to look for an alternative plan when your designated closer is not getting the kind of shots he usually makes. If he is just missing them and his confidence remains high I'd continue trusting him.
Anyway, I believe in all the teams that's a game-by-game decision. Teams use to have a ranking of options (depending on what they need each shot in the clutch) and they choose based on how a player has been playing not only in that particular game but in the prior minutes to that moment.

I guess the Spurs ranking is DeRozan-Aldridge-Gay and White is appearing and climbing in that list as he's gaining more confidence and experience. To me, as long as DeRozan is willingly taking the ball in those key possessions I'd continue giving him the ball as he not only can score penetrating or jump shooting but also he is the best in the team finding the open man for a better shot. I'd give the ball to Rudy if he's having one of his great days or to Aldridge in the post despite if he's playing well despite he has struggled with those shots in the last 3 seasons but with DeRozan having a good game I'm going with him anytime.

I might be wrong but that's my opinion based on the facts I observe.