Grades: Spurs @ Rockets - Oct. 16, 2019

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/grades-san-antonio-spurs-houston-rockets-october-16-2019/

Tl;dr: Murray and Aldridge look ready. White and Poeltl looked good off the bench.

[Fireball]

Thx for the grades ... nothing to disagree from my side

having White and Poeltl off the bench obviously is a part of the puzzle ... hopefully Aldridge is willing to play center this season more often than not - it worked against those Rockets

[buttsR4rebounding]

Wow, only preseason, but the offense sure looked good without DD on the floor. I really expected him to come in with some semblance of a 3 point shot. This just shows how l that overall spacing is hurt by him.

[Rummpd]

Nice write up and good showing Spurs

[tbdog]

Wow, only preseason, but the offense sure looked good without DD on the floor. I really expected him to come in with some semblance of a 3 point shot. This just shows how l that overall spacing is hurt by him.

It's not like Walker spread the floor instead. It seems that this had more to do with LMA getting going and the bench connection.

[Fireball]

It's not like Walker spread the floor instead. It seems that this had more to do with LMA getting going and the bench connection.

exactly ... if Demar could just play man2man defense like Walker

[r0drig0lac]

The Leader is turning into a complete player

Not having Demar has increased the dynamism of our offensive, which is a plus point

Mills and Marco can't play anything but a few minutes, Walker needs all the minutes needed to speed up his development.

I still believe that with a player like Morris we could scare the league this year

[sananspursfan21]

Even if it is just preseason, this win was really encouraging. The rockets played their game on offense and even though they weren’t trying, I’ve seen many a Pringle team play defense like that in the most crucial moments. Whatever the Spurs are destined for, I’m excited to see an underwhelming 2019-20 Rockets team :hat

[spurs10]

Thanks for the grades and write-up. I'm on the other side of the planet, so this was great to read!
:bobo

[John B]

Thanks for the grades Timvp. Agree on the grades. While I would’ve wanted Aldridge to attack the rim more against smaller defenders which could’ve given him an A+. The absence of Demar noticeably seemed to have created better spacing. I know it’s pre-season and it’s just one game but it should give a hint that Spurs would be better off with a forward who can hit the 3 while playing better defense, but it’s for another thread. I love Murray/White aggressively looking for their shots and could seem to score at will. Lonnie is still very raw, but showed a lot of potential when he finally figures it out. Lyles seemed to be in the program, which is a big positive because the kid has a lot talent if properly motivated. All in all, I like the way Spurs responded from the last game and kept their feet on the pedal through 48 minutes. Another good showing against Griz and they could be ready for the season.

[8FOR!3]

I've been wanting us to bring Poeltl off the bench and have Gay/Carroll (or Lyles idc) start alongside Aldridge for better spacing. It seems like White plays better with Poeltl and without Gay so we should probably just start Gay.

[BatManu20]

Good write-up :tu.

Ball just moves better without DeMar in the lineup tbh.

[ZeusWillJudge]

It's got to be a little bit of a concern that the Rockets played pretty uninspired and still put up 114 points. The Spurs aren't going to have three 30-point quarters often. At least the Rockets' biggest quarter was the 4th, against some guys that are likely to be in Austin. But they still put some pretty big dents in the Spurs' defense in the first three. It concerns me because most of us are talking about the Spurs' D as the thing that's going to win a lot of games this season.

I've read a lot of comments crowing about that SL last night. But no team, including the Spurs, is going to thrive with two starters scoring 5 and 2 points. Admittedly it was only 22 and 20 minutes respectively. But I wasn't left with any reason to suspect that either of those guys would have scored a lot of points if only they got more minutes. I've scoured too many box scores over the years, and it's hard for even scoring machines like Harden or Westbrook to overcome two guys in the SL having that little scoring impact. The other team can make the scoring machine so inefficient that even if they put up 50, the team still loses. Regardless of what positives you might extract from Lyles' outing, or what you thought about the spacing, that lineup can't happen.

White/Poeltl was fun to watch last year, and I expect them to just get better as their familiarity increases. Poeltl does a good job cutting to the rim. his timing is good, and he adjusts his pace to maintain a passing lane. I get frustrated watching so many big men blindly sprint to the rim, and leaving no hope of ever getting a pass to them other than a lob. Last year the Spurs missed out on a lot of easy points because the other players (other than White) just seemed to be blind to Poeltl cutting. I liked the idea of White starting this year, but if they're both coming off the bench at least that's a solid weapon for the second unit.

[poopbox]

People talking about the Rockets not trying on defense...uh...yeah they were...they are just awful because Jeff Bzdelik is gone...

Remember the defense was so bad last year they had to beg him to come back and coach it...I don't understand why people try to act like Jeff isn't the reason Carmelo was let go since he was so bad defensively...

Rockets don't have some defensive gear they can hit...Tucker is the only above average defender on that team...

They played Ryan Anderson at the 5 :lol

[ZeusWillJudge]

BTW - does any other team in the league have someone doing grades after every game like this? I went looking for info on another game a couple of days ago, and it really hit home just how nice it is to be able to come read these writeups. Thanks to TIMVP - can't say it often enough.

[Fireball]

Uninspired or not ... the Rockets have great offensive players and will score against any defense and the Spurs will always be able to score against them as well. Harden played 34 minutes in a preseason game. I keep positive vibes from last night ...

[acoelho1]

Really liked what I saw from Walker defensively and I'm not worried about his offense. He has all the tools and good mechanics on his jump shot. He absolutely needs to play over Marco and hopefully he forces the issue with his play. This game also illustrated how DDR really bogs down the offense with his 1on1 game. The offensive flow looked much better in this game.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

The Spurs finally looked like they gave a crap, and there was some team cohesion, both offensively and defensively.

The young guys, Murray and White in particular, have me excited about this season. Aldridge looked rugged and ready. I like Luka's skillset.

Mills wasn't good, back to chucking unnecessary 4th quarter 3 pt misses. Belli was hitting shots which made his game good, otherwise that D is horrific. Metu might be the worst basketball player I've ever seen in an NBA uniform. I watched him get blown by on a drive that looked like a kid who'd never tried to defend before. His -10 in like 7 minutes of play was no accident. He was a freaking turnstile.

Time to hand the keys to the young guys with Aldridge as the alpha.

Don't extend DDR Pop...don't!! Save that money to retain your young talent base.

[Drom John]

Not as good as timvp, and without grades, but Peachtree Hoops [SBNation Hawks site] is pretty consistent on game reporting wit individual analysis.

[MaNu4Tres]

Lonnie was incredible defensively. He took good shots within the offense that just hit back iron or rimmed in and out ( including his shots around the basket).

He should get an A - for his work on Harden alone.

Other than that, I agree with most.

[heyheymymy]

BTW - does any other team in the league have someone doing grades after every game like this? I went looking for info on another game a couple of days ago, and it really hit home just how nice it is to be able to come read these writeups. Thanks to TIMVP - can't say it often enough.

We are the most spoiled fanbase ever.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

This game should reinforce that extending DDR would be an all-time bonehead move by Pop and RC. :td

[rjv]

Uninspired or not ... the Rockets have great offensive players and will score against any defense and the Spurs will always be able to score against them as well. Harden played 34 minutes in a preseason game. I keep positive vibes from last night ...

tbh, most teams are uninspired during the pre-season.

[ceperez]

We traded Bertans for scrubs like Carroll and Lyles??????

2 points for 40 minutes of play???????!!!

[BillMc]

BTW - does any other team in the league have someone doing grades after every game like this? I went looking for info on another game a couple of days ago, and it really hit home just how nice it is to be able to come read these writeups. Thanks to TIMVP - can't say it often enough.

I second this. TIMVP does a great job. Really appreciated.

[SpurSpike]

I really feel like pop singles out a few things for players to focus on in these preseason games.

DJM - Go out there and prove you can be the leader of this team.
Lyles - We know you like to score or at least attempt to score but i want you to defer in this game and focus on defense.
White - You have the keys to the second unit. You will be the closer, show me you deserve the Manu role.
Aldrige - Do your thing, you are proven.
DDR - Sit here so we can gauge how much your worth by playing the game without you and seeing how we do.
Mills - You are going to be a teacher now, go teach them youngins.
Carroll - Get acclimated to this team you are a vet. Find your place.
Rudy - Sit here while we gauge the new additions that back up your role.
Walker - Show us your improved defense and just be aggressive BUT DON'T FOUL HARDEN. This is your ultimate defensive test!

If that was the goal than i think last night was a huge success on all fronts tbh.

[tonight...you]

We traded Bertans for scrubs like Carroll and Lyles??????

2 points for 40 minutes of play???????!!!
Don't be disingenuous. They traded him to fit in Marcus Morris and he bounced without a kiss goodbye.

[tonight...you]

I really feel like pop singles out a few things for players to focus on in these preseason games.

DJM - Go out there and prove you can be the leader of this team.
Lyles - We know you like to score or at least attempt to score but i want you to defer in this game and focus on defense.
White - You have the keys to the second unit. You will be the closer, show me you deserve the Manu role.
Aldrige - Do your thing, you are proven.
DDR - Sit here so we can gauge how much your worth by playing the game without you and seeing how we do.
Mills - You are going to be a teacher now, go teach them youngins.
Carroll - Get acclimated to this team you are a vet. Find your place.
Rudy - Sit here while we gauge the new additions that back up your role.
Walker - Show us your improved defense and just be aggressive BUT DON'T FOUL HARDEN. This is your ultimate defensive test!

If that was the goal than i think last night was a huge success on all fronts tbh.
You have lots of feelings.

[itzsoweezee]

exactly ... if Demar could just play man2man defense like Walker

Never going to happen. I would much rather have the defensive impact that Walker provides on the floor than the empty stats DeMar puts up on the offensive end along with his nonexistent defense

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

BTW - does any other team in the league have someone doing grades after every game like this? I went looking for info on another game a couple of days ago, and it really hit home just how nice it is to be able to come read these writeups. Thanks to TIMVP - can't say it often enough.

[TD 21]

Anyone getting their hopes up about them seeing the light on trading DeRozan, 1 big lineups or Walker being in the rotation, prepare to be disappointed.

They only started that way to match-up with the Rockets and Walker only played because DeRozan didn't.

It'll be back to the usual next game . . . but don't worry, the genius and his magical system will supersede the inherent structural issues.

[Roscoe P. Coltrane]

BTW - does any other team in the league have someone doing grades after every game like this? I went looking for info on another game a couple of days ago, and it really hit home just how nice it is to be able to come read these writeups. Thanks to TIMVP - can't say it often enough. Every team does. There's tatumvp over at Celtics talk, siakamvp at Raptors talk and mccollumvp at Blazers talk.

[ceperez]

I really feel like pop singles out a few things for players to focus on in these preseason games.

DJM - Go out there and prove you can be the leader of this team.
Lyles - We know you like to score or at least attempt to score but i want you to defer in this game and focus on defense.
White - You have the keys to the second unit. You will be the closer, show me you deserve the Manu role.
Aldrige - Do your thing, you are proven.
DDR - Sit here so we can gauge how much your worth by playing the game without you and seeing how we do.
Mills - You are going to be a teacher now, go teach them youngins.
Carroll - Get acclimated to this team you are a vet. Find your place.
Rudy - Sit here while we gauge the new additions that back up your role.
Walker - Show us your improved defense and just be aggressive BUT DON'T FOUL HARDEN. This is your ultimate defensive test!

If that was the goal than i think last night was a huge success on all fronts tbh.

I've always figured that in the preseason, the players work on the part of their game that they are weakest.

[Fireball]

Never going to happen. I would much rather have the defensive impact that Walker provides on the floor than the empty stats DeMar puts up on the offensive end along with his nonexistent defense

totally agree ... I am at the point where I want to ship Demars ass out of SA

[Dex]

We traded Bertans for scrubs like Carroll and Lyles??????

2 points for 40 minutes of play???????!!!

No. We traded Bertans for Marcus Morris, and ended up Lyles when Morris decided to be a little bitch.

Carroll was coming as an FA either way.

[Truth4sale$]

Nice write up. A little dissapointing guys like metu and Walker are not either getting more time and/or show improvement from the off sesson.

[Truth4sale$]

Nice write up. A little dissapointing guys like metu and Walker are not either getting more time and/or show improvement from the off sesson.