Grades: Spurs vs. Magic - Feb. 29, 2020

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/grades-san-antonio-spurs-orlando-magic-february-29-2020/

tl;dr: Aldridge was out. Poeltl got hurt. Eubanks stepped up.

[JPB]

Statement win against an NBA powerhouse.

Tremble Lakers and get ready for the upset.

[bdictjames]

My concern is: Who is the Spurs' leader? Last year it was LaMarcus. Year before that, it was Manu. Kawhi and LaMarcus shared duties the year before that? And before that, Timmy, Tony, and Manu would interchange leadership roles as well.

Because we are only as good as our best player. I'm sorry, I just don't think Dejounte Murray is a leader. He can't even make good decisions off the bounce. We need someone who's sharp, dedicated.. Demar is the closest one for me, and hopefully White or Walker can mature into one as well. We just need a strong-willed guy who can keep the team on track as we make this playoff push.

[paperboy77]

Win is a win. Too bad Memphis pulled a win out of their ass!

[jjktkk]

Nice to see Eubanks get some burn and play well.

[Truth4sale$]

Thanks Timvp for the write up
Eubanks showing he can play in the big league. Very happy to see him get some extended minutes. Sometimes playing guys who normally dont play could be the spark the Spurs need, ...they are hungry, and want to impress the coaching staff to stay in the rotation.

[MultiTroll]

Glad Forms made the trey but it was a complete blown assignment by Grizzleys.
Guard went the wrong was and Forms was open by literally 15 feet.

[wildbill2u]

Every player has especially good nights and this was one for Lyles; however, it shows he has some real skills to use when he asserts himself. Most of the time he plays as if he is afraid of taking shots away from more skillful star players.. Wouldn't it be nice if he just got enough confidence to realize he is a starting player and a necessary complement to the stars.??? He just has to focus and when he sees an opening take it.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Thanks for the write-up Timvp!

I did end up watching last night. Lyles looks pretty good, and I liked seeing Eubanks out there...he looked better, and bigger, that I remember. It looked like Gay was tired late, because his shot got flat late in the 3rd and into the 4th quarter. He doesn't seem to be in the type of physical shape he was in last year.



The best thing that could happen to the Spurs this off-season would be for the Spurs to lose Marco and Mills. I was hoping that the silver lining to Manu and Parker retiring would be that the young guys would get to take over. What's ended up happening is that Pop just went from relying too heavily on two aging hall-of-famers, to handing off the reins to two aging role players. Over-trusting the veterans only works when you have some thoroughbred veterans in your stable, but Pop's saddled up two old burros expecting similar results. I'm sure in his mind there's stability in that veteran presence, but I'd rather this team of taken its lumps getting the young guys acclimated rather than battle for (and likely miss) the eight seed, relying on guys that aren't part of the future. Dumb.

[John B]

Thanks for the grades Timvp. Happy for the win. But if Founier’s point blank layup went in, Spurs would’ve lost at home again to a bottom feeder team. And all grades would’ve been in the F, where it should be. Spurs need to work on their defense fast. Again they relinguished a big lead at home even. Again too much emphasis on offense than defense. Neither Forbes nor Beli should be in at the 4th quarter when better defensive stops is needed. Forbes couldn’t even protect the ball when his life is on the line. He shouldn’t be in that last possession. And why can’t Lonnie finish better at the rim? I like Lyles every time he’s aggressive. He is very capable and should be encouraged to attack the rim more. I like Eubanks overall play, and should’ve played against Dallas. Overall, this team needs better stops, defense, better composure, better leadership and attitude from Demar. They need to have fun out there.

[Chomag]

The best thing that could happen to the Spurs this off-season would be for the Spurs to lose Marco and Mills. I was hoping that the silver lining to Manu and Parker retiring would be that the young guys would get to take over. What's ended up happening is that Pop just went from relying too heavily on two aging hall-of-famers, to handing off the reins to two aging role players. Over-trusting the veterans only works when you have some thoroughbred veterans in your stable, but Pop's saddled up two old burros expecting similar results. I'm sure in his mind there's stability in that veteran presence, but I'd rather this team of taken its lumps getting the young guys acclimated rather than battle for (and likely miss) the eight seed, relying on guys that aren't part of the future. Dumb.

Good take, and I agree. This season is still salvageable even if the team is not making the playoffs as long as the youth is getting the reps and experience that's clearly needed to get a jumpstart over the feature seasons. These young guys need to be worked in there and experience every in game situation possible, there is only so much someone can learn by watching tape and from the sidelines but the need to actually experience those moments good ,and or the bad.

Also Pop does need to let off of them a little bit and allow them to be who they are , even let them make a mistake or 2 that young players and even vets do. As long as they seem to be trying to learn and get better from those mess-ups let them encounter them.

Worst case scenario for this a season is for the Spurs not to make the playoffs without building for the feature. If you are not making the playoff then why not start playing like it's next season "now" since its a lost season, why wait until to do that during the off-season and next season?

[RC_Drunkford]

Worst case scenario for this a season is for the Spurs not to make the playoffs without building for the feature. If you are not making the playoff then why not start playing like it's next season "now" since its a lost season, why wait until to do that during the off-season and next season?

Because Flopovich is an idiot and thinks they can still make the playoffs. Even if they were out of the playoff race he'd still play the same players, so they develop some more chemistry for next season. He won't change shit

[spurs10]

Thanks for grades! As usual they were astute and to the point. I thought Lyles looked great and had a lot to do with us competing. it was nice to see Drew "Downtown" Eubanks get some burn. He had a lot of hustle! That last play was unreal and all I have to say is 'I'll take it!' I was there and listening to 20,000 people cry would have been a bummer. It was a fun game to watch...... since we won of course.
:toast

[tim_duncan_fan]

Win is a win. Too bad Memphis pulled a win out of their ass!

Too bad wins only prolong the current makeup of this team's roster and its rotations while lowering our draft pick.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Because Flopovich is an idiot and thinks they can still make the playoffs. Even if they were out of the playoff race he'd still play the same players, so they develop some more chemistry for next season. He won't change shit


Said it all.

[sasaint]

Because Flopovich is an idiot and thinks they can still make the playoffs. Even if they were out of the playoff race he'd still play the same players, so they develop some more chemistry for next season. He won't change shit

Yep. You know...

[tholdren]

Because Flopovich is an idiot and thinks they can still make the playoffs. Even if they were out of the playoff race he'd still play the same players, so they develop some more chemistry for next season. He won't change shit
Lonnie sucks, moveon

[timtonymanu]

Win is a win. Too bad Memphis pulled a win out of their ass!

Memphis hasn't been pulling wins out of their ass. they're actually a better team than the Spurs. IMO, last night was a win the Spurs pulled out of their ass. They nearly lost to the Magic at home.

[paperboy77]

Memphis hasn't been pulling wins out of their ass. they're actually a better team than the Spurs. IMO, last night was a win the Spurs pulled out of their ass. They nearly lost to the Magic at home.

No doubt Memphis is balling pretty good lately. But last night w/o Jackson and vs the Lakers.... they shoulda lost. So they pulled that particular win out they ass!

And yes so did our Spurs.

[rjv]

pop going larry brown on walker.

[R. DeMurre]

Nice stats & observation from ESPN's Tim MacMahon:

"Spurs guards Dejounte Murray (http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3907497/dejounte-murray) and Derrick White (http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3078576/derrick-white) are the only two players in the league averaging at least 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in fewer than 25 minutes per game. A pair who seemingly have the potential to be San Antonio's backcourt of the future -- Murray is 23, White 25 -- have barely played together this season. They've logged only 94 minutes as a duo, but that is trending upward."

[Leetonidas]

Nice stats & observation from ESPN's Tim MacMahon:

"Spurs guards Dejounte Murray (http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3907497/dejounte-murray) and Derrick White (http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3078576/derrick-white) are the only two players in the league averaging at least 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in fewer than 25 minutes per game. A pair who seemingly have the potential to be San Antonio's backcourt of the future -- Murray is 23, White 25 -- have barely played together this season. They've logged only 94 minutes as a duo, but that is trending upward."

Retard coach taking 70% of the season to make an obvious adjustment every one has been clamoring for since before the season :lmao

[Sugus]

Nice stats & observation from ESPN's Tim MacMahon:

"Spurs guards Dejounte Murray (http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3907497/dejounte-murray) and Derrick White (http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3078576/derrick-white) are the only two players in the league averaging at least 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in fewer than 25 minutes per game. A pair who seemingly have the potential to be San Antonio's backcourt of the future -- Murray is 23, White 25 -- have barely played together this season. They've logged only 94 minutes as a duo, but that is trending upward."

Just highlights how retarded it is that it took this long for Pop to finally play them both together, and the fact that they've got great chemistry and potential. Hopefully with Jak out and a few more timely losses, Pop opens his eyes to reality and starts playing the youngsters and load-managing the vets. I want to see much more of DJ+DW, and especially with LW thrown in the mix.