Keldon to have dominant primary role in the future for San Antonio Spurs?

[Arcadian]

All-Star

[rjv]

if this team could somehow turn sochan, keldon and devon into occasional all-stars . . .

[Mugen]

His development (especially his outside shot) has been pretty crazy. I wonder how much of that was Chip's doing but KJ has obviously been put in a ton of work. Props to the Big Body tbh.

[Dejounte]

I think he’ll get to Tatum’s level tbh. Maybe even better.

[RC_Drunkford]

I think he’ll get to Tatum’s level tbh. Maybe even better.

I also think 2nd option, but I won't exclude him reaching that level either tbh.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/AirlessJordan/status/1589828680309968897

[B1gduff]

Next step for Kj will be with ball control, mixing in more to his offensive game and than taking over when need to.

[tim_duncan_fan]

He had 30 tonight, and yet I feel like it could have been significantly more

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiH0AxnXEAADXv3?format=jpg&name=large

[CGD]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiH0AxnXEAADXv3?format=jpg&name=large

Chuck Person’s streak, in proper context, is pretty damn impressive

[buttsR4rebounding]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiH0AxnXEAADXv3?format=jpg&name=large

Nice accomplishment. I wonder if that was the reason he kept heaving them up there against the Lakers. He was 0-9 from three until number 10 dropped in the 4th quarter. lol

[LeBowen]

Bryn Forbes chucked his way into making a three 27 games in a row. Disgusting.

[wildbill2u]

Well, well. Once KJ sees this stat he will be chucking them up there every game for sure to extend his meaningless record streak. Did that desire to keep his streak going already taint his shooting judgment in his awful shooting stats the other night? If so, he needs to miss making one in a game soon so he can play smarter.

[tim_duncan_fan]

I didn't watch the last two games mainly because this guy refused to attack the basket up to that point.

I take it that nothing changed in that regard the past couple of games?

[B1gduff]

Ever since Keldon went to that one legged motion on his 3pt shot, his mechanic have been off. He needs to get back to the mechanics that he had early in the year, and last year as well. I would love for him to pull up from around the free throw line and see if that adds to his games.Actually would love for him to add more to the mid-range for him to take that next step

[XDT76]

Not sure whether it's related to his injury. Since then his shooting goes south.

[BackHome]

These post have not aged well he continues his terrible shooting against Pelicans - I hope he is injured to be this bad or the Spurs definitely going to have to hire another shooting coach and probably and a new team shrink

[Kuvai]

Orrrrr he is the main hit man for Pop, to do tankkk

[poopbox]

Effective tank commander tbh

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

He has awful shot selection. Keldon is better off ball than trying to be a primary offensive option it seems. The two seasons before this year he wasn’t as high in the pecking order and he was more efficient. I think Keldon will figure it out, but he definitely needs to cut back on taking so many 3 pointers and especially the contested ones.

on the other side of things. Devin seems to be getting better with the added responsibilities offensively.

[spurraider21]

my opinions on keldon have flipped flopped more than any spur in recent memory tbh :lol... his extension felt like good value at the time, and he kicked off this season on a torrid pace. but right now i remain unconvinced that he's a long term starter on a good team. especially if his scoring comes with middling efficiency as it has

https://i.gyazo.com/0120edc10e8ccdc04161a2870a624748.png

[KingKev]

^ the good thing is that Keldon’s deal remains a steal.

I am not in one way convinced he is a long term starter but him as a 4-5th option or 6th man on a team with actual talent would work well and the reality is that he is being paid like a 5th option anyways.

[B1gduff]

Anyone know KJ stats of you take out that 10 or so bad games?

[RC_Drunkford]

he hasn't really improved much. Worst player in the league among players shooting 2 or more floaters per game. Hook shot is non-existant. He'll be a good trade piece down the line, just like Tre Jones once we extend him

[dbestpro]

He shoots too much and does not make the players around him better. Most players in the NBA could match this feat.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/EBTMiller/status/1665521668624728067

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1712921147728118170

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liN6gHNml4w

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

I hope Keldon has a great season. He is my favorite guy on the team and I’m hoping he continues to improve

[spursparker9]

2, 3 seasons ago he was the young rising player "big body" KJ. Now he is probably the 4th option (after Wemby, Vassell, Sohan). He need to develop a weapon that he can specialize in.

[tim_duncan_fan]

There is this air that Keldon is expendable.

I'm not sure how true that is, especially given Wemby is 19.


Some nights will be Keldon's night to lead the team in scoring.

[onechance87]

2, 3 seasons ago he was the young rising player "big body" KJ. Now he is probably the 4th option (after Wemby, Vassell, Sohan). He need to develop a weapon that he can specialize in.

what he needs to do is be consistent shooting the three and be a good rebounder playing along side wemby

[Mr. Body]

2, 3 seasons ago he was the young rising player "big body" KJ. Now he is probably the 4th option (after Wemby, Vassell, Sohan). He need to develop a weapon that he can specialize in.

Last year he started hot, iirc, before fatigue from carrying such a load set in. He should get more open shots and open lanes for slashing. If things work right, he can really punish teams for the attention Wembanyama gets.

[exstatic]

what he needs to do is be consistent shooting the three and be a good rebounder playing along side wemby

He’s a much better 3 point shooter off the ball than on. I expect him to be back to40% this year.

[CGD]

^ I bet Keldon is all about his John Deer lawn mower

[emanueldavidginobili]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liN6gHNml4w
Yeah Keldon is most certainly about to come off the bench this season after watching this. He’s talking about sacrifices and what not.

[PhantomDashCam]

Yeah Keldon is most certainly about to come off the bench this season after watching this. He’s talking about sacrifices and what not.

I’m not so sure. I watched the interview too and I understand how you justifiably could come to that conclusion. Other points discussed were about leadership and being the elder statesman on the team though, and think it’s unlikely they would limit that to bench play, at least initially with such a young team.

Branham also seems to be the destined instant offence guy and not sure you want them both coming in at the same time due to (at this point anyway), their defensive short comings.

I think we’ll see Pop sub in Tre and Branham for Collins and KJ/Vassell (depending on who’s firing) around the 6-7 min. mark and shift Wemby up to the 5.

[Atl Spur]

Manu is so dope !!!! #killeronthecourt

[JPB]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liN6gHNml4w


They had him make an ITV with Manu so he can embrace that 6th man spot :lol

[tbdog]

Spurs are in a weird spot having Johnson off the bench. The spacing in the staring lineup would be iffy. Then again, I prefer Jones being the pg rather that Sochan. Sochan absolutely must start though.

[Raven]

him off the bench is not happening imo. I'd be surprised if he doesn't have the highest minutes total.

[TrainOfThought5]

A Tre/Branham/KJ/Cedi/Bassey bench is versatile and IMO will destroy other Teams Benches.

[RC_Drunkford]

A Tre/Branham/KJ/Cedi/Bassey bench is versatile and IMO will destroy other Teams Benches.

does that mean you want to start McDermott?

[mudyez]

I'd think, the starter will be:
Zollins, Wemby, KJ, Devin and Tre with Sochan beeing the first guy of the bench (depending on the matchups eithers as Big or PG...but probably more as a Big...and Branham beeing the microwave/guard bench guy).

Sochan also should offen be in the crunch time lineup (caps).

That said, in the long term Sochan will get his starter spot a year from now with Tre or KJ beeing traded or coming of the bench.
Not to forget, that another high draft pick could play a role as well.

COLLINS bassey mamu
WEMBY/SOCHAN sidy
JOHNSON mcderm cedi
VASSEL/Branham champ
Tre wesley graham

bediako(tw)/barlow(tw)/rice(tw)

[rankingtear]

Pop already strongly implied KJ and Sochan would start. But the natural transition as we acquire another wing is for KJ to be the 6th man. I know the conventional wisdom is a guy like Branham but KJ ability to play 3 spots against non starter units and not be bully balled is a better option in a playoff setting. Take note if Wemby lives up to the hype our contention window is open in 2 years that means competing with the jumbo lineup of DEN which can render any guard sized player useless.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN/status/1713602602686922835

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/tom_orsborn/status/1713603451295236522

[Dejounte]

https://x.com/realtompetrini/status/1714093471357657574?s=46

[Chinook]

See, that's what I was talking about in terms of vertical spacing. I feel like that's probably the most valuable type of offense to compliment Wemby. The Spurs really lack guys who can threaten the rim unless they're attacking a close-out.

[Dejounte]

“Bro like melo who play defense” as one of the comments under the tweet

WTH since when bruh

the perception around the league is crazy

[John B]

https://twitter.com/tom_orsborn/status/1713603451295236522

Is he eager to play with Wemby, or eager to prove himself out there? Somebody commented KJ is not all-smile, he got serious compared to that jolly giddy kid before. Maybe the losing seasons, maybe the possibility of coming off the bench, maybe Devin getting the better pay while hasn’t really shown much.. jealous of Wemby’s attention?? I hope not.

[KDKSpurs24]

Is he eager to play with Wemby, or eager to prove himself out there? Somebody commented KJ is not all-smile, he got serious compared to that jolly giddy kid before. Maybe the losing seasons, maybe the possibility of coming off the bench, maybe Devin getting the better pay while hasn’t really shown much.. jealous of Wemby’s attention?? I hope not.

No, I truly believe that he is just more serious now and tired of losing. It was evident when there was a moment in the game where Sochan and others were about to start complaining to the refs and he loudly called everyone over and basically told them to calm down and get their shit together. He’s ready to win.

[RC_Drunkford]

https://x.com/realtompetrini/status/1714093471357657574?s=46

somebody worked on his handles. That’s great to see, I expect a lot from Keldon this year. He ain’t done improving

[Obstructed_View]

No, I truly believe that he is just more serious now and tired of losing. It was evident when there was a moment in the game where Sochan and others were about to start complaining to the refs and he loudly called everyone over and basically told them to calm down and get their shit together. He’s ready to win.
Well said. This is how I read him as well. He kept up a good attitude to keep a losing team's spirits buoyed. But those losses killed him and he wants to start winning.

[John B]

No, I truly believe that he is just more serious now and tired of losing. It was evident when there was a moment in the game where Sochan and others were about to start complaining to the refs and he loudly called everyone over and basically told them to calm down and get their shit together. He’s ready to win.

I hope so because I’m getting a different vibe. Last year he was the 1st option, then Wemby got picked and the circus around him, Devin got a better paychecked even when he has shown a lot (not like him who was the team’s leading scorer). And he could possibly relegated to 6th man role. Not every is a Manu. I hope I’m wrong and he embrase this as a new challenge instead of pouting around.

[EricB]

Keldon Johnson hasn’t played since April, and that’s prob the most well rounded game I’ve seen from him in a long time.the Weak side support D was good. His ball handling is much better. His when to drive when not to is getting better.

He also looks even stronger out there than before. Also his shot looks a little smoother and quicker as well.

if Keldon Vassell both take a step forward along with Sochan Collin’s and throw in a ROtY Wemby, this is a play in team easily.

[exstatic]

Keldon Johnson hasn’t played since April, and that’s prob the most well rounded game I’ve seen from him in a long time.the Weak side support D was good. His ball handling is much better. His when to drive when not to is getting better.

He also looks even stronger out there than before. Also his shot looks a little smoother and quicker as well.

if Keldon Vassell both take a step forward along with Sochan Collin’s and throw in a ROtY Wemby, this is a play in team easily.

His shot is always good when he's not initiating the offense. If he's playing off the ball, I expect him back at 40% from beyond the arc.

[Mr. Body]

His shot is always good when he's not initiating the offense. If he's playing off the ball, I expect him back at 40% from beyond the arc.

I think you pointed it out last year -- he started out really strong then tapered off probably due to fatigue for carrying such a load. He's a nice shooter and should get plenty of open and close-to-open looks.

My big question is how the players -- assuming Keldon starts -- use the space on the offensive end. Wemby uses up so much space. Will he be clogging things up? Or will he be pulling people away from his teammates? Like... if Wemby's midrange is so money (hopefully), there's almost no sense in double teaming him, although you have to, because he's getting that shot off anyway. I also (slightly) fear the starting offense will be somewhat stagnant in a 4-down kind of way as it gets very heliocentric around Vic. Like, I can't imagine as much of the beautiful game, the cutting and kicking, with him in there, partly due to his efficiency and partly due to not wanting to move him around so much.

But... we'll see.

[Dejounte]

https://youtu.be/vjFFyA0T8Y4?feature=shared

Keldon being in the thick of things along with Sochan and Collins perfectly complement Wemby.

[MultiTroll]

somebody worked on his handles. That’s great to see, I expect a lot from Keldon this year. He ain’t done improving
Good play but beez that was some pathetic D.

[Obstructed_View]

Keldon has looked better every game. He seems to be carefully picking his spots without being a disruption.

[Fireball]

I just wish he gets back to being a 40% 3 point shooter ...

[RC_Drunkford]

Keldon is not even at 100% yet and neither is Sochan. Give them a couple of games to get back into game shape

[spurraider21]

Keldon is not even at 100% yet and neither is Sochan. Give them a couple of games to get back into game shape
i think the unit will naturally just get better with time after playing with one another more. learning to play around wemby on its own is a challenge

[koriwhat]

i think the unit will naturally just get better with time after playing with one another more. learning to play around wemby on its own is a challenge

No doubt! The dude takes up so much of the floor it's got to be a head scratcher for all to figure out where to be while letting Wemby do his thing.

[scott]

Maybe this is overly pessimistic, but I can easily see a scenario where Keldon drops down to a 12-15ppg scorer as Wemby, Dev and Collins absorb some of his scoring output from last year.

The "core" starting 5 last season (Tre/Dev/Keldon/Sochan/Jak) averaged 76.5 ppg last season (though it arguable that number is inflated because this lineup didn't play that much together, only 189 minutes over 18 games).

If Wemby and Devin each average 22, Zach puts up 13, Sochan improves to 13... that's already 70ppg. I think we're going to see Keldon drop off dramatically. Hopefully the rest of his game is complimentary and we aren't suddenly wondering if what appears to be a bargin contract for Keldon is suddenly an overpay.

Interestingly, the Spurs best lineup in terms of ORTG (looking at linutes that only played more than 30 minutes together) was Doug-Stan Johnson-Josh Richardson-Zach-Bran. the best defensive unit was Zach-KBD-Keldon-Bran-Sochan. https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/advanced?TeamID=1610612759&dir=D&slug=advanced&sort=MIN

[RC_Drunkford]

Pop has to let Keldon and Devin play some minutes with the bench unit where they can take over

[BackHome]

I think things will work out on there own as I don’t see Wemby cracking the 30 + minutes that Vassell and Keldon will be getting. Also, I still think Pop is going to be super cautious with Wemby health and there is always that rookie wall. But your right it will be interesting to see what type of player works best with Wemby.

[Fireball]

If Wemby and Devin each average 22, Zach puts up 13, Sochan improves to 13... that's already 70ppg. I think we're going to see Keldon drop off dramatically. Hopefully the rest of his game is complimentary and we aren't suddenly wondering if what appears to be a bargin contract for Keldon is suddenly an overpay.

I have seen nothing that indicates Sochan improving his PPG ...otherwise I agree that Keldons scoring output will drop.

[spurraider21]

keldon feels like a seasoned vet on this club and he just turned 24 this month. meanwhile derrick white was 23 as a rookie

im not used to this timeline on players tbh :lol

[Mugen]

Really liked the effort defensively that Keldon showed in preseason. Doesn't always translate to good D but with Wemby as an eraser, KJ and Devin can really afford to be aggressive on that end.

[Fizziksman]

Always feels like he is the odd man out

[Fizziksman]

.

[ace3g]

Love the shirt

C-OLq3BhMrL

[ginobilized]

Love the shirt

C-OLq3BhMrL

That is classic! I'd wear that

[Degoat]

Picture says #KJ3, not giving up number 3?? Pure speculation but it’s weird that we don’t know Paul’s number yet

[stnick2261]

Picture says #KJ3, not giving up number 3?? Pure speculation but it’s weird that we don’t know Paul’s number yet

We’ll probably know in a week whether Keldon gets traded, or sells his number to Paul.

[exstatic]

We’ll probably know in a week whether Keldon gets traded, or sells his number to Paul.

If Paul were going to get the number one way or another, they would have had a jersey ready at the press conference. I think if Keldon isn’t traded, he keeps 3. That is based, of course, on my thoughts that CP3 won’t be here all season.

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

keldon seems to have leaned up a bit from

[stnick2261]

If Paul were going to get the number one way or another, they would have had a jersey ready at the press conference. I think if Keldon isn’t traded, he keeps 3. That is based, of course, on my thoughts that CP3 won’t be here all season.

They could just be waiting because, if Keldon stays he can sell the number to Paul... but if he's traded, Paul gets it for free.

[John B]

Keldon has plenty of chips on his shoulders to prove his naysayers after all these trade rumors. He’s still to me the best 6th man candidate with his ability to score. I’m here to root for him.. but if he’s what it takes to get Markkanen plus a few FRP’s, then thanks for everything :bobo

[spurraider21]

keldon seems to have leaned up a bit from
Complete your sentence

[Strategic]

Complete your sentence not eating so many ��?

[J_Paco]

He appears to be in better physical condition than he has been since his rookie season.

Unless something crazy happens, then he's penciled in as the 6th man/first guy off the bench.

I'm mostly intrigued by who they'll pair with him and Collins in the frontcourt. Do they start Barnes or bring him off the bench with Johnson - Collins?

[KobesAchilles]

He appears to be in better physical condition than he has been since his rookie season.

Unless something crazy happens, then he's penciled in as the 6th man/first guy off the bench.

I'm mostly intrigued by who they'll pair with him and Collins in the frontcourt. Do they start Barnes or bring him off the bench with Johnson - Collins?
Barnes is the only threat from 3 that we have as far as size goes. If the dude isn’t a starter then Sochan can’t be one either. Need that spacing. You can’t have Vassell as the only starter who can consistently make 3s on volume shooting

[J_Paco]

Barnes is the only threat from 3 that we have as far as size goes. If the dude isn’t a starter then Sochan can’t be one either. Need that spacing. You can’t have Vassell as the only starter who can consistently make 3s on volume shooting

So you think they'll bench Sochan for Barnes or pair them together?

I think starting Barnes creates an issue with lack of size off the bench. We'll see what happens, but I prefer him coming off the bench. While Castle/Sochan/Wembanyama start in the frontcourt. I get that that grouping will have bad spacing, but the upside defensively is too tantalizing.

[Degoat]

I’ll be really surprised if the starting lineup isn’t

Wemby
Sochan
Barnes
Dev
CP3

bench will be Tre, Castle, Julian, KJ, and Collins with Branham playing as well in one of the wing spots.

[KobesAchilles]

So you think they'll bench Sochan for Barnes or pair them together?

I think starting Barnes creates an issue with lack of size off the bench. We'll see what happens, but I prefer him coming off the bench. While Castle/Sochan/Wembanyama start in the frontcourt. I get that that grouping will have bad spacing, but the upside defensively is too tantalizing.
CP3 already said on the Herd he is starting in SA. Vassell at the 2. Barnes at the 3. And Sochan at the 4.but switch them for defensive purposes. Wemby at the 5

[tonight...you]

CP3 already said on the Herd he is starting in SA. Vassell at the 2. Barnes at the 3. And Sochan at the 4.but switch them for defensive purposes. Wemby at the 5.
CP-Whatever declared the entire starting unit on The Herd?

[CGD]

CP3 already said on the Herd he is starting in SA. Vassell at the 2. Barnes at the 3. And Sochan at the 4.but switch them for defensive purposes. Wemby at the 5

That’s what we suspected, right?

Wonder what the plan with Tre is? He’s gotta be feeling a little insecure after what happened to his brother, no?

[KobesAchilles]

.
CP-Whatever declared the entire starting unit on The Herd?
Whoops. My bad I really phrased that badly. Spaces KA. Spaces.
CP3 said he is starting.

I was speculating the rest of the line up

[KobesAchilles]

That’s what we suspected, right?

Wonder what the plan with Tre is? He’s gotta be feeling a little insecure after what happened to his brother, no?
I think they’re going to have Castle start off as a 2 guard with Tre running the point from the bench

[J_Paco]

I don't personally like Sochan and Barnes starting together (too many similar skills but with shooting from Barnes), but going by that starting line here is the bench rotation (IMO):

PG: Tre Jones
SG: Branham
SF: Castle
PF: Mamu
C: Collins

(Spurs really need an upgrade at back-up PF and/or C, IMO.)

I think regardless of how the rotation shakes out that Champagnie and Wesley (as much as Spurs Nation seems to dislike/hate him) will get plenty of opportunities. Pop likes to rest and monitor his veterans' minutes, so they'll see time when Barnes and Paul are out or resting.

[LeBowen]

I don't personally like Sochan and Barnes starting together (too many similar skills but with shooting from Barnes)

I'd like to hear which of their skills are similar?
They're as different as they can be if we talk players of similar size.

Last season Barnes had more 3pt than 2pt attempts.
He's not a playmaker, not even 2 assist per game career average.
On the other hand, he doesn't turn the ball over or foul.
Lost a step, but still solid defensively and knows how to defend bigger wings.

Meanwhile, Jeremy will be the point of attack defender who's got solid passing skills for a forward, has no range whatsoever and commits more fouls due to his role.
Is also a better rebounder, especially offensively.

Jeremy is useless without the ball and not that good with it, Barnes is at his best without the ball.
Could we have better starting forwards? I hope so, as soon as the next season, but you can't say they don't complement each other well.


PG: Tre Jones
SG: Branham
SF: Castle
PF: Mamu
C: Collins

This will probably be the rest of the 10 man rotation, but I don't expect these 5 to play together much.
Minutes will be staggered, Devin playing with the bench unit seems like a logical thing to do.
Barnes should also play a lot of minutes with the bench because they really lack shooting and Mamu is bad defensively, but has good chemistry with Wemby.

I'd say CP3/Tre, Wemby/Collins and Jeremy/Castle should be mutually exclusive and shouldn't ever play together. Anything else goes.

[tonight...you]

Whoops. My bad I really phrased that badly. Spaces KA. Spaces.
CP3 said he is starting.

I was speculating the rest of the line up
No worries.

[scott]

I don't personally like Sochan and Barnes starting together (too many similar skills but with shooting from Barnes), but going by that starting line here is the bench rotation (IMO):

PG: Tre Jones
SG: Branham
SF: Castle
PF: Mamu
C: Collins

(Spurs really need an upgrade at back-up PF and/or C, IMO.)

I think regardless of how the rotation shakes out that Champagnie and Wesley (as much as Spurs Nation seems to dislike/hate him) will get plenty of opportunities. Pop likes to rest and monitor his veterans' minutes, so they'll see time when Barnes and Paul are out or resting.


I'd like to hear which of their skills are similar?
They're as different as they can be if we talk players of similar size.

Last season Barnes had more 3pt than 2pt attempts.
He's not a playmaker, not even 2 assist per game career average.
On the other hand, he doesn't turn the ball over or foul.
Lost a step, but still solid defensively and knows how to defend bigger wings.

Meanwhile, Jeremy will be the point of attack defender who's got solid passing skills for a forward, has no range whatsoever and commits more fouls due to his role.
Is also a better rebounder, especially offensively.

Jeremy is useless without the ball and not that good with it, Barnes is at his best without the ball.
Could we have better starting forwards? I hope so, as soon as the next season, but you can't say they don't complement each other well.



This will probably be the rest of the 10 man rotation, but I don't expect these 5 to play together much.
Minutes will be staggered, Devin playing with the bench unit seems like a logical thing to do.
Barnes should also play a lot of minutes with the bench because they really lack shooting and Mamu is bad defensively, but has good chemistry with Wemby.

I'd say CP3/Tre, Wemby/Collins and Jeremy/Castle should be mutually exclusive and shouldn't ever play together. Anything else goes.

Damn, Keldon moved out of the rotation altogether for Branham and Mamu minutes? What a fall from grace.

[rogcl1]

Castle is going to get run at point guard with some group and he will get that opportunity rather soon.

[J_Paco]

Damn, Keldon moved out of the rotation altogether for Branham and Mamu minutes? What a fall from grace.

Forgot about Keldon.:lol:lol:lol:lol

I hate him as the small ball 4, but it's either that or moving Castle to the 2 and taking Branham completely out of the rotation.

[J_Paco]

I'd like to hear which of their skills are similar?
They're as different as they can be if we talk players of similar size.

Last season Barnes had more 3pt than 2pt attempts.
He's not a playmaker, not even 2 assist per game career average.
On the other hand, he doesn't turn the ball over or foul.
Lost a step, but still solid defensively and knows how to defend bigger wings.

Meanwhile, Jeremy will be the point of attack defender who's got solid passing skills for a forward, has no range whatsoever and commits more fouls due to his role.
Is also a better rebounder, especially offensively.

Jeremy is useless without the ball and not that good with it, Barnes is at his best without the ball.
Could we have better starting forwards? I hope so, as soon as the next season, but you can't say they don't complement each other well.



This will probably be the rest of the 10 man rotation, but I don't expect these 5 to play together much.
Minutes will be staggered, Devin playing with the bench unit seems like a logical thing to do.
Barnes should also play a lot of minutes with the bench because they really lack shooting and Mamu is bad defensively, but has good chemistry with Wemby.

I'd say CP3/Tre, Wemby/Collins and Jeremy/Castle should be mutually exclusive and shouldn't ever play together. Anything else goes.

I misspoke, what I should have said is that neither is a true SF (Barnes has lost too much athletically), neither brings any self-creation to the table and will fully rely on Wembanyama, Paul and Vassell to score.

That's why I'm higher on starting Castle at the 3 even if he's a bit undersized.


Castle is going to get run at point guard with some group and he will get that opportunity rather soon.

I think Castle will be a Swiss Army knife for the Spurs seeing minutes at the PG, SG & SF. Depending on matchups, who he meshes with well and availability of the other main perimeter players (Paul, Vassell, Johnson, & Branham).

[scott]

Forgot about Keldon.:lol:lol:lol:lol

I hate him as the small ball 4, but it's either that or moving Castle to the 2 and taking Branham completely out of the rotation.

I'd put Keldon at the 3, Castle at the 2 and Branham in China.

[J_Paco]

I'd put Keldon at the 3, Castle at the 2 and Branham in China.

Ok, well the team thinks he's worth keeping around so he'll likely see minutes at the 2.

And Keldon is not a full-time 3 and that has been proven often. He's a combo forward that should play either the 3 or 4 based on matchups.

[CGD]

^ nah, the bench is probably:

Tre
Castle
Champagne
Keldon
Collins

Branham will have his chance to displace someone, but make no mistake, Pop loves Julian.

[TD 21]

So you think they'll bench Sochan for Barnes or pair them together?

I think starting Barnes creates an issue with lack of size off the bench. We'll see what happens, but I prefer him coming off the bench. While Castle/Sochan/Wembanyama start in the frontcourt. I get that that grouping will have bad spacing, but the upside defensively is too tantalizing.

They'll start them then mostly stagger them after probably the first 6ish minutes, so that they almost always have someone who can credibly play the four on the floor.

I'd rather start Castle over Sochan though. Sure they'd be small, but the latter is a poor rebounder anyway and I like the former's fit better next to a PG who can space the floor.

[ace3g]

https://x.com/spurs/status/1951030729443328112

[tonight...you]

Joy

[benefactor]

Trade him

[Extra Stout]

Spurs have jerseys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10. 6 and 9 are retired.

Re-sign Patty to wear 8.

[SpurSpike]

I want to see a 12345 lineup in game just because lol.

[ace3g]

I want to see a 12345 lineup in game just because lol.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GxFWrc8asAA0Q07?format=jpg&name=medium

[Seventyniner]

The 1/2/4/5 part should see plenty of burn, but I doubt much of it has Keldon as the 5th man.

It would still be cool to see.

[scott]

1/2/3/4/5 Lineup would be interesting.

Wemby + 4 guys who all want to drive to the hoop.

[scott]

Spurs have jerseys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10. 6 and 9 are retired.

Re-sign Patty to wear 8.

Devin will change his number to 8 to fully embrace Mamba Mentality