Game Thread: San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies - Dec. 23, 2020 @ 7 PM CT

[NASpurs]

Getting a road win and leading the league in scoring :wow

[Leetonidas]

That was a fun game

[KobesAchilles]

I forgot exactly what my predication was for win total to start the season (something like 32-11) but I had them going 4-0 to start the season.

Never in doubt :flag::flag::flag::flag:

[Degoat]

Overall great game by the youngsters!!! The rotation will be interesting when DWhite is back

[offset formation]

This team is different when Lonnie and Dejounte are aggressive and scoring.

Additionally, with White back, we have the potential for some better defensive upside.

[John B]

I like our starting five.. Murray, Lonnie, Demar, Keldon, Aldridge... Defense, athleticism and veterans, 3pt shots, no defensive liability...

[DAF86]

And we are missing our best player. As long as Pop doesn't fuck up we should comfortably make the playoffs.

[Robz4000]

If the rotations/style of play remain this way this will be a fun season. Obviously Memphis isn't a great team and they're missing JJJ, but the Spurs were in control of this game for 3 1/2 quarters. Really glad to see all of the youngins play well tonight.

[John B]

This team is different when Lonnie and Dejounte are aggressive and scoring.

Additionally, with White back, we have the potential for some better defensive upside.

Murray has to focus on scoring like tonight, and not to play cute getting the assist.

[Dejounte]

This team is different when Lonnie and Dejounte are aggressive and scoring.

Additionally, with White back, we have the potential for some better defensive upside.

I wonder why they were aggressive?

Two words:

KELDON JOHNSON

He has that TOUGHNESS AND FIRE. It rubs off on everybody.

[Dex]

Good start against a bad team. Need to keep it going.

Love the lineups, and can't wait for White to get back.

We may have something brewing here. :hungry:

[Mr. Body]

They were missing one of their best players, but then so were the Spurs.

[playblair]

someone here plz call into the spurs post game show plz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0jV_Mhge1c

[Mr. Body]

Good start against a bad team. Need to keep it going.


Memphis isn't a bad team.

[Blackhaus]

Youngins looked good and Pops rotations we’re spot on. Need to sure up the handles when closing out the game but pretty happy otherwise

[Dejounte]

Why not have White come off the bench if this is the Murray and Lonnie we're going to have?

He'd be the Manu of the bench.

48 minutes of insane guard play.

[BillMc]

Victory!

[kht]

No playing time for Lyles? Provided good energy and hustle last year.

[offset formation]

Getting a road win and leading the league in scoring :wow

But ppl keep telling me LMA slows the game down and is a ball hog. How does that happen?

[tonight...you]

I wonder why they were aggressive?

Two words:

KELDON JOHNSON

He has that TOUGHNESS AND FIRE. It rubs off on everybody.
True. He has that I'mma-Do-What-I-Damn-Well-Will-Do thing going on and it's wonderful.
Very Manu-Like.

He has the essence of Greatness about him. Let's hope his talent can catch up.

[John B]

I wonder why they were aggressive?

Two words:

KELDON JOHNSON

He has that TOUGHNESS AND FIRE. It rubs off on everybody.

True.. He brings so much energy and makes a big difference..
But Vassell was too passive tonight. Maybe just 1st game jitters

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341949160803741696?s=19

[Mugen]

Derrick coming back to take Patty and Rudy's minutes :corn:

[John B]

No playing time for Lyles? Provided good energy and hustle last year.
He didn't show anything in the pre-season.. slow, unathletic, no energy

[spurraider21]

DDR’s steadying ball handling and facilitating was crucial today. Ultimately that’s the role White is going to have to inherit in the long run after this season

[Trill Clinton]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyrcaHoKcS0
https://www.thecoli.com/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/stylin.gif

[duncan2k5]

DeMar playing point guard and surrounding him with Aldridge and three other players from the youth movement looks like a really strong combination.

Fuck no...really good combination for what? Fighting for the 8th seed? There is no future in keeping DeMar and LMA...what have they done even while they were in the primes of their career to show they're worth it? Even then they were leading mediocre teams to playoff failures...now they're past prime we should keep them and build around them? Y'all are like abusive wives... thinking because today was a good day ur husband's won't beat the shit out of you again...they showed who they were these past couple seasons

[Mugen]

DDR’s steadying ball handling and facilitating was crucial today. Ultimately that’s the role White is going to have to inherit in the long run after this season

This.

[John B]

Derrick coming back to take Patty and Rudy's minutes :corn:
Patty played very well and gave some scoring sparks.. as long it's limited and there for a quick points.

This team will feed on defense and hassles

[jjspur]

Two young guys, two old guys and one in bbtween ..... now that's a balanced starting five.

[Dejounte]

DDR’s steadying ball handling and facilitating was crucial today. Ultimately that’s the role White is going to have to inherit in the long run after this season

I've always said DeMar taking a backseat and being a facilitator will help us win a lot of games.

Damn, I should be a coach. I get everything right.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Some good stuff tonight.
But let's take things one game at a time.

[kht]

How long do you think Derrick White will be out for?

[SAGirl]

Watched on league pass. There’s a free promotion right now, though I don’t know until when, but just in case someone missed it, check it out in LP.

Good job by the team, very enjoyable game. Pop coached well and played the guys he needed to. Heavy minutes for Demar (who played well), Murray, Lonnie, Johnson (glad to see him back still playing aggressively) Vassell, and absolutely no Lyles!!!
I didn’t watch the preseason games but I gave to wonder yo what degree it was Lyles sinking the team plus Pop starting Rudy with LMA and Derozan

Anyways this was a well earned thrilling win. Morant for the Grizzlies put on a show but they really need Jaren JR. Clark is coming up from an injury and didn’t play well in preseason (boxscored it but he wasn’t good scoring or playing his typical game). GG

[Mugen]

Patty played very well and gave some scoring sparks.. as long it's limited and there for a quick points.

This team will feed on defense and hassles

I've got no qualms going with a 10man rotation and the old man going with the hot hand on any given night. But if Patty/Rudy continue to look okay these next several weeks, I'd be looking to move them for an asset (especially Gay).

[duncan2k5]

Getting a road win and leading the league in scoring :wow

There's no crowd... It's hardly a homecourt advantage

[Dex]

Memphis isn't a bad team.

Memphis isn't a good team either. They will be lucky if they are in the playoff hunt.

But it was still fun to watch the Spurs actually blow out a game. Seems like that didn't happen a lot last season.

[NASpurs]

There's no crowd... It's hardly a homecourt advantage

Taking what I said seriously after playing one game. :lol

[Atl Spur]

This is DeMar’s correct role; he played well and DID steady us on offense. GG DDR

[John B]

Murray with 6 rebs, 9 assists, 21 points.. That 9 assists is deceiving. I think Murray went aggressive to the basket, and did not go in to make the cute pass. The assists came when he was covered. Great game

[Mr. Body]

Memphis isn't a good team either. They will be lucky if they are in the playoff hunt.

They were literally in the playoff hunt three months ago. Just stop.

[KobesAchilles]

There's no crowd... It's hardly a homecourt advantage
Murray played well homie. Ain’t you happy about that at least?

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341952567727808513?s=19

Quote of the year

[RC_Drunkford]

Fuck no...really good combination for what? Fighting for the 8th seed? There is no future in keeping DeMar and LMA...what have they done even while they were in the primes of their career to show they're worth it? Even then they were leading mediocre teams to playoff failures...now they're past prime we should keep them and build around them? Y'all are like abusive wives... thinking because today was a good day ur husband's won't beat the shit out of you again...they showed who they were these past couple seasons

you are like this one guy who’s in love with a known slut who’s fuckin the whole hood but keep calling her phone Talking bout marriage

[mystargtr34]

Derrick coming back to take Patty and Rudy's minutes :corn:

Rudy aint that bad against bench units. I think When Derrick is back he takes Lonnies starting role and Mills and Lonnie are fighting for the backup minutes. You can go to a 10 man rotation if you want to play both Patty and Lonnie but seems a bit excessive.

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341951952708579330?s=19

ALL LOVE BABY

[r0drig0lac]

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341952567727808513?s=19

Quote of the year
the leader

[John B]

Spurs 1st in Western Conference.. :flag::flag:

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341953470849495041?s=19

https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1341951915492573186?s=19

https://twitter.com/HectorLedesmaTV/status/1341951401610641408?s=19

https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1341950015493836800?s=19

https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1341952440845955072?s=19

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341951633475969025?s=19

https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1341951563590479874?s=19

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341952307265736710?s=19

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341951386066571264?s=19

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341928057796485120?s=19

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341954261794648064?s=19

https://twitter.com/HectorLedesmaTV/status/1341954068458176515?s=19

[Dejounte]

I'm sad my vice president of the Keldon club, TheDrewShow, isn't here to celebrate with me Keldon's first game as a starter. :cry

[DAF86]

No playing time for Lyles? Provided good energy and hustle last year.

somebody ban this guy.

[Mr. Body]

We should trade Lyles for some Chik-Fil-A.

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/HectorLedesmaTV/status/1341954846073761792?s=19

The anti-Kawhi

https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1341955505523142657?s=19

[Trill Clinton]

No playing time for Lyles? Provided good energy and hustle last year.

Trey is that you?

[Dex]

They were literally in the playoff hunt three months ago. Just stop.

Last season isn't this season.

Time will tell.

[poopbox]

This is a game we lose last year cause Forbes and Marco would have let Greyson or Brooks go for 30

[Chomag]

Was fun watching the young fellas, but I just wish we could get rid of our dead weight somehow.

[Dejounte]

CJKm7EzgiO3

Love this photo.

[Sugus]

Was fun watching the young fellas, but I just wish we could get rid of our dead weight somehow.

Look at it this way: the more the Spurs are winning with their young guys playing heavy roles, the less likely they are to hold onto vets at the deadline. Today was a W for several reasons, tbh.

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/KSATRJ/status/1341956569261629441?s=19

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341956592586149888?s=19

Wow, we have a lot of player interviews tonight. That's unusual.

[Sugus]

I'm sad my vice president of the Keldon club, TheDrewShow, isn't here to celebrate with me Keldon's first game as a starter. :cry

Yo, is there a role available on the club? I thought I'd earned my stripes watching Keldon in Austin.... lol

Also, are you watching this At The Line postgame stream? Drew was on the comments section! I'd bet he's still lurking around here... Hey Drew...

[John B]

There goes Lyle's minutes :lol

[r0drig0lac]

Derozan could have been very good (almost superstar ofensive level) had he arrived in SAS two or three seasons earlier

[Mr. Body]

The love-in between the young guys has me confused. So different from nephew.

[Dejounte]

Yo, is there a role available on the club? I thought I'd earned my stripes watching Keldon in Austin.... lol

Also, are you watching this At The Line postgame stream? Drew was on the comments section! I'd bet he's still lurking around here... Hey Drew...

Wow... You caught a Drew sighting? Man, you must be the luckiest man in the universe.

You can be the Treasurer of the club...

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341957340782858245?s=19

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1341957104429637632?s=19
Again, another compliment for Keldon, the GAME CHANGER.

https://twitter.com/HectorLedesmaTV/status/1341958419457171457?s=19

[Uriel]

I genuinely believe the team underachieved last season, and Pop playing the wrong lineups was a leading reason for that underachievement. Last year's team should have made the playoffs, if not for Pop.

If Pop sticks to playing the right lineups this season, this team will not only make the playoffs, but may even snag a top 6 seed.

[Chomag]

The good play by the other young players overshadowed him but Vessel looking pretty decent for his first NBA game.

[PhantomDashCam]

Great win.
My (over)reactions:

- Dejounte’s most complete game in a long while. Out dueled JA in the 1st half, not sure he had even taken a quarter off him in there prior meetings.

- Lonnie’s first shot. Crazy as it sounds, when it goes in, he tends to play well.

- LA and his 1st Q defence. Gotta give more effort. Has been getting punked at the start of games through the pre season and now in the 1st game of reg. Season. Big reason for the initial deficit.

Bubble play is back baby!

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/HectorLedesmaTV/status/1341959503219200007?s=19

[SpurPadre]

It's still weird to see a Pop-era Spurs team giving up 119 points in regulation. Is it a sign that the D is still bad or more a sign of the times of how the current game is played?

[Sugus]

It's still weird to see a Pop-era Spurs team giving up 119 points in regulation. Is it a sign that the D is still bad or more a sign of the times of how the current game is played?

For sure a sign that times are changing, league-wide. At its core, it's just simple math... 10 years ago, players were shooting and making what, 30, 40 shots worth 2pt each? Now they're making about that amount, but worth 3pts. The weird thing would be scores staying under the 100's. I've grown desensitized to high-scoring games, they're not even a sign of good basketball anymore. Just the modern chuck-a-fest NBA.

[Dejounte]

DREW IS SPEAKING RIGHT NOW ON AT THE LINE !!! Sugus

OMG!! HE SOUNDS LIKE I THOUGHT HE WOULD LOL

[DAF86]

Aldridge and DeRozan still managed to have a negative +/-. Only 2 guys on the entire team. :lmao

[Sugus]

Wow... You caught a Drew sighting? Man, you must be the luckiest man in the universe.

You can be the Treasurer of the club...

I'll quote him directly, for your pleasure only: "FIVE WORDS or LESS? PASS @At The Line". Keeping his humor as usual :lol

I've never been good with money, tbh, but I'll take that... Keldon gonna make me a millionaire. :hungry:

[Sugus]

DREW IS SPEAKING RIGHT NOW ON AT THE LINE !!! Sugus

OMG!! HE SOUNDS LIKE I THOUGHT HE WOULD LOL

You got a clip¿? I was in the bathroom!!! SMDH

[Dejounte]

You got a clip¿? I was in the bathroom!!! SMDH

He's still on it right now conversing with them

[Dejounte]

He's trash talking on White... Classic Drew lmfao

[Sugus]

I'm really liking this At The Line podcast-show thing, tbh. Fills my post-Spurs game itches. I was cringing at the thought that no one was gonna call (who uses phones anymore, tbh?) but the public was really engaging, tonight at least. For anyone not watching, I'd recommend you tune in, they're on YouTube live right now and after every game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0jV_Mhge1c

[Dejounte]

You got a clip¿? I was in the bathroom!!! SMDH

Well, guess he's off now. I'm pretty sure the video will be uploaded after it's complete.

[Sugus]

He's still on it right now conversing with them

I caught it :lmao I love this guy

[SpurPadre]

For sure a sign that times are changing, league-wide. At its core, it's just simple math... 10 years ago, players were shooting and making what, 30, 40 shots worth 2pt each? Now they're making about that amount, but worth 3pts. The weird thing would be scores staying under the 100's. I've grown desensitized to high-scoring games, they're not even a sign of good basketball anymore. Just the modern chuck-a-fest NBA.

Yeah, true. On the other hand, if we still had Forbes, Morant would've dropped 60+ tonight and we'd have likely lost so we are much better off.

[Dejounte]

CJKpy9onrZR

[Mr. Body]

For sure a sign that times are changing, league-wide. At its core, it's just simple math... 10 years ago, players were shooting and making what, 30, 40 shots worth 2pt each? Now they're making about that amount, but worth 3pts. The weird thing would be scores staying under the 100's. I've grown desensitized to high-scoring games, they're not even a sign of good basketball anymore. Just the modern chuck-a-fest NBA.

It's not a chuck fest if so many shots are going in. People like you used to bitch that pros couldn't shoot. Now they can. You're still bitching.

[Sugus]

Yeah, true. On the other hand, if we still had Forbes, Morant would've dropped 60+ tonight and we'd have likely lost so we are much better off.

I still have flashbacks of literally EVERY SINGLE STARTING SG on the league getting 20+ on us, every single night. I remember that Phoenix game last season, Booker went OFF on MoFo Forbes. LaVine as well. Jamal Murray also. Harden as well...... The list goes on. So fucking glad he's off the team for good - what a nightmare having to root for that guy.

[Sugus]

It's not a chuck fest if so many shots are going in. People like you used to bitch that pros couldn't shoot. Now they can. You're still bitching.

Not at all, it wasn't a bitchin', just explaining to my guy Padre. It's just the way the game is played nowadays. Tbh, if I had anything to truly bitch about, it'd be the soft calls on offense and the leeway that shooters have in terms of creating contact - those are unarguably making the league a worse product. But the fact that now, every single player is a shooting threat, makes the game really entertaining.... When it's not turning into a chuckfest. I think we're a counter-strategy away from truly achieving balance - I predict a midrange comeback in a couple years, at the helm of some Shaq-esque dominant inside force, that combined with the hugely increased level of outside shooting, will make the NBA the most dynamic and versatile basketball product on Earth. Heard it here first, folks.

[Dejounte]

CJKtE0pMhdb

[duncan2k5]

Murray played well homie. Ain’t you happy about that at least?

Extremely! I've been saying he needs to focus on being aggressive looking to score... Everything will fall into place after that...he keeps overthinking trying to please pop, and stop DDR and LMA from pouting and that causes him to make silly mistakes or be passive some games where he takes less than 10 shots

[Dejounte]

CJKtxBTjd9j

[duncan2k5]

Aldridge and DeRozan still managed to have a negative +/-. Only 2 guys on the entire team. :lmao

They're fool's gold...we won in spite of them...they didn't contribute to the win...if Luka started in place of LMA and white played instead of DDR, we would have still won...by more even

[Mr. Body]

They're fool's gold...we won in spite of them...they didn't contribute to the win...if Luka started in place of LMA and white played instead of DDR, we would have still won...by more even

I'm beginning to love the bad takes on here. It's like performance art, people smearing shit all over themselves.

[Dejounte]

I'm beginning to love the bad takes on here. It's like performance art, people smearing shit all over themselves.

I've been saying all along. This fool doesn't even watch the games. He just comes on here to bitch. Every post he makes pretty much proves he doesn't watch any Spurs games.

[Sugus]

DREW IS SPEAKING RIGHT NOW ON AT THE LINE !!! Sugus

OMG!! HE SOUNDS LIKE I THOUGHT HE WOULD LOL

Video is already up on the page... Got any idea about what minute Drew came in? I want to rewatch it, for old time's sake :lol

[Dejounte]

Video is already up on the page... Got any idea about what minute Drew came in? I want to rewatch it, for old time's sake :lol

38:08

[Sugus]

38:08

LMAO I was listening off-screen at the start, must've missed that it was him... He said 6 words lol, what a guy. I'm officially on the DrewTrain now

E: "he got a big contract, CONGRATULATIONS *rapidly claps* :lmao

[SpurPadre]

Later down the road, I think it would be worth trying Tre Jones on Morant for at least a spell to see how he fares.

[Dejounte]

LMAO I was listening off-screen at the start, must've missed that it was him... He said 6 words lol, what a guy. I'm officially on the DrewTrain now

E: "he got a big contract, CONGRATULATIONS *rapidly claps* :lmao

Drew, if you're reading this: please start a podcast.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Wow, we were actually fun to watch out there. Love Vassell being part of the closing lineup :tu

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Trey Lyles deserves an A for staying on the bench.

[TDomination]

Loved the game, very entertaining to watch. The jerseys looked great as well, as good of start as we could have had to start the year!

[Fireball]

great game ... no Lyles is what i asked for and it happened. Aldridge will get better and all the young guys contributed enough so with ups and downs expected by each of them over the season we still look solid especially when White is back. Lonnies dunks were exciting. It was frustrating that nobody could stop Ja Morant in the second half but i guess with todays rules you cannot defend such a good point guard.

[Rocalcio]

It’s funny to see that Poeltl is one of the few guys shooting under 50% in this game.

[Shakril]

It’s funny to see that Poeltl is one of the few guys shooting under 50% in this game.

I take that everytime, when he does the other things as good as he did. But yeah normally he is around 60% or higher.

[Dex]

Loved the game, very entertaining to watch. The jerseys looked great as well, as good of start as we could have had to start the year!

I'm a little surprised that they started off with the Fiesta jerseys on the road, instead of debuting them at home with the new court (although I guess there won't be fans to see them).

Seems like the young guys are really excited about them, though...so maybe that was their call.

[Prime BEEF]

I'm a little surprised that they started off with the Fiesta jerseys on the road, instead of debuting them at home with the new court (although I guess there won't be fans to see them).

Seems like the young guys are really excited about them, though...so maybe that was their call.
The jerseys looked pretty good and didn’t look as much like the blazers as I thought they would

[Sugus]

I'm a little surprised that they started off with the Fiesta jerseys on the road, instead of debuting them at home with the new court (although I guess there won't be fans to see them).

Seems like the young guys are really excited about them, though...so maybe that was their call.

I'd bet that the young guys had input regarding the new jerseys and when to wear them. I'm sure they're just as excited as (some of) us to break the camo pattern... And the new j's look incredible on the court, really good contrast between the black and the colors jumping out. I'll be getting a #3 or #4, can't really decide who to go with...

Side question, is there any sort of rules in place for how many games can a team wear alternative jerseys? Could the Spurs hypothetically run the Fiesta uniforms for every single game? I imagine the answer is no, but what's the regulation on it?

[Dex]

I'd bet that the young guys had input regarding the new jerseys and when to wear them. I'm sure they're just as excited as (some of) us to break the camo pattern... And the new j's look incredible on the court, really good contrast between the black and the colors jumping out. I'll be getting a #3 or #4, can't really decide who to go with...

Side question, is there any sort of rules in place for how many games can a team wear alternative jerseys? Could the Spurs hypothetically run the Fiesta uniforms for every single game? I imagine the answer is no, but what's the regulation on it?

My understanding is that the home team gets to choose their uniform first. Then the road team gets to pick a uniform of opposing colors...i.e. you can't have two teams both wearing black.

I don't think there is a limit to how many times a team can wear a certain uniform, but I could be wrong.

[Sugus]

My understanding is that the home team gets to choose their uniform first. Then the road team gets to pick a uniform of opposing colors...i.e. you can't have two teams both wearing black.

I don't think there is a limit to how many times a team can wear a certain uniform, but I could be wrong.

Interesting - do you know how long in advance this choice is made? I presume it's not something the team just decides right before tipoff. And well, here's to hoping for a lot of Fiesta colored games, tbh.

[RC_Drunkford]

It's still weird to see a Pop-era Spurs team giving up 119 points in regulation. Is it a sign that the D is still bad or more a sign of the times of how the current game is played?

you gotta factor in that we are playing at a higher pace now, so there are a lot more possessions per game. I'd love to hold teams under 100 points, but we're one of the fastest teams in the NBA now, so the scored points will almost always be much higher

[GAustex]

I am no stat geek so with that is anyone holding opponents under 100?

[Sugus]

I am no stat geek so with that is anyone holding opponents under 100?

Let's have the most recent example possible: out of 12 separate games that took place yesterday (so 24 teams), only one team scored below 100: the Raptors, who got... 99. I think it's safe to say that the days of games ending in the 80's and 90's PPG are gone.

[EasyMoney]

9 teams yesterday scored 120 or more points. This is the new norm