Grades: Spurs at Lakers - Jan. 7, 2021

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/grades-san-antonio-spurs-los-angeles-lakers-game-8/

FTL, always and forever:smokin

[BillMc]

Thanks OP

[Dejounte]

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/lebron-james-of-the-los-angeles-lakers-shoots-the-ball-against-the-picture-id1230474249?s=2048x2048

[Dejounte]

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/lebron-james-of-the-los-angeles-lakers-handles-the-ball-against-the-picture-id1230473854?s=2048x2048

[Mr. Body]

Aldridge plays in the last tilt between them, Spurs would have won. Hope he can stay healthy.

The next several games should be much easier than they've been.

[BillMc]

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/lebron-james-of-the-los-angeles-lakers-shoots-the-ball-against-the-picture-id1230474249?s=2048x2048

Good photos bro! Thanks. :bobo

[John B]

Thanks for the grades Timvp. I would give each player another half point for beating the defending Champs in their home court. I cannot fault anybody really. Keldon's shots were just not going in, but the aggression was there, and he wisely did not force it. Everybody just looked focused. Our young guys feel they belong against the depending champs.. it's crazy. I think Spurs found their character and what it would take to win games. It's a matter of sticking to it, even when sometimes they find themselves down, they could hang their hat on what works. It's attacking the rim. Pushing the ball in transition. Closeouts, and protecting the 3's. Shooting the 3's when open. Pop is really doing a great job creating open 3's and our guys are letting them fly.

Great game.

[spurs10]

Thanks for the grades! Great game and we closed it much better. We're on a roll!

[Fireball]

Great game ... the Spurs were focused for 48 minutes ... Keldon is human and so he shows inconsistency like Dejounte two games ago.

LMA obviously still makes a difference. Hope he continues to play this way.

Thx for the grades!

[leo07251413]

Thanks for the grades LJ, luv ya!

I'm impressed with how poised DJ was in this game, you love to see it.

[siraulo23]

lets fking go, very impressed with DJ, playing defense again and being more comfortable with his offense/spots on the floor, lonnie showing some stuff too

awesome win, fun to watch

Rudy Gay, limited minutes, but nice lift off the bench, he couldnt have played any better.

And it was Aldridge's night

[tbdog]

DD missed some easy baskets at the end which I would notch him down a point. Overall good game.

[r0drig0lac]

except for the Jazz game (which seems to be an exception), these guys have been competing hard (and playing well) in every game, the team's ceiling (as like DJ, LW, DV and KJ) is positively unknown.

[jyra]

Thanks for putting the box scores in the article again.

[spurspl]

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/lebron-james-of-the-los-angeles-lakers-shoots-the-ball-against-the-picture-id1230474249?s=2048x2048

i thought that keldon is much smaller than lbj...

[sananspursfan21]

Great game, great grades. I don’t see this team losing again this season.

[Truth4sale$]

Great write up Timvp. Great game by the good guys overall. There was no stopping Lebron and Davis but the Spurs stopped every other Laker. This game showed the value of Aldridge amd the work he put on his 3pt shot. Great job by DeRozan and Murray with avoiding turnovers. They needed a near perfect game to beat the Lakers and did it.

[exstatic]

They jelly legged LeBron. He lost his legs about halfway thrust the 3rd, when he clanked 3-4 from the line. At that point, you can play one step back, and limit his driving angles.

Ran the Lakers into the ground.

[Dejounte]

They jelly legged LeBron. He lost his legs about halfway thrust the 3rd, when he clanked 3-4 from the line. At that point, you can play one step back, and limit his driving angles.

Ran the Lakers into the ground.

This is true. Usually when LeBron is mad things aren't going his way he would run everyone over to get to the basket. He didn't do that once last night. I'm glad he's getting older.

[Dejounte]

It's the same way Parker used to run everywhere on the court to tire the opposing star PG out. I loved seeing that back then. I don't remember any other teams ever employing that strategy.

[John B]

They jelly legged LeBron. He lost his legs about halfway thrust the 3rd, when he clanked 3-4 from the line. At that point, you can play one step back, and limit his driving angles.

Ran the Lakers into the ground.
Yup those two missed free throws show his legs were gone. Not surprisingly, he himself fouled DJ to wave the white flag with I thought was still plenty of time. But the team playing again the following day idk.

[Leetonidas]

Vassell has some pretty impressive instincts on D for sure. That play where he got beat by, was it Schroder? where he wrapped the pass around to Davis in the paint and Vassell perfectly anticipated it and stole it preventing an easy dunk was a thing of beauty tbh

[Dejounte]

Vassell has some pretty impressive instincts on D for sure. That play where he got beat by, was it Schroder? where he wrapped the pass around to Davis in the paint and Vassell perfectly anticipated it and stole it preventing an easy dunk was a thing of beauty tbh

He literally has premonition. A sign of high bball IQ. He's like Nephew in that regard.

[Dejounte]

Lonnie unlocking his mid-range last night makes him a 3-level scorer. As long he keeps a healthy balance between all 3 (close 2s, mid-range, and 3s) and doesn't fall in love with any single one, then he's a championship level starter who other teams HATE because he can hit those big shots when the top options pass out. As far as stardom goes, he would need to get more touches + be more efficient. I hope we can lock him up to a DJ-sized contract.

Speaking of DJ, if he maintains his finishing ability throughout the season it would make him elite among NBA guards. TP3 was a league anamoly throughout his career always being the only guard at the top of that statistic (close 2 field goal percentage), I believe. I think this is no coincidence that the Spurs drafted him with this purpose in mind, the system has relied on great finishers at the rim from our core guards in the past.

[MultiTroll]

This is true. Usually when LeBron is mad things aren't going his way he would run everyone over to get to the basket. He didn't do that once last night. I'm glad he's getting older.
Hmmn he still had some very stong moves to the hoop and scored.
Albeit a couple of those damn hooks freed him up.
James Worthy used to pull that shit constantly. LakerRef never stepping up to make the right call.

Nonetheless agree with y'all that he looked pooped his last 4 game minutes.

[MultiTroll]

Lonnie unlocking his mid-range last night makes him a 3-level scorer. As long he keeps a healthy balance between all 3 (close 2s, mid-range, and 3s) and doesn't fall in love with any single one, then he's a championship level starter who other teams HATE because he can hit those big shots when the top options pass out. As far as stardom goes, he would need to get more touches + be more efficient. I hope we can lock him up to a DJ-sized contract.

Speaking of DJ, if he maintains his finishing ability throughout the season it would make him elite among NBA guards. TP3 was a league anamoly throughout his career always being the only guard at the top of that statistic (close 2 field goal percentage), I believe. I think this is no coincidence that the Spurs drafted him with this purpose in mind, the system has relied on great finishers at the rim from our core guards in the past.
And the floor is so much more open without Bryn Forms as his backcourt mate and DD LMA in caveman super low IQ two man stand around shit.

Free DJ! Rather continue to free him.
Something came down this offseason. I say someone finally got to Popped.
Loving this correct use of players and strategy.

[MultiTroll]

https://www.spurstalk.com/grades-san-antonio-spurs-los-angeles-lakers-game-8/

FTL, always and forever:smokin
DJ deserves an A if not A+

I've gotten you a gift certificate here:

Colonic and Massage Spa Services and Training – formerly MIND BODY Center (colonicinstitute.com) (https://colonicinstitute.com/)

[D-Robinson 50 fan]

I really like Vassell. You can tell he has a pretty good basketball IQ. He moves pretty damn well off ball on offense and does a better job doubling/ hedge and recovering better than most of the veterans on this team on defense. He is a really good off ball defender just like has in school . When Derrick White comes back they have to find minutes for this guy.

the person I was most impressed with outside of Vessel was DJ. He played another good game back to back. He didn’t over help or gamble as much on defense like how he sometimes does and on offense he was aggressive but not overly aggressive which was good. He took care of the ball and didn’t take a lot of bad shots or pass up good shots. Hopefully he can keep this up. The way he has played the last couple of games is the reason the front office had faith in giving him that deal.

I still think the team can be better on defense but down the stretch they actually got a bit better on that side of the ball which is very encouraging. They have to do a better job on transition defense and guarding the 3 point line though.

[GreekSpursfan]

Good grades. We have some pretty high ceiling guys on the defensive side and this has always been Pop's MO and the right way of developing guys imo. Always start from the defensive side, build the right attitude and mentality there and then proceed to other end. Our main problem on the defensive end will be our interior defense because we dont have athletic bigs and some times that hurts us because we overcompensate there and leave wide open threes. We need White back to see if we really have something here or all this is fools gold and we should be focusing on tanking.

[KobesAchilles]

I was very impressed with Patty last night. I thought he should get an A+. He set up teammates all night long. His dribble penetration was a thing of beauty and that little set up move he did to create his only made 3 probably went unnoticed by people but it was beautiful. He faked like he was going to do the same move he did when he split the double team and scored, forcing the big man to get off balanced just a fraction before pulling up and hitting his 3. But his energy has been fantastic, his ball handling has improved so much and above all his decision making has finally matched his years in the league. Patty just looks confident going against any defense.

[r0drig0lac]

I was very impressed with Patty last night. I thought he should get an A+. He set up teammates all night long. His dribble penetration was a thing of beauty and that little set up move he did to create his only made 3 probably went unnoticed by people but it was beautiful. He faked like he was going to do the same move he did when he split the double team and scored, forcing the big man to get off balanced just a fraction before pulling up and hitting his 3. But his energy has been fantastic, his ball handling has improved so much and above all his decision making has finally matched his years in the league. Patty just looks confident going against any defense.

hope he drops 30 on Bryn Forbes

[Drom John]

Supposedly, the Warriors were offering #2 for Aldridge because LaMarcus plays well against Anthony Davis (and Nikola Jokic).

[exstatic]

Lonnie unlocking his mid-range last night makes him a 3-level scorer. As long he keeps a healthy balance between all 3 (close 2s, mid-range, and 3s) and doesn't fall in love with any single one, then he's a championship level starter who other teams HATE because he can hit those big shots when the top options pass out. As far as stardom goes, he would need to get more touches + be more efficient. I hope we can lock him up to a DJ-sized contract.

Speaking of DJ, if he maintains his finishing ability throughout the season it would make him elite among NBA guards. TP3 was a league anamoly throughout his career always being the only guard at the top of that statistic (close 2 field goal percentage), I believe. I think this is no coincidence that the Spurs drafted him with this purpose in mind, the system has relied on great finishers at the rim from our core guards in the past.

You can see Parker’s stamp on him, and not just finishing. He also has a knack for moving left to get off his mid range jumper. Does it all the time.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

When the vets are dialed in, and our young guys are playing with the spunk and vigor, this team is going to be hard to beat. We took out the two teams that are penciled in to be the best in the league in consecutive games. I think we're in good shape for the future.

And there's an obvious difference in this team having LMA playing at a high level. We were a different team against LA. We didn't look outsized or overmatched at all.

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/bouncepassos/status/1347580590414057473

[r0drig0lac]

https://twitter.com/bouncepassos/status/1347580590414057473

is definitely not sustainable (and this is coming from one of the only real Murray fans on this forum), or it would be a legendary feat

[Sugus]

Lonnie unlocking his mid-range last night makes him a 3-level scorer. As long he keeps a healthy balance between all 3 (close 2s, mid-range, and 3s) and doesn't fall in love with any single one, then he's a championship level starter who other teams HATE because he can hit those big shots when the top options pass out. As far as stardom goes, he would need to get more touches + be more efficient. I hope we can lock him up to a DJ-sized contract.

Speaking of DJ, if he maintains his finishing ability throughout the season it would make him elite among NBA guards. TP3 was a league anamoly throughout his career always being the only guard at the top of that statistic (close 2 field goal percentage), I believe. I think this is no coincidence that the Spurs drafted him with this purpose in mind, the system has relied on great finishers at the rim from our core guards in the past.

Lonnie talk :hungry:

He was great last night... And the funny thing is, he's always had that midrange in his bag. He's a pure jump-shooter at every level, you don't see that kind of easy stroke often. Even during his G-League days, he was knocking down those shots; looks like it's all a matter of confidence and "feeling of belonging" with him. The fact that he was shooting in the face of AD and the defending champs, is a great sign - putting him in a starting position has clearly done wonders for his game and confidence, he hardly looks like the Lonnie of last season (well, still hasn't looked like Rockets Lonnie, but that was a career night anyways).

It's come to the point where I wonder what role would be best for White when coming back. I was adamant about getting him back in the SL before, but seeing the groove this team is playing with, we might seriously be better off just having him run the bench and dictate things from there. He can play and feed Poeltl, take a lot of shots for himself, and most importantly, play a lower amount of minutes, which helps keep up his body. It's clear that the SL needs not another ball-handler like White, but a pure shooter like Lonnie, to provide spacing and shot opportunities for the creators in DDR and DJ.

It's amazing that we might now have too many possible good lineups, when only a year ago we almost couldn't feature a net-positive lineup without a defensive sieve being on the floor. The roster wasn't overhauled this off-season, but the changes made were absolutely key. I think a major reason that the team is playing so well and engaged, is that everyone can be really held accountable and brings on the energy. Last season, we would've closed yesterday's game playing F*rbes for spacing, and LBJ would've chased him down and closed the game shooting over him. Night and day difference, tbh.

Totally agree on DJ as well. Seeing even the mighty ST tides finally begin to turn on him is a wondrous thing :lol, and shows how much he's evolved as a player.

[Dex]

4-4 after having the toughest Strength of Schedule (according to https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other and http://powerrankingsguru.com/nba/strength-of-schedule.php) isn't too bad for this young team.

Letting that Utah game get so out of hand is really the only disappointment so far.

[NASpurs]

4-4 after having the toughest Strength of Schedule (according to https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other and http://powerrankingsguru.com/nba/strength-of-schedule.php) isn't too bad for this young team.

Letting that Utah game get so out of hand is really the only disappointment so far.

And without LMA and White for a majority of those games.

[Dejounte]

Clip #1

https://i.ibb.co/DKdC0kh/VID-20210108-123256.gif

Clip #2

https://i.ibb.co/JHXkxYC/VID-20210108-123239.gif

Clip #3

https://i.ibb.co/BC15yWh/VID-20210108-123225.gif

Clip #4

https://i.ibb.co/hZ2Djj7/VID-20210108-123211.gif

I looked at all of LeBron's field goals from last night.

Interestingly:

-There was only four of his 15 field goal attempts where Keldon covered LeBron. That's what I have in the four clips above. I looked at his other attempts to make sure it wasn't a product of Keldon switching off LeBron due to a broken rotation and/or LeBron blew by Keldon, but I didn't see that at all for the other attempts. Chinook (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=37557)
-On many of LeBron's assists, it was when he was being covered by Keldon. Was he fearing Keldon would get the better of him and made a pass to get bailed out?
-LeBron caught Keldon out of position in clip #1.
-Rudy Gay actually did a good job covering LeBron last night.

Overall, I wouldn't look at this night as a negative for Keldon even though LeBron made those shots. LeBron is a rare high IQ player who knows when to pass it out when he has a good defender on him.

[Seventyniner]

Patty only hit one three, but he got fouled on another and hit all 3 free throws. That should count imo, meaning he has 2+ threes in every game.

[Mr. Body]

Supposedly, the Warriors were offering #2 for Aldridge because LaMarcus plays well against Anthony Davis (and Nikola Jokic).

This never happened.

[SPURSCHAMP]

Clip #1

https://i.ibb.co/DKdC0kh/VID-20210108-123256.gif

Clip #2

https://i.ibb.co/JHXkxYC/VID-20210108-123239.gif

Clip #3

https://i.ibb.co/BC15yWh/VID-20210108-123225.gif

Clip #4

https://i.ibb.co/hZ2Djj7/VID-20210108-123211.gif

I looked at all of LeBron's field goals from last night.

Interestingly:

-There was only four of his 15 field goal attempts where Keldon covered LeBron. That's what I have in the four clips above. I looked at his other attempts to make sure it wasn't a product of Keldon switching off LeBron due to a broken rotation and/or LeBron blew by Keldon, but I didn't see that at all for the other attempts. Chinook (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=37557)
-On many of LeBron's assists, it was when he was being covered by Keldon. Was he fearing Keldon would get the better of him and made a pass to get bailed out?
-LeBron caught Keldon out of position in clip #1.
-Rudy Gay actually did a good job covering LeBron last night.

Overall, I wouldn't look at this night as a negative for Keldon even though LeBron made those shots. LeBron is a rare high IQ player who knows when to pass it out when he has a good defender on him.

Lebron went to the line many times as well which wouldn't count as FGA. You'd need to take a look at his FTA and see if Keldon was the primary defender on those as well. Just from eye-test yesterday, it seemed to me like Keldon wasn't able to hold his own and Gay was the better defender, but then again its Lebron.

[Dejounte]

Lebron went to the line many times as well which wouldn't count as FGA. You'd need to take a look at his FTA and see if Keldon was the primary defender on those as well. Just from eye-test yesterday, it seemed to me like Keldon wasn't able to hold his own and Gay was the better defender, but then again its Lebron.

Good point. I just looked and here is what I found,

Spurs players responsible for fouling LeBron on the shot:

Keldon - 2FT
DeRozan - 2FT
Gay - 2FT
Gay - 2FT
Vassell - 2FT
Poetl - 1FT (and 1)

I'll post that one additional clip of Keldon fouling LeBron on the shot shortly.

[r0drig0lac]

Lebron went to the line many times as well which wouldn't count as FGA. You'd need to take a look at his FTA and see if Keldon was the primary defender on those as well. Just from eye-test yesterday, it seemed to me like Keldon wasn't able to hold his own and Gay was the better defender, but then again its Lebron.
he has the ideal biotype to go against Lebron, Kawhi and Giannis of the world, he often seems to hinder these guys just by being there (when relatively well physically)

[Dejounte]

Here's the one time Keldon was responsible for LeBron getting to the line:

https://ibb.co/VCcWSjFhttps://i.ibb.co/DMHDCVB/VID-20210108-140207.gif

I looked at the other FTA's and confirm that Keldon was not on the floor during those times.
SPURSCHAMP

[Sugus]

he has the ideal biotype to go against Lebron, Kawhi and Giannis of the world, he often seems to hinder these guys just by being there (when relatively well physically)

I haven't looked up the modern measurements, but isn't Rudy a bit taller and also longer than Keldon? He's the perfect modern 4 tbh, pity that he's gotten so old, because a younger Rudy (better coached into a better player than he was in his prime) could've been extremely useful to our core.

It all boils down to the simple fact that Keldon is not a PF. He's a SF first and foremost, and can slide to the 4 when needed (and do a surprisingly great job at it, even against stars like Zion or Siakam), but the Spurs shouldn't rely on him to play PF consistently or long-term. He's not really fit for it, and his offensive game suffers as a result of the wearing down. I don't doubt that we'll see Keldon's offensive game bounce back once he's matched up with SFs instead of strong, physical PFs.

[Dex]

Here's the one time Keldon was responsible for LeBron getting to the line:

https://ibb.co/VCcWSjFhttps://i.ibb.co/DMHDCVB/VID-20210108-140207.gif

I looked at the other FTA's and confirm that Keldon was not on the floor during those times.
SPURSCHAMP

Typical LeBron bias. Let me just barrel right into my defender because I am bigger and stronger, and I get two free throws.

[Chinook]

Clip #1

https://i.ibb.co/DKdC0kh/VID-20210108-123256.gif

Clip #2

https://i.ibb.co/JHXkxYC/VID-20210108-123239.gif

Clip #3

https://i.ibb.co/BC15yWh/VID-20210108-123225.gif

Clip #4

https://i.ibb.co/hZ2Djj7/VID-20210108-123211.gif

I looked at all of LeBron's field goals from last night.

Interestingly:

-There was only four of his 15 field goal attempts where Keldon covered LeBron. That's what I have in the four clips above. I looked at his other attempts to make sure it wasn't a product of Keldon switching off LeBron due to a broken rotation and/or LeBron blew by Keldon, but I didn't see that at all for the other attempts. Chinook (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=37557)
-On many of LeBron's assists, it was when he was being covered by Keldon. Was he fearing Keldon would get the better of him and made a pass to get bailed out?
-LeBron caught Keldon out of position in clip #1.
-Rudy Gay actually did a good job covering LeBron last night.

Overall, I wouldn't look at this night as a negative for Keldon even though LeBron made those shots. LeBron is a rare high IQ player who knows when to pass it out when he has a good defender on him.

I don't think it was a negative night for Johnson. This is his first year as a rotation player. Not stopping Lebron isn't a strike against him. My complaint that started this was someone posting shooting stats and implying that was a good measure of Keldon playing great defense. Those stats don't really say a lot when they're cut that way, and folks tweeting them out without context pushes false narratives and takes away credit from other players who should also get recognition. Not to hate on Murray, but someone tried posting stats from last year suggesting he shut down a lot of guards, but players scored on him very well last year. That doesn't mean he's a horrible defender or anything, but if you can't be honest about who a guy is, you end up having to defend them against any little criticism because you've built up this unrealistic image of them you have to maintain.

I think Johnson deserves tons of credit for checking Williamson. I think he did a very good job on Siakam, but that dude is self-sabotaging right now on his own. I don't think he embarrassed himself against Lebron and Kawhi either. All in all, he's been a very solid option at PF that has allowed DMDR to stay fresh and Pop to not have to play Lyles. I have hopes that he'll be a very good two-way player. But he's not a shut-down guy and shouldn't be thought of as such.

I th

[Dejounte]

Don't worry, Chinook. I'm not drewshowing you by posting these as a way to passive aggressively respond to you or anyone else. These are informational posts only for fans to understand how well (or how bad) Johnson defends other players.

All in all, I'm just tired of reading uneducated posts around here from posters who pull shit out of their asses.

These posts can be used as evidence that can't be argued against.

[TimDunkem]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErPKigoXcAoOBu2?format=jpg&name=small

[Chinook]

I think SA gets the first game had they had this LMA then. The second game would've been weird since the Spurs had White too. But I do think LAL has more talent and probably would win if they were focus. Third game would've been the really interesting one, because by that point there'd be no secrets anymore. SA matches up with LAL better than one would assume given how meh Gasol is now. I doubt the Spurs could win a series, but they have the talent to make the Lakers sweat for six games if they're firing on all cylinders, and that's the only team in the West that I'd be surprised if SA could beat them. I'm not favoring them over Denver or LAC or anything, but the conference is flawed AF right now.

[Slippy]

Lamarcus balling against lakers.. that shooting stroke was money from the clips game . Not too surprised it continued. He always the counter to AD.

Glad to see pop finish with him in the 4th but Lonnie who i thought was quietly having his best game.. never got to see the court in the 4th. Thats 2 games in a row now.. hope rhe old man doesnt have his mind made up. Lonnie aint no Bryn Forbes

[Sugus]

Lamarcus balling against lakers.. that shooting stroke was money from the clips game . Not too surprised it continued. He always the counter to AD.

Glad to see pop finish with him in the 4th but Lonnie who i thought was quietly having his best game.. never got to see the court in the 4th. Thats 2 games in a row now.. hope rhe old man doesnt have his mind made up. Lonnie aint no Bryn Forbes

I thought I saw him get bruised up by AD (was it?) and not come into the court afterwards. Since there was no report or news about it, I presume it was just cautionary - definitely a trend to follow, though. The team needs Lonnie (and every young guy, tbh) to be closing games, making mistakes now, learning for the future.

[Mugen]

Lamarcus balling against lakers.. that shooting stroke was money from the clips game . Not too surprised it continued. He always the counter to AD.

Glad to see pop finish with him in the 4th but Lonnie who i thought was quietly having his best game.. never got to see the court in the 4th. Thats 2 games in a row now.. hope rhe old man doesnt have his mind made up. Lonnie aint no Bryn Forbes

That's true, Bryn was closing games :lol

[ezau]

he has the ideal biotype to go against Lebron, Kawhi and Giannis of the world, he often seems to hinder these guys just by being there (when relatively well physically)

Rudy is deceptively long and strong. Lebron and Kawhi seem to get bothered by his length.

[wildbill2u]

This team is built to run other teams into the ground by the 4th quarter. Lots of guards and tweeners who can play defense and get the ball out in transition to run. That may be their best advantage against teams that are led by only longtime vet superstars. Young guys love to run and we should send them in waves against the opposition.

[pad300]

Rudy is deceptively long and strong. Lebron and Kawhi seem to get bothered by his length.

He measured the same (7'3") wingspan as Kawhi... He also weighed in at 222 lbs at the NBA combine, and has gotten heavier since.

[Slippy]

That's true, Bryn was closing games :lol

Ya no joke... lol if i was Loninie I'd be concerned the old man cant remember this fact

[Fusternino]

Pretty sure Rudy has a 9' standing reach.

[Thomas82]

Supposedly, the Warriors were offering #2 for Aldridge because LaMarcus plays well against Anthony Davis (and Nikola Jokic).

I heard so many stories about this that I don't know what to believe.

[Slippy]

I thought I saw him get bruised up by AD (was it?) and not come into the court afterwards. Since there was no report or news about it, I presume it was just cautionary - definitely a trend to follow, though. The team needs Lonnie (and every young guy, tbh) to be closing games, making mistakes now, learning for the future.

Missed that but knowing Pops coaching habbits .im not so sure... agree in game experience is the way to go and Lonnie was playing well enough to warrant some mins in the 4th. Dont care if he finished.