Game Thread: Spurs vs. Kings - Wed. 3/31/2021 - 7:30pm CST

[PhantomDashCam]

With four home games remaining on this current stand, Spurs will try to get even with Sac-town in this second meeting of their season series.

According to the AP initial reports:

INJURIES: Spurs: Gorgui Dieng: Available, Lonnie Walker IV: out (wrist), Keita Bates-Diop: out (hamstring), Trey Lyles: out (Ankle Sprain)

Kings: Jahmi’us Ramsey: out (hamstring), Marvin Bagley III: out (hand), Hassan Whiteside: day to day (knee).


Some things to look for:

- P n'R Defense

From DJ's most recent presser, Spurs were upset at the looks given to the Kings by the exciting playmaking duo of Fox and Haliburton.
Seemingly penetrating into the paint at will, what adjustments will be made to mitigate this tandems impact on key stretches of the game?

- Spacing and the Threat of a 3

With seemingly only one knockdown three point threat in the starting lineup (D White at a paltry 33.9% - though this number is climbing...), Spurs may look at a lineup change at some point to offset the offensive struggles this team is having in the half court.
DDR and Poeltl appear to be entrenched in the starting lineup (by reputation, play and necessity), could we perhaps see either KJ, White or DJ find their way to the the bench either at the beginning of the game or to start the second half?
KJ seems the most likely though who would it be for Gay or (dare I say it; GULP) Samanich?

Sham makes a lot of sense to occupy a Matt Bonner pseudo starter role (six minutes for each half, perhaps more depending on play?) and would not significantly impact PT for any of the Spurs key reserves.

- 48 minutes of effort

Been a while since we have seen this team put together a 4 quarter performance. There has been stretches of decent play during this home stand but not nearly enough for a playoff aspirational team to end up with the W.
If the effort is solidly consistently until the final buzzer, we can live with the results.

Let's get this.

:makemyday

E: Injury report updated. Thanks ace3g!
E2: U/D info on injury status of Lyles (Ankle injury) and LWIV (Wrist).

[RC_Drunkford]

Kings by 10

[Leetonidas]

Weird that got Lyles got a DNP-CD before the game has even started :lol

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1102648018782879746/dzWYu940_normal.jpg
Noah Magaro-George @N_Magaro
(https://twitter.com/N_Magaro) 1m (https://twitter.com/N_Magaro/status/1377310894691127301)
Lonnie Walker IV has been downgraded to out for the Kings game tonight. (Per Spurs PR)

[BillMc]

Weird that got Lyles got a DNP-CD before the game has even started :lol

Yeah. Discipline issues maybe?

[SpursDynasty85]

Weird that got Lyles got a DNP-CD before the game has even started :lol

They are saying he sprained his ankle in practice here:

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/spurs-trey-lyles-wont-play-wednesday/

[LeBowen]

Hopefully another L.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't want Spurs to win a single game until Pop gets over himself.

Patty = Should be banned from taking more than one dribble.

Rudy = Same. Either catch and shoot or post up, but only if there's a midget guard on him. And unless he starts off hot, Luka must get his minutes.

Demar = If he gets abused on defense again and isn't having an amazing offensive game, he also needs to be benched.

This simply has to stop. We're literally at the point where wins with current rotations are doing more harm than good in the long run.

[spurs1990]

We need DeMar DeRozan to be our superstar to win tonight. He's our franchise player and if he shows up tonight I think Spurs will win. I'm talking 30 point outing.

[Robz4000]

We need DeMar DeRozan to be our superstar to win tonight. He's our franchise player and if he shows up tonight I think Spurs will win. I'm talking 30 point outing.

DePression could score 50 and the Spurs still wouldn't win because he gave up 60 to whoever he guarded on the opposing end.

[crc21209]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1102648018782879746/dzWYu940_normal.jpg
Noah Magaro-George @N_Magaro
(https://twitter.com/N_Magaro) 1m (https://twitter.com/N_Magaro/status/1377310894691127301)
Lonnie Walker IV has been downgraded to out for the Kings game tonight. (Per Spurs PR)

Kind of a depressing thing to see because the Spurs need another playmaker and shooter out there right now...

[GreekSpursfan]

On paper Kings have more talent than us and they should win this game but they won't.

[cd98]

On paper Kings have more talent than us and they should win this game but they won't.

The Kings have been in the lottery for 13 straight years. They should have more talent given how long and where they were drafting. The fact that we have a better record is an insult to their front office and they do not deserve anymore lottery picks until the Spurs get a few.

[Robz4000]

Coming into this two-game series against the Kings I thought the Spurs would go 1-1, but after seeing how helpless the Spurs were against their offense and considering how hot the Kings are right now I've lost confidence in them taking one. Kings win by double digits.

[itzsoweezee]

Will the Spurs terrible recent performance finally lead to popovich starting a lineup that can compete in the modern NBA? Given his insistence to start Forbes the entire year last year I’m guessing the answer is a resounding NO

[mo7888]

Will the Spurs terrible recent performance finally lead to popovich starting a lineup that can compete in the modern NBA? Given his insistence to start Forbes the entire year last year I’m guessing the answer is a resounding NO

Agreed.... the answer is No...

[RC_Drunkford]

Will the Spurs terrible recent performance finally lead to popovich starting a lineup that can compete in the modern NBA? Given his insistence to start Forbes the entire year last year I’m guessing the answer is a resounding NO

will there be another global catastrophy that shuts down the NBA for a few months? If not the answer is no, cause that's what it took to bench Forbes

[Mugen]

I wonder if the old man will start with Derozan on Halliburton again considering how many times Demar got blown by with ease last game :lol

[PhantomDashCam]

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1376750221540126720?s=20

Fair to say, we got worse... 2 weeks ago.

Time to bounce back.

[TD 21]

On paper Kings have more talent than us and they should win this game but they won't.

The Bagley III injury was a blessing in disguise because it allowed them to play their best lineup significantly more without worrying about politics.

Their trade deadline moves were sensible too, giving them a more wing heavy rotation.

[Arcadian]

I'm going to hazard a guess that this isn't going to go well for the Spurs

[spurs1990]

The Kings have been in the lottery for 13 straight years. They should have more talent given how long and where they were drafting. The fact that we have a better record is an insult to their front office and they do not deserve anymore lottery picks until the Spurs get a few.

Bagley over Doncic or Young will haunt for years and years to come.

[Seventyniner]

Bagley over Doncic or Young will haunt for years and years to come.

Not quite on the level of Bowie over Jordan or Oden over Durant, but yeah Bagley was a huge whiff.

[Leetonidas]

Wilt Dieng will be our savior ��

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1069403041940602880/Bb1X4Bjr_normal.jpg
Tom Petrini realTomPetrini
(https://twitter.com/RealTomPetrini) 59s (https://twitter.com/RealTomPetrini/status/1377391594769244164)
Pop says he expects Gorgui Dieng to get his feet wet tonight


https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1282834702928359426/54njLVVi_normal.jpg
Paul Garcia pAulGarciaNBA
(https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA) 1m (https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1377391702206390272)
"I expect him to get his feet wet," says Coach Pop of Gorgui Dieng playing today. "He's a quick learner, so we'll see what happens."

[exstatic]

On paper Kings have more talent than us and they should win this game but they won't.

That would be true many nights with Sacto. They are what the Spurs would be if ST ran the team. Young talented guys running around doing whatever, because they are given minutes, instead of earning them. They remind me a lot of the early 2000s GS teams. They gave us fits, and I’m talking Duncan teams, because they just played fast, and chucked up a lot of shots. Didn’t make the playoffs much.

[Robz4000]

That would be true many nights with Sacto. They are what the Spurs would be if ST ran the team. Young talented guys running around doing whatever, because they are given minutes, instead of earning them. They remind me a lot of the early 2000s GS teams. They gave us fits, and I’m talking Duncan teams, because they just played fast, and chucked up a lot of shots. Didn’t make the playoffs much.

The early 00s Kings were great tbh; should've won the title in 02. Only reason they aren't remembered more favorably is because they existed when the Spurs and Lakers ran the league.

[Dejounte]

No more Eubanks is a great thing. So is no more Rudy Gay at center. Well, assuming Dieng gets his rotations correctly tonight (doubt)

[SpursDynasty85]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1069403041940602880/Bb1X4Bjr_normal.jpg
Tom Petrini (https://twitter.com/RealTomPetrini)real (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=6855)TomPetrini
59s (https://twitter.com/RealTomPetrini/status/1377391594769244164)
Pop says he expects Gorgui Dieng to get his feet wet tonight


https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1282834702928359426/54njLVVi_normal.jpg
Paul Garcia (https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA)pAu (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=44691)lGarciaNBA
1m (https://twitter.com/PaulGarciaNBA/status/1377391702206390272)
"I expect him to get his feet wet," says Coach Pop of Gorgui Dieng playing today. "He's a quick learner, so we'll see what happens."

:hungry::hungry::hungry:

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/Abrjsdad/status/1377401985419239424

[timvp]

Dieng's trebuchet shooting stroke is oddly satisfying.

[poopbox]

Pop making it seem like Dieng might not play enough because our offensive and defensive sets are so complicated :lmao

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex2K0JGXIAIZskG?format=jpg&name=large

[PhantomDashCam]

Dieng's trebuchet shooting stroke is oddly satisfying.

Think LMA could close out on that delivery...Too soon? :lol

[NASpurs]

Pop making it seem like Dieng might not play enough because our offensive and defensive sets are so complicated :lmao

Patty and Gay chucking while DeMar isos on offense while on defense, just pack it in and leave three point shooters open.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1377415876119568387

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex2PaHjWgAEm0nk?format=jpg&name=large

via Spurs twitter

[Dverde]

Sad times when Gorgui Dieng is seen as the savior :lol

[Mugen]

I'm ready to be in a bad mood for the next 2.5 hrs. Go Spurs Go!

[GAustex]

Through the years I wondered why Dieng did not play more for teams he was on

[Ice009]

Seems like Pop is a try and fit a square peg into a round hole type of guy. Same starting line-up again. This guy is adverse to change. Hopefully it works out tonight as the Spurs need a win.

[tim_duncan_fan]

I don't know why we aren't a running team. We are terrible in the half-court.

[Dejounte]

Playoff intensity

[ace3g]

I guess Dejounte means business tonight.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex2V7N1XEAAEYPK?format=jpg&name=large

[Mugen]

Weird what happens when they're a run and gun team and not having to slow it down to run the old man's bullshit hammer plays for Patty or isos for Derozan

[Dejounte]

Holy shit what a fun game to watch

[spurs1990]

entertaining Spurs basketball!

[Robz4000]

Boban!

[Ice009]

Man, what happened to White? He looks terrible. He can't hit the broad side of a barn most games. He's finally being aggressive and now at least shooting the ball more, but darn, he seems to have gone Danny Green icy hot cycle (more icy than hot). :(

[timvp]

Where'd that Murray dunk come from, tbh? :lol

Keldon with the bow-and-arrow celebration after the three...

[Dejounte]

Man, what happened to White? He looks terrible. He can't hit the broad side of a barn most games. He's finally being aggressive and now at least shooting the ball more, but darn, he seems to have gone Danny Green icy hot cycle (more icy than hot). :(

People read too much into missed shots. They'll go in eventually. The main thing is he's getting those looks and active off the ball.

[RC_Drunkford]

Good to see the team coming out with a sense of urgency. Key will be if Mills and Gay can hit shots or if they are shooting us out of the game again

[Robz4000]

:lmao Keldon

[Mugen]

:lol Need Lonnie's 3pt shooting back ASAP

[duncan2k5]

We need to get Derozan the fuck outta here

[poopbox]

Here come Gay and Patty :cry

[Sugus]

:lol Spurs at their best when DeRozan disappears on offense

But those 20ppg would be sooo hard to replace...

[Robz4000]

Spurs playing with a lot of energy, but it feels undirected and wasteful.

[BlackAndWhite]

Not enough practice

[poopbox]

Demar and full blown I'm shooting at the rim until I get a foul call mode

[Robz4000]

Good to see the Spurs taking and making a lot of threes though. Just hope it's sustainable through the whole game, otherwise it'll be like last game all over.

[spurs1990]

DeRozan is doing a bang up job passing

[Dejounte]

Dieng moving so much better than Aldridge ever did :lmao :lmao

[RC_Drunkford]

DeRozan is stinking it up on offense, but he created a lot of open looks. 6 assists already

[ace3g]

It's Dieng time

[poopbox]

Metu :cry

[Robz4000]

Welp, Dieng hurt

[Dejounte]

Our boy Dieng already injured :lmao :lmao

[Robz4000]

:lmao DePression

[poopbox]

What a bullshit call

[Darius Bieber]

Dieng looks lost out there.

[Sugus]

I already have a bad feeling about this game. Refs on their bullshit, and the Spurs on their bullshit too. Only up 6 against the Kings after one of the better 1st quarters you've had all season? Recipe for trouble. We'll see...

[PhantomDashCam]

You love to see the energy out of the blocks.

Eubanks is a top 3 Spur all time in bench celebrations. Fun stuff.

[RC_Drunkford]

DeRozan with his 2nd delay of game in 1 quarter. Completely unnecessary. In case anybody missed the first he threw the ball away previously when he scored in the lane

[ace3g]

Just like that ...

10:57 - 2nd


1
2
3
4
T


SAC
27
8


35


SA
33
2


35

[poopbox]

Our 3 point defense:lmao

[Robz4000]

Been a long time since I've seen a Kings team smarter than the Spurs.

[The Truth #6]

White looks lost.

[212094ever]

Don't like the Dieng signing tbh, hope he proves me wrong

[poopbox]

Rudy having an out of body experience

[duncan2k5]

Rudy having a flashback and Murray seems super engaged... Good so far

[Degoat]

Throw back Rudy sighting! Btw it’ll take Dieng awhile to get acclimated

[duncan2k5]

I think white needs to go to the bench and have Vassel start... That way he can be the PG off the bench and have Patty be off ball... He is struggling off ball as a starter

[Robz4000]

The dunk was nice but how do y'all stand there and flex and not run back on D? That's exactly what a losing team does tbh.

[timvp]

Dieng didn't do anything but spacing looked better for the bench unit :tu

[Dejounte]

Halliburton's going to be one of those players who is going to be annoying for a decade, isn't he? With his smug ass smile like Curry...

[GB20]

It looks like Deing went to the locker room.

[Darius Bieber]

Dieng already out injured after 3 minutes of play :lmao

[Dejounte]

Poeltl is looking nice on offense lately.

[Dex]

Poeltl just got the shooters roll :wow

[ace3g]

1:53 - 2nd


1
2
3
4
T


SAC
27
24


51


SA
33
32


65

[poopbox]

As much as Derozan is complaining he is getting fouled every time he goes to the rim but somehow they call it when harrison barnes just go the paint and throws his hands in the air

[Dejounte]

Fuck Metu for landing on Dieng's shoulder.

[timvp]

Hopefully a stinger for Dieng. Didn't look great, though.

[spurraider21]

Hopefully a stinger for Dieng. Didn't look great, though.
brutal. look at how he's turned the team around since he's gotten here.

[Sugus]

Poeltl is looking nice on offense lately.

Don't let RC_Drunkford see this :lol

[spurs1990]

Should be able to hold on to a 16 pt lead

[RC_Drunkford]

Don't let RC_Drunkford (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=53010) see this :lol

I‘m impressed at how consistent he is at scoring on the roll. Now if he can develop a back to the basket game, then we’re talking

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex2hia3XEAEHLT4?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex2hjcMXMAAgWNH?format=jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1377426480754483201/ury7kNYv_normal.jpg
Bally Sports San Antonio @BallySportsSA
(https://twitter.com/BallySportsSA) 3m (https://twitter.com/BallySportsSA/status/1377434962404708354)
Sorry Buddy https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f605.pnghttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f528.png #GoSpursGo (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoSpursGo)

[Ocotillo]

Should be able to hold on to a 16 pt lead
Oh man, jinx

[ace3g]

dang it.....


https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/915224345680658432/AmJzw4Pl_normal.jpg
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
(https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine) 1m (https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1377436674053922820)
The Spurs say newly signed Gorgui Dieng (right shoulder sprain) will not return to tonight's game against Sacramento.

[Robz4000]

:lol Dieng prolly out for the season a minute into his Spurs debut

[ace3g]

Bally already causing injuries

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1377426480754483201/ury7kNYv_400x400.jpg

[Dex]

Fuck beans.

[Dex]

This is why we can't have nice things.

[PhantomDashCam]

Spurs getting contributions from everybody tonight.

If they play with this level of effort and intensity, you can live with some of the deficiencies when things aren’t going their way.

#Full48

[Dex]

Did Metu really injure Dieng?

Dude is working his way into the worst draft pick the Spurs ever made.

[Sugus]

DJ's leap on offense this season is going absolutely under the radar, everywhere. He's become such a crafty finisher, it's night and day when looking back at his rookie season.

[RC_Drunkford]

Did Metu really injure Dieng?

Dude is working his way into the worst draft pick the Spurs ever made.

not really, Dieng created the contact to draw the foul and injured himself with it

[ace3g]

7:22 - 3rd


1
2
3
4
T


SAC
27
26
14

67


SA
33
36
19

88

[Dejounte]

10 missed field goals between both teams and Poeltl finally makes one

[BlackAndWhite]

Spurs got metooed

[ace3g]

TO out of a timeout...

[Dejounte]

Fuck basketball players like Hield

[BatManu20]

Aaaaand here comes the comeback.

[Robz4000]

Another humiliating loss on the way.

[ace3g]

Spurs took foot off the gas...

[BatManu20]

Stupid foul by Metu. Sacto had all the momentum.

[Kurgan]

Derozan heroballing the Kings back into the game

[PhantomDashCam]

ISO, ISO, ISO...so easy to defend. Pray for a DDR mid ranger, then run it down the other end.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Why, oh why, do we slowpoke the ball upcourt and let defenses set on every possession as if we are at all good enough to play the half court game? Just for the ball to touch exactly 2 pairs of hands and throw up a mid-range two anyway.

Infuriating.

[ace3g]

End of 3rd


1
2
3
4
T


SAC
27
26
29

82


SA
33
36
28

97

[Kurgan]

Seems like we can't ever hold a twenty point lead. Continuously taking our foot off the pedal every time.

[Dejounte]

Pop's had it with fucking Eubanks

[poopbox]

what a terrible shot by patty

[GB20]

Pop's had it with fucking Eubanks
The offense doesn’t look right with Eubanks out there. Pop thinks this is the 90,s .

[Dejounte]

The offense doesn’t look right with Eubanks out there. Pop thinks this is the 90,s .

Not only the offense but the constant mental errors by him

[poopbox]

Spurs dumbasses didn't challenge that obvious and 1 play

[poopbox]

Not only the offense but the constant mental errors by him

what do you expect out of a 3rd string center...

If he didn't make a bunch of mistakes he wouldn't be...a 3rd string center

[Dejounte]

what do you expect out of a 3rd string center...

If he didn't make a bunch of mistakes he wouldn't be...a 3rd string center

I don't expect much. But he is and was played as a second string center for a LOT of games this season.

[Dejounte]

Harkless is a fucking headcase.

[GB20]

what do you expect out of a 3rd string center...

If he didn't make a bunch of mistakes he wouldn't be...a 3rd string center
Fucking pop has more options with Luka to spread the floor.

[Uriel]

Man, Eubanks is one lucky dude. Gets to audition for backup center a little longer.

[Seventyniner]

Eubanks is a good 3rd string C but if he has to play 2nd string minutes, watch out.

[Sugus]

Fucking pop has more options with Luka to spread the floor.

Luka yet to see the court :lmao

Pop saying he earned his minutes then straight up DNP-ing him outside garbage time, which could literally be right now :lol

[RC_Drunkford]

Spurs dumbasses didn't challenge that obvious and 1 play

idiotic

[ace3g]

5:39 - 4th


1
2
3
4
T


SAC
27
26
29
12
94


SA
33
36
28
13
110

[Robz4000]

Hack-a-Poeltl time

[GB20]

Luka yet to see the court :lmao

Pop saying he earned his minutes then straight up DNP-ing him outside garbage time, which could literally be right now :lol
That was he did to Lonnie for the last three years and now walker doesn’t have any confidence. Pop broke Lonnie walker.

[ace3g]

Kings trying Hack a Poeltl?

[Robz4000]

:lmao Poeltl

[ace3g]

missed both...

[Leetonidas]

Lmao

[cd98]

Ouch

[BatManu20]

Jesus Poeltl ... back-to-back air ball FT’s smh

[PhantomDashCam]

B2b airballs? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that.

[212094ever]

:lmao Poodle

[spurs1990]

Our starting center folks Poetle

[Uriel]

Chip needs to spend the summer with Jakob.

[cd98]

Is it last two minutes you can’t intentionally foul like that?

[RC_Drunkford]

:lmao :lmao

[PhantomDashCam]

Chip needs to spend the summer with Jakob.

I don’t think that’s enough time...

[Sugus]

Lmfao Poeltl how can you shoot b2b airballs... This is an underrated aspect of the Dieng signing tbh, hope he isn't out for long/at all

[cd98]

Eubanks getting a max contract from Pistons this off-season.

[ace3g]

3:40 - 4th


1
2
3
4
T


SAC
27
26
29
16
98


SA
33
36
28
19
116

[spurs1990]

The bar for Poetle going forward will be no airballed FTs

[Thomas82]

will there be another global catastrophy that shuts down the NBA for a few months? If not the answer is no, cause that's what it took to bench Forbes

We were likely heading towards a top 5 pick last year before the pandemic shut everything down too.

[Sugus]

Damn, that was some fast penetration by Tre

[Uriel]

“The eye test tells me the Kings are just as good as this Spurs team.” - Kings announcer

[GB20]

I hope Luka plays bad defense and bad offense because that is the only way he can earn minutes.

[ace3g]

Final


1
2
3
4
T


SAC
27
26
29
24
106


SA
33
36
28
23
120




https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/sa.png&h=100&w=100Spurs



Starters
MIN
FG
3PT
FT
OREB
DREB
REB
AST
STL
BLK
TO
PF
+/-
PTS


D. DeRozan (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3978/demar-derozan)SF
33
12-20
0-0
2-2
2
3
5
7
0
1
4
1
+17
26


K. Johnson (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4395723/keldon-johnson)SF
26
5-10
1-3
0-0
0
5
5
1
0
0
1
0
+15
11


J. Poeltl (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3134908/jakob-poeltl)C
30
5-8
0-0
2-6
5
9
14
1
1
1
0
1
+13
12


D. White (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3078576/derrick-white)PG
31
5-17
2-8
6-9
0
6
6
3
1
0
0
2
+15
18


D. Murray (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3907497/dejounte-murray)PG
32
4-11
1-3
3-4
2
4
6
6
3
0
3
3
+21
12


Bench
MIN
FG
3PT
FT
OREB
DREB
REB
AST
STL
BLK
TO
PF
+/-
PTS


D. Eubanks (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3914285/drew-eubanks)PF
13
2-3
0-0
4-5
1
4
5
0
0
0
1
5
+3
8


L. Samanic (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4423309/luka-samanic)PF
3
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
-4
0


R. Gay (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3005/rudy-gay)SF
20
5-11
3-5
3-3
3
5
8
0
1
0
0
1
+1
16


G. Dieng (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2534781/gorgui-dieng)C
6
0-0
0-0
1-2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-2
1


P. Mills (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4004/patty-mills)PG
26
3-7
3-6
3-3
1
1
2
5
2
0
0
1
+2
12


T. Jones (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4395626/tre-jones)PG
3
1-2
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-4
2


Q. Weatherspoon (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3907358/quinndary-weatherspoon)SG
1
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-2
0


D. Vassell (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4395630/devin-vassell)SG
16
1-2
0-1
0-0
0
2
2
0
1
0
1
2
-3
2


C. Reynolds (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3057240/cameron-reynolds)G
2
0-1
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-2
0


T. Lyles (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3136196/trey-lyles)PF
DNP-COACH'S DECISION


TEAM

43-92
10-26
24-34
14
40
54
24
9
2
10
17

120




46.7%
38.5%
70.6%

[Blackhaus]

Any non pop suckers wanna sound off now?. Looks like he best coach made adjustments

[Sugus]

:pop: Luka earned all 3 of his minutes, and had a pretty decent outing, might be even 4 next time :pop:

[John B]

Great bounce back. I hope they keep hungry for tomorrow's game.

[Dejounte]

I hope Luka plays bad defense and bad offense because that is the only way he can earn minutes.

Just stop hoping he'll come out this season. Made it easier for me to watch these games without those expectations anymore.

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex2zWWzXAAAO--_?format=png&name=large

[RC_Drunkford]

Good win but the starters played too many minutes considering we had a 23 point lead and have a back to back tomorrow

[SpurPadre]

White and Murray shoot a combined 9-28 and yet still win by 14?! Weird fucking league...

[PhantomDashCam]

2 for 2 on GTs fellas. No tank commander here.

:smokin

[spurraider21]

its clear that Gorgui Dieng has changed the culture of this team overnight. hope the injury isn't serious

[Ice009]

:lmao :lmao

And people said to me it's too small of a sample size when i said earlier in the season that he can't shoot free throws to save his life, and that it is embarrassing he's getting that much money and he's worse than some of the worst ft shooters of all-time (a lot of those guys didn't get anywhere near what Poeltl is getting paid now). Yeah, give him more free throws and he'll regress to the mean alright (with two massive air-balls that aren't even close).

I was looking forward to Dieng being able to hit some shots & free throws out there. I hope he is not out too long :(.

[spurs10]

its clear that Gorgui Dieng has changed the culture of this team overnight. hope the injury isn't serious I didn't see it. What happened to him?

[BatManu20]

its clear that Gorgui Dieng has changed the culture of this team overnight. hope the injury isn't serious

Lol.

[tbdog]

It's one of the best team effort this season. Pop out coached Walton. Team matched king's energy and executed. They got a little lost in the 4th but pulled it together.

[Ice009]

Yeah, was a good win overall.

[heyheymymy]

Undefeated in the Dieng era

[Sugus]

And people said to me it's too small of a sample size when i said earlier in the season that he can't shoot free throws to save his life, and that it is embarrassing he's getting that much money and he's worse than some of the worst ft shooters of all-time (a lot of those guys didn't get anywhere near what Poeltl is getting paid now). Yeah, give him more free throws and he'll regress to the mean alright (with two massive air-balls that aren't even close).

I was looking forward to Dieng being able to hit some shots & free throws out there. I hope he is not out too long :(.

Poeltl is paid ridiculously well considering his production, minutes, age on contract and role on the team. Go look at other teams' starting C's salaries, then come back and tell me who's paid less than Jakob whilst being significantly better. He can't hit a FT to save his life and will probably have to do extensive work to get to even league average, but beyond that, he's excellent at defending the rim, deterring shots, deflecting passes and shot attempts, and then screening and occasionally rebounding on both ends. You don't get that for $9m/per, anywhere. Those other players who're historically bad at shooting played in significantly different eras, and logically will have significantly lower salaries given the modern money boom the league has seen.

Having said that, I also hope Dieng's not out long. I liked what we saw from him tonight, and between him and Eubanks closing out games if other teams go Hack-a-Jak, I'd much rather have Dieng out there.

[tim_duncan_fan]

Good win, but I remain conflicted about wins.

[Thomas82]

I didn't see it. What happened to him?

He sprained his shoulder when Metu fell on him.

[Thomas82]

Good win, but I remain conflicted about wins.

The less wins, the better is how I see it. It's time to rip the band-aid off.

[spurs10]

He sprained his shoulder when Metu fell on him. Thanks! Hopefully the sprain isn't too bad. If it's a bad one he'll be out for the season.

[Thomas82]

Thanks! Hopefully the sprain isn't too bad. If it's a bad one he'll be out for the season.

It didn't look too bad, but we'll see.

[Blackhaus]

Metu fell on him? Sheesh, isn’t that crazy. Hopefully he didn’t play his last game for the Spurs

[Ice009]

Poeltl is paid ridiculously well considering his production, minutes, age on contract and role on the team. Go look at other teams' starting C's salaries, then come back and tell me who's paid less than Jakob whilst being significantly better. He can't hit a FT to save his life and will probably have to do extensive work to get to even league average, but beyond that, he's excellent at defending the rim, deterring shots, deflecting passes and shot attempts, and then screening and occasionally rebounding on both ends. You don't get that for $9m/per, anywhere. Those other players who're historically bad at shooting played in significantly different eras, and logically will have significantly lower salaries given the modern money boom the league has seen.

Having said that, I also hope Dieng's not out long. I liked what we saw from him tonight, and between him and Eubanks closing out games if other teams go Hack-a-Jak, I'd much rather have Dieng out there.

I understand all the good he does, but since I grew up in that other era (started middle of D-Rob era), I recall the worst free throw shooting centers back had a better free throw percentage than Jakob. I know it doesn't mean anything due to the salaries being different between eras, but some of those guys could play good defense, set good screens, rebound, shoot a little bit, and even make a somewhat reasonable free throw percentage at 50%+, and they got paid a hell of a lot less than Poeltl to do all that. Plus, I am extremely frustrated seeing him air-ball two free throws in a row, as I was a shooter myself, free throws were like layups to me. I just don't understand how someone can massively air-ball two in a row and not even come close to making them other times. He either has absolutely no feel for shooting the ball AT ALL, needs a different shooting coach, or is just not plain working on them enough. Surely it's not a mental thing as there aren't even fans there, which is also another reason I am shocked at his historically low percentage. A lot of the time bad free throw shooting bigs miss them when there is a crowd/fans screaming and cheering, but there's not even that out there to put him off. He is really shooting poorly and I wonder how he'd take it if he was in the era where teams used hack-a-shaq on a regular basis.

Anyway, I don't disagree with anything you said (you're right on all of it), I'm just extremely frustrated with Jakob's free throws. For all the good he does, I don't believe he'd be playable in the playoffs if the Spurs were to hopefully come up again as a championship contender while he is still on the team, I think teams would use the hack-a-shaq on him during playoff games.

I hope Dieng's injury isn't too series and he's back soon.

[ragas]

I understand all the good he does, but since I grew up in that other era (started middle of D-Rob era), I recall the worst free throw shooting centers back had a better free throw percentage than Jakob. I know it doesn't mean anything due to the salaries being different between eras, but some of those guys could play good defense, set good screens, rebound, shoot a little bit, and even make a somewhat reasonable free throw percentage at 50%+, and they got paid a hell of a lot less than Poeltl to do all that. Plus, I am extremely frustrated seeing him air-ball two free throws in a row, as I am a shooter myself and free throws are like layups to me. I just don't understand how someone can massively air-ball two in a row and not even come close to making them other times. He either has absolutely no feel for shooting the ball AT ALL, needs a different shooting coach, or is just not plain working on them enough. Surely it's not a mental thing as there aren't even fans there, which is also another reason I am shocked at his historically low percentage. A lot of the time bad free throw shooting bigs miss them when there is a crowd/fans screaming and cheering, but there's not even that out there to put him off. He is really shooting poorly and I wonder how he'd take it if he was in the era where teams used hack-a-shaq on a regular basis.

Anyway, I don't disagree with anything you said (you're right on all of it), I'm just extremely frustrated with Jakob's free throws. For all the good he does, I don't believe he'd be playable in the playoffs if the Spurs were to hopefully come up again as a championship contender while he is still on the team, I think teams would use the hack-a-shaq on him during playoff games.

I hope Dieng's injury isn't too series and he's back soon.

I don't understand it at all and wonder how that's even possible. BUT: He wasn't so bad in his sophomore season in college, when he shot 69% on a relatively high clip (6,6 attempts/game). Hell, I even remember him shooting threes for the Austrian National Team before he played in college. So I guess, something went wrong. Did he try to change his form too often? I don't know, but it definitely is a problem, he has to fix over the summer - at least that it's not embarrassing for himself and his team. I want him to do nothing else - just shooting free throws the whole summer.

[Dejounte]

Poeltl was a beast outside of those free throws in last night's game. They're really looking for him on offense more and more and what a difference it has been.

[ragas]

Poeltl was a beast outside of those free throws in last night's game. They're really looking for him on offense more and more and what a difference it has been.

I would be really happy for him...but...it's so embarrassing. Even if he played like prime Shaq, nobody would care and just remember the airballed free throws.

[ragas]

I would be really happy for him...but...it's so embarrassing. Even if he played like prime Shaq, nobody would care and just remember the airballed free throws.

I mean, actually he shot his free throws like prime Shaq :oops

[Sugus]

I mean, actually he shot his free throws like prime Shaq :oops

I know the comment was made in jest, but disagree tbh.

Shaq had the fundamental issue that the ball was just too small for his hands, and he tended to shoot it trying to grab it with his fingertips or something :lol like you would shoot a tennis ball into a hoop. Jakob has nowhere near that kind of issue - if you look closely, his mechanics aren't so bad. His true mistake and downfall is that he doesn't use his left hand to guide the ball as he shoots, as if he were trying to shoot a floater, leading to a high variance on the shot. The fact that he knows he's bad at shooting them, and gets Hack-a-Jak'd in the 4th Q, doesn't help at all and psyches him out, leading to shots like last night's.

I'll get some reference pictures here, because it's becoming an ongoing trend, and I'd like to have some comparison images out there.

[poopbox]

idiotic

Even more so when you consider the kings challenged the exact same play last game and got the and 1 and then went on an 8 - 0 run :rollin

[poopbox]

I don't expect much. But he is and was played as a second string center for a LOT of games this season.

Only because LMA quit.

[ragas]

I know the comment was made in jest, but disagree tbh.

Shaq had the fundamental issue that the ball was just too small for his hands, and he tended to shoot it trying to grab it with his fingertips or something :lol like you would shoot a tennis ball into a hoop. Jakob has nowhere near that kind of issue - if you look closely, his mechanics aren't so bad. His true mistake and downfall is that he doesn't use his left hand to guide the ball as he shoots, as if he were trying to shoot a floater, leading to a high variance on the shot. The fact that he knows he's bad at shooting them, and gets Hack-a-Jak'd in the 4th Q, doesn't help at all and psyches him out, leading to shots like last night's.

I'll get some reference pictures here, because it's becoming an ongoing trend, and I'd like to have some comparison images out there.

It has become a mental thing partially. But I don’t think that not using the left hand is the main problem, but he gets a bit too low and his up movement is too shaky, not fluid enough, for a stable shot.

Here’s a clip how shot in 2017: https://youtu.be/YVZPB_MF09o (at mark 47 s)
He didn’t get that low and shot 5/7 or something in the game.