Grades: Spurs vs. Magic - Oct. 20, 2021

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/grades-san-antonio-spurs-orlando-magic-game-1/

:danceclub

[slick'81]

Lfg!!!

[Fireball]

thx for the grades ... good stuff

[siraulo23]

was waiting for this, thanks!

[playblair]

at 4 am u r the hardest working spurs writer u deserve ur media backstage creditable back

[playbonner15]

Glad the team didnt need to rely on one guy... and forbes was benched when his shots were not falling :toast. McD's offball movement, 3s, and cutting abilities changes this team's dynamic with the spacing. Hope to see how the team will adjust when his 3s are not falling and when opposing team gameplan on McDermott's movements.

Vasell's defence is something that coaching staff needs to hone... not Nephew's level yet... but him disrupting opposing team's offence and his shots falling really fired up his teammates..

Im liking how this team is composed right now... been thinking how Bamba on the Spurs will upgrade this team... also heard some praises from Sean and Bill

[Rocalcio]

Thanks timmvp !

It must be noticed that Walker has the best -/+ of the team. Good for him !

[EasyMoney]

Automatic A+ for pop, for benching bryn

[tbdog]

Pop was rotating the bench at some serious speed. Every stoppage felt like a sub was made.

[ginobilized]

Great writing, and sterling takes on the first game!

A+

[Dejounte]

What’s great about Vassell if he keeps it up is that he isn’t a fucking weirdo like Nephew was. Great team chemistry right now.

[KobesAchilles]

Gotta make our free throws. 12-18 loses close games. I loved Keldons aggression and it led to free throws which is what I hope from him every night bc he’s the only one that can get there consistently. He’s just gotta make them. Both Murray and White got to the line 3 times but we are going to need to up that from one of them to like 5 a game.

Poeltl played really well and I’m happy that he did. He looked so much better at the start of this year than last. I just hope he can keep his game at this level for the rest of the season

Murray is basically our go to scorer and he’s going to be consistently taking 16-18 shots a game. He’s not used to it yet and it’s going to take time for him to evolve in this role. But I like that he shot a lot. Just need more free
throws like I said and less jumpers.

Keldon has the tools to be a solid 15 point a game player with decent defense and high energy. I just feel that this power forward Role is going to make him tired and listless as the season wears down. I’d rather have Doug at the PF. Magic is the rare case of having two bigs so maybe it won’t be too bad for KJ but if it wore down Tucker 2 years ago it will wear down KJ

It’s nice having a back up point guard run the offense. Even if it’s just garbage time. We haven’t had one of those in a hot minute

25 more wins Pop!

[GreekSpursfan]

Good job but can't analyze a game against this Magic G-League team because they should be playing G-League bball only. They're a giving a masterclass on how to tank. What's the record for less wins in a season, they gonna break it.

[Dejounte]

Good job but can't analyze a game against this Magic G-League team because they should be playing G-League bball only. They're a giving a masterclass on how to tank. What's the record for less wins in a season, they gonna break it.

How miserable do you have to be to have this loser fucking mentality.

[GreekSpursfan]

How miserable do you have to be to have this loser fucking mentality.

What game are you watching, are you from planet earth?

[Dejounte]

What game are you watching, are you from planet earth?

:lmao waiting for the Spurs to tank for 2+ years now

For years now you’ve spread your loser mentality just waiting and waiting until the going gets good. Basically, you want to have your cake and eat it too

just shut the fuck up already

[Mr. Body]

A few standouts:

1. I REALLY liked what Lonnie was doing this game. He wasn't hesitating. The shots weren't falling, but that didn't get to him. When open, attack.
2. Vassell was a beast.
3. Landale will deserve game time. I'm not sure how the bigs will be handled.

Pop tried a lineup with Forbes, McDermott, and Walker, and that stuff's scary.

THE PACE. This team is moving up the court so much faster, moving the ball around so much more. All by design, of course. Pop is having his young players MOVE and making decisions rapidly on offense. We'll see how well they do, but will overwhelm teams on many nights, even better ones than Orlando. It's like a cascade if you don't watch out and protect the ball.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

How miserable do you have to be to have this loser fucking mentality.

People want the team to go 0-82, so they can have a 1 in 7 chance to land the top pick. Said top pick must be a Tim Duncan level all time great.

They also want impeccable player development while losing every game.

Yeah.

[Mr. Body]

Forgot to add:

Josh Primo has already hit a lot of shots straight off the bench. He comes off the bench able to knock them down immediately. That's not easy.

[TDomination]

What I love most above everything else is how many deflections I saw the Spurs make. Every pass was a contested one, the activeness and awareness was great to see. If that level of effort on defense is something that sticks then I’ll be really excited to see what the season holds for this team. Shots will be missed and made but defense needs to be there if we will ever be good again.

[HankChinaski]

That near of end game tearing into the 3rd unit by Pop was great to see the intensity from him. I was watching g the game and was asking the television why the fuck are they showing the magic huddle for so long? Then it rotates to the spurs huddle and Pop is livid and Eubanks is one of the players I saw first with the expression "Ohh Damn shit got real". Only caught like 2 seconds of the tirade and he walked off to talk to the coaches. Still Pop blitzing the players for missing defensive assignments is good to see.

[boutons_deux]

What I love most above everything else is how many deflections I saw the Spurs make.

Murray steal and Keldon dunk-scream started with on-the-ball pressure defense

32 AST in 40 FG is my favorite stat. When was the last time Spurs made 32 AST? That's 2014 team play

[dbestpro]

There is hope.

[spurraider21]

Thanks timmvp !

It must be noticed that Walker has the best -/+ of the team. Good for him !
Lonnie “Matt Bonner” Walker

[couchman]

The starting unit came out a little stale in both halves. Other than that it was a fantastic performance.
Devin V looks significantly improved over last year.

[MultiTroll]

See any pets slowing down the process?
Me neither, other then Forbes stealing minutes from Primo.

:lol Sniffers giving Pop credit for pulling Bryn Bryn as if it's some accomplishment.
I guess when the bar is soo low...

Yes please stay out of the way Grandpa Control Freak.
This is what we've been wanting to see for 3 years.

[mo7888]

:lmao waiting for the Spurs to tank for 2+ years now

For years now you’ve spread your loser mentality just waiting and waiting until the going gets good. Basically, you want to have your cake and eat it too

just shut the fuck up already

I took it as him saying the Magic were tanking and would set the record for most losses not the Spurs....maybe I'm misreading it?

[rjv]

pop-so far-sticking to his guns about giving the young guns their shot.

not sure who will be worse this year-rockets, magic or thunder.

lonnie wasn't very efficient but at least he wasn't gun shy and i'd rather he stays aggressive.

i'm hoping devin evolves into the spurs version of khris middleton.

primo also had two "hockey assists".

the current HEB TV ads roster has some work to do.

[John B]

Thanks for the grades Timvp. What a way to start the season. The guys did not disappoint.

I was looking for Lonnie to breakout, and he wasn’t bashful. Not getting the extension did not put him down, but seemed to still enjoy playing out there, rooting gor his teammates. I really like this kid. I’ll root for this guy everytime. I think he deserves a better grade than B.

Vassell is another guy I’m especially rooting for. He’s just fluid out there, both sides of the court. His length and attention to defense will really make him a special player. I admit he looks more natural out there than Lonnie at his 2nd year. Just a smooth player. If both him and Lonnie keep shooting the 3 straight, Bryn would never sniff minutes lest it’s garbage time :lol

McD does not disappoint. Just great signup, and again the main reason Bryn is not in the SL :lol

Tre deserves a grade. I think he’s real solid as a backup PG, granted it was garbage time. But he’s another player that just so poised and collected. You just know he’ll find people, and even more, now he’s an offensive threat and seems to have successfully adjusted to NBA competition. Great find at 42.

Drew continues to play good basketball. His confidence out there has really skyrocketed, and I think he will just continue getting better. He reminds me of Bayne, just hard working and always giving his 100%. Great kid.

I’m happy for Derek having a good game. His shots were falling, he continued to move and always finding people. Derek needs to have great games like this to build his confidence back. He’s another smooth operator out there. But him, I think I like to see a little more selfish at getting his own, which should just put more pressure on the opposing team and opens our shooters more.

KJ, I like his energy as always. His dunk seemed to have finally awaken the guys from a slow start. He’s a player whose will will always try to rally the group. I’m also rooting for him to get his mid-game going. I think he’s the X-factor for this team. If he can expand his game, this becomes a playoff team.

Poeltl I was happy he got a great game, close to having a triple-double with 7 assists. He’s another one who also needs to continue having great game, and embrace that leadership role, of setting an example for everyone, especially defensively. He is our prime defensive player and should anchor that role, similar to what Timmy did, yes that’s my expectation from him. He needs to protect the rim, control those rebounds, and just a defensive stalwart. If he plays that defensive leadership, I’d be his number one fan. Scoring 10-12 would be great too, but specially more as a defensive leader of the team.

DJ, I like his intensity as always. I really think he has embraced the head-of-the-snake role of the team, and deservingly so. He kept the fast pace attack tempo, which is key to this team. We don’t really have a dominant iso player, so it would take a committee as always, keep the transition offense at attack mode. I hated when Demar would walk the half-court after getting a great rebound. Lonnie did that also last year. This team needs to run, run, run. And that’s DJ’s primary responsibility as the main ballhandler of the team.

Finally, Bryn. As much as I hate anyone not having a good game, it somewhat allowed Pop to lean on Lonnie and Vassell more, whose physicality are greatly needed. If Pop could continue giving him spot up minutes and nothing more, no ball handling, just pure spot shooter would be great.

Oh Primo. He did not disappoint on his very 1st NBA regular season game, as the youngest player in the league. I know he needs to go to Austin to get playing time to continue getting better and stronger. But hopefully he’ll see more games with the big club, and as the Covid protocol allows him. Great game for Londale too btw.

I really hope this team overachieve. I think they would. I was disappointed at not signing big acquisition. But I’m a Spurs fan and will always root for this team, especially if they continue playing exciting basketball like that game. Great game.

[Spurs Homer]

Fun to watch.

When Primo plays more than Tre jones, forbes, ewwwbanks, diop,

this team could be dangerous.

[Mugen]

I really enjoy the optimism, soak it in before the next 6 games tbh :lol

[BillMc]

Thanks for the grades Timvp. What a way to start the season. The guys did not disappoint.

I was looking for Lonnie to breakout, and he wasn’t bashful. Not getting the extension did not put him down, but seemed to still enjoy playing out there, rooting gor his teammates. I really like this kid. I’ll root for this guy everytime. I think he deserves a better grade than B.

Vassell is another guy I’m especially rooting for. He’s just fluid out there, both sides of the court. His length and attention to defense will really make him a special player. I admit he looks more natural out there than Lonnie at his 2nd year. Just a smooth player. If both him and Lonnie keep shooting the 3 straight, Bryn would never sniff minutes lest it’s garbage time :lol

McD does not disappoint. Just great signup, and again the main reason Bryn is not in the SL :lol

Tre deserves a grade. I think he’s real solid as a backup PG, granted it was garbage time. But he’s another player that just so poised and collected. You just know he’ll find people, and even more, now he’s an offensive threat and seems to have successfully adjusted to NBA competition. Great find at 42.

Drew continues to play good basketball. His confidence out there has really skyrocketed, and I think he will just continue getting better. He reminds me of Bayne, just hard working and always giving his 100%. Great kid.

I’m happy for Derek having a good game. His shots were falling, he continued to move and always finding people. Derek needs to have great games like this to build his confidence back. He’s another smooth operator out there. But him, I think I like to see a little more selfish at getting his own, which should just put more pressure on the opposing team and opens our shooters more.

KJ, I like his energy as always. His dunk seemed to have finally awaken the guys from a slow start. He’s a player whose will will always try to rally the group. I’m also rooting for him to get his mid-game going. I think he’s the X-factor for this team. If he can expand his game, this becomes a playoff team.

Poeltl I was happy he got a great game, close to having a triple-double with 7 assists. He’s another one who also needs to continue having great game, and embrace that leadership role, of setting an example for everyone, especially defensively. He is our prime defensive player and should anchor that role, similar to what Timmy did, yes that’s my expectation from him. He needs to protect the rim, control those rebounds, and just a defensive stalwart. If he plays that defensive leadership, I’d be his number one fan. Scoring 10-12 would be great too, but specially more as a defensive leader of the team.

DJ, I like his intensity as always. I really think he has embraced the head-of-the-snake role of the team, and deservingly so. He kept the fast pace attack tempo, which is key to this team. We don’t really have a dominant iso player, so it would take a committee as always, keep the transition offense at attack mode. I hated when Demar would walk the half-court after getting a great rebound. Lonnie did that also last year. This team needs to run, run, run. And that’s DJ’s primary responsibility as the main ballhandler of the team.

Finally, Bryn. As much as I hate anyone not having a good game, it somewhat allowed Pop to lean on Lonnie and Vassell more, whose physicality are greatly needed. If Pop could continue giving him spot up minutes and nothing more, no ball handling, just pure spot shooter would be great.

Oh Primo. He did not disappoint on his very 1st NBA regular season game, as the youngest player in the league. I know he needs to go to Austin to get playing time to continue getting better and stronger. But hopefully he’ll see more games with the big club, and as the Covid protocol allows him. Great game for Londale too btw.

I really hope this team overachieve. I think they would. I was disappointed at not signing big acquisition. But I’m a Spurs fan and will always root for this team, especially if they continue playing exciting basketball like that game. Great game.

Good stuff, bro. :toast Thanks to you, OP and others for the break downs as I mssied the game.

It's going to be interesting long term to see how the 2 guard shakes out. Can Lonnie break out? Can White stay healthy? Will Devin move into the starting lineup eventually (yes, says Bill) but will it be as a 2 or 3? What about Primo? Forbes? We may not have answers this year even.

Stay tuned true believers.

[8FOR!3]

If Lonnie Walker continues to be that aggressive, then I think we have to keep him on the team and part of the rotation.

[John B]

Good stuff, bro. :toast Thanks to you, OP and others for the break downs as I mssied the game.

It's going to be interesting long term to see how the 2 guard shakes out. Can Lonnie break out? Can White stay healthy? Will Devin move into the starting lineup eventually (yes, says Bill) but will it be as a 2 or 3? What about Primo? Forbes? We may not have answers this year even.

Stay tuned true believers.

No thank you for your post as always :lol

Yup Devin was a player to watch yesterday. I think he really put his mark in the game, and kept Bryn out of the game, him and Lonnie playing aggressive :toast

[BillMc]

No thank you for your post as always :lol

I see you put a laughing emotion about my posts....so I'm funny....

https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.297212366.6299/flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8.jpg

:toast

[spurs1990]

I took it as him saying the Magic were tanking and would set the record for most losses not the Spurs....maybe I'm misreading it?

Nope poster was clearly referring to the Orlando Magics. They've got some nice pieces but it will be eons until they get above water. But credit to San Antonio for doing enough to staple that tank ribbon to Orlando. Other teams would've played down to that comp

[ginobilized]

I loved the half court traps and full court press, too!
If that is a facet of this squad all year long, it will annoy the hell out of most teams and rattle about half.

Great way to start the season!

[Seventyniner]

Something to consider: if the Spurs were to tank, they would have to try and lose games like this one.

Fuck that.

[BacktoBasics]

I was pleased with the ball movement. Clearly that aspect of the game materialized with the vets having moved on.

[exstatic]

What I love most above everything else is how many deflections I saw the Spurs make. Every pass was a contested one, the activeness and awareness was great to see. If that level of effort on defense is something that sticks then I’ll be really excited to see what the season holds for this team. Shots will be missed and made but defense needs to be there if we will ever be good again.

8 steals, 4 by DJ.

[exstatic]

The starting unit came out a little stale in both halves. Other than that it was a fantastic performance.
Devin V looks significantly improved over last year.

Devin was good, really good last year until he caught covid. He was D-ing up, and shooting 40% from beyond the arc. He just wasn’t the same after he came back.

[Kurgan]

Nope poster was clearly referring to the Orlando Magics. They've got some nice pieces but it will be eons until they get above water. But credit to San Antonio for doing enough to staple that tank ribbon to Orlando. Other teams would've played down to that comp

Yup. Last night was a fun game, especially compared to the DeRozan ball we were subjected to for the past three years. But there's not much to take away from beating up on this Magic team. Seeing Devin play well was a nice surprise after his disappointing summer league. This is also the best I've seen from Lonnie in a looooong time. Spurs not extending him must have set a fire under his ass. Looking forward to see how the group responds to Denver on Friday.

[TDomination]

Good teams beatdown bad teams.
Bad teams typically lose or barely beat other bad teams.

Just sayin

[John B]

No thank you for your post as always :lol

Yup Devin was a player to watch yesterday. I think he really put his mark in the game, and kept Bryn out of the game, him and Lonnie playing aggressive :toast

Nah man. Wrong emoji bruh. Two thumbs up always on your sig. :toast:toast

[ceperez]

Devin taking more responsibility so early in the season is huge! I'm impressed he's taking those mid-range jumpers with ease. So unlike DeRozan, he can hit the 3 and is a beast in defense.

Tre Jones for a 2nd round pick seems much better than expected!

Primo perhaps is the steal of the draft.

Poetl had 7 assists. Landale is also good at this dishing them too. Is this the new offense, the center is the source of the assists?

The starting five looks undersized.

The team with Poetl, KBD, Vassell, DJ on the court at the same time is a defensive juggernaut. (see end of 3rd quarter)

[Leetonidas]

best thing about last night is i don't remember a single instance of over dribbling for 20 seconds. great movement on offense

[DAF86]

The San Antonio Sprouts

[NASpurs]

Pop

Wait, Pop brought Forbes off the bench and then actually benched him when he wasn’t playing well? I thought I’d never see the day. Seriously, though, I like just about everything Pop did. The starting lineup is the correct fivesome. Leaning on Vassell and Walker off the bench was exactly what I hoped to see. The aggressive playcalling on defense helped blow the doors off. The offense looked surprisingly cohesive. Good stuff, good stuff.
Grade: A


I agree with this. I've been shitting on Pop for the past few years so seeing him make the right moves and push the right buttons like benching Forbes when he wasn't doing the one thing he's good at deserves an A.

But I've praised Pop in the past for doing the correct moves in a game while totally abandoning them for the next game so I'm not holding breath. Saying that, I still expect Forbes to play 40 minutes next game.

[Dex]

Something to consider: if the Spurs were to tank, they would have to try and lose games like this one.

Fuck that.

I've said it already....this team is not going to TRY to tank, and Pop won't let them.

They will try their hardest to compete, and whatever happens happens. Not every game is going to go as well as last night and I still stick to my 32 win prediction...but the team will play hard and try to get better and that should be fun to watch.

I would hate to be a Magic fan watching that game last night. Just....ugh.

[poopbox]

I can't give Pop higher than a B+ for coaching cause he did have that 4 min stretch of Forbes and McDermott on the floor at the same time, Magic just suck to much to take advantage :lol

He does that against the nuggets or bucks and we going to be down 15 real quick :lol

[MultiTroll]

I've said it already....this team is not going to TRY to tank, and Pop won't let them.
:lol Pop won't let them. :rollin

That stupid shit with his strategies and pets is what held them back the last 2 years.

[rastaspur]

:lol Pop won't let them. :rollin

That stupid shit with his strategies and pets is what held them back the last 2 years.

DeMar derozen as the star player and lmao were the biggest obstacles holding the team back. Try harder, troll.

[MultiTroll]

DeMar derozen as the star player and lmao were the biggest obstacles holding the team back. Try harder, troll.
On who's orders? Wow, you sure showed me.

DeMar derozen as the star player and lmao were the biggest obstacles holding the team back. Try harder, troll.

[ceperez]

https://twitter.com/DrewEubanks12/status/1451055540751241216

[LaMarcus Bryant]

WTF happened to Orb Forbes

Has he aged like 10 years or what, jeesus

[kht]

So... basically Thad Young is on the trading block? We gave Derozan away for free.

[Kurgan]

So... basically Thad Young is on the trading block? We gave Derozan away for free.

Still got a '25 first rounder out of that trade. And DeRozan was already going to leave for free considering he was a UFA.

[EasyMoney]

So... basically Thad Young is on the trading block? We gave Derozan away for free.


Thad will eventually find his way on the court. He may be better use against bigger teams

[EasyMoney]

So... basically Thad Young is on the trading block? We gave Derozan away for free.


Thad will eventually find his way on the court. He may be better use against bigger teams

[Leetonidas]

So... basically Thad Young is on the trading block? We gave Derozan away for free.

He was a free agent and we got a 1st out of it. That's a win any way you look at it.

Now if you want to criticize PATFO for not trading him two years ago that's a different story :lol:

[exstatic]

So... basically Thad Young is on the trading block? We gave Derozan away for free.

If you consider a first and 3 seconds to be free, sure.

[timvp]

So... basically Thad Young is on the trading block? We gave Derozan away for free.

Getting a first round pick for an unrestricted free agent they didn't want to re-sign was a home run of a deal. What ever the Spurs get for Young is the cherry on top. Even if the Spurs end up buying out his contract, it was a great trade.

[emanueldavidginobili]

that was a fun game to watch. Loved the pace last night, and this team really likes playing with each other you can see it just a bunch of young kids bonding and having fun.

Devin showed some stuff last night, everything was just so crisp in his moves cant wait to see how he progresses throughout the year.

It seems like no matter how many minutes Primo gets it could be 27 seconds, the kid is going to find a way to put the ball in the basket with the time he has out there.

For someone who has been injured and didn't play a second of preseason Tre looked really confident out there, high IQ player.

Let's see how these kids play on the rode with no crowd behind them.

[raybies]

Thanks for the grades. Especially agree with Pop. He is fired up to start and to me that is just amazing. The set it and forget days are long gone and he's gonna have to coach and put the players in position to win.. the whole squad is gonna have to be a team effort type thing from top down.

[tonight...you]

Thanks for the grades. Especially agree with Pop. He is fired up to start and to me that is just amazing. The set it and forget days are long gone and he's gonna have to coach and put the players in position to win.. the whole squad is gonna have to be a team effort type thing from top down.
I think he might feel rejuvenated without having to cater to any single player and just go for gameplans with the youth.

[Biggems]

IMO, Forbes earned an F.

[jjspur]

best thing about last night is i don't remember a single instance of over dribbling for 20 seconds. great movement on offense
Quite right...no one to hog the ball for 20 seconds just to miss a shot. There was a lot of great ball movement for a fast break, lay up or a three pointer. Hope we see more of the same.
Addition by subtraction. This team has a definitely different vibe than last years squad. Whether it leads to more wins, I don't know but it sure is entertaining.

[spurraider21]

pop gets so much credit for finally realizing what we've been saying on an internet forum for years :lol

[Joseph Kony]

pop gets so much credit for finally realizing what we've been saying on an internet forum for years :lol

*sniff sniff* The young guys needed to watch LMA/DD/Gay iso ball for 3 years to learn how NOT to play first, masterful coaching move by Pop *sniff sniff*

[spurraider21]

*sniff sniff* The young guys needed to watch LMA/DD/Gay iso ball for 3 years to learn how NOT to play first, masterful coaching move by Pop *sniff sniff*
also his treatment of forbes lol

[MultiTroll]

IMO, Forbes earned an F.
I think he only did it once in Forbes storied history.