10 Overreactions After the Spurs Crush the Magic in the Regular Season Opener

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/ten-overreactions-after-the-san-antonio-spurs-win-opener/

Hype train full steam ahead :tu

[Robz4000]

82-0 incoming !!!!

[The Truth #6]

Not playing Forbes much was surprising and amazing to see. If Walker stays aggressive we hopefully see less of Forbes.

[EasyMoney]

Spurs vs Bucks in the finals

[Mr. Body]

Those traps were intriguing. Definitely surprised the Magic. Sort of like the old Heat.

My big two things were Vassell and Walker.

If Walker just plays on offense like this, no hesitation, that's great.

I don't know whether Vassell will be productive at higher usage rates or with the ball in his hands. No idea. But producing in the swing of things is tremendous. There was one time he was wide open for miles on a corner three. He measured it, let fly. I would have been stunned to not see it go in.

[John B]

This is what Spurs fans were waiting for, and last season was too long to end, the rim run, the transition offense, the switches and suffocating defense. Last night was in full display. You’re on point on everything, especially on Pop limiting Bryn’s minutes and leaning more on Lonnie and Vassell. Bryn is a spot up shooter, a specialist at that. If he plays outside of that, his weaknesses get exposed. Lonnie and Vassell playing great should limit Bryn’s minutes to spot shooting.

I said it before. Devin will be the best lockdown defender of this team and I still stand by it. And not simply a 3-and-D defensive specialist like Bruce or Danny, but an all-around defensive player. And in the spirit of Overreaction, his ceiling is Scottie Pippen. Devin has the smoothest jumpshots, he can drive, penetrate, hit mid-range. He’s long, rebound and defend. He’s only 21 and should get stronger. He has the most complete game in the team. If he takes on the challenge, he can average in high teens and candidate for 6th man, and eventually AS. The future is bright for this kid. Notice my Avatar. I’m hyped for this kid.

[BillMc]

Good stuff, OP. Thanks.

[timvp]

I don't know whether Vassell will be productive at higher usage rates or with the ball in his hands. No idea. But producing in the swing of things is tremendous.

Yeah, exactly. I can't tell at all how real his self creation is on offense ... but I hope he gets the opportunity to show what he can do this season.

[SpurSpike]

Its exciting and fresh to see a young team scrapping like we saw last night. Has there ever been a team without a star that was super competitive?

I know it was one game against a poor opponent but you can see the way they were playing with high confidence and high energy can easily turn into a perfect storm of hungry winning. Seems like it could work somehow, its got to be way less predictable for the opponent, that's for sure! Last year all the opponents had to worry about when closing a game was to defend DDR.

If you were to compare the Spurs now to another team in history what would it be?

[Seventyniner]

Yeah, exactly. I can't tell at all how real his self creation is on offense ... but I hope he gets the opportunity to show what he can do this season.

With DDR and the other vets off the team there is no reason for him not to. Nobody on the roster is enough better than Vassell to push him down in the pecking order.

[TD 21]

- Vassell is the clear beneficiary of Young either being out of the rotation or on the fringe and is going to push McDermott for a crunch time spot.

- Young having a limited role makes sense in theory, but if it's a long term thing, given his advancing age it's likely to have an adverse affect on his trade value. Even if temporary, I'm surprised they didn't inform him in advance.

- If he's not going to play save for emergencies, they're paper thin at the four. Johnson-McDermott together should suffice in most matchups, but McDermott solo or Bates-Diop for anything more than spot minutes is pushing it.

- If this team defense, depth and chemistry's their way to a mid-lateish lottery pick without someone (Johnson) establishing themselves as a foundational player, the season will be an unmitigated disaster.

- Either way, with Pop no longer thinking he has to kowtow to low ceiling, pseudo stars, it not only means a more aesthetically pleasing style, but things like Forbes playing spot minutes.

[Maddog]

Those traps were intriguing. Definitely surprised the Magic. Sort of like the old Heat.

My big two things were Vassell and Walker.

If Walker just plays on offense like this, no hesitation, that's great.

I don't know whether Vassell will be productive at higher usage rates or with the ball in his hands. No idea. But producing in the swing of things is tremendous. There was one time he was wide open for miles on a corner three. He measured it, let fly. I would have been stunned to not see it go in.

In some ways Vassell may be the most intriguing player. Well, Primo is really intriguing also. He didn't exactly set the world on fire in summer league, but the coaches clearly saw potential for him to be more than a 3and D.

The scouting report from the ringer last year seems spot on

One of the best defenders in this year’s class, with a developing offensive game that could make him more than just a shooter

[Chomag]

If Forbes get 0 more minutes I would say the season would be a success

[PhantomDashCam]

I'm all for overreactions. If you can't celebrate your wins, what the hell are we all doing here...

- One or Two games a year tantalize with positive prognostications. Last year it was undoubtedly the Phoenix road win. No doubt in my mind that played a significant role in convincing the players, coaching staff and FO that this team can be competitive in a multi-dimensional attack. Excited to see a Tre Jones - Josh Primo - Devin Vassell - Keldon Johnson - Jock Landale lineup sometime this season.

- I still think the Walker/Forbes rotation could seemingly change at any moment. I believe Lonnie has certainly bought himself goodwill if he was to go on say a three game slide, but Forbes waits eerily in the reeds. One hot streak could see him out of the rotation for a time. Hope I'm wrong or Lonnie continues to play like last night.

- Vassell can seemingly get to his mid range jumper at will. If that extends out to the three point line...Geez.

- Poeltl is like a combination of Fabricio Oberto, Tiago Splitter and Francisco Elson. Entering last season, I wasn't sure he could be a starting center in this league. He could arguably be a top 10 player at his position by the end of the year. Crazy.

[Maddog]

In some ways Vassell may be the most intriguing player. Well, Primo is really intriguing also. He didn't exactly set the world on fire in summer league, but the coaches clearly saw potential for him to be more than a 3and D.

The scouting report from the ringer last year seems spot on

One of the best defenders in this year’s class, with a developing offensive game that could make him more than just a shooter

[Teamduncan21]

Just play primo instead of Forbes. Primo can shoot. But don't have the weaknesses of Forbes.

[KingKev]

https://www.spurstalk.com/ten-overreactions-after-the-san-antonio-spurs-win-opener/

Hype train full steam ahead :tu

I mean half of Spurstalk was bragging about how our bench sustained the Magic’s starters (4 were out) comeback from a 18pt deficit in a preseason game like we goin’ sizzler so the fact that 10 new threads weren’t created proclaiming Vassell MVP, Walker MIP and Primo ROY is progress! Will still be an entertaining season on the way to 25 wins though! GSG.

[Davidicus2]

Items that struck me:

1) Poeltl is our MVP, in the sense that out of all the players to go down from injury, he would be the worst. So impressive to see him improve game by game, slowly but incrementally. Feels like he’s been improving 0.02% every single game since he got here and now he’s just a rebounding, PnR, and defending machine.

2) Vassell has so so much upside. Gifted physically, excellent basketball instincts, and I was super impressed with his pre recorded interview / hype video during the broadcast if anyone caught it. Talked a lot about staying hungry and running with the young squad with something to prove.

3) Confirmed that DougDoug is more than a 3 point shooter. Very impressed with his finishing ability and vision.

[playbonner15]

Not playing Forbes much was surprising and amazing to see. If Walker stays aggressive we hopefully see less of Forbes.

More Tre Jones too

[slick'81]

Intrigued by the kbd/dg comparison. Green didnt come in as a shooter so who knows what spurs see kenta developing into

[XDT76]

Since we are overreacting to one game, we have a Ben Simmons on our team.

Inside scoring - check
Good D - check
Playmaking - check
Rebounding - check
Almost nonexistent outside shooting - check
Poor FT shooting - check

Poeltl and he is earning a fraction of BS contract.
:lol:lol:lol

[Sugus]

- Poeltl is like a combination of Fabricio Oberto, Tiago Splitter and Francisco Elson. Entering last season, I wasn't sure he could be a starting center in this league. He could arguably be a top 10 player at his position by the end of the year. Crazy.

:wow :wow :wow

I gotta catch the next game, what the hell happened to Jakob lmao

[slick'81]

:wow :wow :wow


I gotta catch the next game, what the hell happened to Jakob lmao

He turned into magic,tbh

[playbonner15]

Speaking of Pop, he unleashed halfcourt and fullcourt traps that I’ve never seen him use
Interesting...... i thought i saw the team do halfcourt pressure early last season... cant remember if Demar was included in that def setup though... but curious why they stopped doing that

On the offensive side, its great seeing the ball moving around, multiple screens and passing.... the Derozan midrange dribble iso then getting trapped inside the line with the 4 spurs on the court just waiting was getting boring from the last 2 seasons

[PhantomDashCam]

:wow :wow :wow

I gotta catch the next game, what the hell happened to Jakob lmao


https://youtu.be/jDyGgzfq998

Know you prob. the biggest Poeltl guy here man and you missed a beauty.
While these are just the by possession stats (available on NBA.com which somebody edited together), the 2:40 - 3:00 min mark is one continuous sequence. It is a great summary of just how Poeltl dominated the game. Worth a watch.

I mean imagine being in 20 continuous seconds in a sequence of edited possessions.
The defence, the rebounding, passing, screening, scoring. Just nuts.

[XDT76]

:wow :wow :wow

I gotta catch the next game, what the hell happened to Jakob lmao

Probably down to 3 thing s aggressively attacking the rim leading to OR and second chance scoring, poor D from Orlando and player movements from Spurs leading to assists.

[callo1]

Not playing Forbes much was surprising and amazing to see. If Walker stays aggressive we hopefully see less of Forbes.

Pop is undoubtedly saving Forbes for the playoffs.

[Fireball]

Pop is undoubtedly saving Forbes for the playoffs.

which is perfect as we will not get into the playoffs

[exstatic]

Probably down to 3 thing s aggressively attacking the rim leading to OR and second chance scoring, poor D from Orlando and player movements from Spurs leading to assists.

The best explanation I heard was that Domantis Sabonis averaged 5 and 6.7 assists the last two seasons in Indiana, passing out of the high post to one Doug McDermott.

[XDT76]

The best explanation I heard was that Domantis Sabonis averaged 5 and 6.7 assists the last two seasons in Indiana, passing out of the high post to one Doug McDermott.

He was very good on player movement, DW and KJ was good in game 1 too. Poeltl assisted on multiple players and not just McD.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

we lobting tbh

[exstatic]

He was very good on player movement, DW and KJ was good in game 1 too. Poeltl assisted on multiple players and not just McD.

Right, but if you look at Sabonis assist numbers, they jump SHARPLY up a year after Doug got there.

By years:
1.0
2.0
MCDermott arrived
2.9
5.0
6.7

It’s a nano sample, but Sabonis had two assists and 6 turnovers in game one for Indy.

[cjw]

This should hopefully put an end to two things:

1.) People who want Poeltl off this team. He’s a top half of the league center on a bargain contract.

2.) People who think the Spurs missed badly by not taking Halliburton. I’ll take Vassell every single day, and think he eventually is widely regarded as one of the best players out of his draft.

[objective]

I think the youth movement and running shows why maxing Collins on a sheet would have been worth the risk. What did they do with that money? Thaddeus Young who isn't playing, Aminu who was cut, and a first rounder that I don't even remember the protections on. And I suppose Zollins who might never play either.

And keldon is just not good enough I feel to be a real 4. It's weird how he's a high motor player who doesn't get hustle stats, just an unusual combination.

John Collins would have been great.

Other misc thoughts:

I guess I'll be one of the few who doesn't yet think Primo is the next Kobe all star. I just think his athleticism is very suspect. His terrible transition numbers in college seem directly related, he didn't show good explosion vertically or a first step. It's great that both in summer league and preseason that after getting stood up and unable to get a step on third stringers & worse that he could take and make step backs, and he's a skilled shooter who is promising in his aggression. He has very good size.

I just think he might be unrecognized for Kyle Anderson level athletic tools. Of course, if Anderson could take and make aggressive shots he'd be a regular starter and make more than the mle, so that's not me saying that Primo isn't an NBA player, just that I don't really see the star quality that so many do. Maybe I'm wrong.

---

Vassell should probably start, the more minutes he plays the better.

[GAustex]

^ yep
Lack of 4s is the hurt right now.
Dougie McNoD and Keldon are gonna get exposed playing 4
Too bad Sammich flamed out

[exstatic]

Collins isn’t great on D, and he’s never averaged more that two assists. He just may not fit with the trapping/ball movement thing we’re doing now.

[GAustex]

That PF for Orlando was intriguing

[Sugus]

https://youtu.be/jDyGgzfq998

Know you prob. the biggest Poeltl guy here man and you missed a beauty.
While these are just the by possession stats (available on NBA.com which somebody edited together), the 2:40 - 3:00 min mark is one continuous sequence. It is a great summary of just how Poeltl dominated the game. Worth a watch.

I mean imagine being in 20 continuous seconds in a sequence of edited possessions.
The defence, the rebounding, passing, screening, scoring. Just nuts.

Thanks for the vid, my guy!! It's funny that I'm sort of the intern Poodle-champ around here now... It started off with just defending his (still excellent and great value) contract from last season, but I've always liked the guy and I personally really appreciate the "dirty work" players. Poeltl ain't perfect, but he's the behind-the-scenes MVP of the team, and it's been that way for some time now, so I'll shout him out any chance I get.

Those were some REALLY INTERESTING plays by him last game... I'll be on the lookout for them tonight. It's insane just how much the game opens up for him once he takes a single dribble towards the paint - defenders all of a sudden go "oh shit, this 7'0 big man is actually driving?!" and it creates chaos which in turn frees up perimeter players for easy passes. If Poeltl can be more consistent in using his drives (and also high-and-low post ups, not necessarily as a scoring weapon, but as a way to redistribute the offense and set up attacks and cuttings from the post), it could really unlock the many drivers on the team.

Last season, it was ungodly to watch 3 or 4 aimless drives almost every possession... Gets stale really fast, especially if you have multiple Lonnie-level finishers on the team. This season looks to be different in a lot of ways. I'm cautiously excited... Thanks again!

[Sugus]

This should hopefully put an end to two things:

1.) People who want Poeltl off this team. He’s a top half of the league center on a bargain contract.

2.) People who think the Spurs missed badly by not taking Halliburton. I’ll take Vassell every single day, and think he eventually is widely regarded as one of the best players out of his draft.

Hell yeah brother :smokin

[John B]

Hell yeah brother :smokin
Jakic Poeltl with 7 assist :lol

Hey if he keeps playing this way, I’ll lay off your boy. Let’s go!

[Dancelot]

Who tf is that chick in the top of your sig?!

[Dancelot]

Who tf is that broad in the top of your sig?!