2022 Draft Pick Watch

[KingKev]

Raptors win against the Clips has them with an equal record with Cleveland for 6th in the East, they seem to be surging while the Cavs are sliding. Hopefully they can get that 6th spot and have Cleveland drop to 7th. Secure that first round pick. Spurs could then package the Boston and Raptors picks into a higher pick. I think the 19th and 22nd pick for example could get you up to 15 or 16 potentially if you find the right trade partner and they take a player for you.

We will definitely have some decisions to make. Your scenario above is probably a realistic scenario if they have their eyes on someone in the mid teens they think will be taken before the Raps/Celts picks.

This board should manage expectations about moving deep into the lottery though. It’s very unlikely to happen and would be costly. No team is trading a top 5 pick for all 3 of our firsts IMO.

I’m not getting my hopes up however and fully expect us to take 3 more players who probably have solid NBA careers but don't move the needle any time soon. More Vassell, Primo type picks.

[exstatic]

Raptors win against the Clips has them with an equal record with Cleveland for 6th in the East, they seem to be surging while the Cavs are sliding. Hopefully they can get that 6th spot and have Cleveland drop to 7th. Secure that first round pick. Spurs could then package the Boston and Raptors picks into a higher pick. I think the 19th and 22nd pick for example could get you up to 15 or 16 potentially if you find the right trade partner and they take a player for you.

At that point in the draft, there isn’t enough differentiation in players to trade two for one. You’re literally just giving away a pick. Better to trade for future assets/picks.

[duncan2150]

Raptors win against the Clips has them with an equal record with Cleveland for 6th in the East, they seem to be surging while the Cavs are sliding. Hopefully they can get that 6th spot and have Cleveland drop to 7th. Secure that first round pick. Spurs could then package the Boston and Raptors picks into a higher pick. I think the 19th and 22nd pick for example could get you up to 15 or 16 potentially if you find the right trade partner and they take a player for you.


I don't think your idea is bad but imo it's way better to draft at 19 and 22 for example than only at 15. This draft after the first picks is really open and you'll have talent in this first round. Better to have two than one, above all if it's for winning 4-5 places in the draft.

[mystargtr34]

I would only think the Spurs would package 19 and 22 for a pick around the 15 range if there was someone at 15 who they really like or someone who slides. Those two picks might even get you up to pick 13 or 14.

[KingKev]

Between our 4 picks JRich, McDermott, Vassell, Keldon, Jak and Langford we have options to put together a package or packages for a solid piece or two. I’d throw Primo in there too depending in how PATFO views him by season’s end.

If a few of our picks are moved I think it is more likely to consolidate our plethora of solid bench players for a true starter.

[Mr. Body]

I don't think your idea is bad but imo it's way better to draft at 19 and 22 for example than only at 15. This draft after the first picks is really open and you'll have talent in this first round. Better to have two than one, above all if it's for winning 4-5 places in the draft.

Nah, if there's a player you want at 15 you trade up to get him. Especially in this draft, which looks like a bare cupboard.

[exstatic]

Nah, if there's a player you want at 15 you trade up to get him. Especially in this draft, which looks like a bare cupboard.
If it’s bare cupboard, there won’t be anyone worth a 2 for 1 at 15.

[Mr. Body]

If it’s bare cupboard, there won’t be anyone worth a 2 for 1 at 15.

If it was a bare cupboard none of the players would fit inside.

[Mr. Body]

After last night, looks like Washington and Lakers are in free-fall. I still think the Knicks are playing for pride and won't loose too much.

But Washington has tumbled from the play-in race and weren't remotely competitive last night.

Lakers look gassed and disinterested and ashamed. Which is hilarious, but has consequences

Spurs are one win below New Orleans, but the Pels still seem to want a play-in (and they don't own their pick). Spurs are two wins below Los Angeles, but it's hard to see the Lakers turn it around.

LAL, Washington, and New York are all sitting at 29 wins, with the Spurs sitting at 27. I see a very good chance that not only the Spurs leap the Lakers for the play-in, they wind up with more wins than at least two of those teams, leaving them at 10 or 11.

[exstatic]

After last night, looks like Washington and Lakers are in free-fall. I still think the Knicks are playing for pride and won't loose too much.

But Washington has tumbled from the play-in race and weren't remotely competitive last night.

Lakers look gassed and disinterested and ashamed. Which is hilarious, but has consequences

Spurs are one win below New Orleans, but the Pels still seem to want a play-in (and they don't own their pick). Spurs are two wins below Los Angeles, but it's hard to see the Lakers turn it around.

LAL, Washington, and New York are all sitting at 29 wins, with the Spurs sitting at 27. I see a very good chance that not only the Spurs leap the Lakers for the play-in, they wind up with more wins than at least two of those teams, leaving them at 10 or 11.

Yeah, OK. We barely beat OKC last night by having the least clutch player on our roster hit a clutch 3 pointer with a second left, and you think we’re going on some sort of a tear?

[rjv]

spurs are not playing well at all right now-especially on the defensive end of the court

[Mr. Body]

Yeah, OK. We barely beat OKC last night by having the least clutch player on our roster hit a clutch 3 pointer with a second left, and you think we’re going on some sort of a tear?

Did I say "go on a tear"? Lol.

I think they'll go around .500, maybe a little worse. Meanwhile, the Lakers have the third hardest remaining schedule and look like dogshit. Washington's remaining is easier, but they have no incentive to win. Only the Spurs out of the three isn't going to overtly tank.

Unless the Lakers find a soul they do not possess, the chance of the Spurs overtaking them is significant.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Did I say "go on a tear"? Lol.

I think they'll go around .500, maybe a little worse. Meanwhile, the Lakers have the third hardest remaining schedule and look like dogshit. Washington's remaining is easier, but they have no incentive to win. Only the Spurs out of the three isn't going to overtly tank.

Unless the Lakers find a soul they do not possess, the chance of the Spurs overtaking them is significant.

I agree about the Spurs play in chances. The upcoming game against NO will be very important, as a win would not only put the Spurs level with them in the win column but would also secure the tie breaker. And with Lakers in a freefall even the 9th seed is possible.

[KingKev]

I agree about the Spurs play in chances. The upcoming game against NO will be very important, as a win would not only put the Spurs level with them in the win column but would also secure the tie breaker. And with Lakers in a freefall even the 9th seed is possible.

The play-in is ours for the taking. This organization is too prideful for us not to go for it.

It’s quite the conundrum because on the whole this team really is trying to win and has been all-season but still just as good as teams who are clearly tanking and those teams all have potential foundational pieces and we have nothing outside of Murray.

[exstatic]

Did I say "go on a tear"? Lol.

I think they'll go around .500, maybe a little worse. Meanwhile, the Lakers have the third hardest remaining schedule and look like dogshit. Washington's remaining is easier, but they have no incentive to win. Only the Spurs out of the three isn't going to overtly tank.

Unless the Lakers find a soul they do not possess, the chance of the Spurs overtaking them is significant.

For a team playing .386 ball, .500 is going on a tear. It’s an appreciable jump in play level.

You also shouldn’t look at wins. Look at losses. Those lock you in to a position. Washington has played 2 less games than we have, but we have 4 more losses. We have 3 more losses than the Lakers.

[BatManu20]

1504465431926648837

[Mr. Body]

The play-in is ours for the taking. This organization is too prideful for us not to go for it.

It’s quite the conundrum because on the whole this team really is trying to win and has been all-season but still just as good as teams who are clearly tanking and those teams all have potential foundational pieces and we have nothing outside of Murray.

The Spurs have a weird EOY schedule that is both heavy with teams they should lose to, like Memphis, GSW x2, etc., and teams they could beat. Those include the Rox, NOP x2 and Portland x3.

Those Portland games could be gimmes. The games against the good teams may be against teams that have pulled back to avoid injury with their PO positions locked in.

The Pelicans are a question mark. As mentioned, they do not own their draft pick and are members of the play-in, but who knows. Again, the Spurs are only one win off them right now.

What I think it comes down to is the Lakers, who are horrible. I think the team has all but given up. The Spurs are only two wins off. I'm too optimistic in seeing a .500 win rate for San Antonio, but the point is the only teams to pay attention to for their slots are these -- New Orleans, Los Angeles and Washington. Of those, only NOP seems capable or desirous of winning. On the other end, Portland and Sacramento, but I don't see them winning enough to swap places. Neither team has anything to play for.

[exstatic]

When you’re in a race to the bottom, only look at the losses. We’re 2 ahead of NO, 3 ahead of LAL, and 4 ahead of Washington. New Orleans is playing to win, and I can’t imagine the networks being happy with LAL completely out of it.

[slick'81]

Spurs need to just stop winning. Everything else will take care of itself

[KingKev]

When you’re in a race to the bottom, only look at the losses. We’re 2 ahead of NO, 3 ahead of LAL, and 4 ahead of Washington. New Orleans is playing to win, and I can’t imagine the networks being happy with LAL completely out of it.

The problem is we aren’t covert tanking as you suggest, while our counterparts probably are. Games against teams with solidified playoff positioning are just as winnable as games against POR and NO. As long as DJ and Jak are playing regular minutes this team is gunning for that play-in.

Those last four games vs the Wolves, Warriors, Mavs and Nuggets might be scratches for the other side depending on how the cookie crumbles.

Remember the Warriors 9th-15th men beat the brakes off us last time around so this is probably going to the wire.

[BatManu20]

Spurs definitely aren’t tanking… Pop looks way more engaged the past month or so than he did all season long. Chasing his record lit a fire under him. He’s playing Richardson big minutes, often over Primo, because he’s trying to win, not develop guys while tanking.

Last night would’ve been a perfect game to drop off we were tanking. He played Lonnie throughout the 4th Qtr because he was hot. He could’ve easily sat him. He didn’t. He doesn’t give a fuck about our pick. He won’t even be here to long enough to care about whoever we draft. Pop wants to win and he wants to win now.

[exstatic]

Spurs definitely aren’t tanking… Pop looks way more engaged the past month or so than he did all season long. Chasing his record lit a fire under him. He’s playing Richardson big minutes, often over Primo, because he’s trying to win, not develop guys while tanking.

Last night would’ve been a perfect game to drop off we were tanking. He played Lonnie throughout the 4th Qtr because he was hot. He could’ve easily sat him. He didn’t. He doesn’t give a fuck about our pick. He won’t even be here to long enough to care about whoever we draft. Pop wants to win and he wants to win now.

Or, Richardson is being showcased for contenders, and he’s intentionally sabotaging winning by force feeding Lonnie.

[Mr. Body]

When you’re in a race to the bottom, only look at the losses. We’re 2 ahead of NO, 3 ahead of LAL, and 4 ahead of Washington. New Orleans is playing to win, and I can’t imagine the networks being happy with LAL completely out of it.

That's the wrong way of looking at it. Wins are less likely to happen, so you look at the wins. The reverse for good teams.

[exstatic]

That's the wrong way of looking at it. Wins are less likely to happen, so you look at the wins. The reverse for good teams.

The most losses ‘wins’. Tracking wins is foolish in a contest of losses.

We’re technically still ahead of Portland, because if we both lose all of our games, we will have a worse record.

[Mr. Body]

The most losses ‘wins’. Tracking wins is foolish in a contest of losses.


Everyone plays the same number of games. Watching losses doesn't make sense because they all lose a lot. The wins are outliers, so you track the wins. But do whatever works for you.

[KingKev]

Or, Richardson is being showcased for contenders, and he’s intentionally sabotaging winning by force feeding Lonnie.

You often live in your own reality

[Mr. Body]

Or, Richardson is being showcased for contenders, and he’s intentionally sabotaging winning by force feeding Lonnie.

I don't think established veterans ever have to be 'showcased.' Teams know who these players are.

My guess is they are still in the trenches of developing Lonnie. Now that they have him scoring consistently and being aggressive and no longer thinking about that side of the court as much, they may want to get him more screwed in defensively. It's not a matter of swallowing the game whole, but in breaking it down into increments for him.

[MannyIsGod]

Or, Richardson is being showcased for contenders, and he’s intentionally sabotaging winning by force feeding Lonnie.

You keep repeating this take and its just stupid. Pop is not intentionally tanking, or stealth tanking, or any other kind of tanking. He's giving the young guys an opportunity to make it into the play in while still trying to coach them up.

They are 8 - 11 since the start of Feb which is obviously not great but definitely not some sabotage shit run that you seem to be implying.

I don't know why y'all are so hung up on looking at wins or losses as if either is going to give you some key to the final record that the other doesn't. Just look at the remaining games and the likelyhood of the Spurs winning each one and you'll see where this team is going to end up. 8th is the likeliest individual outcome, but that doesn't mean that tat its more likely than a combination of other outcomes. In other words, is it more likely that the Spurs improve from 8th, or stay at 8th? Probably improve. So while 9th and 10th might have lower percentages than 8th individually, combined its probably more because the margin between these places is so small.

[MannyIsGod]

I will say this, Pop isn't going all out to win. Yet. He's still playing Tre Jones and Primo quite a bit and while one could argue that the Spurs don't really have any other options, he could shorten the bench and ride his better players more. Maybe that's in play more if they move into the 10th position. I do think that would be in play if they make the play in game.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Looked like a Cleveland loss and a Toronto win. Both games to OT, and both Denver and Toronto blew it. Portland tanked out a loss under Brooklyn. That Toronto pick is looking like a pipe dream right about now.

A perfect night for the Spurs turned upside down. At least the Spurs aren't going to overcome a 36 point deficit in the 4th. Maybe Pop will have enough sense to let go and not risk injury to DJ and Keldon.

[barakz21]

And the tank rolls on

[Mr. Body]

Looked like a Cleveland loss and a Toronto win. Both games to OT, and both Denver and Toronto blew it. Portland tanked out a loss under Brooklyn. That Toronto pick is looking like a pipe dream right about now.

A perfect night for the Spurs turned upside down. At least the Spurs aren't going to overcome a 36 point deficit in the 4th. Maybe Pop will have enough sense to let go and not risk injury to DJ and Keldon.

Toronto is on the plus side of the play-in, aren't they? Even if they couldn't beat Brooklyn (if thing stayed the way they are), they have a second game against the winner of Atlanta/Charlotte to make the playoffs.

[BackHome]

It sucks we got to play Portland 3 times as man oh man they seriously trying to get in the top 5

[R. DeMurre]

You keep repeating this take and its just stupid. Pop is not intentionally tanking, or stealth tanking, or any other kind of tanking.




I will say this, Pop isn't going all out to win.


Uh....

[exstatic]

Uh....

In consecutive posts, no less…

[BatManu20]

Uh....

:lol

[John B]

Uh....
:lol

[MannyIsGod]

lol

What i'm saying is that Pop isn't valuing winning at the expense of everything else. He's trying to develop players even if it hurts the team now. That, IMO, is not like tanking. Tanking means you're actively trying to lose. If you want to say that this is stealth tanking, then OK, I don't really agree but I can't say that Pop is going all out.

[Atl Spur]

Pop isn’t trying to win games right now……..

[slick'81]

Pop isn’t trying to win games right now……..

why would he?

[MultiTroll]

I will say this, Pop isn't going all out to win. Yet. He's still playing Tre Jones and Primo quite a bit and while one could argue that the Spurs don't really have any other options, he could shorten the bench and ride his better players more. Maybe that's in play more if they move into the 10th position. I do think that would be in play if they make the play in game.


lol

What i'm saying is that Pop isn't valuing winning at the expense of everything else. He's trying to develop players even if it hurts the team now. That, IMO, is not like tanking. Tanking means you're actively trying to lose. If you want to say that this is stealth tanking, then OK, I don't really agree but I can't say that Pop is going all out.


Pop isn’t trying to win games right now……..
Hot takes. :lol
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/bryn-forbes-and-patty-mills-of-the-san-antonio-spurs-talk-against-the-picture-id901301050

[spurs1990]

It’s probably already been posted several times but a big difference in top-4 pick odds between 7th and 8th worst records.

San Antonio has a 31% odds of getting a top 4 pick at the 7 slot, and drops down to 20% if they rise to 8th.

Somehow gotta prevent any of Portland, Indiana, or Sacramento from falling behind the Spurs in the draft slot.
Coach has to do what he must

[exstatic]

It’s probably already been posted several times but a big difference in top-4 pick odds between 7th and 8th worst records.

San Antonio has a 31% odds of getting a top 4 pick at the 7 slot, and drops down to 20% if they rise to 8th.

Somehow gotta prevent any of Portland, Indiana, or Sacramento from falling behind the Spurs in the draft slot.
Coach has to do what he must

#7 32%
#8 26.3%
#9 20.3%

The last two years, our odds were 8%. and 8.5%

Per Tankathon.

[MultiTroll]

It sucks we got to play Portland 3 times as man oh man they seriously trying to get in the top 5
We shall see because Portlands remaining schedule has got to be one of if not the most # of sub .500 team opponents remaining of all.

Some of these lottery fight games might be, make that will be real laughers. :corn:

[exstatic]

Portlands next two games are Indy and Detroit, two teams tanking for position.

I’m actually OK with #8, and that’s a fairly firm position. Losses are everything. NO, who s vying for the play in, are 3 losses behind us. NY, Wash, and LA are all 4 losses behind us, and there are only 11 games left for us, and close to the for everyone else.

[MultiTroll]

Portlands next two games are Indy and Detroit, two teams tanking for position.

I’m actually OK with #8, and that’s a fairly firm position. Losses are everything. NO, who s vying for the play in, are 3 losses behind us. NY, Wash, and LA are all 4 losses behind us, and there are only 11 games left for us, and close to the for everyone else.
Detroit does not appear to be tanking.
John B lives in Detroit IIRC and he's kept an eye on. Sure enough they've been giving full effort. Indeed they pounded Orlando in the would-be tank vs tanker and are about 5-5 their last 10. Go figure.
I dunno.

Feel free to add to the Tank thread, I'd love more input.

[Atl Spur]

Hot takes. :lol
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/bryn-forbes-and-patty-mills-of-the-san-antonio-spurs-talk-against-the-picture-id901301050

Uh….yeah I know. Didn’t think it needed to be stated for the 1000th time but here we are��

[MultiTroll]

Uh….yeah I know. Didn’t think it needed to be stated for the 1000th time but here we are��
It does.
When he lost with these two Chosen Ones etc post Tim and Kawhi (Zaza) the Sniffers still gave and give a full salute to Pop and his strategies.
Now that he continues to lose after reaching the Longevity record (cough cough) he is some sort of player development genius who is currently losing in stealth mode per Snifferese.
:lol :corn:

[BackHome]

Hopefully we can milk Lonnie back injury for the remaining games which will leave us with maybe getting one more win if he is out the season

[exstatic]

Hopefully we can milk Lonnie back injury for the remaining games which will leave us with maybe getting one more win if he is out the season

It would be really hard to go 1-10 with 3 games left with Portland.

[spurs1990]

#7 32%
#8 26.3%
#9 20.3%

The last two years, our odds were 8%. and 8.5%

Per Tankathon.

Wikipedia fails me once again. But that’s a relief at least at 8th only lose 6 pts for a top 4 pick. Spurs look to be no worse (or better?) than that 8th worst record.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Toronto is on the plus side of the play-in, aren't they? Even if they couldn't beat Brooklyn (if thing stayed the way they are), they have a second game against the winner of Atlanta/Charlotte to make the playoffs.


I think you're right. I just want that pick to convey this year, because anything could happen next year.

I hated seeing what looked like a dream night for the Spurs turn south in all the 4th quarters. And I'm just dreading the possibility of the Spurs inching up into that play-in zone. Have you looked at the rest of the Lakers schedule? If they didn't have those games against the Pels, they could lose out the rest of the season. And if they win the games against NO, that leaves us having to sweat the games the Pelicans play against the Blazers.

Someone below pointed out the difference between #7 and #8, and they're right, it's huge. But I can't even stand the thought of them slipping to #9. I can't believe I'm stooping to the point of rooting for the Lakers, but I'm counting on the fact that LeBron may not be the King anymore, but he's still LeBron.

[Biggems]

So as of right now Toronto plays Brooklyn. Winner is the 7th seed and loser plays the winner of Hornets and Hawks for the 8th seed. Honestly, in a perfect world scenario, Toronto loses to Brooklyn, but wins the next game and is an 8th seed. However, this is not a perfect world, and aside from the Nephew year, Toronto has a history of fucking up in the playoffs....so I don't trust them at all.

Instead, catch Cleveland and land at the 6th seed. We still get a pick in the late teens.

[exstatic]

So as of right now Toronto plays Brooklyn. Winner is the 7th seed and loser plays the winner of Hornets and Hawks for the 8th seed. Honestly, in a perfect world scenario, Toronto loses to Brooklyn, but wins the next game and is an 8th seed. However, this is not a perfect world, and aside from the Nephew year, Toronto has a history of fucking up in the playoffs....so I don't trust them at all.

Instead, catch Cleveland and land at the 6th seed. We still get a pick in the late teens.

Funny scenario would be BK as #7 and TOR as #8. Kyrie couldn’t play at all.

[John B]

So as of right now Toronto plays Brooklyn. Winner is the 7th seed and loser plays the winner of Hornets and Hawks for the 8th seed. Honestly, in a perfect world scenario, Toronto loses to Brooklyn, but wins the next game and is an 8th seed. However, this is not a perfect world, and aside from the Nephew year, Toronto has a history of fucking up in the playoffs....so I don't trust them at all.

Instead, catch Cleveland and land at the 6th seed. We still get a pick in the late teens.

I really want that Toronto pick to convey this year, with the chances of our own pick getting lower. Spurs need all the 1st pick and hopefully turn a superstar from one of them. 1 out of 3?

[MannyIsGod]

IMO Spurs lost any realistic chance at the play in on Friday. So if you are not wanting that, you don't really have much to worry about. This team has no depth, and now with injuries mounting - even if minor, they'll have to play people who aren't playing well way more minutes. Primo in particular has been pretty bad lately.

[John B]

IMO Spurs lost any realistic chance at the play in on Friday. So if you are not wanting that, you don't really have much to worry about. This team has no depth, and now with injuries mounting - even if minor, they'll have to play people who aren't playing well way more minutes. Primo in particular has been pretty bad lately.

Plenty of chance to get Primo, Zollins and Landale to get NBA competition. Vassell and Tre too could get meaningful experience before the end of the season. Just get them young plenty of burns. I know Murray could still be playing for that MIP for his personal accolade.

[Biggems]

Funny scenario would be BK as #7 and TOR as #8. Kyrie couldn’t play at all.

even better, Boston is only 1 or 2 games ahead of the 5 teams below them in the league standings. If they could somehow go on a losing streak, they could drop down to the late teens.

[duncan2150]

Big win for the Pels in Atlanta.

[exstatic]

Big win for the Pels in Atlanta.

That is big.

[BackHome]

yeah but we won and Boston won

[Mr. Body]

The win over GSW keeps the Spurs in danger of dropping spots in the lottery. They are at 28 wins and there are not one, not two, not three, but FOUR teams sitting on 30 wins. Coneivably, they could drop all the way down to 12th. But New Orleans and Los Angeles are still very much going for the play-in.

[exstatic]

The win over GSW keeps the Spurs in danger of dropping spots in the lottery. They are at 28 wins and there are not one, not two, not three, but FOUR teams sitting on 30 wins. Coneivably, they could drop all the way down to 12th. But New Orleans and Los Angeles are still very much going for the play-in.

Wins don’t matter when you’re racing for the bottom. LOSSES ARE EVERYTHING. We are 3 losses ahead of NO, just like yesterday. Three losses ahead of LA. Three losses ahead of NY. We’ve played one more game than all of them, and that’s a game that we can’t win, but each of them has the chance to win.

Time will run out on the clock of this season. We only play maybe one good game every four or five.

[Mr. Body]

Wins don’t matter when you’re racing for the bottom. LOSSES ARE EVERYTHING. We are 3 losses ahead of NO, just like yesterday. Three losses ahead of LA. Three losses ahead of NY. We’ve played one more game than all of them, and that’s a game that we can’t win, but each of them has the chance to win.

Time will run out on the clock of this season. We only play maybe one good game every four or five.

Dude, I already explained this shit to you. I'm not going to explain it to you again.

[mystargtr34]

The win over GSW keeps the Spurs in danger of dropping spots in the lottery. They are at 28 wins and there are not one, not two, not three, but FOUR teams sitting on 30 wins. Coneivably, they could drop all the way down to 12th. But New Orleans and Los Angeles are still very much going for the play-in.

Yeah the problem now is that getting close to the end of the season and the gap between play in teams and those just outside the play in widening, these teams outside (NY, WAS, SAC) will start to deliberately tank since they can't make the play-in. This will make it harder for the Spurs to stay behind them in the W column.

Dropping to 9, 10 or 11 in terms of record would be a freakin disaster.

[mystargtr34]

Also its fucking annoying how Portland can just trot out their G-League players while the Spurs are playing their best guys. I'd love to see the injury report on Anfernee Simons, Lillard, Nurkic, Bledsoe.

Spurs next game is at Portland on Wednesday. Would love Pop to throw out Landale, Cacok, Langford, Weiskamp, Jones to say fuck you to the NBA.

[BatManu20]

Also its fucking annoying how Portland can just trot out their G-League players while the Spurs are playing their best guys. I'd love to see the injury report on Anfernee Simons, Lillard, Nurkic, Bledsoe.

Spurs next game is at Portland on Wednesday. Would love Pop to throw out Landale, Cacok, Langford, Weiskamp, Jones to say fuck you to the NBA.

So you’re annoyed that Portland is tanking the right way and Spurs aren’t..? :lol

[duncan2150]

yeah but we won and Boston won

I think we need to forget boston they will give us a late first pick and that's it lol they are playing too well

We are two games and half behind NO and LA. NO have the easiest schedule of the 3. I'm more worried of the Lakers who plays in Cleveland tonight, next one against Philly.

Spurs playing Portland on Wednesday...

Last good news, The Raptors win at Philly and they are really close to Cleveland and Chicago.


So you’re annoyed that Portland is tanking the right way and Spurs aren’t..? :lol

They have just everybody injured lol

[mo7888]

Also its fucking annoying how Portland can just trot out their G-League players while the Spurs are playing their best guys. I'd love to see the injury report on Anfernee Simons, Lillard, Nurkic, Bledsoe.

Spurs next game is at Portland on Wednesday. Would love Pop to throw out Landale, Cacok, Langford, Weiskamp, Jones to say fuck you to the NBA.

That lineup might still beat Portland right now..

[ZeusWillJudge]

Boston's pick conveys. It's not likely to be outside 21-25. There are some good players who would benefit the Spurs who will be around at that range. Not great, but good. Stop worrying about that pick.

The idea that not getting Toronto's pick this season is okay is just silly. A FRP is a FRP. If nothing else, it is a STRONG chip in any potential deal. And if the Rap's pick ultimately turns into a future second rounder, it's a disaster for a team like the Spurs who need a talent infusion. Cleveland also has a FRP on the line, 1-14 protected, so they're a tank threat. Chicago has a 1-15 protected pick, so they have incentive to drop. Brooklyn doesn't have a pick no matter what, so they have every incentive to win in the play-in. Atlanta doesn't have a pick on the line, so they would be playing their hardest in the play-in. The only good news is that Charlotte would have to drop to 19 to keep their pick, and a lot of the potential tankers above are in the way, so they'll probably play to win.

The Spurs best chance of drafting an above average player is with their own pick, and they control their own destiny. And they're being stupid with it. They could easily have claimed the 6 pick, which still has great a great odds profile. As it is, I can easily see them dropping to 9 or even 10. Some people love to say that Pop is doing things the "right way". But tossing an obviously lost season to improve the future is just good strategy.

[emanueldavidginobili]

IMO Spurs lost any realistic chance at the play in on Friday. So if you are not wanting that, you don't really have much to worry about. This team has no depth, and now with injuries mounting - even if minor, they'll have to play people who aren't playing well way more minutes. Primo in particular has been pretty bad lately.
I don’t know man the Lakers are 6-17 since January 27th and their remaining schedule is brutal as hell, It’s going to be very close.


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[R. DeMurre]

I imagine Laker fans are hoping that teams like Golden State, Phoenix, and Denver are sitting their stars the last few games of the regular season.

[The Truth #6]

Boston's pick conveys. It's not likely to be outside 21-25. There are some good players who would benefit the Spurs who will be around at that range. Not great, but good. Stop worrying about that pick.

The idea that not getting Toronto's pick this season is okay is just silly. A FRP is a FRP. If nothing else, it is a STRONG chip in any potential deal. And if the Rap's pick ultimately turns into a future second rounder, it's a disaster for a team like the Spurs who need a talent infusion. Cleveland also has a FRP on the line, 1-14 protected, so they're a tank threat. Chicago has a 1-15 protected pick, so they have incentive to drop. Brooklyn doesn't have a pick no matter what, so they have every incentive to win in the play-in. Atlanta doesn't have a pick on the line, so they would be playing their hardest in the play-in. The only good news is that Charlotte would have to drop to 19 to keep their pick, and a lot of the potential tankers above are in the way, so they'll probably play to win.

The Spurs best chance of drafting an above average player is with their own pick, and they control their own destiny. And they're being stupid with it. They could easily have claimed the 6 pick, which still has great a great odds profile. As it is, I can easily see them dropping to 9 or even 10. Some people love to say that Pop is doing things the "right way". But tossing an obviously lost season to improve the future is just good strategy.

I agree. About time to see what Joe Wieskamp can do with extended minutes. Free Lil Weezy!

[MultiTroll]

Cleveland also has a FRP on the line, 1-14 protected, so they're a tank threat. Chicago has a 1-15 protected pick, so they have incentive to drop.
Good stuff thank you.
But Cleveland is also in 6th at present. Would they tank this years playoff position to ensure the pick?
Ditto Chicago.
Draw me a picture please, and if you would on the other side on the Tank thread?

[duncan2150]

Some key matchups down the stretch.

Lakers, Blazers, Pels, Wizards actually winning but still plenty of time

edit : Lakers win, Pels lose, Portland in a tough battle in Detroit lol
big game between Toronto and Chicago for the 5-6 places in the East, Toronto will tie the Cavs with a win.

[BatManu20]

Pelicans just blew a big lead late in the 4th in Charlotte and lost. Spurs definitely making that play-in tbh smh.

[exstatic]

Pelicans just blew a big lead late in the 4th in Charlotte and lost. Spurs definitely making that play-in tbh smh.

We’ve got another H2H that should seal the deal. They’re on of the few teams ahead of us that are NOT tanking.

[Mr. Body]

I'm not too worried about the Pels. They're a good(ish) team working for the play-in. Beating the Hornets in CHA isn't easy.

Lakers are playing better.

WASH won tonight, which is good. Minor worries between them and NYK. It seems unlikely the Spurs move up the lottery; my fear is moving down.

[Mr. Body]

What am I talking about. Washington is losing to the freaking Rockets right now.

[BatManu20]

Wizards about to lose to the Rockets too. Shameful.

[mystargtr34]

Boston's pick conveys. It's not likely to be outside 21-25. There are some good players who would benefit the Spurs who will be around at that range. Not great, but good. Stop worrying about that pick.

The idea that not getting Toronto's pick this season is okay is just silly. A FRP is a FRP. If nothing else, it is a STRONG chip in any potential deal. And if the Rap's pick ultimately turns into a future second rounder, it's a disaster for a team like the Spurs who need a talent infusion. Cleveland also has a FRP on the line, 1-14 protected, so they're a tank threat. Chicago has a 1-15 protected pick, so they have incentive to drop. Brooklyn doesn't have a pick no matter what, so they have every incentive to win in the play-in. Atlanta doesn't have a pick on the line, so they would be playing their hardest in the play-in. The only good news is that Charlotte would have to drop to 19 to keep their pick, and a lot of the potential tankers above are in the way, so they'll probably play to win.

The Spurs best chance of drafting an above average player is with their own pick, and they control their own destiny. And they're being stupid with it. They could easily have claimed the 6 pick, which still has great a great odds profile. As it is, I can easily see them dropping to 9 or even 10. Some people love to say that Pop is doing things the "right way". But tossing an obviously lost season to improve the future is just good strategy.

There's no way Cleveland tanks for a pick that would be in the 12-14 range when they are in the playoff picture. That team is now on an upward trajectory. They can make some noise if they are health in the playoffs.

[ZeusWillJudge]

There's no way Cleveland tanks for a pick that would be in the 12-14 range when they are in the playoff picture. That team is now on an upward trajectory. They can make some noise if they are health in the playoffs.


They will or they won't. I just listed who has incentive. But if the Cavs were to drop a few in a row, even though they were trying? They might just call it a season and take that 12-14 draft pick. Like I said, any FRP is a big chip in a potential deal.

I'm just feeling pessimistic after those last 2 Spurs wins. If they had let those two go, I think they would be tied for the 5th pick. Maybe they would be 6th, but still. Huge difference in lottery equity.

[mystargtr34]

Looking at Toronto's schedule, of their remaining 10 games, 8 are at home and 2 on the road (@Orlando and @NY). The next game is against Cleveland, hopefully they get the W and they will own the tie breaker over Cleveland.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Good stuff thank you.
But Cleveland is also in 6th at present. Would they tank this years playoff position to ensure the pick?
Ditto Chicago.
Draw me a picture please, and if you would on the other side on the Tank thread?


I didn't see yours before I posted. I don't really have a picture. The thought of the Spurs slipping down to the 9 or 10 seed makes me queasy, and I'm seeing a lot of ways that could happen. What I really want is for them to get to that 6 pick, but I don't see any way that happens. I could have tried to put together some kind of matrix, but I'd rather be all doom and gloom I guess.

Honestly, I guess Cleveland losing a bunch shouldn't affect Toronto's chances too much unless things fall together perfectly wrong. But my thought was that Brooklyn could catch fire, Cleveland could drop to 7, and Toronto to 8. And Toronto would just pack it in for the play-in.

LOL. I remember now, when I was writing that earlier I was thinking about Pop "doing the right thing" and playing for the W's, and then retiring. So I may have been steaming a little. But if Pop knows he's done, he really should leave the next coach in as good of shape as possible.

[MultiTroll]

I didn't see yours before I posted. I don't really have a picture. The thought of the Spurs slipping down to the 9 or 10 seed makes me queasy, and I'm seeing a lot of ways that could happen. What I really want is for them to get to that 6 pick, but I don't see any way that happens. I could have tried to put together some kind of matrix, but I'd rather be all doom and gloom I guess.

Honestly, I guess Cleveland losing a bunch shouldn't affect Toronto's chances too much unless things fall together perfectly wrong. But my thought was that Brooklyn could catch fire, Cleveland could drop to 7, and Toronto to 8. And Toronto would just pack it in for the play-in.

Don't care about Pop, now could be coaching to win when a 1-7 lotto pick that is (was?) within grasp vs sucking the last 3.9 years. Know all about him.
Tanking, who is and who is not is what i'd like to know. Seems to be changing by the days.
Cleveland you mentioned now sure enough they lost to the Lakers today.
Portland? What the hell did they win today for?
Detroit? The hell are they up to losing to Portland today?

See thread on NBA forum please.

[duncan2150]

Spurs needs to win 6 Or 7 of their last 10 games to be in the play in imo, unlikely. Pels are playing well ( i watched their last 3 games) and the lakers have an edge.

Team to watch now is the wizards, they lose badly to Houston.

[tbdog]

Don't care about Pop, now could be coaching to win when a 1-7 lotto pick that is (was?) within grasp vs sucking the last 3.9 years. Know all about him.
Tanking, who is and who is not is what i'd like to know. Seems to be changing by the days.
Cleveland you mentioned now sure enough they lost to the Lakers today.
Portland? What the hell did they win today for?
Detroit? The hell are they up to losing to Portland today?

See thread on NBA forum please.

I don't get this losing mentality on ST. You always play to win. You should never 'tank'. Instead of trying to lose, you should strive for development. That is what Pop and White are doing FFS.

[The Truth #6]

I don't get this losing mentality on ST. You always play to win. You should never 'tank'. Instead of trying to lose, you should strive for development. That is what Pop and White are doing FFS.

Aggressive developing is basically tanking, which is why I want Joe Wieskamp to see extended minutes at the center spot!

[cd98]

Pop was good at tanking for Tim, but now he seems to want to ensure that we are at the back end of the lottery.

[exstatic]

Pop was good at tanking for Tim, but now he seems to want to ensure that we are at the back end of the lottery.

Fallacy. Spurs set a single season record, at the time, with ~280 player games missed. David missed all but a few games with a sports hernia and a broken foot. Sean missed half the season with quad tendinitis. Avery missed a chunk of the season, but they brought him back in March, and won games that dropped them down to 6th in the draft.

[exstatic]

I don't get this losing mentality on ST. You always play to win. You should never 'tank'. Instead of trying to lose, you should strive for development. That is what Pop and White are doing FFS.

We’re not going anywhere. The difference between 7 and 10 in jumping into the top 4 is 32.0% or 13.9%. I’m not an advocate of tanking a whole season, but absolutely tanking the end of a useless season for an infusion of talent that we desperately need.

[MultiTroll]

I don't get this losing mentality on ST. You always play to win. You should never 'tank'. Instead of trying to lose, you should strive for development. That is what Pop and White are doing FFS.
How was Tim Duncan obtained?

[ZeusWillJudge]

Aggressive developing is basically tanking, which is why I want Joe Wieskamp to see extended minutes at the center spot!


LOL. I invented rationalization millennia ago, and even I'm impressed with that. Well played.

The simple fact is that the Spurs had the best winning percentage of any team in any professional sport for a decade. (Or more, let's not split hairs.) And we know that the draft is very top-loaded. So even with careful drafting, free-agency, and development they eventually had to wind up with a talent deficit. If we can't agree on that much, there's not anything to discuss.

If there wasn't a salary cap, they could go out and buy upgraded talent all the time. But there is a salary cap, and that says you have to get a periodic infusion from the draft. The top of the draft, not the bottom half. Maybe Pop really is so magical that he can keep developing mediocre talent into first round playoff teams. But that's all the more reason to give him the occasional Top 6 player to build on. If there's another way of doing the math, it has totally escaped me.

Personally, I think Pop is a GOAT-level coach, when he has GOAT-level talent. He doesn't have that now, and he's not going to get it because of his arrogance. He's counting on some extreme luck with ping pong balls - I think luck isn't a good strategy. I know Tyche personally, and I don't trust her that much.

[Ariel]

I want PF Drew Timme in the draft. I wanted him with the Detroit pick in the 2nd round. I am not sure he will last until our 2nd rd pick. I know he isn't the most athletic guy out there. However, he has a great skill set, high BBIQ, plays with swagger and toughness, and is a team leader. I think he would fit in great here.

Watching play, he reminds me a lot of Pau Gasol during the Laker years.
He reminds me of Luis Scola quite a bit, the craftiness, the footwork, his demeanor... I'd never heard of him before, and he's been much more important for Gonzaga's run so far than the highly touted Holmgreen, who's been a disappointment so far. I'd prefer Eason or Sochan with the first rounders, but if he's still on the board with the 2nd rounder, I'd take him in a heartbeat.

[jjspur]

All this talk about tanking is a bunch of crap !!. That being said, Tanking to get a top 5 player does happen, but its usually for one really really good player. (this draft isn't exactly loaded with them) Is that all it takes .... no. Unless you have them already you need some other decent players on the team as well in order to win.
Will one really good player make a difference ? Of course it will, just ask the Cavaliers. With one really good player and a few decent vets they are making a jump from perennial doormats to the playoffs. However look how many years of losing it took for them to get to this point. Don't get me started with the rockets, they have a ton of young talent but they still suck.

The spurs wont lose enough to get a top 3 player, so lets eliminate that. They'll need a lucky bounce of a ping pong ball to even have a chance whether they finish 4 or 14. I know more losses means more ping pong balls/more chances, but all it takes is one.

Bottom line, good young talent from the draft absolutely helps, but its the all stars and seasoned vets that get you across the finish line. Lets do our best to be competitive. If we make it to the play in game and we lose, we still look OK. If we barely miss the play in, we'll look ok for trying. However if its obvious we are tanking we don't look so good. If we tank and don't get a top pick we look foolish for tanking. We will look even more foolish is we tank and select a crappy player (it does happen), that would be really bad.
Lets try real hard to not look foolish and concentrate on winning where we can and select the best player wherever we land in the draft.

[exstatic]

All this talk about tanking is a bunch of crap !!. That being said, Tanking to get a top 5 player does happen, but its usually for one really really good player. (this draft isn't exactly loaded with them) Is that all it takes .... no. Unless you have them already you need some other decent players on the team as well in order to win.
Will one really good player make a difference ? Of course it will, just ask the Cavaliers. With one really good player and a few decent vets they are making a jump from perennial doormats to the playoffs. However look how many years of losing it took for them to get to this point. Don't get me started with the rockets, they have a ton of young talent but they still suck.

The spurs wont lose enough to get a top 3 player, so lets eliminate that. They'll need a lucky bounce of a ping pong ball to even have a chance whether they finish 4 or 14. I know more losses means more ping pong balls/more chances, but all it takes is one.

Bottom line, good young talent from the draft absolutely helps, but its the all stars and seasoned vets that get you across the finish line. Lets do our best to be competitive. If we make it to the play in game and we lose, we still look OK. If we barely miss the play in, we'll look ok for trying. However if its obvious we are tanking we don't look so good. If we tank and don't get a top pick we look foolish for tanking. We will look even more foolish is we tank and select a crappy player (it does happen), that would be really bad.
Lets try real hard to not look foolish and concentrate on winning where we can and select the best player wherever we land in the draft.

When you are a small market team, stars ONLY come from the draft. Right now, we have a 26.3% chance for the top 4. If we drop just 2 spots, that becomes 13%, and we get a participant ribbon for getting pounded in the 9/10 play in game. At this point in the season, the is just no upside to fighting for a play in spot, and huge upside to taking the foot off the gas.

The young players have played hard, matured, and developed their skills this year, and that’s true whether we finish 7th or 10th in the draft order.

[Mr. Body]

We need to accept that there may be no stars in this draft. OR, that there are no stars at the top of the draft. Holmgren and Smith may be solidifying themselves as 1 and 2. Ivey could be a star, but I wonder if the Spurs think he's a Spurs player. I'm unsure whether Paolo will be a star. I'm very intrigued by Mathurin right now.

I think we may need to understand the Spurs just don't care to pay these top picks high rookie rates when they don't project as stars. AND, that they aren't going to bother tanking in order to get those picks. They're more likely to want players who fit their system and culture. And part of their culture is not overpaying guys. One of the reasons why White isn't around anymore.

[BacktoBasics]

We need to accept that there may be no stars in this draft. OR, that there are no stars at the top of the draft. Holmgren and Smith may be solidifying themselves as 1 and 2. Ivey could be a star, but I wonder if the Spurs think he's a Spurs player. I'm unsure whether Paolo will be a star. I'm very intrigued by Mathurin right now.

I think we may need to understand the Spurs just don't care to pay these top picks high rookie rates when they don't project as stars. AND, that they aren't going to bother tanking in order to get those picks. They're more likely to want players who fit their system and culture. And part of their culture is not overpaying guys. One of the reasons why White isn't around anymore.

Well the obvious question is who will they target in the off-season. Because a late lottery pick isn’t going to move the needle much. So if they’re not going to gun for a top 4 they’ll have to compensate for that in free agency.

They don’t want to pay a rookie they’ll need to pay a FA if they’re not going to tank and expect to compete.

[exstatic]

We need to accept that there may be no stars in this draft. OR, that there are no stars at the top of the draft. Holmgren and Smith may be solidifying themselves as 1 and 2. Ivey could be a star, but I wonder if the Spurs think he's a Spurs player. I'm unsure whether Paolo will be a star. I'm very intrigued by Mathurin right now.

I think we may need to understand the Spurs just don't care to pay these top picks high rookie rates when they don't project as stars. AND, that they aren't going to bother tanking in order to get those picks. They're more likely to want players who fit their system and culture. And part of their culture is not overpaying guys. One of the reasons why White isn't around anymore.

Pay is the last reason the Spurs would hypothetically not be interested in the top 4. You keep saying this and it keeps not being true. Spurs have shown no signs of financial pinching, and have like $30 M in cap room this summer. I’ll repeat what I said last time time you trotted out this crap. They paid Aminu and Hutchison $14 M to go away and NOT play for them. That doesn’t sound like an organization that is financially strapped, or overly concerned with payroll.

Oh, and Bryn Forebes’ $4,5 M turned into Satoransky’s $10M through two uptrades, and they bought out both Dragic from the Toronto trade AND Satoransky from the Forbes chain. Yeah, they’re tight with the money. :rolleyes

[jjspur]

When you are a small market team, stars ONLY come from the draft. Right now, we have a 26.3% chance for the top 4. If we drop just 2 spots, that becomes 13%, and we get a participant ribbon for getting pounded in the 9/10 play in game. At this point in the season, the is just no upside to fighting for a play in spot, and huge upside to taking the foot off the gas.

The young players have played hard, matured, and developed their skills this year, and that’s true whether we finish 7th or 10th in the draft order.
I don't disagree with anything you've said. Its all true. But remember its just a chance. Even if we do get lucky, real success doesn't always come with a top5 pick especially with this years so so draft.
Lets look at last years draft (actually a pretty good draft).
#1 pick Cade Cunningham Did he make Detroit significantly better ? He's a good individual player but Detroit is still bad.
#2 pick Jalen Green Same as above. Houston stinks as well.
#3 pick Evan Mobley He has made a big difference for Cleveland. He's what I think you and most spurs fans are thinking when talking about tanking. Got to tank and pick wisely.
#4 pick Scottie Barnes Definitely a good player and has made Toronto better but still a middle of the pack team and first round fodder. Hey we should have their next #1 pick !
#5 pick Jalen Suggs Even with 2 top 10 picks they are still at the bottom of the standings. At the bottom, they won't need that much luck for a decent pick.

We both know that the spurs will need a lucky bounce to get a decent player and even then it doesn't always pay off immediately. The teams above were pretty bad or just lucky enough to move up a bit. I believe in luck like everyone else. A good pick helps, I just believe more in trying to play better now rather than tanking and waiting a year or two or three down the line for it to pay off.
Like you said we're a small market team and with our past history, culture and reputation, the spurs tanking, especially if its obvious like some other teams, is just not a good look no matter what the benefits.

[BackHome]

Aggressive developing is basically tanking, which is why I want Joe Wieskamp to see extended minutes at the center spot!

I think the kid has potential do it Pop!!!!

[exstatic]

I don't disagree with anything you've said. Its all true. But remember its just a chance. Even if we do get lucky, real success doesn't always come with a top5 pick especially with this years so so draft.
Lets look at last years draft (actually a pretty good draft).
#1 pick Cade Cunningham Did he make Detroit significantly better ? He's a good individual player but Detroit is still bad.
#2 pick Jalen Green Same as above. Houston stinks as well.
#3 pick Evan Mobley He has made a big difference for Cleveland. He's what I think you and most spurs fans are thinking when talking about tanking. Got to tank and pick wisely.
#4 pick Scottie Barnes Definitely a good player and has made Toronto better but still a middle of the pack team and first round fodder. Hey we should have their next #1 pick !
#5 pick Jalen Suggs Even with 2 top 10 picks they are still at the bottom of the standings. At the bottom, they won't need that much luck for a decent pick.

We both know that the spurs will need a lucky bounce to get a decent player and even then it doesn't always pay off immediately. The teams above were pretty bad or just lucky enough to move up a bit. I believe in luck like everyone else. A good pick helps, I just believe more in trying to play better now rather than tanking and waiting a year or two or three down the line for it to pay off.
Like you said we're a small market team and with our past history, culture and reputation, the spurs tanking, especially if its obvious like some other teams, is just not a good look no matter what the benefits.

Nobody comes out and makes a difference immediately. Take that to the bank. There will never be another David or Tim that vaults us into contention by improving our record by 35 or 36 games.

LeBron didn’t make the playoffs until his third season.. That was almost 20 years ago. People need to stop judging any first round picks until at least 3 seasons have elapsed.

[John B]

Nobody comes out and makes a difference immediately. Take that to the bank. There will never be another David or Tim that vaults us into contention by improving our record by 35 or 36 games.

LeBron didn’t make the playoffs until his third season.. That was almost 20 years ago. People need to stop judging any first round picks until at least 3 seasons have elapsed.

DRob’s rookie year was actually more impressive, without another Tier 1 as a teammate, and still making the biggest turnaround. Timmy on the other hand, landed on a playoff team and was just injured the previous year. Anyway, I honestly think a more stronger Chet could very well be a generational talent. I think the Spurs are better than it’s record. And IF Spurs somehow get lucky with the ping pong ball, and draft Chet and get him stronger, anything could happen. Funny, I always thought Timmy would land to the Spurs then. Who knows what’s going to happen? Never say never.

[Mr. Body]

Pay is the last reason the Spurs would hypothetically not be interested in the top 4. You keep saying this and it keeps not being true.

Of course it's true. Everything they do takes in mind long term viability. This is why they got rid of Derrick White; this is the reason they will get rid of Jakob Poeltl. I wonder how people continue to mistake the franchise they follow.

The Spurs will be more comfortable taking a guy later in the lottery than they would be at the top if there are absolutely exceptional franchise-worthy type players there. We need to probably break out of the paradigm we're in. And the team certainly isn't trading up to pick anybody's pet player.

[exstatic]

Of course it's true. Everything they do takes in mind long term viability. This is why they got rid of Derrick White; this is the reason they will get rid of Jakob Poeltl. I wonder how people continue to mistake the franchise they follow.

The Spurs will be more comfortable taking a guy later in the lottery than they would be at the top if there are absolutely exceptional franchise-worthy type players there. We need to probably break out of the paradigm we're in. And the team certainly isn't trading up to pick anybody's pet player.

I’m not talking about trading up. I’m talking about hitting the 26% top 4 pick odds. There’s no way they’re trading that pick.

[spurs1990]

Fallacy. Spurs set a single season record, at the time, with ~280 player games missed. David missed all but a few games with a sports hernia and a broken foot. Sean missed half the season with quad tendinitis. Avery missed a chunk of the season, but they brought him back in March, and won games that dropped them down to 6th in the draft.

I was somewhat of a Spurs fan that year but lived out of market so only saw national TV games and of course no internet coverage in a local scale back then. I know they had Dominique and world champion Maxwell along with a host of solid vets that did actually play - Del Negro, world champion Carl Herrera. Even without DRob and Sean I don’t see how they legitimately won only 20 games. There had to have been some strategizing by popvich to get close to Boston.

Anyway what’s funny is Pitino took the Boston job on the sole reasoning he would have Duncan as his cornerstone. Not only did Boston not win, the Spurs’ won the first two drawings on lottery night. Vancouver actually was worse than San Antonio also but they were ineligible to get the 1st pick due to an expansion agreement.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I was somewhat of a Spurs fan that year but lived out of market so only saw national TV games and of course no internet coverage in a local scale back then. I know they had Dominique and world champion Maxwell along with a host of solid vets that did actually play - Del Negro, world champion Carl Herrera. Even without DRob and Sean I don’t see how they legitimately won only 20 games. There had to have been some strategizing by popvich to get close to Boston.


They did well to win 20 games that season. Dominique Wilkins was in his late 30s and wasn't a good player then and Vernon Maxwell was laughably bad all season. I think he shot like 35 percent for the season. The less said about Del Negro and 'world ch:lolmpion' Carl Herrera the better. There wasn't a single player who was even average defensively. Perhaps I'm missing some sarcasm because I haven't had my coffee yet :lol

They didn't tank, unless your definition of tanking is not playing DRob for the last 5 or 6 games when he was supposedly healthy after being hurt the whole season. No one would risk their franchise player. They were legitimately that bad and they still had only like the 3rd or 4rth best odds for the number 1 pick.

[objective]

Anyone who thinks the Spurs tanked for Duncan just look at Dominique. He was their only scorer and despite rumors of trade or buyout they kept him all year and kept playing him heavy minutes. The easiest way to tank would have been to get rid of him. He wasn't efficient but no one else could generate anything.

[Ignazzz]

It was great idea to tank with Wilkins. It was better then random Young new leader

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

It was great idea to tank with Wilkins. It was better then random Young new leader

WTF? Robinson got hurt well after they signed Wilkins - he hurt his back in pre-season and then broke his foot after playing 6 games. They didn't sign Wilkins to try to tank but to win. They even played him the whole season, until the very end.

[Ignazzz]

I know it. I mean keep him later during Lost season.

[RC_Drunkford]

It's pretty much a given that we are picking 8th. Then we'll repeat what we did this season for the next one.

[The Truth #6]

It's pretty much a given that we are picking 8th. Then we'll repeat what we did this season for the next one.

At this point I’d almost be happy for 8th. I’m getting pessimistic that we will fall to a worse slot.

[ZeusWillJudge]

The Spurs will be more comfortable taking a guy later in the lottery than they would be at the top if there are absolutely exceptional franchise-worthy type players there.

Everyone available at 12 was available at 4. Not the other way around. They can always reach down and pick a player not "projected" to go until much later. They did it last year.




And the team certainly isn't trading up to pick anybody's pet player.

They aren't going to trade up to pick YOUR pet player, or SI's pet player. We all get that without being told. The real qeustion is, would they trade up to pick THEIR pet player if they felt very confident he wouldn't still be there when they are on the clock?

If the answer to that is "no", you just explained why we are even having this discussion. If the answer is "yes", then there's another way to accomplish the same thing: don't put up unnecessary hero wins at the end of a lost season. Then they could get the player they want without having to give up other assets to trade up.

[jjspur]

Nobody comes out and makes a difference immediately. Take that to the bank. There will never be another David or Tim that vaults us into contention by improving our record by 35 or 36 games.

LeBron didn’t make the playoffs until his third season.. That was almost 20 years ago. People need to stop judging any first round picks until at least 3 seasons have elapsed.

My point was about tanking in general and how its not a good look. A generation after Timmy, Robinson and Lebron were drafted, people still talk about the tank job (there we injuries as well) the spurs did to get those players, its not all nice - we get no respect in the media. However the spurs were not the only team trying to land those players. Ask the Celtics, they are still crying about not landing Duncan and that was over 20 years ago.

People all knew Timmy, Robinson and especially Lebron would be generational talents and they turned into top 20 all time NBA greats. They were absolutely worth tanking for. This years draft looks only so so with a huge drop off after the top 3 or 4 picks. There don't appear to be any Lebron James or Duncan or Robinson level talents in this draft. Is there a player that might improve the spurs record by 10 games to around .500 ... possibly just not worth tanking for.

I rather the team be remembered for trying for the playoffs rather than tanking year after year like Sacramento or Orlando definitely landing talent but missing the playoffs for a decade or longer. Not a good look.

[Mr. Body]

It's pretty much a given that we are picking 8th. Then we'll repeat what we did this season for the next one.

No, we're more likely to fall to 10 or worse.

[Mr. Body]

They aren't going to trade up to pick YOUR pet player, or SI's pet player. We all get that without being told. The real qeustion is, would they trade up to pick THEIR pet player if they felt very confident he wouldn't still be there when they are on the clock?

If the answer to that is "no", you just explained why we are even having this discussion. If the answer is "yes", then there's another way to accomplish the same thing: don't put up unnecessary hero wins at the end of a lost season. Then they could get the player they want without having to give up other assets to trade up.

No, I don't see them trading up into the top picks even if it was possible. That's been my thesis for a while now. I think they're very wary of how expensive top picks become.

On the topic of tanking, this is a team that didn't lose games to avoid a Memphis team that had their number. They don't 'lose strategically.' It's just not what this franchise does.

[BatManu20]

It's pretty much a given that we are picking 8th. Then we'll repeat what we did this season for the next one.

We’d be lucky to finish 8th at this point but it’s not at all a certainty. Knicks and Wizards only have a couple more losses than us and are now officially tanking, while the Spurs clearly aren’t. And even if we do finish 8th, we have a better chance of moving down to 9th during the draft lottery than we do moving up into the top-4.

[tbdog]

How was Tim Duncan obtained?

What happens if spurs had the number 2 pick instead?

[tbdog]

We’re not going anywhere. The difference between 7 and 10 in jumping into the top 4 is 32.0% or 13.9%. I’m not an advocate of tanking a whole season, but absolutely tanking the end of a useless season for an infusion of talent that we desperately need.

What do you mean by tanking? Do you mean by losing our playing youth players?

Who are the 4 worse teams?
Who were the 4 worst last season?

[MannyIsGod]

What happens if spurs had the number 2 pick instead?


Are you really asking this? We don't get tim duncan and probably don't have a single ring. Team probably isn't even in San Antonio, TBH. Van Horn wasn't going to lead this team anywhere.

[MultiTroll]

What happens if spurs had the number 2 pick instead?
Pop is coach / pt janitor of the San Antonio Christian High School Crusaders.

Could seem him taking Chris Anstey or Tariq Abdul-Wahad from that 1997 class.

[TD 21]

:lmao Basing mostly 19 year old prospects off of one season on mostly bad teams and thinking this irrelevant Spurs team will be remembered for trying to make the playoffs or would be less thought of for shamelessly tanking.

:lmao Being okay with tanking, but only at the end of what was always going to be a "lost season", now that it's too late to get the best odds for a projected high ceiling prospect.

This organization isn't going anywhere until they get out of the dark ages.

[spurs1990]

Are you really asking this? We don't get tim duncan and probably don't have a single ring. Team probably isn't even in San Antonio, TBH. Van Horn wasn't going to lead this team anywhere.

Stadium vote fails no doubt in 2000. Wasn't Timmy in the ads backing the referendum leading up to the election?

[duncan2150]

No, we're more likely to fall to 10 or worse.

I think it's pretty safe to say they will be 8-10, i really don't see them worse as they need to make the play in.

Their schedule is not easy, ok we have Portland 3 time and Houston but the other games are GS( ok not that good actually), Dallas, Denver, Memphis and Minny.

Imo they could be 10 if NY and Wash lose 7 or 8 of their last ten games.

[rascal]

They did well to win 20 games that season. Dominique Wilkins was in his late 30s and wasn't a good player then and Vernon Maxwell was laughably bad all season. I think he shot like 35 percent for the season. The less said about Del Negro and 'world ch:lolmpion' Carl Herrera the better. There wasn't a single player who was even average defensively. Perhaps I'm missing some sarcasm because I haven't had my coffee yet :lol

They didn't tank, unless your definition of tanking is not playing DRob for the last 5 or 6 games when he was supposedly healthy after being hurt the whole season. No one would risk their franchise player. They were legitimately that bad and they still had only like the 3rd or 4rth best odds for the number 1 pick.

They clearly tanked. robinson was cleared to play the last few weeks of the season but the spurs kept him out so not to win too many games. I clearly remember that and I was happy the Spurs didn't play Robinson down the stretch as it made more sense to get a better possible chance to land Duncan and the Spurs did just that when they won the draft lottery that year. No Duncan no titles ever in San Antonio.

[rascal]

Anyone who thinks the Spurs tanked for Duncan just look at Dominique. He was their only scorer and despite rumors of trade or buyout they kept him all year and kept playing him heavy minutes. The easiest way to tank would have been to get rid of him. He wasn't efficient but no one else could generate anything.

They tanked. Wilkins was at the end of his career when he was with the Spurs.

[rascal]

Raptors win against the Clips has them with an equal record with Cleveland for 6th in the East, they seem to be surging while the Cavs are sliding. Hopefully they can get that 6th spot and have Cleveland drop to 7th. Secure that first round pick. Spurs could then package the Boston and Raptors picks into a higher pick. I think the 19th and 22nd pick for example could get you up to 15 or 16 potentially if you find the right trade partner and they take a player for you.

Yeah The Spurs need to package those two picks for a lottery pick.

[exstatic]

I think it's pretty safe to say they will be 8-10, i really don't see them worse as they need to make the play in.

Their schedule is not easy, ok we have Portland 3 time and Houston but the other games are GS( ok not that good actually), Dallas, Denver, Memphis and Minny.

Imo they could be 10 if NY and Wash lose 7 or 8 of their last ten games.

Wash and NY have decided to hard tank. If NO continues to win, it’s entirely possible to finish 10th and not make the play in.

[exstatic]

What do you mean by tanking? Do you mean by losing our playing youth players?

Who are the 4 worse teams?
Who were the 4 worst last season?

Sit two scorers per night with ‘injuries’. We’re not good enough to overcome that more than maybe 20-25% of the time. That would likely be enough to stay 8th.

[couchman]

Big game tonight. Winner ughh, I mean, loser, gets the 7 spot for now.

[duncan2150]

Wash and NY have decided to hard tank. If NO continues to win, it’s entirely possible to finish 10th and not make the play in.


That's what i said we could not be worse than 10 imo because i think spurs will not make the play in.

For Ny and Wash, we'll see. I don't see a hard tank but bad teams.

[BatManu20]

That's what i said we could not be worse than 10 imo because i think spurs will not make the play in.

For Ny and Wash, we'll see. I don't see a hard tank but bad teams.

8 to 10 is a big drop-off though. Every pick is a big drop-off in the top-10.

[Mr. Body]

NYKnicks beat Hornets in Charlotte, a fairly big win. Knicks are clearly actually trying, they just suck even worse than the Spurs at finishing games. They looked like they were going to cough up a 20 point lead earlier in the game but held on.

[SAGirl]

NY winning against Charlotte tonight. Washington is bad though and likely to keep losing. Spurs will be 8-9 most likely. I am strangely hopeful they can jump up even with those odds.

[Mr. Body]

There's an old Encyclopedia Brown story or whatever where there's a bike race and whoever's bicycle is the slowest is the one that wins. That was the Indiana/Sacramento 'battle' tonight, which the Kings won. Both are two and three wins worse than the Spurs and I don't expect that gap to narrow.

[BackHome]

Well it look like the Mayor of New York is waiving the Rona flag so Kyrie will be playing his first home game this Sunday - I have a feeling the Nets are going to take the 7th spot from the Raptors.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Well it look like the Mayor of New York is waiving the Rona flag so Kyrie will be playing his first home game this Sunday - I have a feeling the Nets are going to take the 7th spot from the Raptors.


Put Kyrie back on that team and the Nets are easily a Top 3 team in the East. I think the Nets take the 6 spot when it's all said and done. Then it's a question of whether the Raptors or the Cavs are in the 7 slot. If the Raptors finish 8, you can just about kiss that pick goodbye. "But, but... mathematically". Yeah, I get it. But if Toronto finishes 8, you can just about kiss that pick goodbye.

[Mr. Body]

A few games back, I called a .500 record the rest of the way for the Spurs. I'm sticking to it.

At this point, I'm ready to just kick the Lakers out of the play-in and get that 5% chance for a Top 4 pick.

[ZeusWillJudge]

No, I don't see them trading up into the top picks even if it was possible. That's been my thesis for a while now. I think they're very wary of how expensive top picks become.


I agree. But more specifically, it's not what Pop does. That decision not to maneuver around Memphis was either arrogance or foolishness. I don't think Pop is a fool, but he's definitely arrogant. This whole league is about winning in the playoffs, not pulling out a ruler to see who's is bigger.

A lot of good chess players can't see their way clear to sacrifice a queen to win a match. The great players know instinctively when it's strategic.



At this point, I'm ready to just kick the Lakers out of the play-in and get that 5% chance for a Top 4 pick.


Just remember, if the Spurs get to the play-in, there's a chance that they wind up with a zero percent chance of a Top 4 pick, and the 15 pick. I hope that doesn't happen, because it isn't worth being able to say, "I told you so."

Isn't it kind of strange to think about being willing to "tank" in the play-in to be sure that doesn't happen, but not being willing to do it in the regular season to make sure it doesn't? I'm not being argumentative - I just really think this is bad strategy by Pop.

[KingKev]

I agree. But more specifically, it's not what Pop does. That decision not to maneuver around Memphis was either arrogance or foolishness. I don't think Pop is a fool, but he's definitely arrogant. This whole league is about winning in the playoffs, not pulling out a ruler to see who's is bigger.

A lot of good chess players can't see their way clear to sacrifice a queen to win a match. The great players know instinctively when it's strategic.





Just remember, if the Spurs get to the play-in, there's a chance that they wind up with a zero percent chance of a Top 4 pick, and the 15 pick. I hope that doesn't happen, because it isn't worth being able to say, "I told you so."

Isn't it kind of strange to think about being willing to "tank" in the play-in to be sure that doesn't happen, but not being willing to do it in the regular season to make sure it doesn't? I'm not being argumentative - I just really think this is bad strategy by Pop.

Nice take. As great as Pop is he has a knack for out coaching himself and being noticeably stubborn. Maybe that stubbornness is a set of rules he lives by and just won’t compromise at any cost but we have seen this story way too many times. It’s so predictable.

[slick'81]

2 games ahead of por/was and three ahead of ny/la

[MultiTroll]

2 games ahead of por/was and three ahead of ny/la
Does WA tank or play to win tonight?
Vs Mil with Greek Freak and Middleton out.

[KobesAchilles]

I'm still thankful that the Clippers are in the playoffs. They had every incentive to tank for a top pick this year with both superstars being out and they didn't. That's a good culture. I'm not sure how we aren't a better team than them when you compare both the rosters and the coaches... Maybe this proves some players on our team really are expendable and not at all as valuable as playerfans think...

[exstatic]

I'm still thankful that the Clippers are in the playoffs. They had every incentive to tank for a top pick this year with both superstars being out and they didn't. That's a good culture. I'm not sure how we aren't a better team than them when you compare both the rosters and the coaches... Maybe this proves some players on our team really are expendable and not at all as valuable as playerfans think...

Their pick conveys to OKC this year, unconditionally. The opposite of tanking.

[KobesAchilles]

Their pick conveys to OKC this year, unconditionally. The opposite of tanking.
ohh that makes sense. Still impressive though that they are in the playoffs with no real team

[donaldsonian]

They tanked. Wilkins was at the end of his career when he was with the Spurs.

Not to mention having torn his achilles back when it was harder to recover from that type of injury.

[Mr. Body]

Washington put up a 13 point first quarter against the Bucks. Looks like their season is over. I see the Spurs winning more games very easily.

[BackHome]

Well it looks like Pelicans and Raptors are coming out with a W today so it's a good day...:)

[Mr. Body]

Pelicans beat a struggling Bulls team at home. As they do not own their pick, so have no reason to tank, I believe they will try to win on Saturday and will stay in the play-in.

Toronto beat Cleveland. They are now tied by record. Raptors have a pretty easy remaining schedule and I think they will play out of the play-in, meaning the pick will confer automatically.

[Mr. Body]

So my bet is Washington drops beneath the Spurs in the lottery, pushing the Spurs to #9. New Orleans stays above them. The questions are Los Angeles, who I think will eke out a play-in berth, and New York Knicks. I'm hoping New York has enough pride that they'll stick with it. So far they've been at least trying.

[mystargtr34]

I agree Washington passes the Spurs and Spurs drop to 9. Wizards are going to mail it in completely now that they are out of the play-in race. I’m not worried about the Pelicans or the Lakers either.

The Knicks I am slightly concerned but as I’ve said before Thibs really is a moron imo and will continue to play his best players 40 minutes and they’ll win a couple more games and have more wins than the Spurs.

[mo7888]

So my bet is Washington drops beneath the Spurs in the lottery, pushing the Spurs to #9. New Orleans stays above them. The questions are Los Angeles, who I think will eke out a play-in berth, and New York Knicks. I'm hoping New York has enough pride that they'll stick with it. So far they've been at least trying.

It's gonna be close...I only see 3 wins left on our schedule.. I'm gonna bet on us remaining at 8th...

[SAGirl]

Pelicans beat a struggling Bulls team at home. As they do not own their pick, so have no reason to tank, I believe they will try to win on Saturday and will stay in the play-in.

Toronto beat Cleveland. They are now tied by record. Raptors have a pretty easy remaining schedule and I think they will play out of the play-in, meaning the pick will confer automatically.
Can you give me a summary of how picks stand as of now? I haven’t kept up to date with all their picks acquired through trades.

[Mr. Body]

Can you give me a summary of how picks stand as of now? I haven’t kept up to date with all their picks acquired through trades.

tankathon.com is a really good site

[SAGirl]

So my bet is Washington drops beneath the Spurs in the lottery, pushing the Spurs to #9. New Orleans stays above them. The questions are Los Angeles, who I think will eke out a play-in berth, and New York Knicks. I'm hoping New York has enough pride that they'll stick with it. So far they've been at least trying.
So far the Spurs have also been trying. I mentally have given up the hope for a top 4 pick. It may happen still but I am now not hoping for it bc it seems they aren’t either.

I’d rather they go all in the rest of the way fwiw. They may not be good enough to even make the play-in regardless but that should prompt an honest reassessment of where they are, players included. However, right now they are in a hot streak collectively so they may just catch fire at the right time. Should be fun to watch regardless.

[SAGirl]

tankathon.com is a really good site
Will check it but I was looking more for clarification of whose picks they own. That wouldn’t be there right?

[Mr. Body]

Will check it but I was looking more for clarification of whose picks they own. That wouldn’t be there right?

It's there. They own Boston's and Toronto essentially if Toronto makes the playoffs. In the 2nd round I believe they own Los Angeles's.

[Ariel]

Will check it but I was looking more for clarification of whose picks they own. That wouldn’t be there right?
https://tankathon.com/spurs

[ZeusWillJudge]

Pelicans beat a struggling Bulls team at home. As they do not own their pick, so have no reason to tank, I believe they will try to win on Saturday and will stay in the play-in.

Toronto beat Cleveland. They are now tied by record. Raptors have a pretty easy remaining schedule and I think they will play out of the play-in, meaning the pick will confer automatically.


Toronto beating Cleveland was big. The Nets are 3 back with 9 to play. If Toronto wants to take that 6 spot, they've got a better chance now. But if the Nets manage to beat Miami and Milwaukee, they've got a good chance of finishing 9-0. And Toronto has three games that they're likely to lose. So even if everyone plays their best, not trying to tank, the Toronto pick could come down to the Raps vs. the T-Wolves.

[SAGirl]

https://tankathon.com/spurs
Thanks completely answers my question. I didn’t know that was there!

[mystargtr34]

I’m holding out some hope the Spurs can lose their next 3 @NO, @HOU, vs. MEM. Hopefully Ingram is back soon for NO, Houston’s young guys still play hard and they are almost a lock to be bottom 3, Morant is out for 2 weeks but that squad is like 17-2 without him.

[mystargtr34]

Although the Spurs could easily go 3-0 also 😂

After the next 3 @NO, @HOU, vs MEM there's two games at home against Portland which are W's for sure. The remaining 4 games are all against good teams which should see the Spurs go 0-4 (@DEN, @MIN, @GS, @DAL). GS may be locked into the 3rd seed by that point and may just rest players which may make it tough to lose for the Spurs. Dallas should still be battling Utah for the 4-5 seed by the last game so that should be an L for the Spurs.

A 2-7 finish would be great, or even 3-6 should allow the Spurs to hold on to the 8th spot. 4-5 or better probably means the 9th or 10th draft spot.

[SAGirl]

When thinking of Spurs wins and what not consider that some good teams may be resting. I honestly don’t know whose seeding is already set, but it’s not uncommon to rest a star or two off the last game once seeding is clinched. It may factor in some of the last couple of games. Is there a point where the Spurs have no chance at the play in whatsoever?

[MultiTroll]

^ man the Suns aren't phucking around.
Another win, @ Denver.

But ya when there is nothing to gain position wise we will see the smarter teams tanking.
CIA Pop playing Bryn Bryn early and now trying to stack wins vs Tankers. Asshat. :rollin

[exstatic]

Will check it but I was looking more for clarification of whose picks they own. That wouldn’t be there right?

This is every pick owed by, or owed to every team.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

[exstatic]

When thinking of Spurs wins and what not consider that some good teams may be resting. I honestly don’t know whose seeding is already set, but it’s not uncommon to rest a star or two off the last game once seeding is clinched. It may factor in some of the last couple of games. Is there a point where the Spurs have no chance at the play in whatsoever?

‘No chance’ is when they’re mathematically eliminated.

Before the Portland game, I had their remaining schedule at 4-6, which translates to 3-6 now. Spurs can really help their lotter chances by dropping the Saturday game in NO.

Losses are everything. Every loss firms up our grip on #8. Time is running out for teams like NY and Wash.

[SAGirl]

‘No chance’ is when they’re mathematically eliminated.

Before the Portland game, I had their remaining schedule at 4-6, which translates to 3-6 now. Spurs can really help their lotter chances by dropping the Saturday game in NO.

Losses are everything. Every loss firms up our grip on #8. Time is running out for teams like NY and Wash.
Thanks for this answer. When fans were hoping for the playoffs there used to be threads tracking their odds as the games went by. This year the interest is in the draft understandably. However, since the Spurs are trying to make this play in game I was wondering at what point they punch their ticket in or out mathematically as you say.

Maybe the site needs a thread to track that. I am a bad choice for creating it bc I don’t know… I’ll have to come back to this later.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Thanks for this answer. When fans were hoping for the playoffs there used to be threads tracking their odds as the games went by. This year the interest is in the draft understandably. However, since the Spurs are trying to make this play in game I was wondering at what point they punch their ticket in or out mathematically as you say.

Maybe the site needs a thread to track that. I am a bad choice for creating it bc I don’t know… I’ll have to come back to this later.


Every team that makes the playoffs is out of the lottery. That's the dividing line, not getting into the play-in. The mechanics of the play-in are pretty simple:

7&8 play each other. The winner of that game becomes the 7 seed in the playoffs. They are out of the lottery.

The loser of 7&8 then plays the winner of the 9&10 game. (Obviously 9&10 have played each other.) The winner of that game becomes the 8 seed in the playoffs, and is also out of the lottery. The loser of that game is also out of the playoffs, and in the lottery. [Corrected 8&9 to read 9&10. Obviously we need some math refresher courses on Mount Olympus.]

So if the Spurs finish with the 10th worst record in the West, they would still have to win two games in a row to take the 8th seed in the playoffs, earning them the privelege of losing to Phoenix. That, apparently, would totally outweigh the benefit of having a shot at a Top 4 draft pick.

All the above applies to Toronto in the East, except that Toronto is sitting at 7. If they move to 6, they are automatically in the playoffs and we get their pick. If they finish 7, they would have to win a single game to make the playoffs, and we get their pick. Say all that backwards, and you see how we might not get their pick.

[dbestpro]

This is the one that confuses the most.
2022 second round draft pick from L.A. Lakers
San Antonio will receive the L.A. Lakers' 2022 2nd round pick; Toronto will receive the more favorable of Chicago's 2022 2nd round pick and Detroit's 2022 2nd round pick and Sacramento will receive the less favorable of the two (via Chicago's right to swap for Detroit; via San Antonio's right to swap L.A. Lakers for Chicago or Detroit (via Washington); via Chicago to San Antonio; via San Antonio to Toronto; via Memphis to Sacramento) [Chicago-Detroit, 2/8/2018; Detroit-Memphis, 2/8/2018; L.A. Lakers-New Orleans-Washington, 7/6/2019; Chicago-Washington, 7/7/2019; Memphis-Sacramento, 11/19/2020; Brooklyn-Indiana-L.A. Lakers-San Antonio-Washington, 8/6/2021; Chicago-San Antonio, 8/11/2021; San Antonio-Toronto, 2/10/2022]

[MultiTroll]

^ Toronto pick watch should be a thread imo.

[exstatic]

This is the one that confuses the most.
2022 second round draft pick from L.A. Lakers
San Antonio will receive the L.A. Lakers' 2022 2nd round pick; Toronto will receive the more favorable of Chicago's 2022 2nd round pick and Detroit's 2022 2nd round pick and Sacramento will receive the less favorable of the two (via Chicago's right to swap for Detroit; via San Antonio's right to swap L.A. Lakers for Chicago or Detroit (via Washington); via Chicago to San Antonio; via San Antonio to Toronto; via Memphis to Sacramento) [Chicago-Detroit, 2/8/2018; Detroit-Memphis, 2/8/2018; L.A. Lakers-New Orleans-Washington, 7/6/2019; Chicago-Washington, 7/7/2019; Memphis-Sacramento, 11/19/2020; Brooklyn-Indiana-L.A. Lakers-San Antonio-Washington, 8/6/2021; Chicago-San Antonio, 8/11/2021; San Antonio-Toronto, 2/10/2022]

That’s two trade transactions. The LA pick is free and clear and will convey. We traded that pick that is now listed as Torontos. Not sure why it would appear on our list any more.

[ZeusWillJudge]

This is the one that confuses the most.
2022 second round draft pick from L.A. Lakers
San Antonio will receive the L.A. Lakers' 2022 2nd round pick; Toronto will receive the more favorable of Chicago's 2022 2nd round pick and Detroit's 2022 2nd round pick and Sacramento will receive the less favorable of the two (via Chicago's right to swap for Detroit; via San Antonio's right to swap L.A. Lakers for Chicago or Detroit (via Washington); via Chicago to San Antonio; via San Antonio to Toronto; via Memphis to Sacramento) [Chicago-Detroit, 2/8/2018; Detroit-Memphis, 2/8/2018; L.A. Lakers-New Orleans-Washington, 7/6/2019; Chicago-Washington, 7/7/2019; Memphis-Sacramento, 11/19/2020; Brooklyn-Indiana-L.A. Lakers-San Antonio-Washington, 8/6/2021; Chicago-San Antonio, 8/11/2021; San Antonio-Toronto, 2/10/2022]


Teams have been tossing in second round picks, and pick swaps, and then the next team makes them part of another deal, etc. The bottom line is this: Like Exstatic just said, the Spurs get LA's second round pick.

Toronto gets the better of Chicago's or Detroit's second round picks (obviously Detroit's). The Spurs were involved in that because of some of the re-trading of picks and swaps. The chain of events is spaghetti, but the outcome is that Toronto gets a REALLY good second round pick that could net a decent role player in this draft. Imagine the fun if Chicago's pick had been more desirable, since Chicago has to forfeit that pick.

[JuneJive]

LAL are 1.5 games up on the Spurs and their remaining schedule is a bitch.

@NO
@DAL
@UTA
NO
DEN
@PHX
@GSW
OKC
DEN

Finishing above them would be such a bittersweet victory.

In reality, very bitter even though they are the Lakers.

[exstatic]

LAL are 1.5 games up on the Spurs and their remaining schedule is a bitch.

@NO
@DAL
@UTA
NO
DEN
@PHX
@GSW
OKC
DEN

Finishing above them would be such a bittersweet victory.

In reality, very bitter even though they are the Lakers.

You’re not taking into account the league fix factor. They want the Lakers in the post season, even if it’s just for a game.

[Mr. Body]

LAL are 1.5 games up on the Spurs and their remaining schedule is a bitch.

@NO
@DAL
@UTA
NO
DEN
@PHX
@GSW
OKC
DEN

Finishing above them would be such a bittersweet victory.

In reality, very bitter even though they are the Lakers.

Tankaton has a good page on this, too:

https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

Lakers have the 2nd hardest remaining schedule by opponents' winning percentage. The Spurs have the 12th.

[duncan2150]

LAL are 1.5 games up on the Spurs and their remaining schedule is a bitch.

@NO
@DAL
@UTA
NO
DEN
@PHX
@GSW
OKC
DEN

Finishing above them would be such a bittersweet victory.

In reality, very bitter even though they are the Lakers.

1.5 Game bacause we have the tie-breaker ? because they are two games ahead of us.


Tankaton has a good page on this, too:

https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

Lakers have the 2nd hardest remaining schedule by opponents' winning percentage. The Spurs have the 12th.

Wich is not as good as some people think.

[Chinook]

That’s two trade transactions. The LA pick is free and clear and will convey. We traded that pick that is now listed as Torontos. Not sure why it would appear on our list any more.

I think because the LAL pick used to be conditional with the DET/CHI pick, they maintained those conditions on some sites. But the Spurs owned both picks and thus broke the conditions connecting them. There's no reason why SA would attach meaningless additional steps.

[R. DeMurre]

Some of those difficulty-of-schedule stats can be kind of up in the air, because it's hard to know which good teams will be resting stars near the end. Sometimes playing an average team at full strength (and maybe with something to prove) can be a greater task than playing a top seeded playoff team that's already locked into a position and resting their best guys.

[SAGirl]

Every team that makes the playoffs is out of the lottery. That's the dividing line, not getting into the play-in. The mechanics of the play-in are pretty simple:

7&8 play each other. The winner of that game becomes the 7 seed in the playoffs. They are out of the lottery.

The loser of 7&8 then plays the winner of the 9&10 game. (Obviously 9&10 have played each other.) The winner of that game becomes the 8 seed in the playoffs, and is also out of the lottery. The loser of that game is also out of the playoffs, and in the lottery. [Corrected 8&9 to read 9&10. Obviously we need some math refresher courses on Mount Olympus.]

So if the Spurs finish with the 10th worst record in the West, they would still have to win two games in a row to take the 8th seed in the playoffs, earning them the privelege of losing to Phoenix. That, apparently, would totally outweigh the benefit of having a shot at a Top 4 draft pick.

All the above applies to Toronto in the East, except that Toronto is sitting at 7. If they move to 6, they are automatically in the playoffs and we get their pick. If they finish 7, they would have to win a single game to make the playoffs, and we get their pick. Say all that backwards, and you see how we might not get their pick.
Thanks for this reply. Very informative. So I am basically tracking them getting to the 10th spot at this point. I had forgotten all the special rules that come into place for the play in, and I thank you for outlining them so clearly.

The Spurs apparently value that chance over trying to tank at the end of the season and getting the small chance to get a top 4 pick. I'd have to say that exact scenario you describe kind of paid off with player development and growth for Morant and the Grizzlies last season. They also had to win 2 elimination games in the play in mini tournament for the chance to be annihilated by the Utah Jazz in the playoffs. I followed the Grizzlies somewhat last season and I remember all the criticism that the coaching staff and the FO got because they were still trying to work a washed up and awful Justice Winslow into their rotation and lost a few games as a result, requiring them to win 2 games to get to the playoffs instead of just one had they been seeded higher. Anyways, that little run for such a young team catapulted Morant to another level, which he's been able to maintain through the season. That's a different story of course, because the Grizzlies last season despite being 9th in the western conference standings had a better record than this Spurs team this year. They were ranked 9th with a record of 38-34. It seems almost unbelievable to contemplate that they were a few games over .500 last season and still out of the playoffs, but for that play in mini tournament.

Anyways, the Spurs players may still see that situation and consider the prestige and exposure that the young Grizzlies got just by accomplishing that feat and they may hope to level up their games regardless of how the season went before this point. I think this is what is on their minds (the players at least). If they got to the playoffs and lost in 4 games or whatever, hopefully we still get to see the growth from a couple of players, same as Morant and Brooks balled out in that Grizz-Jazz series and still were eliminated. There is value in something like that for a young team.

For the team last season with Derozan, Rudy Gay and Mills taking most of the shots (other than DJ) to get eliminated early in that play in, there was no point. We didn't learn anything and the young players got to experience that pressure and environment but not with the burden on themselves. That was still technically a veteran team with Derozan as the leader. This is a different situation. I can see value in their advancing to that point, at least arguable value. Like I said, they most likely don't make it that far, but at least Pop gave them a full chance to try to make it, to the bitter end. That's my thinking right now.

[Russ]

I can see value in their advancing to that point, at least arguable value. Like I said, they most likely don't make it that far, but at least Pop gave them a full chance to try to make it, to the bitter end. That's my thinking right now.

:toast

Here's a tanking scenario for you.

The Spurs lose as much as they can and end up with the 7th worst record in the league (a long shot at this point but we'll give it to them).

The Pelicans go all out to win and get the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

The Pelicans fight like hell and win play-in Game One (the Lakers let's say).

Then the Pelicans fight like hell and lose the 2d play-in game (the Clippers let's say). The young Pelican players hold their heads high (as much as you can when you're called the Pelicans) and move forward with their at least somewhat helpful playoff experience.

Then the draft lottery happens.

The Pelicans get the first pick in the draft (or at least a top three pick).

The Spurs, despite their tanking, get the 10th pick.

The Pelicans are trying to choose between Jabari Smith, Banchero and Chet Holmgren (or some here might add, Jaden Ivey).

The Spurs are parsing Blake Wesley, TyTy Washington, Wendell Moore, Orlando Robinson, Mark Williams, Kennedy Chandler, Max Christie, Jeremy Sochan and Walker Kessler.

It could happen.

[exstatic]

:toast

Here's a tanking scenario for you.

The Spurs lose as much as they can and end up with the 7th worst record in the league (a long shot at this point but we'll give it to them).

The Pelicans go all out to win and get the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

The Pelicans fight like hell and win play-in Game One (the Lakers let's say).

Then the Pelicans fight like hell and lose the 2d play-in game (the Clippers let's say). The young Pelican players hold their heads high (as much as you can when you're called the Pelicans) and move forward with their at least somewhat helpful playoff experience.

Then the draft lottery happens.

The Pelicans get the first pick in the draft (or at least a top three pick).

The Spurs, despite their tanking, get the 10th pick.

The Pelicans are trying to choose between Jabari Smith, Banchero and Chet Holmgren (or some here might add, Jaden Ivey).

The Spurs are parsing Blake Wesley, TyTy Washington, Wendell Moore, Orlando Robinson, Mark Williams, Kennedy Chandler, Max Christie, Jeremy Sochan and Walker Kessler.

It could happen.

It absolutely could. Very much a long shot, though. If we’re #7 and drop to 10, that would mean that three teams behind us jumped into the top four. The odds of #7 dropping to 10 are 1.3%. I’m not sure why you picked #7, but we’ll roll with it. The odds of #7 jumping into the top 4 are 31.9%. The last two years, drafting at 11 and 12, our odds of a top four pick were 13.9% and 9.4%.

We likely will be 8th if we hold our spot. That would mean top four odds of 26.3%.

If you’re concocting doomsday scenarios, you missed one. We continue to play hard, and NY and Wash plummet, but NO and LA do enough to hold us off. We would be 10th, and not make the play in.

[duncan2150]

Washington with the win over Detroit.

[SAGirl]

Ivey disappointed in the game as the Peacocks eliminated Purdue. Had he been better they sure win that game. He woke up too late. Not as hot on him, he’s got potential but will need time.

[mystargtr34]

I watched the last 5 minutes of Washington and Detroit it honestly looked like both teams were trying to lose.

[Mr. Body]

The Wizards couldn't out-shit the Pistons in Detroit and I don't think New York will beat the Heat in Miami. This leaves those same four teams at 31 wins -- including LAL and NOP. So, two wins separate that group from the Spurs.

Blazers take on Rockets in Portland tonight but I don't know if they can actually win that.

[Mr. Body]

Bizarrely, the Rockets and Trailblazers play the same exact game tomorrow night.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I’m watching how Toronto does as much as the Spurs at this point.

[mystargtr34]

Bizarrely, the Rockets and Trailblazers play the same exact game tomorrow night.

Looking at Portlands remaining schedule they play quite a few games against teams who are also trying to tank (vs. HOU x2, vs. OKC, @ OKC. They may get a couple of W's there. If the Spurs could somehow go 1-1 in their two games against the Blazers by resting their starters for one game, they may still be in with a shot of that 7th draft spot.

Neither Houston or OKC wants to win as both want to get in that bottom 3 to maximise their lottery chances. Currently its 4 teams vying for those 3 spots.

[ZeusWillJudge]

Some of those difficulty-of-schedule stats can be kind of up in the air, because it's hard to know which good teams will be resting stars near the end. Sometimes playing an average team at full strength (and maybe with something to prove) can be a greater task than playing a top seeded playoff team that's already locked into a position and resting their best guys.


Also dead on. And once someone like Houston has wrapped up the wost record, they can play hard and loose.

I just think you need to look at how important these draft picks are to the Spurs and remember that they're just as important to the other teams. It's a big deal to give on up just for the #8 seed, and the privilege of losing to the #1 seed. But that's easy to say when I'm not the one trying to keep a guy like DJ from getting restless. If it were me, I would be selling him on the idea that a lottery pick would give him some help for the rest of his career. But I'm not in the locker room with him.

[ZeusWillJudge]

:toast

Here's a tanking scenario for you.

The Spurs lose as much as they can and end up with the 7th worst record in the league (a long shot at this point but we'll give it to them).

The Pelicans go all out to win and get the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

The Pelicans fight like hell and win play-in Game One (the Lakers let's say).

Then the Pelicans fight like hell and lose the 2d play-in game (the Clippers let's say). The young Pelican players hold their heads high (as much as you can when you're called the Pelicans) and move forward with their at least somewhat helpful playoff experience.

Then the draft lottery happens.

The Pelicans get the first pick in the draft (or at least a top three pick).

The Spurs, despite their tanking, get the 10th pick.

The Pelicans are trying to choose between Jabari Smith, Banchero and Chet Holmgren (or some here might add, Jaden Ivey).

The Spurs are parsing Blake Wesley, TyTy Washington, Wendell Moore, Orlando Robinson, Mark Williams, Kennedy Chandler, Max Christie, Jeremy Sochan and Walker Kessler.

It could happen.


LOL. It could absolutely happen. But I could walk into a casino and drop a buck in a slot and win a lot of money. That's a little extreme, but I'm just saying that betting against the odds isn't a good way to pay the rent.

You can't deny, though, that the 8th worst record has a better chance of picking 10th than 4th. And the 8th worst record has a zero percent chance of picking 5,6, or 7. A lot of things CAN happen. But the lower you go in the order, the odds get pretty slim - and the chance for some of the adequate middle outcomes goes away.

[Thomas82]

Portland is making it blatantly obvious tonight that they want to lose.

[Mr. Body]

Amazing, behind a 38-15 fourth quarter, the Knicks beat the Heat. I watch Knicks games and they are working hard and trying to win. Thibodeaux is forced to play his young players right now and they're active and hustling.

Portland is a lost cause. They're embarrassing.

[Mr. Body]

Portland is so bad they're playing Greg Brown. Drew Eubanks may be their best player right now.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Portland is so bad they're playing Greg Brown. Drew Eubanks may be their best player right now.

Where’s the “The Drew Eubanks Trade is Looking Worse and Worse by the Day” thread?

[BatManu20]

Knicks come back and beat the Heat in Miami.

Wizards barely hold off Detroit.

Good shit.

[Ariel]

Portland is so bad they're playing Greg Brown. Drew Eubanks may be their best player right now.
Yet they're reportedly holding on to Lillard trying to add a few pieces around him using the picks, so instead of cutting their losses and trading him for real value now, they'll likely extend him and be forced to keep his rotting corpse until his contract ends. Mind boggling.

[BackHome]

Man Portland is trying to really land in the top 4 of the draft - Playing Houston and I think at one point they where down 26 pts

[KingKev]

Where’s the “The Drew Eubanks Trade is Looking Worse and Worse by the Day” thread?

Well he is putting up 13 and 8 in 28 minutes a night on 64% shooting from the field since Portland picked him up. Another rising star we got nothing in return for.




LOL

[duncan2150]

Amazing, behind a 38-15 fourth quarter, the Knicks beat the Heat. I watch Knicks games and they are working hard and trying to win. Thibodeaux is forced to play his young players right now and they're active and hustling.

Portland is a lost cause. They're embarrassing.

agreed about Portland

Very good win by the Knicks, i really don't understand why some people here think that NY and Wash will tank. They will not, they are just playing bad overall.

[CGD]

Do we know if spurs still have a legit shot at play-in? For better of worse I can def see Pop going for it if there is still a chance.

[exstatic]

Do we know if spurs still have a legit shot at play-in? For better of worse I can def see Pop going for it if there is still a chance.

Mathematically, we’re not eliminated, but both LA and NO appear to be really trying, and we have only 9 games left. Our win % is .397, and projected over those 9 games, yields 3.6 wins, which I don’t believe will get us in. Just rest 1 or 2 scorers every night, and let the chips fall where they may, probably with us in the 8 spot.

[duncan2150]

Toronto playing Indiana at home and Bulls playing the Cavs. With a win the Raptors could be 6th tonight.

[Seventyniner]

The Bulls have been in free fall since the All-Star break too. Toronto only needs to pass one of Chicago or Cleveland to land in the top 6.

Too bad Toronto lost the season series to both teams 3-1.

[Seventyniner]

CHI remaining schedule: @CLE, @NY, @WAS, vs LAC, vs MIA, vs MIL, vs BOS, vs CHA, @MIN

CLE remaining schedule: vs CHI, vs ORL, vs DAL, @ATL, @NY, vs PHI, @ORL, @BRK, vs MIL

TOR remaining schedule: vs IND, vs BOS, vs MIN, @ORL, vs MIA, vs ATL, vs PHI, vs HOU, @NY

Tough to tell who has the easiest and hardest schedule. Chicago's might be the hardest because they only play two bad teams (NY, WAS) while Cleveland (ORL 2x, NY) and Toronto (ORL, HOU, NY) play three.

[mo7888]

With the poor product Portland is putting on the court I'd like to see us call up Woodard, Stewart, and Cacok to play in those games to see what we have there.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

With the poor product Portland is putting on the court I'd like to see us call up Woodard, Stewart, and Cacok to play in those games to see what we have there.

Add Langford and Jock and let everyone else watch. 48 minutes each. Old school NBA.

[Mr. Body]

I have a feeling the Spurs will trade all their draft picks just to get back to 8. :lol

[BackHome]

With the poor product Portland is putting on the court I'd like to see us call up Woodard, Stewart, and Cacok to play in those games to see what we have there.

I like this it would be cool to see this.............

[GAustex]

#5 from Duke is what Spurs need.
Come on Wroght

[ZeusWillJudge]

I have a feeling the Spurs will trade all their draft picks just to get back to 8. :lol

:pop: "It's the honorable thing to do. We don't need three picks, when other teams have none."

[CGD]

I have a feeling the Spurs will trade all their draft picks just to get back to 8. :lol

I do hope they trade the worsening Boston pick for a future top-18 protected first. Basically defer it to next year or 24. Would be nice to have multiple picks over each of next 4 years if possible

[Ariel]

Possible outlook in the fight for the 8th (worse) spot:
https://i.ibb.co/Vv4qThj/schedule.png
The Knicks and the Pelicans should end up above, the Lakers and the Wizards might not.

[BackHome]

I told someone a couple of weeks ago I didn't think Portland would win another game this season. Man they are on a whole different level they definitely have there eyes on a top 5 pick. Hopefully the Spurs can learn from them and we do a better job next season cause getting a 10 or 11 pick is just getting us another bench player

[duncan2150]

I told someone a couple of weeks ago I didn't think Portland would win another game this season. Man they are on a whole different level they definitely have there eyes on a top 5 pick. Hopefully the Spurs can learn from them and we do a better job next season cause getting a 10 or 11 pick is just getting us another bench player

Learning something about the injuries ? it's just a team full of injuries, the spurs don't have the same problem.



I have a feeling the Spurs will trade all their draft picks just to get back to 8. :lol

LOOL i think they will not, there's not a big difference in drafting 8 to 11. The only bad thing for us if we are 10 for example is the odds for a top4 picks, as you already know.


Toronto is 6th in the East today wich is a good news, they will play 6 of their last 8 games at home.

[duncan2150]

NY won vs Detroit

Lakers by 20 at the half in NO

Wizards by 11 with 6.00" left in the 4th

[Mr. Body]

NYK and Washington surprisingly beat the Warriors, keeping that side static after the Spurs' win last night.

Lakers gave up 41 points in the third and their game with NOP is close.

[BackHome]

Flakers got killed and Le China sprained his ankle so they done for the year - Portland is laughing to the bank with there Flaker trade they just might land someone in the top 3 now

[Chinook]

Flakers got killed and Le China sprained his ankle so they done for the year - Portland is laughing to the bank with there Flaker trade they just might land someone in the top 3 now

Portland didn't get LAL's pick. NOP still owns that if it's 10 or above, and Memphis gets it otherwise. NOP traded the other half of their own first. The non-lotto version of it went to Charlotte. NOP might end up not conveying any first to POR if they get into the top-four and MKE falls apart in a few years. The LAL pick is likely to go to Memphis, but if LAL gets into the top 10, the Pelicans keep it. So they might have made these two win-now trades but still end up with two top-10 picks this draft.

[Degoat]

Wish AJ Griffin could fall to wherever the spurs pick ends up, he’s gives me some Jimmy butler vibes. Could have been available at 7 I think but the spurs want the play in instead

[buttsR4rebounding]

Spurs at Houston and OKC at Portland tonight!! TNT doubleheader quality action there...

[PhantomDashCam]

1508476807506497541

:wow

[mystargtr34]

Damn. Injuries suck. He's huge for the Celtics.

[BackHome]

Yeah that is going to hurt there chances big time and they were on a tear legit chance to come out of the East

[exstatic]

They have Thies, who’s been with the Celtics before, but they won’t have a quality big off the bench now.

[spurraider21]

Thad Young played his best game as a raptor, Derrick White shot 4-16 for the celtics :lol. big win for Toronto :tu

[spurraider21]

with the Bulls losing, too, the Raptors and Bulls are tied for the 5/6 seeds and therefore out of the play-in. cleveland is 1 game behind them at #7. if toronto can just hold off one of them, the pick conveys without worrying about play-in scenarios :tu

[slick'81]

9th in west

la(31-43)
no(32-43)
sa(30-44)

[Chinook]

What I'm hoping for is that the Spurs, Pels and Lakers all tie at the end of the year. Hell throw LAC into the tie as well. The Spurs would win that tie-break and come out as the eighth seed. They'd give themselves the best chance possible to make the playoffs, but they'd still have a coin-flip's chance of getting the eighth pre-lottery slot. If they won one of their two play-in games, they'd get the 15th pick (it doesn't matter if they get the seventh or eighth seed), but they lose, they're basically in the same place they are now.

The Spurs control their destiny. It's hard to see them winning out, but if they do, they'd get at least the 10th seed. Magic Number thread inbound?

[jjspur]

9th in west

la(31-43)
no(32-43)
sa(30-44)

No doubt the Pelicans are still trying to win , however the Fakers are pretty much done for the season. At least we get their 2nd round pick. Pelicans finish 9th and we finish 10th. Lebron and the rest of the Fakers go on vacation to loserland. T-Wolves - Clippers loser vs Pelicans-Spurs winner. It should be an interesting matchup in a few weeks.

[spurraider21]

Best case scenario is spurs and lakers are 9 and 10. We knock the lakers out first then lose so we stay in the lottery

[XDT76]

Best case scenario is spurs and lakers are 9 and 10. We knock the lakers out first then lose so we stay in the lottery

In this case you want LA 9 and Spurs 10.

[SAGirl]

What I'm hoping for is that the Spurs, Pels and Lakers all tie at the end of the year. Hell throw LAC into the tie as well. The Spurs would win that tie-break and come out as the eighth seed. They'd give themselves the best chance possible to make the playoffs, but they'd still have a coin-flip's chance of getting the eighth pre-lottery slot. If they won one of their two play-in games, they'd get the 15th pick (it doesn't matter if they get the seventh or eighth seed), but they lose, they're basically in the same place they are now.

The Spurs control their destiny. It's hard to see them winning out, but if they do, they'd get at least the 10th seed. Magic Number thread inbound?
Do the thread. Its confusing.

[The Truth #6]

Robert Williams for the Celtics tore a meniscus. Celtics may not win as many games now, something to follow in regards to their pick.

[Mr. Body]

Boston has the fourth hardest remaining schedule by win percentage. San Antonio fifth, Lakers second.

https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

[BacktoBasics]

I'm less worried about the Spurs ability to package a 11th 12th or 13th pick and move up 4-5 spots if they think someone at 7 or 8 can be of greater impact or address a need than I am of the Spurs ability to take a 7th or 8th pick and package it to move up into the top 5.

I think its a wash at worst if you lose a little draft capital trying to make the play in. I also think you make that back by setting a nice tone going into the offseason for any prospective signings knowing that this team is about winning not tanking. We have some nice pieces and we're one solid PF away from being a legitimate playoff team.

[duncan2150]

Imo best scenario is Spurs at 10 , they make the play in ( a good thing for the team) and lose to the Pels. They will probably lose only one place in the Lottery.

[BackHome]

Another good note is Flakers getting there Ass handed to them by the Mav’s so I think our second round will be 38

[slick'81]

Another good note is Flakers getting there Ass handed to them by the Mav’s so I think our second round will be 38

Makes losing that Detroit 2nd not a big deal

[BackHome]

Man Boston has a legit chance to be number 1 out of the East last 25 games they are 22-3 it looks like the trade worked out for them.

[exstatic]

Man Boston has a legit chance to be number 1 out of the East last 25 games they are 22-3 it looks like the trade worked out for them.

Their starting center, Robert Williams, just tore his meniscus. They lost to Toronto last night.

[Mr. Body]

New York lost, Washington won, leaving San Antonio three and two games worse in the loss column on them. It's starting to firm up that they won't end up with a better lottery position, although Washington has a pretty hard final games with the only 'easy' one against the Knicks.

Boston coughed up a game at hom against the Heat. We want to see Utah, Denver, and Philly do better than them in the final games. They may wind up at 21 or 22, if so.

Toronto beat a good Minnesota team at home and is two above the play-in.

NOP is plaing Portland, which should be a victory. The bigger drama is probably LAL/SAS/NOP at this point.

[BatManu20]

The tank is still alive boys.

[Mr. Body]

Blazers are tight with Pelicans nearing the half. This is a game Portland has some incentive to play for -- they get New Orleans' pick and probably don't want them to make the play-offs.

[tim_duncan_fan]

The tank is still alive boys.

It's for the best. We need to go winless.

[mystargtr34]

Good night for the Spurs.

Washington, Toronto with the W’s, Spurs and Cavs L.

The bad was the Knicks with the L but I think they’ll stay ahead of the Spurs in the standings.

A W for the Pelicans against the Blazers would top it off.

Spurs, Lakers, Pelicans, Wizards and Knicks all between 43 and 45 losses and occupy the 8-12 draft lottery positions.

Apparently Anthony Davis is practicing and should be available to play soon and if Lebron comes back and some help from the refs I think the Lakers will make the play in. But those are quite a few ifs.

[mystargtr34]

According to tankathon, if the Spurs stay in 8th their top 4 pick chances are 26.3%, 9th would be 20.3%, 10th would be 13.9%, 11th just ~9%.

[slick'81]

Spurs clinging to that 8th spot for dear life

[Mr. Body]

Two wins now separate Pelicans and Spurs. It looks like that gap will solidify. Down the stretch, the Spurs have four hard games -- Denver, GSW, Utah, and Minnesota. Pelicans have three -- Grizz, GSW, and LAC, and they play the Lakers once. Pels play Portland once, Spurs play them twice.

So... I think Pelicans will be out of range (meaning Spurs will have a worse record). This comes down to the Lakers and Spurs for the last play-in spot. The one that doesn't make it will finish with the #8 spot in the lottery.

[Mr. Body]

I should note that Washington can definitely slip. I don't know what they're playing for and they have one of the hardest remaining schedules. This would require the Spurs to kill their stretch, though, and I'm not sure that's happening. Tonight's loss was pretty big for lottery position.