Spurs Select G Malaki Branham with the 20th Pick in the 2022 NBA Draft

[MannyIsGod]

This won’t age well….


Manny has never said anything that's been remotely correct on these forums. He's been a steaming piss baby for years. Don't worry about it.

Put some money where y'alls mouths are, IMO. Lets figure out a bet on whether or not Branham is a member of the Spurs beyond his rookie contract.

[Bruno]

I'm quite low on Branham. First, he isn't playing well. Second, He isn't really getting better (or less worst in his case). Third, his profile of an undersized inefficient wing with a poor defense is quite unattractive.

Saying all that, a glimmer of hope is that he is significantly better this year when Wembanyama is on the court:
Without Victor (658 minutes): 0.460 eFG%
With Victor (656 minutes): 0.546 eFG%
The good news behind that stat is, if Spurs start to improve the roster and put better players on the court with Branham, it seems that he would be able to be more efficient with that reduced role.

[ambchang]

I invite you to read again cos you're obviously missing the whole point... Ofc, no one is pretending TP and Manu were playing HOFer basketball in their first years.

I believe i understand your premise, I just do not understand how you watching the 2007 Game 4 finals would lead to you thinking that TP and Manu were special during their first couple of years (actually first day).


Although talking about rewritting history, nobody really panned TP for taking the starting job over Antonio freaking Daniels and both him and Manu (who entered the NBA as a euro star) were doing great in their first years already, winning a title in his second year for TP and first for Manu... you know.

TP getting the starting role a few games in his career was a huge surprise. People were talking about how Pop don't play young guys, etc ... then he started, and people (as in internet forums) were talking about him not earning the role and is not a good enough Frenchie to lead a title contender. He was dogged all the way until at least 2005, 2006 for being subbed out for Claxton in the 2003 finals. it took a few years for Tony to become Tony. he had amazing speed but he couldn't shoot, and could barely pass, his defence terrible.

Manu was showing glimpses, especially in the 2003 series vs. the Lakers, but he was wild, and you don't know which version of Manu you can get. Nobody really cared about Manu when he joined because he was this flopper from Italy (not Argentina, Italy) who is a turnover machine.

The Spurs won the title in 2003, but now you are trying to say they won BECAUSE of Tony and Manu? More rewriting. Stephen Jackson was the clear #2 on that team, with Robinson being the #3. Duncan was at his absolute peak and was incredible. Wemby isn't at Duncan's 2003 level yet, we have no Captain Jack nor the Admiral, so saying everybody can see Tony and Manu were special since Day 1 is absolute bullshit. If Tony was so good the Spurs wouldn't entertain swapping him out for Kidd.


But the main point is you could see very early they had something special, TP with his incredible speed, the tear drops, the fearlessness, and Manu for his energy and fearlessness too, among other things. And very importantly, you could see they were smart players, they got it, they felt BB, the court vision, the awareness, demeanor and attitude on the court and the competitiveness, independently of godam "development" which seems to be some kind of buoy some people hold on to to try to convincee themselves that, "yeah, after 2 4 or 5 years in the NBA", Keldon, Blake or Brnaham didn't show any of that, but "development will transform them into all stars...

there's a reason why HOFers and guys like the big 3 are rare, and none of the current kids besides Wemby has it. they're not from that race, and you can't teach that. We gotta stop believing "development" is gonna make these players who they are not. Blake is not a TP in the making and Malaki is not Manu in the making. Sochan is no future Boris (french league MVP at 18) either.

They had that vision probably because they were playing pro ball for years before joining the Spurs? Just maybe? I don't see Keldon, Blake, Branham, and for that matter Sochan or Vassell ever turning out that good, but I do see them turning into useful roll players who can be upgraded later to better pieces or play a good role on a contender team. Sochan has the tools to become a Boris type player (or at least perform at that level), the jury is still out, but none of them will likely make Tony and Manu level, because throughout the history of the NBA there were 70, maybe 80 players, who reached that height.

[Atl Spur]

Put some money where y'alls mouths are, IMO. Lets figure out a bet on whether or not Branham is a member of the Spurs beyond his rookie contract.

He the player will improve but I can’t tell you if it’s here or elsewhere. I don’t know how we would quantify this but I’ll keep a lookout on him.

[MannyIsGod]

He the player will improve but I can’t tell you if it’s here or elsewhere. I don’t know how we would quantify this but I’ll keep a lookout on him.

All I see in this post is someone who talks about regret then immediately starts to walk things back. Branham improving doesn't mean all that much considering he's a fringe NBA player at this point. If this guy isn't on the Spurs in 1-2 years then I'm not sure what exactly about my post will age poorly.

[timtonymanu]

Atl Spur thinks every spur is destined for greatness. Throws his “this won’t age well” schtick against any take that isn’t slurping a player and hopes it sticks. Mr Body is one of the worst posters on this site, I wouldn’t put too much into it, Manny, lol.

[timtonymanu]

Also those two were Primo sniffers. You can’t get more bad on takes than with that. Lol. It’s okay to hype up G league scrubs on the spurs but yeah we should say no to Trae Young. :lol

[Knoxxx]

Remember that not every FRP has to excel to not be a bust. See the last game against the Mavs. Dante Exum. Bust at the overall pick #5 in 2014. But still in the league as a highly effective role player with TS% above 60% which exceeds anyone on the current Spurs team and by coincidence he just beat us last night.

This idea we need to dump every player, even our 20 year olds, ASAP, pretty dumb. Now, the right deal
comes along, different story…

[Atl Spur]

All I see in this post is someone who talks about regret then immediately starts to walk things back. Branham improving doesn't mean all that much considering he's a fringe NBA player at this point. If this guy isn't on the Spurs in 1-2 years then I'm not sure what exactly about my post will age poorly.

Please re-read your initial statement and my response:) I’m not backtracking at all and Branham will be better moving forward as he matures…..sir he’s 20! You guys gotta chill, everything’s not a pissing contest.

[Atl Spur]

Atl Spur thinks every spur is destined for greatness. Throws his “this won’t age well” schtick against any take that isn’t slurping a player and hopes it sticks. Mr Body is one of the worst posters on this site, I wouldn’t put too much into it, Manny, lol.

Every spur? Hmmmm….. I actually pick and choose if you noticed and decide to read for comprehension vs combativeness.

And yes I’m a spurs fan posting in a spurs forum…go figure

[exstatic]

Remember that not every FRP has to excel to not be a bust. See the last game against the Mavs. Dante Exum. Bust at the overall pick #5 in 2014. But still in the league as a highly effective role player with TS% above 60% which exceeds anyone on the current Spurs team and by coincidence he just beat us last night.

This idea we need to dump every player, even our 20 year olds, ASAP, pretty dumb. Now, the right deal
comes along, different story…

Exum is a better comeback story than Fultz. Dante was OUT OF THE NBA for two seasons, and came back having fixed his major glitch (3 point shooting) in a major way.

[vy65]

Lol

[itzsoweezee]

Remember that not every FRP has to excel to not be a bust. See the last game against the Mavs. Dante Exum. Bust at the overall pick #5 in 2014. But still in the league as a highly effective role player with TS% above 60% which exceeds anyone on the current Spurs team and by coincidence he just beat us last night.

This idea we need to dump every player, even our 20 year olds, ASAP, pretty dumb. Now, the right deal
comes along, different story…

What is the takeaway from Exum’s experience? That the spurs should hold onto terrible players in the hope that they someday become useful? Utah got better by dumping Exum.

The spurs can let these young guys stick around for a few years to prove they are capable players, giving them a few minutes off the bench. What they should not do is treat them as some sort of building blocks. The idea is beyond laughable.

[rankingtear]

He would get dumped as picks come in. That applies to all the bench guys.

[LeBowen]

Not every pick can develop into a good player, but as things stand now, 4 FRPs PATFO used in 2021 and 2022 have absolutely 0 value.
One is already out of the league and if we were to hypothetically trade all three 2022 draftees, I doubt we'd get a single FRP back.

[rascal]

Not every pick can develop into a good player, but as things start now, 4 FRPs PATFO used in 2021 and 2022 have absolutely 0 value.
One is already out of the league and if we were to hypothetically trade all three 2022 draftees, I doubt we'd get a single FRP back.

Yep, the class of 2022 has been highly disappointing in year two.

[MultiTroll]

Walker Kessler was my choice.

But since 22-23 was a tank year for Wemby oh well.

[KobesAchilles]

Branham sucks and anyone bringing up Manu or TP to strengthen their argument against Branham sucking shouldn’t be allowed to post about the Spurs prospects going forward. Having some objectivity is important. Manu was destroying guys in practice in 03. Everyone on the team (even SJax) knew Manu was a baller in his first year nvm his second year when he destroyed prime Kobe Bryant.

And TP was literally the fastest player in the league with the ball in his hands. He destroyed Gary The Glove Peyton in the playoffs as a rookie. He could get in the paint at will. The dude had tools from day 1 that he honed in over time and became the player he was however he had tools that Branham will never (and I mean never have). It’s a stupid comparison. Could Branham be insta one man fast break on offense as a rookie? Nope. Does he have a handle to get in the paint at will? Nope. Is he faster than everyone else in the league? Nope. So why bring up TP?

[Jordan Jackson]

I’m leaning to him being out of league in 3 years. Then again Spurs might refuse to admit their mistake and drag this out further into next season.

His defense is poor and he can’t remember the plays. He is still lost on the court after 70+ games.

[TD 21]

What is the takeaway from Exum’s experience? That the spurs should hold onto terrible players in the hope that they someday become useful? Utah got better by dumping Exum.

The spurs can let these young guys stick around for a few years to prove they are capable players, giving them a few minutes off the bench. What they should not do is treat them as some sort of building blocks. The idea is beyond laughable.

They need three starters which would obviously have the dual effect of slotting most of the rotation into proper roles, but is obviously highly unlikely in one off season. Probably the only chance is if they're in position to select Risacher (unlikely) and he's as plug and play as he appears, because then they could preserve assets to pursue the other two.

I do expect the other two to be addressed, but unfortunately that'll leave Sochan to continue to be handed a starting/closing role by default.



Not every pick can develop into a good player, but as things stand now, 4 FRPs PATFO used in 2021 and 2022 have absolutely 0 value.
One is already out of the league and if we were to hypothetically trade all three 2022 draftees, I doubt we'd get a single FRP back.

That gap is the biggest reason for their current predicament. You just can't come away with replacement - non NBA players out of four 1sts, two of which were in the lottery, over a two year span.

What's worse, all except Branham (given where he was picked) looked highly questionable at the time.

They need to humble themselves, stop being so rigid in what they look for and start identifying dynamism (specific skills, physical tools, something).

[Spursfanfromafar]

I'm quite low on Branham. First, he isn't playing well. Second, He isn't really getting better (or less worst in his case). Third, his profile of an undersized inefficient wing with a poor defense is quite unattractive.

Saying all that, a glimmer of hope is that he is significantly better this year when Wembanyama is on the court:
Without Victor (658 minutes): 0.460 eFG%
With Victor (656 minutes): 0.546 eFG%
The good news behind that stat is, if Spurs start to improve the roster and put better players on the court with Branham, it seems that he would be able to be more efficient with that reduced role.

There is no hope for his defense and he seems to have lost all of his confidence on offense. He is a poor catch & shooter, and his one redeeming quality - midrange offense has vanished. There is little redeemable, IMO. Here's hoping the Spurs get the Raptors pick this year. They should get a decent SG/ shooting PG prospect to replace Branham.

[LeBowen]

They need to humble themselves, stop being so rigid in what they look for and start identifying dynamism (specific skills, physical tools, something).

Exactly.
Players for star potential are easy to identify, role players these days are potentially elite in one aspect, but lack in others.
Picking players that don't have anything going for them from day one almost always ends badly.

You can't pick Sochan and hope he develops handles, a jumpshot and improves his basketball IQ by a lot.
If he was an elite defender fine, but he's not...other than Rodman cosplay.

Wesley has zero actual point guard skills, he would've been a decent second round pick, but not first.
Kind of how Sidy is a potentially great defender, but has no offensive skills. Reasonable for a second rounder.

Branham is just subpar at every aspect of the game and I generally don't understand picking guards that don't excel at anything.
Finding a scoring guard that plays no defense is the easiest thing in the league these days.

Then even if three of them develop, they'll ask to get paid in a few years. Paid more than they're worth.
Still, I'm resigned that nothing will change as long as Pop refuses to accept he's past it and that all three of them will be not just on the roster, but in rotation the next season.

[timtonymanu]

Every spur? Hmmmm….. I actually pick and choose if you noticed and decide to read for comprehension vs combativeness.

And yes I’m a spurs fan posting in a spurs forum…go figure

Umm you do that with every single player. Do I need to bump your Sotarosky thread? A player that didn’t even play a game with us? Look it’s okay to believe in our guys but you take it to the extreme and anyone that shows otherwise to you you always say “wait and see.” Just accept that the spurs fucked up in drafting, it’s not rocket science dude.

[ambchang]

Branham sucks and anyone bringing up Manu or TP to strengthen their argument against Branham sucking shouldn’t be allowed to post about the Spurs prospects going forward. Having some objectivity is important. Manu was destroying guys in practice in 03. Everyone on the team (even SJax) knew Manu was a baller in his first year nvm his second year when he destroyed prime Kobe Bryant.

And TP was literally the fastest player in the league with the ball in his hands. He destroyed Gary The Glove Peyton in the playoffs as a rookie. He could get in the paint at will. The dude had tools from day 1 that he honed in over time and became the player he was however he had tools that Branham will never (and I mean never have). It’s a stupid comparison. Could Branham be insta one man fast break on offense as a rookie? Nope. Does he have a handle to get in the paint at will? Nope. Is he faster than everyone else in the league? Nope. So why bring up TP?

Somebody brought up Tony and manu saying that people can see they are special day 1. I pointed out it’s not true. They honed their skills and improved immensely, not to mention both of them had pro experience (many years in manus case) before they joined the spurs as rookies.

[Pauleta14]

Somebody brought up Tony and manu saying that people can see they are special day 1. I pointed out it’s not true. They honed their skills and improved immensely, not to mention both of them had pro experience (many years in manus case) before they joined the spurs as rookies.


Not true.

TP and especially Manu were élite at a few skills that made worth the development and patience. Both were elite scorers and secure ball handlers

TP was unguardable bc of his speed and nobody could stop Manu’s euro step and lefty style

Brahman like the rest oft he roster is ok at one thing but élite at none

[JPB]

Somebody brought up Tony and manu saying that people can see they are special day 1. I pointed out it’s not true. They honed their skills and improved immensely, not to mention both of them had pro experience (many years in manus case) before they joined the spurs as rookies.

Ofc that's true, and perfectly explained in the Kobe's post you quoted.

[Atl Spur]

Umm you do that with every single player. Do I need to bump your Sotarosky thread? A player that didn’t even play a game with us? Look it’s okay to believe in our guys but you take it to the extreme and anyone that shows otherwise to you you always say “wait and see.” Just accept that the spurs fucked up in drafting, it’s not rocket science dude.

Go ahead, let’s give it a bump:) You’re doing that thing again……failing to comprehend. Remember two things can be true and keep the thing the thing! All is a very broad statement

[Atl Spur]

Also those two were Primo sniffers. You can’t get more bad on takes than with that. Lol. It’s okay to hype up G league scrubs on the spurs but yeah we should say no to Trae Young. :lol

This man brought up Primo….again? ( talk about schticks ) Brother my track records just a little bit better than yours and of course I admit when I miss the mark :) Don’t let hate blind you….. your 33k pos count is a lot to sift through but I’m sure you’ve provided some gems! Please don’t make me lift your skirt.

[ambchang]

Not true.

TP and especially Manu were élite at a few skills that made worth the development and patience. Both were elite scorers and secure ball handlers

TP was unguardable bc of his speed and nobody could stop Manu’s euro step and lefty style

Brahman like the rest oft he roster is ok at one thing but élite at none

Not day 1. Again, people were shocked Tony was starting in game 4. Manu didn’t really break out until the series against the lakers.

And no, nobody is saying branham will be anything remotely close to manu or Tony, but he can grow into a contributing player if given time.

[The Truth #6]

With branham, the skills have been there pretty much since he arrived. It's kind of opposite of the situation with Devin, as it took him several years practicing his one dribble move into two dribble dribble moves where now he can dribble fairly freely on offense. With Branham he just has no dog in him it seems like, so he needs to find motivation or confidence, which seems simple but is somehow elusive.

[JPB]

Branham sucks and anyone bringing up Manu or TP to strengthen their argument against Branham sucking shouldn’t be allowed to post about the Spurs prospects going forward. Having some objectivity is important. Manu was destroying guys in practice in 03. Everyone on the team (even SJax) knew Manu was a baller in his first year nvm his second year when he destroyed prime Kobe Bryant.

And TP was literally the fastest player in the league with the ball in his hands. He destroyed Gary The Glove Peyton in the playoffs as a rookie. He could get in the paint at will. The dude had tools from day 1 that he honed in over time and became the player he was however he had tools that Branham will never (and I mean never have). It’s a stupid comparison. Could Branham be insta one man fast break on offense as a rookie? Nope. Does he have a handle to get in the paint at will? Nope. Is he faster than everyone else in the league? Nope. So why bring up TP?

Yup, you just could see in their rookie season they had star potential. Blake, Branham or Sochan are almost two years into their NBA career and you can see they're not and will never be from that category. You don't need another 3 years and they're not gonna suddenly reach contender starter potential.

TP in his rookie season (the game he schooled Payton):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBuNxBUJvf0

Manu in his rookie season:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTh2gGJ3S6g

[spurraider21]

Yup, you just could see in their rookie season they had star potential. Blake, Branham or Sochan are almost two years into their NBA career and you can see they're not and will never be from that category. You don't need another 3 years and they're not gonna suddenly reach contender starter potential.

TP in his rookie season (the game he schooled Payton):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBuNxBUJvf0

Manu in his rookie season:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTh2gGJ3S6g
manu wasnt a rookie in the 2005 playoffs. that wasnt even his first title as a spur :lol

[Pauleta14]

Not day 1. Again, people were shocked Tony was starting in game 4. Manu didn’t really break out until the series against the lakers.

And no, nobody is saying branham will be anything remotely close to manu or Tony, but he can grow into a contributing player if given time.

Only because they needed a time to adapt to the NBA rythm and athleticism (game was played inside as well at the time compared to now more guard oriented)

TP wasn’t even a playmaker or real PG but still took the duties, it speaks volume.

Manu was gold since day one but even Pop admitted it took him time to understand and let him be him. He was MVP of the Italian league AND euro league ffs :lol

Both had shown prior to NBA that they were “him” in diff context (TP won 1st french title in international competition for ex)

Sorry but there’s no comparison possible even if u stretch it

[ambchang]

Only because they needed a time to adapt to the NBA rythm and athleticism (game was played inside as well at the time compared to now more guard oriented)

TP wasn’t even a playmaker or real PG but still took the duties, it speaks volume.

Manu was gold since day one but even Pop admitted it took him time to understand and let him be him. He was MVP of the Italian league AND euro league ffs :lol

Both had shown prior to NBA that they were “him” in diff context (TP won 1st french title in international competition for ex)

Sorry but there’s no comparison possible even if u stretch it

Please read the posts. I mean please. Nobody is comparing branham to manu or Parker. That’s stupid. It’s the contention that the two are special on day 1. They weren’t. They improved over the years. I’d say they showed more in the first season in their respective careers than Braham have in his two years (likely his first six years if he even lasts that long). But the pint is they showed dramatic improvements and what you see as a young player may morph into something else.

Braham showed flashes of being instant offence. He would be fantastic if he can turn into a Ben Gordon type player and there are rough outlines of it, but he isn’t getting there in the fussy few years because he’s raw and require huge investments in training.

[jesterbobman]

I think the hope was that Branham could be a fluid enough mover with enough shot versatility to put pressure on a set defense, though he's not quite the athlete to do that. Decent bet, just hasn't worked out, and the D limitations are a real issue.
He could still get to somewhere as a second side attacker, but he needs to be really efficient to make up for his D, and he's been generally not good enough at that, or secondary skills.

[SpursFan86]

The rare 0/0/0/0/0 statline :lol

[timtonymanu]

This man brought up Primo….again? ( talk about schticks ) Brother my track records just a little bit better than yours and of course I admit when I miss the mark :) Don’t let hate blind you….. your 33k pos count is a lot to sift through but I’m sure you’ve provided some gems! Please don’t make me lift your skirt.

Lol mad

[Atl Spur]

Lol mad

Yeah that’s it����

[KobesAchilles]

The rare 0/0/0/0/0 statline :lol
It’s on par to what TP and Manu showed us in their first 2 years apparently:lol

[Pauleta14]

Please read the posts. I mean please. Nobody is comparing branham to manu or Parker. That’s stupid. It’s the contention that the two are special on day 1. They weren’t. They improved over the years. I’d say they showed more in the first season in their respective careers than Braham have in his two years (likely his first six years if he even lasts that long). But the pint is they showed dramatic improvements and what you see as a young player may morph into something else.

Braham showed flashes of being instant offence. He would be fantastic if he can turn into a Ben Gordon type player and there are rough outlines of it, but he isn’t getting there in the fussy few years because he’s raw and require huge investments in training.

The irony… ^^

I read u well and I also nuanced my point with the fact that both TP and Manu, contrary to Malaki had at least a few skills that were above average.

That’s an un négociable criteria a young prospect needs to win time. TP and Manu were elite in a few areas that made their development and patience worth it

Lastly beyond bb aspects, TP and Many had shown the character and competitiveness that made them special at a very young age that separate them from the rest way before they arrived in NBA

I don’t see anything in Malaki’s body language or evolution that leads me to think he wants it badly.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I think we’re going to see teams wiff on picks in the mid to late first round a lot more than they used to historically. These guys are coming out of college so raw that they’re having to learn the game in the NBA. Teams are drafting based on potential far more than anything that these guys have truly demonstrated on the court. The fundamentals don’t exist anymore.

The overall quality of the product suffers as result. I also think it’s why foreign foreign players are now superior to what we’re producing the United States. Those guys are coming up in the system where they’re playing professionally from the time they’re 14 or 15. So by the time they hit the Shores, they’ve been playing a much more competitive brand of basketball even at the age of 19 or 20 than their American peers.

Failures like Branham amd Primo will be more frequent, and the window for guys reaching their potential will be more like 4 or 5 years rather than 2.

NBA basketball may need to develop a farm system similar to what professional baseball has. G league might not be enough.

[JPB]

The rare 0/0/0/0/0 statline :lol

Turned a corner.

They jinxed the kid to death.

[JPB]

I think we’re going to see teams wiff on picks in the mid to late first round a lot more than they used to historically. These guys are coming out of college so raw that they’re having to learn the game in the NBA. Teams are drafting based on potential far more than anything that these guys have truly demonstrated on the court. The fundamentals don’t exist anymore.

The overall quality of the product suffers as result. I also think it’s why foreign foreign players are now superior to what we’re producing the United States. Those guys are coming up in the system where they’re playing professionally from the time they’re 14 or 15. So by the time they hit the Shores, they’ve been playing a much more competitive brand of basketball even at the age of 19 or 20 than their American peers.

Failures like Branham amd Primo will be more frequent, and the window for guys reaching their potential will be more like 4 or 5 years rather than 2.

NBA basketball may need to develop a farm system similar to what professional baseball has. G league might not be enough.

I have no idea what they teach these kids in College, but they may have to reconsider their program and focus indeed on fundamentals and BBIQ. The lack of awareness on the court of so many of them is alarming. It's like they're just discovering the game and College ball is a pain to watch.

Even guys in the lottery like Amen, Asuar or Scoot are very raw with no guarantee they'll ever be bonafide stars. And that could be even worth this year. Another reason why I stick to Risacher in this draft and I believe anyway spurs should privilege acquiring proven star/elite talent via trades than betting on their current or future picks to become valuable players around Wemby in 3 to 5 years... That's way too risky imo. Use your assets for big time, proven talent not for uncertain prospects, even in the lottery.

[JPB]

manu wasnt a rookie in the 2005 playoffs. that wasnt even his first title as a spur :lol

My bad, I posted the wrong vid. I watched highlights from the 2003 and 2005 titles yesterday...

Ok, I can't find the one from 2003 (his rookie season) I wanted to post. I'll check later if I have the time. gotta eat now :D.

[ambchang]

I have no idea what they teach these kids in College, but they may have to reconsider their program and focus indeed on fundamentals and BBIQ. The lack of awareness on the court of so many of them is alarming. It's like they're just discovering the game and College ball is a pain to watch.

Even guys in the lottery like Amen, Asuar or Scoot are very raw with no guarantee they'll ever be bonafide stars. And that could be even worth this year. Another reason why I stick to Risacher in this draft and I believe anyway spurs should privilege acquiring proven star/elite talent via trades than betting on their current or future picks to become valuable players around Wemby in 3 to 5 years... That's way too risky imo. Use your assets for big time, proven talent not for uncertain prospects, even in the lottery.

NCAA has to live up to their TV rights, you focus on the fundamentals and some TV exec will go Misery on the coach's ankles.

[LeBowen]

From reddit

There are 50 NBA players who have at least 6 “clutch” games played and 25%+ usage

Net Rating:
Kyrie Irving (+34.1)
Jalen Brunson (+29.1)
Nikola Jokic (+28.7)
Damian Lillard (+27.6)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+23.8)

50th - Malaki Branham (-46.5)

:lmao:lmao

[Atl Spur]

Cute:) keep this thread open lol!

[John B]

Nice game tonight, likewise Champ with both scoring 17 points each

[Bruno]

While Spurs were able to quite fix their starting lineup with Tre and Champagnie, these moves also created a disastrous bench unit. Spurs' bench unit really lack of a point guard/playmaker, defense, rebounding and isn't that great at shooting. Players don't fit well together. For example, Keldon and Branham as wing combo doesn't work.

One of the main task of Spurs' offseason is to build a cohesive bench unit. A lot of these players aren't as bad as they currently look.

[TD 21]

^ The way to do so it to get 2-3 legit starters and demote Jones, Sochan and Champagnie into their rightful place as bench players.

The back court in particular would benefit from a starting combo guard with size, so that Jones could be a true 6th man instead of strict backup. That way they could mostly rotate three guards.

[ambchang]

While I’m happy Malaki had a good game he can’t show up once a month like a period. He has to have some level of consistency in, at least, his approach, and ideally in production.

[spurraider21]

the biggest problem is his shit defense. he has to be very good on offense, not just passable, to justify real rotation time.

his best attribute right now is his age. he's still just 20. he's 6'5 with a 6'10 wingspan and while he's not overly explosive vertically, he's not an abysmal athlete. he should be better on that end. then we can talk about how he's a pretty good ball handler for a 2 and hope the 3 ball comes around. because right now the only area where he is an above average scorer is in the midrange from 10-16 feet and thats not a recipe for prolonged success. if he was an ace defender and we had to deal with offensive limitations, thats different. but he's not an asset on either end right now so its hard to see where he really belongs in the rotation

really need to get him competition at combo guard minutes, whether its drafting sheppard or signing monk

[Knoxxx]

I'm thinking of him as hopefully developing into a Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson type player.

Vinnie Johnson The Microwave | Highlights video #NBA (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s15faluBXEE)

[Atl Spur]

While I’m happy Malaki had a good game he can’t show up once a month like a period. He has to have some level of consistency in, at least, his approach, and ideally in production.

It just takes time to develop these players, he’s super young still. Keep the faith it’s only year two of the process.

[Knoxxx]

It just takes time to develop these players, he’s super young still. Keep the faith it’s only year two of the process.

The thing with all these young players is how awful they can look for extended stretches. But their good games/stretches show what they could potentially become on a more consistent basis. I too want to stretch waive most our young players but then it passes.

[JPB]

The thing with all these young players is how awful they can look for extended stretches. But their good games/stretches show what they could potentially become on a more consistent basis. I too want to stretch waive most our young players but then it passes.

The problem is that some people have to high expectations for kids like Malaki, Blake, Tre or Keldon. They are what you'll mostly get for those kind of picks, average role players if you're lucky with some potential but also a lot of flaws, then end of bench to borderline NBA players in many cases. Fans tend to focus on the potential, hoping they'll get rid of their flaws.

But there's a reason they"ve been drafted in the 20s or second round. If they had any kind of real star/elite role players potential they'd have been picked higher. And being drafted by the spurs changes nothing to that. Yes, they'll keep improving, like anyone does pratcicing at something, but they're not underperforming or underachieving so far, they are who they're meant to be, this is who they are, non lottery picks. So we shouldn't be surprised, disappointed or put too much hope on them becoming more than that. That can happen but much more often than not, it won't. Blake or Malaki may even be out of the NBA after their rookie contract.

[The Truth #6]

He sort of shows the downside to a culture guy. He's a great person. A team player. But he seems too nice in the sense that his motivation is in question. He seems irrationally unconfident. His skills on offense are fairly mature. He will obviously be on the team next year but there's a scenario where he just rides the bench and gets passed over in the rotation.

[MannyIsGod]

He sort of shows the downside to a culture guy. He's a great person. A team player. But he seems too nice in the sense that his motivation is in question. He seems irrationally unconfident. His skills on offense are fairly mature. He will obviously be on the team next year but there's a scenario where he just rides the bench and gets passed over in the rotation.

If we go into next season and Branham has a position in the rotation then our offseason has been bad. If he wins a spot in the season next year then cool, but the Spurs need to greatly upgrade the 2 guard depth.

[Atl Spur]

The man is not a finished product obviously but he possess a great feel on offense most don’t have ( he’s a smooth player ). Bbiq will increase hopefully as time goes on but him being out the league in two years is crazy talk..

[Atl Spur]

4th year Branham will be a nice piece :)

[NASpurs]

4th year Branham will be a nice piece :)

More shiity predictions from Miss Cleo

[exstatic]

Put some respect on the name of our tank commander.

[Atl Spur]

More shiity predictions from Miss Cleo

There she go, looking stupid again. Malaki says hi :) You obviously aren’t very aware nor compute information well. Although Malaki isn’t my pet cat, it’s clear he has a better chance of succeeding than failing at the current trajectory. Good to see got that Miss Cleo thing down.

[NASpurs]

There she go, looking stupid again. Malaki says hi :) You obviously aren’t very aware nor compute information well. Although Malaki isn’t my pet cat, it’s clear he has a better chance of succeeding than failing at the current trajectory. Good to see got that Miss Cleo thing down.

What's clear about it? :lol You talk in absolutes when it's obviously clear (see what I did there) that you don't know what you're talking about based on your history. Keep at it Miss Cleo.

[Atl Spur]

What's clear about it? :lol You talk in absolutes when it's obviously clear (see what I did there) that you don't know what you're talking about based on your history. Keep at it Miss Cleo.

Indulge us…. It’s all here to be fact checked:) What more can I say ? ( Jay Z ). It’s easy to be in your feelings and just spout off foolishness but be a dude this time….give us some facts.

[Atl Spur]

Mr. Sodium Spur, I’m always home but don’t touch the doorbell. ( see what I did there? ) of course you didn’t! lol

[itzsoweezee]

The problem is that some people have to high expectations for kids like Malaki, Blake, Tre or Keldon. They are what you'll mostly get for those kind of picks, average role players if you're lucky with some potential but also a lot of flaws, then end of bench to borderline NBA players in many cases. Fans tend to focus on the potential, hoping they'll get rid of their flaws.

But there's a reason they"ve been drafted in the 20s or second round. If they had any kind of real star/elite role players potential they'd have been picked higher. And being drafted by the spurs changes nothing to that. Yes, they'll keep improving, like anyone does pratcicing at something, but they're not underperforming or underachieving so far, they are who they're meant to be, this is who they are, non lottery picks. So we shouldn't be surprised, disappointed or put too much hope on them becoming more than that. That can happen but much more often than not, it won't. Blake or Malaki may even be out of the NBA after their rookie contract.

The problem is not fans’ expectations. The problem is the role the coaching staff places these young guys into. A competent coaching staff doesn’t play Branham 20 minutes a game when he shown he’s not ready for that role.

[exstatic]

The problem is not fans’ expectations. The problem is the role the coaching staff places these young guys into. A competent coaching staff doesn’t play Branham 20 minutes a game when he shown he’s not ready for that role.

A tanking coaching staff does, though.

[itzsoweezee]

A tanking coaching staff does, though.

I’m talking about this year’s coaching staff, which emphasized how important winning was to the team/development before the season started, not last year’s, which was obviously tanking.

[exstatic]

I’m talking about this year’s coaching staff, which emphasized how important winning was to the team/development before the season started, not last year’s, which was obviously tanking.

They lied.

[itzsoweezee]

They lied.

They thought they would be better. This is just rationalizing

[exstatic]

They thought they would be better. This is just rationalizing

You think they wanted Victor to know right out of the gate that they were dumping games? Don’t you think if Pop was telling the truth, and wanted to win games that they would have spent more than $0 on FAs, and maybe made trades for winning, and not asset accumulation? I think you’re rationalizing.

[The Truth #6]

I think they wanted to see how the current pieces fit together before making moves, I agree with that part. I also think they got a little excited in the summer handing out contracts and thought they would be better than they are.

[slick'81]

Sours were definitely not trying to "win" this season

[jesterbobman]

While Spurs were able to quite fix their starting lineup with Tre and Champagnie, these moves also created a disastrous bench unit. Spurs' bench unit really lack of a point guard/playmaker, defense, rebounding and isn't that great at shooting. Players don't fit well together. For example, Keldon and Branham as wing combo doesn't work.

One of the main task of Spurs' offseason is to build a cohesive bench unit. A lot of these players aren't as bad as they currently look.

Good point.

We're very small. I think part of it is that Collins doesn't work as a sole big as he's not quite big enough to play drop as a PnR coverage, and we have a bunch of wings around him who don't really offer secondary rim protection, which means that they're terrible defensively and can't rebound well enough. I think you can either try and get a bigger backup centre and move Collins (Signing Hartenstein, drafting Clingan etc) or put a true PF next to him (e.g Get Jeremy Grant and move Sochan to the bench).

I don't think it's likely that we can have a bench as good as the Manu led units (because...Manu was Manu) but a more cohesive unit that could get close to neutral against bench units would be a big boost to the team.

[itzsoweezee]

You think they wanted Victor to know right out of the gate that they were dumping games? Don’t you think if Pop was telling the truth, and wanted to win games that they would have spent more than $0 on FAs, and maybe made trades for winning, and not asset accumulation? I think you’re rationalizing.

No, I think pop and his staff vastly overrated the roster. It is obvious from the contracts handed out to Collins and Vassell and the glowing statements they had about Branham before the season began.

If they were tanking, they wouldn’t have made the rotation changes that improved the team’s performance and record. Now they’re at risk of only a bottom four or bottom five record, not exactly reflective of a team that’s purposefully bad.

[scott]

You think they wanted Victor to know right out of the gate that they were dumping games? Don’t you think if Pop was telling the truth, and wanted to win games that they would have spent more than $0 on FAs, and maybe made trades for winning, and not asset accumulation? I think you’re rationalizing.

So they were lying to their franchise player AND the fans? This doesn't really make it better.

[Knoxxx]

Branham showed with that personal 11-0 run, that he could conceivably provide instant offense off the bench as his game grows over the next couple of seasons (hopefully).

[Knoxxx]

So they were lying to their franchise player AND the fans? This doesn't really make it better.

As I recall, the over under on wins was in the 25-27 range. Slight improvement. Not likely the MGT expected to go from 20 wins to a playoff team. Maybe they expected 30 to low 30 wins at best, or had no expectations at all really, beyond the team was not going to be a contender.

[exstatic]

No, I think pop and his staff vastly overrated the roster. It is obvious from the contracts handed out to Collins and Vassell and the glowing statements they had about Branham before the season began.

If they were tanking, they wouldn’t have made the rotation changes that improved the team’s performance and record. Now they’re at risk of only a bottom four or bottom five record, not exactly reflective of a team that’s purposefully bad.

And Keith Bogans was really the centerpiece of the defense in 2009. I have some nice oceanfront property in Phoenix that might interest you.

Oh, and neither of those two extensions for Dev or Zach were on the cap this year. If they wanted to sign FAs, they had all of their money available.

Never change, dude.

[Knoxxx]

And Keith Bogans was really the centerpiece of the defense in 2009. I have some nice oceanfront property in Phoenix that might interest you.

Oh, and neither of those two extensions for Dev or Zach were on the cap this year. If they wanted to sign FAs, they had all of their money available.

Never change, dude.

To clarify, you are insisting the Spurs tanked deliberately for another high draft pick and that is the sole argument occurring here? Or, are you also coupling that with the front office being cheap bastages? Just trying to keep up…

(spirited debate!)

[exstatic]

To clarify, you are insisting the Spurs tanked deliberately for another high draft pick and that is the sole argument occurring here? Or, are you also coupling that with the front office being cheap bastages? Just trying to keep up…

(spirited debate!)

Tankatankatank. I don’t think they’re cheap, just that they didn’t want to buy talent that might wreck things. Notice that after that recent 3 game heater, suddenly, guys are out for the year. Look for something similar with Keldon after another game or two. It was also a prescient move to cock block Toronto. If we hadn’t, they’d be sitting at 5 right now, and we’d barely have a 36% chance at the pick, instead of the 54% chance we have now.

Houston is pretty much out of the play in at this point, and all people will remember in five years is that we were both in the lottery, but they spent 9 figures on FAs, and we got a better pick, or picks.

[itzsoweezee]

And Keith Bogans was really the centerpiece of the defense in 2009. I have some nice oceanfront property in Phoenix that might interest you.

Oh, and neither of those two extensions for Dev or Zach were on the cap this year. If they wanted to sign FAs, they had all of their money available.

Never change, dude.

Bogans was indeed treated like the centerpiece of the defense (to every fan's irritation). Are we having revisionist history about Bogans now too?

The point I raised about Dev and Zach had nothing to do with their inability to sign FAs. I was pointing out that they very much overrated those two. Just like they did Branham and Sochan. They paid Dev and Zach like centerpieces because they thought they were centerpieces. They paid Zach like a starter because they thought he was a starter, hence, they played Zach as a starter. They put Sochan as the starting point guard because they thought could play point guard.

Over and over, they did things an incompetent team does. If tanking was the strategy, there are many easier, less embarrassing ways to do that. They didn't take those routes because they weren't purposely tanking, they were just dumb.

And now they will not end up with a bottom 3 record because, again, they are not trying to tank.

[exstatic]

Bogans was indeed treated like the centerpiece of the defense (to every fan's irritation). Are we having revisionist history about Bogans now too?

The point I raised about Dev and Zach had nothing to do with their inability to sign FAs. I was pointing out that they very much overrated those two. Just like they did Branham and Sochan. They paid Dev and Zach like centerpieces because they thought they were centerpieces. They paid Zach like a starter because they thought he was a starter, hence, they played Zach as a starter. They put Sochan as the starting point guard because they thought could play point guard.

Over and over, they did things an incompetent team does. If tanking was the strategy, there are many easier, less embarrassing ways to do that. They didn't take those routes because they weren't purposely tanking, they were just dumb.

And now they will not end up with a bottom 3 record because, again, they are not trying to tank.

On a team with Tim Duncan. Another thing that Pop said, and people ate up. Is your leg still out of the socket, because he sure pulled it.

Stop
Taking
Things
Pop
Says
At
Face
Value

[Knoxxx]

Bogans was indeed treated like the centerpiece of the defense (to every fan's irritation). Are we having revisionist history about Bogans now too?

The point I raised about Dev and Zach had nothing to do with their inability to sign FAs. I was pointing out that they very much overrated those two. Just like they did Branham and Sochan. They paid Dev and Zach like centerpieces because they thought they were centerpieces. They paid Zach like a starter because they thought he was a starter, hence, they played Zach as a starter. They put Sochan as the starting point guard because they thought could play point guard.

Over and over, they did things an incompetent team does. If tanking was the strategy, there are many easier, less embarrassing ways to do that. They didn't take those routes because they weren't purposely tanking, they were just dumb.

And now they will not end up with a bottom 3 record because, again, they are not trying to tank.

Your opinion post was passing muster to some degree, until you griped about “blowing” the top 3 pick. When in fact nobody is seeing much difference in the top 5-10 players.

But, your point is taken about the paradoxical approach to tank or not to tank, that is the question.

The salaries they paid though are not that awful. Collins, yes probably a little high but he’s been a halfway decent anchor to the second unit, usually gives double digits points in under 20 minutes. Vassell has a declining $ deal, which most seemed to give decent reviews as a result. Seems the Spurs had some degree of issue needing to get up the to league minimum salary, and most were not eager to throw $60 mills at Lillard, much less give up draft assets.

So, apparently we didn’t have much else to do with the money.

[baseline bum]

Tankatankatank. I don’t think they’re cheap, just that they didn’t want to buy talent that might wreck things. Notice that after that recent 3 game heater, suddenly, guys are out for the year. Look for something similar with Keldon after another game or two. It was also a prescient move to cock block Toronto. If we hadn’t, they’d be sitting at 5 right now, and we’d barely have a 36% chance at the pick, instead of the 54% chance we have now.

Houston is pretty much out of the play in at this point, and all people will remember in five years is that we were both in the lottery, but they spent 9 figures on FAs, and we got a better pick, or picks.

ROFL thinking they're tanking for this ridiculously weak draft class

[NASpurs]

ROFL thinking they're tanking for this ridiculously weak draft class

Just a coping mechanism sniffers use to convince themselves that their infallible PATFO are doing a great job.

[Jordan Jackson]

The facts point to them simply being an absolutely awful basketball team. They are not tanking- they suck. Anyone arguing otherwise is wasting everyone’s time.

What you should be doing is questioning the front offices’ ability to evaluate players and this roster as a whole

oh and Branham is an awful player. Lacks athleticism, speed, defense and BBIQ. He better become a knock down shooter or else he has no use on this team.

[MannyIsGod]

And Keith Bogans was really the centerpiece of the defense in 2009. I have some nice oceanfront property in Phoenix that might interest you.

Oh, and neither of those two extensions for Dev or Zach were on the cap this year. If they wanted to sign FAs, they had all of their money available.

Never change, dude.

Sometimes they're just wrong dude. Sometimes Pop is just wrong. I don't know why you insist on acting like eery move they make is some amazing fake out or big brain move. i guess the Zach Collins extension was part of the tank, right?

They are definitely tanking now. There's no way it was the plan going into the season and there's reporting from multiple places that backs this up. Fucks sake.

[exstatic]

Sometimes they're just wrong dude. Sometimes Pop is just wrong. I don't know why you insist on acting like eery move they make is some amazing fake out or big brain move. i guess the Zach Collins extension was part of the tank, right?

They are definitely tanking now. There's no way it was the plan going into the season and there's reporting from multiple places that backs this up. Fucks sake.

They drafted Wemby, and

Did
Nothing
Else.

That’s not some secret plan or double reverse. It was done right there in plain sight. It’s not that complicated, and plain to see. They spent ZERO dollars on FAs, and made ZERO positive asset trades, selling off that cap room.

[pad300]

Hi Exstatic, welcome to this season was a deliberate tank island. Don't forget 25 games of Point Sochan, and then Point Branham. Only turning the reins over to Tre (the best PG on the roster) when forced by injury...



ROFL thinking they're tanking for this ridiculously weak draft class

The reason they tanked this year (with the weak draft class) is simple. Next year, Wemby will be too good to get a bottom four draft slot (IMO of course, but I think PATFO sees it too). By himself, he will have us at a minimum at 9th...

[baseline bum]

Hi Exstatic, welcome to this season was a deliberate tank island. Don't forget 25 games of Point Sochan, and then Point Branham. Only turning the reins over to Tre (the best PG on the roster) when forced by injury...




The reason they tanked this year (with the weak draft class) is simple. Next year, Wemby will be too good to get a bottom four draft slot (IMO of course, but I think PATFO sees it too). By himself, he will have us at a minimum at 9th...

They didn't tank. They thought Sochan, Collins, Johnson, Branham, and Vassell were good and were wrong.

[JPB]

They drafted Wemby, and

Did
Nothing
Else.

That’s not some secret plan or double reverse. It was done right there in plain sight. It’s not that complicated, and plain to see. They spent ZERO dollars on FAs, and made ZERO positive asset trades, selling off that cap room.

Wright literally said they were using this year for evalutation, and that includes Wemby. They had no point making moves before knowing what they got with and around Wemby. But that's not tanking, they were serious about trying to win games, which notably how you evaluate players, the ones who make you win.

Now, they know. No one is untouchable besides Wemby and besides maybe Devin, they have no other core pieces.

[Tyronn Lue]

The organization spent so much on Pop they have to ride with whatever he decides, and he's playing "hold my beer" again.

[heyheymymy]

They didn't tank. They thought Sochan, Collins, Johnson, Branham, and Vassell were good and were wrong.

Possibly, but I can't picture PATFO thinking 2 second year players, an injury reclaim project, and a 29th pick were enough support for Dev and Vic or that Dev and Vic could carry that group yet to any significant postseason success.

I just think Vic was never going to be ready to push for a ring in his rookie season whether you surround him with Jordan or Julian. Too many young mistakes (TOs and shot selection) and too much endurance conditioning still needed. I think the FO did the right things, patience and maintained flexibility.

[The Truth #6]

I have more of an issue with the contracts they signed to Zach and Devin. I have no problem with playing Sochan at point to see what would happen. Now they know and need to prioritize finding a very good point guard. The team came a long way since starting Tre.

I think they tried to do many different things while splitting the middle like they normally do. If they were tanking tanking then they would have benched players earlier. Wemby wants to win. So they have appearances to maintain to keep his respect.

Picking their motivation is tricky as always. My gut feeling is they thought they were going to be better than they were and could get away with playing Sochan at point guard. My guess is that they were privately horrified at how terrible the beginning of the season was, but no one will ever say.

[Dejounte]

I have more of an issue with the contracts they signed to Zach and Devin. I have no problem with playing Sochan at point to see what would happen. Now they know and need to prioritize finding a very good point guard. The team came a long way since starting Tre.

I think they tried to do many different things while splitting the middle like they normally do. If they were tanking tanking then they would have benched players earlier. Wemby wants to win. So they have appearances to maintain to keep his respect.

Picking their motivation is tricky as always. My gut feeling is they thought they were going to be better than they were and could get away with playing Sochan at point guard. My guess is that they were privately horrified at how terrible the beginning of the season was, but no one will ever say.

Yep, this is exactly it. The Spurs aren’t masterminds planning every move. They could have expected the young players around Wemby to be good supporting pieces for the long term future and then realize that some aren’t. To say the plan is different when it suits the situation is to take away accountability. The Spurs aren’t infallible in everything they do, but they do learn from their mistakes… and as a fan, that’s something more to be proud of than thinking they’re 9999 IQ geniuses who see the future. The Spurs are made up of smart individuals who learn from their mistakes, know how to pivot and adjust to the times. That’s more than you can hope for.

[scott]

The Sniffer Coping Playbook, Ch. 6, Subchapter 7, Section 4(a), Paragraph II clearly states that all mistakes the Franchise makes are not actual mistakes, they are some meticulously planned out move in a game of 8D chess.

Just think about it. It is truly inconceivable to think that a team that adds one of the greatest prospects in history, who ends up shattering high expectations, would make the essentially same team better than a year prior! Obviously they were tanking the whole time. Just like drafting Primo was all part of the plan to get Wemby, as was starting Bryn Forbes for years, as was trading for Demarre Carroll, as was signing Patty Mills for 4/48, etc. Mere mortals lack the vision to see the game being played directly in front of them.

Popovich farts on a mission in West Africa, a butterfly flaps its wings, and a hurricane eventually hits Florida. It's all part of the master plan.

[JPB]

Possibly, but I can't picture PATFO thinking 2 second year players, an injury reclaim project, and a 29th pick were enough support for Dev and Vic or that Dev and Vic could carry that group yet to any significant postseason success.

I just think Vic was never going to be ready to push for a ring in his rookie season whether you surround him with Jordan or Julian. Too many young mistakes (TOs and shot selection) and too much endurance conditioning still needed. I think the FO did the right things, patience and maintained flexibility.

I don't believe the issue was last year, everybody, including, the fans, thought they were gonna better, at least a 30+ win team and even make the play in, for some, proving there were some kind of collective delusion or wishful thinking about that roster... Like, that's the spurs, they develop prospects (which they actually never did in that proportion and in a rebuilding project) so these kids are necessarily gonna be good. And that's still some fans perception.

Now, the issue is more what are they gonna do THIS offseason. Persevere with these kids or bring Vic some needed help. I believe they got chocked and some reality check about the fact no matter how competent your development program might be, at the end of the day it's about talent and there's not that much valuable one besides Vic on that roster.

[ambchang]

I didn’t believe the spurs were tanking at all this season.
1) there’s no one to tank. Obviously it’s better to get a higher pick but this years draft? You can get the same quality of picks from 1 to 5
2) nobody was “injured” for too long. There was that ball boy incident but it wasn’t too ridiculous.
3) the spurs are actually playing better as the year went on. If you’re tanking to do it the other way.

That said, I didn’t think the team was going balls to the wall to maximize wins either. They were clearly experimenting with things. Sochan at PF being the obvious one. But wemby at the perimeter, then more in the paint. Then wemby facilitates more, Champaigne in the starting lineup. The spurs were testing out things to see what works and get a rough outline of how a team should be built around wemby. If they lose they lose, but if the win all the better.

It’s frustrating to watch, especially when the team was playing like a pickup game at the first 1/3 of the year and pop just didn’t do anything. There are still many fundamental flaws in the players skills now that the coaches should be correcting. I’m not sure if there are reasons being it or PATFO is really that incompetent (I doubt it) but regardless it is undoubtedly a disappointment for the fans. Not sure what the objective of the team was coming into the year but whatever it was I hope they achieved it.

[onechance87]

I didn’t believe the spurs were tanking at all this season.
1) there’s no one to tank. Obviously it’s better to get a higher pick but this years draft? You can get the same quality of picks from 1 to 5
2) nobody was “injured” for too long. There was that ball boy incident but it wasn’t too ridiculous.
3) the spurs are actually playing better as the year went on. If you’re tanking to do it the other way.

That said, I didn’t think the team was going balls to the wall to maximize wins either. They were clearly experimenting with things. Sochan at PF being the obvious one. But wemby at the perimeter, then more in the paint. Then wemby facilitates more, Champaigne in the starting lineup. The spurs were testing out things to see what works and get a rough outline of how a team should be built around wemby. If they lose they lose, but if the win all the better.

It’s frustrating to watch, especially when the team was playing like a pickup game at the first 1/3 of the year and pop just didn’t do anything. There are still many fundamental flaws in the players skills now that the coaches should be correcting. I’m not sure if there are reasons being it or PATFO is really that incompetent (I doubt it) but regardless it is undoubtedly a disappointment for the fans. Not sure what the objective of the team was coming into the year but whatever it was I hope they achieved it.

Well they said they wanted to see what they got and what works.What showed this year was that this roster is a losing no talent
no iq team put together.Half these guys got to go.

[Atl Spur]

His lack of a high bbiq is hard to watch…..growing pains! A hard to accept loss yet productive!

[SpursFan86]

While it’s nice that his 3 ball has become semi-respectable, his short/mid range game has really been brutal this year. It’s something I’ve felt all year but finally decided to check the numbers:

FGA from 3-10 feet out: 33% this year vs. 52% last year
FGA from 10-16 feet out: 51% both this year and last year
FGA from 16 feet out to 3P line: 26% this year vs. 44% last year

Just odd - last year he looked so comfortable with those little floaters and pull up jumpers from short/mid range…this year it’s like a miracle if he makes one.

[SouthernFryd]

The guy is a catastrophe.

[SouthernFryd]

"he can hit a 3 ball." His offense is coming around.

Stop it. The guy can lose you the game all by himself with his stupidity and arrogance. Start looking at other parts of players games besides whether they can shoot a ball.

[Pauleta14]

Someone needs to ask Pop why he puts the ball in his hands in key moments. surreal to watch

[Atl Spur]

Someone needs to ask Pop why he puts the ball in his hands in key moments. surreal to watch

Because he has to learn…..no better time than now. That golly gee reaction piss me off though! lol

[NASpurs]

Because he has to learn…..no better time than now. That golly gee reaction piss me off though! lol

Learn what dumbass? You act like he's going to be here long term and will be our finisher :lol

[spurraider21]

What does he do better than Lonnie Walker did? If Walker wasn’t good enough (pulled his QO) then why is Branham?

[Tyronn Lue]

What does he do better than Lonnie Walker did? If Walker wasn’t good enough (pulled his QO) then why is Branham?
Not cost. Ceiling maybe? Has LW peaked? Pop seems to give up on some guys who do ok elsewhere.

[onechance87]

Because he has to learn…..no better time than now. That golly gee reaction piss me off though! lol

He needs to learn to handle the ball.Just looks akward him holding the ball.Looks like he could lose the ball
at any moment lol.

[Atl Spur]

Learn what dumbass? You act like he's going to be here long term and will be our finisher :lol
lol…… but I’m Mrs. Cleo right? Envy is a disease…. MB needs real game time situational minutes.

[rankingtear]

What does he do better than Lonnie Walker did? If Walker wasn’t good enough (pulled his QO) then why is Branham?

Branham can run some PNR makes him more viable as a 6th man. Branham also played a good 2 man game with Liddel in college , Lonnie never did at any point in his career.

[pad300]

Someone needs to ask Pop why he puts the ball in his hands in key moments. surreal to watch

What part of "PATFO is tanking this season" don't you understand?

[MultiTroll]

What part of "PATFO is tanking this season" don't you understand?
4 wins in the last 6 games.
With a 5th win absolutely being reached for in the Sixers.

[z0sa]

What part of "PATFO is tanking this season" don't you understand?

:lol PATFO didn't tank until about 5 games ago, and the players still aren't tanking (at least, on purpose).

It should have been common sense that Wemby and his (professional support) team would not be on-board with even a hint of tanking until the end of the season. Looks like they aren't even on-board up to last night, tbh. However with Keldon and Wemby both getting ankle injuries, I think it's likely we don't see either again on the court in a Spurs uni until next pre-season.

[onechance87]

:lol PATFO didn't tank until about 5 games ago, and the players still aren't tanking (at least, on purpose).

It should have been common sense that Wemby and his (professional support) team would not be on-board with even a hint of tanking until the end of the season. Looks like they aren't even on-board up to last night, tbh. However with Keldon and Wemby both getting ankle injuries, I think it's likely we don't see either again on the court in a Spurs uni until next pre-season.

we gonna need wemby to try to beat memphis next game.

[Pauleta14]

Because he has to learn…..no better time than now. That golly gee reaction piss me off though! lol

Learn what? Play PG?

It made zero sense with Tre and Graham available unless u want to be sure not to win

[Pauleta14]

What part of "PATFO is tanking this season" don't you understand?

Do you even watch games?

[Jordan Jackson]

Learn what dumbass? You act like he's going to be here long term and will be our finisher :lol
Seriously. I’d be shocked if he’s still in the league in 3 years. Never thought I’d see someone so clueless on defense since Bryn Forbes - but here we are.

[itzsoweezee]

What part of "PATFO is tanking this season" don't you understand?

So they played wemby 43 minutes because they were trying to tank?

[Atl Spur]

Learn what? Play PG?

It made zero sense with Tre and Graham available unless u want to be sure not to win

You are being to shortsighted.

[exstatic]

Not cost. Ceiling maybe? Has LW peaked? Pop seems to give up on some guys who do ok elsewhere.

LW is the same as he was here, it’s just that other teams tolerate mistakes and bad defense. He playing the only NBA role where he won’t fail: bench point getter. The players he’s playing against don’t expose his defense as often, and he isn’t expected to create for anyone other than himself

[Atl Spur]

LW is the same as he was here, it’s just that other teams tolerate mistakes and bad defense. He playing the only NBA role where he won’t fail: bench point getter. The players he’s playing against don’t expose his defense as often, and he isn’t expected to create for anyone other than himself

No word salad necessary:

Low bbiq+athlete+ journey man = LW

San Antonio has had many players with a mixture of those attributes have lengthy careers here but there must be some self awareness to help offset.

[Tyronn Lue]

I think those guys have utility but the Spurs don't need 4 of them starting.

[tbdog]

https://imgur.com/OsafGMrhttps://preview.redd.it/new-look-for-malaki-v0-mhhcovas0ild1.jpeg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&ebcf177e
https://imgur.com/OsafGMr

WTF??????

https://imgur.com/OsafGMr

[KingKev]

https://imgur.com/OsafGMrhttps://preview.redd.it/new-look-for-malaki-v0-mhhcovas0ild1.jpeg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&ebcf177e
https://imgur.com/OsafGMr

WTF??????

https://imgur.com/OsafGMr

https://www.meatspin.com/

[CGD]

Seems like his days are numbered, no?

[spurraider21]

https://i.redd.it/omjnp22514wa1.jpeg

[spurraider21]

jinxed it. he just checked in

[baseline bum]

Fucking Bran Ham coming in as soon as I open this thread :pctoss

[CGD]

Haha, my bad.

Outlook doesn’t seem great in any case though.

[Dejounte]

Branham getting Lonnie’d pretty soon

[Bill_Brasky]

Yeah.....

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/16/38/fd/1638fdb73cc76519ab441cdb3608aad3.gif

[Mr. Body]

No, he's not. He's playing pretty well. His defense is much improved. Don't just watch the outside shot. That's stuff for casuals. Don't be a casual. He's shooting them at the right time. If they don't ever fall, that's one thing, but that's not what the coaching staff is looking at. He's still building his game.

[timtonymanu]

Jesus fuck the sniffing above me lol

[timtonymanu]

Dude needs to warm the bench. I rather play Sidy or even David Duke Jr.

[Dverde]

Dime a dozen player. He had an opportunity tonight and played mediocre. Still a capable scorer but many of those types in the league.

[Mr. Body]

I don't think it's going to happen, but if Branham can become a rotation player, these mistakes and problems are the ones he has to experience and play through. Sochan had lots of minutes where he looked terrible last year and he now looks great. This is a way guys improve. Just don't know if he has the mettle and personality to steel up.

[spursparker9]

Should not have picked up his 4th year option

[Mr. Body]

Should not have picked up his 4th year option

It's pretty cheap and fine. If he hits, it pays off. I honestly think people shit themselves too much over these contracts and players not paying off. It may not work, and that's okay. He's not some big anchor on flexibility or anything.

[MannyIsGod]

If he hits? I don't know why anyone still has hope on this guy. Calling him a turnstile would be generous. He also makes absolute shit decisions on when to pass vs shoot. I don't usually outright dislike any Spurs but this dude is someone I never want to see play another minute of basketball for this team. Last night was incredibly atrocious.

[jjspur]

In todays NBA, there are so many players making 10 million and above that its squeezes the lower paid guys off to Europe or elsewhere, so its important to hit on the the players with the lower end salaries to balance paying the ridiculous salaries of some superstars that aren't that super, or guys that are just making way too much salary. I can see keeping Wesley because you can see his progress over the years. In Branham, I just don't see the little steps that Wesley has made. You want a scorer, look no further than the G-League. There are plenty of them there all for less than Branham. Can't we send him down and bring up Duke or another G-Leaguer with a better skill set ?

[Mr. Body]

If he hits? I don't know why anyone still has hope on this guy. Calling him a turnstile would be generous. He also makes absolute shit decisions on when to pass vs shoot. I don't usually outright dislike any Spurs but this dude is someone I never want to see play another minute of basketball for this team. Last night was incredibly atrocious.

Yeah, if he hits. Everyone here, I think including you, wrote Sochan off last year. You were all wrong. Branham's defense is not a turn style at this point, it's improved. The shit decisions are the shit decisions and problems Sochan was having and other developing players were having.

Don't put me in the position of saying he's going to be a success, but you're just being unjust, short-sighted, and just bitter about something that shouldn't be bitter about. Like I said, he costs little. If you want to believe there's no chance, that's fine, but you believed there was no chance for other players.

[The Truth #6]

I will tentatively agree with Body. At this point he will get situational minutes. He has improved but by how much is the issue.

[Dverde]

I get the feeling we going to hear about Branham not being happy soon. He thinks he deserves to play big minutes, probably can’t reconcile why Wesley and Castle leapfrogged him among the guards. No place for him if the spurs use their two first round picks.

[LeBowen]

As I wrote a handful of times, Branham's biggest issue is that he's the most common archetype in the league.
PATFO drafted him because they though he also has defensive upside with his wingspan, but he doesn't.

He's a scoring guard with very little playmaking skills if we're talking running the offense. He's also an average athlete and a pretty bad defender. Whether it be defensive athleticism or situational awareness.
He's a negative on both ends if he doesn't get hot and shoots at a high percentage.
You can find a handful of Branhams at the end of every team's bench. Especially nowdays when the league is moving away from guards being just scorers.

Wesley on the other hand is a worse player right now, but a way less common archetype because point of attack defenders are really hard to find these days.

[Raven]

I get the feeling we going to hear about Branham not being happy soon. He thinks he deserves to play big minutes, probably can’t reconcile why Wesley and Castle leapfrogged him among the guards. No place for him if the spurs use their two first round picks.

actually wesley got ditched just as he was, it just happens that he won the minutes he never deserved to lose back.. branham likely is the odd man out, but i don't think he deserves it, and games where we can't hit anything, are a cautionary tale.

[scott]

Branhim ranks in the 1st Percentile in CraftedDPM and the 9th Percentile in CraftedOPM. He's quite literally one of the worst players in the league. But hey, maybe he'll turn it around. Anything is possible I guess.

https://craftednba.com/players/malaki-branham

By comparison... Blake is 8th Percentile in CraftedOPM, so even worse than Branham offensively, but he's 58th Percentile in CraftedDPM (so an above-median defender). So at least Wesley has that. Along the same lines, Keldon is 3rd percentile in CraftedDPM, so just about as bad as Branham, but is 59th in CraftedOPM (so an above-median offensive player). Being a bottom 10 percent player on BOTH sides of the ball is pretty bad.

[baseline bum]

Branhim ranks in the 1st Percentile in CraftedDPM and the 9th Percentile in CraftedOPM. He's quite literally one of the worst players in the league. But hey, maybe he'll turn it around. Anything is possible I guess.

https://craftednba.com/players/malaki-branham

By comparison... Blake is 8th Percentile in CraftedOPM, so even worse than Branham offensively, but he's 58th Percentile in CraftedDPM (so an above-median defender). So at least Wesley has that. Along the same lines, Keldon is 3rd percentile in CraftedDPM, so just about as bad as Branham, but is 59th in CraftedOPM (so an above-median offensive player). Being a bottom 10 percent player on BOTH sides of the ball is pretty bad.

One of?

[LeBowen]

One of?

Bronny played some minutes.

[timtonymanu]

It’s unfortunate cause he actually seems like a good person and he looked like he was gonna be solid after his good showing in college and after having a pretty good rookie season. just read all the takes on him when we first drafted him. He just wasn’t able to take his game to the next level.

At this point, Branham is in year 3. If there was any semblance of an nba level player in him, he would have shown it already. Even Blake Wesley with his limitations has shown improvement and he was picked lower than Branham. Its almost like Luka Samanic all over again minus the bad work ethic. I want the guy to do well, I really do. But he’s really been bad.

[CGD]

Gotta make room for 2 rookies too.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Gotta make room for 2 rookies too.

Cissoko, Calamity Branham, and maybe Ingram will all be gone next season, pretty much.

[jjspur]

Branhim ranks in the 1st Percentile in CraftedDPM and the 9th Percentile in CraftedOPM. He's quite literally one of the worst players in the league. But hey, maybe he'll turn it around. Anything is possible I guess.

https://craftednba.com/players/malaki-branham

By comparison... Blake is 8th Percentile in CraftedOPM, so even worse than Branham offensively, but he's 58th Percentile in CraftedDPM (so an above-median defender). So at least Wesley has that. Along the same lines, Keldon is 3rd percentile in CraftedDPM, so just about as bad as Branham, but is 59th in CraftedOPM (so an above-median offensive player). Being a bottom 10 percent player on BOTH sides of the ball is pretty bad.

Probably what it comes down to, is what do the spurs need or value more, a so so player who can play defense a bit or a really bad to so so player who has slightly more talent than a G-Leaguer but not much else. Time will tell. Frankly I'm surprised that the spurs picked up their contracts for next year. Unless they are trade filler, they don't have much value even on our team and will probably replaced by a draft pick next year, if not sooner.

[slick'81]

Shit,wesley is showing more upside

[scott]

Probably what it comes down to, is what do the spurs need or value more, a so so player who can play defense a bit or a really bad to so so player who has slightly more talent than a G-Leaguer but not much else. Time will tell. Frankly I'm surprised that the spurs picked up their contracts for next year. Unless they are trade filler, they don't have much value even on our team and will probably replaced by a draft pick next year, if not sooner.

Not even sure what you are trying to say here... it will come down to if the Spurs value the worst player in the league over someone who is not the worst player in the league? :lol

[spurraider21]

Cissoko, Calamity Branham, and maybe Ingram will all be gone next season, pretty much.
We exercised the guarantee on branhams contract for next season. And Ingram is on a two-way, not holding a roster spot

[Spursfanfromafar]

We exercised the guarantee on branhams contract for next season. And Ingram is on a two-way, not holding a roster spot

They can all be traded. Including Ingram. Wright got a creative trade exchanging a two way player in the offseason too.

[CGD]

We exercised the guarantee on branhams contract for next season. And Ingram is on a two-way, not holding a roster spot

Maliki’s is a very movable/cuttable 4M expiring contract next year. Provides flexibility actually: can trade for a slightly bigger contract or combine with Collins to bring back a 25M player.

[exstatic]

They can all be traded. Including Ingram. Wright got a creative trade exchanging a two way player in the offseason too.

They found a loop hole that I fully expect the league to close. You cannot trade anNBA player, the team cuts them, and you get them back right away,but this was never applied to two ways. I expect that to change.

[jjspur]

Not even sure what you are trying to say here... it will come down to if the Spurs value the worst player in the league over someone who is not the worst player in the league? :lol

What I'm saying is that the spurs really value development and in the case of Branham and Wesley, a little too much. Sure give rookies a few years to show what they have, but if they don't show anything let them go - don't give them the 3rd or 4th year. The spurs front office likes to give players a little more rope than most teams, but sometimes it just doesn't pan out. The spurs are just trying to make the best of a bad situation which they caused themselves by drafting 2 players that needed a lot of development, probably more than most NBA teams would willing to give after two years.

You said it yourself , we have the worst player in the league and another really bad player. So basically, we signed them, might as well use them especially when the team doesn't have many immediate options . Hopefully they don't screw things up too much. Possibly we can find better options in next years draft.

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, if he hits. Everyone here, I think including you, wrote Sochan off last year. You were all wrong. Branham's defense is not a turn style at this point, it's improved. The shit decisions are the shit decisions and problems Sochan was having and other developing players were having.

Don't put me in the position of saying he's going to be a success, but you're just being unjust, short-sighted, and just bitter about something that shouldn't be bitter about. Like I said, he costs little. If you want to believe there's no chance, that's fine, but you believed there was no chance for other players.


Oh I'd love for you to find the place where I wrote off Sochan. Sochan has always had the tools to succeed that Branham doesn't. For one, he plays defense and is far more athletic. Branham is a chucker - the most common unsuccessful player type in the NBA.

We're not in his first year anymore. This is many years of the same thing. Branham is done and there's a reason he's burried on the bench and rarely sees time anymore. With so many draft picks coming in there's absolutely no reason to waste anymore minutes on Branham and while I don't want to see him waived for no reason I do not think he holds any positive value to this team at this time. Comparing him to players who have vastly more upside is nonsense. The more apt comparison is Blake Wesley, a player who is in a similar position but shows vastly more upside in the long term and he doesn't even compare favorably there.

[MannyIsGod]

As I wrote a handful of times, Branham's biggest issue is that he's the most common archetype in the league.
PATFO drafted him because they though he also has defensive upside with his wingspan, but he doesn't.

He's a scoring guard with very little playmaking skills if we're talking running the offense. He's also an average athlete and a pretty bad defender. Whether it be defensive athleticism or situational awareness.
He's a negative on both ends if he doesn't get hot and shoots at a high percentage.
You can find a handful of Branhams at the end of every team's bench. Especially nowdays when the league is moving away from guards being just scorers.

Wesley on the other hand is a worse player right now, but a way less common archetype because point of attack defenders are really hard to find these days.

I get why they picked up his option and it's honestly not a huge deal but he basically has to reinvent who he is completely to have to a future. People just want to point to him being young, but whats his pathway to becoming a player you want on a championsihp team? He is not a greater scorer, he doesn't create for others well, and he's awful at defense so what exactly is it that we're supposed to believe he's going to develop? Wesley on the other hand, is a good defender, and has improved his playmaking every single year and is a solid jumper away from being a contributor. I can see his pathway even if its not all that likely to be successful. I just don't see what people are expecting Branham to become with more time.

[MannyIsGod]

Branhim ranks in the 1st Percentile in CraftedDPM and the 9th Percentile in CraftedOPM. He's quite literally one of the worst players in the league. But hey, maybe he'll turn it around. Anything is possible I guess.

https://craftednba.com/players/malaki-branham

By comparison... Blake is 8th Percentile in CraftedOPM, so even worse than Branham offensively, but he's 58th Percentile in CraftedDPM (so an above-median defender). So at least Wesley has that. Along the same lines, Keldon is 3rd percentile in CraftedDPM, so just about as bad as Branham, but is 59th in CraftedOPM (so an above-median offensive player). Being a bottom 10 percent player on BOTH sides of the ball is pretty bad.

Exactly!!

[BatManu20]

Branham demoted to the G-League. Better than rotting away on the bench I guess.


The @spurs (https://x.com/spurs) have sent Malaki Branham to the @austin_spurs (https://x.com/austin_spurs), where he’ll be available for tomorrow’s showdown vs. the Valley Suns at 3 PM CT at the H-E-B Center. More playing time ahead.

[stephen jackson]

Branham demoted to the G-League. Better than rotting away on the bench I guess.
Damn he’s done . Must suck but he hasn’t improved

[John B]

Branham demoted to the G-League. Better than rotting away on the bench I guess.

3rd year player in the G-League is not good.

[jjspur]

This year has been a totally wasted year for Branham. No improvement, didn't play much, nothing. Would be shocked if he was still on the roster next year after this move. Unfortunately his salary is guaranteed for next next season. Adios Malakai, Europe or China awaits.

[timtonymanu]

“Branham will be fine. You guys just need to kill yourselves.”

[spursparker9]

Trade him for a bag of chips

[rjv]

Branham being Branham with some bone headed plays down the stretch tonight.

[PhantomDashCam]

I'm not overly familiar with the G-League but I would assume that with Branham wearing #8, as the #22 was assigned to Malachi Flynn already,
suggests Spurs never intended for him to be there this year. This likely came from Branham himself to get some reps.

Reading the pre-draft scuttlebutt, supposedly Cleveland really liked him at the time but he injured his ankle before his scheduled workout.
They had pick #14 that year (and chose Agbaji).

Edit: Hadn't seen this but looks like he indeed did request the assignment...

1901074252356292688

[itzsoweezee]

Branham demoted to the G-League. Better than rotting away on the bench I guess.

Going to the g league at the exact time the spurs need him the most (commanding the tank) is beyond stupid

[cd98]

Our team is tanking and Malaki Branham is still not good enough to be on the regular roster? Whoa has that guy fallen. Looks like he may not be in the NBA much longer, sadly. Hope he gets another shot somewhere.

[Ocotillo]

I actually watched the Austin game and Branham fouled the three point shooter Shackelford on what would be the game winner in OT. Shackelford sank all three shots for the win. Earlier as the fourth quarter wound down, Malaki earned a trip to the charity stripe and missed in a game that went to OT. Ugh.

[jeebus]

There certainly were some takes in this thread :lol

[Raven]

hopefully he comes back soon and mitch actually gives him cp3s minutes

[dn0774]

I actually watched the Austin game and Branham fouled the three point shooter Shackelford on what would be the game winner in OT. Shackelford sank all three shots for the win. Earlier as the fourth quarter wound down, Malaki earned a trip to the charity stripe and missed in a game that went to OT. Ugh.

At least he’s consistent lol. Problem is we need him on the big team getting 20 mins a night to keep the tank on track.

[CGD]

hopefully he comes back soon and mitch actually gives him cp3s minutes

Nah, I’d rather have CP3 keeps those minutes.