Game Thread: Spurs at Timberwolves, 7 PM CT, 3 AM Riga Time

[Dex]

Dex with the winning game thread! :toast

For better or worse...don't stop believin'

:bobo

[BackHome]

People enjoy good basketball. I don’t know a basketball fan who wouldn’t enjoy those first three quarters. It was beautiful execution. If you pause your mind a minute and actually think about why you watch the NBA, you will appreciate these things. But I mean, if you only keep up with the Spurs because you’re looking for a moment that may never come then good luck to you. Your life may just pass you by tbh.

I want the tank but man I Love how Pop has the kids playing and I can’t remember a time when I have seen so many alley oops that Sochan was getting. They definitely playing like a team that is playing with a team goal very fun and exciting to watch

[ducks]

Tom Orsborn
Tom_orsborn
Pop w/ an anecdote about his team's youth: "I told them after the game, I wish they weren’t so selfish, that 37 assists weren’t enough. They're so young, at first, they looked at me like I was serious. Then they realized it was a joke. I have to be careful, they're so literal."

[Mr. Body]

1. Philly and Wolves are big, plodding teams that will struggle against energetic motion offenses.

2. Spurs are taking teams by surprise (for some reason).

I'm looking forward to how they come out against the rest of the league, but you've got to love this. A lot more to learn, like grinding things out without 30 point leads, but they're clearly gamers.

[ducks]

Tom Orsborn
Tom_orsborn
·
4h
Pop compared Tre Jones to Avery Johnson - with a caveat: "Avery wasn't the most talented kid in the room, but he gave everything in every way, shape and form, and Tre does the same thing."

Is he quieter than Avery?

"Everybody is quieter than Avery."

[John B]

Tom Orsborn
Tom (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=9287)_orsborn
·
4h
Pop compared Tre Jones to Avery Johnson - with a caveat: "Avery wasn't the most talented kid in the room, but he gave everything in every way, shape and form, and Tre does the same thing."

Is he quieter than Avery?

"Everybody is quieter than Avery."

I’ve mentioned about the similarity, not because I’m an old school :lol. But Tre is like a little general out there directing his troops. DJM/Derrick getting moved really gave him the opportunity, and he is grabbing and running away with it. But what impresses me the most is his burst of speed, ala TP in a sense. When he sees an opening, he just goes and attack fearlessly.

But to correct Pop there, I think Tre IS bery talented as far as bball IQ and is deceptively athletic. I don’t know his vertical, but I suspect it’s up there the way he rebounds. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tre is the 1st one to get a triple-double in this team.

[offset formation]

Just woke up, what's the story of this game?

Evidently your positivity is infectious. Damn you sir. We could have been something. We could have been losers...

[Fireball]

for three quarters this was just beautiful basketball ... nice to see Sochan contribute offensively ... lets enjoy this one because Minny will be much more motivated next game

[Chomag]

Play in here we come!

[Rocalcio]

Ok, I guess I'm in the minority in preferring a #1 pick over the same 7th seed aspirations where no superstar cares to play to get us over the hump.


I agree with you. I was glad to see the kids competing but in the final quarter I was hoping Minny would pass us. It's obviously nice and unexpected to see our team being 3-1, but unless many players really break out, we won't go far with this roster. So let's root for loses. I honestly believe next game will be a blow out in the other way, they'll want revenge.

[Rocalcio]

I’ve mentioned about the similarity, not because I’m an old school :lol. But Tre is like a little general out there directing his troops. DJM/Derrick getting moved really gave him the opportunity, and he is grabbing and running away with it. But what impresses me the most is his burst of speed, ala TP in a sense. When he sees an opening, he just goes and attack fearlessly.

But to correct Pop there, I think Tre IS bery talented as far as bball IQ and is deceptively athletic. I don’t know his vertical, but I suspect it’s up there the way he rebounds. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tre is the 1st one to get a triple-double in this team.


He will, last year he was already very productive in many areas despite not having a lot of playing time. It's just a matter of time. But Vassell will get some too.

[BillMc]

Evidently your positivity is infectious. Damn you sir. We could have been something. We could have been losers...
:lol Like the reverse of the On the Waterfront speech. :clap

[Elementis]

I agree with you. I was glad to see the kids competing but in the final quarter I was hoping Minny would pass us. It's obviously nice and unexpected to see our team being 3-1, but unless many players really break out, we won't go far with this roster. So let's root for loses. I honestly believe next game will be a blow out in the other way, they'll want revenge.

Thing is, most teams that tank hard have less talent than the Spurs currently do, and/or they have key players injured for the season. the current roster has guys who have enough talent and ambition to win too many games to really finish at the bottom. if Spurs would have wanted to tank, they'd have needed to not just trade away players for picks, but also defer a few 1st rnd picks to later years through trades, to create a certain whole in the talent pipeline.

[Atl Spur]

Thing is, most teams that tank hard have less talent than the Spurs currently do, and/or they have key players injured for the season. the current roster has guys who have enough talent and ambition to win too many games to really finish at the bottom. if Spurs would have wanted to tank, they'd have needed to not just trade away players for picks, but also defer a few 1st rnd picks to later years through trades, to create a certain whole in the talent pipeline.
Bro it’s also coaching and we draft exceedingly well! None of what I am proclaiming is new but sometimes people forget. Patience & know how is who we are.

[ace3g]

IR for tomorrow
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ff8itU_WAAEXGbS?format=jpg&name=large

[lefty20]

J-Rich prolly gonna start for Vassell then. And Langford will likely back him up.

[DAF86]

IR for tomorrow
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ff8itU_WAAEXGbS?format=jpg&name=large

Would have been nice to have Branham or Wesley available to get some of Vassell's minutes, tbh.

[Chinook]

J-Rich prolly gonna start for Vassell then. And Langford will likely back him up.

Or maybe Keldon plays the two and KBD starts with them. Devin was resting his knee during the game, but I also wonder if Pop is trying to hold him out.

[tonight...you]

Or maybe Keldon plays the two and KBD starts with them. Devin was resting his knee during the game, but I also wonder if Pop is trying to hold him out.
There might be a scenario where more guys sit more often as the season goes on with Pop citing wear and tear, hence: quiet tank.

Maybe.

I know he wants to see growth with the chitlins. We might be seeing a lot more game time for Malaki and Wes once we get halfway through the season.

Lots of variables along the way to say anything definitive yet.

[Ocotillo]

Maybe load management can help minimize the impact of the rookie (or young player) wall?

[emanueldavidginobili]

Vassell officially out.

[Chinook]

It's sort of ridiculous that Pop isn't playing one of the young guys. They're going to have scramble to fill that spot because half the team is in Austin.

I don't believe he'll do it, but Pop did seem to experiment with Richardson at PG, McDermott at SG, Roby at SF and Collins at PF. Given the Wolves' size, he might fool around and start Primo and run a huge bench. If he's trying to win the game, he probably can't plan on starting a slow lineup against Russell and Edwards.

[John B]

I think JRich at 2. Will see more of KBD to take SF bench minutes.

JRich has been playing well with his stock rising. If they intend to trade him, will see Pop showcasing him, likewise McD.

[Mugen]

Branham should be with main club for most of the season tbh.

[heyheymymy]

Not surprised #20 and 25 might spend some time in Austin first but I bet you start seeing them with the big club by the end of the season, maybe even after 30 games or so.

[mystargtr34]

There’s no minutes for Branham and Wesley right now and won’t be until Richardson and McDermott are shipped for draft capital. You can’t play the rookies and sit two productive vets in their prime making a combined $25m in salary.

Once these two are traded there will be plenty of minutes for them especially Branham. Wesley needs a year in the G League he doesn’t even look like he should be on an NBA court right now.

[John B]

There’s no minutes for Branham and Wesley right now and won’t be until Richardson and McDermott are shipped for draft capital. You can’t play the rookies and sit two productive vets in their prime making a combined $25m in salary.

Once these two are traded there will be plenty of minutes for them especially Branham. Wesley needs a year in the G League he doesn’t even look like he should be on an NBA court right now.

Agreed. By now Spurs fan should know how Pop mind works, well at least by the most part. JRich and McD need showcasing for higher return. Although I’m liking JRich, but will see by trade deadline. Poeltl though I’m for keeping him as defensive anchor in a rebuilding team with full of 22 yrs old

[ducks]

The d sucked donkey balls

[boutons_deux]

Cold shooting 42%

Turnovers 13

Wolves hot shooting

[Atl Spur]

Pop out here tanking

[Atl Spur]

Taking out our new Kawhi……

[DAF86]

We are going to be flirting with .500 all season long. :depressed