Grades: Spurs @ Warriors - Nov. 14, 2022

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/spurs-warriors-grades-14/

Sochan at point guard? ? ? :wow

[Fireball]

sadly this was atrocious to watch ... thanks for the grades

[Ice009]

sadly this was atrocious to watch ... thanks for the grades

I stopped watching towards the end of the 3rd quarter, but I also had other stuff to do, so this performance made it easier to go do those other things. I would say throw the tape away, but the days of doing that are gone. These guys are going to have to watch this and learn from what they did wrong. Also, when this team loses, they seem to lose big (not sure if that is good or bad). Missing Tre seems to have hurt them a lot too. Sucks that Blake got injured.

[buttsR4rebounding]

It looked like the first day of Basketball as a Second Language class for the Spurs last night. With no PG everyone decided they would go into hero mode.

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/tom_orsborn/status/1592402878605721600?s=

I have to say… if there are more plans this season to give him the keys to the offense like that (no matter the results), then this season got 10x more interesting. If there is ANY development there whatsoever, his upside increases by a lot.

[Atl Spur]

Sochans handle, mid range and post up game is what I would like to see him work on in real games. He currently has good footwork, instincts, competitiveness to build upon.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Spurs win a few early season games to disguise the tank from Adam Silver. Even get Devin to say the right thing to fans and the media about the players’ goals for the year. Then you play the season with a single point guard who’d be a backup o any other team in the league, ensuring your team’s lack of success regardless of the effort being shown on the court.

Brilliant moves to work unimpeded towards that top 4 lottery position. Excellent work!!

[Atl Spur]

Spurs win a few early season games to disguise the tank from Adam Silver. Even get Devin to say the right thing to fans and the media about the players’ goals for the year. Then you play the season with a single point guard who’d be a backup o any other team in the league, ensuring your team’s lack of success regardless of the effort being shown on the court.

Brilliant moves to work unimpeded towards that top 4 lottery position. Excellent work!!
#facts

[John B]

I thought Pop should’ve started Hall from the get-go and would’ve created a berter ball movement from the start. But forcing Sochan as a ballhandler is a positive in the longrun. As Timvp mentioned, the kid does not shy away from challenges. Already Pop is using Sochan as a point-of-attack defender and he is displaying great gusto in facing that challenge. I have no doubt Sochan will just continue to improve as a player under Pop’s guidance. Pop sees something special in him that’s why he started him from day 1, and that’s why he had him guarding Curry on top of playing the PG, all as a 19 years old. With Pop having so much confidence in him, I know Sochan us going to be a stud. Keldon, Devin and Sochan will be the new Big 3.

Bassey continues to show great plays, not giving up on the rebound, 2nd chances, always wanting to block. There is still a lot to learn, but I know Pop will continue to send him out there because he is liking this kid too. Last night he even tried playing PF with Dieng and it didn’t look bad at all with Dieng able to play outside at times. Roby was also someone that showed good game, ballhandling and passing. But Tre would be a welcome sight tonight against the Blazers. It shows how much he brings order in the group without him last night.

[John B]

https://twitter.com/tom_orsborn/status/1592402878605721600?s=

I have to say… if there are more plans this season to give him the keys to the offense like that (no matter the results), then this season got 10x more interesting. If there is ANY development there whatsoever, his upside increases by a lot.

Pop has so much confidence on this kid, guarding the best perimeter and last night playing starting point guard, and Sochan continues not to shy from them. I have no doubt Pop will turn this kid into a star, no doubt.

[couchman]

I'm okay with throwing a game and seeing what some kids can do.
We are unlikely to win without Tre because he isn't replaceable on this roster.

Sochan running point was crazy but also a sign of good things to come in the future for him.

We're now tied for the 6th worst record in the league.

Watching this team is oddly enjoyable regardless of the results.
I root for them to play well and win, and when they win I am happy, but when they lose I am serenaded by thoughts of a lottery pick.

[Ariel]

Yeah, Sochan's ballhandling was fine bringing up the ball, but once the defense was set, all he could do was hand it over to whichever teammate came first. I like his playmaking potential, but having him at PG is way too much to ask of him. I'd rather see him being used in his natural position, while still involving him more in the offense. I do like seeing him in front of elite guards like Bane or Curry even if he's burned a bit, he'll get better as time progresses. All in all difficult game to stomach but a great learning opportunity, and a useful L.

[R. DeMurre]

Having Sochan play point for the first time while also guarding one of the greatest PGs ever reminded me a little of the famous Gary Larson cartoon: https://ifunny.co/picture/the-far-side-by-gary-larson-thy-professor-gallagher-and-iZjAZY9f8

Anyway, this is the season to run those kinds of experiments and I'm glad that Sochan is seemingly fearless enough to take it in stride. If someday he's taking some minutes at PG, some as a small ball center, and some as a combo forward/wing, it'll be a good thing.

[MultiTroll]

Better late then never.

Could have been doing this since 2018.

Warriors have a 1-2 year turnaround while Gramps and his Pets destroyed Timmy Dunks foundation.

[poopbox]

Pop has so much confidence on this kid, guarding the best perimeter and last night playing starting point guard, and Sochan continues not to shy from them. I have no doubt Pop will turn this kid into a star, no doubt.

Nah. If we were actually trying to win games no way he lets a 19 year old rookie power forward play point guard :lol

[John B]

Nah. If we were actually trying to win games no way he lets a 19 year old rookie power forward play point guard :lol

Exactly. Spurs are NOT trying to win games. Pop is teaching, unlocking the players potentials. Bruh it should be clear by now.:toast And making Sochan play the starting PG last night showed his confidence on this 19 yr old kid, regardless of the outcome. And I trust Pop’s eyes on judging a player. Sochan as a facilitator, rimrun point-forward will be a stud. And that’s very exciting what Pop sees on this kid and what’s the future for Sochan.

[RC_Drunkford]

A+ for Pop and J-Rich. Perfect tank

[rjv]

sochan at PG was a great tank move tbh, and still developmental: A for Pop on that call.

[lefty]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6twld1HVois

[John B]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6twld1HVois

Tbh, I’ve never seen Pop this much cordial. Bassey was even calling him calm. Wtf sea otter? :lol

[tbdog]

Sochan should be making plays in a horns system, not a point guard.

[wildbill2u]

Sochans handle, mid range and post up game is what I would like to see him work on in real games. He currently has good footwork, instincts, competitiveness to build upon.

Unfortunately, good footwork, instincts and competitiveness aren't usually the most outstanding skillsets you look for in a professional NbA player. I mean they are nice, but not enough to be a starter at ANY position compared to shooting, rebounding, etc.

[lefty]

Tbh, I’ve never seen Pop this much cordial. Bassey was even calling him calm. Wtf sea otter? :lol
Even stranger is that I haven’t seen Tolbert since the early NBA on ABC days

[John B]

Even stranger is that I haven’t seen Tolbert since the early NBA on ABC days

With his boy band hair-cut, now the hair’s all gone :lol

[mystargtr34]

Even stranger is that I haven’t seen Tolbert since the early NBA on ABC days

Yeah whenever I see him or hear the name I think back to the 2003 NBA Finals him calling the games and getting excited when Duncan was going ape shit dominating that series.

[lefty]

With his boy band hair-cut, now the hair’s all gone :lol
Factos

[lefty]

Yeah whenever I see him or hear the name I think back to the 2003 NBA Finals him calling the games and getting excited when Duncan was going ape shit dominating that series.
Also during game 6 vs the Lakers
What a glorious day

[mystargtr34]

Also during game 6 vs the Lakers
What a glorious day

Yeah that Game 6 Lakers win was pretty much the championship. Once the Spurs got over that psychological hurdle, nothin was stopping em.

[timvp]

Also during game 6 vs the Lakers
What a glorious day

Tbh, my favorite national broadcasting crew of all-time were the ones with Bill Walton and Tom Tolbert. 10/10 entertainment value with that pairing.

Then again, I might have loved it so much just because of the awesomeness of Game 6, tbh :lol

[Seventyniner]

Tbh, my favorite national broadcasting crew of all-time were the ones with Bill Walton and Tom Tolbert. 10/10 entertainment value with that pairing.

Then again, I might have loved it so much just because of the awesomeness of Game 6, tbh :lol

I might be getting some of the details wrong (not sure it was Tolbert) but I remember an exchange like this:

Walton: "The Clippers are surrrrging towards the playoffs!"
Tolbert: "Bill, they were mathematically eliminated two weeks ago."
Walton (without missing a beat): "How about an at-large bid?"