Pop Has Been Amazing This Year

[DPG21920]

Pop, even though I want more losing, has been amazing this year and it’s not even being discussed anywhere (outside of maybe this board).

Pop truly has been magnificent this season. Y’all know I am pretty optimistic about our youth for a while from DJ/Derrick and especially Keldon/Vassell & now Sochan.

But I am surprised even how much Pop has squeezed from this overall roster & how well they play *most* games. He not only has masterfully helped unlock all the hard work & talent Keldon/Vassell have (priority # 1) but hes gotten lots of youth playing time, kept them mostly competitive & even when SA is down our best players on an already limited talent team? He finds ways to win/compete.

Hes getting the best basketball out of Langford who everyone (me included) wrote off completely. Getting Sochan who can’t shoot ways to grow & actually be a net + type of player in a rookie year. Finding ways for Branham & Wesley to get confidence all while weaving in vets.

He has Stanley Johnson looking like a rotational NBA player, Collins finding his groove and like I said Vassell and DJ looking like HIGH end starters.

Sure, its bumpy and losses are there. Like I said; SA is at a major talent deficit most nights. But hot damn, Pop - kudos

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Looks like we found the Pop Sucker willing to do Damage Control tbh imo

[Mr. Body]

Brave to say that here. You're supposed to whack off your tiny pizzle in a circle while muttering about the old man or whatever

[DPG21920]

Looks like we found the Pop Sucker willing to do Damage Control tbh imo

Lol - I have been more critical of the FO for the last few years than just about anyone I would say. Look back at my posts before this off season where I was really happy with SA picking a direction and making good moves.

But Pop has done well - I get having issues with some previous seasons, but with this one? Pop tha GOAT

[ambchang]

I generally don’t understand what people expect. Derozan, now with the bulls with lavine and vuvecic is playing at the same level the spurs were back in the day with him and Murray and white. The youth is growing in skills beyond anybody’s expectations. There are some bones to pick with regards to some moves (primo being the most obvious) but pretty much every team has it, or much worse. It’s like people asking for perfection in every single move and bitch for the sake of bitching.

The spurs, being one of the smallest markets and not having a top 8 pick in 25 years should’ve been bankrupt a long time ago. No idea what people should expect.

[DPG21920]

I generally don’t understand what people expect. Derozan, now with the bulls with lavine and vuvecic is playing at the same level the spurs were back in the day with him and Murray and white. The youth is growing in skills beyond anybody’s expectations. There are some bones to pick with regards to some moves (primo being the most obvious) but pretty much every team has it, or much worse. It’s like people asking for perfection in every single move and bitch for the sake of bitching.

The spurs, being one of the smallest markets and not having a top 8 pick in 25 years should’ve been bankrupt a long time ago. No idea what people should expect.

HOU, OKC and many others get drooled over because of their youth and “upside”. SA without a top 5 pick has a better youth with a chance to be good again faster than nearly everyone like them except maybe DET and ORL like I said.

Pop not only helped SA win titles and stay great for 20 years, but he put SA on the path for the next 10+ years with where we are now. SA has completely clean cap situation, all their own picks (that matter) along with a ton of extra firsts. The youth all look very good and continue to leap just as you would hope they would and confirm they have a solid shot at reaching their ceilings and they are hopefully on track to be rewarded with a top 2 pick (25% chance). Credit to Pop despite many years of frustration last few.

[DPG21920]

And I fully acknowledge this FO has a TON of work to do. Even with all the setup there, they need to execute especially in draft and trades. It’s no guarantee they don’t muck this up and I get why anyone (myself included) would be nervous and not trust them fully. I hated this FO the last 4-5 years and had lost almost all hope. But they have shown more good than bad last 2 years and they have put themselves in a great spot. Need some draft lottery luck…

[slick'81]

And I fully acknowledge this FO has a TON of work to do. Even with all the setup there, they need to execute especially in draft and trades. It’s no guarantee they don’t muck this up and I get why anyone (myself included) would be nervous and not trust them fully. I hated this FO the last 4-5 years and had lost almost all hope. But they have shown more good than bad last 2 years and they have put themselves in a great spot. Need some draft lottery luck…


just get that top 3 pick. A legit young star will go sling way with this young core

[Mr. Body]

I generally don’t understand what people expect. Derozan, now with the bulls with lavine and vuvecic is playing at the same level the spurs were back in the day with him and Murray and white. The youth is growing in skills beyond anybody’s expectations. There are some bones to pick with regards to some moves (primo being the most obvious) but pretty much every team has it, or much worse. It’s like people asking for perfection in every single move and bitch for the sake of bitching.

The spurs, being one of the smallest markets and not having a top 8 pick in 25 years should’ve been bankrupt a long time ago. No idea what people should expect.

People want to lose games then whine that Pop is losing games. It's complete nonsense, but that's American discourse and logic nowadays

[Spurs Homer]

Man

brogdon was a hell of a pickup for the celtics

and

yes props to pop

[gilmor]

Pop is a genius.. if you don't know by now..

[DPG21920]

Not expecting much discourse on this thread honestly - just felt like Pop was due a shout out and while this season has definitely had its downs and some bad losses, I have enjoyed it for what it is and feel like to this point SA has gotten most of what rational people should have expected as a best case out of it.

Trade deadline looms large…

[sananspursfan21]

Tre Jones is learning to score the ball. I remember people complaining about his offensive limits.

Langford is the definition of reclamation. He is what Pop envisions every time he rolls the dice on one of these bust type guys that make us roll our eyes.

Zollins fouls anything on two legs but he’s a legit backup that can hoop.

Keldon/Vassell combo can only get better from here and they’re already making defenses zero in.

Forget the record, these guys are competing most nights now when they should be blown away more often than not. I’m back in the Kool-Aid after a little hiatus.

[Mr. Body]

Tre Jones is learning to score the ball. I remember people complaining about his offensive limits.

Langford is the definition of reclamation. He is what Pop envisions every time he rolls the dice on one of these bust type guys that make us roll our eyes.

Zollins fouls anything on two legs but he’s a legit backup that can hoop.

Keldon/Vassell combo can only get better from here and they’re already making defenses zero in.

Forget the record, these guys are competing most nights now when they should be blown away more often than not. I’m back in the Kool-Aid after a little hiatus.

Good stuff.

Tre Jones is almost money anytime he has a runner and often when he's near the rim. Honestly kind of Parker-esque in those bits, though doesn't have the money mid-range yet. But when he uncorks his floater it's gold.

Romeo... I want him to succeed. He'll have nothing games, then games where he contributes. I think his defense is a bit overrated, but maybe because he's too small. He's tough and slithery on drives and he's a nifty competitor down low with rebounds. I don't buy the take on him being apathetic. I just think he doesn't show much emotion. Some guys are like that.

Branham, I'll add. I don't want to die whenever he's on defense anymore. He's vastly improved.

[spurs10]

Pop, even though I want more losing, has been amazing this year and it’s not even being discussed anywhere (outside of maybe this board).

Pop truly has been magnificent this season. Y’all know I am pretty optimistic about our youth for a while from DJ/Derrick and especially Keldon/Vassell & now Sochan.

But I am surprised even how much Pop has squeezed from this overall roster & how well they play *most* games. He not only has masterfully helped unlock all the hard work & talent Keldon/Vassell have (priority # 1) but hes gotten lots of youth playing time, kept them mostly competitive & even when SA is down our best players on an already limited talent team? He finds ways to win/compete.

Hes getting the best basketball out of Langford who everyone (me included) wrote off completely. Getting Sochan who can’t shoot ways to grow & actually be a net + type of player in a rookie year. Finding ways for Branham & Wesley to get confidence all while weaving in vets.

He has Stanley Johnson looking like a rotational NBA player, Collins finding his groove and like I said Vassell and DJ looking like HIGH end starters.

Sure, its bumpy and losses are there. Like I said; SA is at a major talent deficit most nights. But hot damn, Pop - kudos I agree. Glad you gave him a shout out!

[Uriel]

It’s his last season of coaching. He wants to make it memorable.

[KingKev]

OP def got drunk at the game last night.

I agree Coach Pop has done a masterful job these last two years. He still needs to go however.

[exstatic]

It’s his last season of coaching. He wants to make it memorable.

I guarantee that if we win the Wemby sweepstakes, he’s going nowhere.

[CGD]

He has been fantastic.

[DPG21920]

OP def got drunk at the game last night.

I agree Coach Pop has done a masterful job these last two years. He still needs to go however.

90 days no drinking for new years actually lol

[LeBowen]

Pop got over himself and realized that his favorite pets are actually useless and finally committed to a rebuild.
A few years too late, but better than never.

Almost everyone on the roster has made big improvements. Even Jakob with his FTs as of late.
We're building a good roster, we just need that guy. Would be great to see Pop coach Victor for a season or two, but we won't get lucky.

[TD 21]

I'm not criticizing the job he's done, but I always laugh when fans and media alike decide it's let's give coach x (usually white) credit time for team y (perceived to be overachieving, so usually lacking star power), yet can't offer specifics as to why the former deserves the praise they're lavishing them with.

I get that there's no quantifiable way to discern a lot of this stuff, but common sense is always a good place to start . . .

"They play hard and unselfish" - They better. They have probably the least amount of shot creation I've ever seen and most of them are receiving the best opportunity they ever will.

"He's playing and developing the youth" - All but 3 rotational players (4 total) qualify as such and the team is in a re-build. Head coaches have little to nothing to do with the latter.

"They're competitive" - Not sure how having by far the worst point differential and expected record in the league qualifies as such.

[John B]

It’s been a great balance of rebuilding the youth while being competitive, which is not an easy task. Just ask Rockets, Thunders, Kings. I sincerely believe Spurs records do not reflect the true potential of this team, that they easily could be a 10th seeded or even better, with those mysterious injuries and DNP’s. Pop is just eons head above the next coach, otherwise his jugular would be bursting if he’s taking the Win seriously. It’s winning the war not the battles, which has always been the case for Pop. In Pop we trust :bobo

[slick'81]

Coach of the year,tbh

[RC_Drunkford]

Don‘t forget the defense. 30th in every category to keep the tank on track, while playing the right way offensively

[slick'81]

Seriously worst point differential but somehow we're competing :lmao

[DPG21920]

Seriously worst point differential but somehow we're competing :lmao

Ya - I struggle to reconcile that with what I am seeing. Best guess is the bad losses we have had really are mucking up those numbers badly. We have had quite a few large losses, but seemingly less than teams like HOU/CHA who do that more consistently.

But I am in shock a bit at the offensive/defensive efficiency stats. Worst in the league on defense (kind of surprising with Jak/Sochan/Vassell) and offense in bottom 3 despite having so many assists and not being awful from 3 all the time.

Had more injuries than other bottoms teams too consistently

[DPG21920]

Don‘t forget the defense. 30th in every category to keep the tank on track, while playing the right way offensively

I mean, offensive ranking is not much better lol…

[rankingtear]

Bottom 5 defense, middle of the pack offense after the November. Keldon had a horrible slump plus injuries to Zollins and Jakob drag our point differential down too much. 6-7th worse team in the NBA for the rest of the year if nothing drastic changes.

[couchman]

Our total inability to defend for the last few seasons, even as personnel have shifted, makes me wonder if Pop has what it takes to coach D in the modern NBA. I agree that so far he has done a good job of developing our talent while keeping the tank going. I also think he would be perfect to help develop a new star for a couple of years if we are lucky enough to get one in the draft

[spurs10]

When you have losses like that last Nets game it does a number on your numbers. What we see with our eyes, like the last game with the Celtics, tells a different story for the future.

[The Truth #6]

Mean vs median average might be interesting to see. Those outliers of 40 point losses have been brutal.

[scott]

1611415103680692244

Link in case I did the tweet embed wrong: https://twitter.com/kirkgoldsberry/status/1611415103680692244?s=20&t=3QWmxlOc-bY4OwS72onXIQ

This chart is the Rockets masterclass in tanking. It's not enough to be the worst defense like the Spurs, you've got to combine it with putrid offense!

[KingKev]

^ lol we are almost off the charts.

anyone that thinks Keldon, Vassell and Sprinkles are a solid young core needs their heads checked.

[MannyIsGod]

^ lol we are almost off the charts.

anyone that thinks Keldon, Vassell and Sprinkles are a solid young core needs their heads checked.

They are a solid young core. That's not even debatable. This team has lacked depth for several years now that along with a franchise caliber player is why the Spurs are so bad. Its not becasuse Keldon/Vassel/Sochan aren't good players.

[KingKev]

They are a solid young core. That's not even debatable. This team has lacked depth for several years now that along with a franchise caliber player is why the Spurs are so bad. Its not becasuse Keldon/Vassel/Sochan aren't good players.

They aren’t. They could be nice surrounding pieces to 2-3 all stars though.

[KingKev]

^ further either players scoring can easily be replaced by Josh Richardson, an NBA journeyman who has little trade value.

[MannyIsGod]

They aren’t. They could be nice surrounding pieces to 2-3 all stars though.

AKA, a good young core.

[KingKev]

AKA, a good young core.

It isn’t a core. It’s a fking joke that Spurs fans see it that way.

[MannyIsGod]

How is it not a core? Good teams are 10+ players deep. We're talking about 3 players - none of which anyone is claiming is a franchise player - and you're actnig like they're garbage and not a good foundation. Its just a stupid fucknig arguement.

[KingKev]

How is it not a core? Good teams are 10+ players deep. We're talking about 3 players - none of which anyone is claiming is a franchise player - and you're actnig like they're garbage and not a good foundation. Its just a stupid fucknig arguement.

None of which are even all-star caliber. That “core” is about as good as DJ/White/Walker IV

[MannyIsGod]

None of which are even all-star caliber. That “core” is about as good as DJ/White/Walker IV

I would bet anything that between those three there are multiple all star appearances. Saying Sochan isn't all star quality when he's 19 and less than halfway through his first season is just stupid. Dude could turn out to be a complete bust but acting like you already know his career trajectory is just nonsense.

[scott]

They aren’t. They could be nice surrounding pieces to 2-3 all stars though.


AKA, a good young core.


It isn’t a core. It’s a fking joke that Spurs fans see it that way.


How is it not a core? Good teams are 10+ players deep. We're talking about 3 players - none of which anyone is claiming is a franchise player - and you're actnig like they're garbage and not a good foundation. Its just a stupid fucknig arguement.


None of which are even all-star caliber. That “core” is about as good as DJ/White/Walker IV

tbh, the "core" doesn't surround anything... that's antithetical to the definition of a core... which is by definition the center :lol

So, by saying they would be good surrounding 2-3 all-stars, then by definition they aren't a core (the 2-3 all-stars, which we don't have, are).

KJ/Devin/Sochan/Blake/Bran are just this year's version of the 88-89 "young core" of Alvin Robertson, Willie Anderson, Johnny Dawkins, Cadillac Anderson and Vernon Maxwell. As soon as a real core arrived (DRob, Sean) - those players were all moved for better pieces to surround the core (Alvin and Cadillac for Terry Cummings; Dawkins for MoCheeks and David Wingate, Mo later got us Rod Strickland; Vernon just sold for cash). Spurs would be wise to do the same should we land a true core.

[KingKev]

tbh, the "core" doesn't surround anything... that's antithetical to the definition of a core... which is by definition the center :lol

So, by saying they would be good surrounding 2-3 all-stars, then by definition they aren't a core (the 2-3 all-stars, which we don't have, are).

KJ/Devin/Sochan/Blake/Bran are just this year's version of the 88-89 "young core" of Alvin Robertson, Willie Anderson, Johnny Dawkins, Cadillac Anderson and Vernon Maxwell. As soon as a real core arrived (DRob, Sean) - those players were all moved for better pieces to surround the core (Alvin and Cadillac for Terry Cummings; Dawkins for MoCheeks and David Wingate, Mo later got us Rod Strickland; Vernon just sold for cash). Spurs would be wise to do the same should we land a true core.

This is my thinking. I like KJ/DV and saw them as building blocks on a team that had momentum with DJ and cap space. That ship has sailed so when we hopefully have a core in place they are easily replaceable
and we should harvest the gain that has come along with developing them if/when the time presents itself. With Sochan it is too early to tell but he offers a versatile skillset that DV/KJ do not and will never possess.

[scott]

Young Core Stats:

Alvin (age 26): 17.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.0 apg, 3.0 spg, 0.6 bpg
Willie (22): 18.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.9 spg, 0.8 bpg
Dawkins (25): 14.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 7.0 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.0 bpg
Caddy (24): 13.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.3 bpg
Vern (23): 11.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.1 bpg

lol at the steals numbers in the 80s

Current young core:

Keldon (23): 21.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg. 2.7 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.2 bpg
Devin (22): 19.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.4 bpg
Tre (23): 13.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.2 bpg
Sochan (19): 8.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.5 bpg
Bran (19): 7.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.1 bpg

[slick'81]

Spur fan wants to desperately think this "core" is it. Its going to be a long bumpy ride

[KingKev]

Young Core Stats:

Alvin (age 26): 17.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.0 apg, 3.0 spg, 0.6 bpg
Willie (22): 18.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.9 spg, 0.8 bpg
Dawkins (25): 14.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 7.0 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.0 bpg
Caddy (24): 13.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.3 bpg
Vern (23): 11.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.1 bpg

lol at the steals numbers in the 80s

Current young core:

Keldon (23): 21.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg. 2.7 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.2 bpg
Devin (22): 19.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.4 bpg
Tre (23): 13.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.2 bpg
Sochan (19): 8.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.5 bpg
Bran (19): 7.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.1 bpg

Anderson and Robertson were true 2-way players. DV isn’t a 2 way guy no natter what ST claims.

[scott]

Spur fan wants to desperately think this "core" is it. Its going to be a long bumpy ride

And when you stop thinking about this "core" as it, it really opens this coming draft up more than just "Wemby/Scoot or bust. We'll have to see how the reason of the college/Ignite season plays out of course, but if guys like GG Jackson or Brandon Miller or Keyonte George are the top prospects where you are picking you *may* still land a franchise guy you can move Keldon/Dev/Soch to build around in a more complementary fashion. I like KJ/Dev/Soch... but they haven't shown enough promise to think they are our definitive future.

[scott]

Anderson and Robertson were true 2-way players. DV isn’t a 2 way guy no natter what ST claims.

Rod/Willie/Sean/Terry/David was such a fun starting lineup. I still think we could have made some noise in DRob/Sean's rookie year if not for Strickland's bonehead meltdown in game 7 versus Portland.

[JPB]

Are really some people debating about the quality of the games during a tanking year? The same who want the team to suck, or play good but lose...

I guess Detroit and Houston games are must-see.

You tank, you suck. Always... There's no tanking team in history that was playing even remotely good.

[KingKev]

Rod/Willie/Sean/Terry/David was such a fun starting lineup. I still think we could have made some noise in DRob/Sean's rookie year if not for Strickland's bonehead meltdown in game 7 versus Portland.

I became a fan in 92’ at age 7 in Toronto of all places but man if Strick was all there or if they packaged TC plus one of those guys the 90’s would have been didferent for the NBA. We also would have lost out on the Tim Duncan era sp not all that bad!

[scott]

I became a fan in 92’ at age 7 in Toronto of all places but man if Strick was all there or if they packaged TC plus one of those guys the 90’s would have been didferent for the NBA. We also would have lost out on the Tim Duncan era sp not all that bad!

Strickland was solid and one of the most exciting Spurs during the Fast-Breakin' Fiesta era, but he cost us Game 7 in the Semis with this shit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=895OJ4sAXhw

We were able to forgive him for that, but they he broken his hand in a fight outside of a nightclub that cost him time... then he was charged with indecent exposure in a Seattle hotel room (the original Primo) and then held out in a contract dispute. Then it was Vinny D and Avery time after that.

TC was super solid for us for - we basically go an all-star close to his prime, then before DRob's 4th year he blew out his knee playing pickup ball in the offseason and was just a bench guy for the rest of his career after that.

[scott]

^What the comments don't explain is that after that bonehead pass, Rod then was called for a flagrant foul on Clyde. Two shots + ball for Portland, they go on to win.

[KingKev]

Strickland was solid and one of the most exciting Spurs during the Fast-Breakin' Fiesta era, but he cost us Game 7 in the Semis with this shit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=895OJ4sAXhw

We were able to forgive him for that, but they he broken his hand in a fight outside of a nightclub that cost him time... then he was charged with indecent exposure in a Seattle hotel room (the original Primo) and then held out in a contract dispute. Then it was Vinny D and Avery time after that.

TC was super solid for us for - we basically go an all-star close to his prime, then before DRob's 4th year he blew out his knee playing pickup ball in the offseason and was just a bench guy for the rest of his career after that.

Robinson and Strick were never going to gel unfortunately. We couldn’t
replace TC till TD tbh. JR Reid, Charles Smith, Rodman etc etc

The Avery Johnson//Vinny Del Negro back court days were so pathetic.

[slick'81]

Robinson and Strick were never going to gel unfortunately. We couldn’t
replace TC till TD tbh. JR Reid, Charles Smith, Rodman etc etc

The Avery Johnson//Vinny Del Negro back court days were so pathetic.


https://youtu.be/8LNDG6wImqg

My grandma thought he was cute:lol

[KingKev]

^ I wonder how many unlicensed Spurs hats his wife sold outside of the Alamo Dome that night. Will she be working the Warriors game lol

[exstatic]

Rod/Willie/Sean/Terry/David was such a fun starting lineup. I still think we could have made some noise in DRob/Sean's rookie year if not for Strickland's bonehead meltdown in game 7 versus Portland.

I think we win the LoB if Mo Cheeks wasn’t such a dickhead, living in the airport hotel, and basically forcing a trade.

[scott]

Couldn't find the video, but I remember watching live when Vinny went ball behind the back and then slammed it home. Homeboy is a dad slam dunk champ.

Avery had that fun behind the back fake layup he used to do.

They were fun Spurs...

[Seventyniner]

I think the whole "core" versus "not core" argument (re: Keldon and Devin) isn't nuanced enough.

Let's put it this way. Fill in the blank: Keldon's/Devin's ceiling is the ____ best player on a real contender.

When the Bucks won the title, Khris Middleton was 29 and Jrue Holiday was 30. They are widely considered to have been the 2nd and 3rd best players on that team. Can Keldon or Devin reach that level by their late 20s? I don't think it's an immediate "yes" but I don't think it's an immediate "no" either. I think "3rd" is a reasonable ceiling for both Keldon and Devin. That would probably mean one or two career All-Star appearances. Probably too high as a base case but defensible as a ceiling imo.

Not that they are certain to reach that ceiling, but they are both still young and have lots of room for improvement. Sochan even more so.

I can't bring myself to put "2nd" in the blank for either one, because it would take a very stacked team with a megastar to get a title in that case. I also think "4th" is too low as a measure of their ceiling; a team with three players better than prime Keldon or Devin is likely to be heavily stacked.

[scott]

I think the whole "core" versus "not core" argument (re: Keldon and Devin) isn't nuanced enough.

Let's put it this way. Fill in the blank: Keldon's/Devin's ceiling is the ____ best player on a real contender.

When the Bucks won the title, Khris Middleton was 29 and Jrue Holiday was 30. They are widely considered to have been the 2nd and 3rd best players on that team. Can Keldon or Devin reach that level by their late 20s? I don't think it's an immediate "yes" but I don't think it's an immediate "no" either. I think "3rd" is a reasonable ceiling for both Keldon and Devin. That would probably mean one or two career All-Star appearances. Probably too high as a base case but defensible as a ceiling imo.

Not that they are certain to reach that ceiling, but they are both still young and have lots of room for improvement. Sochan even more so.

I can't bring myself to put "2nd" in the blank for either one, because it would take a very stacked team with a megastar to get a title in that case. I also think "4th" is too low as a measure of their ceiling; a team with three players better than prime Keldon or Devin is likely to be heavily stacked.

I'd agree with this, with maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe 2nd as a high end potential for Devin IF paired with a Giannis-like dominant star.

[DPG21920]

They are high end starters that need a true offensive engine around them. For example, if you simply take Luka off the Mavs and place him on the Spurs, Spurs are wayyyyyyyy better than the Mavs currently.

Spurs need a centerpiece. Just one. And they will be a playoff core with Keldon/Vassell/Sochan IMO. They have all star potential but not superstar potential. They can be Middleton type where they aren’t as lauded but they really impact winning.

[offset formation]

Don't necessarily disagree DPG given when I recommended trading neph to the Bucks years ago for Brogdon, Middleton, a third player, and picks, I was ruthlessly mocked on this site.


Seems to me that would have been a better option. Certainly more Spurs type players than Demar was who evidently craves the big city and bright lights.

So are we on that early arc for our role players and people just aren't seeing their ability to contribute to a winner?

Possibly. But they also have a back to back MVP. So that piece is still lacking. Could Wembanyama be that guy? Absolutely. It's why we better be losing every single last game we can.

[XDT76]

Is all stars players really good? There is currently a team which might have 2 all stars starters this year but is in the bottom third of NBA.

[couchman]

1611415103680692244

Link in case I did the tweet embed wrong: https://twitter.com/kirkgoldsberry/status/1611415103680692244?s=20&t=3QWmxlOc-bY4OwS72onXIQ

This chart is the Rockets masterclass in tanking. It's not enough to be the worst defense like the Spurs, you've got to combine it with putrid offense!

Can we talk more about why we’re so bad on defense?

[exstatic]

Is all stars players really good? There is currently a team which might have 2 all stars starters this year but is in the bottom third of NBA.

All Star is a lower level than All NBA. In any year, there are 24 players selected or elected to the ASG. Then, there can, and usually are, injury replacements. Let’s call it 26.

All NBA is 15 players spread over 3 teams.

[baseline bum]

Robinson and Strick were never going to gel unfortunately. We couldn’t
replace TC till TD tbh. JR Reid, Charles Smith, Rodman etc etc

The Avery Johnson//Vinny Del Negro back court days were so pathetic.

I remember hearing David and Strick were actually pretty good friends. Surprised the hell out of me when I heard it.

[baseline bum]

https://youtu.be/8LNDG6wImqg

My grandma thought he was cute:lol

Every woman in San Antonio loved Del Negro, every man hated him. Fucking Red McCombs getting cheap with Strickland and bringing that loser to be his replacement.

[KingKev]

I remember hearing David and Strick were actually pretty good friends. Surprised the hell out of me when I heard it.

I may have spoken out of turn. He was one of my favourite PGs of that era I just assumed he was partying in those early days but I was about 7 at the time lol

[The Truth #6]

To be fair, I think 5-0 was partying some his rookie year. Lots of rumors of him at Sugars politely and respectfully making it rain. TC may have taken him under his wing at that point and channeled his energy into their saxophone/keyboard musical jam sessions. I’m not joking.

[baseline bum]

I may have spoken out of turn. He was one of my favourite PGs of that era I just assumed he was partying in those early days but I was about 7 at the time lol

He was and I remember a story about how diet was so bad he puked on the bench one time because he had just eaten candy all day or something. :lol

God it sucked losing him for nothing.

[slick'81]

He was and I remember a story about how diet was so bad he puked on the bench one time because he had just eaten candy all day or something. :lol

God it sucked losing him for nothing.

especially because he had a very good nba career. Dude was a wizard


https://youtu.be/LpongJQLDK4

[baseline bum]

especially because he had a very good nba career. Dude was a wizard


https://youtu.be/LpongJQLDK4

Worst part was not only did McCombs' cheapness cost the Spurs Strickland for nothing, it allegedly kept the Spurs from trading Terry Cummings and Willie Anderson for Barkley right before TC blew out his knee and went from allstar to scrub. Of course it worked out in the end getting Tim in 97, but god could you imagine a lineup of

G Rod Strickland
G Dale Ellis
F Sean Elliott
F Charles Barkley
C David Robinson

with Brickowski off the bench?

[slick'81]

Worst part was not only did McCombs' cheapness cost the Spurs Strickland for nothing, it allegedly kept the Spurs from trading Terry Cummings and Willie Anderson for Barkley right before TC blew out his knee and went from allstar to scrub. Of course it worked out in the end getting Tim in 97, but god could you imagine a lineup of



G Rod Strickland
G Dale Ellis
F Sean Elliott
F Charles Barkley
C David Robinson

with Brickowski off the bench?


my dad told me about that rumor. If it was true mccombs was an idiot

[baseline bum]

my dad told me about that rumor. If it was true mccombs was an idiot

He's not an idiot, he's cheap

[slick'81]

He's not an idiot, he's cheap

vikings fans hated him too

[The Truth #6]

McCombs was about selling concessions more than anything. Supposedly the contract he finagled at the Alamodome with concessions sales is a major reason why the team wanted another arena. Fucking ridiculous.

[exstatic]

McCombs was about selling concessions more than anything. Supposedly the contract he finagled at the Alamodome with concessions sales is a major reason why the team wanted another arena. Fucking ridiculous.

Yeah, he sold the team without the concession rights.

[KingKev]

Damn you OG’s is old!!!

I love reading this though. The parallels between now and the early 90’s are wild.

[boutons_deux]

Damn you OG’s is old!!!

I love reading this though. The parallels between now and the early 90’s are wild.

To confirm Pop thinking the NBA has become no-defense 3G circus, evidence is All-Star jokey games of the last 10 or so years, with all-star game from 80s, 90s.

[KingKev]

To confirm Pop thinking the NBA has become no-defense 3G circus, evidence is All-Star jokey games of the last 10 or so years, with all-star game from 80s, 90s.

You can still play defense though but I feel like these guys only have so many bullets so you have to choose what side of the ball to play on.

I hoop with kids near half my age and my only value is defense and passing the ball, outside the fact I DJ from my wrist watch. Someone has to D the fuck up in basketball and in life.

[slick'81]

Are really some people debating about the quality of the games during a tanking year? The same who want the team to suck, or play good but lose...

I guess Detroit and Houston games are must-see.

You tank, you suck. Always... There's no tanking team in history that was playing even remotely good.

we are. Pop is masterfully keeping us competitive while we lose and build our youth ,I think

[MultiTroll]

Couple disasters here and there like the Cleveland and Heat win but other then that 4th lowest place will work provided Gramps keeps it up in March and April.

[Brazil]

Spurs need a centerpiece. Just one.

Victor W is our dude tbh... we need a bit of luck. I watched a lot of Victor games in the French league recently, the hype is clearly deserved. All will depend on his health.

[exstatic]

Victor W is our dude tbh... we need a bit of luck. I watched a lot of Victor games in the French league recently, the hype is clearly deserved. All will depend on his health.

The end of yesterday’s game was amazing. ASVEL was up 1, with the ball. They got the ball to the corner, but a breathtaking close out by VW caused the shot to be off. Metropolitans PG brought the ball up, missed the layup, one of their wings bounced it off the backboard to VW, who dunked it with 3.5 seconds left for the win.

[Brazil]

The end of yesterday’s game was amazing. ASVEL was up 1, with the ball. They got the ball to the corner, but a breathtaking close out by VW caused the shot to be off. Metropolitans PG brought the ball up, missed the layup, one of their wings bounced it off the backboard to VW, who dunked it with 3.5 seconds left for the win.

I saw the game, that was a great finish.
The thing with Victor is that he is already a finished product, he can improve things here and there but there is nothing fundamentally wrong with his game on both side of the ball. To top it all he has a great bb iq he is taking the good decisions and he is not a selfish player. I believe he will contribute at a high level right away in the NBA. We need to see how he will handle the physicality of the NBA though, he will have to learn to draw fools. Opponents are gonna have a hard time defending him without fooling and trying to push him around. Defenders length won't bother him at all, they will try to bully him of course but he has a cold head and should not fall for it.

I'm super excited. I do hope Spurs can land him, that would be great for the franchise but also for him, I don't trust any other organization to develop him. Pop and the FO are doing a great job to build a young competitive team that will give him the best chance to flourish.

Let's cross the fingers

[DPG21920]

Victor W is our dude tbh... we need a bit of luck. I watched a lot of Victor games in the French league recently, the hype is clearly deserved. All will depend on his health.

Ya. Victor would qualify lol! Would be so exciting to get him or Scoot.

[Mr. Body]

You can still play defense though but I feel like these guys only have so many bullets so you have to choose what side of the ball to play on.

I hoop with kids near half my age and my only value is defense and passing the ball, outside the fact I DJ from my wrist watch. Someone has to D the fuck up in basketball and in life.

Current players have lots of tricks in their bags, but last night Ja reminded me what the real issue is. Watching SGA the other day, too--

These guys get absurd calls in their favor. Harden got them with the rip-through. On drives, if the defender is even vaguely moving while walled up, SGA and Ja get calls every single time. You simply cannot guard these players - it's rendered illegal. Each derives 30% of their points from the line, which is absurd.

[scott]

Do the dudes who host Locked On Spurs read this forum? Days after we're talking about Rod Strickland and I posted the video of his dumb pass versus Portland, they're talking about it on the podcast :lol. Just say hi bros.

[exstatic]

Do the dudes who host Locked On Spurs read this forum? Days after we're talking about Rod Strickland and I posted the video of his dumb pass versus Portland, they're talking about it on the podcast :lol. Just say hi bros.

Clan the Spurs fan always has whatever is current here as the subject of his next video.

[JPB]

we are. Pop is masterfully keeping us competitive while we lose and build our youth ,I think

Sure, it's an NBA team with NBA players, and any team in the NBA can beat any other on any given night, but you can develop individually players while globally sucking, just because said players are precisely learning the game and the things that make the difference... And it's fair to expect improvement with young players, no matter what...

Although it's true the team has shown interesting things those last few games. It should be interesting to see how Sochan & co. will react when teams will start to adapt to their games.