Ok boys, what is our starting 5

[Adam21]

About a month away, given what we now know, what do you guys expect?


Sochan
Vassell
KJ
Wemby
Collins

:elephant

[Leetonidas]

I have a feeling one of Keldon or Sochan will come off the bench. I'm guessing it will unfortunately be Sochan

[spurraider21]

Tre/Vassell/Keldon/Wemby/Collins

is my guess

could also see Tre/Vassell/Kelton/Sochan/Wemby if they decide to go ahead and just play wemby at C

could also be matchup dependent based on the opposing bigs.

what i dont see happening, at least right away, are the fantasy lineups with sochan at the point instead of tre

[spurs10]

If Sochan starts KJ comes off the bench. Doubt the first games, or even pre-season will tell the tale. Thinking Keldon will start.

[itzsoweezee]

Tre/Vassell/Sochan/Wemby/Collins is what I’d like to see

[Leetonidas]

Do we think Sochan can actually play SF though? I know positional designations have become outdated but still, I wonder if he is quick enough to check actual SFs next season

[deanoden]

Most SFs are 3 and Ds these days. Not clear how the spacing on offense would work with Collins/Sochan/Wemby

[TD 21]

This has been beaten to death. The only thing I'd add at this point is, no matter the lineup (only Wembanyama, Vassell and Collins are virtual locks throughout), for an obvious reason, expect them to limit the amount Sochan, Jones and to a lesser extent Bassey, play together.

[JuneJive]

I'd argue that the closing five is a more important decision.

Sure, on some days it will be the hot hand that gets to close, but who will it be by default?

[TD 21]

I'd argue that the closing five is a more important decision.

Sure, on some days it will be the hot hand that gets to close, but who will it be by default?

Outside of Wembanyama and Vassell, it'll be heavily dependent on matchups.

[ginobilized]

Pop will be doing his patented mix'n'match technique for the first 3 months, at least

[Rocalcio]

Tre/Vassell/Sochan/Wemby/Collins is what I’d like to see

Same for me

[John B]

Tre/Vassell/Sochan/Wemby/Collins is what I’d like to see

Or Tre/Vassell/Wemby/Sochan/Collins

I think Wemby plays at SF and more at PF/C position as he gets NBA strong.

Tre - is the best true PG in the team and shoukd start
Vassell - at SG will be a beast against smaller defenders, plus he can help defend the point of attack
Wemby - Will play SF with him facing the basket, until he gets NBA strong
Sochan - is Spurs best PF and will play Point Forward at times
Collins - basically Pop annointed him the starting C. Collins has the grit and dog in him.

Keldon - will be a beast against 2nd unit if he embraces the Manu 6th man role.

Malaki, Champagnie, Doug, Keldon, Bassey comprise the 2nd unit

[Joseph Kony]

what i'd like to see: Graham/Vassell/Keldon/Sochan/Wemby

what i think we will see: Jones/Vassell/Keldon/Wemby/Collins

[Mr. Body]

Tre Jones
Devin Vassell
x
Victor Wembanyama
Zach Collins

Q is whether it's Keldon or Sochan as the last member. My mind, Keldon works better with the first unit. His outside scoring and slashing fits well. Sochan would be great off the bench. But we'll see.

Sochan will not play PG. Not that he won't run sets and bring the ball up, but he shouldn't be guarding points full-time.

Can Sochan or Keldon play the SF? Doesn't really matter when Wemby has elements of the SF already. What matters is spacing and role on the offensive end and both Sochan and KJ can play with him no problem.

[TDomination]

my 5 to begin without knowing how everyone fits together would be this:

Tre, Vassell, Sochan, Wemby, Collins
with Johnson as 6th man

[rogcl1]

Do we think Sochan can actually play SF though? I know positional designations have become outdated but still, I wonder if he is quick enough to check actual SFs next season

For purely defensive reasons I think Sochan would be better than KJ. Other possible issues though.

[DPG21920]

About a month away, given what we now know, what do you guys expect?


Sochan
Vassell
KJ
Wemby
Collins

:elephant

That’s what I would do. Maybe replace one of them with Tre but I prefer this starting lineup. Either way, those 5 should be playing most minutes more or less (outside of load management)

[DPG21920]

I really don’t see how Pop brings Sochan off the bench with how high of a ceiling he has, the importance to the future of him/Wemby together and the fact they clearly aren’t THAT concerned about playoffs at this point.

[rankingtear]

Sochan would start at point guard. This is getting more and more obvious based on player interviews.

[Seventyniner]

I really don’t see how Pop brings Sochan off the bench with how high of a ceiling he has, the importance to the future of him/Wemby together and the fact they clearly aren’t THAT concerned about playoffs at this point.

So are you benching Collins and making Wemby the de facto center, even if it means listing Wemby at PF and Sochan at C? Or are you playing Sochan/Wemby/Collins all at the same time?

[TD 21]

I really don’t see how Pop brings Sochan off the bench with how high of a ceiling he has, the importance to the future of him/Wemby together and the fact they clearly aren’t THAT concerned about playoffs at this point.

It really stifled that Ginobili guy, who rarely played with Duncan and Parker because he generally came off the bench.

[FutureMan]

Unless a trade happens - Jones/Vassell/Sochan/Wemby/Collins and pray 3 of the 5 can hit threes consistently.

[TrueSpursFan]

Those saying Sochan comes off the bench are crazy. You do realize he guards the best player on the other team and that player will be starting so only makes sense that he starts as well.

[TD 21]

Those saying Sochan comes off the bench are crazy. You do realize he guards the best player on the other team and that player will be starting so only makes sense that he starts as well.

So tired of hearing this NBA cliche for every versatile wing/forward defender, as if none of the best players are bigs, when in fact a bunch are.

[JeffDuncan]

About a month away, given what we now know, what do you guys expect?


Sochan
Vassell
KJ
Wemby
Collins

:elephant


Tre Jones
Devin Vassell
Keldon Johnson
Wemby
Zach Collins

Seems most likely at the moment.

Keldon has earned his spot by being the team’s leading scorer last season, so the job should be his, until and unless somebody beats him for it. That might happen but it hasn’t yet.

There’s great interest in Sochan, but he’s only a second-year player now, and he’s still very much under development. He’s not yet at the level of being an automatic starter.

It’s unthinkable that Wemby would not start, but there remains the question of how cautious the Spurs will be with his minutes. His backup (Sochan or whoever) could get a lot of playing time.

The same is true of the Spurs bench in general. Playing time, I mean. I know of no sane reason why Pop would suddenly turn into Thibs or Nick Nurse and play his starters 40 minutes. That would be lunacy. So I think the whole Spurs roster, or at least the top ten, will get ample opportunity to show what they can do.

I’m looking forward to it.

[heyheymymy]

Obviously a shit take but super charge the bench with KJ and Sochan

Jones
Vassell
McDermott
Wembanyama
Zollins

[scott]

PG: Wemby
SG: Collins
SF: Sochan
PF: Devin
C: Tre

Expect a lot of switching on offense and defense and in transition too

[TrueSpursFan]

So tired of hearing this NBA cliche for every versatile wing/forward defender, as if none of the best players are bigs, when in fact a bunch are.

Did you watch any spurs games last season? He was guarding point guards, wings, and yes even bigs. And they were usually the best player on the team

[DPG21920]

So are you benching Collins and making Wemby the de facto center, even if it means listing Wemby at PF and Sochan at C? Or are you playing Sochan/Wemby/Collins all at the same time?

I am playing Wemby/Collins/Sochan

[DPG21920]

It really stifled that Ginobili guy, who rarely played with Duncan and Parker because he generally came off the bench.

If you think these are truly identical scenarios then we are so far apart its not worth discussing tbh..

[dbestpro]

So, who finishes the game? Jones, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, Wemby.

[Proxy]

another starting 5 thread, love it, love seeing this discussion over and over and over, much love

[TD 21]

Did you watch any spurs games last season? He was guarding point guards, wings, and yes even bigs. And they were usually the best player on the team

Admittedly, I did what I've often accused others of doing, which was not comprehending what you said.

That being said, he's obviously not suited to defending Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Embiid, Davis, Towns and Sabonis, so the point stands.



If you think these are truly identical scenarios then we are so far apart its not worth discussing tbh..

They're obviously not, I just don't get the panic/rage from so many about the possibility of Sochan not starting.

For now, I don't think it matters all that much either way.

[The Truth #6]

I think Sochan starts over Keldon. Keldon has had ample opportunity to show what he can do and he can't play defense very well yet. He's an offensive player and so it seems that the next step in finding his best role is as 6th man. That's how I see things starting, but could easily change once we actually see how they fit together after several games.

[tbdog]

I just think Wemby or Sochan playing sf is a bad idea. A simple pin down will result in open shots. A switch just brings Wemby out of the paint. Same as Sochan as the starting pg. Perhaps a switching defensive scheme is going to be what the Spurs will run?

In all honestly, probably starting Sochan at center is the most likely one they will go, with Wemby coming with the double. Rather than asking Sochan or Johnson to chase sgs all game. For Embid and Jokic would be our hardest match up.

[exstatic]

Do we think Sochan can actually play SF though? I know positional designations have become outdated but still, I wonder if he is quick enough to check actual SFs next season

He was quick enough to check PGs last season. I think he can handle 3s.

[John B]

So, who finishes the game? Jones, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, Wemby.

Sochan/Vassell/Keldon/Wemby/Collins finish the game

[Rocalcio]

Tre Jones
Devin Vassell
x
Victor Wembanyama
Zach Collins

Q is whether it's Keldon or Sochan as the last member. My mind, Keldon works better with the first unit. His outside scoring and slashing fits well. Sochan would be great off the bench. But we'll see.

Sochan will not play PG. Not that he won't run sets and bring the ball up, but he shouldn't be guarding points full-time.

Can Sochan or Keldon play the SF? Doesn't really matter when Wemby has elements of the SF already. What matters is spacing and role on the offensive end and both Sochan and KJ can play with him no problem.

We could always have Sochan playing PG in offense and guarding SF or PF in defense.

[Rocalcio]

Sochan would start at point guard. This is getting more and more obvious based on player interviews.

Where did you find these interviewes ? I'd be very interested to read that and excited to see that this is the plan.

[rankingtear]

Where did you find these interviewes ? I'd be very interested to read that and excited to see that this is the plan.

I think my role might change a little bit. I might be more of a leader. I’ll be playing with the ball a bit more and be that playmaker.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/jeremy-sochan-interview-victor-wembanyama-gregg-popovich-poland

Dougie: Him (Victor) and Sochan would have the ball... Guys play loose with him they know they he is going to find them he is unselfish. Kinda reminds me of Ben. Big point guard can get to his spots whenever he wants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqwaVkR0cIw&t=560s

[The Truth #6]

I hear the concerns about Sochan playing small forward, but I think those defensive concerns are way less than, you know, Keldon playing small forward and trying to defend people.

[exstatic]

I hear the concerns about Sochan playing small forward, but I think those defensive concerns are way less than, you know, Keldon playing small forward and trying to defend people.

Just a case of posters inventing things to support their position that he shouldn't start.

[Rocalcio]

I think my role might change a little bit. I might be more of a leader. I’ll be playing with the ball a bit more and be that playmaker.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/jeremy-sochan-interview-victor-wembanyama-gregg-popovich-poland

Dougie: Him (Victor) and Sochan would have the ball... Guys play loose with him they know they he is going to find them he is unselfish. Kinda reminds me of Ben. Big point guard can get to his spots whenever he wants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqwaVkR0cIw&t=560s

Thanks !

[R. DeMurre]

To be honest, I don't care who the starting 5 are for game 1 of the Wembanyama era... let Pop experiment all he wants and see what shakes out. The one thing I'm keeping an eye on going forward (and that's in years, not months) is what the Spurs put around Wemby defensively. The biggest mistake I've seen again and again is a team having a defensive ace and then surrounding him with undersized defensive liabilities with the thinking that the ace's strengths will cover the defensive shortcomings. I'd rather see the approach of pairing defensive strength w/ more defensive strength, a situation which would give the unique Victor the unique opportunity to roam and wreak havoc, rather than spending his time worrying about how to cover the built in shortcomings of others.

[John B]

I think my role might change a little bit. I might be more of a leader. I’ll be playing with the ball a bit more and be that playmaker.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/jeremy-sochan-interview-victor-wembanyama-gregg-popovich-poland

Dougie: Him (Victor) and Sochan would have the ball... Guys play loose with him they know they he is going to find them he is unselfish. Kinda reminds me of Ben. Big point guard can get to his spots whenever he wants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqwaVkR0cIw&t=560s

Good but that doesn’t necessarily mean PG. I’m sure Sochan will have the Point-Forward roles ala Diaw to create mis-matches, and sure I’d prefer Sochan playing PG finishing the game for tighter defense. But I think Tre will start at PG, while Sochan at PF/Point-Forward. Wemby at SF/PF, and Keldon at 6th man role, while finishing games at SF.

[Mr. Body]

I think my role might change a little bit. I might be more of a leader. I’ll be playing with the ball a bit more and be that playmaker.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/jeremy-sochan-interview-victor-wembanyama-gregg-popovich-poland

Dougie: Him (Victor) and Sochan would have the ball... Guys play loose with him they know they he is going to find them he is unselfish. Kinda reminds me of Ben. Big point guard can get to his spots whenever he wants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqwaVkR0cIw&t=560s

Playmakong and point guard aren't the same thing. Sochan can't guard opposing points.

[John B]

Devin’s been pumping big time :lol

https://www.facebook.com/groups/288339229094726/permalink/991903075405001/?mibextid=S66gvF
https://www.facebook.com/groups/288339229094726/permalink/991903075405001/?mibextid=S66gvFhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/288339229094726/permalink/991903075405001/?mibextid=S66gvF

Damn how do you paste picture from FB? :pctoss

[exstatic]

Playmakong and point guard aren't the same thing. Sochan can't guard opposing points.

You really need to pull your head out of your butt.

[JPB]

I believe Sochan starts no matter what. The versatility of a Wemby/Sochan combo could be lethal. After that, do you add Zollins to protect and free up Victor from real center duties agasint stronger bigs? Spurs promised him a starting job last year, and even if that was before they got#1, I still believe he starts too. Keldon and Vassel is my backcourt, to finish the game at least, while Tre may get thet starting spot at PG. But I wouldn't be surprised if Keldon/ Devin / Sochan / Wemby / Collins is our starting 5.

[exstatic]

I believe Sochan starts no matter what. The versaility of a Wemby/Sochan combo could be lethal. After that, do you add Zollins to protect and free up Victor from real center duties agasint stronger bigs? Spurs promised him a starting job last year and even if that was before they got#1 I still believe he starts too. Keldon and Vassel is my backcourt, to finish the game at least, while Tre may get thet starting spot at PG. But i wouldn't be surprised if Keldon/Devin/Sochan/Wemby/Collins is our starting 5.

Collins has to start. He's one of only two players in that prospective lineup that can shoot the 3, Devin being the other.

[JPB]

Devin’s been pumping big time :lol

https://www.facebook.com/groups/288339229094726/permalink/991903075405001/?mibextid=S66gvF
https://www.facebook.com/groups/288339229094726/permalink/991903075405001/?mibextid=S66gvFhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/288339229094726/permalink/991903075405001/?mibextid=S66gvF

Damn how do you paste picture from FB? :pctoss

https://i.ibb.co/1bQNx6N/377419490-10211463753546649-3568041851198324157-n.jpg

Det pink bag tho.

[John B]

https://i.ibb.co/1bQNx6N/377419490-10211463753546649-3568041851198324157-n.jpg

Det pink bag tho.

Lol I didn’t even noticed Malaki’s bag

But Devin looks like he’s really gotten big. It’s good for backing down smaller SG’s, but I hope it doesn’t slow him down

[MultiTroll]

Det pink bag tho.
Who is red pants?

[heyheymymy]

Red pants is Graham

[Big Empty]

Tre
Devin
Keldon
Wemby
Collins/Sochan all depends if the other team as an elite center or not

[rankingtear]

Good but that doesn’t necessarily mean PG. I’m sure Sochan will have the Point-Forward roles ala Diaw to create mis-matches, and sure I’d prefer Sochan playing PG finishing the game for tighter defense. But I think Tre will start at PG, while Sochan at PF/Point-Forward. Wemby at SF/PF, and Keldon at 6th man role, while finishing games at SF.

Tre-Sochan lineup is ranked 100 out of 118 after the break. Pop avoided playing them as much as any pairing. They even alternate rest days.

[Dhbsr555]

Anyone who truly believes sochan won’t start is delusional. There is no chance he comes off the bench

[tbdog]

Anyone who truly believes sochan won’t start is delusional. There is no chance he comes off the bench

Okay Mr Scientist. Can you explain who is coming off the bench? Because that is the topic that's being discussed. Collins, Wemby, Sochan, Johnson, Vassell, Jones are your top 6 players in the team. Who is on the bench and why?

[benefactor]

Your mom and four large black men

[John B]

Tre-Sochan lineup is ranked 100 out of 118 after the break. Pop avoided playing them as much as any pairing. They even alternate rest days.

That’s interesting. But I still think Tre/Sochan will share the floor together, at least at start, while Sochan most likely will pay PG to close to make room for Keldon to get in to close. I have Sochan/Vassell/Keldon/Wemby/Collins closing.

[poopbox]

Who cares who starts. Just so long Devin, Sochan, and Wemby get plenty of minutes together since for now thats our core going forward.

[wildbill2u]

I really don’t see how Pop brings Sochan off the bench with how high of a ceiling he has, the importance to the future of him/Wemby together and the fact they clearly aren’t THAT concerned about playoffs at this point.

I agree. Pop will be looking to see how Sochan and Wemby play together. Since Wemby will be starting and playing limited minutes (?) then Sochan will have to be on the floor with him for most of the time. Putting KJ on the bench will probably reduce his trade value, but it is what it is.

[Larry O]

These are my thoughts on the starting lineup: The Spurs will need scoring. DV24 and Wemby can't provide the main scoring on the first unit. As much as I have to say this, but KJ gives the starting lineup the next best option to add another scorer. As much as I would love to see Sochan in the starting lineup, but if he's not improved yet on his scoring abilities, then Keldon would be the team's best choice in the starting lineup. But as always, it's not who starts but who finishes. We all know that Pop WILL BE tinkering with different lineups, anyways, until he finds the best lineup to put out there to start a game. This team will be competitive, but at the same time, I think the Spurs will be evaluating the players to see what's going to work the best next to Victor. This is what I think will start on opening night until further notice: 1.Trey 2. Devin 3. KJ 4. Victor 5. Collins. GSG!!!

[exstatic]

These are my thoughts on the starting lineup: The Spurs will need scoring. DV24 and Wemby can't provide the main scoring on the first unit. As much as I have to say this, but KJ gives the starting lineup the next best option to add another scorer. As much as I would love to see Sochan in the starting lineup, but if he's not improved yet on his scoring abilities, then Keldon would be the team's best choice in the starting lineup. But as always, it's not who starts but who finishes. We all know that Pop WILL BE tinkering with different lineups, anyways, until he finds the best lineup to put out there to start a game. This team will be competitive, but at the same time, I think the Spurs will be evaluating the players to see what's going to work the best next to Victor. This is what I think will start on opening night until further notice: 1.Trey 2. Devin 3. KJ 4. Victor 5. Collins. GSG!!!

DV scored more in his season 3 than Keldon did in his season 3, so that's not much of a point to say he can't carry scoring load. He's also a 3 level scorer, and more versatile than Keldon. Sochan had games of 29 and 30 points scoring, but only played 6 total games in Feb and Mar, no mystery since he was developing so fast they needed to sit him to avoid wins.

[spurraider21]

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