Game Thread: Spurs @ SONS Oct 31ST - HAPPY HOLLOWEEN - (4 AM Riga Time)

[CorrectCrusader]

Shaq dogged Wemby on twitter. I haven't been able to watch the game. Is he playing poorly again today?

[TekXX]

Imagine if we actually had good players around Wemby that defenses would have to respect

[CorrectCrusader]

This can work against this team and similar. But teams like Denver and Philly, you can't have him playing the 5. He'll get dominated by Jokić and Embiid.

This is stupid, every team gets dominated by these players. You just gotta play better.

[BatManu20]

Wemby bites on up-fakes too often. Something he’ll need to work on.

[spurraider21]

Shaq dogged Wemby on twitter. I haven't been able to watch the game. Is he playing poorly again today?
another one of his volcano games. dormant, dormant, and then eruption

[InRareForm]

The big volcano

[Leetonidas]

Game goes to shit as soon as Sochan takes over. Dude is not a PG. This stupid experiment needs to end

[mikec]

LOL SOCHAN with the bullet pass for the corner missed 3 when he had wemby under the basket. LOL. Point guard you ain't.

[SayNoToDrugsTBH]

holyfucking shit sochan you dumbass

[Degoat]

How hard is it to spot wemby when he has a little guy on him GD sochan

[Seventyniner]

the one that goes in? that was qualitatively not much different from the other ones

I was referring to the one he made from the top of the key after getting the pass from Vassell; shortly after that he missed one from the left wing.

Sure I like it cause he made it, but I think he can be a good enough shooter in that situation to make it a good quality shot. He isn't nearly good enough to be dribbling into threes, or worse trying to sidestep into them.

[kxs783kms]

Wemby had Grayson in the paint under the basket and they pass for a 3 lol. Unbelievable smh

[DAF86]

Wemby probably off after the timeout, only for the game to get out of reach and never see him again on this game. 25 minutes of action, just like Pop wants it.

[kxs783kms]

This is stupid, every team gets dominated by these players. You just gotta play better.

Duh your reply is stupid. What do you think they'll do to a skinny Wemby?? You make no sense lol

[TekXX]

Doormat, doormat, explosion, and then never touches the ball again.

[spurraider21]

Game goes to shit as soon as Sochan takes over. Dude is not a PG. This stupid experiment needs to end
sochan being at point guard doesnt excuse wemby tripping over himself while trying to sauce on nurkic and turning the ball over, but it does explain why the possession boiled down to "give the ball the wemby at the 3 point line and hope he does something"

[CorrectCrusader]

Duh your reply is stupid. What do you think they'll do to a skinny Wemby?? You make no sense lol

And you think Zollins is gonna stop them? Lmao

[DAF86]

This can work against this team and similar. But teams like Denver and Philly, you can't have him playing the 5. He'll get dominated by Jokić and Embiid.

So what you're saying is this can work against any team in the NBA except Denver and Philadelphia? :lol

Also, everybody gets dominated by Jokic and Embiid, so what would be the problem? I bet Wemby gets less dominated than Zach fucking Collins, tbh.

[kxs783kms]

And you think Zollins is gonna stop them? Lmao

Hell no. But their chance to body him is much better than Wemby's.

[SayNoToDrugsTBH]

and pop decides to bench him. :lol

[CorrectCrusader]

Hell no. But their chance to body him is much better than Wemby's.
Disagree, Wemby at least has a hope at getting the ball when they shoot over him

[CorrectCrusader]

There ain't NO WAY THIS SENILE OLD FUCK TOOK WEMBY OUT THE GAME IN THE 4TH

[wildbill2u]

They tried some 2-1-2 zone tonight with WEemby at the top of the key. The defense looked ok while using it but then Suns started hitting 3s.

[BatManu20]

Of course Pop benches Wemby with 6 minutes left in the game :lmao

[lefty]

We make a run and Pop tells us to fuck off

[SpursFan86]

Alright Wemby got his few minutes of rest, bring him back in Pop.

[ace3g]

4:10 - 4th



TNT
1
2
3
4
T


SA
18
27
37
22
104


PHX
27
36
32
12
107

[MultiTroll]

Asst coach that looks like Fatheads cousing just made a suggestion to Popped.
-3 with ball and Vassell with the weak assed turnover.

[Proxy]

when the f does he play if not the last 4 mins;;;

[ace3g]

3 point defense...

[ace3g]

Vassell step back 3!!!

[Leetonidas]

Is he really going to leave Wemby on the bench? :lmao

[freetiago]

Wemby getting valuable late game execution experience on the bench

[DAF86]

2 minutes remaining in a tight game and Wemby is still out. Pop has really gone senile. :lol

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

What does Collins do that Wemby doesn’t? Does Collins make this a “small ball” lineup cause he’s shorter? I just don’t understand why Wemby is still on the bench. Wemby can do everything Collins can do on offense and better and his length does cause issues on defense.

[MultiTroll]

Pussy Durant wanting a +1 foul shot on that shot. :lol:lol:lol

FOH.

[Leetonidas]

Guess Wemby needs to get over himself

[Degoat]

I hate to say this…. We’re so far behind the rest of the league. This game is without Booker and Beal

[ace3g]

Stuck at the "within 3" wall.

2:36 - 4th



TNT
1
2
3
4
T


SA
18
27
37
25
107


PHX
27
36
32
17
112

[Rito3d30]

hope the experiment does not fuck Sochan up permanently

[lefty]

giancarlo esposito!

[MultiTroll]

What does Collins do that Wemby doesn’t? Does Collins make this a “small ball” lineup cause he’s shorter? I just don’t understand why Wemby is still on the bench. Wemby can do everything Collins can do on offense and better and his length does cause issues on defense.
Might be a minutes thing.

Since Wama is still a twig.

[benefactor]

Gooo Spurs Gooo

[$pursDynasty]

Feels like Dallas game, opposition has a closer, Durant, we don't.

[TekXX]

I'm shocked we can't get a stop here.....lol no i'm not.

[LeBowen]

Contract year Collins had us fooled.
Playing zone without Wemby is a travesty.

[spurs1990]

This will be a huge win for the Spurs

[CorrectCrusader]

Feels like Dallas game, opposition has a closer, Durant, we don't.

We might have one but this bastard of a coach has his ass on the bench

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

Might be a minutes thing.

Since Wama is still a twig.
Gotcha, trying to keep him between 25 and 30 min a game? Makes sense.

[MultiTroll]

Bad pass by Vasselll.
Needs to cut down on the clutch time stoopid turns.

[Seventyniner]

Vassell had that drop pass to Collins right there and instead waits a half second and pegs Collins in the neck with it. I know he's not a primary playmaker but I thought he was a bit better than that.

[spurraider21]

so they notice the small lineup is doing well

they want to bring wemby in

and they dont just have him sub in for collins?

[lefty]

Vassell afraid of contact for the 2nd time in a row

[benefactor]

This will be a huge win for the Spurs
Even if they dont its still a solid comeback

[$pursDynasty]

Wemby too unselfish

[TekXX]

Pop "Do something! you're 7'5'"

[SayNoToDrugsTBH]

Sochan in, pop wants to tank

[MultiTroll]

Ball hog hero ball Vassell.

Say something Popped!

[freetiago]

Wemby open at 3 nah wave him off highly contested fadeaway 2

[CorrectCrusader]

Vic needs a tight behind the back dribble to get past Nurk there.

[BatManu20]

Vassell with the low IQ contested 20-foot fade away with 10 seconds left on the shot clock.

[Rito3d30]

Keldon again.......with the late forced shot

[SayNoToDrugsTBH]

HAHAHAHA JOHNSON

[Proxy]

Sochan in, pop wants to tank
with tre still in?

[MannyIsGod]

Do players realize they can pass to wemby after he sets a screen?

[benefactor]

Keldon the heroballer

[ace3g]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

I don’t understand why Wemby’s midrange game isn’t used way more.

[BatManu20]

Holy shit

[$pursDynasty]

Mr Big Body

[Robz4000]

HOLY SHIT!!!!!

[Leetonidas]

Wtf just happened:wow

[Spurs9]

Let’s gooooooo

[MannyIsGod]

Wow what lmao

[SpursFan86]

Hahahahahahahaha

[lefty]

:lmao those last 2 possessions

[Seventyniner]

Do players realize they can pass to wemby after he sets a screen?

Is it really a screen if he never makes any contact with the defender? On at least one he was so far away from the ballhandler's defender that the defender was easily able to go over.

[benefactor]

I take back what I said

[ace3g]

Wemby guard the inbounder?

[td4mvp2k]

WTF is vassell doing

[LeBowen]

Lmao Suns will always be Suns.

[MultiTroll]

:elephant:cheer:cheer:hungry: D Fence

[Proxy]

HOLY FUCK

[CGD]

Wemby at Center, just saying…

[CorrectCrusader]

NO FUCKING WAY HOLY SHIT

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

…….even if Suns hit a game winner what a fantastic effort by the Spurs this 4th quarter!

[SPURt]

What did we just witness?!

[Proxy]

You guys that are watching the game live are a play ahead of us watching a stream lmao

[lefty]

hHajajajajajashdhdh

[td4mvp2k]

KJ making up for that KD bucket :lol

[ace3g]

2-2!!!

[Robz4000]

Great. Fucking. Win.

[Spurs9]

Hahahahaha W!

[cd98]

WTH?!? But Suns took their foot off the pedal with a big lead.

[Seventyniner]

KD's mom don't look happy lmao

[BatManu20]

How the fuck did we just win that game lmao

[MultiTroll]

Sweet Win

[Arcadian]

Hahaha Durant fuck you.

[PhantomDashCam]

What a win. Holy cow!

[Degoat]

Holy shit lmao

[ace3g]

Final



TNT
1
2
3
4
T


SA
18
27
37
33
115


PHX
27
36
32
19
114

[benefactor]

WE. THEM. SPURS.

Fuck you Suns

[SpursFan86]

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a less deserved win but fuck it :lol I’ll take what we can get.

[Seventyniner]

Memorial Day Miracle vibes.

"Their only lead was the final score."

[freetiago]

Tre Jones highest +- every game maybe Poop will learn something. More senile than Biden

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

Wemby is a competitor! Love his fire!

[Marcus Bryant]

Lol took the ball from him

[tbdog]

That felt good.

[cd98]

Suns actually cracked under the pressure. They were playing not to lose and that is a losing recipe.

[LeBowen]

Lmao Suns fans meltdown inc.

[CorrectCrusader]

LETS FUCKING GO KELDON FUCKING JOHNSON VICTOR WEMBANYAMA I FUCKING LOVE THIS TEAM

[benefactor]

Great. Fucking. Win.
Im dick and balls out my nigga

[thiste]

We had no business winning this game :lol

[kjhip1]

Lineups were fantastic down the stretch. Cannot believe what just happened

[8FOR!3]

Man many of ya'll need to have more patience as a fanbase lol. Would you look at that.

[lefty]

https://twitter.com/hoodiibron/status/1719573403030769968

[baseline bum]

OMFG

[spurs10]

Motherfucker! Go Spurs!! Woot!!

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F90nyu8XgAAPOsQ?format=png&name=900x900

[RC_Drunkford]

Gutsy win. People are right though Sochan shows no emotions

[benefactor]

Fuck Shaq. He wants Wemby on the Lakers

[spurraider21]

never in doubht, dno what all this hoopla is about

[Rito3d30]

Dont know if its me, does anyone notice the weird vibe between Sochan and Wemby?
Seems Sochan is kinda ignoring Wemby, does anyone in the game can give some opinion on this?

[SpurSpike]

Closing the game with what should be the starting lineup. Tre Sochan Vassel Keldon Victor

[SayNoToDrugsTBH]

Game was never in doubt tbh.

[Spurs Homer]

You guys were scurred…

just stay the fucking course!

it wont look pretty and smooth but allow the process to work…

thursday the suns will come back hard and let us see how the spurs handle a little prosperity…

pound the fucking rock!

[widowmaker]

Keldon got away with that one god bless.

[td4mvp2k]

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a less deserved win but fuck it :lol I’ll take what we can get.
suns did everything to give it away :lol

[baseline bum]

ROFL that Karen screaming in the background

[KDKSpurs24]

Not gonna lie I was frustrated and fell asleep and woke up when it was 98-93 I’m fully awake now I can’t believe we just won that game!!!

[rascal]

Spurs were lucky suns were missing top players

[Spurs Homer]

Ur giving Pop WAAAAAY too much credit... I know a bad coach when I see one... I used to advocate for Pop, but the post-duncan years have been telling

you know dik buddy

[Trill Clinton]

Gritty win. Way to bounce back from that ass whoopin they took last game.

[Barfunk]

Hell yesss

[$pursDynasty]

Chuck and Shaq acting like they didn't guarantee a Sun's win at halftime

[Arcadian]

Seriously though, Vassell and Keldon should be highly chastised for poor shot selection with Victor on the floor. Don't ever take a contested shot when Victor is on the floor you dumbasses.

Even on the game winning shot, I thought the clear move was to dish it to Wemby. I would've been very upset if Keldon missed that contested layup.

[SpursFan86]

Lmfao Barkley asking Victor how to say Churro in French :lmao

[Seventyniner]

Lmfao Barkley asking Victor how to say Churro in French :lmao

And Victor doesn't know what a churro is.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Lol. What did I just see! This was a heist, a robbery!

[$pursDynasty]

Keldon got away with that one god bless.
Mr Big Body is our bully, doing what bullies do, when not getting crossed over by one of the best to ever score, no shame in that

[Spurs Homer]

Of course barkley is thinking about food!

[Seventyniner]

Seriously though, Vassell and Keldon should be highly chastised for poor shot selection with Victor on the floor. Don't ever take a contested shot when Victor is on the floor you dumbasses.

Even on the game winning shot, I thought the clear move was to dish it to Wemby. I would've been very upset if Keldon missed that contested layup.

I don't blame Keldon for that layup. When he stripped KD there was only about 3 seconds on the clock. You have to get a shot up fast in that situation, even a bad one.

[itzsoweezee]

3 crap quarters and finish it off in the 4th, again. Wtf is going on?

[kjhip1]

Seriously though, Vassell and Keldon should be highly chastised for poor shot selection with Victor on the floor. Don't ever take a contested shot when Victor is on the floor you dumbasses.

Even on the game winning shot, I thought the clear move was to dish it to Welby. I would've been highly upset if Keldon missed that contested layup.

Yeah Vassell’s fadeaways had me yelling at my tv. Should have cost us the game, but they didn’t quit. Take the W, come back Thursday and do it again.

[SayNoToDrugsTBH]

Lmfao Barkley asking Victor how to say Churro in French :lmao

:lol

[spurs10]

Just a killer close. Glad Wemby got to ^$##^ing come back!

[DAF86]

We won but so many things to fix:

-First, the obvious things those of us who aren't deep inside Pop's ass knew from the beggining: Sochan isn't a PG and Wemby needs to get touches closer to the basket.

-Pop's rotation don't make any sense. Wemby plays 4 minutes in the 3rd, starts the 4th, gets benched and doesn't come back untill 2 minutes left. Keldon played an awesome 3rd quarter, his reward? Not getting back into the action untill 5 minutes remaining in the game.

-Keldon and Vassell's hero ball to end the game was horrendous.

-lol our worst defender in the floor (Keldon) guarding Durant at the end. I don't care about the steal, that's some flukey shit that won't happen again.

[$pursDynasty]

Lol. What did I just see! This was a heist, a robbery!

Might be my favorite Spurs Sun's game since the hip check. You know they despise the Spurs.

[CGD]

Closing the game with what should be the starting lineup. Tre Sochan Vassel Keldon Victor

It’s the best line up, and I expect it to be the closer most close games. Just need to protect victor for a few years first

[CorrectCrusader]

Spurs were lucky suns were missing top players

Yeah and we have no good players so they still should've won

[Kawhi Duncan]

Lineups were fantastic down the stretch. Cannot believe what just happened

That's what happens when an actual competent PG is on the floor

[Degoat]

Spurs gotta start games better and it starts with Wemby getting quality touches. I do think something outside of basketball is bothering Sochan doesn’t seem engaged

[Arcadian]

Churros are a garbage dessert, tbh. I'm not Mexican, but I've never not been disappointed when I ordered churros.

[$pursDynasty]

Dang Spurs, Clippers game had me thinking leave League Pass alone till All-Star game. After this game I am second guessing myself and wanting it

[Spurs Homer]

I am noticing a trend….

i saw it at golden state, at houston, against dallas and now at phoenix….

the body language of the opponents when victor does something stupidly unbelievable; a blocked shot from far away….a circus shot, a steal and a put back….and


the opponents get that look…that little worm that affects their confidence…
slumped shoulders, deer in headlights look….

the wemby effect

even though spurs looked like shit- they stayed the course

[rascal]

Yeah and we have no good players so they still should've won

Both Spur wins are lucky wins. One point win against a undermanned team and an overtime win against another bottom level team. Spurs have played poorly overall so far this season and have caught a couple lucky breaks.

[$pursDynasty]

Spurs gotta start games better and it starts with Wemby getting quality touches. I do think something outside of basketball is bothering Sochan doesn’t seem engaged
They start slow because the Sochan at pg gives us no offensive flow.

[Trill Clinton]

Churros are a garbage dessert, tbh. I'm not Mexican, but I've never not been disappointed when I ordered churros.

I thought so too till I was in Miami and had dulce de leche filled churros. Can't find em here in Texas.

[Cry Havoc]

Man many of ya'll need to have more patience as a fanbase lol. Would you look at that.

Bruh in years we won the title there were people who wanted to jump ship.

In 2014 we took a regular season loss to the knicks and there were people who wanted to blow the entire team up en masse here.

[Ef-man]

33-19 in fourth quarter. wow

[rascal]

Spurs need that top 5 pick to get that needed all star prospect pg.

[Marcus Bryant]

Both DRob and TD entered the league in different situations than Wemby.

TD joined a 50+ win playoff team from the start.

Trader Bob Bass surrounded DRob with talent once he left the Navy.

This year is going to be different but tonight was enjoyable.

[PhantomDashCam]

Both Spur wins are lucky wins. One point win against a undermanned team and an overtime win against another bottom level team. Spurs have played poorly overall so far this season and have caught a couple lucky breaks.

They may not be world beaters but they’ve been in 3 of the 4 games thus far. That deserves some credit.

[HankChinaski]

2nd Half spurs on the floor finally got back to some ball movement and a mid range game to get some rhythm(Tre Jones really had a lot to do with that and should be in the starting lineup). That first half just felt like they were just chucking threes only.

They grinded it out and came out of with a lucky W.

Phoenix just took a nap and thought they would sleep walk the rest of the way out.

I agree with the earlier poster they need to create some plays that get Wemby closer with the ball in the paint.

Regardless it was definitely a fun game to sit through and watch. Glad I was able to watch from beginning to end

[Arcadian]

Slenderman with the win on Halloween ☠️

[BatManu20]

Spurs need that top 5 pick to get that needed all star prospect pg.

Agreed. Isaiah Collier or Stephon Castle would be a godsend tbh. Not sure we’ll lose enough games to get either though.

[barakz21]

Fuck yes!!! Glad we got the W, but with the way they were playing in the 4th I would still have taken it as a win if they ended up losing. Definitely better getting that dub though!

[TimmehC]

Imagine being a Sons fan. :lol

[poopbox]

The put back where Wemby takes off running for it and everyone else just stands around...put that one in a time capsule

[thiste]

Easy win. We beat the Suns playing only one quarter.

[CGD]

I agree with Chuck, Devin has a tendency to take some really bad/hard shots. They need to figure out how to give him more space to work at the elbow ala DDR since he has developed some good footwork there.

[spurs1990]

Brian Anderson with the emphatic YES when Johnson won the game. He’s got that Spurs schooling roots still in him

[cd98]

Spurs still experimenting. I still struggle to see how this isn't the worst team in the NBA. But fun to watch the young guys grow and figure it out little by little. Yes, parts of this game were ugly, but I respect that unlike against the Clippers, the Spurs did not give up when they got down big. And while the Suns choked after getting a big lead and took their foot off the pedal, it still took the Spurs making big plays. And people are dissing on Vassell, but he made some incredible shots in the 4th quarter that kept the Spurs in it so that a few big plays that landed their way could help them steal the game.

[widowmaker]

Mr Big Body is our bully, doing what bullies do, when not getting crossed over by one of the best to ever score, no shame in that

Shoot ain’t wrong with that not complaining at all just surprised that they let them play it out.

[Russo21]

How the hell did that happen :clap

[Fizziksman]

Might be my favorite Spurs Sun's game since the hip check. You know they despise the Spurs.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhXNhDmW86o

[JeffDuncan]

I guess people saw Wemby hopping around like a delighted little kid who just got his favorite toy for Christmas. He has a wonderful personality.

Go Spurs Go!!

[rascal]

Agreed. Isaiah Collier or Stephon Castle would be a godsend tbh. Not sure we’ll lose enough games to get either though.

They better lose enough games. A top 5 pg puts them on another level next year.

[hoopdreams11]

Lol phx had this game circled as win with two of their stars out. Hope Malaki wakes up, Pop's got him on a short leash.

[John B]

Both Spur wins are lucky wins. One point win against a undermanned team and an overtime win against another bottom level team. Spurs have played poorly overall so far this season and have caught a couple lucky breaks.

33-19 in the 4th quarter. Give the guys a little break. They could’ve just folded.

[thiste]

Also Wemby's the best shot blocker in the NBA bar none, I don't want to hear it. The influence he has on the other team's offense should defo put him in the discussion for DPOY.

[couchman]

The small lineup (without Wemby) played great and got us back in the game.
Keldon and Vassell really stepped up.
osman continues to be strong.
Tre needs to start.

When Wemby came in late we had offensive flow and momentum so Wemby could help by mostly doing big man things I stead of playing like a wing.

Sochan actually played great D on KD.
You don’t stop Durant, but Sochan slowed him just enough.
Keldon has competed well on D all season, despite his limitations.

What an improbable win!

[John B]

I agree with Chuck, Devin has a tendency to take some really bad/hard shots. They need to figure out how to give him more space to work at the elbow ala DDR since he has developed some good footwork there.

Franchise players make those ugly shots. I’m not saying Vassell is one, but he’ll get there if he has the balls to keep taking them.

[cd98]

I guess people saw Wemby hopping around like a delighted little kid who just got his favorite toy for Christmas. He has a wonderful personality.

Go Spurs Go!!

I agree. It is nice to see one of our stars have a strong personality and get pumped. Tim rarely did. Same with Parker. Manu was the only one that played with fire and outward emotion.

[timtonymanu]

I don’t care if it was a win they didn’t deserve.

:lol Suns
:lol 0 and forever
:lol best player is a beta male
:lol suns fans still crying about 2007

[Mr. Body]

Get them again on Wednesday. Let's see what store bought Suns are made of.

[Mr. Body]

Get them again on Wednesday. Let's see what store bought Suns are made of.

I mean Thursday.

[RC_Drunkford]

I agree with Chuck, Devin has a tendency to take some really bad/hard shots. They need to figure out how to give him more space to work at the elbow ala DDR since he has developed some good footwork there.

It was mainly cause Wemby couldn’t set a proper screen

[rascal]

33-19 in the 4th quarter. Give the guys a little break. They could’ve just folded.

They aren’t going to fold. They didn’t fold last game either. They just got beat by a much better team.

[Marcus Bryant]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhXNhDmW86o


Still crazy how Robert Horry is part of Spurs playoff history, in a good way. Ditto for Kersey and Elie.

[Chinook]

We won but so many things to fix:

-First, the obvious things those of us who aren't deep inside Pop's ass knew from the beggining: Sochan isn't a PG and Wemby needs to get touches closer to the basket.

I agree with this. Wemby can get that mid-post jumper any time he wants if the Spurs make pin-downs a part of the offense. It would be so free. I do think Wemby resists taking "big man" shots that aren't dunks, but that should basically be the Spurs version of "God's Play". Sochan isn't a PG and shouldn't be starting there. Finding a quality PG or at least trying Graham there should be a high priority going forward.


-Pop's rotation don't make any sense. Wemby plays 4 minutes in the 3rd, starts the 4th, gets benched and doesn't come back untill 2 minutes left. Keldon played an awesome 3rd quarter, his reward? Not getting back into the action untill 5 minutes remaining in the game.

It's hard to see how he can do it differently. If Wemby can only play in short stints and needs a certain amount of time to recover, then this is basically the rotation you get. The only element of complaint could be that he played too long to start the fourth. I think Pop assumed Wemby was playing his last stint but saw the game was still winnable and had to sneak in some rest for him. Hopefully in a year or two, Wemby will be able to play through the quarter in games like this. There was no way he was going to do it tonight though.


-Keldon and Vassell's hero ball to end the game was horrendous.

Someone has to take those shots, and both of those guys were told for years it was their jobs. Vassell's shot was on a broken play because Wemby isn't good at setting screens (which is why Sochan should've done it but whatever). The Spurs just lack a guy who's going to close a game from the perimeter. They used to have a few, but I don't know that anyone on the team has a chance to do that. Maybe Branham if everything goes right?


-lol our worst defender in the floor (Keldon) guarding Durant at the end. I don't care about the steal, that's some flukey shit that won't happen again.

A couple of things. 1) Keldon on KD made sense, because they knew they were going to help no matter what. If know you're going to send help, you can tell the main defender to just hold a little bit of ground. If put your best defender on him, you're still doubling, but now you've taken out your ace and leave your worse guys scrambling to stop the other guys. 2) Jones and Keldon were great at swarming on that last play. Chuck was talking about KD passing, but Tre jumped into the passing lane right before Keldon came back into the picture. I can't imagine anyone playing defense on the inbound better.

[RC_Drunkford]

Like I been saying: everytime Wemby plays Center we go on a run

[Budkin]

Holy shit I just saw the ending.. delayed. GSG!

[EricB]

Like I been saying: everytime Wemby plays Center we go on a run


works when the other team has no one good over 6’10 outside Durant

[Chinook]

It was mainly cause Wemby couldn’t set a proper screen

It's probably something he'll never be good at, given his body shape. Unless that play was supposed to specifically get Wemby the ball, I have no idea why he was in it. BaselineBum was very upset about Wemby not being part of a lot of the actions in the first half. This is why. If guys were running anything to do with a screen, Wemby would do more harm than good right now. He'd do more for them as the dunker or weakside shooter than being on the strong side.

[Mr. Body]

Durant always struggles more against stronger, stouter defenders. Having Keldon on him isn't a bad change of pace.

Wemby needs to get moved around and they need to fucking get the ball up there. Still treating him like he's 6'8".

I hope they, like, eventually develop plays for Victor. And not just inbounds from the baseline.

Need to start these games better. PHX was shooting extremely well.

[EricB]

Both Spur wins are lucky wins. One point win against a undermanned team and an overtime win against another bottom level team. Spurs have played poorly overall so far this season and have caught a couple lucky breaks.


lol lucky.

they won that game tonight shut the fuck up.

they kicked the sun’s ass in the 4th quarter offensively and defensively.


fuck out of here lucky. Bozo

[EricB]

Durant always struggles more against stronger, stouter defenders. Having Keldon on him isn't a bad change of pace.

Wemby needs to get moved around and they need to fucking get the ball up there. Still treating him like he's 6'8".

I hope they, like, eventually develop plays for Victor. And not just inbounds from the baseline.

Need to start these games better. PHX was shooting extremely well.


I dare Grayson Allen to pull another game like that out of his ass Thursday.

[FkLA]

Churros are a garbage dessert, tbh. I'm not Mexican, but I've never not been disappointed when I ordered churros.

Someone tell Chuck about tres leches cake so he can start a new schtick, tbh.

[spurraider21]

It was mainly cause Wemby couldn’t set a proper screen
not only does he slip every screen, but he often does so prematurely

[John B]

They aren’t going to fold. They didn’t fold last game either. They just got beat by a much better team.

Nah last game everybody just pretty much gave up once Clips took the game early in the 3rd. I’m glad they got beaten miserably last Clips game. Hopefully that game had them working harder, and this win shows they could win if they stick in there and play hard

[DAF86]

It's hard to see how he can do it differently. If Wemby can only play in short stints and needs a certain amount of time to recover, then this is basically the rotation you get. The only element of complaint could be that he played too long to start the fourth. I think Pop assumed Wemby was playing his last stint but saw the game was still winnable and had to sneak in some rest for him. Hopefully in a year or two, Wemby will be able to play through the quarter in games like this. There was no way he was going to do it tonight though.

Just because Pop opted for this rotation pattern for Wemby, it doesn't mean the kid can't handle longer stints. He was playing 35 out of 40 minutes just a couple of months ago in much more pressure packed games.


Someone has to take those shots, and both of those guys were told for years it was their jobs. Vassell's shot was on a broken play because Wemby isn't good at setting screens (which is why Sochan should've done it but whatever). The Spurs just lack a guy who's going to close a game from the perimeter. They used to have a few, but I don't know that anyone on the team has a chance to do that. Maybe Branham if everything goes right?

First, who says it has to be perimeter players taking those possessions? Just give the ball to Wemby in the post like at the end of the Rockets game. You can also try by actually running a play with some more screens and ball movement. I don't see why everything has to be isolation.


A couple of things. 1) Keldon on KD made sense, because they knew they were going to help no matter what. If know you're going to send help, you can tell the main defender to just hold a little bit of ground. If put your best defender on him, you're still doubling, but now you've taken out your ace and leave your worse guys scrambling to stop the other guys. 2) Jones and Keldon were great at swarming on that last play. Chuck was talking about KD passing, but Tre jumped into the passing lane right before Keldon came back into the picture. I can't imagine anyone playing defense on the inbound better.

Help defense doesn't matter if the main defender can't stay reasonably in front of the offensive player, and that's more likely to happen when you put your worst defender guarding one of the greatest scorers of all time in crunch time.

And yeah, that was a heads up play by Tre and Keldon on that last steal, but that's an unforced error by the Suns. Vogel should have called timeout and advance the ball. Then KD could have called timeout. They have multiple options to prevent what ended up happening.

[heyheymymy]

lol Spurs came back to win by 1 from 20 points down

[spurs10]

Hip check, Tim 3 ptr, and the Steal!

[thiste]

Suns led for 47:58.8 :lol

[Arcadian]

Victor blocking 3-pointers is so valuable. It's an instant fast break starter. Now if only his teammates could actually find him on the break.

[Mugen]

:lmao

[spurraider21]

:lmao
raiders fired McDaniels and Ziegler too

what a night

[Chinook]

Just because Pop opted for this rotation pattern for Wemby, it doesn't mean the kid can't handle longer stints. He was playing 35 out of 40 minutes just a couple of months ago in much more pressure packed games.

Maybe you haven't seen what he looks like at the end of his stints, but it's pretty clear why he's coming out. Victor himself has mentioned that the pace of the NBA is different, and he still plays an exhausting brand of basketball. I have no idea if his minutes in Europe looked different, but I wouldn't be surprised. Pop to my knowledge has never played a guy on a five-minute rotation before. I do not believe it's merely his decision to do it this time.


First, who says it has to be perimeter players taking those possessions? Just give the ball to Wemby in the post like at the end of the Rockets game. You can also try by actually running a play with some more screens and ball movement. I don't see why everything has to be isolation.

You can't iso in the post in the same way as you can on the perimeter. You can run a play at the end of a game to get the guy the ball in the post, but you can't put it in his hands with 15 seconds left and have him run the clock down to take the last shot. Yes, the Spurs should be running plays to get Wemby post shots. I don't think a single person disagrees on this board. Why they aren't doing it is a mystery, and it probably isn't just that Pop doesn't want to. He's had multple post stars in his years. He certainly knows how to run plays in that area.


Help defense doesn't matter if the main defender can't stay reasonably in front of the offensive player, and that's more likely to happen when you put your worst defender guarding one of the greatest scorers of all time in crunch time.

Defense doesn't really work the way you're describing. Help isn't just a generic guy running out to "defend more". It's a player coming from a predictable (to the main defender) angle while the main defender gets a narrow defensive assignment. It's like in the NFL how a corner having safety help means the safety is going to take one "side" of the receiver's possible path so the corner can just focus on the other side. If you're going to put safety help on a guy every play, you don't put your best corner there too because he'd be wasted, and the worse corner who doesn't get safety help becomes a liability. If Pop tells Keldon "Okay, you're job is to just not let Durant go baseline on you", then Keldon should be able to sit on that area and give KD a path toward the midline, into the help. If instead you have better defender there, you're still telling that defender to take away baseline, but now you have Keldon trying to stop KD on the move, which is the scenario you're afraid of.

All things considered, I thought Keldon did a fine job tonight. He's had a pretty good season so far, and folks are hating on him more than he deserves.

[ace3g]

Victor blocking 3-pointers is so valuable. It's an instant fast break starter. Now if only his teammates could actually find him on the break.

Yep, I've only seen like 2 players make a 3 against his closeout/contest.

[heyheymymy]

How about that play in the 4th where Victor closed out Allen I think it was on the corner 3, Greyson took it to the rim and Victor didn't even have to recover and his long arm just reached out and blocked the attempt

Vic can afford to over commit on that perimeter close out and still recover if the opponent drives past. Allen looked like he was caught surprised by the reach length.

[Arcadian]

Victor made #1 on the SportsCenter top 10 plays tonight with his left handed "dunk" (even though he really just dropped the ball into the net).

I didn't watch SC last Friday, but I'm guessing his reverse dunk was high on the list as well.

Even during the dynasty, I don't think the Spurs made SportsCenter this often :lol

[ace3g]

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


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC4uV5xlWqU


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

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxnao1BL4QM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-3_oaiFmtM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seHpNJcL9p8

[ismael-robert]

Booker n Beal will play next game n put us back to losing by 40

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cUtpiDwU0s


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N11F5PeeJpI

[buttsR4rebounding]

Agreed. Isaiah Collier or Stephon Castle would be a godsend tbh. Not sure we’ll lose enough games to get either though.

Topic looking like the best PG prospect right now.

[heyheymymy]

Victor made #1 on the SportsCenter top 10 plays tonight with his left handed "dunk" (even though he really just dropped the ball into the net).

I didn't watch SC last Friday, but I'm guessing his reverse dunk was high on the list as well.

Even during the dynasty, I don't think the Spurs made SportsCenter this often :lol

One of the two skeletons on TNT set tonight was wearing a #1 Spurs jersey. TNT would never feature SA without Wemby hype. The other jersey was a #34 Lakers iirc.

Wemby forces the Spurs to get some media darling treatment and it's a shock to see happening.

[Fireball]

Nice win.

Going through this thread is pure gold again. Resembles all my emotions ... yes I also jumped ship after the first two baskets of the Suns :lol

[Arcadian]

https://youtu.be/SAqR_C1nWaE?si=6PkhUUKCmjwwtPrC

Interesting how at 2:40 Victor says "his teammates look for him" and "they make him a problem the way they set up the plays for him" (referring to Durant).

It's almost as if he's implying his own teammates aren't doing that enough :lol

[Mal]

Booker n Beal will play next game n put us back to losing by 40

So 1W and 1L against the Suns

[Brazil]

Typical wemby game… in France we used to call him the diesel because he always start slow. He started this game 0/5 and finished 6/12 :lol

btw that’s a tip for game thread before lashing out on a Victor bad game, just wait a bit :lol

[playbonner15]

I agree with Chuck, Devin has a tendency to take some really bad/hard shots. They need to figure out how to give him more space to work at the elbow ala DDR since he has developed some good footwork there.
Need a good pg to setup plays, or else it's gonna be iso hero ball with a little bit of screen and roll. Pop's missing a Tony and Manu

[dbestpro]

This game is convincing that Tre Jones should start and is the best PG we have.

[Spurs Homer]

This game is convincing that Tre Jones should start and is the best PG we have.


or…

that the reason tre jones looks better is because now he plays against bench players…

start him again and you will bitch that he should come off the bench…

[Spurs Homer]

Im giving pop the benefit of the doubt…

sure, everyone is losing their minds because they want to see the spurs play TRADITIONAL ball and i get it…
but pop is looking ahead and he already committed to allowing wemby to freelance and study him and see what he does and what makes him comfortable - FIRST

and then after 10-20-30 games pop will have ideas about what is possible in this new age style with the nba’s unicorn

or

worst case scenario- IT FAILS

and pop can then have a youngster who realizes he needs the coaches help and is ready for a traditional system instead of just freelancing

but geez you guys are nervous whiny wrecks- just chill

it will be awesome if it ends up working

[CGD]

Franchise players make those ugly shots. I’m not saying Vassell is one, but he’ll get there if he has the balls to keep taking them.

Still, some better PnR action with Wemby would help those guys a lot.

[Ice009]

https://youtu.be/SAqR_C1nWaE?si=6PkhUUKCmjwwtPrC

Interesting how at 2:40 Victor says "his teammates look for him" and "they make him a problem the way they set up the plays for him" (referring to Durant).

It's almost as if he's implying his own teammates aren't doing that enough :lol

Very interesting that he would say that. Not sure if it's a shot, but even if it's not, it's true. His teammates don't look for him and set him up. Having said that, he needs to set much better screens, be more careful with him passes and try and cut his turnovers down a bit.

[tbdog]

Wemby screen setting would be like a 25 in 2k. He almost can't screen. Also I notice he shoots better in the move off a catch a shoot than a stand still pop.

[John B]

Very interesting that he would say that. Not sure if it's a shot, but even if it's not, it's true. His teammates don't look for him and set him up. Having said that, he needs to set much better screens, be more careful with him passes and try and cut his turnovers down a bit.

To me that’s a general answer that all players say when asked how they are able to score, “my team were able to find me.” Nothing to see there.

I think Pop will try to get him more looks and touches. I think Pop was trying to bring him out slowly to deflect unnecessary pressure on Wemby. But I think the kid not only can handle the pressure, but relishes them. Slowly Pop will lean on him more as the season progresses. Again I trust Pop judgement on this than anyone here in ST, unless anybody here can show 5 championship rings.

[cjw]

Spurs need that top 5 pick to get that needed all star prospect pg.

They absolutely should be treating this as a developmental year (as they are, evidenced by less minutes being spent on vets, and trying to develop Sochan’s game - don’t think he’s long term PG but they want to develop it to broaden him out).

They’ll have enough fodder pieces to trade up a few spots in the draft as needed too. Jones is fine as a second unit PG, and ideally they land someone who can play with Jones too in spots.

[ceperez]

Development year folks!!!!

I want to see experimentation rather than trying to tweak a product we don't know nothing about!!!

[Mugen]

raiders fired McDaniels and Ziegler too

what a night

:lol Mark firing those clowns at 10pm on Halloween

[DAF86]

Maybe you haven't seen what he looks like at the end of his stints, but it's pretty clear why he's coming out. Victor himself has mentioned that the pace of the NBA is different, and he still plays an exhausting brand of basketball. I have no idea if his minutes in Europe looked different, but I wouldn't be surprised. Pop to my knowledge has never played a guy on a five-minute rotation before. I do not believe it's merely his decision to do it this time.

He's playing Victor the same way he used to play Manu when he started. First half of the 1st Q, then in again before it ends, start the 2nd, out in the middle and back in before the end of the half. 6/7 minutes stints.


Defense doesn't really work the way you're describing. Help isn't just a generic guy running out to "defend more". It's a player coming from a predictable (to the main defender) angle while the main defender gets a narrow defensive assignment. It's like in the NFL how a corner having safety help means the safety is going to take one "side" of the receiver's possible path so the corner can just focus on the other side. If you're going to put safety help on a guy every play, you don't put your best corner there too because he'd be wasted, and the worse corner who doesn't get safety help becomes a liability. If Pop tells Keldon "Okay, you're job is to just not let Durant go baseline on you", then Keldon should be able to sit on that area and give KD a path toward the midline, into the help. If instead you have better defender there, you're still telling that defender to take away baseline, but now you have Keldon trying to stop KD on the move, which is the scenario you're afraid of.

All things considered, I thought Keldon did a fine job tonight. He's had a pretty good season so far, and folks are hating on him more than he deserves.

He did an awful job on that KD dunk, but it's not his fault, he shouldn't have been put on that situation. Literally every other Spur that was on the court at that moment was better suited to guard Durant, even Tre. If what you are saying was really a tactic, why don't more NBA coaches put their worst defender on the other's team best player more often? It doesn't happen, because it's a stupid thing to do. Pop didn't used to have Brent Barry on Kobe, while Bowen was on the weakside watching the play.

[Mugen]

Where my grades at timvp?

Devin's game is silky smooth tbh. Flashes tonight of elite level scoring and he was active in the passing lanes as well. Wemby needs to set better screens and Devin needs to do a better job of finding Wemby but there's something special there if they can learn the 2man game.

[spurraider21]

:lol Mark firing those clowns at 10pm on Halloween
I wanted the overhead projector tbh

[Mugen]

I wanted the overhead projector tbh

:lol

Senile Al was unable to give a single fuck by that time

[gameFACE]

The whole Keldon sequence from the steal to Okogie (sp) playing good defense and the shot falling in was f-in' fire!

[couchman]

Can we talk a little more about Keldon?
The guy carried this team with passion and fire and hustle and even some decent defense when everything else was looking terrible all around him

[Mr. Body]

Can we talk a little more about Keldon?
The guy carried this team with passion and fire and hustle and even some decent defense when everything else was looking terrible all around him

I feel like the team has the massive yips right now other than him and Devin. Keldon was just letting fly.

[rjv]

:lmao

Glad not watching the game niglets :lol

the earlier posts of this thread didn't age well. a microcosm of the "sky is falling mentality" of ST. nothing sums it more than Hater being wrong once again with another one of his apocalyptic takes.

[RC_Drunkford]

I think it's obvious the team is underperforming by a lot. Hope that changes soon

[onechance87]

I think it's obvious the team is underperforming by a lot. Hope that changes soon

damn turnovers and rebounding killing us...luckly we cleaned it up in the second half in this game

[rjv]

pop said it best at the end of the game-basketball is a game of mistakes and the spurs made a "gazillion' of them but hung in there. suns made their fair share of dumb mistakes too.

[spursparker9]

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

[tim_duncan_fan]

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


He puts the ball on the floor and he gets to the rim.

He doesn't though, just yet.

[Arcadian]

To me that’s a general answer that all players say when asked how they are able to score, “my team were able to find me.” Nothing to see there.

But it's not typically what you'd say about another player who you're complimenting. Typically you say "that guy is just too good" or something directly about the player, not "his teammates look for him and set him up properly."

I don't think it was a "shot" at anyone, but I think his answer indicates that Victor wishes his team flowed like the Suns do.

[Arcadian]

I really like how Victor answers media questions in general. He gives his honest thoughts, not just "corporate sponsored" answers. He pauses and thinks before answering. He might search for the least offensive way of saying it, but he says what he really thinks.

A few days ago he was asked, "How cool is it to see NBA stars on the court?" And he was like, "They are my opponents first and foremost" (paraphrasing). Fuck yeah, that's what I'm talking about! Fuck all this friendly shit where NBA stars are all best buddies with each other.

[Chinook]

He's playing Victor the same way he used to play Manu when he started. First half of the 1st Q, then in again before it ends, start the 2nd, out in the middle and back in before the end of the half. 6/7 minutes stints.

A lot of starters play that way, but they aren't being taken out after just five minutes. In a more normal rotation, Pop would probably play Wemby the first eight minutes, then sit him until the eight-minute mark of the second. He's trying to similar minutes but in more frequent, shorter stints. But the more stints you have, the easier it to get stuck on the bench. I imagine Pop's aiming at 30 minutes for Wemby in three five-minute stints a half, but the time is getting away from him.


He did an awful job on that KD dunk, but it's not his fault, he shouldn't have been put on that situation.

It's important to understand that that is Keldon's fault. He had the assignment of sitting on Durant's left side and shifted his weight KD's right side trying to anticipate a move. Wemby was already waiting to collapse, but because Keldon did not do his assignment, Durant was able to run away from both of them and get an open dunk. It' would be like if a corner who has safety help over the top got driven deep by the WR who then hit him with a comeback to the ball. That corner was supposed to sit on the comeback, because he had a guy already waiting for anything deep, but he made a bad decision and it led to a completion.


If what you are saying was really a tactic, why don't more NBA coaches put their worst defender on the other's team best player more often?

You don't usually see situation where it's one guy and a bunch of role-players. Most modern schemes aren't going to commit help that completely. It is the way Pop defender Lebron, though, especially when Kawhi sat. That's why Diaw on James "worked" in 2013. It was basically Boris and Tim defending him. In 2014, it didn't work because James didn't let Diaw shade him into the help.

Using terms like, "best" and "worst" is sort of antiquated. Team's don't usually line up guys like was customary in 2014. As you've pointed out before, the game is much more switch and help oriented. Pop is using a more old-school scheme here due to the lack of threats on the court. I don't think he'll use the same scheme the the Suns have their other stars back tomorrow.

[DAF86]

A lot of starters play that way, but they aren't being taken out after just five minutes. In a more normal rotation, Pop would probably play Wemby the first eight minutes, then sit him until the eight-minute mark of the second. He's trying to similar minutes but in more frequent, shorter stints. But the more stints you have, the easier it to get stuck on the bench. I imagine Pop's aiming at 30 minutes for Wemby in three five-minute stints a half, but the time is getting away from him.

If Pop was really playing Wemby on 5 minutes stints every game, Wemby wouldn't be averaging 28 minutes per game. I don't know where are you getting these "shorter, more frequent stints". Wemby is only getting subbed and being put back in the game once per quarter. Exactly the same way it was done with Manu when he started.


It's important to understand that that is Keldon's fault.

I know and that's exactly my point. :lol Lesser defenders tend to make these kind of mistakes and get burned more commonly, that's exactly why it's dumb to put your worst defender on the other's team go to guy, no matter what your overall team defense strategy is.