Game Thread: San Antonio Spurs (5-26) at Boston Celtics (25-6) December 31, 2023 | 6 PM CT

[John B]

Spurs Injuries: Charles Bassey – Out (left knee,) Dominick Barlow – Questionable (G League,) Zach Collins – Out (right ankle,) David Duke Jr. – Out (G League,) Devonte’ Graham – Probable (illness)

Celtics Injuries: JD Davison – Out (G League,) Jrue Holiday – Questionable (right elbow,) Drew Peterson – Out (G League,) Jordan Walsh – Out (G League)


Go Spurs Go! Happy new year to all!!!

This should be a home game. But I can’t edit the subject :reading:lol

[rascal]

Under or over a 25 point loss?

[Pauleta14]

Keldon questionable (lower back spasm) Siddy called bck from Austin

[John B]

Celtics had an OT win over Detroit, and had a close game against Raptors. Let’s see how the Spurs fare up.

[John B]

Sorry this should be a home game. I don’t know how to change on the subject.

[rascal]

Spurs seem to play really bad on Sundays it seems.

[LeBowen]

Wait...if Collins is out, why is Barlow questionable with G-league? As in he got injured there or...?

Tbh, Spurs chances increase with Collins not playing.

Should be a solid 20 points loss.

[scott]

This one could test the theoretical limits of how bad a loss can be. Quantum Basketball.

[spurs10]

Maybe the scoreboard will just explode at some point from too much overuse.

Goodbye 2023!

[Barfunk]

Let's try and get the W!

[GB20]

Go spurs go!! Let’s close 2023 with a win.

[r0drig0lac]

c's by 100 tbh

[scott]

Some interesting tidbits from the Celtics pre-game show (only the Celtics' feed is available on League Pass for some reason):

Lots of positive chatter about Wemby. The Celtics reporter went to Spurs shoot around and spoke to some players about Wemby, she said a lot of them talked about what a great teammate Wemby is, the kind of guy who rallies around the team, apologizes for taking bad shots, etc.

[exstatic]

Some interesting tidbits from the Celtics pre-game show (only the Celtics' feed is available on League Pass for some reason):

Lots of positive chatter about Wemby. The Celtics reporter went to Spurs shoot around and spoke to some players about Wemby, she said a lot of them talked about what a great teammate Wemby is, the kind of guy who rallies around the team, apologizes for taking bad shots, etc.

No, that can’t be right. He’s a disgruntled employee, angry at his teammates, who will bolt at the first opportunity.

[John B]

No, that can’t be right. He’s a disgruntled employee, angry at his teammates, who will bolt at the first opportunity.

Exactly! Wemby is all about himself and a losing record would affect his legacy. What do TP and Bobo know? It’s plain luck that the Big 3 had long hofer careers and nothing to do with resting their players than succumbing to media and pundits who know more.

[CorrectCrusader]

Some interesting tidbits from the Celtics pre-game show (only the Celtics' feed is available on League Pass for some reason):

Lots of positive chatter about Wemby. The Celtics reporter went to Spurs shoot around and spoke to some players about Wemby, she said a lot of them talked about what a great teammate Wemby is, the kind of guy who rallies around the team, apologizes for taking bad shots, etc.

Wemby has a high IQ, he's a good person. Couldn't be happier to get this kid.

[FkLA]

Give DWhite a standing ovation, tbh.

:worthy:

[CorrectCrusader]

Give DWhite a standing ovation, tbh.

:worthy:

I will never forget the Denver playoff game I went to when he went off. Love Dwhite

[kxs783kms]

Wrong thread.

[spurs10]

:flag:

[RC_Drunkford]

Keldon is out. Pop is saying Cissoko will get some minutes. Celtics by 30

[RC_Drunkford]

with how great we are defending the 3 the Celtics might set a new franchise record

[scott]

Later in the pregame show, Celtics announcers wondering aloud if the Spurs are actually what's best for Wemby, questioning the team they've put around him in his rookie year. Go figure.

[exstatic]

gsg

[baseline bum]

This one could test the theoretical limits of how bad a loss can be. Quantum Basketball.

Ain't no uncertainty principle about this game

[jjspur]

Some posters have said celtics by 30, and I agree, but its probably closer to 40 especially if Pop throws out some funky lineups or sits Wemby. Some records may be broken tonight. It isn't going to be pretty.

[r0drig0lac]

DW killing us

[baseline bum]

ROFL Boston just attacking Branham's tired ass every trip down the floor

[baseline bum]

DW killing us

Whoever Branham guards is going to murder this team

[Spurs Brazil]

Celtics just going at Malaki. His defense is atrocious

[baseline bum]

Celtics just going at Malaki. His defense is atrocious

The man he's guarding shoots 57% against him. It's like Branham is guarding 99-00 Shaq every night.

[NASpurs]

This team is embarrassing :lol

[LeBowen]

Jeremy's NBA career sinking without a trace. Blocked on consecutive attempts by Luke fucking Kornet.

[Degoat]

I can’t tell do we have Barlow on the bench? If Wemby and Mamu are our only bigs the league needs to investigate the spurs lol

[Spurs Brazil]

The usual suspects killing us: Sochan and Malaki. How Wright draft two guys that are so bad

[GB20]

Every time when Victor goes to the bench, the other team makes a big run.

[NASpurs]

White loves to throw lobs...

Could've helped us :lol

[Russ]

The usual suspects killing us: Sochan and Malaki. How Wright draft two guys that are so bad

They'll both have solid NBA careers.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Time management sucks, Celtics 3 starters still in at the 4 minute mark and 1 starter in for the Spurs.

[rascal]

Time management sucks, Celtics 3 starters still in at the 4 minute mark and 1 starter in for the Spurs.

Only one team is trying to win.

[Pauleta14]

Great shooting % but ZERO boards and no presence inside on offense for Wemby

[scott]

Zero rebounds from Victor in the first half, that's surprises me.

[LeBowen]

Gave up only 65 in the half, setting new standards, tbh.

[SPURt]

Wouldn’t mind a few more Wesley minutes

[paperboy77]

Poor Wemby forced to play reduced minutes. Wemby or not Boston far superior in everyway but it's sux grampaw Pop doesn't understand a 19 yr old has infinite energy.

[objective]

Traded White for Wesley,. a swap that may never happen, and a bunch of Wieskamp seconds.

Very few appreciated him when he was here, most of all the Spurs. From refusing to play him as a rookie when it was clear to anyone watching that he was at worst their 4th best guard if not already their 3rd, from benching him against the nuggets when he was the whole reason they made the playoffs and made it a series ... From naming Dejounte the starter without having to earn it ... Then limiting his minutes to under 24 a game because ??? I guess they didn't want him to play at 2 or 3 ... To trading him for crumbs.

Meanwhile Pop was in love with Dejounte who couldn't wait to stick the dagger in and dump all over the franchise, while simple, humble, loyal Derrick was unwanted and doesn't act like Dejounte.

Lol :pop

[emanueldavidginobili]

This team might have 0 wins without Wemby lmao.

[Mr. Body]

Derrick White is 29 years old. Can complain about the trade but he's not anywhere near this timeline.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Traded White for Wesley,. a swap that may never happen, and a bunch of Wieskamp seconds.

Very few appreciated him when he was here, most of all the Spurs. From refusing to play him as a rookie when it was clear to anyone watching that he was at worst their 4th best guard if not already their 3rd, from benching him against the nuggets when he was the whole reason they made the playoffs and made it a series ... From naming Dejounte the starter without having to earn it ... Then limiting his minutes to under 24 a game because ??? I guess they didn't want him to play at 2 or 3 ... To trading him for crumbs.

Meanwhile Pop was in love with Dejounte who couldn't wait to stick the dagger in and dump all over the franchise, while simple, humble, loyal Derrick was unwanted and doesn't act like Dejounte.

Lol :pop
Wouldn't have Wemby without letting go of DW and DJ tbh. But yeah love seeing DW flourish with the Celtics, he's their 4th option and averaging a career high 17 PPG, pretty crazy. Would love to see him on this team but again it wouldn't be possible. Trading DW and DJ was the best thing PATFO has done in a very long time.

[Mr. Body]

White will be 30 in July.

[LeBowen]

This third quarter shit isn't funny anymore.

[spursparker9]

Is it me or are we at Boston homecourt?

[Frenchfred]

that's when you realize the difference between the number 1 and the Spurs and the long journey there is before the Spurs can compete

[Mal]

Down 30, just like that

[Frenchfred]

Down 30, just like that

another poor 3-point shooting performance (7/28) and getting our asses kicked in the rebounding department.

[SPURt]

Embarrassing

[Spurs Brazil]

I’d give some real minutes for Wesley. He looks better on offense and he play some D.

[onechance87]

why there so many spurs fans there

[rascal]

why there so many spurs fans there

They are in San Antonio

[onechance87]

They are in San Antonio

damn im stupid...was thinking it was boston....the colors
threw me off

[Frenchfred]

man, this team needs so many players to be able to compete. The 2nd string from Boston is outscoring us.

[Spurs Brazil]

WTF with Jones? Terrible shooter and keep firing.

[Mal]

WTF with Jones? Terrible shooter and keep firing.

Kornet applied the pressure, cant blame the shooter

[Spurs Brazil]

man, this team needs so many players to be able to compete. The 2nd string from Boston is outscoring us.
It’s just Wemby and Vassel. We need 13 new players.

[baseline bum]

This team might have 0 wins without Wemby lmao.

They'd finish the season with 0 wins without Victor.

[baseline bum]

It’s just Wemby and Vassel. We need 13 new players.

And a coach and gm

[paperboy77]

that's when you realize the difference between the number 1 and the Spurs and the long journey there is before the Spurs can compete

I mean yes... but it's more we are a bad franchise right now. From top to bottom--- less Wemby.

[Frenchfred]

It’s just Wemby and Vassel. We need 13 new players.

I'm not confident that they are going to be able to put a competitive team together to surround Wemby. Even if they get the number 1 and 7 picks next year, that won't move the needle by much.

[spursparker9]

They'd finish the season with 0 wins without Victor.

Agree....lol how did this team win 22 games last season (without Victor)? :lol

[onechance87]

tre jones so bad and a average defender....Shocked we paid him 10 million a year....
should be only get a few million

[spursparker9]

Put Champaigne in please. Wanna see him partner with Barlow to form the Shaq-Kobe combo during Summer League.

[baseline bum]

Agree....lol how did this team win 22 games last season (without Victor)? :lol

They were everyone's trap game?

[spursparker9]

tre jones so bad and a average defender....Shocked we paid him 10 million a year....
should be only get a few million

10 mil a year is the previous 2 mil a year during the 90s and 00s tbh

[baseline bum]

tre jones so bad and a average defender....Shocked we paid him 10 million a year....
should be only get a few million

Jones is actually a competent defender. Only he, Vassell, and Wemby aren't in the bottom third of the league in DFG (and are actually in the top half of the league).

[BackHome]

And this is why we need to tank and get a top 5 draft picks for this year and YES even for next year...:reading

[Tyronn Lue]

"Julian and Jeremy are great players" -someone on ST

[Tyronn Lue]

Agree....lol how did this team win 22 games last season (without Victor)? :lol
Because everyone was trying to tank for Victor.

[Frenchfred]

And this is why we need to tank and get a top 5 draft picks for this year and YES even for next year...:reading

Wemby won't stick around if there is another year of this shit

[SouthernFryd]

I can watch Wemby highlights on ESPN.

Spurs are unwatchable. Anyone defending POP is drunk. Lot of them around...

[Uriel]

Celtics fans have taken over the AT&T.

[paperboy77]

Also, talk about wasting Wemby. We bench him vs Portland... totally beatable... to save him for the best team in the league 2 days later. Everything Spurs is stupid right now. Even our subs think they're better than they are. No body diving on the floor.. nothing. (Maybe except Barlow is trying.)

[Mal]

Wesley sucks, omfg

[SPURt]

Good riddance 2023

[Spurs Brazil]

It’s 2024 and we have 10 to 12 players who can’t shoot the 3 ball

[Frenchfred]

I think that if it wasn't for Wemby getting drafted, I would be done with the Spurs. I started being a fan because of Robinson and then the whole international team but now the team is just pathetic.

[Tyronn Lue]

Undefeated in 2024 yup

[Tyronn Lue]

I think that if it wasn't for Wemby getting drafted, I would be done with the Spurs. I started being a fan because of Robinson and then the whole international team but now the team is just pathetic.
Don't let the door hit you..

[Frenchfred]

Don't let the door hit you..

Not everybody is from San Antonio or has an affiliation with it. We started liking the team for different reasons and when those reasons are gone, that makes it more difficult to like it when you are not from there.

[onechance87]

Not everybody is from San Antonio or has an affiliation with it. We started liking the team for different reasons and when those reasons are gone, that makes it more difficult to like it when you are not from there.

bro this normal with a rebuilding team....Every team goes thru this eventually....We will rise again

[scott]

This one could test the theoretical limits of how bad a loss can be. Quantum Basketball.

The Popovich-Wright Particle (40 point loss) was almost achieved again, but our lads fought and defied all the experts to pull out a 33-pt loss.

[scott]

Not everybody is from San Antonio or has an affiliation with it. We started liking the team for different reasons and when those reasons are gone, that makes it more difficult to like it when you are not from there.

Appreciate your fandom, and I understand what you are saying... but (and please don't take this the wrong way) you're just not a die hard. A lot of us are from SA (including me, though I'm now very far away) and could go 0-82 for the next decade and I'd still pay for League Pass, watch almost every game, and bitch on this message board. It's just the way of the Puro fans.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

Don't think we are making the playin this year fellas

[Harry Callahan]

The ownership group should look long and hard at the entire operation ASAP. Popovich will not pay with his job, but he should also realize this thing will not get turned around in the next 1-2 years. Brian Wright should not be the GM of this team given his "contributions" - if he is the person responsible for the scouts and draftee evaluation - his grade is moving to "D" or "F" very quickly.

In Spurs world, maybe there is no more accountability for the front office - coaching included. Grades are possibly considered "mean".

[paperboy77]

Appreciate your fandom, and I understand what you are saying... but (and please don't take this the wrong way) you're just not a die hard. A lot of us are from SA (including me, though I'm now very far away) and could go 0-82 for the next decade and I'd still pay for League Pass, watch almost every game, and bitch on this message board. It's just the way of the Puro fans.

This term is so ridiculous. Puro? Puro what? Just like Por Vida, it makes no sense really.

[Harry Callahan]

I'll admit I'm spoiled - given the decades of very good basketball I've witnessed with the Spurs. But this current collection of players is unwatchable - especially when Wemby is not on the floor. There is very little substance on the floor right now - most of the players on this years team will be out of the NBA in two or three years. Playing a three or four year waiting game for things to be in a better place seems line a very long time after the last 3-4 years of bad basketball.

Some of the guys (hopefully) putting the Spurs back on the map may be freshman or Sophmores in high school. Yuck!

My hope is the Spurs will purposely look for experienced college players to fill out the bulk of the roster going forward. I guess for the high lottery picks in the coming 2-3 years, you have to go BPA (easier said than done). There will thankfully be many picks coming and should be a ton of cap room to buy a vet or two or three in the next couple of years. No more stiffs hopefully.

This embarrassing level of performance should make EVERYONE uneasy about their respective job.

[Frenchfred]

Appreciate your fandom, and I understand what you are saying... but (and please don't take this the wrong way) you're just not a die hard. A lot of us are from SA (including me, though I'm now very far away) and could go 0-82 for the next decade and I'd still pay for League Pass, watch almost every game, and bitch on this message board. It's just the way of the Puro fans.

I started watching the Spurs because I didn’t want to be a Bulls/Jordan fan and at the time everybody liked Jordan in France due to the little exposure to the NBA. In France at the time, we had only one game on TV per week and I saw Robinson play and I was like « I’ll be a San Antonio » fan, no idea where it was. They added Duncan and a long list of international players with of course Parker from France. That was the perfect team for me. Of course it helped that they were winning. Lately, they have been less international, of course not as good but that’s okay as long as they are competing a little bit. But right now, it’s rock bottom, not fun to watch and when you are not from San Antonio, there is not much left, they don’t do much to make themselves likeable. It’s not like I’m going to go root for another team, I’m not the jump wagon type. But at least they have Wemby and I’m hopeful that they’ll get better.

[onechance87]

I started watching the Spurs because I didn’t want to be a Bulls/Jordan fan and at the time everybody liked Jordan in France due to the little exposure to the NBA. In France at the time, we had only one game on TV per week and I saw Robinson play and I was like « I’ll be a San Antonio » fan, no idea where it was. They added Duncan and a long list of international players with of course Parker from France. That was the perfect team for me. Of course it helped that they were winning. Lately, they have been less international, of course not as good but that’s okay as long as they are competing a little bit. But right now, it’s rock bottom, not fun to watch and when you are not from San Antonio, there is not much left, they don’t do much to make themselves likeable. It’s not like I’m going to go root for another team, I’m not the jump wagon type. But at least they have Wemby and I’m hopeful that they’ll get better.

there not going to get better bro this year...There is no talent on this team other then wemby....We gonna have
to gut this team....Half these dudes wont probably be on this team next season

[Harry Callahan]

Having Wemby gives them a chance to improve quickly, but the work has to be done by the franchise. I'm a San Antonio native originally, so I've had no other team to root for once I understood the NBA a little bit. The Spurs had maybe 3-4 crummy seasons in a 45 Year period. The last five years have been dreadful overall.

[scott]

This term is so ridiculous. Puro? Puro what? Just like Por Vida, it makes no sense really.

They're literally just Spanish words, companero, and they are pretty self explanatory in context.

[Kawhi Duncan]

Agree....lol how did this team win 22 games last season (without Victor)? :lol

We had an actual starting PG

[cd98]

Was at the game. Spurs no show. Lost Fantasy Football championship by a point. I hate sports.

[tbdog]

A lot of work is required.

[Chomag]

I will die a Spurs fan but the product that they are putting out there right now is unwatchable. Pop said after game that he was proud at how well the team fought and applauds the effort!?! You have got to be kidding me... this is pathetic

[Chomag]

The FO better wake up. Nothing in this upcoming lottery is going going to save this team and convince Wemby to stay.

[baseline bum]

The FO better wake up. Nothing in this upcoming lottery is going going to save this team and convince Wemby to stay.

Especially from a front office whose last four non Wemby first round picks have all been busts: Primo, Sochan, Branham, Wesley. Already looking like the plan will be to keep this pos team together and tank for Cooper Flagg too.

[rascal]

Why did the Spurs change colors to brown and orange for some games?

[NASpurs]

The FO better wake up. Nothing in this upcoming lottery is going going to save this team and convince Wemby to stay.

That's why I laugh when people say the Spurs are purposely tanking.

[Tyronn Lue]

I will die a Spurs fan but the product that they are putting out there right now is unwatchable. Pop said after game that he was proud at how well the team fought and applauds the effort!?! You have got to be kidding me... this is pathetic
Of course he said that. It's like a little league team, you don't expect much but then Pop just signed a huge contract not long ago, he's not going to say he's not doing a great job.

[Tyronn Lue]

The FO better wake up. Nothing in this upcoming lottery is going going to save this team and convince Wemby to stay.
I said this a few days ago and exstatic claimed I cannot read Victor's mind, which is true. So all this is conjecture, pure speculation.

[Tyronn Lue]

Not everybody is from San Antonio or has an affiliation with it. We started liking the team for different reasons and when those reasons are gone, that makes it more difficult to like it when you are not from there.
Bon voyage. Don't forget to write.

[RC_Drunkford]

Why did the Spurs change colors to brown and orange for some games?

cause they are shit

[exstatic]

Why did the Spurs change colors to brown and orange for some games?

It’s their city edition uni for this season. I’d say 90% of feedback is that it’s ugly and awful.

[LeBowen]

https://youtu.be/H0-HhAuU46w?si=O1Y2_tPudkt8zVbN

My favorite NBA content this season. :lmao

Gregg Popovich is ruining the sport! He is atrocious!
And Brett Brown being on his coaching staff is offensive! How is he on any staff!? :lmao :lmao

[The Truth #6]

Film Session guy is a gem. Seems sincere, too. Does it for other teams.

[Extra Stout]

Why did the Spurs change colors to brown and orange for some games?
They have to have a “city uniform” that changes every year. This year, it’s retro-60s-Southwestern themed to remember Hemisfair.

[Frenchfred]

Especially from a front office whose last four non Wemby first round picks have all been busts: Primo, Sochan, Branham, Wesley. Already looking like the plan will be to keep this pos team together and tank for Cooper Flagg too.

I hope that they have a better plan than to tank another year with low probability to get Cooper

[Extra Stout]

https://youtu.be/H0-HhAuU46w?si=O1Y2_tPudkt8zVbN

My favorite NBA content this season. :lmao

Gregg Popovich is ruining the sport! He is atrocious!
And Brett Brown being on his coaching staff is offensive! How is he on any staff!? :lmao :lmao
So what is the issue with Popovich? Did he forget how to teach defensive basics? Is he purposely teaching a bad scheme in order to tank? Does he no longer have the energy or the will to put forth the effort to work on their mistakes? Has he lost his edge and is no longer willing to be hard on players? Is he self-conscious about being a cis-het white man with privilege? What exactly is his problem?

[djohn2oo8]

Especially from a front office whose last four non Wemby first round picks have all been busts: Primo, Sochan, Branham, Wesley. Already looking like the plan will be to keep this pos team together and tank for Cooper Flagg too.
Problem with that is some team will jump to the first pick over the Spurs probably.

[exstatic]

Problem with that is some team will jump to the first pick over the Spurs probably.

There’s no generational player this year, so top 3 is probably fine. There isn’t even a consensus #1 yet.

[LeBowen]

So what is the issue with Popovich? Did he forget how to teach defensive basics? Is he purposely teaching a bad scheme in order to tank? Does he no longer have the energy or the will to put forth the effort to work on their mistakes? Has he lost his edge and is no longer willing to be hard on players? Is he self-conscious about being a cis-het white man with privilege? What exactly is his problem?

Honestly, it's a bit of everything.
Media always talks about father time being undefeated when it comes to players, but same goes for coaches.
Pop always adapted and reinvented himself, but at this point he looks done.

Yeah, we don't have a point guard and that makes our offense look really bad at times, his experimenting doesn't help, either.
But at least you can see what he's trying to do. Even though the players don't fit that style and are missing key qualities for it.

On the other side, defense is just atrocious because his methods are arhaic and he acts as if letting an open corner three still isn't that big of a deal.
Even if we still had a top3 defensive roster, some of his rotations and schemes would get exploited. Let alone with this bunch of turnstiles.

He's turning 75 this month and I don't see the point of him building another roster around a 19 year old.
He's done way too much to ever be fired, but if he stays for another season, it could get really ugly.
Cracks were starting to show almost a decade ago, DDR years were bad and now it's just awful.

[JeffDuncan]

So what is the issue with Popovich? Did he forget how to teach defensive basics? …


Pop is an administrator. A manager, an organizer. The last time he did serious, sustained work with players, at the nuts-and-bolts level of detail, was probably back in the ’90s before he became the Spurs GM.

Pop, himself, doesn’t teach defensive basics. His staff does all that work. Pop is supposed to be supervising, meaning he’s supposed to take steps if the results are not good.

However, the results are not good, and Pop is not taking steps. But then, why should he? He has no fear of replacement. Pop is the Spurs’ Fearless Leader Forever, like Mao was in China, Stalin in the USSR, Castro in Cuba, Franco in Spain.

Why is Bret Brown on the staff? Because he’s a buddy of Pop. That’s the only reason. This is what you get with dictatorial leadership. The Fearless Leader will hire people with whom he feels comfortable, regardless of merit. Happens every time.

Pop’s ascension to the dictatorship has led to a cultural revolution, with a new slogan: “Screw it, we didn’t want to be good anyway.” Learn it, live it, love it.

Happy New Year!

[baseline bum]

Pop is an administrator. A manager, an organizer. The last time he did serious, sustained work with players, at the nuts-and-bolts level of detail, was probably back in the ’90s before he became the Spurs GM.

Pop, himself, doesn’t teach defensive basics. His staff does all that work. Pop is supposed to be supervising, meaning he’s supposed to take steps if the results are not good.

However, the results are not good, and Pop is not taking steps. But then, why should he? He has no fear of replacement. Pop is the Spurs’ Fearless Leader Forever, like Mao was in China, Stalin in the USSR, Castro in Cuba, Franco in Spain.

Why is Bret Brown on the staff? Because he’s a buddy of Pop. That’s the only reason. This is what you get with dictatorial leadership. The Fearless Leader will hire people with whom he feels comfortable, regardless of merit. Happens every time.

Pop’s ascension to the dictatorship has led to a cultural revolution, with a new slogan: “Screw it, we didn’t want to be good anyway.” Learn it, live it, love it.

Happy New Year!

I was thinking how I wish we had Carlesimo back, but then saw he's fucking 74 too. Still, this team desperately needs good assistant coaches so I'd take his old ass back.

[baseline bum]

There’s no generational player this year, so top 3 is probably fine. There isn’t even a consensus #1 yet.

Doesn't look like much difference anywhere in the top 7 or 8, maybe even top 10 picks, another reason I fucking hate tanking this season and could care less about draft position changing had they been able to trade for Quickley or Anunoby since there is no way this team would be sniffing the play-in anyways.

[baseline bum]

Problem with that is some team will jump to the first pick over the Spurs probably.

86% chance in the best case. Tanking is retarded once you have gotten your franchise player. It's not like when the Rockets got Sampson and knew they could tank for a coin-flip for Olajuwon with Jordan the backup plan now that we have a lottery and flattened odds.

[Extra Stout]

Pop is an administrator. A manager, an organizer. The last time he did serious, sustained work with players, at the nuts-and-bolts level of detail, was probably back in the ’90s before he became the Spurs GM.

Pop, himself, doesn’t teach defensive basics. His staff does all that work. Pop is supposed to be supervising, meaning he’s supposed to take steps if the results are not good.

However, the results are not good, and Pop is not taking steps. But then, why should he? He has no fear of replacement. Pop is the Spurs’ Fearless Leader Forever, like Mao was in China, Stalin in the USSR, Castro in Cuba, Franco in Spain.

Why is Bret Brown on the staff? Because he’s a buddy of Pop. That’s the only reason. This is what you get with dictatorial leadership. The Fearless Leader will hire people with whom he feels comfortable, regardless of merit. Happens every time.

Pop’s ascension to the dictatorship has led to a cultural revolution, with a new slogan: “Screw it, we didn’t want to be good anyway.” Learn it, live it, love it.

Happy New Year!
Are young players ruined by incompetent coaching in their developmental years? Do they learn too many bad habits? Or can they be turned around once they get good coaching? I’m thinking like what Udoka has done replacing Silas in Houston.

[spurraider21]

I was thinking how I wish we had Carlesimo back, but then saw he's fucking 74 too. Still, this team desperately needs good assistant coaches so I'd take his old ass back.
budenzholer is a glaringly obvious candidate imo

corporate knowledge. proven to be a good coach. won coach of the year with both ATL and Milwaukee, took both teams to a level they hadnt reached before his arrival, and guided a megastar in giannis to his first chip in a small market

[Seventyniner]

budenzholer is a glaringly obvious candidate imo

corporate knowledge. proven to be a good coach. won coach of the year with both ATL and Milwaukee, took both teams to a level they hadnt reached before his arrival, and guided a megastar in giannis to his first chip in a small market

Agreed. He also overachieved (given the talent level of the roster) in Atlanta. He isn't perfect, but you could do far worse, on top of his personal connection to Pop.

[emanueldavidginobili]

regardless of the W or L, this is what I want to see. It's been a longgg time since they have played this hard.