Game Thread: Spurs @ Kings 9 PM CST

[rjv]

No Wemby tonight. Spurs have the 8th best defensive rating in the NBA with Wemby on the floor (117.9). That drops to dead last when he's off (127.0). It's gonna be a long night.

[slick'81]

The off season cant come soon enough

[Fireball]

Kings are uneven but boy did they beat up the Lakers last night. Them being in a b2b may be the only thing that speaks for the Spurs ... GSG

[Seventyniner]

This will probably be ugly. Something on the order of 135-111.

[Leetonidas]

Welp. No reason to stay up late for this one

[LeBowen]

Collins to get shit on and get a flagrant.

[Pauleta14]

I could see the Spurs win tonight tbh

Victor absence might relax the Kings a bit too much

[RC_Drunkford]

The Spurs can't win a game without Wemby. 40 point L right here

[r0drig0lac]

celtics x nuggets starting at the same time

[Spurs Homer]

Bad move here...if wemby was to sit - it should have been against the warriors - as that phaggot green will likely injure wemby...

[pad300]

Bad move here...if wemby was to sit - it should have been against the warriors - as that phaggot green will likely injure wemby...

I wouldn't put money on him playing the Warriors game either. IMO, Pop has been tanking all year; I expect him to be cautious with Victor and have him stay in SA with the teams doctors... It's another easy L to accumulate.

[Pauleta14]

Just saw the next Houston game is the 2nd of a btb...

Fuck, I was hopping for a payback but Pop will probably sit him

[baseline bum]

Welp. No reason to stay up late for this one

Might be interesting to see if Sabonis can go off for 74 against Zollins

[AusSpur]

Looking forward to a Dom Barlow sighting this game.

[spurs10]

Why is Wemby out?

[Chinook]

Why is Wemby out?

Because he was very visibly hurt last game, which I guess people didn't see because they wanted to use the chance to shit on his teammates instead. He got diagnosed with an ankle injury

[Dex]

You mean I'm supposed to stay up late to watch the Spurs get embarrassed?

I'll just catch the replay

[Cabrito]

I will be at the game to not see Wemby play. ��

[heyheymymy]

one benefit in tonight is crucial non Wemby influenced purer data on the non Wemby personnel

may go a long way to determining future roster considerations

[Barfunk]

I actually would prefer that it's just Pop being a jackass again, then Wemby actually being hurt. But anyways, get well soon Vic.

[gilmor2002]

Because he was very visibly hurt last game, which I guess people didn't see because they wanted to use the chance to shit on his teammates instead. He got diagnosed with an ankle injury

i already know in the game vs Pacers; he is very upset when his arm was hurt. I think it was a serious enough injury that he didnt even look enthusiastic after the win.

[SPURt]

I feel a Sochan special coming on

[baseline bum]

I feel a Sochan special coming on

Another billion?

[SPURt]

Another billion?
What? I’m pretty slow, I have no idea what you’re referencing :hat

[baseline bum]

What? I’m pretty slow, I have no idea what you’re referencing :hat

He had a terrible game in I think Minnesota where his statline was like 1 assist and then 0 of everything else so it looked like 1000000000 in the boxscore

[Dejounte]

Two fouls in the first two minutes of the game for Collins. Waive this guy right now

[Proxy]

collins wants barlow to play too, two quick fouls

[John B]

Not a popular opinion, but they move better without Wemby. Maybe because the ball doesn’t stop at Wemby.

[AusSpur]

Tre Jones is a terrible passer. Looking forward to the days when we play a half-descent point guard.

[SPURt]

He had a terrible game in I think Minnesota where his statline was like 1 assist and then 0 of everything else so it looked like 1000000000 (tel:1000000000) in the boxscore
Ahhhhhhhh I hope not :lol

[John B]

Big miss there Sochan

[John B]

Two fouls in the first two minutes of the game for Collins. Waive this guy right now

Silver lining is Barlow getting more minutes and playing well

[onechance87]

how do u fuck that alley oop up pass

[get_mills_out]

:lol Kings
:lol #9 pick on a 5’9 guard who can’t shoot at all

[onechance87]

Silver lining is Barlow getting more minutes and playing well

he should of been playing him over collins awhile ago...Pop keeps forcing collins for whatever reasons

[John B]

Nice first quarter. People making hard cuts and the ball moving. As long as they’re not turning them over

[John B]

he should of been playing him over collins awhile ago...Pop keeps forcing collins for whatever reasons

This game is his chance to earn more minutes. But Ibthink we’ll see him more towards the last part of the season

[Robz4000]

Kings blowing the game open now

[John B]

And now the real Spurs. It was nice whike it lasted

[John B]

Wesley needs to take that hard to the rim

[get_mills_out]

God Keldon sucks

[John B]

They were moving the ball well then Keldon with his 3 pt chucking

[TekXX]

What's the point of the silly swipe on the arms before the Sabonis layup, is that that low I.Q bball you guys talk about?

[get_mills_out]

Is HBarnes the worst player in the league that would be the best non-Wemby/Vassell player on the spurs?

[AusSpur]

Collins commanding his tank with force!

[get_mills_out]

Is HBarnes the worst player in the league that would be the best non-Wemby/Vassell player on the spurs?

Actually now that I think about it might be Keldon tbh :downspin:

[onechance87]

number 1 priorty this offseason is getting rid of collins and getting rid of wright for extending him.Fucking idiot

[SPURt]

Yikes

[get_mills_out]

I get not wanting to roster a bruiser defensive C in todays league, but having 0 players who play 1 on 1 post D means the spurs are just drawing dead against a chunk of the league

[baseline bum]

71 pts at the half. Yeah Victor's not the DPOY dragging these fucks to like 6th in the league in defense when he's on the floor. :lmao

[baseline bum]

number 1 priorty this offseason is getting rid of collins and getting rid of wright for extending him.Fucking idiot

Nah stuck with him unless he's part of salary matching, say in a trade for Trae.

[objective]

That play near the end of the half with the wide open dunk was a symbol of the poor talent and awful coaching this team has

I hope that Awful Coaching YouTube channel does this game because that was beyond pitiful

[objective]

I get not wanting to roster a bruiser defensive C in todays league, but having 0 players who play 1 on 1 post D means the spurs are just drawing dead against a chunk of the league

1. The Spurs think Collins is that guy, a good defender who brings the nasty. They don't understand that he's not
2. The backup plan was Bassey so was closer to being a bruiser but he's made of candy glass

[TekXX]

Damn we're still in this...for now.

[heyheymymy]

just now joing in but Zollins stats look beast



7-12
2-3
2-2
1
2
3
3
0
0
1
2
+4
17

[BackHome]

He is a beast averaging over a point a minute

[heyheymymy]

Wemby less spurs cut a 20 point defect to 4, 5, then 2

That's already good enough

[heyheymymy]

Shit Branham going hot from corner 3 wow

nailed the first one on a open look but that second one was nailed falling away contested

[td4mvp2k]

MB has been on

[heyheymymy]

SACref

[get_mills_out]

Keldon checks in, no contest on a kickout for 3, no box out on the rebounder

:bobo

[heyheymymy]

damn Blake with the strong drive and dunk

[heyheymymy]

lol zollins let Sabonis pull the chair right to the rim

[heyheymymy]

nice Barlow hustle

KJ needs a faster 3 release

[heyheymymy]

JESUS BRANHAM ON FIRE

[heyheymymy]

BRAN is 5-5 from 3


17
5-8
5-5
2-2
0
0
0
2
2
0
1
1
-13
17

[heyheymymy]

Where are my BRANHAM haters at

[td4mvp2k]

branham :hungry:

[LakerHater]

-11
Is that bad??

[heyheymymy]

SAC had a 20 point lead

100-95 lead over SA going into the 4th

[heyheymymy]

tie game 100-100

[heyheymymy]

tie game 103-103

on a Blake Wesley corner 3

[heyheymymy]

Spurs lead 105-103

[spurs1990]

Great win here by San Antonio. Over a team that blasted the lake show the other night

[heyheymymy]

Dev getting the friendly bounce

[get_mills_out]

Mike Br:lolwn

[heyheymymy]

Shit Spurs not only completed the 20 point comeback but now kinda pulling away

SAC looks on the ropes but lot of time left. Hope SA "coughs" it back up not sure I want these Ws lol muh draft odds

[heyheymymy]

man I fuckin love Deaaron Fox what a killer

[heyheymymy]

DAmn Blake Wesley with the poke away fast break dunk uncontested

Some DJM level shit

[heyheymymy]

Fox with 5 fouls 6 mins left in 4Q he's got to watch out

[heyheymymy]

here comes the SAC push right on time

they could take the foot off the gas and afford it tonight

[TekXX]

How many travels does Sabonis get away with per game, he must lead the league.

[MultiTroll]

All Vassell needed to do was follow his shot on that last missed trey.

Easy rebound and prolly easy hoop to follow.

That is strategy an 8 year old learns.

[MultiTroll]

When i first flipped it on i saw a nice drive and layup by #2 on the Spurs.
I thought damn who is that benchie, he's great.

It was Fox. The Kings have on their Spurs black. :lol

[heyheymymy]

When i first flipped it on i saw a nice drive and layup by #2 on the Spurs.
I thought damn who is that benchie, he's great.

It was Fox. The Kings have on their Spurs black. :lol

Fox wears #5

[heyheymymy]

lol Kingrefs ignoring a meat grinder under the basket

[heyheymymy]

lol SAC corpse on full life support

[heyheymymy]

shit Spurs have the buffer to win barring collapse

[spurs1990]

Refs letting them both play... this is fun to watch

[heyheymymy]

Fox fouled out

Spurs up 3 inside a min

[MultiTroll]

Fox wears #5
5 looked like 2 at the time.
Didn't get a real clear look.

[heyheymymy]

good challenge by SAC

you got to do something there

[TekXX]

sure blow a challenge on an obvious foul, the pop school of coaching, oh wait Pop doesn't challenge

[heyheymymy]

sure blow a challenge on an obvious foul, the pop school of coaching, oh wait Pop doesn't challenge

yeah but maybe refs see it your way

more importantly it keeps Fox in the game if successful

[Robz4000]

:lmao snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

[spurs1990]

Tell me that did not just happen

[Robz4000]

That being said, the refs have been complete garbage all game.

[Tyronn Lue]

Predictable

[TekXX]

LOL this is a classic loss for this year, bad players bad execution.

[Tyronn Lue]

Good game from the team either way, win or lose.

[SpurSpike]

Playing no ball handlers in the final seconds lol.

[heyheymymy]

phew was hoping they would "cough" it up

worrying about Spurs draft odds lol not sure I want so many wins

close or comeback losses are best case scenario

[spurs1990]

I would cut Branham after this one. The TO pass and the keystone cops flub through his hands earlier

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Branham and Collins are candy ass soft bums.

[itzsoweezee]

What the hell is pop spazzing out about?

[TekXX]

What is Pop complaining about, this team is bad and he knows it.

[Dex]

Classic Spurs meltdown

Everybody on this team but Wemby and Vassell is a fucking loser

[SpurSpike]

All we had to do was take our time and dribble the ball and pop plays a lineup with poor ball handlers...

[Pauleta14]

What was Pop complaining about in the end ?

(missed it bc of boston nuggests)

[couchman]

The second to last possession was bad coaching.
You have a young team, tied game with the ball and 23 seconds left.
Call the TO and draw up a play to run out the clock and get the last shot.
Instead we see confusion in the floor that leads to a turnover and the loss.

[onechance87]

Playing no ball handlers in the final seconds lol.

YEA and pop should of called time out in that situation.Just read it that it wasint gonna
end well

[Tyronn Lue]

If Pop is complaining it's probably a show for the team. Nothing else to take from this. Team shot well, scared the Kings at home and that's that.

I guess getting a PG that doesn't shit himself in crunch time would be nice. This is where veteran players matter even though we've seen plenty Chris Paul fuck ups.

[BacktoBasics]

I would cut Branham after this one. The TO pass and the keystone cops flub through his hands earlier

Brilliant. Just cut the guy. Makes sense on a shitty team to cut a guy who had a career high but was a part of shitty things on a shitty team.

Just cut him. No compensation.

Beautiful business sense.

Future GM.

Just cut him. Send a message.

[TekXX]

No sympathy for the product the Spurs have put out there, they want to tank again with a poor product that's on them and maybe Pop should get back to coaching this team before the game and not being shocked that they don't know what they're doing during the game.

[mystargtr34]

Why are people upset with this loss :lol.

It’s a good loss. Maintain that 3rd worst position ahead of Charlotte. Team hung tough with a good opponent on the road through 48 minutes.

Not choking in the last 2 minutes will come down to more reps and who has the it factor.

[Blizzardwizard]

The rookie really saved these guys from breaking the Bobcats' record :lol

[Arcadian]

God, what a stupid team. They always make the worst possible mistake to secure a loss.

[objective]

The second to last possession was bad coaching.
You have a young team, tied game with the ball and 23 seconds left.
Call the TO and draw up a play to run out the clock and get the last shot.
Instead we see confusion in the floor that leads to a turnover and the loss.

All true

The players, they had no idea what they were doing that possession. They needed a time out and directions

[TekXX]

Why are people upset with this loss :lol.

It’s a good loss. Maintain that 3rd worst position ahead of Charlotte. Team hung tough with a good opponent on the road through 48 minutes.

Not choking in the last 2 minutes will come down to more reps and who has the it factor.

Last year called, they want their excitement to tank back.

[mystargtr34]

Last year called, they want their excitement to tank back.

Haha it’s too late in the season now to not tank. May aswell see it through and maximise the draft pick to fast track the upswing.

Great loss tbh.

[onechance87]

Brilliant. Just cut the guy. Makes sense on a shitty team to cut a guy who had a career high but was a part of shitty things on a shitty team.

Just cut him. No compensation.

Beautiful business sense.

Future GM.

Just cut him. Send a message.

it would of done wonders for his confidence for him winning this game for us.Just hope
it dont effect him to much.Pop gotta do better then that as well.I know he wants them to learn.
But calling a to and setting a play to win it would of been better learning experience.

[AusSpur]

I'm generally for holding off on calling a timeout so the defence doesn't get set - but when it starts with Zach Collins bringing the ball up the court, a TO is the way to go.

[Spurminator]

Another winnable game blown by bad coaching. Feel bad for the players tonight.

[baseline bum]

God, what a stupid team. They always make the worst possible mistake to secure a loss.

I'm glad they did though since there is little outside of Victor I want to be on this team in 3 years.

[Slippy]

Costly turnover under 30 secs. If i was pop, would of called a time out considering the spurs are a young team.

Malaki played a great game but he basically telegraphed that pass, while Zack Collins did his best impersonation of goofy as in where do you want me. his hesitation allowed sabonis to read it easily.

[Tyronn Lue]

Brilliant. Just cut the guy. Makes sense on a shitty team to cut a guy who had a career high but was a part of shitty things on a shitty team.

Just cut him. No compensation.

Beautiful business sense.

Future GM.

Just cut him. Send a message.
Don't feed the monkeys. The kid had a great game. A turnover is a turnover, and the coach obviously didn't give 2 shits.

[Tyronn Lue]

Another winnable game blown by bad coaching. Feel bad for the players tonight.
He'll call a timeout if the other team goes on a 5-0 run in the 1st but plays Bobby Fischer in the 4th, sacrificing the queen. Only Pop loses.

[Slippy]

The second to last possession was bad coaching.
You have a young team, tied game with the ball and 23 seconds left.
Call the TO and draw up a play to run out the clock and get the last shot.
Instead we see confusion in the floor that leads to a turnover and the loss.

So much this

[playbonner15]

Kinda expected a loss. Mike Brown is a good coach and Kings are good enough to capitalize

[Spurs Homer]

Zollins backpeddling away from a pass in crunch time instead of running towards the ball…

just brilliant!

[onechance87]

Zollins backpeddling away from a pass in crunch time instead of running towards the ball…

just brilliant!

dont matter,Branham should of read it that it was dangerous pass.Low iq on his part.

[Fireball]

fun game ... shitty loss ... thats how we like it

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

Sucks to lose the way we did, but very happy with the Spurs tonight. Malaki and Blake played some really good minutes, Vassell was aggressive, Keldon and Collins weren’t awful, Sochan had a decent game outside of missing 3-4 easy buckets. Ending was awful, but probably a blessing in disguise if we want to finish in the bottom 3.

[Jordan Jackson]

Branham has been making low iq passes like that all year. The real question is why was he the one handling the ball? He shouldn’t have been in that position to begin with. He was bound to fuck up.

[heyheymymy]

Last year called, they want their excitement to tank back.

Bro that was a complete 20 point comeback away game from a wemby less spurs against a credible SAC team

Literally best possible outcome. I don't mind a few wins as we have a 3 game ceiling on CHA and could maybe afford the win but it makes me think no one looks at the standings or understands the purpose of this season.

You are going to cost yourself a potential Risacher or Dilly for a meaningless win in SAC lol

[rogcl1]

No sympathy for the product the Spurs have put out there, they want to tank again with a poor product that's on them and maybe Pop should get back to coaching this team before the game and not being shocked that they don't know what they're doing during the game.

Go take another hit dude or something.

[heyheymymy]

Blake and Bran.

Jesus the progress is starting to really show. Still early in their timeline and I could see more struggles ahead but this is the proof of concept we needed to see

Really impressive. Zollins was pretty solid tonight too

[FoxxHole5]

The Spurs have more talent than people realize or give them credit for. My goodness, you all are about to be dominating the west all over again very soon lmao sheesh

[JPB]

Sucks to lose the way we did, but very happy with the Spurs tonight. Malaki and Blake played some really good minutes, Vassell was aggressive, Keldon and Collins weren’t awful, Sochan had a decent game outside of missing 3-4 easy buckets. Ending was awful, but probably a blessing in disguise if we want to finish in the bottom 3.

Yup, so we can another add two rookies to this bottom team who will take years to develop (or not), having to find playing time to give them with all the growing pains it involves (not everyone is Wemby), keeping SA in the very bottom for a third consecutive year... Then realizing you've suddenly became the Detroit Pistons.

Don't get me wrong, at this point, they should probably tank...They actually don't have to, just go out there and play, that'll do the job naturally... But if adding picks is all they do, man next year is gonna be another mess...

[Atl Spur]

Make the mistakes now and learn while the stakes are low. A loss is ok but the learning is the better part.

[RC_Drunkford]

I'm actually surprised this game went to the wire with Wemby out, which is a good job by the other scrubs on this roster against a playoff team. I'm glad Pop is taking full accountability for not calling a time out at the end. Starts at 0:50 min


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJ8HZ78Y-4

[John B]

The Spurs have more talent than people realize or give them credit for. My goodness, you all are about to be dominating the west all over again very soon lmao sheesh

This. Tonight’s game showed the development of Blake and Malaki right before our eyes. Sure it was a costly turnover at the end, but again you want them on those situations and learn from mistakes. Tough loss but I’m so happy on how this young team fought back down big and kept on fighting. 39 assists with 12 TO’s, great ratio, too bad the last two were costly. But it was more inexperienced to learn from. Some nights they are going to make more mistakes and turn the ball over, because of the young inexperienced team, but this team is continually moving the ball, it’s just a matter of limiting the TO’s like tonight. And as mentioned earlier the thread, they are moving the ball better without Wemby. It’s important for Wemby to integrate himself within that motion offense, instead of pushing the issue too much. The ball will find the open man, creating easier shots, including for Wemby. While a more dominant and stronger Wemby would demand ISO’s. Still, the importance of moving the ball as we saw tonight vs heavy iso’s. Great stuff.

[Pauleta14]

This. Tonight’s game showed the development of Blake and Malaki right before our eyes. Sure it was a costly turnover at the end, but again you want them on those situations and learn from mistakes. Tough loss but I’m so happy on how this young team fought back down big and kept on fighting. 39 assists with 12 TO’s, great ratio, too bad the last two were costly. But it was more inexperienced to learn from. Some nights they are going to make more mistakes and turn the ball over, because of the young inexperienced team, but this team is continually moving the ball, it’s just a matter of limiting the TO’s like tonight. And as mentioned earlier the thread, they are moving the ball better without Wemby. It’s important for Wemby to integrate himself within that motion offense, instead of pushing the issue too much. The ball will find the open man, creating easier shots, including for Wemby. While a more dominant and stronger Wemby would demand ISO’s. Still, the importance of moving the ball as we saw tonight vs heavy iso’s. Great stuff.


WTF am I reading…

So now it’s Victor who has to integrate himself??

Not only it’s the other way around but it’s impossible to have the same type of game with him.

First the less talent u have the more u have to rely on mobility and ball movement, then Victor is 7’5 and you’ll exhaust him at running all around, he’s already setting up screens all the time.

This isn’t 2014, the model to follow is closer to the nuggets's with Victor having Jokic's role

[John B]

WTF am I reading…

So now it’s Victor who has to integrate himself??

Not only it’s the other way around but it’s impossible to have the same type of game with him.

First the less talent u have the more u have to rely on mobility and ball movement, then Victor is 7’5 and you’ll exhaust him at running all around, he’s already setting up screens all the time.

This isn’t 2014, the model to follow is closer to the nuggets's with Victor having Jokic's role

Read. I said the more dominant and stronger Wemby will demand ISO’s. Wemby may be dominant now but still very weak and easily get stripped. Also notice how the ball moves better last night with the ball not stopping at Wemby. There need to be a balance of motion offense and isolation, otherwise it’s the 4 Lakers watching LeBron chucking shots and painfully missing. Wemby is not strong enough yet to mimic the Nuggets offense, maybe in 2-3 years. He’s easily pushed out of position. Wemby will be there, but as of now he’s not. We are not getting a 21 years old NBA strong Timmy who could post and back his defender at day 1. Wemby is different built at 7’4. It’s easy to say, “pass the ball to Wemby.” On mis-matches, when he’s close to the rim, ally-ops yes. Wemby is a great passer, he can find people when they cut hard and his defender(s) will have to worry also about and leaving more room to wiggle. It’s not difficult to understand the Spurs motion offense trying to adapt Wemby’s style. And this season is about just that, “playing together”, finding the best combinations of offense.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Malaki hasn't developed. He's a low BBIQ chucker who had a good night. Damn some of y'all are some blind ass homers.

[buttsR4rebounding]

This loss officially makes the Spurs the 1st team eliminated from the playoffs. The Spurs are #1 again!

[JeffDuncan]

WTF am I reading…



The other poster wrote a little fan fiction. Lol. Not to be taken seriously. People need their fantasies.

It was a perfect trap game for the Spurs to win. The Kings came off a big win over L.A. the day before, and they knew the Spurs were without Wemby. The Kings were flat, not well motivated.

Then, the Spurs shot uncharacteristically well. 12% better than their season average from 3, and they hit 100% of 21 free throws.

A halfway decent team would have won that game by double digits. For the Spurs it was only a different twist on the same old story, the story of a losing team with a losing culture. That game changes nothing about the Spurs needing better players, and better coaching. In fact, it emphasizes that exact point. The team is not good enough.

[CorrectCrusader]

Shitty loss but this is a billion times better than getting blown out by the 2nd quarter

[Mugen]

What a perfect tank game tbh :lol

[Atl Spur]

The win didn’t matter as much as the game experience/situational development ( teachable moments ). This was an ideal display of the importance to detail and mental toughness. Branham is NOT ass and will be a productive piece in the future , he’s twenty lol….. give him time and reap the rewards! Make the mistakes now….

[Seventyniner]

That's as good a result as one can hope for.

Close game on the road against a good team
Players other than Victor played well
Stay in the bottom 3 records
Victor wouldn't be as frustrated with a loss in a game he didn't play in


All the whining over this loss is just that. Bitches gonna bitch.

[Sugus]

The Spurs have more talent than people realize or give them credit for. My goodness, you all are about to be dominating the west all over again very soon lmao sheesh

It's mostly only this board that's blind, thankfully. The NBA in general rightly recognizes that the Spurs are not far off from being a real problem of a team.

Hopefully Kings and Spurs can meet in the PO's before long, they're always good games to watch since the "Fox era".

[The Truth #6]

I'm actually surprised this game went to the wire with Wemby out, which is a good job by the other scrubs on this roster against a playoff team. I'm glad Pop is taking full accountability for not calling a time out at the end. Starts at 0:50 min


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJ8HZ78Y-4

A very humble Pop. Lol. As if he doesn't know what the reporter is trying to say.

[The Truth #6]

WTF am I reading…

So now it’s Victor who has to integrate himself??

Not only it’s the other way around but it’s impossible to have the same type of game with him.

First the less talent u have the more u have to rely on mobility and ball movement, then Victor is 7’5 and you’ll exhaust him at running all around, he’s already setting up screens all the time.

This isn’t 2014, the model to follow is closer to the nuggets's with Victor having Jokic's role

I think the team will obviously have to adapt around Victor, but as Victor is still exploring all his options all over the court, I think it's natural that a lot of other players are trying to figure out where they're spot is and how they're going to get the ball etc.

[John B]

The other poster wrote a little fan fiction. Lol. Not to be taken seriously. People need their fantasies.

It was a perfect trap game for the Spurs to win. The Kings came off a big win over L.A. the day before, and they knew the Spurs were without Wemby. The Kings were flat, not well motivated.

Then, the Spurs shot uncharacteristically well. 12% better than their season average from 3, and they hit 100% of 21 free throws.

A halfway decent team would have won that game by double digits. For the Spurs it was only a different twist on the same old story, the story of a losing team with a losing culture. That game changes nothing about the Spurs needing better players, and better coaching. In fact, it emphasizes that exact point. The team is not good enough.

Easy to say Spurs need better players. That’s Lakers mentality and giving up easily on Ingram, Caruso, Randle, Zubac, Clarkson, etc… poaching star players instead of building up, sometimes would work, often times not, sacrificing chemistry. I’m not saying Spurs don’t need to add good veteran, but also important building the core through developing players.

[spurs10]

Man that was sad to see the boys lose after playing so hard. A couple of mistakes and we lose by two. On to Hollywood.

[Spurminator]

That's as good a result as one can hope for.

Close game on the road against a good team
Players other than Victor played well
Stay in the bottom 3 records
Victor wouldn't be as frustrated with a loss in a game he didn't play in


All the whining over this loss is just that. Bitches gonna bitch.

A better result would be to win the game and all of those bullets still apply. It's like you all think the players sit around and talk about record placement and protected picks.

Winning is good for development. If you expect anyone on the current roster to be a serious contributor when this franchise is ready to compete again, you want them tasting contributing to victory and developing a psychological advantage. I want Vassell, Collins and Branham to go home after a game like that feeling like winners. They played well enough to beat a good team. The coaching staff failed them.

It's not the end of the world, but it's weird to be so cavalier about losses like this, especially when it's another example of an ongoing pattern that should give you concerns about the (hopefully near) future when wins are going to matter more.

[baseline bum]

The Spurs have more talent than people realize or give them credit for. My goodness, you all are about to be dominating the west all over again very soon lmao sheesh

Nah you guys just really play down to your competition's level when a shit team comes to town. This team has like a 127 defensive rating in games Wemby doesn't play and mostly needs to be purged and replaced with real talent around Victor in the next three years.

[Jordan Jackson]

You shouldn’t be measuring this Spurs team against the Kings. They play absolutely NO defense at all. Like never.

No idea how the Kings fix that roster. Sabonis cannot anchor that defense and be successful. I don’t believe it.

[JeffDuncan]

Easy to say Spurs need better players. …



It’s easy to be in a fantasy world, like you are.


That’s Lakers mentality …


It’s “Laker’s mentality” to say that a team needs better players, you claim. There is a defect in your mentality.


… also important building the core through developing players.


You are absolutely certain that it’s more important for the Spurs to develop Blake Wesley than to develop Wemby. Is that your story and you’re sticking to it? Is that how the situation stands in your fantasy world?

State your priorities. Do you have the courage to do so?

[JPB]

It's mostly only this board that's blind, thankfully. The NBA in general rightly recognizes that the Spurs are not far off from being a real problem of a team.

Hopefully Kings and Spurs can meet in the PO's before long, they're always good games to watch since the "Fox era".

The whole NBA say we're terrible. Litterally every fanbase I read or pundit I listen to. And one 'good loss" changes nothing to that.

You guys are the ones overracting after one "good loss", like you were trying to convince yourself these guys will be nothing but role players (at best) in this league... Record don't lie, spurs are 13-50 this year after going 22-60 last season...this roster as such is not even play in bound in any season and none of these guys will start in a spurs contending team, most of them not even on the roster. But let's keep developing them for another 3 years.

Some of you need to get real, no fans from any other team is raving or envious about Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley or Jeremy Sochan...

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The whole NBA say we're terrible. Litterally every fanbase I read or pundit I listen to. And one 'good loss" changes nothing to that.

You guys are the ones overracting after one "good loss", like you were trying to convince yourself these guys will be nothing but role players (at best) in this league... Record don't lie, spurs are 13-50 this year after going 22-60 last season...this roster as such is not even play in bound in any season and none of thse guys will start in a spurs contending team, most of them not even on the roster.

Some of you need to get real, no fans from any other team is raving or envious about Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley or Jeremy Sochan...

Thank you for telling us ho other team's fans feel. I can understand why you might feel you have the inside scoop.

Good thing what other teams fans think is irrelevant. In the real world, those three players showed they could compete and be difference makers in high pressure situations at 20 years old. They are developing nicely along with several other players on the roster.

[Knoxxx]

I turned in mid-4th and was proud how the Spurs competed. keldon and Vassell both showing up on the same night was huge. The pair of 20 year olds balling out and Collins snapping out of his funk were all nice. Sochans late block on Fox was goose bump level. Then we totally choke at the end after having the Kings beat, winning us more lottery balls, great stuff!

The main thing I saw other than the team needing more experience to execute down the stretch, was the matchups and adding strategic roster pieces are key. For example, the Kings got too many second chances down the stretch. A better rebounding big may help there. Someone to “erase” Fox is big, such as on the Sochan block so to some degree he can be that guy against troublesome opposing scorers and/or ball handlers.

[John B]

It’s easy to be in a fantasy world, like you are.




It’s “Laker’s mentality” to say that a team needs better players, you claim. There is a defect in your mentality.




You are absolutely certain that it’s more important for the Spurs to develop Blake Wesley than to develop Wemby. Is that your story and you’re sticking to it? Is that how the situation stands in your fantasy world?

State your priorities. Do you have the courage to do so?

Why not Wesley? How do you know he’s not another Danny Green or Bruce Bowen?

Or what fantasy world the Spurs can afford 200 mil salary like the Lakers or Dubs. Unless they develop their draft picks, G-Leaguers, reclamation projects. Too easy to say surround Wemby with talent.

[Splits]

I'm actually surprised this game went to the wire with Wemby out, which is a good job by the other scrubs on this roster against a playoff team. I'm glad Pop is taking full accountability for not calling a time out at the end. Starts at 0:50 min


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAJ8HZ78Y-4

:lol

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/044/247/297.png

[Atl Spur]

Experience , patience, development and continuity/chemistry has always been our super powers! We’re progressing it’s just not resulting in wins yet:) Blake and Branham have value in different ways.

[Tyronn Lue]

Thank you for telling us ho other team's fans feel. I can understand why you might feel you have the inside scoop.

Good thing what other teams fans think is irrelevant. In the real world, those three players showed they could compete and be difference makers in high pressure situations at 20 years old. They are developing nicely along with several other players on the roster.
Compete in a high pressure situation, like turning the ball over to lose the game there at the end? While I agree individually and somewhat as a team they are ok bench talent for some teams that have strong starters, they are not strong starters or even mediocre starters for a team that doesn't have a bench.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Compete in a high pressure situation, like turning the ball over to lose the game there at the end? While I agree individually and somewhat as a team they are ok bench talent for some teams that have strong starters, they are not strong starters or even mediocre starters for a team that doesn't have a bench.

Yeah they shit the bed at the end but the way in the 4th the second unit brought the team back to take the lead. They fought tooth and nail those last 6 minutes. Focusing on 1 play is just recency and emotional bias.

[lefty]

I'm actually surprised this game went to the wire with Wemby out
Could be the other team playing down to our level , entering this game knowing Wemby was out
If we play the Kings again in 2 days without Wemby, they will torch us

[Seventyniner]

A better result would be to win the game and all of those bullets still apply. It's like you all think the players sit around and talk about record placement and protected picks.

The third bullet wouldn't apply if the Spurs had won. Yes they would still be in the bottom 3 but they would have been in more danger of passing the Hornets and maybe the Blazers later on.


They played well enough to beat a good team. The coaching staff failed them.

I truly don't understand the whole coaches versus players thing here. It's like Tony versus Manu. The whole team lost: the players and the coaches. Trying to protect the players by shitting on the coaching staff makes no sense.

And even granting that the coaches made more mistakes than the players last night, the players have played basketball for a long time. They know that sometimes they play well enough to win but lose, and sometimes they play badly enough to lose but win.


It's not the end of the world, but it's weird to be so cavalier about losses like this, especially when it's another example of an ongoing pattern that should give you concerns about the (hopefully near) future when wins are going to matter more.

The players aren't that stupid. They know that at this point in the season, given where their record is, losing is better than winning. If they are psychologically weak enough to be devastated after a close loss, rather than realizing that it was a coinflip game that came down to one possession, they aren't worth keeping on the team going forward anyway.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

A very humble Pop. Lol. As if he doesn't know what the reporter is trying to say.

Pop is pretty famous for stonewalling attempted narratives posed as questions.

[Pauleta14]

Read. I said the more dominant and stronger Wemby will demand ISO’s. Wemby may be dominant now but still very weak and easily get stripped. Also notice how the ball moves better last night with the ball not stopping at Wemby. There need to be a balance of motion offense and isolation, otherwise it’s the 4 Lakers watching LeBron chucking shots and painfully missing. Wemby is not strong enough yet to mimic the Nuggets offense, maybe in 2-3 years. He’s easily pushed out of position. Wemby will be there, but as of now he’s not. We are not getting a 21 years old NBA strong Timmy who could post and back his defender at day 1. Wemby is different built at 7’4. It’s easy to say, “pass the ball to Wemby.” On mis-matches, when he’s close to the rim, ally-ops yes. Wemby is a great passer, he can find people when they cut hard and his defender(s) will have to worry also about and leaving more room to wiggle. It’s not difficult to understand the Spurs motion offense trying to adapt Wemby’s style. And this season is about just that, “playing together”, finding the best combinations of offense.


I read u properly mate and still strongly disagree and not sure u read me properly tbh ^^

im aware of Wemby’s limitations etc. Not the point

point is there’s a reason then all moves diff when he’s not here, bc the overall level is much lower and none are reliable iso nor any of them draws double team.
THEY HAVE to move it that way to just stay in the game

it’s just impossible with Victor bc he’s trapped double triple teamed and we don’t have any shooters.

in 2014 we could play that style bc the BBIQ and talent was all over the place.


Anyways I get the reflex u had to think so but it’s correlation isn’t causation type of situation.

The future of Wemby looks closer to what they’re doing with Jokic in Denver bc Victor is a great passer and will attacked like Jokic a lot of attention

[Tyronn Lue]

Yeah they shit the bed at the end but the way in the 4th the second unit brought the team back to take the lead. They fought tooth and nail those last 6 minutes. Focusing on 1 play is just recency and emotional bias.
You said high pressure situation, but your retort is with a lower pressure situation than the one that ultimately decided the outcome. There's no emotion involved, does there need to be?

I said they played well. I just disagreed with the "high pressure" part. They have won 13 games all season and their star player is out. They were not under a high pressure, except at the end when the PG attempted to pass the ball to a big near the half court with no one back. Even then it was a higher pressure than before, but nothing compared to post season pressure.

[Pauleta14]

I think the team will obviously have to adapt around Victor, but as Victor is still exploring all his options all over the court, I think it's natural that a lot of other players are trying to figure out where they're spot is and how they're going to get the ball etc.

I totally agree.

it’s not as easy as it seems to connect with Victor on the floor and the lack of BBIQ and skills in the roster makes it even more difficult.
that’s not a reason for Wemby to “integrate himself” to his teammates’s level. He’s already being handicaped by them ffs :lol

[FuzzyLumpkins]

You said high pressure situation, but your retort is with a lower pressure situation than the one that ultimately decided the outcome. There's no emotion involved, does there need to be?

I said they played well. I just disagreed with the "high pressure" part. They have won 13 games all season and their star player is out. They were not under a high pressure, except at the end when the PG attempted to pass the ball to a big near the half court with no one back. Even then it was a higher pressure than before, but nothing compared to post season pressure.

You can pretend the last play was the only high pressure situation but on the road coming back from a 10 point 4th quarter deficit and playing in a close and late situation for the majority of that quarter also presented high pressure circumstances throughout.

and this is progression. no one is talking about them being ready for the playoffs. Pop talks about steps for a reason. This team is taking steps.

[Pauleta14]

and this is progression. no one is talking about them being ready for the playoffs. Pop talks about steps for a reason. This team is taking steps.

Who is this roster do you think belong to the project and whom progression matters…?

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Who is this roster do you think belong to the project and whom progression matters…?

Wemby, Vassell, Jones, Sochan, Branham, Wesley, and Barlow are the ones I think have improved the most this season. The roster is all on the team for the rest of the year so they all 'belong.' I am not sure what you are getting at.

[Tyronn Lue]

You can pretend the last play was the only high pressure situation but on the road coming back from a 10 point 4th quarter deficit and playing in a close and late situation for the majority of that quarter also presented high pressure circumstances throughout.

and this is progression. no one is talking about them being ready for the playoffs. Pop talks about steps for a reason. This team is taking steps.
Not the only one, no. But why not take the highest one if you're going that route? The team isn't adept at high pressure situations because they've never been in one yet. Maybe for them this is high pressure, but doesn't that just support the notion that they are not what this team needs? I doubt anyone here thinks the team will grow at the same rate, maybe some are hoping for a serviceable player out of this group. I think if the prime big 3 was the core, some of these guys could be contributors. With just a 1st year Victor who needs to be mentored by a player, not just by a 75 year old coach, that's probably not going to be the best approach.

"This year, with the development, I think one of the important factors to enhance that development is winning" -Pop

He said adding more wins is mandatory. He's not adding more wins. What part of mandatory makes this wheeled goalpost seem plausible?

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Not the only one, no. But why not take the highest one if you're going that route? The team isn't adept at high pressure situations because they've never been in one yet. Maybe for them this is high pressure, but doesn't that just support the notion that they are not what this team needs? I doubt anyone here thinks the team will grow at the same rate, maybe some are hoping for a serviceable player out of this group. I think if the prime big 3 was the core, some of these guys could be contributors. With just a 1st year Victor who needs to be mentored by a player, not just by a 75 year old coach, that's probably not going to be the best approach.

"This year, with the development, I think one of the important factors to enhance that development is winning" -Pop

He said adding more wins is mandatory. He's not adding more wins. What part of mandatory makes this wheeled goalpost seem plausible?

You have an axe to grind. That all is pretty much meaningless to me.

If you want to continue handwaving at the one play and ignore my arguments I am done.

[Tyronn Lue]

You have an axe to grind. That all is pretty much meaningless to me.

If you want to continue handwaving at the one play and ignore my arguments I am done.
The high pressure play? OK. I think it's already settled anyhow.

[Pauleta14]

Wemby, Vassell, Jones, Sochan, Branham, Wesley, and Barlow are the ones I think have improved the most this season. The roster is all on the team for the rest of the year so they all 'belong.' I am not sure what you are getting at.

Just curious

I’m a lot less optimistic than you for most of them.

Wemby Vassell Sochan (only bc there’s a slight hope and worth dev) and Barlow (cheap young and real margin) That’s it…

All the rest has too many limitations to be reliable NBA players imo

[JeffDuncan]

Why not Wesley? …



You really do think the development of Wesley is more important than the development of Wemby. Sir, you are not in possession of all of your faculties.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Just curious

I’m a lot less optimistic than you for most of them.

Wemby Vassell Sochan (only bc there’s a slight hope and worth dev) and Barlow (cheap young and real margin) That’s it…

All the rest has too many limitations to be reliable NBA players imo

Branham and Wesley were G-Leaguers last year.

Wesley in particular is extremely raw but he shows defensive instincts and success to go along with some eye popping speed, agility, and leaping he is just starting to learn to leverage.
Branham has improved his game from ball handling and finishing on isoes and pnr to reducing his number of blow bys on defense significantly.
Sochan is shutting down guards on the perimeter and taking on the role of defending the opponents best players to good effect. That is a winning talent all on it's own. He needs to go into an offseason where they know what position he is.

[heyheymymy]

Feels like Wesley has been progressing for over a month now and I'd say Branham started catching eyes 2-3 weeks ago. Nothing too crazy for the most part but discernible progress. I will say Bran was kind of eye popping last night in the 2nd half. Flashes of brilliance.

It's still a developing situation but the sample size is growing enough to almost resemble a trend at this point granted future plateaus still possibly ahead.

This is development.

[z0sa]

Feels like Wesley has been progressing for over a month now and I'd say Branham started catching eyes 2-3 weeks ago. Nothing too crazy for the most part but discernible progress. I will say Bran was kind of eye popping last night in the 2nd half. Flashes of brilliance.

It's still a developing situation but the sample size is growing enough to almost resemble a trend at this point granted future plateaus still possibly ahead.

This is development.

Yeah, this game looked like we've actually achieved some growth this season. Not nearly as much as I expected, but some.

[Sugus]

The whole NBA say we're terrible. Litterally every fanbase I read or pundit I listen to. And one 'good loss" changes nothing to that.

You guys are the ones overracting after one "good loss", like you were trying to convince yourself these guys will be nothing but role players (at best) in this league... Record don't lie, spurs are 13-50 this year after going 22-60 last season...this roster as such is not even play in bound in any season and none of these guys will start in a spurs contending team, most of them not even on the roster. But let's keep developing them for another 3 years.

Some of you need to get real, no fans from any other team is raving or envious about Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley or Jeremy Sochan...

Sorry for a late reply.

The NBA at large recognizes Wemby & the Spurs will be a problem before long. Everyone and their mama knows this season's team isn't "it", but they can also see the positive situation the Spurs have put themselves in (cap flexibility, pick surplus, and a 1A talent cornerstone), and how that can/will lead to a big turnaround before long. That's what I meant, not that this seasons' players are gonna take some massive leap.

I'm "real" in the regard you're saying (I was arguing with Dejounte a while back who said I had a "Moneyball" view of the roster, lol). These guys are expendable, for sure. But that doesn't mean that what I wrote earlier is untrue. It only means it'll take some roster turnover to get to where the Spurs can get.

I think the idea that the Spurs will be terrible always, because the current team is terrible, is quite myopic, and the NBA as a league has seen plenty of day/night team transformations in a single off-season or two for me to put weight on the idea (not that the Spurs will go this way necessarily).

I don't see Spurs management talking about developing Branham for 3 more years, do you? Last I've heard was Pop outright stating that every option is on the table, from draft, trades, etc. So while I understand the pessimism for this team, I don't agree with the pessimistic outlook for the future, when the Spurs have objectively placed themselves in a situation a dozen teams are envious of.

And before you say it - did it take lottery luck? For sure, I never say otherwise. It also took tanking at just the right time, the "right way" (meaning a full compromise to the tank, which I still remember this same board laughing the idea out the window). "Luck is a friend of Action" is a great saying and the Spurs know it well.