Preseason Grades: Spurs at Rockets - Oct. 17, 2024

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/grades-spurs-rockets-2025-preseason-5/

[onechance87]

We have been terrible in developing players the last few years.Dont expect branham,wesley or sochan to make
any major improvement this season.Once again our lack of shooting hurt us.Along with being out rebounded
and not being able to defended the paint killed us.Maybe drafting edey would of helped with that.

[exstatic]

We have been terrible in developing players the last few years.Dont expect branham,wesley or sochan to make
any major improvement this season.Once again our lack of shooting hurt us.Along with being out rebounded
and not being able to defended the paint killed us.Maybe drafting edey would of helped with that.

Any team looks sucky when they’re down their top 5 players. This was roster slots 6-20 playing last night.

[onechance87]

Any team looks sucky when they’re down their top 5 players. This was roster slots 6-20 playing last night.

not true at all.Atl played last night as well with no starters and competed the whole game and almost took down okc who had there
star players in.Our players are just trash.

[jjspur]

Last night was really a matter of coaching philosophies. Houston was prepping for the first game of the season by playing its regular players, while pop sent out the b, c, and d teams. What he learned by doing that, I don't know. Maybe he was looking to see who he would cut and who would stay. What I do know is that he needs to get his stuff together really soon when the games really count. Who knows, maybe we'll see a surprise cut or maybe someone impressed. Hopefully we find out sooner than later.

[CGD]

^ obviously it was about final cuts

[Pauleta14]

Last night was really a matter of coaching philosophies. Houston was prepping for the first game of the season by playing its regular players, while pop sent out the b, c, and d teams. What he learned by doing that, I don't know. Maybe he was looking to see who he would cut and who would stay. What I do know is that he needs to get his stuff together really soon when the games really count. Who knows, maybe we'll see a surprise cut or maybe someone impressed. Hopefully we find out sooner than later.


The whole pre season looked to me like Pop hates the whole of it and would prefer to stay at their training facility.

A bit of a FU move by Pop

[John B]

It’s not a big deal. Pop wanted to give opportunities to players to make the team.

Castle was solid. Except for a couple of turnovers dribbling through traffic. But he looked composed enough and not got rattled. He’s truly mature for his age.

I’m happy to see Bassey play. But with Sengun putting up big numbers, I’m still not convinced with Spurs post defense. Sengun seemed to just go through whenever he wanted. It makes me think if not drafting Edey to boost the post defense was not a mistake.

[Atl Spur]

Some here are way too short sighted….rather win the battle and lose the war! Our HOF coach got this, let him cook.

[Atl Spur]

It’s not a big deal. Pop wanted to give opportunities to players to make the team.

Castle was solid. Except for a couple of turnovers dribbling through traffic. But he looked composed enough and not got rattled. He’s truly mature for his age.

I’m happy to see Bassey play. But with Sengun putting up big numbers, I’m still not convinced with Spurs post defense. Sengun seemed to just go through whenever he wanted. It makes me think if not drafting Edey to boost the post defense was not a mistake.

I really thought Edey was the pick for #8 but I’m ok with deferring for future cheap talent when our books will warrant it.

[jeebus]

It was a normal showing by 2nd/3rd stringers and players that belong overseas, along with the lovable senility of Poop. Nothing to cut your wrists about.

[BackHome]

We didn’t draft a backup Center because I don’t think we will be competing in the Playoffs. Pop pretty much said this by saying there not going to rush and they have a plan they will follow. I think this year is working on improving Wemby overall game offense and defense and also working Castle into our future PG. They are also going to be seeing how Sochan handles full time PF duties and how Keldon can impact the second unit as a Spark plug.

They will also be evaluating and determining what if any long term plans they have with Champ, Bran, Blake, and Cisko. To be honest it is not looking good for those guys and I think they know it which is going to create a lot of pressure which is good will see who rises up to the challenge and who cracks.

Will see if Spurs participate in any trades as I only see them participating if it’s getting picks for a salary dump which might consist of Collins, Barnes, Champ, Bran, and Blake. I think they still like Keldon and will see if Pop will stick with Sidy long term.

[mudd]

yea we don't want to rush things, no sengun, no Dalton Keneck, we can wait till 2031....the wright way..

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PwrwaDJtj4

[z0sa]

The problem continues to be a lack of reliable 3point shooting, but it was only our scrubs in action, so I'm withholding much judgment for this game.

Wesley was doing great, pushing at breakneck speed, but seems to have lost that edge suddenly. Dunno why.

Branham continues to excel at mid range shooting and basically nothing else.

Tre Jones is and will remain perpetually a backup PG at the NBA level. If only his three point shot was money, we'd be so much better.

Mamu is amazingly smooth on offense for his pricetag, but I'm starting to enter the "he gives it all away on defense" crowd. Even in 1on1's with other bigs, he somehow finds himself out of position giving up a layup or rebound.

Another Zhaquille Collins game, not surprising at all at this point, tbh. He will find ways to jack up shots. His passing does pay dividends but he also gives a lot up on defense. Net neutral at best and it doesn't look like he'll improve meaningfully this season.

Castle was the highlight, but his outside shooting is obviously a season or so away from being anywhere near consistent. I did quite like his mid range pullups, though. It's very early and right now, I'd take him over Sheppard 100% even though we badly need shooting.

Not much else to say, other than Pop is amazingly dense resting guys like Wemby. The bench scrubs aren't going to win us any games - we need chemistry built and sooner rather than later. Some late lottery pick isn't going to make the difference next season. We had a couple possessions of excellent ball movement, considering who we sat. That said, we need something like 25 more wins compared to 23-24 to be in the playin hunt and I'm having trouble seeing that happen. I'll still watch every game, though. On to the regular season!

[Mugen]

I've said it before and will say it again...

To construct a roster that has both a severe lack of shooting and a severe lack of rim pressure in the year 2024 is truly an accomplishment.

Hopefully those 2030s picks are gold, BWrong :lol

[Vince Carter's ankle]

Maybe drafting edey would of helped with that.
great plan
since the Spurs don't have a starting center

[rjv]

i have to admit that i've been underwhelmed with the amount of preseason overreaction from ST this year.

[Mugen]

i have to admit that i've been underwhelmed with the amount of preseason overreaction from ST this year.

Saving it for the first quarter of the regular season when the old man has Castle stuck behind Branham in the rotation tbh.

[Mr. Body]

One thing I don't like with the second and third unit guys is this game of hot potato and won't shoot the goddamn ball. Part of this may be not knowing when the right shot is, but too many of them just won't shoot regardless. And it feels like there are like eight guys like this.

This changes a little once Julian moves to the bench, but otherwise it's like you've got five players who won't acknowledge there's a basket and the ball needs to at least touch the rim. It's great they're learning how to sling the rock around, but... c'mon.

This is where Castle is such a boon. He's constantly aggressive. Ball needs to go the hoop? Ball goes to the hoop.

[wildbill2u]

What happened to that rookie Minik (sp?) Not even on the roster anymore?

[exstatic]

Last night was really a matter of coaching philosophies. Houston was prepping for the first game of the season by playing its regular players, while pop sent out the b, c, and d teams. What he learned by doing that, I don't know. Maybe he was looking to see who he would cut and who would stay. What I do know is that he needs to get his stuff together really soon when the games really count. Who knows, maybe we'll see a surprise cut or maybe someone impressed. Hopefully we find out sooner than later.

We play Houston twice in short order: next Saturday and the following Monday. No need to show them our cards.

[baseline bum]

I don't understand how Branham gets a B+ when he can't shoot threes. That's what he was drafted for and he has been an utter failure at it. He doesn't belong even on this weak roster much less getting rotation minutes. His only value is the $3.2 million cap hit for matching salary if the Spurs make a trade this year.

[daslicer]

i have to admit that i've been underwhelmed with the amount of preseason overreaction from ST this year.

We have all been desensitized to Pop's madness. I have just accepted he's going to do crazy shit running this team as long as he's in charge.

[jjspur]

I would like to see Minix get the last 2 way slot, he shows promise Boston and Flynn are probably gone although both are talented and about as good as Sidy and Branham in some areas. Wesley has improved a bit over the summer so I think he's feeling ok for now. Maybe we could trade a couple of these guys along with the 2nd we picked up from Sacramento as a salary dump. I know, not much trade value there other than the 2nd round pick but someone is definitely getting cut fairly soon. That final 15 man roster deadline is coming soon.

[timtonymanu]

I've said it before and will say it again...

To construct a roster that has both a severe lack of shooting and a severe lack of rim pressure in the year 2024 is truly an accomplishment.

Hopefully those 2030s picks are gold, BWrong :lol

The term “if he just had a 3 point shot” applies to so many of these losers lol.

Hell, even just having Forms or McBuckets on the team would help tremendously.

[timtonymanu]

I don't understand how Branham gets a B+ when he can't shoot threes. That's what he was drafted for and he has been an utter failure at it. He doesn't belong even on this weak roster much less getting rotation minutes. His only value is the $3.2 million cap hit for matching salary if the Spurs make a trade this year.

His only skill appears to be shooting midrange 2s. The most useless shot in today’s NBA.

Sad thing is it’s gonna take Pop like 60 games to figure out that Branham isn’t an nba level player when Castle should be getting all his minutes.

[exstatic]

The term “if he just had a 3 point shot” applies to so many of these losers lol.

Hell, even just having Forms or McBuckets on the team would help tremendously.

The Venn diagram of people critical of our young players shooting percentage, yet lusting over the non-shooting Cooper Flagg is a circle.

[onechance87]

great plan
since the Spurs don't have a starting center

Muthafcker...Portland has a center and still took clingan who will be coming off the bench.This team needs rebounding
and paint protection bad.Once wemby sits this team goes to shit for those reasons.We could of also used edy for trade leverage
for the future if he becomes a good player.Which it looks like he will.

[exstatic]

Muthafcker...Portland has a center and still took clingan who will be coming off the bench.This team needs rebounding
and paint protection bad.Once wemby sits this team goes to shit for those reasons.We could of also used edy for trade leverage
for the future if he becomes a good player.Which it looks like he will.

Ayton has only two years left, and Clingan is his likely replacement, a scenario that won’t apply to Wemby.

[NASpurs]

We play Houston twice in short order: next Saturday and the following Monday. No need to show them our cards.

:lol this is hilarious

[spurraider21]

The Venn diagram of people critical of our young players shooting percentage, yet lusting over the non-shooting Cooper Flagg is a circle.
apples and bowling balls

[Vince Carter's ankle]

Ayton has only two years left, and Clingan is his likely replacement, a scenario that won’t apply to Wemby.
too complex logical chain

[Seventyniner]

apples and bowling balls

Both are round, like a circle.

[KingKev]

:lol this is hilarious

respect your elders!!!