Game Thread: Spurs (12-12) at Trail Blazers (8-16) December 13th, 2024 | 9 PM CT

[John B]

Spurs Injuries: Stephon Castle – Out (left shoulder; contusion), Zach Collins – Out (lower back), Keldon Johnson – Out (left calf), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Tre Jones – Out (shoulder)


Trail Blazers Injuries: DeAndre Ayton – Questionable (illness), Donovan Clingan – Questionable (knee), Bryce McGowens – Out (G League), Justin Minaya – Out (foot), Duop Reath – Doubtful (low back), Matisse Thybulle – Out (ankle), Robert Williams III – Questionable (concussion protocol)

The Spurs are back after the looooong break. But without Castle, Keldon, Zollins and Tre. I really thought the long break would have all the guys back. I hope Castle gets back fast. He’s trending up on the ROTY ladder currently at number 2.

The Spurs will take this to start the win streak at 2! GSG! :flag::flag::flag:

[exstatic]

Spurs Injuries: Stephon Castle – Out (left shoulder; contusion), Zach Collins – Out (lower back), Keldon Johnson – Out (left calf), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Tre Jones – Out (shoulder)


Trail Blazers Injuries: DeAndre Ayton – Questionable (illness), Donovan Clingan – Questionable (knee), Bryce McGowens – Out (G League), Justin Minaya – Out (foot), Duop Reath – Doubtful (low back), Matisse Thybulle – Out (ankle), Robert Williams III – Questionable (concussion protocol)

The Spurs are back after the looooong break. But without Castle, Sochan, Zollins and Tre. I really thought the long break would have all the guys back. I hope Castle gets back fast. He’s trending up on the ROTY ladder currently at number 2.

The Spurs will take this to start the win streak at 2! GSG! :flag::flag::flag:

I don’t actually see Sochan on the list.

[KingKev]

Sochan available per ESPN

[Leetonidas]

Robert Williams has been in concussion protocol since 11/26. Seems kinda odd

[LeBowen]

Must win, hopefully we finally start the game well after extended rest.

Two negative players out, shame about Castle, but I'm intrigued to see how our best spacing lineups do.
Wesley gets another chance since Tre is also out.

[John B]

I don’t actually see Sochan on the list.

Sorry I meant Keldon

[itzsoweezee]

All the blazers big men are out. This better be a cakewalk

[John B]

All the blazers big men are out. This better be a cakewalk

Career high for Bassey coming up.

[scott]

Was actually looking forward to seeing how the Wemby and Bassey combo fairs against a bigger C pairing in Ayton and Clingan - but I’ll take a cakewalk as well if we can swing it. Wemby has historically beasted against POR on the defensive end.

[Thomas82]

Wemby vs Scoot.......this should be a classic!! :lol

[RC_Drunkford]

Hope Vassell starts

[jjspur]

Wemby should be able to take advantage of Portland's lack of bigs. This could be his chance to score like 40 points, if he doesn't get hurt.

[Russ]

Wemby vs Scoot.......this should be a classic!! :lol

06RqWhOmBMU

[scott]

Wemby should be able to take advantage of Portland's lack of bigs. This could be his chance to score like 40 points, if he doesn't get hurt.

Or the Blazers will put Simons and Sharpe on him in the post and it will take the Spurs an entire half to realize that Wemby can score on them

[baseline bum]

Or the Blazers will put Simons and Sharpe on him in the post and it will take Victor an entire half to realize that Wemby can score on them

FIFY

[baseline bum]

06RqWhOmBMU

:lmao

Reminds me of Mickey Mouse Goes to Vietnam

[heyheymymy]

:flag:

[rascal]

All the blazers big men are out. This better be a cakewalk

Clingan is expected to play.

[rascal]

This isn't going to be an easy game as most in here think. Castle is a big loss.
Spurs on the road where they haven't been too impressive.

[timtonymanu]

rascal :lol. Everything is glass half empty.

[TekXX]

What channel is the game? Fanduel?

[Leetonidas]

What channel is the game? Fanduel?

Yep

[cutewizard]

Win today my Spurs

[cutewizard]

Go go Spurs

[skin27]

:flag:

[skin27]

Mitch has a weird voice

[Strategic]

Come on Spurs

[thiste]

Anyone here believes Scoot still thinks he has a rivalry with Victor? :lol

[baseline bum]

Point Suckhan to begin the game :pctoss

[scott]

rascal :lol. Everything is glass half empty.

Rascal, also a Blazers fan. One of these days they’ll turn all his favorite prospects into a winning record :lol

[TekXX]

Is that Mutumbo on the Portland bench, did he come back alive?

[Leetonidas]

Embarrassing start

[scott]

Blake the first guy off the bench is a surprise

[Kawhi Duncan]

Sochan starting... Watch Wemby barely get to take shots at the rim and probably will shoot less than 16 shots unless he takes 10 threes

[Leetonidas]

There we go

[Guru of Nothing]

Fuck yeah.

[scott]

Nice energy from Blake! Young man is evolving

[timtonymanu]

Yahoo sports updates are really lagging.

[poopbox]

Holy shit at that pass by Wesley :lmao

[poopbox]

I mean just trade Collins for literally anything and give his minutes to the Bass man

[Guru of Nothing]

It's Showtime!

[Leetonidas]

Kick his ass C Bass!

[scott]

BASSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYY

[baseline bum]

Kick his ass C-Bass!

[Kawhi Duncan]

Bassi os SOOO much better than Collins, it's crazy

[scott]

That Bass block on Clingan reminded me of Wemby stuffing Chet last year

[SPURt]

I want Bassey to see if my butt can get pregnant

[thiste]

Bassey's the truth behind Victor, sorry Zach

[100%duncan]

Is there no box score for this game? Smh

[TekXX]

It's a shame Collins couldn't suck in Portland...for ole times sake.

[100%duncan]

I mean just trade Collins for literally anything and give his minutes to the Bass man

Addition by subtraction

[baseline bum]

Impressive work there from C-Bass coming from out of nowhere to steal that board from Clingan.

[scott]

TBH I think Sean is trying to challenge me for Chairmanship of the Bassey fan club

[baseline bum]

Clingan's nice, Portland's gotta get the hell off Ayton

[100%duncan]

Bruh? Cp wanting the night off or what

[Guru of Nothing]

Load management.

[TekXX]

These refs are stupid

[Rosewood]

:lol

[heyheymymy]

god damnt no Tre Jones or Castle and CP3 gets ejected

Blake Sanity o clock I guess

[timtonymanu]

Clingan's nice, Portland's gotta get the hell off Ayton

Can’t believe some spurs fans want Ayton :lol

[barakz21]

Lmao wtf was that? Weak call by the ref

[Kawhi Duncan]

Dunk that shit Wemby... Wtf

[Strategic]

Paul headed straight to the green room

[cutewizard]

Ahhhhhhhh

[Guru of Nothing]

Point Wemby? Why not

[heyheymymy]

Chris Paul had an exclusive tour of the Tillamook Creamery tonight so he got ejected on purpose.

[heyheymymy]

Wemby looks pretty well rested

[cutewizard]

Go Spurs

[cutewizard]

37 27

[Strategic]

Bullshit call

[timtonymanu]

Can Wemby stop with the stupid shit?

[Leetonidas]

Ugly game

[heyheymymy]

wow mamu OREB monster

[cutewizard]

Mamu boards

[Strategic]

Nice hustle Mamu. Still can’t get a shot though

[100%duncan]

No CP, Steph, Tre is gonna hurt. Good thing it’s against the blazers

[cutewizard]

Lack of energy by everyone??

[skin27]

Mamu stealing rebounds ftom wemby

[timtonymanu]

Such ugly offense from both teams

[cutewizard]

Ugly

[baseline bum]

Devin badly needed right now

[100%duncan]

These refs :lol

[cutewizard]

Where's Paul

[baseline bum]

Where's Paul

Got ejected early in the first quarter

[cutewizard]

Lazy pass

[TekXX]

Where's Paul

ejected

[100%duncan]

This loss is on CP3 if ever. Getting thrown out like that when Steph and Tre are out :lol

[cutewizard]

Got ejected early in the first quarter

We really need a full time back up point

[skin27]

Got ejected early in the first quarter

what happened? 2 technicals?

[cutewizard]

C'mon Spurs

Show your mettle

Wesley should step up

[Thomas82]

what happened? 2 technicals?

Yes

[scott]

Devin takeover game

[100%duncan]

Ugly game in general tbh but Wemby and Dev individually are both hooping

[skin27]

Victor should’ve attempt a shot after the wistle instead of being so soft

[Kuvai]

Victor should’ve attempt a shot after the wistle instead of being so soft

victor is soft 1st 2 Qtr’s. I call that smart as well

[scott]

Only 13 3PA in the first half… a retro game plan

[Thomas82]

Is there no box score for this game? Smh

Check out NBA.com for the box score.

[scott]

Jerami Grant is going to get traded to a contender and be a difference maker in a playoff setting

[100%duncan]

Wesley and Keldon are the tunnel vision duo

[Spurs Brazil]

Wesley is so dumb. Bad shot on offense and then gamble on defense leaving Grant open

[Strategic]

Quit bitching about the calls and play defense

[skin27]

Blazers cant miss from 3pt

[100%duncan]

Why are they leaving Jerami Grant open tbh? :lol

[timtonymanu]

So “glad” our front office gave Wesley and Branham another season to play here

[cutewizard]

Cmon

[Leetonidas]

Trash

[timtonymanu]

Why are they leaving Jerami Grant open tbh? :lol

They always leave the 3 point shooters wide open. Such a dumb strategy

[timtonymanu]

Godawful 3rd quarter

[100%duncan]

Let’s all hope Wesley, Branham, Collins and Keldon are off my team next year tbh

[skin27]

Why are they leaving Jerami Grant open tbh? :lol

they believe in ghe saying “ live by the 3 die by the 3”

[heyheymymy]

Grant was 4-5 from three and they left him open

[100%duncan]

So “glad” our front office gave Wesley and Branham another season to play here

Idiots here wouldn’t trade future Wesleys and Branhams for Lamelo Ball :lol

[Strategic]

Common theme this year: the other team is hitting all the 3’s. Go figure…

[Thomas82]

Let’s all hope Wesley, Branham, Collins and Keldon are off my team next year tbh

I cosign this 100%!!

[tonight...you]

Hey, when you're down to your 3rd and 4th string PG's and the refs are giving no benefits of any doubts...

This happens.

But leaving Grant open still? Ugh. Although they're doing a pick your poison Clingan down low vs Grant at the 3 choice and he's hitting them all.

[timtonymanu]

This is what happens when there’s no true PG on the floor

[100%duncan]

Clingan has had DPOY level of reputation with the refs this game :lmao

[baseline bum]

WTF happened to Barnes? Dude is -19 in 22 minutes tonight.

[sananspursfan21]

Bottom 3 team in the league looking like a contender. Of course

[cutewizard]

Grabe

[timtonymanu]

Spurs still got a chance but with zero PGs this is looking like a loss.

[scott]

Need some Mamu energy to turn this around

[timtonymanu]

Barnes is only like 32 but he plays like a 40 year old some games.

[tonight...you]

WTF happened to Barnes? Dude is -19 in 22 minutes tonight.
Barnes is fine. Grant is unreal right now.

[timtonymanu]

Fucking boo!!! Terrible effort from our guys

[scott]

That might have been the worst quarter of the entire season

[timtonymanu]

46 3rd quarter points by Portland, just fucking unacceptable,

[Leetonidas]

That was the most inexcusably shitty effort I've seen in a long time. Regardless of not having our PGs that shit was pathetic.

[Spurs Brazil]

Pathetic defense in the 3rd

[Kawhi Duncan]

Why isn't Wemby dunking these drives anymore? Everything is some crazy layup that mostly misses when he could go up strong for a dunk

[Larry O]

V-Dub1 is to SOFT at the bucket while our 3 point defense is putrid!

[timtonymanu]

Idiots here wouldn’t trade future Wesleys and Branhams for Lamelo Ball :lol

Still some liabilities in our rotation yet they want to play the loyalty card and keep bringing back scrubs, it’s annoying.

[Strategic]

Missing Castle’s defense more than his offense. Grant 3 bombing

[tonight...you]

Wow.
I just saw the fattest cheerleader ever.

[skin27]

Why isn't Wemby dunking these drives anymore? Everything is some crazy layup that mostly misses when he could go up strong for a dunk

probably they told him dunking isnt the spurs way. His highlight reels are down season

[sananspursfan21]

I don’t think there’s been a team this season be ice cold from 3 against the Spurs

[Strategic]

If Portland can have dancers why can’t the Spurs?

[Kawhi Duncan]

It's not a Spurs game unless one of our wings foul a jump shooter

[CGD]

No Sean, that foul by Maliki was NOT good defense

[tonight...you]

If Portland can have dancers why can’t the Spurs?
A couple of their dancers are 200+

[timtonymanu]

Worst place to be is the 11th - 12th seed which is what the spurs are pacing to be at right now. No play in or no high enough lottery pick. While we get to watch Wesley and Branham continue to not look like nba players for another year.

[skin27]

Blazers cant miss

[scott]

Holy shit the Blazers can’t miss

[Leetonidas]

Yeah this is over. Weak ass effort from the team tonight

[Robz4000]

:lmao Spurs

[Strategic]

Spurs two best closers this year is Paul and Castle. Not getting it done

[TekXX]

Well damn, spurs are shit.

[Kawhi Duncan]

Embarrassing... We need a complete overhaul... Coaches first

[Spurs Brazil]

Branham playing PG is a joke.

[tonight...you]

Pop would pull everybody right the f now and tell them they don't want to win.

[itzsoweezee]

Goddamn I had forgotten how bad branham is. This guy can’t do anything right.

Why is Sochan glued to the bench?

[poopbox]

Bulls and Blazers should have been cakewalk games and the spurs are going to get blown out by both :lol

[Leetonidas]

Also, fuck Branham. Seriously. Complete fucking waste of a roster spot

[Kawhi Duncan]

Blazers cant miss

That's what happens when u play lazy, low-IQ defense... You give the other team confidence so now even when you actually start to play defense, they've already heated up

[timtonymanu]

Goddamn I had forgotten how bad branham is. This guy can’t do anything right.

Why is Sochan glued to the bench?

Grant was torching Sochan. Send him to the bench, tbh.

[TheBallsbreakers]

Branham. oh my goodness this is something else

[Larry O]

Portland has the momentum now, so this game is over...

[baseline bum]

Also, fuck Branham. Seriously. Complete fucking waste of a roster spot

ROFL -21 in 15 minutes. Fuck that scrub.

[timtonymanu]

Also, fuck Branham. Seriously. Complete fucking waste of a roster spot

Why have talent when you have scrubs with culture?

[Robz4000]

Can't even tank at this point tbh. With San Antonio not being a FA destination and those ATL picks looking shittier by the day, not sure how this team improves with BWrong being shit at trading for players.

[AusSpur]

Terrible reffing. Portland have been allowed to be so much more physical than the Spurs.

[tonight...you]

I don't complain about the refs, but wow.

[scott]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Tim Duncan managed to get Tee’d up from his couch in this one

[skin27]

Vasselo stupid defensivley.

[tonight...you]

Can't even tank at this point tbh. With San Antonio not being a FA destination and those ATL picks looking shittier by the day, not sure how this team improves with BWrong being shit at trading for players.
First off, fuck tanking.
Second, there are future #1 draft choices wishing they could play with SA.
Wemby makes SA a destination.

[sananspursfan21]

They wouldn’t, but the NBA should look into this game. Just nuts how much the blazers getting away with yet you can’t look at them without getting a foul

[TekXX]

Getting blown out by a shit Portland Jailblazers, it's a Spurs low point

[sananspursfan21]

Also, where did Vassel’s free throw shot go? This is embarrassing

[spursgu]

Can't even tank at this point tbh. With San Antonio not being a FA destination and those ATL picks looking shittier by the day, not sure how this team improves with BWrong being shit at trading for players.

Man, you're a good poster but you always make such asinine statements when you melt down.

[spursgu]

Also, where did Vassel’s free throw shot go? This is embarrassing

Free throw shooting has always been one of his weaknesses.

[scott]

Almost flew to Portland for this game. Sure glad I didn’t.

[cutewizard]

Why so sloppy

[SPURt]

Walker looks so damn much like his Dad it’s wild

[itzsoweezee]

Getting flashbacks of last season from the atrocious branham minutes. This season is so much better because he hadn’t been playing

[cutewizard]

A disgrace to lose this way

[scott]

This game is winnable. Just need a few more stops.

[sananspursfan21]

Free throw shooting has always been one of his weaknesses.

He’s over 80% for his career.

[scott]

Let’s fucking go boys

[itzsoweezee]

Holy shit. Spurs are going to win this game

[Robz4000]

Man, you're a good poster but you always make such asinine statements when you melt down.

:lol tbf I'm pretty pessimistic when it comes to my sports teams

[cutewizard]

C'mon

[tonight...you]

Almost flew to Portland for this game. Sure glad I didn’t.
Hold onto that thought.

[cutewizard]

Sohan

[skin27]

Chanpaigne!!

[cutewizard]

Hahahahahah

[cutewizard]

Ohhhh

[sananspursfan21]

Trash game but I guess get the win and get out. Let’s finish this pathetic effort.

[skin27]

Vassell

[cutewizard]

Lead

[timtonymanu]

Win or lose, this game is proof that Branham needs to go this offseason. Salary dump or anything. Just get him the fuck off.

[scott]

Devin has learned how to be clutch this year!

[skin27]

1 stop pls

[skin27]

Wemby for the game winner?

[cutewizard]

Overtime??

[Spurminator]

Trash game but I guess get the win and get out. Let’s finish this pathetic effort.

Pretty good effort in my view. Great comeback after surviving a flukey shooting barrage in the 3rd. Without that, this is a double digit win.

[Rosewood]

Jerami Grant played a hell of a game tbh…

[Robz4000]

CP0 ftw?

[Spurs Homer]

Dont look now…but that

wemby/sochan/barnes/vassell/champagnie lineup did some good work….

[Spurminator]

Not a fan of the new play-by-play guy for the Spurs tbh.

[AusSpur]

Good win tbh

[skin27]

Spurs WIN!!! Nice Comeback tbh

[timtonymanu]

Okay I’ll shut up. That was pretty gutsy after that horrid 3rd quarter with no CP3 or Castle.

[Rosewood]

Damn Wemby perfect from the line. Some clutch ones again too.

good win IMO despite being frustrating to watch.

[thiste]

I love it when we don't play well and we're missing many players and we still win, even though that's just the Pistons.

[Leetonidas]

Wow

[Spurs Brazil]

Wemby and Vassell: great job

[Strategic]

That’s a W

[timtonymanu]

Not a fan of the new play-by-play guy for the Spurs tbh.

He just has zero charisma. Bill and Sean’s banter is so missed.

[baseline bum]

Moral of the story: keep Bran Ham glued firmly to the fucking bench. Or even better, release him.

[cutewizard]

Yessssssssssß

[scott]

Character building win

And I like the new Play by Play guy

[cutewizard]

Lots of lessons

[scott]

Don’t know if the Blazers choked or tanked, but we’ll take it :lol

[cutewizard]

Nail biting

[timtonymanu]

Don’t know if the Blazers choked or tanked, but we’ll take it :lol

That loser Branham went to the bench.

[baseline bum]

Almost flew to Portland for this game. Sure glad I didn’t.

You don't get Deschutes Black Butte Porter out there in Hawaii?

[SPURt]

Went from one of the worst losses to one of the best wins! Biggest take away from this one, Branham is terrible. I’d rather see what Cissoko has

[cutewizard]

Point guards are an absolute necessity

[cutewizard]

Went from one of the worst losses to one of the best wins! Biggest take away from this one, Branham is terrible. I’d rather see what Cissoko has


Or Nunez someday

[tonight...you]

Don’t know if the Blazers choked or tanked, but we’ll take it :lol
They went from ridiculously hot to more normal andf the Spurs never gave up.

You should have taken that flight.

[itzsoweezee]

Branham’s 15 minutes almost cost the spurs the game. Crazy

[Biggems]

We need to relieve ourselves of Collins and Branham.

[cutewizard]

100% free throw shooting by Wemby

Great

[Larry O]

Well, eat my words! Whata win! GSG!!!

[spursgu]

:lol tbf I'm pretty pessimistic when it comes to my sports teams

it's alright. you're usually a good poster so I won't argue with you.

[scott]

You don't get Deschutes Black Butte Porter out there in Hawaii?

I was in San Diego this week, thought real hard about changing my flight today from headed home to going to PDX, but would have been about a $500 difference in airfare to get home tomorrow, plus game ticket and hotel. Decided to keep my powder dry. Might look at going to the two B2B games @ the Lakers in January

[CGD]

Sochan gets overlooked, but he was clutch in the 4th with the energy and defense.

[spursgu]

He’s over 80% for his career.

Correction: He's NOT a terrible free throw shooter and he's better than guys like Sochan but he's had his moments where he misses 2 free throws at the line. Idk if it's just his shooting form, but out of him Wemby Castle and CP3, he's the last person I would ask to shoot technical free throws.

[sananspursfan21]

Can’t stand that they let the game reach the point that it did, but yeah. Pretty pleased with their poise down the stretch. Still waiting for that complete game though

[sananspursfan21]

Correction: He's NOT a terrible free throw shooter and he's better than guys like Sochan but he's had his moments where he misses 2 free throws at the line. Idk if it's just his shooting form, but out of him Wemby Castle and CP3, he's the last person I would ask to shoot technical free throws.

I’ve not witnessed him missing both very often but I can submit to him missing some head scratchers. That’s fair

[cutewizard]

Wemby with 28 points
7 rebounds
7 assists

[spursgu]

Can’t stand that they let the game reach the point that it did, but yeah. Pretty pleased with their poise down the stretch. Still waiting for that complete game though

Yeah but no Castle, CP3 got thrown out, and as much as people hate on Keldon and Tre, they are other bodies to throw out there because the alternate is Branham as we saw tonight. I'm just glad they got the win.

[scott]

Sochan gets overlooked, but he was clutch in the 4th with the energy and defense.

Indeed, that steal that lead to FTs (even though he missed one) was absolutely critical

[RedAzSa]

Blake with a game high +19 w/ 8 assists.

Gutsy win

[spursgu]

Blake with a game high +19 w/ 8 assists.

Gutsy win

People shit on Blake, but he didn't even do that bad tonight.

[John B]

Well they made that interesting

[100%duncan]

Damn I had to drive after that horrendous third qtr. Look at my phone and we won :lol

[tim_duncan_fan]

Blazers are not good, but we were down basically the first 3 strings of PGs so, hey. OK win.

I'd be pissed about going out on free-throws if it was us instead of Portland lol. Sucks to suck, I guess.

[The Truth #6]

Best win of the season in a sense. Without CP3 they were death spiralling, but they turned up the volume on defense, Mitch played our best 5 players, and they found a way to win, again, without CP3. I'd call that progress.

Sochan and Devin both played great when needed.

Exciting, gutsy win. If they lost it would have been devastating so that's another reason I'll call this a huge win for a young team.

[Dverde]

Refs were so bad, I figured they’d give us make up calls if it was close.

[cutewizard]

Guys, on another topic

Have you heard of the DRONES?

[LeBowen]

Just caught up with this, Champagnie slander will no longer be tolerated. Perfect 3-D rotation player.
Hopefully Devin can keep this up, just can't allow himself to go 1-4 from the line.
Wemby's most "natural" game in a while. Nothing felt forced, he was always in the flow of the offense.
Hopefully Bassey keeps his backup big role even after Collins recovers from his vagina injury.
Branham and Wesley have shown why they'll never be anything more than third stringers.

And yeah, those refs were just straight up incompetent retards.

Two big games coming up, another chance to get ourselves unstuck from .500, one way or another.

[jjspur]

Good win without any point guards on board...that's progress. Even Wesley has made some small strides from last year to this year .. progress. Who doesn't seem to have made any progress is that bonehead Branham. Just cut the guy and open up a slot for someone who doesn't hurt the team. This game showed the need for at least another point guard - in case of an emergency. I know they are hard to find, but we need even a half ass PG more than we need Branham.

[The Truth #6]

In praise of Sochan: wasn't there a game in the NCAA tournament where Jeremy basically brought Baylor back from a 20-point deficit in the second half? If so, then this game against Portland reminded me of that (lol), and what he's able to do purely off his energy and determination. This is a great role for him right now. He's just a hustle, gritty, intuitive player, but he learned just enough from the point guard disaster last year that he can bring the ball up the court like he did last night when needed. He's basically our 6th string point guard at this point but had to fill in a little bit last night. Anyway, sort of rambling, but even without a jump shot he found ways to get the job done.

And his skill set, or lack thereof, is perfectly balanced with champagne who is an effortless spot-up shooter.

Anyway, random thoughts.

[timtonymanu]

I’m thinking when everyone is healthy that the starting lineup should be:

Paul (assuming his game doesn’t fall off a cliff)
Vassell
Champ
Sochan
Wemby

Castle still needs to develop his jump shot more before he can become a full time starter and he could be a good floor leader for the second unit. But if Paul really declines soon, then Castle should start over him. He’s already shown he can handle being thrown into the fire. It really is matchup dependent or who’s having a better game, same with Champ and Barnes.

[ambchang]

I’m thinking when everyone is healthy that the starting lineup should be:

Paul (assuming his game doesn’t fall off a cliff)
Vassell
Champ
Sochan
Wemby

Castle still needs to develop his jump shot more before he can become a full time starter and he could be a good floor leader for the second unit. But if Paul really declines soon, then Castle should start over him. He’s already shown he can handle being thrown into the fire. It really is matchup dependent or who’s having a better game, same with Champ and Barnes.

If castle starts Barnes should be in for sochan. I don’t think sochan really care about starting as long as he got minutes. Vassell, champaigne and wemby can open up the lane somewhat for sochan to cut or castle to drive, but not both. They can deal with their own man but if another guy comes in to help I don’t trust sochans ball handling enough to finish the job. Castle I trust a it more but you can just sag off him with another defender in ready position and it’s be enough to deter the drive.

Castle better get a shot soon because I think he can get there faster than sochan.

Main areas to work on:
Castle and sochan - shooting (duh!). Sochan also has to close out on three point shooters better.
Champaigne - team defense (improved so much, but still got room to go), and more accuracy in shooting. Closing out on three point shooters. Navigate the screens a bit better on defense. But I’m so happy with champaigne. He’s a legit 3 and D player now, with average 3 and slightly above average d with way below average salary.
Wemby - work that ball down low man. High post is his position as well. If he can do the Garnett face up between 18 to out to the three point line he’d be pretty much unstoppable. Crash the boards on offence as well but maybe the coaching staff wants him to stop breaks.
Vassell - court vision, passing on the move.
Wesley - passing on the move, finishing, change of speed
Malaki - defensive awareness, shot selection, passing, individual defense. Basically everything other than maybe mid range.
Zollins - I don’t know
Bassey - defensive sets, offensive sets. Just run sets.
Sidy - gotta watch more, but clearly finishing.

[Mr. Body]

In praise of Sochan: wasn't there a game in the NCAA tournament where Jeremy basically brought Baylor back from a 20-point deficit in the second half? If so, then this game against Portland reminded me of that (lol), and what he's able to do purely off his energy and determination. This is a great role for him right now. He's just a hustle, gritty, intuitive player, but he learned just enough from the point guard disaster last year that he can bring the ball up the court like he did last night when needed. He's basically our 6th string point guard at this point but had to fill in a little bit last night. Anyway, sort of rambling, but even without a jump shot he found ways to get the job done.

And his skill set, or lack thereof, is perfectly balanced with champagne who is an effortless spot-up shooter.

Anyway, random thoughts.

I think that was the North Carolina game in the tournament when Sochan was all over the freaking place. A major reason why I was so big on him in that draft and our position in the draft. He also created a legion of Tarheel fans who hate his guts.

[The Truth #6]

I think that was the North Carolina game in the tournament when Sochan was all over the freaking place. A major reason why I was so big on him in that draft and our position in the draft. He also created a legion of Tarheel fans who hate his guts.

Yes, exactly. That was it.

He's now adjusted and feeling able to play his natural role at the NBA level that he did in college, but with tons of room to grow.

[scott]

One thing I thought of this morning...

Collins absence was obvious from the improved backup C play we got from Bassey.

On the other hand... I didn't think about Keldon (and his absence) a single time during that game. His absence wasn't memorable either negatively or positively. For a night, I completely forgot he was even on the team. In contrast, even Tre Jones' absence was notable (he was missed). That's a pretty big sign of Keldon's value to the team right now. What he brings to the team is just easily replaceable by anyone else sucking up those minutes.

[LeBowen]

One thing I thought of this morning...

Collins absence was obvious from the improved backup C play we got from Bassey.

On the other hand... I didn't think about Keldon (and his absence) a single time during that game. His absence wasn't memorable either negatively or positively. For a night, I completely forgot he was even on the team. In contrast, even Tre Jones' absence was notable (he was missed).

Exactly my thoughts.


That's a pretty big sign of Keldon's value to the team right now. What he brings to the team is just easily replaceable by anyone else sucking up those minutes.

His only actual value is attacking the rim whe he has it going. Noone other than Castle attacks the rim so often.
But Keldon can also be really inefficent at it and often overestimates himself.
His defense and inconsistent shooting make him a non-factor in the bigger picture.

Seems like a great guy and a positive presence, but we don't need his basketball skillset whatsoever.
He'll probably end up as a parennial tank commander that just gets traded around the leauge.