Game Thread: Spurs (24-30) @ Pelicans (13-43) -- Sun. 2/23/2025 -- 6:00pm CST (2:00am Riga; 2:00pm Hawaii)

[BatManu20]

Castle plays at least 30 minutes or we riot.

1893692299676184948

[RC_Drunkford]

Castle plays at least 30 minutes or we riot.

1893692299676184948

he won't even play 25

[scott]

Appreciate you thinking of the Island Boys, OP, but it’s 2pm HST, not 3pm.

[BatManu20]

Appreciate you thinking of the Island Boys, OP, but it’s 2pm HST, not 3pm.

Whoops, my bad. FIFY.

[BatManu20]

1893735703290261794

[BatManu20]

Rewarded him by playing him 13 minutes btw.

1893345013079109886

[LeBowen]

Me and scott are waiting for Murphy to embarrass Devin.

[scott]

Me and scott (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=150) are waiting for Murphy to embarrass Devin.

:lol

Can't wait for the inevitable "Man, who is this Trey Murphy guy" posts.

NOP is a fun team, just be decimated with injuries. Is Zion playing?

[LeBowen]

:lol

Can't wait for the inevitable "Man, who is this Trey Murphy guy" posts.

NOP is a fun team, just be decimated with injuries. Is Zion playing?

Everyone relevant seems to be healthy, even DJ.

Last game they started CJ/Murphy/Zion/Olynyk/Missi.
They're probably going to start DJ instead of Olynyk today.

[scott]

Everyone relevant seems to be healthy, even DJ.

Last game they started CJ/Murphy/Zion/Olynyk/Missi.
They're probably going to start DJ instead of Olynyk today.

Thought Dejounte was out for the year?!? He tore his Achilles... did he come back to SA and get some abuelitas to cure him?

[LeBowen]

Thought Dejounte was out for the year?!? He tore his Achilles... did he come back to SA and get some abuelitas to cure him?

Idk what to say other than I forgot about it and thought he was out with that hand injury from earlier this season.
Yeah, he's out for the year, not even on injury report. That threw me off because Wemby is still listed in there.

[AusSpur]

I'm just excited to see if Mitch Johnson can extend his streak of never using a coach’s challenge.

That along with his focus on making sure Steph Castle gets over himself got me hyped.

[dn0774]

:lol

Can't wait for the inevitable "Man, who is this Trey Murphy guy" posts.

NOP is a fun team, just be decimated with injuries. Is Zion playing?

Every player gets healthy in time to play the Spurs, bet on Zion playing.

[baseline bum]

Me and scott are waiting for Murphy to embarrass Devin.

Evin doesn't need any help embarrassing himself.

[baseline bum]

Thought Dejounte was out for the year?!? He tore his Achilles... did he come back to SA and get some abuelitas to cure him?

By the time they're abuelitas they've been 170+ lbs for eight to ten years, as the ladies blow up in size immediately after the quinceanera in San Antonio. Just saying, Chuck ain't wrong.

[Pauleta14]

Castle is my only reason to watch the Spurs and I'm not even sure he'll play much smh

Not worth staying awake

[John B]

Just waiting when they will shut Fox down and let Castle gets as much playing time

[Gibbz]

Zion is gonna go nutty mode on us.

[PhantomDashCam]

Strange team these Pels.

Appear to be (with my limited research), the only team in the league with three 22+ PPG scorers this season (Zion, Murphy and CJ).

[scott]

By the time they're abuelitas they've been 170+ lbs for eight to ten years, as the ladies blow up in size immediately after the quinceanera in San Antonio. Just saying, Chuck ain't wrong.

I always just assumed that they were only taught the secret of Vicks Vaporub after they passed the age of 65 and 170 lbs

Edit: though to be fair, you only have to be in your late 20s to be of abuela age in San Antonio

[scott]

Missi/Olynyk/Zion is exactly the kind of front court who is going to out rebound us 60-30

[ginobilized]

1st play: Bed, Bath and Biyombo!

[scott]

Two possessions, two OREB and second chance scores for NOP :lol

[LeBowen]

CP0 making Olynyk look like Moses Malone. :lmao
Giving up offensive rebounds on every possession. :lmao

The saddest thing is that Mitch is actually trying to win the game.

[scott]

Olynyk the kind of under-the-radar backup big I’m honestly surprised we’ve never been connected to in the rumor mill. He’d be a nice backup PF/C for us, though he’s kind of nearing the end of his career clock.

[100%duncan]

Mitch really has a punchable face. If this fucking idiot doesn't play Castle for 30 mins this game...

[scott]

Pretty wild that we are completely overmatched by a 13-win team :lol

[100%duncan]

CP3 and Fox backcourt is so excruciatingly redundant and it's obvious to everyone watching the Spurs except for Mitch Johnson.

[scott]

Biyombo with the ugliest FT stroke I’ve maybe ever seen.

[Leetonidas]

Vassell is garbage

[baseline bum]

I always just assumed that they were only taught the secret of Vicks Vaporub after they passed the age of 65 and 170 lbs

Edit: though to be fair, you only have to be in your mid 20s to be of abuela age in San Antonio

fify

[100%duncan]

Fox has been overcome with the "pass it out-itis" as well huh :lol Cmon man you're the best in the league in finishing stop passing it out to Assell

[Obstructed_View]

The "three guys chasing the ball around" defense is awful to watch.

[scott]

BASS ATTACK

[baseline bum]

Kind of cool hearing Antonio Daniels doing color on the Pelicans broadcast

[LakerHater]

Down 4, vassell goes out. Spurs Go on 4-0 run, timeout Pels.

[baseline bum]

These jerseys make Kelon look like he just threw on a dirty ass undershirt from the hamper

[scott]

Keldon had really responded the last few games, almost like he’s realized that he need to step it up if he has any hope to stay on the team. Whether he increases his trade value and gets shipped out, or he earns another season with the team… at least dude is out there giving his all.

Vassell on the other hand…

[Frenchfred]

Keldon’s value is going up for trade purposes

[scott]

These jerseys make Kelon look like he just threw on a dirty ass undershirt from the hamper

Especially now that he’s wearing that ratty looking undershirt with it.

Jules with a huge first quarter!

[100%duncan]

Champ is a very good role player if he just shoots and plays accordingly. It's problematic when he tries to do more.

[KobesAchilles]

Vassell is garbage
He’s my new favorite player. Him and KJ. I trust nobody else to get us Flagg

[scott]

Champagnie erasing all goodwill from his 4/4 start by completely blowing a 3-1 fast break :lol

[scott]

If there was a dunk competition of missed dunks, Champ would be an elite contender

[ginobilized]

Champagnie always misses those hammer-time dunks. He's not 'Nique.

[Frenchfred]

They know they are supposed to lose, right?

[scott]

Keldon turning back the clock to 2022-23. No one can put up tank stats like KJ

[scott]

They know they are supposed to lose, right?

We’ve got an entire second half left to embarrass ourselves in. No worries.

[NASpurs]

Keldon is turning the corner these past 3 games.

[baseline bum]

Haven't seen that out of Biyombo since the Nike Hoop Summit

[ginobilized]

Bed, Bath, Block and Biyombo!!!

[Leetonidas]

Big Mac!!

[pad300]

CP0 making Olynyk look like Moses Malone. :lmao
Giving up offensive rebounds on every possession. :lmao

The saddest thing is that Mitch is actually trying to win the game.

Olynyk is a 6'11" C; Chris Paul is a 6'0" PG (and 40 years old). You seriously expect CP to box out Olynyk?!?

[scott]

We’ve got an entire second half left to embarrass ourselves in. No worries.

Or maybe NOP just understands the assignment better and is ensuring their own tank :lol

[baseline bum]

I wish Chip was here to teach Evin to quit fucking leaning sideways while shooting his three

[scott]

I wish Chip was here to teach Evin to quit fucking leaning sideways while shooting his three

You don’t get bonus points for hitting the top of the backboard?

[BatManu20]

vAssell hitting the top of the backboard on the corner 3 :lol

[Frenchfred]

The Spurs winning and Vassel playing like sh!t to tank his own value, great ��

[ginobilized]

Has anyone else noticed that Vassell is not a dependable offensive contributor?

[scott]

Has anyone else noticed that Vassell is not a dependable offensive contributor?

To be fair, he’s not a dependable defensive contributor either.

[BatManu20]

Has anyone else noticed that Vassell is not a dependable offensive contributor?

Nope. You're the only one.

[cd98]

How is Zion not dominating and the Pelicans winning? They will remain in full tank mode and lose to this team.

[benefactor]

Has anyone else noticed that Vassell is not a dependable offensive contributor?


To be fair, he’s not a dependable defensive contributor either.
I have people skills!

[ginobilized]

Spurs Talk is always fair and balanced, thanks for straightening me out

So Vassell is neither a dependable offensive nor defensive contributor. Got it.

On the positive side, he is an under-sized 3. This is a true advantage in today's NBA, right?

[scott]

Spurs Talk is always fair and balanced, thanks for straightening me out

So Vassell is neither a dependable offensive nor defensive contributor. Got it.

On the positive side, he is an under-sized 3. This is a true advantage in today's NBA, right?

We should try him at PF and see how that looks, tbh

[scott]

I underestimated how bad NOP is. They have some talent, but man I can’t tell what they are trying to accomplish on either side of the court. Mitch Johnson coaching might even take them up a notch.

[Frenchfred]

We might have to use the 1st pick of the draft (assuming we get it) to be able to trade Vassel

[TDomination]

sochan ran into a fan and dropped his chicken, but then picked it up for him and put it back on his plate.
what a guy! lol

[TDomination]

we have the worst rebounding team

[LakerHater]

Man, i wanna see Biz in a line up w Wemby!!

[Larry O]

I had a feeling that the Pels would fight back and make this a game. I won't be surprised if the Pels end up winning this game which is good for fuel for the tank!

[scott]

Steph’s 3PT shooting hot streak is gone after the ASB

[timtonymanu]

If Assell is back next year, I’m gonna riot

[scott]

DET doing us a solid and beating ATL tonight

[Frenchfred]

DET doing us a solid and beating ATL tonight
And Raptors won

[BatManu20]

Castle having a really rough game.

[lefty20]

Steph having a rough game.

Depends on the game he's playing.

Basketball? Sure.

Capture the Flagg? He's killing it

[timtonymanu]

Assell with -13 impact. That turned corner, tbh.

[Obstructed_View]

Again, the Spurs are defending with five seconds left and they have three guys in the backcourt chasing the ball. So annoying.

[vander]

2nd half spurs basketball woot!

[timtonymanu]

Lose Spurs Lose!

[PhantomDashCam]

Tony P! Legend.

[scott]

Ah, this was the tanking second half I was counting on

[PhantomDashCam]

17-2 Fourth Quarter…

[BatManu20]

The tank is on boys. #CaptureTheFlagg

:flag:

[Ocotillo]

Bassey out for the rest of the night due knee soreness. No depth.

[Frenchfred]

Ah, this was the tanking second half I was counting on

good call

[scott]

Devin Vassell finally makes a great move to drive to the paint for what looks like a clean layup attempt, nope, does a 180 in mid air to pass out to the 3pt line :lol

What do they teach these guys?

[scott]

Man, too bad about Wemby (for a lot of reasons of course) because the rest of the west is leaving the play-in wide open

[TekXX]

Umm we might have to settle with Castle being a really good defensive player

[BatManu20]

Castle now 1-10 for 2 points after that wide open airball. Woof. Can't help but wonder if it's just a bad game or if he's in his own head after being bench and then only playing 13 minutes last game.

[objective]

Mitch spent 2 games messing with Castle's head to get what he wanted, a flustered poor performing rookie. Way to go.

[PhantomDashCam]

Devin Vassell finally makes a great move to drive to the paint for what looks like a clean layup attempt, nope, does a 180 in mid air to pass out to the 3pt line :lol

What do they teach these guys?

It reminded me so much of Ben Simmons that play.

[scott]

Completely unrelated to anything… but I love Sean’s humility. The way he talks to Jacob you’d think he was a career scrub and not one of our greatest players of all time. Love that dude.

[bbarry]

Spurs are playing so impossibly bad. I have no clue how we can be this atrocious against another atrociously bad team as of late.

[BatManu20]

Team is offensively challenged. Pels outscoring us 32-8 in the 4th.

[John B]

Just shut it down and get a high pick

[J_Paco]

Man, too bad about Wemby (for a lot of reasons of course) because the rest of the west is leaving the play-in wide open

This team needs more talent in the worst way, so getting another high pick is more beneficial than the play-in.

I tried to be patient but Devin might be a lost cause at this point. He's just rushing everything and looks like it's in his head.

What drives me crazy about Mitch is that he never tries playing his end or bench guys. Why not try to see if someone, anyone can create a spark when the starters/regular rotation guys are scuffling?

[BatManu20]

Fox quickly realizing this was the worst trade request ever :lol


https://media.tenor.com/69VwrUtChf0AAAAe/star-wars-anakin-skywalker.png

[John B]

Fox quickly realizing this was the worst trade request ever :lol


https://media.tenor.com/69VwrUtChf0AAAAe/star-wars-anakin-skywalker.png

Nah Spurs get Wemby back, another year of Castle plus couple of high picks, and whatever they can get in FA and trade. Wemby is the big ticket.

[TXstbobcat]

Damn we got an Ike Turner beatdown from a 13 win team. The tank is full speed ahead.

[scott]

This team needs more talent in the worst way, so getting another high pick is more beneficial than the play-in.

I tried to be patient but Devin might be a lost cause at this point. He's just rushing everything and looks like it's in his head.

What drives me crazy about Mitch is that he never tries playing his end or bench guys. Why not try to see if someone, anyone can create a spark when the starters/regular rotation guys are scuffling?

Great point about the end of the bench. It’s takes an injury before any of these guys ever see the court, as if Mitch just views them as insurance policies rather than players you can try to use.

[onechance87]

vassell so bad lol

[BatManu20]

Nah Spurs get Wemby back, another year of Castle plus couple of high picks, and whatever they can get in FA and trade. Wemby is the big ticket.

Yea I'm joking obv. Just fun to make jokes when it's been a shit-show since he got here. He'll be alright though.

[scott]

69 rebounds for NOP :lol

[Spurminator]

Hot garbage.

[MI21]

Mitch spent 2 games messing with Castle's head to get what he wanted, a flustered poor performing rookie. Way to go.

I'm probably a bit lower on Castle than most but this comment kills me because it's true. There was absolutely a chance that Castle uses the momentum of his pre All-Star break and All-Star weekend performances to really discover new parts of his game and build on what is already solid while playing heavy minutes. I do not understand the development path they are following with him, it's fucking gross.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Hopefully the spurs only win like 4 more games. Heads need to roll, but with pop still acting as president I reckon he stands pat cause ”we like the group we got, keldon is a good teammate:cry “

[Ice009]

Mitch spent 2 games messing with Castle's head to get what he wanted, a flustered poor performing rookie. Way to go.

This is sad. He was the Spurs' best player for a stretch of games and then got benched/had his minutes cut. Now he's starting to look like Maliki Branham. Why do the spurs have to mess their own players up?
The Spurs could have had Castle still playing well and losing games if that is what they're going for, but instead his confidence looks shot now along with his jump shot.

[Tyronn Lue]

vassell so bad lol
Problem is that at the same time Devin is so bad, some other player had an off night so Vassell gets some company. He's on that list too much though but damn what a stinker tonight. Tank felt like an M1 Abrams.

[ismael-robert]

Trey Murphy just another inconsistent player like vassell...if we had him we'd be talking about him the same way...olynyk on other hand prototypical spur...carlo also would be worth pursuing

[Tyronn Lue]

This is sad. He was the Spurs' best player for a stretch of games and then got benched/had his minutes cut. Now he's starting to look like Maliki Branham. Why do the spurs have to mess their own players up?
The Spurs could have had Castle still playing well and losing games if that is what they're going for, but instead his confidence looks shot now along with his jump shot.
I know it's a sensitive time but he made it to a pretty good spot in the draft and onto an NBA team. He's done really well in his rookie season as is getting ROY talk. If his confidence is shot because he was benched (which I doubt) he's too weak.

[Ice009]

I know it's a sensitive time but he made it to a pretty good spot in the draft and onto an NBA team. He's done really well in his rookie season as is getting ROY talk. If his confidence is shot because he was benched (which I doubt) he's too weak.

He just doesn't look the same to me. Maybe confidence isn't the right word as I doubt he's lost any. Probably a little pissed off and not as attentive maybe? I think he might be a rhythm player. TD used to talk about getting into rhythm. I think Castle could be similar, and being on the bench with his minutes getting chopped and changed for worse players, probably isn't helping him get in and stay in rhythm. Maybe Victor being out isn't helping him either as they seem to play well together.

[spurraider21]

Glad i missed this one :lol

catching games on weekends is near impossible for me. Worked out today

[spurs1990]

Boxscore has Vassell, Castle, Fox and Paul shooting combined 5-45 from the field. Has to be some kind of futility record at 11%

[DAF86]

Can we finally shut down Fox and have him have his suegery? I'm legit baffled he's still playing.

[scott]

Can we finally shut down Fox and have him have his suegery? I'm legit baffled he's still playing.

My working theory is they want to give him one true home game in front of the fans, and then it's surgery time.

[slick'81]

They just won't play castle and fox together wtf?!

[mystargtr34]

Why the fuck was Fox out there down 19 with 1 minute remaining in the game?

[cutewizard]

we need a Coach tbh

[Mal]

Mr Fox, it`s time for surgery

[Mal]

we need a Coach tbh

Not yet, let Mitch finish this season

[RC_Drunkford]

Mitch the bitch with the perfect excuses postgame: "The gameplan execution was good, we just got outrebounded because we missed a lot of shots." :lol

[TDomination]

Mitch the bitch with the perfect excuses postgame: "The gameplan execution was good, we just got outrebounded because we missed a lot of shots." :lol
Oof, Mr coach your reasoning for being out rebounded is enough reason to show that you are not ready yet sir.

[Brazil]

:lol and people was bitching about Victor rebounding :cry dat laziness :cry tonight was no wemby = worst rebounding team of the league

[Raven]

mitch looked legitimately disheartened yesterday.. but of course he's not going back on his moves he made, namely putting blake and malaki out of the rotation, sochan the center and a next to no attention to d approach.

[ginobilized]

I think the ASG fatigued Castle and he hasn't bounced back yet, just a theory. He'll likely get his legs back in another game or two.
Another theory, tanking is not in Castle's blood. He's always played to win and is disheartened because of the losing/putrid basketball. The hope of making the play-in might've been fueling Castle's heightened play a while back.
Having his minutes chopped so egregiously could also be a depressing factor.

My main concern as the season winds down is that this rudderless style of play can hold back development, destroy morale and can actually lead to more injuries as players check out.
Horrible showing and Mitch's post game affect and gibberish were neither attuned to his fan base nor the game that we watched.

[Raven]

I think the ASG fatigued Castle and he hasn't bounced back yet, just a theory. He'll likely get his legs back in another game or two.
Another theory, tanking is not in Castle's blood. He's always played to win and is disheartened because of the losing/putrid basketball. The hope of making the play-in might've been fueling Castle's heightened play a while back.
Having his minutes chopped so egregiously could also be a depressing factor.

My main concern as the season winds down is that this rudderless style of play can hold back development, destroy morale and can actually lead to more injuries as players check out.
Horrible showing and Mitch's post game affect and gibberish were neither attuned to his fan base nor the game that we watched.

given how many times he gets scored on, i'd say that is not likely to be the issue

[Leetonidas]

The team is checked out and mentally deflated since the Victor news. They only beat the Suns because they're even more checked out than we are and they were riding the emotions of that day. Just shut Fox down and let Castle start. This season was over the moment Vic went out

[NASpurs]

The team is checked out and mentally deflated since the Victor news. They only beat the Suns because they're even more checked out than we are and they were riding the emotions of that day. Just shut Fox down and let Castle start. This season was over the moment Vic went out

Even with Wemby there this team wasn't looking that great. Most of the roster is garbage and devoid of talent. No rebounding, no defense outside of Wemby and Castle, middle of the pack on offense... the list goes on and on.

[J_Paco]

Can we finally shut down Fox and have him have his suegery? I'm legit baffled he's still playing.


My working theory is they want to give him one true home game in front of the fans, and then it's surgery time.

What is the injury that Fox is dealing with?

I'd definitely just shut him down at this point and go to a Paul - Castle/Vassell - Barnes - Sochan - Biyombo lineup.

I would prefer Bassey, but his knees are made of glass at this point, and Castle starting over Biyombo & Vassell.

[J_Paco]

mitch looked legitimately disheartened yesterday.. but of course he's not going back on his moves he made, namely putting blake and malaki out of the rotation, sochan the center and a next to no attention to d approach.

His moves have sucked.

He managed to have one, maybe two, good months(s) and has been terrible, IMO, ever since. This is gonna be a rough post - Pop era if Mitch is gonna be this stubborn and unwilling to try different things/combinations.

[scott]

What is the injury that Fox is dealing with?

I'd definitely just shut him down at this point and go to a Paul - Castle/Vassell - Barnes - Sochan - Biyombo lineup.

I would prefer Bassey, but his knees are made of glass at this point, and Castle starting over Biyombo & Vassell.

He has a pinky injury on his shooting hand. Nothing that he can't play through in the short run if he had to, but it will require surgery to fix.

[scott]

My main concern as the season winds down is that this rudderless style of play can hold back development, destroy morale and can actually lead to more injuries as players check out.
Horrible showing and Mitch's post game affect and gibberish were neither attuned to his fan base nor the game that we watched.

This is also my biggest concern. At some point, the FO and the HC need to make it clear to the players that the rest of the season is about development and establishing identity going into next year; that expectations will be different next; and the last 27 games will be about evaluating who will be part of that future and who will not. Then Mitch needs to actually hold guys accountable who aren't performing. Don't be afraid to nail Vassell's ass to the bench and play Branham, kind of moves.

[ginobilized]

This is also my biggest concern. At some point, the FO and the HC need to make it clear to the players that the rest of the season is about development and establishing identity going into next year; that expectations will be different next; and the last 27 games will be about evaluating who will be part of that future and who will not. Then Mitch needs to actually hold guys accountable who aren't performing. Don't be afraid to nail Vassell's ass to the bench and play Branham, kind of moves.

Amen!!!

[mystargtr34]

Can Chris Paul be cut and sign with a contender for the min?

Surely he would prefer that then stick around on a tanking team.

I’d roll out..

Wesley, Branham
Castle, Champ
Vassell, Keldon
Barnes, Mamu
Bassey, 40yo Biyombo

Spurs would go 5-22 in their last 27 and finish 29-53. That probably gets you close to the 6th or 7th worst record.

[tonight...you]

Can Chris Paul be cut and sign with a contender for the min?

Surely he would prefer that then stick around on a tanking team.

I’d roll out..

Wesley, Branham
Castle, Champ
Vassell, Keldon
Barnes, Mamu
Bassey, 40yo Biyombo

Spurs would go 5-22 in their last 27 and finish 29-53. That probably gets you close to the 6th or 7th worst record.
He can be bought out, if he so wishes.

[baseline bum]

My working theory is they want to give him one true home game in front of the fans, and then it's surgery time.

My working theory is there is no plan other than durr we need to hit our shots.

[dbestpro]

Johnson is not much of a coach.

[Tyronn Lue]

These guys are tanking. Granted, they don't need to work too hard to do it, but you don't lose that many in the 4th quarter with that kind of point differential. Can someone pull up the diff in the 4th since Victor has been out?