Very informative game last night...

[SouthernFried]

Learned a lot about the Spurs this game. Kyle showed the potential to be a half-court break down guy, aka Manu. West continued to impress with his off-the-ball help and court awareness, D and ability to score. Manu and Tim looked like Manu and Tim...if they get rest. Hopefully POP learned that Danny's strength ain't dribbling and will work on stopping that. How to best use Kawhi...still having trouble with that one.

However, biggest thing I learned from the game. Our team just might flow and move better...without Aldridge. Not impressed with Aldridge's off the ball activity, court awareness and a few other things like horrible picks. Kyle was setting better picks than Aldridge ever has last night. Not sure this team is set up to have 2 Iso guys in Kawhi AND Aldridge. When you Iso a guy...everyone else stops moving and watches. Having 2 of them on the court at the same time, I dunno. Maybe bring Aldridge off the bench with Manu?

All in all, I thought it was a very informative game...

[midnightpulp]

Learned a lot about the Spurs this game. Kyle showed the potential to be a half-court break down guy, aka Manu. West continued to impress with his off-the-ball help and court awareness, D and ability to score. Manu looked like...Manu. Tim still looks like Tim. Parker...well...looked like Parker, lol. Hopefully POP learned that Danny's strength ain't dribbling and will work on stopping that. How to best use Kawhi...still having trouble with that one.

However, biggest thing I learned from the game. Our team just might flow and move better...without Aldridge. Not impressed with Aldridge's off the ball activity, court awareness and a few other things like horrible picks. Kyle was setting better picks than Aldridge ever has last night. Courts still out on that tho...we'll see.

All in all, I thought it was a very informative game...

The Spurs could get away with going small last night because Memphis was forced to go small since they didn't have Z-Bo, so the matchup was in our favor (I think the Spurs would've won by more had LMA played). The offense might flow better, but without LMA against other teams who aren't offensively challenged and undersized (as is the case with Memphis sans Z-Bo), the Spurs would be weaker defensively and get slaughtered on the boards.

[Raven]

let Danny dribble, it's the regular season and any improvement can only be good.

[Bartleby]

so 1 good game from ka makes up for all the games and minutes his played b4?


david west is fitting right in...doing the dirty work knowining his not going to get alot of t ouches

KA's showing that given the minutes he can contribute and be a solid role player. Even a playerfanboy like you should be able to see that.

[itzsoweezee]

You learned the spurs offense is better without Aldridge based on the ty game last night? Are you re ed?

Nothing has changed. This team still isn't going anywhere if popovich is giving major minutes to Parker.

[skulls138]

so 1 good game from ka makes up for all the games and minutes his played b4?


david west is fitting right in...doing the dirty work knowining his not going to get alot of t ouches

You mean KA was finally given a chance. Trying to prove your worth in 2 minutes a game or less is a tough thing to do, especially for a guy named slo-mo.

[kaji157]

The only thing i don´t like is the fact that we initiate the offense thru Kawhi instead of LaMarcus.

Initiating thru LA would be the easiest way to go to end up on a motion offense. Just like the 4 down, but with many options out there if LaMarcus gets the double team or his defender is well set.

Kawhi seems like a willing passer but not a very good one, and his shot while not streaky is not something i would trust to close games.

For me LA should be included in initiating the offense more, either with a Parker pick n pop/roll or posting him.

[Nathan89]

KA's showing that given the minutes he can contribute and be a solid role player. Even a playerfanboy like you should be able to see that.

How many other solid role-players in the league shoot 37%?

[skulls138]

The only thing i don´t like is the fact that we initiate the offense thru Kawhi instead of LaMarcus.

Initiating thru LA would be the easiest way to go to end up on a motion offense. Just like the 4 down, but with many options out there if LaMarcus gets the double team or his defender is well set.

Kawhi seems like a willing passer but not a very good one, and his shot while not streaky is not something i would trust to close games.

For me LA should be included in initiating the offense more, either with a Parker pick n pop/roll or posting him.

This could be a good idea, the inside out game. Unfortunately Pop likes to favor those that have been here longest and everybody waiting their turn but could be the most workable for everybody. Post LMA, he gets double teamed, pass the rock until it finds the open man. That would definitely make LMA the new Duncan and Duncan the new Robinson.

[ILoveOranges]

Learned a lot about the Spurs this game. Kyle showed the potential to be a half-court break down guy, aka Manu. West continued to impress with his off-the-ball help and court awareness, D and ability to score. Manu and Tim looked like Manu and Tim...if they get rest. Hopefully POP learned that Danny's strength ain't dribbling and will work on stopping that. How to best use Kawhi...still having trouble with that one.

The biggest thing I took away was how much better that starting lineup looks when Tony Parker plays the way he used to. Breaking down defenses, driving and kicking, being a constant threat with his scoring ability, he plays such a big role. When he has an off day, the entire starting lineup lacks the flow and movement that it needs, and quickly becomes one pass, iso. Like they say, Tony Parker has been the engine of the Spurs offense for so long, and the difference in movement and spacing from when he's on and when he's off is huge.

The starting five don't have anyone else to really drive around and mix up defenses. Kawhi, as great as he's become, hasn't gotten to the point where he scrambles around defenses and makes quick, good decisions. A few times he was doubled and struggled to get either a good pass or shot. Aldridge is more of the same, mysteriously, but I think as everyone gets more comfortable and learns to play off each other, everybody will be a big threat. The drop-off by Aldridge since last season with the Blazers is huge, in his confidence and rhythm, but of course he's just trying to get comfortable and fit in. I'm surprised about how little there's been of Kawhi/Aldridge going to work in the low block, pulling a few moves, and either shooting or passing it. When the Spurs play around the inside, the team seems to look much better. It's mostly been start from the perimeter, and dribble your way in. Stagnant stuff, but we'll see how it develops.

Hopefully we see more of the Spurs movement from the past few years, with multiple screens and drives (in regards to the starting lineup, of course). I'd like to see Kawhi running around screens for looks, though they might deliberately be sticking him on iso to either preserve his energy for the defense or because Pop wants him to develop his one-on-one game.

[DeRozan m8]

lol I hope this game wasn't informative...it was ugly af and wouldn't win us a game in a round 1 series
don't even know how we won so easy

[itzsoweezee]

lol I hope this game wasn't informative...it was ugly af and wouldn't win us a game in a round 1 series
don't even know how we won so easy

Because Memphis is terrible this year. They used to at least be a good defensive team. Now, I think Conley might be just as bad as Parker on defense.

[steeledl]

How many other solid role-players in the league shoot 37%?

But but but he's young..... Look at all the other young players in the NBA's shooting percentage and you will see how dominate KA is.

[tholdren]

You learned the spurs offense is better without Aldridge based on the ty game last night? Are you re ed?

Nothing has changed. This team still isn't going anywhere if popovich is giving major minutes to Parker.

That's ridiculous - the concept is this: The team won't go anywhere if pop sits on a certain line-up and refuses to adjust - just like every other failed season.

While I'm seeing more that I like out of Ray, Parker is still exponentially better than any other PG Spurs have.

[Spurtacular]

Learned a lot about the Spurs this game. Kyle showed the potential to be a half-court break down guy, aka Manu. West continued to impress with his off-the-ball help and court awareness, D and ability to score. Manu and Tim looked like Manu and Tim...if they get rest. Hopefully POP learned that Danny's strength ain't dribbling and will work on stopping that. How to best use Kawhi...still having trouble with that one.

However, biggest thing I learned from the game. Our team just might flow and move better...without Aldridge. Not impressed with Aldridge's off the ball activity, court awareness and a few other things like horrible picks. Kyle was setting better picks than Aldridge ever has last night. Not sure this team is set up to have 2 Iso guys in Kawhi AND Aldridge. When you Iso a guy...everyone else stops moving and watches. Having 2 of them on the court at the same time, I dunno. Maybe bring Aldridge off the bench with Manu?

All in all, I thought it was a very informative game...

Spurs look good when they're locking down teams on defense and running a methodical offense. But when Parker's driving to the rim and throwing up wild shots and (more athletic) teams are getting out on the break, things break down.

[exstatic]

KA's showing that given the minutes he can contribute and be a solid role player. Even a playerfanboy like you should be able to see that.

Dude is a complete re . It's a waste of time to even try to talk to him.

[SAGirl]

Comparing Kyle's off the ball activity to Aldridge, I kind of agree that Aldridge needs to be more active instead of being in the dunker spot. This past game, that was Tim's spot, and Kyle moved off the ball a lot setting picks or cutting, which caused guys to be open up on the perimeter at times. Kyle is obviously a perimeter player, so even if you have him as a stretch 4, he still moves off the ball constantly, and either sets picks or cuts, instead of staying spotted up stationary like a traditional stretch 4 like Bonner would do.

Boris and West obviously are more traditional 4, but both are versatile, and do set picks, pass, look for cutters, and when they post up, they set others up very well or can finish their own post ups at a good rate or draw fouls.

Lamarcus is not comparable to either of these 3. He's been reduced by Pop to the dunker spot, while having Tim being the one setting the picks and roaming the perimeter. I have been disappointed by this, since Lamarcus gets ignored a whole lot during possessions, unless Tim hits him with a hi-low. I hope Pop is just giving time to Lamarcus to catch up with the offense which has a lot of counters built in. For him to be the best he can be in our offense, I think he needs to be more active. I am not sure what Pop is doing with LMA TBH.

[apalisoc_9]

Pop: " Get over yourself Lamarcus"

[Thomas82]

This could be a good idea, the inside out game. Unfortunately Pop likes to favor those that have been here longest and everybody waiting their turn but could be the most workable for everybody. Post LMA, he gets double teamed, pass the rock until it finds the open man. That would definitely make LMA the new Duncan and Duncan the new Robinson.

+1

[8FOR!3]

I don't really believe in the whole Kawhi/Aldridge iso thing not working, Kawhi typically shoots in the flow of the game and doesn't play much iso ball. Aldridge is also a kick and shoot kind of player.

[GSH]

Kyle showed the potential to be a half-court break down guy, aka Manu.

Not impressed with Aldridge's off the ball activity

You're comparing Anderson to Manu? I don't have the words.

Have you actually been watching the games? "Off the ball activity" has been one of the biggest problems when the team has looked like on offense. Singling out LMA is just sort of silly. They've had 1 guy dribbling the ball, and four guys standing (or barely moving) so many times I've lost track. Anderson is young, but he gets lost often enough, and winds up being a spectator. And a lot of the passes you've been seeing have been because guys aren't moving to create angles for a good pass. Sean talks a lot about the Spurs not moving the ball - but you can't move the ball if you don't move bodies. It's the NBA, and everyone is good. If you're standing still, the defenders ARE going to jump your passing lanes.

That's ridiculous - the concept is this: The team won't go anywhere if pop sits on a certain line-up and refuses to adjust - just like every other failed season.

Well, at least you're an equal opportunity dumb . The Spurs have had what, 16 seasons in a row with 50+ wins? I guess its easy to have high standards like that from the comfort of your living room, but damn. Failed seasons? To quote the movie True Grit - That's might big talk for a one-eyed fat man.

Every other coach in the NBA (you know, guys who do it for a living) will say that Pop is one of the top 2-3 coaches (at least) in the league. Every single season. But you have figured out what they don't know.

[SASdynasty!]

You learned the spurs offense is better without Aldridge based on the ty game last night? Are you re ed?

Nothing has changed. This team still isn't going anywhere if popovich is giving major minutes to Parker.

Tony Parker minutes by season:

2012 - Most on team - Western Conference Finals
2013 - Most on team - NBA Finals
2014 - Most on team - NBA Champions
2015 - 3rd most on team - First Round

Any other genius observations?

[itzsoweezee]

Tony Parker minutes by season:

2012 - Most on team - Western Conference Finals
2013 - Most on team - NBA Finals
2014 - Most on team - NBA Champions
2015 - 3rd most on team - First Round

Any other genius observations?

Learn the difference between correlation and causation, genius.