Memphis, injured and w/ 2 week layoff, is objectively better than us. Might be time to tank.

[KobesAchilles]

Some things to consider. We are barely out of the playoff picture. We are basically in a 3 way tie for the 8th seed. Memphis is a bad match up for us. They are just as young, just as quick, play hungry, and have a legit star. If JJJ comes back the same player as he was before he got hurt, then they are going to be well set up for the future.

Houston's coach is doing an amazing job. He has every player bought into his system. They are all moving and passing the ball and playing acious defense. #1 defense post Harden era. Wall seems to be a difference maker. Christian Wood has developed into an amazing 3&D Center. Dude is balling. And it's hard to argue that James Harden didn't bring the team together with his cancerous ways

BUT we are also only 3 games ahead of Dallas for that elusive "only better than the T-wolves" spot in the West. I expect Dallas to play better. I expect the Pelicans to play better. Sacramento is a wild card. I have no idea with them, but I would like to believe we are better. We also should be better than the Thunder for the rest of the year. The team fell apart last year and lost like 8 in a row. It's gut check time right now. Bc if things stand, we are going to get that Devin Vasell type pick rather than a bonfide top 5 pick.

I just wish the Spurs would kinda pick a direction at some point this season. Either go up or down instead of this middle area we are stuck in. It's too early to tank, but if we are still like this towards late March or something, we better sell our vets and NOT re-sign Demar.

[cd021]

Disagree, getting rid of Mills or Gay are addition by subtraction moves in the mold of letting Forbes go. Those guys are blackholes on offense and awful on defense. Their points come in bunches but more often than not they disappear.

Also, Vassell would almost certainly swallow those minutes which can only be a positive.

Don't the Spurs have one of the best defensive units in the NBA, which include both Gay and Mills? Mills has been a plus on offense, leading the team in 3pt attempts and 3pt %. He's been really good overall tbh.

Gay has less of a case. He's clearly trying to show out for his next deal. He still holds value but has a nasty tendency to shot cluck, breaking the offense. Still, theirs a black hole at PF without him. Vassell would definitely play more, which would be a plus but less size and length and less depth. That could be an issue if White were to go down again or Covid hits the team.

Still, I hope that they trade them for assets and take their chances.

[Thomas82]

Even if the Spurs play .500 ball, they clearly dont have THAT GUY! we cant have abunch of 15 million dollar players. spurs need to figure out how to get one of those elite
talents! its time for the spurs to decide a way to go, vets or the young guys and let the chips fall where they may. you cant always gamble and draft mid to late first round and
hope for a star, evenrually you have to get into that top 10 and roll the dice there! just so happens the 21 draft has those kind of talents, you have to take advantage even if it
goes against what you may believe in...GSG

I couldn't have said it better.

[PrimeMinister]

We don't even know if we have "that guy" when our offensive game plan has become trading iso led by Demar, Rudy, Patty, and Lamarcus with our promising players getting scraps.

Keldon starts leading the attack in the third quarter when we're down 20 points and it starts to look sort of like a ball game. He gets his points on cleaning up broken possessions and manufacturing points out of thin air in the paint while everyone watches. He finished the game with 26, 11, and made some really nice passes.

But the sky is falling and we don't have "that guy". Put the 2013 iteration of Kawhi Leonard on this team and there's the exact same comments being said about him right now. Is our team construction this year fundamentally broken? Yeah. Is derozan a net negative player who doesn't contribute to actually being a compe ive basketball team compared to other contenders? Yeah. Does the fact we run our offense through him and a gaggle of other MLE caliber veterans mean we don't have a potential all-nba talent on the roster? No. Don't be stupid.

[Dejounte]

Don't the Spurs have one of the best defensive units in the NBA, which include both Gay and Mills? Mills has been a plus on offense, leading the team in 3pt attempts and 3pt %. He's been really good overall tbh.

Gay has less of a case. He's clearly trying to show out for his next deal. He still holds value but has a nasty tendency to shot cluck, breaking the offense. Still, theirs a black hole at PF without him. Vassell would definitely play more, which would be a plus but less size and length and less depth. That could be an issue if White were to go down again or Covid hits the team.

Still, I hope that they trade them for assets and take their chances.

All the better if that's what it looks like from the surface. Pretty sure it's misleading in some shape or form that I'm too lazy to look into right now. It's either the SL that's so bad defensively or someone else in the line-up is carrying them to make that stat look good. As far as Mills.... the guy thinks he's Iverson out there and sure, he's been on fire for a good amount of games, but it's hardly ever within the flow of the offense. But I'm glad he's making them and I hope he continues to make them so that we could fool someone by the trade deadline (or S&T in the off-season).

[rjv]

honestly, this memphis series through me off. it's like elliiott said, i don't know if this was a result of the spurs playing so badly or memphis playing that well. they hit threes, they have a superstar and their defense was stifling. on the other hand, they exposed how old LMA is, they frustrated derozan and our younger players shriveled up. the truth is probably somewhere in between: memphis is a playoff contender and the spurs are not there yet.

[look_at_g_shred]

honestly, this memphis series through me off. it's like elliiott said, i don't know if this was a result of the spurs playing so badly or memphis playing that well. they hit threes, they have a superstar and their defense was stifling. on the other hand, they exposed how old LMA is, they frustrated derozan and our younger players shriveled up. the truth is probably somewhere in between: memphis is a playoff contender and the spurs are not there yet.

Great post

[daslicer]

honestly, this memphis series through me off. it's like elliiott said, i don't know if this was a result of the spurs playing so badly or memphis playing that well. they hit threes, they have a superstar and their defense was stifling. on the other hand, they exposed how old LMA is, they frustrated derozan and our younger players shriveled up. the truth is probably somewhere in between: memphis is a playoff contender and the spurs are not there yet.

It could be a case of both that Memphis is really this good and the Spurs just don't match up well with them. We'll know how good the Spurs really are by the end of this month.

[John B]

It’s so frustrating . I had it with this team. I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow.

[kht]

It's not an inbetween or "let's see" approach. Spurs had every advantage, and Memphis had every disadvantage and we still got smoked. Head to head, they are better than us. Us compared to the league versus them compared to the league? Jury is still out there.

[ElNono]

Adebayo and Herro are pick 14 and 13. Spurs drafted 11 this season.

First time the Spurs picked in the top 15 since '97, yet this team has been sucking since nephew left the building (that's 3 seasons ago, if you're keeping track)

That's the thing this idiot doesn't understand. The Heat hardly tanked. Then he tries to select years from the Spurs where it wasn't even plausible for them to tank. Absolutely no logic is being used. Just nonsense from a whiny fan.

I understand just fine. This Spurs team should've tanked the minute nephew left the building. They didn't. They've been horrible ever since. There's no 'reload' taking place here, period.

We did it to land Tim and Pop made a career out of it, but now it's this out of this world idea?

[rjv]

It could be a case of both that Memphis is really this good and the Spurs just don't match up well with them. We'll know how good the Spurs really are by the end of this month.

agreed. and the only other team this season that has beaten the spurs in similar fashion has been utah. the one thing both of these teams have in common is head coaches that have been a part of the spurs system so maybe there's something to that. at any rate, i'll be watching to see how memphis fares against the pacers tonight.

[tbdog]

First time the Spurs picked in the top 15 since '97, yet this team has been sucking since nephew left the building (that's 3 seasons ago, if you're keeping track)



I understand just fine. This Spurs team should've tanked the minute nephew left the building. They didn't. They've been horrible ever since. There's no 'reload' taking place here, period.

We did it to land Tim and Pop made a career out of it, but now it's this out of this world idea?

Okay, so how did the heat do it better?

[TimDunkem]

Okay, so how did the heat do it better?

They're not afraid to cut their losses and make moves for one.

[tbdog]

They're not afraid to cut their losses and make moves for one.

What losses did Heat cut?

[BackHome]

its Obvious Pop doesn’t want to deal with a rebuild and he doesn’t have to worry about getting fired so in limbo we stay. I am really hoping that Spurs are able to move Mills and Rudy for a late first or early second that would be the best outcome for both parties. As far as next season definitely need to move on from LMA and Derozz and start to really find out who wants to be the top Alpha on our team.

Don’t Bring Back:
1. LMA - Thanks for everything go sign and retire a Trail Blazer
2. Lyles - Yeah wish ya the best
3. Rudy - Thanks for the memories go try and get with a team that might get ya a ring
4. Derozz- LOOSING him for nothing is going to piss me off but I am willing to be pissed
5. Mills - he wants playing time I am torn I like him but his minutes will have to drop for younger players.

[itzsoweezee]

As bad as things are now, it’s probably going to be really bleak next year if the Spurs don’t land one of the superstars available in the upcoming draft

Example #1080 why you should not let the coach make personnel decisions.

[gambit1990]

"might be time to tank" is such a 2018 thing to say

[cd021]

All the better if that's what it looks like from the surface. Pretty sure it's misleading in some shape or form that I'm too lazy to look into right now. It's either the SL that's so bad defensively or someone else in the line-up is carrying them to make that stat look good. As far as Mills.... the guy thinks he's Iverson out there and sure, he's been on fire for a good amount of games, but it's hardly ever within the flow of the offense. But I'm glad he's making them and I hope he continues to make them so that we could fool someone by the trade deadline (or S&T in the off-season).

It makes sense that that lineup is effective defensively tbh Murray and Vassell are both above average defenders who are defending opposing bench guards while Poeltl is an effective rim protector. Gay has been a decent team defender, leaving only Mills as a weak link. I don't think its a fluke.

Offensively, he's largely been strong. He does highjack the bench offense a lot but he tends to get results. I think he's certainly upped his value. If they moved him, they'd certainly ask for a first and would probably get it.

[cd021]

its Obvious Pop doesn’t want to deal with a rebuild and he doesn’t have to worry about getting fired so in limbo we stay. I am really hoping that Spurs are able to move Mills and Rudy for a late first or early second that would be the best outcome for both parties. As far as next season definitely need to move on from LMA and Derozz and start to really find out who wants to be the top Alpha on our team.

Don’t Bring Back:
1. LMA - Thanks for everything go sign and retire a Trail Blazer
2. Lyles - Yeah wish ya the best
3. Rudy - Thanks for the memories go try and get with a team that might get ya a ring
4. Derozz- LOOSING him for nothing is going to piss me off but I am willing to be pissed
5. Mills - he wants playing time I am torn I like him but his minutes will have to drop for younger players.

I've been operating under the assumption that the Spurs didn't move the vets because they wanted to give Pop the most compe ive team possible. Depending on how things went and the offers, they'd be willing to at least listen to offers come the trade deadline. They may still listen but I doubt they move DDR and Aldridge but I could see them possibly moving Gay and/ or Mills or even package them together for assets.

I think Pop retires after this season and Becky is the HC next season, overseeing a rebuild/reboot.

[Ice009]

All the better if that's what it looks like from the surface. Pretty sure it's misleading in some shape or form that I'm too lazy to look into right now. It's either the SL that's so bad defensively or someone else in the line-up is carrying them to make that stat look good. As far as Mills.... the guy thinks he's Iverson out there and sure, he's been on fire for a good amount of games, but it's hardly ever within the flow of the offense. But I'm glad he's making them and I hope he continues to make them so that we could fool someone by the trade deadline (or S&T in the off-season).

I was hoping for this too, but don't you remember EricB's post where he said he heard from someone in the organization that there is no way they're trading Patty? . This is pretty disheartening if they're not willing to move him just because he's a "good guy". When did this start happening? It sure wasn't the case back in 1999 to about 2005. The Spurs had no problem cutting anyone that didn't perform, or anyone that didn't fit in towards winning games, so why are they clinging to certain players now? What changed? I have the same at ude as back then, why has Pop gone soft since then and clings to players that aren't very good?

For example, Patty has sucked for about 3 years (since getting that ridiculously overpriced contract that I still think Kawhi saw along with the Gasol one and said " this." I think that is the point where he started thinking about leaving), but is playing well to start this season for the first time in a long time. It's also a contract year, so if someone makes any kind of decent offer, I'd trade him immediately. I don't understand why they wouldn't consider this. 13-15 good games to start this season off Vs 3 ty years, what's there to keep? He'd be better off on a team competing for the Championship. He's worthless to the Spurs IMO if they want to get back into contention. He's not going to get us there, he's only going to hamper other players developing by eating up their minutes.

[Dejounte]

I was hoping for this too, but don't you remember EricB's post where he said he heard from someone in the organization that there is no way they're trading Patty? . This is pretty disheartening if they're not willing to move him just because he's a "good guy". When did this start happening? It sure wasn't the case back in 1999 to about 2005. The Spurs had no problem cutting anyone that didn't perform, or anyone that didn't fit in towards winning games, so why are they clinging to certain players now? What changed? I have the same at ude as back then, why has Pop gone soft since then and clings to players that aren't very good?

For example, Patty has sucked for about 3 years (since getting that ridiculously overpriced contract that I still think Kawhi saw along with the Gasol one and said " this." I think that is the point where he started thinking about leaving), but is playing well to start this season for the first time in a long time. It's also a contract year, so if someone makes any kind of decent offer, I'd trade him immediately. I don't understand why they wouldn't consider this. 13-15 good games to start this season off Vs 3 ty years, what's there to keep? He'd be better off on a team competing for the Championship. He's worthless to the Spurs IMO if they want to get back into contention. He's not going to get us there, he's only going to hamper other players developing by eating up their minutes.

Meh, if Patty is as beloved within the organization as we all think he is, that kind of intel would be kept close-guarded. So unless EricB is RC Buford himself, I highly doubt anyone knows if Patty will be traded or not traded. I have my own confidence in Patty not being a Spur next year that I'm willing to bet anyone. I already have a bet on this with an.

[ElNono]

Okay, so how did the heat do it better?

They collected picks in the top 15 that ended up giving them some players to build on (ie: Adebayo).

What is the Spurs strategy this season? Ride out with the old farts again for an 6th-8th position, get kicked out in the 1st round and pick in the 20's again? Is that the barometer for a 'good' season with this team?

[daslicer]

They collected picks in the top 15 that ended up giving them some players to build on (ie: Adebayo).

What is the Spurs strategy this season? Ride out with the old farts again for an 6th-8th position, get kicked out in the 1st round and pick in the 20's again? Is that the barometer for a 'good' season with this team?

It's good for Pop's ego so the media can suck off of him and say "Amazing coaching job by Pop. The spurs should have been in the lottery but he got them into the playoffs."

[ElNono]

It's good for Pop's ego so the media can suck off of him and say "Amazing coaching job by Pop. The spurs should have been in the lottery but he got them into the playoffs."

you're thinking of the incisive SA media that throws him softball questions left and right... rofl