Game Thread: Spurs vs Thunder - Mar 4th 2021 - 8PM CT

[Trainwreck2100]

How tf are we 0-2 against this team? Spurs have some real ugly losses on their record. We should have 4 more wins. We need to be feasting on these bottom feeders not losing to teams like OKC, MINN, and HOU

lost some bottom feeder games due to COVID, that's gonna be a real difference maker at the end of the year

[Mugen]

I think you're right.

I saw Kawhi in your signature and I realized how cool it is to have a team with some personality and togetherness. The Clippers don't ever appear to be the happiest, close-knit bunch, in spite of their winning record. At least our guys are having fun...and winning, too.

I guarantee all those dudes hate Nephew, Pandemic P, and Uncle Dennis tbh

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

lost some bottom feeder games due to COVID, that's gonna be a real difference maker at the end of the year

The Spurs will have a lot of easy games against the east after the all-star break. I fully expect their winning % to continue to improve. Problem is they'll hardly have a day off.

[KobesAchilles]

lost some bottom feeder games due to COVID, that's gonna be a real difference maker at the end of the year

Correct me if I'm wrong but weren't our canceled games against super easy opponents too? Like Cleveland or some . Do we make them up or are they gone for good?

[Sugus]

Correct me if I'm wrong but weren't our canceled games against super easy opponents too? Like Cleveland or some . Do we make them up or are they gone for good?

We will (should) make them up after the second half of the season, that's the way the league planned the season to go from the jump. Every team that's had games postponed should play them eventually - so the Spurs' record right now is misleading, considering those games should've been a handful of wins (especially if no one on the team had gotten COVID and sat out).

[Robz4000]

I guarantee all those dudes hate Nephew, Pandemic P, and Uncle Dennis tbh

I'll feel zero sympathy for Nephew when he's broke at the end of his career because Uncle Dennis ran off with all his money and left him with a dead leg

[Mugen]

I'll feel zero sympathy for Nephew when he's broke at the end of his career because Uncle Dennis ran off with all his money and left him with a dead leg

Good point. Between Dennis inevitably fleecing him, the legal fees to keep his murderer sister appealing her case, and the fact that he has zero personality/appeal when it comes to endorsements..I wouldn't be surprised at all if Kawhi is broke 5 years after retiring.

[Dejounte]

Good point. Between Dennis inevitably fleecing him, the legal fees to keep his murderer sister appealing her case, and the fact that he has zero personality/appeal when it comes to endorsements..I wouldn't be surprised at all if Kawhi is broke 5 years after retiring.

Don't forget all the money he's throwing at strippers (with his baby mama sitting next to him)

[Dejounte]

Same dude we all admired early on in his career for being low maintenance because he said he wouldn't replace his old truck for a fancy car is dropping how many grand on strippers what a fraud

[Leetonidas]

Any updates on the guys out for this one? Or is it the same guys out as last time

[the golden era]

DORT!. Hopefully not.

I'll be missing this game fellas, so if we lose, it might be on me... Or some random OKC scrub going off once again

Hope the guys play out and Luka gets some shine. Would love to see the matchup between him and Dort, who's a really physical defender/player. GSG

[ace3g]

Any updates on the guys out for this one? Or is it the same guys out as last time

yeah, same as last game: LA - out, Covid protocol players - out

[quentin_compson]

[ace3g]

Spurs, Blazers, Suns all play tonight.

[RC_Drunkford]

Horford is out tonight. Let's get this W

[spurraider21]

Same dude we all admired early on in his career for being low maintenance because he said he wouldn't replace his old truck for a fancy car is dropping how many grand on strippers what a fraud

tbh those were some good times, having one of the best young stars in the league

[spurraider21]

Why is it at 8?

because 7 8 9

[Dejounte]

tbh those were some good times, having one of the best young stars in the league

Have you seen the trailer for Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Luka Samanic?

Coming soon to a theater near you ...

[spurraider21]

Have you seen the trailer for Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Luka Samanic?

Coming soon to a theater near you ...

ascending kawhi was different. know know it. keldon isnt even in the stratosphere unless he learns how to shoot

[Dejounte]

ascending kawhi was different. know know it. keldon isnt even in the stratosphere unless he learns how to shoot

Bruh, you're acting like Kawhi's first three years were equivalent to LeBron's three years. He wasn't that great. Keldon is having a better second year compared to Kawhi's second. That's just a fact.

[RD2191]

because 7 8 9

[heyheymymy]

People forget those first few seasons for Kawhi. He had a very wonky slow release on his shot, was low 30s% from 3 and couldn't hit a free throw reliably. Remember that projection that had his ceiling as a rich man's Gerald Wallace.

It's a big part of the salt in the wound of Kawhi leaving for me because, not taking anything away from his work ethic but the Spurs basically built him early on. Totally redesigned his shot/release those first few seasons and put him in deep playoff experience development early and often. Anyway that's my take.

[spurraider21]

People forget those first few seasons for Kawhi. He had a very wonky slow release on his shot, was low 30s% from 3 and couldn't hit a free throw reliably. Remember that projection that had his ceiling as a rich man's Gerald Wallace.

It's a big part of the salt in the wound of Kawhi leaving for me because, not taking anything away from his work ethic but the Spurs basically built him early on. Totally redesigned his shot/release those first few seasons and put him in deep playoff experience development early and often. Anyway that's my take.

first season he shot 37.6% from 3
second season he shot 37.4% from 3
third season he shot 37.9% from 3

keldon is currently sub 33%

[Mugen]

Kawhi was easily on a different level than the young guys. The closest I've seen to him is maybe this year's Dejounte and he's on year 5. This is also coming from somebody who loves the young core and probably overrates them tbh

[heyheymymy]

first season he shot 37.6% from 3
second season he shot 37.4% from 3
third season he shot 37.9% from 3

keldon is currently sub 33%

Good info thanks and touché, but it kind of makes my point. Coming out of his low college 3P%, set up designed shots, mostly corner balls, with HOFers and GOATs providing spacing and leadership and Chip rebuilding his release his numbers are as you provided.

I'm not taking anything away, Kawhi was definitely a different monster, and probably develops into today's version under any cir stances.

But Kawhi does get about as optimal as possible situation to start his pro career and the line blurs where credit is due arguably.

I don't know about the comparison to Keldon, I really do believe Kawhi is a totally different monster. But there are things Keldon is doing that just pop to the eye and it's definitely something special that is reminiscent of Kawhi's rise in a sense.